Breaking up with her ex-husband and thus her old band, Roma di Luna, was shocking enough. Then Channy Leaneagh went and added Auto-Tune and fuzzy electronic effects to her natural-beauty siren voice, inspired by her work with the all-star band Gayngs. It took her and her oddly configured new group -- two drummers, no guitarist -- all of two shows to win over local skeptics, though. Poliça has since been wowing crowds everywhere from the South by Southwest fest to opening dates with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Runner-up: The Cactus Blossoms