This is our second annual On The Verge listing. The following is a list of 28 bands or solo acts that are on the verge of something big or in some cases just artists that we feel deserve some more attention. In some cases a few on the list may be passed on the verge and are hitting it big already, but at the time of the list originating they were not yet, and we decided to keep them on. We cover many genres with this list and don’t expect all of it to fit for everyone, but hopefully you may stumble across something you would not have normally. .In a perfect world we could host a fall music festival featuring our list, but that is for the future.
We usually pride ourselves at SERC in just offering the facts. Obviously with a list of this nature there is going to be some subjectivity. We welcome all comments and if you have any suggestions for future lists feel free to let us know. The contributors to this list are many and many thanks to all of those who gave us input. Again let us know what you think and let us know who we need to add.
This is a nice change of pace from the things we normally work on and it is our our hope that you enjoy this list at least as much as we enjoy putting it together. Some of the artists may be familiar to you, some may not. Hopefully you will discover something you may not have elsewhere.
September 29, 2016
The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown (Los Angeles, CA) http://www.thebigolnastygetdown.com/ (Funk and Everything in between)
It is a collaborative of some of the best and brightest in music. It is not just a collaboration of funk artists, but a collective from all genres and walks of life with the commonality is their extraordinary talent and great vibe. The baddest players in the galaxy collide in a funk explosion that is the next chapter in music history. The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown is arguably the most ambitious and most exciting music project of any genre, in decades. Their latest single Mantra nominated for the 2016 R&B/Soul Song of the year at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards
Lucy Dacus (Richmond, VA) http://lucydacus.com/
Debut album “No Burden” was released in the Summer of 2016 to very strong reviews. Including being mentioned as one of the Top 10 albums of the 1st half of 2016 by Time.com. Time describe as “Her rich, low voice is nestled among gorgeously fuzzed-out guitars that recall college rock’s best moments while also sounding perfectly tailored to 21st-century tastes.” She is currently touring throughout the US and Europe this fall and last June she performed on CBS This Morning. It will only be a short time before Lucy Dacus is a household name.
Bishop Briggs (Los Angeles, CA) http://www.bishopbriggs.com/ (Indie pop, Alt Rock)
She is opening for Coldplay on nine of shows in the fall of 2016. Her 2016 single “River” has so far peaked in the top 10 on the Rock Airplay and the Alternative Songs chart. In August she appeared on the Tonight Show performing “River”. Her most recent single “Pray (Empty Gun)” was released in August.
Lil Yachty (Atlanta, GA) (Hip Hop) https://soundcloud.com/770rd
Featured on D.R.A.M.’s “Broccoli,” which reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart in September 2016. His mix “Lil Boat” reached 113th on the US Digital Download chart. A huge breakout is the next step for the rising star.
Frightened Rabbit (Glasgow, Scotland) http://frightenedrabbit.com/ (indie rock/indie folk)
Frightened Rabbit’s 4th album in 2013 “Pedestrian Verse” peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart. Their single “Painting of a Panic attack” debuted in April 2016 at #70 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band is touring in the US in the fall of 2016, with a UK tour planned for the November and December and dates in Ireland February 2017.
Joey Bada$$ (Brooklyn, NY) http://joeybadass.com/ (Rap)
In 2013 he was nominated for the BET Hip Hop Awards Rookie Of The Year. In August was named the BMI Social Star Award winner. This fall he is touring in support of SchoolBoy Q.
Lux Lisbon (London UK) (indiepoprock) http://luxlisbon.com/ http://luxlisbonmusic.com/freedownloadC/#_=_
A completely indepndent band, and they will even give away their music for free by going here http://luxlisbonmusic.com/freedownloadC/#_=_ absolutely no good reason not to check them out.
Lux Lisbon are a English 4-piece who do harmony laden indie pop rock songs made with tag-team-boy-girl vocals, under the influence of Dog is Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Bloc Party, Simon and Garfunkel, Billy Bragg, Florence and Manics lyrics. On April 21st, 2016 they became the first 100% DIY band to sell out London Scala in advance – this following on from an exciting 2015, in which they sold out London Bush Hall in June, and 3 sold out nights at London Lexington earlier in the year.
Kat Meyers and the Buzzards (Los Angeles, CA) (Rock/Blues)
http://www.katmyersandthebuzzards.com/
A bit of a non-genre specific band, their sound is uniquely refreshing. Recently completed a yout through California and opened for Blues Traveler. LA Magazine recently cited them as one of five “Bands you need in your life” and we would concur with that assessment. An excellent sound, you will not be disappointed after checking them out.
The Revivalists (New Orleans, LA) http://www.therevivalists.com/ (Alt Rock)
I the spring of 2016 the band was named by Rolling Stone as one of “10 Bands You Need to Know.” Their most recent single “Wish I Knew You” reached #1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative chart on September 22, 2016.
All Them Witches (Nashville, TN) http://www.allthemwitches.org/
All Them Witches concoct a powerful and potent psychedelic sound that fuses bluesy soul, Southern swagger and thunderous hard rock. The band has performed at SXSW and Bonnaroo.
Typhoid Rosie (Brooklyn, NY) http://typhoidrosie.com/ (Indie pop-rock)
The band has been featured in The Huffington Post, Paste Magazine, Hype Magazine, Audio Fuzz and Eat Sleep Breathe Music; just to name a few. Their latest album “Hearts Bleed Goodbye” came out in the spring of 2016 to rave reviews. The ceiling is extremely high for them with great lyrics and an amazing sound.
Richard Smith (Nashville, TN) http://www.richardsmithmusic.com/solo (Country, Bluegrass,Folk, Jazz, Pop & Classical)
Perhaps not as much on the verge, as much as someone you may not have heard but really should. An amazing talent with the guitar, 2008 Thumbpicker of the Year and a 2009 National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame Inductee. Originally from England and now based in Nashville. Definitely worth your time for a listen.
Lara Johnston (Los Angeles, CA) http://larajohnston.com/lj/ (Rock, Soul, Pop)
Lara Johnston is a singer-songwriter whose powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and catchy, soulful pop songs have captivated worldwide music audiences. On past tours has opened for KISS, Heart, and Willie Nelson. Has been back up vocals for Don Henley and Belinda Carlisle among others in the past. In 2013 played at SXSW. Mixture of Pop, Rock & Soul, comparable sound to Norah Jones has performed on The Wendy Williams Show and Piers Morgan Tonight.
Dillan Grey (Miami, FL/Atlanta GA) http://www.dillangrey.com/ (Hip Hop/R&B)
Some believe his “Grey Area” sound, that he’s become known for, defines the millennial generation in the best way sonically possible. The transcending of genres is something that he has dedicated his 18 year musical career aiming to perfect. His latest album “Painted Asylum” was released last spring
The Caveman (New York, NY) http://cavemantheband.com/ (indie rock, R&R)
Caveman is done being an indie rock band playing for indie rock fans alone. They have their sights set on bigger goals, so on their third time around they made their biggest-sounding album yet.Their most recent album release Otero War has been self described as the most mature album the band has created. The album overflows with the joyous energy of a songwriter and a band finding their stride and flexing their newfound power for the first time. You can hear them enjoying the freedom from the confines of the expectations that have surrounded them until now, and looking out at a much bigger world to conquer.
Tacoma Narrows (New York, NY) http://www.tacomanarrowsband.com/ (Folk Rock)
They are a 6 piece folk-rock band gaining popularity in New York City and across the country, they won NPRs “Great Outdoor” contest out of 6000+ entries with our original video and song “Youthful Hearts.” Their music has been described as tight but flexible, wistful but wired.
Iron & Wine http://ironandwine.com/ (Folk music, Folk rock, Indie folk)
Again, perhaps less of an on the verge here as much as an under the radar in some senses. Their 7th album “Love Letter For Fire” was released in 2016 and has reached as high as 163 on the UK Official Charts. Their 2005 “Kiss Each Other Clean” reached #1 on a number of Billboard charts and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200.
Jules Galli (Los Angeles, CA) http://www.julesgalli.com/
Originally from France, Jules Galli has made a strong debut on the Los Angeles scene. Since arriving in 2014, Galli has performed at The Sayers Club, The Hotel Cafe, RnB Live, and on top of the US Bank Tower opening for Macy Gray. Galli’s song “Without Your Love” was recently featured in a Hanz De Fuko video starring Marinao de Viao
Just Juice (Boston, MA) (Hip Hop) https://justjuice.co/
Just Juice is a 21-year-old independent hip-hop artist coming out of the greater Boston, MA area. Just Juice has gone viral numerous times amassing more than 40 million views across the Internet. With a solid sound and already the name recognition Just Juice could soon become a mainstream name.
Yuna (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/Los Angeles, CA) (Pop/Alternative/Acoustic/Folk Rock) http://www.yunamusic.com/
Yuna had been nominated for and won numerous awards at the Malaysian Music Awards. In the September 10, 2016 her single “Crush” Featuring Usher reached #3 on the Billboard Adult R&B chart. Yuna possesses a light lyric soprano voice. She once described her music as “a cross between Mary Poppins and Coldplay”
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra (Asheville, NC) (jazz/rock fusion) http://www.jonscales.com/
One of the most innovative steel drummer on the planet. They toured Central America, the Caribbean, Japan and Europe in the Fall of 2015, and a performance in The Netherlands landed them a spot on the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival in the Summer of 2016, which anchored another tour of Europe. The Fourchestra has now been chosen by the US Department of State— from 300 finalists— to serve as musical ambassadors in a 6 week concert tour of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Indonesia in early 2017.
The Broadcast (Asheville, NC) (Americana Soul Rock) http://thebroadcastmusic.com/
Described by audiences as a modern day “Grace Slick meets Led Zeppelin”, Asheville NC’s The Broadcast quickly propelled themselves into the live music spotlight with their award winning independently released debut album “Dodge the Arrow” which has sold nearly 10,000 copies to date. The band released their second album “From The Horizon” produced and engineered by multi-Grammy award winner Jim Scott. Their latest effort is loaded with crossover potential and finds the band delving deeper into the realm of Americana while still firmly rooting their sound in the traditional rock & roll sound that fans have come to love.
The Mantras (Greensboro, NC) (Progressive Rock /Jam) http://themantras.com/
The Mantras, a five piece jam machine born of Greensboro, NC have been conquering crowds and melting minds all over the country progressively for over a decade. The band’s music can be described with all types of varying rock and roll terminology, but is absolutely best defined by each listener’s ear and, equally important, their experience.
Underhill Rose (Asheville, NC) (Heartfelt Country Soul) http://www.underhillrose.com/
In 2013 the released the album “Something Real” and it peak at #18 and spent 10 weeks in the Top 40 and an additional 12 in the Top 100 of the Americana Music Association (AMA) Airplay charts. By the end of the year, the album was named an AMA Top 100 album of the year. The album also cracked the Top 25 on the EuroAmericana, Freeform Americana Radio (FAR) and The Alternate Root “Roots 66” charts. The band has earned critical-acclaim from No Depression, Music News Nashville, Common Folk Music, The Alternate Root, The Roots Music Report, and numerous other publications throughout the United States and Europe. The band is about to begin a UK in November 2016.
Dead Soldiers (Memphis TN) http://www.deadsoldierstn.com/
Dead Soldiers is an American Roots based band from Memphis. Self describing their influences ranging from Rock, Soul, Outlaw Country & Bluegrass music. Our personal pick from the band is “High Anxiety”. The band is worth a listen.
The Fritz (Asheville NC) http://www.thefritzmusic.com/ (Funk, Rock, Soul)
A funk band formed at the University of North Florida, their sound is diverse and may may range from hard driving soul to progressive rock. High energy live shows are not to be missed from the group. Currently they are on an east coast tour.
Zane Carney (Los Angeles & New York) (Rock, Folk, Blues, Jazz, Pop) http://www.zanecarney.com/
Zane Carney is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, most known for his work with John Mayer,CARNEY, and Broadway’s “Spider Man -Turn Off The Dark.” He has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Keith Urban, and Roy Hargrove, appeared on Oprah, Ellen, and David Letterman, opened for U2, Fergie, and The Black Crowes with his band CARNEY. He has started his solo career and was touring with John Mayer in the summer of 2016.
The Floozies (Lawrence, KS) (Electronic) http://www.flooziesduo.com/
The duo’s combination of cutting edge electronic production and party rocking funk energizes crowds and turns venues into epic dance parties. They reached #10 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart. Definitely a sound that is worth a listen.