BestNewBands.com’s Best New Male Artist of 2013 Newbie Awards nominees reveals the tremendous musical diversity that’s being embraced today. Note to those hoping to establish themselves in 2014…get a stage name. And it apparently doesn’t hurt if you’re still in your teens.
Our six nominees (in alphabetical order):
VOTING’S CLOSED – WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON
At just 19, Earl Sweatshirt has been a fixture in the L.A. hip-hop scene for some time. In April, on the eve of this year’s Coachella, we did a Featured Artist profile on him, noting how he was first discovered by Odd Future impresario Tyler, The Creator when he was just 15. Born Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, the rising star appeared on fellow OF member Frank Ocean’s Grammy Award-winning (and BestNewBands.com 2012 Newbie Awards winning) channel Orange album. We caught Earl live in October, promoting his debut album, Doris (on Tan Cressida/Columbia), and our reviewer raved: “It takes a big presence to fill (Seattle’s The Neptune) and make the hollow theater intimate.”
OK, what is it about 19-year-old phenoms this year? England’s Jake Bugg has made a splash in 2013 promoting his late ’12 self-titled debut on Mercury. We saw his recent sold-out gig at L.A.’s Fonda Theatre where certain female members of the audience urged him to, well, undress. Our reviewer called him “the real deal” offering “simple rock, simple melodies, stunning lyrics, pitch perfect, expertly driven vocals.” Audiences are being treated to new tunes from his follow-up LP, Shangri La. Bugg was the subject of a Featured Artist profile last April, which noted the guitarist “has the right mix of persona, stage show and songs.”
25-year-old James Blake is slowing making a name for himself. The electronic whiz and singer-songwriter hit the road in ’13 to promote his second full-length, Overgrown. The album was an upset winner of sorts for Britain’s Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, besting works by such acts as Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie, Savages and fellow Best New Male Newbie nominee, Jake Bugg. We featured the British native in a Coachella preview, noting that “his music is smart and ahead of the curve.” The Mercury Prize judges obviously agree.
It’s back to the future with another rising hip-hop teenager, 18-year-old Joey Bada$$. BestNewBands.com featured “Mr. Bada$$”—as the NY Times’ style guide would require—in a “4 Artists To Watch” feature last January, noting that the New York-based member of the rap crew, Pro Era, “seems to be the real deal.” His seven-song debut EP, Summer Knights, was released in late October via Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era Records/RED Distribution. Joey is currently headlining The Smokers Club tour through Thanksgiving.
Quoting directly from our review of 6 Feet Beneath The Moon: “The rise of King Krule, aka Archy Marshall, has been a steady build that left those in awe wondering if the…UK teen could reach the full potential expected by Internet blogging types.” Fear not, our reviewer calls the album “an incredible effort by a young talent who craftily blends melancholy melodies with hints of blues and jazz.” King Krule is promoting 6 Feet with his first exposure on American late night TV: recent appearances on Letterman and Conan. He’s also headlining a U.S. club tour in December.
Shakey Graves is the moniker of Texan Alejandro Rose-Garcia, whose finger-picking skills on both guitar and banjo rival anyone you’ve heard. As we wrote in our Featured Artist profile last summer: his “cowboy vocals spin stores that reek of rambling wanderlust.” Graves’ recorded output is relatively small: his 2013 ep, The Donor Blues followed his 2011 debut, Roll The Bones, the latter still available as a “Name Your Price” offer via Bandcamp. He’s on the road for selected dates well into 2014 and well worth hearing his “songs of the road and of roaming that can make you all too eager to hit the road yourself.”
This year, we’re encouraging our readers to vote online for their favorite nominee in each category. You’ll find the simple voting form on each of the four category pages:
See our nominees for Best New Band and vote for your favorite HERE
See our nominees for Best New Female Artist and vote for your favorite HERE
See our nominees for Best New Album and vote for your favorite HERE
Eligibility was based on artists’ recording and touring activity from November 1, 2012 – October 31, 2013. Voting ends Friday, December 6. The winners will be announced the following week.
