If Grouplove isn’t a band you’re familiar with now, chances are you will be come 2011. Although the LA-based quintet’s self-titled debut EP has not even been released yet (it comes out January 25!), the five-piece that met during a residency on Crete (read about the band’s conception in Jesse Diener-Bennett’s interview for BestNewBands.com with Ryan Rabin) has already been praised by Nylon, was ranked #10 in NME’s Top 50 bands of 2010, toured with The Joy Formidable and played West Coast dates with Florence + The Machine. Not to shabby for a band with no records released.

But in 2011, that will all change. Aside from the indie poppers’ debut EP, the band is planning on releasing its freshman record in May or June, and for the month of January, Los Angelinos can get a taste of the melodic, buoyant pop tunes produced by the group lovers. The Bootleg Theatre is hosting a free residency featuring Grouplove January 3, 10 and 17, and a show January 24 with a surprise special guest (cover for that is $20). So if you’re in the LA area and like free music, you best get yourself out to one of those dates, because, despite the hippie name, these will probably be the last free performances Grouplove will give.