Acts to watch out for in 2012

[boombox]

Boards like this have aften turned me onto great new bands and singers. With a bit of googling and youtubing around, you can usually find bits to listen to, so here's a thread for us to nominate some of our up and coming acts for the year, especially those who are only just signed, or just starting to gain exposure. So, in alphabetical order:

ahab (http://www.ahabofficial.com)
alt-country outfit with mando, bass and acoustic 6 & 12-string guitars. Four vocalists opening the way for some nice harmonies. Go to the 'Music' page on their website for some samples and also there are many videos on youtube, including some fine sessions at The Crypt. Trivia fact: Callum is the son of Big Country's Stuart Adamson.

Away With The Faeries (http://www.awtfaeries.com)
Fell in love with these when I saw them in October 2011, when they were special guests at the annual Hallowe'en Ball given by the Grand Slambovians (who, incidentally, are back for a big tour in May-June 2012 - yippee!). Folkie in style, with two female vocalists, a flute and acoustic guitar at the core, with drums and stand-up bass on occasion. Really looking forward to their first recordings coming out in 2012. Some demos on their website, a few bits on youtube and there will be more when I put up their Slambovian Ball set - Chloe has already put up a compilation on yt (user: awtfofficial).

DLM aka Davis, Lindley, Mullan (c/o http://www.stackridge.net)
This is Stackridge founder member Andy Davis' acoustic side project, along with Clare Lindley (Stackridge violinist) and Brian Mullan on cello. While Stackridge are still going strong with three of the four core members from yore and a lengthy Spring 2012 tour, this gives Andy a chance to perform some of his solo stuff alongside a few Stackridge songs and some covers, some of which get the ukelele treatment!! The band have recorded a few tunes for youtube and there are other odd snippets out there, including a ustream recording of a January 2012 gig (google The Bell, Bath and ustream).

Headspace (http://www.headspaceonline.com http://www.myspace.com/headspacetheband)
My final recommendation for 2012 is this prog supergroup comprising Damien Wilson (Threshold & Rick Wakeman), Lee Pomeroy (Rick Wakeman, It Bites, Steve Hackett, Take That(!)), Pete Rinaldi (Justin Hawkins' Hot Leg) Rich Brook, and Adam Wakeman (doh!). Heavy prog with amazing vocals and for the guitar fans amongst us, 7 and 8 string guitars. New album is due in the spring, but Adam's ongoing touring commitments with Ozzy mean promotion might be a problem - I mean it's only been nearly 5 years since their debut EP!!

So who else do you recommend?

[the greypicker]

Hi BB

I really enjoyed all the links, especially the first one - they were having a good time!

The last hour has been spent with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, watching and listening to the Revelator DVD. Great singing - amd I mean great! But the guitar work is incredible - a 1958 Gibson J50 and a 1938 Epiphone Olympic (a plywood student guitar, would you believe!). David Rawlings takes the guitar places you wouldn't believe it can go, with lots of improvisation.

Worth a listen, whatever your musical style.

John

[boombox]

I quite like the Welch-Rawlings album from last year and agree his guitar playing is something else. However, I found the album a bit samey. Was glad I checked it out though as I have since listened to a few live recordings from their recent tour and do like that better.

As for his guitars, recent listenings to more americana type things have got me leaning towards thinking my next guitar, when ever that will be, will be a hog J-45 or similar. With two spruce/rosewoods in the stable, the herd needs new blood! (Funny too, how the first Avalon I ever seriously considered was a D300!

[tomj]

Hey boombox - good call on Headspace.
I've roadied for them a few times as Lee is a good friend. They're really great fellas and truly amazing musicians.
I think they really bring some of the melodic qualities of older style prog back into modern prog.
I love the EP but I'm still waiting for my copy of the album

Cheers
Tom

[boombox]

Hey boombox - good call on Headspace.
I've roadied for them a few times as Lee is a good friend. They're really great fellas and truly amazing musicians.
I think they really bring some of the melodic qualities of older style prog back into modern prog.
I love the EP but I'm still waiting for my copy of the album

Cheers
Tom

Chatted to Lee (and the rest of the band) after Summer's End - very nice bloke indeed and it's been funny to see him on the telly since then at the Children In Need concert etc. As for the new album, waiting till May for it to come out seems a very long time.

[tomj]

Lee's a lovely fella. His modesty belies the range of acts he's worked with/for ( see http://www.leepomeroy.co.uk )

May is indeed a long way