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Next Up: New Artists to Watch

Bell X1

It doesn't seem right to call Bell X1 new artists. After all, the fellas from County Kildare in Ireland have been together since 2000, forming after the breakup of their previous group Juniper (which was fronted by some guy named Damien Rice). However, they were a new discovery to many music fans here in the States in 2008. Their third studio album, Flock, was the first Bell X1 album to see the light of day in the U.S. (despite being released nearly three years ago overseas), and it combines intelligent lyrics, beautiful instrumentation, and compelling vocals. Look out for new album Blue Lights On The Runway in March. (Rich McLaughlin)

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is the musical identity of Justin Vernon, an extremely talented singer-songwriter from Wisconsin. The name in French translates to "good winter" and reflects the recording of For Emma, Forever Ago perfectly. The album, recorded in a remote cabin in Vernon's home state, is filled with a sparse beauty, mirroring the serenity of a landscape covered by a soft snowstorm. Easily one of the best of albums of the year and highly recommended for fans for early Iron & Wine. (Russ Borriss)

Anthony da Costa

Before he's even graduated from Pleasantville High School, Anthony has used his confident stage presence to pick up awards from every festival in sight, from Falcon Ridge to Kerrville, and his prolific songwriting to release seven CDs! Truly one of "Woody's Children" (and an active member of Westchester's Tribes Hill musical community), he's absorbed the influences of Dylan and Dan Bern, among others, but his current hero is Ryan Adams. He's off to college next year, but rest assured, we'll still be hearing from him. (John Platt)

Corey Chisel

This was a love-at-first-sight listen. Cory Chisel is a classic singer songwriter - great voice and honest songs - the kind of guy that was born to tell stories. See him live if you can, as he has that magical look in his eyes. Ironically, he's from the same hometown as Harry Houdini. (Rita Houston)

Delta Spirit

For a band whose name comes from a taxidermy company, there's a whole lotta life to Delta Spirit's full-length debut, Ode To Sunshine. The San Diego quintet mixes raw street-preacher soul with a loose roots sound normally linked to a pink house on the east coast. Add a little edgy angst, some barroom jangle, and the occasional trashcan lid, and these tunes can rollick and ache all at once. (Sarah Wardrop)

Duffy

By now WFUV listeners should be familiar with Duffy's debut album Rockferry. Her powerful voice and its retro sound drew comparisons to Petula Clark and Lulu. The album and its first single "Mercy" went to the top of the charts in her native U.K. and made a name for her here in the U.S. Expect to hear more from Duffy this year as she continues to sell out concert venues and releases new tracks on a deluxe edition of her debut. (Corny O'Connell)

Fleet Foxes

They're five guys from Seattle who make no apologies about being influenced by their parents' record collection, but they're making music with a sound of their own. Depending on your musical frame of reference, the vocal harmonies of Fleet Foxes may remind you of the Beach Boys or My Morning Jacket. Their self-titled debut CD is filled with complex lyrics and soaring vocals, which the band has described as "baroque harmonic pop." I'm still not quite sure what they're singing about, but I really like their sound. (Dennis Elsas)

Friendly Fires

One of my favorite releases of 2008 came from the band Friendly Fires. These gents have been playing in bands together since they were 14 years old and growing up together in St. Albans, Hertfordshire in the UK. Their self-titled debut has a synth-pop/shoe gazer vibe heavily influenced by bands like New Order and My Bloody Valentine. But the band's sound is such fun that it's hard to knock them for what they lack in originality. (Rich McLaughlin)

Jaymay

Jaymay, who's originally from Long Island, has been kicking around the local New York City scene for a few years now. Her major label debut, Autumn Fallin', has earned her attention far beyond the downtown set. Her songs are well crafted, lyrical rich portraits, with melodies set her apart from the pack. I listen to this CD a lot. (Rita Houston)

Langhorne Slim

Langhorne Slim has a fake name, a strange wardrobe and a penchant for vintage hats. The pose seems an unnecessary affectation for someone who clearly has something to say and an authentically rootsy way of saying it. After all, he doesn't live in depression-era, he lives in LA. Born Sean Scolnick in Langhorne, PA, Slim gained cred and a following with energetic live shows during a stint in Brooklyn. His unconventioanal folk and blues will appeal to fans of the Avett Brothers and Felice Brothers. (Claudia Marshall)

Little Jackie

Little Jackie combine the classic girl group sound of the Sixties with hip hop and pop to create a sound all their own. This duo of multi-instrumentalist Adam Pallin and vocalist and songwriter Imani Coppola made one of my favorite CDs of 2008, The Stoop. Imani had a minor hit back in the Nineties and readily admits that she blew her chance at making more of that opportunity. This go round you can expect Imani to make the most of her success with Little Jackie. (Corny O'Connell)

Lindsay Mac

Lindsay is a classically trained musician, but she certainly didn't learn to play her cello, strapped on like a guitar, at the conservatory, and her songs hit the contemporary folk/singer-songwriter sweet spot. One of Falcon Ridge's emerging artist winners in 2007, along with Anthony daCosta, Boston-based Lindsay exudes sweetness, along with a little edge - kind of a cross between Jonatha Brooke and Ani DiFranco - on her second CD, Stop Thinking. (John Platt)

Mates of State

Mates of State is the husband and wife indie rock duo of Kori Gardner (keyboards) and Jason Hammel (percussion). They came together in Lawrence, Kansas a little over ten years ago, relocated to California and married in 2001. Their sound is an amalgam of vocal harmonies, sugary pop hooks and thoughtful lyrics that has now graced five full length albums and a handful of EPs. Their latest album of sunshine-y melodies is called Re-Arrange Us. (Darren DeVivo)

Daniel Martin Moore

There's a great back story on this newcomer from Kentucky. He got signed to Sub Pop Records from an unsolicited demo tape he sent in. That never happens. In my opinion, he is that good. And I get the feeling his debut album, Stray Age, is only the beginning. (Rita Houston)

Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot's debut record The Rhumb Line deserves an extra listen as we move into 2009. The young newcomers to the indie music scene are entering with a punch. Their sound is broken down to a science with elegant layered strings, warm vocals, and a rhythm that flows from beginning to end. (Jeff Kuprycz)

The Watson Twins

Chandra and Leigh Watson are identical twins originally from Louisville, Kentucky who later relocated to California. While in California, they began singing backup for local bands and became fixtures in the hip music circles of the Los Angeles suburb of Silverlake. The Twins (as they are known) got a big break when Jenny Lewis, from the band Rilo Kiley, recruited them to sing on her first solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat. After a debut EP, the Watson Twins released their first album, Fire Songs, in 2008. (Darren DeVivo)

Bell X1
Bell X1