Artists to Watch: 4 Hot Bands Rolling Stone Missed

By COED Staff

Maybe you didn’t know this, but Rolling Stone releases a super-rad article a couple of times a year called “Artists To Watch,” which includes brief but well rounded bios of up-and-coming artists in the music world. While I’ll admit that the magazine definitely has misses each year (They’re not freakin’ fortune tellers), they had some great hits this year.

My favorite of their “Artists to Watch” this time is Georgia’s Dead Confederate. And I’m not just saying this because they made me BBQ one night while they were crashing with friends of mine in Queens. (Even though the BBQ was soulfully delicious). Rather, they’re just an amazing band. I’ve caught them live a few times and they are truly one of those bands that makes you go: “Hold on, why aren’t these guys famous yet?”

They have been working their butts off for years now making Nirvana-Meets-Dirty-South tunes and their ever-improving songwriting is a testament to that. You should do yourself a favor and check them out while you can still afford to see them play live. Also on Rolling Stone‘s list this year were: Lykke Li, 3OH!3, Ra Ra Riot, Laura Izibor, and Low Vs Diamond. While these are all great artists to watch out for, I think Rolling Stone missed a few. So here’s COED’s four additions to 2008′s “Artists to Watch.”

Check out COED’s “Artists to Watch 2.0″ after the jump!

Meiko
This beautiful no-frills California girl is the anti-Katy Perry. And thank god that for that, ’cause I think we’ve all heard enough bubblegum pop this past year. And every year before that. Meiko might have catchy songs, but they are intelligent. Her indie/folk rock fusion turned endless heads at SXSW this past spring and her upcoming gig with Conan O’Brien is bound to turn more heads.

Flobots
This band got much deserved attention with the video for their first single, “Handlebars”. The politically-heavy song was accompanied by an equally intense and animated video that any thinking person can’t help but love. With a unique sound and orchestration, smart lyrics, and major label backing, these Colorado kids are bound to go far.

The Ting Tings
It seems to me like being on an Apple commercial these days can get you further than a tour with Madonna or any major label backing. Nonetheless, if you’re on an Apple commercial and have major label backing (and catchy songs), you’re almost guaranteed success. And success is my precise prediction for the UK’s duo: The Ting Tings.

City and Colour
While tons of artists are solo artists across the world, there seems to be no surer way to have a golden solo career than to preface it with a successful career as a frontman for a band. This is exactly what Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green has done these days. Don’t be confused by the seemingly “band-ish” name-City and Colour is comprised solely of Dallas Green. With a voice as smooth as Jeff Buckley’s and songs that come straight from the heart, his upcoming tour with fellow Canadians- Tegan and Sara- will surely pull in every listener as a die-hard fan.