A Reviler Curated Best New Bands Of 2012

2012 has come to a close. What a year for local music, right? We had heaps of great new material listen to – and much of it by brand new bands! Before we close the book on 2012 though, before we roll up the scrolls and commit them to the dusty archives, we still have one important task remaining: Deciding who is going to be the Prince/Soul Asylum/Hold Steady of the Future! Who will be our beacon against the sneers and upturned noses of elitist coastal tastemakers? Our shining light in the darkness that will make people notice and pay attention to us and invite us to the socio-cultural barbecues? Who are 2012’s Best New Bands?

Once again we have elected representatives, each a tireless and relentless student of the local scene, all of whom attended the Democratic Forum of Minnesota Music to tirelessly debate the relative merits of each individual artist for days on end. And in turn they have selected those artists whom would represent the Best Chance for Minnesota-kind. Those bands who…what…? What’s that? The Current just picks whomever they want…? Oh, OK. Well in that case. Here’s our own picks for the Best New Bands of 2012. You will see none of these bands at tonight’s First Avenue Showcase celebrating best new music, but you might hear some of them making great music other places.

Greg Grease

With Cornbread, Pearl & G, Greg Grease made a commanding entrance into the holy “Minneapolis rap scene.” Over smokey, classic era rap beats, Grease lays down his gritty flow. A rapper from Minneapolis that doesn’t sound like Atmosphere…is that allowed?! At the Reviler BNB show, you better believe it.

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Beat Detectives

Food Pyramid offshoot Beat Detectives will bring the electronic dance vibes to our show, venturing into the nooks and crannies of IDM, house and ambient music. Their self titled cassette feels like a mixtape that warps you into another dimension. Dancing is optional but recommended. X not included.

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RONIA

Mark McGee is the hardest working man in Minneapolis (or something like that) and we honor him at our show by inviting one of his many projects this year. RONIA found him teaming with Dark Dark Dark songbird Nona Maria on an unlikely but ultimately successful collaboration. Just in case people are having too much fun, the somber, restrained electronic tapestry’s and Marie’s elegant vocals will make sure to slow down your parade. If we catch you talking over the band about “THAT CRAZY WOMEN AT WORK WHO WON’T SHUT UP AND DOESN”T KNOW HOW TO..” — our bouncers will show your ass to the door. No refunds.

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Robust Worlds

Chris Rose, like Mr. McGee, is a hard working fellow. The project we here at Reviler liked best was his reverbed out folk album under the nom de plume Robust Worlds. Take off your shoes, grow back your ponytail and be at peace with the earth. Good tunes wrapped in layers of effects will course through your ears and into your veins, bringing good karma to the night. A dude with a guitar from Minneapolis that doesn’t sound like Jeremy Messersmith…is that allowed?! At the Reviler BNB show, you better believe it.

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Rollerblade

Two piece maximizing ye olde guitar and drums. A band that is literally twice as big as Robust Worlds. No fancy riff raff here, just punk music that is low on bullshit and high on attitude. You will underestimate them as they saunter on stage, and their set will end with you on the floor slack jawed and crying tears of joy. That is the kind of show we put on.

Too punk for recorded music.

 

Web of Sunsets
Trio consisting of Chris Rose (see…he is everywhere!) with Sara from Heavy Deeds and Sarah from Gospel Gossip, they put down their electric guitars and wander out into the green pastures of acoustic land. While they are literally three times bigger than Robust Worlds, they connect over their love of chilling out. Gives you time to recharge before you rage to the other bands. Wear your cool Gram Parsons shirt with the colorful eagles sewn on the back and you may get pulled on stage to join the band.

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Ex-Nuns

You like loud? No? Your Jayhawks lovin’ ears probably aren’t ready for Ex-Nuns then. Part Am-Rep style bulldozer, part shoegaze guitars. We’ll let them play last so your ears aren’t ringing for all the other bands.

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Tickle Torture

Tickle Tortue may actually be the local “Prince of the Future.” The sex-obsessed R&B/Funk artist (also known as Elliott Kozel from Sleeping in the Aviary) creates dangerously catchy pop tunes, but lucky for us he doesn’t seem to take himself quite as seriously as his Purpleness.  At time of publishing Kozel has yet to angrily lash out at his fans for publishing his image or music.

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