Bands to watch in 2015: 12 up-and-coming local acts

Local venues like the Echo and the Satellite share their predictions for LA-based bands poised to hit it big in 2015

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Wednesday December 3 2014

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Luckily for us, local acts abound in LA. To suss out which ones are worth watching this year, we asked four local venues—the Satellite, the Echo, Bootleg Theater and Silverlake Lounge—for their picks of the most promising LA-based performers bound to blow up. Click through the slideshow below and keep an eye out for the following acts, so you can say you saw 'em back when.

Also, check out the rest of our predictions for 2015

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Photograph: Kristina Pederson

Børns

The Satellite says: With a killer new EP out on Pulse Recording, Børns is destined for big things. They're perfectly pitched between catchiness and experimentalism and have some immaculately crafted productions and choruses.

Photograph: Courtesy Paul Bergmann & the Fair Moans

Paul Bergmann & the Fair Moans

The Echo says: Paul Bergmann has mastered a folk music that is both haunting and brooding; his rich vocals are reminiscent of a young Johnny Cash or Roy Orbinson. Look for his new release out on Fairfax Recordings in spring 2015.

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Photograph: Courtesy Babes

Babes

The Bootleg says: So many bands in LA are manufacturing the same sound (dreamy-indie-pop) but not doing it nearly as well as Babes, who throw sexually charged '70s vibes in the mix and really take it up a notch; go to a show and you may get free Babes panties. This band has too much fun making music and playing live—can we join??

Photograph: Courtesy Irontom

Irontom

Silverlake Lounge says: These guys have songs that are memorable and great. And as good as they sound on their EPs, they're 50 times better live than recorded.

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Photograph: Courtesy Evan Mellows

Evan Mellows

The Bootleg says: Evan presents dark-twisted-sexy R&B in a fashionable package, incorporating "future soul" in his sound as well as his aesthetic. As an artist so new but with such a firm grasp on burgeoning genres, it seems undeniable that Mellows will continue to innovate and impress throughout 2015. If you don't know whether to dance or cry, just do both.

Photograph: Timothy Garrett

Maudlin Strangers

The Satellite says: Dreamy, dark electro-pop perfect for a wild after-hours party or zonking out in your bedroom. Hell, maybe both! Catch them at The Satellite on Friday, January 23.

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Photograph: Alice Baxley

Girlpool

The Echo says: Girlpool are truly from the school of less is more. Their sparse songs and blended harmonies singing about teenage angst have a DIY core that's infectuous.

Photograph: Courtesy Castro

Castro

The Echo says: Only a few months old, Castro takes its cues from '80s new wave/post-punk bands. It would be easy to think the material and guitar tones were New Order outtakes.

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Photograph: Courtesy Banta

Banta

The Satellite says: We're so excited to have Banta as our February Monday night residents. The group's smooth, poppy folk-rock recalls the great era of '70s Fleetwood Mac and Jackson Browne, and they've got the melodies to match.

Photograph: Courtesy Dorothy

Dorothy

The Bootleg says: You don't just casually go to a Dorothy show; you get your face melted. Rock & roll is not dead and this badass femme fatale is proving it. Not many artists are attempting this sound right now—revival rock dripping with blues—which is part of what makes Dorothy so hard to ignore or forget.

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Photograph: Courtesy Forebear

Forebear

Silverlake Lounge says: These four, formerly known as Wise Cub, boast both outstanding musicianship and outstanding songs.

Photograph: John Cizmas

The Record Company

Silverlake Lounge says: These seasoned musicians do brilliant work honoring old-school blues while freshening it up, serving it hot and hearty with rock and swampy soul.

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