Back in June I had a little list of artists I was impatiently waiting on for debut albums... Well, as it goes on the inside of the industry, there are usually heaps of versions of songs produced and outputted until the final final mastered album is ready for public consumption and worthy of our 100-150 bucks!
I've now had the pleasure to listen to near all of my highly anticipated artists with pre-release albums and EPs in varying forms... So I suggest you too start following these bands and checking out some sample release tracks online, so you too can be part of their unfolding stories...
Below I am starting to track their online following as I intend to watch them grow over 2011 - and the * shows that the first six are all due to release debut albums in 2011 which should add fans in leaps and bounds. Join the journeys online:
- The Truth* - this new project by Chris Tait (of Hey Mister, and Tait fame before that) was only launched in October 2010. It has a wee 133 followers for now and the first five songs of this album have already been released on facebook. I think this is a great way to engage fans, show them the money - give them a taste of the music! Since this is rockier than Tait's previous style, it is a new journey for Chris too. I'm a new Tait fan, so I shall enjoy this journey of The Truth from its infancy and see where a project like this may lead!
- David Beretta Owens* - 426 puts Dave Owens - or David Beretta Owens as he is now officially known - just before Shen in the fan race, and with 28 stated days (as of today) until his album release, let's see how quickly Dave's fan momentum can develop! He does of course have the added element of being the ex-Lithium frontman, so much like when Arno Carstens went solo from Nude Girls, people will know his voice and will be keen to see what he's up to these days! And with that depth of voice, delightful character and natural rockstar quality to him - I can't wait to see how fans respond to the softer sound of Dave on his debut solo album!
- Shen Winberg* - with 482 likes on facebook, the secret is still to a very select bunch of fans. And what a lucky inside circle, since Shen plays around Cape Town so much that its at these intimate gigs where one can get closest to an artist, and 90% of the time its for free! So sign up to his facebook page now - and 'discover' his John Mayer / Jason Mraz African-blended flavour soon!
And I've been lucky enough to have watched Shen over the last 5-6 years as he's gone from cover songs to his own creations!
- The Rescu* - 540 fans sees them next up after Shen... heartfelt, gut-wrenching stadium style rock, with a message. Very easy listening. Very rock. With great guitar. (Plus I love the emotive violin effect). I've seen them once at Synergy, liked what I saw, and I'm super keen to see more!
- Mccree* - measuring 1,086 on the facebook fan scale, these boys are way under-attended online. But it is with glee that I know I'm part of the first 1,000 facebook fans - cos when the world gets wind of their sound and the Mccree team picks up the pace of their online presence - you'll scream and I'll scream, we'll all scream for 'Mccreeeee!" In fact, I'd even say, "See them now in SA while you can, cos they'll be somewhere overseas soon if any wise sponsor or label can spell Mccree and envision their name in lights already...!"
- The Jack Mantis Band* - close on Mccree with 1,195, this is another SA band set for a seismic explosion when mainstream SA gets to experience them live! Mantis maketh magic where ever they do go! They've done a bit of touring to date - the White Mountain Folk Festival in KZN and the Garden Route Summer Festival in December 2010. But until they have an official product and a national tour, who knows what other fabulousness may unfold... Music with conscience and soul. Or as JMB describe their music, "Peace, love and politics..."
- Jax Panik - with approx 8,000 fans when they released their second album in September 2010, Jax Panik have grown their fan base to over 44,500 facebook fans in less than four months! With their daily, and often hourly, interactions with fans, I am Jax Panik is a clever concept and one which keeps fans uber engaged. If you don't get it yet - just head over to their page and read a snapshot of the wall to see how they communicate with and include the Jax Panik clan of fans! Jax Panik is a fascinating facebook fame example and one I will continue to watch in 2011 with delight!
And without intentionally trying, this list has turned out to be a bunch of boy bands, or shall I correct myself and say male-fronted bands, of which most of them are not too shabby on the looks level either. Proving that not only do we have some very fine sounding talent coming out of our country, but also extremely pleasing talent on the eye, providing more reason to follow them online and at a gig near you for a full sensory experience! (and if you're a guy, just think of all the girls following all the hot guys!) But hey, the music is the strongest drawcard afterall! :)
(And just as an extra brag, just cos I can... I am also ve chuffed to say that all of these bands hail from Cape Town too!)
Rock on facebook fan followings and fab Cape Town bands... we will be checking back in with your fan followings in the near future!
x
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