Each year, we are faced with the difficult task of settling on the 25 bands to participate the City Weekly Music Awards. The list of Utah’s top bands could include double or even triple that, what with such a vibrant community as Utah's; a community that released nearly 250 albums in 2011 alone.
But pare it down we must. A panel of local music journalists and scenesters nominated bands, with an emphasis on ones that did something exceptional in the past calendar year. This year’s crop, we believe, is a representational blend of all that makes Utah’s music scene worth talking about. This includes several new-to-the-list bands, along with some old favorites, and the music stylings range from psych rock to folk, from hip-hop to electro glam, from Americana to dark and dance-y. Yes, there will be one winner in the end, but, more than that, the annual CWMAs is about recognizing all of the best original Utah bands and giving readers a series of showcases where they can see and hear those artists do their thing.
| THE WOODSHED |
David Williams
David Williams won some national kudos this year by having a video of his song “Sunday Morning” featured as the Jan. 4, 2012, video of the day on the indie-music-focused Website Daytrotter.com. More notably the tour to and from the festival is the focus of a documentary film, Intro, nominated for Best International Documentary in the Torino Film Festival. And while he’s currently busy creating the score to that doc, it’s not his first venture into that creative department: He scored The Parade, which debuted at the Salt Lake City Film Festival in August 2011. (Austen Diamond)
The Poorwills
The Poorwills are a band born of the CWMAs—not because of it, but for it. Singer-songwriter Glade Sowards invited a cast of friends/musicians to join him at The Woodshed to play the 2010 City Weekly Music Awards showcase, and it went swimmingly. Taking cues from the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and the Beach Boys, The Poorwills released their debut, Drinks on the Wing, in May 2011. It’s a rock-meets-barbershop sound that swings with twangy riffs, gentle acoustic strumming and simple beats, but what is most stunning are the four-part harmonies—veritable come-to-Jesus moments. (AD) Facebook.com/ThePoorwills
Grey Fiction
Salt Lake City’s alternative, experimental rockers Grey Fiction were recently crowned the victors of Velour’s semi-annual Battle of the Bands in mid-December. Since, the band of three brothers has been busy playing shows up and down the valley, and already has a slew of upcoming tour dates across the county planned for this year—including one in February, in which they are driving back to Utah from on their day off to play the CWMA showcase. The band members’ sheer talent, exceptional songwriting, incredible stage presence are backed by unforgettable, often wailing vocals—along with a little light show and some heavy fog—to create a Grey Fiction show that can only be described as epic. (Spencer Flanagan) GreyFictionMusic.com
| BAR DELUXE |
YYBS
The first time the Young Yet Brilliant Sleuths lived up to their name was when they put out a teaser four-song EP. It was just enough to show off the honest, insightful lyrics of Tres Wilson, while giving a nice glimpse at some fresh, melodic and delightful indie rock. But the brilliance came in what they left off; the debut effort was not a disjointed effort just to have a bigger album for sale. Now the barely legal foursome have been busy in the studio to investigate their sound and ascertain a cohesive collection that will drop sometime later this year. Brilliant! (AD) Facebook.com/YoungYetBrilliantSleuths
The Suicycles
One of the most dominant bands of 2011, the Suicycles had three releases, two videos, an appearance at almost every major festival and a quick following that trumped frontman Camden Chamberlain’s previous band. It didn’t hurt that part of the success of the electro-rock quintet can be chalked up to making themselves high-profile in the public eye by creating their own radio show and cultivating a commanding presence online. All that’s left to do is tour. (Gavin Sheehan) TheSuicycles.com
Night Sweats
Early in 2011, local concertgoers were introduced to Night Sweats. The band’s dark and detached, yet very musical, compositions represent an avenue of rock music which would, otherwise go unrepresented in Salt Lake. The group’s arrangements are a dense mix of intense synth keyboards, epic guitar, brooding vocals and drums reminiscent of The Faint’s early work. In 2012, fans can look forward to the release of their forthcoming full-length LP, which is currently in its final stages of production. (Jordan Wallis)
| THE COMPLEX |
The 321s
Formed in March 2011, the female-fronted 321s play sugary sweet retro pop music reminiscent of groups from the ’50s and ’60s. The songs are written about falling in love, looking for love or losing love, but even the saddest, most heartbroken tracks shimmer sweetly with Kris Fenn’s soulful voice and the infectious melodies inherent to the pop genre. The 321s are lighthearted, fun and provide something new in Salt Lake’s music scene. (Jeanette D. Moses) Facebook.com/The321s
Palace Of Buddies
The instrumental rock duo of Nick Foster and Tim Myers have ruled the venues this year as the ultimate go-to band for a guaranteed audience. And they capped off the year with their long awaited second full-length album, Summertime. Their performances have grown from a simplistic two-man set to a vibrant display as both men switch out instruments to give you your money’s worth every night. (GS) PalaceOfBuddies.com
Max Pain & the Groovies
This rowdy five-piece play loose, jangly rock & roll that has the bite of a cold PBR tallboy. Max Pain & the Groovies played their first show on New Years Eve 2009 during a wild house party that ended with a broken chandelier and a burned carpet. A Max Pain show ignites crowds quickly. Catch them regularly at The Urban Lounge for babes writhing wildly in the front, mirroring the moves of the hip-shaking, tambourine-playing frontman. If you haven’t spilled half your beer during their set, you’re probably doing it wrong. (JDM) Reverbnation.com/MaxPainAndTheGroovies
| THE URBAN LOUNGE |
No-Nation Orchestra
To see the dozen or so members of No-Nation Orchestra onstage is a sight to behold, one that is completely enthralling beyond just the sheer number of musicians. The Stephen Chai-led outfit has an interesting synergy of the Talking Heads without the weirdness, Fela Kuti with an absolute hipster vibe and Prince minus the leotards. The debut EP More More More that Chai released in 2011 is a short-and-sweet canvas that’s painted with various musical brushes, but all the colors pop, just like the syncopated percussion in these indie afrobeat gems. But with only five songs, it left us wanting more, more, more. (AD) NoNationOrchestra.com
The Chickens
When thinking about a funk band called The Chickens, it’s hard not to reminisce Rufus Thomas’ 1970 Stax hit “Do the Funky Chicken.” But this brand new septet, consisting of a mishmash of some of the finest local musicians, is anything but a silly dance. Maybe the classic funk album The Meters’ Struttin is more appropriate, although The Chickens also meld acid jazz and afrobeat into their cosmopolitan, if not worldly, sound, which is a well-received fresh egg in the local music scene. (AD) Facebook.com/WeAreTheChickens
Laserfang
Grab your glitter and some face paint because Laserfang has reunited! These Salt Lake favorites broke up last winter after releasing their debut album, Mammoth, due to lead singer Shane Asbridge’s move to Rapid City, S.D. Asbridge returned to Salt Lake in October to play a Halloween bash at The Urban Lounge, and the show proved that Laserfang’s music still matches the enormity of the album title. Their epic electro-infused apocalypse style dance rock inspires excessive booty shaking. (JDM) Facebook.com/LaserFang
| BURT'S TIKI LOUNGE |
The Trappers
The Trappers are nothing if not distinct—be it the different onstage personas of the five members or the rootsy brand of alt-country they play. Their sound is brought to life with rolling drums and the heartwarming twang of Fender Telecasters. Their self-titled 2010 release is still a golden-hued gem on a bleak winter day, and it goes down oh so nice with a smooth bourbon. These boys can be seen often playing out with their “sibling” band The Folka Dots, and the two make a mighty fine cocktail together. (AD) TheTrappersMusic.com
Bronco
2011 was a big year for Salt Lake City’s country-fried, whiskey-soaked Bronco. It started with the winter release of their excellent second full-length, Painting Pictures of a Perfect Life, and ended with a fall tour of the Pacific Northwest, the band’s first such excursion, which included eight shows and 2,500 miles traveled. Painting Pictures was a huge leap forward from the rock-solid Constant Everything from 2007, with singer/songwriter Tyler Anderson delivering character sketches on songs like “Bishop’s Daughter” and “Brother’s Keeper” that sink into your soul and stay there. (Dan Nailen) BroncoTheBand.com
| WASTED SPACE |
Dusk One
While Mindstate have been sitting in hiatus, Dusk One took the opportunity to further his solo career and make a bigger name for himself in the hip-hop scene. In early 2011, Dusk teamed up with the masterful producer FischLoops to release The Brady Effect EP, which sampled music and lines from the classic ’70s sitcom. But Dusk’s biggest contribution this year, if you ask around the scene, was supporting upcoming talent looking to break out. (GS) DuskRaps.com
Numbs
It may have taken pioneering Utah hip-hop group the Numbs four years between albums, but that just meant they had plenty to say with their 2011 release, Soulburn. It’s an inspired collection of the group’s playful wordplay, delivered courtesy of Mark Dago, Rooster and Gunnar McKell. With DJ Shanty back on board, and a major assist from collaborator/beatmaster Linus Stubbs as well, Numbs brought old-school funk and soul samples to the fore on songs like “Situations Critical” and “The Great Escape.” If the results are always this good, Numbs can feel free to take four years every time they want to make a new album, as long as they keep delivering frantic live shows in between. (DN) Numbs.bandcamp.com
Burnell Washburn Ryan Tanner Holy Water Buffalo Fictionist
The Folka Dots The Mighty Sequoyah Isaac Russell The Moth & the Flame
Washburn accomplished something special during his rise through the hip-hop scene in 2011. He released a full-length album, Food of Love, gained a major following among local audiences and earned the respect of his peers, all before he was even old enough to play most of the venues in the state. Washburn turned 21 this past August, but he still managed to do more than some veteran MCs have done in five years, proving talent and respect have no age limit. (GS) BurnellWashburn.com
THE STATE ROOM 
You might know the mild-mannered troubadour as part of The Lower Lights or Paul Jacobsen & the Madison Arm, but in 2011 Ryan Tanner’s solo songwriting took him in exciting new directions. He won the grand prize in American Songwriter magazine’s nationwide lyric contest in its November/December 2010 issue, which earned him a trip to Nashville in 2011 for a chance to write and record with one of his roots-music heroes, Jim Lauderdale. Later, he released an excellent solo EP, Seven Years, and followed that with a showcase at the Americana Music Association’s annual convention. With songs that soar and sear, Tanner is a true local treasure. (DN) RyanTannerMusic.com
At the very end of 2010, Heber City band Holy Water Buffalo released an incredibly assured self-titled debut album. While the guitar-oriented, classic-rock vibe wasn’t a surprise to anyone who had seen the young quartet play live, the set introduced the band to a bigger audience thanks to the likes of KRCL offering ample local airplay. A year later, and Holy Water Buffalo is arguably an even more potent force, having played virtually every venue in the state and expanding their attack to clubs outside of Utah. If you can find a harder working band in the state, let us know. (DN) HolyWaterBuffalo.com
Provo band Fictionist’s year was obviously highlighted by the group’s run to the final four in Rolling Stone’s contest to put a worthy unsigned band on its cover for the first time ever. Lost in the excitement and hoopla was Fictionist’s growth as a performing entity. Their sound—always tricky to stick with a simple label—continued to defy easy categorization. Sometimes it’s prog-rock, sometimes it’s delicate pop, and there’s more than a little classic-rock, jam-band vibe in there, too. Lead singer Stuart Maxfield’s confidence as a frontman seemed to grow by leaps and bounds along the way, too. In the end, Fictionist didn’t end up the first unsigned band on the cover of Rolling Stone. They ended up signed to major label Atlantic Records. (DN) Fictionist.com
VELOUR 
The tender harmonies of the Folka Dots are fluffier than Appalachian biscuits on a Sunday morn, and the acoustic grooves are more sumptuous than a plate of bacon. The five-piece band draws upon unamplified stringed instruments and takes musical cues from the South, but their music is less humid and has a decidedly Western tinge. It’s a barefoot-in-the-grass sentimentality that lends itself perfectly to playing the many farmers markets across the valley during warmer months. There, they’ve cut their chops and have cooked up some delectable new tunes, which they are baking in the studio early 2012. (AD) TheFolkaDots.com
Provo folk rockers The Mighty Sequoyah—who get their name from the Cherokee Indian who invented the Cherokee alphabet—released both their debut album Relative and a Christmas album in 2011, and the band is already gearing up to record their follow-up album this year. Front man Caleb Darger sings with the spirit of folk legends like Bob Dylan on issues of faith, tolerance and love, backed by the rest of his band as they create some of the most beautiful harmonies around. (SF) Facebook.com/TheMightySequoyah
Columbia Records signee Isaac Russell knows where it’s at: The troubadour just moved back to Provo from Los Angeles because the Wasatch Mountains and the Provo scene make for more fertile songwriting environs. The 20-year-old shows prowess beyond his years as he conjures up tunes in the vein of Elliot Smith and Ryan Adams, but with the fractured folk bent of his hometown. Now nestled home, he can focus on the follow-up to his 2010 self-titled debut EP on Columbia, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store. (AD) IsaacRussell.com
Paying dues at open-mic nights apparently pays off in Provo. At least, it did for this 2011 buzz band. The core of the group, Brandon Robbins and Mark Garbett, began their foray into indie hipsterdom by playing loose tunes to who knows who Tuesday nights at Velour. Producer (and now band member) Nate Pyfer saw gold, though. The three then churned out ambient-rich, lush tunes on the self-titled debut—nine songs that oscillate from dark and brooding to synthy, Radiohead-esque gems. And with that, they sold out two CD release shows at Velour in November. How’s that for a success story? (AD) HowWeWokeUp.com
