Credit: Matt Lief Anderson
Juan de Fuca
Kudzu Kids
I’m pretty sure I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for sad, black-clad songs dressed up in youthful vigor, and nobody merged those two mercurial forces better in 2016 than Kudzu Kids. The Jasper, Ga. trio’s debut EP, Adolescence, offered up plenty of shimmering guitars and elastic grooves, but it was Krista Williamson’s magnetic vocals and brooding romanticism that truly set the group apart. While the band earned enough local acclaim to win a spot on this summer’s Wrecking Ball ATL lineup, Williamson and company also helped curate Krustfest II and organize a benefit for Standing Rock, proving they were more interested in shaping the scene than using it as a launching pad. The band is currently working on a new LP due out in early 2017. – GC
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Bandcamp: kudzukids.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @kudzukidsofficial
Kodie Shane
It’s difficult to imagine Kodie Shane having a more dominant year than the one she just completed. After being signed to Epic Records by LA Reid, the breakout member of Lil Yachty’s Sailing Team released a pair of acclaimed EPs; hit over 2 million YouTube plays on her “Drip On My Walk” video; was featured extensively by the likes of Pitchfork, Noisey, and the FADER; and scorched the social media landscape with her burgeoning army of fans, including nearly a quarter million followers on Instagram alone. Combining addictive bubblegum trap with more cerebral R&B musings, the 18-year-old phenom revealed she had the range, talent, and charisma to leave a lasting impact, Her latest project, the Zero Gravity EP, was just released in early December, so prepare to hear her name early and often in the new year. – GC
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Facebook: @kodieshane
Instagram: @kodieshane
SoundCloud: @kodieshane
Twitter: @kodieshane
Credit: ClusterPunk Media
Lingua Franca
Lingua Franca is the nerdy smart rapper persona of Mariah Parker, a “hip hop linguistics field researcher” from Athens. Backed by fresh beats from Murk Daddy Flex, she can work a crowd with witty tales about sexy cyclists, acing exams, and going one step too far with a secret crush. Lingua Franca has only one demo to her name now, but her debut EP will be out later this February – check her out at the World Famous for her big release day bash on the 18th. – LA
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Facebook: @liiinguafranca
Bandcamp: lingua-franca.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @linquafranca
Twitter: @linquafranca
Material Girls
Over the past couple of years, the underground music landscape has been increasingly populated by post-punk enthusiasts seeking to tap into the genre’s wiry rhythms and blunt minimalism. In that time, few artists have sought out post-punk’s more prurient aspects as ardently as Material Girls did on their debut single, “Drained.” The track’s drunken sway and lurid atmosphere made for a listening experience that felt almost ecstatically decadent, leaving us longing to hear what the group will conjure next. Featuring current and former members of Concord America, Chief Scout, Saint Pé, and Slang, the band has no shortage of talent and experience, making their decision to pursue a darker, more libidinous path even more surprising and satisfying. You can expect to hear Material Girls’ debut release sometime this spring or summer. – GC
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SoundCloud: @user-234121386