Ones-To-Watch: 2010 Welcome to The Bridge’s annual feature Ones-To-Watch: 13 Artists Poised to Take Over Your MP3 Player. Every time about this year, those in the music industry are inundated with “buzz” artists - those artists that look to take the music world by storm with their new (and sometimes no-so-new) approach to faith-based music. Here are 13 artists that we feel are going to win over the hearts of music fans in 2010 in one way or another. Unfortunately, not all of these artists will survive - but at this point - these are the artists that we feel are the “ones to watch” for next year.
Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit B.Reith’s MySpace. Visit the Danyew’s MySpace. Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit Matt’s MySpace. Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit the group’s MySpace.
Visit the band’s MySpace. Visit the duo’s MySpace. |
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Chasen started their love affair with the Christian music fan last year when “Drown” from their OMG Records debut album became a bonafide hit at Christian radio. The group recently signed with current industry leader INO Records (MercyMe, Skillet, The Fray) and are preparing for the release of their debut with that label early next year. The group’s latest single “On and On” has already become one of the most added songs at Christian radio over the last few weeks.
Abandon Kansas (not to be confused with ForeFront Records band Abandon) released their debut EP for Gotee Records earlier this year, and their current single “I Wonder If It’s Me” has been eating up rock airwaves. The band’s bio says, “As far as long term goals, none of us have any desire to be rich and famous. If we can keep connecting with people through music then we’ll be content. There are way too many bands out there already so we’re trying to make what we do a little bigger than music.” Sounds good to us.
No, B.Reith isn’t that guy from That 70’s Show, but he is a talented hip hop/rock/pop fusion artist who has been turning heads over the last couple of years with his quirky lyrics and talented vocals. The folks over at 
New Sparrow Records artist Danyew wowed the critics earlier this year with his stunning 6-song self-titled debut. Back in 
Formerly Special D, Hearts of Saints is the latest signee to GRITS’ new label Revolution Art (also home to critical darling Jade Harrell). The band’s bio says: “Hearts of Saints really summarizes an evolution- both for all four of us as players and in our personal lives,” notes Felker, who reveals the group was previously known as Special D during its indie days. “We’re maturing in our musical pursuits, and we’re growing more seasoned in life, which is naturally reflected in our songwriting.” We can’t wait to see what the band has come up with! 
Luminate is a band from Tyler, TX that was formed in the fall of 2005 by two students attending Visible School of Music in Memphis, TN. They officially launched their full-time musical career with their self-titled EP and an extensive Midwest tour including festivals, high schools, camps, all-age venues and churches. Best described as passionate, stirring and worshipful, LUMINATE’s musical core is formed around an ambient rock sound. Their songs challenge us to rise above the apathy in today’s society, and to pursue our dreams with purpose, while reminding us our lives and what we do has worth.
Matt Papa turned the head’s of industry professionals earlier this year with the release of his debut national release with Centricity Records (home of acts like Downhere, Jason Gray, and Andrew Peterson). Christian music critical Matt Conner said 
The latest signee to innovative record label Centricity Records is Me In Motion. The band’s lead vocalist/writer Seth Mosley said, “I’m trying to write songs that will inspire people to ‘live’ in a way they never have before, to realize that loving everyone, regardless of circumstance, is what it’s really all about. Doing simple things like helping their neighbors, or sitting by a lonely kid at the lunch table at school, or giving someone an open ear—It’s often those little things that let people around us know how much they’re really loved.”
Satellites & Sirens is the newest artist to come out of the Word Records label (same label that brought us artists like Mark Schultz, Point of Grace, and Remedy Drive among others). The band released their Breaking the Noise EP earlier this year, and a full-length debut is expect in 2010. The band’s debut single, “Take Me Back”, recently became the band’s first charting single. This is definitely a band to sit up and take notice of.
Tooth & Nail Records has been at the forefront of signing new, engaging bands that cross genre lines. Sent By Ravens is the latest artist to sign to the popular label - and their debut is set to release in 2010. Their brand of rock is similar to acts like Anberlin or The Killers - high energy rock ‘n roll with elements of punk and pop coupled with crystal clear vocals. With a label like Tooth & Nail behind them, we’ll be hearing about Sent By Ravens for a long time. 
Silverline has already, in their short lifetime, shared the stage with acts like P.O.D., Hawk Nelson, Newsboys, Sanctus Real, Thousand Foot Krutch, and a dozen other bands of similar stature. The band recently signed a record deal with VSR/EMI, and they are poised to take the Christian music world by storm. The band’s debut single is already heating up airwaves at Christian rock and CHR stations. The band’s debut album is in store’s now!
This new pop duo made up of sisters is already making waves in Christian music due to their music placement on television shows and movies. Tal & Acacia‘s debut album for Reunion Records, Wake Me is set to release in early 2010 and features a fun, earthy pop sound not unlike acts like Colbie Callait and Michelle Branch. The group’s debut single, “Clearview,” is an infectious piece of music.
The Letter Black, formerly recognized as Breaking the Silence, released their 6-song debut EP earlier this year with Tooth & Nail Records. We had this to say about the record earlier this month: “Breaking the Silence is a great introduction to a promising new band. Lead vocalist Sarah Anthony’s strong vocals keep the listener engaged - whether she’s singing over more anthemic rock numbers like ‘Moving On’ and ‘Hanging On By a Thread’ or the more pop influenced sound of ‘Best of Me’.” Be on the look out for this band!