Who:Between the Trees Album: 'The Story and the Song' Hails From: Orlando, FL For Fans Of:Mae and Melee
Why They're About to Pop: This Florida five-piece was born from the creativity of Ryan Kirkland and brothers Josh and Jeremy Butler back in 2005. They soon built a solid following in their area, playing clubs and perfecting their songwriting. They later added keyboardist Wes Anderson and guitarist Brad Kriebel to round out the sound of their debut album, 'The Story and the Song,' which was originally released on indie label Bonded Records. Between the Trees' buzz grew stronger, attracting Universal Records to give them a major label recording contract. You can check out the band's pop hooks and lyrical sensibility all summer on this year's 2008 Warped Tour.
Why They're About to Pop: This Floridian four-piece has gone through several lineup changes in its six years as a band. Fans have known From First to Last as fronted by Sonny Moore, but after the lead singer left the group in early 2007, guitarist Matt Good assumed the role. "We knew that if we brought someone completely new into the band at this point it would definitely be the wrong thing to do," Good says. "I've been singing backup this whole time, and though that's not the same thing, you still have to sound good. Plus, it's something I've wanted to do for a long time."
FFTL is now ready to present their self-titled Suretone Records debut to the world, beginning with their first rockin' single, 'Worlds Away.' Catch the band live on their headlining tour beginning May 1, or on the entirety of the Warped Tour this summer.
Who:Shwayze Album: 'Shwayze' Hails From: Malibu, CA For Fans Of:Lupe Fiasco and Everlast Why He's About to Pop: Shwayze -- the self-proclaimed "only black kid in Malibu" -- has definitely gotten by with a little help from his friend, Cisco Adler. Adler began writing with and producing the 22-year-old rapper after watching him freestyle before one of his sets. The two found instant chemistry and hit Adler's home studio to create a mellow, beachside blend of hip-hop. "There was no particular process," Adler says. "It was party the night before to get something to talk about, then wake up in the morning and make a song about it." Shwayze's first single, 'Buzzin'', is doing exactly what it its title implies, clocking in over 500,000 YouTube plays and garnering a collective Internet seal of approval. Up next? Shwayze and Cisco Adler will be on Warped Tour all summer beginning June 20.
Who:Switches Album: 'Lay Down the Law' Hails From: Guildford, England For Fans Of:Weezer and Blur
Why They're About to Pop: Matt Bishop was born with a passion for music, fiddling with recording techniques and instruments while barely breaking double digits in age. Though he enlisted his band members while in college, Bishop's unpredictable behavior -- what he's heralded for now -- delayed the progress of the band until they found their footing in 2006. It was that year that they released their first EP, 'Message from Yuz,' in the UK. Eventually, the Switches signed with Interscope in the U.S., and released their debut full-length, 'Lay Down the Law.' The Switches are on the full Nylon Magazine Music Tour beginning in Anaheim, Calif. on May 8.
Why They're About to Pop: Singer/guitarist Gabriel Garcia and guitarist Alex Nunez formed Black Tide at the tender ages of 10 and 13, respectively. After building a following in their hometown of Miami, record labels soon flocked to the band, mesmerized by the skill and depth of a quartet whose members were just entering high school. After signing with Interscope last year, the Black Tide released 'Shockwave,' a single that infiltrated the metal community with its exposure on MTV2's 'Headbangers Ball,' as well as placement in the popular video game 'Rock Band.' Beginning April 19, the group will join Slipknot and Disturbed on the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival touring across the U.S. through August 19. While they may not be able to buy you a drink at the bar, one thing's for certain: these boys can slay.
Who:Your Vegas Album: 'A Town and Two Cities' Hails From: New York City by way of Leeds, England For Fans Of:U2 and Muse
Why They're About to Pop: The beginnings of this British rock 'n' roll powerhouse began while three of its members were in grammar school. In 2005, Your Vegas climbed the charts with their hit UK singles 'Your Vegas' and 'Flybuzz,' and were later slotted to play the illustrious Leeds Festival. Soon after, the band relocated to New York City and were signed to Republic Records. The band has been on tour with the Bravery and will head out with Duran Duran this month through May. Your Vegas will also be hitting the festival circuit with performances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and All Points West.
Why He's About to Pop: After his parents divorced, Japanese-American singer-songwriter Justin Nozuka moved from New York to Canada where he was raised by his single mother, Holly Sedgewick (sister of actress Kyra Sedgewick). As one of seven children, Nozuka found a passion for music when he learned how to play guitar from his friends at boarding school and penned his first song at age 12. His debut album, named after his mother, features deeply introspective lyrics and exemplifies the 18-year-old's mature storytelling skill, most evident by his breakout single, 'After Tonight,' which has won him an ever-growing fanbase in both the U.S. and the UK.
Who:Ferras Album: 'Aliens and Rainbows' Hails From: Los Angeles, CA For Fans Of:The Fray and Gavin DeGraw
Why He's About to Pop: When Ferras' (pronounced Fer-AHSS) parents divorced, his father tricked the singer into going to his native Jordan by telling him they were going to Disneyland. The bait and switch landed him in the foreign country for three months, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While in Jordan, Ferras got acquainted with a Casio keyboard and began writing songs. Now the 25-year-old is enjoying rising stardom with a performance on NBC's 'Today' show and the use of his single "Hollywood's Not America" in two episodes of this season's 'American Idol.' Ferras' debut album, 'Aliens and Rainbows,' hits stores on April 1.
Why She's About to Pop: Tristan Prettyman charmed audiences with her debut album, 'Twentythree,' and after two years, 'Hello' is evidence of just how much she's learned. After a tough breakup and coming down from a grueling run of touring, Prettyman found inspiration in her experiences and created a solid sophomore collection of acoustic, blues-tinged songs written from a perspective unique to the free-spirited 25-year-old. "I feel like I've grown more than any time in my life so far," she says of the time between her two albums. Now, the guitar-wielding surfer girl is riding the radio waves with her latest love-torn single, 'Madly.' Catch her on tour now through April 27.
Why He's About to Pop: This 23-year-old British singer-songwriter is most physically identifiable by his long dreads, but most musically distinctive for his heartfelt blues ditties and skillful acoustic finger-picking. Faulkner is already a star in his native England, spending two weeks at No. 1 on the U.K. charts and receiving a 2008 Brit Award nomination for Best British Male Solo Artist. He gained notoriety for his fresh take on Massive Attack's 'Teardrops,' and is now going stateside with his sound and new single, 'Dream Catch Me.' Look for Faulkner on the road during is his 13-date U.S. tour, beginning April 18 in Chicago.
Who:A Cursive Memory Album: 'Changes' Hails From: San Pedro, CA For Fans Of: Blink-182 and Hellogoodbye
Why They're About to Pop: These boistrous pop rockers have been making music for nearly five years Most of the songs on their debut album, 'Changes,' were penned when the boys were transitioning from adolescence into young adulthood, an energy that's captured throughout their infectious record.
The SoCal band's first single, 'Everything,' is marked by a video that took more than five months of paparazzi befriending to make. In the almost unbelievable footage, Shaun Profeta (guitar/vocals), Colin Baylen (guitar/vocals), Mark Borst Smith (bass/keyboards) and Dillan Wheeler (drums) tote a giant boombox around Hollywood, in the faces of today's biggest A-list celebs. Some of which are into it, and others who couldn't be bothered. Either way, the song and the video are a smash hit. Look for ACM on the road this month with Armor For Sleep, and at this year's upcoming Bamboozle Left festival.
Who:Ludo Album: 'You're Awful, I Love You' Hails From: St. Louis, MO For Fans Of:Weezer and OK Go
Why They're About to Pop: This power-pop rock outfit has been making music together for five years. With beginnings as a duo of guitarist-vocalist Andrew Volpe and guitarist Tim Ferrell, the Missouri natives have now expanded into a full band, including Moog player Tim Convy, bassist Marshall Fanciullo and drummer Matt Palermo. Ludo has since been touted by Fuse as the "next big thing" and invited to perform at the Winter X Games and Warped Tour. With the support of their loyal street team fans called the "Ludo Ninjas," Ludo is about to embark on the release of their second full-length album on February 26, and will be touring with the Presidents of the United States of America in March.
Why They're About to Pop: The album may have been out for more than a year, but the power pop love song 'Hero/ Heroine' has a catchy longevity that's enough to make us want to shed some light on this band. You know them from their road stints with Cute Is What We Aim For, the All-American Rejects and the Warped Tour. They've been a featured band on MTV's on-air promos, and now the four-piece is opening for Avril Lavigne on her 2008 'Best Damn Tour,' which hits most of North America beginning March 20 in Minneapolis.
Why They're About to Pop: They have only been a band for one year, but in that time, John O'Callaghan (vocals), Garrett Nickelsen (bass), Pat Kirch (drums), Kennedy Brock (guitar, vocals) and Jared Monaco (guitar) got themselves signed to a record label deal before they even graduated high school. Channeling a sound that bridges new millennium pop punk with '90s indie rock, the barely legal quintet have managed to create a buzz for themselves and their hit EP, 'The Way We Talk,' purely through social networking sites and word of mouth. The band is currently in the studio recording their highly anticipated full-length album on Fearless Records. Listen to 'The Way We Talk' by The Maine
Why They're About to Pop: This funky electropop 6-piece is making waves in the rock scene. While their sophomore EP, 'Punch You Lights Out,' dabbles in many genres and is laced with synths and drum machines, the band has honed their unique sound into a smoother sense of soul -- like diet Maroon 5 for the younger pop rock generation. Tipping their hats to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and even Justin Timberlake, Danger Radio is about to take the country by storm. They've already opened for the likes of Gym Class Heroes and Hot Hot Heat, and have also had successful stints at festivals like Bamboozle and Bumbershoot. You can catch them on the PacSun Tour with Envy on the Coast, the Audition and Another Day Late through February 16.
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