Artists To Watch 2012

   In 2011 Shattered Vinyl released it's inaugural list Artists to Watch list, and with it's success we decided to bring back Artists to Watch for 2012, and name another 10 artists worth your attention this year. All our acts have recently or are expected to drop new material over the course of 2012, and we think have what it takes to be big names by year's end.

10. Jagwar Ma 

  Indie-rock outfit Jagwar Ma are set to release their debut 7" Come Save Me.  A modern-day twist on the Beach Boys, Jagwar Ma's sunny boyish vocals, looping drum beats, layered synthesizers take these simple pop tunes and warp them till they're just right, like on the band's track "What Love?." Lead single "Come Save Me" with it's retro 60s pop aesthetics that make for an enjoyable groove that's earned the band plenty of buzz and many watching what's next from the Aussies. 
  Droping their debut on February 27th, 2012 via Blue Rider, Jagwar Ma are sure to be a note worthy band especially in the early hours of 2012.

  Come Save Me by Jagwar Ma

Sound Wave: Yuna

Yuna - Live Your Life

Video of the Week: Class Actress

Class Actress - Bienvenue

   Elizabeth Harper endears herself in the cinematic beauty of Class Actress' "Bienvenue" off the Brooklyn outfit's latest effort Rapprocher. Set in Paris Harper, atop Parisian rooftops twirls us into a heavenly friendly via "Bienvenue" and it's irresistible electro-pop and a handsome male suitor catching her gaze. Its romantic fantasy that fits with Class Actress' heavenly synth, a day dream perfect for Friday viewing. 

Record Revue: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Out of Frequency   4/5


   Danish outfit The Asteroids Galaxy Tour drop their latest effort Out of Frequency, dosing the dancefloor in swanky horns, psychedelic funk swagger in a sunny pop shell.

Sound Waves: Trust

Trust - Sulk

Little City Kick Off 2012 With New Single

Little City - Sperry/Capt. Kendall 7" Single Release

Record Revue: Polica

Give You The Ghost   3.5/5

GAYNGS’ vocalist Channy Casselle and Producer Ryan Olson bring together their love of electronic adventurism with pop sensibilities and soulful vocals on their latest project Polica.

Single Selections: Jan. 13/2012

Joan Osborne - Shake Your Hips   4/5   iTunes

   90s one-hit wonder Joan Osborne proved to be more than meets the eye with her performance of hits such as "(Love is Like a) Heatwave" in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Taking on another classic in Slim Harpo's 1966 classic "Shake Your Hips." Notably covered by the Rolling Stones on Exile on Main St., Osborne brings her own swagger, harmonica, husky vocals and all. Bet you can't resist this one.

Video of the Week: Midi Matilda & Austra

Midi Matilda - Day Dream

    Setting the internet a blaze with the band's infectious single "Day Dream," the video treatment is equally enthralling, shot over 10 nights in San Francisco and Berkeley, California. With the images shot in studio and the projected onto thousands of city surfaces, there's never a dull moment, and makes for some fun viewing pleasure. Shattered Vinyl just can't get enough of these boys. 

   Not content with just one video this week (we should probably amend our post title), it's also worth noting one of Toronto's breakout bands of 2011, Austra and their music video for "Spellwork."

EP Beat: 1,2,3

Dreamland Pt. 1   4/5


 Pittsburgh's 1,2,3 follow-up their debut album New Heaven with the effortlessly cool, Dreamland Pt. 1 EP. Available for free download on Tumblr  their latest offering may not be what you'd expect, still offering their unique brand of indie pop/rock, but with a more dreamy, soothing atmosphere.

Sound Waves: DWNTWN

DWNTWN - Big Jet Plane (Angus & Julia Cover)

   L.A.'s DWNTWN are at it again, covering indie-poppers Angus & Julia's hit single "Big Jet Plane." The romantic song about falling in love is turned into a euphoric dance-pop tune of glowing synth and flourishing atmospheric beats. Jamie Leffler's hazy vocals add to the cinematic feel of the duo's cover, and its a perfect track for recalling a former romantic flame. Check out the band's video above or download the track for free at Arjanwrites.

Single Selections: Jan. 3/2011

Teen Daze - Let's Groove  A Silent Planet


   Dancefloor junkies have a new reason to rejoice with Fraser Valley, BC-based Teen Daze offered up his New Years gift via Bandcamp the fist pumping, electro-disco jam "Let's Groove." Sampled vocals, processed horns and enough groove to bust a move to, it's one catchy ditty, and did we mention it's FREE!? Happy New Year!

The Knocks Bring the Jams to Toronto

    Producers turned electro-hip-pop duo The Knocks, are hitting Toronto Saturday, January 7th at the Hoxton in support of their new EP Magic. The NYC-based duo are one of the hottest producers around, having remixed the likes of Rihanna, Foster the People and Katy Perry, and opening for Brit sensation Ellie Goulding during her 2011 North American tour.