Matty Sullivan here, with more picks from selected categories on the ballot. If you haven’t voted, you still have time. Go here before midnight on August 5th and let ‘em know what’s up.
Here are the categories for today.
BEST POP ARTIST
The Nominees Are
Cece Estrada - Nick Greer - Chase Hamblin – Wild Moccasins – DeAndre Wright
My favorite is Chase Hamblin. If you’re nominated in the Pop category, you better be fun to listen to. Well, Chase Hamblin has got it covered. He and his band The Roustabouts are mining a welcome vein of Sixties psychedelic rock and catchy bubblegum harmonies. As soon as I get my time machine, I’m gonna send these guys back to put the Monkees out of business. In the meantime, check ‘em out here. If you’re a 13th Floor Elevators fan, go straight to “Never Let You Go”.
BEST ELECTRONIC ACT
Nominees
Bang Bangz - FLCN FCKER – Glasnost - The Illegal Wiretaps - Molly on the Floor - Rudebwoyz
Bang Bangz takes the prize on this one: great sound, good songs, excellent production — suitable for any mood. I tend to shy away from electronica; most of the time, it just leaves me feeling, you know, electronic. But Bang Bangz have found all the right and interesting paths to follow, and what they create for us is surprisingly warm and intimate.
Check out their new EP here.
BEST BLUES
Nominees
.07 Blues Band - Steve Krase & the In Crowd - The Mighty Orq - Paul Ramirez Band - Little Joe Washington
For me, it’s The Mighty Orq. Blues purists probably would not agree, and I can see their point. The Mighty Orq is not a straight-ahead traditionalist like most of the other bands on the ballot. But his style, stretching from Robert Johnson to Government Mule, contains all the drama, strength and swagger you hope to find every time you step into another blues bar. Whether solo-acoustic or with the full band, he’s got the chops and the diversity to keep you satisfied.
Take a listen here.
I’ll be back Friday with the rest of my picks. Until then: keep on grooving, kid.
Chase Hamblin, The Bang Bangz, and The Mighty Orq are great choices! Seen all of them multiple times. great stuff.