Breaking And Entering’s Five To Watch Presented by JBL Professional: May 2017
As a Milwaukee-based music website, it is our obligation to not only bring Milwaukee to the world, but bring the world to Milwaukee, as well. Five To Watch submissions are handled exclusively through ReverbNation. Click here to submit music to be one of our Five To Watch Presented by JBL Professional.
As the weather warms up, we’re already looking for some of the artists that have potential to make a name for themselves this summer. We’ve combed through thousands of submissions, and have found five artists definitely worth being early additions to your summer playlists. Here’s who to check out:
Halo the Human (Fresno, CA)
Hip hop is among the hardest genres to break out and make a name for yourself within. That being said, those who do things a little differently are most likely to shine. Hearing Fresno to San Diego artist Halo the Human is like a breath of fresh air; the combination of electronic music elements with hip hop isn’t necessarily new by any means, but it’s done with incredible expertise on his track, “Look Back”. Halo’s first mixtape came out in 2009, and over time, he’s crafted his sound into his own blend of unique, powerful music, and you’ll hear that as soon as you press play:
Talk Louder! (Reading, PA)
There’s a certain formula to crafting an indie rock hit; plenty of bouncy energy, a gripping back beat, and the build up to a roaring chorus are all boxes that it would be helpful to check if you’re looking to create a smash. Reading, Pennsylvania natives Talk Louder!, however, aren’t just a “check the boxes” type of band. The group have a bona fide hit on their hands with their single, “10:06 (Mid-July)”, and it’s definitely one you need to check out if you’re a fan of bands like The Strokes, Phoenix, and The Kooks:
Crystal Clayton (Kansas City, MO)
Kansas City native Crystal Clayton released her first EP a little less than a year ago, and has another release planned for summer 2017. If it’s anything like her single, “Blinding Lights”, she has some enormous potential to make this year her breakout. Rooted in a big, layered mainstream pop beat, there are minimal effects and touch-ups on her voice, unlike some of what you hear on the radio today. Clayton is a natural talent, with the components to make a name for herself in the coming months. Get your introduction with “Blinding Lights”:
Skrizzy (Los Angeles, CA)
With a combination of hip hop swagger and pop music appeal, LA artist Skrizzy has a single that could generate a buzz on both the college scene as well as mainstream radio. “Sofas” fits the criteria of most hip hop hits, and if was performed by a more established artist, it would be charting very high this summer. This, however, sounds like it could be Skrizzy’s breakthough. He cites Drake as an influence, and you can hear the same determination in his delivery on the track as some of Drizzy’s early material. We all have seen how that turned out. Check out “Sofas” here:
The Run Around (Chicago, IL)
Hardworking, Midwestern ethics and the angst of living in the middle of the map, where it’s cold for way too long help create the drive behind Chicago punks The Run Around. Their high energy and raw power draw comparisons to another notable Windy City punk band, Rise Against. On their single “American Dream”, the band shows that they’re more than just power and speed, there’s also some strong songwriting involved as well. The band could definitely cut it with any band on the Warped Tour, and you can hear that below:
