Cory Graves
This Week, Leon Bridges Came Home On Top.
Each week, we take a survey of the local music scene and try to determine which acts in town are really putting in work and seeing it pay off. Which bands have the most intriguing shows coming up? Which bands are getting the most press around town? Which bands have accomplished the most notable feats of late? Based off these criteria, our music writers submit a list to be weighted and compiled into a master list revealed each week in this here space. We like to think it's fairly revealing. Check out our previous Buzz Rankings here.
Was there any doubt that sensational soul man Leon Bridges would top our weekly, local music power rankings this week?
Let's recap: Ahead of the release of his major label debut on Tuesday, the album got the advance-stream treatment from NPR; that same day, announced a headlining date at The Majestic for November; oh, and he has three shows in town this week, some of which are seeing folks were shell out several hundred bucks on the secondhand market to attend.
It was the obvious choice, to be sure. It also keeps Leon's unique streak alive, having now landed in the No. 1 spot at least once in every month of 2015 so far. For those keeping score at home, it's also Leon's eighth No. 1 overall.
Just behind him this week is Midlake, thanks to some of its members backing Jason Lytle at his Bar Louie show last weekend, and the band giving us the scoop on its new, star-studded collaborative project, Banquet.
Then there were acts like Rahim Quazi, Andy Pickett and Blessin', which each this week played album release shows in celebration of their latest recorded efforts. Interestingly, Quazi's new disc is his first in some seven years, and Pickett's release show last weekend at The Chat Room was his first time playing with a full backing band.
Other big shows this week include the following: Blue, the Misfit and A.Dd+'s turns at JMBLYA tomorrow; The Orange, Jetta in the Ghost Tree, Exit 380 and The Azalea Project sharing the stage at Granada this weekend; Sudie, The Outfit, Dead Mockingbirds, Jake Paleshic and a whole mess of others throwing down at King Camel's first-ever Local Education Fest; Mind Spiders' opening turn for The Sonics at Texas Theatre; and Dirty South Rydaz's continued comeback run with a show this weekend at Hailey's.
Elsewhere: Sarah Jaffe, Doug Burr, Jessie Frye and others were announced as playing this year's KXT Summer Cut; Deep Blue Something came out of hibernation; and These Machines Are Winning started building buzz for its next projects.
(Also receiving votes this week: Dorrough, LEV, Picnictyme, Jetta in the Ghost Tree, Sealion, Warbeast, Jake Paleschic, Repel The Robot, ill smith, Rat Rios, Quaker City Night Hawks, Chris J Norwood, Dead Mockingbirds, Dripping Wet, The Unlikely Candidates, Curtis Mayz, Vandoliers, Calhoun, Son of Stan, Pinkish Black, Corner Suns, Madison King, Lil Ronny, Catamaran, RC & The Gritz, Ornette Coleman, The Demigs, The Effinays, BEMYFRIEND, Exit 380, ThatKidCam, New Science Projects, Cassie Holt, Cygnus, Nicholas Altobelli, Ishi, Bee Feral.)
