Cory Graves
This Week, Sam Lao Rode The Pineapple Express.
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.
It's probably no surprise to loyal readers that Sam Lao would top this week's local music power rankings.
She appeared in now fewer than three stories on our site alone this week, saw her SPCTRM LP named our favorite album of the year so far a few weeks back, and then earned the same honor on the Dallas Observer's site this week.
Damn, Sam!
But the bulk of the attention she received this week came on the strength of her killer new “Pineapple” music video, which she premiered at The Dividends' album release show at Trees over the weekend.
It marks her second-ever Buzz No. 1, and her first since January 2014.
Like Sam Lao, Erykah Badu not only debuted a new music video this week, but also showed up in Paper magazine. On top of all that, she led an all-star Prince tribute at the BET Awards.
It was a busy week for folks releasing videos. We had the pleasure of premiering Tiger + Man's latest visual treatment this past Friday, for instance. Also, the Quaker City boys had their latest debut in Rolling Fucking Stone.
Other folks earned their spots on the list due to big shows: Radioactivity will appear at the inaugural Sound on Sound Festival this fall; Bowling for Soup headlined a free Warped Tour pre-party at The Bomb Factory; and Toadies played a show at Martin House in honor of its two new beer releases.
Elsewhere: Andrew Tinker will have a song in Disney's Pete's Dragon remake, Will Johnson is releasing a book and Darcy Neal landed the cover of the Dallas Observer.
(Also receiving votes this week: The Outfit, TX, Honor System, Cantina, Jacob Metcalf, Daniel Markham, Paul Slavens, Jonas Martin, Party Static, The Gritz, Buffalo Black, Pearl Earl, Charley Crockett, Daniel Hart, Ni Taylor, Slobberbone, Reverend Horton Heat, Pinkish Black, Gensu Dean, CLIFFFS, VVOES, Cygnus, Rat Rios, Texas Gentlemen, Danny Diamonds, Duell, Club Meds, Pat Ron, Denim Wonder, Loafers, EB Rebel, Silas Nello.)
