The Open G String - Features: The Big 69

What you are about to feast your eyes upon is our first inaugural Big 69. What follows here is a list (in no particular order - other than alphabetical) of artists that we here at The Open G-String feel are going to have a breakout year in 2008. The list ranges from unsigned bands that are still rocking out in dirty, beer soaked basements, to experienced vets who are looking to release the record that will break them into the mainstream. We’ve done our best to scan a wide range of genres in the creation of this list, so don't be surprised to see thrash metal bands side by side with new wave artists. And now, without any further ado, welcome to The Open G String’s Big 69.

Adam Monroe - The last time we checked in with Adam, he had been recently signed to Go Digital Records and was playing stripped down songs that featured little more than great piano arrangements and his fantastic vocals. Since then, he seems to have really found his stride lyrically and, as of last December, has released a new EP, Illusions Fade. He is a lot more progressive and technical with both his lyrics and his music than many singer/songwriters that you have probably heard lately and is definitely worth checking out.

Animal Alpha - These Norwegian rockers know how to kick it. They’re starting off the year with a bang with their album, You pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge, which is getting both great reviews and is currently being sampled all over the place. Explosiveness and awesome are a couple of words that we might use to describe this band, so you need to give em’ a whirl.

Au Revoir Simone – These three adorable Brooklyn girls were very busy last year, touring the world and winning over the hearts of fans with their charmingly shy, electric-piano pop music. They have a new album baking in the oven, and there still may be time to win the bonus scenester-points for being the first one of your friends to know just how amazing this band is.

Band of Horses - Take awesome and mix it with awesome and you’ll get Band of Horses. 2008 looks great for these guys, with a long stretch of touring coming up combined with the fact that they win over heaps of new fans on a daily basis.

Band of Thieves - These New Yorkers have been targeted by just about anyone with a voice in the indie music community as being real scenebusters in 2008. These guys pull inspiration from a different era than most of the other bands that label themselves as “rock-alt.” There’s enough guitar-driven music here to make any relevant band from the 60’s and 70’s proud. If you listen closely, you can hear echoes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and The Black Crows whispering to you. But make no mistake, Band of Thieves aren’t rehashing tried and true formulas; they are taking the essence of that type of music and putting a distinctively hip and modern spin on it.

Bat For Lashes - Natasha Khan, amidst all of her raw talent and sultry vocals, is hard at work writing her next Bat for Lashes album. This UK girly will really have a fantastic 2008 if the new album is even ¼ as good as the songs on her MySpace page. If you have been wanting to throw Bjork, Cat Power, and Thom Yorke into a blender and pour out some silky UK smoothness, Bat for Lashes is definitely your mixer of choice.

Bedouin Soundclash - This reggae influenced band is full of true road warriors. They released a fine album last year, Street Gospel, and they should ride that momentum into a real breakthrough year. If you haven’t checked them out yet, don’t worry because odds are these road-traveling vets are coming soon to a town near you.

Black Mountain - It seems like everyone with half of a brain plugged into indie music is riding the Black Mountain bandwagon these days. Hell, I think there’s more hype for these guys then for the pre-Superbowl New England Patriots. We think it’s all well deserved. Black Mountain will probably ride the success of their newest album, In the Future (released January 22) to what may just be the best year they’ve had so far.

Blood on the Wall - With Liferz, their newest release dropping on January 22, this fun and trippy band will work its way into your heart and onto your MP3 player. They’re already out on the road promoting the album and we think you really need to go out and catch their live show.

Bomb the Music Industry - Throw ska, punk, and the nuclear energy of 1,000 burning suns and mix well for 30 minutes and you’ll have Bomb the Music Industry. These guys are sick. They have more band members than this journalist can keep track of, and their songs are full of constantly improvised energy. They’re going out on the road for the first part of the year and you need to see them, especially if one of your resolutions for this year is to be systematically and thoroughly destroyed at a rock show.

The Briggs - Yarrr! Punk rock vets, The Briggs, are opening for The Dropkick Murphys and then Anti-Flag this year, and tell me, does that not sound like an amazingly rad time to you? But in all seriousness, The Briggs are really looking to bust out and have a huge year in 2008. Go and immerse yourself in their whole catalog, if you haven't already.

British Sea Power – The prolific success of The Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible last year leaves plenty of room for another epic, anthem rich band like British Sea Power to have a great year in 2008. Look for their new record, Do You Like Rock Music?, to make big waves this year.

Broadway Calls - Freshly signed to Billy Jo’s (of Green Day) personal record label, this Oregon band is going to break out in a huge way very soon. Check them out on this year’s Warped Tour. You won't be disappointed, we promise.

Broken Social Scene - Everyone’s favorite traveling musical troupe should really have a(nother) fantastic year this year. With a first quarter tour and a new album rumored to be in the works, Broken Social Scene will once again be frequenting everyone’s iPod playlists. As for Leslie Feist, whose solo album, The Reminder, sold over a million copies last year...well, you can bet that she’ll continue making a big name for herself in 2008 as well.

The Burndown All-Stars - This hip-hop group features some of the best indie musicians and emcees to come out of Philly. Currently, there are thirteen members of the outfit and they all know how to bring it during every single one of their perpetually-packed shows. They were recently featured in the Bodog Band Battle and we think you haven’t yet heard the last of these all-stars in 2008.

Cat Power – Chan Marshall has the sort of stripped down, intimate, dreamy voice than can cause a room to freeze in its tracks and just stop and listen. Her newest album, Jukebox, which features a series of loosely interpreted cover songs that she has made into her own, hits the shelves in the U.S. on January 22. By January 23, it will probably already have found its way onto critics’ lists of the Best Albums of 2008.

Cold War Kids – This is not your parents’ Gospel music. The drums are stomping and the guitars are turned up loud. Nathan Willett’s passionate songs of sinners and redemption are guaranteed to be stuck in your head for weeks or even months at a time. As of the end of 2007, the Cold War Kids have gone back into the studio to start work on their second full-length album, which is sure to keep their fans on the edges of their seats throughout this year.

The Chapin Sisters - These adorable siblings are poised to really have a monstrous year in 2008. Their brand of folk-rock is as infectious as it is smooth, and you’ll find yourself humming the words to their songs for days. They’re hitting the road this year and releasing a brand new album in March. We’re excited for both, and you should be too if you enjoy great female rock music.

Crime In Stereo – 2007 was a big year for Crime in Stereo. The end of the year included the release of their latest album, Is Dead, which has been received extremely well by critics so far. This year will probably be a big year for not only Crime in Stereo, but also for the inevitable onslaught of other bands that will be mimicking their style of hardcore that has been laced up tightly with pop-punk hooks and post-punk intricacies.

The Day After - This Las Vegas three piece deals out one hell of a show. They should really cash in with a breakout year in 2008. Look out for these guys in a town year you.

The Dear & The Departed - They are opening for Tiger Army this year so look for them to get a lot of exposure from that. Their new wave/brit rock music is entirely infectious and the songs will crawl right into your head and refuse to leave for days.

Destroy the Runner - 2007 was a rough year for these Solid State vets. Through a line-up change and a long search to replace their vocalist and bassist, the word “delayed” is a bit of an understatement. However, they’re back to full strength and are now moving full speed ahead. With a new album coming this spring, expect big things from an updated Destroy the Runner.

Dillon Warnek - If you close your eyes and imagine The Format singing folk songs with the lyricism of Bright eyes (dare we invoke the name of Dylan...?) and you'll have Dillon Warnek. It's only a matter of time before this Seattle singer gets a break.

Drivn - Good old fashion Virginia hard rock, that’s what Drivn is. If you’re interested in what they sound like, you should check out our upcoming Open G-Cast as we’ve already pimped them out there with their song, "Better Off Dead."

Dub Trio – Wow, this band kicks ass and takes names in a barrage of amazing guitar lines and very, very impressive drumming. They’ve toured with what seems like everyone and their mothers (and possibly the kitchen sink, who happens to really get around.) If you like metal that is progressive and so technical that you don’t really even need words, then you should check out Dub Trio.

Dusty Rhodes and the River Band - This outfit could be having a breakout year in 2008, 1998, 1988, or 1978 with their broad range of sounds. Their sound fits in with many different genre-bending bands just as much as it doesn’t fit in with anything at all. This band takes influence from everything you can imagine, ranging from classical symphonies to Tom Waits to Yes to Stevie Wonder to Chuck Berry, and they could easily play alongside any of them.