There’s a new crop of bands that you’ll be able to catch around town this year. If you’re familiar with the local music scene, you’ll recognize a lot of faces. If not, then trust that we’re all in for a treat in the coming months. Here’s a list of some of the names to keep an eye out for.
Swear Tapes
A blend of indie and pop led by Jim Barret of the now defunct Young Buffalo. These guys came out swinging over the summer and haven’t slowed down. Swear Tapes has had a steady string of shows in Oxford as well as Jackson, Mississippi. If you’re out on a night they’re playing, be sure to stop in. Their next show is August 27 at Proud Larrys’ as part of a string of shows with Spaceface.
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Bad Dates
Originating as a two-piece hard rock outfit consisting of Jace Hughes on drums and Jimi Myers on guitar with them both splitting vocal duties, the band has since added Matthew Clements on bass who you will likely recognize from his former local metal band Midnight Fistfight. Their next show is August 19 at Proud Larrys’
Bonus
Kieran Danielson’s project has been featured in The Local Voice on more than one occasion, and for good reason. Bonus is the product of Danielson’s time spent writing solo material over the course of a year and presenting it with a full band. It’s equal parts indie, dream, and pop. Though best suited for summer drives or days by the pool, you shouldn’t miss an opportunity to catch Bonus live.
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The Great Dying
Oxford’s country-folk duo, consisting of Will Griffith on guitar and vocals and Kell Kellum on slide guitar, aren’t the easiest group to see. Kellum plays in a handful of bands that will pull him out of town for shows. If you’re lucky enough to see the guys in their natural habitat, treat yourself to a whiskey and enjoy.
Nadir Bliss
Sean O’hara keeps himself very busy, and he does so under the umbrella of Nadir Bliss. While the project is currently presented as a full band arrangement, it started from O’hara writing songs on a daily basis and needing somewhere to channel those. Nadir Bliss started as a solo, catch-all for anything he created and still functions as that from time to time, but these days you’re more likely to find him leading his group with guitar and vocals.
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Ben Ricketts
Seeing Ben Ricketts live is an experience you’ll be hard-pressed to match in Oxford, Mississippi. Ricketts produces instrumentals that he sings and plays guitar over. Accompanied by his handmade stage props, what you get from a Ben Ricketts show is a psychedelic, art pop show unlike any other. He moved from Corinth, Mississippi to Oxford this past year, and has yet to slow down. With shows nearly every week in town and consistently touring the south successfully, catching Ben Ricketts live is no hard task.
Pinebox
These guys played their first show at a cramped house with Carlos Danger and Holy Ghost Electric Show. Since then they’ve released their EP With You in Acadia that came out in June and have worked into a routine of steady shows both in and out of town. Blending together indie, punk, and emo, Pinebox puts together a performance that gets you moving. Their next show is August 19 at Proud Larrys’ with Bad Dates.
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Lo Noom
A.k.a Andrew Newman, Lo Noom moved from Hattiesburg to Oxford to attend Ole Miss as a full time student. He is the most recent resident on this guide, but just as much worth giving a listen. Lo Noom puts out his own brand of experimental R&B/Pop inspired tunes. His second ever show in Oxford will be at Proud Larrys’ August 25.
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