It’s that time of year again where we release our annual forecast of music artists and bands to watch in 2023. One of the many things the pandemic taught us, is that there are so many talented and unique artists out there that the whole world needs to hear. Through our new song submission playlist, we discovered a plethora of spectacular acts, many of which were not from Los Angeles. We started writing about them via our Beyond L.A. series, as well as those that had tour dates in or around L.A., but that wasn’t enough.
For the first time in almost a decade, Grimy Goods has made their annual forecast to include music artists and bands from any location, no longer just Los Angeles. We’ve been all about inclusivity since 2008, especially giving a platform for women in music, and lesser known and underrepresented artists –this new move opens up the playing the field for all. We’ll always be a Los Angeles music blog, but it doesn’t mean that we will only feature L.A.-based artists. More on that later …
With that said, check out our 25 Music Artists and Bands to Watch in 2023 (in no particular order). We’ll be sharing 5 new acts per day, so be sure to follow along here and on our socials (@grimygoods everywhere).
Part 1 of our annual forecast is produced and written by Sandra Burciaga Olinger, with all band / artist editorials written by Steven Ward and David Sosa.
Artists and Bands to Watch in 2023 (in no particular order)
1. June McDoom
Explore the verdant soundscapes created by June McDoom
June McDoom made her debut with a self-titled EP just this year and with it made her presence known as an ethereal-voiced singer/songwriter who resides within heart-rending ballads. The verdant instrumentals that makeup songs like “Babe, You Light Me Up” and “Piano Song” unfold like cinematic centerpieces. Wrapped as they are in both the twinkle and melodic swell of every ebbing tone — not to mention McDoom’s own engulfing wails. Fans of the artist are in luck because she will be going on tour in 2023 supporting Nick Hakim with dates at The Regent in Los Angeles on Feb. 7; at Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown on Feb. 5; and at the Casbah in San Diego on Feb. 4.
Visit June McDoom on their Bandcamp to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
2. Deadletter
Get rowdy with U.K. rockers Deadletter
Yorkshire-born Deadletter just released their debut EP in the form of the frantically combustive Heat! Led by the bellowing kineticism of rapt frontman Zac Lawrence, the funky post-punk outfit is no less than the sum of its parts. Which includes the elastic madness supplied by George Ullyott’s bass and Alfie Husband’s percussion, the dizzyingly electric riffs firing from James Bates and Will King’s guitars, or the ecstatic blaring of a saxophone wielded by Poppy Richler. Fans of IDLES beware: you’re going to be just as obsessed with Deadletter’s penchant for ridiculously danceable, off-kilter rhythms and incisively political anthems. “Weights” and “Binge” are two absolute jams right out the gate on the EP — but be sure to check out some of the earlier singles as well like the delectable rollicker “Pop Culture Connoisseur.” Keep an eye out for future tour dates!
Visit Deadletter on their Bandcamp to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
3. Babebee
Babebee shines with the blooming bedroom-pop
As a singer/songwriter, producer, and videographer, Babebee creates music designed to fully envelop you. They just released their stellar sophomore album Mind Over Matter, a radiant mix of electro-pop and bedroom sonics that escapes any single genre definition. While their debut Portal of My Soul simmers in a glimmering haze of experimental electronica that itself feels like a portal to the early days of the 00s indietronica boom. They also just shared a rework of their track “stranded” (feat. Angelus) that absolutely needs to be in your ears. Babebee also just played their first show in New York so it can’t be long now before you have the chance to see them at a venue near you!
Visit Babebee on their Bandcamp to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
4. November Ultra
Swoon over November Ultra‘s lush vocals
November Ultra also released her debut album this year, sharing a collection of songs titled bedroom walls that introduced the world to the lush caresses of her music. Marrying within her beautiful melodies everything from folk and R&B to 60’s musicals and Spanish copla. Her ballads comprised of the kind of opulent and soulful landscapes you could find yourself delightfully lost in over and over. She also recently shared a Christmas song for the holidays: a tender-hearted track titled “novembre” that reverberates warmly of bittersweet memories of home. They are currently touring solely in France so fingers crossed they make it to North America sometime soon!
Visit November Ultra on their website to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
5. Ill Peach
Ill Peach pummel out the bangers
Ill Peach is the duo formed by Jess Corazza and Pat Morrissey, a frenetic electro-pop project from Los Angeles. They’ve been steadily releasing a killer round of singles the most recent being the jaunty, guitar-dueling anthem “BRIGHT LIGHTS.” Last year saw the arrival of their debut EP EXCUSE US WHILE WE FIND OUR MINDS, a paradoxically jubilant and cacophonous quartet of songs that emphatically set the duo apart. And with absurd earworms like “GUM,” it’s not hard to see why. Ill Peach just wrapped their tour opening for Everything Everything for 2022 but there’s no way we’ve seen the last of them!
Visit Ill Peach on their Bandcamp to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
