ALTERNATIVE / INDIE
1000 Arms: Though trending toward the more adventurous, experimental side of Indie Rock, they haven't had trouble connecting with local audiences. The newcomers use vocals as additional layers in their textural, progressive sound, and they often add to the strata at live shows with eye-grabbing video backdrops.
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The Minor Leagues: They began as largely a recording project, as Ben Walpole and Patrick Helmes worked with a variety of musicians to craft a highly melodic Indie Pop sound that drew from everything from The Strokes to Beulah. The band has grown considerably since their early days, best evidenced on the ambitious concept album, The Pestilence Is Coming, that came out earlier this year.
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The Spectacular Fantastic: Founding member Mike Detmer writes amazing songs in the classic Pop Rock vein, tempered with just a trace of Midwestern Soul. Evolving from a home-recording outlet to a full-band entity over the past few years, they released the superb The Spectacular Fantastic Goes Underground in 2005. Oddly enough (given the album title), the release also served as a coming-out pronouncement for Detmer's new, steady full-time band, the most powerful and energetic he's had yet.
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Staggering Statistics: Built on the quirky/jerky songs of singer/guitarist Austin Brown and fueled by the driving, intricate rhythm section of bassist John Curley and drummer Joe Klug (guitarist/keyboardist Sam Womelsdorf was added this year as well), the Stats released their latest album (All of This and More) this spring to a national audience via Shake It Records. The group regularly plays out of town shows and is building a regional following.
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The Sundresses: Cincinnati's arch conservatism creates the perfect Petri dish for their punchy, soulfully riotous sound and approach, which takes the history of American music and submits it to Gitmo-style torture sessions until it gives them what they need. Formed in 2002, the sardonic trio is already a South By Southwest veteran and the band has toured steadily throughout the region. The follow-up to their knock-out debut, The Only Tourist in Town, is currently in the works.
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WINNER - Wussy: Fronted by singer/songwriter Lisa Walker and Ass Ponys vocalist/guitarist Chuck Cleaver, they released their rugged Indie Rock gem, Funeral Dress, last fall and the press accolades have yet to stop pouring in. The band has been championed most notably by music critic extraordinaire Robert Christgau, who praised the album in Village Voice and Blender.
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BLUEGRASS
Comet Bluegrass All-Stars:
Now in their 10th year, you can still find this lauded crew of expert local Bluegrass musicians every Sunday at their namesake (The Comet in Northside) for their popular evening jam sessions. They've grown well beyond that homebase, opening big shows for the likes of Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush and Del McCoury.
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The Earlytimers:
This young quartet mixes
traditional Bluegrass tunes with their own originals, delivered with mandolin, guitar, banjo, dobro, upright bass and multiple harmonies. The group has been building a local following since forming just last year.
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Katie Laur & Her All-Girl Bluegrass Band:
Though they don't play out a ton, their live shows are always special events, showcasing some of the area's finest Bluegrass musicians, regardless of gender. Laur, who has a storied musical career, gathers up several of her pickin' pals for the band's performances, including perennial CEA nominee Ma Crow.		  
Mt. Pleasant String Band:
This highly energetic four-piece do plenty of Bluegrass favorites, but what sets them apart are their fresh interpretations of obscure, forgotten gems that the band often spins with their own arrangements. The newcomers cite expected classic influences (Flatt & Scruggs, Old and In the Way), as well as more recent Roots practitioners like Old Crow Medicine Show, as inspiration.
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WINNER - Rumpke Mountain Boys:
Jam band fans' favorite local Bluegrass band call their sound "Cincinnasty Trashgrass." The versatile, improv-happy quintet — known for their Newgrass covers of everything from Dylan to Pink Floyd — has been a popular draw at a wide range of venues for the past five years.
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BLUES
II Juicy:
Fronted by the full-bodied,
soulful wail of singer Michele Feaster, II Juicy began just over a year ago and quickly became the talk of the local Blues scene. The new group won the Cincinnati Blues Challenge and was featured at this summer's Cincy Blues Fest. Next year, they represent Cincinnati at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.		  
Cheryl Renee Blues Band:
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Renee took her talent on the road in the '70s with an R&B group. She returned to Cincy 30 years later and dove headlong into the local Blues scene. The singer/pianist plays around the area as a solo performer, in a duo with her new hubby (local Blues master Mr. Keith Little) and with her four-piece Blues band.
WINNER - Sonny Moorman Group:
One of the area's most popular and hardest working bands, they've been rocking the regional Blues scene for a dozen years now. The virtuosic trio has drawn attention outside of the region with several CD releases, including last year's rock-solid Crossroads Motel. Moorman and bandmates show an intense versatility, as the songwriting encompasses everything from soulful balladry to gruff, rip-roaring rumblers, all performed with equal intensity and personalized flair.		  
Kelly Richey:
The singer/guitarist has made waves nationally thanks to a double-threat approach that had one critic describe her as "Stevie Ray Vaughn trapped in a woman's body with Janis Joplin screaming to get out." Equally proficient as a singer and guitarist, Richey kept her mouth closed and let her guitar wizardry shine on her latest album, the all-instrumental Speechless.
Ricky Nye:
This master of the Boogie Woogie style of Blues piano is a beloved staple of the local music scene. He got his Rock out with the Raisins back in the '80s before becoming a regular presence (with a variety of collaborators) on the local club scene. Nye has played international Blues festivals and even hosts one of his own — the "Blues and Boogie Piano Summit" — one of the biggest events of its kind in North America.		  
Greg Schaber:
After several years with High Street, the singer/guitarist formed the Greg Schaber Band and picked up right where he left off. He's been playing for close to 40 years and is remarkably versatile. His years of studying the Blues makes him able to play everything from the early acoustic Blues of the early 1900s to the more recent Urban Blues styles with equal flair and precision.
     
COUNTRY
Catalog Cowboys:
Though probably too eclectic to be pinned down to a simple "Country band" description, this Northern Kentucky-based five-member "supergroup" features several longtime musicians from a variety of genres who meet in the middle for a soulful, twangy exhibition of American Roots music. The group released its debut recording, a five-song EP of originals, last year.
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Danny Frazier Band:
This foursome is led by veteran singer/songwriter Frazier, who flirted with mainstream Country success in the '90s with his Frazier River band. As showcased on last year's self-titled debut, the DFB explores American Roots music with a masterful touch, inspired by Blues, Rock and legendary Country artists like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard.
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Liquid Fire:
Blending Metal with Country music without sounding cheesy is a tall order, but in the hands of this hardworking band it sounds like a natural fit. The band's unique, bad-ass sound has drawn some impressive industry attention in Nashville, including recognition from Country star John Michael Montgomery. Their just-released debut full-length features guests from Ricochet and Montgomery's band.
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WINNER - Dallas Moore and the Snatch Wranglers:
Moore is one of the best frontmen/showmen in local music, and his band of Snatch Wranglers helps him deliver deft, gritty and rowdy Outlaw Country on par with many of the genre's greats. A touring favorite all over the eastern half of the U.S., they've also released several acclaimed CDs as well as a live DVD showcasing their blistering live show.
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Straw Boss:
They're becoming a regional favorite thanks to their entertaining live presentation and impassioned delivery of vintage Hillbilly, Honky Tonk, Rockabilly and Classic Country. With a dance-demanding shuffle, sublime lap steel and classic hiccupping vocals, the band appeases old-timers and younger fans alike with their frequent local appearances.
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Mack West:
Though inspired by Old West imagery and literature and Classic Country, this is anything but your usual Country band. Led by versatile singer/songwriter Zach Mechlem, the trio draws on influences that range from Johnny Cash and George Jones to Tom Waits and Ennio Morricone.
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EXPERIMENTAL/ELECTRONIC
24hourflu:
"Experimental Progressive Rock Unit from Erlanger" is how this band is described on its Web site. With a variety of Indie and Electronic sounds, the quartet creates shadowy, mysterious soundscapes, a dense, captivating spin on the Post Rock approach. The band released its self-titled debut in September.
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Burning Star Core:
Called a "drone revisionist" by Dusted Magazine, C. Spencer Yeh's group has become a big success on the underground experimental circuit. Mixing violin, noise, electronics and samples, the prolific Yeh has released innumerable recording projects in various formats (from CD-R to vinyl) through other labels or on his own Drone Disco imprint.
Crimes of the Black Cat:
Claiming influence from Brian Eno, John Cage, Philip Glass, Ennio Morricone, Gary Numan and Xiu Xiu, they're a local project that collages Electro, Classical and Experimental elements into an intoxicating, sweeping mix.
LINK		   WINNER - Diet Audio
:
Combining a love of both classic Rock elements (guitar, bass, drums) and the atmospheric trappings of Electronica (synths, samples, computer programming), they create a potent sonic hybrid that alternately smolders with the moody intensity of Depeche Mode or jars the senses with the raw Rock abandon of The Cure.
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Hungry Lucy:
Making luxurious, passionate electronic "Trip Pop," the duo of War-N-Harrison (electronics) and Christa Belle (vocals) has been together since 1998, when they recorded a song for a Depeche Mode tribute album. They've gone on to build a national following thanks to touring, a strong Web presence and three full-length CDs, including 2004's magical To Kill a King.
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Le TechnoPUSS13S:
Part performance art, part Martian Disco house band, they're hands-down one of the most interesting and original bands to ever call Cincinnati home. The duo started as a "joke band" in 2002, but the strong reactions they conjured from the local scene turned them into a full-fledged "band." Known for their over-the-top live shows, the twosome has also released two brain-tickling albums with a third bun currently in the oven.
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FOLK/AMERICANA
Ellery:
After half a decade performing together, 2006 has been a banner year for this local duo, who play an airy brand of organic Folk Pop. The husband/wife twosome changed their name to Ellery in 2005 and released an EP that caught the attention of Seattle indie Virt Records, which released an expanded version of the EP as Lying Awake and put the duo on the road for much of 2006.
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The Hiders:
With just one album under their belt (this year's dazzling Valentine), they've already made a name for themselves well beyond city limits. The group, led by former Ass Ponys guitarist Bill Alletzhauser, earned well-deserved national attention when their heart-burning, Neil-Young-Meets-Sparklehorse Soul Folk scored airplay on NPR's popular World Cafe radio show.
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WINNER - The Kentucky Struts:
Proudly hailing from Cold Spring, the Struts take primary influences like Dylan, Springsteen and Woody Guthrie and spin them through their own artistic (yet still lovingly traditional) filter. Led by singer and main songwriter Todd Lipscomb, they unleashed their self-titled debut — which features several bonus video features and was produced by noted knobsman Erwin Musper — last summer.
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Jake Speed:
Both with his band The Freddies and as a solo performer, Speed has become one of the go-to guys on the local Folk/Americana scene, performing wildly entertaining live shows all over town. His intuitive songwriting recalls Woody Guthrie at his best, re-infusing a healthy dose of humor and humanism into the classic Folk idiom.
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The Thirteens:
With the soulfulness of the best Americana music, their 2006 debut release, Bad Apples, was a potent blast of riveting, beautifully crafted Roots music, buoyed by an irresistible sense of Rock & Roll energy. Sadly, frontman/singer/songwriter Sam Nation wouldn't be around to see the album embraced by the local music community who loved him; he died earlier this year in a tragic car accident.
LINK		   David Wolfenberger:
One of the finest singer/songwriters in the area (regardless of genre), Wolfenberger honed his skills with local faves The Marshwiggles and Thom Scarecrow before striking out on his own for a string of jaw-dropping solo albums. He tours frequently and has played around the world. He's also been a member of Mark Olson and Victoria Williams' Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers.
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HARD ROCK/METAL
WINNER - American Hardcore:
They swaggered on to the local scene a few years back, but this year saw a full resurgence and reinvention of the band as they welcomed in a new singer and drummer and their songs took a turn for the better, reflecting a punchy, heavy Rock sound that borrows from past Metal and Hard Rock acts but has a slicker contemporary sound. The band's new lineup produced the powerful No Apologies, which was released earlier this year.
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Banderas:
Together for about three years, they pimp an anvil-heavy brand of Power Rock that celebrates Rock & Roll at its most reckless (with a healthy shot of Punk influence providing a mangy kick) but also showcases a more creative side via some almost experimental songwriting and sound crafting. The band destroys local stages on a regular basis and is currently working on a debut CD release.
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Blacklight Barbarian:
Putting the "power" back in Power Trio, they grind on the same heavy, heavy vibe as bands like Kyuss and their so-called Stoner Rock brethren. The group has played shows with seemingly every band lumped into the unfortunately named genre, but you don't need to be stoned to enjoy the group's intoxicating, riff-roaring debut CD (a self-titled EP) released earlier this year.
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Estuary:
They initially seem unique because they're a Trash/Death Metal band fronted by a female vocalist — but one second of listening to their brutal, propulsive sound reveals they're no novelty act. The band inked with Ibex Moon Records in 2003; the label released the band's debut, To Exist & Endure, the following year. Recently, Estuary reentered the studio to record their sophomore album, The Craft of Contradiction, which they'll support heavily on the road after its early 2007 release.
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Pain Link:
With their powerhouse blend of Classic Metal, Thrash and Metalcore, they've been one of the biggest local Metal bands for the past several years. The band takes inspiration from Metalheads past (Slayer, Pantera) and present (Lamb of God, Shadows Fall); their 2005 debut full-length, Burden of Sin, helped earn international fans and press (including a glowing review in headbanger bible, Metal Edge).
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Seven Orchids:
This hard-playin', hard-drinkin' fivesome blaze a break-neck Metal trail that's inspired by vintage metallers like Judas Priest, Testament and Iron Maiden. Band members play in a variety of side projects, but their Metal hearts congeal in an explosive, high-wire Thrash sound. The band released its first CD, Raising Hell in Whiskey Heaven, this spring.
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HIP HOP
Glue/djdq:
Glue is not a Cincinnati group, but the Hip Hop trio's djdq is a long-standing staple of the local Hip Hop community as a member of award-winning turntable crew Animal Crackers (the other two members are from New Hampshire and Illinois). The group has released four CDs, the most recent being this year's Catch As Catch Can.
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Hi-Tek:
This DJ/MC has become one of Hip Hop's most respected producers, working on a variety of platinum-selling recording projects and getting a gig as producer/A&R guy for Dr. Dre's Aftermath label. This year, Tek released the impressive Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip, which featured guests like Snoop Dogg, Q Tip, Talib Kweli, Nas and several other huge Hip Hop stars.
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WINNER - IsWhat?!:
Together for a decade, their career reached its latest peak this year with the release of The Life We Chose, their first album of all new material for the esteemed Hyena Records. Mixing Jazz sax and ideologies with Hip Hop rhymes and beatboxing, they've taken their unique sound worldwide, playing international tour dates.
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K-Drama:
One-upping "positive" Hip Hop is Holy Hip Hop, a brand that mixes the same soul and pulse of the music with lyrics that would be welcome at most churches. K-Drama is one of Holy Hip Hop's rising stars. This year the MC released his debut for EMI Gospel, Behind the Glory.
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Tanya Morgan:
This group says they're from Brooklnati, a reference to the members' scattered residences (MC/producer Von Pea is from New York while MC Donwill and producer Brickbeats are based here). The trio's Internet-assisted collaborations found their way onto the recent Moonlighting CD, which has earned TM a Bible-sized press kit of glowing reviews from outlets like XXL, CMJ and The Source.
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Da Muttss:
One of Cincy Hip Hop's finest, this three-MCs/one-DJ crew's debut full-length, Conversations Over Blacks, Blunts, Sodas & Brews, was one of the best local albums released in 2005. Cliche-free wordplay and creative, ambient soundscapes combine for an enthralling listen from start to finish, bringing a kaleidoscopic view of Hip Hop that takes influence from the best of the best, old and new. Their live show is equally entertaining and infectiously energized and funky.
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JAM BAND
Grand Oversoul:
Together officially since their first show in 2003, this seven-member Jam Rock collective embraces a variety of influence, infusing their sound with everything from Funk and Jazz to Classic Rock & Roll. The band released its first album, A Long Way from Middle Creek, in 2005.
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The Ohms:
After popular local Jam band Four Ohms called it quits a few years back, a few members carried on and picked up right where the former band left off. The groove-heavy foursome — who host the annual Ohmstead music festival — combines Rock, Funk and Reggae for an alluring mix.
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Da Lemmings OnSombol:
One of Cincinnati's longest running Jam ensembles is an improv-happy trio that's performed alongside the likes of Charlie Hunter and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. The band lineup has changed over the years, but the telepathic bond between amazing guitarist John Gentry Jr. and equally gifted bassist Andrew Scorti has been the constant, defining core.		  
Ray's Music Exchange:
They've been one of the most popular Jam bands in Cincinnati since forming in the late '90s, putting a Zappa-like spin on Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Electronica and whatever other music enters their consciousness at the time. Now a five-piece, the group doesn't tour as much as they used to, but they still reward local fans with regular shows in the Greater Cincinnati area.
WINNER - Rumpke Mountain Boys:
Yes, they're also nominated in the Bluegrass category — but thanks to the popularity of "Newgrass" acts, the masterly Bluegrass abilities of the Rumpke Boys have found a welcoming fanbase in the Jam band community. Grassy arrangements of Allman Brothers and Pink Floyd tunes probably don't hurt matters.
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Souse:
Calling their sound "Jazz Funk Fusion," they pray at the altar of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard and have built a solid local following in the process, playing lengthy, improv-heavy shows all over town. The seven-member band features several local music veterans, including former members of Final Exit, Medulla Gumbo, Travelin' Barefoot and Sole Taxi.
     
JAZZ
Bowl & Bunns:
With sparkling vibe/piano Jazz expertise, Bowl & Bunns is the duo of local Jazz vets King "Bowl" Reeves (vibes) and Charlie "Bunns" Wilson (piano), who have more than 75 years of musical experience between them. The group's latest CD was released this fall.		  
WINNER - Blue Wisp Big Band:
If you had people visiting from out of town who wanted to hear some Jazz, chances are you're going to the Blue Wisp. And if it's Wednesday, even better — that's when the long-running Blue Wisp Big Band play their stellar brand of Big Bang Jazz. The ensemble has released several CDs and last year celebrated 25 years together.
Faux Frenchmen:
If you're a fan of Django Reinhardt and "Gypsy Jazz," you were no doubt thrilled when the Faux Frenchmen were formed. Capturing that "Hot Club" sound from the '30s and giving it their own spin, the quartet of local music vets from varying backgrounds performs regularly around the Cincinnati area.		  
The Jazz Circle:
This year's Joshua CD from The Jazz Circle — a local Jazz supergroup led by saxophonist/composer/arranger Steve Hoskins — paid tribute to some of the most influential Jazz artists from the '60s. But rather than straight readings, Hoskins presents craftily rearranged versions, adding vocals and lyrics to many of the instrumentals.
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Steve Schmidt:
He's a veteran local Jazz pianist who's played on nearly 50 recordings, with artists like the CEA nominated Blue Wisp Big Band (of which he is a charter member) and the Count Basie Orchestra. Last year, Schmidt released his first album as a bandleader, Red and Orange, a sparkling exhibition of his abilities as player, arranger and composer. 		 
Mike Wade:
A composer, arranger, trumpeter, producer and teacher, he's been in Jazz since he started playing as a pre-teen. A regular presence on the local scene, he's led local groups like Standard Time Quintet, Mike Wade & the Jazz Mafia and the Mike Wade Reality Band. He's also recorded several of his own albums showcasing his eclectic style, which runs from traditional Bop to more contemporary experiments.
     
PUNK/HARDCORE

Black Tie Bombers: On their MySpace site, this local foursome says their music sounds like "if some Punk Rock kids from the Midwest played the Flintstones kids' vitamins jingle." Fair enough! The band plays fast-paced and furious, leaving the glossy drivel that passes for Punk today to the pretty boys with the $200 haircuts. The latest BTB album, Art Is Easy, came out this year and next up is their debut for Florida Punk label, Pinky Ring Records
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Hats Off: This local Punk trio became a foursome and released their first CD, Accumulation, with the new lineup in 2006. The new sound reflects the membership growth (and perhaps a little personal maturation), as the CD showcases a beefier and more eclectic sound. Still, the band retains much of their Punk heritage and their politically incorrect sense of humor is often more rowdy than their music.
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Kill City:
With the attitude and swagger of grinding Gutter Rock and bombastic classic Punk, they bring a welcome dose of danger back to Rock & Roll, drawing influence from fellow nihilists like Guns N' Roses, The Stooges and The Dead Boys. Building a name locally with their volatile live shows, they've also ventured on the road for periodic touring treks.
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Suffocate Faster:
This Hardcore crew follows the "straight edge" lifestyle; with music this powerful and visceral, who needs drugs? The band found its brutal voice in 2001 and in 2004, they released their debut full-length, Only Time Will Tell, on Broken Sounds, leading to shows around the country with the likes of Hatebreed, Atreyu and Every Time I Die. Their latest album, Don't Kill the Messenger, came out on 1981 Records this year.
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Team Stray:
They recall the days when the term "Punk Pop" didn't have suspicious connotations, falling in the same realm as The Queers, Descendents and Screeching Weasel with their classic, barbed-wire-meets-sugar-sweet melodies, slap-dash energy and power chords and bratty (but not annoyingly juvenile) sense of humor. The group put out its first CD, Popular Mechanics, this year.
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WINNER - Viva La Foxx: Their music has been dubbed "Sex Punk," and a more apt description cannot be concocted. Singer Amy Jo is a legit Punk Rock diva (think Mae West with a shiv), with a sassy squeal-and-grunt of a voice that matches perfectly with the band's sultry, reckless explosions. The band's first CD, I Knew It Wasn't Love But ..., came out on Shake It Records this year.
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R&B/FUNK
4 Track Allstars:
They were founded in 1998 by J Reynolds, who had just come off his run as the sax playa for local Funk superstars SHAG. The "4Track" part of the collective's name came from the machine used for early recordings. Mixing instrumentals with MC blasts, the group's "genre" is difficult to concretely define, as Reynolds combines his love for inventive, groove-heavy Jazz with doses of Funk, Rock, Electronica and Hip Hop.		  
WINNER - Freekbass:
Bootsy Collins took bassist Chris Sherman under his wing and gave him the name/persona he's been recording under since 1998: Freekbass (also the name of his band). The group has released three albums of butt-thumping magnificence, and their most recent release, 2003's The Air Is Fresher Underground, features guest spots by Buckethead, Bernie Worrell and Collins. Sherman is a bass magazine fave and is also currently working on two Funk bass instructional videos.
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Marking Twain:
They were formed from the ashes of "teenage Pop Rock phenoms" Premium and continued in Premium's Pop Rock vein, but the songs got better and the music got much funkier, drawing comparison to Maroon 5. Late last year, the band released its first CD, The Identity Slip.
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Lo-Fi:
This groove-happy trio (featuring former members of Freekbass) plays most nights of the week, moving audiences all over town with their pulsating Funk renderings. The group works from a huge list of Funk and Rock classics and also spices things up with their thumping originals.
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Marvin and the Experience:
Led by Cincinnati singer/songwriter Marvin Hawkins, they pump out sensual, organic Neo-Soul with a Hip Hop heart. If Prince, Raphael Saadiq and Slum Village got together for a late-night, seductive jam session, it might sound something like Hawkins' sex-dripping grinds. His versatile musical skills have landed him work with musicians of every stripe, and he's seen the world on various tours over the years.
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ROCK
500 Miles To Memphis:
As their name suggests, this Roots Rock crew is 500 miles away from Rock & Roll's spiritual birthplace, but their music couldn't be any closer to the spirit of that legendary city. Built around the hyper-melodic Roots Pop songs of singer/guitarist Ryan Malott, they take influence from everything from Classic Country to Emo Punk.
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Buffalo Killers:
In a strictly literal sense, they're a "new" band — but local music followers will know the band as the latest evolutionary step from local Garage Blues heroes Thee Shams. The Killers quickly earned a rep all their own, trading in some of the dirty Blues leanings for a Psych Pop slant, which led to a record deal with California indie Alive Records, which released the band's 2006 self-titled debut.
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Crybaby:
This foursome's dual-guitar assault shows the band members' far-flung influences, incorporating elements of Punk, Prog, Alternative and even Americana music. Known for their blazing live shows, the group's debut album, Lady Light Evolver, was released to local praise at the start of this year.
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Ellison:
They began as a modest acoustic project based around the passionate songwriting of Josh Hill, but by the time Ellison became a full-fledged Rock band Hill's songs became even sharper and more impacting. Their sophisticated Indie Pop (which has a dash of Emo flavoring) caught the attention of Carbon Copy Media, the label started by J.T. Woodruff of chart-busting rockers Hawthorne Heights. Carbon Copy released the band's Say Goodnight, Sleep Alone on a national scale earlier this year.
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WINNER - Heartless Bastards:
It seems today that bands take a few years to follow up their debut album. But Heartless Bastards bucked tradition and harkened back to Rock's heyday by releasing the follow-up to their breakthrough debut, Stairs & Elevators, only a year later. The sometimes bluesy, always soulful Rock trio released All This Time nationally on Fat Possum Records and, by most accounts, managed to actually top the creative success of their debut.
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The Turnbull AC's:
With the lashing, cultured, spiky Pop sound of new artists like Dirty Pretty Things and the great early work of Elvis Costello, this group was founded in 2005 by singer/songwriter Dan Mecher. They quickly demanded attention, scoring CEA nominations in their first year of existence and being one of the better original Rock draws on the local music scene. The band's eponymous debut CD was released this past spring.
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SINGER/SONGWRITER
Peter Adams:
This Indie Pop singer/songwriter formed a full-backing band (The Nocturnal Collective) to bring to life the songs on his stunning, self-made debut, The Spiral Eyes. The CD's mature, sophisticated explorations of gorgeous, addictive Orchestral Pop have drawn international attention and Adams was recently profiled with a full-page spread in a recent edition of Indie music mag, Magnet.
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Chris Collier:
A veteran Folk/Pop singer/songwriter, she's released four CDs over the past several years. This year, she came out with her most ambitious effort yet, Over Twenty, a two-disc set of her intimate, direct songs, fleshed out by an array of stellar local musicians.
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Dan Mecher:
He formed The Turnbull AC's before having a full band ready, wowing local crowds on his own with smart, refined Pop songs that showcased his talent as both a creative storyteller and ace melody master. With the band in tact, Mecher put his songs to tape and released the Turnbulls' self-titled debut this year.		  
WINNER - Jake Speed:
His intuitive songwriting recalls Woody Guthrie at his best, infusing a healthy dose of humor and humanism into the classic Folk idiom. The singer/songwriter honed his chops this year with the "Speedy Delivery" project, where he's delivered a song a week about the current events of the day since January.
Kim Taylor: She's toured with the like-minded Over the Rhine as an opening act and background singer/guitarist, but her spellbinding solo work should make her side-person days numbered. Her gauzy singing is the most immediately grabbing element, her voice floating in the same hemisphere as smoky, emotive song merchants like Fiona Apple or Beth Orton, but with the liquidity and phrasing of a classic, creative Jazz chanteuse like Billie Holiday.
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David Wolfenberger: He honed his skills with local faves The Marshwiggles and Thom Scarecrow before striking out on his own for a string of jaw-dropping solo albums, including this year's Portrait of Narcissus.
     
WORLD MUSIC
Baoku and The Image Afro-Beat Band:
Cincinnati might not seem like a fertile breeding ground for AfroBeat music (a mix of Jazz, Pop and traditional African music, popularized by legend Fela Kuti), but thanks to Nigerian native Baoku Moses and his band, we're now home to one its finest current practitioners. Moses' debut CD, Okodoro Oro, is a dazzling, masterful display of the multi-talented musician's abilities.
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Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters: Playing Irish music with a Rock & Roll heart, the Firestarters were assembled by singer/songwriter Drawdy (a native of Ireland) in 2000. The group has toured frequently and has been a favorite at Celtic festivals around the country. Last summer, the band released its fourth CD, Open Seas, Empty Skies.
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Bodhi Fannin & Anam Cara:
Led by singer/guitarist Fannin, this Progressive Celtic sextet (who take their name from a Gaelic phrase that means "soul friend") often pulls multiple shows on St. Patrick's Day in the Cincinnati area, but their powerful interpretation of the classic Irish/Scottish sound has made them regional favorites all year long.		  
Selecter:
Though not to be confused with 2-Tone Ska pioneers The Selecter, this local collective also draws heavily from the well of vintage Reggae as well as its more contemporary forms. The group has an all-star lineup, featuring members from Zionites, Ray's Music Exchange, Kadouz and Admiral Walker. Formed just over a year ago, the band is already the top Reggae act in Cincinnati.
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Totems:
This foursome began in 2004 and was soon playing all over the area at coffeehouses, restaurants and other venues. The group has provided music for a number of dance troupes, a testament to their rhythmic, trance-like World Beat sound, which draws on traditional Middle Eastern, African and Native American music. The band released its debut, Migrations, earlier this year.
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WINNER - Tropicoso:
This nine-member Latin music ensemble formed seven years ago, when they began an every-Monday night residency at Corryville club The Mad Frog, which quickly became one of the most popular weeknight gigs in the city. The group plays a smattering of Salsa and Merengue favorites as well as their own originals, which were on glorious display on their infectious 2005 CD debut, Un Cuento.
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BEST MUSICAL AMBASSADOR FOR THE CITY
WINNER - Bootsy Collins:
He's one of the most instantly recognizable characters in popular music history, but his influence can't be over shadowed by his big hat. His involvement with James Brown and George Clinton (not to mention his solo work) has made him one of the true architects of Funk. Bootsy wears his hometown pride on his star-spangled sleeves and has popped up on everything from the Grammys to the Monday Night Football intro in the past year.
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Greg Dulli:
This area native hasn't lived in Greater Cincinnati for some time, but his continued international success with his Twilight Singers' tours and albums practically insures that "formerly of Cincinnati's Afghan Whigs" will appear in most magazine profiles of the soulful, charming frontman (England's Mojo even did a "where are they now?" piece on the Whigs this year, recalling the band's earliest days). His popularity locally hasn't waned, as the Twilight Singers recently sold out the Southgate House on their current tour.
Heartless Bastards:
The glowing press that greeted their 2005 debut, Stairs & Elevators, continued with the release of their new Fat Possum Records CD, All This Time. The hard-touring band has been fawned over by reviewers at Entertainment Weekly, Blender and Spin.
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IsWhat?!:
The duo's The Life We Chose, released this year on Hyena Records, scored the 10-year-old Jazz/Hip Hop group the best reviews of their career and has led to further touring in the U.S. and Europe.
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Patrick Keeler and Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes/The Raconteurs): Greenhornes fans had to be disappointed that the band wasn't working in 2006. But, in the long run, bassist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler's tenure in Jack White's Raconteurs can only be beneficial for the band, as the Greenhornes' name pops up in every article written about White and Co. (and there's been a lot). The group's Broken Boy Soldiers led to a seemingly unending worldwide tour that's included dates at several huge festivals (Lollapalooza, Reading, etc.).
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The Vinyltones:
Their accomplished Pop Rock (showcased brilliantly on their Memoirs of a Songbook from last year) has made them local favorites, but this year the 'Tones represented Cincy in a most unlikely setting — the band were literally "ambassadors" performing for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
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BEST LIVE ACT
Buckra:
This long-running band's live show benefits from their dynamic sound, which runs the gamut of loungy Jazz, poppy Funk and searing Hard Rock. Singer Dylan Speeg is one of the funniest people in Cincinnati, and his live stage prowess makes Buckra's shows very entertaining.
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WINNER - Death in Graceland:
If you thought Rock & Roll lost all of its sense of danger, you haven't seen them in concert. The powder-keg Rock band's live presentation recalls the glory days of Iggy and the Stooges minus the peanut butter (so far).
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Foxy Shazam:
CityBeat's Ezra Waller recently said that at a Foxy Shazam show you're constantly worried that you might get hit by something or someone from the stage (and he meant it in the best way possible). Fronted by wild-child Eric Nally, the Progressive Freak Show Hard Rock band has taken their outrageous live show on the road, playing frequent touring dates throughout the year.
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Dallas Moore Band and the Snatch Wranglers:
One of the best things about Country music is that the performers seem to have never skimped on the "performance" side of their presentation. Moore is one of the best showmen in Cincinnati, giving his band's gritty Outlaw Country an extra layer of rowdiness when destroying stages all over the eastern half of the U.S.
MOTH:
"Explosive" is the best way to describe their live show. The spiky Pop Rock band has been touring extensively since the release of their latest album, Immune to Gravity, last year.
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Noctaluca:
Their passionate Rock sound gets a new life when presented live. Jason Ludwig and Co. pour tons of emotion into every note, taking their already soaring music to all new heights with every show.
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NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1000 Arms:
"While the members of 1000 Arms all have disparate musical backgrounds, they have individual teenage Punk band experience in common. But rather than sticking to this straightforward path, they ended up following a more avant-garde route, drawn towards noise and improvisation. A flair for the extraordinary makes their music a bit challenging, but visceral playing and meaty hooks hold your interest." (CityBeat's Ezra Waller)
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WINNER - Buffalo Killers:
"It's apparent that Buffalo Killers are working a slightly more sophisticated and yet still viscerally powerful angle on their debut. Although Thee Shams' Sign the Line hinted at this direction last year, the band is clearly energized as they roar through this lysergically-tinged set of garage Blues nuggets like Cream and Crazy Horse channeling the spirit of The Standells at a basement seance." (CityBeat's Brian Baker)

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Mike Fair and the Adventure Seekers:
"On their debut album, Fair creates his own sonic identity instead of dipping his fingers into too many genre jars. The album shows not only what a capable songwriter Fair is but also what a strong, unique vocal personality he possesses. His singing is somewhere between Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and early-period Rod Stewart, and musically that comparison's not too far off either." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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Concocting their own genre ("Punkadelic Psych Rock," according to singer Sara Yaste), these newcomers began the year as Dead Flowers but changed their name with the release of their first CD, a self-titled affair that came out in September.
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The High & Low:
"One of the more buzzed-about new bands on the Cincinnati music scene, The High & Low are like a mix of The Velvet Underground and Cat Power, mixing gauzy, sky-bound vocals with a primitive, gut-bucket stomp." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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II Juicy:
Fronted by the full-bodied, soulful wail of singer Michele Feaster, they won the Cincinnati Blues Challenge and were featured at this summer's Cincy Blues Fest. Next year, they represent Cincinnati at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
MercuroChrome:
"When the members of MercuroChrome claim influences ranging from Velvet Crush to Arcade Fire to KISS to Gillian Welch, that's a claim that requires attention. The only place you'd generally see those names together would be in a comprehensive Rock encyclopedia or in my schizophrenic record collection." (CityBeat's Brian Baker)		   Wake The Bear :
For his debut, titled Woe Is Meat, Scott Cunningham goes truly solo, recording and performing all the instrumentation himself. A humble, dreamy lushness is crafted with acoustic guitars, keys, synths, layered voices and heart-swelling string sounds, all tied together by Cunningham's emotive, vivacious lead vocals, which have the kind of effortless elasticity that only truly great singers can pull off. Like the Flaming Lips on downers, the disc has an orchestral tinge that is countered by a somewhat melancholic spirit.” (CityBeat’s Mike Breen)
     
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Ellery: Lying Awake
"The twosome's airy yet organic pop has a soul-tickling emotional weight that many bands would die for. Starry-eyed yet also very grounded, Ellery's sound is romantic, dreamy, moving and flawlessly executed." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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Ellison: Say Goodnight, Sleep Alone
"Lead singer Josh Hill has a voice that is always clearly delivered, but exudes an aching that tugs the heartstrings. While many songwriters are inspired by similar subject matter (heartbreak, love and loss), Hill's voice takes it a step further. Anyone can write lyrics and sing them; his yearning voice lets your ears tap into the actual expression." (CityBeat's Daniele Pfarr)
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WINNER - Heartless Bastards: All This Time
"On their sophomore album, All This Time, the Bastards have managed the near-impossible task of duplicating the shiny surprise of their first album by presenting a completely different rendering of their Blues influences. After the release of Stairs and Elevators, Erika Wennerstrom claimed that the Bastards were just as swayed by Classic Rock as the Blues, and the ironclad proof of that statement courses through every note of All This Time." (CityBeat's Brian Baker)
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The Hiders: Valentine
"Hovering in the Americana-sphere around artists from Neil Young and The Band to newer acts like Sparklehorse and The Thrills, Valentine is, in a word, mesmerizing. There is a natural hypnotic glaze to most of tracks, as the acoustic and electric guitars and the sweeping rhythms combine to create a billow of irresistible ethereality." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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IsWhat?!: The Life We Chose
"With cuts featuring live drumming from noted skinsman Hamid Drake; DJ scratching from Casual T of the local turntable crew Animal Crackers; Electronica precision from NYC duo Ming + FS; more traditional Hip Hop tracks with contributions from a wide range of guest MCs; and tracks featuring New York jazzbos like Roy Campbell, Lewis Barnes and Claire Daly, The Life We Chose challenges and often shatters every preconceived notion you've ever had about what IsWhat?! is." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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The Minor Leagues: The Pestilence Is Coming
"The Pestilence Is Coming, a mind-blowing concept album featuring 15 tracks of the group's incredibly refined, impossibly catchy Indie Pop. The results are astounding. It's nothing short of remarkable that this is a home-recorded project. The record is as crisp as any Indie album you'll hear. And the hooks are some of the best you'll find on any Pop Rock album." (CityBeat's Mike Breen)
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Staggering Statistics: All This and More
"Perhaps adopting the bunker mentality that many felt after Election Day 2004, Staggering Statistics holed up on that fateful day to record their second full-length disc. Full of jagged, skeletal guitars, propulsive bass playing and the short lyrical sketches of lyricist Austin Brown, the result was All This and More. Even without a political manifesto, several tracks seemingly do touch on 2004's unsettling climate, clashing Brown's dreamy lyrical imagery with wry observations and impassioned cautionary tales." (CityBeat's Sean Rhiney)
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The Turnbull AC's: The Turnbull AC's
"It's an everyman narration of suburban macabre set to sing-able melodies and subconsciously focus-tilting riffs. No wheels are reinvented in Dan Mecher's songs; the progressions, arrangements and storytelling are fairly simple, obvious even. But if this is art that briefly summons the 'I could've done that' adage, then the Turnbulls' passionate delivery is their over-crossed arms, noting: 'But you didn't. And we did, so there.' "(CityBeat's Hannah Roberts)
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Wussy: Funeral Dress
"Wussy feels like a cross between the Jesus and Mary Chain, John Prine and the Mamas and the Papas. JAMC gets name-checked because of the gorgeous sheets of noise that take place throughout much of Wussy's presentation; Prine is a longtime yardstick against Ass Ponys frontman Chuck Cleaver's similarly twisted sense of the mundane; and there are physical markers that suggest San Francisco's favorite sons and daughters. Funeral Dress is an astonishingly diverse document of Wussy's disparate but oddly interconnected influences." (CityBeat's Brian Baker)
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ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ellery		  
Ellison
Heartless Bastards		  
The Hiders
WINNER -
IsWhat?!		  
Staggering Statistics
Turnbull AC's		  
Wussy