2015’s Breakthrough Indie Music Odds

Every year, against the odds, several indie musicians manage to breakthrough and find mainstream success. With 2014 winding down, we take a look ahead and set the odds for which artists from various genres are the most likely to become household names in 2015.

If you’re always the last one in your group of friends, or in your office, or even in your own house, to know the latest hot band, then pay close attention to the names below and you’ll be able to say, in your best hipster twang, “Oh, I knew them before they were big”.

Genre: Pop

Artist: Echosmith

Odds: 2/1

Even though Los Angeles band Echosmith recently gained a modicum of attention from its hit song “Cool Kids,” look for the act to blow up in 2015 with its indie pop and alternative rock sound. The fun.-reminiscent outfit is still supporting its 2013 debut album, “Talking Dreams.” However, expectations are already high for the band’s follow-up effort.

Listen to “Cool Kids” on Youtube.

Artist: Prides

Odds: 4/1

The band Prides is still in its infancy, having just formed in 2013. But the Glaswegian trio has already released a three-song EP, played at the closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, and signed to Island Records. Reminiscent of a male-fronted CHVRCHES, Prides stands a good chance of following in the footsteps of their successful Scottish brethren.

Listen to “Out of the Blue” on Prides official website.

Artist: Ryn Weaver

Odds: 7/1

San Diego songstress Ryn Weaver has been working (and living) with hit producer Benny Blanco on her new album, which is due in early 2015. Her debut single, “OctaHate”, blew up the internet this summer – gaining her recognition on BillBoard, Stereogum, Hype Machine, and more. All the writers and producers she’s worked with, from Blanco to Charli XCX, have been very supportive and seem to be betting on her success, but we haven’t heard quite enough from Weaver to make her one of the top picks.

Listen to “OctaHate” on Youtube.

Genre: Folk

Artist: Hozier

Odds: 2/1

Nothing helps an unknown artist make the leap from anonymity to buzz act more than an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” Take, for instance, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. By performing “Take Me to Church” before millions on SNL, he pointed millions to his recently released self-titled debut. The quality of the album promises sustained success.

Listen to “Take Me to Church” on Youtube.

Genre: Metal

Artist: Code Orange

Odds: 5/1

This year, Code Orange released what is easily the most creative and energetic hardcore album with sophomore effort “I am King,” which is the follow-up to 2012’s “Love is Love/Return to Dust.” Similar to Converge, the Pittsburgh quartet (formerly known as Code Orange Kids) is bound to rise up to the level of genre bellwethers Every Time I Die and Killswitch Engage.

Listen to “I Am King” (from the album of the same name) on Youtube.

Genre: EDM

Artist: RL Grime

Odds: 5/1

American D.J. Henry Steinway, better known by his stage name, “RL Grime”, has gained a loyal fanbase through mixing EDM with underground music, creating a fresh sound for the EDM scene. Now he has embarked on a national tour for his album Void which just dropped last month. Though Steinway is only 23, he has been playing festivals for years. This past April, he took his game to a new level, playing a set at Coachella.The next year is sure to be big year for RL Grime as he has teamed up with rapper Big Sean and producer Boys Noize (who has remixed everyone from Snoop Dogg to Depeche Mode) for his new album.

Listen to “Core” on Youtube.

Genre: Country

Artist: The Cadillac Three

Odds: 6/1

Fresh off its Grand Ole Opry debut, as well as an opening slot on Jake Owen’s latest tour, The Cadillac Three is still supporting its latest single “Party Like You”. The trio is comprised of Nashville natives whose songwriting credits include co-wrotes “You Gonna Fly”(Keith Urban), “Southern Girl” (Tim McGraw), and “Days of Gold” (Jake Owen).” The band’s not afraid to rock and have fun, which makes it a perfect counterpart to the bro-country trend.

Listen to “Party Like You” on Youtube.

Genre: Punk

Artist: Real Friends

Odds: 10/1

Emo-punk act Real Friends spent its summer broadening its fanbase on the Warped Tour. In concert, the Illinois band garnered comparisons to The Wonder Years and The Story So Far. After putting out a half dozen EPs over the last couple of years, the quintet finally released its debut album, “Maybe This Place Is The Same And We’re Just Changing,” which includes the catchy single “Loose Ends.”

Listen to “Loose Ends” on Youtube.

Genre: Jazz

Artist: Esperanza Spalding

Odds: 10/1 

It’s a bit disingenuous to say that someone who already won a Grammy for “Best New Artist” (2011) is going to “Breakthrough”. That said, jazz musician Esperanza Spalding has been on a mission to make her genre accessible to and popular with the masses. Despite her critical acclaim, that largely hasn’t happened. But this just may be the year, as Spalding is set to embark on a nearly 30-stop cross-country tour. If karma truly exists, the talented bassist/cellist – who was targeted by “Beliebers” after earning the 2011 Grammy – will reach Bieber levels of stardom. But the odds on that are a lot longer.

Listen to “Black Gold” on Youtube.

Genre: R&B

Artist: Kelela

Odds: 12/1

For the past year or so, singer-songwriter Kelela has been attracting fans with her soulful electronica sounds heard on the popular mixtape “Cut 4 Me,” which attracted praise from the likes of Solange and Björk. A full-length debut looms this winter, at which time the daughter of Ethiopian parents could break big.

Listen to “Bank Head” on Youtube.

Genre: Rock

Artist: Tame Impala

Odds: 6/1

Australian Kevin Parker, the brains (and voice) behind Tame Impala, is set to release Currents, the band’s third album, this year; 2012’s Lonerism was a critical darling but didn’t bring Parker much success this side of the Pacific. Based on lead single “Cause I’m a Man” – which is a low-key jam perfect for the warmer months approaching – Currents just might do the trick.

Listen to “Cause I’m a Man” on Youtube.

Artist: Eagulls

Odds: 12/1

Bubbling in the U.K. for a few years, Eagulls turned heads stateside with its post-punk sound at festivals such as SXSW and CMJ. An appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” didn’t hurt either. The equal parts garage rock-shoegaze band is supporting its self-titled album, which you can listen to in its entirety on Youtube.

Genre: Hip Hop

Artist: Stalley

Odds: 15/1

Billed as the Bruce Springsteen of rap, Ohio-born Stalley (a.k.a. Kyle Myricks) is gaining fans daily with his blue-collar sounds and themes. The MC boasts lyrical duality, as both a conscious and a gangsta rapper. His mixtapes have featured guests such as Scarface, Schoolboy Q, Joi Tiffany, and Crystal Torres. Now, his recently released debut effort, “Ohio,” includes the track “One More Shot” (featuring Rick Ross and August Alsina).

Listen to “One More Shot” on Youtube.

(Photo credit: Justin Higuchi [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.)