Whether you’re looking for the latest worldwide rising band, or bands that were formed right here at Panther Creek, you probably could use a bit of new music on your iPod. PCNN polled a few students to find out what the latest sounds are around the area.

Tori Kelly

If you’re a fan of distinctive voices, you might want to give independent artist Tori Kelly a try. She first made her name as a YouTube singer, but has gained a growing following.

“Her voice is just so different,” says senior Rachel Mann. “I’ve never heard anyone like her, and it’s so interesting to see what she does with the covers of songs. In particular, “Suit and Tie” was really good the way she did it.”

Mann hopes that Kelly becomes more well-known, and she plans to go to one of her concerts nearby soon to support the artist. “Her runs are really cool,” Mann says. “She has such control over her voice, which allows her to do so many things.”

J.J. Gray and Mofro

If you’re looking for a dynamic fusion of different music styles, turn to J.J. Gray and Mofro. “They have a very unique style, and they’re a mix of soul, blues, and rock.” says sophomore Nate Cryan. “They’re still relatively undiscovered.”

Cryan continued to explain, “They have a presence on stage that many artists lack, but on top of that they have a unique combination of instruments and jamming styles that really changes up how their music is made. I hope to see more music from them, and more of the creativity that they’ve been expressing for the past twenty years.” Even though he feels that the band deserves it, Cryan hopes they don’t become a top forty band, “because that kind of success destroys many bands.”

Friends As Enemies

Other students have found success and an interesting style closer to home. In fact, Senior Ricky Bjork’s band is right here in town. The fact that the band writes its own music in a unique way sets it apart from other bands, Bjork told PCNN.

“I’m actually excited about my band Friends As Enemies,” Bjork says. “We’re starting to get a bit of a name in the local scene. We’re a five-piece metal core band, relatively new, and we’ve been playing just over a year. We have an EP out and it’s been really fun to try and work that in with football, school, and a social life. We got a chance to do a show with a few really big bands in the genre and it has opened a lot of opportunities that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

G-Eazy

With artists like Macklemore and Childish Gambino breaking into indie rap scene, rappers like G-Easy are following closely in their footsteps breaking new ground.

“G-Easy is a very tall independent rapper, and his music is much about the music industry itself and his outlook on it, and how he believes it needs to be more about music and less about drugs and relationships,” says senior Lex Miller.

The fact that G-Easy reaches out to his fans and plays what they want to hear sets him apart from other singers, Miller says. “I hope he doesn’t break into the mainstream,” Miller continued, “I think if he gets on the radio he’ll be quickly overrated and then people won’t appreciate him. Things on the radio are overplayed and people don’t understand them.”

Gabe Bondick

Another Youtube singer that’s gaining traction is singer-songwriter Gabe Bondick. “He’s very talented, writes good music, and needs to be discovered,” says junior Kenny Hampton. “His style that he plays on guitar is different from most guitarists right now, and his style is so unique.”

“I hope he starts making albums, because he has music that I definitely listen to, and other people I know would love his music as well,” Hampton says. “I want him to be known, I really think he could be up there on top.”

Animal Collective

If you’re looking for a new sound that no band has ever replicated, consider Animal Collective, which has created its own specific genre.

“They’re an alternative type of music and a little bit weird,” says senior Chris Tenario. “They use a lot of different instruments to express themselves, and they have a different sound from most bands because of that. I’ve never heard any other band that sounds like them.”

If Animal Collective becomes famous, that would make the band less unique, Tenario says. “I guess it would be good for them career-wise, but I think they’re good where they are right now.”

Brad Benson

Although Mr. Benson is Panther Creek’s choral director, he isn’t the man behind the name of the up-and-coming sensation, also named Brad Benson. “He is an independent musician whose very confident,” Mr. Benson says. “He has a strong voice in the tenor range, and I kind of relate to him like that. What I’ve heard on Youtube of his is very good, and he does a variety of different styles. He’s got a good sound and I see him advertised a lot in town.”