Breakouts of 2011

THREE ACTS THAT MADE BIG IMPRESSIONS

It’s been a good year for Dawes, David Wax Museum and Amy Black. Each had critical success – either nationally or locally – this year and appear to ready to take the new year by storm. We asked them to give us their Top 5 highlights of their great 2011.

DAWES

The LA-based rock group had an amazing year. Not only did they put out a soaring second album, “Nothing Is Wrong,” but they also backed up legendary Band guitarist Robbie Robertson on some high-profile gigs and played alongside Jackson Browne, M. Ward, and many others. Constant touring and the group’s accessiblity has afforded them a large, passionate following.

Here are lead singer/guitarist Taylor Goldsmith’s highlights (“in no particular order, cause I’m not sure what I would put above what if I had to”).

1. Getting invited onstage in Philadelphia to sing “Road to Joy” with Bright Eyes when we were on tour with them. [Conor Oberst is] one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever heard, and I’ve always loved that song, so to share his mike and sing a few lines with him was truly an honor.

2. Seeing Spain for the first time with Jackson Browne and Jonathan Wilson. We all played three shows out there and played each other’s songs all night.

3. The Middle Brother set at the Newport Folk festival. Dawes was more or less the band for the set. John [McCauley] and Matt [Vasquez] and I hadn’t played together in a few months so it was definitely a little scrappy but the audience was really special and the energy was really good. Afterward we played a quick Dawes set and jumped back up on stage to back up M. Ward for a few of his songs.

4. Playing “Time Spent in Los Angeles” on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” Right before we were supposed to start, Tay’s organ wasn’t working and we were told by the stage manager he was going to have to just fake it. At that point it was time to start playing so there was no time to argue. After going through it like that in front of an audience, we were allowed to cut it again once the audience left and they fixed the organ. I feel like you can still see how freaked out we were and that we hadn’t quite calmed down in that second performance, which is the one that was aired.

5. Our biggest hometown show we’ve ever had was Nov. 17 at the Music Box on Hollywood Blvd. We had several friends come play with us and the place was packed and there had never been a show I was more excited about. But the day before I had gotten sick and felt like I had 20% of my voice. I had never been that nervous and had to sing every song very softly or else my shredded voice wouldn’t be able to hit the note. It ended up working out fine and the audience was very supportive and encouraging but I hope I’ll never deal with that again even though I’m sure that I’ll have to at some point.

DAVID WAX MUSEUM

It was a stellar 2011 for this Mexican folk/indie rock Boston band, which started the year with a hugely fun CD release party for its critcally acclaimed “Everything Is Saved,” and ended it with song of the year honors at the Boston Music Awards – oh, and smack-dab in the middle was a mainstage spot at Newport. Drummer Greg Glassman offers up DWM’s top moments of the year.

1) Having Andrew Bird sit in with us on “Yes, Maria Yes” at City Winery in New York City. He immediately knew what to do between Mexican violin vibrato shrills, and carpenter bird whistling. Incredible. Just perfect in every way.

2) Opening up for Del McCoury with the Preservation Jazz Hall Band at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. First time we played in front of 10,000 people, and to do so with those afformentioned musicians in the wings was very satisfying.

3) Bela Fleck joining us on Mountain Stage in West Virginia. Like playing with Andrew Bird, when you play with a musician of that caliber, you can only lay back, smile and say “Wow.”

4) Newport Folk Festival mainstage. Need I say more?

5) Having a lady sheep farmer in Ireby, England, on the Scottish border, trade us a whole leg of lamb for some CDs. That was the finest tour dinner we’ve ever had.

AMY BLACK

The Boston-based singer seemingly came out of nowhere with her surprising mix of country and rock on the album “One Time.” She quickly gained fans both near and far with her stellar performances around town and down in Nashville.

1. Selling out Club Passim the first time I played there. There was so much energy in the room during and after the show. I want people to walk away feeling like they were a part of something really exciting. I want them to have an amazing time. That’s what happened that day.

2. Opening for Chris Isaak, the Courtyard Hounds, Rodney Crowell, Suzy Boggus and Joe Ely this summer and fall. I have had a blast opening for these incredible musicians. I got to hang out with Rodney for a bit. He was so kind and really took an interest in me. I hate to pick favorites, but I love Rodney.

3. Finding my music was well received by appreciative audiences down south during my first Southeastern mini tour. What a great opportunity to tour around the South. We got a great response.

4. Doing a sold-out member concert for WUMB-FM. I was a last-minute addition to the radio station’s summer festival and the room was packed with 300 people. WUMB decided to bring me back for a member concert and Comcast filmed it. They hired a makeup artist (that’s was a first) and set up five cameras to capture the show.

5. Performing at the Americana Music Association’s Conference and Festival in Nashville and getting to hang out with Buddy Miller. This year my high point, even more than performing, was meeting Buddy Miller. The first time I saw him I introduced myself and got to chat a bit. I did tell him that I hoped to work with him some day (just put it out there, right?). The following night I was at the famous Station Inn, and there came Buddy Miller again. I ended up talking to him again (I wasn’t stalking, I swear! Well, maybe a little) and asked him if it was okay if I gave him my CD. I sat with him and his friend, the amazing Greg Leisz. We discussed some of the folks that we all knew up in the Boston music scene. Good times!