WHEELS 2.0: 2011 FINALE

SPOTLIGHT
Feel Never Real (www.facebook.com/feelneverreal): These rockers from Dallas, currently unsigned, are creating quite the buzz at radio. In the mold of Nickelback and Theory of A Deadman, this outfit has “big Active Rock band” written all over it. The track "Come Too Far" is getting spins at KLAQ, WRAT, KEYJ, KXRX, KMMY, KXRQ, KJML, KMZK and KJAG. Keep your eyes locked on these guys—they are gonna explode next year. Head over to their Facebook page, check out their tunes and find out why we’re so buzzed about them.

Flagship (www.facebook.com/Flagshipband): When someone introduces a band to me as U2 meets Arcade Fire, you can imagine I might be a bit suspicious. I mean, that’s a pretty hefty comparison, but truth be told, this North Carolina outfit is pretty damn near close to that blend, while busting out a sound of their own that sucked me right in. A further evolution from a former one-man band, Campbell The Band, Flagship comes with fresh and deeply emotive songs that enable the audience to feel exactly what lead singer Drake Margolnick has intended. This dude feels most at home when he’s writing songs that ask questions, wrestle with life and beg us to dream. With a strong team in a place and a new year on the horizon, I expect we’ll hear a lot more from Flagship in 2012. Check out their video for “Holy Ghost,” one of my favorite songs so far, here.

YEAR-END RECAP
This has been an amazing year for talent; here are our picks to click for 2012:

Azaelia Banks (www.facebook.com/azealiabanksmusic): Many feel this 19-year old lyricist from Harlem may be the next Lauryn Hill. We think this one could be enormous. Labels are chasing this one hard, and we expect some major moves from her in the coming year. Keep it locked, as Wheels will def be monitoring her.

Midnight Hour: Blending strong lyrics, stellar vocals and a great live performance, this L.A.-based pop-rock quintet have made their dent on the scene in a major way. Midnight Hour has taken over the city’s club scene and airwaves via KROQ's Locals Only, but this is just the beginning of what's to come. Stay tuned for more shows and new music in the new year.

Kiev (www.facebook.com/kievtheband): The buzz is growing for this group, whose performances are enhanced by a dazzling live 3-D show.

Shinobi Ninja (www.facebook.com/ShinobiNinjaMusic?ref=ts-): We’ve been writing about this group for a while now, and they continue to impress us. The word of mouth is spreading due to their super-energetic live show.

BUZZIN’
Anthony Hamilton (www.anthonyhamilton.com/): An old Wheels favorite has put out a new album, Back to Love, this week, drawing rave reviews from NPR, USA Today, the N.Y. Times, the L.A. Times, the Washington Post and more. The first single, “Woo,” is enjoying spins across the country and was recently performed on Live! With Kelly. We can’t stop listening to “Never Let Go” featuring Keri Hilson, and title track, “Back to Love.” This is the perfect record for getting in the holiday mood: smooth and sultry, with the deep soulfulness we can always count on from Anthony.