Soundclouds of the Underground: Post-CMJ Edition

ABOVE: JODY. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA TZ.

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

Every year CMJ (in simplest terms, New York’s South By Southwest) brings out a bevy of new and exciting acts from across the globe to perform at an array of showcases sponsored by the coolest brands around. This year was no different, but for the sake of time and our ever-increasingly short attention spans, we decided to select three great bands (with even greater futures) that stuck out like sore thumbs from the throngs of performers who hit the scene this year.

Wavy Spice: “Versace Hottie”

Who: Harlem’s cosplay rap princess has been around for a minute (her sexy house hit “Bitch I’m Posh” spread her name as one to watch), but the young talent’s selective releasing of work is helping her cultivate an impressive longevity. One listen and it’s easy to see why you’d would want Ms. Spice to stick around—the girl’s got range for days, dealing out everything from the “Baby Boy”-esque “Nokia” to the smooth-spitting “Vicki Gotti.”

The Song: Wavy’s newest effort finds her showing yet another layer, this time as her alter-ego Princess Nokia on the dirty club banger “Versace Hottie.” A dark dance beat produced by Owwwls (the talented NY-based producer also responsible for Azealia Banks’ “Chips” and “Atlantis”) accompanies the rapper as she waxes on being “a girl from the street on my Hollywood shit.”

Current Project: For more on Wavy, check out her RedBull Soundselect page. 

Jody: “The Long Goodbye”

Who: Jody is a big group, literally and figuratively, and is made up of singers David Robertson, Khallee Standberry-Lois, and James King (better known as The GTW), as well as producers The-Drum (Jeremiah Meece and Brandon Boom). The Chicago-based collective is the future’s answer to Jodeci, an R&B powerhouse that has swag and soul for days. Songs like “Echoes” are clearly inspired by ’90s acts like Keith Sweat, but the combination of past influences with the eerie, echoed production and fresh vocal phrases yields something inherently cool and extremely special.

The Song: “The Long Goodbye” proves how meant to be Jody is—the guys sound perfect as they flow over The-Drum’s intergalactic production, which includes crescendos of synths, finger snaps and of course, some sexy-ass chimes.

Current Project: The guys are playing in Chicago this Friday —keep up with them via their Facebook page.

NONONO: “Down Under”

Who: Vocalist Stina Wappling and production duo Astma & Rocwell began working together as NONONO in 2012, but upon listening to the trio, you’d think they’ve been buddies for years—the group has a very succinct sound, churning out alternative power pop with an edge.

The Song: “Down Under” is the type of hit every artist wants—no vision is compromised, but instead the group’s identity further enforced with a subtle drum beat, hypnotizing production melodies and Wappling’s seductive singing, all tying together to make a record that is catchy and classy. “We are only what we feel,” Wappling belts—if that’s the case, then we are feeling pretty great whenever this track comes on.

Current Project: Find out more about NONONO via their Facebook page.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.