Myrtle Beach Music: 101 releases that defined our region in 2011

Here we are in the final week of 2011 and regardless of whether you’ve been part of the scene or just a casual observer this year, it’d be hard to argue that a lot has happened in local music this year.

From the discovery of new sounds to the continued carousel of venues coming and going to the endless list of new shows and events that have taken place this year, the overarching theme in the Myrtle Beach music scene continues to be keeping things fresh and reinventing ourselves as a group.

And as we looked back in trying to sum up what 2011 meant to music in our area, we were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of outstanding new releases from musicians in the Myrtle Beach area and beyond.

So as opposed to a traditional “Best Of 2011” list we’ve decided — in true ListenUp fashion — to ride the fence and instead compiled this list of 101 new releases honoring many of the folks making amazing music not only here, but around the Carolinas and the Southeast region.

Not every release below was put out in the last calendar year, but they represent an overall picture of the new music we were tuned into this year, what rocked our world in 2011 and what helped shape our ever-evolving respect for the unique sounds coming out of this part of the world.

Please take a moment to browse this list and make a point to buy, download or spread the word about some of the albums you see here. Someone on this list could be — or already is — the next big thing and being a part of helping put them there is the most important function of being a music fan in this day and age. 

So enjoy what you hear...and here's hoping for an even better bunch of releases in the next year!

*Editor's picks are in bold.

 "Treat Yourself"Rock/Indie

Local:

1. The Necessary Band - Now You Got Two: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
2. *Octopus Jones - Treat Yourself: Download ($7.92 via iTunes)
3. Ten Toes Up - Sleeping Lion: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)



Regional:

4. All Get Out (Charleston) - The Season: Download ($8.99 via Bandcamp)
5. All New Badges (Columbia) - Awake: Download ($7.92 via Amazon MP3)
6. Coma Cinema (Columbia) - Blue Shell Suicide: Download (FREE via comacinema.com)
7. *Death of Paris (Columbia) - Death of Paris: Download ($10 via Bandcamp)
8. Elonzo (Rock Hill) - Letter To A Friend: Download ($10 via Bandcamp)
9. NeedtoBreathe (Seneca, S.C.) - The Reckoning: Download ($7.99 via iTunes)
10. The Private Life of David Reed (Columbia) - The Private Life of David Reed: Download ($9.90 via iTunes)
11. Run Dan Run (Charleston) - Normal: Download ($10 via Bandcamp)
12. Sea Wolf Mutiny (Columbia) - The Last Season: Download ($8 via Bandcamp)
13. *The Shaniqua Brown (Charleston) - The Shaniqua Brown: Download ($9.90 via iTunes)
14. Shoot The Blitz (Greenville) - Drunk Dialin’: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
15. *Today The Moon, Tomorrow The Sun (Atlanta) - Wildfire: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)



"!"Punk/Metal

Local:

16. *Bamboo Forest - Indecisive: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
17. Hundredth - Let Go: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
18. Hey Dude! - Puzzle Pieces EP: Download (Free via Mediafire)
19. Miracle Year - Midnight Turnaround: Download ($4.95 via iTunes)
20. *Prowler - Prowler Pt. 1, Prowler Pt. 2 and Prolwer Pt. 3: Download (Singles $0.99 each on iTunes)
21. *Wonder Shakedown - ! EP: Download ($5 via Bandcamp)



Regional:

22. Aunt Polly’s Glass Eye (Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.) - Who Are You: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
23. *Almost Kings (Atlanta) - Club Rock EP Download ($4.95 via iTunes)
24. Hawaiian Shirt Day (Columbia) - Hates Everything: Download (“Name Your Price” via Bandcamp)
25. Obraskai (Columbia) - Farewell to the Former: Download ($6.93 via iTunes)



"Closing Chapters"Singer-songwriter

Local:

26. American Parts - The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend EP: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
27. Andrew Jernigan - What’s Left of My Heart: Download ($8 via Reverbnation)
28. Candice Marotta - Nil Sine Numine: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
29. Claudia vs. The Queen of Hearts - Claudia vs. The Queen of Hearts: Download (FREE via Reverbnation)
30. *Sleeping Policeman - Closing Chapters: Download ($7.50 via Bandcamp)
31. This Is For My Friends - To Call This A Home: Download ($5 via Bandcamp)



Regional:

32. Angela Easterling (Greenville) - Beguiler: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
33. Britt Nicole (Salisbury, N.C./Nashville) - The Acoustic EP: Download ($4.49 via Amazon MP3)
34. Cary Ann Hearst (Johns Island) - Lions & Lambs: Download ($9.99 via CD Baby)
35. Danielle Howle (Awendaw) - The Triangle Album: Download ($10 via DanielleHowle.com)
36. Husband (Charleston) - Cold Black World EP: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
37. *The Lovely Few (Columbia) - The Perseids: Download ($10 via Bandcamp)
38. Madison Lucas (Columbia) - The Bedroom EP: Download (“Name Your Price” via Bandcamp)
39. *Tyler Boone (Charleston) - A New Start EP: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)



"Mayko EP"Pop/Electronic

Local:

40. Khaki Sedota - K: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
41. *Mixmaster Doc - Mayko EP: Download ($3.99 via iTunes)
42. Will Misdom - One Is All It Takes: Download ($9.90 via iTunes)



Regional:

43. *Stella By Starlight (Charleston) - Room For Chelsea: Download (FREE via PandaPush)
44. Toro y Moi (Columbia) - Underneath The Pine: Download ($9.99 via Amazon MP3)



"Rhythms of the Universe"Hip-Hop/Rap

Local:

45. Ascended Essence - Asenceded Masters Mixtape: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
46. B-1NZ - No Plan B: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
47. *Carlie Bravo - #DRUGS: Download (FREE via Mediafire)
48. Dreadz - The Carolina Buzz: Download ($3 via Bandcamp)
49. Exklusive Musik - Sex, Nugs & Rap: Download (FREE via Mediafire)
50. Goodcuff - Pizza: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
51. Lil’ Z - Verbal Abuse Mixtape: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
52. The Oddball All-Stars - The Oddball All-Stars: Download ($5 via Bandcamp)
53. The Otha Fish - Live At The Fish Fry: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
54. *Ques Bois - Rhythyms of The Universe: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
55. *Rise X - Who Is Rise X?: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
56. Shamroc - Mildew Music 2002-2010: Download (FREE via Soundcloud)
57. Tye Dye - Scorpio Season: Download (FREE via Mediafire)
58. Trouble T - Ruff Draft Vol. 1: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
59. WHIT - The Blare Whit Project Mixtape: Download (FREE via MixConnect)
60. Young Hood - Beatslayer: Download (FREE via Hulkshare)



Regional:

61. Alpha Male Society (North Carolina) - Background Check: Download (FREE via Mediafire)
62. Apollo (Orangeburg) - Kakalak Kid #The Blacktape: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
63. Blind Fury (Camden, S.C.) - Do You See What I Hear?: Download (FREE via TherealBlindFury.com)
64. *Brody & Choch (Charlotte, N.C.) - Boys Will Be Boys: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
65. Collardgreen (Columbia) - TRON: Download (FREE via Datpiff)
66. Ghani Gautama (Charlotte, N.C.) - Strong Medicine EP: Download (“Name Your Price” on Bandcamp)
67. Kooley High (Raleigh, N.C) - David Thompson: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
68. *K.O. Kid (Durham, N.C.) - Chromeostasis: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)
69. PlanetRAWK (Atlanta) - RAWKzilla: Download (FREE via Bandcamp)



"Down South"Country/Americana

Local:

70. Brad Long - [featured on] Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nahsville: Download ($9.99 via BestNewNashville.com)
71. Jeffrey Allan Edwards - Exclusives Sampler: Download (FREE via Reverbnation)
72. *Jim Quick - Down South: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
73. Josh Brannon Band - All The Good Times: Download ($7.99 via Amazon MP3)
74. Wahoo Creek Band - It’s About Time EP: Download ($5.94 via iTunes)



Regional:

75. *American Aquarium (Raleigh, N.C.) - Small Town Hymns: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
76. American Gun (Columbia) - Therapy: Download ($8 via Bandcamp)
77. *Carey Murdock & NoStar (Augusta, Ga.) - Baby Don’t Look Down: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
78. Crowfield (Charleston) - Crowfield : Download ($9.99 via Amazon MP3)
79. D.B. Bryant Band (Florence) - Time Is The Road: Download (FREE via dbbryant.com)
80. Hannah Miller (Columbia/Nashville) - O Black River: Download ($10 via Bandcamp)
81. *Leslie (Charleston) - Lord, Have Mercy: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
82. L Shape Lot (Wilmington) - Looks Like Snow: Download ($15 via LshapeLot.com)
83. Madonna Nash (Wilmington/Nashville) - Madonna Nash: Download ($7.99 via iTunes)
84. Rebel Son (Raleigh, N.C.) - Guitar Man: Download ($15 via rebel-son.com)
85. *Sequoyah (Charleston) - Spells: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)



"Treehouse!"Reggae/Rock

Local:

86. Below The Bassline - Below The Bassline EP: Download ($3.96 via iTunes)
87. Jah Harvest - Jah Harvest EP: Download ($3.96 via iTunes)
88. *Treehouse! - Treehouse!: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)



Regional:

89. *Ben Fagan & The Holy City Hooligans (Charleston) - Freestyle Sessions Vol. 1: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
90. Dangermuffin (Charleston) - Moonscapes: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
91. *The Dubplates (Charleston) - Live Inna Chalicetown: Download ($9.99 via CD Baby)
92. Groove Stain (Atlanta) - Out All Night: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)
93. The Josh Carter Band (Rock Hill) - Back to the Basics: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
94. Sun-Dried Vibes (Rock Hill) - Give Thanks: Download ($9.99 via iTunes)



"Stone Cold & Blue"Blues/Jazz/Other

Local:

95. Cortez & The Killers - Forged in the Fire: Download ($7 via Reverbnation)
96. *Keith Patterson - Stone Cold & Blue: Download ($9.99 via CDBaby)



Regional:

97. Carolina Chocolate Drops (Durham, N.C.) - Luminescent Orchestrii EP: Download ($3.99 via iTunes)
98. Charlton Singleton (Charleston) - The New Deal: Download ($11.99 via CDBaby)
99. Gaslight Street (Charleston) - Idle Speed: Download ($8.91 via Amazon MP3)
100. Jeff Norwood (Charleston) - Push Pilin’: Download ($8.99 via Amazon MP3)
101. Ricky Godfrey (Greenville) - Nasty Man: Download ($11.88 via CD Baby)

Comments

[Eugene Cortez]

Thanks for thinking of us Chris. I love The Keith Patterson Bands CD Stone Cold & Blue. Not only are they all super talanted musicians, but they are also nice people.

-C&TK

[Prowler]

Thanks so much for everything you have done for us Chris - ListenUp has been amazing and really gotten people excited about the local scene again! - Remember it only takes one person........and you did it man! We love you - can't wait for another amazing year in 2012!

Prowler - \h/\m/