Ty White of Eventbrite: Best of 2010
Ty White – Eventbrite
By day, Ty works as a Product Manager at ticketing & social commerce startup Eventbrite. By night, he runs Sum The Greater, a music blog, and direct-to-fan marketing company. He spent two years managing Artist Services at Topspin, and has since dedicated himself to helping small bands build actionable fan bases.
1. Jonsi - Go Do
It’s not common to find pop music that you can truly experience, but Sigur-Ros frontman Jonsi delivered nine moving tracks. And like Apple products, the songs get better the more ways you experience them. From the artsy DVD “Go Quiet,” to the theatrical live production (captured in the “Go Live” record and DVD).
2. Beach House – Teen Dream
I’ll admit, I wasn’t a huge Beach House fan after their first record. It was good, showed potential, but it didn’t move me. But they came back far more mature with an incredible sophomore effort.
3. Cotton Jones – Tall Hours In The Glowstream
The best music can make you feel like you’re somewhere completely different. Cotton Jones does just that on their third record. The combination of ’60s-style production (complete with male and female harmonies), and intensely personal songwriting make for a comfortable and fascinating journey down a river, in a boxcar, or in a hot air balloon.
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Horse Power EP
It’s rare for a debut EP to end up so high on a year-end list, but these guys are legit — their songwriting is refined, their live show is sharp, and their sound bridges the gap between oldies-inspired pop and more modern chillwave.
5. Dr. Dog - Shame, Shame
I’m not sure if it’s possible for Dr. Dog to write a bad song, and it’s definitely not possible for them to play a bad show.
6. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast
Arguably the best debut of the year, thrusting these guys into the spotlight perhaps a bit too quickly for their live show, but the fact that they’ll continue to grow from here is exciting.
7. Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Blippy, spacey, pop goodness that makes your brain dance.
8. Voice Of The Seven Thunders – Voice Of The Seven Thunders
Who knew folk metal was even a genre? I, for one, am more than a little excited that it is. It was built for the deep, dark woods, and is rich in psychedelic qualities.
9. A B & The Sea – Boys & Girls EP
Ok I’m biased on this one, but hearing these songs once instantly sold me on wanting to work with the band. Their live show continues to impress the California crowds, and they’ll be looking to grow that audience nationwide next year.
10. The Like - Release Me
What happens when surf punk girls go back to the ’60s? Glory.