Best New Band

(Yes, Write-Ins Can Win!)

1 Stephanie Hatfield & Hot Mess
It rocked you at Frogfest IV, and it rolled you at our annual block party; Stephanie Hatfield & Hot Mess is proving its mettle at each and every show it plays. The band is still in its beginning stages but has quickly gained a following. Whether it’s packing the Cowgirl so tightly one can’t move or pumping up the crowd at the Santa Fe Brewing Company, Hot Mess is seemingly here to stay.

The members each have so much to offer: from Stephanie Hatfield’s theater-trained voice to bassist Matt McClinton’s early days in the Seattle grunge scene to guitarist Bill Palmer’s alt.country sensibilities to drummer Jason Aspeslet’s rhythm ferocity. “We’re so close to finishing our first album at Frogville,” Hatfield says. “And then, who knows. A regional tour or maybe even a national tour.” Well if our readers and your concertgoers are any indication, Hot Mess, your future success is surely in the bag. You just keep on filling venues, and we’ll continue loving you.

2 Gumbo Project

3 Ninja Star

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