“The key trend in here right now is the Korean K-Pop movement is slowly giving way to home-grown Japanese bands“
“By far the most interesting band in Shanghai right now is the modern psychedelic-tinged Duck Fight Goose”
“The latest surge of Jamaican Music is called “Rootstronic”, a mixture of club/dance/electronic beat, infused with the dub bassline that is unique to reggae.”
“Check out tophitru.com for a good insight into what people are listening to in Russia right now”
“Tips from New Zealand: $NoregaZzm, Saberpulse, Vietnam War, Sherpa and Disasteradio”
“There’s still a definitive aussie sound that links a lot of our local artists – think Art Vs Science, Miami Horror, Bag Raiders & The Aston Shuffle & Kimbra”
“Dance scene in Brazil is still thriving but has gone very commercial”
“Following Die Antwoord’s break from Interscope, the release of their second album is probably going to be South Africa’s biggest music export in 2012”
“3 tips from Brazil: Vanguart “Depressa” ; Lurdez da Luz “Ziriguidum” ; Criolo “Subirusdoistiozin”
“Exciting new punk rock from New York (Appomattox) and New Jersey (the Static Jacks) followed on in the tradition of Screaming Females and Titus Andronicus before them.”
“Dance music has really taken over in the US – acts like Skrillex have become the new stadium rock. This is something that could last a generation.”
“2 Icelandic acts worth following to SXSW this year were Agent Fresco & Of Monsters and Men”
“One of the most outstanding things about Filipinos is that pop music is such a part of the culture.”
“Aurotone is a great way of connecting with people who are completely immersed in their local music scene who can help provide undiscovered gems.”
“I forsee Indian rock and independent music going out onto a global stage – Indian musicians who can be looked at as global musicians”
Aurotone’s organization comprises of over 40 music experts and industry executives spanning thirty cities and twenty countries that advise on music trends in their individual markets, as well as research music for specific local-territory or global projects. ‘
‘The Aurotone Network is a new global initiative that aims to revolutionize the way that music is sourced”
“Most attention right now is on singer/songwriters like Laleh, Moa Ligness and First Aid Kit”
“NME is determined to push guitar bands back on the agenda in 2012”
“In the recent festival season, the skate-rock band Massacre placed itself on the central spot of the national Punk scene, while Mardelpop and La Nueva Ola gathered some of the best indie bands at their musical peak”
“3 of my favourites from last year: Nicole Moudaber : Break It ; Benson : The Adventure ; Oliver Klein : Slowphatty”
“90’s Eurodance, techno & electro will become much bigger, and live music is increasing”
“3 of my favourites from the excellent Kitsune Maison 12 compilation: Lemaitre : Excuse Me ; Housse de Racket : Roman ; Juveniles : We Are Young”
“Brooklyn’s music is as inventive, crafty and maddening as ever: both innovation and inertia is fawned over. The UK’s simultaneous forward and backward musical glances seem both liberated and restricted in comparison.’
“3 bands to check out from Portugal: The Underdogs; Orelha Negra; peixe:avião”
“There is a lot of excitement in Spain about the debut album from Barcelona producer John Talabot”
“The huge expat community in the UAE account for a lot of the indie & dance music over here – the locals are mainly into local artists or the big mainsteam US names.”
“3 tips for the month : Chromatics : Kill For Love ; Copycat : Disco Thang; The Kleptones : Re-united”