Sounds like a good year

BEATS:

MORE up-and-coming bands are desperate to make a name for themselves in 2010.

Here’s my pick of the ones to watch out for this year:

States of Emotion are a fantastic new band from Essex who will be taking to the road to build on the support they’ve gained through shows at Glastonbury and the Offset Festival. Their rock style channels the Foo Fighters with powerful and melodic tracks plus catchy choruses. Visit www.myspace.com/statesofemotion.

Folk-punk troubadour Chuck Ragan will return to the UK for a string of shows in March. His infectious folk style and gritty punk rock attitude mean Ragan is someone who should definitely be caught live thanks to his ability to captivate his audience. Visit www.myspace.com/chuckragan.

Everyone’s favourite metal-heads Mastodon will return in the spring with more live dates to promote new album “Crack the Skye’’. Visit www.myspace.com/ mastodon.

Infectious pop-rockers Saving Aimee are back on the road for a massive nationwide tour. Having been playlisted by the likes of Radio 1 and XFM, these boys are looking to push on and they’ll really get the crowds going with their energetic live shows. Visit www.myspace.com/savingaimee.

Kaci Battaglia has already produced an impossibly catchy hit with single “Crazy Possessive’’ but that’s not enough for the global superstar in the making -—she wants everyone’s attention in 2010. Visit www.myspace.com/kacibattaglia.

Sounding like a clash of old-school drum and bass influenced hip hop and new day Los Angeles rap, New Boyz are looking to conquer the UK next year.

Having already had huge success with underground cult hit “You’re a Jerk” which has sold 600,000 copies in the US, 2010 could really be the year that sees these guys fly high. Visit www.myspace.com/newboyz.

Post-punk is well and truly alive. Wild Palms play infectious tunes with a tinge of Wire influence and laced with bucket-loads of promise. These guys already have a main-stage performance at the uber-cool Offset Festival under their belts and they look set to be a huge hit next year.

Donkey Boy hail from Norway and come equipped with a steely determination to win a host of UK fans with their intriguing fusion of indie guitar pop and electronica. Visit www.myspace.com/donkeyboyofficial.

Evermore are already making stadium-worth indie pop that falls somewhere between White Lies and Coldplay. Visit www.evermoreband.com.

The Brewis Brothers - AKA Field Music - return with the mighty “Measure” which has been deemed their best album to date. Visit www.myspace.com/fieldmusic.