New Hampshire

New Hampshire:

Rio Bravo

CITY: Dover
SONG TO DOWNLOAD: "Slow Pill"
WEB SITE: riobravo.bandcamp.com

WHY THEM: Rio Bravo have the punk intensity of the Descendents and Bikini Kill and the dance-rock sensibilities of Le Tigre and the Gossip. Frontwoman Rachel Bacon's powerful voice and explosive personality harkens to last decade's indie stars like Jemina Pearl of Be Your Own Pet and Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. On stage, Bacon hollers and swings the mic, getting everyone totally pumped and awesomed-out on this dance-punk shakedown. Her lyrics are vengeful. Rio Bravo's debut album was recorded at Flyrock Records, New Hampshire's premier label for college bands with no money. Ever since, Rio Bravo have been tearing up stages across New England, and occasionally New York.

ALSO CONSIDERED: Zanois — Partridge Family–style melodic prog pop from Manchester came so close to the title. The battle for New Hampshire lasted quite a while in the Phoenix Situation Room, but as we all learned from Highlander. . . there can be only one.

New Jersey

Nevada