State Selections 2019: California

It's finally here! We are doing a series of three blog posts to introduce the ten songs featured in each of the three state song selections for 2019. Returning with selections of their own are New York and Tennessee; you'll see their full posts later this week.

Today, we talk about the newcomer - California - which has so much music coming from Los Angeles and San Francisco that it's unfair with who we had to cut from this list!

That being said, the lines are open: if you want to vote, you have from now until February 28th to get those points in. Send an email to fiftystatesofsong AT gmail DOT com with your Top 6, and make sure to tell us which one is your 1st-place fave!

Now for the artists and their songs...

-------------

01. CLARA-NOVA - Echo

Splitting time between New York and Los Angeles (livin' the starz life!), Wayser recreated herself (and CLARA-NOVA was born). She's been on the scene since the late 2000s and offers the mobile film "Echo" as a welcome introduction to her sound.

Song submitted by Selvin.

---------

02. Nerv - Bad Habits

Perhaps the most-viewed video, Nerv strike a -ahem- chord with their audience for solid, strong rock that commands an early 2000's throwback. Nerv are relatively new to the scene, but the polished sound and lyrics are more typical of well-seasoned veterans.

Song submitted by Tufkai.

---------

03. Kitten - I Did It!

With a face like Cyndi and a voice like Belinda, Kitten's shout-out to the 1980s and 1990s is vintage yet cool in "I Did It!". But the question remains: what did she do? Well, sometimes things are best left to mystery ;) Nevertheless, we think you'll like this one.

Song submitted by Derek.

--------

04. Saint Mesa - Murky

If you're looking for something out of the box to send to Anchorage, look no further than Chilean American Danny McCook and his collective, Saint Mesa. "Murky" is dark, challenging, yet mysterious as well. Certainly a must-listen if you aspire to be Pop's controversial cousin.

Song submitted by Selvin.

---------

05. Smoke Season - Hot Damn

Achieving points for the most groovy song of this bunch is Smoke Season (aka Gabrielle Wortman), whose name you may recognize if you were a TEMP3ST fan. She'll turn 30 before this contest begins, but brings forth a youthful vibe - down to the Hot Damns and the trumpet flares.

Song submitted by Yoav.

---------

06. Miya Folick - Stock Image

Dancing and prancing around Chinatown may feel like an adventure, but this song's message says more about feeling trapped within the humanity you're bound to - and Miya's main philosophy is anything but. She's a native of Santa Ana and has been on the scene since 2015.

Song submitted by Derek & Yoav.

------------

07. Disco Shrine - Up In The Air

There is a very strong multicultural population in southern California, and Jessica Delijani's Persian roots contribute to this song; it's based around her flight journey to America from Iran. Aside from that, it's just solidly good electro-pop.

Song submitted by Greg.

-------------

08. KARMIC - Wisdom Pie

Futurism is big in music right now, so get ready to go on an animated trip with Laura, Kylee, Peter, and Sam. This electro-pop band combines guitars, stripped-back synths, and retrograde eclecticism to build its overall sound. It's about as hipster as you can get.

Song submitted by Yoav.

-----------

09. Parade of Lights - Tidal Waves

After a few successful EPs and discs, Parade Of Lights are back with a new EP and an extended continuation to their library of feel-good pop-rock tunes. A song about tidal waves is probably the most Californian thing you've heard so far, yes?

Song submitted by Derek.

-------------

10. Tammy Byerly - Be There in 5

Ending this inaugural selection for California is a calm ballad from San Francisco native Tammy Byerly, who finds herself in the crazy position of making the Final 10 with her debut single. Focused on acoustic pop, she is best known for performing live on the streaming platform Twitch.TV.

Song submitted by BestBeats