10 Band Members We Wish Would Release Their Solo Debuts in 2015
With the music industry slowly picking up again after the holiday lull, get ready for a lot of talk about 2015’s most-anticipated albums. But just like D’Angelo and Thom Yorke proved last year — and Beyoncé the year before that — be prepared for the surprise release. These spur of the moment bombshells are particularly jolting when they come from a musician breaking away from a band and venturing out on his or her own. Sometimes we get an untapped, unknown side of the artist, sometimes even a project almost or more successful than the main squeeze.
These musicians have yet to release proper solo albums, despite accomplished careers with their respective groups. We can dream, can’t we? Maybe this year we’ll hear from these very talented individuals on their own.
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Michael Stipe, R.E.M.: Since R.E.M.’s 2011 split, its former frontman has kept a safe distance from music. But on Dec. 30, he made a surprise appearance opening for Patti Smith, his first major solo public performance since the breakup. A few weeks prior, he told CBS This Morning that he would “sing again soon.” Could the voice behind 15 R.E.M. studio albums find inspiration for a first album on his own? Recently, he’s spent a great deal of time in other endavors — photography, film scoring, instructing an NYU art class — so there’s going to be competition for Mr. Stipe’s artistic time.
Romy Madley Croft or Oliver Sim, The xx: The xx’s in-house producer has ventured on his own as Jamie xx; what about Romy xx and Oliver xx? The minimalist trio has been known to take copious breaks in between albums, leaving its members time to pursue other projects. As lyricists in the xx, bassist-vocalist Croft and guitarist-vocalist Sim are known for their sensual give-and-take, but on their own, perhaps we could peer deeper into their musical souls. Keep in mind Croft produced 2014’s Jessie Ware B-side “Share It All”:
Amber Coffman, Dirty Projectors: One of the many vibrant voices in Dave Longstreth’s long-running, shape-shifting band, Coffman announced loose plans for a solo record in late 2013, with rumors of a collaboration with John Cale. These things take time, though we’ve seen no formal announcements regarding Coffman’s album for some time. Here’s to hoping the voice heard on Dirty Projectors jams like “Stillness Is the Move” shares her debut some time this year.
Questlove, the Roots: Yes, we know, he’s a drummer. But Travis Barker’s 2013 solo debut as a drummer-producer means there’s no reason Quest can’t do the same, if he finds time amongst the daily Fallon dates, Roots duties, DJ nights, writing, and generally making the world better. Just think of that collaboration list… How else are Dave Chappelle and Elvis Costello going to appear on the same record?
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Ezra Koenig, Vampire Weekend: Though Koenig fronts Vampire Weekend, the quartet has been a group effort since its inception, especially with multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij producing or co-producing all their albums to date. But Ezra is quite a character on his own, from his pre-Vampire Weekend comedic rap duo L’Homme Run to his eccentric take on social media. With Vampire Weekend on a little break between album cycles, maybe he could put some of those clever tweets towards that great solo album he’s always seemed to have in him. The intersection of prep, Internet, and hip-hop culture would never be the same.
Corin Roddick, Purity Ring: Danny Brown knows what’s up. So does Ab-Soul. Purity Ring’s beatmaker is really just a hip-hop producer in disguise, and he’s already lent his side work to a couple of rappers like Brown, who collaborated with him on his 2013 LP Old. Purity Ring’s sophomore album should keep Roddick busy through 2015, but what about that spare time? We’d love to see him craft another album of beats for outside rappers and vocalists to guest over. Just listen to that “Obedear” beat below and think of the possibilities.
Regine Chassagne, Arcade Fire: From “In the Backseat” to “Sprawl II,” Chassagne has sung lead on some of the Montreal collective’s most touching songs, but she’s hardly tapped her singular potential on any of their albums. How about a solo record outside of her husband Win Butler’s shadow? Her Arcade Fire lyrics often deal with her family history — losing her mother in a car crash and losing some her would-be aunts and uncles during the harsh 1960s Haitian dictatorship they grew up in. She certainly has plenty of experience to pull from, if she chooses to explore it in music.
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Carlos Dengler, formerly of Interpol: There was a time when Carlos D was like the hipster Pete Wentz — a non-singing bassist who nonetheless became the most famous member of a successful rock band. But Interpol released a solid record in 2014 without his services, even admitting that they hadn’t spoken to him for some time. Since his amicable split from the band in 2010, Dengler has kept busy with film and commercial scores, but we’d love to experience the spectacle of a Carlos D solo album, whatever it would sound like. He did contribute occasional keyboards and backing vocals during his Interpol days.
Harry Styles, One Direction: Because you know it’s going to happen someday.
André 3000, OutKast: Because since circa 2005, you’ve hoped it was going to happen someday.
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