To ring in the new year, we here at OurStage thought it would be a good idea to step back and reflect on some great new artists that emerged on the scene in 2008 and are likely to be the ones to watch in 2009. This is our list of favorite rockers:

Adam Ezra Group
With the soulful groove of Citizen Cope and a vocal aesthetic similar to the likes of Dave Mathews and John Mayer  this Boston based outfit have made imprints throughout the country this year. Whether it was opening for State Radio at the Nor’Easter Festival in New Hampshire or playing along side Dave Mathews, 311, and John Mayer at the Rothbury Festival in Michigan Adam Ezra Group worked hard this year to become a mainstay in the music scene .

Rantings of Eva
This Atlanta based quartet have had the year of their lives. After six years, Rantings of Eva achieved every band’s ultimate goal and received a record contract. The band entered themselves in the Spin Magazine Hot Pursuit contest, eventually winning the grand prize of a record deal with Original Signal/Epic Records, a brand-new Gibson SG guitar and bass, national press coverage in Spin, and a performance slot at Spin’s Year in Music party.

Say Vandelay
Calling themselves “progressive, aggressive, indie rock and roll” this Augusta, GA band has been around since 2006. With a sound somewhere in between Saosin and the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Say Vandelay went in to record their second EP “Actor Meets Actress” in July, and soon after were signed to Wisteria Records.

Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden
Washington state based Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden have made a ton of progress in 2008, playing major music festivals including South by Southwest, CMJ, and Bumbershoot. The band was also featured on the “Have You Heard” compilation released by Starbucks in July of this year.

Petticoat Junkies
The Petticoat Junkies‘ sound is something that you were more likely to hear opening up for The Band in the early 70’s than on stage with many current acts.  Though given the reemergence of the alt-country sound  driven by acts like Ryan Adams, Fleet Foxes, and My Morning Jacket, the Junkies have found a home in the world of Indie Rock. After forming in January 2008 the band hit the studio this past summer to record their first album with twang legend Will Ray of the Hellecasters at Sunset Sound Studios in Asheville, NC. The band has been playing shows ever since including a show opening for Brooklyn indie rocker Kaki King.