Best of the Beach 2015, Best Underage Band: 11Echo
South Bay’s favorite underage band, 11Echo. By Missy Marie Photography
11Echo has arguably found in music something beyond a mere antidote to the SATs and pre-college anxiety. At the latest Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, the young bandmembers, whose ages range from 14 to 17, claimed a $250 prize after placing second in the Battle of the Bands. All students at Coast Music Conservatory in Hermosa Beach, the band is comprised of Mira Costa sophomore and bassist Max Rohde, OSCHA freshman and drummer Justin Lin, Hermosa Valley 8th grader and lead vocals Kira Levin, Vistamar junior and guitarist Noah Viklund and Mira Costa senior and keyboard player Cole Riddle. 11Echo, which largely plays 
classic rock, R&B, jazz and pop covers, says it is looking forward to performing originals. 11Echo plays regularly at Suzy’s and The Lighthouse Cafe. “Getting this type of recognition helps motivate us to know we are headed in the right direction and that we have the incredible support of our community who is there cheering us on,” says the band. “That’s the best.” – EK
11Echo: 11echomusic.com
Runner up: 40 oz. of Freedom and the Brown Bag Band