Santogold

Okay so maybe Rolling Stone was talking about Santogold in the Fall, but even then they couldn't really articulate what Santogold was about and where they were heading. There isn't a simple way of describing what we have here. Is it retro sounding? Is it funky? New Wave? I can't really put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it's good. Santogold is a girl who spreads her carefree vocals over great backing tracks produced by, well, a boy. The vocals effortlessly sway from 80's rock chick to present day rap star. Santogold make sure the vocals match the mood of the overall sound. The pieces all fit. So with their upcoming appearance on Conan O'Brien, and the release of their album next week, you will be hearing about Santogold all over the place.

WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): LES Artistes
Kind of Like: M.I.A. goes 80's.

PREDICTION:
A top 40 hit in the U.K. and an album that charts on the Billboard album chart.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/santogold
Website: N/A
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9JI0GXkARQ

The Rayees

We are still dealing with a pupa here. Although the members of The Rayees have known each other their entire life, their sound is all over the place and I have a feeling that is intentional. The positive here is that we have two individuals who trust each other enough to explore their creativity together and most of the time, the product is, well, pretty impressive - especially when we are dealing with their folkier/bluesy side. The Rayees work very hard not only with their music, but their image development has been ongoing. One look at their MySpace page makes clear the amount of thought The Rayees have put into every little detail of their look (right down to the matching stars).


WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Nights Only Here By Chance, I'm ready
Kind of Like: Feist meets a boy and starts to harmonize.

PREDICTION:
A solid following in the U.K., Europe and Canada. The Rayees will be playing respectably sized venues soon enough.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/therayees
Website: N/A
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ure8QiZolnM

Little Hannah Collins (a member of The Heavy)

Sometimes I like a bit of dirty. Dirty in several ways. Dirty like a 70's porn soundtrack. Dirty like it makes you want more dirty. Dirty like they couldn't afford any better equipment to record on. All dirty makes Little Hannah Collins, well dirty, and in a damn good way. If you are looking for some new soul to add to your dinner party playlist, then Little Hannah Collins has something for you. Also a member of The Heavy, Little Hannah has what it takes to make it on her own (i.e. a voice and the looks) The vocals provided by Little Hannah Collins are classic and yet unique. It is just a matter of time before this Little Hannah laughs, hee hee hee, all the way to the bank!

WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Brother
Kind of Like: Northern Soul with a twist of 80's tech, at times making the tracks sound like something produced by Prince (listen to Soul Loving).

PREDICTION:
A top 10 hit in the U.K. and a whole lot of attention in North America leading to respectable album sales.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hannahcollinsmusic
Website: N/A
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3khEx9wqLg

(The Heavy - Coleen)

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

Sometimes I hear an artist and think "why have I never heard of them before!?" That is how I feel about Thao and the gang. With a folky sound, Thao takes their cue from recent trends. Just like other successful folk acts on the charts today the sound is poppy enough to be handled by the preteen crowd, but the vocals are genuine enough to be both adult and music critic friendly. The simple laidback image, free of sequin pant suits, matches the mood of the music. Music that will become a perfect soundtrack for the summer of 2008.


WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Bag of Hammers, Beat (Life, Health and Fire)
Kind of Like: Tegan and Sara breaks up and the happier sounding one meets three boys and makes more music.

PREDICTION:
A top 40 album in North America.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thaomusic

Website: http://www.thaomusic.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MQSiwrUdUU

Inspector Sands

It is time to refresh the party, and these are the guys that are about to do that. Their music is jammed with classic 90's house dance references, from the synth horns to the frenetic beat constantly pulsating in the background, every track is guaranteed to make you get up and dance. I am truly surprised that I haven't heard of Inspector Sands sooner. With a sound this solid, it isn't long until these boys are rocking house parties across the country.

WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Say narth, It can't be love, How can you
Kind of Like: Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Sommerville start to write and perform with Goldie Lookin' Chain.

PREDICTION:
A top 20 hit in the U.K. and success in North American dance clubs.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/inspectorsandsmusic
Website: inspectorsands.vox.com
YouTube: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=62E5ZNA70n0

Verdict - Sam Sparro

PREDICTION:
A top 40 hit in the U.K. and success in North American dance clubs.

VERDICT:
Yes, my first prediction to come true is the one I made about Sam Sparro back in February. Not only did he make the top 40, he has made the top 10 with "Black and Gold" reaching number 4 on the U.K. charts.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/samsparro
Website: http://www.samsparro.com/
YouTube: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuebHTD-lY

Tiny Masters of Today

I would hate for Tiny Masters of Today to be branded a novelty act. Although young, with members just entering teenagerdom, Tiny Masters truly are, well Tiny Masters. Tapping into a classic alternative sound their music plays heavy and dirty, but made accessible by the biographical lyrics (i.e. Magician at my birthday party). Not a secret, and well known in the music world, it will be a while until Tiny Masters of Today become a household name across America. With an upcoming summer appearance at Lollapalooza Tiny Masters of Today might become a household name sooner than you think.

WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Hologram World
Kind of Like: The mini-pops cover the Breeders.

PREDICTION:
A number of tracks that see heavy rotation on college radio stations across the country.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/tinymasters
Website: http://tinymasters.net/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2-AY1uxr20

Inflasian

It was one Sunday afternoon while channel surfing when I came across Inflasian. There they were looking somewhat awkward performing on a community talent show. A half dozen Asian girls attempting to dance in time to the very eager lead singer as she gave it her all while singing and dancing. This is what it is all about. Raw, raw, we are talking about raw talent. These girls have success in the bag. Their Myspace page looks like an advertisement for a Hong Kong brothel. If that doesn't guarantee success, I don't know what will? The mix of sexy girls and sweet pop is a deadly combination. I look forward to watching these girls pull out the polish and shining themselves into stars.

WRAP IT UP:
Hot Track(s): Pop That Bottle
Kind of Like: Pussycat Dolls in training

PREDICTION:
A top 10 hit in their homeland of Canada and success in North American dance clubs.

LET ME LISTEN DJ:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/inflasian
Website: http://www.inflasian.ca/
YouTube: N/A