I am Harlequin

If we jump back two years ago I made a prediction about little know Florence and her Machine. Perhaps my prediction wasn't as generous as it could have been. (Did we ever think Florence would be covered by the kids from GLEE?) But now as Florence begins work on the next stage of her already massive career we look for the latest forming star. This is where we turn to I am Harlequin. So fresh we don't even have a video to share (two are currently in the works), so we will have to base our prediction just on sound.

I am sure I am Harlequin's frontwoman Anne Freier is sick of the comparisons being made between her and Florence, but I am Harlequin is proving to be in a category of their own. Releasing a full length album last Fall, I am Harlequin is ripe and ready to be discovered.

The unfortunate bit is that when you close your eyes I am Harlequin sounds pretty much exactly like Florence and the Machine, but when you listen closely you can still hear the grit in I am Harlequin's voice, that edge that sets Anne and her collaborators apart.

Hot Tracks: Tons of Silence, The Liberty

Sounds Like: Florence and the Machine that hasn't been oiled and tuned in a few weeks.

PREDICTION

Big, big things! A top ten hit in the UK. Headlining a number of music festivals this summer, and heck a cover version of one of her songs on GLEE next year!

LET ME LISTEN DJ:

Diamond Rings

By no means do I feel that I am presenting you with a new discovery. Gracing the stage as Robyn's opening act, Diamond Rings has pretty much proven he has got what it takes, so much so that he has inspired me to get back to this blog and focus my full attention to once again providing you with Music You Have to Hear (i.e. him).

Now my introduction to Diamond Rings came over the summer via a YouTube video for the track "All Yr Songs". Right then I knew, there was something there.

I spent the Fall travelling around the world, taking in the sights (and sounds) along the way, and while in Amoeba Music in San Fransisco (the best vinyl shop I have ever had the pleasure of shopping in) I came across a vinyl pressing of Diamond Rings solo debut Special Affections. I couldn't resist, and added it to my pile.

Playing it for a week straight, it became my soundtrack. Now don't get me wrong, this is definitely a debut project, the simplicity of the tracks make them highly listenable and the fear is that our next encounter with Diamond Rings will have us listening to a highly polished, over-produced repertoire of tosh. Hopefully I am wrong and the diamond will continue to sparkle (I couldn't resist).

Check out Diamond Rings on tour now

Hot Track(s): You Oughta Know, Wait & See

Kind of Like: Nick Cave and Deborah Harry's lovechild.

PREDICTION:

Now Diamond Rings is the stuff that UK dreams are made out of. I am sure he will follow campy acts like Scissor Sisters, LaRoux and Sam Sparro right up the Top 40 to find himself in the Top 20. Not sure Middle America will know what to do with Diamond Rings, but gays across the nation are already starting to take notice of his gender bending Mick Jagger-esque strut.

LET ME WATCH DJ:

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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/diamondrings

Mark Williams

With the hype for upcoming Highschool Musical 3 stirring young girls up into a frenzy, you kind of want to sit them down, give them a talking to about what young talent is, and then introduce them to Mark Williams and his band. A 16 year guitar virtuoso, Mark has played with such greats as B. B. King. What is pleasing here is that Mark can play, but Mark can also sing too. At times his voice sounds so familiar you could swear you'd heard his song on the Top 40 last weekend? With the amount of self-promotion that Mark and his band have plastered across the web a big break is just days away for this young star. I just hope you all get to him before Disney does!

Hot Track(s): Airwaves, Secrets

Kind of Like: The Foo Fighters are skipping third period and jamming down in the music room with Mr. Opus.

PREDICTION:
A top 10 hit on the U.S. modern rock chart. A top 40 in the U.K. will follow.

LET ME WATCH DJ:

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

Website: http://www.markwilliamsmusic.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/MarkWilliamsMusic
MP3: Matt Williams - Airwaves

Whale Tooth

It takes only one listen of any Whale Tooth track to realize why they have what it takes. The raspy lead vocals provided by jazz by day artist Elise LeGrow are what makes Whale Tooth, well, pretty damn good. She hits each word with an intensity that contrasts the obviously carefree sound of the backing soundtrack. Matching LeGrows skill is tough, but the boys in the band do carry their own, both musically and vocally over all tracks. With a number of local gigs happening in and around the city of Toronto, where they are based, Whale Tooth is attracting a following and will soon find themselves playing sold out concert halls across the country.

Hot Track(s): Hibernation Song, Marlboro Beach Bonanza

Kind of Like: 90's alternative rock grows up and becomes radio friendly

PREDICTION:
A top 20 hit in the U.K and rotation on North American radio.

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

Website: http://www.whaletooth.ca

Escort

It might of been a year ago since we were hit with one of the hottest tracks in decades "All Through the Night" by the disco kings Escort. The song was beyond anything we had heard in years we have been waiting patiently for more ever since we first spinned the track. As we try not to get tired of waiting, we will simply have to revisit what made us fall in love with Escort in the first place (see clip below), and hope that 2009 is the year that they give us a full album.

Hot Track(s): All Through the Night

Kind of Like: Donna Summer buys a Mac.

PREDICTION:
A number one hit on the US dance charts (both club and radio)

LET ME WATCH DJ:



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MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/weareescort

MP3: All Through The Night - Escort.mp3

Walter Meego

What comes next? We have heard the 80's come back. The synths, the beats, the look. Walter Meego is ready to take it to the next level. With a funky retro sound, what we have here is much more depth than most pop acts. Sure the vocals aren't the source of that depth "Everything I do I do it for a girl, I do it for a girl, I do it for a g-irl-irl", but the vocals are where the sound turns solid. High-pitched and Beatle-esque you can't help but stop and realize that Walter Meego is giving us pop music to take seriously.

Hot Track(s): Girls, Forever.

Kind of Like: John Lennon channeled through a Casio keyboard.

PREDICTION:
A top 20 hit in the UK with a summer hit in 2009 in the US that makes them a hit with all the young ladies.

LET ME WATCH DJ:

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

Website: http://www.waltermeego.com/
MP3: Walter Meego - Girls.mp3

Ms. Chawls

This Canadian songstress has enough soul in her to convert a country of non-listeners. Her sound is retro, but Ms. Chawls still manages to use her classically soulful voice to take her music in a different direction (she is no wannabee, this is the real deal). Presently touring around North America as a part of several festivals and opening for other artists, we are sure that one day she will be headlining.

Hot Track(s): Think of You, Can I be yours

Kind of Like: Gladys Knight loses her pips and does it for herself.

PREDICTION:
A top 10 hit all around the world.

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