We've gathered up a selection of our fresh new Emerging Icons to enjoy this week, and we really want to share this lot with you. Check out what we think, enjoy their songs and find out more about all of them on the links below- but don't let your taste for musical discovery stop there!
We want to inspire a sense of new musical curiosity in everyone. We are lucky enough to have an phenomenal amount of talent emerging onto the UK scene- and they're not all just 'singing for survival' on dodgy TV talent shows. There are literally thousands of incredible musicians out there in need of your support, so make sure you get out there and listen to their tunes.
So shall we have a listen to some of the true huge stars of tomorrow? It's fair to say you really need to hear this...
How an act like Chasing Grace aren't phenomenally huge by now, we really don't know- but it is all about to change. 2013 has seen them snapped up by Island, receive great support from BBC 1Xtra, work in the studio with Naughty Boy (you must check out their cover of 'La La La') and now the sophisticated pop stylings of Hertfordshire duo Philip Plestead and Grace Ackerman are set to join Ellie Goulding on her UK Tour. Things are about to blow up. Big time. Built on a solid foundation of high-class songwriting, stunning voices and lashings of good ole' fashioned creative chemistry, Chasing Grace's sound is sublime. Seriously- these two are SO in tune with each other. Those harmonies couldn't be tighter without splicing the pair of 'em together, Doc Frankenstein style. Another element to take into consideration is the fact that they're impossibly current. Think a little bit of One Republic mixed with the uplifting anthemic pop of Bastille, plus a dash of sweet female elegance that has served the likes of Emeli Sande so well. What's not to love? Their 'Dinner Is Served EP' is out now- go listen if you know what's good for you...
A couple of weekends ago, BRIT School graduate Jody Brock took to Absolute Radio's airwaves in our exclusive weekly Emerging Icons feature. Reflecting fondly upon the legendary institution that has also produced the phenomenal talents of Jessie J and Adele, he called his time there "the best four years of my life for so many reasons." High praise indeed- something that current student Lily Juniper can no doubt vouch for. The seventeen-year-old singer songwriter is absolutely thriving under the school's guidance, marking her out as one of the new crop of 'next-big-things' to emerge from its ranks. Taking influence from the stunningly understated sound of Bon Iver and Fink, she's got one of the most bewitching sounds we've heard for some time. With artists like Lauren Aquilina and Gabrielle Aplin steadily taking over the world right now, there's every reason to think that Lily Juniper may be the next name on everyone's lips. She can already count Popjustice and KT Tunstall amongst her fans- are you in? You will be when you've heard 'Not Enough'...
Fresh indie four-piece SYKES strike that perfect balance of pop melody, toe-tapping charisma and feel-good vibes that'll give you a taste of summer on the most miserable of Autumn days. Following support slots for the likes of The Wombats, it comes as no surprise that they've gained a reputation as a must-see festival band; with 2013 including performances at Glastonbury, Boomtown and Bestival amongst other dates on their busy gigging schedule. (The energetically bouncy sound of their tunes went down a storm with the welly-wearing masses as you might imagine...) 'Out Of Your Hands' is a perfect introduction to the London set, showcasing their knack for an infectious beat and memorable chorus; not to mention their rather cheeky disposition. Frontwoman Julia does a cracking job of giving SYKES a striking identity both vocally and visually- so yeah, we tip this lot to go far.
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