August York reached the #1 download on NoiseTrade, placed Top 40 in singer/songwriter on iTunes and have been featured on Huffington Post,Buzzfeed, MTV Canada and more! On Tap Magazine says, “Indie folk-pop duo, August York, seems to be just what music needs; stripped-down-to-the-bare-essentials instrumentals and candid, emotionally-driven voices.” August York is made up of a Nashville based duo, McKendree & Rachel and cite Radiohead, Imogen Heap, Andrew Bird, Bon Iver and others as influences. August York is a Kings of A&R artist to watch.
Contact: molly@ei-pr.com, augustyorkbooking@gmail.com
If PJ Harvey and Kate Bush defied science and procreated, Daisy would be their love child” or so think London In Stereo. The child of a former cyclist and hairdresser, Daisy Victoria has been described by Lauren Laverne as ‘a rising star’, and released her second EP ‘Nobody Dies’ in November. Having received multiple plays from Radio 1‘s Huw Stephens (following Daisy’s Latitude 2014 Lake Stage slot) Daisy has also received plays from BBC6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs, XFMs John Kennedy, whilst Lauren Laverne has twice made Daisy her ‘MPfree’ of the day. Since releasing her debut EP ‘Heart Full of Beef’, Daisy has won fans across the blogosphere which makes her an artist to watch in 2015.
Contact: astromike.gordon.music@gmail.com
Buzz Track: The Only One
Retro/alternative pop artist Iva Dawn will release the six-song debut EP “The Only One” produced by Grammy award winning producer Tom Biller (Kate Nash, Silversun Pickups), who produced the critically acclaimed album The Fool (2010, Rough Trade) with Warpaint. On her debut EP of original songs, Whitney was joined by her longtime band mate guitarist/bassist Lucas Gorham (Grandfather Child) and drummer Matt Chamberlain who helped added his own unique drum and percussion talents to the recordings. Matt’s credits include dozens of the most acclaimed and successful studio albums of all time with artist such as Tori Amos, David Bowie, Miranda Lambert, Sarah McLachlan, Dido and Brandi Carlile.
Contact: monte@triplepop.com
“The Best Emerging Artists of 2014”
The Silent Scene is on the verge of a breakthrough. The track Collecting Hearts is our favorite and they were also featured on iTunes New & Noteworthy. This is band to watch.
Justin Kump, the singer-songwriter has begun to make a mark. His album debuted on the U.S. iTunes Singer-Songwriter Chart earning him solid press, and Sirius XM invited him to perform on at their studios in NYC. This ability to craft catchy but sincere songs has garnered comparisons to James Taylor, Phillip Phillips, and Damien Rice since his arrival on the scene in 2006. He’s a musician’s musician (having once recorded and mixed a full album in a makeshift studio of blankets and a ping-pong table in his brother’s family room), and is an engaging performer whose songs are the perfect soundtrack for sun-drenched picnic days and shared starry nights. But Justin’s complete mastery of the guitar is the cornerstone of his ability to connect with any audience, and is at the foundation of his Spring 2014 release, The Night is Young. Check out his track The Night is Young.
Emmy Bachmann is a brand new artist on the scene yet has already been dubbed a blond bombshell singer-songwriter by PopWrapped. Her new 6 song EP is a collection of songs that tells a different part of her life story. They are honest, personal and versatile similar to the music styles of Adele, Alanis Morissette, Christina Perry and Lana Del Rey. Our favorite tracks are I Don’t Love Him and Rescue Yourself.
Vava Voom created a buzz with her song Supersonic featuring Sean Kingston. Chasing those dreams while on a holiday trip to America in 2010 changed her life. A chance meeting with a like-minded producer and songwriter would make it possible for her to live the dream of working on her music outside of Switzerland. Compiling a host of trips and experiences in New York City, Vava Voom’s music and style would start to take on a new look, shape and sound. Pop music that she thought was fun, sexy and cool, with no boundaries, and the imagery to accompany that. From electro and indy-pop, to house and genre bending traces of rock and urban, nothing was off limits. “It sounds like a uniquely directed, cool iTunes radio station. Lots of stuff that you like all in one.” With this newly found confidence, she got her bearings as a songwriter, guitarist, piano player and a powerhouse singer, “at the same !@#$%^&* time”! CONTINUE READING
Wind-up Records has long been known as the house that Creed built. Although they are an independent label, they’ve been home to many chart toppers in the Active Rock and Alternative genres. Over the last few years, Wind-up has been branching out, picking up artists that seem out of place on a roster that once included Drowning Pool and Evanescence. Kings of A&R caught up with Wind-Up A&R director, Shawn Cohen, to find out more about their new eclectic roster that includes bands such as The Griswolds and SPEAK and how they are transitioning into new genres.
Wind-up has been picking up some surprising new bands. Where is all that coming from?
We have been known as the house of active rock for a very long time and we’re trying to be creative and showing the world that we can do mainstream, alternative, pop…we’re not just rock. We want to work with music that we love, no matter the genre.
What’s your favorite artist that you’re working right now?
Hands down, The Griswolds. Not just because I signed them, but they are just from fans to music the most intriguing, fun, exciting people and it shows all around. Their social media, their recorded music, their live shows, they are a very dynamic band.
How’d you find them?
I found The Griswolds in the blog scene. They had posted their first song , Heart of the Lion. It was under the radar when I heard the song and I was really into them. I did some homework and saw they were doing well on Triple J (Australian Radio). I listened to their other songs and I thought it was very creative and refreshing so I reached out to them. CONTINUE READING
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