Introducing 'The EQ Royale'
Who the hell are all those peeps in the banner?
Well they are the new EQ Royale, that's who they are!
These are the artists that I am most excited to talk about in 2008. These 20 artists completely embody the spirit of Electroqueer and their music has really touched me in 2007. I can't wait to do my part in promoting them next year and here's why...
4th Child: Lee's music really struck a chord in me last year. This little guy has a big talent and I can't wait to hear his new album which has been unfolding ever so interestingly online and already armed with a dedicated fan club and topping some major Dance charts, Lee is posed for crossover success.
Antigone: Her album is done and dusted and it's bloody brilliant. Expect heavy Antigone coverage in the upcoming months as her album will most likely come out near March. She is such a remarkable woman and her mastery of electronica with a burlesque and disco twist is uncomparable.
Antigone MySpace | Official Website
Bim: Call them the new Dido. Call them the most thought-provoking and underrated band you haven't heard of yet. Their debut EP is out now and you really should take a listen. I discovered their brilliance last year and have been hooked on them still.
Bim MySpace | Official Website
Bubbles & Cheesecake: The undisputed sisters of quirk on a mission to make as many people as possible believers in their unique brand of products and music. They're quirky, they're soulful and most of all - brilliant. You should really be joining Allee and Holly's party - you're already invited!
Dangerous Muse: I refuse to stop talking about them. They kept my appetite wet with the release of 'Every Day Is Halloween' and their great remixes to 'Give Me Danger'. Will 2008 finally see the release of a full-fledged album from these new young princes of electronica? I hope so.
Dangerous Muse MySpace | Official Website
Darren Hayes: Still my favourite artist and probably will be until some other dark knight can come along and de-throne him. The man doesn't stop and his electronic opus 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' still speaks novels to me. Why this man hasn't received the same solo success he had with Savage Garden is unbelievable, but in the same token he's making the best music he ever has now.
Darren Hayes MySpace | Official Website
Imogen Heap: Next year we will be following the release of Immi's 3rd album very closely. She is the Virgin Mary of electronica in my eyes and in keeping me under a transfixed gaze, her new song 'Not Now But Soon' is sounding heavenly - just from the tiny tiny clips she plays for us on YouTube.
Imogen Heap MySpace | Official Website
Marsheaux: These fair maidens of electronica-land really got my juices flowing when I stumbled upon them while checking out the brilliant Human League heavy site - Electronically Yours. I am so excited to discover more and more about them next year as I love what I am hearing now. 'Hanging On' and 'Wait No More' are slices of heaven, with a cherry on top!
Marsheaux MySpace | Official Website
Matthew Duffy: I can't be any more excited for Matthew Duffy. His album 'The Healing Machine' really has a sound on it that makes me quiver. Combined with his great vocal talent, Matthew Duffy is another act that I refuse to stop talking about until he is embraced by the mainstream.
Matthew Duffy MySpace | Official Website
Naked Highway: Sy from Naked Highway can't do any wrong in my book. His determination and drive have really impressed me to no end last year and his song 'Pop It Drop It' is a dancefloor legend that the world hasn't even heard yet. I've had a sneak peek at some of his new demos and they are absolutely flawless.
Naked Highway MySpace | Official Website
Nelson Clemente: I so want Nelson to be famous. He works so hard at making it work and all the while still knows that a good song is the most important thing above all. Expect EQ to go on and on even more so next year about how 'You Me Us We' should be at the top of everyone's favourite mix tape. Maybe the world will know soon as Nelson is putting the finishing touches on his EP now.
Nelson Clemente MySpace | Official Website
Private: This Danish threesome just popped up overnight in the land didn't they? Thanks to PopMuse and Arjan I have come to discover how fantastic they truly are. Their album garners huge kudos to everyone I play it to and with the release of 'Crucify My Heart' out shortly - they leave me excited where BWO left me rather cold.
Private MySpace | Official Website
Robyn: Now that she is rather famous, at least here in the UK, I will await the next move from Little Miss Powerhouse ever so patiently. Having released my hands-down favourite album of 2007, Robyn is still another act to watch closely. If she releases 'Cobrastyle' I might have heart failure.
Robyn MySpace | Official Website
Sergey: A promotional push is already underway for Mr. Lazarev in the UK and expect me to continue to sing the praises of Russia's biggest superstar to no end next year. EQ is picking up a lot of Russian readers so far based on coverage of Sergey and that's ever so exciting! 'Everytime' is out now and it's so perfect - you really should be listening to his super pop tunes.
Sergey MySpace | Official Website
Sia: Seeing her live for the first time a few weeks ago made me a huge believer in her music. I already loved 'Breathe Me' but her catalog of down-tempo and upbeat pop numbers really get me excited as well. More coverage on Sia as her new album 'Some People Have Real Problems' drops soon.
Sia MySpace | Official Website
Simon Curtis: Why he isn't famous yet is beyond me. It truly is a mystery, but his album 'Alter Boy' is so good that the world needs to hear the name Simon Curtis even more in 2008. He is my musical messiah and when he unleashes his brand of electro-pop upon the world - you will sit up and listen.
State City Disco: Popjustice may have their Alphabeat, but EQ has State City Disco. Having created one hell of an electro track in 'Excitement' which you can hear now if you shift your eyes to the left, you will agree that State City Disco is one band you should be paying attention to and we will be following them closely as they get their first collection of tracks together.
Switch22: I won't shut up about them either. Such great guys and fantastic electro all rolled up into one. I can't help but be under their spell for at least another year. Seeing them live is amazing and expect EQ to be there at all the gigs next year pending I don't get hit by a bus. Switch22 are the shizz. Take notice.
Temposhark: So fucking good. They released their album 'The Invisible Line' digitally this year and will be promoting the hell out of the physical drop scheduled early in 2008. These guys rock to an electro beat and have had me mesmerized with songs like 'Joy' and 'Knock Me Out' for quite awhile. More Temposhark = More Joy.
Temposhark MySpace | Official Website
The Ultrasonics: They are amazing. Having just signed to a record label, it won't be suprising to me to hear 'Why You Had To Leave' and 'It's Over Now' at the top of the pop charts soon. Fronted by the super sexy vocalist Johanna, the band could very well be propelled into fame overnight.
Great mentions as always Raj of the fantastic Mr Hayes and the wonderful Nelson Clemente and a few of the others too!!
Big love
Gemma xx
Posted by: Gemmadh | December 16, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Impressive list! Sadly, too few of these fine artists are getting anywhere near the recognition they should be getting.
Posted by: Carolyn | December 16, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Bravo, Raj! This is the BEST yearly retrospective ---or should I say PROspective, since we have such amazing things to look forward to in 2008!--- I've ever seen. Each and every one of these artists is working to his or her absolute creative capacity and each one is worthy of attention, my personal favourites being Darren Hayes, Antigone, Imogen Heap and Nelson Clemente. What you've done to expand my musical horizons, I'll always be grateful for!
Cheers, Raj, and happy holidays to you and yours!
xx Cat
Posted by: catriona | December 16, 2007 at 10:41 PM
I have to confess that there are some names I don't recognize, but if EQ says they're good then I'm sure they are, and I will surely check them out! As you know, your number 1 is my number 1, too :) what an amazing year for Darren, and for us, as well!
thank you, Raj
Maria
Posted by: cmjmaria | December 16, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Big hugs Gemma, Carolyn, Cat and Maria. Glad you dig me artists I am big uppin in 2008. I really think next year will really be about Imogen's new record, the rise of Miz Antigone and of course let the fun commence at the new Darren gigs!
If you do get a chance to check out the other artists - you really should. They are very good indeed and I am already a fan. But most of all - thanks for being such loyal readers. Knowing that you gals are originally Darren fans that are discovering new music via EQ really makes me happy. Raj :)
Posted by: EQ | December 17, 2007 at 12:59 PM
thanks for that Raj, EQ is always so interesting to read.
Thanks a lot for such great mention about Darren.
hugs manu
Posted by: Manu | December 17, 2007 at 07:34 PM
After reading through this I realied I'm so out of touch - glad to have found this so i can tap into my cool "EQ" - thanks for keeping this so cutting edge - its way beyond my current skill level - i'm just hoping to keep up!!
Posted by: theloglady999 | March 21, 2008 at 07:21 PM