This is Croydon -- As all eyes are on who will make it to Christmas number one, we're looking to which musicians are expected to make it big in 2014. *1) Sam Smith * Sam Smith's stunning vocals have captured the nation this past year with a variety of big collaborations and a few teasers of his own solo material. After working alongside some of the biggest names to hit in 2013 - Disclosure on their breakout hit 'Latch' and Naughty Boy on 'La La La' which has amassed nearly 150 million views, the time has come for Sam to take centre stage. In October he unveiled a 4 track EP through PMR titled 'Nirvana', remixes came from Two Inch Punch and Tourist to name a few, the month also saw him in the studio with the legendary Nile Rodgers. 2014 will see the release of Sam's much anticipated debut album and his own headline tour. www.soundcloud.com/samsmithworld *2) Dominique Young Unique* Twenty-one-year-old Tampa Bay rapper and model Dominique Young Unique has gone from rapping in the courts of the Robles Park projects to playing the worldwide stage. Her now infamous mixtapes have seen her go up against the likes of N.E.R.D, Big Boi, Die Antwoord and Gucci Mane and gain notoriety working with long-time collaborator, Yo Majesty producer, David Alexander. Known for her rapid-fire raps and high-speed electro club beats, Miami bass sounds and 80s flavour, this 21 year-old is crashing onto dancefloors with her militaristic mash-up of club and hip-hop. This year saw her collaborate with production giants Diplo and DJ Fresh on the smash hit 'Earthquake' which also featured on the Kick Ass 2 soundtrack, Dominique will release her debut album through Sony in 2014. www.soundcloud.com/dominiqueyoungunique *3) Tanika* Tanika is one of London's most exciting emerging urban-pop artists who released her 'Thoughts Of Love EP' earlier this year, which featured guest vocals from Zebra Katz, DVS and Sneakbo, setting her in good stead after receiving incredible underground success. Now it's time for Tanika to step it up with her contagious new track 'Bad4U', produced by MNEK, and her debut album which is set for release next year. www.soundcloud.com/iamtanika *4) I Am A Camera* I Am A Camera are Mancunian Francesca and Northern-Irish Londoner Ian, working as one to produce contagious, dark, electronic-pop. They have spent the last year putting out highly acclaimed tracks such as "Factory Boys", "The Legendary Children" and their covers of Pet Shop Boys and Marianne Faithfull which have all garnered them amazing support throughout the media. Next year will see them release their debut album through Tim and Danny Records/Virgin EMI. www.soundcloud.com/iamacamera *5) Sasha Keable* At only 19-years-old, Sasha has been tearing up the scene for some time now. She has already performed at Wireless Festival and a full UK tour with chart-toppers N-Dubz and BRIT award-winning Tinie Tempah under her super stylish belt. Based in the south east of England's capital city and managed by Disturbing London, her raw talent as both a songwriter and an artist is making it impossible for her to go unnoticed. There's a quiet ferocity in her voice that commands attention and flirts with the ethereal ambience of her sound, and her natural ability to move seamlessly through genres makes Sasha edgy and undeniably fresh. Her influences, like her music, are eclectic. Having grown up on a diet of heavy metal, music was in her blood from a young age and it wasn't long before her passion drove her to pursue and discover other sounds. She describes her style as a delicious fusion of 'trip hop, soul and pop'. Having featured on DJ Zinc's record 'Only For Tonight' and 'Voices' on Disclosure's debut album Settle, she is one female artist to keep any eye out for. Sasha is set to release her debut EP Black Book in October and is currently working with the likes of Justin Parker and Dev Hynes on her own debut album. www.soundcloud.com/sasha-keable *6) Society* Shooting to infamy late last year on the back of the remarkable success of super-limited 7-inch vinyl-only debut 'All That We've Become', Society achieved major plaudits across stations like Radio1 and 6Music, including the likes of Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe, as well as acclaim from publications like NME and Q, and outspoken champions in everyone from The Horrors to La Roux. Society is 24-year-old London-based singer and song smith James Girdler, whose cinematic trip-hop soul sound with a classic, unmistakable croon has garnered comparisons with the likes of Portishead, Scott Walker and The Verve, to name a few. Society released their second single '14 Hours' last month and played their first ever gig at London's Sebright Arms which completely sold out. Society will release their TBA album next year. www.soundcloud.com/societe/society-14-hours *7) Bipolar Sunshine* Bipolar Sunshine – Manchester's Adio Marchant - released his debut EP 'Aesthetics' in June, which received great acclaim from blogs, support from the likes of Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe on Radio1 for lead tracks 'Fire' and 'Rivers' and discovered a fan in ASAP Rocky for his cover of ASAP's track 'Long Live ASAP'. Recent gigs include three dates supporting White Lies in London and a support slot with Haim at the iTunes Festival, along with his own headline dates including a packed out show at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen. Bipolar Sunshine also performed this summer at Reading and Leeds Festival, Lovebox and Great Escape and is currently on tour with Bastille before supporting Rudimental in February next year. Signed to Polydor and a big artist to watch next year, he is releasing his second EP 'Love More Worry Less' in November before releasing his yet TBA debut album next year. www.soundcloud.com/bipolarsunshine *8) Josef Salvat* After introducing himself online with debut track 'This Life' and recent single 'Hustler', Australian London-based singer-songwriter Josef Salvat will be announcing the release of a new single soon. With comparisons already being made to the likes of Lana Del Rey and Gotye, Josef Salvat has created a huge buzz in the last few months with his brand of intelligent pop which encompasses his unique and powerful voice, clever arrangements and thought-provoking, honest lyrics. Josef Salvat has honed and slowly built his live show with recent local appearances including The Waiting Rooms, Old Blue Last, Sebright Arms and Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, along with festival performances at Lovebox and The Great Escape and a recent tour support with Tom Odell. www.soundcloud.com/josef-salvat *9) Until the Ribbon Breaks* Until The Ribbon Breaks is masterminded by Pete Lawrie, a Welsh born producer and visual artist, now based in Brooklyn, New York. Pete's unique electronic sound is punchy and contagious, drawing inspiration from the likes of Beck and Massive Attack, and comes alive visually with the various lyrics videos and visuals that accompany his tracks. Having just come off tour with Lorde in the US, Until The Ribbon Breaks has already received support from the likes of Vogue, Elle, Spin, Fader and Gorilla VS Bear for the release his debut EP last month. Until The Ribbon Breaks has also had the pleasure of officially remixing singles for Lorde, The Weeknd and Tegan & Sara and his catchy electronic beats and soothing vocal hooks have also attracted the attention of Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens at Radio1. www.soundcloud.com/untiltheribbonbreaks *10) In the Valley Below* In The Valley Below are duo Angela Gail and Jeffrey Jacob from Echo Park in LA. Delivering hushed swirls of male and female vocals forged with dark stories of brooding and romance the band were recently signed to Capitol in the US and Stranger/Ignition in the UK and release their new single 'Stand Up' next month. Receiving early support from the likes of Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton at Radio1 and influential blogs in both the UK and US along with recently performing on the prestigious Letterman show, In The Valley Below will be touring with White Lies at the end of the year before releasing their debut album early next year. www.soundcloud.com/inthevalleybelow *11) Battle Lines* The Leeds-based quartet Battle Lines came to attention from the bands busy live schedule which includes performances at Reading and Leeds Festival, Beacons Festival and at coveted nights across the UK. The bands blistered lullabies are replete with head-filling lyrical paradoxes of emotional and sexual indifference, intense with layered guitar soundscapes and affected percussion. Battle Lines are carving their niche in the British music scene and have many more exciting announcements to follow. www.soundcloud.com/battlelines *12) Say Lou Lou* Say Lou Lou release their debut album early 2014 and it's looking to be one of most highly anticipated albums for 2014. The band have already been causing waves internationally across US Vogue, shot for both Interview Magazine and V Magazine and here in the UK have had Sunday Times and NME hailing them as ones to keep a close eye on amongst many others. As well as their own headline dates in the UK Say Lou Lou have toured Europe and shared stages with Twin Shadow, Kindness, Ariel Pink, HURTS and are about to set off on tour with Foals this month. The band's ethereal pop music comes strongly supported with self-created imagery and so far two videos by director Philippe Tempelman have already accrued almost one million views in the past months. The next track releases in December with an equally dreamy video. www.soundcloud.com/sayloulou *13) Charlotte OC* There are several points in the 22 year timeline of Charlotte O'Connor that you might attribute to her metamorphosing into Charlotte OC, future music artist. The first was when she used to dress up as a witch as a child, stand at the end of her driveway staring at passers-by in a long black dress. The last was when she was in Berlin for a writing session for her debut album. Finding herself at the Berghain, probably the best nightclub in the world, on Sunday afternoon, a new impulse hit the singer/songwriter. 'I felt like somebody had just let me in on the biggest secret in the world. Certain things that I saw I could not believe,' she says, of the temple to decadence. 'I stayed for only a few hours but left inspired.' Amid the darkness there was beauty. Blackburn born Charlotte's song writing inspiration began to chime to a new, ethereal beat. 'The whole place just blew my mind. I wrote 'Colour My Heart' when I came back,' which has become the song that would come to define her direction, a bewitching and unique 'spooky gospel soul'. 'I want my music to sound like Berlin feels. 'Colour My Heart' is how I hear Berlin.' Charlotte's E.P which includes "Colour My Heart" releases in November. The title track written by Charlotte, was produced and recorded by Tim Anderson (Solange, Sia) in LA. www.soundcloud.com/theoneandonlyoc/color-my-heart *14) Mausi* MAUSI bought the soundtrack to the summer of 2013 with the release of their debut single, 'Move', the ultimate trans-European pool-party track for the 21st century. The single ignited dance floors and festival fields across the UK & Europe garnering an army of fans and supporters of MAUSI's sublime, sun-kissed grooves. 'Move' received incredible radio support becoming a staple track for a number of Radio 1 DJ's, landing on the 'In New Music We Trust' playlist and picking up championing spins from Fearne Cotton, Huw Stephens, Sara Cox and Dev. Currently on the road supporting two of the biggest break-out artists of the past year, Aluna George and Clean Bandit the band are accompanying their support slots with ten of their own headline dates around the UK, Mausi are bringing their Anglo-Italian, nu-disco beats across the UK this autumn. www.soundcloud.com/wearemausi *15) We Were Evergreen* The London based Parisian trio are set to release their debut album in 2014. Following support tours with the likes of Little Dragon, Ed Sheeran, Emele Sande and a string of festival performances at Secret Garden Party, Great Escape, Love Box & Wilderness, the band set the tone earlier this year with the release of the single, 'Leeway' and a string of sell-out UK shows including London's Jazz Café. Responsible for some of the most unique shape-shifting pop songs of late, the band's live shows are a spectacle unto themselves as We Were Evergreen's blend of electro beats, exotic rhythms and folk inspired melodies create uplifting live sets as perfectly suited to underground rave venues as they are festival fields. *16) Fake Club* This feisty London scuzz-rock band are responsible for some of the rowdiest parties in town where their own breed of girls-with-balls duelling guitar riffs and powerhouse drums showcase this bands ability to not only write killer-chorus tracks but wow crowds when they play them live. Following the self-released singles, 'Do What You Gotta Do' and 'Over and Over' earlier this year, plus an Italian summer tour and recent live dates in Berlin, Fake Club are soon to make their silver screen debut in brand new Vertigo Films release, Powder Room, starring Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Oona Chaplin and Kate Nash. The girls, who play in-house band throughout the film, also wrote tracks for the film and curated the entire soundtrack alongside the film's director MJ Delaney and producer Damien Jones (The Iron Lady, Kidulthood). Due for general release in December, Fake Club's status is set soar when the film hits cinemas around the country and shows them off to the movie-going masses. With more European dates in the New Year and their debut album set for early 2014, this is just the tip of the iceberg for Fake Club. www.soundcloud.com/fakeclubband For more great Christmas 2013 stories and information click here For more great Christmas 2013 gift ideas click here
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This is Croydon -- As all eyes are on who will make it to Christmas number one, we're looking to which musicians are expected to make it big in 2014. *1) Sam Smith * Sam Smith's stunning vocals have captured the nation this past year with a variety of big collaborations and a few teasers of his own solo material. After working alongside some of the biggest names to hit in 2013 - Disclosure on their breakout hit 'Latch' and Naughty Boy on 'La La La' which has amassed nearly 150 million views, the time has come for Sam to take centre stage. In October he unveiled a 4 track EP through PMR titled 'Nirvana', remixes came from Two Inch Punch and Tourist to name a few, the month also saw him in the studio with the legendary Nile Rodgers. 2014 will see the release of Sam's much anticipated debut album and his own headline tour. www.soundcloud.com/samsmithworld *2) Dominique Young Unique* Twenty-one-year-old Tampa Bay rapper and model Dominique Young Unique has gone from rapping in the courts of the Robles Park projects to playing the worldwide stage. Her now infamous mixtapes have seen her go up against the likes of N.E.R.D, Big Boi, Die Antwoord and Gucci Mane and gain notoriety working with long-time collaborator, Yo Majesty producer, David Alexander. Known for her rapid-fire raps and high-speed electro club beats, Miami bass sounds and 80s flavour, this 21 year-old is crashing onto dancefloors with her militaristic mash-up of club and hip-hop. This year saw her collaborate with production giants Diplo and DJ Fresh on the smash hit 'Earthquake' which also featured on the Kick Ass 2 soundtrack, Dominique will release her debut album through Sony in 2014. www.soundcloud.com/dominiqueyoungunique *3) Tanika* Tanika is one of London's most exciting emerging urban-pop artists who released her 'Thoughts Of Love EP' earlier this year, which featured guest vocals from Zebra Katz, DVS and Sneakbo, setting her in good stead after receiving incredible underground success. Now it's time for Tanika to step it up with her contagious new track 'Bad4U', produced by MNEK, and her debut album which is set for release next year. www.soundcloud.com/iamtanika *4) I Am A Camera* I Am A Camera are Mancunian Francesca and Northern-Irish Londoner Ian, working as one to produce contagious, dark, electronic-pop. They have spent the last year putting out highly acclaimed tracks such as "Factory Boys", "The Legendary Children" and their covers of Pet Shop Boys and Marianne Faithfull which have all garnered them amazing support throughout the media. Next year will see them release their debut album through Tim and Danny Records/Virgin EMI. www.soundcloud.com/iamacamera *5) Sasha Keable* At only 19-years-old, Sasha has been tearing up the scene for some time now. She has already performed at Wireless Festival and a full UK tour with chart-toppers N-Dubz and BRIT award-winning Tinie Tempah under her super stylish belt. Based in the south east of England's capital city and managed by Disturbing London, her raw talent as both a songwriter and an artist is making it impossible for her to go unnoticed. There's a quiet ferocity in her voice that commands attention and flirts with the ethereal ambience of her sound, and her natural ability to move seamlessly through genres makes Sasha edgy and undeniably fresh. Her influences, like her music, are eclectic. Having grown up on a diet of heavy metal, music was in her blood from a young age and it wasn't long before her passion drove her to pursue and discover other sounds. She describes her style as a delicious fusion of 'trip hop, soul and pop'. Having featured on DJ Zinc's record 'Only For Tonight' and 'Voices' on Disclosure's debut album Settle, she is one female artist to keep any eye out for. Sasha is set to release her debut EP Black Book in October and is currently working with the likes of Justin Parker and Dev Hynes on her own debut album. www.soundcloud.com/sasha-keable *6) Society* Shooting to infamy late last year on the back of the remarkable success of super-limited 7-inch vinyl-only debut 'All That We've Become', Society achieved major plaudits across stations like Radio1 and 6Music, including the likes of Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe, as well as acclaim from publications like NME and Q, and outspoken champions in everyone from The Horrors to La Roux. Society is 24-year-old London-based singer and song smith James Girdler, whose cinematic trip-hop soul sound with a classic, unmistakable croon has garnered comparisons with the likes of Portishead, Scott Walker and The Verve, to name a few. Society released their second single '14 Hours' last month and played their first ever gig at London's Sebright Arms which completely sold out. Society will release their TBA album next year. www.soundcloud.com/societe/society-14-hours *7) Bipolar Sunshine* Bipolar Sunshine – Manchester's Adio Marchant - released his debut EP 'Aesthetics' in June, which received great acclaim from blogs, support from the likes of Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe on Radio1 for lead tracks 'Fire' and 'Rivers' and discovered a fan in ASAP Rocky for his cover of ASAP's track 'Long Live ASAP'. Recent gigs include three dates supporting White Lies in London and a support slot with Haim at the iTunes Festival, along with his own headline dates including a packed out show at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen. Bipolar Sunshine also performed this summer at Reading and Leeds Festival, Lovebox and Great Escape and is currently on tour with Bastille before supporting Rudimental in February next year. Signed to Polydor and a big artist to watch next year, he is releasing his second EP 'Love More Worry Less' in November before releasing his yet TBA debut album next year. www.soundcloud.com/bipolarsunshine *8) Josef Salvat* After introducing himself online with debut track 'This Life' and recent single 'Hustler', Australian London-based singer-songwriter Josef Salvat will be announcing the release of a new single soon. With comparisons already being made to the likes of Lana Del Rey and Gotye, Josef Salvat has created a huge buzz in the last few months with his brand of intelligent pop which encompasses his unique and powerful voice, clever arrangements and thought-provoking, honest lyrics. Josef Salvat has honed and slowly built his live show with recent local appearances including The Waiting Rooms, Old Blue Last, Sebright Arms and Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, along with festival performances at Lovebox and The Great Escape and a recent tour support with Tom Odell. www.soundcloud.com/josef-salvat *9) Until the Ribbon Breaks* Until The Ribbon Breaks is masterminded by Pete Lawrie, a Welsh born producer and visual artist, now based in Brooklyn, New York. Pete's unique electronic sound is punchy and contagious, drawing inspiration from the likes of Beck and Massive Attack, and comes alive visually with the various lyrics videos and visuals that accompany his tracks. Having just come off tour with Lorde in the US, Until The Ribbon Breaks has already received support from the likes of Vogue, Elle, Spin, Fader and Gorilla VS Bear for the release his debut EP last month. Until The Ribbon Breaks has also had the pleasure of officially remixing singles for Lorde, The Weeknd and Tegan & Sara and his catchy electronic beats and soothing vocal hooks have also attracted the attention of Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens at Radio1. www.soundcloud.com/untiltheribbonbreaks *10) In the Valley Below* In The Valley Below are duo Angela Gail and Jeffrey Jacob from Echo Park in LA. Delivering hushed swirls of male and female vocals forged with dark stories of brooding and romance the band were recently signed to Capitol in the US and Stranger/Ignition in the UK and release their new single 'Stand Up' next month. Receiving early support from the likes of Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton at Radio1 and influential blogs in both the UK and US along with recently performing on the prestigious Letterman show, In The Valley Below will be touring with White Lies at the end of the year before releasing their debut album early next year. www.soundcloud.com/inthevalleybelow *11) Battle Lines* The Leeds-based quartet Battle Lines came to attention from the bands busy live schedule which includes performances at Reading and Leeds Festival, Beacons Festival and at coveted nights across the UK. The bands blistered lullabies are replete with head-filling lyrical paradoxes of emotional and sexual indifference, intense with layered guitar soundscapes and affected percussion. Battle Lines are carving their niche in the British music scene and have many more exciting announcements to follow. www.soundcloud.com/battlelines *12) Say Lou Lou* Say Lou Lou release their debut album early 2014 and it's looking to be one of most highly anticipated albums for 2014. The band have already been causing waves internationally across US Vogue, shot for both Interview Magazine and V Magazine and here in the UK have had Sunday Times and NME hailing them as ones to keep a close eye on amongst many others. As well as their own headline dates in the UK Say Lou Lou have toured Europe and shared stages with Twin Shadow, Kindness, Ariel Pink, HURTS and are about to set off on tour with Foals this month. The band's ethereal pop music comes strongly supported with self-created imagery and so far two videos by director Philippe Tempelman have already accrued almost one million views in the past months. The next track releases in December with an equally dreamy video. www.soundcloud.com/sayloulou *13) Charlotte OC* There are several points in the 22 year timeline of Charlotte O'Connor that you might attribute to her metamorphosing into Charlotte OC, future music artist. The first was when she used to dress up as a witch as a child, stand at the end of her driveway staring at passers-by in a long black dress. The last was when she was in Berlin for a writing session for her debut album. Finding herself at the Berghain, probably the best nightclub in the world, on Sunday afternoon, a new impulse hit the singer/songwriter. 'I felt like somebody had just let me in on the biggest secret in the world. Certain things that I saw I could not believe,' she says, of the temple to decadence. 'I stayed for only a few hours but left inspired.' Amid the darkness there was beauty. Blackburn born Charlotte's song writing inspiration began to chime to a new, ethereal beat. 'The whole place just blew my mind. I wrote 'Colour My Heart' when I came back,' which has become the song that would come to define her direction, a bewitching and unique 'spooky gospel soul'. 'I want my music to sound like Berlin feels. 'Colour My Heart' is how I hear Berlin.' Charlotte's E.P which includes "Colour My Heart" releases in November. The title track written by Charlotte, was produced and recorded by Tim Anderson (Solange, Sia) in LA. www.soundcloud.com/theoneandonlyoc/color-my-heart *14) Mausi* MAUSI bought the soundtrack to the summer of 2013 with the release of their debut single, 'Move', the ultimate trans-European pool-party track for the 21st century. The single ignited dance floors and festival fields across the UK & Europe garnering an army of fans and supporters of MAUSI's sublime, sun-kissed grooves. 'Move' received incredible radio support becoming a staple track for a number of Radio 1 DJ's, landing on the 'In New Music We Trust' playlist and picking up championing spins from Fearne Cotton, Huw Stephens, Sara Cox and Dev. Currently on the road supporting two of the biggest break-out artists of the past year, Aluna George and Clean Bandit the band are accompanying their support slots with ten of their own headline dates around the UK, Mausi are bringing their Anglo-Italian, nu-disco beats across the UK this autumn. www.soundcloud.com/wearemausi *15) We Were Evergreen* The London based Parisian trio are set to release their debut album in 2014. Following support tours with the likes of Little Dragon, Ed Sheeran, Emele Sande and a string of festival performances at Secret Garden Party, Great Escape, Love Box & Wilderness, the band set the tone earlier this year with the release of the single, 'Leeway' and a string of sell-out UK shows including London's Jazz Café. Responsible for some of the most unique shape-shifting pop songs of late, the band's live shows are a spectacle unto themselves as We Were Evergreen's blend of electro beats, exotic rhythms and folk inspired melodies create uplifting live sets as perfectly suited to underground rave venues as they are festival fields. *16) Fake Club* This feisty London scuzz-rock band are responsible for some of the rowdiest parties in town where their own breed of girls-with-balls duelling guitar riffs and powerhouse drums showcase this bands ability to not only write killer-chorus tracks but wow crowds when they play them live. Following the self-released singles, 'Do What You Gotta Do' and 'Over and Over' earlier this year, plus an Italian summer tour and recent live dates in Berlin, Fake Club are soon to make their silver screen debut in brand new Vertigo Films release, Powder Room, starring Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Oona Chaplin and Kate Nash. The girls, who play in-house band throughout the film, also wrote tracks for the film and curated the entire soundtrack alongside the film's director MJ Delaney and producer Damien Jones (The Iron Lady, Kidulthood). Due for general release in December, Fake Club's status is set soar when the film hits cinemas around the country and shows them off to the movie-going masses. With more European dates in the New Year and their debut album set for early 2014, this is just the tip of the iceberg for Fake Club. www.soundcloud.com/fakeclubband For more great Christmas 2013 stories and information click here For more great Christmas 2013 gift ideas click here
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