Events

You couldn't accuse Ellie Goulding of being obvious. She makes music that will appeal to lots of people, but it’s of the intriguing, curious kind. Described invariably as ‘electro-folk-acoustic-pop’ (or just ‘brilliant’ would suffice), her songs are soaked in an almost cinematic sensibility; like the yearning lyrics and resolute refrain of debut single Under The Sheets, or the utterly epic, otherworldly excellence of Starry Eyed.

Co-recording with help from producer of the moment, Starsmith, Ellie makes multi-layered music that explodes with unexpected touches. There's synth, oh yes, but also lots of gorgeous percussion and stuttering vocals, and harps and big, huge drums that bash you about a bit. It makes you want to sway and dance and fall over. Sparse and shy it isn't.

Her voice is pretty extraordinary and incredibly captivating too. It sounds like it's full of fancy effects, and yet it's not. It's her actual voice. It possesses a somewhat oxymoronic quality; delicately striking. Understated and intense. There's also a sense of controlled abandonment, which makes you want to sing along really loudly, because you think you might sound as great as her. You don't. But it's massively enjoyable to do anyway.

If you see her live - and you really, really should - you can also expect to see her play guitar and drums.

So all in all, it’s perhaps fair to assume that Ellie Goulding is quite clearly not another cookie-cutter chanteuse churned from the big old baking-machine of electro-folk-acoustic-pop. Not only encapsulating the do-it-yourself ethos of 2009, Ellie Goulding has created the sound of 2010.

TINIE TEMPAH

Tinie Tempah is acknowledged by his peers as one of the most considered, intelligent and entrepreneurial MC’s this country has produced, Tinie’s ability to combine pop hooks with street-smart savvy lyrics has seen the engaging lyricist quickly capture the attention of kids all over the UK. What makes this stylish, charismatic London born rapper’s accomplishments all the more impressive is that Tinie has attained this success as an independent artist. Over just six years, while studying for his GCSE’s and A’ levels, Patrick Okogwu transformed into Tinie Tempah and is now one of the UK underground’s biggest stars.

The 20 year-old has legions of fans that queue up to see his show, whether at the Wireless Festival or at a club in Watford. He also, crucially, has the respect of his peers; he’s collaborated with Chipmunk, Wiley, Tinchy Stryder, Ironik and Jay Sean, and stood in for Kanye West, no less, at a recent Radio 1 Maida Vale session with Mr. Hudson.

Tinie is a staple on Tim Westwood, 1Xtra, Kiss, Choice and Galaxy, and has been featured on the cover of RWD, and in the New York Times.

Having performed throughout the UK, Tinie was recently asked to join N-Dubz on their UK tour throughout November and December, and is part of a stellar line-up for The Sun newspaper’s ‘Bizarre Prezents Tour…’, which begins early next year.

He will release his first single on Parlophone Records in early spring 2010. Distinctive in his delivery and creative in his approach Tinie’s debut album will showcase not only his lyrical abilities but his appreciation of an array of sounds, from gritty grime to pop-tinted R&B and dance, due for release in summer 2010. Not only encapsulating the do-it-yourself ethos of 2009, Tinie Tempah is the sound of 2010.