SHREDnews

After a fantastic year of music in 2009 – bringing us the likes of Florence + the machine, Temper Trap and Lady Gaga – it’s time to look forward and predict which artists will be grooving and shaking down your ipod headphones in 2010. Here we countdown the final 5 artists!

5. Marina & The Diamonds

Another of 2010’s early breakthrough artists, Marina & The Diamonds is already dominating the charts in the UK with her debut album The Family Jewels and infectious first single ‘Hollywood’. The glamorous Welsh star may come second to fellow artist Ellie Goulding (#6 in our ATW chart) in some critics eyes – Diamandis came runner up to Goulding in both the BBC Sound Poll and Brit Awards – but to her loyal fans, also referred to as her ‘Diamonds’, she will always be number one. Luckily for Diamandis her ‘Diamonds’ can be found across the world and aren’t quite so difficult to find, so much so that her entire first headlining tour sold out before the release of The Family Jewels meaning her shows across Europe and United States will be packed full of treasure. For those impatient to hear new material from the 24-year old- fear not, the singer has been working with producer of the moment Benny Blanco (Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Britney Spears) in LA and has dropped hints that she may release an extended edition of her debut album, similar to Lady Gaga’s re-release of Fame Monster. Yes, the future looks bright for Marina & The Diamonds, keep an eye on this gem.

4. Lights

Intergalactic star Lights went from strength to strength back in 2009, starting out the year with a Juno Award for Best New Artist (previous recipients include Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne) and ending it on a high with the release of her debut album The Listening. Jump to the present and the young Canadian has once again been nominated for a Juno Award, this year in the ‘Pop Album of the Year’ category alongside Michael Buble and Justin Bieber. Currently on tour with chart sensation Owl City for five months (January – May 2010) followed by a brief tour of the UK, Lights travels mean you have no excuse not to make it out to a show, unless of course – like many – they’re already sold out! 2010 is going to be a big year for the rather little Canadian artist, in fact I’d be willing to bet the Twin Blades of Azzinoth on it!

3. Paper Route

Nashville indie rockers Paper Route also made a successful year out of 2009; in April they released their major label debut Absence on Universal Records – which reached 13# on the Billboard heatseekers chart – and in December they finished the year in spectacular fashion by supporting Paramore on their UK Brand New Eyes Tour. Of course, much else also happened in between!

I find that It’s the live environment where Paper Route’s ambient sound really makes it’s mark, and thanks to last year’s worldwide tour schedule many a music fan were exposed to their enigmatic melodies, including me. The quartet will join Lights and Owl city on tour across America this March-May and I strongly recommend you catch these guys in action. There is a magic about this group that you can’t capture in words, they have a special something about them which gives me the feeling they’ll be around for a very long time. You really won’t want to miss them. So go and fall in love with Paper Route and their music because 2010 is the year when the rest of the world will.

2. VersaEmerge

2009 seemed to be a huge year for female fronted bands, with the likes of Paramore finally blowing up in terms of worldwide popularity and with VersaEmerge slowly but surely carving their very own path to the top. Formerly a five piece, VE lost two members over the course of the year – Anthony Martone (Drums) and Jerry Pierce (Guitar) – both due to personal reasons, yet the group continued and have come back strong ready to drop their highly anticipated debut album this summer. Their experimental-style melodies teamed with Sierra Kusterbeck (Vocals) and Blake Harnage’s (Guitar/Vocals) almost classical style vocals have meant that critics are keeping a close eye on the band. Whilst some simply pass them off as ‘copycats’, most seem to have noticed that VE’s unique musical creations place them well above the average band of today, their dedication and professionalism have earned them much respect. The band are not ones to let down their fans or themselves so I expect that the as-yet untitled debut album will blow everyone away.

Luckily, for the the bands loyal following across the US and UK, the band are also geared up to play this years entire Vans Warped Tour, as well as hinting at a return to the UK in the fall. Vultures get ready as the band prepare to spread their wings in 2010!

1. Conditions

Shred favorite’s Conditions started the year with the news we’d all been waiting for; the band had finally signed on the dotted line with a label. After many offers and much speculation the guys joined Good Fight Music, a new independent label owned and run by Ferret Music owners Carl Severson and Paul Conroy. And after dropping that bombshell it seemed the good news just kept coming. The Virginia alt-rockers spent the most part of February recording their debut album with long term friend and producer Paul Levitt (All Time Low) and judging by the snippets fans have been treated to, this record will be one of your favorites of 2010.

Not ones to conform to the ’scenes’ of modern music, Conditions strive to create music the good old fashioned way: with heart, honesty, integrity and – most of all- with real instruments! The band aren’t ones to hide their dislike of self-labeled ‘musicians’ who are anything but.  Conditions recordings and live shows have been highly praised by their fellow artists as well as by the critics – back in 2008 the band Paramore invited them to open their UK tour alongside New Found Glory and Kids in Glass Houses, and popcore band A Day To Remember have even been known to express their support of the guys. It seems the band are finally gaining recognition across the states and it couldn’t be more deserved.

The five-piece toured with friends I-rival earlier in the year and just returned home from playing the legendary SXSW festival, where they played shows at the Purevolume house and the Alternative Press 100 Bands you need to know showcase – alongside artists such as Circa Survive and The Rocket Summer (9# in our ATW chart). Whats more the Con men have just announced a group of shows with Eye Alaska this May as well as confirming their presence at a number of dates at this years Van’s Warped Tour. I have always viewed Conditions in the highest regard. Since watching them live back in 2008 i’ve come to find that they are some of the most talented and humble young men you will meet, yet they are also one of the most underrated bands in the business, they are quite frankly brilliant! I have met and heard of numerous others who have reached a similar conclusion after witnessing a live show for themselves. 2010 will be the year of the underdog, when the overlooked finally get noticed and when one of the most deserving bands I know will finally breakout in a big way onto the music scene. This year belongs to Conditions.