WHO IS MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS?
‘I’m Marina. You are the diamonds.’ declares 24-year old Marina Lambrini Diamandis on her Myspace page. Commonly mistaken for a band, Marina and the Diamonds is already tipped to be one of the top breakthrough artists in British music this year, and deservedly so – her debut album The Family Jewels has already reached #5 in the album chart, ahead of new releases by the likes of Johnny Cash and The Courteeners. The Welsh singer/songwriter began to dabble seriously in music back in 2007 when she recorded and self-released her first EP, Mermaid Vs Sailor. Three months later she caught the attention of scout Derek Davies (Neon Gold Records) who booked Diamandis for the show that would lead to her signing with current label 677 Recordings in October 08′ (Warner Music Group).
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW HER
It’s not just her name that’s extravagant, everything about Marina & The Diamonds is dazzling and exciting, from her distinctively captivating vocals to her glamorous, Hollywood demeanor. It’s no wonder that she’s caught the music worlds attention. Her 14-track debut album speaks for itself with not one dull track in it’s pure pop listing; fan favourites Mowgli’s Road and I Am Not A Robot join addictive newcomers such as Oh No! and the imaginatively named Hermit the Frog to create a celebrated full-length that some artists can only dream of.
When I come across musicians with such character, I often wonder why it’s taken so long for them to be noticed. Then I remember that like with most shiny things you have to put them in the light to see their true brilliance, perhaps the sudden attention is why many of us are only just hearing of this young talent. Diamandis has certainly received quite the exposure and recognition over the last few months – Having come runner-up to fellow artist Ellie Goulding in the BBC Sound Poll 2010, Marina went on to be nominated for a prestigious Brit award and has since had specials on both 4music and Q Sessions, as well as being a guest on the popular television show, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. UK music retailer HMV also named The Family Jewels ‘album of the week’ and invited her to play the HMV Next Big Thing Festival (where her show sold out).
Despite the sparkling image Marina is happy to slog it out traveling across the UK to perform gigs, including festivals such as the notoriously muddy Glastonbury as well as Reading and Leeds festivals. Her live shows have been praised by critics and fans alike, her charisma and content on stage as well as her natural born talent has earned her comparisons to the likes of chart-toppers Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine) and Debbie Harry, and it seems this reputation precedes her; Marina’s entire first headlining tour completely sold out before the release of The Family Jewels. The twenty-four date tour includes shows in Sweden, UK and Ireland, and USA finishing at Texas’s SXSW in March.
YOU’LL DIG HER SOUND IF
You’re a fan of similar indie pop artists – Florence + the Machine, Lights, Bat for Lashes
TRACKS YOU SHOULD DOWNLOAD
Current single “Hollywood”
You can find out more about Marina and the Diamonds over at her official website or Myspace page
Fri, Mar 5, 2010
Articles, Featured