Kartel | 20FOR20
Here’s 20 artists to watch in 2020 from Kartel Music.
The list includes independent pop from Kiesza, hip hop from YouTube star Charle$, soaring drum & bass from The Prototypes, indie chill from BBC 6 Music favourite Liz Lawrence, bedroom pop from Alexa Casino, UK indie rock from Marsicans, emerging UK alt-country star Laura Oakes, British reggae from The Hempolics and the hugely underrated Irish singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery.
KIESZA (CA/US)
Following her 2014 billion streaming global smash “Hideaway”, 2020 marks a rebirth for the Iconic Canadian Pop star. Like a phoenix Kiesza rises after a recovery from a severe car crash. Sounding fresh and ready to embrace the female pop landscape amongst parallel artists Robyn, Dua Lipa, and La Roux, ‘All Of The Feelings’ is an uplifting mid-tempo 80s inspired pop dance love song releasing on March 6th taken from Kiesza’s forthcoming new album.
CHARLE$ (US)
Charle$ is the musical moniker of YouTube star Wolfie aka Charles Raynor who counts over 14 million subscribers across social media and YouTube to date. Music is Charle$ first passion and he is set for a huge 2020 with the release of his debut hip hop mixtape in late-March.
CHURCH & AP (NZ)
Auckland duo, comprising of Elijah Manu (Church) and Albert Purcell (AP) self-released debut single “Ready Or Not” entered the New Zealand singles and airplay chart and was #1 on Shazam for several weeks. 2019 saw their debut album pick up international acclaim from the likes of i-D, The FADER, Complex, Dummy, VICE and more - as well as getting substantial airplay across BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra (Annie Mac, DJ Target, Jamz Supernova, Kenny Allstar).
LONTALIUS (NZ)
Lontalius is Eddie Johnston, New Zealand born. He moved to LA to work with Grammy award winning producer Om’Mas Keith (Frank Ocean, John Legend, Jay-Z) and Jim Fairchild (Modest Mouse and Grandaddy) and Mr Hudson and released his 2019 album ‘All I Have’. With 20 million artist streams, headline shows and a new album are planned for 2020.
MICHAEL MALARKEY (UK/US)
The multi-talented singer-songwriter-actor released his second album ‘Graveracer’ in January 2020, alongside his extensive UK and European tour. Best known as the charismatic Enzo in the television series The Vampire Diaries and Captain Michael Quinn in Robert Zemeckis’ executively produced Project Blue Book. The British-American has simultaneously cultivated a body of work that established him as a distinctive and captivating crossover talent, winning over audiences in both the music and acting arenas.
THE HEMPOLICS (UK)
The Hempolics return with their sophomore effort after 2017’s ‘Kiss, Cuddle and Torture Volume 1’ - which garnered support across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra Radio 2 and 6 Music, with an ‘Album of the Year’ nod from the latter. The album is a return to their infectious blend of Reggae, Hip-Hop, Soul, Dancehall and Pop. Confirmed for West Holts Stage at Glastonbury 2020.
ICON FOR HIRE (US)
Modern Rocks biggest kept secret, a band poised to export their sound to the global stage. +120,000 units worldwide and +300 million streams across all platforms, 2019 saw a 26 date coast to coast US Tour and three hit singles released with ‘Venom’ (+2 million streams) talking of revenge, Hollow (over 1 million streams) which spoke of mental health issues and ‘Blindside’ - about huge feeling of anticipation and refusing to be held back. New music, world tours scheduled and talks of world domination, this sleeping-giant of a band are setting the mission statement for 2020 - you won't miss Icon For Hire in 2020.
VUKOVI (UK)
Their new album Fall Better released in January 2020, recorded with long-term collaborator Bruce Rintoul (Twin Atlantic + Fatherson), ‘Fall Better’ featured as a 4/5 lead album review in Kerrang! prior to release following consistent strong support from the magazine and took the Number spot in UK’s Rock & Metal Chart.
LAURA OAKES (UK)
The British Country Music award winner returned with a new single ‘Learn To Be Lonely Again’, ahead of her PRS funded as yet unannounced 2020 EP releasing March 20. The single was added to BBC Radio 2’s playlist. Laura played Nashville Nights in London in February before a March UK headline tour. Support from Country Hits Radio as Country Champion of the Week and Bob Harris on Radio 2.
LIZ LAWRENCE (UK)
Liz Lawrence’s second album ‘Pity Party’ released 25th October 2019. The tracks ‘None Of My Friends’ and ‘USP’ hit the B List @ BBC 6 Music after extensive Lauren Laverne and Huw Stephens support. 2020 live plot includes Bombay Bicycle Club UK/IE tour (inc. 2x Alexandra Palace in London) and a full band UK headline tour. Liz is confirmed for SXSW 2020. New, unreleased music coming Q1 2020.
MARSICANS (UK)
Rising stars Marsicans released their new single ‘Can I Stay Here Forever (part. ii)’ at the end of January. The forthcoming album ‘Ursa Major’ is releasing May 22, produced by Grammy winners Fernando Lodeiro and Joe LaPorta. The band headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading & Leeds 2019 and are confirmed for SXSW 2020. Notable supports with Kaiser Chiefs, Feeder and Foals. Support from BBC Radio 1 (Annie Mac, Jack Saunders, Huw Stephens, BBC Intro weekly playlist) and Radio X.
HEBE (NL)
HEBE, Amsterdam’s emerging songstress released her new single ‘Out of Sight’ in February. Her previous EPs The Beginning (2015) and Tell Me (2017) have collectively racked up over a million streams and gained attention through The 405, Noisey (Vice) and Keep it Underground.
PEGGY SUE (UK)
Previously signed to renowned indie labels Yep-Roc (USA) and Wichita Recordings (UK/ROW), Peggy Sue are now a fully independent duo. The band have supported the likes Mumford & Sons, The Maccabees, First Aid Kit, Kate Nash, and Jack White. Their new album ‘Vices’ released on February 21. Their recent single ‘Motorcade’ was B Listed at 6 Music. Full UK tour in March/April 2020.
THE PROTOTYPES (UK)
Award Winning International DJ and Producers, The Prototypes release their third album in May 2020. The two-piece Brighton based Drum and Bass group previously signed to tastemaker label ‘Viper Recordings’ have received huge support from Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Andy C, Roni Size, Friction, J Majik & Wickaman, Pendulum, and DJ Fresh. With new music and Global tours across the US, Australia, NZ, South Africa and Japan, they are set to make 2020 their biggest year yet.
RUBOD & STROUDINSKY (UK/US)
2019 was a plentiful year for the electronic/classical crossover duo: +1.3M streams, nominations for international short-film/music video awards, collaborations with Grammy winner Will Harvey from the Parallax Orchestra, Vimeo Staff Pick selection, a feature at the SFO Museum etc. 2020 will see them push their creativity to new heights with new music to be released from Q2.
ROCH (UK)
ROCH, 24 year old London based Kate Miller teamed up with producer Ben Christophers (Bat For Lashes) to create her debut album ‘Via Media’ due for release in March 2020. Otherworldly, romantic, challenging, her song writing and production brings together lucid synths, electronics, reverb-laden drums + enchanting guitar passages, complimented beautifully by her chilling vocals. Supported by the likes of Pigeons & Planes, The Line Of Best Fit, The Sunday Times.
RUBEN POL (NL)
Discovered as a runway model when he was 17 years old, Ruben has shifted focus to his musical career. His first 2019 single ‘too late’, was released in July and became a certified streaming gem accumulating +3M streams. Ruben put out his new track ‘Painting Mirrors’ at the end of November which has had a great response internationally.
KIERAN CONAWAY (US)
A contemporary of Grammy-nominated Maggie Rogers at NYU where the two collaborated on early compositions. Inspired by Nordic folk, ‘Norway’ released January 2020 explored some of the alt guitar tuning that Kieran developed during his time at NYU to deliver an amped up version of the genre shimmering with bright overtones is set to release his stunning debut album in 2020.
ALEXA CASINO (NZ)
Wellington based artist Alexa Casino released ‘Die Like A Rose', her first single of 2019 with ‘Imugi’ which hit number 1 on the bFM charts and has over 40,000 streams. Experimental, genre-bending production with influences of Britney Spears’ ‘Blackout’ album and Kanye Yeezus and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
CIARAN LAVERY (UK)
Award winning, multi-million steaming Ciaran Lavery returns with new music in 2020. ‘Can I Begin Again?’ is the first single from the album and is a ‘song is for anyone, who either in their personal or professional life, have spent too long servicing the needs of others, putting their own thoughts and feelings second,” says Ciaran. Ciaran’s previous record’s have received critical acclaim from press worldwide, including Billboard, Irish Times, Q Magazine, Huffington Post and The Telegraph, who described it as a “record full of emotions and honesty.” He’s also been supported from Zane Lowe, Huw Stephens and BBC Radio 2 and 4 and has reached over 100 million combined streams from his previous three albums and has included a live Spotify Session. He is also supporting Boy & Bear on their upcoming UK and EU tour.
