Calvin Harris

Scottish music producer, artist, and deejay Calvin Harris was only 22 when his first major-label album was dropped.

Born in January 1984, this guy is the same age as me!  He became interested in electronic music very early, and was recording demos in his bedroom by 1999.  He went from posting his 'electroclash' music on MySpace to signing with a multinational record label almost instantaneously.  In 2006, an Artists & Reportoire delegate heard his music, contacted him, and immediately signed him to a major label.

His debut album, entitled 'I Created Disco' was released the following year and featured two top-10 hits.  Soon enough, he was remixing works by Jamiroquai, All Saints, and the Brazilian new rave sensation, CSS.   A collaboration between him and Dizzee Rascal hit #1 in the U.K.  He continues to pump out #1 hits, with songs like "I'm Not Alone" and "Acceptable in the 80's".

He already has multiple number 1 hits, and is becoming more and more prominent every year.  His songs exemplify colorful disco and electronic influences with a modern r&b styling.  His vocal work features very soothing, yet powerful tonalities with excellent vocal harmonies and melodic phrasing.

La Roux

Fiery haired and French Elly Jackson is the daughter of Actress Trudie Goodwin.  She is one half of the synth-pop project "La Roux" (the red-haired one).

As a child, she was a fan of folk music artists like Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake, from which she drew much inspiration for her earlier work.  As she grew and developed her music, her sound began to evolve into a more electronic brand.

In 2006, she began working with keyboardist and music producer Ben Langmaid.

Their debut single, "Quicksand" was released in 2008, and instantly became a hit, earning the band much acclaim in the U.K.  The next spring, their second single "In for the Kill" debuted at number 11, and their third single, "Bulletproof", debuted at number 1!

Though her sound continues to evolve and change paces, the headnodic beats of their first, self-titled album is renowned for its 80's influence, danceable beats, and ambiguous storytelling.  Her entire album is great; the celerity of her songs are overall very appealing and receptive, while maintaining a pace with which many artists can't parallel.

Many artists have remixed this song.  The Skream remix has made it a dub step classic, and was used in the 2010 trailer for the Sega console game Bayonetta.

Sam Sparro

Sam Sparro is an electro-funk music producer from Australia.  He is signed to the British Island Records, and is also a child actor.  Gospel-trained vocals and multi-instrumental, his songs are danceable,  state-of-the-art productions.  His sound is said to compare with that of Prince, Jamiroquai, and the Gap Band.

In 2002, while working in a coffee shop, he wrote his hit single "Black and Gold".  His songs feature disco influences, and like most of the songs I post here, feature soothing melodic phrasing and a subtle use of vocal harmonies, with a modern rhythm and blues styling.   I guess that's my style.

 
He released a six-track EP in 2007, and a self-titled record in 2008 after signing with British Island Records.  I would call this 'flamboyant, gangster electronica'.  But, regardless of labels, this song rocks.  Check out his Black and Gold video!  It's awesome!

The Knife

The Knife, a popular music duo from Sweden, was forged in 1999.  The two siblings, singer Karin Andersson and brother Olof Dreijer own a record company called Rabid Records.

The band transcends many genres, including a lot of experimental electronic, synthpop, and ambient 'trip-hop'.  Many of their songs feature new age influences and extensive vamping, with soothing, melodic phrasing.  They take inspiration from vintage synth pop and avant-garde sounds that are just as sinister as they are pleasing.

They were brought to the international stage with their song 'Heartbeats', which appeared in a Sony commercial.  Several of their songs have since appeared on television shows and commercials.  In 2006, they released their critically acclaimed Silent Shout album, and have won several Swedish Grammis (to which they refuse to attend the award ceremony).

They have both done solo projects since, but rumors hint towards an upcoming project which may or may not already be in the works!