Hear us now: 10 rising music stars for 2006

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >

Pop heartthrob: Teddy Geiger
Teddy Geiger’s debut album, “Underage Thinking,” does not come out until Feb. 28 on Columbia Records, but the 17-year-old from Rochester, N.Y., is already poised to be everyone’s next musical sweetheart. His songwriting and guitar work are drawing comparisons to a teenage John Mayer for good reason. Geiger’s tunes are full of smart -- but not precocious -- lyrics and catchy melodies. First single “For You I Will (Confidence)” goes to radio this month.

Producer/songwriter Billy Mann discovered the self-taught musician during auditions for VH1’s “In Search of the New Partridge Family.” Geiger did not land the coveted role of Keith Partridge, but got something much better: a recording contract.

In the meantime, Geiger, who was featured in Teen People’s ”What’s Next” issue, has found another vehicle to make him a TV personality. He has a recurring role as a rising young pop star in the new CBS series “Love Monkey.” The dramedy, which stars Tom Cavanaugh and Jason Priestley, debuts Jan. 17. The initial episodes will feature a number of Geiger’s songs.

Story continues below ↓

The singer is also scheduled to appear on “CBS Saturday Morning” Jan. 28.

Opera: Anja Harteros
In the opera world, the focus is on rising 32-year-old German soprano Anja Harteros.

Winner of the 1999 Singer of the World competition in Cardiff, Wales -- a prize given in other years to such singers as Karita Mattila and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who have achieved international success -- Harteros has gone on to sing at the Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival and the Metropolitan Opera, where she made her debut in the 2003-04 season. She has remained a hidden gem, but that is all about to change.

Last month, Harteros went into the studio to record a disc of Mozart opera and concert arias (plus Haydn’s ’Scena Di Berenice”) with the Vienna Symphony and conductor Pinchas Steinberg. Her debut album is slated for release on RCA Red Seal this summer.

Latin: Jeremias
In December, Venezuelan singer/songwriter Jeremias played an impromptu show at the offices of his label, Universal Music Latino. Armed only with an acoustic guitar, he showcased his compelling voice -- reminiscent of Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquin Sabina -- strong melodies and beautifully crafted, often witty lyrics. (One song was about a man who catches his wife and best friend in a compromising situation.)

Those were the elements that led Universal to sign Jeremias, whose real name is Carlos Eduardo Lopez Avila. The label, which believes his songs will strike a chord with a broad audience, has made the singer a priority for 2006.

Prior to Universal, Jeremias had minor success with his self-titled debut on indie Avila Records.

This month, Jeremias’ first single, “Uno Y Uno,” will ship to radio simultaneously in the United States and Latin America. His as-yet-untitled album is due in the first quarter.

Dance: Mylo
Dance music execs are always searching for an artist that they can respectfully cross over, one that can satisfy the expectations of dance fans and a pop audience. In Mylo, they get both.

Mylo, a.k.a. Myles MacInnes, creates original music that merges dance’s reigning electro sound with rock and pop, sometimes literally. His biggest overseas hit is a fully licensed mash-up of Miami Sound Machine’s puffy “Doctor Beat” and his own bleepy “Drop the Pressure.” Expect it to do some damage on the Hot Dance Club Play chart upon its U.S. release.

The Scotsman’s debut album, cheekily titled “Destroy Rock’n’Roll,” is already a grass-roots smash in the United Kingdom, having sold close to 300,000 units on Mylo’s own Breastfed label. Those numbers prompted major-label interest stateside, and Breastfed/RCA will release “Destroy” Feb. 7 in the United States. If Europe is any indicator, potential for sales is great.

A conceptual cousin to Madonna producer Stuart Price (a.k.a. electronic artist Les Rythmes Digitales) and LCD Soundsystem frontman/DFA co-founder James Murphy, Mylo mixes formats as well as genres. He tours as a DJ, but also has a full live band, which he will take on the road in the United States.

CONTINUED: Red-hot R&B

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >

Discuss Story On Newsvine
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh
Email
Instant Message
Print