Orianthi

It was a dream come true. Orianthi was handpicked to join Michael Jackson on his “This Is It” comeback tour as the lead guitarist. As she attended rehearsals, practicing songs she grew up listening to, she could only imagine what the real shows would be like. Grinding her axe in front of hundreds of thousands nightly at the O2 Arena in London. Jamming right next to the legendary King of Pop. It was an honor only few are lucky enough to experience, and here, at only 24 years old, Orianthi was about to do it.

June 25, 2009 came. Michael slipped away from the world unexpectedly, and Orianthi’s dream gig was no more.

A huge opportunity was lost, but it wouldn’t be the first for the blonde Aussie, who not only plays a mean guitar, but is also a brilliant singer. She was discovered by guitar god Carlos Santana and played along side ZZ Top and Prince, before stealing the spotlight at the 51st annual Grammy Awards with Carrie Underwood.

This fall will be an exceptional one for Orianthi. She’ll be heavily featured in Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” concert documentary on October 28, and a day earlier she’ll release her debut album, Believe. The set is led by her first single “According To You.” It’s Alanis Morissette meets Slash — the lyrics are sensitive and cool, but the instrumental packs a fierce punch as it’s blanketed by lush guitar rifts throughout.

So, yes, fate snatched a huge opportunity from Orianthi, but with the extraordinary talents she possesses, it most certainly will not be the last.

Visit: Orianthi’s Official Website to hear “According To You”

Watch: Orianthi jams with Michael Jackson

Watch: Orianthi Performs “We Are The World” At Michael Jackson’s Memorial

Watch: Orianthi plays the Grammys with Carrie Underwood

Hal Linton

If the sunny island of Barbados can churn out kick-ass female talents like Livvi Franc, Shontelle, and, of course, Rihanna, then it has to have some top notch testosterone carrying crooners just lurking around, waiting to break into the spotlight, right? Damn right. His name is Hal Linton.

Growing up with two passionate and classically trained musicians as parents helped Hal form his love of music early on. Unlike many homes in the West Indies where reggae is king, Linton was exposed to a bevy of genres from classical to opera and artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Al Green.

It’s these soul influences he took to heart when he decided to bail on a full scholarship to attend film school and move to New York to focus his energies on a career in music. The self-taught pianist, guitarist and singer soon caught the attention of Sylvia Rhone, head of Universal Motown, thanks to a little help from Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers of SRP Records.

With his record deal set, Linton is putting the finishing touches on his debut album, while amazing every ear his music crosses paths with along the way. Songs like the infectious “Lock My Heart Down” and first single “She’s Dangerous (Bang Bang)” finds Linton brewing a potent mix of neo-soul, jazz, and pop, garnering him comparisons with troubadours like Maxwell and D’Angelo.

Hal Linton is more than a singer/songwriter for the moment; he’s a talent promised to leave an indelible mark on music who’s certain to lock our hearts down for years to come.

Listen: “She’s Dangerous (Bang Bang)”

Watch: Hal building a track in the studio

Watch: Hal Linton duets with India.Arie

I bet you had no idea Drake wasn’t the only star from the hit Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation making music. In fact, that place is like a less annoying version of Disney pumping out musicians with music that doesn’t make you want to chop your head off in annoyance (no offense to the Disney kids with actual talent). One of the first to make the leap from small screen to recording studio is Cassie Steele aka the uber-hot Manny Santos.

The 19-year-old released her debut album How Much For Happy independently in 2005. The album was completely the opposite of what fans were expecting from Steele. A bit dark and bordering on disturbing, How Much For Happy served up a delicious platter of rock and goth-pop.

One of the clear standouts from the album is the grungy “Blue Bird,” a tale about feeling free no matter how you achieve the feeling. “I talk to blue bird/she said ‘Why walk when you can fly?’/she told me, “Baby, life tastes better when you’re high,” she sings in her mature, sultry voice.

She’ll release the follow-up to Happy, Destructo Doll, on July 21.

Destructo Doll is another eclectic offering from the Toronto native. Much like her debut, Steele showcases her darker side like in the devious lead single “Mr. Colson,” but dishes up some welcomed lighter moments like the breezy, calypso-kissed “Summer Nights.” Cassie might be a little bit bipolar musically, but that’s exactly why she rocks.

Visit Cassie’s Myspace page to learn more. Check out the video for “Mr. Colson” and listen to “Summer Nights” and “Blue Bird” below.

Listen to Summer Nights

Listen to Blue Bird

Score another point for Barbados. The small Caribbean island that many people never even heard of until recent years is fast becoming the place to find superior female pop talent.

First there was megastar Rihanna, the modelesque beauty with the unmistakable voice and insane sense of style. Then came Shontelle, the versatile chanteuse that had us all dying to get wrapped up in our boyfriends’ T-Shirt last Fall. And soon everyone will know Livvi Franc.

The 21-year-old Bajan-by-way-of-Britain beauty, born Olivia Charlotte Waithe, pretty much grew up preparing for stardom. She performed in school talent shows and pageants, began writing songs at age 11, and started playing guitar at age 15. All of these skills came in handy when Franc started putting together her debut album, Underground Sunshine, set for release this summer on Jive Records.

Perhaps fully aware that Livvi will make a major musical splash, some of pop music’s elite have signed on to help boost Underground Sunshine like songwriter Toby Gad (Beyonce, Fergie) JR Rotem (Britney Spears, Rihanna), and RedOne (Lady GaGa).

Livvi has a sound that’s hard to categorize — and she wouldn’t want it any other way. One minute she’s a care-free island girl mixing her Caribbean influences with a bit of bluegrass on her UK debut single, “Free.” The next she’s using her Nelly Furtado-ish voice to coo confidently on a take-no-prisoners club banger for her US debut “Now I’m That B.I.T.C.H.” That track currently sits at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart indicating the US is ready to welcome Livvi’s unique sound with open ears and dancing feet.

Learn more about Livvi Franc in this Limelight Spotlight Q&A:

You’re from Barbados, so of course there will be comparisons to other Bajan female artists like Shontelle and Rihanna. How have you prepared yourself for that and what do you think is the biggest difference between you three?

I find it quite a compliment to be compared to both Rihanna and Shontelle!  They are talented and beautiful! I think people will see the differences between us once my music is out.

How did you go from island girl to the next big thing on Jive Records?

Next big thing? Wow! I like that title! Hmmm… Lots of hard work, a great team and more hard work! No, seriously, having a unique sound that is still commercially viable is a massive plus.

When you first came to America, what was the biggest difference from Barbados (besides the weather!)?

VARIETY! I was overwhelmed by the wide selection of fruits, veggies, movies, books and music, etc!

Your first single in the US (Now I’m That B.I.T.C.H.) and in the UK (Free) are so different sonically. It’s hard to gage which direction your album will go in. Any insight on what the set will sound like?

That contradiction is the essence of Livvi Franc! I am idealistic and a dreamer one minute and a Bajan in total control of herself the next.  But for the record, I am a pop artist. My music will, for the most part, make you wanna move!

Was it important for you to kind of break out of the typical “island” sound and jump right into pop music?

I am proud of my Caribbean heritage and my goal was to fuse it in a fresh way into my pop sound.  I think I managed to do that. Listening to my album will take you to the beaches of the Barbados via NYC, LA and London! [laughs]

What did you listen to growing up and how did you form your sound?

Katie Melua, Eva Cassidy, Etta James, Nelly Furtado, Lauryn Hill, The Cranberries. These artists all taught me to embrace my uniqueness.

We are completely in love with your duet with Marié Digby, “Overboard.” How did that collaboration come about?

My publisher-Sony ATV (Rich Christina) set that up.  Marié is such a cool person! We had a great time writing and hanging out.  Frankie Storm also wrote on that song.  I love her!

Songwriter Toby Gad seems certain you will be the next big superstar. What was it like working with a man who’s work with some of the biggest names in the industry on your debut?

Toby Gad is just amazing and super talented! I had the best writing experience with him. He was the first producer in the US I ever worked with! I look forward to working with him again in the near future!

If we stole your iPod and threatened to delete every song except for 5 of them (because we’re incredibly mean that way), which 5 songs would you save?

I’m Like A Bird – Nelly Furtado
Ex-Factor- Lauryn Hill
By Your Side- Sade
No Other Like Jah – Sizzla
Paper Planes – M.I.A

You have some pretty epic labelmates at Jive. Anyone you’d love to sit down with and pick their brain for tips on the music business?

Hmmm. Always been asked about possible collaborations…never this before! Hmmm… Justin Timberlake. Yeah, the same artist I’d love to work with.

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Find out more about Livvi Franc by visiting her Myspace: www.myspace.com/livvifranc

Listen to Now I’m That B.I.T.C.H.

Watch the video for Free

Listen to Lovey Dovey

What’s the perfect way to enter the world of teen Pop/Rock? With a one-two punch! 15-year-old Tiffany Giardina did just that when she debuted not one, but two songs on the soundtrack to the popular DVD Another Cinderella Story–that just happens to star Disney teen royalty Selena Gomez. Not a bad way to make an introduction.

Tiffany is certainly not your average 15-year-old. While most teens are home dreaming of becoming the next big superstar, Tiffany is busy making that dream a reality. So it seems rather fitting that she named her debut album No Average Angel.

Learn more about Tiffany and her debut album in this Limelight Spotlight Q&A:

You landed two songs on the soundtrack to the Selena Gomez/Drew Seeley lead movie “Another Cinderella Story.” How’d you score the gig?

That was an amazing experience. 785 Records has good relationships in the industry. Mark & Denise had a meeting with Darren Higman from WB Pictures and played them some of my music. They really loved “No Average Angel” and asked for a meeting with me. That’s where “Hurry Up and Save Me” came to be. They played me the song and I loved it. We pretty much went into the studio right away and recorded it. I think it turned out great.

You’re making quite a name for yourself at only 15-years-old! Super impressive! How does it feel to officially be a role model for millions of girls out there?

I realize I have accomplished a lot in such a short amount of time, but my journey has just really begun. I love what I do and hope it shows in my work. I never really thought about being a role model, but I do live my life in a positive way.

Your album has a very Pop/Rock sound…not the bubble gum music one might expect from someone so young. Who or what influenced the sound of your album?

Mark Eichner, the President of 785 Records, had an musical influence on me. He had a vision for me that we both believed in. We listen to a lot of music together such as Pat Benatar, The Ramones, The Clash, and it opened up a whole new world for me.

Lets talk those cover songs! You covered Mandy Moore’s Candy. How’d that come about? Are you a fan of the original?

Denise Rich (Songwriter) who co-wrote “Candy” and is the Co-Owner of 785, had me listen to “Candy”. I really liked the song, so we did more of a rock version, and it turned out amazing. The response from it has been great, everyone gets up and rocks when I perform.

And then there’s the cover of The Bangles classic, Eternal Flame. Were you afraid re-recording such a recognizable song would cause some sort of backlash?

Not really. I did not realize at the time of the recording that it was such a legend of a song. I’m just glad that it turned out so well. I really enjoyed recording the song.

You’re home on Sunday and can only pick one of these shows to watch: Sonny with a Chance, Wizards of Waverly Place and Hannah Montana…which do you pick?

I really admire all the actress’s of these shows, but I would have to say Wizards, because the setting is in New York City and thats where I’m from.

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To learn more about Tiffany Giardina, visit her official Myspace page: www.myspace.com/tiffanygiardina

Her debut album No Average Angel is in stores now.

See the video for her single Hurry Up And Save Me here.

25-year-old Melanie Fiona is not your average modern day R&B star. In a world where auto-tune rules and wearing the hottest new Louboutin boots makes you a huge star, Melanie emerges as one of those rare gems that will shine on her enormous talent alone–OK, so it doesn’t hurt that the Canadian-born Fiona is also drop-dead-gorgeous.

Melanie decided to name her debut album The Bridge. She chose the title because much of the album’s sound blends many different genres together to make one harmonious finishing product.

Pop meets traditional R&B on her first single “Give It To Me Right,” which samples The Zombie’s 1960s hit “Time of the Season.” Her sultry voice is self-assured as she tells a lover to satisfy her or get to steppin’.

Her Caribbean roots (Guyanese to be exact) meet soul on “Somebody Come Get Me,” where she pulls a page from Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows” handbook but takes it a step further. “Somebody come get me before I kill this man/Somebody come get me/Come get this knife out me hand.” Sheesh! Don’t play with Melanie.

Fiona’s peers are already starting to take notice. She was handpicked to open for Kanye West on his European tour last fall by the man himself and ?uestlove of The Roots says she is “the best of both worlds.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Find out more about Melanie Fiona in our Limelight Spotlight Q&A:

Who knew The Zombie’s “Time of the Season” would make such a great R&B backdrop. Whose idea was it to sample the song?

As much as I would love it to have been me…it was the very talented and amazing writer and producer of the song, Andrea Martin.

When did you start singing? When did you decide this was the career for you?

I’ve been singing since the age of 3… I think I always knew it was what I wanted to do with my life, but didn’t really get into the industry side of things till my senior year in highschool.

Who were your musical influences growing up?

My parents were a huge influence in my choice of music. My dad played guitar in a reggae soca soul band, and my mom would sing along with the most singers of the time. I listened to a lot of oldies… Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline, Bob Marley, and Whitney Houston to name a few.

Who are you listening to nowadays?

I’m kinda stuck on listening to my favourite artists and albums over and over…. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is one I can never get sick of. Anything by India Arie, Musiq Soulchild, Amy Winehouse. I’ve also been listening to a lot of 90’s hip hop!

What was it like touring with Kanye West? Did Mr. 808s and Heartbreak give you any advice about the business?

Being on tour with Kanye was the best experience. I had an amazing time and learned so much from watching him perform night after night. Aside from taking notes, he gave me some great tips on how to put on amazing show, and what it really takes to have people remember you on stage. Priceless information!!!

Are there any collaborations we can look forward to on your album, The Bridge?

Nope. As of right now, its just me! But I’m sure there will be some collabo remixes in the future.

Besides music, what are some other talents you posses?

Many people might not guess, but I like sports…I played almost every sport growing up, so I like watching and participating. I even took up boxing for 8 months!

I’m also pretty good at dominoes…it runs in my family.

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For more on Melanie Fiona, check out her official Myspace page: www.myspace.com/melaniefiona

Her new single, “Give It To Me Right,” is available on iTunes now.

Her debut album, The Bridge, hits stores early summer 2009.

Check out a video from her showcase at the Canal Room in New York and listen to “Give It To Me Right” on the other side.

The teen music scene is crowded with new budding stars. Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, and Demi Lovato all spring to mind when you think of what’s hot in teen pop. But they’re all about to fade into the background–or at least they’ll want to out of sheer intimidation–when Australian-born Gabriella Cilmi hits the US.

While most of her peers look to Mariah Carey or Britney Spears for inspiration, 17-year-old Cilmi (pronounced Chill-Me) counts Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, and Cat Stevens as her major influences–and it shows. Her sultry, powerful voice belies her tender age. One minute it’s sweet and pure, the next it fractures with soul and passion. It’s no wonder why she’s being compared to a young (sober and drug-free!) Amy Winehouse.

Her mix of pop, rock, and soul is already gaining Gabriella a huge following in her native Australia and in the UK. Just this year she swept the ARIA (Australia Recording Industry Association) Awards, winning six awards for her debut album Lessons To Be Learned. The album features the very Winehouse-like first single, the insanely catchy “Sweet About Me,” and the majestic “Sanctuary.”

America will get a chance to fall in love with this Aussie treasure in March of 2009 when Lessons to Be Learned is released stateside. Get to know Gabriella now; she’s sure to be one of the most promising new artists of ‘09. Even though she says there’s “nothing sweet about me” in her hit single, a young artist with this much talent is pretty damn sweet.

Sweet About Me

Watch the video for “Sanctuary”

Visit Gabriella’s official myspace page

She grew up singing and dancing on the small Caribbean island of Barbados. She was discovered by famed record producers Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken who helped get her heard by the big wigs at Universal Music. Sound familiar? It should, but if you think this is Rihanna’s story, you’re wrong. Meet Shontelle.

Shontelle’s story may sound a bit like Rihanna’s but don’t for a second think you’ve stumbled onto Rihanna 2.0. The 23-year-old brown-haired, hazel-eyed beauty is not only a talented singer with a tender voice and striking good looks, she’s also a versitile songwriter with a penchant for writing songs that inspire women to stand strong–and inspire them to get on the dancefloor.

She attended the University of the West Indies with a major in Entertainment Law, but her law degree was put on the back-burner when the bright lights of a pop career came calling when Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken of SRP Records heard her song “Roll” (which also features vocals from that other Bajan pop princess) on a Barbadian radio station. Impressed with Shontelle’s writing prowess, they sought the young writer out. When they found her they knew they’d struck gold–possibly platinum–again.

Not long after, SRC Records and Universal Motown got on board and they began work on Shontelle’s debut album, Shontelligence. The album is a musical potluck that fuses her caribbean influences with R&B and Pop. From the dancehall/reggae flavored “Naughty” featuring Beenie Man to the breezy r&b/pop “T-Shirt“ (which currently sits at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and rising), Shontelle is ready to prove that she’s an artist that can stand on her own merits–she’s no one’s continuation.

Learn more about Shontelle at her myspace page, hear two tracks from Shontelligence, “Battle Cry” and “Superwoman,” and watch the video for her US debut single, “T-shirt” on the other side.

Jive Records has found the recipe for the perfect modern day female rocker in their newest it-girl. Add one part Stevie Nicks, another part Melissa Etheridge and add a pinch of Kelly Clarkson to sweeten the taste for the pop market. Blend it all together and you’ll get Lesley Roy.

The 21-year-old blonde-haired rocker grew up in Dublin, Ireland honing her musical chops with the influence of her mother who performed in wedding bands. Her piercing blue-eyes look like they have stories for days–probably because they do. She’s been playing guitar since she was 10-years-old and writing songs since she was 14-years-old, so there’s no wonder why when she started working on her debut album, Unbeautiful, it took two full years to finish. Hey, you can’t rush a masterpiece.

The album features production from pop’s go-to-guy Max Martin (Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Nsync), and co-writing help from some of the industry’s elite like Desmond Child,Dave Hodges, Brian Howes, and the girl who ruled the summer of 2008, Katy Perry on stand-out “Slow Goodbye.”

At the forefront of the album are Roy’s bold, deeply personal lyrics that span the gamut of relationship issues. She covers love (”Here For You Now“), loss (”Crushed” “Dead But Breathing“), infatuation (”When I Look At You“), and pay back (”Psycho Bitch“) with a keen sense of pop melody all colored in her powerful, raspy voice that recalls a young Melissa Etheridge. Her first single “I’m Gone, I’m Going,” introduced to the world Roy’s talent for telling a strong story without hampering the radio-friendly production.

Listen to the title-track, “Unbeautiful”

Watch the video for “I’m Gone, I’m Going”

Discover Lesley Roy this fall when her album hits stores September 30.

You can win an autographed copy of Lesley’s new album, Unbeautiful, and an autographed 8×10 photo (like the lead photo) by simply leaving a comment on this spotlight using a valid email address. The contest is open to everyone, everywhere so get those comments in! The contest will close Friday, October 3.

Go. Comment. Now!

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Erin McCarley is being very misleading in the title track for her album Love, Save the Empty, being released on Universal Republic this fall. In the very first line she sings: “Little girls don’t know how to be sweet girls/Momma didn’t teach me,” When, in fact, she was raised in a happy home with both parents present. She and her older sister attended dance classes and enjoyed singing in choir. Her childhood was so happy that she says it gave her a very unrealistic view of the world.

Though misleading, McCarley is immensely convincing singing about the effects a lack of parental influence can have on a child. “Face down on top of your bed/ oh why did I give it up to you?” She shows the true strength of her songwriting by capturing a world she may not know personally but you’d never know that by listening. She credits her musical influences like Patty Griffin and Fiona Apple for helping to inspire and shape her writing. Not only does the lyric need to be good, but the delivery must be just as good. ”I get one line into one of their songs and I have to stop and write my own,” she says, “Their lyrics are that much more powerful because of the way they sing them.”

The slightly dark nature of some of her songs come across light and airy thanks to production by her partner in musical crime Jamie Kenney, who she met in San Diego when she moved from her native of Garland, Texas after graduating from college. Together, they carved out McCarley’s insanely melodic debut album. Her first single, “Pony (It’s OK),” uses her crafty songwriting and sultry voice, reminiscent of Norah Jones, to introduce the gifted ingenue to the world.

She blew the crowd away at SXSW this year and now you’ll get the chance to see what the industry is buzzing about. Erin will be traveling the country on the Hotel Cafe tour this fall. Check out the dates below:

Oct 9 2008 8:00P SoHo Restaurant Santa Barbara, California
Oct 10 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Los Angeles, California
Oct 11 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – House of Blues Anaheim, California
Oct 13 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Belly Up Solana Beach, California
Oct 14 2008 8:00P Martini Ranch Phoenix, Arizona
Oct 16 2008 8:00P House of Blues Dallas, Texas
Oct 17 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – The Parish Room Austin, Texas
Oct 18 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Meridian Red Room Houston, Texas
Oct 20 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Work/Play Birmingham, Alabama
Oct 21 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Exit/In Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 22 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 23 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Common Grounds Gainesville, Florida
Oct 25 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Social Orlando, Florida
Oct 27 2008 8:00P Hotel Cafe Tour – Cat¹s Cradle Charlotte, North Carolina

Check out “Pony (It’s OK)” below: