WHEELS 2.0 GETS A “SUGAR” RUSH

By Jesse Beer-Dietz

The latest edition of Wheels is packed with some exceptional emerging talent. Let me know your thoughts, good, bad or indifferent—and keep feedin’ the inbox: [email protected]

SPOTLIGHT
Connie Lim (www.myspace.com/connielim): This 24-year-old singer/songwriter from L.A. is fueled by young spirit and old soul. Lim pens music she calls “retrotronica”—old-school songwriting backed by an electronica sentiment. From the moment we put her CD in the stereo, we were absolutely blown away by her voice, a blend of Sarah McLachlan and Bjork. Connie has performed at numerous venues including The Viper Room, Hotel Café, House of Blues and the Shrine Auditorium, sharing the stage with such artists as Goapele and Colby O’Donis. We recommend that you go to her MySpace page and check out “Sugar” and “Now.” Also, take a look at the incredible video she did for “Sugar” here. We believe talent like Connie’s is rare, and that she’s a real find. Let us know if you agree.

BUZZIN’
The Beautiful Bodies (www.myspace.com/thebeautifulbodies): One the biggest unsigned stories of the moment is emerging from Kansas City. Fronted by the gorgeous and charismatic presence known as Alicia Solo, nee Alicia Solombrino, the band has been described as a cross between the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and No Doubt. Current single "You're a Risk" has been Top 5 phones at Modern Rock station KRBZ since they added it in August, following the band's impressive turn as the second stage headliner for the station's Buzz Beach Ball. The song has been selling almost 200 copies/week on iTunes from this airplay, and KRBZ has also invited the band to play the station's Xmas show in December, opening for My Chemical Romance. A busy tour schedule hasn't precluded guitarist Thomas Becker (a Harvard Law graduate) from spending time in Miami, where he is representing victims of a Bolivian massacre in a civil lawsuit against the country's former president. Read more here. And check out the band's MySpace page to hear "You're a Risk" and other tracks. Contact: [email protected].

ON THE RADAR
CB7 (www.myspace.com/cb7music): Stemming from the electronic music global-underground scene, CB7 took shape when multi-instrumentalist/frontman Antoine Becks met Shannon Leto of Thirty Seconds to Mars. Together, they spent two years working on the project, which is now ready to see the light of day.

Imaginary Friend (www.myspace.com/imaginaryfriendmusic), an intriguing singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, is on tour now with Kina Grannis.