RADARFREE DOWNLOADS! GET OUT ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR THE SUMMER FESTIVALS!

LIVE : MUSICWWW,RADAR.COM

GABRIELLECRYSTAL CASTLES // JAMES BLAKE // // THE DRUMS // ADELE // LISSIE // I BLAME COCO

THE OUTRAGEOUS NEW VOICE EXPOSES HER MUSICAL AMBITIONS

WE BEGIN OUR WHO TO WATCH IN 2011, WITH:

ISSU

E 85

- J

anua

ry 2

011

US

$5.9

9U

K -

£2.5

0

CLAIRE MAGUIREON HER DEBUT TO STARDOM

+ EXCLUSIVE:WE SPEAK TO THE XX’S JAMIE

Who to watch in 2011

GabrielleI have no objection to new talent being discovered, but we have to be careful to focus on whats really important. “Manufactured” bands and\or artists will find it hard to survive in this industry unless they have creativity, raw talent and a degree of independence.

Do you think the public are fickle when it comes to new artists? No way. The public are hon-est and loyal. I have people coming to my shows who have been following me since I first began performing – without their loyalty and commitment my career could have ended be-fore it could even begin.

You recently supported Bat for Lashes. What was that like? I am totally in awe of Natasha Khan. She has such a unique quality to her voice and is not afraid to explor I have no ob-jection to new talent being discovered, but we have to be careful to focus on whats really important. “Manufactured” bands and\or artists will find it hard to survive in this industry unless they have creativity, raw talent and a degree of independence.

Do you think the public are fickle when it comes to new artists? No way. The public are hon-est and loyal. I have people coming to my shows who have been following me since I first began performing – without their loyalty and commitment my career could have ended be-fore it could even begin.

You recently supported Bat for Lashes. What was that like? I am totally in awe of Natasha Khan. She has such a unique quality to her voice and is not afraid to explore new concepts as far as music is concerned. I absolutely love the clever way she plays ideas of fantasy and magic. Her work is amazing.

Fantasy and Magic? In what way? So many artists today have similar themes in terms of thier songs, thier lyrics – sex, love, relationships, partying – Bats for Lashes don’t follow that trend – Natasha brings a freshness and mysticism to her music which can’t easily be explained. I love it. What does it feel like to be working on your first Album? Incredible, unbelievable, a little surreal and I guess a little scary.

e new concepts as far as music is concerned. I absolutely love the clever way she plays ideas of fantasy and magic. Her work is amazing.

Fantasy and Magic? In what way? So many artists today have similar themes in terms of thier songs, thier lyrics – sex, love, relationships, partying – Bats for Lashes don’t follow that trend – Natasha brings a freshness and mysticism to her music which can’t easily be explained. I love it.

This issue we’re beginning our ‘Who to Watch in 2011’ feature. What does it feel like to be in your posi-tion right now Gabrielle?

Overwhelming. People are so willing to encourage you, accept you – people are looking for new things in music; it’s really inspiring.

There are lots of other up and coming musicians who are, like you, of a young age – quite new to it all. Do you have any advice? I think it’s easy for people in my position to start believing in all the hype. My advice is to carry on doing what you do for the reason you started to, not because of what people are telling you.

Are you confident in yourself? I’m not sure I’d call it confidence, but I do have a strong belief in the power of music and its ability to influence people’s lives. It’s this belief that helps me to stay strong and honest as far as my music is concerned.

Do you think there is a degree of dishonesty in the music industry then? I think there will always be people who are more concerned with the commercial side of things - sometimes this can cloud judgement on what’s really important.

What’s your opinion on music talent shows, for example The X-Factor. That’s tricky. I have no objection to new talent

being discovered in that way, but we have to be careful to focus on whats really important. ‘Manufactured’ bands/artists will find it hard to survive in this industry unless they have creativity, raw talent and a degree of independence.

Do you think the public are fickle when it comes to new artists? No way! I think the public are really loyal. I have people coming to my shows who have been following me since I first began making music – without their commitment and loyalty my career would have ended before it began.

You recently supported Bat for Lashes. What was that like? I’m totally in awe of Natasha Khan. She has such a unique quality to her voice and is‘nt afraid to ex-plore new concepts in her music. I justlove the way she plays ideas of fantasy and magic. Her work is always amazing.

Fantasy and Magic? In what way? So many artists today have similar themes in terms of thier songs, thier lyrics – sex, love, relationships, partying, etc. Bat for Lashes doesn’t follow that trend. Natasha brings a freshness and mysticism to her music which can’t easily be explained. I love it. How does it feel to be working on your debut album? Incredible, unbelievable, a little surreal and I guess a little scary.

“It’s easy for people in my

position to start believing in all

the hype.”

CONTENTSP79

0N THE COVER55 CLAIRE MAGUIREWe meet the singing sensation that found herself 5th place on the BBC Sound of 2011 list to speak about her debut album

61 EXXTRA ORDINARYWe speak to the magnificent Jamie about the phenominon that is The XX and what the band have in store for the future

67 MAN OF THE MOMENTWe catch up with the amazing James Blake to speak about the success of his debut single Limit to Your Love

79 WHO TO WATCH IN 2011.. GABRIELLEWe begin our Who to watch in 2011 feature with an interview and photoshoot with the gorgeous new star, Gabrielle.She fills us in on her recent success.

FEATURES10 WHATS ON THE RADARWe take a look at the latest film releases, essential-listening podcasts, musical collaborations and the new releases

P55

22 RADAR REVIEWSWe give our verdict on the biggest gigs.This month we saw live sets from The Drums, Crystal Castles, and Lissie

38 WHO’S TO BLAME? COCO BLOGWe absorb ourselves in the wonderful world of Coco Sumner (I Blame Coco) as we hear from her in her monthly blog