Elton John has claimed Talia Storm "She has the potential to be bigger than Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joss Stone, the lot". And if this seems hyperbolic, just remember:
Scissor Sisters
Ed Sheeran
Both of whom were championed by John, so you have to listen up when he speaks.
So I have listened up.
The 13 year old girl has a big booming voice, and comes across like a Scotty McCreery of r&b. I am not overwhelmed by the handful of songs I have heard but not because of the Scottish singer's fulsome bellow, which has both a sweet undertow and a superb voice I hope they don't refine out of existence. She better listen to Elton. But rather, I am not sure about the production, which sounds a little mainstream for a unique talent.
She was discovered as a session singer (at 12!) and has been groomed for greatness ever since. On June 10th, Talia opened for Elton at a sold out Falkirk Stadium in Scotland in front of 15,000 and sang to backing tapes. You try doing that.
She is in nyc (for the second time, Talia recorded some tracks here earlier this year) on July 17th, before switching coasts and performing the Teen Choice Awards at Universal Studios Global Theater on Sunday at 7pm. I hope to get Alyson to cover it for me.
Amusingly enough, her PR people claim Talia will visit nyc writers and play songs for them while she's in town! I should take em up on it just to see what they say!!!!
ps: her nickname is "Tiny Miss Chancer"!!