I’ve been getting really frustrated with the people over at SXSW for not letting me personally know the SECOND they update that stupid list (the one that gives everyone an anxiety attack just looking at how each time the scroll button seems to be getting smaller and smaller…I mean, I’m trying to see as many acts as I possibly can and I JUST CAN’T LOOK THROUGH ALL OF THESE AHHHHH), but now I officially forgive them because they are bringing one of my favorite favorite favorite artists to Austin (from across the pond…SURPRISe)… Marina and the Diamonds (the stage name for solo act Marina Diamandis).

Being a half-Welsh, half-Greek, 24-year-old with a solid EP (The Crown Jewels) having been released this past summer and a promising debut album (The Family Jewels) set to hit stores on February 15, Marina Diamandis shocked no one when she showed up on BBC’s envious list—the Sound of 2010 poll— just a month ago. As a kid who idolized the (once upon a time) pop icon Britney Spears, Marina vied for musical fame ever since the ripe age of 16— even going so far as to dress up as a boy for one “reggae boyband” audition (which they, thankfully, refused her). While she admits that she initially put being in the limelight over honing her musical talent, the young star finally hit an epiphany (and stopped carousing the fame circuit) when she began recording and producing her own stuff. As artists such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, the Distillers, Patti Smith, and Tom Waits began to influence her broadening career, Marina managed to forge her own unique sound, purely driven by the idea of finally being successful for her own true talent.

And (thankfully) as it turns out, Marina has taken electro-pop music to the next level, already having been championed by some of pop culture’s mainstreamists (i.e. Perez HIlton and Kanye West) as “worthy” of a good listening to. With a throaty yet powerfully soulful voice crooning witty and intelligent lyrics layered on backgrounds ranging from piano ballads to electronic beats, Marina and the Diamonds will (no doubt) live up to all the 2010 hype.

She kicks off her tour in the UK in a couple of weeks and then (I’m assuming since she’s on the list) WILL BE HEADING TO AUSTIN!!! If you don’t see me up front and center for this chick then you probably need to worry about me because, as of right now, this is one of my TOP TOP TOP acts to catch.

Songs To Listen To:

Marina and the Diamonds—Obsessions

Marina and the Diamonds—Mowgli’s Road

Marina and the Diamonds—I Am Not a Robot

Marina and the Diamonds—Hollywood (new single from upcoming album)

Marina and the Diamonds—Hollywood (acoustic)

Bad Ass Remixes:

Marina and the Diamonds—I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith’s 24 Carat remix)

Marina and the Diamonds—Hollywood (Fenech-Soler remix)

Videos to Watch:

Marina And The Diamonds - Mowgli’s Road from AMY&PINK on Vimeo.