Pop Radio Welcomes MKTO’s ‘Thank You’
Having met in 2010 while filming Nickelodeon series “Gigantic,” in which their characters played best friends, Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller formed MKTO, which combines their initials. The pair’s debut single, “Thank You” (Columbia), has garnered 2.2 million YouTube views and is nearing the Nielsen BDS-based Mainstream Top 40 chart, led by 54 plays on SiriusXM’s Hits 1 channel. The song is concurrently scaling the top 10 of the Australia and New Zealand Digital Songs charts.
Houndmouth Readies Debut
After touring with the Lumineers and Alabama Shakes, folk-rock band Houndmouth is ready to step into the spotlight with its debut full-length, From the “Hills Below the City.” The quartet will support the 12-song set, due June 4 on Rough Trade, with extensive touring through July. Stops include the Newport Folk Festival (July 26) and Lollapalooza (Aug. 2), as well as more supporting gigs with Alabama Shakes (June).
Slam-Dunk
Recent Interscope signing Kayla Brianna approaches a Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop debut with “I Got That,” featuring Meek Mill, percolating with plays on 44 of the chart’s reporters. The 18-year-old singer is the daughter of former NBA player and current basketball analyst Kenny “the Jet” Smith (who’s featured on TNT’s “Inside the NBA”). A video of “Got” interspersed with NBA highlights kicked off the NBA All-Star Game telecast in February. The song is also featured in a new commercial for Hyundai’s Santa Fe.
‘Beautiful’ Beginning
Electronic/rock quartet Shine Bright Baby cues up its major-label debut single, “Beautiful Love,” which simmers just below Christian Songs. Formed six years ago in Orrville, Ohio, the band features lead singer Emily Irene, drummer Karl Wendel, and guitarist/vocalists Nathan Furtig and Josh Fink. Now signed to BEC Recordings, the foursome, which self-released a pair of EPs in 2008-09, will issue its first full-length album later this year.