Tag Archive for MTV Best Breakout NYC Artist

MeTalkPretty in repose

Pat Benatar fronting System of a Down. Shakira leading the Foo Fighters. Both of these scenarios may seem to spell disaster on paper, but in reality they might sound something like NYC’s MeTalkPretty. Which is not a bad thing at all, especially considering that the band just won an MTV VMA for Best Breakout Band in NYC.

MeTalkPretty is lead by Armenian-Romanian singer Julia Preotu, who shares both a similar ethnic background and a vocal range that includes the same throaty warbles as SOAD’s Serj Tankian. Rounded out by guitarist Leon Lyazidi, bassist Nate Meng and drummer James Kluz, the band’s brand of rock is hard, heavy and rife with chugging grunge guitars and machine gun bass and drums. But with Pretou at the helm like a gypsy Gwen Stefani, the MeTalkPretty’s music stays unpredictable, explosive and hella good.

Judges: MTV, FeFe Dobson, Alex from Cobra Starship

VMA weekend kicked off this past Friday night as the finalists for the MTV Best Breakout NYC battled it out on stage at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza. Local favorites The Shells, Red Directors and MeTalkPretty performed two songs each in the hopes of impressing MTV, FeFe Dobson, Alex Suarez (Cobra Starship) as well as hundreds of rabid (and many sign-wielding) fans who together would award one of them the winner of a competition that originated on OurStage.com. The excitement reverberated through the venue as fans boisterously cheered their favorite artist on. Along with the frenetic came sobering moments- specifically when the finalists each received feedback on their performance moments after playing their last note. Although the comments from the judges (seated in The Fillmore VIP balcony) were generally positive, these industry vets were not afraid to identify poor song choices or the need to improve stage presence for some of these emerging artists. With the stage still warm, one act showed that they were ready to take their careers to the next level as judges and the majority of fans crowned the hardworking quartet, MeTalkPretty, the evening’s winner. Congratulations to all the bands who participated in the regional Best Breakout Artists contests held nation wide.

-KB

I caught up with each of the bands immediately after the winner was announced. Full audio interviews available for streaming in the players below.