WHEELS 2.0 CUTS TO THE CHASE

Wheels is back for another week, kids. Yup, we’ve got a slim column from the looks of it, but the talent emanating from these two entries is more than enough to keep you full of good tunes and good vibes. Keep it coming to [email protected]. Oh, and mark your calendars for the Journalism as A&R panel at CMJ later this month, featuring our very own @rknthefreewrld.

ONE TO WATCH
Kicking Daisies (www.myspace.com/kickingdaisies; (@kickingdaisies): Power-pop quartet from Connecticut making some serious waves in the industry. The band consists of two boys, lead singer Duran (14) and Ben (13), as well as sisters Caitlin (16) and Carly (13). These four may be babes in the woods in terms of life experience, but not when it comes to being stars in the making. The group recently inked a deal with Insomnia Media Group to have their own reality show and will be showcasing next week at SIR for some label heavies. Immense talent lies within this foursome, and Caitlin already holds the title of "world’s fastest female drummer." Quite simply, she is the best drummer of her generation, and as a whole they are a group to be seen and heard. The sky’s the limit for this foursome, so keep an eye on this one—we’ll have some exciting updates soon.

ON DECK
Meaghan Smith (www.myspace.com/meaghansmithmusic; @meaghansmith): Canadian management/label powerhouse Nettwerk does it again with this rising young star whose first singing experience was doing four-part harmonies with her sisters. At age 12, she wrote a few songs that never saw the light of day due to her extreme stage fright. So, she chose another creative path, going into classical animation. During college, she built up her nerve and started doing “stairwell concerts,” drawing crowds to her casually intimate performances, and this experience gave her the confidence she needed to seriously pursue music. Meaghan hasn’t looked back since; her full-length album Crickets Orchestra is due out Oct. 6, and her cover of The Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” can be heard now in 500 (Days of Summer). For a preview, check out her EP, Crickets Quartet, and be sure to catch her if you’re in L.A. this coming Monday (10/5) for the official release party at Hotel Café.