12:01 AM Friday, 11/16/12
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Calvin Harris isn’t a newcomer to the music scene by any stretch, having become a regular on the U.K. concert and festival circuits since signing a major label debut there six years ago. But the Scottish singer, songwriter and producer is making the cultural leap across the pond in a big way, too.
Actually, he’s crossed both ponds – with DJ sets at Australia’s Big Day Out and Stereosonic festivals. And with boosters like Kylie Minogue and Rihanna, Harris is fast making his mark on the global electronic music scene.
(AP Photo/Eric Reed/Invision)
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But he’s not just another EDM knob-twiddler. His production and songwriting chops have earned him nominations for the U.K.’s Brit Awards and a nod for the prestigiuos Ivor Novello Awards in songwriting for his work on Dizzee Rascal’s hit, “Dance wiv Me.”
But capturing the imagination of American audiences is a notoriously difficult task, and Harris is poised to do just that.
He scored a gig earlier this year as house DJ at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards and won a moonman for best electronic video for “Feel So Close.” He also collaborated with Rihanna on the video of the year, “We Found Love.”
(AP Photo/Eric Reed/Invision)
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Harris and Rihanna go back; he opened for her on worldwide Last Girl On Earth and Loud tours. In addition to the global stage, he’s been introduced to American concert audiences with some high-profile shows, opening for no less than Swedish House Mafia at NYC’s Madison Square Garden, and with EDM superstars like Skrillex, Steve Aoki, Paul Oakenfold and Deadmau5.
Most recently, he made a splash at the Budweiser Made In America festival in Philadelphia, and has several holiday radio shows penciled into his datebook at year-end. And with his latest full-length CD, 18 Months, hitting stores in October, expect to see much more of Harris in 2013.
--Deborah Speer