MTV Brand New 2015 shortlist revealed

Saint Raymond, Years and Years and George the Poet are amongst acts on the MTV Brand New 2015 shortlist.

The artists have been picked by MTV as the most promising acts for the next 12 months, with other names on the shortlist including Becky Hill, Krept and Konan, James Bay, Melissa Steel, Nothing But Thieves, Sinead Harnett, and Sunset Sons.

Talking at the launch event at London nightclub DSTRKT on Monday (01.12.14), 19-year-old singer Saint Raymond praised his pal Ed Sheeran for inviting him to open the shows on his ‘X Tour’, and for the 23-year-old star’s invaluable advice which helped him move forward with his career.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: ”One of his big tips for me while I was on this tour was to go out and meet people after the shows and spend time with fans. I think because the way it is now, people buy into you as a person, not just an artist, so I think it’s important that you go out and meet people and really get to know them, so you’re not just a musician. That’s one big piece of advice Ed gave me.”

He also explained the ‘Thinking Out Loud’ singer said he should write songs all the time, because some of his biggest hits have been tracks he wrote when he thought his album was finished.

Talking of his debut record, he said: ”I like to say it’s done, but I’m scared of saying that. I think I’m just going to carry on writing just in case, you never know. I remember talking to Ed about it and he said he wrote one of his best songs a week before the album went to the press, so I’m always wary of saying it’s done.”

Public voting to crown the winner of the MTV Brand New 2015 in association with Emporio Armani Diamonds title is now open. The act with the highest number of votes will be announced on January 30 2015.