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From left, Escala's Tasya Hodges, Chantal Leverton, Victoria Lyon and Izzy Johnston. | The world has been swept by a craze for talent contests and finalists often become stars overnight, as was the case with electric string quartet, Escala, which amazed audiences last year in Britain's Got Talent.
The crossover act, comprising four sexy women, Victoria Lyon (violin), Izzy Johnston (violin), Tasya Hodges (cello) and Chantal Leverton (viola), will make a guest appearance at Taiwan singer Wang Lee-hom's Music Man show on Aug 22 at Beijing Workers' Stadium.
They were called "completely original" by Simon Cowell and got a $2.4 million contract with the music mogul. Fusing contemporary music with classical instruments, the group offers an innovative sound and vibrant energy.
The group's debut album, Escala, came out in June. They appeared at the James Bond Quantum of Solace world premiere in London last year and also performed on the Oprah Winfrey show.
Life is great in the showbiz spotlight, according to Johnston, in an e-mail interview: "We have been doing the corporate scene for about three years and wanted to take it up a gear and take center stage. That's why we went on Britain's Got Talent last year."
"We are really looking forward to coming to Asia which is home to many music talents. Hopefully we can tour the album because that is what Escala is really all about," Johnston says.
Escala's experience with Britain's Got Talent has parallels in China.
Three of the most popular contestants from the 2005 version of Super Girl, Li Yuchun, Zhang Liangying and Zhou Bichang, will hold a joint concert on Aug 29, for the first time since 2005.
All of them have record deals and have released solo albums. Additionally, Zhang was invited onto Oprah Winfrey's talk show in Chicago.
"I watched their (Escala's) performance and I think it is powerful," Zhang says.
As a pop singer who has had 15 No 1 singles, Zhang says that talent shows introduce contestants to big audiences and can thereby accumulate a large fan base.
"No matter what direction we take after the contest, we grow up and continue to pursue our music careers. The passion is the same all around the world." |
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