Lazenby

Although it would be easy to assume that Lazenby took their name from one of the (arguably) better James Bonds, the band was named — more likely, really — after founding member Sarah Lazenby. Introduced to fellow band founder Nick Lockwood by Arctic Monkeys manager Geoff Barradale, the pair soon rallied a band around them — Tom Farmer on bass, Rob Gentry on keys, and Jez Wiles on drums — and began working out their sound. That sound, which brought together such influences as the '70s-era stylings of Fleetwood Mac and Dr. Fink along with the more up-to-date work of Scissor Sisters and Gogol Bordello, was an instant hit, and the band soon landed some high-profile gigs, including the O2 Wireless Festival and the Edinburgh Festival. An appearance with Jamiroquai at the Gumball Rally launch was more icing on the already sweet cake of success, and the band had no problem landing a major-label record deal with 206/Absolute (a Universal subsidiary). Their first single, "Listening to Joni," was released in June of 2008, with a full-length follow-up, The Loft Years, not too far behind — in fact, during the same month.