EXCLUSIVE: BORNS Performance Electrifies GRAMMY Showcase Crowd

BORNS - Photo © Donna Balancia
BORNS - Photo © Donna Balancia
BORNS - Photo by Donna Balancia
BORNS – Photo by Donna Balancia

Alexander Jeans, Blondfire, BORNS and Kirby Maurier Impress

By DONNA BALANCIA – BORNS was the surprise headliner at the third annual Grammy Showcase at the Fonda Theatre Tuesday night.

Alexander Jean, Blondfire and Kirby Maurier were also on the GRAMMY short list.

The showcase was packed to the brim with fans and industry members who came to see some of the young GRAMMY up and coming musicians.

Borns is one of the hotest performers around with a hit song “Electric Love” that has been gracing the airwaves and the advertising world.  The video for “Electric Love” has been watched more than 7 million times.

Blondfire - Photo by Donna Balancia
Blondfire – Photo by Donna Balancia

Diverse Music, Different Influences, Similar M.O.

BORNS has been a presence at SXSW, Coachella and other top festivals, where he gained notoriety.

He makes no bones about licensing his music for commercials, as “Electric Love” is featured on Southwest ads as well as the Hulu “You Know You Want To” spot.

In addition to “Electric Love,” the band performed other works off its latest LP, Dopamine.

BORNS is on tour and in addition to West Coast and East Coast dates, Borns will play the Santa Monica Pier on July 14.

Alexander Jean is Mark Ballas and BC Jean who are an item in real life. Mark gained notoriety from his regular gig on Dancing With The Stars, for which he received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Choreography. He and singer-songwriter BC were engaged last January.

Kirby Maurier - Photo by Donna Balancia
Kirby Maurier – Photo by Donna Balancia

Kirby Maurier wowed the crowd with her modern interpretative hip-hop, her style is fresh.

The Miami gal told California Rocker that Miami is hotter than L.A.

And if the singers in Miami are all like her, then that could be true. Her latest album is Doing The Most.

Blondfire centers around brother and sister Bruce and Erica Driscoll, who are Brazilian-Americans. Their style is alternative and their look is the 1980s, but their sound is current. Their most recent single is “True Confessions.”

The Grammy showcase is held to give young performers an opportunity to be seen by industry heavyweights.