Neon Hitch Set to Electrify Baltimore Pride

You may not be completely familiar with Neon Hitch just yet, but fasten your seat belts, boys and girls, because this up-and-coming singer-songwriter is taking pop music on a bumpy, gyrating ride that you won’t soon forget.

Baltimore better buckle up, as Neon Hitch (her real, birth-given name, in case you were wondering) is the headlining act for this year’s Baltimore Pride, performing the annual Block Party on June 16.

British-born and New York-based Hitch garnered industry buzz with the release of her promo single, “Get Over U,” co-written by the fantastically brilliant Sia, last year. Further singles, including the reggae tinged “Silly Girl” and upbeat “Bad Dog” soon followed. Hitch also became a viral video sensation with her unique cover of Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci” and a gorgeously sublime rendition of Mike Posner’s “Cooler Than Me.” (Seriously, go check it out on YouTube. You will not be sorry.) Hitch has also lent her songwriting talents by co-writing hits for Ke$ha (“Blah Blah Blah”) and 3OH!3 (“Follow Me Down”).

2012 has been shaping up to be Hitch’s year. She started the year by collaborating with Gym Class Heroes on their hit track “Ass Back Home.” But don’t peg Hitch as an artist who will just be singing hooks. The deliciously naughty electro-pop “Fuck U Betta” recently went to number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Charts. The Benny Blanco track is the lead single of her upcoming debut album, Beg, Borrow, and Steal, which features collaborations with Imogen Heap, Mike Posner, and Bruno Mars.

Neon Hitch’s back story is just as fascinating as her electrifying stage persona. Born on the same day that her parent’s house burned down (talk about making an entrance!), Hitch spent the better part of her childhood as a circus performer, touring Europe in a nomadic gypsy caravan where she became skilled in the art of trapeze, fire swinging, and stilt walking by her teens.

After spending several years exploring India, Hitch returned to London to start her music career. After a brief stint on Mike Skinner’s The Beats label (and once opening for 50 Cent) before it closed down, Hitch was eventually discovered by mega-songwriter/producer Benny Blanco on MySpace and was quickly signed with Warner Bros. Records by former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.

Already a critical darling, the New York Post commented that Hitch “has all the elements of an A-list female pop queen,” while Spin.com predicts to “expect household name status by year’s end.”

“I want to be the kind of artist that people feel like they can relate to,” Neon said in recent statement on her website. “Maybe my music will make them feel a bit less lonely. They may not be able to relate to my story, but they’ll be able to relate to me as a person. The album is going to be me, inside and out, because I’m a very honest person. I’ve been through so many bad patches, but having the opportunity to do this makes it seem like it all happened for a reason. I want people to know that, yeah, times are tough, but you know what? There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m living proof.”

Hitch is already well on her way to building a strong LGBT fan base, having gone on a U.S. gay club tour last year, as well as performing at Las Vegas Pride. She was also honored earlier this spring with the “Brink of Fame Music Artist” award at Logo’s NewNowNext Awards. •

Watch her videos and hear her music online at NeonHitch.net.