New rave champions Klaxons are set to give number one single Umbrella a "Goldan Skans twist" when they perform a duet of the song with R&B singer Rihanna at this year's Brit awards. The band spilled the beans on their planned duet with the American singer in an interview with Radio One's Newsbeat, saying: "We've made our own slant on a contemporary version of it. It's an electronic version with guitars on it". Klaxons also said there had been some difficulty in reaching a decision on exactly how this "contemporary version" would sound. "They've got this funny idea of what our band sounds like and we've done three or four different versions," the band said. "Her people kept sending versions back going 'No, this sounds more like you.'"
Klaxons, who won the coveted Mercury Music prize last year, are nominated for two awards at this year's Brits: Breakthrough Act and Best Live Act. Rihanna is nominated for the International Female Solo Artist award. Other performances scheduled to take place on the night are a duet by Adele and Mark Ronson on the single God Put A Smile on Your Face and a closing performance by Sir Paul McCartney of his recent single Dance Away.
In other Brits related news, the final shortlist for Best Single of 2008 has been announced. Mark Ronson, The Hoosiers, Take That, Mika and Leona Lewis are the five artists to have survived the cut, while the likes of Kate Nash, Sugababes and James Blunt are out of the running.
Mark Owen and band will face stiff competition for their upbeat single Shine from fellow pop compatriots Mika, and his annoyingly popular Grace Kelly, and the Hoosiers' radio friendly Worried About Ray. However, the two biggest singles of the bunch are Leona Lewis' record-breaking number one hit Bleeding Love and Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's cover of the Zutons' Valerie.
Voting lines for Best Single of 2008 are now open and the winner will be announced at the ceremony at Earls Court on February 20th, presented by mater and pater Osbourne. Start-studded live coverage of the star-studded event will be happening on the Guardian Music blog on Wednesday evening.
