Elle King

Take the banjo- and guitar-strumming Elle King. On her debut album, Love Stuff, the New York Times called her a “love-’em-and-leave-’em hellion with bad tattoos and a broad pedigree across rock, pop and country. She has Adele’s determination and Joan Jett’s stomp, Brenda Lee’s high-voiced bite and some AC/DC shriek.”

It was that unique sound and gutsy nature that first drew the interest of Paradigm’s Marty Diamond, who represents King alongside Ashley Mowry-Lewis.

“She posed a different look and sound for us than the stereotypical female artist – the singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar,” Diamond told Pollstar. “Elle had edges to her that we really loved. She is a feisty young lady.”

King, who is the daughter of former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Rob Schneider, may have picked up the performance gene somewhere along the way, but she also spent years honing her skills by busking on the streets of New York City as a teen.

Her edge, accompanied by those skills, helped King develop fans in both the live space (she often performs a cover of Khia’s racy “My Neck, My Back” during her concerts) and through releases like the cheeky hit, “Ex’s and Oh’s,” in which she sings about calling the shots in her relationships.

King has opened for everyone from Ed Sheeran to James Bay, Of Monsters & Men, and Train. A headlining run this summer did sellout business in clubs and small halls.

Upcoming shows on the books include holiday radio shows and supporting Vance Joy in the New Year. Plans are also in for another round of headlining dates and festivals next summer.