Sony Masterworks Releases 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) Debut Recording on July 19

NEW YORK, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Living in a small town in Croatia, 24-year-old music students, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, are living a dream come true – and quickly! After posting a self-made music video of them performing Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" on their cellos, the longtime friends received more attention than they ever expected.

Within days, the video became a viral sensation and received millions of views. It got the attention of Sony Masterworks who signed them to a record deal. Concurrently, they received a phone call from legend Elton John who invited them to join him on his European tour this Summer and Fall.  They recently made their U.S. TV debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where they performed "Smooth Criminal."

"I feel so blessed that all of this is happening – a record deal with Sony Masterworks and a tour with Elton John – who would have imagined?!" relays Stjepan Hauser.

Their debut album will be released on July 19 and will feature Sulic & Hauser's unique spin on hits by Guns N' Roses, U2, Coldplay and Kings of Leon among others.

"We grew up with Michael Jackson, U2 and Nirvana. The melody and structure of their songs really inspired us to arrange them for 2 cellos.  Bands like Coldplay, Kings of Leon and Muse also write songs with those similar melodic qualities – so we had a great time digging in and making them part of this album too," says Luka Sulic.

The duo just released a second single and music video to Guns N' Roses classic "Welcome To The Jungle" and like their first video, it is spreading quickly, getting over 1 million views in the first week!

Of the new single Hauser says: "Covering 'Welcome to the Jungle' was a real challenge but that one we were up for! We chose this song because we thought that it could sound like a whole symphony using only our 2 cellos. We're really proud of it and think it rocks!"

2CELLOS also decided to record another Michael Jackson song – "Human Nature."

"Even though we had already recorded 'Smooth Criminal' we wanted to also include 'Human Nature' because it is one of the most beautiful songs by Michael Jackson. It also allowed us to incorporate the use of pizzicato, which is my favorite technique," says Hauser.

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have been playing the cello since childhood. Both recently completed their studies – Luka at the acclaimed Royal Academy of Music in London, Stjepan at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Luka has performed throughout the world at renowned venues such as London's Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Vienna's Musikverein and Konzerthaus. He has won a series of international prizes including first prize at the 2009 VII Lutoslawski International Cello Competition in Warsaw. Stjepan has performed in numerous European countries, South Africa, New Zealand, Asia and the U.S., with debuts in London's Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, South Bank Centre and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. He was the last pupil of Mstislav Rostropovich. In his short career, Stjepan's accolades include winning twenty-one first prizes in national and international competitions and performing twice for Prince Charles in Buckingham and St. James's Palaces.

For more information on 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) visit:

2CELLOS.com - facebook.com/2cellos  - twitter.com/2cellos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AYEgwwCYWw – "Welcome To The Jungle" video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0zx7DEDBr8  - "Smooth Criminal" video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz2dSPi5ta8&feature=related - Ellen DeGeneres Show performance

TRACK LISTING:

1. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)
2. Miserlou / Pulp Fiction Theme (Dick Dale)
3. Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)
4. Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)
5. Fragile (Sting)
6. The Resistance (Muse)
7. Hurt (Trent Reznor/Johnny Cash)
8. Welcome To The Jungle (Guns N' Roses)
9. Human Nature (Michael Jackson)
10. Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
11. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
12. With or Without You (U2)

SOURCE Sony Masterworks