Sony MASTERWORKS Signs Viral Internet Sensation 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) to Recording Contract

NEW YORK, April 19, 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.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/NY85750)

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.

"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 Luka Sulic.

Their debut album is slated for a July 2011 release and will feature Sulic & Hauser's unique spin on hits by Guns N' Roses, U2, Trent Reznor and Kings of Leon among others.

Of the repertoire Stjepan says: "Both Luka and I love classical music and have studied it for years, but we are really excited to put our own take on classics by some of our favorite pop and rock artists."

Luka and Stjepan will make their first national TV performance as 2CELLOS on The Ellen DeGeneres show on April 25th.

Luka and Stjepan are both very accomplished musicians who have been playing the cello since childhood. Both recently completed their studies at the acclaimed Royal Academy in London. Luka Sulic has performed all over 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 VII Lutoslawski International Cello Competition (Warsaw, 2009).  Stjepan is also a very talented cellist and has performed around the world in most European countries, South Africa, New Zealand and the USA, with debuts in London's Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, South Bank Centre and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. In his short career, he has already won twenty-one first prizes in national and international competitions including the prestigious Adam Cello Competition in New Zealand 2009 and VTB Capital Prize for Young Cellists 2009.  

To view "Smooth Criminal" by 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) click here.

For more information please visit www.2CELLOS.com.

Sony Masterworks USA comprises the Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, Masterworks Jazz, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

SOURCE Sony MASTERWORKS