The Sound Of: Marina and the Diamonds

The BBC's Sound of 2010 highlights the most exciting musical talent for the new year and the artists have been picked by 165 UK-based tastemakers.

They each named their favourite three new acts and those with the most votes were put on the list.

This week we reveal the top five - and at number two is Marina and the Diamonds.

Quirky and flamboyant, Marina Diamandis is gaining a following for her inventive songwriting, theatrical stage shows and dazzling style.

Here the half-Welsh, half-Greek singer explains why she wanted to become a musician and why she fell in love with all things American.