Rising | Three Indie Chicks You'll be Hearing in 2012 (If the World Doesn't End)

We all know now that the world WILL NOT end in 2012. Contrary to popular belief, the earth WILL NOT be splitting open, there will be NO fiery chasms in the middle of Toronto's streets, John Cusack's screams WILL NOT be the soundtrack to the end of the world, and giant computer generated tidal waves WILL NOT be knocking out any monastery's or lone monks waiting for death ANY TIME SOON.

You can all relax.

BUT, without the promise of a wretched, unpleasant death on the horizon, what reasons do we have to look forward to 2012?

Lotsa reasons. 

Not only is 2012 becoming the year of promising new artists, but it's also becoming the year of the indie music chick. Lots of new, sexy, vibrant, buzz-worthy songstresses are bursting onto the scene in the coming year, but there are a few that are really catching the internet's eyes and ears. Shall we see some? No? Well then, go crawl back into your Vivos shelter and stop wasting my time!

Just kidding. Let's move on.

Lana Del Rey

As an up and coming artist gaining relevance on YouTube, Lana Del Rey – the pseudonym of New York singer-songwriter Lizzy Grant – is somewhat of an anomaly. On her uploaded video for her first single “Video Games,” Del Rey splices grainy web camera shots of herself between old vintage home videos, 60's film clips and Super 8 images of Hollywood streets and signs. While the video doesn't look like anything Michael Bay would produce, the editing still appears professionally done and it's a far cry from the many new musicians on Youtube who have nothing but a webcam, a guitar and – if they're lucky – a great voice. 

“Video Games,” Del Rey's debut single, rolls out with a soundscape of harps and violins that twinkle before Del Rey cuts in with her powerful and sullen voice that rises and falls in just the right places. The song dazzles, and while sonically, Del Rey's voice echoes the best bits of Cat Power, Fiona Apple, and Tori Amos' back catalogue, it's also a sound that's difficult to imagine without the supplied imagery of the video – or the supplied figure of Lana. 

WATCH: Lana Del Rey | "Video Games"

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Sky Ferreira

On Sky Ferreira's Wikipedia page, Ferreira is described as a "model, singer, songwriter and actress." Which is true. Modelling in major ad campaigns like Calvin Klein's CK ONE, acting in the music video for Uffie's internet hit "Pop the Glock," and being signed to major label, Capital Records, Ferreira seems to have it all. 

Except a radio hit.

Despite the lack of radio success, Ferreira is attracting a lot of underground fans through social networking and the internet. Starting from Myspace and getting signed through her own music profile, many users of websites like Tumblr and Last.fm are discovering Ferreira's retro, eighties pop sound, and jammin' HARD. Even if Sky Ferreira isn't indie by definition, the hipsters are still taking notice.

Despite the "failure" (RADIO failure, not necessarily the same as FAILURE-FAILURE) of her earlier singles, "One" and "Obsession," Ferreira continues to build on her eighties synth vibes. For her latest EP, As If! Ferreira hooked up with eighties hit maker and "Like a Virgin" creator Billy Steinberg for her single "Sex Rules." 

If that's not hip enough for you, nothing is. Either way, it's only a matter of time before people start taking notice. With the promise of new material and her debut album being released in 2012, it's only a matter of time before Sky sky-rockets beyond the hidden realms of the internet and onto mainstream radio.

WATCH: Sky Ferreira | "Sex Rules"

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Azealia Banks

With comparisons to female rapper of the moment Nicki Minaj coming from every corner, Azaelia Banks, a soon-to-be-signed Harlem-based rapper, is making sure that comparison doesn't stick for long. While both females went to the same La Guardia performing arts school in New York, Banks is taking her time, exploring her sound and making rhymes that rival Minaj's not just in originality, but in versatility.

"Once I sign a deal and get shit in place it's gonna be like 

nonstop, 

just fucking drilling on music for like, the next five years.

 I don't really have any other plans aside from making money [laughs] 

If I can say that."-Azealia Banks

From the fast-paced, house music sounds of Banks' newest, internet burning track, "212," to the muted bass that powers tracks like "L8R," Banks is not only playing with her strengths but also playing with her growing fan base by putting all her talent on display. Banks' website biography, as well as a recent Q&A she did with the Village Voice, states that she's currently working on her debut. Raising expectations and some eyebrows, Azealia Banks is here to stay. 

Nothing short of an apocalypse can stop her.

WATCH: Azealia Banks | "212"