In October 2005, after six years of struggle, unknown pop quintet Orson jetted over to Manchester from LA to play at the In The City festival. One month later they signed to major label Mercury, and now sell millions. Last year the Watcha-Gonna-Do-About-Its (or the Ws, as they probably don't prefer to be known) - the Guardian's house band - were also an unknown pop quintet, a situation that hasn't changed.
Orson agreed to lend the Ws a hand; they would take them into a studio, help them record a version of the Orson hit Happiness, and generally inspire them to previously only dreamt-of levels of professionalism, Beatlemania-style adulation and Doherty-esque debauchery. Possibly.
Simon Hattenstone witnessed the great meeting of musical minds - you can read the article here. Then listen to the clips below, and let us know what you think. Talent - nurture or nature? Can anyone taste success, given the breaks? Do you know of someone who should be up there, but isn't? (Or, more likely, someone who is but shouldn't be?)
