Amidst all the noise and mayhem on the MTV Video Music Awards Red Carpet, I had a brief moment to catch up with singer and songwriter Skylar Grey. If you don't know her name, then you will sure know her vocals. Skyler sang the hook on songs like "I Need A Doctor" (by Dr Dre and Eminem) and "Coming Home" (by Diddy's Dirty Money). The Wisconsin artist also co-wrote Eminem's monster hit "Love The Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna.
People really started to notice Skylar after her breakout performance with Dr Dre and Eminem during this year's GRAMMY Awards telecast. That moment turned out to be a real catalyst for her solo career.
I chatted with Skylar about that GRAMMY moment, her forthcoming debut LP "Invisible" (that features a collaboration with Marilyn Manson) and what she feels make a perfect song. (Upfront apologies about not having Skylar nicely centered in the video. I was actually holding the camera while interviewing her, which wasn't as easy as I thought!)
Now that the songwriting dispute between Leona Lewis' management and Avicii's label has finally been sorted, it is time to move on and celebrate the music.
The combination of Avicii's propulsive instrumental with Leona's soaring vocals result in a massively uplifting tune that is one of the most striking (and arguably best) Leona Lewis tunes to date, which also showcases the incredible talent that is Avicii.
Check out a brand new remix that was produced by turntable meisters Alex Gaudino and Jason Rooney who up the dancefloor intensitiy of the original with a throbbing new club groove that is a perfect fit for this late summer jam. Listen to it after the break, plus watch some candid footage about the making of "Collide."
Well, here it is folks! The official CD single of that poptastic duet between Frankmusik and Colette Carr that all you pop heads have been salivating over since the two first performed it at Cherrytree London.
This limited-edition physical copy of the "No I.D." single features the radio cut of the song, plus Morel's buzzing revamp. You can get this copy of the single if you attend Frankmusik's show with Erasure this month.
Frankmusik kicked of his month-long North American tour with the synth-pop legends last week in Florida. On Saturday, the tour stopped by Atlanta where I had a chance to see Frank's opening show and an amazing perfomance by the unstoppable Erasure. It's a must-see.
After seeing Frankmusik perform at South by Southwest in Austin, TX and the Cherrytree London concert earlier this year, this Frankmusik show was a whole lot different.
Instead of introducing a few new tracks from his forthcoming new album "Do It In The AM," the singer and producer opted to mix up his own tunes with '80s classics and other audience favorites. "Most of you don't know my songs, so let me make it a little more familiar for you," he explained before starting off his gig.
The result is a 30-minute non-stop tour de force of pop that included a few new tracks, an older one and a whole lot of tunes by other artists. Contrary to Frank's belief, a lot of people had come out to see his very first Atlanta show and were eager to hear his music.
Fortunately for them, he did perform a few of his very good new tunes, including "Wrecking Ball" (mashed up with The Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams) "Do It In The AM," "No I.D." (together with Casey Carlson) and the absolutely phenomenal "Struck By Lightning," a classic Frank tune that neatly bridges his new and former album.
The singer also performed "Better Of As Two" from his debut record that he mashed up with Eric Prydz "Call On Me."
It's a fun Frank set that really is a big tease for a full Frankmusik show with a lot more of his new music. Stay tuned for a candid video interview with Frank in which he talks more about his production work on Erasure's new album and his own new LP "Do It In The AM" that will be available in a store near you on September 27.
Strange Talk is one of the hottest new indie pop acts to keep your eye on this year. Following the success of bands like Phoenix, Friendly Fires and Two Door Cinema Club, it's the kind of alternative pop with a bit of that Down Under electro touch that music supervisors salivate over, hipsters go gaga for and pop aficionados will deeply appreciate.
The Australian outfit uniquely pairs their musical talents from disparate backgrounds – with vocalist/producer Stephen Docker immersed in the classical world as a former violinist for the Australian Youth Orchestra and bassist Gerard Sidhu as a regular fixture on the Melbourne DJ circuit crafting banging house beats.
Earlier this year in May, the four-piece released their "Strange Talk" EP on Neon Gold. This EP marked Neon Gold's first ever vinyl and CD release (to that point there have only been vinyl Neon Gold releases). Next for Strange Talk is a trip to play at New York's CMJ Music Festival, after the group have been flexing their musical muscle as a live act, opening for the likes of The Rapture, Neon Indian, Marina and The Diamonds and Art vs Science in Australia.
Check out a totally guilt-free MP3 download of the group's "Climbing Walls" that ArjanWrites.com first premiered late last year. Aussie synth-pop outfit Van She sprinkles around their potent disco dust, and gave Strange Talks' tune a lush and mellow make-over that is a perfect fit the shimmering, anthemic quality of the original. Kudos for working in a steel drum to give it an exotic, summer flavor. Highly recommended. Grab it after the break.
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