hey hey! over the past few weeks i've been totally loving the brand new peaches album i feel cream and tonight i'm finally going to see her play live over at the henry fonda theater - i've been a pretty big fan for a couple of years now but i never had the chance to see her in concert - tonight should be a completely kick-ass show! (she's also playing tomorrow night too) you must watch her new video below for the track more - which features plenty of sexy balloon action! i hope everyone is enjoying the weekend so far - i finally got to sleep in late - i need to rest up - i have a couple of busy days ahead of me - i'll make sure to keep you guys in the loop and please make sure to follow me on twitter for updates from peaches' show tonight! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
good morning from maui! yesterday was the longest day but i made it to hawaii safe & sound and i'm already way more relaxed than i was just the other day! i swear i think i could live here all of the time - it's so chill and it's totally gorgeous - i already went swimming (about an hour after i landed) and the water was so surprisingly warm for being the ocean - and i also managed to pick up a little color (yes mom, i brought tons of sunscreen) anyways right now i've got the cover for kelly clarkson's new single my life would suck without you which is in sharp contrast to images from her last album my december (the album wasn't a huge hit but i really liked it - i'm quite sure most fans of ms. clarkson did as well) i'm dying to hear some new material from her and it won't be long now - this single is bound to leak to the web soon (it's supposed to start getting radio play on january 19th) and then her 4th studio album (still untitled) will hit stores on march 17th! right now i'm heading off to pick up some snorkeling gear and hit the beach again - tonight i'll be doing my pop nosh links - even while on vacation - there's no break from blogging! popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
good evening! finally i've gotten around to compiling my top ten favorite albums of 2008 (here's a link to 2007's list) of course i waited until very last minute (totally my style) so it's been a bit of a scramble (and i had to keep my writing on each album to a minimum) but i'm quite happy with the list - music is totally my favorite thing to post about here on popbytes - i seriously can't wait to hear what 2009 has in store for us! without any further adieu - check out the list below (and this marks my last post of '08) popbytes over & out for tonight...xoxo (please bear with any mistakes - i'll be editing this post to perfection over the next few days)
PINK [funhouse]
i fell in love with this album immediately - i've been a huge fan of pink's for years now but this definitely her strongest and most personal release to date - there was no question in my mind this would be my top favorite album - it's a perfect blend of pop and rock! i can't wait to see her on tour next year (she kicked serious ass when she opened up for justin timberlake's tour)
ESSENTIAL TRACKSglitter in the air, sober, ave a mary, funhouse, it's all your fault
COLDPLAY [viva la vida]
i was never a huge fan of coldplay (you guys know i'm way more about the ladies of music) but over the years they've totally grown on me - there huge hit single 'viva la vida' should for sure win the grammy for song of the year - plus i got to see the band in person and i thought they totally kicked ass - one of the best concerts of the year and i must say lead singer chris martin is such an english cutie - his wife gwyneth paltrow is one lucky lady!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSviva la vida, lost!, violet hill, death and all his friends
KANYE WEST [808's and heartbreak]
i was caught off guard with this one - i've always thought kanye west was way talented yet i was never a big fan but after taking this album in - i was literally blown away - it's cold and downbeat but it just flows so well - he's incredible! i also got to see him during his 'glow in the dark' tour which was probably the best concert of the year - he put on an amazing show - as my pal gillian can attest to!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSheartless, love lockdown, coldest winter, bad news, paranoid
MARIAH CAREY [e=mc2]
oh my mariah! although this album wasn't a huge seller for ms. carey - i actually liked it way better than her last release (the emancipation of mimi) but i think the choice of singles (except 'touch my body') was all wrong - i would have picked better singles for sure (like 'side effects' or 'migrate') this past year mariah got hitched again - i thought her marriage to nick cannon would have been over by now but somehow he's managing to handle her - i totally adore her but she must be a nightmare to deal with!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSmigrate, touch my body, side effects, for the record, o.c.c.
BEYONCE [i am...sasha fierce]
there's nothing overly special or different about ms. knowles latest release but it's just a really well-crafted & produced album - showcasing what beyonce does best - sing! plus 'single ladies' was for sure the most infectious single of the year (besides britney's 'womanizer') although i wasn't crazy about the 'beyonce experience tour' i will for sure be seeing her when she comes around next summer (with her sister solange in tow)
ESSENTIAL TRACKSsingle ladies, if i were a boy, radio, broken-hearted girl
DUFFY [rockferry]
i've been all about duffy since the end of last year - with amy winehouse's absence on the music scene (she's too busy on the drug scene) duffy filled the void and provided us with some great soul singing (along with adele) and 'mercy' also stands out as one of the best singles of the year!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSrockferry, warwick avenue, mercy, hanging on too long
LITTLE JACKIE [the stoop]
probably the least known album on my list - it's a total gem and i highly recommend picking this one up - her single 'the world should revolve around me' is perfect to play when you're down & out (along with the rest of the fresh & funky tracks) i can't wait to see what little jackie does in the years to come!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSthe world should revolve around me, 28 butts, liked you better before
CYNDI LAUPER [bring ya to the brink]
she's been working it for years now and this album is so much fun and provided the best dance single of the year 'into the nightlife'! i also got to interview cyndi lauper by phone earlier this year but my tape came out all wonky so i wasn't able to post it (which completely killed me) but she was so very nice to chat with - she's a total legend and i've always felt she was underrated - ms. lauper rules!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSinto the nightlife, rain on me, lay me down, same ol'story
SHERYL CROW [detours]
hands down one of my favorite singers of all-time - sheryl crow can do no wrong and her latest release is no exception - i love her laid back & relaxed style - and she always crafts such amazing & heartfelt songs! i finally got to see her play live again this past year which was such a nice treat - she's simply incredible in concert - she's totally the real deal!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSgod bless this mess, drunk with the thought of you, out of our heads, gasoline
LADY GAGA [the fame]
i've had my ups and downs with lady gaga but i have to hand it to her - she made a really nice pop album with a number of great tracks - i've been hearing about her for over a year now and it's nice to see someone progress from being virtually unknown to becoming a grammy nominee for her super hot song 'just dance' - she'll be around for years to come - i think girlfriend is just getting started!
ESSENTIAL TRACKSjust dance, the fame, poker face, beautiful dirty rich, love game
good evening y'all! i hope everyone is somewhere nice & warm enjoying xmas eve (and the 3rd night of hanukkah) i just left work a little while ago (then ran into melanie brown's hubby stephen belafonte at the grocery store - so random) i'm totally staying in tonight with a little red wine (my favorite australian shiraz) and delicious food plus i picked up mamma mia! on blu-ray which i've been dying to see again - total guilty pleasure! right now please have a listen to a sampler of lily allen's new album it's not me, it's you below which will be in stores on february 9th - after hearing snippets of a few tracks - i'm extra excited - i think it's going to be an awesome album - i'm so stoked! (as i know my pal victoria will be) much love to all as always - popbytes over & out for tonight...xoxo (later on you might catch me on twitter - lately i've been obsessed!)
it's not me, it's you track listing
1. everyones at it
2. the fear
3. not fair
4. 22
5. i could say
6. back to the start
7. never gonna happen
8. f**k you
9. whod have known
10. chinese
11. him
12. he wasnt there
good morning! today pink is releasing her brand new 5th studio album funhouse which i've been listening to obsessively over the past few weeks and it's totally brilliant and probably her best album ever (that's saying a lot since i love her other albums) for sure this is pink's most personal & introspective effort (her split with skater hottie carey hart definitely provided plenty of inspiration) it's quickly becoming my top album of 2008 - every track is great - including her second single sober (co-written with tony kanal of no doubt) which she performed live over on britian's 4music - watch the video below - it's an awesome song! (also check out please don't leave me - another stellar track) please don't forget to pick up your copy of funhouse today - you won't be disappointed - and finally kudos to pink - girlfriend turned out an incredible album! popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
pink on october 19th at australia's 2008 ARIA awards held in sydney
hey hey! as of late i've been seriously wondering what is going on with my dear scissor sisters - i knew that they'd have to pop up soon - lo & behold the band performed at one of two secret shows on monday night at NYC's legendary mercury lounge under the name debbie hairy - after the band's world tour in support of sophomore albumta-dah ended - they took a much deserved break to work on their third studio album and finally decided to test out some new material live earlier this week! below are pictures of cutie pie jake shears (although i'm not in love with his nerdy outfit - i've seen him look a lot sexier...) along with the always fabulous ana matronic and oh so sexy baby daddy (who has the most gorgeous eyes) i can't wait to get more details on the band's upcoming album! many thanks to photographer kevin tachman for the heads up on the recent secret NYC show (i'd love it if they decided to do one in LA - perhaps at the roxy?) popbytes over & out for tonight...xoxo
hey kids! i'm about to head down to the roxy for a (hopefully) fun night out (i adore the sunset strip on a friday night - it's always a interesting scene to say the least...) with the music being spun by DJ samantha ronson (i totally will keep my eyes peeled for a possible lindsay lohan sighting...i'll post a bit about the evening later tonight or check in on my twittering) anyways before i leave i wanted to post pink's new album cover for her 5th studio release funhouse - landing in stores on october 28th yet it has already spawned a #1 billboard single with her infectious pop anthem so what (watch the video) as much as i'm anticipating her latest release - i hope girlfriend seriously stays far away from scientology and gets back together with her mega hottie hubby carey hart! popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
hey hey! i'm still feeling totally drained from yesterday but i took it easy today so i can be ready to deal with the good times waiting at work for me tomorrow! as far as the red carpet at the video music awards '08 was concerned it wasn't flowing with celebrities like i had hoped but i did manage to talk to a few people - including shwayze & cisco adler (a small bit of video is posted below with an introduction by hip hop artist ditch who was way cool too) i actually had more fun commiserating with my fellow blogger comrades standing nearby including maura from idolator, diana from hollyscoop, nikki from b5media, jen & wayne from buzznet, and zack from hot or not gossip, plus i ran into my longtime pal charlie who writes for the LA times! right before i left to head over to the b-tank VIP area to watch the show i ran into DJ samantha ronson who was taken back a bit when i told her i was a blogger yet i mentioned i'm one of the nicer ones and she totally got what i was talking about...
the folks over at MTV did a superb job at providing a cool & comfy area to watch the show from plus there was free food and drinks which was desperately needed by the time i arrived over there - i did see a number of celebs mingling around including paris hilton's parents rick & kathy - basically i ended up moving from area to area checking out the scene while enjoying my drinks and the tasty treats at hand - i still need to watch the entire show (i missed some parts of it and of course host UK comedian russell brand managed to stir up a bit of controversy) however i managed to see pink & rihanna's performances which were off the hook and i did like christina aguilera but her whole new vibe reminded me a lot of lady gaga...at the end kanye west did an excellent job and he performed right in front of where i was! once the show was over (around 8:15pm) i felt the need to move on since i had been on the lot since 11:30am! (i will say that this year's awards were much better than last year's las vegas mess and i was thrilled to see britney spears walking off with three awards) many thanks go out to sarah, emily and mylan for helping to hook a blog up - you guys rule!
i was drained by the time i left but luckily i got a second wind and decided to head over to in touch weekly's party at the chateau marmont which seemed to be the hottest ticket in town and let me tell - oh my word - it was pure insanity outside trying to get in (the cops had to keep telling pople to get out of the street) then as i was waiting in line i realized i couldn't find my valet ticket which really started to stress me out in a major way so i left and went back to the valet area...thankfully one of the girls had it in her pocket - phew! once that stress was gone i got in touch with my pal bich ngoc who helped me gain quick entry (with her label credentials - many thanks go out to jamie too for always keeping me in mind) since we were there to see the veronicas who came on just as we walked into the party and they sounded great - plus i got to meet jess (who has the most adorable aussie accent) we tried to find her twin sister lisa but it was really crowded inside!
however i did see my pals molly & becky from popsugar and we moved from area to area scouting out the celebrity filled scene - probably the biggest sighting was lindsay lohan who was planted right next to her girl DJ samantha ronson - and then audrina patridge (who is simply gorgeous in person) was floating around right by us (she was with some very cute guy and they were holding hands) we also saw new daddy david spade, matthew perry, linkin park, annalynne mccord, candis cayne, simon rex, dave annabelle, rick salomon, damien fahey, sean stewart, tiffany 'new york' pollard, shane west, pauly shore, kris jenner, and 'bachelor' andy baldwin (there's plenty of pictures over on popsugar)
then singer leona lewis did an amazing three song set including her new single better in time along w/ her smash hit bleeding love - i had no clue she was performing so that was a really kick-ass unexpected treat! after that things started to wind down and i was so very tired - right after audrina patridge left - i stepped out the door and she was being swarmed by a bunch of paparazzi - it was complete madness and the poor thing had trouble getting a ride as she was blinded by the many flashes but finally it looked like she jumped in a cab with her cute boy in tow! then i headed up to get my car with bich ngoc and we waited for about twenty minutes for our cars to come around...the night was finally over! ok that was a really long post - kudos to anybody who actually read the whole thing! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo
oh my gosh - i can't believe that ashanti, beyonce, carrie underwood, ciara, fergie, keyshia cole, leona lewis, mariah carey, mary j. blige, miley cyrus, natasha bedingfield, nicole scherzinger, and rihanna all managed to get up on stage together tonight (during fashion rocks) over in NYC to sing their collective new single just stand up which is helping to raise money for stand up to cancer and ran simultaneously on all three major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) all of the ladies did an amazing job (the video is posted below) it was a complete thrill to see all of those divas coming together for an excellent cause! (the weakest link by far was miley cyrus who stuck out like a sore thumb...) popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo (you can buy the single just like i did over on itunes!)
oh my gosh - today is duffy's big day here in the states - her incredible debut album rockferry is officially on sale here in the US! (just last week i picked up a vinyl copy of the album - although i don't have a record player - i'm addicted to collecting vinyl - especially 45s) i first posted about the welsh soul singer back at the end of january upon discovery of her kick-ass single mercy - and it has been popping up in all sorts of places (the hills, women's murder club) duffy was celebrating her stateside release today at the times square virgin megastore where she signed copies of her album and also performed! i can't wait until she finally does her first los angeles show - i'd like to vote for the roxy to be her first LA venue - hands down the best small venue in town! popbytes over & out for tonight - long live duffy - xxoo
hey hey! oh it's sunday evening - the weekend is almost over - huge bummer! (earlier today i picked up mario kart for the wii which was just released today - it's a total blast!) tomorrow night i'm supposed to go catch hot chip downtown at the mayan theatre but i haven't decided yet if i feel like trekking out on a monday night (the worst night for a show...in fact the following monday (may 5th) i have tickets to see alicia keys) the band just recently played over at the coachella music festival (which i should have went to now in retrospect) along w/ a bunch of other hot acts (kate nash, duffy, portishead, prince...the list goes on) including french pop singer yelle (join her on myspace) who seems to be making a splash here in the states recently - i just picked up her debut album pop-up last week and although it's all in french - i totally love it - in fact i started trying to teach my parrot max a few phrases in french which i'm sure he'll pick up soon (like 'je m'apelle max') he talks all the time (and screams when he wants attention - and trust me he gets it right away - the screaming is unbearable) i need to get some video up here on popbytes soon of max doing his thing! anyways there's some great photos below of yelle performing at coachella (taken by pal of popbytes kevin tachman for wenn) along with the video for one of her catchy singles je veux te voir! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
hey hey! i'm super excited because this coming thursday (april 24th) i've been invited to a special portishead rehearsal session as the english trip-hop band (join them on myspace) preps to play at the upcoming coachella music festival and they're finally releasing their new album third after a ten year delay on april 29th! hands down one of my top albums of all-time is dummy which the band released back in 1994 (the year i graduated from high school) lead singer beth gibbons vocals are hauntingly beautiful and goose bump inducing! the best part is that i've been given three pairs of tickets that are now up for grabs here on popbytes! all you have to do is email me at mk@popbytes.com (between now and late tuesday evening) please make sure you live in los angeles and don't already have plans for thursday night! i think it's going to be an amazing & intimate experience with some kick-ass music plus one of my dearest friends will be in town from NYC - the evening promises to be good times all around! i will be randomly selecting the winners who will be contacted soon with all the exact details (the band's rehearsal will take place between 7-9pm-ish) below you can also watch the video for portishead's first single off the album called machine gun - a stellar track - i totally can't wait to hear more new material! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
enter to win a pair of tickets to a special private portishead rehearsal as they prepare to headline this year's coachella music festival and release their hugely-anticipated cd, third, their first album in 10 years, in stores april 29th.
the exclusive rehearsal will be held in los angeles on april 24th. further details to be delivered to winner...
good morning y'all! i'm thrilled to be posting again about the b-52's (join them on myspace) today their long awaited new album is finally out (after 16 years!) you must pick up funplex (buy it now on itunes w/ two bonus live tracks from their show at the roxy!) it's incredibly fun and will totally remind you why you fell in love with the gang from athens, georgia in the first place! to celebrate the release i've got one 'funplex pack' to toss out ( which includes funplex on CD & vinyl, the remix EP, a poster, stickers, & buttons!) you can have a listen to two tracks posted above a few of the band's new pictures - they all look incredible - i remember back in the day i had a huge crush on cutie keith strickland who still looks hot today! to win the prize pack just email me at mk@popbytes.com with your best reason for wanting the b-52's goods - i'll pick the best response later tonight and post it here! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
» listen to the B-52's funplex (windows media player) & hot corner (.mp3)
hey! oh my gosh ever since lil' mama (join her on myspace) dropped her hot catchy tune lip gloss - i've been dying for her debut album to come out - and just today i received the way cute cover of vyp: voice of the young people which will hit stores on april 29th! i've posted about her a few times on here before (and i will again for sure - i'm a total fan) check out the links below! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
hey hey! did anyone else manage to pick up janet jackson's new album discipline today? i do love ms. jackson - overall it's not bad - there are a number of great tracks (2nite, the 1, so much betta, can't b good) but it feels slightly recycled - there's eight interludes and fourteen songs (i say retire interludes all together - they really break up the flow of an album - if there has to be a compromise i suggest doing an intro and outro which would be far less distracting) i can say i've never disliked a janet album - however i wish she would switch up her whole vibe a bit and do a little re-inventing - it's still all about dimming the lights & sexy time! (i want a really solid full on dance album from her some point down the road...)
i don't want to compare her to madonna but i will anyway...at least madge (who will be inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame by justin timberlake) switches it up (i'm not a crazy madonna fan btw - i do think she's incredible but i'm not a diehard) her last album confessions on a dance floor was sheer pop/dance brilliance!
yet her upcoming release hard candy (the boring (IMHO) title was just announced today) has me slightly worried - i think it'll be very tough to outdo her last outing - we'll know soon enough on april 29th (probably before...i'm sure it'll leak)
back to janet - her two singles feedback (catch her performance on 'good morning america' below) & rock with u are kick-ass tracks - i was totally blasting ms. jackson in the car this evening - i didn't want to write a negative review of discipline at all - i do really like it - we're talking janet (ms. jackson if you're nasty) she's a legendary pop icon and can basically do no wrong - it'd just be great to see her break out of her mold - there's plenty of time - she's only almost forty-two (madonna turns fifty in august!) popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo!
good morning! last week i had the amazing opportunity to get on the horn with tony award winning actress idina menzel (join her on myspace) i was at her showcase here in hollywood a few weeks ago in support of her new album i stand - which is simply
gorgeous and out in stores today! (purchase it at amazon or itunes!) we covered tons of topics including her amazing critically acclaimed stint as 'elphaba' in wicked along with her tony nominated broadway debut playing 'maureen' in rent - as well as her new album and what's next on the horizon for ms. menzel...she was so very gracious & sweet!
i must admit to being quite nervous at first but once we got to talking - i was completely relaxed and idina was very thoughtful with her answers - i think it's one of the best interviews i've done here on popbytes - i'm very proud of it! as a special treat - i've got five copies of her new album i stand to toss out - i'll leave the contest open for a whole week - just email me at istand@popbytes.com with the reason why you deserve a copy of idina's new album - i'll randomly pick five people who answer that question! many thanks to popbytes' pals carmen & martha for making this all happen - you guys totally rock my world! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
MK: Hi Idina - thanks so much for taking time to speak with me! Starting off - I have a couple of friends that are huge fans of Wicked and I have a couple of questions from them. One question was how did the London production differ from the New York one? Was there a big difference that you happened to notice?
Idina: There was a big difference in me. I had more confidence having been through the experience and being well received so I could go to London and really rediscover the role with a freedom that it was going to be okay. Something about that just made all the difference and enabled me to enjoy myself more.
MK: I actually just saw the show a few weeks here in Los Angeles - finally - and I loved it! I haven't seen much theater since I moved here from New York almost seven years ago, I miss Broadway so much - that's the one thing I miss most about living in New York.
Idina: Yeah, me too - I've been in Los Angeles a lot lately.
MK: I'm actually from Long Island, too.
Idina: Oh where?
MK: Stony Brook.
Idina: Oh, wow - that's funny! I'm going out there to do an in-store signing at Borders - I think its Borders - in Syosset near my high school.
MK: Oh really? My Dad was a police sergeant in the 2nd precinct in Syosset plus I had family there too - small world! Anyways moving on I wanted to ask you have you heard anything about a film version of Wicked coming down the pike, has there any been talk of that?
Idina: None to me. I think that they're doing really well with Wicked, the theatrical endeavor; I think they probably want to wait a little bit longer before doing a film. I would love to be a part of it, but I don't know if by that time I'll be old enough to be Elphaba's grandmother!
MK: And then finally about Broadway, what do you think about Rent closing? What are your thoughts on that after the show has played for 12 years?
Idina: I'm very sad - just great sadness and real loss because it represents so many things for me. I met my husband (actor Taye Diggs) in rehearsals for Rent 12 years ago - that experience changed my life.
MK:Rent was your Broadway debut, right?
Idina: That was my Broadway debut. The experience was very traumatic with Jonathan Larson passing away right before we went up and in a very odd way, it was sort of a gift that he gave us that I keep with me throughout my career now - I don't take anything for granted, and I really try to embrace the moment and stay grounded. I'll never forget how important it was for us, as a cast, to get up on stage every night and to sing his words and put forth his message when he wasn't there.
I think when we were young like that; it was something that was so invaluable to have. I would trade it in a minute to have him be able to be here to see how he has changed so much - the world and the minds of young people and all that. If anything good had to come of it all, it was that experience of learning responsibility and embracing the moment.
MK: I was just watching the movie over the weekend, too, and I kept thinking, "God, it's so sad that he passed on and doesn't know what became of his incredible work."
Idina: Yes.
MK: Moving on, you've got your brand new album I Stand coming out next week. (Jan 29th)
Idina: I do, yes.
MK: So what was it like working with legendary producer Glen Ballard on your album?
Idina: It was a dream for me. He's been someone I always wanted to work with. Throughout the years I've had ups and downs where my career wasn't happening, and I used to really dream of getting someone even just comparable to Glen Ballard. I never even thought I could get Glen Ballard to get in the studio with me yet I just knew that he would understand me. He would embrace all the diffeRent facets of my personality, experiences and styles and help to find one cohesive way to express my music.
And that's exactly what happened. You know, he just gave me all this freedom to come in and present all my ideas and he encouraged me to write music with him, and I feel like with all these diffeRent elements - there's a real unity in the music. Yet I don't feel like I compromised any part of myself.
MK: Right, I've heard the album. It's really superb - it's gorgeous. I'm really excited for you.
Idina: Thank you so much.
MK: So I was going to ask you, now the - obviously the music industry is so very tough, I'm sure you probably heard a couple of weeks ago legend Annie Lennox was dropped by her label, Sony BMG.
Idina: You know, I didn't hear that. Right after mine is when Glen produced hers.
MK: I know, and it's so incredible - it was one of my top albums from last year. Apparently they weren't returning her phone calls, plus her contract was up, and they chose not to renew it...
Idina: Are you kidding me? I did not know that.
MK: I know, and you'd think that somebody who has done so much work -
Idina: That album is brilliant. I heard that album, and I was like, "I can't believe he worked with me." I mean, she's my idol. She is the reason why I gave myself permission to make this album because I feel like she's the kind of singer that has this huge voice, this enormous range, all this soulfulness, yet she still has a theatricality and a drama to her music, which makes me feel okay to sort of come with my own experiences.
There's a way to finesse being really expressive and emotional in your music, and not necessarily making a theatre album, but having the integrity and credibility of a pop album. So she's, by far for me, my biggest inspiration.
MK: Oh, wow! Yeah, so it's just - it's unfortunate, as you probably know - even Dolly Parton, now has her own label, and she's releasing her own album soon free from the constraints of a big label.
Idina: I think that actually enables people to have more control over their careers - especially if they already have careers - and audiences built in. Someone like me that's trying to break into a new genre needs more help from a label. Thankfully they're very supportive of me. But yeah, it's almost - it's probably nice for some of them - like Radiohead, to have sold their latest album the way they wanted to sell it. It's definitely a freeing thing for a lot of artists.
MK: Definitely. Are you excited about the upcoming Chess concert in London? Are you still doing that?
Idina: Yes! I get excited about it so much. I'm thrilled to be up there with Josh Grobin. I love him and respect him so much; I am so excited that I have an excuse to go back to London because when I did Wicked there I fell in love with it - the people and the city. I had a life-changing experience there - I just really adored the entire five months I was there.
But I just have this album coming out, I haven't been able to sit and really learn and get inside the music yet. So I'm going to give myself a couple weeks to enjoy this release time, and then I'm going to get busy!
MK: Talking about curRent events, do you have any advice for Britney Spears or maybe even more so Amy Winehouse? You know, for me - I don't know if you've heard her album, Back to Black, but it's just such an incredible album, then to see her just the other day caught on camera smoking crack - do you have any advice for this type of 'mess'?
Idina: Well, I mean, I don't feel like it's my position to place judgment on anyone or to advise anyone. I mean, I struggle to do the right thing all the time in my own life, and I just hope that those people can (I didn't mean I struggled like that - I never did drugs.)
Life is difficult and I am happy to have a real group of friends and family that are supportive of me, and I just hope that those people will - even if they're being pushed away - will force themselves back into those girls' lives and sit them down and give them a chance to just breathe. You know, that's the only thing that bothers me is that - where are those people?
You know, even if they say, "I don't want any help," there comes a time where you're a best friend or a sister or a brother and you say, "Too bad. I'm coming in here and we're going to work this out." It just seems like these people don't have that kind of help.
MK: Yeah. I agree, and most of the people around them are either in for money or fame - yeah, it's sad.
Idina: I don't get it.
MK: Two more quick questions. What do you think it is - because I'm gay, and I love you, and I know a lot of other gay people love you as well. Do you think it's just you being fabulous or do you think it's from being in Rent and then even being in Wicked - I mean, Elphaba's such a character that the gay community can kind of identify with, you know, sort of being an outcast - what do you make of all that?
Idina: Help me answer that - I need to figure it out because I'm being asked this question a lot. What would be your answer if I asked, "What's the type of woman or performer that the gay community gravitates to? What makes that kind of performer?" What would you say is the connection between Madonna, Cher and Judy Garland - I know I'm stereotyping, but what would you say since I keep getting asked this question, and I don't know.
I mean, I will say this before I let you answer, that I think what I love so much about my friends who are gay and the gay community is that I believe that they are the most authentic, honest, courageous, outspoken, compassionate people that I know. I just try to mirror that in my own life and my own work. Maybe there's some kind of connection there, I'm inspired by that.
MK: I definitely think it's being like sort of a diva - and I don't want to use the term "diva" in a bad way.
Idina: I can't say that about myself. I can't say, "Oh, I'm a diva."
MK: No, but I think - you know, for me, I would think of you flying up there in your green Elphaba makeup and 'Defying Gravity' - that's a total diva moment!
Idina: Big voices and -
MK: Definitely. I think between Rent, because that show has gay themes and characters and then coupled with Wicked...
Idina: Right, I think that the two shows I have done definitely are about people that don't necessarily fit into a mold, and are embracing their own individuality. I would hope that that's why maybe they're supporters of me.
MK: Yes, plus we have good taste, I like to think so at least! Finally, my last question -
Idina: You said you have good taste?
MK: We do - gays happen to have impeccable taste!
Idina: Thank you very much.
MK: I had to also ask how is your dog, Sammy Davis Jr.?
Idina: He's fabulous. He's on a plane right now probably driving Taye crazy because he's not a good flyer, and he goes under the seat, but that's because he's ten pounds and we try to give him a little doggie sedative, and he fights through it. Then he whimpers and he embarrasses us on the plane, which I guess is a good experience for when we have a child and they just start crying and everyone looks at us to get the baby to be quiet.
But he's on his way with Sammy - having been away with some friends, and I haven't seen either of them in ten days so I'm very excited to see them both! We also have two cats - Coltrane and Ella, the jazz cats.
MK: Awww - how cute - I love animals. So for my final question, after Broadway, film and music projects, what would be your next dream project - is there something you're dying to do?
Idina: Well, I want to go on tour with my band and experience that type of thing. Then I'm dying to get back to the stage and figure out a great original role that I can get into and help develop from the early stages. It's always been an honor for me to work on something from the start. The years before it comes out and to be able to sit with the composer at the piano and really develop something - have them curtail it to my voice and my personality. It's something I want to do as soon as I can figure out the right project for me.
MK: And say if you were to do a dream theatre project, what would be your classic role? Which character would you want to play - you're obviously too young to play Mama Rose from Gypsy - but is there any legendary role that -
Idina: Oh, it would be Fanny in Funny Girl, but I don't think I'll ever play it because I have too much respect for Barbara Streisand and I just don't think anyone can get up on stage and say, "Hello, Gorgeous!" and - just, you know...
MK: Yeah, that would be hard.
Idina: Yes, it would be really hard, but it is something I identify with being a girl from - well, Bronx, Long Island - similar, you know, experience, I just love that show so much - but I think I'm going to let that idea go.
MK: Idina, thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with me. I'm going to put up this interview probably the day that your album comes out to get a little extra spotlight on you.
Idina: I appreciate that. It's a big deal for me, and I really appreciate the support.
MK: You're so welcome. Thank you, again, and you have a great afternoon.
good evening boys & girls! last night i received a lovely email from a local (venice beach) cute singer/songwriter named matthew moon who was up at sundance - and ended up perfoming with velvet revolver this past sunday! the entire tale is below - and yes paris hilton makes an appearance in the story - girlfriend sure does get around! (she's pictured below with matthew) i thought the story was really sweet and very cool - i asked mr. moon if i could share it here on popbytes - and he said he would be honored if i posted it! so read on below for all the details (plus you can find more pictures from the evening here) popbytes over & out for now...xxoo! (i didn't cover the film festival at all on popbytes - so consider this is my one & only post on sundance which seems to be in decline w/ the attendance of loads of C & D-listers!)
Two days ago I was performing at a Sundance Film Festival event in Salt Lake City, UT. After my performance at Rose Wagner Theater, I began driving the 25 minutes it takes to get back up to Park City. I checked my voicemail and there was a frantic message from my friend Jenna Lynn. "Mattie Moon, it's Jenna", she said. "Call me back, it's urgent, urgent, urgent, URGENT - about tonight", she continued, tension in her otherwise smooth voice, "come play with Velvet Revolver, please come sing...we need somebody who can sing...call me...bye!" If you are not familiar, Velvet Revolver is a rock band comprised of rock n' roll icons, Slash, Duff McKagan, & Matt Sorum from Guns N' Roses, and Dave Kushner & Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. I looked at my traveling companion, Kooze, and said "Dude...I think they want me to sing with Velvet Revolver tonight!" My stomach began to turn. I received a text five minutes later that said "Wanna play vocals for Velvet tonight?" I looked at Kooze and we both started laughing hysterically. "Hell yeah!", I texted back. Apparently, Velvet front man, Scott Weiland, had missed his flight from Los Angeles and would not be able to make the gig...
We jetted up the mountain as fast as we could. While we were driving I began downloading lyrics off the net from my Blackberry - I had never even heard a Velvet Revolver song before! When we arrived I was quickly escorted backstage to meet the band. I walked in, said hello, and took my guitar out - we began mapping out a game plan. Duff asked me if I knew any Stones' covers and I told him I knew 'Honkey Tonk Woman'. I started jotting the lyrics down on a piece of paper. Soon after, Donovan Leitch, son of legendary singer Donovan, arrived and began learning songs too. Then came Cisco Adler (from Whitestarr and ex-boyfriend of Mischa Barton who was also at the festival...) He was accompanied by actress E.G. Daily, best known for her role in the cult classic movie, 'Valley Girl'. We ran through the song in an empty stairwell and then made our way to the stage. My song was up second from last, so I stood by and watched as Donovan and Cisco sang 'Rock N' Roll' by Led Zeppelin.
Right before their song was about to finish, I noticed Paris Hilton making her way to the front row - I actually thought about running! Could there be any more pressure than this? Then Paris jumped on the stage and made her way over to where we were standing. I took the microphone from Cisco's hand as drummer Matt Sorum started the legendary cowbell count-off that signifies the beginning of one of the best Rolling Stones' songs ever. When the time came, I began to sing, "I met a gin soaked, barroom queen in Memphis..." The whole crowd was singing along - everyone was grooving! Then Cisco and E.G. joined me on the harmonies - it was AWESOME! The band was so friendly & cool - there was certainly something very serendipitous about Sundance this year!
good evening y'all! now we all knew that nicole sherzinger's (she's the main gal in pussycat dolls) debut album her name is nicole was delayed indefinitely - but thanks to popbytes' friend & reader alekos - it looks like it's going to be put on hold a lot longer than we originally thought - delayed by fourteen twelve years to be exact - oh my gosh producers could spend a year perfecting each & every track! (which the album probably desperately needs...hence the delay) obviously it's a mistake but amazon has her album listed for release on december 31st 2020! (you can pre-order now if waiting fourteen years is your thing plus you'll be able to lock in the low price of 13.98 - i'm sure by 2020 prices will have gone up!) i totally got a chuckle out of this and i thought you might too! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo
good evening and happy friday night! so my very dear pal victoria was harping on me for months (literally) to give UK singer/songwriter kate nash a listen (join her on myspace) of course since i admit to being the biggest procrastinator around - i never quite got around to it but this past tuesday while i was doing my weekly music shopping at virgin - i saw ms. nash's album made of bricks was released here in the states (she has already made a huge splash over in the UK - the album was released over there this past august) i picked it up and popped it in - and now i'm totally obsessed! i should have listened to ms. victoria (she was also the very first person to turn me onto lily allen) speaking of ms. allen...ms. nash is actually semi-similar with her storytelling lyrics & quirky brit vibe - but it's different (and dare i say better!) plus her voice mildly reminds me of björk - i for sure have found my first favorite album of 2008! the song that sold me on her was foundations (the video is embedded below) i highly recommend giving her a listen - please don't put it off like i did - kate nash is the fucking bomb! (i'm also loving the track mariella) popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo!
PS congratulations to three new hollywood moms...nicole richie, christina aguilera and courtney thorne-smith...they do say things always happen in threes! (actually there was a fourth hollywood baby born today to david alan grier and his wife christine y. kim - the stork sure was a busy beaver today!)
good morning everybody! last night i had the privilege to attend idina menzel's showcase in hollywood to kick-off the release of her debut album i stand due in stores january 29th - you might know her from playing maureen in rent (a tony nominated performance!) and elphaba in wicked (a tony winning performance!) plus she stars in enchanted and sang the closing song for beowulf! she is a total knock your socks off singer - the album was produced by glen ballard who idina mentioned was on the top of her list of people to work with - she was so adorable and way humble (and very appreciative she was given the opportunity to make an album) plus her hubby hottie taye diggs was in the audience and it just so happened that it was their 5th wedding anniversary (they've been together for twelve years in total - ms. menzel mentioned taye was the first guy she was able to use the toilet in front of - it was a really funny aside!)
right after she mentioned it was their special day - idina sat down and sang a track called where do i begin? and she got all teary eyed - it was such a beautiful & romantic song - i got chills down my spine - right after she finished mr. diggs hopped up on stage to give his lady a big hug and kiss - so sweet! in total she sang about 6-7 songs - all of them she knocked out of the park - it was so amazing to be so close and hear her sing like she does - for sure i'll be mentioning ms. menzel again here on popbytes - also make sure to check out her youtube channel! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
