All posts in: Alicia Keys

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21 Nov 2009

In the News…

– 21-year old Alexa Vega is engaged to her boyfriend. He’s 33 years old. I’m a little creeped out because anytime I ever hear news about her I see this…!

get em’ Spy Kids girl!

– Heidi Klum has officially changed her name to Seal’s last name Samuel. You MUST now address her as Heidi Samuel

– Meet the Taylor Swift doll! She’s $45 at Amazon.com

– Oprah will be quitting her show on September 9th, 2011

– Alicia Keys will be launching a new jewelry collection called The Barber’s Daughters at a lower Manhattan shop, Collette Blanchard Gallery.

– Lauren Conrad is hitting the books again as she is set to publish her second book, Lauren Conrad Style – a fashion guide –  slated to hit shelves in Fall 2010.

– LOST will return to ABC on February 2nd, 2010 at 9 PM

– Nick Jonas and the Administration will release his new album Who I Am on Feb. 2nd.

 

 

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10 Oct 2009

Meet: John West

I first heard of John West from my friend Gelesia. The girl has been my concert/show company for almost two years so naturally I trust her instincts when it comes down to good music. Over the summer, she sent me a video of a live John West performance and from that moment on I was sold. His entire CD was on repeat for at least a month while I was at home over the summer. John West is an artist that reminds me a lot of the Seattle music I listen to. Although I have never seen him perform, his songs are very catchy and relatable to a wide audience. Plus he sounds just as good live on his tracks as he does on his CD, which believe it or not, that is not always the case.. John is great, let’s make him come to Seattle ya dig?

Q: Where are you originally from and has that influenced your sound if at all?

John West: I’m from Baton Rouge, Louisiana originally.  I would definitely say the southern feel, particularly the jazz and blues of Louisiana have influenced the music I’m making.  But so did Erykah Badu 🙂

Q: When I was sixteen years old, I knew I had wanted to work with music and PR when I planned my first concert. At what point did you realize, this is what I want to do?

J: In college I was studying art – cartooning to be exact, but music was something that I had pursued since I was a little kid singing in the church choir.  It wasn’t until my last year of college, when I started my first real band that I was like “Hmm, I think this is my real passion.”  Also, some of my music had been selected for an end-of-the year concert thing at Columbia College in Chicago where I was graduating from (another town that influenced my music).  So that random opportunity inspired me to really go after it.

Q: What’s a typical day for John West, give us a run through.

J: Wake up 9:30am.  200 crunches and 100 push-ups – not really.  More like 20 emails and 50 friend requests on Myspace/Facebook.  I try to get a workout in three times a week.   Emphasis on the word ‘try’.  During the past summer, I’d be out on the Santa Monica Promenade 4-6 days a week.  So that’d be from noon-8pm usually.  I have  lunch meetings sometimes, and even afternoon naps.  I tend to work on writing/recording music in the evening.  I stay up late watching “Mad Men” and “Californication“.

Q: Pick one: John Mayer, Jason Mraz, or Jack Johnson and why?

J: Ha, I like this one.  I’m gonna have to say John Mayer because of that song he did with Alicia Keys.  But I think hanging out with Jack Johnson could teach me a lot.  And Mraz is just dope and making music that he loves to make – I think he’s the most interesting of the bunch.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyFYKP7EvE]

Q: I follow you on Twitter, it sounds like you enjoy playing in lots of public places such as Third Street or the Promenade, why these places? I think it’s great that you are bringing the music to the public and expanding your fan base by the way, maybe more artists should do that!

J: Street performance is a great daily opportunity to get in front of hundreds if not thousands of new potential listeners, to refine your live show, to make a living, and to promote upcoming “traditional” shows.  It has it’s ups and downs, but I’ve been loving it this year.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure collaboration? Who would you like to collaborate with that your fans might find a bit surprising?

J: I would love to link up with Wil.I.Am, I think amazing things could happen.  Production is such a fascinating mystery to me.  There are some real geniuses out there.  Surprising collaboration?  How about John West & The Jonas Brothers? haha

Q: The music industry is a tough business to get into, what is one hardship you have endured and what piece of advice would you give to those who aspire to become a successful musician?

J: It takes time, and meanwhile you get older.  A hard thing to reconcile sometimes.  You have productive months, and then months where you feel lost.  My advice would be to make great music however you can.  I think it’s valuable to understand ProTools or Logic (two most popular recording software) so that you make your own music or at least communicate intelligently in the studio.  Promotion is so important.  Exposure.  Playing shows that make sense.  For more advice, email me.  I work as a new-model consultant haha

Q: What is on constant rotation on your iPod?

J: Pandora is my new iPod.  I love setting up a station around Friendly Fires and Cut Copy.  I like Thom Yorke’s new solo album (the single at least).  I want the soundtrack to “Away We Go”.  I like listening to jazz on 88.1

Katie note: I wholeheartedly recommend Friendly Fires and Cut Copy as well.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFklYQ0cI8w]

Q: Some of your songs revolve around love? Were these songs inspired by experience? What’s your idea of a perfect date and what traits do you look for in a girl?

J: Wow, what traits do I look for?  I just want someone real and kind.  Who loves to laugh and knows what it is to cry.  Besides that, who knows – there are wonderful people everywhere.  And yes, my love songs come from real experiences.

Q: Aside from yourself, who do you think is on the rise currently? Who should my readers be listening to?

J: I’m definitely no music expert, my finger is not on the pulse of the business, but I really dig that one rapper Blu.  U-N-I are cool.  There are probably a bunch of great singer-songwriters I’ve never heard of that are awesome and about to get record deals.

Q: Are you considering touring at all? And if so, Seattle will make the cut right?

J: Girl, you know I’ve got Seattle covered.  Seriously though, expanding throughout the west coast is the next move for me.

Q: What’s new for John West? What can we expect from you in the next few months or year?

J: Autumn EP coming soon.  Big Roxy show on January 23rd.  Headlining on a Saturday night, wooo- new website in the works, more big moves coming soon 🙂

Me: Thank you so much John! Best of luck to you with your music and future!

J: Only two months late on the interview, but was my pleasure to answer your questions!  They got me thinking.

To listen to more of John’s music visit his Myspace

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27 Sep 2009

Meet: Cathy Nguyen

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I met Cathy almost a year ago at my cousin’s wedding in California last December. She was one of the lead vocalists in the band performing and she blew us all away with her voice. A couple months after the wedding, my brother and I were reminicing about that night and wondered what the name of the band from that night was when we somehow stumbled upon Cathy’s YouTube page. Little did we know that she was basically a YouTube celebrity with her recordings of covers and even some of her original songs.

Q: Cathy, how old are you and where are you from?

Cathy Nguyen: I am 21 and I am from West Covina, California. Although, my family & I moved to Chino about 2 years ago, so that’s where I currently reside now.

Q: When did you first begin singing and was it just for fun or could you see this as a possible career?

C: I first started singing pretty much when I was able to talk. I remember my mom teaching me songs as I was growing up & that’s all I’ve been doing since. I never really considered on actually pursuing music as a career until my senior year of high school. I joined choir for the first time & absolutely loved it. I tried out for my first solo & since then, I must say, I’ve finally stepped out of my comfort zone & began performing more, whether it be at church or at a choir concert. But now, of course, weighing all the options, and looking pros & cons of pursuing music, I’ve decided not to go all the way. I’m really content with where I stand right now in regards to music.

Q: I love the covers you have done! In my opinion your version of Keri Hilson’s “Knock You Down,” is way better than the original. You have a million views on that video and 2 million views on your “I’m Yours” cover. That’s pretty impressive! Were you shocked when you realized that you were becoming YouTube’s next superstar? 😉

C: Haha! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. You know, I never imagined ever being able to get that many views on these dorky videos that I post, so I definitely was shocked. I’m STILL shocked actually! I’ve been so blessed ever since all this YouTube madness. Opportunities to do what I love began to increase and now, I have an event to perform at nearly once a week! To think, I started off like everyone else, WATCHING videos of people singing & performing, looking up to these people & enjoying watching their love & passion for music. & clearly, with the support of my family & friends, & really just through word of mouth, here I am, living my dream! I mean, not as a “Youtube superstar” haha, but I mean, being able to meet & work with these wonderful & talented singer/songwriters that I’ve watched & was [& still am!], inspired by.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEEVZ0cZExA]

Q: What is your favorite song to cover?

C: I have fun with every song that I choose to cover, but if I had to choose, I’d have to say “Lucky,” by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat. I love performing that with AJ Rafael.

Q: Who were your influences growing up?

C: I grew up listening to the typical boy bands & pop singers such as *NSYNC or Christina Aguilera. Haha! I mean, who didn’t? I grew up enjoying listening & singing to their music. My influences now though, would include, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles, Alicia Keys, & Taylor Swift. =]

Q: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

C: Ooh. That’s a tough question. I’d be so honored to collaborate with ANYONE actually!

Q: Are you doing some shows here and there or have you done any tours at all? If you do decide to do a tour, can I be your tour manager? Hahah

C: Yes, you can! =P Yeah, I’ve been performing here & there around California for the past year, ranging from birthday parties, to a benefit concert at a high school or university, to a coffee house or a church praise event. All my shows have been in California though. I’d love to do a tour & I’ve even gotten offers to perform outside of the state, but I’m currently unavailable to do that at the moment.

Q: What is a typical day for Cathy Nguyen?

C: My typical day usually consists of me sitting in front of my computer for hours checking updates & comments on all the social networking websites, responding to performance emails, & then end up being late to school or work, coming home from work/school & pretty much start doing the same thing all over again. haha! & definitely when I have the chance to, I hang out with my friends.

Q: Do you believe having your YouTube account, Twitter and Facebook Fan Page has helped you connect more with your fans or listeners?

C: Yes of course! All these social networking sites have allowed me to connect & talk to my supporters. I read them all and I try to respond back to everyone, but it does get overwhelming for me. I’ve been so blessed & I am so grateful for all the love & support I have. I really appreciate it!


Q: Some of your video covers have included your friends as well; do you see yourself being more as a soloist or with a band?

C: I love singing & performing with other people because I’m so self-conscious & I know that when I sing with other people, the attention isn’t all on me. But if I had to choose, I would probably see myself as being more of a soloist though, either that or with one other person. I don’t see myself in a band, although, that’d be pretty interesting!

Q: What are you listening to these days and who would you suggest my readers start listening to, besides you of course!

C: I used to listen to a lot of the artists on the radio, but honestly these days, I know so little of those outside music. I listen to more of my friends’ music than anyone else actually. I would for sure suggest anyone to listen to their music! AJ Rafael, Passion, Gabe Bondoc, Melissa Polinar & Jane Lui, are just a few of the people I’ve been inspired by. They are amazing, really. They really make you appreciate true music.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwq7PwQ1eM4]

Q: Where can we expect to see you next Cathy?

C: Well, you can probably see me next on a YouTube video! haha. Other than that, I have a few shows lined up for the next couple of months. All that information will be updated soon on my Myspace music page.

Check out more of Cathy’s videos on her YouTube account page here