Melanie Fiona

Last month, we reviewed up and coming singer Melanie Fiona's debut single, Give It To Me Right and this month, we have an interview with her. Hello Melanie, I want to thank you for taking the time out to answer a few questions. Your album The Bridge is due out later this year, is there a song on your record that you relate to the most?

Ay yo. I wrote it from a really personal place in a time that I was feeling frustrated in my life. I knew that people at one time or another felt how I did, so I wanted to make an anthem that I would see people singing along with at my shows. It’s driven by finding positivity in adversity.

You're a singer and a songwriter, can you describe what music is to you?

Music is my gift. It is the oldest memory of falling in love that I have. It is... Read More »

Article, Give it to me Right, Kanye West, Melanie Fiona, Sam Cooke, The Bridge

Josh Hoge

I had never really heard of Josh before a friend introduced me to him and I'm betting you haven't heard of him either but he's one to watch out for. He released an album in 2008 that is amazing, Everything She Was. I can't remember the last time I've heard such a smooth voice. His voice somewhat reminds me of Craig David but better and so are the songs. He's signed to the Blackledge Music Label, which is home to a few more lesser known artists. Josh's vocals are very polished and the album itself is good from start to finish. It features a couple guest appearances (Marc Broussard and labelmate, Caitlin Crosby). If you're looking for an artist with a Pop/R&B/Soulful sound, you should check him out! You can preview his album on his myspace. Also, his cover of Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone is... Read More »

Blind Ambition

Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins can only be described as a complicated character. A once-revered hottie, Berkeley grad, epic procrastinator and eccentric wordsmith, Jenkins now spends his days duking it out with his bandmates, hardcore fans and himself. His current position is the result of years of conflict, both in business and his personal life. Musically, Third Eye Blind has undergone many changes in lineup, from its early studio days while the band was still settling on a final roster, to the firing of lead guitarist Kevin Cadogan, and, most recently, finding a stand-in for a fan-favorite, ex-bassist Arion Salazar. Salazar was once described by many as the very heart and soul of Third Eye Blind; a laid-back musical badass with an electric connection to his fans. There are still many unanswered questions that pertain to Salazar’s departure; unfortunately, Jenkins and company have proved mum on the subject, assumingly to protect his privacy. The loss of their... Read More »

Jenny Owen Youngs — Transmitter Failure

With Transmitter Failure (released 5/26/09), Jenny Owen Youngs (JOY) manages to make a different but equally fantastic follow-up to her dynamic debut Batten the Hatches (2005, rereleased in 2007 by Nettwerk). Music videos for three of the album's songs ("Clean Break," "If I Didn't Know" and "First Person") can already be seen on YouTube. JOY continues to soar out of the galaxy with her perfect pop vocal and clever lyrics.  Her words might not be as consistently creative and witty as on Batten the Hatches; but the drop-off is merely a debatable argument, not a severely noticeable decline. On Transmitter Failure, JOY hands in her acoustic guitar and plugs in her new musical toy of choice.  Okay, it is not as earth-shattering as when Dylan went electric, but JOY’s skill with the acoustic guitar and the sensational results exemplified on Batten the Hatches would cause most artists to stick with what works. JOY made the decision... Read More »

Whatever Happened To… Hanson

If you were around in the 90s, you certainly know who I am talking about. They hit the world by storm in 1997 with their album Middle of Nowhere and their smash single, "MmmBop," that shot straight to number one. The next four singles off that album didn't do well, with the exception of "I Will Come To You," which made it to number 9 on the charts. Then, they kind of dropped off the face of the Earth, at least for most people. They actually put out another album in 2000, This Time Around, before taking a four year break. So maybe you have been wondering, where are Hanson now? They look similar but yet so different and they are still making music. However, the road hasn't been easy. After a three year struggle with their label, depicted in the documentary film, Strong Enough to Break, by Ashley Greyson, Hanson formed their own indie label, 3CG Records... Read More »

New Regina Spektor Album Not “Far” Away

Spektor Fans Divided on Effects of New Album’s Studio Production

On June 23, Regina Spektor will release Far, her second album since signing with Sire Records (fifth album overall).

Initially, a handful of diehard Spektor fans criticized her for signing with Sire Records and then again when they heard the new production of songs on her 2006 debut album with Sire (Begin to Hope). Fans had already grown to love most of the songs as raw, acoustic bootlegs from various concerts.

Just as many, if not more, Spektor fans rallied behind Spektor’s deal with Sire. They pointed out that the deal left complete creative control in the hands of Spektor herself; therefore, fans should have nothing to worry about because this was not a case of an artist selling out.

Spektor Defends Slicker Production on Albums with Sire

In an interview for The Onion with Noel Murray on June 21 of 2006, Spektor... Read More »