I was introduced to Tom Zacharias' infamous 1975 smut opus "Belinda" a couple of weeks ago and I'm still listening to it on repeat. Originally recorded in Swedish, the album was later translated into English with the sole intent of selling it in the classified sections of Hustler and Playboy - which is not particularly surprising given songs like "Nice Cocks", "Gay Club" and "The Hooker". Those gems are audio heroin for a pop trash addict but there's one track I can't seem to enjoy for the simple reason that it reminds me of Madonna. Seriously when I hear this tune the cover of "Hard Candy" immediately flashes before my eyes and images of Madonna's sinewy old biceps haunt my dreams. The lyrics are even more Madge-tastic given the recent leak of the musical turd doubling as her new single. Anyway, misery loves company, so I thought I'd share my pain by streaming:
An Ode To Madonna
Please note - you may need to press the button a couple of times before the song plays. Tom Zacharias' stunning pop/punk/porn album is now available to download from iTunes. It's highly recommended for sluts and perverts of all persuasions!
When Peter Wilson recently announced that 80s dance diva and Hit Factory alumni Sid Haywoode was embarking on a comeback, I knew I had to speak with her. Haywoode is an underground pop icon. She's probably best remembered for working with Stock Aitken Waterman and recording "Getting Closer" before Kylie but her appeal extends far beyond that. The English songbird recorded some of the catchiest tunes of the 80s ("Roses", "I Can't Let You Go" and "A Time Like This") and developed a strong cult following with her outrageous outfits, glamorous hair extensions and camp sensibility. Haywoode represents everything fun and fabulous about the 80s and if her amazing comeback single "Kiss Me Good" is any indication, she's picked up right where she left off. I'm honoured and proud to bring you Sid's first interview in 20 years.
First of all, welcome back! It's been twenty years since your last single, what have you been up to? Well Mike. First of all, I am in denial about the 25 years! I have been living in NYC for almost 20 years and just realized that a month ago.
Did you miss making music? What sparked your decision to make a comeback? I am always around music. My production company has been involved in providing music for events. As for me, I am always performing live and writing songs but had not been recording myself at all. Rumours about where I had disappeared to, people asking me to get back to recording and of course Peter Wilson finding me, inspired my decision to comeback. T1 Music are such a joy to work with.
Speaking of Peter, he tells me that you're updating some of your 80s classics and working on new tracks. Can you tell me a bit about your new sound? Will you be reclaiming your throne as Queen of the dancefloor? Yes, we have re-recorded "Getting Closer" and may do one more of my old tracks, we have been writing new songs too which I think you will enjoy. Musically I am looking forward and would describe my sound as being pop/dance/soul. Now regarding the dancefloor I will just say this… Once a dance queen always a dance queen! So yes… I will be looking to reclaim my dancefloor crown!
Which pop stars do you admire today? Well I am a massive MJ fan (RIP) and always will be. I am crazy about Janelle Monae, I also like Gwen Stefani and Mary J Blige and Beyoncé.
Do you have any idea when we'll be able to hear your new songs? It's been a long wait! We are looking to release a single this year and an album in 2010.
I hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions about the early part of your career. You were signed to CBS in 1983 and scored a top 5 US dance hit with your debut "A Time Like This". How were you discovered and how did you cope with instant fame? I was working as a dancer on Top Of the Pops with the troop Zoo and had recorded some songs for a producer who played them to CBS and they signed me. I have been around the entertainment business since I was little, I went to a Stage school, my step-dad was an artist, my sisters and brother are artists, we were bought up to have a huge respect for our audience and not get taken in by the "hype". Although I used to get a little unnerved when my fans would get too excited if they met me on the street, joyfully screaming at me. I always found a way to communicate organically with them.
The campest video of the 80s?
I need to ask you about 1984's brilliant "I Can't Let You Go". It's one of my favourite songs and the video is amazing! Whose idea was it to use semi-naked men as furniture and how can I rent that apartment? LMAO Mike!! I am so glad you like that song, me too. The idea to use the men was mine and the audition was so exciting as I am sure you can imagine! I was inspired by some art I had seen, it seemed quite original and modern at the time. People on set were saying that the guys were stuffing socks (if you know what I mean)! Very enjoyable!
"Roses" was your biggest hit and became your signature tune. Do you remember performing it on Top Of The Pops? Who were the other guests that week? You know I don’t remember the other guests!! I think I was too excited and nervous. Performing as a singer on TOTP was really gratifying, it felt like my graduation because I had worked on the show so much as a dancer and at the time used to watch the other singers/bands thinking that I would do the same one day, so when I did, it was great.
How did you hook up with Stock Aitken Waterman? They reached out and approached my management.
What were they like to work with? How involved were you in the two tracks they wrote and produced on your album? SAW were great to work with and they definitely had their own winning formula of producing hits. My involvement was simply to do the vocal - so we recorded the vocals, two tracks on one Sunday afternoon. I loved "Getting Closer".
Did you get to meet any of the other SAW acts? I did meet many of the SAW artists at the time, Rick Astley, Princess, Mel and Kim and others.
Were you disappointed that "Getting Closer" and "You'd Better Not Fool Around" weren't bigger hits? I imagine if you had hooked up with SAW a couple of years later those songs would have flown up the charts. I was disappointed and thought that "Getting Closer" was a track that was ahead of its time. I still like it today.
"Getting Closer" was later covered by Kylie. What did you think of her version? It is ultimate Kylie doing Kylie. I like her, she is great.
A New Zealand band called True Bliss also released a cover of the song. Have you heard it? No but I am off to find it now!
"Arrival" is such an amazing debut album but it's so hard to find. Is there any chance of re-releasing it? I need "Jelly Baby", "Missing You" and your lovely version of Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover" on my Ipod! You are so kind, I don't even have a copy. LOL. Ask Peter!!! I have heard rumblings about a re-release of "Arrival" but don't know the date. It makes me happy that you enjoyed my debut album and I promise you that my next album will be even better.
You released a couple of singles in the late 80s. "Boogie Oogie Oogie" includes a remix by Pascal Gabriel. Do you remember working with him? Yes I do, he is so brilliant.
I also noticed that 1989’s “He’s Got Magic” has a Harding/Curnow (PWL) mix. How did that mix come about? I wish to the high heavens that I could remember, but I cant!
Your sister also had a couple of hits in the 90s (I loved "Don't Poison Me"). How is Emzee? Is she still making music? Emzee is still doing music and thank you for asking about her, she is a great artist. I am very proud of her.
Thanks for the chat. I wish you every success with your comeback. Thank you so much Mike, it has been my pleasure.
Sid's biggest hit - check out the amazing vinyl dress!
Michael Jackson is crying tears of joy in heaven tonight with news that his favourite sister is about to embark on the most anticipated comeback of the century. On Tuesday the 28th of July, La Toya will finally claim her rightful place at the forefront of popular music with the release of her first official US single in over a decade. "Home" is a touching ballad that perfectly showcases the stunning beauty of Toy Toy's voice. It's also a fitting tribute to Michael and will no doubt bring a lot of comfort to his army of mourning fans. It's official - iTunes is gonna get rocked!
As much as I love "Home" and wholeheartedly approve of it being released as a single, it isn't exactly new. In fact, I voted it the best song of 2006 in my end of year countdown! At the time I wrote:
To fully appreciate this song, it helps to know a bit about Toy's life story - that she married a psychotic gangster who beat her up, drugged her, cut her off from her family and generally made her a worldwide laughing stock. La Toya wrote this song about growing up with the Jacksons and missing them during her time in exile. The result is a bittersweet ballad, which is reminiscent of Michael's "Childhood" - only good.
I feel a bit bad about that final sentence now but I stand by it. "Home" stands toe to toe with anything her siblings have recorded. It's a tender love letter to Havenhurst and has only become more poignant in light of recent events. The line about missing Joker (Toy's nickname for Michael) is so incredibly sad. You can hear the new single edit over at Bungalow Records. I prefer the four and half minute version that leaked in 2006 but it's still a triumph. No comment on the toytastic artwork (above) though!
I really hope the song is treated fairly. Insecure Janet fans are already questioning the timing of Toy's comeback - calling it tacky and tasteless but as Michael would say, that's ignorant. While Damita Ho sits on her couch eating donuts and watching anal porn, La Toya has been bravely investigating the circumstances of her brother's death. It's only right that the family looks to her for solace in their time of need and hopefully "Home" does the trick. The 28th is still three weeks away, so check out this amazing promo in the meantime. Be warned, this footage has been known to generate explosive toygasms!
This was my 9th Pop Panel and I'm still no better at predicting winners. I thought this week's champion was a dark horse at best but the victorious diva kicked the competition to the curb and posted one of the highest scores in Panel history. It's a great song and a deserving winner but I'm not convinced it's quite as amazing as my fellow judges seem to think. Speaking of those hos, this week's Panel consists of:
In addition to those guys we also have a celebrity judge - Natalie from RAEN. I'm a big fan of the group and consider them one of the most underrated pop acts in Australia. The girls spent most of last year trying to crack the UK pop scene but have returned home to release their amazing debut album, which is currently available to download from iTunes. "After The Storm" is fantastic from beginning to end and includes their recent club smash "Honey" as well as their latest single "Drama Fanatic" (below). I'm slightly miffed at the absence of the amazing "Get Right Back" but the rest of the songs more than make up for it. Natalie tells me that the girls are gearing up for a national tour, so keep an eye on RAEN's myspace for more details. I can't wait to see them strut their stuff live! Here are the results in order from least to most popular:
A Romanian underwear model launches her music career with a little help from Basshunter.
Jay: Complete and utter fucking SHITE! I can't believe someone covered that shitefest to start with... and it is getting played on Clubland TV with irritating frequency. 0/5 John: I've heard this a few times, and it does not age well. The original's a Euro-pop classic, so any cover will pale in comparison. And what's up with the black light GaGa look? 1/5 Mike: Alina is a vision of class and elegance. I love her stunning vocodered vocals and the catchy O-Zone sample. They should give more Romanian hookers record deals! 4/5 Natalie: Basshunter's beats can make a track quite strong but there's nothing special about this remake. She gets a point for the neon. Gotta get some neon makeup for my next night out! 3/5 Rob: The United Nations have to ban this song from ever being sampled, covered or performed only unless its the original. Utter shit. 0/5 Paul: Isn't this essentially the same song that some weird boyband recorded a couple of years ago and the video was of them running around some plane? It's really not very good in this made for the masses boobs out dance genre, is it? The answer to that question is "no". 1/5 The Prophet: One of my favourite things in the world is glamour models becoming pop stars, but this sucks ass, and not in the good way. T.I. & Rihanna's Numa Numa sample in "Live Your Life" shits all over this trash. 0/5 Total: 9/35
X Factor reject Chenai covers Sarah Connor's "Bounce".
Jay: Stunning! With massive mammaries to rival the infamous DanniiBaps, some suitable talent in the video and a nice almost 90's vibe. 4.5/5 John: The vocals are okay, the track is kinda hot, but they don't mesh. Kind of a hot mess all wrapped up in a bad video. 2/5 Mike: A hideous destruction of Sarah's only international hit! Not impressed. 0/5 Natalie: Sorry but I prefer the original, and baby those melons are about to bounce out the door! 1/5 Paul: It's a testament to Chenai's personality and distinctive voice that an X-factor nut like me doesn't even remember who she is. And oh goodie, a dance cover of a song designed for the made for the masses boobs out dance genre. I am getting tired of these faceless tunes. I'm even starting to like Cascada. Sweet Jesus. 2/5 Rob: I'd much prefer the original singer release this in the UK however Chenai is okay. The video is amazing. Love it. 3/5 The Prophet: You must know that you've really hit the bottom of the barrel when you're covering Sarah Connor. 0/5 Total: 12.5/35
Jay: I could only endure 35 seconds of this aural turd - and as for the video, it is so desperately try hard, it makes Tranny CaCa look positively demure, understated and frumpy. 0/5 John: Why didn't he just call this "Major Tom (Coming Home), The Sequel"? It's okay, but it could have been great. He just got lazy. 3/5 Mike: Everything about this song is great except Patrick. Shame because the production is dazzling and the lyrics are fantastic. Maybe he should start writing for other people. 2/5 Natalie: Haven't heard of Patrick but a very original video & great special effects. Love the use of strings in this track. 3/5 Paul: Oh fuck. I really don't like Patrick, but I do like everything about this tune with one exception: His voice. It just doesn't work for me. It sounds pretty decent in the chorus but the tone of it grates on me. Quite good song though (I can see why he's pissed at La Poux) so overall. 3/5 Rob: There are cutting edge looks and looking like a bit of a prat. Patrick falls in-between the two. However only the video gives off that impression. The song itself is very good. It's held back by his voice but give "Hard Times' to Andreas Kleerup and he'd make it amazing. At the moment it stands too near the cliff labelled "trying too hard to be cool". 2/5 The Prophet: I hated the video with a passion but if I close my eyes and just focus on the music it's all good. The beat sounds like Britney's "Toxic" on acid. 4/5 Total: 17/35
Malena Gracia – Quiero Volar (Below)
Busty Spanish gay icon releases her latest club anthem.
Jay: Iconic! The video looks like cheap "Babe Station" erotica - and I was expecting the two blokes to start going at it hammer & tongs at any moment! A stunning slice of throw away Spanish Pop. 4.5/5 John: I might have liked it more if I hadn't watched the video. Not bad, but it sure ain't great. Even her dancers are middle-aged! 2.5/5 Mike: Madonna wishes she had one tenth of Malena's talent and beauty. 5/5 Natalie: Spanish vocals always seem to make a song sexier. Great vocals & a great rack to match! 3/5 Paul: Her sultry vocal style and the lush way the Spanish lyrics dance over the melody and bounce off the beats raise this up from generic club thumper (which certainly the backing track is) to quite enticing but not quite brilliant flamenco epic. 3.5/5 Rob: She gives Spanish europop a bad name. 0/5 The Prophet: This can't be serious. 0/5 Total: 18.5/35 Cobra Starship Ft Leighton Meester – Good Girls Go Bad (Video)
Gossip Girl star teams up with Cobra Starship for her pop debut.
Jay: MEH. Rather forgettable and sounds like Rihanna meets one SHIT wonders Bodyrockers. 1/5 John: I SO want to hate this song, but resistance is futile. 3/5 Mike: This sums up everything good about American pop at the moment. It's a collision of pop, rock, urban and electro elements with one hell of a catchy chorus. 4/5 Natalie: Leighton looks absolutely gorgeous and is a great singer. Looking forward to more from her, oh and I love her red shoes in the clip! 4/5 Paul: I'm surprised by how much I like this. It's quite the thrashy punk pop anthem that every now and then appeals to me greatly. And of course it has Blair Waldorf warbling along in a not displeasing way. OMFG!! 4/5 Rob: Autotune princess alert! Wow, this is so close to being good it's tragic. I think with time I'll start to see something qualitative in it but at the moment its like a focus group de-selected all the current smash hits in the charts and produced Good Girls Go Bad. As a consequence, every second sounds like a snippet of another song of the last 15 months. Its a monster of song but in the beautifully grotesque Frankenstein way. Its been pieced together from the caste-off pieces of other pop songs and gives off the odour of nasty death. 0/5 The Prophet: I was obsessed with this when it first leaked but the appeal wears off quickly. It's still a good and catchy electro pop-rock track though, and Leighton is pretty fierce even if she's jacking Holly Valance's swag (google 'Body Control'). 3.5/5 Total: 19.5/35
Jay: Whitney Binter needs to fuck off - I'm glad this has been removed so I don't have to endure this crack addicted vibrator loving train wreck and her shitefests. 0/5 John: Crack IS whack. It actually isn't that bad of a vocal, but she's a shadow of what she used to be. 2.5/5 Mike: The perfect comeback. It would have been ridiculous for Whitney to return with a love song or club banger. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is a musical letter of explanation to her fans. The lyrics sometimes sound like they were stolen from a Hallmark card but Whitney sings her heart out. I particularly love the subtle production. This could have easily been a hellish Leona Lewis scream-a-thon with a tacky Eurovision key change. Instead, it takes the high road and leaves the focus on Whitney's battered but still beautiful voice. As it should be. 4.5/5 Nat: I'm a massive Whitney fan and she has undeniably one of the best female voices of all time but this song is so cheesy! I hope the rest of the album is of better quality. 2/5 Paul: Hmmm. When I first heard this, i didn't hate it but I was grossly disappointed. It just didn't scream epic return to the top of the charts. I hate hate hate to say it but Whitters (which really should be her twitter name) should have come back with the last 2 PCD songs (J'Ai Ho and Hush Hush - they would have been even more massive whitneyfied) - that would have at least kept her somewhat relevant. However, the more I hear this, the more I am warming to it, and her crack addled voice now comes across as a smoky chantreuse sort of vibe. Hurrah. I re-like Whitters. 3.5/5 Rob: This has so much potential but fails to deliver the money shot. Its like the song itself "didn't know its own strength". There are moments when you expect it to go all Shirley Bassey but the drama never comes. Tragically. It has nearly everything else. Great lyrics. Powerful strings and wonderful beats. All that its missing is glorious key change after the middle eight. 2/5 The Prophet: Subtle, understated, powerful, emotional! Half-Whit shows ya'll how to be a REAL diva, and refuses to succumb to cheap pop trends like Mariah did. 5/5 Total: 19.5/35
The English language debut from Korea's biggest girlband.
Jay: Fabulous! I love almost everything about it and it craps all over VILE talentless trollops Hoez Afoul and the SaTURDays from an infinite height.Though the chorus could use a bit more bite. 4/5 John: The song's really good, but the second singer's vocal just killed the momentum. And two weeks in a row with the toilets? Come on! 4/5 Mike: I slightly prefer the original Korean version but the song is still sublime. "Nobody" is everything Girls Aloud tried and failed to achieve with "The Promise" - perfect retro pop with nods to The Three Degrees and The Shirelles. 5/5 Natalie: Surprisingly this has to be my favourite! I'm loving the Wonder Girls. A funny and clever video. The girls have great choreography and is quite a catchy song. 4/5 Rob: I am not impressed. This could be performed by absolutely anybody. There is a severe lack of character. Louise could have recorded this back in 1996. 0/5 Paul: The only element of wonder in the wonder girls is it is a wonder they even have a record contract at all. 1/5 The Prophet: This so one of those stupid insanely catchy songs that ends up being a massive smash, like Mambo #5 or something. Wonder Girls are my new obsession! 5/5 Total: 23/35
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
Jay: Take that Beyawnsay and Smelly! You bitches ain't got no shit on LeToya (and probably on LaTavia or LaTisha or whatever her name was). Bonus points for the showering bloke in Zee Altugevvah! Reminds me of La Lopez back in her J Lo diva mode. 5/5 John: NOW we're talkin'. This is the hotness, even without a shower scene! 4.5/5 Mike: LeToya brings some old school diva attitude to the table with this jam. I love the hot beats and the fierce lyrics. I can't wait for her album. 4.5/5 Natalie: Liking the attitude.. but she ain't got shit on RAEN! LOL 2/5 Paul: Charming title aside, this is ok. I think it's fair to say this is probably the most different of the solo destiny tracks floating around this summer. 2.5/5 Rob: Finally something with a slick beat, rnb backdrop and electro echoes. Woah, she's even secured a catchy chorus. None of the other songs contain anything close to a remarkable catchy chorus. This is pop quality here. I love this. To be sure the lyrics are "ahem" but putting that aside every moment of this song contains new elements that make love it even more. If I could give it 6/5 i would! But I can't. 5/5 The Prophet: Kelly Rowland could never... Beyonce could never... All ya faves could never... 5/5 Total: 28.5/35
I seem to be doing a lot of interviews lately but this is definitely one of my favourites. Luciana is an incredibly versatile talent. Most people know her as the guest vocalist on massive dance hits by Bodyrox and Taio Cruz but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Luciana started out as a solo pop diva in the early 90s before joining Crush (of "Jellyhead" fame) later that decade. She then re-surfaced as the lead singer of rock band Shooter (Dawson's Creek fans will remember their hit "Life's A Bitch") and even helped to create her own musical genre with pioneering electro-punk group Portobella. Moreover, Luciana is pop's ultimate survivor. The diva has been dropped by more labels than Dannii over the past 15 years but she always comes back bigger and better than ever. Proof in point - she currently has two albums (a solo project and a collaboration with Bodyrox) awaiting release and a hot new single set to drop later this month. I loved hearing about the different stages of Luciana's varied career and feel like I've gained some insight into the brutal business of making music. I hope you enjoy it.
Let's start with your stint at Chrysalis Records in the early 90s. Songs like"Get It Up For Love"and"If You Want"are 90s pop gems. Do you have happy memories from that period? Yes, of course. This was my very first Record deal so it was all very new and exciting at the time. I moved to Battersea and lived alone for this period so parties and naughtiness came hand in hand. Happy days!!!
Tell us more about your debut album."One More River"is the only ballad I've ever heard you sing. I love it and the video defies belief. What do you make of the choir in the clouds now? I was 18 and very green about the whole music business so I was over the moon to get to do my first album with Anne Dudley of Art of Noise and got to co-write the album and the music with Anna Lee. Also getting to work with Danny D was utter fabulousness. The video for "One More River" was an amazing experience being up in those clouds. I can remember the feeling to this day. The set was just beautiful... the angels and heavens came down to earth that day to be in my video!
The next step in your incredibly diverse career was joining girlband Crush. I guess they are best remembered for "Jellyhead". Did you actually sing on that record? Well they asked me if I wanted to go on tour in America with Donna Air from Crush, so I said 'hell yeah'. It was laugh a minute with Donna, she's a riot girrrrl. I didn't sing on that single but I recorded songs for the album.
You completely reinvented yourself as a rock chick with the band Shooter."Life's A Bitch"is such an anthem, would you consider doing more rock in the future? I love the Shooter album so much. I'm so proud of what we achieved. I never say never to anything so who knows. I am always writing not just for myself but for other artists so yes to more rock!!! The important thing is to continue to write good songs, whatever the style.
The next step was forming Portobella."Covered In Punk"got so much hype - Did you think you'd finally found your niche? Is the group over or just on hold? Wow! Good question. I think this album was my first step into a more electro sound being that it was done with Michael Gray and Nick Clow. He wanted to do more song based stuff and I wanted to explore the dance world so it was a perfect meeting of minds. Again, I'm so very proud of this album. We got dropped from Island soon after so the album never really got to where it should have, but, this is the music business. It is what it is. The band disbanded and we moved on. I still write with Michael Gray on other projects.
Your big breakthrough was"Yeah Yeah"with Bodyrox. Did you think then that it would turn you into such a dance phenomenon? Not at all. You never know what will happen and this song came out of nowhere. I was stunned. Amazed. Gobsmacked. And of course, so happy. If you think I'd had 3 records deals and this particular song was the song that got to number 2..... I think the lesson I learnt here was to always remain flexible and open because you never know what's around the corner!! From this, Bodyrox and myself have just finished an album due for release in September.
"Bigger Than Big","Party Animal","I Wish You Would","What Planet You On"- all amazing dance collaborations. Do you have a favourite? I think one of my favs is "I Wish You Would" because that's my Ode to Jackie Stallone. It's the reason I'm singing in that American accent in the verses. Do you remember when she went on Big Brother? My friends and I spoke 'Jackie' for a week. The week I recorded "I Wish You Would"... isn't life funny!
Taio Cruz's"Come On Girl"was massive and you got to kiss a hot cop in the video. Result! Wouldn't it have been more fun to pash Taio? What does pash mean??? I'm confuzzled! He is adorable and very talented. I had mucho fun shooting that vid in LA.
Pash = kiss! "Featuring Luciana" compiles many of your collaborations with different acts. Do you think you'll ever release another album in your own name? Well, funnily enough, I got re-signed to Island Records and recorded an album for myself. If you go tomy Myspaceyou'll hear the songs. For me, this album is the pinnacle of what I am as a songwriter and artist. We did a gig at Hoxton Square, The Underbelly and it went down really well. The funny thing is, I've now been released from Island Records (I asked to be let go this time because it was clear that they really didn't know what to do with me ...the story of my life with record companies!!!) so here I was, with this great album, with no record company. What am I gonna do with these songs? It was then I decided to just do a gig!!! Just for me to sing my songs. Simple. No pressure, just sing. I had a ball... now we are finding a way to release them ourselves via myspace/iTunes. So they should be available soon. It's actually very freeing not being in a deal, just doing it yourself with your team around you. Without my team all these things wouldn't happen.
Your latest anthem"I Like That"is another corker. How did it come about? My old manager Clive Black hooked us up with Dennis White. Dennis already had the groove and I came up with the lyric/melody. This is one of my favourite songs since "Yeah Yeah". It's so raw I can taste the club dirt!
The video is amazing. Who came up with the concept? We, my team, Stephen and David Burgoyne storyboarded this video, hired a camcorder and shot throughout the day in different locations in London. Because Dennis and Richard are based in LA they wanted something intrinsically London. Also the idea was to make it Warholian in post production. Which is what they did. I love this video. It's so very simple and impactful. In fact, Shena (of the "Weekend" track) saw the video and want us to do one for her!! Fabulous.
I featured "I Like That" on myPop Paneland some of the judges criticised it for being "more of the same". How do you respond? Do you worry about being typecast as "the hot chick that features on great dance tracks"? I think the main is thing is if I like it, then I'm happy! If some people dont, then that's cool. You can't please everyone so just please yourself!
In the past you've mentioned submitting tracks for Kylie's "X" album. Did she demo any of them? At one point we had Kylie pencilled in to come in the studio which is in our house. That was funny! Didn't happen in the end. The tracks we did got down to the last 3 for her album but never came to fruition in the end. Like I said before, it is what is. You write the songs then you have to just let them go and hope something happens... otherwise this industry can eat you up... and because I work in it, you have to adapt to the fact that it's very up and down and things don't awlays go the way you'd want/expect. So don't expect... just write, write, write... then write some more!!!
What's next for Luciana? Can I suggest "One More River 2009"? I love the fact that you love that song!!! What's next??? Bodyrox album, releasing of my own material and this bacon sandwich I'm about to eat! Oh, Bodyrox is coming to tour Oz soon at festivals so watch out!!! Thanks Mike xxx
I never thought Taylor Swift would feature on this blog. It's not that I hated her, she just wasn't on my radar at all. I remember hearing her debut album a couple of years ago and mentally filed it away in my "crap country" drawer next to Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood. I didn't even bother listening to "Fearless" when it was released and basically forgot all about Taylor until "Love Story" swept all that came before it. That modern day interpretation of Romeo & Juliet was pretty hard to resist. Admittedly, the lyrics are cheesy enough to raise your cholesterol but you'd have to be made of stone not to be sucked in by all that teenage longing and heartache. More impressive was the song's ability to seamlessly blend country and pop elements in a way that hasn't been seen since the glory days of Shania Twain. As much as I enjoyed "Love Story", I thought it might have been a fluke until I heard "You Belong With Me". Has Shania finally been replaced as the Queen of country-pop?
Don't get me wrong, I love vintage Shania and I'm sure the old girl still has a few new tricks up her sleeve but it would be a miracle if she could come back from the career destroying "Up" debacle. That world music bonus disc is quite possibly the most heinous recording in the history of music! Thankfully, Taylor's here to fill the country-pop void left by the Canadian superstar. And she's doing it with ease if "You Belong With Me" is any indication. I love everything about this song. It's cute, catchy and totally authentic. I'm so sick of teenagers singing material that was clearly intended for 30 year olds. You can tell "You Belong With Me" was written by a teenage girl ("She wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts, she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers") and that's a large part of what makes it so endearing. I also love the winning country-lite production. If you took away that jangly banjo line (not that you'd want to), I doubt this would even classify as country music.
I can't write about "You Belong With Me" without mentioning the amazing video clip (below). It's basically an 80s teen movie set to music. John Hughes would be proud of the storyline, which pits the school nerd against the popular girl (both played with surprising skill by Taylor) as they fight over the affections of the golden haired jock. Sure, it's a bit clichéd but the video is beautifully done and ranks as one of my favourite of the year. I've even been known to get a bit teary over the finale - this fabulous shit rivals "Pretty In Pink" in the downtrodden girl comes good stakes! "You Belong With Me" is already a top 5 hit in Australia. Download it now from iTunes or pick up the physical single from Chaos.
After a decade of massive hits in her native Estonia, "Keeping Score" represents Hannah's (not to be confused with our own legendary diva) first attempt at grabbing a slice of the UK pop pie. I featured the track on the Pop Panel a couple of weeks ago and the response was pretty mixed. Personally, I love "Keeping Score". It doesn't reinvent the wheel but it's a well crafted pop tune with a great little chorus and some killer remixes. There's something warm and uplifting about her music that really appeals to me. I couldn't wait to ask Hannah about that song, her forthcoming album and touring with Jason Donovan when I interviewed her recently. Check out what she had to say below.
Hannah, was it scary to start again from scratch in the UK?
It's always a bit scary to work in a different country to your own but it's very rewarding at the same time when you have some success.
Your music has a more organic sound than most Europop divas. Will you continue with that or have you made a conscious decision to embrace the dance genre?
I plan on doing my music and finding new fans in lots of different genres – I had a big hit in the US dance charts in 2002 so it's really cool to be doing dance music again and being part of its major rebirth.
Was giving Beyoncé a run for her money on the club chart with "Keeping Score" completely unexpected?
Totally! It's great that "Keeping Score" is hitting the right spot in the clubs right now and I was so proud to see it chart and am so grateful that people like it.
Is that track reflective of the rest of your album? I understand you've collaborated with some amazing writers and producers.
I've been very lucky to collaborate with some amazing writers and producers – I had no idea I would be that fortunate to work with the amazing Steve Robson who co-wrote "Shine" for Take That or the legendary Steve Booker who worked with Duffy on "Mercy". You have to remember I'm just a young girl and these people are really brilliant and the fact that I could get to work with them was even more amazing. I read that you toured the UK with Jason Donovan. What was that like? Did he ever drag you on stage to sing "Especially For You"?
We had great fun touring the UK – Jason was really easygoing and friendly towards me and I loved every second of being on tour in the UK and performing and then meeting the public. That's the best bit. No "Especially For You" though! I saw him again recently in Priscilla Queen of the Desert which is on in London's West End and there were lots of Kylie jokes, very funny!
You mentioned re-recording"Blinded"as a duet. I love that song. Can you tell me who your duet partner is?
Not yet. It's all a bit secret at the moment as we are still working through stuff for it but I can't wait to give it a new flavour and new style for the dance floor. Just watch this space as I hope we can tell you soon.
Will there be any old tracks on your new album?"You & I"is so beautiful.
No it’s all brand new – we might add a bonus track though, that’s not a bad idea, thank you!
I saw the photos of your dogs onMyspace. As a crazy dog person, I can't resist asking about their age and breed.
They are amazing Akitas – and they’ve just had 8 puppies. It was beautiful and a little crazy for a while at home looking after them and eventually finding them good and loving homes.
Thanks for your time. I really hope the album takes off!
Thank you.
"Keeping Score" was released in the UK on Monday. Download it now from iTunes, 7digital, HMV or Tunetribe. The Riffs & Rays remix is now available on Australian iTunes.
I was introduced to Tom Zacharias' infamous 1975 smut opus "Belinda" a couple of weeks ago and I'm still listening to it on repeat. Originally recorded in Swedish, the album was later translated into English with the sole intent of selling it in the classified sections of Hustler and Playboy - which is not particularly surprising given songs like "Nice Cocks", "Gay Club" and "The Hooker". Those gems are audio heroin for a pop trash addict but there's one track I can't seem to enjoy for the simple reason that it reminds me of Madonna. Seriously when I hear this tune the cover of "Hard Candy" immediately flashes before my eyes and images of Madonna's sinewy old biceps haunt my dreams. The lyrics are even more Madge-tastic given the recent leak of the musical turd doubling as her new single. Anyway, misery loves company, so I thought I'd share my pain by streaming:
