Well, i mean honestly. It's date night again, so you pop off to the movies for the romantic six o clock showing of your chosen film. Then you sit through endless advertisements and rubbish previews. Then the film starts and it's bleedin' Saw III. So you spend half the film with your hands over your eyes trying not to heave and the other half listening to the guy behind endlessly (and wrongly) theorising about the possible twists. I'm just ashamed to say that the muffled scream in my head at the "brain" bit was actually quite vocal and loud. The shame. The mortification. The sheer humiliation. Still, i got to squeeze DazPlankton's hand so it's all good. Right, on with the post... back to the boys for a bit today, then maybe my lists of fave bands of all time, etc, etc. This is quite a long one so you may want to grab yourself some revels and a mars drink. Oh, just me that does that...
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THE ONE WHERE I INTERVIEW EMO:
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A few days ago, I wrote a feature on some new artists that i really liked and the lovely Mr. D was one of them. He then kindly left a comment on my myspace site saying he would be happy to contribute an interview. I have been wanting to get some people to do interviews for a while (and have two more lined up...) so Emo D! Here are ten questions we are zapping (it) to ya...
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1. Thats a great pic of you with the headphones on. Are you comfortable doing photoshoots or would you rather let the music speak for itself?
A: I think the album cover is equally as important as the music itself, because for a true hands on artist, it shows another creative side to them. I had a vision that I wanted my cover to be simple, basic, but yet still exude an emotion that the audience can't help but feel and understand. Creating amazing music is my number one priority and love, but I see the pictures and artwork as the icing on the cake.
2. How does the musical process work for you? Do you get a hook in your head and build a song around that or do you directly look at your life experiences and write about those?
A: For me, it usually starts as a melody in my mind. I will start humming the tune on my tape recorder, then I start writing the parts with the piano. Once the melody is in place, the words usually fall into place. Everything I write about is something I have been through, because it's important for me to connect with the listeners, and by experiencing my songs, my emotions are all over it, and I think the audience can hear it.
3. A lot of your album seems intently personal. Were you at all worried about baring your soul like that? It creates a great intimate listening experience...
A: I think there is nothing better then hearing a song, and being able to define with it and allowing it to carry the listener to another place. Usually these songs are based on experiences and truths, so I feel it's important to really dig deep as an artist, and give the world your true emotions in a song.
4. So Amazing would make a great single - what would your video concept be for the song?
A: We have a few ideas, but I want to leave all that as a surprise. I am very visual, and my creativity has no limits, so I'll leave it at that for now.
5. You have some eclectic influences listed on your myspace site - from Donny Hathaway to the current hot producer Timbaland. Who out of todays current artists would you most like to collaborate with and why?
A: I have a great deal of artists I love and respect, but here are a few: I would love to work with Timbaland Robin Thicke Christina Aguilera Kelly Clarkson Dave Navarro Lynda Sayyah Jay Z Brian McKnight and so much more ...
6. Mystic Girl - particularly the remixes - are steeped in Eastern beats and an ethnic vibe. It seems so fresh and different from the usual music played on radio and works well. How important is it to let your cultural influences shine through in your songs?
A: Well, I love the Eastern sounds that I grew up with, because they gave me a HUGE playground of music to listen to, and I am so greatful to have had that opportunity. It will definately be something to look out for in future albums.
7. I notice that you have a live gig coming up on Nov 3rd in LA. What can people expect from the Emo D. live experience?
A: Hmmm, I would have to say, if you ever get to see a performance, you will NOT regret it!
8. You talk about the turmoil in Lebanon and Israel on your website - how can people help out with that and raise awareness?
A: Just hold positive thoughts in the region of Lebanon and Israel. If people want to help the kids in that region, and any other region around the world that needs help, check out Unicef or Red Cross. Those organzations are amazing, and they always need help, even if it's a small money contribution.
9. Just Believe has a great message about accepting people for who they are. Do you think we are close to living in a world without discrimination?
A: Yes, I actually do. Some people might call me crazy, but I feel something really good and positive is coming our way. I think people are tired of negativity and fighting. It will change soon!
10. Thank you so much for answering all these questions. Just one more - where do you think you will be at this point in 2007?
A: My goal is to have a successful lauching of the record, and start touring in Europe, the U.S., and Japan. I enjoy every moment I have living life to it's fullest. I'm excited to just even see what today is going to bring!
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A huge thanks to Emo D. for answering all those questions :) I really appreciate it. Now be sure to check out his album and myspace site (which now has an ace new song posted) at the links below...
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LINK: Emo Dagger's Myspace Site
LINK: Buy So This Is... Me
LINK: Unicef donations
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THE ONE WHERE ATTTITUDE SOLIDIFIES IT'S POSITION:
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Now Attitude (british gay mag) has slowly worked it's way up my favourite magazines list to where it currently stands behind the unmoveable Entertainment Weekly at number two. And the new issue is one of their best yet - and here are the reasons why:
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~ it has the first post-reform interview with my fave 90s boyband Take That. I admit it - i slightly geeky over their return ;) There are some GORGEOUS individual shots inside the magazine... (and a timely reminder of what peerless pop songs they produced)
~ an interview and photo shoot with the boys from History Boys The Movie (+ a 5 star review!) Now someone better give the stunning touring cast some props...
~ a brilliant readers questions session with the crazy as ever Liza Minelli...
~ a feature on swedish pop (better late than never) including BWO, Robyn, Infernal and September...
~ a celebration of the pet shop boys...
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LINK: Attitude's myspace site
MP3: Take That - Pray (live 2006)
MP3: Take That - Back For Good (live 2006)
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THE HAR(D)MAN:
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Who doesn't love Nigel Harman? (the 'D' is silent ;) ) Well, DazPicky for one, but other than that, everyone! Since leaving EastEnders, the Harm has shimmied his ass down to the West End to play in Guys and Dolls (a production he is bringing to Birmingham in December! Yay!) Before that though, he's headed further north for a spot of Pinter at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Up until 11/11 he will be in The Caretaker - which combines comedy and tragedy with a dose of menacing psychological power games. ooh! Sounds smashing...
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LINK: Purchase tickets for The Caretaker
LINK: Purchase tickets for Guys and Doll in Birmingham
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THE FASHION UPDATE:
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Remember when we decided that Simon Curtis was a bit of a style icon? No? Well click here to remind yourselves... Now it seems that at LA fashion week, a few weeks ago, everyone was borrowing Simon's sense of style - including my favourite actor from my favourite show, McDreamy. Sigh. Still, i can't help but feel McDreamy (get together with Meredith already would ya!) hasn't quite got this look right - a little too scruffy and engineered for my liking :( Wait - revise that - actually, it's his hair that needs sorting!
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Now t'other day, i mentioned that Nick over at Alienhits has put a very fashionably dressed band on his website, so I wanted to include the picture here for all you people who so wrongly didn't go over and check it out ;) That sweater is aMAZing! The band are called The Cinematics and you can check out their music and more fab fashion choices on their myspace page below...
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LINK: The Cinematic's myspace page
MP3: The Cinematics - Break
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THE ONE WHERE IT'S OH SO RIGHT BUT THEN OH SO WRONG:
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Naturally, it's very right that there is some man'o'man action going down on ABC's hit show Brothers and Sisters. We love a bit of prime time liplocking...
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...but it's oh so wrong that every morning while I eat my crunchy nut cornflakes and DazPunanni is munching his Alpen cereal bar, we watch OJ from the fun song factory mince about in his brightly coloured t-shirts, stylish combats and slightly sexy tool belt... le shame and mortlefication :(
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LINK: Brothers and Sisters' website
LINK: The Fun Song Factory official website
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THE X FACTOR COCK UP:
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Sigh. It's all going hideously wrong this year. When I laid my cards on the table about X-Factor 2006, I was all about the groups. Well except that boring r'n'b group. But i thought The Unconventionals had great potential a la G4, but they cocked it up and left in week one. Bugger. Then the boring r'n'b group left, so that's ok. But now, The Macdonald Bros are favourite to go this week? Boo, i say, boo! And that dull as Andy Abrahams dishwater hospital porter singer is favourite to win? That would be a bigger mistake than when Michelle McManus won...Let's face it, we lucked out with Will. G4 have become a solid albums act. Shayne could be huge if managed correctly. I really want a boy band to win this year, so I guess I will have to pin all my hopes on the don't-they-scrub-up-well-when-styled quartet of Eton Road. Don't let me down boys...(written before Saturday's show!)
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LINK: Eton Road's myspace site
LINK: The Bitch Factor Blog
MP3: The MacDonald Bros - Three Times A Lady
MP3: Eton Road - My Girl
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THE DAUGHTRY?!:
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While we are on the subject of The X Factor, I heard a song today and thought, ooo sometimes I am in the mood for a bit of rock music to balance out all the pop. Then i discovered it was that bald bloke from last season on American Idol. Well bugger me! It's not too shabby - i thought it was Nickelback at first, which put me off a little bit, but then i figured it's nice to see something different come out of these reality talent shows, so good for him. So much better than that guy with the grey hair. Shudder...
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LINK: Stream Daughtry's music
LINK: Chris Daughtry's myspace site
MP3: Daughtry - It's Not Over (radio rip)
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Continuing on the reality pop theme, I am unashamed in my love for G4. I think they were great winners of the original X Factor (cos lets face it - stevie brookstein wasn't) - they were something different, had great talent and have managed to get a good solid touring and albums career going. Their third album is out just before Christmas and rather delightfully today, i booked tickets to see them doing a Christmas Carol Concert at Coventry Cathedral on Dec 21st. Which i am just super excited about... Plus I also got tickets for Kirsty and I to go and see Nigel Har(d)man in Guys and Dolls, History Boys tickets for the West End premiere and a couple of other things I can't mention because they are Christmas presents!! So once again I have spent far too much money and yet rewarded myself with a Caramel Hot Chocolate with whipped cream from Starbucks. Goodbye stunning physique ;)