plus 4, dim bulbs brighten - Tulsa World |
- dim bulbs brighten - Tulsa World
- Make My Day - American Reporter
- Toni Braxton Goes To Atlantic - antiMUSIC
- Public Lover Russell Brand - femalefirst.co.uk
- After one year in power, Obamas remain arbiters of cool - Feature - Earthtimes
| dim bulbs brighten - Tulsa World Posted: 02 Nov 2009 12:18 AM PST
The m
embers of Stars Go Dim were in Tulsa for a short homecoming visit recently and filmed their next video for rock-pop break-up ballad, "Get Over It," at the historic Tulsa Little Theatre. During a break, they dropped down in a row of seats in the low light in front of the small stage, and shared tales, from travel nightmares and spilled cocktails to cramped vans and the best pizza in Tulsa. In a little over two years, award-winning Stars Go Dim has seen its fan base blossom through grass-roots internet and word-of-mouth campaigns from its home base of Tulsa. Its songs have been picked up "everywhere" joked lead singer Chris Cleveland. But he's serious. Movie theaters, TV shows, commercials, airlines, MTV, department stores. "I'm constantly getting phone calls saying, 'I heard your song in Kohl's!' 'I heard your song at The Buckle!' We're just rolling with the punches and doing whatever we can to get our music to our fans." SGD's MySpace page clocks over 10,000 plays a day. Its last live show in Tulsa, at Cain's Ballroom, sold out. "I had problems getting my mom in to see that show," said Cleveland excitedly. And get this, music fans: Their upcoming all-ages show at Electric Circus on Saturday will be their only other local gig until next year, said Wittig. While they're minding their own business, out on the road in the states and meeting new fans, two singles have already shot to No. 1 on Monster Radio charts — in Davao City, Philippines — with "Crazy" and "Love Gone Mad." The latter sits at No. 3 on the top 20. The tune gets more airplay there than other American blockbusters Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and Rascal Flatts, Monster Radio's Web site shows."We found out one day when I got an e-mail from a fan in the Philippines," said bassist and SGD co-founder Michael Wittig. "They've started fan groups, contacted us on Facebook They're finding our personal profiles now, they're hunting us down," he said with a laugh. Markets in Mindanao, Cebu City and Manila, Philippines, are now playing the band, too. All band members have a strong background in rock, said Wittig, also a co-founder of Christian rock act Pillar. But that hasn't hindered its pop-soul flow. SGDs newest self-released studio album, "Love Gone Mad," explores the full range of emotions with sweet, nostalgic, radio-friendly ditties. Stars is born Started as a side project to popular Christian rock act Pillar, Stars Go Dim quickly took on a life of its own. The songwriting and the camaraderie soon drew the band together as a serious music act. "Besides our faces and our smiles, everything's changed," said Wittig as he compared SGD to Pillar. "They're two different bands with different vibes, with different songs and different personalities." SGD's pop melodies had personalities that demanded nurturing and attention, so Wittig and drummer Lester Estel departed Pillar. It was an amicable split, they say. Also, songwriter Joey Avalos was a touring member of Pillar before he committed to SGD, he said. "We have a universal message that everyone seems to bond to," said Avalos. "Stars Go Dim is love and happiness, it's upbeat. "We don't overthink, we don't get artsy. We write stuff people relate to." Estel played drums on the new album, though the Kansas City native isn't always seen with the band on tour, admitted Wittig. "We have a rotation of guys that join us live," he said, then laughed. "We joke that it's required that they all be from Kansas City. They all are, but it's a coincidence. "We're all pretty laid back about this band. But we're also very serious. We make a great team. Joey writes. Chris sings—" "And Michael is the workaholic," said Avalos as the three erupted into smiles. "It's a lot of fun, but we aren't joking around. We love making music."
Jennifer Chancellor 581-8346 jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
| Make My Day - American Reporter Posted: 01 Nov 2009 09:11 PM PST Make My Day PARIS FOR PREZ by Erik Deckers American Reporter Humor Writer Indianapolis, Indiana
Printable version of this story INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- It was the snit heard 'round the world. The snarky, scantily-clad video response that got pundits tongues wagging about something other than politics, at least until their wives saw them. Maybe its echo has faded from the news, but it still makes me wake up screaming in the middle of the night. Paris Hilton says she's running for President. The vapid blond heiress and star of "The Simple Life," announced her candidacy in a spoof video on FunnyOrDie.com. Hilton said she was running because that "wrinkly white-haired guy" - John McCain, for those of you emerging from under your rocks - used her image in a television spot against his opponent, presumptive President of the United States, Barack Obama. "Hey America, I'm Paris Hilton, and I'm a celebrity too," she said without a sense of irony or shame. "Only I'm not from the olden days, and I'm not promising change like that other guy. I'm just hot." Oh man, this is really bad. I've always been a big supporter of third party candidates, but my one litmus test is whether they can even spell "candidate." And that they haven't starred in an Internet sex video/ I swear, if she wins, I'm moving to Canada with Alec Baldwin, unless he chickens out like he did last time. (Big wussy. The guy swore up and down he would move to Canada if George Bush became President, but we're stuck with him and his 17 brothers.) Still, I don't think she's got a real shot, so I'll probably be here for a while. "But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which means I guess I'm running for President," she continued. Yeah, right. By that logic, since her boyfriend used her in that sex video, I guess that would make her a slut. . . Uh, oh. This is worse than I thought! Do they get the NFL in Canada? Can I get the Dish Network to work up there? "So thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude, and I want America to know I'm, like, totally ready to lead." Oh, good, as long as you're totally ready. I mean, we wouldn't want someone who was , like, only concerned about whether certain other world leaders are, like, hot, or whether the White House clashes with her outfits. She'll probably appoint Extreme Makerover's Ty Pennington the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to make sure. "I'll see you at the White House," she concluded. "Oh, and I might paint it pink." Looks like I've got a tough decision to make. Do I go for the big city or the small town? I've been to Toronto, and it's a nice city with a strong arts community. But if I lived in a smaller town, I'd be closer to nature and some really good fishing. Dryden, Ontario is gorgeous in the summer. But even as I pace the floor and gnaw on my fingernails, I have to admit, her energy policy made some sense. "We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. That way, offshore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in, which will create new jobs and energy independence. Energy crisis solved. I'll see you at the debates, bitches." But then she, like, totally shot herself in the foot when she said she was considering Rihanna, the R&B artist, as her vice presidential nominee. Come on! Rihanna?! Are you kidding me? Everyone knows she doesn't have the foreign affairs experience needed to re-establish the U.S. as a world leader. Plus, she was born in Barbados, so she's not a natural-born American citizen, which means she can't take on that role. While some people would say Britney Spears, Hilton's fellow celeb and John McCain commercial target, is the emotional favorite, I think Cameron Diaz is the better choice. She can shore up the Hispanic vote and improve relations with Latin America. Of course, you'll also need Ashton Kutcher to head up the Department of Homeland Security (Hey Iran, you've been punk'd!). And what do you think of Scarlett Johansen as the Secretary of State... ? Uh, excuse me. I don't know what came over me. If anything, I'm worrying too much about something that will never happen. Hilton is only 27, eight years too young to run for president, which means I don't have to worry about a global disaster for eight more years. But with her sordid past, I doubt she could even be elected dogcatcher of Putnam County. Besides, I'm hoping Lindsey Lohan will be out of rehab and ready to run for Senate by 2016.
Copyright 2009 Joe Shea The American Reporter. All Rights Reserved.
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| Toni Braxton Goes To Atlantic - antiMUSIC Posted: 01 Nov 2009 10:09 PM PST Toni Braxton Goes To Atlantic. "Atlantic Records has a rich heritage of great soul voices, from Ray Charles to Aretha Franklin, from Otis Redding to Roberta Flack," said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. "Last year, we had the rare opportunity to bring another R&B icon into the Atlantic family, and for me it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Toni Braxton is not only one of the greatest voices of all time, but she is a charismatic superstar with an incredible list of achievements. She has sold over 40 million records worldwide, has had 15 Top Ten Billboard hits, earned six Grammy Awards, and the list goes on and on. Above all, there has always been that fantastic voice, filled with passion and beauty and soul. I believe that Toni has made the most spectacular album. It's the culmination of everything that has come before… a brilliant reflection of her experiences in music and in life. It's the start of an exciting new chapter – one which all of us at Atlantic are so very proud to be part of." "Yesterday," the first single from the album, is currently on sale at Braxton's official home online, www.tonibraxton.com. A companion video – directed by famed filmmaker Bille Woodruff, known for such classic Braxton clips as "Un-Break My Heart" and "He Wasn't Man Enough" – was filmed earlier this month in Los Angeles and is currently in post-production with a premiere date to be announced later. The as-yet-untitled album looks to be Toni's most powerful and personal musical statement to date. Braxton personally chose to collaborate with a veritable who's-who of red-hot producers and songwriters, including Frank E (Madonna, T.I., Plies, Flo Rida), Steve Mac (Leona Lewis, Il Divo), Lucas Secon (Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls), Harvey Mason & Oak (Chris Brown, Joe, Mario), Troy Taylor (Trey Songz, Kevin Lyttle), Dapo Torimiro (John Legend, David Archuletta, Brandy), and David Foster (Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion). What's more, the album features a guest appearance from Toni's new Atlantic labelmate, R&B/hip-hop sensation Trey Songz, who lends his distinctive vocal stylings to the aforementioned single, "Yesterday." This past weekend saw Braxton singing the National Anthem before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFL International Series game against the New England Patriots at London's Wembley Stadium, a rendition broadcast here in the US as part of CBS' The NFL Today's "Golden Anniversary 50th Year of the NFL" coverage. Toni is further scheduled to be the opening performance at the upcoming CENTRIC Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards Show, taping next week at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will then premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on Sunday, November 29th at 9:00 PM (check local listings). Click here to read today's full Day in Pop report Preview and Purchase Toni Braxton CDs Toni Braxton Tour Dates/Tickets
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| Public Lover Russell Brand - femalefirst.co.uk Posted: 01 Nov 2009 11:06 PM PST Today 06:40 Russell Brand wishes there were public sex competitions. The British comedian - who is currently dating Katy Perry, and has been linked to a string of beauties in the past - admitted he initially set out to become good at sex because he's not a sportsman. When asked if he used sex as a form of self-validation, he said: "Especially, because I'm not good at any sport. It's a pity there's not some forum where you can do it publicly." Especially, because I'm not good at any sport. It's a pity there's not some forum where you can do it publicly. He also compared his liaisons with numerous women to a form of "grooming". 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' star Russell, 34, added: "When Britney Spears was on the MTV Video Music Awards with me, between takes, hair and make-up people would come over. "We didn't need hair or make-up, it was just like monkeys comforting us, grooming us in a primal way, and I think a lot of my liaisons were just like that, grooming." Russell, 34, also said he gets jealous of the way women orgasm, but also intimidated by it. He added: "It's a bit frightening, this transformative quality, an orgasm in women. I imagine that it looks better than the miserable squirt men issue. "It seems different, though, when there's an emotional element รข€" transcendent." This content has passed through fivefilters.org.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| After one year in power, Obamas remain arbiters of cool - Feature - Earthtimes Posted: 01 Nov 2009 09:04 PM PST
Article : After one year in power, Obamas remain arbiters of cool - Feature Stay Updated
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