Naama Kates: It's Good To Be "King"

Naama Kates

Naama Kates is back, after her critically acclaimed debut "The Unexamined Life" and the hit single "Before You Lose It" Naama has recently released the CD "King for the Day" I highly recommend it!

Ms. Kates has this to say about her latest: "I wrote it when I was working on"The Unexamined Life", it was the first song I wrote after that record, while it was in production because I felt like, I was kind of living this dream really that I didn't even imagine, having my record done by this amazing producer, its like a lot of musicians' dreams when they come to LA I think".

I caught up with Naama during her album release show at The Silverlake Lounge on March 13th, where she and her band performed a flawless hour long set - It's Naama time!

MS: How are you my dear?

NK: I'm alright, how are you?

MS: Fine. You were so amazing tonight, The Silverlake Lounge has really great acoustics.

NK: Of course I didn't hear what my band sounded like, but I heard what the other ones did, it can be a little loud acoustic wise in there.

MS: I thought the acoustics for your show were dead on.

NK:  You're right, I have seen other shows there and they have sounded really good.

MS: When I go to a live show, I always expect a glitch here and there, but yours was like hearing the album, except it was live.

NK: You know what that is? It's because that is the way we recorded the album actually. There are no overdubs on it at all, all the songs are just a take that we chose, we did maybe a couple on each one, and just chose one. We played them how they are on the album, partly because it was more time and cost effective, that we did it that way (laughs) Hey, it worked!

MS: Very well by the way. I heard most of the album before I came to your show, my thing is I have to hear something a few times before I am super familiar with it.

NK: I so get that. Especially with this album it's not like other things. The structure is kind of wandering and stuff. I know I have to listen to music, a lot, before I know it, enough to know it when I go hear it live. 

MS: What the Hell with that girl who was talking louder than your show?

NK: Yeah, she was talking the whole time, I could hear the same voice, at the same frequency in my ear the whole time, but I couldn't see anything with the lights on me, but the TV in the corner. 

MS: I could not locate her either, I'm like "WTF is that coming from"?!

NK: She was near the front I think.

MS: Well I said something to Andrea ( Delesdernier Naama's PR person) She said "that happens with every show" I'm like noooooooo, that was really special, I mean I talk during a show, but you can't hear me over the whole thing!

NK: Oh, I know, I know. My thing is, I don't mind people talking at my shows, people are there with their friends. But if I am at a show or whatever and I am sitting really close to the front, I won't talk. All I heard was "wa wa wa wa"

Myself & Naama Post Silverlake Lounge Show

MS: Yeah, it was really rude. What I would like to say about the music off of "King for the Day" is it is a lot more low key than the "Unexamined Life".

NK: It's more down tempo.

MS: The more uptempo songs were not as frequent on "King" as they were on "Unexamined". Is that where you are at right now?

NK: You know, I don't really plan that when I write. Like, I don't ever have any pre-conceived ideas what I am going to write, period, when I do. All I know is I am going to write...I just sit down and do it, I guess it is a reflection of where I am. The things I am talking about on this album are a little more calm, it also has a lot to do with the arrangements. It was arranged with a four piece band, it was really organic.

MS: I get that, that's the way I write, and I think all writers do too. But, even though you say "it's what comes out" it is not as random as we writers think.

NK: There is definitely some driving force behind it, with the subconscious and everything...pushing the message out. But you are not calculating it or contriving it consciously at the same time.

MS: I one hundred percent agree with that. Creativity is winged on it's own level.

NK: Definitely! Life is not that deliberate. 

MS: BTW, since I turned you on to it, are you loving "Pretty Little Liars"?

NK: Yes! Great characters and story, good call!

Check out one of my favorite artists  Naama Kates and crown yourself "King" at: http://www.naamakates.com/

TV Watch: Booooo! "Pretty Little Liars" Season Finale Next Week...!!!

There are always a handful of TV shows I can never get enough of and, yeah I think you have guessed one of them already.

I just love, love and, yes, love "Pretty Little Liars"...!! So well written, plotted and acted, with clever references, verbally and visually to the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. The people behind this show know their stuff!

So, as a fan, I thought I would bring you my 10 favorite quotes from this season of "PLL" ....

Here is my number 1 favorite and the rest follow in no particular order, let's rock this!

1) Hanna - "There's a downside to being too smart"

2) Spencer: Why do you even bother coming to church?

Ali: I like to cover my bets.

3) Mona: And who's looking cray-cray now, Spencer?

4) Spencer: Is she "Saint Ali" now? Are her bones holy relics or something?

Aria & Spencer, Chillin' 

5) Aria: I wake up every morning with the intention of telling him, and then I go to sleep every night feeling guilty that I didn't. 

Hanna: At least you have your afternoons free.

6) Aria: "Unable are the loved to die for love is immortality."

Hanna: That's creepy.

Aria: It's Emily Dickinson.

Hanna: I don't care if it's Santa Claus, considered me creeped.

7) Mona: Fear cuts deeper than a sword.

8) Hanna: I always hated biology. I mean who cares how a cell divides, it just does.

Look it's Mona aka Satan in Disguise

9) Andrew Campbell: Put on your Hastings face and spank her tomorrow night like I know you can.

10) Aria: Playing dress up for your man on Halloween is one thing. You do it any other night, you end up on an afternoon talk show.

Can't wait for the Season 4 premiere on June 11th!

Watch your back, at: http://prettylittleliars.alloyentertainment.com/

The Strange Familiar + "Pretty Little Liars" = An Awesome 2013...!

The Strange Familiar

After having their haunting hit song "Unwanted" featured on one of my favorite shows "Pretty Little Liars" last year, one of my favorite bands The Strange Familiar is back on the show with "Alibi", "Unwanted", and "Runaway Heart" on Season 3 of Pretty Little Liars on January 29, February 12, and March 12 episodes.

The songs are taken from their debut album "Chasing Shadows" - as a huge fan of both this  news is rockin' ! 

Last nights episode featured "Alibi" which is sure be be another hit for TSF.

I checked in with my friend and lead singer for the band Kira Leyden Andrea and asked her to give a shout out to all of you PLL and TSF fans as to what five things she wishes all of you in 2013.

Pretty Little Liars

Take it away Kira....!

1) Love - what's life without love? Love for our families, friends, our significant other, God, for all those who need compassion and a heping hand, and love for life!

2) Health - we often take the little things for granted - like being able to get out of bed in the morning - to see the sun rise - to share a meal with friends and family. But when things like these are taken away, we realize they are not so little after all. I wish for everyone to be blessed with good health of mind, body and spirit in 2013.

3) Peace - I know it may sound like a cliche pageant answer, but I wish for peace in 2013. Peace of mind - peace in our families, peace in our nation, peace between all nations.

4) Laughter - life can be heavy, so I wish that laughter will help lift everyone up in 2013.

5) Hope - for everyone going through a tough time, for anyone in pain... We all have our struggles, but hope is what keeps us going.

Thanks Kira for your well wishes to everyone....and being part of a band and a show that makes 2013 an already better year than 2012.

Turn and face the strange: http://thestrangefamiliar.com/

Liars are pretty: http://prettylittleliars.alloyentertainment.com/

"Entertain Me" Turns One !

Photo: Jay R. Lawton

Yep, it's hard to believe September 14, 2011 I published the first posting on this blog an interview with singer Graham Colton about his then current release "Pacific Coast Eyes".

Since that time there have been plenty of other interviews - Margaret Cho, Traci Lords & James Durbin come to mind.

Not to mention my geek guy thoughts on things I am a fan of: "American Horror Story", "Pretty Little Liars" and "Revenge".

This blog was started for me to have an outlet where I could write about who and what I wanted with regard to the Entertainment Industry. The things, people, music, movies....blah, blah, blah that I like and or find interesting.

In honor of turning a year old today I thought I would re-publish the #1 post on this blog.....or to put it a little more simply, the posting that has had the most hits of all time on "Entertain Me".

And the number one blog post is, drum roll please..... Traci Lords "Last Drag" !!!

http://mshinafelt.blogspot.com/2011/10/traci-lords-last-drag.html

Enjoy your weekend...!

The Strange Familiar: Unwanted

"If I throw away all the garbage in my life /Happiness will come to me/ If I throw away every problem /Every pain will be undone."

One of the coolest bands, The Strange Familiar has just released the even cooler video for their song "Unwanted".

"Unwanted" is the second single from TSF's album "Chasing Shadows" and was featured on one of my favorite TV shows "Pretty Little Liars" - "Yes" that's right I am a "PLL" & "TSF" fan, so there you have that.

Written by Kira Leyden (vocals/piano) and Jeff Andrea (guitar), "Unwanted,"  is one of the most poignant songs on the album. Donning a purple wig and gothic makeup, Leyden portrays a dark character running away from her problems and enticing others to come with her-"

With Leyden's expressive piano melody and stirring vocals, "Unwanted" is a powerful and emotional track portraying the desire to shed unwelcome toxins, whether an inanimate object, a person or a feeling. The song and video, much like the rest of Chasing Shadows, shows off the band's ability to write timeless music that tells a story through its sound and visual imagery; it connects with their audience on a deep emotional level.

Great job TSF, looking forward to seeing you September 18th at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, CA !

Un-familiar? Log onto: thestrangefamiliar.com

TV Watch: "They're Back" Pretty Little Liars

Bring your "A" game b!tches! "PLL" is back...can I get a "Hey now"? This show rocks and continues to do so season after season.

OK - when we left off with the "Psycho" inspired finale from last season, Mona was revealed as "A" - well as we know now (uh, or at least you should) there is a whole conspiracy surrounding our "Liars".

I still believe Alison DiLaurentis is alive and well and giving the girls Hell. Maybe I am wrong, but there is obviously other enigma's involved in the grand scheme of things.

Yeah, OK, I am sorry to see Emily has now gone alcoholic - I always thought her to be so strong, and WTF with Spencer is she in on the "A" game...that would account for a lot if one of the "liars" was working to bring down the others.

Hanna is, well Hanna - I like her and I would be wanting to know why Mona hated me too. Aria (love her) continues to fascinate me as a very young woman, with an old soul, kudos to Holly Marie Combs for her wise portrayal of her mother (hey not all Mom's are that savvy).

 Also a shout out to some of the smartest writing and one of the best casts ever. Can't wait for episode deux, so glad it's back...just in time for summer!

"Summertime and the livin' is easy"........

abcfamily.go.com/

TV Watch: Pretty Little Liars

2012 is off to a fantastic start, amongst other things, my favorite guilty pleasure has started it’s latest run.

The girls of Rosewood are back and here to deceive you in a whole new season of “Pretty Little Liars“.

Of course they are not the only fibbers in town, which of course has as much deceit and betrayal as the late great Aaron Spelling’s “Melrose Place”.

For the uninitiated let’s give the briefest of re-caps….

Once upon a time there was a girl name Allison, Ally for short, she was the baddest b!tch in the whole damned town! She ruled over her kingdom of friends, Spencer, Aria, Emily & Hanna (the PLL’s)

Until one day, Ally disappeared and was found dead (?) (that’s the official statement, but we “Liars” fans know A) her death is up for debate and B) you really can’t keep a good b!tch down)….and boy was Ally, the cat a major one!

The quintet of Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna are now relentlessly pursued by the mysterious “A” who knows all of their secrets and is controlling their every move, much like uber b!tch Allison did when she was alive….Hmmmmmmmmmmmm….

With the wheels now set in motion, the games have begun. There are way too many twists and turns to get down with in a full piece, but suffice it to say this is some of the most fun I have watching TV each week, thanks ABC Family Network!

And thanks to the “Pretty” & talented four leads Troian Bellisario (Spencer), Ashley Benson (Hanna), Lucy Hale (Aria) and Shay Mitchell (Emily). You root for these “Liars” and want them to not be kept down by the insidious forces that are trying to destroy their lives….You Go Girls!

This season finds the “Liars” doing community service in un-flattering orange jumpsuits for a crime they did not commit (thanks a lot “A”). When Spencer and Emily get into a WWW smackdown, drag out fight.



For us older fans doesn’t this sounds like another wink and nod to the Spelling tradition? If not check out the original “Charlie’s Angels” TV show and find an episode titled “Angels In Chains”.

It’s starting off to be an amazing year and I am loving the return of my beloved “Liars”!
　
http://prettylittleliars.alloyentertainment.com/