Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Sing Along With: Marti Frederiksen



Songwriter, producer, engineer and drummer Marti Frederiksen was a 10th grade choir boy, yep that didn't take. Marti has had his a hand in some of the best hits of the last decade, co-writing “Jaded” by Aerosmith, “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood,“Sorry” by Buckcherry, and “Love Remains the Same” by Gavin Rossdale. 

With his restless drive Marti could hear the big picture, pick out the possibilities, and create new harmonies. He started, playing drums in a garage band and writing originals when he was only 15.

Three of Marti’s LA-area bands landed record deals, and that led Marti to producing. Soon he was with Virgin Records co-writing and producing for the Southern rock-tinged Brother Cane, including two songs that reached No. 1 in the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts....with his many hyphenates look behind the control board, it's an engineer, it's a drummer, a songwriter...no, it's Super Marti!

 MS: You are the ultimate one degree of “American Idol” you have worked with everyone from Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, James Durbin & Daughtry – amongst others.

MF: I know man. Every year I think “who is it going to be this time”? (laughs) I've worked with so many of them. There were a couple of songs I wrote for Lee Dewyze that didn't make his current album.

MS: That's too bad.

MF: Well I'm actually kind of glad now, the album isn't doing much, and the songs ares still great maybe they will be recorded by somebody else,

MS: Hopefully someone with a higher profile.(laughs)

MF: Who knows, I hope they get accepted, or maybe...I don't know.

MS: It's interesting you have only worked with one of the two successful “American Idol” winners, Carrie Underwood. You have also worked with two successful “AI” alums who didn't win James Durbin and Chris Daughtry. Unless you are Carrie or Kelly Clarkson it seems you are better off not winning if you want to become a music biz success.
MF: That pretty much where it stands right now, but who knows, let's wait and see what happens with Phillip Phillips.

MS: You are a musician in your own right, you've played drums, guitar, keyboard and what else?

MF: Since I do all my own demos I take on every instrument, I even do vocals.

MS: Do you prefer songwriting and producing or being artist?

MF: Songwriting and producing, it's more all over the place. Being an artist you have to kind of focus on the one sound and dream, ya know.

MS: OK Marti, if you were an instrument which instrument would you want to be?

MF: Drums man. That was always my thing, if it wasn't for drums I don't think I would be writing songs.

Sing, sing a song with Marti at: http://martifrederiksen.com/

Saturday, September 1, 2012

For Immediate Release: Shonen Knife - "Ghost Train"


SHONEN KNIFE RELEASES "GHOST TRAIN" - 2ND VIDEO FROM THEIR LATEST "POP TUNE" ALBUM


On the heels of their North American "Pop Tune Tour 2012" Japanese Pop Punk 

Princesses "Shonen Knife" have released their second promotional video from their latest album release "Pop Tune" (Good Charamel 2012).

 The video is for the track "Ghost Train"  shot at The Osaka Pangea and Shibuya O-Nest in Japan, it was produced by by Mike Rogers and Ken Nishikawa. 

After a brief break from touring Shonen Knife returns to promoting the "Pop Tune" album with a European 
tour and an "Osaka Ramones" (their Ramones tribute alter ego) appearance in their hometown of Osaka.

Check out the new "Ghost Train" video  below ...



Friday, August 31, 2012

TV Watch: American Horror Story: Asylum



I'm so excited, and I'm not gonna hide it..."American Horror Story: Asylum" looks amazingly creepy, violent and scary, everything we horror fans loved about the first installment of the FX anthology series.

From the promo trailers and artwork to the cast of returning and new actors: Jessica Lange as a sadistic nun who runs the asylum anyone??? Are perfection!

Also I am excited to see Adam Levine as one half of the characters referred to as "The Lovers" as I am sure with a character moniker like that he will inherit the "Baring Your Booty" legacy of Dylan McDermott.

Seriously October 17th 10pm on FX can not come soon enough, in the meantime here are some of my favorite images and a clip thrown in for good measure - that are building my anticipation to a....fill in your own blank my fellow AHS fans and have a macabre Labor Day Weekend...Boo!

Sister Sadistic: Jessica Lange














Obligatory Hotttie: Adam Levine







I'll Be Your Nympho Tonight: Chloe Sevigny




















http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/ahs/

Monday, August 27, 2012

Blaudzun: Extrapolates



MS: Extrapolate on “Solar”, your current song/video.

Blaudzun: Solar deals with a troubled love life obviously, the title was inspired by Ian McEwan’s novel.  But I try not to explain my songs too much because it deprives listeners of a first an honest chance to discover any meaning or story for themselves. 
This video was shot at locations world wide. It is 100% analogue and was filmed on 35mm with a LomoKino, a re-issue of an old camera from the Soviet Union. It’s directed by my dear friend David Douglas. The parts were you see me singing were shot in Barcelona (Spain).
MS: Do you love performing live?

Blaudzun: Yes I do love it a lot. Songs are meant to be played live in front of people, actually that’s the final stage of the writing process I guess. Songs don’t stop evolving after I recorded them. They continue to grow and change while singing them before an audience. A song is like a living being to me.

MS: Tell us about that rush.
Blaudzun:To be able to sing and to play with other musicians is what I like most. That’s the reason I don’t do solo performances that often. It’s great to create sound and musical layers with talented people and watch those faces in the crowd enjoy and reinforce the music coming from the stage.

MS: What song in your catalog best describes you?
Blaudzun: It depends on my mood I guess, but there’s no particular song that describes me best. Heavy Flowers (the album) as a whole is what I feel is me at this moment.

Discover Blaudzun at: www.blaudzun.com

Friday, August 24, 2012

T.G.I.F: Midnight Red "If I Ever Fall In Love"



T.G.I.F! The boys of Midnight Red are back with a new video, an Acapella cover of "If I Ever Fall In Love" -

As you might recall I have done past write ups on MR and have interviewed one of the boys, Colton Rudloff for Chorus and Verse and did a word association with him for this blog when "Hell Yeah" broke...
http://mshinafelt.blogspot.fr/2012/06/colton-rudloff-of-midnight-red-gets.html

Here is, without further hyperbole, the boys of Midnight Red singing "If I Ever Fall In Love".

Enjoy your weekend....!



Get "Red" www.midnightred.com

Thursday, August 23, 2012

10 Stupid Questions: "Where The Bears Are"


"Whereeeeee The Bears Are" OK, Connie Francis did not croon THAT song, but undoubtedly it was the inspiration for the title of the hit web series "Where The Bears Are" - Set in the furry woods, of beards, male realness and Colt model used to be's of Silverlake, CA.



"The Bears" comes from the creative team of Rick Copp, Joe Dietl and Ben Zook. The web series is a comedy mystery that follows the misadventures of three Gay Bear Roomates living in the Los Angeles, CA neighborhood of Silverlake, CA as they attempt to solve the murder of a partyguest that has turned up dead in their bathroom.


Hey Bears let's get to it strike a pose, there's nothing to it....

MS: What do you Bears do in the woods?

Bears: Showtunes. 

MS: How do  you make a "Hot Toddy"?

Bears: You script a part that calls for someone brooding and sexy, then put an ad on Craigslist and cast an incredibly talented and hot actor named Ian Parks. 

MS: Were any of your neighborhoods sprayed with DDT when you were children?

Bears: We used to run alongside the truck and wave and chase it, all the while breathing in the toxic chemicals. I'm not kidding. 
 

MS: Margaret Cho or Kathy Griffin?

Bears: Love them both. In fact, I actually HAVE loved them both...in a drunken three 
way back in the 90's. 
 
MS: Every cruised Craigslist?

Bears: Yes, but not for what you think. 
 
MS: Has anyone ever died at any of your Birthday parties?
Bears: Of boredom, yes. 
 
MS: The "Eagle" or "The Faultline" bar ?

Bears: Love them both. But, have to give it up to The Eagle, who let us shoot the series there for two days. Love Charlie and Hunter. 
 
MS: If there was a drink called a "Bear Bomb" what would it have in it?

Bears: As many carbs as possible. 
 

MS: Want to buy Sharon Tate's house?

Bears: No, but I would love to buy Sharon Stone's house. 
 
MS: OK, guys whose the sexiest Bear alive?

Bears: All bears are sexy. But, I just got back from Chicago and let me tell ya', there are some big, hot, hairy men there. 

Get your Bear on! At: www.wherethebearsare.tv

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Aiden Leslie's "Diamond Dreams"




Aiden Leslie is an "Entertain Me" Staple...I first met Aiden when I interviewed him for his hit single "Worlds Away" for Chorus and Verse.
http://www.chorusandverse.com/content.php?id=20110308A

His first appearance here was for his follow up single "Trying To Leave Now" and then Mr. Leslie was game enough to subject himself to "getting stupid" for me with his "10 Stupid Questions" chat.

Well he is back and he is pursuing his "Diamond Dreams" take it away Aiden...!

MS: Define what “Diamond Dreams” are. 

AL: "Diamond Dreams" are anything that you have a deep passion for that you can manifest into reality for yourself. In many ways it's metaphorically speaking to get what you want out of your life and be it. 


MS: What were your “Diamond Dreams” growing up in Ohio? 

AL: I dreamed of something bigger for myself, someplace far away from Ohio. I dreamed of becoming a performer and singing on stage. Little did I realize that it would manifest into expressing myself through my own words and music. That has been the journey. 

MS: You are a big Erasure fan and it really shows on this single, I'm sure that was the plan.

AL:  Yes, a huge fan of Erasure! Always have been really inspired by their music. I'm often compared to Andy Bell (a huge compliment that I do not take lightly), so I can understand what you may be hearing. 

MS: Any advice for those out there who want to follow their “Diamond Dreams” ? 

AL: We have one go-around--why not go for what you NEED out of your life. Persistence is 95% part of the equation. Remember this when people tell you will not succeed...because they will. You will also have your supporters--nurture those relationships, as they will carry you, when others will not. 

MS: I've noticed you have been performing live a lot, how much do you love doing a live show?

AL: Performing LIVE is why I do this...connecting the music and my message to the people. Hopefully it will move them and help them see something different in lives...that is what music is all about. 

MS: So, what are Aiden's current “Diamond Dreams”? 

AL: I'm living them. 


Live Your Dreams! Log Onto: www.aidenleslie.com