"Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea these singers are or what lives they lead, until now" -
So goes the IMDB synopsis for the Documentary "20 Feet From Stardom" starring one of my favorite people Darlene Love, who jumped those "20 Feet" and became a star and legend that was recently inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame.
Love has been called the "world's most famous backup singer," but has also appeared on Broadway and in films — most notably as Trish Murtaugh in all four "Lethal Weapon" films. " She hosts a Christmas special in New York City every year, and Harper Collins released her new novel, "My Name is Love," on June 4. She's currently performing in an Australian production of "FAME" as the musical's lead performer.
"People in the biz always give you a lot of lip service about what you should do, but when it comes time to put the bucks down on the table everybody disappears" - Darlene Love
This is an excerpt from and interview I did with Ms. Love about her upcoming (and out now) CD "Concert of Love"- you can read it here:
The news that James Gandolfini had died of a heart attack yesterday in Italy caught everyone by surprise. Mainly because the Emmy Award winning actor for his signature role of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" was only fifty-one years old.
Although I have never seen "The Sopranos" - I know, my friends tell me I should and that they are sure I would like it, so now I will. There are plenty of other things I have seen Mr. Gandolfini in, and he was always one of the if not the only highlight.
I will never forget seeing him playing a gay Hit Man, Winston Baldry in the really lame Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts vehicle "The Mexican". The role was like Tony Soprano with a twist, James got to demonstrate a distinctive and sharp comedic flair.
So if you will excuse me I have a lot of catching up to do and am off to watch "The Sopranos" now...
Hey all you Cho Ho's out there, heads up! "Entertain Me" friend & favorite Margaret Cho will be co-hosting "The View" tomorrow morning June 19, 2013 - the original women on the verge of a ....fill in your own blank, show (Hey "The Talk" is a copycat people)
Our Lady of the Cho will go head to head and trade wits, and articulate opinions with, none other than Barbara Walters & Whoopi Goldberg. I would have included Sherri Shepherd and Elisabeth Hasselbeck in that statement, but you have to possess the two abovementioned qualities which neither of those women can claim.
Margaret could eat those two for lunch one hand tied behind her back with a blindfold on! Hey, but it will be interesting in seeing how she navigates the needy. Even more so how she actually interacts with two women who are her intellectual peers.
So all you Ho's out there say "Hey"! and Tivo, Record or watch "The View" L-I-V-E with the formidable and always opinionated Ms. Cho, it's going to be a bumpy and interesting ride....!
Finally! After years of playing local type gigs, Message to Venus is hitting the road for a really big tour...!
The tour will cover 19 States and 30 Cities in the U.S.! Yes, 2013 is the year for "M2V".
Jandre Nadal Lead Vocals/Guitar of "M2V" stopped by "Entertain Me" to give me this quote about the groups mega 2013 activity:
"We have invested so much as a band, mental and physical preparations, sacrificing everything in our personal lives. We have the mind set and the talent, we just need the exposure.We are going to be big and we know it"!
Yes, Jandre this writer agrees. I first heard of the band and chatted with Jandre in May 2012 for Chorus & Verse, oh, you can cut to that full length interview here...
Speaking with Mr. Nadal and hearing the bands music, I knew then everything he just told all of you above is 100% accurate and, he speaks the truth. Can I get an amen?
"M2V" kicks off their tour this Thursday June 20th 2013 in St. Petersburg, FL with opener Dead Fish Handshake in tow.
To keep up with them check out their website for currently scheduled tour venues and future ones at:
WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW VIDEO “VICIOUS CYCLE” ON ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’S ET ONLINE
DEBUT ALBUM ‘BABY CAUGHT THE BUS’ OUT NOW ON VANGUARD RECORDS
"In the era of Auto-Tune and prepackaged pop stars, Australian band Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes is a refreshing dose of real, raw talent, plus showmanship skills to boot." --Marcy Medina, WOMEN’S WEAR DAILY-WWD (5/24/13)
Entertainment Tonight online has world premiered of “Vicious Cycle,” the new video from CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN’ RACKETTES. Check it here: http://et.tv/164Etst.
In other online news, frontwomanCLAIRY BROWNE says her influences ranging from Etta JamestoDavid Lynch.
The Australian group recently released their debut albumBABY CAUGHT THE BUSon
Vanguard Records (May 21). Already breakout stars in their native Australia, the group which Scott Simon of NPR called “Rich in harmony...” (5/25) is taking the U.S. by storm. The album--rooted in old-school R&B and soul, re-imagined for today-- debuted at #5 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, #1 on the iTunes R&B Albums Chart, Top 15 on theiTunes Overall Albums Chart, #2 on Amazon “Movers & Shakers” and #7 on the Amazon Overall Albums Chart. In its first week at radio, their single “Love Letter” was the #1 Most Added at Triple A Radio with airplay at Alternative stations across America as well. Expect the group to announce a late summer U.S. tour soon.
About Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes:
Formed in 2009 over a mutual love of early rhythm n’ blues records and rock n’ roll, singer-songwriter Clairy Browne and her harmonizing group of rogue musicians The Bangin’ Rackettes began rehearsing in an abandoned coffin factory called “The Pound” in the suburbs of Melbourne. Together the nine-piece band has come a long way thrilling both festival and U.S. club crowds alike with their young take on old-school soul, rhythm and blues, jazz and doo-wop which plays a large part in their broad multi-generational appeal.Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes--Clairy Browne (vocals), Camilla (vocals), Loretta Miller (vocals), Ruby Jones (vocals), Jules “Crazy Legs” Pascoe (bass guitar), Darcy McNulty (baritone sax), Gabriel Strango (Piano), Peter Bee (guitar) and Ricky Martyn(drums).
Parisian born singer/songwriter Marie Parie has always believed in her higher alien power. Raised by two Catholic Priests in France Ms. Parie has always identified herself as a alien resident on the Planet Earth.
Her first album "Alien Victory" drops this week. In the world according to Marie scoring this victory has multilevel meanings. The first and foremost one is, understanding the alien power within in us all and letting it guide you when you are unsure of where you should lead.
So, let's hear it from the self described gay man in a woman's body Ms. Marie Parie!
MS: Marie I know you think of yourself as an alien I'm guessing that's why your debut album is titled: "Alien Victory".
MP: Well, yeah (laughs) I believe there is a part of all of us that is an alien. That's where I come from, and the victory is that every single human being is capable of overcoming any situation.
Dating C'est Toc
MS: So how long has your debut been in the works?
MP: A year.
MS: That's pretty standard. The alien theme is something that runs through all of your music including your hit song "Dating".
MP: When I was a child I was always calling myself and alien, and extraterrestrial. This is a thought that would always be in my mind and I had no idea why.
MS: I assume you will include your biggest hit "Dating" on the album.
MP: Of course! There is the English version and we did a French version. We wanted to combine the French and the American on the album. The heavy bass and heavy drums are American style, but melodic part of it is European style.
MS: Bringing the American and European version together on one album is an "Alien Victory" all it's own.
MP: I've always been fascinated with the "Two Sisters" relation between France and America, they have always been inside of each other in history. For example if you go to Normandy, FR there is so much American heritage there and if you go to Louisiana, USA there is so much French heritage. I've always thought how powerful it is to join two worlds together. Uniting two worlds, it's a victory, but to do that you need an alien force. There are so many layers to my album, but there is also the mystery of the alien world which I believe in. On all the planets there are creatures, and we are all part of each other, we are all one.
MS: I like that.
MP: On a personal psychological aspect of it, every person feels alienated for one reason or another. Because it is hard to comprehend this thing called a human. We place limits on ourselves as human beings and we have unlimited potential. In society it is hard to be accepted or belong, or feel like you are a part of something. There are a lot of layers on my album in regard to this, it brings it altogether it goes through all the emotions you could never imagine. It's my "Alien Victory" (laughs).
MS: OK, Marie break down your "Alien Victory" for everyone.
MP: Well it starts with "Dating" your dating right now and it feels good inside. Then it goes to "Playground" because the first stages of dating are all fun.
MS: They are.
MP: "Playground" represents the mixture of danger and fun that "Dating" starts.
Another Day In The Alien World = Victory!
MS: So Marie, how does it all go from here? Will I like the ending to this novel?
MP: After those two stages you are facing the darkness and the light, it brings you to your beauty and your power. The alien in you gets you to do all of these things and you think: "Wow, I'm a miracle"!
MS: The suspense is killing me. How does it end?! Grrrrrrrrrrrrl please!
MP: There is "Lie To Me" the darkness has taken over. (laughs)
MS: Stop, been there done that, I could probably write that song.(laughs)
MP: "Lollipop" is when you become sexual again, you become a sex diva.
MS: Oh, here is my area of expertise. (laughs)
MP: So when you take your sexuality and get a hold of it, you become empowered again. So now you become like my song "Ur Ma Bitch" get on your knees, you are dominant. You really get a hold of your sexuality.
MS: Yeah?
MP: So, "Dating C'est Toc" is dating the new side of you, the alien thing.
MS: I know I did not hit every single track, just the highlights, so Marie Parie, what about the final one? "Love Me".
MP: "Love Me" until I die, it ends that way. You're in love and embracing your inner alien.
Ever wonder what it would be like to have cocktails with Berlin-Burlesque-Biotch Clea Cutthroat?
Well thanks to the Internet and Burlesque Bitch online you can now get up close and viral with Clea as she mixes you one of her fabulous libations and let's you into the world according to Cutthroat.
Recently I broke out my riding crop and ordered Clea to give me five. Five good reasons that people should want to have cocktails with her.
She of course complied and is a smart Burlesque Biotch - Please take note of reason number five, not only does Clea know of what she speaks, it is a mantra you should all adhere to.
OK, Clea - I'm ready...give me five, now!
Give Me My Wine!
Clea Cutthroat:
1. It's free! Cheaper than any cocktail in the WORLD!!! So much fun, color, and laughs at a bargain price of $Free.00!
2. In Drag Race language, I would describe it as: the "C" is for charisma, "L" is for libations, "E" is for extravaganza, and "A" is for adventure.
3. In times of uncertainty, I always ask myself, "What would Madonna Do?". I'm just sure she would read it! Or, at the very least, have a cute pool boy read it to her
4. You get the latest news on showgirls, drag queens, circus freaks & geeks, as well as free cocktail recipes from around the world! Perfect for showing off at your next date or dinner party.
5. Because Michael Shinafelt said so! And after asking Madonna, my next question to myself is ALWAYS..."What would Michael do?"
