Posts Tagged ‘Live Performance’

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

One of my favorite alternative rock duos, The Kills, are back with a smashing new single entitled Baby Says. This is by far one of the strongest tracks off of their fourth album release, Blood Pressures. Not to focus on the whole album, but it is indeed a fine work in a progressive discography.

There is just something about The Kills’ Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart that gets my heart pounding. In order for a two piece band to work, there has to be a certain magic between the two performers and these two certainly get a passing mark.

Check out this rare acoustic performance of Baby Says below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: ‘True Colors’ is certainly one of the biggest anthems of the gay community. Are there any songs from your own collection or other artists that you consider to be your personal anthem?

CYNDI LAUPER: I have quite a few with my own catalog. To choose one is going to be tough. Changes from time to time. Anything from Joni Mitchell.

RB: It’s wonderful to see any artist, but specifically artists of your level really reaching out to their gay fan base and working on strengthening the community. How has working on projects like the Give A Damn Campaign, and opening the True Colors homeless shelter for LGBT youth affected you personally?

CL: I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to raise awareness about equality and issues impacting the community that do not get enough attention, especially homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. To be able to do that through the Give a Damn Campaign and the True Colors Residence, which is actually permanent housing, not a shelter, means a great deal to me.

RB: Your video on YouTube speaking on bullying and on the flood of suicides with regards to gay teens was really touching. How have you handled those in the past who may have been punks in the way that they treated you?

CL: I think it is important to say that while the media has been focusing on the recent suicides of these young men as a result of anti-gay bullying, this has been an epidemic that has been growing and in dire need of attention for far too long. I do know what it is like to be viewed as ‘different’ and I have owned that about myself and have been unapologetic about it. We all have to be who we are. It can be hard to do that though as life has ways of knockin’ ya down time and time again. I would urge all the young people reading this to contact the Trevor Project at 1-866-4-U-TREVOR or the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-RUNAWAY if you are having a hard time and need someone to talk to.

RB: Your most recent record, ‘Memphis Blues’, is a beautiful piece of work and showcases a different side of yourself. What can we expect from your next album? Working on any new material?

CL: I don’t have a “next” CD planned — I’m living and enjoying this one! I am filming a live DVD in Memphis. Basically it’s the show we’ve been doing on the road since ‘Memphis Blues’ came out. It will include songs from ‘Memphis Blues’, my hits and a few new songs.

RB: Crazy but I’ve got to ask, do you listen to any rap music?

CL: I have a 13 year old son, what do you think? I listen to A LOT of rap!

TONY CORTOPASSI: Having many acting roles in: Vibes, Off & Running, Life with Mikey, Here & There, Section B, as well as an Emmy award winning role in Mad About You as “Marianne Lugasso” — Is there a type of role you’d love to do next?

CL: Love to revamp my style and genre with everything I do. Of course I‘d love to try something different, new and challenging.

TC: Since you’ve already done Threepenny Opera…any role you’d like to do on Broadway?

CL: My next Broadway project is as composer. I am writing songs for the Broadway adaptation of the film Kinky Boots. Harvey Fierstein is writing the book and Jerry Mitchell is the director. It’s very exciting.

TC: We are all excited to read your autobiography. When is that slated to be released? Can you give us a teaser from the book?

Cyndi: I am writing an autobiography that will be released via Simon & Schuster. I am in the middle of writing right now so ask me this question again next time we chat.

TC: Can you elaborate a little on your new reality show and what we can expect?

CL: Yes. I did a deal with Mark Burnett Productions before I signed on to Celebrity Apprentice. Mark Burnett Productions is probably the most successful producers of reality tv so I am really happy to be in partnership with them. The folks there are smart and creative and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to do. I love the medium, so I’m excited about it. It is going to be mostly about me and my day to day, focusing on my career.

TC: If you could travel to any time in history, who would you love to meet?

CL: John Lennon.

Watch the incredible Cyndi in action, during a recent performance, below.

[Via One Way Mag]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Foster the People aren’t the only ones getting their kicks pumped. Weezer has recently been covering Pumped Up Kicks on tour, and it’s worth sharing with the world. As if the stratosphere of their instantaneous success wasn’t cool enough, the most tangible proof of their certifiable fame comes in the form of the ultimate authentication: being covered by one of the world’s most famous rock bands.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I don’t understand people. Again, I’m a minister’s daughter, I was brought up in the church; I do know the political side and how it works. If I could sit down with these people you’re mentioning, I’d say, “I thought Jesus was about love and not about judgment and damnation. I thought Christ came to question the judgment of a very harsh God.” I just find it completely against Christ’s message. I don’t know what they’re representing, but they’re as far away from Christ as my Bible teaching taught me and, you know what, I was brought up in the church! I’ve gone to church enough for almost every woman in America!”

-Tori Amos on Michele Bachmann’s Homophobic Views
Via Pridesource

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Do you sometimes look in the mirror and struggle with loving what you see? I do. I envy those who seemingly love every inch of their skin without hesitation. I always preach this kind of self love (especially to girls), but I often forget the rules when I look at myself. Note to self: The surface is an imperfect ever-changing shell. The pearl is and will always be on the inside.
[Rob Brayl Poetry]

[Pop Gets A Facelift With Jessie J]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Wuvs her!

As a follow-up to THIS POST, Kelly has dropped the official vid to new single Mr. Know It All and she looks uhhmazing!

Pay close attention to Kelly’s thighs. Who doesn’t love a little hip action? Toothpicks are boring in the hip department. Sorry, toothpicks of the world! Don’t act like y’all don’t know it’s true.

On first listen, I felt this track seemed anti-climatic, but over time it’s completely rubbed off on me.

Clarkson will release her fifth studio album, Stronger, on October 24th.

Watch the new video + a recent performance of the track following.

As always, her live vocals are on fire.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Demi Lovato has dropped her much anticipated Unbroken release, and after getting my hands on a copy and giving it a whirl, I have a few things to say. First, it’s obvious (like duh!) that her label had a big influence on the commercial appeal factor with this record. The first few tracks are collaborations that quite frankly are forgettable and lack the true grit possessed in Skyscraper. Yeah yeah, I know Demi Lovato isn’t Adele and an entire album of heavy hitting ballads might be a bit of a buzzkill. But to me, the emotionally charged pop numbers is where she truly effing shines. From listening to my favorite track on the record For The Love Of A Daughter (below) + lead single Skyscraper, I think it’s apparent that Demi’s heart lies in the cracks of the broken-hearted tracks. (Hey! That rhymed.)

Overall, it’s a great commercial release. I just wish there was a bit more brokenness and less ordinary radio friendly production.

When you watch/listen to the clips below you may think this post seems a bit hypocritical (as the songs I’ve posted are very broken and heartfelt), but I assure you that the majority of the album is not as intense as I had daydreamed. I am posting these clips because this is the Demi I cling to, the Demi I love. I understand completely as to why the album is the way it is — Demi is a very mainstream artist after all — it’s just an opinion of the elements I would’ve liked to have seen more of splashed around on the project.

I would also like to point out that I love this girl for her bravery and the truth she has shared with the world with regards to her past + her traumatic issues. I just wanted to give an honest opinion on the album from someone who is a proud supporter and fan of Demi’s music.

Recent performance + interview + my favorite track from Unbroken below.

(She sounds so damn amazing live.)

[Related: Lovato's 'Skyscraper' Proves There's Beauty In The Breakdown]

[TWLOHA]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is just too damn awesome not to share. Joining the Black Lips on stage this past weekend for their Do You Wanna Dance? number was Deerhunter/Atlas Sound frontman Bradford Cox, who posed as Joey Ramone, complete with long black wig and black leather jacket.

Halloween is still a month out, but this is the best damn disguise I’ve seen in quite some time.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

First off, apologies to my baby daddy Drake for what I’m about to say. I think I may have a new crush! And he’s white! Guess the world is going to end in 2012 after all. I’m kidding. I love white dudes! As long as they are cool, personable, genuine, funny, and not into like Michelle Bachmann and stuff. Ya know, the usual ‘Is he worth it?’ routine.

His name is Jamie Scott and if you’re from London or a music trendsetter than you may have already called dibs, but I just stumbled across this video and instantly felt static cling. Beyond the surface remains a talent that stings just the same.

The style + art direction hits the bull’s eye.

Watch Jamie Scott in action below to see what I mean.

Graffiti6′s EP Free will drop on October 4th, so watch out!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down…I have insecurities, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.”

–Adele on body image
[Taken from this month's issue of Vogue UK]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Puhlease? With a cherry on top?

Also, never shut down your Southern Hospitality restaurant because A. I like to get fat here on the weekends (hello, Southern fried goodness — it tastes like home!) and B. the “Mason Dixon” Red Velvet Cheesecake is better than sex. K? Thanks.

NSFW comedy + two recent NYC appearances (including a surprise performance at the above-mentioned Southern Hospitality in Hell’s Kitchen) following.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[All photos via Getty Images]

Ok, Gaga makes one creepy old man! Adele’s WTF face in the audience was priceless and my thoughts exactly. But what else is new? Same ridiculous crap.

Nicki Minaj’s outfit is epic…epically HORRENDOUS. Gurl bye.

Pitbull… Get it, papi! Latinos always bring the heat!

Adele’s performance, with nothing but a microphone and a piano, has exposed the sham that is 90% of the other acts that have performed so far tonight. The woman knows real music, heartbreak, and what true beauty is all about. Gorgeous!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

Ok, not to sound mean but I definitely think Taylor Lautner has tasted the rainbow!

SOUTHERN PRIDE! GO BRITNEY & BEYONCE!

Amy Winehouse, RIP.

OMGOMGOMG DRAKE, my baby daddy!!!

Get More: Music News

Lil Wayne, for the love of God! Please pull your pants up!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

BTB favorite Natalia Kills recently took over the roof of New York City’s Atlas Hotel, to celebrate the release of her debut album Perfectionist dropping earlier this week. Performing singles Wonderland and Free acoustically, the live set was part of the Hotel’s 4th Annual Open A.I.R: Artist In Residence Summer Concert Series, an event that benefits the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Awesome music + NYC rooftop views + a wonderful cause = 2Grool4Skewl!

[Related Post: On Heavy Rotation: Natalia Kills]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Photo cred: Me bitches.]

Some people’s lives are changed in normal ways — ya know, graduating college, buying a home, plopping out a baby. But me? My life was changed this weekend at a Beyonce concert.

Not just any Beyonce concert, mind you. This concert was the real deal — Beyonce, like she’s never been seen before, in an intimate setting, a small venue to truly capture the bootylicious essence we all know and love. But beyond the dance numbers, Beyonce’s heart and soul came bursting through and by the end of the show — when she sang my personal favorite ‘I Was Here’ — I found myself moved to tears.

I feel so blessed to have a part of such an intimate rare Beyonce experience.

The night was taped and will be released on an upcoming DVD/TV special I do believe.

And as expected, the show was absolutely incredible.

Watch some videos I shot from the show below.

I hope each of you get a chance to see this woman perform live once in your lifetime.

And oh! I guess I should also point out that Sir Paul McCartney was in attendance and even gave Bey a standing ovation. Get it, gurl! Even royalty is taking notice of your brilliance.

[To see photos I took from the show + captions, click HERE.]

[See more videos from the show via my YouTube page.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

When Joe Jonas released his first solo single, See No More, I was ranting like a loon over the track and even wrote a little piece in which I spoke on the possibility of Joe filling Timberlake’s pop shoes. But after hearing the new single, I’m beginning to question my original stance.

New single Love Slayer may eventually rub off and I might even find myself eating these words, but for now, the track falls a little short in my opinion. I like the Prince-like edge to this song — and maybe I will like it more once I hear the studio version and/or see Joe looking like, well, Joe in the music video — but for now, I think the song/performance needs a little fine tuning.

I think Joe is doing an awesome job and I’m a big fan, I just think he’s finding his niche and beginning to feel comfortable in his own skin as a solo artist. And that’s totally understandable.

Watch a recent live performance of the new single below.

Do you think Love Slayer slays?