Author: Kirsten Coachman

Kirsten Coachman is a Writer, Editor, and Arts & Entertainment Journalist from the SF Bay Area. When not listening to music or cheering on the San Jose Sharks, she's probably at the movies. Follow her on Threads: @kirscoachman

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “Need You Now” & “Bills, Bills, Bills”

There’s only a few more days til Glee returns on a special night after Super Bowl XLV.

To tide you over, check out a clip of Rachel (Lea Michele) and Puck (Mark Salling) singing Lady Antebellum’s huge hit, “Need You Now”!

Also, here’s a short clip of Dalton Academy’s Warblers performing Destiny’s Child’s hit, “Bills, Bills, Bills”! Blaine (Darren Criss) is featured on lead vocals.

Video source: 1, 2

Kris Allen Performs the National Anthem at the Pro Bowl

Kris Allen did a fantastic job singing the National Anthem a little while ago live at the Pro Bowl.

Check out his performance below!

He sounded great!

Can’t wait for new music from him!

What did y’all think?

Video Source: MjsBigBlog

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Ear Candy: New Politics — “Dignity”

If I had to choose one band right now that I think everyone and their momma should listen to, it would be New Politics. I think they’re one of the best bands on the music scene right now. The music is great alternative rock, with good hooks, and solid lyrics.

The trio (David Boyd, Soeren Hansen, and Louis Vecchio) have released their second single, “Dignity,” off their self-titled debut album. MTV has also named the band one of their “2011 Artists To Watch.”

The band recently made their network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where they performed “Dignity” live.

Check out their performance below.

If you ever get a chance to see New Politics live, they are not to be missed. I caught them opening for The Spill Canvas in San Francisco last April and also at Music in the Park in Downtown San Jose in July. Both were absolute stellar shows. David Boyd is an amazing showman. You will leave wanting more.

Make sure to check out their tour dates at newpoliticsrock.com!

Idol Wired >> NOLA Has Talent!

American Idol headed to New Orleans for the next batch of auditions, and to my delight there was talent to be found! Now, we’re not talking like an overabundance of talent, but there were a few good voices that left me overall feeling pretty good.

My personal favorites from the auditions in New Orleans were Brett Loewenstern, Jacee Badeaux, and Sarah Sellers.

Sixteen-year-old Brett Loewenstern from Boca Raton, FL sang Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” His voice is fantastic. The kid has got some pipes. Plus, he has this crazy awesome curly red hair. His look and his voice don’t seem like they would match up, but that’s what we all said about Clay Aiken back in season two. I like contestants like Loewenstern, because just when we are ready to judge a book by it’s cover, they just go ahead and surprise the heck out of you.

Another one of the contestants that I really enjoyed was 15-year-old Jacee Badeaux from Lafayette, LA. He sang Otis Redding’s “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” His voice is incredible for his age. That said, Badeaux being all of 15-years-old makes me wonder what happens if he goes far in the competition and his voice starts changing? I don’t know how well that would work in his favor.

I am concerned about Badeaux’s age. I’m not sure if lowering the age limit for Idol auditions was the best decision. I see the show’s motive behind it. They’re definitely looking for the Idol this year to be the next big thing. Badeaux just seems like a sweet kid, and I truly fear that he’s going to buckle under the pressure and stress of “Hollywood Week.” I know there have been younger contestants on the show before, including season six’s winner Jordin Sparks, who won when she was 17-years-old, but somehow they seemed a little more mentally prepared and ready to be thrust into the Idol machine.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> NOLA Has Talent!

‘Idol’ Contestant Luke James: “Third time’s a charm!”

I was browsing the videos at AmericanIdol.com of contestants that have made it through to Hollywood and came across a familiar face from last season, Luke James.

Check out his season nine audition below.

Luke was an early favorite of mine last season, I was super bummed when he didn’t make the Top 24 during “Hollywood Week.” The guy is super talented and I am stoked that he’s back on the show this season. I would really love to see him make at least the semi-finals.

Here is Luke covering Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.”

Yeah, another guy with a guitar. I obviously have a type. ;) But, on a serious note, he’s pretty talented, and his voice is really radio friendly. You can see more performance videos of Luke at his YouTube channel.

Check out Luke’s interview with AmericanIdol.com where he talks about why he decided to try out for Idol again!

Funeral Party to Release Their U.S. Debut on March 29

Named one of the “50 Best New Bands of 2010” according to NME, Funeral Party is set to take 2011 by storm with the U.S. release of their debut album, The Golden Age of Knowhere, due out March 29.

Produced by Lars Stalfors (The Mars Volta) and mixed by Dave Sardy (Oasis), the energentic 11-song album will release it’s first single, “Finale” to radio in March. The song serves as a great introduction for those who are first time listeners.
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While fans await the release of The Golden Age of Knowhere, the band is set to release an EP, Live At The BBC on January 25. Included on the live EP are three exclusive remixes by Dave Sitek, Mike Relm, and Kids of 88. Additionally, a limited edition vinyl version of their upcoming U.S. debut will be released February 15.

After touring with 30 Seconds To Mars overseas last year, Funeral Party is heading out on the road again this spring. The Los Angeles Times referred to the band as a, “ravenously physical, technically precise and impossibly fun live act.”

For more information on Funeral Party, check out the band’s official website.

Originally posted at BlogCritics

Idol Wired: New Judges: So Far, So Good!

American Idol has returned! I have to say, I’ve been quite hesitant about season 10. I am not someone who is fond of change, so with Simon Cowell leaving last season and Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez coming on board this go ’round, I have been very skeptical about how well season 10 could go.

Good news, I think Idol has a fighting chance at being pretty entertaining this year. I’m really happy the judges seem to be taking this season seriously for the most part.

To be honest, I haven’t watched the audition rounds prior to “Hollywood Week” since around season five. I really don’t like the bad auditions. I feel like the show wastes a lot of time on them, but tonight’s premiere seemed to have a good balance between good and bad auditions.

I definitely feel like Steven Tyler is going to be the fan favorite. The man is crazy and it will make for good TV. The censors at FOX are going to have a field day with him when the show goes live in a couple months.

Jennifer Lopez was disappointing at first, because it felt like all you had to do was cry in front of her and she’d let you through to the next round.

I think she’s definitely going to be the nurturer on the judging panel like Paula Abdul was. I think Lopez has a lot of empathy for the contestants, but she is going to have to learn how to utilize the word “no.”

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Randy Jackson is over the moon about being in Simon’s old spot on the panel? You know he just couldn’t wait until it was his turn to give the final word.

I think Jackson is really trying harder to put his foot down, but with Lopez wanting to let everyone through, he’s kind of just letting her walk all over him. Part of me wonders if he was just doing that because it was their first day of auditions. Another part of me wonders if he’s going to be a pushover all season, because the star power on the panel wants to have all the say.

As far as contestants go, there were only a couple that really stuck out to me right away.

Fifteen-year-old Kenzie Palmer sang Carrie Underwood’s “Young and Beautiful.” In my opinion, I thought she had a strong audition. She’s got a fantastic voice and has a good chance to do well in the competition.

The other contestant that stood out to me was 16-year-old Robbie Rosen. He sang The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” It was a clean vocal. He’s got a good voice for pop music. Steven Tyler said that Rosen was “the best of New Jersey.”

Overall, I felt pretty underwhelmed by most of the talent. I think once “Hollywood Week” rolls around, that’s where we’ll start seeing the talent.

One thing the premiere was not light on was sob stories. There was the contestant whose father had cancer and the girl from Kosovo. The episode wrapped with the kid who had been living in a shelter with his family.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for learning more about the contestants, but I would rather hear them sing first before I learn their back stories. I think once a contestant has made it past “Hollywood Week” and is going to be around for a while, that’s when I want to hear their interests and whatever stories they have to share. I feel like the beginning rounds should be influenced by talent only.

So Idol fans, what did you think about the season 10 premiere of American Idol? How are you feeling about the judges? And what contestant stood out to you during the New York/New Jersey auditions?

Originally posted at BlogCritics.

Idol Wired >> Five Changes I Hope to See During ‘American Idol’s’ Tenth Season

It was a long summer, fall and start of winter, but American Idol is back for their tenth season and I am ready! New judges, new contestants, and a new feature! Welcome to “Idol Wired”!

Alright, so my favorite reality show that drives me crazy on a weekly basis from this Wednesday through the end of May is back, and I came up with what changes that I would like to see this season as American Idol turns 10.

Keep the spotlight on the contestants

There have been shake-ups at the judges’ table since season eight, which have garnered much more attention than deserved. I think once the initial shock of the new faces at the judges’ table wears off this season, the show needs to adjust it’s attention back to it’s contestants.

I think one way to do this is to show more of the contestant’s personality in the pre-performance videos. Last season we learned that Lee DeWyze worked at a paint store. What we didn’t learn is that he’s fairly hilarious. Most fans learned this during the summer Idol tour meeting him before and after the shows.

I think over the past couple seasons, the audience really hasn’t been able to connect with the contestants, which is in part why last season wasn’t as successful as previous seasons.

Judges should be clear and concise with their post-performance critiques

I think the judge’s critiques on Idol should be like Twitter. You need to get out what you want to say about the contestant’s performance in 140 characters or less. I feel that the judges should be able to let the contestants know if they liked or disliked the performance with a reason backing their opinion in a reasonable amount of time. Plus, if the judges didn’t talk so much it could allow for slightly longer performances from the contestants.

No more lip-syncing during the group numbers

One of the things that bothered me during both seasons eight and nine of Idol was the very apparent lip-syncing during the group numbers. I know that a lot of the time they pre-tape the group performances before the live elimination, which means there really isn’t any excuse for not singing live. I don’t care if they have to auto-tune the crap out of the vocals, but singing live would be more legit than shooting a live music video.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> Five Changes I Hope to See During ‘American Idol’s’ Tenth Season