David Cook took to the stage at The Ellen DeGeneres Show today to perform his new single, “The Last Goodbye” from his highly anticipated sophomore album, This Loud Morning.
Check out David’s performance below!
I think he sounded a little bit better than his performance last week on American Idol. It will be nice to hear what this song sounds like when the band starts putting their own unique touches on it.
What did y’all think about David’s performance?
Video source: 1
Jessie Frye describes her music as “Oscar Wilde climbing into a piano and drinking lots of espresso,” whereas I would describe the Texas native’s music as a refreshing addition to today’s music scene that is reminiscent of The Cranberries mixed in with PJ Harvey and Liz Phair, along with a dash of Sara Bareilles for good measure.
Frye’s first step into the musical world was when she was eight years old and started taking voice lessons. At around the age of 11 or 12, she began piano lessons. For Frye, it was right after she started playing piano that she realized that she was meant to be a creator and make music.
While growing up in Dallas, Texas, Frye listened to the music that that would shape her as an artist, including acts such as The Cure, Tori Amos, Michael Jackson and the pre-rapping days of Madonna. Also, as a huge fan of literature, she counts Oscar Wilde as a huge creative influence. She credits him, saying, “His outlook and his passion and his philosophy really inspired the core beliefs that I have about art.”
In 2008, Frye released her debut EP, The Delve, which she describes as having that “DIY charm,” and that “it’s very innocent, it’s very organic and raw.”
At age 22, the now Denton-based Frye is fresh off her third turn of performing at SXSW and is gearing up to release her second EP, Fireworks Child, this week.
Last month, I spoke with Frye over the phone to talk about performing live, her new EP, Fireworks Child, and her goals for the future. So, without further ado, meet Jessie Frye.
Around what age did you start writing music?
Well, like 11 years old. But, they were horrible, obviously. I feel like you have to feel things out and write some really private bad stuff before you start writing the good stuff. I know good is relative, but when you’re 11, your songwriting probably isn’t as polished as when you’re 20 or something like that.
As you progressed into writing songs that you would go on to perform, where was the inspiration coming from?
Experiences. I always try to think when I’m writing songs, I think a lot of people think, well, this is about love or this is about a relationship, but for me I try to describe it. Not so much that it’s storytelling, but it’s abstract at the same time, so you take whatever you want from it; like using metaphors, not using blatant sentences in your lyrics. To me, lyrics are a really, really important thing, and no matter how good the music is, I can’t listen to it if your lyrics are dumb. You know, I just can’t do it. I spend a lot more time on lyric writing than I spend on actually arranging the music.
I know I cover Darren Criss quite a bit here at Wait…WHAT?, but I have to show love for my Bay Area favorites!
Darren has done quite a bit of press for the Glee: The Music presents The Warblers album in the past week, and I just wanted to highlight some of it! I figured individual posts mights get overwhelming and possibly obnoxious.
I am including performances/interviews from Ellen, Rolling Stone, MTV’s The Seven & a couple other favorite videos I have come across from the past week!
That said, enjoy the Darren Criss Appreciation post!
More interview & performance videos after the cut! Continue reading Darren Criss Appreciation Post
If you follow my blog here, then you know that I have already reviewed every Dalton Academy Warbler track that has been released up until this new Glee: The Music presents The Warblers album. Basically, this is going to a scrapbook of a review post, because all reviews from “Teenage Dream” to “Raise Your Glass” are coming from my previous Glee Cast reviews. Just a friendly FYI.
Track 1 – “Teenage Dream“
Hands down my favorite track from “Never Been Kissed” was Dalton Academy Warblers’ version of Katy Perry’s huge hit, “Teenage Dream.” The song features lead vocals from Glee newcomer, Darren Criss (Blaine). This is a song that I wouldn’t expect to hear covered by a guy, but I thought Glee’s interpretation was wonderful.
The arrangement for this song is great. Replacing instruments with harmonizing does not go unnoticed. The harmonizing is a huge part about what makes Glee’s take on “Teenage Dream” so successful.
I really enjoy Criss’ voice. His voice is a great addition to the cast this season, and I hope that the audience gets to hear more from him.
Track 2 – “Hey, Soul Sister”
The multiple-part harmonies combined with Criss’ voice breathe new life into one of the most over-played songs on the radio.
Track 3 – “Bills, Bills, Bills”
In “The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle” episode, we once again hear from Dalton Academy’s Warblers who sing Destiny’s Child hit song, “Bills, Bills, Bills.” The song features cast member Darren Criss (Blaine) on lead vocals.
Criss is showing some vocal versatility on his part with this track. If you’ve listened to his EP, you kind have the idea that he’s more of a folk-pop singer. He really embraced the spirit of this track and infused the attitude of the lyrics into his vocal. I really liked hearing Criss on an R&B track, because it allowed him to show a more soulful side to his voice.
I also have to give mention to the very talented singers, the Beelzebubs from Tufts University, who play The Warblers. Their a cappella skills are like none other that I’ve heard in a while. I think they did a phenomenal job on the backing vocals for “Bills, Bills, Bills.”
Continue reading Music Review >> ‘Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers’
Hey Gleeks!
Check out a performance clip of Blaine (Darren Criss) and the Dalton Academy Warblers singing Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” from tomorrow night’s 90-minute long Glee episode, “Born This Way”!
What do y’all think? And are you excited for the super-sized episode of Glee?
The latest in a string of reality singing competitions is kicking off next Tuesday, April 26 on NBC. The Voice, which is hosted by the radtastic Carson Daly, will features four very talented and influential artists from the world of music, Christina Aguilera, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Cee-Lo Green, and Blake Shelton.
Check out the 12 minute preview for NBC’s The Voice below!
I am very excited about this show. Of course, you could tell me that Adam Levine is going to be on anything, and I would totally tune in. Plus, it’s hosted by Carson Daly. I spent every afternoon of my Jr/Sr year of high school with this dude on TRL.
What are your thoughts on The Voice, and will you be tuning in on April 26?
I figured as soon as the first guy was eliminated from season 10 of American Idol that they would start falling like dominoes, and as it turns out, that’s the only prediction I’ve made this season that’s been on point.
Following Paul McDonald’s exit from Idol last week, Stefano Langone was
eliminated from the competition last night. I’m not too surprised that Stefano was eliminated this week, it’s just too bad that it had to happen the night after he had what I considered to be his best performance in weeks. It takes me back to when Carly Smithson had an amazing performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” during season seven, then got knocked off the next night, except I definitely wasn’t as upset.
This may be a little surprising to most who read Idol Wired, but I would have preferred Stefano to stay one more week if it meant Jacob Lusk was going home. I cannot believe Jacob has made it as far as he has in the competition. And Jacob’s performance in comparison to Stefano’s was definitely the weaker of the two performances.
Alright, I have to say it; I was super disappointed to see Haley Reinhart in the bottom three. C’mon, America! Haley had the best performance the other night, she deserves your votes.
Also, did anyone else catch Stefano totally snubbing Scotty McCreery when giving out hugs last night? What in the world was that about?
Switching gears over to the return of David Cook to the Idol stage. David performed the first single, “The Last Goodbye” off his highly anticipated sophomore album, This Loud Morning.
I thought that once David shook off his initial nerves, his performance was excellent. It must be a trip to return to the show that made him “more than a name or a face in the crowd” to debut his new single. I love that he’s kicking off his album with something upbeat and lyrically catchy. I’m really hoping that you, yes you and everyone you know hopped on iTunes and downloaded his single. I am all in favor of supporting former Idol contestants, especially ones named David Cook.
If you didn’t get a chance to watch David’s performance of “The Last Goodbye,” or you just want to watch it again, check it out below!
What did you think of last night’s Idol results? Are you liking David Cook’s new single? Also, what do you think of the Idols singing Carole King songs next week?
Originally posted on Blogcritics.
Tim Halperin returned to Kidd Kraddick’s radio show this morning to perform his rendition of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” as apart of “Idol Got It Wrong.”
Each week for “Idol Got It Wrong,” Tim is choosing a song to perform that one of the Idol contestants performed during that week’s show for your votes. If Tim gets more votes than the contestant that performed during the show, he performs again the following week. If the Idol contestant gets more votes, then he’s out. So basically vote for Tim, so we get these radtastic covers each week! Sounds good, right?
This week Tim is taking on Haley Reinhart who performed Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” last night on Idol.
Check out Tim’s rendition of “Rolling In The Deep” below!
I think this is my favorite cover that Tim has done for “Idol Got It Wrong,” so far! In particular, I really liked when he hit the larger notes in the chorus and went up into his falsetto range towards the end of the song. Good stuff!
Obviously I’m a fan, but what did y’all think of Tim’s performance of “Rolling In The Deep”?
If you want this song on your iPod, and I know you do, click here to get a free download of Tim’s rendition of “Rolling In The Deep.”
Also if you haven’t downloaded Tim’s single, “The Last Song,” get your free download here.
Make sure to check out Tim’s Kickstarter page and get involved with the making of the music video for “The Last Song” and to support the fight against breast cancer!
Annnnnnd don’t forget to check out my interview with Tim from last month! Part one // Part two
A word that comes to mind upon hearing the name Kimberly Caldwell is drive. Caldwell was a contestant during season two of American Idol in 2003. Now, eight years later she’s gearing up to release her debut album, Without Regret.
“I’ve been a performer my entire life and everything I’ve done has led up to this moment,” Caldwell stated in a press release.
Caldwell grew up in Katy, Texas where her love of country music and desire to perform led to her appearing on the original Star Search as a child. She won five times. When she was 12-years-old, her family moved to Branson, Missouri after Caldwell landed a gig with a singing revue called, “Country Tonite.” Three years later, when she was 15, Caldwell was ready to head back to Katy, and be a normal teenager.
American Idol had an audition stop in Texas during their second season of the singing competition. Caldwell auditioned and made it all the way through to the Top 7 in that season’s competition.
Caldwell’s album, Without Regret was produced by Marshall Altman, Tommy Henrikson, John-Mark Baxter Seltzer, and MachoPsycho.
Without Regret overall is a pretty good mix of music. The standout tracks on the album include “Mess of You,” “Heart of Mine,” and Caldwell’s single, “Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys.”
Continue reading Music Review >> Kimberly Caldwell – Without Regret
This past weekend I was in LA with a group of friends, and Sunday night we checked out this ~new band, Sirk and The Dirty Minds. Okay, not that new of a band.
If you’ve been keeping tabs on Kris Allen this past weekend, you know that he and his awesome band played a not-so-secret midnight show at The Viper Room on Sunday night.
Can we say kick awesome?
I’ve never been to The Viper Room before, and it was just amazing! I just love small venues like that, because the show is more intimate and personal.
I have to say that Kris and the guys were just on fire. The show was such a blast. My friends and I had the best time. Seriously, good times all around!
I did bring back presents to share with everyone! Check out videos below of Kris’s new untitled track that we’re calling, “Shut That Door & Keep That Devil Out” and “Leave You Alone.” Enjoy!
I love the bluesy feel of “Shut That Door & Keep That Devil Out.” I really hope that Kris really embraces that sound on his next album, because he sounds great!
What do y’all think of the new songs?
Wait...WHAT? 