Chicago - GRAMMY U: The Wednesday Word
September 1, 2010
GRAMMY SoundChecks With Ke$ha: The Return Of The Pop Star
By Nicole Llewellyn (GRAMMY U Member: Columbia College Chicago)
As we assembled in a dimly lit room at the United Center awaiting Ke$ha’s grand entrance, the “Tik Tok” melodies flowed through the halls. Everyone smiled and started to sing along; the anticipation was building. The black curtains were drawn back as the tour manager entered the room, and soon to follow, there was Ke$ha, standing tall with her faux fur coat, sequin shorts, army boots, and a Queen T-shirt. One thing was certain: she entered with a carefree attitude.
As she sat down, she began to tell the story of how she started off in the industry. For months trying to make it as a star, she was barely making it by, sleeping in her car on the streets of Los Angeles. Bouncing from label to label, and being denied by everyone along the way, she held her head high and pushed through. Finally catching a break, Ke$ha made it on Flo Rida’s track, “Right Round,” which skyrocketed her success. Soon enough, the labels that had once laughed in her face, were begging her to come crawling back. And thus, a star was born.
Writing all of her own material, Ke$ha stressed the importance of trust in industry relationships. “There is a lot of deceit in this industry that you have to be careful about, so be sure you know you can trust the people in front of you.” Luckily, Ke$ha scored a publishing deal with the famous Dr. Luke, who has produced highly successful songs such as Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”, and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl”. He is most definitely known as one of the most trustworthy guys in the industry.
Wrapping up, Ke$ha stressed the importance of never changing who you are, and the ability to make fun of yourself. She believes that is what got her where she is today. And as we gathered for some quick group photos, her parting words down the long corridor were “Hey, if they tell you no, give them the finger!” I’m sure students would agree: an artist and an experience that will be remembered.
Song Review: Marsha Ambrosius – “I Hope She Cheats On You (With A Basketball Player)”
By Lesley Gwam (GRAMMY U Member: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
As an avid music lover and obsessive Tweeter, (Follow me! Elle_Gwam), naturally I follow a plethora of musicians. Sometimes I get lucky and a musician will tweet about their new music, and on occasion they’ll include links to new songs. About three months ago, Marsha Ambrosius, known for formerly being the “songstress” of the neo-soul duo, Floetry, began tweeting about the first single from her debut solo album titled, “I Hope She Cheats (On You With A Basketball Player).” Although the unmastered version of the song has been floating around Twitter and other various blogs, the official version of “I Hope She Cheats” was released to radio and iTunes late last month.
Via her blog, Marsha explains the concept of the song stating, "I hope she cheats on you with a basketball player ... meaning he is aesthetically more appealing than you ever were. In most cases, he has more money. If she cheated on you with Joe Shmoe from up the way, you might could whoop his a** and get over it. I want it to be public knowledge that your broad is smashin' some eligible starting 5 dude! In other words, I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY WITHOUT ME.”…continue reading
Sounds From The Massive
By Michael J. Meisel (GRAMMY U Member: Madison Media Institute)
Renowned creators and dubbed trip-hop kings, Massive Attack announced a new United States/Canada tour recently. It’s quite odd since the Bristol natives rarely travel through the states, buts it’s an exhilarating, full of anticipation time for the hundreds of thousands of diehard fans living in the states. They are billed with Thievery Corporation for this sure to be massive tour that kicks off in Montreal on 10/18. It’s too bad Portishead isn’t headlining and FSOL isn’t on the bill. I do believe I would faint in rapture if they were. I’ll be heading back home to catch Massive and Thievery at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando on October 27. Soon after the show I’ll have photos, a recap of the show, and possible interview for all you readers to indulge yourselves in. A list of full tour dates are listed on http://massiveattack.com/.…continue reading
England’s Latest Sensation Mumford & Sons Quickly Gaining Success Stateside
By Jennifer Boyer (GRAMMY U Member: Columbia College Chicago)
What is it about British bands and American fans? Chicago is falling fast and hard for London’s latest musical import Mumford & Sons. Anybody lucky enough to catch the group performing at Hard Rock Hotel’s Belvedere Nights on the last day of Lollapalooza could blatantly see that the four blokes in this indie-folk band are insanely talented at playing whatever mechanism each founding musician utilizes to produce musical tones and sounds. How many bands can you name who use the banjo as their primary instrument?…continue reading
Interview With Christian Letts Of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes (Pt. 2)
By Michael J. Meisel (GRAMMY U Member: Madison Media Institute)
Hooray for modern hippies! Most musicians are typically full of tenacity, but it appears that there is a new elastic act on the horizon. While interviewing guitarist Christian Letts I asked a question about the band being in a cult similar to Charles Manson. I loosely suggested that they lived in a desert commune together. It launched their publicist into a bit of a tizzy. Let me assure you they are not. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes are free souls and veteran musicians that have the ability to put anyone into a sand-in-between-the-toes trip. They are different animals. They’re not out for the money, or to manipulate their fans with ego-fame. This band is a blended concoction of love and truth that will force even the most timid of person to dance until their feet are inflamed…continue reading
The Temper Trap Changes Chicago’s Disposition For The Better While Closing Out Lollapalooza
By Jennifer Boyer (GRAMMY U Member: Columbia College Chicago)
Thank you (500) Days Of Summer for introducing me to the Temper Trap. It took more than a year to get a chance to see this alternative rock quartet from Melbourne, Australia-live in concert, but it finally happened. Unfortunately, I missed out on seeing the Temper Trap perform on Lollapalooza festival grounds. However, privileged VIPs scored big time at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Belvedere Nights after party when the darling Aussie gentlemen played a five-song set in a roomful of less than 200 people…continue reading