Music Week Blog #5 - Delta
At twenty-two years of age, despite a career already full of successes, Delta Goodrem is now back with a new perspective on her own career. Following her two massively successful albums - 'Innocent Eyes' (2003) and 'Mistaken Identity' (2004), which spawned a quick succession of hit singles on the Australian and international charts (most notably topping the charts in the UK and Japan) - Delta took a break from the intense media scrutiny to find time to breathe again and discover a new way forward. "There were a lot of things going on in my life, and I felt a lot of pressure of as a result of the attention I was receiving. Whilst I was grateful for all the support I received, it was a very strange experience for me to live out a lot of personal issues that I faced. I felt it was really important to shed a lot of that baggage and embrace the future. I needed to make some changes and bring the focus of attention back to my music," she says earnestly.
Moving away from Australia to the UK, Delta began to shed some of the layers that she had built up over the years under the spotlight of public attention, and in doing so began a transition from her slightly sheltered existence into that of a woman with a career, a relationship, and her own identity. This growth and new beginning is reflected in her new album, simply titled 'Delta'. The album is a collection of twelve 'songs' - in the truest sense of the word - dealing with life, love, and relationships, reflecting both her own life and those of the people around her. "A lot of the words from the songs can be quite deep, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are always about my life. There are songs on this album which have nothing to do with my own personal experience of events, but which are still honest and emotional, and which tell a great story. A lot of people read into my lyrics and think they know me completely from them, but I'm not always as transparent as people might think."
With a refreshed energy and new vitality, Delta began work on her third studio album in 2006, but she only found the right path in December that year after many sessions with some of the world's best songwriters and producers. "The turning point came with the album's opening song 'Believe Again'. Before that I was feeling a little unsure about the direction of the new album. That song really turned things around for me in a lot of different ways."
With her new album, Delta wants to break down the complexities and the baggage that surrounds her public image. "When I think back to it now, 'Mistaken Identity' was complicated. but then I was complicated at the time - I was hurt, I was in pain, and that was exactly what the record was about. I don't want this record to be complicated. I don't want to come back like that - I want to be free-spirited. I am different now, in the sense that I've grown and I feel much more independent."
Delta is very proud of this new album and feels it's a great representation of where and who she is at the moment, "It feels like I've turned the corner and everything in front of me is super-exciting, and I'm just looking forward to people hearing my music again."
Competition
To win a pack including an award banner along with Delta's new single "You Will Only Break My Heart" and her second single "Believe Again', aswell as the "Believe Again" music video simply answer this question. 
What was the first single off the album 'Delta'?
Entries close April 6th.
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(More Links Are Featured on the Official Website)
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Digg thisMusic Week Blog #4 - Aly && AJ
Aly & AJ is a teen pop duo consisting of sisters Alyson Renae "Aly" Michalka and Amanda Joy "AJ" Michalka. They were born in Torrance, California, but spent part of their childhood in Seattle, Washington. They are both actresses, singer-songwriters, and guitarists.
Aly and AJ have had an interest for music since they were very young. "I think it started when we were three and five. Just singing in church together and in school plays," Aly said. That later moved onto just AJ as Aly started to act very early, when AJ was nine years old. The sisters both live in a gated community in Calabasas, California with their parents. Their mother, Carrie Michalka, used to sing in a Christian group called "J.C. Band", Alyson also had a starring role in Phil of the Future on the Disney Channel alongside Ricky Ullman.
Aly & AJ's debut album, Into the Rush, went Platinum as of May 2007. The song "No One" was featured in the Disney motion picture Ice Princess. The song "Do You Believe In Magic", written and originally recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful, added a rock edge. This cover was used in the soundtrack of the made-for-TV Disney Channel original movie, Now You See It..., in which Alyson held the starring role of Allyson. Also, their cover of Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine" was used in the Walt Disney motion picture Herbie: Fully Loaded. They have been involved in various Walt Disney Records projects, some of which are covers. These include soundtracks and compilations, and are primarily "Rush". "Rush" has been featured on the Disney Channel Original Movie, Twitches, and on many other soundtracks and compilations from Walt Disney and Hollywood Records.
The album was re-released in August 2006 with three new songs, including the hit, "Chemicals React". It was released with an all new cover and was the group's second CD to be released in the UK physically.
On September 19, 2006, Aly & AJ were nominated for "Contemporary Inspirational Artist of the Year" (also known as Christian Artist of the Year) for the 2006 American Music Awards, which were held on November 21, 2006. They did not take home the award. Gospel R&B artist Kirk Franklin took the award for his first time instead. Besides being nominated for an award, they introduced Nelly Furtado's performance of her new song, "Say It Right", along with 2006's Dancing With the Stars runner-up Mario Lopez.
On September 26, 2006, their album, Acoustic Hearts of Winter, was released. On this album, Aly & AJ perform traditional Christmas songs, including "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night", as well as original songs, "Greatest Time of Year" and "Not This Year".
On May 8, 2007, they released a brief clip of their new single called "Potential Breakup Song". The full song is currently available for request on Radio Disney, and available for download on iTunes as part of their new album, Insomniatic. The album was released on July 10, 2007. Time magazine named "Potential Breakup Song" one of The 10 Best Songs of 2007, ranking it at #9. Writer Josh Tyrangiel singled out the lyrics in the bridge: "This is the Potential Breakup Song/ Our album needs just one/ Oh baby please", and praised the authenticity of its having been written by the teenage sisters who sing it.[5][6]
On November 28 2007, Ami Suzuki released a new version of "Potential Breakup Song", produced by Japanese DJ and musician SUGIURUMN, featuring a collaboration with Aly & AJ. Ami, alongside the girls, performed a live version of the song on Japanese television.
In December 2007, Aly & AJ replaced the Jonas Brothers as the opening act for the extension of the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Tour from January 11th - January 24th. Also before the premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Minutemen, they released a music video of "Like Whoa (Remix)".
Billboard also confirmed the girls are working on a third studio album, to be released at the end of 2008 or early 2009, aside from the films they both are filming.
The girls also starred in their own movie, Cow Belles, as Taylor and Courtney Callum, two spoiled yet good-intentioned sisters whose father Reed Callum, (Jack Coleman) owns Callum Dairy. Taylor has just gotten her license, after almost failing it at the beginning of the movie. But then their life turns upside down. One day, when Taylor and Courtney return from a shopping trip, they find their kitchen has burned because of them dropping a dish cloth on the stove, causing the kitchen to catch fire. Shocked by their carelessness, and deciding the girls should start making their own cash, Reed puts them to work at the dairy to show them responsibility about running a business. Their dad goes out of town, looking for a rare butterfly to add to his collection. This leaves the girls to look after the dairy.When the girls start working at the dairy, they are at their worst nightmare. They mess up almost every step of the way, such as tripping and splashing blueberries on themselves, and dropping Courtney's cell phone into one of the full yogurt cups. Soon after they start working there, someone steals all the money out of the businesses bank account. It's then up to the girls to come up with a plan to save the dairy, and the jobs of all the people who work there.
Competition
To win a pack including an award banner, the "Like Woah (Remix)" Music Video and the songs "The Pontential Break-up Song" and "Like Woah", just answer this question.
What Disney Channel TV Show did Aly star in?
Entries close 1st of April.
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See you next time for the next Music Week blog starring Delta Goodrem.
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Music Week Blog #3 - Rogue Traders
Rogue Traders are an Australian rock band consisting of James Ash (keyboards), Danny Spencer (guitars), Cameron McGlinchey (drums) and Natalie Bassingthwaighte (lead vocals). The group's original members (James Ash and Steve Davis) met in London in 1989. Before forming Rogue Traders, Ash and Davis worked together on many projects, most notably as dance act Union State. Davis still contributes to the band and is still an active part of the songwriting process. The band's name came from the movie Rogue Trader.
The Rogue Traders are best known for their hits "Voodoo Child", "In Love Again" & "Watching You". The group's third studio album Better in the Dark was released in Australia on October 13th.
In 2003 Rogue Traders (James Ash, Steve Davis) released their debut album We Know What You're Up To. Their debut single did not enter the Top one hundred, but reached number sixteen on the ARIA Top forty Club Chart.
The second single released from the album, "Give in to Me", was a minor Australian ARIAnet top one hundred chart single peaking at number sixty-seven. Their third single was a lot more successful. They remixed/covered INXS's "Need You Tonight", renaming it "One Of My Kind". The track peaked at number ten in Australia -- giving them the recognition they needed. A fourth single, "Stay?", gave them another minor top one hundred chart single peaking at number sixty.
The Rogue Traders returned in 2005, with their new album Here Come the Drums, a new record contract with Sony BMG along with new band member Natalie Bassingthwaighte. The first single "Voodoo Child", reached number four in Australia, number seven in New Zealand and number three in the UK. The second single from the album, "Way to Go!" reached number seven in Australia, while "Watching You", which was their second single to reach the top five, peaked at number five in Australia.
In June 2006, the Rogue Traders announced they were releasing their second album Here Come The Drums again, as a Limited Edition two CD remix set. The second CD contained remixes from all their smash singles and the album included new artwork. It was released on June 10, the same day of their fourth single "We're Coming Home". On June 18, 2006, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and James Ash announced on Video Hits that the band are currently in the process of writing their third studio recorded album.
Rogue Traders were also a surprise inclusion to the 2006 season of Big Brother Australia. Entering the house and playing a "concert" for housemates. The event was also streamed to Big Brother audiences from the programs website.
'Better In The Dark' is the third, much anticipated, album from Rogue Traders. Building on the foundations laid by their 4xplatinum second album, 'Here Come The Drums', this is a more exciting and adventurous record, encompassing big guitar riffs, orchestral arrangements, fast energetic punk, futuristic grooves and songs that are "Kylie meets Trent Reznor on a good day!"
It was announced on the 2nd August that the first new single off the new album would be "Don't You Wanna Feel" and would be released on the 29th September. On the 8th August, it was revealed that their 3rd studio album would be called "Better in the Dark" and released on 13th October. It is to be released in two forms; the standard form and a limited CD/DVD edition.
"Don't You Wanna Feel" premiered at 7am on Friday 7th September on Nova radio station. Following that, on 13th September, "Don't You Wanna Feel" reached a peek of number 2 on the Hot 30 Countdown, less than a week after its debut on radio. The following week, it reached number 1 on the Hot 30 Countdown. "Don't You Wanna Feel" is already proving a great success for the Rogue Traders 3rd studio album, continuing to reach number 1. One week after the singles release, it debuted on the Aria singles charts at number 10, and on the Aria dance charts at number 1.
The new album, Better in the Dark, was released in Australia on October 13, with international imports available later the following week.
On 8 November 2007, James Ash confirmed on the official forum that the new single from Better in the Dark would be I Never Liked You.
The third single from the Rogue Traders album Better In The Dark will be "What You're On", and goes to radio 15 March 2008. It will be released on April 19
Competition
To win a pack including and award banner and 2 of the Rogue Traders singles, including 'What You're On' and "I Never Liked You', simply answer this question.
What was the name of the TV-show Natalie (Vocals) was on before joining the Rogue Traders?
Clue: Check out Wikipedia.
Links
Official Site Myspace YouTube Forums Wikipedia
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Check back tomorrow for the next Music Week Blog starring Aly && AJ.
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Music Week Blog #2 - Ricki-Lee Coulter
Coulter was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved with her father and mother Loretta to Queensland, Australia when she was 3 weeks old. In Queensland, her younger sister Jodie was also born. She developed a keen passion for playing netball and came close to playing for Australia. A serious knee injury however took away the chance of furthering her netball career. Coulter soon discovered her singing ability and auditioned for the Seven Network's unsuccessful Popstars Live reality talent program, making the Top 60. She then auditioned for the second series of Australian Idol where she became a crowd and judge favourite. The majority of Coulter's performances gained praise from the judges, but she made a shock early exit, after a controversial rendition of a Beatles cl@assic and finished in seventh place.
Unlike many popular contestants who sign with Sony BMG, Coulter signed with large independent label Shock Records and released her debut single "Hell No!" in June 2005. The single, written in collaboration with Audius Mtawarira, peaked at number 5. Second single "Sunshine" also went Top 10, with the debut album Ricki-Lee debuting at number 30. In 2006, Coulter joined other previous female contestants of Australian Idol, Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Williams, and Kate DeAraugo, to form Young Divas. Their first single "This Time I Know It's For Real", a remake of the Donna Summer 1989 song, was a major success, reaching number 2 on the Australian charts, while the self titled album reached number 4 and was certified double platinum. On June 23, 2007, Coulter officially announced she would be leaving the group. After months of rumours and speculation of infighting, she stated that she was leaving to focus on her upcoming wedding and her solo career and that "I just couldn't do it all - I really had to get back to doing what I love doing, and that's my solo career."
In 2005, the self-titled album Ricki-lee hits the stores. Both sinlges, "Hell No!", released June 2005 and "Sunshine" made it to the charts, "Hell No!" coming in at number 5 and "Sunshine" at number 10. The debut album debuting at number 30.
Coulter is currently enjoying the success of the release of her new single "Can't Touch It", which debuted at number 2 in the ARIA Charts on August 13, her highest peak position for any single, and number 5 on the iTunes music store and on October 2nd it achieved Gold Status through ARIA. Her second solo album, entitled Brand New Day was released on August 11 and entered the Motorola ARIA Chart at number 37. The album has been re-released with a bonus second CD - her first album Ricki-Lee. Her second single from the album was Love Is All Around. It debuted at number 5, making it the second highest new entry for the week after Kylie Minogue.
Competition
To win a pack including an award banner, and all 3 singles, "Can't Touch It", "Love Is All Around" and "Can't Sing A Diferent Song" just answer this question. Just PM me your answer.
What was the last song Ricki-Lee peformed on Australian Idol that got her kicked out?
Clue...check on Wikipedia under Ricki-Lee.
Links
Ricki-Lee Official Myspace Forum Wikipedia
See you tomorrow, for the next Music Week Blog starring Australian Band, the Rogue Traders.
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Music Week Blog #1 - Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers make up of Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas. They released their first album, It's About Time on August 6, 2006. They released their second album, Jonas Brothers, on August 7, 2007. In the band, Joe sings the lead vocals, plays guitar and percussion, Nick also sings the lead vocals and plays keyboard guitar and Kevin plays guitar and does backing vocals.
They are mostly known for their two amazing albums. But later on in the year their new movie "Camp Rock" will be hitting the Disney Channel, and also their new TV series, J.O.N.A.S, is in the middle of production right now. Looks like these boys are gonna get way bigger all around the world!
The "Jonas Brothers" Album
Talk about something for everyone: In "S.O.S." they attack a fierce dance-rock groove, while in "Hello Beautiful" they go soulful and acoustic. "Games" rides a laidback reggae groove the Police would envy, then switches gears into a zippy Ramones-styyle rave-up. "Hollywood" pairs a tricky funk beat with divebombing guitar lines," and "When You Look Me in the Eyes" builds to a power-ballad crescendo. In "Goodnight and Goodbye," the album's most ambitious cut, they combine Warped Tour-styyle punk with musical-theatre trimmings inspired by Nick's years on Broadway in Les Misérables and Beauty and the Beast. Throughout the album, the boys reflect on a variety of emotional hardships without losing their grip on the positive vibe that underpins all their music."This album is so us," says Joe. "The first one was us kind of coming into what the Jonas Brothers could be," Kevin adds. "Whereas this one really shows off where we're at right now." The youngest Jonas but perhaps the wisest, Nick concludes thus: "We love what we're doing and we want to do it for a while."
Along with touring with Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus in the Best of Both Worlds tour, they've also peforming on the AMA's, Disney Channel Games, CBS and many other events/TV shows. They're also on their own tour at the moment, the "Look Me In The Eyes" Tour and are about to start off on their "Burning Up" Tour. They've also featured in the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus 3-D Movie.
Their newest untitled CD is due out August 12.
Competition:
To win a pack including an award banner and 4 songs including Take A Breath, We Got The Party, and their new songs Take On Me (Cover) and A Little Bit Longer. All you gotta do is send me a PM with the answer to this question:
What are Joe's 2 favourite foods?
Competiton ends 30th of March AEST, that means 29th for all American readers.
Jonas Brothers Links:
Jonas Brothers Official Flicker Youtube
See you tomorrow, for the next Music Week Blog starring Australian star, Ricki-lee Coulter.
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