tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6326849116530522102024-02-19T05:25:06.484-08:00Product of the GenreKatherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632684911653052210.post-42789130335450237152012-10-19T09:34:00.002-07:002012-11-18T11:31:57.364-08:00Write Up Version of Wakey! Wakey! Grubbs Interview<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Michael Grubbs of
Wakey!Wakey! Interview <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Michael Grubbs joins
me to talk about fronting an upcoming indie group ‘Wakey! Wakey!’, his acting
debut in hit US TV show One Tree Hill and his obsession for anything zombie.<br />
<br />
</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Interview by <b>Katherine Parkes</b></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Michael Grubbs, most
commonly referred to by his second name, seems a lot more relaxed than you’d expect someone would look had they been
in his shoes the last couple of years. For his band ‘Wakey! Wakey!’ it’s been
two hectic years, starting with worldwide tours and ending with them preparing their second studio
album, due to release later this year. “I’m being really careful with this
album. I already have 26 songs finished to choose from. I think when you see
things written tattooed on enough people, it ups the ante a little!”. <br />
<br />
Wakey! Wakey! were officially formed 6 years ago, when the band went from 11
full time members to a band consisting only of Grubbs, his backing singer Tanya
Berziak and various rotational musicians. He explains that the band’s name was
inspired from their first set of songs, which were primarily based around
political themes, “The idea was that you’d let them into your head and then one
day it would all click and they’d make you consider life in a new way” explains
Grubbs, “Now I’m tired of politics, and I write about life and love”. <br />
<br />
Grubbs’ big break came after 10 years of struggling to make it as a musician in
New York, when One Tree Hill’s producer Mark Schwahn caught the band playing at
an open mic after waiting three hours to see them play. He was so impressed,
that the band’s music began to feature on various episodes of the show, before
an entire role was created specifically for Grubbs’, based loosely on his real
life persona. When asked about whether or not he’d do acting again, Grubbs
admits “As long as it didn’t get in the way of music. If it wasn’t for music, I
might be an actor, I might be homeless. I definitely wouldn’t be behind a desk
somewhere. I just can’t pull that off!”<br />
<br />
Although a lot of people had not originally realised he was a musician, it did
not take long for the band to gain coverage and soon after, they released their
first album which went onto become one of the most critically acclaimed of
2010. He describes this experience by saying “At some point in a musicians
career things just kind of tip over, and amazing things start to happen all the
time”. Despite the band’s sales skyrocketing, Grubbs’ down to earth attitude
remains intact, “I’m really grateful to have an amazing life right now. Between
living in Brooklyn, NY, and travelling all over the world I get to have a ton
of unusual experiences. I think all of it works its way into my music somehow”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt;">Grubbs puts his
incredible classic, raw toned voice down to the way he was brought up by his musical
family in his hometown Richmond, Virginia. At age five, he began singing worship
music and playing piano on a daily basis. However, it wasn’t until his teens
when his real inspiration and love for piano came after he began discovering
pop artists such as Billy Joel and Elton John. This mix of genres growing up
gave him the classical and pop influenced voice and style he has today, “I
never really considered much of anything else [as a career]. The piano is all
I’ve ever wanted to do. It’s like a video game I’ll <i>never</i> beat”. Once it was time to move out, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grubbs went to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City" title="New York City"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;">New York City</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to be an
understudy of<span class="apple-converted-space"> classical legend </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lach" title="Lach"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;">Lach</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and ever since then, Brooklyn has been
home for him<span style="background: white;">. He even notes it as his favourite
place to travel to, as his constant travelling makes going there “like a
vacation” to him. “New York has an energy. Also it’s so full of exciting
people, I fall in love every time I ride the subway!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As well as his talent, Grubbs displays effortless natural ability to not
only engage his audience but amuse them, which may contribute to the band
having the opportunity to play all over the world. In fact, they’ve travelled
so much that Grubbs struggles to pinpoint his favourite moment on tour. “Every
time I play in London is astounding. I love the people. A night off in Amsterdam,
a walk alone in Paris, surfing in Florida, a pickup game of basketball in
Virginia with my band. I also love time on stage; it can be a real rush when it
goes right”</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">. <br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
Love has obviously been a large inspiration for Wakey! Wakey!’s first album ‘Everything
I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You’, so when the talk turns to Grubbs’
love life he grins as he says “I went on a date last week with a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background: white;">girl who worked in an office and I was fascinated. I
kept asking her, "Is there really a water cooler?", and "Do you
have a copying</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">machine?" We don't see these sorts of
things much in rock and roll. Our offices are covered in records and guitars
and things to make you forget you're in an office”. Love being an inspiration
is also made edvident when Grubbs’ explains “I’m of the mindset that all songs
are cool. You can hear the sappiest love song and it can sound ridiculous if
you’re in a breakup, or stunning if you’re just falling in love.”</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the conversation turns to today’s music industry and major labels,
Grubbs admits the reasons why he turned down various offers. “To be honest, I
think major labels can do a lot for certain artists look at Madonna, her career
highly benefitted from signing to a bigger label. Our issue is struggling with
whether we want to be part of it as we see ourselves very much so as an indie
band and love the freedom we get with that”. With this in mind, the band have remained
loyal to the minor label ‘Family Records’ who they released their first album
with as he describes major labels as ‘dinosaurs who may be unsuitable for their
style’.<br />
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It is safe to say that despite all the work Grubbs does, he is still a big kid
at heart particularly when it comes to his obsession with anything Zombie related.
“I’d love to be on a zombie show. I really love zombies. I have four books on
my nightstand and three are about zombies” he says embarrassed. His inner child
also emerges when he speaks of his ‘superpower’, “I can already fly and I have
super strength, but don’t tell anyone. People always ask me to help them move.
But if I could do anything. Time Travel. Or maybe I’d never age” he says with a
wicked laugh.</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As the interview comes to a close and a new coffee in hand Grubbs says “We’re
gonna pick the producer for this album, get it recorded, then get back on the
road! I love touring. Hopefully we’ll come see you!”.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
Katherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632684911653052210.post-33894802465939906472012-10-19T09:31:00.001-07:002012-10-19T09:33:08.579-07:00Wakey! Wakey! Grubbs Interview<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></i>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Michael Grubbs is best know for fronting
an upcoming indie/folk group ‘Wakey! Wakey!’. For anyone that hasn't heard his music, you may </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">recognize</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> him from his acting debut in hit US TV show One
Tree Hill in which he plays a barman under his own name.</span></span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><b>What other musicians or
people have influenced your music? </b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;">I'm really grateful to have an amazing life
right now. Between living </span><span style="background: white;">in Brooklyn, NY, and traveling all over the
world I get to have a ton </span><span style="background: white;">of unusual experiences. I think all of it works
it's way into my music </span><span style="background: white;">somehow. My first album was really soaked in
Brooklyn indie rock. </span><span style="background: white;">Bands like Grizzly Bear, Beirut, and The Dirty
Projectors. Now that </span><span style="background: white;">I've traveled so much as a result of that album
I think my next album </span><span style="background: white;">will be even more expansive.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What’s been your best moment whilst on tour? </b></span><span style="background: white;">Every time I play London is astounding. I love
the people. There can't </span><span style="background: white;">be one specific moment though. A night off in
Amsterdam, a walk alone </span><span style="background: white;">in Paris, surfing in Florida, a pick up game of
basketball in Virginia </span><span style="background: white;">with my band. I also love the time on stage.
Playing in front of a </span><span style="background: white;">large crowd is a lot like surfing. There's a
flow to it, and a give </span><span style="background: white;">and take. Especially when you talk as much as I
do. It can be a real </span><span style="background: white;">rush when it goes right.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>Where did the name ‘Wakey! Wakey!’ come from? </b></span><span style="background: white;">My first set of songs was very political, but
they were all disguised </span><span style="background: white;">as love songs. The idea was that you'd let them
into your head and </span><span style="background: white;">then one day it would all click and they'd make
you consider life in a </span><span style="background: white;">new way. The name was a hint to wake up. Now I'm
tired of politics, </span><span style="background: white;">and I write about life and love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>If you weren't a musician, what would you be
doing and why? </b></span><span style="background: white;">I might be an actor. I might be homeless. I
definitely wouldn't be </span><span style="background: white;">behind a desk somewhere. I just can't pull that
off. I have a great </span><span style="background: white;">respect for people that do, though. I went on a
date last week with a </span><span style="background: white;">girl who worked in an office and I was
fascinated. I kept asking her, </span><span style="background: white;">"Is there really a water cooler?", and
"Do you have a copying </span><span style="background: white;">machine?" We don't see these sorts of things
much in rock and roll. </span><span style="background: white;">Our offices are covered in records and guitars
and things to make you</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">forget you're in an office.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3
player? </b></span><span style="background: white;">Depending on who you talk to, every song can
either be really </span><span style="background: white;">embarrassing or really cool. I'm of the mindset
that all songs are </span><span style="background: white;">cool. You can hear the sappiest love song and it
can sound ridiculous </span><span style="background: white;">if you're in a breakup, or stunning if you're
just falling in love. </span><span style="background: white;">The most unexpected artists would probably be
people like Katy Perry </span><span style="background: white;">and Lil Wayne. I love pop music, and I love hip
hop. I also love me </span><span style="background: white;">some Dolly Parton.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>Who would you most like to collaborate with? </b></span><span style="background: white;">I'd love to work with someone in hip hop. Maybe
Lil Wayne. I met </span><span style="background: white;">Ludicrous at a party last December. He was such
a nice guy. Maybe </span><span style="background: white;">we'll do something!</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="background: white;">You’re in the middle of writing new material,
how will it differ from </span><span style="background: white;">the last album? </span></b><span style="background: white;">I'm being really careful with this album. I
already have 26 songs </span><span style="background: white;">finished to choose from. I think when you see
things you've written </span><span style="background: white;">tattooed on enough people, it ups the anti a
little.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What was the best gig you have attended? </b></span><span style="background: white;">I walked in off the street last week to a Zach
Williams concert at New </span><span style="background: white;">York's Rockwood Music Hall. It blew my hair
back. It was an extremely </span><span style="background: white;">emotional day for me, and the music was just so
powerful and perfect. </span><span style="background: white;">I'd wager in 7 months they'll be the biggest
band in the world. I have </span><span style="background: white;">a feeling I'll tell my kids I was at that show.
Zach is my friend, and </span><span style="background: white;">I've known him for 5 or 6 years. That being
said, I barely recognized </span><span style="background: white;">the person on that stage. It was wonderful.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What other musicians have you met that you
admire? </b></span><span style="background: white;">At some point in a musician's career things just
kind of tip over, and </span><span style="background: white;">amazing things start to happen all the time.
I've been fortunate to </span><span style="background: white;">meet a ton of really great musicians. I went
drinking with Kevin Drew </span><span style="background: white;">of Broken Social Scene once really early on.
Actually it was my first </span><span style="background: white;">time in Paris and we stayed in the same hotel. I
really respect him as </span><span style="background: white;">a musician, and that whole experience just kind
of blew my mind. He's </span><span style="background: white;">a really, really cool guy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What made you realise you wanted to become a
musician? </b></span><span style="background: white;">I never really considered much of anything else.
The piano is all I've </span><span style="background: white;">ever wanted to do. It's like a video game I'll
never ever beat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>Would you ever do more acting if given the
chance? </b></span><span style="background: white;">As long as it didn't get in the way of the
music. Acting is really </span><span style="background: white;">fun, but I don't consider myself an actor. I
like that actors let me </span><span style="background: white;">come on set and be on camera with them, though!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>If you could be in any other tv show what would
it be? </b></span><span style="background: white;">I'd love to be on a zombie show. I really love
zombies. I have 4 books </span><span style="background: white;">on my nightstand and 3 are about zombies. Maybe
The Walking Dead?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>Where’s your favourite place to travel to? </b>B</span><span style="background: white;">rooklyn. It's actually where I live, but I
travel so much, coming </span><span style="background: white;">home is a vacation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What’s your favourite thing about New York? </b></span><span style="background: white;">New York has an energy. Also it's so full of
exciting people. I fall </span><span style="background: white;">in love every time I ride the subway!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What are the five things you can’t live without? </b></span><span style="background: white;">My piano, Chocolate, Steak, my favorite jeans,
and my phone. That's </span><span style="background: white;">really off the top of my head. It also takes for
granted that my </span><span style="background: white;">friends and family aren't going anywhere.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>If you could have one super power what would it
be and why? </b></span><span style="background: white;">Time Travel. Or maybe I'd never age. I can
already fly and I have </span><span style="background: white;">super strength, but don't tell anyone. People
always ask me to help </span><span style="background: white;">them move.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="background: white;">When are you going into the studio to record the
version of Blame You </span><span style="background: white;">you play live? (It’s amazing!) </span></b><span style="background: white;">You never know! I really love that song, though.
Thanks for the compliment!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>What does the future hold for Wakey! Wakey!? </b></span><span style="background: white;">We're gonna pick the producer for this album,
get it recorded, then </span><span style="background: white;">get back on the road! I love touring. Hopefully
we'll come see you!</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">An example of Grubbs' amazing vocal and piano talents</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></i>Katherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632684911653052210.post-60487929053524268032012-04-22T08:22:00.001-07:002012-10-19T09:30:15.773-07:00Josh Krajcik Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6baKvIBL8bAkuEC4PdkOpudJrly4kmOw-SbqJhK06Obh1UgLF_SBeVFXsYnUhIQnn3jcANkK_8b7AkVIP8S7svpcS4101wIDgck4RFtJCPJosnlaYB992SDM6KYQgVGLD6ttHREf9b_4M/s1600/josh-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6baKvIBL8bAkuEC4PdkOpudJrly4kmOw-SbqJhK06Obh1UgLF_SBeVFXsYnUhIQnn3jcANkK_8b7AkVIP8S7svpcS4101wIDgck4RFtJCPJosnlaYB992SDM6KYQgVGLD6ttHREf9b_4M/s320/josh-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who don't know Josh Krajcik, he is most commonly known for being a contestant on 'The X Factor USA' where he was watched by millions worldwide and placed 2nd. He is currently working with Adele's producer Eg White to create his first album, after he was signed to Sony Music taking his profession from a 'burrito slinger' to a signed musician.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><span style="line-height: 17px;">What can we expect from the album? </span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I think its important to be honest in music. For me, to get a glimpse into the heart and mind of an artist gives the music more meaning. I want to make a record that comes across soulful and true. That's the kind of album I like to listen to, so that's what I want to make</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>What made you realise you wanted to become a musician?</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I'm one of the lucky ones that knew from a very early age exactly who I was and what I wanted to do in life. When I was little my dad would play guitar and we'd sing together. In the third grade I began piano lessons with 2 different teachers. One taught me to read music and technique, while the other helped me understand theory and why my improvisations sounded good to me. Both were invaluable. By the time I was twelve I'd gotten a guitar and my fate was set. I knew, for better or worse, my trade was being a musician. At age 15 I got a weekly gig at a little bar in Ohio. I lied and told them I was 22 and made 100 bucks for 4 hrs. I've been playing in bars and touring ever since. </span> <br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>What other musicians or people have influenced your music?</b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Well the default answer for most players I know, including myself, is the Beatles. But also my dad's a player. But in addition I'd say Clapton, Ray Charles, Hendrix, Etta James, Otis Redding, Soundgarden amongst others. Even bands I listened to at a young age like Ministry and Megadeth may have had some influence on me. But really as an artist anything or anyone who inspires you is an influence. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Number one thing is to be yourself. Never emulate. Have fun. Be productive. Never give up. And never ever feel that you've arrived. </span> <b><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /></b><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Who would you most like to collaborate with? </b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I love prince. As a player it seems to me there are few guitar players alive that can do what he does. His songwriting is amazing and he's completely inimitable. Beyond that any like minded talent is a pleasure to work with. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">What other musicians have you met that you admire? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I admire most musicians I meet. There's a bit of a kinship there. Seems were all a little off in some way. I met John Mayer. He was cool. Great player too. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Hows life been since the the X Factor ended? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Busy. I've been really enjoying the writing process. I've been working with great writers lately. I've always been a songwriter but lately the inspiration is in full force and I think some of the people I've been working with deserve some credit for that. </span> <b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Aside from gaining a record contract, how did the X Factor change your life? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Being recognized wherever I go has been amazing. Every city and every airport I've been, people want to say hello. Its an amazing feeling and I love it. I think in any industry you only want to be recognized for what you do well and its the same here. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><b><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I don't know about embarrassing, perhaps unexpected; I love Britney Spears' "toxic". Love it. </span> <b><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />What are the five things you can’t live without? </span></b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">My guitar. My loved ones. My integrity. My child. My country. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><span style="line-height: 17px;">What does the future hold for Josh Krajcik? </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'll be making music till the day I die. What comes with that is yet to be seen. One things for sure. I cant wait to find out. </span> </span></div>
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<br />Katherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632684911653052210.post-2648345181547801812011-11-16T04:38:00.000-08:002011-11-16T04:42:09.030-08:00A Band To Look Out For - To Kill A King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlbpdytgt-n7EGl5l9xt0mgtja9qq8Ty0G-0npbU1d8CP6hnqGtPei52OBhQvgxeA6VudceIL-gvyZdd9TrkAwOcWMAR03O0lBwVeHe_tYgDBZ2RHYvRzIJ3TRpGcphfZuIowzTFw0PT0/s1600/l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlbpdytgt-n7EGl5l9xt0mgtja9qq8Ty0G-0npbU1d8CP6hnqGtPei52OBhQvgxeA6VudceIL-gvyZdd9TrkAwOcWMAR03O0lBwVeHe_tYgDBZ2RHYvRzIJ3TRpGcphfZuIowzTFw0PT0/s320/l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, I've seen these guys supporting Wakey! Wakey! twice and are a band to definitely check out if you're especially into folk/alternative music. The lead singer actually has a sort of Johnny Cash-esque voice on him in some places.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkgfmhYahIQ" target="_blank">To Kill A King - "So My Friends Want To Marry.."</a></div>Katherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-632684911653052210.post-41057936774800082802011-11-01T13:46:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:54:08.342-07:00Bruno Mars, Brixton Academy 24/10/11<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8GP8-OpLnoXkUB2qHpk_cNtkMK8MnyI59fFrLIom0ppIOrwPGDbjlvQOILr38kp30wd6YD7u4HakNk9e1S480cLO74Oh3dvTJF47lT0NP6f-wCZl7XllyS8nPMYuRIlgsUkPvllCZipC/s1600/3brun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgsrffzWFfaGfgEwZsYqI5CtZK39KGnzf_bi98UJbAPVoJjycy-iMvCEJwUg3IPLr2-szxA_PJtjaoAWUV7t2Sw-SCaQOAXMLtk0E7daob3nCVKqnEjSnI-JbahGQpgU3W8KMxZ8SK4nb/s1600/1bruno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgsrffzWFfaGfgEwZsYqI5CtZK39KGnzf_bi98UJbAPVoJjycy-iMvCEJwUg3IPLr2-szxA_PJtjaoAWUV7t2Sw-SCaQOAXMLtk0E7daob3nCVKqnEjSnI-JbahGQpgU3W8KMxZ8SK4nb/s320/1bruno.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #414141; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bruno Mars’ shows were sold out for very good reason. This guy not only has impeccable vocal talent, but is also a great entertainer who made the effort to interact with his fans (or ‘Hooligans’) often throughout his hour and a half long set. </span></span><span style="color: #414141; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">His band were also great fun, especially backing singer Phil who had the crowd in stitches with his recital of his ‘Omg this is great’ part from ‘The Lazy Song’. </span></span><span style="color: #414141; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They really knew how to get the crowd going and made everyone minute of the set enjoyable for all, even encouraging the audience to sing and dance along. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Supporting Bruno Mars was Skylar Grey, who is definitely talented but lacked the same kind of energy that I’d expect from someone performing to such a large crowd. One thing I would credit her for is singing the songs she features in for which she is best known, such as ‘Love The Way You Lie’ which she actually sung better than Rihanna does in my opinion!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #414141; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After finishing his set with the much anticipated ‘Just The Way You Are’, Bruno answered the cheers and screams for encore by returning to the stage to perform ‘Valerie’, a tribute to Amy Winehouse with pictures flashing up on the screen behind of the late female artist who he says influenced him a lot. He then went on to perform ballad ‘Talking to the Moon’ which was a great song to end the night.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #414141; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Overall,if you want to see an artist who will perform beyond your expectations, bring a lot of energy and sound as good live than on recording, this is an artist well worth seeing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the second time I've seen Wakey! Wakey! and of all the bands I've seen, they still create one of the most incredible ambiences I've experienced. During their hour and a half set, the band managed to cover every song of their debut album 'Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You...', along with some new material and an acoustic cover of Cyndi Laupers 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' and most importantly, my favourite song by them '1876 The Brooklyn Theatre Fire'.<br />
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Although they don't pull as big a crowd as they do in the US, they play any show just as energetic no matter how big their audience, and the intimate atmosphere they create seems to add to their appeal. However, what makes Wakey!Wakey!'s gigs particularly memorable is the interaction that the band has with the audience, highlighting the endearing awkardness of Mike through stories of his childhood and their time in London.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It's rare to find an artist who sounds as good as they do on their albums, but I'd argue that they sound even better than they do on their recordings with their acoustic versions of songs from their album. They also played a lot of new material, which also seemed to go down well with the audience and the band managed to keep peoples focus throughout the new songs even where people couldn't sing along.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Their support bands are something to be noticed too. I hadn't seen Casey Shea before, but from the couple of songs I did manage to see him play, he seemed to have created a good energy with his opening act. To Kill a King were the second act of the night, who had supported the band before and definitely had some support from their own circle of fans, and played a great set. They were a support band that I would arrive early to a gig to see.<br />
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All the acts seemed genuinely overwelmed by the support, and seemed as though they had a lot of fun and even did a meet and greet after - something you wouldn't usually expect from one of your favourite artists. They are one of the most incredible bands to see live, and when you do, you'll see that their recordings don't do them as much justice as actually being there. I know with the kind of performances I've seen them do this year, I will definitely be there next time they play in London!</span></span></div>Katherine xohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197039176005001157noreply@blogger.com0