Okay so the Berry died shortly after this but the pictures held in ones brain will be long lasting.
The Royal was buzzing as people walked past the incredibly tall ’slim’ of cash money on their way in the building.
Their were appearances from Ice T, Birdman baby, Rhianna, as well as our very own Su – elise, Alesha Dixon, Jls, The Saturdays, craig david and Jay sean. The food was crazy the performances were… well .. really onpoint

Cash muller baybee

Jeg digger denne sangen med Craig David, den er dansbar og full av energi!!

01: Slicker Than Your Average - This is the title track of this album and I’m not all that sure if I entirely like this song but it has a nice flow though. I love the message going on in the lyrics and the chorus is pretty neat especially when Craig goes with these nice high pitches in his vocals. The arrangement is really funky but overly generic and repetitive to the point that it gets pretty embarrassing and annoying. Craig’s vocals were pretty good in this song but this isn’t his best song. I still like it somewhat but I don’t know it doesn’t really stand out all that much for me.

02: What’s Your Flava? - I remember hearing this song on the old fast-food commercials but I just can’t recall at the moment what place it is.. but anyways this song is pretty cool and nice. The arrangement sounds like a mixture between pop, techno, and r&b along with some random snyths popping out of nowhere, I honestly didn’t care for it after a while although it has a pretty danceable rhythm to it. Craig’s vocals were pretty nice but the vocoder was very unneeded knowing how great of a singer he truly is. The chorus is the major highlight of this song and probably the only part of the song I can actually recall.

03: Fast cars - I’ve never pay this song any attention and for a good reason, it’s oddly random and just plain strange. The arrangement is pretty cool, I must admit but if I didn’t care for it, I would have just bashed it so it’s all right but very plain and unmemorable in my opinion. Craig’s vocals were pretty awesome in this song but wasted for such a bland and useless composition. This song is just awfully bland and those lyrics… don’t let me get started on how weird they are and you’ll notice mostly during the chorus.

04: Hidden agenda - This song took some time to grow on me but I’m starting to really like it now. The arrangement contains a lovely guitar and arps, the beat is pretty basic r&b and pop but I enjoyed it anyways. Craig’s vocals were pretty top-notch in the chorus but in some parts of the verses, he strains a bit but I ignored that and actually liked this song afterwards. This song all in all is pretty lovely but if you’re new to this song, it might take some time to sink in or maybe it was just me.

05: Eenie Meenie - I dislike that title, how lame and elementary does that sound? seriously. The arrangement gives me a pretty dark atmosphere but it stays in the r&b genre which is one of my favorite genres in the entire world. Craig’s vocals were decent, the chorus is where he really shined at and I’m being extremely honestly the rapping from him was pretty lame and annoying. This song all in all is pretty corny and the chorus is to blame for that main fact, fail.

06: You Don’t Miss Your Water (‘Til the Well Runs Dry) – Finally a better song than that lame and odd previous track, I’m just starting to like this song because I’ve never bothered to listen to this song at all. This song is really beautiful and the lyrics were very meaningful especially when Craig sings the title so nicely. The arrangement is full of sorrow and very weepy, I loved the piano and the backing vocals were a nice, warm touch to this song. I really liked when he held that note at the end of the song, how amazing was that? This song all in all is pretty nice on the listener’s ears.

07: Rise and Fall (feat. Sting) - This song reminds me of Monica’s song Take Him Back with those lovely guitar strums, I loved the arrangement and how r&b-ish it was. Craig’s vocals were still awesome and he seems to be giving a repeat strong performance of the previous track but on the other hand, I hated Sting’s vocals which I thought were a bit odd in my opinion because Craig’s singing is much better than Sting’s so I don’t know why he even decided to add in Sting to this song, this was all right but if Craig decided to sing this song alone then it would been much better.

08: Personal - I love this song and I heard it this morning when I was in my bed and I was so calm and chill that I did not want to go to school or nothing not that I did want to go anyways but I did eventually. This song though is just the love to me and I love the nice and slow r&b arrangement, it was extremely sexy and soothing. Craig’s vocals were amazing on here, I love his tones during the chorus and the bridge where he uses vocoder since it adds more depth to the song. This song all in all is pretty amazing and satisfying though.

09: Hands Up In The Air - I’ve listened to this song twice and it hasn’t really done anything for me. Craig’s vocals were pretty strong on here and the arrangement was pretty lively but it doesn’t really scream out nightclub, full of people dancing I thought that little flaw made this song all in all pretty disappointing in my opinion. I don’t like this song at all but who knows? it might sneak up on me and grow back on me.

10: 2 Steps Back - This song happens to be another of my favorites off of this album, I love the soothing chorus and the upbeat r&b/pop atmosphere of the arrangement. It has this groove that you can dance around to and Craig’s vocals were pretty awesome in this song. I can imagine a bunch of girls jumping rope which this song plays or a bunch of people hanging out, dancing, and making up some new dance moves. This song all in all is pretty pleasing and worth the three times I’ve heard it for.

11: Spanish - This song is pretty engaging and the arrangement makes it pretty danceable and loads of fun. Craig’s vocals were really smooth and laid-back on here but still pretty strong though. I loved the chorus and in my opinion it was the highlight of this song. I love the spanish atmosphere going on in the beat with those guitar strums and now I know why the title was named spanish… This song all in all is pretty nice to listen every once in a while.

12: What’s Changed? - Who’s the girl singing in the very beginning just before Craig’s part in the verse? I don’t know but it was pretty nice. This song really gave off a dilemma atmosphere in the arrangement, I loved those guitar strums and the piano playing quietly in the background. Craig is really picking up my interest for this album because I was almost about to get off the computer for the night but he pulled me right me in. This song all in all is just the love to me and my ears.

13: World Filled With Love - Is it just me or is he starting to sound a lot like Usher for some reason? This song came off a bit unexpected and that’s not a good thing because I thought this album was going to be over after the previous track but just no… I really liked this song though, it’s a nice one and Craig’s vocals were really good on here. The arrangement was very Beetles-esque and I didn’t really mind that too much so I enjoyed it. This song all in all is pretty awesome and contains a lovely vocal performance from Craig himself.

1. Slicker Than Your Average
2. What’s Your Flava?
3. Fast cars
4. Hidden agenda
5. Eenie Meenie
6. You Don’t Miss Your Water (‘Til the Well Runs Dry)
7. Rise and Fall (feat. Sting)
8. Personal
9. Hands Up In The Air
10. 2 Steps Back
11. Spanish
12. What’s Changed?
13. World Filled With Love

My opinions & thoughts on Craig David’s second album: This album is just good as his debut album is only I thought Born to Do It was slightly better than this one though. Craig’s vocals stayed in pretty good shape but in some songs I did notice some strain-age, most noticeable in Hidden agenda and that’s it although that song is one of my favorites from here so I like it regardless. Craig really needs to come out with another album, single, or anything and I’m not talking about Isomania, I’m talking about bringing back the type of styles from this album and the debut album he did. Craig has really won me over as a fan with this album and Born to Do It the debut album, I hope he comes out with something new from him because I would love to hear the improvements in his vocals.

insomnia–

wheesung

mediafire

craig david

2shared

Craig David ft Sting, Rise And Fall

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner,  (born 2 October 1951), widely known by his stage name Sting, is a musician and actor… (Wikipedia)

Craig Ashley David (born 5 May 1981) is an English R&B singer-songwriter… (Wikipedia)

“Rise & Fall” is a song by award-winning R&B artist Craig David and the third single taken from his album Slicker Than Your Average. The song, a collaboration with British musician Sting, returned David to the UK top five, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart… (Wikipedia)

Audio: +

lyrics

Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over,

And it seems as though the writings on the wall,

Superstar you finally made it,

But once your picture becomes tainted,

It’s what they call,

The rise and fall [x2]

I always said that I was gonna make it,

Now it’s plain for everyone to see,

But this game I’m in don’t take no prisoners,

Just casualties,

I know that everything is gonna change,

Even the friends I knew before me go,

But this dream is the life I’ve been searching for,

Started believing that I was the greatest,

My life was never gonna be the same,

Cause with the money came a different status,

That’s when things change,

Now I’m too concerned with all the things I own,

Blinded by all the pretty girls I see,

I’m beginning to lose my integrity

Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over,

And it seems as though the writings on the wall,

Superstar you finally made it,

But once your picture becomes tainted,

It’s what they call,

The rise and fall

I never used to be a troublemaker,

Now I don’t even wanna please the fans,

No autographs,

No interviews,

No pictures,

And less demands,

Given advices that were clearly wrong,

The types that seem to make me feel so right,

But some things you may find can take over your life,

Burnt all my bridges now I’ve run out of places,

And there’s nowhere left for me to turn,

Been caught in comprimising situations,

I should have learnt,

From all those times I didn’t walk away,

When I knew that it was best to go,

Is it too late to show you the shape of my heart,

Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over,

And it seems as though the writings on the wall,

Superstar you finally made it,

But once your picture becomes tainted,

It’s what they call,

The rise and fall

Now I know,

I made mistakes,

Think I don’t care,

But you don’t realise what this means to me,

So let me have,

Just one more chance,

I’m not the man I used to be,

Used to beeeeeeeeeee

Sometimes in life you feel the fight is over,

And it seems as though the writings on the wall,

Superstar you finally made it,

But once your picture becomes tainted,

It’s what they call,

The rise and fall [x3]

Official Video:

Other Videos:

Studio Version

Live at Totp 9-5-2003

New Remix by dj zack

Karaoke

]]> http://studentquarterly.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/is-he-back/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:59:32 +0000 studentquarterly http://studentquarterly.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/is-he-back/

After near enough 9 years of failing to live up to his groundbreaking first album; “Born To Do It”, is the newly hench R&B star Craig David finally about to return to the big time?! This track leaked the other day and it’s actually pretty sick, check it.

Craig David – “Cool Wit You”

24 Favorite Artists

Everyone seems to make lists of everything, so I’d thought I would share a list of my 24 favorite artists.  They are in no particular order in terms of favorites, just a collection of the music I enjoy listening to.  You might ask how was this picture so conveniently put together? Well I had made this image a while back using Photoshop for my Myspace page and have kept the image on file ever since, in case I would want to use it again as in this case for the blog.  So take a peep at the album covers, you just might find your favorite artist or album on here!

FILME: VIVER A VIDA

Título Original: Vivre Sa Vie
Gênero: Drama
Duração: 85 minutos
Ano de Lançamento: (França) 1962
Estúdio: Les Films de la Pléiade
Distribuidora: Magnus Opus
Direção: Jean-Luc Godard
Roteiro: Jean-Luc Godard
Produção: Pierre Braunberger
Elenco
Anna Karina (Nana Kleinfrankenheim)
Sady Rebbot (Raoul)
André S. Labarthe (Paul)
Guylaine Schlumberger (Yvette)
Gérard Hoffman (Chefe)
Monique Messine (Elisabeth)
Paul Pavel (Jornalista)
Dimitri Dineff (Dimitri)
Sinopse: Nana é uma jovem que abandona o seu marido e o seu filho para iniciar sua carreira como atriz. Para financiar sua nova vida começa a trabalhar numa loja de discos, mas não ganha muito dinheiro. Como não consegue pagar o aluguel, Nana é expulsa de casa e decide virar prostituta. No primeiro dia que começa a trabalhar na rua, reencontra Yvete, uma velha amiga que lhe confessa que também se prostitui por necessidade. Yvete lhe apresentará a Raoul, que se converterá em seu cafetão. A partir desse momento, Nana irá introduzindo-se pregressivamente no mundo da prostituição.

Comentário: interessante formato, principalmente pela divisão em capítulos que é feita. Vale a pena assistir.

MÚSICA: CRAIG DAVID – HOT STUFF (CHASE & STATUS MIX)

Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne “Down”

“Down” went platinum and sold over a million copies in two months. He’s now the MOST successful UK urban artist in U.S. chart history! WOW.

BUT…

YOU SHOULD READ THIS AWESOME THING BELOW WHILE WAITING FOR VIDEO TO LOAD…

Congrats to Jay, he’s aiite… BUT we should also recognize another UK artist who paved the way, CRAIG DAVID.

Some of you might remember Craig’s 2001 debut single “7 Days” which was DAT SONG in the U.S. when I was like a freshman in high school reaching #10 in the Billboard Hot 100. His second single “Fill Me In” was also highly received in the U.S. peaking at #15. However, his third single “Walking Away” which had reached #3 in the UK and #5 in Australia, MISSED the U.S. Billboard Top 40 and was the last of his singles to make it on the U.S. charts…

…And sadly, Craig David has sorta been forgotten in the U.S. ever since… (except Izumi, he has not forgotten).

That was 2001.

Today, almost nine years later, many do not realize he is still hugely successful in Europe and Asia! Example, his 2007 album “Trust Me” spotlighted charts in Japan hitting #5 and #18 in the UK AND French Albums Charts. AND his lead single “Insomnia” from his 2008 Greatest Hits Album peaked at #11 on the Japan Hot 100! Good work Craig!

BASICALLY OUR POINT IS THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS FALLING ASLEEP ON CRAIG DAVID. He is a truly talented artist and we have forgotten all about him. I mean, Jay Sean has the #1 single in the U.S. right now and before him was the Black Eyed Peas (#1 for 26 weeks straight!)…that’s messed up…but all I am saying is give Craig David another chance.

So nearing 2010, Nerds want to recommend Craig David to everyone. He’s got a brand new album coming soon. Cop it. Rip open the package and bump it. You will love it. Jay is aiite but Craig is DAT DUUDE! CRAIG GETS DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.

Hit jump to watch classic Craig David videos.

I SHOULD CALL THIS THE OFFICIAL CRAIG DAVID ARCHIVE (I swear there are more videos of Craig David on Youtube than Michael Jackson).

“Fill Me In” (Live in NYC)

“Fill Me In ” Music Video

“All The Way” Live in Korea

“All The Way” Music Video

“Rise & Fall” feat. Sting (Live)

“Rise & Fall” feat. Sting Music Video (Studio Version)

“Don’t Love You No More (I’m Sorry)” Live in Paris

“If You Let Me Stay” Terence Trent D’arby 1987 (Craig David Cover)

“Insomnia” (Acoustic) on Capital FM with Lucio

LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

BONUS…

“7 Days” feat. Mos Def (DJ Premier Remix) POSSIBLY THE BEST REMIX EVER MADE.

Thank You, Come Again!

When the crowd say bo, selllecta! HavocNdeeD, a newish Vegas-based dubstep production duo brings back my guilty pleasure Craig David with their heavy reworking of “Re-Rewind”, the track that built his r&b solo career done by the UK garage act Artful Dodger. Biiig tune!

Artful Dodger ft Craig David – ReRewind (HavocNdeeD Remix)

Image credit: Luxist

Yeah, baby!  We couldn’t resist spying this ultimate bachelor pad from swingin’ London ladies’ man, R&B singer-songwriter Craig David.  Craig’s Hampstead penthouse  is currently on the market and could be yours for only, erm,  £6,000…a week.

Image Credit: Luxist

The three-bedroom property is a colourful conglomeration of diva David’s style, boasting black-and-white homage paintings of the singer, kitschy scenic wall murals and LED lighting at all baseboards throughout.   What gives on the lurv lighting, you ask?  Why,  it allows its equally-flashy occupier to change the colour of the room to suit his every mood! And while most of us would use those extra rooms to house guests, Craig turned one of the rooms into a recording studio where, according to MTV’s Cribs, he spent time ‘jamming to his large collection of vinyl.’

Image Credit: Luxist

And after a hard day’s work shaking his moneymaker and flexing those flashy muscles in his home gym (clever use of room no. 3), we’ll bet Craig’s frustration with this expansive pad must have been trying to decide which of his four reception rooms he would spend the rest of his time maxin’ -n- relaxin’ in (did we mention it’s listed at £6,000 a week?!).

Image Credit: Luxist

While the majority of the penthouse is a bit Willy-Wonka-Meets-Biggie-Smalls-Chic, we love the reception above for its monochromatic contrast and plush textures found in the faux fur cushions and rugs.  The lack of colour here allows the architecture of the top-floor unit to take precedence, and when colour and lighting tricks are incorporated back into the space (a la the LED fireplace and glowing coffee table) it makes a statement without screaming ‘mo’ money – mo’ problems!’

Image Credit: Luxist

In fact, if it hadn’t been for the pared down living room, we’d have ventured a guess that the boudoir was kitted out with a rotating bed and a large glittery sign reading THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS! While it clearly wouldn’t be very Ladies’ Man for the singer’s most important room of the pad to be bland and, um…uninspiring, Craig has much more tastefully hinted at the erotic by choosing a subdued nude photo and a leather bedstead for his love shack.   As with many things in life, less really is more, and while the rest of the party pad is a bit OTT, Casanova Craig gets it right here.

Image Credit: Luxist

Love Craig David’s look? We’ve chosen key pieces from this singer’s style for you to steal.  Check out the moodboard and selection of products here.

Moodboard: Bethany Wrede Peterson

Tell us what you think. We’d love to hear your thoughts on Craig David’s super-flash style and our new Through the Keyhole feature.  Just add your comments below.

Think your home is blingin’ enough to be spotted through the keyhole? We’ll be featuring homes of community members alongside those of celebrities, so send your best home snaps to editors@mydeco.com and your palace may be spied next!

I’m kinda excited about this week.  Kathy’s visiting from London so I’m hanging out with her tomorrow and then I go to Minneapolis on thursday.  It’s nice to break up the monotony.

Had a pretty nice weekend. Got to hang out with Mike yesterday as he was in town for a hot minute.   Mixed a lot of 2step/Garage.  I know my dnb records like the back of my hand but my 2step records I don’t necessarily mix on a regular basis anymore so I’ve been spending the time re-familiarizing myself with the tracks to get ready for the Steppers Alliance reunion this weekend.  I’ve even found some gems that I didn’t even know I owned.  Woot.

Still loving T2 feat. Jodie Aysha – Heartbroken.

Today’s Oldie:
I decided to do a 2step/Garage oldie today.
Artful Dodger feat. Craig David – R U Ready

Seba – October Studio Mix 2009
I already listened to this.  It’s dope.

Tracklist

01. Illogic & raf – songs of experience
02. Mosus & HLZ – Nexus7
03. Calibre – understand
04. Seba – pressure point
05. Seba – dont you love me any more
06. Seba – painted sky <3 it!
07. Seba & Kirsty Hawkshaw – The joy (face to face) <3 it too!
08. Spy – ASBO
09. Illogic & raf – complex identities
10. Eward Oberon – Paradise
11. Spy – the boy who cried wolf

The definitive list of top songs  with a totally romantic,sexy, & sinfully decadent vibe.  Feel like kicking back,  just relaxing & melting all your stress in a sexy way, this list is just the fix. Wanna have a special intimate, romantic rendezvous with the addiction(love)of your life?  Here’s  your go to secret weapon. Today’s song is(very apropos) : Rendezvous by Craig David.  This song is definitely within my personal top, top  favorite, favorites .  It has a very: laid back, sensual &  soft kinda  feel.  This is the inaugurating entry in the blog, but stay tuned & keep ya eye out for lot’s more sexy flavor. Watch as the “Sexy Song List” unfolds.

It’s been no secret on this blog that I have been very impressed by Mamas Gun throughout 2009; their brand of Funk/Soul is refreshing and their live shows (Hoxton Bar & Grill in particular) have been among the best this year.  At the start of October they released their debut album, Routes to Riches, which represents them cementing their arrival as a band, although it has been a long journey to get even here.

Now, as the band prepare to embark on UK wide tour supporting Beverley, I caught up with lead singer Andy and drummer Jack (with a cameo from guitarist Terry) to talk about the tour, the album, X-Factor and going full circle from indie, to major, to indie label again

To start off a bit of an assumption I’ve made… what on earth was it about Erykah Badu’s album that made you decide to name your band after it? Or is it not actually named after that?

Andy: It is name after that.  When it came out, I thought, f***ing great band name, and when I get a band together I am gonna call it Mamas Gun.

Jack: I mean the reality is if a band becomes established to some extent their name becomes the meaning,  if you think of Led Zepplin, that’s a German Airship, and you don’t think that when you think Led Zep.

So how does it feel to have the album finally out?

Andy: It’s been a long time coming it feels like the biggest release.  We got together with an indie and made the album for peanuts.  Then we got picked up by a major about this time last year.  The major got credit crunched and fell apart, but they spent a lot of money on the record and we walked away scott free.

And then yeah, we managed to pick up investment from an independent investment firm that have been funding independent films for years and has just started turning the model to bands and their music, so people like us and Beverley Knight are making albums off the back of that

Thinking back to when you got signed by a major did it change you guys and your music?

Jack: Not to my knowledge at all.  Andy produced it so there is no producer that came and did his masterstroke or made it sound different… it’s just a reflection of what were into and good song-writing.  I think that’s one of the things that stands us in good stead for the future ya know, that we can do all this and make it sound as good as it does on our own.  In terms of it changing, all they did was just spent some money and we put some strings on stuff.

Andy: There was difference in dynamic in terms of how the team overall worked.  It’s a different world and to be honest I prefer it as we have it now.  We’ve got this cool team of people who really identify with each other and are looking to get stuff done in an innovative way.

Jack: There are problems as in any working situation but everyone seems to be really good at just working through it ya know. I’ve seen everyone making adjustments to accommodate everyone, there’s a lot of generosity and spirit in everything.  It’s not just with the band, in the management and with the people around us so it’s great.

Moving onto the album, do you feel like you a get a lot of freedom when you’re song-writing; is it do you find you get a good release and do you get a lot of personal things into it?

Andy: Yeah.  The moment I love, which just makes it for me, is the moment you know what the whole song is gonna be like and it all just paints itself.  You know what it’s gonna sound like, that’s just f***ing gold man. Angel breath.  Brilliant.

Jack: Angel Breath?

Andy: Yeah – I don’t know where that comes from…  It’s a different thing man, song-writing’s a weird process.

Do you guys get involved in the song-writing as well or is it just Andy gives?

Jack: Well the first album everything was written, there was one tune we deconstructed and put back together again different as a group, but I think the plan is to create a bit more.  I mean I just think if a song is good and its a Mamas Gun song I don’t really care how it comes about.

Andy: Everyone has the capacity to do great work song-writing wise and I think the second album will be very very telling in terms of how the melting pot goes.  Jack is actually, he’s playing himself down here, he’s a ridiculous writer himself, check out a band called Freq Electric that will showcase his writing chops, I don’t need to say anything.

On the album you’ve got the playful songs like Finger On It and more mellow, melancholy songs, like Chasing Down Shadows, was it hard to find a sound to accommodate all of that?

Andy: As a musician and songwriter variety is what interests me.  I can’t write the same song twice, I’d die of boredom man.  [So] there wasn’t a conscious decision to think right we’ve gotta make this all work, it kind of came together in the studio.

Jack: There’s a degree to which if you have the same guys recording in pretty much the same place, in the same period of time there’s going to be a relationship between them.

Andy: It’s a record of time.  That’s what it is, that’s what’s gonna bleed through and hopefully it’s gonna bring it together in the end.

So you guys are about to go on a big tour with Beverley Knight, are you excited?

Andy: Yeah.  It’s great to be playing shows every single night for a month.  Getting in the last couple of weeks of the tour the shows should really be on fire.

Jack: When you’re on the road and the band just hit a point when you’ve been gigging for however long and its kinda like anything could happen, there could be an earthquake, whatever, and you still wouldn’t drop a beat.  That kind of strength you get as a group from just doing it every night is such a great feeling because you just feel like, “right tonight I’m just gonna go out and f***ing kick the s*** out of it.”

Talking of killing it, I’ve been reading Rick James’ book recently and when he was touring with Teena Marie they would go back and forth trying to out do each other’s performances.  Now I’ve seen Beverley play and she’s really good.  So.  Will you be laying the Smackdown on Beverley?

Andy: Well… naaaaah…

Terry: Her band is baaaad man… and I mean good bad.  Not to mention Beverley herself is very talented.

Jack: Hopefully it’s just gonna be a great night of music

Actually, if my memory serves me right, you toured with Craig David last year, how was that?

Terry: We laid the smackdown on him!

Jack: No, it was great man.  It was great the experience playing for thousands of people every night and again sharpening up the show.  It’s always good watching another guy, seeing how the audience and how his band do it because there is always something you can take from it, something to be learned and the catering was really good.

Andy: Catering is important

Are you going to get the same catering as Beverley?

Jack: Hopefully.  I think we’ve requested… are we on the same catering?  If it is good it just makes the whole thing work well really.  No hunting around for a kebab in between sound checks… you don’t wanna be doing that.

Cool, well I gotta ask it now the final 12 have been chosen, going back in the days before Mamas Gun, did you ever contemplate going the X-Factor route?

Andy: Ab-so-luelty not!  Never never really…  It’s a long discussion this I think, the whole X Factor thing but personally I’m a fan of the mystique of music, and rock and roll, and artists.  When we’re talking about a TV show that’s all about short term gains and radio audiences it’s a different thing really and it’s not something I subscribe to.

Jack: I think the reality is you wouldn’t be able to chose what songs you sing, who produces your record, where it’s recorded, what musicians you probably have in your band on tour…

Terry: The emphasis is so much on let’s create a new star, let’s just launch somebody into fame and it doesn’t seem to have any kind of… well whoever wins is very unlikely to have any artistic control and it doesn’t seem to be any kind of like artistic integrity.

I speak to a lot of people and they still haven’t heard of Mamas Gun.  Do you not think the X Factor ‘over-exposure’ would help you get out there more?

Terry: I think that X Factor gives you that overnight fame if you win or even come anywhere near the finalists but it’s for all the wrong reasons as far as I’m concerned.  Just having the kind of fame and recognition just for sake of it doesn’t hold any appeal for me at all.

Jack: If I can live like a normal person, comfortably, so that I am not in dire straits all the time if I can live like that and make music I wanna make and go and do gigs I’m happy.

Andy: The ideal is to be able to have a career and to make an album.  To have an audience that buys it, and make another album, tour it.  It doesn’t need to be millions and millions of people.  A fan base that buys your record [will let you] pay your mortgage and have a few drinks, take your missus out for dinner, that’s what anyone wants isn’t it?

Jack: Ask us the same question two years time when we’ve gone triple platinum…

Andy: Couldn’t live without the Learjet…

To finish up is something I ask everyone… you guys have been signed, now doing the Indie thing, and you said you liked it [the indie thing].  Let’s say tomorrow a major came along, Sony or whoever and offered you a contract what would you say?

Andy: That’s a good question man.  We’d seriously have to contemplate how to best make it work for us within the framework in we’d been working.  Ya know just to carry on this gradient, this journey that were on in this setup and how to use that money essentially most effectively.  It definately wouldn’t be a case of “oh my God, life saved!”

Terry: In any case it would depend on what kind of deal was on the table, we certainly wouldn’t sign just for the sake of it being a huge name label.

Finally, what’s next for you guys?

Andy: We got the Beverley Knight thing…  Japan.

Terry: Japan!

Andy: Japan, they found out about us very early on, they may have heard some stuff on the web, so they’ve wanted to do something from day one basically.  We’ve been getting radio play [in Japan] so we’re doing a show over there.  And the albums out too.

Thanks guys

Mamas Gun play the Regents Theatre, Ipswich on November 3rd, then tour the UK throughout November

Soulside Funk

Un Gafe era el tema propuesto por Xarbet para el relato de esta semana, y tantas ganas le había puesto en sacar una historia adelante que me he debido de gafar yo solita…

Así que, como no se puede sacar creatividad de donde no la hay, y aún a riesgo de que todos piensen que he decidido cambiarme de bando, aquí dejo mi aportación (por llamarlo de alguna manera) al Club de los Jueves… (esta vez sí que me echan…)

Por cierto, los relatos de verdad están aquí:

BLOODY, BUSCOPETERPAN, CONCIERTOARTE,  CRARIZA, FRANCISCO,  JUANRA,  NANAH,  NATALI,  PSIQUI,  SAPPY  y  XARBET  

This album starts off with the famous debut single Fill Me In. I think I heard this song a long time ago, it’s just been so long and I remember that melody from somewhere before, I think I heard this on the radio but anyways…this song is actually pretty good. I thought I wasn’t going to like this song at first because of the way he speed-sings in the verses which really got on my nerves, I just look past that and enjoy the rest of the song, Craig’s vocals were actually pretty nice in this song though.

I really didn’t like this song at first but I think it’s grown on me a bit. Can’t Be Messing ‘Round was an all right track but I actually enjoyed it on the second listen, the only problem I had with this song is when he starts singing so fast which got on my nerves, very fast. I don’t know this song has potential to be liked but the tempo is just a bit too much on the ears.

Now this album decides to slow down on this next track Rendezvous. This song is really a sleeper in my opinion, a good sleeper. The arrangement plays like a lullaby, an r&b lullaby and it plays so nice on my ears when I’m having a long day and I want to fall asleep. Craig’s vocals in this song were smooth and nice, he seems to be enjoying himself while singing this song, he sounds a lot like Usher during his 8701 album era. This song is so good.

This next track is a true classic and as soon as I first played the album weeks ago, I remembered it right away. 7 Days was one of my favorite old-school songs from late 90’s into 2000 and it still is also, I really remember this song like I heard it yesterday. Craig’s vocals have this smoothness which I really like and every time he sings I just wanna, well…let me stop. This song has to be the first ever song I’ve heard from him and after that I thought Usher was singing until someone told me it was Craig David and I was like ‘who’s that?’

This next track Follow Me was so dull and meh to me, I had to just ignore it completely. Craig did an awesome job with his vocals but the arrangement was playing like molasses, it was so sleep coma inducing for me. I’m sorry but this song is just too dull for me to enjoy.

This album picks the pace right back up with Last Night. I really liked this song when I first heard it and I still do a lot. It’s just one of those songs that you can’t hate when you’re me especially with the arrangement which heavily drowned in r&b and that’s a nice thing when you’re an r&b fan like myself and many others. Craig’s vocals were pretty nice, I love the way he decided to sing and his ab-libs were L-O-V-E, this is one of my favorite songs from this album.

Walking Away slows down the album once again, I liked this song on the very first listen and I still do now. Craig’s vocals were pretty nice, he’s really impressing me so far with his music. As for this song, it was pretty nice along with the nice arrangement which played a bit like background noise in my opinion. This song is good but I’d listen to the previous track again and plus the song end so quick, really fast.

This album goes back up in the tempo again with this next track Time To Party. This song was a song I automatically loved along with Last Night which were the two newest songs I enjoyed mostly on this album when I first heard the entire album weeks ago. Craig’s vocals are still pretty impressive in this one also, I mean it’s like he’s an American Shota Shimizu or something. This song is my Friday song to dance to when I get home from school.

Well… Booty Man was pretty unexpected from him and I never thought he would make a song like this. The arrangement is a mixture of r&b and pop, Craig’s vocals were pretty mellow and laid-back: he sounded pretty nice. It’s just that song just seemed to come out of nowhere in my opinion and it’s not all that memorable also. This song is just OK.

Once In A Lifetime stays in the mid-tempo/up-beat pace for this album. Craig delivered another nice vocal performance, mellow and laid-back just like the previous track only this song was a bit more memorable than Booty Man was. The arrangement is your typical r&b and pop atmosphere, I really liked it and it played so gently, this song is just the L-O-V-E.

I kind a like this next track You Know What. I liked the smoothness of that r&b drowned arrangement and Craig’s vocal performance was pretty awesome, he sounded nice. This song isn’t really all stand out or memorable but I still find myself enjoying it, regardless.

I’m really not feeling this next track Rewind and it sounds like album fodder in my opinion. I don’t like how Craig’s vocals were all a looped mix mess even though they still sound nice, it’s just better off to leave vocals alone for songs to sound good or appealing, FAIL.

Fill Me In
Rendezvous
7 Days
Last Night
Walking Away
Time To Party
Once In A Lifetime
You Know What

Craig David’s debut album Born to Do It was pretty good for a start-off album and especially since he’s good enough to pull it off. You know I actually thought this album was kind of blase when I first heard it but that was only because I liked only a couple songs when I first heard it for a full album listen but now I really liked it and it was all because of Craig’s outstanding vocal performances throughout this entire album. I liked a lot more songs than I did when I first listened to this album, some weeks ago. He sounds just like Usher in some songs on this album, it’s pretty cool and it makes his music interesting because I grew up listening to Usher and I’ve heard the two singles from this album 7 Days and Fill Me In, many years ago. I want to hear more from Craig, he’s a really good r&b singer and his style isn’t blase or unoriginal like many new r&b singers nowadays so that makes him interesting to listen to on a daily bias.

Sometimes things actually occur at random. For example once I was on a bus and a homeless fellow came up to me and said, “Hey you! You have a face that looks like it could use a can of drink and a few Keno draws!” Why did he choose me? Why did he yell unnecessarily and why did he use the term ‘can of drink’ and ‘Keno’?  He could have went with ’sun visor’ and ‘UB40 cassingle’ but he didn’t. The law of random dealt those (in)evitable cards.

It seems if you use the term ‘random’, albeit in the correct context, you are automatically linked to the group of people who still use Myspace and go to Pink concerts. “Zomglolz I am in the ladies room at a nightclub with all of my girlfriends and we’re taking photos of ourselves with the camera positioned from high angles. Stand back! We’re random as!”. No. That is not random. Random in that incident would be if Premier Mike Rann walked in and asked said ladies to spot him a few bucks for a Lemonade Icy Pole.

You just know that the girls in that incident would go to Yahoo! Answers and ask ‘What are some good ways to stop relatives from being gay?’
FACT: There are more people on Facebook with a photo album titled ‘Random’ than there are owners of Craig David’s debut album ‘Born To Do It’. Do the math bo selecta’s, that’s a lot of people.

And I’ll give you the hot tip: There aren’t that many words that can describe a random event. Haphazard? Willy nilly? Illogical? Obeying Constable Law of Probability? Perhaps ‘random’ should go about business as usual for a few years and wait for one of the Jonas Brothers to coin a new phrase. Then we’ll put ‘random’ in the oven for about 6 months whilst the kids go crazy over the triplet virgins and when we take it out we shall feast on all the correct random glory! Until then, term ‘Miscellaneous’ FTW.

Craig David feat Alex Ubago :

I might not always be right. but this is true. Fo’ shizzle.

BoA released her 28th Japanese single- along with a video. Not a fan of the suit, but good dancing as usual. I’m really happy it’s an Asian single this time and not American ^^.

Step by Step, drilled into your head~

I’m not a huge fan of F.T Island, but their promo video for the upcoming single seems pretty nice.

The main vocalist of Battle, Jin Tae Hwa, is currently working on his solo album, which was released today.. In the meanwhile, he released a music video of his song, Fallen Angel (feat. JED). I got to know Battle through Step by Step, a highly. HIGHLY. Addictive song. So beware. And I mean it, kk?

I bet he has more than 2NE1 needles x.x

CL (from 2NE1) got a hedgehog ! Isn’t he adorable? I would love having a hedgehog. Hedgehogs are majorly cute and are also low maintenance, so you don’t have to take them out to pee/poop/attack the mailman. I wonder how my cat would deal with one O____O… Oh dear. OK. SO SOMETHING IS REALLY SCREWED WITH THE CODING AND WHAT NOT SO JUST PRETEND WHAT I’M SAYING HERE IS WORTH READING KK? CUZ THE QUICK BROWN DOODOO JUMPED OVER YOUR LAZY ASS.

ZOMG. DBSK’s Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun are really getting popular with their singe album, Colors. I really like that album- you should go get it. Somehow.

So. Deadfully. Gorgeous.

AYE AYE AYE NEW WHEESUNG ALBUM. I got to know Wheesung through his BRILLIANT remake of what’s his name… oh yeah. Craig David’s Insomnia. You gotta admit Wheesung is a 548295890 times better. I mean. The DANCING. The SINGING. The KOREAN-NESS. The.. WHEESUNG ♥. And if you want to hear a really incredible high note, I’d just say this: 2:40. But yeah, new album. No, I didn’t get to listen to the songs yet. But I know they’re amazing.

Could this get any better? I mean, yes. But come on: Big Bang’s G-Dragon and Seungri, Fly to the Sky’s Brian, Tablo from Epik High, and Lee Seung Gi – all in one show. GDragon looks so freaking charming. And adorable. Lalalalalalala. “It’s because you’re number 1 you can say stuff like that!” Poor Lee Seung Gi .

“Originally I was supposed to make my comeback this month, too, but it got pushed back to December.” This video made me cry with laughter.

Legit.

Image credit: Luxist

Yeah, baby!  We couldn’t resist spying this ultimate bachelor pad from swingin’ London ladies’ man, R&B singer-songwriter Craig David.  Craig’s Hampstead penthouse  is currently on the market and could be yours for only, erm,  £6,000…a week.

Image Credit: Luxist

The three-bedroom property is a colourful conglomeration of diva David’s style, boasting black-and-white homage paintings of the singer, kitschy scenic wall murals and LED lighting at all baseboards throughout.   What gives on the lurv lighting, you ask?  Why,  it allows its equally-flashy occupier to change the colour of the room to suit his every mood! And while most of us would use those extra rooms to house guests, Craig turned one of the rooms into a recording studio where, according to MTV’s Cribs, he spent time ‘jamming to his large collection of vinyl.’

Image Credit: Luxist

And after a hard day’s work shaking his moneymaker and flexing those flashy muscles in his home gym (clever use of room no. 3), we’ll bet Craig’s frustration with this expansive pad must have been trying to decide which of his four reception rooms he would spend the rest of his time maxin’ -n- relaxin’ in (did we mention it’s listed at £6,000 a week?!).

Image Credit: Luxist

While the majority of the penthouse is a bit Willy-Wonka-Meets-Biggie-Smalls-Chic, we love the reception above for its monochromatic contrast and plush textures found in the faux fur cushionsandrugs.  The lack of colour here allows the architecture of the top-floor unit to take precedence, and when colour and lighting tricks are incorporated back into the space (a la the LED fireplace and glowing coffee table) it makes a statement without screaming ’mo’ money – mo’ problems!’

Image Credit: Luxist

In fact, if it hadn’t been for the pared down living room, we’d have ventured a guess that the boudoir was kitted out with a rotating bed and a large glittery sign reading THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS! While it clearly wouldn’t be very Ladies’ Man for the singer’s most important room of the pad to be bland and, um…uninspiring, Craig has much more tastefully hinted at the erotic by choosing a subdued nude photo and a leather bedstead for his love shack.   As with many things in life, less really is more, and while the rest of the party pad is a bit OTT, Casanova Craig gets it right here.

Image Credit: Luxist

Love Craig David’s look?  We’ve chosen key pieces from this singer’s style for you to steal.  Get the look here.

Moodboard created with mydeco’s moodboard tool.