by wildangels

Well, the Spice Girls came back... will the New Kids be the next to join the comesback bandwagon? According to yahoo!news the answer is yes. I think I'm gonna believe this one when I see one of the "kids" say it themselves. Anyone remember that show Bands Reunited? The show was on VH1 for awhile. Basically, the host would track down old acts and try to talk them into getting back together again for one show.

One episode found the host trying to reunite NKOTB and well.... it didn't really work. Jordan and Jonathon granted interviews and agreed to do the reunion. Joey talked to the cameras, but said he would not reunite like this. It would have to completely their thing. Danny wouldn't even talk to them at all and Donnie released some "thanks, but no thanks" statement through his publicist. Has that much really changed in the few years since the show aired? Does anyone really want to see an NKOTB comeback? Only time will tell. Personally? I think NKOTB is something best left to my teenybopper memories.

Well, that's about it for now. Take care and see ya next time!

by wildangels
Finally! Amy Winehouse, who has been known for drug problems in recent months, is going to rehab. It's obviously been needed for awhile now and I'm glad she's decided to go through with it. From what I've heard of her music, she's talented and I just hate to see potential wasted like that. Only time will tell if she's serious, of just trying to make herself look good. Billboard was also reporting that Scotland Yard is investigating that drug video that came out of her recently.

by wildangels

Here is the last part of my interview with Ieshia. In it, she discusses her upcoming CD and her plans for the future. I hope you've all enjoyed this series.

Jamie: Tell me about your Album.

Ieshia: My album is due for a 2008 release, hopefully before my birthday, which is May 2. It will be titled Still Standing because despite of everything I've been through, I'm still standing. The album will actaully be a cool transition story within itself. It takes me from a good relationship to a bad relationship and when I let go of that bad relationship, I find happiness. It’s time to celebrate, dance, rejoice and help others

Jamie: What else are you working on?

Ieshia: This year, I plan on releasing my first book entitled GIGSTER which is a book especially for artists with club listings and diffrent venues for them to perform. To perform at these clubs, most are required to present something for consideration. That's what i'm doing with my book. I'm doing the work for them and letting them know what each club or venue in each state is requires an artist to present to them in order to perform. Hopefully, My gigster book will turn into a Gigster Transportation Service for singers. Most singers have great talent but there talent is hidden due to finances or not being able to get to gigs due to a lack of transportation. Eventually, Gigster will spin off from a book to a transportation service with a low monthly fee that drops off and picks up a singer , raper, poet to casting calls and performances. Each year, a top artist will be picked for a promo tour. I'm looking for gigster to also have a special fund where each artist get there own marketing package, including demo recording, photo shoot, media kit & more, everything an artist needs to live their dream. Then, a non profit organization called Verity Envision, which keeps teens off the street and in the classroom, doing productive things! There will be GED and educational programs designed to help people reach their goals in life, all while offering a limited amount of financial assistance for rental and utilities through donations.

Jamie: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me. This has been really interesting.

Ieshia: You’re welcome!

by wildangels

Last time, Ieshia talked about getting signed and losing pretty much everything to Hurricane Katrina. Today, she discusses trying to bounce back from that experience and a little about her music.

Jamie: Around the same time, you had mention you were going to school. Can you tell me about that?

Ieshia: I was attending Delta College of Arts & Technology and I completed my degree in Visual Communication that I was working on prior to Katrina. I love to design and I knew that being a singer I was going to need CD COVERS, FLYERS, POSTERS, etc. I figured why not learn it myself and save myself some money while also doing what I love? I've been getting clients since I graduated. My first client I had was when we returned to New Orleansin 2006: TBC BRASS BAND. I also do Music Production and write songs & poems. I also draw.

Jamie: So you basically have your hands in every aspect on your singing career

Ieshia: yes, so I can help others and myself

Jamie: Is there any particular part you prefer? (singing, design, writing, etc)

Ieshia: I love it all, so they all are equal. I try not to limit myself. I sing Country, Rock & Roll, but my genre is rap hip hop & R&B. I just wrote a country song called "Can't Give Up Now that I'm hoping a movie will pickup for a soundtrack

Jamie: When you write, do you mostly draw from your own life or do you take experiences you've heard about from others as well?

Ieshia: I write about my life but mostly, I write about what’s going on in the world in general. I write songs people would love to say but can't say it, songs that give hope and are a guiding light for someone. I don't write just to write and make a hit. I write to touch someone through what I'm saying and make a difference.

Jamie: You mentioned in your information having the album done and having to start it all over.... tell me a little about the recording process and what you had to do to get the project back on track.

Ieshia: We were having some problems and our landlord was about to evict us, but God Showed up again and pulled us out of harms way. We found an organization to pay our rent and my husband and I got jobs again. We started networking and getting to my career again. While I was pregnant and on bed rest, my husband wrote a long letter explaining our situation and how much he loves me and wants me to live my dream. It reach many celebs and top indutry insiders, but only a few reached out to help. Then, Giana Garel & Chuck D of Poublic Enemy read my husband's letter out load of the Famous national Radio Show on The Real Talk Show and help started pouring in. Keep in mind, due to Hurricane Katrina, I'd lost my industry contact, promotional flyers, posters, cd covers, master recordings. I had nothing and had to start over with a $0 budget. Producers started To send me tracks and I wrote new songs. I also entered lots of Contests. I was chosen top 10 in the CW's Dig it or Dis it competition and semi finalist in the How She Move Event Contest with lil mama. Now, here I am getting management deal offer and publicist, I have fans in the UK and the US. My name is known. My MySpace page gets over 300 songs plays and hits a day and my Profile has been viewd over 12,000 times in 4 months since joining the site. I still don't have the money to record my album in the studio, though, or take professional photoshoots nor do I have the clothing for the shoots but people are contacting me with offers of help for free if I offer to design things for them.

Jamie: Do you have a favorite song you’ve written?

Ieshia: Actually I love them all. My song "hott sex" is the most popular with 1,5000 play in less than 3 months. I also wrote a poem about what we went through in the convention center that my fans love. I have a new dance song similar to the Soulja Boy's hit called "Hater Walk".

Jamie: There is a lot of change in the music industry today and so many people are now turning to things like MySpace. How do you feel about the changes happening and the new ways people are getting music?

Ieshia: Myspace is awesome! Although it can be a blessing a curse, it has been nothing but a blessing to me and it's an honor to be a part of MySpace. Ithelps me network with so many people and receive help, while also offering help. I get the most of my design clients though MySpace and Craigslist.

Check back tomorrow, when she tells us a little about her album and her plans for the future. Until then, "let the music play".

by wildangels

My interview with Ieshia continues as she discusses getting signed and the event that brought her career to a stand still...

Jamie: Tell me about your deal with Pimptown. How did that come about?

Ieshia: I was looking through a newspaper ad that was looking for singers, rappers etc. it said to call for an audition. I called him and he loved my voice. A few weeks later my grandmother signed me to a recording contract with his company. One month later I had my first performance, when I opened a concert for his top artist. We got married March 16th 2003. We had our first child May 22, 2003 and our daughter was born August 5th 2004.

Jamie: In your information, you mentioned Hurricane Katrina pretty much forced you to go back to the beginning career wise. Can you elaborate on that and tell me about what you experienced during the storm?

Ieshia: My career was starting to take off with gigs, tours and more lined up by my celebrity booking agent Lionel Robinson. We'd just brought a car and a house when the storm was coming. My husband had been through many storms, and this was my first. We talked it over and decided to get out of the city. Even though we'd just brought a car, we didn't have enough gas or the money to buy the gas to get out, so we stuck the storm out. I was so terrified, I scared myself to sleep. When I woke up, I went in the other room and said, "Wow, that storm wasn't so bad after all." My husband said "look outside". I looked outside and there it was: Hurricane Katrina. I ran back under the covers like Shag and Scooby! When the storm was over, everyone was getting ready to make and eat breakfast when all of a sudden water started to come in the front door. We couldn’t stop it from coming in, so we grabbed our kids and belongings and ran upstairs. We were stranded on the second floor with no food for 3 days. We flashed the lights in the sky when helicopters passed by, but noone would save us.

Jamie: How did you finally get rescued?

Ieshia: Luckily, there was a neighbor that lived in the subdivision that owned a boat. Come to find out he was going around rescuing. his neighbors. We let him take the another family in his boat first, but when he came back to us we didn't want to leave each other. We couldn't my husband is 300 plus pounds, plus it was myself our two kids, his sister and her two sons. We all couldn't fit into the little boat, so he went and found some more help. When he returned, we grabbed our belongings. My kids and my husband and his sister and one of her sons got in the boat. Myself and my sister in laws other son got on the jet ski bikes. That was my first time on a jet ski; first time in the water actually.

Jamie: Can you describe the ride for me?

Ieshia: When we were riding through it was as riding in a murky lake; river for that matter. The water was so deep If I would have stepped in it I would have drowned. My husband is 6'3 and when he went to go and save the other family I mentioned earlier, the water was up to his chest; close to his neck. They didn't bring us far after rescuing us. The nearest dry was on Chef Menteur Highway. We found a shopping cart and put our kids inside of it and started the long journey to the convention center. Luckily, the police let us get some food & drink out of stores to give us the strength to keep walking. As we walked, guns were pointed at us and my children were crying hysterically. My husband passed out from dehydration because he would go into the stores and get food and drink for us and not himself, because there wasn't enough. He recovered, though. The original plan was to go to our house (they stayed with her sister-in-law during the storm) but when we looked down coming of the exit, our house and our entre area was under water to the roof tops. It was a good things we went by my sister's house because we would not have made it otherwise.

Eventually, Ieshia and her family made it to the Convention Center, where even more drama was to unfold. They were forced to deal with death, violence and people who were trying to profit off the evacuees situation. They also had to endure family members who were less than accommodating to them once they were able to reach Grambling. Ieshia and her husband managed to find jobs so that they could get a place of their own again. Ieshia’s job actually involved distributing various supplies to other victims of the storm. Join me next time for another part of my interview with Ieshia. Til then, "let the music play..."

by wildangels

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with an up and coming artist named Ieshia. She’s been making quite a name for herself through her MySpace page and is about to release her first single, "Still Standing." If you consider her background, there was no other song that could be the first release. I spoke with her via IM about some of the struggles she’s dealt with, her music and other plans for the future. This first part deals with her childhood.

Jamie: First off... tell me a little bit about your mother and the effect she had on your singing.

Ieshia: My Mother was an angel... Although by being so young when she died I don't remeber much! I do remember her love for Jesus and her passion for singing. She was in her early to mid 30's when she had me, and her pregnancy was high risk. She didn't abort me because that's not what she believed in. She wanted a child, most of all a daughter, that could carry on her singing dream if she was to pass.

Jamie: You mentioned in your information that your grandmother raised you after your mother’s death when you were 7. Can you tell me about her and the relationship you two had?

Ieshia: Oh, my grandmother and I was inseparable! It was hard because she was raising me, but I had to take care of her. Not long after my mom died, my grandmother's Sugar Diabetes and High Blood Pressure started to kick in and she started getting sicker and sicker. I had very little time to pursue my singing career due to having to take care of my grandmother. The relationship that my grandmother and I had was one where if I'd go to a burger place and had only enough money for one burger, I would buy that one burger and save half for her. I spent 1 year at Touro Hospital with my grandmother. I would never leave her side. All of the nurses knew me and especially the Cafeteria workers, with all the bacon I would order for breakfast. The whole second floor of Touro Hospital adopted me. I'd get special treatment with the vcr's and more food. They also put a special bed in my grandmother's private room just for me with extra pillows

Jamie: That was nice of them to do that for you. How old were you during all this?

Ieshia: I was 16. At this point I was tossed from family member to family member. A long time ago my grandmother told me she never wanted to be in a home, and I vowed to keep that promise. She was put on a breathing machine and was not expected to live through the night. I went home and prayed and asked God to touch my grandmother. I begged God like i'd never before not to let her leave me and he answered. The next day, she was sitting up eating. I asked the doctor what happened and he said she pulled the breathing tube out of her mouth herself. She always told me she never wanted those things and she'd rather died than be on the machine.

Despite being a double amputee and suffering from various health problems related to diabetes, her grandmother recovered from the experience and was allowed to return home when Ieshia was 17, provided they could provide round the clock care for her. Eventually, Ieshia was able to find someone to care for her grandmother while in school. Then, the would-be singer was delivered another blow...

Ieshia: She had to return again to the hospital. At this point, she started to get alzheimers. Yet again, I stayed by her side. A week later my grandmother died. She tried to fight back to stay with me. At times she would grab my shirt and try to mumble a W word, but with the breathing tube it made it hard to talk. I stayed at the hospital, but I had more senior exit exams so my nanny to me to go home and get sleep. 6:30 that next morning, my nanny woke me up and told me my grandmother had passed away. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.

Check back tomorrow, when Ieshia discusses getting signed to a deal, her early successes and the event that changed everything...

by wildangels

In honor of the fact Kelly Clarkson just started a tour with Reba McEntire that is being raved about, I thought I'd share my top ten kelly songs list.

10) Miss Independant (from Thankful): I love that this song was co-written by Xtina and it's just so much fun to listen to. I love the slight rock edge it gets during the chorus as well.

9) Low (From Thankful): This is just one of those songs that shows what a great singer Kelly is and how rock-influenced tracks are definitely her strength. While the song tells the story of love gone wrong, the basic sentiment of the song  could apply to almost any relationship.

8) Just Missed the Train (Thankful): I love this song because it shows another side of Kelly. She adopts a higher register on this song and for the most part sings it very simply.

7) Addicted (From Breakaway): A hint of things to come, this track is a rock-inspired song that Kelly sings the hell out of. Throughout the track, she tells the story of a person who can't let go of someone they maybe should with passion and conviction. Try giving this song to the majority of the singers out there, and see how badly they mangle it.

6) Beautiful Disaster (from Thankful/Breakaway): While another version appeared on her debut, it's the Breakaway version that really stands out. It's just Kelly and a piano with simple, restrained vocals. It works so much better this way.

5) How I feel (My December): This is a fast paced, energetic number that could have easily been a hit on radio. It's got a little bit of rock in it and Kelly's vocals are great. For me, this line makes the song: "I touch the flame, cause I'm a curious cat. Creeping where I don't belong, finding out what I knew all along".

4) Because of You (Breakaway): I love this song because I can relate to it so well. Kelly's vocals in this ballad are so touching and that high note at the end of "same damn thing" is something today's stars can only hope to acheive.

3) Haunted (My December): This was a beautiful and touching song that talks about loss. It goes from a soft, almost pop sound in the verses to a hard rock influenced sound and vocal in the chorus that fits the story well.

2) Sober (My December): Another ballad that is beautiful and touching. The vocals are, for the most part, pretty restrained proving that less is, in fact, more. She also demonstrates her great upper register in the chorus.

1) Chivas (My December hidden track): It's sorta funny that my favorite Kelly song is one that is hidden and many might not have heard unless they happened to forget to hit "stop" once Irvine finished. I love this one so much because it's just fun and funny. I love how the song quality is distorted to make it sound like you're listening to a record.

So there you have it: my favorite Kelly Clarkson songs. Do you agree? Think I need major help for leaving a certain song off the list? let me know! I wanna hear what you think. Til next time, "let the music play".

by wildangels

is apprently the new CD by Mariah Carey. According to Billboard, it's due for an April  1st release and I can't wait. Ok, the title is iffy and the cover I saw (if it's real) is really trashy IMO, but hey: the girl can sing her ass off and I love that.

Mariah has been a favorite of mine ever since she came out with "Vision of Love" in the 90s, and it's been nice to see her (someone with true vocal talent) making it as far as she has. Mimi was a breakthrough after her infamous breakdown period and from the buzz I've seen, this disc should be yet another hit to add to the comeback.

by wildangels
I guess by now you have all heard about the Writer's Srike that has essentially shut down TV production. Awards shows have been hit hard as well and guess what? The Grammys may be next. Now, I personally do not care much for awards shows. I barely know who anyone is and most of what I do know, I don't like all that much. Still, what gives? I don't get why the writers have so much power. They refuse to write an awards show and suddenly it's cancelled? Some fans may actually be looking forward to the performances... ya know, the same people that pay all their salaries through advertising dollars, merchandising, etc? Ok, they don't want to write the monoluges for the show. Fine. Who really watches these things for the banter anyway?  Go on with the show. Sing, dance and be merry. Just cut out the "witty" banter sections. The show will be better for it.

by wildangels

is the first single by HipHop/R&B singer Ieshia. I recently met her through MySpace and got the chance to interview her. Starting Monday, I'll be posting the interview in parts each day (it's a long one, but a good read). For now, I thought I would let y'all check out the video she posted on youtube of her singing "Still Standing." If you want to check out other songs, visit her MySpace page.

by wildangels

A little paraphrase of a song title by one of my favorite oldies groups, The Beatles, in light of this story. Apparently, a Miami man has tapes of an early Beatles performance here and is ready to try and release them. Good luck with that once Apple is on the case. I know I have a family member who is probably gonna be hoping these see the light of day once he finds out. Personally? Eh. I prefer some of their older material, like most of what was included on the Ones CD.

I got into the Beatles and all the oldies groups back when I was a kid. My mom and uncle were always playing the oldies stations and I just sort of picked up on all that in addition to all the 80's teenybopper stuff I was listening to. To me, the music of the 50s and 60s just has this unique and distictive style/sound quality I can't help but love. Also? The majority of them sang really well, too. There really never will be music quite like that again... at least not any that's a mainsteam success ("Rehab" excluded, of course).

by wildangels

According to Yahoo!News, Christina Aguilera had her baby yesterday. Christina is one of my favorite vocalists and I'm glad to see she's doing well. Makes you wonder what the theme of her next release will be, though... lol. Speaking of releases, check back soon for a discussion of her CDs.

I recently started writing a series of articles called "Obscure CD Reviews" on Associated Content, which I plan to add more to soon. Check it out and let me know what you think of these releases (if you heard them).  I actually got both CDs as promo copies while on my College paper along with some promo materials. Do you have any favorite CDs that may not be well known? If so, let me know about it. I'd love to hear what everyone else is listening to.

Well, I guess I'm out of here for now. Take care and I'll see y'all next time! And don't forget: "let the music play".

by wildangels

According to an article on Billboard, Katherine McPhee is no longer with her record company. Also mentioned in the article is the fact several others have recently left/been dropped as well. It's interesting that a show mainly known for trying to create pop stars has only found success in Nashville. With the exception of Kelly Clarkson, the only Idol contestants/winners to find actual success are Country stars Carrie Underwood, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler and others.

Meanwhile, Nashville Star (a show actually created to find Country Stars) is having trouble making anyone a success. Miranda Lambert's the biggest name off the show at this point, and she didn't even win it. "Isn't it ironic?"

Good luck to anyone competing to be a new pop star this season. You're most likely in for a bumpy (and short) ride to the top.

by wildangels

According to this yahoo! news story and many other outlets, Britney Spears is currently being held at a hospital after a stand off last night with police. If this doesn't lose her custody of the kids, I really don't know what will. This girl needs to lose custody and have people finally make her face up to what's been going on for a long time now. Too many people have been enabling her for too long and it's become a dangerous situation. Time for someone to think about the kids instead of coddling a fomer pop star.  

by wildangels

We all know that Kelly Clarkson's My December was not a favorite of her label. As a result, it got very little promotion and is all but off the music charts. Still, the release has, amazingly enough, managed to go Platinum. Well, she appears to be back at it. According to this music forum a producer named Ryan Tedder has her listed under his current projects on his official MySpace page.

I'm torn by this news. I love the idea of new Kelly music maybe coming out this year, but I loved My December and would have loved to see it get a boost from her tour and maybe a new single. Oh well. Here's hoping Kelly loves the music being made and it's a success.

by wildangels
Just when I was getting encouraged by the news that one of the music groups out there had agreed to allow MP3s on Amazon and the fact the Industry is making special CD download pages, along comes this. To summarize (in case the link dies before you see it) this is basically saying that the RIAA is actually going after people copy songs onto the computer from legally purchased CDs for their own use. I really cannot understand this one. Are they trying to drive fans away from the music? Sure looks like it to me. I really hope they lighten up and start working with fans a little more. Here's hoping.

by wildangels

Now that we have entered a new year, there are the usual countdowns talking about how to look out for in the coming year. Here is one from yahoo! news. The only one I have heard of is Lady Antebellum and I must say, they are pretty good. I mentioned them a couple of times on my Country blog. One of the more interesting ones on the list is Tinatin. According to the blurb, she's multi-lingual and  was already into a variety of artistic endeavers when she was only 6.

On the flip side, this story discusses TV shows mainly, although a couple of them have a musical focus. In particular, I think the first one on the list looks good and am interested to check it out. I love how things have evolved to a point where there are so many ways to make a real name for yourself independent of signing with a major label. I think a shake-up like this is exactly what the industry needs.

Finally, I wanted to share this one I saw on yahoo!news as well. It's about digital albums and the changes that are going to be happening with them. I love the fact they are planning to include so many interesting features with digital albums and this would actually make me interested in buying one. One of the main reasons I haven't really gotten too into buying digitally is because I like having the lyrics, liner notes and all that.

Well, that's all for now. See ya next time. Til then, take care and "let the music play!"

by wildangels

I mentioned in a post before that I just got a CD by a singer named Mia. If you remember, I mentioned she had recorded back in the late 80s/90s under her given name Ana. I had no idea she was still in the music business at all until I stumbled across the information. Well, being a major fan of her voice back then, I couldn't help but buy this newer release.

It has a release date of 2003 on it and from what I can tell, it's the only CD she has released since her early recordings. She's not even mentioned on the Univision webiste. There's not even an offical site I can find anywhere, so it appears she disappeared again. Still- this is a worthy release and I wanted to share some of my favorites from it as well as mention some of the better tracks of the english recording I have.

Tentacion (Temptation): This is the title track on the disc and is definitely my favorite one. I can't find the lyrics anywhere, so not quite sure what it's saying but it's a fun track. There's lots of horns in it and Mia (or Ana) sings the hell out of it. The voice is still in top form.

Ahora Te Dejo Yo (This Time, I Leave You): This ballad showcases the versatility in her voice. She goes from a deep, strong vocal in the previous track to a higher, more understated vocal here. From what I can tell (the song was recorded by someone else), the lyrics talk about walking away from a bad relationship.

Tonto Orgulla (Foolish Pride): This track has a bit more of a pop/dance sound and she again manages to tone down the power a little and go for a slighly higher tone. Very strong track.

Villa Miseria (Misery Villa): This is a more pop/rock influenced track that has become one of my favorites. It's extremely catchy and I think this easily could have been a big hit for her.

Let's take a look back now, huh? Back in 1990, Body Language was released. This was when teen pop was still riding high with Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and NKOTB scoring hits. Then known by her  given name, Ana, the 16-year-old worked with Maurice Starr on this project as well as some of her peers. Starr was the guy behind the group NKOTB, so it's no surprise that one of the tracks is a duet with NKOTB leader Jordan Knight. It's call "Angel of Love", but it's not my favorite track. Not even close. Ana sound wonderful, but Jordan... well, let's just say he sounded a lot better next to the questionable vocals of the rest of his group. One of the best tracks on the CD is "What Could I Do to You?" Get your minds out of the gutter, please! In this one, she's trying to figur eout how to make a guy see how the way he is acting is affecting her. A cute track 80s teen pop fans will love is "Everytime We Say Goodbye" and "Friendly". Both songs were written by the then reigning teen queen, Debbie Gibson. The former is an uptempo, flirty love song. The latter is a ballad about having to be seperated from someone you care about

Overall, both discs demonstrate she is a very strong and verstile vocalist who deserves far more recognition that she has gotten so far. On that note, stay tuned. Next time, I'll talk about some CDs I think should have done much better than they did. Til then, "let the music play!"

by wildangels

Hello there! Well, it's 2008 already. I can't believe it. It's like '07 just flew right by. Sadly, I wasn't as up on the latest stuff last year. I found most of it boring and only got into a few things later on in the year. It's been tough to actually want to keep up with what is current for me, cause I find a lot of it to be more of the same and with little vocal talent to make it better. I'm hoping things start improving this year and I have the motivation to keep up with things.

Right now, I'm exploring and discovering different stuff by checking CDs out of the library. I tend to be a bit cheap, so it's a good way to expiriment with new artists without getting mad later because I spent about 15 bucks on something I can't stand. So far, I haven't been too disappointed. I hope to fill y'all in during the coming year on some of the things I've listened to so maybe you'll discover something new too. If anyone out there would like to offer suggestions for people I must check out, please feel free. I'm always up for something new :) I'm music-obsessed in case you didn't guess already.

Stay tuned later on for more and I hope 2008 is a good one to all of you. Thanks for reading!