Sometimes it is where you’re from and not where you’re at. Tami Chynn, seated in Akon’s Atlanta studio is a long way from her hometown of Kingston, Jamaica, the place where she experienced her first foray into singing and dancing, initially for family and friends then later for screaming fans.
At first glance it’s clear to see that Tami Chynn is indeed one of a kind – a pop princess who emerged from one of the grittiest, male dominated music scenes – Jamaica’s dancehall. “My influences are very eclectic. If you browsed my iPod you’d get confused, but it all works really,” says Tami. As she prepares to release PRIMADONNA, her major label debut on SRC/Universal Records, Miss Chynn’s main focus is making music that inspires girls everywhere and of all ages. Tami succeeds in doing just that by singing fun, empowering, sexy, and at times sentimental lyrics over the platinum RedOne/Konvict sound. Her songs move you in the emotional and physical sense of the word, as this album is sure to keep you on the dance floor.
Ironically, as she prepares introduce her new material to the world and embark on her debut performance with Akon, she returns to the place where she first found inspiration to be a star. At the age of fourteen, Tami Chynn moved to London where she spent the next three years absorbing the culture and sights while attending school for performing arts. It was during this time Tami realized that her dream of becoming an artist could in fact be her reality, and when she returned to Jamaica she set out to establish her “roots.” Taking lessons from Jamaican artists such as Beenie Man, Sean Paul and Lady Saw, all of whom she’s collaborated with in the past, Tami realized early on the importance of catering to her core audience before spreading abroad. Soon after the release of her first video, “Rock U,” Jamaica was all abuzz with talk of this fresh new female artist who’s hot sound was rivaled by her even hotter look.
“Frozen” audio streams:
Once she had everyone’s attention, Tami Chynn earned her respect as someone to watch, keeping herself current by appearing on the hottest ‘riddims’ with many of the young successful artists out of Jamaica. While her underground hits such as “Touch Me,” “I’d Like to Know,” and “Show Me Now,” were gaining popularity Tami released an independent album led by the single “Hyperventilating” featuring popular reggae group T.O.K.
Although she was knee deep in the Reggae scene there was always something different about Chynn’s approach to music. Her diverse influences have always given her a more worldly sound. Looking to artists such as Beyonce, Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Tami Chynn has always understood the importance of being an artist who’s able to reinvent herself in new genres. “I think Jamaica expected this of me because my music was always dancehall with influences from pop, hip-hop and even rock and roll,” says Tami.
Though she’s not quite sure what to label her music and even suggests “we put the CD in a couple different sections in the store,” Tami Chynn does know how to make hits. She was first introduced to Akon in early 2007 through SRC label CEO, Steve Rifkind. The two later linked up along with Akon’s producing partner RedOne, and the chemistry was evident, as they breezed through the album in “about two weeks.” Banging out songs such as “Frozen” featuring Akon, “We Don’t Mess,” a diva anthem, and the trance-like “Hypnotico” Tami Chynn feels like this album represents a new sound coming from Jamaica that showcases its ever-evolving musical culture. Showing that she can still make popular music you can dance to without losing her message, Tami walks a fine line – always in her favorite pair of stilettos. On tracks such as “Killa Love Song” and “This Must Be Love” Chynn slows it down to demonstrate her vocal range and “channel her inner Sade.” However, don’t expect her to take it slow anytime soon. She’s already back in the studio recording for upcoming collaborations and other songs she may simply release exclusively for fans at home in Jamaica.
She might be “Frozen” over the sliding energetic keys on the destined for dance floor Konvict/RedOne hit, but Tami Chynn is far from being cold. The heat emanating from this soon-to-be pop princess is about to be felt worldwide.
More from Tami:
Tami Chynn official site:
and on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/tamichynn
and YouTube:
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John Mellencamp starts a tour this week in support of the release, by Hear Music, of Life, Death, Love and Freedom. The album, the 22nd of his career and the first to have been produced by T Bone Burnett, is out July 15. The tour starts Tuesday, July 8 at Philadelphia’s Mann Music Center. His concert performances will highlight music from the new album as well as well known material reflective of the breadth of the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s creative output.
“My Sweet Love” Audio Streams:
The album’s release has been preceded by broad acceptance of its first track, “My Sweet Love” that includes back-up vocals by Karen Fairchild of the hit country music vocal group Little Big Town. Upon its debut, it was the number one most added song at both the AAA and Americana radio formats and has entered the Top 20 in both within three weeks. Among the stations programming “My Sweet Love” are WXRT/Chicago, KFOG/SF, KBCO/Denver, WXPN/Philadelphia, WFUV/New York, WZLX/Boston, KINK/Portland, KMTT/Seattle, KLOS/Los Angeles and many others. VH1 is set to debut the video for “My Sweet Love,” shot on location in Savannah, GA and directed by Martyn Atkins, this week Mellencamp will be performing music from the album on Late Night with David Letterman on Thursday, July 17th and on the CBS Early Show in a special remote concert broadcast from Chicago on Monday, July 21st.
Early critical response to the album has been excellent. Reviewing the album for Rolling Stone, Mark Kemp wrote, “Mellencamp teamed up with producer T Bone Burnett to create a whole new sound — a set of textured, atmospheric folk and country blues that adds up to one of the most compelling albums of Mellencamp’s career.” Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, “Everywhere he looks he sees shattered expectations and looming sorrow, both in his own future and in the wider world. And where, in decades past, he would shrug off any odds against him and come up grinning, now he strives for simple perseverance. It’s a brave album in the way it sets aside all his old consolations.”
The album is the very first ever release employing the ΧΟΔΕ (CODE) format, developed by Burnett and his team, offering high resolution audio playable through any DVD player. All copies are packaged with a standard CD at no additional charge. Hear is also releasing the album on vinyl, as well, to address the analog renaissance.
Later this year Mellencamp and his band will be touring Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 16 years.
John Mellencamp Tour Dates
July 8 Mann Music Center - Philadelphia, PA
July 10 Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY
July 11 PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
July 14 Bank of America Pavilion - Boston, MA
July 15 Bank of America Pavilion - Boston, MA
July 18 DTE Energy Music Theatre - Clarkston, MI
July 22 Charter One Pavilion @ Northerly Island - Chicago, IL
July 23 Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH
July 25 Ford Center - Oklahoma City, OK
July 27 Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Denver, CO
July 30 Santa Barbara Bowl- Santa Barbara, CA
July 31 Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Aug 2 Greek Theatre - Berkeley, CA
Man its good to have these guys back! The more I hear this new single, the more I like it. The brand spanking new video fits the song well and it seems Richard Ashcroft has been in suspended animation since the band was last in the spotlight. Lets hope this new album called, Fourth, continues where the Verve left off… Enjoy the new video:
Fusing “confessional” singer songwriter music with the energy and communal spirit of a “rock” band, Mike Feuerstack’s Snailhouse offers some of the Montreal native’s most impressive material. Whittling sound down to a succinct, simple beauty, the band specializes in a sort of everything-folk charm that brings collaborative musicians out of the woodworks — just ask Julie Doiron, members of the Arcade Fire, Maritime, or The Acorn. On his latest offering, Lies on the Prize, released last week on Unfamiliar, Feuerstack tackles a wide array of styles, from wistful pub rock, to subdued sucker-soul, and everything in between. It’s a soaring, assured piece of songcraft. Just listen below.
MP3: (Not) Superstitious
“Snailhouse sounds like a thoughtful post-rock band, turning songs inside-out to get at their heart and guts and finding them every time.” - Exclaim
In a world where the term “sensitive singer/ songwriter” is synonymous with “self- absorbed wanker,” it’s refreshing to see someone who can carry if off with such panache. The Radio Dances is a wonderful example of intelligent, innovative pop songcraft– the kind that’s well- suited for mornings, late nights or drives along a country road.” [8.5] - Pitchfork
Speaking of drives along a country road, Snailhouse is currently in the middle of one, making their way across Quebec and New Brunswick for slated appearances in Fredericton and Sackville later this month — all in celebration of the release of Lies on The Prize. So make your way out to a show and give Feuerstack a deserved fanfare! We certainly will.
07-18 - 07-20 Dawson, Yk - Dawson City Music Festival
07-30 Rothsay, NB - Shadow Lawn
07-31 Fredericton, NB - The Capital
08-01 - 08-03 Sackville NB - Sappy Records Music Festival
Here’s an intimate look at a Snailhouse live performance:
For More Information:
http://www.myspace.com/snailhouse
http://www.snailhousemusic.com
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