Best known for her collaboration with Michelle Branch in the country duo The Wreckers, Warner Nashville is proud to release Jessica Harp’s first solo album A Woman Needs this summer, with her album single “Boy Like Me” already climbing the charts. This week, the pop-country singer secured the iTunes Video of the Week spot for “Boy Like Me,” which fans can download for free from the site.
Check out the brand new video for “Boy Like Me”
Jessica’s Bio:
In June 2004, aspiring country singer Jessica Harp packed everything into her car and left her Kansas City, MO, hometown for Tennessee to finalize a recording contract with Nashville indie-label Dualtone Music Group. Fate intervened when her best friend Michelle Branch called somewhere along the way and asked her to form a country/pop duo, which the girls dubbed The Wreckers. A No. 1 country single, a gold album, a Grammy-Award nomination, and high-profile tours with Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban followed, but Harp could never shake the feeling of wanting to show the world what she could do on her own.
Now she finally has that chance with the upcoming release of her major-label solo debut A Woman Needs — a breezy modern-country collection that finds the honey-voiced Harp telling appealingly relatable stories about her life, loves, and heartbreaks on tracks like the playful “Boy Like Me,” the feisty “A Woman Needs,” and the earthy “Homemade Love.” “Country music is about real people and real things, and that always spoke to me not only as a music fan, but as a singer-songwriter,” Harp says. “I like to tell stories with my songs. This is the album I have dreamed of making since I was eight years old and singing along to my mom’s Judds and Reba McEntire records.”
While The Wreckers were touring with Keith Urban in the summer of 2007, Harp had begun writing songs on her own. She befriended Urban’s bass player, Jerry Flowers, who, in addition to being a musician, is also a singer, producer, and songwriter. Flowers wound up co-writing several tracks on A Woman Needs, including the title track, “Break-Up Song,” and “More To This Than You,” as well as producing the album.
One thing Harp and Flowers knew going in to make A Woman Needs is that they wanted the album to be fun and upbeat. “That was another lesson I learned during my crash course with The Wreckers,” Harp says. “Aside from the singles, Stand Still, Look Pretty is a sad album, and we would play hour-long sets at these big fairs and festivals where people just wanted to dance and have a good time. So I was thinking about touring and playing the songs live when we recorded the album. But I think there’s something for everyone here.”
Jessica on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Harp/23713612032
Official Site Link:
MySpace:
Check out this great new video for “Will The Ladies Send You Flowers” Director, Alexander Turvey, spent months painstakingly perfecting the models (including two 4ft paper skeletons, and a 7ft fabric spider web), filming, and adding animation.
Neva Dinova kicks off their tour in Tulsa, OK, still in support of this year’s You May Already Be Dreaming. They are joined throughout by good friend and Team Love artist McCarthy Trenching. Be sure to catch them if you get a chance. let me know if you’d like to do an interview, show review, etc.
Thu-Sep-25, Tulsa, OK, The Marquee
Fri-Sep-26, Denton, TX, Haileys
Sat-Sep-27, Austin, TX, Emos
Mon-Sep-29, Phoenix, AZ, Rhythm Room
Wed-Oct-01, Los Angeles, CA, Silverlake Lounge
Thu-Oct-02, San Francisco, CA, Hemlock Tavern
Fri-Oct-03, Bend, OR, Silver Moon Brewing
Sat-Oct-04, Portland, OR, Towne Lounge
Sun-Oct-05, Seattle, WA, Tractor Tavern
Wed-Oct-08, Salt Lake City, UT, Kilby Court
Thu-Oct-09, Denver, CO, The Hi Dive
Fri-Oct-10, Omaha, NE, Waiting Room
Sat-Oct-11, Des Moines, IA, Vaudeville Mews
Tue-Oct-21 Birmingham, AL, The Nick
Thu-Oct-23 Pensacola, FL, Sluggos
Fri-Oct-24 Orlando, FL, Will’s Pub
Sat-Oct-25 St. Augustine, FL, Café Eleven
Sun-Oct-26 Atlanta, GA, The Earl
Mon-Oct-27 Wilmington, N,C The Soapbox
Wed-Oct-29 Washington, DC, DC9
Thu-Oct-30 Philadelphia, PA, Barbary
Fri-Oct-31 Brooklyn, NY, Union Hall
Sat-Nov-01 New York, NY, Mercury Lounge
Sun-Nov-02 Hampden, CT, The Space
Mon-Nov-03 Boston, MA, Great Scott
Tue-Nov-04 Buffalo, NY, Mohawk
Wed-Nov-05 Toronto, ONT El Mocambo
Thu-Nov-06 Pontiac, MI, Pike Room
Fri-Nov-07 Cleveland, OH, Beachland Ballroom
Sat-Nov-08 Chicago, IL, Beat Kitchen
Sun-Nov-09 Evanston, IL, The Space
9/25-11/9with McCarthy Trenching
9/27 with Jose Gonzalez
BIO
It’s beyond fitting that Neva Dinova has found a new home at Saddle Creek. You May Already Be Dreaming, the band’s third full-length and first since 2005’s The Hate Yourself Change (Crank/Sidecho) is a lush, largely electric affair rich with the rural textures that pepper releases from the band’s Omaha contemporaries. Having been a staple in the scene since guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jake Bellows and bassist Heath Koontz began collaborating in the early nineties, Neva Dinova (named after Bellows’ grandmother) have continually evolved their melancholic sound, making masterful use of counterbalanced melodies and poetic lyricism. Bellows began composing songs for You May Already Be Dreaming two years ago, but he and the band–including The Good Life drummer Roger Lewis–were fated to overcome a number of obstacles (including a busted eardrum resulting from a barroom tussle and a practice space flood) before tracking the album at a friend’s warehouse. From the spacious guitar washes of “A Man and His Dream” to the sweeping, dusty strength of “Clouds”, this is the band’s most fluid and realized effort to date.
‘Beautiful Dirty Rich’ is in full effect! If you haven’t seen it yet, catch the ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ Preview Video, featuring Lady Gaga’s glam-fabulous song!
Dirty Sexy Money Season 2 Preview Video featuring “Beautiful Dirty Rich”:
Plus, here’s the single everyone’s been waiting for! “Poker Face” has arrived! This club banger is now available on iTunes! Audio streams coming soon!
For the first video off the upcoming Death Magnetic this is an interesting choice. Not exactly what you’d expect, but it’s interesting nonetheless. The video is directed by Thomas Vinterberg, check it out below:
Qui Presents Her DEBUT Music Video: ‘Rev It Up’ featuring David Banner:
ABOUT QUI
Possessing talent is one thing. But equal measures of determination and focus are also required to succeed in today’s competitive music arena. Singer/songwriter/musician Jacqui “Qui” Rice is one of those talented few.
While maintaining a 4.0 average at Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown University,majoring in government and Spanish, with a focus on international relations, the college junior found time to pursue her long-held passion. Slated for a late summer release is Qui’s (pronounced “Kwee”) debut album, LUV ‘N LIFE (JJR Entertainment). The mix of mid-tempo, R&B/pop and ballads calls to mind such influences as Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Ciara. But LUV ‘N LIFE is definitely Qui’s show.
At a time when consumers are looking for more substantial melodies and lyrics, Qui’s music definitely fits the taste of today’s audience.
Born in Greenville, Mississippi and raised in Atherton, CA, Qui isn’t one of those paint-by-numbers artists who typify most contemporary music. Under the guidance of co-writer Francesca “Francii” Richard, and a team of talented production newcomers, Qui’s vocal talent, combined with her ability for writing relatable lyrics, shines against a backdrop of hypnotic grooves with across-the-board appeal.
On LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui chronicles the fun, yet scary rollercoaster ride, everyone experiences when it comes to relationships and love as well as the self-awareness that rises from this emotional journey. The siren intro and rousing beat of the opening track, “On the Line,” is infused with the exhilarating rush that happens when you meet “that someone” for the first time. Thrilled yet cautious, Qui explores her newfound feelings on the mid-tempo groove “Personal” and the poignant “Stay” (“You flipped the scenario/Every fear that I had/had to let it go).
Qui jumps into funky mode on the first single from her debut, the percolating dance joint “Rev It Up”. Her sultry vocals provide the perfect juxtaposition to the track’s featured guest, raspy-voiced, Mississippi-bred rapper David Banner.
Qui taps into her growing self-awareness as a young woman on the inspirational anthem “Girl Child.” Underscoring her subtly powerful vocal is a harmonizing chorus of girl-child voices backing Qui on the compelling hook (It’s hard being a lady when this world is crazy/Still I know it’s a blessing I was born a girl child). Love’s heartbreak is addressed on the moving ballad “It Was U,” while Qui’s awakening “a-ha” moment is expressed via the rock-infused “Solo.”
While recording LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui says her goal was to keep it “funky, fun and positive. You pretty much groove to every song on here.”
Emotion was a key factor as well. “It’s important to make people feel what you’re singing,” adds the artist whose musical influences also encompass pop/rock (John Mayer, Maroon 5), country (Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, rap (Snoop Dogg and David Banner) and gospel (Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin).
“Lyrics really inspire me,” adds Qui. “I was always writing random lyrics and poems in school in my assignment books. Finally getting to see these songs come to life is exciting.”
Listening to her paternal grandmother sing in church during summers spent in Mississippi as well as to her parents’ diverse oldies collection, which included Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Billie Holiday and Elvis, Qui began playing piano at the age of five. Then at the age of 10, she declared her intent to become a singer. That desire was put to the test at age 11 when Qui performed the national anthem before 62,000 football fans at a San Francisco 49ers game.
“Dancing, music and singing always went hand in hand for me,” she says. “I found I love performing in front of crowds. It’s an adrenaline thing.”
Her first formal introduction into the music industry occurred at 15 when Qui joined a teen quartet called Sorella (Italian for sister). Performing up and down the California coast during the summer at showcases and festivals in Florida and Texas, the multi-ethnic pop group signed with JJR Entertainment,an independent label established by Qui’s mother. After four years, the group disbanded.
Qui comes by her competitive drive and fortitude naturally. Her father is legendary NFL Wide Receiver and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who put himself through a different kind of intense pace while a contestant on “Dancing With The Stars. Mother Jacqueline is a former pre-med student who manages the day-to-day operations of JJRE. “My Mom taught me how to multi-task,” says Qui. “She took us to school, ran the household and made sure my brother, sister and I had plenty of extra-curricular activities. She and my Dad taught us to dream.”
Though her career is a family affair, Qui is quick to proclaim she wants to forge her own identity and not trade on her parents’ notoriety. “My lifestyle doesn’t depend on my Dad or Mom’s success,” she adds. “I want to make a first impression based on who I am alone.”
In spring, 2008, Qui became the first African American to be crowned Queen of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, an achievement that Qui is quite proud of. Now in its 81st year, the festival is an annual tradition in Winchester, Virginia, (West of Washington, D.C.) that attracts more than 250,000 people.
A college girl at heart, she loves old movies, cupcakes, pizza and barbecued chicken and shares a house with five other students. Qui admits its difficult balancing her studies and a singing career. However, her “can-do” spirit remains just as strong as her zeal for LUV ‘N LIFE and the promise it holds. “It’s been difficult, but somehow you make it work and it’s worth it,’ she notes. “Music is where my heart is.”
http://www.myspace.com/
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Tokio Hotel have just premiered the video for their powerful rock ballad “Monsoon.” Check out the dramatic helicopter scenes and intense special effects for the latest single off of Scream, the band’s debut album in the US. Tokio Hotel will be returning to the States for a highly anticipated tour next month.
Its good to see that Rossdale is still making music. I loved Bush and it seems his solo stuff seems to be going in a softer direction, but still retains Rossdale’s vocals as a focal point. Check out the video:
If you haven’t check out Justice yet then you should really get on it. If you like Daft Punk you’ll love Justice. In this video for “Stress” they go for a Parisian youth gang, Grand Theft Auto Europe feel, and the results are frighteningly realistic and somewhat shocking… In a good way. Plus they have cool “Justice themed” jackets, check it out:
Featuring this video is partly because I was in a pinch for a music video this week and partly as a mourning for all men who hoped to somehow marry Scarlett as she announced her engagement to Ryan “Van Wilder” Reynolds. The song is from Scarlett’s debut album Anywhere I Lay My Head which is mostly covers of Tom Waits songs. Check out the video and shed a tear that Van Wilder beat you to the punch:
Theres only 1 word needed to describe this video, Awesome. There are some unforgettable dance moves here, watch and be amazed:
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