It took me a solid fifteen seconds to realize the drastic error of combining Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj on the American Idol judging panel. The producers got greedy and thought that adding two power-house players instead of one would get even more viewers. The only problem? These dueling divas cancel each other out. The other problem? Nicki Minaj isn’t deserving of the slot. First, she’s more concerned with her own camera time than the contestants, and second, the true star is Mariah Carey, and Minaj is dimming her light. In fact, I’d venture to guess that she’s intentionally dimming her light out of her own insecurity. Mariah Carey is too good for this, and Nicki Minaj isn’t good enough. I feel sorry for her that she signed on prior to knowing that Minaj was hired, and I’m relatively certain her contractual obligation is the only reason she stayed.
Category: Music
Lance Armstrong to Admit Doping? — DON’T DO IT
I know women who have been cheated on, and despite the plethora of clues against their significant other, they always believe the lie. Why? Because no matter how damning the evidence, denial will always produce doubt. And before you dismiss my tangent as irrelevant, I’m about to explain. Rumors are circulating that Lance Armstrong will admit to Oprah that he doped. Though I can’t wait to see it, the rational side of my brain thinks it’s a bad idea. Let the man vanish into eternity with a tarnished record, and let the public’s seed of doubt remain. Without it, he’s a liar. And not just any liar. He’s the worst kind there is — the adamant, witch-hunt-screaming liar. I feel duped, disappointed, and outraged. I believed him. Had he just sat quietly while the accusations mounted instead of fighting so hard, perhaps the upcoming revelation would be easier to process. But the man actually sued people. So Lance, if you’re listening, don’t confess. Doubt is the most powerful weapon you can use to continue this charade.
Britney Spears Leaves X Factor to Pursue Music? — I Smell a Rat
Despite TMZ’s adamant insistence that Britney Spears decided to leave X Factor to pursue her music, I don’t buy it. I think she wasn’t asked back, and all associated teams have protected her integrity by saying otherwise. In short, she didn’t bring the expected ratings surge, and the cost of her contract exceeded her worth. While I liked her on the show, it would be nice to find someone who could actually deliver words of wisdom apart from “amazing” and “beautiful.” And before I get emails from insane Britney defenders, just know that I am a bigger fan than anyone else. This just wasn’t her forum.
David Wax Museum Interview — ‘Knock Knock Get Up’
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I requested an interview with David Wax Museum immediately after watching their video for “Harder Before It Gets Easier.” The memorable masterpiece is the first single off their latest record, entitled, ‘Knock Knock Get Up.’ Their unique sound is relatively difficult to describe, but David Wax coined the catchy term, “Mexo-Americana” and it has since stuck. The band’s core members include Wax and Suz Slezak, who are currently touring the new record. I’m told by my friend who saw their show in Santa Monica that it’s one of the “best live performances [he’s] ever seen.” The very kind Suz Slezak took the time to graciously answer all of my nosey questions. Read below.
Can you take me through the making of your video for “Harder Before It Gets Easier”? It looked intense.
We wanted something bright and fun. [Our producer and his partner] asked us if we were okay with face paint, but we had no idea that we’d be completely covered for three days. We were game, though. The funniest part was walking outside and interacting with people on the street.
I know you’ve worked with the same producer for two records. Can you tell me a little about his influence?
He talks about wanting The David Wax Museum to sound more like The David Wax Museum. For the past two records he’s made our sound unique. He’s had a hand in bringing our stage energy to our records.
The donkey jawbone has become a staple in your live acts, and I know David initially suggested that you learn to play the instrument for percussion. Did he have any idea it would become such an integral part of your brand?
I don’t think so. When we started the band, I was just playing fiddle. But it didn’t work on the songs with a more Mexican sound. We looked into some Mexican instruments, and the jawbone was a pretty inexpensive purchase that we knew would add something we were missing.
You are really great about connecting with your fans. Is there any part of you that would like to hand over the business side so you could focus solely on music?
No way. What I love about being in a band is that it involves running a business. Thinking about artwork, videos, and all the other pieces that come along with this are what keeps me going.
I read that your parents were very encouraging of your musical pursuit. Had you not had that encouragement, do you think you would have found your way down the same path?
It’s different for everyone. For me, music was a basic part of our life. We had to practice our instruments every day before breakfast. It was a regimented part of our day.
There’s a song on this record called, “Wondrous Love.” Is that about someone in particular?
David doesn’t talk about what his songs are about. There’s a sense that a lot of art comes from a deeper, bigger place, rather than being about a certain person.
Do you test out your new material during your live performances? Are you ever surprised with the audience’s reaction?
It’s album by album. For ‘Knock Knock Get Up,’ we actually didn’t play a lot of the songs live. We wanted the record to be exciting and new for our fans. But audiences don’t realize how much they are a part of the music. What they give back with their energy is a huge part of what we give out.
You guys have been at this for a long time. Today’s music is so much about a slow growth. Did you ever get impatient about your success?
That’s a great question. No one has been honest enough to ask that. We’ve definitely had ups and downs. We see this as a long-term career choice. David and I aren’t teenagers. We made this choice after doing other things in our life, and we take it very seriously. When you’re a musician, you’re putting your heart and soul in front of people every night. It’s really important not to give up.
Watch below to see their video for “Harder Before It Gets Easier,” and click HERE to catch the band on tour.
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LeAnn Rimes Stumbles Through X Factor Performance
You know you’ve got it rough when Britney Spears gives you a look of concern. LeAnn Rimes joined Carly Rose Sonenclar on the X Factor stage for what can only be described as a disastrous performance. She was behind the music, stumbled during her entrance, and could barely stand up straight while looking at Carly. I have to give Carly major props for holding it together, though. She’s a consummate professional. And as for LeAnn — good job sinking this young girl’s big moment. Don’t accept an offer that you aren’t in a position to accept, and get some help.
Sawmill Joe Releases “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” — Thanks, Joe!
A few months ago I had the pleasure to see The Lumineers in concert, and they covered a song called, “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” by Sawmill Joe. I immediately reached out to Joe asking for more information, and quickly discovered he’s hilarious. He got his name because he works at a Sawmill where he “chopped [his] damn finger off on a log splitter.” When I asked for permission to disclose that aforementioned personal detail, Joe responded with, “Yeah, it’s cool cred! My bass player chopped his finger off at the same sawmill.” Here’s hoping I meet this guy one day. He sure has a sense of humor. And the boy can sing. Listen to him perform “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” below.
Vintage Quote of the Day — Fred Durst Bashes Christina Aguilera
“MTV didn’t have a slot for her. Britney Spears was playing. They told Christina, ‘If you do a song with Fred Durst, we’ll let you play.’ So she calls me and goes, ‘Fred, MTV won’t let me play the Video Music Awards. Will you do a song with me? Will you rap in the middle of my song?’ I was like, ‘Hell no. I’ve got an idea though. How about you do your song and I’ll come up afterward and do my own thing, a little piece off my new record. I ain’t f***ing doing no skit with you. I’ll come up, size you up and get the hell out. I’ll do it as a favor for you because you’re so worried that Britney is going to perform and you’re not’ . . . . I did it as a serious f***ing favor because she is so competitive with Britney . . . . I didn’t get a thank-you call or anything. She cried the day of the awards. She didn’t even show up for the f***ing rehearsal. I’m sitting in the hotel room with my managers the day of the rehearsals and she ain’t coming. She’s fixing her hair. So I storm into her room, going, “What the F*** are you doing?” She goes, ‘Calm down.’ I go, ‘No, F*** you I ain’t f***ing doing this damn song.’ So she starts crying hysterically, freaking out. I go, ‘OK, I’ll f***ing do it.’ I did her a f***ing favor, and all I got was a bunch of sh** from my fans were like, ‘What the F*** did you do that for?’ Afterward she was on MTV going ‘The worst thing that happened to me in 2000 was Fred Durst called me so many times I had to stop answering my phone.’ That’s bullsh*t, man. F***ing bullsh*t.” Fred Durst tells Playboy Magazine about his experience performing with Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards at the height of the Britney Spears/Chrstina aguilera rivalry.
Mackenzie Bourg Off The Voice — What’s Next For the Pop Tart?
The only contestant on The Voice with any chance of a post-show career was Mackenzie Bourg — and since he’s done — so is the show. After three seasons with no stand-out stars, your show becomes glorified Karaoke contest. Where are the Kelly Clarksons, Jennifer Hudsons, and Carrie Underwoods? Watch Mackenzie below.
Beatrice Miller v. Britney Spears — “You Picked A Boring Song”
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Beatrice. You’re thirteen and you’ll learn quickly. When asked about her X Factor performance of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Beatrice said, “My song was really boring, and I’ve been telling Britney that from day one. She just said, ‘Get through it and try to connect with the song’. I don’t think it really mattered to her that I didn’t like it.” Perhaps Beatrice’s attitude explains her poor performance. Also — don’t insult the Princess of Pop — The Dishmaster won’t tolerate it.
I’m probably going straight to hell for picking on this kid though — especially since she’s putting food on her family’s table.
Jennel Garcia Gets Exed Out of X Factor — Simon Cowell’s Fault?
It’s not lost on me that the week Demi Lovato changed Jennel Garcia’s look back to Simon Cowell’s preferred style, she went home. Perhaps Demi was right all along. That being said, she wasn’t a star and certainly had a shelf-life either way. I’m also unsure of Cowell’s motivation for deferring to Demi to make the first vote-off, but Mario Lopez solidified his robotic status with how he handled it, simply saying, “You’re the boss.” He couldn’t do better than that? Watch below.