Interviews
Linkin Park Mike Shinoda Talks Evolution of Linkin Park & Emerging Artists Contest
February/18/2013 09:27 AM
Rock Star Music News
February 18, 2013
@LOARS_Music
GRAMMY® Center Stage ★ LINKIN PARK ★ Press Conference ★ MIKE SHINODA
Mike Shinoda was "shocked" and "terrified" when he was discovered. Linkin Park, Mike Shinoda, talks about the creation of Linkin Park--endless weekends of recording in his room--AND working with Amplify, Hyundai and The Recording Academy in support of the GRAMMY® Center Stage's new project.
Mike Shinoda was at the Social Media Rockstars Summit to help launch Center Stage, the next chapter of the Amplifier talent discovery and social media platform. New bands, artists and singer songwriters can upload their song for a chance to win either a studio session with a GRAMMY® producer, a music video by a noted director or tour support with an opening act slot on a major tour or music festival. Read More...
Mariah Carey's "Almost Home" Is Lindsey Ray's Great And Powerful Birthday Wish
February/09/2013 04:36 PM
Disney Soundtrack ★ LINDSEY RAY ★ "Almost Home" ★ MARIAH CAREY ★ Pop Music
Featured artist Lindsey Ray
Interview via Telephone
February 6, 2013
One of the co-writers on Oz The Great And Powerful's soundtrack song “Almost Home” is Lindsey Ray, the same sweet young Lindsey Ray we recently caught singing along side Graham Colton at The Hotel Café promoting their Sooner the Sunset EP [read the review here] just a few months ago. Read More...
Lexie Roth Talks Sandy Devastation & Sings Twenty Something Struggles
January/21/2013 10:56 AM
Interview and Music Review
Rock Star Music News
January 21, 2013
@LOARS_Music
New Music ★ LEXIE ROTH ★ Interview ★ CHARITY ★ Indie
Lexie Roth is looking for an answer singing, "Should I stay or go, should I stay or go?" But this beautiful artist with an empathetic heart and a bluesy voice is right where she belongs.
With the perfect soothing sound to get you through an introspective day, the first released video for "Stay or Go" off of Lexie Roth's self-titled album is a prelude into Lexie's world split between Martha's Vineyard and Brooklyn. Her music explores the depths of sadness, uncertainty and the joy of escaping which are all themes prevalent in her confounding twenty something world. She sings, "Love is like a TV offer, it's good at first but the fees are endless…" With witty lines and subdued delivery, Lexie Roth is an indie singer of the Gotye kind. She has a simplistic message that packs a punch. Watch their videos and see for yourself... Read More...
Darryl Lenox Blind Comedian Has Inspired Ambitions
January/04/2013 10:41 PM
Comedy Album Review
Rock Star Music News
January 4, 2013
@LOARS_Music
Interview ★ DARRYL LENOX ★ ALBUM REVIEW ★ Music & Comedy ★ BLIND AMBITION
Download Darryl Lenox “Blind Ambition” on iTunes
Meet Darryl Lenox, the near-blind comedian who will make you laugh out loud with astute observations such as life would be a whole lot easier if it came with this warning: This is just gonna hurt, and I'm sorry. Lenox says, "If the preacher would just say this right before he announces you man and wife it would be a whole lot easier..." Read More...
Imagine Dragons Talk Big Drums
December/16/2012 11:35 AM
Imagine Dragons Talk Big Drums
Rock Star Music News
Interview
December 16, 2012
@LOARS_Music
Tour ★ IMAGINE DRAGONS ★ Alternative ★ Night Visions ★ Music News ★ Video
Our favorite band out of Las Vegas is making news for their big drum and it's easy to see why. Imagine Dragons has gone platinum with their single "It's Time" off their full length debut album "Night Visions," which they'll be touring in support of in Spring of 2013. This will be the band's first-ever headlining North American tour and includes stops at NYC's Roseland Ballroom and L.A's Wiltern. Read More...
Ariana Grande On Behalf of Sharpie® Sends One Charitable Teen Fan To One Direction Concert
November/29/2012 08:54 AM
Ariana Grande On Behalf of Sharpie® Sends One Charitable Teen Fan To One Direction Concert
Rock Star Music News
Interview
Inspirational Story
November 27, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
One Direction ★ Sharpie® ★ Ariana Grande ★ Katelyn Darrow-Eystad ★ Interview ★ Charity
She may not be singing up on stage, but in our books Katelyn Darrow-Eystad's charitable spirit makes her a rock star. After surviving and escaping domestic abuse Katelyn's family suffered the loss of clothing and necessities in a house fire. Understanding what it felt like to be in dire need of help, this young girl decided to make it her mission in life to help others. After four years of hard work, Katelyn Darrow-Eystad has succeeded. Read More...
Scissor Sister's Live Interview Talk About "Let's Have A Kiki" On Glee
November/19/2012 06:37 PM
Crackle "From The Basement"
Rock Star Celebrity Music News
Jake Shears & Ana Matronic
November 19, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
Live Video ★ Pop Music ★ News ★ Entertainment ★ Interview
November 18, 2012--Los Angeles, Ca-- Scissor Sisters performed live in the Charlie Chaplin Stage on the Jim Henson Studio lot for the filming of Crackle's popular online digital free show "From The Basement" produced by Nigel Godrich. After their performance, Jake Shears and Ana Matronic sat down with Life of a Rock Star™ editor Nicole Hanratty and talked about "Let's Have A Kiki" airing on the Thanksgiving episode of Glee. Watch the video clip and Read More...
Pentatonix Keeps The Art Of A Cappella Hip And Alive: Interview With Kevin "K.O." Olusola and PTXmas Album Review
November/13/2012 11:32 AM
Pentatonix Keeps The Art Of A Cappella Hip And Alive: Interview With Kevin "K.O." Olusola and PTXmas Album Review
Interview
Rock Star Album Review
Holiday Gifts
November 13, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
Rock Star Photos ★ Kevin "K.O." Olusola ★ PTXmas ★ Tour ★ Pop
If you're a fan of NBC's The Sing-Off then you will recognize this five member a cappella band from Arlington, Texas is from Season 3. Pentatonix--Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado and Kevin Olusola--wowed with their extraordinary talent and won the competition. Pentatonix has yet to sit still for a moment since. Currently on a sold-out nationwide tour that keeps the singing sensation busy nearly every single night--with more 2013 North American concert tour dates announced--the a cappella band has created their first-ever Christmas EP, "PTXmas" which was released today. Editor, Nicole Hanratty spoke to Kevin Olusola via phone on Friday, November 9th and his voice filled the line with a tangible energy and excitement as he spoke with a genuine appreciation for his art. Read More...
The Como Brothers Band: The Interview "Underneath It All"
November/08/2012 06:31 PM
#FeatureFriday
Rock Star Interview
November 9, 2012
By Nicole Hanratty, Editor
The Como Brothers Band ★ New Artist ★ Interview ★ Pop ★ Rock
Download The Como Brothers Band EP "The Speed of Sound" on iTunes
Life of a Rock Star™ is excited to bring you this week's Feature Friday new artist interview with two brothers who are bringing their unique sound out to play. We love the fun pop rock sound of The Como Brothers Band and their toe tapping jazz infused songs. We think you will too…
Read More...
Anna Haas Interview and New Album "Crazy Is"
October/25/2012 07:58 PM
Anna Haas Interview
#FeatureFriday
Rock Star Music News
October 26, 2012
By Editor, Nicole Hanratty
Anna Haas ★ New Artist ★ Interview ★ Video ★ New Music
Just one glimpse of her "Maypole" music video and you will be hooked on Anna Haas. Match her theatrical style with her magical voice and you will crave this music especially on the ever-imposing fall dark cold nights. Her messages are simple and honest, yet here style is complex. Anna Haas may very well be the juxtaposition that she so loves to create. Read More...
Katy Cappella Artist Interview: Pop Star Katy Cappella Returns Home Taking The Stage By Storm In Concert With Good Fortune Behind Her
October/20/2012 05:54 PM
Artist Interview: Pop Star Katy Cappella Returns Home Taking The Stage By Storm In Concert With Good Fortune Behind Her
Katy Cappella Interview
Rock Star Music News
By Nicole Hanratty
October 20, 2012
Interviews ★ Concerts ★ News ★ Artists ★ Music
If they didn’t see her coming, they should have. Katy Cappella, formerly a Chesapeake employee, helped the Fortune Magazine Top 100 Company win the 2010 Battle Of The Corporate Bands as the lead vocalist of Chesapeake's Shale Play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and herself took home the Steve Eck Memorial Best Vocalist Award. She returned home to Oklahoma this weekend to headline her former employer's annual concert--headlined last year by Cheryl Crow.
Having recently released her first album, “Turn The World Around,” Katy Cappella is taking the pop music world by storm with her soulful voice. The YouTube music videos of Katy’s live performances are turning heads and gaining her new fans everyday. Read More...
The Truth Is...Singer Songwriter Jessarae Is A Rock Star With Raw Energy
October/11/2012 08:28 PM
The Truth Is Singer Songwriter Jessarae Is A Rock Star With Raw Energy
Interview and Album Review by Nicole Hanratty
Rock Star Music News
October 12, 2012
via Telephone October 2, 2012
Jessarae's charitable spirit at a young age is perhaps the most admirable thing about him, but his talent is the most striking. One song after the next on his album "Pilot" takes you on a journey through questions that revolve around identity, love, and challenges we all face regardless of age. He blends rock music with vocals and lyrics that play with a distinctive blues infused sound.
The songs on Jessarae’s “Pilot” album scream hot new artist on the rise. It's no surprise he has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Seal, Plain White T's, Five for Fighting, John Legend and The Roots, Gavin Rossdale, Sugar Ray and Matisyahu. "Seen It All Before" is a strong representation of all he embodies and after spending some time chatting with him, there is no question success is his to grasp. Read More...
Blind Benny is Something Worth Following
October/06/2012 03:09 PM
Interview
Rock Star Music News
Rock Star Album Review
“No Honor” EP Released September 4, 2012
by Nicole Hanratty
Via Telephone September 24, 2012
Jade<3 and Jonathan Carmelli are “all about a vibe and an emotion.” Their band, Blind Benny is doing something different and that something is worth following.
Jade<3, songwriter and vocalist was born and raised in New York. She sang in her father’s church and attended La Guardia School of Performing Arts. When this Puerto Rican songstress met up with Jonathan Carmelli, guitarist & producer, they formed a band called Blind Benny. Their music is shaking up the genre of world rock crisscrossing through the pop rock and soul.
Blind Benny’s first EP titled “No Honor,” reflects Jade<3’s obsession with “human behavior.” Each song is soulful and with purpose, an inside look at how love and life collide. Read More...
Kelly Sweet's Voice is an Amazing Grace: Singer Songwriter Interview & New Music
October/03/2012 11:47 AM
Rock Star Music News
Interview
October 2, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
Sometimes you hear a song that draws you in so deeply, you feel a connection to an artist whom you have never met. Such was the case when editor, Nicole Hanratty heard Kelly Sweet's rendition of the love song "Dream On" this past May. [Download Kelly Sweet "Dream On" on iTunes music] It's haunting, enveloping and provocative all at the same time. Kelly Sweet's voice is so captivating you could listen to her songs on repeat and get lost in time.
As Life of a Rock Star™ began to look for more information about Kelly's music, we saw this: Read More...
Micah Bentley: New Music Singer Songwriter Interview: "Micah Bentley on the Journey"
September/28/2012 09:23 AM
“Micah Bentley on the Journey”
Interview by Nicole Hanratty
September 28, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
This Feature Friday Life of a Rock Star™ brings you new music from Bentley and an interview with lead singer songwriter Micah Bentley. His voice and music caught our attention and after interviewing him, we can’t help but believe he is headed for great things… See for yourself. Read More...
Passenger Interview "All The Little Lights" and Concert Tour with Ed Sheeran
September/24/2012 08:50 AM
#MusicMondayInterview with Singer / Songwriter Mike Rosenberg of Passenger on his new album "All The Little Lights" and his Concert Tour with Ed Sheeran
by Nicole Hanratty
Passenger opens for the Ed Sheeran concert on tour throughout the U.S., and while Mike Rosenberg--the singer songwriter of Passenger music--is by no means new to the music scene, his sound is now being heard and discovered by the masses, and they are loving what they hear. Currently #20 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter chart, “Let Her Go” is set to be Passenger’s breakout hit. (See “Let Her Go” on LOARS Love Songs playlist.)
[“Let Her Go” song lyrics: “Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low, only hate the road when you’re missing home. Only know you love her when you let her go… And you let her go.”]
Passenger’s rock music has a folk twist and without question is a sound we love that is somewhat akin to Mumford & Sons. Life of a Rock Star™ was excited to spend some time chatting with Mike and learning more about the newest sensation from the U.K. Read More...
Lemuria's Album "Pebble" is a Pleaser
September/20/2012 09:05 PM
#FeatureFriday
September 21, 2012
Interview by Nicole Hanratty
ON TOUR: Lemuria is playing STEREO
Saturday, October 27, 2012 on The Fest tour
Life of a Rock Star™ has been bubbling over with excitement to bring you Lemuria. Cold Summer turned us on to this Indie / Post-Punk / Pop talented band. After downloading Lemuria’s “Pebble” album on iTunes we were so hooked we grabbed one on vinyl as well. W-O-W. That’s when we knew we had to interview the talent behind the sound. We sent over some questions via email for the band members to answer, and we have to admit, a couple of their answers made us laugh. (Hot Freaks.) Read More...
Jordan Riley On a Mission
September/13/2012 09:21 PM
Jordan Riley On a Mission
Interview by Nicole Hanratty
@LifeofaRockStar
August 30, 2012
Jordan Riley is set to release his inspirational song “Do You See What I See,” in a few weeks. The song highlights what the world needs today…a generation that is willing to reach out beyond borders to help one another, make a global difference in ending world hunger and help those in need to heal. We recently had the opportunity to interview Jordan. Read More...
BAKER: Electro Pop Music's Newest Voice
September/07/2012 12:56 PM
#FEATUREFRIDAY
BAKER Interview
August 10, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
Feature Friday’s are a highlight of the week for Life of a Rock Star™ because supporting new music and young talent is a great pleasure. This week, in particular, we are over the top excited to introduce our readers to BAKER, an up and coming force in the dance music scene.
BAKER is bringing a fresh face to the electro pop dance music world. He has a great sound, hot look and brings his own style reminiscent of George Michael and the 80s to the stage. Read More...
Sun City on a Roller Coaster Ride
September/06/2012 05:43 AM
Interview by Nicole Hanratty
September 2, 2012
The two talented and very cute guys behind the Australian indie pop songs caught my ear when it came time to compile the Life of a Rock Star™ Back To School playlist. “Set Alight” (on the Sun City EP also titled “Set Alight” ) is the perfect blend of upbeat and forward motion dance music balanced with lyrics that are thought provoking and relatable. The song was an automatic add to the playlist and the EP has become a favorite.
This week I got the chance to interview Daniel and Tobias (Dan and Tobes). What unfolded made me smile and I think will make you smile too! These two guys have it all together. With their talent and great personalities they are headed towards enormous success. Read More...
Cold Summer: The A-Team Interview
August/30/2012 09:26 PM
Pictured L to R: Dan Feast (vocals), Chris Harrison (guitar), then Chris Hepworth (bass) and Justin Eastwood (drums)
Cold Summer
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
#FeatureFriday
Interview with the Band
August 15, 2012
By Nicole Hanratty
The Cold Summer "Wake" EP was released on iTunes August 6th, 2012 (which you can also listen to at the Cold Summer website). Play it through and you'll hear what I heard when I first listened. Something special is going with this post hardcore band. The music they are writing compels you to move in rhythm with the beat, their lyrics are full of thoughtful prose and yet this England based band has given a different voice to post hardcore punk. Read More...
Anna Rose: Genre Crossing Her Way to Success
August/24/2012 01:06 PM
Interview by Nicole Hanratty
Rock Star Music News
August 24, 2012
@LOARS_Music
New Music ★ ANNA ROSE ★ Music News ★ BEHOLD A PALE HORSE ★ Indie Rock ★ Interview
Take Paula Cole, Christina Aguilera and Reba McEntire and mix them up in a blender. The power house voice that pours out is Anna Rose. Meet the vivacious woman behind the amazing song, “My Body is a Cage.” Read More...
The Bolts are Starting Something
August/04/2012 07:37 AM
THE BOLTS
August 4, 2012
@LOARS_Music
INTERVIEW ★ Bands to Watch ★ THE BOLTS ★ Heath Farmer
If you haven’t heard of The Bolts yet, you will…Meet The Bolts: These five guys out of Orange County, California are bringing their musical talent and passion to the stage grabbing new fans with every show. Read More...
Atelier Minyon is Rocking the Fine Jewelry
July/13/2012 08:38 AM
ROCK STAR Jewelry
Rock Star Music News
July 13, 2012
@LOARS_Music
by Nicole Hanratty @LifeofaRockStar
FASHION ★ ATELIER MINYON ★ Interview
Life of a Rock Star™ editor, Nicole Hanratty, headed into New York City last month and spent some time interviewing one of the most talented fine jewelry designers in the city: Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon.
I’ve been looking forward to meeting Alp and his assistant Erin ever since they sent me a photo of a Handcrafted 18k white gold mesh diamond bracelet with 4.72 ct diamonds three years ago. Yes, I have been dreaming of the creative minds at Atelier Minyon behind that gorgeous piece ever since.
Read More...
Annie Rise Interview
July/06/2012 07:26 PM
Terry Ilous is bringing something to others
June/14/2012 08:52 PM
Concert Review
Interview
June 14, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar
Terry Ilous ★ Interview ★ Album ★ Music ★ Rock ★ Great White
Sometimes you meet someone and you think, no one can be this real, this down to earth, this honest. And then the interview unfolds and you realize they are that real, that down to earth and that honest. They wear their heart on their sleeve and hold nothing back.
I had barely sat down for a moment with Terry Ilous—new lead singer of Great White—when Terry began espousing his views. "Society is experiencing a rebirth. How will people connect in this isolated world?" Read More...
Wake the Punk Up
June/11/2012 06:17 PM
Laura Warshauer on tour with Bob Schneider
May/02/2012 10:01 PM
Laura Warshauer Interview
by Nicole Hanratty
@LifeofaRockStar
Laura Warshauer is “worth being heard,” and she is narrating her success with her recent album The Pink Chariot Mixtape.
I could talk to Laura Warshauer all day. She’s that kind of person. Warm, friendly, and insightful, Laura exudes confidence. Life of a Rock Star™ was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend some time chatting with her recently.
Read More...
The Glory Game: Interview
April/19/2012 05:47 AM
(Pictured Left to Right The Glory Game band members: Aaron Schwarz, Adam Longworth, Justin Cyr, Zach Klotz)
The Glory Game
Interview with drummer Justin Cyr
by Nicole Hanratty @LifeofaRockStar
Justin Cyr and his band, The Glory Game, “just need that chance.” While their music speaks for itself, (download it here on itunes), this talented rock band is made up of four guys out of the Dayton Ohio area who are working hard to get themselves heard. Read More...
Gary Lightbody is head over heels in love with Fallen Empires
April/10/2012 01:03 PM
Fallen Empire
Gary Lightbody, frontman of Snow Patrol, is “head over heels in love” with Fallen Empires
(Interviewed by Wendy at Radio 104.5)
“We’ve always loved electronic music, you know I’ve dj’d electro...for 15 years you know with tom and the band, so I mean it’s always been part of our lives. ...It’s just recently that it’s become a bigger part of our music, it’s not the whole picture by any means, we haven’t turned into a dance band or anything ridiculous like that...the essence of Snow Patrol remains. Even in the dancier songs it’s still very much a Snow Patrol record but, ...there is more electronic signs pushed to the forefront rather than hiding in the shadows which, they’ve always been sort of banished to the shadows in the past.”
“There’s a couple of real barn stormin’ belters, classic kind of epic Snow Patrol songs. Listen to ‘Everything You Are’ and a song called ‘New York’ which are...as good of songs as we’ve ever written. I personally think. So I don’t think fans of the band are going to be let down by anything. In fact, I think they’re going to be over the moon. If I was a fan of our band I would love this record! I’m in this band and I adore this record! So I’ve never been able to speak about a record with so much confidence before because I am always slightly cagey about coming out as arrogant. But I am head over heels in love with this record and can’t possibly contain myself any longer! So, I’m afraid I am untethered.”
“It took six months from starting recording and that’s forgetting about the songwriting itself which was months before that. We’ve never made an album that took as long as this because we just decided that we would take our time and explore every possible sonic avenue and not be constrained to putting a deadline on it, which we always do. And then you know it’s like that clock ticking thing. You’re always aware that it needs to be done by a certain date and therefore that puts more pressure on you and this time around we took that pressure right off.”
Read More...
John West on his humble hustle
March/11/2012 02:41 PM
Santa Monica, California)
"To the dreamers everywhere..."
Interview with John West
by Nicole Hanratty @LifeofaRockStar
Every once in a while you meet someone whom you know has what it takes to succeed.
I found John West on itunes one random afternoon while in search of some music that could prove to be mind altering. (I was having an existential moment.) Three of his songs "Lovely" with PushaT @PUSHA_T, "Loved You Tonight," --my favorite--and "Right Now" made it to my daily workout playlist and helped my brain switch gears from "can't even focus on breathing" to "run and relax" mode.
Curiosity appropriately peaked, I connected with the artist @JohnWest on Twitter, then began to see something special appear in my timeline. Hashtagging his tweets #HumbleHustle this rising star moves about the country playing accessible venues, reaching out to fans and bringing a real face to the struggle up and coming musicians experience. Read More...