Photo credit: Jive RecordsUpdate: "Circus" sold 505,073 copies in its first week of release in the U.S.
Here's the video for her new single "Circus":
Here's the video for her new single "Circus":
Monday, December 8, 2008
"Circus" to top Billboard 200!
Photo credit: Jive Records
Comedian Jean Jacques Draws Big Support
He's at it again! He is making people laugh! That's right, it's upcoming comedian Jean Jacques! All About M.E. caught up with the comedian after his latest show at a private function this past Friday in Studio City.
All About M.E.: You're pretty good at this thing.
Jean Jacques: You know, I try. You're only as good as your worst show and tonight wasn't my worst show. So I'm pretty good, I guess.
All About M.E.: Way to be modest.
Jean Jacques: I'm trying.
All About M.E.: Try harder. What do you think is the most difficult thing when it comes to being a comedian?
Jean Jacques: Making people laugh. A lot of times people will assume that because we're in comedy, that we're good at making people laugh. I've had sets where I felt like I was going to die because the room was silent.
All About M.E.: Sounds like a very humbling experience.
Jean Jacques: It is. Scary too. Sad part is nobody is there to rescue you. You just have a terrible set and forget about it.
All About M.E.: Finally, what's next for Jean Jacques?
Jean Jacques: Good question. I'll have to keep you guys guessing (laughs). Seriously, there are movie plans in the works as well as a book I am trying to get published. So just keep your ears to the streets.
All About M.E.: Will do. Thanks a lot and good luck.
Jean Jacques: Likewise. Thank you!
For those interested in Jean Jacque's comedy, please visit Jean Jacque's MySpace for more information and continue to stay connected with All About M.E.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Miley Cyrus May Be Filing a Petition of Emancipation
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
Miley Cyrus, of Hannah Montana fame, is reportedly in discussions with her attorney about filing a Petition of Emancipation form. Sources say she has been repeatedly butting heads with her parents, country singer/father Billy Ray Cyrus and manager/mother Tish, over her relationship with 20-year-old underwear model, Justin Gaston, that started in May 2008.
Star Magazine insiders say Billy Ray is beginning to have doubts about his daughter’s relationship with Gaston.
Miley was left in tears after her dad ordered her to stop seeing Justin during a recent confrontation.
"Billy Ray also thinks Justin is a bit of a mooch and doesn’t want him taking advantage of Miley,” a source close to the Cyruses tells Star Magazine. Miley told her dad to back off. She is sick of him trying to hold her down, and feels she is old enough to make her own decisions.”
Monday, December 1, 2008
CSUN Wind Ensemble
Photo Credit: Shant Kazandjian
On the evening of November 25th, 2008 the California State University, Northridge's (CSUN) Wind Ensemble performed “...and This Is Now”, the second of four shows scheduled throughout the 2008/2009 school year in honor of the university's 50th anniversary.
The follow-up to their October 7th performance, “That Was Then...”, began with the conductor, Lawrence Stoffel, taking his place on stage and welcoming the audience to the second performance of the 2008/2009 year.
“It is a great time to be alive,” said Stoffel. “Music is changing at a rapid rate. The music played when I was a little boy is much different than the music my ensemble will be playing tonight. Everything you will hear tonight was written after the 1990s, which coincidentally is the year the freshman students at CSUN were born,” said Stoffel with a smile.
Lawrence Stoffel assumed the position of Director of Bands at California State University, Northridge in 2004. There he serves as conductor of both the internationally-recognized Wind Ensemble and the Wind Symphony. Stoffel holds the degrees Doctor of Music from Indiana University, the Master of Music from the University of Colorado, and both the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Master of Education degrees from the University of California–Los Angeles.
One of the contributers to Tuesday night's performance was Elizabeth Sellers, director of the Media Composition Option for the Music Department at CSUN.
“In Spring of 2008 I was approached by Larry Stoffel about writing a new fanfare for the Wind Ensemble, to mark the 50th Anniversary of CSUN and its band program,” says Sellers. “As I did preliminary research before beginning to write I thought about all the CSUN students who come from very different ethnic backgrounds. My hope is that the optimism, vitality and exuberance of our great CSUN students, past and present, speak to you.”
Sellers' graduates have won local, national and international awards. Sellers is also in demand professionally. Scoring credits include UnBowed, which premiered in Hollywood, won festival awards and aired on cable television. Sellers received Primetime Emmy honors for contributing to the Emmy Award winning achievement of Outstanding Music Direction for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
“The performance we played in October's performance, “That Was Then...”, was music that was around when CSUN first opened 50 years ago. Tonight, we played music that current students have probably heard throughout their life. The concerts we perform during the 2008-2009 year are a tribute to the evolving music that CSUN students have experienced during their lifetime,” says Brayan Morales, one of the ensemble's oboe players.
The Wind Ensemble's next performance will be in February titled “Hurray for Hollywood!” Stoffel explained the performance will include songs from motion pictures that have been made famous because of Hollywood Blockbusters. He thought it would be appropriate to dedicate a part of CSUN's history to Hollywood, because it is so close to what we call “home”.
California State University, Northridge's (CSUN) Wind Ensemble perform Peter Graham's "The Red Machine" during their "...and This Is Now" performance.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Bronx Mowgli Wentz
Photo Credit: Getty Images File Photo
Ashlee Simpson and husband Pete Wentz, from Fall Out Boy fame, welcomed their first child last night, a son. They named their child Bronx Mowgli Wentz and he weighed in at 7 lbs., 11 oz., and was 20 1/2 inches long.
"Ashlee, Pete and baby Bronx are all healthy and happy, and thank everyone for their well wishes!" a spokesperson tells PEOPLE.
The trend of having celebrity children have original names continues with this couple.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Big Show 8 - Ludacris Feature
Photo Credit: Richard Castañeda / Daily Sundial Staff PhotographerThe Big Show 8 featuring UNI, Black Violin, DJ Eric D-Lux, Tyrese, Lil' Fate and headliner Ludacris drew thousands Saturday at CSUN on October 11, 2008. The Atlanta rapper pleased the crowed with almost and hour of hits from his expansive repertoire that spans six hit albums. The concert was slated to begin at 12 noon but started at around 1PM to many anxious fans.
UNI, with their backing band, got the crowd pumped with songs like "Fat Girl" and the MTV backed "Beautiful Day". Next up was Black Violin which features two emcees that also play the violin along mixed tracks by a DJ. The host for the event DJ Eric D-Lux kept the crowd pumped for Ludacris with t-shirt and CD giveaways and an impromptu dance competition.
Ludacris took the stage with Lil' Fate who is a long time friend of Ludacris and is a member of DTP (Disturbing Tha Peace) which Ludacris has been supported throughout his entire artistic career. The rapper performed a slew of hits including "Moneymaker", "Move Bitch", and "Roll Out". Ludacris was joined onstage by R&B singer Tyrese which got the insane crowd even more riled up. In between songs Ludacris kept the dialogue interesting with quirky remarks leading up to the next song he performed. The rapper also integrated comments about CSUN into many of his hits which kept the crowd excited throughout the entire performance. The rapper ended the concert when he felt that his voice was giving out and launched a towel he used throughout the concert into the crowd which incited a small riot of fans eager to attain the souvenir.
"It was the best concert I've been to this year, it was crunk!" said Sandra Reyes, a Los Angeles Valley College student. "Ludacris was awesome, I had a great time!", said Loretta Miranda, a CSUN student. These sentiments seemed to echo throughout the crowd as the massive event concluded.
According to Audrey Younna, A.S. Space Executive Director, Big Show 8 began its process in January. "We sat down and started the planning process right after the last big show and saw what went wrong and what went right. We started surveying students for data," said Younna.
So who organizes garnering big name acts to the Big Show year after year? In the past the Big Show concert series has seen diverse acts such as Jimmy Eat World, Ne-Yo, Common, amongst others. "Myself and my advisor. We work with a middle agent who is the middle man that makes sure that the type of artist student want to see is met," said Younna.
Massive promotion made the event a complete success, drawing thousands more than previous years. "We started advertising at freshman orientation. We advertised at the presidents' picnic, matador nights and we had a zone system where we zoned out all the colleges. We also used myspace, facebook, other concerts, we bought an ad on myspace and we we promoted on power 106," continued Younna.
So what's next for Big Show? The unprecedented turnout this year is a mighty feat to surpass for next years show but Younna ensures us that the process will begin shortly once more. "We've evaluated this big show, what we need to do financially, the space for it and once winter break comes along that's when the big show planning process begins and we start the survey process to see what genres students want - students have been wanting rock so we're thinking of doing a mix of hip hop and rock, having a hip hop act and a rock act, but it all depends on the survey process and the budget we receive from the A.S."
According to Associated Students Space the total number of CSUN students who got tickets to the show was 5,394. Of those 5,394, 796 were student guests/faculty/staff and 29 off campus tickets were sold. 6,219 tickets were distributed. The actual attendance was estimated at 4,500.
Below is a link with pictures from the event, an interview with Valley College Student, Sandra Reyes, and a few videos of the concert:
Monday, November 17, 2008
Lindsay Lohan attacked for wearing fur!
Photo Credit: http://www.stylefix.net
Lindsay Lohan was in France this past Saturday supporting her girlfriend, DJ Samantha Ronson, when an anti-fur activist doused the actress with a bag of flour in front of dozens of onlookers. Lohan, who repeatedly wore an anti-fur pin and has publicly denounced the use of fur, was reportedly mortified and angered by the attack as she made her way into the Champs-Elysees. Lohan's fur wearing tendencies were first brought into the spotlight when she allegedly stole a woman's fur coat (worth $11,000) at a New York club in May.
When asked why she threw the bag of flour at Lohan, the fur activist responded with, "she's a fur hag! she wears real fur!" Although many online sources claim that the activist is linked with PETA, the organization has not taken responsibility for Saturdays incident. PETA did, however, issue this statement regarding Lohan:
”Lohan has enraged animal lovers by appearing in at least two different fur coats in recent days, despite PETA’s repeated pleas that she consider how animals suffer for every fur garment and stop wearing their skins She was named on PETA’s annual Worst Dressed List earlier this year”
Robbie LeBlanc, who works for PETA Europe, issued this statement as well:
”There is nothing remotely fashionable about the torture and death of animals killed for fur. Lindsay Lohan might be able to ignore images of bloody animals skinned alive for their pelts, but we hope a dash of flour will help her rise to the occasion and forsake fur once and for all”
Lohan's girlfriend, Samantha Ronson, blogged about the incident on her MySpace blog, saying:
"It's a pity that some groups feel the need to assault people as opposed to fighting with words, Whenever I feel the need to vent about something that feels unfair to me I reach for my computer, I don't run out of the house with abusive intentions. I don't expect everyone to react the same way, but I do expect people to respect each other."
Here's a couple pictures as well as a video from the incident:
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Photo Credit: www.myspace.com/lfcoficial
Josué Arias (of Gardenia fame) attended Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' long-awaited return to the stage. This is his blog about the event.
Estadio Caliente
Tijuana, Baja California
14 de Noviembre, 2008
There are rock bands, and then there is Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. I mean, don't get me wrong, there is a lot of good music out there, but there are not that many bands in latin america that have such importance and history as Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. They are as rugged as rock gets. They are as universal as rock gets. Who can resist such captivating percussive rhythms, screaming horns, aggressive guitars, ridiculously refined bass lines and the presence and unique voice of Vicentico? If you only know Los Cadillacs because of "El Matador" this is not for you. This is for those of us who anticipated and waited more than 7 years to see them again, for those of us who take-on nicknames based on their songs (i.e. The Matador, El León), and especially for those who could not attend because a border stands in the way of enjoying not just a concert, but a historic moment- this recap is for you.
30,000 + filled the stadium waiting to see Los Cadillacs. Some first timers, others seeing the cadillacs for the third time (*yours truly) and others countless times, but as soon as the lights dimmed, you knew that the place was about to explode. The first song was a given, they would start with "El León". But first they came out with the 007 james bond theme as they walked into the stage. The crowd was screaming and clapping in unison, one voice welcoming back their heroes from their 6 year sabbatical. At around 9:15pm, a bomb went off in Tijuana. There are very few things you can compare to the beginning of a concert of this magnitude. It was an unreal moment, I was in the pit jumping as those iconic horn lines of "Manuel Santillan, El León" blazzed out. The pit is not for the faint of heart. You are not here to be seen or to look pretty as they play their songs for you. A Cadillacs show is about participation, about moving, about letting loose and about going crazy. This was definitely one of the best crowds I've ever been a part of. Everybody there knew every word to every song they played. This might be an easy feat if what you are watching is Mana or RBD, but a band that does not that kind of over-exposure and availability, it is very impressive.
If you name a Cadillacs song, they probably played it that night, with the exceptions of from the top of my head, "El Muerto" and "La Vida". I don't know the particular order of the songs, I know "El León" was first and like tradition, "No me sentaria en tu mesa" was last.
A highlight of the night was their percussive tribute to Gerardo "Toto" Rotblat, their percussionist who passed away earlier this year. The tribute was a 6/8 percussive pattern to his images on the big screen and that led into "V. Centenario", one of their heavier songs. It was brutal in the pit. Punk rock man is intense. haha.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Featured Comedian: Jean Jacques
His name is Jean Jacques. Standing at a slender 5'10", this Los Angeles native is one of the biggest, young comedians to hit the Hollywood comedy circuit. All About M.E. recently caught up with Jean Jacques hours after he returned from New York to do a show.
All About M.E.: When did you start doing comedy?
Jean Jacques: The first time on stage I was 19.
All About M.E.: You have family back East and went to stay with them for a while but came back. Why?
Jean Jacques: I moved back because school was too expensive and my teacher when I was 14 told me, you need to be on stage. So that always stuck with me.
All About M.E.: OK, that's what's up. Describe yourself.
Jean Jacques: Surreal, political, race relations, personal comedy. My comedy, it allows the crowd to spend time in my brain
All About M.E.: Wow! Alright. Lastly, what is your message to all the fans out there?
Jean Jacques: There is no message. I'm letting the public get to know me. Once they know me, I'll give them a message.
Jean Jacques will be performing at several Hollywood comedy clubs until the end of the year. Be sure to check him out!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Featured Artist: Gardenia
Photo Credit: Walter Giordani
Rock en Espanol is nothing new to anyone that has been a huge fan since the creation of Latin Rock by Carlos Santana in the late 60s. Since then, pioneer bands like East Los Angeles’ own Los Lobos, Tierra, El Chicano, and Malo opened the stage for new Latin Rock bands to come from both sides of the border. Gardenia, a band from the San Fernando Valley, is hoping to create a name for themselves in this very competitive and growing genre.
Gardenia's original name, Arepa, came from a type of food common throughout Central and South America. The name stands as a testament to their aspirations toward mass appeal and camaraderie through the universality of music. When talking about the band's name, guitarist and UCLA alumnus David Villafaña said, "It's like a word analogy. The idea was that music is kind of what feeds the soul."
Gardenia, the band, is made up of three musicians: Villafaña on guitar; Pollyanna Salas-Uruea, on vocals and Josué Arias, a California State University, Northridge alumnus on percussion.
Now two years old, Gardenia's considerable talents have allowed them open for fiery Mexican rocker Ely Guerra at the Knitting Factory last summer. Gardenia has also played The Greek Theatre, the Joint, Hollywood Park and "every venue possible at UCLA," said Villafaña with proud enthusiasm.
Coming from El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico, the members of Gardenia strive to incorporate the varied styles of their respective nationalities into music they make. Gardenia's songs run the range from intense emotional ballads about love and loss to socially conscious statements on immigration.
Buenos Aires-born, Grammy award-winning Latin rock producer, songwriter and performer Gustavo Santaolalla is one if the most influential and respected music producers in Latin America. He has contributed to the success of different artists and the making of some of the best rock albums in Spanish. From alternative groups like Cafe Tacuba, which won a Latino Grammy for the Reves/Yo soy album, to the pop and radio-friendly style of Juanes, He also produced the soundtrack for the hit film that stormed the world's movie theaters, Amores Perros. In an interview, Santaolalla compares producing to drawing: "It you know how to draw, you can make Cubism, but first you have to know how to draw".
Nowadays with the help of Satellite Radio and networks like MTV Tr3s, people all over the world are able to find out about up and coming bands. In Latin America, Latin Rock is blowing up with groups from Mexico like Jaguares, Maná, and Caifanes. America is also producing some of the most popular Latin bands in the world. Independent record labels like California's Aztlan Records and New York's Grita Records, have devoted themselves to signing the best Latin Rock Bands; Riverside's own Voodoo Glow Skulls playing a Latin version of punk, Orange County's Manic Hispanic and East Los Angeles's Union 13 representing Latins in the hardcore punk scene.
Gardenia is putting on the finishing touches to release their first album by the end of the year. You can check out Gardenia's Myspace profile and listen to their new single "No Vuelvas Mas" here.
You can also check out photos from their show at The Joint here.
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