The Twitter world has been working overtime the last couple of days, with rumors circulating about who the two new judges will be for the second season of “The X Factor.” Will it be Mariah? Pink? Katy Perry? Janet Jackson? Beyonce? Britney? While most everyone has a opinion on who would be perfect for the job and why, one man’s opinion counts a little more than most: X Factor judge and creator Simon Cowell.
When FOX All Access spoke exclusively with Cowell and fellow “X Factor” judge L.A. Reid, they gave us a laundry list of the mandatory requirements they are looking for in whoever gets hired. While fun, entertaining, and competitive are on the list, the most important attribute is something that Simon says doesn’t come naturally to artists. (Click on the media player to hear Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid.)
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So, the question is, of the names being tossed around, who do you think best matches the requirements they’ve set forth: Funny, sense of humor, competitive, and willing to put their own self aside and find a star? Or do you have a better suggestion? Let us know what you think!
By: Robin Whitaker The Fray has a lot to talk about these days. They just released their third album, Scars and Stories (featuring first single “Heartbeat”) and have a 10th anniversary to celebrate this year. The milestones haven’t come without a few scars themselves. We caught up with lead Singer/pianist Isaac Slade, and guitarist Joe King recently to talk about their new album, what they’ve learned along the way, and of course, with February the month of “love”, find out what the guys really love these days (P.S. For all you ladies who have a special fondness for Joe? He needs a Valentine STAT! Surprised? We were! So keep reading!)
FOX All Access: Your new album has a really interesting title, Scars and Stories.
What does it mean to you?
Joe: “You know, for me it was tough to embrace actually for a while, the thought of scars as being a positive. Because at first I was like, God, I really don’t want that to be negative, and feel like or attach it to the association of a scar, to pain, you know? But then I realized this means you made it through. Like a scar is making it through and there’s hope after that. There’s obviously a story to it, but you’re going on and its part of you, but it’s made you better, it’s made you who you are. And, that’s kind of what I resolve to, and even in my own life I was like, O.K. there were things that have happened and scars and things that are there, but now I’m going on and I can see the horizon and I’m headed there.”
Isaac: There’s this album cover that I really wanted to use for the record and we decided not to, but it was a picture of this woman. She was topless, but she was covering her breasts with her hands, and she had this open heart surgery scar that went straight from the bottom of her neck all the way to her stomach. And it was all at once this terrifying image and at the same time this gorgeous picture of this femininity and innocence and vulnerability. You know, it’s like a war wound of what she’s been through, and that kind of sums it up, like Joe said, it is really what we’ve gone through and it’s not bleeding, it’s not a wound that has you running to the ER or something. But it certainly happened and the memories are certainly are not going anywhere.
FOX All Access: So in a way, would you say music is sort of an audio scar?
Isaac: “Wow, I haven’t thought of it that way. But yeah, I mean for me I have, you know, there are artists that I’ll listen to now or a song that comes on and it absolutely takes me back to a time that, you know, that I listened or absorbed that song and it was a major part of my life. This woman came up to us this morning, and she said, “Hey, your first song Cable Car was my divorce party soundtrack.” I said, “How does that work.” She says, “You know, like when all your friends are really tired of you talking about your divorce, you bring them over to your house and instead of talking about it you just get drunk, and we played Cable Car over and over again.” I said, “High five!”
FOX All Access: 2012 marks your 10th year as a band. When the two of you think back to the early days of The Fray, what comes to mind?
Isaac: I remember packing up for a gig and I had to bring my keyboard and I had to bring the PA, and the other guys just brought their amps and stuff. And I was cramming this speaker into the front seat and it wasn’t fitting and I made it fit anyways, and I cracked my windshield because I was hitting it so hard. And that was those days man. We were like you know hauling our stuff in and out of the little venues, sweaty clubs, and trying to sell our EP for $5. We were making $100 a show and we’re like, do we split it four ways?
Joe: Well, no we’d go out to pizza, and have two beers, you know?
Issac: Yeah, add a tip and then we were done; those were the old days (laugh).
FOX All Access: So after all these years, it must feel somewhat like a marriage. How do you keep each other in check?
Isaac: That’s a good question actually. We’ve been friends long enough and we’ve been in this band long enough that we’ve seen both sides of it where we get into the bus and go to the four corners to get as far away from each other as we possibly can. But we’re in a really cool season now, where we’ve worked through a lot of the old stuff and we did the Muppets song and that kind of brought us back together and reminded us that we really do enjoy this, and it’s a fun thing… and it beats making coffee every day… And we just start communicating; I think the best way to keep each other in check has been to just say, ‘hey you pissed me off!’
Joe: Or you usually just like make a fist, a knuckle to the cheek (laugh)…
Isaac: (laugh) Yeah, a quick punch in the jaw saves 20 minutes (Laugh)…
Joe: Yeah, that can definitely keep you in check (laugh)
FOX All Access: So when it comes to music, would you say you lose yourself in music, or do you find yourself?
Joe: Whoa, that’s a good question….
Isaac: Damm…
Joe: I think, ahhh (laugh) let me tell you what I think…. I think I find a little bit as I’m writing because there are things that are happening in words and things that kind of fall into your lap, and then after that, I lose it again. The song comes together, and then you’re like, wait – what does this mean?
Isaac: That’s a beautiful way of saying it. I love the idea of the give and take. You know, because we pour ourselves into these songs. We’re not writing hits for some other artist, we’re just trying to write biographical stories, and you do find an expression to longings and to fears that you can’t voice any other way. I can’t just talk about it, it comes out in these songs so I find myself, but then as soon as we give it away and we start playing it and over the arc of our 10 year career, this thing has
consumed me, I’ve gotten lost in it, like I’ve gotten lost in the halls of a huge building and I’m trying to find out who I am, a part from it, and who I am even in the act of the expression of giving it to others. It is beautiful, losing ourselves and finding ourselves.
As far as what Isaac and Joe love these days? Isaac was able to summarize it into
three things: his wife, sea salt toffee dark chocolate and playing shows. When it came to Joe, he told us his daughters, 2 exist underwear, and the most surprising answer of all, loving the fact that someday he’d have a valentine, and in the meantime he’d be hanging out with Johnny Walker. (Side note: WAIT WHAT? No valentine for Joe? Take note ladies! Don’t believe us? Click below to listen to Isaac and Joe talk about it, then send Joe a Valentine!) ♥ ♥ ♥
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Show The Fray some love! Check out their new album, SCARS AND STORIES, available now, and catch the latest at their website www.thefray.com
Catch the guys from TV’s hottest new comedy “New Girl” on FOX All Access this weekend! Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson, and Lamorne Morris will be sitting in and co-hosting the show with Chris Leary. Find out who their ideal celebrity bromances would be, what would happen at their perfect Christmas party, and hear what a sexy santa suit has to do with this week’s new episode of “New Girl.”
Just for visiting, we’re gifting you with a sneak peek “listen”! Press play on the button below and find out what “jobs” Jake, Lamorne, and Max think would top their current gig on “New Girl” (Hint, one job could land the guys in jail and the other involves a sugar mama!)
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Want to hear more from the guys of New Girl? Then check out this link and find out where you can hear Jake, Lamorne, and Max take over the radio airwaves on FOX All Access in your city this weekend! Then make sure to catch the all new Christmas episode of New Girl this Tuesday at 9PM ET/PT on FOX!
So the topic around The X Factor watercooler is…. How much was Simon at fault for Drew’s elimination? According to Nicole Scherzinger in our interview with her, none (wait, what????). Simon had a different take however, and told us that in addition to taking full responsibility, calls the experience a “wake up call” for him. Check out our chat with Nicole and Simon.
So will Simon be able to keep his girls out of the Pirannaha bowl this week? Is this wake up call just what’s needed to bring the very best out of Rachel and Melanie? Tune in Wednesday when The X Factor competition continues with the contestants taking on two songs each. It all goes down Wedensday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
One of the two big upsets on this week’s X Factor was the elimination of Astro. The confident kid from Brooklyn with the mad rapping skills who instructed Simon to quit lookin’ at his mom was sent home to the surprise of many. We caught up with Astro right after the show and got his thoughts on leaving (he feels free!), his attitude, and what he’s learned along the way. (Note to any haters – he’s on to you, so don’t waste your time.)
So, did America do right by not pushing to keep Astro on the show? With his skills, does it even really matter? Let us know your thoughts!
In mere months American Idol Finalists Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina have uncovered their ability to connect with viewers and win over the hearts of America, and according to Idol Judge and resident fan Steven Tyler, it’s been fun to watch. We talked to Tyler and asked him what he remembers about his own early days and what if felt like discover you could connect with people through your music:
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As one of the new judges, Tyler himself has won over many new fans and gained an added appreciation for his zany sayings and gentle rock n’ roll coolness. As his first season in the judge’s seat comes to a close we asked him what he feels he’s taking away from this experience:
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Catch the ultimate American Idol showdown when Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina take the Idol stage on Tuesday night at 8PM ET/PT on FOX. Then check back here for more breaking interviews and updates before the winner is announced on Wednesday night on FOX.
Charice aka “Sunshine Corazon” makes her return on “GLEE” tonight, but this time as a potential “spy” for Vocal Adrenaline. The small girl with amazing pipes made her debut at the beginning of the Glee season with a pumped up singing “duel” of Telephone with Lea Michele (aka Rachel Berry). This time Charice takes it down a notch with a goosebump inducing version of “All By Myself”. In addition to her run on “GLEE”, Charice is releasing a new single (The Bruno Mars/Ari Levine penned “Before It Explodes”), and is in the midst of filming her first movie, “Here Comes the Boom” with Kevin James, Salma Hayek, and Henry Winkler.
We caught up with Charice on the phone, and asked her how she’s feeling about all the recent activity going on in her life, “I’m losing it! (laugh) No. It’s been fun for me. I was just in Boston, you know, for a month and it’s been a great experience. And I can’t believe, you know, this is all happening to me right now, but I’m very happy, and I can’t wait for what’s gonna happen next”.
While watching the behind the scenes Glee clip we were surprised to hear Charice fess up to still being nervous on the set, so we had to ask, Why? “I always get nervous. I mean, I’m a Gleek and I’m a fan of the show, and every time I shoot a scene with them, it’s always, it’s always been, I don’t know, nerve wrecking. I don’t know why, but I think it’s excitement because you know, it’s kind of overwhelming for me. They’re all amazing, the cast, the crew, and everything , and all the songs that they given me. So far, I’m loving it!”
A quick listen to Charice’s version (we mean Sunshine’s version) of “All By Myself” and you’ll know what Ryan Murphy meant when he said, “When Charice opens her mouth angles fly out.” Needless to say, angels or no angels, Charice told us that she really relates to the song on a deep level, “..It’s one of my favorite songs, because I used to really relate to that song, because, of course, I mean, I mean not now! Cause right now I’m not by myself. But before, I mean, for me, for a very young age, you know, joining a lot of singing contests, I felt like sometimes, especially when I lost in this contest I was just like, I was thinking about giving up. So I felt like I was all alone, but of course, my mom was there for me, but that time I was really sad and then, that’s why “All By Myself” is like one of my favorite songs. And when I was performing it on the set, you know, I was about to cry but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to really cry. So I just thought about my past and that’s why, I can’t wait for you guys to see the performance tonight.”
Charice’s amazing performance got us to thinking, what would happen if Rachel Berry and Sunshine Corazon really went head to head in a major singing competition? Who would win? Charice gave us her answer:
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So Charice gave us her answer. But what do you think? Who would win? Leave us a comment, then catch Charice’s amazing rendition of “All By Myself” and all the other great Glee surprises in tonight’s all new episode of Glee! Tune in at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
Vocal powerhouse CHARICE is one busy young lady. In addition to making her return to “Glee” as Sunshine Corazon, she’s releasing her new single “Before It Explodes” written by Grammy winning phenom Bruno Mars, and is co-starring in the upcoming movie “Here Comes the Boom” with Kevin James, Salma Hayek, and Henry Winkler. So how is she feeling these days? “I’m losing it! (laughs) No. It’s been fun for me. And I can’t believe, you know, this is all happening to me right now, but I’m very happy, and I can’t wait for what’s gonna happen next.”
Charice’s new single “Before It Explodes” was written by Bruno Mars & Ari Levine, and produced by Mars as well (via The Smeezingtons). There’s humor in that Charice has yet to actually meet Bruno, “I can’t believe we made this amazing song without seeing each other. I haven’t met him yet! It’s crazy that I recorded this song without him, he produced this song without me, and it’s amazing for me, but I’m looking forward to meeting him of course!”
As for a music video of “Before It Explodes”, Charice says there’s a chance for one, but she’s also eyeballing a music video for her next dance driven single “Louder” so she can include some of her hip hop skills and dance.
For all you Charice fans who follow her on twitter and asked us to find out the inspiration/significance of a recent tweet she shared, we got the 411. The tweet went: Behind my smile is everything you’ll never understand. Here’s what Charice said about it:
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So the message out to all you celebrity haters…. Lay off! On the other hand, for all you who are fans of Charice (like us) keep your ears open for her new music, and don’t forget to tune in to Glee and catch Charice kill the song “All By Myself” – it’ll give you goosebumps! Glee can be found Tuesday Night at 8 PT/ET on FOX.
For more info on Charice, check out her site
http://www.charicemusic.com/
Catch the video of Charice performing “All By Myself” on the Glee site: http://www.fox.com/glee/
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The rumors continue to fly as we patiently wait for Simon Cowell to announce who will join him and Grammy winning music mogul Antonio “L.A.” Reid on the “The X Factor” judges’ panel. Once again reports surfaced that UK “The X Factor” judge Cheryl Cole was going to be joining the lineup. We asked Reid during a phone interview this morning to weigh in.
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So is she or isn’t she? The rumors will continue to fly for at least a bit, in the meantime the auditions for “The X Factor” continue, and Reid is encouraging everyone who thinks they really have talent to audition – whether they’re young or old. As for the “older singers”, Reid cited Lionel Richie as an example of someone who didn’t really hit their stride until they were a little older. Take a listen:
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So for all you hopefuls, young and old, take note! The next stop for “The X Factor” auditions is Miami, followed by New York/New Jersey, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas.
You gotta love when music artists show up somewhere with interesting little “side projects”. In this case we’re talking about The Smashing Pumpkins’ front-man, Billy Corgan. He’s performing the newest “main title” theme song for FOX’s newest drama, “THE CHICAGO CODE’. (For any of you newbies, “main title” is the short little song that airs along with show graphics at the beginning of a TV show). Great main title theme songs quickly become “earworms”, i.e. those pesky beats and lyrics that crawl into the depths of your brain and forever bond the mood/vibe and essence of a TV show into your memory bank.
After hearing Corgan’s work on “THE CHICAGO CODE” , the only thing we could say was, “Where’s the rest of it? Cause we want more!” Seriously, it’s a GREAT beginning to what could be a great song! Take a listen yourself and let us know what your thoughts are! Do you think that it’s totally ”song worthy”? Should we send a little note to “THE CHICAGO CODE ” creator/producer Mr. Shawn Ryan and tell him we want more? Let us know! In the meantime, enjoy these brief but interesting few seconds of the music!
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The Twitter world has been working overtime the last couple of days, with rumors circulating about who the two new judges will be for the second season of “The X Factor.” Will it be Mariah? Pink? Katy Perry? Janet Jackson? Beyonce? Britney? While most everyone has a opinion on who would be perfect for the job and why, one man’s opinion counts a little more than most: X Factor judge and creator Simon Cowell.
