Music Fascination

Lilith Fair has announced a new batch of artists performing at this years festival. They have confirmed that Kelly Clarkson, The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, Martina McBride, Courtyard Hounds (Emily Robison and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks) and Suzanne Vega will be joining the already impressive line up.

For a full list of performers and locations, visit the official Lilith Fair website.

A few weeks ago, Sophie Ellis-Bextor announced her forthcoming fourth studio album would be called Make A Scene. It seems she has changed her mind. Today, she twittered: “Changing the album title. Make A Scene not good enough! Will get back to you…”

The albums lead single, “Bittersweet”, will be released April 26, 2010.

Carly Hennessy was born September 12, 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. Her mother was a well known fashion model. Growing up, she always wanted to become a singer. When Carly turned 15 her father decided to help her peruse her dream, so the two moved to the US.

Her demo found its way to the president of MCA Records, Jay Boberg. Carly was signed on the spot to a six album deal and immediately began work on her debut album. MCA gave Carly an apartment in Marina Del Rey, California, a car, a $100,000 advance and $5,000 a month in living expenses.

Carly spent three months recording her debut album with Mr. Dorff. MCA spent about $350,000 on making the album. This included studio time, musicians’ fees, producers’ fees and Carly’s living expenses. When the album was complete, no one was happy with the result. They felt the album was “too Barbra Streisand” sounding for the teen audience they were targeting.

MCA decided to scrap the album and start over. In 2000, They employed Gregg Alexander (former New Radicals front man) and Danielle Brisebois to produce the album.

By April 2001, the album was still unfinished. MCA wanted to start creating a buzz about the singer and decided to release her debut single “I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind.” The song was a risky choice because of its subject matter (oral sex) but MCA felt it was their best choice for a single. They spent $250,000 on a music video, $200,000 to hire independent promoters, $100,000 to update Carlys image and $150,000 for a four-week promotional tour.

The song and video were sent out but never caught on. Vice president of pop promotion at MCA, Greg Marella, claimed the song was was too mature for top 40 and too pop for adult top 40.

With no album and a flop single, MCA decided to bring in more help. Miles Copeland, Stings former manager, was hired as co-manager. He insisted the album was taking to long and began pressuring everyone involved to speed up the process.

When the album was complete, MCA has spent about $1,000,000 but everyone felt they has a sure fire hit on their hands. The album was titled Ultimate High and was set for release on November 13, 2001. To help with promotion, MCA got Carly a modeling contract and sent her on a press tour of Canada.

MCA released the upbeat pop tune “Beautiful You,” and spent another $500,000 for promoters and appearances to promote the single. Billboard Magazine reviewed the single on October 29, 2001, saying: “Carly Hennessy got off to a promising start with her launch single “I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind”. Unfortunately, she got lost in radio’s marked turn away from youthful pop, and the song went largely unnoticed…. this equally compelling follow-up … ‘Beautiful You’ is a buoyant outing, spirited and optimistic with an adhesive chorus fully capable of locking itself tightly in the memory.” Despite positive reviews, “Beautiful You” was even more of a let down than her debut single.

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When her debut album,  Ultimate High, was released, it was a huge disappointment. After three months in stores, the album had only generated sales of less than $5,000.00 (378 copies sold).

As a last ditch effort, the single “I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind” was released in Europe in early 2002 but it failed to make any impact. MCA dropped Carly from their label in 2002.

After her failed music career, Carly decided to take a break. During her break, She met her husband Todd Smithson, a tattoo artist, in Los Angeles.

Carly auditioned for Season 5 of American Idol in 2006 using her married name (Carly Smithson), but was disqualified because the paperwork for her work visa was delayed. She returned for season 7 and made it to the top 12 but was eliminated on April 23, 2008.

She is currently fronting the band We Are the Fallen, set to release their debut album this year on Universal Republic Records.  The band is made up Carly Smithson, Marty O’Brien and former Evanescence members Ben Moody, John LeCompt, and Rocky Gray. Lets hope this deal works out better than the first.

Fedo Mora & Camurri are back with their second single. The duo released their first single “After The Rain” in 2008 on Bob Sinclar’s Yellow label. The tune went to number one in France.

Now they are back with “The Sound”, out March 12, 2010 on Off Limits. Check out the radio edit below.

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Alicia Keys will release “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)” as the next single from her 2009 album The Element Of Freedom.