filed under: Bruno Mars, Dallas Austin, Introduucing..., Jacob Kasher, Kevin Rudolf, Lady Gaga, Matisse, Tricky Stewart
Meet Matisse (real name Brittany Smith), one of the latest acts signed to Jive Records.
You might already recognize Matisse as one half of former twin duo Brit & Alex, who briefly debuted at the uninspiring position of #75 on the UK Singles Chart with their 2008 debut single (“Let It Go”) before being dropped by their label, Interscope. Since then, the Alex part of Brit & Alex shipped off to study, but Brit’s still going for it with a brand new moniker.
Earlier this year, Matisse returned to the US and released her debut solo single “Better Than Her,” a solid, storming club thumper produced by Jacob Kasher and Kevin Rudolf. The track quickly surged to #1 on the Hot Dance Airplay Chart in August (a much better way to begin a career if I do say so myself.)
After the song’s initial club success, Matisse signed a joint deal with Akon and his own label (Konvict Records), who then slapped together a remix with his voice on it to be serviced to radio. You can now stream it in full above.
Do you remember the last act who debuted with the Konvict treatment? What was her name again–Lady Gaga? No, I can’t remember her either.
According to a press release from Jive, Matisse has been in the studio with Dallas Austin, Tricky Stewart, and Bruno Mars for her forthcoming debut album, due out in the 2Q 2011.
Quite a powerhouse production, eh? Intriguing!
For more on Matisse, check out her official website.
Matisse’s debut single, “Better Than Her (feat. Akon)” was released on September 28. (iTunes)
filed under: Arctic Monkeys, Beyonce, Billie Holiday, Bloodshy And Avant, Britney Spears, Cathy Dennis, Christina Aguilera, Clive Davis, Dallas Austin, Diplo, Dr. Dre, Dr. Luke, Eddie Murphy, Fernando Garibay, Frankmusik, Greg Kurstin, Guest Muuse, Heidi Montag, I Blame Coco, Jordin Sparks, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Lily Allen, Linda Perry, Little Boots, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Mark Ronson, Michael Jackson, Miike Snow, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Rick James, Royksopp, Ryan Tedder, Stevie Nicks, Taylor Swift, Teddybears, The Beatles, The Veronicas, The Virgins, Timbaland, Vampire Weekend, Vanity 6, Whitney Houston
So, this is something new and interesting.
The night before my interview with Sky Ferreira, I received a vaguely mysterious e-mail from MuuMuse reader Sam Lansky with an attachment entitled “Fame Fatale.” The e-mail suggested that the attached may assist me in preparing for my interview.
As soon as I began reading, I already knew: This had to be published immediately.
“Fame Fatale” is not only a remarkably in-depth analysis (and personal account) of Ferreira’s curious rise to fame, but a thoughtful contemplation of the manufacturing of the modern pop star and the very conventions of the music industry itself. It’s extremely well-researched, poses tough questions, and deserves your full attention.
With his permission, I’ve asked Sam to feature his article on MuuMuse. It’s an incredible piece, and I do highly recommend that all of my Muusers give it a thorough reading–even if it’s “tl;dr” territory.
I do, after all, hope to keep a literate company.
Click “Read More…” to read Sam Lansky’s “Fame Fatale: The Rise of Sky Ferreira.”
filed under: Dallas Austin, Katy Perry, Kesha, Lily Allen, Lindsay Lohan, Paul Epworth, Sky Ferreira, Video Premiere
I’ve been keeping an eye out for Sky Ferreira–the rambunctious 17-year-old L.A. response to Lily Allen–for some time now: From her manic tweets to the A-list producers she’s magically working with for her debut album (Paul Epworth; Dallas Austin) to the rather salacious photos (she’s 17!) posted while out partying with the likes of Ke$ha and Katy Perry.
Tonight, the video for her debut single “17″ has been released, and it’s really quite something. I can’t tell if the video events are entirely autobiographical, or if her current lifestyle is meant to mirror that which is being portrayed here, or if her life is just some strange mixture of both. It’s basically uncomfortable, un-sexy, and as awkward as the slightly off-ish melody of the chorus.
She’s certainly going the Lolita route for this release, almost like a scrubbed clean, 21st century pop upgrade of Fiona Apple‘s superb “Criminal.”
I just haven’t made up my mind as to whether Ferreira’s the real deal or not. Time will tell!
filed under: Amy Winehouse, Anastacia, Dallas Austin, Gabriella Cilmi, Greg Kurstin, Little Boots, Noisettes, Shingai Shoniwa, Xenomania
Move over, Little Boots–there’s a new space-age disco diva in town.
Gabriella Cilmi, the 18-year old Aussie songstress responsible for last year’s “Sweet About Me” has returned to Earth. Well, sort of.
“On A Mission” is a hectic, intergalactic neo-disco rave, where Cilmi’s raspy vocals (a kind of crossbreed between Anastacia, the Noisettes‘ Shingai Shoniwa and Amy Winehouse) are tacked onto a glitzy, ’80′s synthesized beat. Add a spritz of Little Boots’ geometric fixation and a dash of low budget ’50′s sci-fi camp, and there you have it: Cilmi 2.0.
The young singer’s sophomore album Ten is due out on March 22, with production credits from the likes of Xenomania, Greg Kurstin, and Dallas Austin. Odds of brilliance? You do the math.
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