Demi Lovato had lofty goals for Here We Go Again: I wanted not only to make a great album, but I also want my music to inspire people, to help them get through whatever theyre going through in their lives. Thats the ultimate goal with every piece of music I make. On Here We Go Again, with ultra-personal songs like the irresistible, buoyant title track, the hard-rockin, sultry Got Dynamite and confessional pop perfection of Solo, Demi met—and exceeded—her goals. The multi-talented 17-year-old became a household name thanks to TV smashes--her starring roles in the Disney Channel sitcom Sonny With a Chance and movie Camp Rock--but, Demi says emphatically, music is my first love.
On her 2008 debut album, Dont Forget, Demi collaborated with long-time friends and tour mates the Jonas Brothers, while Here We Go Again finds her branching out as a writer with such bold-faced names as John Mayer, Torn songwriter Anne Preven, and singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin. She also writes again with Nick Jonas on the soulful, searching Stop the World. Demi notes, When I was younger, my influences were R&B, like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, and even Billie Holiday. More currently, my inspirations were John Mayer and Kelly Clarkson, so I wanted to combine the two, and hopefully we did that with this record. Of course, I was so excited to work with John Mayer.
Demi, who has written nearly 300 songs in her young life, was beyond thrilled to co-write with the Grammy winner on her second album. The pair worked up two songs in the studio, collaborating on words and music, with the winning, thoughtful ballad World of Chances landing on Here We Go Again, and a second tune saved for later. Likewise, she was excited to write Every Time I Lie and Falling Over Me with singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin, admitting to being totally star struck, but trying to act cool.
In addition to garnering fans among her musical peers, the press are also Lovato enthusiasts, the Boston Herald raving: besides her pop-ready look, feisty dynamic and prowess on the guitar and piano, Lovato has a versatile voice that alternates between smoky tones and endearing cuteness. Yet Lovato, who wouldnt mind attending a music school like Berklee to study classical music and improve her guitar chops, is hard on herself admitting shes a perfectionist: If the song isnt coming out right, Ill stop it. That said, Here we Go Again was written and recorded in three weeks with producer John Field (Rooney, Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers) who encouraged Demi to write songs like the spare, breathy Catch Me, written in a rare quiet moment at home on guitar.
Looking to gain a different perspective on live performance, Demi repeatedly watched a Bruce Springsteen concert DVD. Watching that DVD really helped, she admits. Instead of worrying about what you look like, or if you hit the notes, its understanding that people come to your concert to have fun with you and to experience your music with them. Youre getting the opportunity to connect with every person all at once. Now I dont beat myself up if I hit a wrong chord on my guitar.
Clearly, Demi is remarkably self-aware, but thankfully not self-involved, and constantly striving for improvement. She also remains a typical 17-year-old: A fast-talking, quick-texting, multi-tasking teen, obsessed with music, clothes, boys, movies, and her recent graduation from home-schooled high school. Some of those obesssions can be gleaned on Here We Go Again, as Demi notes: The last record totally has a theme, but I went through so much this year, and I have so much to write about, to tie Here We Go Again down to a specific theme would ruin it for me.
Demi also experimented with a few songs she ultimately felt were too mature lyrically or that she worried might be too pointed. When Im a little older, maybe my fans will be ready. But this album really expresses my writing and look right now. Fortunately, I havent had to compromise in my career but you do learn more about yourself writing about your life and feelings. Its like a diary, and not everyone gets the opportunity to do something like this.
The Boston Globe agreed that Demi has come into her own, a concert review noting: The material from Lovatos Here We Go Again showed her improving by leaps and bounds, especially on Every Time You Lie. Upbeat but shot through with hurtit had enough 60s British soul to suit Duffy or Adele.
She also offers inspiring lyrics for her young listeners on the empowering and whisper-to-a-scream bounce of Everything Youre Not, singing, I want a gentleman who treats me like a queen / I need respect, I need love, nothing in between. While there are songs about lost love on Here We Go Again, Demi says, I think this new album is more hopeful than Dont Forget. This is like being excited about breaking up and making up.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez took her sweet time before recording her debut album. After all, she had her hands full starring in her hit Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverley Place," not to mention appearing in a string of movies and other TV shows. Still, music had been a core passion of hers going back to childhood. A child no more, Selena comes on strong with her Hollywood Records premiere CD, "Kiss & Tell." It is nothing less than the emancipation proclamation of a young artist with a lot to say.
She didn't get there alone. Producer Ted Bruner, along with songwriters Gina Schock , Tim James & Antonina Armato and Selena's band, The Scene, wrap her vocals with fire and ferocity. "Because it is my first record I wanted it to be amazing," Selena says. "I think of this record as a huge learning journey. I wanted to find my sound and see where I wanted to go musically."
On that journey, she clearly found her musical home base. And it rocks. Selena's blazing rock 'n' roll chops may surprise fans, especially on songs like "Kiss & Tell," with its battalion of drums, tight harmonies and Jane's Addiction-like lead guitar work. Says Selena with a laugh, "Basically this is my harsh song, but in a good way."
Selena decided to make the album "passionate, fun and empowering,' as she puts it. Thus, for the most part the 17-year-old singer bypasses the puppy love and goes straight to a righteous "guys are dogs" attitude. Songs like "Falling Down" and "I Don't Miss You At All" simmer with feminine scorn, while the pop gem "I Won't Apologize" (which Selena co-wrote) takes a stand for self-affirmation. "Girls my age tend to change themselves for others," Selena says. "Whether it's a boyfriend or trying to fit in with the 'cool kids,' this song says you're not going to apologize for who you are."
Selena tackles ballads on the wistful "The Way I Loved You" and "I Promise You," the latter a love song steeped in unadorned romance. She shakes off the sentimentality in the sophisticated put-down rocker "Stop and Erase," "I Got U," "Crush" and "As a Blond," perhaps the edgiest song yet from the legally brunette Selena. "Every girl goes through a break-up at some point," she says, "and they never feel good. I wanted to make sure that the songs about heartbreak were all empowering rather than sad. When I perform these songs I don't feel I am dwelling on pain."
She ends the album with a full-circle moment, re-recording "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," an upbeat hip-hop-flavored track she first cut several years ago and now revisits with a more seasoned point of view. "I thought it would be a fun to redo the song and add some cool techno beats," says the ever-adventurous Selena, who today stands at the brink of a thrilling new phase of her career.
With a new album, a hit show and more movies on the horizon, it's a wonder Selena has time left for anything else. But she makes time to give something back. She has volunteered for St Jude's Hospital for children, Disney's Friends for Change and she was twice named youth ambassador for UNICEF, a role that recently took her on a fact-finding trip to Africa. It all served to expand her perspective on life. "I am constantly growing and changing," she says, "but I like to think my morals about family and friendships haven't changed."
She's not done dreaming. In the years ahead, Selena plans to push her career to greater heights, while always remembering her fans and the faith they place in her. Summing up her goals, Selena says: "I want to inspire others, help and make an impact." With "Kiss & Tell," she won't have long to wait.
She didn't get there alone. Producer Ted Bruner, along with songwriters Gina Schock , Tim James & Antonina Armato and Selena's band, The Scene, wrap her vocals with fire and ferocity. "Because it is my first record I wanted it to be amazing," Selena says. "I think of this record as a huge learning journey. I wanted to find my sound and see where I wanted to go musically."
On that journey, she clearly found her musical home base. And it rocks. Selena's blazing rock 'n' roll chops may surprise fans, especially on songs like "Kiss & Tell," with its battalion of drums, tight harmonies and Jane's Addiction-like lead guitar work. Says Selena with a laugh, "Basically this is my harsh song, but in a good way."
Selena decided to make the album "passionate, fun and empowering,' as she puts it. Thus, for the most part the 17-year-old singer bypasses the puppy love and goes straight to a righteous "guys are dogs" attitude. Songs like "Falling Down" and "I Don't Miss You At All" simmer with feminine scorn, while the pop gem "I Won't Apologize" (which Selena co-wrote) takes a stand for self-affirmation. "Girls my age tend to change themselves for others," Selena says. "Whether it's a boyfriend or trying to fit in with the 'cool kids,' this song says you're not going to apologize for who you are."
Selena tackles ballads on the wistful "The Way I Loved You" and "I Promise You," the latter a love song steeped in unadorned romance. She shakes off the sentimentality in the sophisticated put-down rocker "Stop and Erase," "I Got U," "Crush" and "As a Blond," perhaps the edgiest song yet from the legally brunette Selena. "Every girl goes through a break-up at some point," she says, "and they never feel good. I wanted to make sure that the songs about heartbreak were all empowering rather than sad. When I perform these songs I don't feel I am dwelling on pain."
She ends the album with a full-circle moment, re-recording "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," an upbeat hip-hop-flavored track she first cut several years ago and now revisits with a more seasoned point of view. "I thought it would be a fun to redo the song and add some cool techno beats," says the ever-adventurous Selena, who today stands at the brink of a thrilling new phase of her career.
With a new album, a hit show and more movies on the horizon, it's a wonder Selena has time left for anything else. But she makes time to give something back. She has volunteered for St Jude's Hospital for children, Disney's Friends for Change and she was twice named youth ambassador for UNICEF, a role that recently took her on a fact-finding trip to Africa. It all served to expand her perspective on life. "I am constantly growing and changing," she says, "but I like to think my morals about family and friendships haven't changed."
She's not done dreaming. In the years ahead, Selena plans to push her career to greater heights, while always remembering her fans and the faith they place in her. Summing up her goals, Selena says: "I want to inspire others, help and make an impact." With "Kiss & Tell," she won't have long to wait.
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