via Showbiz 411

What happened to rap? It’s off the charts with two minor exceptions: a sluggish new album from 50 Cent, and an oldish album at the bottom of the charts by SchoolBoyQ.

What’s in? Pop, Pop R&B, white kids, black kids who sound white. Led Zeppelin reisssued its first three albums from 196-1972. They are all in the new top 40 albums and sold a total more than 60,000 copies total. Yikes.

Is rock back? Heavy rock too?

Not selling: Mariah Carey’s “Me I Am Mariah” and Michael Jackson’s “Xscape.” The latter at least had a couple of good weeks. Mariah’s CD, with great reviews and terrific tracks, has gone nowhere.

Country albums take four of the top 10 spots this week: Miranda Lambert is number 1, followed by Brantley Gilbert and Lucy Hale. A country compilation, “Now Country 7,” is also in the top 10. CONTINUE READING

Buzz Track: Drift

Carlton, an alternative pop trio based in Los Angeles has become a Kings favorite. Over the last year the band has toured with Shwayze on the Shwayze Summer Tour and they just released their self produced EP. The band has upcoming shows at The Bootleg on 6/25 and at The El Rey Theatre on 7/17.
Contact: Carltonband@gmail.com

Vava Voom – Supersonic
Anthony Rankin –  Pheonix in Vegas
Sydney Leigh – Crazy Beautiful
Jane Sun – Sing
Kenny Hass – Cinnamon
Say Say – Touch
Avry – All Of You
Margaret Berger – Scream

Vava Voom is buzzing with her song Supersonic featuring Sean Kingston. The single was produced by The Aristocrats (The Underdogs, Rodney Jerkins, Exo-K). Anthony Rankin’s track Pheonix in Vegas is looking to be a popular placement on upcoming TV shows. His track was self-produced with co-production by Victor Broden (Jake Owen, LeeAnn Rimes, Plus One). Songstress Sydney Leigh has her Twitter fans talking about her self released debut EP “Crazy Beautiful” which was recorded with Nolan Lambroza (Sir Nolan) and Steve Daly (Tracklacers).  Jane Sun is a brother duo based out of Ohio and they recorded their EP in Nashville with Dustin Burnett (Newsboys, Augustana), we feel their songs will find a home and these boys have an excellent story to tell, their song Fly is beautiful. Kenny Hass released an EP “Hey Girl”, with songs co-written and produced by Dean Sams of Lonestar and Megan Conner. His track “Cinnamon” features Rachael Lampa while his song Butterfly features Jessica Harp of the Wreckers. Los Angeles, CA electronic indie group Say Say is gearing up to release their first EP, and performed at The Roxy KROQ Locals Only showcase. Dylan Housewright aka Avry is a 20 year old singer/songwriter/musician from Sacramento and is currently writing for artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Christina Aguilera, and Wale.  Lastly, Margaret Berger has become a Kings favorite with her new video release for her song Scream. She has released two albums under Sony BMG, she won a Norwegian Grammy for best music video and was nominated for best newcomer.

Dylan Housewright is a 20 year old singer/songwriter/musician from Sacramento, Ca. Dylan has toured with The Seeking, his previous band, traveling and performing in different venues across the US such as The Roxy, House of Blues, The Gramercy Theater in NYC, and SXSW. He is currently writing for artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Christina Aguilera, and Wale. Check out the track All Of You.
Contact: Gary@TheArteryfoundation.com, Eric@TheArteryfoundation.com

Buzz Track: Supersonic featuring Sean Kingston

Swiss pop singer Vava Voom is an up-and-coming artist. She teamed up with Sean Kingston (Beautiful Girls, Fire Burnin’, Beat It feat. Chris Brown) on her first single “Supersonic”. The single was produced by The Aristocrats (The Underdogs, Rodney Jerkins, Exo-K) and written by Esjay Jones (Akon, Rihanna, Shakira) and Pia Toscano (American Idol season 10).  Vava Voom is currently at work on her debut album, which will be released later this year. “Supersonic” is her first single release in the United States.
Contact: jason.jumpmedia@gmail.com, info@persona-pr.com

How was the transition from Switzerland to America? Do you travel back & forth?

It’s really different. It’s a slightly difficult change, although I welcome that change. In Switzerland everything is safe and comfortable, and you don’t get encouraged to pursue big accomplishments in music or entertainment. In America, it’s all about how everything is possible. You can reach your wildest dreams and win big. This also means that, unfortunately, you can lose big too, but it makes you fight to chase those dreams even more.

I travel back and forth a lot. I do most of my major songwriting and recording in the US along with most of my photo shoots and press. But I do a lot of shows in Switzerland also, so I have to be back and forth right now.

When did you start singing?

I started singing when I was a little girl. My family is really musically gifted. All of my three brothers went to a boys choir, and I obviously couldn’t join them, so I went to the Zürich opera children’s choir. There, I learned how to sing and perform on stage. Over the next few years I sang in a gospel choir, played violin and piano, and rocked out with the coolest school band ever, but in reality we sucked, haha. Once, I sang with Celine Dion in front of 44,000 people. That was one of the most amazing experiences and actually the moment when I really wanted to become an artist. CONTINUE READING