Showing posts with label kara DioGuardi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kara DioGuardi. Show all posts

Friday, January 8, 2010

Randy Jackson says no Adam Lambert or Kris Allen clones on next American Idol

There won't be anyone quite like Adam Lambert on the next season of "American Idol."

Easygoing "Idol" judge Randy Jackson told reporters during a Friday teleconference that he expected to see clones of the over-the-top eighth season runner-up or even croony champion Kris Allen show up to audition for the Fox talent competition's ninth season, which premieres Tuesday (8 p.m. EST), but there were none to be found this time around.

"Usually, whoever comes in first or second, that next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people," he said. "It's almost like a signal to everyone at home that was like them that now it's time to try out for 'American Idol.' It didn't happen like that this time. We got a very interesting, unique cast that's only unique to this season nine."

Jackson, who serves on the judging panel with Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and newcomer Ellen DeGeneres, said audition cities Dallas and Atlanta offered singers with the most starpower while Orlando, Fla., was "really strange" in terms of finding talent. He also said he was on the lookout for female crooners because the past two winners have been male.

"I think there's some really talented girls that showed up this time," he said.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Lambert Way - Adam Lambert: Cool, Calm and Eclectic (part 2)

As Adam Lambert plays the role, a rock star doesn't have to be an angry punk, a brooding post-grunge puritan or a hair-metal style macho dude in a dress. These approaches all have their purpose, but Lambert projects something different: outrageousness that's totally at peace with itself.

He does this by connecting countercultural ideas -- values he learned as a kid touring Germany in a production of "Hair," the musical that first brought rock's spirit to Broadway -- with a trouper's sense of artistic performance as work, which takes brains and a certain sharpness as well as talent.

"His No. 1 challenge, which I think he'll pass, is stay true to himself and to roll with the punches as they come," said Rob Cavallo, who has worked with artists from Green Day to the Dave Matthews Band and produced four tracks on "For Your Entertainment." "He's going to have successes. He might have people against him. Which is exactly what happened to Elvis, the Beatles, to Prince. . . . There will be controversy, and there will be opinions. If he stays true to himself he will be one of those great artists to watch over the years."

Lambert readily admits a huge debt to David Bowie, whom he describes as "my favorite," and other glam and classic rockers such as Mick Jagger and Marc Bolan of T. Rex. (More surprisingly, he repeatedly cites both Prince and Michael Jackson.) Lambert's efforts to succeed as a rocker will hinge on his ability to tap into the legacy Bowie and those others represent. His "emo" side, linking him to bands like Fall Out Boy, also helps. But it's hard to know if the rock world -- and rock radio, in particular -- will embrace him.

"When bands like Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects first came out, they got airplay on modern-rock stations," noted Leslie Fram, a rock radio veteran who's program director of New York's 101.9 RXP FM and co-host of its morning show with Matt Pinfield. "But when they crossed over to the Top 40, it was the nail in the coffin. They went over to the pop side, image-wise, and modern-rock radio wanted nothing to do with them."

Lambert's trying something even these bands didn't attempt -- to succeed in both the rock and pop camps at once. He loves his glam, but he admits that in terms of today's stars, he has more in common with Beyoncé than with Chris Daughtry.

"People look at me and immediately say, 'Oh, he's doing the musical-theater thing,' " he said. "But if you look at most female pop stars right now, how are they any less theater? Beyoncé is doing 'Single Ladies' with two girls in character shoes and leotards, doing Fosse choreography from 'Sweet Charity,' and 'West Side Story.' "

Lambert obviously learned some of his moves from his youth in the theater, but he's also always credited the friends he made through Burning Man, the annual festival of makeshift art that turns a patch of the Nevada desert into its own magic kingdom. If "Hair" introduced him to the language of the counterculture, Burning Man showed him how people spoke it every day.

"There's a community here in L.A. that's part of Burning Man," said Lambert, a San Diego native who moved to Hollywood after high school. "It's an underground community, and when I found out about it I was so much more excited about living here. The people I was meeting were a lot more interesting, more original. And happy, just happy.

"Los Angeles can be a really sad city. If you go to the clubs you meet a bunch of people trying to be actors and not fulfilling their dreams, and they're bitter and sad. . . . But in [the Burning Man] community no one cares. You're living your life, and you feel fabulous about it, and you might be doing it on $5 a day."

Lambert is certainly enjoying his bigger budget now -- especially the "expensive, beautiful and weird" clothes -- but he seems to have preserved the perspective he gained hanging out with serious bohemians.

He does know how to play the music industry game. He raided the executive suites for collaborators on "For Your Entertainment": Its songwriters include ubiquitous hit-makers Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, Linda Perry, Dr. Luke and "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, and his producers include big names like RedOne and Rob Cavallo.

"Adam is unusually confident in my mind but not in a pretentious way," Tedder said in an e-mail. "He has the confidence of a guy that absolutely knows who he is to the core, both musically and personally. He spent four days in Denver working with me and was as laid back and comfortable in my studio as he was being swarmed by fans when we went to dinner. For a first-time artist, he definitely had more control creatively than I've ever seen a new act given, but Adam is the kind of person that would rather not put out anything than put out something that was less than 100% his vision."

Pinfield, Fram's co-host on WRXP and a defining force within alternative rock as an MTV host during the 1990s, thinks his eclectic approach could work for Lambert. He might have a tough time on rock radio, Pinfield said, but the singer's fans might not care.

"There was a different world before, with the rock 'n' roll thing," he said. "Today, the same kids who love the Beatles and the Stones and Zeppelin could love Radiohead, and Adam Lambert. Young people today are not as worried about being genre specific."

In the studio, Lambert enlisted hot ingénues Pink and Lady Gaga as writers while securing some of that fabled rock cred by covering material by Justin Hawkins, formerly of English glam revivalists the Darkness, and Muse, a band that he loves.

"I listen to crazy, robust rock music where they sing their faces off, and soul music, which can be similar," Lambert said. "But I also listen to a lot of dance music. I love that style. I was a Paula Abdul fan, a Michael Jackson fan, a Madonna fan. When Christina Aguilera came out when I was in high school, that was a great example of someone taking the pop-dance feel but who could really sing. Pop stars have done it; it's just not a lot of guys have done it. Maybe it's a question of masculine persona."

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Adam Lambert sings "No Boundaries" (Studio Version)

Listen to the studio recording of American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert's version of Kara Diouardi's "No Boundaries"

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Adam Lambert Promises 'Glam is Back' with his Debut Album

American Idol runner-up reveals new song titles and collaborators

While Adam Lambert's debut album doesn't hit stores for more than a month, the "American Idol" runner-up is offering fans some hints about what they can expect.

In the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, Lambert says he was influenced by the Killers and Muse for the yet-untitled LP. "It's as if a '70s time capsule blasted off into space and you're watching it through a holographic filter," he said. "That's my big vision. ... Glam is back, mother----ers."

Lambert told the magazine that he struggled while deciding on a sound for the album. "When I got off the 'Idol' tour, I had a little identity crisis," he explained. "I was like, 'What do I wanna do?' "

Lambert worked with Rob Cavallo and former Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins on "Music Again" and has a song written by Pink and Max Martin, "What Do You Want From Me?" "It works on a relationship level, but I also relate to the sense of talking to the public," he said. "Like, 'This whole thing's a little freaked out, but please have faith in me, because I won't disappoint you.' "

He wrote the song "Strut" with "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, and he said, "It's a Gary Glitter/ T.Rex-type empowerment lyric. You're not gonna find love and happiness unless you let your hair down and strut your stuff."

Lambert co-wrote "Loaded Smile" with Linda Perry, and it's not quite as glittery as "Strut." "It's a bit dark, with all the vocals in falsetto," he said. "It feels like you're floating in space."

The album will span many genres, Lambert said, so he doesn't get stuck in one lane. "I don't think an album has to have one sound. ... I don't like boxing myself into a genre," he said. "But if I had to pick one major style, the classic-rock stuff is where I was most comfortable on the show — or at least that's what people saw me as the most.

"I wanna rock, I want people to dance, I want people to cry, I want people to smile and laugh," he said. "I wanna play dress-up!"

Friday, September 4, 2009

Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne to guest judge American Idol

Music stars Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne will be guest judges on American Idol during the final two days of auditions held this week in Los Angeles. With each star judging on a different day of L.A. auditions, Katy and Avril will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi at the judges' table.

Katy and Avril aren't the first stars to guest judge at Season 9 auditions. Recently, Victoria Beckham served as a guest judge in Denver and Boston, Mary J. Blige shared her expertise in Atlanta, Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris joined the panel in Dallas, Kristin Chenoweth met up with the show in Orlando, and Shania Twain was the guest judge in Chicago.

The Grammy-nominated Katy Perry has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike. Awarded Best New Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and voted Best New Artist by readers of Rolling Stone, Katy is currently wrapping up her sold-out "Hello Katy" worldwide tour in September. Katy even performed during a Season 8 results show. See photos of Katy's American Idol performance.

Avril Lavigne has been in the industry since she was 17 years old. Her first album, Let Go, sold more than 16 million copies worldwide and earned her eight Grammy Award nominations and four Juno Awards. With her three albums accounting for over 30 million records sold worldwide, Avril is currently in the studio working on her fourth album. In addition, she designs her own line of clothing, Abby Dawn, and she just launched her first fragrance, Black Star.

American Idol will kick off its ninth season with the audition episodes this January on FOX.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Kara DioGuardi sings "No Boundaries"

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi sings "No Boundaries", the song winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert sang on the show.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Adam Lambert: The ultimate interview, Part 3

LAT: When did you first watch the show?

AL: I watched the first season. I remember Kelly (Clarkson) was on and she was great. I was really excited, but I didn’t think they were going to like me. I thought I was too out there.

LAT: You are a little out there!

AL: I am a little out there, but I’m kind of a strategist in that I knew what I could get away with and what I probably couldn’t get away with, so I tried to dumb myself down for the first couple auditions. You know, look a little more normal, dress a little bit more low key.

LAT: Where did you audition?

AL: In San Francisco. I drove up with two of my best friends. The next morning I had gotten an hour’s sleep because I was really anxious, and right as I auditioned, I reached this epiphany where I thought, “You’re about to be 27. What do you have to show for yourself? You’ve done a couple shows. You’re working. You know you can pay your bills but do you want to do something great? Do you want to do something major and launch yourself? Yeah, I do,” and I knew that “Idol” was going to be, if I could get it, such a platform. I’d seen people that had been on “Idol” and were eliminated playing leads on Broadway, and I knew that’s the way New York is now. If you’re on TV and you’re a celebrity, you can get a lead in a Broadway show. I thought that’s what I should do because they don’t seem to want to promote me at “Wicked.” The worst-case scenario is that it would enhance my career in the theater and the best-case scenario is that I could do really well -- and I didn’t know what it was going to be.

LAT: You knew the odds were against you, but that was OK, right?

AL: Yes. I walked into the first audition with the judges, and Simon and Kara said, “You’re theatrical.” I had a feeling it was going to go down like this. They’re going to be, “Oh, he’s too Broadway,” even though I don’t feel like I actually am when I sing. I’m theatrical, but I don’t think that it’s necessarily musical theater.

LAT: What did you sing at your first audition?

AL: I sang “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley and then “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and they said, “Don’t sing ‘Crazy’ at the next audition because they can’t get the rights to it and everybody tries to sing it." I sang (“Rock With You” by) Michael Jackson and they wanted to hear another one so I sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” (by Queen) and that’s the one they ended up showing on TV.

Read all of Part Three

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Paula Abdul leaving "American Idol"

After much speculation, Paula Abdul will not be returning to “American Idol” next season.

The “Idol” judge hit her Twitter page on Tuesday night to break the news.

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #Idol,” she posted on her Twitter page. “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon.”

Following the announcement, FOX issued a statement of their own to Access Hollywood confirming Paula would not be in her judge’s chair next season for the first time since the show began in 2002.

“Paula Abdul has been an important part of the ‘American Idol’ family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best,” the statement from FOX said.

Paula’s negotiations with “Idol” producers reportedly came down to money. According to a previous report by Radar Online, the veteran reality judge was asking for $20 million to return to the show – “Idol” was reportedly willing to offer half of that amount.

Meanwhile, last week it was confirmed that the newest member to the “Idol” judging panel, Kara DioGuardi, would be returning to the show when Season Nine bows in January.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Kris Allen and Adam Lambert talk "No Boundaries"

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Cutting Kara DioGuardi's "No Boundaries" from the American Idol tour was a no-brainer for Kris Allen.

"Taking that out is kind of helping my set a little bit," Allen explained to us this morning as he and Adam Lambert picked up their new Ford vehicles at Galpin Ford just outside of Los Angeles. "It gave it a little bit more energy … It just felt like a better fit to put something else in."

Critics and fans have pretty much trashed "No Boundaries," which DioGuardi cowrote, ever since it debuted as the American Idol victory song during the finale in May. Allen has replaced it with The Killers' "All These Things That I've Done." "Everyone knows that song," Lambert said. "It's really great."

Our favorite singing bromancers also talked about which Idol alums they'd like to work with... "I love Kelly Clarkson," Allen said. "She's incredible, so that's who I'd want to work with."

Lambert is a big fan, too. "The album Kelly just came out with is fantastic," he said. "Great writers, great producers. She wrote a bunch of songs on there, and Katy Perry—my girl—wrote songs on there, too. It's great." But then Lambert added, "I want to work with Fantasia, just hollerin' back and forth."

On a more serious note, the openly gay Lambert said he's trying not to think too much about protesters who showed up at one of the recent Idol tour stops. "I don't think I'm going to change their minds," he said. "I respect their opinion, but they didn't need to come to a concert and spread negativity...Go use your energy for something productive."

Friday, June 26, 2009

Adam Lambert working with Linda Perry, Sam Sparro, Kara DioGuardi, Ryan Tedder; responds to Hi Fi statements

A source close to Adam Lambert revealed to Entertainment Weekly that American Idol's season 8 runner-up recently met with acclaimed producer Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, Pink, James Blunt); had writing sessions with American Idol judge and songwriter Kara DioGuardi and Grammy nominated Sam Sparro ("Black and Gold"); and hit the studio with One Republic's Ryan Tedder, the white-hot tunesmith behind Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," Beyonce's "Halo," and Jordin Sparks' latest single "Battlefield." It was previously reported that Lambert laid down some tracks with Lady Gaga producer RedOne.

Full EW.com Exclusive Story