Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Friday, March 8, 2013

DIDO IS BACK!

Dido is back! The Mega Successful English singer-songwriter released the highly anticipated “Girl Who Got Away” early this month! Already climbing up the international iTune charts, Dido is on track for a fantastic 2013!

Where did Dido go? What has this wonderful singer been doing?

Dido: “I haven’t been in front of another human being for 5 years…Time does seem to sort of slip away. There’s been so much else going on in my life. I got married, then I got pregnant and wanted to hang out with my family, a lot of amazing stuff. I have just been enjoying being me and having a family.”

Dido now has a 2-year-old son named Stanley with British screenwriter Rohan Gavin.

Why did Dido come up of retirement?

Dido: “I don’t know a life without music. I don’t really know a day without music…I see the world in songs.”

Did the birth of her son impact her latest album Girl Who Got Away?

No, because he wasn’t born yet. However, young Stanley was in the womb while Dido was recording Girl Who Got Away.

Dido: “I recorded a lot of my vocals while I was pregnant. When I was singing Girl Who Got Away in the studio, Stanley was kicking so hard, it felt like he could hear it. What’s crazy is that song always calms him down. If he’s screaming in the night, I just sing it and he stops and listens.”

How does Dido feel about motherhood?

Elated!

Dido: “Stanley’s two and recently it’s been a lot of fun, ‘cause he loves music, he loves drumming, he loves joining in band rehearsals, he’s just so excited. It’s so nice seeing it through someone else’s eyes, a proper, fresh perspective.”

Cheers to a successful return! We are glad to see Dido back on the international music scene! Here is the lead single Freedom (Lyrics Below)!

Language Learning Section

This week some more music to expand your Karaoke repertoire!

To help remember the words, listen to the song once or twice to get a feeling for it.

Now listen again and fill in the blanks with the missing word or words you hear. Some blanks are missing one word but others are missing more than one word.

Just to let you know, the words that are missing are key words/ideas from the song. Also, the missing words are high frequency words (answer transcript below). Enjoy!

DIDO

"No Freedom" Lyrics

Take it by ________.

That I'm free ________.

By the ________ I can tell

You don't think I'll be back for more

Try to think of the world

Where you could ________ and these safe hands could ________

Take your heart above the ________.

Wherever I choose to go

No love without freedom

________

Even when you don't ________

Even when you don't _________

I'll be ________ low below the ________

And you'll ________all out here

No love without freedom

________

No love without freedom

________

Standing here in ________

The ________ in front of me

Holding you in ________

And seeing as _________

No love without freedom

__________

Answer Transcript

DIDO

"No Freedom" Lyrics

Take it by your silence

That I'm free to walk out the door

By the look in your eyes I can tell

You don't think I'll be back for more

Try to think of the world

Where you could stay and these safe hands could go

Take your heart above the water

Wherever I choose to go

No love without freedom

No freedom without love

Even when you don't see me

Even when you don't hear

I'll be flying low below the sun

And you'll feel it all out here

No love without freedom

No freedom without love

No love without freedom

No freedom without love

Standing here in silence

The world in front of me

Holding you in my hand

And seeing as you'd see

No love without freedom

No freedom without love

Have a great week and to all the women out there, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Skyfall a Big Hit at the Oscars!

Skyfall wins Best Original Song at the Oscars!

Adele took the 85^th Academy Awards (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) by storm this year with a sizzling, powerful vocal performance of Skyfall! After enthralling and memorizing a celebrity filled audience, Adele went on to claim an Oscar, with the famous British music producer Paul Epworth, for the Best Original Song of 2012!

“THIS IS THE END”

Skyfall opens with a wonderful, bluesy style and a catch line that screams for attention!

However, the song doesn’t stray too far from the original music themes of the James Bond movie series. A common formula for success!

Background

Paul Epworth and Adele did a fantastic job of composing Skyfall. Paul created the tune and Adele put the lyrics to Skyfall. Paul created the tune after listening to the first 13 James Bond movies. Adele loved the dark, haunting ballad sound and put words to Skyfall in a draft form in 10 minutes. And of course, after a lot of hard studio work, Skyfall was created! Take a listen and enjoy!

Language Learning Section

Instructions

First, listen to the Song Skyfall by Adele.

Next, fill in the blanks with the missing verb forms. If this is difficult listen again a few more times. Listening Hint - most of the missing words are repeated in the song over and over. Finally, check your answers below and look up any new words.

Enjoy while you Listen and Practice!

Skyfall Practice Listening: High Frequency Verb forms

THIS IS THE END

______ your breath and ______ to ten

______the earth ______ and then

______ my heart ______ again

For this is the end

I've ______ and ______this moment

So overdue, I ______ them

______, I'm stolen

Let the sky fall, when it ______

And ______ it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds ______ and days are dark

You may have my number, You can take my name

But you'll never ______ my heart

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I ______ I'd never be me without the security

Are your loving arms ______ me from harm

______ your hand in my hand and we'll stand

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Answers

Take a look at the Skyfall lyrics and fill in the verb forms you missed. Then listen to Skyfall again; especially to the parts or words you found difficult. And, of course, try singing Skyfall with your friends at your next karaoke party!The words will come easy now!

THIS IS THE END

Hold your breath and count to ten

Feel the earth move and then

Hear my heart burst again

For this is the end

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

So overdue, I owe them

Swept away, I'm stolen

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Skyfall is where we start

A thousand miles and poles apart

Where worlds collide and days are dark

You may have my number, You can take my name

But you'll never have my heart

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

(Let the sky fall, When it crumbles, We will stand tall x2)

Where you go I go

What you see I see

I know I'd never be me without the security

Are your loving arms keeping me from harm

Put your hand in my hand and we'll stand

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

Let the sky fall, when it crumbles

We will stand tall

And face it all together

At sky fall

Let the sky fall

We will stand tall

At sky falls

Ooooo...

Until next week enjoy some more of the fabulous Adele!

MORE James Bond!

Do you have what it takes to be James Bond? Celebrity English

Do you have what it takes to be James Bond?
http://celebrityenglish-alex.blogspot.ca/2012/11/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-james.html

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

Christmas is almost here! Trees are decorated, parties are happening and Christmas music is everywhere! Justin Bieber’s song "Mistletoe"is back on the air and in the stores! It debuted in 2011 and is still on many people’s Xmas music play list. So don’t be surprised if you keep hearing this song wherever you go!

Check out the video and try to fill in the missing blanks below. Enjoy!

"Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber

It’s the most beautiful time of the year

Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer

I should be playing in the winter snow

But I'mma be under the mistletoe

I don’t wanna miss out on the holiday

But I can’t stop staring at your face

I should be playing in the winter snow

But I’mma be under the 1________

With you, shawty with you

With you under the mistletoe

Everyone's gathering around the fire

2________roasting like a hot July

I should be chilling with 3________, I know

But I’mma be under the mistletoe

Word on the street 4________'s coming tonight,

5________'s flying through the sky so high

I should be 6________, I know

But I’mma be under the mistletoe

With you, shawty with you

With you under the mistletoe

With you, shawty with you

With you under the mistletoe

Aye, love, the 7_______followed the star

The way I followed my heart

And it led me to a 8________

Aye, love, don't you buy me nothing

'cause I am feeling one thing, your lips on my lips

That’s a merry, 9________

It’s the most beautiful time of the year

Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer

I should be playing in the winter snow

But I’mma be under the mistletoe

I don’t wanna miss out on the holiday

But I can’t stop staring at your face

I should be playing in the winter snow

But I’mma be under the mistletoe

With you, shawty with you

With you under the mistletoe

With you, shawty with you

With you, under the mistletoe, under the mistletoe

Kiss me underneath the mistletoe

Show me baby that you love me so-oh-oh

Oh, oh, ohhh

Kiss me underneath the mistletoe,

Show me baby that you love me so-oh-oh

Oh, oh, ohhh

Listening Answers

1. mistletoe

2. Chestnuts

3. my folks

4. Santa

5. Reindeer

6. making a list

7. wise men

8. miracle

9. merry Christmas

Ok, now go through the video one more time and answer the Comprehension Questions below. However to help you out, I have given you the meanings to some of the key slang terms from the song.

Slang Terms & Meanings from Justin Bieber

wanna = want to

imma be = I am going to be.

a "shawty" = a pretty girl.

Comprehension Questions

(1)What is mistletoe?

A plant; see picture of Mickey and Minnie under the mistletoe below.

(2)What usually happens under the mistletoe?

Christmas custom, any two people who meet under a hanging of mistletoe are obliged to kiss.

(3)Does Justin Bieber want a Christmas gift from his girlfriend?

No.

(4)What does Justin Bieber want to do for Christmas?

He wants to be together with his girlfriend under the mistletoe.

(5)What are some of the Christmas activities that Justin Bieber feels he ‘should be’ doing?

He should be: playing in the winter snow, chilling with his folks, making a list.

Happy Holidays!

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

K’Sandra Skyrocketing to the Top!

K'Sandra Light 'n' Dark Album by Andrei Photography

K’Sandra, the highly acclaimed Dance/Electronica music dynamo is skyrocketing up the charts!!

Dance Artist of the Year with the album “Light 'n' Dark”!
The song ‘Push the Girl’ on MTV!
A gig at the upcoming Sundance Festival!
A hot new double-CD on the way - "Even Lighter - Even Darker"!

K’Sandra is Sensational, Hot, Sizzling, Electrifying, Dance Making & Boundary Shaking! With an energetic sound synced with a primal baseline, K’Sandra is a DJ favorite. K’Sandra is PUSHING to the TOP! This Talented Musician & Passionate Lady will not be stopped!

Let’s get an insider’s look at the Lady behind the music!

Interview

Alex: How long have you been in the music business and what got you started?

K’Sandra: Been doing music since first grade and it has been always part of my life, no matter in which stage of life I was it is a part of me. Actively being in the music business I would say I started the real business side of it just maybe 7 years ago with every step of the way being a learning journey. I started singing at a classical conservatory and later on trained with professional vocal coaches around the world, and trained dance professionally and have been always aiming towards making my passion my profession. What got me just simply started was my love for singing and expressing my emotions and feelings and pain that I sometimes carried inside of me thru singing and not thru talking.

Alex: Do you have a creative process you go through when creating a song or album? If so, would you mind sharing it?

K’Sandra: The creative process I go thru when working on a song can be just a tiny inspiration like a hummingbird flying up to me, or a very deep and dark experience that has caused that my life path or current action step needed to be changed. Or I just simply listen to any song of Michael Jackson still to day and I hear a new song in his song. Or sometimes I am at a great rave and I hear this dominant bass line that is just filling every cell of my body with a great vibration and I feel I get an idea for a song that could be written around that bass line. That is what creation is to me, it's a never ending process of someone or something inspiring you new. When working on an album I tend to set a topic, just like movie people do when they decide to work on a movie, I see the whole concept, the whole packaging, design, story of the album and then pick which songs would be best suiting to the album. It is super important to me that an album tells a whole story and is not just like major labels love to do the best selling singles (3 or 4 of them and the rest crappy filler material). I really hate filler material. I have gotten feedback to my album Light 'n' Dark that each song is a great song and that people feel not cheated when buying my record.

Alex: How many languages do you speak and how many languages do you like to sing in?

K’Sandra: I speak 3 1/2 languages but I sing only in English (for now but I can not wait to record a Spanish single).

Alex: For people trying to find their voice in English, do you have any tips or breathing techniques that might help with talking and pronunciation?

K’Sandra: Intonation is a big thing, it is honestly not an easy thing for a foreigner to sing in English and to sound American or British. Language has been something that fascinated me my whole life and listening to the intonation and where to set the breath/pauses when singing can help a lot and to know which emotion to put into specific words. There are of course many other things relating to breathing techniques but listing those would result in me writing a book here ha-ha.

Alex: Who would you most like to open for or who do like out there in the music world these days?

K’Sandra: I used to always say Madonna when asked that question, but I have to change my mind when seeing on her last tour that she used guns on stage (for sure not real ones but still...), that is something I just don't find cool. I love guns and they are great on the shooting range if used with a smart brain and to train targeting or in a movie on set, but in front of fans??? to show creative expression, I feel that's not cool. Why not use water guns... Of course I can not say Michael Jackson since he is resting in peace....hm..maybe opening for Sting, or maybe for Bruno Mars. I like a lot of music out there though, it can change every month.

Alex: Now on to your newest video Push the Girl is being played on MTV. What was the inspiration behind the song?

K’Sandra: The song is about pushing thru boundaries and not taking no for an answer (which I have done too often before I realized it's gotten me nowhere but made me unhappy). It is about encouraging to take any action, no matter if your boyfriend or anybody is making you feel bad. Be a tough girl and don't take any shit and let others know not to mess with you even if people think it makes you arrogant or a bitch, it does not hurt to have both sides, a soft one and a rough one.

Alex: If you could open for any musician or music group, who would it be and why?

K’Sandra: As above mentioned, maybe for Sting or Bruno Mars, or maybe for Beyonce, she is a great performer and got a great stage energy.

Alex: What can we look forward to in the future from K'SANDRA?

K’Sandra: I will be releasing a double-CD called "Even Lighter - Even Darker" with some hot, nasty,nice, trancy, dubsteppy, rocky, house, techno, and remixes in 2013 were I will be working with DJs worldwide that submit their best remix of a song of "Light 'n' Dark" and the best ones picked by fans will make it onto the album.

I am also going to work on more songs and will be collaborating with some new people for my 2nd album and I do plan to release some cool merchandise and a new line of essences and maybe even my own brand of water.

Alex: K'SANDRA - you are a strong, passionate, and highly successful musician in a tough industry, what is your motto or mantra?

K’Sandra: If you are ready to go thru death to be re-born, or if you are ready to live the most horrible life to find your truth only then you are ready for success, unless you are Justin Bieber and some major label drops by and gives you a good contract or if you are Rihanna and somebody has a crush on you while vacationing and brings you to the US.... If you really want to pursuit something, no matter what profession it is and you do it for fame or just for money it's the wrong mantra, but if you do anything in your life with the outcome that it can benefit the greater good then you are on the right way.

Alex: What is the best way for people connect with you and your music?

K’Sandra:

K'Sandra on Stage-photo by Hayley Sargant

www.IamKSandra.com

My whole album "Light 'n' Dark" is on iTunes and also on Pandora and of course on www.CDBaby.com/KSandra

or you can go directly

thru my own store at

www.IamKSandra.com

Alex: Thank you K'Sandra for taking the time to do this interview! And we will be looking forward to the release of your new "Even Lighter - Even Darker"

K’Sandra: My pleasure Alex!

Until Next Week Enjoy K'Sandra's Push the Girl

(live at Avec)!

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Mickey Strange Experience!

Mickey Strange’s vibrant sound is powering through the music world! Already well known in the alternative underground music scene, Mick’s blend of Goth, Electronica, Industrial and rock is trending heavy on the Internet. This vocal powerhouse out of Detroit is getting rave reviews from his fans, media, and DJ’s!

Laney & Friends say, “You are the King of the Underground!”

Metro Times Detroit calls Mickey Strange “Liquid Fire!"

“The Dark man from Detroit sheds some light in Brazil” - DJ. Markus Marques - Brazil

“Mickey Strange Rocks This Place!” DJ Jetta - New York

Interview

Alex: With 340 million Google website hits, how are you feeling? How long have you been in the music game?

Mickey Strange: Wow! I didn’t even know!

Two weeks, just kidding I have to mess with you a little bit Alex…being old as the moon you know; I have been around a long time.

Alex: What got you into music and what keeps you going?

Mick: As far back as I can remember - I was singing on a picnic table with my Batman cape on and fell off and broke my collarbone. I don’t remember much after that…I have always been singing - always. What keeps me going? - I do it for me. It’s who I am. Record deal or no Record deal.

Put your faith not into men, for men only reflect the being that you are.

Alex: Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

Mick: In order – Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Peter Murphy – I have a real low voice.

I would have to say “Bowie” sent me over the edge…I’m terribly attracted to the bizarre.

The one major highlight of this past year was meeting “MikeGarson” I was really nervous – I think he knew it…what an amazing talent!!!

Alex: Where does the fantastic 'Mickey Strange' artwork come from?

Mick: LOL – I can’t draw a straight line if my life depended on it – seriously! I love art so much…I really do admire people that can draw and paint…then came Photoshop! I said “ah” what a great form of self-mutilation…LOL - I do all the pics with my phone and Photoshop.

Started school at Bauhaus Design 1919–1933 - I have been around a long time remember.

Alex: When you are creating lyrics or a new song, what types of things inspire you?

Mick: The Supernatural. I’ll leave it at that for now.

Alex: As a professional singer, would you mind giving us a few tips on projecting your voice or on some voice training exercises?

Mick: First of all no one is tone deaf. That is false information. Everyone can sing.

Ear Training for pitch control - musical notes have colors.

There is a breathing exercise called “Breath of the Dragonby Bruce Lee” most don’t know about.

Vibrato - start real slow - equals control.

Alex: Where can people check out your music online or in person?

Mick: Free downloads for everyone.

Mick’s blend of Goth, Electronica, Industrial and rock music!

http://www.talentlive.com/mickey_strange.htm

I’m hiding right now but coming out live real soon…

Alex: Thank you for the free downloads! That’s very cool of you! What can we look for in the future from Mickey Strange?

Mick:

As long as I am in the three-dimensional world – there will always be a song.

Keep up with the digital artwork – that I didn’t think anyone would really care about.

A lot of musical videos that I’m really excited about!

Alex: Mick! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy recording schedule to do an interview here at Celebrity English! I really enjoyed the Mickey Strange Experience! You are a true artist and gentleman!

Mick: Thanks so much Alex I had a wonderful time and thanks for having me.

Thank you everyone for all your support!!!

I am that which I am

A changing thing indeed

And while I am that which I am

I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are

I recognize that there are not two of us that are the same

I recognize that we have many differences

I recognize that there are things that are similar

There are things that are even same

And in all of our sameness

And in all of our differences

I find joy

-Mickey Strange

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