5. Pink/Kesha (a tie)

Yes, we had to start this list off as a tie, because this banger of an awards show has such an allstar line-up. It’s been so long since we’ve seen Pink perform live, and frankly, we’re ready for her comeback! She’ll be singing her new track “Just Like Fire” and we venture to guess some pyrotechnics might be in the works. Then of course, how could you not look forward to seeing Kesha back on stage after the whirlwind of a year she’s had with her Dr. Luke court case. The world is cheering for Kesha, and we can’t wait to hear what she has in store!

4. Troye Sivan

This YouTuber turned singer is dominating the music world right now. From the release of his very first EP in 2014, his haunting and electro inspired music has captured the hearts of many (lead track, “Happy Little Pill” above — watch it!). Troye will be performing his newest hit “Youth” from his debut solo album “Blue Neighbourhood”.

3. Celine Dion 

Sure to be the most heart-wrenching performance of the night, Celine will take to the world stage and sing her rendition of Queen’s hit, “The Show Must Go On” (video above). The song choice, which undoubtedly is a reference to the horrible year she’s had losing both her husband and brother in the course of a few days, will be one emotional moment not to miss.

2. Britney

If you haven’t been fortunate enough to see Britney in Vegas over the last few years *raises hand*, you’re likely aching for a new Britney awards show performance. Not only will Brit be performing a medley of her classic hits, she’ll also be *giving us more* (see what we did there?) by debuting her new track “Make Me (Oooh)” from her upcoming 2016 album. Knowing that she’s been killing it lately in Vegas (video proof above), we really can’t wait for Brit Brit to slay us with new music!

1. Madonna, obviously

Just yesterday it was announced that the Queen of Pop would be honouring Prince in a very special tribute performance this year. The two were great friends and even collaborated on a track called “Love Song” back in the day. Madonna ALWAYS delivers the water-cooler moment at any event she performs, and we expect nothing less from this year’s plans. In addition to the performance, Madonna is nominated for Top Touring Artist, which she definitely deserves to take home (video evidence above).

Want more? We put together a simple ballot sheet that you can download here to make your own predictions at home!

The 2016 Billboard Music Awards will air May 22 on ABC at 8 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. CST from Las Vegas.

Toronto, ON (January 20, 2014) -Dee Bronte’s first full length album “Preface”, a beautifully mastered blend of pop, R&B and urban sounds with an acoustic twist, is now available on iTunes. Listeners can expect a unique vocal tone with a wide range of dynamics that serve to propel story-lines in each of the album’s 10 tracks. On top of the full length studio album, Ms. Bronte recently released a stunning collaboration with recording artist Deion, entitled “The Landmark EP”.  

“Preface” is the perfect demonstration of how powerful eloquent songwriting and an honest vocal performance can be. The album was produced by Norm Sabourin who has an extensive resume ranging from working with John Legend to 98 Degrees. This full length studio album includes songs like “Bring It Back” and “Say It Loud”, mastered by the very talented Brian Malouf who has worked with music icons Madonna, Barbara Steisand, David Gray and Michael Jackson. Other tracks of note include the album’s 2014 lead single “Same Mistake” (a collaboration with Toronto recording artist VITAL) and the emotionally charged “Wonder”.

On top of releasing her first full length album, Dee Bronte demonstrates her talent has no bounds by collaborating with rising star Deion. Deion Reverie is a gifted singer and producer whose style ranges from pop and indie to alternative music. The couple’s hauntingly beautiful collaboration on The Landmark EP shows the true diversity and capability of Dee’s voice and songwriting abilities.

“Playful and honest. Sarcastic and vulgar. I am always exploring my relationship with various styles of music. I want to create memorable tracks that reflect the layers of the human condition,” says Dee. “For me, writing music is about sharing creative expression. It has no bounds, that’s part of its marvellous appeal.”

Dee Bronte’s album “Preface” can be purchased on iTunes for $9.90 . “The Landmark EP” can be streamed on Soundcloud.

For more information, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart | Embrace Disruption PR

p: 647.638.1586 | e: cory@embracedisruption.com

About Dee Bronte 

Dee Bronte has always had an intense passion for the arts. Being a graduate of the prestigious Toronto-based Randolph Academy, Dee has had the opportunity to perform in various musicals, including Little Shop Of Horrors, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Into the Woods, Oliver, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown and many others. In an effort to achieve more creative development and face new challenges,  Dee joined a Broadway rock band in 2009 called “Stagehands”.

In 2013, Dee met Norm Sabourin, a music producer who has worked with the likes of John Legend and 98 Degrees. Dee worked with Norm to develop her sound and vocal performances on what is now Dee Bronte’s first full-length album entitled, “Preface”.

Website:  deemusicofficial.com

Twitter: @DeeBronteMusic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeeMusicNow

Instagram: @deebrontemusic

This week, singer-songwriter Dee Bronte (proudly represented by EDPR) took a moment out of her busy schedule to talk about the new video for her song, Wonder. ”It started off as something different, and ended up turning into a beautiful ballad…It’s unpretentious, it’s honest and it’s vulnerable,” says Dee.

Filmed in an abandoned Detroit church, the video truly reflects the spirit of the song. Dee was initially hesitant about the location but, videographer Jay Baskey, convinced her that the building was indeed the perfect backdrop for her soulful lyrics. “At first I was reluctant, I’m not a religious person, so I didn’t want people to get the wrong idea, but, when we found this church in Detroit, it spoke to me… it had it’s own story, it was tragic and beautiful.”

Shot in only a few hours, the results represent a beautiful, raw side of Dee. Check it out!

Have a look at Dee’s first video for “Same Mistake” ft. VITAL.

EDPR would like to introduce singer/songwriter Dee Bronte. Dee’s promotional pop single and video “Same Mistake” was released on VEVO this past week. This release marks the start of a new chapter for Bronte and presents a brilliant collaboration with fellow musician VITAL.  The musical chemistry between the two artists is undeniable, creating an authentic track of heartbreak and struggle. With acoustic guitar in hand Bronte strives to produce song and lyric from an honest, creative place:

“I’m always exploring my relationship with various types of music. The acoustic guitar is the vessel I use the most, and I find my most honest lyrics and melodies come from it. I want to write memorable tracks. For me, writing music is about sharing creative expression. It has no bounds! It’s meant to be shared, enjoyed, and evoke something in us. My debut track is a collaboration featuring VITAL, an incredibly talented artist and over-all lovely person. He puts up with me and my constant marriage proposals. We had a blast doing the track and video.  My album is slated to debut in April, with new singles coming soon which I’m pumped about.”

Getting to know the Dee Bronte behind the music is just as thrilling as listening to her work. The Canadian musician, who doesn’t like taking life too seriously, generated her roots in musical theatre. After a great beginning, she stepped out on her own playing at local coffee houses, mastering the guitar and developing her writing skills. Following a stint in the Broadway rock band ‘Stagehands,’ Bronte decided that a solo career was the ideal fit for her and we couldn’t be more thrilled that she made this choice.

Dee Bronte is planning to release her first full-length album April 2014. We’ve had a little preview, and are thrilled with the upcoming material — can’t wait for you to see what she’s got in store!

Check out her single “Same Mistake” here, follow the singer on twitter and take time to visit her fan page.

As PR professionals, hearing about a media crisis generates great deal of conversation in the office; heated debates of how we would help a client bounce back. Below you will find our solutions for the Biebs!

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1. Apologize and seek self-help

Bieber has obviously upset a lot of people as a result of his behavior. It is time to apologize and work on being a better role model. We think a short direct statement, no longer than five sentences, should be released indicating that he is sorry for his recent actions and he plans on seeking help. This would show a level of maturity and poise from the superstar that would help to quiet the critics.

2. Get out of the pubic eye

The public has seen a lot of Justin Bieber lately and very few of the reasons for this have been positive. We would advise the Biebs to try his best to disengage with the media for a while. Get off social media (it seems to only make matters worse), diminish public appearances  and  lay low for a while. Make the public aware of the time you are taking to better yourself.

3. Get the Help

Bieber’s career can be far from over, but in order to sustain himself he needs to get things together. Whether there are behavioral issues, drug issues or something else going on with the young pop star, his talent and showmanship is undeniable. It is one thing to say you are working to better yourself and it’s another to put the time and effort in. If Bieber does the work, great results can be achieved.

Known for his work with charities, going the extra mile for fans and winning the hearts of boys and girls worldwide, the majority of Justin Bieber’s career has been positive. We know Bieber can bounce back from his indiscretions if he plays his cards right. Bieber should seek whatever help and guidance needed to make good, positive decisions in his personal and professional life. 2014 has not seen the end of Biebs, we just hope he can turn it around soon!

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It seems the days of hyping an artist’s record in the months prior to its release may be over. With the immense success of Beyonce’s latest surprise album, it’s clear that there may be a shift in the publicity strategies musicians employ when releasing new music. Beyonce ditched the traditional album-release PR strategy by not promoting at all beforehand. The entire Bey camp managed to keep the 14-track album (which also includes 17 videos filmed in various locations around the world) a complete secret. No leaks, no accidental footage, no sneak peeks, absolutely nothing.

Instead, the surprise self-titled album was released early last Friday morning at 12 a.m. without any warning. The rest was left to fans, who frantically went on a downloading spree — causing iTunes to temporarily shut down from the strain. Beyonce sold a record setting 450,000 digital copies of her album in just one day.

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The results could also be seen throughout social media networks. When the album went live on iTunes, Beyonce posted an Instagram stop-motion video of the visual album with a simple caption underneath reading “Surprise!” The Instagram post alone has garnered over 541,000 likes and over 40,000 comments over a 3-day span. Twitter saw an incredible spike in mentions, with a reported 1.2 million #Bey related tweets in just 12 hours. Smart publicity stunt or just plain smart?

As we’ve seen with a number of artists this year, from Miley Cyrus to Lady Gaga, most are turning toward digital methods of publicity –creating hype in order to promote their album. Miley’s controversial VMA performance lead to hundreds, if not thousands, of viral parody videos, GIFs, memes, blog posts, etc. Memes and GIFs aside, her twerk-filled performance at the VMAs also significantly increased her followers on Twitter, likes on Facebook and her name’s search volume on Google. Miley’s official YouTube account saw a 52% increase in popularity after the performance.

On October 8th, just 6 weeks after her infamous VMA performance, Miley Cyrus released her fourth studio album ‘Bangerz’.  In the first week of its release, Bangerz sold 270,000 copies. As of December 2013, Bangerz has sold 503,000 copies in the US. The numbers are good, but they come nowhere near Beyonce’s.

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Lady Gaga is notoriously known for creating a media stir – whether it’s her lyrics, fashion, or music videos. Gaga jumped on the digital bandwagon by releasing her ARTPOP app prior to the release of her ARTPOP album. Gaga paired with mobile developer Relative Wave to create the app, which is intended to engage her fans, allow them to communicate between one another, and provide updates in the world of Gaga. The menu has four options: ArtHaus, ARTPOP (a link that takes you to the iTunes store to download the album), Trakstar and GagaTV, which won’t be available until 2014 (a great ploy to keep users glued to the app and engaged in the Gaga world). Gaga’s ARTPOP was released on November 6th and sold 258,000 copies its first week. Not bad, right? But compared to Beyonce, it’s still weak.

Apart from the numbers, what distinguishes Beyonce’s album release sales between Lady Gaga’s, Katy Perry’s (who sold 268,000 in one week) and Miley Cyrus’ sales? The publicity strategy. In comparison to Gaga, Katy and Miley –all of whom employed classic publicity tactics – Beyonce clearly surpassed both numbers in less than a week with a unique approach.

You might immediately think: “What publicity plan? She did nothing!”

Now, now.. let’s not underestimate the amount of planning and strategy that went into this bold and creative move.

As much as we’d like to give credit to Beyonce, this endeavour is not a solo project. Beyonce definitely has a solid team of publicists and marketing experts who are managing her key messaging, publicity efforts and execution of this album launch. As much as it may not seem like an aggressive publicity campaign, make no mistake: it is. The difference? All external publicity is done post album release – and this is what separates her campaign from her competitors’ campaigns. We applaud Bey and her team for the innovative strategy.

Artists shouldn’t go out and copy Beyonce’s strategy and expect the same results, however. The copy-and-paste publicity strategy that the music industry embraces certainly needed a shake-up, but that doesn’t mean the disruption stops here.  A lot of time went into executing this strategy, and it’s certainly working in Beyonce’s favour. It has been hard to engage in any media consumption this past week without hearing Bey mentioned not to mention the album sales to date (Bey’s album has already sold 828,773 copies worldwide).

Nobody expected a stunt like this (nor did they expect the album to do well — see this article written the day her album was released) which is exactly what is needed for success. Keeping the public guessing and disrupting the norm continues to be the best and effective way to achieve your publicity goals.

With the mounting competition in all industries (not just entertainment), the copy-and-paste publicity and marketing strategies no longer make the cut. Disruptive innovation combined with clever strategy are the only true tactics for survival. Just ask Beyonce.

*READER DISCLAIMER: album figures may vary, as numbers are sourced from time of article writing.

Last week, Carly Rae Jepsen threw the opening pitch for Tampa Bay Rays / Houston Astros and embarrassed herself by earning the title of the worst opening pitch. Hundreds of thousands of people have seen the video and thousands more most likely have seen the Gifs created in her honour.

Unfortunately, in PR we cannot control everything that makes it to the media, but we can control how we react to the situation. Whether it’s your client, or you, embracing the embarrassing moment and having a laugh with everyone else is a great way to overcome it and show the public that you human like everyone else.

Take a look at the video below!

7:00 AM – Hit the Snooze
It’s a Beautiful Day – Michael Bublé

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Good morning everyone! Nothing like some Michael Bublé to get you out of bed.

8:00 AM – Morning Commute
I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy feat. Faith

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Come on, you know you want to sing to this song. Belt it out. The rush hour traffic will be a breeze.

9:00 AM – Right On Time
Move Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

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Time to crack down and start being productive. Listen to this to get you moving!

10:00 AM – Caffeine High
Levels – Avicii

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The caffeine has kicked in and you’re off to a good start. This song is perfect for getting you in ‘the zone’.

11:00 AM – Morning Rush
Madness – Muse

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It’s madness! Just one more hour, and you’ve already decided what you’ll be ordering for lunch.

12:00 PM – Lunch Hour!
Hollywood (Jacques Lu Cont Remix) – Madonna

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This song is perfect for a mid-day party break.

1:00 PM Itis
Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia

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You’ve stuffed yourself and the itis is just kicking in… This song should pick you back up!

2:00 PM – Afternoon Stretch
Girl On Fire (Inferno Version) – Alicia Keys feat. Nicki Minaj

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Don’t let your good vibes stop – keep on pushing through this afternoon with full force!

3:00 PM – Just Keep Swimming
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

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A little Queen never hurt nobody.

4:00 PM – Almost there
8 Become 1 – Norwegian Recycling

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Last hour! You got this. Check out this mash up while you’re at it!

5:00 PM PARTAY
Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae

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It’s 5PM, time to party! This song will definitely get you hyped.

6:00 PM Wind Down
Nuvole Bianche – Ludovico Einaudi

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It’s important to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. This song will ease your mind before you head out for the night.

 Happy work day!

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PROUD FM 103.9

Otherwise known as CIRR-FM, Proud FM was the first radio station in Toronto to target the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender communities. Ever since their launch in 2007, they have been playing the greatest variety of new as well as old music hits.

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DO NOT MISS: The Mike Chalut Show

Listen to The Mike Chalut Show every weekday 3:00 – 7:00PM. A name in both TV and radio, his winning personality mixed with producer Helena Schaper’s quick wit make for a charming combination. Your afternoons will never be a drag again, and their contagious energy will definitely make you love this station’s guts.

99.9 Virgin Radio

Owned by the Virgin Group, the Virgin Radio brand is used by independent radio stations all around the world. In Toronto, 99-9 Virgin Radio is owned by Bell Media, this station plays the latest contemporary hits.

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DO NOT MISS: Steve Roberts on The Breakfast Show with Mad Dog & Maura

Steve Roberts co-hosts the Breakfast Show with Mad Dog & Maura Monday to Thursdays at 6:00 – 9:00AM and Fridays 5:30 – 9:00AM. All three hosts make our morning shine but we’re big fans of Steve Roberts: he’s such a delight!

KiSS 92.5

A.K.A. CKIS-FM, KiSS is a radio station owned by Rogers Media. Since their first broadcast in 1993, they have been broadcasting the Top 40 contemporary hits for Torontarians.

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DO NOT MISS: Taylor Kaye

Taylor Kaye airs every weekday 9:00AM – 2:00PM.  We love her cheeky personality and hearing all the latest celebrity dirt straight from the pop culture expert!

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boom 97.3 – 70’s, 80’s, 90’s

boom 97.3 is the station you go to if ever you want a blast from the past. Owned by Astral Media, their extensive song repertoire focuses on adult hits released between years 1964 to 2005!

DO NOT MISS: Totally 80’s Friday Nights

If you’re getting ready for a night out, or just having a quiet Friday night alone: don’t forget to tune into Boom 97.3 for the Totally 80′s Friday Nights! It airs every Friday 5:00PM to 2AM, so it accompanies you from the end of the work week to the weekend night out. Hosts KY and Jeff Spindel will keep you entertained through your evening adventure!

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CHUM FM 104.5

CHUM-FM plays the hottest adult contemporary hits in Toronto, currently holding the spot for the second most listened-to radio station in their market. They have weekly ‘CHUM Chart Top 30s’ countdowns, voted on by their listeners and requests!

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DO NOT MISS: 90 Min Workday Kickoff

Hosted by the wonderful Ingrid Schumacher, the 90 Min Workday Kickoff airs weekdays at 9:00 – 10:30AM. She plays the perfect mix of upbeat hits that never fails to start off our work days the right way.

Now that you know what we’re jamming to.. tell us your radio picks in the comments!

Leading up to the album’s drop date, Jay-Z, in cooperation with Samsung, released promo videos, creating huge anticipation for the release. This newest trend of creative promotions/marketing is taking the rap music world by storm.

Earlier this summer we saw Kanye West broadcast his  single “New Slaves” on 66 buildings across the globe and now Jay-Z  has created promo videos, which can be seen as advertisements before YouTube videos. The two biggest names in rap have changed the landscape of music advertising.

What do you think of this new mode of advertising? Do you think this is good PR?

This week, we’d like to introduce you to inspiring filmmaker & actor, Michael Reventar!

What’s your official job title and where did you go to school?

I am a filmmaker and actor.  I have the joy of getting to write, direct, and compose music.  I messed up high school, only graduating because my Royal Conservatory Grade 8 Piano Certificate from when I was 13 counted as my last needed credit!  Escaping family disgrace, I conquered Seneca’s Business Admin Program, graduating with honors.  Redemption!  I’ve studied acting with Toronto’s renowned David Rotenberg (of ProActor’s Lab), and out of the Michelle Danner Acting School in L.A.

Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter).

I believe anything is possible.  ’Nuff said.

Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?

When I turned 30, my lovely wife said to me, “The worst thing in life is regret.”  So I decided it was time for me to do what I was born to do.  At the time I was working an office job, and her words had maximum impact as she just lost her father to brain cancer.

I was born to be creative.  Thinking outside the box was how God wired me.  I didn’t choose to be like this.

I love the creative process!  I could talk all day, with anyone, about all things creative.  Call me…

What is the best part of your day-to-day?

Nothing is defined for me!  I get to explore each moment, helping to shape that with which I put my hand to.  I don’t take that for granted.

What’s the most challenging?

Living off passion versus money.  It’s not easy but I would rather feel alive, doing what I love, then be a dead-man-walking, working for a paycheque.

If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see for yourself?

Help the world fall in love with Toronto.  Why?  Because a city that celebrates ‘difference’ is a needed light to the rest of the world.

How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life? 

I know it’s extreme, but disruption saved my life.  No joke!  I would be dead, if not for a few individuals who disrupted my life of self-destruction.  At some point, we all need to have our thinking and actions challenged, unless your name is Mr. Perfect.

What is the most memorable moment in your career?

Spending the 18^th straight hour in studio working on the soundtrack for my film and having this beautiful thought flood my fatigued mind – “I LOVE THIS!”

Do you support any initiatives or charities? 

I’m blessed to know great people.  My wife and I help support two dudes I grew up with who have dedicated their lives to others.  One works in an orphanage in Mexico, the other started a music school for children in Honduras.  Selflessness is a beautiful thing.

Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.

Daily stretching.  And having tea with world leaders.

Just for fun: if you had to pick one app in the whole APPVERSE, what would it be?

An APP that would remind me if I were forgetting this rule – ‘Where you are, be all there.’

Be sure to follow Michael on Twitter to keep up-to-date on his latest project, a short film entitled ‘Mighty Tongue.’

This week, we’d like to introduce you to the incredibly talented rising star of the Canadian Opera Company ensemble, Charlotte Burrage!

What’s your official job title and where did you go to school?

I am an Opera singer, specifically a Mezzo- soprano (FYI a mezzo-soprano is lower than a soprano.) I am one of the newest Ensemble members of the Canadian Opera Company.  I have been studying music since I was 8 years old, participating in private piano, voice and theory lessons, as well as several professional choirs. I went to the University of Toronto for 6 years completing an Opera Undergrad and a Masters in Voice Performance. I continued at the University of British Columbia and got a Diploma in Opera.  Even with 8 years of University   some of my best education happened with a glass of wine and a great recording or watching a life changing performance.

Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter).

I am a classical singer who loves languages, philosophy, travelling and Sons of Anarchy.  I think Opera is alive and learning to thrive in a new habitat. I am thrilled by edgy new companies that are bringing opera into the 21^st century but I feel like if people just took the time to understand Opera, they would realize they can already relate.  I feel the same way about sports as most people feel about music. I like sports that offer instant gratification, like basketball but please don’t make me watch soccer (I don’t understand the different plays and strategies of the sport so I get bored watching them run back and forth even if they are incredibly sexy looking).   I am passionate about people following their passions and consider myself an advocate for Opera in my everyday life.  I love cooking and hosting dinner parties. Wine and cheese nights with my girlfriends is a favorite past time. I love any water related sport, specifically rowing. I enjoy reading and I am a frequent visitor of the Art Gallery of Ontario. Breakfast is my favorite meal and I love eating it for dinner. That is me in a nutshell.

Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?

I have been studying classical music most of my life. I don’t know if I have always loved it or if I grew to love it but once I understood why I was spending so many hours practicing I couldn’t imagine spending that much time doing anything else.  Most of our lives are spent working or thinking about work and I cannot imagine caring about something more than opera.

What is the best part of your day-to-day?
 
The best part of my day is that I get to do what I love. I never wish time away and I am always surrounded by people with passion. Every day is different and I always feel challenged.  I recently did 40 shows of Cosi fan tutte by Mozart and I never got sick of it. When the overture starts every performance is exciting, you never know what is going to happen on stage because there are so many elements and variables in constant motion.  As magical and mysterious as the stage is, the process of preparing a show is the real reward. There are many things to consider when tackling a new opera that include both musical and non-musical component s; language and libretto (usually Italian, French, German or English), which are often associated with an era, a country and its history and politics, which usually effects the musical nuances, style and orchestration. Keeping all of that in mind you must also grasp the composer’s interpretation of the poet’s text, the conductor’s interpretation of the composer’s music and the director’s overall vision that he creates through sets, lighting and costumes.  After all of that, you still need to apply good vocal technique (operas are long; if you sing poorly you will never make it to the end of the show, let alone a run), musicality, and your own personal inspiration to develop your character.  Opera is a complex web of philosophy, history, exoticism, nationalism, politics, make-believe, passion, tragedy, love and anything else humans experience.  It involves dance, art, fashion, theatre, acting and all the eccentric people that go with it. How could you not LOVE it!?!?! What was the question again?

What’s the most challenging?

The most challenging part of being an opera singer is “the unknown.”  Opera singers for the most part work on a contract basis. It is impossible to see the future and there are no guarantees.  You have to travel a lot and live out of suitcase, often missing important family events and experiencing amazing moments and milestones alone. There is also the obvious stress of reviews and critics. You cannot make everyone happy; the only way you can survive is by staying true to yourself.  Oh and presumably you have vocal chords of steel and you never get sick.

If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see for yourself?

The crystal ball shows me a two year contract with the Canadian Opera Company, wine gums, wine, cheese, and the rolling hills of the country side because those are the things I can’t live without for long. Other than that your guess is as good as mine.

How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life? 

An opera career is one big disruption and I embrace it by loving what I do.  I live in the moment and never let my ipod stray too far from my side. You never know when you might need to tune out the world and tune into Patsy Cline (my go- to stress reliever).  Sometimes the best thing to do is check out altogether and have a “Fast and the Furious” marathon; keep doing your thing Justin Lin!

What is the most memorable moment in your career?

Singing in the COC ensemble competition in November was a surreal experience. Performing at the new Four Seasons Centre, for the best Opera Company in Canada, in front of some of the most important people in my profession was a dream come true.  It was life changing. It justified all of my hard work and validated that I have something to say, or rather to sing.  The result of the competition was a position in one of the most prestigious young artist programs in North America. I will never forget that night and how it changed the course of my future.

Do you support any initiatives or charities? 

I have been involved in several ‘Opera in School’ programs, which promote Opera to young people all over Canada.  Giving young people the opportunity to experience something new and different has been a highlight in my career.  At the end of the Opera all of the singers stay on stage and answer their questions. Music in school is absolutely necessary, whether it is classical or not.  Opera is not readily accessible in most parts of our country, so touring companies are crucial for Opera awareness.   I am an advocate for Opera and for following your dreams in the arts. I am currently getting involved with a new mentoring program at the University of Toronto. There is no right way of starting a career in the arts. I was really lucky because I have always received an abundance of support from friends and family.  As someone who has experienced the good and the bad of following your dreams I want to be there as a guide for the next generation. It can be a lonely road even when you have a support system.

Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.

When I am 65 I imagine I will have stopped singing professionally, although Judith Forst is still killing it on stage (one of the perks of being a well-trained mezzo soprano is vocal longevity).  I have always said that the organ would be my retirement hobby.  I will still be engrossed in music, attending operas and concerts as much as I can (in better seats though, I hope).  There are so many different ways of being involved in the opera world that even when my voice finally retires I will look for new opportunities like, teaching, directing, researching new music or specializing in a particular musical style.

Just for fun: if you had to pick one app in the whole APPVERSE, what would it be?

I am a “renaissance woman” so a lot of technology gets lost on me.  I am sure there are many amazing apps that I have not discovered, however, there are two that make my life significantly easier; the voice memo app (which involves the uncomfortable task of listening to myself sing but it is an amazing tool for lessons and rehearsals) and the Google Maps App with GPS because I travel a lot and I actually don’t know how people got around before the iPhone.

Be sure to watch for Charlotte hitting the COC stage later this year, and follow this rising star on Twitter.

On the eve of his return to Earth earlier this week, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield racked up one more first before leaving the ISS, the first music video filmed in space! Check out the video above for Hadfield’s version of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

One tech-savvy musician that’s using Vine to promote his new single is Jason Derulo. Known for tagging all his singles with his name, the R&B singer was one of the early adopters of Vine and now he wants to use the app to promote his new single, “The Other Side” which dropped last week. Essentially, he had the song broken up into 6 second increments that can be chosen to ‘score’ your Vine video as you post it. The singer is asking fans to tag the Vines with ‘#TheOtherSide’, then Derulo and his team are going to choose a bunch of them to edit together to create a full-length ‘fan video’ to be posted on YouTube.

Ayal Kleinman, Warner Bros Records VP of Marketing says Vine is “the emerging social media platform” for artists. Also commenting, “The high-energy feel of the song really lent itself well to the platform, and so all the elements came together to create this really engaging promotion.”

Vine seems like the perfect opportunity to not only allow singers/bands to put their music out to a wider audience, but also to have a more personal relationship with their fans by ‘Vine’-ing backstage or sharing behind-the-scenes clips!

Thanks to her recent shenanigans, the media and public are saying they are ‘never getting back together’ with Taylor Swift. Once the sweet teenaged girl with the blonde curls and nice voice, 2013 is quickly becoming the year America is falling out of love with Taylor Swift.

I’m not exactly sure that one incident started the downward slip from the crown of “America’s Sweetheart” but I’m sure she’s never been everyone’s cup of tea. When Taylor was first hitting the music scene she stated that her songs, especially those about relationships, were written out of her experiences with guys; but of course she’d never come out and flat out say THIS song is about THIS guy. So we, as the public, were left guessing/speculating about whom each song was referring to. But does this make the practice acceptable? If you listen to some of the lyrics they’re pretty negative towards her male subjects.

Then there was that very public diss of Harry Styles at the 2013 Grammys. Speculation says the song “We Are Never Getting Back Together” is about Jake Gyllanhaal but then she opens the Grammys with the song, speaking in a (horrid) British accent. Way to go Taylor!

Next strike against Taylor Swift was her Vanity Fair interview. In it, she responded to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey’s comment on her seemingly serial dating policy stating that she loved Katie Couric and her quote, “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Well isn’t that a little harsh Taylor? Both women have stated that the jab was meant to be a light-hearted joke, as are MOST comments at award shows.

But totally juxtaposed to the teenaged dating drama is the way too serious nature she carries herself in. It appears that she can’t laugh at herself, she can’t look at some of the things from her past a say, “Yeah, I suppose that was a little questionable.” That is the advice of PR executive Dorthy Crenshaw, “I’d tell her not to play victim this time and to respond with humour. Swift can earn points if she shows that she doesn’t take herself so seriously.” The victim thing worked with the Kayne West ‘incident’ because that was a one-time freak occurrence of a guy expressing his anger at the outcome of an award. The Golden Globes jab was based on an observation of sorts, a comment on someone’s life. Don’t dwell on it Taylor, move on. How are we supposed to forget things happened and on to the next scandal/news if someone keeps dragging it up?

Matt Ragas (DePaul University) provides probably some of the soundest advice for Taylor Swift – keep doing your job! Taylor Swift didn’t make more that of Anne Hathaway and Brad Pitt combined last year by starting feuds with every female comedienne in Hollywood. She did it by writing killer hit songs and performing to sold out crowds. “Part of PR is words and messaging, but a huge part of is also actions and behaviors,” he explained. “If she continues to put out hits and stays out of trouble, she’ll be fine.” So really, this time (in a specific way) she should pull a Kayne West; go out and rock that world tour, and just talk about the music. I mean it can’t be that hard to stick to topic.. right?

Sources:

http://www.gossipcop.com/taylor-swift-lauren-hacker-photo-pic-cancer-patient-omaha-hospital-leukemia/

http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/Taylor_Swift_needs_to_rethink_her_PR_strategy_14004.aspx

The study consisted of 4 men and 4 women driving a total of 500 miles, 250 without music and then 250 with music. Their entire journey was monitored using the MotorMate app for things such as speed, acceleration and braking. The drivers’ footage was then reviewed by psychologist Dr. Simon Moore.

So what makes a song safe? Here are the criteria:

• ideal volume: 55-65 decibels (for comparison, this is about the volume of conversation at a restaurant or office)
• the tempo of the song should mimic a human heartbeat, between 60-80 beats per minute

To encourage safe driving Confused.com put together a Spotify playlist of the 50 safest songs to play while driving. Take a look at the picture below for some of the highlights.

On the flipside, let’s take a look at the criteria for what makes a song ‘unsafe’ to listen to while driving:

• Songs with a fast tempo. Faster songs make drivers subconsciously speed up to match the beat of the song.
• Noisy, fast songs excite and arouse a driver. This stimulation means they’re more focused on the music than driving

Also, make sure you actually like the songs you are listening to. The stress and distraction of not liking a song, or constantly changing the music, will distract you from driving too.

So there you have it: you now know the songs to play and the tunes to avoid next time you hit the road. Your turn – which songs are your ‘go-to’ road trip songs? ABBA? Bon Jovi? Musical theatre classics? Share with us in the comments.

Happy listening & safe travels!

Since their first video, Jib Jab has posted many a politically driven parody as well as “Years in Review” that are just as snicker-inducing.

Over the years Jib Jab has branched out to include a whole e-Card division, so sending your special someone a card for any occasion is super easy. Plus, you can make them feel famous by putting their face in the card. Maybe you’re friend has a bachelorette party coming up & you want to send out her invites in the style of Chippendale dancers. Who wouldn’t like that?

Dancing Elves, Silly Santas & Partying Penguins

Since it is the holiday season, let’s take a look at what Jib Jab has cooked up to entertain us. First, you can use your personal photos or Facebook photos to cast your favourite people in a music video for some of the most popular holiday songs. Maybe your friends are a bit more… adventurous with their festive cheer. In those special cases Jib Jab lets you star in such classics as “Farting Carol” or “Tree Slaughter.” I bet either will become an instant classic to be enjoyed for generations.

The holiday “Elf Yourself” tradition is also back. Started in 2006 in partnership with Office Max, users are able to cast themselves in 3 different elf-themed songs/videos this year: Snowball Fight, Christmas Tree & Office Party.

And after you’re finished casting everyone from your Facebook you’ll probably have no time for Christmas shopping anymore which is okay because Jib Jab has teamed up with Amazon to offer the option to send Amazon gift cards with any e-Card.