Ones to Watch: Matthew Koma

Matthew Koma is a talented singer/songwriter from New York who's about to make a BIG splash here in America and around the world.  Having already hit the mainstream, writing the hook for Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso's SMASH single, "Calling (Lose My Mind)" featuring OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder,  Koma's ready for his closeup.  His debut four-track EP, Parachute is set for release this Tuesday, May 29th via Cherrytree/Darkchild/Interscope Records.  Listen to snippets from the EP BELOW.

Read more »

Singer/Songwriter Elle King Lands 'Mob Wives Chicago' Theme Song, Debut EP Out June 12th

Photo Credit: Dustin Cohen

Allow me to introduce you to Elle King, a fabulous new singer/songwriter that's definitely worth your attention.  A brand new RCA Records recording artist, Elle King is set to release her debut EP June 12th on Fat Possum Records, featuring the stunning new single, "Playing For Keeps."  Check it out BELOW.  

Read more »

[Hot Video Alert] Train - Drive By

Back when I was in college, I had the privilege of seeing Train open up for Ben Folds Five. It must have been 2001, because I seem to recall knowing at least two of their songs - "Meet Virginia," and "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)."  While both of these songs were present throughout my college years, after college I fell off the Train train, so to speak.  Fast forward to 2009 and the release of "Hey, Soul Sister," the bands biggest U.S. hit to date.  Like much of the world I was smitten with the band once again. It was like they never left!  now it's 2012 and the band have me smitten once again, this time with their new single, the infectious pop/rock anthem off the band's sixth studio album, California 37. Two memorable songs in less than three years? Looks like I'm back on the Train train once again.

Read more »

Kris Allen Takes A Stand Against Bullying in New Video, Sophomore Album Out May 22nd

Photo Credit: Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup

American Idol Season 8 winner and the object of all my earthly desires, Kris Allen is set to release his highly anticipated sophomore album, Thank You Camellia May 22nd on RCA/19.  While it feels like it's been at least a decade since Allen released his self-titled debut album, in truth it's only 3 years.  Wow. Time goes by so slowly when you're waiting for new Kris Allen music, apparently.

Read more »

Singer-Songwriter Gavin DeGraw To Release New Single June 7th, Joins Train + Maroon 5 Summer Tour

To be honest, when I first heard that Gavin DeGraw was releasing a new material, I wasn't that excited about it. The last Gavin DeGraw album I really listened to was his 2003 major label debut, Chariot (J Records), which spawned his one top ten single, "I Don't Want To Be." That album was chock-full of singer-songwriter pop gold including "Follow Through" and the album's title track, "Chariot." DeGraw had an awesome voice that transcended the singer/songwriter genre, vocally speaking. A little bit folk, a little bit country a little bit R&B - Gavin DeGraw was the voice of the moment, a real, raw, untapped talent and someone who would be on our radios for years to come.  Nearly five years later, DeGraw released a follow up to Chariot. The self titled set featured lead single "We Belong Together," which debuted at #38 before peaking at #26. Unfortunately, after the release of "We Belong Together," I can't for the the life of me remember another Gavin DeGraw single. Thank God for Ryan Tedder, I suppose.

On June 7th, singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw is set to release his new single, "Not Over You" to digital music retailers everywhere. The single is a welcome return for the talented artist from New York, who's last album was 2009's Free. "Not Over You" is an uber-radio-friendly pop/rock number, co-written and produced by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. It's the first single to be taken from his forthcoming fourth album of original material entitled, Sweeter, due out on J Records August 9th. Check out the new single BELOW and let me know what you think of it. I think it's dangerously skirting into straight up pop territory (UM, HELLO! Ryan Tedder?), but I imagine that an acoustic performance of the single will take us back to the soulful, slightly shy Gavin DeGraw that we all know and love.

Sweeter promises to be typical Gavin DeGraw, at least as far as the voice, melodies and charm are concerned. Fans can expect a few new sounds thrown in the mix as well, per the press release:

Read more »

Hot Video Alert: Kris Allen feat. Pat Monahan - The Truth

While Adam Lambert is busy being exciting and flamboyant, Kris Allen is apparently busy being boring. What a yawn. I don't know, maybe I was just hoping for another Justin Timberlake after Allen won his season of American Idol, but I've just been left wanting more. Also...didn't "The Truth" come out as a single back in May? Why the huge delay between the single's initial release and the video? "Live Like We're Dying" was a decent showing for Allen but this song, written by Toby Gad and Train frontman Pat Monahan, is just such a snooze! BORING. YAWN. NEXT! I'm not saying I want Kris Allen to go all Lady Gaga on me but he has to do something different...and the charts agree! The song has yet to do any damage on the Billboard Hot 100 and the only place the song has charted is on Billboard's Adult Top 40 Chart, where it peaked at #16. Yes, America voted for Kris Allen but Kris Allen has yet to show me that America was right.

Check out Kris Allen on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Related articles by Zemanta

• Kris Allen Explains 'Weird' Video Treatment For 'The Truth' (mtv.com)

Hot Video Alert: Train - If It's Love

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Who would have thought that I'd be interested in Train after all these years? I saw them way back in college when they opened for...someone? Don't remember if they opened for Ben Folds Five...or if they were opening for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones? I'm pretty sure it was the former...but I digress. That year they were revelling in the success of breakout single "Meet Virginia." Now, after the success of last single "Hey, Soul Sister," the boys of Train release the video for the new single "If It's Love." I am liking it...quite a bit actually. Is it wrong of me to secretly be hoping for remixes? I wound up surprisingly loving the Karmatronic remixes of 'Soul Sister' and while I don't think this new single would necessarily work with a club vibe, I didn't think 'Soul Sister' would either...so here's hoping! (Thanks to Pop In Stereo for bringing this vid to my attention)