"THE CHERRYTREE POP ALTERNATIVE TOUR" HITS TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE

LMFAO in Toronto - November 2011

The ten-date Canadian leg of The Cherrytree Pop Alternative Tour kicked-off last night in Quebec City and made its way to Toronto tonight, ambitiously staged at Air Canada Centre. Cherrytree Records launched in 2005, has over the years brought America celebrated Pop Acts like La Roux, Feist, Far East Movement, LMFAO, Robyn and of course, Lady Gaga.  This is the first self-headlined Tour for the Label, giving Canadians a taste of its major Acts LMFAO and Far East Movement, in addition to newer Talent like Natalia Kills, Rye Rye, Frankmusik, Colette Carr and Nova Scotia's KAY.

Despite many vacant seats spotted earlier in the evening at the Venue, those spots soon would fill-up throughout the night with the Stage brought-in close to the Audience for an intimate vibe.  Working with the constraints of a limited budget and minimalist Production for much of the three-and-a-half-hour Show, our attentions were placed front and center on the Talent, building a rapport with them.  Lovable KAY, an edgy Natalia Kills, a spirited Rye Rye, a commanding Colette Carr and a honey-voiced Frankmusik each took turns supporting each other as a Family.  

Far East Movement - 
Prohgress & Kev Nish

The Show truly ignited with Far East Movement delivering an electrifying Set consisting mostly of Material from their latest Disc Free Wired, plus a new Track titled Jello.  Energetic and engaging, their Show is still a work-in-progress which could be even more spectacular with some added Dancers and crafty Set Design.  The Crowd was ecstatic as they played an Interlude of Barbra Streisand (Duck Sauce), before leading into their massive Hit Like a G6, in which they were joined on-stage by Natalia Kills.

LMFAO quickly delivered what the Crowd came for ...a Party!  The Duo's LED-Screen Blocks provided the Backdrop to a lo-fi Multicolour Flashback to the '80s.  Their Aerobics-inspired Choreography not only was funny but v. fun, as they zipped though their Catalog of Rock/Hip-Hop/Dance Pop.  Their on-stage Machismo brought out a few chuckles with RedFoo accusing a young Woman of staring at his Manhood.  "I'm staring into your eyeballs as you stare into my balls!", he said.  Doing a quick tally of the Male vs. Female proportion, he proclaimed "Now that's a good Fellatio Ratio!".  Although the most-anticipated number in their Set would have been number one-Hit Party Rock Anthem, the Audience was given a huge treat with the Cherrytree Artists reuniting on-stage for a huge Spectacle during Shots.

See it all below:

FAR EAST MOVEMENT IN TORONTO FOR LIL WAYNE'S "I AM STILL MUSIC" TOUR

Far East Movement & Mr. Will-W.

Toronto certainly has mad love for Far East Movement and for the fourth time this year already the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topping Act has returned to the City.  In-town to support Lil Wayne on his I Am Still Music Tour which hits Molson Amphitheatre tomorrow night, the Boys actually arrived in the City earlier this week, heading off to Montreal and then back again  here for an appearance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live today where the Girls went crazy.  One  lucky Fan even walked away with a Skinny Tie from the Electro Hop Outfit!

The Boys of Far East Movement are absolute Gentlemen and I had the pleasure of meeting members Kev Nish, J-Splif and Prohgress before, but today was my first time meeting DJ Virman, as they head out of their appearance at MuchMusic.  Kev Nish who recognized me, came over and told me "Hey! I've got something for you!" and then brought over a stack of Mixtape CDs and being as amazing as they are, they each took turns signing them. 

Perusing the Track List, I was excited to see some amazing tunes on the Disc including Give Me Everything (Pitfull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer), Lighters (Bad Meets Evil ft. Bruno Mars), Party Rock Anthem (LMFAO), plus a selection of tracks taken off Far East Movement's amazing debut Disc, Free Wired - including latest Single, So What?

JESSIE J AT PRIVATE SHOWCASE IN TORONTO

Jessie J in Toronto - April 2011

In a stunning display of Showmanship, Soulful British Siren Jessie J wowed a lucky invite-only Crowd at The Mod Club. Despite canceling various Radio appearances due to a Migraine, Jessie J would not let her Fans (known also as her Heartbeats) down, resting-up and powering her way through a four-song performance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live and an electrifying six-song at the Club in Little Italy.

From the crotch-grabbing bravado of Do it Like a Dude to an all-out tour-de-force rendition of third Single Nobody's Perfect and finally a sunny six-minute version of her biggest Hit yet Price Tag, Jessie J had the Crowd begging for more of those flawless Vocals. Many onlookers were shocked to see Universal Music Canada label mates Far East Movement also in-town for a Show, in the audience supporting their Girl Jessie.

Taking breaks to sign Autographs between Songs on-stage, she also passed the Microphone into the Audience, allowing Fans to ask questions. One Fan asked, "When are you coming back to Toronto?", to which she replied "That depends on the label Big Wigs!", adding "the same serious ones who just stand and never dance!".  During her performance of Nobody's Perfect, she snatched a Fan's Camera and recorded herself singing right into it, drawing cheers from the audience.

Watch Jessie J perform Price Tag in full below:

FAR EAST MOVEMENT IN TORONTO

Kev Nish (Far East Movement) & Mr. Will-W.

The first-ever Asian-American Act to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with massive Hit Like a G6, will forever and always be Far East Movement. The Electropop/Hip-Hop Quartet rolled into town on Sunday after having only recently replaced their faulty Tour Bus. All is well now and the Boys are ready to roll again and I learned they are actually in-town for a Private Show organized by Ryerson University at Kool Haus on Tuesday night, plus some Press.

I crossed paths with Frontman Kev Nish (né Kevin Nishimura) twice actually - once at  a private Showcase for Jessie J. who also is in town and another time out grabbing some Middle Eastern fare on-the-go. Humbled with one hand by offering a handshake ( ...and holding Hummus in the other), he told me how much it meant that I was a Fan of Far East Movement, their Free Wired easily one of my favourite Albums of 2010.

NATALIA KILLS IN TORONTO FOR CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK

Natalia Kills & Mr. Will-W.

Natalia Kills just won herself some new Fans.  And this is why I love her!  The British Singer/Songwriter just arrived in Toronto, her second visit this year already, for Canadian Music Week.  Kills made an appearance at Masonic Temple for CHUM-FM's Fanfest this evening, performing a short set for many Fans excited to see among others, Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block fame.

Kills exited the venue shortly after 11:00 PM and came out onto the street to greet Fans.  Instantly both her Manager and she had remembered me from the last time we met.  Admitting that she was "freezing her ass off", she still patiently signed Autographs and took Photos before - get this - performing an impromptu Acapella Medley of her more well-known numbers Mirrors and Wonderland from upcoming debut Disc, Perfectionist.

Her Manager dropped a hint to me that she will be back in Toronto again v. soon to tour with some of her label mates like Far East Movement, Mohombi and LMFAO possibly, confirming that her album likely will be in-stores come May as it will be getting a European release first in April.  How exciting!

Definitely continue keep a lookout for her, she is a name to look out for in 2011.  Follow Natalia Kills on Twitter here.

Watch a full Video of Kills performing a Medley of Mirrors and Wonderland on the cold streets of Toronto:

INTERVIEW: DEV | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Dev in Toronto - March 2011

Although the name Dev might not yet ring a bell for many of you, the Singer/Rapper is being touted as one of 2011's hottest names. I mean, most of us know her already as the Singer of the Hook on Far East Movement's Billboard Hot 100 Chart-topper Like a G6. "Oh yeah, her!".

The 21 year-old née Devin Star Tailes hails from Los Angeles and like many recent breakthrough Acts, was discovered online.  In her case, Electro-Pop/Hip-Hop Duo The Cataracs (David Benjamin Singer-Vine and Niles Hollowell-Dhar), who are now responsible for hits performed by the likes of Far East Movement and Justin Bieber, discovered her on Myspace where she had posted an unassuming Amy Winehouse Cover.  In her words, "they liked it and then invited me to sing on their tracks.  We found that we were a good fit.".  The rest is history in the making.

Dev and I sat down to chat on a chilly March morning, the sunlight casting a shadow over the upper floor of a popular Queen St. mainstay still not yet open for the day's business.  In need of a pick-me-up after an early morning of Radio interviews, she sipped on her Espresso, to be followed by a glass of White Wine.  Dressed in a Leather Biker Jacket over a blue Mullet Dress, her hair in a flattering Bob, Dev looks edgy.  At the same time though, she exudes a youthful exuberance as she giggles while adjusting her Dress  in place with it seemingly not being cooperative, as she gets comfortable in her Bar Stool.

She confesses to me that although she took Music Classes in School, it wasn't until she connected with her  eventual Producers that she had truly become serious about making Music in what she calls a "structured setting".  

FAR EAST MOVEMENT REACHES NUMBER ONE ON BILLBOARD

Far East Movement

Congratulations to Far East Movement, the first-ever fully Asian-American act to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the U.S. with their smash single Like a G6!  Over here in Canada, the single has peaked so far at number nine, but as always is the case, Canadian Radio often mirrors trends south of the border.  Expect a new peak for the track in these parts over coming weeks.  Similarly their debut album Free Wired performed v. well also, landing in second spot on this week's Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart to be published tomorrow.

FAR EAST MOVEMENT - FREE WIRED REVIEW

Superb. Although I am a little late to catch on to the greatness that is Far East Movement, I am v. pleased to say that their debut from Cherrytree Records/Interscope/Universal Music is outstanding. The major label debut from the all-Asian Electronic/Hip-Hop group is actually something historic, marking the first time an Asian act has reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. With debut single Like a G6  ft. The Cataracs and Dev continuing to gain momentum in terms of Airplay, a number one placing absolutely is not out of the question.

Aside from its hypnotic first single, Free Wired is crammed with hits and what is so fantastic about the album is that although it is Hip-Hop, most of it is based upon Electro-pop foundations, making it virtually impossible not to want to dance even for those like me who aren't particularly connaiseurs of Rap music. Produced much in the same vein as a Black Eyed Peas album - post-Fergie success that is - perhaps the only thing the quartet is missing is a Vocalist,  frequently relying on marquee names in this concise, yet poignant collection of ten tracks.  This is the album's only downfall as we never fully get a full sense of Far East Movement's presence with the roster of names it boasts.

Rocketeer ft. Ryan Tedder would be a wise choice for a second single off the album with its unforgettable soaring falsetto hook, making for three-and-a-half minutes of pure euphoria. Girls on the Dancefloor ft. The Stereotypes, which I recall having heard in Piranha 3-D, also is downright nasty as is If I was You (OMG) ft. Snoop Dogg.  Of course, this would be expected of any track worthy of an appearance by the West Coast legend. who imagines the track's shared Muse in all sorts of inappopriateness: "I bet you hop under the covers and play with yourself/'cause I would if I was you".

CHARICE, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, FAR EAST MOVEMENT AND BRUNO MARS' BILLBOARD HOT 100 ASIAN INVASION

Far East Movement

I never thought I'd live to see the day it happened, but four acts of Asian descent are in the Billboard Hot 100's Top 30 positions this week and I couldn't be prouder.  Better, yet three of these acts are actually in the Top Ten.  

Glee's Lea Michele ft. Philippines' Charice is at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to their cover of Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé's Telephone which was heard on last week's season premiere of the Musical Sitcom.  Enrique Iglesias, who not many of us realize is actually half-Filipino, sits at number eight this week with Jersey Shore's I Like It ft. Pitbull.  Far East Movement, who have the distinction of being the Greatest Airplay Gainer this week, rocket up to number six with Like a G6; the track is also sitting at number one right now on the U.S. iTunes Singles Chart. 

At number one though, is hot new act Bruno Mars, who hails from Hawaii boasting his half-Puerto Rican and Filipino heritage. Our friends at Warner Music Canada dropped me a line today to let me know that we'll be seeing him this November in Toronto.  Can't wait!  

Now who said we Asians are only good at Math, huh?

FREE DOWNLOAD: FAR EAST MOVEMENT - LIKE A G6 (CHEW FU GIT POPPIN FIX)

Yay, Asians!  Far East Movement are representing and their new single Like a G6 has been remixed by arguably the new King of the Remix, Chew Fu.  Check out his Git Poppin Fix of the track which keeps everything hot about the original, with even more edge.  The single has already reached number 41 on Canada's Billboard Hot 100 and you can enjoy this as a free download here.  Thanks Chew!