INTERVIEW: GAVIN DEGRAW ON "SWEETER"

Gavin DeGraw

In the early hours of Monday, August 8, 2011, Singer-Songwriter Gavin DeGraw was heading home after a night out in New York City's East Village. DeGraw at the time been gearing-up to promote his third release through RCA Records (Sony Music Canada) - Sweeter - with a scheduled stop-off here at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre on August 22, opening for Maroon 5.

Nobody could have foreseen what would transpire that night - an unprovoked attack by several unknown individuals, resulting in DeGraw being listed under stable condition at Manhattan's Bellevue Hospital. He suffered a broken nose, a concussion, two black eyes and lacerations to his face.   In addendum to the Assault, he had also been struck by a Taxi moments after. Now less than two-months later, he is back and ready to give it his all with the Album which he says, "shook him up".

DeGraw calls me from St. Louis, mine being among the first batch of Interviews he has done to promote Sweeter since his Recovery. Noting how quick his Comeback has taken flight, he tells me "I've been so focused on performing Music I want to play and that's what's carried me through this.". Known best for some of his earlier Hits like I Don't Want to Be and Chariot, he had been torn between making a Pop Album and the Album he truly wanted to make after two years of over-thinking. "My Record Label finally told me, 'fuck everything and just make the Album you want to make and we'll champion it'", bringing him a great sigh of relief. "Sweeter is far better than anything I could've done by myself. It feels like a real collaborative effort because I'd never co-written before it", he admits.

KAY IN TORONTO FOR CLUB TOUR

Mr. Will-W. & KAY

You've probably already heard her Track My Name is KAY on heavy rotation already on Top 40 Radio, but KAY wants you to know this is just an Intro. The adorable Pop Entertainer who hails from Nova Scotia originally, but is now based both out of Los Angeles and Vancouver, finally has arrived in Toronto to gear-up for what will be a massive 2012. The Interscope/Universal Music Artist has been in and around the Greater Toronto Area doing a series of Club gigs this past week and will continue into next week.

Getting a chance to hang out last night at her Drake Hotel show was an absolute pleasure and it was clear that by the end of the night that her infectious energy and soulful vocals had won over quite a few new Queen St. West Hipsters as Fans.  And that's by no means an easy feat.

NEW MUSIC: KELLY CLARKSON - LET ME DOWN

Kelly Clarkson in Toronto - June 2009

In what easily could be thought of as a Ryan Tedder production - although likely not - Let Me Down, a new Track off of Kelly Clarkson's forthcoming fifth Disc, leaked today and it appears New York City's Z100 seems to have gotten its hands on it.

Picking up wear Clarkson left with 2009's Pop/Rock-heavy All I Ever Wanted, this Track has the original American Idol doing what she does best - bringin' on the heartbreak.  She confronts that Lover whom she still isn't fully over, telling him: "You're only gonna make me feel so crazy/ But when I think that we can be something/You go and let me down".  Catchy - but no My Life Would Suck Without You.  Nope.  Anxious to hear more.

Listen to it in full below:

VIDEO PREMIERE: KAY - MY NAME IS KAY

Still from KAY's My Name is KAY Video

So cute! As you might recall, I did a piece on Nova Scotia’s v. own KAY who currently is still plugging away on her debut Disc with Super-Producer/OneRepublic Frontman Ryan Tedder. Although this isn’t an actual first Single, My Name is KAY is still a fun Track. KAY confirms with me directly, “I’m just introducing myself on this Track”.

A fun Video all in Black & White has been filmed for the Track and it just premiered online today. We see her freed from her mundane Pizza Shop job and taking her brand of sass to the Streets… and Church even??

Check it out below:

ADELE AT MTV LIVE CANADA | PICS & VIDEO RECAP

Adele at MTV LIVE - March 2011

Alas, soulful British Siren Adele has arrived in Toronto safe and sound to promote her sophomore Disc 21. She did however, have a few scary moments during her bumpy flight from Los Angeles, which had her downing in her words, "a lot of Wine" to help calm the nerves. All is well now.  Especially considering she just received news today that the Album has reached number one in Canada.  A similar fate is expected south of the Border.

Performing tonight before an intimate audience on MTV Canada's staple program MTV LIVE, Adele performed five songs (a mix of old and new) and answered some thought-provoking questions, giving the lucky audience some insight into the Character behind that infectious laugh which Mega-Producer Ryan Tedder for one, can distinguish without fail.  

Adele reveals that she and Tedder had once crossed paths in an Elevator in their Hotel, and even with her hidden behind some balloons, he knew that those giggles he heard had belonged to none other than her.  Getting along rather famously, they had then begun to collaborate on what would become some of 21's more poignant moments like the gritty Rumour Has It and heart-wrenching Turning Tables.  The latter was written on the simple instruction to Tedder of creating something "bitter". Voila!  It was completed in less than 30 minutes.  Quicker than a Pizza Delivery.

NEW MUSIC: KAY - MY NAME IS KAY

KAY

Who knew that Nova Scotia would birth one of 2011’s hottest names in Pop Music? KAY is on the verge of something big and she is now at work now on her debut Album through Universal Music, working with the likes of Ryan Tedder (Adele, OneRepublic, Beyoncé), Danja (Britney, Mariah), DJ Tiësto and Steve Aoki. All huge names who wouldn’t lend their names unless there was a clear and present indication of talent and potential.

Now residing in Los Angeles after brief stays in London and Vancouver, this Teaser has just been gifted to us. My Name is KAY is a Tedder production which is one-part The Ting Tings, one-part Robyn and all parts Fun. I’ve heard the Tiësto collaboration Work Hard, Play Hard too and it seems that she has a bit of a depth and range in her repertoire.

Preview the track in full below:

I definitely want more! Follow KAY on Twitter here.

(Photo credit/Audio content: Universal Music)