Tag Archives: Simon Curtis

Your “Superhero” Has Arrived

It’s big and bold and tough and rough – everything that a “Superhero” could be.  The first iTunes release (with a frenetic remix that’s perfect for club music fans) from LA’s Simon Curtis from his upcoming album R∆ has not only all the makings of a pop hit, but I think someone needs to contact the Zack Snyder crew that’s putting together the next installment of Superman movies (currently called “Man of Steel”) because “Superhero” would fit into its soundtrack perfectly!

At first listen, I thought immediately of a song from This Delicate Thing We’ve Made by Darren Hayes called “The Future Holds A Lion’s Heart”.  “Superhero” resonates with the power, aggression, and grace of that song.  Upon subsequent listens, the emotion and painstakingly raw appeal of Simon’s voice in this song sink in huge.  It sounds cathartic in some ways.  Simon’s newer songs come from a darker personal place than in 8bit Heart.  Combine that with his penchant for sci-fi/fantasy and glorious detail, as well as terrific production by producer/collaborator Jeff “Jadion” Wells and these four words say it all:  Not To Be Missed.  


Tonight In London Music Fans Win: Simon, Ro and Andrea in Concert

Tonight in London, the EQ Music Blog presents Simon Curtis, Ro Danishei, and Andrea Lewis in concert.  What’s so special about this show?  Well, fans demanded this show, and the performers, all from North America, obliged.  All three are promoting records.  Given the planning that’s gone into making this a very special show – and I hope it’s being recorded – I think it’s in some ways a historic feat for performers who have been promoting their music to fans for free, and then watching their respective fan bases respond more than enthusiastically.  I’m hoping this will be only the beginning for shows like this to happen on a regular basis.  Everyone wins.

Simon of course is coming off of his free ‘Net phenom 8bit Heart and is releasing a new single on iTunes from the forthcoming R∆ album, “Superhero”, on Monday (another new pic courtesy of Just Jared above).  Ro released her free End Of The Rainbow album on January 1, giving her own unique take on raw pop/rock with help from Simon and his producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells.  Andrea, who hails from Toronto (Simon and Ro are based in L.A.), released her free 54321 album last Fall to rave reviews for its gutsy pop and soul.  It’s some of the best pop music around, free or not.  Period.

My wish list for tonight, besides having the show recorded, is for Simon and Andrea to perform “Talk To Me” and Simon and Ro to perform “Michelle” again.  

My favourite Simon, Ro, and Andrea songs solo:

Simon>>>”Beat Drop”

Ro>>>”Drunk Txt”

Andrea>>>”Voodoo”


Superfraiche NYC: Simon Curtis, Databoy, Sky Ferreira

Combine it with a need for a quick getaway from the daily routine and the opportunity to see Arjan Writes’ Superfraiche featuring a set by Simon Curtis… I had no choice but to go 🙂

So despite tremendous flight delays from Toronto due to bad weather on the east coast and in New Jersey, I got to the show via LaGuardia airport instead of Newark at around 9:30 pm (I was supposed to be in NYC around 3:30!!).  New duo She’s The Queen was already performing and I couldn’t focus in on their set, but with beverage in hand my day of travelling finally finished!


(stunning photo courtesy of Gabi Porter/Metromix New York)

LA-based, Oklahoma-raised Simon Curtis played his first ever New York City show as part of the Superfraiche series, this time held at the Galapagos Art Centre in Brooklyn – the lovely intimite but open concept setting was great for the performers.  Simon’s set of powerful dance pop songs from last year’s 8-bit Heart and the forthcoming R∆ was indeed raw and intense in so many ways.  Highly emotion-charged new songs like “Pit Of Vipers” and “Enemy” worked the audience over, while 8-bit fans heard “Don’t Wanna Be Alone” and a medley of the always rousing “Beat Drop” and no holds barred “Diablo”.  Best of all was “Laser Guns Up”, which I have a terrible time getting out of my head – all it needed was some actual laser effects!  And with props to Ms Spears’ release of Femme Fatale, Simon’s vocal prowess was showcased in an acapella sing-along of “…Baby One More Time”.  All in all, our Simon has more than enough stage cred to get into the major leagues.  The hot, aggressive new songs from R∆ will help get him there.  And as a side note, the amazing photo above from Metromix New York speaks volumes.  See more pics from the evening right here.

Simon’s set

Don’t Dance (first single)

Pit of Vipers

Don’t Wanna Be Alone

Chip in Your Head

Beat Drop/Diablo medley

Enemy

…Baby One More Time

Laser Guns Up


The evening was full of surprises for me.  Immediately before Simon, Austin duo Cameron Maxwell and Adam Bailey, who comprise Databoy, performed a four song set of playful, energetic, and smart electronic dance/pop.  In fact they could have used some fun props to fill some of the space on stage as they bounced and danced.  You may have already heard the deliriously catchy “Stupid” and can certainly get this single on iTunes.  There’s more lyrically to this song than meets the ear.  The rest of the set included “Click”, “Only Human” (featuring a prominent sample of Toto’s “Africa”), and my favourite of the night, “Just Once”, which embodies a high voltage “here comes summer” spirit.  Good things are coming from these guys soon so keep your eye on their website.

Headliner 18 year old actress/singer Sky Ferreira won me over with her magnetic stage presence.  The sound was a bit off – when she spoke I couldn’t really hear from where I was in the room – but her singing was spectacularly on-point, showcasing songs from her new Capitol Records EP As If! (in advance of a full album release this summer) including a top notch single “Sex Rules”, plus “99 Tears”, and “108” (there’s even a bit of Canadiana in there, with “Traces” co-written and produced by Toronto’s Colin Munroe).  Sky came across alternately vulnerable and sexy, and the crowd could have watched her all night.

Thanks once again to the charming and personable Arjan Writes for curating the Superfraiche series, you sir have a great thing going.  I was also thrilled to meet and chat with Simon after the show too.  Superfraiche is a great way for the spotlight to shine on new performers on the bubble in a classy setting.  I’m sure I’ll get to another one of these events – I’m a big city boy, and Los Angeles or New York can call me back anytime 🙂 (Toronto could use one of these events too 😉 )

I took some photos but they are trapped on my blackberry, which has decided not to work properly.  Once I get them off of it, and if they turned out decently, I may post a few in this space.

More Simon Curtis Excellent Internet Adventures

So it’s two Mondays after Billboard dropped the first teaser mix of Simon Curtis’ upcoming album called R∆… I look at my cell phone Twitter feed after work today and it’s flooded with tweets about the second teaser, this time courtesy of blogger extraordinaire Arjan Writes.  The songs featured, “Chip In Your Head”, “Soul4Sale”, and “Get In Line” sound darker and similarly aggressive to the four songs featured in the first mix.  What I like the most about what I hear in these songs is the in-your-face brutal honesty of some of the lyrics, as well as some of the creative verses which simply exclaim “Score!!!”.  Read all about it and listen right here!

I’m attending the Superfraiche show at which Simon is playing in Brooklyn NY on Friday April 1.  It’s one of my most anticipated events in years and I think will prove to be memorable in many ways.

Two years after “Spectacular!” and a year after “8-bit Heart”, and our Boy Robot has come such a long way 🙂

It’s Almost Herrrre… Billboard Spotlight on Simon Curtis and Preview of “R∆”

The various social networks are all abuzz this afternoon with Billboard’s spotlight on Simon Curtis and a preview of his upcoming album, which he has called “R∆” – I’m sure we’ll find out what that all means in due time.  In the meantime, the preview contains snippets of “Don’t Dance”, “Enemy”, “Pit of Vipers”, and “Laser Guns Up”, some of which fans have already heard at Simon’s recent shows and sound like much more aggressive, in-your-face electro pop than in the music and themes from “8-bit Heart”.

AND… speaking of shows, Simon is playing at Superfraiche, the amazing concert series by noted blogger Arjan Writes, this time in Brooklyn NY on Friday April 1.  I’m hoping to find out later this week if I can splurge and go.

All in all… not to be missed.

Here’s the link to the Billboard article and the preview of “R∆”…

Tuned-On! Top 30 #347 – February 28/11

My newest personal chart is a busy one despite the lack of debuts.  Continuing to lead at the summit is the top notch “The Fear Inside” by Frankmusik, while Mr. Frank’s ballad “Hurt You Again” soars into the Top 10 at #8 as the Fastest Riser on the chart.   Inching up to runner-up spot is “Night Air” by UK singer Jamie Woon, who has some North American show dates on deck, including SXSW in Austin and one in my town on March 25 🙂  Making the Top 3 songs extremely competitive is the irresistible “Love 2 Baby” by Christian TV, whose video is in the works as you can see in the behind-the-scenes preview at the top of this page.  We’ll see who places first in two weeks.

Continuing its impressive rise is the scorching “Michelle” by Ro Danishei featuring Simon Curtis, now entrenched in the Top 5.  And joining it is Adele’s soulful “Rolling In The Deep”, from her brand new album 21.  Besides “Hurt You Again”, the Top 10 has a change up with three additional debuts.  “Rocketeer” by Far East Movement featuring Ryan Tedder (which Frankmusik is performing on tour instead, since the Far East guys are his label-mates) climbs 13-7, while Duran Duran’s “All You Need Is Now” and “Ice Melts” by Matt & Kim (who were recently in Europe) round out the Top 10.  Duran Duran are also featured in SXSW next month.

Also on the rise for a sunny Spring and looking good for Top 10 status soon include Adam Tyler’s europop flavoured “I Won’t Let You Go”, “Sunlight” by Australia’s Bag Raiders featuring Dan Black (video at the bottom of the page – love the use of the word iridescence!),  “Keep Your Head Up” which has L.A.’s Andy Grammer (another SXSW performer) accentuating the positive, Alphaville’s update of their 80’s eurodisco with “I Die For You Today”, and the sparkling Richard X mix of “The City” by Patrick Wolf.

The newbies on the chart this week are actually huge hits which I’ve already discussed in previous blogs:  Lady GaGa’s forever anthem “Born This Way”, and “Tonight” (in whichever version you want) by Enrique Iglesias and Ludacris.

You can view the full chart using the link to the right under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** or click right here.  Please post any comments you might have – thanks for reading 🙂


Shhh It’s Frankmusik’s Year: Tuned-On! Top 30 #346 – Feb 14/11

I had actually thought about a week ago that another song would be on top of my personal chart in this edition.  But I got excited all over again at the prospect of hearing the new Frankmusik album Do It In The A.M. sometime in the Spring.  And Mr. Frank made available all of the songs he’s been posting one by one on his site http://freefrankmusik.com as parts one and two of the EP Long Live Frankmusik (more on that later).  So after waiting patiently for Penguin Prison’s “Golden Train” to leave the top, Frankmusik’s “The Fear Inside” ascends to the summit as the preview of that long-awaited album (and I love that artwork above!).

Rihanna has to settle for second place alas, with “S&M” becoming her biggest hit on my chart to date.  The link to the naughty video is right here courtesy of Just Jared’s blog.  Then rising 9-3 we have one of 2011’s most promising new talents, UK singer Jamie Woon with the magical “Night Air” closing in quickly on #1.  Another worthy potential chart-topper is “Michelle”, the fierce duet by L.A. singers Ro Danishei and Simon Curtis, rising up to #5.

The two new additions to the Top 10 are nothing short of stunning.  Adele’s amazing “Rolling In The Deep” climbs to #8, while the fastest riser on the chart belongs to one of those simple and infinitely infectious songs that comes along only once in a while.  “Love 2 Baby” just tells it straight up and Christian TV has his second Top Tenner, following last summer’s “When She Turns 18”, all from his forthcoming debut solo album.  Just can’t wait for that!  But “Love 2 Baby” drops on iTunes on Tuesday (February 15) too!

There’s plenty of upward movement in this chart edition, including “Rocketeer” by Far East Movement & Ryan Tedder (video at the bottom of this blog), the latest very European-styled single from Adam Tyler, “I Won’t Let You Go”, and “Keep Your Head Up”, which is a great song to brighten your bad day courtesy of Andy Grammer.  “Ice Melts” by Matt & Kim and Duran Duran’s “All You Need Is Now” look like sure bets for the Top 10 in two weeks.

But we’re back to Frankmusik for the highest debut on the chart.  I’ve heard rumours that this song won’t be on Do It In The A.M., which seems almost unfathomable given the elegant and beautiful lyrics and performance.  So for now “Hurt You Again” is a free download so be sure to get it (go to my personal chart for the link)!  It crashes the chart at #19 to help bridge the gap between “The Fear Inside” and the release of Do It In The A.M.

Then we have two songs that I raved about in an earlier blog.  Australian duo Bag Raiders are on release worldwide with their self-titled album, and they’ve given us their collaboration with Dan Black (that fab UK musical mad scientist) “Sunlight” as a free download.  It arrives at #23.  And just below it is the return to less dark and alternative dance music for Patrick Wolf with the Richard X remix of “The City”, also a free download, at #24.  It’s from Patrick’s forthcoming album Lupercalia.  Links to the free downloads also appear inside my chart.

You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right or by clicking right here.  Please post any comments you might have!

This briefer-than-usual blog has been brought to you courtesy of competition with the Grammy Awards 😉


Tuned-On! Top 30 #345 – Jan 31/11

The top songs on this edition of my personal chart stay the same once again. Penguin Prison’s amazing “Golden Train” hangs tight for a 4th appearance at #1, while Frankmusik’s addictive “The Fear Inside” follows at #2 for a third appearance. So what will happen in two weeks? I’m not so sure, but Rihanna’s “S&M” has made an interesting surge to #3 – the peak of 2007’s “Don’t Stop The Music”, her highest ranking song on my chart to date. Will she get to #1? There are a few challengers below.

Each song below makes a good case why it might reach the top in two weeks. “Monster” by Kanye West is one of his most ferocious and entertaining songs to date and moves up to #5. But he’s been to the top with Estelle in “American Boy” and to the runner up spot with “Gold Digger” – can he get to either again? Then there’s the beautiful rendition of ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” by UK chanteuse Elouise, which moves up to #6. Last year, her “Pretender” soared to #2. “Falling”, the theme song to the 1990-91 TV show ‘Twin Peaks’ has been redone and reshaped by UK electro sensation Bright Light Bright Light, and becomes Rod Thomas’ 4th consecutive Top 10 entry here. Both “A New Word To Say” and “Love Part II” were #1’s last year – will “Falling” follow suit?

Then there are the extremely strong new entries to the Top 10. First is the scathing “Michelle” by LA fireball Ro Danishei which becomes a duet when Simon Curtis (who is apparently playing a show in upstate New York sometime in February!) enters mid-way. One of the most fun but aggressive songs in recent years, “Michelle” climbs 13-8. Then we have the dreamy, mysterious, fastest riser in the chart – “Night Air” by Jamie Woon, which zips up 18-9. Can’t wait for Jamie’s album Mirrorwriting, due out in Spring, but “Night Air” will do just fine right now. Then we have that early 80’s dance flashback courtesy of Javi Silva and his project Native Underground at #10 with “Till It Hurts”. JUST SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!!

A great trio of very different songs that debuted at the end of last year find themselves mid-way on this edition of the chart. Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” was prevented from #1 in the UK by “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, and rises 17-13 this week. Immediately below is Brooklyn’s fun rock indie couple Matt & Kim with “Ice Melts” from their sophomore CD Sidewalks at #14. Then Duran Duran are in full comeback mode as the title track from All You Need Is Now is #15.

More of the last chart’s debuts continue to do well. “Robot” by wild Toronto gal Andrea Lewis glides to #18, while Far East Movement join with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder for the uplifting “Rocketeer” at #19. Usher’s surefire hit “More” makes you want just that as it moves up to #20.


Two of our six debuts were featured earlier in the week in the blog and I can’t get enough of them right now, Christian TV’s “Love 2 Baby” and “I Won’t Let You Go” by Adam Tyler. An uncharacteristic but extremely likeable song that’s been on a slow burn is “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer. Create your own variation of his video for the song at his website right here.

I lived through 80’s electropop and one of my favourite acts was Alphaville, which started as a trio and essentially is now the performing name for singer Marian Gold. You know Alphaville from “Forever Young” (prominently sampled by Jay-Z recently on “Young Forever”) and “Big In Japan”, and now we have “I Die For You Today” at #28, from a forthcoming album called Catching Rays On Giant.  Alphaville almost toured in North America a few years back; a live clip of “I Die” is at the top of the blog.

It seems like they may be more than just your everyday boy band, but Canadian quartet Neverest have arrived with their debut single, a ballad called “About Us” which lands at #29. They are managed by Howie Dorough of Backstreet Boys and CJ Huyer of 3Deep (remember “Never Gonna Give Up” from 1999?), but we’ll need to hear more to see what else they have to offer. Great start though! And last is another emotional adventure from These Hopeful Machines, the latest album by electromeister BT. “The Emergency” is the final debut at #30. Its video is at the bottom of this blog.

The full chart can be found using the link to the right under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** or just click right here. Please leave any comments – thanks for reading!

Tuned-On! Top 30 #344 – January 17/11 and more

These two weeks between personal charts go fast, and since the start of the year a lot of new music’s surfaced that I’ve been wanting to write about.  So let’s call this one a catch up blog (no, not Las Ketchup thanks, but nice try) 😉

  • Penguin Prison and Frankmusik once again rule the chart.  Mr. Glover is current on tour in the U.S. and I can’t wait till he comes back to my town.  “Golden Train” just chugs along at #1 for a third time – and with great retro velocity as remixed with Michael Jackson’s “Workin’ Day and Night”.  Can’t wait for the debut album!
  • Then Mr. Frank releases a free EP Long Live Frankmusik which you can get right here.  Just to show why “The Fear Inside” is sweating it out at the top at #2, Long Live Frankmusik contains some of his best vocals today.  The ballads “Hurt You Again” and “Warrior” are beautifully touching, splendidly written.  “Our Discovery” is a timely tribute to Daft Punk – and then you realize it’s been 10 years since “One More Time” and 25 year olds were teens back then (and to me it would be nuretro).  “Hate Your Love” is more pop dance that isn’t quite as successful but all in all this is a brilliant taste of what’s to come for Frankmusik in 2011.
  • Andrea Lewis also gave us a preview of her talent in her intimate club show in Toronto on January 13.  Looking like a movie star who just stepped out of the screen, she performed five songs from her free for download release 54321:  “She”, “Linda”, “Teardrops”, “Voodoo”, and a dynamite slowed down version of “Robot” (minus the autotune too).  The latter song makes its debut on the chart at #25, and while she didn’t perform “Talk To Me”, the duet with Simon Curtis, the song still rises to #4.
  • Elsewhere within the Top 10, Rihanna’s “S&M” moves into the Top 5, followed by Kanye West’s “Monster” (yes My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is very impressive), Elouise’s “The Winner Takes It All”, and, new to the Top 10, “Falling” by Bright Light Bright Light, in anticipation of the album Make Me Believe In Hope.
  • Javi’s latest project Native Underground rises to #11 with “Till It Hurts”, and while that’s on the go, the singer’s other project Chasing the Ghost is recording something new too!  Looking forward to it.
  • All of the debuts from two weeks ago make healthy moves, them being Adele’s theatrical “Rolling In The Deep”, Duran Duran’s 2011 meets 1986 “All You Need Is Now”, and Matt & Kim’s singalong “Ice Melts”.

Aside from the debut of “Robot” by the classy Miss Lewis, we have five other debuts.

  • Way up at #13 is one of the first and most stunning debuts of 2011. Rochella Danishei, formerly of trio Candy Coated Chaos, released her debut free album download End Of The Rainbow on New Year’s Day, and she did it with great company courtesy of producer Jadion and of course best bud Simon Curtis.  The album is a tight, aggressive different kind of pop record.  It may have a difficult time getting noticed what with Britney Spears dominating pop news and Lady GaGa’s next release on the way.  But really this record has a lot to offer in the form of songs like “Never Been Kissed”, “Unlove Pill”, the title track, and “Baby Doll” – identifiable lyrics sung with a lot of power by Ro with production that makes them crunch.  Best of all is a positively massive song, “Michelle”, in which a friend-turned-bitch is called out and how.  Icing on the cake turns the song into a duet with album cover mystery man Simon Curtis making the song even more of a treat.  It debuts this week at #13.
  • Next up is UK new pop/soul sensation Jamie Woon.  I had been meaning to check out his songs when blogger xolondon floated an amazing tweet about him and wrote this blog.  Young Mr. Woon has one of those persuasive blue-eyed soul voices for which I am an absolute sucker.  But the songs have to be good too, and his debut single from the upcoming album Mirrorwriting is “Night Air”, which has one of the most seductive-in-many-ways videos I’ve seen in a while.  Fans of the Twilight series will dig this video too. Watch it at the bottom of this blog.  Destined for the top, it debuts at #18.
  • First single’s a fluke I thought.  But there’s more to Far East Movement than meets the eye, as collaborators like One Republic’s Ryan Tedder might gather.  Mr. Tedder teamed up with the quartet for the second single from Free Wired called “Rocketeer”, and it’s one of the most uplifting songs on radio right now.  It bows at #26.
  • Roz Bell is one prolific and talented songwriter, and the Toronto-based singer unleashed his latest cadre of thoughts in the form of “The Gran Cavallo Mixtape”, which is available for free download right here.  My favourite of the lot is the pretty and straight-forward “Forever, I Do”, which arrives on the chart as his collabo with 100 Akres “Breakup Anthem” is about to depart.  Also of note from “Gran Cavallo” are “2000 Years”, “Brooklyn, Save My Life”, and “Sarah’s Song”.  If you haven’t already got to know Roz through his albums October and particularly 2008’s The First Sunbeams, then be sure to get acquainted with him through “Gran Cavallo”.
  • While it may seem redundant to say so, Usher Raymond is back and in fine form on his latest single “More”, which does not appear on any edition of Raymond v. Raymond that I’m aware of.  It’s a great percolating dance track, continuing in the vein of “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love”.  “More” is Usher’s first chart appearance here in 6 years, the last being “Caught Up”.  I’m still very burned out on “Yeah”, which pop radio has killed into near oblivion.  But “More” is skilful, soulful R&B/dance that should do equally well as “DJ” and “OMG”.

You can view the full chart right here or using the link to the right under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART***.  Please post any comments you might have, I enjoy the opportunity to reply and chat!

All this, folks, plus new songs by the likes of Adam Tyler, Christian TV, and more, coming soon…