A Whole Lot Of *Whatever*

Lady Gaga should have won album of the year @ the Grammys

Just finished watching the Grammy Awards ceremony, the most important award was the last one; album of the year, my fingers were crossed and my heart raced, even thought I was certain Lady Gaga would win, not because she is my favorite but because her ‘Fame’ album is one of the most artistic, soul filled, [...]

Videos From The Hive Bomb Scare.

We all heard about the bomb scare that took place at The Hive yesterday during the 30 Seconds to Mars meet and greet.
Here are two firsthand videos into the event:

This video was taken by our staff member, Maurice:

Legion: Angels Vs Humans

I heard of the movie Legion end of last year when I was checking out what movies would be released in 2010. And it caught all of my attention.
It finally opened up on the 22nd, unfortunately I live in Cyprus and I’m still waiting for it to come, but being a fan of horror, thriller [...]

New Song From Alice and Wonderland Soundtrack-”Alice” by Avril Lavigne

The first song off of the highly anticipated Tim Burton film “Alice and Wonderland” soundtrack has been released!
The song is called “Alice” and is sung by Avril Lavigne on the soundtrack!

The film releases on March 5 2010 and will also be featured on Imax theaters. Alice is 19 years old and returns to Wonderland where [...]

The Sweet Madness of: Delirium Podcast

ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS: The radio world has officially gone mad, now that Delirium Podcast has sparked into existence. This hot new music based podcast talk show is the place for the latest in todays rock music scene. The girls of Delirium make it their business to deliver all the latest music news, reviews of albums, break down of [...]

Jesse Astin… basically a human robot.

Posted by amberjusm on February 7th, 2010

Jesse Astin is one of the most talented people that I know personally. I met him several years ago while working at a radio station and have tried to keep in touch with him ever since. He went from small town almost signed band member to doing BIG things in California. I recently got a chance to ask him about what he’s doing now and how he got there. Check out what he had to say and check out his music! You won’t be disappointed!

Photo Credit: Heather Ahrens

Amber: Been so long since I got to sit down with you in the dirty south! How do you like California?

Jesse: California is great. Weather is beautiful. Food is amazing. Culture is very diverse. Always something to do. I’ve lived here for two years now – some days I feel like I’ve been here a long time, and some days I am amazed with myself that I have accomplished so many things in such a short amount of time.

Amber: Do you get a lot of studio time there?

Jesse: I actually manage a studio in Burbank and have my own room there to work in, so I am in the studio almost every single day, usually for more than 12 hours a day.

Amber: What’s your current project(s)?

Jesse: I am almost finished with the new ‘Like Clockwork’ record that I have been working on for over a year now. It’s the best music I have made yet. I recently just played guitar on the new Automatic Loveletter record and wrote three songs with Juliet that will be on the record. I am also producing, writing, and developing a young artist named Lanchen. She’s 16 years old and has a killer voice and we write songs that are a little outside the box from what the typical pop-Disney girls would be doing. We’re making real music and it’s exciting. I’m also continuously working with my friend Mike Hardin of Stereo Then Video on a collaborative project that I started called ‘That’s Called Going For It!’ We’ve been working on that material for over two years and it’s really turning into something special.

Amber: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done since you’ve been in Cali?

Jesse:I’ve done a lot of engineering and editing since I’ve been here and I think the funniest thing I’ve done was work on John Travolta’s vocals for the Bolt Soundtrack with Miley Cyrus. It was so funny to listen to his voice. He still sounds exactly the same as he did in Grease.

Amber: Ha! That’s hilarious! How many albums have you recorded personally and with the band combined?

Jesse: ‘Kill The Word’ was my first record. ‘A Cross In The Ground’ came after that. Then I spent a year or so working on 20+ songs for a record called ‘Placing A Future In My Life’, which I ended up losing due to a hard drive failure. Luckily, I had the latest mixes of most of them, so I ended up releasing the record anyway, although it was never technically finished. Then I did an EP called ‘All Signs Point To Yes’ which is the first record I did with an actual “band”. The new record is called ‘These Are All Things’ and it’s 95% all me. I had a few friends play on some of the songs but it’s mostly me doing everything. I think I prefer that when it comes to actually record Like Clockwork records. It works better for me.

Amber: which one’s your favorite and why?

Jesse:The new one; ‘These Are All Things’. I learned so much more about myself and about life through the making of this record. I had all the tools that I needed to get the job done properly this time, so it was much easier to let myself go and take the time to get the right sounds, etc. I feel that I made a really beautiful record.

Amber: Tell everyone about the song you produced and co-wrote that aired on CSI: Miami. How did it come about? Who did you work with? If someone missed it, do you know where they can find it?

Jesse: The song idea was started by a track that Baron Von Luxxury brought in to our writing session. We moved some things around, wrote a great chorus but found ourselves stuck when we realized that the song needed a female’s perspective. I invited Bonnie McKee to come in and help us finish the song and she killed it. The song was written almost a year ago and it basically just sat there with our publishers for a while until one day we got a phone call that CSI wanted to use it. We recorded Lucy Hale (the actress in the episode) singing the acoustic version that you hear at the end. So it just goes to show that you never know might happen to a song. I think it’s a really great song and I am glad people are getting into it. You can buy the dance-pop version on iTunes now under the artist name “The Show Stoppers”. You can watch the episode online, it’s called “Show Stopper”.

Amber: If you could pick one quote that motivates you on your day to day, what would it be?

Jesse: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by – and that has made all the difference” – Robert Frost

Amber: Could you give our readers a little bit of history on how you got to where you are? It didn’t happen over night, right?

Jesse: Wow, where do I start? I picked up the guitar at age 9… started playing at the house of blues in Orlando by 14. I had bands all through high school and eventually was offered a paying gig in a band called Travisty Theory at age 19 that I played with for about three years. We were almost signed to Geffen and everything fell apart. For the best. After that I opened a recording studio in Atlanta and started recording and producing bands. After a while I got really tired of recording local bands and felt that I was capable of achieving much more than just being a local producer that recorded cheap demos for bands. It was really frustrating. So I reached out to my friend Matt Mahaffey who was out in LA and asked if he needed any help engineering or editing, and he was just about to work on the Forever The Sickest Kids record so he hired me and that was my first major label gig. I assisted and editing on a lot of other records before getting hired by songwriters Scott Cutler and Anne Preven to manage their studio. After a few months I worked up the courage to play them a few of my songs and a few months after that they offered me a publishing deal with Check Your Pulse / Downtown Publishing. I got a few songs placed here and there and have continued to work on my own music as well. And that’s where I am now. I have a feeling this year will bring me much further in my career.

Amber: The infamous question, some of your musical influences and why?

Jesse: Queen, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, Nine Inch Nails. I enjoy artists who venture outside the box but still have a real consideration for songs. You can be totally weird and crazy and creative and record you screaming through a metal trash can while wearing a tambourine around your neck – but without a good song you got nothing. It’s all about balance!

Amber: Can you give our readers some tips on rocking really hard?

Jesse: I think you just have to GO FOR IT!

Let me add, when Jesse says he did the whole album basically by himself, I think he means it looked like this:

Photo Credit: Drew Crozier

Be sure to check out Jesse’s Website and Twitter!

☮, ♡, ♪

-Amber

Peter Facinelli Likes Eminem!

Posted by amberjusm on February 7th, 2010

Sorry it’s taken me so long to get this together, but my mom always told me “Better late than never!” Here’s the chat transcript (edited) from the web chat with Peter Facinelli courtesy of tv.com!

Courtesy of TwilightMOMSBlog

We got started about 7:45 so I’m not going to include the timestamps, that just makes things boring! Okay, here you go!

Peter Facinelli:

Hey this is Peter.Thanks for coming, everyone! Sorry I’m a little late — I had bad reception and was watching The Tooth Fairy

[Comment From Cheyenne]

Peter playing the role of Carlisle must be a lot different than Dr. Fitch Cooper because obviously Carlisle is a vampire, but are there any other difference?

Peter Facinelli:

they’re 180 degrees apart. carlisle is a very calming figure and the foundation and rock of a family

Peter Facinelli:

Cooper is a lot more energetic and immature than Carlisle

I think the only thing they have in common is they both wear white coats

[Comment From Tai]

Hello Peter,I am a 30- something fan of yours from Colorado. First I’d like to just say that you brought the chracter of Carlisle to life on the screen and added a lot of dimension to him so thank you for your performance. My question is: Are you glad you did the Twilight Saga (not that it’s quite done yet) and where would you like to see your career go from here? Thank you so much for your time!

Peter Facinelli:

I’m very excited to be a part of the Twilight Saga. It’s very rare for a movie to have this kind of efect on people and to be a cultural phenomenon.

Peter Facinelli:

I try to do things that I haven’t done before – hopefully I’ll continue to do so, and continue to surprise the audience and surprise myself

[Comment From Kim Sullivan]

Hey. I’ve seen a lot of your interviews and I’ve noticed that you are never asked any of the basic questions! Like, what’s your favorite song?

Peter Facinelli:

you know, I have such an eclectic taste when it comes to music, so that’s a very difficult question for me. I’ll listen to everything from Eminem to Elvis Presley to The Beatles

Peter Facinelli:

Don’t have a favorite band that I listen too — kind of like a little bit of everything

[Comment From Cheyenne]

What is your favorite thing about playing a vampire?

Peter Facinelli:

I think being a vampire is fun because you get to live forever. as an actor, the coolest thing about playing a vampire is that vampires are cool right now, so it’s fun to play one

[Comment From Charlotte, London]

Hi Peter, Hope you are well! Q: If you could be any character other than your own in the saga, who would that be and why? Thank You for all the time you give to us fans on twitter! xx

Peter Facinelli:

Edward, for a bunch of reasons, if I were younger would be a great character to play. If I couldn’t play Edward I’m quite happy playing the dad. I don’t think the apple falls far from the tree.

[Comment From Angelica]

Can you play any instruments and are you a good singer? ;D

Peter Facinelli:

I always sing in the shower

Peter Facinelli:

I can play maybe 2 songs on the guitar — Blackbird (Beatles) and La Bamba

[Comment From linamallette]

Do you have a dream role you’d like to play, if so what?

Peter Facinelli:

I don’t know what that is — I like having scripts come to me and they either strike a chord with me or not. When I was younger, I always wanted to play Spiderman…but that didn’t happen.

Peter Facinelli:

There are some genres I’d like to play in- westers, action, romantic comedy

Peter Facinelli:

I try to take on contrasting roles, like Carlisle and Cooper.

[Comment From Jodi]

who inspired you to act?

Peter Facinelli:

My inspriations were Paul Newman and Robert Redford – Saw a movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and those guys looked like they were having a lot of fun and I decided that’s what I wanted to do.

Peter Facinelli:

Now I like Sean Penn and what he’s doing. Gary Oldman. I like to be surprised by an actor – you never know what you’re going to get and they don’t play the same role.

[Comment From Tiny_Clanger]

Team Taylor or Team Robert?

Peter Facinelli:

haha – I gotta go Team Robert. he’s my family. I love Taylor, but Rob plays my son so I got to keep it in the family. But as far as the real actors in the film — I think they’re both immensely talented and I support both of them.

[Comment From Mica from Czech Republic]

If you’re not an actor, what would be your job?

Peter Facinelli:

I’d be working at Blockbusters so I could watch a lot of movies

Peter Facinelli:

If I could do something else in the entertainment industry I’d be either a director or a writer…I’d have to be able to tell a story one way or another. I’m writing now and hope to direct some day.

Peter Facinelli:

would like to do all 3 one day – write, direct and act

[Comment From Jess Cardoso (foforks)]

Hi Peter, i’ve 14 years old, and i’m from Brazil, i wanted to ask you how was the fight scenes in Eclipse for you? And the preparation, it was hard?

Peter Facinelli:

The fight scenes prep was tedious but fun. I enjoyed it immensely. Going to work and training, doing fight choreography and working out was fun. We had about 5 weeks to prep, so every day we were working really hard. It wasn’t like digging ditches, but it was fun to be able to go in and be a part of that. It became very competitive within the cast.

Peter Facinelli:

we’re running low on time, but I can take one more question…

{I must’ve cut the question, but someone asked him who who he wanted to work with…}

Peter Facinelli:

I’d love to work with Clint Eastwood, Sean Penn, Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. I’ve been really fortunate to work with some really great, talented people in my career and I’m looking forward to continuing that.

nilla_chelle01TVdotcom thanked Peter for coming by and then Peter gave his last few words!

Peter Facinelli:

Really excited to be part of the Showtime family, and that the Twilight saga is premiering on Showtime. I hope everyone really enjoys it

So we really learned a lot about the man that is Pfach. ha! Be sure to check out tv.com on their Facebook and on their Twitter!

LiveChat-Peter_updated

☮, ♡, ♪

-Amber

Lady Gaga should have won album of the year @ the Grammys

Posted by Deema Osman on February 6th, 2010

Lady Gaga at the 2010 Grammy Awards

Just finished watching the Grammy Awards ceremony, the most important award was the last one; album of the year, my fingers were crossed and my heart raced, even thought I was certain Lady Gaga would win, not because she is my favorite but because her ‘Fame’ album is one of the most artistic, soul filled, and genius albums ever written.

And then they announce ‘Taylor Swift Fearless’ it took me a second to realize that I had actually heard that. I couldn’t even continue watching and really felt like pulling a Kanye West on her, for a minute I felt what Kanye meant when he stood up on that stage at the MTV awards and announced that Beyonce should have won.

Before anyone starts hating on me, I will say that Taylor Swift is a talented young singer, great personality and deserves all the success that comes her way, she also deserves all the other Grammys she won, I can’t deny that, I won’t deny that, but a Grammy is the biggest music award of the year, the biggest awards any musician should earn, and an album that holds that award, needs to be worthy of it, just as big and amazing and unique as the Grammy itself.

Even though I believe no one is more deserving than Lady Gaga, I would have still cheered on Beyonce who deserves any awards she receives, and the Black Eyed Peas who are ahead of their time, but let’s all be honest for one minute, Taylor Swifts songs, as nice and catchy as they are, but have no innovation, not a lot of creativity and nothing new, every song that comes out holds a similar tune to the previous one, and they all hold a familiar tune that we’ve heard before.

And the lyrics, common “she wears high heels, I wear sneakers” many people can relate to it, nerds are cool, great, hell I’ll sing along to it, but this is not a Teen Choice Award or an MTV award, it’s the GRAMMMYYYYYY!!!!

Lady gaga on the other hand, presents an album that analyzes, decomposes and puts back together the world of Fame in a phenomenal, breathtaking manner.

Unlike most artists Gaga, understands every word she cleverly places in her songs, for those who are now thinking what a B**** for writing all this about Taylor Swift, listen to ‘The Fame’, to the lyrics the words the music, the theme that holds the album together. I’ll agree that Just Dance, as amazing as it is has a simple tune and lyric to it, fine, but have you listened to Poker Face, where Gaga plays around with our sexual preferences and games, the faces we wear with different people, and Love Games, who can argue that ‘let’s have some fun this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick’ is not a clever almost genius lyrics.

And of course the icing on the cake ‘Paparazzi’ that lets every listener perceive their own understanding, of what fame can be, and how fame can Kill. And all the other songs on the album are absolutely amazing.

And once you’ve heard the album, you can at least admit to yourself which album you think is more deserving to win this years Grammy.

I have been a fan of the Grammys and trusted their choice every single time even when the awards didn’t go to my personal favorite so it’s not an ego thing, but now I’ve lost a huge amount of that respect, and love for this show.

To all Lady Gaga fans I hope you agree and feel my rage, to all Taylor Swift fans no offence, I’m happy for you.

Dear John,

Posted by Lilly (Admin) on February 5th, 2010

“Dear John,

There’s so much I want to say to you,but I’m not sure where I should begin. Should I start by telling you that I love you? Or that the days I’ve spent with you have been the happiest in my life? Or that in the short time I’ve know you,I’ve come to believe that we were meant to be together? I could say all those things and all would be true, but as I reread the, all I can think is that I wish I were with you now, holding your hand and watching for your elusive smile.

In the future, I know I”ll relive our time together a thousand times. I’ll hear your laughter and see your face and feel your arms around me. I’m going to miss all of that, more than you can imagine. You’re a rare gentleman, John, and I treasure that about you. In all the time we were together, you never pressed me to sleep with you,and I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. It made what we had seem even more special, and that’s how I always want to remember my time with you. Like a oure white light,breathtaking to behold.

I’ll think about you every day. Part of me is scared that there will come a time when you don’t feel the same way, that you’ll somehow forget about what we shared, so this what I want to do. Wherever you are andd no matter what’s going on in your life, when it’s the first night of the full moon-like it was the first time we met-I want you to find it in the nighttime sky. I want you to think about me and the week we shared, because wherever I am and no matter what’s going on in my life, that’s excatly what I’ll be doing. If we can’t be together, at least we can share that, and maybe between the two of us, we can make this last forever.

I love you, John Tyree, and I’m going to hold you to the promise you once made to me. If you come back, I’ll marry you. If you break your promise, you’ll break my heart.

Love,

Savannah”

Ok tell me that wasn’t amazing? This is a little part from the book “Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks. This is my favorite book of all times and while I was reading I was thinking it would be great if they made this into a movie and now they have! I haven’t seen it yet but I’m definitely going to and I hope you do too because I guarantee you that for the girls it’s going to be your new favorite romantic movie, the guys might even like it too. It’s an unbelievable story about to people falling in love in a short amount of time and they ups and downs they go through. Would you make that hardest decision of your life for the one you love? Grab your loved ones and go see it! You can find tickets on our site, enjoy it

P.S Not only is it a great movie but Channing Tatum (One of Phina’s loves) is in it

Videos From The Hive Bomb Scare.

Posted by Seraphina (Admin) on February 5th, 2010

We all heard about the bomb scare that took place at The Hive yesterday during the 30 Seconds to Mars meet and greet.

Here are two firsthand videos into the event:

This video was taken by our staff member, Maurice:

Jailhouse Pop (Paris Lilo & The Bunch)

Posted by Deema Osman on February 5th, 2010

lindsay-lohan-mug-shot

Jail a place faraway that none of us likes to think of, or wants to end up in; we also know that if we end up in there, we will gain a horrible reputation and it will turn people away from us, and interfere with our careers. But … Wait… wait a minuet… Hollywood’s trend is getting arrested… doesn’t Lilo a.k.a Lindsay Lohan have like a gazillion fans, how bout B.F.F Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, and ex Lost star Michelle Rodrigues, even bigger well respected actors like Mel Gibson, they’ve all been in jail but it doesn’t seem to have a bad influence on them. They’ve been arrested and convicted for various accounts, DUI (Driving Under Influence), possession of illegal drugs, even dangerous car chase, but for some reason all this did to them was boost their fame and name. In fact, they had more exposure to audiences around the world than ever before. They even showed up to court wearing their most glamorous outfits and huge smiles knowing they can bribe their way out of jail in a blink of an eye.

Yes, true they are celebrities, Hollywood millionaires, they live in a world where they make their own rules and live by them, but how can they live by their own rules when these rules can harm innocent non Hollywood people that should be protected by non Hollywood laws?

When Paris, walked out of her month long jail house stay, into what seemed like a red carpet, she was cheered for and welcomed, and what Inside Edition (an American entertainment news program) decided to give tips on as a follow up to Paris’ jail exit coverage, was how to use junk food as make up.. Don’t you think that maybe, just maybe they could have concentrated more on how much DUI has affected people’s lives and how dangerous it is. Drunk driving is NOT entertainment, In the US, 500 people are killed weekly due to alcohol related accidents. Also, statistically a life is lost every 20 minutes because of the same cause. Driving under the Influence will almost certainly lead to the death of the driver or an outsider.

Most people involved in these accidents are between the ages of 16-24, and 80% of these accidents happen between 8pm and 8am.

According to US laws, in the best of cases, that is an accident that results in nothing more that the injury of someone and not escaping the crime scene, will result in 5 years of imprisonment and $5000 fine. If the accident results in fatalities, then the punishment increases to $10.000 fine and 15 whole years in prison, in which case the young adult driving would also have his life taken away fro him/her for one night’s fun.

The sad thing is that out of every 200 drunk drivers only 1 is caught, and here we are watching Lindsay Lohan barely spending 24 hours in jail after being arrested for the 3^rd time for DUI, how does that help prevent the death of more innocent lives?

Seriously, seriously, what’s up with this whole ‘girls night out’ attitude towards the arrest and imprisonment of Hollywood Queens and Kings? Celebrities they may be but they are still human beings, who are very much capable of harming fellow human beings. So when they’re Hollywood rules intervene with real life rules, maybe Celebrities ought to be arrested like everyone else for the well being of society.

Nicole Rickie

Happy Birthday Michael Sheen!

Posted by Seraphina (Admin) on February 5th, 2010

msheen2

Everyone here at Awholelotofwhatever.com wants to wish the amazing Michael Sheen a very happy birthday with many more to come!

Mr. Sheen is one of Seraphina’s favorite actors. Words fail to express how truly talented he is. Its unreal.

Stop by his Twitter to wish him a Happy Birthday! @MichaelSheen

My sister’s Keeper

Posted by Deema Osman on February 4th, 2010

Life and death; are they part of each other, or do they complete each other? Does death threaten life? should we be scared of it or should we embrace it? is harder to be dying or to watch someone die?

we all think of these questions at one point or another in our lives, and a select number of people are faced with a truth that forces them to go head to head with these questions and make a decision as to what side they are on.

In my sister’s keeper based one the novel by Jodi Picoult, we get the rare pooprtunity to walk in the shoes of characters that sit on all sides of these questions.

Anna is the younger sister who was genetically created to be an organ donnor and savior of her older sister Kate.

Kate suffers from acute promyelocytic leukemia, a form of canser that has been consitently thratening her existance, with constant relapses forcing her to endure painful therapy and go through the abnormal if a sick child.

Sarah is the mother who has given up her life as a lawyer in order to take care of her family, Overprotective and overeactive her fear makes her out to be the ‘bad guy’ in most situations.

Brian is the firefigher father who always appears to be the sound of reason that balances things between the family members and between right and wrong

Lastly Jesse is the oldest brother, who seems forgotten by his parents who have a need to give all their attention to their younger daughters.

The Fitzgerild family is torn between those who are facing death and those who are scared of losing a loved one to it. some appear brave and others break down in a humane dramatic unfolding of events that pull tears out of any fully grown adult.

The performances are mesmerizing by all, Cameron Diaz shines in one of her few dramatic roles, playing the mother of the household for the very first time, Jason Patick and Evan Ellingson are amazing as the father and brother and Alec Baldwin as lawyer Campbell Alexander but all hats have to be raised, for the youngest of the cast, Abigail Breslin and Sophia Vassilieva who lead the movie in the roles of the two sisters Anna and Kate.

The movie takes viewers on a ride of emotions making us constantly take different sides, being with or against characters’ opinions, as we watch the past and present beautifully blended together in an impressive editing process, until the end reveals what really is happening and why things had taken the course they had.

I haven’t read the novel so I can’t comment on weather the movie stayed true to its source, but either way it was impressive all on its own and has made me want to read the book, to learn more about this amazing family.

I hope this encourages you all to go ahead and watch the movie and maybe even read the novel.

Get Bitten By Veronica Davis

Posted by Seraphina (Admin) on February 3rd, 2010

blind thirst We consider her to be the Queen of Vampires. Find out why:

Q: What sparked your interest in writing?
I was about 8 years old and I guess I was just fascinated with creating other worlds and controlling how things played out. Most of my stories then were cheerful and lighthearted, very childish as I was indeed a child. I liked to make all my characters happy. If they wanted their favorite candy, they could have it. If they wanted to go out and play, they could go as long as the wanted because I held the pencil and I could make it happen.

Q: What are some of your favorite authors?
I have an ultimate favorite, and it’s Dean Koontz. He is the center of all things fiction for me. I own more than half of his published works. I’ve researched him because his fiction is so detailed and so perfect to me. His life is very interesting, I’m very proud of his work both professional, nonprofessional, and personal. He’s extraordinary to me and I guess my second favorite is Nora Roberts/J.D Robb…when it comes to love and crime you go straight to her.

Q: At a time when vampire books and movies are insanely popular, how is “Blind Thirst” different from all the other stories?
Well, Blind Thirst was written by a member of the generation that these adult authors are directing their vampire novels to. When I started writing for “Blind Thirst” I wanted something mind boggling, something that would leave you asking in the long-run, ‘Why did she do that?’. My intentions were not to in anyway sound like I’m mimicking anyone’s work that is why I didn’t read any vampire novels until after my first draft was done. The main difference would be the style, it’s very loose and the characters are very identifiable…very bubbly, edgy. The comments I get on “Blind Thirst” is delightful. I mean everyone who’s read it has told me that I did a great job at separating myself from the high school drama theme that was going on in these more popular works.

Q: How long have you had a fascination with vampire folklore?
Since I first saw ‘Interview with a Vampire’! I was in awe. I’m like ‘Wait a second…vampires…living “human” lives…fascinating’. Those were my words, I remember because I was 12 years old at the time. I actually sat down and rewrote the storyline, just out of fun because I did fan fiction novels growing up, and that was my introduction into the fiction world of vampires in particular.

Q: Being an author of a vampire novel as well, how do you feel about the hype surrounding Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga?
There are times even I’m overwhelmed for her success with these novels. I’m very proud of her work and I think that all this feedback she receives, good and bad, is very good for her. I believe she worked hard, I believe the cast is working hard, the writers, producers, everyone. I became of fan after reading the books when my friends let me borrow them. Her style of writing is at a stage where people can read it and not have to think hard about what she’s getting at. I used her novels for leisure reading, and you can’t put them down. It’s nearly impossible.

Q: If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would you cast to be in it?
That’s a toughie…Well hopefully people when they read it will understand who I choose and why…I won’t say characters names though…I’m curious to who my readers would match to whom. Ben Barnes, Katerina Graham, Ian Somerhalder, Selita Ebanks, and Alicia Keys as the leads.

Q: Is there any particular genre of music or bands that influence and inspire your writing?
Yes! EVERYTHING! Bloodstone, Linkin Park, Evanescence, *N sync, Monica, Brandy, The Fray, Phil Wickham, Pink, Cherish, Mya, Jimmy Eat World, Drowning Pool, Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, Fall Out Boy, The Dream, it goes on and on. There are different modes I’ve put myself in to write certain parts of my novel. I’ve even written some of my own songs on the piano to put myself in a certain mood. Music is a big part of everything I do. I incorporate it into as many things as I can.

Q: Will there be a sequel to “Blind Thirst?”
Oh my! I don’t know…I’ve been asked several times…I don’t know. I feel a break is needed from vampires, as they are constantly being thrown at us all…But I think if enough people asked I would suck it up and do it. No pun intended. I just want to show other skills, and have fun with something totally different.

Q: Are you currently working on any other projects?
Yes I’m already working on that “something totally different”. I have the title and everything, and I’m just excited. Writer’s block has plagued me, but I’m still very much excited!

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t let anyone tell you you’re material isn’t good enough. Everything takes time. Publishing is no walk in the park, and you have to find the right home with the right people, and also do your research! That is important because many people will attempt to steal your work if it’s not yet copyrighted. Don’t feel bad that you may or may not be accepted by who you do or don’t want because you’re going to be where you belong in the end.

veronicaaa

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Follow @Veronicandavis on Twitter and check out http://www.veronicandavis.com/

Our Interview with Cascadence

Posted by Seraphina (Admin) on February 3rd, 2010

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Words escape me when it comes to describing how hard I have fallen for this band’s music, only one line can sum it up:

They are truly something special.

Q: What musically influenced the beginning of Cascadence?
JOHNNY: I just left my previous band, auditioned for a few others and none of those really panned out for me….so I figured that I should just start writing my own stuff and see what happens. Was out one night and ran into Bryan (who I knew since 5th grade or so, but didn’t keep in touch with) and he told me about how he played bass now and we started talking about music….showed him some of the stuff I did and he dug it so we started jamming and writing some stuff together. After going through a few drummers, we finally joined up with Dar (who I played in a band with in the past and we both knew from school as well) and have been going at it hard since then….we all get along really well, everyone is really talented and on the same page musically, and we all have the same ultimate goal….so it has been a blast and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Q: Where did the band’s unique name come from?
JOHNNY: We were looking for something unique to represent our sound. It’s just a made up name derived from the words “cascade” and “cadence”….basically because we felt it describes our music – strong moving rhythms and catchy, flowing vocals.

Q: How would you describe the band’s sound?

JOHNNY: A fresh new take on 80s rock mixed with pop hooks. I feel like the sound is current, but also kinda different than a lot of the other bands out right now. My older brother introduced me to the old school rock/metal bands when I was 4 or 5. So even though a lot of that was way before my time, it’s still probably my overall favorite era in rock music and heavily influences my writing.

BRYAN: A fresh original blend of what has come before and what has not yet been seen. Not something easily related time and time over with concurrent artists.

DAR: I think our sound is a mixture of rock, pop, and old school metal with relatable lyrics that is appealing to a wide range of people.

Q: If Cascadence had a choice to tour with two other bands who would it be and why?

JOHNNY: I’d like to tour with Bon Jovi and My Chemical Romance. I love both of their music, they both have influenced me as a writer, and they’re Jersey boys like us…so we’d have a lot to talk about! haha

BRYAN: Thats a hard question…someone who we could get along with and could maybe show us the ropes.

DAR: Def Leppard and Metallica if possible.

Q: Have you guys gone on tour before? If so, do you have any good tour stories?

JOHNNY: Yep….nothing really extensive, but we are hoping to change that sometime soon because we love seeing new places and getting to meet our fans! Lots of stories….one that sticks out to me is playing a party in Philly over the summer and getting shut down mid-set by the cops for being too loud….we are a VERY loud band live! lol

BRYAN: Yes and yes….anything I tell wouldn’t be appropriate for the interview though! haha

DAR: Yes, mini tours…we had a backyard show that we played on this music circuit thing. We had a blast and had the opportunity to play for a bunch of awesome people.

Q: Favorite records of all time?

JOHNNY: UGH….such a difficult question to answer. I have different records that remind me of different periods of my life and all of them have special places in my heart. I guess if I had to pick a few I’d say:
- Def Leppard’s albums Pyromania and Hysteria: the musical compositions are great, the hooks are tremendous on every song, and you gotta respect a drummer who loses an arm and comes back harder than ever!

- The Used – In Love and Death: by far my fave album by them….great from start to finish….this cd didn’t leave my player for months when it came out.

- Fall Out Boy – Infinity On High: I know people either love or hate Fall Out Boy, BUT I’ve been listening to them for a long time, they know how to write great songs that really capture you, and
Patrick can sing his butt off!

- Breaking Benjamin – We’re Not Alone Here: I actually didn’t like this cd at all the first time I heard it except for the song “So Cold”….it was TOO different to me compared to other things out at the time. I gave it another shot a few months later, something clicked and I finally “got it” and LOVED it. Really well composed songs and great hooks. This was also the first cd that really stood out to me in a production aspect…it’s so crisp and flawless sounding….I never noticed that when listening to other cds and it really inspired me to get into learning more about that side of music.

BRYAN: Bush – Sixteen Stone, Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

DAR: Jimmy Eat World – Clarity, Coldplay X & Y

Q: Favorite movies?

JOHNNY: I have SO many that I like….this is hard for me to answer! haha….Umm I guess if I had to pick a few I’d say: Last Action Hero cause I love anything with Arnold in it….he’s hilarious….Darman and I crack ourselves up randomly doing quotes from his movies. I love pretty much anything with Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, or Johnny Depp in it….and pretty much all of the movies Quentin Tarantino worked on. I can honestly go on forever about movies I like cause there are so many!

BRYAN: Funny ones and war movies

DAR: Almost Famous and What Dreams May Come

Q: What hobbies do each of you have apart from being musicians?

JOHNNY: Songwriting and producing music….it’s secondary to performing for me right now, but I’d eventually like to work with other artists in that sense (kinda like Butch Walker). Love surfing and bodyboarding, cooking, working out, fishing, watching movies, hangin out with friends…and meeting new ones!

BRYAN: Writing….partying (is that a hobby?)

DAR: Baseball, surfing, hanging in NYC, going to shows and parties.

Q: What are your favorite songs to perform?

JOHNNY: Pretty much any and all of them. I am really looking forward to gettin out and playing some of the new material we have though because it’s awesome and I think people are really going to love it!

BRYAN: I lose myself in each and every song we play for different reasons…so as long as it’s ours, it’s my favorite!

DAR: Run To Your Lies and No I Don’t

Q: What advice would you give to musicians trying to start a band?

JOHNNY: Stick with it and don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t do something. There are always going to be people who have something bad to say…but if you can overlook that and stay persistent, you are going to succeed in the end. Also, I’d say surround yourself with people who you admire and learn as much as you can from them. Overall, just work as hard as you can at it, stay positive, stay humble, but promote shamelessly! haha OH….and definitely appreciate your fans….without them you have nothing.

BRYAN: It’s not as easy as it looks but don’t give up!

DAR: My advice to anyone starting a band would be to try and write the best material you can, be respectful to your bandmates, try to practice as much as you can without frustrating yourself, listen to many styles of music to better your understanding of tone and structure, save your money so you can get the awesome gear to support your talent once you develop it, stay in good shape, don’t get into drugs at all, try to develop your own style have a good attitude, listen to the bands and people you look up to so you can become the musician to intend to be, never stop learning.

Check out their music here: http://www.myspace.com/cascadence

And you’d be damn crazy not to follow them on Twitter: @cascadence

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