Edith Marquez has been singing her lungs out for decades. With a huge range this mezzo-soprano Mexican singer joined the pop group Timbiriche as a replacement for Mariana Garza then stayed on for four years.
Edith has acted in several soap operas most recently in Manana es para siempre.
We spoke briefly before her recent appearance at Circuit Nightclub. (the interview is translated from Spanish)
JN: (Jerry Nunn) Hola, Edith. You were born in Mexico?
English music duo The Ting Tings are made up of Jules de Martino and Katie White. Their first album We Started Nothing charted number one on the UK chart eventually selling over four million singles worldwide. The album was catchy with one great song after another including the hot “That’s Not My Name” that was stuck in everyone’s brain after listening to it. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” along with “Great DJ” continued that upbeat trend.
I spoke with Katie for an interview early in their career while she was doing her laundry getting ready to tour. And what a tour that was with their live act sounding exactly like that first album if not better. They managed to capture the frenetic energy of each song while banging drums and cowbells. I first saw them at the Metro to a packed house then opening for Pink on her massive Funhouse tour. They were nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best New Artist and deservedly so.
The remixes of the early songs were heard in clubs and made the staying power of the first album last for a long time. This left many wondering what their new tracks would sound like. They released “Hands” produced by Calvin Harris in October of 2010 to not much of a response despite some good remix versions. “Hands” never made it on the new record.
The two started recording the second album Sounds From Nowheresville in a jazz club in Berlin. There were title changes and rumors of collaborators from Jay-Z to Rihanna that didn’t happen. It seems like the group must have had some creative problems and felt pressured to not have a sophomore slump.
There is some of that lingering and this is not the immediately listenable album from the first time out. Luckily I attended some of the live shows and heard songs like “Silence” that works incredibly well in concert. It builds and builds and I remember the crowds going crazy over it. The lead off single “Hang It Up” sounds like a one of the weaker tracks on We Started Nothing unfortunately. The reggae/rock of “Soul Killing” is a good step in the right direction and is the currently released single. Some tracks are unusual like “Guggenheim” although it is great to hear Jules step up to the singing plate on “Give It Back.” Some of the songs drone on like the closing track “In Your Life” and seem to be attempts at expanding their sound. For your money I recommend the deluxe version of the album with lots of remixes to keep the party going.
With SXSW this weekend they are out on the road again and soon heading to Chicago to the Park West on April 3. Live and in person is how the group is meant to be experienced so don’t miss your chance to see them when you can. Visit www.thetingtings.com for more information.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is a Danish band made up of Mette Lindberg on vocals and Lars Iversen as producer. They are bringing their six-piece horn act from Copenhagen to Chicago and are not to be missed. Their music has been on the television show Gossip Girl, and used in advertising for Heineken, and Mad Men.
Check out their colorful video for “The Golden Age” and see why we are seeing rainbows these days!
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Mette. How is France?
Mette Lindberg: It is rainy but very nice. Where are you?
JN: In Chicago and I am so excited you are coming here!
ML: Yay, we are too. We were just there and it was great weather so we are looking forward to coming back.
JN: I heard your saxophonist got sick the last time you all were here.
Rubik is slowly taking over the country opening for electro music act Lights. This Finnish group is composed of up to eight members at a time. Their newest album Solar was released in March and in support the group has recently traveled to Barcelona. Nunn went backstage to meet the group and talk to the lead singer, Artturi Taira.
Jerry Nunn: Hello, Artturi. So the entire group is from Finland?
Artturi Taira: Oh yeah. We are from Kuopio.
JN: How did you become a band?
AT: How do people become a band…
JN: Did you study music?
AT: Some of us have done that originally but the core of the band is from a smaller community. We all live in Helsinki which is the capitol but we are from a small town, which means you can either play soccer or play guitar. We have always liked music and been playing since we were young so it has always been natural. We started hanging out and writing songs. I have been working with the drummer for 15 years.
Matt Alber is one of the few openly gay singer songwriters out there. His video for “End of the World” may have one of the most romantic endings our community has seen on Youtube. He heads to the coast for a very important tour. End of the World
Hello, Matt. I can’t stop watching your video for “End of the World.” Tell me about your background.
I am glad you like it. I grew up in the Midwest, in St. Louis. I was born in Wichita, Kansas. I was always a choir geek. I started singing in choirs when I was a little kid. I went to school for classical music after high school. I was always on the fence between classical and pop music. I loved singing Handel Arias and then Billy Joel. I did both on my senior recital. I continued that practice onto my adulthood. I moved to California after college to join a group called Chanticleer and toured for five years with that professional group. They have twelve members and they are a full time classical group. I got to sing in a choir for a living, which I didn’t think was possible. We made a bunch of records for Warner Brothers. Two of them won Grammys when I was with the group.
British group Graffiti6 are showing their true “Colours” with a tour coming to Chicago, not once but twice. The six are really two with songwriters Jamie Scott and TommyD teaming up to make beautiful music together. Their songs have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, Covert Affairs, and CSI: NY. Jamie has performed with such artists as Alicia Keys, and Kelly Clarkson.
We found him on the road ready to launch a new tour with a stop in the Windy Wity.
Jerry Nunn: Hey. Jamie. Where are you calling from?
Jamie Scott: I’m calling from the tour bus heading from Alabama to Charlotte.
JN: How’s the south?
JS: It’s cool, man, an interesting place!
JN: You are originally from London and the United States is still new for you, correct? View Full Article »
Born and raised in Tennessee, Kimberley Locke came to fame after appearing on the American Idol television series in 2003. She finished third behind Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. She later appeared on season three and seven. She continued her television trend appearing on Celebrity Fit Club for VH1.
She brought her latest EP Four For The Floor to Roscoe’s Tavern and we chatted backstage after the show going back to our roots for the holidays!
Jerry Nunn: Hi, Kimberley. I am so excited about our mutual Tennessee connection. Where were you born?
Kimberley Locke: I was born in Portland, Tennessee. It is just north of Gallatin.
JN: My parents live in Gallatin. That is very country.
KL: I grew up on a farm. I’m a country girl who was feeding chickens and ducks. View Full Article »
Edith Marquez has been singing her lungs out for decades. With a huge range this mezzo-soprano Mexican singer joined the pop group Timbiriche as a replacement for Mariana Garza then stayed on for four years.
