When the superpowers at Glee decide to reinterpret your song, it’s a fairly good indication that people like your music. In this case, television show or not, the guys from Imagine Dragons are pretty excited about where their careers are headed. Not only have they won over the Gods of entertainment television, they’ve also gathered a group of pretty serious music fans. In spite of all their success, one thing never changes with bands, you always have to get someone out of jail. In this interview Dan chucks Ben under the bus and tells Jordan about how they had to bail him out of the big house.
Watch it here:
Over the next two days ANDPOP will be rolling out Q&As with some of our fave contestants on The X-Factor. The other day, we talked with Willie Jones, a small town country musician who is talented, unique and constantly surprising. Do you think he has what it takes?
I hear people in the background as I’m talking to 18-year-old country singer Willie Jones and he tells them to hush. “I’m doing an interview!” he says. Then he apologizes profusely in that polite way that’s characteristic of Southern gentlemen, explaining that he’s hanging out with relatives (of course it’s okay!).
It’s clear Willie has a tight relationship with his fam — they drove 14 hours to get him to his first audition in Greensboro. There, he threw the judges off with his unique Fresh Prince of Bel-Air style and impressed them with his rendition of Josh Turner’s “Your Man. He’s currently fighting for a spot in the finals with mentor Demi Lovato.
Where are you right now? Leaving my cousin’s college at Northwestern State.
What would you be doing if you didn’t audition? Studying musical theatre in Louisiana. I was really into community theatre and performed in a couple school plays.
What would your album sound like? I would love to do country but with my own little R&B spin on it. So far, I think I’m doing a good job!
Who would you love to do a duet with? Beyonce and Josh Turner of course! I can perform Josh Turner’s “Your Man,” 100 times. I’m a big Taylor Swift fan and I also love Kanye.
What was the most nerve-racking experience so far? During Boot camp we did a round with duets and that was really nerve-racking because it was the last time the judges would see us before eliminations.
Pre-stage ritual I always pray before I perform and talk to my family because they keep me encouraged
Toughest judge Demi and Britney.
Guilty pleasure Sour Gummy Worms.
Last song performed “Nobody Knows It But Me” by Tony Rich
Fandemonium Read more…
Over the next two days ANDPOP will be rolling out Q&As with some of our fave contestants on The X-Factor. Yesterday, we talked with CeCe Frey, a small town mail clerk who says she wants to sing as badly as she wants to breathe. CeCe is currently in the judges’ homes stage with mentor Demi Lovato, do you think she has what it takes?
Twenty-year-old CeCe Frey already has a trademark look to inspire her fans. The leopard print she wears on her face and legs is akin to warrior paint, inspiring an alter ego on stage.
Her confident attitude rubbed some viewers the wrong way during her audition in Kansas City, but after talking with mentor Demi Lovato during the judges’ homes phase, she had a change of heart. “When Demi told me I was coming across unlikeable it broke my heart” she said. “I tried to come off as a strong unbreakable person and while that is me in a sense, it was also pushing people away from me.”
CeCe sang Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man” during her first audition and the judges were impressed with her star attitude — Demi even admitted she had a girl crush. Whether or not you’re a fan, CeCe has a strong drive and deep connection with her fans, who admire her survivor attitude.
Last song performed LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It”
Where are you right now? I’m driving my old beat up pickup through my hometown. It’s nice to see my family and the leaves are changing colour here. It’s beautiful!
Describe a normal day before The X-Factor I got up really early and I’d do CrossFit before work. I’d work all day, then I’d go to class at night, at a local college. It was a busy day, but not very exciting.
Where did the leopard print idea come from? I can’t even remember the day I started doing it. I went through different things in my life that really affected my emotional strength — things that really tried to take the dream away from me. I was doing these shows and just said: “You know what? I’m going to paint my face.” When I paint my face or legs it’s like an alter ego that comes out. It’s an empowering thing and I feel like nobody can mess with me.
Do you think you’ve been represented fairly? Read more…
