andPOP » Snow Patrol

Greyson Chance Headlines First Tour

@coltondaniel — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:32:24 +0000

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From a YouTube clip last April to the Ellen DeGenerous Show to co-headlining an North American Tour – and Greyson Chance is only 13-years-old.

Before you pin him off as another “Bieber”, check out the famous YouTube video that showcases Chance transformation of Gaga’s “Paparazzi” pop hooks into a heart-felt ballad as he accompanies himself on piano.

After a few weeks and over 30 million views, the video exploded and became one of the most watched on YouTube and in turn Greyson Chance became a sensation. Ellen DeGeneres received a letter from Greyson’s brother Tanner suggesting that she should watch the video. After two performances on her show, Ellen announced that she had signed Chance to her new label: eleveneleven. He has since signed a major-label deal with Geffen Records and Maverick Records.

“I think it’s an honour to be compared to Justin. I mean, he’s this big pop act,” says Chance. “But, my music is definitely more of a pop-rock sound.”

Chance is currently undergoing work on his debut album with a team of top-notch songwriters, including The Matrix (Jason Mraz, Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne) and Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfeld, Kylie Monogue, Leona Lewis).

“The story or the concept is really about heartbreak,” Chance says of the new album’s theme. “Starts with going through a relationship, you’re so in love and you’re so happy. She breaks up with you, she breaks your heart. You hate her but you still love her. And in the end it turns into this dark story about heartbreak and how you deal with it and how painful it can really be.”

His first single, ‘Waiting Outside the Lines’, combines a faint Snow Patrol sound with a punchy Kelly Clarkson back-beat has a music video and is now available on iTunes.

“I’m currently listening to a lot of Journey. I think they’re such an amazing group. I mean, Steve Perry’s voice speaks for itself,” Chance also cited Coldplay, One Republic and Taylor Swift as major influences.”One of my big role models would have to be Chris Martin [of Coldplay], I would love to collaborate with him.”

“I can be inspired by lots of things. Sometimes by listening to other music, like the music I’m listening to today I have different song ideas. Watching music videos or going to their shows, I learn lots from artists around me. From their music to their their videos. I come up with ideas on my own.”

‘Waiting Outside The Lines’ has already received strong reviews and is a possible prelude of what’s to come. It helped place Chance ninth spot on Billboard’s Top 20 Under 20.

“It felt incredible,” Chance recalls finding out the news. “I was surrounded by big powerhouse names and it felt incredible to be there. I love Billboard, they’ve been very supportive of my projects.”

He has already started to use his celebrity status for charity, appearing at Free The Children’s We Day in Toronto alongside the Jonas Brothers, Hedley and K’naan where he performed a cover of Augustana’s ‘Fire’.

“It was a blast, I had so much fun there. I met the founders of We Day [Craig & Marc Kielburger]and what they’re doing is just so incredible. I had a blast performing, that was my first trip to Canada and I loved it.” Chance is also involved with another Children’s Miracle Network. “I actually did a show for them back in my hometown of Alabama and they’re just so incredible. They’re fighting for these kids, giving so much money every day, every minute of the day. It’s a cause I’m very supportive of.”

As for the upcoming tour, Chance said in his infectious charisma that he’s “really excited to be going on tour with Cody [Simpson]. I think we’re going to but on a really great show.” What he is looking forward to most is for their fans to “have a chance to see two sides of pop music.”

“There are going to be surprises, but I don’t want to give anything away.”

Chance had recently toured North America with iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove and recently dropped by Ellen’s show to join on Cosgrove’s “Dancing Crazy”.

“I learned a lot from being on tour with her. To always keep your energy high on stage. She taught me a lot. I’m going to be using a lot of that advice and experience on this tour.”

What’s next for Greyson?

“Well hopefully I can have a platinum winning album, and I can be going to the Grammys and accepting a Grammy.”

The “WAITING 4U” kicks off April 11th in Denver, Colorado. For more information on Greyson Chance and the upcoming ‘Waiting 4U’ Tour, check out www.greyson-official.com, www.facebook.com/greysonchance or follow him on Twitter @GreysonChance.

Belle And Sebastian, Snow Patrol, R.E.M. Members Make Tired Pony

Sara Harowitz — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:44:05 +0000

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As far as celebrity trends go, this one is at the top because at least it usually results in some great music.

Yet another super group has taken shape, reports CHARTattack.com, involving members from R.E.M., Snow Patrol and Belle And Sebastian.

Tired Pony consists of Belle And Sebastian drummer Richard Colburn, R.E.M.’s Peter Buck on guitar, and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody on the lead.

The band has apparently already finished recording their debut album, The Place We Ran From, which has a set release date of July 12. The record is said to have an alternative country sound, and She & Him’s Zoey Deschanel (also known for the film 500 Days of Summer) apparently contributed to the album.

We think super groups may one day rule the world.

Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ Named Most Played Song of Decade

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:52:12 +0000

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“If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

Chances are you’ve heard the song, and apparently so has the rest of the world.

Snow Patrol’s hit song “Chasing Cars” has been named the most widely played and used song of the decade, reports NME.com.

The UK band reached the top of the poll which was done by licensing group PPL. Snow Patrol beat out Take That and Scissor Sisters to hit the number one spot.

“Chasing Cars” was released and welcomed in July 2006 and taken from the band’s album Eyes Open. It peaked at number six on the UK charts.

The song narrowly beat out the poll’s competition of Take That’s “Shine” which came in at number two, and Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin” which came in at number three. Take That also scored another top ten most widely played track with “Rule The World” at number six.

Other big-name artists made the top 50 chart, as shown on the PPL website, include James Blunt, Pink, Onerepublic, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Keane, Outkast, Leona Lewis, Mika, Nelly Furtado, Gwen Stefani and Akon, Kylie Minogue, Kooks, U2, Robbie Williams, Gnarls Barkley, Bon Jovi, and Fergie.

Proving that songs not necessarily created in the past decade can still be poplar today, Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation,” released in 1972, comes in at number 45, ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” released in 1976, comes in at number 43 and Aretha Franklin’s “I Say A Little Prayer” (LP version), released in 1968, comes in at number 50.

Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody Prepares Side Projects

Stephen Baldwin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:30:39 +0000

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In a blog post on the band’s website, the Guitarist/Singer confirmed that the work of his two side projects: Tired Pony and Listen…Tanks!, will be completed by the end of January.

Lightbody told Chartattack.com that Tired Pony, whose sound he described as, “country-tinged,” is comprised of, “Garret [Jacknife] Lee, Richard Colburn, Iain Archer, Miriam Kaufmann and myself. There are two others but I’m not going to say who they are just yet as I’m too excited about them and they are very busy people so they could be whisked away for one reason or another so I’ll bite my happy tongue for now.”

Listen…Tanks! will include only Lightbody and Lee, the Grammy-winning producer who has worked with U2, R.E.M., Weezer, Bloc Party and many others.

Along with the two side projects, Lightbody and his Irish/Scottish band are currently working on their sixth studio album.

Snow Patrol To Release New Album Later This Year

Eva Lam — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:38:23 +0000

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Snow Patrol have named their fifth studio album “A Hundred Million Suns” and may release the disc as early as October.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, drummer Jonny Quinn said the U.K. band recorded the new album at Ireland’s Grouse Lodge Studios as well as Berlin’s Hansa Ton Studios, where U2 produced “Achtung Baby.”

“It’s still very much melody-based, but it’s different too in ways from the other albums,” Quinn said of the follow-up to 2006′s “Eyes Open.”

“It’s hard to know what everyone will make of it but we’re happy. I’d go as far as to say I think it’s our best album yet.”

He also revealed it may hit stores within the next several months. “The new album should be out some time later this year, maybe October,” he said.

The group hopes to back the new release with a few small gigs before the end of the year, followed by a bigger show in Northern Ireland in 2009.

To date, Snow Patrol have sold over seven million albums worldwide.

Feist, Arcade Fire, Stars Nominated for Shortlist Music Prize

andPOP Staff — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:36:33 +0000

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Just three of the 54 albums nominated for this year’s Shortlist Music Prize are by Canadian artists, reports ChartAttack.com.

The award is handed out for the best album released in the U.S. between January and November of last year that sold less than 500,000 copies domestically. Albums from 48 different labels and nine countries were nominated by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers and four radio personalities.

Lucky Canucks Feist, Arcade Fire and Stars will duke it out against the likes of Bjork, Justice, M.I.A., The Hives and Wilco. Previous winners include Sufjan Stevens, Damien Rice and N*E*R*D.

Terrorist Alerts Cause Snow Patrol To Cancel U.S. Shows

andPOP Staff — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 08:37:26 +0000

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Terrorist Alerts have forced the guys of Snow Patrol to cancel two U.S. shows.

The band was to kick off their U.S. tour in Seattle on Saturday and Portland the day after, but the shows were cancelled due to problems getting a flight to the US.

Snow Patrol posted a brief message explaining their absence on their website, which reads, “Due to the recent terrorist alert which has caused innumerable flight delays and cancellations both in the UK and United States, we regret to inform you that Snow Patrol will not be able to perform two scheduled shows this weekend in Auburn, Washington and Portland, OR. The band members were flying from different cities, and while two (Nathan and Tom) did make it to the U.S., the rest did not. Continued delays and problems securing new flights have made it impossible for the three others (Gary, Johnny, and Paul) to arrive in time for the concerts. Snow Patrol regrets any inconvenience or disappointment it has caused its fans.”