Alessia Cara, still learning her craft

For all of Justin Bieber’s phenomenal rise to fame as a teen heart-throb and despite his fall from grace through a catalogue of misdemeanours, he is currently enjoying the most successful spell of his career. The Canadian singer has topped the album charts on both sides of the Atlantic and dominates the US and UK singles charts with three songs in the top five.
Another young Canadian singer/songwriter is hoping to follow in his footsteps. Alessia Caracciolo, known to the pop world as Alessia Cara, took Justin’s initial road to success by posting videos of herself performing cover versions of various songs on her YouTube channel. Unlike Justin, Alessia’s videos did not go viral.
“I hoped my YouTube videos would result in the same kind of popularity that Justin enjoyed,” admitted 19-year-old Alessia. “But I never actually expected that sort of reaction so I wasn’t disappointed when it didn’t happen. I was only 13 when I started my YouTube channel. It was really a means for me to learn how to perform and present myself to a viewing audience.”
Her first three years on YouTube saw Alessia post covers of favourite songs by artists she particularly admired. These included Justin Bieber. But it was a cover of The Neighbourhood’s track, Sweater Weather, which set her on the path to stardom.
“There was nothing extra special about this video. It wasn’t more popular than my other covers but it did catch the attention of people at the EP Entertainment production company. They got in touch, signed me and hooked me up with Sebastian Kole who became my songwriting partner.”
A year later, having developed her own songs with Sebastian, she was signed by Def Jam Recordings. They teamed Alessia and Seb with the Pop & Oak production duo whose credits included tracks for artists such as Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande.
“The great thing was that everybody recognised I was still learning my craft. There was no pressure to immediately deliver big hit records. I enjoy all musical genres and I was allowed to explore these different styles in the songs we created.”
These variations were apparent on Alessia’s debut EP, “Four Pink Walls,” which was released last August. Consisting of what would become the first five songs on her debut album, “Know-It-All,” the EP was well received reaching number 31 on the Billboard 200 and number 11 on the Canadian albums chart.
Not quite so well received was the lead single, Here. Released four months before her EP, the track made little impression on the charts. But, as some songs occasionally do, Here refused to disappear. Radio airplay gradually increased, the EP release gave it another boost and Alessia found herself with a slow-burning sleeper hit.
“I’m so pleased the song has become successful. Not just to have a hit single but to put out something which is so personal to me and be able to get a message across to people who are in similar circumstances.
“Here was written about an actual party I attended when I was in high school. You’re always supposed to have fun at parties but I didn’t enjoy myself at all. I knew there must be others who shared my distaste but were too afraid to say anything. You might be regarded as weird, or at least different, if you expressed a dislike for these parties. I wanted my song to become a voice for people who feel as I do.
“I’ve actually been called the budding pop star who is making it cool to be introverted. I’m very happy to be given this label. I know it sounds crazy for someone who wants to be a singer but I am a naturally shy and introverted person. If listening to Here can make people who are anything but shy and introverted in some way understand and accept those of us who are not outgoing then that would be everything I could hope for.”

in
brief

All Saints

Rumours are circulating about a possible new album from All Saints.
The English/Canadian all-girl quartet were among the biggest acts of the 1990s. They recorded two multi-platinum albums and nine UK top ten singles five of which reached number one.
Their first split was in 2001. The catalyst was a disagreement over who would wear a particular jacket for a photoshoot.
They reunited in 2006 to record their third album. But interest in the girls had waned. Despite hitting number three with lead single, Rock Steady, their album peaked no higher than number 40. A second single, Chick Fit, didn’t even make the top 200.
Although reports indicated they were making more music, Melanie Blatt stated in a 2009 interview that All Saints had split for a second time and were never getting back together again.
These words were proved false when they reformed to support Backstreet Boys on their 2014 tour of Britain and Ireland. They also appeared at two music festivals later in the year.
Nothing has been heard from the girls since that time but a cryptic post on their Twitter account has led many observers to believe we can expect new material from All Saints during 2016.
In the meantime, for those who would like to hear their earlier records, the group’s self-titled debut album, “Saints & Sinners” and “Studio 1” are posted in full on YouTube. So too are all of their music videos.

Motorhead

As most fans had expected, the recent death of frontman Lemmy Kilmister has also seen the demise of Motorhead.
“Lemmy was Motorhead,” said Mikkey Dee, the man who Lemmy introduced as “the best drummer in the world” during what turned out to be the band’s final concert. “Motorhead is over now. But we will live on through our recordings as well as in the hearts and memories of all our fans.”
One of those fans filmed part of Motorhead’s last concert in Berlin on December 11. The 11-minute clip features the band performing Overkill. This would be the final song played by Motorhead. The video is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=M123gRMtBBM

Natalie Cole

As rock fans mourn the passing of Lemmy, so R&B fans have lost singer and actress Natalie Cole.
The daughter of singing star Nat King Cole, Natalie first found fame in the mid-1970s with US top ten singles such as This Will Be, I’ve Got Love On My Mind and Our Love. But drug addiction saw her give poor performances and lose many fans.
A long spell of drug rehabilitation eventually saw the rejuvenated Natalie enjoy worldwide success with her 1987 cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Pink Cadillac. This was followed in 1988 by another international smash with Miss You Like Crazy.
But she is perhaps best remembered for her 1991 album, “Unforgettable... with Love.” It contained songs originally recorded by her famous father, which she had always previously refused to sing, and included Natalie’s duet with him on the title song, Unforgettable.
This matched her vocals with Nat King Cole’s original 1951 recording. The song won two awards at the 1992 Grammys, Record of the Year and Song of the Year, while Natalie’s LP won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
She had been in poor health for some time having been diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2008 and undergoing a liver transplant in 2009. Her eventual death, aged just 65, was announced as being from congestive heart failure.

DJ Shadow

Dance fans can look forward to a fifth studio album from DJ Shadow in 2016.
He gave a taster of what can be expected with the Christmas Day release of Swerve. It was Shadow’s gift to his fans as the track is offered for free download at (no www.) soundcloud.com/djshadow
This webpage is a treasure trove of DJ Shadow’s own output and his collaborations with other artists. More than 100 songs are available to hear.