Sitting on the train back to London from Newcastle last week, my eyes could barely see the keyboard on my Blackberry! Another cuppa to soothe the headache would have made me explode and there’s something about train loos that just don’t do it for me!
Needless to say it was a fantastic (and reeeeeally late) night! The Newcastle Gay Pride gig was fabulous! We performed on an outdoor stage (the beautiful DJ Kitty at the helm) and the streets were packed. Luckily, the weather was sunny if a bit windy (I body-taped my dress to the top of my thighs this time to avoid pulling another Marilyn Monroe) but the dress was still super-spectacular! A silver sequin mini dress that was on its way to a photoshoot for Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas but I nabbed it at the shop. With a bit of alteration, the dress fit me like a glove! We’ll have some video footage of the Newcastle gig soon! But if you can’t wait for the video to come out soon, check out these great pictures on my facebook fan page!
I ended up signing autographs and taking pictures with some gorgeous people in the crowd. It was a true pop-star experience!
Newcastle is a serious party town! We all went to a club called The Living Room and had a table in the VIP section. Sitting with Lisa Scott Lee’s brothers’ and posse, (she performed that night as well but didn’t end up coming out), the cocktails were madly flowing.
Canterbury seems so long ago on the tour but it is Upside Down TV Episode number 18 so click here to have a peak of the first stop on the PA tour. My gold dress is actually just a top that was an impulse buy, which I found at a great shop called Lotus London the day before the gig!
The original track “I Am a Woman” is off being mastered this week and then making the rounds with the DJs for clubs and an autumn launch! Watch this space for news about the music video and commercial radio play too!
It’s been a while since my last blog but the summer term with the kids has got me in a tizzy plus I’m moving house next week! So needless to say I’m a bit nuts these days. My 12 year old is off to South Africa on a rugby and football tour with his school and I’m having a tough time convincing him to wear a helmet for rugby! So I will be a serious worry-wart over the next few weeks.
That said, I still found time to finish the new original single “I Am A Woman” and it’s fab! (If I don’t say so myself!) The track already has people talking about commercial chart placement and the video is set to be filmed at the end of the summer for an autumn release!
Next week (yes, right in the middle of my move !!!) I’m off to Newcastle for the next stop on the tour and I will be performing twice (yay, I get to wear two different outfits!) in front of 50,000 people at Newcastle’s Gay Pride festival! Its been such fun preparing for it – we had a day with the dancers with a personal stylist at TopShop coordinating fantastic outfits for the boys! Yes… Photos coming soon! They look amazing!
I also did a super radio interview for Best Buy shops that will air in over 1,200 stores around the world so listen out for me the next time your in Best Buy buying your electronics! As usual, we’ll get it posted up here as soon as it comes through just to make sure no one misses it.
It’s been a fun ride, I’m even getting recognised and stopped for autographs — including at passport control on my way back from Canada two weeks ago! I guess my videos are being played and people are watching!
Anyway… Thanks again for all YOUR support! It means so much to me!
HUGE NEWS! ‘Symphony’ is now at number 9 in the charts!! We’re in the top ten! Check out the full chart right here, and keep reading to see some more feedback from the DJs.
1
THE CLUB IS ALIVE
JLS
Epic
2
AMAZING
Inna
3 Beat
3
NO AMERICANO
Yolanda Be Cool & D Cup
All Around The World
4
I LIKE IT
Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull
Polydor
5
RESCUE ME
Skepta
3 Beat
6
COMMANDER
Kelly Rowland feat. David Guetta
Motown/Island
7
FAMOUS
Scouting For Girls
Epic
8
ALEJANDRO
Lady GaGa
Interscope
9
I HEAR A SYMPHONY
Stacey Jackson
3BIG
10
FIRE WITH FIRE
Scissor Sisters
Polydor
11
FINALLY IN LOVE
McLean
Asylum
12
GOOD TIMES
Chantelle Redman
Agency Global
13
CAUGHT ME SLIPPIN’
Nathan feat. Flo-Rida
Vibes Corner
14
RIGHT ANYWAY
Elan Lea
Mutha Deer
15
ALL THE LOVERS
Kylie
Parlophone
16
I AM WHO I AM
Lee Ryan
Geffen
17
ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
Wiley feat. Jodie Connors & J2K
Back Yard
18
CAN’T BE TAMED
Miley Cyrus
Fascination
19
FIRST KISS
3OH!3 feat. Ke$ha
Photo Finish/Asylum
20
LOVE IS ON FIRE
Italo Brothers
All Around The World
21
SINCE YOU BEEN GONE
Daruso
3 Beat
22
BAD GIRL
Fugative
Hard2Beat
23
LOOK DON’T TOUCH
Shena
No Prisoner
24
UNDER ARREST
Danzel
All Around The World
25
GETTIN’ OVER YOU
David Guetta & Chris Willis
Positiva/Virgin
26
I LIKE TO MOVE IT 2010
Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman
Strictly Rhythm
27
MISSING YOU
Steve Smart Vs. Sundance
3 Beat Blue
28
FRISKY
Tinie Tempah
Parlophone
29
IN THE VIP
Wideboys & Majestic
Loaded
30
PARYT TILL LIGHTS OUT
Reece
A Lifelong Recording
31
THIS IS WHO I AM
Vanessa Amorosi
Island
32
I’M WHAT YOU WANT
Yetunde
Greengarden
33
DIRTEE DISCO
Dizzee Rascal
Dirtee Stank
34
EENIE MEENIE
Sean Kingston feat. Justin Bieber
RCA
35
DANCING ON MY OWN
Robyn
Konichiwa
36
SATURDAY
Basshunter
Hard2Beat
37
STAY THE NIGHT
Millionaires
B-Unique
38
FEEDBACK
Laura Steel
Steel These
39
ALIVE
Goldfrapp
Mute
40
SWAGGNIFICENT
Tenny Ten
ZY
We’ve got some great new comments for ‘Symphony’ in from some more DJs.
NEIL HAWES (NEILOS)
Liking the loverush mix
SPARKY B
Looks like Loverush are going to be doing some big stuff then.
PAUL GILBERT (Spin FM 87.7)
Popular.
JOHN FREND
Going down a storm.
STU RITCHIE
Good track.
DJ DAVE EDWARDS
Superb Future Freakz mixes make this tune really good.
I’m so excited because this new Upside Down TV episode, which is of the launch gig at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill! So just as I’m embarking on my UK tour, you get the chance to check out my show! You’ll all get to see how I got to rock out with my fantastic band featuring some of the kids from Music For Youth.
So last Friday kicked off the start of our first day on the PA tour and we had such a blast! Canterbury was so charming and we were relieved to arrive after a looooong traffic-filled drive with a full bladder!
We had such a great time performing. At the end of our set, they were screaming my name for me to come back on so I take it that they enjoyed the show. We actually went on twice that evening!
They took such great care of us; we had arrived for a sound check at 5 pm and were told the stage was 5×3 metres but it really was 2×2 once you factored in all the kit they had up there. Plus the stage was a bit uneven so I had to play the “Diva” and get the crew to gaffer tape the stage up so the dancers (who by the way were fabulous) and I wouldn’t kill ourselves up there! Needless to say, they were happy to oblige.
Honestly, between the crew and security, I seriously had pop star treatment. It was also a pleasure to be on the same ticket as Feeder and Example among other great acts like Miss Frank from the UK’s X-Factor who I really loved! That chick can rap!
The team behind “Stae J” were awesome — my tour manager took amazing care of us and made sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. We also got some fabulous footage and I can’t wait to pop that up onto Upside Down TV.
My poor husband had to fly in from a business trip and managed six trains to Canterbury! He’s THE Absolute Best!
Anyway, I have a another crazy week ahead, more rehearsals, an Aerosmith concert, afternoon picnic in the park with my kid’s class, Royal Ascot, and a quick personal pit-stop over the weekend in Canada for a family function. But it’s all fun stuff!
Thanks again to all of you for reading and your support!!!
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged and it’s because I have been so swamped with rehearsals getting set to kick off a PA tour in Canterbury: Dancers — getting costumes sorted (now if I can only sort mine), working with Debbie Austin (choreographer for Will Young among other pop stars) and coming back from a fabulous wedding in Bermuda, it’s been a whirlwind. The wedding was so magical on a gorgeous beach and it was great to have a break from all that’s going on.
But now it’s back to reality — and thank God my mum was around to help with the kids (some on half term, some studying and writing exams!) It’s a bit of a juggle as usual — soccer mum rocker mum strikes again! Sports days and South African soccer and rugby tours for the kids are just around the corner — now if I could just clone myself and be in all these places at one time!
The rehearsals have been gruelling — several hours each day dancing and singing (all the while trying to fend-off my hay fever!) But I am having fun and living the dream! The first gig is this Friday and I think we are about 90% there so more dancing this week til we can do this in our sleep.
The DJs have been loving the remixes although one online reviewer admitted that my tracks really aren’t up her speed and compared me to Avril Levigne. I guess Avril is her taste either but to be honest, if that is the worst review I can get… I really can’t complain.
Meanwhile, both Band of Gold and Symphony are off to be released in Ibiza the 16th of June so cross your fingers for a great summer hit!
Also, the next episode of Upside Down TV is the hilariously funny behind-the-scenes making of the Symphony video in Southend! You soooooo have to watch!
Over half term, I had a great interview on Wave 105.2 (just hit play below) and I took my eight-year-old son Liam to the studio to watch. He was so cute and it was great to have him be a part of some of the hoopla. He even came to see some of the rehearsals which is super especially since he can’t come to any of the shows!
Next week, I’m really excited to get started on some original tracks with the producers of Girls Aloud and Gabrielle Cilmi so watch this space for my new ORIGINAL track coming your way after the summer!
Thanks again for reading, watching and listening but most of all for your support!
STACEY JACKSON – I Hear A Symphony: Stacey Jackson is a legend! This lady is raising money for ‘Music For Youth’ who’s members play the music on this release and this is the second single to be taken from Stacey Jackson’s latest album ‘Upside Down’ where she gives her favourite Motown the rock treatment. However the club mixes were lost on me simply because they were pointless as they all sound too similar!!. This ‘Bangles’ influenced pop/rock song didn’t need to be re-mixed. It’s great as it is! So only three of the eight versions of ‘I Hear A Symphony’ are worthy of a listen. At least those three tracks can be played in succession so you can ignore the other five club-remixes. I love this song in it’s original form as it’s catchy and fun. Check it out! 7/10
Crazy news! ‘I Hear a Symphony’ has climbed to number 18 on the UK Club charts! I’m really excited — it’s quite a jump from last week…. Don’t wanna jinx it but crossing my fingers (and toes!!) for a top ten!
40
I FEEL BETTER
Hot Chip
Parlophone
39
MAKE A MOVE
8-Bit Heart
Turbulence
38
ALL NIGHT LONG
Alexandra Burke
Syco
37
ON & ON
Agnes
3 Beat Blue
36
THE FLOOD
Katie Melua
Dramatico
35
DIRTY PICTURE
Taio Cruz feat. Ke$ha
Island
34
I’M WHAT YOU WANT
Yetunde
Greengarden
33
CARRY OUT
Timdaland feat. Justin Timerlake
Interscope
32
SWAGGNIFICIENT
Tenny Ten
ZY
31
GOOD TIMES
Roll Deep
Relentless/Virgin
30
KILLER/REBEL YELL
David Jonson
White Label
29
ACAPELLA
Kelis
Interscope
28
GLUED
T Coles
Dauman Music
27
CHEATIN’ MAN
Scarlette Fever
Starfisch
26
I NEED YOU TONIGHT
Professor Green feat. Ed Drewett
Virgin
25
SECRET LOVE
Lee Ryan
Geffen
24
FIND YOURSELF
John O’Callaghan feat. Sarah Howells
3 Beat Blue
23
OMG
Usher feat. Will.I.Am
RCA
22
TURN IT UP
Pixie Lott
Mercury
21
WHATAYA WANT FROM ME
Adam Lambert
RCA
20
SHINE
Black Gold
Red Bull
19
LOVE MADE ME STUPID
Elin Lanto
All Around The World
18
I HEAR A SYMPHONY
Stacey Jackson
3B1G
17
CAN’T KEEP LOVING YOU
Sophie Delila
White Label
16
IN MY BED
Edei
Alma
15
PUMP
Ellington
White Label
14
UH-OH
Kyrah
White Label
13
CHEMISTRY
The Bang Bang Club
BPM
12
DAYZ LIKE THAT
Headhunters
All Around The World
11
DJ
Alphabeat
Polydor
10
CLUBLAND SMASHED (SAMPLER)
Various
All Around The World
9
FRISKY
Tinie Tempah
Parlophone
8
CHICA BOMB
Dan Balan
All Around The World
7
DAYDREAMING
Kid Sister
Asylum
6
LOVE IS A HURRICANE
Boyzone
Polydor
5
DANCING ON MY OWN
Robyn
Konichiwa
4
GETTIN’ OVER YOU
David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie and LMFAO
Positiva/Virgin
3
KICKSTARTS
Example
Data
2
THE REMIX (ALBUM SAMPLER)
Lady GaGa
Interscope
1
DIRTEE DISCO
Dizzee Rascal
Dirtee Skank
Another bit of great news… The video for ‘I Hear a Symphony’ is finished and will be going out to the masses next week. It follows my journey working on the album, mentoring the children with Music for Youth, performing and of course, some fabulous glossy shots taken while at the beach (freezing my butt off) in Southend. You get an exclusive look at the video right here, so watch it from beginning to end (I love how it ends, by the way!) and let me know what you think!
It’s been such a fun (and busy!!) time — with rehearsals for the PA tour. I just found out that I will be opening for the hot UK band Feeder plus Example and Girls Can’t Catch will be performing too at the Canterbury Ball in Kent June 11! I will be singing both ‘I Hear a Symphony’ as part of the single’s launch here in the UK and the Future Freakz remix of Band of Gold for a crowd of 3,000!
I must admit, I am a bit of a nervous wreck. This pop thing isn’t what expected — I am used to singing with my band up on stage with me. Belting out a few tunes with a couple young male dancers is a bit foreign to me.
But at the moment it’s all about promo promo promo! (Which reminds me… watch this space as I grace the cover of UK’s Lushious Magazine in June. There will also be a four-page feature story on my journey as Soccer Mom – Rocker Mom!) Then, I start back again in the studio with amazing producers and original material! Let’s keep rolling the chart hits!!
What a fantastic week! First, I found out today that Symphony debuted at number 31 on MusicWeek’s Club chart! Check it out!
40
FALLING DOWN
Space Cowboy feat. The Paradiso Girls
Tiger Trax
39
IN THE AIR
TV Rock Vs. Axwell
Data/Axtone
38
CRUSH
Fugative
Hard2Beat
37
ON & ON
Agnes
3 Beat Blue
36
ALL NIGHT LONG
Alexandra Burke
Syco
35
DON’T TRUST ME
3Oh!3
Photo Finish/Asylum
34
CARRY OUT
Timdaland feat. Justin Timerlake
Interscope
33
CHEMISTRY
The Bang Bang Club
BPM
32
LOVE MADE ME STUPID
Elin Lanto
All Around The World
31
I HEAR A SYMPHONY
Stacey Jackson
3B1G
30
DIRTY PICTURE
Taio Cruz feat. Ke$ha
Island
29
GOOD TIMES
Roll Deep
Relentless/Virgin
28
ACAPELLA
Kelis
Interscope
27
CAN’T KEEP LOVING YOU
Sophie Delila
White Label
26
THE REMIX (ALBUM SAMPLER)
Lady GaGa
Interscope
25
IN MY BED
Edei
Alma
24
TURN IT UP
Pixie Lott
Mercury
23
MAKE A MOVE
8-Bit Heart
Turbulence
22
PUMP
Ellington
White Label
21
UH-OH
Kyrah
White Label
20
LOVE IS A HURRICANE
Boyzone
Polydor
19
CLAP YOUR HANDS
Sia
RCA
18
DAYZ LIKE THAT
Headhunters
All Around The World
17
OMG
Usher feat. Will.I.Am
RCA
16
CLUBLAND SMASHED (SAMPLER)
Various
All Around The World
15
DANCING ON MY OWN
Robyn
Konichiwa
14
FRISKY
Tinie Tempah
Parlophone
13
GETTIN’ OVER YOU
David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie & LMFAO
Positiva/Virgin
12
SECRET LOVE
Lee Ryan
Geffen
11
CHICA BOMB
Dan Balan
All Around The World
10
DAYDREAMING
Kid Sister
Asylum
9
THE FLOOD
Katie Melua
Dramatico
8
I FEEL BETTER
Hot Chip
Parlophone
7
RADAR
Luigi Masi
Bunx
6
KICKSTARTS
Example
Data
5
I NEED YOU TONIGHT
Professor Green feat. Ed Drewett
Virgin
4
FIND YOURSELF
John O’Callaghan feat. Sarah Howells
3 Beat Blue
3
DIRTEE DISCO
Dizzee Rascal
Dirtee Stank
2
SHINE
Black Gold
Red Bull
1
DJ
Alphabeat
Polydor
They expect it to climb even higher in the next few week so watch this space! The Future Freakz remix is smashing the dance floors so we’ve popped it on the website video player for you to have a listen and let us know what you think, or just hit play on the video below!
First rehearsals for the PA tour for Symphony started and I have to say… it was such, such fun! We have more rehearsing to do but I’m really loving the dancing — it’s hard work keeping up with two 20-year-old male professional dancers but it’s a real hoot!
The video of the rock version should be ready for pre-release next week so keep your eyes peeled! Here are what some of the DJs are saying:
GAZ SHANKS
Love the track and the remixes!
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
MO MAGIC
The album rock version of this has been growing on us, especially on the friday night pop dance floor!
Best Mix: Album Rock Version
DON D
I loved her take on Band of Gold. This is just as good. My number 2 this week…ACE!
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
DAVID PIKE
Some good mixes here. Spoilt for choice. I’m playing it.
Best Mix: Album Rock Version
DJ SILKO
10/10 Good warm up tune.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
DJ GEE
10/10 A great cover and a superb set of remixes… Gonna go down ace on my commercial floors.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
STEVE WALTON
My favourite remix is from Mr Loverush. Awesome!!
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
IVOR MIX
Almost cutting it, but the rock vibe is still there in the vocals. One to watch if the radio gets behind it first.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
DJ MARKY MARK
Top Tune!
Best Mix: Future Freakz Radio Edit
STEVIE B
Cool mix here from future freakz thats workin well for me!
Last Friday was such a crazy experience! We drove out to the beach and filmed some of the music video for ‘Symphony’ in Southend-On-Sea and I apparently gave some of the spectators more of a show than they expected! The wind was so strong that I accidentally did a complete Marilyn Monroe in my dress and flashed my panties to the audience! Diana (fabulous make up and hair stylist) ended up having to clip my dress to my underpants so it wouldn’t happen again!! Luckily the full length shots were filmed before the wind picked up!
Most of you have heard the track already or have even bought the single ‘I Hear a Symphony’, (thank you!) but the track probably most close to my heart, is FINALLY being officially released on 24th May in the UK! All the remixes plus an extra special bonus LIVE track of the song will be available on iTunes as well! So needless to say the craziness picks up again from the end of May where I will be performing over 10 live shows!
Trying to fit this in around 4 kids, exams, cricket matches, sports days, school plays, travel etc etc is going to be a task but my life has always been one big juggling act – as long as I don’t drop a ball along the way !!
The track is doing great and people seem to not be getting enough of it which is sooooo awesome! Here are even more great comments from the DJs:
NIGEL FREEMAN
“The rock version has something really different done to it that stands out and that’s my personal favourite.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
GARY CLARK
“Love the rock version; very different!”
Best Mix: Album Rock Version
EDDIE SHIRES
“Loving this track. Great set of mixes. Lots of early plays getting a good response.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ANTHONY PEACOCK
“Cracking soon-to-be camp classic. Love it!”
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
TONY CORLESS
“Nice tune, nice mixes.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
GREG P
“OMG not a bad tune at all. A huge mix to use to0.”
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
IAN DAVIES
“Full support from me.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ANTHONY BLAKEBOROUGH
“This girl is mint. More suited to the rock style than dance but it’s a great tune nevertheless.”
Best Mix: Album Version Radio Edit
PHIL G
“Did suprisingly well on the dancefloor, so much so that it’s near the front of my folder now!”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
GRAHAM BRIND
“Totally transformed for the floors and getting positive reaction.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
MILES TIGHE
“Good track. I like the vocal, chugs along nicely.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
TERRY BOSSONS
“Great cover, top vocals.”
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club
GARY OUSALICE
“Once again another good cover from Stacey Jackson, good mixes. Went down well.”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ANON
“Very atmospheric good set of mixes, great!”
Best Mix: Future Freakz Dub
DANIEL WILLIAMS
“Jump up and down student vibes ahoy!”
Best Mix: Album Rock Version
BEN BARRS
“Great track and Future Freakz Club stands out by far.”
Back in London, but I have to admit that being stranded in Crete really wasn’t too bad. Aside from the kids missing a bit of school (which was more stressful for me and NOT them of course!) we had a terrific extended holiday thanks to the volcanic ash cloud!
Our travel agent, Lee at Destinology, was fabulous and he even worked til the wee hours trying to get us all home! Everyone at Elounda Beach Hotel was so wonderful, the manager even organised a proper football match for my kids by inviting their staff’s children to come play in a real match!! We really had a fabulous time!
Since arriving home though, everything seems to be back to normal — aside from the green beans on my shopping list not having been flown in from wherever due to the “air transit turmoil“.
On a musical note, I’ve got exciting news! The first round of comments from the DJs regarding “I Hear a Symphony” are awesome! I couldn’t believe it when I read it and you can read some of the reactions here too!
Next week I start filming the last bits of the new video on a sandy beach in…. England! Yes, of course there are beaches here so pray for sunshine cuz a bad hair day in the video is just a non-starter!
Check out the DJs comments!
ROB SCOTT
Massive peak time rework of the old Supremes classic and I’m sure The Supremes would give this superb floor-filler the thumbs up. Head straight for the energetic and well crafted Loverush UK mix for maximum results.
Best Mix: Loverush UK!
DARREN TAYLOR
Loving the Loverush UK club mix to the maximum. Dance floor loving Stacey’s Album version!! Two top draw tracks.
Best Mix: Album Version Radio Edit 10/10
STEVEN MUNTZER
Like a Kelly Clarkson style tune and I am sure this will be big with a young student crowd.
Best Mix: Stacey’s Album Version Radio Edit
ANDY MAC
Stacey Jackson – I Hear A Symphony: A stand up on its own pop song that with the mix package all of a sudden is propelled to another stratosphere. Like all the different guises but in particular the Loverush UK Club Mix hits the spot.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 8/10
PAUL ‘PH FACTOR’ HUGHES
Once again Loverush UK come up with the goods, haunting production that works around Stacey’s vocals. Sweet!!!
Best Mix: Loverush UK!
DJ DANNY NIC
Brilliant remix by Loverush UK.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 8/10
SIMON JOHNSON
Had some huge reactions to this track. Both Loverush and Future Freakz doing really well.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 10/10
DJ PHIL E B
Future Freakz have the edge here, starting to catch on and doing well.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 8/10
NICHOLAS SHEPHERDSON
Very strong track, good mixes!
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 9/10
WAYNE CLARK
Top remix from the Future Freakz, making this great for the dance floor.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 10/10
PAUL CRAIG
Great Sunday track for me. A lot of people know this and sing along so getting feedback.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 8/10
TOM KIRK
Very good cover of this classic track – great remixes – playing loads….
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 8/10
WAYNE PREECE
Classic song, great vocals, awesome mixes
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 8/10
ALAN MORGAN
Loverush UK doing it for me, nice complete rework which sounds nice, gonna get better with more plays, not bad at all.
Best Mix: Loverush UK! Club 7/10
ANDREW SAUNDERS
Brilliant remix here that’s played early doors. This will be high in my chart this week.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 10/10
STEPHEN CRISELL
Nice bouncy tune, reactions are good.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Radio Edit 7/10
BARRIE CODONA
Absolute future anthem!! Love the energy this track delivers. Great stuff!!!
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 9/10
DJ BEAKER
Like the simplicity of this track. Nice flow right from the start. Good vocals. The album radio edit is so full of energy too.
Best Mix: Future Freakz Club 8/10
SEAN SIRRS
Really like this vocal track. Thought it was gonna sound dated, but it’s really uplifting and cool. Thank you!!
I’m enjoying a fabulous week in Crete with my family. The weather has been absolutely spectacular and today we went mountain biking. I must admit my tush hurts a lot right now! So, I decided to reward myself by sitting by the pool and sipping a kir royal… While blogging of course!
But when I return to London, it’s back to work as usual! Kids start school and I start filming the hair-blowing-in-the-wind shots for my next video “I Hear a Symphony” which as you all know is launching as a single next month!
I’ve also just found out I will be on the cover of the May issue of Lush Life magazine with a four page spread. So I have a whole bunch of interview questions I have to prepare for about juggling four kids and what’s become a nutty full-blown music career.
I also finally got a chance to hear the audio from the gig at the Tabernacle and we were all so pleased at how it came out to the point that we are even considering releasing the live version of “I Hear a Symphony” as part of the single promotion!
We’ve been getting ready for the launch of Symphony which includes a live PA tour starting this May and as you know, the club remixes were getting some last-minute TLC last week but will be ready to be launched into clubs just after the Easter break.
Sooooooo, we are all good to go — watch this space! We will have some Live at The Tabernacle footage running on staceyjackson.com and on YouTube in a few weeks, as well as the next episode of UDTV coming at you very soon.
Check out this really great review from renowned metal magazine, Powerplay — little did this metal mag know that the remix of the single DID HIT THE TOP 20 IN THE CHARTS! More POWER to Stae, Power Play, plus it’s a fabulous review….
A chest infection and laryngitis grinded me to a halt this week but perhaps someone up there was telling me to SLOW DOWN! Luckily I am off this Easter break for a bit of R and R with the family!
Have a terrific holiday everyone!!
Thank you all again for watching, reading and all your support!
Ughhhhh! BA is on strike the week I was supposed to be in Miami!! Typical! Luckily my rep will be there to push “Band of Gold” internationally — so not even a strike can stop us! Band of Gold is also getting a big push this week to all the regional radio stations, so keep your ears open!
The follow-up “I Hear a Symphony” has been said to have a lot of commercial appeal. (Remember the Guardian reviewed it as the song “they just can’t turn off”) So between my album version and the remixes, we aim to get a great chart placement, club requests and loads of airplay!! In fact, now that I will be in London next week, I’m going back into the studio to make the club version absolutely perfect! My version runs at 162 BPM and club tracks run between 128-132 BPM so we have some tweaking to do! The official launch of “Symphony” won’t be til after the Easter holidays so I will let you all know when and where you can hear it played and even come see me perform it live in London!
I also had a fun interview with Bob Harrison of Manx FM last week. He hosts a show called “Under the Covers” (get it…? he plays cover tracks!) and has been playing my album for the last couple weeks! Have a listen to the interview and let me know what you think. (I’m veeeery chatty, for a change!)
It’s been a nutty week in the life of this soccer mom rocker mom. I literally had to be in six places at one time last week, juggling kid’s rugby matches, birthday parties, studio time and interviews, but it’s all been a boat load of fun so I ain’t complaining!
I had a fabulous interview on APTN (Associated Press Television News) which will be syndicated to 500 broadcasters around the world, including all in-flight TV, so you never know, you may just catch it while you’re watching Sky News or even flying out somewhere! Keep your eyes out!
The news of Band of Gold breaking the top 20 on the club chart was soooooo exciting… You can listen to one of the many radio interviews I did right here on the national radio station Smooth FM.
The Band Of Gold video has been on various TV stations and in gyms around the country. I’ve been getting fantastic emails and texts from friends who have told me they’ve seen the video while working out and it’s kept them on the exercise machine a little longer burning those extra calories!!
The amazing DJs Future Freakz and Loverush UK have my next release, I Hear A Symphony, on their desks, and I can’t wait to hear their interpretations!
The follow-up will be launched in time for the World Music Conference in Miami, where I will be in attendance!
Both Band Of Gold and I Hear A Symphony will be flogged internationally so all of you people outside the UK, keep an ear out for the 2 singles!
We’re are hoping for a smash hot summer anthem so when you are all out clubbing, please remember to ask the DJ to play it!
Thank you all again for reading, watching and listening!
Thursday night, I went to see my friend Laura Kidd perform in Coco Sumner’s band at Proud in Camden – yes, Coco is Sting’s daughter!
Coco’s new album is terrific! Rocky, yet commercial – a la Kelly Clarkson, which to me is a huge compliment! I am downloading it for sure and my kids would love it too!
Most of all, Laura is a cracking bassist. She is such a multi-talented young lady and I have to publically thank her for all her incredible work on Upside Down TV and the VT she provided for the launch last week. She truly is a star!
I’m still reveling in the aftermath of the launch… I am sooooooooo grateful to all who came and even the ones who couldn’t make it but have supported me through this amazing time and have given so generously to my charity Music for Youth!
The single still sits nicely at number 17 in the top 20 UK club pop chart but the follow-up (‘I Hear A Symphony’, which was dubbed “one of those songs you just can’t turn off” by The Guardian) should be coming out in the next few weeks so watch this space!
The YOU Magazine (Mail On Sunday) feature comes out this Sunday (Feb 21st) EEEEK! I’m such a control freak and not knowing what it’s going to say is killing me! But I hope you all pick up a copy — or check it out online.
Yesterday morning I had a really fun chat with Sim on BFBS Radio. Click here to listen to the interview. You’ll need to listen to the ‘Tuesday Part 3′ Clip, and the bit with me is about 17 mins and 30 seconds in.
What an unbelievable week! I almost don’t know where to begin! Rehearsals were exhilarating but also very exhausting. But I learned something about myself in this process… When you spend so many years thinking about others (4 kids, a husband, some ailing parents etc…) focusing on one thing (myself) takes a lot of concentration! I can be singing the same song 100 times but suddenly can’t remember the words! Why??? Because my mind starts to wonder… “Did I remember to tell my son to take the tube home today?” “I have to schedule that doctor’s appointment for the baby’s cough…” “What should I cook for dinner tonight?”
But on Thursday night last week, once I was up on stage (and responsible for fronting an amazing band) all other thoughts left my head and we put on a CRACKING SHOW!! It’s really not difficult to rock the house when your backing band is made up of Adam Wakeman on keys (Yup, Rick’s son who has played with Ozzy and Black Sabbath), Milton McDonald on guitar and Lee Pomeroy on bass who both play with Take That, Alex Toff on drums, twom fabulous backing singers, Melanie Lewis and Angela Brooks. Marc “Archie” Arciero and Rich Cardwell (who MD’ed James Morrison’s recent tour) MD’ed the gig and were amazing!
It was a fabulous night where I was joined by some incredible talent from Music For Youth… (Remember, all the profits of the album and the event were going to Music For Youth). Our supporting act, Kagemusha Taiko Drummers wowed the crowd when they opened the show and the gorgeous girls from the CCHS Rock And Pop Choir brought the house down when they sang on “For Your Love” and “Preacher Man”. Guitarist extraordinaire, 18-year-old Jack Davis, played with us on almost the whole set. He really impressed us all and cranked out a couple of phenomenal solos! Jack was totally in his element and said that there was nothing else in the world he would rather be doing! He played on “If I Can’t Have You” on my album.
Of course, the most fabulous news was the fact that Band Of Gold climbed to number 17 on the Club Pop Charts in the UK. How crazy is that?! The Future Freakz who were one of the DJ teams who remixed the single came to the gig and the after-party and said that they can’t wait to get started on my follow-up single “I Hear A Symphony” and get cracking on some original material as well!! So watch this space everyone!!!
The after party at Grace Bar in Soho was AMAZING!! The music was thumping (and of course they played the dance remix of Band of Gold!) Everyone looked like they were having a blast and I was able to finally relax and let my hair down and get down on the dance floor with all my friends and family who came to celebrate the launch! Music For Youth held a silent auction with unbelievable prizes that included a 12-string Washburn guitar signed by Mark Knopfler, a Fender Stratocaster signed by Bryan Adams, an internship at Metropolis studios among many others and they were able to raise a lot of additional funds for the charity!
So, all in all, last week was a smash hit and I am soooooooo pleased at how everything turned out!
Thank you to everyone who came and to those who didn’t but supported me throughout this nutty journey of mine! Especially to those who made donations to Music For Youth on behalf of the launch!
The dance mixes that are currently storming the charts are now available to download from iTunes.
Listen to a preview of the Future Freakz remix here and click the links to be taken right to iTunes to get downloading. If you’ve heard it already, you can click right here.
The Band Of Gold dance mixes continue to climb the charts. This week we’re up to 29! That’s ahead of Lady GaGa and hot on the heels of Beyonce! How cool is that?
Because we’re now in the top 30, we’ll be appearing in the latest issue of MusicWeek and Power Play magazines! Details to follow.
The Future Freakz and Thin Red Men club mixes will be up on iTunes very soon, so keep checking back for the link.
In the meantime, head over here to listen to a preview!
If you haven’t heard the remix yet, have a listen and let me know what you think!
When I saw the email that said “Chart Placement” in the subject line… I was petrified to open it up! I was thinking “I don’t think they list the songs into the thousands!”
Then I saw that it debuted at number 37 – I still was in shock (“they must be missing a zero in there somewhere!”) But clearly the reaction has been dynamite and it is absolutely the coolest feeling ever to see my name on the chart with Beyonce, Alexandra Burke, Madonna and Lady Ga Ga!
I know I am a real rocker at heart, but a chart is a chart and this dance track has really got a great buzz!
Here’s what the DJs have been saying!
NEIL HAWES (NEILOS)
I quiet fancy her!! Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ROSS KEELING
The Future Freakz mixes here are brilliant. A great track and deserves to be huge.
GURDEEP SINGH UPPAL (DJ GURDEE/DJ GEE)
A gorgeous lady and superb voice… Good lyrics and superb remixes are pressing all the right buttons on all my commercial floors. Best mix: Future Freakz Club.
DAVE HERRON (DJ DIZZY)
Stacey has made this song her own. great production and vocals. This deserves to be a very big hit. Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ADRIAN BENNETT(ADY)
Nice vocal, good mix for the peak time floor, great crowd reaction. Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
ANTHONY BLAKEBOROUGH (DJ CRASHERKID/TONY B)
Definitely some great vocal talent here. Loving the Future Freakz and Thin Red Men remixes. This tune will go places with enough air time.
GAZ SHANKS Great track for a worthy cause!! Best Mix: Future Freakz.
JONATHAN HARLEY (DJ JAY)
Love this. Nice rework of classic but not just “a cover”. Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
BARRY MASON (DJ BAZ)
Future freakz bringing this firmly in to 2010, a strong vocal. Going down well on the floor. Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
JAMIE ALLEN (JAMIE JAY/JJ/JIMMY POWERS) Vocally beautiful and a top notch production to match… Some great mixes and destined for big things!!! Best Mix: Future Freakz Club
Thanks for listening, watching and all your support!!!
First off, Happy 2010! It’s going to be a big year…
Zap! Bang! Magazine have posted their interview with me! It’s a really interesting piece, especially if you want to find out about my own impressions of the album. It’s a great read!
Last week we wrapped up the Band of Gold music video to be launched this January 2010! Sooooooo much fun to do and I can’t wait to see the finished version. My husband even makes a cameo appearance! Such fun! Director extraordinaire, Nathan Sheppard was awesome and I was privileged to work with such a fantastic guy! I had 11 costume changes and I even had to rock out in a stunning wedding dress designed by Irma Selin.
Essam Guenedy did all the styling and worked his butt off getting me in and out of the great outfits! He’s a star – so calm and so organized! Couldn’t have done it without you babes! Diana, who did my hair and make up was incredible! I was so impressed at her speed and she was sooooooo cool!
Then….. On Tuesday, You Magazine did a 6 hour photo shoot of me which will run in The Mail on Sunday just in time for the big launch in Feb! An extremely empowering shoot – just you wait!! I was coiffed and made-up by incredible artists and the photographer Diana Gomez was AMAZING! The styling was also fabulous! I had the privilege of wearing some beautiful gowns and dresses and had such a blast! Peter (the fab stylist) knew exactly what to pick out for me – he’d never even really met me and just from my website was able to get enough of an idea…. Boy was he on the mark! My daughter, Caylie featured in some of the shots! We had a real girlie day! She was soooooo cute and really listened to the photographer! I can’t wait to see the pics!
One last thing! Make sure you check out episode 8 and episode 9 of UDTV as well!
It’s been another crazy and exciting week sorting out all of the ‘Band of Gold’ prep and promo for release this January!! The dance remixes have been getting big reactions in UK clubs! Check out some of the comments at the end of the blog from some of the top DJs around the country.
The remixes will be up on iTunes as bonus singles to ‘Upside Down’ so look out for them to download (just click here or search for “Stacey Jackson” in the iTunes store). Remember that ALL the profits are going to Music for Youth!
Don’t forget to pencil the Upside Down Launch Party into your diaries! It’s going to be on 4th February 2010 at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill. I’ll be performing with some of the most talented young musicians from Music for Youth at one of the coolest places in London so keep your eyes peeled for ticket information!
Here’s what the DJs are saying about the remixes!
DJ DAZ (Darren Leasley): “10/10. Another great version of a classic. Great reaction here too.”
MAD MARLON (Marlon Pritchard): “This tune went down well on the floor; good remix of a classic.”
DARREN WOODHOUSE (Darren Jay): “Great tune, really impressed with all versions, should do really well, a lot of interest.”
GARY OUSALICE (Gary Ousalice): “Great cover of this motown classic from Stacey. Good set of mixes, should do well for her.”
SEAN SIRRS (Sean Sirrs): “Really love this version; the dub is very dancefloor-friendly. Thank you!”
DJ DINO (Dean Shaw): “10/10. Great cover. Her voice is amazing!”
DJ DANNY NIC (Danny Nicholson): “10/10. This will work well for me!”
JEFFREY KLAPPER: “This is a dancefloor winner – huge support for this track.”
DJ CONFUSION (Cliff Bush): “Will be giving this my full support as expected. Plenty of club & radio plays.”
GLEN BUTLER: “A classic song brought up-to-date, with a great set of mixes very good!”
GRAHAM LESTER (TONY JACKSON): “What a hot choon!”
DJ SILKO (Shaun Silcox): “Good crowd-pleaser.”
DJ GAV (Gavin Prew): “Great tune, have been using this in my warm-up.”
DJ ANDRE (Andre Johnstone): “Class vocal.”
DJ KRISP (Tony Christie): “Very instant, especially when the chorus drops in the Thin Red Men mix making it a very easy play. They’ll be singing away to this.”
STEVEN WALTON (Steven Walton): “Very catchy. Great response.”
Join Stacey in the studio as mastering whizz Dick Beetham (Natalie Imbruglia, Girls Aloud, Scissor Sisters, Westlife, KT Tunstall, Enya, Stereophonics) adds the finishing touches to her debut album “Upside Down” and Stae regales the camera with a story about running in to a certain Ms Katie Price while shopping…
The rain in London cannot put a damper on last week! My vocal rehearsals were cracking – Jo Thompson is the vocal coach extraordinaire!! It’s no wonder she is James Morrison’s as well. We saw her flitting in to Wembley to go back stage to warm him up on Friday night before he went on.
What a surreal experience to be sitting in the guest section at Wembley watching James belt out all his hits (in fact… I knew more songs than I thought I would!) What a voice! AND to see my friends – the musicians that performed and produced my album – rock out in front of a full house of over 15,000!
James’ stripped down version of Man in The Mirror brought down the house — it was just him and Rich Cardwell on keyboards and Rich was awesome (his wife and I are still not sure about the sunglasses he wore on stage though)!!! Rich has been James’ musical director for this crazy 18 month world tour of theirs – amazing job guys! I know Rich was relieved when Nelly Furtado came out to sing her duet and everything went fab!
The night before, I was at Sophie Conran’s Christmas charity doo and chatted to my teenage heart throb, Bryan Adams! He really is lovely and it was great to chat with him about charity work, as I’m hoping to collaborate with some top name artists on some future Music For Youth projects…watch this space…
Sooooooo excited about the launch gig for Upside Down on February 4th at the Tabernacle! Gig tickets are going on sale next week through the Tabernacle website- VIP and after-party tickets sold separately though so watch out for info on that! I personally spent days schlepping through Central London for the perfect after-party venue (I’m such a control-freak!!) The party is definitely gonna ROCK!
The Band of Gold Remix promo CD came in and they look amazing! Listen up for the Future Freakz and The Thin Red Men versions at clubs across the UK! Yay!!! Their versions will also be up on iTunes soon!!
The reviews for Upside Down have been SUPER and I really am so chuffed that people (other than my friends and family of course) are enjoying the tracks!
“Nothing can prepare you for this interpretation of the Supremes classic. Synths and Bon Jovi guitars, not to mention her strident vocal, gives it a whole new lease of life, in a bizarrely addictive way.” – Dave Simpson
Episode 6 is online now – join Stacey as she checks out Music For Youth’s Rock & Pop Festival in Birmingham, chats to some of the bands and catches up with Jack Davis – one of the talented young musicians who played on her album.
Please watch, comment, rate and share:
Save the date!
On 4th February 2010 Stacey will be gracing the stage at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill with her live band to bring you all the best bits from the album. Musical support will come from some very special Music For Youth kids and there’s even going to be an exclusive after party. Tickets will go on sale soon – watch this space.
The Tabernacle is a wonderful venue steeped in musical tradition. First opened in 1888 as an evangelical church, the building became a music venue in the sixties. Seminal punk band The Raincoats played their first gig there in the seventies and in the nineties the Tabernacle hosted rehearsals by The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd and underwent a £4 million refurbishment.
Since reopening again this year, some of Britain’s hottest acts have been booked to perform at the Tabernacle including Lily Allen, Vivian Girls, Take That and Florence Welch (of Florence and The Machine). So you can see why we’re excited to announce Stacey’s show there!
This is something a bit different from the lovely Canadian, (but having lived in Chelsea, London for the past ten years with her family). She is raising money for a children’s music charity (Music For Youth) and so decided to pay tribute to all her favourite Tamla Motown tracks, BUT these are given a total make over and to hear Don’t Leave Me This Way rocked up is brilliant.
Band Of Gold is brought to life with a heavy guitar and played in a way that you would never believe. You will know all these songs and to achieve her goal Stacey invited some of the most talented young musicians from across the UK to perform as session musicians. She selected some fine young talent.
This is no run-of-the-mill Motown covers album. Stacey knows how to inject rock. The bluesy For Your Love is a stunner and I Heard It On The Grapevine is superb. Other highlights include the upbeat If I Can’t Have You and an earthy When A Man Loves A Woman. Now if Motown had been played like this first time round I¹d have loved it, but I guess it would not have been a success in that guise.
Martin Hudson – Classic rock Society
(All profits donated to Music For Youth with Stacey Jackson as Executive Producer)
Last Tuesday’s Music for Youth Schools Proms was a smash hit! The kids really rocked and in fact, we got some great backstage footage which will pop on my site soon. I can’t belive how poised and confident the kids were! They were playing Royal Albert Hall!! The evening’s MC was Margherita Taylor from Classic FM and she was terrific.
The programme books with the download card to “I Hear a Symphony” looked sensational and we are waiting to see how many people downloaded it and entered the “Win a Personalized iPod” contest. In fact, anyone can enter to win an iPod, so please log onto www.staceyjackson.com and click on dropcards and enter your name in the “Win a Personalised iPod” box. A name will be drawn at random on the 5th of January!
I’ve been continuing to plug the album and the charity and just had a couple of wonderful interviews with the Reading Chronicle and Women Talking plus more to come. Keep your eyes peeled for when they go up onto the site!
What a week this has been — and it’s getting crazier! Next week is MFY’s School’s Proms at Royal Albert Hall where gorgeous, glossy download cards of my single “I Hear a Symphony” will be stuck in 5000 programme books!! I will be going backstage to chat to the MFY kids before they get up and perform — and give them a bit of a pep talk to calm their nerves!
In fact, this week’s episode of Upside Down TV is of the recording of “I Hear a Symphony” featuring the young musicians from Oxfordshire Central Music School Sinfonia — whom I heard perform at last year’s schools proms at Royal Albert Hall! They were so fabulous and just nailed the arrangement not having ever heard it before. They were totally professional — even though they had NEVER been in a recording studio! One young girl (viola player) had to do her part twice cuz the other viola player was home ill!!! She was soooooooo nervous but she did absolutely brilliantly!
I will also be chatting to the London Times and the Mail on Sunday, YOU Magazine, Girl Talk in Oxford and and and… It’s all so exciting that people are interested in my project (and they are liking the album!) We have uploaded a clip of the JNET Radio interview so please listen below:
The promo tour is underway and I’ve been busy chatting about the album and Music for Youth across the country on radio stations and in papers and mags. I’m still so thrilled about being dubbed The Greatest Rocker Mum by FemaleFirst.co.uk! It’s been very exciting to know that people (not just my friends and family) are enjoying Upside Down and are understanding what MFY is all about!
The new dance remix to Band of Gold by The Thin Red Men is totally awesome and will be ready to land in clubs the end of this month.
Plans are also underway for a great show at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill in February so I will keep you all posted on that!
Wow, what an overwhelming response to the initial launch of Upside Down! I’m so excited and so appreciative of all of those who took the time to download the album!
My bf from Montreal who teaches the most amazing aerobics classes apparently has everyone spinning to “I Hear a Symphony”!! How awesome! Just love it!
This next episode of Upside Down TV features me in the recording studio with all the professional musicians recording my last track “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”! It was a fabulous experience because it was one of the only times I had the whole band in the studio all in one go. The creativity and the aura in the studio was electric! You will get to meet Geoff Dugmore drummer extraordinaire who has played with just about EVERYONE including Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Natalie Imbruglia, S Club 7 and Tina Turner! You’ve already seen Rich Cardwell…. outstanding producer and musical director who is actually on tour at the moment with James Morrison as his keyboardist and musical director, along with Archie who also appears in this episode and on my album on bass and mixing duties.
I seriously miss the days back in the recording studio! But look forward to performing the album live — so watch this space for gig info and enjoy episode 4 of UDTV!!
Stae xx
And you can watch all four episodes of Upside Down TV here.
This week Stacey was dubbed “Greatest Rock Mum Of All Time” by FemaleFirst.co.uk – beating Gwen Stefani, Chrissie Hynde and Madonna!
“Our Queen of rock crown goes to loveable mummy Stacey Jackson who has been dubbed as ‘The Rocker-Mom Soccer-Mom’ after news filtered down about the release of her brand new album, ‘Upside Down.’
Not only that, but she’s working in conjunction with the UK’s leading children’s music charity, Music For Youth which nurtures musically talented kids, and Stacey has even used some of their skills on the new record – with all profits going to the charity!”
I’m gearing up for the release of my single “I Hear A Symphony” just in time for the Music For Youth Schools proms the week of Nov 9th! In fact, 5,000 programme books at Albert Hall will feature a Q&A with me and my producer, Rich Cardwell, plus a coded download card containing the single and a chance to win a personalized iPod!
The single features the young musicians from Oxfordshire Central Music
School Sinfonia. (Check out their recording it on episode 2 of Upside Down TV)! I am really excited about all this and hope that when it releases you will all jump onto to iTunes and buy it! Remember…profits go to Music for Youth!
Wow, what an amazing (and exposing!) experience to be up in front of 500 people at St Lukes on Wednesday night — just me belting out When a Man Loves A Woman accompanied by the amazing Jo Thompson on piano. Being in a line-up with people like Mark Knopfler, reknowned UK comedienne Jo Brand, rock band The Gadsdens and famous lyricist Barry Mason (who wrote tunes for Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley and Barbara Streisand among loads of others) told me “What a fantastic rendition of When a Man Loves A Woman…it’s such a difficult and big song and usually requires a big band behind you and you stripped it down, rearranged it so wonderfully and performed it the best I have ever heard it sung — absolutely wonderful”. Needless to say, my head is quite big today! I hope when people hear the other tracks on my album (which will be available in just a couple of weeks!!) they will appreciate how I’ve interpreted the other 11 songs!
It was super-fun getting ready for the show and hanging out in the green room with all the performers from classical to rock. Everyone was really lovely and immensely talented and I felt so privileged to be included with such an array of amazing talent!
Part 1 of 2 – Join Stacey at top London recording studio Metropolis as she puts more talented MFY kids through their paces. Watch as an all girl choir from Stockton-on-Tees impresses vocal coach extraordinaire Jo Thompson, adding the finishing touches to tracks from Stacey’s forthcoming album Upside Down.
[please visit my YouTube channel to subscribe, watch, rate and share!]
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What a fantastic time for all of us. I met The Marmozets when I was an adjudicator for the rock and pop part of Music For Youth’s National Festival in Birmingham, July 2008. They came in first place.
The band’s covers were fabulous but it was their original material that struck a chord with me, and with their lead singer being a young girl, they kind of reminded me of myself in my first real rock back aeons ago back in Montreal. Their material was edgy, with an attitude, and they managed to get the crowd going even though the songs weren’t familiar. I specifically wanted a rocky, edgy sound on Band of Gold and thought that the track could benefit from the likes of Jack and Sam whose creativity in their bass and guitar playing I admired back in July 2008.
My producer, Rich Cardwell and our engineer, Adrian Meehan were quite impressed with them too. They delivered much more than was expected from them and they also knocked the socks off their dads who came to support them at the studio! Thank you Sam and Jack! I wish you guys the best of luck with your band and your musical future! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Many people have asked about the characters on the navigation buttons and it’s really a great story. The home button is a design my father Michael Levy made back in 1971 when I was just two years old for a pet greeting cards project he created called Stacey Liane Greeting Cards – click on the images below to enlarge them:
As a renowned graphic designer in Canada he was set to design my album cover but unfortunately passed away before my album was finished. The other characters on the navigation buttons are contemporary versions of that little girl now grown up.
I wanted to include a little piece of my dad and my history with the creation of the album, and thought it also tied in nicely with my connection to the 60’s and 70’s and my theory that anything can be mixed up to be made more current.
Hi world! I’m just back from a whirlwind weekend in the States. ipod in tow rehearsing for what will no-doubt be a smashing concert this autumn! My bonus dance track rocks this planet (if I do say so myself!) and I’m so excited to get it out there in time for all those crazy Christmas parties this year! I’ll be the one in the lamp shade! Have your eyes and ears out on this space! Love you all!
Nothing like rehearsing in Tuscany! iPods are a beautiful thing! I’m getting ready for a fabulous promo tour around the UK this Sept and it helps if I remember all the lyrics!! I’m thrilled to be hooking up with some of the kids from MFY in their home towns in Sept and Oct so watch this space for some more exciting news!