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Halestorm unleashes a turbulent torrent of infectious hard rock on their self-titled Atlantic debut. The band-guitarist
Joe Hottinger, bassist Josh Smith, drummer Arejay Hale and singer/guitarist Lzzy Hale-churn out uncompromising
rock n’ roll anthems. Drawing from an arsenal of songs that she’s penned since she was 13, Lzzy examines love and
life on the edge.
Halestorm signed with Atlantic and released the live EP, One and Done. The band immediately hit the road, touring
with Shinedown, Seether, Flyleaf, and Trapt. Playing more than a thousand gigs, they cultivated a captivating live
show, while appearing on various festivals and the annual Sno-Core tour.
In 2008, Halestorm entered a Los Angeles studio to record their debut album with Grammy-nominated producer
Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, My Chemical Romance) and mixer Chris Lord-Alge (Underoath, AFI,
Green Day). The album’s a fiery flurry, and Lzzy describes the band?s sound best: “It’s powerful rock’n’roll. We have a
lot of classic rock influences, but the music never feels dated. It’s got an old school feeling with a modern edge.”
The record’s first single, “I Get Off,” blends a sexy hook with a rough and tumble groove. “On that song,” says Lzzy, “I
reach outside of myself and explore sexuality. It also has this crazy metaphor of me getting off on the crowd getting
off on me.”
Lzzy casts a hypnotic spell on stage. Drawing from influences as diverse as Pat Benatar, Janis Joplin, and Metallica,
she has a dark sensuality that’s undeniable. Her sultry side comes through on the moody “Familiar Taste of Poison.”
“That track is an amazing journey for me,” she explains. “It’s very low key, but it’s a bit of a performance piece. It
shows a different side of this band.”
Lzzy’s dynamic voice cuts across genre boundaries. “I approach my timing and singing like a blues singer,” she says.
“I’m very influenced by blues and soul. For me, it’s always about making sure I have feeling in my voice.” The soaring
standout, “Bet U Wish U Had Me Back,” highlights Lzzy’s range as her voice oscillates from a sultry croon to a massive
hook.
She exudes that feeling on stage and in the studio, because she’s not afraid to be herself. She laughs, “As a kid,
when a lot of my friends were into Backstreet Boys, I attached myself to Alice Cooper, Cinderella, and Van Halen. I
want to give the audience a ride and connect with them.”
Ultimately that connection will be tangible, because Lzzy and co. were meant to be in a rock band. “My brother and I
were very fortunate to know what we wanted to do at an early age. When I was 13 and he was 10, we got together
and wrote five songs. We wanted to be in a band together, we wanted to make music, and that was it. Everything
came second to that.”
In the end, that philosophy will ensure Halestorm’s longevity. “This album has been a long time coming,” says Lzzy.
“There’s been a lot of dirty work that went into making it. Creatively, we went to rock’n’roll college through the
experience. It was crazy, raw, down and dirty. Our blood, sweat, and tears went into this thing.”
The Venue: How did the band first form?
Lzzy: The band was started by myself and our drummer who is also my brother. We decided to name the band
“Halestorm” when I was 13 and he was 10 years old and we have never stopped. A light switch went off and we
convinced our parents to let us start a band and we started playing anywhere they would let us play. In June of 05 we
started doing around 250 dates a year. I’ll go back a little, before that we ended up finding Joe and Josh our bass and
guitar players. They had also started bands at about the same age as we did so it was just a matter of us finding each
other. Our band is together with all the same members today which is pretty cool. In June of 05 we ended up putting
ink to paper with Atlantic Records and went right out on the road with a 5 song EP. Nobody in the country knew who
the hell we were except on the East Coast . Which was exciting because we had to prove ourselves as a national
touring act and finally in the summer of 07 we started settling down to create demos and write for this record. Its
been a long process, we kinda do things at our own pace.
The Venue: When and where did the band gets its first big break?
Lzzy: Lets see, everything is kind of a step. Coming up in the local scene there is a lot of people who gave us a leg up.
We did alot of networking and went to all of the local concerts and met as many people as we could building the
business. For most people the big break is the record label. In that case we were playing in New York City at a place
called Don Hills and Mr. Don Hill himself really liked us and kind of gave us a chance in his club. He said hey why don’t
you come up here like the first wednesday of every month. I’ll bring some of my friends out and we will make it an
event and maybe you can build up a fan base in New York City. We had never really played the city before and we
were kind of regional playing Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut when we could. So we
started doing that and he started bringing some of his friends out and one of them happened to be an entertainment
lawyer. He ended up bringing some record label people after a few weeks and one of them ended up being Atlantic
Records. We met with an AR guy who ended up signing us. He really liked us so over a period of about seven months
he brought the entire company out to see us. One week there would be the interns from Atlantic and they would come
out to see us play and he would get there opinion. Then he would bring the radio reps out and it went all the way to the
VP and then the President of Atlantic Records. We basically showcased for everybody and their mother with Atlantic
over a period of seven months. All in that same club so Don Hill was a huge part of getting the ball rolling. I don’t think
we really knew what we were getting ourselves into, after showcasing so many times for the same label we really got to
know them and really got to like these people so when they offered us the deal it was a no brainer. If we are going to
take a record deal these are the people to do it with. We did things a little backwards, we didn’t go right into the
studio, we went right out on the road building up a fan base around the country and finally settled down to do this
record.
The Venue: Do you feel that having a female fronted band has caused challenges or obstacles?
Lzzy: You know that’s an interesting question. In all honesty most of the attention has kinda been spurred by the fact
that I am a female fronting a band. If there are any challenges I have not noticed them. This is a business no matter
who you are, it’s going to be hard. If your good at what you do, you can eventually prove yourself and be taken
seriously for what you do. As a female there is a lot less competition than if I was a guy. Alot of our image has been
riding on the fact that I am a girl, occasionally in a short skirt (which I don’t mind) the Sex & Rock-N-Roll thing goes
hand in hand and I never minded that.
The Venue: Who were some of your musical influences?
Lzzy: I grew up with alot of 70’s & 80’s hard rock. Thanks to my dad he was into anything with a color in its title from
Deep Purple, Pink Floyd or Blue Oyster Cult. My mother likes Janice Joplin and Heart. There was also some DIO in
there, maybe some Whitesnake, anything that made you want to pick up an air guitar.
The Venue: If you could choose one band to perform with who would it be and why?
Lzzy: There have been so many great bands but just for the hell of it because they are such an influential band I’ll say
Metallica. Just the history in that band, it would be cool to have a few dates to tour with those guys. The things they
have had to go through to be the epic band they are,it would be cool to stand next to them.
The Venue: Which band has been your favorite to tour with?
Lzzy: We have been lucky so far one of our first experiences was Seether, what amazing dudes no matter where we
are when we see each other it’s like family. It’s the same thing with Shinedown. We also just got off a few tours with
Theater of a Dead Man, they were making their record about the same time we were making ours. We ended up
staying in the same apartment complex so you go out on your porch in the morning and your like hey how are you. We
partied a few times making silly videos for you tube with them.
The Venue: What has been your most memorable performance to date and why?
Lzzy: It kind of happens on a daily basis. In Fort Wayne, Indiana we had a show, there was alot of press going on
during the day and I didn’t get a chance to see the audience, so when we walk out on stage the place is filled front to
back and all these fans are there to see us play. You don’t realize that, you forget about that. In Michigan we also sold
out The Machine Shop and all of our fans are there in their Halestorm tee-shirts its a very humbling feeling.
The Venue: This one is for all the males out there reading this article…. What is the inspiration behind the song “I Get
Off”?
Lzzy: The actual inspiration for that song technically comes from a live set. My band mates and I have often said in
our experience a live show in many ways is better than having sex. Sex is only second to playing a rock show. Its one
of those things, it gets addicting and you need it every day. At this particular show there was a tremendous give and
take with the audience. Some members in the audience were producers and record execs
there to see this show, when your playing for that type of crowd, you know industry people, it’s a different vibe. Most of
these people have seen so many bands. To actually get them clapping or singing along with a song it has to be really
special. We are half way through our song in the second set and I look over at the producer Howard Bensen and he
has his metal horns in the air and he is like dancing in the aisles. There was like this surge of energy and surrounding
them were all these kids that needed that Rock show as much as we needed to play it for them. So I said something
cheesy to the audience like I’m loving this that you are loving this show. We need to do this together and I continued
to say I hope that was as good for you as it was for me. So that was the first time I had really connected the whole
aspect of rock n roll and sex. Not so much sex being I’m going to be up there in a short skirt but as in the same feeling
that we just did something together that is just monumental, epic and we did it together, both the audience and the
band. So then I fell in love with that style of writing, where you are walking a very fine line, your not exactly talking
about a live show but your not entirely talking about voyeurism. I think that was an Alice Cooper type thing, I was
always in love with his style of writing where he talks about murdering puppies, you don’t necessarily think he is serious
but you always have that thing in the back of your mind thinking is he really that sadistic or am I that crazy for thinking
he is that sadistic, is it me or is it him? “I get off” was the first song on this record we wrote which is kind of like that.
Very innuendo driven. In that turn its very fun to sing, you get to look people in the eye and make them feel a little
funny.
The Venue: What is the name of your latest release?
Lzzy: Our second single is “Its not you” and also its the lead off the record self titled HALESTORM.
The Venue: How long did the record take to record in the studio?
Lzzy: The studio time was actually quick we were in and out of there in about a month. From the time we started
writing for this record until the time it was mixed and mastered was around nineteen months. Alot of blood sweat and
tears went into perfecting it.
The Venue: What can fans expect during a live set with HALESTORM?
Lzzy: Its kinda like a kick in the teeth and a kiss on the face. We are going to come out there and its going to be a little
bit of a game.
The Venue: All of your band members have a special ring can you tell us about these?
Lzzy: My brother and I purchased these sterling silver rings and had our band logo engraved on them.We ended up
getting them about 2 years before we found Joe and Josh. We promised that when we find the members that are our
family you know our brethren, we are going to (not to sound completely cheesy) but kind of propose to these boys.
Offering these rings as a symbol of us doing this together, in alot of ways this is like a marriage.Sometimes I feel like I’
m married to three dudes and one of them is my little brother. I know how that sounds. What ended up happening is
we forgot about these rings. They were in my parents attic and we found them right before we were about to sign with
Atlantic Records and my brother and I were like we have to give these to Joe and Josh. I should mention we didn’t
know them at the time we purchased the rings so the rings were off sizes and when we were presenting the rings eerily
enough both of the rings fit the right hand ring fingers. It was meant to be.
The Venue: What message would Halestorm like to share with the world?
Lzzy: I think our philosophy is that we are still here, this thing that we created when I was 13 and my brother was 10. I
think that people should strive for what they love. I think there is power in something said in a song. I think it’s our
responsibility to always empower and encourage other people. Always speak the truth.
Joe Hottinger, bassist Josh Smith, drummer Arejay Hale and singer/guitarist Lzzy Hale-churn out uncompromising
rock n’ roll anthems. Drawing from an arsenal of songs that she’s penned since she was 13, Lzzy examines love and
life on the edge.
Halestorm signed with Atlantic and released the live EP, One and Done. The band immediately hit the road, touring
with Shinedown, Seether, Flyleaf, and Trapt. Playing more than a thousand gigs, they cultivated a captivating live
show, while appearing on various festivals and the annual Sno-Core tour.
In 2008, Halestorm entered a Los Angeles studio to record their debut album with Grammy-nominated producer
Howard Benson (Three Days Grace, Flyleaf, My Chemical Romance) and mixer Chris Lord-Alge (Underoath, AFI,
Green Day). The album’s a fiery flurry, and Lzzy describes the band?s sound best: “It’s powerful rock’n’roll. We have a
lot of classic rock influences, but the music never feels dated. It’s got an old school feeling with a modern edge.”
The record’s first single, “I Get Off,” blends a sexy hook with a rough and tumble groove. “On that song,” says Lzzy, “I
reach outside of myself and explore sexuality. It also has this crazy metaphor of me getting off on the crowd getting
off on me.”
Lzzy casts a hypnotic spell on stage. Drawing from influences as diverse as Pat Benatar, Janis Joplin, and Metallica,
she has a dark sensuality that’s undeniable. Her sultry side comes through on the moody “Familiar Taste of Poison.”
“That track is an amazing journey for me,” she explains. “It’s very low key, but it’s a bit of a performance piece. It
shows a different side of this band.”
Lzzy’s dynamic voice cuts across genre boundaries. “I approach my timing and singing like a blues singer,” she says.
“I’m very influenced by blues and soul. For me, it’s always about making sure I have feeling in my voice.” The soaring
standout, “Bet U Wish U Had Me Back,” highlights Lzzy’s range as her voice oscillates from a sultry croon to a massive
hook.
She exudes that feeling on stage and in the studio, because she’s not afraid to be herself. She laughs, “As a kid,
when a lot of my friends were into Backstreet Boys, I attached myself to Alice Cooper, Cinderella, and Van Halen. I
want to give the audience a ride and connect with them.”
Ultimately that connection will be tangible, because Lzzy and co. were meant to be in a rock band. “My brother and I
were very fortunate to know what we wanted to do at an early age. When I was 13 and he was 10, we got together
and wrote five songs. We wanted to be in a band together, we wanted to make music, and that was it. Everything
came second to that.”
In the end, that philosophy will ensure Halestorm’s longevity. “This album has been a long time coming,” says Lzzy.
“There’s been a lot of dirty work that went into making it. Creatively, we went to rock’n’roll college through the
experience. It was crazy, raw, down and dirty. Our blood, sweat, and tears went into this thing.”
The Venue: How did the band first form?
Lzzy: The band was started by myself and our drummer who is also my brother. We decided to name the band
“Halestorm” when I was 13 and he was 10 years old and we have never stopped. A light switch went off and we
convinced our parents to let us start a band and we started playing anywhere they would let us play. In June of 05 we
started doing around 250 dates a year. I’ll go back a little, before that we ended up finding Joe and Josh our bass and
guitar players. They had also started bands at about the same age as we did so it was just a matter of us finding each
other. Our band is together with all the same members today which is pretty cool. In June of 05 we ended up putting
ink to paper with Atlantic Records and went right out on the road with a 5 song EP. Nobody in the country knew who
the hell we were except on the East Coast . Which was exciting because we had to prove ourselves as a national
touring act and finally in the summer of 07 we started settling down to create demos and write for this record. Its
been a long process, we kinda do things at our own pace.
The Venue: When and where did the band gets its first big break?
Lzzy: Lets see, everything is kind of a step. Coming up in the local scene there is a lot of people who gave us a leg up.
We did alot of networking and went to all of the local concerts and met as many people as we could building the
business. For most people the big break is the record label. In that case we were playing in New York City at a place
called Don Hills and Mr. Don Hill himself really liked us and kind of gave us a chance in his club. He said hey why don’t
you come up here like the first wednesday of every month. I’ll bring some of my friends out and we will make it an
event and maybe you can build up a fan base in New York City. We had never really played the city before and we
were kind of regional playing Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut when we could. So we
started doing that and he started bringing some of his friends out and one of them happened to be an entertainment
lawyer. He ended up bringing some record label people after a few weeks and one of them ended up being Atlantic
Records. We met with an AR guy who ended up signing us. He really liked us so over a period of about seven months
he brought the entire company out to see us. One week there would be the interns from Atlantic and they would come
out to see us play and he would get there opinion. Then he would bring the radio reps out and it went all the way to the
VP and then the President of Atlantic Records. We basically showcased for everybody and their mother with Atlantic
over a period of seven months. All in that same club so Don Hill was a huge part of getting the ball rolling. I don’t think
we really knew what we were getting ourselves into, after showcasing so many times for the same label we really got to
know them and really got to like these people so when they offered us the deal it was a no brainer. If we are going to
take a record deal these are the people to do it with. We did things a little backwards, we didn’t go right into the
studio, we went right out on the road building up a fan base around the country and finally settled down to do this
record.
The Venue: Do you feel that having a female fronted band has caused challenges or obstacles?
Lzzy: You know that’s an interesting question. In all honesty most of the attention has kinda been spurred by the fact
that I am a female fronting a band. If there are any challenges I have not noticed them. This is a business no matter
who you are, it’s going to be hard. If your good at what you do, you can eventually prove yourself and be taken
seriously for what you do. As a female there is a lot less competition than if I was a guy. Alot of our image has been
riding on the fact that I am a girl, occasionally in a short skirt (which I don’t mind) the Sex & Rock-N-Roll thing goes
hand in hand and I never minded that.
The Venue: Who were some of your musical influences?
Lzzy: I grew up with alot of 70’s & 80’s hard rock. Thanks to my dad he was into anything with a color in its title from
Deep Purple, Pink Floyd or Blue Oyster Cult. My mother likes Janice Joplin and Heart. There was also some DIO in
there, maybe some Whitesnake, anything that made you want to pick up an air guitar.
The Venue: If you could choose one band to perform with who would it be and why?
Lzzy: There have been so many great bands but just for the hell of it because they are such an influential band I’ll say
Metallica. Just the history in that band, it would be cool to have a few dates to tour with those guys. The things they
have had to go through to be the epic band they are,it would be cool to stand next to them.
The Venue: Which band has been your favorite to tour with?
Lzzy: We have been lucky so far one of our first experiences was Seether, what amazing dudes no matter where we
are when we see each other it’s like family. It’s the same thing with Shinedown. We also just got off a few tours with
Theater of a Dead Man, they were making their record about the same time we were making ours. We ended up
staying in the same apartment complex so you go out on your porch in the morning and your like hey how are you. We
partied a few times making silly videos for you tube with them.
The Venue: What has been your most memorable performance to date and why?
Lzzy: It kind of happens on a daily basis. In Fort Wayne, Indiana we had a show, there was alot of press going on
during the day and I didn’t get a chance to see the audience, so when we walk out on stage the place is filled front to
back and all these fans are there to see us play. You don’t realize that, you forget about that. In Michigan we also sold
out The Machine Shop and all of our fans are there in their Halestorm tee-shirts its a very humbling feeling.
The Venue: This one is for all the males out there reading this article…. What is the inspiration behind the song “I Get
Off”?
Lzzy: The actual inspiration for that song technically comes from a live set. My band mates and I have often said in
our experience a live show in many ways is better than having sex. Sex is only second to playing a rock show. Its one
of those things, it gets addicting and you need it every day. At this particular show there was a tremendous give and
take with the audience. Some members in the audience were producers and record execs
there to see this show, when your playing for that type of crowd, you know industry people, it’s a different vibe. Most of
these people have seen so many bands. To actually get them clapping or singing along with a song it has to be really
special. We are half way through our song in the second set and I look over at the producer Howard Bensen and he
has his metal horns in the air and he is like dancing in the aisles. There was like this surge of energy and surrounding
them were all these kids that needed that Rock show as much as we needed to play it for them. So I said something
cheesy to the audience like I’m loving this that you are loving this show. We need to do this together and I continued
to say I hope that was as good for you as it was for me. So that was the first time I had really connected the whole
aspect of rock n roll and sex. Not so much sex being I’m going to be up there in a short skirt but as in the same feeling
that we just did something together that is just monumental, epic and we did it together, both the audience and the
band. So then I fell in love with that style of writing, where you are walking a very fine line, your not exactly talking
about a live show but your not entirely talking about voyeurism. I think that was an Alice Cooper type thing, I was
always in love with his style of writing where he talks about murdering puppies, you don’t necessarily think he is serious
but you always have that thing in the back of your mind thinking is he really that sadistic or am I that crazy for thinking
he is that sadistic, is it me or is it him? “I get off” was the first song on this record we wrote which is kind of like that.
Very innuendo driven. In that turn its very fun to sing, you get to look people in the eye and make them feel a little
funny.
The Venue: What is the name of your latest release?
Lzzy: Our second single is “Its not you” and also its the lead off the record self titled HALESTORM.
The Venue: How long did the record take to record in the studio?
Lzzy: The studio time was actually quick we were in and out of there in about a month. From the time we started
writing for this record until the time it was mixed and mastered was around nineteen months. Alot of blood sweat and
tears went into perfecting it.
The Venue: What can fans expect during a live set with HALESTORM?
Lzzy: Its kinda like a kick in the teeth and a kiss on the face. We are going to come out there and its going to be a little
bit of a game.
The Venue: All of your band members have a special ring can you tell us about these?
Lzzy: My brother and I purchased these sterling silver rings and had our band logo engraved on them.We ended up
getting them about 2 years before we found Joe and Josh. We promised that when we find the members that are our
family you know our brethren, we are going to (not to sound completely cheesy) but kind of propose to these boys.
Offering these rings as a symbol of us doing this together, in alot of ways this is like a marriage.Sometimes I feel like I’
m married to three dudes and one of them is my little brother. I know how that sounds. What ended up happening is
we forgot about these rings. They were in my parents attic and we found them right before we were about to sign with
Atlantic Records and my brother and I were like we have to give these to Joe and Josh. I should mention we didn’t
know them at the time we purchased the rings so the rings were off sizes and when we were presenting the rings eerily
enough both of the rings fit the right hand ring fingers. It was meant to be.
The Venue: What message would Halestorm like to share with the world?
Lzzy: I think our philosophy is that we are still here, this thing that we created when I was 13 and my brother was 10. I
think that people should strive for what they love. I think there is power in something said in a song. I think it’s our
responsibility to always empower and encourage other people. Always speak the truth.
Sometimes it pays to be different. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its outcasts, B.o.B aka
Bobby Ray is truly out of the ordinary. At just 21 years old, the rapper – born Bobby Ray Simmons – has
become a breath of fresh air in Atlanta’s snap and trap-obsessed scene. Known primarily for his heavy
smokers anthem, “Cloud 9,” and the frenetic energy of his song “Haterz Everywhere,” B.o.B scored a
record deal with Atlantic Records while he was still in high school. Now, the teen-aged rap phenomenon
is ready to bring his genre-bending style nationwide with his highly anticipated debut, B.o.B Presents: The
Adventures of Bobby Ray on Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records.
B.o.B made the decision very early in his young life to pursue a career in hip-hop. He started rapping at the
age of 13 after studying classic albums from DMX and Eminem. With the encouragement of his older
brother, B.o.B started feverishly writing down anything and everything. "At the time, Joe Budden was
poppin' and my brother told me when Joe was 15 he used to fill up notebooks with rhymes," says B.o.B
"That lit off a light bulb for me and I was like damn, I need to do more than that. Then from seventh grade
up to tenth grade, I just started filling up notebooks with lyrics. Then it got to the point where I was just
writing them in my head." While still in junior high school, B.o.B formed a group with his cousin Swag,
called The Klinic. The two young MCs were able to buy a simple studio set-up that included the beat-
making program Fruity Loops. They quickly started crafting their own songs and performing at open mics
around Atlanta. Their manager, B Rich, introduced them to a local ATL rapper named Playboy
Tre of the Georgia Durt camp, and he taught the young'ns how to use his professional studio. The Klinic
continued to collaborate until their senior year of high school in 2006, when B.o.B's cousin decided to
leave home in order to attend college. Faced with a tough decision, B.o.B chose to continue rapping, this
time as a solo artist. "I called my manager and was like, 'I think I'm just going to start working at the mall
for a little while and get some money so I can really start pursuing music like I want to,'" he remembers.
"Him and Playboy Tre came by my house and were like, 'Look man, we can get you a deal within a year,
don't give up!" In mid-September of '06, just two weeks after going solo, B.o.B performed at Club Crucial,
where TJ Chapman, founder of the national DJ conference TJ's DJ's, was in attendance. After hearing the
rap rookie perform "Cloud 9," TJ was convinced he was in the presence of a star. "That was the first time I
performed 'Cloud 9' and I got a standing ovation," says B.o.B “TJ Chapman was amazed. He linked up
with B Rich, who let him hear my music, and TJ wanted to be involved in the team." With the budding MC's
demo in hand, TJ, B.o.B and B Rich flew to Miami to meet platinum producer Jim Jonsin. After one listen,
Jonsin offered B.o.B a spot on his label. On October 3, 2006, B.o.B signed to Atlantic Records through
Jonsin’s Rebel Rock. "I'm really focused on painting a picture of myself as a musician and an artist and
not just a rapper," says B.o.B "I feel like I'm not just making rap music; I feel like I'm changing music,
period." The gifted showman's debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is a
fascinating journey into the Atlanta
artist's far-reaching imagination. On the track "Not Alone," a song B.o.B describes as an alternative rock
chant, he touches on his pain as a child who was unable to fit in with his own peers. B.o.B continues to
rap to the ladies on "Cyber Heaven," where he claims his lovin' will take them out of this world, while
“Haterz Everywhere” featuring Rich Boy, a song that has flooded the South since its release in early 2007,
proves his stronghold over the competition. B.o.B’s most honest reflection of his artistic intent comes on
"Trippin'," where he raps about using his craft as a therapeutic means of solving his feelings of
eccentricity. "I feel like I have a really different perspective," he says. "When I grew up it was really hard for
me to figure out why I felt that way, like I really felt like I was from another planet. Now, it's the opposite. All
of that time I spent developing my talent and really analyzing myself, now I feel like I can express all of that
and give all of my energy and love to the world." After producing the majority of his album by himself and
learning to play multiple musical instruments – including the piano, trumpet and French horn – B.o.B is
destined to spread his message of creativity and empowerment through his music. "I just want to show
people that there are endless possibilities of what you can do," he says. "You don't just have to be a
rapper, you don't just have to be a trapper; you can be anything you want to be and whatever you do, just
love it and it will show."
Recently The Venue had the opportunity to have a chat with Atlantic Records smoothest breakout artist of
2010. With work done with Eminem & Lupe it’s not a wonder why B.o.B. has the smoothest hooks and
songs on the radio today. These collaborations will be featured on his upcoming album, “ The Adventures
of Bobby Ray” which is to be released April 2010.
The Venue: At what age did you begin to Rap?
B.o.B.: Age 13
The Venue: Where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from?
B.o.B.:They came from
Jupiter
The Venue: Who would you say has helped you achieve recognition as an artist?
B.o.B.:Eminem, TI & Lupe
The Venue: How many records have you released and what is the name of the newest release?
B.o.B.:The latest release is “Nothin on You” and I’ve released six mix tapes. “The Adventures of Bobby
Ray” will release in April.
The VenueHow many shows do you currently perform a year?
B.o.B.: Anywhere from 70 to 150 shows per year.
The Venue: Who does B.o.B. look up to in the Rap game today?
B.o.B.: I appreciate alot of what Lupe Fiasco is doing. Alot of it is like peer motivation its like everybody is
in the same industry so I look up to pretty much what everybody is doing. Artists like Gucci Man and even
know he has come across a legal situation they are still recording they are still making music in the mix of
it all.
The Venue: what is in the future for B.o.B.?
B.o.B.:Possibly some type of TV show or movie.
The Venue: If there is one thing you can accomplish through your music what would it be?
B.o.B.:I would have to say saving our nation.
The Venue: What is your favorite city and why?
B.o.B.:Winston Salem, North Carolina because that’s the city where I was born.
The Venue: If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?
B.o.B.: I would be on an island called Moorea and why because its just awesome, goggle it and you will
see why.
The Venue: What message would B.o.B. like to share with the world?
B.o.B.: Be patient, its not about getting to the goal, its the road you take to get there.
Bobby Ray is truly out of the ordinary. At just 21 years old, the rapper – born Bobby Ray Simmons – has
become a breath of fresh air in Atlanta’s snap and trap-obsessed scene. Known primarily for his heavy
smokers anthem, “Cloud 9,” and the frenetic energy of his song “Haterz Everywhere,” B.o.B scored a
record deal with Atlantic Records while he was still in high school. Now, the teen-aged rap phenomenon
is ready to bring his genre-bending style nationwide with his highly anticipated debut, B.o.B Presents: The
Adventures of Bobby Ray on Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records.
B.o.B made the decision very early in his young life to pursue a career in hip-hop. He started rapping at the
age of 13 after studying classic albums from DMX and Eminem. With the encouragement of his older
brother, B.o.B started feverishly writing down anything and everything. "At the time, Joe Budden was
poppin' and my brother told me when Joe was 15 he used to fill up notebooks with rhymes," says B.o.B
"That lit off a light bulb for me and I was like damn, I need to do more than that. Then from seventh grade
up to tenth grade, I just started filling up notebooks with lyrics. Then it got to the point where I was just
writing them in my head." While still in junior high school, B.o.B formed a group with his cousin Swag,
called The Klinic. The two young MCs were able to buy a simple studio set-up that included the beat-
making program Fruity Loops. They quickly started crafting their own songs and performing at open mics
around Atlanta. Their manager, B Rich, introduced them to a local ATL rapper named Playboy
Tre of the Georgia Durt camp, and he taught the young'ns how to use his professional studio. The Klinic
continued to collaborate until their senior year of high school in 2006, when B.o.B's cousin decided to
leave home in order to attend college. Faced with a tough decision, B.o.B chose to continue rapping, this
time as a solo artist. "I called my manager and was like, 'I think I'm just going to start working at the mall
for a little while and get some money so I can really start pursuing music like I want to,'" he remembers.
"Him and Playboy Tre came by my house and were like, 'Look man, we can get you a deal within a year,
don't give up!" In mid-September of '06, just two weeks after going solo, B.o.B performed at Club Crucial,
where TJ Chapman, founder of the national DJ conference TJ's DJ's, was in attendance. After hearing the
rap rookie perform "Cloud 9," TJ was convinced he was in the presence of a star. "That was the first time I
performed 'Cloud 9' and I got a standing ovation," says B.o.B “TJ Chapman was amazed. He linked up
with B Rich, who let him hear my music, and TJ wanted to be involved in the team." With the budding MC's
demo in hand, TJ, B.o.B and B Rich flew to Miami to meet platinum producer Jim Jonsin. After one listen,
Jonsin offered B.o.B a spot on his label. On October 3, 2006, B.o.B signed to Atlantic Records through
Jonsin’s Rebel Rock. "I'm really focused on painting a picture of myself as a musician and an artist and
not just a rapper," says B.o.B "I feel like I'm not just making rap music; I feel like I'm changing music,
period." The gifted showman's debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is a
fascinating journey into the Atlanta
artist's far-reaching imagination. On the track "Not Alone," a song B.o.B describes as an alternative rock
chant, he touches on his pain as a child who was unable to fit in with his own peers. B.o.B continues to
rap to the ladies on "Cyber Heaven," where he claims his lovin' will take them out of this world, while
“Haterz Everywhere” featuring Rich Boy, a song that has flooded the South since its release in early 2007,
proves his stronghold over the competition. B.o.B’s most honest reflection of his artistic intent comes on
"Trippin'," where he raps about using his craft as a therapeutic means of solving his feelings of
eccentricity. "I feel like I have a really different perspective," he says. "When I grew up it was really hard for
me to figure out why I felt that way, like I really felt like I was from another planet. Now, it's the opposite. All
of that time I spent developing my talent and really analyzing myself, now I feel like I can express all of that
and give all of my energy and love to the world." After producing the majority of his album by himself and
learning to play multiple musical instruments – including the piano, trumpet and French horn – B.o.B is
destined to spread his message of creativity and empowerment through his music. "I just want to show
people that there are endless possibilities of what you can do," he says. "You don't just have to be a
rapper, you don't just have to be a trapper; you can be anything you want to be and whatever you do, just
love it and it will show."
Recently The Venue had the opportunity to have a chat with Atlantic Records smoothest breakout artist of
2010. With work done with Eminem & Lupe it’s not a wonder why B.o.B. has the smoothest hooks and
songs on the radio today. These collaborations will be featured on his upcoming album, “ The Adventures
of Bobby Ray” which is to be released April 2010.
The Venue: At what age did you begin to Rap?
B.o.B.: Age 13
The Venue: Where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from?
B.o.B.:They came from
Jupiter
The Venue: Who would you say has helped you achieve recognition as an artist?
B.o.B.:Eminem, TI & Lupe
The Venue: How many records have you released and what is the name of the newest release?
B.o.B.:The latest release is “Nothin on You” and I’ve released six mix tapes. “The Adventures of Bobby
Ray” will release in April.
The VenueHow many shows do you currently perform a year?
B.o.B.: Anywhere from 70 to 150 shows per year.
The Venue: Who does B.o.B. look up to in the Rap game today?
B.o.B.: I appreciate alot of what Lupe Fiasco is doing. Alot of it is like peer motivation its like everybody is
in the same industry so I look up to pretty much what everybody is doing. Artists like Gucci Man and even
know he has come across a legal situation they are still recording they are still making music in the mix of
it all.
The Venue: what is in the future for B.o.B.?
B.o.B.:Possibly some type of TV show or movie.
The Venue: If there is one thing you can accomplish through your music what would it be?
B.o.B.:I would have to say saving our nation.
The Venue: What is your favorite city and why?
B.o.B.:Winston Salem, North Carolina because that’s the city where I was born.
The Venue: If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?
B.o.B.: I would be on an island called Moorea and why because its just awesome, goggle it and you will
see why.
The Venue: What message would B.o.B. like to share with the world?
B.o.B.: Be patient, its not about getting to the goal, its the road you take to get there.
Halestorm
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| Scroll Down To See These Interviews! |
On her fourth studio album, Alicia Keys
makes her intentions clear from the words on
the cover. Though the New York City-born
singer, songwriter, and producer is one of
music's biggest stars—with sales of over 30
million albums worldwide and a dozen
Grammy Awards on her
shelf—for this project, she sought a new
approach.
"I've always enjoyed the recording process,"
says Keys, "but in the past, I almost felt a
little bit jailed by it. Everything was always
about how fast I could squeeze out every
drop. But I've realized there’s an art to
balancing things, so for this album, I let
myself have time with my family, travel, and
then come back and write from those
experiences. The freedom that I felt was part
of the reason for the album title. "The results
of this liberation, the thirteen songs that
make up The Element of Freedom, reveal
both a range of sounds and a unity in mood.
It's a powerful collection of diverse
influences, built around the themes of love,
loss, and perseverance. "I love when an
album feels like a moment in time," says
Keys. "When it's all connected, but you can
hear all the different feelings and
inspirations."
Alicia Keys will be
performing at MGM Grand Theater at
Foxwoods Resort Casino
March 13 & 14 at 8PM
The Venue: At what age did you know you
wanted to be a musician?
Alicia Keys: At age Four
The Venue: Who would you say had a
major influence on you going on to
becoming such a success?
Alicia Keys: A lot of people. My mother, my
manager Jeff Robinson, Conrad one of my
first vocal coaches, all of my music coaches.
All of the people who were mean to me
motivated me as well and of course myself!
The Venue: Where was your most
memorable performance and why?
Alicia Keys: There are many, I’m fortunate
to say! One of the most memorable was in
Spain when I played with Bebo & Cinagela.
They played their pure, authentic Spanish
music and I couldn’t tear myself away from
watching them play. I couldn’t have been
happier to do a show with them
The Venue: If you could be anywhere in
the world right now, where would it be and
why?
Alicia Keys: Home!!
Why Not!!
The Venue: We know you do many things
for charity, what is “Keep a Child Alive”?
Alicia Keys: Keep a child alive is my
organization that provides the ARV
medicines to children and families who have
Aids and wouldn’t be able to afford it, in
places like Africa and India. We also provide
support and orphan care, we also build
clinics and pediatric wings. We are very
dedicated to not turning our back on people
just because of where they were born.
The Venue: You have many titles which
would you say best describes you?
Alicia Keys: All woman!!
The Venue: What is the name of your
newest release?
Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom
The Venue: Which song is your favorite to
perform live?
Alicia Keys: Since I’m at the stage now
where I’m really discovering the way I’m
interpreting the songs live, I know it will
change as I go. Right now my favorite is “Try
Sleeping with a Broken Heart” and you will
see why when you come see the show!
The Venue: What should we expect from
the upcoming shows at Foxwoods MGM
Grand?
Alicia Keys: To find your freedom.
makes her intentions clear from the words on
the cover. Though the New York City-born
singer, songwriter, and producer is one of
music's biggest stars—with sales of over 30
million albums worldwide and a dozen
Grammy Awards on her
shelf—for this project, she sought a new
approach.
"I've always enjoyed the recording process,"
says Keys, "but in the past, I almost felt a
little bit jailed by it. Everything was always
about how fast I could squeeze out every
drop. But I've realized there’s an art to
balancing things, so for this album, I let
myself have time with my family, travel, and
then come back and write from those
experiences. The freedom that I felt was part
of the reason for the album title. "The results
of this liberation, the thirteen songs that
make up The Element of Freedom, reveal
both a range of sounds and a unity in mood.
It's a powerful collection of diverse
influences, built around the themes of love,
loss, and perseverance. "I love when an
album feels like a moment in time," says
Keys. "When it's all connected, but you can
hear all the different feelings and
inspirations."
Alicia Keys will be
performing at MGM Grand Theater at
Foxwoods Resort Casino
March 13 & 14 at 8PM
The Venue: At what age did you know you
wanted to be a musician?
Alicia Keys: At age Four
The Venue: Who would you say had a
major influence on you going on to
becoming such a success?
Alicia Keys: A lot of people. My mother, my
manager Jeff Robinson, Conrad one of my
first vocal coaches, all of my music coaches.
All of the people who were mean to me
motivated me as well and of course myself!
The Venue: Where was your most
memorable performance and why?
Alicia Keys: There are many, I’m fortunate
to say! One of the most memorable was in
Spain when I played with Bebo & Cinagela.
They played their pure, authentic Spanish
music and I couldn’t tear myself away from
watching them play. I couldn’t have been
happier to do a show with them
The Venue: If you could be anywhere in
the world right now, where would it be and
why?
Alicia Keys: Home!!
Why Not!!
The Venue: We know you do many things
for charity, what is “Keep a Child Alive”?
Alicia Keys: Keep a child alive is my
organization that provides the ARV
medicines to children and families who have
Aids and wouldn’t be able to afford it, in
places like Africa and India. We also provide
support and orphan care, we also build
clinics and pediatric wings. We are very
dedicated to not turning our back on people
just because of where they were born.
The Venue: You have many titles which
would you say best describes you?
Alicia Keys: All woman!!
The Venue: What is the name of your
newest release?
Alicia Keys: The Element of Freedom
The Venue: Which song is your favorite to
perform live?
Alicia Keys: Since I’m at the stage now
where I’m really discovering the way I’m
interpreting the songs live, I know it will
change as I go. Right now my favorite is “Try
Sleeping with a Broken Heart” and you will
see why when you come see the show!
The Venue: What should we expect from
the upcoming shows at Foxwoods MGM
Grand?
Alicia Keys: To find your freedom.
Korn will never forget where they came from: a dark place where salvation arrives in the form of twisted,
throbbing guitar riffs, syncopated chaotic funk beats, a schizophrenic bass thump and an unmistakable
cathartic howl. Emerging from the depths of Bakersfield, California with a sound unlike any other in 1994,
Korn have been able to cement themselves as one of the most important bands in rock n’ roll history.
Over the course of eight full-length releases, Korn have sold in excess of 30 million albums and played
countless sold-out shows worldwide. They’ve won two Grammys—one for Best Short Form Video for
“Freak on a Leash” from 1998’s Follow the Leader and one for Best Metal Performance for “Here to
Stay,” from 2002’s Untouchables—and have launched a massively successful festival of their own, The
Family Values Tour. However, despite all their massive success and accolades, Korn haven’t lost hold
of the savage, raw energy that made them such a crucial band for diehard rock and metal fans. Korn are
one of the preeminent voices of this generation.
Their ninth offering, Korn III —Remember Who You Are, is their first effort for brand new label home,
Roadrunner Records, and it bursts at the seams with that very feeling that defined the band from the get-
go. Each song unleashes an uneasiness reminiscent of Korn’s earliest and most unbridled material, but
there’s also a modern refinement that’s epic in its execution. Korn definitely don’t lose sight of their roots
on Remember Who You Are, but they also venture into uncharted darkness. All that truly matters is
where they’re going. The album strikes a balance between their past and their future, as it finds the band
reuniting with producer Ross Robinson, who manned the boards for their first two records, all the while
joining forces with Roadrunner Records, the world’s leading rock label.
With Korn III – Remember Who You Are, it’s their time...
Korn bleed with unsettling and unpredictable aggression on Remember Who You Are’s 10 tracks.
“Oildale (Leave Me Alone)” buzzes with an eerie clean guitar that slowly gives way to a steamrolling
bass and riff assault. “Move On” morphs from a myriad of creaking tones into an explosive vocal freak-
out that’s impossible not to connect with it on a visceral level. Then there’s the neck-snapping “Fear Is A
Place to Live” tempering deadly guitar dissonance with an unforgettable chorus. This is Korn reborn.
The Venue: What is the name of the current album Korn is set to release?
Munky: “Korn III Remember who you are”
The Venue: When is the projected release date?
Munky: I think it is July 13th
The Venue: How long did it take to record in the studio?
Munky: About six months was taken for the recording
The Venue: How many tracks on the upcoming album?
Munky: There are 10 and I think we are going to add a bonus track as a special edition.
The Venue: At what age did you pick up a guitar?
Munky: I picked up a guitar when I was thirteen.
The Venue: How many guitars do you currently own?
Munky: I own somewhere in the range of 75 to 80 guitars.
The Venue: Which guitar is your favorite and why?
Munky: The first one that comes to mind is a double neck Gibson that I had bought on ebay. We were
in Europe and our tour manager at the time was friends with Jimmy Paige and he signed the back of the
neck for me so I thought that was pretty cool. He signed it “Keep up the good work”. He also came out
to the show that night watched the whole set, came backstage later on and hung out and had a few beers
with the band. We talked for a while and he is a really nice guy.
That’s definitely my favorite of all my guitars.
The Venue:: It is rumored that you have burned guitars, how many have you burned and is it part of a
live set?
Munky: Only one and no its not part of a live set.
The Venue: Do you always break guitars?
Munky: Sometimes but not always intentionally.
The Venue: When was it that you looked around and realized Korn had become Rock stars? Munky:
Today!!
The Venue: Did you always know that Korn would be as successful as it is today?
Munky: You know its like we were very persistent about playing music and making records, I don’t think
we ever thought it would last as long as it has, especially at this level and I am very grateful to have a
successful career as a musician especially in this time with the downloading and the file sharing. We
never dreamed it would become this big we are very grateful . We go to South America and countries
we have never been and there are 10,00 people at every show.
The Venue: What has been your strangest encounter with a fan?
Munky: There was a time in Pennsylvania this kid brought an actual road kill, he had a real skunk
which was dead of course and I thought that was very odd he wanted me to sign it.
The Venue: Outside of the U.S. where is your favorite place to tour?
Munky: I like Europe its so rich in history and the fans are great.
The Venue: What should fans expect of The Mayhem Festival?
Munky: They should expect to have alot of fun and listen to alot of great music.
To come out take the day off get away from the BS in their everyday lives and have alot of fun with Korn
& Rob Zombie, a day to get away from everything.
The Venue: What would Korn like to say to the world?
Munky: Thank you for always being there for us!!
throbbing guitar riffs, syncopated chaotic funk beats, a schizophrenic bass thump and an unmistakable
cathartic howl. Emerging from the depths of Bakersfield, California with a sound unlike any other in 1994,
Korn have been able to cement themselves as one of the most important bands in rock n’ roll history.
Over the course of eight full-length releases, Korn have sold in excess of 30 million albums and played
countless sold-out shows worldwide. They’ve won two Grammys—one for Best Short Form Video for
“Freak on a Leash” from 1998’s Follow the Leader and one for Best Metal Performance for “Here to
Stay,” from 2002’s Untouchables—and have launched a massively successful festival of their own, The
Family Values Tour. However, despite all their massive success and accolades, Korn haven’t lost hold
of the savage, raw energy that made them such a crucial band for diehard rock and metal fans. Korn are
one of the preeminent voices of this generation.
Their ninth offering, Korn III —Remember Who You Are, is their first effort for brand new label home,
Roadrunner Records, and it bursts at the seams with that very feeling that defined the band from the get-
go. Each song unleashes an uneasiness reminiscent of Korn’s earliest and most unbridled material, but
there’s also a modern refinement that’s epic in its execution. Korn definitely don’t lose sight of their roots
on Remember Who You Are, but they also venture into uncharted darkness. All that truly matters is
where they’re going. The album strikes a balance between their past and their future, as it finds the band
reuniting with producer Ross Robinson, who manned the boards for their first two records, all the while
joining forces with Roadrunner Records, the world’s leading rock label.
With Korn III – Remember Who You Are, it’s their time...
Korn bleed with unsettling and unpredictable aggression on Remember Who You Are’s 10 tracks.
“Oildale (Leave Me Alone)” buzzes with an eerie clean guitar that slowly gives way to a steamrolling
bass and riff assault. “Move On” morphs from a myriad of creaking tones into an explosive vocal freak-
out that’s impossible not to connect with it on a visceral level. Then there’s the neck-snapping “Fear Is A
Place to Live” tempering deadly guitar dissonance with an unforgettable chorus. This is Korn reborn.
The Venue: What is the name of the current album Korn is set to release?
Munky: “Korn III Remember who you are”
The Venue: When is the projected release date?
Munky: I think it is July 13th
The Venue: How long did it take to record in the studio?
Munky: About six months was taken for the recording
The Venue: How many tracks on the upcoming album?
Munky: There are 10 and I think we are going to add a bonus track as a special edition.
The Venue: At what age did you pick up a guitar?
Munky: I picked up a guitar when I was thirteen.
The Venue: How many guitars do you currently own?
Munky: I own somewhere in the range of 75 to 80 guitars.
The Venue: Which guitar is your favorite and why?
Munky: The first one that comes to mind is a double neck Gibson that I had bought on ebay. We were
in Europe and our tour manager at the time was friends with Jimmy Paige and he signed the back of the
neck for me so I thought that was pretty cool. He signed it “Keep up the good work”. He also came out
to the show that night watched the whole set, came backstage later on and hung out and had a few beers
with the band. We talked for a while and he is a really nice guy.
That’s definitely my favorite of all my guitars.
The Venue:: It is rumored that you have burned guitars, how many have you burned and is it part of a
live set?
Munky: Only one and no its not part of a live set.
The Venue: Do you always break guitars?
Munky: Sometimes but not always intentionally.
The Venue: When was it that you looked around and realized Korn had become Rock stars? Munky:
Today!!
The Venue: Did you always know that Korn would be as successful as it is today?
Munky: You know its like we were very persistent about playing music and making records, I don’t think
we ever thought it would last as long as it has, especially at this level and I am very grateful to have a
successful career as a musician especially in this time with the downloading and the file sharing. We
never dreamed it would become this big we are very grateful . We go to South America and countries
we have never been and there are 10,00 people at every show.
The Venue: What has been your strangest encounter with a fan?
Munky: There was a time in Pennsylvania this kid brought an actual road kill, he had a real skunk
which was dead of course and I thought that was very odd he wanted me to sign it.
The Venue: Outside of the U.S. where is your favorite place to tour?
Munky: I like Europe its so rich in history and the fans are great.
The Venue: What should fans expect of The Mayhem Festival?
Munky: They should expect to have alot of fun and listen to alot of great music.
To come out take the day off get away from the BS in their everyday lives and have alot of fun with Korn
& Rob Zombie, a day to get away from everything.
The Venue: What would Korn like to say to the world?
Munky: Thank you for always being there for us!!
