Two Jessie Malakouti demos leaked onto the Internet this week. "Who's that Man" and "Jungle Town" were produced by Xenomania:
» Who's That Man
» Jungle Town
Jessie Malakouti began working with Xenomania when she was part of Shut Up Stella. Once the group finished, she flew to the UK to work as a writer on Girls Aloud's Out of Control.
But she saved those songs for herself: «The songs felt like mine, emotionally, so, when Brian [Higgins] said we could keep the songs for me to record, I was more than happy!».
The Xenomania-produced "Standing Up For The Lonely" was set to be released as a single on Hard2Beat/ Ministry Of Sound, but only ended up on a few dance compilations. A 4-track megamix of her Xenomania collaboration is still available to listen/download here.
Four new acts who consist of people that have previously worked with Xenomania and no longer are with the team: Jessie & the Toy Boys, D E K A D E, Lite N Dark and Alex Vargas
JESSIE & THE TOY BOYS
Sounds like: Bubblegum 80s pop with an urban edge
Jessie Malakouti began working with Xenomania while she was a member of female trio Shut Up Stella. When she went solo, she worked with several producers, including Xenomania. During the time she worked with the team, she sang backing vocals for the Pet Shop Boys and went on a UK tour supporting The Saturdays.
The Xenomania-produced "Standing Up For The Lonely" was set to be released as a single on Hard2Beat/ Ministry Of Sound, but it only ended up on a few dance compilations. A 4-track album sampler/megamix of her Xenomania collaboration is still available to download here.
Her latest musical endeavour is called Jessie and the Toy Boys (the "toy boys" are mannequins, because "mannequins don't talk back and are easy to write songs with"). Jessie has been working with David Gamson from Scritti Politti, Matt Squire and Sam from The Bravery, Scott Storch, Richard Vission, Howie D. and Lil' Eddie.You can listen to her new demos on MySpace.
Andy Taylor and James Taylor started working with Xenomania when they were still known as The Electric City. Later they became a duo and changed their name to NiteVisions. More recently they have rechristened themselves DEKADE and are now working with producer Flood.
Andy and James, the sons of Andy Taylor and Roger Taylor from Duran Duran, continue the growing trend for male synth pop duos and take inspiration from the dark pop from the 80s and late 70s, when people like Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and New Order ruled the world.
Their new Flood-produced tracks can be heard on DEKADE's MySpace. The Xenomania-produced "Fire" can be found here.
Sounds like: Electro-pop-rap with hard club beats and boy-girl vocals
Katie McKenna (17) and Tim Talbot (21) met in the Xenomania house: Tim was playing keyboards for a new Xenomania act and Katie, as a recently scouted future starlet, was recording vocals.
Months later, once they had both left Xenomania to work on other projects, they met again and decided to team up as a duo. Their music is said to be a mixture of Soulwax basslines, Timbaland synths and Gaga rhythms.
Lite N Dark have been in the studio with Andy Taylor (from DEKADE - see above) and Matt Peel. For now their songs can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp.
Their first ever live show had Britt Love of Mini Viva fame behind the decks. Click here to watch an amusing video from their Xenomania days, with Katie, Britt and Maxine making a rap about Xenomania and Westerham.
Sounds like: Rocking tunes with a soulful spirit and an electro twist
Alex Vargas was signed to Geffen Records in 2008 and formed the band Vagabond, the first act launched by Xenomania. Vagabond released their Xenomania-produced debut album, You Don't Know the Half of It, in 2009. Earlier this year the group announced their decision to split.
Throughout 2009, Vagabond toured the UK supporting artists such as James Morrison, McFly and The Script, and they also performed at Glastonbury, T in the Park and V music festivals in the UK.
Alex is currently writing and recording his debut solo album in London and Los Angeles. You can listen to four demos on his MySpace: "Supernova", "Higher", "Mr. Heartache" and "One Track Mind".
Brian Higgins made his DJ debut at the Ponystep party on April 24th.
The Daily Record published an article about "the chart-toppers you've never heard of.. the songwriters" where they mention Xenomania, Cathy Dennis & Ryan Tedder. Read it here.
There's a thread on the Popjustice forums about Xenomania that was set off by the question "Xenomania: past their prime?". The answer to that is obviously a big "NO" but it still makes an interesting read.
A bunch of unreleased Shayne Ward songs leaked last week. A couple of them sound like they might have been produced by Xenomania.
We've posted about the Almighty cover of "Jump Off" by The Banned of St Trinian's but we forgot to mention that they previously recorded a version of another Xenomania song: Gabriella Cilmi's "Sweet About Me". Visit Almighty's website to listen and buy.
Dekade (previous incarnations: NiteVisions + The Electric City; have worked with Xenomania, are now working with Flood) are receiving rave reviews from Popjustice, Daily Star, Yahoo! Music and Disco Potential. They will be performing tonight at Camden Crawl. Listen to the track "Haunt You".
Jessie Malakouti has been working with Scott Storch, Richard Vission, Howie D. and Lil' Eddie. Follow her on Twitter to see what she's up to.
Alex Vargas, previously the lead singer from Vagabond, is working on new music. Listen to a few demos on his MySpace and follow him on Twitter.
Whatever situation you might be in, here is a list of songs for Valentine's Day, all of them written and produced by Xenomania:
SONGS ABOUT LOVE
Girls Aloud - It's Magic (2005) Key lyric: "With you, only you, I know that I can be myself / Funny how I could find love with you and nobody else"
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - If You Go (2007) Key lyric: "I've got my summer sun, I'll take my love and run, I got you babe"
Pet Shop Boys - Love etc. (2009) Key lyric: "I believe, call me naive, but love is for free"
Natacha Atlas - When I Close My Eyes (feat. Myra Boyle) (2003) Key lyric: "You're shining in my eyes, walking on my ocean, sailing in my skies every time I see you there"
Girls Aloud - Untouchable (2008) Key lyric: "Without any meaning we're just skin and bone, like beautiful robots dancing alone"
SONGS ABOUT LUST
Dannii Minogue - All I Wanna Do (1997) Key lyric: "All I wanna do is touch you"
Vagabond - I've Been Wanting You (2009) Key lyric: "Keep it going baby, you know I don't need no sleep / 'Cos the urge is getting stronger, more of you is what I need"
Girls Aloud - Graffiti My Soul (2004) Key lyric: "Out the bedroom, down the stairs, along the carpet, no one cares / On the table, on to the floor, it's procreation - and nothing more"
Girls Aloud - Watch Me Go (2005) Key lyric: "I wanna feel that funky fever, baby I'm at the door / Got the keys, got the gasoline / Pour it on, I'm ready to blow - ow!"
Girls Aloud - Money (2006) Key lyric: "Getting deep-deep-deep and then I'm gonna... gonna beep your beep-beep and then I'm gonna... jump on that man!"
Girls Aloud - Fling (2007) Key lyric: "Nothing more than a fling, baby, fling, baby / Just a bit of ding-a-ling baby, bling baby / Don't want relationships, so swing, baby"
SONGS FOR BROKEN HEARTS
Alexis Strum Nothing Good About This Goodbye (2003) Key lyric: "Tell me, will you miss me when I'm in your history? / Baby, there ain't nothing good about this goodbye"
Mini Viva - I Wish (2009) Key lyric: "And I go oh-oh no, he could be the one who hits the light inside my soul"
Girls Aloud - Whole Lotta History (2005) Key lyric: "Baby, I miss you, so tell me, is she really that beautiful? / Each time she's kissed you, tell me, is it really that good for you?"
Sugababes - Never Gonna Dance Again (2007) Key lyric: "I lost the rhythm when you said it's over / And as the final record starts to fade / I feel the dancefloor turning colder"
Jessie Malakouti - Standing Up For The Lonely (2009) Key lyric: "I saw the warning signs from the start but I never thought you'd break my heart / I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind"
SONGS FOR MOVING ON
Sugababes - Hole In The Head (2003) Key lyric: "Seven hours since you went away, 11 coffees, Ricky Lake on play / But late at night up when I'm feeling blue, I'd sell my ass before I think of you"
Rachel Stevens - Funny How (2005) Key lyric: "My heart got tired, it's way past three, take these fools away from me"
Frank - Complicated (2006) Key lyric: "Don't, I'm better on my own, just leave me all alone 'cos I feel suffocated"
Mania - DNA (2004) Key lyric: "I'm no maniac, don't want you back, I won't retract - no way"
Saint Etienne - Lightning Strikes Twice (2005) Key lyric: "Everyone should have a reason to believe, so I still believe that lightning could strike twice for me"
Moonbaby - I'm Thru With Love (2000) Key lyric: "Had it up to here, I'll take a running jump if any boy comes near / I'm thru with love, it didn't do much for me"
Jessie Malakouti is set to be launched in the new year. Her first official single, "Standing Up For The Lonely", will be released on January 18th, with her debut album following in the spring.
News of the World recently tipped her as Xenomania's «pop princess for 2010», while the latest issue of GayTimes describes her as «the (implausibly conceived) lovechild of Britney, Gwen and Lene from Aqua», adding that she «was born to be a pop star».
Jessie grew up in a place where people «did drugs, joined a gang or got out». While growing up, she listened to pop music like Annie Lennox, Madonna and Cyndi Lauper - women with «a real strong sense of identity». She says: «Music saved me. At 16, I drove to Hollywood and lived out of my car. It gave me stars in my eyes and I dreamed of a glamorous life.»
She was a member of Shut Up Stella for a couple of years, when she met Brian Higgins. Once the band finished, she flew to the UK to work as a writer on Girls Aloud's Out of Control. But she kept the songs for herself: «The songs felt like mine, emotionally, so, when Brian said we could keep the songs for me to record, I was more than happy!».
She spoke to RWD magazine about working with the team: «Xenomania don't try and change who you are, they just take your best qualities and enhance them». Jessie has incorporated her experiences into her music, which is all self-penned. «It's who I am, it's almost like it's tattooed on my heart», she says.
Big Stereo is hosting a remix contest for Jessie Malakouti's "Standing Up For the Lonely". The winner’s remix will be included on the digital single release and will also receive software from Ableton.
"Standing Up For The Lonely" is Jessie Malakouti's debut single in the UK. Popjustice described the song as «a defiant modern disco record with a slightly mournful, triumph-over-adversity element» and says that she «is destined for quite big things».
Jessie Malakouti is signed to Hard2Beat Records/Ministry of Sound and has been working with Xenomania on her debut album. A 4-track album sampler/megamix is available to download on her website.
Standing Up For The Lonely lyrics:
Everyone told me to stay away from you But I couldn't listen, I couldn't shake the way that you move I saw the warning signs from the start But I never thought you'd break my heart - my heart
I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind and baby every time... You said you're sorry and call me Oh, if only you could read my mind you'd figure in time
My dirty angel you've done it now - it's too late You put your footprints into the ground - a careful mistake I lay in your bed cold, craving the sun - Oh no... And I used to think you were the one- the one
I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind and baby every time... You said you're sorry and call me Oh, if only you could read my mind you'd figure in time
Feeling down and so vulnerable we're calling your bluff give me a reason why you can't keep your story straight- And babe I've had enough! I refuse to get emotional No, this will take more... Put fire out with fire- dirty liar gonna even up the score!
I'm standing up for the lonely and the lovers that you left behind and baby every time... You said you're sorry and call me Oh, if only you could read my mind you'd figure in time
[Written by Jessie Malakouti, Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Lisa Cowling, Tim Powell, Matt Gray, Fred Falke & Sacha Collisson]
Girls Aloud's "Sound Of The Underground" was selected by The Telegraph as one of the songs that defined the decade. The article says that «Xenomania’s blend of electro and guitars set pop production standards». See the full list.
The new single mix of Jessie Malakouti's "Standing Up For The Lonely" premiered last Friday on Scott Mills' Floor Fillers - skip to 0:44:00 to listen to the song. "Standing Up for the Lonely" will be released in November.
The limited edition of Annie's Don't Stop is available to pre-order here. The special edition comes with an exclusive bonus CD.
Alesha Dixon's latest album will be re-released on November 22nd. The album, retitled The Alesha Show - The Encore, will include three new tracks.
Pet Shop Boys' Chris Lowe said in an interview that the reason the duo worked so well with Xenomania is because «there was such enthusiasm and such enjoyment of pop music»: «You don't meet that many people who are really into pop and the joy that you can get from listening to a great pop record — that euphoria, that shiny sound.»
In another interview, Chris also said that part of the pleasure of recording Yes was being part of the “whole pop experience” that is the Xenomania hit factory: «Girls Aloud were hanging around. You’d go into the sitting room and they’d all be there with their laptops. We had lunch with Alesha Dixon.» The experience reminded the Pet Shop Boys of the 1980s music scene, when they were pivotal figures in nightclubs, the Top of the Pops studio and European music festivals.
Jessie Malakouti updated fans on her MySpace blog, talking about what happened to the song "Trash Me".
The song received attention after Britney Spears released "If You Seek Amy", which sounded suspiciously like "Trash Me". More recently, the song was covered by Heidi Montag. "Trash Me" was written by Jessie Malakouti over two years ago, while she was still in her old band Shut Up Stella. Jessie writes:
«"Trash Me" was circulating around the industry and getting lots of buzz. So much buzz, that I was flown to Sweden to write and record with some other unmentionables for a week. A couple of okay songs came out of the trip, but I didn't have the same connection with the unmentionables that I did with Xenomania. So I signed to Xenomania and began working on my debut album.
Fast forward a few months, and a little tune called Trash Me "If U Seek Amy" comes out by Britney Spears, which was funny enough stolen written by these same Swedish unmentionables I had thought were my friends. To add even more salt to the wound, Heidi Montag decides to murder cover my song, and gets more recognition than I ever did for my own art.»
Now Jessie is moving on and is focused on the songs she's written with Xenomania. She says: «I've always prided myself on being ahead of the sound, and really feel like the songs I am writing with Xenomania are the future of pop!».
Her first official single, "Standing Up For The Lonely", will be out soon. A 4-track album sampler/megamix is available to download on her website.
21-year-old American singer/songwriter, professional dancer and actress. "Standing Up For The Lonely" is Jessie's official first single, to be released on Ministry of Sound on 21st September. Popjustice describes the song as «a defiant modern disco record with a slightly mournful, triumph-over-adversity element» and says that she «is destined for quite big things». Jessie is working on her debut album, to be released later this year.
British pop/rock band fronted by Brooke Gengras, a fantastic singer and performer from Brooklyn, NYC. Brooke has been a member of bands such as the soul-influenced Rider and Lez Zeppelin (an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band), before being spotted by Xenomania's A&R. Pageboy are signed to Geffen and have been gigging for the last six months. Earlier this year, Pageboy were selected by The Times as one of the hot music acts of 2009.
Links:MySpace, Twitter Upcoming shows:
10 Aug 2009 Monto Water Rats, Londont
17 Aug 2009 LIVE at 229, Great Portland Street, London
ELIZA NOBLE
21-year-old singer/songwriter from London. Eliza Noble started singing and playing guitar when she was 11 and she also plays the piano. She has been gigging for the last few years and is currently working on new music with Xenomania.
Listen:The One Way (demo) Links:MySpace, Twitter Upcoming shows:
5 Aug 2009 The Fly, London
10 Aug 2009 Monto Water Rats, Londont
MAXINE
16-year-old girl from the Bronx, NYC. Maxine Ashley is a sassy/soulful singer who's one part Neneh Cherry, one part Beyoncé. She has just started out with Xenomania.
Influences: Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, India Arie, Paramore, Panic At The Disco.
17-year-old from Scotland, recently signed to Universal Records after a bidding war between three record labels. It's the biggest deal Universal has signed since Mika. He's been doing a weekly residence at Water Rats and recently performed at T in the Park - The Herald says he was «soulful and youthfully confident». Alex is currently working on his debut album, due this Autumn.
Links:MySpace Upcoming shows:
Aug 5 2009 - The Fly, London
Aug 17 2009 - Showcase:LIVE, London
NITEVISIONS
Once part of the Electric City, the singer Andy Taylor and guitarrist/writer James Taylor have started up a new band called NiteVisions, with a leaner, more electro sound. Read a review of one their gigs: «(...) it has always been evident that these boys can write a Pop song, and if these early glimpses of Night Visions are anything to go by, the Taylors just keep getting better. This short set was brimming with 80’s synth sounds, jagged guitar work, phat with a capital ‘P-H-’ slap and slide bass lines and Indie-Disco drum beats».
Soulful soloist with a big voice. Once signed to Island as part of The Rushes, Gez O'Connell joined the Xenomania family this year and is one of their newest stand out talents. Recently performed at the iTunes festival.
JFK
Xenomania's in-house band, now turned into a "proper" band. They usually provide live backing for some of Xenomania's new roster of acts (those that don't actually have/are a "band" - Mini Viva, Jessie Malakouti, Alex Gardner, Eliza Noble).
Members: Jason Resch, Florrie Arnold, Kieran Jones
MINI VIVA
Mini Viva are Britt Love (20, Mini) and Frankee Connolly (19, Viva), a pop duo looked after by Xenomania and managed by Spice Girls’ former manager Simon Fuller. Debut single "Left My Heart in Tokyo" is already C-listed on Radio 1 and is Scott Mills' Record of the Week, 6 weeks before its release on September 7th. NME named Mini Viva «the next biggest girl band in the universe» and The Guardian says that Mini Viva are «the act most likely to encourage a productive dialogue between indie and pop, between the art world and the chart world». Mini Viva's debut album is out in November.
International five-piece pop/rock band with a bluesy and soulful sound. They have been crafting their sound under the guidance of Brian Higgins/Xenomania and are signed to the newly reformed Geffen Records UK. Vagabond release their first physical single "Don't Wanna Run No More" on 3rd August 2009. Their debut album You Don't Know The Half Of It is available August 17th. Vagabond are heading out on tour this month, having previously toured with artists such as James Morrison, McFly and The Script. The Guardian says they could be «the world's biggest new band».
Upcoming shows:
6 Aug Bush Hall London
7 Aug Bristol Cooler Bristol
8 Aug Southampton Joiners Southampton
10 Aug Nottingham Bodega Nottingham
11 Aug Manchester Moho Manchester
12 Aug King Tuts Glasgow
14 Aug Cockpit Leeds
15 Aug Norwich Arts Centre
17 Aug Masque Liverpool
22 Aug V-Festival Stafford, Northwest
23 Aug V-Festival Chelmsford, East
Jessie Malakouti's debut single, "Standing Up For The Lonely", premiered last Friday on Radio 1's Floorfillers with Scott Mills. You can listen to the song on Radio 1's website - the show will be available to stream until the end of the week.
"Standing Up For the Lonely" will be released on 21st September 2009, on the Ministry of Sound label.
Jessie Malakouti went on tour supporting The Saturdays last month. Here's some behind the scenes footage from the tour:
Jessie Malakouti has finished her UK tour supporting The Saturdays. She has a few live dates lined up for the next couple of months:
-- 16 Jul 20pm Apple iTunes Festival -- 25 Jul 20pm Hallam FM’s Music City Event, Sheffield -- 15 Aug 20pm Rock FM’s Rock In The Park, Preston
Jessie's debut single "Standing Up For the Lonely" will be released on 21st September 2009, on the Ministry of Sound label.
Go to her YouTube page to watch all the webisodes from the tour and keep checking StandingUpForTheLonely.com to read her blog and keep up with the latest updates.
Click here to see a set of pictures of one of Jessie's latest shows.
These are the songs that Jessie Malakouti performed while supporting The Saturdays. Watch a few random clips:
Jessie Malakouti's new single, "Standing Up For The Lonely", is the "Song Of The Day" on Popjustice.
Popjustice describes the song as «a defiant modern disco record with a slightly mournful, triumph-over-adversity element»:
«Xenomania-backed solo popstrel - and former member of defunct LA trio Shut Up Stella - Jessie Malakouti is currently on tour with The Saturdays ahead of a big bells and whistles-type launch in the coming months.
Depending on which Jessie song you're listening to her voice is a bit like late-80s Madonna, a bit like early-90s Kylie and/or a bit like mid-2000s Gwen and the singer 'has what it takes' to be a popstar in a way most buffoons thrown out onto a stage kind of don't. They used to call it 'x-factor' but now we are not allowed to mention that phrase because it makes people think of Louis Walsh's stupid face.
'Standing Up For The Lonely' is a defiant modern disco record with a slightly mournful, triumph-over-adversity element that's filtered its way through everything from 'I Will Survive' to, perhaps not entirely coincidentally, Cher's 'Believe'. It's the lead track on a megamix sampler thing you can download from Jessie's website - it also features a bit of 'Crash Bang Baby' and various other hits-to-be.»
Jessie Malakouti is currently on a UK tour supporting The Saturdays. These are the remaining dates of the tour:
June 16 The Hexagon, Reading. June 17 Cliff Pavillions, Southend. June 20 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. June 25 Brighton Dome, Brighton.
Head over to Jessie Malakouti's brand new website StandingUpForTheLonely.com to read her blog and download a 4-track megamix/sampler.
The sampler includes the following songs: 1. Standing Up For The Lonely 2. Crash Bang Baby 3. Who's That Man 4. Jungle Town
Jessie is currently supporting The Saturdays on tour and is receiving quite a good response from the audience. Visit her MySpace to see upcoming live dates.
If you've been to a show, you can e-mail Jessie and tell her what you thought of it through the address standingupforthelonely@gmail.com.
Each night on the tour, Jessie is pulling a fan out of the crowd to film a "webisode". Watch the first one here.
There's also a few other live videos on YouTube right now. This is Jessie performing her upcoming single "Standing Up For The Lonely":
The inaugural Xenofest - a mini festival/garden party to showcase six of the acts signed to Xenomania Records - was held last Friday. The Xenomania mansion was open to receive journalists, PRs and record company people.
GQ describes the Xenofest as a "hit", adding that "pop music 2009/2010 is safe" in Brian Higgins' hands. Journalist Johnny Davis writes: «Xenomania's A&R girl had spent the last 18 months globe-trotting for talent - and their roster now included a throaty funk band, two Eighties-indebted indie-pop boys and a LA singer who'll give Pink a run for her money in the hair 'em, scare 'em stakes. Higgins himself stalked the garden in a zipped-up leather jacket, looking like a cross between Mark Fowler down the EastEnders market and an over-enthusiastic teenager.» Read the complete article ("Inside the hit factory") here.
Performing at the Xenofest were Mini Viva, Nightvisions, Pageboy, Vagabond, Alex Gardner and Jessie Malakouti. Read a few reviews:
-- MINI VIVA GQ: «two girls who share a Manchester flat together, whose future disco single "Left My Heart In Tokyo" sounded irresistible» This Must Be Pop: «I'd only heard the remixes that are on their MySpace before this, so I was hugely impressed with the proper songs. (...) Everyone was singing along when they played the studio version just after the performance, and most of us had only heard it once before.»
-- NITEVISIONS (aka The Electric City part 2) GQ: «euphoric electro-pop was so perfectly reminiscent of the Eighties someone joked they could have been Duran Duran's children - which, indeed, it turned out they were (the sons of Taylors John and Andy; Simon Le Bon's nephew was briefly on drums but was dismissed after being found to be "crap")» This Must Be Pop: «A male electro-pop band who were compared by audience members to Veto Silver and Phixx, but everyone agreed that Night Vision weren't as good as either of those bands. They easily got the least positive reaction of the night.»
-- VAGABOND GQ: «throaty funk band» This Must Be Pop: «I was surprised that they didn't do their current single, which is doing quite well and has grown on me quite a lot. They made up for it with good hair, and I can see them being one of the more successful of the Xenomania acts, but I could also see them being a big flop. Only time will tell!»
-- PAGEBOY GQ: «singer Brooke Gengras was discovered fronting all-female Led Zeppelin tribute act Lez Zeppelin in a New York bar and was just as brilliant a performer as that description would lead you to believe.» This Must Be Pop: «She's different to the other artists Xenomania has worked with, more of a singer-songwriter who might appeal to fans of Feist or Regina Spektor, but of course she's adding a Xenomania twist which will give her an edge over other similar acts.»
-- ALEX GARDNER This Must Be Pop: «A very young Scottish singer who seems like he could make a good popstar and is apparently high priority at the record label, but I didn't think any of his songs were especially good. I hope they'll find him something better to release, or he'll just be another in the track record of Scottish male popstars with disasterous careers. »
-- JESSIE MALAKOUTI GQ: «a LA singer who'll give Pink a run for her money in the hair 'em, scare 'em stakes». This Must Be Pop: «(...) the new stuff is excellent and apparently she's releasing a song through the Ministry of Sound label, which may be a good approach to take. She's gone from a Britney sound to a one-girl Girls Aloud, and I'm fine with that.» Popjustice: «Jessie is destined for quite big things - her tunes are pretty incredible and she's currently on tour with The Saturdays.» Jessie Malakouti is supporting The Saturdays on tour. Tonight is her first night.
GQ magazine writes that Brian Higgins is «notoriously exacting»: «you either work his way, or you're packed off on the train back to Victoria. Franz Ferdinand failed to see things his way for their recent album and went home with their tails between their legs (and a resulting album that dropped off the edge of the Top 40 pronto), and he'll neither confirm nor deny the rumours he once reduced Victoria Beckham to tears.»
«He expects his charges to put in long hours; something that doesn't always work with pop stars' schedules/egos and is the antithesis of producers like Pharrell Williams, who pride themselves in being able to knock out a Beenie Man b-side in an afternoon. "I can give Kylie a Top Five record in an afternoon," he once told me. "But what's the point in that?"»
«(...) Higgins' home is practically a stately home. It's certainly a house, a very big house, in the country. There's a swimming pool, ducks wandering past in the garden, rolling acres of greenery. Alice Liddell, on whom Lewis Carroll based Alice from Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, used to live there. (Higgins recently sold the Bentley, but that just left more room for the fleet of private reg cars on the gravel drive.)»
Jessie Malakouti will be going on a UK tour this summer with girl group The Saturdays.
The Saturdays' "Work Tour" kicks off tomorrow. Jessie has lined up nine support dates, and the first one will be on 9th June. British singer Pixie Lott is also confirmed as an opening act for the tour.
Jessie Malakouti is an American singer-songwriter, professional dancer and actress. She has been working on her debut album, collaborating with Xenomania and other producers such as Arnthor Birgisson, Justin Trugman, Lester Mendez, Matt Rowe and Wayne Rodrigues.
Jessie's official first single is expected to be released this Summer, while the album should be out later this year. She's recently done a few backing vocals on Pet Shop Boys' latest album.
Support dates:
09 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Newcastle City Hall w/THE SATURDAYS 10 Jun 2009, 8 PM - UEA w/THE SATURDAYS, Norwich 12 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Regent w/THE SATURDAYS, Ipswich 13 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Corn Exchange w/THE SATURDAYS, Cambridge 14 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Colston Hall w/THE SATURDAYS, Bristol 16 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Hexagon w/THE SATURDAYS, Reading 17 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Southend Cliffs Pavilion w/THE SATURDAYS, Southend 20 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Civic Hall w/THE SATURDAYS, Wolverhampton 25 Jun 2009, 8 PM - Brighton Dome w/THE SATURDAYS, Brighton
Feeling lonely? Jessie Malakouti will be doing a live chat thing on Facebook today. Jessie will be chatting on live video at 11pm GMT (UK time) / 3pm PT / 6pm ET. What you need to do:
1. Login to Facebook 2. Search for the SUPER WALL app or go to it if you already have it installed 3. Once you have the app added to your page, click on MUSIC at the top to get to the backstage area to chat with Jessie.
Jessie Malakouti has recently been back at the Xenomania studios writing and recording. Follow her on Twitter. and visit her MySpace page to listen to some tunes.
Alex Gardner has posted a live video of "Yesterday's News", performed recently at Water Rats, in London:
--- Attitude Magazine's blog has written a review of Xenomania's showcase from earlier this month:
«Pop children alert! This week the good folk at Xenomania Records, producers of all sorts of pop brilliance from Girls Aloud to the new (and amazing) Pet Shop Boys long player, held a showcase of their new talent at Notting Hill Arts Club.
This secret society of top-notch songwriters/producers, who are usually holed up in a country house in Kent, were in London to show off the new talent they rounded up in 2008 and hope to launch in 2009. And we were there. GET US.
Attitude was particularly a digging Mini Viva, two 18-year-old ladies in leggings, hi-tops and a way round synth pop stormer. Basically, the look is two teens on a dance stepper and the vibe is catchy-as-hell pop.
Plus, boy wonder Alex Gardner was simply lush, as they say in the Valleys (possibly).
Basically, Xenomania + the kids from Fame should = the best thing to hit the charts since the last best thing. Check out Xenomania Records for all Xenomania’s children.»
--- Watch recent videos of Xenomania's children playing live: This is Alex Gardner performing "Yesterday's News":
Pageboy 24 Feb 2009, 10:00 PM - Zigfrid Von Underbelly, London, - £5 18 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London, - £6 Mini Viva 25 Feb 2009 19:00 - Water Rats, London 4 Mar 2009 20:15 - Water Rats, London
Jessie Malakouti 24 Feb 2009, 07:00 PM - Zigfrid Von Underbelly, London 04 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - Monto Water Rats, London 10 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - The Dublin Castle , London 16 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - Notting Hill Arts Club , London (invite only) 23 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - Monto Water Rats w/Jefree Star , London 07 Apr 2009, 07:00 PM - Monto Water Rats , London
The Electric City 27 Feb 2009, 08:00 PM - West Rocks @ Shepards Bar *DJ set*, London 18 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - The British Music Embassy @ Latitude 30, Austin, Texas 19 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - offical SXSW showcase at WAVE, Austin, Texas 20 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - SXSW, Austin, Texas 21 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - SXSW, Austin, Texas 22 Mar 2009, 08:00 PM - SXSW, Austin, Texas
Vagabond (view all live dates) Vagabond are giving away tickets for their next London show (March 3rd @ The Troubadour). Guest list is limited, so first come first served. Email your name to: eliza@locomotionent.com.
Xenomania is a songwriting and production house based in Kent, England. It was founded by songwriter and producer Brian Higgins.
Since 1996, Xenomania have written, produced and remixed tracks for a string of successful artists including Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys, Sugababes, Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Saint Etienne, Cher, Gabriella Cilmi and many others.
