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Post by sevgli on Dec 7, 2009 16:45:18 GMT -5
RT @sabrinasiddiqui: Check out my convo with @anoopdoggdesai on pg 8 of this week's South Asian Times (http://bit.ly/7ICdl9)
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Post by rebecca on Dec 7, 2009 19:54:34 GMT -5
I was happy to see South Asian Times supporting Anoop. I was also happy to read that Anoop is going to focus a bit more on pop music. He sounded really great singing with Jason Mraz, and I would love to hear more of that type of music from him. Anoop's voice is amazing, I want to actually hear it clearly in his songs.
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Post by sajah14 on Dec 8, 2009 2:20:32 GMT -5
yeah! yeah!
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Post by sevgli on Dec 8, 2009 16:55:56 GMT -5
(from Alice's tweet) www.examiner.com/x-24653-North-Carolina-TV-Talent-Examiner~y2009m11d23-NC-Idol-finalists-touted-for-their-successNC Idol finalists touted for their success Former American Idol contestants dominated the American Music Awards performances last night, which ended with a controversial number by 2009 runner-up Adam Lambert. CNN marked the occasion today with a slide show featuring successful finalists who didn't win the show entitled, "It pays to be an 'Idol' loser." Of the seven who are featured, four are from North Carolina. Of Kellie Pickler, CNN says that her three CMT awards, along with her "BFF relationship" with Taylor Swift, have "cemented her status as an 'It Girl' in country music." Another country music success, Bucky Covington, launched his first album after his season on American Idol with "the best first week sales of any male country singer in fifteen years." Of Raleigh's Clay Aiken, who has recorded four albums and an EP, toured eight times, written a NY Times bestseller, and starred on Broadway in "Spamalot" since coming in second in 2003, CNN says he "took his reality show loss and turned it into pop stardom." Chris Daughtry, the final NC Idol featured, performed his current hit "Life After You" at the AMAs with his band, "Daughtry." After a surprise elimination from Idol in fourth place in 2006, CNN notes that "later that year there wasn't a top 40 station in the country that wasn't intimately familiar with the North Carolina rocker." In addition to these Idols, NC has one American Idol winner, Fantasia, who won the show's third season, and a finalist from the most recent season, Chapel Hill's Anoop Desai, currently in LA penning songs and working on a career as an R&B singer. What is it about North Carolina and American Idol success? Why do you think so many NC contestants, regardless of whether they win or lose, have gone on to such success following the show? >>> Anoop's really destined to make it BIG & why not? he's giving it his 126% =)
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Post by yoko71 on Dec 11, 2009 22:09:22 GMT -5
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Post by sevgli on Dec 13, 2009 10:01:51 GMT -5
Anoop Desai continues musical career pursuitsDecember 9, 2009 Lindsay SaladinoStaff Writer Anoop Desai makes an appearance with Stuart Scott at Late Night With Roy in October. Courtesy of Carly Brantmeyer.This article was published in the 2009 Year in Review issue of The Daily Tar Heel. Former UNC Clef Hanger Anoop Desai launched his musical career in 2009, making his way to the Top 7 on American Idol and touring the country. With a “yes” from all four American Idol judges and a “Welcome to Hollywood,” Desai’s summer 2008 audition in Kansas City started his journey with the show. This first step began Desai’s rise to fame during the past year. Time at UNC During Desai’s years as an undergraduate at UNC, he was committed to the Clef Hangers, the University’s oldest all-male a cappella group. The Clef Hangers perform several shows on campus every year. Desai was president of the group his senior year. “As a friend, Anoop is one of the most down to earth and loyal friends you could have,” said Andrew Simpson, music director of the Clef Hangers. Becoming an Idol While singing was always an important part of Desai’s life, it wasn’t until former Student Body President Eve Carson’s death that he decided to pursue that dream in honor of her. Desai had a strong fan base from UNC that supported him during the show. American Idol Season 8 began airing Jan. 13, 2009. Returning to UNC Desai returned to UNC on Nov. 8, performing in Memorial Hall for Homecoming and performed at the State Fair in Raleigh on Oct. 22. In an interview in October, Desai said he wanted to perform in the Chapel Hill area. Desai is currently pursuing his musical career in Los Angeles. He is recording and working with some friends, said Ryan White, president of the Clef Hangers. “The past year totally did a 180 on my life,” Desai said in an October interview. “It’s been great. And it all happened because I took that first step.” Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
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Post by sevgli on Jan 10, 2010 19:06:59 GMT -5
from diana RT MB www.examiner.com/x-16075-Manhattan-Events-Examiner~y2010m1d10-Youth-in-Revolt-Premiere-Malan-Breton-talks-Fall-2010-and-CharityYouth in Revolt Premiere: Malan Breton talks Fall 2010 and Charity January 10, 4:05 PMManhattan Events ExaminerShaina Moskowitz Malan BretonExaminer.com caught up with Malan Breton at the New York premiere for "Youth in Revolt" this week. The special screening was presented by Three Olives Vodka. It turns out Malan was Danielle Staub's guest for the evening. "We actually became friends on the finale taping of "The Fashion Show" when we shot at Cipriani's downtown." Malan says he is working on designing some pieces for "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star. Fashion week is also coming up! Malan's show will be on February 17th. It turns out Malan is also a philanthropist. His show will have a charity twist to it!! This is what Malan had to say about the show: "It's gonna be a huge sort of Bollywood style spectacular. Like last season I did the ballet and we had ballet dancers from American Ballet Theater and a 35 piece orchestra and the whole thing. Well this time, it's going to be like a Bollywood movie. But there's also going to be a charity that is tied into it that actually deals with adoptive services for children in India that are are abandoned by their parents. One of my nieces is actually adopted from this organization...It's a very personal connection." The name of the organization that Malan is involved with is called Care+Share. Care+Share is an international NGO working in and around the city of Vijayawada, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Their person-to-person sponsorship program benefits over 5000 children living in the city's slums and nearby villages. Over the years, Care+Share has rescued over 1000 children from the streets of Vijayawada - 600 of them now live in our Daddy's Home campus, which opened its doors in the year 2000. Another village - Butterfly Hill, which is meant as a home for HIV+ children and AIDS orphans - is currently under construction. And Care+Share also runs a host of other programs serving slum dwellers, sex workers, and those displaced in the wake of natural disasters. For more information visit: www.careshareindia.org/Malan's new collection will have some Indian influences and is also inspired by the metropolis. This season Malan is feeling lots of color like blues, reds and greens. Malan also just launched his menswear line and Anoop "Noop Dog" Desai from American Idol did a photo shoot wearing one of Malan's blue suits. Malan's designs will also be featured in Vogue next month! Check out our interview!
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Post by sevgli on Jan 11, 2010 1:34:45 GMT -5
www.2space.net/news/article.php?art=251906&ut=1263181812Anoop Desai, a former American Idol contestant, sings the national ... Jan 11th, 2010 (AP) - Anoop Desai, a former American Idol contestant, sings the national anthem before the start of an NCAA college basketball game between North Carolina and Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Jim R. Bounds) Read @ Yahoo
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Post by sevgli on Jan 15, 2010 20:07:18 GMT -5
www.okmagazine.com/2010/01/oks-idol-round-table-former-finalists-dish-on-week-1/OK!’s Idol Round Table: Former Finalists Dish on Week 1 January 14th, 2010 6:45 pm / Author: OK! StaffMikalah Gordon, Anoop Desai, Diana DeGarmo and Megan JoyOf the more than a million people across the country who have auditioned for American Idol, only a few dozen know what it’s truly like to live the Idol life. And that’s why OKmagazine.com brings you Idol Round Table, where former finalists Mikalah Gordon, Anoop Desai, Diana DeGarmo and Megan Joy — and some special guests — will share their insider insights on the new season. This week, the Round Table discusses early front-runners, Paula Abdul’s absence and whether or not AI can survive the departure of Simon Cowell. Mikalah, who covered the early auditions as a correspondent for the TV Guide Channel, had a chance to get up close and personal with the hopeful. “There were a few standouts to me,” she says about the Boston tryouts. “I will say Maddie Curtis was amazing. She has an old soul just like Kara said… loved her and have much respect for her. Benjamin Bright was also very good, along with Ashley Rodriguez who had a great audition!” Both Maddie and Ashley made Megan Joy’s list of early faves, though she saved a special shout-out for Justin Williams: “GO SANDY, UTAH BOY!” she cheered. As for Atlanta, Mikalah said she had mixed emotions. One stand out: Holly “Guitar Girl” Harden” “That voice came out of her… Seriously?” recalls Mikalah. “She reminds me of Kellie Pickler. Vanessa Wolfe, who we saw jumping bridges and living in small town Tennessee has the ability to be very good, but I’m worried she will be so far out of her element. But my favorite of the day was Jermaine Sellers who sang ‘What if God was One of Us’! He had such control over his vocals it was fabulous.” This week was also the first chance for everyone to see how the Idol fared without original judge Paula. For his part, Anoop tells OK! he’s taking a wait-and-see attitude. “It’s hard to tell, but the rotating judge spot has held up so far,” he explains. “The real test will be during Hollywood week when Ellen DeGeneres joins the judging table. That’s when we’ll see how the dynamic between the panel plays out.” When she first heard the news of Paula’s exit, Megan says she couldn’t imagine the show without the offbeat judge, but the new format is growing on her. “I love Paula and certainly have a spot in my heart for her, so it’s weird to not see her for sure,” Megan says. “But I loved Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blige… I am just so happy and proud that I was a part of last season with both Paula and Simon.” Mikalah puts the whole situation in perspective, saying, “I love Paula, and I will miss her when I go to visit this year. But honestly you can’t tell yet that she is gone. That’s probably because it’s just the auditions, so check back with me on this question when the top 24 starts.” So if the show has managed to stay afloat without mainstay Paula, does that bode well for a Simon-free future? “If they revamped everything, yes,” opines Mikalah. “If they keep it exactly how it is, absolutely not. Who wants to watch Randy and Kara poke fun at all the outrageous people? Simon is the one that made that work. Simon is what people go to the auditions to see. I’m worried for American Idol after Simon exits. He is the biggest draw to the show.” Megan’s outlook is slightly more upbeat. “I can’t see Idol ever being the same again once Simon is gone, but now we will have two new shows to look forward to,” she explains, referring to Simon’s decision to leave AI for the new American edition of UK hit The X Factor. “It will be crazy!” Speaking of emotions, we asked the panel what it’s like now that they’ve transitioned from Idol finalists to Idol watchers. “Any time I hear the Idol theme music, my stomach does a little turn,” says Anoop. “That simple jingle makes me feel like I’m about to go on stage and sing in front of the country… It’s been more than a year since I auditioned, but I still remember the waiting, the uncertainty, and the stress of the first one. I definitely feel for all of the singers — good and bad.” Confesses Megan about watching the premiere, “I felt pretty emotional the whole time watching. I even dropped a couple tears a couple times. It brought back all of the emotions (excited, nervous, scared, so many things) of what it felt like to be standing in front of them… Too wild. I also just felt extreme love and appreciation.” Despite being the youngest member of the Idol Round Table, Mikalah, who was only 16 when she auditioned for the show, is the veteran of the bunch. “Since today is my 22nd birthday, it has finally hit me that it has been five years since I was in their spot,” she recalls. “I have excited emotions for everyone auditioning, but also sad because only one person gets to win.”
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Post by sevgli on Jan 21, 2010 23:56:30 GMT -5
content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/01/anoop-desai-rooting-for-john-park/1Anoop Desai: Rooting for John ParkAnoop Desai, a member of the Season 8 has found someone he can identify with in American Idol Season 9: John Park. Both Anoop and John Park held the musical director's position with their college a cappella groups -- Anoop with the University of North Carolina's Clef Hangers, John with Northwestern University's Purple Haze. "Coming from an a cappella background, I'm always happy to see people from that background break into, for lack of a better term, mainstream music," says Anoop, who plans to release a single called My Name in March, with an EP or album following later in the spring. "If he makes it past Hollywood week, it'll be a real treat for him, I imagine, to get to sing with Rickey Minor's band. "I'll be rooting for him, definitely, as I will be for all the guys." Anoop, who says he had never performed in front of a band prior to Idol, says performing a cappella music "prepares you in the sense that you're often times in very intimate places performing, where you have to bring it or people are going to get bored. It does a bad job of preparing you for singing with accompaniment. The whole idea of a cappella, and the reason it's so rewarding to sing with an a cappella group is that it's so organic. "Going from that to an environment where you don't have any control and you don't know what the accompaniment is going to do, you don't know how those people play, you don't know their tendencies, that's a real shocker. … You are for the first time in control of only what you're doing." Anoop says another challenge John might face on Idol has to do with his range. "Pop music today is so dominated by tenors and sopranos," he says. "You don't hear a lot of low, male voices outside of country music. "Idol is so big on those big notes to end songs. John's going to have to look out for that, because he has a lower voice." Anoop has the following advice for this year's singers, something he says he wishes he had figured out a few weeks earlier than he did: "As much as anything, it's a show about reinvention -- not only reinvention of yourself but reinvention of the song you're singing, but reinvention of yourself. "Obviously, everyone who gets in the Top 12 is going to be a good singer, at the very least. You're competing with a lot of good singers who can sing their own songs, maybe write their own songs. But that's not the realm you're dealing with. You're dealing with 'Take this song, and make it better.' That's very, very hard to do." Anoop says he also was impressed with Matt Lawrence's performance of Ray Lamontagne's Trouble during the Orlando audition show: "I was on the phone with someone, and this guy started singing. I put the phone down. It was that sort of reaction. I'm really, really excited about him."
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Post by sevgli on Jan 22, 2010 18:16:14 GMT -5
Part 2 of the interview content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/01/anoop-desai-preparing-debut-set/1Jan 22, 2010 Anoop Desai preparing debut setAfter the American Idols Live tour ended last year, Anoop Desai moved to Los Angeles and waited. He waited for the record companies to approach him. He waited for the managers to come calling. After a few weeks, he realized he needed to stop waiting. "It turns out I had to do a lot of the legwork myself," says the North Carolina native, who placed sixth during the eighth season of American Idol. "So that's what I've done, and it has turned out better than I expected." Anoop plans to release his first single -- My Name, written with Season 6 finalist Brandon Rogers -- in March and follow that with a collection of songs, tentatively titled All Is Fair, later in the spring. "The album is more in the pop vein, more in the R&B vein," he says. "The goal is to capture different moods, different states of mind through different styles of music. ... More than anything, the album is telling a story -- my story, from the beginning of my experience with women until now." Anoop says he has already tracked seven or eight songs for All Is Fair. "It's just a matter of getting them into the studio and producing them, mixing them and mastering them. At the same time, I'm still writing every day. If something emerges that's better, we'll put that on there, too." In addition to his writing with Brandon, Anoop has been collaborating with Season 6 semi-finalist Jared Cotter, Nashville pop singer-songwriter Josh Hoge and David Mikush, a friend from Anoop's college a cappella group, the Clef Hangers "He was always supposed to be the guy who 'made it,'" Anoop says. "Even though we're best friends, we never really wrote together before this year." In the U.S., All Is Fair likely will see only a digital release. But Anoop says he's also exploring opportunities in India and hopes also to have a physical release there. "A lot of my contacts have great contacts for distribution in India," he says. "I'm very excited about it. A lot of the music we're writing -- just because of how I write and what I think is cool -- has an Indian element to it." Before Idol, Anoop was pursuing a graduate degree in folklore at the University of North Carolina. "There is something in me that naturally gravitates and links on and absorbs everything about whatever culture I'm in," he says. "I'm able to take aspects of different cultures and use them as part of something new." While Anoop's not working on a full-on Bollywood album or anything, he estimates that about half the tracks he's cut so far incorporate tabla and/or sitar. "I think that's a cool vibe," he says. "That's something I've been experimenting with a lot in my music -- sort of bringing pop, R&B and Hindi music into one vein. "Both of the cultures I consider myself to be a part of -- the South and India -- have rich musical traditions, rich food traditions, rich literary traditions. It's something that has been really nice for me, because I can draw from those rich traditions and feel part of them at the same time." Thanks Anita for larger picture
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Post by sevgli on Feb 5, 2010 20:18:15 GMT -5
(via MalanBreton's tweet) www.fashionwindows.net/2010/02/style360-fall-2010/STYLE360: The Cool & Hip Fashion Week DestinationNEW YORK, Feb 5, 2010 / FW/ — Fashion week is not just about clothes; it’s also about style, contemporary culture and parties. For the past 7 years, STYLE360 has been exploring the symbiotic relationship among the fashion subsets and for Fall 2010, STYLE 360 is taking this tradition to the next level. And this new edition begins on Saturday, February 13th when Style360 bids adieu to Ugly Betty. Hosted by Joonbug.com (its first Fashion Week party) with ELLE this season, the event will feature performances by Fabolous, Pras Michel, Josh Madden & Charles Hamilton and a fashionable farewell to ABC’s “Ugly Betty.” The widely anticipated debut of bebe – Kardashians, hosted by Kim Kardashian, as well as a launch party for their new Soho boutique also happens at Style360. Pete Wentz’s line Clandestine Industries will have a high energy, rock concert feel with music by DJ Skeet Skeet and live performances by Bad Rabbits and Chiddy Bang. The show will also include a live art installation by Tristan Eaton. Returning once again are celebrated designers Walter and Project Runway alumnus Malan Breton, who have been part of STYLE360 for the past three seasons. Breton’s Bollywood themed show will include a special performance by a popular American Idol finalist as well as celebrity catwalkers, including a royal Housewife. Australian based sheepskin footwear and apparel company Emu will join the STYLE360 roster for its first NY Fashion Week appearance. STYLE360 – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday, February 13th 9pm: Joonbug.com with cast of Ugly Betty Monday February 15th 6pm-8pm: bebe Launch Party Tuesday, February 16th 10am: bebe Kardashians Fall Fashion Collection 3pm: Walter Fall Fashion Collection 7pm-8pm, show at 7:45pm: Clandestine Industries by Pete Wentz 9pm- Clandestine Industries by Pete Wentz After Party at the Andaz Wall Street Wednesday, February 17th12:30pm: Emu – Fall Fashion Collection 4pm: Malan Breton Fall Fashion Collection
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Post by sevgli on Feb 6, 2010 8:17:11 GMT -5
via ADN tweet blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/02/05/anoop-desai-of-american-idol-recording-in-nashville/comment-page-1/#comment-6770 News Anoop Desai of 'American Idol' recording in Nashville
Published byDave Paulson on February 5, 2010 Add Anoop Desai to the increasingly long list of American Idol finalists making connections in Music City. Desai, who came in 6th place in last year's season of Idol, is in Nashville this week wrapping up work on his upcoming single, "My Name." "Name" will be featured on All Is Fair, a 6-song EP due in May. Desai plans to release a new EP every six months.The North Carolina native isn't in town to stay, however — he's now based in Los Angeles. Still, he wouldn't be out of place in Nashville, as he's well known for his smooth soul version of the country standard "Always On My Mind."
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Post by sevgli on Feb 9, 2010 21:27:00 GMT -5
via ADN tweet www.okmagazine.com/2010/02/oks-idol-roundtable-anoop-mikalah-diana-dish-on-last-week-of-auditions/ OK!’s Idol Roundtable: Anoop, Mikalah & Diana Dish on Last Week of Auditions February 9th, 2010 4:55 pm / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
57800944Of the more than a million people across the country who have auditioned for American Idol, only a few dozen know what it’s truly like to live the Idol life. And that’s why OKmagazine.com brings you Idol Roundtable, where former finalists Mikalah Gordon, Anoop Desai and Diana DeGarmo — and some special guests — will share their insider insights on the new season. This week, we asked our experts what they thought of the last week of auditions, before Hollywood Week begins on tonight’s episode. We wanted to find out how they felt about Victoria Beckham’s return as guest judge, whether they’re anticipating Ellen DeGeneres’s big judging debut, the memories that stuck out to them the most from when they were auditioning, and how they feel the judges are doing so far. “Victoria Beckham really cracks me up! I like her style of judging and I think she is a nice Simon [Cowell] buffer,” jokes Diana. “He does seem to be nicer and funnier when she’s around!” OK!’S IDOL ROUND TABLE: FORMER FINALISTS DISH ON WEEK 1 Mikalah also loved seeing Posh return, adding, “I love Victoria Beckham so I was very excited to see her again. My very first concert when I was younger was the Spice Girls,” she recalls. “She knows what this business is all about so her input is huge.” Whether they’re appearing in front of a guest judge or not, potential contestants are under a lot of pressure, something Anoop knows all about. “I remember the judges tearing the girl who went before me apart. I guess I thought that the bad auditions weren’t real, but I was proved wrong,” Anoop remembers. “The judges laughed and tormented this girl, and I had to go in there right after.” OK!’S LIVE BLOG OF THE DENVER AUDITIONS Diana can totally relate to Anoop on the stress of the audition process, telling OK!, ” I remember feeling a huge rush of relief when I finally made it out of that audition room! So many emotions happen in that room and when you finally get that golden ticket, it’s almost like you can’t believe it!” As for the newest member of the judging panel, replacing Paula Abdul, everyone seems excited to see what Ellen can do! “I’m really excited to see what Ellen is like as a judge. She was always so supportive to me while I was on the show, and I hope she keeps supporting the talent of the contestants this year,” explains Anoop. “I am PUMPED to see Ellen!” Diana told OK! after last week’s episode. “I really hope great things for Ellen, but it is going to be strange not seeing Paula anymore.” OK! POLL: DO YOU THINK ELLEN & SIMON ARE ALREADY FIGHTING? All three of our Idolers also agreed that the montages and profiles of singers are a little much, and that the show should focus more on the singing. “I do enjoy the backstories and the packages on the contestants, but at the end of the day, it is a singing show,” Anoop admits. “I see nothing wrong with focusing on a contestant’s journey now, but as it gets deeper in the competition, that will matter less and less.” Diana and Mikalah also chimed in on their favorites from last week’s hopefuls: Diana: I really like Lacey Brown. She has a gorgeous, sweet voice and is cute as a button! The one who I cannot get out of my head, and wish I could, is Adrian Chandtchi. He is like a gentle giant, but when that soft voice comes out of that body it throws you for a loop! Mikalah: I loved Todrick Hall’s audition. I’m being slightly biased because I’ve known him for a while but he was great.
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faye
Junior Member
Posts: 52
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Post by faye on Feb 13, 2010 9:55:33 GMT -5
Can't figure out where to post this since it is from a blog and and not an actual article but... I just got this in my email notification this morning from this site www.castronovadesigns.com/2010/02/anoop-desai-all-is-fair.html"American Idol finalist, Anoop Desai is releasing his debut EP this May!! I thought Anoop was great on the show last year, but he kept getting in the bottom 3! I was always on edge. You can watch the video below where he shows off a clip of one of his new songs "Lost & Found". "Anyone know if this will actually be his his new album cover ?
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Post by sevgli on Feb 17, 2010 1:01:30 GMT -5
Anyone know if this will actually be his his new album cover ? wow!!!!
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Post by sevgli on Feb 17, 2010 1:07:46 GMT -5
From ADN's tweet www.okmagazine.com/2010/02/oks-idol-roundtable-breaking-down-hollywood-week-part-i/ OK!’s Idol Roundtable: Breaking Down Hollywood Week, Part IFebruary 16th, 2010 2:00 pm / Author: OK! Staff Of the more than a million people across the country who have auditioned for American Idol, only a few dozen know what it’s truly like to live the Idol life. And that’s why OKmagazine.com brings you Idol Roundtable, where former finalists Mikalah Gordon, Anoop Desai and Diana DeGarmo will share their insider insights on the new season. In preparation for tonight’s episode, here’s our esteemed panel’s take on the merits of Hollywood week. While American Idol is ultimately a solo-singing competition, every season features a group round during Hollywood Week — and this year, choreography was thrown in. We wanted to know what our Idol vets thought about the necessity of having a group trial in a solo competition. “I think the group portion of Hollywood Week is good because it shows more of the contestant’s character than anything,” Diana tells OK!. “Working with others, singing harmonies and learning choreography puts the contestants out of their comfort zone and can really show someone’s true colors.” OK!’S IDOL ROUNDTABLE: ANOOP, MIKALAH & DIANA DISH ON THE LAST WEEK OF AUDITIONS “I think they are necessary, absolutely,” Mikalah explains to OK!. “It makes you work the harmony parts and you will need the choreography for touring. If you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t be in the business at all.” Anoop also sees the benefit to having a group round, not necessarily because it prepares contestants for a future in a band, but because it’s a test of their strengths. “Well, they definitely make good TV! But the group round is mainly about seeing how you perform under pressure,” he explains to OK!. “The further down the line you go in American Idol, stress and time constraints are just part of the game. Performing under less than ideal circumstances is the norm. I think the show is justified in testing how resolute the contestants are early on. As we saw this year, one girl already cracked under the pressure and quit. The group round is meant to weed out the weak competitors.” OK!’S AMERICAN IDOL LIVE BLOG: HOLLYWOOD WEEK NIGHT 2 Our panelists agree that watching the newcomers hit the stage in Hollywood has sparked a flashback of their own time competing on AI. “Every time I hear the theme music I have flashbacks,” Anoop admits to OK!. “I remember every vivid detail, whether it be how I chose my outfits or calling my mom, who was home at that point, to give her all the details. I remember us being split up into rooms (which they don’t do anymore) and being so nervous that I wasn’t in the right room. My stomach spins with nervous excitement every time!” Mikalah had a similar reaction to the start of Hollywood Week, telling OK!: “When the contestants marched out on stage for their first audition, I started getting nervous for them and remembering my own time there,” she dishes. “The setting was the same, the drama was the same (although, thankfully, I was never a part of any) and I empathized with the palpable tension that makes Hollywood Week what it is.” Another face of the show our esteemed panelists are all on board for? The addition of judge Ellen DeGeneres, who replaced Paula Abdul this season. “I have been so proud of Ellen!” Diana says. “Her comedic sensibility has been refreshing and real. She is going to be a lot of fun to watch through out the rest of the season.” “I think Ellen is doing amazingly so far,” Mikalah says. “She has been tough, funny and honest. She’s a great fit and isn’t really the ‘Paula’ of the show, which is good because Paula is her own person. I’m not feeling Paula’s absence yet. I think it’s because they aren’t focusing on it, so it’s not in your face like it was when it was first announced.” “I think Ellen is a terrific addition so far,” Anoop says. “Her criticism is fair and often funny. She’s been my favorite voice on the panel so far. She also draws some attention away from Simon, which I think is a good thing for the show and the performers.” According to our panel, one name to watch and pay attention to (if you haven’t already!) is Andrew Garcia, who did his own version of Paula’s “Straight Up,” which has often been covered in past seasons. www.myfoxny.com/dpp/entertainment/music/singer-anoop-desai-100217 Singer Anoop Desai
Updated: Tuesday, 16 Feb 2010, 9:18 PM EST Published : Wednesday, 17 Feb 2010, 5:18 AM EST Former American Idol contestant Anoop Desai has a new album, "All Is Fair" coming out this spring. Anoop is best known for his time as a finalist on the eighth season of "American Idol." This modern gentleman combines classic southern charm with a soulful, fresh appeal. His unique name means incomparable, a word he lives life by. Anoop broke boundaries and set new records in high school, college, and on "American Idol." * ANOOP'S WEB SITE * ANOOP'S IDOL BIO
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Post by yoko71 on Feb 19, 2010 13:58:27 GMT -5
Can't figure out where to post this since it is from a blog and and not an actual article but... I just got this in my email notification this morning from this site www.castronovadesigns.com/2010/02/anoop-desai-all-is-fair.html"American Idol finalist, Anoop Desai is releasing his debut EP this May!! I thought Anoop was great on the show last year, but he kept getting in the bottom 3! I was always on edge. You can watch the video below where he shows off a clip of one of his new songs "Lost & Found". "Anyone know if this will actually be his his new album cover ? It's nice. But I cannot find out whether this is done by a random artist to use as a part of his/her own portfolio (instead of actual commercial purposes). So I am holding off my judgement at this point.
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Post by sajah14 on Feb 20, 2010 3:04:21 GMT -5
yayyyyyyyyyyyy
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Post by sevgli on Feb 24, 2010 0:43:43 GMT -5
www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/anoop_desai_gZhs2cyjlLobRXURfom5JM Anoop Desai's advice for the Top 24: 'Don't expect to win!'
February 23, 2010 ι Jarett Wieselman More than any other "American Idol" cast, the class of season eight seems poised to produce the most actually successful non-winners. Not only do you have Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta getting major attention for their freshman projects, but Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds and Matt Giraud all have albums or tours in the first half of 2010. But Anoop Desai has not only beaten those guys to the punch, he might actually repeat before they're even out of the gate. Next month, 'Noop Dogg plans to release a six-track EP filled with new music. Then this fall, he plans to do it again. This is all part of his masterplan to stay at the forefront of his fans minds. As it turns out, having a grand plan is essential to surviving life after "Idol" -- and just one piece of advice Anoop has for this current crop of contestants! PopWrap: The Top 24 begins performing for America's votes tonight, what advice would you give them? Anoop Desai: Don't expect to win. I know that sounds bad, but what I mean is you have to formulate a gameplan. I assumed record companies would be knocking down my door after I was on TV every week in front of 30 million people. The fact is, anything you want in this industry, you have to do yourself. PW: Do you feel like you could have gone further last season if you played differently? Anoop: You have to go about the show from almost a business perspective. One thing I always used to talk about with Adam [Lambert] on the show was how he knew exactly what to do every week. He would manage expectations from himself and the audience so well. He played the game well, so that's what I would tell [the new Top 24]. You have to be a very astute individual, not only know what the record industry is looking for, but what your niche is and how to get into it. PW: You got to participate in Paula Abdul's last season as a judge, any thoughts on her replacement? Anoop: First off, I think Ellen DeGeneres is doing a great job -- she brings humor and a bit of that maternal instinct Paula had. Having said that, I'm honored to have been on the last season with Paula. She's such a great woman who genuinely cared about each and every person on that stage. PW: Any thoughts on Simon Cowell leaving, can the show survive? Anoop: It'll be hard. I just hope they don't go for something like Howard Stern -- that would be a huge mistake. So much of "Idol's" appeal has been Simon and his nastiness, so it'll be a challenge to find someone that can replicate his style of critique and his wisdom. Because no matter how you spin it, even if he's being mean, he's usually right. PW: As someone who's doing it right now, how difficult is it to go from "Idol" contestant to full-fledged recording artists? Anoop: We're in a unique position, we start our careers on top and that's not an easy place to leave. Throughout the process of recording my album, I've had no help from any of the labels that would have been happy to sign me while I was on "Idol." So right now, I'm trying to get back to the top -- and I have a lot of confidence in the single and the EP. PW: The single is called "My Name," what can you tell people about it? Anoop: I wrote it with Brandon Rogers [season six contestant]. The real kick of that song is the beat -- we were messin' around and decided to put an Indian-inspired beat on it and that gave us the fusion we were looking for, of pop and Hindi music. PW: Will that meshing of your musical and cultural backgrounds be a constant on all your CDs? Anoop: Not everything is going to have the Indian vibe to it -- it speaks to me, but I don't want to force it down people's throats. PW: You're planning to release multiple six-track EPs a year -- why? Anoop: We want to keep the music fresh. I want to keep giving my fans something to look forward to. PW: When can we expect the next one and what will that sound like? Anoop: The new EP will be out in May and titled "All is Fair." That's a collection of songs about relationships and experiences I've been through with women. After that, for the release in the fall, we're thinking about covering a different strand of life -- ever since I've left "Idol," I've had these amazing experiences, but it keeps coming back to the same feelings: wanting to go home, wanting fame and having to sacrifice happiness to find the balance. Anoop's first single, "My Name," will be available at the end of March February 23, 2010 ι Jarett Wieselman
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Post by sevgli on Mar 1, 2010 5:22:36 GMT -5
via MalanBreton's tweet www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/01/360533/desai-declares-independence.html#storylink=addthis Desai declares independence
Published Mon, Mar 01, 2010 02:00 AM Modified Mon, Mar 01, 2010 12:27 AM BY ADRIENNE JOHNSON MARTIN - Staff Writer While the latest Top 24 aspiring singers on "American Idol" are being whittled away, North Carolina's top 10 contestant from last season is beginning his next chapter. Anoop Desai was in town last week, at Raleigh's Osceola Studios finishing the vocals on an EP titled "All is Fair," which he'll release in May. A single, "My Name," comes out March 23. (You can follow him on twitter and at http://www.anoopdesai.com.) Although he lives part time in Los Angeles, Desai produced the EP in Raleigh and will release the music without the help of a record label. It's his choice, he says. Krogers "When I moved out to LA after the [Idol] tour, it was with the intention of getting a label and going the traditional route. But I began to see that labels are bogged down in bureaucracy and nonchalant in the work they have to do." By going the independent route, Desai says, he would always be the No. 1 priority. He already has some fame because of "Idol"; by taking control his success could be based on the amount of energy he put into his pursuit. "When the EP comes out in May, I'll know that all the writing, all the business stemmed from my effort. I can say 'I did that, I did all of it." The songwriting part is new to him, Desai says, ("I'm a melody guy.") but he co-wrote most of the songs on "All Is Fair." The title refers to the phrase that ends with "love and war," and Desai says the songs are personal, exploring things he's gone through in relationships. He says he wrote "My Name" with Brandon Rogers, a Season Six "Idol" finalist, sitting in a room in Los Angeles. From a few chords Rogers played, they built a tune that's part R&B, hip-hop and Bollywood, layered with sitar and Indian drums. The song's sensibility led to another connection at a photo shoot. Desai got to talking with former "Project Runway" designer Malan Breton about his coming New York fashion week show. The designer mentioned that his show would have a Bollywood theme. Next thing you know, Desai was singing his single as models strutted past, outfitted in a black lace, shawl lapel tuxedo. "I felt like I was wearing a piece of art," he says. Next up, Desai wants to tour to showcase his music, traveling to fans as far away as South Asia, the Philippines, the U.K. and Brazil. And maybe, he'll make it back for the N.C. State Fair.
"That was fun," he says of his appearance last year. "It was sort of thrown together because it was right after I finished the 'Idol' tour so there was no time to rehearse. I just called a bunch of friends and said 'Hey do you want to do this?' "It would be good for people to see me outside of the 'Idol' context, singing my own songs." adrienne.johnson@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4751
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Post by sevgli on Mar 2, 2010 14:54:35 GMT -5
via ADN's tweet dailytarheel.com/content/former-clef-anoop-desai-back-nc
Former Clef Anoop Desai is back in N.C.Wants to take ‘organic approach’ to music March 2, 2010 Jacqueline Kantor Staff Writer “I think this is the beginning of something big,” said Anoop Desai. DTH/ Phong Dinh Almost a year after his appearance on the eighth season of American Idol, UNC alumnus Anoop Desai is back in the Osceola Recording Studios in Raleigh where he originally performed with the UNC Clef Hangers. After a national tour with his fellow Top 10 Idol contestants, a brief, disheartening stint in Los Angeles and a return to North Carolina, Desai is currently preparing for the March 23 release of his first original single, “My Name.” It comes off his EP “All Is Fair,” which will be released in May. Desai plans to release a new EP every few months. His newest musical endeavor is an effort growing from the ground up, motivated by his experience in Los Angeles and the distortion of the music industry there. “L.A. is all about grasping for things it can promote. The consequence is new artists come out who can’t sing — they’re models,” he said. “I never wanted to get into that. I wanted to make music, but good music.”
When Desai was eliminated from the show in the spring of 2009 after reaching sixth place, he went on tour until September and moved to Los Angeles in October. He stayed for a few months before returning home to North Carolina, the state where he grew up and attended UNC. After returning to Los Angeles Monday, Desai will begin his promotional and press tour, followed by an international tour beginning in May that will include stops around the U.S., India, the U.K. and the Philippines.Desai hired his own public relations staff and manager, co-wrote and produced all of his songs and assembled a team that shared his goal of producing authentic, original music. “My approach to the music business is an organic one,” Desai said. Andrew Simpson, a member of the Clef Hangers, acknowledged Desai’s sense of individuality and dedication to his music. “Anoop was never one to go down a pre-prescribed track. He’s always enjoyed his sense of creativity,” Simpson said. Desai started working in November on “All Is Fair,” an EP with songs relating to the theme of love, he said. The styles of the songs represent some of the different facets of love — happy, sad, angry. His next EP will be about themes such as home, fame and anger. “I have so much faith, in the songs, to the people I’ve surrounded myself with. We’re making good art. I hope this is going to be the beginning of something big,” he said.Desai described “All Is Fair” as a pop record, despite the R&B presence he grew up with. The rhythm of the single, “My Name,” is influenced by Indian music, he said. “This gives it a different feel. It’s not generic by any means. I’m excited for people to hear this type of fusion,” Desai said. “With that Indian influence, I don’t think there’s anything like it on the radio.” The conglomeration of Indian rhythm, R&B influence and a pop style is what makes Desai appeal to audiences, Clef Hanger Hogan Medlin said. “His style of music is so interesting; it’s one of the things that appealed to people on American Idol,” Medlin said. “He’s an American Indian kid singing soulful R&B. He’s trying to market what makes Anoop, Anoop.” Despite his upcoming record release, international fame and the tendency to be stopped by people in cities across the country who voted for him, Desai, who only recently took himself off Student Central, said he maintains close ties to Chapel Hill and the University. “One thing I’m passionate about and will continue to be is supporting Chapel Hill and North Carolina, even when it comes time to do something big,” Desai said. “You can’t ‘rep’ N.C. and be in L.A. If you’re going to ‘rep’ N.C., you’ve got to be in N.C.”Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
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Post by sevgli on Mar 23, 2010 6:20:22 GMT -5
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faye
Junior Member
Posts: 52
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Post by faye on Mar 23, 2010 16:46:11 GMT -5
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faye
Junior Member
Posts: 52
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Post by faye on Mar 25, 2010 3:51:55 GMT -5
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