No less a harbinger of ‘what’s hot’ than Perez Hilton who has predicted that L.A.-based singer/songwriter Katy Perry will be “one of the breakout stars of the summer” when Capitol Records releases her debut album, ‘One of the Boys’, on June 17th, 2008.

Katy Perry will also join the traveling rock circus that is the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, for the entire trek this summer.

‘One of the Boys’ is a sharp and witty pop-rock gem filled with candid tales of neurotic ex-boyfriends like “Hot N Cold,” “Ur So Gay” (watch video), “Mannequin”, crazy road trips with friends with “Waking Up in Vegas”, and figuring out who you are along the way, with first single – “I Kissed A Girl” and “Fingerprints”.

While the album displays Perry’s feisty, girl-power swagger, it also reveals her more vulnerable side on such regretful ballads as “Lost,” “I’m Still Breathing,” and “Thinking of You.”

“I think people can appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides, and this album has many different colors,” Perry says. “I can write my share of angry break-up songs but I wanted to balance it out with fun, summertime songs. But there are also sad songs about loss and making the wrong decisions. It’s been blood, sweat, and tears making this record. I’ve put everything into it and I feel like it’s my baby. When people listen to it, I hope they will understand where I’m coming from as a person.”

To showcase her sharp, observational lyrics and big, charismatic voice, Perry worked with a host of noted producers and collaborators, including Greg Wells (Mika, Natasha Bedingfield), Glen Ballard (No Doubt, Alanis Morrisette), Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Max Martin (Leona Lewis, Robyn), Sam Hollander & Dave Katz (Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls) and Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas). “You can’t get better than these guys,” Perry says. “I feel like the luckiest bit** in town right now.”

‘One of the Boys’ is the full-length follow-up to Katy Perry’s debut digital EP, ‘Ur So Gay’ (available on iTunes since last November), which has already earned the 23-year-old Santa Barbara, CA, native a solid fanbase.

Perry performed “Ur So Gay,” a hilarious kiss-off to a guyliner-wearing ex that Blender called “wickedly funny” and Billboard called “zeitgeist-capturing,” on Last Call With Carson Daly on April 8th. The video for the clip, which premiered on MySpace had close to one million plays within one week of it being posted to the site. Perry has also been tapped for Yahoo!’s Who’s Next Critical Eye and MSN’s Ones to Watch for June.

Katy Perry will play a handful of live dates this spring on both coasts before heading out on the Vans Warped Tour. “Warped is going to be grueling and hot, but I’m ready to survive it – even without showers,” Katy says. “Gwen Stefani did the tour back in 2000 with No Doubt and she looked fabulous hopping around on stage in her little polka-dotted dresses. You can find YouTube clips of her up there and all the girls in the audience are going nuts. I’m am so channeling that.”

Katy Perry April 2008 shows:

April 11, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club (Vans Warped Tour Kick-Off Party)
April 24, 2008 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

Photo credit: Michael Elins

Katy Perry on amazon.com

Katy Perry on amazon.co.uk

Get to know music’s newest dynamite diva by visiting her websites:

Katy Perry on Myspace
Katy Perry’s Blog
Katy Perry

Reuters reports that after years of supporting Greenpeace, Dave Stewart is now planning to release a single, “Go Green” on iTunes April 17th. Featured on the environmental friendly song include such artists as Annie Lennox, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan, Imogen Heap, Natalie Imbruglia, Nadirah X and was written by Dave Stewart and produced by Glen Ballard. “Go Green”, available through Greenpeace Works, is expected to help promote green and environmental issues.

The “Go Green” single release comes after Al Gore’s announcement of the upcoming Live Earth; Save Our Selves, SOS – The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis event. Live Earth will include a series of concerts set to take place at various locations around the world on July 7th, 2007 in a bid to raise awareness of climate change.

I’ll look forward to hearing “Go Green”, especially since Bonnie Raitt will be included on the track. It’s always good to hear her voice – and the fact that she and Annie Lennox will be working together on this green song is interesting indeed.

The Greenpeace Works website has a behind the scenes video with Dave Stewart talking about the making of “Go Green” and how it came about. There are also clips of the song included.

For more information, go to:

Greenpeace Works

Dave Stewart – Weapons of Mass Entertainment Website

Greenpeace

Earth Day is April 22, 2007
Earth Day Network Website

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By: Jenny May