I was in the kitchen listening to the radio yesterday, and the familiar melody of the chorus and the lyrics “light up, light up” from the song “Run” by Snow Patrol came on, but with a female singer.

The more I listened the more I liked it, and then her voice gave me chills. It crossed my mind that it could be Leona Lewis, but I brushed the thought aside, and just listened to the rest of the song. Sure enough, the DJ announced that it was Leona Lewis.

A beautiful rendition of “Run”.

Watch “Run” video:

Leona Lewis on amazon.com

Leona Lewis on amazon.co.uk

“Run” is on the Deluxe Edition of Leona’s ‘Spirit’ album.

Leona Lewis Official Website
Leona Lewis MySpace

By: Jenny May

“Unstoppable” – Alicia Keys
“An amazing talent” – Leona Lewis
“The potential to be greater than what we have in the business” – Talib Kweli
“Lyrical genius” – Joell Ortiz
“The most unbelievably talented artist, writer and producer of our time” – Dallas Austin

Like the glowing blurbs slathered on the cover of a New York Times best-seller, advance praise for Rowdy/Capitol debut artist NOVEL is rolling in from collaborators and peers.

To ride the groundswell, rapper/singer/songwriter/producer Novel is hitting the road months ahead of the February 2009 release of his first album, THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY… His intent? To prove what the insiders already know – that he is destined to be one of the major names of this or any year.

Watch Novel video – he talks about the upcoming album:

THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY… was written, performed and produced entirely by Novel. Collaborations come from Dallas Austin, hit producer No I.D., Robin Thicke, DJ Toomp and Tony Reyes.

Novel’s first digital single “I Am,” featuring Ben Folds, Talib Kweli and Spree Wilson, releases on October 7, 2008; an album sampler follows soon thereafter. Also expect video footage from the tour on Novel’s web pages.

NOVEL, born Alonzo Stevenson, boasts a bloodline that can only be termed stellar: he is grandson of the immortal soul singer/Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Solomon Burke, and son of the Motown songwriter, producer and A&R executive Mickey Stevenson. But these legends become mere back story figures in the tale of a self-made man and talent. Born in Los Angeles, Novel and his mother crisscrossed the country. He cites his time in Philadelphia as a turning point; there, the music of Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone among others spurred his songwriting.

During one sojourn across the States, a call to an industry ally – now Novel’s manager – led to a chance meeting with impresario Dallas Austin, who mentored Novel as an all-around talent. Under Dallas’ tutelage, the singer/rapper would add lofty production and songwriting credits to his resume: India.Arie, Alicia Keys, Kelis, Joss Stone.

Skip to the present and Novel’s sung/rapped lyrics, at once deeply personal and satisfyingly literate, now sit atop his own arrangements and production. Novel is on the cusp of a major breakthrough, having engrossed today’s musical luminaries and innovators. Fans likewise won’t be able to put down THE AUDIOBIOGRAPHY…

Alicia Keys / Novel September 2008 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

9/12 – Foxwoods Casino – Mashantucket, CT
9/13 – Horseshoe Casino – Hammond, IN
9/14 – Proctor & Gamble Hall – Cincinnati, OH
9/17 – Wells Fargo Theatre – Denver, CO
9/18 – Abravenel Hall – Salt Lake City, UT
9/20 – WAMU Theater – Seattle, WA
9/21 & 22 – Orpheaum – Vancouver, BC, CAN
9/26 – Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
9/27 – Dodge Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
9/28 – Anselmo Valencia Ampitheater – Tuscon, AZ

Get the first read on Novel here:

Novel Official Website
MySpace

Enjoying one of 2008’s fastest on-line groundswells, following the digital release of its first single, Virgin Records singer-songwriter/guitarist Tristan Prettyman’s second album ‘Hello’ has entered the Billboard Top 200 sales chart at No. 27. This marks a career high in both chart position and weekly sales for Tristan.

The rapturously romantic first single and video, “Madly,” has proven to be an instant deal-closer for both physical and digital sales of the full album.

Driven by exposure of “Madly” as the iTunes Single of the Week, the complete ‘Hello’ album download immediately spiked to the No. 2 position in overall iTunes album sales, and has stayed there ever since, rubbing shoulders with newly-released heavy hitters by Mariah Carey and Leona Lewis, and such long-term hits as the Juno film soundtrack. 84% of first-week album sales occurred in full-album downloads on iTunes alone. At the same time, Tristan Prettyman’s 2005 Virgin Records debut album ‘twentythree’ also appeared – for the first time – in the iTunes album Top 50, coat-tailed impressively by the new album.

The irresistible consistency of ‘Hello’ was pointed out in a B+ Entertainment Weekly review that praised Prettyman’s “brisk vocals on “Echo”…the Southern-laced “A Little Bit” and the slow-burning “California Girl,” also pointing out “In Bloom” as a “lushly orchestrated ballad that could’ve been a lost track from Fiona Apple’s Tidal” and summing up Tristan’s talent as “maturing by the minute.” The overwhelming on-line reaction to Tristan’s album puts her in the company of such recent singer-songwriter breakthrough artists as Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles.

Tristan will appear on the cover of Foam Magazine (on stands May 15th, 2008) and will be profiled on the television entertainment magazine program Extra in the same month.

Tristan Prettyman continues to play headline dates through the end of April and makes a five-date swing through Japan in mid-May. Prettyman is also looking forward to a unique series of volunteer beach cleanup and restoration events between May and August 2008, sponsored by the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation.

For more information go to:

Tristan Prettyman Myspace
Tristan Prettyman

You will already know the stunning track “Apologize”, the smash-hit song that uber-producer Timbaland remixed for OneRepublic. It was one of the biggest selling singles of 2007 on both sides of the Atlantic, staying in the UK Top 10 for 13 weeks and making history by becoming the biggest ever airplay hit on US radio, with over 10,000 plays.

The first rock band to be signed to Timbaland’s record label, OneRepublic are now ready to take centre stage. Their new track “Stop and Stare” is set for release on March 3rd, 2008 through Moseley Music Group/Interscope Records, followed by their debut album ‘Dreaming Out Loud’ out March 10th in the UK. The album is produced by Greg Wells (Rufus Wainwright, Mika) and OneRepublic’s lead singer Ryan Tedder.

The LA-based band – singer Ryan, guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, bass and cello player Brent Kutzle and Drummer Eddie Fisher – have created a confident debut album, brimming with emotional lyrics, beautiful musical arrangements and stunning vocals.

‘Dreaming Out Loud’ is a 15 track tour de force. New single “Stop and Stare” is a fusion of anthemic guitars and insistent vocals and describes the common frustration of getting to a place in life where you think, “How in the world did I end up here, this isn’t where I wanted to be, watching what I wanted pass me by,” says the band. The original version of “Apologize” is a beautiful song that explores the personal pain of multiple relationships gone awry and the necessity of moving on. The gorgeous yearning “Prodigal”, the rock ballad “Say (All I Need)” and the hushed melody of “Come Home” come together to create a solid and passionate debut album from one of America’s rising groups.

OneRepublic have become one of the biggest bands on Myspace with over 20 million songs played and counting. Along with his band’s rising success, Ryan Tedder is a Grammy nominated writer and producer, and co-wrote the biggest UK single of last year – Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”.

Timbaland says of the band, “OneRepublic bring something out of each other. They work so well together and it’s a very natural chemistry.”

OneRepublic on amazon.co.uk

OneRepublic Official Website
OneRepublic on Myspace

‘With Love x’ opens with “A Moment Like This”, the sensational debut single from the delectable Leona Lewis.

This brand new collection of heart-felt songs is perfect for Valentine’s Day and Mothers Day 2008 with songs from this century’s biggest selling artists including; Westlife, Shayne Ward, Il Divo, Pink, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.

If that isn’t enough to tempt you, this compilation also contains timeless and exquisite classics from the greats Nina Simone, George Michael, Billy Joel, Toni Braxton, Elvis and Take That.

Show you care during the season of tenderness…With Love x.

Scheduled for UK release February 4th, 2008 on SonyBMG.

Track Listing: (To Be Confirmed)

CD1

1. Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This
2. Westlife – Home
3. Shayne Ward – Breathless
4. Scouting For Girls – She’s So Lovely
5. Alicia Keys – No One
6. Natasha Bedingfield – Soulmate
7. Il Divo – Nights In White Satin
8. Billy Joel – Just The Way You Are
9. John Barrowman – If You Leave Me Now
10. Pink – Nobody Knows
11. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
12. Lemar – Someone Should Tell You
13. Aqualung – Pressure Suit
14. Manic Street Preachers – You’re Love Alone
15. George Michael – Amazing
16. John Legend – Used To Love You
17. Jem – Wish I
18. Nina Simone – The Look Of Love
19. Toni Braxton – Unbreak My Heart
20. Eric Carmen – Hungry Eyes
21. Luther Vandross – Your Secret Love
22. Leanne Rimes – How Do I Live
23. Beyonce – Irreplaceable

CD2

1. Justin Timberlake – Lovestoned
2. The Fray – How To Save A Life
3. Avril Lavigne – When You’re Gone
4. Christina Aguilera – Hurt
5. Newton Faulkner – Dream Catch Me
6. Take That – How Deep Is Your Love
7. Teatro – Love Changes Everything
8. Elvis Presley – The Wonder of You
9. Michael Jackson – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
10. Dionne Warwick – All The Love In The World
11. The Zutons – Valerie
12. Gloria Estefan – Don’t Want To Lose You
13. Delta Goodrem – Born To Try
14. Anastacia – Left Outside Alone
15. Natalie Imbruglia – Glorious
16. Dido – Thank You
17. Cyndi Lauper – I Drove All Night
18. Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
19. Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (with my heart)
20. John Mayer – Your Body Is A Wonderland
21. Travis – Flowers In The Window
22. Will Young – Leave Right Now

Leona Lewis has just released new single, “Bleeding Love” off of her debut album ‘Spirit’, set for release November 12th, 2007 on SonyBMG. The X-Factor 2006 winner has been in LA recording her album, working with Simon Cowell, Clive Davis as well as top producers and songwriters.

After performing on X-Factor last Saturday night, Leona was on GMTV’s LK Today this morning talking about the new single and the upcoming album release. She said that she was involved in the songwriting process on some of the songs and was happy to release original material rather than all covers. She also performed “Bleeding Love” live. From what I could see it was just Leona and a backing track – no band.

Leona Lewis’ voice still sounds great – if not better than when she was on the X-Factor. “Bleeding Love” is catchy and is sure to make a grand entrance into the UK pop charts, especially considering her fans have been waiting quite some time for the opportunity to go out and buy her new single.

Watch Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” video:

Bleeding Love YouTube video link

Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” on amazon.co.uk

Spirit on amazon.co.uk

Leona Lewis Official Website

By: Jenny May