Tag: Boys Like Girls

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Features News

How the Gossip Sites Get the News Wrong

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

This week has been eventful for You Sing, I Write. My friend and colleague over at Seventeen Magazine alerted me to Perez Hilton’s latest “scoop” on Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson crushing on Taylor Swift. At first I thought, “Cool. He must have read my article.” But after reading his post I realized, Perez didn’t just read my interview — he PLAGIARIZED it.

After doing some digging, a friend alerted me to an article from OK! Magazine. It seems they developed the false story a few days ago to which Perez then picked up. Neither cited my original article and both were inaccurate with their quotes.

You see, it’d be one thing to exaggerate an article. Let’s face it, we all know none of the gossip sites are actually factual. But to completely steal someone’s work and not even attribute the quotes correctly is unprofessional and just plain sloppy. Both OK! and Perez claim Johnson said, “Taylor Swift is the perfect human being. She’s great. She’s such a nice, wholehearted, sweet girl, and she’s the biggest superstar in the world. My mom would be stoked if I brought her home.”

If you read my interview with the band from Jingle Ball, he never said this. Drummer John Keefe did. I wish this was the end of the debacle. Sadly, it isn’t. Turns out Johnson’s mom died after her battle with cancer a few years back. His fans took to Perez’s site to sling insults while Johnson simply tweeted “perez needs to check his sources.” and later, “obviously 100% of the american male population has a crush on taylor, but unfortunately I don’t have a mom to bring her home to.”

At the end of the day, this was a learning experience. And, while suing Perez Hilton and OK! Magazine isn’t realistic, I’m proud that I know enough about plagiarism and fact checking and came out the reliable source. Whoever says blogs aren’t the place to get the latest news must not be reading You Sing, I Write!

My request for all those gossip sites: get your facts straight and give credit where credit is due.

What are your thoughts? Do you read gossip sites to get music news? How would you have reacted in this situation?

Related Links:
• Q&A; with Boys Like Girls
• Q&A; with Taylor Swift
• Hundreds of Fans Camp Out to Meet Taylor Swift
• CMA 2009: Six Artists To Watch

Categories
Contest News

Do You Want Boys Like Girls to Play Your Prom?

My friend and colleague Tammy just filled me in on Seventeen Magazine‘s Ultimate Prom contest where you have a chance to win a performance by Boys Like Girls at your prom! All you have to do is upload a creative two-minute long video explaining why your high school deserves it. For more information, click here and watch the video below.

From December 18 to March 12, teen girls from all over the country can submit a video on Seventeen.com showing why they deserve a live performance from Boys Like Girls at their high school prom. Video submissions will be judged by Seventeen and Columbia Records.

“We couldn’t do what we do without our fans, so being able to be part of the ‘Ultimate Prom’ is just a small way of saying thank you to the people who make Boys Like Girls possible,” said Martin Johnson, the band’s frontman. “I wonder what I’ll wear…”

The first 10,000 to visit this site and sign up get free download of “Heart Heart Heartbreak.” And, if you haven’t read my interview yet from Jingle Ball with Boys Like Girls, be sure to here.

http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/4139796001?isVid=1&publisherID=4139489001

Categories
Interviews

Boys Like Girls

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

The music video for Boys Like Girls’ most recent single, “Two Is Better Than One,” featuring Taylor Swift, was just released last Friday. Have you seen it? I chatted with lead singer Martin Johnson (who also wrote the song), guitarist Paul DiGiovanni, and drummer John Keefe at New York radio station Z100’s Jingle Ball concert that very day and got the scoop on what it’s like working with Taylor Swift.

I just heard your duet with Taylor Swift and love it! How did that come about?
John: We saw her say something about us in The Wall Street Journal and our paths crossed.

Paul: She wrote something about us in the paper, and we saw it and got in contact and became friends. We finished up the whole song “Two Is Better Than One.” It was all produced and recorded and we wanted to make it a little bit better. We thought she would do a killer job on it and we just hit her up, and she said she’d do it and it was the coolest thing ever.

Have you found people to be receiving the new single well?
Martin: I just got told in the gifting lounge that one of the people had been to a wedding and the cover band was playing it as the wedding song. We are now a wedding band. [Laughs] I’m blown away. When people react to it and say, “That’s our song” or “That’s my song and that made me fall in love.” That’s really special.

How was working with Taylor Swift on the song?
Martin: It was amazing. She’s really such a nice girl. We had known her for a really long time and had been friends for a while. John played drums on Fearless and then she became the biggest star in the universe. It was like shooting for the stars asking her to sing on the record. We were so delighted and fortunate enough to have her on the record. It’s going to be fun to perform with her tonight.

You have been friends with Taylor Swift for a long time. Have you noticed a change in her?
Martin: No, she stayed the same the whole time. She’s the best.

John: Taylor Swift is the perfect human being. She’s great. She’s such a nice, whole-hearted sweet girl and the biggest super star in the world. My mom would be stoked if I brought her home.

Do you have plans for the New Year?
John: We’re going to Michigan to play a New Year’s show outside. It’s going to be awesome!

Watch the “Two Is Better Than One” music video below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E231TF4CzU0]

You can read this interview, originally posted on Seventeen.com here.

Categories
Q&A

Which Jingle Ball Interview Do You Want to Read First?

I’ve fully recuperated from the insanity that was Jingle Ball. I have to say, I didn’t realize just how crazy teen girls are for Justin Bieber until Friday night! Wish I remembered to bring my earplugs!

Last week’s poll I asked you which Jingle Ball artist you’re most interested in reading about. The results were a landslide between John Mayer and Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, they canceled their interviews Friday, but I did catch them live and will have a full report in the upcoming days.

While I didn’t get any exclusives with Mayer or Swift, I was in the press room for most of the night and got a few questions in for each band performing, including Boys Like Girls on their new single “Two Is Better Than One” featuring Taylor Swift as well as Jay Sean and the difference between his UK and US audiences. Let me know which artist you’re most interested in and I’ll transcribe it quickly and get it up for you on the blog!

Which Jingle Ball Interview Do You Want to Read First?

Boys Like Girls
Jay Sean
Justin Bieber
Kris Allen
Other
Categories
Q&A

Which Jingle Ball Artist Are You Most Interested In?

This coming Friday I’ll be covering New York radio station Z100’s annual Jingle Ball concert. I have access to the press room for artist interviews throughout the night as well as tickets to the show, so be sure to follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute exclusives.

The show will be held at Madison Square Garden and includes performances by John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, The Fray, Boys Like Girls, Owl City, Kris Allen, Jay Sean and more. I’m not sure how many questions I’ll get in for each artist, so in this week’s poll I want to know which artist you’re most excited to read about. Feel free to leave additional suggestions in the comments.

Which Jingle Ball Artist Are You Most Interested In?

John Mayer
Taylor Swift
Justin Bieber
Kris Allen
Other

Categories
Contest

Last Chance to Win Katy Perry and Boys Like Girls’ Albums

I know originally I said I’d be picking a winner today, but I figured I’d extend the contest a few days since I’m sure everyone has been busy with Thanksgiving preparations and shopping now that the holiday season is officially here. The winner of the contest will receive an album by Katy Perry and Boys Like Girls for the most creative answers. I’ll be picking a winner this Friday, December 5. Sponsored by Denny’s Rockstar Menu, the contest details are still the same, see below.

E-mail me or leave a comment on my blog with your name, the best way to contact you if you win (by email or phone) and answer the following three questions as it pertains to the artist of your choice:

1.) If you could ask Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls one question, what would it be?
2.) What’s your favorite Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls song and why?
3.) If you could spend the day with Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls, what would you do?

Thanks for participating and good luck! You can check out the guys from Boys Like Girls live in the kitchen below. Be sure to visit Denny’s Web site for more info on your favorite bands and their late night menu.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zf-ERKMoiw]

Categories
Contest

Win Katy Perry and Boys Like Girls’ Albums!

A few months ago I wrote about Denny’s Rockstar Menu launch featuring late night snacks from some of your favorite bands, including the All-American Rejects, Taking Back Sunday and the Plain White T’s. Since the menu has been so successful some new bands have been added this time around, including Katy Perry, Boys Like Girls and Hoobastank.

After 10 p.m. head over to your local Denny’s for some food inspired by current chart-toppers Katy Perry, Boys Like Girls and Hoobastank. Read below for each artist’s creation.

Hot N Cold Cherry Chocolate Cappuccino, created by singer-songwriter Katy Perry, named after her recent hit single, “Hot n’ Cold.” Katy’s drink includes cherries, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, French vanilla cappuccino and whipped cream with a cherry on top.

The Great Eggsteak, pop-punk rockers Boys Like Girls inspired this hot roast beef sandwich with peppers, onions, pepper jack cheese, scrambled egg and spicy mayonnaise on sourdough bread.

The Hooburrito, inspired by Hoobastank, serves a burrito with crispy chicken strips, pepper jack cheese, cheese sauce, fried onion crispers and a hint of barbecue sauce. Served with tortilla chips, and a side of cheese sauce and ranch.

If that hasn’t made you hungry, I don’t know what will. In addition to these deliciously appealing meals, I have another contest for you to participate in for a copy of Katy Perry and Boys Like Girls’ albums! What I need is for you to E-mail me or leave a comment on my blog with your name, the best way to contact you if you win (by email or phone) and answer the following three questions as it pertains to the artist of your choice:

1.) If you could ask Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls one question, what would it be?
2.) What’s your favorite Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls song and why?
3.) If you could spend the day with Katy Perry/Boys Like Girls, what would you do?

You have two weeks for this contest, so be sure to send in your answers by Saturday, Nov. 29th as I’ll be picking a winner on Sunday, Nov. 30th. Thanks for participating and good luck! You can check out the guys from Boys Like Girls live in the kitchen below. Be sure to visit Denny’s Web site for more info on your favorite bands and their late night menu.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zf-ERKMoiw]