MTV is predominantly infiltrated with a slew of reality television shows, but the network’s roots will forever be soaked in the creative nutrients of music. MTV still brings exposure to emerging artists even though the spotlight is now mostly reserved for the Internet. Every so often a music video makes its way into the televised programming and last week that was the Las Vegas band, Imagine Dragons. MTV chose the quartet, which consists of vocalist, Dan Reynolds, guitarist, Wayne Sermon, bassist, Ben McKee and drummer, Daniel Platzman, as its PUSH artist of the week for April 16th. The PUSH selection was perfect timing for Imagine Dragons, who just released the  [ Read More ]

Humility is a crucial characteristic that dwindles away from an artist’s repertoire as fame becomes more and more available. Those bands that don’t allow the celebrity to rid themselves of their authentic sound remain high on Shockya charts. With that said, open your arms wide for Imagine Dragons, who are a Las Vegas based band that will never let their soul be tarnished by the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Perfectly balanced between an electronic sound and an organic sound, Imagine Dragons consists of vocalist, Dan Reynolds, guitarist, Wayne Sermon, bassist, Ben McKee and drummer, Daniel Platzman. With a rock core, the outfit’s music travels in just about every direction,  [ Read More ]

After a lauded world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, writer-director, and star, Ryan O’Nan has seemingly announced his presence on his own terms. His “passion” project, Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, is screening this weekend at the 6th Annual Gasparilla International Film Festival, currently underway in Tampa, Florida. The talented performer is pulling double-duty at the fest, for he’s not only making the rounds promoting the film and partaking in Q&A sessions, he’s also showcasing his musical attributes, as seen in the film, for the festival patrons on an outdoor stage as well. O’Nan met up with yours truly at the historic Tampa Theatre and the guy allowed us  [ Read More ]

As much as 90s music fans crave the rebirth of grunge, wariness of how it is resurrected is typically what hampers the evolution of it. Who wants to compete with the Grunge God, Kurt Cobain? Those who have tried to re-root grunge have often failed immediately due to the fact that the grunge ground does not need sowing, rather nurturing. There is no need to clear the roots and replant the seeds. Cobain already provided future artists with the grunge foundation, now it is their job to keep it flourishing by expanding on the 90s sound with the originality of the current decade. Do you need an example of how  [ Read More ]

Taylor Swift talks with MTV about making her music video “Safe & Sound” from the soundtrack from the upcoming film “The Hunger Games” stars Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Willow Shields, Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci. Click Here to check out our photo gallery from The Hunger Games. Synopsis: In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised  [ Read More ]

The 21st Century has done away with A & R representatives and has replaced them with YouTube. While this statement might not become entirely true for a few more years, the music industry has frequently been relying on the video-sharing website to discover the rare talent that is overlooked. Thanks to Justin Bieber’s relentless Internet persistency, the music world has been infected with Bieber fever. Luckily, the high temperatures have subsided due to the latest YouTube breakout artist, Walk Off The Earth. The Burlington, Ontario based band’s cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” has gone viral with over 40 million views on YouTube. The quintet, which consists  [ Read More ]

Andrew W.K. has stood the music industry’s test of time without compromising the 2001 qualities he trended before Twitter was even the fad. The media phenomenon didn’t need the help of a hash tag to attract worldwide attention; all he needed was his positively untamed personality meshed with punk-pop melodies. The iconic Andrew W.K. elements created his debut album, “I Get Wet”, which dropped November 19th 2001 via Island Def Jam Music Group and produced the hits, “Party Hard” and “She Is Beautiful”. The head-to-toe donned in white rocker hosts the Cartoon Network show, “Destroy, Build, Destroy” and is a frequent guest on the Fox News late-night program, “Red Eye  [ Read More ]

With the upcoming release of their debut album, “I Waited For You”, Valora will redefine the male ego. The alternative rock genre is in dire need of this shake-up. The music industry doesn’t yearn for a band that can deliver a Daughtry hit, followed by a Nickelback hit, a Foo Fighters’ hit and topped off with the ultimate mimic, a Nirvana hit. The industry needs originality and what better way to spice up the bland rock stew than with some female flavoring? Shockya readers, say hello to the ultimate alternative ingredient, Syd Duran. Don’t worry, she is not a duplicate of Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Duran will not simply dismiss the  [ Read More ]

Read our exclusive interview with actress and singer Allie Gonino, who is presently starring as Laurel Mercer on the acclaimed ABC Family teen drama series ‘The Lying Game,’ which is currently airing the second half of its first season. The show, which is based on the series of books of the same name by Sara Shepard, follows foster child Emma Becker, played by Alexandra Chando, as she finds out she has an identical twin sister, Sutton. The girls were separated at birth, and Sutton was adopted by wealthy parents and has a seemingly ideal life, including an adoptive sister, Laurel. Sutton convinces Emma to step into her life for a  [ Read More ]

According to a recent survey in “Car and Driver,” texting while driving is more dangerous than operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a car crash. While she fortunately hasn’t been one of those statistics, singer JoJo (http://twitter.com/JoJoistheway) felt strongly enough about the issue to step up and encourage her fans to take part in AT&T’s “It Can Wait” pledge to stop texting while driving. Recently, ShockYa had a chance to talk to the 21-year-old — who has sold more than three million albums worldwide – about why she’s involved in the campaign,  [ Read More ]

Casey Desmond is probably a name you have heard more than once this year, especially if you watched “The Voice”. The Boston native was a part of Adam Levine’s team, which also consisted of “The Voice” winner, Javier Colon. Unfortunately, the singer, songwriter and musician was sent home by Levine after she battled teammate, Jeff Jenkins, on Elton John’s “Don’t Let Sun Go Down On Me”. You only temporarily had to say goodbye to Desmond that night in May because in 2012, she will be releasing a new studio album. Yes, Desmond will frequently be associated with “The Voice”, but her 2012 album will also showcase her game-shifting sound abilities  [ Read More ]

His comeback is being heralded everywhere. He was able to bring the whole gang back together to make us smile and shed tears of joy (well, at least this guy) once again. He is one of the most iconic stars of all-time. Ladies and gentlemen…Kermit the Frog! Kermit was kind enough to answer a few of my questions last week, despite his demanding schedule – and Miss Piggy – coming off the success of the recently released flick, “The Muppets.” This is not the most in-depth chat yours truly have ever done (more like a convo on a red-carpet actually), but the frog did give us a few tidbits about  [ Read More ]

It is time for you ShockYa readers to stop battling the hard driven beats of techno music. You must embrace the heart palpitations because if anything these past few years of chart topping tracks have shown you, it’s that electronic music defies the boring and repetitive characteristics heard in other genres, like country. Sorry, Blake Shelton, but hearing a verse with cowboy in it more than once deems a song to be vapid. Electronic tracks have enough life in them to resurrect the dying Shelton sounds. More specifically, Dynasty Electric has enough verve to do exactly that entirely on its own. With beat maker and lyricist, Seth Misterka, and sultry  [ Read More ]

Sometimes with bands it takes one song to seal an eternity deal with a fan. In order for a tune to qualify for this level of security, it must be both lyrically and instrumentally captivating. This task is much more easily said than done. You must also throw memorable into the mix because how many songs have you come across that exude talent, but are far from catchy? Take for example Beyonce’s album, “4″. Sorry Beyonce, but it is true. Out of the 12 track album, how many songs can you name? This law of gaining the undying fan applies to the indie-eletronica band, The Limousines, which consist of multi-instrumentalist  [ Read More ]

Popdust has done many “Magic Box” interviews that end up revealing a lot you didn’t know about your favorite stars in the music world, and this one with former Backstreet Boy Howie D is no different. In the interview featured below as well as at Popdust, Howie D answers questions about his celebrity crush, (Britney Spears), embarrasing nicknames, (“Dough Boy,” a nickname that he said actually scared him so badly that he can’t go into doughnut shops), and his horror story dealing with tequila (which caused him not to even want to smell the drink for six years). He also talks about the least favorite Backstreet Boys song that the  [ Read More ]