MAS: Mikey 2 Shoes, you won the Stand Up Comedy Contest for May! What’s the story behind the video clip you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
Mikey: It's a true story. I really went skydiving naked. I really jump off of buildings, bridges and antennas even though my mom would not approve.
Watch Mikey 2 Shoes' Winning Stand Up Comic Video 'Skydiving Naked'
MAS: You jump out of airplanes, naked- check. Tell us more, how did you get started as a stand-up comic?
Mikey: Accidentally. I moved to a new area, and was looking for something to do that would help me learn my way around town and meet new people. I attended an open mic and was hooked.
MAS: You are surely a natural. How do you feel when you are on stage as a comedian?
Mikey: It depends on the night. It's a job, like any other. You have good nights and bad nights. When it's good, it's like a drug and when it's bad, people throw things.
MAS: How do you write your jokes and put together a routine?
Mikey: I do my best writing in the shower. My shower looks like a serial killer's jail cell. I have scribbles and writing all over the walls.
MAS: That sounds great; have people compared you to any other comics?
Mikey: It depends on the material, but I most often get Lewis Black or Doug Stanhope.
MAS: Who are your comedy heroes and have they influenced your style?
Mikey: I like a lot of comedians for a lot of different reasons, but I try not to emulate them. I feel it makes it harder for me to find my own voice...
MAS: What are your career plans for the year ahead?
Mikey: I have a bunch of booked shows up and down the East Coast. I am considering moving, but I haven't decided where yet.
MAS: Somewhere with a great big shower would be a good start; we really enjoy your comedy. What is the best and worst part about being a stand-up comic?
Mikey: The best parts for me are making people laugh, helping people see life outside their little bubbles, and chasing that dream. The worst parts are the countless hours behind the wheel of a car, trusting a machine (GPS) to get you there on time and the thanklessness of some club owners and bookers who treat you like meat.
MAS: Well said, what would you say is the best and worst part about the industry for comics today?
Mikey: Everyone is depressed, so comedy will thrive in this time, like a virus and I like that. Though comics get treated like cattle within the industry- it makes you stronger or destroys you. It's like mile 21 of a marathon. The wall. You wanna quit so badly and there are comedians around you dropping like flies. Whether you keep going, or give up, decides the rest of your life. This is one of those professions that can make or break you. It's a lot harder than it looks, which is what makes it both so appealing and so toxic at the same time.
MAS: That was a very honest and sincere answer. Kudos, now how does MakeAStar.com compare (good or bad) with other talent websites?
Mikey: MakeAStar is smaller than most other talent websites, which gives it more of a neighborhood feel to it. You really get a chance to see the talent on there and get to know most of them through conversation and a mutual support. The bigger sites don't have that. You are just another person uploading yet another thing to an already massive database of crap.
MAS: We have a no crap mantra. Tell us something completely random.
Mikey: I have spent more time in a car with a clown than you would ever believe!
MAS: Our sincere congratulations and wishes for a bright future. You are well on your way.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Chasing Friday Talk South African Music and World Cup Soccer
MAS: Congratulations Chasing Friday on your win for the May Music Video Contest! How does it feel to win a second time on Make A Star?
CF: Thank you! It feels awesome! We put lots of effort into telling people about the competition and getting our fans to vote for us in each of the stages, and it’s great to see that it paid off in the end. There were many excellent music videos in this competition so it’s very encouraging to see that our music video could stand its own against them.
MAS: Tell us something about the winning song ‘Take My Hand’. What inspired the lyrics and how did the song come together?
CF: The song was written by our drummer, Mule. The lyrics were inspired by the sense of expectancy and excitement before a night out with a special person and the euphoria of having a great time. Mule can play guitar as well, so he played the song to us with the basic chords, and then the band came up with the rest of the music.
Click here to watch the Chasing Friday 'Take My Hand' video
MAS: Very interesting, why did you choose this song to turn into a music video?
CF: We felt that it was a song that people would be able to identify with and we had lots of fun recording it, so we wanted to share that by turning it into a music video.
MAS: How do you feel about the ‘Take My Hand’ song and music video compared with the previous winning song and music video you entered- ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’?
CF: We feel that ‘Take My Hand’ shows the maturing of our sound and songwriting from ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’. In terms of the music videos, ‘Take My Hand’ focuses more on documenting the studio process and the fun involved. Whereas ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’ followed more of a storyline in order to convey the message of the song.
MAS: So we know you’re from Cape Town, South Africa- a long ways away from most of the world’s biggest music metropolises such as London, New York and Los Angeles. How is the South African or more specifically, the Cape Town music scene at the moment regarding culture and genres of music- have they mixed?
CF: The Cape Town music scene and the South African music scene in general is growing at a rapid rate. There are more and more, younger bands starting while they are still in school and there are also more and more bands and artists that are achieving success in other countries. There are definitely more collaborations happening, especially rock bands working with hip hop and electro artists. We even have collaborations where different languages are being mixed!
MAS: Have you toured as a band in many foreign countries?
CF: Not yet. We’re still conquering the local music scene, but we would love to eventually tour in some foreign countries.
MAS: How does the typical South African group make a name for themselves around the world, is there a blueprint for success? How has the internet and MakeAStar.com helped your band?
CF: There isn’t a specific blueprint for success. The typical South African group relies on getting their song(s) playlisted on our national radio station and performing at the country’s biggest festivals. In terms of making a names for themselves around the world, some artists take part in festivals in other countries. The Internet and MakeAStar.com have made a huge difference! Thanks to MakeAStar.com Chasing Friday has been exposed to a much larger audience than we had before. We have also used Internet radio stations to get our songs played all over the world. Groups like Die Antwoord have achieved major international exposure and success due to their video being featured on blogs and being seen by millions of people worldwide.
MAS: We all know the World Cup is only days away. What’s the atmosphere like at the moment? Have the tourists started invading?
CF: Well it’s the opening ceremony and opening games today, and the atmosphere is amazing! For the past few weeks there have been flags on people’s cars and we have been celebrating Football Fridays every week. People wear their favorite team’s shirt or colors. Everywhere people are blowing on their vuvuzelas. The tourists did start arriving a few weeks ago, but it’s been a pleasure having them here as part of this worldwide event, and we hope that they are enjoying their visit to our beautiful country.
MAS: Does Chasing Friday have any special concerts or other events planned for the festivities?
CF: Not at this stage, but we are going to try to organize a gig or two and we are also hoping that the release of our music video for “Champion”, which celebrates the 2010 World Cup, will generate some interest in the band and result in some bookings.
MAS: When South Africa isn’t playing, what other countries do you want to see win?
CF: England and Netherlands!
MAS: Tell us something completely random again!
CF: Phill, our vocalist, has a keytar manufactured by Tyco called the Hotkeyz, which has some funky pre-programmed tunes, which we’re working on incorporating into our live shows. The Hotkeyz has already featured in a few videos of our live shows!
MAS: Awesome and good luck with everything!
CF: Thank you! It feels awesome! We put lots of effort into telling people about the competition and getting our fans to vote for us in each of the stages, and it’s great to see that it paid off in the end. There were many excellent music videos in this competition so it’s very encouraging to see that our music video could stand its own against them.
MAS: Tell us something about the winning song ‘Take My Hand’. What inspired the lyrics and how did the song come together?
CF: The song was written by our drummer, Mule. The lyrics were inspired by the sense of expectancy and excitement before a night out with a special person and the euphoria of having a great time. Mule can play guitar as well, so he played the song to us with the basic chords, and then the band came up with the rest of the music.
Click here to watch the Chasing Friday 'Take My Hand' video
MAS: Very interesting, why did you choose this song to turn into a music video?
CF: We felt that it was a song that people would be able to identify with and we had lots of fun recording it, so we wanted to share that by turning it into a music video.
MAS: How do you feel about the ‘Take My Hand’ song and music video compared with the previous winning song and music video you entered- ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’?
CF: We feel that ‘Take My Hand’ shows the maturing of our sound and songwriting from ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’. In terms of the music videos, ‘Take My Hand’ focuses more on documenting the studio process and the fun involved. Whereas ‘It’s Not Like London’s Calling You’ followed more of a storyline in order to convey the message of the song.
MAS: So we know you’re from Cape Town, South Africa- a long ways away from most of the world’s biggest music metropolises such as London, New York and Los Angeles. How is the South African or more specifically, the Cape Town music scene at the moment regarding culture and genres of music- have they mixed?
CF: The Cape Town music scene and the South African music scene in general is growing at a rapid rate. There are more and more, younger bands starting while they are still in school and there are also more and more bands and artists that are achieving success in other countries. There are definitely more collaborations happening, especially rock bands working with hip hop and electro artists. We even have collaborations where different languages are being mixed!
MAS: Have you toured as a band in many foreign countries?
CF: Not yet. We’re still conquering the local music scene, but we would love to eventually tour in some foreign countries.
MAS: How does the typical South African group make a name for themselves around the world, is there a blueprint for success? How has the internet and MakeAStar.com helped your band?
CF: There isn’t a specific blueprint for success. The typical South African group relies on getting their song(s) playlisted on our national radio station and performing at the country’s biggest festivals. In terms of making a names for themselves around the world, some artists take part in festivals in other countries. The Internet and MakeAStar.com have made a huge difference! Thanks to MakeAStar.com Chasing Friday has been exposed to a much larger audience than we had before. We have also used Internet radio stations to get our songs played all over the world. Groups like Die Antwoord have achieved major international exposure and success due to their video being featured on blogs and being seen by millions of people worldwide.
MAS: We all know the World Cup is only days away. What’s the atmosphere like at the moment? Have the tourists started invading?
CF: Well it’s the opening ceremony and opening games today, and the atmosphere is amazing! For the past few weeks there have been flags on people’s cars and we have been celebrating Football Fridays every week. People wear their favorite team’s shirt or colors. Everywhere people are blowing on their vuvuzelas. The tourists did start arriving a few weeks ago, but it’s been a pleasure having them here as part of this worldwide event, and we hope that they are enjoying their visit to our beautiful country.
MAS: Does Chasing Friday have any special concerts or other events planned for the festivities?
CF: Not at this stage, but we are going to try to organize a gig or two and we are also hoping that the release of our music video for “Champion”, which celebrates the 2010 World Cup, will generate some interest in the band and result in some bookings.
MAS: When South Africa isn’t playing, what other countries do you want to see win?
CF: England and Netherlands!
MAS: Tell us something completely random again!
CF: Phill, our vocalist, has a keytar manufactured by Tyco called the Hotkeyz, which has some funky pre-programmed tunes, which we’re working on incorporating into our live shows. The Hotkeyz has already featured in a few videos of our live shows!
MAS: Awesome and good luck with everything!
Yuliya Strizhkina wins May Female Solo Artist
Kiev, Ukraine is the home of May’s favorite Female Solo Artist. Meet Yuliya Strizhkina, musician, scholar, businesswoman and television host.
Yuliya’s smooth dance pop hit “If you came without love” has an English title but the vocals are all in Ukrainian.
Listen to Yuliya Strizhkina "If you came without love"
A beginning singer, photo model and TV presenter Yuliya Strizhkina (Юлия Стрижкина) was born in Russia but soon moved to the Ukraine with her family. A childhood student of vocals and piano, Yuliya is also an accomplished dancer and gymnast. In 2000 she entered Kiev National Economic University where she earned a Master of International Economy and Management degree. Having concentrated on her career for most of the last decade, 2009 saw Yuliya make a return to the stage. Her first single “I Will Be” was followed by “If you came without love” whose exciting video had an impressive run in Make A Star’s Music Video contest before taking the prize as May’s Favorite Female Solo Artist.
Strizhkina survived the challenge of very talented Canadian singer Holly Lindin in the Female Solo final - Holly's song "Spirit & the Spirituality" showcases her extraordinary vocal skills.
Listen to Holly Lindin "Spirit & the Spirituality"
It was a down to the wire battle separated by just a few fan votes. We're proud to feature these two exciting new Female Solo Artists on MakeAStar.com. The June Female Solo Artist competition in now underway with a very strong field of 16 new artists. Vote now to see how takes this month's title!
Vote in June 2010 Female Solo Artist
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