Maynard The Sweet Animal

Released 20th January 2013

Back with a new single for 2013 Conor Maynard teams up with Wiley for his fourth release from debut album Contrast. But who is he? Total Biz World decided to find out.

Brighton born Conor Maynard is fast becoming the UK's answer to Canadian popstar Justin Bieber. But are they as similar as people expect. Both were discovered online and shot to massive success very quickly showing the World how powerful sites such as YouTube can impact someones career.

Starting his bid for a music career in 2006 Maynard at the age of 14 set up his own YouTube site to upload a cover song called Breathe by fellow British musician Lee Carr. His star began to climb from 2009 when with the help of his rapper friend they recorded and uploaded more videos singing more current songs.

It was when Ne-yo heard his cover of Beautiful Monster where his world would change forever. This later led to Ne-yo bringing him to the attention of a label and quickly became his mentor.

So with an international star on his side Maynard burst on the scene fresh from winning MTV's Brand New for 2012 with the catchy tune of Can't Say No. Reaching the dizzy heights on Number 2 with his debut single release he was the new kid on the block and being just 19 years old he was quickly being compared to other artisits.


It was not until the release of his second single Vegas Girl where his music was being played on the radio and reached number 4 in the charts. Teaming up with Ne-yo on his third single Turn Around was a mega hit with fans.

Debut album Contrast reached Number 1 in the charts selling 17,000 copies in its first week. It is a great album, it sounds very American but its on trend with the music out today. Rita Ora appears on the brilliant song Better Than You. Also Pharrell appears on the R&B inspired Lift Off.

Contrast is a cleverly titled debut album, as Maynard's music is so far removed from a Bieber album. We would have expected a pop album full of tracks aimed at the teen market.

Instead we have a R&B and dance mix with real lyrics that is sure to appeal to the teens but more to the point older music fans can enjoy too. His cover of Wiley's Don't You Worry Child on the Animal EP is fantastic and really shows his singing ability and his ease of appealing to the 'in-crowd'.

Total Biz World may be slightly biased but we think Conor is the real deal, his voice accoustically shows his true talent and he has a massive career ahead of him. He will be around longer than Bieber! What do you think?

Contrast is out now!

http://www.conor-maynard.com/

Shake Your Body With Xtina!

The Voice is back, and not just on the talent show. The talented Christina Aguilera is making a come back to the UK charts with brand new single Your Body. Along with it is the Xtina we remember from the stripped days but this time with the blonde hair we saw with her Back To Basics image. In the video she is being very sexy, cheeky and a little bit naughty....Welcome back Xtina!

Aguilera on The Voice US

In November her seventh album Lotus is being unleashed, and Total Biz World is very excited!! Are you? The last album Bionic was very under rated, it was a brilliant album! Although it was a little bit too electronic. Her voice is too good to hide behind computerized sounds, the producers should maybe save that for Cheryl albums.....!

Stripped is one of my favourite albums to this day, so I sincerely hope this album matches that era slightly. It was Xtina at her best! I loved Back To Basics as it was a refreshing new sound and image but lets have a bit of angst back please. Her gritty performance in the Burlesque movie showed glimmers of the dirty singer is still in there and was reflected throughout her performance in songs like Express and Tough Lover could have been written for Stripped!

The teasing and cheekyness of I Am A Good Girl would have suited Back To Basics as would the excellent ballad Bound To You. Glimmers of hope that Christina would be back in full force once again came from Burlesque. New album Lotus has a lot to live up to with her previous successes and slight flop with Bionic, but Ms Aguilera will without a shadow of a doubt leave us all wonder where the hell has she been hiding.

Album Lotus out November 2012

New Single 'Your Body'

Katy is a Shining Star!

After waiting for the Katy Perry film Part of Me to be released on DVD oh so impatiently! It was worth the wait, it was not just a live concert it was the story of how a tour comes together and the dedication an artist needs to have to pull the show together.

I was lucky enough to see Katy live in Manchester Academy shortly after her debut album One For The Boys was released here in the UK. I was already a fan of the album, songs like Fingerprints, Lost and Mannequin had massive impact on me. These album tracks were brilliant and far from album fillers.

One For The Boys Tour 2009

She was a breath of fresh air, pure pop with a naughty twist! Of course it helped that I had not long passed my driving test, it was an amazing car playlist! So as soon as I saw tickets were available I jumped at the chance to see her live. 

Her confidence and voice really shone through at the gig in Manchester, and to my surprise she only had one outfit for the entire show, very refreshing! She turned up to our show in kitten heels and a snow white image, black haired bob hair style and snow white figure hugging dress with yellow short sleeves with a smiley face on. Her words "Dont you guys think Im like Snow White....on acid?!" 

This was the first time I had seen an american artist up close and personal, and she explained how she wrote the songs with the meaning behind them or in some cases just the story. With this touch she managed to win over the roaring crowd and truly gain fans for life.

Ticket for Manchester Academy 2009

I feel she has done this on a huge scale with release of her movie being released in cinemas. The film contains very personal moments and the demise of her relationship with Russell Brand.

But also it cleverly guides us through the hard work and dedication Katy puts into her tours and her music. The part where we awkwardly had to sit through an emotional break down then she put her brave face on to put the show on for her fans. 

Manchester 2009

Her rise to chart domination was a massive struggle. This film shows the total dark side of the music industry through her knock backs in the early days, with record companies wanting her to be someone else to sell records and her determination to stick two fingers up and do it her way. 

With every single released all being a huge success it is hard to believe Katy Perry has only released just two albums and succeeded in global pop domination!



There is nobody to compete with in her style and the film really shows how unique and versatile she is. Lets hope her star continues to rise and shine!

Katy live on stage on film

Lady In Red Born To Sing!

Liverpool Lass Melanie C has released a musical masterpiece in the shape of brand new album Stages. It is the sixth album from Sporty Spice and it is her most vocally sound record to date. The album is inspired by musical theatre and songs that have meant something to Melanie in her life.

This album features a fantastic duet with Emma Bunton on 'I Know Him So Well' from the musical Chess. Its brilliant to hear their voices together on a mid tempo ballad. It reminds me of the Spice Girls Forever album.

I remember Melanie appearing on backing vocals for the b-side track Merry-Go-Round on Emma's debut solo single What Took You So Long single. Also their voices suit really well as they dominated some of the amazing ballads on Forever.

Stand out tracks are Another Hundred People, its uptempo track and its the first time we have heard Melanie singing so fast. Her voice is very strong on this track and its great to hear. The song is about the excitement of city life and its fast pace as described on her website.

Aren't You Kinda Glad We Did is a sparkly ballad about forbidden love, Melanie really suits singing in jazz style. Hopefully a jazz album will be future project? I would love to see her in a smokey jazz club singing this album. Or just a theatre in Manchester would be good :)

Both Sides Now, Something Wonderful and Maybe This Time are all from musicals and they really showcase her range and strength that she has learnt from appearing in Blood Brothers doing 8 shows a week for six months and of course two extra weeks in Liverpool.

I really enjoy listening to this album especially the upbeat tracks like Aint Got No / I Got Life and I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

I was excited to hear Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brother's recorded as I loved hearing this when I was lucky enough to see her in the show in London and Liverpool. It is a great song on the album, but it does not quite capture the raw emotion that she portrayed so brilliantly live on stage.

I personally love the itunes only version of Anything Goes. I just love her voice on this song, I have always been a fan of the song but Melanie takes it to a new level. It was originally written by Cole Porter for his musical Anything Goes in 1934. It has dated lyrics to the present day, but its cheeky story throughout really suits Melanie's playful personality.

Also look out for the single from the album 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' which she will singing live on stage for the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar from next week.

'Stages' is out now!
Tickets for the JCS Tour are on sale with extra dates added

Spice Girls Forever!

Girl Power is set to live forever…. In a West End musical called Viva Forever! After selling 75 million records worldwide the Spice Girls are the biggest girl band in history. 

Their pure pop sound and story-telling lyrics their songs lend themselves with theatreland. The girls were empowering for women and everyone loved them in their hey day, but are people still interested in hearing the songs in a musical format? Only time will tell.

Total Biz World are excited to discover which songs will be included in the line-up as the story was revealed earlier this week. The obvious mega hits are certain to be included such as Wannabe, Say You’ll Be There and 2 Become 1.

But will they use the hard hitting album tracks such as Naked and Something Kinda Funny from the debut album? They were fan favourites on the early tours and surely lend themselves to a story on the stage.

Popular favourites from Spice are Last Time Lover and Love thing. 

From Spiceworld we hope Spice Up Your Life and Too Much are included. Also our favourites with a celebrity theme would be the cool Denying, Headlines and Saturday Night Divas. 

The first two albums seem ideal for the musical but will they include the Forever album? Of course I feel the main theme to the Spice Girls musical will be the massive hit Viva Forever!

So what’s the story?

From the award-winning writer and comedienne Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, French & Saunders), and Judy Craymer, producer of the worldwide smash-hit musical MAMMA MIA!, comes VIVA FOREVER!, a wonderfully joyous contemporary musical about the value of friendship in the face of fame and fortune! 

As one girl follows her dreams, VIVA FOREVER! charts her journey into the world of overnight celebrity and its impact on her mother, and the friends she thought she’d have forever. From London to Spain and back again, as the world judges you, it’s all about who you really are and who you want to be, whatever the cost. 

Spice up your life with this exhilarating and irresistibly funny tale of love, loyalty and romance. An original story of our times, inspired by the songs of the Spice Girls, VIVA FOREVER! hits all the high notes for a fabulous feel-good night out. 

Iconic BRITs performance

Tickets are on sale now! Previews are starting at the Piccadilly Theatre, London West End from 27^th November 2012. The Spice Girls Musical, Viva Forever officially launches from December 11^th 2012 and booking as far as June 2013. 

Geri Lands X Factor Judge Role

Could Geri Halliwell be the new permanent judge on X Factor this year? The former Spice Girl is joining the panel at the first auditions in Liverpool as a guest. But rumours are saying she is on a trial run to see how popular she is before she lands the role from the boot camp rounds.

Geri has appeared as a guest judge before but was not well received the first time round due to some catty comments. However she is older and wiser this time around and was very popular in her judge role on Popstars: The Rivals where she helped hand pick Girls Aloud back in the day.

Total Biz World are very excited about a Spice Girl becoming a permanent judge, as Gary Barlow is officially back on the panel this year. So two members from the biggest girl band and boy band of the 90's will be a force on the show this year. Added with the annoying Louis Walsh and there is Tulisa of course.....

After Dannii turned down a million pound deal to spend time with her family, we feel the X Factor bosses wanted an older figure head to fit the bill last year. As two young cubs last year causes conflict between Tulisa and Kelly Rowland.

Murs and Flackers returning to Xtra Factor

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs have been confirmed to be coming back the ITV2 Xtra Factor this year after massive ratings last year.

Geri may have some tough competition though, as Mel B is set to join the panel as a guest judge at the Manchester auditions. Mel is a judge on the Australian X Factor and had huge success there.

Harsh judge - Mel B

All X Factor needs this year is a little bit of Spice.....

Cheryl Pops in at Shrek The Musical

Cheryl Cole jetted into London from France yesterday to support here Girls Aloud bandmate.

Cheryl was in Cannes but flew in to visit her pal Kimberley Walsh in her final performance in the West End where she has been starring as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical.

She has been playing the role since last September and was delighted three of her Girls Aloud co-stars were able to watch her bow out.

 Joining Cheryl in the theatre were Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding, and as usual Nadine Coyle was absent from the mini reuniuon. Which still makes us wonder if an anniversary get together will actually happen.

Kimberley tweeted: "Today is a very exciting day. Cannot thank you all enough for your UNBELIEVABLE support over the past 8 months. Very overwhelmed! #1showtogo."

And ever the true superstar Cheryl only arrived during the interval.... the girls looked happy to see each other as they posed for pics.

With a new single from Miss Cole due to drop on 18th June she will be keen to appear in the papers at any given opportunity until then.

Stenson Takes Over.....

Carly Stenson (from Hollyoaks) will be taking over the role that Kimberly Walsh has played so brilliantly. With a glorious stint in Legally Blonde, Carly has done the leg work to land this lead role and audiences are very excited to see her take on this mighty female lead. Good Luck Carly!!

Jodie Harsh X Melanie C

Melanie C is teaming up with the hottest DJ around Jodie Harsh. After working together last year they came up with three dance tracks. Their collaboration has now come to light after the announcement of their 3 track EP entitled 'The Night'.

Fans of Melanie will be delighted to hear three dance tracks, not since the Ibiza sound of 'I Turn To You' have we heard Melanie's vocals rocking the clubs. She teased us with the upbeat and playful single 'Think About It'.

The tracks featuring on the 'The Night' EP are called 'Set You Free', 'Sunrise' and 'Walkaway'.

'The Bit About Jodie'

Jodie Harsh, is the most striking DJ in London she is an icon in hot-pink lipstick and is fast becoming the reigning Queen of international nightlife.

Over the last few years, Jodie has become established as a prominent guest DJ who has been found spinning records at Fashion Week parties, showbiz bashes and clubs around the UK, America and Europe.

Jodie's house and electro sets have taken the DJ to New York, Milan, Russia and Ibiza, and she is now a resident DJ for Manumission after embarking on a world tour this summer. Ibiza welcomes Jodie with open arms as she has played with The Swedish House Mafia at Pacha.

Melanie C's website describes the tracks:

Set You Free
The lead track introduces the EP with light dub-set moments and thrusts into full-on hands in the air synths and a tight kick drum. Through big anthemic vocals Melanie sings about the freedom you feel in that perfect dance floor moment - blinded by lights, drowning in the music, feeling the love from your friends.

Sunrise
It's immediately apparent this song is inspired by nights out in Ibiza. The track boasts a big room sound with a killer beat and chopped up vocals. Girl meets boy, dances the night away, boy looks just as great in the sunlight the following day. A holiday romance and a real peak-time dance floor moment.

Walkaway
Taking things a little slower, the final song narrates the organic end to a relationship and the weight it brings off your shoulders... a sigh of relief and a 'change of atmosphere'. Mid-tempo and orchestral, it's a dramatic ending to the EP with it's big hip hop drum and an epic build.

The Night is released on iTunes Sunday 13th May as a 3-track download plus digital booklet featuring song lyrics and exclusive images of Melanie shot by world renowned fashion photographer Tim Bret-Day.

SMASH is a new American musical drama based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. It is based around the creation of a new Broadway production and is being dubbed the adult version of Glee.

The new production loosely named Marilyn later evolves into the new musical being named Bombshell after the workshop process. As the production takes shape everyone involved has to balance their chaotic personal lives with the demands of musical theatre. It shows a real insight into the hard work that goes on behind the scenes on Broadway.

Series one has just 15 episodes, and the show has already been signed up to make a second series. It has had huge success in America and is being well received in the UK.

With a amazing cast featuring in Smash its sure to be a global success. Debra Messing, from Will & Grace fame plays Julia Houston. A successful lyricist and Bombshell's co-writer. 

Also Anjelica Huston stars as Eileen Rand, the musical's producer, she is dealing with divorce proceedings from her husband which adds drama to the programme and her conflicts with him could threaten the future of Bombshell.

Stealing the show though are the amazing talents of Katharine McPhee as Karen Cartwright and Megan Hilty as Ive Lynn. Both competing to play the lead role of Marilyn. They both bring different elements of the character to their performances and throughout the running of Smash they each play the role in various workshops leaving us to decide which girl we like.

Adding to the mix Smash features cameo roles from huge stars such as Uma Thurman, Nick Jonas and Bernadette Peters.

The music of Smash is fantastic, using current songs to coincide with the story adding more depth to the drama. Songs that feature include Adele's Rolling In The Deep, and Red Neck Woman, also listen out for the brilliant episode where Karen and Ivy sing Rihanna's  Drink To That in Times Square.

Also the amazing songs written especially for the show about Marilyn Monroe are superb. Our favourites are 'Let Me Be Your Star' and 'Mr & Mrs Smith'.

Catch Smash on Sky Atlantic, Saturdays 10pm

Meet The Canadian Idol Storming The Global Charts

Canadian Carly Rae Jepson has stormed the UK charts with her smash hit 'Call Me Maybe' but where has this talent come from? Total Biz World decided we should find out more!

The 26 year old star was discovered on Canadian Idol, after finishing third back in 2007 she then toured Canada with the Idol top three contestants.

Carly recorded her debut album Tug of War and released her first single on June 16, 2008. It was a cover of John Denver's song 'Sunshine On My Shoulders'. It is the only cover on her album which shows she is also a brilliant song writer.

2nd Album - Curiosity

Using the power of Myspace, Jepson later added two new songs to her profile page, 'Bucket' and 'Heavy Lifting'. This created a buzz for her next single release.

Finishing in third place meant that sheer hard work and determination was needed for Carly to succeed, so she quickly realised the Internet was the best way to publicise herself. Releasing her videos and album previews online to her Myspace.

So three years after Canadian Idol, Jepson is now signed to a new record label and has bagged herself a new manager, Scooter Braun. He also managed fellow canadian star Justin Bierber.

2012 saw the release of second album 'Curiosity'. This album features the massive hit 'Call Me Maybe'. This song became the first by a Canadian artist to hit the top of the digital charts since Justin Bierber's 'Baby' in January 2010.

'Call Me Maybe' is her biggest hit to date, and after reaching number one on her home ground, she has also reached the top of the charts here in the UK, Ireland and Australia. 

Carly on Canadian Idol

Search is on to find Jesus!

Andrew Lloyd Webber has joined forces with ITV1 this time around in his search for a new musical star. The mission is to find a new star to play the fantastic role of Jesus in new rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. 

It will not be appearing in a prestigious West End theatre, instead the task is to find a rock star with a voice that can fill an arena! Its a very exciting concept, and it is bringing something different to the talent show format. With its move from BBC to ITV it is clear that the show will have more of an appeal when it hits the screens this summer. 

So with a new show and broadcasting on a brand new channel Lloyd Webber has enlisted the help of a celebrity panel. Joining forces will be Melanie C and Jason Donovan, with the expert help of casting agent David Grindrod to find the Next Best Superstar! 

Jason Donavan has had massive success in stage shows, having recently appeared in West End smash hit Priscilla and having a lead role in Sound of Music year. Melanie C has the rock edge and the voice to know what she is looking for in a rock star. Also Melanie brings with her to the panel her hugely successful experience appearing in Blood Brothers in the West End. 

Looking forward to seeing how the panel get on finding a new star for the big stage! 

Glitter & Gold Aint No Chore

It's hard to believe Rebecca Ferguson is only about to release her 2nd single on March 4th. Too Good To Lose is an upbeat song ready to set the charts alight. Since the X Factor Rebecca has taken the time out to write her album and juggling her other full time job, being a full time Mum to her two children.

Her debut album Heaven was released in December 2011 is the fastest selling record from a talent show contestant so far. She has even outsold Matt Cardle's debut album Letters in just so little time.

Her talent is under estimated and after seeing Miss Ferguson live on tour she has only just begun to let her talent unfold before our eyes. Her album sales are surely going to rise as her 16 date sold out tour is in full swing.

Heaven is our favourite album from an X Factor contestant as it comes with honest and heartfelt lyrics and mesmerising melodies. Rebecca slots in perfectly where Duffy has left off with her soothing yet haunting vocals at times. She bursts with passion and determination throughout this debut masterpiece!

Total Biz World caught Rebecca at her pre-tour shows in Sunny Wales. Check out the review below.

Heaven Live: Rebecca Ferguson Tour Review

Don't forget Too Good To Lose is released March 4th with a B-side On & On.

Second single released March 4th 2012