Nicki Minaj just dropped Starships this week. Love it or hate it?

Welcome to What's New. What's Next. where we feature up n' coming local and national artists and bands that we want YOU to know about. There's a ton of amazing music that isn't on the radio - yet - and we want you to hear it! Keep checking this page for exclusive interviews, pictures, and acoustic performances with artists on the rise.
Know a band, upcoming concert, or event that you think should be featured on What's New. What's Next? Hit us up! @BonjourDanielle.
Nicki Minaj just dropped Starships this week. Love it or hate it?
Iiiiiiiinteresting. If you checked out the Grammys last night, chances are you caught Katy Perry’s killer performance of “ET” and “Part Of Me,” a newly released track off of her upcoming re-release of Teenage Dream. My first thought was, “ooooouch, thats a total stab on Russell Brand.” Perry sings “you can keep your diamond ring,” and about how the person she is singing about really brought her down in the relationship. Sounds like a song about her suuuuper recent divorce, right?
Well... In actuality, the song was written in 2010 during the original Teenage Dream sessions. Songwriter Bonnie McKee said TWO YEARS ago, “another song I wrote, “Part of Me”. That one is beautiful. Katy sings with so much emotion and when I heard the chorus for the first time it gave me chills. It is a very real and raw song.” That was back in 2010.
In 2009, Katy Perry broke things off with Travie McCoy, who the song is rumored to be about. Late in 2010, Perry married Russell Brand.
Hmmmmmmm. Truth be told, Travie McCoy DID give Katy a shiny promise ring back in the day.
So... who do you think the song is about? Travie? Russell? Some hypothetical guy? Comment below and let me know what you think.
Yesterday we were lucky enough to have Susan Galbraith stop by our studio! Susan is an amazingly talented singer/songwriter, born and raised near Seattle. Her soulful voice is one that is hard to beat. She has an album you can check out on iTunes, and make sure to look at her performing in the area soon. Check out our quick interview PLUS two exclusive acoustic tracks form Susan! (Oooh! And photos! Right here!)
FUN FACT: Susan used to be a member of the KISS FM Party Crew back in the day! Small world :)
So... what do you think!?
XOXODanielle
Check out the music video for David Guetta/Nicki Minaj's "Turn Me On."
It's a completely different look from the videos we're used to seeing from Nicki. Her look in the "Turn Me On" video is a completely different look than what we've seen in many of her previous videos, including the "Stupid Hoe" (check out that screen shot on the left). Click the photo to check out the video for "Stupid Hoe."
Which style to you prefer? Subdude, interesting Nicki like in "Turn Me On" or crazy face Nicki a la "Stupid Hoe"?
"Turn Me On"
XOXODanielle
About a month ago, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez gave some twitter love to Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Call Me Maybe." They dig it, do you?
XOXODanielle
Simple questions: love it or hate it? Check out "Bass" below!
My friend Sean Porter (on the left) came by the studio yesterday with some friends from local acts Mayweather and The Scene Aesthetic to chat about his #BIGDADDYONELLEN concert!
Big Daddy's goal in life is to make it on the Ellen show. And why not!? That would be awesome!
Big Daddy tours with bands all over the country, and has gotten support for his #BIGDADDYONELLEN cause from artists like Paramore, Gym Class Heroes, Kris Allen, and many many more.
To promote the cause, he's throwing a party with members of Mayweather, The Scene Aesthetic, The Classic Crime, This Providence, Sailor Mouth, and Man Without Wax. You can expect some free schwag, 90s covers, and a great show for just $10. To add to the goodness of it all, the proceeds go to the Music Empowers foundation.
Check out the interview below for more information, as well as preview performances from Mayweather and The Scene Aesthetic! Just a taste of the show on the 30th.
PLUS, don't forget to visit www.bigdaddyonellen.com.
I'll see you at the show!
XOXODanielle
Local artist Alabaster has a show this Saturday at El Corazon to celebrate the release of their EP "Unraveled," and today they stopped by the studio!! They played an amazing song called "All Around Us," - it was a true unplugged session, complete with bass guitar, a drum box, and some insane harmonies. Check out the interview below to learn more about their EP and the show on Saturday (which, by the way, you should be at!).
Seriously. Get on iTunes right now and get the 3-track EP from John West. You won't regret it. He's got a sultry voice and smooth songs that you just melt into... mm! He came by our conference room the other day and played one of his singles - checked out the unplugged version of "Already There" below!