Monday, August 31, 2009

Sophie was a "FREAKY TEENAGER" and she is glad that she was one

SOURCE: http://www.malextra.com/celebrity/Sophie+EllisBextor-28247.html
Sophie Ellis-Bextor is glad she was a "freaky" teenager.

The 'Murder on the Dancefloor' singer didn't mind being ignored by boys when she was younger because it taught her not to rely on her looks.

She said: "I think my looks stood me in good stead because when I was a teenager, boys were just not interested. I didn't see myself as a good looking girl and that was good, because I didn't rely on it.

"It's not a big deal to be pretty - there are loads of pretty girls out there - so it's good to stand out. A lot of what inspired many musicians is celebrating differences. People relate to that - more people feel like the unpopular, freaky one than the one in the in-crowd."

Sophie - who has two sons, five-year-old Sonny and Kit Valentine, six months, with her husband, The Feeling bassist Richard Jones - admits she still feels like an outsider but has now found a group of friends she can relate to.

The 30-year-old brunette star said: "I still feel like that all the time. But not I have found lots of like-minded weirdos so it is OK now. And now I'm producing my own crazy-looking offspring."

more about Sophie and SBS

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the official PSP Southampton Boat Show (SBS) show opener this year. The glamorous singer will arrive in the Mayflower Park marina on board the new Princess 78 motor yacht at 10.30 on Friday September 11. At 11:00 hrs Ms Ellis Bextor will host the show’s official opening on the Record Breaker Stage. She will pose for photographs and chat to the show compère before cutting the ribbon and declaring the show open.

...i thought she was going to perform there! I guess she'll perform after she opens the show.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sophie's Heartbreak nominated for best single. VOTE NOW!

Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) is nominated for Download Music Awards 2009, as the best single. To vote, you have to sign up at British Music Week website. The winners will be announced at the prestigious event on the 3rd of October.

Click here to vote - http://www.britishmusicweek.com/

These are the choices...
Metro Station ‘Shake It’
Tinchy Stryder feat Dappy ‘Number 1’
Cascada ‘Evacuate the Dancefloor’
Keri Hilson/Kanye West/Neyo ‘Knock you Down’
Noisettes ‘Never Forget You’
Arctic Monkeys ‘Crying Lighting’
Sophie Ellis Bextor ft. Freemasons ‘Heartbreak (make me a dancer)
Lilly Allen ‘Not Fair’
(the only real threats according to me are in bold)

C'mon, Sophie deserves this. Make her win.. i have voted, and i've asked every i know to vote. Now its your turn.. Make Sophie proud

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Sophie in the studio

Recent Tweet:
"now with biff and jules. in (sort of) sunny brighton. let's write a hit record! yeah!"

which means..
She is in the studio with Biff Stannard and Julian Peake.
Psyched!!! Good to know the 4th album is on the way.

Other recent tweets:
  • have already made the all important decision of day - what m&s salad selection to make. went for a salmon thingy and edamame one. yum.
  • yes it was me at Alton Towers last weekend. wish i cld always start the day with ride on oblivion. really gets rid of stress. good fun had.
  • new computer! old one got wet. couldn't be saved. so i have good intentions to tweet like the old days now i am back with new laptop. how u?
  • i'm good ta, writing songs etc. have moved house hence twitter absence. tis stressful! all fine now, though. about 20 boxes left to unpack.
(another older picture, amazing isn't it. you can find this picture and more on Sophie-Online)

Update:
From this twit, i gather Sophie is still recording:

"yo yo please could you send me the track we started? then i can write whilst en route to you. had it going round and round my head.." (she sent this to Biff)

I find it hard to believe that Sophie would use the word "yo"..

Sophie to open the SIBS

'Murder on the Dancefloor' singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor has been chosen to open the 2009 Southampton International Boat Show. The elfin popstar will arrive onboard a Princess 78 at 1000 for a photocall before officially opening the 10-day show on the Record Breaker Stage.

With her nautical connections (the star's mother, Janet Ellis, used to be a presenter on Blue Peter) Sophie was seen as the perfect choice for the job. 'We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the PSP Southampton Boat Show,' said National Boat Shows managing director Andrew Williams. 'I am sure that her bright personality, charm and classic style will provide the perfect start to a fantastic 41st Show.'

SOURCE: http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/auto/newsdesk/20090727104147ymnews.html

Question Time: Sophie Ellis-Bextor with The Guardian

Question time: Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Sophie Ellis-Bextor on talking posh, looking weird and why she'll never do an interview without Blue Peter being mentioned


You and your mother [former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis] have been campaigning to bring back family mealtimes. It doesn't sound very rock'n'roll.
We really love our food and we both have families, so we're quite good people to talk about cooking and eating together. Sonny, my eldest son, is five, so it's important that we have mealtimes together. It's partly so I can see what he's eating, because kids can get really distracted. Also, I want to keep an eye on him so he has good basic manners.

You were relatively young (25) when you had Sonny. Do you think your record company disapproved?
If they did, they didn't show it. I don't think that old-fashioned idea of record companies exists any more. But, you know, sod them if they were worried about it. These things happen. It's cool that I managed to have two in my 20s. But I still want to work – I think it's quite healthy for them to see me not being defined as a mother. It keeps my mind stimulated.

But it meant that you took time out in your mid-20s, an important time for a female pop star particularly, at the height of your success. Was that difficult?
Not really. I had just done my second album and I felt that my third album was really important – that if it was good, I would have a career for life. I immersed myself in songwriting when Sonny was about four or five months, but I was always able to be there for supper and bath time.

Did you worry you wouldn't be able to pick up where you left off?
I think it's always good to have a bit of that worry, because that's what spurs me on to make good stuff. People are always going, "There are lots of young female singers, are you worried?" But I love music and I want there to be good people out there. Also, I think women really come into their own in their 30s. It gives you a bit more depth. There are a lot of people out there who lie about their age and I think it does us all a disservice. It can't all be over when you hit 30. That would be rubbish.

You're famous for being wonderfully weird-looking. How do you feel about the way you look?
I think it stood me in good stead because when I was a teenager, boys were just not interested. I didn't see myself as a good-looking girl and that was good, because I didn't rely on it. It's not really a big deal to be pretty – there are loads of pretty girls out there – so it's good to stand out. A lot of what inspired many musicians is celebrating differences, and people relate to that – more people feel like the unpopular, freaky one than the one in the in-crowd.

Do you still feel like that?
All the time, but I've now found lots of like-minded weirdos so it's OK. And now I'm producing my own crazy-looking offspring.

How is Kit? [Ellis-Bextor's son was born in February, nine weeks early, weighing just 2lb 10oz, after she developed pre-eclampsia]
He's doing absolutely amazingly. He's really chubby and is all circles – cheeks and thighs. He was incredibly small to begin with and I'm just really relieved that he's not like that any more. He's great now, but it wasn't the easiest time. I know it's a cliche, but something like that really does put everything in perspective.

You must be the only pop star who has never tried to hide their middle-class background. Did you ever think of taking the "mockney" route?
I wouldn't have pulled that off at all. I was working with someone the other day and they said, "Have you ever tried rapping?" Come on, please, that would be ludicrous. In real life, I'm not super-posh but if that's the stereotype, I really don't care. It could be worse.

Does it annoy you that Blue Peter always gets mentioned too?
No, I understand it because it's a big cornerstone of people's childhoods.

Is it true you sold Blue Peter badges in the school playground?
Yes. It's bad isn't it? 50p for a badge, or £1 for a badge and an autograph. I hope my son doesn't do that to me. And if he does, I hope it's for more than £1.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has contributed to the Changing Plates report, with Oxford University and Birds Eye, which looks at meal times and their role in modern life.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Singer Sophie Ellis Bextor Appeals for Help On Animal Hoarding

Sophie Ellis Bextor said: ““I’m extremely glad that rescue homes like The Mayhew exist to be able to rescue animals like these poor cats, stuck in a 3rd Floor, one-bed flat, and then treat them and nurture them back to health. I hope this story will remind people just how important neutering your pets is, as this terrible situation spiraled into a case of animal hoarding which should never be allowed to occur. Please neuter all of your pets, there is no excuse not too when places like The Mayhew offer free and low-cost appointments.”

More from that article here:
http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/3745/singer-sophie-ellis-bextor-appeals-for-help-on-animal-hoarding/

Sophie to work with When Love Takes Over girls?

Maybe this is the "new song" which my source was talking about:
Now, Liv’s dealing with accountants and lawyers for the first time in her professional life and lining up new songs for Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the recent X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke.
SOURCE: http://blogs.whatsonstage.com/2009/08/24/love-song-to-liverpool/
Looks like Liv and Mim (Miriam Nervo and Olivia Nervo, the girls who wrote Kelly Rowland's "When Love Takes Over") are working with Sophie. Seems to me like Sophie is desperately looking for a hit, and she is working with everyone possible. Good strategy, i hope she doesn't go overboard though.

It's been so long, and still we don't have a confirmed list of producers for the album. I know i'm making a big issue of who the producers will be, but going by what Sophie said (about this being more dance oriented etc.,) seems like this is going to be more commercial than TTLF. So i guess the producers she picks are important.

I wonder if she'll come online sometime soon and tell us something about the album. As far as i know, she hasn't logged into her official forums since a really long time. Her twitter has no updates. And her MySpace is just copy-pasting the stuff from her official website.

Also, there hasn't been any confirmation about Calvin's new mix of Off & On, or that second Sophie/Freemasons track.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

a single this November MAYBE

Okay, according to inside sources:
"Sophie told me that they decided to release a single around October/November 2009, but probably with another single in early 2010 at the same time when the album will come out. So the album will come out in 2010 for sure now. She didn't tell me the name of the single, but it's something she recorded lately, it's brandnew, only a few days old !!!"
I'm trying not to get excited, but deep down, damn it i'm screaming and jumping around! I can't wait for this... fingers crossed that this is "the plan"

Monday, August 24, 2009

Teasing again...

The complete lack of updates annoys me, and many others who i've been speaking to. I have listened to the EP too many times, and i'm bored. But on the bright side, i just discovered Heartbreak is still on the charts, #58! Wow... that song is performing really well.

Okay, i'm going to share some inside stuff now - Sophie might end up recording a cover of "Its My Party", the song which she and Dan recently covered live. Listen to the original version here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRbsz1Ha7Zo

Personally, i wish Sophie would stop worrying about covering songs and just finish the ones that she has already written and bring out the album. The wait keeps stretching on. 2 years isn't really that long, but when you're teased with information on the internet which says "Sophie might bring out new material this year", you tend to get anxious and impatient.

If she really wants to record covers, then she JUST HAS TO RECORD these:
1. Crying At The Discotheque (Alcazar) - this song was written in heaven for Sophie. It should be hers. C'mon Sophie, record this. You know how people go crazy when you sing this
2. Crying At The Disco (Platinum Weird) - again, this song would be perfect for Sophie's dry delivery, and its got a really dark disco vibe to it. Would be amazing as a single as well!
3. Fame (Irene Cara) - but not right now, this should be a cover for the GH album..

If Sophie is looking for a #1, then all she has to do is try and fit all these into one song:
1. The "do it feel it touch it taste it" hook from New York City Lights. She needs another hook like that for the new album.
2. The dry vocals with no instruments ending, like it was in What Have We Started.
3. The "runawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay" from New York City Lights or the "i said that i would never leeeeeeeeeeave" from Final Move. She does that really well.
4. The spoken bit from Colour Me In
5. The "uh oh uh oh" hook from Heartbreak and Colour Me In
7. The "go go go go go" that she has in Get Over You or the "oh i know i know i know i know i know" from Murder On The Dancefloor
8. The beginning of Mixed Up World with that crescendo diminuendo (is that what its called), the part which has the "whyyyyyyyyyyyy" in it.
9. The wacky ending on Love It Is Love, or that really massive end which New York City Lights has.
10. The mewing "run to where you want" on Catch You
11. The extremely high pitched vocals on "my head is spinning, i think its winning" from Can't Fight This Feeling or "i need somebody's love, half is not enough" from If You Go..
12. The buildup in Heartbreak

What do you think? Wouldn't that be an epic song!?!
(thats actually an older picture, but doesn't she look like Madonna in that pic)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

whats going on??

Sophie world has been awfully quiet of late. Recently Sophie was at the Camden Roundhouse for the iTunes festival where she performed a few of her hits and a new song "Starlight". Some of the songs were made available as an EP on iTunes. If you haven't downloaded it yet, here's where you can find it - CLICK ME

Sophie has a couple of gigs lined up. She might release her new single sometime this year. Keep your eyes peeled...

Monday, August 10, 2009

Sophie & Dan covered It's My Party

Dan Gillespie-Sells' brother is working with OWAU (click here to read more about OWAU). Dan arranged for a mini-fest last saturday. He covered It's My Party (And I'll Cry If I Want To) with Sophie.
Watch here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYSNrbD0W0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsophie-online.net%2Fen%2F&feature=player_embedded

Wonder what happened to the Sophie/Dan duet...

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Response to the EP release

Now, most fans are happy that Sophie gave us "something" to listen to while we wait for the album, but is this EP a pathetic excuse for not finishing the album yet? Or is she genuinely busy working on something better?

First of all, thank you Sophie/Fascination for going ahead with the EP idea that several fans (including me) kept suggesting to you. If you are reading forums (official and unofficial), blogs, fansites etc., you will find a lot of fan suggestions that you could probably use for the album.

That said, i want to express my dissatisfaction with the EP. Sophie performed a new track at the Roundhouse and the least you could do was give us the live version of the song, if not a studio version leak. The whole point of having an EP suddenly seems pointless.

Sophie earlier made a statement that she wanted new material out this year. But now, inside rumours are that the album may not be out this year at all. Which is fine, she could still schedule the release for the first quarter next year, so long as she releases a single or two now.

There is ample time anyway till next year, and she can easily have two singles out before the album. That way people aren't going to forget her all over again. And she can continue recording the album between the promotion activities and later decide on a tracklist. She has several months to do all that. Sophie has recorde about 29 songs for the album, so what i'm expecting from the album (as are the other fans) apart from a number of singles is a number of b-sides.

She could try this:
September end - single release (preferably a Calvin Harris song)
October, November - promoting the single
December end - single release (this should be better than the former single cos the album will follow, and this song will have an impact on the album)
January - promoting the single, and pre-album gigs
February, March - single release along with the album
April, May, June - tour
May beginning - single release
June - promotion
July end - final single

Friday, August 7, 2009

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - iTunes EP

Sophie's iTunes Live EP! - PURCHASE HERE - http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vemFwaG9kLnVrLnZ2aHAubmV0L3Ytdi8wOTA4MDcwODU1NDg=

On 27th July Sophie rocked up to the Roundhouse in Camden to play to a packed crowd at the iTunes Festival, as part of ‘An Evening With Fascination Records’ alongside label-mates The Saturdays and Girls Can’t Catch.

We have a special treat for you all...

Sophie has released a special iTunes Live EP from the night, which you can get your hands on right now

This exclusive EP features some of the great tracks Sophie performed at the festival, including:

If I Can't Dance
Take Me Home
Catch You
Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)
Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)

Not only are you spoilt for choice with the above tracks, you'll also recieve a digital booklet featuring the fab photos from the night.

That is so Sophie not to include Starlight in there. What a waste of an entire EP. Who would release an EP with no new track!? Fascination are sometimes pretty dumb, and i don't think Sophie is going to come up with any bright ideas either.... (don't mind me, just some frustrated rambling.) Support Sophie, go to itunes and download - http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vemFwaG9kLnVrLnZ2aHAubmV0L3Ytdi8wOTA4MDcwODU1NDg=

Sunday, August 2, 2009

More details about the 4th album

Sophie has about 12 songs right now that are almost confirmed to make it to the album's final track list. Till now, she has recorded about 23 songs.

The song which i confirmed earlier - Music Took My Man, might not end up on the album, cos its old compared to what she has been recording. My inside source had revealed that the song was amazing. I hope the song ends up as a b-side at least...

Starlight might not be the new single. She probably just performed the track because she wanted to start promoting the album.. Still, its such an amazing track

Off And On might be the next single!

Or finessing "Off and On", the tune he's written for Ellis-Bextor – it's scheduled to be her next single, and her label are eagerly awaiting Harris's latest mix. Not that she's the first person to have a go at that tune, either. Harris originally wrote it for ex-Moloko singer Róisín Murphy. She rejected it and the occasionally mouthy Harris called her an idiot in print. They've since made up. In any case, "Róisín was right. The original version was shite."

SOURCE: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/calvin-harris-how-the-nondancing-foulmouthed-antisocial-scot-became-the-caledonian-justin-timberlake-1764506.html

Is this the direction she should head in? She already had Heartbreak remixed and released. Is it wise for her to release a remix of Off & On now? Personally i love the song, and i know lots of people who do, but i'm not sure if releasing one re-make after another is a good idea..

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