john mellencamp

artist: john mellencamp
venue: acer arena
date: 28 nov 2008
sound: rock/pop

"didn't enjoy his show as much as sheryl's maybe because i don't know any of his stuff or i was still high on sheryl. still i was impressed by his songwriting skills, the stories he told and more amazingly his band. very well put together. he was really good to his fans. some of them came to the front of the stage to take some close-up pix but the security guard came to chase them away and he told the security guard to fuck off. what a man ! there was a moment of bliss when sheryl came out to do a duet with him :)"

official website: http://www.mellencamp.com/

sheryl crow

HIGHLIGHT

artist: sheryl crow

venue: acer arena

date: 28 nov 2008

sound: rock/pop

"omfg. i waited almost 15 years to see her live and my dream finally came true (who ever said dreams don't come true. didn't wish hard enough!). she is such a fantastic performer. real pro and one hot sexy mama :) she played all her hits and thus, i relived every single moment that i missed in the 90s. only wished she played more of her newer stuff, afterall it is the 'love is free' tour. definitely worth the wait. 1 hour of pure heaven ! now .. back to dreaming .... :p"

official website: http://www.sherylcrow.com/

jackson mclaren

HIGHLIGHT
artist: jackson mclaren
venue: oxford art factory
date: 30 oct 2008
sound: acoustic/folk/pop

"he got up the stage, sang all his songs on stage and left the stage. amazingly shy, was surprised he even got up the stage. having said that, his songs were infectious with great lyrics + melody and he performed them incredibly well. would definitely love to see and hear more of his stuff. "

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jacksonmclaren

gin wigmore

HIGHLIGHT
artist: gin wigmore
venue: oxford art factory
date: 30 oct 2008
sound: alternative/pop

"so, me along with the rest of the crowd were mesmerized by this amazing act. opening for jay brannan, she was able to captivate the audience with her infectious pop tunes and performance. fantastic crowd interaction. one good packaging. very good live. love to hear and see more of her."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ginwigmore

jay brannan

HIGHLIGHT
artist: jay brannan
venue: oxford art factory
date: 30 oct 2008
sound: acoustic/folk/pop

"so, if you have seen the movie 'shortbus' you would have seen more than hearing the very catchy 'sodapop' ;) Eventhough the performance isn't R rated, he didn't fail to entertain the crowd with his kick ass acoustic 1 man show. fantastic voice. great songs great hooks. most memorable moment was when he sang the cathy dennis penned track 'i kissed a girl' ! i almost melted. haha. check out his EP (released by his own record label 'the great depression records') on itunes ... a definitely MUST SEE live performer."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jaybrannan

the bangles

HIGHLIGHT
artist: the bangles
venue: enmore theater
date: 12 oct 2008
sound: pop

"i love being at a bangles concert coz i am always the youngest in the crowd :) these chicks in their late 40s still do know how to have a good time on stage. playing a mix of old and new tracks one after another and the crowd reacted to every old hit song ! it is really different being in a crowd of mature audiences. they are there for the music and having a great time without being stupid. this is their 2nd reunion concert in australia and also my second bangles concert. twice they skipped the comeback hit single 'something that you said' wtf?. sigh. maybe the next concert ... least they didn't dare skip 'walk like an egyptian' and 'eternal flame'. i predict a riot if that happens."

official site: http://www.thebangles.com/

katy perry

artist: katy perry
venue: the forum
date: 10 oct 2008
sound: pop

"it must be a challenge to perform to an all ages crowd, kids who wanted to be there because it's cool to be seen in a concert, kids who constantly talked on the cell phone while you sing, or kids who are there to only listen to your 2 current hit singles etc. still she was patient enough to put on a relatively good show. great sparkling outfit. unfortunately the mix weren't that good. maybe it's the venue. more noise than her vocals. still it was really exciting for me to see my very first song penned by cathy dennis performed live by the original artist. heaven !"

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/katyperry

kate miller-heidke

HIGHLIGHT

artist: kate miller-heidke

venue: the forum
date: 02 oct 2008
sound: pop

"it has been a common occurrance these days where the opening act outshine the main act. kate miller-heidke blew the crowd with her amazing performance. she has this amazing voice of an opera singer that blended really well with her infectious pop tunes. she interacted very well with the crowd. the absolute orgasmic moment was when she did the cathy dennis written track 'toxic', a wake up call to britney telling her to get her life back together. everyone in the crowd knew and sang along to that track. the power of a pop music! (ironically, most people are too cool and or too ashamed to admit liking a song performed by britney, yet most people know it by heart. go figure!) a moment to remember ! definitely an act to see LIVE !"

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke

Colbie Caillat

artist: colbie caillat

venue: the forum

date: 02 oct 2008

sound: pop

"so, i was really looking forward to see her play but was disappointed by the show. not that she wasn't very good but for someone as professional as her, the engineer on the set sucks. the mix was aweful. it drums and guitar overshadowed her vocals for almost the entire set. her saving grace was doing a solo acoustic track on 'bubbly' !"

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/colbiecaillat

pomo mofo

artist: pomo mofo
venue: oxford art factory
date: 28 aug 2008
sound: electronic/pop

"they are quite experimental with their beats and sounds. some of their tracks are very promising. although their performance didn't wow me, i'm curious to see where they will be 5 years from now. will take note to check them out again."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/pomomofomusic

theater of disco

artist: theater of disco
venue: oxford art factory
date: 28 aug 2008
sound: electronic/pop

"remembering seeing them at the essential last year, they were mad.they just went all crazy with their costumes. so much fun to watched. this time, they are no different. they seem to have a party on stage channeling a positive vibe to the audience making us all have a good time. good stuff."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theatreofdisco

art vs science

artist: art vs science
venue: oxford art factory
date: 28 aug 2008
sound: electronic/pop

"3 piece electronic pop band. good melody, good tunes, simple lyrics, good hooks. fun to watch. they play well together and seem to have a great time on stage. catch them LIVE when you can."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/artvsscience

melanie horsnell

HIGHLIGHT
artist: melanie horsnell
venue: enmore theater
date: 09 aug 2008
sound: acoustic/folk/pop

"i remember seeing melanie at the essential last year and she was amazing. she still is! she has this very soothing voice that puts you at peace when she sings. her songs are very beautifully written. definitely try to catch her LIVE when you can. meanwhile check out her songs from myspace and pick up a copy of her CD or download them from itunes."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/melaniehorsnell
official site: http://www.melaniehorsnell.com/

jason mraz

artist: jason mraz
venue: enmore theater
date: 09 aug 2008
sound: pop

"going to a mraz concert isn't as exciting as it used to be. not because this is my 7th mraz concert. it's everything. i am so used to seeing him in a small intimate venue when he plays acoustically with just 1 (toca rivira) or 2 other musicians, performing at a venue with great acoustics, to true mraz fans who shut up and listen while he plays and us fans who know almost every song in his 100+ catalog. so, everything being a big noisy band, the mix was good but the effect is not the same. experiencing a mraz concert is about being drowned by his voice and not the band. next, the crowd. he is big enough to attract kids who just want to be there because he is now the next big thing, who would talk on the cell while he sings, constant chitchatting and gossiping, there to only listen to his hit single 'i'm yours'..etc. i can on and on but i won't. as i predicted 4 years ago, "he is going to be huge" and i am really happy that he has achieve a mega star status now, i am glad i got to experience the best part of his carreer. this is my farewell mraz tour and also my lowest mraz concert rating. moving on to a more positve note ... the duet he did with melanie horsnell, 'lucky' was awesome !"

official site: http://www.jasonmraz.com

trial kennedy

artist: trial kennedy
venue: oxford art factory
date: 09 may 2008
sound: rock

"ok. my first time at the oxford art factory. fucking awesome venue. only problem ... the acoustic. the sound don't seem to travel from the stage. its almost as if there is an invisible acoustic insulation at the edge of the stage. the artists were screaming their lungs out and banging on their instruments (seeing it's a hard rock concert) but all you could hear is muffles. kinda good too coz i left the venue and my ears ain't ringing. as for the band, i think they are pretty cool. the lead singer has got a really good voice, again, pity it didn't travel very far. a few great tracks esp. 'neighbors' that stayed in my head. would sure love to see them again in another venue."

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/trialkennedy

the holidays

artist: the holidays
venue: the spectrum
date: 03 may 2008
sound: rock

"eventhough the spectrum is a really cool venue, the frustrating thing is that acoustically, its never great. theres too much noise and that often overshadow the melody and the vocals. I blame the engineer. tune down the bloody drums. its cool to rock but its not a solo drums show. good looks is not enough to put on a good show but the crowd were jumping. need to check out their EP to judge the music, melody and lyrics wise. get their new EP anyway. its out !"

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theholidays

the kaya ladies

HIGHLIGHT
artist: kaya ladies
venue: will & tobys
date: 02 may 2008
sound: acappella

"another breathtaking performance that blew me away @ will & tobys. totally unexpected. great harmonies, songwriting skills and fantastic show. they are great with interacting with each other showing how much they enjoy doing the show. even the covers they did, they made it their own. these ladies got a style of their own. if only their clothes were more cohesive. again, picked up the CD but the CD experience wasn't half as good as live.

myspace: www.myspace.com/thekayaladies
web: http://www.kaya.net.au/

essential 2008

April 25th 2008 12:10 - 00:15

so, this is not exactly pop but its essential. definitely one of my most favorite event of the year. had a blast. 12 hours of continuous live music. what more can i ask. so much anticipation, embarrassedly, i was the 3rd to arrive. more proud than shame.

Below is the list of who i watched plus my personal review of each of the bands. please note my ratings are purely personal and by no means reflecting how good or how bad they are as musicians.

01
artist: TALONS
venue: gaelic theater
time: 12:10 - 12:40

"the first band to kick off essential 2008. probably the hardest coz the crowd is small. their spirits were quite high though. pure noise. but they were having fun."







02
artist: PIP BRANSON CORPORATION
venue: gaelic theater
time: 13:00 - 13:30

"they got quite good melody to their songs and great at interacting with the crowd. fun to watch."







03
artist: THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS
venue: gaelic theater
time: 13:50 - 2:20

"they were quite fun to watch. if only they would bring down the noise alittle coz they have quite good melody. want to hear more vocals."







HIGHLIGHT
04
artist: CUTHBERT & THE NIGHTWALKERS
venue: gaelic theater
time: 14:45 - 15:15

"a long name to fit the amount of musicians. this is probably the first band that i really enjoy. alot of hooks and good tunes. the mix was really good because i could hear the vocals quite clearly. the background vocalists were awesome. synchonized dancing. very 80s. the crowd were jumping."




05
artist: CENTIPEDE
venue: the madison
time: 15:30 - 16:00

"first band to kick off the madison venue. was looking forward to them but was quite disappointed. the mix were really bad. too much noise and could hardly hear any vocal. pity coz they got quite good melody. it makes you wonder if they just wanna jam really loud because they wanna hide their shitty lyrics ?"





HIGHLIGHT
06
artist: ERIN MARSHALL
venue: the madison
time: 14:30 - 17:00

"definitely the highlight essential. pure acoustic pop. definitely the only show that concentrates on vocals because that's her strength. coupled with beautiful lyrics and style making the show even better. cool bother to help support her."





07
artist: BIRD AUTOMATIC
venue: the madison
time: 17:30 - 18:00

"quite a good band but i was high on erin to fully concentrate on the show. hah"








HIGHLIGHT
08
artist: GRAFTON PRIMARY
venue: gaelic theater
time: 19:45 - 20:15

"omg the crowd were going crazy. everyone were jumping. so was i. electronic rock seems to be the in thing. great melody and hooks."





09
artist: the e.l.f. experiment
venue: the madison
time: 20:45 - 21:30

"more of 2 djs spinning than conventional live performance. still it was fun to watch."







10
artist: WOW
venue: gaelic theater
time: 21:45 - 22:30

"these people were just doing their thang on stage. again just spinning. really. does anyone really need to watch them live ? could easily buy their cd and listen to it at home. still they had great visuals projected and got the crowd jumping. admittedly, so did i."





11
artist: GASLIGHT RADIO
venue: the madison
time: 23:15 - 00:15

"the final band in the madison. was kinda disappointed. again, really bad mix. really noisy, inhibiting the vocals. both they guitarist and bass player turned their backs to the crowd and they dont even have nice asses."







there you go. pity it ended. now i can't wait for essential 2009.

-------------------
dmented.tapes mix
noise: the mix. if the instruments are too loud overshadowing the vocals
melody: catch-i-ness and hook
lyrics/mix: good lyrics or if they can be heard
looks/clothes: ok lets face it. we all want our artist to look good. looks sell
fun on stage: if they are having fun or if someone is pointing a gun when they perform
interaction: interaction with the crowd
crowd: crowd's reaction
overall: well, if they could be a pop star and sell millions
-------------------

Athron

HIGHLIGHT
artist: athron
venue: will & tobys
date: 04 april 2008
sound: acoustic

"a performance that blew me away. totally unexpected. good sound, good looks, good music, good lyrics, good voice, good show and more importantly fun ... at an excellent venue. Picked up the CD but the CD experience wasn't half as good as live. in the wise words of his cello player .... you should do more show !"

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/athronsounds

cathy dennis

feature artist: cathy dennis

.songwriter, producer, performer, actor.

"ok. i am sick of not being able to find much information about cathy. so i am going to start my own posting regarding one of the most sought after songwriter of all time. lets us all help build a cathypedia. so start sending any news, missing info etc and i will update them on this post !"

Excerpt from Music Week ...
** If you can't get that song out of your head, it could be because it was written by Cathy Dennis, the former solo performer turned songwriter behind some of the biggest pop hits of the last decade.

When a 17-year-old Cathy Dennis walked into an audition at a London dance studio more than 20 years ago, few would have realized that she would become one of the most influential British songwriters of a generation.

The audition organizer, who had recently left his A&R job at Chrysalis and was searching for a British answer to Madonna to manage, was just glad to have found somebody who not only looked good and could dance, but was also a great singer.

Two decades later Simon Fuller is still Dennis' manager, and taking time out from overseeing the Spice Girls reunion, he is quick to admit that his heart sank when weeks after signing her his young charge announced she wanted to write her own songs.

"To fob her off, I booked her into a studio for a day, and I thought the songs would be rubbish," he confesses. "I was completely wrong. Immediately I had to change my whole plan and realised I needed to nurture this [songwriting] talent."

Fuller initiated what he describes as a songwriting apprenticeship, before taking a video of her to John Williams, then head of A&R at Polydor, who signed the budding artist in 1987 on a three-year development deal for #20,000. **

She was first spotted recording Stevie Wonder influenced demos at The Kitchen in Norwich with her father (himself an experienced musician and local restaurateur) on piano.

In 2007, she created her own publishing company, Toxic Songs – named after the hit she wrote for Britney Spears – and made her first signing, Fabien Waltmann.

to be updated ... soon !

written by cathy dennis ... 2007 - 2008

so, here is a comprehensive listing of songs written by cathy dennis, chronologically. If i missed any, it means i don't have it in my collection. let me know and i'll add it in. also, if i made an error, tell me and i will amend it.

2008

artist: KATY PERRY
song: I KISSED A GIRL
writers: Katy Perry, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Cathy Dennis
album: one of the boys
.single. US #1(7), UK #1, AUS #1


artist: WARREN MALONE
song: FRENCH KISSES
writers: Jentina Chapman, Cathy Dennis, Greg Wells
album: french kisses
.single.

"remake of jentina's 2004 single."

2007

artist: KYLIE MINOGUE
song: SENSITIZED
writers: Guy Chambers, Cathy Dennis, Serge Gainsbourg
producers: Guy Chambers, Cathy Dennis
album: X
UK #4, (platinum) US #139, AUS #1 (platinum)


artist: JORDIN SPARKS
song: YOUNG AND IN LOVE
writers: Cathy Dennis, C. Karlsson,P. Winnberg, H. Jonback
album: jordin sparks
US #10


artist: CARRIE UNDERWOOD
song: YOU WON'T FIND THIS
writers: Cathy Dennis, Tom Shapiro
album: carnival ride
US #1 (2x platinum)


artist: ROISIN MURPHY
song: SUNSHINE
writers: Cathy Dennis, Dean Honer, Richard Barrett, Róisín Murphy
album: b-side to let me know
UK #28


artist: ROISIN MURPHY
song: ON AND OFF
album: unreleased *LEAKED*
writers: Róisín Murphy, Cathy Dennis, Calvin Harris

"according to calvin harris, roisin's mental and didn't want to include this really good track in her album. apparently, sophie ellis bextor has recorded this track for her next album."


artist: DAVID GUETTA feat. COZI
song: BABY WHEN THE LIGHT
writers: Cathy Dennis, David Guetta, Joachim Garraud, Steve Angello
album: pop life
FR #2
.single. UK #55, FR #6


artist: SUGABABES
song: ABOUT YOU NOW
album: change
UK #1 (platinum)
writers: Cathy Dennis, Lukasz Gottwald
.single. UK #1 (gold)



artist: SUGABABES
song: SURPRISE
writers: Cathy Dennis, Lukasz Gottwald
album: change
UK #1 (platinum)


artist: SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR
song: CATCH YOU
writers: Cathy Dennis, Greg Kurstin
album: trip the light fantastic
UK #7
.single. UK #8

written by cathy dennis ... 2004 - 2006

so, here is a comprehensive listing of songs written by cathy dennis, chronologically. If i missed any, it means i don't have it in my collection. let me know and i'll add it in. also, if i made an error, tell me and i will amend it.

2006

artist: P!NK
song: CENTERFOLD
writers: P!nk, Cathy Dennis, Greg Kurstin
album: i'm not dead (bonus track)
US #6, UK #3, AUS #1

2005

artist: SUGABABES
song: LIKE THE WEATHER
writers: Cathy Dennis, Guy Sigsworth, Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan & Mutya Buena
album: push the button
UK #1 (2x platinum)


2004

artist: VICTORIA BECKHAM
song: MY LOVE IS FOR REAL
writers: Cathy Dennis, ....
album: unreleased *LEAKED


artist: SAM & MARK
song: MEASURE OF A MAN
writers: Cathy Dennis, David Siege, Steve Morales
double A-single: with a little help from my friends & measure of a man
.single. UK #1


artist: MICHELLE McMANUS
song: ONE LIFE
writers: Cathy Dennis, ...
-----
song: MORE THAN ANYTHING
writers: Cathy Dennis, ...
-----
song: WHEN THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
writers: Cathy Dennis, ...
-----
album: the meaning of love
UK #3 (gold)


artist: JENTINA
song: FRENCH KISSES
writers: Jentina Chapman, Cathy Dennis, Greg Wells
album: french kisses
.single. UK #20


artist: JANET JACKSON
song: ISLAND LIFE
writers: Cathy Dennis, Janet Jackson, Scott Storch
album: damita jo
US #2 (platinum), UK #32 (silver), AUS #18


artist: EMMA BUNTON
song: LAY YOUR LOVE ON ME
writers: Cathy Dennis, Emma Bunton
album: free me
UK #7


artist: DELTA GOODREM
song: THE ANALYST
writers: Guy Chambers, Delta Goodrem, Cathy Dennis
-----
song: ELECTRIC STORM
writers: Guy Chambers, Delta Goodrem, Cathy Dennis
-----
song: SANTUARY
writers: Guy Chambers, Delta Goodrem, Cathy Dennis
-----
album: the meaning of love
UK #25, (gold), AUS #1 (5x platinum)


artist: BROOKE HOGAN
song: EVERYTHING TO ME
writers: Cathy Dennis, Kenny Gioia, Rob Davis, Sheppard
Producers: Cathy Dennis, Kenny Gioia, Rob Davis, Sheppard
album: this voice
.single. US #97