HRS News

The UK-born singer/songwriter whose influences include Led Zeppelin, Massive Attack, Jill Scott and Hole (Courtney Love’s band) has been compared to Billie Holiday and critically acclaimed to the nth degree with her self-titled debut, released June 2006.

Combining soul and pop sensibilities with jazzy vocal stylings and an indescribable onstage innocence, the lanky vocalist is humble when painting a picture of her music.

“[It's] a little bit of everything: it’s chilled out, acoustic, kooky, atmospheric and soulful,” she says. “I’d also be tempted to say it comes from a very organic place, but that would sound pretentious, so I won’t.”

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VIDEO: “Like A Star” – Windows |Real |Quicktime

AUDIO: “Put Your Records On” Windows |Real

Henry Adaso over at SOHH Houston’s blog helps hip us to the sudden, and rather biased, controversy surrounding grills.
Seems like the local yokels in the Texas school district want to ban dental self expression. And while Adaso points out Paul Wall’s blinged-out grill, I remember seeing many “uncles” from waaaaay back in the day with a number of gold teeth, so why is this cultural tradition so “immoral” now? Because it’s been embraced by hip-hop culture. Right on, Henry.

And speaking of Paul Wall, this guy’s got his grind-tabulous fingers in so many pies, it was clear in our interview that they could take away his grill and he’ll still be paid. Ironically, the rapper is in Sierra Leone as part of VH1′s “Rock Doc” documentary chronicling how that country’s people have been sacrificed to fuel the diamond trade.

Photo courtesy Atlantic

Usher, who in 2005 announced he was taking a break from performing , has had his hand in a number of acting projects including film and television. Now he can add Broadway to his already impressive belt.

“This is a very exciting time in my career,” the 27-year-old said in a statement. “I have always admired Broadway actors for their showmanship, dedication and focus that goes into performing live on stage every night. Being on Broadway allows you to connect to audiences in a whole new way that’s different from music and movies.”

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