nd33 said:

lrn36 said:

This year it is Lorde. Last year it was Lana Del Rey. Every year they roll out some self conscious, "deep" artist for the teens who consider themselves above the antics of Miley Cyrus. They are always female, dressed in black with a weird, affected vocal delivery and presense. Its all so calculated, and by the book. The standards for pop music have sunk so low that anyone who reaches slightly above it is a hailed as a genius.

I've been following her in our local paper...

Read the interview earlier in thread. Lorde is presenting herself as she wants and she is dictating the direction of her image, which is almost unbelievable, from what we've come to know of the pop scene.

Earlier this year in NZ, she released her single and radio picked it up and it ended up going to number one. Then she released her EP and insisted that it be free, because she just wanted her music out there, to as many people as possible. Universal was not happy, but she got her way.

She didn't want to release any photos of herself on her website, against the norm, as she wanted people to focus on her music and not image. Her website, up until last month had simply one drawing of her as the only image, and that's it! Been fun story to follow and so unexpected coming from here.

So regardless of whether you think "it's all so caluclated, and by the book", she's calculating it herself. Her success is a byproduct of her making the music she wants to make. Pretty amazing!

That could all be part of a calculated story by the record label. "See, look how rebellious she is! She's giving away music for free! She won't show her face! Isn't she fantastic and different?!"

Here a quote form Lorde

“Taylor Swift is so flawless, and so unattainable, and I don’t think it’s breeding anything good in young girls. ‘I’m never going to be like Taylor Swift, why can’t I be as pretty as Lorde?’ That’s f—ing bull—,”

Well, Miss Lorde if that's how you feel that way then don't aspire to be a pop artist. Be a scientist or lawyer and create your songs at home for your own pleasure. What she is really saying is "I'm different girls. Don't follow them follow me by not following me. Buy my records. I'm giving them away for free. Be your own person by following me."

I have to admit if she is really doing this on her, she is a pretty savvy salesman, but a salesman nontheless.

lrn36 said:

nd33 said:

I've been following her in our local paper...

Read the interview earlier in thread. Lorde is presenting herself as she wants and she is dictating the direction of her image, which is almost unbelievable, from what we've come to know of the pop scene.

Earlier this year in NZ, she released her single and radio picked it up and it ended up going to number one. Then she released her EP and insisted that it be free, because she just wanted her music out there, to as many people as possible. Universal was not happy, but she got her way.

She didn't want to release any photos of herself on her website, against the norm, as she wanted people to focus on her music and not image. Her website, up until last month had simply one drawing of her as the only image, and that's it! Been fun story to follow and so unexpected coming from here.

So regardless of whether you think "it's all so caluclated, and by the book", she's calculating it herself. Her success is a byproduct of her making the music she wants to make. Pretty amazing!

That could all be part of a calculated story by the record label. "See, look how rebellious she is! She's giving away music for free! She won't show her face! Isn't she fantastic and different?!"

Here a quote form Lorde

“Taylor Swift is so flawless, and so unattainable, and I don’t think it’s breeding anything good in young girls. ‘I’m never going to be like Taylor Swift, why can’t I be as pretty as Lorde?’ That’s f—ing bull—,”

Well, Miss Lorde if that's how you feel that way then don't aspire to be a pop artist. Be a scientist or lawyer and create your songs at home for your own pleasure. What she is really saying is "I'm different girls. Don't follow them follow me by not following me. Buy my records. I'm giving them away for free. Be your own person by following me."

I have to admit if she is really doing this on her, she is a pretty savvy salesman, but a salesman nontheless.

Well, anythings possible, but it appears unlikely.

It seems the record label just got lucky and found themselves with a hit, out of nowhere. This song only got a proper release in the US and other places after it became a surprise hit in New Zealand in February and then they saw the potential. I can't imagine any of this was planned prior to that, as noone really cares about an aspiring singer/songwriter from New Zealand.

I'm mates with her high school teacher, who knows her and her parents well. I'll ask for his comment when I see him next.

Bit of insight (video interview)...

[Edited 10/3/13 5:05am]

nd33 said:

lrn36 said:

That could all be part of a calculated story by the record label. "See, look how rebellious she is! She's giving away music for free! She won't show her face! Isn't she fantastic and different?!"

Here a quote form Lorde

“Taylor Swift is so flawless, and so unattainable, and I don’t think it’s breeding anything good in young girls. ‘I’m never going to be like Taylor Swift, why can’t I be as pretty as Lorde?’ That’s f—ing bull—,”

Well, Miss Lorde if that's how you feel that way then don't aspire to be a pop artist. Be a scientist or lawyer and create your songs at home for your own pleasure. What she is really saying is "I'm different girls. Don't follow them follow me by not following me. Buy my records. I'm giving them away for free. Be your own person by following me."

I have to admit if she is really doing this on her, she is a pretty savvy salesman, but a salesman nontheless.

Well, anythings possible, but it appears unlikely.

It seems the record label just got lucky and found themselves with a hit, out of nowhere. This song only got a proper release in the US and other places after it became a surprise hit in New Zealand in February and then they saw the potential. I can't imagine any of this was planned prior to that, as noone really cares about an aspiring singer/songwriter from New Zealand.

I'm mates with her high school teacher, who knows her and her parents well. I'll ask for his comment when I see him next.

That's cool. I'm just getting this whole Frank Ocean, crash and burn before getting out the gate vibe from her. The fact that she considers Nicki Minaj to be an important figure in pop music tells me everything I need to know.

[Edited 10/3/13 13:06pm]

lrn36 said:

This year it is Lorde. Last year it was Lana Del Rey. Every year they roll out some self conscious, "deep" artist for the teens who consider themselves above the antics of Miley Cyrus. They are always female, dressed in black with a weird, affected vocal delivery and presense. Its all so calculated, and by the book. The standards for pop music have sunk so low that anyone who reaches slightly above it is a hailed as a genius.

I'm as jaded as the next guy, but it's good business to offer an alternative. There is no such thing as a catch-all

Just an intelligent teenager, thrust into a mad mad situation!

Lorde Releases Preview of Tears for Fears Cover for 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack: Listen

By Ashley Lee, The Hollywood Reporter | November 12, 2013 7:45 PM EST

L

Lorde's latest track release can be found on the "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" soundtrack.

Rather than penning an original track, the New Zealand singer covered "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," the 1985 hit from Tears for Fears. MTV News previewed the track exclusively on Monday night.

Lorde's rendition initially spotlights her textured lower register against booming bass sounds, including some of the same sound effects also present in Coldplay's "Catching Fire..., "Atlas." The haunting song then grows into an anthemic rumble during the chorus -- an approach that Tears for Fears' Curt Smith called "absolutely amazing."

The cover fits the film's soundtrack perfectly, as Smith said in 1985 of the song, "The concept is quite serious — it's about everybody wanting power, about warfare and the misery it causes." The themes of power and control were first introduced in the franchise's first "Hunger Games" film, and evoked through songs by Taylor Swift, The Decemberists and The Secret Sisters.

Lorde joins fellow chart-toppers on the sequel's soundtrack, including Christina Aguilera, The Lumineers, Ellie Goulding, Of Monsters and Men, Sia, The National, The Weeknd, Imagine Dragons, Patti Smith, Mikky Ekko, Santigold, Phantogram and Antony & The Johnsons.

Hear a preview of Lorde's dark cover below:

.

https://soundcloud.com/ki...o-rule-the

[Edited 11/12/13 19:28pm]

Her attitude towards lana del rey reminds me of avril lavigne shitting on pop stars back in 00s, but with a few more albuns and a lot of money and success i'm pretty sure that this image of "not material at all" will die pretty hard.

But, either way much respect for beign so yound and hitting number 1.

Strange how I had never heard of Lorde before yesterday when I saw her in a photo with David Bowie. And then even more strangely, just now as I was reading this thread, the David Letterman show came on and there was a young girl dressed all in black with black lipstick singing an interesting song about alienation ("we're only surfacing" lyrics?) and it turns out she was Lorde...

I can see where they were going with the TFF cover and I like some of the ideas, but I'm not sure it actually works. The jury is still out...

Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor(Lorde) did a 25 min. concert at Letterman yesterday:

.

http://www.cbs.com/shows/...744/lorde/

.

st vincent is more interesting

Saw her on Letterman. Her performance made excited about new music again. For 16 she looks like she has been performing for years. What a voice too! Hopefully she will stay grounded. Sounds like she is off to a great start.

Her wikipedia page lists Prince as one of her influences.

[Edited 11/14/13 13:33pm]