OM NYA ALBUMMET
Tokio Hotel Working On 'Dark' Anthems For Next Album
Producers the Matrix discuss their work on upcoming LP, tentatively due in the spring.
By Gil Kaufman
It's been awhile since the production trio known as the Matrix worked on such a highly anticipated album. But that will change this spring when Tokio Hotel release the follow-up to their English language breakthrough album, Scream. The yet-untitled album is being co-produced by the pop songwriters/producers best known for their work with Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Korn.
"We're in the middle of working on the Tokio Hotel record right now," Matrix member Lauren Christy said Tuesday, the same day the collective's long-lost album featuring a then-unknown singer by the name of Katy Perry dropped on iTunes. "We've done eight songs for that record ... and I love the singer's voice and the fact that they play their own instruments. They're a real band, and they're very dark. They're this almost-perfect, gorgeous-looking band but with music that's very dark."
So far, Christy said the German group has laid down tracks at two different Los Angeles studios with the Matrix and with their own in-house production team over the past few months, with a mix that includes very "strong, anthem-y" songs with a dark edge and "lots of guitars."
Fellow Matrix producer Scott Spock said the sessions have been one of the most exciting and enjoyable of his career. "We've worked with so many different people, and when you get into a room where magic just starts happening ... it makes everything really fun," he said, comparing the spark to the one he felt working with Lavigne and Korn. "It's the same experience with Tokio Hotel. ... They are all really talented and can write and play, and they're the real deal."
Spock said he can't recall the last time he worked with a singer who had as much star quality as TH leader Bill Kaulitz. "The music business really needs Tokio Hotel right now," Spock said. "They're reviving that image of what a rock star is. ... Their writing has developed massively, and we're experimenting a bit with some Depeche Mode influence. ... It doesn't sound like anything else out there right now. People don't want to hear a bunch of 808s and Auto-Tuned vocals. They want the real stuff."
Christy added that one of the other things she's grown to love about the rockers is their strong sense of identity, one that seems impervious to the Matrix's tendency toward a big, bright pop sound. "The band is so aware of what they are, and when you have an artist that's that strong, you can't pull them and homogenize them and make them sound like they're not. They're very opinionated about what they want."
That strong sense of self has made it easier to work with the guys as they try to introduce some more American rock styles to their sound, Spock said, while working hard not to lose that unique essence that has made them worldwide stars already. "The push and pull between the camps has been great," he said. "And I think the album will be great because of that. I'm going to look back on this in 10 years and say, 'Wow, I worked with Tokio Hotel!' "
Christy said TH came to the Matrix because they really liked the ballad they'd co-written with Avril Lavigne, "I'm With You," as well as their production on Korn's See You on the Other Side album.
"They like the sadness of that song and were really touched by it," she said of the Lavigne tune. "They like the Korn records too, but they said, 'We wouldn't do that, but it's really good. But it's not truthful to us as a band.' " So far, the Matrix have been co-writing all the songs they've worked on with TH for the album, and at press time, Scott said they had completed work on six of those tunes.
The album is tentatively due in late spring, according to Christy; a spokesperson for TH's label could not be reached for comment at press time. "Their confidence in knowing exactly who they are and what they're doing, given how youthful they are, is amazing," Spock said. "They definitely bring the dark side of the pop song, not like a Lamb of God record but with rock influences that will cross over to so many different kids ... and even some adults."
In addition to the TH album, Christy said the Matrix have been grinding away on Korn singer Jonathan Davis' solo debut, an album by "iCarly" star Miranda Cosgrove, the next Ashley Tisdale CD and the soundtrack to the rebooted "Fame."
POLEN & TJECKIEN
Enligt www.tokiohotelpoland.com så kommer TH att ha spelningar i Polen & Tjeckien
under deras nya tour nu i vår.
NY T-SHIRT @ HOT TOPIC
Hot Topic's new Tokio Hotel logo shirt's cool and all, but I got in touch with Matthew at the Names Brand - he's the guy responsible for those Barack and Jonas Brothers tees - and he whipped up a couple different styles of Tokio Hotel Names Brand tees. The Tokio Hotel t-shirt above is the cranberry glitter version, it's just $25, and it's the most grosses kino thing I've seen all day!
As you can see, the guys' names are listed as "Bill & Tom & Georg & Gustav," so if you don't like the order, you'll just have to deal, okay? Deal.
TH I LONDON?
- Tokio Hotel är i London just nu, kommer stanna där en vecka, de är
troligtvis där för att filma till nya musikvideon. Eller (enligt andra) för att
träffa UMG (=Universal Music Group) i england.
- Bill har dreads
- Turnédatumen är klara, men inte officiella ännu.
Infon om att TH har möte med UMG kommer ifrån UK Officiall street team.
DAGENS BILD
BRAVO #5
NY SINGEL 15:E FEBRUARI?
nya singel att släppas den 15:e februari, och videon till den
ska ha gjorts i Las Vegas.
OLD PHOTOSHOOT
SCANS ONE #51
TOM'S NYA BIL?
på bilderna de tog är Tom's nya bil! Sant eller inte, det är frågan
Bilen är iallafall en AUDI R8, priset ligger på 895.000:-
TURNEN STARTAR I APRIL?
men de kan ju för en gång skull ha rätt) iallafall så står det ;
- TH's nya album släpps i slutet av Mars
- Turnen startar i April med och blir 60 spelningar
- Turnèdatum på Tokiohotel.de i slutet av Januari
Hoppas det är sant <3
- - -
Google översättning på hela artikeln ;
New Tattoo, new CD, new tour: Tokio Hotel are planning for 2009 a major attack. At the end of March will be their new CD will appear, the boys tinkering in the studio is currently under pressure in the last few songs. Bill: "It is our most personal album, in every line is my heart and soul!" TH end of January will be on its website (http://www.tokiohotel.de/) the new tour dates announced. From April, initially over 60 gigs across Europe is planned in the autumn followed by a U.S. tour. Maybe Bill shows (19) and its brand new tattoo on the left side of the upper body now emblazoned on the big krasse saying: "We never heard to shout, we return to the originating back!" Full strangelove!
/ Nummer 2 Popcorn.
NYA ALBUMMET, RESET?
Enligt Evous.fr ;
Tokio Hotel are calling their new album "Reset" in order to symbolise going back to the beginning. Bill says that he wants to hear how his voice mixed with the voice of someone else and that they are open to cooperation with other people.
Och enligt IOL Musica så kommer Portugal av finnas med i nya turnen.
RYKTEN
postat på Thus. Så kommer TH ev. att vara i London 22-23 Januari,
troligtvis för att jobba med nya musikvideon.
Oklart om detta ens har något sanning i sig då det saknas en riktig
källa.
TH & DESMOND CHILD
Do you remeber the hit "I was made for loving you" by Kiss, "Living on a Prayer" from Bon Jovi, "Hole in my Soul" of Aerosmith? the list of the co-wroted songs and produced by Desmond child is long... Indeed, 300 million albuns sold worldwide, half of them have him as producer or pricipal colaboratior. And now we knew that his writting with (to...) Tokio Hotel, as it did with the Jonas Brothers a few years ago. One thing is that is safe despite the changes that had been announced for their thirth album, the four Germans want always to be sure they sell many CDs.
BRAVO #4 - GUSTAV'S OPERATION
Drama for Tokio Hotel drummer Gustav Schäfer (20)! The Magdeburger had to be taken into emergency surgery in his hometown. Ruptured appendix, life threatening! The exclusive interview at his sick bed...
Bravo; You had an emergency surgery for your appendix. What happened?
Gustav: Two days after new years I woke up with a terrible stomach ache. I got myself some tea and thought: it will go away eventually. It did go well on some moments. But when the pain only got worst in the evening I decided to call a friend.
Bravo; Did you go to the hospital then right away?
Gustav: No, stupid enough, I didn't wanna go to the hospital. I underestimated the whole thing. My friend came over to my house and thank god talked me into going to the hospital after all.
Bravo; Did they operate on you right away?
Gustav: The doctors first did a few little tests and after that immediately took me into surgery!
Bravo; A ruptured appendix can be very dangerous. How bad was it all?
Gustav: The doctors told me that if had gotten there a little later it all could have ended differently. It was really close. Off course you know that a ruptured appendix can be dangerous. I don't get from myself why I acted the way I did. I owe my friend a lot.
Bravo; How did the surgery go? How long did it take? Do you still feel pain?
Gustav: The surgery took about an hour and happened while I was under full anaesthetics. The doctors made three small holes in my belly. They operated through that. Three days later, on 5 January I was released from the hospital.
Bravo; Do you still have pain?
Gustav: I barely feel pain anymore. But my belly doesn't really feel great either of course
STAR CLUB
Reclaimed in America, North Africa and in Europe, the four boys should launch into a tour marathon!
But what becomes of Tokio Hotel? After many months of being under medai surveillance, they dissappeared from French radio and television coverage. Their new album, expected to come out in January 2009, has been postponed to spring. Has this phenomenon been stunted? (?) Not necessarily...
At work...
Bill: "No, we are not separated. Tom and I are nutcases about work. We spend our time writing new songs, testing them and reworkign them. We'll come back strongly, believe me!"
Preparation...
Tom: "Yes, the release of the album has been postponed until spring of 2009. We don't know the date because you have to be ready. (?) Releasing a new album means to set out again on the roads of the world. We would love to do it, but all four of us need to take care of our health before starting again. But if our fans miss us, we will return as soon as possible."
In America...
Bill: "We know that people said that the Americans don't like us at all, and that it won't work in the states. But the night of the VMA's proved otherwise! We met at Hollywood, surrounded by international stars, and suddenly, we heard our name! We won the award of Best Newcomers! There were very big names there such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry. Afterwards, we celebrated with a party!
In South America...
Tom: "We also went to Mexico to do promotions for our music and we were received like Mexican stars. We spent hours signing autographs and we saw fans crying when we approached. It was very touching. We didn't know that we were liked there as well. We have to Internet to thank for that. I know that the fans of the world exchange info about us."
You hate...
Bill: "The worst are the attacks from the paparazzi. It's impossible to do anything without being photographed. Even during our vacation, they surprised us in our bathing suits."
Tom: " It is the same in France and in America. They try to catch us at our worst moments and take the worst pictures. One time in New York, I was having something to drink by myself, just to take a break. And the day after, I learned that Tokio Hotel is separated because I was alone in a bar."
Bill: "Oh yeah! Another dance in France, I was sitting on the ground during a repetition (?) to take a break, and I wasn't smiling. The morning after, I discovered that I was depressed and exhausted, and exploited by my management. It's such BS!"
Lessening the pressure...
Bill: "I know that I need to take a break. I was often sick in the past year and it's very annoying to be sick far from home. You feel very lonely...it had to be held because we had a very crazy schedule. I took photos without pleasure responded poorly at interviews. The only thing that I did gladly was signing autographs. I was time to take a break!"
And girls?
Tom: "I have the impression that I'm calm around girls. I seduce them a lot, but it doesn't amuse me anymore. I wonder whether or not I would be ready for a real relationship...under the condition that the girl is absolutely amazing!
Bill: "Me, I'm beginning to worry. More time has passed, and more people are becoming suspicious. When a girl approaches me during an after-show, I always ask if she's waiting for me. Does she want Bill from Tokio Hotel or is it really me that interests her? It really hurts me to not have a girlfriend. Fortunately I still have my music!
Tokio Hotel Haters...
Bill: "I know that they're are anti-Tokio-Hotel-campaigns in Germany and in some European countries. But I also learned that certain fans have been harassed in middle school or high school because they are fans. That's unacceptable! It's normal that there are people who don't like us. You can't please everybody...but when they take it out on our fans, I think its disgusting."
New Look?
Bill: "You want me to get rid of my look? It's not because we are approaching the release of a new album that I'm changing. I do whatever I feel like doing at the moment. It's true that I stopped putting streaks in my hair. Everybody can see it on my statue at Madam Tussaud's. But my look is not a marketing product that I change according to albums or tours. It depends on the moment and if I want to change anything. And in this case, it'll be a surprise for everybody!"
DAGENS BILD
OLD PHOTOSHOOT
SEVENTEEN.COM VIDEOINTERVJU
DAGENS BILDER
