21 Sep 2006

Adam Joseph ''Faggoty Attention,'' Christina Aguilera, Annie and Switch 22

Tune in as Arjan of Arjanwrites.com has the latest behind-the-scenes look at the pop-alternative music industry, interviews, unreleased demo tracks, free downloads and original music reviews.

Free Download: Adam Joseph "Faggoty Attention"
Not only Matthew Duffy's new video is impacting MTV's LOGO, but also emerging artist Adam Joseph has his new video "Flow With My Soul" featured on the gay television network. The jazzy soul track is taken from Joseph's new album "How I Seem To Be" that he wrote, arranged, produced and released himself. The biography for the openly gay singer is right when it notes: "Don't let the picture fool you. This ain't no ordinary white boy (Catch the video for "Flow With My Soul" on his MySpace page.)

The Cincinatti singer who now lives in New York studied at the Berklee College of Music after which he formed the band The Elegant Children. He toured all over the East Coast with the group that not only helped him to establish a fan base, but also to finetune his singer/songwriter skills. Joseph singer spoke with fellow crooner Ari Gold for HX Magazine and commented about being an "out" singer. "I've been out since I was 14! It's funny, 'cause in other cities I was never really into the gay scene, but in New York it's been such a platform," he says. "Sometimes when I perform for an urban audience they look at me and I can tell they're like, 'What's he doing up there?' But then I start to sing and they're like, "Okaaay!"

Check out Adam Joseph's steamy "Faggotry Attention" that appears to be a left-over track from the "How I Seem To Be" recording sessions. It is a mid-tempo jam with a fun synth riff that features Jospeh's soulful vocals.

Download "Faggotry Attention" by Adam Jospeh [MP3]
Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" (Pedro London Peak Time Mix)
Check out this totally rare and anonymous remix of "Ain't No Other Man" by a group that is supposedly called Ain't No Other Man as well. This very secretive 12" vinyl is put out on an unknown label according to Juno. After listening to the two samples it is pretty obvious it is a mix of Christina Aguilera's original.
Free Download: Annie "Yours To Keep"
Norwegian pop songstress Annie has re-recorded "Yours To Keep," a track by Swedish rockers Teddybears. She is showing the band some Scandic love by adding her lush, delicate vocals to this pumping dance-rock track. If you're into it, make sure to also try out the original album version that features Neneh Cherry and is iTunes' free single of the week.



Download Annie "Yours To Keep" [MP3]


Hot New Talent Art: Switch 22
These hard-bodied superfreaks call themselves the superheroes of pop. And with good reason. Switch 22 put their own sexy spin on pop music by stripping away some of its gloss, injecting it with a heavy dose of potent boy power while vamping it up with slick hair gel and sexy eyeliner.

Switch 22 are Stefan D'Bar and Simon Wan (aka Swany) who first got together in 2005. In London's vibrant nightlife scene they hooked up with producer Unique Kid, which led to recording sessions in Norway and Sweden. The result is their fun debut record "We Put The 'S' In Action" that was recently released as a digital EP. The record should please pop aficionados with its inclusion of a bunch of different styles, from the sugary synth pop of "Yesterday to the disco groove of "Soul Shake, and from the Minogue-esque electro-pop of "Surrender" to the emotive balladry of "Beautiful Eyes." Switch 22 knows how to switch it. Download or preview the entire album here.

The group has been a huge hit on local Gay Pride festivals in the U.K this summer. Stefan and Swany realize the importance of a gay fan base early on in their career. "The gay scene is a good benchmark for the popularity of tunes as the gay crowd certainly seem to have less issues about making up their owns minds as to what's cool or shit!," says Swany in an interview with Rainbow Network.

Listen to two tracks by Switch 22 that give you a feel of their sound. Nostalgic is the inclusion of Bros' infamous "When Will I Be Famous" in the song "1985." Expect this indie duo to be signed to a major label soon. Until then, they are yours to discover.

Stream "Electric Girl" by Switch 22:



Stream "1985" by Switch 22: