Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » arabella jones

EXCLUSIVE Interview: Lex Rosenthal

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:26:54 +0000

When I heard about a young British girl singing country music, I really wasn’t sure what to think. When someone thinks of a country music singer, you will pretty much think they’re from the Southern states. It’s no secret that country music isn’t huge in Europe unless you’re a superstar named Taylor Swift. So, how different would an English accent sound singing country music? It actually turns out quite good.

Lex Rosenthal is a 15 year old country music fan just getting her feet on the ground in the music business. A big Taylor Swift fan, she first got into country music after seeing Swift perform in London in 2007. A friend of Arabella Jones, she lists Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum as her influences. A nice girl with a down-to-earth personality, Lex is just starting to put herself out there musically and is a very smart girl for her age. Read the interview under the cut.

How would you describe yourself as an artist and your sound?
I would describe myself as a mix of things. I’m an English teenager singing country and country pop music, so I suppose it is a bit different to country music sung by an American. I like to think that makes me unique… but I don’t know for sure! I’m not going to say that I sound unlike anyone else – but in this genre, my sound is probably not the same as other artists. Maybe it would be best to say it’s British country pop, and leave it at that?

As a new artist, where do you see yourself in ten years?
Who knows? The music business is so unpredictable. I’d love to be a big name, someone that everyone had heard of. I could easily see myself on stage, performing. I’d hate to do anything else! Being realistic, I couldn’t say; I’ll either make it big, or I won’t. Hey, if I end up in this business at 25, I wouldn’t wish for anything else.

What made you choose to do country music out of all genres?
Well, I suppose it was when I first heard of Taylor Swift, maybe in 2007. Being a kid in England, country has never really been a big thing here. I think that’s a shame, so I’d like to change that. I just love country music; to me, it feels so real in comparison to some other genres. I didn’t really sing until this year though – I was really terrible till now!

Who would be your dream duet partner and why? What would you sing?
Wow, well, I think my life would be complete if I could duet with Taylor. One day I will (fingers crossed!). I’d want to write a song with her and sing that. I reckon that would be wonderful.

What is one song that you wish you would have written yourself and why?
That’s a tough one! There are so many songs that I adore. Honestly, I think I’d be proud to be the writer of any song that Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift or Tim McGraw ever wrote. So… can I say three? “The House That Built Me”, “Long Live” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’”.

What do you think is more important: Good songwriting or a catchy tune?
I guess that it depends. I’d rather write amazing lyrics for a song, than an amazing melody, personally. If you want a commercially viable song, though… would it be best to have a catchy tune that sticks in people’s minds? Maybe. I think you have to look at each song individually.

Ever had an embarrassing on-stage moment? If so, what was it?
Not as a singer; as a dancer, yes, I have! I forgot a dance on stage when I was about 8 or 9, and it was a solo, which was the worst part! I can’t remember the details exactly. I must have blocked it out. It was pretty traumatic I have to say.

I noticed you are a fan of Miranda Lambert. What is it about her that you find so inspiring?
Her lyrics are fantastic; her voice is gorgeous; she’s brilliant generally. I like that she’s not one of those talentless divas that think they are above everyone else. Quite honestly I don’t think that people like that exist in country music. Most of them are real hard-workers.

What made you want to be a singer? Has there been a moment where you’ve wanted to give up?
Well I’ve always loved singing. As a young child I was always involved with the school choir and performing at fetes and concerts. I had a lead role in the school musical that we wrote ourselves, when I was 11 – and I had a duet. I think I was good until I was about 12, then maybe my voice changed a bit, so I was really bad! It wasn’t until now that I got back into singing for real. I never stopped singing in the shower and around the house though. Just no stage solos!

What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s ever given you?
As a singer? My friend Arabella Jones gave me a lot of help recently – tips on how to improve my voice and bring in more viewers on my youtube. She told me to practice, and not give up – I have talent apparently; who would have thought?! Generally though, someone told me that regret isn’t fair on yourself, as you couldn’t have known then what you know now. I really like that.

Is there anything you want people to know about you?
That I try my hardest all the time! Sometimes I think I give up too easily, but when I think about it, I don’t. I work hard for everything I do. For instance, I practice guitar for hours every day. Also, I’m always up to try new things. You could describe me as an open-minded chameleon. I believe that dreams are what keep you striving for perfection. And I dream big.

http://www.youtube.com/lexmusicofficial
http://www.twitter.com/lexdoesitprimo

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Arabella Jones

Jessica Crans — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:00:49 +0000

Arabella Jones is a 15 year old country singer from Houston, TX with big dreams of being a country music star! Her youtube channel already has over 27,000 views in just three months, putting her in the running of making those dreams a reality!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Arabella via email. She is a very sweet girl who is very thankful for each and every fan! Arabella tells us a little bit about herself in the interview below, check it out!

You’re only 15 years old and you have an amazing voice! What age were you when you decided you wanted to be a country singer?
Thank you very much! Honestly, I’ve only known that I’ve wanted to sing country for a couple years now.I only recently discovered I had a talent, and I love everything about country music! So, one day it kind of clicked to me, I think this is what I’m meant to do!

You have only been on youtube for about 3 months and already have over 25,000 views on your 8cover videos. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
That’s so hard to predict in this business! Just in these last 3 months, I’ve already gotten so much farther than I ever imagined I would! I just hope to be bringing my music to a lot of people, and above all: making people happy!

On your YouTube you have listed that you’re a singer/guitarist and soon to be songwriter. Have you started writing any songs yet?
The last few months I’ve been crazy busy getting my YouTube channel launched! But once school gets out, I’m going to get started on songwriting, so definitely look for at least a couple to come out this summer. I think it makes sense to start out by collaborating with experienced songwriters – so if anyoneout there is looking for a young singer to co-write with, let me know!

What age were you when you first started playing guitar? At what age did you start singing/discover you could sing?
I picked up my first guitar when I was about 10 years old. It was only a kid-sized, nylon stringed deal, butit got me hooked! But, it wasn’t until I joined my middle school choir by chance in seventh grade, that I found out I could kind of sing! (Even though my dad swears he knew that I had a voice ever since I was in preschool…)

You have Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, and Miranda Lambert listed as some of yourinfluences. Do you have any other influences & any from other genres of music? Who/what isyour biggest influence?
I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan! I love everything about her – her look, and her sound. She was such a pioneer for female singers, and is still an awesome performer. Country is definitely my favorite genre, butI like all kinds of music and actually like to listen to classic rock songs – I remember tap dancing to Sweet Home Alabama when I was six or seven!

I love your name. Is there any meaning behind your parents picking that name for you?
I know picking my name was a several hour long process. My parents wanted something unusual and special, so the finally went with my mom’s idea of Arabella. I’ve always had this weird belief that your name has a connection with what you’re destined to do in life, and with mine being uncommon, I’mhoping that’s a sign! ;)

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of your music. What do you enjoy doing besides singing and playing guitar?
I have the biggest love of being outdoors! Anytime I can I like to get into the sun – camping, hiking, boating, and being at the beach all make me so happy. I saw the movie “Soul Surver” this weekend, and it really made me want to try surfing this summer. Maybe I can write some country songs while I’m hanging out on the beach! And of course I love the church that my family goes to, it’s a great place to share worship, plus there’s a really active student program there.

Do you watch American Idol & have you ever thought about auditioning?
I’ve kept up with it on and off, but now quite a few of my fans are encouraging me to try out. I’m old enough this year, so I’m going to see how the next couple of months go, and then see if I want to audition in August. I think it would be fun to go just for the experience.

If you could go on tour with anyone, who would it be?
Jason Aldean! I LOVE his whole style and music. His songs just keep going through my head all day!

What is your fondest memory as a musician so far?
I would have to say my favorite memory so far was receiving my first tip ever! I remember I was performing at an outdoors concert that my voice teacher had organized, and at the end of my set this guy just walked up out of the blue and handed me a ten dollar bill. He said that he had a tough day at work,and that hearing me sing is just what he needed to feel better. I was so touched and blown away that I almost cried, and I forgot to say thank you! (So if you ever read this, Mr. Freebird’s Guy, THANK YOU!!)

Do you ever get nervous performing? Have you ever performed on stage?
I’ve performed on stage around town at different open mic nights, local country shows, and even a fewschool events. Any opportunity I can find to get up there and sing! But YES, I’ll always get the usual butterflies right before I walk out!

Do you have any covers lined up for future youtube videos? If so, would you share a few of them with us?
“You Lie” by The Band Perry is one of my favorite songs that’s playing on the radio now. I’ll probably do “Independence Day” by Martina McBride soon. I get a lot of requests from my fans for songs by Carrie Underwood, so I think I’ll do “Wasted.” I love songs where I get to use my high range.

What is your overall biggest dream with being a country singer?
I know it may sound funny, but it’s always been a dream of mine to play at the Houston Livestock Showand Rodeo! After sitting in the audience for so many concerts there, it would be so amazing to be the onesinging in front of 70,000 people on that big stage!

Check out this video of Arabella singing “The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert. Be sure to click the ‘like’ button if you enjoy the video – you will be helping Arabella get in the running to win the Nashville Teen Hootenanny Contest! If she wins, she will get to perform in Nashville. Help her get even closer to her dream!

You can find more from Arabella at the following:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

The top 10 videos will be picked very soon for the Nashville Teen Hootenanny Contest, so hurry and get your vote in! Good luck, Arabella!