Friday, February 22, 2013

And the Oscar for Best Original Song Goes To…..



I’ll be glued to the Academy Awards this Sunday night for many reasons, and I’ll also be anxiously waiting to hear the winner of Best Original Song. That bad boy is given to the songwriters who composed the piece specifically for a film. Kind of a bummer for the performer cause they get zippo unless they kicked in on the writing of the lyrics or music. This winning song enhances the movie greatly but isn’t always a commercial success in its own right. Here are a few exceptions that were chart toppers… In 1993 The Boss wrote and composed the “Streets of Philadelphia” for the film “Philadelphia”. That little ditty was not only an Academy Award winner but went on to be a gold single. Then in 1994 “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from “The Lion King”, Music by Elton John and Lyrics by Tim Rice took the Oscar, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #4 and also went gold.  In 1996 “You Must Love Me” from “Evita” was the big winner. It was #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and you guessed it - certified gold. Sorry Madonna – “No Oscar for you” (please see the rules regarding performers). Who can forget 1997 “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic”? That hit #1 on the Billboard 100 and sold over 500,000 copies. Again, Celine if you want the little gold guy you must write a note or a word. Eminem, Jeff Bass and Luis Resto got it right in 2002 with their infectious tune: “Loose Yourself” from the film “8 Mile”. That lived at the # 1 spot on Billboard and went five (count them 5) times Platinum. Will this year be another winner for a commercial success??? Well if Adele’s luck keeps rolling in the deep, she and her co-writer Paul Epworth could be taking home a little something for their mantel for “Skyfall” from the film “Skyfall”.

You should be glued to In The Mix with HK ™ this weekend when I’ll be tearing up the hot gold, silver and platinum chart toppers just for you. Get ready for my exclusive remixes on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis –"Thriftshop" (I love this track), Maroon 5 - “Daylight” and Kelly Clarkson - “Catch My Breath”. There will be no standing still when you hear my take on Calvin Harris f/Florence Welch - "Sweet Nothing", Alica Keys f/ Nicki Minaj – “Girl On Fire”, Pitbull f/ Christina Aguilera – “Feel this Moment, and Ke$ha – “C’mon”. You won’t believe your ears when you hear what I’ve done to Mumford & Sons – “I Will Wait” and The Script – “Hall of Fame”.

There’s plenty more surprises so tune in this weekend, turn up the volume and rip the knob off. It’s gonna be an all out beat to beat music slam down you don’t wana miss!

Remember…"If it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK".

Friday, February 15, 2013

The Secret Behind The Hits!



They say behind every great man is a great woman. This is true! I also like to say…”behind every great record is a great producer and engineer”. Because no matter how talented the artist or band is, no matter how much you like their voice, nothing – and I mean nothing will ever be worth listening to without the talented people behind the board who record, mix and master it for all to hear!

I do believe a hit record starts with a pen. Meaning – what the songwriter/composer originally wrote. But what happens between the paper and your ears is a world of high tech knob turning where so much can go right or wrong. And trust me when I tell you this is where it all happens. It's the difference between a hit and a mediocre record. There's a reason why The Grammy's® are put on and run by an organization called The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. That's right people. They never really go by their long name, but the name says it all.

So, in the wake of Grammy week I couldn't help but put the HK sonic twist on Mumford & Sons - "I Will Wait" and Bruno Mars - "Locked Out of Heaven". I'm gonna have your head spinning and your body moving with my remixes on them plusCalvin Harris/Florence Welch - "Sweet Nothing" and Nicki Minaj and the Biebs. And that's just the first set! You do not want to miss this show, so check out In The Mix with HK this weekend and hear all your favorite hits like you've never heard them before!

Remember…"if it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™". 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Music Makes The World Go Round



There's an old saying…"music is the universal language". And the last few weeks certainly cemented that steadfast belief – in my mind, heart and spirit. While in New Orleans the week of Mardi Gras and Superbowl I encountered many people from all different walks of life, all enjoying the sounds and flavor of many musical genres, coming together like a fine cajun jambalaya. Then while making my way through the Caribbean I came in personal contact with thousands of people from about 70 different countries all enjoying the same sounds at the same time. Talking, smiling, dancing and living life in total harmony. 

When your blessed with the opportunity and ability to travel the world you see this on a grand scale. But I also witness this same effect every time I perform in front of a live audience. So next time your on the dance floor, or hanging in a local pub listening to your favorite rock band, jazz band, blues singer, r&b crooner, or upcoming country star…look around the room and ask yourself – why is it no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all happy together when listening and sharing the experience of music. I wish we all acted like we were dancing to our favorite song everyday!

I promise to have you dancing this weekend when I whip up a special blend of HK mixes in what's guaranteed to be a mid-winter sonic meltdown. I'm bringin' the island heat with the latest from RihannaNelly and Justin Timberlake. Plus custom remixes on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - "Thriftshop", Calvin Harris f/Florence Welch - "Sweet Nothing", Britt Nicole's pop diddy - "Gold" and my latest reworking on Nicki Minaj - "Va Va Voom". You'll have just enough time to come up for air and re-hydration before getting dizzy from new ear-gasim's on Ke$haThe ScriptNeon TreesSwedish House Mafia and David Guetta.

Remember…"If it's hot, if it's new and it makes you wanna move…you're In The Mix with HK™".