Frank Sinatra GIVEAWAY

For the first time, Frank Sinatra’s greatest recordings for Capitol Records and his own Reprise Records have been gathered for one stellar collection. Sinatra: Best of the Best will be released in single-disc and deluxe 2CD packages on November 15, with insightful track notes written by Frank Sinatra Jr. Both configurations will also be available for download from all major digital providers.

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Artist Interview – Matt Dragstrem

Chicago Tour from Matt Dragstrem on Vimeo.

A little while ago we featured an article on Matt Dragstrem, an up-and-coming songwriter, who is rapidly gaining recognition with his melodic songs paired with simplistic, yet compelling lyrics. Having just released a behind the scenes video from his most recent tour throughout the Chicago and Nashville areas, Dragstrem is being deemed as an audience favorite and hailed as the new talent in town to write with by respected Nashville songwriters. He is currently in the process of recording for his upcoming full-length album, after receiving great reviews on the release of his EP “Heritage.” Recently, we’ve had the chance to throw out a couple of questions for Matt about things such as his influences and what he hopes are for the upcoming year. Our mini-interview is below. Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite places to have played?

Rockwood Music Hall in New York City has always been one of my favorite places to play. There’s such a great energy in that little hall. Everyone is straight up crazy and I love it. The audience at Rockwood typically sing and often scream my songs much louder than me. Another favorite of mine is the Elbo Room in Chicago. It’s my home town hang out. I love seeing the familiar faces.

What is one of your most bizarre fan encounters?

Well I have a lot of fans from Ireland and England who email telling me all the time how much they love my record. Not really a bizarre encounter but a cool thought that people from overseas are jamming my record. Id love to play over there soon.

Who are some of your inspirations?

I would say my current inspirations: (sifting through iPod) I have Jay-Z’s new record, One Republic’s, John Mayer’s, and the new Norah Jones. But my biggest influence stylistically are Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald primarily for there approach on singing. These two sing behind the beat and add a little improve to every performance without being forced.

Where do you get your song inspirations from, lyrically speaking?

I am a very in the moment kind of writer. I don’t plan on writing about someone or something specifically that day. I think if you’re honest with yourself in the moment and how you are really feeling about a situation the words (and melody) flow easily. So to answer your question the inspiration in my writing comes from a real place. A side note, when I write don’t know if it’ll be a pop, ballad, or country song. You can’t plan songs out like that but you can focus on creating something great.

What are some of your passions outside of music?

Lately I’ve been obsessing over vintage Ford and Chevrolet trucks. I might cave-in and buy one soon here. Im a fan of road trips and redvines (hopefully at the same time). I’m also crazy about Great Danes though I’m not sure how that beast will fit in the truck.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing?

Well in the beginning Genesis 1 (bad joke) but really in fall 2007 when i started writing songs i didn’t have a focus on my sound. I really played and wrote songs for fun because some of my friends liked what i did. But now after touring, writing, and recording my music has naturally developed into a organic pop sound. And while my voice is more ‘organic’ I’ve always desired to write big songs. Songs that could reach people everywhere.

What are your hopes for the upcoming year?

Well ill share a few things that are going down this year. I’m working on a new EP as we speak. Ive actually got a friend coming over to overdub vocals in a few moments. The EP is going to be sick and have been youtubing my progress on my page (youtube.com/mattofthedrag). I have hopes to write for other people’s records as well, to be touring, and just to be mad busy with what i love to do. Writing, playing, and eating redvines.

Upcoming Artist Matt Dragstrem

Chicago Tour from Matt Dragstrem on Vimeo.

Matt Dragstrem, an up-and-coming songwriter, is rapidly gaining recognition with his melodic songs paired with simplistic, yet compelling lyrics. He has just released a behind the scenes video from his most recent tour throughout the Chicago and Nashville areas, showcasing his love of music. When asked to describe how he feels his music sounds, Matt thinks its if Tom Petty and Rod Stewart had a child and Frank Sinatra was the Godfather.’ Being deemed as an audience favorite and hailed as the new talent in town to write with by respected Nashville songwriters, Matt currently is in the process of recording for his upcoming full-length album, after receiving great reviews on the release of his EP “Heritage.”

Per Myspace:

“With an impending debut EP set for release in the coming weeks, Matt Dragstrem stands at the forefront of something potentially very special. Inspired by folk-rock greats of the past, Dragstrem seems to have inherited the best elements of his heroes work before moulding them into a sound of purity and innocence all his own. Born in Chicago, Dragstrem underwent a musical education whilst developing his talent in Nashville some years later. His subtle, dulcet vocal style favours the playful, finger-picking way he approaches his guitar work – similarities with a young, raw Rod Stewart aren’t too far wide of the mark. At only twenty-one years of age, Matt Dragstrem possesses a future of immeasurable promise.” -JOEL CRANE (NME, Q, Mojo)

The video above proves that Matt is so much more than a pretty face and an unstoppable personality, but a genre-defying voice whose unique quality finds a comfortable spot in any style of music. Keep an eye on this one, kiddos. He’s sure to become a household name in no time.

Jamie Foxx to Play Frank Sinatra

Urm….what? British tabloids are running with a story that Jamie Foxx will be portraying the Rat Pack member, Frank Sinatra.

After guest starring as a mentor on “American Idol” for Rat Pack night, some buzz began that Foxx was in the running to play Sinatra in the upcoming Martin Scorsese directed biopic. Jamie received an Oscar for his work playing Ray Charles in 2004 and the rumor is that producers are looking to cash in on him. George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harry Connick Jr. and Justin Timberlake are all also rumored to be in the running to portray Frank.

Per Daily Express Via Telegraph:

“Cool is colour-blind. Jamie would seem to be born to the role. Magnificent singing voice, totally convincing acting ability, like Frank himself, born the wrong side of the tracks, rags to riches, makes it big against the odds, has his brushes with authority. The guy’s a gift.”

Wait…“magnificent singing voice, totally convincing acting ability.” I don’t think we are talking about the same Jamie Foxx. This descriptions sounds a bit fishy. I am picturing Jamie sitting on the phone making up this crap while pretending to be an ‘inside source’ and speaking in a fake woman’s voice saying: “Yeah, yeah! Magnificent singer! And he heals the blind and saves kittens from trees! And good in bed. Yeah, that too! He is a stud and dwarfs the rest of man kind with his outstanding endowment that is also a gift to women.”

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Images Via: Getty, Wenn