Taylor Swift - YouTube Webchat - It’s Simply RED
Country Routes Blog reviews Taylor Swifts live You Tube fan Web Chat and takes a look at one of her new co-writers Ed Sheeran.
Country Routes Blog reviews Taylor Swifts live You Tube fan Web Chat and takes a look at one of her new co-writers Ed Sheeran.
Click on images to enlarge
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
The webcast included a Google + Hangout* with fans across the globe which allowed up to 10 people to connect face-to-face-to-face with her via the group video chat. Over 72,500 viewers tuned in to watch!
Looking pretty wearing a red and white striped dress, red earrings and signature red lipstick, the Grammy-winning singer took questions from the live audience before a living room (unconfirmed if it was Taylor’s home!) full of very lucky fans in Nashville and online.
Fans joined in from places such as New York , Alabama , Ohio , Sweden , Brazil and England , and Montreal , Canada
Straight off the bat she you revealed the “really big news”:
“I have a new album coming out October 22nd “(Loud Cheers) “The album title is called RED” - So it’s SIMPLY RED!
This will be almost exactly 2 calendar years (one year and 363 days if you’re counting) since the last one.
At the last count (Aug 8), after 91 weeks on the Billboard Chart her last album SPEAK NOW stands at #105 on the Top 200 with sales in America of 4,136,058 and it was the first time since its October 25, 2010 release that weekly sales had dipped below 4000.
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
She proudly announced she has been working on the project, her fourth studio album, for 2 years and she unveiled the album cover from behind some red fabric which shows her recognisable bright red lips and a softer side of her.
With a shadow cast across her upper face one wonders if this album will represent musically “the light and shade” in her personal life.
Taylor’s parents are reportedly separated, in an interview with the New Yorker last year, she admitted that some of the songs on her upcoming album are sad and recent rumours week indicate that Tay may not have been singing from her own painful relationship experience, but rather from the knowledge that her parents’ marriage was on the rocks.
So the new album is RED, ummm not my favourite colour but hey after a sea of purple of gold the last 3 weeks at London 2012 maybe it makes a change and for a UK launch fans might be repainting those newly coated golden post boxes back to red!
Taking questions:
A) Kayla in the room from Alabama asked:
In coming up with the name for this album what was your thought process and how did you come up with the name?
Taylor explain she wrote a song called “Red” and then she choose to use the title “RED” because “it was really simple” and epitomized the different emotions she experienced in the “tumultuous, crazy, insane, intense, semi-toxic, relationships” she’s had in the past two years. “All those emotions are “red” and “there’s nothing in between, there’s nothing beige about any of those feelings. So I called the record RED”
B) Google + Hangout question on video chat, Dee? from Upstate New York asked:
How many songs are on the album and how many did you have to choose to cut-off the album?
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
Taylor is giving value for the bucks with 16 songs (not including any bonus tracks) The singer also revealed that she wrote “30 to 35″ songs for the album and but found it hard to whittle it down.
“It was hard to get it down to 16 but sixteen that’s a lot for an album, I’m really excited, and I’ve got a really nice record label [Big Machine] that let me do that”
C) Jennifer G in the room all the way from Nashville asked:
What are some events and experiences that you’ve had that have influenced this album?
Not surprisingly Taylor spills she skews in the direction of “love relationship-esque situations” which is her natural home but was inspired by “crazy-zero-to-a-hundred-and-hit-the wall relationships” adding that “really dysfunctional” and “not good” bad boy relationships can provide “a lot of inspiration” that she went through personally. Other emotions were drawn from friends and stories going on around her - "When I'm writing an album, my world kind of becomes a big storyboard and everyone in my life becomes a potential character," says Swift, which her friends and family members are aware of. She added: "the past two years have been really inspirational" hence the wealth of subject-to-song material!
D) Google + Hangout question, Augustin from Montreal Canada asked:
What is the most common or misconception that you have ever heard about yourself?
Taylor said she is unaware of what the current headlines are about her and tries not to read about herself and avoid inaccuracies - “If you read too many things that are a little bit incorrect, not even like a big rumour, that’s wrong, you start obsessing what people think about you”
E) Brian from Cleveland, Ohio in the room asked:
We’ve all been hearing you’ve been co-writing for this album, can you tell us about that?
Proud of her work, the “Mean” singers last album, SPEAK NOW, contained all self penned songs. “Going back to the drawing board and different way to approach it” she decide to make the call to her song writing-producing-artist-heroes to see if she could make ‘sparks fly’ by enlisting her favourite names in music to collaborate and co-write with her – “The people that I worked with were just incredible and really lived up to what I thought they were, so that was good”
F) Google + Hangout question, An awestruck Katie from New York City asked: I wondered what it was like to work with Ed Sheeran and if there was a track on the album?
When asked about Sheeran, Swift said, "Ed Sheeran is one of my favourite people in the world. He's so cool and he is such a great artist." While Swift was on tour in Australia, she remembered seeing Sheeran's video on TV – “I was just blown away”.
The song > “Lego House” impressed her with his talent and the concept behind the video. Arriving back to the States, rumours circulated that Sheeran wanted to work with her, and Swift wanted the same, both singers were fans of each other. The pair collaborated on a song together that Swift says was written while they were sitting on a trampoline! – “It was so much fun and we ended up recording it as a duet”. Being a fan of Ed she is so excited about this highly anticipated song.
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
Just the night before Sunday August 12th, Ed was hardly dressed for the occasion, but possibly apt, in a casual RED hoodie. Ginger guy Ed Sheeran stood up and performed Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” at the Olympic Closing Ceremony in front of an estimated four billion TV audience. Rumours that “fashion icon” Spice Girl Victoria Beckham may have attacked the hoodie with a pair of scissors backstage are untrue! LOL
So cited collaborator “Red Ed” is not Ed Miliband, who often wears a red tie, the leader British Labour Party politician but 21-year old English and Yorkshire born Mr Ed Sheeran.
(Scroll below to read more about Ed)
Back in May it seems according to both the Twitter accounts of Miss Swift and Ed Sheeran’s, the EPIC singer-songwriters from different sides of the pond got together for a fast-food fuelled, guitar graffiti, music writing sesh!
Taylor Swift: Eating cheeseburgers, scribbling on guitars, writing songs with @edsheeran. :)
Ed Sheeran: In and out burger, defacing guitars and writing music with @taylorswift13 :)
RESULT - Ed Sheeran "+" Taylor Swift = Wedded Musical BLISS!
G) Jennifer C from England (yeah!) in the room asked:
As much as your life has changed in last 6 years what are the things that have stayed the same?
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
Thankfully a lot of the basic ways have remained with her family dynamic. She has got her young brain around going out – “everywhere I go it’s more of a social situation now”
She is thankful that financially the fans have provided the opportunity to have “an amazing life and so much fun“with her time off.
H) Google + Hangout question, Erica from Brazil asked:
Can we expect some new messages on your album and how do you come up with the ideas for them?
We can expect more cryptic liner notes in the new songs with secret messages… “It’s pretty difficult to come up with them,” Swift joked with the assembled crowd, “because I know that you guys are going to figure it out.” Still, she thinks the effort has valuable: “I’m really excited about the fact that you guys care about lyrics. Hiding little codes in lyrics is kind of a way of encouraging that.”
I) Google + Hangout question, Felicia and Andrea from Sweden asked:
How’s the tour going, are you planning another tour and will you ever come to Sweden?
Taylor said she can’t wait to get back to Scandinavia. Coincidently Taylor has worked with Max Martin on the new record – “He’s fantastic” Lots of travelling will happen! Tour schedules are in the pipeline. We thinks, expect a “Red World Tour" down the country/pop lane in the future months. The touring experience have been “amazing” for her, with fans showing up in their 1000’s – “If you guys can keep doing that, it really makes me happy” shared a polite and cheerful Tay
J) Texting in a question, Jamie from New Jersey asked: Will you be in New York for the release week of your album?
Not just New York but SIX different countries was the answer! New York is a fav TV, event related hangout for the singer –“You guys show up like crazy, we did this Macy’s event last year for the perfume launch and I couldn’t believe how many of you guys showed up”
K) Texting in a question, Sarah from Arizona asked: Do you still like to bake?
YES – “It’s a very serious thing” Taylor loves the soothing qualities measuring out ingredients and getting everything cookin’.
She plans to go into “baking overdrive” for The Fall season with “Pumpkin-type-things” – Get your Pumpkin Bread recipe from Tay or look out for a thanksgiving handout soon when you see her drinking Starbucks Pumpkin Spice lattes!
L) Texting in a question, Thomas from Chile asked: Any plans to tour in South America?
Her head says “yes” but logistics are being ironed out in the schedule
Awwww, “she’s really good, she’s just a cat, living with me and travelling on planes”! The cat doesn’t “get” the concept of webchat but appreciates the concern shown.
N) Texting in a question, Patrice from London:
Do you have any acting plans for the future?
Do you have any acting plans for the future?
Swift revealed to fans, she’d love to get into movies, but she’s saving herself for the ideal role - When we see pictures we will know! “I would love to do a movie that I was so obsessed with that I couldn’t think of anything other than shooting that movie,” said Swift. “I love music, and I love touring, and I love seeing you guys all the time, and so it’s really hard to take time away from doing that. I don’t like to”
Taylor them officially premiered a NEW SINGLE Live!
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| Taylor Swift YouTube Web Chat Screenshot (credited to YouTube) |
Her new song on Big Machine Records, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which Taylor jokingly said was a “really romantic song” directed at a “lovely ex-boyfriend “is about ending a bad relationship.
It’s out on iTunes and GooglePlay.
Within seconds the Nashville attendees were already into it and Taylor busted out some funky hand moves whilst lip-syncing to its kiss-off words with what must be an International pop mix void of country instrumentation.
Judging by the reaction to young fans gathered at her feet this catchy sing-a-long hand-clapper will be an instant winner.
They them assembled round an eloquent Taylor for a giant group hug to round things off with the nights perfect hostess.
Thank you Taylor!
Webcast (Audio Only) Listen Here:
For those who missed the live video chat or want a re-run it is currently available to watch here >> YouTube Link
For those who missed the live video chat or want a re-run it is currently available to watch here >> YouTube Link
About Ed Sheeran
21-year old English singer-songwriter "Ed" Sheeran was born in Halifax , Yorkshire before moving to Framlingham in Suffolk London
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| Ed Sheeran Live at the London Olympics Closing Ceremony 12 Aug 2012 |
Throughout 2010, Sheeran began to be seen by more people over the internet through YouTube and his fan-base grew, with him also getting credit from The Independent newspaper, England
Sheeran also self-released two other EPs in 2010; Ed Sheeran: Live at the Bedford and Songs I Wrote With Amy, which is a collection of love songs he wrote in Wales with fellow singer songwriter Amy Wadge
anks to the 21-year-old ginger-haired guy from Suffolk Wadge’s life completely changed.
Back in 2008, at the time Amy, a lyricist and top line writer was expecting her first child and the endless touring was put on hold. She sign with BDI Music Publishing and they hooked her up with new unsigned artists. The very first person Amy was sent was Ed.
Back in 2008, at the time Amy, a lyricist and top line writer was expecting her first child and the endless touring was put on hold. She sign with BDI Music Publishing and they hooked her up with new unsigned artists. The very first person Amy was sent was Ed.
“I distinctly remember picking up this young lad at Trefforest station with a 'back packer' guitar thinking 'What the hell is going to happen here?' But then we drove back to my house, sat in my kitchen and he sang to me. I can't imagine there will be many times in my life that I will meet someone so incredibly gifted and to be honest I spent much of the next few days running in from my studio in the garden to tell my husband how sure I was that he was "going to make me a millionaire" said Amy.
They wrote nine songs in just two days. The song ”Gold Rush" written by Ed Sheeran, Amy Wadge appears On the Deluxe edition of the album “+” as a bonus track.
Listen to an edited BBC Radio Wales Interview with Ed Sheeran broadcast 30Oct2011 on the Frank & Amy show:
Ed Sheeran Factfile:
- Sheeran broke through commercially in June 2011, when his first single "The A Team" debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart.
- Buoyed by the chart success of the singles "The A Team" and "Lego House", his inaugural album “+” (plus) has been certified quadruple platinum in the
- Played a headline set in the BBC Introducing tent at Glastonbury Festival 2011
- In 2012 on February 21st, Sheeran attended the 2012 Brit Awards, he received the Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist, and British Breakthrough of the Year. "The A Team" also won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.
- On June 4, 2012 Ed Sheeran performed "The A Team" at The Queens Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace London. YouTube – Photo 1 – Photo 2
- On August 12, 2012 Ed Sheeran, joined the likes of the Spice Girls, The Who, One Direction, and Queen, just to name a few, in helping close the 2012 Summer Olympics. The 21-year-old singer performed a heartfelt rendition of the Pink Floyd hit, “Wish You Were Here”, and was joined by an original member of the band, Pink Floyd drummer, Nick Mason. His acoustic performance was also accompanied by a trapeze artist that walked a tight-rope as Sheeran sang. Photo
Related News
Away from the webcast ABC flagged up an exclusive revealing more juicy facts about the new single. While at a shoot for Glamour magazine, the 22-year-old Multi-platinum singer told “Nightline” anchor Cynthia McFadden exclusively that the song was about something that actually happened to her.
“Writing ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ was one of the most hilarious experiences I have ever had in the studio because it just happened so naturally,” Swift told McFadden.
Swift said the song was born while she was in the studio with songwriters Max Martin and Johan Shellback and a friend of her ex’s — she declined to name names — walked in.
“He starts talking about how he’s heard we were getting back together and that was not the case,” Swift said. ”When he leaves, Max and Johan are like, ‘so what’s the story behind that?’ And so I start telling them the story of break up, get back together, break up, get back together, just, ugh, the worst.”
“Max says, ‘this is what we’re writing. We’re writing this song,’ and I picked up the guitar and just started singing, ‘we are never–’” she continued. “It just happened so fast. It was so much fun.”
Looking ahead Taylor Swift will appear live on “Good Morning America” on Monday, October 22nd for her first televised interview in conjunction with the release of her new album “RED.” The following morning, Tuesday, October 23rd, she will dazzle fans in her first live performance of songs from the album in an exclusive “GMA” fall concert.
“Good Morning America” is a two-hour, live program anchored by Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos.
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