Welcome to part 7 of my 12-part
tribute to female pop, pop rock
and pop rap artists of the 2010s.
CHRISSY COSTANZA
ALEX GOOT & KURT SCHNEIDER
Chrissy's back! You met Chrissy Costanza
and her band Against the Current in volume 2,
Float Upstream Against the Current.
and her band Against the Current in volume 2,
Float Upstream Against the Current.
In this video, Chrissy teams up with a pair of
accomplished young multi-instrumentalists -
cover singer/songwriter Alex Goot (right)
from Chrissy's hometown, Poughkeepsie,
and Philly area producer, director, singer,
songwriter and musician Kurt Schneider.
songwriter and musician Kurt Schneider.
Listen as the trio covers "Counting Stars,"
a hit by the Colorado band OneRepublic.
"Counting Stars" (OneRepublic cover)
Alex Goot, Kurt Schneider and
Chrissy Costanza (Jan. 2014)
ZARA LARSSON
Swedish singer/songwriter Zara Larsson rose
to fame at age 10 when she was declared the
2008 season winner on Talang, the Swedish
version of Got Talent. Zara signed with a
label and in 2010 began releasing pop,
R&B and electronic dance records.
In the fall of 2014 Zara released her first
studio album, 1, and it shot to the top of
Sweden's album chart. One of the album
tracks, "Bad Boys," had already been in
play a full year as a single. "Bad Boys"
penetrated the Swedish top 30 and
was promoted by the following
video. When the drums start
pounding at the 44 second
mark, so do the hearts of
was promoted by the following
video. When the drums start
pounding at the 44 second
mark, so do the hearts of
bad boys everywhere!
"Bad Boys" - Zara Larsson
(October 2013, h.c.p. #27 Sweden
#33 Denmark, from Oct. 2014 album 1)
FOXES
Foxes is plural. Foxes is also one person
- Louisa Rose Allen - an English singer
and songwriter with singular talent.
In 2011 Louisa picked the stage name
Foxes and began singing in London
clubs.
She landed a record deal and released
material in the indie pop and
electronic dance categories.
material in the indie pop and
electronic dance categories.
ZEDD
ft. FOXES
Foxes' work caught the attention of Grammy
winning Russian-German record producer
Zedd and her vocals were featured on
the Zedd single "Clarity." Released
at the end of 2012, "Clarity" was an
international hit early the following
year, cracking the top 10 on the
Billboard Hot 100 and topping
the U.S. Dance Club chart.
winning Russian-German record producer
Zedd and her vocals were featured on
the Zedd single "Clarity." Released
at the end of 2012, "Clarity" was an
international hit early the following
year, cracking the top 10 on the
Billboard Hot 100 and topping
the U.S. Dance Club chart.
"Clarity" - Zedd ft. Foxes
(Dec. 2012-Jan. 2013, highest chart pos.
#8 Hot 100/#1 US Dance Club Songs
#1 Australia Heatseekers, from
Oct. 2012 album Clarity)
In 2014 Foxes released her debut album
Glorious and it went top 5 on
the UK
and Scottish album charts.
In 2015 Foxes released "Body Talk" as the
lead single from her 2016 second album
All I Need. "Body Talk" cracked the top 30
in the UK and the top 10 in Scotland.
Not to be confused with the hit by
glam metal band Kix, "Body Talk"
has a retro 80s sound I love,
reminiscent of Martha
and the Motels!
Not to be confused with the hit by
glam metal band Kix, "Body Talk"
has a retro 80s sound I love,
reminiscent of Martha
and the Motels!
"Body Talk" - Foxes
(July/Aug. 2015, h.c.p. #25 UK
#9 Scotland, from 2016 alb. All I Need)
ZARA LARSSON
Now here's the biggie by Zara Larsson.
In the summer of 2015, "Lush Life" became
the Swedish singing sensation's second #1
charting single. "Lush Life" topped the
Swedish chart for 5 weeks and was
certified 4X platinum. Zara's sassy
vocals ride a pulsating calypso
rhythm, making "Lush Life" an
the Swedish singing sensation's second #1
charting single. "Lush Life" topped the
Swedish chart for 5 weeks and was
certified 4X platinum. Zara's sassy
vocals ride a pulsating calypso
rhythm, making "Lush Life" an
island-pop sizzler that's perfect
for a summer party play list!
"Lush Life" - Zara Larsson
(June/July 2015, highest chart pos.
#1 Sweden/#1 Poland/#6 UK
#9 US Bubbling Under)
CHRISSY COSTANZA
ALEX GOOT & KURT SCHNEIDER
Let's wrap things up with another nifty
number by Chrissy Costanza and her
number by Chrissy Costanza and her
multitalented cohorts Alex Goot and
Kurt Schneider. This time the terrific
trio performs a cool cover of the
Justin Bieber hit "Beauty and a Beat."
Kurt Schneider. This time the terrific
trio performs a cool cover of the
Justin Bieber hit "Beauty and a Beat."
"Beauty and a Beat" (Justin Beiber cover)
Alex Goot, Kurt Schneider &
Chrissy Costanza (Jan. 2013)
I hope you enjoyed part 7. I'll introduce
more great Gen Y and Z songbirds in
part 8 coming your way soon!
Have a Shady day!
I remember Chrissy from your earlier post-- great voice and she sings with zest and feeling. The other two artists are new to me. Zara is an exciting young performer. I especially enjoyed her calypso number Lush Life-- It would be a perfect song to play at a summer pool party. With her talent that Swedish girl could become a household name in America. Foxes has a great voice and her song and video Body Talk is my favorite-- a retro sound from the 80's. I agree that she sounds a lot like Martha Davis on that one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing back Chrissy and for introducing two more entertaining singers in Three's Company.
Hi, Kathryn!
DeleteThanks for coming to this week's pop party - Three's Company!
Chrissy and her band Against the Current are going strong. They toured the UK and Europe earlier this year and toured the U.S. this summer. Two weeks from now they set off again for Europe and Asia on their In Our Bones World Tour in support of their latest album.
You probably like Zara Larsson because she identifies as a feminist. :) The gifted Swedish songbird has a new album coming out next month. Louisa Rose Allen (Foxes) describes her musical style as "experimental pop." Along with her talents in the recording studio Louisa has been described as a "fashion maven." As Wiki explains << Her fashion sense has been influenced by fellow singer Cyndi Lauper and characters in films such as Empire Records (1995) and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), as well as by grunge fashions and Japanese street fashion. >>
I'm glad you enjoyed Three's Company, Kathryn. Thanks again for being here!
I very much enjoyed this edition! You know, I thought Zara's name was Sara. I've heard her before. She's talented. I'm so glad I'm straight on her name now. I'd have to say my favorite was Foxes Body Talk. I had not heard that one before. (And I'm not quite sure where to put the apostrophe in her name.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all of this. Have a wonderful week!
Hi, Sherry!
DeleteThanks for visiting as I present the first new episode of Three's Company in 32 years. I hope you appreciate the new characters! :)
Yessum, it's Zara with a Z, and she is one of several fine young Swedish pop stars to emerge in this millennium. Recently I introduced an artist called September and I will be presenting another great Swedish songstress very soon.
Isn't "Body Talk" a great throwback to the 80s? That one has to be my Pick To Click as well. Foxes is quite a unique name for a solo artist, don't you think?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Zherry... uh, I mean Sherry! :)
That was not the Body Talk song I'm familiar with...
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine getting a deal before you became a teenager? Especially knowing what fame does to many that age.
Hi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for dropping in, good buddy!
That's right. Guys like us are more familiar with the heavy metal hit "Body Talk" by the underrated 80s band Kix. I was shocked to hear the sound of the Motels in this post-millennial recording by Foxes.
The only deal that I landed before I reached my teens was earning a quarter every time I mowed the lawn. :)
Thanks again, Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteYou weren't kidding when you called Chrissy and friends the Terrific Trio! Their vocals are fantastic.
But Foxes (gotta love that name)shines quite well in those interesting videos,
while Zara is a songbird on a mission to unseat the likes of Swift or even Lambert, as I bet Zara would have a decent run at cross-overs.
All in all, a pleasing mix of musical paragons, dear Shady! Smile, you're on Candid Comments :-)
Hi, Diedre!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend? Thank you very much for joining the fun!
Yessum, I am very impressed with Chrissy (not Suzanne Somers' Chrissy Snow). She and her cohorts started as cover artists and did a great job of it as demonstrated here, but they also write their own songs and have been touring extensively for several years. They're on their way!
I'm glad you enjoyed Foxes' songs and vids. The "cold intro" on "Body Talk" grabs me every time and immediately transports me back to the sounds of the last great decade, the Eighties.
Zing went the strings the first time I saw and heard Zara. :) I have her album 1 and am eagerly awaiting her second album slated to hit the street next month. Zara is talented and versatile, able to convincingly perform dance pop, pop rap and pop ballads.
Thank you again for joining the pop party, dear friend Diedre, and enjoy the rest of your week!
I was here, I'll be back after Laurie leaves for work. She's watching little league world series.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris!
DeleteAOK, good buddy! Thanks for taking a sneak peek. I'll see you later.
Ok I'm back. I well remember ATC and I know the song, although I never knew looked into who did it. I like this version FAR better.
DeleteZara Larsson- this is not really a bang on the song per se- but this whole "good girls going after bad boys" thing long since got on my last nerve. I knew too many girls who I would have treated better than the bad boy that broke their heart. Other than that, ok...
Foxes/Clarity- best vocal so far, I like this! Unknown: why Vevo constantly thinks I want to stop in the middle of a song I'm listening to to listen to another song I could care less about. This rant brought to you by the Greater Fort Wayne Anti-Stupid Ad League...
#2 by Foxes wasn't bad, either. Liked Clarity better though.
Liked Zara #2. Nice to listen to without annoying inner voices this time!
Chrissie is by far the big talent here. Bost her songs were very good. Video needed to focus on her more though, lol!
I know I prolly don't need to let you know when I peek in, but I know some people out there like to follow "pageviews" and in the interests of raving paranoids out there, I feel better tipping my cap.
Hi again Chris!
DeleteThanks for leaving a courtesy announcement letting me know that you are aware of the new post and that you'll be back. It's a kind gesture and I always appreciate it when you do that. By the way, I need to let you know that I will be a day late getting to your Time Machine this week. Friday is going to be a super busy day for me on the road again and I would prefer to get up Saturday morning and listen to your tunes when I'm fresh and can hear the sound through my headphones here at home. I will remind you about this later in the week.
I remembered how much you liked Chrissy the first time around. (I'm a Janet man myself and also prefer Mary Ann to Ginger. :) Chrissy and her collabs always deliver the goods and I'm delighted that your ears (and eyes) agree with mine.
Regarding Zara's first song, I also get a little tired of girls reminding good guys like us that they prefer bad boys. I'm pleased that you singled out "Clarity" because nobody else has, and also tickled silly that you enjoyed "Lush Life." (I spent 30 years of my life as a lush. :)
Thanks again for coming over on day one, good buddy Chris. Have an excellent week and I will see you Saturday in the Time Machine!
I was trying to remember who you liked the last time... it was Chrissy.
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness you know so much about all this music !
I really like the song Counting Stars.
Hope your week is going well.
cheers, parsnip and thehamish
Hi, Gayle!
DeleteThank you for swinging over from Arizona, dear friend!
I like all of the artists in this series, but Chrissy Costanza in particular impresses me with her lovely voice and her showmanship, her ability to sell a song. I'm pleased to know you enjoyed the cover of "Counting Stars" performed by Chrissy and her cohorts. I like their version better than the hit by OneRepublic.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Gayle. Please smooch thehamish for me and enjoy the rest of your week!
Of the 3 I like Chrissy the best. Her voice is strong and she has a certain sweetness. Zara is stunning but her voice is just ok to me but what do I know. I felt she is trying too hard to be sexy and I just think she should let her voice be the thing to see. The other gal is a little better but I was getting mesmerized by the video because it reminded me of a Rorschach test:)
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Birgit!
DeleteJack Tripper here. :) Thank you very much for popping in for an episode of Three's Company, dear friend!
Chrissy seems to be winning lots of fans here on SDMM and you haven't heard the last of her.
In some of her songs and videos Swedish songbird Zara Larsson tries to be sexy and is, but Zara is versatile. Her career output is a mix of brash and sassy dance songs and sweeter, softer, mid tempo songs and ballads. Currently I am hooked on the dance beat and that's why I am presenting so much up tempo material this year.
I'm thrilled to know you enjoyed Foxes' collaboration with producer Zedd. Tell me, BB, as you took that Rorschach test, did you achieve "Clarity."?
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend Birgit!
There are several types of clarity so I'll have to get back to you on that:)
Delete:)
DeleteAwesome post, friend Shady ... am not a Bieber fan, because he will go down and crumble sooner or later like all the other promising entertainers, but liked the cover video a lot ... a lot ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteBy the way and way besides the point, friend Shady but: ... The very first sitcom ever I saw after coming to Canada in 1982 was: Three's Company" ... I hated everything about it, but then I fell in love with Mr. Furly, and the test is history ... still in love with Furly to this day ... Love, cat.
DeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you today, my furry feline friend? :)
These are excellent comments from you, cat, and greatly appreciated. I always love when people share more with me.
I am not a Bieber fan either and I agree that this cover by Chrissy and her young colleagues rocks. I haven't heard a single thing sung by Crissy that I don't like. She and her ATC band have graduated from doing covers and are recording and performing their own material. Next month they are headlining a world tour across Europe and Asia. Chrissy and her chums are "going places" (the name of an old Heather Locklear sitcom!)
I loved Don Knotts in all of his TV and movie roles. Mr. Furly didn't show up on Three's Company until season 4. If you have seen the earlier episodes you recall that Norman Fell played grumpy landlord Mr. Roper, a funny but not very likeable character.
Thank you again for the great comments, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Your posts are so amazing to me because I rarely have heard of the performers you post about. Most of the music I listen to is classical so I'm pretty far out of the loop. But I always enjoy what you feature.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen!
DeleteThanks for coming, dear friend!
You remind me of another friend by the name of Kathleen - SDMM guest blogger Kathleen Mae Schneider. In her youth, most of Kathleen's experience with music was classical and the artists I present year in and year out are almost all new to her. Keep in mind, however, that I never heard of the three women in this post until a year ago when I began doing research for this year-long 12-part pop series.
I'm glad you enjoy learning about and listening to the singers and songs in my posts, dear friend Kathleen. Thanks again for dropping in and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteAnother post I love! I truly enjoy today's music and these young talented girls have it all! Of course I knew most of the covers. My fave being "Counting Stars"! I've heard "Clarity" a hundred times(and spin to it) but, never knew who sang that great hit! Thanks for showcasing Zedd's gifted flair and her extraordinary talents. Keep sharing the new artist with us. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Hi, Toni!
DeleteThank you very much for dropping by, dear friend!
It seems like most of the songs in this 12-part pop series are familiar to you and energize you at spin class.
I love this cover of "Counting Stars" by Chrissy & Co. and their Bieber cover, too. After hearing "Clarity" a hundred times, I'm happy that you finally know that it is performed by Zedd featuring Foxes (Louisa Rose Allen).
Thank you again for attending this week's pop party, dear friend Toni, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hmmmm, i actually commented on the day you posted this. Where did it go? Oh well- i have no idea what i said. I probably mentioned that i liked this post and the music by Chrissy. Counting stars by One Republic is one of my fave songs right now.
ReplyDeleteI used to love watching 3's company and remember almost every episode. The ropers were so funny- the wife always smoked. Remember when janet cut off her curly hair to a short style? I cant believe John Ritter is gone.
Have a great weekend!
Hi, Holli!
DeleteThank you very much for coming, dear friend! I'm sorry your earlier comment vanished into thin air and I appreciate the return visit and second comment.
I'm delighted to know you like Chrissy Costanza and the talented singers and musicians with whom she performs. I predict she will be around for a long time!
I watched Three's Company off and on through its entire run and its cast changes. As with most series, the earlier seasons are the best. I certainly did enjoy grumpy Mr. Roper and his wife. As you might recall, actor Normal Fell also played grumpy landlord Mr. McCleery in the Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate. I vaguely recall Janet having longer hair but she really got into the hot zone when she started wearing it short. Yessum, the entertainment world lost a comic genius when John Ritter passed away.
Thank you again for coming over to chat, dear friend Holli!
Lovely and talented, all! You certainly are an authority on current female pop stars, Shady. Another epic post! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debbie the Doglady!
DeleteThank you for coming over to sample my latest set of modern pop recordings, dear friend!
I seems like the rudder is turning and you are appreciating this style of music a little more than you were a few months ago. It makes us both happy to find something to like when we visit each other's blogs. I think you'll agree that these three female artists possess bolder, less girly voices than some of the others in the series. :) Time permitting I am curious to know what specifically you liked about one or more of these recordings that inspired you to call it an epic post.
Thank you again, dear friend Debbie, and have a safe and happy weekend!
Hi, Shady; I'm never going to be a pop music fan per se, but I can certainly recognize talent. IMO, Foxes has the best voice of the three. By "epic" I meant thorough and well presented, as all of your posts are. ☺ Wishing you a good Sunday!
DeleteWhoa, I'm so late! But I enjoyed all these talented youngsters! (Well, they look young to me!) I think I enjoyed Chrissy and her gang the best. I'm betting even Mr. Roper would approve! Amazing talent from overseas! I'm making this short and wondering where this week has gone?! Enjoyed the music and I'll look forward to the sequel...wait, didn't 3's company have a sequel?
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming down!
You wrote:
<< Well, they look young to me! >>
I hear ya. At my age Granny Clampett looks young! :)
Chrissy Costanza seems to be doing many things right. She is surrounding herself with talented musicians, choosing covers that resonate with fans, recording fresh original material, and maintaining a vigorous touring schedule across America and around the world.
I agree that artists in the UK and Eastern and Western Europe are responsible for some of the greatest music being produced in recent years and Zara and Louisa are examples.
I don't think Three's Company had a sequel but you might recall the post-millennial John Ritter sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. Some people forget that Penny from Big Bang Theory played Ritter's daughter in the series. There was also a 2003 TV movie entitled Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company that aired a few months before Ritter's untimely death.
Thank you again for your visit and comment, dear friend YaYa!
Hi Dear Shady,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Counting Stars cover. :) All of the artists sound great, but I really love the Counting Stars song. They play Foxes from time to time o MTV U.
Jessica
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWelcome back to SDMM, my old/young friend. It's been so long I hardly recognized you! :)
Given your age and your musical tastes, I expected you to be familiar with one or more of these post-millennial female pop artists.
I listened to the OneRepublic original and I still prefer the version by Chrissy, Janet & Jack. :)
I'm happy to know that the English thrush known as Foxes is getting exposure on MTV.
Thanks for coming by, JM. I hope you'll stick around because the parade of pop continues next month. Have a great week!
What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! I sure went through my Bad Boy phase...
ReplyDeleteI actually liked all your song choices here today Shady. Foxes I found very enjoyable and I really liked Counting Stars. Good stuff all the way around.
I took a break to come check out your Part 7. Thanks for the email or I may have missed it! :)
XOXO
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteThank you very much for breaking away from your busy life to pay me a visit. I just finished reading your email and thank you for that, too. I am happy to know that your burned fingers are on the mend and that you are not dealing with any other emergencies at this point in time.
You wrote:
<< What is it about Bad Boys that make us women fall in love?! >>
Yessum, that seems to be the age old question, one that Chris Martin (above) and I have been pondering. The problem I created for myself as a teenager at the Dell was being a good boy who was trying to look and act like a bad boy to impress the girls. It rarely worked out for me. :) I suppose you need to be certifiably bad to the bone before the women will flock to you. :)
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Foxes (Louisa) and the latest from Chrissy and Co.
Thank you again for spending some time with me in the Shady, dear friend Michele. I'll be thinking about you and hoping that you have a safe and happy week ahead.
These are dope music, Shady. Nice picks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luxie!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this modern pop play list!
More good stuff by artists with who I am totally unfamiliar. There's so much good music being released that I can't even keep up with it all, but in reality I guess I never did since I continue to discover new stuff from the 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the Costanza trio. Any group that uses a glockenspiel has to be commended.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out