INTERVIEW: Daniel Lee Kendall - Musicians

We got the opportunity to sit down with musician, Daniel Lee Kendall, about his music, what we can expect next, and where he gets his inspiration. Check it out and tell us what you think.

Let’s start off by you telling us how long have you been singing and how you got into this business?

I started singing when I started learning the guitar about 8 or 9 years ago but no one really took my voice seriously until about 4 or so years ago. Myself included. I don't really know how I got into it, I just found myself writing songs one day and thought it best to share them rather then keep them stuck inside.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Angus Stone really helped me discover I had a voice. Julia Stone made me want to use it. They were big for me. Other big influences are Thom Yorke and Radiohead. Jim Morrison and the Doors, and Bob Dylan too probably.

You have released 2 EPs. Do you have plans for any new releases, or a full-length album?

No official plans, but plenty of songs with a tidal desire to get out an album ASAP.

What has been your greatest musical achievement so far?

Wow, probably that I’m still whimsically dreaming about continuing this bizarre ride.

You have recorded a few songs with other artists this year. How did you find that process, considering that you are known for solo efforts?

Well it wasn't too difficult because we were doing covers. So it had a fair bit of ease about it. If we were actually writing an original together… hmmm. I'd like to say I was great at working with others but that is still something I need/want to work on.

Some of your collaborators were very well known Australian musicians; how did those come about?

Both were from tours, wanting to gel the tour party together. We thought that doing a song together would create a unanimous feeling for us and therefore translate to the audiences.

Do you have a song writing method or is it an organic process?

Little bit of A, little bit of B. It's not often the same but it can often look similar. I try not to write the script of how a song should be written. Some times wanting the song to come out 'organically' can actually restrict you, and you just need to sit down and bite the bullet a little and work at it. Other times trying to force it feels like constipation. One thing I always try and do though is catch whatever mood or feeling the song is. I try and listen to what the song is before I rush ahead and write it.

Where did the concept for the YouTube clip for ‘The Point In This’ come from and is that you drawing?

Haha, concept is a strong word in relation to that clip. I was posting a letter and saw these fluro pens for $2 that I just had to buy. I wanted to use them ASAP so I started drawing and then 'pop!' out popped a film clip!

What would you tell your fans if you could tell them anything?

Things will probably change. Sometimes what you think you want isn't actually what you want. You want the feeling of what you think you want will give you.

Do you enjoy being able to communicate with fans directly online now that social media is so popular?

Social media has always been popular since I’ve had fans so I’ve got nothing to compare it to. It is nice to hear some encouragement though straight from the horses’ mouth. Not that I think my fans are horses, though if I had a horse as a fan I would be pretty stoked.

Where can fans find you online?

www.facebook.com/dlkmusic

www.twitter.com/dleekendall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpFeEjC4syg

Zooey and Ben call it quits

New Girl sweetheart Zooey Deschanel has officially filed for divorce from Death Cab for Cutie front man Ben Gibbard. Although they separated two months ago, they're officially calling it quits. The initial split took place on Halloween this past year. Zooey stated "irreconcilable differences" as the cause for their split.

The couple was married for two years and the divorce has been declared amicable on both parts, sans drama. Which in my opinion is rather refreshing. Splits shouldn't be a show like other celebrities have done previously. So, best of luck to these two. We look forward to seeing their future projects.

Mario Lopez is Walking Down the Aisle (soon anyway)

So many celebrities are tying the knot these days, it's hard to keep track sometimes. So it comes as no surprise that Mario Lopez decided to pop the question to his long-time girlfriend, Courtney Mazza, over New Years weekend while on holiday in Mexico. But this isn't the first time Mario has been married. He was wed to Ali Landry in 2004, but the marriage was annulled 2 weeks later.

Mario and Courtney met while starring in "A Chorus Line" on Broadway and have been dating since 2008. The Saved By The Bell heartthrob has stated that she "leaped for joy and did a little jete!" How adorable are they? No date has been set yet, but they say they plan to seal the deal later on this year in Mexico.

A big congratulations to the happy couple and we wish them the best of luck here at Artists On Demand.

Artist to look Out For in 2012: Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is one of the artists I am telling people to look out for in 2012. Already making noise in the UK and Ireland after his first major label debut album entitled +. His album went 2x Platinum in the UK and Gold in Austrailia. He has released three singles "The A Team," "You Need Me, I Don't Need You," and "Lego House" that have made the Top 10 charts in the UK.

Even though it may seem as if Ed Sheeran popped out of nowhere in the year 2011 he has been in the business for quite some time. He is an Acoustic Singer-Songwriter who has utilized and mastered the loop pedal. A device that allows an artist to record sounds live and play it back on loop so they can have more layers to their performance. He started his journey at the age of 16 when he moved to London and began gigging. He is probably one of the most hard working artists out there. Doing more than 300 gigs for a few years running. He is twenty years old turning twenty-one in February and already he has over 1,000 gigs to his name. He has also has many independent albums and EPs that he has released over the years. "Loose Change" and "No. 5 Collaborations" are two of those EPs.

His style proves that in the modern world of music genre is arbitrary. He is a singer-songwriter with influences from folk and grime music. He is one of the most crafted live performers and puts on a lively show.

What we can look forward to from Ed this year: He is coming to America to release his album and to tour in the Spring. He has a sold out Jan/Feb tour in the UK. Then he will be heading back to the studio to work on the next album.

His lyrics are thoughtful and raw. His talent speaks for itself. He is definitely my pick for the artist to watch in 2012. The UK may feel as if they already discovered him, but trust me the world and the UK will discover more from this amazing artist.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Engaged?

Say it isn't so! US Weekly is reporting that the couple got engaged in December while vacationing in Jackson, Wyoming. The on-again, off-again couple has been dating since 2007 and had a recent three-month break in early 2011. "When they reunited, they had a conversation about taking the next step," an insider told the magazine.

The couple have kept their relationship very private, rarely opening up to the media. Timberlake, Biel, or reps from either camp have yet to confirm the news. Yet, as millions of hearts break across the world we can still manage to find some happiness in the news. Congrats to the future Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake!

People's Choice Awards 2012

The beginning of a new year can only mean one thing: IT'S AWARD SEASON! The first to air among several award shows is the People's Choice Awards. The great thing about this award show is that, you guessed it, it's all about the PEOPLE. There are 43 categories from Favorite Movie to Favorite Tour Headliner. It's all about movies, TV, music and the fans. Among the nominees, we have (a personal favorite) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Bridesmaids, The Help, Water for Elephants and many more of your favorite 2011 films. For music, there's Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and many more.

There are so many celebrities attending the show, it's almost hard to keep track. But in case you need some names, they'll have Ashley Greene (Twilight), Lea Michele (Glee, New Year's Eve), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Emma Stone (Easy A), Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men, The Hunger Games), Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), Liam Hemsworth (The Last Song, The Hunger Games), Katy Perry, Ellen Degeneres, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Liam Neeson (Taken, The Grey), Jason Segel (The Muppets, How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and so many more, it'll make your head hurt.

Hosted by the witty and hilarious Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) and with performances from Demi Lovato and Faith Hill there's bound to be something for everyone. If this didn't convince you to tune in or if you just need more information on The People's Choice Awards, go ahead and check out their website. While you're there, don't forget to VOTE VOTE VOTE for your favorite picks of 2012!

Who do YOU want to see take over the People's Choice? The People's Choice Awards will air January 11th, 2012 at 9pm EST on CBS.

Best of luck to everyone nominated and performing from all of us here at Artists On Demand!

Biggest Loser Season 13 Returns

The new season is upon us. Already? Season 12 seemed to have just ended. However the Biggest Loser is back on NBC for Season 13 entitled "No Excuses." Bob Harper is of course back for his 13th season while relatively new to the show Dolvett Quince is back for his second season.

This season 20 contestants arrive at the ranch to be pushed to lose as much weight as they can. They came in ten pairs. Nine of the pairs are family members or friends. One pair were strangers. However this season is not like the other partner seasons of the Biggest Losers. They split the pairs in half with one member going to Bob and the other to Dolvett. The thought behind this decision to have people in relationships with one another compete is to cut off the ties to people who may hold us back. All part of that "No Excuses" mantra.

It seems to me that the absence of estrogen on the show since Jillian Michaels left the show after its 11th season and Anna Kornakova who could not handle the competition after one season is quite evident. Dolvett and Bob seem to be in battle with one another more than the contestants are. Definitely wish that Jillian would come back!

I do think that this season will be as heartwarming and crazy as ever. It is the only season to have a man who looks like Santa Claus his name is Roy and the Biggest Loser production company of course made him on the red team. Bob Harper also said in the Season premiere last night that this is a "smaller bunch" than he is use to. However, they are still quite a large group with stories to tell and journeys to learn from.

The Biggest Loser is on NBC on Tuesdays at 8/7 central.