Gossip (band)
Encyclopedia
Gossip is a three-piece American
indie rock
band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto
, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie
. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control
(2006). A follow-up, Music for Men
, was released in 2009. The band plays a mix of post punk indie rock
and dance-punk
.
with vocalist Beth Ditto
, guitarist
Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell and drummer
Kathy Mendonca.
All three were originally from Searcy, Arkansas
; Mendonca moved to Olympia to attend Evergreen State College and Howdeshell and Ditto followed. Howdeshell and Mendonca had been in bands together in Arkansas. The band coalesced when the three members were roommates in Olympia.
In 1999 the independent record label
K Records
released Gossip's first recording, their eponymous debut EP
, The Gossip
to coincide with the band's tour with Sleater-Kinney
.
The band played at the first Ladyfest
in Olympia in August 2000 and was included in Time Magazine's article on the festival.
Their next release was their first album That's Not What I Heard
and was released by the record label Kill Rock Stars
on January 23, 2001. In between that release and their second album, they released the EP Arkansas Heat
on May 7, 2002. Movement
, the group's second studio album, followed one year later and was released on May 6, 2003. In November 2003, two months after the release of their first live album Undead in NYC
on September 9, drummer Kathy Mendonca left the band to pursue a career as a midwife. Established punk drummer Hannah Blilie
joined to replace her. The band then dropped the "The" from their name and continued simply as Gossip.
The first release featuring new drummer Hannah Blilie was the band's next album Standing in the Way of Control
. It was released on January 24, 2006 on Kill Rock Stars
and later on in 2006 on UK independent label Back Yard Recordings
.
, where they performed "Standing in the Way of Control
".
As reported on Pitchfork Media
in March 2007, the group signed to Music With a Twist, a subsidiary of Sony Music Label Group, concentrating on LGBT
music acts.
During the summer of 2007, Gossip was a part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour 2007, which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the Logo
channel, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho
and headlined by Cyndi Lauper
, the tour also included Debbie Harry
, Erasure
, Rufus Wainwright
, The Dresden Dolls
, The MisShapes
, The Cliks
and other special guests. Profits from the tour went to benefit the Human Rights Campaign
.
Gossip are based in Portland
, Oregon
and have played with bands such as Sleater-Kinney
, Le Tigre
, CSS, Erase Errata
, Mika Miko
, Panther, Comanechi, and Mates of State
. Gossip also opened for the Scissor Sisters
for three dates on their November 2006 tour.
On June 24, 2007 Gossip closed the Glastonbury Festival
, playing the final set on the John Peel stage during which Ditto gave a tribute to the late John Peel
. Gossip also performed the following year, on the Pyramid Stage.
Gossip launched the Live in Liverpool album in the UK and the U.S. in April 2008. The album was produced by Rick Rubin
. The album also features a DVD of their live performance. A new studio album called Music For Men
was released in June 2009. First single of this album Heavy Cross
went especially successful in Germany where it was certified triple gold for selling over 450,000 copies and was mentioned the "most successful internationally produced single" of all times in September 2010. In January 2011 the single broke the German record for the longest selling track in chart history. By 14 January 2011 it had spent 82 consecutive weeks within the German Top 100.
bands Birthday Party
and Siouxsie And The Banshees but also for other genres like dance
and hip hop
.
for "Outstanding Music Artist" for their album Music for Men during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards
.
In 2010, Gossip was nominated for an ECHO Award, alongside groups such as Depeche Mode
and U2
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto
Beth Ditto
Mary Beth Patterson, known by her stage name Beth Ditto , is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for her work with the indie rock band Gossip.-Personal life:...
, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie
Hannah Blilie
Hannah Blilie is the drummer of the American band Gossip and formerly Shoplifting. She has also performed with Sarah Dougher, Chromatics, Stiletto, Mr Yuk, The Lumpies, Vade, The Vogue, and Soiled Doves. She is the fraternal twin sister of Jordan Blilie, one of the two lead vocalists of...
. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control is an album by the American indie rock band Gossip, which was released on January 24, 2006. It reached number 1 on the UK indie chart. The title track serves as the unofficial theme song to the British teen drama Skins, as its use in the DVD menu and promotional...
(2006). A follow-up, Music for Men
Music for Men
Initial critical response to Music for Men was positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 69, based on 26 reviews....
, was released in 2009. The band plays a mix of post punk indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
and dance-punk
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
.
Formation and early history
Gossip was formed in 1999 in Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
with vocalist Beth Ditto
Beth Ditto
Mary Beth Patterson, known by her stage name Beth Ditto , is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for her work with the indie rock band Gossip.-Personal life:...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Kathy Mendonca.
All three were originally from Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,663. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County...
; Mendonca moved to Olympia to attend Evergreen State College and Howdeshell and Ditto followed. Howdeshell and Mendonca had been in bands together in Arkansas. The band coalesced when the three members were roommates in Olympia.
In 1999 the independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
K Records
K Records
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington, co-founded, owned, and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Rays, Beat Happening, The Go Team, The Halo Benders and presently in the bands Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Hive Dwellers...
released Gossip's first recording, their eponymous debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, The Gossip
The Gossip (EP)
The Gossip is the debut EP and first recording released by the American garage rock band Gossip, it was released in 1999.-Personnel:* Beth Ditto – Vocalist* Brace Paine – Guitar, Bass* Kathy Mendonça – Drums...
to coincide with the band's tour with Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
.
The band played at the first Ladyfest
Ladyfest
Ladyfest is a community-based, not-for-profit global music and arts festival for female artists that features bands, musical groups, performance artists, authors, spoken word and visual artists, films, lectures, art exhibitions and workshops; it is organized by volunteers. The first ever Ladyfest...
in Olympia in August 2000 and was included in Time Magazine's article on the festival.
Their next release was their first album That's Not What I Heard
That's Not What I Heard
That's Not What I Heard is the debut album by the American garage rock band Gossip , it was released on January 23, 2001.-Track listing:# "Swing Low" – 1:18# "Got All This Waiting" – 1:47# "Bones" – 2:09...
and was released by the record label Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
on January 23, 2001. In between that release and their second album, they released the EP Arkansas Heat
Arkansas Heat
Arkansas Heat is an EP by the American garage rock band The Gossip, it was released on May 7, 2002.-Track listing:# "Arkansas Heat" – 1:56# "Rules For Luv" – 1:48# "Ain't It The Truth" – 1:44# "Gone Tomorrow" – 1:43# "Lily White Hands" – 1:09...
on May 7, 2002. Movement
Movement (The Gossip album)
Movement is the second album by American indie rock band Gossip, it was released on May 6, 2003.-Track listing:# "Nite" – 2:26# "Jason's Basement" – 2:00# "No, No, No" – 1:57# "Don't " – 2:34# "All My Days" – 2:41...
, the group's second studio album, followed one year later and was released on May 6, 2003. In November 2003, two months after the release of their first live album Undead in NYC
Undead in NYC
Undead in NYC is an live album by the American indie rock band Gossip , it was released on September 9, 2003.-Track listing :# "All This Waiting" – 2:08# "Non Non Non" – 3:20# "Don't " – 2:41...
on September 9, drummer Kathy Mendonca left the band to pursue a career as a midwife. Established punk drummer Hannah Blilie
Hannah Blilie
Hannah Blilie is the drummer of the American band Gossip and formerly Shoplifting. She has also performed with Sarah Dougher, Chromatics, Stiletto, Mr Yuk, The Lumpies, Vade, The Vogue, and Soiled Doves. She is the fraternal twin sister of Jordan Blilie, one of the two lead vocalists of...
joined to replace her. The band then dropped the "The" from their name and continued simply as Gossip.
The first release featuring new drummer Hannah Blilie was the band's next album Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control is an album by the American indie rock band Gossip, which was released on January 24, 2006. It reached number 1 on the UK indie chart. The title track serves as the unofficial theme song to the British teen drama Skins, as its use in the DVD menu and promotional...
. It was released on January 24, 2006 on Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
and later on in 2006 on UK independent label Back Yard Recordings
Back Yard Recordings
Back Yard recordings is a UK independent record label based in London.The label was set up by Gil Goldberg and can count acts such as Gossip, Dega Breaks, Chromeo, Seelenluft, The Similou, Tronik Youth and Teenagersintokyo amongst its roster....
.
Mainstream success and moving to a major label
The album Standing in the Way of Control has since earned Gold Record Status in the UK. Gossip's first UK TV appearance was on BBC1's Friday Night With Jonathan RossFriday Night with Jonathan Ross
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross was a British comedy chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 November 2001. The programme featured Ross's take on current topics of conversation, guest interviews and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
, where they performed "Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control
Standing in the Way of Control is an album by the American indie rock band Gossip, which was released on January 24, 2006. It reached number 1 on the UK indie chart. The title track serves as the unofficial theme song to the British teen drama Skins, as its use in the DVD menu and promotional...
".
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
in March 2007, the group signed to Music With a Twist, a subsidiary of Sony Music Label Group, concentrating on LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
music acts.
During the summer of 2007, Gossip was a part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour 2007, which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the Logo
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
channel, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
and headlined by Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, the tour also included Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
, Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
, Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
, The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls are an American musical duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2000, the group consists of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione...
, The MisShapes
The Misshapes
The Misshapes are a New York City-based DJ trio composed of Canadian-born Geordon Nicol, Leigh Lezark, and Greg Krelenstein. Beginning in 2003, the trio cultivated a large following when they brought to downtown New York City the dance party, "Misshapes". On September 8, 2007, after a successful 4...
, The Cliks
The Cliks
The Cliks are a Canadian rock band consisting of Lucas Silveira , Tobi Parks and Brian Viglione . The Cliks' major label debut album, Snakehouse was released on April 24, 2007 by Warner Music in Canada and by Tommy Boy Records in the United States.-History:In an In The Life interview, Silveira...
and other special guests. Profits from the tour went to benefit the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
.
Gossip are based in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and have played with bands such as Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney
Sleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
, Le Tigre
Le Tigre
Le Tigre is an American electroclash band, formed by Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman in 1998. It also featured Sadie Benning from 1998 until 2001, and JD Samson for the rest of the group's run...
, CSS, Erase Errata
Erase Errata
Erase Errata is a band from San Francisco, California. They often name experimentalists such as Captain Beefheart, The Fall, and the Minutemen as inspirations...
, Mika Miko
Mika Miko
Mika Miko was a band formed in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. In 2004 they gained local popularity for their frenetic live performances. Featuring Victor Fandgore , Jet Blanca , Michelle Suarez, Jessica Clavin, and Jon Erik Edrosa, the original line up of the band made its first demo CD-R, its...
, Panther, Comanechi, and Mates of State
Mates of State
Mates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...
. Gossip also opened for the Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
for three dates on their November 2006 tour.
On June 24, 2007 Gossip closed the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, playing the final set on the John Peel stage during which Ditto gave a tribute to the late John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
. Gossip also performed the following year, on the Pyramid Stage.
Gossip launched the Live in Liverpool album in the UK and the U.S. in April 2008. The album was produced by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
. The album also features a DVD of their live performance. A new studio album called Music For Men
Music for Men
Initial critical response to Music for Men was positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 69, based on 26 reviews....
was released in June 2009. First single of this album Heavy Cross
Heavy Cross
"Heavy Cross" is the first single taken from Music for Men, the fourth studio album by Gossip and was released on April 28, 2009 in the U.S. Beth Ditto explained to the NME that the song is "about recreation and my friends, who I feel like are the ultimate creative re-creators." The single was...
went especially successful in Germany where it was certified triple gold for selling over 450,000 copies and was mentioned the "most successful internationally produced single" of all times in September 2010. In January 2011 the single broke the German record for the longest selling track in chart history. By 14 January 2011 it had spent 82 consecutive weeks within the German Top 100.
Musical style
Their style has been described as "a soul or gospel" voice with "a sort of funky punk soundtrack". The band stated a liking for post-punkPost-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
bands Birthday Party
The Birthday Party (band)
The Birthday Party were an Australian rock band, active from 1973 to 1983.Despite being championed by John Peel, The Birthday Party found little commercial success during their career...
and Siouxsie And The Banshees but also for other genres like dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
.
Discography
- That's Not What I HeardThat's Not What I HeardThat's Not What I Heard is the debut album by the American garage rock band Gossip , it was released on January 23, 2001.-Track listing:# "Swing Low" – 1:18# "Got All This Waiting" – 1:47# "Bones" – 2:09...
(2000) - MovementMovement (The Gossip album)Movement is the second album by American indie rock band Gossip, it was released on May 6, 2003.-Track listing:# "Nite" – 2:26# "Jason's Basement" – 2:00# "No, No, No" – 1:57# "Don't " – 2:34# "All My Days" – 2:41...
(2003) - Standing in the Way of ControlStanding in the Way of ControlStanding in the Way of Control is an album by the American indie rock band Gossip, which was released on January 24, 2006. It reached number 1 on the UK indie chart. The title track serves as the unofficial theme song to the British teen drama Skins, as its use in the DVD menu and promotional...
(2006) - Music For MenMusic for MenInitial critical response to Music for Men was positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 69, based on 26 reviews....
(2009)
Personnel
- Beth DittoBeth DittoMary Beth Patterson, known by her stage name Beth Ditto , is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for her work with the indie rock band Gossip.-Personal life:...
– vocalist, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(1999–present) - Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell – guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1999–present) - Hannah BlilieHannah BlilieHannah Blilie is the drummer of the American band Gossip and formerly Shoplifting. She has also performed with Sarah Dougher, Chromatics, Stiletto, Mr Yuk, The Lumpies, Vade, The Vogue, and Soiled Doves. She is the fraternal twin sister of Jordan Blilie, one of the two lead vocalists of...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2004–present)
Awards
In 2010, Gossip was nominated for a GLAAD Media AwardGLAAD Media Awards
The GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives...
for "Outstanding Music Artist" for their album Music for Men during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards
21st GLAAD Media Awards
The 21st GLAAD Media Awards was the 2010 annual presentation of the media awards presented by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The awards seek to honor films, television shows, musicians and works of journalism that fairly and accurately represent the LGBT community and issues...
.
In 2010, Gossip was nominated for an ECHO Award, alongside groups such as Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
.