Additional dates have been added to Lady Gaga’s 2011 North American Monster Ball. Buy a ticket on LiveNation.com and you’ll also score a free download of an exclusive new Lady Gaga song. Joining her on the 2011 dates will once again be Semi Precious Weapons, her current opening band who are releasing their own debut album, You Love You, on June 22nd.

The MONSTER BALL TOUR 2011 starring LADY GAGA

2/19 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall
2/21 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
2/26 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
3/3 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
3/8 Boston, MA TD Garden
3/10 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
3/15 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
3/19 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena
3/25 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand
4/8 Houston, TX Toyota Center
4/9 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
4/12 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center
4/13 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
4/18 Atlanta, GA Gwinnett Center

Connect with Lady Gaga
www.ladygaga.com
www.twitter.com/ladygaga
The Fame Monster – Available Everywhere!
“Telephone” video – http://www.vevo.com/watch/lady-gaga/telephone/USUV71000338
Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope Records

And now we have it…

Backed by both Perez Hilton and Lady Gaga, Semi Precious Weapons have released their 3-song EP and their debut album You Love You will be following soon.  The buzz is loud about this glam-rock band now splattering themselves on the internet and on radio with their self-titled first single “Semi Precious Weapons”.  But it was those humble beginnings on the New York City club scene that really sealed their fate.

“We’ve been a band for 3 years,” Tranter says.  “We’ve been driving ourselves around in a van to every show we could possibly get.  Some shows there are 15 people and some shows there’s 1500. I think we actually really built a very small, but extremely mighty fan base.”

While SPW is reminiscent of Andy Warhol and the Sex Pistols, the band isn’t living in the past.  “For us, it’s definitely about the future. It’s about creating something new that has roots in Warhol and classic Rock & Roll, but is about the future. I want 12-year-olds to love our music and create something new that this generation can own,” Tranter explains.

So parents, if your 12-year-old comes home telling you he or she “can’t pay the rent, but I’m f*cking gorgeous”, try not to freak out too much.  After all, Semi Precious Weapons have fans of all ages, and types.  Tranter told us he’d describe SPW’s music to his grandmother as “filthy, balls-to-the-wall glamorous rock & roll”.  He then added,  “Luckily, my grandparents love me very much.”

With the band’s potty mouth lyrics, Tranter’s diva wardrobe, and fun-for-all vibe, Semi Precious Weapons hopes to bring dance & style back to rock & roll.  “It would be amazing if I could inspire housewives to wear a peach brow bone. And if I could get dudes to like guitar solos again, I think that would be  pretty amazing,” the flamboyant frontman says before going on to talk about the change in “rock” music today.  “Even most quote-unquote rock bands nowadays, they play to tracks and have a DJ, and they’re having background vocals piped through the PA system.”  Unlike those bands, Semi Precious Weapons, which consists of Tranter, Cole Whittle (bass), Dan Crean (drums) & Stevy Pyne, are all actual musicians and don’t perform “live” to a track, or have a DJ on stage with them.

Currently, SPW is touring Europe with Lady Gaga.  Concertgoers will be treated to the same energy on the big stage as if they were at a New York City hole in the wall. “It’s the same exact filthy show,” Tranter tells us.  “I’m pouring champagne. I change my outfit on stage. I swear at everybody. I tell them to scream louder. I tell them to shut up. All that good stuff. We give them our filthy rock & roll show with champagne, pantyhose & guitar solos.”

While Europe gets acquainted with the band, the rest of the world can enjoy their EP available now on www.itunes.com, which consumers can use the “complete the album” option once the full-length You Love You is released.  Along with “Semi Precious Weapons”, “Magnetic Baby” and “Put A Diamond In It”, the album will feature more of that party rock & roll that Tranter was talking about, but also reveal an evolution for the band.  Ballads like the orchestrated “Leave Your Pretty To Me” and the intimate, heartbreaking “Love Me” will be sure to surprise fans more than anything else.

“The record is our dream come true,” Tranter explains.  “It sounds exactly as we want it to sound. The songs are great. There’s obviously a lot of danceable rock & roll and f*cking filthy magical moments.”

StarShine can’t wait to hear–and see–what else Semi Precious Weapons will have up their sleeves.  This band embodies what music and entertaining is all about–pure art and pure fun!  Well, maybe a little impure, too…

What does Justin Tranter hope to achieve with Semi Precious Weapons?  It’s simple, really.
“We’re hoping to take over the f*cking world!”

We wouldn’t be surprised if that feat was accomplished.  With a degree in songwriting, a line of jewelry he created in his flat while working three jobs, and now taking over a new direction in rock & roll, Tranter may just be a genius!

His Grandma should be proud.

For more on Semi Precious Weapons:
www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
www.twitter.com/preciousweapons
www.semipreciousweapons.com
Watch “Semi Precious Weapons” Video

Lady Gaga was the big winner this year with a total of 5 awards including Favorite Female Artist, Best New Artist, Song of the Year for “Poker Face”, Best Dance Song for “Just Dance” and Album of the Year for her debut The Fame. Gaga only lost one award, and that was surprisingly to teen heartthrob, Jesse McCartney, who received Artist of the Year over her with only 3% more votes!  McCartney also takes home Favorite Male Artist beating out Michael Bublé.  Katy Perry won Best Pop Song for “Hot N Cold” while newcomer Jessie James grabbed Best Ballad for “I Look So Good Without You”.

Canadian rock band Hedley won Best Rock Song for “Never Too Late”.  The obscure indie band, 100 Monkeys, fronted by Jackson Rathbone of “Twilight” fame nabs two awards for Favorite Band and Breaking Artist.  For Best Live Show, StarShine’s reader favorite–Backstreet Boys take the win; beating out top-selling touring acts, Michael Bublé and Katy Perry.

Visit StarShine Magazine: www.StarShineMag.com

2009 STARSHINE MUSIC AWARD WINNERS!

BEST DANCE SONG: Lady Gaga – “Just Dance”

BEST BALLAD: Jessie James – “I Look So Good (Without You)”

BEST ROCK SONG: Hedley – “Never Too Late”

BEST POP SONG: Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”

FAVORITE BAND/GROUP: 100 Monkeys

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST: Lady Gaga

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST: Jesse McCartney

BEST LIVE SHOW: Backstreet Boys

BEST NEW ARTIST: Lady Gaga

BREAKING ARTIST: 100 Monkeys

SONG OF THE YEAR: Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Lady Gaga – The Fame

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jesse McCartney

After a insanely successful run with her debut album, The Fame, Lady Gaga releases its sequel, The Fame Monster on November 23rd. The first single off the album, “Bad Romance” is already an instant hit. The video burns twisted images in your head of Gaga’s bugged out eyes, naked rear, and as always strange clothing; it’s like walking by a severe car accident–you just have to stare.

StarShine was invited to an exclusive listening party for The Fame Monster. So what did I think of the new efforts by Gaga? Some might think there’s no way she can pull off another slew of top ten hits–well, those people would be wrong. Out of the eight tracks on the album, half of them have the potential to be chart toppers!

Let’s start with “Monster”. With a great pop-dance sound to it and vivid lyrics like “He ate my heart and then he ate my brain”, Gaga will have us all questioning who the monster in our bed is.

“Telephone” is slated to be the next single–it features Beyoncé, so that’s no surprise. With two iconic divas on the track, there’s no doubt the song will take off! I can definitely hear this one pumping through the clubs like “Single Ladies” and “Just Dance” have been doing over the past year. The song is basically telling guys to stop calling their girls when they’re at the club getting their dance on!

Lady Gaga was smart with this album. The follow-up to a hit record is always difficult–it’s make or break time. She was able to keep up with the unique, catchy hits that’s made her a star, but also give something new and evolve her songs just a bit.

“Alejandro” and “Speechless” are those evolutions. While “Alejandro” reminds me of something that would have come out in the ‘90s with a Madonna “La Isla Bonita” vibe to it, “Speechless” has more raw instrumentation. The song reminds us Gaga can sing; I can almost hear the track being played at Starbucks. It’s nice to see both sides of this Lady!

“Teeth” brings back a more traditional Gaga with lyrics like “Don’t want your money, just your sex”. This song can easily turn into the bitch anthem of 2010! The other two tracks on the album “Dance In The Dark” deals with self-esteem and “So Happy I Could Die”, which states “I touch myself and it’s alright”.

While listening to the album, I heard a handful of references to biting, vampires and wolves…hmm, is Gaga into the supernatural phenomenon sweeping the world right now? Or is she just smart enough to cash in on that market…

After all, Lady Gaga is a genius in many ways. She knows what she’s doing and what sells–whether it‘s to shock or delight. Fans who already own The Fame can buy The Fame Monster for $7.99 (itunes) or $9.99 (in stores). If you don’t own the first album, you can purchase the deluxe edition with both albums on it for $18. And for all you crazy fans, you can get the super deluxe edition, which comes with a strand of hair from Gaga’s wigs plus photos documenting her career for $95.

I can’t wait until I’m able to blast these new songs on my I-pod. The Fame Monster has been stuck in my head since the listening party. Like an addict I need more Gaga! We know you do, too. It’s nice to invest in an album that you’re sure to love more than three songs on!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2009 StarShine Magazine Music Award Nominees Include Big Stars Katy Perry, Lady Gaga & Jesse McCartney

Staten Island, NY—October 7, 2009—Now known as the StarShine Music Awards (abbreviated SMAs), the 7th annual online voting will take place on www.StarShineMag.com beginning October 19, 2009 (12am EST) and ending on November 16th (11:59pm EST).

This year’s nominees proves to be StarShine Magazine’s most diverse group of artists to date—combining multi-platinum superstars with rising buzz-worthy artists as well as relatively underground musicians.

StarShine Magazine’s nominees were chosen by president & editor, Sandy Lo along with assistant editor, Sa’iyda Shabazz. Sticking to their policy of not nominating an artist that hasn’t been featured in the magazine, Sandy Lo is grateful they’ve been fortunate enough to interview and help discover big stars like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry as well as spotlight breaking artists like Van Atta High and Livvi Franc.

“Our readers are stubborn and loyal enough to want to see the Backstreet Boys and Jesse McCartney every year, but open-minded enough to welcome new talent, even ones that step into obscurity like 100 Monkeys or like Shytown, who blends an interesting mix of sounds.”

Katy Perry receives top nods in 7 categories including Best Live Show for her “Hello Katy” tour and Best Pop Song for “Hot N Cold”. She goes head to head with Lady Gaga for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Favorite Female, Best New Artist and Song of the Year. Gaga is also up for Best Dance Song for “Just Dance” and competes in that category up against Cascada’s “Evacuate The Dance Floor”, Jesse McCartney’s newest hit “Body Language”, newcomer Livvi Franc’s “Now I’m That Chick” and rising boy band V Factory with “Love Struck”.

Jesse McCartney is also up for Favorite Male, Song of the Year for “How Do You Sleep?”, Album of the Year and Artist of the Year. Other Disney derived nominees include Demi Lovato with 4 nominations and Ashley Tisdale with 2.

Other artists nominated include the critically acclaimed and fan favorite Michael Buble, VH1 You Oughta Know artist, Eric Hutchinson, up & coming singer/songwriter Josh Hoge, and new female artist Jessie James with a whopping 5 nominees for her self-titled debut.

Instructions to vote will be available through www.StarShineMag.com’s home page starting October 19th. Winners will be announced in December 2009.

For a complete list of nominees, see below.

Visit StarShine Magazine: www.StarShineMag.com

For more information on StarShine and the SMA’s: sandy@starshinemag.com

2009 STARSHINE MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES

BEST DANCE SONG

Cascada – “Evacuate The Dance Floor”
Jesse McCartney – “Body Language”
Lady Gaga – “Just Dance”
Livvi Franc – “Now I’m That Chick”
V Factory – “Love Struck”

BEST BALLAD

Idina Menzel – “Brave”
Jessie James – “I Look So Good (Without You)”
Josh Hoge – “Stay Away”
Lesley Roy – “Unbeautiful”
Parachute – “She Is Love”

BEST ROCK SONG

Hedley – “Never Too Late”
Josh Hoge – “Take It Or Leave It”
Lesley Roy – “I’m Gone (I’m Going)”
Parachute – “The Mess I Made”
Van Atta High – “Doin’ Something Right”

BEST POP SONG

Jeff Timmons – “Emotional High”
Jessie James – “Wanted”
Justin Stein – “Lose Control”
Kaci Battaglia – “Crazy Possessive”
Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”

FAVORITE BAND/GROUP

100 Monkeys
Hedley
Shytown
V Factory
Van Atta High

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST

Ashley Tisdale
Demi Lovato
Jessie James
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST

Andy Davis
Eric Hutchinson
Jesse McCartney
Josh Hoge
Michael Buble

BEST LIVE SHOW

100 Monkeys
Backstreet Boys
Idina Menzel
Katy Perry
Michael Buble

BEST NEW ARTIST

Demi Lovato
Eric Hutchinson
Josh Hoge
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga

BREAKING ARTIST

100 Monkeys
Ashlee Keating
Kaci Battaglia
Shytown
Van Atta High

SONG OF THE YEAR

Ashley Tisdale – “It’s Alright, It’s OK”
Jesse McCartney – “How Do You Sleep?”
Jessie James – “Wanted”
Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”
Lady Gaga – “Poker Face”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Demi Lovato – Here We Go Again
Jesse McCartney – Departure
Jessie James – Jessie James
Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
Lady Gaga – The Fame

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Demi Lovato
Jesse McCartney
Michael Buble
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga

Sandy Lo with one of her favorite stars Nick Carter in 2002.

On July 26, 2001, I was enjoying my summer vacation.  I had just graduated high school and was thinking about my future.  I couldn’t wait to be an entertainment journalist, however, I was nervous to interview people, let alone celebrities!!! 

I tend to be overly enthusiastic, especially when I’m excited.  I saw MTV’s John Norris on the subway once and practically scared him away with me shouting out ”Hi John Norris!!!” 

So, to get used to interviewing people before even venturing into the realm of stars, I created a rinky-dink newsletter through AOL called “StarShine”.  I interviewed my friends who wanted to be stars and made a whole issue dedicated to them.

Needless to say, this way of doing things didn’t last long.  Talent was drying up and I was becoming bored, but somehow word was spreading about StarShine.  One day, a street team leader for an upcoming artist contacted me, the next day another street team for a songwriter e-mailed me and a few weeks later, a record company executive called me to interview their new music group.

Not only was I starting to become comfortable interviewing people, I realized I was onto something.  Six months later, I was backstage at my first concert and StarShine, the rinky-dink newsletter, became StarShine Magazine!

The past 8 years have been an adventure.  From lows of mean stage Moms, snotty pop stars and evil publicists to highs of meeting my idols, gaining a fan base and respect in the entertainment industry…thanks to everyone who has had a hand in StarShine, whether you visit the site once in a while or religiously, we appreciate it!  Please leave us some “Happy Birthday” wishes and share your favorite moments in StarShine below.

Check out this photo timeline of StarShine’s history.

(If you can’t see the full picture, click on it to open it in a new tab.)

Send us your birthday wishes below!  Thanks

Judging from appearance alone, Lady GaGa represents far out eccentricity. Some might call her weird, but it’s all fun for the 22-year-old New York club queen, who calls her music and fashion style “pop-art”. She explains, “It’s very New York and it’s very modern and very artistic. It’s just GaGa.”

If Lady GaGa’s wigs and futuristic sunglasses are a bit odd to people, her music will then appear surprisingly normal. That’s not a bad thing, either. Her debut album The Fame showcases a fun mix of dance/pop music that’s not quite mainstream, but has tons of appeal from club-goers to teenyboppers.

GaGa’s underground vibe has gained her notoriety in the music business and her amazing songwriting is what got her foot through the door. “I’ve been writing for a really long time,” she says. “When you get signed to a record label, you don’t always get success as an artist right away. You have to really prove you’re a star to the label.”

A star she proved to be! The day StarShine spoke to Lady GaGa by phone, she had good news to share with us. “Just Dance” was added to New York’s #1 hit music station Z100, which is a dream come true for her. Another dream for her would be to work with Marilyn Manson, but her goals for the future are fairly simple. “My goal is to be around for a really long time. I’m not going anywhere,” she explains.

The Fame features the first two singles: the extremely catchy “Just Dance” and the future club-pumper “Poker Face”, along with ten other pop-filled, fun beat-infused, and lyrically captivating tracks. “Love Game” is sexy and raunchy, but done up with class much like in the styles of Gwen Stefani and Fergie. Like 50 Cent’s “Magic Stick”, Lady GaGa will have everyone talking about the “disco stick”.

“Paparazzi” is another standout track on the album; the song is also a personal favorite of GaGa’s. “It’s a really beautiful pop record and it was like the first pop song I really wrote,” she told StarShine. “It’s not about what it seems to be about on the surface. It really delves into ideas about love, and fame, and narcissism, and meeting that one person in your life that makes you want to stop taking pictures of yourself and start taking pictures of someone else.”

Slowing down the album to balance it out are tracks “Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)”, a light mid-tempo and “Again Again”, which really allows GaGa’s voice to shine through without all of the big beats and machinery. The closest The Fame comes to a ballad is “Brown Eyes”. The song is out of character for the rest of the album, but adds a nice change of pace; it also shows GaGa’s voice off a little more.

The title track, “The Fame” is reminiscent of Madonna. In fact, StarShine can see Lady GaGa having Madonna’s effect on the music industry for a long time to come. She’s fresh and new yet a throwback to the ‘80s hipsters and Studio 54 lovers.

The Fame is an album about the lifestyle of today’s youth. “Really listen to the lyrics because I think it’s saying something really, really important about pop culture and our life as young people,” Lady GaGa explains.

Currently, you can pick up The Fame in stores and on itunes. It’s highly recommended you catch Lady GaGa on stage as well though. The Fame feels meant to be performed live and is a truly fun experience for any audience.

StarShine caught Lady GaGa’s stage show at Perez Hilton’s party in New York City earlier this month. The exclusive crowd huddled around the stage at the Highline Ballroom. There wasn’t one person not dancing as GaGa performed tracks off the album that hadn’t even come out yet! Wearing a long, platinum blonde wig and a white vinyl dress, she looked like an ice queen out of some futuristic comic book, but her show was anything but cold.

If you have tickets to a New Kids on the Block show, you’re in for a great opening act. If not, Lady GaGa will be joining a big pop tour in Europe next year and then back to America for another tour.

For now, pick up The Fame and keep track of Lady GaGa online at: www.ladygaga.com. We may not agree with Perez Hilton on everything, but we’re on the same page on being gaga for Lady GaGa!

Lady GaGa’s Fan Message:“I love you and thank you very much for all your support. I can’t wait to meet all of you and hug you and say thank you personally. For those of you that are new, when you listen to the album, really listen to it. Don’t just skim through it and listen to the beats and browse the song titles. Really listen to the lyrics because I think it’s saying something really, really important about pop culture and our life as young people.”