Friday, 15 July 2011

Article

Congratulations are in Order...apparently

Imagine the situation...you're sitting at your desk, quite unwittingly working away on a quiet Monday morning (and Mondays are, understandably, our quietest day here), when you receive a very excited phone call from a very excited member of staff from a record company who we're not sure if we should name...let's call them Booting Cars Records, just to be on the safe side.

"Our artist has made history!" They exclaim excitedly. Confused, and coming off the phone none-the-wiser (such was the excitement of the person in question that it was impossible to ascertain what this "history" actually was), we decided some digging was most definitely in order.

And what did our dig discover? Well, firstly, "BCR" were completely correct, their artist had indeed made history, but they weren't the only one. So let's take this opportunity as a website, as an institution, and as a community, to herald and celebrate the success of two outstanding artists.

Both Brittany Knox, and Ryan Ross Hernandez, you see, have continued to make history since the very inception of the Chart Heat Album Charts, almost exactly 6 months ago. These two artists are the only two ou of the original Top 20, who's album still sits proudly in the Top 20. After 6 months, that certainly deserves a round of applause so let's hear it!



Brittany's album, Halfway There, was the more successful of the two originally, charting at number 2 in the first chart in January (behind only Stacey Walton), and hasn't suffered much of a slump since. Album sales for Brit's debut have been pretty solid, and have even jumped up considerably in the last few weeks following the news that she is set to unleash a second album on the world sometime in the near future. Such was the level of recent success, that even after 6 full months in the Top 20,  Halfway There charted at number 6 this past week. Congrats to Ms Knox for that success, it really is an outstanding achievement. 



And what about Mr Hernandez? Occupying the position behind Ms Knox (which he probably has in a literal sense at some point as well) in the original chart, he has continued to follow her into the history books ever since. With Let A Man Be Lost originally charting at number 3, RRH's massive presence in the music industry has ensured that he has been an ever present over the past half year, and celebrated 6 months solid in the charts by making the number 14 position his own this past Sunday.

So to both of those artists, we say, firstly, wow(!) and secondly, massive congratulations. It takes real class and talent to create an album that can chart at all, and something out of this world to have it occupy a top 20 position for a full 6 months. We raise a glass to you both, and here's to much more success for years to come!

Thursday, 7 July 2011

Article

Midweek Chart Update

When you heard we were doing midweek chart updates, I bet you were all hoping for some form of numbered....top 10 maybe, indicating who had sold the most up to this point, right?

We can't give ya that! What we can give you though, is a juicy, mouth-watering hint of what's to come this Sunday.

Now, the week's sales started pretty slowly, but we started with two early leaders in the sales standings. We can tell you now that one of those early pace-setters fell away dramatically as the week went on, and will probably sit around the bottom end of the top 10. The other one however, well it is still up there...in the top 3 for sure, and maybe even battling for number one.

Whilst that album did maintain it's position in amongst the leaders however, it was joined later in the week by a number of other potential number one albums. One of which is from a bona-fide genuine massive superstar...but who?

You really want a hint? Ok....we'll tell you this. It's close. Only 2 votes separate the top 5 at the moment in the album charts. But who will be that number one? Who is in contention? Will Glamazon be able to improve on a poor first week "sales" wise for her free EP? Will last week's surprise leaping up the charts album, by Cassie Valentine leap again? Will Katie Coyle hang on for a third week at the top of the charts? Or will everyone's favourite bubbly band, Teen Titans, make a significant leap?

Tune in here, on Sunday, 9PM. The only place to find out!

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Article

Interview - Cassie Valentine

One of the biggest winners in this weeks Chart Heat Album Chart, scoring her first top 3 album in the process, was RnB singer Cassie Valentine. Valentine's debut album "Pink Romance" jumped up five places in the chart from 8th last week, usurping some top superstars in the process. 

We asked Ms Valentine into the offices to have a chat with us about her album, her new single, and her biggest influences in the business.


Hi Cassie, welcome to Chart Heat. It's been a very successful week for you in the album charts this week. You must be delighted with the rise in position?

(smiles) Hi, and yes, I was very surprised to see it jump so high this week. I still consider myself to be fairly new, so to see it go from #8 the first week to #3 the second week is amazing.


And what do you think caused such a brilliant leap in this particular week?

Well I think it's all due to the amazing songs on the album. So far I've had positive responses for each single I've release off the album. I also feel that promotion is another key point. My label and my team have all done an amazing job getting my name out there. 


For debut albums, it's normal to peak a lot later than albums from seasoned artists do, are you hoping to see Pink Romance jump even higher?

Ha. That would be a dream come true for most artist but honestly I'm just doing it for the music. Don't get me wrong, to see my music do well is amazing but the last thing I want is to get a big ego. 


And who inspires you? Who do you aspire to be like in the industry?

My mom is the one that inspires me the most. Shes always been there for me and I love her for that. Um as of now I love everyone in the industry and I think they are all great. At the moment I'd rather just be myself. I don't want to be like or compared to anyone else. My all time goal with my music is to make a name for myself and be different.


Do you see other artists of similar experience as you as friends, or rivals? And who?

Yes. Most people already know that Mandy William and I are best friends. I met her when I first started and she's been an amazing friend ever since. As far as rivals go I personally try not to hate anyone. However there is one person that I really can't stand. I don't believe shes an artist, well actually I'm not even sure what this chick does but I really dislike Cassie Summers. That's all I'm going to say because It's getting on my nerves just mentioning her name right now.


Your new single, Fear, was released yesterday, and it is powerful. That must have been a hard thing for your friend to relive?

Oh yes. It was extremely hard at first but after getting some help shes able to talk about it now. 


And was it emotional for you recording it?

I don't think there's any words that could explain how hard it was to do this song. It took a long time to get it finished actually because I was too emotional to get through the whole thing.


Most artists wouldn't touch such a subject ever. What gave you the confidence to tackle it?

I got the confidence when my friend was actually strong enough to talk about it to people. She started helping others with the same problems and I admire her for that. So I knew I had to do my part by getting the message out.


Are you hoping to raise awareness of the issue of abuse by singing such a song?

Yes of course. I'm personally working on starting up a foundation soon that will help victims of rape and domestic violence. I hope that it will be a success and I also hope that other artists will join in to spread the word.


And you called it the most eagerly anticipated song from the debut. You must be really proud of it?

(smiles)I'm very proud of it. Hands down it's the best song on the album and I hope that everyone will love it as much as I do.


What's your own personal chart prediction for this week? Don't be all modest now!

(laughs) Well I can't say that I've gave it much thought but I'd love to see it at #1 this week. If not #1 then just to make it in the top 5 would be an honor. Like I said before it all doesn't matter as much to me. I'm just here to make music and to let everyone hear it.


Thanks Cassie 

Thanks for having me here today.



Sunday, 3 July 2011

Chart - 03/07

Chart Heat Top 20 - Week Beginning 03/07


1 - Katie Coyle - Raindrops, Caffeine and Other Liquid Stimulants (=)
2 - Alicia Lena - Waking Up (+2)
3 - Cassie Valentine - Pink Romance (+5)
4. G2L - Confessions (+5)
5. Victoria Black - Hush (NE)
6. Brittany Knox - Halfway There (+11)
7. Glamazon - The Massacre (NE)
8. Teen Titans - Teen (+10)
9. Lily - Raw (+4)
10. Tisha Jackson - Reveal (NE)
11. Suburban Sunrise - When all else Fails...Run (NE)
12. Infinite - Insomnia (-7)
13. Mykaylah - The Revenge (+7)
14. MattY - Growth(-11)
15. Stephanie Fierce - Newborn (-13)
16. Jason Smith - Still Waters (-10)
17. Hannah Beth - Tough and Tender (-3)
18. Cherise - Destination Unknown (-8)
19. Reported Failure - Post-Grunge Catastrophe (NE)
20. Miss Vanity - Devil's Playground (-4)

DNC - 
Fathers Of Fury - Fathers Of Fury
Ryan Ross Hernandez - Let a Man Be Lost
Stacey Walton - Sun Always Rises
Teen Titans - Generation
REALM - Sacred Chants of Death
Gears Of Bremen - Steadfast Kids