This is an article taken from 16 magazine! I DID NOT buy this magazine! I swear! I got it off a website so dont freak out and call me a tt..tt...teenybopper!
There's a brand new shining star on the musical horizon, and his name is Michael Fredo. This totally stunning 20 year old New York state native wants to introduce you to the sound of the coming "Youthquake"-that's the way he describes his music, a cool combination of pop, rock, and soul. Once you hear his debut album, Introducing Michael Fredo, and the hot single, "This Time Around," you'll be hooked in a major way. This month Michael is our man in the 16 Spotlight.
16: Here's a basic question-How do you pronounce your last name?
Michael: It's "free-doe." Some of my family used to say "fray-doe," but more of them say "free-doe."
16: Where were you born and raised?
Michael: In up-state New York, a place called Elmira, it's a farm town. Then i moved to New York City to go to school at the Professional Children's School.
16: Do you miss your home-town?
Michael: Sometimes, but most of the time i prefer being in the city. My mom let me get an apartment when I was a senior in high school-it really helped. I got really good grades after I moved in alone.
16: What's your musical background like?
Michael: I started singing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and from there i decided i wanted to do the pop thing. That was after many hours with classical music and church music, which I grew up on. But i don't call this music pop, I call it "youthquake," which is a new form of music i created. The scientist in me created this!
16: What's your official definition of "youthquake?"
Michael: Pop, coming from Michael Jackson, rock coming from Mick Jagger and soul coming from Marvin Gaye-my three main dudes who I love.
16: You started touring with Britney Spears in July-what's that been like?
Michael: Me and my friend Britney Spears-we're having a great time. We knew each other before the tour, because we were in an ad together for Tommy Hilfiger jeans. I had really long hair back then, but i cut it all.
16: Is there anything romantic happening between you and Britney?
Michael: No (I think i speak for all Michael fans when i say PRAISE THE LORD! hehe)). We're just friends. I think it's better to stay just a little bit singular now, rather than plural.
16: What can you tell us about your album?
Michael: The music is a lot of fun. There are songs that are really upbeat-my mom loves to do aerobics to them. And then there are sad songs which come from the sad part of my life-three years ago my dad crashed in his car and died (awww...that is so sad! im gonna cry), and basically that's where all the sad songs I wrote came from.
16: What do your friends and family think about your success?
Michael: A lot of my friend are in college, and a lot of them are musicians too-I've been in rock bands all through high school. Everyone is really excited.
Nineteen-year-old pop singer Michael Fredo, who is opening for Britney Spears on her Tommy Hilfiger-sponsored summer tour through its Sept. 5 conclusion, seems to have gotten quite close to the Hilfiger crowd.
Fredo will appear as a model in this summer's back-to-school print ads for Tommy Jeans. In addition, the Latin-tinged "This Time Around," the first single from his debut album Introducing (due Sept. 7 on Warner Bros. imprint AH Records), will be featured in Tommy Jeans' back-to-school television campaign.
His not-yet-released song "Who Said" (also on Introducing) has already been used for a Tommy Girl Fragrance ad.
Wondering where the Hilfiger connection comes from? Fredo co-wrote several of the songs on Introducing with his manager and label president Andy Hilfiger (Tommy Hilfiger's brother). Fredo also collaborated heavily with legendary producer Quincy Jones for the album, in addition to penning four of the tracks himself.
But, while it would be easy enough to pass him off as another talentless teenage pop pin-up with an image and album manufactured for maximum marketability to the pre-teen female crowd, Fredo has a legitimate musical background. In addition to the requisite teenage garage-rock bands, Fredo spent a year as a touring vocalist for the Ellington Orchestra, after meeting Duke Ellington's grandson Paul Ellington.
Fredo, who plays several of the instruments on his debut (another pop rarity), performed at VH1's May 22 multiple sclerosis benefit concert alongside the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Hootie & The Blowfish. The single for "This Time Around" was released June 29, and features one of three limited edition Fredo trading cards.
-- Mike Magnuson
As I listen to new pop oriented CDs, one thing becomes clear. Almost all of the songs have that "radio hit" sound. I don't think this is a bad thing, but Fredo's Introducing is different. While about a third of the album has that "hit song" sound; Michael also offers us some music that just seems to be for simple enjoyment. I was surprised.
With the Hilfiger promotional spots and the familiar sound of Michael's first release (This Time Around), I believed that both he and his CD were promotional tools. I was wrong, and I hope others discover what I have in these tunes. Michael Fredo is for real, has a great voice, has sincerity, definitely has talent, and is worth a listen. It also doesn't hurt that he's cute and has his pick of cool Hilfiger duds.
The first two songs (Love All Over Again & This Time Around) have a familiar sound, but are easy and enjoyable to listen to in about any situation. The third song (Do You Think About Me) is a complete change of pace, It has a great "up-tempo" R&B sound that I didn't expect. It's a fun song and my favorite on the CD. I hope that this one is released for radio play. It would change any preconceived notion about the nature of this artist. I also think you gain an appreciation for Michael's talent by his range and confident ability to master the first three songs and their diverse nature. The rest of the CD is a collection of fresh and fun to listen to music that contains some real variety and spirit. Track 7 (Everybody Wants Her) shows some true originality, and is also a favorite of mine. I really liked every song. I usually don't on most other CD's. I'm not saying that everyone will like this music. But, if you listen to R&B or pop you will find this selection very enjoyable.
Leave your preconceived notions at the door, and be surprised by Michael Fredo and Introducing!
by Teri Moore
You might conveniently file Michael Fredo under the "boy band" category -- especially after hearing "This Time Around," his poptastic debut single that is currently scaling the local charts in Asia.
But Fredo (who also models for Tommy Hilfiger) isn't just another good looker trying to make it big in the pop world. He sings, writes, and plays his own instruments (guitar and piano). No wonder he is gaining popularity at an alarming rate after appearing as the supporting act for Britney Spears' summer tour.
MTV Asia Online's Lennat Mak managed to catch this young star in action when he was in Singapore recently for a short promotional trip. With his charming smile and ever-friendly attitude, it was no surprise that his fans were going ga-ga over him.
MTV Asia Online: You define your music as "youth-quake"…
Michael: Well, I can't really define my music as "youth-quake" anymore, because in the '60s, the term was used when the Beatles invaded America. And a funny reporter told me in New York City that I have to use something else. I use the word "dude" all the time in my vocabulary, so it's "dude-quake" now!
MTV Asia Online: You worked with Andy Hilfiger and Quincy Jones on the album "Introducing Michael Fredo." What was it like?
Michael: Working with Quincy Jones was an honor and a dream of mine for years. The name "Quincy Jones" has been flying around my house for a long time. At first I thought he was a singer, but now I know he is this legendary producer who produced Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra… I'm so happy to be working with him.
MTV Asia Online: Can you tell me more about the duet you did on the album?
Michael: The girl on the duet is Nneka Morton and she's a Tommy girl. Since I do a lot of stuff for Tommy Jeans, she and I did this great duet, "As Long As I Live," track No. 5 on my album.
MTV Asia Online: You played guitar and piano on the album. How long did you take to learn them?
Michael: Well, it's funny. My guitar and piano are far less important than my singing! It took me about four years to learn them. And it's fun to play them...I really love it! It's almost like percussion...I like to beat on them, you know, like pound on a piano. Somehow, it makes pretty music this way.
MTV Asia Online: Would you rather be in a band or remain as a solo act? Michael: I would much rather be a solo act! I wouldn't mind being in a band, sometimes, like in a rock band. Not in a boy band, though. There're just too many of them around. (muhahaha...mike gonna get his azz whooped if he doesnt watch out! Mr. Nick Carter has buffed up!)
MTVAsia Online: When you first started out, are you worried that people might be distracted by your good looks rather than concentrating on your singing?
Michael: Yeah, at first I'm afraid that people might think that modeling comes first for me. But I have to do modeling to pay my bills. Well, it helps to pay my rent.
MTV Asia Online: Why do you like taking off your clothes during your performances?
Michael: It gets hot up there on stage -- that's why I take off my shirt. But everybody keeps asking me, "Do you like showing off your body?" No! It's not that. I'm just a dude who gets hot on stage when I sing, so I take off my shirt. But I can't do that a lot in some states in the U.S., as well as in some countries around the world.
MTV Asia Online: Who or what inspires you the most?
Michael: My dad inspires me. Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson inspire me...and my mum too. She's a nurse and she helps me with all my worries 'cause I worry a lot. I worry about everything. About my music, my voice, traveling, and getting enough sleep. What else inspires me? I would probably have to say nature, beautiful trees...and beautiful countries. In particular, clean and spotless countries. I'm a germ freak. I'm a fanatic who keeps his whole room spotless.
MTV Asia Online: How do you see yourself in the future?
Michael: I will be a rock star! If I'm not already, then I WILL be! But I will be a father and I will have a wife. I want eight kids. I want a huge family. I really look forward to that. But that's later on. What I want to do now is to just sing.
MTV Asia Online: Any messages for your Asian fans out there?
Michael: Yeah, since the New Year is around the corner. I know I talk about drinking and driving a lot but it's a serious issue. And people have to truly watch out. Alcohol is okay. Drinking wine is a part of a lot of cultures. But the thing is, there's a time to say no. My dad died because of drinking and driving. So please be careful. And to all my fans, thanks for all your awesome support -- I love you!
Rating: **
(2 stars????? 2 stars?! are u crazy! damn singaporian mtv dood....no offense to singaporians (eh that what ya called) cuz they are cool! in fact...it was a singapore girl who gave me this article! THAAANX! that guy is just jealous! muhahahaha)
In Summary: Think of boy bands, except that this is a solo effort. (DAMN IT...quit comparin him to boybands!! ughh!)
So the story goes...Michael Fredo made his first singing appearance when he opened for Britney Spears' summer tour, and fans of Britney became his as well. From then on, he captured the hearts of many who simply adore his pretty-boy looks, poppish songs, and his signature act -- taking off his Hilfiger garb (he's also a model for Tommy Hilfiger's clothes) and throwing it to the crowd.
Signed to Quincy Jones's Qwest Records in conjunction with Andy Hilfiger's (Tommy Hilfiger's brother) AH! Records, Fredo has released his debut effort, "Introducing Michael Fredo," a mixture of teen pop and dreamy ballads, with a little bit of R&B flavor thrown in.
The first single "This Time Around" is already a hit in Singapore, all thanks to its catchy and upbeat chorus, and the frequent airplay it gets on local radio stations. (When I first heard the song, I thought it was an ad jingle for a certain brand of shampoo -- the one with the "No more tears" slogan.)
In line with a new breed of talented young artists, Fredo plays his own instruments (piano and guitar) on some of the songs and wrote four songs on the album. There's "Who Said," the theme song for the recent Tommy Girl advert; "Heartbreaker" (not to be mistaken for the latest Mariah Carey hit); "Everybody Wants Her," a song Fredo co-wrote with Andy Hilfiger.
The most outstanding of them all has to be "Now You're Gone," a lovingly-orchestrated ballad which Michael wrote in the memory of his father who was killed in a car crash three years ago. (Now, can you almost hear the fans going "Aww"?)
Although Fredo stressed that he's different from other pop artists and hails from the school of rock 'n' roll, I still can't find any distinguishing traits between him and some of the pop groups dominating the charts today. And there's certainly no trace of rock 'n' roll element in any of the songs. I guess the pop formula works well for him for now, and I'm looking forward to hear some true rock 'n' roll fare from him in the future. --Lennat Mak
Well, that's all! I'll have more soon!! :)
