"It's like who am I and why am I here?" "Beating My Heart"<br /><br />A great deal has happened to Jon McLaughlin between the release of his debut Island Records album INDIANA last year, and his new, sophomore effort, OK NOW.<br /><br />When we last saw him, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter was giving a show-stopping performance of the Oscar-nominated "So Close," the song he sang in the hit Disney movie Enchanted, on the worldwide telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.<br /><br />The appearance re-ignited INDIANA, spurring a 1,514% overnight sales increase at Amazon, sending it to the #1 spot on its Movers & Shakers chart, and creating solid momentum for his latest release. The single from INDIANA, "Beautiful Disaster" attracted over 420,000 digital fans when featured as Download of The Week.<br /><br />And after getting major touring slots with Sara Bareilles, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, along with dates with Colbie Caillat, Duffy and One Republic under his belt, Jon McLaughlin hit his stride on the road.<br /><br />Flushed with that success, McLaughlin entered an L.A. recording studio last year intent on undergoing both a musical and stylistic transformation. The heartland piano player expanded his palette by working with new producer John Fields (Rooney, Jonas Brothers, Lifehouse, Switchfoot), co-writing with the likes of Jason Reeves (Colbie Callait's "Bubbly") as well as writer/producers Tricky and The-Dream (Rihanna's "Umbrella"), Troy Verges (Kenny Chesney's "You Save Me") and Brett James (Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take The Wheel").<br /><br />McLaughlin admits the experience of appearing in Enchanted and performing on the Oscar telecast was a career-defining moment.<br /><br />"The whole thing has taken on a life of its own," he says. "I wasn't even supposed to be in the movie. I love Disney ballads, but I didn't necessarily connect it to what I do as an artist. But that image of an old-school crooner inspired me. I was able to see myself as something different, which helped me open up to try new things on this album. I wasn't afraid to try on some new looks, either."<br /><br />Jon describes himself as a "child of the '80s" in talking about the musical direction of OK NOW, with the very first single "Beating My Heart" the perfect example, an introspective, existential tune about nothing less than the meaning of life, with an elaborate pop-rock production that evokes Coldplay, thanks to soaring synths and a crackling backbeat.<br /><br />With producer Fields playing bass, drums, slide guitar and a variety of other instruments, McLaughlin also enlisted the talents of ace players such as guitarists Tim Pierce and David Ryan Harris, as well as drummer Dorian Crozier in the studio.<br /><br />"Smack Into You," written and produced by Grammy winners Tricky and The-Dream, is about falling head over heels in love, a combination of the Police's "Every Breath You Take" and U2's "With Or Without You," melding acoustic guitar and McLaughlin's piano to create a passionate undertow. "This song has such a great groove and is so fun to play live," says Jon. "It creates such a special moment in the room."<br /><br />Jon describes "You Can Never Go Back," which he co-wrote with acclaimed L.A. singer/songwriter Bleu, as his attempt to write a "late-'70s, early-'80s Billy Joel song," an admonition to not dwell on the past that evokes the blue-eyed soul of the Bee Gees crossed with Hall and Oates, buttressed by Fields' George Harrison-like slide guitar riffs.<br /><br />McLaughlin's soul/R&B croon also characterizes "Things That You Say," a bittersweet song about "loneliness, the isolation you feel when you're trying to connect with anybody, but end up with these shallow, going-through-the-motions relationships instead."<br /><br />Synthesizers introduce "You Are the One I Love," a song Jon co-wrote with Jason Reeves, inspired by the tabloid reports about Amy Winehouse's stormy relationship with her husband Blake that shows an empathy to the beleaguered pair. The multi-layered production is driven home by Peter Gabriel-like tribal drum rhythms.<br /><br />"I feel for them," McLaughlin admits. "Who's to say any of our relationships are any less dysfunctional? I think it's cool that they're so madly in love."<br /><br />"The Middle" is about being able to take the Hoosier kid out of Indiana, but not being able to take Indiana out of the Hoosier. The youngster who grew up in a conservative Midwestern household admits home is where his heart still remains: "Let me tell you now where I went wrong/Hollywood is just another place/I don't belong."<br /><br />"Four Years" is another Billy Joel-style, tongue-in-cheek take on a '50s rocker about high school peer pressure that advises freshmen not to worry about the dictates of fashion.<br /><br />"You just spend so much time worrying about stupid stuff that just doesn't matter," says McLaughlin, who insists his own high school years were pretty good. "I wish I could get back all the money I spent on Abercrombie and Fitch back then. If I heard this song when I was still in high school, I still don't think it would change anything. You can't change high school kids' minds about these things...but I'm still going to try."<br /><br />"We All Need Saving," a song about the importance of friendship, starts with a stack of Beach Boys-styled street corner doo-wop oooh-oooh harmonies McLaughlin recorded late one night on Garageband.com, which gives the song its sacred feel, while "Throw My Love Around" counsels that, with only one life left to live, it's preferable to take risks then end up having regrets.<br /><br />That same spirit of taking chances informed the making of OK NOW. <br /><br />"My philosophy has changed," nods McLaughlin. "Now I believe you should get crazy in the studio, explore different sounds, and I love the challenge of recreating the songs in the live setting –that's the best part."<br /><br />OK NOW is OK to go. http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin Delta 0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jon McLaughlin http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/video/XNwGm8-H/jon-mclaughlin-salute-to-2009-music-video/ Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:52:47 -0000 <div><a href="http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/video/XNwGm8-H/jon-mclaughlin-salute-to-2009-music-video/"><img width="100" height="75" border="0" src="http://srv0204-02.sjc3.imeem.com/g/v/e325eeb973b486e34000ab4235995b74_00010.jpg" title="Click to play this video"/></a></div> CvGmVloYac I hope you all had a great holiday and nye/ny celebration. This was an email/blog I was planning on writing a little earlier in 2009 and now I'm already 11 days in...so my 2009 'to-do' list isn't looking good so far. <br /><br />I was just thinking about how, 10 years ago, we were all starting to run around buying up bottled water and canned goods in preparation for the Y2K scare. Which looking back now it seems so clear that it was just a scam the bottled water/canned good industries used to trick us into buying tons of bottled water and canned goods! We were so naive!<br /><br />I was also just thinking about how the "Salute to 2009 Tour" is almost upon us (yes I meant to salute 2009). I put together a little video blog (Vlog) for you guys about the tour so check it out! I hope you enjoy it cause I was burning up in that flannel/sweater combo while we were shooting it. <br /><br />Here are the cities we're coming to ....<br /><br /><br /> Feb 13 2009 10:30P Blind Pig- Ann Arbor, Michigan <br /> Feb 16 2009 9:00P Majestic Theatre- Madison, Wisconsin <br /> Feb 17 2009 8:15P Luther College- Decorah, Iowa <br /> Feb 20 2009 7:30P House of Blues- Chicago, Illinois <br /> Feb 26 2009 8:00P Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood - March On Stage- Universal City, CA<br /> Mar 1 2009 8:00P Hard Rock Cafe - March On Stage- Sacramento, California <br /> Mar 7 2009 8:30P Benson Great Hall- St.Paul, Minnesota<br /> <br />So, again, Happy New Year - and we'll see you on the road! <br /><br />-j- Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2009/01/12/hiOzUk2-/happy-new-year Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:32:43 -0000 XqwIrDU5Tc I hope you all had a great holiday and nye/ny celebration. This was an email/blog I was planning on writing a little earlier in 2009 and now I'm already 11 days in...so my 2009 'to-do' list isn't looking good so far.<br /><br />I was just thinking about how, 10 years ago, we were all starting to run around buying up bottled water and canned goods in preparation for the Y2K scare. Which looking back now it seems so clear that it was just a scam the bottled water/canned good industries used to trick us into buying tons of bottled water and canned goods! We were so naive!<br /><br />I was also just thinking about how the "Salute to 2009 Tour" is almost upon us (yes I meant to salute 2009). I put together a little video blog (Vlog) for you guys about the tour so check it out! I hope you enjoy it cause I was burning up in that flannel/sweater combo while we were shooting it.<br /><br />Here are the cities we're coming to ....<br /><br />Jan 16 2009 8:15P Harding University- Searcy, Arkansas<br />Jan 17 2009 10:15P The Parish @ House Of Blues- New Orleans, Louisiana<br />Jan 19 2009 10:00P The Parish- Austin, Texas<br />Jan 20 2009 9:00P Warehouse Live- Houston, Texas<br />Jan 22 2009 8:00P Vinyl- Atlanta, Georgia<br />Jan 23 2009 10:30P Jack Rabbits- Jacksonville, Florida<br />Jan 24 2009 9:30P City Limits- Delray Beach, Florida<br />Jan 25 2009 9:30P The Social- Orlando, Florida<br />Jan 27 2009 10:00P Cat's Cradle- Carrboro, North Carolina<br />Jan 28 2009 8:45P Birchmere- Alexandria, Virginia<br />Jan 29 2009 8:00P World Cafe Live- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<br />Jan 30 2009 10:00P Paradise Rock Club - Boston, Massachusetts<br />Jan 31 2009 10:15P Blender Theatre @ Gramercy - New York City, New York<br />Feb 2 2009 10:00P Revolution Hall - Troy, New York<br />Feb 3 2009 8:45P Rex Theatre- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<br />Feb 4 2009 8:50P Tralfamadore Music Hal-l Buffalo, New York<br />Feb 13 2009 10:30P Blind Pig- Ann Arbor, Michigan<br />Feb 16 2009 9:00P Majestic Theatre- Madison, Wisconsin<br />Feb 17 2009 8:15P Luther College- Decorah, Iowa<br />Feb 20 2009 7:30P House of Blues- Chicago, Illinois<br />Feb 26 2009 8:00P Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood - March On Stage- Universal City, California<br />Mar 1 2009 8:00P Hard Rock Cafe - March On Stage-Sacramento, California<br />Mar 7 2009 8:30P Benson Great Hall- St. Paul, Minnesota<br /><br />So, again, Happy New Year - and we'll see you on the road!<br /><br />-j- Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2009/01/12/sU0qBgZ8/happy-new-year Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:45:37 -0000 SttjYG2jQr Well my hat's off to you guys, once again. <br /><br />Last night, my band and I came into town and played at the Cannery Ballroom (which I'd never been to before by the way). I had such a great time. I loved the venue and the vibe and all that but I had a great time because of the crowd! You guys were awesome. I haven't hung around and talked to that many people at a show in a long time and I loved it. It was refreshing to say the least - so thanks to all of you Nashvilleyanz who braved the 42 degree weather and came to the show. <br /><br />Recommended download for this blog is...... Nashville Cats by The Lovin' Spoonful. Awesome. Pretty much all I listened to in jr. high. <br /><br />Happy Holidays, Nashville -j-<br /><br />www.werkshop.com/jonmclaughlin<a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/def" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/cats" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/ballroom" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/jam" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/cannery" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/feldman" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/jon" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/island" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/mclaughlin" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/lovin" rel="tag"></a> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/11/zePIfhQF/thank-you-nashville Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:53:44 -0000 8dFuDuT4Dn <a href="http://links.imeem.com/14kBY6ub_" title="http://www.bebo.com/JonMcLaughlinMusic"><img src="http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/9373/bebohp1.jpg" alt="”Bebo" /></a> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/09/VBoKSg97/check-out-jon-on-bebo Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:15:07 -0000 D6FgTe3YDl Check out Jon McLaughlin performing “Beating My Heart” for <br />NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Banquet <br />tonight <br />Speed Channel at 8 PM EST/5pm PST<br /><br />will repeat also on<br />12.9.08 – 12:00 AM EST/9PM PST<br />12.9.08 – 8 AM EST/5 AM PST<br />12.14.08 – 1 PM EST/10 AM PST<a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/mclaughlin" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/jon" rel="tag"></a> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/08/_4LR4Qhz/jon-mclaughlin-on-the-speed-channel-tonight Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:49:37 -0000 -uM7OAcLCR <br />December 4, 2008.<br /><br />Click here to watch Jon McLaughlin perform A Christmas Song live on the Bonnie Hunt show! <br /><a href="http://links.imeem.com/14u_NUfb_" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSGA8iI23lo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSGA8iI23lo</a><br /><br /><br /><br /> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/05/IN3wjCuO/jon-mclaughlin-a-christmas-song Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:31:06 -0000 7wh_s1pYsZ Who loves Bonnie Hunt?<br />I do.<br />What could be better than playing the Bonnie Hunt Show?<br />Playing the Bonnie Hunt Show twice.<br />So I'm going back to the Bonnie Hunt show on Thursday (Dec 4th) and playing a little Christmas song. <br />So if you're into Christmas, songs, and Bonnie Hunt, then check the show times in your city to catch it!<br />Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!<br />On the holiday note- it’s almost Christmas! Check out the online store (www.werkshop.com/jonmclaughlin) for some new additions, including autographed copies of OK NOW! Keep checking back, as the holidays approach we’ll be offering new Christmas specials every week. <br />Thanks!<br />-j- Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/03/gRNFd24-/the-bonnie-hunt-show-x2 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:11:59 -0000 PhevKQ4BWO Jon McLaughlin will be on The Bonnie Hunt Show tomorrow, Wed Dec. 3rd, performing “A Christmas Song” on NBC!! <br /><br />It will air @ 2pm Pacific Time...don't miss it!<br /> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/12/03/nDj6H4k3/jon-on-the-bonnie-hunt-show-tomorrow Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:01:01 -0000 1I_0Ofc145 I'm giving away tickets to these shows, I want to see all of you at my last shows of 2008.<br /><br />Sunday, November 23 - Club 101 @ El Paso, TX<br />Tuesday, November 25 -Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, TX<br /><br />Saturday, December 13 -Tampa Theatre Tampa, FL<br />Thursday, December 18 The Norva Norfolk, VA<br />Friday, December 19 Amos'' Southend Charlotte, NC<br /><br />All you have to do is Text "JonTix" to 66937 and win tickets!!<br /><br />and we will pick the lucky winners!<br /><br />See you at the show :)<a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/text" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/jon" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/concert" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/show" rel="tag"></a><a href="http://www.imeem.com/tag/2008" rel="tag"></a> Jon McLaughlin Updates http://www.imeem.com/jonmclaughlin/blogs/2008/11/19/W96g-SJr/come-see-me-in-2008 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:00:44 -0000 GXwBXBensE