OneRepublic

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OneRepublic
OneRepublic performing at the Burswood Dome, Perth, Western Australia, March 2008
OneRepublic performing at the Burswood Dome, Perth, Western Australia, March 2008
Background information
Origin Colorado Springs, Colorado,
United States
Genre(s) Pop rock, alternative rock
Years active 2002–present
Label(s) Columbia
(2003–2006)
Mosley/Interscope
(2007–present)
Associated acts Greg Wells, Timbaland
Website OneRepublic Official Site
Members
Ryan Tedder
Zach Filkins
Eddie Fisher
Brent Kutzle
Drew Brown
Former members
Jerrod Bettis
Tim Myers

OneRepublic is a American pop rock band formed in Colorado. After a few years of moderate success, they have drawn mainstream attention with the release of their singles "Apologize," and "Stop and Stare". "Apologize" is the most legally downloaded song in US digital history with sales of over 4.3 million digital downloads in the US alone.[1] The band has also achieved sales in excess of 5 million outside of the US adding up to over 9 million singles of "Apologize" and well over 2 million of "Stop and Stare". A remix of "Apologize" was featured on Timbaland's Shock Value and the band's debut album, Dreaming Out Loud.

The band is currently working on its sophomore album; the album is scheduled to be released in December 29, 2009[2].

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early career

The band was formed in 2002 by songwriter and record producer, Ryan Tedder and his high school friend, Zach Filkins, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The initial name of the band was Republic.

Tedder caught the attention of producer Timbaland during his stint in an MTV-sponsored talent show and was soon signed as his protegé.[3][4] Tedder and Filkins parted ways after two years under Timbaland's tutelage. For a while, Tedder worked under the nom de plume 'Alias', earning a name for himself by producing and writing songs for various artists; receiving a Grammy nomination for his work on Paul Oakenfold's, A Lively Mind.[5]

In 2002, Tedder reconnected with Filkins who was living in Chicago, Illinois and modeling on the side for Covington and Jockey Underwear convincing Filkins to move to Los Angeles, California to form a band. Nine months later they were quickly signed to Columbia Records. After a few line-up changes, they finally solidified with Tedder on vocals, Filkins on guitar and backing vocals, Eddie Fisher on drums, Brent Kutzle on bass and cello, and Drew Brown on guitar. Known initially as Republic, they later changed the name to OneRepublic.[6]

They worked in the studio for two and a half years and recorded a full album. Two months before their album was due to be released, (with "Sleep" as their debut single), they were dropped by Columbia Records.The band was beginning to get exposure on MySpace, becoming the number-one unsigned act on the site.[7] The band caught the attention of number of labels, including Timbaland's. The band signed to the Mosley Music group, becoming the first rock band signed to the label.[8][9] Since the summer of 2006, OneRepublic has consistently been ranked as one of the top musical acts on MySpace, due to heavy promotion within the online community.[10]

[edit] Mainstream breakthrough: 2007 – Mid 2009

OneRepublic's song "Apologize," written by Ryan Tedder, was released in its original version on the band's debut album Dreaming Out Loud. The song was also prominently featured as a remix on Timbaland's 2007 release of Shock Value. The single, featured on Shock Value, has gone three times Platinum (marking three million copies sold in the US) and five million copies worldwide.[11] It peaked at number three on the UK official Top 40 Week on November 11, 2007.[4] "Apologize" was the biggest radio airplay hit in the history of Top 40 radio in North America, racking up 10,331 spins in one week.[12] The song held the number one position for five months before the record was broken by "Bleeding Love", a song co-written and produced by Tedder.[13]

Their debut album was released in the United States on November 20, 2007, with international release dates staggered throughout early 2008. Dreaming Out Loud has sold 822,458 copies in the US as of January 2009 and continues selling, with the band's total album sales reaching over 1.8 million worldwide.[14] Their third single, "Say (All I Need)", was released in the UK and the US. In September 2008, the band released their fourth single, "Mercy".

The band performed "Apologize" live on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance in August 2007. In 2008, OneRepublic toured with Maroon 5 and Brandi Carlile. On May 21, 2008, the band appeared on the American Idol finale performing a duet of "Apologize" with finalist David Archuleta. They headlined the Isle of MTV 2008 at the Floriana Granaries, Malta, on June 25, 2008.[clarification needed] In August 2008, OneRepublic performed "Apologize" and "Stop and Stare" at MTV Asia Awards 2008 in Genting Highlands, Malaysia. They won the Best Hook-up award for "Apologize", beating Beyoncé Knowles and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar", and Rihanna's "Umbrella".[15]


[edit] Today (Working Album Title Name): Late 2008 - Present

On September 24, 2008, the band stated during a concert at the London Forum in England, they were working on new songs for a new album to be released in the summer of 2009. The band played one of the newly recorded songs titled, "All The Right Moves". The band is reported to be relocating to Denver, Colorado during the first part of 2009 to complete work on the album.[citation needed]

Through the band's Twitter page the band confirmed that they are shooting to release the album in Fall 2009 with a single coming out in the Summer. They have confirmed that they have finished all-but-one of the songs from the album.[16] However, it is likely that they have not finished all the songs on the album and they are now recording.[17]. They have already recorded "All the Right Moves".[18]

In their latest shows the band played one of the songs from the new albums: "All the Right Moves". Another track's name was confirmed by the guitarist Zach Filkins in an interview to billboard: "The Other Side".[19] A song name, along with the album title have been revealed via Twitter. The song is called "Missing Persons 1 & 2" and the CD is to be named "Today".

[edit] Critical reception

In general, the critics have had mixed to positive reviews about Dreaming Out Loud. Although Digital Spy initially rated the album 2/5 stars, they later gave 4/5 stars for "Stop and Stare."[20][21] Rolling Stone's official review of the band also gave them 2/5 stars, and has an average user rating of 4/5 stars.[22] Rolling Stone also placed the band in their "Artists to Watch" list, which featured ten artists that, according to the magazine, "...are bringing the future of music, today." Entertainment-Focus comments about the band's song, "Tyrant," “…the slightly-harder sounding "Tyrant" which has a strong melody reminiscent of U2 at their best.”[22][23][24]

[edit] Musical style and influences

OneRepublic's varied style of music has been described by Ryan Tedder: "We're no respecter of genre. If it's a good song or a good artist whether rock, pop, indie or hip hop, they've probably influenced us on some level...nothing's new under the sun, we're a sum of a bunch of parts."[citation needed] They cite The Beatles as a songwriting inspiration and U2 as heavier influences on their music. With songs like "Apologize", "All We Are", and "Mercy", OneRepublic has expressed a desire to move listeners onstage the way U2 does.[25][26]

All Music Guide has commented on the band's sound, "...OneRepublic often favors cathartic, cranked-up choruses that Chris Martin has yet to tackle." Tedder downplays Coldplay as an influence; "Their influences are our influences. The big difference, though, is that I come from a much wider hip-hop and urban background. I’ve been producing, writing and performing urban stuff, and I try to bring that into the group because we’re not trying to be a British band." Drew Brown adds, "We aren’t all die-hard Coldplay fans, but because of the comparisons, we’ve done our research, and I’m sure we’ve got a large handful of common influences."[27]

[edit] Members

[edit] Current members

[edit] Former members

  • Jerrod Bettis - Drums (2002–2005)
  • Tim Myers - Bass guitar (2004–2007)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
2008 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout Group Nominated
Choice Rock Track ("Stop and Stare") Nominated
MuchMusic Video Awards Best International Video - Group ("Apologize") shared with Timbaland Nominated
Best International Video - Group ("Stop and Stare") Nominated
ECHO National/International Hit of the Year ("Apologize") shared with Timbaland Nominated
MTV Asia Awards Best Hook Up ("Apologize") shared with Timbaland Won
Breakthrough Artist Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act Nominated
2009 People's Choice Awards, USA Favourite Rock Song ("Apologize") Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("Apologize") Nominated
ECHO Best International Group Nominated

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20080904/LATH03704092008-1.html
  2. ^ http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/one-republic/today/30669/
  3. ^ One Love : Who the hell is OneRepublic? And what's this about them being from the Springs? : Local News : Cover Story : Colorado Springs Independent : Colorado Springs
  4. ^ a b MySpace.com - OneRepublic - City of Angels, California - Rock / Alternative / Pop - www.myspace.com/onerepublic
  5. ^ Ryan "Alias" Tedder
  6. ^ http://www.sheknows.com/articles/804245.htm
  7. ^ BBC News Entertainment | Talking Shop: Ryan Tedder
  8. ^ Rocky road to the top - Los Angeles Times
  9. ^ Your Music Zone - Canadian Christian Music, Concert Listings, and News
  10. ^ One Republic shows the world the power of promotion on My Space infonews.co.nz New Zealand's local news community
  11. ^ OneRepublic's "Apologize" Hits 3 Million Download Sales Digital Media Wire
  12. ^ Timbaland/OneRepublic Shatter Top 40 Radio Airplay Record
  13. ^ RCA Music Group Dominates The Billboard Top 10 Album Chart @ Top40-Charts.com - 40 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 25 Countries
  14. ^ RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America - May 31, 2008
  15. ^ 2008 MTV Asia Awards - Find out if your favourites walk away with the Golden M Bars
  16. ^ http://twitter.com/1Republic/statuses/1818570554
  17. ^ http://twitter.com/1Republic/statuses/2061923684
  18. ^ http://www.kyte.tv/ch/106849/475120
  19. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003893924
  20. ^ Music - Singles Reviews - OneRepublic: 'Stop And Stare' - Digital Spy
  21. ^ Music - Album Review - OneRepublic: 'Dreaming Out Loud' - Digital Spy
  22. ^ a b One Republic: Dreaming Out Loud : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone
  23. ^ Music Focus Releases - Album Reviews - OneRepublic - Dreaming Out Loud
  24. ^ OneRepublic: Artist to Watch 2008 : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily
  25. ^ One Republic on purevolume™
  26. ^ OneRepublic - ReverbNation
  27. ^ MTV Buzzworthy Blog » Exclusive Interview: Buzzworthy Talks To OneRepublic
  28. ^ http://twitter.com/1Republic/status/2110573082

[edit] External links

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