Tune in Sunday at 8 p.m. on MTV and mtvU for our 30-minute mtvU Woodies special! By MTV News staff Machine Gun Kelly and Sway at the 2013 mtvU Woodies festival Photo: John Shearer/ mtvU
Travi$ Scott brings Tip onstage, while Trinidad James and Joey Bada$$ also wow Austin crowd. By Maurice Bobb T.I. performs at the 2013 mtvU Woodies festival Photo: John Shearer/ mtvU
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against and Bassnectar to appear at second-annual fest, set for June 8-9 in Detroit. By James Montgomery James Hetfield of Metallica Photo: Scott Legato/ Getty Images
Joey Bada$$ and English indie rockers Alt-J will also be on hand to perform at the Woodies Festival on March 14 in Austin, Texas. By Rob Markman Macklemore Photo: Anthony Pidgeon/ Redferns
Singer is adjusting to the fame that’s followed the success of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know,’ her collabo with Gotye. By Christina Garibaldi Kimbra Photo: Getty Images You may have heard her voice on Gotye’s smash hit “Somebody That I Used to Know,” but everyone will soon be familiar with her name: Kimbra. The New Zealand pop singer will take the stage Thursday (March 15) at the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival during SXSW. So what can fans expect from this newcomer when she hits the stage? Well, MTV News caught up with Kimbra last month in New York, and she told us all about her live performances. “Live experience is definitely quite different,” she said. “I think the record shows a more intimate or reflective side of what I do, but the live show is all about showing more of that aggression.” After working on her debut album for more than three years, the 21-year-old singer/songwriter released Vows in Australia in 2011. It includes catchy and diverse songs like “Cameo Lover” and her latest single, “Good Intent.” Kimbra is set to release Vows in the U.S. on May 22; this version will feature additional songs that she recorded Stateside. “I started working on it when I was 17; now I’m 21,” Kimbra said of the LP. “I think there was a lot of development that needed to happen before I felt like I had something to say musically and lyrically. So yeah, there were some frustrating moments making the album, but I’m glad I took the time I did to make it, and I’m happy with it now. I definitely explore a lot on the album. It’s called Vows, so it talks a bit about the idea of commitment and making promises, but also breaking promises and how you deal with that.” Kimbra has a refreshing yet soulful sound, which she credits to her eclectic taste in music. “It’s hard to describe in a few words,” she said of her sound. “But I’m definitely influenced by some R&B. I also loved musical theater as a kid, so I think that’s what brings more theatrical elements to the music. I’d like to think it’s Prague-pop or something like that. I like to think it’s progressive in some way, but still pop music at the end of the day.” Kimbra is still trying to get used to the newfound fame that’s come with the success of Gotye’s hit. The video, which features the pair without clothing, currently has over 111 million views on YouTube . “We did vocals to that song, at least my verse, in my bedroom, [and] really chilled out,” Kimbra said of recording the track. “I think at the time we were like, ‘Yeah, it’s a cool song,’ but we didn’t think it would be quite what it’s been, so I think it’s a humbling experience for both of us.” Following her performance at the Woodies fest, Kimbra will be hitting the road with Gotye in March and will be back on tour in May with Foster the People . The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Videos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival Performances Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival: Performances 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Kimbra
Miller and MGK, along with EDM artist Steve Aoki, talk about getting set for mtvU awards show, which returns to SXSW. By Nadeska Alexis Mac Miller Photo: Getty Images The mtvU Woodie Awards are set to be bigger and better than ever this year: The annual awards show will once again take place in Austin, Texas, at South by Southwest, where the first-ever Woodies Festival will be launched. The current lineup of performers includes Santigold , Childish Gambino, A$AP Rocky and EDM artist Steve Aoki, who is also nominated for Woodie awards alongside Mac Miller and Machine Gun Kelly. All three artists had plenty to say about their nominations during a Woodies conference call on Thursday. Machine Gun Kelly, who won MTV’s 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC award, is nominated for Breaking Woodie , and the Bad Boy rapper is taking a rather optimistic approach to the contest. “I’m just so focused on that award and I’m trying to speak it into existence,” MGK said. “I’ve been mixing my debut album, and I’ve got a DMX collaboration and so many others, but there were people we fought to make sure we finally got them. We spoke it into existence and we really believed in it. It was the same thing with the Breakthrough award. No one expected us to win, we were the super-underdogs, so I’m just trying to speak [this award] into existence. And if I win it, my speech is going to be hilarious.” In addition to performing, Aoki is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie award, a new category that recognizes artists who are pushing boundaries in the electronic music arena. “The scene in America is really vibrant — a lot of the international artists are most excited to play out here,” Aoki said of EDM’s growth in the States. “Sometimes their biggest markets are out here. America is really juicy with electronic music right now. “I’m on this 60-day bus tour across the U.S. There’s no way I could’ve done this three or four years ago,” Aoki added. “We’re definitely at a really impactful time for our music scene, and I think this is just the start.” Pittsburgh rapper Miller made a splash this year with both his debut album, Blue Slide Park, and his subsequent tours, thanks to an adept social media following. He’s been nominated for both Woodie of the Year and Performing Woodie. “It’s crazy, it makes me feel like there’s no way I’m going to win,” Mac said of receiving nods in categories that include veterans like Jay-Z. “But it’s just great to be nominated with people that I grew up being some of my favorite artists. It makes me feel like I’m in the big leagues.” The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Videos Back To The ‘Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa ‘RapFix Live’ With Machine Gun Kelly And Kendrick Lamar Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Mac Miller Machine Gun Kelly
Superstar DJ is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie at the annual show, which takes place March 15 in Austin. By James Montgomery Steve Aoki Photo: Chelsea Lauren/ Getty Images Another day, another name added to the list of performers for the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards. On Wednesday, it was Childish Gambino . Last week, it was Santigold . And before that, Fun. and A$AP Rocky . And Chiddy Bang and Kimbra , too. Now, it’s DJ Steve Aoki , who will take the stage at the annual wood-centric show, set for March 15 in Austin, Texas, during South By Southwest. In addition to performing, Aoki is also nominated for the EDM Effect Woodie, up against the likes of Avicii, Benny Benassi and Calvin Harris. Voting is now underway in all Woodies categories at Woodies.mtvU.com and will remain open until March 9. Voting in the “Breaking Woodie” category will continue through the live show on March 15. Fans can also cast ballots on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com , or by texting “VOTE” to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply. This year, the Woodies are taking full advantage of their SXSW surroundings, kicking off with the first-ever Woodies Fest, which is open to both SXSW badgeholders and non-credentialed (yet still totally valid) music fans, and will stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com . That all leads up to the show itself at 9 p.m./8 p.m. ET/CT. Highlights from the awards will air Sunday, March 18, on MTV and mtvU in a 30-minute special. The Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees Related Artists Steve Aoki
Santi tells MTV News she plans to use ‘fun props’ when she unveils her new single, ‘Disparate Youth,’ at the March 15 show. By James Montgomery Santigold Photo: Logan Fazio/ FilmMagic Santigold was announced Thursday (February 23) as the first performer at the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards, and from the sound of things, she’ll be bringing her A-Game. Or at least her props. “The show now involves some umbrellas; we try to use fun props on stage and make it look like a real show with, like, props and a lot of cool choreography,” she laughed. “We have a lot of fun on stage, and we’ll definitely put that into the show.” Santi may be the first artist confirmed for the Woodie Awards — set for March 15 in Austin, Texas, during the South By Southwest music festival — but she’s far from the only name attached to what has quickly become a daylong event. For the first time, the show will expand to include an open-air music festival, which kicks off at 1 p.m. CT and features an eclectic bill that includes Fun., A$AP Rocky and just-announced additions like Chiddy Bang, Kimbra and Ed Sheeran. It’s a move that reflects the anything-goes ethos of SXSW, which is just one of the reasons Santi agreed to take the stage at the Woodies … that and the fact that she’s got previous Woodie-related experience. “I played the Woodies several years ago [in 2008], and it was a lot of fun. The show is a great platform for artists, all kinds of artists, and I like that it is happening during SXSW,” she said. “I love it down there, love all the different bands you get to see. When they asked if I’d like to perform this year, I didn’t even think about it. I just said ‘yes,’ it was a no-brainer.” During the show, Santi will be unveiling her brand-new single, “Disparate Youth,” the first taste of what fans can expect on her upcoming Master of My Make-Believe album (due this spring). It’s sure to be a highlight, though, for her Serbian fans, it’ll also be nothing new. “We’ve been doing ‘Disparate Youth’ for a while — I’ve been working on these songs live; I tried to work on these songs as much as I could outside of the country,” she said. “I think the first time I performed ‘Disparate Youth’ was in Serbia. It was cool. It went over pretty well, I’ve got to admit.” The Woodies Festival will be held on Red River and East First Street in Austin and is open to both SXSW badge-holders and music fans alike. The entire fest will stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com and leads up to the awards themselves. On Sunday, March 18, the best moments from the Woodies will be broadcast during a 30-minute special airing on MTV and mtvU at 8 p.m. ET. Voting is also under way in all Woodies categories, and remains open until March 9. Voting in the Breaking Woodie category will continue during the live show March 15. Fans can cast ballots in all categories through the Woodies website , on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com or by texting VOTE to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply. The Woodies.mtvU.com invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Related Photos 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Nominees
The mtvU Woodies are once again heading to SXSW, with plans for a day-long festival leading up to the awards themselves. By James Montgomery Jay-Z and Kanye West Photo: Getty Images The mtvU Woodie Awards are heading back to South by Southwest, and this year, they’re going to be bigger than ever. That’s because on Wednesday (February 8), mtvU announced that, in addition to the awards themselves, the Woodies will channel the SXSW spirit and become a day-long festival. It begins March 15 at 1 p.m. CT with a host of live performances — open to all SXSW badge holders (though, if you’re not going to be down in Austin, you can watch the fest unfold live on Woodies.mtvU.com ) — and culminate with the 2012 Woodie Awards. The best moments from the awards will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET, though the music lovers can stay up to date on all Woodie-related mania — interviews, performances and SXSW updates — beginning on March 11, when “Woodie Awards Week” kicks off on MTV, mtvU and MTV.com. Woodie performers will be announced in the coming weeks, but the nominees have already been announced, and fans can vote for their favorite nominated artists beginning Wednesday through Woodies.mtvU.com . Kanye West and Jay-Z, The Black Keys, Skrillex, Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, J.Cole and more lead the field that will vie for the coveted big hunks of wood in categories like “Woodie of the Year” (given to the artist who left their mark on music in 2011) and the “Performing Woodie” (given to the year’s best touring musician). And this year, the Woodies have unveiled a brand-new category to honor electronic dance music: the “EDM Effect Woodie.” Voting in all Woodies categories closes March 9. Here’s a look at all the nominees. Woodie of the Year
‘He sent me a message today, and he just told me he was rooting for me,’ country crooner tells MTV News of ‘Your Man’ singer. By Kara Warner Scotty McCreery Photo: MTV News For anyone who has been following the last month or so of “American Idol,” which has narrowed the contestant field from tens of thousands to 24 semifinalists, the journey of North Carolina country crooner Scotty McCreery has, in large part, been due to his repeat performance of Josh Turner’s “Your Man.” When MTV news caught up with the deep-voiced high school junior at the afterparty celebrating this year’s “Idol” top 13 on Thursday, we asked him if, given the resurgence of interest in Turner’s 2005 hit single, he’s met or heard from the Nashville star yet. “I actually met him the day I auditioned for the show at a meet-and-greet,” McCreery revealed. “He sent me a message today, and he just told me he was rooting for me and that he was proud of me. So that meant a lot to me.” With regard to what McCreery plans to sing during the 10th season of the reality singing competition, the 17-year-old hinted at a few big country names and accepted our suggestion that he take on fellow deep-voiced singer Trace Adkins. “Trace is the man! I saw him in concert this summer,” McCreery said, admitting his admiration for Adkins but no plans to sing any of his tunes. “Maybe some Tim McGraw, some Garth Brooks,” he teased. “[I’ll] change it up a little bit.” McCreery went on to say that while he wants to focus on his strengths in country music, he also wants to keep America guessing. “I want to stay true to myself and sing country,” he said, “But I’ll switch it up here and there, give America something different. We’ll see where that goes.” What do you want to hear McCreery sing? Tell us in the comments! Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday on MTV.com, following the “American Idol” results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty ! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: ‘American Idol’ Party
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