10/06/2010 - 21:30
Grande Scène
OneRepublic
Pop Rock / USA
"The toughest thing to do is write a hit song and the easiest thing to do is act like a rock band," says OneRepublic singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder. "But we had a hit song before we had an album and we can't pull off the 'rock god' thing. We do everything backwards."
The band were initially successful on MySpace, became the first rock act to to be signed by Timbaland's Mosley Music Group and scored a worldwide number one hit with their first single Apologize.
Another unique aspect of OneRepublic is best explained by band member and bassist Brent Kutzle: "One difference (from) other groups is that we're always rotating instruments. I might play keyboards, and Ryan bass, or I play cello, Ryan piano, and Drew [Brown], bass. Sometimes we forget who plays what on a song."
Apologize, or more correctly the the Timbaland remix, may have proved a huge success - the most popular digital download in American history, at that time the most played ever song on US radio and a number one in 16 countries - and cast OneRepublic as an overnight success but the band had put in years of hard work before their breakthrough, with the band actually formed in 2002.
Their debut album Dreaming Out Loud was released in 2007, spawning the global smash hits Apologize and its follow-up Stop and Stare, which peaked at number 12 in the US singles charts. The album reached number two in the UK and also went top 10 in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Second album Waking Up followed on 17 November 2009 and lead single All the Right Moves peaked at number 25 in the US singles chart while it was a top 10 hit in Belgium, Ireland and Switzerland.
The album received positive reviews with the Los Angeles Times declaring: "Timbaland should be proud; OneRepublic is using his old tricks even better than he is lately" while Billboard raved that "Waking Up boasts enough intertwining pop melodies backed with anthemic vocals to show fans of the 2007 Timbaland-remixed track Apologize that OneRepublic can deliver more addictive hooks while still maintaining its own graceful and introspective sound."
The band were initially successful on MySpace, became the first rock act to to be signed by Timbaland's Mosley Music Group and scored a worldwide number one hit with their first single Apologize.
Another unique aspect of OneRepublic is best explained by band member and bassist Brent Kutzle: "One difference (from) other groups is that we're always rotating instruments. I might play keyboards, and Ryan bass, or I play cello, Ryan piano, and Drew [Brown], bass. Sometimes we forget who plays what on a song."
Apologize, or more correctly the the Timbaland remix, may have proved a huge success - the most popular digital download in American history, at that time the most played ever song on US radio and a number one in 16 countries - and cast OneRepublic as an overnight success but the band had put in years of hard work before their breakthrough, with the band actually formed in 2002.
Their debut album Dreaming Out Loud was released in 2007, spawning the global smash hits Apologize and its follow-up Stop and Stare, which peaked at number 12 in the US singles charts. The album reached number two in the UK and also went top 10 in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland.
Second album Waking Up followed on 17 November 2009 and lead single All the Right Moves peaked at number 25 in the US singles chart while it was a top 10 hit in Belgium, Ireland and Switzerland.
The album received positive reviews with the Los Angeles Times declaring: "Timbaland should be proud; OneRepublic is using his old tricks even better than he is lately" while Billboard raved that "Waking Up boasts enough intertwining pop melodies backed with anthemic vocals to show fans of the 2007 Timbaland-remixed track Apologize that OneRepublic can deliver more addictive hooks while still maintaining its own graceful and introspective sound."
Beginner's guide
BEGINNER'S GUIDEIn a Tweet: Timbaland-discovered Colorado rock act whose smash hit Apologize was number one in 16 countries and is the most-downloaded track ever in the US.
Best introduction: It may not feature the ubiquitous 2007 gem Apologize but OneRepublic's second release Waking Up showcases a more distinct OneRepublic sound and Ryan Tedder's assured songwriting.?
Songs to download: Apologize, Stop and Stare, All the Right Moves, Secrets, Everybody Loves Me
Key fact: Debut single Apologize was remixed by Timbaland and as well as hitting number one in 16 countries it has been downloaded a record 4.8 million times in the US alone.
Fun fact: OneRepublic singer and songwriter Ryan Tedder is an immensely successful songwriter away from the band, having penned hits for Beyonce (Halo), Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna and Katy Perry. He also co-wrote the Leona Lewis smash Bleeding Love which beat OneRepublic's own record as the most played ever song on US radio.?
They say: “He just brings something out of me that kind of needs to be brought out sometimes, from writing to music and vocals. He's a vocalist himself, it's great to work with people who are vocalists, producers who can sing as well because they really understand about what to do, where to go melody-wise and stuff." Leona Lewis on Ryan Tedder (Associated Press 2009)
OneRepublic say: "The biggest, most enduring songs are hits because they’re not gimmicks, they’re not selling anything that’s less than real and they tap into honest human emotion that people can relate to." Ryan Tedder in Songwriter Universe magazine
Press Contact
Agency: Universal MusicContact person: Gaétan Fragnière
Email: gaetan.fragniere@umusic.com
