This girl's definitely come a long way from her "Candy" days. But t
hat doesn't mean her new collection of all-original material isn't as sweet
While her contemporaries hog the headlines in gossip rags and entertainment new
s shows, Mandy Moore has been keeping a low profile, quietly w
riting songs, and supposedly using the long bout with the blues she found herse
lf fighting last year as her muse to pen poetry and songs.
Wild Hope, Mandy's first studio album of all-original material
boast of tracks the thespian has written in collaboration with critically accl
aimed singer-songwriters. Produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave
Matthews Band), the album sees Mandy collaborating with The Weepies, Rachel Ya
magata, Chantal Kreviazuk and Laura McKenna.
So, while news of Britney Spears' infamous VMA performance spearheaded headline
s and was the hot topic of the day, we had a quick chat with Mandy via email ab
out her new album and how she manages to still keep that wholesome, girl-next-d
oor image.
Q: A lot of people look up to you as a role model especially since you
still keep that wholesome image even after your contemporaries in the business
have been headlining the news because of their wild ways. Do you find it diffic
ult to keep that wholesome image?
MANDY MOORE: I actually don't find it difficult. I think a lot of it is how you
are brought up. I really credit my parents as well as those people I continue
to stay close to. My career is such a gift that I would never want to jeopardiz
e it by making bad decisions or going against what I or my family feel is right
.
Q: You collaborated with a lot of talented people in your new album. Ho
w was working it, with John Alagia, The Weepies, and Rachel Yamagata? What impo
rtant insights did you learn from them about music and writing? Who would you w
ant to collaborate with in the future?
MANDY: Every co-writing experience is different, which is why I think I grew so
much during the making of this record. John Alagia allowed me to reallty stret
ch as a singer as well. I feel really lucky to have worked with such amazingly
talented people and I would work with them again!
Q: What's the one thing that inspired most of the songs in your album?<
/strong>
MANDY: I don't know if there is one thing. I think the album is about growing i
nto my own and with that came some heartache, some down time and so self-realiz
ation.
Q: Would you say, with Wild Hope, that you've found your own signature
sound? Can you describe this sound for us?
MANDY: I have been listening to a lot of singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell,
Lori McKenna and Rachel Yamagata. I really take to songs that say something wh
ether it's to myself or a listener. I think the sound of this record is folk/po
p and I'm really happy with how it all came out.
Q: How does it feel to be on tour with Paula Cole and Rachel Yamagata,
armed with your own songs at last? Is there a difference now that you're singin
g your own songs and are more folk-oriented?
MANDY: The whole tour is just amazing. My band are the greatest bunch of guys a
nd it's like a family. This is really a first time for me. Rachael and I became
very good friends during the making of the album so to have her on the road is
really the icing on the cake. She is one of the greatest performers out there!
Paula's voice is so beautiful and it's really freat getting to know her music
as I don't know a lot of it prior to this tour.
Q: What's your favorite song in the album and why, and what song did yo
u find the most difficult to write?
MANDY: I think my favorite song would have to be "Wild Hope." It was defnitely
the most vivid memory of writing. I have to say that none of these songs really
came off as difficult to write. Some of them really came into their own while
recording but the chemistry with all of my co-writers was really amazing.
Q: You did a wonderful cover of Rihanna's "Umbrella" for that Yahoo/Pep
si Smash Hit exclusive. What other new songs would you want to cover or do your
own rendition of?
MANDY: We are doing a version of Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" and Cat Stevens' "Mo
on Shadow" on the road--both of which are from my Coverage album. We are also c
losing the show with a very, very different version of "Candy." There are lots
of songs I would love to cover but we gotta play this album for a while!
Q: What do you enjoy doing more--writing songs and performing on stage
or acting?
MANDY: I don't think there is anything better than playing in front of a live a
udience. The feedback and the adrenaline are like nothing that the studio or a
movie set can bring to the table.
Q: What country, when you were touring before, was most memorable to yo
u?
MANDY: Not to sound cliche but I really love Asia and Australia. I never really
toured there properly--it was more promotional. But the fans are so loyal and
supportive. Hopefully, I'll be making my way over soon.
A walk with Mandy
A quick recap of Mandy's rise to fame
1984 - Amanda "Mandy" Leigh Moore is born to former newspaper reporter Stacy an
d pilot Don Moore in Nashua, New Hampshire. The family moves to Altamonte Sprin
gs, Florida shortly after Mandy is born.
1999 - Mandy tours with the Backstreet Boys and is signed to Epic Records. She
releases So Real, her debut album, which reaches number 31 in
the US Billboard 200 album chart. "Candy," the single off the album, is certifi
ed gold.
2000 - The singer releases I Wanna Be With You, a re-worked ve
rsion of her debut, featuring new songs as well as remixes of songs from She's extraordinary
This girl's definitely come a long way from her "Candy" days. But t
hat doesn't mean her new collection of all-original material isn't as sweet
While her contemporaries hog the headlines in gossip rags and entertainment new
s shows, Mandy Moore has been keeping a low profile, quietly w
riting songs, and supposedly using the long bout with the blues she found herse
lf fighting last year as her muse to pen poetry and songs.
Wild Hope, Mandy's first studio album of all-original material
boast of tracks the thespian has written in collaboration with critically accl
aimed singer-songwriters. Produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave
Matthews Band), the album sees Mandy collaborating with The Weepies, Rachel Ya
magata, Chantal Kreviazuk and Laura McKenna.
So, while news of Britney Spears' infamous VMA performance spearheaded headline
s and was the hot topic of the day, we had a quick chat with Mandy via email ab
out her new album and how she manages to still keep that wholesome, girl-next-d
oor image.
Q: A lot of people look up to you as a role model especially since you
still keep that wholesome image even after your contemporaries in the business
have been headlining the news because of their wild ways. Do you find it diffic
ult to keep that wholesome image?
MANDY MOORE: I actually don't find it difficult. I think a lot of it is how you
are brought up. I really credit my parents as well as those people I continue
to stay close to. My career is such a gift that I would never want to jeopardiz
e it by making bad decisions or going against what I or my family feel is right
.
Q: You collaborated with a lot of talented people in your new album. Ho
w was working it, with John Alagia, The Weepies, and Rachel Yamagata? What impo
rtant insights did you learn from them about music and writing? Who would you w
ant to collaborate with in the future?
MANDY: Every co-writing experience is different, which is why I think I grew so
much during the making of this record. John Alagia allowed me to reallty stret
ch as a singer as well. I feel really lucky to have worked with such amazingly
talented people and I would work with them again!
Q: What's the one thing that inspired most of the songs in your album?<
/strong>
MANDY: I don't know if there is one thing. I think the album is about growing i
nto my own and with that came some heartache, some down time and so self-realiz
ation.
Q: Would you say, with Wild Hope, that you've found your own signature
sound? Can you describe this sound for us?
MANDY: I have been listening to a lot of singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell,
Lori McKenna and Rachel Yamagata. I really take to songs that say something wh
ether it's to myself or a listener. I think the sound of this record is folk/po
p and I'm really happy with how it all came out.
Q: How does it feel to be on tour with Paula Cole and Rachel Yamagata,
armed with your own songs at last? Is there a difference now that you're singin
g your own songs and are more folk-oriented?
MANDY: The whole tour is just amazing. My band are the greatest bunch of guys a
nd it's like a family. This is really a first time for me. Rachael and I became
very good friends during the making of the album so to have her on the road is
really the icing on the cake. She is one of the greatest performers out there!
Paula's voice is so beautiful and it's really freat getting to know her music
as I don't know a lot of it prior to this tour.
Q: What's your favorite song in the album and why, and what song did yo
u find the most difficult to write?
MANDY: I think my favorite song would have to be "Wild Hope." It was defnitely
the most vivid memory of writing. I have to say that none of these songs really
came off as difficult to write. Some of them really came into their own while
recording but the chemistry with all of my co-writers was really amazing.
Q: You did a wonderful cover of Rihanna's "Umbrella" for that Yahoo/Pep
si Smash Hit exclusive. What other new songs would you want to cover or do your
own rendition of?
MANDY: We are doing a version of Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" and Cat Stevens' "Mo
on Shadow" on the road--both of which are from my Coverage album. We are also c
losing the show with a very, very different version of "Candy." There are lots
of songs I would love to cover but we gotta play this album for a while!
Q: What do you enjoy doing more--writing songs and performing on stage
or acting?
MANDY: I don't think there is anything better than playing in front of a live a
udience. The feedback and the adrenaline are like nothing that the studio or a
movie set can bring to the table.
Q: What country, when you were touring before, was most memorable to yo
u?
MANDY: Not to sound cliche but I really love Asia and Australia. I never really
toured there properly--it was more promotional. But the fans are so loyal and
supportive. Hopefully, I'll be making my way over soon.
A walk with Mandy
A quick recap of Mandy's rise to fame
1984 - Amanda "Mandy" Leigh Moore is born to former newspaper reporter Stacy an
d pilot Don Moore in Nashua, New Hampshire. The family moves to Altamonte Sprin
gs, Florida shortly after Mandy is born.
1999 - Mandy tours with the Backstreet Boys and is signed to Epic Records. She
releases So Real, her debut album, which reaches number 31 in
the US Billboard 200 album chart. "Candy," the single off the album, is certifi
ed gold.
2000 - The singer releases I Wanna Be With You, a re-worked ve
rsion of her debut, featuring new songs as well as remixes of songs from No TrackBacks
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