The DIY Diva’s Rock Star: Supernova Recap for Week 10

(New York, NY) It’s Week 10 of the Rock Star: Supernova reality TV show, and musician Carla Lynne Hall, has kept close tabs on this summer’s guilty pleasure via her Rock Star Life Lessons blog, located at http://rockstarlifelessons.spaces.live.com/  As the world tunes in to CBS on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to watch the Rocker contestants battle to become the lead singer of Supernova, Hall’s Rock Star Life Lessons blog has become THE site to visit post-show for her passionate commentary, and related headlines tracked in the media. Supernova, the all-star rock band featuring Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) and Jason Newsted (Metallica), has reached the nail-biting stage as the 15 original Rocker contestants have now been whittled down to the Final Five.

According to Hall, the competition is just starting to get thick. “Basically, Rock Star: Supernova is Rock and Roll Boot Camp, says Hall, “The Rocker contestants can all sing, so the judges are looking at skills like stage presence, memorable performances, how much energy is generated onstage and in the audience, and most of all, how the Rockers handle being thrust into the spotlight.”

Carla’s opinions so far:

Storm Large: “Often a ‘Mama’ to the rest of the Rockers, Storm Large (her real name) is a fierce warrior on the stage with unlimited vocal skills and a penchant for stage dives. She’s a fearless performer, but she takes a lot of licks for her loyalty to her housemates.”

Dilana Robichaux: “Believed by many to be the favorite to win, Dilana has tons of stage experience and a wild and energetic stage persona. Lately, she’s had a bit of a ego meltdown, which has tarnished her image with her fans, but she’s still the one to beat.”

Lukas Rossi: “Described as a cross between Freddy Mercury and Jeff Buckley, Lukas Rossi is a mesmerizing stage performer with versatile vocal chops. Don’t let his eyeshadow and skunk haircut fool you. Lukas can handle an angry punk rock song or a rock power ballad with equal skill, and his spontaneity onstage keeps the audience on their toes.”

Magni Asgeirsson: “From Reykjavik, Iceland, Magni Asgeirsson has a confident stage presence, and vocal abilities from years of being a well-known rock star in his homeland. Also a new dad, Magni is one of the ‘well-adjusted’ Rockers, and appears to have favor with the Supernova judges.”

Toby Rand: “Known as ‘The Thunder from Down Under’, Aussie Toby Rand is a crowd pleaser, especially with the ladies. Running around the Mansion’s pool naked in order to sing the song of his choice hasn’t hurt him a bit either. With his good looks, impressive voice, and wicked sense of humor, Toby brings a well-rounded battle to the Rock Star: Supernova stage.”

At this point, “Tommy, Gilby, and Jason are each looking for the winning Rocker to fill some very special shoes”, continues Hall, “Gilby is looking at musicianship, and how the contestants perform their songs. Jason is very interested in musical technique – how the rockers approach their instrument, and their career. Tommy is especially interested in stage presence, that “It Factor”, as well as audience response. The Supernova judges have many years of stage and touring experience between them. Tommy, Gilby, and Jason have been the perfect musical gurus for the contestants. The judges are having fun, but it’s obvious that they’re taking their job seriously.  Add Dave Navarro as host, executive producer, and Spiritual Leader, and Brooke Burke as the show’s hostess and Resident Goddess, and I can’t think of anywhere else to be except in front of my TV on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.”

Carla Lynne Hall’s interest in Rock Star: Supernova came as a coincidence. Carla released her second CD, also called Supernova in February 2006. Described as a cross between Norah Jones and Sade with a touch of The Beatles, Hall’s Supernova is gaining a following in the Adult Album Alternative category. Hall auditioned for the Rock Star show eight days before the new band’s name was announced in March, but she didn’t get the callback. Still, Hall is undeterred. “I sang my ass off for the audition, and I’m sure I’m not the only possible Rocker who didn’t get the call. There were only 15 slots, and thousands of people auditioned. There’s such thing as the right time, and there’s such thing as the right fit. Now that I know who Supernova is, I have a better idea of what the producers are looking for. The point is, believing in yourself is the most important goal. It doesn’t matter what I say on my blog, or even what Tommy Lee says from the judge’s box. If success doesn’t come for a Rocker during this particular show, it doesn’t mean that success will never happen. A determined musician can take the pressure built from frustration and obscurity and transform it into a diamond. That’s the stuff of magic!”

So is Carla Lynne Hall giving up promoting her Supernova CD to promote Rock Star: Supernova? “Hell, no!” she laughs, “I’ll be using Rock Star: Supernova like a study guide, noting what works and blogging about it, but I have a few gigs of my own this summer. I’ll be blogging about my own quest for rockstarhood as well. While it’s fun watching these talented contestants, I’m ready to rock the house myself.” Hall’s recent fundraising show for the Songs of Love Foundation raised money to create personalized songs for chronically ill children, and her next performance will be opening for Spin Doctors’ Chris Barron at BB King’s in New York City.

And what is Rockstarhood, you ask? “Becoming a rock star means that you can command a stage, and control the energy of a room with the sheer strength of your personal power and charisma,” Hall explains, “Achieving rockstarhood takes into account all of the rock star life lessons that you learned along the way,” explains Hall, “Dealing with personal demons, self-confidence issues, addictions, co-dependencies, and the usual obstacles like not having enough money are issues that all aspiring musicians have to work out for themselves. Achieving rockstarhood requires a lot of self-work that people don’t often address. When you see an awesome stage performance, there was a lot of work behind it. I’ll be the one digging for that story.”

Carla has opened for legendary bluesman Taj Mahal, and has performed at clubs and college campuses throughout the United States. Front & Center, Carla’s debut CD on Moxie Entertainment, was released in 2001, and rose to #3 on college playlists. In 2004, Hall’s “My First Child” lullaby was released as a single, and won raves from celebrity moms Courtney Cox and Debra Messing. Also known as “The DIY Diva” in music circles, Carla Lynne Hall is also the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz, and her columns appear in Vibe Magazine, MusicDish.com, and other publications around the globe. Carla’s eBook, The DIY (Do It Yourself) Guide to the Music Biz is available at http://www.diyguide-musicbiz.com/. Carla is currently working on a new eBook, Rock Star Life Lessons, based on rock star life lessons learned from the Rock Star: Supernova reality TV show.

Supernova is the latest CD release on her Moxie Entertainment label. Described as Norah Jones meets Sade, with a touch of The Beatles, “Hall’s velvet voice and heartbreaking songs draw you in with their richness” says Rockrgrl Magazine. Carla Lynne Hall blogs about the Rock Star: Supernova reality TV show, as well as her own quest towards rockstarhood on http://www.MySpace.com/carlalynnehall. Supernova is available on CDBaby.com and iTunes. 

Tune into CBS Tuesday and Wednesday nights for Rock Star: Supernova.

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