KTU Dance Nation

Listen to Circus Act

YouTube Sensation and pop star Angelina Lavo is about to become a household name, bringing sexy dance-pop to a whole new level in the U.S.

Hailing from the rough streets of Moscow, Russia, as a child Angelina's outlet was music, often performing for whoever would listen, be it family or strangers in the street. From an early age she was enrolled in music school, which eventually led to her joining award winning Russian pop group “Christina,” touring through-out Europe and selling out packed nightclubs.

Living by the philosophy that “Life is about taking chances, taking risks and never looking back,” Angelina moved to New York to follow her dream. With her risqué and sophisticated style she brought her hit song ‘Space Cowboy’ to YouTube and received over 300,000 views in less than three months. Her new single ‘Circus Act’ is now making waves online and in the clubs. Working alongside vocal coach and songwriter Jillian Gottlieb (Kat Deluna) and Grammy-winning producer Omen (Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Mya), her highly anticipated American EP is scheduled for a spring release.

Download her song for FREE on her website, www.angelinalavo.com

Listen to Freak Out

Chicago native, DJ and producer, Chris Bedore of Chessa and the Skinny Kidz has a knack for blending the right elements to make energetic, colorful music that's forced most nightclubs and now mainstream radio to recognize and play his music. Growing up in the Windy City, djing at high school house parties where his turntables were set up on kegs, Chris positioned himself around the best DJ's and producers in Chicago, "In high school I started working at one of Chicago's biggest record labels, Underground Construction. I met all the big named DJs out here, became friends with them and started djing at every notable club here."

Chessa, another born and raised Chicago resident, and lead singer on the groups debut single, "Freak Out" was sought out by Bedore after he heard her music online, "Chris found me on myspace, I had some music on my page and he contacted me about working together. We were all up for it and the working relationship is going on two-and-a-half years now." Franchessa, known to the world as Chessa, comes from a very artistic background, “My dad can pick up and play any instrument all by ear,” she continues, “My mom was in ballet for 15 to 20 years and that’s definitely where I get my dance aspect from and the music has always been in my life from listening to my father play when family and friends would come over and they’d have jam sessions and that was pretty much my life.

When it comes to Bedore's process from the production aspect, it all depends on the record. The producer/DJ who has constant idea after idea can at times find it difficult to knock out one song and move on to the next. However, his strategy was effortless with "Freak Out". "Our lead single "Freak Out" was made in about five hours," he continues, "My biggest problem is I'll start making a song and then I'll get an idea for another one and close out the session, and start a new one. To put everything together, it probably takes a couple of days." Many artists tend to have superstitions and idiosyncrasies when it comes to how and when they work, Bedore leans toward creating while everyone else is sleep. "I'm a nightowl, so I'll start working on something at midnight and before I know it, it's 5 o'clock in the morning."

For most artists, inspiration is paramount, this bodes true for Bedore who feeds off the energy of the crowd and their reactions to certain records he's produced and spun at clubs. In addition, he gains influence while referencing some of his favorite producers who incite him to push his craft to higher plateaus, "It's a great feeling seeing people get into something that you've created and it makes you want to make something better for more people to jam to," he adds, "Bad Boy Bill, RedOne have definitely influenced me and DJ Frank E, I love his style. I'm real big of Pharrell from the Neptunes and so I've tried to combine everything from those guys into my own style."

Bedore is constantly moved by the people and since they're not going anywhere, neither is he, "I see myself continuing to do what we're (Chessa and the Skinny Kidz), doing, traveling around and doing shows because we're entertainers and that's what we do." With one listen of "Freak Out" you'll understand the quality of his music which will forever be in his veins and in your speakers.