Pop Goes.....Preston!

Joshua Estrin (@joshestrin) is a Kred Leader in the Celebrity News community and an influencer in both online and offline entertainment. He writes a celebrity news blog, PopMuncher, and is also a regular on CNN, CNBC, E!, and XM Radio. We recently had the chance to chat with him about his latest projects, and how social media and daily interaction with his fans inspires his celebrity interactions and interviews:

www.popmuncher.com

How do you use social media to illustrate your celebrity encounters?

Social Media is a powerful platform that transcends the boundaries of traditional media and allows for unprecedented real time access. It allows me to bring my “fans” and followers along so they can drive my celebrity interaction and tell me what they want to hear, instead of what I think they will be interested in.

What is your favorite part about using social media to interact with fans?

Social media allows me to engage with real people in real time and to gain greater insight into what makes each of us unique. I like that it helps connect us to one another and creates communities.

How do you use your influence to better your community?

I strongly believe that authenticity is key. I don’t pretend to be famous nor do I hide my shine. I hope that by listening to what my community finds compelling, I can engender change and connect with the causes that uplift and invigorate the human condition.

What is your role with Beverly Johnson’s new show on OWN?

www.beverlyjohnson.com

Beverly Johnson (@beverlyjohnson1) has been an iconic role model ever since she shattered the glass ceiling in 1974 by becoming the first African American woman to grace the cover of Vogue. This spring, her constructive reality show ‘Beverly’s Full House’ debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and we worked to create an authentic voice across her social media continuum. The goal was to not just “collect” fans and followers, but to explore human behavior and human dynamics to allow her to genuinely engage with fans.

I traveled with her to red carpet events and premieres where we collaborated in real time to ask her fans what they wanted to see and hear about, not just tweeting self-indulgent photos and facts about all her famous friends. We wanted her followers to drive the content rather than imposing it on them.

What are some other exciting projects you have recently been a part of?

I have been lucky enough to gain access to all things trending including the Academy Awards, The Golden Globes, The People’s Choice Awards,  Sundance Film Festival, a behind the scenes tour of the taping of Grimm and numerous movie premieres like The Avengers. Not to mention my favorite one-on-one interviews with the celebrities we all love to love!

What would you recommend to a celebrity that wants to start using social media?

1.) Don’t be elitist. Follow back a large portion of your followers.
2.) Don’t simply self promote.  Listen to your fans and ask questions.
3.) Don’t get hung up on the numbers game. I always say, “If you tweet them, they will come.”
4.) Feast regularly on a large slice of humble pie.
5.) Social media is no place for soapboxing or grandstanding.

Napster founder Sean Parker has launched a video based social network called Airtime, which connects people based on their Facebook interests. The social network has been in development for the past year. In an official statement, the Airtime team claims that it “is not just a product, it’s a network service designed to create live […]

I’ve previously written about his existing singles ‘Killer Bod’ and ‘Dirty Talker’, which remain flawlessly executed pop cuts that manage to integrate into 2012, as well as sounding fresh and post-modern. The dubstep breakdown in Killer Bod for example? Came yonks before it started being the norm.

To introduce him to a lot of people, as well as provide something to his existing fans, I thought I’d speak to the man himself, find out what makes him tick, as well as his plans for the rest of 2012!

Name: Cody Draiken

Residence: Currently living in North Hollywood

Age: 23 years old

Genre: I’d compare my music style as a cross between pop, electro, and experimental combined with a bit of a raspy, edgier voice. I even have songs, like Killer Bod, that feature a little dubstep. Ultimately, my team and I try to create catchy music.

What inspired you to become a musician? 

I have always loved music. In grade school I use to sing Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys with my cousin in the talent shows. Haha. Now that I’m in my 20′s, it’s so embarrassing to watch those talent show videos but looking back, those were the best moments of my childhood… I loved every minute of it and that’s what started my addiction to music.

When I moved to California I met Robert Platz, a drummer and producer from North Hollywood, and we instantly hit it off. He understood my vision, we eventually came up with my 1st song “Killer Bod” and we’ve been making music ever since. We make a rad team and I love the kid to death, he’s super talented for being only 20 years old.

God, there are so many! Ummm, producer-writer wise, I’m really inspired by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco. Those guys are seriously amazing and so talented at what they do. When it comes to singers, there’s a list! I honestly couldn’t pick… I have so many favorites.

Just in general, a lot of people in my life are big influences when it comes to simply writing. The good and the bad. My new song “Vacuum” came from one of the bad… Haha.

Are you planning on collating your releases into an EP or album?

I plan on releasing an EP or two and then an album. Robert Platz and I have been working on a load of demos, so we’ll eventually sit down to select which songs make the EP(s) & album and which ones get cut off from life support.

Can you tease about any other songs? Lyrics/favorite titles etc

Well, “Vacuum” is definitely my baby right now. It was one of the first songs I’ve written, so it will always be a favorite… but a few that would make my “Top F-ing Rad 5 List” would be, “Hit Record”, “Ouija Board”, “Dirty Talker”, “1, 2, 3, 4″, and “Super Glue”. Number one would have to be “Hit Record”.

Was it your intention to create the perfect party soundtrack?

I’ve always told myself that if my music can help someone forget about life’s problems for 5 or even 15 minutes, then I’ve

Where do you see yourself in two years?

I have so many goals I want to accomplish, but I know it will take a long time to accomplish them and then new goals will be set along the way. So let’s just hope for the best and see where I’m at in 2 years…

Talk about responding/replying to your fans on Twitter etc

Anyone who follows me on Twitter or Facebook knows I try to reply back to my fans. Almost everyday Twitter blocks me because I always hit their “daily tweet limit”, which is BS. Haha. I love talking with my Party Crashers (which is what I call my fans) because their my family and they know that. I’ve even had a chance to call a few up on the phone. We had some amazing conversations! There are a lot of up and coming artists that rarely or flat out don’t connect with their fans and that annoys me. All the fans want is a hi and thank you… plus it’s the least you can do for them supporting your career.

Find out more:

Website

www.achinfordraiken.com

Personal Facebook:

www.facebook.com/codydraiken

Facebook Page

www.facebook.com/achinfordraiken

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/codydraiken

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/codydraiken

Instagram:

codydraiken

Check out Vacuum below:

A confident record, it wisely avoids trying to do anything new, instead focusing on what the band do well, and dialing it up a notch. Stand out tracks include the current singles, ‘Blood For Poppies’ and ‘Battle In Me’, as well as the stunning title track, and ‘Sugar’, a contender for third single.

Check out the Poppies video below:

Future star Cody Draiken has finally given a taster of forthcoming single ‘Vacuum’, releasing a short clip of the track on Soundcloud. As well as a genuine progression, it’s also catchy as fuck. The full track will be released sometime in May. Check it out below:

Twenty three years ago today, the Tienanmen Square Protests were put down in bloody fashion by Chinese authorities. Given that the government refuses to acknowledge that the event happened, it’s hardly surprising that users on Sina Weibo — the country’s immensely popular microblogging network — have found their opinions on the event quietened. As well […]