Val Haller's diabolical plan includes Haley

[Miguel]

Chicago Sun Times

ValsList Festival picks

If you build it, the older music fans will come. Or so thinks Val Haller.

The Winnetka blogger hopes to curate a one-day, adults-only Lollapalooza the day before the festival kicks off next year.

“I believe that if you get adults back out to live music — and do it their way — they will have a great time, and will want to do it again,” Haller wrote by e-mail. “They’ll tell their friends. They’ll brag about a new band they discovered.”

Here’s the lineup she’d like to see:

Singer/songwriter: Rose Cousins

Guitar prodigy: Zach Heckendorf

New sound - Electronica: Polica

Familiar folk: Blind Pilot

Chill vibe: Agnes Obel

World music: Amadou & Miriam

Indie rock: Dawes

Alternative/Dance music: Mike Snow

70’s vibe newcomer: The Sheepdogs

R&B: Allen Stone

A young “old soul”: Haley Reinhart

Techno Mashups: Girl Talk

Instrumental/Rock Orchestra: Zoe Keating or rock Kishi Bashi

Theatrical rock: Brandi Carlile

Zen indie rock: Trevor Hall

Quiet alt rock with an old vibe: Pieta Brown

Country/bluegrass: MilkDrive

Big names: Jack White, Black Keys, Florence & the Machine, Coldplay

Vintage artist paired with new act: Daryl Hall and Allen Stone

http://valslist.com/val

WHO IS VAL?

I have always been into music. I mean, really into music. But I am not a musician, I am a listener. I do more than hear music, I feel it. I know that I am different in this regard because when I comment on music (like, this is too fast or too soft or not the right music for this place…) my friends just stare at me, as if to ask, “Why does it matter so much to you?” But it is this critical ear that allows me to bring the best music to valslist.

I made playlists long before they were called playlists. As a teen, I made music mixes for my friends. We grew up on rock and roll, garage band music, disco, protest and folk songs. My music collection (which I’d organized all summer) rode on the front seat with me to college. As an adult, I have created the sound for school videos, sports teams, weddings and anniversary parties. Since the advent of modern catalysts like internet and satellite radio and the iTunes music store, the breadth of my musical discovery has grown exponentially. I began sharing my playlists with friends and family, and they had a single message: turn your hobby into a business.

Enter valslist.

I’ve created this boutique music website to function as a “music concierge” service – where I find the best cutting edge music for busy people. My taste is anything but Top 40. You won’t hear most of my selections on regular radio. I organize tracks on each playlist to flow effortlessly and set a mood. I surprise you with two vintage oldies to make you smile (always tracks 5 and 10.) I’ll throw in a world tune to expand your horizons. I have been told my music is predictably good, not predictable music.

To me, music is the spice of life – it should be everywhere. When music is missing, life is flat. What makes valslist music good? The best music moves you, causing a visceral effect in you. That’s the music I like. That’s the music I bring to valslist. No matter who you are, no matter what your music status, you will enjoy discovering valslist, and I will enjoy bringing to you that rare feeling of hearing the right song.

Enjoy.

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How Haley is featured on the site currently: http://valslist.com/artists/2068-haley-reinhart

[Asian Dude]

This is good for Haley. It will help wash away the cheap aroma of Idle.

[buzzenator]

^ Very interesting Miguel, nice find. You're going to have to give up your day job pretty soon.

Asian Dude...you're right, Haley needs a weekly cheese scrub to remove all remnants of AI. Without Idol we would not have heard of Haley so soon and we definitely would have missed all those wonderful live performances by The Slayer...but it's time to move on now. Haley's stellar voice, star personality and looks will take center stage and time will remove the AI label.

[c'mon sista]

Totally agree. She's gotta dump any remnants of AI. I really hate that she is scheduled to perform with season 11s. Or any Idols at all. But, I thought the other day that she might have some sort of agreement with them that has a requirement even now. It could also be that she has no choice but to do it simply because she hasn't anything else going.

The blogger lineup is pretty much the current Lolla. So, don't know what is so radical about her idea? Lolla has changed a lot over the years. I've been many times. It wants to have the "cool" of being on the edge alternative but, it's all about the money. So, really it draws a hefty I'd say 75% poser hipsters in the making who get their wealthy parents to pay for the 3-day. So that means a lot of people go because they are kids and want to say that they went. Now way long ago, it was something alternative, but that atmosphere didn't last long once it got to a popular fest and they printed lots more tickets. These days you see the kids try to dress to look like "music folk" with fake tatoos and all when they go to these fests. LOL.

[danzeb]

This is good for Haley. It will help wash away the cheap aroma of Idle.

The following applies to the average music fan, not dedicated Haley fans.

I'm sure that most of the people that go to Haley performances go because of her appearances on AI. People remember those great performances on AI. The arrangements and band backup on her AI appearances surpass most of her post AI performances. Once the connection to AI fads she will need to do much more than sing 3 or 4 songs with a mediocre backup band if she wants large crowds. Here backup band may be very talented but right now they are not very entertaining. As AI fads she needs to step up the entertainment of her shows and the band can contribute to that.

I'm a big Haley fan but I'm just saying that right now the AI connection is allowing her to do show she does.

[c'mon sista]

Yup, I agree with that too, Danzeb.

Although we seem to like the personalities (that we have seen on the outside) Keith and John and Courtney, I think that can cloud things a bit. I agree that she needs to look at some new people. I remember a Carrie Underwood video from her beginnings on the road when she just wore t-shirts and jeans and so did her band and backup singers. Very pared down. Her guitar guys were extremely talented. They played pretty decent solos on her covers, eg GNR. I found the video by accident off a video of another artist's horrible cover of one of their songs. Someone there linked to her video of the same song.As a concert goer, I want to be blown away by all artists on stage.

[Babbs234]

I think if Haley could get with a Big Name Act as their opening act on tour, it may help her enormously, like Lauren Alaina with Jason Aldean. The exposure would be great for Haley, and maybe everyone could forget about AI.

Come On Interscope!! Get With it!! This girl is a Star!!

[c'mon sista]

I thought it'd be hard to find this video... not hard at all. Of course it's not perfect, but they do a pretty decent job, and you can tell they love the song... and actually own their performance...

[LovinDaHaley]

Yes, Nice! When was this, just two year after winning AI?

[Himm2]

I'll be going to this mini-Lollapalooza outdoor music fest on the near south side of Chicago this Saturday mainly to see AI season 6 finalist Leslie Hunt's band "District 97" I'll be leaving for the White Sox game by dinnertime. Sure wish Haley Reinhart could be part of this!!:
http://greatersouthloop.org/event/2012-bash-on-wabash/