X-Factor 2013

[yanni5]

According to an article in Rolling Stone, A & S both tried out for idol 2 seasons ago, wouldn't that be S10? :

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/video...w-20131205

[Tusk]

Thought I heard only he auditioned, and it was in Season 12, so I question the article's fact checking...

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/seaso...lex-kinsey

He says his girlfriend motivated him to try for Idol, so I guess we should assume he's referring to Sierra who got him to audition?
.....

[mercfan3]

Yea, I think she said she had.

From what they've said on the show, when she met him, he was a musician, and she slowly started performing with him during his shows.

I do think it's funny how Haley seems to have changed these shows for us. I used to have a preference for the best technical vocalist on the show. (meaning, had a lot of range, power, and could stay on pitch.) But Haley just... I won't find one better.

So now, I like people like Jacquie and DeAndre..who are full of talent and passion but just not developed yet. Or I like contestants like Michelle Chamuel..who is a brilliant musician, (quite frankly, she's a brilliant person) a great vocalist..but her voice is unique..not one of the best I've ever heard. Like Haley. I do like Alex and Sierra. They seemed genuine when they first auditioned, and I haven't seen that change. I happen to perceive some of their "cutesy" actions as just nervousness on her part. I think they are what every defender of the WGWG claims a WGWG is. (Subtle, creative..)

Basically..Haley's changed my preference in contestants since these shows. I don't look for "best singer" anymore cause I'm not gonna find one better.

[Miguel]

The post talked about them generating big itunes sales. I was curious so I watched most of it--but didn't make it all the way through. It's seemed really fake to me. overkill--takes the excitement away-- at least for me.

There was an incongruity with her playing a piano covered by candles while wearing a somewhat formal dress and false eyelashes while he performed wearing a t-shirt and knit cap. I probably watched less of it than you did.

The great thing about Haley & Casey was that it really did happen organically. They met on the show. They discovered their musical connection behind the scenes and eventually it showed up on stage.

Yes, there was a musical chemistry.


I can agree with mercfan's observation to a point:

Sierra has a much more "appealing" tv personality than Haley does. Haley's confident. Sierra is insecure on stage.

I liked A&S when I saw their audition. Sierra's nervousness was endearing. But I've hardly watched the show and I'm tired of the formula of "Ohh, Sierra's nervous. Ahh, they're so much in love."

I much prefer seeing two confident performers together. Haley was battle tested. She faced stronger competition and harsher criticism and never stopped believing in herself.

I get very frustrated that these two are not getting the recognition they deserve.

The comparisons are hard to ignore, even coincidentally, that there is a market, for this type of pairing, an "America's Sweethearts" niche that needs filling?

Bums me out that A&S are receiving attention that more deservingly should go to two more talented, more organically connected, musically and viscerally connected individuals as there are in Caley

I understand this sentiment. I have the sense that Simon is going to push A&S a lot after the show, "The next Sony and Cher!"

I also feel if there is a market void to be filled by male/female duo that Haley and Casey should be the ones to do it. They have more musical chemistry/combined talent and the name "Haley and Casey" rolls off the tongue so easily.

[My Alter Ego]

I can't believe I'm saying this, because I really am not on the A & S bandwagon at all, but as simple as the chording that Sierra played on Say Something, given that she's as nervous about her vocal abilities (and Sierra has reason to lack confidence there), to play piano and sing on national TV was a risky move for her. Playing piano is likely not second nature to her (if it was, we would have heard a more complex arrangement), so it took a great deal of concentration and coordination to do both (playing and singing).

BTW, has it been mentioned on X Factor that A & S recorded (Youtube) a cover of BICO?

[mercfan3]

I don't know how good of a piano player Sierra is, but the song itself is very simple on the piano. This was one of the only songs that the two didn't change.

I like their BICO cover. It's a little rushed though.

I also definitely prefer her voice over his, but he's obviously the rock in that duo.

I don't watch xfactor much, mostly because everyone is so bad (and they'll kick off the decent ones) but I do enjoy A&S.

[My Alter Ego]

I don't know how good of a piano player Sierra is, but the song itself is very simple on the piano. This was one of the only songs that the two didn't change.

I like their BICO cover. It's a little rushed though.

I also definitely prefer her voice over his, but he's obviously the rock in that duo.

I don't watch xfactor much, mostly because everyone is so bad (and they'll kick off the decent ones) but I do enjoy A&S.

Say Something definitely does not have a complicated chord structure, but someone who feels more comfortable on the piano could have/most likely would have added some fills in between the chords. Heck, a grace note here and there would have been welcome!

As for their version of BICO, I've always wished that Casey had sung most of his part down an octave, so Alex's vocal is a nice departure. However, Sierra is no Haley (as we all know), and, in general, the whole recording just lacks a nice arrangement.

[Babbs234]

I agree with what everyone has been saying. I have watched only small bits of x factor, but I did see Alex and Sierra's audition, and have seen them sing on the show. They are cute to watch, and are getting the sentiment vote IMO. But Sierra's nervousness and her looking at Alex for reinforcement is getting old to me. My question is, Can they go the distance?!!! She seems so naive.
It's not an easy road out there, as we have seen with Haley. And Haley and Casey are so much better musically. But everytime they show Simon's face while Alex and Sierra are singing, you can see $$ signs in his eyes.

[lauraliz]

I went to youtube & watched A&S BICO cover. Didn't think it very good. IA, it was rushed and def lacking. So, I watched another of their videos (a Civil Wars song)--thought it better.

I'm going to guess that A&S watched Season 10 and saw Caley. Maybe the pairing inspired them to audition as a duo for Xfactor. Smart thing to do. Especially, since I understand the UK xfactor has promoted groups successfully. I would even say that the success of Caley's BICO could have influenced them to do a cover as well.

I wonder if Simon didn't check out Season 10 as well--at least to see what the show would be like without him. He may have seen/heard the Caley buzz. There was a definite buzz--almost every interview those two did--they were questioned about the other. I read a number of comments on boards that Caley could do a Sonny & Cher type of act. (IMO, Caley are miles more talented musically than either Sonny or Cher--it's the chemistry and humor that is the similar ) Anyway, IA--Simon probably does see $$$ signs with A&S. I've heard that the US Xfactor hasn't turned out a successful act yet. Have read on MJ's that the ratings are dismal. Maybe Simon thinks this duo could bring the show some much needed attention.

Bums me out that A&S are receiving attention that more deservingly should go to two more talented, more organically connected, musically and viscerally connected individuals as there are in Caley

But, I understand, they (Caley) need to find what they are capable of doing, individually, before they 'marry' themselves ( ) to the idea of becoming a duet...

Yeah--will bum me out big time. I just hope that too much time doesn't pass and the window of their potential pairing closes. IF A&S have success after xfactor--I don't know if Caley will be possible or not. But, of course, Haley & Casey have to follow their own musical hearts.

Still pisses me off that other than releasing their albums Interscope did very little to promote Haley and Concord did next to nothing for Casey.

[Miguel]

Pretty strong endorsement of A&S here:

Sara Bareilles ‏@SaraBareilles 6h

Alex & Sierra SLAAAYEED Gravity on The X Factor. Wow. Wow. Beautiful. https://itun.es/i6Fc7jN #iTunes

Sara Bareilles ‏@SaraBareilles 6h

look at these lovebugs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur5e-GPjClg

"The" Sara Bareilles with 2,891,879 followers.

"'Gravity' is a song performed by Sara Bareilles, the third single from her album Little Voice. Written by Bareilles..."