Liquid Blue
Encyclopedia
Liquid Blue is an American indie pop
rock band formed in San Diego, California in 1996 by Scott Stephens & Michael Vangerov. The group holds the official world record as “the most traveled band”, having performed in 100 countries on six continents”, and are more popular in parts of Asia and Europe than in their home country (USA). In 2010 the group scored their first hit in the United States with the song "Earth Passport", which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart
in October 2010. Earth Passport was recorded using nine languages including all six of the official languages of the United Nations
. Liquid Blue received a Guinness World Record for "Earth Passport" for "Song Sung in the Most Languages". In 2011 the group was named "Entertainer of the Year - Ensemble" at the Event Solutions Spotlight Awards held in Las Vegas on February 28. The band was "certified green" by the County of San Diego in May 2009. BC Jean
, a former member of the band, was signed to J Records
(Sony Music Entertainment
), by Clive Davis
in 2009. She co-wrote the worldwide #1 hit "If I Were A Boy
" for Beyoncé
.
At the time of their initial LP release, the group’s use of Eastern Indian instruments (tabla
, sitar
, kanun) and scales were unique in pop music with Liquid Blue being one of the first groups to record an entire album blending East Indian music with western pop/rock. Indian influenced songs have appeared on pop albums before, most notably on The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
. Liquid Blue’s somewhat limited number of recordings all contain “socially conscious” lyrics as primary songwriter Scott Stephens, a former professional Roller Derby
skater with the Los Angeles Thunderbirds, refuses to write any human love songs. Tracks from their highly acclaimed debut album, Supernova, have been included on 20 separate compilation CD’s.
The pop and rock music scene has been slowly and steadily gaining popularity in China and Liquid Blue has been a part of that emerging culture and music history as it has unfolded.
On the band's first visit to China in September 2002, they performed a popular Chinese song "Pong-Yo" in Mandarin to a thrilled audience of 65,000 at People's Stadium in Dalian during the 14th Annual Dalian International Fashion Festival Grand Opening Ceremony.
This show was broadcast live on CCTV
, China’s national government run television company. Although the band also played original music from a recently released EP, their version of Pong Yo became embedded in the hearts and minds of the Chinese people and the TV coverage of the song was played repeatedly across the country.
With the SARS epidemic reaching its climax in 2003, tour plans were unfortunately cancelled. The timing was inopportune and the band had to wait two years before setting foot in the world's most populous country again.
In November 2005 the band was invited to perform at the 7th Annual Shanghai International Arts Festival as one of only two acts from the USA (the other being the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
). The popularity of the band was still intact as evidenced by two sold-out shows at the 5000 seat Minhang Arena in Shanghai, with no other acts on the bill.
In 2007 Liquid Blue made several trips to China including performances in Sanya, Zhongshan, Lhasa, Chengdu, Haikou and Beijing. Most of these shows featured Liquid Blue along with several well known Chinese pop stars. In Haikou the band played to 35,000 at Hainan University Stadium. With the Olympics set for Beijing in August 2008, CCTV's all-sports channel officially became the
"all-Olympics" channel on New Year's Eve, 2007. Liquid Blue was invited by the Chinese government to perform at the very first broadcast of the newly crowned station (CCTV-5). The sold-out event was held in Beijing at the China Agricultural University Sports Arena (with a of seating capacity 8,200) which will host the Wrestling competition for the 2008 Summer Games. The show was broadcast internationally as well, including on CCTV-9 in the USA. In the fall of 2008, Liquid Blue vocalist Jessica Manning qualified for the semi-finals in the Chinese version of American Idol
, MN Idol. In 2009 another member of the group, Nikki Green, qualified for the Top-10 in the same contest.
The group is also popular in other parts of Asia including the Philippines which they visited for the first time back in 1997. In 2007 the band became the first U.S. act to perform in Dipolog City
, selling out the 6000 seat Andres Bonifacio College Arena.
used the Liquid Blue song “If You Gotta Ask” as his campaign theme song in the 2004 Presidential Election.
In 2002, band member Layla Loxa won the World Championship in Bodysurfing
.
The band takes its name from a popular form of LSD
used in the 1960s, although "band" members "claim" to be opposed to drug use.
EP's
Singles
Compilation Albums Featuring Liquid Blue Tracks
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
rock band formed in San Diego, California in 1996 by Scott Stephens & Michael Vangerov. The group holds the official world record as “the most traveled band”, having performed in 100 countries on six continents”, and are more popular in parts of Asia and Europe than in their home country (USA). In 2010 the group scored their first hit in the United States with the song "Earth Passport", which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Chart
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
in October 2010. Earth Passport was recorded using nine languages including all six of the official languages of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Liquid Blue received a Guinness World Record for "Earth Passport" for "Song Sung in the Most Languages". In 2011 the group was named "Entertainer of the Year - Ensemble" at the Event Solutions Spotlight Awards held in Las Vegas on February 28. The band was "certified green" by the County of San Diego in May 2009. BC Jean
BC Jean
Britney Jean Carlson , known better by her stage name BC Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for writing the song "If I Were a Boy" for R&B singer Beyoncé, which premiered on music industry website "Crazed Hits" in May 2008, several months prior to Beyoncé getting a hold...
, a former member of the band, was signed to J Records
J Records
J Records was an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment, and was distributed through the RCA Music Group.-Company history:...
(Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
), by Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
in 2009. She co-wrote the worldwide #1 hit "If I Were A Boy
If I Were a Boy
"If I Were a Boy" is a pop song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was composed by Toby Gad and BC Jean. Jean initially recorded her version of the song which was rejected by Jean's record company. Knowles then recorded a new version for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce...
" for Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
.
At the time of their initial LP release, the group’s use of Eastern Indian instruments (tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
, sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
, kanun) and scales were unique in pop music with Liquid Blue being one of the first groups to record an entire album blending East Indian music with western pop/rock. Indian influenced songs have appeared on pop albums before, most notably on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
. Liquid Blue’s somewhat limited number of recordings all contain “socially conscious” lyrics as primary songwriter Scott Stephens, a former professional Roller Derby
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
skater with the Los Angeles Thunderbirds, refuses to write any human love songs. Tracks from their highly acclaimed debut album, Supernova, have been included on 20 separate compilation CD’s.
Asia History
Liquid Blue made history in 2004 when they were the first American act signed to a Chinese record label, Shanghai Audio and Video. Since 2002 the band has made eight trips to China, more than any other recording act from the West.The pop and rock music scene has been slowly and steadily gaining popularity in China and Liquid Blue has been a part of that emerging culture and music history as it has unfolded.
On the band's first visit to China in September 2002, they performed a popular Chinese song "Pong-Yo" in Mandarin to a thrilled audience of 65,000 at People's Stadium in Dalian during the 14th Annual Dalian International Fashion Festival Grand Opening Ceremony.
This show was broadcast live on CCTV
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
, China’s national government run television company. Although the band also played original music from a recently released EP, their version of Pong Yo became embedded in the hearts and minds of the Chinese people and the TV coverage of the song was played repeatedly across the country.
With the SARS epidemic reaching its climax in 2003, tour plans were unfortunately cancelled. The timing was inopportune and the band had to wait two years before setting foot in the world's most populous country again.
In November 2005 the band was invited to perform at the 7th Annual Shanghai International Arts Festival as one of only two acts from the USA (the other being the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
As the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has a legacy of fine music making as reflected in its performances in historic Music Hall, recordings, and international tours...
). The popularity of the band was still intact as evidenced by two sold-out shows at the 5000 seat Minhang Arena in Shanghai, with no other acts on the bill.
In 2007 Liquid Blue made several trips to China including performances in Sanya, Zhongshan, Lhasa, Chengdu, Haikou and Beijing. Most of these shows featured Liquid Blue along with several well known Chinese pop stars. In Haikou the band played to 35,000 at Hainan University Stadium. With the Olympics set for Beijing in August 2008, CCTV's all-sports channel officially became the
"all-Olympics" channel on New Year's Eve, 2007. Liquid Blue was invited by the Chinese government to perform at the very first broadcast of the newly crowned station (CCTV-5). The sold-out event was held in Beijing at the China Agricultural University Sports Arena (with a of seating capacity 8,200) which will host the Wrestling competition for the 2008 Summer Games. The show was broadcast internationally as well, including on CCTV-9 in the USA. In the fall of 2008, Liquid Blue vocalist Jessica Manning qualified for the semi-finals in the Chinese version of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, MN Idol. In 2009 another member of the group, Nikki Green, qualified for the Top-10 in the same contest.
The group is also popular in other parts of Asia including the Philippines which they visited for the first time back in 1997. In 2007 the band became the first U.S. act to perform in Dipolog City
Dipolog City
The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
, selling out the 6000 seat Andres Bonifacio College Arena.
Awards
| Year | Award | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | America's Best Independent Artist | PCT Music |
| 2005 | America's Best Independent Artist | PCT Music |
| 2005 | Hot AC Group of the Year (nominated) | New Music Weekly |
| 2006 | Best Band (Runner-Up) | International Music Awards |
| 2007 | Best Band (Runner-Up) | International Music Awards |
| 2009 | Best Pop Album (Winner) | Los Angeles Music Awards |
| 2011 | Entertainer of the Year - Ensemble (Winner) | Spotlight Awards |
Trivia
Ralph NaderRalph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
used the Liquid Blue song “If You Gotta Ask” as his campaign theme song in the 2004 Presidential Election.
In 2002, band member Layla Loxa won the World Championship in Bodysurfing
Bodysurfing
Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers typically equip themselves only with a pair of specialized swimfins that stay on during turbulent conditions and optimize propulsion.-Technique:To get on the...
.
The band takes its name from a popular form of LSD
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
used in the 1960s, although "band" members "claim" to be opposed to drug use.
Discography
Studio Albums| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Supernova (official U.S. release) | Deep Blue Records 2004 |
| Supernova (Chinese Import) | Shanghai Audio & Video 2005 (includes 1 additional track and excludes 4 found on the U.S. version) |
EP's
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Making Up | Making Up, EP, 2002 |
Singles
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Real | Real, Singles, 2005 |
Compilation Albums Featuring Liquid Blue Tracks
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Peace Not War | “Making Up” on Peace Not War (2004) |
| Wyland Wyland Robert Wyland , known simply as Wyland, is an artist best known for painting large, outdoor murals of whales and other ocean life.-Personal life:... 's Ocean Planet |
“Rescue” on Wyland's Ocean Planet DVD Wyland Foundation 2006) |
| Love Is The Answer | “If You Gotta Ask” on Love Is The Answer (Total Access Live 2006) |
| ABIA 2005 | “Rescue” on ABIA 2005 (PCT Music 2005) |
| Songs For a Better Planet | “Rescue” on Songs For a Better Planet (A Better Planet 2005) |
| Make Love Not War | “If You Gotta Ask” on Make Love Not War (Butterfly Spirit 2005) |
| CD Baby Top Sellers | “Kashmir” on CD Baby Top Sellers (CD Baby 2004) |
| Anti-Industry CD | “Pretend” on Anti-Industry CD (Get Me Music 2005) |
| Child Alive | “Anything Else But”, “Making Up” on Child Alive (Get Me Music 2005) |
| Care Package | “Show Me Love” on Care Package (Artists For Humanity 2005) |
| Airwaves Vol II | “Real” on Airwaves Vol II (BandRadio 2005) |
| Songs For Cindy | “If You Gotta Ask” on Songs For Cindy (Musicians For Peace 2006) |
| Best of the Blessed | “Arms of Love” on Best of the Blessed (Blessed Music 2006) |
| Peacedriven | “Making Up” on Peacedriven (Peacedriven 2006) |
| Sexy Killer Records Vol 8 | “Making Up” on Sexy Killer Records Vol 8 (Sexy Killer Records 2006) Featuring the band Folded Faces. |
| Tune Tank NXNE New Generation 2006 | “Pretend” on Tune Tank NXNE New Generation 2006 (Tune Tank 2006) |
| Future Hits Vol 19 | “Real” on Future Hits Vol 19 (New Music Weekly Records 2006) |
| TNT Top New Talent - Volume 1 | “Real” on Tune Tank NXNE New Generation 2006 (PCT Music) |
| Dallas Songwriters Contest | “If You Gotta Ask, Can't Stop It, Real” on Dallas Songwriters Contest (Dallas Songwriters 2005) |
| 2006 Asia Spring Sampler | “Real” on 2006 Asia Spring Sampler (PCT Music) |