COLD SPRING



After Abie has been announced, she entered the stage and place herself over a short platform with a microphone in a pedestal, she stares the judges and the crowd for a few seconds, when a piano melody belonging to Abie’s new single ‘Cold Spring’ is played, and Abie let the emotion take over her, so she sings the first lines of the song.



The crowd is quiet, the lights are dim, only Abie is lighted, she let the song speaks through her gestures and face expression, and her voice is clean, high and soft. Sometimes she even close her eyes to sing a certain word, when she reaches the pre – chorus of the song and the song’s melody is increased with violin, she raises her face and stares the crowd, the chorus is coming and she’s about to sing the first high notes of the song.

The chorus is higher than the first strophe of the song, but it’s still lower than what is about to come as the song goes on. The second strophe brings more cords and a soulful inspired drum, Abie takes all these elements combined with her voice to lead the crowd to a higher emotional level compared to the start of the performance. Also the backing vocals, performed by three girls placed on Abie’s left can be heard.

Abie's ironic expression emerges in this second part of the song, she’s singing the same time she’s feeling every line of the song, and this time at the pre-chorus her voice is even higher than before, when finally the second chorus start and Abie raise her voice not giving her all yet, but she’s following the crescendo melodies of the song with her amazing voice.



In the bridge of the song, Abie prepares herself, to literally give her all in the final chorus of the song, as she goes singing the lines, she moves her body in a way the crowd can perceive she’s about to show her amazing high vocal range. And after second she reach the final chorus, she let all her emotion and energy and even her breath out, the crowd cannot only hear that amazing range vocal quiet, they starts to scream and clap Abie’s incredible ability. The stage is all lighted and Abie is performing some diva’s movements with her hands and even holding the microphone pedestal and lower her back like if she was squatting.



Abie is back at her standing position, all lights got dim again, and Abie sings the final line of the song softly and lowly.
A standing ovation is what Abie receives, she keeps staring the crowd and sending goodbyes and kisses, when she finally had the opportunity to talk with them.

Abie: I just wanna say that it’s really an honor to perform in front of you guys (she points the judges) and also in front of so many young talents that we have on the show! It’s a great experience. Well I prepared something never heard from me before, it’s my new single ‘This Dance’ I hope you enjoy it.




THIS DANCE

Na electric guitar riff is played followed by a classic piano melody and even keyboards, is the introduction of this song, also Abie almost starts singing the song when it started. Abie’s band is showed in this entire performance, Abie has a piss off intonation on her vocal and even she uses her famous free style while she performs the songs.



The second part of the first strophe is increased by bass and drums, which takes the song to a more pop feel, but that old blues style keeps being the main influence the song takes to itself. Meanwhile Abie’s vocals are simple and somehow lower than the first song performed in the show, but the song is growing and the addition of violin make the song even bigger than it was. At the chorus of the song Abie finally raise her voice, and it’s very high compared to the first strophe of the song, now the crowd perceived all Abie’s anger and indecision, these are the main feelings of this song, once Abie is asking herself of what is really going on with her relationship.



The second strophe of the song keeps the pop blues influenced style, and it’s a short verse, Abie lower her voice to sing it again, but seconds after she raises it fully to sing another chorus, she’s staring the crowd as she gives her famous face expressions at them, like she raises her eyebrows and she shakes her hands pointing the crowd like if she was pointing an specific person.



The song has a bridge, and it’s just the chorus sung in a free style, differently from previous forms she sang the song, the melodies are lower and also Abie’s voice. In this part of the song Abie shows that all her indecision is fading away, she’s up to a big change, and so the final chorus starts and she releases all her vocal potential to it.

Another standing ovation, is what Abie receives, she speaks with the crowd once more.

Abie: Thank you all very much! It’s been a pleasure.

Abie leaves the stage a few second after.

Aubrey Mikkel - Live on Star Factory

Semi-Finals

It was the day before the show and Aubrey sat in the living room with her family, conversing and enjoying one another. She needed this time to relax as she had just finished up rehearsals with her band earlier that day. Not to mention it had been awhile since she sat down with her family. Since starting Star Factory, there was little time to enjoy the small things that made her happy. She had dedicated all of her time into perfecting herself for the show because she didn't like to lose. Winning this competition was important to her because it would prove, though she already knew, that she has what it takes to be a star someday. Since she was just a little girl, it was something she always wanted and as she grew up, she did everything imaginable to make those very dreams come true. Now that the chance was here, she didn't want to blow it and if that meant giving up the things she loved, then so be it. After all, there was some of her family members she wasn't so fond of. Namely her mother's side of the family. The sudden sound of her grandmother's voice brought Aubrey back to reality. "Something wrong child?" She turned her head towards her grandmother, looking at the worried look upon her face. "No. Everything is fine. Just thinking about the big day tomorrow." Her grandmother faces relaxes and she smiles. "You aren't worried are you Aubrey?" she says teasing. Aubrey lets out a fake laugh. "Yeah right. You know that kind of thing doesn't make me nervous. For me, this sorta thing comes all to easy. If anything, the other competitors should be the one's that are nervous." Her grandmother laughs while she continues the knitting she was doing before she got distracted. "I should have known. You were always the confident one. Just like your mother." The mention of her mother catches her off guard, causing her to drift off. It had been six years since her mother had been murdered but it was still hard for Aubrey to cope with it. Not wanting to hear what would be said next, Aubrey stood and headed for the door to leave but not before stopping to say one last thing. "Don't." Everyone, who had been chatting amongst themselves, went silent and looked back and forth between them. Her grandmother looked up, staring at Aubrey for a few moments, gathering her thoughts, before she finally spoke. "Those emotions you keep built up inside you isn't good child. You've got to let it out and move on with your life. Ever since she died you've turned into a completely different person. You aren't yourself child. Stop being stubborn and let it go." The room went dead silent as everyone in the room focused their eyes on Aubrey to see what she would do next, as they knew the smallest things could upset her and cause all sorts of chaos to happen. After awhile, she finally spoke up, turning around and bawling her fist together while she spoke.As much as I respect you, your opinion isn't needed. I can take care of myself and for your concern, nothing about me has changed. I've been this way for as long as I can remember but of course you wouldn't know that because you've never really gave a f*ck about me in the first place! I know you don't like me so don't start playing nice now." Her grandmother stood, coming closer to Aubrey. "First of all, you watch your mouth in my house. Second, you want the truth? Alright. Yes I don't like you cause you're the very reason as to why my only daughter is dead!" Aubrey steps closer, opening her mouth to speak when her father interrupts. "That will be enough." All eyes fall onto him as he stands there in the doorway behind Aubrey, eyes fixated on her and her grandmother. "We are a family. There's no need to be arguing against one another." Aubrey continues glaring at her grandmother, before decided to say what she had wanted to say. She scoffs. "Family? That's a joke with you people. Real family wouldn't be talking behind my back but being fake to my face! She turns around to leave, her dad calling after her. "Aubrey wait!" She ignores him and continues walking, opening the door and slamming it behind her. Her driver, who had been propped up against the car, saw that she looked angry and hurried to open the car door before, in an attempt to avoid trouble. Once she got in, he closed the door and made his way to the driver side, getting in. He started the car then pulled off, heading to her condo. Thirty minutes later, he pulled up to her place, turning off the car then letting her out. Aubrey made her way inside and headed straight towards her room. Putting on music to distract her mind from all of the stress and chaos that had just happened awhile ago. She closed her eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.

An hour before the show is to start, fans, family, and friends already filled up the place. Tonight is the biggest night since the show started and not a single person wanted to miss it. All around the world, people were tuning in to see if their favorites will be making it into the finals next Sunday. While the people out in the audience and those watching from home waited anxiously for the show to start, they were oblivious of what was happening backstage. Left to right, people were scattering about trying to get things prepared and making last minute changes. It was too great of a show tonight for anything to go wrong. So everyone made sure to give the all and make sure they didn't screw up this important night. Aubrey of course, didn't get herself all worked up and carried on as she normally did. She even managed to show up a bit late today as she was just walking into the building, causing the backstage crew members to panic. She relaxed when she saw her. "Thank goodness you're finally here. We didn't think you would show." Aubrey kept walking pass her, not slowing down. "Like I wouldn't show. Aubrey Mikkel is not a quitter." The woman put her attention on something else before she realized Aubrey was almost out of ear shot. "Good. You're up to perform first after Abie Lena and Casey's interview video. So hurry and get ready" she shouted after her. Aubrey kept walking, ignoring what the woman had said. She was standing outside her dressing room door when she was stopped by the annoying interviewer. "Aubrey, Hey my soul sister! Just wanted to tell you that we won't be doing the usual interview since you already did one earlier this week. Oh and good luck out there!" She smiled. Aubrey opened the door and went inside, slamming the door in the woman's face. "Was it something I said? she said to herself, confused by what had just happened. Now in her room alone, Aubrey sat down on her dressing's room couch, folded a hot towel over her head, and closed her eyes, calming herself down and relaxing. There was too much on her mind from yesterday and she didn't want that to interfere with her performance tonight. It was too close to the announcing of the winner for her to mess up now. Everything had to be perfect because she couldn't live without herself if she failed. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in." she said. The door opened and in walked her make up and hair stylists, carrying their equipment with them. Noticing her laid out across the couch and the towel over her forehead, they knew things were not well. Knowing what to do as it had become routine to them, they each put their things down and then prepared lemon tea for Aubrey, as it always helped to relax her. "This should help." Aubrey lifted the towel from her eyes and sat up to see the cup in front of her. "Lets get to my hair and make up now." She grabbed the cup then stood up, making her way to her chair. They begin unloading their items they needed and begin work on her at the same time. Twenty minutes later, they were done just as she had finished drinking her lemon tea. As always it had helped to get rid of the stress and so she felt way better than she had when she had first arrived. She stood up to look in the mirror at their work. "How much longer until I go on?" she asked. One of the girls looked down at her watch on her wrist. "Exactly five minutes." Aubrey turned around, glaring at her. "Five!? You people are completely useless." She brushed right past them, storming out towards where she would be coming out at. She had been cutting it close as Casey's interview video was almost over. Nearby, her band were talking amongst themselves but stopped when they saw her calling them over. "Since the beginning of the show, you guys have been great for the first time ever. Don't screw that up tonight when there's so much at stake. You do and I'll make sure that your careers die here." Aubrey walked away leaving her band to feel a mixture of confusion and nervousness. She looked back to see them still standing there. "Get to your places people. Come on!"

Aubrey and her band take their places on stage and wait for the announcement of them being next. They can hear Casey's video has ended and people begin clapping. The host, Damion Holmes, comes back onstage saying a few words about her before announcing Aubrey to the stage to perform. Once he does, the lights dim down low and the wall, separating them from the audience, rises, revealing what looks to be someone up on stage but unclear to see as fog sweeps across the stage. Cheers and whistles are heard as the audience looks to the direction of the stage, wondering what is about to happen. A little while later, a spotlight shines down on Aubrey. She is standing in front of a microphone stand, wearing a very short tan dress, hugging her figure, with black high heels, and other accessories. She opens her mouth to do some adlibbing before singing the first few lines to "Killing Me Softly" acappella.



Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly... with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly... with his song

When she finishes the last line, the lights turn up, revealing two back up singers, one on each side of Aubrey, standing in front of their microphones. A guy strums on a guitar, causing the crowd to cheer while the beat plays. Once the time comes, Aubrey opens her mouth to sing the first verse, putting her emotions into the song as she usually did. This was one of favorite songs and she had been the very first song she had ever sung in her life. It reminded her of her journey to get to where she is now with her music which was why she chose to perform it tonight. After she gets done, she says something to pump up the audience and get them to sing along with her. "Let me hear you sing." She and her back up singers begin singing the chorus, the audience signing along in unison with them. Aubrey smiled a little, loving the audience's reaction and hitting her thigh slowly to the rhythm of the beat while she sung.



I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style
And so I came to see him, and listen for a while
And there he was, this young boy, a stranger to my eyes

Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly... with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly... with his song

As the song comes to the second verse, Aubrey takes the microphone off the stand. She walks a little bit away from it but still manages to stay beside it as she begins singing the next set of lines. Her back up singers, come in and out, helping along with the song and doing a choreographed dance to the song all at the same time.



I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd
I felt he found my letters, and read each one aloud
I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on

The chorus comes around again and Aubrey goes back to standing in front of the microphone stand, gripping it. By this time, Aubrey is pumped up and tries to hype the crowd again. "Put your hands up." she says to the audience. Majority of the audiences does what she says, swaying their bodies back and forth, while others hold their phones up swaying it back and worth.



Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly... with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly... with his song

Aubrey leaves the microphone stand and comes closer to the edge of the stage, feet apart. She begins singing the bridge part of the song as both her back up singers and the audience sing along as loudly as they can. She puts her hands up, waving it back and forth. The vibe of the crowd was certainly something she enjoyed and made it all much more enjoyable. She always wanted people like these to be singing the words to her songs and though this was not her song it was somewhat close to what she wanted to accomplish.



WHaaaoooooo aoooooo whoaoaoao
lalalalalalaLALALALALALA ohohoh laaaaaa
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Aubrey sings the chorus one last time, motioning with her hands as she sings. She goes over to a fan and holds the microphone out to one of them to let them sing a couple of words in the song before taking it away a few moments later and going back over to stand in the center of the stage, her feet apart from each other.



Strumming my pain with his fingers
Singing my life with his words
Killing me softly with his song
Killing me softly... with his song
Telling my whole life with his words
Killing me softly... with his song
strumming my pain. yeyeyeyeye

After finishing up the last verse and adding some extra ablibbing onto the song, Aubrey stood on stage, looking out to the people in the audience. They were on their feet cheering and clapping just for her. She was glad that her performance was over now because she could finally enjoy herself for once. She never was able to celebrate getting into the top three because for her that showed weakness. Instead she wanted to perfect things so that nothing would go wrong but after her and her band putting on an amazing performance like that, it was well time to celebrate. Tonight she would take everyone out to party and put all of her personal problems aside. As the cheers die down, she prepares for the deliberation of the judges.

Song Performed:

---
The Devil You Know - Matthew Interview
INTERVIEW:

“Hey, what’s up America, this is Matthew from The Devil You Know, here to answer a few questions that have been asked of us for Star-Factory. So here goes nothing.”

What’s It Like Being A Part of Star-Factory:

“Crazy, and crazier. Our days usually consist of working hard and meeting up with or calling Scott, our mentor and then trying to work out the kinks of our performances. It’s a hectic type of performing style, and it’s a great experience to be a part of. We’ve gotten to meet so many people and work with so many power-houses, it’s the type of thing that we all hoped to become a part of.”

Why Should You Win:

“Because I’m an attractive mentlegen, next question.”

What Can You Offer to the Music Industry:

“What can I offer to the music industry, hmm that’s an interesting question. It’s a hard one too. Hmm, I guess I’d offer something fun, and hopefully thoughtful at times. I like to think our performances are energetic and hectic, so I’d like to offer that, something organic and something that is fast-paced. That’s what I want The Devil You Know to be, a fast-paced, live-orientated style of music that you don’t get too often nowadays. No two songs would be the same, and we’d make an emphasis on mixing things up.”

Who Would You Eliminate at This Point?:

“Hmm, out of the other two? Probably Aubrey then, she’s too tense, looks like she’s always thinking and Casey is too nice, I can’t vote for her or else she’d give me puppy-dog eyes and then I’d throw the competition on purpose (laugh).

Alright music-fans, that is all I’ve got to say, I still have to practice this new song, and well see you soon.”