Just when you think you know your favourite celebrity, they do a 180 and change occupations. Actors-turned-musicians, musicians-turned- actors, actors-turned-politicians, and so on and so on. The cycle continues, celebrities get bored and the crossover from one profession to the next is in vogue.

Often these transitions can prove to be an occupational hazard while for many, it heightens their status. But there are some celebrities who, like the cheese, they stand alone. These are the ones that don’t boast about their other talents. They don’t flaunt them around and try to start another career. It’s a hobby, a pastime, and a secret talent.

Think you know your favourite celebrity? Take the quiz below and see if you can guess these personalities’ hidden talents.

 

TELLY TUNAGE: PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Passion Pit “Sleepyhead”

Empire of the Sun “Walking On A Dream”

Julian Casablancas “11th Dimension”

Surfer Blood “Floating Vibes”

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down “Know Better Learn Faster”

 

JESSICA’S JUKEBOX: FRESH TUNES YOU GOTTA HEAR

Tegan & Sara – Sainthood (Sire/Warner)
Grey’s Anatomy music supervisors must have been reeling in anticipation for this new release from the Canadian wonder twins, since the past five seasons of the show sounded like one big Tegan and Sara soundtrack. Here’s hoping the execs will tone down the over-exposure on this sixth studio album because like me, fans are going to want to have this exuberant release all to themselves. Following their incredibly received last album The Con, here the sisters Quinn take a bit of a departure, practically abandoning all acoustic and piano work. Instead, they give a wink and a nod to the ‘80s with their synth-heavy dancefloor pop and as a first, wrote many of the tracks together. Their first single “Hell” will lure you in at first listen with its catchy hooks and melodramatic lyrics about ghosts from past relationships. With 13 tracks in just over 37 minutes, this album will suck you in and spit you out leaving your head in a whirlwind, but it will feel oh-so-good.
Recommended if you dig...Metric. 


Cast of Glee – Vol 1. Glee: The Music (Columbia) 
While other musical television series have failed miserably (ahem! Cop Rock, Viva Laughlin) this campy new series about a misfit high school glee club has become an instant hit garnering a much-deserved cult status. After fans bombarded iTunes to download the cast’s version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin,’” making it chart to a No. 1 spot way back in May, logically the next step to fuel the fan-fire was to release a soundtrack mid-way into their first season. Vol. 1 does not disappoint. Triggering the repeat button is unstoppable here with the talented cast renditions of “Take a Bow,” “Gold Digger,” “Somebody to Love” and of course, “Don’t Stop Believin.’” Sadly, their version of Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” is missing but here’s hoping it will show up on a Vol. 2. If someone like me who normally loathes musicals can instantly be charmed, then so can anyone. Do yourself a favour, watch Glee, listen to the soundtrack and get happy!
Recommended if you dig...Glee! 


Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – Know Better Learn Faster (Kill Rock Stars)
Every so often an unknown album like this will fall into my lap and completely blow me away. Before this discovery, I was unaware of the stunning vocal abilities of singer Thao Nguyen and feel like my life was lacking in something because of that. Know Better Learn Faster is like a dose of energy that pulls you up higher and higher and then slowly lowers you down in a post-bash bubble. Like Cat Power, Nguyen takes on the swagger and swoon of blues and jazz-like folk backed by an incredibly rich rhythm section that will make your body do unholy things. This album can instantly draw you on the dance floor with its thumping funky beats and infectious, lively melodies and then suddenly make you want to curl up in a ball of melancholy when a song breaks into breathy vocals about heartache and loneliness. This album is such an emotional rollercoaster and I’m first in line to board the ride.
Recommended if you dig...Rilo Kiley or Cat Power.

The Schomberg Fair – Gospel (Hi-Hat Records/Sonic Unyon)
Named after the small town of Schomberg, Ont., as a tribute or rural allegiance, this three piece have managed to capture their rousing live show on this debut disc. Despite the Ontario reference, the group sounds like they’re from the blue hills of Kentucky with Southern country licks, melancholic lyrics lifted from old spirituals, hillbilly banjo solos, and gospel style deep bass call response. This all might sound dated and traditional, the Christian imagery even a bit creepy, but the Schomberg Fair put all this through their sweat-soaked, high-energy punk filter and the result is a unique and thrilling hybrid. The group sounds like they're playing for their lives. Their energy and enthusiasm oozes out of the speakers to smash a beer bottle on your head. It’s invigorating restorative stuff that makes for a perfect soundtrack to either a murder or a lager fuelled Friday night.
Recommend if you dig… The Pogues, Gogol Bordello or Tom Waits.

 

 

 

Jessica’s musical nerdiness started at a very young age thanks to Jem and the Holograms, CFNY’s Free At Last compilations and an early introduction to Nirvana. She has since developed a penchant for effeminate indie rock, soul/mod revivalists, Scandinavian singers and old school hip-hop.

After a stint as a music writer at Toronto’s acclaimed NOW magazine, Jessica now aims to make the couch potatoes of the world a little more music savvy in her column Telly Tunes.

 

 

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