Sunday Times Culture Feature TFA’s Six D
September 12, 2011
In a TV studio in West London, the members of Six D are answering the sort of questions common when Smash Hits was in its heyday, posed by a presenter concerned with whether or not her sock are in shot. Squeezed on to two sofas, the sextet take turns to name their favourite flavour of crisps, reveal secret talents (Cassie, blonde, 21, can bend her elbows both ways), and describe their signature dance moves.
Only when Six D are asked to demonstrate their dancing does the giggling stop. Kieren, 23, the group’s oldest member and de facto leader, stands up to show off what he calls a “540 Kick”, but is told the cameras are too close. Instead, he is urged to strike moves from the sofa. For a moment, he looks like he might refuse. What was set to be 10 minutes of frothy teen-pop TV takes an awkward turn. Suddenly, barely out of his seat, the signer sends his legs sideways into the air and twists them into a position that appears both impossible and painful. The rest of Six D whoop. The presenter looks relieved.
Six D are as manufactured a pop-act as you’ll hear all year – the six (aged 16 to 23) are a product of a lengthy audition process – yet they boast a USP that has persuaded not only some of the world’s prieciest writers and producers to compose songs for them, but Lady Gaga’s renowned choreographer, Laurieann Gibson, to sign up as their creative director. Billed as the world’s first street-dancing pop band, Six D were conceived by their manager, Darren Michaelson, five years ago, after a discussion with Madonna. At the time, Michaelson represented the French free runner Sebastien Foucan and had been asked by Madonna to provide a team of free runners to take part in her global Confessions tour. One night, having watched the impact his free runners (who had been taught to dance by Madonna’s choreographer) had on an arena audience, Michaelson came up with the idea of putting together a group of young street-dancers who could also sing.
“Madonna told me it was impossible”, recalls Michaelson, who spent seven years working with Smashing Pumpkins. “She told me I’d never find dancers of the calibre required who were also amazing singers. I disagreed, but I had no idea it would take four years and almost bankrupt me.”
Michaelson began his search by contacting casting agents throughout Britain, Europe and America. By 2008, running out of funds, he struck a co-development deal with Sony, who advised he limit his searcg to Britain to cut down on costs. About £70,000 was spent auditioning up to 6,000 hopefuls. Michaelson and Nick Burgess, the managing director of the Sony label Jive, joined the casting process last summer, when the number had been whittled down to 500. Three months of auditions and workshops later, they had the six members of Six D.
Meanwhile, Michaelson had seen the street style explode, thanks to TV dance contests, Glee, and the success of Diversity and Flawless. Street-dancing films such as Step Up and its sequels were making it big, along with the Uk’s StreetDance 3D.
“I did worry someone would launch a street-dance pop act before ours,” he admits. He defines street-dance as a “catch-all term for the latest dance moves”, and traces its history back to break dance in the 1980s. “Then I discovered how difficult suitable kids were to find and knew we would be first. I honestly believe this band is the future of pop.”
Britain already looks certain to succumb. Six D’s debut single, Best Damn Night, is released tomorrow, but already the band have a huge fanbase thanks to tours with JLS and he Saturdays, support from Radio 1, and the backing of Channel 4, which has screened Six D documentaries, interviews, and the band’s performance at T4 on the Beach.
Throughout August, Six D will be the face of Channel 4’s street-dance season, which centres on the reality-TV series The Dance Scene, in which Gibson and her team tutor, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicky Minaj and Six D. From late August until Christmas, Best Damn Night will feature in the advertising idents for the new series of X Factor. Even Michaelson admits that fans “may get sick of that song”. “But in a good way”, he adds, hastily.
Six D’s street-dance skills may be what sets them apart from other teen-pop acts, but it is the quality of their songs that should ensure their success. Fun, hook-laden, and smartly constructed, Best Damn Night has proved string enough to convince bloggers sceptical of manufactured acts that the band is worth backing. Their second single, Think of You, is penned by Stargate, who took time off from working on Rihanna’s latest album after seeing Six D’s debut video.
The sextet insist they were heavily involved in the writing process – sessions began 10 months ago in London, LA and Miami for an album due out in February 2012 – but their real contribution appears to have been their ability to dance. Prior to recording, the band attended choreography boot camps at Gibson’s Hollywood dance studio. When Michaelson took them to meet writers and producers, they performed dance routines. Their first session in America, with the producer Wayne Wilkins (Beyonce, Cheyl Cole) and the lyricist Priscilla Renea (Rihanna, Kelly Rowland), spawned Best Damn Night in hours.
“Everyone who has worked with the band has been blown away by their energy when they dance”, says Michaelson. “Priscilla sat doodling while Wayne did the beats. We were worried she wasn’t keen. Then she jumped up and sang a completed chorus she said was inspired by their dancing. That was day one. I knew then this band was going to be huge, because I knew we had our first hit.”
In 2012 the plan is to take Six D to Europe, then break them in Asia and Japan, before tackling America. If they succeed globally, expect a stream of street-dancing pop bands in their wake. First though, Michaelson believes, Six D are set to raise the bar on live performance in pop.
“On some TV shows, the band are asked to mime, and they refuse”, he says. “The fact is that very few pop artists these days sing and dance at the same time. For solo stars. it’s practically impossible. With six members, it’s difficult, but doable.
“Six D have been to hundreds of schools over the past six months, performing and hosting dance workshops. The first thing the kids comment on is that they can dance and sing simultaneously. I think pop fans will start asking, ‘If Six D can do it, why don’t other acts?’
“At least, that’s what I’m hoping will happen.”
Colin Lester commment on Tesco Retail Exclusives
November 22, 2010
Still wary of American style retail exclusives, the UK recording industry is watching closely to see how mass merchant Tesco fares with it’s latest such deal, it’s firstwith an untested solo artist.
The physical version of Nadine Coyle’s debut solo album, “Insatiable,” due Nov 8th, will only be available at 2000 Tesco stores and Tesco.com. The set will also be available digitally at Tesco MP3 store.
Tesco’s previous exclusives have been with the well established likes of Faithless and Simply Red. But while Coyle is well known as a member of chart topping UK girl group Girls Aloud, she’s unproven as a solo artist.
Twenty First Artists Management CEO Colin Lester says such deals are only appropriate for “a select band of established artists” who have an existing fan base that they can steer to an exclusive retailer. “There’s no place at all in them for new artists,” Lester says. “It would kill them stone dead from the get-go.”
Billboard – November 13th 2010
Colin Lester has Global Goal for Universal’s Artist Management Plans
July 28, 2010
Colin Lester, the newly-installed CEO of Universal’s management business Twenty First Artists, says the major wants to become a global force in artist management, with plans to establish a New York office and a producer management business.
Lester, whose exisitng CLM Entertainment operation will be merged into Twenty First, replaces Frank Presland, whose contract with the Universal subsidiary expired at the same time as that of it’s most high profile artist, Elton John in March.
“Universal are serious about becoming a major player in management – i wouldn’t have agreed the deal otherwise, ” Lester says of the move. “I’ve got my own ideas about how to achieve that, so it’s a great challenge and one I’m already enjoying.”
Lester’s CLM operation includes long-term client Craig David, while Twenty First looks after platinum-selling stars such as Lily Allen and James Blunt. However, the new CEO is reluctant to talk about the company’s roster, as his review of the business will include making decisions on the future representation of certain artists.
“I’ll be making changes and restructuring Twenty First Artists, but it’s too early to talk about any of that at the moment because it is a complex organisation with lots of deals in place both here and internationally,” says Lester.
But he has definite ideas about the direction he wants to take the business in and reveals that he will be working closely with Universal’s Lucian Grainge and Max Hole to plan the future of the company.
“The business has changed hugely so I want to look at how we can move it forward so that we can assist established artists and help them to build scale, as well as supporting up-and-coming artists and managers,” he continues.
“Unless we move forward with investment it will become increasingly difficult for managers to succeed so I will be looking to offer investment to artists through buying a percentage of their business – excluding publishing, because as an artist manager i respect that the song is the artist’s baby and i don’t want a split of that.”
Among Lester’s immediate priorities are establishing a producer business and setting up a New York office for Twenty First, most likely in Universal’s existing Big Apple premises.
As for his own office, he says he will remain in his exisitng location in the former Virgin Records building at Portobello Dock and Twenty First Artists staff will relocate there following the conclusion of the review.
Whether those employees will include the likes of Lily Allen and James Blunt manager Todd Interland remains to be seen, but Lester comments, “Todd has been very helpful in assisting me to settle in. He’s a great guy and a fantastic manager so we’ll see what he decides is right for his future and of course, best for his acts.”
Music Week – 26th June 2010
Colin Lester To Steward Universal’s MGMT Business
July 28, 2010
Colin Lester the newly installed CEO of Universal’s management business Twenty First Artists, says the major label wants to become a global force in artists management and plans to establish both a New York office and a producer management business. The New York office would be out of Universal’s New York City-based offices on Broadway.
Lester is one of the most experienced managers in the industry, having worked with the Arctic Monkeys, Craig David, Travis, and The Brand New Heavies amongst others.
Lester was tapped by Universal Music Group International (UMGI) Chairman and Chief Executive Lucian Grainge and UMGI Executive Vice President Max Hole a few weeks ago.
Lester told A&R Worldwide recently that he would take up the new post immediately, merging his present company, CLM Entertainment, with the Twenty First Artist business. He will work with the artists and managers signed to Twenty First Artistsand at the same time he’ll be reaching out to the next generation of talent to help grow the company. Lester will workout of his Kensal House offices in London.
A&R Worldwide – 26th June 2010
Craig David & Colin Lester appointed as UN Goodwill Ambassadors
April 19, 2010
Craig David & Colin Lester have been appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors for the United Nations, as part of it’s Stop TB Campaign. The launch, which took place at the UN Building in New York on March 24th marked the World TB Day.
The Stop TB campaign focuses on raising awareness of the deadly disease, killing nearly 2 million people annually.
David said ” Music is a universal language – I believe that through people’s love of music we can increase knowledge and understanding and support people affected by TB.”
(picture left to right: Colin Lester, Craig David, Dr Marcos A Espinal)