Al Walser

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Al Walser
File:Al Walser Profile.jpg
Background information
Origin Liechtenstein
Genres Rock'n'Roll, Dance
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ
Years active 2004–present
Labels Cut the Bull Entertainment
Associated acts Fun Factory
Website alwalser.com
Notable instruments
Black Keytar

Al Walser is a Swiss-born Liechtenstein singer, songwriter, and record producer residing in Los Angeles, CA. Walser first gained fame as a member of German Eurodance group Fun Factory with whom he toured worldwide. His 2012 single "I Can't Live Without You" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the field of Best Dance Recording. Al Walser won The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival Award for Best Music Video for his single "I Want My Money Now" in 2014.[1]

Biography

Walser was born in Lausanne, Switzerland to a Liechtenstein mother and African father. He later became a radio personality in Liechtenstein at Radio Liechtenstein, then toured worldwide as a DJ.[2] Following his work on radio, Walser was asked to join German Eurodance group Fun Factory following the departure of member Toni Cottura.[3][4]

Walser later wrote the book Musicians Make It Big: An Insider Reveals the Secret Path to Break in Today's Music Industry and founded the record label Cut the Bull Entertainment, based in Hollywood.[4][5] He also hosts the weekly syndicated radio show Al Walser's Weekly Top 20.[6]

In 2008, his debut album Heart Breaker was released.[7] Walser released the single "Living Your Dream" in collaboration with American singer Jermaine Jackson in 2009. He released the song "I Can't Live Without You" in August 2012, and it was later controversially nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 55th Grammy Awards.

In an Interview with Spin, Al Walser talks about his music and career after the 2013 Grammy Awards. He talks about his relationship with God and how his spirituality guides his career. Walser says "God is really my manager and my guidance."[8] Al Walser released a new single and music video called "O.C.D." on August 1, 2014. Alan Cross reviewed the song on his website, A Journal of Musical Things! Cross says he likes the song and "I confess to never having heard of Al Walser before, but given my industrial/metal predilections, I’m going to have to give the guy a closer look."[9]

Controversy

Walser's Grammy nomination for "I Can't Live Without You" attracted much attention due to his low profile compared to his fellow nominees.[4][5][10] Several prominent dance musicians reacted negatively to the nomination,[11][12] with German musician Zedd alleging that Walser had used elements of his song "Spectrum" in one of Walser's remixes without permission.[13] Several media outlets speculated that Walser's membership in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and position as a Grammy voter may have had a role in his nomination.[5] Walser rejected the claims and instead attributed his nomination to "great music" and "drive".[4][14] In an interview with FUSE TV, Walser attempted to explain the shock wave reactions he caused to the music establishment by saying "Some people pay money under the table or exchange sexual favors; and I came in clean!"[15] Amid the negative attention, there were also media outlets that liked Al Walser and his rebellious style. Billboard's Zel McCarthy wrote "His attitude reflects a unique understanding of the music business at large."[16]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
Title Album details
Heart Breaker[7]

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Living Your Dream"[17]
(with Jermaine Jackson)		 2009 Non-album singles
"I Can't Live Without You"[18]
(with Olga Levit)		 2012

References

  1. ↑ "Festival Awards." The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://nyfilmvideo.net/content/section/15/124/>.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Sherburne, Philip. "Grammy Upsetter Al Walser Is Back, and He Wants His Money Now." Spin. N.p., 4 September 2013. Web. <http://www.spin.com/articles/grammys-al-walser-i-want-my-money-now-video/>.
  9. ↑ Cross, Alan. "I Like This: Al Walser." A Journal of Musical Things. N.p., 2 August 2014. Web. <http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/like-al-walser/>.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Newman, Jason. Controversial EDM Grammy Nominee Al Walser to Haters: "Eat It" Fuse. Fuse, 4 February 2013. Web.
  16. ↑ McCarthy, Zel. "Grammy Day With Al Walser." Billboard. N.p., 11 February 2013. Web. <http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/1538774/grammy-day-with-al-walser>.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Al_Walser&oldid=722570029"