OneRepublic first achieved success as the number one unsigned act on MySpace Music. Their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, released in 2007 includes the singles “Stop and Stare,” “Say (All I Need)” and the smash hit “Apologize” which ranks in the Top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100’s All-Time Top Songs list. A remix version of “Apologize” was also featured on Timbaland’s album released the same year. In 2008, they toured with Maroon 5 and even appeared on the American Idol finale, alongside David Archuleta.
OneRepublic’s latest album, Native, was released in March 2013 and became the band’s highest charting album to date. In creating their third full-length album, the band traveled to Paris, Greece, London, New York, Seattle, and Vancouver to write, record, and immerse themselves in elevating and expanding their already-sweeping sound. Also working at lead singer/songwriter/ keyboardist and GRAMMY® winner Ryan Tedder’s own Patriot Studios in Denver, OneRepublic redefined their approach to rhythm and infused their high-powered rock-pop hybrid with elements of electronic music, gospel, blues, and folk.
“There’s this crazy juxtaposition happening on the album,” says Tedder, whose bandmates include Zach Filkins (guitar), Drew Brown (guitar), Brent Kutzle (bass, cello), and Eddie Fisher (drums). “On one hand we tiptoed into the EDM world and brought in that energy, drive, and tempo, but on the other it’s got a lot of acoustic guitar and a much more organic feel than what we’ve done before.” For help in achieving that supercharged but soulful sound, OneRepublic collaborated with leading-edge producers like Philippe Zdar (the French composer known for his work with artists like Phoenix, The Beastie Boys, Cat Power, and Depeche Mode), Jeff Bhasker (Kanye west, Jay Z, the Rolling Stones, Fun.) and Benny Blanco (Maroon 5, Rihanna, Gym Class Heroes). Nativealso features some guest artists, such as Adele backup singer Bobbie Gordon, as well as Grecian harpist HarpEri, (recruited while OneRepublic was recording at the famed Black Rock Studios in Santorini).
Though the album’s built on deftly crafted beats and intricately textured arrangements, a spirit of simplicity stands at the heart of Native. “Our goal is always to put out the most honest record possible. So even though we’re very much inspired by EDM, I also love what’s happening with folk music today. It’s cool to see that the world doesn’t always need 300 beats per minute, that just an acoustic guitar and a voice can connect with people,” says Tedder, who also points out that “the swampy, stompy feel of Southern Delta blues” played a major role in helping OneRepublic to instill Native with a certain raw energy. OneRepublic also looked to the folk and blues movements in teasing out the emotional content of Native. “These new songs are about mortality, love, hope, desperation, faith, failure—the whole gamut of human emotion,” Tedder says. “We try to give the lyrics a certain gravity without being preachy, and make the kind of music that music that connects with people not just at a party or a club on Saturday night.”
OneRepublic live in Manila on November 6, 2013 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. For updates visit www.onerepublic.com
Ticket prices: VIP Patron Php5,500; Patron Php4,500; Lower Box Center Php4,000; Lower Box Php3,500; Upper Box A Php2,500; Upper Box B Php1,500; General Admission Php800.
Tickets will be on sale starting July 1, 2013 at www.ticketnet.com.ph or any TicketNet outlets, for inquiries, call 911-5555.
