Mariah Calls In to Los Angeles' KIIS FM

Mariah talks American Idol, her new single "Almost Home," and her upcoming album on Los Angeles' 102.7 KIIS FM Thursday, February 21st.

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Mariah Carey’s “Almost Home” Destined For Chart Success

Mariah’s 2009’s Eminem dis “Obsessed” was her last top 10 hit. But her new song “Almost Home” from the soundtrack of Oz The Great And Powerful will place her back on the top of the charts.
Mariah understands how to keep her sound fresh and relevant better than possibly any other pop star with 20-plus years of hits. Though “Almost Home” boasts Mariah’s honey-laced multi-octave range, the song’s true pop friendliness lies on the production from Stargate.

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The music shifts several times during its course, moving from a militaristic, uplifting mid-tempo to a gritty, knocking underground hip-hop track before settling on an easy EDM bed that Katy Perry would have loved.
“Almost Home” essentially incorporates bits of Perry, Kelly Clarkson and the Black Eyed Peas without losing Mariah in the mix.
The song is receiving positive reaction online. “Honestly, ‘Almost Home’ parted the red sea! It has powers!” wrote one Twitter user. “Mariah on Fya,” wrote Twitter user Anthony Lorenzo. “Very Disney, but amazing layering.”
Mariah's last single, "Triumphant (Get 'Em)," released in August, reached No. 46 on the R&B charts, but failed to impact Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

(Yahoo)

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Reviews: Mariah Delivers With "Almost Home"!

Mariah's new song "Almost Home" is here and it is already getting glowing reviews!


 “Almost Home”, A Legitimately Great & Powerful Track - Idolator
We really love this new Mariah Carey song. The Stargate-produced tune has an unassuming rhythmic track with some nice twinkly synths on the chorus, but those signature vocal riffs are what really does the trick — her vocals sound controlled and never over-the-top, and (thankfully) the song gives her space to shine, rather than drowning her out with overly robust production or a laundry list of rappers. Especially for a soundtrack offering, “Home” is a worthy new entry into Carey’s catalogue.

Mariah Carey is making a triumphant comeback with ‘Almost Home.’ - Pop Crush
The song is a return to form for the multi-octave diva. ‘Almost Home’ sounds like a Carey track from the days of yore — her 90's heyday — in the best way. With a Stargate-produced beat, the song sounds like it’d fit right in on Carey’s pop classics ‘Music Box’ and ‘Daydream.’ The upbeat song relies on Carey’s unrivaled gifts of melody, harmony and power instead of attempting to attain street cred with guest rappers, and it’s where she shines brightest.

The track starts out with a more R&B vibe in the verses, then morphs into a poppier tune for the choruses. The song has a motivational message akin to Carey’s unstoppable ballad ‘Hero,’ but combines it with an upbeat, uptempo track. While Carey does her typical showing off vocally here — let’s be honest, if you could do half the things she can with your pipes, you would too — she doesn’t go overboard with the histrionics a la Christina Aguilera.

The song is a perfect fit for Disney’s ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful’ soundtrack and a perfect way for the ‘American Idol‘ judge to reassert herself on her throne of pop royalty. It’s a frothy, fun, radio friendly confection with only the mildest hint of bubblegum to prevent toothaches.

PopCrush rating: 4.5/5 stars.

"Almost Home" is already winning rave reviews from Mariah's legions of lambs - The Grape Juice
Yes yes and yes! Showcasing those much missed soaring vocals, this song is definitely a winner! We’re certainly hoping to hear more vocal performances like these on Mrs. Carey-Cannon’s next release due later this year.

Mimi isn't playing this year. - Pop Trash Addicts
So far she's conquered Australia, made Nicki Minaj look like a demented Cirque Du Soleil clown on American Idol and recorded the best soundtrack song of 2013. Did I mention it's only February? When the snippet of "Almost Home" leaked last week, I was slightly concerned. It was pleasant but I feared Mariah's latest vocal master class might be a tad boring. As it turns out, the Stargate-produced mid-tempo ballad is the record-breaking diva's most contemporary offering since E=MC2.

Even more excitingly, Mariah unleashes the powerful pipes that enchanted Australia in January and delivers one of her best vocal performances in years. The chorus is a thing of beauty and the runs at the end of the song are epic.

Oz is shaping up to be a box office hit, so "Almost Home" could be a great platform for the relaunch of the Lamb Whisperer if radio plays along.

Rating: 8.5/10.

Mariah Carey delivers. - AOL Music Blog
A movie as epic as Oz The Great and Powerful deserves an equally as memorable soundtrack. Luckily, Mariah Carey delivers.

"Almost Home," a song from the upcoming film, kicks off with a thumping beat as powerful as Mimi's vocals. The Stargate-produced track is the quintessential movie anthem, underscoring the timeless Wizard of Oz quest to go home.

"'Almost Home' has a message that works beautifully with the film," Carey said in a press release. "It's a feel-good record; it gives you the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love."

Mariah's talent is undeniable - Soul Culture (UK)
Stargate provides the sweeping musical backdrop for Mariah’s renowned voice as she sings the homecoming ballad. Her range is still without equal and even on something as mass-produced as a Disney single, the talent is still undeniable. The rumour mill suggests Mariah is in the studio working on her latest album with plans for a release this year.

Mariah Carey, "Almost Home" song review

Mariah Carey is, somewhat ironically, making a much more triumphant comeback with "Almost Home" than she did with, well, "Triumphant (Get 'Em)". The song is a return to form for the multi-octave diva.
 "Almost Home" sounds like a Carey track from the days of yore - her 90's heyday - in the best way. With a Stargate-produced beat, the song sounds like it'd fit right in on Carey's pop classics "Music Box" and "Daydream". The upbeat song relies on Carey's unrivaled gifts of melody, harmony and power instead of attempting to attain street cred with guest rappers, and it's where she shines brightest.
 The track starts out with a more R&B vibe in the verses, then morphs into a poppier tune for the choruses. The song has a motivational message akin to Carey's unstoppable ballad "Hero", but combines it with an upbeat, uptempo track. While Carey does her typical showing off vocally here - let's be honest, if you could do half the things she can with your pipes, you would too - she doesn't go overboard with the histrionics a la Christina Aguilera.
 The song is a perfect fit for Disney's "Oz: The Great and Powerful" soundtrack and a perfect way for the "American Idol" judge to reassert herself on her throne of pop royalty. It's a frothy, fun, radio friendly confection with only the mildest hint of bubblegum to prevent toothaches.
(PopCrush)

Mariah Carey's new single "Almost Home"

On the set of 'Almost Home' video

Mariah Carey's new single "Almost Home", from the soundtrack to the forthcoming film Oz The Great and Powerful, was supposed to arrive tomorrow for our listening pleasure. But seeing as nothing is secret for long in the digital realm, it arrived a day early.
 The Stargate-produced track not only helps Carey launch the movie, but also gets her on the trail to the release of her upcoming new album. Last year's single "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" was a bit of a letdown, so does "Almost Home" get us back into a Mariah kind of groove?
 As far as breakout potential, this could go either way: Carey purists are going to go ham for that key change and those runs at the end, but the beat feels a little vanilla and the chorus is not exactly a home run.
 Carey's body of work is pretty phenomenal - she could comfortably put together a satisfying two-disc greatest hits without having to let middling stuff sneak in - but it has been a while since she delivered a really transcendent single. It used to be her bread and butter; she still holds the record for most chart-topping songs by a solo artist in history.
 But this millennium has been spottier, and though songs like "Obsessed" and "Touch My Body" scored big on the charts, they both feel like weaker versions of other Carey smashes (and have not aged particularly well, either). "Almost Home" kind of feels the same way. It's an uplift anthem that could have been sung by most anybody, at least for the first three minutes.
(Music Mix)

Mariah Carey brings it Almost Home

Wow. We certainly didn't anticipate this would be the direction Mariah Carey would take when we first got a sneak peek of her single for the Oz The Great & Powerful soundtrack over the weekend. In fact, we weren't even sure that it was actually her when we started listening to the full version.
 But yes, Almost Home has arrived in its glorious entirety, and even if the diva sounds as though she's singing the first portion of the song while floating through the high altitudes far above the ground in the title character's hot air ballon, this is definitely one you should stick with all the way through, The runs at the end are out of control... and classic Mimi. Believe us. It's a grower, folks.
(Perez Hilton)

Almost Home (Lyrics)

Hey hey
You're almost home, you're almost home, you're almost home

I see the light in the sky
In the skies are like fireflies
Burning bright, just to vanish in the dark
I've held hope in my two hands
That there would be another chance
To find a kingdom I believe in in my heart
Cause underneath the good is something greater than you know

Chorus
When you're almost there and you're almost home
Just open up your eyes and go, go
When you're almost there, almost home
Know you're not alone, you're almost home, home
(You're almost home)

When you run, run so far
You've forgotten who you are
Where you're from is like some other universe
You count your steps like the regrets
You catch one breath and lose the rest
Wrong is right, right is left
And there's nowhere left to turn
So don't believe in everything
You think you think you know

Chorus
When you're almost there and you're almost home
Just open up your eyes and go, go
When you're almost there, almost home
Know you're not alone, you're almost home, home

When you let your heart be the compass
(It will always lead you home)
You won't get lost, not if you trust it
(It will always lead you home)
When you hear the sound of the trumpet louder than ever before

Chorus
When you're almost there, almost home
Just open up your eyes and go, go
Cause you're almost there, almost home
Know you're not alone, you're almost home, home, home, home

When you're almost there, almost home
Just open up your eyes and go, go
Almost there, you're almost home
Know you're not alone, you're almost home, home, home, home

More 'ALMOST HOME' art I created

Mariah Celebrates Mom's Birthday in NY

It's only fitting that Mariah Carey and her mother, Patricia Hickey Carey, celebrated the weekend in song.

The 42-year-old five-time Grammy winner and her mom, a former opera singer, celebrated Patricia's 76th birthday this weekend by taking in a Friday night performance of "Phantom of the Opera" at Broadway's Majestic Theatre. Afterward, a waiting Rolls-Royce took them to Lincoln Center, where they walked around the courtyard fountain while a performance of "Rigoletto" was letting out at the Metropolitan Opera.

"Both looked gorgeous," a source on the scene told Confideni@l. "Mariah Carey was in a black dress with hair pulled into a cascading fall. Mom was in a pantsuit."

When the ladies arrived at the Majestic, the "crowd went nuts!"

An insider said it was a sentimental journey for Patricia, a big "Phantom" fan who's seen the long-running musical several times. Early in her singing career, she performed Verdi’s "Rigoletto."

After a stroll around the performance center's grounds, the two songbirds said they were going to get dessert before calling it a night.

OZ Promo

Random Fanmade cover art for "Almost Home"

Mariah Carey to release new song on Tuesday

Just in time for the long weekend, superstar singer, American Idol judge and diva extraordinaire Mariah Carey is letting fans whet their appetite for new music by releasing a snippet of her about-to-be-released single, "Almost Home".
 Featured in the forthcoming Disney feature Oz: The Great and Powerful, starring James Franco and Mila Kunis, directed by Sam Raimi and scheduled for a theatrical release on March 8, the pure pop track was co-written by Carey with Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray and co-produced by Stargate (Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen). It goes to radio on Tuesday, February 19 and will be available on iTunes the same day. An accompanying video, directed by Carey's frequent collaborator David LaChapelle, will premiere in the coming weeks.
 The vocals for "Almost Home" sit comfortably in Carey's mid-range, as opposed to leaning more heavily on the breathy falsetto for which the octave-defying performer is also known. Recorded in New York City at Roc The Mic Studios and featuring overlaying harmonies, the song marks a return to form for the multiple Grammy winner, who's sold more than 200 million albums since her 1990 debut.
 "It's a feel-good record," said Carey in a statement announcing the tune whose lyrics pine to "find a kingdom I believe in in my heart". "It gives you the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love," she added.
 Oz: The Great and Powerful is a sort of prequel to the timeless story of The Wizard of Oz that imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's iconic title character. Carey is currently working on a new album slated for release in the spring.
(Hollywood Reporter)

Listen to a 28 second clip here

Mariah Carey takes bubble bath with her dog

Should Nick Cannon be jealous? Someone was sharing a bath with Mariah Carey on Valentine's Day and it wasn't her hubby - it was with one of her playful pups, Jill E Beans. The 42-year-old singer took to Twitter to upload a sexy shot of herself playing around in the bubble bath as she got ready for what she called a "Valentines Rendezvous consumed by bubbles" with Cannon, 32. However, it didn't take long before an unexpected guest jumped in the tub with Carey.

 "Aaaah! Jill E Beans leaps to the tub in hopes of a splash champagne - whhhhy?" she captioned the Twitter photo of her and her furry friend. Shortly after, the married couple, who are parents to 1-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, hit the town in NYC to take a romantic ride on a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. Cannon, sticking to the traditions of February 14, gifted his wife with a huge bunch of "I Love You" balloons and flowers.
 Carey looked stunning in a festive red gown, black leather jacket and her hair swept up in a ponytail. She made sure to share one last pic at the end of the evening of her bed covered in rose petals with a red heart reading, "Happy Valentine's Day".
 Stay tuned for new music from Carey coming soon. The star is featured on the soundtrack for the highly anticipated Disney movie "Oz the Great and Powerful". Her track, "Almost Home", will be released on iTunes on February 19.

(New York Daily News)

Mariah Carey battles Jermaine Dupri for album

Though Mariah is known for her five-octave vocal range, she has always gravitated towards Hip Hop. Her rap collaborations have produced hits like "Fantasy" and the production influence has helped her create records like "We Belong Together". Now in the studio developing material for her new album, Mariah wants to take the approach of a rapper. "She wants to do everything that all the rappers are doing like everything that's happening in the club," Jermaine Dupri told You Know I Got Soul.
 Dupri, a frequent collaborator with Carey, has been pushing her to stay with ballads. "We have a very interesting working relationship. As Hip Hop as I am, she wants to be double Hip Hop. When we go in the studio, it's like I turn into the R&B person and she turns into the rapper. It's a real weird situation" said Dupri.
 The pair have been able to find a balance between the two genres while working on records for the upcoming album. "We go round and round, but it's a really creative process because we find a happy medium."
(Singersroom)

Jermaine talks more about Mariah's new album in an interview for That Grape Juice!

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Episode 10 (Hollywood Week) 

Official cover art for Almost Home

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Episode 9 (Hollywood week, female group round)

'Journey to Oz Balloon Tour' has begun to promote 'Oz The Great and Powerful'

Disney announced yesterday it has launched the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour,” sponsored by leading multichannel retailer HSN and IMAX Corporation, to support its upcoming film “Oz The Great and Powerful,” opening in U.S. theaters and IMAX® on March 8, 2013. The colorful, “Oz The Great and Powerful”–emblazoned hot-air balloon began its tour this morning from the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, Calif. We will be doing a pre-screening of the film on March 4, 2013, so subscribe to this column so you are notified of our review.

“Oz The Great and Powerful,” is directed by Sam Raimi, and imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.

The “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” dates to see the balloon are:

“Oz The Great and Powerful” premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood (February 13)
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. (February 17)
Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (February 20)
Central Park in New York City (March 5 & 6)
On February 15, Disney will release the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” app on the official Facebook page for the film (facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful). Starting then, fans will have the opportunity to unlock screenings in cities near them. Users will vote by Tweeting with a custom hashtag for their city (e.g. #DisneyOzSeattle) or by sharing on Facebook.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Josh Donen and Philip Steuer are serving as executive producers.

(Examiner)

Promo Poster I created for the nostalgia! ;)

LambzRus photoshop session ;)

Jordin sports MC's OPI nail polish

For yesterday’s RocNation’s annual pre-Grammy brunch at the Soho House in West Hollywood, Jordin Sparks complemented her red dress with a pretty purple manicure, a shade created by Mariah Carey. ”I’m obsessed with it,” talking of her new paint, which is OPI’s “Can’t Let Go,” a matte violet that’s one of eight shades Mariah Carey’s created for the nail brand.  

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Episode 08 (Hollywood Week)

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Episode 07 (Hollywood Week)

Global Superstar Mariah Carey Records "Almost Home" For Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful

Disney announced today that multiple GRAMMY Award-winning superstar Mariah Carey has recorded the song, "Almost Home," for Oz The Great and Powerful, the studio's highly anticipated fantastical adventure, directed by Sam Raimi, releasing in theaters nationwide on March 8, 2013.

"Almost Home" will be released as a single by Carey's label, Island Def Jam, on February 19, 2013. Award-winning photographer/director David LaChapelle will direct Carey in the music video for "Almost Home." The two long-time collaborators are reuniting in what LaChapelle describes as "a duet between Mariah and the movie." LaChapelle photographed Carey previously for album covers, and directed her in the music video "Loverboy." Disney, Carey and Island
Def Jam plan to launch a promotional campaign to support the single, the video and the film.

"'Almost Home' has a message that works beautifully with the film," Mariah Carey says of the song she co-wrote and co-produced for Oz The Great and Powerful. "It's a feel-good record, evoking the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love."

Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and eighteen Billboard #1 singles (seventeen self-penned). With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Carey has defined the modern pop performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with five GRAMMY Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium and BMI's Icon Award for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few. Carey is currently working on her new studio album to be released this spring.

"Almost Home" is performed by Mariah Carey, produced by Mariah Carey and Stargate for 45th & 3rd Music LLC, written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen and Mariah Carey. Courtesy of Island Def Jam Music Group/Universal Music Group.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Disney's fantastical adventure Oz The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.

Oz The Great and Powerful is produced by Joe Roth, with screen story by Mitchell Kapner and screenplay by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire. Grant Curtis, Palak Patel, Josh Donen and Philip Steuer are serving as executive producers. Oz The Great and Powerful opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

(Disney)

Mariah Records "Almost Home" For Disney's "Oz The Great and Powerful"

Disney announced today that multiple GRAMMY® Award–winning superstar Mariah Carey has recorded the song, “Almost Home,” for “Oz The Great and Powerful,” the studio’s highly anticipated fantastical adventure, directed by Sam Raimi, releasing in theaters nationwide on March 8, 2013.

“Almost Home” will be released as a single by Carey’s label, Island Def Jam, on February 19, 2013.  Award-winning photographer/director David LaChapelle will direct Carey in the music video for “Almost Home.”  The two long-time collaborators are reuniting in what LaChapelle describes as “a duet between Mariah and the movie.”  LaChapelle photographed Carey previously for album covers, and directed her in the music video “Loverboy.” Disney, Carey and Island Def Jam plan to launch a promotional campaign to support the single, the video and the film.

“‘Almost Home’ has a message that works beautifully with the film,” Mariah Carey says of the song she co-wrote and co-produced  for “Oz The Great and Powerful.” “It’s a feel-good record; it gives you the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love.”

“Almost Home” is performed by Mariah Carey, produced by Mariah Carey and Stargate for 45th & 3rd Music LLC, written by Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen and Mariah Carey. Courtesy of Island Def Jam Music Group/Universal Music Group.

(MariahCarey.com)

Some Almost Home Artwork I created for Promotional use!

NEW MARIAH SINGLE FEBRUARY 19th!!!

We can definitely picture Mariah Carey in some fabulous ruby slippers, and now the superstar singer has recorded a song for Disney's fantastical adventure Oz the Great and Powerful (out March 8).

"Almost Home" will be released as a single by Carey's label, Island Def Jam, on Feb. 19.

(USAToday)

Exclusive: Jermaine Dupri Talks Upcoming Mariah Carey Album

American Idol has been a huge success for Mariah Carey. Not only has she been a great addition to the show because of her singing knowledge, she’s also provided great entertainment for fans who may not have been aware of her witty side. Mariah’s role on the show has proven that she is not forgotten and there’s no doubt that there is still a ton of interest for new Mariah Carey music.

In an interview with Mariah’s longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, YouKnowIGotSoul exclusively learned some details regarding the potential sound of the project.

“We have a crazy relationship. We have a very interesting working relationship. As Hip Hop as I am, she wants to be double Hip Hop. When we go in the studio, it’s like I turn into the R&B person and she turns into the rapper. It’s a real weird situation. She wants to do everything that all the rappers are doing like everything that’s happening in the club. I’m more like “Yo, can we make this singing song like a beautiful ballad please?” I’m tuned into what I believe the fans want when I work with Mariah. I believe Mariah has been making music for so long that, like I said, as an artist she wants to change her sound and do this and do things differently than what she’s done. As an artist that’s had a long career like hers, you have to respect that. At the same time though, I’m the person that is always there to be like “Listen, the fans want this.” We go round and round, but it’s a really creative process because we find a happy medium.”

Furthermore Jermaine Dupri, who is set to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of his So So Def imprint, gave some details on a song that he believes is a hit waiting to happen.

“I don’t know what is coming and what ain’t from what we’ve done, but I do know I did do a song with Mariah almost a year ago that y’all haven’t heard yet. I know if it gets on the radio, it’s going to blow up and go crazy. I can tell you that. I don’t know what she’s going to do with the song, but I tell her every day that the song is crazy.”

(YouKnowIGotSoul)

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Episode 06 (Oklahoma Auditions)