JULY/AUGUST 2010 ISSUE MMUSICMAG.COM SPOTLIGHT r ony s hram i swarienko Kurt FEFE DOBSON Making the most of an unexpected second chance at stardom

ToronTo naTive FeFe Dobson also tempers her tantrums with songs that appeared poised for a major breakthrough explore the lighter side of love. “in your life, in 2003—her song “Take Me away” was you grow, you change, you evolve and you climbing the charts, she scored endorsement experience all these happy moments,” she deals with Tommy Hilfiger and the Got says, “and that’s reflected in this music.” Milk? ad campaign and was picked as the inspiration strikes in any number of ways for opening act for Justin Timberlake’s world Dobson, who wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks tour. nonetheless, Dobson was dumped on Joy. “it can be anything from a headline in from her major label right before the release a newspaper to a journal entry in my diary,” of her second album, 2006’s Sunday Love. she says. “i’m constantly looking for the next such messy behind-the-scenes struggles idea.” she says her artistic freedom was AS SEEN IN: JUL/AUG 2010 would bend the will of many up-and-comers, nursed by her record label. “i was allowed but Dobson mastered that crisis with her to breathe creatively,” she asserts. “as long M MUSIC & MUSICIANS plucky attitude. “Through the many years as i have my band there with me, i’m great.” i’ve started not to be so hard on myself,” The album’s first single, “Watch Me Move,” MAGAZINE Dobson says. “i’ve learned to wait for the a fired-up chunk of punk rock, has been right moment and just to have fun in the heard on Tv’s American Idol and America’s industry. it’s supposed to be fun.” Next Top Model. even as many of her peers zoomed past Dobson, whose influences range from her, her optimism began to pay dividends. Michael Jackson to Jim Morrison, insists During her long layoff, Dobson saw her on blazing her own trail. as a young black songs recorded by Miley Cyrus and Jordin singer drawn to rock music, she knows sparks. in 2008, Dobson was signed by she’s something of a misfit among her fellow island records—the very label that had 20-something ingenues. “i’ve never wanted dropped her. on her latest album, Joy, to blend in,” she says. “i’ve always chosen to Dobson gives voice to her past grievances do the opposite of what’s expected. some over a series of bouncing pop-rock beats. people think i do it just because i get a kick Her assertive, fist-pumping anthems, mostly out of it or i’m trying to be different, but directed at ne’er-do-well boys, are tailor- rock ’n’ roll has always been what speaks to me.” made for summertime singalongs. but she –Blake Boldt

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