MUSIC LYF - Brewer Boys

Teen duo Brewer Boys visit Manila

With their boy-next-door looks and charming appeal, it is unbelievable that the teen brother’s duo Brewer Boys, composed of Justin (18) and Nathan (15), can perform wide range of songs  country to pop to classic rock and even bluegrass.

The Brewer Boys, who look up to the Everly Brothers, can perform mean covers of songs of Johnny Cash, Crosby Stills & Nash, Big & Rich, Journey, Train and even Jason Mraz. They also write some of their music.

This immense musicality and charm made the Brewer Boys enter the elite roster of finalists of the X Factor USA, where they were hailed the top 16th.

“It was fun, stressful, but memorable experience,” exclaims Justin when asked of the X Factor stint. “We will never, ever forget those times and we are thankful that because of that exposure so many doors have opened for us.”

MUSIC LYF: Rebecca Ferguson

Rebecca Ferguson featuring the debut single “Nothing’s Real But Love”, debut album “Heaven” out soon

If pop music is infinitely surprising then the often circuitous route that brings a major star to our attention is surely exemplified in the wonderful Rebecca Ferguson.

Just over a year ago, this painfully shy, woefully under confident single mother of two was shown auditioning for The X Factor. In what is surely one of the best audition sequences ever shown on the programme, her story of dignified resignation – pregnant at 17, then again at 19, with no money and little hope – struck a chord with the nation. It seemed that this was a voice destined never to be heard. Then she opened her mouth and her stunningly raw rendition of Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change Is Gonna Come” set the bar on the show, oh, just a million miles higher….

It’s immaterial that she came second on the show – perhaps even preferable, as it has meant that the last year has allowed this Liverpudlian world-class singer/songwriter to hone her writing skills and to channel that remarkable soul voice into a selection of songs that will establish this 25 year old as the voice of her generation, and a global superstar.