How will Charlie be pushing the envelope? With videos like “I Wanna,” or his dream video, which would be some sort of 1920′s style meets evil carnival. Intrigued? Charlie talked to Crushable about his musical style, his self-promotional plans and why growing up in New York — “My life growing up was very much like Gossip Girl” — set him on the right course to pop stardom. Is the music world ready for the Charlie Ward sensibility?

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born and raised in New York City. Growing up in New York, you have so many different outlets and so many kinds of exposure to music. And I was fortunate enough that I got to experience a lot of them – everything from Broadway to the big concerts at Madison Square Garden to the little dive bars on the Lower East Side. I was fortunate that I had a chance to get a taste of all that. Music has been something that has been in my life forever. Once I was able to do it, it was just a matter of saying, let’s go.

When did you start doing music full time?

I was playing with music back in high school. I would probably say that 18 was around the time I really got serious about music, though.

Do you think that growing up in New York forced you to grow up too fast?

Yes. The reason why I’m so sort of stable now is because I went through all my drugs and alcohol and all that in high school. So now I know what’s important, now I know what’s right and wrong and all that.

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1. What’s your backstory?

Well, I grew up in a house full of music. My dad makes his living as a songwriter, musician, and producer. He had a studio in our basement growing up, which was right under my bedroom. So I can sleep through anything. I started playing guitar and writing songs when I was about 14. I went to college at the University of Delaware for civil engineering. And on my breaks, my brother and I started playing music together. We’ve been a band with our bass player for about 4 years now. I’m finishing up grad school right now in transportation engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. In fact I defend my thesis on Wednesday! Was that too much information?

2. Everyone has a “thing.” What’s yours?

I am completely obsessed with 16th century European monarchs right now. Alison Wier has a bunch of biographies that I highly recommend.

3. Everyone also has a karaoke song. Name yours (and don’t be shy).

“Material Girl!” Although last time I sang karaoke, I did “Summer Nights” as a duet, and that went over pretty well

4. Who are your biggest influences?

I’d like to think I’m influenced by every person and thing I encounter. I’m not sure who has had the biggest impact, though.

5. What is it you most dislike?

Question 4. Haha. I also dislike poor grammar

6. Whose job would you like to steal?

Lady Gaga’s back-up singers

7. What was your best date?

The Pittsburgh Zoo! We got to sit in on an “animal encounter” and pet a sting ray. The company wasn’t bad, either.

8. What was your worst?

This guy and I liked each other, but we were shy. So we planned to hang out under the ruse of playing music together. My brother didn’t realize we liked each other though, and wanted to jam with us. So he ended up staying all night and totally crashed our date!

9. When I wake up in the middle of the night its because I’ve had a nightmare that I’m ___ .

In school, about to take a test, and I haven’t studied.

10. I feel my best when I’m wearing ___ .

My pajamas

11. Please settle the debate: New York or LA?

Well I’ve never actually been to LA, so I don’t know if I can answer fairly. If we’re basing it solely on the East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud, I’d have to go with NY.

12. What’s on your playlist at this very moment?

Billy Idol. Dr Dog. Phoenix. Lady Gaga.

13. What are you watching on TV?

The investigation discovery channel. It just plays true crime stories all day long. I’m also a big fan of that Tori and Dean show.

14. If you alone held the power to pick a boyfriend for Jennifer Aniston, who would you pick?

Joey. Or maybe a pro-surfer. I could see that working out.

15. Given the chance, would you rather hang out with George Clooney or Robert Downey Jr.?

Robert Downey Jr. for sure

16. If you were a character on any movie or TV show, past or present, who would you be?

I think I am that little girl from Mrs. Doubtfire

17. What is your drug of choice?

Caffeine

18. What’s the last thing you think about before falling asleep at night?

I love my bed and sleep so much.

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Hilary Duff co-wrote “Any Other Day” with Jonathan Glatzer and Robert Lawson, with Richard Vission producing.

Listen to “Any Other Day” by Hilary Duff:

“Any Other Day” Lyrics

On a day like any other day
Sky’s so blue it could take
Your breath away
And what could ever fall apart
On a day like it is today?
The kind of day you climb
To the top of the world
And see your life unfurl
Before your very eyes
But when it falls apart
Then you realize

This is all a countdown
To a higher place
Countdown
Into some outer space

Maybe it’s a day when the angels come to sing
Or maybe it’s a day
When the devil comes
To bring a fate you couldn’t
Imagine in your wildest dreams

Countdown
To a higher place
Countdown
Into some outer space

Never mind the smoke and mirrors left behind you
Don’t you go
There’s nothing there
To really bind you
Just let it go and all your
Destiny will find you
Wherever you are (X 8)

Countdown
To a higher place
Countdown
Into some outer space

One a day like any other day
Sky’s so blue it could take your
Take your breath away
‘Cause I remember where I was
When I heard the news
I remember where I was
When I heard the news
I remember where I was
The sky’s so blue like
Any Other Day

Thanks for lyrics to HilaryOne (I changed a few places, but if you spot errors, let me know!)

Please support Hilary and her movie by purchasing the single (or soundtrack) on iTunes!!!

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The full soundtrack album, which includes 17 songs, is available for $9.99. The singles available, including “Any Other Day”, can be purchased for $0.99. The album will be released as a physical CD to stores during the week of May 4th.

Click THIS LINK to go directly to the Soundtrack on iTunes or CLICK HERE for the single for “Any Other Day”.

Image via WGU team

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New 30 second “Any Other Day” Preview

Hilary Duff co-wrote “Any Other Day” with Jonathan Glatzer and Robert Lawson. The song was produced by Richard Vission.

The co-producer of the soundtrack, David Parker, says that they are working hard to make sure that Any Other Day gets play time on radio stations, so don’t forget to request the single when it comes out!

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What Goes Up is the first film from executive producer James Hoke, who talks here about the challenges and rewards of making the film. James shares:

“The film took a little longer to complete, but for good reason. We really wanted to record and incorporate a new Hilary Duff single into the soundtrack. We couldn’t complete the original song until November last year. We think it was worth the wait, and we’re hoping Hilary Duff fans agree.”

Hoke shares that the What Goes Up soundtrack was overseen by Anthony Miranda, will be talked about soon on the production blog in more detail. Hoke shares that he wished the blog had been up sooner in order to interact with fans during the whole process – I’ve seen some movies do this and the overall buzz for the film has helped in the long run. That said, it’s still good they’ve put together the blog now, as many movies don’t even do that.

What Goes Up comes to select cities this May. Fan support may help that expand to more cities!

Image used with permission

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Also, check out these two cute candids from November 19th when Hilary was spotted at Barney’s New York.

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After the portions of the interview I mentioned before, Hilary shared the best news of the night: Hilary Duff returns to the studio this month to work on a new album!

“I’m going to start working on a new album in two weeks”

As she mentioned before, Hilary will be working on the album independent of any record label. Hilary has been writing songs and working hard to determine a new direction to go in. She’s looking to create music that more edgy, but still pop music:

“I like so many different kinds of music. Something poppy and catchy — I’m girly but I think I’m kind of tough, so maybe a little rock influence.”

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