Katy Perry 'One of the Boys' album

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Katy Perry has been wowing fans and critics alike with her big voice, sassy attitude, and feisty, confessional songs like "Ur So Gay," the title track of her EP, which was released by Capitol Records last November. Though just 23, the Los-Angeles based pop-rock dynamo has been writing songs, playing guitar for several years, and possesses the flair and confidence of a veteran storyteller. Though "Ur So Gay" showcases her irrepressible sense of humor, other songs, like the thoughtful ballad "Lost" show a more vulnerable side of this talented, multi-dimensional artist.

"I think people appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides," Perry says. "The whole angst thing is cool, but if that's all you've got, it's just boring. Everything I write, whether it's happy or sad, has a sense of humor to it. Someone told me the other day that I'm a bit like Lucille Ball. They said, 'You look pretty put together on the outside, but inside there's just something a bit wrong.'"

The Santa Barbara, CA-born Perry currently wrapped up work on her debut full-length album, which she recorded with an array of noted producers and collaborators, including Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas), and Greg Wells (Natasha Bedingfield, Rufus Wainwright). The followup full length album, "One Of The Boys" (Capitol) is due for release on June 17th.

One of the Boys is a sharp and witty pop-rock gem filled with candid tales of neurotic ex-boyfriends ("Hot N Cold," "Ur So Gay", "Mannequin"), crazy road trips with friends ("Waking Up in Vegas"), and figuring out who you are along the way (first single "I Kissed A Girl," "Fingerprints"). While the album displays Perry's feisty, girl-power swagger, it also reveals her more vulnerable side on such regretful ballads as "Lost," "I'm Still Breathing," and "Thinking of You."

"I think people can appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides, and this album has many different colors," Perry says. "I can write my share of angry break-up songs but I wanted to balance it out with fun, summertime songs. But there are also sad songs about loss and making the wrong decisions. It's been blood, sweat, and tears making this record. I've put everything into it and I feel like it's my baby. When people listen to it, I hope they will understand where I'm coming from as a person, says Perry."

Her single, "I Kissed A Girl" is now impacting Top 40.

tour dates
Jun 20 2008 - Pomona Fairgrounds - Warped Tour - Pomona, California
Jun 21 2008 - Pier 30/32 - Warped Tour - San Francisco, California
Jun 22 2008 - Seaside Park - Warped Tour - Ventura, California
Jun 25 2008 - Cricket Pavilion - Warped Tour - Phoenix, Arizona
Jun 26 2008 - New Mexico State University Intramural Field - Warped Tour - Las Cruces, New Mexico
Jun 28 2008 - Utah State Fairpark - Warped Tour - Salt Lake City, Utah
Jun 29 2008 - Invesco Field @ Mile High - Warped Tour - Denver, Colorado
Jul 1 2008 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Warped Tour - Maryland Heights, Missouri
Jul 2 2008 - Sandstone Amphitheater - Warped Tour - Bonner Springs, Kansas
Jul 3 2008 - SuperPages.com Center - Warped Tour - Dallas, Texas
Jul 5 2008 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Warped Tour - Selma, Texas
Jul 6 2008 - Showgrounds @ Sam Houston - Warped Tour - Houston, Texas
Jul 9 2008 - Lakewood Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 10 2008 - Central Florida Fairgrounds - Warped Tour - Orlando, Florida
Jul 11 2008 - Vinoy Park - Warped Tour - St. Petersburg, Florida
Jul 12 2008 - Bicentennial Park - Warped Tour - Miami, Florida
Jul 13 2008 - St. Johns County Fairgrounds - Warped Tour - St. Augustine, Florida
Jul 14 2008 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Charlotte, North Carolina
Jul 15 2008 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Warped Tour - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Jul 16 2008 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Warped Tour - Columbia, Maryland
Jul 17 2008 - Time Warner Cable Amphitheater @ Tower City - Warped Tour - Cleveland, Ohio
Jul 18 2008 - Comerica Park - Warped Tour - Detroit, Michigan
Jul 19 2008 - TBA - Warped Tour - Toronto, Ontario
Jul 20 2008 - TBA - Warped Tour - Montreal, Quebec
Jul 23 2008 - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts - Warped Tour - Mansfield, Massachusetts
Jul 24 2008 - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center - Warped Tour - Darien Lake, New York
Jul 25 2008 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Warped Tour - Camden, New Jersey
Jul 26 2008 - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Warped Tour - Uniondale, New York
Jul 27 2008 - Toyota Pavilion - Warped Tour - Scranton, Pennsylvania
Jul 28 2008 - Raceway Park - Warped Tour - Englishtown, New Jersey
Jul 29 2008 - Post-Gazette Pavilion @ Star Lake - Warped Tour - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 30 2008 - Riverbend Music Center - Warped Tour - Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 31 2008 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Warped Tour - Noblesville, Indiana
Aug 1 2008 - Marcus Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aug 2 2008 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Tinley Park, Illinois
Aug 3 2008 - TBA - Warped Tour - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Aug 5 2008 - Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Aug 6 2008 - Race City Speedway - Warped Tour - Calgary, Alberta
Aug 8 2008 - Idaho Center - Warped Tour - Nampa, Idaho
Aug 9 2008 - Gorge Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - George, Washington
Aug 10 2008 - Columbia Meadows - Warped Tour - St. Helens, Oregon
Aug 13 2008 - Save Mart Center - Warped Tour - Fresno, California
Aug 14 2008 - Coors Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Chula Vista, California
Aug 15 2008 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Mountain View, California
Aug 16 2008 - Sleep Train Amphitheatre - Warped Tour - Marysville, California
Aug 17 2008 - Home Depot Center - Warped Tour - Carson, California

biography
“I think people can appreciate a songwriter who shows different sides,” says Katy Perry. “The whole angst thing is cool, but if that’s all you’ve got, it's just boring. Everything I write, whether it’s happy or sad, has a sense of humor to it. Someone told me the other day that I’m a bit like Lucille Ball. They said, ‘You look pretty put together on the outside, but inside there’s just something a bit wrong.’”

Comparisons to Lucille Ball only tell half the story. Now if Lucille Ball had a secret love child with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, it would look, sound, and behave like Katy Perry. The L.A-based singer-songwriter’s sassy confidence and feisty confessional songs have already had fans and savvy media singing her praises, even before her new EP, Ur So Gay, is released by Capitol Records on November 20th, 2007. Blender Magazine called her “The Next Big Thing” while Teen People dubbed her “One to Watch.” And no less a harbinger of ‘what’s hot’ than celeb blogger Perez Hilton wrote of Perry on his website: “If Avril Lavigne were actually talented, pretty, and had an appealing personality, she’d be Katy Perry. She’s got the whole package!”

“I don’t care who I’m compared to as long as people listen to the music,” Perry says. “Usually I find it funny to say I’m like a skinnier version of Lily Allen and a fatter version of Amy Winehouse. It always renders a good chuckle.”

It’s that sort of cheeky comment that encapsulates Perry’s irrepressible sense of humor, which shines through on songs like “Ur So Gay” (a hilarious kiss-off to an ex) and “Waking Up in Vegas,” which is about doing just that. Her upcoming debut album for Capitol Records, due in Spring 2008, will also feature several honest, searching ballads, like “Lost,” (about trying to find yourself after losing your way) and the regretful, emotional “Thinking of You,” both of which display a more vulnerable side to this talented, multi-dimensional artist.

Perhaps that dichotomy stems in part from Perry’s upbringing. The middle child of two pastors, Perry grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church in Santa Barbara, CA. “My dad would give me ten dollars, which is a lot of money when you’re nine, to sing at church, on tables at restaurants, at family functions, just about anywhere,” she says. Perry was raised on a strict diet of church music; “secular music,” as her mother put it, was “not allowed.” But one night during a slumber party, Perry happened upon a Queen record “and the heavens opened and saved me. From then on, they have been my biggest influence,” she says. “Their musicality and lyrics were so flamboyant and real. I’d never heard anything like it.”

By the time she was 15, Perry was determined to pursue a path in music. She spent some time in Nashville working with professional songwriters — “these seasoned country music vets who had been writing songs for forever” — and honing her own songwriting skills. “Every single one of my songs is drawn 100 percent directly from my life.”

At 17, Perry hooked up with legendary producer and songwriter Glen Ballard, who spent years guiding and developing her talent and songwriting. The strength of the songs and Perry’s big voice captured the attention of Jason Flom, Chairman & CEO of Capitol Music Group, who signed her in Spring 2007. “I’ve been through a lot of highs and a lot of lows in this business,” says Perry, who’s now 22. “Last year was tough. I’d write a check for my rent and next to it, I’d write, ‘Please, God, please.’ But I didn’t jump off the Hollywood sign. Everything always works out for the best.”

Indeed it has, as Perry has just wrapped up work on her debut full-length album, which she recorded with an array of noted producers and collaborators, including Ballard (Alanis Morissette, No Doubt), Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne), Butch Walker (Pink, The Donnas), Sam Hollander & Dave Katz (Gym Class Heroes) and Greg Wells (Mika, Natasha Bedingfield, Rufus Wainwright). She’s also been keeping busy performing lowkey acoustic shows at Hollywood’s renowned Hotel Café (hey, it keeps her off TMZ), as well as landing high-profile opening gigs for artists as diverse as Mika, Puffy AmiYumi, and the Starting Line.

Whether it’s by hearing her music on MTV’s The Hills, Oxygen Network’s Fight Girls, the soundtrack to the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, or by seeing her emotional performance on ABC Family’s hit Wildfire, people are now taking notice of Perry. She’s also unleashed her considerable charisma making cameos in the videos for Gym Class Heroes’ “Cupid’s Chokehold,” which has been viewed on YouTube more than 18 million times, as well as appeared in a video for P.O.D. In addition, her face has graced ads for Too-Faced Cosmetics’ Spring 2007 line. All these things, and more, have people wondering: “Who’s that girl?”

Perry, however, doesn’t put too much stock in the acting or modeling, or the whole media fame game for that matter. “It’s become about who’s showing up at what party, who’s dating whom, and what plastic surgery they’ve had,” she says. “I want to bring it all back to the music. Pop stars are hard to relate to because they are so scared of being vulnerable or real and afraid that people will exploit their flaws. I on the other hand, celebrate my flaws and actually welcome them. Flaws give us character and at the end of the day, I want people to see me as that girl they can relate to, talk to, and have a good laugh with.”

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Katy Perry - One of the Boys