Artist Of The Week: OneRepublic

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After several years of unsigned ups and downs and singer Ryan Tedder writing hits for other artists (including Jennifer Lopez and Ashley Tisdale), OneRepublic struck gold with “Apologize,” the first single off their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud. The song, which was featured on Gossip Girl, One Life to Live and the season 3 premiere of The Hills, peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart back in November and is still hovering in the top 10.

Of course, 1R owes much of their meteoric rise to the Midas touch of Timbaland, who remixed “Apologize” on his album Shock Value. But now the band is stepping out from behind Tim’s hulking shadow with their latest video, the epic “Stop and Stare.” And as MTV’s Artist of the Week, they’re showing off their lighter side by making fun of the Spinal Tap-type moments they’ve encountered along their road to success — which have apparently included run-ins with wizards, wenches, swords and a vulture feast.

We caught up with Ryan and his bandmates — Zach Filkins, Eddie Fisher, Brent Kutzle and Drew Brown — when they were at NYC’s Roseland Ballroom last week and got an entertaining earful about what it was like delving into the Middle Ages and getting all medieval.

“The shoes hurt,” Ryan quipped about his costume, adding that he thought the medieval theme suited them well. “We find absurd humor to be the funniest. The British version of The Office is our favorite show. We love the Farrelly brothers and Will Ferrell. The idea for shooting at Medieval Times came from the movie The Cable Guy, which we all love. We’re into funny, awkward moments.”

But wait a sec … isn’t OneRepublic all serious and stuff? “Between the two videos we have out, some people might think we’re this brooding, depressing band,” Ryan responded. “But that’s not the case. We wanted to show people that there’s a whole other side to us. We actually don’t take ourselves seriously.”

If they did, they probably would’ve never made it through their real-life awkwardly absurd moments on the road. Like when they performed at a crocodile-themed restaurant or on a stage set up like a giant dollhouse, where they rocked out in the kitchen and bedroom. “Touring is really the most absurd thing in the world. Like, we have to take ourselves seriously while playing in a playhouse,” Ryan told us with a laugh, noting that he’s not expecting everyone to understand the band’s medieval sense of humor. “Either a) it’ll be funny or b) we’ll look like idiots. Or it could be a little bit of both. Either way, we’ll be making a statement!”

Get to know OneRepublic better by watching the “Stop and Stare” video and some Artist of the Week performances below (you can see all of their Artist of the Week clips here); peeping some behind-the-scenes photos of their medieval antics; and heading over to their MTV.com artist page for videos, live TRL performances and tour dates.

And read more inside scoop on what went into OneRepublic’s Artist of the Week shoot and find out what they’ll be up to next here.

Filed Under: Timbaland, Interviews, OneRepublic, Videos, Jennifer Lopez, Artist Of The Week, The Hills, Ashley Tisdale, Music

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38 Comments to “Artist Of The Week: OneRepublic”
  1. I just love OneRepublic!I think they are very talented.Not to mention Ryan Tedder is real nice to look at too!
  2. OneRepublic is EVERYWHERE! I want the Artist of the Week to be bands or artists that arent well known not bands that are constantly playing on the radio.
  3. It's good to know that hard work and perserverance paid off for One Republic. They deserve it and hope they get more accolades in the future.
  4. i love there songs
    apologize
    stop an stare
    mercy
    n all th rest but these r definantly my faves i really wanted to go to ur concert but now i cant or evn just to see u guys i love ur music its so real sumtimes it is to late to apologize n angels of mercy well dah finaly sumone said it lol n stop an stare evryone gets scared
    i think MTV has picked very wisely wen they chose OneRepublic there new fresh n full of light congradulations guys i wish u all th luck
    n my soul will b with u @ ur australian brisbane show while i will hav nuttin beta to do but sleep : ( oh well evrything happens for a reason right i could help my brother who is getting married on th 4th prepare sum stuff maybe if he wants th help lol probably will see ya n wishing u all th best
    Sarah
  5. Love this band...it one of my fav bands..i love their songs i cant stop listening to them i think that they will go far..
    onerepublic Rocks..
  6. Brent, way to go. The band sounds great
  7. man they play that song at my job i love it
  8. OneRepublic was at Roseland? How did I miss that??
    OMG
  9. I've been sayin it would happen for seven years:P Congrats!
  10. i saw one republic and they were awesome. they are my fave artists for right now. they have been for a long time now
  11. O OneRepublic é legalzinho até.


    Name: Richard Farias de Pinho.
    Country: Brasil.
    City: Rio Grande(RS)
  12. One Republic, you guy's are awesome. Nice to see real talent for a change. Your music gets in my soul. Watching Ryan on the piano really moves me. You are all GREAT! Keep it up!! Love you all!!
    XOXO Lynn
  13. i love this song , because when i heard one of the songs in one republice i had some thing hit into my hear , if a good songs , n c=i can feeling about each song in this group!! some song is related about my life!!! is truth!! i luv it!!
  14. It' not that often when a solo artist or a group can sing a song or songs that can touch your soul. One Republic does it over and over again. Thanks Ryan for great songwriting.
  15. heyy

    everyone check out onerepublic/terry the wizard on youtube haha theirs a bunch of clips

    lol
    their halarious

    love you guys=D
  16. sooo glad you guys were picked for artist of the week! its about time we see more of you. cant wait to see more congradulations guys keep rocking!! love you always
  17. OneRepublic, es lo mejor q hay
  18. I remember watching Ryan Tedder on mtv that Freelance contest that Lance Bass did I download "The Look" love that song so much just wanted to say it's good to see him back out front again
  19. everyone is right you touch everyones soul.I love all of your songs but "apologize" you sang your heart ouuuut!!!!!!!!! I'm just straiht up absessed with you.The first time I ever heard that song I looked it up on the computer and watched th video over and over and over again.I tell you one thing you are one sexy man and I'm one sexy mama so if your single hit me up.crazydaisy862001@yaoo.com i'd give anything in the world to meet you.
  20. This band is simply amazing, I've been following them for almost three years now, and I can honestly say that they are among the finest singers and musicians. EVERY song on they're CD "Dreaming Out Loud" is amazing and touches your soul, there's something about the way Ryan sings and writes that nobody can compare... and he is really nice in person too! =]

    1R will be around for a LONG time, so get used to them!
  21. The band is wonderful, especially Brent on cello. Those solos play in your heart as well as ears.
  22. I love One Republic they are one of the best bands I've ever hrard right now they are my #1 and I'm in love with Ryan Tedder he is the best.
  23. HEY WELL i JUST WANNA SAY THAT ONEREPUBLIC iS AMAZiNG....THEY SHOULD BE THE ARTIST OF THE YEAR OR SOMETHING HIGHER BUT i LOVE THEM ALOT!ABSOLUTLY AMAZING AND IF THEY ARENT PICKED FOR ARTIST OF THE YEAR SOMEWHERE THEN THAT PERSON SHOULDNT EXSIST ON EARTH...
    X0X0 GINA
  24. onerepublic is the best! those medieval realm videos are so funny. drew (i think it's drew) looks so funny in the dress! you guys should be artist of the year or something. come home is my favorite song. i love you guys!
  25. I knew they would get an album out, because they worked so hard to get to where they are now. Love you Drew and love you guys! Can't wait for the Grammy's next year :)
  26. I knew you guys were going to get an album out because you worked so hard to get to where you are now. Love you Drew and love you guys :) Can't wait for the Grammy's next year!
  27. One Republic? These guys are the BEST! L.A., Chicago, New York, Germany! So glad to see a classy and talented band get it's recognition.
  28. i love them so uch. ilie thm before they bcam popular. the are the best band ever.
  29. OneRepublic ROOOCCCCCKKKS i love their music its like the best i love their song "Say" its just soo good
  30. onerepublic is an awesome band i like them alot...
  31. hey i love this song
  32. Hey I love that song you guys sing "Stop and Stare" Really Really good song!!!
  33. Your music is Fantastic! Thanks for all the videos you made with 'Terry'(D)...I love watching them all on YouTube :)
    The music commercials should have been longer...MTV!
    I'm just so trilled you guys were honored to be Artist of the Week...keep rocking on! Love you all
  34. I Think Ryan Tedder Is A Really Good Looking Guy...Awesome Sound=)
  35. I think Onerepublic are the greatest band. I Ryam Tedder is good looking and he has an amazing vocals.
  36. I hate one republic!!!!!
  37. i love onerepublic the songs are great ryan writes and sings them great he has such AMAZiNG voice he has such talent n such a cute face totally in LOVE with HIM wish i was older lol i am so glad every think work out gd in the end yr the bst band ever goin n zach eddie drew n brent u r totally cool to jst like RYAN (FIT)than you 4 writin very very good song keep it up
  38. i love one republic they are great and their songs are so cool and perfect ryan,zach and brent are cute they should come to slovakia

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