Bring in Some Holiday Cheer With the Fat Budgie

What's a budgie you ask?



That is a fat budgie. Originally designed by the Mr. Lennon himself in 1965. And if you're interested in getting a copy of this limited edition doodle, Oxfam is one of the few places you can get it...unless you head across the Atlantic.

New Music Festival on Jersey Soil

It looks like Melvin Benn's plans of expanding on American soil will become reality. Partnering with C3 Presents (famous for Austin City Limits), Benn's Festival Republic will be presenting the Vineland (New Jersey) Music Festival on August 8-10. Yep, you heard it right. Unlike Bamboozle -- located at the Giants Stadium parking lot in Meadowlands, Vineland is halfway between Atlantic City and Philly.

It'll definitely be a rock fest, but planners promise to a variety of artists on the bill. Guess we'll have to see who makes the cut to play.

Hawthorne Heights Loses One of Its Own

Hawthorne Heights Guitarist Casey Calvert was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon after police came to the band's tour bus outside DC's 9:30 Club where he was found unconscious. He was 26.

According to the Washington Post, this was one day before Wintour 2007 that started in Detroit on Friday. Casey's cause of death is still to be determined by an autopsy.

Friends of the band, Paramore's thoughts:

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The band has written a message on their website urging fans to respect the band as well as Casey's family and not to believe any rumors. More information will come as it becomes available, but our thoughts are with Casey's loved ones.

Movies to Look Out For

Despite what reviews say, I thought August Rush was so beautifully done. Following the chronology of an opus and musical performances that just strike the heart, this modern-day fairy tale (complete with a little love story) shows us that there are still some people out silver lining even in the worst of situations.


This Christmas is another family-friendly-film where music is quite central. Chris Brown takes a breather from dancing up a storm in this movie to show everyone his singing skills. Of course, that is only one of the many twists and turns in this holiday film. Here's Chris showing he isn't just all moves but voice, too.

Kanye Breaks Down

Kanye West couldn't hold back the tears while performing Hey Mama this weekend in Paris.

Our hearts go out to him.

2007 AMA Highlights

(courtesy of the AP)

*will.i.am's dance skills reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin

*Jimmy Kimmel Cranks Dat

*Although Akon took away the year's soul/R&B male category, he was more than willing to hand the award over to T-Pain.

*Avril's hot pink microphone

*Maroon 5 hot in their formal wear

*Pop boy bands are back! The Jonas Brothers' SOS performance had screaming girls running down the aisle, only to tug at the Brothers' clothing. And two (fans) even managed to get on stage at the end of the song -- only to be dragged out by security. (And of course Joe's little spill, which didn't stop him from rocking out and jumping over his mic stand.)

*Ne-Yo & Rihanna decked in Hollywood glamour and a beautiful rendition of Hate That I Love You

*Sugarland's rendition of Beyonce's Irreplaceable only to be joined by Miss Knowles herself during the second verse.


*Celine's comeback performance followed by Lenny Kravitz' piano ballad I'll Be Waiting

*Chris Brown's glow in the dark upside down choreography and T-Pain's Zack Morris phone

*No One Reggae Remix complete with Junior Reid, Beanie Man, Chaka Demus & Pilars and Alicia Keys Dance Routine (Oh yeah, it's official As I Am debuts at #1 this week)



*Duran Duran performs new JT-produced-single Falling Down and viewer's-voted Hungry Like the Wolf

*Beyonce's is the 1st female (and 6th person) to receive the International Artist Award

*Mary J. Blige's rocks out just fine

*Night's fashion trend - it's all about the short, tight and metallic or black for girls and the dashing, dapper gentlemen who can rock the kicks

*Queen Latifah belts out a jazzy performance

*Daughtry's acoustic (and still very heartfelt) version of Home

*Lastly, the American Idol vets were the one to take the night with Daughtry and Carrie Underwood winning three awards each. Looks like no matter how long you last on that show, you can still hit it big on the charts.

Here's the complete list of the night's winners.

Play Music Without Touching an Instrument

That instrument in the top left corner is a theremin. Pretty much wave your hand near the sensors, and you can rock out. A little weird, if you ask me.

Here's a more technical explanation of the instrument.

Helter Skelter

Even with Dana Fuch's version in Across the Universe, The Killers collab-ed with The Vines, Howling Belles, and Louis XIV and did took their spin on the Beatles' classic.

Lily Allen on Your Tube

Or should I say telly? Word's spreading pretty quickly around cyberspace that Lily Allen will be putting down the mic for a bit to pick up a script. Yep, Ms. Allen, with that smile of hers, and become the new assistant of Doctor Who. Like singer-turned-actress, Billie Piper (known for UK 1998 hit Because We Want To), some say this may be Miss Allen's way of transitioning into the world of acting. The new season of the science fiction series will start in 2008.

This isn't the only Lily-Allen-acting-news floating around. According to Wired, she'll have her own show called Lily and Friends where her MySpace and Facebook get to pick her show topics, guests and musical performers. That should make for an interesting series, right? We'll see.

Kate Nash: Not Just Another Member British Import

Kate Nash may be part of the new wave Brit Chick Invasion, but this girl's got some spunk. Her melodies prove Pop, and her voice can be compared to Lily Allen (it's that London accent). But again, it's that spunk... or maybe the her humorous and honest lyrics. Either way, she's already been given props by her peers and received the 2007 Q Award for Breakthrough Artist. On the States-side, she's signed on with Geffen, did an acoustic set with SPIN and Merry Happy has played on ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

Here's her UK debut and my favorite track (Caroline's a Victim):

Rivers for Christmas & New Weezer Material

You heard it right! It's just been confirmed the new Weezer album will drop on April 22. Simply called, Album Six, the new material is "getting ready for mixing and I have never been so excited about a project in my life," bassist Scott Shriner said in Oct.

Meanwhile front man Rivers Cuomo has been working on his demo collection Alone. Rivers said, "This is a CD of my favorite home demos from ’92 to ’07 featuring a lot of never heard before songs, a few covers, a few songs from my unfinished rock musical Songs From The Black Hole and my original demo for Buddy Holly." According to the the band's site, this will release on Dec. 18.

Leona Lewis and Her 2007 Hit

The numbers are in, and Leona Lewis has her feet planted at number one for the third straight week. And it looks like she'll be walking out of '07 with the UK's top selling single, according to the Official Charts Company. Not bad for the X Factor winner (UK's search for talent with none other than Simon Cowell). Her album, Spirit, dropped today (yep, a day earlier than in the U.S.), and there are reports that it'll probably do better than the Spice Girls. And at this rate, she may be at the Arctic Monkey's heels and beat their record for top UK debut.

Still have no idea who I'm talking about? Check out this video and get to know this rising star.

Let the Christmas Cheer Begin

Tesco (think the UK's version of Wal-Mart) has kicked off the Christmas shopping season by enlisting who else but the Spice Girls to be in the first of this year's holiday ads.

Beyonce + Bikini + Billboard = Big No No

It looks like a larger than life bikini-clad Beyonce is just not as pretty than the mountains, according to Reno Residents. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno-ites think the clear channel billboard isn't only degrading but inappropriate. One even said that it was making a good area ghetto.

(photo courtesy of Reno Gazette-Journal)

College Kids Give It Up for Good Music

Roseland Ballroom was the spot to see what undergrads find big on their campuses. Gym Class Heroes, Boys Like Girls and veteran rockers Spoon were just some of the night's winners at this year's award show. Lupe Fiasco and Matthew Santos opened the show with a special guest appearance by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump while The Academy is... (who picked up the Viral Woodie) wowed their fans with a two-song set including Everything We Had.

Not only were the famous acts honored last night, but people could vote for their favorite in The Best Music on Campus category. And after loads of votes, the Woodie went to Duke U's Stella by Starlight. I have a feeling they may have been signed last night or are well on their way to a deal. Definitely check them out!

According to many reports, Amy Winehouse was headlining the show. Not too sure about what happened to that, but Spank Rock's neon booty shakers and Tokyo Police Club's rockstar performance made up for it. And of course, I can't forget to mention Rilo Kiley's acoustic version of Moneymaker. And to top off their set, Jenny Lewis rocked the cowbell for Breakin' Up.

For all of you who couldn't make it out to the show, mtvU will be airing the show on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. or on live stream on mtvU. You can the complete list of winners here.

One of this year's winners who I was rooting for was Boys Like Girls, who were honored with the Breaking Woodie. Now I definitely fell for this band when their video Hero/Heroine splashed across the screens at Nordstrom. Who would've thought I'd discover a band there? Anyway, since then, they've landed on the music scene and have gained popularity through their catchy track, The Great Escape. Even though they've just released the 2nd version of their Hero/Heroine video, I think I'll share the one that got me hooked on them. Enjoy!



But...if you want to see the new version, check out MTV Overdrive.

Only a Matter of Time

If there's any British band that I adore as much as The Beatles and Oasis, it's McFly. Fine fine, they look like just another pop rock band out there that appeals to countless numbers of teen girls around the world screaming that they want to have their children. But for me, they're a bit different. Look, they've already had at least 13 top ten singles out, played sold out tours around the UK and have just released a greatest hits album. So be forewarned I like to talk about them a lot. =P Anyway, here's where they've joined forces with another love -- ballroom.



And here's the latest video (Thank goodness for YouTube.)

Cellphone Salesman Turned Opera Singer

If you haven't heard of Paul Potts yet, then you should definitely take a listen. He hit the scene in the summer on Britain's Got Talent. Here's a clip of his first audition back in June before all the glitz, glamour, Today Show and Oprah.

When Music and Sweets Collide

I already love this show. It just gets even better when he plays music and makes cakes, too.

The Faces of Bob

Here's the trailer for a new docudrama/biopic about Bob Dylan releasing to limited theaters on Nov. 21.

And Now the Video's Out

No plot just skin. Thoughts?