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Thursday, January 31, 2008

Israel Lifts Beatles Ban


After 43 years, Israel wants to make up with these lads and invite Paul and Ringo to perform at the country's 60th anniversary celebrations in May.

We would like to take this opportunity to rectify a historic missed opportunity which unfortunately took place in 1965 when you were invited to Israel. Unfortunately the state of Israel canceled your performance in the country due to lack of budget and because several politicians in the Knesset had believed at the time that your performance might corrupt the minds of Israeli youth,” said the apology letter, reported by the Hebrew-language Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot (via NYT).

Grammy Update


First thing's first. It looks like the WGA will be helping out at this year's Grammys and will script the show.

And the 15 semi-finalists for My GRAMMY Moment 2008 have been choosen. You can watch them on YouTube. The musicians are guaranteed seats in the Foo Fighters' orchestra and will fly to LA during GRAMMY week to rehearse and perform with the Foo. Led Zepplin's John Paul Jones will arrange a special orchestral section of The Pretender and will be the special guest conductor on Feb. 10.


Last but not least, to make the 50th Annual Grammy Awards even more special that it already is, more artists have been added to the bill including Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley and Feist. And the casts of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil and Across The Universe will perform a special Beatles tribute (SO EXCITING), the Recording Academy announced yesterday.

Panic News

Not only did Panic at the Disco get rid of the punctuation from the band name, but more importantly they're releasing some new material. Called Pretty. Odd., the new album is out on March 25. Meanwhile their single, Nine in the Afternoon, which the band performed at various festivals last summer, is already available on iTunes. Here's the NME interview with Ryan and Jon.


Also, Panic will be headling this year's Honda Civic tour with special guests Phantom Planet, Motion City Soundtrack and The Hush Sound. The tour is also cleaning up its act and partnering with REVERB and Global Inheritance.

Out on DVD This Week

Add this to your Netflix queue or head over to your nearest Blockbuster, but make sure to check out Vitus.

Kanye Tour, New from NERD and Chester French's Labor of Love

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This is what Kanye posted on his blog two days ago. Probably based on his Stronger video, the futuristic Glow in the Dark tour dates are still to be announced. But with this line up, it should be one fun concert to go to this year.

One of the acts join Kanye on tour, NERD, have been in the studio working their asses off their new album and have dropped their first single, Everyone Nose. But according to The FADER, the track's been getting mixed reviews. You can be the judge of that.
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And since we're on the subject of NERD, there's a new musical duo that has signed on with Star Trak. Chester French—two college friends who put pop, classic rock, a splash of the 60s and blend in some other sounds—are in the midst of working on their debut album (tentatively) titled, Love the Future (more than three years in the making). Already featured in SPIN and Teen Vogue, these Harvard alums are definitely ones to look out for. I know I'm excited for their album release.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

US or UK: Which video is better?

Besides announcing the release of her US album,Leona Lewis just dropped the U.S. version of her song, Bleeding Love. But first here's an interesting cover that you guys really need to check out.

Interesting, right?

Back to the original subject, Leona isn't the only one who's done the two-music-videos-for-one-single.

James Morrison, not to be confused with the Aussie instrumentalist) filmed to two versions for his woo-worthy ballad, You Give Me Something. Which do you think is better?

The US Version

OR
The UK Version


And then there's Scotland's singing cutie Paolo Nutini who released two different videos for his song, New Shoes. Who takes the prize for this song?

The US Version

OR
The UK Version

Latest from Jimmy Eat World, OneRepublic and More

It looks like Hayley's guest appearance on a live performance of Jimmy Eat World's Always Be wasn't the only thing they did with this amazing track. But it's not the follow up single to Big Casino.


Just like wine, Kyle Minogue just gets better with age. Here's her new pop video, Wow.


Apologize may have taken the world by storm but that doesn't mean OneRepublic is taking a vacation any time soon. They've just released the second single off Dreaming Out Loud, Stop and Stare.


Secondhand Serenade wooed fans with Vulnerable, and now he's back with Fall for You, which recently premiered on MTV's TRL.


Erykah Badu is back with Honey from her new album, New Amerykah—in stores on Feb. 26.

Juno Dethrones Alicia Keys


Not only has Juno grabbed four Oscar nominations last week, but now it seems the movie's soundtrack has zoomed to the top spot on the Billboard chart and pushed Alicia Keys to the runner up spot. How could you not love the duet between Juno McGruff and Paulie Bleeker?

To celebrate the soundtrack's success, here's the cast and crew's homemade video to OK Go's Do What You Want.



And also for you fans of Schoolhouse Rock, this Juno take on the childhood classics may tickle your fancy.

Rooney Dreams, Paramore's Hero and more

Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman always makes sure to keep his fans in the know about everything that is the band, music and well, Robert. In this lovely video, he goes completely old school and does an acoustic medley of the legendary Everly Brothers.


When Paramore was asked to cover a song for 2006's Sound of Superman compilation, they fittingly chose the Foo Fighters' Hero.



Britney finds her inner Swedish pop with this 1993 Ace of Base hit.


Singer-songwriter Alfa is known more for her own material. So why not mix things up a bit? Here's her cover of Feist's 1, 2, 3, 4.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Vampire Weekend Countdown to Release

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Columbia U. alums Vampire Weekend have been conquering the music scene, selling out their two hometown concerts tomorrow and on Jan. 30 as well as getting rave reviews on their self-titled album, which drops tomorrow. So be sure to get pick up your copy. If you can't wait, you can pre-order it on Amazon. Here's my favorite track on their album....

Leona Lewis' Hits U.S. Shores



With all the success X Factor champ Leona Lewis has abroad, she'll be bringing her album to America in April. Her single, Bleeding Love, is available on iTunes.

Blast from the Past

Look who's back...


Not too sure if it's by popular demand, but the New Kids on the Block are reuniting and hitting a stage near you.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Vineland in '09


So it looks like the verdict is in, and Vineland will be pushed to next year.

So now it looks like All Points West, whose lineup will be released next month, is to take on Jersey soil without the worry of another festival to get in there way. Unless, of course, news(or rumors) of the Baltimore's Virgin Festival happening the same weekend. So instead of vying for the Garden State to host to best music fest, but it'll be the east coast.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Don't Forget to Vote


No, this has nothing to do with the upcoming presidential election. Instead, it's about this year's Plug Awards which will be held in New York's Terminal 5 on March 6. You really can have a voice and choose the best in today's indie music industry—from top album to best music zine. So hit up the site and make your opinions count!

Pokemon to Winter X

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Remember her? Maybe this will jog your memory...


Yes, that lovely brunette is Marion Raven—half of pop duo M2M (known best for the Pokémon Movie theme song). But now she's all grown up, shed her bubblegum ways and just helped open Winter X 12 today.

Her single, Falling Away, was filmed in Colorado and showcases some sick riding by the likes of Andreas Wiig (also her boyfriend and who inspired the video), Hana Beaman, Mike Casanova, JJ Johnson and Madison Elsworth. And after reading all of this, doesn't it make sense for her to play Aspen this weekend?

New Videos to Tickle Your Senses

Even though Janet Jackson's been on the scene since the late 70s, she's still dancing it up just as well as she did during her Pleasure Principle days with her new video, Feedback.


Then there's Canada's Fiest who decided to leave the human teletubbies and choreography at home and bust out with the intense pyro conducted by a big stick. Here's Feist with I Feel It All.


And to end this post on a sweet and sexy note. Will Ferrell taps his inner 70s funk and soul and introduces people to his new flick, Semi-Pro.

Amy Finally Goes to Rehab


It looks like Amy Winehouse won't be able to hear or sing Rehab the same way anymore. She has finally checked herself into rehab, which was highly recommended by her label. Maybe it was that video or maybe it was a long time coming. Either way, she hopes to rehabilitate by Grammy night on Feb. 10.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Sounds that Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Who could say no to sweets? I know I can't. Vosges (highly recommended by a friend as well as highlighted on the Food Network) is a boutique for what I like to call couture chocolate. But this isn't just any sweets shop; it offers a variety of special gift sets.

This is the Luxe Groove Collection, which is a decadent selection of 12 truffles each containing an ingredient reflective of a musical time period. Inspired by the musical influences of the African American community, the chocolate comes with a compilation CD containing artists who've influenced American music as well as a booklet explaining the impact of all 12 musical genres. And finally the $275 set is packaged in a limited edition box with a Lucite and Swarovski® crystal lid. This may be too self-indulgent. But for you do-gooders out there, 10% of the profits from this collection goes to Little Kids Rock, which promotes music education in schools.

Now for all you ballers, maybe the Hip Hop Truffle Collection is what you crave. For only $29, a box of 9 white chocolate truffles with Krug® Champagne and topped with edible gold leaf will be all yours. According to owner and chocolatier Katrina Markoff, these sweets were inspired by the transition from music to bling culture of the 1990s and early 2000s. Either way, these still sound like a satisfying treat.

Delilah Speaks Out



With the Grammys coming in a couple of weeks, most are looking for their red-carpet-worthy outfit, drafting their acceptance speeches and perhaps even looking for a date. But for Tom Higgenson of the Plain White Ts his date for the big awards show was set when the nominees were announced. Delilah DiCrescenzo, the muse of Higgenson's Hey There Delilah, shared her side of the story with the Today Show this morning—expressing her excitement for the awards' night and sets the record straight about her relationship status.

And for those of you guitar players who absolutely love this song, Plain White Ts is just one of the many musicians who've signed on to film videos for Now Play It. This new site teaches people how to play their favorite songs by the artists who composed them. Here's a preview of Tom and Tim's lesson.

Rock with Soul on the Side

Rock veterans The Eels take hip hop producer/artist Missy Elliot's Get Ur Freak On and roughs it up a bit on Last Call with Carson Daly.


Scotland's KT Tunstall may have also done her own version of the Missy track, but it's her rendition of Chaka Khan's Ain't Nobody that blew me away.


Arkansas' rockers The Gossip really show what happens when rock and soul mix with Beth Ditto's amazing pipes. Here's their version of the late Aaliyah's Are You That Somebody.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Colbie Realizes, Bruce Sings About Summer Girls and Cat Power Covers

After the success of Bubbly, Colbie Caillat comes out with the new video to her inspirational track, Realize.


As a follow up to Radio Nowhere, Bruce Springsteen releases Girls in Their Summer Clothes. Pretty girls, a camera lens in soft focus and the beach—what more could you ask for right?


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Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) comes out with her second compilations of covers titled, Jukebox. In this album, released today, Cat Power revives the songs of Janis Joplin, James Brown and Hank Williams. Chan also includes two original tracks—Song to Bobby and Metal Heart. It's been given positive feedback by Men's Vogue, stereogum.com and Rolling Stone.

No Picket Lines At '08 Grammys

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It looks like my fears of a Grammys cancellation can now rest and artists like Miss Latifah above can walk the red carpet with no worries of rallying. Although there will be no striking on Feb. 10, there hasn't been any promises made about writers scripting the actual awards show. If this is the case, it looks like the presenters will be on their own that night. Let's hope that, like their acceptance speeches, they'll be able to write their stage banter on cocktail napkins.

Diddy Can't Stop and Won't Stop

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You could hate me now, but I won't stop now 'cause I can stop now.

Remember that song with Nas and Diddy (then Puff Daddy)? Well, it looks like these are going to be the lyrics he'll live by with the news of yet another name change. According to reports, his stage name will now be Sean John (reminiscent of his clothing brand). But the name game doesn't stop there. Diddy (can't help but use this alias) wants his actor self to be known as Sean Combs (his real name) , while plugging his new role in Lorraine Hansberry A Raisin in the Sun on MySpace. And still there's more. Who can forget Making the Band?

Well, the new season of that premieres on Jan. 28 on MTV.

'08 Oscars Recognize the Best in Music

The Oscars have always been known for the best in film over the past year. But the nominations announced this morning showed that the moving picture isn't the only thing the Academy acknowledged this year.

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Cate Blanchet picks up the nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Jude Quinn(one of the Bob Dylan's many aliases) in I'm Not There. The Todd Haynes film included other actors such as Richard Gere, Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger.

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Disney's Enchanted dominated in the Best Song category with three nods including That's How You Know, So Close and the Happy Working Song. The other nominations for this category were August Rush and Sundance winner Once's Falling Slowly.

Unfortunately not all good songs were given the thumbs up by the Academy this year. There's Radiohead guitarist Johnny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood, which was ineligible for nomination since there was pre-written music that wasn't composed for the film. Also not included in this year's Oscars was the praised Into the Wild soundtrack by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.

Find out who walks away with the golden statue on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Coachella on Both Coasts


Not only did Coachella 2008's lineup drops today, but it looks like the rumored east coast Coachella festival has been dubbed a name. All Points West is the official title the big music fest set to be at Liberty State Park on Aug. 8 to Aug. 10 (same weekend as the planned Vineland Music Festival of South Jersey). But unlike April's Californian rock fest, All Points West will not allow any camping, reported the Star Ledger.

Friday, January 18, 2008

MGMT & Yeasayer Sell Out Hometown Shows

Brooklyn's own Yeasayer and MGMT are really make names for themselves and have already sold out their February shows at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Feb. 12) and the Bowery Ballroom (Feb. 13).


But besides that MGMT's new single, Time to Pretend, was offered as a free download on iTunes last week and recently performed on Letterman.


Meanwhile Yeasayer's interesting experimental sound (dubbed gospel on their Myspace) has gotten positive feedback from the NYTimes, BBC and Treble. And we can't forget their unforgettable performance at the CMJ Music Marathon last year.

Old & New School Pop/Rock Tour This Spring



It's one thing to know that Paramore will touring the U.S. in the spring. But it's another to find out they'll be gigging with the great American band, Jimmy Eat World. The band announced today on their MySpace page as well as talked to Billboard about the exciting news. Details (dates, venues, etc) are soon to be announced; so stay tuned.

This isn't the first time Miss Hayley has joined Jim Adkins and the boys on stage. Here's their performance.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Crank Dat Mania



Soulja Boy and his unforgettable tune have taken over the world, especially the digital world. Crank Dat has been named the highest selling digital song in music history with more than 3 million digi downloads. It's also been remixed by Blink's Travis Barker. CNN has done a piece on it. And people have added their own ethnic flairs to the track.



Soulja Boy Tellem even produces his own documentary of the song's success as well as an instructional video to teach everyone how to crank dat.

Duffy Makes the First Cut, One Man with Two Voices and More

Welsh songbird Duffy performs The First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow on the Jools Holland Show.


Alejandro Manzano of Florida-based Boyce Avenue gave YouTube viewers (especially the female ones) a taste of his acoustic skills and melting voice with his version of Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girls.


Nick Pitera, best known for his Little Mermaid cover, amazes everyone again with his impeccable voice and really, really high falsetto. Here's his take on the Mariah Carey/BoyzIIMen track, One Sweet Day.


And finally, this adorable little girl will now entertain you with OneRepublic's Apologize.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

EMI Sheds 2,000


With staggering sales and increased internet piracy, it looks like UK big label, EMI, will be cutting 2,000 jobs as part of its restructuring plan, according to NME.com. What used to represent The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and R.E.M. is now slowly losing its clients with Radiohead's exodus last year and Paul McCartney's exit. Recently reunited The Verve, known for their '97 hit Bittersweet Symphony, has threatened to withhold their new album until EMI can actually financially support the band's distribution and marketing of the new CD.

BRIT Nods Announced


The 2008 BRIT Awards nominations were announced yesterday with Kate Nash, the Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys and Mark Ronson leading with 3 nods each.


Here are the nominations for best Brit and International groups:

British Group


Arctic Monkeys


Editors


Girls Aloud


Kaiser Chiefs


Take That

International Group


Arcade Fire


Eagles


Foo Fighters


Kings Of Leon


The White Stripes

The ceremony will be held on Feb. 20 at London's Earls Court and hosted by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.

For a full list of the nominations, visit the show's official website.

Coachella May Move East


Being a Jersey Girl, I couldn't help but be ecstatic over the buzz of potential summer music fest in my home sate. First there's Bamboozle. Then there's the buzz over Vineland. And now it looks like Coachella wants to move its concert skills and host one on the east coast. With Perez breaking it last night, news started popping up all over the place. And with Billboard's new info, it looks like there are plans to bring the fest (yet to be named) may be held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. Liberty State Park is no concert venue virgin as it's held concerts in the past—most notably Radiohead's show before 9/11. And although the press has been saying it's the NYC-area, it's really Jersey. Yes, Jersey. With three concert fests looming over the Garden State, I wonder what's next in the cards. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Christina's New Baby & Unplugged

Congratulations to Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman on their new baby boy, Max Liron Bratman!

In honor of our love for each other and our growing family, I have put together a special video for the song "Save Me From Myself" off my Back to Basics album. This video is very dear to me as it includes actual footage from our personal wedding video! - from her site

John Mayer: The Funny Man?



Not bad, not bad at all. But it would be a bit sad if John Mayer decided to retire that voice and hang up those guitar skills. He is one of the new guitar gods, after all.

Goodbye Grammy Night?


With a red-carpet-less Golden Globes last night, my fear may become a reality. According to Advertising Age's Claude Brodesser-Akner, the WGA may have an affect on many stars planning to attend this year's award show. According to the article, Several top recording artists who also have Screen Actors Guild cards -- performers such as Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent and Queen Latifah, for example -- are being lobbied by the WGA to not attend the Grammy Awards telecast or present awards, in order to show solidarity with the writers, who are on strike to receive better compensation for material distributed online.

Although some say the Grammys' have lost its affect, but you've got to admit that it'd be a little weird not to see the show on this year. I mean, we don't need another press conference.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

The Battle for Vineland


Like I mentioned in a past post, Vineland, N.J. will soon be home to a new historic music festival. C3 (of Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits fame) and Festival Republic (responsible for the Reading/Leeds festivals each year in the U.K.) has already sent in their master plan. And rumors are starting to circulate about who's on the bill (Radiohead and the Foo Fighters are possibilities) and how much tickets may be. But of course, it wouldn't be done without some obstacles in its way. Ere go, NARC aka Neighbors Against Rock Concert (very imaginative...I guess). The group supposedly held a meeting tonight to discuss ways to stop this concert from happening. But this won't come without opposition. Other Vineland locals are organizing a counterattack with their own protest to keep the concerts going.

Here are just some of their flyers...



Who would've thought that music could tear a town apart? Stay tuned for more information regarding this battle for the field.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Sweet Child of Mine Goes to India, R&B Gone Dutch and More

This week we're going international...

Let's start with this video that's been getting heavy circulation on YouTube. It looks like MTV-rival Channel V has taken Guns and Roses' Sweet Child o' Mine and given it an Indian flair.


Here's 2004's Dutch Idol, Boris Titulaer belting out his rendition of Bill Wither's Ain't No Sunshine.


A more recent breakout from the land of tulips, Esmée Denters, performing Gnarles Barkley's Crazy and Aretha Franklin's RESPECT at JT's concert in London's O2 arena.



Charice Pempengco takes the stage again (but this time on her home turf) honoring Whitney Houston.

No Sibling Rivalry Here





When MySpace wanted to film a new Artist on Artist spot, they grabbed a musical brother-and-sister team who knows their way around the DJ booth. No it's not Jack and Meg. They are the Ronson kids—DJ-turned-producer Mark and lil sis Samantha. It may be less than 6 minutes long, but you'll see that they're more than just vinyl spinners.

Kate's Big Welcome to NYC


In honor of Kate Nash's U.S. release of Made of Bricks, she treated New Yorkers to a taste of her performing skills at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square tonight. For those who were lucky enough to get tickets to her sold out Bowery show tomorrow night had a sneak peak while the youngins' who couldn't get into the 18+ show or the ones who couldn't score tickets got a free Kate Nash concert. And who could say no to free?

In an adorable, girly ensemble, Kate took the stage only to meet with paparazzi-style flashes and high pitched screaming. Although I'm sure she should be used to the praise from fans, she did ask the cameras to take a break while she performed. Doing a 4-song set (including her single, Foundations), the ginger-haired self blew the crowd away with her expressive vocals and mastery of the keys. Closing the show Merry Happy, Kate proved that she's not a Lily Allen Part 2 and makes everyone see her talent.

Here's some pics from the event...