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?

Gallaghers Hit Abbey Road

Looks like Oasis will be back in the studio starting Monday (Nov. 5), reported NME. The band will record the album at the famed Abbey Road studios and will record till the Christmas break. Here's the whole NME article.

All I can say is exciting!

Band in a Bus

Hmmmm doesn't this sound familiar? Probably because Georgia-pop-punk band, Cartel, took this idea, along with Dr. Pepper, into a bubble. This time the sweet-and-super-cute band Jonas Brothers will be taking it to a bus decked out by Gibson Guitars. And you can catch each step of the way on Band in a Bus.



Now let's hope that this recording effort does a bit better than the other band.

Watch Them Roll

Here's the new Sean Paul video. It still has the same dancehall sound with a harder vibe to it. The hook sounds a bit like Rick Ross, but you can be the judge.

UK Music Fights For a Cause

With Live 8 and Live Earth, music is being used as a weapon against today's global problems. Of course, we all know that this isn't an old concept. I mean, remember the 60's and 70's? But it looks like it's gaining speed once again. In NME (released 10.15.07), the mag highlighted the Love Music Hate Racism campaign that's fighting the efforts of the British Nazi Party (BNP). Just like its predecessor, Rock Against Racism, the org has been offering a bunch of music fests to celebrate multiculturalism and diversity and has been doing it since 2002. To highlight its efforts, NME honored the issue to them by offering readers with a limited edition double disc of artists who've contributed to the cause like Bloc Party, Pete Doherty's Babyshambles, Maximo Park and MIA. Here's some footage of the glossy's photoshoot.



A free download of the 2nd CD is available here, and if you want a copy of the issue, back issues are available on NME.com.

One band (on our side of the Atlantic) who's been supporting this cause is Tiny Masters of Today. The Brooklyn-based-brother-sister band has made waves in the UK and breaking out here in the U.S. The recently released their LP, Bang Bang Boom Cake and played the CMJ Music Marathon in NYC last week. But they're not another sibling band like the White Stripes or Eisely, these two play venues that they can't even get into. Ivan is only 13 while his sister Ada is 11, but that doesn't mean they can't rock out like the best of them. Be sure to check them out!

The Hills Goes Musical

Looks like Miss Heidi Montag isn't just climbing the work ladder or duking it out with Lauren. It looks like she's tapping into her inner songstress.



I don't know about you, but the beat sounds like doctored sample of this track. What do you think?

Headline Leakage

They may have announced that any new Spice Girl material will be dropping next month. But with the power of the Internet, of course there had to be a leak somewhere. And I couldn't resist but share it with all of you.



Enjoy!