Music News
Music News
Will Young has likened making an album to a "fermentation process".
The 36-year-old pop star's new record is titled '85% Proof', and Will has revealed the name stems from a strong type of alcohol called Moonshine.
Recalling how the title came about, Will explained: "When they brewed it they wouldn't know how strong it was, so the only way they could tell was by drinking it, which at that level they got s**t-faced.
"I thought it was interesting that with listening to music, I don't know how good something is [until I try it], so it's like a fermentation process. It has to be tasted to be able to tell."
Will - whose last album 'Echoes' was released in 2011 - revealed his twin brother Rupert was central to the naming of his latest record.
He told Digital Spy: "It just caught my imagination, and I hate all of my album titles. Apart from 'Echoes' actually, oh and I like 'Friday's Child', but the rest sound like self help books.
"I just thought, 'Oh God here we go again - what am I going to say this time?' Then my brother sort of said, 'Well what about this?'"
Will Young: Making an album is like a fermentation process
Will Young has likened making an album to a "fermentation process".
The 36-year-old pop star's new record is titled '85% Proof', and Will has revealed the name stems from a strong type of alcohol called Moonshine.
Recalling how the title came about, Will explained: "When they brewed it they wouldn't know how strong it was, so the only way they could tell was by drinking it, which at that level they got s**t-faced.
"I thought it was interesting that with listening to music, I don't know how good something is [until I try it], so it's like a fermentation process. It has to be tasted to be able to tell."
Will - whose last album 'Echoes' was released in 2011 - revealed his twin brother Rupert was central to the naming of his latest record.
He told Digital Spy: "It just caught my imagination, and I hate all of my album titles. Apart from 'Echoes' actually, oh and I like 'Friday's Child', but the rest sound like self help books.
"I just thought, 'Oh God here we go again - what am I going to say this time?' Then my brother sort of said, 'Well what about this?'"
Music News
Lewis Hamilton is unsure if he'll ever release his music.
The Formula One champion has been recording tracks ever since he built a home studio for his ex-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, and despite other acts gushing about his ability as a musician, he admitted he would prefer to write for other people than sing his own songs.
He told Evening Standard magazine: "I ... I don't really know. I just like doing it. I mean, if a song I did was good enough for someone to want to sing it, that'd be awesome. To be known as a writer, would be ... pretty awesome. But I'm going to try and get that third world championship and that takes priority."
Despite confessing his career as a race car driver is taking precedence over his music, the 30-year-old hunk was recently praised by 'All Day' rapper Kanye West, who said he, along with his wife Kim Kardashian West, are big fans.
He said: "It's so weird, so Lewis Hamilton's over at my house, right? And he starts playing music.
"We're having an Easter brunch and all of the family's there, my wife's family, my friends, everything. And he's playing music, and everybody's like: 'What is this music?!' and I'm like 'It's Lewis Hamilton's music.' They're like: 'Oh my god, I thought it was gonna sound like...' and I'm not gonna say the names of who they thought it was gonna sound like, but it's good. It's really, really good."
Lewis Hamilton unsure of music future
Lewis Hamilton is unsure if he'll ever release his music.
The Formula One champion has been recording tracks ever since he built a home studio for his ex-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, and despite other acts gushing about his ability as a musician, he admitted he would prefer to write for other people than sing his own songs.
He told Evening Standard magazine: "I ... I don't really know. I just like doing it. I mean, if a song I did was good enough for someone to want to sing it, that'd be awesome. To be known as a writer, would be ... pretty awesome. But I'm going to try and get that third world championship and that takes priority."
Despite confessing his career as a race car driver is taking precedence over his music, the 30-year-old hunk was recently praised by 'All Day' rapper Kanye West, who said he, along with his wife Kim Kardashian West, are big fans.
He said: "It's so weird, so Lewis Hamilton's over at my house, right? And he starts playing music.
"We're having an Easter brunch and all of the family's there, my wife's family, my friends, everything. And he's playing music, and everybody's like: 'What is this music?!' and I'm like 'It's Lewis Hamilton's music.' They're like: 'Oh my god, I thought it was gonna sound like...' and I'm not gonna say the names of who they thought it was gonna sound like, but it's good. It's really, really good."
Music News
Melody Gardot feels like she's "waiting for a baby to be born" with her new album.
The 30-year-old singer/songwriter is gearing up to release her fourth studio record 'Currency of Man' and said she's eager for the collection to be available because it's as if she's in the final stages of labour.
Speaking about the release, she told BANG Showbiz: "It's like waiting for a baby to be born, it's like, 'Get it out! Come on!' I feel like I'm on those last little labour pains in a way because we worked on this album almost a year ago, so now it's like an overdue thing. I'm happy that it's finally going to be in people's hands."
The 'Preacherman' singer's LP will be her first since 2012's 'The Absence', and although her previous collections have been critically acclaimed, she insisted this is her favourite out of all the albums she's made.
She continued: "It's my favourite one out of all those discs we've done so far. That's hard to say, but the reason is there's some things that we discovered in the process that I think are going to be formulaic for my later music."
Melody also spoke about what inspired the 10-track collection, saying she hoped to create "an anthem for every man" by taking influence from people who are rarely spoken about in society.
She added: "I was writing this record and I was like, there's so many beautiful people around and nobody is really paying attention, so these are songs for people that maybe in the grand view of society, people forgot, and it's nice to have an anthem for every man."
Melody's new album 'Currency Of Man' is out on 1 June on Decca.
Melody Gardot eager for album release
Melody Gardot feels like she's "waiting for a baby to be born" with her new album.
The 30-year-old singer/songwriter is gearing up to release her fourth studio record 'Currency of Man' and said she's eager for the collection to be available because it's as if she's in the final stages of labour.
Speaking about the release, she told BANG Showbiz: "It's like waiting for a baby to be born, it's like, 'Get it out! Come on!' I feel like I'm on those last little labour pains in a way because we worked on this album almost a year ago, so now it's like an overdue thing. I'm happy that it's finally going to be in people's hands."
The 'Preacherman' singer's LP will be her first since 2012's 'The Absence', and although her previous collections have been critically acclaimed, she insisted this is her favourite out of all the albums she's made.
She continued: "It's my favourite one out of all those discs we've done so far. That's hard to say, but the reason is there's some things that we discovered in the process that I think are going to be formulaic for my later music."
Melody also spoke about what inspired the 10-track collection, saying she hoped to create "an anthem for every man" by taking influence from people who are rarely spoken about in society.
She added: "I was writing this record and I was like, there's so many beautiful people around and nobody is really paying attention, so these are songs for people that maybe in the grand view of society, people forgot, and it's nice to have an anthem for every man."
Melody's new album 'Currency Of Man' is out on 1 June on Decca.
Music News
Adele is in talks for a two-year residency in Las Vegas.
The 'Set Fire to the Rain' hitmaker, who is currently working on her new album after taking time off to raise her two-year-old son, Angelo, has reportedly sparked a bidding war between several hotels, including the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, The Venetian and Caesars Palace, and is in line to ink a $40 million deal.
A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: "The demand for Adele is off the charts.
"Everyone is dying to see her perform again. This could be the biggest deal ever put together."
The British singer, 27, hasn't toured in almost four years after being forced to cancel a series of shows in the US in 2011 due to vocal issues.
The 'Skyfall' singer was expected to bring out her third LP - the long-awaited follow-up to 2011's '21' - this spring but the release has been pushed back again following a number of delays.
A source previously said: "The album is currently scheduled for release in September.
"The most recent plan was for it to hit shops before the summer but that's now been scrapped. Adele's taking her time to make sure the album is perfect and doesn't want to compromise."
Adele for Vegas residency?
Adele is in talks for a two-year residency in Las Vegas.
The 'Set Fire to the Rain' hitmaker, who is currently working on her new album after taking time off to raise her two-year-old son, Angelo, has reportedly sparked a bidding war between several hotels, including the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, The Venetian and Caesars Palace, and is in line to ink a $40 million deal.
A source told In Touch Weekly magazine: "The demand for Adele is off the charts.
"Everyone is dying to see her perform again. This could be the biggest deal ever put together."
The British singer, 27, hasn't toured in almost four years after being forced to cancel a series of shows in the US in 2011 due to vocal issues.
The 'Skyfall' singer was expected to bring out her third LP - the long-awaited follow-up to 2011's '21' - this spring but the release has been pushed back again following a number of delays.
A source previously said: "The album is currently scheduled for release in September.
"The most recent plan was for it to hit shops before the summer but that's now been scrapped. Adele's taking her time to make sure the album is perfect and doesn't want to compromise."
Music News
Brandon Flowers says The Killers need to "find the right groove".
The 33-year-old singer, who is currently promoting the release of his solo album 'The Desired Effect', has confessed he would love to make another record with the band because he doesn't think their last album, 2012's 'Battle Born', was "good enough".
He explained: "It's not that I'm completely disappointed in it, but I feel like we could have done better. We just need to find the right groove and we all need to be on the same page. I don't know that we were on that record. It's tough. It's tough to get four people to, almost, share a brain. It doesn't always work out."
However, the 'Somebody Told Me' hitmaker claims his bandmates - Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannuci Jr. - weren't ready to go back to work after their greatest hits show at Wembley Stadium in 2013.
He shared: "I was feeling really excited about the prospect of what's next, but everyone else wanted to slow down a little and take some time out. So I made a solo record."
Despite insisting he would've liked to have made another album with them, Brandon admits it was easier working on his own as "it's more personal in a way".
He told Grazia magazine: "I don't feel as restricted or shy. Lyrically, I didn't have to get their opinion on anything."
Asked if he considers himself a workaholic, he added: "I guess. Some people would say that. It feels natural to me. It keeps me happy."
Brandon Flowers: The Killers need to find the ‘right groove’
Brandon Flowers says The Killers need to "find the right groove".
The 33-year-old singer, who is currently promoting the release of his solo album 'The Desired Effect', has confessed he would love to make another record with the band because he doesn't think their last album, 2012's 'Battle Born', was "good enough".
He explained: "It's not that I'm completely disappointed in it, but I feel like we could have done better. We just need to find the right groove and we all need to be on the same page. I don't know that we were on that record. It's tough. It's tough to get four people to, almost, share a brain. It doesn't always work out."
However, the 'Somebody Told Me' hitmaker claims his bandmates - Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannuci Jr. - weren't ready to go back to work after their greatest hits show at Wembley Stadium in 2013.
He shared: "I was feeling really excited about the prospect of what's next, but everyone else wanted to slow down a little and take some time out. So I made a solo record."
Despite insisting he would've liked to have made another album with them, Brandon admits it was easier working on his own as "it's more personal in a way".
He told Grazia magazine: "I don't feel as restricted or shy. Lyrically, I didn't have to get their opinion on anything."
Asked if he considers himself a workaholic, he added: "I guess. Some people would say that. It feels natural to me. It keeps me happy."
Music News
Matt Bellamy says walking rather than songwriting has helped him get over his split from Kate Hudson.
The Muse frontman has confessed he turned to countryside strolls after ending his four year romance with the 36-year-old actress - who is the mother of his three-year-old son Bingham - instead of expressing himself through his music.
Matt, 36 - who grew up in Devon - added he has long enjoyed roaming through unpopulated areas and even participated in "letter-boxing", an outdoor activity which combines orienteering with puzzle solving, in his younger years.
He said: "I aways go for walks in the countryside. The South Devon countryside... I used to go letter-boxing actually."
The 'Supermassive Black Hole' hitmaker is looking forward to the release of the band's upcoming album 'Drones' and insists the split has had no obvious impact on the record.
He told NME magazine: "It's difficult for me to pinpoint anything on the album specifically about that. Except that when someone suddenly finds themselves outside of a relationship, they ponder things, they think over the points in their lives when they think things didn't go the way they expected them to.
"It's the fact that I reconnected with all the points in my life where I felt alone or outside."
The comments mark the first time the musician has spoken publicly of their break up since tweeting a thank you message following the release of the couple's official statement last December.
A representative for the actress said at the time: "Kate and Matt have been separated for some time now. Despite this, they remain very close friends and committed co-parents."
Following up the message, he tweeted: "Love all of you guys! We're both very happy, it's for the best. Thanks for your kind words. Now about that new album... (sic)"
Matt Bellamy enjoyed countryside walks to get over Kate Hudson
Matt Bellamy says walking rather than songwriting has helped him get over his split from Kate Hudson.
The Muse frontman has confessed he turned to countryside strolls after ending his four year romance with the 36-year-old actress - who is the mother of his three-year-old son Bingham - instead of expressing himself through his music.
Matt, 36 - who grew up in Devon - added he has long enjoyed roaming through unpopulated areas and even participated in "letter-boxing", an outdoor activity which combines orienteering with puzzle solving, in his younger years.
He said: "I aways go for walks in the countryside. The South Devon countryside... I used to go letter-boxing actually."
The 'Supermassive Black Hole' hitmaker is looking forward to the release of the band's upcoming album 'Drones' and insists the split has had no obvious impact on the record.
He told NME magazine: "It's difficult for me to pinpoint anything on the album specifically about that. Except that when someone suddenly finds themselves outside of a relationship, they ponder things, they think over the points in their lives when they think things didn't go the way they expected them to.
"It's the fact that I reconnected with all the points in my life where I felt alone or outside."
The comments mark the first time the musician has spoken publicly of their break up since tweeting a thank you message following the release of the couple's official statement last December.
A representative for the actress said at the time: "Kate and Matt have been separated for some time now. Despite this, they remain very close friends and committed co-parents."
Following up the message, he tweeted: "Love all of you guys! We're both very happy, it's for the best. Thanks for your kind words. Now about that new album... (sic)"
Music News
Rixton are planning to take Ariana Grande for a pint and a curry.
The 'Me and My Broken Heart' hitmakers have revealed they're hoping to show the 21-year-old beauty how they like to spend their Saturday nights when she comes to the UK on tour later this year.
Jake Roche said: "She's coming on tour to Manchester, so we'll take her to a Wetherspoons, or something."
Charley Bagnall added: "A two-for-one pint and a curry."
The 'We All Want The Same Thing' singers have also opened up about the inspiration behind their latest single and confessed they came up with the idea when they realised they were all hoping to pull a girl while on a night out.
They also sing about wanting to "do it on a sofa", although Jake admits that can be uncomfortable.
He explained to Heat magazine: "It depends what sofa you've got. I've got a La-Z-Boy chair and that can be a bit awkward - the foot rest flips out, and if you put too much weight on it, it goes back in."
Lewi Morgan added: "Leather sofas are never good. You stick to them and stuff."
Rixton to take Ariana Grande for a curry
Rixton are planning to take Ariana Grande for a pint and a curry.
The 'Me and My Broken Heart' hitmakers have revealed they're hoping to show the 21-year-old beauty how they like to spend their Saturday nights when she comes to the UK on tour later this year.
Jake Roche said: "She's coming on tour to Manchester, so we'll take her to a Wetherspoons, or something."
Charley Bagnall added: "A two-for-one pint and a curry."
The 'We All Want The Same Thing' singers have also opened up about the inspiration behind their latest single and confessed they came up with the idea when they realised they were all hoping to pull a girl while on a night out.
They also sing about wanting to "do it on a sofa", although Jake admits that can be uncomfortable.
He explained to Heat magazine: "It depends what sofa you've got. I've got a La-Z-Boy chair and that can be a bit awkward - the foot rest flips out, and if you put too much weight on it, it goes back in."
Lewi Morgan added: "Leather sofas are never good. You stick to them and stuff."
Music News
Naughty Boy has revealed Zayn Malik's first post-One Direction release will be on his second album.
The producer has been supporting his friend in the wake of his departure from 1D and has now confirmed Zayn has recorded a track his upcoming LP, the follow-up to 2013's 'Hotel Cabana'.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, he said: "Zayn is definitely going to be on the album. I'm keeping it interesting. I'm an artist person and I'm drawn to proper singers and artists and to me Zayn is the epitome of a great artist. Our track is going to be ready in a couple of months ... You are going to be shocked by what he comes out with ... I feel that the last five years have the most important for him but I feel he has a future beyond that."
When quizzed on whether or not the tune will be a single, he teased: "Maybe, maybe..."
Naughty Boy has a whole host of other big names on the LP, including Miguel and Emeli Sande - who has worked with previously - and his goal is to make a record with no "boundaries" and to get Janet Jackson on a track.
He said: "I've just met Ben Howard and we're going to work together, I've reached out to Annie Lennox, I want to get her on the album her Grammys performance was amazing. These are people for my album, I've been working with Miguel and Emeli is going to be on it. This is an exciting mix of people and a mixture of what is exciting about music right now. There are no boundaries, I can be a Naughty Boy on the album and off the album, there are no restrictions for me. There's no concept this time, I just want to do straight hits. It's varied, I think that's what someone in my position should do. I want to get Janet Jackson, I want to do a song with her."
Naughty Boy has felt the wrath of One Direction's fans on Twitter since he got embroiled in Zayn's online spat with Louis Tomlinson, something he admits shocked him.
Now, the music maker just wants to get "back to business" and get his record out.
Revealing his surprise at the vitriol aimed at him online, he said: "I never anticipated this because I am in my own musical bubble, I'm just a creative. For me, the whole reason I got involved (in the spat) is because I have been working with Zayn, not because I've got anything untoward against anyone. Obviously the One Direction machine is a massive machine, maybe I didn't understand it. And there's no doubt about how passionate their fans are. I just became part of the jigsaw, but I'm not entertaining it like others would. I want to get back to business. I want people to be excited about music and not what's been going on, that will always blow over."
Zayn Malik to make musical comeback on Naughty Boy album
Naughty Boy has revealed Zayn Malik's first post-One Direction release will be on his second album.
The producer has been supporting his friend in the wake of his departure from 1D and has now confirmed Zayn has recorded a track his upcoming LP, the follow-up to 2013's 'Hotel Cabana'.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, he said: "Zayn is definitely going to be on the album. I'm keeping it interesting. I'm an artist person and I'm drawn to proper singers and artists and to me Zayn is the epitome of a great artist. Our track is going to be ready in a couple of months ... You are going to be shocked by what he comes out with ... I feel that the last five years have the most important for him but I feel he has a future beyond that."
When quizzed on whether or not the tune will be a single, he teased: "Maybe, maybe..."
Naughty Boy has a whole host of other big names on the LP, including Miguel and Emeli Sande - who has worked with previously - and his goal is to make a record with no "boundaries" and to get Janet Jackson on a track.
He said: "I've just met Ben Howard and we're going to work together, I've reached out to Annie Lennox, I want to get her on the album her Grammys performance was amazing. These are people for my album, I've been working with Miguel and Emeli is going to be on it. This is an exciting mix of people and a mixture of what is exciting about music right now. There are no boundaries, I can be a Naughty Boy on the album and off the album, there are no restrictions for me. There's no concept this time, I just want to do straight hits. It's varied, I think that's what someone in my position should do. I want to get Janet Jackson, I want to do a song with her."
Naughty Boy has felt the wrath of One Direction's fans on Twitter since he got embroiled in Zayn's online spat with Louis Tomlinson, something he admits shocked him.
Now, the music maker just wants to get "back to business" and get his record out.
Revealing his surprise at the vitriol aimed at him online, he said: "I never anticipated this because I am in my own musical bubble, I'm just a creative. For me, the whole reason I got involved (in the spat) is because I have been working with Zayn, not because I've got anything untoward against anyone. Obviously the One Direction machine is a massive machine, maybe I didn't understand it. And there's no doubt about how passionate their fans are. I just became part of the jigsaw, but I'm not entertaining it like others would. I want to get back to business. I want people to be excited about music and not what's been going on, that will always blow over."
Music News
Aston Merrygold's new music and his haircut are inspired by Prince and Michael Jackson.
The former JLS star is getting ready to release his debut solo album and the two pop legends have been a big influence on the tracks as well as his spiky new style.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, he said: "My hair's inspired by some of the greatest of all time, James Brown, Prince, MJ, I'm trying to take it back to the roots a little bit. And that's hugely reflected in my music, they are my biggest inspirations, that's the music I grew up listening to, the music I listen to now, the first thing I put on in my car. For me not to do something in that vein I think would be wrong."
Aston also opened up on what it's been like to record music on his own without his three ex-bandmates - Marvin Humes, Oritse Williams and J.B. Gill.
The 27-year-old pop star has found it "liberating" to solely be in control in the studio but insists he and the boys - who split in 2013 - are always in touch with one another.
He said: "The experience has been liberating so far. It's exciting because you don't know what's round the corner."
Discussing whether he feels lonely without the JLS guys with him in the studio, he added: "Not so much because I've got a fantastic team. Publicly me and the boys aren't together as a band, but we're still in touch, we're always messaging each other and we're behind each other 100 percent."
Aston Merrygold’s new music inspired by Prince
Aston Merrygold's new music and his haircut are inspired by Prince and Michael Jackson.
The former JLS star is getting ready to release his debut solo album and the two pop legends have been a big influence on the tracks as well as his spiky new style.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, he said: "My hair's inspired by some of the greatest of all time, James Brown, Prince, MJ, I'm trying to take it back to the roots a little bit. And that's hugely reflected in my music, they are my biggest inspirations, that's the music I grew up listening to, the music I listen to now, the first thing I put on in my car. For me not to do something in that vein I think would be wrong."
Aston also opened up on what it's been like to record music on his own without his three ex-bandmates - Marvin Humes, Oritse Williams and J.B. Gill.
The 27-year-old pop star has found it "liberating" to solely be in control in the studio but insists he and the boys - who split in 2013 - are always in touch with one another.
He said: "The experience has been liberating so far. It's exciting because you don't know what's round the corner."
Discussing whether he feels lonely without the JLS guys with him in the studio, he added: "Not so much because I've got a fantastic team. Publicly me and the boys aren't together as a band, but we're still in touch, we're always messaging each other and we're behind each other 100 percent."