Music News
Music News
Kim Gordon "wasn't entirely surprised" by Kurt Cobain's suicide.
The Sonic Youth singer - who has previously questioned whether or not the Nirvana rocker killed himself - has revealed that while she was "shocked" when she first heard the news, a part of her had seen it coming.
She said: "I'll always remember the day [ex-husband and bandmate] Thurston [Moore] called to tell me Kurt had shot himself. Of course I was totally shocked, but I wasn't entirely surprised. There had been an incident in Rome, where Kurt had OD'd, but the details were never clear. I was shattered and felt as if I were moving in slow-motion inside some strange dream."
The 61-year-old star - who predicted Kurt's relationship with wife Courteney Love would be a "train wreck" - claims the Hole singer, with whom Kurt had daughter Frances Bean, profited from her husband's death.
Writing in her memoir 'Girl in a Band', as published by the Guardian newspaper, Kim said: "The night after Kurt's death, during a candlelit memorial service for the public, a recording of Courteney reading aloud Kurt's suicide note was played. As the vigil continued, Courteney appeared in person and started handing out some of Kurt's clothes to fans. It was as if she were stepping out into her destiny - a platform of celebrity and infamy.
"A week after Kurt died, Hole released their major-level debut, 'Live Through This', which elevated Courteney to a new kind of perverse stardom. The timing couldn't have been better."
Kim Gordon not ‘surprised’ by Kurt Cobain suicide
Kim Gordon "wasn't entirely surprised" by Kurt Cobain's suicide.
The Sonic Youth singer - who has previously questioned whether or not the Nirvana rocker killed himself - has revealed that while she was "shocked" when she first heard the news, a part of her had seen it coming.
She said: "I'll always remember the day [ex-husband and bandmate] Thurston [Moore] called to tell me Kurt had shot himself. Of course I was totally shocked, but I wasn't entirely surprised. There had been an incident in Rome, where Kurt had OD'd, but the details were never clear. I was shattered and felt as if I were moving in slow-motion inside some strange dream."
The 61-year-old star - who predicted Kurt's relationship with wife Courteney Love would be a "train wreck" - claims the Hole singer, with whom Kurt had daughter Frances Bean, profited from her husband's death.
Writing in her memoir 'Girl in a Band', as published by the Guardian newspaper, Kim said: "The night after Kurt's death, during a candlelit memorial service for the public, a recording of Courteney reading aloud Kurt's suicide note was played. As the vigil continued, Courteney appeared in person and started handing out some of Kurt's clothes to fans. It was as if she were stepping out into her destiny - a platform of celebrity and infamy.
"A week after Kurt died, Hole released their major-level debut, 'Live Through This', which elevated Courteney to a new kind of perverse stardom. The timing couldn't have been better."
Music News
Tom Meighan says headlining Glastonbury was better than "any drug".
The Kasabian rocker admits topping the bill at the iconic festival last summer was like going "to Mars and back" and he was delighted to prove wrong his critics who said they shouldn't be headliners.
He said: "I felt like I had been to Mars and back. It felt amazing, better than any fucking drug. I remember being just like, 'Arrrrrghhh!'
"Glastonbury was a true moment, I felt a real sense of unity. I mean, the Leicester [homecoming] show on our tour was amazing. Everything fell into place - the crowd were our people. It was real tribal stuff. But Glastonbury was special because everyone sneered at us beforehand. But, I'm sorry, we owned that f***ing gig."
Since the gig, the 'Eez-Eh' rockers think they have garnered more respect, though they still don't worry about their critics.
Tom added to Loaded magazine: "Ah man, we're getting treated with far more respect, definitely with other artists, we've really noticed it.
"A lot more people have jumped on board now. I mean, there's still a lot who f***ing hate us, not that I could give a s**t mind. I'm not interested.
"I don't get down about it. I mean, not everyone likes Cristiano Ronaldo do they?"
Tom Meighan’s Glastonbury high
Tom Meighan says headlining Glastonbury was better than "any drug".
The Kasabian rocker admits topping the bill at the iconic festival last summer was like going "to Mars and back" and he was delighted to prove wrong his critics who said they shouldn't be headliners.
He said: "I felt like I had been to Mars and back. It felt amazing, better than any fucking drug. I remember being just like, 'Arrrrrghhh!'
"Glastonbury was a true moment, I felt a real sense of unity. I mean, the Leicester [homecoming] show on our tour was amazing. Everything fell into place - the crowd were our people. It was real tribal stuff. But Glastonbury was special because everyone sneered at us beforehand. But, I'm sorry, we owned that f***ing gig."
Since the gig, the 'Eez-Eh' rockers think they have garnered more respect, though they still don't worry about their critics.
Tom added to Loaded magazine: "Ah man, we're getting treated with far more respect, definitely with other artists, we've really noticed it.
"A lot more people have jumped on board now. I mean, there's still a lot who f***ing hate us, not that I could give a s**t mind. I'm not interested.
"I don't get down about it. I mean, not everyone likes Cristiano Ronaldo do they?"
Music News
Charli XCX's only hobbies are emailing and drinking gin and tonics.
The 'Boom Clap' hitmaker admitted her busy schedule doesn't allow her to have any time off to pursue her interests outside of music, but because she enjoys drinking the highball cocktail she has one at every opportunity.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "In my time off I'm answering emails. I've got really into gin and tonics recently, because my assistant drinks a lot of gin and tonics. So that's my new hobby, like, 'Oh I've got, a minute, let's have a gin and tonic! Great!' but that's kind of it. I don't have hobbies unfortunately because I don't have any time."
While the 22-year-old singer - who will release her second studio album 'Sucker' in the UK later this month - acknowledged sending messages is not the coolest pastime for a pop star, she revealed mixing the task with alcoholic drinks can be a dangerous combination.
She added: "Emailing, wow, rock and roll. It's like, drunk emailing, drunk everything, drunk tweeting."
However, she recently revealed she had a strange evening with 'Doing It' collaborator Rita Ora on a rare night off when they decided to turn up to a house party in Chicago.
She said: "We kind of just took over the kitchen and kept playing grime [music] and everyone was just like, 'What is going on?' and it was just weird. It was like a weird, fun, strange night."
Charli XCX has few hobbies
Charli XCX's only hobbies are emailing and drinking gin and tonics.
The 'Boom Clap' hitmaker admitted her busy schedule doesn't allow her to have any time off to pursue her interests outside of music, but because she enjoys drinking the highball cocktail she has one at every opportunity.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "In my time off I'm answering emails. I've got really into gin and tonics recently, because my assistant drinks a lot of gin and tonics. So that's my new hobby, like, 'Oh I've got, a minute, let's have a gin and tonic! Great!' but that's kind of it. I don't have hobbies unfortunately because I don't have any time."
While the 22-year-old singer - who will release her second studio album 'Sucker' in the UK later this month - acknowledged sending messages is not the coolest pastime for a pop star, she revealed mixing the task with alcoholic drinks can be a dangerous combination.
She added: "Emailing, wow, rock and roll. It's like, drunk emailing, drunk everything, drunk tweeting."
However, she recently revealed she had a strange evening with 'Doing It' collaborator Rita Ora on a rare night off when they decided to turn up to a house party in Chicago.
She said: "We kind of just took over the kitchen and kept playing grime [music] and everyone was just like, 'What is going on?' and it was just weird. It was like a weird, fun, strange night."
Music News
Gaz Coombes isn't ready to reform Supergrass.
The 'Late in the Day' hitmaker insists fans should have time to"miss" the band - who split up five years ago - before they even think about going on the road together again.
He said: "The quick answer [to reforming] is 'no'.
"I think more time needs to pass, more water under the bridge. Don't you agree that people should miss us a bit more first?
"I'm at the start of this phase. I was in a band for 20 years but I've only been a solo artist for a couple of years, it's new to me.
"I wouldn't see the point right now or writing a song where people say, 'It's like having Supergrass back.' I don't think I could recreate that anyway."
And the singer admits he doesn't want to listen to Supergrass' final album 'Release the Drones' and never felt excited about anyone hearing it.
He told NME magazine: "I don't want to particularly hear it then, I don't know why I would now.
"I always used to love getting new tracks from the studio and then parking up at rehearsals, opening the boot and playing it really loud on the stereo. Being really proud of what you'd done.
"But the stuff we were working on, I didn't want to play it to anyone and that said a lot to me. It takes a lot of strength to confront that rather than doing whatever album and carrying on doing festivals every year and bringing the cash in playing the hits."
Gaz Coombes not ready for Supergrass reunion
Gaz Coombes isn't ready to reform Supergrass.
The 'Late in the Day' hitmaker insists fans should have time to"miss" the band - who split up five years ago - before they even think about going on the road together again.
He said: "The quick answer [to reforming] is 'no'.
"I think more time needs to pass, more water under the bridge. Don't you agree that people should miss us a bit more first?
"I'm at the start of this phase. I was in a band for 20 years but I've only been a solo artist for a couple of years, it's new to me.
"I wouldn't see the point right now or writing a song where people say, 'It's like having Supergrass back.' I don't think I could recreate that anyway."
And the singer admits he doesn't want to listen to Supergrass' final album 'Release the Drones' and never felt excited about anyone hearing it.
He told NME magazine: "I don't want to particularly hear it then, I don't know why I would now.
"I always used to love getting new tracks from the studio and then parking up at rehearsals, opening the boot and playing it really loud on the stereo. Being really proud of what you'd done.
"But the stuff we were working on, I didn't want to play it to anyone and that said a lot to me. It takes a lot of strength to confront that rather than doing whatever album and carrying on doing festivals every year and bringing the cash in playing the hits."
Music News
Carl Barat claims there is a ghost on his new album.
The 36-year-old rocker played piano on 'We Want More', a track from his record with The Jackals but was stunned when early versions of the track featured the instrument, even though they hadn't recorded with one.
Speaking in the latest issue of Loaded magazine - which is out now - he said: "I eventually played piano on it. But before that was added, the engineer pointed out there was a piano playing on the song when there wasn't one in the room. I'm hoping the ghost of Liberace will turn up again when we play it live."
Carl decided to form The Jackals because he felt uncomfortable making a new solo album and being "apologetic" about his music.
He explained: "The idea of going around the world with another solo album just seemed so apologetic. Being solo is going, 'Guys, please listen to this!' and I'd rather have a band where I can just smash it."
For his 2010 solo album, Carl stopped playing guitar because he associated it too much with his bands The Libertines - who reformed last year - and Dirty Pretty Things but eventually found working without it too difficult.
He told Loaded magazine: "The guitar represented the implosion of The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things and general misery. But writing songs without it felt like trying to sing underwater, and I eventually thought, 'Why don't I just get out of the water?' I'm so exuberant about guitars again."
Carl Barat’s ghost musician
Carl Barat claims there is a ghost on his new album.
The 36-year-old rocker played piano on 'We Want More', a track from his record with The Jackals but was stunned when early versions of the track featured the instrument, even though they hadn't recorded with one.
Speaking in the latest issue of Loaded magazine - which is out now - he said: "I eventually played piano on it. But before that was added, the engineer pointed out there was a piano playing on the song when there wasn't one in the room. I'm hoping the ghost of Liberace will turn up again when we play it live."
Carl decided to form The Jackals because he felt uncomfortable making a new solo album and being "apologetic" about his music.
He explained: "The idea of going around the world with another solo album just seemed so apologetic. Being solo is going, 'Guys, please listen to this!' and I'd rather have a band where I can just smash it."
For his 2010 solo album, Carl stopped playing guitar because he associated it too much with his bands The Libertines - who reformed last year - and Dirty Pretty Things but eventually found working without it too difficult.
He told Loaded magazine: "The guitar represented the implosion of The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things and general misery. But writing songs without it felt like trying to sing underwater, and I eventually thought, 'Why don't I just get out of the water?' I'm so exuberant about guitars again."
Music News
Jessica Simpson wants to revive her music career.
The 34-year-old singer, who hasn't released an album since 2010, is eager to get back into the recording studio after taking time off to have children, Maxwell, two, and Ace, 19 months, and focus on her fashion empire.
A source said: "She's told friends she'd love to record another album. It's her New Year's resolution."
The blonde beauty is so desperate to fulfil her wish she has built a private recording studio at her home in Los Angeles so she can juggle motherhood and lay down new tracks.
The insider told In Touch Weekly magazine: "The plan is to get the new album recorded this year and go on tour the following. Jess has missed performing so much. She's very excited."
In 2013, a source revealed in 2013 Jessica missed singing.
The insider said: "Singing is why she got into the entertainment business and something she will never stop doing. She is excited to start recording songs that she wants to record. At this point in her career, she no longer has to worry about singing songs a record label or dad tells her to record.
"She can sing whatever makes her happy, and that is exactly what she intends to do."
Jessica Simpson wants to revive music career
Jessica Simpson wants to revive her music career.
The 34-year-old singer, who hasn't released an album since 2010, is eager to get back into the recording studio after taking time off to have children, Maxwell, two, and Ace, 19 months, and focus on her fashion empire.
A source said: "She's told friends she'd love to record another album. It's her New Year's resolution."
The blonde beauty is so desperate to fulfil her wish she has built a private recording studio at her home in Los Angeles so she can juggle motherhood and lay down new tracks.
The insider told In Touch Weekly magazine: "The plan is to get the new album recorded this year and go on tour the following. Jess has missed performing so much. She's very excited."
In 2013, a source revealed in 2013 Jessica missed singing.
The insider said: "Singing is why she got into the entertainment business and something she will never stop doing. She is excited to start recording songs that she wants to record. At this point in her career, she no longer has to worry about singing songs a record label or dad tells her to record.
"She can sing whatever makes her happy, and that is exactly what she intends to do."
Music News
A$AP Rocky has been added to the Wireless Festival line-up.
The 'F**kin' Problems' rapper will return to perform at the festival, taking to the stage on the opening night of the three-day event on July 3 shortly before headliner Drake.
Live Nation's Steve Homer said: "We take great care to listen to what our fans want and A$AP Rocky is always high on the list. He was one of the highlights of the festival when he last played in 2013, so we're really pleased to welcome him back this year for what is currently his only confirmed European show of the year. He's a firm fan favourite and we're all really excited to see what he brings to New Look Wireless 2015."
The 26-year-old ASAP Mob member joins the previously announced Avicii, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj, who are all scheduled to play at the festival's tenth anniversary at London's Finsbury Park.
Other artists who will perform include Jessie J, Stromae, Major Lazer, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Labrinth.
Day tickets to Wireless Festival are now on sale costing between £62.50 - £69.50, with multi-day tickets also available from www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
A$AP Rocky added to Wireless Festival line-up
A$AP Rocky has been added to the Wireless Festival line-up.
The 'F**kin' Problems' rapper will return to perform at the festival, taking to the stage on the opening night of the three-day event on July 3 shortly before headliner Drake.
Live Nation's Steve Homer said: "We take great care to listen to what our fans want and A$AP Rocky is always high on the list. He was one of the highlights of the festival when he last played in 2013, so we're really pleased to welcome him back this year for what is currently his only confirmed European show of the year. He's a firm fan favourite and we're all really excited to see what he brings to New Look Wireless 2015."
The 26-year-old ASAP Mob member joins the previously announced Avicii, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj, who are all scheduled to play at the festival's tenth anniversary at London's Finsbury Park.
Other artists who will perform include Jessie J, Stromae, Major Lazer, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Labrinth.
Day tickets to Wireless Festival are now on sale costing between £62.50 - £69.50, with multi-day tickets also available from www.wirelessfestival.co.uk
Music News
Hozier doesn't have time for a relationship.
The 'Take Me to Church' hitmaker, who is among the nominees for Song of the Year at this weekend's Grammy Awards, admits he is too busy for love.
The 24-year-old singer said: "I don't have a girlfriend at the moment; I live out of a suitcase, and that's not very conducive to a relationship. But I'm not lonely, because I'm very close to my band when you live on a tour bus, you're really in each other's pockets."
Despite his success over the past year, the Irish star - real name Andrew Hozier Byrne - insists he has no interest in hanging out with his celebrity fans at swanky parties.
He said: "I love a good party, but I'm not all that attracted to a celebrity lifestyle. I hate nightclubs, and I get fed up very quickly in crowded rooms. I enjoy being around people I know."
Nevertheless, the singer is thrilled to be up for his first Grammy Award at the prestigious annual ceremony which will take place this Sunday, February 8.
Asked how he found out the news, he told Vanity Fair magazine: "My manager called to tell me, and I was very glad I hadn't switched my phone off. I'm absolutely over the moon - to be nominated for a Grammy is a thrill and an absolute honour."
Hozier too busy for a relationship
Hozier doesn't have time for a relationship.
The 'Take Me to Church' hitmaker, who is among the nominees for Song of the Year at this weekend's Grammy Awards, admits he is too busy for love.
The 24-year-old singer said: "I don't have a girlfriend at the moment; I live out of a suitcase, and that's not very conducive to a relationship. But I'm not lonely, because I'm very close to my band when you live on a tour bus, you're really in each other's pockets."
Despite his success over the past year, the Irish star - real name Andrew Hozier Byrne - insists he has no interest in hanging out with his celebrity fans at swanky parties.
He said: "I love a good party, but I'm not all that attracted to a celebrity lifestyle. I hate nightclubs, and I get fed up very quickly in crowded rooms. I enjoy being around people I know."
Nevertheless, the singer is thrilled to be up for his first Grammy Award at the prestigious annual ceremony which will take place this Sunday, February 8.
Asked how he found out the news, he told Vanity Fair magazine: "My manager called to tell me, and I was very glad I hadn't switched my phone off. I'm absolutely over the moon - to be nominated for a Grammy is a thrill and an absolute honour."
Music News
Harrison Koisser claims "strange things happened" when he was in a hotel room with Rita Ora.
The Peace frontman recalled "a big night" he had with the chart-topping singer and eight others while in a room at a London hotel, but admitted recounting the story could land him in trouble due to their wild antics.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "My friend and I were in a hotel room in London with her [Rita Ora], and eight other people, and strange things happened. But I'd get in trouble if I say. It was a big night. I've got the fear thinking about it."
The rocker - who will release his second album 'Happy People' with bandmates Samuel Koisser, Douglas Castle and Dominic Boyce, on Monday (09.02.15) - confessed the band have vowed never to speak about their debaucheries because their behaviour can be "extreme".
He explained: "The strangest occurrences we don't discuss. There is a pact of secrecy between myself and those involved in the band of anything that would be too strange. We're two extremes. We will have 14 days of everyone being really calm and then there will be the one day of horror levels of excitement and things.
"But no-one likes to brag about it. If we have a wild one, we say, 'Let's not let anyone know. Let's keep this to ourselves'."
While the 'Lost On Me' singer is not keen to reveal what they do during their maddest moments, he conceded all of their tales are x-rated.
He hinted: "Strange things have happened, but I don't know if there has been anything that is clean. I don't have a clean story."
Peace will perform at Heaven in London on February 9 as part of the NME Awards Shows with Austin, Texas.
Peace frontman claims ‘strange things happened’ in hotel room with Rita Ora
Harrison Koisser claims "strange things happened" when he was in a hotel room with Rita Ora.
The Peace frontman recalled "a big night" he had with the chart-topping singer and eight others while in a room at a London hotel, but admitted recounting the story could land him in trouble due to their wild antics.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "My friend and I were in a hotel room in London with her [Rita Ora], and eight other people, and strange things happened. But I'd get in trouble if I say. It was a big night. I've got the fear thinking about it."
The rocker - who will release his second album 'Happy People' with bandmates Samuel Koisser, Douglas Castle and Dominic Boyce, on Monday (09.02.15) - confessed the band have vowed never to speak about their debaucheries because their behaviour can be "extreme".
He explained: "The strangest occurrences we don't discuss. There is a pact of secrecy between myself and those involved in the band of anything that would be too strange. We're two extremes. We will have 14 days of everyone being really calm and then there will be the one day of horror levels of excitement and things.
"But no-one likes to brag about it. If we have a wild one, we say, 'Let's not let anyone know. Let's keep this to ourselves'."
While the 'Lost On Me' singer is not keen to reveal what they do during their maddest moments, he conceded all of their tales are x-rated.
He hinted: "Strange things have happened, but I don't know if there has been anything that is clean. I don't have a clean story."
Peace will perform at Heaven in London on February 9 as part of the NME Awards Shows with Austin, Texas.