Music News
Music News
Lorde is "heartbroken" to have finished work on 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' soundtrack.
The 'Royals' hitmaker curated the music for the latest installment of the futuristic fantasy adventure series and was thrilled to work alongside artists like Grace Jones, Charlie XCX, Ariana Grande and Haim.
She said: "It was fun getting to approach my favourite musicians and just say something to them for this project.
"I feel like school camp has ended and I'm heartbroken this project is over."
And the 18-year-old singer admits she was very "teenage" in her approach to putting together the roster of artists who appear on the soundtrack because she relied heavily on social media to ask people to work with her.
Asked how she approached the artists, she said: "I DM-d (direct messaged) a lot of people and Instagram DM-d a lot of people.
"It wasn't very professional, it was very teenage.
"I guess we just kind of cold-called a lot of people and they were like, 'Who's this weirdo.' "
Lorde found the experience very different to putting together an album of her own because there were so many people to consider.
She said: "It's so different and I don't think I realised how different that would be.
"You really have to think about everyone else rather than yourself so much because you are involved with so many other artists and different demographics of people who are already into this film.
"I really felt responsibility to do something they would like, so hopefully there's something in it for everyone."
Lorde sad Hunger Games work is done
Lorde is "heartbroken" to have finished work on 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' soundtrack.
The 'Royals' hitmaker curated the music for the latest installment of the futuristic fantasy adventure series and was thrilled to work alongside artists like Grace Jones, Charlie XCX, Ariana Grande and Haim.
She said: "It was fun getting to approach my favourite musicians and just say something to them for this project.
"I feel like school camp has ended and I'm heartbroken this project is over."
And the 18-year-old singer admits she was very "teenage" in her approach to putting together the roster of artists who appear on the soundtrack because she relied heavily on social media to ask people to work with her.
Asked how she approached the artists, she said: "I DM-d (direct messaged) a lot of people and Instagram DM-d a lot of people.
"It wasn't very professional, it was very teenage.
"I guess we just kind of cold-called a lot of people and they were like, 'Who's this weirdo.' "
Lorde found the experience very different to putting together an album of her own because there were so many people to consider.
She said: "It's so different and I don't think I realised how different that would be.
"You really have to think about everyone else rather than yourself so much because you are involved with so many other artists and different demographics of people who are already into this film.
"I really felt responsibility to do something they would like, so hopefully there's something in it for everyone."
Music News
Olly Murs is hoping he can now be viewed as a "credible artist".
The 30-year-old pop star shot to fame when he came second on 'The X Factor' in 2009 but he thinks he has now established himself enough to go in a new musical direction and set up more collaborations that will help him be taken seriously away from his reality TV background.
He said: "Working with Paul Weller [on a new song, 'Met Me In'] showed my fans the direction I see my music going in.
"It's been five years since I was on 'X Factor' and I feel I'm starting to be seen as a more credible artist.
"I'd love to work with Stevie Wonder, that would be the ultimate, but I don't think I'm quite there yet. I've already performed with Madness, Gary Barlow and Robbie, so I'm not doing too badly."
The 'Troublemaker' hitmaker also ruled out using his relationship with Francesca Thomas as inspiration for his songs.
He told Britain's HELLO! magazine: "It can be a bit tricky when you write about someone. I have done in the past and I suppose the odd thing may come from her, but most of it is general ideas where I might come into the studio in a bad mood and say, 'I want to write an angry song.'
"It can cause more problems if it is about a person."
Olly Murs wants to be credible
Olly Murs is hoping he can now be viewed as a "credible artist".
The 30-year-old pop star shot to fame when he came second on 'The X Factor' in 2009 but he thinks he has now established himself enough to go in a new musical direction and set up more collaborations that will help him be taken seriously away from his reality TV background.
He said: "Working with Paul Weller [on a new song, 'Met Me In'] showed my fans the direction I see my music going in.
"It's been five years since I was on 'X Factor' and I feel I'm starting to be seen as a more credible artist.
"I'd love to work with Stevie Wonder, that would be the ultimate, but I don't think I'm quite there yet. I've already performed with Madness, Gary Barlow and Robbie, so I'm not doing too badly."
The 'Troublemaker' hitmaker also ruled out using his relationship with Francesca Thomas as inspiration for his songs.
He told Britain's HELLO! magazine: "It can be a bit tricky when you write about someone. I have done in the past and I suppose the odd thing may come from her, but most of it is general ideas where I might come into the studio in a bad mood and say, 'I want to write an angry song.'
"It can cause more problems if it is about a person."
Music News
James Blunt reads his own reviews every morning.
The 'You're Beautiful' hitmaker is currently out on the road, so checks out what people thought of the shows as soon as he wakes up in order to stay "humble".
He said: "I'm on the European leg of my tour, so as soon as I wake up I check my phone and my reviews from the night before to keep me humble. Then BBC News to keep me depressed."
The 'When I Find Love Again' singer embraces modern technology and has a wide variety of apps on his phone to keep him informed of his surroundings.
He said: "I love a good app. Around me is great for finding stuff wherever you are.
"Vivino is a great wine app to help you pretend you know something about wine."
And James clearly enjoys indulging in the wines he discovers as he often goes to bed drunk.
He told Grazia magazine: "I never usually read before bed. Normally I'm drunk and the tour bus is moving.
"I've got Tom Wolfe's 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' but haven't yet read it."
James Blunt reads reviews
James Blunt reads his own reviews every morning.
The 'You're Beautiful' hitmaker is currently out on the road, so checks out what people thought of the shows as soon as he wakes up in order to stay "humble".
He said: "I'm on the European leg of my tour, so as soon as I wake up I check my phone and my reviews from the night before to keep me humble. Then BBC News to keep me depressed."
The 'When I Find Love Again' singer embraces modern technology and has a wide variety of apps on his phone to keep him informed of his surroundings.
He said: "I love a good app. Around me is great for finding stuff wherever you are.
"Vivino is a great wine app to help you pretend you know something about wine."
And James clearly enjoys indulging in the wines he discovers as he often goes to bed drunk.
He told Grazia magazine: "I never usually read before bed. Normally I'm drunk and the tour bus is moving.
"I've got Tom Wolfe's 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' but haven't yet read it."
Music News
The Libertines will only headline festivals if they have new material.
The group reformed earlier this year for a string of gigs and though they have been touted for many events next summer, co-frontman Carl Barat insists they don't want to be a "heritage" act.
He said: "If we get new material, to not play next year would be a bit of a shame.
"We're not just gonna do the heritage run for any longer. We're having a f***ing great time and the audiences have been great - it's really inspired us and gee'd us on to do more."
The group are still in discussions with record labels to release their third album and Carl insists they want to work with someone important to them.
He said: "I want to go to a record label that have got some kind of connection with us from the past, and some kind of heritage generally, and who care about the music and care about what we're doing.
"That's my poncy artist objective, but they probably won't take that into consideration will they?"
However, the rocker admitted he is unsure if they will even get as far as releasing the record.
He added to NME magazine: "But I'm not thinning that far ahead, we could have a row on day two of writing and that'd be that."
Libertines won’t be nostalgia act
The Libertines will only headline festivals if they have new material.
The group reformed earlier this year for a string of gigs and though they have been touted for many events next summer, co-frontman Carl Barat insists they don't want to be a "heritage" act.
He said: "If we get new material, to not play next year would be a bit of a shame.
"We're not just gonna do the heritage run for any longer. We're having a f***ing great time and the audiences have been great - it's really inspired us and gee'd us on to do more."
The group are still in discussions with record labels to release their third album and Carl insists they want to work with someone important to them.
He said: "I want to go to a record label that have got some kind of connection with us from the past, and some kind of heritage generally, and who care about the music and care about what we're doing.
"That's my poncy artist objective, but they probably won't take that into consideration will they?"
However, the rocker admitted he is unsure if they will even get as far as releasing the record.
He added to NME magazine: "But I'm not thinning that far ahead, we could have a row on day two of writing and that'd be that."
Music News
Usher thinks Justin Bieber's troubles will improve his music.
The 20-year-old pop superstar has had multiple scrapes with the law in the past year, but Usher believes it is all part of his protégé's life, and will ultimately make the 'As Long As You Love Me' singer a better musician.
He explained: "Any artist has ebbs and flows in their life and career."
The teen heartthrob rose to fame via YouTube in 2007 before releasing his hit single 'Baby' in 2010, but has had a troubled time in 2014 which has seen him arrested for multiple offences, including driving under the influence, resisting arrest, vandalism and dangerous driving.
But his 36-year-old mentor Usher believes audiences are yet to hear the best that Justin - who is managed by Scooter Braun - has to offer.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "I think the story is just begun, you've not seen the best of his talent. In life, you have to go through something to get to something.
"From that the inspiration comes having something of substance to talk about; otherwise you're just considered to be fluff."
The 'Yeah!' singer - who will release his eighth studio album 'UR' in 2015 - is able to speak from experience about the young singer, because he was once given vital advice by his elders in the music industry.
referring to what late soul legend James Brown told him, he said: "He always told me, 'If you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready.' "
On advice from the late Michael Jackson, he revealed: "[He told me] if you want to continue to be great, you've got to work hard."
Usher thinks trouble will improve Justin Bieber’s music
Usher thinks Justin Bieber's troubles will improve his music.
The 20-year-old pop superstar has had multiple scrapes with the law in the past year, but Usher believes it is all part of his protégé's life, and will ultimately make the 'As Long As You Love Me' singer a better musician.
He explained: "Any artist has ebbs and flows in their life and career."
The teen heartthrob rose to fame via YouTube in 2007 before releasing his hit single 'Baby' in 2010, but has had a troubled time in 2014 which has seen him arrested for multiple offences, including driving under the influence, resisting arrest, vandalism and dangerous driving.
But his 36-year-old mentor Usher believes audiences are yet to hear the best that Justin - who is managed by Scooter Braun - has to offer.
He told The Guardian newspaper: "I think the story is just begun, you've not seen the best of his talent. In life, you have to go through something to get to something.
"From that the inspiration comes having something of substance to talk about; otherwise you're just considered to be fluff."
The 'Yeah!' singer - who will release his eighth studio album 'UR' in 2015 - is able to speak from experience about the young singer, because he was once given vital advice by his elders in the music industry.
referring to what late soul legend James Brown told him, he said: "He always told me, 'If you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready.' "
On advice from the late Michael Jackson, he revealed: "[He told me] if you want to continue to be great, you've got to work hard."
Music News
Culture Club have had to call off their first tour in 12 years after singer Boy George was diagnosed with a vocal polyp.
The 'Karma Chameleon' hitmakers were left with no choice but to halt their UK and US run of shows so the 53-year-old frontman can be treated for the growth, which was diagnosed by a specialist in Los Angeles and may require surgery.
In a Facebook post on his personal page, George wrote: "Due to serious issues with my throat I have been forced to cancel both the US and British tour with Culture Club.
"I have a polyp on one of my vocal cords which has haemorrhaged and one of my vocal cords is unusually enlarged and won't close properly when I sing. In true British fashion I have ignored it thinking the problem might just be tiredness ... I have been advised by doctors that to continue singing with this polyp would further damage my voice and would further damage my voice and could cause irreparable damage. It's a risk I just cannot take."
George admits his decision has left him "devastated" but he has promised fans that Culture Club will be back on the road once his throat is better.
He added: "I feel gutted to be letting people down. Such support makes my decision so much harder, to say I am devastated barely touches how I feel. I know that those of you who love and support me will understand that this is a decision I just had to make. I will definitely get better and will see you all soon back on tour. Thank you for the love it means everything."
Culture Club's 21-date tour of Britain and America - kicking off at the Rancho Mirage, in California - would have been the first shows featuring the band's full original line-up since 1986.
Organisers are planning to reschedule the concerts but fans can get a full refund from point of purchase if they wish.
The band will release their first album, 'Tribes', since 1999 in early 2015. They recorded the LP with producer Youth, who has previously worked with Sir Paul McCartney, The Verve and Embrace.
Culture Club - George, Mikey Craig, Roy Hay and Jon Moss - sold in excess of 100 million singles and over 50 million albums in the 1980s and were one of the biggest pop bands of the 80s.
Culture Club cancel tour
Culture Club have had to call off their first tour in 12 years after singer Boy George was diagnosed with a vocal polyp.
The 'Karma Chameleon' hitmakers were left with no choice but to halt their UK and US run of shows so the 53-year-old frontman can be treated for the growth, which was diagnosed by a specialist in Los Angeles and may require surgery.
In a Facebook post on his personal page, George wrote: "Due to serious issues with my throat I have been forced to cancel both the US and British tour with Culture Club.
"I have a polyp on one of my vocal cords which has haemorrhaged and one of my vocal cords is unusually enlarged and won't close properly when I sing. In true British fashion I have ignored it thinking the problem might just be tiredness ... I have been advised by doctors that to continue singing with this polyp would further damage my voice and would further damage my voice and could cause irreparable damage. It's a risk I just cannot take."
George admits his decision has left him "devastated" but he has promised fans that Culture Club will be back on the road once his throat is better.
He added: "I feel gutted to be letting people down. Such support makes my decision so much harder, to say I am devastated barely touches how I feel. I know that those of you who love and support me will understand that this is a decision I just had to make. I will definitely get better and will see you all soon back on tour. Thank you for the love it means everything."
Culture Club's 21-date tour of Britain and America - kicking off at the Rancho Mirage, in California - would have been the first shows featuring the band's full original line-up since 1986.
Organisers are planning to reschedule the concerts but fans can get a full refund from point of purchase if they wish.
The band will release their first album, 'Tribes', since 1999 in early 2015. They recorded the LP with producer Youth, who has previously worked with Sir Paul McCartney, The Verve and Embrace.
Culture Club - George, Mikey Craig, Roy Hay and Jon Moss - sold in excess of 100 million singles and over 50 million albums in the 1980s and were one of the biggest pop bands of the 80s.
Music News
Lykke Li covered Drake at her sold out London show on Thursday (13.11.14).
The 28-year-old singer performed a mystical set at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, which included a heartbreaking rendition of Canadian rapper Drake's 2013 single 'Hold On, We're Going Home'.
The Swedish singer/songwriter played an extensive set of melancholy tracks from her third studio album 'Never Learn', including 'Sadness Is A Blessing', 'Never Gonna Love Again' and 'Sleeping Alone'.
Lykke released the album, which is drenched in misery, earlier this year, drawing inspiration from her split from her boyfriend which spurred a move from Europe to Los Angeles.
Despite the wallowing nature of her music, the enigmatic singer - who recently launched her own clothing range - was anything but motionless when performing the emotive tracks, treating the audience to energetic, wild dance moves, resulting in a brilliantly captivating show.
Performing at the packed out venue, Lykke appeared comfortable on stage, but in an interview with InStyle last month, she revealed that touring isn't something she's a particular fan of due to the relentless and repetitive nature of life on the road.
She said: "It's pretty rough to be on tour for years straight and not have a home and not have anywhere to rest. It creates a restlessness inside of you. It wears you out."
Lykke Li's setlist:
Never Learn
Sadness Is A Blessing
Just Like A Dream
Wicked
Silent My Song
Hold On, We're Going Home
Little Bit
Sleeping Alone
Gunshot
I Follow Rivers
Never Gonna Love
Rich Kids
Get Some
Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone
Heart Of Steel
Lykke Li covers Drake at London show
Lykke Li covered Drake at her sold out London show on Thursday (13.11.14).
The 28-year-old singer performed a mystical set at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, which included a heartbreaking rendition of Canadian rapper Drake's 2013 single 'Hold On, We're Going Home'.
The Swedish singer/songwriter played an extensive set of melancholy tracks from her third studio album 'Never Learn', including 'Sadness Is A Blessing', 'Never Gonna Love Again' and 'Sleeping Alone'.
Lykke released the album, which is drenched in misery, earlier this year, drawing inspiration from her split from her boyfriend which spurred a move from Europe to Los Angeles.
Despite the wallowing nature of her music, the enigmatic singer - who recently launched her own clothing range - was anything but motionless when performing the emotive tracks, treating the audience to energetic, wild dance moves, resulting in a brilliantly captivating show.
Performing at the packed out venue, Lykke appeared comfortable on stage, but in an interview with InStyle last month, she revealed that touring isn't something she's a particular fan of due to the relentless and repetitive nature of life on the road.
She said: "It's pretty rough to be on tour for years straight and not have a home and not have anywhere to rest. It creates a restlessness inside of you. It wears you out."
Lykke Li's setlist:
Never Learn
Sadness Is A Blessing
Just Like A Dream
Wicked
Silent My Song
Hold On, We're Going Home
Little Bit
Sleeping Alone
Gunshot
I Follow Rivers
Never Gonna Love
Rich Kids
Get Some
Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone
Heart Of Steel
Music News
Rumer is a big fan of Taylor Swift, describing her as a "natural star".
The 35-year-old singer/songwriter - who returned to music this week with third studio album 'Into Colour', which she co-produced with fiancé Rob Shirakbari - is a big admirer of the 'Shake It Off' hitmaker and considers her one of the most "talented" artists around.
In an interview with website Entertainmentwise.com, Rumer said: "I think Taylor Swift is really talented. She can play guitar and she is a really good songwriter."
"I think you have to work extremely hard and make a lot of sacrifices to be Taylor Swift. I think she's one of these young people that are born to be a star. She knows how to play the role of a star, she's a natural."
Although Rumer admires Taylor she is not impressed by celebrity culture, but hopes most people are intelligent enough to not take it seriously.
She added: "Celebrity culture shouldn't be too influential in society especially with the younger generation. It's all good fun to numb your brain with some stupid vain people on television sometimes. It's an escapist kind of thing. I just think they shouldn't be role models."
Rumer has had a two-and-a-half-year break from music, but now she's back in the charts she's decided to postpone her wedding plans to Rob.
She said:"Luckily, I have a partner who is with me on the road and is my co-producer, my co-writer ... so we're kind of in the same project together, doing everything together."
Rumer praises ‘natural star’ Taylor Swift
Rumer is a big fan of Taylor Swift, describing her as a "natural star".
The 35-year-old singer/songwriter - who returned to music this week with third studio album 'Into Colour', which she co-produced with fiancé Rob Shirakbari - is a big admirer of the 'Shake It Off' hitmaker and considers her one of the most "talented" artists around.
In an interview with website Entertainmentwise.com, Rumer said: "I think Taylor Swift is really talented. She can play guitar and she is a really good songwriter."
"I think you have to work extremely hard and make a lot of sacrifices to be Taylor Swift. I think she's one of these young people that are born to be a star. She knows how to play the role of a star, she's a natural."
Although Rumer admires Taylor she is not impressed by celebrity culture, but hopes most people are intelligent enough to not take it seriously.
She added: "Celebrity culture shouldn't be too influential in society especially with the younger generation. It's all good fun to numb your brain with some stupid vain people on television sometimes. It's an escapist kind of thing. I just think they shouldn't be role models."
Rumer has had a two-and-a-half-year break from music, but now she's back in the charts she's decided to postpone her wedding plans to Rob.
She said:"Luckily, I have a partner who is with me on the road and is my co-producer, my co-writer ... so we're kind of in the same project together, doing everything together."
Music News
Foo Fighters will headline Glastonbury if Oasis reform for the festival.
The band's frontman Dave Grohl has revealed the rockers have not been asked to top the bill at the legendary music festival but they would say yes if brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher reunite and Prince agrees to be the third act to headline.
He said: "If Prince does it, and Oasis does it, you've got the Foo Fighters, how about that?"
The 'All My Life' singer says he has never spoken to organiser Michael Eavis or his daughter Emily - who has said she'd "love them" to play - about topping the bill on the Pyramid Stage, but he is interested as the group haven't played at Glastonbury since 1998.
The former Nirvana drummer told BBC Radio 1: "He hasn't called me. I mean, I don't want to give out my phone number on air, but I like playing shows! I've been to that festival before. It's pretty fun. We'll see what happens. We'll get a conference call happening, we can work this out. Imagine Prince and Oasis on the telephone, that would be amazing."
Grohl is a huge Oasis fan, and having toured with the brothers and hung out with them he is sure they could put their differences aside to play at Glastonbury, which will take place at Worthy Farm in South West England from June 24-28.
He said: "In America Oasis sort of crept up on us, and it was one of the first times that an English band became massively enormous in a really long time. We ended up seeing them and playing shows with them and I got to know them a little bit. I love them as people, they're the sweetest people in the world. I know they have this sort of reputation of being brash and nasty, but I don't think they are. I've watched them live and there are not that many bands that can just stand there motionless and make 100,000 people go bananas, and that comes down to the songs. When your songs are that good, you've got something good going on. I miss them.
"If Taylor Hawkins and I can be in a band together, I'm sure that they can be in a band together too."
Foo Fighters will headline Glastonbury if Oasis reform
Foo Fighters will headline Glastonbury if Oasis reform for the festival.
The band's frontman Dave Grohl has revealed the rockers have not been asked to top the bill at the legendary music festival but they would say yes if brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher reunite and Prince agrees to be the third act to headline.
He said: "If Prince does it, and Oasis does it, you've got the Foo Fighters, how about that?"
The 'All My Life' singer says he has never spoken to organiser Michael Eavis or his daughter Emily - who has said she'd "love them" to play - about topping the bill on the Pyramid Stage, but he is interested as the group haven't played at Glastonbury since 1998.
The former Nirvana drummer told BBC Radio 1: "He hasn't called me. I mean, I don't want to give out my phone number on air, but I like playing shows! I've been to that festival before. It's pretty fun. We'll see what happens. We'll get a conference call happening, we can work this out. Imagine Prince and Oasis on the telephone, that would be amazing."
Grohl is a huge Oasis fan, and having toured with the brothers and hung out with them he is sure they could put their differences aside to play at Glastonbury, which will take place at Worthy Farm in South West England from June 24-28.
He said: "In America Oasis sort of crept up on us, and it was one of the first times that an English band became massively enormous in a really long time. We ended up seeing them and playing shows with them and I got to know them a little bit. I love them as people, they're the sweetest people in the world. I know they have this sort of reputation of being brash and nasty, but I don't think they are. I've watched them live and there are not that many bands that can just stand there motionless and make 100,000 people go bananas, and that comes down to the songs. When your songs are that good, you've got something good going on. I miss them.
"If Taylor Hawkins and I can be in a band together, I'm sure that they can be in a band together too."