Music News

Jack White is a "workaholic".
The 38-year-old singer, who has released his second solo album 'Lazeretto' and runs Third Man Records in Nashville, Tennessee, claims he can't deal with being "idle" and he gets up at 6am every morning.
Jack - who has kids Scarlet, eight, and Henry, six, with ex-wife Karen Elson - said: "Some days I'll take the kids to school, and when I'm not on tour I'll be here. There's always a lot to do. A friend said recently, 'You're like me, a workaholic'. It's hard for me to talk about it because I might accidentally sound like I'm trying to fulfil some childhood guilt trip my father gave me, but it's not so much about work as a constant need to create something. If I'm idle, I don't think I deserve the right to be called an artist or a musician."
The former White Stripes star insists it's still "insanely hard" to be an artist these days and the trick is to get to the point where it looks easy.
And Jack admitted he can obsess over detail and has to make sure everything is perfect when it comes to releasing new music.
He told MOJO magazine: "It's just how I am. You really have to pay attention, all the time, to get the details right."

Jimmy Page was honoured with the Silver Clef Award today (04.07.14).
The legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist was presented with the prestigious accolade at the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards this afternoon and admitted he had a good "vibe" about his prize when arrived at the London Hilton hotel.
Speaking at the event, Jimmy told BANG Showbiz: "I'm thrilled about winning this award, I'm actually getting more of a vibe about it since I walked through the door and got more of an understanding of just how weighty the whole occasion is."
Nordoff Robbins is a charity that provides therapy for thousands of people across the UK, helping adults and children who suffer from autism and dementia and who have had strokes open up and connect to their surroundings with music.
Jimmy, 70, was pleased to discover the original Silver Clef concert he played with Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant in 1976 was the start of the awards and the charity's work.
He said: "I played on the original Silver Clef show that was way back at Knebworth which had Cliff Richard and Pink Floyd and I played with Robert Plant there.
"I went to the Nordoff Robbins centre the other day and they told me that the centre was established from that charity concert so that was really nice to find out. When I was at the centre I met someone who was a recipient of the work the charity is doing and it was quite a moving experience I have to say. When you see the results that they get you can see it's what you always believed music could do. Music is a great communicator and something that really elates the spirit or it can take you another way, but it's something that communicates with you. Music has a power."
Other winners at the event included Giorgio Moroder, who was presented with the American Express Innovation Award, Black Sabbath - who won the AEG Live Ambassadors of Rock Award - and Pharrell Williams, who took home the Raymond Weil International Award.

Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clefs Awards winners:

Pharrell Williams - Raymond Weil International Award
Paloma Faith - Royal Albert Hall Best British Act Award
Giorgio Moroder - American Express Innovation Award
Gareth Malone - PPL Classical Award
Laura Mvula - Jack Daniel's Best Newcomer Award
Sir Tom Jones - Sony Mobile Lifetime Achievement Award
Chas & Dave - Investec Icon Award
Black Sabbath - AEG Live Ambassadors of Rock Award
Jimmy Page - Silver Clef Award

Pharrell Williams is "thankful" to his English fans for supporting him at the beginning of his career.
The 'Happy' hitmaker is in the UK this weekend to accept an accolade at the Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clefs Awards and perform at the Wireless Festival and he admits he has a "soft spot" in his heart for the country because of the way people got behind his hip-hop band N.E.R.D in the late 90s.
Speaking before accepting the Raymond Weil International Award at the ceremony at the London Hilton hotel today (04.07.14), he told BANG Showbiz: "I have to bring the energy when I'm dealing with the English, you guys are some of the most real fans. The people in England were among the first supporters when it comes to N.E.R.D so I have a really soft spot in my heart when it comes to England. N.E.R.D worked in the UK before we worked in the States so I'm very thankful to England."
Pharrell walked the special blue carpet at the event with his new artist Maxine Ashley and he claims Maxine has the power to touch people with her voice, something he claims proves the therapeutic work Nordoff Robbins does with people works.
He said: "What these awards represent is the more medicinal side of music, the more therapeutic side of music, which is the way I see it.
"This is Maxine Ashley my artist, she's an incredible and phenomenal talent - I know everyone says that about their artists but she really is something different and something special and I've personally witnessed her singing and watched her change the mood of a crowd and bring people together and that is special - it embodies what the perfect artist is to me and it also parallels with today's awards which are all about reaching people through the means of music."
Nordoff Robbins provides music therapy for thousands of people across the UK, helping sufferers of autism, strokes and dementia open up and connect to their surroundings, increase communication skills, self-esteem and confidence.
Other stars at the awards included Jimmy Page, Sir Tom Jones, Mica Paris, Laura Mvula and Giorgio Moroder.

Tinie Tempah claims his third album will be his last.
The 'Trampoline' rapper insists he's not retiring but he's bored of putting out albums and thinks there are better ways to let fans hear his music using digital platforms and streaming services.
According to The Sun newspaper, he said: "This is a Spotify/iTunes/shuffle generation.
"I don't think people really listen to albums completely from track one to 12.
"People now curate their own playlists so I think it's clever to beat them to it and say, 'Here it is, done for you.'
"A third album will emerge some time but I think another after that is uncertain."
The artist, who last released 'Demonstration' in 2013, wants to release a series of EPs for fans and claims the rise of celebrity producers and DJs is killing the careers of singers.
He told the Daily Star newspaper: "Producers are the new rock stars but they aren't the artists. It's killing the opportunity for any real solid artists to have well-rounded careers.
"The charts are so producer-driven these days. Even though there's a vocal on the song, it's all about the beat and who made it."
The 26-year-old star, who is performing at Wireless Festival in London and Birmingham this weekend, thinks there isn't many "album level artists emerging" because it's all about tracks.
He said: "For example, Jess Glynne is an amazing new singer and I hope people don't ignore her solo stuff just because it's not with Clean Bandit."

5 Seconds of Summer think it's "disrespectful" to trash hotel rooms on tour.
The pop-punk band - made up of Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford and Calum Hood - insist they are very un-rock'n'roll and are often napping or out go-karting when they're not on stage.
Guitarist Michael told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "What's the point of throwing a TV out the window if SpongeBob Squarepants could be on and we could be watching it? Or Geordie Shore? What a waste.
"I think it's disrespectful to trash hotel rooms. The most rock and roll thing about us is how we sound."
The band's self-titled debut album hit number one on iTunes in 69 different countries after its release and is set to reach the top spot in the UK Albums Chart this week.
Michael, 18, insist their pre-show rituals don't involve drinking or anything outrageous and the lads just enjoy chilling out before their concerts.
He explained: "We brush our teeth, listen to some music - either heavy metal or some savage R 'n' B. We like to jump around to get all pumped up. We don't really have after-parties either. We're so busy, we barely get time to sleep. We nap whenever we can - we're always tired. We like go-karting a lot too."
Although he's not yet legal to drink, singer Luke, 17, thinks artists shouldn't enjoy a tipple before they go on stage because it gives people a bad impression.
He said: "You should never drink before you go on stage. That's a very bad idea if you want to give your all to your fans. Maybe when we're 50, on the reunion tour."

Arcade Fire opened this year's Barclaycard British Summer Time at Hyde Park with a rousing performance on Thursday (03.07.14).
The indie rockers followed up their headline slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury last week with another major performance in London's Hyde Park, performing a slew of hits 'Reflektor', 'Joan of Arc' and 'Wake Up'.
During an anthemic encore that saw confetti shower Hyde Park, frontman Win Butler quipped to the crowd not to "wake the rich people up", making light of recent concerns from nearby residents about noise pollution.
Prior to Arcade Fire's headline performance, Jake Bugg, Wild Beasts and Future Island took the stage at the renowned London venue in front of a star-studded crowd that included Billie Piper, Abbey Clancey, Daisy Lowe, Mischa Barton and Gemma Arterton.
The big gig comes just a week after Arcade Fire - consisting of Win, his wife Regine, his brother Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara - performed an "unbelievable" headline slot at Glastonbury, which they hailed as one of the "most incredible" moments of their career.
British Summer Time continues today (04.07.14) and the likes of Black Sabbath, The Libertines, Sir Tom Jones, Motorhead and Soundgarden are among the acts playing the 10-day festival until July 13.

DJ Fresh wants to team up with Calvin Harris.
The 'Make U Bounce' hitmaker - who is currently working on his fourth studio album set for release later this year - would love to collaborate with Calvin, 30, after being impressed by a "cool track" the Grammy Award-winner sent to him.
The 37-year-old - whose real name is Daniel Stein - told The Daily Star: "Calvin sent me a really cool track the other day that he's working on.
"We've only really just started to touch base with each other in the last year but get on really well."
The Brit Award-nominee added that he is a huge fan of the scottish DJ and finds him inspirational.
He explained: "I'm a massive fan of his music and he's been an inspiration to me."
Meanwhile, Calvin's latest collaboration with his former girlfriend Rita Ora on her track 'I will Never Let You Down' shot to the top of the charts scoring Rita, 23, her fourth UK number one single.
Her third number one track 'Hot Right Now' was produced by DJ Fresh and was released as a second single from his third studio album 'Nextlevelism'.

Chris Martin sings Pulp songs on karaoke.
The Coldplay frontman, who is a big fan of the 'Disco 2000' band, claims he couldn't do what Pulp do but he still likes to get up on the microphone in bars and imitates the band's frontman, Jarvis Cocker.
He said: "I'm going through such a Pulp phase. I just love 'em. I listen to Jarvis and there's part of me that thinks wow I just can't do that.
"But I can do what I do and I'm very grateful that I can do that. I love 'Different Class' but then I like bits and bobs from all over the place.
"I've never done a Pulp cover in public but in Karaoke I've done a few. Jarvis is very cool, you've got to get that hand twist that he does."
Meanwhile, the singer and his band - also featuring Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion - have been through "most rock and roll clichés" and say the fact that they're not touring this year means they relish the few small shows they have been doing.
Chris told Absolute Radio's Pete Donaldson in an interview conducted before one of their gigs at London's Royal Albert Hall this week: "I have a big connection to the Albert Hall because when I first moved to London, the first concert I ever got in to see was the Black Crows and I bought tickets off a tout.
"It just seemed like the hugest place in the world. I'm a huge Black Crows fan and the singer Chris, I think smiled at me which sort of made life at the time."

Drake has pulled out of Wireless Festival this weekend.
The 'Hold On, We're Going Home' hitmaker will no longer be headlining the gigs because he "got sick a few days ago" and doctors have told him he is not "physically fit to fly" to the UK for the concerts at London's Finsbury Park and Birmingham's Perry Park.
Kanye West, who is also headlining the event, will now play two nights in London, while Rudimental will play an extended set in Birmingham tomorrow (04.07.14).
In a statement, Drake said: "To my beloved fans, it truly breaks my heart that I won't be able to perform as planned at Wireless and Roskilde this weekend.
"I got sick a few days ago and although I am on my way to bouncing back, my doctors have made it clear that I am not physically fit to fly or deliver the performance my fans expect and deserve from me.
"I will be focused on resting for a quick recovery.
"I have the best fans in the world and I can't wait to come back to make more incredible memories together."
Organisers Live Nation have confirmed that all three days of Wireless, from July 4 to July 6 will go ahead as planned with co-headliner Bruno Mars and refunds are available from point of purchase but not from the event.
Ticket holders tomorrow in Birmingham will also receive £20 of 'Wireless Credit' when they arrive at the site to spend on food, beverages, merchandise and funfair rides.
Other acts performing at the event include Pharrell Williams, Ellie Goulding, Outkast, Tinie Tempah, Basement Jaxx, Wiz Khalifa, Azealia Banks, Robin Thicke, Clean Bandit, Rudimental, John Newman and Angel Haze.