Music News
Music News
Kaiser Chiefs lit up the stage at an intimate gig at Scala in London last night (13.02.14).
The rock band previewed a number of new tracks from their eagerly anticipated album 'Education, Education, Education And War', following a gig in Manchester earlier this week, their first live shows since frontman Ricky Wilson became a coach on BBC talent show 'The Voice'.
The gigs have kicked off their first tour since drummer Nick Hodgson quit the band in 2012, which will include dates across mainland Europe and Madrid.
'The Voice' host Emma Willis and husband Matt from McBusted watched Ricky and his band mates - Nick Baines, Andrew White, Simon Rix and Vijay Mistry - and sang along with a number of contestants from the new series.
Ricky, 36, looked like a new man as he bounded about the stage with youthful energy and the band proved to fans of all ages they can still put on a good show.
Six new songs were performed on the night, including 'Cannons', 'Bows And Arrows' and new single 'Coming Home', which Ricky said he gave "five stars".
He told the audience: "About this time last year, we filmed an advert for Barclaycard here," when fans began booing, he added: "Yes, but they gave us a stupid amount of money. We spent it all on the new album, and did it in style."
He dedicated 'You Can Have It All' from debut album 'Employment' to "anyone who's ever taken part in a television talent contest, including us", before climbing on top of the mixing desk.
Running around on top of the desk, he teased fans who shouted at him to "Jump!", and Ricky looked stunned, asking: "What's wrong with you all? You're like some kind of angry mob," which paved the way for their song 'Angry Mob'.
Fans were encouraged to sing along to hits including 'I Predict A Riot', 'Every Day I Love You Less And Less' and 'Ruby' and the crowd happily danced to the new songs during the 75-minute set, which was closed with the traditional 'Oh My God', evoking festival memories for many fans .
'Education, Education, Education And War' is the band's fifth studio album, released on March 31.
Kaiser Chiefs debut new material at London gig
Kaiser Chiefs lit up the stage at an intimate gig at Scala in London last night (13.02.14).
The rock band previewed a number of new tracks from their eagerly anticipated album 'Education, Education, Education And War', following a gig in Manchester earlier this week, their first live shows since frontman Ricky Wilson became a coach on BBC talent show 'The Voice'.
The gigs have kicked off their first tour since drummer Nick Hodgson quit the band in 2012, which will include dates across mainland Europe and Madrid.
'The Voice' host Emma Willis and husband Matt from McBusted watched Ricky and his band mates - Nick Baines, Andrew White, Simon Rix and Vijay Mistry - and sang along with a number of contestants from the new series.
Ricky, 36, looked like a new man as he bounded about the stage with youthful energy and the band proved to fans of all ages they can still put on a good show.
Six new songs were performed on the night, including 'Cannons', 'Bows And Arrows' and new single 'Coming Home', which Ricky said he gave "five stars".
He told the audience: "About this time last year, we filmed an advert for Barclaycard here," when fans began booing, he added: "Yes, but they gave us a stupid amount of money. We spent it all on the new album, and did it in style."
He dedicated 'You Can Have It All' from debut album 'Employment' to "anyone who's ever taken part in a television talent contest, including us", before climbing on top of the mixing desk.
Running around on top of the desk, he teased fans who shouted at him to "Jump!", and Ricky looked stunned, asking: "What's wrong with you all? You're like some kind of angry mob," which paved the way for their song 'Angry Mob'.
Fans were encouraged to sing along to hits including 'I Predict A Riot', 'Every Day I Love You Less And Less' and 'Ruby' and the crowd happily danced to the new songs during the 75-minute set, which was closed with the traditional 'Oh My God', evoking festival memories for many fans .
'Education, Education, Education And War' is the band's fifth studio album, released on March 31.
Music News
Fall Out Boy were inspired to launch their own 'Flappy Bird' app after spending time in Japan.
The band decided to create their version of the game - called 'Fall Out Bird' - which will be available later this week - after the original app was downloaded more than 50 million times.
Bassist and singer Pete Wentz told Rolling Stone: "We were over in Japan, playing Flappy Bird when it went crazy."
Because of jet lag, the band - also made up of Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley - would all wake up about 4.45am and then discuss Flappy Bird and wonder if the makers were just pulling a stunt.
Pete, 34, said: "It seemed genuine that this was not the kind of attention that he wanted. There's a million Flappy Bird memes where it's 'I hate this fucking game.' It took me a while to realize that's how the Internet tells you it's thinking about you. You have to think about how in Internet culture, everyone that's loved is hated."
The musician can relate to the issue because he can only now play songs from Fall Out Boy's 2005 breakthrough record 'From Under the Cork Tree' and not worry about being accused of being a sell-out.
He admits: "I had so many neuroses in my twenties."
Asked what he thinks the band's legacy is after 13 years, Pete said: "At some point, Metallica stopped being called a thrash-metal band, or the 'Black Album' band -- you just think of them as Metallica. I know our band's not there yet, but it'd be cool to get to that point, where the best descriptor is the name," adding, "Just surviving is a big part of being an artist."
Fall Out Boy to create Flappy Bird app
Fall Out Boy were inspired to launch their own 'Flappy Bird' app after spending time in Japan.
The band decided to create their version of the game - called 'Fall Out Bird' - which will be available later this week - after the original app was downloaded more than 50 million times.
Bassist and singer Pete Wentz told Rolling Stone: "We were over in Japan, playing Flappy Bird when it went crazy."
Because of jet lag, the band - also made up of Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley - would all wake up about 4.45am and then discuss Flappy Bird and wonder if the makers were just pulling a stunt.
Pete, 34, said: "It seemed genuine that this was not the kind of attention that he wanted. There's a million Flappy Bird memes where it's 'I hate this fucking game.' It took me a while to realize that's how the Internet tells you it's thinking about you. You have to think about how in Internet culture, everyone that's loved is hated."
The musician can relate to the issue because he can only now play songs from Fall Out Boy's 2005 breakthrough record 'From Under the Cork Tree' and not worry about being accused of being a sell-out.
He admits: "I had so many neuroses in my twenties."
Asked what he thinks the band's legacy is after 13 years, Pete said: "At some point, Metallica stopped being called a thrash-metal band, or the 'Black Album' band -- you just think of them as Metallica. I know our band's not there yet, but it'd be cool to get to that point, where the best descriptor is the name," adding, "Just surviving is a big part of being an artist."
Music News
Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones are to support Morrissey on his US tour.
The 54-year-old singer has announced he will perform two dates at two huge arenas in Los Angeles and Brooklyn this year, and will be supported by the veteran performers.
The former Smiths frontman will take to the stage with Sir Tom and Missouri singer Kristeen Young on 10 May at Los Angeles Sports Arena, before performing with Sir Cliff and Kristeen on 21 June at New York's Barclays Center.
The Welsh singer, 73, took to his official Facebook page earlier today to confirm the news.
He wrote: I will be Morrissey Official's special guest at his show at the LA Sports Arena on May 10th. We hope to see you there! (sic)".
These are the first confirmed shows for Morrissey after he abandoned a series of tours last year due to lack of funding and a bout of sickness.
Meanwhile, Morrissey, who has been without a label since 2009, recently signed a deal with Universal Music's American-based Harvest Records to release his tenth studio album.
The album is due to be released in the second half of 2014.
Morrissey supported by Cliff Richard and Tom Jones on US tour
Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones are to support Morrissey on his US tour.
The 54-year-old singer has announced he will perform two dates at two huge arenas in Los Angeles and Brooklyn this year, and will be supported by the veteran performers.
The former Smiths frontman will take to the stage with Sir Tom and Missouri singer Kristeen Young on 10 May at Los Angeles Sports Arena, before performing with Sir Cliff and Kristeen on 21 June at New York's Barclays Center.
The Welsh singer, 73, took to his official Facebook page earlier today to confirm the news.
He wrote: I will be Morrissey Official's special guest at his show at the LA Sports Arena on May 10th. We hope to see you there! (sic)".
These are the first confirmed shows for Morrissey after he abandoned a series of tours last year due to lack of funding and a bout of sickness.
Meanwhile, Morrissey, who has been without a label since 2009, recently signed a deal with Universal Music's American-based Harvest Records to release his tenth studio album.
The album is due to be released in the second half of 2014.
Music News
Drake thought Macklemore's decision to share his consolation Grammys text to Kendrick Lamar was "wack as f**k".
'Thrift Shop' hitmakers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were champions in almost every rap category at the ceremony last month but thought Kendrick should have won the prize for Best Rap Album for his record 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'.
Macklemore decided to share a text he sent to the star on his Instagram account, in which he wrote, "I wanted you to win ... It's weird and it sucks that I robbed you."
Kendrick then responded to Macklemore's win, saying: "It's well deserved, he did what he did, man."
But Drake said the rapper's decision to share his text to Kendrick with the world was "cheap".
He told Rolling Stone: "I was like, 'You won. Why are you posting your text message?' Just chill ... if you feel you didn't deserve it, go get better -- make better music. It felt cheap. It didn't feel genuine. Why do that? Why feel guilt? You think those guys would pay homage to you if they won?
"To name just Kendrick? That shit made me feel funny. No, in that case, you robbed everybody. We all need text messages!" he added, after he was also nominated in a number of the same categories as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
Along with the award for Best Rap Album for their record 'The Heist', the rap duo also picked up gongs for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song Title for their hit 'Thrift Shop'.
Drake thought Macklemore text was cheap
Drake thought Macklemore's decision to share his consolation Grammys text to Kendrick Lamar was "wack as f**k".
'Thrift Shop' hitmakers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were champions in almost every rap category at the ceremony last month but thought Kendrick should have won the prize for Best Rap Album for his record 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'.
Macklemore decided to share a text he sent to the star on his Instagram account, in which he wrote, "I wanted you to win ... It's weird and it sucks that I robbed you."
Kendrick then responded to Macklemore's win, saying: "It's well deserved, he did what he did, man."
But Drake said the rapper's decision to share his text to Kendrick with the world was "cheap".
He told Rolling Stone: "I was like, 'You won. Why are you posting your text message?' Just chill ... if you feel you didn't deserve it, go get better -- make better music. It felt cheap. It didn't feel genuine. Why do that? Why feel guilt? You think those guys would pay homage to you if they won?
"To name just Kendrick? That shit made me feel funny. No, in that case, you robbed everybody. We all need text messages!" he added, after he was also nominated in a number of the same categories as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
Along with the award for Best Rap Album for their record 'The Heist', the rap duo also picked up gongs for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song Title for their hit 'Thrift Shop'.
Music News
Jared Leto doesn't find it difficult switching from his role as a frontman to being an actor.
The Thirty Seconds to Mars singer, whose recent performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club' as transgender AIDS victim Rayon has seen him win a string of awards, insists moving between the two professions comes naturally to him.
He told Faster Louder: "You could stick me in front of a pile of rubbish, and I'll make something out of it.
"It all comes from the same place, I'm a creative person, I find creative solutions to problems, and the difference is process.
"The process of making music is very intimate, because at least for me, and Thirty Seconds to Mars, I write the songs, my brother [Shannon] plays the drums, and we have so much responsibility from the music to the production to the videos to the design to the marketing to the tours and the production of the tours ... everything."
The star feels he has less to worry about in terms of production when it comes to acting and tries to focus purely on his role and work with other cast members.
Jared, 42, said: "When you're an actor you're responsible for the vertical within that collaborative effort.
"I think in some ways that can be a really good thing, because you can hyper-focus on your one task.
"But normally as a musician if you write your own songs, it'd be more akin to a director who also stars in his own movies and also writes and produces them as well."
The singer - who is currently performing gigs with his band mates Shannon and Tomo Millicevic - said the group are always "playing with new ideas."
He added: "It's something that you can't really shut down. 'Love Lust Faith and Dreams' still feels like a brand new album to us, it came out in May [2013], so it's not too long ago, and we're on tour.
"Right now we're in Los Angeles but we'll be heading out to Europe in a matter of days again. We just played Mexico. And we'll be playing shows all over the world for the rest of this year."
Jared Leto finds juggling acting and music easy
Jared Leto doesn't find it difficult switching from his role as a frontman to being an actor.
The Thirty Seconds to Mars singer, whose recent performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club' as transgender AIDS victim Rayon has seen him win a string of awards, insists moving between the two professions comes naturally to him.
He told Faster Louder: "You could stick me in front of a pile of rubbish, and I'll make something out of it.
"It all comes from the same place, I'm a creative person, I find creative solutions to problems, and the difference is process.
"The process of making music is very intimate, because at least for me, and Thirty Seconds to Mars, I write the songs, my brother [Shannon] plays the drums, and we have so much responsibility from the music to the production to the videos to the design to the marketing to the tours and the production of the tours ... everything."
The star feels he has less to worry about in terms of production when it comes to acting and tries to focus purely on his role and work with other cast members.
Jared, 42, said: "When you're an actor you're responsible for the vertical within that collaborative effort.
"I think in some ways that can be a really good thing, because you can hyper-focus on your one task.
"But normally as a musician if you write your own songs, it'd be more akin to a director who also stars in his own movies and also writes and produces them as well."
The singer - who is currently performing gigs with his band mates Shannon and Tomo Millicevic - said the group are always "playing with new ideas."
He added: "It's something that you can't really shut down. 'Love Lust Faith and Dreams' still feels like a brand new album to us, it came out in May [2013], so it's not too long ago, and we're on tour.
"Right now we're in Los Angeles but we'll be heading out to Europe in a matter of days again. We just played Mexico. And we'll be playing shows all over the world for the rest of this year."
Music News
Kylie Minogue has blamed Sia for making her album about sex.
The 'All the Lovers' hitmaker has teamed up with the producer for her forthcoming album 'Kiss Me Once' - which includes tracks 'Sexy Love', 'Sexercize' and 'Les Sex' - and insists she encouraged her to put a cheeky spin on her tracks to make them sound hotter.
Kylie said: "Sia is executive producer with me, which is amazing and a little dream come true, and there was a certain point on the album where we had countless songs, and she said, 'we need some sex on there.. we need a hot song'.
"Next thing I know there's 'Sexy Love', 'Sexercize' and 'Les Sex'! And even looking at the album titles, trying to figure out what makes it on the album, I thought 'I can't really do that', and then I thought 'yeah, I really have to do that because they're all really great songs'. And I couldn't call them anything else, because that's what they are."
Meanwhile, the 45-year-old singer - who has a duet with Enrique Iglesias on the album - has confessed she would love to collaborate with Prince in the near future because, although she's written a track with him before, she's never sung with him.
She explained in a Q&A with Spotify: "[I would love to duet with] Prince. The 14-year old me.. The fact that I have met Prince... I could be on Cloud 9 forever. I met him around the Diamonds and Pearls Tour."
She added: "Yes, [I've written with him] a long time ago. But I haven't sung with him. That would be amazing! It might happen one day."
Kylie Minogue blames Sia for sexy album
Kylie Minogue has blamed Sia for making her album about sex.
The 'All the Lovers' hitmaker has teamed up with the producer for her forthcoming album 'Kiss Me Once' - which includes tracks 'Sexy Love', 'Sexercize' and 'Les Sex' - and insists she encouraged her to put a cheeky spin on her tracks to make them sound hotter.
Kylie said: "Sia is executive producer with me, which is amazing and a little dream come true, and there was a certain point on the album where we had countless songs, and she said, 'we need some sex on there.. we need a hot song'.
"Next thing I know there's 'Sexy Love', 'Sexercize' and 'Les Sex'! And even looking at the album titles, trying to figure out what makes it on the album, I thought 'I can't really do that', and then I thought 'yeah, I really have to do that because they're all really great songs'. And I couldn't call them anything else, because that's what they are."
Meanwhile, the 45-year-old singer - who has a duet with Enrique Iglesias on the album - has confessed she would love to collaborate with Prince in the near future because, although she's written a track with him before, she's never sung with him.
She explained in a Q&A with Spotify: "[I would love to duet with] Prince. The 14-year old me.. The fact that I have met Prince... I could be on Cloud 9 forever. I met him around the Diamonds and Pearls Tour."
She added: "Yes, [I've written with him] a long time ago. But I haven't sung with him. That would be amazing! It might happen one day."
Music News
Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones are to support Morrissey on his US tour.
The 54-year-old singer has announced he will perform two dates at two huge arenas in Los Angeles and Brooklyn this year, and will be supported by the veteran performers.
The former Smiths frontman will take to the stage with Sir Tom and Missouri singer Kristeen Young on 10 May at Los Angeles Sports Arena, before performing with Sir Cliff and Kristeen on 21 June at New York's Barclays Center.
The Welsh singer, 73, took to his official Facebook page earlier today to confirm the news.
He wrote: I will be Morrissey Official's special guest at his show at the LA Sports Arena on May 10th. We hope to see you there! (sic)".
These are the first confirmed shows for Morrissey after he abandoned a series of tours last year due to lack of funding and a bout of sickness.
Meanwhile, Morrissey, who has been without a label since 2009, recently signed a deal with Universal Music's American-based Harvest Records to release his tenth studio album.
The album is due to be released in the second half of 2014.
Cliff Richard and Tom Jones support Morrisey’s US tour
Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones are to support Morrissey on his US tour.
The 54-year-old singer has announced he will perform two dates at two huge arenas in Los Angeles and Brooklyn this year, and will be supported by the veteran performers.
The former Smiths frontman will take to the stage with Sir Tom and Missouri singer Kristeen Young on 10 May at Los Angeles Sports Arena, before performing with Sir Cliff and Kristeen on 21 June at New York's Barclays Center.
The Welsh singer, 73, took to his official Facebook page earlier today to confirm the news.
He wrote: I will be Morrissey Official's special guest at his show at the LA Sports Arena on May 10th. We hope to see you there! (sic)".
These are the first confirmed shows for Morrissey after he abandoned a series of tours last year due to lack of funding and a bout of sickness.
Meanwhile, Morrissey, who has been without a label since 2009, recently signed a deal with Universal Music's American-based Harvest Records to release his tenth studio album.
The album is due to be released in the second half of 2014.
Music News
Sarah Harding believes her solo album will be "controversial".
The former Girls Aloud singer has been working on her own material following the split of the band last March and she insists her upcoming music will be "honest" and have an "edge" to it.
She told The Sun newspaper: "The odd swear word doesn't harm anyone, does it? I love pop, but with an edge so that's what I'd say my music is. And quite controversial."
She added: "My songs are very confessional and honest. You have to be able to relate to what you're singing otherwise you're just a mannequin. That's not at all what I felt in Girls Aloud, but obviously it's different in a band."
The 32-year-old star - who checked into rehab in 2011 for depression, alcohol addiction and prescription drug abuse - has enlisted her boyfriend Mark Foster - who she has known for 17 years - to help produce the tracks after he came back into her life last year.
She explained: "I really can't wait for people to hear the music, I think they'll be surprised. I didn't write it all my myself, but I definitely had more input, which felt good."
The blonde beauty admits her former band mates, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Cole and Nadine Coyle, are yet to hear her new album, but insists she's still in contact with all of them.
Sarah Harding has ‘controversial’ solo album
Sarah Harding believes her solo album will be "controversial".
The former Girls Aloud singer has been working on her own material following the split of the band last March and she insists her upcoming music will be "honest" and have an "edge" to it.
She told The Sun newspaper: "The odd swear word doesn't harm anyone, does it? I love pop, but with an edge so that's what I'd say my music is. And quite controversial."
She added: "My songs are very confessional and honest. You have to be able to relate to what you're singing otherwise you're just a mannequin. That's not at all what I felt in Girls Aloud, but obviously it's different in a band."
The 32-year-old star - who checked into rehab in 2011 for depression, alcohol addiction and prescription drug abuse - has enlisted her boyfriend Mark Foster - who she has known for 17 years - to help produce the tracks after he came back into her life last year.
She explained: "I really can't wait for people to hear the music, I think they'll be surprised. I didn't write it all my myself, but I definitely had more input, which felt good."
The blonde beauty admits her former band mates, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Cole and Nadine Coyle, are yet to hear her new album, but insists she's still in contact with all of them.
Music News
Alison Goldfrapp wants to take her fans on an "emotional journey".
The Goldfrapp singer has produced a short film inspired by her latest album 'Tales of Us' and says working on music and film both come from a desire to "create narrative and atmosphere".
She said: "For me personally, they both come from a similar desire to create narrative and atmosphere, and to take the listener/viewer on an emotional journey.
"I have always been a huge fan of film and it's often had an influence on the music we've written, particularly for the latest Goldfrapp album 'Tales Of Us'."
Alison says the record was influenced by several novels she was reading during the writing process, as well as the movies she was watching.
She said: "The inspiration came from reading lots of noir-style novels, from authors like Patricia Highsmith and Dorothy B Parker. Also, the novel 'Annabel' by Kathleen Winter.
"I love to watch film too so visually and musically both these mediums had a huge influence on this particular album. I was interested in the central characters in these books and films. This inspired naming each track on the album by the person's first name."
Alison will be at the BFI in London tonight (13.02.14) as part of the BFI Screen Epiphany, where she will introduce and premiere her new short film inspired by 'Tales of Us'.The BFI Screen Epiphanies in partnership with American Express showcase inspirational films hosted by a prominent figure from the arts and culture community.
This event is just one example of the enriched experiences available to American Express Cardmembers at some of the UK's most sought after entertainment events. For more information, visit amex.co.uk/potential.
Alison Goldfrapp wants to inspire ’emotional journeys’
Alison Goldfrapp wants to take her fans on an "emotional journey".
The Goldfrapp singer has produced a short film inspired by her latest album 'Tales of Us' and says working on music and film both come from a desire to "create narrative and atmosphere".
She said: "For me personally, they both come from a similar desire to create narrative and atmosphere, and to take the listener/viewer on an emotional journey.
"I have always been a huge fan of film and it's often had an influence on the music we've written, particularly for the latest Goldfrapp album 'Tales Of Us'."
Alison says the record was influenced by several novels she was reading during the writing process, as well as the movies she was watching.
She said: "The inspiration came from reading lots of noir-style novels, from authors like Patricia Highsmith and Dorothy B Parker. Also, the novel 'Annabel' by Kathleen Winter.
"I love to watch film too so visually and musically both these mediums had a huge influence on this particular album. I was interested in the central characters in these books and films. This inspired naming each track on the album by the person's first name."
Alison will be at the BFI in London tonight (13.02.14) as part of the BFI Screen Epiphany, where she will introduce and premiere her new short film inspired by 'Tales of Us'.The BFI Screen Epiphanies in partnership with American Express showcase inspirational films hosted by a prominent figure from the arts and culture community.
This event is just one example of the enriched experiences available to American Express Cardmembers at some of the UK's most sought after entertainment events. For more information, visit amex.co.uk/potential.