Major media tries to start digital album feud between Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead
March 28, 2008
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Major media tries to start digital album feud between Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead
Wired started this article:
Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have been taking turns giving the music industry the finger. The British band made headlines last October for releasing In Rainbows without the support (read: control) of a record label, and Trent Reznor’s group followed suit with last month’s Ghosts I-IV.
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2008/03/reznor_radiohead
Can’t we all get along?
CROWDED HOUSE CONFIRM AMERICAN TOUR
March 27, 2008
CROWDED HOUSE CONFIRM AMERICAN TOUR
Crowded House has confirmed its first North American tour of 2008. Instead of single dates in many cities, the band is going back to a few of its favorites to do short residencies in smaller, more intimate venues in those markets. Slated to start on April 28 in New York City, the tour will end on May 17 in Los Angeles, with four cities in between. The tour is still in support of Crowded House’s first record since 1993. Entitled "Time on Earth," the band is Neil Finn - vocals/guitars; Nick Seymour - Bass; Mark Hart - keyboards/guitars; Matt Sherrod - drums. "Time on Earth" was released on ATO Records on July 10, 2007.
"Time On Earth" was recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland, NZ, RAK Studios, London, and Real World Studios, Bath, and was produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ryan Adams) and Steve Lillywhite (U2, Morrissey). Guitar legend Johnny Marr features on two tracks, lead-off single "Don’t Stop Now" and "Even A Child," a song he co-wrote with Neil Finn. Another album track, "Silent House," was co-written by Finn and the Dixie Chicks, whose own version of the song appears on their Grammy Award-winning album "Taking the Long Way."
The press response to the new record was rapturous. "Paste" said, "’Time on Earth’ is another batch of Finn’s impeccably crafted pop gems," and the "Los Angeles Times" noted that, "Finn is a master at expressing ambiguity, lyrically and musically." "USA Today" hailed that, "the melodic gifts that allowed Finn to craft some of the sweetest pop of the late ’80s and early ’90s are still intact," and then continued to say, "the album’s unpretentious warmth and modest wit offer a refreshing alternative to the winking and whining of some successors."
Crowded House formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1985 and first tasted global success with their massive 1987 hit "Don’t Dream It’s Over." They continued to have hits for a decade, including "Something So Strong," "Weather With You" and "It’s Only Natural." "Don’t Dream It’s Over" hit #2 on the American Top 40 and won the band Best New Artist at that year’s MTV Music Awards, while "Something" reached the #7 spot. They produced four studio albums and a best-of compilation.
The dates for the tour are as follows:
April 28 - 30 New York, NY NY Fillmore at Irving Plaza
May 2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 5 - 6 Boston, MA Somerville Thatre
May 7 - 8 Toronto, ONT Danforth Music Hall
May 10 - 11 Chicago, IL Vic Theater
May 14 - 15 San Francisco, CA Fillmore
May 16 - 17 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
www.crowdedhouse.com
CANADIAN IDOL JUDGE FARLEY FLEX RECENTLY TRAVELED TO TOUR AFRICA WITH WAR CHILD CANADA
March 27, 2008
CANADIAN IDOL JUDGE FARLEY FLEX RECENTLY TRAVELED TO TOUR AFRICA WITH WAR CHILD CANADA
He went to discover his roots and meet children affected by war and has returned inspired and hopeful
Canadian television personality, Farley Flex, recently returned from his trip to Africa with War Child Canada, where he got a firsthand look at the issues faced by war-affected youth and experienced how War Child’s programs help to give these vulnerable children hope and a brighter future.
Farley traveled to west Africa to visit War Child Canada’s humanitarian programs in Ghana (The Trauma Recovery and Cultural Awareness Project), and Sierra Leone (War-Affected Children’s Rehabilitation Project.) He was deeply moved by the children he met and his experiences:
“Of all the memorable encounters and realizations in Africa, it is the faces of the children that will remain with me forever,” states Farley. “It was fascinating to see these children in such difficult surroundings smile, laugh and play.”
Following 35 years of brutal conflict, characterized by the widespread use of child soldiers, rape, torture and massive human displacement Sierra Leone has slowly begun to rebuild. Despite recent improvements, children are facing enormous challenges with scarce economic opportunities, high unemployment rates, a collapsed education system and a lack of appropriate skills training programs.
While in Sierra Leone, Farley stopped in Freetown to spend some time with a group of young rap artists, who write songs that tackle tough social issues including HIV/AIDS, child combatants, sexual violence and social justice. Through their music, these children play a significant role in creating peace within their communities and raising awareness on critical subjects that have long been taboo.
Farley also traveled the back roads to Makeni, a rural town 3 hours from Freetown, where he visited War Child Canada’s Rehabilitation Project for War-Affected Children.
War Child Canada has initiated a three-component project that is crucial to the reintegration of war-affected children and youth in Sierra Leone. War Child provides livelihood training (participants are trained in beekeeping and have been producing award winning honey,) food-security programming through animal husbandry and crop cultivation training, and education about issues such as HIV/AIDS, human rights and gender based violence.
“In Makeni, I befriended a bright eyed eight-year-old boy named Saddah. One of the biggest impacts the war has had is the reduction of the male population. As a result, younger boys like Saddah don’t have many older siblings to model their lives after. The efforts that War Child Canada and their local partner are executing will have a positive impact on Saddah. The subsistence program will provide him and his family with a chance at education and relative economic empowerment. “
Farley Flex is a well-known judge on the reality television series Canadian Idol. He is recognized as one of the most influential and successful figures on the Canadian music scene, having spent his career discovering, promoting and developing new Canadian talent. Farley is the recipient of the Bob Marley Community Role Award
for his commitment to community development and the 2007 Harry Jerome Award for Arts Media & Entertainment and Community Service.
This trip was produced with the support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA.) Film footage and photographs are available by request.
ABOUT WAR CHILD CANADA
War Child Canada implements humanitarian programs in war-torn communities around the world providing education, livelihoods training, legal, and psychosocial support to vulnerable children and their families in both emergency and post-conflict settings. War Child Canada currently provides humanitarian support to communities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan (including Darfur and southern Sudan), Uganda, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Georgia. War Child Canada also generates awareness, support and action for children’s rights everywhere and has domestic outreach programs in schools and among youth across Canada. For more information about War Child Canada please visit www.warchild.ca.
MADONNA SETS RADIO RECORD IN CANADA FROM NEW ALBUM
March 27, 2008
MADONNA SETS RADIO RECORD IN CANADA FROM NEW ALBUM
“4 Minutes” is the fastest single to hit #1 in Canadian radio history
For immediate release
Broadcast Data Services (BDS), the company that monitors airplay in North America has confirmed that “4 Minutes,” the first single from Madonna’s forthcoming album Hard Candy, has debuted at #1 on the Canadian CHR Audience chart. This marks the first time any single has entered at the top of either CHR chart in BDS history. “4 Minutes” was co-written by Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. Timberlake also co-produced the track with Timbaland and performs vocals with Madonna.
The song also entered the CHR spins chart at #5, only the second song ever to debut in the Top 10 on that chart. “4 Minutes” also entered the All Format Audience chart at #2, the highest debut in the chart’s history.
Hard Candy will be released in North America on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. The album features Justin Timberlake on multiple tracks and production by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Nate “Danja” Hills.
“4 Minutes” is currently the #1 selling single on iTunes while Hard Candy has the distinction of being the current best selling album on iTunes based strictly on pre-orders.
-30-
JOURNEY SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST TOUR ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK
March 27, 2008
JOURNEY
SET TO LAUNCH THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST TOUR
ALONG WITH HEART AND CHEAP TRICK
STARTING JULY 9 IN DENVER
March 26, 2008 – Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail starting July 9 in Denver, CO through October 4 in Albuquerque, NM. Fans should check local listings for on-sale dates, which begin Saturday, April 5.
JOURNEY–Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and new lead singer Arnel Pineda—is hitting the road to promote REVELATION, the highly anticipated three-disc CD/DVD package set for release June 3 exclusively at Wal-Mart stores in North America.
Here are the confirmed dates for the JOURNEY/Heart/Cheap Trick concert tour:
DATE CITY VENUE
Wed 7/9 Denver, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Fri 7/11 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Sat 7/12 Lake Tahoe, NV Harvey’s Lake Resort
Tue 7/15 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre
Wed 7/16 Irvine, CA Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 7/18 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Arena
Sat 7/19 Tucson, AZ Casino Anselmo
Tue 7/22 Council Bluffs, IA Mid America Center
Wed 7/23 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre
Fri 7/25 San Antonio, TX Verizon Amphitheatre
Sat 7/26 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun 7/27 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Amphitheatre
Wed 7/30 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Thu 7/31 West Palm Beach, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Sat 8/2 Charlotte, NC Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/3 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Mon 8/4 Atlanta, GA Chastain Amphitheatre
Wed 8/6 Orange Beach, FL The Amphitheatre @ The Wharf
Thu 8/7 Nashville, TN Sommett Center
Sat 8/9 Birmingham, AL Verizon Amphitheatre
Sun 8/10 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Tue 8/12 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Amphitheatre
Thu 8/14 Jones Beach, NY Nikon at Jones Beach
Sat 8/16 Scranton, PA Toyota Amphitheatre
Sun 8/17 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Casino
Tue 8/19 Boston, MA Tweeter Center
Thu 8/21 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat 8/23 Syracuse, NY New York State Fair
Sun 8/24 Saratoga, NY Saratoga PAC
Tue 8/26 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
Wed 8/27 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
Sat 8/30 Bethel Woods, NY Center for the Arts
Sun 8/31 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Pavilion
Thu 9/4 Watertown, NY Watertown Baseball Diamond
Sat 9/6 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Sun 9/7 Cleveland, OH Blossom Amphitheatre
Tue 9/9 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed 9/10 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Amphitheatre
Fri 9/12 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sat 9/13 St. Louis, MO Verizon Amphitheatre
Mon 9/15 Kansas City, MO Midland Theatre
Tue 9/16 Minneapolis, MN Target Center/Casino
Fri 9/19 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
Sun 9/21 Portland, OR Clark County Amphitheatre
Wed 9/24 Concord, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
Fri 9/26 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Pavilion at Sacramento
Sat 9/27 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue 9/30 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Fri 10/3 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Pavilion
Sat 10/4 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
www.journeymusic.com
Portishead did their first music video for their equivalent Chinese Democracy album
March 26, 2008
Portishead did their first music video for their equivalent Chinese Democracy album
This has been a long wait for for fans. So here it is below at the link provided:
Portishead have just released the first video for “Machine Gun,” off of their highly anticipated album, Third. Featuring grainy blue-tinted footage highlighting each piece of the song’s peformance, the video urges viewers to get wrapped up in Beth Gibbons’ haunting vocals and the closing chilly synth lines.
http://bcgoodiebag.com/2008/03/25/portishead-machine-gun-video/
Interview: Franz Ferdinand talk about new upcoming album out this October
March 26, 2008
Interview: Franz Ferdinand talk about new upcoming album out this October
Franz Ferdinand have taken time out of the studio to speak about their upcoming third album, scheduled for release this October.
Drummer Paul Thomson says the long-player is “drier and heavier” than their previous two efforts, yet the four piece have consciously set out to make a less frantic record.
He explains: "The thing with the last album, we’d just come straight off a tour and into a studio and it felt like we hadn’t even stopped to take a breather.
http://www.gigwise.com/news/41725/franz-ferdinand-speak-about-less-frantic-third-album
YES TOUR DETAILS FOR TORONTO
March 26, 2008
YES TOUR DETAILS FOR TORONTO
FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008 @ 7AM
YES
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008
THE MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE – TORONTO
Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00PM
With a remarkable 40 year career that has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock, musical pioneers YES have announced 2008 tour dates to take place this summer. Marking the first national tour for the band in over five years, the 26 date jaunt will bring the iconic band’s virtuosic musicianship and exhilarating live shows to amphitheatres and arenas across North America. YES will take the stage in Toronto at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto on Sunday, July 13!!!
A dominant force in rock music for more than four decades, YES has created some of rock’s most enduring and compelling hits and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The group has defined music history with their dynamic instrumental contrasts, extended song lengths and abstract lyrics. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles continues to make them the most successful progressive rock band in history. Their celebrated discography includes hits like “Owner of A Lonely Heart”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Roundabout.” Now 40 years later their career continues to defy many of their rock counterparts.
“It feels incredible to gear up and get ready for the road,” says YES frontman Jon Anderson, “It’s been five years since our last tour. We’re all very excited to play to all of our fans, a lot of which have been with us for almost 40 years. A lot of marriages don’t even last that long.”
Founded in 1968, the impressively extensive and always evolving career of YES has cemented their standing as the most successful and longest lasting progressive rock group of all time. From the 1969 release of their ground-breaking self-titled album, YES, to their critically acclaimed 2001 release Magnification, YES have created visionary music derived from futuristic thinking and musicianship of the highest caliber. YES’ music has defied logic on many levels and survived many incarnations. For the uninitiated they have folk, rock and symphonic levels of music in their collective approach. There is a spiritual energy to their world derived from the lyrics and musical outlook of singer-song writer Jon Anderson.
The line up for this tour includes founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire joined by Steve Howe, Alan White and Oliver Wakeman, son of former YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire is not only one of the great bass players of modern times, but has a wonderful sense of musical timing that stands strong within the musical magic known as "Yes Music." The same has to be said for the guitarist Steve Howe, who has folk, classical and rock music at his fingertips. Alan White, who played with the celebrated John Lennon, is the truly gifted heart beat of the group on drums. All are revered by musicians around the world.
Jon Anderson says, “One of the biggest thrills I get on stage is when I hear the audience singing along with me.” So join the celebration, and be part of the experience.
Radiohead Thom Yorke claims to be environmental optimist
March 26, 2008
Radiohead Thom Yorke claims to be environmental optimist
He says we are not doomed. I know he ain’t riding around in some big ass pickup but here is thoughts:
Yorke also noted that the band has "a new lighting rig that is, hopefully, powered by super-efficient generators, and we’ve made deals with trucking companies to cut their emissions." Yorke also commented on the efforts of various politicians and communities to strengthen carbon-emission laws and encourage green lifestyles, concluding, "I don’t believe we are all doomed."
http://www.kbsradio.ca/news/music/87/688452
YES TOUR DETAILS FOR TORONTO
March 26, 2008
YES TOUR DETAILS FOR TORONTO
FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008 @ 7AM
YES
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008
THE MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE – TORONTO
Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00PM
With a remarkable 40 year career that has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock, musical pioneers YES have announced 2008 tour dates to take place this summer. Marking the first national tour for the band in over five years, the 26 date jaunt will bring the iconic band’s virtuosic musicianship and exhilarating live shows to amphitheatres and arenas across North America. YES will take the stage in Toronto at The Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto on Sunday, July 13!!!
A dominant force in rock music for more than four decades, YES has created some of rock’s most enduring and compelling hits and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The group has defined music history with their dynamic instrumental contrasts, extended song lengths and abstract lyrics. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles continues to make them the most successful progressive rock band in history. Their celebrated discography includes hits like “Owner of A Lonely Heart”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Roundabout.” Now 40 years later their career continues to defy many of their rock counterparts.
“It feels incredible to gear up and get ready for the road,” says YES frontman Jon Anderson, “It’s been five years since our last tour. We’re all very excited to play to all of our fans, a lot of which have been with us for almost 40 years. A lot of marriages don’t even last that long.”
Founded in 1968, the impressively extensive and always evolving career of YES has cemented their standing as the most successful and longest lasting progressive rock group of all time. From the 1969 release of their ground-breaking self-titled album, YES, to their critically acclaimed 2001 release Magnification, YES have created visionary music derived from futuristic thinking and musicianship of the highest caliber. YES’ music has defied logic on many levels and survived many incarnations. For the uninitiated they have folk, rock and symphonic levels of music in their collective approach. There is a spiritual energy to their world derived from the lyrics and musical outlook of singer-song writer Jon Anderson.
The line up for this tour includes founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire joined by Steve Howe, Alan White and Oliver Wakeman, son of former YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire is not only one of the great bass players of modern times, but has a wonderful sense of musical timing that stands strong within the musical magic known as "Yes Music." The same has to be said for the guitarist Steve Howe, who has folk, classical and rock music at his fingertips. Alan White, who played with the celebrated John Lennon, is the truly gifted heart beat of the group on drums. All are revered by musicians around the world.
Jon Anderson says, “One of the biggest thrills I get on stage is when I hear the audience singing along with me.” So join the celebration, and be part of the experience.
