Made By MeSaturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Katie Melua Is 'Queen of the Club' On 'Happy Place' Remix EP
Those of you LUCKY ENOUGH to live in the UK have the pleasure of downloading the new Katie Melua single, "A Happy Place" in all of it's REMIXED glory. Available digitally today, the 6-track digital EP for "A Happy Place" features remixes by Robbie Rivera, Loverush UK!, Danny Kirsch, Beatnoids, Product01 in addition to the unusually-alluring Sparks vs. Melua remix. In other news, Mark Loverush (from Loverush UK!) confirmed via his Facebook that Loverush UK are already at work remixing the THIRD Katie Melua single! Seeing that her second single JUST came out today, there's no word yet on what the third single will be but I'm loving the sound of this. Leave it to William Orbit to turn Katie Melua into a club queen. Melua's new album The House will be out in the U.S. August 3rd on Universal Motown/Dramatico.
Tracklisting:
1. A Happy Place (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Ibiza mix)
2. A Happy Place (Loverush UK! Radio Edit)
3. A Happy Place (Danny Kirsch mix)
4. A Happy Place (Beatnoids mix)
5. A Happy Place (Product01mix)
6. A Happy Place (Sparks Vs Katie Melua)
Check out Katie Melua on the web:
Robyn Unveils Body Talk Pt. 2 Artwork and Tracklisting
I know this news broke a while back but I don't care. I'm seeing Robyn on the All Hearts Tour at the House of Blues on Wednesday, with Kelis, Dan Black and Far East Movement. I can HARDLY WAIT! While seeing the setlist might ruin the surprise for some, it only makes me more excited! This tour, while still a good few weeks in advance of Body Talk Pt 2's release on September 7th, should get me good and ready for the new album. What Robyn's doing with Body Talk is really smart! Instead of the following the usual write-record-promote schedule that most artists follow, Robyn decided to write enough material for 3 albums and then focus on promoting all three all over the world. It's like a never-ending pot of gold! While I'm a little disappointed that she's only releasing one single per album (at least so far) I'm BEYOND thrilled that we're getting three new Robyn albums before the year is out. 2010 is looking to be the year of Robyn and I'll take what I can get.
Tracklisting:
1. In My Eyes
2. Include Me Out
3. Hang with Me
4. Love Kills
5. We Dance to the Beat
6. Criminal Intent
7. U Should Know Better (featuring Snoop Dogg) 8. Indestructible (Acoustic Version)
Check out Robyn on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Robyn - Hang With Me
Robyn - Hang With Me official video from Robyn on Vimeo.
Robyn's "Hang With Me" could be classified as a song that I need on my iPod RIGHT NOW. Unfortunately, it's not due for release here in the U.S. until August 17th and in the UK September 5th. Written by Klas Åhlund, "Hang With Me" was actually originally recorded by Åhlund's ex-wife, Paola Bruna for her 2002 album Stockcity Girl. No matter. Robyn kills it. For all intents and purposes, this song is hers. This song is pure, pop bliss. I can't stop listening to it. The Max Vitali-directed video, which premiered today, features clips of Robyn on tour. Some of it appears to be backstage footage, some appears to be footage shot specifically for the video. While definitely LOW budget the video really fits the mood of the song perfectly. Body Talk Pt. 2 is due out September 6th the UK and on the 7th in the U.S.
Check out Robyn on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Natasha Bedingfield - Touch
The music video for Natasha Bedingfield's new single "Touch" premiered on VEVO today. Directed by Rich Lee, the video makes sense of the song for me. The bit of sing-songy chanting at the beginning ("I was tryin' to cross the street when I tripped and spilled my coffee...") threw me off at first. Seeing Bedingfield do that bit live didn't sell it for either. NOW, watching the video and seeing how this setup factors in with the storyline of the video I'm starting to come around. While it's definitely NOT one of my favorite Bedingfield songs, I DO like that it's an up-tempo, dancey pop song.
Written by Bedingfield, Julian Bunetta and Steve Kipner the song is a decent enough return to form for Bedingfield, who hasn't had a single out since 2008's "Angel" (which peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100)...but it doesn't seem to be making waves on the charts. So far, the song has yet to make an appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. Maybe the new video will help the song (which impacted radio on June 29th) chart. Who knows. If the song gets some decent remixes, I can see it being another Billboard Hot Dance Club Play hit. "Angel," "Pocketful of Sunshine" and "Love Like This" all hit #1 on the Billboard dance chart. The clubs love Nat!
"Touch" is the first single off of Bedingfield's forthcoming studio album Strip Me. As previously reported, Bedingfield collaborated with Brian Kennedy, Wyclef Jean, Sam Sparro, Mike Elizondo and others for the new album, expected out Fall 2010 on Epic Records.
Check out Natasha Bedingfield on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Hurts - Wonderful Life
I definitely see where the Depeche Mode comparisons are coming from with Hurts and while that comparison is DEFINITELY a lot to live up to, I think the boys will rise to the challenge. The STUNNINGLY beautiful video for their new single "Wonderful Life" premiered last week and I can't get enough. Due out in the UK on August 23rd the single was actually already released in Denmark this past May with a different video. This NEW video was shot on location in beautiful Ibiza. The video features the handsome British electro-synth duo, Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson, standing solemnly surrounded by by a variety of dancers, synchronized swimmers and other extras. The video's theme seems to be rather morose, with all of the guests wearing black and looking very sad. Not sure if it's supposed to be some sort of a wake or what...not the most uplifting video yet still very beautiful.
"Wonderful Life" is the second official UK single taken from Hurts' debut album Happiness, out September 6th on RCA. It was preceded by "Better Than Love," which peaked at #50 on the Official Singles Charts. Look out for "Wonderful Life" remixes by the Freemasons, Arthur Baker and Kurtis Mantronix. Check out the original video for the single here.
Check out Hurts on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Olly Murs - Please Don't Let Me Go
Olly Murs may very well be my next pop crush. While he may have lost to Joe McElderry on the sixth series of X-Factor, he's already got the 1UP, releasing the first post-X-Factor single from his debut album, due out in September on Epic/Syco Music. Close your eyes and "Please Don't Let Me Go" could very well be another Will Young single. Open your eyes and...well...same story. Murs shares many similarities to Young and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I'm hoping his album shows a bit more pop variety.
The video features Murs as a guest at a "Summer Solstice Garden Party" along with a myriad of other colorful characters (including an eccentric, boozy old lady with a dog). Amongst the guests we meet the object of Murs' desires, a pretty young lady playing hard to get. The video is fun, summery and safe, much like the song itself. Not a bad first effort but we'll have to see how the song charts when it's released on August 30th.
Co-written by Murs, Steve Robson and Claude Kelly, Murs is also known to be collaborating with Roy Stride from Scouting For Girls, John Shanks, Eg White, Trevor Horn, Wayne Hector and Matty Benbrook on his debut album. "Please Don't Let Me Go" will be available as a CD and digital download, with b-side called "This Ones For The Girls." Also worth noting, Digital Dog has remixed Murs' debut single. Given how remixable Will Young's music is, I'm sure this single will lend itself well to the dance genre.
Tracklisting:
1. Digital Dog Club Mix
2. Digital Dog Dub
3. Digital Dog Radio Edit
4. Radio Edit
Check out Olly Murs on the web:
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wouldn't Change A Thing
Here is a cd rip of Wouldn't Change a Thing from the Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam soundtrack!D O W N L O A D
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Dan Black To Release New Single In August, Tours with Robyn and Kelis
Black's last single, "Symphonies" peaked at #34 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Make sure you check out the remixes from Dada Life, Chris Lake, Passion Pit and Gigi Barocco. I am excited to see Black open up for Kelis and Robyn on the All Hearts Tour next week, alongside Far East Movement. Should be a SPECTACLE of a show. While we're waiting for this next single, check out Dan Black on tour if you can.
All Hearts Tour w/ Robyn & Kelis:
7/22 Solana Beach, CA/Belly Up Tavern
7/23 Los Angeles, CA/The Music Box
7/24 San Francisco, CA/Mezzanine
7/27 Boston, MA/House of Blues
7/30 Toronto/The Molson Amphitheatre
7/31 Montreal/Osheaga Festival
8/2 Washington, DC/9:30 Club
8/3 Philadelphia, PA/The Trocadero
8/4 New York, NY/Webster Hall
8/5 New York, NY/Webster Hall
Lollapalooza:
8/7 Chicago, IL/Lollapalooza Festival
w/ Dragonette:
8/8 Cleveland. OH/Heights Grog Shop
8/9 Buffalo, NY/Big Orbit's Soundlab
Check out Dan Black on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Swedish House Mafia feat. Pharrell - One (Your Name)
Not much needs to be said that hasn't already been said. Check out this cool (yet violent and possibly seizure-inducing) video for the first single by Swedish House Mafia featuring Pharrell. The song is called "One (Your Name)" and it's a BANGER! Swedish House Mafia are Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello.
Checkout Swedish House Mafia on the web:
Sky Ferreira To Release A More 'Pop' Single For U.S. Debut
At only 18 years old, Sky seems to have a grasp on how the industry works - all facets of the industry. The ups, the downs...the positives and the negatives. In the interview she's candid about her feelings surrounding the release of "Obsession," admitting that while at first unhappy with the decision, she totally GETS that having to compromise comes with the territory. "Obsession...it might be my biggest song ever," says Ferreira. "It’s sad when I think of it that way though, cause I always wanted it to be my song that was the biggest, but I like it very much – it’s really catchy and everything."
If "Obsession" is anywhere HALF as EPIC as "One," than I will be happy. I'm still a bit bummed to be honest. I COMPLETELY agree with The Prophet, talking about how international artists trying to break America often have to re-record, remix and re-jigger a song in order to make it "radio friendly" and therefore more "commercial." What I do like is how Sky seems to have had a lot of creative influence in the creation of her album and that while she's not making ALL of the decisions, she's really putting her own stamp on it. Hell - she was the one that reached out to Bloodshy & Avant and look what that got us? I definitely think that Sky Ferreira is a name we'll be hearing a lot more of in the coming years.
Sky's as of yet untitled album will be out January 11th, and is likely to feature collaborations with Ryan Tedder, Linda Perry, Nicole Morier, Bloodshy & Avant, Rob Fusari, Dallas Austin, Greg Kurstin, and Paul Epworth. For the full interview with Arjan, check it out below.
Arjan chats with Sky Ferreira from Arjan Writes on Vimeo.
Check out Sky Ferreira on the Web:
Katy Perry On Cloud 9 in New 'Teenage Dream' Album Artwork
How DREAMY is the JUST RELEASED cover art for Katy Perry's second album? I love it. Katy channels her inner pinup girl here, managing to strike the PERFECT balance of sexy and innocent. The cover art was designed by well-known contemporary artist Will Cotton and unveiled Wednesday at the artist's Lower East Side Manhattan Studio (with Katy Perry present). The artist, who often uses candy-coated inspiration in his work, inspired the overall theme of Perry's "California Gurls" music video, where Perry actually poses on a cotton candy cloud much like on her album cover. Says Cotton:
“My collaboration with Katy started out as a mutual admiration society. I'm delighted that my paintings are the inspiration for this video. My work is about creating a utopia where all desire is fulfilled all the time, but where pleasure and delight can turn dark and dystopic. Katy embodies the archetypes that I look for in a subject. It was thrilling to work with her and to see her inhabit my landscapes.”
Cotton was hired as Artistic Director on the "California Gurls" video, where he worked with the set designer to create scenery based on his own artwork. Pretty cool and Perry has LOTS of respect for him as well:
“The day I found Will Cotton, I knew I wanted to live in his cinematic cotton candy world. A fantastically art-directed music video and one piece of timeless album artwork later, I can proudly say I am more than a fan. Will has been a sweetheart every step of the way and always open to collaborative ideas. I'm so happy to have discovered his candy-land, and so excited about our creative future together”Nothing wrong with a little mutual admiration! The album, entitled Teenage Dream, will be released on August 24th, preceded by a second single, title track "Teenage Dream" on August 3rd (the same day as Ke$ha's "Take It Off"!). This week, Perry's single "California Gurls" sits at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for the sixth consecutive week. Way to go Katy! Chances are second single will be just as successful...not that I've even heard or anything. I am actually quite shocked and surprised that I haven't heard the track yet, considering it leaked last week. I do like a good surprise. In the mean time, why don't you go and check out the single artwork for "Teenage Dream." I'll be having me some sweet dreams tonight.
= Check out Katy Perry on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Paris (Ooh La La)
Grace Potter is FIRE! Check out the latest video for new single "Paris (Ooh La La)," off of their self titled album Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Unbelievable. I can only imagine how good these guys are live. Grace Potter kind of reminds me of a more ROCK & ROLL version of British soul singer Duffy. This Vermont-based band blends old fashioned rock & roll with blues, soul and R&B. It doesn't hurt that front woman Potter is absolutely STUNNING. The black and white video for "Paris" was directed by Paul Minor.
Check out Grace Potter & The Nocturnals on the web:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
UK Singer/Songwriter Ellie Goulding Dazzles In iTunes Festival Live Set
While the PESSIMIST in me fears that, as an American fan, I'll never have the pleasure of seeing Goulding live...the OPTIMIST in me sees all of those other UK artists who have broken into the U.S. market and I see a glimmer of hope. Maybe I'm just STARRY EYED. I don't know. I'll just have to cross my fingers and watch this performance over again. Check out the full setlist (courtesy of Planet Music Reviews)
Setlist:
1. Lights
2. Every Time You Go
3. This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)
4. Your Biggest Mistake
5. The Writer
6. Wish I Stayed
7. I'll Hold My Breath
8. Roscoe (COVER)
9. Guns and Horses
10. Salt Skin
11. Under The Sheets
12. Starry Eyed
Tracklisting:
1. Lights
2. This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)
3. The Writer
4. Guns and Horses
5. Salt Skin
6. Starry Eyed
Finally, don't forget that Ellie's new single "The Writer" is out in the UK on August 9th. If you haven't seen the video yet, make sure you check it out.
Check out Ellie Goulding on the web:
The Script Ready To Release New Single, Album In September
Yesterday, Irish Rockers The Script unveiled their new single "For The First Time," from their upcoming second LP entitled Science + Faith. The Single comes out in the UK on September 5th, followed by the album's release on September 13th. MAN - it's so hard to believe that their self titled album was first released in Europe in 2008! The boys JUST exploded here in the U.S., where their single "Breakeven" peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and their album peaked at #64 on the Billboard 200. I can't imagine HOW ready these guys are to start doing some new material on stage.
"For The First Time" is a safe first single. Maybe too safe. It sounds a bit too much like anything else the boys have ever released, only not as good. I feel like with "Breakeven," "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Before The Worst," there was at least something going on, melodically. Something interesting. Something different. Something pleasing to the ear. Of course there's a melody here and it's perfectly pleasant but it's nothing that sets the song apart from any other pop/rock song on the radio. I'd almost rather listen to Train. Come on boys! Give us something different! Listen to the song and tell me what you think!
Check out The Script on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Robyn - Dancing On My Own (Live on The Late Show with David Letterman)
How the HELL did I miss this news? Robyn on Letterman? Oh well. Someone uploaded it so THANK GOD for that. The pint-sized popstar from Sweden stopped by Letterman on July 19th and performed her Body Talk Pt. 1 single, "Dancing On My Own." I love this. I love her. I love that Robyn can take a sad song and make it happy. Sure, it's partially the pulsating synths but it's also Robyn's energy. Seeing her get into the song is priceless. She's really got great stage presence and I remember that from her show at the Paradise last year. Brilliant. I'm BEYOND ecstatic to see her live with Kelis next week at the House of Blues for the All Hearts Tour. It's going to be QUITE the show. Currently, "Dancing On My Own" is currently #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Her next single, "Hang With Me" comes out in September.
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Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. - Explore international webcam videos.
Check out Robyn on the web:
Brandon Flowers Unveils 'Flamingo' Album Artwork, Announces U.S. Tour
I know I'm a bit late with this update but...is it really ever too late to post about the hotness that is Mormon rocker, Brandon Flowers of The Killers? I don't think so. THIS is the album artwork for his debut solo album, entitled Flamingo. It's a bit cluttered, as far as album artwork goes. Lots of THINGS in the room. Off course everything is in a nice golden-bronze sheen except for Flowers who draws the focus in a nice dark suit.
Flamingo, which features production from Stuart Price, Daniel Lanois and Brendan O’Brien, is due out September 6th in the UK and September 14th in the U.S., courtesy of Vertigo/Island Records. The first single, "Crossfire" was released digitally in North America on June 21st and will see the light of...iTunes...in the UK on August 23rd. The music video features Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron in a surprisingly meaty role as heroine to Flowers' damsel-in-distress. So far the song has peaked in the Top 20 on Billboard's Rock and Alternative Rock charts. The song has apparently been remixed by Chew Fu (GOD I hope this is true).
According to Pop In Stereo, Flowers will be setting out on tour to support his album, this summer. Playing five dates in August, Flowers will get things started on August 15th at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Catch Brandon Flowers on tour if you can:
8/15 Las Vegas Hilton The Shimmer Room
8/17 Los Angeles Troubadour
8/19 San Francisco Slim’s
8/23 Chicago Park West
8/26 New York Highline Ballroom
Check out Brandon Flowers on the web:
Mark Ronson Unveils Album Artwork for 'The Record Collection'
Mmm Mmm Mmm. Mark Ronson is one good looking dude. Even when his face is created using a multi-colored patchwork effect. Still HOT. Ronson's forthcoming third album, The Record Collection, isn't out here in the States until October 5th but I don't know if I can wait that long. I might have to splurge on a UK import when it's released on September 27th. Yeah, only a few days but that's a few days too many with out Mark Ronson & The Business International. First single, the Q-Tip and MNDR assisted "Bang Bang Bang" debuted at #6 on the UK Singles Chart. Check out the AWESOME video if you haven't already. Remixes come to us from Russ Chimes, Count And Sinden and SBTRKT. Needless to say, The Record Collection is one of my most anticipated albums this Fall.
Tracklisting:
1. Introducing The Business (featuring Pill & London Gay Men's Chorus)
2. Bang Bang Bang (featuring Q-Tip & MNDR)
3. Lose It (In The End) (featuring Ghostface Killah)
4. Circuit Breaker
5. Somebody To Love Me (featuring Boy George)
6. Taste Of A Samurai (featuring Gerina Di Marco)
7. Glass Mountain Trust (featuring D'Angelo)
8. Record Collection (featuring Simon LeBon & Wiley)
9. The Bike Song (featuring Dave McCabe)
10. You Gave Me Nothing (featuring Andrew Wyatt & Rose Elinor Dougall)
11. Hey Boy (featuring Rose Elinor Dougall & Theophilus London)
Check out Mark Ronson on the web:
Review: Christina Aguilera - You Lost Me (Hex Hector & Mac Quayle Radio Edit)
God. It seems like Hex Hector and Mac Quayle have been M.I.A. for SO LONG. I remember when these guys were mixing EVERYBODY from Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Toni Braxton, Annie Lennox, Britney Spears, Anastacia and many many more. Pretty much every mix that I heard and loved was by Hector or Quayle or some combination of the two of them. Of course, this was back when I wasn't too familiar with dance music. I liked the occasional dance remix of a Top 40 song but I wasn't going dancing. Something about hearing a remixers interpretation of a popular song intrigued me. I couldn't get enough...even if I was just WALKING quickly across campus to the thumping bass. I don't think much has changed, in that I still go CRAZY for dance remixes...and the fact that I don't go "clubbing" remains the same. Where as before, my taste in dance music was pretty one note...now I'm a bit more well versed in the genre now. I have branched out and like different kinds of dance music.
That all being said, I'm still a sucker for a good 'old fashioned' Hex Hector/Mac Quayle remix and their new mix of Christina Aguilera's "You Lost Me" really takes me back...to the 2000s. If THIS is what the radio edit sounds like I can only imagine how EPIC the full length mix is. "You Lost Me" is the official second US single off of Aguilera's new album Bionic. The song was produced by Samuel Dixon and co-written by Aguilera, Dixon and singer/songwriter Sia. By itself, the song is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful ballad. Aguilera sounds ever so slightly restrained, which isn't a bad thing in this case. Aguilera is known for her BIG voice and crazy, out-of-this-world riffs. This ballad is sung softly and poignantly. Perfectly. What I LOVE about this remix is that it doesn't muck that up. While it doesn't make use of the orchestral track, it keeps the poignancy of Aguilera's vocal in tact, particularly in the chorus. So expertly done. Then again, I would expect nothing less from two pros like Hector and Quayle.
No release date has been given for the remix but I assume it will be made available eventually. The video for "You Lost Me," directed by Anthony Mandler, will premiere on VEVO this Thursday, July 22nd. Listen to the remix below:
Check out Christina Aguilera on the web:
'Drank' Up: Girlicious Help Make 'Jersey Shore' Soundtrack [Somewhat] Listenable
Um...don't hate me but I kind of love this song...and it appears that I'm not the only one. Entertainment Weekly named "Drank" by Girlicious as one of THE songs to download on the just released soundtrack to MTV's trash-tastic reality show Jersey Shore and I quite agree.
I've always had a soft spot for Girlicious (Nichole Cordova, Natalie Mejia and Chrystina Sayers), ever since watching the CW reality series (with about 10 other people TOTAL) where girls competed to be THE next pop group under the watchful eye of creator Robin Antin (The Pussycat Dolls, Paradiso Girls). Sure, they've never released an album here in the U.S., (opting instead to target Canada) but they left me with a lasting impression. "Like Me" was a great song. No, nothing ground breaking, but a decent slice of urban-influenced pop music. "Stupid Sh*%" was...well...stupid but still fun. And "Baby Doll," it was cute. Girlicious
NOW - with the release of "Drank," it appears that they're SKANKING things up a notch and I LOVE it. "Drank" is no more genius than their previous efforts but that's not LIKE...what you were expecting...was it? HELLO! It's the Jersey Shore soundtrack! I hope to GOD there's going to be a video for this one.
Girlicious feat. Spose - Drank by Fool_4_Music
Check out Girlicious on the web:
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