#Adele/Latest work 2021

[handsofdarkness]

WITHIN TEMPTATION To Release New Single, 'A Fool's Parade'

Dutch metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will release a new single, "A Fool's Parade", on April 5. The track features a guest appearance by the Ukrainian alt-rock/metalcore artist Alex Yarmak, who has been steadily growing his fanbase since 2021.

In a fall 2023 interview with Metal Kaoz, WITHIN TEMPTATION singer Sharon Den Adel spoke about the band's decision to release its latest album, "Bleed Out", independently, having parted ways with the Vertigo label. She said: "I did this participation with [Dutch trance DJ] Armin Van Buuren once — I wrote a song together with him — so we tasted a little bit of the dance music and we saw that they were doing things so differently, knowing him, knowing the scene and starting to watch what they were doing. They were actually just doing it so not traditionally, as in rock music is known for and metal music. So they are way more fluid in when they can release something. They say, 'Oh, I'm gonna write a song and I'm gonna release it two weeks from now.' They can do that. It's because they think differently and it's a different ballgame. And we felt, like, 'Why aren't we doing that? Why are we always restricted to writing a complete album? And then writing certain songs that you feel are essential or in the moment that you have to release now, because if it ends up on the album, three years later, everybody has talked about it; it's not important anymore.' And they're, like, 'Oh my God. Are they still talking about that? That was three years ago.' That really feels stupid to me. And so we told the record company, 'Can we please just release some songs? Because the album's not going to be out there yet, and we're going on tour with EVANESCENCE. And they said, 'No. We can't do that, because we're traditional. We don't know how to cope with that different way of releasing.' And they still had an option for a new album. And we said, 'Well, then we would like to break up the contracts and go our own way.' And they said, 'Well, maybe you should, because we don't see how we can do this with you.' And we were happy they let us go."

She continued: "[2019's] 'Resist' [album from WITHIN TEMPTATION] was very successful for [the record label], but still, I think that they would not have had happy campers in their company with us [being around]. [Laughs] We're not the easiest maybe also. But in the end, it was the best way and I'm really happy it went the way it is. And it gave us the opportunity to do it our own way. On the other hand, it is more work, because we have to hire now people to do the job that a record company normally does. And you have to think about budgets and stuff like that. Who are you gonna do interviews with? How many interviews? Organize press agents all over. It's, like, oh my God. It's a company on its own. But, luckily, we have a management that does take most of that away. Of course, we have to come up with the ideas and give the goals and everything, but they work it out for us. And so we are not involved in that part, because it takes so much energy away from writing music and being creative, of course, which, you as an artist, never want to [deal with]. You just want to [be], like, 'They do that.' And I'm so happy they do that, because they're good at it. And I don't wanna do this. But then, now it's forced upon us again to do those things as well. And it gives you more freedom, and that's what we wanted."

"Bleed Out" signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, WITHIN TEMPTATION has created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who isn't afraid to make a stand on issues the members care about.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, WITHIN TEMPTATION have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do.

While songs such as "Wireless" and "We Go To War" examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.

The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman's right to choose in recent single "Don't Pray For Me" and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, WITHIN TEMPTATION have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.

[justinsentertainmentcorner]

Li Zhou at Vox:

There’s long been outrage over the Grammys’ Beyoncé snubs for the awards show’s highest honor — omissions that have infuriated fans and prominent celebrities alike.

At the 2024 awards on February 4, Beyonce’s husband, Jay-Z, became the latest to call them out, castigating the show for its history of overlooking Black artists, including his superstar wife. “We want y’all to get it right — at least get it close to right,” Jay-Z said. “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year. So even by your own metrics that doesn’t work.” He became the latest of many prominent figures who’ve raised this point in some fashion, including the likes of Adele and, famously, Kanye West in the past. Increasingly, the references to Beyoncé being overlooked by institutions like the Grammys and the MTV Video Music Awards have become more common both because of how egregious they feel on the merits and also because of what they represent. Beyond serving as an insult to her undeniable talent, Beyoncé’s treatment and the specific awards she has and hasn’t won have become emblematic of the exclusion of Black art by the music establishment. They are often cited as some of the most prominent examples that capture this problem.

Why some awards matter more than others

As Jay-Z noted, Beyoncé has the most Grammys of any musical artist — 32 — but she hasn’t ever won the coveted Album of the Year award. AOTY is widely considered the most prestigious honor of the show, much like Best Directing or Best Picture is for the Oscars, and it’s often treated like the greatest recognition that the program has on offer. Beyoncé has been nominated for AOTY four times as a solo artist but has lost out each time. In 2010, she was nominated for I Am … Sasha Fierce, which lost to Taylor Swift’s Fearless. In 2015, she was nominated for Beyoncé, which lost to Beck’s Morning Phase. In 2017, she was nominated for Lemonade, which lost to Adele’s 25. And in 2023, she was nominated for Renaissance, which lost to Harry Styles’s Harry’s House.

In 2017, the year that Lemonade lost, Adele spoke about it explicitly in her AOTY acceptance speech and emphasized the cultural impact that Beyoncé’s record had had. “I can’t possibly accept this award. And I’m very humbled and I’m very grateful and gracious. But my artist of my life is Beyoncé. And this album to me, the Lemonade album, is just so monumental,” Adele said. As the most important honor of the show, AOTY sends a powerful signal regarding the cultural impact that an artist has had, making Beyoncé’s longstanding exclusion from a win in that category especially significant. Notably, despite winning 32 Grammys, she has only won one of what are known as the “Big Four” awards of the show: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. In 2010, she won Song of the Year for her hit song “Single Ladies.”

What the Beyoncé snubs represent

This history is ultimately indicative of the Grammys’ and other organizations’ much deeper problems with race. In addition to the Grammys, both the Oscars and the Golden Globes have been scrutinized for excluding Black artists. Beyoncé’s losses (and, in some cases, lack of recognition outright) in key categories underscore how Black artists have been overlooked for the most prestigious awards at the Grammys. Per a 2021 study from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Black artists constituted 38 percent of all artists on Billboard’s Top 100 between 2012 to 2020 but just 26.7 percent of Grammy nominees for the Big Four awards in that timeframe. [...]

There are other reasons the Grammys have long had a credibility issue with the hip-hop community, as A.D. Carson, a professor of hip-hop at the University of Virginia, wrote for the Washington Post in 2022. Jay-Z alluded to some examples of this exclusion in his Sunday remarks, describing how DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith boycotted the Grammy Awards in 1989 when they won the first Grammy for best rap performance because the show wouldn’t televise the presentation of the new award. The Grammys’ history of confining Black artist nominations to certain categories, such as rap and hip-hop, has also drawn scrutiny, Carson writes. And there have been concerns that the list of Black artists the show has chosen to elevate underscores, in his words, a “trend of respected rap artists being overlooked in favor of those who crossed over into pop music and gained the most White fans.”

Jay-Z is right: Beyoncé has been unfairly snubbed at the Grammys for the highest honor awards like Album Of The Year.

[offthegridxlmusic]

Produced by Brody Brown, "No (Know)" is here to set your speakers on fire!

In 2021, Brown continued his success with his contributions to the hit duo, Silk Sonic, which featured Mars and Anderson .Paak. Brown co-wrote the #1 hit “Leave the Door Open” and the song, “777.”

For his work with Mars, Silk Sonic and Adele, Brown has won seven Grammy Awards. This includes a Grammy (Album of the Year) for co-writing “All I Ask” for Adele’s 25 album; four Grammys (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best R&B Song) for his work on Mars’ album, 24K Magic, and co-writing “That’s What I Like.” and two Grammys (Song of the Year and Best R&B Song) for co-writing Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.”

Brody Brown's latest music release, "No (Know)," featuring the talented Bino Rideaux. This track is a standout from Brody Brown's debut album, "The Kick Back."

Keep an ear out for the unexpected melodic bridge, which adds a unique twist to the song's composition. Brody and Bino's verses are nothing short of impressive, showcasing their lyrical prowess and turning this track into an instant classic.

Producer: Brody Brown Label: 80's Baby Ent. / Def Jam Check the music video here: https://youtu.be/dvPihecBqVk

[blowupmusic]

Brody Brown's Grammy-Winning Journey and the Release of "No (Know)"

Brody Brown's journey through the music industry has been a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication. In 2021, he continued to build on his incredible success with contributions to the sensational duo, Silk Sonic, featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. His co-writing credits for the chart-topping hit "Leave the Door Open" and the soulful track "777" solidified his position as a musical powerhouse. With seven Grammy Awards under his belt for his work with Mars, Silk Sonic, and Adele, Brody Brown's legacy in the music world is nothing short of extraordinary. In this article, we'll delve into his illustrious career and explore his latest musical masterpiece, "No (Know)."

Brody Brown's contributions span collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Bruno Mars, Silk Sonic, and Adele. Notably, his co-writing prowess extended to Adele's iconic "25" album, earning him a Grammy for Album of the Year, a milestone achievement in his career. Furthermore, Brody's work on Bruno Mars' groundbreaking album, "24K Magic," resulted in four Grammys, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best R&B Song for co-writing "That's What I Like." In 2021, Brody Brown's magic continued with Silk Sonic, where he clinched two Grammys for co-writing "Leave the Door Open," recognized as Song of the Year and Best R&B Song. These Grammy victories underscore his enduring influence and creative brilliance in the music industry.

The Release of "No (Know)": Brody Brown's latest musical offering, "No (Know)," is a testament to his continued evolution as an artist and producer. Featuring the talented Bino Rideaux, this track stands out as a highlight from Brody Brown's debut album, "The Kick Back."

One of the distinctive elements of "No (Know)" is the unexpected melodic bridge, adding a unique twist to the song's composition. Brody and Bino's verses are nothing short of impressive, showcasing their lyrical prowess and turning this track into an instant classic.

As a producer, Brody Brown's skill shines through in the production of "No (Know)," demonstrating his versatility and innovation in the music-making process. The collaboration between Brody Brown and Bino Rideaux is a testament to their collective talent and creative chemistry.

"No (Know)," featuring Bino Rideaux, is a vibrant addition to his discography, highlighting his continued growth as an artist and producer.

Experience the musical magic of Brody Brown and Bino Rideaux in "No (Know)."

This track is not just a song; it's a reflection of their artistry and a promise of more remarkable music to come.

Watch the music video for "No (Know)" on YouTube here !

[spinstrackingsystem]

LA Grunge-Pop Band Starry Eyes Announce Latest Single ‘Over Oceans’

Following the release of their debut single ‘Jetlag’ LA grunge-pop band ‘STARRY EYES’ are back with their latest single ‘Over Oceans’, the second single to come from their debut EP ‘Ciao Bella’. The self-produced EP was mixed by Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes and Mudhoney) and mastered by Multi Grammy-award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (Adele, Ramones, Paul McCartney). The story of the California grunge-pop band, STARRY EYES, is both tragic and triumphant. The band evolved from the deep friendship between founding duo: guitarist John Shippey and drummer Matthew Scoggins. The pair worked for two years on the music for their debut EP, Ciao Bella, while on a frustrating search to find the right singer to complement their unique sound. John and Matt eventually struck gold in early 2021 with singer and lyricist Kyle Tekiela, and for three weeks it looked like the LA-based group was complete. Then, Matt died suddenly of drug-related causes, and the band’s ambitions came to a tragic halt. Today, nearly two years after Matt’s death, John and Kyle have soldiered on and the band’s story is a powerful rebirth narrative. Like all of their tracks ‘Over Oceans’ is filled with deeply personal and introspective themes. A stark contrast to the indulgent lifestyle portrayed in their debut ‘Jetlag’, ‘Over Oceans’ acts as the hungover aftermath. Read the full article

[newmusicweekly]

LA Grunge-Pop Band Starry Eyes Announce Latest Single 'Over Oceans'

Following the release of their debut single ‘Jetlag’ LA grunge-pop band ‘STARRY EYES’ are back with their latest single ‘Over Oceans’, the second single to come from their debut EP ‘Ciao Bella’. The self-produced EP was mixed by Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes and Mudhoney) and mastered by Multi Grammy-award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (Adele, Ramones, Paul McCartney). The story of the California grunge-pop band, STARRY EYES, is both tragic and triumphant. The band evolved from the deep friendship between founding duo: guitarist John Shippey and drummer Matthew Scoggins. The pair worked for two years on the music for their debut EP, Ciao Bella, while on a frustrating search to find the right singer to complement their unique sound. John and Matt eventually struck gold in early 2021 with singer and lyricist Kyle Tekiela, and for three weeks it looked like the LA-based group was complete. Then, Matt died suddenly of drug-related causes, and the band’s ambitions came to a tragic halt. Today, nearly two years after Matt's death, John and Kyle have soldiered on and the band’s story is a powerful rebirth narrative. Like all of their tracks ‘Over Oceans’ is filled with deeply personal and introspective themes. A stark contrast to the indulgent lifestyle portrayed in their debut ‘Jetlag’, ‘Over Oceans’ acts as the hungover aftermath. Read the full article

[adeleisexceptional]

DUALITY/Group Show @ Y Gallery | Woodbrook Trinidad & Tobago

Adele Todd . 

Quilted blanket and dimensional embroidery thread. 

81 x 65”2021

As a Performance Artist who works with Embroidery and Soft Materials among other Media, the possibilities for DUALITY seemed endless. 

However, eventually I was moved to consider "Male Toxicity" as my theme.

The word Panty Man that is done tongue-in-cheek in neon pink is the Title that sets the viewer on their path of discovery.

The slang term is used to describe a man who is coddled and feminine in nature and a slur to homosexual men in particular.

The work is a large dark blue quilt with embroidery threads that on closer observation create individual words that must be looked at at close range and also, can only be seen one at a time as they do not have a chronology. 

The viewer must move their own bodies to 'read' the piece.The quilt is a symbol of nurturing, safety and warmth. 

The loose threads that thus fall from the quilt symbolises the unravelling of that safety. 

We generally expect men to be 'men' and are unaware of how much our stereotyping of the male sex confuses boys as they grow to manhood. 

I hope that my piece shall inspire those who interact with it, the opportunity, to consider when they themselves have perhaps used terminology seen on the quilt or words to that nature to define a man's character. 

We are all guilty of a level of sexual politics for its own gain and must now consider that sensitivity is not a one way street.

-Adele Todd

[kingstylesdaily]

UMPG's Mike McCormack on Harry Styles: 'The guy is a superstar'

Universal Music Publishing Group UK managing director Mike McCormack has spoken to Music Week about the global success of Harry Styles as a solo artist.

Earlier this week, McCormack delivered his message to rivals including Hipgnosis with the words: “We’re building the catalogues of the future”.

Harry Styles is central to that mission at UMPG, along with co-writer Kid Harpoon who’s also signed to the company, which was recently named Publisher Of The Year category at the Music Week Awards.

Although Fine Line by Harry Styles was released in late 2019, it still finished at No.7 in the US last year based on digital and physical sales (317,000). It was the fourth biggest seller of 2021 on vinyl in the US (256,000).

In the UK, Fine Line was No.12 overall last year (178,527 including streaming equivalent sales). It has total sales to date of 543,797.

In his exclusive interview for the latest issue of Music Week, Mike McCormack said: “A bugbear of mine is that we produce so much great, innovative music in the UK, but where are the superstars? Where is the next Adele or Ed Sheeran? And [signing Styles] was one of the first decisions made when I got here. Jody [Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO] was instrumental in the deal as well. We just went, ‘The guy is a superstar, and they are so few and far between that we have to do everything we can to convince him to sign to us.’ Thankfully, he did.

“[Fine Line] has proved he can stand on his own two feet and be an original artist in his own right. I hear [his next record] is coming together very well and hopefully, it will be even bigger, better and more successful than the last, which was an extraordinary success. He’s very much in charge of his destiny.”

Harry Styles is in good company at UMPG, which also signed Adele early in her career.

McCormack was deputy MD when the BRIT School graduate signed on the dotted line with the company as a 17-year-old.

“Obviously, she had an incredible voice,” he told Music Week. “She didn’t have Chasing Pavements – she only really had four songs, if I remember correctly – but she had Hometown Glory. She also had Daydreamer and a couple of others. But what we saw was somebody who had an incredible voice and was unique – she was very funny and her personality was amazing. She was totally magnetic live, an absolutely extraordinary, one-off artist.”

A number of those tracks found their way on to Adele’s 2008 debut, 19, while UMPG helped pair her with writers such as Eg White and Sacha Skarbek.

“Eg White co-wrote Chasing Pavements with her and that just blew us all away,” said McCormack. “Even we couldn’t believe just how good she was. We knew she was really good, but we didn’t know she was that good. It’s almost like she cracked the code. That approach – she works with Greg Kurstin and others now – really brought out the best in her and she has turned into a superstar.”

via MusicWeek

[d-criss-news]

20 Questions With Darren Criss: How Acting Has Helped Him Make New Music

While Darren Criss has graced our TV screens with a range of characters, from high schooler Blaine Anderson on Glee to serial killer Andrew Cunanan on The Assassination of Gianni Versace, he was last spotted just being himself, on our For You Page on TikTok. “I’m walking to rehearsal with a guitar on my back with a Trader Joe’s bag ... I did not bring an umbrella because I forgot that it was raining. I’m rocking that NYC musician life,” the Glee alum explained in the hilarious clip posted three days ago.

While Criss’ acting work has earned him acclaim and stardom, he leaned into making music during the pandemic. On Aug. 20, he dropped a new EP, Masquerade, featuring five new tracks that Criss says were inspired by the different characters Criss has embraced throughout his career. After Criss wrote songs for his musical comedy web series Royalties and Apple TV+’s animated sitcom Central Park before the pandemic struck the United States, he then used those experiences as a precursor to his new EP. As Criss continues to promote his new music, he answered 20 of Billboard's questions – giving us a peek into how his new EP came together, and how growing up in San Fransisco shaped him as an actor, singer and all-around artist.

1. What inspired your latest project, Masquerade?

Although I would have preferred that it come at a far less grim cost, I finally had the time. Before the pandemic, I had written 10 new songs for my show Royalties -- along with an original song for Disney and another for Apple’s Central Park. These were all assignments in which I was writing for a certain scenario and character. Go figure. It was the most music I had ever written in a calendar year. This really emboldened me to rethink how I made my own music— to start putting a focus on “character creation” in my songs, rather than personal reflection. The latter was not proving to be as productive. The alchemy of having this time and having set a new intention with my own songwriting and producing made me put on a few of my favorite masques and throw myself a Masquerade.

2. How do you think your background as an actor complements your music?

They are one and the same to me. I treat acting roles like musical pieces— dialogue is like scoring a melody; there’s pace, dynamics, cadence, tone. Physical characterization is like producing -- zeroing in on the bass line, deciding on the kick pattern. Vocal characterization is like choosing the right sonic experience, choosing the most effective snare sound, and mixing the high end or low end. It goes without saying that it works in the complete opposite direction. Making each song is taking on a different role literally and employing the use of different masques to maximize the effectiveness of the particular story being told.

3. On Instagram  you wrote that “Masquerade is a small collection of the variety of musical masques that have always inspired me.” Which track do you identify with most in your real life?

Everybody absorbs songs differently. Some key into the lyrics, some into the melody, some the production, some into vocal performance. When I listen to songs, I consider all of their value on totally different scales. So it’s hard to say if there’s any track I “identify” with more than any others, since I -- by nature -- identify with all of them. I think I just identify with certain aspects more than others. If it helps for a more interesting answer, I will say I enjoy the slightly more classical, playful -- dare I say -- more Broadway-leaning wordplay of “Walk of Shame,” but that’s just talking about lyricism. I enjoy the attitude of “F*kn Around,” the batsh--t musicality of “I Can’t Dance,” the relentless grooves of “Let’s” and “For A Night Like This.” All have different ingredients I really enjoy having an excuse to dive into.

4. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?

Beatles audio cassettes: “Help” and “Hard Day’s Night.” I just listened on repeat on a tape-playing Walkman until my brother and I got a stereo for our room with a CD player in it, which was  when I just bought the same two albums again, but this time as compact discs.

5. What was the first concert you saw?It’s hard to say, because my parents took us to a lot of classical concerts when we were small. But I guess this question usually refers to what was the first concert you went to on your own volition, and that my friend, was definitely Warped Tour ’01. My brother and I went on our own— two teenagers going to their first music festival, in the golden age of that particular genre and culture. It was f--king incredible.

6. What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid?

My dad was in private banking and advised really, really wealthy people on how to handle their money. My mom was, by choice, a stay-at-home mom, but in reality, she was my dad’s consigliere. They discussed absolutely everything together. They were a real team, and I saw that every single day in the house. They both had a background in finance (That’s how they met in the first place.) and were incredibly skilled at all the hardcore adulting things that I absolutely suck at. They were total finance wizards together. So of course, instead of becoming an accountant, I picked up playing the guitar and ran as far I could with it. Luckily, they were all about it.

7. What was your favorite homecooked meal growing up?

My dad was an incredible chef. For special occasions, I’d request his crab cakes. They were unreal. I’ve never had a crab cake anywhere in the world that was good as my dad’s.

8. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?

I don’t know if I’ve actually realized that yet.

9. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?

The specifics change every day, but the core idea at the top is to continue being consistently inconsistent with my choices, and to keep getting audiences to constantly reconsider their consideration of me. But I mean, sure, what performer doesn’t want to play Coachella? What songwriter doesn’t want to have Adele sing one of their songs? What actor doesn’t want to be in a Wes Anderson film?

10.  How did your hometown/city shape who you are?

San Francisco. I mean, come on. I was really lucky. The older I get, the more grateful I am for just being born and raised there. It’s an incredibly diverse, culturally rich, colorful, inclusive, vibrant city. By the time I was born, it had served as a beacon for millions of creative, out-of-the-box thinkers to gather and thrive. I grew up around that. The combination of that with having parents, who were unbelievably supportive of the arts themselves, laid an incredibly fortunate foundation to consider the life of an artist as a legitimately viable option. It’s a foundation that I am supremely aware is not the case for millions of young artists around the world. I was absurdly lucky.

11.  What’s the last song you listened to?

I mean probably one of mine, but not by choice. I know, lame. But I’m promoting a new EP, what’d you expect? But if you wanna know what I’ve been listening to, as far as new s--t is concerned: a lot of Lizzy McAlpine, Remi Wolf, and Charlie Burg.

12.  If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?

The Beatles is an obvious "yeah, duh." Sammy Davis, Mel Tormé, or of course, Nat King Cole. I would’ve loved to see Howard Ashman give a lecture on his creative process and his body of work.

13. What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your sets?

I feel like just having a crowd at all, at any one of my sets, is pretty wild enough.

14. What’s your karaoke go-to?

The real answer to this I’ll write into a book one day, because I have a lot to say about karaoke etiquette. I have two options here: I can either name a song that I like to sing for me, for fun, or I can name a song that really gets the group going. The answer depends on what kind of karaoke night we’re dealing with here. So I will say, after I’ve selected a ton of songs that services a decent enough party vibe for everyone else, then I would do one for me, and that would be the Beatles’ “Oh! Darling.”

15. What’s one thing your most devoted fans don’t know about you?

What I have up my sleeve.

16. What TV show did you binge-watch over the past year?

Dave is a stroke of genius. There are episodes that I believe are bona fide masterpieces. Also, My Brilliant Friend is a masterclass in cinematic television.

17. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?

It’s A Wonderful Life.

18. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Get used to sharing everything about yourself and your life now, or more astutely, to the idea that you don’t necessarily get to control how your life is shared. I know it’s not really your thing, but you’re gonna have to get used to it, so start building up those calluses now. And don’t worry, all the stuff you love now will be cool again in your mid-thirties, so keep some of those clothes because you’ll be a full-blown fashion icon if you just keep wearing exactly what you’re wearing. Oh nd also, put money into Apple and Facebook.

19.  What new hobby did you take on in the last year?

I’ve always been a linguaphile. My idea of leisure time is getting to study or review other languages. This past year, I took the time to finally dive into learning how to read, write, and speak Japanese. Other than making music, it was one of the biggest components of my 2020-2021.

20. What do you hope to accomplish or experience by the end of 2021?

I hope I get to play live shows again.

[sagehaleyofficial]

HERE’S WHAT YOU MISSED THIS WEEK (8.12-8.18.20):

NEW MUSIC:

Like Moths to Flames announced the details of their upcoming album, No Eternity in Gold, which is scheduled for release on October 30. The album will consist of 11 tracks, including the recent single “Habitual Decline.”

Cold Years released a music video for the song “Life With a View,” off of their upcoming album Paradise out September 4. The video focuses on the band as they explore the shores of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Evanescence dropped a new single titled “Use My Voice,” which arrived last Friday. The song features Halestorm's Lzzy Hale, Lindsey Stirling, the Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen and Within Temptation's Sharon Den Adel, among others.

Seaway revealed the details for their new album, Big Vibe, which will drop on October 16 via Pure Noise Records. The title track, which is inspired by 80’s power pop, dropped last Wednesday.

Yungblud released a new collaboration with rapper Denzel Curry titled “Lemonade.” The song was notably featured on the soundtrack for the video game, Madden NFL 21.

After announcing their signing to Fearless Records, Chase Atlantic released a new song titled “Out the Roof.” The song’s music video features the use of Black Hawk helicopters, dune buggies and flames throwers.

Weezer’s new song, “Beginning of the End,” is set to appear on the soundtrack for the upcoming film Bill & Ted Face the Music. In an Instagram post, they confirmed their new album Van Weezer will arrive in May 2021.

Machine Gun Kelly debuted their music video for his recent single, “Concert for Aliens.” The track is taken from his upcoming album Tickets to My Downfall, which is scheduled to release on September 25. 

Travis Mills, formerly known as T. Mills, announced his return to music with his new pop punk duo Girlfriends, alongside Nick Gross. The band released their debut single “California” last Monday.

The Dirty Nil announced the title of their new album, F*ck Art, set for release later this year. They released its first single, “Doom Boy,” a combo of classic thrash metal and rock n’ roll.

TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Papa Roach played a special in-studio livestream, where they played songs from their album Infest in full. Singer Jacoby Shaddix revealed to Rock Sound that they are also working on another version of “Last Resort” featuring three guest vocalists.

Grayscale announced the dates for their first ever UK headlining shows, following the release of their recent reworked EP. The short run will kick off in Manchester on May 28 and end in Birmingham on June 3.

OTHER NEWS:

Paramore’s hit song “Still Into You” was certified platinum in the United Kingdom, the equivalent of 600,000 sales. It marks the second of the band's tracks to hit platinum, with “Misery Business” reaching the certification last December.

iHeartMedia launched the campaign “Why I'm Voting,” which was recently joined by Fall Out Boy. The band also signed an open letter, alongside Panic! at the Disco, Linkin Park and Green Day, to demand candidates get consent to use their music.

Night Riots announced they are going on an indefinite hiatus. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of their album New State of Mind, they dropped a variety of demos, remixes and live tracks from the record.

Linkin Park announced the details of a massive deluxe edition of their album Hybrid Theory, which will be released as a box set. Dropping on October 9, the album will feature “She Couldn't,” a demo track from 1999.

Enter Shikari revealed they have partnered with their local football club, St. Albans City, for a special shirt sponsorship. The shirt was first worn at the team's pre-season match with Hashtag United this past Saturday.

Foo Fighters launched reprints of two retro 1995 tour shirts. All proceeds from the sales will be donated to the #SaveOurVenues and the National Independent Venue Association’s #SaveOurStages campaigns.

Pete Way, founding bassist for UFO and former touring bassist for Ozzy Osbourne, passed away at age 69. In recent years, Way also performed with the Michael Schenker Group and the Pete Way Band.

Twenty One Pilots' song “The Hype” has been certified gold in the United States. The track is featured on the band's latest full-length Trench, which was certified platinum back in May. 

___

Check in next Tuesday for more “Posi Talk with Sage Haley,” only at @sagehaleyofficial!

[outfitandtrend]

[ad_1] TikTok is the music industry’s new obsession, and not even critically acclaimed, multi-platinum pop stars are safe. As the video sharing platform has grown more popular–it’s reportedly the year’s most downloaded app–record labels have apparently been pushing artists to use the platform as a means of self-promotion, even if the artists could care less about the app.In a May 22 TikTok that has been viewed more than eight million times, Halsey voiced frustration with her label’s insistence that she use the app to promote music. “Basically, I have a song that I love that I wanna release ASAP, but my record label won’t let me. I’ve been in this industry for eight years and I’ve sold over 165 million records,” Halsey wrote. “And my record company is saying that I can’t release it unless they can fake a viral moment on TikTok. Everything is marketing.”A few days before Halsey, FKA Twigs voiced similar complaints.  "All record labels ask for are TikToks and I got told off today for not making enough effort,” she wrote in a since-deleted post to the app. As DAZED observed, Twigs’ TikTok presence has increased significantly in recent weeks, and she’s been posting less about music and more the kinds of lo-fi front-facing camera videos that tend to dominate the app’s For You Page. The whole thing feels a little out of character for an artist who so meticulously crafts her music and live performances.Other artists who have shared their thoughts on the subject include Florence Welch, who posted an acapella video on March 22 with the caption, “The label are begging me for [lo] fi TikToks’ so here you go. Please send help.” (The acapella videos she’s released are easily among her best performing posts on the platform; in the caption for one, she wrote, “So this backfired.”)Charli XCX posted a video that implied she was in a similar position, though later walked it back with a characteristically deadpan tweet. “I was just lying for fun,” she wrote.Internet detectives, ever in search of conspiracy theories, have speculated that these videos about being forced to make TikToks are the very viral TikToks that the artist’s labels are demanding. It’s an interesting theory, though Halsey attempted to shoot it down by posting what appears to be a recording of a meeting about rollout strategy.“It's not about making the TikToks I already make TikToks!” Halsey wrote in response. “They are saying if they don’t reach some imaginary goalpost of views or virality then they won’t give me a release date at all. I’m not claiming to be oppressed!”The industry’s purported TikTok obsession almost claimed Adele, too. In a November 2021 interview with Zane Lowe, the singer said that while working on her latest album, 30, she was pushed to make music for TikTok so that teenagers would be interested in her. She put her foot down, stressing that people needed to make music for her age group, but very few artists have that kind of leverage. [ad_2] Source link

[independentartistbuzz]

7 From the Women: Isabella Kay

17-year-old singer/songwriter Isabella Kay's pop debut single "Under Your Skin" was released in March of 2021 and was featured on SweetyHigh's Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW. With many musical influences along the way, some of which are Lady Gaga, Adele, Katy Perry, and Alicia Keys to name a few, Isabella Kay's music offers real-life, heartfelt, relatable experiences. Born in Renton, Washington, just outside of Seattle she started singing and performing on stage at the age of 10 years old. She competed in several singing competitions and gained a following through her ability to connect with her listeners’ emotions. Isabella says "I feel most comfortable on stage, that's my safe place, where I can express myself". "Creating songs with meaning is freeing, sharing feelings through a song is sometimes an easier way of expressing myself" Isabella has been working alongside musician/producer, Jimmy McGorman. He is an American musician, songwriter/producer, and is a multi-instrumentalist: guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, and drummer. He has worked with the Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani, and Cher to name a few. We spoke with Isabella Kay for an exclusive 7 From the Women, below! Listen to her new single “Shy” here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/22GoZHi6EJqpA9hjg7RaZJ?si=9a5f72fcdfac45e1

What Have You Been Working To Promote Lately?

I just released my latest single “SHY”, based off of my own personality.  This has been fun to promote, as it’s very personal to me.  I am a pretty reserved/shy person in my day to day life.  I’m much more comfortable in front of thousands of people performing than raising my hand in English class to answer a question.

Please tell us about your favorite song written, recorded, or produced by another woman and why it’s meaningful to you.

Katy Perry has always been inspirational to me, when I heard her song Roar, I fell in love with it as it’s such an empowering song.  The lyrics, “you held me down, but I got up, already brushing off the dust” are meaningful and relatable to me.  Especially in today’s social media environment, where girls and young women can easily be held to unrealistic expectations.

What does it mean to you to be a woman making music/in the music business today and do you feel a responsibility to other women to create messages and themes in your music?

I love being a woman in the music industry because I get to make music that other women can relate to and be empowered by.  We all are just as important regards of gender identity. I do feel responsible to send out empowering music in hope of a connection.

What female artists have inspired you and influenced you?

There are so many female artists that have inspired me.  To name a few, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Adele, Rhianna, Taylor Swift.  When I think about it, there are so many amazing female role models, it’s hard to name them all.  I think sharing true emotion through songs can help connect us in this world.  Sometimes people can feel like maybe they are the only ones that feel a certain way.  Many of us share similar emotions and can grow and support each other.  I think music is a great way to share emotions and connect all of us.  

Do you consider yourself a feminist? If so, why or why not?

I do consider myself a feminist, we have to stick together in society.  Women play a vital role in every aspect of life.  We need to strive and fight for an inclusive and equitable society.  

What was the most challenging thing you have had to face as a female artist?

I am 17 and have had a really great experience so far in the industry.  I do know though that many female artists feel the pressure and scrutiny from the industry to look, dress and act a certain way.  Let’s face it, the gift of singing was something that was given, not because of they way you look or dress because it’s a gift.  I think bottom line, stop the judgement and enjoy the gifts.  Everyone is given gifts in life and it has nothing to do with how they look, what they wear or believe.  

If you could form an all woman super-group who would play in it?

This is a tough question because there are so many amazing artist that I could choose.  I think as far as who inspired me musically at a very young age, I would say.  Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Lizzo,  I love all these women and they are very supportive of other women and all gender beliefs in society.  I believe in supporting everyone and I think strong, powerful women can change the world for the better.  

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The completely unnecessary news analysis

by Christopher Smart

October 19, 2021

SUPERMAN COMES OUT, EVANGELICALS LOSE IT

Up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Gay Superman. It was bound to happen sooner or later — a superhero was going to come out. And sure as shootin', Superman's offspring has declared that he's Bi. Dear Lord. Here at Smart Bomb, the staff takes a live-and-let-live view. But the evangelicals, not so much. The new Superman, the son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, will soon begin a romantic relationship with a male friend, according to DC Comics — and the Jesus freaks are having none of it. You think vaccines were bad? Ha, that's nothing compared to this push back coming from evangelicals, who, according to Professor Heidi Campbell, believe in preaching the Bible, spreading their faith, and going through a conversion experience that IS NOT Bi-Curious. Accordingly, a Gay Superman is going straight to H-E-Double-Toothpicks. Preacher Jack Wyrtzen puts it this way: "Homosexuality is a sin so rotten, so low, so dirty, that even cats and dogs don't practice it.” Well, that's not very Christian. Overcoming this kind of bigotry could be a job for Superman — able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, more powerful than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet — but not in bed.

10 WAYS THE PANDEMIC RESHAPED OUR LIVES

1 – We now have to wear kevlar at school board meetings.

2 – We don't have to work shitty jobs anymore.

3 – We get to drink more booze because it's a Covid trend.

4 – We can't (don't have to) spend the holidays with in-laws.

5 – We have to take more Prozac because things are so depressing.

6 – We can't go to the movies without a face shield, a mask and bear spray.

7 – We have extra time to watch Republicans turn the world upside-down.

8 – We have a better excuse to miss church (unless your an evangelical).

9 – We can punch out the person behind us on the plane if they piss us off.

10 – And now we know that millions of “anti-vaxers” are batshit crazy.

RACISM IS NOT PART OF OUR HISTORY, RIGHT?

If you can't see racism today or admit it's part of our history, well then it isn't. Among white Democrats 90 percent agree that schools should teach about the nation's racial history. Among white Republicans, that number is 35 percent, according to The American Family Survey, an annual, nationwide study by the Deseret News and BYU. The results are telling. Some 26 states have or plan to introduce legislation barring the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. CRT has become a GOP catch-all for teaching about racism from slavery to the present. “[It] undermines our founding principles, institutions, social mobility, and history itself — and schools should not be forced to teach it,” said Sen. Mike Lee. Of course there is no mandate to teach it. Becky Pringle, National Education Association, said students should be taught about slavery and the racism of today. “We can have honest discussions about today’s injustices and the threats to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that still exist for many.” Until recently, most did not know of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, where mobs of white people burned down 35 blocks of the city's Black community, killing 39 and hospitalizing hundreds. But don't mention that, it could undermine Lee's principles.

Post script — OK sports fans, you can stick a fork in it, another fabulous week is in the books here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of the trials and tribulations of Adele, so you don't have to. Here's the latest from Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and the truth-tellers at Fox News: A new conspiracy has popped up on their Ouija board  indicating Democrats in blue states will seek diaper mandates for anyone whining and crying about mask mandates. If this doesn't get your undies in a twist, what will. Imagine going through security at the airport and getting caught without your diaper — or worse, getting caught wearing your diaper. Note: Depends do not qualify. Here's more good news: The state of Texas will not require that schools teach opposing views on the Holocaust — as in it didn't happen. And all this time you thought the Lone Star State had lost it just because they gerrymandered voting districts so that minorities must vote in Mexico. And finally this: Donald Trump says that unless the Republican Party backs his baseless election fraud claims his supporters will not vote in 2022 and 2024. Well that should show those unloyal bitches he's not playing footsie. He would never bluff about a thing like that would he? You be the judge.

Alright Wilson, we've done it again thanks in large part to Superman. OK, we know you and the guys in the band have a thing for that intergalactic lawman, Green Lantern, and we certainly can't fault you for that. So get us outa here:

Sunshine came softly through my window today Could've tripped out easy but I've changed my ways It'll take time, I know it but in a while You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style 'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene When I say we'll be cool, I think that you know what I mean We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when? I know a beach where, baby, it never ends When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got nothin' on me I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea You can just sit there while thinking on your velvet throne 'Bout all the rainbows you can have for your own When you’ve made your mind up, forever to be mine

(Sunshine Superman — Donovan)

[eccentricbiseo]

Evolution of Technology Trends in the Mobile App Development Industry…

The advancement in technology represents the world’s most significant opportunities for revenue growth. Read more to know the latest technology trends.

Technology is growing at a fast pace. With the advancement in technology paradigm shift has been observed in mobile app technology. Everything from 5G to augment reality, you can access everything via these mobile apps. App developers need to keep themselves up to date to stay on pace with these trends. Let’s dive deeper into the technology trends that have completely transformed the mobile app industry:

Mobile Commerce

Mobile commerce is leading the mobile app industry. It has surprised the entire mobile app industry, and businesses promote their products and services online. The concept of mobile commerce was initially introduced by Amazon and was later implemented by other companies.

Researchers are delighted with the customers’ response to these mobile apps. These have helped them earn enormous profits. Mobile apps have given them an exhilarating experience, but they used the browser to access the website.

5G

Finally, researchers have made efforts and are about to launch the 5G technology. Ongoing research has been taking place on 5G technology, and everyone is expecting positive results. It will connect more individuals than ever and would be producing efficiency, which is beyond our expectations. Application development firms would introduce apps keeping the 5G technology in mind.

Beacon Technology

The demand for Beacon Technology has been rising at a fast pace. It has now become a part of several industries, including healthcare, technology, and several others. It helps to enhance the features and functionalities of mobile applications. For Instance, If you pass by a pizza shop that has installed Beacon Technology, your mobile device will automatically connect to its Bluetooth and make the pizza deals accessible to you.

Proximity marketing can be performed using Beacon technology and helps to determine the shopper’s behavior inside the store.

Foldable Devices

You would have probably heard about the foldable device the last time in “Adele” song Hello. The trend for foldable devices isn’t gone yet as it is now a part of giant multinational corporations including Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola. These devices can be operated using multi-window screens where the apps can adjust according to your convenience.

Mobile app development companies are making efforts to bring amends in the working of the foldable devices and will be introducing more foldable apps in the year 2021.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality initially became a part of the game Pokemon Go, and there is no stopping by. The demand for augmented reality is going to rise in the coming years. The concept was launched by famous brand Loreal which has shown how the customers would look with makeup. Instagram and Snapchat filters are perfect examples of AR.

In Conclusion, trends keep on changing, and app developers must keep themselves updated with them to develop the best apps. If you are looking forward to getting the best mobile app development in Toronto, Eccentric will guide you to choose the right technology stack.

The Article “Evolution of Technology Trends in the Mobile App Development Industry” originally post here.

[redsoapbox]

Thrilled To Announce Austin’s Parker Woodland As The Latest Contributors to V4Velindre

Dan McMonigle and Erin Walter of Parker Woodland, performing live in Austin, TX, USA, Jan. 2020.

Although a labour of love, it has been gruelling work at times putting together a 40-track mixtape for the NHS. There have been many more highs than lows, of course, and its been particularly exciting to discover music that makes you think “Man, wouldn’t it be great to have that on V4Velindre”. Such was the case when I chanced upon “The World’s On Fire (And We Still Fall In Love”) by Parker Woodland when scouring https://bloodbuzzed.blogspot.com/ at 3.am last Wednesday. It has been a joy linking up with Erin subsequently, and I’m proud to welcome her band to the V4Velindre family. Here’s the official band bio -

Austin, Texas indie-rock collective Parker Woodland has been fighting the good fight to share the healing powers of music even before the pandemic hit. And when it did, they doubled down. The band’s driving force is inspiring songwriter/vocalist/bassist Erin Walter, a Unitarian Universalist minister, activist for Girls Rock Camp and The SIMS Foundation, and a whirlwind of positivity. Instead of sitting things out for the year, Walter and company released the “propulsive” (Austin American Statesman) EP The World Is On Fire (And We Still Fall In Love) https://open.spotify.com/artist/22qolN8rm88ks4nGwwKNOO  in February and launched a 80-city virtual tour which includes UU churches, a festival for peace with Willie Nelson and Eliza Gilkyson, a Girls Rock Camp SXSW event and festival, a women’s conference, and Play For The Vote (Beyonce, Paul McCartney, Adele and Aretha Franklin also performed) to remind people of the good things that connect us despite the hardships life throws at us. The tour continues at least through December 2021 (more info here).

Next up for Parker Woodland: A live mini-set and interview on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 7pm Central on Music Firsthand, and then a new EP and music video series "Live from LOVE Hill" to raise money for the national expansion of Austin-based SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health and substance use recovery services and supports for musicians, music industry professionals, and their dependent family members. The 5-song EP will be released on Bandcamp on Sept. 3, 2021, with proceeds going to SIMS until the music hits digital/streaming on Oct. 1. https://parkerwoodland.bandcamp.com/merch