Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/Kv0Kb-uo4ss/
Sunday, July 31, 2011
BeatCrave Fav of the Month Poll: Who Will You Pick?
We selected six bands for the month of July. �Now we need�you�to vote for your favorite�BeatCrave Fav�of the month! Your choices include: a three-piece band that stands at the crossroads of blues, country, and rock�Keith Moody�(listen here), four real, raw rockers from Charlotte, North Carolina �Simplified�(listen here), a folk, pop, soul project rooted in an [...]
25 Years Later: A Look Back At Roadrunner Releases From 1986
Roadrunner Records has a long and storied history as one of metal's longest-running independent labels. Throughout the years, we've brought iconic bands like Sepultura, Suffocation, Slipknot, and even some whose names don't start with S, to the world's attention. So even as we move forward into the future, with new releases by veteran acts and brand-new ones, we feel it's worthwhile to look back at some of the albums we released 25 years ago, way back in 1986.
Crimson Glory's self-titled debut was a pinnacle of the progressive power metal movement in the mid '80s. The band had a knack for image-making, performing in silver masks and giving their singer the stage name "Midnight." Their music was very much in the vein of Queensryche, with powerful guitar leads and screaming upper-register vocals, and song titles like "Queen of the Masquerade," "Angels of War" and "Heart of Steel." Their sound got poppier on subsequent releases, but Crimson Glory was a shockingly assured debut, and the band is still revered in prog and power metal circles.
Where Are They Now? Crimson Glory vocalist Midnight passed away in 2009, but the band has reformed with new frontman Todd La Torre and toured Europe in April 2011, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut.
Mercyful Fate singer King Diamond made his solo debut that year with Fatal Portrait, an album that mixed the "concept album" approach he'd take on later releases with a collection of stand-alone songs on the disc's second side. The first four songs, "The Candle," "The Jonah," "The Portrait" and "Dressed in White," all tell a single linked story of the ghost of a girl whose spirit is trapped in a painting...or something like that. The performances, by King and lead guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner, not the coherence of the story, are what make Fatal Portrait a metal classic, though, and helped it launch a brilliant solo career.
Where Are They Now? King Diamond's most recent album was 2007's Give Me Your Soul...Please. In December 2010, he underwent heart surgery, from which he is presently recuperating.
An unjustly forgotten Roadrunner release from '86 is Brutal Destruction, the debut album by Belgian speed metallers Cyclone. They weren't as polished as Metallica or Megadeth, but they had all the fury and energy of German thrash acts like Kreator and Sodom, and Brutal Destruction is packed with riffs that'll make you want to kick a total stranger in the face. And isn't that what thrash is all about?
Where Are They Now? Cyclone broke up after their second album, 1990's Inferior to None.
Crimson Glory's self-titled debut was a pinnacle of the progressive power metal movement in the mid '80s. The band had a knack for image-making, performing in silver masks and giving their singer the stage name "Midnight." Their music was very much in the vein of Queensryche, with powerful guitar leads and screaming upper-register vocals, and song titles like "Queen of the Masquerade," "Angels of War" and "Heart of Steel." Their sound got poppier on subsequent releases, but Crimson Glory was a shockingly assured debut, and the band is still revered in prog and power metal circles.
Where Are They Now? Crimson Glory vocalist Midnight passed away in 2009, but the band has reformed with new frontman Todd La Torre and toured Europe in April 2011, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut.
Mercyful Fate singer King Diamond made his solo debut that year with Fatal Portrait, an album that mixed the "concept album" approach he'd take on later releases with a collection of stand-alone songs on the disc's second side. The first four songs, "The Candle," "The Jonah," "The Portrait" and "Dressed in White," all tell a single linked story of the ghost of a girl whose spirit is trapped in a painting...or something like that. The performances, by King and lead guitarists Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner, not the coherence of the story, are what make Fatal Portrait a metal classic, though, and helped it launch a brilliant solo career.
Where Are They Now? King Diamond's most recent album was 2007's Give Me Your Soul...Please. In December 2010, he underwent heart surgery, from which he is presently recuperating.
An unjustly forgotten Roadrunner release from '86 is Brutal Destruction, the debut album by Belgian speed metallers Cyclone. They weren't as polished as Metallica or Megadeth, but they had all the fury and energy of German thrash acts like Kreator and Sodom, and Brutal Destruction is packed with riffs that'll make you want to kick a total stranger in the face. And isn't that what thrash is all about?
Where Are They Now? Cyclone broke up after their second album, 1990's Inferior to None.
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23161
'Cowboys & Aliens': Jon Favreau Talks Creating Creatures
Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro advised director, who aimed to 'maintain some mystery and surprises.'
By Eric Ditzian
Daniel Craig in "Cowboys & Aliens"
Photo: Universal Pictures
How do you surprise someone who's seen it all — aliens who snatch bodies and aliens with dreadlocks and aliens who bloodily birth themselves from your stomach and aliens who phone home and aliens who eat cat food and great big blue aliens with tails they use for sex?
Forget about the decades of classic extraterrestrial flicks that stream daily on TV, tablets and desktops. This year alone, movies like "Battle: Los Angeles," "Super 8," "Green Lantern" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" have hit the big screen, each trying to deliver not only eye-popping visuals but the post-credits comment between friends, "Damn, dude, have you ever seen something like that?"
The answer, all too often and quite understandably, is, "Yes, yes, I have." That's the challenge "Cowboys & Aliens" director Jon Favreau faced as he sought to bring alien baddies to the Old West for a genre mash-up that hit theaters Friday (July 29). Favreau, though, counts himself lucky that he was able to lean on some of the most-established sci-fi players in Hollywood for help. The cinematic result is a race of aliens that land in a down-on-its-luck mining town, start to kidnap residents and eventually reveal themselves as extraterrestrial superfreaks on par with anything we've seen at the theater in recent years.
Earlier this month in Montana, Favreau talked with MTV News about what makes a great big-screen alien, the special-effects decisions that helped his filmmaking process and the advice Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro gave him along the way. (Beware of spoilers below.)
"When you set out to make a movie like 'Cowboys & Aliens,' if you just play it as one joke for the whole movie, you're in trouble," Favreau explained. "You run out of gas after about the length of an 'SNL' sketch. So we really wanted to find an approach that could bear out a whole story. Part of it was identifying what kind of alien movie to make and what kind of cowboy movie to make."
The answer to the alien question was to reach back to classics of the '70s and '80s, before CG glam overtook practical effects as the preferred method of creating otherworldly creatures. "The alien movies I like the most are the ones I grew up with," he said. "It was the pre-CG, almost verging on horror versions of alien films, like 'Alien,' 'Aliens,' 'Predator' and all the Spielberg stuff, and I include 'Jaws' in that, too. They were all the same kind of movie.
"It was before you had computer effects, so you had to, through lighting and mystery and music, slowly reveal the creature. That technique has some somewhat been lost now, thanks to CGI. Even though we have CGI creatures eventually, we do use animatronics and we do use lighting and all the old techniques to reveal them."
The aliens in "Cowboys" have landed in an Arizona town to mine for gold — a metal as precious to humans as it is to these space travelers. What's truly cool about them is their transformative quality: Their faces move and shift to expose layers below, and their bodies open up to unleash hidden, gooey hands. Gross and fascinating and scary, all at once. That's exactly what Favreau was hoping to accomplish.
" 'Predator' and 'Alien': What was fun about those films is, as you saw the creatures, more and more layers were revealed, whether it was armor coming off with 'Predator' [and] weaponry, or in the case of 'Alien,' with the second set of teeth or the metamorphosis that it did from its egg state to the face-hugger to whatever that larval phase was when it busts out of your chest and finally into the big [creature]," he said. "It's the shape-shifting quality of the aliens that I thought was really cool. We wanted to maintain some mystery and surprises with our creature."
To create those surprises, Favreau not only depended on his team of artists and effects masters, but on Spielberg and del Toro. "[Spielberg] was very involved with certain aspects of it preproduction, and one of those aspects was the alien design, because he's been involved with so many," he said. "And now seeing 'Falling Skies' and seeing 'Super 8,' I see that he was not just involved with his own films, but other films and projects he's been producing and overseeing. He had a lot of specific insight into what things were important.
"And Guillermo del Toro, I also know him, and he's masterful," Favreau added. "He always said you've got to get the silhouette right first and then you got to get the color right and then you got to get the detail right, in that order. He's actually somebody who helped out and came in the editing room. I was showing him our animatronic work, because he's very picky about that stuff, and when I knew it passed his muster, I felt very good."
Check out everything we've got on "Cowboys & Aliens."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668176/cowboys-and-aliens-creatures.jhtml
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Morrissey Compares Eating At McDonald?s To Participating In The Norway Massacre
So? this should go over well.�� Want to read the most offensive thing you?ll probably see all day?if not all week (I?d say all month, but I?m pretty sure that another celebrity will do something even dumber and more offensive by the end of the month?I mean, Lohan?s out of jail now, so it just [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/3ozH7Q-JX9k/
Watch Trivium Play "Down From The Sky" Live In-Studio!
As you probably know by now, the deluxe edition of Trivium's new album In Waves (in stores August 9) comes with five bonus tracks and a very special DVD, including the video for the song "In Waves," a documentary about the making of the album, and footage of the band performing eight songs - some new, some old - in a warehouse studio, with no one around but the camera crew. Noize TV has posted one of those live songs today; it's "Down from the Sky," from Shogun, and you can check it out at this link.
Trivium are on the road all summer as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, and they're conducting exclusive meet & greets for fans at the Roadrunner Records tent. If you pre-order In Waves, you will receive an exclusive band poster! Text IWTRIV to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be automatically entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Trivium!
Trivium are on the road all summer as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, and they're conducting exclusive meet & greets for fans at the Roadrunner Records tent. If you pre-order In Waves, you will receive an exclusive band poster! Text IWTRIV to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be automatically entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Trivium!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23174
Friday, July 29, 2011
Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, More Rally For 40 Glocc Video
'I just thought it was necessary to get back to the roots,' 40 Glocc tells MTV News of having West Coast icons in 'Welcome to California' clip.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf
40 Glocc
Photo: Brian Ach/WireImage
Who says the California hip-hop scene isn't unified? In his new video for "Welcome to California," rapper 40 Glocc raps alongside E-40, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Xzibit and newcomer Sevin in a grand show of unity. And to take it up yet another level, artists like Ice Cube, Ice-T, WC and Mistah Fab all make cameos.
" 'Welcome to California,' I just thought it was necessary to get back to the roots," 40 Glocc told MTV News. "I felt like we were out of touch with our peers, so I felt like re-touching everybody from Southern California to Northern California, just bring everybody together. So you got all the O.G. cats and you got me and my homey Sevin, who is from Sacramento."
The track, off of 40's upcoming New World Agenda album, wasn't easy to record — and getting the video shot was even harder. Glocc set up three different shoots in order to capture footage of all of the aforementioned artists who appear in the clip, but it was well worth it for the Cali rapper.
"I felt like bringing us all together and giving California back that motivation. I felt like the motivation was missing for us to be ourselves and just do us," he explained. "It was real hard to get everybody together at once because everybody is busy with schedules, but we pulled it off. I was exhausted after, like, 'Wow.' "
"Welcome to California" isn't the only trick 40 Glocc has up his sleeve; he has friends in high places, and that will be clear on New World Agenda, which is due in the fall. Cee Lo Green will feature on a song called "Electric Lady," and 40 teased collaborations with Ray J, Mobb Deep's Prodigy, Yo Gotti and Twista.
What do you think of 40 Glocc bringing the West together on Welcome to California? Tell us in the comments!
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668188/40-glocc-welcome-to-california.jhtml
Doug Stanhope To Appear On Showtime's "The Green Room"
Doug Stanhope will be one of five comedians appearing on the latest episode of Paul Provenza's comedy talk show, The Green Room. He'll be joining Richard Belzer, Dave Attell, Janeane Garofalo, and Glenn Wool.
The Green Room offers comedy fans the chance to see the world's greatest comedians in a roundtable setting, speaking off-the-cuff and uncensored in front of a studio audience. No rules, no agenda, no censors... just some of the funniest people around, riffing on and ripping each other apart.
The episode premieres tonight at 11 PM, and will re-air at the following times:
Fri 07/29 12:00 AM ET/PT (SHO)
Fri 07/29 11:00 PM ET/PT (SHO Extreme)
Fri 07/29 11:29 PM ET/PT (SHO 2)
Sat 07/30 01:00 AM ET/PT (SHO)
Sun 07/31 01:00 AM ET/PT (SHO)
Mon 08/01 08:30 PM ET/PT (SHO 2)
Mon 08/01 11:35 PM ET/PT (SHO Extreme)
Wed 08/03 08:00 PM ET/PT (SHO)
Wed 08/03 11:30 PM ET/PT (SHO)
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23172
Lady Gaga Finally Confirms 'You And I' As Her Next Single
Gaga performed the song twice on Thursday, on 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Photo: ABC
Perhaps it wasn't that big of a secret to begin with, but on Thursday night when Lady Gaga stopped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" the singer finally confirmed what everybody already presumed: "You and I" will be her next single from Born This Way.
When asked what she planned to perform that night in addition to "The Edge of Glory," Gaga replied, "I'm going to sing my brand-new single 'You and I.' " She recently shot the video for the track in Nebraska.
Gaga also performed those two tracks on "So You Think You Can Dance" on Thursday night, following her appearance on the show the day before as a guest judge.
Before taking the "Kimmel" stage and pounding the keys on her piano for the track, she joked around with the host about her killer cooking skills, her five Emmy nods for her HBO special and, of course, her nomination for the Bowling Hall of Fame.
"I am a good bowler pre-Budweiser," she laughed. "And then once the beers start loading up, I become worse and worse, which is really great for whoever takes me out on the date, 'cause I'm a good, cheap date and a terrible bowler."
So, does Gaga ever don bowling shoes? "Absolutely not!" she said. "What if one of my fans walked into the bowling alley and saw me in flats? They'd have a heart attack."
When Kimmel asked if one day she planned on actually creating any Little Monsters of her own, the always forthright Gaga shared that she does plan on starting a family someday. "Do I want to have kids? Someday ... long, long day from now," she said. She joked about whether or not she'd love her kids even if they didn't turn out to be gay, telling Kimmel, "No, I actually don't even like you 'cause you're not."
Gaga also just announced the planned release of a coffee-table book, called "Lady Gaga," the photos for which are by fashion photographer Terry Richardson. The book is due out in November.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668141/lady-gaga-you-and-i-single-confirm.jhtml
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Was Amy Winehouse Crushed By Sudden Fame?
The kind of sudden popularity Winehouse achieved can be disorienting and paralyzing, experts say.
By Gil Kaufman
Amy Winehouse
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images
Some stars seem born to be in the spotlight, thriving in the attention and adulation of their adoring fans and finding a way to navigate the downsides of intense public scrutiny with seeming ease. Others, such as troubled singer Amy Winehouse, appear to have difficulty handling the harsh spotlight and retreat into a destructive cycle of substance abuse and self-harm from which they never return.
Winehouse died at age 27 on Saturday. And though her cause of death has not been determined, it would seem with her sadly short career, which saw her rocket from obscurity in 2006 to tragic demise just five years later, she is the latest example of an artist for whom fame was to be too much, too soon.
"Anyone who is thrust into that kind of celebrity with that kind of attention needs a solid, well-built foundation and support system that they can wrap around them like a blanket," said Dr. Charles Sophy, a psychiatrist who has appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" and "The Housewives of Beverly Hills" and is the author of a new book on conflict-free communication for mothers and daughters, called "Side by Side."
"If you don't have those key elements, you're more likely to implode and hit a wall," Sophy said.
Read what Winehouse producer Salaam Remi had to say about working with the singer.
Winehouse, a child of divorce, appeared drawn to destructive personal relationships — including a tumultuous marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil that resulted in a number of public spats and arrests. To the public at least, it seemed she lacked some of the foundation Sophy says is necessary.
And though it's impossible for outside observers to know for sure, Sophy speculated that genetics may have also played a part in Winehouse's difficulty in dealing with fame, especially if there is a history of addiction or mental health issues in her family. "If those things are not dealt with, then they are huge issues too," he said. "And if all that hits at once, you need coping skills and if those aren't there ..."
Though her legend was based almost entirely on a single album, 2006's Back to Black, which spawned just two singles that charted in the U.S. — "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good" — Winehouse was among the few young women in recent pop history to have attained worldwide critical and commercial success only to either spin out or retreat in the face of the rigors of fame.
Some, such as former Fugees star Lauryn Hill, continue to perform sporadically, but have been unable (or unwilling) to release a proper follow-up. Others, like Alanis Morissette, survive their moment and go on to solid careers that never quite reach the same zenith. And some live somewhere in between, such as Courtney Love, who cracked up for years before getting clean and continuing her career at a lower orbit, or Fiona Apple, who seemed uninterested in playing the fame game and retreated into privacy, releasing just three albums over a 15-year career.
None of those examples really fit the Winehouse mold, though, according to Jenny Eliscu, a Sirius satellite radio host and Rolling Stone contributing editor who profiled Winehouse for the magazine in 2007, as the singer's star was about to go supernova.
"It would be easy and understandable to think that this is a phenomenon that afflicts female artists, but the parallel that makes the most sense for me is Kurt Cobain," she said of the troubled Nirvana singer, who committed suicide at age 27, after years of battling with drugs and struggling to deal with the limelight.
"He had a band to say, 'What the f---?' But when you're solo, it's entirely your own operation with no one there to keep you in check," Eliscu said. "You can languish in your problems. ... It's easy to get in your own cave."
Even if you're not abusing drugs or alcohol, getting it together to make a follow-up to a huge album is hard. But Eliscu said that if you compound that with the loneliness of being a solo artist, particularly one who probably never expected her authentically pained music to reach such a wide audience, you have a recipe for major trouble.
For every Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan who spin out after achieving early celebrity, there are Justin Timberlakes and Taylor Swifts, who appear able to handle the pressure. Sophy said that could be because they have that support system in place early on to help them deal with the pressure.
"Someone who is 27 is not necessarily 27 years old emotionally," said Sophy. "A 27-year-old can often act like an 18-year-old, because oftentimes addicts stop growing emotionally at the age they started using."
Even if, as father Mitch Winehouse said in a statement released after Amy's funeral, his daughter had been drug-free for three years, Sophy said it can take a long time for the brain's chemistry to return to normal long after a patient leaves rehab.
Sophy said that any artist who puts themselves in the spotlight is taking a huge risk, regardless of their sobriety. As they look for affirmation that they're talented enough, once success begins coming in a rush, it can make them doubt their skills more than ever.
"When they hit it and it becomes a big thing, then there's more pressure on them and their self-esteem, which might have been an issue to begin with and that's a bigger mountain to climb," Sophy explained.
It's hard for even the most self-assured person to say, "I'm really good at this," and so, Sophy said, when that doubt creeps in while the world is watching, it sometimes makes it difficult to stay on the straight and narrow without self-medicating or finding some other way to cope with the pressure. "Instant fame is like a drug," he said. "It starts out slowly and then you can get a big rush from a big blowup and that little high you got from your first big interview or show is like a drug and you get addicted to the rush and adrenaline. Then you have that big [magazine] feature, and that really sends you over the top. And how do you beat that attention? You have to get another one."
Find out what music experts think will be Amy's musical legacy, beyond "Rehab."
While Winehouse often seemed unaffected by the attention, if not downright uninterested in it, her music came from what seemed like a genuine wellspring of pain and emotion. Because of that, Eliscu said it's not surprising that someone in that state of turmoil might retreat into a kind of cocoon of safety and escape the public world they've been thrust into.
"When you get to the level of someone like the Jonas Brothers, you have so many people protecting you that you can almost be sheltered from expectations of what people want," she said. "But [Winehouse] never had that level of structure in place around her. Even after the success of the first album in the U.K., she could never have known how well [Back to Black] would have done."
Related Videos Related Photos- Amy Winehouse's Friends And Family Attend Her Funeral
- Amy Winehouse: A Life In Photos
- Amy Winehouse And Other Idols Gone At Age 27
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668091/amy-winehouse-death-fame.jhtml
Machine Head's Robb Flynn Interviewed By Revolver TV
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn was recently interviewed by Revolver TV host Possum at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. In the clip, Flynn talks about the band's upcoming album, Unto the Locust. Here's the video:
Machine Head will be appearing on the Mayhem Festival tour all summer long, and they'll be holding meet and greets with fans at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent! Stop off at the Roadrunner Records booth and pre-order Unto The Locust to receive an exclusive lithograph! Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed Jackson Phil Demmel signature model guitar! Check out the exclusive line here!
Machine Head will be appearing on the Mayhem Festival tour all summer long, and they'll be holding meet and greets with fans at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent! Stop off at the Roadrunner Records booth and pre-order Unto The Locust to receive an exclusive lithograph! Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed Jackson Phil Demmel signature model guitar! Check out the exclusive line here!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23165
Win A Signed Guitar From Theory Of A Deadman
Theory of a Deadman are giving away a signed Gibson guitar! All you have to do is visit the band's Facebook page and "like" it to be entered to win! It's difficult to imagine anything easier, unless we were to allow you to enter by blinking, or mouthing the words "free guitar" (you wouldn't even have to say it out loud). But we digress. Go to Facebook, enter to win an autographed guitar. You're welcome.
When you're done with that, you can buy the group's latest CD, The Truth Is..., from iTunes or Amazon, or just listen to it on Spotify.
When you're done with that, you can buy the group's latest CD, The Truth Is..., from iTunes or Amazon, or just listen to it on Spotify.
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23163
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Machine Head's Robb Flynn Interviewed By Revolver TV
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn was recently interviewed by Revolver TV host Possum at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour. In the clip, Flynn talks about the band's upcoming album, Unto the Locust. Here's the video:
Machine Head will be appearing on the Mayhem Festival tour all summer long, and they'll be holding meet and greets with fans at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent! Stop off at the Roadrunner Records booth and pre-order Unto The Locust to receive an exclusive lithograph! Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed Jackson Phil Demmel signature model guitar! Check out the exclusive line here!
Machine Head will be appearing on the Mayhem Festival tour all summer long, and they'll be holding meet and greets with fans at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent! Stop off at the Roadrunner Records booth and pre-order Unto The Locust to receive an exclusive lithograph! Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed Jackson Phil Demmel signature model guitar! Check out the exclusive line here!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23165
'Breaking Dawn' Soundtrack Could Feature A Castmember
Director Bill Condon tells MTV News soundtrack for 'Part 1' already has about 15 songs in contention.
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
Photo: Summit Entertainment
As with any great tale coming to an end, "The Twilight Saga" will bring things full circle in its two-part finale, director Bill Condon says.
MTV News caught up with Condon at 2011 San Diego Comic-Con to talk about the final two installments of the franchise, and he told us that both movies, but particularly "Part 1," will hearken back to Catherine Hardwicke's 2008 "Twilight" flick, which started the onscreen phenomenon.
"I always thought of 'Breaking Dawn - Part 1' as a real companion piece to Catherine Hardwicke's movie," Condon explained. "Like, everything that got set up there gets resolved here. I think you'll find that there are stylistic and other nods to that film."
Fans will also be excited to learn that some of the same principles will apply to the highly anticipated "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" soundtrack. Condon confirmed that Carter Burwell, who scored the first movie, will be back for "Part 1," which means familiar themes like "Bella's Lullaby" will be in play again for the first time since "Twilight" first hit theaters.
With negotiations for the soundtrack still under way, though, Condon wouldn't talk too specifically about which songs will be included on the album. But he confirmed that there's a good chance that one of the "Twilight" cast's musically-inclined stars will appear on the soundtrack.
We'll leave it up to fans to guess whether that means Robert Pattinson, Jackson Rathbone, Booboo Stewart or one of the other musical castmembers.
"We're just figuring out [the soundtrack] now," Condon said during MTV News' "Breaking Dawn" Comic-Con takeover, adding that they haven't made deals with all of the featured artists yet. "We have a lot of [songs]. We have like 15, I think. "
Tell us who you'd like to hear on the "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" soundtrack in the comments section!
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos- MTV Rough Cut: 'Breaking Dawn' Director Bill Condon
- MTV News' Comic-Con Takeover 'Breaking Dawn' Special
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667998/twilight-breaking-dawn-bill-condon-soundtrack.jhtml
Tyler Connolly Talks Theory Of A Deadman's New Album With Billboard
Theory of a Deadman frontman Tyler Connolly talks about the personal experiences that led to the dark lyrical tone of the band's new album, The Truth Is..., in a new article on Billboard.com.
Connolly tells the writer that many of the songs on The Truth Is..., which came out July 12 and is already a Top Ten album on Billboard's Top 200, were inspired by his recent divorce. "A lot of it stems from the relationship ending...ending not to my liking, me having to deal with the consequences, continuing life in a strange city, all alone. It's all true, which is a good thing; it would be funky if people were like, 'Why does the album sound like this?' and I'd be going, 'I dunno...'"
Read the whole article at this link.
Theory of a Deadman will be hitting the road soon on the Carnival of Madness tour with Black Stone Cherry, Alter Bridge, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.
Buy The Truth Is... from iTunes or Amazon
Listen to it on Spotify
Connolly tells the writer that many of the songs on The Truth Is..., which came out July 12 and is already a Top Ten album on Billboard's Top 200, were inspired by his recent divorce. "A lot of it stems from the relationship ending...ending not to my liking, me having to deal with the consequences, continuing life in a strange city, all alone. It's all true, which is a good thing; it would be funky if people were like, 'Why does the album sound like this?' and I'd be going, 'I dunno...'"
Read the whole article at this link.
Theory of a Deadman will be hitting the road soon on the Carnival of Madness tour with Black Stone Cherry, Alter Bridge, Adelitas Way and Emphatic.
Buy The Truth Is... from iTunes or Amazon
Listen to it on Spotify
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23146
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Machine Head's Robb Flynn Talks Fan Loyalty In New Interview
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn talks about fan loyalty and the group's upcoming album, Unto the Locust, in an interview with KNAC.com.
Says Flynn, "We always had the fan base. We were selling out House of Blues in L.A. and Irving Plaza in New York and stuff. I think the media really came back around on The Blackening, which was rad. We got this whole new fan renaissance with a whole new generation. It was killer. I think it's like any band. If you're going to evolve and stay relevant you ride the waves that happen and, you know, there's good waves and bad waves. We've somehow managed to ride the waves past the bad waves."
He also discusses recording cover songs, saying, "For this record, I really wanted to try and bring in some new stuff to the picture. During the course of The Blackening we had recorded a cover of Iron Maiden's "Hallowed be Thy Name." We agreed to do it, based on the fact that it's one of our favorite songs and because we felt it would be a challenge and it would be a song that no one would really want to take on because it's a pretty fuckin' epic song. I wasn't really certain if I could sing that high and pull it off. I knew I could hit the notes but I wanted it to sound real and heavy. I didn't want it to sound thin and weak, like some singers sound. To my surprise, I actually pulled it off and did it a lot better than I thought I was going to. It really pushed me. Then a friend of the family passed away. It was pretty sad, and I recorded a cover of Heaven and Hell's "Die Young." It was just me on acoustic. Pretty high notes RJD's hitting there at the end. The perfect grit. It's the perfect fucking grit."
Read the whole interview here.
Members of Machine Head will be signing every day at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent on the Mayhem tour. Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Machine Head!
Says Flynn, "We always had the fan base. We were selling out House of Blues in L.A. and Irving Plaza in New York and stuff. I think the media really came back around on The Blackening, which was rad. We got this whole new fan renaissance with a whole new generation. It was killer. I think it's like any band. If you're going to evolve and stay relevant you ride the waves that happen and, you know, there's good waves and bad waves. We've somehow managed to ride the waves past the bad waves."
He also discusses recording cover songs, saying, "For this record, I really wanted to try and bring in some new stuff to the picture. During the course of The Blackening we had recorded a cover of Iron Maiden's "Hallowed be Thy Name." We agreed to do it, based on the fact that it's one of our favorite songs and because we felt it would be a challenge and it would be a song that no one would really want to take on because it's a pretty fuckin' epic song. I wasn't really certain if I could sing that high and pull it off. I knew I could hit the notes but I wanted it to sound real and heavy. I didn't want it to sound thin and weak, like some singers sound. To my surprise, I actually pulled it off and did it a lot better than I thought I was going to. It really pushed me. Then a friend of the family passed away. It was pretty sad, and I recorded a cover of Heaven and Hell's "Die Young." It was just me on acoustic. Pretty high notes RJD's hitting there at the end. The perfect grit. It's the perfect fucking grit."
Read the whole interview here.
Members of Machine Head will be signing every day at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent on the Mayhem tour. Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Machine Head!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23150
Amy Winehouse Dead
'Rehab' singer's body discovered in her London apartment, publicist confirms.
By James Montgomery
Amy Winehouse
Photo: Gregg Delman/MTV
Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment Saturday (July 23), her publicist confirmed to CNN. The U.K. singer was 27 years old.
A press release from Metropolitan Police does not specify Winehouse by name, but reads: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05 hours today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased. On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue into the circumstances of death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."
Click for photos of Amy Winehouse's life and career.
Winehouse canceled her European tour last month, and has long struggled with substance abuse.
On June 18, Winehouse performed the first show of that European tour at Forest Fest in Belgrade, Serbia, but things went terribly wrong. The Brit songstress reportedly showed up more than an hour late and then once there, she repeatedly left the stage mid-performance. Winehouse forgot lyrics to her songs and even dropped the mic as a disgruntled crowd of 20,000 booed her set. After the show, she canceled festival appearances in Turkey and Greece.
Apart from her touring plans, Winehouse was also reportedly working on the follow-up to her award-winning Back to Black, but a concrete release date for the album was never established.
Earlier Saturday, Winehouse's management team released a statement confirming she was pulling out of all gigs to concentrate on her recovery: "Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen."
Read what Rihanna, Usher and more said about Winehouse on Twitter.
Amy Jade Winehouse, born September 14, 1983, exploded onto the U.K. scene in 2003 with her debut album, Frank, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize, the award given to the year's best British or Irish album. After a string of well-received festival gigs and an Ivor Novello songwriting award, she began work on the album that would make her an international star: Back to Black, released Stateside in 2007.
Teaming with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson (and the New-York based Dap Kings ensemble), Winehouse crafted a sound that was heavily indebted to the girl groups of the 1950s and '60s and, when combined with her smoky vocals and towering beehive hairstyle, served as a welcome antidote to the electronic-based pop music of the day. Buoyed by the success of iconic single "Rehab" — and Winehouse's near-constant coverage in the tabloids — Back To Black became a worldwide phenomenon, topping the charts in the U.K. (where it would be the year's best-selling album) and earning Winehouse five Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Following the success of Back to Black, Winehouse toured the world, and began a star-crossed (and much-covered) relationship with a former video-production assistant named Blake Fielder-Civil. Around the same time, several media outlets began reporting extensively on the couple's drug use and, in 2008, Fielder-Civil served time in prison after an altercation with a bar owner. During this period, Winehouse also had several run-ins with the law, including a 2007 arrest for possession of marijuana in Bergen, Norway, a "common assault" charge in early 2008 and, most famously, a May 2008 arrest stemming from a video of her smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine. She avoided jail time in each instance but, at the urging of her father, the singer made several attempts to get clean, repeatedly checking herself into rehabilitation facilities. Her last stint in rehab reportedly took place in May of 2011.
During all of this, Winehouse had also begun working on the follow-up to Back to Black, heading to the island of St. Lucia with Remi to record tracks. In July 2010, Winehouse made a surprise appearance at a Ronson show in London, flubbing the lines to the producer's song "Valerie." A few days later, she told the U.K.'s Metro newspaper that the new album was due in January and would follow in the footsteps of Black's retro leanings.
She recorded a version of Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" for legendary producer Quincy Jones' Q: Soul Bossa Nostra album, and was also tapped to sing with Tony Bennett on his upcoming Duets II album, which is due in September.
In the hours following her death, Winehouse's American record label, Universal Republic, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."
Shocked? Saddened? React To Her Death With Us On Facebook
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667799/amy-winehouse-dead.jhtml
Kelly Rowland Means Business With Here I Am
'Motivation' singer says she admires 'artists like Chris Brown and Rihanna, who don't mind putting it all on their album.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Kelly Rowland
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ FilmMagic
Kelly Rowland is proudly declaring Here I Am on her new album, which dropped Tuesday (July 26). And while she's always been a soulful R&B diva, the past few years, she's carved out a place for herself among the dancing queens of the world. And, she said, there's room for both of those characters on this latest release.
"The personalities aren't really different," she explained to MTV News. "I think what I've grown to know about my voice is, just having a voice, period, as a woman, you mean business, period — whether that's making people dance or that's making people feel in an emotional way or whatever it might be when it comes to R&B.
"I think that R&B, of course, is where I'm deeply rooted, period," she continued. "I'll never go anywhere. I just happened to try something out [dance], and it worked, and that's just the part of it. And I think that's what I admire about artists like Chris Brown and Rihanna, who don't mind putting it all on their album. Who cares? It's music, and they're making it: great music. And I'm proud of that, that we do have a generation that is just making great music, period."
With features from the likes of "Motivation" collaborator Lil Wayne, Big Sean and Rico Love, to name a few, Rowland also got production help from heavy hitters such as Tricky Stewart, Jim Jonsin, David Guetta, RedOne and Rodney Jerkins.
"Above anything, I got to work with creative people. We were in the same pocket sonically," she explained. "And I got the chance to go back in with Rodney Jerkins, and we were just in a pocket together that ... blew me away, period. And with Red[One] too, everybody. It was so much fun. I'm so happy with the project."
This album, for Rowland, was a balance of working with a new crop of producers and a familiar set of people. That combination helped her shape the many sides of herself. "Red didn't meet me, but he was like, 'I don't think you are singing at your full capacity,' " she recalled. "We got into the studio, and when we finished the two records that we did together, I just looked at him and was like, 'You get it?' He gets it.
"And Rodney's been knowing me since I was 17 years old," she continued. "Rodney comes into the studio, and he's like, 'Wait a minute: What's happening [with your voice]?' It's really interesting how the two are not that far off, but they're both great ears."
Share your review of Kelly Rowland's new album in the comments below.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667896/kelly-rowland-new-album-here-i-am.jhtml
Monday, July 25, 2011
From Rebecca Black to Journey It Is a Wild Week Of Pop Music On TV
This week you will see literally a little bit of everything of pop music performers on TV. From the cheesy pop stylings of Rebecca Black to rock legends journey and pop icon Barry Manilow. For something a bit more mainstream its current rock band 3 Doors Down or pop-rock leaders OneRepublic. Variety is this week's keyword. For all the details check out Pop Music On TV.
...Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler End Engagement
Chicago Bears quarterback reportedly got cold feet.
By Jocelyn Vena
Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler
Photo: Getty Images
What a difference three months make. Back in April, former "Hills" star Kristin Cavallari announced her engagement to Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Now cut to July, and the pair have reportedly called it off.
According to People.com, the couple had planned to marry next April, but a source says, "She got dumped. She's absolutely devastated. She can't believe this is happening.
"She was planning her dream wedding, the date was set, the location — everything was set," the source added. "She's in shock that the dream wedding she was planning is going to end this way."
Cavallari had been spending time in Chicago, with plans to move there when football season kicks off. But this past weekend in Los Angeles, the reality starlet was spotted without her engagement ring. "She was hanging out at a table with Nicky Hilton and Alessandra Ambrosio," an eyewitness said of an outing to the Beverly. "She was telling friends how they called off the engagement."
E! News reports that the couple had been disagreeing about how Cavallari would split her time between married life in Chicago and her career. "Jay got cold feet," a source tells the website. "Kristin is stunned."
Cavallari was recently spotted in Miami at Swim Week excitedly saying how she was looking forward to her wedding. She said she had just had an engagement party and had bought a Monique Lhuillier wedding gown two weeks earlier.
A rep for the couple, who got engaged in Mexico, did not respond to MTV News' request for comment. Cavallari's Twitter account remained without comment as of press time.
Shortly after Cutler proposed to his girlfriend of ten months, the couple received well wishes from a variety of old pals including Whitney Port and Cavallari's former flame, Stephen Colletti.
Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667838/kristin-cavallari-jay-cutler-end-engagement.jhtml
Download A New Kenny Wayne Shepherd Song Free!
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, whose new album How I Go will be released August 2, has just released a free song to fans. Go to his Facebook page to download "The Dark Side of Love" now! And hurry - it's only going to be available for 48 hours!
Shepherd also recently offered fans a look into the making of the song "Never Lookin' Back" from the upcoming album via GuitarWorld.com.
Shepherd also recently offered fans a look into the making of the song "Never Lookin' Back" from the upcoming album via GuitarWorld.com.
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23147
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Usher Collaborator Rico Love Calls Kelly Rowland's 'Motivation' 'Truly Organic'
Lil Wayne 'jumped on it,' Raymond v. Raymond writer tells Mixtape Daily.
By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rob Markman
Rico Love
Photo: TTLL
Behind the Beats: Rico Love
If more people read the credits behind some of R&B's biggest hits, Rico Love should be a household name. Born Richard Preston Butler Jr., the former Florida A&M University student is now one of the music industry's most-sought-after singer/songwriters.
After writing hits for Usher ("There Goes My Baby"), Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams") and Diddy-Dirty Money ("Hello Good Morning"), to name a few, one of Rico's biggest hits to date is Kelly Rowland's "Motivation."
"It came about in a truly organic way," Rico told Mixtape Daily of the Jim Jonsin-produced "Motivation." "We had this meeting in New York: myself and Sylvia [Rhone] and Kelly. And they just were saying, 'We need to find that single; we need that big single.' Everybody was asking for an uptempo, actually.
"I flew down to Miami the next day, and that Tuesday, we got back in the studio, and Jim started playing these chords, and then coming up with these little sounds — the signature sounds that Jim comes up with. I just told him to lay it like a skeleton idea, and I jumped in the booth, and I started with the verse, and I kind of sang my way all the way through the record."
Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, was in the studio while Rico was laying down the reference track and made her regard for the song known immediately. "Kelly was there and watched the whole process," Rico recalled. "As soon as I finished singing the demo, usually an artist wants to live with it or listen to it for a little while. She just said, 'I want to cut it right now.' So she jumped in the booth, and we cut the record."
"Motivation" became the lead single for Rowland's third album, Here I Am, which was released in April. The song, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, features a verse from Lil Wayne.
"Lil Wayne got out of jail a few days later, and as soon as he got out of jail, [Rowland] went to see him, and he jumped on it," Rico explained. "It was the most organized situation ever. It was nothing contrived about it."
There's been nothing manufactured about Rico's accomplishments either. Starting his musical career as a rapper, he has signed former Roc-a-Fella rapper Young Chris to his Universal/Motown-distributed Division 1 label.
After leaving Florida A&M to pursue music, Rico caught the attention of Usher, and penned songs for the R&B singer, including "Throwback." Other artists soon benefitted from his songwriting, including T.I., Pleasure P and Mario. Rico takes pride in being versatile with his talents, preferring not to make specific songs intended for specific artists only.
"Sometimes, when you keep an artist in mind, you'll limit yourself," Rico explained. "You won't go a place that they probably would go because you're thinking, "Nah, she wouldn't say this," or "He wouldn't do this," or "He wouldn't say this," and "This melody is out of the way for them."
"When I get a chance to just get into the studio and just write music and just produce music and sit at the piano and tell a guy where I want to hear the chords and create the progressions and just freely make music, it's a lot more fun."
Lately, Rico has been back in the studio with Usher. In 2007, he was signed to the singer's former US Records via J Records. But his debut album was never released, and he and Usher went their separate ways.
But as Rico become a songwriting force, the two eventually started working together again. The first song they recorded was the Grammy-winning "There Goes My Baby" from 2010's Raymond v. Raymond. Now, Rico is working on Usher's forthcoming album and embracing the pressure of surpassing its predecessor's platinum sales and critical success.
"I feel like this is what separates the boys from the men," Rico said of working with Usher. "This week, we been creating records together. We had two mics, two headphones set up in the booth, and we just sit there and vibe out.
"These first few days have been amazing. We got four records cut so far that sound super amazing. I'm super excited about it. I'm just anxious for the world to hear it."
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667790/rico-love-kelly-rowland-motivation.jhtml
Machine Head's Robb Flynn Talks Fan Loyalty In New Interview
Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn talks about fan loyalty and the group's upcoming album, Unto the Locust, in an interview with KNAC.com.
Says Flynn, "We always had the fan base. We were selling out House of Blues in L.A. and Irving Plaza in New York and stuff. I think the media really came back around on The Blackening, which was rad. We got this whole new fan renaissance with a whole new generation. It was killer. I think it's like any band. If you're going to evolve and stay relevant you ride the waves that happen and, you know, there's good waves and bad waves. We've somehow managed to ride the waves past the bad waves."
He also discusses recording cover songs, saying, "For this record, I really wanted to try and bring in some new stuff to the picture. During the course of The Blackening we had recorded a cover of Iron Maiden's "Hallowed be Thy Name." We agreed to do it, based on the fact that it's one of our favorite songs and because we felt it would be a challenge and it would be a song that no one would really want to take on because it's a pretty fuckin' epic song. I wasn't really certain if I could sing that high and pull it off. I knew I could hit the notes but I wanted it to sound real and heavy. I didn't want it to sound thin and weak, like some singers sound. To my surprise, I actually pulled it off and did it a lot better than I thought I was going to. It really pushed me. Then a friend of the family passed away. It was pretty sad, and I recorded a cover of Heaven and Hell's "Die Young." It was just me on acoustic. Pretty high notes RJD's hitting there at the end. The perfect grit. It's the perfect fucking grit."
Read the whole interview here.
Members of Machine Head will be signing every day at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent on the Mayhem tour. Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Machine Head!
Says Flynn, "We always had the fan base. We were selling out House of Blues in L.A. and Irving Plaza in New York and stuff. I think the media really came back around on The Blackening, which was rad. We got this whole new fan renaissance with a whole new generation. It was killer. I think it's like any band. If you're going to evolve and stay relevant you ride the waves that happen and, you know, there's good waves and bad waves. We've somehow managed to ride the waves past the bad waves."
He also discusses recording cover songs, saying, "For this record, I really wanted to try and bring in some new stuff to the picture. During the course of The Blackening we had recorded a cover of Iron Maiden's "Hallowed be Thy Name." We agreed to do it, based on the fact that it's one of our favorite songs and because we felt it would be a challenge and it would be a song that no one would really want to take on because it's a pretty fuckin' epic song. I wasn't really certain if I could sing that high and pull it off. I knew I could hit the notes but I wanted it to sound real and heavy. I didn't want it to sound thin and weak, like some singers sound. To my surprise, I actually pulled it off and did it a lot better than I thought I was going to. It really pushed me. Then a friend of the family passed away. It was pretty sad, and I recorded a cover of Heaven and Hell's "Die Young." It was just me on acoustic. Pretty high notes RJD's hitting there at the end. The perfect grit. It's the perfect fucking grit."
Read the whole interview here.
Members of Machine Head will be signing every day at the Rockstar Energy Drink tent on the Mayhem tour. Text MFHEAD to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be entered for a chance to win an autographed guitar from Machine Head!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23150
Drake Reveals Lead Take Care Single: 'Headlines'
'With this album, I want to tell a whole story,' Drake tells Rolling Stone.
By Alvin Blanco
Drake
Photo: Getty Images
While hip-hop heads are eyeing the throne, more details are being revealed about Drake's highly anticipated sophomore album, Take Care. After releasing a handful of songs via his blog (including "Marvin's Room" and "Dreams Money Can Buy"), the Toronto rapper and YMCMB representative reportedly will soon be dropping his new album's proper lead single "Headlines" and has also divulged info about a few more songs on the project.
Drake let loose an obvious clue about his official single with a tweet on July 18 that read simply, "Headlines." On Thursday, it was confirmed that there is a song called "Headlines" and it was produced by longtime Drake producers and collaborators Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels and Noah "40" Shebib, according to HipHopDX.
Ironically, despite all the speculation on what his new album's first single will be, Drake expressed his disdain of single tracks. "I hate singles. ... With this album, I want to tell a whole story," Drake told Rolling Stone. "I don't want people to just hear a piece and judge the album on that."
In the interview, conducted in the Toronto studio where he is recording the album, Drake revealed the titles to three songs: "Shot for Me," "Free Spirit" and "The Real Her." "Free Spirit" features Rick Ross, and "The Real Her" features Drake's Young Money benefactor Lil Wayne. Drake also mentioned his desire to collaborate with an eclectic mix of musicians for Take Care, including R&B crooner Abel Tesfaye of the Weeknd, storied hip-hop producer DJ Premier, and indie rockers Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine's and producer Jamie Smith of the xx.
Take Care is due in stores October 24, which happens to be Drake's birthday.
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667755/drake-take-care-headlines-new-single.jhtml
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Amy Winehouse Dead
'Rehab' singer's body discovered in her London apartment, publicist confirms.
By James Montgomery
Amy Winehouse
Photo: Gregg Delman/MTV
Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London apartment Saturday (July 23), her publicist confirmed to CNN. The U.K. singer was 27 years old.
A press release from Metropolitan Police does not specify Winehouse by name, but reads: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05 hours today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased. On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue into the circumstances of death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."
Click for photos of Amy Winehouse's life and career.
Winehouse canceled her European tour last month, and has long struggled with substance abuse.
On June 18, Winehouse performed the first show of that European tour at Forest Fest in Belgrade, Serbia, but things went terribly wrong. The Brit songstress reportedly showed up more than an hour late and then once there, she repeatedly left the stage mid-performance. Winehouse forgot lyrics to her songs and even dropped the mic as a disgruntled crowd of 20,000 booed her set. After the show, she canceled festival appearances in Turkey and Greece.
Apart from her touring plans, Winehouse was also reportedly working on the follow-up to her award-winning Back to Black, but a concrete release date for the album was never established.
Earlier Saturday, Winehouse's management team released a statement confirming she was pulling out of all gigs to concentrate on her recovery: "Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen."
Read what Rihanna, Usher and more said about Winehouse on Twitter.
Amy Jade Winehouse, born September 14, 1983, exploded onto the U.K. scene in 2003 with her debut album, Frank, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize, the award given to the year's best British or Irish album. After a string of well-received festival gigs and an Ivor Novello songwriting award, she began work on the album that would make her an international star: Back to Black, released Stateside in 2007.
Teaming with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson (and the New-York based Dap Kings ensemble), Winehouse crafted a sound that was heavily indebted to the girl groups of the 1950s and '60s and, when combined with her smoky vocals and towering beehive hairstyle, served as a welcome antidote to the electronic-based pop music of the day. Buoyed by the success of iconic single "Rehab" — and Winehouse's near-constant coverage in the tabloids — Back To Black became a worldwide phenomenon, topping the charts in the U.K. (where it would be the year's best-selling album) and earning Winehouse five Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Following the success of Back to Black, Winehouse toured the world, and began a star-crossed (and much-covered) relationship with a former video-production assistant named Blake Fielder-Civil. Around the same time, several media outlets began reporting extensively on the couple's drug use and, in 2008, Fielder-Civil served time in prison after an altercation with a bar owner. During this period, Winehouse also had several run-ins with the law, including a 2007 arrest for possession of marijuana in Bergen, Norway, a "common assault" charge in early 2008 and, most famously, a May 2008 arrest stemming from a video of her smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine. She avoided jail time in each instance but, at the urging of her father, the singer made several attempts to get clean, repeatedly checking herself into rehabilitation facilities. Her last stint in rehab reportedly took place in May of 2011.
During all of this, Winehouse had also begun working on the follow-up to Back to Black, heading to the island of St. Lucia with Remi to record tracks. In July 2010, Winehouse made a surprise appearance at a Ronson show in London, flubbing the lines to the producer's song "Valerie." A few days later, she told the U.K.'s Metro newspaper that the new album was due in January and would follow in the footsteps of Black's retro leanings.
She recorded a version of Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" for legendary producer Quincy Jones' Q: Soul Bossa Nostra album, and was also tapped to sing with Tony Bennett on his upcoming Duets II album, which is due in September.
In the hours following her death, Winehouse's American record label, Universal Republic, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."
Shocked? Saddened? React To Her Death With Us On Facebook
Share your condolences with Amy Winehouse's family and friends in the comments below.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667799/amy-winehouse-dead.jhtml
'Captain America' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Know
We've been following 'The First Avenger' since it was first announced.
By Ryan J. Downey
Chris Evans in "Captain America: The First Avenger"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Captain America will finally throw his mighty shield on the big screen this weekend. And while Cap's journey from the comics to the megaplex wasn't quite as arduous as the hero's transition from World War II to present day (which involved being frozen in a block of ice), there were plenty of twists and turns before Chris Evans put on the costume that will allow him to lead the Avengers.
A "Captain America" movie actually appeared back in 1990, but to call it a "B-movie" would be generous. Albert Pyun, the director responsible for action romps like Jean Claude Van Damme's "Cyborg," cast actor Matt Salinger in the title role and took several liberties with established continuity. Cap was still named Steve Rogers, still given his abilities by a "super soldier serum" during World War II and still frozen in a block of ice, however, his arch-nemesis switched from German to Italian.
This summer's "Captain America: The First Avenger" returns the Red Skull to his nefarious Nazi origins. Hugo Weaving plays the megalomaniacal fellow experimental "super soldier" who leads Hitler's deep science division, HYDRA, which eventually breaks away from the Nazis due to the Skull's world-domination plans. Steve Rogers is a Brooklyn kid whose scrawny size and poor health cause him to be rejected continually as he tries to enlist for the war effort. A professor's serum gives him a muscular body and super-strength. Thanks to technology, Evans portrays both versions of the character.
Jon Favreau considered directing "Captain America" before ultimately choosing "Iron Man" instead. That film's success established Marvel as a Hollywood studio in its own right (with distribution help, of course), following previous Marvel character flicks like "X-Men," "Spider-Man" and "Daredevil," which were handled by other studios. Marvel decided to mix heroes onscreen as they always have in print (at least the ones they still own the rights to) with next summer's "Avengers" movie building on "Easter eggs" and story connections established across multiple films, like "Cap."
"The Incredible Hulk" director Louis Leterrier was considered for a time before the job ultimately went to Joe Johnston, who had proven his hero prowess and period-movie gloss with "The Rocketeer."
Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy"), John Krasinski ("The Office'") and Mike Vogel ("Cloverfield") were among the actors reportedly considered for the title role. Sebastian Stan ("Gossip Girl") was considered as well before ultimately being cast as Captain America's sidekick, "Bucky" Barnes.
Chris Evans actually turned the role down. He had played a Marvel hero before, appearing as the Human Torch in two "Fantastic Four" films. Evans and Weaving were the first cast announcements.
"I got a call, and they said they want me to audition, and I said, 'Great!' And then I thought about it and I said, 'No thanks,' " Evans told MTV News. "And then they called back and they said, 'Well, they want you to test,' and testing is basically they'll draw up a contract, and if you're testing then you're only testing with a couple other guys and the odds of walking away with it drastically increase. And again I just said, 'I think I'm good. This isn't really what I'm looking for.'
"It just seemed like the more I walked away, the more they pursued," he explained.
At Comic-Con last year, where he appeared onstage with the rest of the Avengers, Evans told us about all the research he did to bone up on Captain America lore after he accepted the role.
"Personally, when I was going through the comic books, the ones that were most intriguing were the origin stories. I just wanted to get as many different takes on how this guy started out."
Fans were thrilled to learn more information about the Captain America movie as it trickled out online: The Howling Commandos would appear; the Cosmic Cube figured into the story; Tony "Iron Man" Stark's father, Howard Stark, would be a central supporting character, and so forth.
But as it turned out, Evans was still questioning his decision to play the role even at Comic-Con.
"I remember the first time I went to a fitting and I put on the suit, and I just was so terrified, so focused on the negatives, still," he told us a few months later. "I bet when I was at that Comic-Con, I was probably still terrified, probably still apprehensive about whether or not this was right.
"I can't believe I almost didn't do it!" he told us emphatically. "For better or worse, no matter what happens with the film, whether it's a good film or not, it was the right thing to do and I'm glad I did it."
Audiences will have a chance to make up their own minds about "Captain America: The First Avenger" this weekend. Critics have been positive thus far. At press time, the film stood at 73 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which collects reviews from major critics. "It's paced and designed for people who won't shrivel up and die if two or three characters take 45 seconds between combat sequences to have a conversation about world domination, or a dame," wrote The Chicago Tribune.
Rolling Stone praised the film's star in particular. "Evans, who played the Human Torch in two less-than-fantastic Fantastic Four films, brings such humor, heart and vigor to virtuous Steve that our rooting interest holds even when the action gets to be standard-issue," Peter Travers wrote.
Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos- MTV Rough Cut: 'Captain America: The First Avenger'
- MTV First: Captain America
- Experts Break Down The First 'Captain America' Trailer
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667727/captain-america-the-first-avenger-chris-evans.jhtml
Dave Mustaine Interviewed By MetalRadio.com
Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine gave a major interview to the French website MetalRadio.com when Megadeth appeared at the Sonisphere Festival in France earlier this month. The conversation covered a variety of subjects, including the band's upcoming album TH1RT3EN, the return of bassist David Ellefson to the group, and more.
About TH1RT3EN, Mustaine says, "I’m really proud of it. All the other records, you want to say 'Hey, it’s a great record, it’s this, it’s that.' I haven’t been just trying to color my answers, I’ve just been saying 'This is what it is, you’ve got to hear it for yourself.' I love it! I think it’s great. I think it’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time. But I mean, you’ve got to be the judge."
Regarding the return of Ellefson, a founding member of Megadeth who left the band in 2002, Mustaine says, "Dave is a great bassist. When we parted ways, he was really good, but he’s gotten even better. The good thing when you’re playing with somebody you’re familiar with, that you’ve been playing with for a long time: it doesn’t take quite as long in the studio. So we benefitted from kind of speeding things up a little bit, and he also knew my influences very well. So when a part came up, he would suggest stuff like during the recording of 'Sudden Death.' Standing in the doorway of the control room and he goes 'Yeah, I think I’m gonna do a part here kind of like Budgie would do.' And I kind of got a boner! And he goes, 'And I’m gonna do a part here like Diamond Head would do.' And I’m… like… I’m just like, 'Oh my God, I’m gonna come!' You know, you hear the bass part, and it’s like 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!'
Go here to read the full interview with Dave Mustaine.
And don't forget, Megadeth will be signing every day at the Roadrunner Records tent on the grounds of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival tour this summer. You can pre-order TH1RT3EN there, and get a free poster . Text MGDETH to 67463 on the day of the show to receive signing times and be automatically entered to win an autographed guitar from Megadeth!
Source: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/story.aspx?newsitemID=23134
Friday, July 22, 2011
Krista: BeatCrave Fav
Hailing from the streets of Brooklyn comes a fresh faced singer songwriter, and rapper (shock), called Krista. The young 21-year-old comes at a time when female pop singers are a hot ticket, but it takes a lot to stand out with characters like Lady Gaga and Ke$ha around. But Krista offers a unique voice that [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/mbb6ZM6BT0A/
'Breaking Dawn' Wedding 'Cathartic' For Kristen Stewart
'I don't want to say it felt like a real wedding, but it definitely felt like a ceremony,' she tells MTV News at Comic-Con.
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"
Photo: Andrew Cooper/ Summit Entertainment
SAN DIEGO — For her third visit to San Diego Comic-Con, Kristen Stewart was happy to report to MTV News about getting married and giving birth — onscreen, that is.
While "The Twilight Saga" star was quick to specify that it was Mr. Cullen she shared these milestones with, not rumored beau Robert Pattinson, she spilled the beans about filming the hotly anticipated wedding scene in "Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
"I think the most surreal experience was getting married," Stewart said. "It was right at the bitter end. I was amping up to it the entire time. They left me on my toes for six months. And then it was just sort of very cathartic to see the entire cast in the pews and everyone excited to see how it was all going to go down.
"It had a kind of feel of everyone kind of excited to see how it's all going to go down," she continued. "I don't want to say it felt like a real wedding, but it definitely felt like a ceremony. It definitely felt ceremonial and celebratory."
This is the first time Stewart has had an opportunity to get in on the action with the boys of "Twilight," and from what we've heard, she's held her own against them. Stewart especially got to face off against Taylor Lautner, which she said was a lot of fun.
"Taylor's funny about it too. He's like, 'You're so cute,' " Stewart said. "I think he was a little more intimidated then he led on. Maybe not."
"Breaking Dawn" isn't the only movie Stewart is promoting at Comic-Con this year. She also has "Snow White and the Huntsman," which has its panel Saturday. Stewart shared her enthusiasm about the movie without giving too much away about the plot.
"I am so, so excited. We're in pre-production right now. I think [Snow White] represents so much that I can't wait to get across to the entire world," she said. "Rupert [Sanders], the director, we're so in the middle of forming the story and getting into it that it's hard for me to talk about. I mean, I'm training. I'm riding horses all the time."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related Photos- 'Twilight' Stars Break Dawn At San Diego Comic-Con
- 'Breaking Dawn' Stars Take Over San Diego Comic-Con
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667716/twilight-breaking-dawn-comic-con-kristen-stewart.jhtml
Milwaukee Mayor Declares Friday ?Bon Iver Day?
Hey, want to be really, really beautifully depressed this Friday?� You do?� Great!� Make sure you head out to Milwaukee, then, because this Friday in Milwaukee has been officially declared as Bon Iver Day by Mayor Tom Barrett.� Go figure?sad, creepily pretty folk music wins over an entire city. Dig the decree, via The AV [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/beatcrave/~3/YuN59j_a3kQ/
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wiz Khalifa Calls VMA Nomination 'A Good Sign'
'Black and Yellow' rapper says Best New Artist nominees 'are all people who have their own movements.'
By Rob Markman
Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Raymond Boyd/ Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images
Before Wiz Khalifa saw his career take flight, his hometown of Pittsburgh stood as a relative unknown on the hip-hop map. The Taylor Gang general's breakout hit, "Black and Yellow," changed that, and now Wiz is being rewarded with a Best New Artist nomination at the 2011 MTV VMAs.
"It's my first video, so I wanted to make it like that classic. You can't do a first video over again," Wiz said of the concept behind his popular video, which has raked in over 89 million views on YouTube. "When I think about stuff like that, I thought about Snoop's [appearance in Dr. Dre's] '[Nuthin' but a] G Thang' — like a real hometown-vibe video, things that really, really show the artist in their element. I figured if I went that way with it, then I couldn't really lose."
Wiz is proud that he is able to rep for his town and said that being in the conversation with other big-time rappers like Lil Wayne and Drake helps him provide inspiration for Pittsburgh's up-and-coming talents. "It's good morale for Pittsburgh, because we never got that much love," he said. "All of our artists have been known on a certain scene or a certain radar, but to be put up there with the greatest rappers and to have their own is really, really big for the city."
The Best New Artist competition is tough, however: Wiz is up against his tourmate, Big Sean ("My Last"), Kreayshawn ("Gucci Gucci"), Tyler, the Creator ("Yonkers") and indie-pop band Foster the People ("Pumped Up Kicks").
"I think it's really good competition, and it's just a good sign of the new wave of how an artist can come up and get recognition these days," Khalifa said. "Big Sean, I know his situation, how he came from nothing. Kreayshawn, she built her buzz similar with the Internet, and Tyler as well. These are all people who have their own movements."
While each Best New Artist nominee is different in their own right, Wiz finds a common thread that binds them: "All of us, we're really just living our dreams and getting nominated for it, so it's excellent."
You can vote for general VMA categories, including Best New Artist, by visiting vma.mtv.com or m.mtv.com on your mobile phone. In addition, you can get in on Best New Artist text voting by texting BNA to 66333 on your wireless phone. Voting continues through the show, which airs live August 28 at 9 p.m. ET. (Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 66333; standard message rates apply.)
The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667726/wiz-khalifa-video-music-award-nomination.jhtml
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)