Lyle Lovett says he has "never made a dime" from album sales during his two-decade career, and hopes to rectify that situation when his contract expires.
The eclectic country singer has two more albums on his deal with Curb/Universal, his home since 1985, and figures the horizons are wide open.
"The possibilities are very exciting, I think," Lovett told Billboard.com. "I've never made a dime from a record sale in the history of my record deal. I've been very happy with my sales, and certainly my audience has been very supportive. I make a living going out and playing shows."
Lovett, 50, has sold 4.6 million albums in the United States since 1991, the year when SoundScan sales data were introduced. His most recent release, "It's Not Big It's Large," has sold about 145,000 copies since debuting at a career-best No. 18 on the Billboard 200 last September, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Records are very powerful promotional tools to go out and be able to play on the road, but you do have to think about it as a way of sustaining itself at some point. I'm very excited about being able to do some of that on my own, maybe," Lovett said.
He did not, however, rule out another label deal.
"Certainly if a major label is interested in working with me after these next two records and is able to come up with a strategy that does engage some of the new technology in a way that can benefit everybody, I'd be very interested in that."
Lovett said he hopes to start work on his next album in time for a 2009 release. He has a direction in mind but says, "I don't know if I want to talk about it yet."
He is currently touring North America with his Large Band through mid-August, and has also financed an album recorded at some of the singer/songwriter shows he does with John Hiatt, Guy Clark and Joe Ely but is having trouble getting his label interested in putting it out.
Lovett, who has graced the big screen in such films as "The Player" and "The Opposite of Sex," recently added to his acting resume with "a very small contribution" to Michael Meredith's film "The Open Road," which stars Justin Timberlake and Jeff Bridges, and is expected to open later this year.
"I got to do a scene with Justin, which was fun. I enjoyed meeting him," said Lovett, who also performed a song for the soundtrack with Charlie Sexton, who's scoring the film.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Who and friends to play special show in LA
It's tough being a rock star.
Roger Daltrey, vocalist for the Who, is taking a break from doing "delightfully nothing" for the past year to reunite with bandmate Pete Townshend for a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The British rock veterans will be feted at cable channel VH1's third annual "VH1 Rock Honors," which will be taped at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion and will air next Thursday.
Rock bands such as Pearl Jam, the Foo Fighters and the Flaming Lips will cover Who songs, then the guests of honor will close the event with a 45-minute performance.
"I'm a huge fan of (Foo Fighters frontman) Dave Grohl," Daltrey told Reuters during an interview at his hotel on Thursday. "He's got the mentality of a rock god."
Daltrey, 64, and Townshend, 63, the Who's songwriter and guitarist, are the band's only surviving original members. Bassist Pino Palladino is standing in for John Entwistle, who died of a drug-related heart attack in 2002, while Zak Starkey -- son of Ringo Starr -- is the latest replacement for drummer Keith Moon, who overdosed on pills in 1978.
After the VH1 show, Daltrey will resume his leisurely ways until November, when the Who launches a four-date tour of Japan, only its second visit to that country.
SOLO PROJECTS
Actually, Daltrey's routine involves more than staring at the wall waiting for Townshend to write a follow-up to 2006's "Endless Wire," the band's first studio album in more two decades.
The singer has been jamming with an acoustic band and is thinking about recording his first solo album since 1992's "Rocks in the Head."
"There's other kinds of music I want to explore again," he said. "There's a lot more in me, an awful lot more in me."
His band played a small charity show in March, "and I just really enjoyed doing it -- stand-up bass -- totally different from what the Who is ... It's just really nice to sing in a different way because you don't have to roar all the time."
Its repertoire consists of Who songs, Daltrey solo material and a smattering of covers. But Daltrey has grander ambitions.
"I'd like to find some new stuff to give the band its own identity," he said. "I'm a good songwriter, but I'm not a great songwriter ... There must be some great songwriters out there who can't sing!"
As for the Who, there are no concrete plans for further tours or albums, Daltrey said. He would like to play South America for the first time and return to Australia for what would amount to a working vacation.
"Sadly, it's the economics at the moment," he said, referring to rising air fares and related costs.
Roger Daltrey, vocalist for the Who, is taking a break from doing "delightfully nothing" for the past year to reunite with bandmate Pete Townshend for a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The British rock veterans will be feted at cable channel VH1's third annual "VH1 Rock Honors," which will be taped at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion and will air next Thursday.
Rock bands such as Pearl Jam, the Foo Fighters and the Flaming Lips will cover Who songs, then the guests of honor will close the event with a 45-minute performance.
"I'm a huge fan of (Foo Fighters frontman) Dave Grohl," Daltrey told Reuters during an interview at his hotel on Thursday. "He's got the mentality of a rock god."
Daltrey, 64, and Townshend, 63, the Who's songwriter and guitarist, are the band's only surviving original members. Bassist Pino Palladino is standing in for John Entwistle, who died of a drug-related heart attack in 2002, while Zak Starkey -- son of Ringo Starr -- is the latest replacement for drummer Keith Moon, who overdosed on pills in 1978.
After the VH1 show, Daltrey will resume his leisurely ways until November, when the Who launches a four-date tour of Japan, only its second visit to that country.
SOLO PROJECTS
Actually, Daltrey's routine involves more than staring at the wall waiting for Townshend to write a follow-up to 2006's "Endless Wire," the band's first studio album in more two decades.
The singer has been jamming with an acoustic band and is thinking about recording his first solo album since 1992's "Rocks in the Head."
"There's other kinds of music I want to explore again," he said. "There's a lot more in me, an awful lot more in me."
His band played a small charity show in March, "and I just really enjoyed doing it -- stand-up bass -- totally different from what the Who is ... It's just really nice to sing in a different way because you don't have to roar all the time."
Its repertoire consists of Who songs, Daltrey solo material and a smattering of covers. But Daltrey has grander ambitions.
"I'd like to find some new stuff to give the band its own identity," he said. "I'm a good songwriter, but I'm not a great songwriter ... There must be some great songwriters out there who can't sing!"
As for the Who, there are no concrete plans for further tours or albums, Daltrey said. He would like to play South America for the first time and return to Australia for what would amount to a working vacation.
"Sadly, it's the economics at the moment," he said, referring to rising air fares and related costs.
The Cure to release new single each month
The Cure have announced that they will release a new single each month leading up to the release of their 13th studio album in September.
Robert Smith and company will drop the first single from the as-yet untitled album on May 13, and intend to release a different a- and b-side single on the 13th of each month until the album is released on September 13.
The first single, "The Only One," includes the b-side "NY Trip."The second single, "Freakshow"--due out June 13--contains the b-side "All Kinds Of Stuff."
Both b-sides are exclusive to the singles and will not appear on the full-length album. They were produced by Smith and Keith Uddin.
The July 13 and August 13 singles will be announced shortly.
The band is set to kick off an extensive U.S. tour in support of the new album beginning May 9.
Robert Smith and company will drop the first single from the as-yet untitled album on May 13, and intend to release a different a- and b-side single on the 13th of each month until the album is released on September 13.
The first single, "The Only One," includes the b-side "NY Trip."The second single, "Freakshow"--due out June 13--contains the b-side "All Kinds Of Stuff."
Both b-sides are exclusive to the singles and will not appear on the full-length album. They were produced by Smith and Keith Uddin.
The July 13 and August 13 singles will be announced shortly.
The band is set to kick off an extensive U.S. tour in support of the new album beginning May 9.
Q&A: Brooke Hogan talks about her family drama
Her parents are in the middle of a tawdry divorce, her brother is in jail and she's cut off contact with her mom because of her mother's teenage boyfriend. It would seem that with all the drama engulfing Brooke Hogan these days, the last place she'd want to be is in front of the cameras.
But the statuesque starlet was eager to sign up for her own reality show, VH1's "Brooke Knows Best," debuting Sunday, despite — or perhaps because of — her family woes.
The Hogans had been depicted for four seasons on "Hogan Knows Best" (also on VH1) as Hulk Hogan's loving, tight-knit clan. But over the last year, the superstar wrestler, whose real name is Terry Bollea, and his wife, Linda, have had an acrimonious split, while their son Nick Bollea serves an eight-month sentence after pleading no contest to causing a crash that seriously injured his friend.
And if that wasn't enough fodder for the tabloids, the romantic lives of Brooke's parents (he has a new girlfriend, she's dating a 19-year-old) have made them fixtures in the gossip pages and blogs.
Despite it all, Brooke, 19, has maintained the bubbly, wisecracking persona that she embodied on "Hogan Knows Best." Dressed in a clingy red halter-top, long black gaucho pants and wearing her long blond hair in a ponytail, the striking Hogan (and budding pop star) talked about how she has been coping with the turmoil.
AP: What made you want to do another reality show?
Hogan: The first four times we did the reality show, I didn't have my stuff together with my music career. So this time, I'm like, all right, I have to start recording an album and using this TV show to my benefit, other than just letting these cameras come into my life to make ratings (laughs). And plus, I have to admit I really do miss the guys when they're gone, because they're like built-in family now, all the cameramen and stuff. So it's like, "Ah man, I really hate being followed all the time, but OK, come back. You guys are cute." (Laughs.)
AP: Do you think the Hogan reality show helped tear your family apart?
Hogan: I don't think a camera and a cameraman can destroy a family. I mean, they're not part of the family. But I think that it was the pressure of the cameras being there and the pressure of being on guard and not really being able to let your feelings fly, like if you are mad at somebody. Let's just say my parents were fighting; they couldn't just let it all out on national television. So I think it kind of suppressed it to the point where it almost let it explode, but I think that it would have come sooner or later.
AP: Do you think the strain of your brother's problems played a role in your parents' breakup?
Hogan: It takes two to tango, and it was my mom and dad, they had problems. And it's not the camera crew that tears it apart, it's not Nick's accident that tears it apart, it's just that those things add more stress so I think that to every cloud there's a silver lining, and I think that they almost saved my parents from their marriage going any farther down a destructive road.
AP: How have you dealt with your brother not being around?
Hogan: It's really, really hard because I feel like our whole lives I was able to protect him ... and now I had to watch him walk away in handcuffs and I couldn't do anything about it. It's hard because he's like my best friend. I mean, I have friends, but my brother is really the one person who I can confide in and talk to about anything. So it's tough because everything that we talk about now is recorded. And we saw what happened with that.
AP: How did you and your mother get so far apart?
Hogan: My mother and I naturally have a tremendous bond, there's like a bond that you just can't break with us. ... Right now I'm just really disappointed with her and I feel like I wish I could talk to her, but you just can't. It's one of those kind of things where, I am a very straight-laced person and maybe that makes it even harder for me to see the path that she's going down as being right, but I look at her now and I'm like, "You were my hero at one point. Why are you making these weird choices?" I don't understand it. I definitely don't condone what's going on. I definitely don't think it's cool who she's dating. I think it's ridiculous but at the end of the day she's my mother and I will still respect her and love her but right now ... I just have to love her from a distance for now.
AP: Were you at one point as disappointed in your dad?
Hogan: My dad and I had a little bit of a tiff earlier this year and that kind of stuff I really don't want to talk about now, but I was disappointed for a minute. But what I respect about my dad is he comes forth and he tells the truth, and he's a very honorable person, I respect him a lot. He, I know deep down, has a good heart. Honesty with me goes such a long way that once the truth comes out and that person can be man enough to tell you the truth, it gives me an even higher respect for them than before.
AP: Are you dating anyone?
Hogan: I was actually dating somebody that I've actually known since I was 15, and that was a great experience and I'm still really, really close to him and I still really love him but we just recently kind of broke it off, so it didn't seem right anymore. So as of right now I'm single.
AP: Will we see your romantic side in the new show?
Hogan: You'll see a little bit of the romantic side. I went on a couple of dates. Some of them were disasters and some of them were really, really great. You'll just have to find out! I'm not going to tell you everything about it.
___
But the statuesque starlet was eager to sign up for her own reality show, VH1's "Brooke Knows Best," debuting Sunday, despite — or perhaps because of — her family woes.
The Hogans had been depicted for four seasons on "Hogan Knows Best" (also on VH1) as Hulk Hogan's loving, tight-knit clan. But over the last year, the superstar wrestler, whose real name is Terry Bollea, and his wife, Linda, have had an acrimonious split, while their son Nick Bollea serves an eight-month sentence after pleading no contest to causing a crash that seriously injured his friend.
And if that wasn't enough fodder for the tabloids, the romantic lives of Brooke's parents (he has a new girlfriend, she's dating a 19-year-old) have made them fixtures in the gossip pages and blogs.
Despite it all, Brooke, 19, has maintained the bubbly, wisecracking persona that she embodied on "Hogan Knows Best." Dressed in a clingy red halter-top, long black gaucho pants and wearing her long blond hair in a ponytail, the striking Hogan (and budding pop star) talked about how she has been coping with the turmoil.
AP: What made you want to do another reality show?
Hogan: The first four times we did the reality show, I didn't have my stuff together with my music career. So this time, I'm like, all right, I have to start recording an album and using this TV show to my benefit, other than just letting these cameras come into my life to make ratings (laughs). And plus, I have to admit I really do miss the guys when they're gone, because they're like built-in family now, all the cameramen and stuff. So it's like, "Ah man, I really hate being followed all the time, but OK, come back. You guys are cute." (Laughs.)
AP: Do you think the Hogan reality show helped tear your family apart?
Hogan: I don't think a camera and a cameraman can destroy a family. I mean, they're not part of the family. But I think that it was the pressure of the cameras being there and the pressure of being on guard and not really being able to let your feelings fly, like if you are mad at somebody. Let's just say my parents were fighting; they couldn't just let it all out on national television. So I think it kind of suppressed it to the point where it almost let it explode, but I think that it would have come sooner or later.
AP: Do you think the strain of your brother's problems played a role in your parents' breakup?
Hogan: It takes two to tango, and it was my mom and dad, they had problems. And it's not the camera crew that tears it apart, it's not Nick's accident that tears it apart, it's just that those things add more stress so I think that to every cloud there's a silver lining, and I think that they almost saved my parents from their marriage going any farther down a destructive road.
AP: How have you dealt with your brother not being around?
Hogan: It's really, really hard because I feel like our whole lives I was able to protect him ... and now I had to watch him walk away in handcuffs and I couldn't do anything about it. It's hard because he's like my best friend. I mean, I have friends, but my brother is really the one person who I can confide in and talk to about anything. So it's tough because everything that we talk about now is recorded. And we saw what happened with that.
AP: How did you and your mother get so far apart?
Hogan: My mother and I naturally have a tremendous bond, there's like a bond that you just can't break with us. ... Right now I'm just really disappointed with her and I feel like I wish I could talk to her, but you just can't. It's one of those kind of things where, I am a very straight-laced person and maybe that makes it even harder for me to see the path that she's going down as being right, but I look at her now and I'm like, "You were my hero at one point. Why are you making these weird choices?" I don't understand it. I definitely don't condone what's going on. I definitely don't think it's cool who she's dating. I think it's ridiculous but at the end of the day she's my mother and I will still respect her and love her but right now ... I just have to love her from a distance for now.
AP: Were you at one point as disappointed in your dad?
Hogan: My dad and I had a little bit of a tiff earlier this year and that kind of stuff I really don't want to talk about now, but I was disappointed for a minute. But what I respect about my dad is he comes forth and he tells the truth, and he's a very honorable person, I respect him a lot. He, I know deep down, has a good heart. Honesty with me goes such a long way that once the truth comes out and that person can be man enough to tell you the truth, it gives me an even higher respect for them than before.
AP: Are you dating anyone?
Hogan: I was actually dating somebody that I've actually known since I was 15, and that was a great experience and I'm still really, really close to him and I still really love him but we just recently kind of broke it off, so it didn't seem right anymore. So as of right now I'm single.
AP: Will we see your romantic side in the new show?
Hogan: You'll see a little bit of the romantic side. I went on a couple of dates. Some of them were disasters and some of them were really, really great. You'll just have to find out! I'm not going to tell you everything about it.
___
Ron Sexsmith plants some more musical seeds
Every so often, Ron Sexsmith runs into the music executive who curated Bob Marley's "Legend" disc — the prototype for a phenomenally successful career retrospective — and the man asks if it's time to give the Canadian singer-songwriter the same treatment.
It might not be a bad idea. Sexsmith, whose ninth album is out this week, does just well enough to fly under the music business radar with work that is respected by peers and a devoted cult audience, yet not successful enough to keep him from scuffling.
Put together 15 or 16 of his best songs and people might better appreciate him.
Sexsmith has resisted, in part because of a lingering prejudice that such sets are for people at the end of their careers (or worse, dead). But he admits that if he could afford to, he wouldn't mind sitting out a few years to see how time affects his reputation.
"I'm getting all my groundwork in," he told The Associated Press. "I'm planting the seeds so that hopefully in my lifetime there will be a full garden that people will see."
Sexsmith, 44, is best known for his songs "Secret Heart," "Hands of Time" and "Gold in Them Hills," the latter a duet with Coldplay's Chris Martin. His songs have been covered by Rod Stewart, k.d. lang, Feist and Raul Malo.
But he's found the music business circa 2008 can be tough to navigate.
"I know that people don't listen to albums the same way but I still do," he said. "It's kind of sad to see some of the label people you meet. They're all excited about ring tones or whatever. Music's not meant to be heard on a cell phone or an iPod commercial."
Fellow Canadian singer Feist, with whom Sexsmith writes a song that appears on his new "Exit Strategy of the Soul" disc, saw her career explode when her song "1234" was chosen for a memorable iPod commercial.
He doesn't begrudge her that success; his managers work for similar magic placements. One of his songs was considered for a soft drink commercial overseas and he even rewrote it at the sponsors' request before it was ultimately rejected.
Sexsmith wrote music for a Deborah Winger movie, but all of it was cut out due to a feud between producers. He salvaged two instrumentals that bookend the new album.
He has also traveled to Nashville in an effort to break into the country music writing market. Teamwork is prized there, so a man who seems to consider songwriting a very personal experience is asked to sit in a room with a stranger to see if they could come up with something together. He'd love to hit the jackpot so he doesn't have to do it again.
"As far as fame is, I'm fine with the level or lack of fame that I have," he said. "But if I had my way, my financial picture would be brighter, like most people. I'd love to not have to worry about that so much, especially these days."
Sexsmith said his new disc almost felt like a gospel album to him, with some songs taking a spiritual tone. He usually maps out his songs carefully, but this time did more stream-of-consciousness writing. He'd write a verse of "This is How I Know" and that would suggest where the next verse was going.
His London-based producer, Martin Terefe, has a yen for Cuban horn sections and Sexsmith was surprised when he suggested a trip south to add some brass.
Hmmm. An acoustic or gently rocking artist from Toronto and a Latin American horn section. It certainly hadn't crossed Sexsmith's mind before. He worried it would sound like something unnatural was being grafted on to his music.
For the most part, his involvement was shuttling between watching the horns play and the bar downstairs from the studio.
"I was actually pleasantly surprised," he said. "It's not a Cuban record. There's nothing Cuban about our music, but it gives a whole other sort of flavor. I'm worried now because I have to tour (behind) the record and I can't afford to bring out horns. That's the frustrating thing about being on my level is that I have this vision of the show I want to put on and it's not always possible to do." Sexsmith has always been proud of his work but felt out of sync with the times. What sustains him are the chance encounters — a nice e-mail from a fan or being recognized on the street.
"It's always when I least expect it," he said. "People will come up to you in the grocery store and it will totally turn your day around."
It might not be a bad idea. Sexsmith, whose ninth album is out this week, does just well enough to fly under the music business radar with work that is respected by peers and a devoted cult audience, yet not successful enough to keep him from scuffling.
Put together 15 or 16 of his best songs and people might better appreciate him.
Sexsmith has resisted, in part because of a lingering prejudice that such sets are for people at the end of their careers (or worse, dead). But he admits that if he could afford to, he wouldn't mind sitting out a few years to see how time affects his reputation.
"I'm getting all my groundwork in," he told The Associated Press. "I'm planting the seeds so that hopefully in my lifetime there will be a full garden that people will see."
Sexsmith, 44, is best known for his songs "Secret Heart," "Hands of Time" and "Gold in Them Hills," the latter a duet with Coldplay's Chris Martin. His songs have been covered by Rod Stewart, k.d. lang, Feist and Raul Malo.
But he's found the music business circa 2008 can be tough to navigate.
"I know that people don't listen to albums the same way but I still do," he said. "It's kind of sad to see some of the label people you meet. They're all excited about ring tones or whatever. Music's not meant to be heard on a cell phone or an iPod commercial."
Fellow Canadian singer Feist, with whom Sexsmith writes a song that appears on his new "Exit Strategy of the Soul" disc, saw her career explode when her song "1234" was chosen for a memorable iPod commercial.
He doesn't begrudge her that success; his managers work for similar magic placements. One of his songs was considered for a soft drink commercial overseas and he even rewrote it at the sponsors' request before it was ultimately rejected.
Sexsmith wrote music for a Deborah Winger movie, but all of it was cut out due to a feud between producers. He salvaged two instrumentals that bookend the new album.
He has also traveled to Nashville in an effort to break into the country music writing market. Teamwork is prized there, so a man who seems to consider songwriting a very personal experience is asked to sit in a room with a stranger to see if they could come up with something together. He'd love to hit the jackpot so he doesn't have to do it again.
"As far as fame is, I'm fine with the level or lack of fame that I have," he said. "But if I had my way, my financial picture would be brighter, like most people. I'd love to not have to worry about that so much, especially these days."
Sexsmith said his new disc almost felt like a gospel album to him, with some songs taking a spiritual tone. He usually maps out his songs carefully, but this time did more stream-of-consciousness writing. He'd write a verse of "This is How I Know" and that would suggest where the next verse was going.
His London-based producer, Martin Terefe, has a yen for Cuban horn sections and Sexsmith was surprised when he suggested a trip south to add some brass.
Hmmm. An acoustic or gently rocking artist from Toronto and a Latin American horn section. It certainly hadn't crossed Sexsmith's mind before. He worried it would sound like something unnatural was being grafted on to his music.
For the most part, his involvement was shuttling between watching the horns play and the bar downstairs from the studio.
"I was actually pleasantly surprised," he said. "It's not a Cuban record. There's nothing Cuban about our music, but it gives a whole other sort of flavor. I'm worried now because I have to tour (behind) the record and I can't afford to bring out horns. That's the frustrating thing about being on my level is that I have this vision of the show I want to put on and it's not always possible to do." Sexsmith has always been proud of his work but felt out of sync with the times. What sustains him are the chance encounters — a nice e-mail from a fan or being recognized on the street.
"It's always when I least expect it," he said. "People will come up to you in the grocery store and it will totally turn your day around."
Newton-John marries businessman
He's the one that she wants.
Olivia Newton-John, who starred in the hit movie version of the musical "Grease," has married, her attorney said Thursday.
Newton-John wed John Easterling on June 21 in Cuzco, Peru, according to a statement from the Reno, Nev., office of attorney John Mason. Other details were not released.
A call to Newton-John's publicist, Michael Caprio in Las Vegas, was not immediately returned Thursday.
Easterling, 49, is the founder and chief executive officer of Amazon Herb Co., which sells botanical supplements from the rainforest. Newton-John, 59, has been involved with Amazon preservation efforts.
It was the second marriage for the singer. She has a daughter by Matt Lattanzi, whom she married in 1984 and divorced in 1995.
Newton-John's boyfriend of nine years, Patrick McDermott, 48, vanished in June 2005. He failed to return from a fishing trip off the California coast.
Newton-John had a string of pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s, including "Physical" and "I Honestly Love You." She and John Travolta starred in the 1978 movie "Grease," which spawned a hit songs including "You're the One That I Want," "Summer Nights" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Olivia Newton-John, who starred in the hit movie version of the musical "Grease," has married, her attorney said Thursday.
Newton-John wed John Easterling on June 21 in Cuzco, Peru, according to a statement from the Reno, Nev., office of attorney John Mason. Other details were not released.
A call to Newton-John's publicist, Michael Caprio in Las Vegas, was not immediately returned Thursday.
Easterling, 49, is the founder and chief executive officer of Amazon Herb Co., which sells botanical supplements from the rainforest. Newton-John, 59, has been involved with Amazon preservation efforts.
It was the second marriage for the singer. She has a daughter by Matt Lattanzi, whom she married in 1984 and divorced in 1995.
Newton-John's boyfriend of nine years, Patrick McDermott, 48, vanished in June 2005. He failed to return from a fishing trip off the California coast.
Newton-John had a string of pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s, including "Physical" and "I Honestly Love You." She and John Travolta starred in the 1978 movie "Grease," which spawned a hit songs including "You're the One That I Want," "Summer Nights" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Damon Albarn's 'Gorillaz' musical journeys west
Damon Albarn's circus opera is set to make its U.S. debut on May 22.
Monkey: Journey To The West premiered in Manchester, England, last year, and is now making its way Stateside, debuting at the 2008 Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina.
The opera, for which Blur frontman Albarn composed the music, will be performed at the festival 18 times between May 23 and June 8. The show will open in London two months later at the Royal Opera House.
The show was designed by Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewlett and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng, and is a mixture of stunning live-action circus acts and animations.
An adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend, the opera follows the story of the Monkey King, a hyperactive ape who gains immortality after leading a revolt against heaven.
The Spoleto Festival USA is an annual arts festival that takes place in Charleston for 17 days each spring. For additional information, visit Spoletousa.org.
Monkey: Journey To The West premiered in Manchester, England, last year, and is now making its way Stateside, debuting at the 2008 Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina.
The opera, for which Blur frontman Albarn composed the music, will be performed at the festival 18 times between May 23 and June 8. The show will open in London two months later at the Royal Opera House.
The show was designed by Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewlett and directed by Chen Shi-Zheng, and is a mixture of stunning live-action circus acts and animations.
An adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend, the opera follows the story of the Monkey King, a hyperactive ape who gains immortality after leading a revolt against heaven.
The Spoleto Festival USA is an annual arts festival that takes place in Charleston for 17 days each spring. For additional information, visit Spoletousa.org.
Indie Acts Gear Up For Festival Season
Rock festival season is underway, with Coachella and Bonnaroo already over, the Warped and Ozzfest tours traveling from coast to coast, and Chicago's Lollapalooza and New Jersey's All Points West events around the corner in early August.
But many even more indie-leaning festivals are also planned for this summer, including the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago July 18-20 (with Sebadoh, Mission Of Burma, Animal Collective, Jarvis Cocker, the Hold Steady, Vampire Weekend, Dizzee Rascal, Fleet Foxes, Spoon, et al); the electro dance party Hard Summer Fest in Los Angeles on July 19 (with Kid Sister, Steve Aoki, Spank Rock, N.E.R.D., and more); and All Tomorrow's Parties in New York September 19-20 (curated by recently reunited shoegaze veterans My Bloody Valentine).
The Download Festival, now four years old, also expands to three cities this year, taking place in San Francisco on July 19, Los Angeles on July 20, and Philadelphia on August 2. This year's Download Festival lineup will include alt-rock pioneers the Jesus & Mary Chain and Gang Of Four, as well as newbies like Mute Math, M83, Mates Of State, Tapes 'N' Tapes, Datarock, the Duke Spirit, Caribou, and Kaki King.
But many even more indie-leaning festivals are also planned for this summer, including the Pitchfork Festival in Chicago July 18-20 (with Sebadoh, Mission Of Burma, Animal Collective, Jarvis Cocker, the Hold Steady, Vampire Weekend, Dizzee Rascal, Fleet Foxes, Spoon, et al); the electro dance party Hard Summer Fest in Los Angeles on July 19 (with Kid Sister, Steve Aoki, Spank Rock, N.E.R.D., and more); and All Tomorrow's Parties in New York September 19-20 (curated by recently reunited shoegaze veterans My Bloody Valentine).
The Download Festival, now four years old, also expands to three cities this year, taking place in San Francisco on July 19, Los Angeles on July 20, and Philadelphia on August 2. This year's Download Festival lineup will include alt-rock pioneers the Jesus & Mary Chain and Gang Of Four, as well as newbies like Mute Math, M83, Mates Of State, Tapes 'N' Tapes, Datarock, the Duke Spirit, Caribou, and Kaki King.
Snoop Dogg's Cash Infusion
Fresh off his recent duets with Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg is continuing his country ways.
The Man in Black's 1956 hit "I Walk the Line" will be redrawn by the rapper, Teddy Riley and DJ Quik for the upcoming project, Johnny Cash Remixed. The star of Snoop Dogg's Father Hood gave Cash a shout-out on his recent "My Medicine."
The new disc, which is being executive produced by Cash's son John Carter Cash, will feature artists, DJs and producers providing new spins on Cash's early output on Sun Records, the record label he shared with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis before moving on to Columbia Records for much of his career.
Others set to contribute to the album, which will have a September vinyl release before its CD and digital release in October, include Pete Rock, the Heavy, Mocean Worker and Alabama 3, the last act being best-known for The Sopranos theme.
In a statement released today, the younger Cash, who took home an Oscar for producing the 2005 biopic Walk the Line, says his father would not have "Cry, Cry, Cry"-ed over this new venture. "He would have loved this remix record. While it stays true to the original recordings, this CD touches on undiscovered ground. This is what my father was about: staying true to tradition while creating groundbreaking new music."
And, we can only imagine, rolling with Snoop.
The Man in Black's 1956 hit "I Walk the Line" will be redrawn by the rapper, Teddy Riley and DJ Quik for the upcoming project, Johnny Cash Remixed. The star of Snoop Dogg's Father Hood gave Cash a shout-out on his recent "My Medicine."
The new disc, which is being executive produced by Cash's son John Carter Cash, will feature artists, DJs and producers providing new spins on Cash's early output on Sun Records, the record label he shared with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis before moving on to Columbia Records for much of his career.
Others set to contribute to the album, which will have a September vinyl release before its CD and digital release in October, include Pete Rock, the Heavy, Mocean Worker and Alabama 3, the last act being best-known for The Sopranos theme.
In a statement released today, the younger Cash, who took home an Oscar for producing the 2005 biopic Walk the Line, says his father would not have "Cry, Cry, Cry"-ed over this new venture. "He would have loved this remix record. While it stays true to the original recordings, this CD touches on undiscovered ground. This is what my father was about: staying true to tradition while creating groundbreaking new music."
And, we can only imagine, rolling with Snoop.
SAG Rejects Studios' Offer, Proposes Counteroffer
SAG won't strike and it won't settle. So what does it want?
The Screen Actors Guild has again rejected the new three-year deal proposed last week by major Hollywood studios and TV networks, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said Thursday evening following a five-hour sit-down with SAG leaders.
Instead, the 120,000-member union presented an amended counteroffer that more resembled its idea of what fair residuals and wage increases look like.
"We made it clear our final is our final and that we're not interested in further counterproposals," a rep for the AMPTP said, a day after the alliance issued an Aug. 15 acceptance deadline if SAG wanted any upcoming wage increases to be retroactive to July 1.
The union's last deal—which for the time being is still governing the terms under which actors are currently working—expired June 30.
The AMPTP has said that the new deal it offered will result in $250,000 million in additional compensation for SAG members over the years.
Meanwhile, SAG executive director Doug Allen has called the sum "highly inflated." He called their counteroffer a "comprehensive [deal] that adopted some of their proposals and offered alternatives on others."
While SAG is trying to hang tough, the approval of a new three-year deal by the smaller American Federation of TV & Radio Artists earlier this week has certainly weakened its negotiating power.
The two unions share about 40,000 members.
"The last thing we need is a long, hot summer of labor strife that puts even more pressure on a badly struggling economy and deprives audiences of the entertainment they clearly desire in such difficult times," the AMPTP's statement continued.
SAG said that union officials will contact producers Friday afternoon after taking time to talk among themselves tomorrow.
The Screen Actors Guild has again rejected the new three-year deal proposed last week by major Hollywood studios and TV networks, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said Thursday evening following a five-hour sit-down with SAG leaders.
Instead, the 120,000-member union presented an amended counteroffer that more resembled its idea of what fair residuals and wage increases look like.
"We made it clear our final is our final and that we're not interested in further counterproposals," a rep for the AMPTP said, a day after the alliance issued an Aug. 15 acceptance deadline if SAG wanted any upcoming wage increases to be retroactive to July 1.
The union's last deal—which for the time being is still governing the terms under which actors are currently working—expired June 30.
The AMPTP has said that the new deal it offered will result in $250,000 million in additional compensation for SAG members over the years.
Meanwhile, SAG executive director Doug Allen has called the sum "highly inflated." He called their counteroffer a "comprehensive [deal] that adopted some of their proposals and offered alternatives on others."
While SAG is trying to hang tough, the approval of a new three-year deal by the smaller American Federation of TV & Radio Artists earlier this week has certainly weakened its negotiating power.
The two unions share about 40,000 members.
"The last thing we need is a long, hot summer of labor strife that puts even more pressure on a badly struggling economy and deprives audiences of the entertainment they clearly desire in such difficult times," the AMPTP's statement continued.
SAG said that union officials will contact producers Friday afternoon after taking time to talk among themselves tomorrow.
Alicia Keys to Take On James Bond?
Alicia Keys as a Bond Girl?
Not exactly.
But I just got word that the songbird is the top contender to sing the title song for the next James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.
No official announcement has been made, but a source tells me, "I believe Alicia is the winner."
There have been a lot of rumors surrounding the highly coveted spot to belt one out for 007. A gaggle of artists reportedly submitted songs for consideration to producers of the 22nd Bond film, including Beyoncé, Leona Lewis, Duran Duran, Jack White, Duffy and, most recently, Annie Lennox.
Amy Winehouse was the first singer linked to the movie, but she apparently never finished recording her song with über-producer Mark Ronson.
A rep for Keys declined to comment. A rep for the movie said there was "no info" available right now about a potential title song.
The flick, starring Daniel Craig as the silver screen's most famous spy, is scheduled for a November release.
Not exactly.
But I just got word that the songbird is the top contender to sing the title song for the next James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.
No official announcement has been made, but a source tells me, "I believe Alicia is the winner."
There have been a lot of rumors surrounding the highly coveted spot to belt one out for 007. A gaggle of artists reportedly submitted songs for consideration to producers of the 22nd Bond film, including Beyoncé, Leona Lewis, Duran Duran, Jack White, Duffy and, most recently, Annie Lennox.
Amy Winehouse was the first singer linked to the movie, but she apparently never finished recording her song with über-producer Mark Ronson.
A rep for Keys declined to comment. A rep for the movie said there was "no info" available right now about a potential title song.
The flick, starring Daniel Craig as the silver screen's most famous spy, is scheduled for a November release.
Jennifer Hudson's Slim Chance
Is it just me, or does Jennifer Hudson look, um, DIFFERENT on her debut album's cover?
Seriously, not since Ann Wilson was electronically compressed from a size 16 to a size 2 in one of Heart's '80s music videos have I seen such a glaring example of what appears to be some sort of digital diet. Because unless Jennifer has been on Beyonce's pre-Dreamgirls lemon-and-cayenne-pepper fasting plan for the past six months, this album art does NOT accurately represent the real Hudson from the neck down.
So, this looks like one extreme Photoshop makeover. But why? Jennifer looks great the way she is. Do the suits at RCA Records really think she'll shift more units with her head digitally decapitated and then Franksteined onto some skinny mystery body? And do they really think her fans are unobservant enough to overlook such a radical renovation of her famously full figure?
You know, Effie would not stand for this, and neither should Jennifer. Neither should her fans.
And if this really is Jennifer's actual body, then someone please email me the name of her personal trainer, pronto.
And that's the skinny, for now.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
On My Way Here - Clay Aiken
1. On My Way Here
2. Ashes
3. Everything I Don't Need
4. Something About Us
5. Falling
6. Where I Draw The Line
7. The Real Me
8. Weight Of The World
9. As Long As We're Here
10. Sacrificial Love
11. Grace Of God
12. Lover All Alone
Home Before Dark - Neil Diamond
Standard Edition (CD Only)
2008 12-track CD album - Collaborating once again with legendary producer Rick Rubin [Johnny Cash, Tom Petty], Home Before Dark is a masterclass in compelling songwriting; including the stunning lead single 'Pretty Amazing Grace' and a striking duet with the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines on 'Another Day [That Time Forgot]'.
1. If I Don't See You Again
2. Pretty Amazing Grace
3. Another Day That Time Forgot - featuring Natalie Maines
4. Don't Go There
5. One More Bite Of The Apple
6. Forgotten
7. The Power Of Two
8. Whose Hands Are These
9. No Words
10. Slow It Down
11. Act Like A Man
12. Home Before Dark
Gavin Degraw
Tracklist:
1. In Love With A Girl
2. Next To Me (Wait A Minute Sister)
3. Cheated On Me
4. I Have You To Thank
5. Cop Stop
6. Young Love
7. Medicate The Kids
8. Relative
9. She Holds A Key
10. Untamed
11. Let It Go
12. We Belong Together
Scream - Tokio Hotel
Tracks:
1. Scream
2. Ready, Set, Go!
3. Monsoon (Gateway Version)
4. Love Is Dead
5. Don't Jump
6. Live Every Second
7. On The Edge
8. Sacred
9. Break Away
10. Rescue Me
11. Final Day
12. Forgotten Children
13. By Your Side
14. 1000 Oceans (Single Version)
15. Durch den Monsun (Original Version 2003)
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