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Major Lazer, Disclosure Included in Barack Obama’s 2020 Summer Playlist
Ahead of the upcoming Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama shared a new playlist with his favorite tracks for summer 2020. It’s particularly noteworthy as two dance music mainstay acts managed to receive presidential approval. Major Lazer‘s massive collaboration alongside Beyoncé and Shatta Wale, “ALREADY,” a track from Beyoncé’s recently released Black Is King album, made the cut. UK house hitmakers Disclosure also join the ranks with a remix of their collaboration “Know Your Worth” alongside Davido, Tems, and Khalid having caught the Obama’s attention. The eclectic playlist is comprised of just over fifty songs and features several artists who will be performing during this week’s Democr...
ICED EARTH’s JON SCHAFFER To Reunite With MATT BARLOW For Collection Of Christmas Classics
ICED EARTH founder, songwriter, guitarist and producer Jon Schaffer has reunited with former ICED EARTH vocalist Matt Barlow to celebrate the holiday season as only they can! The duo returns as the SCHAFFER/BARLOW PROJECT and this time are putting their unique spin on five Christmas classics and two ICED EARTH songs. “Winter Nights” was born out of a long-standing desire between Schaffer and Barlow to work together again. The idea to work on holiday songs was interesting to both guys. The EP features holiday classics like “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy”, as well as new interpretations of the ICED EARTH classics “Watching Over Me” and “I Died For You”. “Winter Nights” is available in numerous configurations on K...
Watch DOWN Rehearse For Upcoming ‘The Quarter Century Throwdown’ Livestreamed Event
Video of DOWN rehearsing for its upcoming “The Quarter Century Throwdown” livestreamed event can be seen below. This year marks the 25th anniversary of DOWN‘s 1995-released, now classic debut, “NOLA”. Plans for select shows featuring vocalist Philip Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower and bassist Pat Bruders performing the record in its entirety were sidelined due to the global pandemic. In its wake, the band will take part in an exclusive livestream later this month. Fittingly dubbed “The Quarter Century Throwdown”, the high-production, multi-camera event will take place August 29 at 6:00 p.m. EST using cutting-edge streaming technology to create a one-of-a-kind virtual concert experience. The show will be reb...
Former ILL NIÑO Singer CRISTIAN MACHADO Releases ‘Die Alone’ Music Video
Cristian Machado, former lead singer of Latin hard rock band ILL NIÑO, has premiered the video for his new single “Die Alone”. Watch it below. “Every video I’ve been in before, I’m headbanging and jumping around like a maniac,” says Machado. “‘Die Alone’ is unlike any video I’ve ever made. It features me as a songwriter and musician, it includes some very close friends, and it’s a dance of emotions. It’s likely a different side of me some may be surprised existed all along.” The song, penned by Machado himself, will appear on the artist’s debut solo album “Hollywood y Sycamore”, due out September 25 on Chesky Records‘ sub-label Coconut Bay. Overall, the album finds Machado moving away from...
IRON MAIDEN’s ADRIAN SMITH is ‘Very Excited’ About His Rumored Collaboration With RICHIE KOTZEN
In a new interview with Eonmusic, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith confirmed that he has another side project in the works. “I’m very excited about it, but I can’t say,” he said. “I’m doing a lot of singing, but the person I’m working with, we’re sort of splitting the vocals. But that’ll be coming. I’m very excited about it, but I’m sworn to secrecy at the moment.” Asked if there is a possibility of any live dates from this project, Adrian said: “Hopefully, hopefully. It depends on the bloody virus, you know? At the moment, everything’s screwed, so…” Although Smith did not offer any details about his new project, he was almost certainly referring to a much-rumored collaboration with THE WINERY DOGS ...
Third Man Records to Auction Off Iconic White Stripes Gear, Memorabilia, and More
Third Man Records auctions off drum kits from The White Stripes’ “Hardest Button to Button” video This past June, Third Man Records unearthed old footage of The White Stripes’ first-ever TV performance filmed back in 2000. The Jack White-founded label is now offering fans the chance to physically own a piece of Third Man history via an online auction. Set to run from August 26th through the 30th, the “Garage Sale” will feature “one-of-a-kind” collector’s items from the label’s archives. This includes: drum kits from The White Stripes’ iconic music video for “Hardest Button to Button” directed by Michel Gondry; stage monitor covers and pedalboards used on tour by The White Stripes; and guitars pulled from Jack White’s own expansive personal collection. The auction also pro...
Brasstracks Share the Origins of New Single “Golden Ticket” with Common, Masego: Stream
In our new music feature Origins, we asks artists to take a moment to reflect on the backstory of their latest single. Today, Brasstracks tell us how they cashed their “Golden Ticket” with Common and Masego. Rising from their jazz school backgrounds, Brasstracks have already accomplished more than most duos made of just horns and drums could dream of. Mark Ronson essentially has them on speed dial, they’ve got some GRAMMY shine thanks to their work on Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem”, and they’ve collaborated with everyone from Wyclef Jean to Anderson .Paak. Oh, and they only formed six years ago. But now Ivan Jackson and Conor Rayne are really ready to grab the spotlight with their debut album, Golden Ticket. Due out August 21st, the full-length follows their 2019 EP Before...
LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy Joins Senator Chuck Schumer to Save Independent Venues: Watch
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, and Grace Blake of Iridium, photo via NIVA The pandemic has proven especially dire for the live music scene, as the National Independent Venue Association found that 90% of independent music venues could close without financial aid. That’s why NIVA is fighting hard to get the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act passed. To promote their efforts, the organization gathered LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer, and a number of New York-area venue owners for a press conference outside of Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right on Tuesday. After being introduced by Baby’s co-owner/music director Billy Jones, Senator Schumer stepped to the mic first. “Our live venues are the pulse, the heart, and t...
There Is No God: The Exorcist Is Reportedly Getting a Reboot
Proving once again that intellectual property reigns over Hollywood, The Exorcist is getting a reboot. According to Deadline, Morgan Creek is planning a new theatrical version of William Friedkin’s 1973 horror blockbuster with plans to possess theaters in 2021. Now, before you reach for your crucifix or call your local pastor, know that the lede is buried deep in an article about Morgan Creek’s forthcoming series adaptation of David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers. At the very bottom of the article, Deadline notes, “Current Morgan Creek projects include Stay Tuned at AMC, with a planned theatrical reboot of The Exorcist in the works for 2021.” The news is surprising for a multitude of reasons. For starters, given that The Exorcist is one of the most recognizable titles in Ho...
Teen Kelvin Dukes Gets the Judges Bouncing With ‘Valerie’ Cover on ‘AGT’: Watch
Age is just a number. Just ask Kelvin Dukes. The Maryland native cruised into the Quarter Finals stage of America’s Got Talent, despite being just 14 years of age. On Tuesday night (Aug. 18), Dukes delivered a popping performance of “Valerie,” made famous by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, and originally recorded in the 2000s by The Zutons. Performing on an isolated stage in a set just like the one in Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” Dukes had the judges bopping along as they watched on the big screen. The kid has all the moves. This week, Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson is filling in for an injured Simon Cowell, after Kelly Clarkson helped out last week. Watch the performance below. [embedded content] You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined ...
John Legend, Bette Midler, Cher and More Celebs Roar After Night 2 of Democratic Convention
There were legends everywhere on night 2 of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as Joe Biden was officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate; Biden’s wife Jill, former president Bill Clinton and 2004 candidate John Kerry delivered speeches; and John Legend gave a rousing performance of “Never Break.” Due to the pandemic, this year’s Convention is a virtual one. But that hasn’t stopped millions of Democrats from tuning in, and feeding their minds ahead of the 2020 election. Thousands turned to social media to share their thoughts on what turned out to be a pivotal night for the Democrats, as Biden was picked to face off with president Donald Trump just months out from the general election. Judging by the wave of comments on Twitter, the real winner toni...
NME Launches In Asia
NME, the venerated British music title, has launched in Asia. Based in Singapore and operated by BandLab Technologies, the NME.com/Asia site will hope to feed the growing appetite in southeast Asia for music news, features and pop-culture insights. Currently, the platform has a split of 60-70% international content from the flagship U.K. title, and 30-40% local content. A core team of four writers handle copy from across the region, led by Iliyas Ong, former editor of Time Out Singapore; and Karen Gwee, former editor of Bandwagon and writer at NPR. The initial push-out focuses on Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, Meng Ru Kuok, CEO of BandLab Technologies tells Billboard. “Singapore is unique, it imports music very well and it tends to the indie music scene, in which NME is strong.” ...
