Music
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Ava Max Had Doubts About Her Pop Career: ‘I Never Thought I Would Make It Through’
A little over a year after Ava Max’s breakthrough single “Sweet But Psycho” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 2019 — she’s coasting up the chart again with her new hit, “Kings & Queens.” The track’s success comes at the perfect time, as the pop singer/songwriter’s debut album, Heaven & Hell, will be released on Sept. 18. What’s it been like for Max to see “Kings & Queens” climb up the charts? (The track also rises 24-22 on the Pop Songs airplay chart dated Sept. 19.) “I feel so grateful to even be releasing music and people are listening! Especially during a pandemic!” Max tells the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast (listen below). “I know that a lot of people are struggling right now. Music, for me, is medicine. And I just couldn’t hold it back anymore and I&...
Gloria Estefan to Feature In Online Celebration of Latino Impact on Media
Gloria Estefan, Alex Rodriguez and Eva Longoria will be among the participants in a monthlong online celebration of Latino contributions to television. The Paley Center for Media’s tribute to the work of actors, journalists and other notable Latinos begins Wednesday and will be held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the first such event by Paley to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The inaugural celebration will feature “conversations and events that spotlight critically acclaimed, groundbreaking, and culturally influential Hispanic personalities and rising stars who demonstrate the power of the community” and its cultural impact, the center said in its announcement Tuesday. Maureen J. Reidy, the center’s president and CEO, called it a...
Will Teen Mom 2‘s Kailyn Finally Reunite With Her Mother?
Kailyn “completely” cut off her mom Suzi one year ago after documenting several ups and many downs through the Teen Mom 2 years. But during tonight’s episode, the mother of three received a very unexpected phone call from her absent parent. “My mom is calling me,” Kail declared, while she was getting her hair done. “I’m going to have to step out.” But what made Suzi attempting contact even more intriguing was the fact that her mother (Kail’s grandmother) had recently died — and Suzi did not attend the funeral in Texas. And there was also a podcast, which Kail recorded two days prior, with her co-host Lindsie and a psychic medium named Monica. “Does your mom have a drinking problem?” Monica asked, which Kail confirmed. ...
The 16 And Recovering Community Has Lost One Of Its Own
Northshore Recovery High School lost one of its own during tonight’s 16 and Recovering episode: Principal Michelle Lipinski sadly informed her community that Shawn O’Neill, a student at the Massachusetts school, had passed away at age 18. “On the way back from my class that I was teaching, I got a call from Shawn’s mother,” Michelle told Shawn’s classmates and her fellow instructors. “She put him to bed last night, and he was fine. And she went to work this morning thinking he was okay. She realized she was running late for work, so she had her daughter go and wake him up. And he had overdosed.” As the students wept and embraced each other, she announced, “He passed away this morning.” Michelle later reflected on Shawn’s dea...
Scottish Musician Launches Record Label for Prison Inmates
Over the last decade, singer-songwriter Jill Brown has spent time hosting songwriting workshops at HMP Barlinnie, Scotland’s largest prison. Through her work, Brown took notice of the positive impact of music on the mental health and well-being of inmates in Scotland’s correctional system. The experience has now led her to develop a record label of her own, specifically geared toward recording ex-convicts and the incarcerated. Aptly titled Criminal Records, the label was born out of Brown’s desire to give inmates a voice. Brown posits that it’s difficult to lock someone up and expect them to come out changed without having introduced something positive while they are still in prison. She ultimately believes music could be the answer to help...
The UFC Launches Music Streaming App to Connect Fighters With Fans
The UFC is diving head-first into subscription-based music streaming with its new venture, UFC Ultimate Sound. In partnership with Norway’s ACX Music, the new platform offers curated mixes, radio, music video content, and more through its mobile app. The venture seeks to create a medium where UFC fighters can connect directly with their fans through a musical lens. Chances are, your next favorite workout mix or pump-up playlist has been curated by a UFC fighter on the platform. “It’s all about bridging a gap between fans and their favorite sport,” said Svein Sorgard, ACX Music’s CEO. “With UFC Ultimate Sound, we can finally connect fans and fighters on a new level. Music brings people together and we’ve given them a place to mee...
UK Dubstep Artist Shiverz Set to Host 24-Hour Nonstop Livestream
As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to prevent live shows from taking place, performers are constantly searching for new ways to improve livestream experiences for the fans. In March, UK dubstep artist Shiverz tweeted that if he received 3000 likes, 2000 comments, and 1000 retweets, he’d perform a 24-hour livestream. With all criteria met, Shiverz is ready to take the challenge head-on and give fans what they’ve asked for. To hit all the right notes for his marathon livestream, the DJ and producer has teamed up with SoundShield and Subtle Sound to acquire full stage production as well as a venue for the event. The Dub Rebellion has also hopped on to help host the stream, which will be held exclusively on YouTube and kick off on September 19th at 9AM PT...
Famed Techno Music Producer Derrick May Accused of Sexual Assault
Famed electronic music producer Derrick May has been accused of sexual assault by Michael James, a former Detroit-based colleague. On September 8th, 2020, James shared a lengthy statement via Facebook that contains explicit allegations against May, who is prevalently considered to be a pioneering artist in techno music. “Now, you should understand why it’s taking so long for all of you to learn that Derrick May has been raping and sexually assaulting women dating back to the 1980s,” James wrote. “I’ve been telling people about it since November 2019, and at least 10 people have gone on record publicly with stories of him engaging in rape, exposing his penis to women without consent, threatening sexual attacks, groping women, etc.” Your EDM reported ...
BRET MICHAELS Named Official Ambassador For 10th Annual ‘World College Radio Day’
POISON frontman Bret Michaels has been named as the official 2020 Ambassador for the 10th annual World College Radio Day, which is happening worldwide on Friday, October 2, 2020. Bret states: “In this difficult time, there has never been a more important year, or a better year, for the hope that college radio brings. It is the future of communications and, in a year like this, communication is key. Music itself is the soundtrack to life and helps drive us through these unprecedented times. When dorms and campuses may be quiet, this should be the time for college radio to be going strong.” Bret‘s Life Rocks Foundation will donate $10,000 in personal “Bret Grants” to participating college radio stations around the world, matching the funds raised by the College ...
LAMB OF GOD’s WILLIE ADLER Says He Hopes His Brother CHRIS Is Doing Well: ‘I Haven’t Talked To Him’
Willie Adler says that he hasn’t spoken to his brother, ex-LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler, for quite some time following Chris‘s departure from the band. LAMB OF GOD officially parted ways with Chris in July 2019. His replacement is Art Cruz, who has previously played with PRONG and WINDS OF PLAGUE, and filled in for Adler on several LAMB OF GOD tours in 2018 and 2019. Asked in a new interview with “The Vanflip Podcast” how his brother is doing, Willie said (see video below): “You would have to ask him… I would like to think that he’s doing well, and I really want him to be doing well. I just haven’t talked to him. I really want him to be doing well.” Willie also talked about the emotional complexities of playing in LAMB OF GOD without his b...
MEGADETH’s DAVID ELLEFSON: ‘We Owe Everything To METALLICA’
David Ellefson says that MEGADETH and other thrash and extreme metal bands “owe everything to METALLICA.” Dave Mustaine, who was the original lead guitarist of METALLICA, was dismissed from the band by drummer Lars Ulrich in 1983. He was replaced by Kirk Hammett and went on to form MEGADETH and achieve worldwide success on his own. Asked in a new interview with Detroit’s WRIF radio station if he and Mustaine paid close attention to what METALLICA was doing in the early years of MEGADETH‘s existence, Ellefson said: “Oh, of course. I mean, look, we are all just a branch off the METALLICA family tree. I mean, let’s face it. Especially MEGADETH, with Dave being there, and then me being a branch off of Dave with MEGADETH. So, I mean, look, we owe everything t...
FEAR FACTORY’s DINO CAZARES On BURTON C. BELL: ‘There Hasn’t Been Any Communication Between Us Two At All’
Earlier this week, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares was interviewed by Dave “Higgo” Higgins of Australia’s MMM Hard N Heavy radio station about his decision to launch a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of the band’s long-awaited new album. You can now hear the chat below. Several excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). On wanting to take the already-completed 2017 recordings for the new FEAR FACTORY album and update them before releasing the effort next year: Dino: “One thing I wanted to make clear is that, at the time, it’s public knowledge that we were all going through a lot of legalities regarding the FEAR FACTORY trademark, the FEAR FACTORY name. So, when we were recording this recor...
