NEWS
Chris Cornell Biopic Currently in Production
Black Days, a film based on the last days in the life of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who died in 2017, is currently in production, according to the film’s website. Filming is slated to begin Sept. 10. The site also states, “from the cast of the Academy Award-winning Walk the Line comes a based on true events story,” citing Johnny Holiday, who played Carl Perkins in Walk the Line, as associated with the Black Days project, presumably in the role of Cornell. AmeriFilms LLC/Road Rage Films will produce the biopic, according to film industry publication Backstage. That publication’s casting page indicates Black Days is looking for actors to play roles including “Young Chris: Male, 12-16;” “Doctor, 61-18;” “Hotel Maid: Female, 18-55;” “Road Manager Male, 25-55″ and other...
iHeartRadio Music Awards Cancelled For 2020 — But Winners Will Still Be Announced
Eight months will have elapsed between the announcement of the nominees and the revelation of the winners. The 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards, originally scheduled to take place March 29 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with Usher hosting, were officially cancelled on Monday (Aug. 24). But fear not, awards fans: The winners will still be announced over the Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-7) on 840 iHeartRadio stations nationwide and via iHeart’s social platforms. The chain will even include acceptance speeches from the winners. This year’s nominations were announced on Jan. 8, which means eight months will have elapsed between the announcement of the nominees and the revelation of the winners. Billie Eilish and Shawn Mendes were this year’s top nominees, with seven nods each. Taylo...
Hear a Dramatic Orchestral Version of a Nirvana Classic in ‘The Batman’ Trailer
There is definitely ‘Something in the Way.’ The dim, ominous first trailer for Matt Reeves’ the Caped Crusader re-re-boot, The Batman, features an unlikely star turn from a 1991 Nirvana classic. The preview of Robert Pattinson’s first trip under the cowl as the title character is in keeping with the bleak vibe of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, but beyond the brief glimpses of the Riddler (Paul Dano) and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner James Gordon, the star that almost steals the show is a grinding, orchestral remix of “Something in the Way” from Nirvana’s breakthrough major label debut, Nevermind. The original version of the song, a delicate acoustic dirge though to be about the period where late singer Kurt Cobain lived under a bri...
Beyoncé’s ‘Brown Skin Girl’ Video Is Now Available Outside of ‘Black Is King’: Watch
The visual features appearances from Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Kelly Rowland and Blue Ivy Carter. Ring the alarm! Just weeks after unveiling Black Is King, Beyoncé has gifted the wider world with the stunning video for “Brown Skin Girl.” On Aug. 24, the superstar uploaded the celebratory clip as a standalone visual on YouTube. (Previously, the video for the fan favorite track had only been available to Disney+ subscribers as part of Beyoncé’s most recent musical film, which dropped exclusively on the streaming service July 31.) In the video, Beyoncé enlists (and name drops) the likes of Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o and former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland to help laud and pass down the ideals of Black identity, heritage and beauty to fut...
The Killers Plan to Drop Second New Album Within a Year
The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers said that his band plans to release another new album in 2021, telling NME: “It might be better than this one. … We’re going to release another one in about 10 months. We’ve already gone back into the studio. “Every time someone makes a record they say that they have 50 songs and they’re going to release another record. We really are,” Flowers said. The band, whose sixth album, Imploding the Mirage, landed Aug. 21., has already tracked new songs with producers Jonathon Rado and Shawn Everett, Flowers saying, “We did a week in Northern California.“I had a lot of time on my hands. Before I’d normally be gearing up to tour, all of that time has gone back into writing more songs. It’s been pretty fruitful.” The singer, who recently relo...
Beyoncé Shares ‘Brown Skin Girl’ Video
Less than a month after the release of her visual album, Black Is King, Beyoncé shared a new video for “Brown Skin Girl” on Monday morning. “It was so important to me in ‘Brown Skin Girl’ that we represented all different shades of brown. We wanted every character to be shot in a regal light … It was important that we are all in this together and we’re all celebrating each other,” Beyoncé said in a statement to Good Morning America, which debuted the video. The six-minute video — directed by Jenn Nkiru — features appearances from Destiny’s Child groupmate Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, actor Lupita Nyong’o, singers Saint Jhn and WizKid and her daughter Blue Ivy Carter. In our review of Black Is King, we wrote that the visual album was “a creative pinnacle.” See Beyoncé’...
Goo Goo Dolls Announce It’s Christmas All Over Holiday Album
Mariah Carey may have some competition this Christmas season. First Dolly Parton announced a Christmas-themed album and Goo Goo Dolls are doing the same. On Monday, the band announced It’s Christmas All Over, a collection of yuletide tunes that includes covers of classics and two originals. The album was produced by the Goos’ frontman John Rzeznik, with help from longtime collaborators Brad Fernquist and Jimmy McGorman, during quarantine. According to a release, “the album promises to deliver a much-needed warmth and hope to 2020″ and is slated for an Oct. 30 release via Warner Records. Aside from recording their contribution to the Christmas canon, the Goos are also in the studio working on a new album of original music. A tracklisting will come later this fall. It’s C...
Justin Townes Earle Dies at 38
Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle, the son of Steve Earle, has died. He was 38. His passing was confirmed Sunday night (Aug. 23) by a statement released on his official Facebook page. “It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing of our son, husband, father and friend Justin,” the statement reads. “So many of you have relied on his music and lyrics over the years and we hope that his music will continue to guide you on your journeys. You will be missed dearly Justin.” The cause of death has not been revealed. Earle is survived by his wife and daughter. Born in Nashville, Earle was named after songwriter Townes Van Zandt. “My mother hated Townes Van Zandt,” he said in an interview last year. “My first name was suppose...
Biffy Clyro Oust Taylor Swift From U.K. Albums Chart Summit
Move over Taylor Swift, Biffy Clyro is the new boss of the U.K. albums chart. The Scottish rockers open at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart with A Celebration Of Endings (Warner Records), for their third leader. The new LP blasts away with 26,000 chart sales, including 8,000 vinyl units, according to the OCC. A Celebration Of Endings is the trio’s ninth album, and their seventh Top 10. With its fast start, Celebration ends the three-week streak at No. 1 by Taylor Swift’s Folklore (EMI), which dips to No. 2. English indie-rock outfit Sea Girls enjoy a No. 3 start with their debut album Open Up Your Head (Polydor). Also new to the top tier of the chart this week is Manic Street Preacher James Dean Bradfield, whose Even In Exile (Montyray) bows at No. 6. It’...
‘Masked Singer Australia’ Production Halted Following COVID Outbreak
The Masked Singer Australia has entered into lockdown mode after several crew members were diagnosed with COVID-19. The production team, which numbers 180 and includes the masked celebrities, host Osher Gunsberg and its judging panel, are now in self-isolation. With just one episode to go in the current season, production is now immediately suspended, as “the health and safety of the community, and our staff and production partners is our number one priority,” explains a statement issued Sunday. The series is filmed in Melbourne, which currently holds the unwanted status as Australia’s coronavirus hotspot, and airs on the commercial Network 10. The show will go on. All episodes are in the can, with the exception of the grand final, which means fans can tune in on Monday an...
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’ Hits No. 1 In Australia
Cardi B has her first No. 1 in the land Down Under as “WAP” (Atlantic/Warner), featuring Megan Thee Stallion, rises 2-1 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while Taylor Swift’s Folklore (Republic/Universal) enters a fourth consecutive week atop the national albums survey. “WAP” is just the third female-led hip-hop song to rule Australia’s singles chart, and the first in almost three decades, ARIA reports. The only others are Dimples D’s “Sucker DJ” (March 1991) and Salt-N-Pepa’s “Let’s Talk About Sex” (January 1992). With Cardi B’s Billboard Hot 100 leader now on top in Australia, Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” (Columbia/Sony) slips to No. 2, while Drake has the week’s highest debut, as “Laugh Now Cry Later” (Republic/Universal) featuring Lil Durk starts at No...
13 Dead in Stampede After Police Raid Peru Nightclub
On Saturday night, 120 people gathered at a nightclub in Peru for an unsanctioned dance party. Police then raided the event in an effort to uphold the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. Tragically, after witnessing the police presence, attendees formed a stampede that resulted in thirteen deaths. The club only had one door for patrons to enter and exit. In a quote obtained by AP News, the President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, shared his sadness over the loss of life and denounced the organizers of the event. They also go on to report that he is calling for authorities to punish the organizers. “I feel sorry for the relatives… but also anger and indignation with the business people who organized the event,” Vizcarra said. The news agency is also sharing that s...
