Music News
Music News
Noel Gallagher wants to record the James Bond theme.
The former Oasis star admitted he would jump at the chance to write and perform the title song to a movie in the spy franchise but doesn't think he would be asked because he's not famous enough.
Speaking to NME after it was revealed that Sam Smith has written the theme to 'SPECTRE', he said: "If I was asked. F***ing too right. I'd record a Bond theme in a heartbeat. But they usually want people who are famous in America, don't they? I'm only famous in Manchester. And bits of south London."
Meanwhile, Sam, 24, revealed he wrote the new James Bond theme in just 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old singer was thrilled to be asked to write the official song for 'SPECTRE', the latest movie in the 007 franchise, and said keeping his involvement under wraps was a "top secret mission of my own".
Speaking to DJ Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 about the song, entitled 'Writing's On The Wall', Sam said: "I'm so relieved to actually talk about this, this has been a top secret mission of my own.
"I got called into the office with (producer) Barbara Broccoli and (director) Sam Mendes and they gave me the script, I read the script ... they said, 'Have a go at the song.'
"It's the quickest I've ever written a song - it took 20 minutes - and they loved it. I love the song so much."
Smith co-wrote the track with Grammy Award winner Jimmy Napes and is the first British male solo artist to record the Bond theme since Tom Jones' 'Thunderball' in 1965.
Noel Gallagher wants to write Bond theme
Noel Gallagher wants to record the James Bond theme.
The former Oasis star admitted he would jump at the chance to write and perform the title song to a movie in the spy franchise but doesn't think he would be asked because he's not famous enough.
Speaking to NME after it was revealed that Sam Smith has written the theme to 'SPECTRE', he said: "If I was asked. F***ing too right. I'd record a Bond theme in a heartbeat. But they usually want people who are famous in America, don't they? I'm only famous in Manchester. And bits of south London."
Meanwhile, Sam, 24, revealed he wrote the new James Bond theme in just 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old singer was thrilled to be asked to write the official song for 'SPECTRE', the latest movie in the 007 franchise, and said keeping his involvement under wraps was a "top secret mission of my own".
Speaking to DJ Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 about the song, entitled 'Writing's On The Wall', Sam said: "I'm so relieved to actually talk about this, this has been a top secret mission of my own.
"I got called into the office with (producer) Barbara Broccoli and (director) Sam Mendes and they gave me the script, I read the script ... they said, 'Have a go at the song.'
"It's the quickest I've ever written a song - it took 20 minutes - and they loved it. I love the song so much."
Smith co-wrote the track with Grammy Award winner Jimmy Napes and is the first British male solo artist to record the Bond theme since Tom Jones' 'Thunderball' in 1965.
Music News
Carrie Underwood is planning her next headline tour.
The 2005 'American Idol' winner gave birth to her first child six-month-old son, Isaiah Michael Fisher and is already working out her return to the live scene very soon to promote her first LP in three years 'Storyteller', which will be released next month on October 23.
She told Nashville's BIG 98 FM: "We're working out the details right now -- tour routing and figuring out who's going to come out with us and all that stuff. It takes a lot of love and a lot of planning. I feel like within the next couple of months, we should be announcing everything. We'll just put it out there!"
The news comes as the country singer was announced her new album and revealed she had written a song about her son who she had with her ice hockey player husband Mike Fisher.
Asked if it would feature on her LP, she teased: "I'd be very willing to put money that it will be on there."
And the Grammy-award-winning star was also announced for the Apple Music Festival where she will return to the UK to headline London's Roundhouse on 21 September.
Talking about the "unique" concert, she said: "Playing in the UK is always such a thrill! I'm really looking forward to heading back and being a part of such an amazing line-up at Apple Music Festival. What a unique concert experience, not only for the fans at the Roundhouse, but also for fans across the globe who can stream it live!"
Carrie Underwood planning headline tour
Carrie Underwood is planning her next headline tour.
The 2005 'American Idol' winner gave birth to her first child six-month-old son, Isaiah Michael Fisher and is already working out her return to the live scene very soon to promote her first LP in three years 'Storyteller', which will be released next month on October 23.
She told Nashville's BIG 98 FM: "We're working out the details right now -- tour routing and figuring out who's going to come out with us and all that stuff. It takes a lot of love and a lot of planning. I feel like within the next couple of months, we should be announcing everything. We'll just put it out there!"
The news comes as the country singer was announced her new album and revealed she had written a song about her son who she had with her ice hockey player husband Mike Fisher.
Asked if it would feature on her LP, she teased: "I'd be very willing to put money that it will be on there."
And the Grammy-award-winning star was also announced for the Apple Music Festival where she will return to the UK to headline London's Roundhouse on 21 September.
Talking about the "unique" concert, she said: "Playing in the UK is always such a thrill! I'm really looking forward to heading back and being a part of such an amazing line-up at Apple Music Festival. What a unique concert experience, not only for the fans at the Roundhouse, but also for fans across the globe who can stream it live!"
Music News
Ansel Elgort's new career as a DJ was inspired by Skrillex and Avicii.
The 21-year-old actor - who has starred in movies including 'The Fault in our Stars' and 'Divergent' - has signed a deal with Island Records and has been performing under his DJ alter-ego Ansolo.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Ansel said: "I heard some of the really early Avicii stuff and the really early Skrillex remixes before he had released his EP. Just like his remix of La Roux's 'Going in for the Kill'. I thought it was so cool.
"The whole thing... it's more than just writing and performing. It's engineering and producing. It's magical. It's something on your computer you can do all by yourself. It's the same thing as piano and voice, but now you have tracks that are 70 channels. With a piano, everyone's heard what a piano sounds like, but with dance music, every month there's a new track with a sound that everyone's like, 'What is that sound? How did he do it?'"
Ansel also revealed he signed with Island Records because they were interested in his music that other labels weren't.
He said: "I went to a few different labels and was playing everyone my music, and Island was really interested in stuff I didn't think labels would be interested in. I played them some tracks and said, 'These are more poppy. These are more clubby. These are more radio-friendly.' The ones that were more radio-friendly, they were like, 'No, we've heard this before. We want the different ones. We want the special records.'"
Ansel Elgort inspired by Skrillex
Ansel Elgort's new career as a DJ was inspired by Skrillex and Avicii.
The 21-year-old actor - who has starred in movies including 'The Fault in our Stars' and 'Divergent' - has signed a deal with Island Records and has been performing under his DJ alter-ego Ansolo.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Ansel said: "I heard some of the really early Avicii stuff and the really early Skrillex remixes before he had released his EP. Just like his remix of La Roux's 'Going in for the Kill'. I thought it was so cool.
"The whole thing... it's more than just writing and performing. It's engineering and producing. It's magical. It's something on your computer you can do all by yourself. It's the same thing as piano and voice, but now you have tracks that are 70 channels. With a piano, everyone's heard what a piano sounds like, but with dance music, every month there's a new track with a sound that everyone's like, 'What is that sound? How did he do it?'"
Ansel also revealed he signed with Island Records because they were interested in his music that other labels weren't.
He said: "I went to a few different labels and was playing everyone my music, and Island was really interested in stuff I didn't think labels would be interested in. I played them some tracks and said, 'These are more poppy. These are more clubby. These are more radio-friendly.' The ones that were more radio-friendly, they were like, 'No, we've heard this before. We want the different ones. We want the special records.'"
Music News
Voting has opened for the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2015.
Nominations have been announced for the prestigious awards, with the results being unveiled at a star-studded ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden, London on Wednesday 11 November.
Siân Llewellyn, Editor of Classic Rock, said: "What a great 12 months it's been for high-voltage rock'n'roll. And what a year for us to return to the Roll Of Honour's spiritual home at London's Roundhouse after celebrating its tenth anniversary in Hollywood.
"With fantastic new bands to celebrate and brilliant albums to consider it was trickier than ever to nail down our nomination shortlist. Put simply, it means that the Classic Rock Awards will be another brilliant evening of rock'n'roll celebration!"
Five of the categories are public-voted with bands like the Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Rush and Halestorm receiving multiple nominations.
For Band Of The Year, some of the world's biggest stadium acts received a nomination including AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, Foo Fighters and The Who.
The evening will be hosted by wrestler and frontman of the rock band Fozzy, Chris Jericho.
To vote, visit www.classicrockmagazine.com/awards. The ceremony will take place at the Roundhouse in London on Wednesday 11 November.
Voting opens for Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2015
Voting has opened for the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards 2015.
Nominations have been announced for the prestigious awards, with the results being unveiled at a star-studded ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden, London on Wednesday 11 November.
Siân Llewellyn, Editor of Classic Rock, said: "What a great 12 months it's been for high-voltage rock'n'roll. And what a year for us to return to the Roll Of Honour's spiritual home at London's Roundhouse after celebrating its tenth anniversary in Hollywood.
"With fantastic new bands to celebrate and brilliant albums to consider it was trickier than ever to nail down our nomination shortlist. Put simply, it means that the Classic Rock Awards will be another brilliant evening of rock'n'roll celebration!"
Five of the categories are public-voted with bands like the Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Rush and Halestorm receiving multiple nominations.
For Band Of The Year, some of the world's biggest stadium acts received a nomination including AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, Foo Fighters and The Who.
The evening will be hosted by wrestler and frontman of the rock band Fozzy, Chris Jericho.
To vote, visit www.classicrockmagazine.com/awards. The ceremony will take place at the Roundhouse in London on Wednesday 11 November.
Music News
Nicole Scherzinger will release new music next year.
The 37-year-old singer denied reports she has been dropped by her record label RCA but admitted she has signed with another company and hopes to have a new record out next year.
She told the Huffington Post: "I've got a new deal coming out. It was reported all this year that I was dropped and I actually wasn't dropped.
"I was signing a new deal with another label. We're still working on the contract, which I am unable to speak too much about.
"I'm really excited about this project and new music that I'm putting together, and which will be released next year."
Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that Nicole and her former Pussycat Dolls bandmates are planning a reunion, five years after they split.
The band ended in 2010 following a feud linked to Nicole's desire to make it big as a solo star, but since her latest release 'On the Rocks' failed to chart, the girls are planning on putting the past behind them and reforming.
A source close to the ladies revealed: "The band are in talks about reuniting soon and they are trying to see if they can get all of the girls together to do it.
"The fall-outs and bitching from back in the day are all water under the bridge now."
Nicole is apparently in talks with former members Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton and is keen to make amends.
The source told The Sun newspaper: "Nicole has seen most of the girls on and off over the years and she's ready to get back together.
"Rather than trying to patch up their differences, it's more about working out how to get everyone in the studio and see what it will actually sound like."
Nicole Scherzinger signs new record deal
Nicole Scherzinger will release new music next year.
The 37-year-old singer denied reports she has been dropped by her record label RCA but admitted she has signed with another company and hopes to have a new record out next year.
She told the Huffington Post: "I've got a new deal coming out. It was reported all this year that I was dropped and I actually wasn't dropped.
"I was signing a new deal with another label. We're still working on the contract, which I am unable to speak too much about.
"I'm really excited about this project and new music that I'm putting together, and which will be released next year."
Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that Nicole and her former Pussycat Dolls bandmates are planning a reunion, five years after they split.
The band ended in 2010 following a feud linked to Nicole's desire to make it big as a solo star, but since her latest release 'On the Rocks' failed to chart, the girls are planning on putting the past behind them and reforming.
A source close to the ladies revealed: "The band are in talks about reuniting soon and they are trying to see if they can get all of the girls together to do it.
"The fall-outs and bitching from back in the day are all water under the bridge now."
Nicole is apparently in talks with former members Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton and is keen to make amends.
The source told The Sun newspaper: "Nicole has seen most of the girls on and off over the years and she's ready to get back together.
"Rather than trying to patch up their differences, it's more about working out how to get everyone in the studio and see what it will actually sound like."
Music News
35 items from Jack Bruce's personal collection will be auctioned off later this month.
The Cream bassist - who passed away in October 2014 at the age of 71 - handpicked each of the items for the auction before his death and they include 18 costumes worn on tours and concerts across the world, eight guitars, handwritten lyrics and musical manuscripts.
Jack's beloved bass guitar, the Warwick Thumb Bass, will also be sold.
Speaking previously about the bespoke instrument, he said: "If something ever happened to my old Warwick Fretless Thumb Bass, then I might as well just hang it up [playing bass] entirely, because it is irreplaceable - I love it above all else."
The items will be sold at Sotheby's next Rock & Pop auction which will take place on Tuesday 29 September.
The auction will take place ahead of the sold out 'Sunshine For Your Love' concert, in aid of the charity EACH, which will take at London's The Roundhouse on Saturday 24 October (and will include performances from Ginger Baker, Joss Stone, Phil Manzanera, Ian Anderson and many more).
For more details go to http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2015/rock-pop-l15414.html#
Jack Bruce items to be sold at auction
35 items from Jack Bruce's personal collection will be auctioned off later this month.
The Cream bassist - who passed away in October 2014 at the age of 71 - handpicked each of the items for the auction before his death and they include 18 costumes worn on tours and concerts across the world, eight guitars, handwritten lyrics and musical manuscripts.
Jack's beloved bass guitar, the Warwick Thumb Bass, will also be sold.
Speaking previously about the bespoke instrument, he said: "If something ever happened to my old Warwick Fretless Thumb Bass, then I might as well just hang it up [playing bass] entirely, because it is irreplaceable - I love it above all else."
The items will be sold at Sotheby's next Rock & Pop auction which will take place on Tuesday 29 September.
The auction will take place ahead of the sold out 'Sunshine For Your Love' concert, in aid of the charity EACH, which will take at London's The Roundhouse on Saturday 24 October (and will include performances from Ginger Baker, Joss Stone, Phil Manzanera, Ian Anderson and many more).
For more details go to http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2015/rock-pop-l15414.html#
Music News
Gwen Stefani is in a "really good place" with her songwriting.
The No Doubt singer - who split from husband Gavin Rossdale last month after 14 years together - is very impressed with her efforts since returning to the recording studio and admits she has never been so prolific.
She told TooFab: "I'm literally writing like I've never written, I think ever. Every time I go in the studio -- which I don't have a lot of time in my life -- so when I've gone in, every single time I have written a song.
"I have close to 10songs, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it's over a very short amount of time. It's never happened.
"o I am in a really good place for writing and I think that has a lot to do with being on 'The Voice' last season and also just, I don't know, just opening up and being on a journey to get to this point to be able to write again."
The 45-year-old singer admits it is the first time in her life that going into the studio isn't a "chore" and she actually enjoys it.
She added: "I have never been in a place, where I'm like outside all my life, where all I want to do is get in the studio.
"It was always like a chore, like 'Oh no I have to go to the studio, I am not going to be able to do it. What am I going to say?'
"Like it's an opposite, it's like I gotta get in the studio. When is there time, you know? Every time I go, I know I'm going to have a song and every time I have a song I get to play it really loud in my car and it's really fun."
Gwen Stefani is ‘in a good place’
Gwen Stefani is in a "really good place" with her songwriting.
The No Doubt singer - who split from husband Gavin Rossdale last month after 14 years together - is very impressed with her efforts since returning to the recording studio and admits she has never been so prolific.
She told TooFab: "I'm literally writing like I've never written, I think ever. Every time I go in the studio -- which I don't have a lot of time in my life -- so when I've gone in, every single time I have written a song.
"I have close to 10songs, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it's over a very short amount of time. It's never happened.
"o I am in a really good place for writing and I think that has a lot to do with being on 'The Voice' last season and also just, I don't know, just opening up and being on a journey to get to this point to be able to write again."
The 45-year-old singer admits it is the first time in her life that going into the studio isn't a "chore" and she actually enjoys it.
She added: "I have never been in a place, where I'm like outside all my life, where all I want to do is get in the studio.
"It was always like a chore, like 'Oh no I have to go to the studio, I am not going to be able to do it. What am I going to say?'
"Like it's an opposite, it's like I gotta get in the studio. When is there time, you know? Every time I go, I know I'm going to have a song and every time I have a song I get to play it really loud in my car and it's really fun."
Music News
Bon Jovi have been banned from China.
The 'Always' rockers were due to play their first-ever shows in Shanghai and Beijing next week, but the gigs have now been "unexpectedly cancelled", promoters AEG Asia have announced.
Though no official reason has been given for the cancellation, it is thought to be due to the band using imagery of the Dalai Lama during previous shows in Taiwan in 2010.
The Financial Times' Beijing correspondent reported: "The Communist party's Culture Ministry acted after discovering that Bon Jovi once included a picture of the Dalai Lama in a backdrop video during a concert in Taiwan in 2010, according to people familiar with the matter. That followed a band member's tweet about meeting the spiritual leader."
The Chinese government are reportedly cracking down on Tibetan themes from visiting performers as this year is the 50th anniversary of Tibetan autonomy.
Bjork and Maroon 5 have also had concerts cancelled in China in recent years..
Bon Jovi are still scheduled to perform in Macau - which, like Hong Kong, is Special Administrative Region of China - later this month.
Bon Jovi banned from China
Bon Jovi have been banned from China.
The 'Always' rockers were due to play their first-ever shows in Shanghai and Beijing next week, but the gigs have now been "unexpectedly cancelled", promoters AEG Asia have announced.
Though no official reason has been given for the cancellation, it is thought to be due to the band using imagery of the Dalai Lama during previous shows in Taiwan in 2010.
The Financial Times' Beijing correspondent reported: "The Communist party's Culture Ministry acted after discovering that Bon Jovi once included a picture of the Dalai Lama in a backdrop video during a concert in Taiwan in 2010, according to people familiar with the matter. That followed a band member's tweet about meeting the spiritual leader."
The Chinese government are reportedly cracking down on Tibetan themes from visiting performers as this year is the 50th anniversary of Tibetan autonomy.
Bjork and Maroon 5 have also had concerts cancelled in China in recent years..
Bon Jovi are still scheduled to perform in Macau - which, like Hong Kong, is Special Administrative Region of China - later this month.
Music News
Skepta took home the top gong at the AIM Awards 2015 last night (08.09.15).
The 'Shutdown' rapper was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Music at the ceremony that celebrated the independent sector's most important and influential artists and was hosted by Radio One's Alice Levine and XFM's John Kennedy.
AIM Awards judge and BBC Radio One and 1Xtra presenter MistaJam said previously: "Since grime was born out of the ashes of UK garage, Skepta has been a pioneer of the sound.
"There's no denying Skepta has put in the blood, sweat and tears for the last 10 whole years and now, as he stands on the cusp of true international acclaim, it feels right to award Skepta for his immense contribution so far to British music."
Elsewhere, alternative rockers Wolf Alice won the Independent Breakthrough of the Year award and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis took to the stage at The Brewery in London to present British band Enter Shikari with the Independent Album of The Year for their fourth LP 'The Mindsweep'.
FKA twigs' song 'Two Weeks' was picked as the Independent Track of the Year, and Best Second Album went to Young Fathers for 'White Men Are Black Men Too'.
Last year's Outstanding Contribution to Music Award was won by techno deejay Richie Hawtin.
The full list of winners were as follows:
Outstanding Contribution to Music - Skepta
Best Small Label - Erased Tapes
Best Live Act - All Time Low
Independent Breakthrough of the Year - Wolf Alice
Hardest Working Band or Artist - Swans
Special Catalogue Release of the Year - 'Cities Of Darkscorch Boardgame'
Best 'Difficult' Second Album: Young Fathers - 'White Men Are Black Men Too'
Golden Welly Award For Best Independent Festival: Brainchild Festival
Indie Champion Award: Marc Riley - BBC 6 Music
Independent Track of the Year - FKA twigs - 'Two Weeks'
Independent Video of the Year - Flying Lotus - 'Never Catch Me'
PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Act - Jungle
Independent Album of the Year - Enter Shikari - 'The Mindsweep'
Innovator Award - Peter Quicke, Matt Black & Jonathan More - 'Ninja Tune'
Independent Label of the Year - Transgressive
Pioneer Award: Digby Pearson - Earache Records
Skepta honored at AIM Awards 2015
Skepta took home the top gong at the AIM Awards 2015 last night (08.09.15).
The 'Shutdown' rapper was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Music at the ceremony that celebrated the independent sector's most important and influential artists and was hosted by Radio One's Alice Levine and XFM's John Kennedy.
AIM Awards judge and BBC Radio One and 1Xtra presenter MistaJam said previously: "Since grime was born out of the ashes of UK garage, Skepta has been a pioneer of the sound.
"There's no denying Skepta has put in the blood, sweat and tears for the last 10 whole years and now, as he stands on the cusp of true international acclaim, it feels right to award Skepta for his immense contribution so far to British music."
Elsewhere, alternative rockers Wolf Alice won the Independent Breakthrough of the Year award and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis took to the stage at The Brewery in London to present British band Enter Shikari with the Independent Album of The Year for their fourth LP 'The Mindsweep'.
FKA twigs' song 'Two Weeks' was picked as the Independent Track of the Year, and Best Second Album went to Young Fathers for 'White Men Are Black Men Too'.
Last year's Outstanding Contribution to Music Award was won by techno deejay Richie Hawtin.
The full list of winners were as follows:
Outstanding Contribution to Music - Skepta
Best Small Label - Erased Tapes
Best Live Act - All Time Low
Independent Breakthrough of the Year - Wolf Alice
Hardest Working Band or Artist - Swans
Special Catalogue Release of the Year - 'Cities Of Darkscorch Boardgame'
Best 'Difficult' Second Album: Young Fathers - 'White Men Are Black Men Too'
Golden Welly Award For Best Independent Festival: Brainchild Festival
Indie Champion Award: Marc Riley - BBC 6 Music
Independent Track of the Year - FKA twigs - 'Two Weeks'
Independent Video of the Year - Flying Lotus - 'Never Catch Me'
PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Act - Jungle
Independent Album of the Year - Enter Shikari - 'The Mindsweep'
Innovator Award - Peter Quicke, Matt Black & Jonathan More - 'Ninja Tune'
Independent Label of the Year - Transgressive
Pioneer Award: Digby Pearson - Earache Records