Music News

Frank Turner wanted his latest album to be "angrier" than his previous efforts.
The 'If Ever I Stray' hitmaker is proud of 'Positive Songs for Negative People' - which was released in August - and it's "defiant" theme, admitting it is more "heavy" than its predecessor, 2013's 'Tape Deck Heart'.
He told BANG Showbiz: "It's a bit heavier, a bit more punk rock. I wanted to make it a bit more in-your-face, an angrier record.
"The last record I did was about a c**p year I had and I had my first taste of castigation in the press, and the new record is about dusting yourself down, and saying, 'It's going to take more than that to kill me. I'm still here.' So it's kind of defiant but with a smile on its face."
The 34-year-old singer particularly enjoyed recording with his "spirit animal" Butch Walker and only wishes he'd met the producer sooner.
He added: "I worked with a guy called Butch Walker, an American producer, we recorded the record last December and January. I wish I'd met him 10 years ago, he is my spirit animal, he is a solid gold genius.
"Unlike pretty much every other producer I've ever worked with, he is also a songwriter and performer himself, which is how I knew about him because I'm a fan of his work. And that makes such a huge difference, but that's not disrespecting the other people I work with."

Brad Whitford wants Aerosmith to record their next album "live" together in a studio.
The band's guitarist thinks their 2012 LP 'Music' was let down by the fact it was pieced together using digital recording programme Pro Tools and although frontman Steven Tyler is currently pursuing solo projects he is sure they could make a fantastic album if they all get together.
Speaking about 'Music', he told Classic Rock magazine: "I said, 'Let's go record this the same way we recorded 'Toys In The Attic' and 'Rocks'.' Aerosmith is such a good band that I wanted to basically record live, because we play so well together.
"Nobody, including my producer, would go along with that. I was just, 'Man, what's wrong with these guys?' That's the one thing I hate about Pro Tools - you can use it as a tape machine or you can use it as this crutch."
But while the 63-year-old musician thinks it would be "great" for the group - which also includes Joe Perry, Joey Kramer and Tom Hamilton - to lay down more new songs he isn't sure when it will happen,
Speaking on The Eddie Trunk Podcast, he said: "I really don't know. Joe Perry and I are in the trenches digging away. We're certainly capable of sitting down with the rest of the guys and writing music. If that happens, great. But I'm not going to hold my breath."

Katy Perry wants to "experiment" in 2016.
The 'Dark Horse' hitmaker has vowed to be even more creative in the next year by trying out new things, including with her style, having recently completed her 'Prismatic World Tour'.
She said: "Next year I just want to let go a little bit more and - how can I say this as elegantly as possible - give less f**ks about outside commentary.
"I want to experiment with being creative and artistic."
Katy is hoping to think more about herself as an artist as she embarks on creating her next album and will stop worrying about what other people think of her so much.
She added: "Really tapping into the artist that I am and presenting that in styling. I will look less for people's approval."
All-in-all, the 31-year-old star - who released her fourth studio album 'Prism' in 2013 - explained she has simple hopes for next year as she just wants to stay happy and healthy.
She said: "It's really simple: it's just continued health for my family, happiness, togetherness and get-alongness."

Wiz Khalifa is releasing new music in January.
In a video message posted on YouTube, The Taylor Gang label boss announced that he has been busy writing 'Project Khalifa' and the album is going to drop in the New Year.
In the clip titled 'Wiz sends a Message to his Taylors', the rapper says: "Nobody really knows that I plan on putting out a project with some unreleased music that nobody's ever heard before and I'm going to call it 'Project Khalifa' and that's actually going to be available in January ... get Khalifa when it comes out next month in January."
The 28-year-old Pittsburgh rapper recently released a new mix-tape 'Cabin Fever 3' and as well as 'Project Khalifa' he'll also be releasing a second LP, entitled 'Rollin Papers 2; The Weed Album' - considered a companion album to 2011's 'Rolling Papers' - later in the year.
Wiz released several singles this year which could feature on either project, including 'Burn Slow', 'No Social Media' and 'King of Everything'.
In his YouTube message Wiz also took the opportunity to thank his fans for an "awesome" 2015 - which included him becoming the first hip hop artist to reach one billion hits on YouTube with his 'See You Again' video.
He said: "I want to thank everybody for an awesome year, 2015, went on a good tour, a couple of good tours, thanks everybody for showing up everybody who bought tickets. Thanks everybody for calling in and voting for 'See You Again' the video and the song. Everybody on YouTube who watched the video getting it to over a billion views, shout out to you guys."

Ella Eyre is looking forward to recording her new album in the US -because she loves American food.
The 21-year-old British pop star going to start laying down tracks for her second LP - the follow-up to 2015's debut 'Feline' - in the New Year and wants to craft a record that will resonate with American music fans.
But being Stateside has a bonus for Elle, she gets to dine at all of her favourite American eateries.
She told BANG Showbiz: "I'm definitely going to America to record the next album, I love America. I'm going to focus album two on America. I love being out there it's such a great place to be, it's so diverse it doesn't matter where you go. Oh, and the food is amazing - I'm not joking it's the main reason I want to go back there. I love the sushi out there, but I'm like that anywhere I go. One place I love going to is Poland for the sushi, it's really, really good."
Ella - who is in a relationship with Rixton star Lewi Morgan - is planning on drafting in a whole host of songwriters to work with on the LP.
She has revealed she will definitely be reconnecting with Canadian musician Greg Wells, who penned 'Even If' on her first album and has worked with a host of major artists such as Sir Elton John, Katy Perry and Celine Dion.
She said: "There's a guy called Greg Wells, that I wrote one of the songs on my first album with, it's my favourite song 'Even If', which is a ballad with just a piano. He's one of my favourite people to write with so I want to spend a lot more time with him out in America."

Chris Difford would "love" Squeeze to perform with founding member Jools Holland on his 'Jools' Annual Hootenanny' show.
The 'Up The Junction' hitmaker said it would be "lots of fun" to go on the festive New Year countdown programme with their old bandmate and though the group won't be making an appearance this year, he still hopes it could happen one day.
Asked whether he would consider teaming up with Jools for the show, Chris exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "We would love to, however it's not up to us it's up the BBC maybe next year. It would be lots of fun and the right thing to do."
Despite Jools - who left the band in 1982, and subsequently rejoining at various intervals - no longer being in Squeeze, he still spends a lot of time with Chris.
Chris said: "I was writing with him this week, he is a fine person who has a wonderful train set and collection of vintage cars."
While Chris wants to team with Jools again, he is "very happy" with Squeeze's current line-up, which includes Glen Tilbrook, Chris Difford, Simon Hanson, Stephen Large and Lucy Shaw.
He added: "All of the band give their soul to the songs, and that's hard to find. I feel very happy with this line up, having Lucy and Melvin in the band bring not only smiles but talent too."

Fifth Harmony's favourite One Direction member is Niall Horan.
The five-piece girl band - featuring Dinah Jane Hansen, Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei and Camila Cabello - met band members Louis Tomlinson and Niall while in London earlier this year and while they all got on well, Dinah admitted she took a particular shine to the 21-year-old Irishman.
Asked who her favourite member is, she gushed to BANG Showbiz: "I would say Niall's like a good homey. He's very chilled. We hung out with him and Louis. They're both very cool I would say, super awesome. I love those boys."
Following their encounter at a London club at the end of May, reports suggested Lauren had become romantically involved with Louis after they were spotted leaving together in a taxi, but Dinah insisted nothing "serious" happened between them.
She said: "But that Lauren and Louis thing it wasn't even anything that serious, but maybe you should ask her."
Since they were spotted together, 19-year-old Lauren has attempted to clear up speculation about their relationship by saying they are only friends.
Explaining why they ended up in a car together, she previously said: "My phone died and I had no way of getting home so Louis said, 'Jump in a car with me.' We got to know each other that night, it was the first time we really hung out."

Justin Bieber has congratulated the NHS Choir on beating him to be named the official UK Christmas number one.
The group's charity single 'A Bridge Over You' - a mashup between Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and Coldplay's 'Fix You' - topped the charts ahead of the 21-year-old singer's track 'Love Yourself'.
He wrote on Twitter: "Just heard the news. Amazing. That is what Christmas is all about. @Choir_NHS congrats!! Very cool (sic)"
Earlier this week, the 'What Do You Mean' hitmaker urged his 72.1 million followers to help the group reach the top of the charts.
He shared: "I'm hearing this UK Christmas race is close...but the @Choir_NHS single is for charity.
"So for 1 week it's ok not to be #1. Let's do the right thing & help them win. It's Christmas. @Choir_NHS good luck http://www.nhsno1.com/download. This is what it's all about. Merry Christmas 🙂 (sic)"
His gesture was praised by junior doctor Harriet Nerva, who, on the behalf of Britain's state-funded health service, founded the campaign.
She said: "Wow. I'm speechless. It's amazing that he's come through and he's pledged his support for such good causes. I think staff will light up inside. He's one of the biggest stars in the world and for him to support the NHS like this is a fabulous thing."
And despite not securing the top spot, Justin had everything to smile about as he managed an amazing three songs in the top five.

Foxes stole cakes from The Vamps.
The 'Let Go For Tonight' singer revealed she has a naughty side and once nicked some baked goods from the boy band's dressing room at an event where they were both performing.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, she confessed: "I'm really bad at events because I just run into other people's dressing rooms.
"I once got in trouble because I stole cakes from The Vamps' dressing room. I do things like that, but they don't mind usually. It's all good."
The 26-year-old musician admitted her fellow performers find her antics funny and she tends to have a great time hanging out with other musicians and crew backstage at shows and festivals because they're all going through a similar thing to her.
She explained: "It's nice because when you're all at the same thing you can all hang out and everyone's really cool and really friendly. Festivals are like that.
"When I did the Pharrell [Williams] tour it was quite nice because I got on with all his dancers so that was cool."