Music News
Music News
Haim performed a surprise show at Cannes Film Festival.
The 'Forever' hitmakers - comprised of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim - sang at Calvin Klein and IFP's Women in Film reception, which honoured actresses including Rachel Weisz, Isabelle Huppert, Mélanie Laurent and Emily Blunt.
The swanky reception was held at a private villa on Monday (18.05.15) and was also attended by 'Nightcrawler' star Jake Gyllenhaal, esteemed filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, and a flurry of models including Joan Smalls, Natalia Vodianova, Doutzen Kroes and Lily Donaldson.
The show comes after the trio announced they are working on their sophomore record, which will follow-up their 2013 debut, 'Days Are Gone'.
The band began recording the LP back in January with the help of producer Ariel Rechtshaid, and insisted last June the album would "come very soon".
They said at the time: "This is the first time we've ever written on the road. We're going home in a month to start recording. I promise record two won't come in six years, it'll come very soon."
Meanwhile, 'Rock DJ' hitmaker Robbie Williams has also been in Cannes, performing at Chopard's Gold bash to guests Uma Thurman, Adriana Lima and Irina Shayk.
Haim perform surprise show at Cannes Film Festival
Haim performed a surprise show at Cannes Film Festival.
The 'Forever' hitmakers - comprised of sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim - sang at Calvin Klein and IFP's Women in Film reception, which honoured actresses including Rachel Weisz, Isabelle Huppert, Mélanie Laurent and Emily Blunt.
The swanky reception was held at a private villa on Monday (18.05.15) and was also attended by 'Nightcrawler' star Jake Gyllenhaal, esteemed filmmaker Harvey Weinstein, and a flurry of models including Joan Smalls, Natalia Vodianova, Doutzen Kroes and Lily Donaldson.
The show comes after the trio announced they are working on their sophomore record, which will follow-up their 2013 debut, 'Days Are Gone'.
The band began recording the LP back in January with the help of producer Ariel Rechtshaid, and insisted last June the album would "come very soon".
They said at the time: "This is the first time we've ever written on the road. We're going home in a month to start recording. I promise record two won't come in six years, it'll come very soon."
Meanwhile, 'Rock DJ' hitmaker Robbie Williams has also been in Cannes, performing at Chopard's Gold bash to guests Uma Thurman, Adriana Lima and Irina Shayk.
Music News
Kanye West has apologised for his "grossly over-censored" Billboard Music Awards performance.
The 37-year-old rapper took to the stage with his tracks 'All Day' and 'Black Skinhead' at the annual ceremony in Las Vegas on Sunday (17.05.15) but was met with a negative reaction from TV viewers as the majority of his performance was muted by show-makers due to profanities in the tracks.
A statement released on behalf of the musician reads: "Kanye West was grossly over-censored at the Billboard Music Awards. Non-profane lyrics such as "with my leather black jeans on" were muted for over 30 second intervals. As a result, his voice and performance were seriously misrepresented.
"It is ridiculous that in 2015, unwarranted censorship is something that artists still have to fight against.
"Although West was clearly set up to face elements beyond his control during the live broadcast, he would like to apologize to the television audience who were unable to enjoy the performance the way he envisioned."
Meanwhile, the 'FourFiveSeconds' hitmaker recently revealed he was changing his upcoming record's name from 'So Help Me God' to 'SWISH', but has not yet announced when fans can expect to hear the LP.
He tweeted: "I'm changing my album name to SWISH.
"I might change it again but that's the name now (sic)."
Kanye West apologises for ‘grossly over-censored’ Billboard performance
Kanye West has apologised for his "grossly over-censored" Billboard Music Awards performance.
The 37-year-old rapper took to the stage with his tracks 'All Day' and 'Black Skinhead' at the annual ceremony in Las Vegas on Sunday (17.05.15) but was met with a negative reaction from TV viewers as the majority of his performance was muted by show-makers due to profanities in the tracks.
A statement released on behalf of the musician reads: "Kanye West was grossly over-censored at the Billboard Music Awards. Non-profane lyrics such as "with my leather black jeans on" were muted for over 30 second intervals. As a result, his voice and performance were seriously misrepresented.
"It is ridiculous that in 2015, unwarranted censorship is something that artists still have to fight against.
"Although West was clearly set up to face elements beyond his control during the live broadcast, he would like to apologize to the television audience who were unable to enjoy the performance the way he envisioned."
Meanwhile, the 'FourFiveSeconds' hitmaker recently revealed he was changing his upcoming record's name from 'So Help Me God' to 'SWISH', but has not yet announced when fans can expect to hear the LP.
He tweeted: "I'm changing my album name to SWISH.
"I might change it again but that's the name now (sic)."
Music News
Duffy is planning a "major comeback" for next year.
The 30-year-old 'Mercy' singer is working on new material and wants to "reclaim her place" on the charts next to Adele, who she was compared to when the two emerged and released their debut albums 'Rockferry' and '19' at the same time in 2008.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Duffy is working on new material with her sights set on a major comeback in 2016. She wants to reclaim her place among the likes of Adele in the music industry."
Duffy is starring in a new film 'Secret Love' and has been writing and singing on the soundtrack too, and is hoping to use the film as a springboard back into the music industry.
Duffy's first album 'Rockferry' was the fourth biggest selling album of 2008 worldwide and earned her a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and three Brits in 2009, but her second album 'Endlessly' flopped by comparison in 2010, only charting at number nine in the UK, and the Welsh singer hasn't released anything since.
Meanwhile, Adele's second album '21' went on to become the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012, and had sold 30 million copies worldwide by July 2014. It also won the 2012 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the BRIT Award for British Album of the Year.
Duffy wants to ‘reclaim her place’ next to Adele on charts
Duffy is planning a "major comeback" for next year.
The 30-year-old 'Mercy' singer is working on new material and wants to "reclaim her place" on the charts next to Adele, who she was compared to when the two emerged and released their debut albums 'Rockferry' and '19' at the same time in 2008.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Duffy is working on new material with her sights set on a major comeback in 2016. She wants to reclaim her place among the likes of Adele in the music industry."
Duffy is starring in a new film 'Secret Love' and has been writing and singing on the soundtrack too, and is hoping to use the film as a springboard back into the music industry.
Duffy's first album 'Rockferry' was the fourth biggest selling album of 2008 worldwide and earned her a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and three Brits in 2009, but her second album 'Endlessly' flopped by comparison in 2010, only charting at number nine in the UK, and the Welsh singer hasn't released anything since.
Meanwhile, Adele's second album '21' went on to become the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012, and had sold 30 million copies worldwide by July 2014. It also won the 2012 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the BRIT Award for British Album of the Year.
Music News
Faith No More don't care if people listen to their new LP because they are making "good s***".
The 'We Care a Lot' hitmakers insist they aren't bothered about the public reaction to their new record 'Sol Invictus' - which is their first in almost two decades - because they are such personal fans of the collection.
When asked whether they think it will be fondly received, frontman Mike Patton said: "I have no idea! Who knows whether they will like it or not? I never wanted to be a 50-year-old guy making music [for] teenagers. I don't think any of us did. But all I can tell you is we're making good s**t. I don't care who listens."
The band - comprised of Mike, keyboardist Roddy Bottum, bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Bordin - also spoke about their decision to ditch their record label and go independent for the album, saying it allowed them "freedom" as they could take their time and didn't have to meet any expectations from the music industry.
Speaking to Billboard magazine, Roddy added: "We kept it in-house and behind closed doors. And we were fortunate to be able to keep it as insular as we did because we had no expectations or deadlines. Really, it's a chicken s**t way to do it. But at the same time it allowed us freedom."
Faith No More don’t care who listens to new LP
Faith No More don't care if people listen to their new LP because they are making "good s***".
The 'We Care a Lot' hitmakers insist they aren't bothered about the public reaction to their new record 'Sol Invictus' - which is their first in almost two decades - because they are such personal fans of the collection.
When asked whether they think it will be fondly received, frontman Mike Patton said: "I have no idea! Who knows whether they will like it or not? I never wanted to be a 50-year-old guy making music [for] teenagers. I don't think any of us did. But all I can tell you is we're making good s**t. I don't care who listens."
The band - comprised of Mike, keyboardist Roddy Bottum, bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Bordin - also spoke about their decision to ditch their record label and go independent for the album, saying it allowed them "freedom" as they could take their time and didn't have to meet any expectations from the music industry.
Speaking to Billboard magazine, Roddy added: "We kept it in-house and behind closed doors. And we were fortunate to be able to keep it as insular as we did because we had no expectations or deadlines. Really, it's a chicken s**t way to do it. But at the same time it allowed us freedom."
Music News
Sam Smith's operation on his haemorrhaged vocal cords was a success.
The 'Stay With Me' hitmaker, who was forced to cancel a string of Australian shows last month and put recording his upcoming album on hold, is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery on his vocal cords in Boston last Thursday (14.05.15).
In a statement, Massachusetts General Hospital, which treated the British star, said: "Sam Smith underwent vocal cord microsurgery by Steven Zeitels, MD, to stop recurrent vocal cord haemorrhage (bleeding). This condition is the result of unstable blood vessels in the vocal cord that can rupture and prevent vocal performance.
"Sam came to Boston to consult and undergo corrective voice surgery with Zeitels, the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Centre. Zeitels, who is also the Eugene B. Casey Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School, has pioneered many vocal cord surgery procedures for benign and malignant problems including the use of specialised lasers to stop vocal cord bleeding in singers. He has performed this unique procedure for many vocalists - including Steven Tyler, Lionel Richie, and Adele - allowing them to return to full performance. Similarly, Zeitels expects Sam to make a full recovery from his laser microsurgery."
The 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday (19.05.15), recently warned fans he would not be able to speak for three weeks following the procedure.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "Enjoying my last day of speaking. After today no speaking for three weeks. So if you see me on the streets sorry if you think I'm a d***head and can't say hello. Also gonna be silent for my birthday. Sounds fun aye? (sic)"
Sam Smith’s surgery was successful
Sam Smith's operation on his haemorrhaged vocal cords was a success.
The 'Stay With Me' hitmaker, who was forced to cancel a string of Australian shows last month and put recording his upcoming album on hold, is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery on his vocal cords in Boston last Thursday (14.05.15).
In a statement, Massachusetts General Hospital, which treated the British star, said: "Sam Smith underwent vocal cord microsurgery by Steven Zeitels, MD, to stop recurrent vocal cord haemorrhage (bleeding). This condition is the result of unstable blood vessels in the vocal cord that can rupture and prevent vocal performance.
"Sam came to Boston to consult and undergo corrective voice surgery with Zeitels, the director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Centre. Zeitels, who is also the Eugene B. Casey Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School, has pioneered many vocal cord surgery procedures for benign and malignant problems including the use of specialised lasers to stop vocal cord bleeding in singers. He has performed this unique procedure for many vocalists - including Steven Tyler, Lionel Richie, and Adele - allowing them to return to full performance. Similarly, Zeitels expects Sam to make a full recovery from his laser microsurgery."
The 'Lay Me Down' hitmaker, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday (19.05.15), recently warned fans he would not be able to speak for three weeks following the procedure.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "Enjoying my last day of speaking. After today no speaking for three weeks. So if you see me on the streets sorry if you think I'm a d***head and can't say hello. Also gonna be silent for my birthday. Sounds fun aye? (sic)"
Music News
Bobby Womack will feature on Rudimental's new album.
The drum and bass quartet have announced the release of their sophomore record 'We The Generation', and revealed the full tracklisting which includes a collaboration with the soul legend, who recorded vocals for the track shortly before his death last June.
Revealing the news of their new album on Twitter, the band wrote: "After 18 months of hard work we're proud to announce our new album."
The 14-track LP - which will be released on 18 September - also features collaborations with a host of other acts, including a new song with Ella Eyre titled 'Too Cool', which follows up their chart-topping 2013 hit 'Waiting All Night'.
Lianne La Havas features on the tracks 'Needn't Speak' and 'Breath' on the collection, while the four-piece group have teamed up with award-winning singer/songwriter MNEK for 'Common Emotion'.
The 'Feel The Love' hitmakers - comprised of Piers Agget, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ Locksmith - have also championed new artists with the record by making several tracks with up-and-coming stars Anne-Marie and Will Heard while on the road around the world.
Speaking about creating the album, they previously said: "We had a studio bus in America, so we made it on an actual bus, a lot of it. We met some amazing singers on the way and we picked up a lot of new inspirations as well, so it's better than the last for us."
The tracklisting to 'We The Generation' is as follows:
1. 'I Will For Love' (feat. Will Heard)
2. 'Never Let You Go' (feat. Foy Vance)
3. 'We The Generation' (feat. Mahalia)
4. 'Love Ain't Just A Word'
5. 'Rumour Mill' (feat. Anne-Marie & Will Heard)
6. 'Common Emotion' (feat. MNEK)
7. 'Go Far' (feat. Will Heard)
8. 'Foreign World' (feat. Anne-Marie)
9. 'Too Cool' (feat. Ella Eyre)
10. 'Bloodstream'
11. 'All That Love'
12. 'Needn't Speak' (feat. Lianne La Havas)
13. 'Lay It All On Me'
14. 'New Day' (feat. Bobby Womack)
Deluxe:
15. 'Treading On Water' (feat. Sinead Harnett & Will Heard)
16. 'Run' (feat. Will Heard)
17. 'Breath' (feat. Lianne La Havas)
18. 'System' (feat. Max Romeo, Earl 16 & Spee)
Bobby Womack to feature on Rudimental LP
Bobby Womack will feature on Rudimental's new album.
The drum and bass quartet have announced the release of their sophomore record 'We The Generation', and revealed the full tracklisting which includes a collaboration with the soul legend, who recorded vocals for the track shortly before his death last June.
Revealing the news of their new album on Twitter, the band wrote: "After 18 months of hard work we're proud to announce our new album."
The 14-track LP - which will be released on 18 September - also features collaborations with a host of other acts, including a new song with Ella Eyre titled 'Too Cool', which follows up their chart-topping 2013 hit 'Waiting All Night'.
Lianne La Havas features on the tracks 'Needn't Speak' and 'Breath' on the collection, while the four-piece group have teamed up with award-winning singer/songwriter MNEK for 'Common Emotion'.
The 'Feel The Love' hitmakers - comprised of Piers Agget, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ Locksmith - have also championed new artists with the record by making several tracks with up-and-coming stars Anne-Marie and Will Heard while on the road around the world.
Speaking about creating the album, they previously said: "We had a studio bus in America, so we made it on an actual bus, a lot of it. We met some amazing singers on the way and we picked up a lot of new inspirations as well, so it's better than the last for us."
The tracklisting to 'We The Generation' is as follows:
1. 'I Will For Love' (feat. Will Heard)
2. 'Never Let You Go' (feat. Foy Vance)
3. 'We The Generation' (feat. Mahalia)
4. 'Love Ain't Just A Word'
5. 'Rumour Mill' (feat. Anne-Marie & Will Heard)
6. 'Common Emotion' (feat. MNEK)
7. 'Go Far' (feat. Will Heard)
8. 'Foreign World' (feat. Anne-Marie)
9. 'Too Cool' (feat. Ella Eyre)
10. 'Bloodstream'
11. 'All That Love'
12. 'Needn't Speak' (feat. Lianne La Havas)
13. 'Lay It All On Me'
14. 'New Day' (feat. Bobby Womack)
Deluxe:
15. 'Treading On Water' (feat. Sinead Harnett & Will Heard)
16. 'Run' (feat. Will Heard)
17. 'Breath' (feat. Lianne La Havas)
18. 'System' (feat. Max Romeo, Earl 16 & Spee)
Music News
Rita Ora has recorded a song with Ed Sheeran.
The 24-year-old singer revealed she headed into the studio with the 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker to create a song about how despite being "best friends," they have never got intimate with each other.
She said: "I did this incredibly beautiful song with Ed about our friendship; he's one of my best friends. It's amazing having a friend in this industry of the opposite sex that you haven't hooked up with. He's such a legend. I respect him in so many ways."
The 'I Will Never Let You Down' hitmaker - who released her debut album, 'Ora', in 2012 - didn't reveal whether the track will feature on her forthcoming second album, but recently premiered her new single, 'Poison'.
And while the as-yet untitled record has been delayed several times after her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris pulled songs he had written for the star from the LP, Rita insisted her experiences have influenced the collection, which may shock people as she's been writing about "controversial things".
In an interview with entertainment website Noisey, she said: "The selective people that have written with me have seen that I'm writing about controversial things, but they understand that it's time. It's time for me to share it, to state the reason for why people think I'm famous."
Rita Ora recorded song with Ed Sheeran
Rita Ora has recorded a song with Ed Sheeran.
The 24-year-old singer revealed she headed into the studio with the 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker to create a song about how despite being "best friends," they have never got intimate with each other.
She said: "I did this incredibly beautiful song with Ed about our friendship; he's one of my best friends. It's amazing having a friend in this industry of the opposite sex that you haven't hooked up with. He's such a legend. I respect him in so many ways."
The 'I Will Never Let You Down' hitmaker - who released her debut album, 'Ora', in 2012 - didn't reveal whether the track will feature on her forthcoming second album, but recently premiered her new single, 'Poison'.
And while the as-yet untitled record has been delayed several times after her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris pulled songs he had written for the star from the LP, Rita insisted her experiences have influenced the collection, which may shock people as she's been writing about "controversial things".
In an interview with entertainment website Noisey, she said: "The selective people that have written with me have seen that I'm writing about controversial things, but they understand that it's time. It's time for me to share it, to state the reason for why people think I'm famous."
Music News
Steve Aoki is being sued for reportedly breaking a fan's neck.
The 37-year-old DJ jumped 20 feet off a stage onto an inflatable lilo during a show at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego in 2012, reportedly injuring the woman, Brittany Hickman, who was stood underneath the swimming pool toy.
Recalling the incident she said: "I was trapped underneath the pool raft because they threw it out right where I was standing.
"My friends told me he landed on top of the pool raft, hit me on top of the head and I got knocked over."
Following the incident, Brittany - who is suing the 'Boneless' hitmaker as well as the hotel - visited her doctor who confirmed she had broken her neck, with the injury preventing her from working for two months.
She told ABC 10 News: "If I would have thrown my arms above my head or reached for something, I could have paralysed myself."
The electro house star has since issued a statement insisting he feels "badly" about the injuries she sustained as he always wants his shows to be safe, but said he will not speak about the case until it goes to trial on 28 August 2015.
In the statement, released through his attorney Peter Doody, he said: "I would never want anyone to get hurt at any of my shows and feel badly that someone has, but at this time I have been advised by my attorneys to not speak about this as it's going to trial. Thank you for your understanding."
Steve Aoki sued for braking fan’s neck
Steve Aoki is being sued for reportedly breaking a fan's neck.
The 37-year-old DJ jumped 20 feet off a stage onto an inflatable lilo during a show at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego in 2012, reportedly injuring the woman, Brittany Hickman, who was stood underneath the swimming pool toy.
Recalling the incident she said: "I was trapped underneath the pool raft because they threw it out right where I was standing.
"My friends told me he landed on top of the pool raft, hit me on top of the head and I got knocked over."
Following the incident, Brittany - who is suing the 'Boneless' hitmaker as well as the hotel - visited her doctor who confirmed she had broken her neck, with the injury preventing her from working for two months.
She told ABC 10 News: "If I would have thrown my arms above my head or reached for something, I could have paralysed myself."
The electro house star has since issued a statement insisting he feels "badly" about the injuries she sustained as he always wants his shows to be safe, but said he will not speak about the case until it goes to trial on 28 August 2015.
In the statement, released through his attorney Peter Doody, he said: "I would never want anyone to get hurt at any of my shows and feel badly that someone has, but at this time I have been advised by my attorneys to not speak about this as it's going to trial. Thank you for your understanding."
Music News
Rita Ora wants her forthcoming LP to be "timeless".
The 'Poison' singer admitted she felt like she was trying too hard to please everybody else on her debut LP 'Ora' and feels it's time to start making music for herself.
Speaking about making her new album, she revealed: "I wanted it to have a presence and a meaning. I asked myself, 'What can I do to make something timeless, something I still want to perform in 10 years?' You can't please everybody but you've got to start pleasing yourself, and I wasn't doing that with my debut."
This could have something to do with Rita relying on her record label Roc Nation - fronted by Jay Z - and being too young to understand the music business when she released her debut in 2012.
She said: "I don't think I was never in control. I relied on the advice of others because I was naïve, young, and completely in awe of Jay Z and the world. I was so happy to be signed to someone I loved. My label did no wrong, but they couldn't know what I wanted. Only I could figure that out."
The 24-year-old star - who has dated Calvin Harris, Ricky Hil and Rob Kardashian - also explained what has influenced her latest collection, teasing fans can expect to hear about her tumultuous love life in her heartfelt lyrics.
She told Noisey: "You're gonna see my gratitude and my appreciation on this album, you're gonna see me complaining about all my s***ty love stories, then you're gonna see me recalling all these memories in my life: the first time I kissed a person, my first boyfriend... It's a balance."
Rita Ora wants ‘timeless’ album
Rita Ora wants her forthcoming LP to be "timeless".
The 'Poison' singer admitted she felt like she was trying too hard to please everybody else on her debut LP 'Ora' and feels it's time to start making music for herself.
Speaking about making her new album, she revealed: "I wanted it to have a presence and a meaning. I asked myself, 'What can I do to make something timeless, something I still want to perform in 10 years?' You can't please everybody but you've got to start pleasing yourself, and I wasn't doing that with my debut."
This could have something to do with Rita relying on her record label Roc Nation - fronted by Jay Z - and being too young to understand the music business when she released her debut in 2012.
She said: "I don't think I was never in control. I relied on the advice of others because I was naïve, young, and completely in awe of Jay Z and the world. I was so happy to be signed to someone I loved. My label did no wrong, but they couldn't know what I wanted. Only I could figure that out."
The 24-year-old star - who has dated Calvin Harris, Ricky Hil and Rob Kardashian - also explained what has influenced her latest collection, teasing fans can expect to hear about her tumultuous love life in her heartfelt lyrics.
She told Noisey: "You're gonna see my gratitude and my appreciation on this album, you're gonna see me complaining about all my s***ty love stories, then you're gonna see me recalling all these memories in my life: the first time I kissed a person, my first boyfriend... It's a balance."