Author: Martin D'Anjou

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Musique

The Strokes take more collaborative approach on new album

With just 10 days until the March 22 release of their fourth studio album Angles, New York band The Strokes, is not sure how their new album will be received, reports New York Times.

For the first time the material was written by all the members, not just by frontman Julian Casablancas. Also, it was not recorded in New York City as the band typically worked, but in a rural setting in upstate New York.

As their first new album in five years, the Strokes are embracing a new equality among band members.

“It’s just to get everyone happy,” said Casablancas. “Operation: Make Everyone Satisfied.”

In an interview with the New York Times, Casablancas explained that he distanced himself from the group during the recording, and wrote and recorded his lyrics independently.

The singer made it clear: "I try to keep a high standard” and said that he was not all that interested in ‘collaboration Strokes.’

Despite these criticisms, Casablancas remains optimistic: "I’ll take what I can get, so I’m happy.”

 

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Nouvelles quotidiennes

Free concerts at Renaissance Hotels

Guests staying at select Renaissance Hotels are invited to enjoy a complimentary entertainment program that includes live concerts and listening parties, reports Travel + Leisure.

The ‘RLife Live’ program is a large arts platform dedicated to providing its hotel guests and local patrons an up close and personal look into culinary arts, design, entertainment and more.

Part of the hotel chain’s new initiative features a series of events, including concerts, acoustic performances, listening parties and even pre- and post-concert parties at select hotels.

‘RLife Live’ debuted last October with a star-studded grand opening in New York City and Chicago, and performances by the Neon Trees and Robin Thicke. 

Previous acts have included a New Year’s Eve concert by Bruno Mars, held at the R Lounge Times Square, and performances by Thievery Corporation, Solange Knowles and Nick Howard at various hotels throughout the U.S.

Last night (March 9), recording artist Mya played at the Renaissance Hollywood, debuting her new single, Love is The Answer, with her producer Cedric Gervais on hand.

 

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Musique

Sammy Hagar joins Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp

Former lead singer of Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, will be the featured star of an upcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

Held this May 10 to 15 in Hollywood, California, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp allows rock fans to attend a music camp where they can jam, rehearse and perform with rock star ‘counselors.’ Depending on the duration of their stay, the fees range from $3,199 for children to $10,999 for adults.

Campers will get the chance to rub shoulders with rock stars in the studio, perform on stage with them at the House of Blues, and even spend 20 hours in a recording studio with the rockers.

This year, in addition to Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Phil Collen (Def Leppard) will be participating. They also will be joined by experienced musicians who have worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Aerosmith and Guns N ‘Roses among others.

 

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Musique

Gorillaz releases new album in April

This April, virtual band Gorillaz, a project by musician Damon Albarn and animator Jamie Hewlett, will be physically releasing their new album, The Fall, which was previously available as a fan club-only free download on Christmas Day, reports Rolling Stone.

On April 16, a special vinyl edition of the album will be made available for Record Store Day – an annual event celebrating independent music retailers – with a CD and digital download release following on April 19.

Over the span of only 32 days of touring, Albarn used an iPad to write the album, chronicling their progress in song. He describes the new release as "a diary” of their “journey through America."

"The Fall is mostly just me…something more gentle and just…well…it’s just me and an iPad really mucking about…trying out some stuff. Just looking at America and then tapping on the screen…" said the band’s animated frontman 2-D in a statement.

The Fall tracklist:

1.     Phoner To Arizona
2.     Revolving Doors
3.     HillBilly Man
4.     Detroit
5.     Shy-town
6.     Little Pink Plastic Bags
7.     The Joplin Spider
8.     The Parish of Space Dust
9.     The Snake In Dallas
10.   Amarillo
11.   The Speak It Mountains
12.   Aspen Forest
13.   Bobby In Phoenix
14.   California And The Slipping Of The Sun
15.   Seattle Yodel
Categories
Musique

50 Cent donates Gaddafi money to charity

Rapper 50 Cent has announced that he will be donating his earnings from a private concert for the Gaddafi family to Unicef, reports the BBC.

During the Venice Film Festival, the rap star performed at a private gig for the members of the family, who are now at the center of a brutal domestic conflict in Libya.

"In light of the ongoing events in Libya, 50 Cent will be making a donation to Unicef, which is providing vital relief supplies to meet the needs of women and children at risk during this crisis," a spokesperson told the Associated Press.

The rapper is the latest in a string of performers who are donating earnings made from the Gaddafi family. Over the past few weeks, Nelly Furtado, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Usher have all publicly expressed regret for participating in concerts and parties, and announced donations to various relief and charitable organizations.

Furtado is the only artist to disclose the size of the donation. "In 2007, I received 1million$ from the Qaddafi clan to perform a 45 min. show for guests at a hotel in Italy," she wrote on Twitter, noting that she would be donating the money to charity.

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Musique

Steven Tyler and Aerosmith together again

Patient Aerosmith fans will finally be rewarded with a new album. Lead singer Steven Tyler, confirmed on Twitter that he and his group will be recording a new album over the coming months.

Currently a judge for American Idol, Tyler told fans that he and guitarist Joe Perry had met earlier this week, and agreed it was time to record a follow-up to their  2004 album Honkin’ on Bobo.

“Aerofreaksrejoice… Joe and I sent smoke signals… shot the s— and chewed the fat for the last year," Tyler posted. "But just smoked the peace pipe for an hour and are on our way to rock’in your f—- worlds this summer by locking ourselves away somewhere [with] guitars and drums… Luv ST.”

The last couple of years have been tough ones for the band. They almost broke up while members worked solo. The band was searching for a new singer while Tyler was in rehab, and later openly criticized his choice to become an American Idol judge.

However, they would do well not to underestimate the power of TV, as sales of the band’s greatest hits album shot up 250 percent in the month after Idol’s season 10 premiere.

Tyler has confirmed that Aerosmith is “already booked for a tour for November-December – that should be South America and Japan.”

 

Categories
Musique

Steven Tyler and Aerosmith together again

Patient Aerosmith fans will finally be rewarded with a new album. Lead singer Steven Tyler, confirmed on Twitter that he and his group will be recording a new album over the coming months.

Currently a judge for American Idol, Tyler told fans that he and guitarist Joe Perry had met earlier this week, and agreed it was time to record a follow-up to their  2004 album Honkin’ on Bobo.

“Aerofreaksrejoice… Joe and I sent smoke signals… shot the s— and chewed the fat for the last year," Tyler posted. "But just smoked the peace pipe for an hour and are on our way to rock’in your f—- worlds this summer by locking ourselves away somewhere [with] guitars and drums… Luv ST.”

The last couple of years have been tough ones for the band. They almost broke up while members worked solo. The band was searching for a new singer while Tyler was in rehab, and later openly criticized his choice to become an American Idol judge.

However, they would do well not to underestimate the power of TV, as sales of the band’s greatest hits album shot up 250 percent in the month after Idol’s season 10 premiere.

Tyler has confirmed that Aerosmith is “already booked for a tour for November-December – that should be South America and Japan.”

 

Categories
Musique

Avril Lavigne tries new sound

Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne went in a different direction with her new album, Goodbye Lullaby, released yesterday (March 8), and it had her record executives a little nervous, reports Billboard.

"I’m older now. I’ve done the whole pop-rock, aggressive, bratty, playful, boy-bashing stuff. I’m not really there right now, so I definitely didn’t want to keep making the same record over and over," said Lavigne, who is now 26 – but was only 16 when she signed her first record deal.

After finishing the album a year ago, Lavigne began battling with record company executives who would have preferred she stay with her winning formula.

"The biggest challenge and only challenge of this album was my record company," Lavigne explained. "I had to fight and say no, but… I ultimately made the record I wanted to."

The first single off the album, What the Hell, debuted in January and made it to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Categories
Musique

Phil Collins confirms retirement

After strange media reports that the performer was despondent or investigating paranormal activities, British singer and drummer Phil Collins has spoken up about his retirement on his website to clear up any confusion, reports NME.

The star, who has sold over 100 million records in his career, took to his website to clarify his reasons for retiring in ‘A Message from Phil.’

“Greetings to all, I’ve decided to write this in response to the articles that surfaced last weekend regarding my retirement. Why they were printed at all is a mystery, as I haven’t spoken to anybody in the press for a few months.

“However, many of the articles printed over the last few months have ended up painting a picture of me that is more than a little distorted. Therefore, I would like to add my comments and try to explain again my reasons for calling it a day.

“Some of the things mentioned above have been said by me in various interviews, but said as asides with a smile on my face and in passing…. However, the result is that I have ended up sounding like a tormented weirdo who thinks he was at the Alamo in another life, who feels very sorry for himself, and is retiring hurt because of the bad press over the years….None of this is true.”

After dismissing the more outlandish reports, Collins goes on to explain the real reason for his retirement is so that he can spend more time with his two young children.

“I am stopping so I can be a full time father to my two young sons on a daily basis.” The former Genesis drummer has two sons, Nicholas and Matthew, with his third wife Orianne Cevey. The couple divorced in 2008.

A few months ago, the star did confide to Guy A. Lepage host of the French-Canadian television show Tout le monde en parle about the numbness in the hands, which prevented him from holding drumsticks. Collins did not address any health issues in his website commentary.

 

 

Categories
Nouvelles quotidiennes

No more free snacks on Continental Airlines

Following its merger with United Airlines, Continental Airlines has eliminated complimentary snacks for economy passengers aboard its domestic flights, reports Business Traveller.

The airline says the move could save them up to $2.8 million a year in operating costs, simply by doing away with the bag of pretzels or cookies that used to be given free out on its flights.

"We are removing beverage snacks — pretzels and Biscoff [cookies] — in an effort to reduce costs and align ourselves with many of our network competitors," Andrew Farraro, a representative for Continental, told CNN.

Along with United, American Airlines and US Airways have already eliminated complimentary snacks in economy class, although Delta, JetBlue, Airtran and Southwest continue to offer free treats.

"We believe complimentary snacks are an appropriate component to the flight. There are no plans of changing that right now," said Delta representative Chris Kelly Singley.