Sydney has always had a large and active Chinese community, but in the past
few years that presence has taken a major leap forward.
There are about 4.6 million people in greater Sydney and half a million are
ethnic Chinese. That's one in nine.
Over the past 15 years, those local Chinese have turned the city's Spring
Festival celebrations into a major cultural event, which now attracts 40,000
ethnic Chinese from various parts of South East Asia, and plenty of locals from
all ethnic backgrounds as well.
There are now more Chinese tourists visiting Australia each year than people
from any other nation, with the exception of neighbor New Zealand.
One person who has seen this huge increase in the Chinese presence here is
journalism graduate Paolo Hooke.
Hooke works in Sydney as a public servant in the NSW Department of Premier
and Cabinet and once a month, as a volunteer, presents a radio show that
features classical Chinese music.
Hooke's personal interest in China reflects the growing interest in Chinese
things that is spreading across Australia. His curiosity was sparked during his
undergraduate days at Sydney University when visiting Chinese students opened
his eyes.
"I enjoy the evocative and exotic sounds of Chinese traditional instruments,
particularly the erhu, pipa, yangqin and suona. "I especially like the blending
of Chinese traditional instruments with Western instruments and the unique
sounds that this creates."
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Sounds of Simon, Garfunkel chosen for preservation
A popular tune by Simon and Garfunkel written after John F. Kennedy's assassination and Chubby Checker's 1960s dance hit "The Twist" will be among 25 recordings selected for preservation at the Library of Congress.
These are just a few sounds of the 20th century being added to the National Recording Registry on Thursday for long-term preservation due to their cultural, artistic and historic importance. The library said Checker's rendition of "The Twist" became a symbol for the energy and excitement of the early 60s after "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark chose Checker to record a new version of the song.
Later, the 1966 album "Sounds of Silence" by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel was a hit in its day but not before the duo struggled and split early on. Their song "The Sound of Silence" from the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination 50 years ago this year had initially flopped — but it became a hit after it was re-edited as a single. That prompted the duo to reunite and quickly record another album under a similar title.
These are just a few sounds of the 20th century being added to the National Recording Registry on Thursday for long-term preservation due to their cultural, artistic and historic importance. The library said Checker's rendition of "The Twist" became a symbol for the energy and excitement of the early 60s after "American Bandstand" host Dick Clark chose Checker to record a new version of the song.
Later, the 1966 album "Sounds of Silence" by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel was a hit in its day but not before the duo struggled and split early on. Their song "The Sound of Silence" from the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination 50 years ago this year had initially flopped — but it became a hit after it was re-edited as a single. That prompted the duo to reunite and quickly record another album under a similar title.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Third Man Records to Release Shovels and Rope Covers
Jack White's Third Man Records is set to release a new single on their Blue Series from Charleston, South Carolina, duo Shovels and Rope, who aptly describe themselves as "sloppy tonk."Brittany Howard Teams with Third Man Records for New Single
Out April 2nd, the single features two covers: a rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Johnny 99" on Side A, and a version of Tom Waits' "Bad as Me" on Side B. You can check out the duo's rendition of "Johnny 99" below, which turns Springsteen's sparse, acoustic-and-harmonica original into a jaunty number with a rollicking piano two-step and tick tack percussion, all carried by singer Carry Ann Hearst's dry, sobering wail.
The tracks are available for pre-order now on iTunes; the vinyl seven-inch record is available through the Third Man website.
Out April 2nd, the single features two covers: a rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Johnny 99" on Side A, and a version of Tom Waits' "Bad as Me" on Side B. You can check out the duo's rendition of "Johnny 99" below, which turns Springsteen's sparse, acoustic-and-harmonica original into a jaunty number with a rollicking piano two-step and tick tack percussion, all carried by singer Carry Ann Hearst's dry, sobering wail.
The tracks are available for pre-order now on iTunes; the vinyl seven-inch record is available through the Third Man website.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Chinese and Western backgrounds
"One thing I was really aware of growing up as a Chinese-American was that most of the types of music that are popular here did not originate in China," says Liang, who was born to immigrant parents in Kansas and grew up in New York State.
"When I heard Shanghai jazz, that was the first time I felt that there was music that could speak to both my Chinese and Western backgrounds.
"Then when I started composing music myself, I was searching for music that reflected parts of me. As someone who never felt like I fully fit in with any one demographic, this was a way for me to tell all the stories I had stored up, probably subconsciously in a way that spoke best to me."
Steven Summerstone believes the young people of Beijing are not so different from their counterparts in his native United States.
This Song Saved My Life was one of the most popular songs on the band's latest album Get Your Heart On.
"When I heard Shanghai jazz, that was the first time I felt that there was music that could speak to both my Chinese and Western backgrounds.
"Then when I started composing music myself, I was searching for music that reflected parts of me. As someone who never felt like I fully fit in with any one demographic, this was a way for me to tell all the stories I had stored up, probably subconsciously in a way that spoke best to me."
Steven Summerstone believes the young people of Beijing are not so different from their counterparts in his native United States.
This Song Saved My Life was one of the most popular songs on the band's latest album Get Your Heart On.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Billie Joe Armstrong Writing Songs for Rock Adaptation of Shakespeare
Billie Joe Armstrong is returning to the theater by writing new music for a Yale Repertory Theater adaptation of Shakespeare. According to the New York Times, the Green Day frontman is contributing to These Paper Bullets, a rock adaptation of the Bard's Much Ado About Nothing that follows a band from Liverpool as they navigate romance and the music industry in London. It will premiere in March 2014.Billie Joe Armstrong Opens Up About Substance Abuse
Armstrong already has musical theater credibility under his belt, having adapted Green Day's American Idiot to Broadway in 2010. Green Day resumed their postponed U.S. tour earlier this month and will stay on the road until their April 19th show in Los Angeles.
Armstrong already has musical theater credibility under his belt, having adapted Green Day's American Idiot to Broadway in 2010. Green Day resumed their postponed U.S. tour earlier this month and will stay on the road until their April 19th show in Los Angeles.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Jim James takes search for connection to SXSW
My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James thinks music is a spiritual force that can unite humanity.
He's taking that message — and his new solo album "Regions of Light and Sound of God" — to the South By Southwest Music Festival this week.
"I feel like society likes to highlight our differences so much, to make us feel so isolated and so separated and so different," James said. "Music does that a lot, too. The walls are put up so big. What could a country music fan possibly have in common with a hip-hop fan? I feel if you take everything down to the core, it's the same in a beautiful way. It's all the same."
There's no better example of that sort of spiritual communalism than SXSW where musicians and artists of all stripes gather to find some kind of connection. James, the singer-songwriter who normally heads up the rock 'n' roll band My Morning Jacket, launched a five-set examination of higher powers early Wednesday morning in Austin, Texas, and will wrap things up Friday when he appears at the free outdoor show at Auditorium Shores, one of the week's highlights. And in April he'll start an extensive tour to support "Regions of Light," which came out last month.
He's taking that message — and his new solo album "Regions of Light and Sound of God" — to the South By Southwest Music Festival this week.
"I feel like society likes to highlight our differences so much, to make us feel so isolated and so separated and so different," James said. "Music does that a lot, too. The walls are put up so big. What could a country music fan possibly have in common with a hip-hop fan? I feel if you take everything down to the core, it's the same in a beautiful way. It's all the same."
There's no better example of that sort of spiritual communalism than SXSW where musicians and artists of all stripes gather to find some kind of connection. James, the singer-songwriter who normally heads up the rock 'n' roll band My Morning Jacket, launched a five-set examination of higher powers early Wednesday morning in Austin, Texas, and will wrap things up Friday when he appears at the free outdoor show at Auditorium Shores, one of the week's highlights. And in April he'll start an extensive tour to support "Regions of Light," which came out last month.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Celebs also hit the thrift shops
Eebbie Harry loves to search for unique items at thrift shops, but sometimes the Blondie frontwoman had to do it because times were hard.
"At various times in my life (it has) been really necessarily to shop like that," she said in an interview.
Harry, 67, said she also hit up thrift shops to fuel her creativity when deciding what to wear to an event or photo shoot. Her favorite used item? A silver 1960s Betsey Johnson jumpsuit.
"Let's face it, when you don't have a lot of money and have to dress cool, it's the best way to go," she said.
The singer says she loves thrift shops in Florida and that as a kid her bargain shopping annoyed her father.
"My dad was horrified when I was in high school and I would come home with something from Salvation Army," she said. "He was terrified that I would be bringing a large population of bugs."
She also enjoys thrift shopping because it's somewhat of an adrenaline rush.
"At various times in my life (it has) been really necessarily to shop like that," she said in an interview.
Harry, 67, said she also hit up thrift shops to fuel her creativity when deciding what to wear to an event or photo shoot. Her favorite used item? A silver 1960s Betsey Johnson jumpsuit.
"Let's face it, when you don't have a lot of money and have to dress cool, it's the best way to go," she said.
The singer says she loves thrift shops in Florida and that as a kid her bargain shopping annoyed her father.
"My dad was horrified when I was in high school and I would come home with something from Salvation Army," she said. "He was terrified that I would be bringing a large population of bugs."
She also enjoys thrift shopping because it's somewhat of an adrenaline rush.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Canadian singer Stompin Tom Connors dies at 77
Canadian country-folk singer Stompin' Tom Connors, whose toe-tapping musical spirit and fierce patriotism established him as one of Canada's biggest cultural icons, has died, his promoter said Wednesday night. He was 77.
Connors passed away from natural causes at his home Wednesday evening, Brian Edwards said. The musician, rarely seen without his signature black cowboy hat and stomping cowboy boots, was best known for songs "Sudbury Saturday Night," ''Bud the Spud" and especially "The Hockey Song," a fan favorite played at hockey arenas around North America.
Those three songs are played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home game. At Toronto's Air Canada Centre Wednesday night, many fans took to their feet as "The Hockey Song" was played after Connors' death was announced.
Although wide commercial appeal eluded Connors for much of his four-decade career, his songs are regarded as veritable national anthems thanks to their unabashed embrace of all things Canadiana.
Connors passed away from natural causes at his home Wednesday evening, Brian Edwards said. The musician, rarely seen without his signature black cowboy hat and stomping cowboy boots, was best known for songs "Sudbury Saturday Night," ''Bud the Spud" and especially "The Hockey Song," a fan favorite played at hockey arenas around North America.
Those three songs are played at every Toronto Maple Leafs home game. At Toronto's Air Canada Centre Wednesday night, many fans took to their feet as "The Hockey Song" was played after Connors' death was announced.
Although wide commercial appeal eluded Connors for much of his four-decade career, his songs are regarded as veritable national anthems thanks to their unabashed embrace of all things Canadiana.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Train strongly opposes any kind of policy
Members of Train said Friday in a message on their website that they were unaware of the policy barring gay scouts and adult leaders from participating in the organization before agreeing to perform.
"Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen," the statement said. "We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Deron Smith, publicity director for the BSA, says the organization is moving forward with plans for the Jamboree.
"We appreciate everyone's right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts," Smith wrote in an email. Smith was unaware of any other performers scheduled to participate in the event.
The BSA's policy has drawn attention before and gay rights organizations hailed Jepsen and members of Train for taking a stand and helping to bring the issue back into the public debate.
"Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen," the statement said. "We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Deron Smith, publicity director for the BSA, says the organization is moving forward with plans for the Jamboree.
"We appreciate everyone's right to express an opinion and remain focused on delivering a great Jamboree program for our Scouts," Smith wrote in an email. Smith was unaware of any other performers scheduled to participate in the event.
The BSA's policy has drawn attention before and gay rights organizations hailed Jepsen and members of Train for taking a stand and helping to bring the issue back into the public debate.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Train Refuse to Play Boy Scouts Event Unless Ban on Gay Scouts Is Lifted
Train have made a public statement against the Boy Scouts' longstanding ban on scouts from the LGBQT community by refusing to perform at the Boy Scout Jamboree unless the band is lifted, according to Queerty. The pop-rockers were set to play the July event in West Virginia with Carly Rae Jepsen, but a recent Change.org petition by gay Eagle Scout Derek Nance urging the musicians to take action got their attention when GLAAD signed on for the cause on March 1st. The petition convinced Train to boycott the event, and they released a statement on their blog.
"When we booked this show for the Boy Scouts of America, we were not aware of any policy barring openly gay people from participation within the organization," they wrote. "Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen. We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
"When we booked this show for the Boy Scouts of America, we were not aware of any policy barring openly gay people from participation within the organization," they wrote. "Train strongly opposes any kind of policy that questions the equality of any American citizen. We have always seen the BSA as a great and noble organization. We look forward to participating in the Jamboree this summer, as long as they make the right decision before then."
Monday, March 4, 2013
Van Cliburn remembered as gifted pianist
Legendary pianist Van Cliburn was remembered Sunday as a gifted musician who transcended the boundaries of politics and art by easing tensions during the Cold War and introducing classical music to millions.
About 1,400 people attended a memorial service for Cliburn, who died Wednesday at 78 after fighting bone cancer. As the service began, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra accompanied a choir while pall bearers carried his flower-covered coffin into a Fort Worth church.
Several speakers referred to what made Cliburn famous: winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, when he was just 23. At the height of the Cold War, the win by the pianist who grew up in Texas helped thaw the icy rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union.
About 1,400 people attended a memorial service for Cliburn, who died Wednesday at 78 after fighting bone cancer. As the service began, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra accompanied a choir while pall bearers carried his flower-covered coffin into a Fort Worth church.
Several speakers referred to what made Cliburn famous: winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, when he was just 23. At the height of the Cold War, the win by the pianist who grew up in Texas helped thaw the icy rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Rolling Stone Announces SXSW Rock Room Day Parties
Rolling Stone returns to Austin this year with our Live Rock Room day parties featuring some of the biggest names in town for SXSW. Curated by Rolling Stone editors, the set list features five bands taking over the Rock Room stage each day, along with the Peached Tortilla truck serving up good eats on Friday and our annual Saturday Rock & Roll BBQ set for Saturday.
The Rock Room will return to La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th St) in downtown Austin, with the festivities kicking off at 11:30 am on both March 15th and 16th. Friday's show will be headlined by the Screaming Eagle of Soul himself, Charles Bradley, and Brooklyn multi-instrumentalists the Menahan Street Band. Also set to play are Chelsea Light Moving, the new project from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, rock luminary Eric Burdon, eclectic indie rockers Fitz and the Tantrums, Chicago soul-revivalists JC Brooks and the Uptown Sounds, and Swedish garage pop outfit Shout Out Louds.
Big-riff – and big-hair – rock devotees Free Energy will headline Saturday's show while guests chow down on free BBQ all day. Rising singer-songwriter duo Gus + Scout will also take the stage, as will 16-year-old British wunderkind Jake Bugg, Los Angeles folk rockers Lord Huron, and alt-rock outfit Surfer Blood.
The Rock Room will return to La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th St) in downtown Austin, with the festivities kicking off at 11:30 am on both March 15th and 16th. Friday's show will be headlined by the Screaming Eagle of Soul himself, Charles Bradley, and Brooklyn multi-instrumentalists the Menahan Street Band. Also set to play are Chelsea Light Moving, the new project from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, rock luminary Eric Burdon, eclectic indie rockers Fitz and the Tantrums, Chicago soul-revivalists JC Brooks and the Uptown Sounds, and Swedish garage pop outfit Shout Out Louds.
Big-riff – and big-hair – rock devotees Free Energy will headline Saturday's show while guests chow down on free BBQ all day. Rising singer-songwriter duo Gus + Scout will also take the stage, as will 16-year-old British wunderkind Jake Bugg, Los Angeles folk rockers Lord Huron, and alt-rock outfit Surfer Blood.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Singer Scott Weiland responds to STP firing
Singer Scott Weiland said he learned that he'd been fired by the Stone Temple Pilots when the band released a one-sentence statement to the media Wednesday.
"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press," he wrote in a statement. "Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out."
The statement by the band said: "Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland." No other information was provided.
Weiland said he's focusing on his solo tour, which kicks off Friday in Flint, Mich.
Stone Temple Pilots' 1992 debut, "Core," has sold more than 8 million units in the United States. Their hits include "Vasoline," ''Interstate Love Song" and "Plush," which won a Grammy in 1993 for best hard rock performance with vocal.
"I learned of my supposed 'termination' from Stone Temple Pilots this morning by reading about it in the press," he wrote in a statement. "Not sure how I can be 'terminated' from a band that I founded, fronted and co-wrote many of its biggest hits, but that's something for the lawyers to figure out."
The statement by the band said: "Stone Temple Pilots have announced they have officially terminated Scott Weiland." No other information was provided.
Weiland said he's focusing on his solo tour, which kicks off Friday in Flint, Mich.
Stone Temple Pilots' 1992 debut, "Core," has sold more than 8 million units in the United States. Their hits include "Vasoline," ''Interstate Love Song" and "Plush," which won a Grammy in 1993 for best hard rock performance with vocal.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Dan Toler Former Allman Brothers Guitarist Dead at 65
Guitarist Dan Toler, best known for his work with the Allman Brothers, died today in Manatee County, Florida, according to Ticket Sarasota. Toler had been battling ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig's disease – and was unable to play guitar or speak for his last few months. He was 65.
Toler joined the Dickey Betts and Great Southern band in the late Seventies and moved to the Allman Brothers with his brother David "Frankie" Toler and Betts. Toler played with the Allman Brothers on their 1979 comeback album Enlightened Rogues and was in the band for their next two records, 1980's Reach for the Sky and 1981's Brothers of the Road.
Dan and Frankie Toler then spent much the 1980s playing with the Gregg Allman Band, touring and recording I'm No Angel in 1986 and Just Before the Bullets Fly in 1988. Toler rejoined Betts' Great Southern band in 2002 and later created the Townsend Toler Band with John Townsend. He then joined the Renegades of Southern Rock and wrapped his career with Toler Tucci Band, along with Chaz Trippy from the Gregg Allman Band.
Toler joined the Dickey Betts and Great Southern band in the late Seventies and moved to the Allman Brothers with his brother David "Frankie" Toler and Betts. Toler played with the Allman Brothers on their 1979 comeback album Enlightened Rogues and was in the band for their next two records, 1980's Reach for the Sky and 1981's Brothers of the Road.
Dan and Frankie Toler then spent much the 1980s playing with the Gregg Allman Band, touring and recording I'm No Angel in 1986 and Just Before the Bullets Fly in 1988. Toler rejoined Betts' Great Southern band in 2002 and later created the Townsend Toler Band with John Townsend. He then joined the Renegades of Southern Rock and wrapped his career with Toler Tucci Band, along with Chaz Trippy from the Gregg Allman Band.
Monday, February 25, 2013
26-year-old man named as suspect in Vegas shooting
The black SUV used as a getaway car in a pre-dawn shooting and crash that killed an aspiring rapper in a Maserati and two people in a taxi on the Las Vegas Strip was found Saturday as police named a 26-year-old man as the prime suspect.
Ammar Harris was being sought in connection with the shooting and six-vehicle chain-reaction carnage Thursday on the neon-lit boulevard near the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bally's and Flamingo resorts, police said.
"His location is unknown," police Capt. Chris Jones said of Harris, who sometimes goes by the name Ammar Asim Faruq Harris. Police say he has been arrested for working as a pimp.
Police released a photo that was taken when Harris was arrested last year on pandering, kidnapping, sexual assault and coercion charges. The disposition of that case was not immediately known.
The photo shows Harris with tattoos on his right cheek and words on his neck above an image that appeared to depict an owl with blackened eyes. Jones warned that Harris should be considered armed and dangerous.
Ammar Harris was being sought in connection with the shooting and six-vehicle chain-reaction carnage Thursday on the neon-lit boulevard near the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Bally's and Flamingo resorts, police said.
"His location is unknown," police Capt. Chris Jones said of Harris, who sometimes goes by the name Ammar Asim Faruq Harris. Police say he has been arrested for working as a pimp.
Police released a photo that was taken when Harris was arrested last year on pandering, kidnapping, sexual assault and coercion charges. The disposition of that case was not immediately known.
The photo shows Harris with tattoos on his right cheek and words on his neck above an image that appeared to depict an owl with blackened eyes. Jones warned that Harris should be considered armed and dangerous.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Late Bloomer Charles Bradley Eager to Release Second Soul Album
Charles Bradley waited more than 60 years to tell his story on his debut album, 2011's No Time for Dreaming. Even as he was touring relentlessly to support that album with his backing group, Brooklyn's Menahan Street Band, he was impatient, itching to get back into the studio.
"All it did was open the first page of the first book," says Bradley, whose second album, Victim of Love (Dunham/Daptone), comes out April 2nd. "A lot of things inside me have not been told. They're crying for a chance to come forward."
Whether he's singing about his hungry heart or his deep despair over the world's inequities, Bradley has become known for his pleading brand of hard, classic soul. Though he's been billed for years as Black Velvet, appearing in a James Brown tribute show with another Brooklyn group, the AllStarz (whose members have toured with the Intruders, Clarence Carter and Brass Construction), he's not about smooth: Bradley, also tagged the Screaming Eagle of Soul, emotes like he's trying to be heard in a "Hurricane," to name one new song.
"All it did was open the first page of the first book," says Bradley, whose second album, Victim of Love (Dunham/Daptone), comes out April 2nd. "A lot of things inside me have not been told. They're crying for a chance to come forward."
Whether he's singing about his hungry heart or his deep despair over the world's inequities, Bradley has become known for his pleading brand of hard, classic soul. Though he's been billed for years as Black Velvet, appearing in a James Brown tribute show with another Brooklyn group, the AllStarz (whose members have toured with the Intruders, Clarence Carter and Brass Construction), he's not about smooth: Bradley, also tagged the Screaming Eagle of Soul, emotes like he's trying to be heard in a "Hurricane," to name one new song.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Adele among winners at Brit Awards
British music put on a brash, confident show at the Brit Awards on Wednesday, celebrating a resurgent industry whose bands and artists are topping charts around the globe.
Winners ranged from established acts such as Coldplay and Adele to world-conquering boy band One Direction, who won in the new Global Success category.
One Direction's Louis Tomlinson called the prize "absolutely mind-blowing."
American artists Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey were among the non-British winners at a ceremony that embraced the mainstream while rewarding artists with distinctive personalities.
Surfing English folk singer Ben Howard and chanteuse Emeli Sande each won two awards.
Sande was named best British female artist and won the album of the year prize for her debut "Our Version of Events," which has been in the British charts for more than a year. Scotland-raised Sande got a big boost in 2012 when she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
Winners ranged from established acts such as Coldplay and Adele to world-conquering boy band One Direction, who won in the new Global Success category.
One Direction's Louis Tomlinson called the prize "absolutely mind-blowing."
American artists Frank Ocean and Lana Del Rey were among the non-British winners at a ceremony that embraced the mainstream while rewarding artists with distinctive personalities.
Surfing English folk singer Ben Howard and chanteuse Emeli Sande each won two awards.
Sande was named best British female artist and won the album of the year prize for her debut "Our Version of Events," which has been in the British charts for more than a year. Scotland-raised Sande got a big boost in 2012 when she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Mumford top eclectic Bonnaroo lineup
There will be a British invasion of the main stage at Bonnaroo this year.
Paul McCartney and Mumford & Sons are among the headliners for the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.
The four-day festival, held on a rural 700-acre farm, always features an eclectic roster, but the June 13-16 event is even more varied than usual.
Returnees Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers also hold down a headliner spot. Then things get a little crazy with R&B star R. Kelly, alternative queen Bjork and Wu-Tang Clan celebrating its 20th anniversary. Wilco, Pretty Lights, The Lumineers, The National, The xx, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Nas and ZZ Top also top the list announced Tuesday by "Weird Al" Yankovic via Bonnaroo's YouTube channel.
Paul McCartney and Mumford & Sons are among the headliners for the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.
The four-day festival, held on a rural 700-acre farm, always features an eclectic roster, but the June 13-16 event is even more varied than usual.
Returnees Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers also hold down a headliner spot. Then things get a little crazy with R&B star R. Kelly, alternative queen Bjork and Wu-Tang Clan celebrating its 20th anniversary. Wilco, Pretty Lights, The Lumineers, The National, The xx, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Nas and ZZ Top also top the list announced Tuesday by "Weird Al" Yankovic via Bonnaroo's YouTube channel.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Voice of China
The divergent opinions do not seem to disturb Wu, who is a sophomore studying pop singing at Shenyang Conservatory of Music.
"But that's me. I don't want to pretend to be humble or conservative," she says in her signature big voice during an interview.
"When I look at the mirror, I feel beautiful," she adds with a laugh.
She always wears her trademark red lipstick, thick false eyelashes, smoky eye makeup and even front bangs.
In the last seven months since she first performed in The Voice of China, Wu has been exposed to various shows, starred in films and modeled for fashion magazines.
"But that's me. I don't want to pretend to be humble or conservative," she says in her signature big voice during an interview.
"When I look at the mirror, I feel beautiful," she adds with a laugh.
She always wears her trademark red lipstick, thick false eyelashes, smoky eye makeup and even front bangs.
In the last seven months since she first performed in The Voice of China, Wu has been exposed to various shows, starred in films and modeled for fashion magazines.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Powell began working as a professional musician
Over six weeks, the American musician flew to Beijing twice for the program, which ended in the middle of January, when he had to head back to the US to perform with Diana Ross.
Powell began working as a professional musician immediately after high school, when his family moved to Los Angeles.
"Since I got out of high school, I looked in the city to see what bands were playing and who was famous and I wanted to play with them," he says.
"I went to them saying that I wanted to play in the band. Most of the time, they would say OK. Because I practiced a whole lot, I became very good soon."
Powell achieved his five-band high school dream, playing with Stevie Wonder among others.
Powell began working as a professional musician immediately after high school, when his family moved to Los Angeles.
"Since I got out of high school, I looked in the city to see what bands were playing and who was famous and I wanted to play with them," he says.
"I went to them saying that I wanted to play in the band. Most of the time, they would say OK. Because I practiced a whole lot, I became very good soon."
Powell achieved his five-band high school dream, playing with Stevie Wonder among others.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Brown Ocean inquiry will be closed
A sheriff's spokesman says an investigation into a fight between Chris Brown and Frank Ocean will soon be closed without any charges being sought.
Los Angeles sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says investigators will speak with Ocean before closing the case, but the agency is unlikely to pursue a misdemeanor battery charge against Brown.
Ocean has accused Brown of hitting him during an argument outside a West Hollywood recording studio last month, but wrote on the social media site Tumblr on Saturday that he wanted the matter closed. Ocean's post stated he did not want Brown prosecuted and he had no intentions of filing a civil lawsuit.
Brown remains on probation for the 2009 beating of Rihanna and is scheduled to appear in court for a progress hearing on Wednesday.
Los Angeles sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says investigators will speak with Ocean before closing the case, but the agency is unlikely to pursue a misdemeanor battery charge against Brown.
Ocean has accused Brown of hitting him during an argument outside a West Hollywood recording studio last month, but wrote on the social media site Tumblr on Saturday that he wanted the matter closed. Ocean's post stated he did not want Brown prosecuted and he had no intentions of filing a civil lawsuit.
Brown remains on probation for the 2009 beating of Rihanna and is scheduled to appear in court for a progress hearing on Wednesday.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Williams popped out on the gargantuan stage
The spotlight may have been on Beyonc̩, but her set's biggest moment came when the singer reunited with her fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (the trio recently released their first single in nearly a decade, "Nuclear"). Rowland and Williams popped out on the gargantuan stage Рconstructed to resemble two Beyonc̩ faces gazing at one another Рand launched into a rendition of their backside-glorifying anthem "Bootylicious" before cranking up the energy even higher with a take on "Independent Woman: Part 1," their smash hit from the Charlie's Angels soundtrack. The performance ended fittingly with the trio striking a pose in the form of the film's lead crime-fighting female characters.
"Kelly, Michelle, you want to help me sing this one?" Beyoncé asked her counterparts, moments before the threesome charged into her chart-topping hit "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Then, as her former groupmates exited the stage, Beyoncé told the crowd, "I wanna feel your energy," before closing out her set with an emotional rendition of her power ballad "Halo." She rocked out, hair flailing and on her knees, at the lip of the stage, then collapsed on her back as the stadium lights went dark.
"Kelly, Michelle, you want to help me sing this one?" Beyoncé asked her counterparts, moments before the threesome charged into her chart-topping hit "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Then, as her former groupmates exited the stage, Beyoncé told the crowd, "I wanna feel your energy," before closing out her set with an emotional rendition of her power ballad "Halo." She rocked out, hair flailing and on her knees, at the lip of the stage, then collapsed on her back as the stadium lights went dark.
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Night Journey from Wang Dexian
Many hua'er songs begin with metaphoric and symbolic depictions of scenery, before developing into the real theme, which may be young love, the hard work and weariness of the farming life, and the foibles of men and women.
Su learned The Night Journey from Wang Dexian, a 73-year-old farmer who lives in Helan county near Yinchuan.
"Hua'er is very contagious, and contains folklore and the emotions of Northwestern Chinese people," Wang says. "It is like a treasure house."
Wang began to sing hua'er in childhood, when he tended the sheep grazing in the mountains. He learned it from elder shepherds who often sang hua'er to whip away loneliness or flirt with girls.
Hua'er is also called yequ or "wild tune", since it is often sung in the wild. It is actually forbidden to sing hua'er within the family or in the village in most areas, because of its erotic content.
For outsiders, hua'er is hard to understand because of the high-pitched singing, local accent and the use of many empty words.
Su learned The Night Journey from Wang Dexian, a 73-year-old farmer who lives in Helan county near Yinchuan.
"Hua'er is very contagious, and contains folklore and the emotions of Northwestern Chinese people," Wang says. "It is like a treasure house."
Wang began to sing hua'er in childhood, when he tended the sheep grazing in the mountains. He learned it from elder shepherds who often sang hua'er to whip away loneliness or flirt with girls.
Hua'er is also called yequ or "wild tune", since it is often sung in the wild. It is actually forbidden to sing hua'er within the family or in the village in most areas, because of its erotic content.
For outsiders, hua'er is hard to understand because of the high-pitched singing, local accent and the use of many empty words.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Evans claims to have gone to great lengths
The rift between Adele and her dad runs deep--Evans, 49, walked out on his daughter and her mother when Adele was only 3 years old. However, he did manage to be a presence in her life, as Adele would spend holidays with her paternal grandparents. By the time she was a teenager, their relationship appeared to have improved. Unfortunately, in 2011--at the peak of Adele's rise to fame--he spoke to the press about their difficulties. The superstar responded with fury to what she considered a major transgression by telling Vogue in 2012 she'd "spit in his face" if she ever saw him again.
Evans claims to have gone to great lengths to reinstate himself in his daughter's life--including embarrassing pleas to her management and label staff to intervene on his behalf--but Adele has been firm in not allowing him to approach her. Evans says he has never met Konecki and he longs to build a bond with his grandson. "I'm missing out on so many of the joys of being a grandfather. Simple pleasures like taking him out for a walk in his buggy," Evans lamented to the Daily Mail.
Evans notes that his daughter maintained a good relationship with his parents and was particularly close to her grandfather before he passed away in 1999. In fact, he says he learned about her pregnancy secondhand from his own mom.
Evans claims to have gone to great lengths to reinstate himself in his daughter's life--including embarrassing pleas to her management and label staff to intervene on his behalf--but Adele has been firm in not allowing him to approach her. Evans says he has never met Konecki and he longs to build a bond with his grandson. "I'm missing out on so many of the joys of being a grandfather. Simple pleasures like taking him out for a walk in his buggy," Evans lamented to the Daily Mail.
Evans notes that his daughter maintained a good relationship with his parents and was particularly close to her grandfather before he passed away in 1999. In fact, he says he learned about her pregnancy secondhand from his own mom.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
With her powerful voice
Gong Linna continues to reshape folk music on the contemporary stage, Chen Nan reports.
From the day that Gong Linna became an Internet sensation for her lyricless song Tan Te, or "Disturbed", she was known as an unconventional Chinese folk singer who breaks all the rules.
With her powerful voice, wide vocal range and dramatic facial expressions, she attracts attention and gets rave reviews when she releases each new song.
Fa Hai, You Don't Understand Love, Gong's latest song - which, like Tan Te, was composed by her German husband, Robert Zollitsch - has conjured up yet another wave of attention and controversy.
First performed at the New Year's eve gala of Hunan Satellite TV on Dec 31, the new song soared to popularity overnight thanks to its contagious melody and quirky lyrics.
"Fahai, you don't understand love. The Lei-feng Pagoda will fall down," sings Gong, 38, in a white glittering dress, playing the role of White Snake, the protagonist of the Legend of the White Snake.
The song's melody and lyrics are direct and simple. After the debut performance, the song has been remade over and over by fans on the Internet. The video has been watched more than 100,000 times online.
From the day that Gong Linna became an Internet sensation for her lyricless song Tan Te, or "Disturbed", she was known as an unconventional Chinese folk singer who breaks all the rules.
With her powerful voice, wide vocal range and dramatic facial expressions, she attracts attention and gets rave reviews when she releases each new song.
Fa Hai, You Don't Understand Love, Gong's latest song - which, like Tan Te, was composed by her German husband, Robert Zollitsch - has conjured up yet another wave of attention and controversy.
First performed at the New Year's eve gala of Hunan Satellite TV on Dec 31, the new song soared to popularity overnight thanks to its contagious melody and quirky lyrics.
"Fahai, you don't understand love. The Lei-feng Pagoda will fall down," sings Gong, 38, in a white glittering dress, playing the role of White Snake, the protagonist of the Legend of the White Snake.
The song's melody and lyrics are direct and simple. After the debut performance, the song has been remade over and over by fans on the Internet. The video has been watched more than 100,000 times online.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I love This Masquerade
A big mistake would be to change what an audience knows," he cautions. "People came to hear what they know. After you finish with that, if you want to go to the moon and go crazy, that's up to you. But I learned this from Duke Ellington: once a song becomes a classic, you don't mess with it. You leave it alone. And he was right. So I leave it alone. And it works.
"I love This Masquerade, Turn Your Love Around, On Broadway. If people want to hear it, I'm happy to play it. It's a two-way street: What can I do to make them remember why they loved the song in the first place?"
In Macao as the end of an Asian tour that started in Seoul and included stops such as Singapore, Benson admits that it was his first visit to the former Portuguese enclave.
"Yesterday, I went on a long tour to see all the different aspects of the city," he recalls. "Where normal folks go to shop, the residential areas with nice houses. Then the casinos. I've never seen anything quite this extensive. Inside, you can play football and baseball in any one of them - they are massive. We have a brand new casino where I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's very nice, but it looks like a toy compared to this.
"When I hear (casino mogul) Steve Wynn talk, I know that he's a guy who understands. He says that he is building another casino in Vegas. He must have confidence in the future. I don't gamble myself. I'm a family man. I've got seven boys and eight granddaughters. I want to make sure that they have a couple of dollars to spend.
"I love This Masquerade, Turn Your Love Around, On Broadway. If people want to hear it, I'm happy to play it. It's a two-way street: What can I do to make them remember why they loved the song in the first place?"
In Macao as the end of an Asian tour that started in Seoul and included stops such as Singapore, Benson admits that it was his first visit to the former Portuguese enclave.
"Yesterday, I went on a long tour to see all the different aspects of the city," he recalls. "Where normal folks go to shop, the residential areas with nice houses. Then the casinos. I've never seen anything quite this extensive. Inside, you can play football and baseball in any one of them - they are massive. We have a brand new casino where I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's very nice, but it looks like a toy compared to this.
"When I hear (casino mogul) Steve Wynn talk, I know that he's a guy who understands. He says that he is building another casino in Vegas. He must have confidence in the future. I don't gamble myself. I'm a family man. I've got seven boys and eight granddaughters. I want to make sure that they have a couple of dollars to spend.
Monday, January 28, 2013
A hard act to match
While he was describing the opera in general terms two centuries ago, feared Vienna critic Eduard Hanslick could have been referring to Erraught's performance when he wrote: "This ... Cinderella is in fact a Cinderella in clothing only; her singing brims over with pearls, velvet and silk."
A hard act to match — and as Don Ramiro, Angelina's prince, Dmitry Korchak was almost equal to the task.
"Almost," only because his light tenor initially threatened to get lost in the orchestra. But Korchak gained in confidence — and his voice in power — effortlessly pinpointing his high C's in "Si ritrovarla io giuro," as he declared that he will find the girl who so enchanted him at the ball, no matter what it takes.
But to do so, he must get past Angelina's step-father, who keeps her in ashes while he plots the prince's marriage to one of his two daughters. As the bumbling Don Magnifico, Alessandro Corbelli was indeed Mr. Magnificent Saturday, bringing the mean and scheming persona to life in a humorously endearing way.
A hard act to match — and as Don Ramiro, Angelina's prince, Dmitry Korchak was almost equal to the task.
"Almost," only because his light tenor initially threatened to get lost in the orchestra. But Korchak gained in confidence — and his voice in power — effortlessly pinpointing his high C's in "Si ritrovarla io giuro," as he declared that he will find the girl who so enchanted him at the ball, no matter what it takes.
But to do so, he must get past Angelina's step-father, who keeps her in ashes while he plots the prince's marriage to one of his two daughters. As the bumbling Don Magnifico, Alessandro Corbelli was indeed Mr. Magnificent Saturday, bringing the mean and scheming persona to life in a humorously endearing way.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Weekend Rock Question
We're just two weeks away from the Super Bowl. Football is fine and dandy, but our main interest here is Beyonce's halftime show. What songs will she perform during the Destiny's Child reunion set? Will she truly sing live? Will Jay-Z come out during "Crazy in Love?"
Now we have a question for you: what is your favorite Super Bowl halftime show of all time? There's no need to stick to Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen or other acts from recent years. You can go all the way back to the University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band in 1967 or Up With People in 1980. There was even an Indiana Jones skit in 1995. Anything is fair game, but please only vote once and only for a single performance.
You can vote here in the comments, on facebook.com/rollingstone or on Twitter using the #weekend rock hashtag.
Now we have a question for you: what is your favorite Super Bowl halftime show of all time? There's no need to stick to Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen or other acts from recent years. You can go all the way back to the University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band in 1967 or Up With People in 1980. There was even an Indiana Jones skit in 1995. Anything is fair game, but please only vote once and only for a single performance.
You can vote here in the comments, on facebook.com/rollingstone or on Twitter using the #weekend rock hashtag.
Muse Open U.S. Tour With a Bang
Muse is not a band for stripping things down. Last night at the first of three concerts at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the British trio kept its reputation intact for flash and sweeping rock gestures. It was the second night of the band's U.S. tour behind The 2nd Law, Muse's sixth studio album, and it was heavy with ambitious new songs between heroic, earth-shuddering hits from the last dozen years.
Hardly a critical favorite, Muse is frequently dismissed as a band hewing too closely to their influences and replacing subtlety with helium-fueled intensity. But they know how to fill a stage, delivering their songs with energy and obsession, performing beneath an endlessly morphing pyramid of lights, lasers and flashing images.
Muse mingled brooding electronics with epic Queen-like flourishes and an of-the-moment taste of dubstep on The 2nd Law's "Unsustainable," which opened the show. One radio hit from the new album is "Madness," performed at human-scale as a gospel/U2 hybrid, in contrast to the explosive visuals: purple and blue lasers firing above the crowd and Matt Bellamy's dark glasses, with lenses that helpfully flashed lyrics for fans to sing along to the singer's breathless, emotional reading.
Hardly a critical favorite, Muse is frequently dismissed as a band hewing too closely to their influences and replacing subtlety with helium-fueled intensity. But they know how to fill a stage, delivering their songs with energy and obsession, performing beneath an endlessly morphing pyramid of lights, lasers and flashing images.
Muse mingled brooding electronics with epic Queen-like flourishes and an of-the-moment taste of dubstep on The 2nd Law's "Unsustainable," which opened the show. One radio hit from the new album is "Madness," performed at human-scale as a gospel/U2 hybrid, in contrast to the explosive visuals: purple and blue lasers firing above the crowd and Matt Bellamy's dark glasses, with lenses that helpfully flashed lyrics for fans to sing along to the singer's breathless, emotional reading.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Manhattan Production Music
Even if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the Black Keys aren't too pleased with a Louisiana casino's commercials. The Ohio rockers have filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Pinnacle Entertainment, who run the L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles.
And Manhattan Production Music, a company that makes music for commercial advertising, claiming the companies used their Brothers track "Howlin' for You" in advertisements. The complaint alleges that a September ad for the L'Auberge Casino used music "substantially similar" to "Howlin' for You," and also claims Pinnacle used "infringing music" in an ad for another casino the following month.
If companies are unable or unwilling to secure licensing rights to popular songs, they often hire music production houses to create similar-sounding pieces of music for their advertisements. The melody or key usually sports enough variation to avoid lawsuits, but the Black Keys assert a "blatant and purposeful infringement" of copyrights in their complaint.
And Manhattan Production Music, a company that makes music for commercial advertising, claiming the companies used their Brothers track "Howlin' for You" in advertisements. The complaint alleges that a September ad for the L'Auberge Casino used music "substantially similar" to "Howlin' for You," and also claims Pinnacle used "infringing music" in an ad for another casino the following month.
If companies are unable or unwilling to secure licensing rights to popular songs, they often hire music production houses to create similar-sounding pieces of music for their advertisements. The melody or key usually sports enough variation to avoid lawsuits, but the Black Keys assert a "blatant and purposeful infringement" of copyrights in their complaint.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Joy Formidable roars again on Wolf Is Law
Two years after The Joy Formidable barreled to the fringe of the rock mainstream with the lush and brute "The Big Roar," the Welsh trio returns with an even bigger and squalling encore. "Wolf's Law" is the arrival of a headliner.
It's a deserved reward. This is wonderfully noisy and hooky, shimmering with guitar-pop accessibility. So what if standouts such as "Maw Maw Song" and the whirlwind "Bats" have the nagging feeling of sounding familiar — maybe a head-bopper from the alt-rock heyday of the '90s or another Brit rocker making massive songs for arenas like touring mates Muse. In the voice and guitar-hammering hands of frontwoman Ritzy Bryan, surprises (usually loud ones) are around every corner.
In the opener "This Ladder is Ours," Bryan begins with an inviting "Let's take this walk/It's long overdue." She isn't kidding. Where was an exciting rocker like this in 2012, and how soon before we can have another?
It's a deserved reward. This is wonderfully noisy and hooky, shimmering with guitar-pop accessibility. So what if standouts such as "Maw Maw Song" and the whirlwind "Bats" have the nagging feeling of sounding familiar — maybe a head-bopper from the alt-rock heyday of the '90s or another Brit rocker making massive songs for arenas like touring mates Muse. In the voice and guitar-hammering hands of frontwoman Ritzy Bryan, surprises (usually loud ones) are around every corner.
In the opener "This Ladder is Ours," Bryan begins with an inviting "Let's take this walk/It's long overdue." She isn't kidding. Where was an exciting rocker like this in 2012, and how soon before we can have another?
Beyonce had a definite fan
James Taylor kicked off the musical performances, strumming his guitar and singing "America the Beautiful." Kelly Clarkson followed with a different arrangement of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Then Beyonce was introduced and the crowd again roared its approval.
Beyonce had a definite fan in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who applauded eagerly after she finished singing the national anthem. She offered R&B-esque vocal riffs as she sang on and the crowd seemed to love it, cheering loudly as she finished. Clarkson, too, hit high notes.
Beyonce may have been the star musical attraction, but she had plenty of company from Hollywood at the Capitol on Monday. Katy Perry and John Mayer sat side-by-side, with Perry in an orange-striped coat and wide hat, and Mayer in dark sunglasses. Singer-songwriter Ke$ha was there, too.
Beyonce had a definite fan in Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who applauded eagerly after she finished singing the national anthem. She offered R&B-esque vocal riffs as she sang on and the crowd seemed to love it, cheering loudly as she finished. Clarkson, too, hit high notes.
Beyonce may have been the star musical attraction, but she had plenty of company from Hollywood at the Capitol on Monday. Katy Perry and John Mayer sat side-by-side, with Perry in an orange-striped coat and wide hat, and Mayer in dark sunglasses. Singer-songwriter Ke$ha was there, too.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Big Love was the best music festival of the year
Director of the festival Chen Shu made a public statement after being taken to the police station to settle disputes with the contracted companies. He admitted there were problems with the management of the festival, and he would try to pay back the 8 million yuan ($1.26 million) he owes contracted companies as soon as possible.
I interviewed Chen last year, when he was preparing to hold the festival in October, in Mianyang, another city in Sichuan. He seemed very optimistic and estimated that an overall audience of 200,000 would attend the festival. That didn't work out because the local government changed its mind, but Chen was still optimistic about his festival and decided to hold it in Chengdu, in June.
In terms of lineup, Big Love was the best music festival of the year, with top-notch Chinese artists like Cui Jian, Xie Tianxiao and Miserable Faith, pop artists Chyi Chin, Alan Tam and Chang Chen-yue. There were also international acts like Extreme, Suede and Lisa Ono.
Chen had hoped to attract a huge audience by assembling the best musicians. He succeeded in this, but he failed to generate enough income.
I interviewed Chen last year, when he was preparing to hold the festival in October, in Mianyang, another city in Sichuan. He seemed very optimistic and estimated that an overall audience of 200,000 would attend the festival. That didn't work out because the local government changed its mind, but Chen was still optimistic about his festival and decided to hold it in Chengdu, in June.
In terms of lineup, Big Love was the best music festival of the year, with top-notch Chinese artists like Cui Jian, Xie Tianxiao and Miserable Faith, pop artists Chyi Chin, Alan Tam and Chang Chen-yue. There were also international acts like Extreme, Suede and Lisa Ono.
Chen had hoped to attract a huge audience by assembling the best musicians. He succeeded in this, but he failed to generate enough income.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Barry Drinkwater
Laura Zebersky, executive vice president of sales at Jazwares, said: "With more than three million twitter followers and a debut album that has gone gold and platinum across the globe, it's clear that the guys from One Direction are superstars that tween and teen fans can't get enough of.
"We are thrilled to add One Direction to our portfolio, and look forward to developing our programme with the band to bring personal and innovative electronics to their millions of fans."
Barry Drinkwater, founder and owner of Global Merchandising Services added: "We are very excited to partner with Jazwares.
"They are a perfect partner in this category and we know the fans will agree."
The products will be available in the UK, US, Latin America, Ireland, and Canada.
Meanwhile, the group - who formed on UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2010 - admit they are still stunned by their worldwide success.
Niall told MTV News: "To be honest, if you had said to us a year ago, and this sounds so cliché, [but] if you had said to us a year ago that we were gonna be touring America, we would absolutely have fell on the ground laughing at you.
"We are thrilled to add One Direction to our portfolio, and look forward to developing our programme with the band to bring personal and innovative electronics to their millions of fans."
Barry Drinkwater, founder and owner of Global Merchandising Services added: "We are very excited to partner with Jazwares.
"They are a perfect partner in this category and we know the fans will agree."
The products will be available in the UK, US, Latin America, Ireland, and Canada.
Meanwhile, the group - who formed on UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2010 - admit they are still stunned by their worldwide success.
Niall told MTV News: "To be honest, if you had said to us a year ago, and this sounds so cliché, [but] if you had said to us a year ago that we were gonna be touring America, we would absolutely have fell on the ground laughing at you.
Friday, January 18, 2013
About half the songs of Shinhwa
Shinhwa" means "legend" in Korean, and many pop fans believe the six-member namesake South Korean boy band lives up to its moniker. While most other South Korean pop outfits have faded within five years, Shinhwa has been at it for 14 years.
About half the songs of Shinhwa's Guangzhou show will be dance tunes. Songs will include such classics as T.O.P. and Hey, Come On.
The group became the earliest among South Korean pop outfits to enter the overseas market around 2000.
Shinhwa launched its comeback tour concert in Seoul, South Korea, in February. The group will perform another concert at Beijing's MasterCard Center in Beijing on July 7.
About half the songs of Shinhwa's Guangzhou show will be dance tunes. Songs will include such classics as T.O.P. and Hey, Come On.
The group became the earliest among South Korean pop outfits to enter the overseas market around 2000.
Shinhwa launched its comeback tour concert in Seoul, South Korea, in February. The group will perform another concert at Beijing's MasterCard Center in Beijing on July 7.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I browse through the 2011 handbook
A few Chinese rock groups have financed themselves to perform at international festivals. The typical comment from foreign audiences is: "I didn't know that you had this kind of music in China."
When I browse through the 2011 handbook of WOMEX (the World Music Expo), I find no Chinese musician, agency or promoter in the list of participants. But there are names from our neighboring countries, such as South Korea, Japan and Pakistan.
That means Chinese music has not really been represented on the international level. It's true that music is a business. But not every good musician or group has enough commercial value to afford international tours, especially when Chinese music as a whole is not yet fully recognized by the world.
When I browse through the 2011 handbook of WOMEX (the World Music Expo), I find no Chinese musician, agency or promoter in the list of participants. But there are names from our neighboring countries, such as South Korea, Japan and Pakistan.
That means Chinese music has not really been represented on the international level. It's true that music is a business. But not every good musician or group has enough commercial value to afford international tours, especially when Chinese music as a whole is not yet fully recognized by the world.
The second half of the show
Working with Taiwan producer Jim Lee, she combined classical music and pop rhythms, with piano and violin in Por Una Cabeza, a popular Argentine tango by Carlos Gardel.
The second half of the show saw her pay tribute to some established Mandarin pop stars by singing Jacky Cheung's Autumn, Teresa Teng's South Sea Girl and Chyi Yu's Dreamland.
Zhang, who rose to fame after winning the 2005 Supergirl singing competition, is known for singing in various languages, such as English, French and Spanish, in addition to Mandarin.
She is also known for hitting the high notes, which is why she is known as "Dolphin Voice". Zhang has been compared to Mariah Carey, whom she has admired since she was a teenager.
Her five studio albums and two EPs released since 2006 have all topped the Chinese music charts. She has also won best female singer awards over the past three years.
"I have been trying to sing in different styles because I want to find a style that belongs to (me)," she says. "I love music, but during the past seven years, I just wasn't enjoying myself singing."
The second half of the show saw her pay tribute to some established Mandarin pop stars by singing Jacky Cheung's Autumn, Teresa Teng's South Sea Girl and Chyi Yu's Dreamland.
Zhang, who rose to fame after winning the 2005 Supergirl singing competition, is known for singing in various languages, such as English, French and Spanish, in addition to Mandarin.
She is also known for hitting the high notes, which is why she is known as "Dolphin Voice". Zhang has been compared to Mariah Carey, whom she has admired since she was a teenager.
Her five studio albums and two EPs released since 2006 have all topped the Chinese music charts. She has also won best female singer awards over the past three years.
"I have been trying to sing in different styles because I want to find a style that belongs to (me)," she says. "I love music, but during the past seven years, I just wasn't enjoying myself singing."
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Looking 4 Myself
American R&B star Usher scored his fourth No 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday with "Looking 4 Myself", topping new releases from Rush, Josh Turner and Ed Sheeran.
"Looking 4 Myself", the seventh album from 33-year-old Usher, sold 128,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan figures, falling far below the "Scream" singer's last set, "Raymond v Raymond", which debuted with sales of 329,000 in 2010.
Usher will face strong competition for the top spot next week from his protégé Justin Bieber, whose highly anticipated album "Believe" was released this week and topped the iTunes chart.
Veteran Canadian rockers Rush came in at No 2 with "Clockwork Angels", selling 103,000 copies and pushing British songstress Adele to No 3 with her Grammy-winning "21", which has spent 69 weeks in the top ten.
Rush, who have been in the music business for four decades, have yet to score a No 1 debut on the Billboard album chart.
Country music singer Josh Turner entered the Billboard 200 at No 4 with his "Punching Bag", selling 45,000 copies in its first week. The record also topped the Billboard Country Albums chart.
"Looking 4 Myself", the seventh album from 33-year-old Usher, sold 128,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan figures, falling far below the "Scream" singer's last set, "Raymond v Raymond", which debuted with sales of 329,000 in 2010.
Usher will face strong competition for the top spot next week from his protégé Justin Bieber, whose highly anticipated album "Believe" was released this week and topped the iTunes chart.
Veteran Canadian rockers Rush came in at No 2 with "Clockwork Angels", selling 103,000 copies and pushing British songstress Adele to No 3 with her Grammy-winning "21", which has spent 69 weeks in the top ten.
Rush, who have been in the music business for four decades, have yet to score a No 1 debut on the Billboard album chart.
Country music singer Josh Turner entered the Billboard 200 at No 4 with his "Punching Bag", selling 45,000 copies in its first week. The record also topped the Billboard Country Albums chart.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Working with Dr Luke
When you are writing in the studio, it's like the people who are in the studio with you are a dysfunctional family," he said. "You are basically like a therapist. It's psychology."
His colleagues say one of his studio tools is a wicked, self-deprecating sense of humor, which he uses to break tension. "He's so funny, it's crazy," the rapper Spank Rock said.
Working with Dr. Luke taught Mr. Blanco about song structure and dynamics, about creating rising drama and moments of respite from that drama.
Over the last two years, he has started collaborating more with the Swedish songwriters Shellback and Max Martin and, more recently, with Bruno Mars. He relishes the role of newcomer.
Mr. Blanco said: "I want to be that new guy that no one wants to work with."
His colleagues say one of his studio tools is a wicked, self-deprecating sense of humor, which he uses to break tension. "He's so funny, it's crazy," the rapper Spank Rock said.
Working with Dr. Luke taught Mr. Blanco about song structure and dynamics, about creating rising drama and moments of respite from that drama.
Over the last two years, he has started collaborating more with the Swedish songwriters Shellback and Max Martin and, more recently, with Bruno Mars. He relishes the role of newcomer.
Mr. Blanco said: "I want to be that new guy that no one wants to work with."
Friday, January 11, 2013
here is another problem with the current model
There is already progress compared to five years ago, when artists and production companies got practically nothing from websites who offered free downloads. Now most major websites pay some fees to the copyright owners.
But that fee is obviously not enough to sustain the music industry. China didn't provide much original and exciting music in the last decade compared to the previous one, although cheap-sounding works made through amateur computer software are flourishing.
There is another problem with the current model of websites paying royalties with advertising proceeds, and netizens downloading music for free: In the long run, it will not be ourselves who decide what we hear, but the major websites.
But that fee is obviously not enough to sustain the music industry. China didn't provide much original and exciting music in the last decade compared to the previous one, although cheap-sounding works made through amateur computer software are flourishing.
There is another problem with the current model of websites paying royalties with advertising proceeds, and netizens downloading music for free: In the long run, it will not be ourselves who decide what we hear, but the major websites.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
It is unclear when the payable music
During the early phase of the Internet, people used to say that the Internet freed us from the tyranny of major record companies that decided what people should hear, but now it seems we have shifted to become slaves of major websites.
It is unclear when the payable music downloading will be put into practice in China. The negotiation between music content holders and websites may take some time, but how to balance the interests of different parties is just a technical question. Charging for music downloading in the future is inevitable.
Hopefully this will be a positive factor for Chinese music. After all, we all want to hear good music. Why not support your favorite musicians by buying their works so that you can hear more in the long run?
It is unclear when the payable music downloading will be put into practice in China. The negotiation between music content holders and websites may take some time, but how to balance the interests of different parties is just a technical question. Charging for music downloading in the future is inevitable.
Hopefully this will be a positive factor for Chinese music. After all, we all want to hear good music. Why not support your favorite musicians by buying their works so that you can hear more in the long run?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
His break up with his fiancee
Indeed, love and relationships have been a huge influence in his music.
"It could be because my parents divorced when I was 4 or that I had my heart broken when I was in sixth grade. Throughout my 20s and young life, I've been curious to see who I would fall in love with and where that would take me. And, also, my love of music has catapulted me through life," he once said.
His break-up with his fiancee Tristan Prettyman in the summer of 2011 also contributed to the album.
His Chinese fans call Mraz a "wizard". "I experienced so much love and support from my Asian fans even from the earlier stages of my career, which makes me want to come back again and again," he says.
"There is definitely something special about Asian audiences, and as a performer you can't ask more from these kind of passionate fans It's always a pleasure going back to those places where the audiences truly enjoy and appreciate your music."
"It could be because my parents divorced when I was 4 or that I had my heart broken when I was in sixth grade. Throughout my 20s and young life, I've been curious to see who I would fall in love with and where that would take me. And, also, my love of music has catapulted me through life," he once said.
His break-up with his fiancee Tristan Prettyman in the summer of 2011 also contributed to the album.
His Chinese fans call Mraz a "wizard". "I experienced so much love and support from my Asian fans even from the earlier stages of my career, which makes me want to come back again and again," he says.
"There is definitely something special about Asian audiences, and as a performer you can't ask more from these kind of passionate fans It's always a pleasure going back to those places where the audiences truly enjoy and appreciate your music."
The foundation of MTV
Notable moments came from "Batman" star Christian Bale, who gave an emotional introduction to an exclusive trailer for the upcoming film, "The Dark Knight Rises," after footage of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker character was shown from the second installment of the Christopher Nolan "Batman" franchise.
Music, the foundation of MTV, played a key role throughout the show with first-ever house DJ, Martin Solveig, providing movie score mash-ups from "Jaws," "Pulp Fiction" and "Drive" between awards.
Rapper Wiz Khalifa performed new song "Work Hard, Play Hard" and indie band fun. sang their hit single "We Are Young" with Janelle Monae to open the program.
Music, the foundation of MTV, played a key role throughout the show with first-ever house DJ, Martin Solveig, providing movie score mash-ups from "Jaws," "Pulp Fiction" and "Drive" between awards.
Rapper Wiz Khalifa performed new song "Work Hard, Play Hard" and indie band fun. sang their hit single "We Are Young" with Janelle Monae to open the program.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Phoenix Legend in the United States
The moves are a blend of yangko, a form of folk dance popular in northern China. After the number, Wang reminds the dancers to wave their hands as if they were holding fans, a typical prop in yangko dance.
Wang, 26, first used the music of Phoenix Legend in the United States at the 2010 Zumba Convention - Sino Fusion Beats East Meet West.
For nearly two hours, he led more than 700 people in dance, making him an instant sensation in the US, and back in China through the Internet.
Bored with the usual gym workouts, he also mixed traditional Chinese folk dances with disco, hip hop and salsa, which were widely enjoyed at the Zumba Convention.
Wang, 26, first used the music of Phoenix Legend in the United States at the 2010 Zumba Convention - Sino Fusion Beats East Meet West.
For nearly two hours, he led more than 700 people in dance, making him an instant sensation in the US, and back in China through the Internet.
Bored with the usual gym workouts, he also mixed traditional Chinese folk dances with disco, hip hop and salsa, which were widely enjoyed at the Zumba Convention.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Another highlight will be Canadian violinist
China Philharmonic Orchestra will give the China premiere of the symphonic poem Red Cheongsam at Midnight by US-based Chinese composer Fay Wang under the baton of Yang Yang. The composer uses a Peking Opera melody to depict the interactions of Chinese and Western cultures.
Another highlight will be Canadian violinist Lara St John's cooperation with the China Philharmonic to perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto in D Major.
One Sweet Morning, the co-commissioned work of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic (NYPO), will stage its Asia debut in Shanghai.
One Sweet Morning expresses composer John Corigliano's calls for world peace. It was first performed by the NYPO in New York in September 2011.
Another highlight will be Canadian violinist Lara St John's cooperation with the China Philharmonic to perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto in D Major.
One Sweet Morning, the co-commissioned work of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic (NYPO), will stage its Asia debut in Shanghai.
One Sweet Morning expresses composer John Corigliano's calls for world peace. It was first performed by the NYPO in New York in September 2011.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Shanren used the standard Western rock format
Returning Money is about a man who's crazy to get back money he lent. Study pokes fun at Yunnan natives who speak Putonghua with an accent. Thirty Years is about the difficulty people from the provinces have finding jobs in big cities. Shanren uses many Chinese instruments, most of which are from Yunnan's non-Han ethnic groups. They include xianzi, a plucked instrument of the Yi ethnic group; bawu, a Hani wind instrument; and the Jino's sun drum.
Shanren used the standard Western rock format of guitar, bass and drums when it was founded in 1999. But they found the instruments' limitations made it difficult to forge their own style.
"We couldn't make breakthroughs with Western instruments but discovered endless new possibilities with Chinese instruments, especially those belonging to ethnic groups," Qu says.
"We also learned different harmonies when we visited Yunnan's folk musicians."
They often dance onstage, because they believe dance is inalienable from music.
"Only when you dance can you really feel the music," Qu says.
Qu and drummer Xiao Ou are ethnically Han, while Ai is Va and Xiao Budian (a stage name that translates as "The Little One") is Bouyei.
Shanren used the standard Western rock format of guitar, bass and drums when it was founded in 1999. But they found the instruments' limitations made it difficult to forge their own style.
"We couldn't make breakthroughs with Western instruments but discovered endless new possibilities with Chinese instruments, especially those belonging to ethnic groups," Qu says.
"We also learned different harmonies when we visited Yunnan's folk musicians."
They often dance onstage, because they believe dance is inalienable from music.
"Only when you dance can you really feel the music," Qu says.
Qu and drummer Xiao Ou are ethnically Han, while Ai is Va and Xiao Budian (a stage name that translates as "The Little One") is Bouyei.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Basketball player Yao Ming
Phoenix Legend, the hottest Chinese pop duo, has fans from all strata of the society and is fast gaining recognition overseas. Chen Nan reports in Beijing.
Basketball player Yao Ming is not the only Chinese export to NBA Houston Rockets. The music of Phoenix Legend, one of the hottest pop music groups in China, has also reached the NBA. One of their hit songs from three years ago, The Hottest Ethnic Trend, was used by cheerleaders during a NBA Houston Rockets game in April 2012.
"We have no idea how the songs reached America," says Ling Hua, 32, one of the two members of Phoenix Legend. The other half of the duo is 33-year-old Zeng Yi. "Maybe we should thank Yao Ming because NBA wants to attract more Chinese fans."
The song has also become an Internet sensation after being remixed and re-edited by fans across the world during the past several months.
In fact, this is not the first time that Phoenix Legend's songs have been improvised or heard internationally in a public setting. Workout dance instructor Wang Guangcheng has been mixing the duo's songs to the beats of salsa, disco and hip hop, and even brought their songs to the US Zumba Convention in 2010 and 2011.
Riding on the wave, the group is collaborating with Wang to release a new album in June, remixing their popular hits just for gyms.
Basketball player Yao Ming is not the only Chinese export to NBA Houston Rockets. The music of Phoenix Legend, one of the hottest pop music groups in China, has also reached the NBA. One of their hit songs from three years ago, The Hottest Ethnic Trend, was used by cheerleaders during a NBA Houston Rockets game in April 2012.
"We have no idea how the songs reached America," says Ling Hua, 32, one of the two members of Phoenix Legend. The other half of the duo is 33-year-old Zeng Yi. "Maybe we should thank Yao Ming because NBA wants to attract more Chinese fans."
The song has also become an Internet sensation after being remixed and re-edited by fans across the world during the past several months.
In fact, this is not the first time that Phoenix Legend's songs have been improvised or heard internationally in a public setting. Workout dance instructor Wang Guangcheng has been mixing the duo's songs to the beats of salsa, disco and hip hop, and even brought their songs to the US Zumba Convention in 2010 and 2011.
Riding on the wave, the group is collaborating with Wang to release a new album in June, remixing their popular hits just for gyms.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Underwood tops Billboard album chart Beastie Boys return
"American Idol" winner and country music star Carrie Underwood topped the Billboard 200 chart on Wednesday with her fourth studio album "Blown Away," while the Beastie Boys returned after the death last week of Adam "MCA" Yauch.
"Blown Away" sold 267,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan, coming only second to Madonna's "MDNA" earlier this year, which sold 358,000 copies in its initial week of release. This is Underwood's third album to debut at No. 1 on the chart.
The death of Beastie Boys' Yauch last week led to a rise in sales of the band's catalog of albums, as their 1986 record "Licensed To Ill" re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 18 with 19,000 copies sold.
Six other Beastie Boys albums also re-entered the Billboard 200 chart, with collective sales of 55,000 in the two days following Yauch's death last Friday. Online music streaming site Spotify said it saw a 1700 percent increase in people listening to Beastie Boys songs between May 3 and 4.
Grammy-winning blues singer Norah Jones' fifth studio album, "Little Broken Hearts," entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 after selling 110,000 copies, while the new "Now 42" music compilation of current hits including those by Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown and Gotye, entered the chart at No. 3 with sales of 95,000.
"Blown Away" sold 267,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan, coming only second to Madonna's "MDNA" earlier this year, which sold 358,000 copies in its initial week of release. This is Underwood's third album to debut at No. 1 on the chart.
The death of Beastie Boys' Yauch last week led to a rise in sales of the band's catalog of albums, as their 1986 record "Licensed To Ill" re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 18 with 19,000 copies sold.
Six other Beastie Boys albums also re-entered the Billboard 200 chart, with collective sales of 55,000 in the two days following Yauch's death last Friday. Online music streaming site Spotify said it saw a 1700 percent increase in people listening to Beastie Boys songs between May 3 and 4.
Grammy-winning blues singer Norah Jones' fifth studio album, "Little Broken Hearts," entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 after selling 110,000 copies, while the new "Now 42" music compilation of current hits including those by Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown and Gotye, entered the chart at No. 3 with sales of 95,000.
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