Damon Albarn To Release Dr Dee Opera Studio Album
Yes, Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn is into opera; in fact, he’s written a few. The next logical step is to release the music as a studio album, which is what Mr. Albarn is proposing to do. The Dr Dee opera studio album will be released on May 7 and will consist of 18 tracks (via NME). Damon says that the album has “strange pastoral folk” songs, which means it’s really pretentious or oddly awesome. Damon will be performing the opera with singers and musicians featured on the album at Wiltshire even OneFest on April 14.
John Frusciante Won’t Be Going to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
The amazing guitar force that is John Frusciante has said that he won’t be attending his former band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (via Gigwise). Somewhere, John’s replacement, Josh Klinghoffer, is secretly rejoicing. The Chili Peppers were rejuvenated by Frusciante’s guitar riffs in their 1999 album, Californication, leading to them re-emerging as a main force in the music scene. He departed before the band recorded last year’s I’m With You.
“He didn’t feel comfortable coming, which we totally respect”, drummer Chad Smith told Billboard. “We asked him… He said, ‘I’m just not really comfortable with that, but good luck and thanks for inviting me.’ It was all good.
“He’s the kind of guy, I think, that once he’s finished with something he’s just on to the next phase of his life. The Chili Peppers are not really on his radar right now.”
Unfortunately after Frusciante left, I think they are not on as many people’s radar anymore, either.
Click to read the Morning Music Notes, including a SXSW Appearance by Jay-Z, and a new video from Florence + the Machine
Tag Archives: SXSW
Infographic Time: SXSW 2013 By The Numbers
Musicmetric has crunched the numbers behind South By Southwest, so people like me don’t have to. And wouldn’t you know it – the Austin, Texas event is pretty popular. The 1,547 bands playing SXSW this year have a cumulative 367,072,417 social media fans, with almost 9 billion plays between them. The infographic also shows that Kendrick Lamar had the most new fans following SXSW last year, while the previously featured on PHM Laura Mvula is the fastest growing artist for 2013. But why talk when you can get information from a graphic? Check out the SXSW infographic below (via Hypebot).
Click to see the SXSW infographic
Interview with Colin Louis Dieden from The Mowgli’s
The Mowgli’s describe themselves as “5 childhood friends from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, augmented by 3 mid-western transplants.” I may have needed a calculator, but that means that the southern California band are bursting at the seams with 8 members. However, 8 members means 8 potential vocalists, and the band do their best to make that happen on every track. They love the big sound and you probably will, too.
Slouching is apparently allowed in police line ups
The band consists of (this might take awhile) – Colin Louis Dieden (vocals/guitar/percussion), Michael Vincze (guitar/vocals), Katie Jayne Earl (vocals/percussion), Matthew Di Panni (bass/vocals), Josh Hogan (guitar/vocals), Dave Appelbaum (keys/vocals), Spencer Trent (percussion/guitar/melodica/vocals), and Andy Warren (drums/percussion/vocals). The Mowgli’s have a recent EP called Love’s Not Dead, featuring the great song, San Francisco. They even have a celebrity admirer in Lindsay Lohan, have recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and are back in Austin this week for a second stint at South By Southwest. PeteHatesMusic caught up over email with Colin, who tells us about the perks of being in a big band, and what he would want on the band’s Wikipedia page.
Click to read the PeteHatesMusic interview with Colin Louis Dieden from The Mowgli’s
Morning Music Notes – Snoop Dogg FC
Dave Grohl Will Give Keynote Speech at SXSW 2013
Dave Grohl is taking a little break from Foo Fighters, and is occupying every second of his ‘free time’. He’s helping out with the Queens of the Stone Age album, he’s wrapping up his Sound City documentary, and now he’s agreed to give the keynote speech at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas on March 14 (via Spinner). I’m hoping he shotguns beers and tells everyone what he really thinks of them, especially that Courtney Love chick.
Today’s Fake News: Snoop Dogg to Invest in Celtic FC?
Snoop Dogg, huge Lakers basketball fan and part time Anaheim Ducks hockey fan, is apparently wanting to expand into a new area of fandom – soccer. At least he’s guaranteed to have this called a better career move than that awful Hot Pockets commercial. It is rumoured that Snoop Dogg is willing to dole out the cash to buy shared in Scottish mega club, Celtic FC (via NME).
Speaking about the venture, Snoop said “I’ve got a lot of interest in soccer. It’s not a new thing for hip hop stars to invest in sports teams but it is a new thing for hip hop stars to invest in soccer teams. I see how passionate Celtic fans are about their team and I could see myself making an investment if any of the board wanted to sell.”
Snoop also has dreams about bring his boy David Beckham to the club in the future. Pretty sure Becks would get egged in Scotland. Let’s be honest, Snoop was attracted by the green in Celtic’s jersey, since it reminded him of pot. Can you say ‘hot boxed VIP suites’?
Click for more Morning Music Notes
Morning Music Notes – SXSW and St. Patrick’s Day Hangover Edition
Apologies for the sporadic posts last week – I was chasing leprechauns (and women) in Ireland, and thought drinking top notch Guinness was more important than giving you music news. I don’t regret the decision, and only slightly regret the 12 hour Guinness session.
SXSW Wrap Up
As Rich pointed out in last week’s Morning Music Notes, Bruce Springsteen had some pretty awesome things to say last week. If you like Bruce and have 50 minutes to spare, don’t throw on one of his albums – listen to his South by Southwest Keynote Address.
The Boss also performed with Arcade Fire and Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave fame) and a few others. Check out the video of the Woody Guthrie cover, This Land is Your Land.
Click to keep reading the Morning Music Notes
Music Notes – Springsteen vs SXSW
Highlights from Springsteen’s Keynote address:
There is a reason they call Bruce Springsteen The Boss. He is boss. The best highlight from his speech at SXSW: “Why are we up so fucking early?” Check out the rest of the highlights – a great read!
Via Chartattack…
Coachella – a look ahead at 2 weekends:
Coachella is 2 weekends this year – and will be headlined by Radiohead, Dr. Dre, The Black Keys, and Snoop Dogg. Here’s a look ahead at “must see” acts on this year’s lineup. Wish I was going! (nudge, nudge, Coachella organizers!)
Via Rolling Stone…
New drug becomes illegal:
You got your wish, Huey Lewis. And now, the new
designermade-in-a-bathtub drug ROFLCOPTR has been made illegal in the UK – with more countries to follow suit. What the hell is this, and why is it illegal? Read more after the jump.Via NME…
Twitter vs SXSW:
Some influential people give tips on their “favourite new bands” at SXSW. Hear ‘em here, before you hear ‘em somewhere else – some great tips!
Via Guardian Music…
Morning Music Notes
New Def Jam Prez:
Jay-Z is out, and longtime Warner Music exec Joie Manda is in.
Via Daily Swarm…
New Music From Spiritualized:
Check out a gorgeous new tune from Spiritualized – performed live in BBC 6 studios. Video after the jump.
Via Pitchfork…
Listen to The Boss!
NPR is streaming Bruce Spingsteen’s keynote speech from SXSW. Listen after the jump.
Via NPR…
Ex QOTSA Bassist is in serious trouble:
Nick Olivieri always looked a bad mother… the proof is in the criminal record. He has pled not guilty, but is up against a list of charges, including domestic battery, resisting police, possession of methamphetamines, and more… Nick could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Yikes!
Via Pitchfork…
Bob Marley doc gets a release date:
Any guesses? Yep – April 20th. 4/20. Hippies… Here’s the trailer:
Via Billboard…
Flaming Lips Musical Coming in 2012:
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots will debut at the La Jolla Playhouse in California later this year. It is about a young Japanese artist’s journey into a robot world where she has to overcome something… probably evil?
Via ChartAttack…
New Hot Chip Video:
The song is called Flutes, and the video will make you dizzy.
New Orbital Music:
The song is called New France (isn’t that Canada?) and features a beer-drinking lion.
For the Lazy South By Southwest Fans: Couch By Couchwest
South by Southwest has kicked off, and a fury of bands will be playing all over Austin, trying to get a record deal or a bigger fanbase. But not everyone landed a spot on the SXSW lineup, or could make it to Austin. So what is a band to do in this situation? You can play at the amazingly named and highly innovative festival idea – Couch By Couchwest (via Hypebot).
To get your band on the roster, you must make a unique video, and it must be specifically for CXCW – no rehashes. Check out the website for more details, and dust off your couches and guitars and get ready to rock the Internet. I guess there’s no need for a Homeless Hotspot at this festival.
SXSW Is Using Homeless People for Wi-Fi Hotspots! Inevitable Backlash Begins
SXSW is under way, with it’s film, music, and tech discussions leading the festivities. One of the insane ideas that has debuted is using homeless people as 4G (wireless internet) hotspots!!! All of the homeless people are wearing shirts with their names, declaring they are 4G hotspots, and for a PayPal donation, will give conference attendees internet access for as long as they want (via Buzz Feed).
There are 10 men in the campaign, called Homeless Hotspots, which was thought up by marketing firm BBH. There has been backlash by media outlets, but BBH has defended the campaign (as most campaign people do). The Austin advocacy group, FrontSteps, said it’s getting them a lot of attention, and is a new tool besides printed media for homeless to raise funds. This might be true – have you ever craved the newspaper the homeless sell you more than wireless internet?
Does this seem wrong to anyone? Sure, we all need Internet access, but it seems degrading to get wi-fi from a man without a home. So, is this a) a great new model for homeless people b) exploiting and insulting homeless people or c) great for SXSW folks, because I need internet access in Austin.
“Dusty is from Corpus Christi, TX. Dusty is extremely outgoing and considers himself a people person. He’s urgently looking for employment as he no longer collects unemployment benefits. PayPayl Dusty’s hotspot, or Venmo money to (646) 820-4281 and save us fees! Be sure to include which HotSpot. We suggest $2 per 15 minutes.”
Infographic of What SXSW Fans Are Like According To Facebook
SXSW is underway, and Austin residents either love the economic boost or hate that their city is taken over. What kind of people will be coming to South By Southwest anyway? The folks at Swaylo have put together a cool infographic, based on the 200,000 Facebook Likes that SXSW has (via Wired).
It appears 31% of the Likes are also fans of Radiohead and Johnny Cash. The beer of choice is Dos Equis, while Dexter is their favourite show. If I typed out everything, that would ruin the fun of LOOKING at the infographic, so check it out.
Click to see the SXSW Infographic Based on Facebook Data
Morning Music Notes – Florence: On Ice!
Damon Albarn To Release Dr Dee Opera Studio Album
Yes, Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn is into opera; in fact, he’s written a few. The next logical step is to release the music as a studio album, which is what Mr. Albarn is proposing to do. The Dr Dee opera studio album will be released on May 7 and will consist of 18 tracks (via NME). Damon says that the album has “strange pastoral folk” songs, which means it’s really pretentious or oddly awesome. Damon will be performing the opera with singers and musicians featured on the album at Wiltshire even OneFest on April 14.
John Frusciante Won’t Be Going to Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
The amazing guitar force that is John Frusciante has said that he won’t be attending his former band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (via Gigwise). Somewhere, John’s replacement, Josh Klinghoffer, is secretly rejoicing. The Chili Peppers were rejuvenated by Frusciante’s guitar riffs in their 1999 album, Californication, leading to them re-emerging as a main force in the music scene. He departed before the band recorded last year’s I’m With You.
“He didn’t feel comfortable coming, which we totally respect”, drummer Chad Smith told Billboard. “We asked him… He said, ‘I’m just not really comfortable with that, but good luck and thanks for inviting me.’ It was all good.
“He’s the kind of guy, I think, that once he’s finished with something he’s just on to the next phase of his life. The Chili Peppers are not really on his radar right now.”
Unfortunately after Frusciante left, I think they are not on as many people’s radar anymore, either.
Click to read the Morning Music Notes, including a SXSW Appearance by Jay-Z, and a new video from Florence + the Machine