Hot Music Weekly

Cover Feature: Boy George

2008-10-25T07:36:00.009-04:00

Singer-songwriter Boy George (born George Alan O'Dowd), was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by rhythm and blues and reggae. The group found immense world wide success with the albums Colour by Numbers and Kissing to Be Clever.

When substance abuse entered the picture the demise of the band at hand. In July 1986, Boy George was arrested for heroin possession. Police had code named the project as "Operation Culture" involving the raids of houses and arrests of ex-boyfriend Jon Moss, friend Marilyn, Culture Club backing vocalist Helen Terry, friend Mimi and drug suppliers Ginty and Steve. Drugs would plague him for years to come, in 2005, Boy George was arrested in Manhattan on suspicion of possessing cocaine. He has never quite achieved the same pop success as solo artist. Though he remains constantly in the public eye in his native U.K.

In 1993 his collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys on the theme song The Crying Game from the movie of the same title put him back in the limelight on both sides of the Atlantic.

During the 90's and early 21st century, George continued to release music sporadically in Europe Several dance-oriented tracks were released in various countries. For example, Love is Leaving went top 3 in Italy and When Will You Learn reached the top positions in the Switzerland charts. When Will You Learn was also nominated for the Best Dance Recording, at the Grammy Awards. Though during much of this period he devoted his time to DJing, hosting, writing books and designing clothes.

In 2002/2003 he starred in the London musical Taboo, based on his life (George didn't play himself, opting instead to take on the persona of Australian-born performance artist Leigh Bowery). Boy George was nominated for a Tony Awards for the "Best Musical Score" and Taboo was a great success in London's West End, though a heavily altered Rosie O'Donnell-produced run in New York was short-lived (100 performances only, versus the two-year run in England).

The latest from Boy George is the single Yes We Can, which has very pop mainstream sound compared to much of his recent work. The song was inspired by U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama's message of unity and positivity. Some versions of the track (like the video) include audio of Obama's speeches. The song also includes a verse dedicated to troubled and drug worn singer Amy Winehouse.

In May of 2009, Boy George will be headlining the Here & Now Tour with Kim Wilde, Howard Jones, Kid Creole & The Coconuts and Altered Images.

HMW Weekly Top 30: October 24, 2008

2008-10-25T05:45:00.000-04:00

This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
1	5	7	Yes We Can (Weeks at #1 - 1)	Boy George
2	1	8	This Boy’s in Love (3)	The Presets
3	8	4	Simple Man Wishing	Bosson
4	2	7	Big Girl Now	New Kids on the Block & Lady GaGa
5	3	9	I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You	Black Kids
6	6	5	Right Here (Departed)	Brandy
7	4	7	Sandcastle Disco (1)	Solange
8	7	12	Underneath (RedTop Radio Edit) (2)	Alanis Morissette
9	12	4	Poker Face	Lady GaGa
10	10	5	Hot Stuff (Let's Dance) [Dave Audé Radio]	Craig David
11	15	6	Every Word (Wendel Kos Radio Edit)	Ercola ft. Daniella
12	16	12	Sorry (Dance Mix)	Michael Christopher
13	9	13	No More Rain	Kylie Minogue
14	19	6	Heartbroken	T2
15	11	11	Echo	Cyndi Lauper
16	13	10	If It’s In My Mind, It’s On My Face	Seal
17	14	12	How I Could Just Kill a Man	Charlotte Sometimes
18	17	10	Watch Out (Extended Mix) (1)	Alex Gaudino
19	18	12	Electric Feel	MGMT
20	20	13	Into the Nightlife (3)	Cyndi Lauper
21	21	3	Stars	Kylie Minogue
22	26	2	Movie Star	Róisín Murphy
23	27	3	Neo Violence	The Tough Alliance
24	23	5	Invincible	Mike Misar
25	30	2	Shine On (Activa Remix) [Explicit]	Filo and Peri with Eric Lumiere
26	NEW	1	Baby Just Be Yourself	The Pipettes
27	NEW	1	The Bomb	Bitter:Sweet
28	25	15	Just Dance (1)	Lady GaGa ft. Colby O’Donis
29	22	5	Everyday it’s 1989	Moby
30	NEW	1	Nobody Lost, Nobody Found	Cut Copy

Nightmare for Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson

2008-10-24T22:52:00.004-04:00

A publicist of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson said the Chicago police are investigating the deaths of her mother and brother.

Two people were found slain yesterday in a South side Chicago home, according to a police source.

According to public records, the home is owned by Darnell Donnerson, Jennifer Hudson’s mother.

A Chicago police spokeswoman also said a 7-year-old boy was reported missing. Police identified him as Julian King, but they would not say whether he is a relative of the actress. An Amber Alert has been issued for the missing boy.

Source: Boston Herald

Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' video debuts

2008-10-23T10:13:00.000-04:00

Freedom Williams returning with 'Mindbounce'

2008-10-23T09:55:00.002-04:00

One of the most recognised voices in dance music is making a welcome return. Freedom Williams was the voice of C & C Music Factory and ruled dancefloors through the 90’s with his distinctive rap. He sold millions of records including ‘Gonna Make You Sweat’ and ‘Things That Make You Go Hmmm’.

Now he is set to tear up dancefloors worldwide once again with ‘Mindbounce’ a hip house collaboration with New York production outfit Speakerbox. The track is due out on hot New York label Sea To Sun Records in late November.

Source: DanceNova.com

Rihanna, Justin Timberlake filming video

2008-10-23T09:35:00.003-04:00

Rihanna films the music video for her latest single, “Rehab“, with pal Justin Timberlake on Tuesday in Vasquez Rocks Park, outside of Los Angeles. (Timberlake and Timbaland wrote the song and also contributed backing vocals in the bridge.)

In one sequence, Timberlake arrives on a motorcycle to meet Rihanna at her Airstream Trailer. Timberlake then takes a shower with pink water and proceeds to get up close and personal with Rihanna on the hood of an oldies car.

Source: JustJared.com

Justin Timberlake seeks Kylie collaborartion

2008-10-21T08:40:00.002-04:00

Justin Timberlake hopes to work with Kylie Minogue again, but this time the former 'N Sync member wants to get the Aussie star on his new album.

The pair performed together once before in 2003, when they shared the stage at the Brit Awards. Now he tells Metro of his future collaboration plans:

"I am writing new tunes now for the next album and I have a great idea for me and Kylie, so hopefully she will say yes and things will finally take off for her here, too."

Source: Angryape

Scissor Sisters, drummer part ways

2008-10-21T08:31:00.003-04:00

Drummer Paddy Boom has left flamboyant pop act the Scissor Sisters.

Boom, who split from the band last week, will be temporarily replaced by Randy 'Real' Schrager, reports say.

The act wrote on their website: "We would like our fans and friends to know that we have amicably parted ways with the original Scissor drummer Paddy Boom.

"He will no longer be on stage with us but he will always be our sister. Don't worry, we are hard at work on our new record and we can't wait to see you all soon."

The group's third LP, expected to be released early next year, will reportedly shift emphasis from pop to feature a reggae influence.

Source: Digital Spy

Human League, new album but no label

2008-10-20T08:25:00.000-04:00

The Human League are plotting a new album, even though they have no idea how they will release it.

The electro-pop band have been in the studio working on their first new material since 2001's 'Secrets' LP.

They told BBC 6Music that in the absence of a record deal, they are having to think of new ways to get the music out there.

Singer Joanne Catherall said: "We've always been supported by record companies and that's not really happening to as many groups anymore. We'll have to find another way of getting it out to the public.

"We're all keen to put out new music, our only problem is, the way we have traditionally put out music is not available to us anymore.

"It's quite scary having to think about it, because someone else has sort of run, we make the records, and someone else does everything else for us, and now we've got to do it all ourselves, and as everyone knows we're incredibly slow, and lazy!"

Source: NME

Pete Burns receives plastic surgery fiasco compensation

2008-10-20T08:19:00.002-04:00

Pete Burns is set to receive damages payments from a doctor who has accepted liability for lip injections that went wrong.

The former Dead Or Alive frontman and 2006 'Celebrity Big Brother' contestant sued Harley Street doctor Maurizio Viel, who carried out procedures between 2000 and 2004, reports BBC News.

Swelling and blisters suffered by Burn were attributed to the procedures, which caused him suffering and made it difficult for him to eat.

He also suffered granulomas (chronic inflammatory cells), it was heard in court.

Source: NME

Nelly Furtado secretly married

2008-10-20T08:15:00.000-04:00

Nelly Furtado married her boyfriend in secret this year, it has emerged.

The 'Promiscuous' singer revealed on Canadian television that she and Demacio Castellon were married on July 19. They got together after he worked as a sound engineer on her 2006 album 'Loose'.

Furtado told Entertainment Tonight Canada: "I love it. I'm happy, I'm excited about the future.

"I just feel kind of free and relaxed and more in tune with trying not to be so stressed out."

Source: NME

'Fame' remake will feature new music

2008-10-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

The upcoming remake of 1980 movie musical "Fame" will feature new music from the Matrix, James Poyser and Damon Elliott.

The storyline for the film, from Lakeshore Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, remains the same as the original: following the competitive students at New York's School of Performing Arts from their freshman to their senior years. The music in the film includes two songs from the original movie ("Fame" and "Out Here on My Own") as well as the new tracks.

Gary Lucchesi, president of Lakeshore Entertainment and a producer of the film, says he expects the new singles to have a life beyond the movie and the soundtrack; they will be promoted to radio and distributed to television as music videos. "You wouldn't hire these kind of (music) producers if you weren't praying to hit it out of the park," Luccesi says.

The movie and theme song of the original launched the career of Irene Cara.

The expected release date is September of next year.

Source: Yahoo!

Cover Feature: Black Kids

2008-10-17T11:36:00.003-04:00

Black Kids, consisting of Reggie Youngblood (vocals and guitar), Owen Holmes (bass guitar), Kevin Snow (drums and percussion), Dawn Watley (keyboards and backing vocals), and Reggie's sister Ali Youngblood (keyboards and backing vocals), formed in early 2006. Although they initially performed only in Jacksonville, they received national attention after a breakout performance at the Athens Popfest in Athens, Georgia on August 11, 2007, which led to a sudden flurry of coverage in the music press, including NME, Vice, The Guardian, and The Village Voice. The same month, Black Kids' demo EP, Wizard of Ahhhs, was released via free download on their MySpace page. Soon after, Black Kids began working with Quest Management, the company that manages Björk and Arcade Fire. In October, the EP received a favorable review of 8.4 out of 10 from Pitchfork Media, including a "Best New Music" commendation.

Black Kids participated in the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City in October, earning the band exposure in The New York Times and USA Today. In December the band travelled to London for a brief tour. Rolling Stone called them one of ten "Artists to Watch" in 2007 and the band was also included in the BBC Sound of 2008 poll.

Black Kids toured the United Kingdom in early 2008, including the Vice Live Tour with Friendly Fires and Ipso Facto, a Sons and Daughters tour, and a Kate Nash tour. In April and May, Black Kids toured the United States as an opening act for Cut Copy. The band played the summer festival circuit in the U.S. and the UK, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, Radio 1's Big Weekend in May, Glastonbury Festival in June, and T in the Park and Camp Bestival in July. They are currently scheduled for a headlining tour which will bring them to Europe from June to August, North America from September to October, and back to Europe in October and November.

While in the UK the band recorded their debut album, Partie Traumatic, with producer Bernard Butler, former guitarist of Suede. The album Partie Traumatic was released on July 7 in the UK on Almost Gold Recordings, debuting at #5, and was released two weeks later in the US on Columbia Records, debuting at #127.

This week their long winded titled singel "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You" is #3 on the HMW Chart.

Hot Music Weekly Top 30: October 17, 2008

2008-10-17T09:57:00.002-04:00

The Presets hold on strong with This Boy's in Love's third week at #1. Sandcastle Disco drops from #2 to #4 allowing New Kids & Lady Gaga and Black Kids to each move up. Boy George's Obama inspired Yes We Can jumps from #10 to #5 this week as it is officially released. Bosson's Simple Man Wishing leaps eight positions to crack the top 10, landing at #8 and Craid David makes it to #10 up two spots from last week.

Other decent climbs come from Lady Gaga with Poker Face and Ercola featuring Daniella which rises from #19 to #15.

Only two new entries this week, Roisin Murphy with Movie Star and Filo and Peri featuring Eric Lumiere with Shine On.

...and as always to hear samples of most of the songs in the HMW Top 30 check out the Music Sampler in the sidebar...

This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
1	1	7	This Boy’s in Love (Weeks at #1 - 3)	The Presets
2	3	6	Big Girl Now	New Kids on the Block & Lady GaGa
3	4	8	I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You	Black Kids
4	2	6	Sandcastle Disco (1)	Solange
5	10	6	Yes We Can	Boy George
6	7	4	Right Here (Departed)	Brandy
7	5	11	Underneath (RedTop Radio Edit) (2)	Alanis Morissette
8	16	3	Simple Man Wishing	Bosson
9	6	12	No More Rain	Kylie Minogue
10	12	4	Hot Stuff (Let's Dance) [Dave Audé Radio]	Craig David
11	8	10	Echo	Cyndi Lauper
12	15	3	Poker Face	Lady GaGa
13	11	9	If It’s In My Mind, It’s On My Face	Seal
14	9	11	How I Could Just Kill a Man	Charlotte Sometimes
15	19	5	Every Word (Wendel Kos Radio Edit)	Ercola ft. Daniella
16	20	11	Sorry (Dance Mix)	Michael Christopher
17	13	9	Watch Out (Extended Mix) (1)	Alex Gaudino
18	14	11	Electric Feel	MGMT
19	17	5	Heartbroken	T2
20	18	12	Into the Nightlife (3)	Cyndi Lauper
21	27	2	Stars	Kylie Minogue
22	21	4	Everyday it’s 1989	Moby
23	22	4	Invincible	Mike Misar
24	23	15	He Keeps Me Alive (Skateboard Remix)	Sally Shapiro
25	24	14	Just Dance (1)	Lady GaGa ft. Colby O’Donis
26	NEW	1	Movie Star	Róisín Murphy
27	28	2	Neo Violence	The Tough Alliance
28	25	11	Looking for Love	September
29	26	10	Hearts on Fire	Cut Copy
30	NEW	1	Shine On (Activa Remix) [Explicit]	Filo and Peri with Eric Lumiere

Britney sets download record

2008-10-15T20:20:00.002-04:00

Britney Spears has risen ninety-five places to top the US Hot 100 Billboard chart with 'Womanizer'.
Despite the song not being very good.

The singer's new single was downloaded 286,000 times, the biggest first week sales total for a female artist since the chart began counting downloads in 2003.

The previous record for the chart's biggest climb was Rihanna's 'Live Your Live', which climbed from number eighty to number one last week.

Source: Gigwise

Janet Jackson illness revealed, tour resumes

2008-10-15T20:11:00.002-04:00

The illness that forced Janet Jackson to cancel a string of shows on her ‘Rock Witchu’ tour has been revealed.

It turns out Jackon was suffering from a rare form of migraine called vestibular migraine, or migraine-associated vertigo, according to E! News. The effects of the condition are dizziness caused by a bad headache.

She was taken to hospital in Montreal with a mysterious illness on September 29, which ultimately caused the cancellation of nine shows, including one at Madison Square Garden in New York which has been rescheduled for November 1.

Jackson is expected to resume her tour tonight (October 15) at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Source: NME

Jon Bon Jovi objects to Palin's use of song

2008-10-15T20:07:00.004-04:00

Jon Bon Jovi has issued a statement saying he did not approve the use of his song ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’ by Republican vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin.

Palin, the controversial Alaskan native, has been using the track during her political rallies, despite the fact that Bon Jovi did not want her to.

According to nymag.com, Bon Jovi released a statement today saying:

"We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home’."

As previously reported, Heart last month sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Republican Party in the US after Palin used their song during her appearance at the Republican National Convention.

Heart singers Ann and Nancy Wilson say that the Republicans did not ask for permission to use their track ‘Barracuda’. The Wilsons asked the party not to use the song again, and say they would not have allowed it to be used in the first place.

The Republicans were sued by Jackson Browne in August, after they reportedly used his song ‘Running On Empty’ in an ad for Presidential candidate John McCain.

Source: NME

Madonna, Guy Ritchie to Divorce

2008-10-15T18:15:00.002-04:00

Madonna announced on Wednesday that she and British film director Guy Ritchie were divorcing eight years after their fairytale wedding in Scotland.

Madonna was married once before to actor Sean Penn in the 1980s.

The divorce announcement comes only a few months after a suspected romance between Madonna and New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez.

Few expect the latest personal setback to get in the way of Madonna's stellar career for long. On Wednesday and Thursday she is due to perform gigs in Boston on her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour, before moving on to Canada.

Vintage Video: ABC - "Love Conquers All"

2008-10-15T08:53:00.001-04:00

John Barrowman's "What About Us"

2008-10-14T17:27:00.005-04:00

For those of you who follow British Sci-Fi TV Series (Dr. Who, Torchwood), or musical theater you might recognize John Barrowman. His new album, Music Music Music, is due next month. The lead single, What About Us, was penned by Take That's and solo artist Gary Barlow (Love Won't Wait, Superhero) on November 17.

Take That reveal new album details

2008-10-14T17:05:00.003-04:00

Take That have revealed that their next studio album will be named 'The Circus' and will be released on December 1. Oddly Britney Spears forthcoming album will be released December 2 and is titled "Circus".

The Take That album will be preceded by a single, 'Greatest Day', set for release on November 24.

Frontman Gary Barlow told BBC Newsbeat, adding that the band are set for a UK tour, with the dates currently being finalised.

The album will be the band's fifth, and their first since 2006's 'Beautiful World'. It was recorded in SARM studios in Notting Hill, London, and features songs written by all four band members.

Source: NME

Timberlake puts his 'vote in a box' for Obama

2008-10-14T16:09:00.000-04:00

Justin Timberlake and girlfriend Jessica Biel made an appearance at a Barack Obama rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, with JT telling attendees, "We've never publicly endorsed before, but we've never been so inspired by one person," the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

"I'm not here as some dude who writes goofy songs," Timberlake told the crowd from the stage of the Clark County Government Center amphitheater. "Me and Jess, we're here as Americans. We're here as humans, because this is something we had to do."

According to Us Weekly, Timberlake performed a new version of his popular "Saturday Night Live" song "Di-- in a Box," renaming it "Vote in a Box."

Speaking for about a half-hour, the duo urged fans to vote for the Democratic presidential nominee. Timberlake spoke using a printed-out list of talking points. Biel spoke out about women's rights, saying, "Nobody should be able to say what you can do with your body."

Source: MTV

Melanie C set to Marry

2008-10-12T08:31:00.003-04:00

Pregnant pop star Melanie Chisholm (Carolyna, Turn to You) is to wed her longterm boyfriend Thomas Starr.

The former Spice Girl and her partner of six years are expecting a baby together in the new year - thought to be around March - and the couple is reportedly planning to exchange nuptials shortly after the tot arrives.

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the parents-to-be got engaged last month and are aiming for a spring wedding.

Chisholm will be the last of the Spice Girls to become a mother - Melanie Brown has two daughters; Posh Spice Victoria Beckham has three sons with soccer ace David Beckham, and Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton each have one child.

Source: Yahoo!

Shirley Manson would love some robot sex

2008-10-12T08:21:00.001-04:00

Garbage singer Shirley Manson has spoken out about her role in the Terminator TV series.

The Scottish star has taken up acting with a role in the second series of spin-off show 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', and fans were shocked in last month's season premier to see her character Catherine Weaver revealed as a shapeshifting killer robot.

And although the series is reported to be in trouble after disappointing ratings, Manson told MTV she is relishing the new experience.

Meanwhile, the sultry star reckons that being made of metal should be no barrier for her character to get some love scenes. "Apparently, I am capable of having sex. They've got the mechanics for it. And I can just have better sex because I'm more highly evolved. My technique's better. I'd love to see some robot sex.”

Source: NME

Cover Feature: New Kids on the Block & Lady Gaga

2008-10-11T14:04:00.006-04:00

Throughout the weird history of pop music there have been numerous collaborations of artists that made you scratch your head and go ‘huh?’ We’ve had Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger, Mariah Carey and Westlife, Natalie Cole and here deceased father Nat ‘King’ Cole. So it’s not that odd that reunited teeny bopper boy band New Kids on the Block have paired with emerging electro pop dance diva Lady Gaga…is it? Or rather what’s most surprising is that the resulting song “Big Girl Now” is really quite a hot track.

Add to the that, the New Kids on the Block have been selling out arenas across the US on their reunion tour, and now as of October 8th in L.A., Lady GaGa has joined the bill as the tour opener! She will head out on multiple dates to support her highly anticipated debut album The Fame being released on October 28.

“I can’t even breathe talking about it, it was soooo amazing. They were so nice, they treat me like I’m the superstar when I walk in.” Gaga says of working with the quintet, “you really know when you’re in the presence of a powerhouse and that’s how I felt, so genuinely. They’re brilliant.”

NKOTB as they are often referred blazed hot but rather briefly first time around. In the late Eighties and early Nineties, while still teenagers, New Kids on the Block became a phenomenon, selling over 70 million albums – including the back-to-back international number one efforts, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough and 1990’s Step By Step.

“I think history has looked upon us fondly,” say member Joey McIntyre. “I wouldn’t say we were important, but people do now see our place in pop history. We’ve read that we `begat the boy bands” like Backstreet Boys and N’Sync.

“We’re not kids, we’re just the guys now,” adds Donnie Wahlberg.

For their new cd “The Block” they collaborated closely with Nazaree, who turned out to be a New Kids fan since childhood, as well as other gifted producers and writers and contemporary artists Ne-Yo, Akon, The Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga on an album that blends the melodic soul of vintage New Kids with a decidedly contemporary, hip hop feel.

Hot Music Weekly Top 30: October 10, 2008

2008-10-10T23:29:00.003-04:00

The Presets hold on to number one for a second week and the #2 and #3 songs, and Sandcastle Disco and Big Girl Now respectively, sit tight as well.

Activity in the rest of the top 10 includes Black Kids climb up two spots from #6 to #4 and Brandy's big leap jumping from #16 to #7. Boy George cracks the top 10 with Yes We Can.

A few other big upward movers this week are Craig David's Hot Stuff up from #17 to #12, and Lady Gaga and Bosson who both rise eleven positions. Her Poker Face moves from #26 to #15 and his Simple Man Wishing rockets from #27 to #16.

Debuts of the week are Kylie Minogue's Stars, a new act on the chart The Tough Alliance with Neo Violence, and finally The B-52s enter at #30 with Deviant Ingredient.

...and as always to hear samples of most of the songs in the HMW Top 30 check out the Music Sampler in the sidebar...

This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
1	1	6	This Boy’s in Love (Weeks at #1 - 2)	The Presets
2	2	5	Sandcastle Disco (1)	Solange
3	3	5	Big Girl Now	New Kids on the Block & Lady GaGa
4	6	7	I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You	Black Kids
5	5	10	Underneath (RedTop Radio Edit) (2)	Alanis Morissette
6	4	11	No More Rain	Kylie Minogue
7	16	3	Right Here (Departed)	Brandy
8	7	9	Echo	Cyndi Lauper
9	9	10	How I Could Just Kill a Man	Charlotte Sometimes
10	11	5	Yes We Can	Boy George
11	10	8	If It’s In My Mind, It’s On My Face	Seal
12	17	3	Hot Stuff (Let's Dance) [Dave Audé Radio]	Craig David
13	8	8	Watch Out (Extended Mix) (1)	Alex Gaudino
14	12	10	Electric Feel	MGMT
15	26	2	Poker Face	Lady GaGa
16	27	2	Simple Man Wishing	Bosson
17	18	4	Heartbroken	T2
18	13	11	Into the Nightlife (3)	Cyndi Lauper
19	20	4	Every Word (Wendel Kos Radio Edit)	Ercola
20	15	10	Sorry (Dance Mix)	Michael Christopher
21	25	3	Everyday it’s 1989	Moby
22	19	3	Invincible	Mike Misar
23	14	14	He Keeps Me Alive (Skateboard Remix)	Sally Shapiro
24	28	13	Just Dance (1)	Lady GaGa ft. Colby O’Donis
25	22	12	Looking for Love	September
26	23	9	Hearts on Fire	Cut Copy
27	NEW	1	Stars	Kylie Minogue
28	NEW	1	Neo Violence	The Tough Alliance
29	21	6	Japanese Boy	Shanadoo
30	NEW	1	Deviant Ingredient	The B-52s

Britney Spears' "Womanizer" Video - Swing and a Miss..

2008-10-10T23:06:00.001-04:00

What has been mistakenly anticipated as Britney's comeback (you can't 'comeback' if you never went anywhere and had a very successful album released just last year) the "Womanizer" video is out and well...it's not very good. The song is simply annoying.

Janet Jackson cancels more shows

2008-10-10T22:12:00.002-04:00

Janet Jackson has scrapped the show that was planned as her comeback after illness.
The pop superstar's promoters announced that Saturday night's concert in Connecticut would go ahead after a string of cancellations, dating back to the end of September - but now the show is off.

In a statement, her representative says, "Janet Jackson's anticipated return to her Rock Witchu tour in Uncasville has been postponed due to doctor's orders.

The singer now plans to resume the tour on Monday October 13 in Verona, New York.
Jackson pulled her first show in Montreal, Canada on September 29th after checking into a city hospital with a mystery illness.

She has since scrapped a series of U.S. dates on the Rock Witchu tour.
No official explanation for the latest cancellation has been given.

Source: ContactMusic

Seal's latest is 'Soul'

2008-10-10T21:56:00.004-04:00

One year only after his album System Seal's next album Soul is due out November 11th 2008 in the US and November 3rd around the World.

Soul is comprised of eleven classic soul songs that each evokes their own drama, emotion and romance. The album was created in partnership with legendary producer David Foster.

The first single is the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come".

Fur foe Leona Lewis bailed on Harrods

2008-10-10T21:47:00.003-04:00

Leona Lewis decided against opening the Harrods Winter Sale last year because the London department store stocked fur.

Lewis pulled out of her scheduled appearance because of her vegetarian beliefs – although a Harrods spokesperson told the BBC it was “due to a scheduling clash.”

Reports claimed Lewis was offered £1million to open the sale, which is one of the store's premiere yearly events.

But the spokesperson said it was “at least a tenth of what has been reported.”

In the past, the former X-Factor winner has spoken proudly of her vegetarianism, and insisted that she doesn't buy anything made from animal products.

Souce: Gigwise

Take That reunite with Robbie Williams (non-musically)

2008-10-10T21:27:00.003-04:00

Members of the boyband have "buried the hatchet" with Williams, according to the Daily Mirror.

"Rob's looking really well at the moment. We went for dinner and he was telling us he's been chilling out," Jason Orange told the newspaper.

Orange stopped short of announcing a musical reunion with his former bandmate, however.

"[He's been] writing a lot, but nothing with us," he confirmed

Orange also joked about Robbie Williams' recent obsession with aliens and UFOs.

He said: "I don’t know if it's all [Williams' new material] about UFOs, but he'll be bringing out something soon."

Robbie Williams quit Take That in 1995, before the band split for the first time in 1996. They reunited without Williams in 2005.

Source: NME

Vintage Video: Pet Shop Boys - "Go West" 1993

2008-10-09T19:41:00.001-04:00

Foo Fighters tell McCain to Stop Using Song

2008-10-09T07:28:00.002-04:00

Yet another band is complaining about John McCain's use of their song to promote his campaign. This time, it's the Foo Fighters.

The rockers sent out a missive telling the Republican presidential candidate to stop using "My Hero." They said they learned it was being use through news reports.

"The saddest thing about this is that `My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential," the band said in a statement. "To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

The band noted it's not the first time McCain has been told to stop using a song. John Mellencamp, Heart and Jackson Browne have also complained — Browne even filed a lawsuit.

Source: Yahoo!

Adam Ant Working On Comeback

2008-10-08T07:50:00.003-04:00

Adam Ant has started work on his first studio album since 1995, say reports.

The '80s pop star, whose hits include 'Goody Two Shoes', 'Stand And Deliver' and 'Wonderful', is also hoping to collaborate with The Kaiser Chiefs, according to The Sun.

"Adam is back on track again," said a source. "He's had a difficult few years, but has finally found his focus.

"His new material is really strong and he's going to come back stronger than ever in the new year."

Ant, real name Stuart Goddard, was sectioned in 2003 and spent six months in psychiatric care after he took a shovel to a neighbor's patio.

Source: DigitalSpy

Duran Duran to Close Out in North America

2008-10-08T07:32:00.003-04:00

Duran Duran have announced the dates of the final leg of their tour in support of their most recent album 'Red Carpet Massacre'.

The band will close out the tour with 11 shows in North America this December. They'll kick things off on December 1 in San Antonio and play dates in cities including Houston, Toronto, and Atlantic City before wrapping up in Montclair, New Jersey on December 14.

Source: NME

Amy Winehouse On Alledged Suicide Watch

2008-10-07T09:09:00.001-04:00

Amy Winehouse's friends are said to have put the singer on suicide watch after she allegedly threatened to kill herself with a knife.

Winehouse is said to have made the claim after her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, was refused an early release from prison.

Fielder-Civil is currently serving a 27-month sentence after pleading guilty to assault and perverting the course of justice.

A source told the Daily Star: “Amy said she was ‘caught up in a nightmare’. Her friends managed to get the knife away from her but are now holding a 24-hour watch on her.

“Amy has a death wish. Her emotions are exaggerated. She is either high as a kite or, when she hears something she doesn’t like, she’s suicidal.”

A spokesperson for the star has since told US publication People that the reports are not true, and that the singer is "fine".

Source: Gigwise

Depeche Mode Announce European Tour Dates

2008-10-07T07:45:00.000-04:00

Depeche Mode have announced details of the European leg of their forthcoming world tour.

The electro-rock veterans will kick off the tour in Israel on May 10, before playing a date at London's 02 Arena on May 30 as part of the tour.

Tickets for the 'Tour Of The Universe go on sale 9am (BST) this Friday (October 10).

The band are currently in a New York studio recording their 12th album, which is set for release in the spring next year.

Source: NME

Robbie Williams Ends Album Strike

2008-10-06T09:04:00.000-04:00

Robbie Williams has ended his strike against his record label, EMI, and is scheduled to release a new album next year.

The singer's manager, Tim Clark, told BBC Newsbeat that he couldn't guarantee a new album for 2009, but that that was Williams' aim.

In January Robbie Williams threatened to withhold his next album from EMI in protest at the way the label was being run by its owner, Guy Hands. Clark accused Hands of running the label in the style of a "plantation owner".

Fellow musician Moby recently went off on EMI's poor management and handling of it's artists.

Source: NME

Cover Feature: The Presets

2008-10-04T11:04:00.006-04:00

Kimberley Isaac Moyes was but a young man, small of stature but big of heart, down on his luck, doing the odd performance in a downtown gay bar and eating anchovies from tin cans discarded in the alley behind a local Italian restaurant, putting all his dollar bills in a pillow, with the dream to one day have enough money to buy a Moog synthesizer.

Julian Hamilton was the new bus boy in said food joint, robust and ambitious, taking out the trash and sweating like a malaria ravaged wrestler when he one day chanced upon poor Kim out the back, sucking on those oily little fish like hed never tasted such a delicacy.

These encounters out the back of Luigi’s Linguini And Pasta Allsorts became regular, and led to the occasional lunch date, when Julian would not only smuggle Kim a fresh can of anchovies, but would even share his own chef-cooked meal. The boys found friendship over faggotini, had leisurely and held heated debates about their shared passion, music.

It was in these early days that Kim and Julian realized their meeting had been fateful, and that one day they would make good on their shared desire to make moody, crisp electronic future pop.

Today Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes are The Presets a Sydney-based electronic duo who in September 2005 released their debut album, Beams, to positive critical response.

They are widely recognized for their charismatic on-stage antics and in-your-face live presence. Julian says, “We always try to make our shows entertaining. We used to get pretty pissed when our favorite electronic artists would come to Australia and they'd just be standing behind a laptop looking bored on stage. Luckily these days dance music is way more fun - bands like Hot Chip, LCD, Klaxons all put on a great show. That is important to us.”

Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes also play in The Dissociatives, which is co-fronted by Daniel Johns of Silverchair and Australian dance producer Paul Mac. Hamilton and Moyes are also members of Sydney instrumental group Prop. Kim has also had a quiet solo career playing shows at Club 77 in Sydney with the local group Bang Gang. The Presets are signed to Sydney independent record label Modular Recordings, home of The Avalanches, Cut Copy and Wolfmother.

In 2008 they released their second album, Apocalypso, which was on the iTunes number 1 spot for months in Australia. This Boy’s in Love, their latest, is the HMW Hot List #1 this week.

Hot Music Weekly Top 30: October 3, 2008

2008-10-03T23:14:00.000-04:00

This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
This Week	Last Week	Weeks	TITLE	ARTIST
1	5	5	This Boy’s in Love (Weeks at #1 - 1)	The Presets
2	1	4	Sandcastle Disco (1)	Solange
3	7	4	Big Girl Now	New Kids on the Block & Lady GaGa
4	2	10	No More Rain	Kylie Minogue
5	4	9	Underneath (RedTop Radio Edit) (2)	Alanis Morissette
6	13	6	I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You	Black Kids
7	9	8	Echo	Cyndi Lauper
8	3	7	Watch Out (Extended Mix) (1)	Alex Gaudino
9	6	9	How I Could Just Kill a Man	Charlotte Sometimes
10	10	7	If It’s In My Mind, It’s On My Face	Seal
11	12	4	Yes We Can	Boy George
12	8	9	Electric Feel	MGMT
13	11	10	Into the Nightlife (3)	Cyndi Lauper
14	15	13	He Keeps Me Alive (Skateboard Remix)	Sally Shapiro
15	17	9	Sorry (Dance Mix)	Michael Christopher
16	23	2	Right Here (Departed)	Brandy
17	24	2	Hot Stuff (Let's Dance) [Dave Audé Radio]	Craig David
18	19	3	Heartbroken	T2
19	25	2	Invincible	Mike Misar
20	22	3	Every Word (Wendel Kos Radio Edit)	Ercola
21	18	5	Japanese Boy	Shanadoo
22	14	11	Looking for Love	September
23	16	8	Hearts on Fire	Cut Copy
24	26	3	Merry Happy	Kate Nash
25	30	2	Everyday it’s 1989	Moby
26	NEW	1	Poker Face	Lady GaGa
27	NEW	1	Simple Man Wishing	Bosson
28	20	12	Just Dance (1)	Lady GaGa ft. Colby O’Donis
29	NEW	1	When I Grow Up	Pussycat Dolls
30	21	10	Walking on Air	Kerli

Apple, CRB Screw Artists ouf Royalties Increase

2008-10-03T08:10:00.004-04:00

The National Music Publishers Association has lost its attempt to increase royalties paid to artists for their music purchased from online music stores such as iTunes.

The publishers were asking the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to increase iTunes royalty rates paid by artists from 9 cents to 15 cents per track.

At a ruling in Washington yesterday (October 2) the CRB declined the request.

Apple who charges $0.99 per song, claimed the increase would have made the iTunes service unprofitable and threatened to shut the service down if the increase was approved. Apple also profits off their iPod players needed to play the music, for which artists receive no compensation.

An application made by Apple to decrease the rate to 4.8 cents per song was also refused, although the board did agree to freeze the rate at 9.1 cents for the next five years, reports BBC News.

Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said the company was happy with the outcome.

Once again the artists get short changed for the content they create while large corporation continue to profit off it.

Janet Jackson Illness Still Not Revealed

2008-10-01T12:35:00.003-04:00

After postponing her Monday show in Montreal due to an unspecified illness, Janet Jackson has also canceled her Wednesday show in Boston and her Thursday one in Philadelphia, according to the venues' Web sites.

The singer suddenly became ill during the sound check for Monday's show and was hospitalized, but was discharged two hours later, according to a spokesperson from Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital.

"Yesterday evening she was checked into the Royal Victoria Hospital and left a couple of hours later," Rebecca Burns, the spokeswoman for the McGill University Health Centre, which operates the hospital, told People.com on Tuesday.

At press time, the Rock Witchu Tour, which also features LL Cool J, was expected to resume in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday.

Source: Stereoboard

Paris Hilton's Kylie Inspired Second Album

2008-10-01T08:17:00.005-04:00

Paris Hilton's first single of her forthcoming second album debuted on radio yesterday. The track, My BFF, is also the theme song to her new pseudo-reality show Paris Hilton's My New BFF.

The socialite reveals her new record features a few "tongue-in-cheek" songs, called Platinum Blonde and Paris For President, as well as a hard-hitting song, Jailhouse Baby - about her time spent behind bars in 2007.

"The last album was completely hip-hop and this is completely different," Paris says, "I was really inspired by Kylie Minogue. I love her; I just love that European dance vibe."

The socialite admits she's a big fan of the Aussie icon and wanted her second album to be a tribute to her musical heroine.

The album, as yet untitled will be released next month.

Springsteen / Joel Headline Obama Benefit in NYC

2008-10-01T08:01:00.003-04:00

Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel have confirmed they will perform at a benefit for Barack Obama next month in New York City.

Further performers will also be announced for the benefit which will take place October 16 at Hammerstein Ballroom.

With seat prices ranging from $500 to $10,000 the event will raise funds for the Democratic presidential hopeful in the weeks leading up to the general election on November 4.

“After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken” Springsteen continued.” I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans. Over here on E Street, we're proud to support Obama for President.”

Source: NME

While celebrities are often criticized for being elitist, it's really not the case as most singers, actors, musicians and artists grew up in low to middle class families unlike the wealthy CEO's and corporate tycoons who were born into money.

Simply Red Announce Greatest Hits & Tour

2008-10-01T07:32:00.010-04:00

Simply Red have revealed details of a new greatest hits album and 2009 UK tour.

The band will release 'Simply Red: Greatest Hits 25' on November 17. The album includes a newly-recorded cover of The Moody Blues' classic 1964 single Go Now.

Simply Red burst on the scene in 1985 with Holding Back the Years and in 2003/04 had a resurgence with Home, and dance mixes of Fake and Sunrise, all of which topped the HMW Hot 30 List.

Simply Red - Fake (Love to Infinity Remix)

The band, who have announced they will dissolve in 2010, 25 years after the release of their first single, will support the new release with a UK tour next year.

Source: NME

Moby: EMI is Harming Electronic Artist's Careers

2008-09-30T17:36:00.005-04:00

Electronic artist Moby, is unhappy with the managment at his record label Mute/EMI. By not allowing download sites beyond iTunes to offer his and similar artist's music, Moby feels they are hindering their careers. Many DJs worldwide download special length and remixed tracks from sites like BeatPort, specifically geared toward DJs for club play.

Here are a highlight from an open letter Moby posted on his website:

"as some of you might know, the record business is falling apart.
revenues are down, cd sales are plummeting, people are losing their jobs, etc.
things at the record companies, especially the major labels, aren’t looking so good.
one bright spot in this dismal retail firmament is the sale of music on-line through
portals like i-tunes.
the dance music equivalent of i-tunes is a site called beatport.
beatport, and other similar sites, enables you to preview dance tracks and then, if you like, buy them"

Source: Moby.com

Vintage Video: Narcotic Thrust - "I Like It"

2008-09-30T17:28:00.001-04:00

Janet Jackson Hospitalized Canels Boston Show

2008-09-30T17:05:00.003-04:00

Janet Jackson has been released following a brief stay in a Montreal hospital, where she was admitted after falling ill during sound check for last night’s (September 29) scheduled concert there.

Jackson spent around two hours at the Royal Victoria Hospital, but no details about her hospitalisation have been released.

The cancellation of the Montreal show was announced to the audience just minutes before support act LL Cool J was to take the stage.

Jackson has also cancelled tomorrow’s show in Boston.

Source: NME

Paul McCartney to Release Dance Album

2008-09-29T15:55:00.006-04:00

Sir Paul McCartney, 66, is to release a new album this November under his dance music alter-ego The Fireman.

'Electronic Arguments' is scheduled for release on November 17. The album has 13 tracks (all written by McCartney), and is the first album by The Fireman to feature vocals.

McCartney, alongside Killing Joke member and The Verve producer Youth, has been making music under the name The Fireman sporadically since 1993. The duo's last official album was 1998's 'Rushes'.

Source: NME

Junior Senior Call it Quits

2008-09-29T08:45:00.003-04:00

Danish duo Junior Senior announced on their MySpace page that they have decided to call it a day.

The pair claim no animosity or ill will toward each other and stated, "We have decided in much peace and prosperity to put Junior Senior to rest and focus 100% on making music on our own, as we have been doing for the last year, Jesper Jr. through I Scream Ice Cream -- and now The Little Sisters -- and Jeppe Sr. as Jeppe."

As Junior Senior the pair ranked #20 on the HMW Hot Artists of 2007 list. They topped the Hot 30 list twice last year, first with I Like Music then with Take My Time with vocal help from Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson of the B-52's.

Enya - "And Winter Came"

2008-09-28T12:06:00.004-04:00

Trains and Winter Rains is now officially confirmed to be the first single to be taken from Enya's seventh studio album And Winter Came. Both the album and the single are due for release on 10th November this year. "This track is my personal choice for the first single also" Enya says "I particularly enjoyed our percussion arrangement in this song". Although the album had started out as a Christmas project as it began to take shape a broader seasonal theme soon became apparent. "I always wanted to do a Christmas album" explains Enya "but as we began recording I didn't feel it was right to impose a Christmas theme on certain songs."

CD Track Listing:

And Winter Came
Journey of the Angels
White is in the winter night
O come, O come, Emmanuel
Trains and winter rains
Dreams are more precious
Last time by moonlight
One toy soldier
Stars and midnight blue
The spirit of Christmas past
My! My! Time flies!
Oiche Chiuin (chorale)

Source: Enya.com

Duffy Fears Nervous Breakdown

2008-09-28T11:56:00.003-04:00

Duffy has admitted that she fears she may have a nervous breakdown because she is so overwhelmed by her recent success.

The Welsh singer has achieved international recognition in just a matter of months with her debut album Rockferry and its first two singles, 'Mercy' and 'Warwick Avenue'.

"The scary thing is that this feels to me like just the beginning," Duffy, 24, told the Western Mail newspaper. "I'm borderline on a nervous breakdown."

"I used to make music when no-one had heard of me and there was nothing else going on in my life," she continued. "As a girl I thought I was super-human but there are pressures about being public in what I do. All the doubts I have are of myself. Can I handle this? Do I want to disappear?"

Despite her concerns, the star has confirmed that she plans to continue touring worldwide over the coming months.

Source: DigitalSpy.com

Kylie Minogue The Musical?

2008-09-28T11:52:00.001-04:00

Kylie Minogue is writing a musical and she's basing the theme around some of her biggest selling singles ala ABBA's Mama Mia.

The former actress turned hitmaker is partnering with Kathy Lette (an Australian author and friend of Kylie's) to help write the script, say reports. It also seems little sister, X Factor judge Dannii Minogue is also involved.

Lette is quoted as saying about the musical: "We'll weave all her hits together into a great storyline. Kylie never does anything naff. She's got a finely tuned crap antenna and we don't suffer from an irony deficiency."

Source: AngryApe.com

Cover Feature: Solange

2008-09-27T08:42:00.003-04:00

Solange Piaget Knowles, professionally known simply as Solange is the younger sister of R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. She was born in Houston Texas on June 24, 1986.

While her father Matthew managed her sister's emerging R&B group, Destiny's Child, she often appeared as an opening act and began writing songs. At 13, she decided to pursue a professional singing career, but her parents at first advised her to wait. Shortly afterward, however, she was called upon to replace one of the dancers in Destiny's Child's stage act on short notice. She spent the next two years dancing in the group's performances.

Managed by her father, Solange broke into music business in 2001 with an appearance on Destiny's Child's 2001 holiday album 8 Days of Christmas, providing vocals for the tracks "Little Drummer Boy" and "Proud Family." The following year she was featured on the tracks "So Amazing" and "True Love," on Lil Romeo's second studio album Game Time (2002), and on Kelly Rowland's solo album Simply Deep (2002), for which she penned the title song. In the meantime, Knowles intensified work on her debut album, which involved high-profile producers such as Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, Linda Perry and Timbaland among others. Knowles wrote or co-produced eleven tracks on Solo Star. Solo Star was released on January 21, 2003 in the States. Its leading single, "Feelin' You (Part II) " failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, but reached the top 3 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales and the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

In the following years, Knowles contributed songs for Destiny's Child, Rowland, Michelle Williams, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and sister Beyoncé, including single releases "Get Me Bodied," "Upgrade U," and "We Break the Dawn."

Knowles married football player Daniel Smith in February 2004 and on October 18, 2004, Knowles gave birth to Daniel Julez Smith, Jr. Three years later Solange confirmed in an interview with Essence magazine that she and husband Daniel Smith had divorced.

Her second album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, did not materialize until late August 2008 it’s steeped in mid- to late-'60s soul as evident on this weeks HOT MUSIC WEEKLY #1 song "Sandcastle Disco".

While a comparison to her sister is obvious, it is also obvious that she is seeking to make her own mark and not simply follow in Beyoncé’s footsteps or musical style. In the opening track on the new album, "God Given Name," she sings: "I'm not becoming expectations, I'm not her and never will be/Two girls going in different directions, Driving towards the same galaxy, Let my starlight shine on its own."