A new number one in the Shazam New-release chart USA as Usher and Nicki Minaj storm to the top with ‘Little Freak’.
To check the full chart click read more (You may have to turn ‘Mobile Theme’ off to view this chart correctly in Shazam’s apps).
‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ has finally catapulted Phoenix to the A league of rock; earning such acclaim that even children’s choirs are making covers of the band’s most popular songs in full Glee Cast style. To celebrate this sweet state of affairs, the Parisian band is giving away a free 8-track album through their website.
‘Live In Sidney’ was recorded in March 2010 during the band’s ongoing world tour. The album comprises the whole tracklist of ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ except for ‘Countdown’ and will make a nice warm-up for those awaiting the arrival of the French band in the UK for two sold out dates at the London Roundhouse on March the 29th and 30th.
Not content with delivering the best in new music with their ongoing compilation series, French label Kitsuné are hooking up with influential lifestyle website Ponystep to host a night at London’s Heaven. The event promises to be a highlight of the Easter weekend, where clubbers in the capitol can take full advantage of two extra days off work. Headlining duties will be handled by French electro purveyor Yuksek; performing tracks from his debut album ‘Away From The Sea’. Also performing will be Spanish oddballs Crystal Fighters, whose standout track ‘I Love London’ will surely strike a chord with the heaving masses.
As well as a feast of live entertainment, there is also a wealth of DJ’s to keep you entertained: with Friendly Fires and Two Door Cinema club taking to the decks alongside Kitsuné regulars Gildas, Tronik Youth and Luca C. Ponystep’s share of the evening’s entertainment will be provided by JBAG, Matthew Stone and Hanna Hanra plus a Surprise Guest.
To win two tickets to the night, simply answer the following question to competition@shazamteam.com :
Which of the following tracks does not appear on Friendly Fires debut album?
A) On Board
B) Jump In The Pool
C) Powys
Terms and conditions of competition: 1.Closing date for the competition is 30/03/2010. All entries after this point will be void. 2. All winners will be notified by email on 30/03/2010. 3. All correct answers will enter a prize draw and the winners selected at random. 4. There will be one winner of a pair of tickets to the event; the winner must be free to attend on 04/04/2010 5. There’s no cash alternative to the prize. 6.The decision of Shazam Entertainment is final. 7. Employees of Shazam Entertainment are not eligible to enter this competition
Another new number one this week in the Shazam Pre-release charts as Plan B moves up one place to take the top spot with, ‘She Said’.
To check the full chart click read more (You may have to turn ‘Mobile Theme’ off to view this chart correctly in Shazam’s apps).
The Hold Steady are back! The band that single-handedly rescued American rock from a long period of oblivion have a new album, the first taster of which is, ‘Hurricane J’.
‘Heaven Is Whenever’, The Hold Steady’s fifth studio album, is to be released in Europe via Rough Trade on May 3 and one day later in the States via Vagrant. Frontman and main songwriter Craig Finn describes the album as less anthemic and more cinematic; taking influence from recent film scores by the likes of Gustavo Santaolalla , Terence Blanchard and Jon Brion.
The band will begin a tour in across the States next week, which continues with some European dates next June. More details can be found at Rough Trade’s website.
Violent Soho are four young men from Australia who play rock music hard and fast. Recalling Pixies at their most frantic combined with the energy of Nirvana in their prime, Violent Soho are not for the faint hearted. After releasing a handful of tracks and touring their home turf , the band went on to play dates in the UK and America. Whilst in the US one of the bands more notable fans – Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore – promptly signed them up to his label, Ecstatic Peace! Records.
Their eponymous debut is now available on iTunes in the US. The record is a blistering and raucous collection of rock songs that signal a return to the grunge sound that defined the early 90’s. The band are currently embarking on a sonic attack across the US with fellow rockers The Bronx before they hit the UK in May for the Great Escape festival. For a taster, check out the typically hectic video for album highlight ‘Love Is A Heavy Word’.
Mulatu Astake is a certified Afro Jazz legend. Known as the father of Ethio-jazz, he collaborated with Duke Ellington in the 1970’s and continues to produce raw and vital work to the current day. His last album with his acclaimed band, The Heliocentrics, won ‘Album Of The Year’ at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards last year and earned him huge plaudits from across the board.
His new album, Mulatu Steps Ahead, continues to create new fusions of Western jazz and Ethiopian modes. Even those not familiar with Mulatu’s sound may have heard him in recent weeks without knowing it. His record ‘Yegelle Tezeta’ forms the basis of the new bloc-rocking hip hop track from Nas & Damian Marley, ‘As We Enter’.
If you like to check out more of Mulatu Astake’s work you can download two free tracks from here.
Mulatu Steps Ahead will be released April 29th on Strut recordings. For more info head to strut-records.com
After seeing her Brits duet with Dizzee Rascal ‘You Got The Dirtee Love’ hit the UK number one spot, Florence + The Machine are back for their latest single ‘Dog Days Are Over’. Taken from the 700,000+ selling debut album ‘Lungs’, the track is one of the albums standout moments. Opening with gentle strings and handclaps it builds subtly before giving way to a thumping metronomic beat and a typically bombastic vocal delivery from the singer.
You may already be familiar with the track after its use in several adverts; however this is one song that lends itself to repeated listens. The accompanying video sees the eccentric singer decked head to toe in white Geisha make up with blue skinned Shangri-La dancers backing dancers.
‘Dog Days Are Over’ is released April 11th through Island Records.
Erykah Badu is slowly unveiling the contents of her long awaited fifth studio album ‘New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh’. After her collaboration with Lil Wayne ‘Jump in the Air’ leaked and first single ‘Window Seat’ was launched with a live appearance on US TV show ‘Fallon’; the soulful singer has now rehashed her website’s home page displaying the record’s impressive artwork -designed by EMEK- and a brand new song called ‘Strawberry Incense’. The track was produced by Madlib, arguably the main factor behind Erykah’s acclaimed, cutting edge sound in the first part of the ‘New Amerykah’ series.
‘New Amerykah Part 2: Return Of The Ankh’ is released on March 30th.
Since its inception in 2007, BLOC has quickly grown to become one of the finest electronic music festivals in Europe. Those who associate festivals with fields, filthy toilets and abandoning all sense of personal decency will also appreciate the fact that the event takes place at the British family holiday institution of Butlins. So soggy tents are replaced with self-catering chalets and warm beds. Outdoor stages plagued with sound issues make way for indoor, purpose built performance stages powered by meaty Funktion-One sound systems. Plus, for those that were able to scrape themselves from the ceiling during the daytime, the complex’s swimming pool and slides are open to festival goers across the weekend.
Musically, the promoters of BLOC excel time and again. Pushing cutting edge and future thinking electronic acts, BLOC also has the bravery to mix the bill up drawing acts from across the rave music spectrum. This year’s event saw dubstep emerge from the scene’s darker, fuggier corners to take pride of place on the Main Stage alongside artists from the world of techno, hip hop and electronica.
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