Shazamers' Blog

Charlene Soraia jumps to the top of the Shazam New Release Chart UK thanks to her inclusion in the new Twinings tea TV ad.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Charlene Soraia

Even if you’ve never heard of Dev, you’ve almost certainly heard her. Her song ‘Booty Bounce’ was sampled by Far East Movement on their bazillion-selling mega-smash ‘Like a G6’, a track that was just about impossible to avoid last year. The track that was sampled was pretty big in its own right too, with its inventive video clocking up millions of YouTube hits.

She’s also found time to collaborate with Tinie Tempah, Timbaland and the mighty JLS, as well as put together her debut album. Working with her usual production team The Cataracts, who discovered her through her MySpace page in 2009, ‘The Night the Sun Came Up’ is due out in November. Dev is already promising big things.

“I think the environment that The Cataracs grew up in Los Angeles plays a distinct role in the different sound in production,” she told Digital Spy. “I also think my voice is very interesting and different – it’s weird as hell! So when we put our two quirkiness’s together, the result is quite nice. We’ll see how it does, but I’d like to think it differs from what else is out there. Our personalities in general – I don’t think you can compare that to anyone else out there and that comes across on the album.”

As for ‘In The Dark’ itself, the track is a typically steamy ode to the joys of a little bit of bump ‘n’ grind and has the potential to be another omnipresent feature in the clubs and on the airwaves.

Huw Thomas Tag Of The Day Dev

It’s been a busy year or so for Avicii. Already an in demand remixer who has taken on tracks by people like Tiësto and David Guetta, his first single (release under his Tim Berg pseudonym) ‘Seek Bromance’ announced him as an artist in his own right. Since then, he’s released more singles and undertaken a world tour, playing to massive crowds across Europe and the US. Along the way he also found time to be voted 2009’s Breakthrough DJ/Producer of the Year by French magazine OnlyForDJs. Not bad for a guy from Sweden who has only just passed his 22^nd birthday

Listening to ‘Levels’, it’s fairly easy to see why Avicii has proved to be such a big live hit. It is unashamedly large, with acid-tinged squiggles gradually giving way to a euphoric house riff precision-tooled to get hands in the air. But this isn’t dance music by numbers, as evidenced by the quite unexpected vocal sample of Etta James’s ‘Something’s Got a Hold On Me’ that pops up around the three minute mark.

The love of classic samples is no accident. “I’ve always been into music and, growing up with older siblings, I’ve also had loads of different influences when it comes to my music taste,” he told Maxumi. “There are loads of other people that have influenced me but I think the biggest inspirations I’ve had aside from my manager has been the Swedish House Mafia guys and Eric Prydz, they were the ones who first got me into house!”

With his hectic touring schedule, it may be a little while until a full-length Avicii album emerges. Good job there’s enough meat on ‘Levels’ to tide you over till then.

Huw Thomas Tag Of The Day Avicii

Throughout this year, music fans been teased with snippets of news about the Lou Reed/Metallica collaboration album. Affectionately dubbed the ‘Loutallica’ project, the release date for album ‘Lulu’ is now creeping closer, and a trailer for the album has been released.

Metallica are one of metal’s enduring successes. Originally formed in the suburbs of Los Angeles in the early 1980s, the band were heavily influenced by British band Motörhead, and sought to replicate the soul of the band. Metallica soon dominated the metal scene, with lyrical content that went fully political, feeding into fans’ desire for music that had brain as well as brawn. Metallica have sold millions of records, and the band have survived road accidents, faulty pyrotechnics, members with substance abuse problems, legal run-ins with their label, legal action against file sharing websites, and various members leaving at different times. They are one of the true monsters of metal.

By contrast, Lou Reed was one of the founders of punk rock. As the singer/songwriter of the 1960s band The Velvet Underground, Reed left the band in 1970 and moved into a rich and varied solo career. He toyed with his image and sound, moving from exploring the darker side of humanity (singing about angels, lost souls and heroin) to a fully-fledged glam rock persona (helped along by Andy Warhol, who helped Reed dye his hair blonde and stick on that black nail varnish he became known for). He’s flitted between music genres like people change socks, from punk rock to pop opera.

So what then, to make of Loutallica? Metal purists have been unsure since the project was announced, but now – finally – there’s only a matter of days to wait until ‘Lulu’ hits the stores. The album is based on the work of Frank Wedekind, a German playwright who wrote about a dancer called Lulu, a mistreated girl who lives a tough life. Expect plenty of the dark side (violence, abuse, murder, etc) when ‘Lulu’ is released on October 31 (UK/rest of world) and November 1 (US).

Helia News Lou Reed, Metallica

The Who‘s seminal album, ‘Quadrophenia’, is set to be re-released on 14 November 2011 by Universal, who are repackaging the album in some new swanky formats, which include super deluxe six-disc boxed set.

Liam Gallagher’s clothing label Pretty Green have collaborated with The Who to celebrate the re-release, by issuing a limited edition parka inspired by Jimmy’s classic piece, as worn on the cover of the album. “As I’m a massive fan of The Who, and with ‘Quadrophenia’ being one of my favourite albums of all time, it’s an honour to be associated,” said Liam.

‘Quadrophenia’ was The Who’s sixth studio album, which was released in 1973 and was the band’s second rock opera after Tommy. The story of the album is set between London Brighton in the mid-60s, and it was made into a film in 1979, featuring Phil Daniels as Jimmy, plus a cast that included Sting, Leslie Ash and Ray Winstone.

To coincide with the release of the Pretty Green parka, their flagship store on Carnaby Street in London will be showing a special exhibition of items from the making of the film. These include notes, diaries, photos and lyrics from the making of Quadrophenia in a special. The band are also looking for fans to contribute their own memorabilia to the exhibition, asking for any items for the period.

“We’re on the hunt for Quadrophenia-related merchandising to see if we can get a great exhibition together in London for you all. Can you help?” they ask. “We’d like to know what kind of stuff you have from the ‘Quad’ era – photos, posters, gig tickets, reviews, rare pressings, t-shirts etc.  And what’s your most prized Who possession? Would you be willing to show it off? Let us know what you’ve got by getting in touch with us via email at infoumc@umusic.com“

Helia News The Who

And what’s new….

For the socially minded,  you can now share your tags via any compatible Android App – we’re talking everything from Google+, WhatsApp to TweetDeck.

If your phone is loaded up with Apps and you’re running out of storage space – you can now move Shazam to your SD card to free up space.

We’ve fixed the issue where ads could show up in your phone’s photo gallery – appreciate your patience on this one while we sorted things out.

And finally… with unlimited tagging NOW here for everyone with our FREE APP – don’t miss out on the opportunity to win a CASH PRIZE*!  For our Shazamers in the US and Canada - thats $25,000 and for our Shazamers in the UK it’s a cool £15,000.  Every tag’s a chance to WIN so get Shazaming!

So update now or download Shazam straight from Android Market!

*Cash Prize promo open to Shazamers in US, UK and Canada (excluding Quebec) with an iPhone, iPod touch or Android device. $25,000 US & Canada, £15,000 UK.

LeeMc News

One more year, London unrolls the red carpet to welcome a diverse representation of cinema’s brightest talent from all over the world. The 55th edition of the BFI London Film Festival takes place from October the 12th until the 27th with an eclectic mix of arthouse favorites; awards season contenders; experimental cinema and other festivals’ winners. A selection of restored classics and short films complete an excellent program that features over 200 movies.

In such a wide selection it’s easy to find something for everyone and music fans won’t be disappointed. Starting with Madonna, who will be launching the fruits of her new found filmmaking ambition in her second directorial effort, ‘W.E’, which portraits a woman’s obsession with the romance between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII, exploring the elements that her actual relationship has in common with the infamous couple’s. Her ex, double Oscar winner Sean Penn, will be also generating some headlines for borrowing the classic Robert Smith look. His impersonation of a retired rock star in search for the truth behind his family’s alleged Nazi past is the main attraction in Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘THIS MUST BE THE PLACE’. The film features a cameo by David Byrne, also in charge of the soundtrack alongside Will Oldham.

Lacking the same glamour but equally appealing to more specialist audiences are a number of high-profile documentaries. For further details read on… Read more…

Roberto Gonzalez Shazam's 5 Minute Guide To... BFI London Film Festival

Rihanna and Calvin Harris make it a second week at number one in the Shazam New Release Chart USA.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart USA Calvin Harris, Rihanna

Professor Green tops the Shazam New Release Chart by hooking up with Emeli Sande – an act who recently enjoyed a 6 week run at #1 in the Shazam Chart with her smash single, ‘Heaven’

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Emeli Sandé, Professor Green

Have you ever been at a music festival and though: “While this is fun, it would be so much better if it was taking place on a cruise ship”? Weezer clearly hope so.

Between January 19 and 23 2012, the band are commandeering luxury liner The Destiny for one of the more unlikely musical extravaganzas you’re likely to witness. Over the course of a four-day cruise between Miami and Cozumel in Mexico, Weezer and a host of their favourite acts will provide the onboard entertainment.

“That’s right – Weezer is hitting the open seas,” said the band’s blog. “It’s going to be our own floating music festival on a cruise ship. Weezer will perform on the outdoor Lido deck and in the inside theatre. All of the bands will be performing in stages around the ship, festival style, so you can catch any or all of them during the entire trip to Cozumel and back.”

Joining Weezer on the line up are Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Boom Bip, Wavves, The Antlers, Gene Ween and Dave Drewitz, Yuck, Free Energy, Keepaway, Ozma, The Nervous Wreckords, The Knocks and Sleeper Agent.

Along with live music, the band are promising a host of activities and theme nights, with ‘80s karaoke, yoga and a flip cup tournament among the highlights so far.

For more information visit www.theweezercruise.com.

Huw Thomas News Weezer