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Michael Stipe offers update on his debut solo album: “I have a deadline now”

Michael Stipe has revealed that he is still working on his debut album, despite a number of delays in his creative process over the past 12 months. In a new interview with New York Times, the former R.E.M. frontman reassured fans that his previously announced solo album is still in the works, but that personal circumstances including family emergencies, house moves and a bout of Covid have slowed the process. He also described the effect of his “terrible” writer’s block, but added that after meeting with his mother, he now feels pressure to deliver. “I have a deadline now,” he said. “I could keep working on this record for a decade and let my insecurities get the better of me.” Advertisement R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, shot by Jenn Five for NME in 2019 “We can say for the piece that I finished the songs,” he told the newspaper. “And by God, I will finish them before the piece comes out. How about that? Let’s leave the piece closing with: I finished the songs.” Last December, Stipe confirmed that he was working on his debut album, saying at the time that “it should come together next year”. “I’m working on a solo… Read More →

02DECNews

SZA was “frustrated” at the time that Rihanna used ‘Consideration’ on ‘ANTI’

SZA has revealed that she once had to allow her song ‘Consideration’ to be used on Rihanna’s 2016 album ‘ANTI’, and she was not happy about it. The song had been recorded, ready to be included on SZA’s 2017 debut album ‘Ctrl’, but days before the music video was released, she heard that Rihanna’s team had entered negotiations for the song to be included on ‘ANTI’ instead. “It was like the centrepiece to my album at the time,” SZA said this week in an interview with Variety. “And for her, it was just, like, part of her album. And I was like, ‘Please, no’.” Advertisement “I cared so much. I was so, just, frustrated. And I felt like, ‘I’ll never make anything this cool again’, and that was so crazy and so wrong.” [embedded content] In the end, ‘Consideration’ was the opening song on ‘ANTI’, with SZA listed as the feature. However, SZA now reflects that the sequence of events worked out to her benefit. “Now I’m so glad that that happened, and that it didn’t cost me anything,” she said. “If anything, I gained a bunch from it. And I thank God that I made cool music outside of… Read More →

02DECNews

Lil Wayne: It’s “so depressing” that André 3000 said he’s “too old to rap”

Lil Wayne has said that hearing André 3000 say he had nothing to rap about in his 40s was “so depressing”. Last month, in an interview with GQ, the former OutKast rapper explained why his new album ‘New Blue Sun’ contains no bars. “Sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way,” he said. “I’m 48 years old. And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does.” Advertisement “And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy’. What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad’. You can find cool ways to say it, but….” [embedded content] Now, during an appearance on Tyga’s show on Apple Music, Lil Wayne, who is 41, has responded, saying that André was someone “that I respect a lot in hip-hop and music period”, but that his sentiments in that interview were “so depressing”. “I have everything to talk about,” he continued. “I thought that may be a downfall of me staying in it because at our age you may… Read More →

02DECNews

Julianna Margulies issues apology for offending Black and queer communities

Julianna Margulies has apologised for her various insensitive claims about Black and queer support of Palestine. The ‘Good Wife’ actress faced severe backlash after saying that “the entire Black community” may have been “brainwashed to hate Jews”. Margulies also claimed that Black and queer communities were not supportive enough of Israel following the October 7 attacks: “It’s those people [who use they/them pronouns] that will be the first people beheaded and their heads played with…like a soccer ball.” She also went on to say: “There was a film being shown by this Black lesbian club on Columbia’s campus, and they put signs up that said, ‘No Jews allowed’.” She also said “as someone who plays a lesbian journalist on The Morning Show, I’m more offended by it as a lesbian than I am as a Jew, to be honest with you.” The actress has since deleted her X/Twitter profile and turned off comments on Instagram. Advertisement Now, Margulies has issued an apology for her comments in a statement to Deadline. “I am horrified by the fact that statements I made on a recent podcast offended the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities, communities I truly love and respect,” she began. Juliana Margulies (Photo by… Read More →

02DECNews

The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ re-enters Top 40 following Shane MacGowan’s death

The Pogues‘ Christmas hit ‘Fairytale of New York’ has re-entered the Top 40 following the news of frontman Shane MacGowan‘s death. READ MORE: Shane MacGowan, 1957-2023: an uncompromising, chaotic one of a kind On November 30, it was announced that MacGowan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends. Since the news, fans have begun rallying to get the song to Number One. MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke has now joined the campaign, saying she was “very much in favour” of the track topping the charts. “It would be nice, wouldn’t it?” she said. “It should be the Christmas number one. It absolutely should.” Advertisement She also called MacGowan “the kind of husband that would tell you how beautiful you are every single day”. “He was always buying flowers, he was a really romantic man,” she said. Now, the Official Charts has revealed the song entered the Top 40 Charts at Number 18 – and is expected to climb higher and higher. It could garner the single its first ever Number One spot, having previously peaked at Number Two upon its release in 1987. [embedded content] Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the Official Charts said: “The terribly sad news about Shane… Read More →

01DECNews

Christopher Nolan says Zack Snyder’s ‘Watchmen’ was “ahead of its time”

Christopher Nolan has said that he considers Zack Snyder’s Watchmen to be a film that was “ahead of its time”. Watchmen was released in 2009, based on the DC Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore. It was set in an alternate, dystopian version of 1985, following a group of retired superheroes as they investigate the murder of one of their own. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Nolan said: “I’ve always believed Watchmen was ahead of its time. The idea of a superhero team, which it so brilliantly subverts, wasn’t yet a thing in movies.” Advertisement [embedded content] “It would have been fascinating to see it released post-Avengers,” he added. Snyder’s new film Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, starring Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam and Anthony Hopkins, is released in the UK on December 15, before arriving on Netflix a week later. Last month, Nolan responded to Martin Scorsese‘s assertion that cinema needs to be saved from superheroes, sequels, reboots and franchises. Scorsese had suggested that such films present a “danger to our culture… because there are going to be generations now that think movies are only those—that’s what movies are”. In response, Nolan,… Read More →

01DECNews

Shane MacGowan’s sister on how ‘Fairytale of New York’ “captured what Christmas was like”

Shane MacGowan’s sister Siobhan has said that ‘Fairytale of New York’ “captured what Christmas was like for a lot of people”. Siobhan MacGowan was speaking about the song to Hot Press Magazine, where she said, “I thought it was absolutely amazing. What a song: the orchestration, the pathos, the beauty, the anger.” Yesterday (November 30), the frontman of The Pogues died aged 65, as was confirmed in a joint statement by his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister and his father. Advertisement [embedded content] The statement read: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan. Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (30 November, 2023) with his wife Victoria and family by his side.” Siobhan continued in her comments about her brother’s festive classic: “I thought it captured what Christmas was like for a lot of people, which we all understood but nobody ever put in Christmas songs. I was very impressed that, finally, there was a Christmas song that maybe portrayed real life more than the other Christmas songs did.” “I was very proud of Shane for having done it – but not a bit surprised that he was… Read More →

01DECNews

DaBaby says losing $200million over homophobic rant was “a blessing in disguise”

DaBaby has said that losing $200million (£160,780,000) after a homophobic rant he made in 2021 was “a blessing in disguise”. Back in February 2021, DaBaby got on stage and made homophobic comments and misleading statements about HIV/AIDS. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV/AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three week,” he told the crowd at Rolling Loud. “Fellas, if you ain’t suck a n****a dick in the parking lot, put your cell phone lights in the air. Keep it fucking real.” Advertisement He also brought Tory Lanez on stage with him after he was arrested for shooting his former friend and frequent collaborator Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020. DaBaby went on a boomer style homophobic rant at Rolling Loud that was oddly specific pic.twitter.com/D47p64FaqO — Right Wing Cope (@RightWingCope) July 26, 2021 On Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, the rapper was asked if there was one thing in his career he regrets. DaBaby eventually replied: “I wish I told Rolling Loud I missed my flight. I’ll send the money back, I missed my flight,” the North Carolina rapper joked – making light of the career-damaging comments…. Read More →

01DECNews

UK government steps in to stop London MSG Sphere plans from being scrapped

The UK government have made a push for a Las Vegas-style Sphere to be created in London, following initial plans being scrapped by Mayor Sadiq Khan. Plans for the venue – which would have a capacity of 21,500 – were first announced back in 2018 by the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp (MSG), the team behind the iconic New York venue of the same name. It would have been the largest concert arena in the UK. However, after five years of planning for the venue, hopes of it coming to fruition were quashed last month, when the London Mayor intervened in the decision, citing the “unacceptable negative impact” it would have on the local residents. Advertisement This comes after the proposed venue raised concerns from those living in the area, who highlighted the strains on local infrastructure and health risks. Similarly, the London Assembly environment committee warned of the unacceptable light levels that would be made by the venue – with the finished product set to have an estimated 1million LED light bulbs on its exterior. Now, it has been reported by The Standard that MP Michael Gove has ordered a six-week pause, as he considers calling in the Mayor’s… Read More →

01DECNews

Lou Reed’s ‘Hudson River Wind Meditations’ to get first vinyl release

Lou Reed’s final solo album, ‘Hudson River Wind Meditations’, will be getting its first vinyl release in January. ‘Hudson River Wind Meditations’, originally released in 2007, is a collection of ambient and drone recordings from the late Velvet Underground frontman, and was his last solo studio album. Helmed by Seattle independent label Light In The Attic, in conjunction with the Lou Reed Archive and Reed’s wife, Laurie Anderson, the vinyl release marks the album’s first-ever, and is scheduled to drop on January 12. The album is not currently available on streaming platforms. Advertisement The package comes with remastered audio, liner notes from yoga instructor Eddie Stern, and an unreleased interview with Anderson. Deluxe versions of the vinyl will also come with five 8×10 photographs of New York City’s Hudson River by Reed himself. In the album’s original liner notes, Reed wrote: “I first composed this music… to play in the background of life—to replace the everyday cacophony with new and ordered sounds of an unpredictable nature.” In a statement for the re-release, Anderson elaborated further: “I guess by ‘life,’ he meant something like what Brian Eno might mean–ambient music that colors the air in very interesting ways. For me, it… Read More →

01DECNews

SZA defends Creed and Nickelback: “Why do y’all hate it so much?”

SZA has expressed her love for the music of two of rock’s most polarising bands, Creed and Nickelback in a new interview. The ‘Kill Bill’ singer named Creed and Nickelback while speaking to Variety about her favourite music in commemoration of being named the magazine’s ‘Hitmaker of the Year’. “The other day you know what I pulled up? Creed, Nickelback, Train’s ‘Drops of Jupiter’, just a whole bunch of that,” she said, as the interviewer facepalmed and burst out in laughter. “Wait, you know what’s crazy? Do white people hate Creed and Nickelback? Why? Black people love them! They rock! That shit is bomb!” Advertisement She proceeded to specifically express her admiration for ‘Higher’, the ninth track off Creed’s 1999 sophomore full-length, ‘Human Clay’. “Have you ever felt more inspired and uplifted in your life? I’m in the car and I’m blasting ‘Higher’,” she expressed. “I feel like it’s a gospel song, the vocals are going crazy and it’s also somehow slightly romantic, it just feels so fun,” SZA added. “Because even if it’s cliche, he’s so fucking dead ass!” She added that stumbling on Creed’s music in the shower led her to listen to their and Nickelback’s music for… Read More →

30NOVNews

These Christmas films will be returning to cinemas this December

A full range of Christmas films are coming to Showcase Cinemas this December, with some firm festive favourites making a return to the big screen. To celebrate its 20th anniversary consistent popularity each year, the beloved ensemble romcom, Love Actually, will hit Showcase Cinemas from November 24. Starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson among others, it depicts the lives of different people and couples in the run-up to Christmas, and how their paths may cross in more ways than one. For fans of the romantic genre, The Holiday will return on December 8. Starring Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black, this movie tells the story of two women who swap homes for the holiday season to take a break from their everyday lives, and soon find out there’s more in store. Advertisement [embedded content] For those who prefer the Christmas classics, Showcase will also be showing the 1946 James Stewart supernatural movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, from December 9, as well as the beloved Miracle On 34th Street, from November 26. On December 1, fans of Will Ferrell’s loveable Buddy the Elf and snowy scenes of New York City, can enjoy the festive favourite, Elf,… Read More →

30NOVNews

Yard Act share new single ‘Petroleum’ with video starring Rose Matafeo

Yard Act have shared a new single, ‘Petroleum’, with an accompanying video starring comedian Rose Matafeo. The single marks another taste of their forthcoming second album ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ which is due out on March 1, 2024 via Island and serves as the follow-up to the acclaimed Mercury-nominated 2022 debut ‘The Overload‘. Per a press release, the band explained that ‘Petroleum’ was written after an incident on tour. Advertisement “I lost it with the crowd in Bognor Regis and told them I was bored and I didn’t want to be there,” recalled frontman James Smith. “Me and Ryan [Needham, bassist] had a row after, and Ryan rightly dressed me down for the way I acted. It got me pondering the idea that, now this is a job, what are the requirements of it? People think they want honesty but they don’t, they want me to portray the version of honesty that they’ve paid to see and that’s part of the illusion.” The video features a recurring character in the band’s videos, The Visitor, stumble across a biker gang called The Utopians. Starstruck creator Matafeo stars as the group’s leader. “‘Petroleum’ finds The Visitor as she stumbles into the hideout of a fearsome… Read More →

30NOVNews

Corey Taylor is working on a film score

Corey Taylor has revealed that he’s working on his first-ever film score. Speaking to TellUs Rock for a new interview in supported of his latest solo album ‘CMF2’, the Slipknot frontman shared about what he’s currently up to now that Slipknot have wrapped up their performances for the year. “I’m going to the studio to start recording my first score for a movie that I’m involved with,” the 49-year-old. However, Taylor said he wasn’t able to share more information about the film or the score he is working on. Advertisement [embedded content] “I can’t tell you which one it is. I’ve been sworn to secrecy, and I’m actually saying more than I could. It’s not a massive movie, but it’s a movie that I was involved with, that I was able to be in,” Taylor added. He concluded: “I’m really excited. It’s gonna be my first time scoring a movie. So I’m really excited, dude. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And I’m really excited to get down to it.” In relevant news, the Slipknot frontman earlier this week shut down speculation that the nine-piece metal outfit have found their new drummer after parting ways with… Read More →

30NOVNews

Ex-AOA’s Choa says some K-pop idols “rely on medications” to survive

Former AOA member Choa has opened up about life as a K-pop idol and how some of them “rely on medications” to survive. The singer made the comments during a press event for the new South Korean TV show Singer Sisters, which she appears on. The singer revealed that “many K-pop stars rely on medications to get through the day in the industry” when asked about what advice she would give to younger idols, per SBS Star. “Juggling demanding schedules in Korea and around the world at the same time, some K-pop stars face challenges with their mental health,” the singer added. “I wish for their mental well-being, and I wish they could be able to do their work with happy hearts. Don’t feel too much pressure about your work. Take care of yourself and enjoy your life. Advertisement During the event, Choa also opened up about her long hiatus from the industry, revealing that she decided to take a break “after experiencing burnout”. She added: “While trying to find ways to stay mentally healthy, I met [my Singer Sisters castmates].” She the spoke about how Chae Ri-na give her advice about how success isn’t important, but instead “whether your position is… Read More →

29NOVNews

Jennifer Aniston asks Matthew Perry fans to “honour his legacy” with new request

Jennifer Aniston has asked fans of Matthew Perry to help “honour his legacy” by supporting a cause close to his heart. The actor – famous for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends – was found dead in his Los Angeles home last month aged 54, with a private funeral service taking place earlier in November. Following news of his death, his co-actors on the series shared a series of heartfelt tributes to Perry. This included an emotional message from Jennifer Aniston, who took on the role of Rachel Green in the series and wrote that the loss has “cut deep” and has caused an “insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before”. Now, Aniston has called on her millions of social media followers to help remember the actor in a new way by supporting his foundation. The project, called The Matthew Perry Foundation, was set up to bring awareness to addiction, and looks to highlight “Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others”. “It will honour his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences and driven by his passion for making a difference in as many lives as possible,” the website reads. It also shares a quote by… Read More →

29NOVNews

‘Stardew Valley’ creator Eric Barone discusses his life in music, concert tour, and ‘Haunted Chocolatier’

Eric ‘ConcernedApe‘ Barone is a musician disguised as a game developer. He’s best known as the creator of indie hit Stardew Valley, a farming life simulator where millions of players have whittled away the seasons growing crops, tending to animals, and throwing diamonds at townspeople to romance them. Yet Stardew Valley’s soundtrack, which was Barone’s one-person project like the rest of the game, can’t be overlooked. The score is one of Stardew‘s best bits – a soaring celebration of the seasons, from upbeat spring ballads and snappy summer instrumentals to melancholy Autumn tracks complete with the sound of wind whooshing through dry leaves. Stardew Valley’s music has racked up millions of plays on Spotify, while next year’s live orchestral tour sold out so quickly that new dates have been added across the globe. [embedded content] “Before I ever considered making a video game, I always wanted to be a musician,” Barone tells NME over Zoom, raindrops trickling down the cosy greenhouse background behind him. “That was my dream.” Advertisement Barone has been playing music since his parents brought home a “cheap” keyboard, and was a member of several bands growing up. “The first was a nu-metal band, and it sounded… Read More →

29NOVNews

Here are all the winners from the 2023 MAMA Awards

The 2023 MAMA Awards has concluded its first day of award ceremonies – view the full list of winners below. The 2023 MAMA Awards kicked off its first day on November 28 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with its second and final round of awards set to be handed out later tonight (November 29). The winners of most categories were decided through a combination of judge panel evaluations, song downloads and stream numbers along with physical album sales. Several prestigious awards given out during the MAMA Awards’ first night included the Worldwide Icon of the Year, Favourite New Artist, Worldwide Fans’ Choice awards and more. The winners for the first half of the awards include the likes of Kep1er, BTS, RIIZE and more. Advertisement More awards such as Best Female/Male Groups, Best New Male/Female Artists, Best Dance Performance and more will be given out during tonight’s ceremony. See the full list of MAMA Awards 2023 nominations and winners below: Awards given out on Day 1: Samsung Galaxy Worldwide Icon of the YearBTS Favourite New ArtistRIIZEZEROBASEONE Inspiring AchievementTVXQ! Galaxy Neo Flip ArtistTREASURE Favourite Asian Girl GroupKep1er Advertisement Favourite Asian Boy GroupINI Favourite International ArtistYoshiki Worldwide Fans’ ChoiceaespaAKMUATEEZBOYNEXTDOORBTOBBTSCIXCRAVITYENHYPENEVNNEEXOfromis_9(G)I-DLEH1-KEYHighlightITZYIVEJisooJeon SomiKep1erLE SSERAFIMLee… Read More →

29NOVNews

Taylor Swift thanks fans and crew after wrapping up final ‘Eras’ show of 2023

Taylor Swift has shared a statement on social media thanking her fans and touring crew after wrapping up her final ‘Eras’ tour concert of the year. Yesterday night (November 28), Swift took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank her Brazilian fans for their support over six concerts in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, going on to also thank her crew for their hard work. “Bringing a tour to Brazil has been something I’ve dreamt of for years, and those fans blew my expectations away. We’ve officially wrapped up the 2023 Eras Tour and we got to end the year with 6 shows in Rio and São Paulo, with the most magical crowds,” Taylor Swift wrote. Bringing a tour to Brazil has been something I’ve dreamt of for years, and those fans blew my expectations away. We’ve officially wrapped up the 2023 Eras Tour and we got to end the year with 6 shows in Rio and São Paulo, with the most magical crowds. I’m so grateful to my… pic.twitter.com/P1EwfQzrKf — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) November 28, 2023 Advertisement She continued: “I’m so grateful to my touring family, my band, crew and dancers for everything they put into this show all… Read More →

28NOVNews

Most music fans want restrictions on what A.I. can do, study finds

A new study has found that the majority of music fans are in favour of restrictions being imposed on the use of A.I. The new research was published as part of Engaging With Music 2023 – a report carried out by the IFPI which examined how fans around the world engage with and feel about music. It collected responses from more than 43,000 people across 26 different countries, and is billed as the largest music study of its kind which seeks a detailed insight into fan thinking. Now, for the first time, the report has included a section dedicated to the rising influence of artificial intelligence and the way it is impacting artists. Advertisement According to the results of this year’s survey, the most important thing to fans is the authenticity behind the music they consume – with 79 per cent claiming that they think human creativity is the most essential part of the creation of music. Similarly, the vast majority of participants also shared their concern and opposition towards the ability of A.I. to mimic and recreate the repertoire of existing musicians, with a similar percentage (76 per cent) sharing that they feel that an artist’s music or vocals… Read More →

28NOVNews

Tom Holland video game adaptation hits number one on Netflix UK

Uncharted starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg has topped the film chart on Netflix UK. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the action-adventure flick is based on the PlayStation video game franchise of the same name, developed by Naughty Dog. The film follows Nathan Drake (Holland) who is recruited by Victor Sullivan (Wahlberg) in a race against corrupt billionaire Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas) and mercenary leader Jo Braddock (Tati Gabrielle) to locate the fabled treasure of the Magellan expedition. Advertisement Despite mixed reviews from the critics, the film went onto gross $407million at the worldwide box office, against a budget of $120million. [embedded content] The film, which arrived on Netflix on November 26, has topped the streaming service’s film chart two days later (November 28). Other films in the top five include Sing 2, Leo, Hatton Garden: The Inside Story and Illumination’s 2018 adaptation of The Grinch. You can check out the top 10 below. Uncharted (2022) Sing 2 (2021) Leo (2023) Hatton Garden: The Inside Story (2019) The Grinch (2018) Belfast (2021) Malignant (2021) Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023) How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Bee Movie (2007) Kenneth Branagh’s BAFTA-winning film Belfast, meanwhile, landed at number six on the chart. The… Read More →