Sharon Van Etten was “quietly relieved” over ‘The OA’ cancellation
Sharon Van Etten has discussed her experience filming The OA, saying she felt like an “imposter” on set.
The singer-songwriter played Rachel DeGrasso in the Netflix series created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. While there were plans for a five-season story, the show was cancelled after two seasons in 2019.
READ MORE: Sharon Van Etten: “I have to be hopeful. I’m a mother and I want to be brave for my son”
Speaking to NME about her time in the series, Van Etten had some reservations about her performance. “It was a challenge to take on a role like that, and I feel very lucky to have worked with Brit and Zal – they’re very adventurous in the kind of work they produce.
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“I was constantly insecure, and I knew I was the imposter. So as lucky as I felt that the show wanted me to be part of it, I was also quietly relieved I didn’t have to do it anymore. I’m sorry to the fans but I just felt like I was going to be found out… I didn’t know what I was doing!”
The OA follows Prairie Johnson (Marling), a previously blind young woman who resurfaces after having been missing for seven years with her eyesight intact. The series also starred Emory Cohen, Ian Alexander, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Jason Isaacs.
The show’s cancellation sparked a wealth of fan campaigns petitioning for its return, including global flash mobs and a digital billboard in Times Square.
Van Etten recently shared a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Starman’ as featured in Netflix documentary Return To Space.
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Earlier this month, she announced her sixth studio album ‘We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong’, set to be released on May 6. The album will explore “the questions we ask ourselves when we think the world – or at least, our world – might be ending.”
Unlike Van Etten’s previous albums, there will be no single releases leading up to the album’s arrival.
Alexander Skarsgård on working with Björk in ‘The Northman’: “She’s a very unique spirit”
Alexander Skarsgård has discussed his experience collaborating with Björk in The Northman.
The actor plays lead character Amleth in the third feature film from director Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse, The Witch), starring alongside Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe.
READ MORE: Anya Taylor-Joy asked to play ‘The Lighthouse’ mermaid but the director said no
The most unique cast addition is Björk, who plays a seeress, whose last feature film acting credit was in 2005’s Drawing Restraint 9 from director Matthew Barney.
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Speaking to NME about acting alongside the musician, Skarsgård said: “I felt very lucky. It was crazy.
Björk in ‘The Northman’ CREDIT: Alamy
“I don’t think you see it on camera in that scene, but we shot it in that burnt out barn after the big raid. And Björk when it was her shot, behind her I could see it was just this gigantic full moon right behind her head and it felt so perfect for that scene and her character and the way she looked. It was absolutely mesmerising and she’s so incredible.”
Asked about the first words Björk said to him on set, the actor joked: “‘Get out of my way. Get me a cappuccino, hey motherfucker.’”
He added: “No, she was so sweet. She’s a very unique spirit and it was an incredible night. I go to Iceland every year because my best friend is from Iceland so I hung out with her there last summer and she’s just the coolest. She’s the best.”
Earlier this year, Björk confirmed she is currently “finishing” her upcoming 10th album, saying it will “probably come out in the summer”. It will be her first album since 2017’s ‘Utopia’.
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In a five-star review of The Northman, NME wrote: “The cast might not have had a good time making The Northman, but you will watching it.
“It’s all properly violent and uncivilised. Director Eggers is known for mixing wacky surrealism with explicit violence, so don’t expect wall-to-wall blockbuster action though. We get Willem Dafoe playing a Gollum-like court jester with Willie Nelson’s pigtails, and Finchy from The Office (Ralph Ineson) pops up in what looks like Adam Ant’s earrings.
“Perhaps the most bonkers bit is when a no-eyed Björk whispers her prophecy to Amleth, in full, feathered seeress costume. If the Icelandic icon’s next album is all Viking drinking songs, we won’t complain.”
The Northman is released in UK cinemas on April 15.
Hwasa, EVERGLOW and SF9 to perform at upcoming K-pop festival in London this July
Hwasa of MAMAMOO, EVERGLOW, SF9 and more are set to perform at the 2022 edition of K-pop festival HallyuPopFest, to be held in London this summer.
READ MORE: IVE’s new single ‘Love Dive’ is a luxurious plunge into the girl group’s alluring sound
A total of six K-pop music acts have so far been announced to perform at HallyuPopFest, a K-pop festival that was previously held in Singapore in 2018 and 2019. HallyuPopFest London 2022 is set to take place on July 9 and 10 at the 12,500-capacity OVO Arena Wembley in London.
The first wave of acts announced include MAMAMOO singer Hwasa, girl group EVERGLOW, and boybands ASTRO and ONEUS on day one. Meanwhile, the current line-up for day two includes boyband SF9 and CRAVITY, with more artist announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
Our first wave of K-pop artistes for #HPFLondon2022!
We have : #EVERGLOW #SF9 #CRAVITY #HWASA #ONEUS #ASTRO
Sign up for our mailing list here: https://t.co/mDVPc24kIv
More artiste announcements are yet to come, so stay tuned!#HPFLondon2022 #HallyuPopFest #Kpop #London pic.twitter.com/wyc2suLF5K
— HallyuPopFest (@HallyuPopFest) April 13, 2022
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Aside from the three-hour headline concerts taking place each evening, HallyuPopFest will also include a red carpet event as well as several chances to engage with the performing artists. The festival will also feature a HallyuTown “marketplace” as its centrepiece, where the public will be able to experience Korean food and culture, as well as take part in activities.
“HallyuPopFest came about because we wanted to create a festival experience where K-pop fans from all over, from various fandoms, could come together and celebrate their fervent idol support, boundless energy and love for music and dance that are the cornerstones of K-pop,” said Selena Ho in a press statement, chief executive of the Singapore-headquartered HAH Entertainment, which oversees HallyuPopFest operations.
“It will be the UK’s first K-pop festival, as well as HallyuPopFest’s first global landing. It’s an amazing lineup, consisting of a diverse variety of Korean music genres, from pop to rap to adult contemporary to indie artists,” global promoter TEG MJR chief executive Richard Buck added. “There will be something for everyone.”
The ingural HallyuPopFest was held in 2018 in Singapore, and returned to the island-state the following year for its second instalment. Musicians who have performed as part of the HallyuPopFest line-up in previous years include Wanna One, Apink, AOA, Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon, NCT 127, NU’EST, (G)I-DLE, MONSTA X and more.
BTS’ RM teases new solo music, says it’ll be out “within this year”
BTS‘ RM has revealed that he has plans to release new solo music this year.
READ MORE: Every EXO song ranked in order of greatness
The K-pop idol hosted a V Live livestream session on April 9, following the second night of the boyband’s ongoing residency in Las Vegas, during which he teased the arrival of new music from both himself as a soloist and BTS in the coming year.
“About the new playlist [mixtape], I’m getting ready and I’m working on it,” RM said, in what seems to be a reference to a new solo album from the rapper. “I’m inviting really interesting and unexpected people to my album.”
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Later during the livestream, RM read out a comment left by a fan who asked if they will be dropping a “new song” this year. “You bet,” he briefly and cryptically responded, however, he did not specify whether this new song will be a solo or BTS endeavour.
Later on during the live session, RM circled back to music and shared that he has been working on something new. “I have no idea when the next song will be out, but I’m trying hard to release it within this year,” he revealed. “I want to do well.”
The rapper then added that he will be collaborating with “various people in a new and unexpected way” for the project. “It’s going well. I believe it’ll be cool, I believe I’m making many good songs. I have a high standard,” he added.
BTS have completed the first two shows of their four-night Las Vegas residency at the Allegiant Stadium for the ‘Permission To Dance On Stage’ concerts, during which they shared their thoughts on their recent loss at the Grammys 2022.
“The record, the title, the accomplishments, the trophies. They’re real important, but that wasn’t the first thing – the first reason – why we started all these things,” RM said. “I love you, and let the haters hate and let the lovers love. I love you so much.”
Dr Dre is in the studio with ‘Donda 2’ co-writer Fat Money
Dr Dre has been pictured in the studio with Fat Money, the co-writer of Kanye West‘s latest album ‘Donda 2‘.
READ MORE: Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’: A 4/20 deep dive into the album that changed hip-hop forever
The veteran rapper and entrepreneur is seen posing alongside the songwriter in images shared over the last week. It comes as rumours continue to swirl around a possible release of Dre’s much-delayed album ‘Detox’, which was first announced in 2002 but hasn’t materialised to this date.
“I love the fuck out my job,” Fat Money wrote on Instagram on Monday (April 11) alongside a few photos of Dre and himself in the studio. Last Thursday (April 7) he shared other images with the caption: “The Young Man w/ the Dr… Don’t nobody move.”
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A post shared by Fat Money ? Big147 (@fatmoney)
As HipHopDX points out, photos of Dre and Money’s sessions come after Dre was also seen in the studio with Snoop Dogg recently.
In photos captured of the moment, a fan noticed a whiteboard that appeared to have the word “Detox” and an apparent tracklist below it.
YOOOOOO! If you look in the background of the new pictures @SnoopDogg minted w/ him and Dre you can see the tracklist for Detox!! pic.twitter.com/QSpmBT8Pvi
— goD floW (@ranoutofmeds) April 1, 2022
Last month, Snoop also shared an image from that same session, writing: “The Chronic is bac Home,” which is a reference to Dre’s debut 1992 album.
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Per Fat Money’s recent posts, it’s not clear what music Dre is working on and whether it could be the near-mythical ‘Detox’ album.
In 2015, Dre explained on his Beats 1 radio show The Pharmacy that he had scrapped ‘Detox’, which he’d been working on and off on over the years, because it “wasn’t good”.
“This is something you’re not gonna hear many artists say: the reason that ‘Detox’ didn’t come out was because I didn’t like it,” he told listeners. “It wasn’t good. The record, it just wasn’t good… I mean seriously, I worked my ass off on it, but I didn’t think I did a good enough job. I couldn’t do that to my fans, I couldn’t do that to myself, to be honest.”
The rapper’s most recent album was 2015’s ‘Compton’. Since then, Dre has worked on other projects including writing songs for a Grand Theft Auto online game expansion.
Meanwhile, in December it appeared that new albums from both Dre and Snoop were about to drop.
In an Instagram post by DJ Battlecat, Dre was said to be readying the release of his next solo album – slated before the end of 2021. Battlecat had previously shared a meme to his account that showed a potential timeline for the ‘Aftermath Takeover’, set to begin with Snoop’s album release on November 12 and then Dre’s album in December.
Snoop’s album ‘BODR’ was eventually released in February, while Dre’s unknown project appears yet to be finished.
In other recent news, Dre has confirmed he still owns 100 per cent of his rights to ‘The Chronic’ despite Snoop’s recent acquisition of ‘Death Row Records’.
Built To Spill announce first new album in seven years, ‘When The Wind Forgets Your Name’
Built To Spill have shared details of their first album in seven years, ‘When The Wind Forgets Your Name’ alongside the release of new single, ‘Gonna Lose’, and tour dates – buy tickets here.
READ MORE: Built to Spill deliver a masterclass of grunge escapism at rare UK outing
The Idaho band’s last album was 2015’s ‘Untethered Moon’. ‘When The Wind Forgets Your Name’, the group’s first release through Sub Pop, arrives on September 9.
‘Gonna Lose’ is the first taste of the band’s new record, which is accompanied by a psychedelic animated video directed by Jordan Minkoff and animated by him and Lee McClure. Watch it below.
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Per Pitchfork, the album was produced by the band’s guitarist/lead vocalist Doug Martsch, who also mixed the album with Lê Almeida, João Casaes and Josh Lewis. The collaboration between Martsch, Almeida and Casaes began during some Brazilian tour dates.
“’Making When the Wind Forgets Your Name’ was such a great experience,” Martsch said in a statement. “I had an incredible time traveling and recording with Almeida and Casaes. I also learned so much about Brazilian culture and music while creating it.
“My Portuguese was terrible when I first met Almeida and Casaes, but by the end of the year it was even worse.”
Additionally, Built to Spill have announced more than 70 shows taking place from this through to the autumn. The tour kicks off tonight (April 13) at Chicago’s House of Blues in support of Jawbreaker for a four-night set of performances, and ends in September in Salt Lake City, UT at Metro Music Hall.
Oruã, Prism Bitch, Itchy Kitty, Wetface, Blood Lemon, The French Tips, Sunbathe, Distant Family, and Braided Waves are included in the list of supporters for select shows.
Built to Spill 2022 tour dates (buy tickets here):
APRIL 13 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues ** 14 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues ** 15 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues ** 16 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues ** 20 – Reno, NV – The Holland Project ^ ! 21 – Las Vegas, NV – Rockstar Bar ^ ! 22 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom ^ ! 23 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole ^ ! 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum Theater ^ ! 25 – Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad ^ ! 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre ^ ! 28 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater ^ ! 29 – Austin, TX – Mohawk ^ ! 30 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger ^ !
MAY 01 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall ^ ! 02 – New Orleans, LA – Republic New Orleans ^ ! 04 – Nashville, TN – Basement East ^ ! 05 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse ^ ! 06 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle Tavern ^ ! 07 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre ^ ! 08 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle ^ ! 10 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry ^ ! 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer # % 12 – Washington, DC – 930 Club # % 13 – Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Hall # % 14 – Boston, MA – Paradise # % 15 – Pawtucket, RI -The Met # % 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl # % 18 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl # % 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls # % 20 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi # % 21- Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall + $ 22 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe & Brewery + $ 24 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall + $ 25 – Maquoketa, IA – Codfish Hollow Barnstormers + $ 26 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room + $ 27 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater + $ 28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater + $ 29 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater + $
JUNE 03 – Hood River, OR – The Ruins add support
JULY 23 – Carnation, WA – Timber! Festival 30 – Stanley, ID – Sawtooth Family Gathering
AUGUST 06 – Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon 07 – Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon 11 – Spokane, WA – Lucky You Lounge ^ @ 12 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM ^ @ 13 – Billings, MT – The Pub Station ^ @ 15 – Fargo, ND – The Hall @ FBC ^ @ 16 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue ^ @ 17 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theater ^ @ 18 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall ^ @ 19 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall ^ @ 20 – Louisville, KY – Headliner’s Music Hall ^ @ 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Woodward Theater ^ @ 23 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop ^ @ 24 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall % 25 – Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre # % 26 – Portland, ME – State Theatre # % 27 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall # % 29 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground # % 30 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway City Arts # %
SEPTEMBER 02 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live # % 03 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony # % 04 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest # % 06 – Columbus, OH – The Athenaeum Theatre * = 07 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine * = 08 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater * = 09 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall * = 10 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live * = 11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room * = 13 – Orlando, FL – The Social * = 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits * = 15 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall * = 16 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn Birmingham * = 17 – Memphis, TN – Growler’s * = 18 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom * = 19 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag * = 20 – Columbia, MO – Blue Note * = 21 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater * = 23 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater * = 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall * =
KOKO partners with crypto company Luno for DJ shows and immersive events at refurbished venue
KOKO has today (April 13) shared details of a partnership with global cryptocurrency platform Luno for DJ shows, talks and immersive experiences at a new event space.
READ MORE: “We wanted togetherness and community” – how gigs came back with a bang in 2021
The Luno is a new multi format space situated at the top of historic 19th century London theatre, which has functioned as a live music venue for more than 30 years. KOKO is set to reopen on April 29 after a three-year £70million restoration and redevelopment project.
Per a press release, The Luno event space will play host to late night DJ shows, digital art exhibitions and immersive events. The Luno “promises to deliver informative talks and workshops for the public, focusing on decentralising technology, cryptocurrencies and how they are revolutionising the relationship between music, artists and fans”.
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Additionally, the new KOKO-Luno partnership will seek to support emerging talent via a series of livestreams, which will allow musicians to develop and grow global fanbases.
CGI impression of London venue KOKO CREIT: Recent Spaces
KOKO has hosted early gigs by some of music’s brightest stars from H.E.R. and Dua Lipa to Stormzy and Dave. Madonna, Prince, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse have also performed at the north London venue.
The partnership will also offer exclusive access and events for Luno customers including: backstage access and artist meet-and-greets; ticket giveaways; queue jumps and select one-off merch drops.
Sam Kopelman, UK Country Manager, Luno said: “KOKO is a cultural institution and for decades has used its stage to put the spotlight on emerging talent as well as some of the biggest acts in the world. We could not think of a better partner for our first step into the music and entertainment space and we cannot wait to put our support behind live music in the UK after such a difficult two years for the industry.
“Every day the relationship between crypto and music grows stronger, with blockchain innovations beginning to revolutionise the industry. With KOKO we look forward to working with artists and helping them realise the potential of decentralised technology, giving them greater control over their music and their futures.”
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Seb Croft, KOKO’s Commercial Director, added: “KOKO is about celebrating 122 years of culture, whilst fiercely stepping into the future. Our partnership with Luno will allow us to be at the forefront of blockchain technology, supporting artists in new ways and providing game-changing experiences for fans. The opportunities for us to innovate together in the music and entertainment space are endless.”
Dua Lipa
Meanwhile, the KOKO redevelopment project sees the Victorian theatre transformed into a 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art live music venue and broadcasting house.
A new eatery, Cafe KOKO, will be situated on the ground floor. A shop featuring DJs and merch drops also features in the redesign. Four new floors for members sit above, including access to a roof terrace and conservatory, dome cocktail bar, penthouse and recording studio, piano room, library, a hidden speakeasy, stage kitchen and vinyl rooms.
Elsewhere, a new “groundbreaking” open-air events space in London is due to open its doors later this year. Dockyards is developed by Broadwick Live, the group behind spaces including Printworks London, The Drumsheds and Depot at Mayfield, and is set to be a significant destination for year-round events.
Partygate protesters outside Number 10 are blasting ‘Fight For Your Right’ and ‘I Fought The Law’
Protesters outside Number 10, Downing Street last night (April 12) blasted out Beastie Boys and The Clash – see footage below.
Protests broke out after Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were given fines referred by the Metropolitan Police for breaking COVID lockdown rules by attending parties at Downing Street and Whitehall.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, along with Johnson’s wife Carrie, have been notified about the fixed penalty notices, which are the latest conclusions from the Met Police’s investigation.
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Labour has called for both Johnson and Sunak to resign, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey demanded parliament be recalled for a vote of confidence in Johnson.
At the protests, many played Beastie Boys’ legendary track ‘Fight For Your Right’, which has become an unofficial protest anthem over the series of protests around partygate.
On the BBC’s 10 O’Clock News last night, the sounds of The Clash’s ‘I Fought The Law’ could also be heard over the news report.
See footage of the protests and their soundtrack below.
Someone is playing “I Fought The Law And The Law Won” at Downing Street over the news at Ten.
Steve, you’re an absolute legend. @snb19692 pic.twitter.com/fRX8sX1i2V
— Guffers (@gavmacn) April 12, 2022
?? Y esta ha sido la banda sonora esta noche en #DowningStreet mientras hacíamos nuestro directo: “I fought the law and the law won” de The Clash #BorisJohnson #PartyGate #London pic.twitter.com/5ko6I1duP9
— Ainhoa Paredes (@AinhoaParedesUK) April 12, 2022
fight for your right to get rid of the Tories. pic.twitter.com/ArvEmpTwk7
— Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories (@snb19692) April 12, 2022
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Kudos to whoever is playing the Beastie Boys You’ve got to Fight for your Right to Party at full blast at the end of Downing St tonight. Not sure how the presenters could keep a straight face #BBCnews #PartyGate
— Winners Lad (@winnerslad) April 12, 2022
Beastie Boys “Fight For Your Right (to party)” blasting outside 10 Downing Street ? #BorisMustGo pic.twitter.com/G8MTHxD2Dg
— Vincent (@Planetwaves20) April 12, 2022
Following the news of Johnson and Sunak’s fines, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have broken the law and repeatedly lied to the British public. They must both resign. The Conservatives are totally unfit to govern. Britain deserves better.”
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “A Prime Minister who breaks the laws his Government makes and then lies about it isn’t fit for office. Families made huge sacrifices and obeyed the law. Many said their last goodbyes to loved ones on the phone while the Prime Minister partied. Boris Johnson must resign.”
More than 50 cases for fixed penalties have now been referred by the Met.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister and Chancellor have today received notification that the Metropolitan Police intend to issue them with fixed penalty notices.”
Spokespeople for the Johnsons and Sunak said they had not been told which event the fines were linked to, however, all three were reported to be at the same gathering for the Prime Minister’s birthday in June 2020.
Both Johnson and Sunak have refused to resign and have said they have since paid their fines, according to BBC News.
The news follows Sue Gray’s report into gatherings held at Downing Street, a limited version of which was released in January so as to not conflict with the Met’s probe.
In total, it was revealed that Gray investigated 16 separate gatherings – including three that were not previously known about. Gray concluded that some of these events “should not have been allowed to take place.”
One of those included a “bring your own booze” event in Downing Street’s garden, which was held on May 20, 2020.
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi says she used to be “uncomfortable” with how her voice sounds
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi has opened up about her insecurities about the way her voice sounds and how she learned to love it more.
READ MORE: (G)I-DLE on their year-long hiatus, musical identity and first full-length album ‘I Never Die’
In a recent interview with Indian entertainment television channel Zoom, the Chinese K-pop idol spoke about how she felt “disappointed” about her voice during her younger days, especially when some would say she sounded like a boy.
“Before I came to Korea, I felt kind of disappointed [and] uncomfortable about my voice, because everyone would say, ‘sometimes she sounds like a boy’,” the vocalist explained.
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However, Yuqi then said how working with (G)I-DLE leader Soyeon helped her appreciate her voice more. “But after I came to this group, and Soyeon, especially our leader, she really know[s] how to make my voice better and get everyone [to] like my voice and I really appreciate it.”
“I think, in my opinion, my voice is a kind of diamond, maybe?” Yuqi enthused. “I really love my voice.”
Earlier this month, Yuqi opened up about the girl group’s bond and the hardships she faced while promoting on her own in China previously. “I realised how difficult it is to promote alone while [doing so] in China during [(G)I-DLE’s] break,” she told Dazed Korea.
After returning to South Korea late last year, Yuqi revealed that she felt best when her fellow members of (G)I-DLE were all together as a team. “We need to stay together to survive,” she concluded. “I think this phrase suits (G)I-DLE the best.”
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Last month, (G)I-DLE released ‘I Never Die’, the group’s first-ever studio album since their debut in 2018. Notably, it is also the first project they’ve released since former member Soojin’s departure from the group in August 2021.
New HYBE girl group LE SSERAFIM announce debut date
Source Music, a subsidiary of HYBE, has announced a debut date for its upcoming girl group, LE SSERAFIM.
READ MORE: Every Dreamcatcher song ranked in order of greatness
In a statement issued to Weverse today (April 12), Source Music announced that LE SSERAFIM are set to release their first mini-album on May 2 at 6pm KST. Their upcoming record, titled ‘Fearless’, is currently available for pre-order through the Weverse Shop. Further details, such as a tracklist, are set to be released in the coming days.
[NOTICE]#르세라핌 #LE_SSERAFIM LE SSERAFIM ‘FEARLESS’ 발매 및 팬쇼케이스 개최 안내 (+ENG/JPN)
? https://t.co/V6Wyqwq6IM
— LE SSERAFIM (@le_sserafim) April 12, 2022
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Apart from their first release, LE SSERAFIM is also set to hold a fan showcase for their debut at the Jangchung Arena on May 2 at 8pm KST, with a livestream to be simultaneously broadcast online. Details on ticketing for LE SSERAFIM’s in-person and online show have yet to be released.
Earlier this month, Source Music announced that LE SSERAFIM would be comprised of IZ*ONE’s Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chae-won, Produce 48’s Heo Yun-jin, Kim Ga-ram, Hong Eun-chae and Kazuha through a series of teasers posted through the group’s social media handles.
The label has also recently publicly denied allegations that Kim Ga-ram was a school bully. Less than a day after the label introduced Kim as a member of the group, a number of netizens claimed that the 16-year-old singer had been involved in bullying incidents during her school days.
HYBE, which owns Source Music, the agency in charge of LE SSERAFIM, has since denied all allegations and taken legal action in a statement posted on April 6. The label claimed that the allegations have been “cunningly edited” in order to “maliciously slander” Kim.
