Apple will finally shut down iTunes.  Apple will rollout new software for Mac this fall and iTunes will cease to exist. Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV will replace iTunes.  For those who have an iTunes library full of songs – no need to worry. Your iTunes library will exported into a new app, which includes your downloaded songs, purchased songs, or songs ripped from a CD.

Both Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry are back with new music. Miley dropped the first of three six-song EPs while Katy Perry released a Ariana-Grande style single “Never Really Over.” Perry is aiming for the radio charts and Miley is taking chances again. In fact, Miley hasn’t made a radio album since Bangerz which was released 2013. There has been a lot of talk if Miley and Katy can still move tracks and and sell tickets. While Miley and Katy focused on outside endeavors new pop stars dominated like Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Cardi B, and Billie Eilish.

Most pop stars rarely last more than 5 years, nobody survives the changing trends. That still doesn’t mean business is over.  They can still generate lots of money, even though they can’t pack the same size venues. When the pop stars of yore like Katy and Miley discover the fact they will no longer be trending topics, they will actually start writing great music again – the type of songs that broke them in the first place. Creativity is the highest when their are no strings attached.

Dinosaur Pile-Up releases the new single ‘Round The Bend’ which comes off their album Celebrity Mansions via Parlophone Records. The alt-rock three piece has three albums under their belt. The new single premiered last night on the Radio 1 Rock Show. Give it a listen.
Playlists: Radio X and Kerrang Radio
Press: NME, DIY, Kerrang, The Independent, Dork
Upcoming shows: Download Festival and a upcoming US tour with Shinedown.

Three piece indie act Sunset Sons released the must-hear-track Problems via Lab Records. The latest track  was produced by long-time Catherine Marks (Foals, The Big Moon). Check out the video.
Radio: Radio 1 and Radio X.
Streams: Over 2 Million Spotify Streams on the River EP.
Performances: 4 Sold Out upcoming UK shows
The Attic Bar – Glasgow – June 24th
Jimmy’s-Manchester- June 25th
The Camden Assembly-London – June 26th
The Old Bakery- Truro – June 28th

Taylor Swift promises to get political on her new album. Even though politics has done little to bolster her career, Swift told Elle Mag, “I definitely think there are political undertones in the new music I made,” “I’m not planning to stop encouraging young people to vote and to try to get them to talk about what’s going on in our country. I think that’s one of the most important things I could do.”

While some artists-turned- activists, have used their platform to influence people, many stay away from such controversy. Dolly Parton says, “I learned a long time ago to keep your damn mouth shut if you want to stay in show business.” Parton told Nightline, “I don’t do politics. I’m not getting into any of that. I have a lot of fans out there and I don’t want to offend anybody. Besides, I just don’t get into that. If you are deciding you may want to ask me something more serious, don’t, because I’m not going to answer it.”