Justin Bieber’s giant win at the Billboard Music Awards marked a bittersweet moment for the pop star.

Recognized at age 19 with the Milestone Award (after also taking top male artist and top social artist), the singer took the stage — and the opportunity — to make a statement.

Said an emotional Bieber: “I’m 19 years old. I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically, from my heart, I just really want to say it should really be about the music. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously, and all this other bulls–t should not be spoken of.”
The declaration prompted both cheers and boos, and it wasn’t immediately apparent whether his message got through.

Later in the press room, singer Taylor Swift was asked about Bieber receiving such an honor at so young an age, to which the country star remarked: “Can we have another question, please?”

The snub is believed to be related to Bieber’s ex Selena Gomez, who was seen at Swift’s side both in the audience and backstage several times throughout the evening.

Buzz Track: So Strange

LA’s Superhumanoids has become a Kings favorite. This dreamy electro-pop trio is currently supporting the Cold War Kids supporting their debut album which will be released on June 11th. They will perform at the Mercury Lounge in NYC on June 21st.
Contact: abussell@shorefire.com

In 2004, 13-year-old Joanna Levesque became the youngest solo artist ever to have a number one single on the Billboard charts. Levesque, who recorded as JoJo, had been building to that moment since she was just a little girl, giving electrifying performances on shows like Kids Say the Darndest Things with Bill Cosby at the age of 6. When Levesque was 12, she signed a seven-album deal with Blackground Records, and later her debut album JoJo was certified platinum. Her 2006 follow-up, The High Road, pleased critics and included at least one bona fide hit, the breakup ballad “Too Little Too Late.” She was quickly becoming a rising star in R&B.

And then she went silent.

It’s been almost seven years since JoJo has put out an official release, though that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been trying. “I’ve recorded about three incarnations of this third album,” JoJo tells BuzzFeed. “We’ve chosen the track listing, we’ve done multiple album photo shoots, chosen the cover, chosen the credits, everything.” But every time her team tried to present the album to her label, Blackground Records, they never received a response. CONTINUE READING

Buzz Track: Flowers

Atlanta, Georgia based indie rock band, Cardova, are set to release their first full length album on May 14th via iTunes. It was produced by Jeff Malpass and mixed by Matt Malpass (Cute Is What We Aim For, Rookie Of The Year, Lydia) at Marigolds + Monsters Studio in Atlanta, GA. Their unique sound draws from old and new influences alike, while creating something noticeably different. The band will perform at the The Caledonia Lounge in Athens, GA on May 16th.
Contact: cardovabooking@gmail.com

Buzz Track: 40 Seconds

In early 2012 Drew Murray and Hope Simpson formed Ever So Android in Seattle, Wa. The sound draws comparisons from the Black Keys and Deadmau5. Their live shows have been described as ‘intense’, and refreshing from the Seattle norm” which helps to cultivate their rapidly increasing fan base. Their first EP which was just released was produced by Dave Hillis (Pearl Jam, James Blunt, Afghan whigs). The band will perform Neumos (Seattle) on June 1st and  Lo-Fi Performance Gallery  (Seattle) on June 29th.
Contact: eversoandroid@gmail.com