Music and Politics Makes Cheap Entertainment: Madonna who has evolved into a hybrid of Michael Jackson meets Marilyn Manson was slammed by John McCain after she compared him to Adolph Hitler. In her song ‘Get Stupid’ pictures of McCain was flashed along images of destruction and global warming as well as Hitler and Mugabe. “It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off limits,” says McCain. The truth is Madonna just loves the press..
Signings: West Palm Beach band Hey Monday (former Blake) has signed to Columbia/Decaydance. We mentioned Hey Monday in April 2008 discussing how Paramore has spawned a throng of female fronted bands. It seems they posted a new song titled Homecoming which seems to be their best song which falls more towards The Bangles’ Hazy Shade Of Winter than emo-ish Paramore. The Bangles? Yes, you heard us right. Just listen to the opening riff of each song.
Arizona indie atmospheric band Lydia has signed to Universal Motown. Check them out in our February New Music Column. Check out the track Fade.
American Idol Shakes The Cage: Grammy-Nominated songwriter
Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol as a fourth judge and will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show,” says Simon Cowell. DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, etc.
Thriving To Yahoo: KOAR’s favorite Thriving Ivory is in the running for
Yahoo Music’s ‘Who’s Next?’. Cast your vote here and help put them on the map.
BMI Dodges The Bullet: BMI posted $901 million in revenues for the fiscal year, up 7.4% from last year. BMI will disperse $786 million to songwriters, composers and copyright owners, an 8% increase over the prior year.
Metallica enters the studio with Rick Rubin and apparently the magic reappeared, just listen to the opening riff . It’s haunting, beautiful, and powerful. It seems Metallica dug deep in there catalog and discovered the ingredients that made them great. They went back to the Garage Days. Maybe this is why they are known as the riff masters and have sold more than a 100 million records. If the rest of the record holds up, then we can say ‘They’re Baaaaack’.
Learn from the best. Listen, observe, write, and record.
The Day Technology Killed The Music: Once upon a time musicians dropped out of high school to embark on their musical journey. Now, a sixteen North Carolina boy dropped out of school last year to devote himself to playing ‘Guitar Hero’.
New Streams: Florida band Anberlin is streaming their track ‘Feel Good Drag‘ that’s about to go to rock radio. Hollywood platinum glam band Buckcherry is now streaming new tracks titled To Drunk and Rescue Me which will appear on their upcoming album ‘Black Butterfly‘. Lastly, Oklahoma City rock act Hinder have new tracks on their myspace.
Signings: Phoenix based pop/rock band The Summer Set have signed to The Militia Group
More Money Please: The Los Angeles time ran an article titled ‘More Than A Song‘ that discusses record labels and artists deserving a bigger piece of the pie from video games and online music. “Labels and artists have the right to seek as much as they can for the use of their works, even if they end up setting too high a bar for some companies to clear.”
China Blocks iTunes: Apple’s iTunes has been blocked in China after Olympic athletes downloaded a pro-Tibet album from the site. Consumers in China began flooding Apple help forums with complaints that they could not access iTunes. This is typical for atheist China…
Top Hard Rock Albums:
Kid Rock ‘Rock N Roll Jesus’ – 101,426 (Still on Fire)
Disturbed ‘Indestructible’ – 19,807
Trapt ‘Only Through The Pain’ – 11,291
Saving Abel ‘ Self Titled’ – 8,705
Linkin Park ‘Minutes To Midnight’ – 8,650
Shinedown ‘The Sound Of Madness’ – 8,078
Guns N’ Roses ‘Greatest Hits’ – 7,464
Motley Crue ‘Saints of Los Angeles’ – 7,314
Daughtry ‘Self Titled’ – 6,988
Seether ‘Finding Beauty’ – 6,445
Norma Jean ‘AntiMother’ – 5,720
Flyleaf ‘Self Titled’ – 5,323
Avenged Sevenfold ‘Self Titled’ – 4,078
Poison ‘Best of Poison’ – 3,541
Unsigned Chicago band Shock Stars has posted some new tracks titled Love/Hate So Chicago and World Is On Fire. Very cool uptempo guitar oriented tracks. Our favorite track is World Is On Fire that opens up with an intense melodic lead ala Soul Asylum’s ‘Somebody To Shove‘. Finally a band referencing another era; miracles can happen.
We hear from today’s artist that writing greats songs and being original seems impossible due to the lack of inspiration. New rock musicians aren’t inspired by today’s rock artists and that can be said across the board of all genres. The truth is, nobody is taking chances, even Simon Cowell reiterated that during the last season of American Idol. If we want to put music back on the map then inspiration needs to flourish again.
It’s a simple equation; no inspiration = no creativity = nothing.
Want to get inspired? Start listening to music that came from different era’s. Start stealing ideas as plagiarism is fine as long as it’s great.
This is what the world was listening to on August 20th:
August 20th in 1962 – Breakin Up Is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka
August 20th in 1967 – All You Need is Love by The Beatles (The Kings of Melody)
August 20th in 1969 – Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones
August 20th in 1979 – My Sharona by The Knack
August 20th in 1980 – Magic by Olivia Newton-John (100% vibe)
August 20th in 1982 – Beat It by Michael Jackson (Listen and observe. You won’t create a great pop record listening to Justin Timberlake. Michael Jackson wrote his songs, assisted in video direction, and created his dance moves. Always steal from the best. If you don’t heed our warning, you may as well create an embarrassing shameful cover like this)
August 20th in 1985 – The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News
August 20th in 1987 – Who’s That Girl by Madonna (Compare this to Madonna’s recent Timbaland (Ringtone producer) produced bland dance track 4 Minutes. What’s missing? Real musicians, theatrics, substance, dynamics and originality. This isn’t brain surgery folks.)
August 20th in 1987 – Women by Def leppard (Compare this track with today’s generic rock music. Let’s not forget to thank producer Mutt Lange for creating the 15 million platinum monster)
August 20th in 2001 – Fallin by Alicia Keys
What do you do from here? Listen, Study, Observe, Write, and Record. If you’re to lazy to even try to get inspired, you will never make it. Send new music to tips@kingsofar.com
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