Category Archives: Music

JAY Z Takes The Crown At UK Festivals

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JAY Z TAKES THE CROWN AT UK FESTIVALS

~ Demand to see Jay Z this summer outstripping that for Beyonce by 2:1 ~

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He may have 99 Problems but selling tickets ain’t one. Fans of Jay Z are clearly hoping to witness the world’s biggest hip hop star take centre stage as demand for tickets to Wireless Festival has soared following the leaking of his album. viagogo saw a 163 per cent increase in searches for the Wireless festival.

Wife Beyonce is also sure to dazzle the crowd at V Festival this August with fans keen on catching her in action following her unforgettable Mrs. Carter Show earlier this year. However, King Jay Z takes the throne this summer with demand outstripping that for Queen Bey by 2:1, while other festivals, including T in the Park and Bestival, are still yet to sell out.

 

Crush Drums & Percussion Kits Up For UK Debut

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We know a lot of musicians read Frost so we thought we would bring you this article that caught our eye, and look at that drum! We want.

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Sound Technology Ltd is proud to announce it has been chosen to exclusively distribute Crush Drums and Percussion in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Founded in the USA in March 2010, Crush Drums & Percussion is a young, driven company created by drummers for drummers. In the two years since its official public launch, Crush has built an impressive reputation and established itself as a leading brand in the US stores.

Terry Platt, CEO and Co-founder of Crush commented, “We are truly honoured that Sound Technology will take the lead in growing the Crush family of dealers and drummers in the UK. Sound Technology’s obvious commitment to excellence fully embodies our vision for the types of partners we want representing our instruments. We have many drummers sending us messages through our website and social media sites requesting Crush Drums in the UK. With much appreciation to Sound Technology we are on our way!”

“Crush is a brand that fits well with our strategy,” says David Marshall, Managing Director of Sound Technology Ltd. “It is a quality product, made by people who care about their craft. We are extremely proud to be representing the brand in the UK.”

Prepare to see the Crush product range in UK stores from July onwards. The line includes strictly Limited Edition kits, through to the stunning Sublime Series, and best-selling Chameleon Series.  Drummers already behind the brand include Jay Postones of British band Tesseract – described as ‘fu@@ing immense’ by Kerrang – and Rocky Gray currently of We Are The Fallen and the muscle on the likes of Evanescence’s multi-million selling Fallen.

Lady Gaga Reveals New Album Artwork For Artpop

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Lady Gaga has revealed her new album artwork. Her forthcoming album, ArtPop, will also be released as an app which will go straight to smartphones and tablets. Gaga says this will “bring the music industry into a new age”

You can pre-order from the 1st of September for the 11th of November release.

Gaga’s website said:

“Built by TechHAUS, the technological branch of HAUS OF GAGA, the app itself is a musical and visual engineering system that combines art, fashion, and technology with a new interactive worldwide community – ‘the auras’,” explains the post, which doesn’t skimp on grand claims (or capital letters).

“Altering the human experience with social media, we bring ARTculture into POP in a reverse Warholian expedition.

Exploring Gaga’s existence as a cultural interface, the user will share in the ‘adrenaline of fame; as they build and share their own projects, chat with one another, and watch in real-time on a virtual globe as ARTPOP explodes onto the physical and virtual universe at once on November 11, our ‘BIG BANG!’ On this day, HAUS OF GAGA venges with forte to bring the music industry into a new age: an age where art drives pop, and the artist once again is in control of the ‘icon’.”

What do you think? Will you buy the album? Are you excited about the return of Lady Gaga.

The Black Clouds | Music Profile

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Black Cloud musicBand: The Black Clouds
Location: New Jersey, USA
Styles: Alternative Rock/Hard Rock/Grunge
Similar to: Toadies, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, The Stooges, The Melvins, The Vines
CD: Better Days
If you still believe the code of the D.I.Y. musician is to destroy – and rebuild – every single pillar of rock ‘n’ roll; if you believe that it’s not just a privilege, but a duty to be loud, impassioned, dangerous and not just follow the scene’s flashing lights, you owe it to yourself to immediately check out New Jersey’s Black Clouds.
Comprising of guitarists/vocalists Dan Matthews and Rob Blake, bassist Gary Moses and drummer Cory King, The Black Clouds have returned leaner and louder with their new 2012 release, “Better Days.” Produced, recorded, and funded entirely by the band, “Better Days” was recorded over the period of one
month and mixed by alternative rock legend, John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Hold Steady). The album abides by three driving principles: Play loud. Play hard. Leave every post-modern music trend quivering in the dust. And it scores with a bullet.
The Black Clouds have maintained a D.I.Y. stance since their formation in late 2004. Also self-produced, recorded and funded, the band’s debut LP “Wishing Well” (2008) was mixed and mastered by yet another legendary rock producer, Seattle’s Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney).
The Black Clouds played Bamboozle in 2008, and followed with a self-funded, self-booked US tour in 2009, which saw them hitting 25 shows in 30 days. Another short tour – again funded and booked entirely by the band – followed in 2010, when the they hit the road for SXSW and back.
The Black Clouds’ grueling commitment to touring has paid off, as the band plays every live show like it’s their last one standing. And “Better Days” pulls off the near-impossible feat of ensnaring the band’s blood-and-spit stage fury in a way few modern bands could even strive for, let alone achieve.
Accolades:
The Bamboozle Festival 2008, Opened For the Toadies twice (Once in 2009 and
again in 2010), Opened for Tantric in 2008, Headlined the Stone Pony
in Asbury Park numerous times, Headlined at Mercury Lounge in NYC, Played CMJ in 2008, Played at SXSW in 2010, Did a 25 show US tour around the entire country (in 30 days) in mid-2009 (self-booked and funded), Nominated for top rock band in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the Asbury Music Awards, Nominated for best album in 2008 in the Asbury Music Awards
Members/Instruments: Dan Matthews – Guitar/Vocals, Rob Blake – Guitar/Vocals, Gary Moses – Bass, Cory King – Drums
Production: Written, produced and recorded by The Black Clouds (except “Blue Blocker” written by Lonnnie Rutledge), Mixed by John Agnello (Known
for his work with Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady and Dead Confederate), Mastered by Scott Hull.
Tracklisting:
1. Prelude
2. No Reason
3. Breathing
4. Defective Mind
5. Again
6. Fray
7. Whereabouts Unknown
8. I’ll Be Gone
9. Stalemate
10. Blue Blocker
11. Seen Better Days
12. Rid of Me
13. All or Nothing
Websites:

Wimbledon Wiggle Dance Craze Loved by Maria Sharapova, Jonathan Ross Set For First Live Performance

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Maria Sharapova’s done it. Jonathan Ross has done it. Even Ben Wishaw, Michelle Dockery, Mollie King, Gemma Chan have done it. They’ve all had a go at the Wimbledon Wiggle

For those unfamiliar with the move created by evian and We Are Social, it is based on the cheeky shake players make before receiving a serve and it has been causing a stir online and off-court. More than 45,000+ people have watched evian’s Wimbledon Wiggle video online, hundreds of wiggles have been uploaded to  evian’s Facebook page, and now visitors to Cardinal Place, Victoria can see the signature song performed live.  

The Wimbledon Wiggle song, created by electro-hip hop artist Tigermonkey, will be performed LIVE on the roof garden at Cardinal Place at 12.00pm on Thursday, July 4th. The performance comes ahead of a free live screening of the ladies semi-finals as part of evian and Land Securities’ annual Great British Summer campaign, which offers tennis fans, residents, office workers and tourists free screenings of the world famous Championships using specially customised retro caravans.

 

Live By The Lake Presents Keane, Suede, Michael Ball, Laura Mvula, Ana Maria Martinez, Kerry Ellis

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Live by the lakeLIVE BY THE LAKE, the hotly anticipated series of outdoor summer concerts at Kenwood House, marks the welcome return of the English Heritage concert season.  Produced by the young dynamic agency, Rouge Events, Live By The Lake’s outstanding lineup of world class music is scheduled over six days – August 23rd-25th and August 30th-September 1st; each show promises to attract up to 10,000 music and film lovers to enjoy the music and share a picnic with friends and family in more than 100 acres of Kenwood House’s beautifully landscaped gardens.

 

Boasting the perfect mix of pop, rock, soul, classical, musical theatre and film, LIVE BY THE LAKE promises something special for every music lover in the land.  Tickets are now on sale at www.kenwood.seetickets.com and there are a limited number of discounts for residents in many of London’s northwest postal districts.

Ticket holders will be able to choose a variety of reasonably priced tickets for each concert and to decide whether or not to bring their own picnic and all-weather paraphernalia!  For those who want to rock up unhampered, the best of Carluccio’s Italian picnics can be ordered in advance and picked up on the day of each orchestral concert.   (NB: Suede and Keane concerts will be standing room only, so picnics and chairs should be left at home and a range of drinks and delicious food will be available from the on-site concession stands.

 

PROGRAMME at a glance:

 

August 23rd:        SUEDE and special guests BRITISH SEA POWER

August 24th:        ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY and the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

August 25th:        KEANE and special guest LAURA MVULA

August 30th:      ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’ – film screening, score performed by the ROYAL                                                PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

August 31st:        ANA MARIA MARTINEZ and the ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA ORCHESTRA

September 1st:   MICHAEL BALL and friends sing GERSHWIN

 

THE PROGRAMME in detail:

 

SuedeKicking off proceedings on Friday August 23rd are the multi-platinum selling, mighty SUEDE (left), Britpop progenitors, one of the world’s most exciting rock bands and whose sixth studio album ‘Bloodsports’ was released in March, after a ten year gap, to much critical acclaim.  Suede’s special guests are the splendid Brighton-based indie rockers BRITISH SEA POWER, the title of whose current album, ‘Machineries of Joy’, was inspired by a collection of short stories by the great sci-fi author, Ray Bradbury.  The band recently performed their soundtrack for the documentary film ‘From the Land to the Sea’, directed by Penny Woolcock, at the Sundance London Film and Music Festival at the 02 and at the Sheffield Documentary Festival.

 

 

fireworksOn Saturday August 24th it’s a feast for classical music lovers with the Royal Choral Society and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Roderick Dunk, performing a wonderful selection of arias from, among others, Carmina Burana, Madame Butterfly, Verdi’s Requiem and many more.  The night will end with a spectacular firework display. Roderick Dunk will be well known to BBC Radio 2 listeners as the BBC Concert Orchestra’s regular guest conductor for the long running Friday Night is Music Night.

 

 

 

 

image018To complete the perfect first weekend on August 25th the Brit Award winning, Grammy nominated, 10 million selling KEANE will take to the stage; fronted by the charismatic Tom Chaplin, the band’s fourth studio album, Strangeland, was released in May 2012 and immediately topped the UK charts.  KEANE are delighted to have as their special guest the uniquely gifted soul singer/songwriter LAURA MVULA, whose debut album, ‘Sing To The Moon’, was released this year and instantly catapulted her into the musical stratosphere and a headlining slot at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

 

image009Friday August 30th offers a truly rare opportunity to film fans: the screening of the 1952 musical romantic comedy ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ to a LIVE score performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.  Starring the legendary Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, and choreographed and directed by Gene Kelly, the film offers an entertaining depiction of a 1927 Hollywood caught up in the transition from silent films to talkies.  The RPO, conducted by Neil Thomson, will bring the film’s iconic soundtrack to life while the re-mastered film is shown on the big screen.

 

 

 

 

Ana Maria Martinez photo by Tom SpechtSaturday August 31st is Opera Alfresco night with the English National Opera Orchestra and a special appearance by the incomparable Grammy Award winning American soprano, Ana Maria Martinez whose lyrical, elegant style has seen her grace all the grand opera houses around the world.  The ENO together with principal soloists Wynne Evans, Fiona Murphy, Kai Ruutel and David Webster will perform some of the world’s greatest and most popular arias from the works of Bizet, Mozart, Puccini, Verdi and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MICHAEL BALL by joelanderson.com s -

 

 

On Sunday September 1st MICHAEL BALL, double Olivier Award winner (‘Hairspray’, ‘Sweeney Todd’), multi-platinum recording artist, and radio and TV presenter will close Live By The Lake’s programme of events with a special evening of music by George and Ira Gershwin.  Britain’s top musical theatre star will be inviting friends from the West End stage such as Kerry Ellis, Gina Beck, and David Shannon to join him in performing some of the Gershwin’s best loved songs including Summertime, I Got Rhythm, S’Wonderful, Shall We Dance, and many more.

Festival Survival Pack

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Festival survival packWaking up in a tent with a hangover means a dry mouth and bad breath. Forgotten your toothbrush? Then Oraldiet is the perfect solution to keep you minty fresh all day. It’s an innovative lozenge that contains the probiotic lactobacillus reuteri, which balances out the bad bacteria in the mouth – the main cause of bad breath. It also contains aloe vera gel, which helps to keep your mouth bacteria balanced and keep you bad breath free.

I reviewed Oraldiet to see if it works. I took one everyday after brushing my teeth and it made a difference. It tastes like a strong mint. My mouth was fresher all day and I also noticed an improvement in my overall dental health. Better gums, whiter teeth and my tongue looked healthier too. Pretty cool.

Being on your feet all day at a festival can leave you feeling a little sore in the sole, but now you can add an extra weapon to your armoury against foot care woes with Carnation Footcare’s Anti Blister Stick. Long lasting, invisible and non-greasy, the innovative Anti- Blister Stick can be applied directly to the areas of your feet where shoes pinch and rub, providing instant relief, while also being easy to pop into your bag and carry around – perfect for when you are stuck in a field in the middle of nowhere. I use this almost everyday. I even took it on a recent trip to Toulouse and it helped with the hours of fun sight-seeing, which are always hard on poor feet.

Planning on dancing the night away? Look no further than the 9bar range for all of your energy needs. Available in nine tasty varieties – Original, Nutty, Pumpkin, Flax, Organic, Peanut, Anglesey Sea Salt, Cracked Black Pepper and Sweet Chilli – there’s a flavour to suit every taste bud. Packed with nutritious seeds that give a slow release of energy, 9bars keep you feeling fuller for longer, allowing you to concentrate on more important things – like which stage to attend. I have tried them and they are delicious.

Don’t let hangovers get in the way of your festival fun. Start your day with a Nature’s Plus Red Lightning powder sachet and feel electric. Each sachet is packed with over thirty whole food extracts including cranberry and pomegranate, giving it an antioxidant punch, perfect for curing those sore alcohol induced heads. It’s the perfect way to start your festival day!

The lights have gone off, the field is silent and you feel the need to sleep for days. It’s safe to say that the festival is over. Make sure that you are ready to get back to the daily routine with Detox Patch-It. This simple plaster-style detox system uses reflexology to support the body’s natural detoxification process. Just apply the Detox Patch-it to the bottom of your feet and let it do all of the work. Using double distilled mandarin wood vinegar and green tea the patches deliver FAR-infrared energy to stimulate key reflexology points on the feet so you awake feeling revived and ready for your next festival!

The 9bar range is available from Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Holland & Barrett and independent health food stores nationwide. Original, Nutty, Pumpkin, Flax, Organic and Peanut are available in 4 x 40g multi packs, RRP £1.89, and in 50g singles, RRP 70p. Anglesey Sea Salt, Cracked Black Pepper and Sweet Chilli are available in Waitrose stores nationwide. All varieties are available as 30g singles, RRP 65p.

Oraldiet is available from www.revital.co.uk. £6.35 for 30 lozenges.

Carnation Footcare’s Anti Blister Stick is available from £4.05.

Detox Patch-It is available from Holland & Barrett stores nationwide. £3.99 for 2 patches or £29.99 for 20 patches.

Nature’s Plus Source of Life Red Lightning powder sachets are available from www.nutricentre.com. £1.38 for 6g sachet.

Beijing | Music Profile

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Bejing night bandAnother music profile from Frost Magazine. Let us know what you think.
Band: Beijing
Location: New Haven, CT USA
Styles: Indie Rock, Alt Rock, Garage Rock
Similar to: Sunny Day Real Estate, Silversun Pickups, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, The Breeders, Jeff Buckley
CD: Night (May 7, 2013)
Members/Instruments:
Bill Pruchnicki – drums
Eric Thornberg – vocals, guitar
Jack Hoppingarner – bass, vocals
Thom Smith – guitar, synth, vocals
Bio:
Beijing is an American alternative rock band from New Haven, CT. The band is comprised of Eric Thornberg (vocals/guitar), Thom Smith (guitar/synths), Bill Pruchnicki (drums) and Jack Hoopingarner (bass). Their style has elements of a dark, melancholy, alternative rock sound made famous in the 90’s by bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Smashing Pumpkins, fused with big choruses and spacey guitar reminiscent of modern bands like Jimmy Eat World and Kings of Leon.
The band formed in the Spring of 2011 and released their debut EP, ‘It’s Not So Simple’. The four song EP consisted of simple and unique grunge rock inspired pop songs characterized by Thornberg’s unique vocal style set to a soundtrack of layered fuzz and amplifier feedback. The EP quickly catapulted Beijing to a national level with countless bloggers reporting on the EP and culminating the year by being named the underground band of the year by Beatcrave.com.
After spending most of late 2011 and early 2012 maturing together as a band and writing a massive amount of new material, Beijing headed into the studio to record their full length debut, ‘Night’.  The album was released on May 7th, 2013. Inspired by feelings of love, loss and hope, ‘Night’ showcases the sound that Beijing has become. Dark and spacey melodies collide with huge distorted guitars, provoking emotion and thought inside of a dark and dense, yet beautiful atmosphere.
Beijing is currently supporting ‘Night’ and have begun writing a follow-up album to be released in early 2014.
Production:
Red Oak Recordings
Produced and Engineered by Jack Hoopingarner
Websites: