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and Blackout
. - Matt
is now available for us in the U.S. to purchase. - Camille
It's the end of an era! Today's release of Celebration fulfils MADONNA's contract with Warner (yeahhhh she's free!) the release is a little flawed with some shoddy edits used on the CD and some glaring omissions, but all in all it's the most comprehensive package we have of over 25 years of Madonna's work, packaged with some fabulous artwork so who can really complain? Pick it up at Amazon
Are you ready to take a little trip down memory lane with me? Over the next week or so in celebration of Madonna's career to date and the new release, we're gonna be bringing you our 'Best Of The Era' series so stay tuned for Madonna goodies!
Where it all began....
Ok I'll admit it! I'm ridiculously excited to see KYLIE MINOGUE in concert here in NYC in just under two weeks. Kylie was the first pop star I ever loved but surprisingly I have never seen her live!
Kylie touched down in the U.S last night and her tour starts in San Francisco in a few days (so jealous the west coast gets her first) Check out this cute little video of Kylie in her final days of rehearsals for the tour! and also Perez got the Setlist from Kylie herself last week, I'm pretty happy with it and I'm sure she'll add Spinning Around (well she better!)
Photos by Camille Backer
Some of the highlights of the show for me were; an outstanding performance of one of my favorite tracks from Terra Incognita, "Suicide Dive Bombers" in which Juliette lept over the barrier diving into an excited crowd. They appeared to DROP her but picked her up and she carried right on! An energetic performance of "Terra Incognita," I loved the conga player! and "Pray For The Band Latoya" which is one of my personal favorite songs.
She also played many of my favorite Licks numbers including "Pray For The Band Latoya" as i mentioned, "You're Speaking My Language" and she came back on stage to end the show perfectly with an encore of "Hot Kiss," with headdress (just as Matt was hoping for!)
I'm probably gonna get shot for this one but I don't care! I'm loving the MILEY CYRUS song PARTY IN THE USA for which the video was just released. I thought Miley had just got me the one time with SEE YOU AGAIN but this is another track I like! (Oh please stop with the eye rolling - you have to admit it's catchy!) and for all those up in arms about Miley's push up bra, she's not much younger than Britney was when she came out in the schoolgirl outfit!
Don't think I can't see you nodding your head like "Yeah", shaking your hips like "Yeah"!
Camille
Well this a downer! Keisha the only remaining original member of the Sugababes has left the building! Lets see if they are any good with out Keisha and what her solo career holds! My favorite Sugababe was Siobhan but the band was still good without her. I think things really went down hill for them when Mutya left.
"The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.
Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.
Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist"
Source: Sugababes.com
Nice Hair Mutya!
MARIAH CAREY visited Oprah at her show in Central Park NYC on Friday. I wanted to go but much to my disappointment no-one I knew won tickets! She performed 'I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS' looking like she walked off the "Vision of Love" video set!
I've have had mixed feelings about Mariah's version of this classic song, but I think its growing on me. She gave one of her best performances in recent memory (I guess now Whitney is back she has to up her game!) She even managed the "dog whistle" at the end of the song, probably enhanced a bit, but it almost felt like "Emotions" there for a quick second. I wonder if any garage doors opened?
All photos by Yehou Levy.
Ladyhawke is not only talented but equally endearing. She admitted to being shy and almost shocked by playing for a crowd - which only made us scream louder in support of her. The minute she started to play you'd never know she was shy! She sounds just as good live as on the record, and rocks out twice as hard on the guitar!
The show was fantastic and the crowd was so into it, singing along with every song. My favorites of the night were: the one that started it all - "Back Of The Van","Dusk Till Dawn," which came alive for me live the 'Bang, Bang, Bang on the wall' line causing fist pumping and random banging of objects all round!, and my favorite track from the album, the classic "My Delirium," which incited euphoria in the crowd and closed the show. You can watch all the videos from the show right here!
If you get the chance to catch her on tour please do so and support this amazing new artist, who's debut album LADYHAWKE (available on iTunes now!) is one of my favorite in recent years! - Camille
Tonight night I'm heading to Irving Plaza in NYC to see JULIETTE LEWIS and her new band perform! I saw her at Summerstage a few months ago and she was amazing (Check the videos here). My only complaint was that the set was too short, that won't be the case tomorrow!
I'm excited to hear more of her new material from her new album TERRA INCOGNITA and hopefully a few classics from her days with The Licks. In you are in NYC tonight come along and rock out with us! Tickets available here
Check Juliette's video of her passing our fliers promoting the show on the streets of NYC!
I LOVE New York City!! Another of my favorite acts is coming to town! The wonderful FLORENCE & THE MACHINE have announced a couple of U.S. dates. The NYC date at the Bowery Ballroom is on sale now... so do the right thing and get a ticket. You snooze you lose! These will be gone in a heartbeat!
Dates:
Oct 27 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
Oct 30 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
Nov 2 Toronto, ONT - Mod Club
GOLDFRAPP have been very quiet on the music front, recording new tunes (no news on a particular sound yet) for a new album and writing the score for NOWHERE BOY - a biopic on John Lennon. Allison just posted this on their official blog...
"We have finally emerged from an intense period of work and i’m pleased i can now tell you about it (as it is official). we have written the score for a film called “Nowhere boy”. it’s about John Lennon as a boy and stars Aaron Johnson, Kristen Scott-Thomas and Anne Marie Duff. it’s Sam Taylor-Wood’s first feature film and it’s truly amazing that they gave us the oppotunity to do this. we are all really excited about going to abbey road studios soon to record the strings with the full orchestra. the film is closing the london film festival and is premiered on 29th october at odeon leicester square. now our work on the film is almost finished, we will carry on writing the Goldfrapp album."
Don't you just love this album cover? As usual DRAGONETTE is hitting the mark with everything; artwork, videos and music! I'm now even more excited about the new album FIXIN TO THRILL due be released on October 6th and physically in most of the world October 2oth.
While we wait for it, here is a killer remix of PICK UP THE PHONE by RICHARD X. Dragonette and Richard X are really a match made in heaven! If that doesn't satisfy your thirst for new Dragonette material head over to Sheena Beaston to download Stupid Grin!
Tracklist:
1. Fixin To Thrill
2. Gone To Far
3. Liar
4. Stupid Grin
5. Easy
6. Pick Up The Phone
7. We Rule The World
8. Big Sunglasses
9. Okay Dolore
10. Come On Be Good
11. You’re A Disaster
12. Don’t Be Funny
MP3's
Pick Up The Phone (Richard X 12" Mix)
Pick Up The Phone (Richard X Radio Mix)
I've been fighting MARIAH CAREY nostalgia/fever the past few weeks, listening to old tracks and reminiscing back to those days before the R&B era swallowed her into a black hole that i'm not sure she'll ever completely crawl out of. SOMEDAY is one of those classic tracks that I will never get sick of. I've always preferred this particular remix to the album version, mainly because you can hear the last note for much longer and there are some extra synth's in there.
MP3
Someday (New 7'' Straight Mix)
The best version of Someday is by far from the MTV Unplugged EP released back in 1991. I know all the vocal parts by heart, i'm not gonna lie! Watch it below...
. We've heard the demo of this track already (which isn't far from M's version), and I def. wasn't a huge fan of that. The same goes for this version, it's catchy, it's Madonna...so of course I am excited and blasting it right now (on the second play already). Who ever thought she'd work with 'Lil Wayne? His part is hardly noticeable - thank the lord. Still can't wait for It's So Cool, which will be released on the iTunes version of the album.
Photo by Getty Images
I've never really considered myself a JAY Z fan but watching his September 11th benefit concert at MSG on Fuse I was surprised at how many of his songs I both knew and liked and felt he put on a really great live show. Fresh from that I was excited to see his performance with ALICIA KEYS at the VMAs. I've really been feeling the song Empire State Of Mind and they killed it live on Sunday, closing down the show in style!
I guess you can't write a post about this performance without mentioning the absurdity of Lil' Mama who jumped on stage right at the end of their performance! I love how they just ignored her and went about their business, I personally would have liked to see her rugby tackled and dragged off stage! ;)
MP3:
Empire State of Mind
You may remember I asked what was next for MADONNA the other day, and it's REVOLVER of course! Here is a thirty second preview of the second new track from her forthcoming 2-disc Greatest Hits collection Celebration.It sounds just like the demo version that leaked a while ago, featuring someone of little importance to me on vocals. So far it's no Celebration for me, I much prefer that track! I wait with baited breath to hear what Lil' Wayne's contribution to the track will be!
Wow I wasn't expecting such a straight up pop song to leak from BEYONCE's catalog. Kind of sounds like Sweet Dreams but a 'Day' version. LOL! Where is all this material? There just has to be more! I remember when they rumored she was working with the Freemasons, we never got to hear that (damn!). Anyway, it's called CONTROL. Stargate production I assume? Sweet synths, dance-able and fresh, the perfect end to summer. Can't wait to hear more from B just as long as she progresses in musical style. That voice can go even more places than its been! I'm still waiting for a dance album...still waiting!
MP3
Control
Fresh from her awesome performance last night at the VMAS JANET JACKSON took to twitter with this message:
"I hope u guys enjoyed us tonight. It was very special for me n I have a very special gift for all of u at JanetJackson.com"
That special gift is a hot new track from her! I'm really feeling MAKE ME, it sounds like early Prince to me, which is never a bad thing!
This is what I've been waiting for from Janet, I'm so excited for new music from her now. I think people tend to forget how great she is after a few flop albums but she really is a brilliant artist! Time to revisit all the old albums while we wait!
MP3
Make Me
Photo By Getty Images
After Kanye stole the stage during what was Taylor Swifts most exciting moment of her life thus far - winning an MTV Video Music Award, I was hoping BEYONCE would address the issue since it was her song he thought should had won. She did just that, all after a kick ass, flawless performance.
Photo By Getty Images
B didn't use over the top staging (not that I don't love that), or flashy backgrounds, just a bunch of lights, a kick ass track and that powerful voice and killer moves!
To close what was a spectacular VMA show we got to see the full trailer for the upcoming MICHAEL JACKSON movie 'This Is It.' This show looks like it would have been a show like none other, and you know it takes a lot to impress me! It's just such a damn shame that he wasn't around to see this through, but I'm pleased the rehearsals were captured on film so that we can see what they had planned. Get ready to see this movie when released on October 28th!
Photos by Getty Images
PINK absolutely stole the show when it comes to talent tonight - she brought a flying trapeze right into Radio City Music Hall to perform SOBER and flew above the audience like it's her daily hobby. Sorry Gaga, Pink stole the 'rising from the stage on a wire' trick better than I've seen since Madonna's Drowned World Tour rendition of Sky Fits Heaven. It always comes back to Madonna with us Hard Candy writers. *lol*
Class act performance and my favorite of the night. My heart was in my throat the entire time - I finally felt what I see lacking in this industry is a show of raw talent. It made me laugh when they announced that she and Shakira had the same outfit on the red carpet. How embarrassing!
Photo by Getty Images
KANYE WEST had yet another asshole moment tonight at the MTV Video Music Awards - West steals the microphone from Taylor Swift while she was accepting her first award, a crowning moment in a young artists life. Who cares what Kanye thinks, who cares!? Why didn't security get him off faster? Beyonce must have been so embarrassed too! That was totally uncalled for and immature. Watch it now! Oh, and remember when he flipped out last time? Anger management classes would do wonders. I'm glad MTV asked him to leave. (Well, duh!)
Photo by Getty Images
Just like clockwork, he's home and has made a statement - in CAPS no less. Guess he must really mean it this time.
I'M SOOOOO SORRY TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND HER FANS AND HER MOM. I SPOKE TO HER MOTHER RIGHT AFTER AND SHE SAID THE SAME THING MY MOTHER WOULD'VE SAID. SHE IS VERY TALENTED! I LIKE THE LYRICS ABOUT BEING A CHEERLEADER AND SHE'S IN THE BLEACHERS! ........................ I'M IN THE WRONG FOR GOING ON STAGE AND TAKING AWAY FROM HER MOMENT!................. BEYONCE'S VIDEO WAS THE BEST OF THIS DECADE!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FANS IF I LET YOU GUYS DOWN!!!! I'M SORRY TO MY FRIENDS AT MTV. I WILL APOLOGIZE TO TAYLOR 2MRW. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD!!!! EVERYBODY WANNA BOOOOO ME BUT I'M A FAN OF REAL POP CULTURE!!! NO DISRESPECT BUT WE WATCHIN' THE SHOW AT THE CRIB RIGHT NOW CAUSE ... WELL YOU KNOW!!!! I'M STILL HAPPY FOR TAYLOR!!!! BOOOYAAAWWWW!!!! YOU ARE VERY VERY TALENTED!!! I GAVE MY AWARDS TO OUTKAST WHEN THEY DESERVED IT OVER ME... THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!!!!!! I'M NOT CRAZY YALL, I'M JUST REAL. SORRY FOR THAT!!! I REALLY FEEL BAD FOR TAYLOR AND I'M SINCERELY SORRY!!! MUCH RESPECT!!!!!
Photo by Getty Images
MADONNA's speech at this year's MTV Video Music Awards was one of the most inspiring i've heard in a very long time. She stood firm, emotional - laying a sly eye to Jackson's father Joe.
I recently got the chance to speak with Chris Lowe from the PET SHOP BOYS! for a Brit like me, who has grown up listening to and loving their music my whole life, this was greatly exciting!
Chris gave a great interview in which he talks about how it feels to be back on top of the U.S. dance charts with Love. Etc, who he'd like to work with, a memorable moment at a Nina Simone concert and what they'll be working on when the Pandemonium Tour is over! Listen to it here!
It's been KYLIE MINOGUE mania in my house this weekend! (That was totally me and my housemates singing into various remotes Friday night!) With Kyles hitting New York in just a month, excitement is rapidly building! For me, that means playing anything and everything Kylie, and added to my playlist this week is the full length version of CHIGGY WIGGY! It is a collaboration between Kylie and A.R. Rahman and it's pretty damn catchy! You can check out the making of the video below also!
I warn you Hard Candy may be looking like Kylie.com in the coming weeks!
Download Mp3:
Chiggy Wiggy
We're very excited to watch the development of new artist THECOCKNBULLKID. Her catchy and fresh track Clean Apart's got us itching for more. Camille and I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her recent release the Querelle EP, her inspirations and of course the meaning behind the stage name!
The name thecocknbullkid is certainly something we've never heard before. How did it come about?
It's basically a tongue in cheek way play on calling myself a bullshitter. I didn't stick with my own name because I think it's sounds too earnest. There is no more deplorable trait than being too earnest.
What can we expect from you during the end of '09 and beyond?
The album. Which will be quite a departure from what I have done so far. I feel like everything pre-2009 have been my demos. I've been finding my feet. I want to make a timeless and accomplished record.
We are loving 'Clean Apart' tell us more about the meaning of the track and it's lyrics.
It's pretty self explanatory. I'm not a fan of explaining lyrics because i think it ruins something for the listener. Some people have interpreted it as an acerbic break up song. I guess it could be.
Do you have plans to promote/tour in the United States? We are waiting for you here in NYC!
Yes definitely! I had plans on coming this summer but the sound of the album took a turn so it made sense to finish the whole thing before we went out there . It never felt particularly finished or confident enough to go over with at that point. I knew I had to write some better songs before I did that so that's what I'm doing. It's pretty much done now so I should be coming over by the end of the year.
Where do you draw inspiration from, specifically for your music and look?
Everywhere! People, Love, Art, History, Extremes. I'm constantly on the hunt for inspiration, i draw it from the most unusual places at times. I just need a word or a phrase that strikes a chord with me and I'll go off on a tangent and write a song. it can be amazing when you get it right.
Tell us more about what we'll hear on the Querelle EP, which is available now? How did the artwork for the EP come about?
The songs on the EP mainly explore the dark side of love, self loathing and sabotage. The artwork was inspired by the film Querelle which is quite a dark and twisted love story. I wanted the imagery to marry the masculine to the feminine, i wanted to put two extremes together. I liked the imagery of a middle aged man with a beer gut delicately holding a beautiful flower.
We love that you are influenced by all of our favorite artists here at Hard Candy. What current/upcoming artists do you listen to?
Im the worst person to ask as I'm not really listening to current music! The only current act I'm listening to at the moment is Florence, its because her music sounds timeless. I also listen to Metronomy and an upcoming band singer and writer called Wolfgang. But especially now because I'm recording an album, i have no head space to listen to anyone else . There is a fear you'll become too influenced by it so I'm not listening to anything else too faithfully.
Who do you work with to record and produce your tracks? Tell us about the songwriting process for you, and the equipment/sounds you use.
I'm working with a few producers on this record now, including Gonzales and Peter (of Peter, Bjorn and John). Its very much a collaborative process. We'll often start on the piano and build up around that. Making percussion with pots and bottles. Peter has some amazing south American bits of percussion with names I cant pronounce that we often end up using as well.
Writing this album, i'm learning so much every day. I've started to implement the rule that if none of us is getting excited after 15 minutes, we bin it and start another song. It's a very staunch mindset you have to take up but It seems to be working.
Put your ipod on shuffle, what are the first three songs that pop up? Any special significance to you?
Dudley
Fine Time
Aunt Dot
If you could chose one artist who would be the soundtrack to your life who would it be and why?
Hard one! Madonna cos she's done it all.
Tell us something random about yourself!
Both my pinky fingers have been broken since childhood. I didn't realize until quite recently.
Sunday night JANET JACKSON is supposed to be performing a tribute to her brother on the VMA's, I'm excited to see that I'm sure that she'll do a great job!
I just saw on MuuMuse Janet also just gave her first interview since the death of her brother to Harper's Bazaar you can read the full interview here. I thought it was very moving and enjoyed the her shared memories of Michael!
. Remember Breathe? Angela has teamed up with a group called LMNTL for I'M NOT THE GIRL, who don't seem to have an online presence in the least. So secretive! MuuMuse found this one awhile ago and i've had it starred to post here - great one! Angela's solo album The Things We Do
is out now so check it out!
I keep asking myself...is that the creepy old lady from Drag Me To Hell? I can't tell her from the sheep in this video. I absolutely love it - Johan Renck is a talented producer, oddly enough he was responsible for Madonna's Hung Up! Remix highlights for this single are from Hard Candy favorites CSS and an awesome dub-step remix by Martyn (below). 
a listen, check out 'Nothin' But Love,' 'For The Lovers' and 'Song For You.' She looks great in the video, go Whitney!
As we prepare for THE SOUNDS tour hitting NYC next week (much excite!) here is another hot remix! This time BEATBOX is given the remix treatment by Jen Lasher! Watch out for the Beatbox video premiering very soon!
DOWNLOAD MP3
Beatbox (Lasher vs Breakdown Remix)
Here is the new JULIETTE LEWIS video for FANTASY BAR from her new album Terra Incognita. I love this video it totally captures the raw energy that is Juliette, and does that girl now how to work a costume or what? Who else could pull off the Indian Chief look so well!
Juliette also did the Craig Ferguson show last week and you can watch her perfomance and interview here
landed. WITHOUT YOU is the next single from the album, and the video has just premiered (see below). This is one band that has been on-point through every release. The album and single packaging artwork is so carefully crafted and cohesive. Not to mention a reel of music videos that put the music and artwork to life.
hasn't been released here in the states (such a shame) but you can still get the import. Remixed by Alalal and Joakim, tthe new single NOT MADE FOR LOVE is ready for your listening pleasure below.
Well apparently I was slacking on my MADONNA news this week but the STICKY AND SWEET tour ended in Israel on September 2nd and there were PLENTY of surprises for the audience.
Madonna's kids were heavily involved in the show. Rocco danced on stage to 'Celebration' before the show started and then sat with DJ Enferno during his Mom's performance of Music! Lola played the Piano during 'Devil Wouldn't Recognize You' and danced on stage with her Mom for 'Give It 2 Me'....and I mean danced! That girl had all the moves down!! (I guess she was rehearsing when she was in the back the other time!)
These kids are just adorable and so talented. Lola is a brilliant dancer (and piano player it seems.) I have to admit I was tripped out by how grown up Lola is and how much like her mother she looks (especially in those glasses... she IS Madonna in the 80's.) Big props to M for letting her kids have fun with her on stage!
Now begs the question what's next in Madonna world?
(remember Torn?) and the follow up White Lilies Island
(Beauty On The Fire is a masterpiece). After dropping into a more acoustic and somber style for what felt like ages, Imbruglia is back with the upbeat and fresh WANT, a track co-written by Chris Martin of Coldplay. There are also great set of remixes for this release, my favorite of which was crafted by house magicians The Shapeshifters. It takes a bit to built - be patient!
You may be familiar with the name MORGAN PAGE because he is a producers that has created some stellar remixes for some of the biggest names in pop including Katy Perry and Madonna (I first became aware of Morgan because of his fantabulous remix of Miles Away.) FIGHT FOR YOU is Morgan's latest single taken from his album due Spring 2010.
The track will be available on iTunes & Beatport September 8 and includes remixes by Sultan & Ned, Beltek, DJ Dan and Bass Kleph. For now you can grab the original at RCRD. LBL
DOWNLOAD MP3:
FIGHT FOR YOU
As we eagerly await the debut album from DON DIABLO here is one of the cuts that did not make the album, due to not fitting with the sound. If this is the quality of the 'did not make the cut stuff' then we I think can expect GREAT things from those that did! This funky little track is called GET ON THE FLOOR, dance up a storm to it this labor day weekend! Enjoy!
DOWNLOAD MP3:
Get On The Floor
. October 20th is the release date.
