The following are the Nominations in top categories for the 44th annual Grammy Awards announced Today: Record of the Year: “Video,” India.Arie; “Fallin’,” Alicia Keys; “Ms. Jackson,” OutKast; “Drops of Jupiter,” Train; “Walk On,” U2. Album of the Year: “Love and Theft,” Bob Dylan; “Acoustic Soul,” India.Arie; “Stankonia,” OutKast; “All That You Can’t Leave Behind,” U2; “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack, various artists. Song of the Year: “Drops of Jupiter,” Charlie Colin, Rob Hotchkiss, Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood (Train); “Fallin’,” Alicia Keys (Alicia Keys); “I’m Like a Bird,” Nelly Furtado (Nelly Furtado); “Stuck in a Moment… Read more »
The Concert For New York City benefit, which brought in over $12 million, is Amusement Business’ top-grossing concert event of 2001, capping a list that puts pop artists in seven of the year’s top 10 moneymaking positions. Held on October 20 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the Concert for New York City was organized to raise funds for the families of policemen and firefighters killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Paul McCartney, Elton John, the Who, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Backstreet Boys, Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z and many others performed at the concert,… Read more »
Spring Aspers has been named vice president of soundtracks and supervision for the Island Def Jam Music Group. This newly created position is intended to enhance Island Def Jam’s soundtrack activities after the establishment of Universal’s Film Music Division under Kathy Nelson. That Division created new opportunities for all of Universal Music Group’s record labels by Universal Music and Universal Pictures soundtrack album activities. Based in Los Angeles, Aspers’ responsibilities will encompass A&R for all Island Def Jam soundtrack albums, in addition to increasing the awareness of the label’s artists and its music catalog to the film and television communities.… Read more »
Radio Free Virgin, a leading digital broadcast company, today launched the Shortlist Channel in cooperation with the Shortlist project, a new award which highlights innovative and adventurous artists rather than established hitmakers. Ten Shortlist finalists including Ryan Adams, Nikka Costa, PJ Harvey and Gorillaz were announced on October 3rd at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills, and the winner of the Virgin Megastore Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement in Music will be announced in mid-November at an all-star concert and party in Hollywood, CA. Radio Free Virgin’s Shortlist Channel is comprised of tracks culled from the ten… Read more »
On the radio this week, songs by Live, Moby, Jewel, Aerosmith, Enya and others have been transformed into musical tributes integrating news coverage of Tuesday’s events, passages from President Bush’s speeches in response to them and first-person accounts from witnesses to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. KIIS in Los Angeles produced a tribute version of U2’s “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” and are also playing a tribute version of Enya’s “Only Time” and Faith Hill’s “Star-Spangled Banner.” “We were looking for something to help, songs that touch the heart, that help you… Read more »
After eight years of rest, rehab and whirlwind recording sessions, the Breeders are finally ready to make another splash in the music world. Former Pixies bassist Kim Deal and her side-project-turned-chart-topping-power-pop-band are just a few days away from completing their first album since 1993’s Last Splash. Tentatively titled Title TK, a clever reference to the journalism symbol meaning “to come,” the album was produced by über-producer Steve Albini in his Electric Audio Recording Studio in Chicago. “The record as a collection covers a lot of territory,” said Albini, who produced and engineered records for both the Pixies and Breeders, as… Read more »
Yet another eclectic summer soundtrack looms, this time for director Kevin Smith’s forthcoming flick, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. The compilation, due August 14th, mixes previously unreleased tracks from Stroke 9, the Bloodhound Gang, Soul Asylum’sBon Jovi, Morris Day and the Time and Steppenwolf. The Bloodhound Gang”s contribution to Jay and Silent Bob, a track called “Jackass,” was previously tabbed for two other soundtracks this year. The number was originally written for the aborted soundtrack to MTV’s Jackass. It was then slated for inclusion on, then dropped from, the imminent American Pie II album before finding a home on… Read more »
Midway Games Inc., a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that Island Gold Recording act Saliva will re-record the popular song “Theme From Peter Gunn,” for the all-new remake of the classic SpyHunter ® videogame, scheduled to ship this fall for the PlayStation ®2 computer entertainment system. Saliva will record two new versions of “Theme From Peter Gunn,” one instrumental format as well as a lyrical version. Both are expected to be used to add intensity to the relentless action in the SpyHunter videogame. Additionally, a music video containing behind-the-scenes footage of Saliva’s recording session and band interviews… Read more »
What’s more punk than performing in a cornfield? Nothing! Mannequin Pussy is back and better than ever, treating fans to their deliciously rebellious single, “I Got Heaven.” Juxtaposing their angsty screaming vocals with melodic guitar leads, the song references religion in the context of its hypocrisy, and finding god within your own life and body. Alongside “I Got Heaven” comes its music video, which is just as unique as the track. From images of cows and hay, to a family of farmers running to escape the band’s chaos, the visuals highlight Mannequin Pussy’s disillusionment with organized religion in an evocative… Read more »
