Sitting in the control room at Los Angeles’ Henson Studios earlier this fall listening to mixes for “This Left Feels Right” – a collection of Bon Jovi hits radically revamped by the band – Jon Bon Jovi admitted, “I don’t know if anyone’s gonna buy this.” The album, which came out Nov. 4, features songs revisited in ways that are startling at first: leadoff single “Wanted Dead or Alive” becomes a Led Zeppelin-like stomp, while “It’s My Life” morphs into a wistful ballad. But the tunes quickly show themselves sturdy enough to withstand the upheaval. “The children started to grow… Read more »
Sire Records, the label that introduced the world to Madonna, Talking Heads and the Ramones, is being resurrected and will officially rejoin the Warner Bros. Records family of labels. Label founder Seymour Stein’s first signing under the new deal is the Von Bondies. Also on the Sire roster are Morcheeba, Guster, the Distillers, Hot Hot Heat, Less Than Jake and the Hives (through a joint venture with Burning Heart/Epitaph). When Roger Ames was named chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group in 1999, Ames’ London Records was merged with Sire Records to create London-Sire. That label closed its doors in… Read more »
Atlantic Vice President of Marketing & Product Development Lee Stimmel has announced that Madelyn Scarpulla has joined Atlantic Records as senior director of product development, and will be based at the company’s New York headquarters. Scarpulla was most recently Senior Director of Marketing at Columbia Records. In making the announcement Stimmel commented, “Madelyn comes to Atlantic with a richly diverse background which encompasses marketing, sales, product management, promotion, artist management, and radio programming. Her years of experience, wide-ranging knowledge, and infectious enthusiasm make her ideally suited to pull together the many strands of a project and oversee the spectrum of… Read more »
Tracy Zamot has been promoted to Vice President, East Coast Media Relations for Atlantic Records, based at the company’s New York headquarters. The announcement was made by Atlantic Senior Vice President of Media & Artist Relations Patti Conte, to whom she will report. In her new post, Zamot will continue to work closely with Vice President of Media Relations Caroline Prutzman. Zamot has been with Atlantic since 1992, most recently serving as senior director of media relations. In making the announcement, Patti Conte commented: “In her ten years with Atlantic, Tracy has grown into one of the most admired and… Read more »
Sam Phillips demurs when it’s suggested that rock ‘n’ roll was invented at his Sun Records label during the 1950s. But he does acknowledge there was a whole lotta shakin’ going on in Memphis thanks to the music he created there with the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and others. “I do know this – it changed the world and it opened up a lot of doors,” Phillips said in a recent interview. “I’m happy we were able to contribute, at least in my opinion, to what music has done and is… Read more »
Capitol recording artist Pru has broken the rules by cutting a brand new version of her signature composition “Aaroma (Of a Man),” which will be serviced in June. This version of the seductive ballad will be added to her self-titled debut album PRU, which will be redesigned and repackaged as part of a newly-organized campaign. The video for “Aaroma” will be shot this month. “Aaroma (Of a Man),” produced by Andrew Slater, President and CEO, Capitol Records (whose producer’s credits include Macy Gray, Fiona Apple, and the Wallflowers) and mixed by Mike Shipley, whose credits range from Shania Twain, Faith… Read more »
Russ Thyret is expected to resign as chairman of Warner Bros. Records next month, making it the first hit in the anticipated shakeup at the music group. The departure of the 30-year Warner Music veteran has been grist for the rumor mill since last summer. The writing on the wall got clearer when it was leaked that Interscope Records president Tom Whalley had been hired as chairman of Warner Bros. Records, even though he won’t arrive until January because Interscope won’t let him out of his contract. Warner Bros. Records president Phil Quartararo is in line to run the show… Read more »
Lindsey Byrnes, music creative director and photographer for Tegan and Sara, Paramore, Rolling Stone Magazine, Atlantic Records, Sony, Billboard, Thrasher Magazine and more.
This week we chinwag about as Jess and Bowie’s experience using Masterclass. Afterward, we chat with Australian singer/songwriter Zoe Badwi.
Zoë Badwi began her music career as one third of girl band Sirens before embarking on a solo career that has so far spawned several club chart-topping anthems. She joined girl group trio Sirens, who scored two hits, “Like Fire, Like Rain” and a cover version of the Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited” before disbanding in 2001. Badwi continued to write and perform, and was later spotted fronting band, Black Dogs. Performing at a Melbourne club, electronic duo TV Rock’s Grant Smillie, was so impressed by her vocals that he invited her to work with him. After signing to Neon Records, her debut solo single, “Release Me,” was nominated for Best Dance Release at the 2009 ARIA Award and APRA awards. It was followed by Top Ten single “Freefallin’.” She secured a U.S. deal with Atlantic Records and began work on her debut album and tours the world performing, including touring with Little Mix.
We’re joined by Mike Castellucci from Atlantic Records to talk the fan funnel, old bands, and the power of radio today.
