Multi-platinum rock band, Incubus, are gearing up to release their sixth studio album If Not Now, When? on July 11th.
For their latest body of work the band re-engaged renowned producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Bob Dylan). The highly anticipated new album features lead single "Adolescents", an inimitable showcase of the band's frenetic rock roots. Delving further into the album, tracks like 'Promises, Promises' and 'Friends & Lovers' reveal new levels of elegance, space, and psychedelia in the band's ever evolving sound.
'By about three songs into the writing process, I think we began to understand that we were unearthing something new,' explains Brandon Boyd about the new album. 'f Not Now, When? is our unabashed, romantic, lush, sonic love letter to the world. It's darker, slower, more rich, more refined, and more involved than anything Incubus has birthed to date.'
Fans who pre-order the album at http://www.enjoyincubus.com/preorder can purchase the physical CD and limited edition 12' Vinyl. Upon ordering, fans will be immediately sent an Mp3 download of first single 'Adolescents' and will automatically receive a digital copy of the album on July 11th.
'Adolescents' will be available to download as a single on iTunes starting May 15th.
The actor-and-producer has called the 'Baby' hitmaker "really talented" and said the pair have already started working together on a project with Hollywood studio Paramount, which is yet to be officially announced.
He said: "Justin Bieber and I are going to do a movie together.
"We're putting it together. Yeah, we're doing it at Paramount. We pitched them the idea, and we talked to him about doing it and he loved the idea. Been sending me videos - he sent me a video of himself and yeah, I think he's really talented."
Mark, 39 - who produced and starred in 'The Fighter' - was reluctant to give much detail about the upcoming movie but revealed that it will be a drama and Justin won't be singing in it.
He told New York Magazine: "We're going to do something interesting. More of a drama. It's interesting, right? You want to know.
"I will not [be singing] and neither will he."
Justin, 17, recently said he wants to be an actor after enjoying his guest role on television show 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' earlier this year.
He said: "I definitely want to do more acting, and further my career in that area, that's something I would love to do."
Sir Elton John welled up as he watched Prince William and Kate Middleton marry yesterday (29.04.11).
The 'Tiny Dancer' singer was one of a handful of celebrity guests invited into Westminster Abbey in London to see the royal couple wed, and as he watched the union, he appeared almost moved to tears.
Elton was sat next to his husband, David Furnish, in the front row of the Abbey for the proceedings. The singer was a close friend of William's mother Diana, and performed at her funeral after her death
in a car crash in 1997.
Other celebrities among the wedding's 1,900 guests included soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria, invited after David worked closely with the prince on England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
The couple described the ceremony as 'beautiful and heartfelt,' before adding to BBC news: 'Catherine looked wonderfully elegant, and we were honoured to be part of such a special, historical day for our country.
"We wish Catherine and William much love and happiness for the future.'
Also in attendance at the wedding were film director Guy Ritchie, actor Rowan Atkinson and singer Joss Stone.
Many celebrities took to twitter to pay their respects to the happy couple, including singer George Michael, who had recorded a version of Stevie Wonder's track 'You and I' as a present for the couple.
During the wedding service he tweeted: 'One word... Class (sic).' Model and actress Kelly Brook admitted the wedding stirred her emotions, tweeting: ' cried all the way through!! I cried when they opened the doors to Westminster Abbey!! Stunning (sic).'
'California Gurls' singer Katy Perry decided to pay her own tribute by decorating her nails with different pictures of William and Kate.
She posted the picture with an accompanying tweet reading: 'n honor of the Royal Wedding, I present you... My royal NAILS! CONGRATS (sic).'
Former Spice Girls singer Emma Bunton also wished the couple well, writing: 'Absolutely beautiful couple!!! They look exquisite!'
When Kelly Price was nominated for a Grammy Award in the best female R&B vocal performance category last December, the nod caught many people off guard. Up until that point, Price hadn't released an R&B album since 2003's "Priceless." In fact, when she delivered the contemporary gospel album "This Is Who I Am" three years after that, most people assumed the soulful singer had chosen a new career path.
"It's never been a secret that I'm a preacher's kid," says Price from her Los Angeles home. "Gospel will forever be a part of my life; that's why I sing the way I sing. But I never said I was leaving R&B."
Now Price is adding an exclamation point to that declaration with the May 3 release of "Kelly" (My Block/Sang Girl!/Malaco). Not only does the project plant Price squarely back into the R&B scene, it's helped the singer achieve her first top 40 hit on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 11 years and sixth top 10 on Adult R&B: "Not My Daddy," featuring Stokley.
Price's sixth album also represents a career rebirth. In addition to partnering with producer Warryn Campbell's My Block Records, Price has hired a new co-manager, Devyne Stephens of Upfront Megatainment, as she eyes several brand-building ventures. In short, the artist known for belting out such hits as "Friend of Mine," "As We Lay" and "Heartbreak Hotel" is back with a whole new do-it-my-way attitude, ready to claim, in Campbell's words, "that big shot to show what she can really do. She's never had that look, in my opinion. But everybody needs to know how great and talented she is as a singer and as an amazing writer."
Price and her manager, husband Jeffery Rolle, began dressing the stage for her return three years ago when they relocated from Atlanta to Los Angeles. After the 2006 release of "This Is Who I Am" through Gospo Centric, Price continued performing, averaging between 200 and 250 dates per year. But the urge to return to writing-she had written songs for R. Kelly, Wynonna Judd, Ronald Isley and Faith Evans, among others-and expand into film and TV began to take hold. That's when her attorney suggested she move to L.A.
Three days after the move, Price contacted Campbell, who first worked with her in the late '90s when she began recording with Island Def Jam and later Def Soul. Their subsequent discussions led to Price teaming her Sang Girl! Production company/label with Campbell's My Block Records, whose roster includes Mary Mary, the Soul Seekers and Campbell's younger sister, JoiStarr.
"My hiatus [between albums] wasn't really an accident or on purpose," Price says of her chance to refocus and re-energize. "It just worked out that way. When my break came from Def Jam, the timing was good to do something more personal to me-the gospel album. And when I thought about going back to a major or doing something on my own, I thought I should have the opportunity to experience being in charge of my career-and benefit from it as well."
Price, Rolle and Campbell began testing the waters with "Tired," the anthemic ballad that opens "Kelly." At the time of its release, the trio hadn't yet secured distribution. But the single went on to earn a Grammy nod for best female R&B vocal performance (the last year for that honor in the wake of the Recording Academy's recent restructuring of award categories). And Price found herself competing against such peers as Faith Evans, Monica, Jazmine Sullivan and Fantasia, the last of whom won the statuette.
But that loss triggered bigger things, most notably the growing response to second single "Not My Daddy," featuring Mint Condition frontman Stokley Williams. Currently No. 9 on Adult R&B and No. 35 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the compelling ballad expresses a frequently overlooked message: Don't forget to let love into your relationship. "You're not my daddy, you're my man/And I think it's time you understand/So just make me happy if you can." Its accompanying video, directed by actress Regina King, will premiere the week of April 25.
"Kelly understands the watchwords, the things that will turn your head," Williams says. "Just the title alone makes people wonder, 'What is that about?' But it goes deeper than that, and that's why it's resonating across generations with everybody."
Married since she was 19 and celebrating her 19th anniversary this year, Price says "Not My Daddy" came to her as she was cleaning the house. "I was literally singing something I didn't know. So I stopped, sat down and got the song out. It's not based on one particular incident. It stems from the experience of being in a long-term relationship and how easy that dynamic can change when kids come into the picture."
Price's "I'm every woman" outlook stands at the heart of the other tracks on "Kelly." Having overcome her own share of issues-from body image and teen pregnancy to family tensions (both her mother and late mother-in-law were stricken with breast cancer)-Price tackles everything from self-forgiveness ("I'm Sorry [My Apology]") and empowerment ("The Rain") to addictive relationships ("HimAholic"). She even gets into party mode ("And U Don't Stop").
In addition to Campbell and Williams, the singer/songwriter collaborated with songwriter/producers Shep Crawford and Jazz Nixon, who are also longtime colleagues and friends. "I'm grown; that's what this record says," Price says. "I've made a whole lot of mistakes and dumb decisions but I'm not beating myself up over it. There's a lot of resolve here but happiness as well. I've come of age doing what I know how to do: soothing myself through music and hopefully helping someone else."
Another longtime industry relationship recently blossomed into a new co-management arrangement for Price. Rolle is now co-managing his wife's career with Devyne Stephens, who heads Atlanta-based Upfront Megatainment. Its roster includes Akon, Kelly Rowland, Dave Hollister and Upfront/SRC newcomer Majic Massey.
"I've managed Kelly from day one," says Rolle, who'll still handle day-to-day responsibilities. "But now I don't have to do everything. In Devyne, I found someone who believes in Kelly like I do and someone who works just as hard as she does."
Stephens says, "Kelly is one of the premier vocalists and songwriters of this generation; someone like a Maxwell and Sade who can come back and still sell. It's time to take her brand to the next level, diversifying into TV, film and other projects."
Those other projects include plans for a summer tour with Hollister and Angie Stone, an upcoming TV pilot, a clothing line, an audio version of her 2005 book "Inscriptions of My Heart," a cookbook and her ongoing philanthropic work on behalf of breast cancer. In the meantime, Price is slated to perform at the 2011 Essence Music Festival in July and is busy collaborating on new songs for Massey, Hollister, Toni Braxton and Keke Wyatt.
"I don't get much sleep these days," Price says. "But that's OK. Everything is lining up. My prayers are being answered."
An angelic looking white girl spitting Lil Wayne rhymes? Something isn't right here.
After drawing seven million views on YouTube for their cover of Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now," a duo by the name of Karmin returns with yet another impressive cover. This time, Karmin's Nick and Amy take on Lil Wayne's "6 Foot 7 Foot."
Similarly to the "Look At Me Now" cover, the video opens with Amy on the microphone and Nick sitting at the piano.
NEW ORLEANS – He danced, drink in hand, to the music of British rhythm and blues artist Jon Cleary, but there was no one act that drew Ray Ladonceur to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Friday's opening day.
"It really doesn't matter who is on stage," said Ladonceur, a New Orleans attorney and accountant. "If you can't find a genre of music you're interested in at this festival then you don't like music. It's a beautiful, gorgeous day. There's great food, great people and great music. What more can you ask for?"
Festival producer Quint Davis stressed variety going into the 2011 festival, calling the lineup one of the broadest in the event's history.
It was evident from the sounds wafting through the air as lines formed early at booths offering everything from cold beer and crawfish to ice cream and jambalaya.
There were some of the state's greats: George Porter Jr., John Mooney and Bluesiana, Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk.
And there were the visitors.
On one stage: English folk rock band Mumford and Sons drew thousands. The group, fronted by Marcus Mumford on guitar, got rousing applause, pumping the crowd with such hits as "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave," from their debut album "Sigh No More."
"I actually love them," said Lisa Podzinger, of Savannah, Ga. "I love their whole melody thing they've got going on."
On another stage, Jeff Beck entertained thousands more while, in the Blues Tent, Keb' Mo' belted out down home blues.
Janneka Scherrenberg of Holland said this was her first time at the festival and she plans to return.
"Our friends live here and they kept telling us, 'You have to go to the jazz fest.' We finally got here," she said, swaying to Cleary. "Everything is just great. New Orleans, the people, the food. We'll be back."
Robert Plant, Wyclef Jean and The Avett Brothers were among nationally known acts closing the first day of the festival, which runs for seven days over two weekends at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
Gabi Baigel, a South African native now living in New York, danced along with the crowd packed in front of the stage to hear Jean. "I love the rhythm of him," she said, "and his third world sentiment."
Baigel said this was her first visit to the festival and was surprised at how organized everything was.
"It's a really great atmosphere. The people here and the city have a really great personality."
Jean entertained the crowd with Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," his own take on Bob Dylan's "Knocking' on Heaven's Door," as well as a bit of freestyle. He also revved up the fans when he spontaneously jumped into the midst of them. As they bounced to his beats and screamed his name, he shook hands while cameras clicked and roars of approval hummed in the air.
"I've never seen him live before, but he's so connected to his audience. He's so full of positive energy," said Kelly Ketner, who was at the festival with her boyfriend, Alex Perk, on a visit to New Orleans from Ottawa, Canada.
Perk said Jean "puts on a great show," but his draw was Mumford and Sons. "It's all about the music, the instrumental interludes for them. They were amazing."
Following the release of third album 'Bread & Circuses' in March, The View will release a brand new five track EP on 13th June.
Called 'Cutting Corners' the EP will feature the tracks 'Sunday' and 'Happy' as well as three exclusive, brand new tracks 'Sideways,' 'Alone' and a Tim Hutton mix of 'Sunday.'
The View have just completed a huge sold out tour of the UK but will play the following shows over the summer:
Saturday 30th April ' Camden Crawl (Kentish Town Forum)
Friday 13th May ' The Great Escape (Concorde 2)
Thursday 19th May ' Liverpool Sound City
Friday 8th July ' T In The Park
Sunday 10th July ' T4 On The Beach
Friday 26th August ' Leeds Festival
Sunday 28th August ' Reading Festival
The 'Smile' singer - who is marrying building firm boss Sam Cooper in Gloucestershire on June 11 - has been practising her culinary skills in the kitchen in the hope that she will impress judges and took to her twitter account to say she is pleased with the results.
She wrote: "I just made a kickass chocolate mousse cake, in preparation for my local baking competition. (sic)"
The star is brushing up on her domestic skills for when she becomes a wife and has made no secret of her desire to lead a domesticated family life, and is even planning a rural-themed wedding.
In her documentary mini-series 'Lily Allen: Rags to Riches' - which followed her career move from music to fashion and the opening of her vintage boutique store Lucy In Disguise - she said: "I want to get married and have kids and make sandwiches cutting the crusts off."
However, despite the pretty brunette looking forward to wedded bliss she is not keen on the idea of getting older, with her 26th birthday coming up next Monday (02.04.11).
Shortly before boasting about her baking skills she tweeted: "I'll be 26 in 5 days. Wrong side of 25."
The couple are expecting their first child together and the actress ' who already has a seven-year-old son Ryder with ex-husband Chris Robinson ' knows which of her partner's attributes she wants to tot to have.
She said: "Matthew's really excited and is going to be a beautiful father.
"I'm hoping the baby has his kind nature, he's very loving and nurturing, so I hope the baby inherits these qualities. That and his eyes, because he has amazing ones."
While Kate and Matt are very happy together, she insists they have no plans to get married.
She told Britain's HELLO! magazine: "He's lovely and he's going to be an amazing father, but marriage' If it was right and if it felt right, I probably would. I wouldn't count it out. But it's not in my future right now.
"Right now, I'm just looking forward to having the baby."
Kate is planning to cut back on her working commitments once she has her baby in July.
She said: "I'll have the baby to look after and Ryder is at an age where it's so fun with his baseball and karate. If I work, I'll have to go away from that and I don't want to miss another second of it.
"I'll carry on working, but only if the film's really special. Maybe this is the time in my career where I shift focus and spend more time at home."
