Music News Net

NOWHERE BOY Film Trailer Released

MUSIC NEWS - The trailer for NOWHERE BOY, the movie based on the memoir, Imagine This: Growing Up WIth My Brother John Lennon by Julia Baird (his step-sister), has been released.

The film was directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, scripted by Matt Greenhalgh (Control), with original music by Alison Goldfrapp  and was filmed on location in Liverpool with Aaron Johnson as John Lennon. The pic retells the Beatle's early life when he was raised by his Aunt Mimi, played by Kristen Scott Thomas with Anne-Marie Duff playing Lennon's mother Julia, who gave him to Mimi when he was four years old.

From the trailer below, we can gather the the film documents Lennon's discovery of rock 'n' roll (his mother taught him banjo chords, which he made use of on his guitar) and his meeting with another Liverpool youngster, Paul McCartney, played by Thomas Sangster.

John Mayer Reveals Tour Cities, But Not Venues or Dates for His Winter Tour

MUSIC NEWS - John Mayer's new album,  Battle Studies is due out November 17 via Sony Music (order below), the same day Mayer plays a special show at NYC's Beacon Theater, to celebrate the album's release.  Fortunately, the concert will air live on Fuse for those unable to attend.

Mayer also has revealed on his website the cities, but not the dates or venues, for his upcoming 2010 Winter tour in support of the new record:

UPDATE 11/4/09- Battle Studies 2010 Tour details announced, see MNN report here

THIS IS IT Falling Fast at the Box Office

MUSIC NEWS - As Sony execs debate whether a Halloween weekend theatrical opening for the MICHAEL JACKSON "Last Days" film, THIS IS IT was a good idea, the film made it worldwide debut.  After a big Wednesday box office of $7.5M (though below the $8.6 million first day opening of Disney’s "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" movie, the film dropped to $3.7M (49.5% decline) on Thursday, but rebounded with $7.8M on Friday.  This is while audiences continue to flock to a more appropriate scare fest on PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.

With these domestic numbers, THIS IS IT is having a tougher go at getting a #1 top spot for the week.  If that's the case, maybe the team at Sony Picture will reconsider the decision to hold the DVD and Blu Ray releases of the MJ film until 2010 and move it up for this holiday shopping season !!!

11/1 Note- Saturday's #s came in at $7.1M, nearly a 10% decline from Friday and Sunday's daily # was down to $6.3M for an estimated five day total of $32.5 (well below original expectations of $40M +). And, surprise, surprise, Sony announced an extension of the theatrical run, all but killing a 2009 dvd & blu ray release. See Deadline.com for their take on Sony's marketing of the film.  

IT MIGHT GET LOUD Announced for DVD and Blu Ray Release

MUSIC NEWS - Prepare for your last minute holiday gifts now, with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment dropping the Davis Guggenheim directed IT MIGHT GET LOUD on DVD and Blu Ray three days before Christmas on December 22.  But it's no bargain, as the standard DVD will be $27.96 SRP with the BD going for $37.95 SRP ! The only extra features announced are inclusion of a Toronto Film Festival Press Conference featurette and some deleted scenes (specific details not revealed yet and MNN has not yet viewed the bonus materials). SPHE has not yet release the cover art (we liked the theatrical materials, SPHE marketing folks), we'll publish as soon as they make their choice.

The film was released in theatres on August 14, 2009 and stars Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge and The White Stripes' Jack White.  It ended up at $1.5M in box office receipts and is sure to find an audience with serious guitar buffs, but will have a difficult time getting traction with the general public. Order your copy here 

Canadian Folk Singer Killed By Coyotes While On Tour

MUSIC NEWS - A young Canadian folk musician was attacked and killed on Wednesday by coyotes while she hiked alone during her concert tour to promote her new album, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.   Taylor Mitchell, 19,  a rising star of the folk music scene, had recently gotten a Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination.

Ms Mitchell was hiking alone on the Syline Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park when a pair of coyotes attacked her.   Others hikers rushed to help her and found Mitchell bleeding heavily from mulitple wounds "all over her body", according to The Canadian Press.

"She was losing a considerable amount of blood from her wounds," paramedic Paul Maynard told TCP.

One of the animals was later shot by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but the other escaped.  Park officials said it was highly unusual for coyotes to be involved in such an aggressive attack.

Mitchell was due to perform at a concert at Maxwells in Syndey, Nova Scotia after her hike and was on her first tour of the Canadian east coast.

Sony Reports Its Fourth Straight Quarterly Loss, Though Sony Music Sold a Ton Of Michael Jackson CDs

Sony continued its run of quarterly losses and showed a net loss of 26.3 billion yen ($292 million) for its second quarter with a decline in sales at Sony Pictures, Consumer Products (TVs), Sony Ericcson and Sony Computer Entertainment, the company reported today.  These #s compare with their profit of 20.8 billion yen a year ago, making this current quarter Sony's fourth straight quarterly decline.

Sales for the quarter that ended September 30, 2009 also went southward, dropping 19.8 percent to 1.66 trillion yen ($18.26 billion) from 2.07 trillion yen in the year-ago quarter. 

Recent cost cuts, that included layoffs, and increased sales of the price reduced Playstation 3 game console provided some relief, but Sony was hurt by a  downturn in sales for its Playstation 2 despite its recent claims that PS2 was "showing no signs of slowing down." Weak demand for the Vaio line of PCs, also dragged down the quarter and had revenue in the Networked Product and Services division, which includes Sony Computer Entertainment, fell 24.2 percent to 352.6 billion yen from 465.2 billion yen in the year-ago quarter.

FREE Album Sampler from Lost Highway Records

MUSIC NEWS - One thing we've learned in this biz is that FREE is best! So, when Lost Highway Records told us about their new sampler, we were excited, and when they told us the sampler is FREE, we had to fill you in !   Lost Highway Sampler: T For Texas T From Tennessee  is FREE on Amazon.com for a limited time only.  The album contains great music from Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll, Robert Earl King, and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. 

Check it out now, and let us know what you think !!!

MAE Wants Your Vote, But for a Good Cause !

MUSIC NEWS- During 2009, alternative rockers MAE have dedicated their time and music to several charitable organizations across the USA.  The band launched “12 Songs, 12 Months, 1 Goal: Make a Difference” and offered their songs digitally for a minimum donation of $1 each, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the campaign.

Having raised $55,095.48 so far, MAE is now asking fans to vote for the band’s idea on IdeaBlob.com to win $10,000 towards DonorsChoose, an organization that helps teachers across the country directly get the supplies they are lacking for their classrooms.  Voting ends Saturday, October 31.

In a message to their fans:

“Thanks to you, we are in the finals of the Ideablob competition for $10,000, but here's the catch... the competition is now more fierce than ever and we can only win with your help! The competition ends October 31st. Please take a moment to register and vote for our idea on Ideablob here!
whatismae.com/ideablob

Earlier this year, you helped us successfully win $10,000 on Ideablob which went directly to help build a home for a family in need in Newport News, VA in conjunction with Habitat For Humanity. This time, we are partnering with Donorschoose.org to help fund an educational project in every state. By helping teachers receive the supplies they need to make the educational experience more fun, thorough and priceless, we can make a difference in literally thousands of children's' lives! Please take a moment to register and vote for our idea and help us win $10,000 for Donorschoose.org and teachers in need!

Vote for our idea and please pass on our message to your friends, families, co-workers, and anyone else who will listen!

We love you so much and cannot do this without you. You are the best fans in the world and we are calling on you again to help us bring home a victory for Mae and for Donorschoose.org!”

Currently the band's on their fall headlining tour in support of (A)fternoon . the second of three 8-song discs being released this year via the band’s own imprint Cell Records which is now in partnership with Tooth & Nail for distribution; MAE elected to partner with DonorsChoose.  For the group’s (M)orning release in the first part of this year, the band raised funds for their local Habit for Humanity in Newport News, VA and helped build a home for a family in need.

New Music From ROBERT RANDOLPH and the FAMILY BAND

MUSIC NEWS  - Robert Randolph and the Family Band, led by the heralded pedal steel guitarist, singer, and songwriter Robert Randolph, have released a foot-stomping new digital single, entitled “Get There,” which will make its broadcast tv debut as the new theme song for Friday Night Knicks on the MSG Network on Friday, October 30th. “Get There,”  was released on iTunes on October 27th and is now available for purchase, is the first new song from Robert Randolph and the Family Band in three years !

 

“When I wrote, ‘Get There,’ I was tapping into the sound and soul of our gospel roots – the true essence of the Family Band.  The song speaks of moving in that positive direction.  As a longtime NY Knicks b-ball fan, I feel that is where the team is heading,” said Randolph.

 

The Family Band, which also features Randolph’s cousins Danyel Morgan and Marcus Randolph released their last album, Colorblind on Warner Bros. Records in October 2006. It gave us two singles, “Thrill of It” (of which a live version was used as the theme music for six editions of the debut season of ABC’s Saturday Night Football) and “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That,” which was used in the film "Stomp the Yard."

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS "Here Comes Science game"

MUSIC NEWS - Expanding beyond their musical horizons (are they prepping for gigs as elementary school teachers !!?? ), They Might Be Giants has added an interactive quiz game online for kids.  John & John's  Here Comes Science game, tests your knowledge of science with video clues and questions. Answer 12 questions right out of 18 and win a free song off the band's new album! 

And  as if their busy tour schedule with both kids and adult shows wasn’t enough, TMBG will be the featured musical guests on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson on November 16. Tune in!

DAUGHTRY To Kick Off This Year's Salvation Army "Red Kettle" Campaign

MUSIC NEWS - From last year's Jonas Brothers, this year Grammy-nominated rockers, Daughtry, will perform live at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game against the Oakland Raiders in a nationally televised halftime show that will air on CBS television network on November 26, 2009 at 3:15 pm CST, Cowboys owner and manager Jerry Jones announced today. The performance will officially kick off The Salvation Army’s 2009 Red Kettle Christmas campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the USA. Through Christmas Eve, December 24, the campaign will raise money for people in need in communities nationwide, providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.

Daughtry– Chris Daughtry, Josh Steely, Josh "JP" Paul, Joey Barnes and Brian Craddock – will perform a medley of hits from their sophomore album, Leave This Town and from Daughtry, during the first Thanksgiving Day halftime show at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX.  “Thanksgiving is a time for great traditions, like watching the Cowboys’ game, giving thanks for the blessings in your life and remembering those less fortunate,” says singer Chris Daughtry. “This year, the band will perform at the game during halftime and encourage people to generously support The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, a fantastic charity that has a real impact on peoples’ lives.”

Daughtry’s performance will mark the 13th year that the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game halftime show officially launches the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign on a nationally televised stage. The event has become an annual holiday tradition for fans in attendance. The Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1 billion since the partnership began in 1997 and has helped the Army to serve 30 million people each year nationwide.

   

LITTLE DRAGON Back With MACHINE DREAMS

MUSIC NEWS- We're excited about this; following the success of their 2007 self-titled record, Little Dragon have returned with the spectacular Machine Dreams release (out via Peacefrog Records), a poppy electronic epic that has already captivated Europe, and is poised to do the samein the USA.  To help accomplish that, they're about to kick off their US headlining tour (see itinerary below) after a successful run in May supporting TV On The Radio!

Hailing from the burgeoning electro-pop scene in Gothenburg, Sweeden, Little Dragon’s carefully crafted sophomore effort walks the line between experimental electro and giddy synth pop, with enough infectious hooks to push the band from quiet underground sensations into the mainstream. Recorded in their home city of Gothenburg, Machine Dreams is a gigantic leap on from previous material, but still maintains a distinct Little Dragon sound, straddling different denres touching on R&B, Soul, Jazz and Dancehall.

U2 Unearths Old Video Footage of UNFORGETTABLE FIRE Days

MUSIC NEWS - With the deluxe re-release of U2's memorable 4th album, The Unforgettable Fire, the band is sharing some rarely seen video footage with their fans (check out below). The video showcases frontman Bono speaking on the recording process of the breakthrough album and flashes back to some of the most historical songs ever written.

The special edition release of The Unforgettable Fire , with The Edge having directed the remastering from the original audio tapes, marks 25 years since the album's original release in October 1984. Recorded at Slane Castle, Ireland, The Unforgettable Fire was the first U2 album to be produced by Brian Eno and Danny Lanois, and spawned two top 10 UK singles - "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" and "The Unforgettable Fire." 

The Unforgettable Fire is out now in four different formats, with deluxe editions that feature two previously unheard tracks from the Slane Castle sessions: "Yoshino Blossom", and "Disappearing Act" as well as a limited edition Super Deluxe package which includes a DVD featuring music videos, a documentary and unreleased live footage from the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour in 1986. 

SPECTACLE: Elvis Costello With... to Get DVD and Blu Ray Release

MUSIC NEWS - It was announced that the complete first season of the acclaimed Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... tv show will release on November 17, 2009 in DVD and Blu-Ray formats via Video Service Corp (VSC).

Recorded last year at both Harlem's world famous Apollo Theater in NYC and New York’s historic 30 Rockefeller Center, Spectacle featured veteran rocker Elvis Costello as the ultimate talk show hyphenate as he hosted, interviewed, performed and led the house band behind superstars from music, art and even politics. Guests in the first season included Sir Elton John, The Police (Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers), James Taylor, Herbie Hancock, John Mellencamp, Tony Bennett, Renée Fleming, Lou Reed, Julian Schnabel, Jakob Dylan, She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward), Norah Jones, Jenny Lewis, and former President Bill Clinton. WOW !

Available only on the DVD (five disc) and Blu-Ray (4 disc) releases are four bonus performances from Costello not seen on the original telecast: Ballad of a Well Known Gun, Beginning to See the Light, Purple Haze (with The Police), No More Tearstained Makeup and backstage interviews with Sir Elton John, Sting, Smokey Robinson, Rufus Wainwright, Rosanne Cash and Elvis Costello.

The CRYSTAL METHOD, New Video for Come Back Clean

MUSIC NEWS

- The Crystal Method (featuring Emily Haines of Metric) unleashed a brand new tantalizing music video for COME BACK CLEAN.   Check it out  @ COME BACK CLEAN video and buy the tune, here