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Joni Mitchell Gets Animated In Previously Unheard Interview: “I Never Really Wanted To Be A Star”

Jun 2, 2015

“I didn’t like the sound of people gasping at the mere mention of my name. It horrified me.”
– Joni Mitchell in 1986, as told to Joe Smith

This interview is from the Joe Smith Collection at the Library of Congress and has never been heard before. Roberta Joan Anderson sat down for a personal, reflective interview in November 1986. The interviewer, Joe Smith, was a longtime record executive who interviewed hundreds of music legends as part of his book, Off The Record. In this extended conversation with Joni we hear an artist come to grips with both her rise to fame and the price that she felt she paid for experimenting in her career and not seeking hits and fame alone.

The Grateful Dead Set To Release An 80-CD Box Set

Jun 2, 2015

“When we began discussing audio projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead back in 2012, we knew we wanted to do something completely unprecedented. We could think of nothing more exciting or ambitious than a career-spanning overview of the band’s live legacy focused on what best tells the story: complete concerts. Our first criterion was the very best live music to represent any given year in the band’s history. We wanted to make sure that there were not only the tent-pole shows that fans have been demanding for decades but also ones that are slightly more under the radar, but equally excellent. For those who listen to the entire box straight through, chronologically, the narrative of the Grateful Dead’s live legacy will be seen as second to none in the pantheon of music history.”

– David Lemieux

Are you ready for The Grateful Dead’s most ambitious release ever? 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN will be available as both an 80-disc boxed set and a custom lightning-bolt USB drive, the collection includes 30 unreleased live shows, one for each year the band was together from 1966 to 1995, along with one track from their earliest recording sessions in 1965. Packed with over 73 hours of music, both the boxed set and the USB drive will be individually numbered limited editions. The price? $699.98 (Under $700.00!)

The 80-disc boxed set is individually numbered and limited to 6,500 copies, a nod to the band’s formation in 1965. Thats $4.5 million made once it sells out – look, NOBODY makes that kind of money from their albums anymore, THAT’S the power of The Dead. Along with the CDs, it also includes a gold-colored 7-inch vinyl single which bookends the band’s career. The A-side is “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” from the band’s earliest recording session in 1965 with the B-side of the last song the band ever performed together live, “Box Of Rain” recorded during their final encore at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995.

The box also comes with a 288-page book that features an extensive, career-spanning essay written by Nick Meriwether, who oversees the Dead archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with special remembrances of the band submitted by fans. Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years.

The USB drive version will be shaped like a gold lightning bolt with the Grateful Dead 50th anniversary logo engraved on the side. The drive includes all of the music from the collection in both FLAC (96/24) and MP3 formats and is an individually numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies.

GRATEFUL DEAD: 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN will not available in stores or from any other online retailer – only at Dead.net. A smaller 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake will be released on September 18th as a four-CD version of the collection titled 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN: THE DEFINITIVE LIVE STORY 1965-1995. More on that here.

Head on over to Rollingstone.com for the very first listen of “Morning Dew” 9/18/87 Madison Square Garden, David Fricke’s exclusive interview with archivist David Lemieux, and the reveal of THIRTY TRIPS AROUND THE SUN’s ’69 and ’84 shows.

It Looks Like Devin Townsend Might Take Taking A Break…Of A Few Days

Jun 2, 2015

Devin Townsend Project’s Z² is out now worldwide and the band are currently on tour in the US with Animals As Leaders and Monuments. Now Devin is pleased to reveal a brand new lyric video for the track ‘ March Of The Poozers’ taken from the Dark Matters side of the album, and you can view that here.

Devin checks in with this note, and it looks like he’s taking a bit of a break. That is, before his European Tour, and the man is a machine, seriously.

‘Hey all, Dev here…closing out the North American tour and a heck of a year.
I released 4 albums this year, if you count the bonus disc of Casualties, went through the crazy Pledge process (still going through it) and it was generally a hectic time.
I feel like I’m at the end of a creative cycle… The Z2 project beat me up in a way I wasn’t expecting, but when all was said and done, I’m very proud of it. It’s an accurate description of a really stressful period, but I didn’t sell out, and I saw it through. Thanks to all of you who continue to support.
My mind is full of music again, as it always is, but I’m trying to absorb some of the lessons that came with the over scheduling and chaos of this last period, and I look forward to getting my process back on track. Again, I’m constantly shocked by the fact I get to do this for a living. Thank you.
Here’s another track from Z2, called ‘March of the Poozers’. To be honest, my main motivation to make this album was so I could make those crazy puppet shows that are now online, but musically, it’s kind of typical random music that I’ve been interested in for the past few years. This song was directly influenced by the band ‘Samael’ whom I have great affection for as people, and I’m happy to present it with a lyric video that Stefan at Media Logistics went above and beyond for.
What’s next for me I think will be a short break before the European tour and the Royal Albert Hall show, but then, I have ideas for a destructive bass driven apocalypse record, a meditative record, a symphony, more Casualties, more DTP and a kind of big band thing, none of these ideas are confirmed, but I’m finding myself getting fired up to create in ways I haven’t been able to for a few years because of my schedule. I need to regroup and then I’ll see you soon.
I love music. Thank you for the inspiration, lessons and support.
Devin’

Third Man Records To Open New Detroit Branch

Jun 2, 2015

On June 1st, Shinola founder Tom Kartsotis partnered with Detroit-native Jack White to purchase the building that currently houses the Shinola Flagship store at 441 W. Canfield in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. The deal marks new expansion for both Shinola as well as Jack White’s record label Third Man Records. For Third Man, this is a homecoming of sorts, since the label was originally founded in Detroit in 2001. This expansion signals the opening of their first retail store and offices outside of Nashville, TN. The new retail space is set to be in operation by Black Friday (November 27th, 2015), with many special surprises in store.

For Shinola, the deal comes on the heels of the brand’s investment into yet another category, rapidly honing in on the ability to manufacture speakers, turntables and headphones of audiophile quality, while creating more manufacturing jobs in the US — a top priority for the innovative and quality-focused company.

Third Man Records has long aspired to have a presence in Detroit and the constantly evolving Cass Corridor in particular, given White’s history in the neighborhood. It is the location of the first-ever White Stripes show, the home of White’s high school, and an area of the city that White says, “has always been the most inspiring area of Detroit for me as an artist and as a Detroiter. From the great visual artists like Gordon Newton to the music of the Gories, and the birth of the Detroit garage rock scene, the Corridor has nurtured Detroit’s soul and inventiveness for decades. That spirit pushes forward with Shinola’s passion and will come full circle for the artists of the Corridor that work with Third Man Records to plant a new foundation there to help keep that creative spirit alive for decades to come.”

The expansion for Third Man Records is both a return-to-its-roots as well as a reach forward into the future, and the possibilities with the additional space and the Shinola partnership are endless and exciting.

About the plans, Tom Kartsotis said, “Everyone at Shinola is so excited about Third Man Records moving into the Cass Corridor. Unbelievable… There goes the neighborhood!”

Amy Schumer Plays a Stripper for a Dog’s Bachelor Party

Jun 2, 2015

Things take a racy turn when Amy Schumer lands a gig stripping for an unconventional bachelor party.

Epic Blooper Reel From CNN For Their 35th Anniversary

Jun 2, 2015

It’s CNN’s 35th anniversary, and they’re celebrating with an epic blooper video from their CNN video archives.

The Downtown Yonge BIA in Toronto Launches Ambitious Music Strategy

Jun 2, 2015

The Downtown Yonge BIA today launched its Music Strategy – an ambitious, multi-pronged plan to re-establish the area as a ‘Music Mecca.’

The Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) is a catalyst for creating vibrant urban experiences and events in the heart of downtown Toronto. Representing more than 2,000 businesses and their employees, as well as the broader community of residents, students and visitors, the DYBIA champions attractive public spaces, popular events, safety and cleanliness. It plays an active role both at street level and in boardrooms, advocating for a thriving and diverse community of retailers, restaurants and services.

“Several generations fondly remember this part of the city as one of the world’s great music scenes, both for live performances at places like The Nickelodeon and Maple Leaf Gardens, and retail hubs like Sam the Record Man,” said Downtown Yonge BIA Executive Director Mark Garner. “It’s a great part of our past, and we want it to be a great part of our future.”

Garner noted that Downtown Yonge’s musical presence is not just historical. There are currently 14 live performance venues in the area – including Massey Hall, the Carlu, Yonge-Dundas Square and smaller performance spaces like the Church of the Holy Trinity in Trinity Park – totalling nearly 16,000 seats.

“Music is always in the air around here. It’s one of the largest and most diverse live music destinations in the city today,” Garner said. “With its extraordinary history and vibrant present, Downtown Yonge’s music future looks very bright.”

The Music Strategy includes a variety of initiatives the Downtown Yonge BIA is implementing and pursuing, in a cohesive vision for Yonge Street to once again take centre stage for Canada’s music industry. The strategy focuses on three major thrusts:

Homage to Toronto’s Music Legacy – through initiatives such as interactive walking tours featuring musicians’ stories about Yonge Street on a downloadable app; heritage plaques showing significant spaces and buildings; and a ‘neon museum’ featuring iconic signs (like the famous Sam the Record Man sign and recreations of Friar’s and The Blue Note signs) in laneways and public spaces.

Activating Live Music – not just in performance venues but also in public spaces through programs like Play the Parks, a series of lunchtime concerts and exercise programs during the summer. This year, the Downtown Yonge BIA will also present Monster Rock Orchestra – a light and sound spectacular – for the first time at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Paving the Way to Toronto’s Music Future – by creating a Music Incubator for emerging artists, providing studio space, mentorship, education, networking and collaboration.

Once implemented, the Downtown Yonge BIA hopes similar strategies will be replicated by other BIAs, helping to achieve the City’s vision for a thriving, vibrant music community.

“Music is dear to Torontonians. We are aiming to build on that love of music – culturally, socially and economically,” Garner said.

Who is Larry David? “Who the hell knows,” says Larry David

Jun 2, 2015

Who is Larry David? “Who the hell knows,” the TV and comedy star tells Charlie Rose in a hilarious and revealing 60 Minutes interview that Larry says he didn’t want to do in the first place

Massive 45,000 record collection sold for $140,000 and will be publicly exhibited

Jun 2, 2015

Records_3322682b — Phil Sant, co-founder and chief engineer of Omnifone, with Keith's brother Gerald Sivyer (Omnifone)

At the beginning of the month, Keith Sivyer’s extraordinary record collection was unveiled to the world.

More than 35,000 records – 27,000 7-inch singles and 8,000 albums – were put under the hammer last Thursday. They marked a lifetime’s collection: of every new release that entered the singles charts between their inception in 1952 and Sivyer’s death, aged 75, in February.

The auction was competitive, with 10 telephone bidders calling from locations as far-flung as Brazil and Canada, but the winning bid was made by Omnifone, a digital music company that paid £73,000 for all 45,000 records and CDs – nearly 10 times the £8,000 estimate.

The company intends to re-establish the immaculately kept record collection, considered one of the most comprehensive and extensive in the world, at its offices in West London, keeping the collection in the UK after Sivyer stored it in his home in Twickenham, something his brother Gerald said he “would have wanted”.

Via The Telegraph

Posthumous Album Release By Chinx Scheduled For August 14, 2015

Jun 2, 2015

eOne Music and Four Kings Management have announced the posthumous release of hip hop artist Chinx’s nearly-completed debut album, Welcome to J.F.K., on August 14, 2015. A new single from the album, “On Your Body,” was released today. Listen to “On Your Body” here and purchase here.

As widely reported, the untimely and tragic death of the Queens, NY native earlier this month sent shockwaves throughout the hip hop community and his hometown of New York City.

Chinx, an affiliate of French Montana’s Coke Boys, signed to eOne Music in February 2015, and had been working on his debut album, initially slated for a late 2015 release. The record is produced by Lee on the Beats and B Korn of the Amazinz. Chinx recently said about the album, “I’m in a great space creatively, and it’s time to really play.”

Doug “Biggs” Ellison, Chinx’s manager, says, “Watching and helping Chinx develop as an artist over the last few years has been an amazing experience. He had finally come into his own, musically. This new body of work, Welcome to J.F.K., is a 1 of 1 creation. We took the raw emotions of an artist on the rise, and created a lane that will absolutely establish Chinx as a pioneer in the game. That may be a bold statement for some, but this kid was ahead of his time. His work ethic was 2nd to none. I’m looking forward to the release of his best work yet. I promise, you will be able to press play and ride out to this one! I dare you to live with it and tell me he wasn’t on to something special. Spread the word and support good music!”

Gabrielle Peluso, VP Urban Music of eOne Music, adds, “I first knew of Chinx when he was in a rap group called Riot Squad back in early 2000. His group member and close friend Stack Bundles (who was also murdered in 2007), was signed to my husband’s label, Desert Storm, in 2005, so signing Chinx to eOne was very personal to me because of this connection. He was the most humble, down to earth GENTLEMAN I have ever met in my entire career. The music industry lost a true talent. However, I am grateful that we were able to complete his album before he passed. His wife and children will be able to witness him grow into a household name, as bitter sweet as that may be.”

Fans will be able to preorder Welcome to J.F.K. on iTunes on July 17, 2015.