Indie Bands To Watch In 2010
Up And Comers
With the rise in popularity of Indie bands, it's hard to keep track of the scores of bands. Although indie bands seem to come and go there are a certain few that stick around due to their dedicated following. 2010 will be another great year for independent bands, and here at the upcoming groups to keep an eye on.
The Local Natives were signed last year to the powerful indie label Frenchkiss. They hail from Orange County, California and began their rise in the mega-mania of the Los Angeles music scene. Recalling the music of the 60s, The Local Natives play a combination of folk and rock, spiced up with the jam reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. Huge harmonies and driving drums make this band irresistible. Their fan based grew only through word of mouth and major play on Indie 103.1. Competing in the fierce LA market, the climb was hard but The Local Natives weren't daunted. By early 2009, they had toured Europe and signed with European label Infectious. They have been compared to Fleetwood Mac or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Because they deliver soulful vocal harmonies, intelligent instrumentals and do it all live, this band is a number one pick to watch in 2010.
Freelance Whales, who have also signed with Frenchkiss, began as a group that performed on subway platforms and on the streets of the Big Apple. Their debut collection, Weathervanes, highlight more than just the acoustic alchemy they deliver in their street singing style. The band is able to create an almost otherworldly sound through light and smart melodies that are offset by intricate production which will surely keep them off the streets in 2010.
Owen Pallett is a violinist who created a one-man band that specialized in songs based on video games. While enormously appealing to the audience, Pallett found himself at odds with the legalities of singing love songs to the copyrighted Dungeons and Dragons characters. Signed with Heartland, this Canadian composer's third album, "Domino" is based on his own imagined land of Spectrum and sung mostly from the reference frame of a farmer, singing praises to a God named Owen. This work sets Pallett apart from all others on the scene today and makes for ambitious intelligent music that is sure to garner him the recognition he deserves.
The Strange Boys, hail from the music capital Austin, Texas. The Strange Boys produce a retro, garage-rock sound that soars with jamming electric guitars and vocal growls. If the key to success in this business is writing hooks, The Strange Boys should find a new level of success in 2010. Their obvious passion for playing fuels their vintage presentation complete with black leather and carefree vocals.
Beach House has built a nice fan base in Baltimore where this indie group got their start. Beach House exploded onto the scene with the unexpected success of their third album Teen Dream. Lead singer Victoria Legrand voice is also featured as lead singer on the Grizzly Bear's "Slow Life" from the hit movie Twilight. Expect this motley crew to deliver even more music of grandeur in 2010 and to become one of the most successful of the lot of new music this year. Read More»
Jay Z and U2 Collaboration for Haiti
U2 and Jay Z Team Up For Haiti Single
Hip Hop megastar Jay Z and Irish rock legends U2 are to join forces in the name of charity.
The Def Jam mogul, who is currently riding high in the album charts with The Blueprint III, is to team up with the Beautiful Day singers in order to raise funds for survivors of the recent earthquake in Haiti.
Mega Producer Swizz beats was also involved in the collaboration.
The stars are set to perform the single live with RnB princess Rihanna in London as part of George Clooney's Help for Haiti benefit gig in the US.
A host of stars including Like I Love You singer Justin Timberlake and Fugees singer Wyclef Jean, who was born on the island, are set to perform a show this weekend to raise money to donate.
The show is set to be aired by a number of US networks and will be screened live in the UK by music channel MTV.
For more articles about celebs raising money for Haiti check out the Entertainment section on GKMen. Read More»
Bebo Norman Auctions Rare Instrument for Haiti Appeal
Musician to Auction Rare Instrument for Haiti Appeal
Bebo Norman, a leading Christian musician from Columbus, Georgia, is selling one of his prized guitars in an eBay auction to raise funds for survivors of the Haiti earthquake.
The star has put his hand-made Everett Laurel guitar up for auction on the site in order to make a donation to Compassion International.
According to the songwriter, the instrument is inscribed with the code 00-01 as it was the first to be produced from a run of just 128.
"I honestly can't place a value on this guitar since it is … a very limited production and has been in my personal guitar collection as one of my primary 'song writing guitars' for ten years," he said.
"The only way I would even dream of letting this guitar go is for a cause as important as serving the people of Haiti and meeting them in their time of crisis."
Bidding for the instrument has so far reached $2,650 and the auction is set to close on January 22nd.
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Top 10 Most Anticipated CD Releases of 2010
Most Anticipated CD Releases of 2010
2009 was a great year for music but 2010 is promising to be even better. There are a number of anticipated CD releases for 2010, many of which are significant for a number of reasons.
Here are the top 10 most anticipated CD releases of 2010 and why we think they're going to be big next year.
1 - Aaron Lewis - Frontman of Staind, Aaron Lewis has been talking about putting out a solo album since December of 08, but not much action has been seen on the solo front in a while. Now he is gearing up for a two month long solo tour, and fans are expecting to hear something about his album very soon.
2 - Limp Bizkit - This year, Limp Bizkit managed to reunite with their estranged guitarist, Wes Borland, and they appear to be working on demos to put together a new record. The band wanted to be able to release their comeback album by Christmas of 09, but now early 2010 is seeming to be much more likely. The innovative guitar playing of Wes Borland is going to help restore the old vitality that Limp Bizkit once knew.
3 - Linkin Park - New Divide, released for the Transformers soundtrack was a great teaser, and now fans are eager for more from Linkin Park. Most of 2009 was spent working on a new album, serving as a follow up to their 2007 release. Linkin Park is excited about this new release, which is said to be in a genre all of its own.
4 - Radiohead - After commenting that they wouldn't be focusing on traditional albums anymore, it is nice to see that Radiohead is going to be following up their 2007 album in the year 2010, which gets Radiohead fans really excited.
5 - REM - Their 2008 album turned heads as they returned to their hard edged rocking sound, and this seems to be the same theme for their up and coming 2010 release as well.
6 - Slash - He's been focusing on a solo career while his normal band, Velvet Revolver, works on searching for a new singer. Many of his friends will be participating in this anticipated release including Alice Cooper, Steven Adler, Flea, Dave Grohl and Ozzy.
7 - Stone Temple Pilots - Following a reunion tour in 2008, the band has decided to put together a new album, their first in nine years. This is a seriously anticipated album following platinum releases Core and Purple.
8 -Blink 182 - Following their successful 2009 tour, Blink 182 is excited to be putting out an album that logistics previously prevented from being released on time. Not only is Blink 182 releasing an album, but Travis Barker may also be releasing a solo album as well.
9 -Deftones - The Deftones 2010 release is going to be anticipated now that they are working to pick up the pieces following a serious car accident putting their bassist in a coma. They shelved what they had and started new, and fans are looking forward to what they have created.
10 - Korn - Korn III was originally intended to be a concept album, but the concept has been scrapped in favor of a sound not unlike their previous records. Jonathan Davis is also working on a solo album, but Korn III seems to have priority right now in favor of an early 2010 release.
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Another Rihanna Photo Scandal
Def Jam Boss Almost Halted Latest Steamy Rihanna Shoot
Sexy R'n'B singer Rihanna almost felt the wrath of bosses at her Def Jam record label after a photo shoot threatened to get too risqué.
The Russian Roulette singer posed in nothing but a skimpy bikini for the shots, which will adorn the cover of a UK magazine in January.
"It's very sexy," she admitted.
The shoot was aid to be so raunchy that Def Jam boss Antonio "LA" Reid threatened to call the whole thing off.
"At one point LA Reid came into the shoot and he was like 'Rihanna, put some f*****g clothes on'," she added.
The news follows the recent publication of private photos of the singer in various states of undress.
Sent as a treat to a former boyfriend, the pictures surfaced in the media and served as a somewhat unwelcome mother's day gift for Rihanna's mom.
The singer is no stranger to raunchy behaviour - British paper the Daily Mail recently reported that the star gave rapper Kanye West an impromptu lap dance.
According to the newspaper the two flirted outrageously and dirty danced during a night out.
Find more great articles about Rihanna and much more on the Entertainment section on GKMen.
Read More»Pamela Anderson Sings Pop
Pamela Anderson to Launch Pop Career
Pamela Anderson, the original Baywatch babe, is to launch an assault on the music charts next year.
The blonde bombshell will release her debut single called High at some point during 2010.
Pammy recorded the track, which is about her feelings on the fashion world, with her fashion designer friend Richie Rich, the New York Post reported.
"We are recording a pop single together. Pamela says she wants to sing, but nothing too difficult, so she's just going to sing the word 'high' over and over," Rich told the news provider.
The pair are also said to be launching a new fashion label called A Muse in February nest year.
Clothing from the line will be modeled by the Barbed Wire actress at New York Fashion Week next year.
Tommy Lee, Anderson's ex-husband, is said to be DJ-ing at the event.
The actress, model and now singer is currently preparing to appear in the Aladdin pantomime in London this Christmas. Read More»