Latest Gear Live Videos
.jpg)
Paul McCartney has warned One Direction being compared to The Beatles could be a "kiss of death."
The Beatles are one of the biggest bands in history, but Paul - the group's songwriter and bass player - thinks too much pressure is put on artists when they're compared to such iconic acts, and instead people should just call them "the next terrific band."
"There are so many bands who all get called, 'The next Beatles'. Suddenly it puts an awful lot of pressure on them to be the next Beatles. Oasis were, 'The next Beatles' once if you remember. It's a pressure, because suddenly you've got to live up to all the things that we did, and it was a different time. So let's just call them, 'The next terrific band.'"
One Direction are currently taking America by storm, and earlier this month made history by becoming the first UK act to top the American chart with their debut album, Up All Night.
Paul wishes the boy band well for the States, where they are returning for another tour later this year: "They're doing well in America. It's good - good luck lads."
Advertisement
Rihanna Starts Seventh Album
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, R&B / Soul,
Rihanna has already started work on her next album. The singer only released sixth album, Talk That Talk, in November 2011, but is already coming up with ideas for a seventh record.
"I'm definitely thinking about the next record. I'm a multi-tasker. Right now we're working on collecting and creating the sound first before we even start working on the lyrical direction or melodies. I kind of have an idea though, and it's very rough right now. So I'm eager to start that," she told Capital Radio.
The 23-year-old singer - renowned for her controversial videos and her racy image - has already worked with an array of stars on her previous albums including Eminem, Drake and her mentor, Jay Z. She has also expressed a desire to work with British star Cheryl Cole after hearing her single "Parachute" and asked their mutual friend - will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas - to introduce them.
Click to continue reading Rihanna Starts Seventh Album
Chris Cornell: Rock Has Lost its Place
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Upcoming Releases, Rock,
Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell thinks rock has "lost its place." The singer and guitarist puts the decline of rock down to a lack of exposure in mainstream media in favor of other genres.
"It's definitely lost its place at the center of the musical universe. When I was growing up in the late Seventies, everyone could identify the five or 10 bands that formed the center. Even if you preferred the fringe - The Clash, over, say, Van Halen - you still knew what the center was. Now kids turn on the radio and hear Eminem or Kanye West, so that's what they gravitate towards."
Chris also pointed to the way technology has fragmented people's attention, and changed the way many people set about making music, on mobile devices and laptops which often come pre-loaded with production software geared more towards making electronic music: "They're making music on iPhones. Everything's fractured. The reason there's no modern-day Shakespeare is because he didn't have anything to do except sit in a room with a candle and think."
Click to continue reading Chris Cornell: Rock Has Lost its Place
Drake Wants to Be Iconic
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Hip-Hop & Rap, New Releases,
Drake wants his "purpose on earth" to be being "iconic." The 25-year-old rapper admits his main career ambition is for his music to stand the test of time and still be remembered in years to come.
Discussing a lyric to his track "Lord Knows" - in which he raps, "I'm a descendent of either Marley or Hendrix/ I haven't figured it out cause my story is far from finished" - he said, "I didn't really say I was the rap Hendrix or Marley, I said I was the descendant. Because I feel like that's what I want to be for this generation: iconic. That's the purpose I want to serve on this earth. I want my words to be remembered in 10, 15 years."
The "Marvin's Room" hitmaker believes his popularity is down to the fact he doesn't rely on any "gimmicks" or feel the need to create a different persona for his music: "I don't really have a gimmick or a 'thing.' I'm one of the few artists who gets to be himself every day. It doesn't take me six hours to get ready, and I don't have to wake up in the morning and remember to act like this or talk like that. I just have to be me. And people really like that."
Snoop Dogg is Making a Reggae Album
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, R&B / Soul, Reggae,
Snoop Dogg is making a reggae album. The "Drop it Like it's Hot" rapper has been working with producer Diplo - who has previously produced tracks for Beyonce, M.I.A and Usher - and exploring a new musical direction.
"Snoop Dogg is an icon, man; he's bigger than the music. What we're doing is a reggae record. It's all reggae and he's singing and he's doing a f***ing awesome job and I never knew it, but he had his heart in every song," Diplo told MTV.
Diplo added he and Snoop have started on 18 tracks together, and he's excited to get back to recording in April: "We're going to get back into the production of it next month, and I'm really proud of that record. It's the first record I've ever executive-produced and his crew is amazing."
The producer also admitted he was initially nervous when he teamed up with R&B star Usher, for his track "Climax." "We just had great chemistry. I was super-nervous working with him the first two days. I love Usher. I'm an Usher fan. We did some up tempo stuff too. I don't know what'll make the album, but I think there are definitely three songs that'll make it."
Daft Punk Show Changed Skrillex
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Concerts / Tours, Upcoming Releases, Electronic,
Skrillex's life was changed when he saw Daft Punk. The dubstep star went to great lengths to see the French electro group when they last toured, and strives to create the same atmosphere at his own live shows.
"I remember seeing the full Daft Punk pyramid show in 2007. I went alone, bought a ticket off a scalper for $150, got on the floor, and had the best time of my life. I didn't have a drink, no drugs. But I was high out of my mind. It changed my life. There have been a couple of times where I've been so proud of what I've done live, like I feel like I've given someone the same kind of feeling I got at that Daft Punk show. And that feels so good."
The 24-year-old "Bangarang" star - real name Sonny Moore - has only released single tracks and EPs so far, but is planning to work on a full album.
"Yeah, I wanna put out an album. It's weird because coming into this, there was never any pressure to make an album. If I want to be conceptual and the time is right, I can make an album that's like: Here's my sound. Because I have some new s**t that's way different than what I've done that still could rock a party. I'm not saying I'm trying to change s**t, but making this new music got me re-inspired."
Blink 182 to Last Forever
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Pop, Rock,
Mark Hoppus says Blink-182 will last "forever."
The bassist is thrilled the group's much delayed 20th anniversary tour is finally starting and wants to keep playing with guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker for as long as fans will have them around.
"As long as we're having fun, I can see us going forever. That's the goal. To tour as long as it's fun. I hope that lasts forever. Our relationship is really strong. It's strange to think I'm still touring with these guys I was friends with twenty years ago. So much stuff has happened in our lives and we're still here together. We've come to respect each other a lot more: Our differences, our talents, our weaknesses. It's been a long road together. I can't wait for the summer. It'll be well worth the wait. We had to postpone the tour we had planned for last time because the record wasn't done yet which was a very difficult and painful decision but we ended up writing some of our best on the album during that period. There's going to be a lot of really cool lights, lasers, movie screens, new songs, old songs and a lot of really dirty jokes."
Click to continue reading Blink 182 to Last Forever
Adele Inspired by ODB, White Stripes
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock,
.jpg)
Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" was influenced by rapper ODB and The White Stripes.
The lead single from Adele's second album, 21 has been a huge international hit, but despite having a classic soul sound, the inspiration behind is much more contemporary and surprising.
"When we were doing 'Rolling In The Deep' we wanted the impact and feeling of the track to have a little bit of 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes. But for the bridges, we were trying to make the piano sound like 'Brooklyn Zoo' by Ol' Dirty B*****d. And when it came to the whole feeling of her vocal relationship to the track, we thought most like Cee Lo Green and Nina Simone," producer Paul Epworth told Uaudio.com
Adele's 21 is was inspired by a particularly painful love split, but she has promised she is now "done being a bitter witch," and vowed to "never write a break-up record again." Adele, now 23, also said people assume she is "miserable" because of melancholy songs like "Someone Like You," but they end up "surprised" when they meet her and find she is actually cheerful and upbeat.
Snoop Dogg Appears on Willie Nelson Album
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Country, Hip-Hop & Rap,
Snoop Dogg appears on Willie Nelson's new album, Heroes. The rapper teamed with the country singer for the track "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die," which also features Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson.
Although the pairing may seem unlikely, it is not the first time they have worked together, with Willie guesting on the track "Superman" from Snoop's last album Doggumentary. "I fell in love with his music as a kid. Willie's got long hair with braids, he likes to do the herbal essence. So it was natural for me and him to come together," Snoop said, speaking of how their collaboration came about.
Click to continue reading Snoop Dogg Appears on Willie Nelson Album
Madonna Invites Justin Bieber on Tour
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Concerts / Tours, Music Videos, Electronic, Pop,
Madonna has invited Justin Bieber to perform with her on tour. The "Girls Gone Wild" singer is a "huge fan" of the teen pop sensation and wants them to hook up at on of her summer concerts.
"He's awesome. I'm a huge fan. I love it when he raps (sic)," Madonna replied when asked what she thought of Justin in a live Twitter chat with fans.
Justin - who has just released his new single "Boyfriend" - replied, "Seeing that is a huge honor. Yours is a career artists dream of. Congrats on the new album!(sic)"
This prompted Madonna's invite, with her writing, "Come and join me on stage when I'm on tour when we are in the same city, and congrats on your new single (sic)."
Elsewhere in the chat, Madonna revealed the full extent of her musical abilities. When asked if she can play any instruments besides guitar, replied, "well i can play the drums. and i tried playing violin (sic)."
Click to continue reading Madonna Invites Justin Bieber on Tour
Advertisement
© Gear Live Media, LLC. 2007 – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.