Monthly Archives September 2011

Tony Bennett’s highly anticipated new release, “Duets II”(RPM Records/Columbia Records) debuts at the #1 position on Billboard’s top albums chart, with 179,000 units sold in the first week. The album has remained in the top 5 on iTunes’ album chart in the US and other countries since its release. Digital albums represented 20% of overall sales, the highest for any Bennett album to-date.

Danny Bennett, Tony’s son and manager stated, “It’s an unprecedented and historical event that an artist at the age of 85 has topped the charts. He’s remained at the top of his game without having ever compromised his integrity and standard of excellence.”

Following their epic headlining show at The Hollywood Bowl last Sunday, TV on the Radio continued their assault on Los Angeles, performing their new single, “Second Song,” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night. This morning the Brooklyn indie rockers will perform live on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” at 11:15 A.M. PST.

Check out the video for their new single “Second Song” on Youtube and be sure to pick up your copy of the bands latest album Nine Types of Light now!

BLACK WATER RISING recently wrapped filming on their new video for the song “No Halos” from their self-titled debut. The video was directed by acclaimed director Noah Shulman (Soil, Hellyeah). “No Halos” features Jose Hernandez Jr. (HBO’s OZ) in the starring role and depicts religion as cult and uses media as a brainwashing tool. The viewer follows the preacher as he descends into madness caused by society’s ills. Check out the video below:

Drummer Mike Meselsohn spoke about the video and BWR‘s work with Noah Shulman:

“We are so proud and psyched to show our new video to the world. We jumped at the opportunity to work with Noah again and he didn’t disappoint. He came up with an awesome concept that really captures the vibe of the song and is visually captivating at the same time.”

BLACK W...

In what can only be described as haunting and ethereal, international superstar Susan Boyle has premiered her version of the hit Depeche Mode track “Enjoy The Silence”!  Normally I am not a huge fan of cover tunes, but this time I will make an exception as I think Susan has done a beautiful job of capturing the emotion of the song and certainly does the original justice.

Head over to RollingStone.com now to listen to the premiere and let us know what you think!

Sunny singer-songwriter Alyssa Bernal has released a new single appropriately titled “Soaking Up the Sun” (iTunes).  The video premiered this week on YouTube, where Alyssa got her start in 2006 uploading covers of popular songs.  Now her channel is one of the top 30 most subscribed-to out of all musicians on YouTube, and Alyssa is preparing to release her digital debut album in November on Star Trak/Interscope Records.

The video for the light-hearted love song was filmed over two days in her hometown of San Antonio. Get to know Alyssa better in a behind-the-scenes clip she also posted to her channel leading up to the premiere.

Her debut album was recorded in London with the help of producer Martin Terefe, who has also worked with one of Alyssa’s favorite artists, Jason Mraz...

The Honorable Jimmy Cliff has been enlisted by Los Angeles’ tastemaker radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) to headline night one of its “Are Friends Eclectic?” Holiday Benefit Concert on December 2nd and 3rd at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Brett Dennen, Other Lives, Fool’s Gold, Mia Doi Todd, and White Denim will round up the lineup on December 2nd.

Tickets for the benefit will become available to KCRW Members beginning Tuesday, October 4th at 10:00 AM and the general public beginning Tuesday, October 11th. Proceeds from ticket sales will help support the station’s programming costs.

Grammy-winning musician/actor/singer/songwriter/ producer Jimmy Cliff will release the Sacred Fire EP, his first studio effort in seven years, in November...

Disney star and singer/song writer, Shane Harper, was chosen this week for Radio Disney’s Music Mailbag featuring his new single “Rocketship.” The program features one new song every week, and from Wednesday through Saturday morning fans can vote on the Radio Disney website to “Pick It” or “Kick It.” On Saturday morning at 11 am PST, the station will play “Rocketship” on air and fans can vote one last time to keep the song in rotation. The results will be announced immediately after.

Visit the Music Mailbag site now to hear the song and cast your vote for Shane (and don’t forget to show him the love in the comments box). RSVP on Facebook and invite friends!

“Rocketship,” his from Shane’s latest album release which is available on iTunes now...

Go behind the scenes with R&B crooner, Lloyd, on the set of his video for the much talked about “Dedication To My Ex (Miss That).”

“Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)” is the third single from Lloyd’s latest album King of Hearts, and features Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne. Pick up King of Hearts on Amazon and iTunes now!