Music News

18 Jan 2023

Ariana Grande Drops R.E.M. Beauty ‘Thank U, Next’ Collection

Ariana Grande showed off her new “Thank U, Next” collection from R.E.M. Beauty on social media Wednesday (Jan 18).

In a TikTok video set to Vitamin String Quartet’s cover of her 2019 No. 1 hit, the blonde superstar — who’s currently filming the big-screen adaptation of Wicked — showed off each of the products in the drop one by one.

“our limited edition @r.e.m.beauty ‘thank u, next’ collection is out now on rembeauty.com,” she captioned the clip. “It includes ~ a brand new midnight shadows eyeshadow palette, a pair of pink crystalized, faux mink lashes, an XL version of our #utmostimportance plumping gloss and of course our classic midnight black liquid liner. we hope you enjoy!!!”

Naturally, Ari’s fans couldn’t get enough of their queen in the video, with one commenting, “She keeps getting prettier everyday,” and another writing, u cannot imagine how much we love u and were so proud of you!! keep it up my love <3>

Others focused on the pop star choosing to use the instrumental rendition of “Thank U, Next” made popular by its inclusion in the first season of the hit Netflix series Bridgerton. “Ari+bridgerton’s version of thank u next= perfection,” one follower opined in the comments section.

Most recently, Grande returned to RuPaul’s Drag Race to serve as the guest judge for the season 15 premiere, which also featured her Thank U, Next era smash “7 Rings” as the song to which the bottom two queens lip-synched for their lives.

Watch Ari’s new R.E.M. Beauty video below.

@arianagrande

our limited edition @r.e.m.beauty “thank u, next” collection is out now on rembeauty.com ♡ ? it includes ~ a brand new midnight shadows eyeshadow palette, a pair of pink crystalized, faux mink lashes, an XL version of our #utmostimportance plumping gloss and of course our classic midnight black liquid liner. we hope you enjoy!!!

♬ thank u, next – Vitamin String Quartet

18 Jan 2023

Kelly Clarkson Delivers a Soulful Cover of Joji’s ‘Glimpse of Us’: Watch

Fans got a glimpse of Kelly Clarkson at her most soulful during the Wednesday (Jan. 18) Kellyoke. Singing Joji‘s 2022 breakthrough hit “Glimpse of Us” on The Kelly Clarkson Show, the three-time Grammy winner stayed true to the original by performing the track with just piano backing her up.

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There was, however, a small twist. Clarkson had not one, but two accompanists onstage with her, with musicians Jason Halbert and Kyle Whalum playing dual pianos, one on either side of the “Stronger” singer. Unlike Joji’s original recording, which features layers of gorgeous vocal harmonies, Clarkson’s voice stood on its own.

The bareness of the talk-show host’s tone gave it a particularly soulful edge, which Clarkson enhanced by bending certain notes and riffing through others. “Sometimes I look in his eyes, and that’s where I found a glimpse of us,” she sang, taking the final chorus up an octave and personalizing the pronouns by changing “her” to “his.”

Though Joji has been successful on the periphery of mainstream pop for years, “Glimpse of Us,” released in June, is undoubtedly the 30-year-old singer-songwriter’s biggest hit to date. The track peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Joji’s top 10 debut and by far his highest charting song so far.

Just a couple months ago, Joji release his third studio album, Smithereens — off which “Glimpse of Us” was the lead single — in November. The set debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, and logged its 10th week on the chart this week.

Watch Kelly Clarkson perform Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” on The Kelly Clarkson Show above.

18 Jan 2023

Van Conner, Screaming Trees Co-Founder & Bassist, Dies at 55

Screaming Trees has lost another one of its members. On Wednesday (Jan. 18), Gary Lee Conner revealed that his brother — with whom he co-founded the band — bassist Van Conner, died Tuesday (Jan. 17) at age 55 after a long illness and pneumonia.

The guitarist shared the news to his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts, alongside a photo of himself posing with his late brother. “Let me put this letter on Van’s grave,” he wrote. “Van Conner bassist and song writer of Screaming Trees died last night of an extended illness at 55 It was pneumonia that got him in the end. He was one of the closest friends I ever had and I loved him immensely. I will miss him forever and ever and ever…”

Screaming Trees also shared Gary’s post to its verified Facebook account.

Van Conner formed Screaming Trees in 1984 with his brother, vocalist Mark Lanegan — who died at age 57 in February 2022 — and drummer Mark Pickerel after connecting in high school over their shared tasted in punk and classic rock music. The following year, the band recorded its first EP, Other Worlds, in their Ellensburg, Wash., hometown. Lanegan’s 2020 memoir, Sing Backwards and Weep, revealed that the EP’s track “Picture in My Mind” was the first song he wrote with the Conner brothers.

By 1986, the group’s first studio set Clairvoyance was released through Velvetone Records and helped the band to secure a recording contract through SST Records, but it wasn’t until 1992 — and the arrival of the Seattle grunge scene — that Screaming Trees started experiencing success on a commercial scale. The band’s 1992 album, Sweet Oblivion, peaked at No. 141 on the all-genre Billboard 200, with singles “Nearly Lost You” and “Dollar Bill” peaking on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart at Nos. 12 and 40, respectively.

In Van’s other endeavors, he formed and fronted Solomon Grundy and released an album with the band in 1990. During his tenure in Screaming Trees, he also played alongside Dinosaur Jr. for live shows. Following Screaming Trees’ breakup in 2000, Van formed bands VALIS and Ox, and also did work as a session musician.

See Gary Lee Conner’s announcement below:

18 Jan 2023

Joe Walsh’s VetsAid Gives Out $650,000 in Grants to Help Ohio Veterans

Veterans located in Ohio will be getting some aid soon, and they have Joe Walsh to thank. On Wednesday (Jan. 18), the singer-songwriter announced that the proceeds from his sold-out November 2022 VetsAid benefit concert — named after his non-profit — would be going to help those who served.

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“Today I am thrilled to announce $650,000 disbursed in grants to our Ohio charity partners after VetsAid 2022,” Walsh shared via Instagram, along with photos breaking down the distribution of funds from the concert’s earnings.

According to a press release, VetsAid divided the proceeds from the concert event — which featured performances from Walsh and the James Gang, and special appearances from Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, The Breeders and the OSU Marching Band — to establishments chosen by Walsh and the organization’s board, with counsel from the Combined Arms Institute.

Save a Warrior, QL+ Foundation, Hire Heroes USA, Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Buckeye Chapter, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, Travis Manion Foundation and the National Veterans Memorial & Museum each received $75,000. Combined Arms received $58,000, while Canine Companions and VFW Post 9857 received $15,000 and $12,000, respectively. Stockhands Horses for Healing, Resurrecting Lives Foundation, Back the Heroes Rumble, Task Force 20, Pegasus Farm and Rickenbacker Military Families got $5,000 each.

VetsAid is scheduled to return this year, and will be taking place in San Diego.

“VetsAid is a traveling circus that we aim to share with as many military communities across the country as possible,” Walsh said in a press release. “So it is with great excitement that I can announce VetsAid 2023 is coming to ‘America’s Finest City’ this Nov. 12!”

See his announcement below:

18 Jan 2023

Michael Jackson Film in the Works at Lionsgate

Michael Jackson is the subject of an upcoming biopic helmed by Lionsgate and director Antoine Fuqua.

The film, titled Michael, will take on the musician’s life and career and will be produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) and John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, according to The Hollywood Reporter. There is no information yet surrounding casting and release date.

“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am,” Fuqua shared in a statement, per THR. “For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”

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In a career that spanned throughout almost his entire life, the King of Pop had 13 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. He first saw success as part of the family band the Jackson 5, and four of their songs topped the Hot 100.

As a solo artist, Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller became one of the best-selling albums of all time and spent an impressive 37 weeks atop the Billboard 200. Additionally, its seven singles all reached the top 10 of the Hot 100.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 at age 50.

18 Jan 2023

Jonathan Knight Recalls Pressure to Stay Closeted During NKOTB’s Heyday: ’If Anybody Finds Out, Your Career Is Over’

Jonathan Knight looked back on his coming out journey in a new conversation with Lance Bass on Monday (Jan 16).

Speaking on the latest episode of the *NSYNC member’s podcast, Lance Bass Presents: Frosted Tips, the New Kids on the Block singer explained that his manager knew he was gay at the time, but instructed him to stay closeted for the sake of the boy band. “He pulled me aside and was like, ‘If anybody finds out, your career is over. The New Kids’ career is over. My career is over,’” he recalled. “It was just so much pressure.

“Looking back, that was a lot of pressure to put on somebody who’s just trying to figure out the world themselves,” the ’80s heartthrob went on. “As it went along, the stress built up and built up and built up.”

Ultimately, Knight was forced out of the closet in 2009 after a former boyfriend sold photos of himself with the star to The National Enquirer. At the time, he felt forced to address his identity publicly, saying, “I didn’t want to. I was just living my life … it wasn’t something I was hiding. But then it was like, ‘No, you have to make a statement. You have to clear the air.’ And that whole process was horrible.”

During his chat with Bass and guest co-host Joey Fatone, Knight also shared his struggle to have kids with husband Harley Rodriguez, revealing that the couple spent five years trying to start a family. “It just didn’t happen for us,” he told his fellow boy banders. “Going through the process, like, ‘Today’s the day the eggs are being [transferred], you’re so excited, and you’re so happy. And then, you know, a week later it’s like, ‘No, you’re back to square one.’”

Listen to Knight’s full interview on Lance Bass Presents: Frosted Tips below.

18 Jan 2023

Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, Jodeci, Sean Paul & More to Perform at 2023 Jazz in the Gardens

The 16th annual Jazz in the Gardens Festival will continue its “sweeter level” celebration of Black music and culture this spring in Miami Gardens, Fla. Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Charlie Wilson, Keyshia Cole, Ari Lennox, El DeBarge, Sean Paul, Mike Phillips and the Adam Blackstone Experience lead the stacked lineup of R&B, neo-soul, reggae and gospel artists, which also includes a special soulful Sunday performance by Chandler Moore, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and Pastor Mike Jr.

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The two-day festival will return to the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12.

“Over the years, Jazz in the Gardens has evolved on many levels. Now, in our 16th year, the festival continues to showcase some amazing talent and different genres of music for all those who attend to enjoy,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris in a statement. “People come from all over for this unique experience. Jazz is the means by which we celebrate grandly music, food, and culture, together.”

On top of live performances, the 2023 Jazz in the Gardens Festival will feature exotic cuisine and offer exquisite retail buys in the Merchandise Village.

Last year, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and Miami Gardens native Rick Ross performed at the Jazz in the Gardens stage following the festival’s two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Mayor Harris declared March 13 as “Rick Ross Day” during the festival in honor of his global success as an entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Tickets are currently on sale at Jazz in the Gardens’ official website.

18 Jan 2023

Green Day & Foo Fighters to Headline Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival

Rev your engines. The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival is driving through the city of Milwaukee this summer, with newly announced all-star headliners Green Day and the Foo Fighters in tow.

Named for its location in Wisconsin, birth place of Harley-Davidson, the Homecoming Festival will celebrate the motorcycle brand’s 120th anniversary over the course of four days in July, starting on the 13th. Green Day is slated to play on the 14th, and the Foo Fighters are booked for July 15.

The rest of the festival’s schedule has not yet been confirmed, though Cody Jinks, Social Distortion, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Phantogram, White Reaper and KennyHoopla will all make performances of their own over the course of the event, which concludes July 16. The festival will take place at Milwaukee’s Veterans Park, with tickets to see both headlining acts available for purchase now on Harley-Davidson’s website.

Both Green Day and the Foo Fighters posted about the event on their bands’ official social media accounts, including a sleek poster with their names worked into a graphic design of a guitar made out of motorcycle parks. The former wrote on Instagram: “Riding into Milwaukee on July 14th to celebrate @harleydavidson’s 120th bday (!!!)”

Harley-Davidson’s Homecoming announcement marks the latest in a wave of recent annual festival lineup announcements, from Coachella to Boston Calling to Bonnaroo. The Foo Fighters are booked for the latter two festivals, meanwhile Green Day is slated to headline the Arizona Innings Festival and the When We Were Young Festival this year.

See Green Day and Foo Fighters’ Harley-Davidson Homecoming announcements below.

18 Jan 2023

The National Unveils ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’ Tracklist With Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers & Sufjan Stevens

The National revealed their upcoming album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, on Wednesday (Jan. 18) along with its star-studded tracklist.

The project is the band’s ninth full-length studio set is scheduled to arrive on April 28 via 4AD, and will contain lead single “Tropic Morning News” as well as collaborations with Taylor Swift (“The Alcott”), Phoebe Bridgers (“This Isn’t Helping,” “Your Mind Is Not Your Friend”) and Sufjan Stevens (opener “Once Upon a Poolside”).

On the sprightly lead-off track, frontman Matt Berninger croons, “I was so distracted then/ I didn’t have it straight in my head/ I didn’t have my face on yet/ Or the role or the feel of where I was going with it all/ I was suffering more than I let on/ The tropic morning news was on/ There’s nothing stopping me now/ From saying all the painful parts out loud.”

“The idea of referring to the darkness of the news in such a light way unlocked something in me,” he said of the song in a release. “It became a song about having a hard time expressing yourself, and trying to connect with someone when the noise of the world is drowning out any potential for conversation.”

For her part, Swift was thrilled that the secret was finally out, writing, “Ahhhhhh new National album lets gooooo and Sufjan and Phoebe catch me crying on April 28…Extra big hug to folklorian king @aarondessner” on her Instagram Story along with a pre-order link to the album.

The National teased First Two Pages of Frankenstein earlier this week courtesy of a password-protected page on their official website. The unlocked page offered fans a glimpse of Berninger reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on a piano bench, and included a stately letter hinting at the album’s trio of guest stars.

Check out The National’s album announcement below, and the lyric video for “Tropic Morning News” above.

18 Jan 2023

Arlo Parks Is Feeling ‘Weightless’ as She Announces Sophomore Album ‘My Soft Machine’

After breaking through to mainstream success in 2021, UK indie star Arlo Parks is ready to follow through with her new project.

On Wednesday (Jan. 18), Parks officially announced the impending release of her sophomore studio album My Soft Machine. Due out May 26 via Transgressive Records, the new LP promises to be a more expansive look at Parks’ life, with songs dedicated to both telling the truth of her lived experience while coloring them through her own artistic expression.

“This record is life through my lens, through my body,” Parks said in a statement regarding My Soft Machine. “The mid-20s anxiety, the substance abuse of friends around me, the viscera of being in love for the first time, navigating PTSD and grief and self sabotage and joy, moving through worlds with wonder and sensitivity — what it’s like to be trapped in this particular body.”

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To celebrate the announcement, Parks is also giving fans a taste of what’s to come with the album’s first single. “Weightless” stands out immediately from Parks’ slowed down, groove-focused tracks of the past — outfitted with a frenetic beat and heavy-synth production, the track marks a new sonic direction for the star while keeping her lyrical acuity intact. “You crush under the pressure/ But you won’t change, no, you won’t change,” she croons on the track’s pre-chorus. “I don’t wanna wait for you.”

The new album follow’s Parks’ debut LP, 2021’s Collapsed in Sunbeams. Following critical raves for her album, Parks ended up earning two Grammy nominations — Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album — for her work on the project, while also winning best new artist at the Brit Awards and the Mercury Prize in the UK.

Pre-order My Soft Machine here and watch the official video for “Weightless” above.