NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO

The 88 is this hot new band that has been on my radar recently. They have an upcoming show in L.A. opening for the B-52s on Sunday. I'm working on getting me some tix, but in the meantime I'll have to continue to watch their videos.

Here is their video for 'Coming Home' from their debut album Not Only...But Also.

www.myspace.com/the88

BITING IT'S WAY TO THE TOP

Apparently, Vampires are all the rage this year. The soundtrack to the upcoming teen vampire romance Twilight debuts at #1 on The Billboard 200. Twilight is the first soundtrack to hit #1 in advance of the movie's release since 8 Mile six years ago.

Twilight soundtrack sold 165,000 copies. More than 48,000 copies were sold digitally, making this the week's #1 Digital Album. That's the biggest digital tally ever for a movie soundtrack.

Twilight is the third movie soundtrack to hit #1 so far this year, following Juno and Mamma Mia!

SWEET ABOUT THIS

As you probably already know I'm a HUGE fan of Adele, Duffy, Kate Nash and Amy (b4 the drugs). I have been loving where these ladies have been taking us musically. Well, there is one more young lady from Australia who is ready for her U.S. introduction. Her name is Gabriella Cilmi and she is only 17 years old! Gabriella has this huge voice and is already being compared vocally to some of the greats like Amy & Adele.

Without further ado....


UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC RECORDS READIES U.S. DEBUT OF
WORLDWIDE VOCAL SENSATION GABRIELLA CILMI

Aussie Phenom Wins Unprecedented 6 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry) Awards
Top 5 Smash Global Single ‘Sweet About Me’ To Hit U.S. Radio In November

Internationally Acclaimed, Top Selling UK Release 'Lessons To Be Learned'
Set For U.S. Album Debut in March 17, 2009

(New York, NY –November 6, 2008) Universal Republic Records is unveiling one of the most anticipated U.S. debuts of the year as Aussie vocal star Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced chill-me) serves up her worldwide smash hit “Sweet About Me” to U.S. radio stations this month. Her stateside album debut, LESSONS TO BE LEARNED, is scheduled for release March 17, 2009.

The 17 year old phenomenon just swept the prestigious Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (ARIA Awards), taking home an unprecedented six trophies on the strength of her breakthrough debut album, LESSONS TO BE LEARNED. The Melbourne-born Cilmi won, among other awards, Best Female Artist and Breakthrough Artist Of The Year for both single - "Sweet About Me" - and album, as well as snagging the award for Highest Selling Single Of The Year.

Prepped for the kind of welcome by U.S. music fans that has seen her take the rest of the pop music world by storm, VH1 has already reserved their notch for the singer/songwriter, preparing to feature her as one of the first VH1 'You Oughta Know' selections of 2009. Another touchstone accolade for the newcomer who has become the youngest Australian solo artist ever to crack her native country's #1 slot on the Australian Pop charts.

“Sweet About Me” also ruled the better part of UK music charts for more than three months this summer, with the bold Cilmi drawing raves from British tomes such as The Independent – ‘a smart and sassy album…the sound of summer,’ and the BBC: ‘a true talent…’



"Gabriella possesses every attribute that music fans across the world are hungering for," stated Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic. "U.S. fans are about to see first-hand what European audiences have been raving about, whether it's her poise, her passion, or unbridled ability to deliver a song like you've never heard it before - Gabriella is this year's breakthrough artist perfectly positioned for unparalleled U.S. mainstream success."

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED has already soared to the Top 10 in more than ten countries, with the single netting a string of #1s in her native Australia, Holland, the UK, and dominating the Top 5 real estate of the international charts in Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and numerous other territories. The singer/songwriter is also the youngest artist ever to be nominated for British Q Magazine’s Breakthrough Artist Of The Year (‘an album positively reeling with confidence and youthful enthusiasm…’ crowed the mag.)

Emerging from the suburbs of Melbourne, she was fronting a mostly-boy rock band at age 12; at age 14 she was already being hailed as the ‘schoolgirl with the big voice,’ soon-to-be groomed by British pop-minders Xenomania and writing partners Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper. The duo share writing credits on nearly all Xenomania tracks, penning hits for everyone from Kylie Minogue and Cher to Franz Ferdinand and the Sugababes.

The singer was a central part of the creative process throughout the making of her debut CD, with Cilmi contributing to more than four dozen songs before she and her support team chose the selections that would make the final release. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED thrives on the singer's keen instincts and underlying emotional depth, with London’s Sunday Times affirming ‘a composure that belies her age.’

Influenced by mercurial Led Zeppelin founder Robert Plant, she co-wrote most of the material in the mansion formerly owned by Alice In Wonderland author Lewis Carroll. Songs on the upcoming album include her new hit UK single “Save The Lies (Good To Me),” “Got No Place To Go,” “Awkward Games,” and a remake of the Martha and the Muffins classic, “Echo Beach.” Gabriella's acclaimed single, "Sweet About Me" will be shipped to U.S. radio stations in November.

www.myspace.com/gabriellacilmi

HERE COMES TROUBLE...

Trouble Andrew has just been signed to EMI with his official album to be released on Virgin next summer. This is the first I am hearing of this guy, and I'm definitely digging his beats.

His "krunk rock" makes him like the male Santogold. He even has a song with Santogold called 'Bang Bang.' He's like a mx between Micky Avalon & Santogold, but with more "trouble"...

Trouble Andrew has been making noise through the snowboard, sk8 and surf world, playing at events like X-games and Burton snowboard world tours...Trevor Andrew aka Trouble Andrew has been a professional snowboarder for Burton since the age of 14 (he's now 27) breaking his bones for respect and a pay check.

He wrote his first songs while rehabbing after a snowboard injury that put him off snow for 8 months in 2005. In this time he discovered his musical talents at his fiancé Santi White aka Santogold's apartment in Brooklyn where he was surrounded by music equipment and a lot of time to kill.

In 2007 he put out an LP under the name Trouble Andrew (previously only available on iTunes). We are re-releasing a remixed/remastered version of this underground classic on January 13th with bonus track!!!

For those of you unfamiliar with his music, get a taste of it at www.Myspace.com/troubleandrew or from the video for "Bang Bang" on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAmExxE-RDc The music was born out of the sk8 and snowboard culture Trouble grew up in. The sound is like 80's pop, punk, surf, sk8rock, electro krunk all mixed together. The mash up sound he's calls "krunk rock".



The official follow up Trouble Andrew album will be released on Virgin records in Summer 2009. It's going to be Trouble next year!!!

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - PARAMORE

So much buzz around the Twilight movie that releases in a few weeks. I don't understand the buzz, but ok... In the meantime, check out 'Decode' by Paramore fromt the Twilight soundtrack.

LIONS, TIGERS, AND BANDS! OH MY!

I'm super excited for the new project created from wiz kids, Josh Schwartz and Alexandra Patsavas. A list of the final bands participating in this show has just been released, and it looks like we are in for a treat!

THEWB.COM AND JOSH SCHWARTZ ANNOUNCE FINAL BANDS FOR FIRST SEASON OF “ROCKVILLE, CA”

BURBANK, Calif. (November 12, 2008) – TheWB.com – a premium, ad-supported, video-on-demand, interactive and personalized network – today announced the final list of bands to be featured in the first season of “Rockville, CA,” the music-themed scripted web series created by Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “The O.C.”). Production on the show began in October at The Echo, a popular club and indie music venue in Los Angeles.

Bands announced today include Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, Anya Marina, Bishop Allen, The Broken West, Cass McCombs, Lights, Oppenheimer and The Republic Tigers.

Previously announced bands appearing on the series include The Duke Spirit, Eagles of Death Metal, Earlimart, Frightened Rabbit, The Kooks, The Little Ones, Lykke Li, Nico Stai, Passion Pit, Phantom Planet, and White Lies.

“Rockville, CA” will premiere on TheWB.com in 2009 with an initial run of 20 episodes. Each band featured on “Rockville, CA” (the series) will play a set at Rockville (the fictional club in the show), against the backdrop of a weekly episodic scripted drama. In addition to viewing full episodes, TheWB.com community will be able to stream and download exclusive tracks from the show, and watch videos, interviews and other “Rockville, CA” extra content at www.thewb.com when the series launches.

Executive producer and music supervisor Alex Patsavas (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The O.C.,” “Gossip Girl”) – whose golden touch is responsible for the mainstream media debuts of more than a dozen popular bands, including The Killers (“The O.C.”), Death Cab for Cutie (“The O.C.”) and The Fray (”Grey’s Anatomy”) – personally selected the acts to be featured on the first season of “Rockville, CA.”

“Rockville, CA” stars Andrew West (“Privileged”), Alexandra Chando (“As the World Turns”), Ryan Hansen (“Veronica Mars,” “Las Vegas”) and Mighty Rasta (“Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” “My Wife and Kids”).

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

It was a busy night of television on Tuesday night with both my favorite bands performing on late shows. First, The Sounds were on Carson Daily and then Low Vs. Diamond stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to play 2 songs.

Check LVD out performing 'Heart Attack' & 'Killer B'!

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

The Sounds made an appearance on Last Call With Carson Daily last night to perform 'Hurt You'! This just got me super pumped for next weeks Palladium performance.

Tickets are still available for The Sounds at the Hollywood Palladium on November 20th. They are INSANE live - GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Quarterstick, the sister label of Touch and Go Records and home to diverse artists such as Calexico, The Uglysuit, and Rachel's, has signed Sholi, the San Francisco-based avant-rock trio featuring songwriter/guitarist Payam Bavafa, bassist Eric Ruud, and drummer Jonathon Bafus. With a delicate balance of intricate rhythms, impressive musicianship, and intimate, impressionistic lyrics, Sholi creates a unique blend of reposeful melody and turbulent measure unlike any other.

The band has recently finished recording their debut self-titled LP with Greg Saunier of Deerhoof and we’re pleased to announce that it will be released on February 17, 2009.
If you’re not one for waiting, you can experience Sholi NOW through a host of 7” inch singles, most notably one of lovingly-crafted covers (Googoosh, Joanna Newsom) on Holocene Music. Additionally, there’s a tour EP entitled "Dreams Before People" which you can download at their Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/sholimusic).

KCRW WELCOMES CONOR OBERST AND THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND

What's going to happen when Nic leaves KCRW? I hope Morning Becomes Eclectic sticks around! They have such great shows in the morning...like this one with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band,

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

Ok, I guess I have a new obsession all of a sudden! Kings of Leon were on Letterman a few months ago, so I know this is probably old news...still had to post it for ya cuz I'm obsessed!

Enjoy!

KCRW'S MUSIC DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

Famed Music Director Nic Harcourt is taking a break. After 10 years with KCRW, Nic is stepping down as Music Director.

Luckily he will continue hosting his 3 hour show on Sundays from 6pm to 9pm. Maybe I can host the daily Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show now...thoughts??

Thanks to Nic for bringing us 10 AMAZING years of music!!



After 10 successful years as host of Morning Becomes Eclectic, KCRW’s signature music program, KCRW Music Director Nic Harcourt is stepping down November 30 to pursue several independent projects. Harcourt will continue as a KCRW deejay, hosting a 3-hour show on Sundays from 6-9 pm.

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to work every day and be surrounded by creative and passionate people and I want to keep the connection alive on my Sunday show,” said Harcourt.

“Since I arrived here, I’ve fulfilled many of my dreams as a music lover, meeting and interviewing legends like Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson and Cat Stevens (Yusuf). I’ve also been able to set the stage for future stars, introducing artists like Coldplay, Damien Rice, Dido and Norah Jones on KCRW’s airwaves. I’m equally proud to have played many unsigned and independent artists and to be a champion for Latin Alternative music.”

“I’ve also been involved with a number of innovative projects to bring KCRW’s unique programming to a larger audience, such as launching KCRW Presents concerts in Los Angeles and other cities, remote broadcasts of Morning Becomes Eclectic from major music events, and videocasting and podcasting our live studio sessions.”

“As a parent of two young children, I believe it’s time for me to explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the Internet.”

“My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to KCRW, the staff and volunteers who have supported my work through the years, but most of all to the listeners. I’ve always said that I couldn’t do what I do without them and I hope they will join me on Sunday nights,” said Harcourt.

KCRW’s General Manager Ruth Seymour said “Nic has enhanced KCRW’s reputation for introducing new artists to listeners in Southern California and beyond on radio and the Internet. His singular gifts as a radio deejay and his ability to spot new talent attracted major media attention from both national and international press.”

“He made performing on MBE an opportunity to be heard by top entertainment executives. In quite a number of instances it led to record contracts, television appearances and club dates.”

“We’re delighted that Nic will continue a station tradition and remain on the air at KCRW. He follows our two previous Music Directors, Tom Schnabel and Chris Douridas, who also host music programs on the weekends.”

“Nic is a hard act to follow”, added Seymour. “We are now in the process of choosing a new Music Director. We have been looking at potential candidates with an eye toward announcing a choice in the new few weeks.”

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - KINGS OF LEON

Kings of Leon - Use Somebody


Kings of Leon are huge in Europe and finally beginning to break here in the U.S. I never really paid much attention until recently. Here is their latest video for "Use Somebody" off their new album ONLY BY THE NIGHT.

KATY PERRY LAUNCHES FIRST WORLD TOUR

Move over Madge...KP is taking your spot in January. Hot off her recent appearance at the MTV EUROPEAN MUSIC AWARDS, Katy has just announced her upcoming WORLD TOUR. Check out her dates below!

(NEW YORK, NY November 10, 2008) - The undisputed ruling "It Girl" of 2008, Capitol Records breakthrough artist KATY PERRY, will take her act on the road in early 2009, in her first international headline tour in the wake of the global success of her debut album, ONE OF THE BOYS. Tickets will go on sale November 14/15.

Katy is playing in a variety of large clubs and small theatres. Her itinerary will take her to the stages of such classic venues as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Irving Plaza in New York City, The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, Canada and The Elyseé Montmartre in Paris, France, hitting fifty cities around the world between the tour's Jan. 23rd kick-off in Seattle, and an early May wrap-up show in her Santa Barbara hometown. Joining Katy on the road will be Alphabeat on all North American dates and Warped Tour alumni 3 OH 3! for all European dates.

Currently, Katy's second single, the irrepressible "Hot N Cold," is her second international hit: aside from Top 10 entries in the US, Australia, Canada (where it claims the No. 1 slot) and the U.K, it is a bulleted Top 5 smash on Billboard's Hot 100 pop chart, and No. 1 most listened to record on American Top 40. The video has become the No. 2 most viewed video premiere of all time on MySpace and the track's U.S. radio success has sent the RIAA gold-certified ONE OF THE BOYS bulleting back into the Top 20 of the national Billboard Top 200 album chart, in its fifth month of release.

Katy is fresh off of a scene-stealing performance at the MTV Latin America "Los Premios Awards," and hosting and performing at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool where she picked up the award for "Best New Act". Previously, Katy spent two solid months on Stateside tour with Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2008 - a scene described by one Midwestern reviewer as comparable to the running of the bulls in Pamplona "...minus the bulls, or the quaint Basque scenery" marking her as a solid live performer.

Meanwhile, Katy's career displayed the same unstoppable forward momentum, as her first single, "I Kissed a Girl," took up an astonishing seven-week residency at No. 1, equaling a Capitol label record set by The Beatles. The song was the 1,000th American No. 1 hit of the rock era, amassing over 2 million domestic paid downloads, and now approaching 6 million in global single sales. In addition, the song was No. 1 nationally in 15 countries, including the U.K., Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia as well as a No. 1 iTunes download in over a dozen countries, and a No. 1 airplay smash in 20 territories.

Along the way, as ONE OF THE BOYS made its Top 10 Billboard album chart debut, critics and fans alike commented on the cultural zeitgeist so effortlessly captured by Katy in her songs and video clips, including the underground Youtube and Myspace smash, "Ur So Gay," and the five times MTV Video Music Award nominee "I Kissed a Girl."

KATY PERRY WORLD TOUR:
Jan 23 Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
Jan 25 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Jan 26 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
Jan 28 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Jan 29 Sacramento, CA @ Empire Events Centre
Jan 31 Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern
Feb 2 Tuscon, AZ @ University of Arizona
Feb 3 Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Feb 5 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Feb 22 Stockholm @ Nalan
Feb 23 Copenhagen @ Vega
Feb 25 Manchester @ Academy
Feb 26 London @ Koko
Feb 27 London @ Koko
Mar 1 Amsterdam @ Melkweg the Max
Mar 2 Paris @ Elysee Montmarte
Mar 4 Munich @ Kesselhaus
Mar 5 Frankfurt @ Batschkapp
Mar 6 Hamburg @ Grynspan
Mar 7 Brussels @ Ancienne Belgique
Mar 20 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Mar 21 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Mar 23 Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont
Mar 24 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Mar 26 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Mar 27 Detroit, MI @ Clutch Cargos
Mar 28 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Mar 30 Toronto, ONT @ Kool Haus
Apr 5 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
Apr 7 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Apr 10 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Apr 11 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Apr 14 Nashville, TN @ Cannery
Apr 15 Atlanta, GA @ CenterStage
Apr 27 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Apr 28 St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing

LIMITED EDITION FEIST RELEASE

A new Feist 2CD Limited Edition is due for release in just a few weeks. You can now Pre-Order your copy at Amazon.com!

“The Reminder” on November 25th , 2008 on Cherrytree/Interscope Records.

This 2CD Limited Deluxe Edition contains a BONUS ENHANCED DISC containing key remixes of The Reminder (some of which have never before been available commercially), along with duets with Mocky, The Constantines, videos and more glorious Feist moments including:

So Sorry (One Mic Mix)
The one-take live vocal of the lead track from “The Reminder” - straight from the demo vaults. Never before available!

Lover’s Spit (Redux) – Broken Social Scene
A Broken Social Scene classic. While the version from "You Forgot It In People" features Kevin Drew on vocals, this alternate version, taken from "Bee Hives" is stripped down to just Feist with piano. Timeless!

An EP will also be available digitally called the The Reminder Deluxe EP.


PHYSICAL RELEASE TRACKLISTING

THE REMINDER

1. So Sorry
2. I Feel It All
3. My Moon My Man
4. The Park
5. The Water
6. Sealion
7. Past In Present
8. The Limit To Your Love
9. 1234
10. Brandy Alexander
11. Intuition
12. Honey Honey
13. How My Heart Behaves


BONUS ENHANCED DISC

1. I Feel It All (Escort Remix)
2. Sealion (Chromeo Remix)
3. My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Classic Mix)
4. 1234 (Van She Remix)
5. Fightin’ Away The Tears - with Mocky
6. So Sorry (One Mic Mix)
7. My Moon My Man (Grizzly Bear Remix)
8. Lover’s Spit (Redux) - Broken Social Scene
9. Islands In The Stream - with Constantines

+ VIDEOS:

10. My Moon My Man
11. 1234 (Director’s Cut)
12. I Feel It All
13. Honey Honey (Exclusive)

A MESSAGE FROM AFI

We've officially finished writing the 8th AFI album, and now we enter the studio to put it on tape. We have a fabulous producer we'll be working with, David Bottrill, who has worked on some fantastic and legendary albums by Peter Garbiel, Muse, Silverchair, Placebo, and Tool. We've spent this whole year crafting these songs and we're impatient to share them, so let's get busy.

Love,

Davey, Adam, Hunter, and Me

IN CASE YOU MISSED EM...

SNL was a repeat this weekend, but it was the first time I caught it! Kings of Leon was the musical guest of the night. Here they are performing "Sex On Fire" from their latest album.