* * Reports are flooding in that disco icon Donna Summer has passed away at the age of 63 after a battle with cancer. If the disco era can be said to have one, true icon then that performer is Donna Summer. In commercial terms alone, the singer dominated the playing field notching up chart record after chart record. Yet Donna Summer was able to match her commercial nous with a palpable sense of Futurism. Hooking up with German producer Giorgio Moroder, the pair injected new technology into American music. 'I Feel Love' turned the music world upside down, establishing synthesisers as a force in the charts and lighting the trail which would lead to House and Techno. Later taking a break from disco, Donna Summer would remain an outstanding performer during a career which has spanned more than four decades. Latterly living with her family in Nashville, the singer was recently diagnosed with cancer. Undergoing treatment, entertainment site TMZ reports that Donna Summer sadly passed away this morning (May 17th). More to follow... *
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* * The full list of winners for the 57th Ivor Novello Awards has been announced - check it out below. Love them or loathe them, the Ivor Novello awards have rapidly grown in prominence of late. Returning for another instalment, the ceremony took place earlier today (May 17th) at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. Without further ado, here are the winners: Best Contemporary Song * Video Games * Written by Lana Del Rey / Justin Parker * Performed by Lana Del Rey * UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Sony/ATV Music Publishing PRS for Music Most Performed Work * Rolling In The Deep * Written by Adele Adkins / Paul Epworth * Performed by Adele * UK Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / EMI Music Publishing Best Television Soundtrack * The Shadow Line * Composed by Martin Phipps * UK Publishers: Du Vinage Publishing Ltd The Ivors Jazz Award * Stan Tracey Album Award * Let England Shake * Written & Performed by PJ Harvey * UK Publishers: EMI Music Publishing / Hot Head Music Outstanding Song Collection * Gary Kemp The Ivors Inspiration Award * Siouxsie Sioux Best Original Film Score * The First Grader * Composed by Alex Heffes * UK Publishers: Fintage Publishing BV / Resonant Music (1) Limited Partners PRS for Music Outstanding Contribution to British Music * Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen & Robbie Williams (Take That) Best Song Musically and Lyrically * The A Team * Written & Performed by Ed Sheeran * UK Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Lifetime Achievement * Mark Knopfler Songwriter of the Year * Adele Adkins PRS for Music Special International Award * Jimmy Webb BASCA Fellowship * Andrew Lloyd Webber *
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* * John Maus has compiled a series of rarities for his upcoming compilation 'A Collection of Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material'. An outsider artist, music just seems to pour out of John Maus. Last year's full length 'We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves' was a breakthrough of sorts, with the artist finally gaining a wider audience. But his decade long underground career shouldn't be dismissed as a result. John Maus is busy pulling together some loose cuts, with Ribbon Music responsible for piecing together the sixteen track compilation. Drawn from various projects, much of the material on the new album originate from 'Demos 2011' - a bundle of tracks originating from mausspace.com. A quote from John Maus: "Devout fans may notice a few of the ‘demos’ from this period are not represented on the album. The answer to this is simple: “Some of the songs are in fact just that – DEMOS. Better left unreleased". Here's 'Mental Breakdown'. - - - John Maus is set to release 'A Collection of Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material' on July 16th. Tracklisting: 1. North Star (2008) * 2. The Law (2003) * 3. Castles in the Grave (2010) * 4. Angel of the Night (2010) * 5. Mental Breakdown (2004) * 6. Bennington (2007) * 7. Big Dumb Man (2003) * 8. No Title (Molly) (2008) * 9. Lost (2003) * 10. All Aboard (2007) * 11. This is The Beat (2005) * 12. My Hatred is Magnificent (2008) * 13. The Fear (2003) * 14. Fish With Broken Dreams (1999) * 15. Rock the Bone (2008) * 16. I Don't Eat Human Beings (2008) Photo Credit: Nic Amato *
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* * Oxford band Foals have announced the release of a mix CD to be released on July 2nd, along with a string of DJ dates over the summer. The mix CD is apart of the !K7’s ‘Tapes’ series which has featured The Big Pink and The Rapture. There seems to be an outcry for nostalgic music formats recently, with sales of vinyl flying through the roof for first time in years - so this classic idea couldn’t come at a better time. "We wanted it to reflect the taste of the whole band" says keyboard player Edwin Congreave, "so I picked music from the last five years of shared listening. We used to tour in an ex-royal mail delivery van - the DIY band cliché - and we drove ourselves to shows listening to each other's playlists on a ropey old cassette player.” With Foals being the inventive types they are, the mix includes an eclectic selection of music such as 90’s math rock, Greek folk music, Kompakt compilations and disco re-edits. Congreave has spent the last five years deejaying alongside band tours, blending his love of deep house and techno into a populist mould, attempting to build a bridge between the indie disco and the real disco; check out some mixes on his Soundcloud. TRACKLISTING * Side A: * 1. Nicolas Jaar - Variations * 2. Clark - Ted (Bibio Remix) * 3. Dorian Concept - Tropical Hands * 4. Condry Ziqubu - Confusion (Ma Afrika) * 5. The Invisible - London Girl * 6. JR Seaton - Way Savvy (Gatto Fritto Remix) * 7. Blood Orange - Dinner * 8. Tanner Ross - B Side * 9. Teengirl Fantasy - Cheaters (John Talabot's Classic Vocal Refix) * 10. Château Flight feat. Marie Daulne - Superflight (Maurice Fulton Remix) * 11. In Flagranti - Effective Placebo Affect * 12. Tony Allen - Kilode (Carl Craig Remix) Side B: * 13. Art Department feat. Soul Clap & Osunlade - We Call Love * 14. Cerrone - Give Me Love (Frankie Knuckles Remix) * 15. Arnold Jarvis - Take Some Time Out * 16. Oni Ayhun - OAR003-B * 17. Sepalcure - Every Day Of My Life (Jimmy Edgar Remix) * 18. Marshall Jefferson vs. Noosa Heads - Mushrooms (Justin Martin Remix) * 19. Julio Bashmore - Battle For Middle You Words by Jamie Carson *
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* * Charli XCX is to release new single 'You're The One' on July 30th, alongside a new tour - with the locations decided by her fans. With an already hectic schedule - accompanying Coldplay and Santigold on their forthcoming North American tours - Charli XCX recently confirmed a headline show at London's XOYO on August 1st. Now the singer is also planning a new live project where she will play two solo shows in as-yet undecided UK cities on the 29th and 31st July. Thanks to a joint venture with Detourjam - a website that helps fans rally together to decide the tour path of their favorite artists - it's up to you, the public, to decide which cities the ‘Nuclear Seasons’ singer visits. Sites like Detourjam and Pledge Music are becoming increasingly popular among music lovers, as the ventures allow fans to get closer to the artist by making personal purchases and decisions with them. Charli XCX fans must pledge a £7 ticket fee that will also register as a 'vote' for the singer to perform in their desired city. Don’t worry, if your chosen city doesn’t win, you will not be charged for your vote. The first two cities to win 50 pledges or votes will guarantee a live gig from Charli. Those living in or near one of the eligible sites (these being Glasgow, Manchester, Brighton, Leeds, Bristol and Birmingham), can make pledges at detourjam.com/charlixcx Words by Jamie Carson *
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* * Cold Specks are offering fans a new teaser of debut album ‘I Predict A Graceful Expulsion’. A vehicle for Al Spx, Cold Specks are responsible for some beautifully evocative songwriting. Rich in detail and warm in tone, debut album ‘I Predict A Graceful Expulsion’ is all poetic lyrics and a Gothic vision of the South. Set to be released on May 21st, Cold Specks have been teasing fans with previews and teasers. Now a fresh video has emerged online, matching tracks from ‘I Predict A Graceful Expulsion’ to sun dappled scenery. Watch the video below. - - - Cold Specks’ manager, Jim Anderson, is responsible for uncovering Al Spx. “My little brother, who was spending his summers with our mother in Toronto, had always told me of this girl he was friends with that had this amazing voice,” he said recently. “As a producer I’d heard that so often that I didn't take too much notice. Then I came in one night to find him and a few friends drinking in the flat and playing a CD of her demos. I was completely transfixed and just kept pressing repeat. I knew I had to work with her". ‘I Predict A Graceful Expulsion’ is set to be released on May 21st. *
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* * The Big Pink are giving away a new five track EP, featuring remixes from Forest Swords, d'Eon and more. Released last year, The Big Pink's second album 'Future This' failed to meet the chart highs of their debut. Yet for the band, it evidently felt like the right step and was followed by a lengthy period of touring. Recruiting guest producers along the way, The Big Pink dropped remixes like Hansel and Gretel dropping breadcrumbs in the woods. Now the band have decided to collect five such remixes in a handy widget. Available as a free download, you can download the remix package below. - - - The Big Pink are set to spend the summer on the road playing festivals across North America and Japan. *
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* * Dirty Projectors are set to release their new single 'Gun Has No Trigger' on July 2nd. A breakthrough of sorts, 'Bitte Orca' was in reality just one more step from Dirty Projectors. Returning with their new album, the band have confirmed that new single 'Swing Lo Magellan' will be released on July 9th. Before then, though, Dirty Projectors will release their new single 'Gun Has No Trigger'. Set to be available on digital download, the band have also confirmed plans to press the track on special edition 8” vinyl - re-titled 'Gun Has No Trigger Tablet Of Values'. Details (direct from the press release): - 8" x 8" Square Vinyl Single Pressed on Tablet Thick Audiophile-Grade Vinyl (equivalent to 200 GM @ 12") * - Super-Limited to 1000 Copies Worldwide * - A Side Features Single 'Gun Has No Trigger' Cut @ 45 RPM * - B Side Features Sumerian Akkadian Cuneiform Etching Of Complete Lyrics Of 'Gun Has No Trigger' Translated By Dr. M. Willis Monroe 'Gun Has No Trigger' is streaming on the Dirty Projectors website. Fancy hearing another new cut from the band? Here's 'You Against The Larger World'. - - - Dirty Projectors are set to release 'Gun Has No Trigger' on July 2nd. Photo Credit: Jason Frank Rothenberg *
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* * Festival No. 6 has expanded, with Richard Hawley, Death In Vegas and more being added to the bill. Held in the beautiful, bizarre Welsh town of Port Merion, Festival No. 6 is a unique addition to the summer calendar. Running between September 14th - 16th, Festival No. 6 has already confirmed appearances from Factory icons New Order, Primal Scream, Spiritualized, British Sea Power, Summer Camp and more. Announcing a swathe of new additions, Festival No. 6 has confirmed an appearance from Richard Hawley. Sheffield crooner turned psychedelic wanderer, the songwriter joins an ever expanding bill at the Welsh event. Still capable of shaking the Brecon Beacons to their core, Death In Vegas are also planning to journey across the Welsh border. A mighty live act, the band will be joined by the likes of Super Furry Animals leader Gruff Rhys, Kindness and more. Focussing on new music, the latest batch of additions include alt-j, Cate Le Bon, bass princess Jessie Ware, fresh faced songwrit Eugene McGuinness and The Wave Pictures. Surf-rock outfit Y Niwl are due to appear, while Southampton producer Gang Colours will follow his (rightly) celebrated debut album with an appearance at Festival No. 6. Festival Director Gareth Cooper said: “We’ve found what we hope will become one of the most outstanding and defining boutique festival sites in the world. It’s a totally jaw-dropping, mind-blowing place, offering a premium event aimed at a slightly more mature and discerning crowd. We’re confident it’s going to be one of the most stylish festivals the UK has ever seen.” Festival No. 6 runs between September 14th - 16th. Line up: New Order / Primal Scream / Spiritualized / Richard Hawley / Gruff Rhys / Local Natives / British Sea Power / Everything Everything / King Creosote / Death in Vegas / Summer Camp / Jessie Ware / Kindness / Field Music / Beth Jeans Houghton / Alt-J / Clock Opera / The Whip / The Invisible / Cate le Bon / TOY / Gang Colours / Eugene McGuinness / The Wave Pictures / Y Niwl / Sweet Baboo / Richard James / Pictish Trail / Palma Violets / Savages / Stealing Sheep / Lucy Cooke-Slothville / Charlie Boyer / Jeb Loy Nichols Francois K (Deep Space) / Erol Alkan / Mr Scruff (Keep It Unreal) / Derrick Carter Does Disco / Andrew Weatherall & Sean Johnston present A Love From Outer Space / Horse Meat Disco / Jerry Dammers / Don Letts / Optimo / Luke Solomon / Daniele Baldelli / Harri & Domenic Cappello (Sub Club) / Unabombers (Electric Chair) / Lowlife / PBR Streetgang / Kelvin Brown / Will TRAMP! *
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* * Summer Camp are set to return this summer, with new EP 'Always' due for release on July 9th. Summer Camp seemed to emerge suspiciously fully formed. Sure, both Liz 'n' Jez had prior career - as a journalist and acoustic troubadour, respectively - while their influences and concepts were extremely blog-friendly. Both with hooks like that, few could fail from tapping their foot and thanking the gods of pop for delivering another batch of melodic earworms. Debut album 'Welcome To Condale' arrived last Autumn, but the band are showing no signs of taking a rest. New EP 'Always' is set to drop on July 9th, containing five tracks of typically glistening pop. Want some evidence? Feast your ears on 'Life'. - - - Summer Camp are set to release 'Always' on July 9th. Tracklisting: 1. Life * 2. Always * 3. City * 4. Hunt * 5. Outside Photo Credit: Bella Howard *
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