Lily Allen Will Be A Working Mom

Even though Lily is currently pregnant that doesn't mean she is going to stop working. With her television show on BBC 3 coming up, Lily is inviting people who register to be a "friend" of the show the opportunity to be part of the audience.

Also, check out this cute little video of Lily doing a photoshoot this month preggers and all!

Its all at www.bbc.co.uk/lilyallen

R.E.M. Name New Album

R.E.M. were one of the first bands I loved and even though I have not been a massive fan of their recent records I still pay attention to all their endeavors.

Therefore, the news that their new album will be titled Accelerate and will be released in April is fantastic news! The record was produced by Jacknife Lee (who recently produced Bloc Party's "Flux") and was recorded in both Vancouver and Dublin.

The record is apparently a guitar driven record which will be a return to the older R.E.M. feel...thank god.

Sunday Video Rewind: Shed Seven - Disco Down

2007 was a year for reunions...including Shed Seven. With a new album being released in the UK on January 14, 2008 entitled "The Singles Collection" and sold out dates across the UK, it was the time to revisit the video for the band's 1999 single "Disco Down"

Going back to the years before YouTube I remember the only way to see the music videos you ACTUALLY wanted to see was by either 120 Minutes or bootleg tapes that you had to search high and low for.

Thank you YouTube for allowing me to watch Rick Witter's fierce dance moves whenever I want.

Likely Looks: Those Dancing Days - Those Dancing Days

Those Dancing Days are absolutely darling and their EP was a favorite of mine for 2007. The video for their single "Those Dancing Days" mixes the TDD live experience with well...dancing.

Likely Listens: frYars

A few months ago I caught an amazing session with frYars and absolutely fell in love with his music. My apologies for waiting until NOW to share but better late than never right?

NME thinks frYars "Sounds like Anthony and the Johnsons playing Kid A era Radiohead"...its pretty spot on but I'd throw a little Postal Service in there and then we have the right mix.

Here is the video for "The Ides"

Lily Allen To Create A Maternity Line?

Eh, not so much. Lily Allen actually came to her senses and when asked to create a maternity line she turned it down.

Lily says, "I've had a lot of offers from people to do my own maternity range but I don't think it is the right message to send to young Britain. I'm not the best example. I'm pregnant and a bit young, aren't I? "My demographic is generally young girls. I don't think a maternity line is particularly suitable."

Maybe she should give some advice to Jamie Lynn Spears...

Lily Allen Goes French

We all know Lily Allen sort of lost it between her breaking up with her long time boyfriend Seb Chew and having a baby with her boyfriend of uhhh 3 months BUT she still makes a mean cover of ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky" for a French cell phone commercial

Lily still turns it out...even in another language



By the way, how sweet does Lily look pregnant?

Likely Listens: Goldfrapp - A&E

Goldfrapp have always had a knack for creating extremely catchy tracks with a dance edge but after listening to the new track "A&E" from their upcoming album "Seventh Tree" (released February 25th via Mute Records) I think the knack could be lost.

Then again it could be the duo going in a bit of a different direction...

Even so, I still dig it.

The single drops February 11, 2008 in the UK (of course!)

Amy Winehouse Due In Norweigan Court

Amy Winehouse just can't seem to stay out of trouble and brushes with the law. She's now due to appear in court from her October drug bust in Norway after she was caught with marijuana.

Amy received a 500 euro fine and recently a letter that stated she must appear in court on February 29th.

Likely Listens: Ali Love

Ali Love was a little known solo artist from London until The Chemical Brothers picked him up to add vocals on their 2007 track "Do It Again"

Love released 2 singles on his independent record label "I Love Records" before getting picked up by Columbia Records in the UK.

Love is set to release his debut studio album "Love Music" very soon...

Here is the video for his single "Secret Sunday Lover"

Radiohead Brighten Up New Years

Radiohead have decided to make New Years Eve a little more exciting (as opposed to watching Tila Tequila's MTV special or the same New Years Rockin Eve that you watch every year out of habit) by broadcasting a performance of "In Rainbows" in its entirety starting at radiohead.tv

The performance can also be seen on the Current TV channel as well as places Thom's "not sure about" including Youtube, AOL, Yahoo!, Facebook, iLike and the TBD site for Radiohead, radiohead.tbdrecords.com...

According to Thom, "this is a wee celebration of the release of the physical manifestation of 'in rainbows'."

Here is a little teaser clip for the event:

Likely Looks: Adele - Chasing Pavements

Adele hasn't even released her debut album yet but already is making a massive splash in the UK with her singles "Hometown Glory" and "Chasing Pavements".

Here debut album will be released in the UK and Australia via XL

Likely Reads: Clapton - The Autobiography

After diving into Pattie Boyd's novel "Wonderful Tonight" and becoming quickly enamored with the details of her extraordinary life, I was ready to do it again with Eric Clapton's autobiography as well.

Clapton was definitely a man of many issues. From his many vices which included a heroin addiction that quickly switched to alcohol to his love with women and inability to be faithful to his wife Pattie, Clapton holds nothing back about his incredible life.

Going through his early childhood with his grandparents to becoming a father himself (many times!), you begin to realize what an effect Clapton's music had on so many generations.

Its more of an honest in depth life tale then a gripping edge-of-your-seat novel but its definitely a must read.

Likely Looks: Richard Hawley - Valentine

Richard Hawley just so happened to play one of my favorite gigs of the year at Bowery Ballroom and his album Lady's Bridge definitely made my Top 10 of the year.

Now, with his new single "Valentine" comes a video of course! Hawley always did come across as a great lounge singer...

The Sounds Tear Down Webster Hall

I don't know what it is with The Sounds but they never ever put on a bad show. Last night at Webster Hall (even though it was a promotional show for Camel!) the place was half packed but still full of energy as The Sounds played most of their hits from both their debut and sophomore releases.

Maja of course did the whole "audience participation" thing and got the crowd to sing along to several of their hits. Maja even rose to the occasion bringing out cigarette while singing their ballad "Night After Night" and got the crowd to join in.

The band also added a nice touch at the end of "Ego" with Jesper and Felix joining forces with an electronic drum machine to make the track absolutely the stand out of the night.

The Sounds are absolutely one of the best live bands around...period.


Photo credit rafe baron

More Banquet, Less Flux

Bloc Party has just wrapped up 2007 by playing in front of 10,000 people in London at the Alexandra Palace...but that doesn't mean they don't have their next album on their minds.

According to Kele and Matt, Bloc Party seems to be keen on revisiting the sound they first debuting on to the scene with on "Silent Alarm". "I want to have more songs like Banquet...", but Kele butted in: "Having released Flux more songs like Flux, there's no point looking back at our achievements, just look ahead at where are are going, I am really focused on the new record."

Kele also states, "Flux isn't an indication at all about the next record... The important thing about this record for me was that it showed we could do anything we wanted, we weren't going to settle for being any other guitar band of 2007. Luckily it was successful."

To be honest, Bloc Party can do whatever the hell they want (within reason i guess) and it will be fantastic.

Likely Looks: Kate Nash - Hang Me Up To Dry

Its covers day here in Broads land...next up the ever so lovely Miss Kate Nash covering Cold War Kids' "Hang Me Up To Dry" live in the UK's Channel 4

Kate does the song justice and even adds her own little twists

Likely Listens: Groove Armada ft. Alan Donohue - Crazy For You

With Madonna being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2008 its time to break out the champagne (or one of the best Madonna covers ever) and celebrate.

Alan Donohue (singer of The Rakes) teamed up with Groove Armada to create a killer Madonna cover of "Crazy For You"

Unfortunately I don't have an MP3 on this one so you will be forced to utilize the nice little YouTube makeshift video I discovered to hear this

Lily Allen Is Pregnant

Lily Allen has joined the "let's have a baby" club as of September. She is expecting with her new boyfriend, Ed Simons of The Chemical Brothers.

Please note: Lily is 22 years old...thats like a baby having a baby!

The Breeders Announce U.K. and Ireland Dates

The Breeders return to the live circuit is about as exciting to me as any reunion out there. Even though its only been 5 years, its been a long wait for new material and live shows...

The dates are as follows:

Dublin Vicar Street (April 7)
Glasgow ABC (8)
Leeds Metropolitan University (9)
Nottingham Trent University (10)
Sheffield Leadmill (12)
Birmingham Academy 2 (13)
Manchester Academy 2 (14)
London KOKO (16)

and for old times sake here is the video for "Cannonball"

M.I.A. Gets Pissed...And Blogs

M.I.A. wants to set the record straight...and she does it via everyone's favorite ranting area aka MYSPACE

and here it is...

PAPER PLANES VIDEO

LOOK I KNOW THERE ARE HATERS OUT THERE, I DEAL WITH IT EVERYDAY THATS NO FUCKING BIG DEAL AND IVE DEALT WITH WORSE IN MY LIFE, A FEW PEOPLE TALKING SHIT DONT MATTER TO ME, BUT TWISTING TRUTH ISNT THE LESSON I WANNA LEARN IN MY TIME IN MUSIC, SO WHO EVER THAT IS DOING IT , I WANNA SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT


1, I ORIGINALLY WANTED TO SHOOT THE VIDEO IN A FACTORY ON THE BORDER OF
EQUADOR, BUT COULDNT. I WAS TOURING THE U.S, I COULDA BEEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT THEN BUT THERE I WAS IN AMERICA, IN NYC, IN BROOKLYN, IN BEDSTUY , I WAS TORN BETWEEN SCRAPIN SHOWS IN AMERICA AND MEETING AMERICAN FANS OR SHOOTING IN NYC ON MY ONLY DAY OFF I'D HAD IN 4 MONTHS AND GETTING ON WITH IT.

2, SO THAT WAS THAT! I NEVER MADE A VIDEO IN AMERICA AND HEY ITS STILL A PART OF WHAT I DO AND SAY, ITS WAS STILL VALID, SO I WAS READY TO ROLL WITH IT.

3, YOU ALL KNOW HOW THE SONG SOUNDS, THATS WHY WHEN U GO ON YOUTUBE 400, 000 PEOPLE WOULD RATHER LISTEN THE SONG AS IT IS AND STARE AT SOME PICTURE THEN TO ACTUALLY WATCH A VIDEO

4, WHEN LETTERMAN CENSORD ME IT WAS WAC OF COURSE!!!!!! , AND YES I FELT SOOOOOO BAD FOR WHAT THEY DID TO MY SOUND. I WAS ABEL TO SOUND CHECK FOR THAT SHOW AND THEY LET ME SOUND CHECK FINE, THEN ON THE ACTUAL TAPING MY SOUND WAS SOOO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT ID AGREED, AS SOON AS I OPENED MY MOUTH THE DIFFERENCE BLEW ME AWAY, I FELT I WAS GETTING BULLIED ON NATIONAL TELEVISON, AND I COULDNT EVEN REACH OUT TO MY LABELS OR MY MANAGEMENT TO HELP, SINCE THEY ARE NEW TO WHAT HAPPENS TO AN ARTIST LIKE ME IN MAINSTEAM AMERICAN CULTURE.


SO THEY TRIED TO SHUT ME DOWN AGAIN. I MADE THE PAPER PLANES VIDEO. I MADE IT HOW THEY WANTED. NO VIOLENCE. AMBIGUOUS. MTV - FRIENDLY. NOW TODAY, I CHECK YOUTUBE AND SEE THE LEAKED MTV PAPER PLANES VIDEO UP FOR THE FIRST TIME. I CLICKED ON IT AND OUT COMES THIS FUCKED UP MESS WITH DOUBLE-TRACKED BULLSHIT MESS

WHO THE THE FUCK IS DOING THIS TO ME?????

THE VIDEO WAS SABOTAGED FOR WHATEVER REASON AND IM DISAPPOINTED THAT MTV HAS HAD SUCH A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS. THE BLOGGERS WHO ARE LAZY ENOUGH TO FOLLOW THE MTV LINK AND POST UP AND COMMENT ON THE SOUND WHEN THAT HASNT BEEN COMPROMISED AND THE GUNSHOT ARENT REPLACED AND EDITED MAKES ME SAD. I DID FIGHT FOR THE SOUND , BECAUSE PUTTING MEANINGS IN YOUR VIDEOS, IN MY OPINION IS A DYING ART. I CAN FILM MY SELF ANYWHERE ANYTIME AND LET YOU KNOW THE TRUTH , BUT THE SONG IS WHAT I WANTED TO PRESERVE IN THIS CASE.

TO ALL MY FANS, LOOK, ITS LIKE THIS,
IM LEARNING THINGS ABOUT THIS WORLD WITH YOU, I WANT YOU TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME , I WANT YOU TO SEE HOW PEOPLE WILL SIT AND SPEND ALL SUNDAY TEARIN ME DOWN FOR SOMETHING I DIDNT EVEN MAKE OR PUT OUT, SO PEOPLE WELCOME TO MODERN DAY PROPAGANDA MESSAGE MANGLING.

IN 2007, AN OUTSIDER OPINION WILL BE CONFRONTED THIS WAY , AND THIS IS HOW THE BATTLE GOES, MY MESSAGES AND IDEAS AND MEANING WILL ALWAYS BE BROUGHT TO YOU WITH SLIGHTLY TAINTED CHANNELS. IF YOU SUPPORT ME BE SMART, AND KNOW THAT.

I LOVE YOU, U KEEP ME GOING.
XXXXXX
MAYA

If you weren't able to catch M.I.A. on Letterman here is the video. Way to make the gun shot effects sound retarded. At least she looked cool as fuck.

Likely Looks: M.I.A. - Paper Planes

Who thought a sample of "Straight To Hell" could be turned into a new M.I.A. anthem...

Likely Looks: The Wombats - Moving To New York

Apparently Christmas comes early if you move to New York...take it from The Wombas

The single "Moving to New York" is out January 14th in the UK

Don't F*ck With Tori Amos

Tori Amos could be the coolest human in rock and roll because really truly does not give a shit. At a recent concert in San Diego, Tori was so irritated with 2 women in the front row that kept going back and forth from her seats that during her song "Code Red" she told the women to “Get the fuck out of my show! Get the fuck out! It's a privilege to sit in the front row and I reserve those seats for people who appreciate music, get the fuck out!"

Incredible. Absolutely incredible. The lesson of the day IS SIT DOWN AT A TORI SHOW!

Here is the footage so you can hear it with your own ears:

Kula Shaker Annouce U.S. Album Release

Yes...THE KULA SHAKER that had the nice little Indian inspired hit "Tattva" are back with their first album since the 1999 release of "Peasants, Pigs and Astronauts"

Their album "Strangefolk" will be release on February 19th via Cooking Vinyl (same label as The Prodigy).

Out On The Highway
Second Sight
Die For Love
Great Dictator (Of The Free World)
Strangefolk
Song Of Love/Narayana
Shadowlands
Fool That I Am
Hurricane Season
Ol’ Jack Tar
6ft Down Blues
Dr Kit
Persephone
Super CB Operator

Likely Looks: Foals - Balloons

Foals are back with their latest single "Balloons" which was released in the UK on December 10th.



They will also play Bowery Ballroom on February 11th 2008 wooooooooo

Likely Looks: Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling In To Place

What more can you say about Radiohead then the fact that they are absolutely brilliant...

Likely Looks: The Kills - U R A Fever

The Kills are finally back with their first single in a longggggggggg time, "U R A Fever". The video was directed by Sophie Muller and is quite amazing (does she ever make a bad video?!)

Foals To Release "Antidotes"

Foals have finally released information about their upcoming debut album, "Antidotes".

Here is the track listing:

'The French Open'
'Cassius'
'Red Socks Pugie'
'Olympic Airways'
'The Race For Radio Supremacy'
'Balloons'
'Heavy Water'
'Two Steps, Twice'
'Big Big Love (Fig. 2)'
'Like Swimming'
'Tron'

The album should be receiving a release date in March of 2008!

Likely Looks: Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game

The video is a bit boring but what can you do with an artist that probably won't show up to her video shoot...

She's still absolutely brilliant...

Wilco Annouces Additional U.S Tour Dates

Wilco have announced a 2 week tour in support of their latest album "Sky Blue Sky"

Here are the dates:

February 22 Cleveland, OH - Lakewood Civic Auditorium
February 23 Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
February 24 New Haven, CT - Schubert Theater
March 2 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
March 3 Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center
March 4 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina’s
March 5 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina’s
March 7 Houston, TX - Verizon Theater
March 8 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom
March 9 Des Moines, IA - Val Air Ballroom

The White Stripes To Stop Playing?

A little trip to Beck's house to record the B-sides to their latest single "Conquest" may have prompted Jack White to have second thoughts about playing live again.

When asked by the LA Times if the White Stripes would ever become a studio band; White responded, "Well, the Beatles did it...I'm joking, but if we didn't ever tour again it doesn't matter to me… There are so many different aspects to being creative that it doesn't matter if one component is changed. Because it's been changing all the time since the band started...Maybe working at Beck's house was something we needed to do to remind ourselves that touring is only one component of what we do."

I have a feeling that this isn't the last you'll see of the band live...but if you've caught them live before then consider yourselves lucky.

Babyshambles Fan Steals The Show

Pete really paved the way for this kid to make a name for himself when he was ill for his gig the other night. I think the fact that he was chosen from the audience and had the balls to get onstage and sing/play guitar as good as he did was impressive!

Here is the footage:


Thanks to cygirl for the footage!

Amy Winehouse Excited About Grammy Nods

Amy Winehouse actually is excited about something other than anything to do with her husband...her Grammy Nominations! Amy has been nominated for a whopping 6 Grammys for her breakthrough album "Back To Black".

According to Mark Ronson, "Amy doesn't get excited about anything. She was never once excited while in the studio. And today she is just like, 'Yeah, Ronnie Chops (her nickname for Ronson), we got Grammy nominations.' That's her. But she is happy and psyched. "I called her today because the record was something that we went through together. Hopefully she will get into America so we can celebrate."

Pete Doherty Could Lose His Job...

In spite of Pete Doherty's illness, the remaining members of Babyshambles took it upon themselves to perform a show without him. Without their singer? Yes.

Incredibly, an 18 year old fan named Jamie Bell knew how to not only play some of the band's tracks on guitar but he knew all the words to them too! Taking over, Jamie was met with a huge applause at London's O2 Arena for his Shambles knowledge.

That could be the coolest thing...ever. Its like that movie Rockstar but actually true. Now they know who to use for backup in case it ever happens again!


Photo credit: kittyshambles

Madonna's Feeling Sweet...

Sweet enough to name her latest release "Licorice" at least.

The title was leaked via the Sirius Satellite Radio show "OutQ" where they also previewed two tracks, "The Beat Goes On" (featuring Kanye West) and "Candy Shop".

After the release of "Licorice" and an additional Greatest Hits collection, Madonna will jump ship to Live Nation for future recordings.

I haven't heard the tracks but I'm one of those suckers for Madge...I love everything she does. Therefore I am excited...really really excited for this release.

Likely Looks: The Pipettes - Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)

The Pipettes return with their new video for "Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)" bringing a little bit of the same vibe that I got from Fergie's "Fergalicious" video.

Its colorful, cute and its everything you'd expect from The Pipettes

Kate Nash Announces Mini US Tour

Kate Nash is finally bringing her adorable self over to the US for a select number of dates in the major cities. Once again, she's playing New York but this time she steps it up to the Bowery Ballroom.

Here are the dates:

Monday, January 7th – Toronto, ON – Mod Club
Wednesday, January 9th – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, January 12th – San Francisco, CA – 330 Ritch
Monday, January 14th – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour

Tickets are on sale soon!

Likely Looks: The Maccabees - Toothpaste Kisses (New Video!)

The Maccabees always seem to make really lovely video. This time its a 360 snog-a-thon in a local pub. It does fit the song quite well though!

The Breeders To Release New Material

Mark your calenders for April 2008 as that is the expected date of the new Breeders material to be released. Its been 5 tears since their sophomore release, "Title TK" and that release was WELL worth the wait.

Working with Steve Albini once again, the band spoke to VenuzZine and revealed a bit about whats to come. "The new Breeders record is scheduled to be released in April 2008," declared frontwoman Kim Deal. "There are 13 songs. Mando Lopez is still on bass,Jose Medeles on drums, Kelley Deal, my evil twin, on guitar and vocals, and I'm playing guitar and vocals. The songs are just songs. But for instance, one song Kelley and I did live. She played stand-up bass and I played acoustic guitar while we sang."

Next up...tour dates (or so I hope...)!

Likely Looks: Kid Sister feat. Kayne West - Pro Nails

Kid Sister and Kayne made a track to kill that even makes a nail salon seem interesting

Here is the video for "Pro Nails":