Jan 24

Marilyn Manson names new album
[source: NME.com] Marilyn Manson has announced his new album – his first since 2003's The Golden Age Of The Grotesque – will be called Eat Me, Drink Me.
Posting on official website www.marilynmanson.com, the star said work was "nearly completed" on the album.
The post also revealed his band were due to launch a world tour to coincide with the album's release, although no release date is confirmed.
The title, a reference to the cakes and drink consumed by Alice in Alice In Wonderland, is linked to Manson's directorial debut as a film director on Phantasmagoria: The Visions Of Lewis Carroll, which he's currently filming.
Manson stars in the film, alongside Tilda Swinton and Lily Cole.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Marilyn-Manson.aspx


Beyoncé movie dominates Best Song Oscar nominations
[source: NME.com] Dreamgirls, starring Beyoncé Knowles and Jamie Foxx, has picked up three Oscar nominations for Best Song.
The film charts the career of an all-girl group in the 60s and is based loosely on The Supremes. The three songs chosen for the shortlist include "Listen" (performed by Beyoncé) and "Love You I Do" (performed by former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson, who also picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actress).
The songs are up against Melissa Etheridge's "I Need To Wake Up" from Al Gore's environmental documentary An Inconvenient Truth and Randy Newman's "Our Town", which features in Cars.
The ceremony takes place on Sunday February 25 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Beyonce.aspx


Sean Paul reveals new album details
[source: NME.com] Sean Paul has confirmed he's working on the follow-up to 2005's The Trinity.
Paul said the lyrical tone of the new material is darker than his previous efforts.
"The content is just a little different than what people expect from me," he said. "[On] one or two of the songs, it's not about partying, it's not about ladies; it's about the kids with guns in the streets. It's more reality.
"I feel like I have things to say and that's what I'm looking forward to."
Paul has named one new song "Sufferer" and confirmed it would feature on the album.
He has also collaborated with Snoop Dogg on a remix of Akon's new song, "I Wanna Love You".

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sean-Paul.aspx


Rufus Wainwright reveals new album theme
[source: NME.com] Rufus Wainwright has confirmed new album Release The Stars has a number of themes running through it.
The LP, due to be released in May, has been executive-produced by Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.
"The theme is just about releasing your love and your brilliance, or acting on your impulses and basically laying it all down on the line," Wainwright said.
"I think so much of life is spent hoarding and saving and protecting, and very few of us really live our full potential."
The singer will perform "In Bloom", his collaboration with contemporary dance company Stephen Petronio, at the University of Michigan for two nights in February.
Wainwright is also due to recreate Judy Garland's 1961 concert at London's Palladium on Sunday February 18 and Sunday February 25.
Speaking about his recent creative activity, Wainwright told the Ann Arbor News he's currently in his prime.
"I'm ready to flex all the artistic muscles I have been training over the years."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Rufus-Wainwright.aspx



Jet fly the flag at Big Day Out
Politicians and community leaders have expressed outrage over the ban of the Australian flag at the Big Day Out, despite the fact that the "ban" is non-existent.
Melbourne rockers Jet, meanwhile, have announced they have no plans to curtail their specially created backdrop, which features a black and white image of the flag.
"We are proud to be part of this musical heritage and it's got nothing to do with political point-scoring or racist idiots and their misguided beliefs," lead singer Nic Cester said of the controversy.
"It's crazy to think we'd have to defend our decision to incorporate the flag into our backdrop for fear that people might get the wrong impression," Nic's brother, drummer Chris Cester, added. "But I guess these are pretty crazy times."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jet.aspx


Tom Jones fights to save jobs
Veteran crooner Tom Jones has joined the fight to save jobs at a factory in Treorchy, Wales.
Jones, who grew up in neighbouring Pontypridd, is currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada, performing a residency at the Atrium Showroom at the Luxor Hotel. Yet he's outraged clothing company Burberry wants to relocate the local plant to China for profits.
"As a local boy I know how important this factory has been to the community," Jones said in a statement. His support comes on the back of similar pledges from celebrities Rachel Weisz and Ioan Gruffudd.
"I therefore urge the Burberry management to withdraw their plans to close their Treorchy factory."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Tom-Jones.aspx


Jack Award nominations announced
Nominees for the fourth annual Jack Awards – dedicated to celebrating Australia's live music scene – were revealed yesterday at Sydney's Gaelic Club.
Rockers Airbourne took to the stage for an energetic set complete with pyrotechnics, while industry guests were treated to DJ sets from Sydney outfit Red Riders.
Wolfmother and You Am I saw themselves nominated for the likes of Best Male Performer, Best Lead Guitarist, Best Drummer and Best Dressed, while both bands will vie for the prestigious Best Live Band gong, alongside Airbourne, Beasts Of Bourbon, Dallas Crane and Hilltop Hoods.
Best Female Performer will be contested by Adalita (Magic Dirt), Clare Bowditch, Juanita Stein (Howling Bells), Katy Steee (Little Birdy), Patience Hodgson (The Grates) and Sarah Blasko.
The Jack Awards are publicly voted and will be held later in the year at a date to be advised.

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http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Eskimo-Joe.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Dan-Kelly-And-The-Alpha-Males.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Grates-The.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Clare-Bowditch-And-The-Feeding-Set.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sarah-Blasko.aspx


Beastie Boys may join anti-racism campaign
Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records, has launched an anti-racism TV campaign in the USA and has asked the Beastie Boys to join the fight.
Speaking at the World Jewish Congress American Section meeting in New York recently, Simmons said he wanted the Jewish trio to film a TV spot encouraging people to fight racism against "Islamophobia".
"I am looking for the Beastie Boys to join other prominent Jews in the entertainment industry to film a PSA [Public Service Announcement] confronting racism," Simmons said.
"The only way to end the madness is to have people of goodwill step up and say racism in all its ugly forms is wrong."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Beastie-Boys.aspx


James and Jesus & Mary Chain to reunite
Just 24 hours after Crowded House announced their reunion, Scottish outfit Jesus & Mary Chain have followed suit and will also perform at California's Coachella festival.
The band originally split in 1999 after a highly influential career that saw them record tracks like "April Skies" and "Darklands".
Meanwhile, Manchester rockers James – who reportedly broke up in 2001 after the success of singles "Sit Down" and "Laid" – are also heading back into the studio. Fan website www.oneofthethree.co.uk has reported the band are writing new material, which they're set to reveal at live shows later this year.
"It appears the James line-up for the reunion will be the 'Laid' line-up of the band: Tim, Jim, Larry, Saul, Mark and Dave," the posting read.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Jesus-And-Mary-Chain.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/James.aspx