Jun 22

Franz Ferdinand open up about new LP
Scottish art rockers Franz Ferdinand have opened up about their forthcoming LP.
Singer Alex Kapranos has told fans they'll have to wait until early 2008 to pick up the new disc, which has been in the works since January.
"The new songs have a much heavier synth/dance kind of element to them," Kapranos told MTV America. "Nick [McCarthy, keyboardist and guitarist] bought himself a new velvet cape and we needed an excuse for him to wear it, so we had to get him a big bank of synthesisers to play."
Apparently, half the necessary songs are in the can and Kapranos reckons his influences this time include people's obsessions and Truman Capote's literary masterpiece, In Cold Blood.
Franz Ferdinand's last LP was 2005's You Could Have It So Much Better.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Franz-Ferdinand.aspx


Slim Dusty Way
The Slim Dusty Way Management Committee will meet next week to finalise plans to honour the late country singer with a themed tourist drive.
The road is expected to run from Nulla Nulla and Kempsey (Slim's birthplace) in New South Wales to Australia's home of country music, Tamworth.
It's the same route travelled by the singer and his wife back in 1954, when Dusty embarked on his first tour, playing in a small hall in Walcha.
"Tourists don't follow geographical boundaries; they chase experiences," Kathryn Yarnold, General Manger of the Slim Dusty Foundation said.
The iconic singer passed away on September 19, 2003.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Slim-Dusty.aspx


Amy Winehouse to record James Bond theme?
UK soul powerhouse Amy Winehouse is, according to the musical director of the James Bond film franchise, the top pick for recording the theme song to the next 007 film.
If Winehouse does jump aboard the Bond train, she'll follow in the esteemed footsteps of Dame Shirley Bassey, Madonna, Nancy Sinatra, Chris Cornell and Gladys Knight.
Composer David Arnold said Winehouse has the perfect voice for the coveted honour.
"Amy Winehouse did the best record of last year. I haven't asked her yet but I think she'd be good, although Bond songs can be a bit of a war zone," Arnold admitted.
"The next film will be in 2008 and we're almost finished with the script. The books are all done now so this one is going to be an extension of what happens to Bond, continuing the story from Casino Royale. We haven't got a title yet but anything without 'death', 'dying', 'tomorrow' or 'dies' would be fine by me!"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Amy-Winehouse.aspx


Spice Girls reunion details leaked
Rumours of an imminent Spice Girls reunion have been stoked once again with the leaking of a memo from the group's long-time manager, Simon Fuller.
The memo reportedly contains a number of instructions, including "do not talk about money", "talk about memories of the Spice Girls with affection" and "do not get into spats between yourselves over plans and decisions".
According to the memo, which was printed by The Sun newspaper, Fuller asks the five women to "respect each other's personal lives and commitments and respect each other's views. He then issues one final plea: "Do not become pregnant - please!"

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Spice-Girls.aspx


Christina Aguilera moves into Ozzy's home
"Candyman" singer Christina Aguilera, who's currently fighting off rumours she's pregnant, has reportedly purchased the Beverly Hills home of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (the house that featured in hit reality TV series The Osbournes).
The rock and roll royals now reside in the UK, with Ozzy recently admitting he's no longer keen on the Doherty Drive residence.
"I don't want to stay in that house anymore," Ozzy confessed in an interview.
"The house holds bad memories for me because it reminds me of the terrible time Sharon got cancer and of times when me and the kids were doped out of our minds."
Aguilera is based in New York City, but is apparently planning on using the address as her second home in Los Angeles.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Christina-Aguilera.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ozzy-Osbourne.aspx


Paul Weller and Graham Coxon team for new track
Paul Weller and Graham Coxon will release a new online single, "This Old Town", late next month.
The former Jam frontman and Blur guitarist collaborated as part of The Regal Singles Club, confirming rumours the pair had been working together in the studio.
"I've always been a big fan of Graham's," Weller said. "I love his work so it was exciting for me to work on something new with him."
"This Old Town" will be released Monday July 30.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Paul-Weller.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Blur.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Gorillaz.aspx


American Idol singer admits to eating disorder
Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of hit reality TV series American Idol, has revealed she suffered from bulimia in high school after missing out on a role in a student musical.
Clarkson, who recently cancelled her US tour due to poor ticket sales, confessed her secret past to US mag Cosmo Girl.
"I thought if I come back and I'm cuter and thinner… then I'll get the role," she admits. "I became bulimic for the next six months. One of my guy friends caught on to it and I just felt so ashamed and embarrassed."
Clarkson's latest album is My December.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kelly-Clarkson.aspx