Aug 30

Sigur Ros to drop DVD and double CD
[source: NME.com] Sigur Ros will release a DVD and a double CD in the US on Tuesday 6 November.
The DVD, Heima (meaning "at home" or "homeland"), features a series of free concerts the Icelandic band played in their homeland during summer 2006.
Highlights include a previously unreleased performance of "Guitardjamm" (filmed inside a herring oil tank in the far West Fjords), a one-mic recording of "Vaka" (filmed at a dam protest camp) and acoustic versions of "Staralfur", "Agaetis Byrjun" and "Von".
The double CD is titled Hvarf/Heim (meaning "disappeared/home").
The first disc consists primarily of songs the band feel have disappeared from their history because they were never released or recorded. They were played acoustically on the road during the summer tour.
The second disc contains live acoustic versions of tracks from all four Sigur Ros studio albums that were recorded in Iceland during summer 2006 and spring 2007.
An exclusive screening of Heima will be held in Akureyri, Iceland on Friday 14 September before it officially premieres at the Icelandic International Film Festival in Reykjavik on Thursday 27 September.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Sigur-Rós.aspx


Keith Richards lashes out at Swedish newspapers
[source: NME.com] Keith Richards has demanded an apology from Swedish newspapers that panned The Rolling Stones' concert in the country earlier this month.
Two tabloids, Expressen and Aftonbladet, gave the Friday 3 August show at Ullevi stadium in Goteborg scathing reviews, with Expressen alleging Richards was very drunk and Aftonbladet giving it a two on a five-point scale.
"This is a first!" Richards wrote in a letter published by Stockholm daily Dagens Nyheter.
"Never before have I risen to the bait of a bad review. But this time… I have to stand up… for our fans all over Sweden… to say that you owe them, and us, an apology.
"There were 56,000 people in Ullevi stadium who bought a ticket to our concert and experienced a completely different show than the one you 'reviewed'.
"How dare you cheapen the experience for them… and for the hundreds of thousands of other people across Sweden who weren't at Ullevi and have only your 'review' to go on.
"Write the truth. It was a good show," Richards concluded.
Aftonbladet's music critic Markus Larsson retorted: "I am not going to apologise for my subjective opinion.
"It is Keith who should apologise. After all, it costs around $145 (AU$177) to see a rock star who can hardly handle the riff to 'Brown Sugar' anymore."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/The-Rolling-Stones.aspx


Fall Out Boy and Ashlee Simpson get together
[source: NME.com] Fall Out Boy have collaborated with Ashlee Simpson on a track.
Fall Out Boy singer and guitarist Patrick Stump worked with Simpson on a track for Victoria Asher, the keytar player with Cobra Starship.
Cobra Starship are signed to Fall Out Boy member Pete Wentz's label, and Wentz is apparently dating Simpson.
Writing on her Myspace, Asher said: "I recorded keys, Patrick Stump recorded the bass and drums with midi and Ashlee Simpson helped me with some of the lyrics."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Fall-Out-Boy.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Ashlee-Simpson.aspx


Amy Winehouse heads to the Caribbean
[source: NME.com] Troubled singer Amy Winehouse is currently on holiday in St Lucia, after shunning rehab once more.
After her in-laws called for the public to boycott her records until she recovers from her drug problems and her father responded by voicing concerns that the two families were "pulling in different directions", Winehouse has fled to the Caribbean with husband Blake Fielder-Civil.
The pair had previously been admitted to a private rehab centre on an island off the Essex coast. They have not announced how long they plan to spend on holiday, or if they plan to continue their rehab course.

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


Talib Kweli, Scribe and DJ Zeph & Azeem head Down Under
Some of the finest names in hip-hop are headed our way, with the announcement of a tour by US rapper Talib Kweli.
With new LP Ear Drum out now, Kweli is one of the most influential names in rap, having performed live since he shot to fame as part of Black Star back in the late 90s.
Joining Kweli on the road is New Zealand rapper Scribe, who's also about to drop his second longplayer, Rhymebook. Meanwhile, San Franciscan outfit DJ Zeph & Azeem are also along from the ride, with national broadcaster Triple J having promoted the hell out of the duo's latest LP, Rise Up.
Tickets go on sale Thursday 6 September.

Tour dates:

Sunday 7 October – The Forum, Melbourne
Wednesday 10 October – Metro City, Perth
Thursday 11 October – HQ, Adelaide
Friday 12 October – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 13 October – The Arena, Brisbane

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Talib-Kweli.aspx
http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Scribe.aspx


Surprise: Courtney Love mouths off
Never one to shirk the spotlight, former Hole frontwoman Courtney Love has weighed in on Owen Wilson's recent troubles.
The Hollywood star was taken to hospital after a reported suicide attempt on the weekend, and now Love reckons the Zoolander star's problems are due to the company he keeps. In particular, her beef is with ex-boyfriend Steve Coogan.
"Under normal circumstances I would not comment but I care too much about Owen," Love said. "I went through it with Steve. I was just out of rehab and he was right there with the drugs. I tried to warn Owen. I tried to warn his friends. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Owen stays the hell away from that guy."
Coogan found Hollywood fame after portraying Manchester music icon Tony Wilson in 24 Hour Party People.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Courtney-Love.aspx


Groove Armada bring in New Year's Eve in Sydney
With a huge collection of classic dance hits to their name – think "At The River", "I See You Baby", "Superstylin'", "Easy" and "If Everybody Looked The Same" – British duo Groove Armada are the perfect choice of soundtrack to bring in the New Year.
Andy Cato and Tom Findlay will perform on Bondi Beach at the annual Shore Thing event on Monday 31 December.
Tickets for the gig are guaranteed to sell fast when they go on sale at 12pm on Monday 10 September.

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Groove-Armada.aspx


Kylie Minogue reunites with Oliver?
According to French and British media outlets, Kylie Minogue and Oliver Martinez may be back together, with the singer set to undergo a "revolutionary new treatment" in order to help her fall pregnant.
Minogue, who's currently working on her "comeback" album with Scottish producer Calvin Harris, is, according to British newspaper The Sun, about to embark on new medical procedures in order to kick her fertility into gear. "She knows that time isn't standing still and wants to start a family sooner rather than later," a source allegedly told the paper.
"She's been taking advice on whether she's physically fit enough now, and whether medical science is advanced enough to consider going ahead with the operation. She adores children and has always wanted her own family."

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Kylie-Minogue.aspx


Clare Bowditch unleashes The Moon Looked On
Melbourne singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch has had a very busy year so far.
Having won accolades for her previous release, 2005's gorgeous What Was Left, Bowditch has spent most of 2007 raising her new twin boys. She's also managed to write and record her soon-to-released third LP, The Moon Looked On, with husband and producer Marty Brown (Art Of Fighting).
New single "When The Lights Go Down" (the story of "a tragic love reconciled") will be released on Saturday 8 September, with the album following in October.
Bowditch is also busy curating the Chill Island Festival on Victoria's Phillip Island, where she'll perform alongside the likes of Paul Kelly, Gotye and US moppet Ben Kweller.
Then there's her album launch, a series of dates for which tickets go on sale Wednesday 5 September. That's one busy mum!

Tour dates:

Wednesday 31 October –The Powerhouse, Brisbane
Friday 2 November – Seymour Centre, York Theatre, Sydney
Sunday 4 November – Chill Island Festival, Phillip Island
Friday 9 November – Fly By Night, Fremantle
Saturday 10 November – Fowlers Live, Adelaide

http://bigpondmusic.com/Artist/Clare-Bowditch.aspx


Madge to adopt baby girl?
With adoption officials from Malawi heading to Madonna's London home to check on the welfare of 22-month-old adoptee David Banda, the pop icon is reportedly set to adopt another child, this time a 13-month-old-girl named Mercy.
According to rumours in the UK, Madonna and husband Guy Richie have been given the green light to expand their family after going through a complicated adoption process for David. As David was, Mercy is currently living in a Malawian orphanage, despite the fact that a relative – an aunt who is sadly too destitute to house the child – is still alive.

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