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Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:41 AM PDT

After several teaser trailers over the past few days, American singer/songwriter Demi Lovato has finally dropped the video for her new single, Heart Attack.

The video shows Lovato emerging from a pool of thick black paint before cutting to her wearing a white top against a white background, then to her and her band.

The single is available to purchase on iTunes and her forthcoming album, titled DEMI, is currently available to pre-order on iTunes before it drops on 14 May.

(Relaxnews)

Soaring with strings

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:48 AM PDT

Veteran rock group Wings, backed by an orchestra, aims to shake the foundations of Istana Budaya with a career-spanning romp.

IN terms of blockbuster concerts, it would take a lot to surpass Malay pop singer Anuar Zain's mega concert Anuar Zain – Three Decades Of Music, Love And Passion achievement, which attracted nearly 6,000 fans to the Malawati Indoor Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor, on Feb 16. That record-breaking feat has proven that nostalgia – when delivered with creative imagination and top-notch concert production values – can be a highly bankable affair.

On the local rock nostalgia front, not many bands – in a solo concert setting – can match such figures.

But with the recent success of director Mamat Khalid's Rock Oo! Rimba Bara Kembali movie, there is obviously a big appetite for 1980s hair rock.

If local cinema has fallen again for 1980s Malay rock, then there's nothing to stop the bands of that era from milking the nostalgia.

Legendary 1980s rock group Wings, which can count itself as one of the few "heritage acts" with a sizeable following, consists of a generation of rockers past.

Formed in 1985, the group started out as a bunch of hopeful Ampang, Selangor-raised school boys out to live the rock 'n' roll dream.

Now 27 years and 17 studio albums later, Wings is back on the big stage and ready to entertain the rock masses with the upcoming concert series aptly titled Wings Rockestra at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, from April 26. The shows will see the veteran rockers collaborating with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) led by Mustafa Fuzer Nawi.

This Wings Rockestra concert series is the band's second major tilt at box-office performances after its Opera Hidup concerts at the same venue in April 2011.

If anything, it's amazing that Wings has never lost its crowd-pulling appeal.

From the early years of hell-raising to a major label contract (BMG) before running out of steam in the late 1990s, Wings has seen it all. The much-storied group, which now features frontman Awie, 45, guitarist Joe, 44, bassist Eddie, 45, and drummer Black, 47, lived and survived the sharp bends of rock 'n' roll life in the 1980s.

It also went through the dark days of rock music censorship (in the 1980s), had a couple of line-up changes, and for most fans, will always be remembered for its three early albums – Belenggu Irama (1987), Hukum Karma (1988) and Teori Domino (1990), which have defined Wings' legacy.

It is no surprise that these veteran hard rockers are ready to unleash a four-night concert series at Istana Budaya (the venue takes in 1,500 per night).

During the band's 2011 concert romp there, Wings underlined its credentials by attracting a bumper audience. According to Istana Budaya director Datuk Mohamed Juhari Shaarani in a recent press conference at the venue, the Wings concert series Opera Hidup was one of the most well-received music shows at the venue.

"The tremendous response from the fans led to Opera Hidup being a major milestone in Wings' career. We hope these rock veterans can repeat it with Wings Rockestra," said Mohamed, who added that a 43-piece orchestra would be backing the group on stage.

And for these rockers, especially enigmatic vocalist Awie, the four nights of Wings Rockestra will present the band with an opportunity to revisit its vast catalogue and dust off some long-forgotten gems. Awie promised that the group will focus on some of its lesser known songs, without ignoring hits such as Sejati, Bernafas Dalam Lumpur, Peronda Jaket Biru, Misteri Mimpi Syakila, Hukum Karma and Taman Rashidah Utama.

"We're going to perform as many as possible fan favourites from our 17 albums as well as songs from our new Menakluk Kosmos album," said Awie at the recent media launch of Wings Rockestra.

As Awie candidly put it, the groupmight be older and wiser, but the bandmates have lost none of their rock 'n' roll attitude.

"We're only a 27-year-old band! That's considered young, isn't it?" he mentioned with a smile.

"Of course, we will be giving our best in this concert series. We are still young enough to rock on!"

At the mini concert performance for the media, Awie was in top form as he led the band through a preview gig.

Despite being backed by 43 musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra, Awie maintained the concert will definitely be all about Wings.

"It will be a high-energy performance guaranteed to entertain the crowd at the Panggung Sari," he said.

Each concert is expected to last two-and-a-half hours and the entire band has a stake in the show's direction – be it the setlist, arrangements or promotion.

Guitarist Joe, who is the concert's music director, revealed that the group also has a very talented orchestra music arranger in Lee Tse Wan.

"It is never easy to bring rockers and orchestral musicians together to play rock anthems, but we have a brilliant team of collaborators here," said Joe.

If that's not enough to keep fans enthralled, there are also special guests to make the evenings extra special: Guitar ace Hillary Ang and Indonesian rock legend Ian Antono.

The affable Ang needs no introduction as he has long been associated with another great rock band, Search; he has guided and backed many local bands and solo artistes.

Antono, who is a major name in Indonesian rock circles, is also a pioneer with Indonesian rock group God Bless.

Joe also said that Ang and Antono will perform in the middle section of the concert. The concerts will also be non-stop showcases.

"I will be playing with the two axemen in three or four songs. We have a few surprises up our sleeves," explained Joe, who is raring to roll back the classics. He also added that the collaboration (of guitarists) will be reminiscent of a Malaysian-Indonesian "G3". "Instead of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, it will be Hillary, Ian and myself and we will be playing together for 20 minutes.

"I remember listening to God Bless when I was growing up and now that I have a chance to invite Ian, I really want him to enjoy playing with us," added Joe.

Antono, who has collaborated with Awie in his solo concerts, is really excited about the Wings Rockestra shows.

"It's my first time with Wings and I'm really excited to go on stage with them," said Antono.

"I'll be playing some of their greatest hits and rehearsing with them at the venue closer to the concert dates."

Ang, who is known as a man of few words, mentioned that he and Wings have a strong friendship and close working relationship.

"Awie, Joe, Black, Eddie and myself go back a long way. It's always a joy to work with them as they are very passionate rockers and perfectionists true to their craft," said Ang.

The smiles from the rest of the Wings bandmates are an indication that the Wings Rockestra shows would be unforgettable.

> Tickets for Wings Rockestra's four shows at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, on April 26, 27, 28 and 30, are priced at RM69, RM99, RM149, RM199, RM249, RM299, RM399 and RM499. Call 012-2988 446 / 017-6528 423 / 03-4026 5555 for details. Browse: ticket2u.biz.

Brad Paisley defends duet with LL Cool J

Posted: 09 Apr 2013 11:53 PM PDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Country singer Brad Paisley on Tuesday defended his new duet with rapper LL Cool J, which has been criticised for its commentary on U.S. race relations.

Accidental Racist is a track from Paisley's ninth album, Wheelhouse, which was released on Tuesday. The song describes a hypothetical encounter between a Confederate flag-wearing white Southern man and an urban African-American man in a coffee shop. Some critics have disparaged the song's content and artistry.

"I wouldn't change a thing," Paisley, one of country music's most popular artists, wrote on Twitter. "This is a record meant to be FAR from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya'll."

In Accidental Racist, Paisley (pic) sings: "Our generation didn't start this nation, and we're still picking up the pieces, walking on eggshells, fighting over yesterday," referring to post-Civil War race relations. "Caught between Southern pride and Southern blame."

LL Cool J, 45, responds with a rap that includes lyrics such as: "Just because my pants are sagging doesn't mean I'm up to no good. You should try to get to know me," and "I'd love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air, but I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn't here."

Paisley has said he wanted the song to get people talking.

Several critics have panned it for what they described as a soft, apologetic treatment of lingering racial tension in the United States.

Industry website Billboard.com called Accidental Racist a "flat-footed apology for hate-induced uneasiness." The Atlantic magazine said the "assumption that there is no real difference among black people is exactly what racism is."

Wheelhouse is expected to land Paisley near the top of the U.S. album charts next week.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 10 April 2013

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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