Pressparty: All site Newsdesk postings August 2010

Welch admits to drinking at early age

Pressparty — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:28:32 +0100

Florence And The Machine frontwoman, Florence Welch, has revealed that a troubled homelife led her to start drinking at the young age of fourteen.

The 23-year-old said, "There was chaos at home so I drank. I never progressed to anything hard, luckily. I got a lot out of my system, went to wild parties, met some bizarre, amazing people and did mad things like running around naked in fields in Cornwall covered in leaves."

She continued, "I lost a lot of inhibitions and I was encouraged to sing. That was a revelation. I discovered, as a shy kid, I could lose myself completely in singing. I didn't think it would be a career. I got into Camberwell Art College with an idea of being an artist going round festivals, occasionally singing. I never realised it would be the other way round."

Welch also admitted that although she loves her career, she is sometimes overwhelmed by the pressures of being a musician.

"I pour everything into songwriting. When it's great, it's amazing. You have to think of that when you go through the lows. There are times I just feel a bit shell-shocked and very tired. There's no time for normal things, spending time with friends or family," she said.

Paramore announce UK tour support

Pressparty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:57:24 +0100

Paramore have revealed who will be supporting them on their forthcoming UK arena tour in November.

The Brand New Eyesrockers are set to perform nine live shows, including two nights at London's O2 Arena. They will be joined by Fun. and B.o.B.

Their recent album has certainly given them enough impetus to come back to the UK after notching up three Top 40 single-hits in "Ignorance", "Brick By Boring Brick" and "The Only Exception".

Paramore November Tour:

8 - Nottingham, Trent FM Arena
10 - Liverpool, Echo Arena
11 - Sheffield, Arena
13 - London, O2 Arena
15 - London, O2 Arena
16 - Birmingham, LG Arena
18 - Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
19 - Manchester, MEN Arena
20 - Aberdeen, AECC

Bieber to collaborate with West

Pressparty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:43:29 +0100

Justin Bieber and hip-hop star Kanye West have discussed the idea of working together, after the rapper admitted to being a fan of the 16-year-old's new single, 'Runaway Love'.

West set the plans in motion yesterday when he tweeted, "Listening to @Justin Bieber 'Run Away love. I love Sunday mornings in the crib. But I have listened to Runaway Love about 10 times so far. Ironically I got a song called Runaway on my new album too."

Bieber then replied, "It's not a so what moment for me. I'm 16 and a fan. I'm kinda hyped u are listening to my stuff. Thank u. Nice sunday morning."

To which Kanye responded, "I'm honored that you like my Music @JustinBieber!!! You gotta hear the album. Maybe we can do something together. Me, You and Raekwon. Maybe me and Rae should hop on Runaway Love! FLEX would drop bombs!"

Justin then wrote, "Me, u, and the chef 2gether on a song = EPIC," he wrote. "Might sound crazy 2 u but even having this convo is living the dream. Thanks."

Katy Perry reveals alias

Pressparty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:23:27 +0100

American pop songstress Katy Perry has revealed that in order to hide her identity from fans and the media, she uses the alias of TV ex-junkie hooker Jerri Blank whenever she checks into hotels.

Revealing her alter-ego, Perry said, "I'll give you my alias because I've been using this one for two years. Cr*p! I'm going to have to come up with a good one now to replace it!"

She continued, "It's Jerri Blank from 'Strangers With Candy'. She's hilarious, stupid. Maybe I'll follow her lead and end up back in school some time."

Perry is this month's Rolling Stone Magazine Cover girl.

The singer also releases her new album, 'Teenage Dream', next week.

West better mannered day-to-day

Pressparty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:56:30 +0100

Kanye West says that he is now more well-mannered in his day-to-day life and more professional when it comes to his music career.

The rapper explained to DJ Clue during a radio interview recently, "That's the Rosewood mentality, like affluence, like not cursing loud in public, pulling out chairs for your lady, opening up doors ... That's where I'm at at 3."

He continued, "It's ill 'cause I'm at this really good emotional, great place in my life, and they're always saying in hip-hop that you have to be in a dark place to make great hip-hop. I feel like I rap better than I've ever rapped at this point. I be writing raps and I don't even realize how positive they are. They just sound like regular good negative raps."

West releases his fifth studio album, 'Dark Twisted Fantasy', in November.

Pixie Lott on 'The X Factor'

Pressparty — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:08:19 +0100

British pop singer Pixe Lott says that she wants a male artist to triumph on 'The X Factor' this year.

The star, who joined the judging panel for Birmingham auditions, said, "I think JLS have definitely paved the way with bands because they're doing really, really well. But I also think that we need a male artist, because they are always my favourites."

Lott went on to reveal that she enjoys the audition stages of the ITV talent show, which begins this weekend on Saturday, August 21.

"My favourite part is always the early auditions, when you get to see all the different characters. There are so many classic moments - I love it!"

Channel 4 and 4Music are set to show exclusive coverage of the festival this weekend.

Bieber to rap with Wahlberg

Pressparty — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:38:54 +0100

Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber has responded to Mark Wahlberg's offer of collaborating in the studio.

Wahlberg was a rapper in the 1990s, using the name Marky Mark, with his band The Funky Bunch, and the 39-year-old recently joked that he wanted to revive his music career by working with Bieber.

He said, "If Justin Bieber asked me, I'd do that for my daughter - she loves me to death, but she doesn't think I'm very cool, so that might turn it around."

The teen star accepted Wahlberg's offer today and wrote on his Twitter page, "No joke @mark_wahlberg is beast. The Other Guys was great and 4 Brothers was no joke. We need to make that record. he needs to rap again. I will rap too. deal?"

Gaga's fundraiser for a senator

Pressparty — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:25:58 +0100

Lady GaGa is set to hold a fundraiser for the Democratic senator, Sen Frank Lautenberg, at an upcoming stop on her 'Monster Ball' tour.

Lautenberg is in his ninth term of office, and will offer private suites for top donors at Gaga's performance.

The idea for the fundraiser came from the senator himself, after the New Jersey politician celebrated his 86th birthday at the Gaga's Radio City Music Hall concert earlier this year.

The fundraiser will take place in Washington DC on September 7.

Minogue celebrates weight gain

Pressparty — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:15:18 +0100

Kylie Minogue has revealed that she is happy with the weight that she has gained since undergoing chemotherapy.

The popstar, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, insisted that she feels better being heavier as she believed she was "too skinny" before the treatment.

"It was difficult but I think my body in many ways is better for having weight on it. When I look back at some pictures, I just think, 'That's too thin, that doesn't look good'. Now everything's changed. It's coming back to normal - whatever normal is. New normal," she explained.

The singer topped the UK album charts recently with 'Aphrodite'. The album is her fifth UK number one - twenty-two years after her debut 'Kylie! The Album' came out.

Ashcroft on The Verve's reunions

Pressparty — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:51:40 +0100

Singer/guitarist Richard Ashcroft has revealed that The Verve's second reunion did not "massacre" their past.

The Verve formed in 1990 and first broke up in 1995, before reforming for 1997's 'Urban Hymns'. The band split again in 1999, reunited in 2007, then released 'Forth' before splitting up for a third time.

When asked about their second reunion, Ashcroft said, "We didn't massacre the past. And X amount of people from a generation got to see us who never got to see us before. So, I'm trying to look at the positives now."

Ashcroft returned this year with a new band, United Nations of Sound, and has teamed up with the producer No ID.

"When I look at it, I could have attempted this in the '90s, 1997, when I was making 'Bitter Sweet'. I could have been working with these guys then, it just took a long time to get there," he reflected.

David Guetta reveals collaborations

Pressparty — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:46:13 +0100

French DJ/producer David Guetta has revealed the artists that he is next producing music for.

"I’m working with Akon and the Black Eyed Peas on their next albums. The people who ask to work with me go from massive pop artists to more serious rap stars."

He also explained how his record label are trying to turn him into a popstar.

"My record company has been suggesting I play with a band for years, but that’s not me. I’m a DJ. Now that I’m successful I’m not going to stop being a DJ so that I can turn into a popstar."

Guetta recently went to number one in the UK with his track 'Gettin' Over You', featuring Fergie of Black Eyed Peas, Chris Willis and LMFAO.

Robbie Williams happiest ever been

Pressparty — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:42:27 +0100

Robbie Williams has confessed that he is the happiest he has ever "professionally" been.

The singer married his girlfriend Ayda Field in Los Angeles over the weekend and thanked fans for their messages in a blog post on his official website.

"Well nothing much going on in my life in the last few months," he joked.

Williams also rejoined Take That last month, 15 years after leaving the band.

He exclaimed, "Re. Take That, I'm the happiest professionally that I've ever been. Not only have I gained a wife but I've also got four brothers now too. Thank you for every bit of support you've shone my way."

Klaxons releasing album outtakes

Pressparty — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:07:54 +0100

Klaxons say they intend to release the outtakes from their last album as an EP.

"It sounds folky, it's not a record for a start it's an EP, which will see the light of day at some point," James Righton confirmed. "It's a lot more complicated, a lot more considered as well. Lots of layered vocals."

Bassist Jamie Reynolds added that the outtakes were a lot slower than the songs that made 'Surfing The Void'.

"It's quite slow, there's a waltz on it and it's just great. A seven-minute waltz!" he explained. "We've taken tracks and taken all the music out and replaced it with drones – it's very drudgy and slow and beautiful and odd."

Reynolds also explained the reason why the band conducted the various sessions, before recording the biggest portion of the album in California with producer Ross Robinson.

"I think it was just a case of we'd only written 15 songs before (we started writing this album)," he said. "I think we went to perfect our craft, learning to write songs, figuring out how to write songs and lyrics."

'Surfing The Void' is released on August 23.

Alexandra Burke confirms release date

Pressparty — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:32:04 +0100

Alexandra Burke has confirmed that the release date of her new single has been delayed by two weeks.

'Start Without You', which originally leaked in early June, had been scheduled for release on August 23 but will now be released digitally on September 5 and physically on September 6.

The RedOne-produced single, features new Jamaican-American reggae and hip-hop artist Laza.

The song's promo video is set to premiere next week.

George Michael charged

Pressparty — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:53:07 +0100

British pop icon George Michael has reportedly been charged with driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

The 47-year-old was arrested on Sunday after police were called with reports that a car had crashed into a building on Hampstead High Street.

He was taken to a north London police station and was bailed, but is due to appear before Highbury magistrates on August 24.

Michael was also in hot water with the law only last month, after reportedly ploughing his Range Rover into a shop on Hampstead High Street.