Sierra Kay, formerly of VersaEmerge, has formed a new band called Neaux. They’ve released a video for “Make Me Stay,” and have pre-orders up for a new album that comes out September 16th.
Neaux – “Make Me Stay” Video
Pierce the Veil Goes Behind the Scenes
Pierce the Veil have released a “behind the scenes” video on the making of their video for “Circles.”
Kanye West Reportedly Given Free Reign at VMAs
TMZ is reporting that Kanye West will be given four minutes at the upcoming VMA awards to do whatever he wants:
A source close to production tells us MTV honchos are giving ‘Ye 4 minutes to do with as he pleases. He can rap, sing, dance or even just stay silent … and we’re told show producers are totally clueless which door he’ll pick.
The Chainsmokers and Halsey have also been announced as performers.
Sleep On It Sign With Equal Vision Records
Sleep On It have signed with Equal Vision Records. They will release their new EP, Lost Along the Way, on October 21st. They’ve also released their new song “Unspoken.”
Young Guns – “Mad World” Video
Young Guns have released their new video for “Mad World.”
Kings of Leon Announce New Album
Kings of Leon will release their new album, Walls, on October 14th.
Enter Shikari Announce Live Album
Enter Shikari will release their new album album, Live At Alexandra Palace, on November 4th.
Lorde Working on New Album
Lorde’s new album is written and currently in the production stages. Because the internet is, well, the internet … we learned this after a “fan” posted on Lorde’s Instagram page asking, “Do you think we will ever get another album or should we just give up on you as an artist?” Lorde then responded:
give up on me if you want to! I’m an artist, I write a record when I have enough special stories to tell, and it’s all me, every melody every lyric, not some team who just start the machine up every eighteen months like clockwork. the record is written, we’re in the production stages now. I’ve worked like a dog for a year making this thing great for you guys
It’s only been three years since the last one. Try being a Brand New fan.
Three Arrested, 7 Ticketed at Blink-182 Concert
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people and ticketed seven more at the Blink 182 concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, including one man being held on $1,500 bail.
Deputies arrested 23-year-old Brandon Robinson of Amherst, charging him with harassment, criminal trespass, and resisting arrest. Deputies say Robinson jumped a fence to get into the concert, then fought with security guards trying to apprehend him. He was arraigned in Darien Town Court and taken to jail on $1,500 bail.
Apple Announce Music Festival Lineup
Apple has announced their Apple Music Festival lineup: Alicia Keys, Bastille, Britney Spears, Calvin Harris, Chance the Rapper, Elton John, Michael Bublé, OneRepublic, Robbie Williams, and The 1975.
The full lineup was announced today by Julie Adenuga, the London voice of Beats 1, an Apple Music radio station that celebrates the best new music every day. Apple Music lets fans get even closer to their favorite performers during the Apple Music Festival with exclusive playlists, artist news and backstage interviews throughout September. The 10 spectacular nights of live performances will be made available live and on-demand to Apple Music members in 100 countries on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, Apple TV and Android phones.
Planes Mistaken for Stars to Release New Album
Planes Mistaken for Stars will release their new album, Prey, on October 21st. You can stream the new song “Fucking Tenderness” below.
Balance and Composure – “Afterparty”
Balance and Composure have released their new song “Afterparty.”
Reports: SpinMedia on the Block Looking to Sell
Perpetually struggling SpinMedia, the collection of music and pop culture websites once known as Buzz Media, is officially on the block, sources tell Media Ink.
The company, which snapped up both Vibe and Spin and promptly converted the music magazines to all-digital sites, has retained the investment bank Petsky Prunier to shop for a buyer.
The websites, which also include The Friskly, Idolator, Go Fug Yourself, Celebuzz, Buzznet, Death & Taxes and others, is estimated to be losing at least $5 million a year on revenues of around $18 million, sources said.
I feel bad because a lot of people I know are probably going to lose their jobs. But the writing has been on the wall for half a decade, at least.
A GIF of Aly Raisman’s Floor Routine Got Someone Banned From Twitter
Jim Weber, writing on LinkedIn:
I had read that the IOC was banning the press from using GIFs but I didn’t see how that applied to me. Sure, I didn’t have the rights to any footage at the Olympics — just like countless blogs and users don’t have rights to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA footage that they create GIFs out of and profit from every day.
But I figured the worst thing that would happen is the GIF would be deleted from my account, as Twitter often does in these situations.
Boy was I wrong.
Frank Ocean’s Album Is the Straw That Broke Universal Music’s Back
Dan Rys, writing at Billboard, about how Frank Ocean’s latest release is causing all kinds of headaches over at Universal:
After an interminable wait (in music industry standards, at least), Ocean fulfilled his contractual obligations, sources tell Billboard, and increased his potential profit share from 14 percent to 70 percent of total revenues from Blond within a 24-hour period, seemingly pulling a fast one on the biggest music company in the world in the process. Def Jam and its parent Universal, stuck with an overshadowed visual album that isn’t for sale, and cut out of any revenue from the “proper” album that’s headed to the top of the charts on the strength of 225,000 to 250,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Aug. 25, were left with what amounts to a very long music video and without one of their marquee artists.