Moviefone News

Laura Marling's New Album 'Once I Was An Eagle' Receives Rave Reviews

Sarah Dean — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:38:54 EDT

Laura Marling has released her fourth album in five years, 'Once I Was An Eagle', to great reviews.

The Brit Award-winning 23-year-old songstress, who has swapped Hampshire for Los Angeles, recently told the Observer: "As I've gotten older, more comfortable with myself, I've become more comfortable channeling honesty into songwriting."

Here's what the critics have to say about the follow up to 'A Creature I Don't Know':

The Telegraph's Neil McCormick writes: "Once I Was An Eagle touches places other records don’t even get close to... I can’t quite pin down this album and that is one of the most appealing things about it. Her songs are liquid and amorphous, prone to shape-shifting, rarely offering up an obvious verse and chorus symmetry, or easy interpretation."

"Hyperbole doesn't quite do Laura Marling justice. She is, record by record, cementing and reaffirming her place as the greatest female singer-songwriter of a generation," oozed HuffPost blogger Raj Bains.

Music Feeds' Sarah Bella says: "Once I Was An Eagle is a long record, but Marling is becoming a master storyteller and you want her to grab your hand and lead you through each and every one of these 16 tracks. A mature release from an artist already wise beyond her years, this is one of the strongest voices of the nu folk movement and it’s just as captivating, if not more so, than the Mumfords and Monsters."

And The Guardian described the record as "emotionally raw, open-hearted music", adding that "the whole album is run through with a sense of revelation, as if Marling is digging deep within herself to explore the truths and complexities of falling in love".

Listen to Laura Marling's new single Master Hunter below...

'Man Of Steel' Trailer: Villain General Zod Unleashed On Superman Henry Cavill In New Promo

Sarah Dean — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:46:45 EDT

Villain General Zod has been unleashed in the latest trailer for Superman reboot 'Man of Steel'.

The menacing promo (above) shows the alien villain, played by Michael Shannon, threatening Earth and the last son of Krypton in a manner that could contest Benedict Cumberbatch's Khan for the title of Best Baddy.

'Fate of Your Planet' follows on from the full length trailer that came out about a month ago. In the new clip General Zod warns Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El (Henry Cavill): "Surrender within 24 hours, or watch this world suffer the consequences."

Based on the DC Comics character Superman, the film will tell the much-loved character's origin story. Starring alongside Cavill and Shannon is Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White and Russell Crowe as Jor-El.

The film, directed by Zack Snyder and produced by Christopher Nolan, is out 14 June.

Luther Is Back! First Picture Of Idris Elba In New Series Of The BBC Crime Drama

Sarah Dean — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:01:55 EDT

Idris Elba is to return to our screens as the enigmatic detective 'Luther' this summer, the BBC have confirmed.

Whetting fans' hungry appetites for the Golden Globe-winning cop drama, the broadcaster posted a picture of a concerned-looking Elba atop a London building.

Case notes fly around him in the wind in the dark and stormy picture below:

Idris Elba as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther

By the looks of the photo below, murderer-turned-friend of Luther, Alice Morgan (played by Ruth Wilson), will also return for the new series, which follows on from the 2011 run.

Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan

Back in November, BBC One released a promo video for the new series which promised that the new series will be "worth the wait" and "there will be four perfectly dark, chillingly-formed episodes".

Since the popularity of Luther, Elba has been tipped to play the first black James Bond. He recently said of the rumour: "It would be an indication of change."

The British actor will star as former South African leader Nelson Mandela in the biopic, 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' next.

James Bond Production Could Move From Its UK Pinewood Studios Home (VOTE)

Sarah Dean — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:43:30 EDT

The James Bond franchise could be forced to move production from its UK Pinewood Studio base after 51 years, the head of Pinewood Shepperton has warned.

All of the 23 Bond films, apart from 'Moonraker' and 'Licence to Kill', have been based there since the authentically British series began in 1962 with 'Dr No'.

Pierce Brosnan, as Bond, and Michelle Yeoh, as Bond girl Wai Lin, in a scene from the 1997 movie 'Tomorrow Never Dies'

However, Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood has told The Guardian: "We're at capacity, the UK is at capacity, something has to give. If we as a sector don't respond to the growing demand then someone else will. [The producers of the Bond films] have to be financially responsible. If they get a better proposal elsewhere than the UK can mount then they have to look after their business as well."

Pinewood is hoping it will get the greenlight for a dramatic increase in studio facilities. On Wednesday the company will be told by the South Buckinghamshire District Council whether it has been granted planning permission for the £200m development of 100 acres of greenbelt land it owns.

For more on local opposition to the plans visit The Guardian.

The campaign to expand Pinewood comes after the latest 007 film, 'Skyfall', became the highest grossing film ever at the UK box office.

In just 40 days took £94.28 million to surpass the previous record-holder 'Avatar'.

The 23rd James Bond adventure, starring Daniel Craig as the suave secret service agent, was released in the final week of October and has been a huge success around the world.

Last month, the British film studio announced plans for its first US film production facility, at a site near Atlanta.

The large-scale film complex will be called Pinewood Atlanta, and Pinewood will manage the facility under an agreement with a group of private investors. Plans call for the studio to be developed on 288 acres and initially include at least five soundstages as well as production offices.

Outside of the UK, Pinewood currently has studios in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Malaysia.

Recent films shot at Pinewood Studios, based outside of London, include the forthcoming Angelina Jolie film 'Maleficent' and 'Jack Ryan,' directed by Kenneth Branagh.

The project in Georgia has the potential to be a major economic driver, allowing big-budget films to come to the Peach State.

Daft Punk 'Get Lucky' Still Number One, Nina Nesbitt Announces Tour And Meet The Hungry Kids Of Hungary (MUSIC BOX)

Sarah Dean — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:15:41 EDT

CHART TOPPERS

Electronic duo Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williams and Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers, have held onto the number one spot in the singles chart with their impossibly catchy 'Get Lucky'.

Meanwhile, Chris Malinchak went straight in at number two with 'So Good To Me', with 'Let Her Go' by Passenger rising from number four last week to number three.

Another new entry from Armin Van Buuren featuring T Guthrie, 'This Is What It Feels Like', reached number six, and the next highest new entry was Gabrielle Aplin with 'Panic Cord'.

Daft Punk hold on to number 1

Gigs To Look Out For

Nina Nesbitt, who we previously introduced in Music Box, has announced a headline tour for October.

The 18-year-old, who picked up her first guitar only three years ago but has already toured with Ed Sheeran and Example, now has over 4 million views across YouTube and VEVO to date.

When we last spoke to her, the half-Scottish, half-Swedish singer had just played her biggest headline show to date at the 500 capacity Dingwalls venue in London, now her tour will kick off on 8 October in Brighton. For all the dates and tickets visit her website here.

Open Your Ears

Meet Hungry Kids of Hungary, who actually happen to be from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The indie-pop band, after great success Down Under, have announced they will be releasing their upbeat single 'Sharp Shooter' in the UK.

The band is made up of Dean McGrath (lead vocals/guitar), Kane Mazlin (lead vocals/keys), Ben Dalton (bass) and Ryan Strathie (drums) who, alongside a UK May tour, have bagged a slot at The Great Escape Festival.

Will they be as popular in the UK as they are in Oz? Check out 'Sharp Shooter', released on 27 May, below and let us know...

Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait Exhibition To Open At London's Jewish Museum In July

Sarah Dean — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:30:50 EDT

Amy Winehouse's life will be celebrated in a family exhibition opening this summer at London's Jewish Museum.

The 'Back To Black' singer's brother Alex and his wife, Riva, have given the Camden-based museum unprecedented access to Amy’s belongings in a bid to reclaim her identity as a North London Jewish girl.

Fans will be able to see the guitar Alex taught her to play on, her record and books collection and a vintage bar from her former home.

A young Amy outside her Nan’s flat in Southgate. Photographer unknown © The Winehouse family

Many unseen photographs of Amy’s family life will be on display, from Friday night dinners and Alex’s barmitzvah to vintage photographs of their beloved grandmother Cynthia that show what may have been the roots of Amy’s distinctive style.

The photographs are said to be an important part of the exhibition and the suitcase crammed with pictures that Amy insisted her father come to look through with her a couple of days before her death - the last time he saw her - will also be on show.

Amy Winehouse. Photographer unknown © The Winehouse family

Alex Winehouse said: “Amy was someone who was incredibly proud of her Jewish-London roots. Whereas other families would go to the seaside on a sunny day, we'd always go down to the East End. That was who we were, and what we were. We weren't religious, but we were traditional. I hope, in this most fitting of places, that the world gets to see this other side not just to Amy, but to our typical Jewish family.”

Festival passes, various dates. © The Jewish Museum/The Winehouse family

Abigail Morris, CEO of the Jewish Museum, added: “Amy Winehouse was an immensely talented, iconic and inspirational singer and she was a Jewish girl from North London. It is fitting that the Jewish Museum in her beloved Camden Town should be the place to tell her story in the year that she would have celebrated her 30th birthday. We are very honoured that Alex and Riva chose the museum.”

The exhibition will open on 3 July and run until 15 September. The iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, who died on 23 July 2011, would have celebrated her 30th birthday this year.

Meanwhile, a documentary film about Amy's life is also in the works and is being brought to screen by 'Senna' director Asif Kapadia.

"Amy was a once-in-a-generation talent who captured everyone's attention; she wrote and sung from the heart and everyone fell under her spell," Kapadia and his producer James Gay-Rees said in a statement.

"But tragically Amy seemed to fall apart under the relentless media attention, her troubled relationships, her global success and precarious lifestyle.

"As a society we celebrated her huge success but then we were quick to judge her failings when it suited us."

Visit the Jewish Museum's website for more details.

'The Great Gatsby' Reviews: Baz Luhrmann's Film Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Receives Mixed Reviews

Sarah Dean — Tue, 7 May 2013 11:27:43 EDT

Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's classic American novel 'The Great Gatsby' has received mixed reactions from critics in the US.

The film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan, will open Cannes Film Festival on 15 May, however, some reviewers have already had a chance to view it Stateside.

Since as far back as 1926, just a year after the book was published, Hollywood has been trying to capture and project Gatsby onto the silver screen.

The last effort, apart from a TV film, in 1974 featured Robert Redford and Mia Farrow - it flopped at the box office with a paltry $20.6 million in sales.

Can the man who brought us the visual spectacle that was 'Moulin Rouge' do any better?

Here's what the US critics have had to say about one of the most anticipated films of 2013...

The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "No matter how frenzied and elaborate and sometimes distracting [Luhrmann's] technique may be, Luhrmann's personal connection and commitment to the material remains palpable, which makes for a film that, most of the time, feels vibrantly alive while remaining quite faithful to the spirit, if not the letter or the tone, of its source."

Also highlighting the pomp of the film, Indiewire said: "The Great Gatsby is a guilty pleasure, a swirling, audacious piece of cinema - in 3-D! -that could prove a crowdpleaser for young audiences."

Not all notices have been glowing, however. Variety concurred: "It comes as little surprise that the Aussie auteur behind the gaudy, more-is-more spectacles Moulin Rouge and Australia has delivered a Gatsby less in the spirit of F Scott Fitzgerald's novel than in that of its eponymous antihero - a man who believes bejewelled excess will help him win the heart of the one thing his money can't buy."

CLICK HERE to catch up on all your latest Film News

"The Great Gatsby is an immortal American tragedy, but the story's impact gets completely buried in Luhrmann's flash and dazzle," wrote The Wrap, also hinting that this film may have more style than substance.

However, none of these reactions are as depressing as the fact almost half (43 percent) of British people surveyed for an Odeon study weren’t aware 'The Great Gatsby' was originally a novel...

Mariah Carey And Miguel '#Beautiful': Listen To The R&B Stars' Sensual Collaboration

Sarah Dean — Tue, 7 May 2013 08:36:56 EDT

One of the hottest voices of the moment, Miguel, has helped Mariah Carey release a great new uplifting track.

'#Beautiful', out now, features the vocals of both the multi-platinum superstar Mariah and 'Adorn' singer Miguel. It serves as the lead track from her new album, due for release this summer on Island Def Jam.

However, the majority of the song's lyrics are sung by Miguel. Carey adds giggles throughout the beginning of the track before singing, "I like when you run red lights / Don't stop 'til you thrill me / Oh, how you thrill me / Always in control / How you do it, I don't know / But I don't care / Take me anywhere."

Despite being the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date, Carey has in recent years struggled to remain current. But teaming up with Miguel has certainly helped - although I'm not as sure about the inclusion of a hashtag in front of the song title.

The American Idol judge recently told Billboard, her new album "has more raw ballads than people might expect". It is the follow-up to 'Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel', released September 2009.

Take a listen to the track (above) and let us know what you think.

Hilary Lawson On How The Light Gets In 2013: 'The Best Conversations Can Be Had On The Dancefloor' (INTERVIEW)

Sarah Dean — Wed, 1 May 2013 10:23:07 EDT

The annual meeting of minds that is the How The Light Gets In festival returns to Hay-on-Wye this month, once again providing audiences with the chance to engage with life's big questions.

The founder of the festival, philosopher Hilary Lawson, is busy preparing for the 450 events that will take place from Thursday 23 May to Sunday 2 June, involving talks from the likes of politicians, scientists, cosmologists and even subatomic physicists.

"We have philosophers from every part of the world, we have novelists - every conceivable facet of intellectual life is represented", says Lawson of the world's largest event of its kind.

The Huffington Post UK is a proud media partner of this year's festival and we spoke to Lawson to find out why he thinks music and philosophy go hand-in-hand. Read the interview below, in which he explains why "everybody is a philosopher" and why we need to stop leaving intellectual conversation to Parisian taxi drivers...

What is the theme of this year’s festival?

The theme for this year is 'error lies in adventure'. Most of the time we try to pretend we haven't made an error. Politicians don't usually say 'oh I've made an error', and generally there's often an avoidance of identifying errors. Identifying errors of what you've thought and what you've done allows you to think of how it could be done differently - that's where the adventure is.

How do you chose who you want to speak each year?

We have the theme and intellectual idea that we are exploring throughout the festival. We therefore divide that idea into different areas and then we decide what we think are the most edgy and contemporary issues addressing that idea and we put those together. Then we talk about who we think would be appropriate for these areas. We're looking for new ideas that have bearing on the issues that we're trying to address.

Are there a lot of young voices or is it older people that dominate the space?

I think it's a good mixture, actually. We're always looking for new voices and big new ideas but they don't appear in large numbers. There are always lots of people who want to put forward their opinion, but people who've got a genuinely new idea are harder to find. We're not driven by celebrity - although we obviously have lots of famous names. We don't have people on just because they are someone we've heard of, they have to have something to say... it doesn't matter who people are, all that matters is the strength of the idea.

Have you managed to find more women speakers for this year's festival?

We always try to ensure that we include as many women as we can... we have got a little bit of a higher representation of women this year. But it remains the case that there's a smaller pool for us to pick from and in their different fields they tend to get lots of invitations.

What's the best sort of environment to be in to be able to think about things in a different way?

On a personal level, I need to be cut off from any distractions. I've never been able to work in London myself. I need to be in the middle of nowhere so I'm not tempted to go out and socialise.

So an office isn’t the best place for people to work in and be creative?

I couldn't possibly do anything genuinely edgy in an office. I can do a great deal of quick thinking, and you can be inventive and work with other people, but if you're going to come up with something genuinely original that pushes the boundaries on some area of thought, then personally I can't do that in an office. Nor can I really do it in London; I need to be sitting on the mountainside.

Do really outspoken people - such as George Galloway who is on the 2013 line-up - make the best speakers?

We're a radical organisation in a sense. The world tends to be driven by institutional positions and the nature of what we're trying to do is introducing big ideas into cultural life. There's a strange phenomenon in Britain where no one seems to take intellectual ideas seriously, we leave it to Parisian taxi drivers to form intellectual conversations. We just get on and do things in Britain... so in a way we want to put big ideas back in the public space. We don't go for controversial figures because they're controversial, we go for people who've got an idea that in some way takes things on or challenges something... so that we get out of a space where it looks as if everything is known or agreed.

Is philosophy a closed off world for the general population? How would you sell the festival to the public?

I don't think we need to - everybody is a philosopher. Everyone wonders about his or her life, it's a really bizarre experience. And it's only a result of a strange characteristic of British cultural life that philosophy sort of turned into a joke, a Monty Python joke. Instead what we're trying to do is put big ideas back where they should be. They matter to everybody and always have... the idea that it is some technical area or just a facet of the craziness of the way philosophy has been thought of in recent times... we don't dumb down anything, we just ask people to talk honestly.

Do we need to have philosophical talks more often in day-to-day life?

Of course, and it's crazy that we don’t. But I think there is a question as to why we don’t. Maybe it's partly because people are siloed in their particular disciplines and constrained by their careers and their peers into being very careful about what they say, as if they want to keep their nose clean.

As a result it's harder to be vibrant and open minded and so forth. Human beings are social animals so if you are operating in an institution, you don't want to be different from your peers and that of course is the death of any real vibrancy to ideas and originality.

Even at university people are training to be something now and are taught to be very career minded…

Universities have become more like that; maybe UK universities have lost the best talent. There was once a time when the best students would become academic. No doubt the lack of funding has meant it’s not always attracting the best people and also it has become more institutionalised so that people think 'I have to get a number of papers out, I need to get my next book out in order to progress my career'. They're not going to do anything that's too challenging to that..

After the festival each year, do you have people tell you about the epiphanies they've had? Or the talks that have helped them make a huge decision?

From the outset it's been a pleasure to hear from people about what a dramatic impact it has on their lives. There are people who come back to the festival year after year and find it an invigorating and refreshing experience, one that they can't find anywhere else.

The festival is just one part of what we're doing. We have IAI TV, which is like a European version of TED but more challenging at taking on institutional ideas. We are focused on that outside of the festival and it pulls a larger audience year round.

So, the festival sounds pretty interesting already, why have music there too?

One of the reasons we do that is because talking about ideas tends to usually be in a lecture hall. The problem with a lecture hall is it has all the status associated with it about who has the right to speak. One of the reasons music is important at the festival is because it softens the whole atmosphere. If you're having a debate about the nature of the universe, sometimes in a lecture hall if you're not careful everyone is posing rather than actually talking. This musical side of the festival somehow changes that atmosphere, so some of the best conversations can be had on the dancefloor. Talking about this stuff is fun, not something you feel you are doing dutifully. It generates an atmosphere that is a festival and not a series of lectures.

I do often end up talking to strangers about in-depth things at music festivals…

Exactly. I'm a big fan of musical festivals and we had Michael Eavis the founder of Glastonbury last year talking about the nature of festivals, which he called The Paradise Hunters. It was about that very idea 'why don't we do this in our daily lives?'. You're sitting there having a chat in a muddy field and it's very possible that it's quite philosophical and that's why the two fit together.

We have all the latest bands in just the same way as any music festival… I remember having a conversation with one of the philosophers last year and we were shouting over the music, keeping up the conversation we'd been having earlier in the day… it gets people out of their institutionalised nervousness. Everyone is pretending, everyone is pretending all the time. That pretense gets in the way of having a properly exciting conversation about something.

To find out more about How The Light Gets In and see this year's line-up click here.

Cash And Rocket 2013 Rally Launch: When Style Creates Substance For Charity (PICTURES)

Sarah Dean — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:52:28 EDT

What do you get when you fill a room with successful, confident, entrepreneurial women?

At the launch of Cash and Rocket's 2013 female-only rally on Monday, I found out - it's power.

The women -- a diverse mix of 70 designers, CEOs, models, actresses and fashion stylists -- are teaming up to channel that power into raising some serious cash for three essential African charities. And they're doing so in style...

Cash and Rocket co-founder Julie Brungstrup and model Jodie Kidd

The turbo-fuelled fundraising drive kicked off with a champagne reception and a lunch hosted at Banca Restaurant, Mayfair, with famous faces such as Caprice, Jo and Leah Wood, Jodie Kidd, Tina Hobley and Julian MacDonald in attendance.

However, the main event begins on 13 June, when the 70 women will don their driving gloves and shades for a four-day roadtrip -- starting in Barcelona, with overnight stops in Cannes, a daytime event in Portofino, followed by evening fundraising events in Florence and Rome -- to raise more than a Ferrari's worth of dollars.

But while the event will be undeniably stylish, there's a hell of a lot of substance to it too.

As I spoke to the women involved in making the trip happen, in particular co-founder of Cash and Rocket Julie Brangstrup, I found out why the drive is so important. It's empowering women to do something, not just be something.

In 2012 Brangstrup, a mother of six, raised $250,000 by organising the rally. The proceeds of which went towards fighting AIDS in Africa via the Red Campaign. It's not an amount to be sniffed at.

This year, Brangstrup has handpicked three more tangible projects from established African charities that will benefit from the funds raised.

The first, Shine On Sierra Leone, will support the building of a primary school for 300 kids.

The second, OrphanAid Africa, will create a survival centre to support 100 dislocated families through practical advice, education and finance - reducing the instances of child abandonment.

And the third, Sumbandila, will provide high quality secondary education to underprivileged children, giving them the opportunity to reach higher education in South Africa.

“As a mother of six I feel deeply moved by the ‘double jeopardy’ of suffering faced by millions of mothers and kids each year in the region. The Cash & Rocket Tour is more than just a tour; it’s a chance for a group of powerful and influential women to come together and take part in an event that can really make a difference in raising money and global awareness for these important causes,” Brangstrup explained.

This women-only road trip has more to it than booting the men out of the driving seat. And HuffPost UK Lifestyle will be following the ladies on their 1400 mile journey for the three charities. Check back in June for interviews with the women on 'having it all' and our daily blog (when we're not behind the wheel!)

Check out the pictures from the launch event below...

Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' At Number 1, Get Down To Festifeel, Jamie Cullum Teams Up With Laura Mvula And Tegan And Sara's New Video (MUSIC BOX)

Sarah Dean — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:06:44 EDT

CHART TOPPERS

Veteran electronic duo Daft Punk have scored their first-ever UK number one single with much-awaited funky comeback track Get Lucky.

After shooting to number three just 48 hours after the single went on sale last week, the Frenchmen's collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers got second-time lucky to knock Rudimental's Waiting All Night Ft Ella Eyre off the top.

After getting together in 1993, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter's previous best position was number two with club anthem One More Time in 2000.

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter

The pair join a select group of French artists to reach the summit in the singles chart's 60-year history which includes Serge Gainsbourg, Modjo, Charles Aznavour, Mr Oizo and David Guetta.

In the albums chart, Michael Buble continued to reign supreme for a second week with new offering To Be Loved.

But hot on the Canadian crooner's heels was Eton-educated singer/songwriter Frank Turner, a former classmate of Prince William.

His fourth album, Tape Deck Heart, comes in the wake of a memorable performance at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.

GIGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

There are plenty of festivals to choose from this summer, but one we'd like to bring special attention to is the wonderfully-named Festifeel.

The event is organised by the folks behind Coppafeel - in particular Kristin Hallenga, who set up the charity in 2009 after being diagnosed with breast cancer at a late stage, aged just 22. Coppafeel's mission is to make sure all breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible and they do that with wonderful bold campaigns including breasts. Their festival - Festifeel - is no exception: expect a tent in the shape of a boob named the Gazeboob.

The event takes place on the 15th June at Islington Metal Works, London, and is curated by Fearne Cotton whose music taste can not be faulted. So far the line-up includes the brilliant Maverick Sabre, the up and coming Lewis Watson (previously featured in Music Box) and soul-poppers The Milk.

Check out the full line-up and get your tickets here.

OPEN YOUR EARS

Jazz pop-star Jamie Cullum has released a video of a track from his new album - his first new music in three years - with voice of the moment Laura Mvula.

Captured at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, the emotional song titled 'Sad, Sad World' was reportedly written on a train journey into London.

This is the second promising song we've heard from his new album 'Momentum', out on 20 May. The first, ‘Love For $ale’, was a cover of Cole Porter’s classic, featuring British rapper Roots Manuva.

And here's another melodic tune for you…

Twin sisters Tegan and Sara have unveiled the video for their next heartbreak single 'I Was A Fool' on 10 June.

Tegan explained: "I was really attempting a few different things with this song. I wanted to write a song that was about two people who we were in love, without glazing over how incredibly difficult the relationship was. I wrote it on guitar, but right away moved the song to piano.”
The Canadian indie rock band recently landed the highest Billboard chart position of their career when their current album ‘Heartthrob’ debuted at number three and they're now set for a summer tour.

Check out the video, starring actor Mae Whitman, below:

Don Diablo On Recruiting Kelis And Alex Clare For 'Give It All' And Why People Usually Think He's 'A Heavy Drug Abuser'

Sarah Dean — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:04:33 EDT

"If I get hit by a truck tomorrow I want to be remembered by this song," says Don Diablo, the Dutch DJ who's fast nipping at the heels of internationally-known chart toppers Calvin Harris and David Guetta.

It's a bold quote, but Diablo's latest track 'Give It All' is pretty special. The 33-year-old from Amsterdam has recruited Brit Award-winning US singer Kelis and British soulful crooner Alex Clare for his insanely catchy track.

He's worked with well-known voices before, including Example, but Diablo says that, even now he's signed to esteemed label Columbia - on the same rosta as some of his favourite artists Bruce Springsteen and Daft Punk - it wasn't easy to get hold of Kelis and Clare.

"I was the one who approached them. I might be signed to a major label but it's still an indie approach, they don't tell you what to do and in the same way nothing is handed to you on a plate... it's not like everything comes to you while you're siting in a jacuzzi sipping champagne overlooking the city."

Speaking to me from his flat in Amsterdam, he continues: "At the time Alex Clare's 'Too Close' was such a big single in America and he's my favourite vocalist of the moment, he's got so much emotion in his voice, so I had this idea in my head that it would be great to work with him.

"But obviously I wasn't the only one and it turned out a lot of people were approaching him, so it seemed impossible... then through some weird miracle it turned out that he really liked the song and when he came back from his American tour, he came to my place in London and we had a really great day and wrote the song."

For Diablo, it's a relief that he can now even talk about the collaboration: "Up until a week ago I couldn't say anything... It's been a long and heavy year in the sense that you do a lot of things you're very enthusiastic about and at night you lay staring at the ceiling in your bed and you can't wait to share it but you can't. In some cases you will never be able to share it and it's sort of a weird experience."

Diablo has high hopes for the record. "The track is not called Give It All for nothing," he laughs.

"It's me giving it all, it's very personal to me, it's not just about a catchy melody... I've had a really emotional period in my personal life in the last year and I really wanted the lyrics to reflect what I was feeling in my heart," he adds.

And I believe Diablo when he says "whatever happens - if it's a big success, or it doesn't quite do what we hoped - for me personally it's still a personal success."

But on a lighter note, he adds: "Obviously you're making a song hoping more than five dogs and a chicken will listen to it."

It's easy to have preconceptions about what DJs are like. We hardly ever hear them speak, we just see them providing the music in clubs around the world, seemingly living life like it is one big party. Diablo must be a party animal, right?

"My lyrics are always a bit quirky... people usually think I'm a heavy drugs abuser. But I'm fully straight-edged, I've never actually done drugs or drunk alcohol in my life," he says surprisingly. And he confesses when people ask him for restaurant or club recommendations, he usually just picks something from Google, preferring to head back to his hotel room after he's played a set.

Diablo, who is currently living between Amsterdam and London after being forced out of his "own little safe zone" to work with his new label, says the fact that he's Dutch also means people often mistake him for a pothead.

"People are always so disappointed that I'm from Amersterdam and I don't smoke. I feel so guilty I sometimes admit I do smoke just because I don't want to disapoint people... but I obviously don't," he laughs.

His reason for avoiding drugs isn't because of a strict upbringing, quite the opposite: "When you grow up around it, it's very normal and it's not tempting. My parents always gave me a lot of freedom so when you've got a lot of freedom you're forced to look at it as 'hmm if I f*ck up now it's on me', so it sort of changes your whole perspective on everything... not everyone from Amsterdam is getting high and walking around the red light district."

Diablo says his latest record is different to other DJ's because it's "about more than getting down in the club with models", instead he says "it's about getting out there and enjoying life because it will be over before you know it". Seems like, just as his song is different, Diablo stands apart from your standard DJ too.

Watch the video for 'Give It All' out on 3 June, which is set in three worlds - Diablo's Amerstdam, Clare's London and Kelis's LA. Just don't ask about permission for filming in the red light district...

JLS Split: Why It Was Only A Matter Of Time Before Marvin, JB, Oritse And Aston Parted

Sarah Dean — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:06:11 EDT

Sadly the most surprising thing about JLS splitting up is not that one of The X Factor's most successful alumni are going their separate ways after five years, but that one member - JB Gill, who grew up in Croydon - has bought a deer farm in Scotland as his next career move. Here's why...

When JB, Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, and Marvin Humes first stood in front of the 'The X Factor' judges in 2008, dressed in matching candy-coloured T-shirts and quoting Take That, Boys II Men and Jodeci as their inspiration, they won the judges and millions of teenage girls' hearts in an instant with their a capella harmonies.

Finally, the UK had found themselves a smooth boyband with muscle to rival the floppy blonde-haired lads currently on the market.

Just as everyone had a favourite Spice Girl, everyone had a favourite member of JLS - whether it was backflipping mini-member Aston, Oritse with his MJ moves, Marvin with his model good looks, or (my personal favourite) the cute smiley JB.

The 'X Factor' runners-up signed to Epic records after Simon Cowell turned them down, and in 2009 their first single 'Beat Again' went straight to number one. They went on to scoop five more of those gongs, as well as flogging over 10 million records, 1.5 million gig tickets and becoming the first 'X Factor' act to win a Brit Award.

It wasn't until recently that their star began to wane...

When the concert line-ups for this year's summer music events began to roll in, I realised I was no longer excited to see JLS's name on the bills. It wasn't just me: thousands of their fans had also grown up and changed their musical tastes.

Will Their Fans Need Counselling Like Take That's, Or Just Scratch Heads Like Spice Girls'?

The boys aren't stupid, Marvin told The Sun as they announced their split: “We never wanted to overstay our welcome. We never wanted to be that band where people said, ‘Oh, bloody hell. It’s JLS again’."

I first interviewed JLS in 2010 for the release of their soppy single 'Love You More', the official single for Children in Need in 2010 and the group's fourth UK number one.

They were full of flirty banter and energy, complimenting me on my perfume. But the next time we meet, at the end of 2012, I spoke to a very different band.

They'd matured, their priorities had changed. Here we were, talking about their aim to raise £2 million for Cancer Research over two years in partnership with their JLS Foundation - a mission they are still determined to continue despite splitting.

Boybands become huge because of their catchy throwaway hits and their good looks. Once they grow up and want to start being taken seriously, their screaming fans have usually grown up, too - and realised that there's a whole world of music out there beyond the top 10. And for those that haven't, there's always a new group waiting in the wings to fill the void.

JLS have every right to be proud of their achievements and we should be thankful that they're smart enough to bow out now. But for one last time: "Everybody in love..."

>> MORE JLS SPLIT NEWS

> 'X Factor Boyband Announce Split After Five Years

> Is JLS' Split As Shocking As Take That, The Spice Girls Or...? Not Even Close!

> Why It Was Only A Matter Of Time Before Marvin, JB, Oritse And Aston Parted

> Funniest Twitter Reactions To JLS Split

> BLOG: A History Of JLS

Amelia Lily On Touring With Girls Aloud And Why 'People Can Write What They Want' About Her (INTERVIEW)

Sarah Dean — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:10:44 EDT

Amelia Lily started out as just another 'X Factor' hopeful, singing Janis Joplin's 'Take Another Little Piece of my Heart' at her audition to great applause.

But it soon became clear Amelia was made of tougher stuff than some of her predecessors when she was knocked out of the competition in the first week of the finals - only to come back with her head held high when she was reinstated thanks to the public vote.

She finished the show in third place (no bad thing - see JLS, One Direction and Cher Lloyd) and at the tender age of 17 was scooped up by prestigious pop label, and former home to Girls Aloud, Xenomania.

They have gone on to produce the candyfloss-coloured haired singer's debut album, including her number two single 'You Bring Me Joy' and the top 10 hit 'Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got)'. Now she's back with the clubby and colourful 'Party Over' just in time for summer.

The Huffington Post UK caught up with the young star from Middlesbrough, who found herself mentored by Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland, to see if she's still got that fighting spirit...

Your debut album is out soon, what are you most looking forward to about that?

"I think I'm looking forward to the public hearing a softer side to me, because the album is versatile and diverse. I think it would be nice for people to see the different types of sound on there."

How much of it did you write yourself?

"I wrote six tracks on the album. When I was younger, I kind of just wrote songs about what I was going through. But when I started writing this album, the music was being done, then I created a melody and then we came up with topics, so it was kind of different. We have a different way of working in Xenomania - it's a little bit odd."

'Party Over' has a 'Skins' feel to its video. Do you go to parties like that yourself?

"No, I wish! That was a really American-style house party, but I had a great time filming it - so if I did ever throw a party like that it would be great fun. It took 17 hours to film."

Did you get to drink on set to make you feel like you were at a party?

"I'm underage to drink over there so I wasn't able to."

NME have called your new song Xenomania's "worst work to date" - what do you think about that?

"Do you know what? I think that people can write what they want about me and everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if they think it's bad than that's totally fine. But I'm proud of it and my fans and supporters are proud of it and that's all that matters to me."

What do you like about it?

"I like it because I never thought I'd have done a drum and bass song before and I really like the lyrics and the spin on it - the fact that it's about a breakup and the end to a party, but also the fact that it's an upbeat song."

You supported Girls Aloud on tour. How was that? Did you have any idea they were splitting up?

"Absolutely incredible, I can't believe I actually did it. It was such an experience for me and it's one of those things where you look up to someone for so many years and then four years later I was opening for them.

It was all kind of go-go-go and everyone was doing their own thing - but when I did see them, they were lovely. I probably bonded with Nadine the most. I literally had no clue they were splitting up and obviously I was just as upset as everybody else was because I think they're great."

What's been the biggest change for you since leaving 'The X Factor'?

"I think having to fend for myself and look after myself, because obviously I'm still a teenager and I depend on my parents a lot - so that's kind of been an eye-opener. But I'm getting better."

WATCH: Amelia auditioning for 'The X Factor'...

How much are you like the average 18-year-old?

"I don't know how to use the washing machine, I don't know how to cook, I don't know how to use a microwave, I'm terrible. Beans on toast is what I'd cook if I had to.

"I live with my brother so he looks after me."

Finally, what have you learnt about fame so far?

"Don't get caught up too much in it. I think people can sometimes get a bit lost being in the public eye all the time. The reason I do my job is because I love to sing and I love to perform - and that's what I've always reminded myself of all the time."

Amelia Lily's latest single 'Party Over' is out now.

MUSIC BOX: Rudimental's Number One, Josh Record's Tour, Introducing Benjamin Biolay, Betty Who And //MDNGHT//

Sarah Dean — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:38:53 EDT

CHART TOPPERS

East London drum and bass four-piece Rudimental are celebrating their second number one in 12 months with 'Waiting All Night' featuring Ella Eyre.

They emerged triumphant in a head-to-head battle with the more famous Will.I.Am and Justin Bieber as their song '#ThatPower' went in at number two.

Kesi Dryden of Rudimental

Rudimental's track finished the week almost 38,000 copies ahead of the pop duo.

Daft Punk entered this week's top three after selling 50,000 copies in 48 hours of new single 'Get Lucky' featuring Pharrell Williams. Last week's chart-topper Duke Dumont's 'Need U (100%)' featuring A*M*E, fell three places to number four, and P!nk's 'Just Give Me A Reason' featuring Nate Ruess rounded off this week's top five.

Meanwhile, Michael Buble has scored the fastest selling album of the year - and his own career - after his latest recording outsold the rest of the top five combined this week.

'To Be Loved', the Canadian crooner's third UK number one album in a row, amassed a total of 121,000 sales in its opening week, according to the Official Charts Company.

GIGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

25-year-old Brixton singer Josh Record is taking his dreamy voice on tour.

Hailing from the famous BRIT school of performing arts, which lists Adele, Kate Nash, Amy Winehouse among its alumni, he's also preparing to release his second EP 'The War' in July.

Starting with a London show at the Borderline in London in May, and taking in a fair few festivals throughout June and July, here's your chance to see him play his simple acoustic indie folk guitar melodies live.

Check out the dates here and take a listen to his first EP 'Bones' below:

Or, if you'd prefer to see a more established name live, Dido has announced a show at Claridge’s Ballroom in London’s West End.

The Brit Award-winner recently returned to the charts with her fourth album ‘Girl Who Got Away’. To win tickets to the intimate gig head to www.magic.co.uk.

OPEN YOUR EARS

There's a new raspy seductive French voice in town. Benjamin Biolay, described as Serge Gainsbourg meets Richard Hawley, is set to release his eighth full-length album, 'Vengeance', in the UK on 6 May.

Featuring Carl Barat, Julia Stone and Vanessa Paradis, it oozes cool. Check out his new single featuring Johnny Depp's ex Paradis, below:

For this year's Ibiza playlist, Manchester music collective //MDNGHT// have announced their hypnotic debut single, 'I Will Lead You On,' released on 22 April.

Made up of J (a talented falsetto lead vocalist), Will and Ant (guitars) and Lloyd (DJ and percussion), the group have created a sound that's a mix of house, balearic beats, disco, and Chic style guitars.

And currently mastering electro-pop is Betty Who, a 21-year-old six-foot-two Aussie vegan now living in Boston.

Her debut single 'Somebody Loves You' (below) was released late last year, and she's now self-released her first EP, 'The Movement'.

With a hint of Robyn about her, Betty has also named Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson and Kylie Minogue among her inspirations.