Pulp to return to the US

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added: 24 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Pulp will return to the U.S. this spring for the first time in more than a decade to play Coachella, The Warfield in San Francisco, and Radio City Music Hall in New York.

The shows will involve all the original members of the band -- Nick Banks (drums), Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Steve Mackey (bass), Russell Senior (violin, guitar) and Mark Webber (guitar) -- and they will be playing songs from all periods of their career.

April 11 -- New York, NY -- Radio City Music Hall April 13 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella April 17 -- San Francisco, CA -- The Warfield April 20 -- Indio, CA -- Coachella

Pulp returned from a nine-year hiatus last summer, performing at festivals in Europe and Australia. They last played in the U.S. on a June 1998 tour in support of their "This Is Hardcore" album.

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Sam Sparro new album �Return To Paradise�

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added: 23 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Following the huge global success his Grammy nominated hit 'Black and Gold' Sam returns to the fore with a brand new album. 'Return To Paradise' captures Sam's electro soul sound and features a wide range of musicians from all over the world.

Production credits on most of the tracks go to long time Sparro collaborator Jesse 'Golden Touch' Rogg and Sam himself. Other Producers include Grammy Producer of the Year Nominee, Greg Kurstin, Jono Sloan (Empire of the Sun), Tim Anderson (Ima Robot) and Lester Mendez. Players on the record include Jamiroquai founding bass player, Stuart Zender, Violinist Caitlin Moe, The Horn Section from Hercules and Love Affair and Midnight Magic, Charlie Wilcocks, Dave Wilder, Felix Bloxsom and Sam's own brother and father on guitars.

Sam also worked with Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino, Florence and the Machine's Isabella Summers and Swedish singer/songwriter Erik Hassle on some of the song writing.

The results are an eclectic collection of songs about love lost and the quest for happiness. Stylistically, there are songs that range from 80's electro soul and disco dance floor fillers to beautiful ballads.

What does Sam have to say about his new record? 'I'm so proud of these songs and can't wait to share them. It's been a long time coming.'

'Return To Paradise' will be released through EMI in May.

Sam is currently in Paris for fashion week. Stay tuned for all the latest information on upcoming releases, music videos and live performances from Sam.

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The Roof Gardens� live music nights return in 2012

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added: 17 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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The Roof Gardens' live music nights return in 2012 with a fabulous line up every Friday and Saturday

Following its huge success last year, The Roof Gardens in Kensington is kicking off the New Year with a fantastic line up of live music nights ' featuring an exciting new programme of artists every weekend until the end of March 2012.

The live music nights include both new and established talent, who will be performing exclusive sets every Friday and Saturday evening from 7pm at the award-winning venue. Friday evenings will see headlining acts and specially selected supporting acts, performing in the warmth of the picturesque marquee in the Tudor garden. During January, Saturday nights will see 'Jazz FM presents.Live at The Roof Gardens Kensington' supported by renowned radio station Jazz FM, featuring the very best in live Nu Jazz, Nu Groove, soul and funk.

The full music line-up for January 2012 is as follows:

Friday 13th January ' Live Fridays. Headliner: Alex Buchanan (with support acts Will Healy and John Galea)
Alex Buchanan is a singer-songwriter, actor and dancer from Manchester. At just 21 years old, Alex has already choreographed two music videos as well as working on his debut album. He is currently starring in Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre (London).

Saturday 14th January ' Jazz FM Launch Night 2012. Headliner: Hannah Francis (with support acts)
London born Hannah Francis is a rare R&B and soul singer and lyricist. Singing from a very early age, she credits her love of James Brown, Diana Ross and The Marvelettes as her influences. A versatile musician, she has lent her vocals and writing skills to various projects with both unsigned and established artists.

Friday 20th January ' Live Fridays. Headliner: Abi Phillips (with support acts Sam Gray, Carrie Haber and Joyride)
Abi Phillips is a singer-songwriter from the West Midlands and currently plays the character of Liberty in the Channel 4 show 'Hollyoaks'.
Over the past year, no less than eight of Abi's original compositions have appeared in various major story lines in the show, including the first reality / soap tie which culminated in appearing at Channel 4s 'T4 on the Beach' alongside some of the biggest current names in Pop . At 18 years of age, Abi is already making waves as one of the country's best new young songwriters.

Saturday 21st January ' Jazz FM presents.Live at The Roof Gardens Kensington. Headliner: Marie Dahlstrom (with support acts)
Marie Dahlstrom is an up and coming artist from Denmark. She released her first EP 'Feelings' in November 2011, an intimate, self-composed release that captures her feelings through simple lyrics and strong melodies. Marie lives in east London where she is developing her sound of Scandinavian soul.

Friday 27th January ' Live Fridays. Headliner: Sarah Whatmore (with support acts Cash Taylor and Kelly Pepper)
Sarah Whatmore rose to fame in the first series of the TV show Pop Idol. When the show ended, Simon Fuller signed her to RCA Records, including a management deal with 19 Entertainment. Sarah's debut singles 'When I Lost You' and 'Automatic' both reached the Top 10 in the UK singles charts.

Saturday 28th January ' Jazz FM presents.Live at The Roof Gardens Kensington. Headliner: Giovanna (with support acts)
Giovanna is 21. From the age of five she's played classical piano, and has
developed into a songwriter, performer, vocalist, and producer. Big brother
Winston Marshall is the multi instrumentalist and vocalist in Mumford &
Sons, so she's seen at close hand how things can blow up. And it looks like 2012 could definitely be Giovanna's year with Rob Da Bank, Zane Lowe, Uncut magazine and Clash magazine having all said fantastic things about her already. Giovanna is signed to Mi7 Records and her EP 'Shaky Ground', is released in Spring 2012.

Tickets can be purchased on Ticketweb for £15 each and includes entry to the Club.

The Roof Gardens
6th Floor, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA

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Orbital to return with �Wonky�

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added: 17 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Undefeated champions of British electronic music, Orbital get back in the ring in 2012 with Wonky, their first new album in eight years. Recently reunited following a long sabbatical, Paul and Phil Hartnoll are back on fighting-fit form and ready to reclaim their title. Both timeless and contemporary, Wonky puts a vividly modern spin on their signature blend of richly melodic, deeply emotive electronica.

Confident, energised and eclectic, Wonky already sounds like the duo's finest album to date. Gleaming, whooshing, shimmering tracks like Straight Sun and Stringy Acid instantly tap into the warm-blooded rush and restless bounce of classic Orbital. These are future festival- rocking anthems in the making, right up there with vintage live favourites Chime and Belfast.

But there are nods to cutting-edge club culture on Wonky too ' including a guest appearance by hotly tipped Birmingham grime MC Lady Leshurr on the album's irresistibly vibrant electro-rap title track. The Hartnolls even give a radical post-dubstep makeover to their much-loved techno-rock classic Satan, reworking it into a razor- backed beast of shuddering bass called Beelzedub.

Like all Orbital albums, Wonky defies narrow-minded caricatures of electronic music as cold and mechanical. Playful humour and warm humanity are woven into its fabric - from the heart-tugging harmonies and woozy vocal layers of Never and Distractions, to the guest appearance by the highly acclaimed LA-based electronic musician Zola Jesus on the brooding, atmospheric epic New France. These are machine-made symphonies to stir the soul and electrify the senses.

'When I'm writing music, if it doesn't move you emotionally, it's not working,' Paul explains. 'It has to give me butterflies. I have to make myself cry in the studio.'

The idea for Wonky sprang from Orbital's rapturously received live comeback. A year of sell-out tours and euphoric festival appearances, including Coachella and Glastonbury, was followed by a further year of globe-trotting DJ sets. This allowed the brothers to road-test the new album in raw form, then make instant adjustments in the studio in response to crowd reactions.

'That was really beneficial to our writing,' Phil says. 'Trying out tracks in front of audiences, listening through their ears, getting responses. That's been a really good string to our bow.'

Wonky was recorded in Orbital's Brighton home base, then mixed in London with internationally acclaimed producer Mark 'Flood' Ellis, whose stellar list of previous collaborators includes PJ Harvey, U2 and Nine Inch Nails.

'I mostly remember Flood from all the electronic stuff like Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode and Renegade Soundwave,' Paul says. 'He also has a good structural overview of music, because he's not just a dance producer, he comes from a more holistic song viewpoint, which is how we like to approach it.'

From the intoxicating energy rush and glistening fanfares of its mighty opening track, One Big Moment, to the restless bounce and optimistic glow of its galloping finale, Where Is It Going, the new Orbital album was designed to follow an emotional and musical 'road map' devised by Paul and Phil. Mark Farrow's sumptuous sleeve artwork reflects this circular narrative. 'The whole process of this album has really been a case of the book writing itself,' Paul explains.

Reunited and revitalised, Orbital have come full circle with Wonky. Paul and Phil can hardly wait to unleash the full album in its natural habitat, the live stage. The undefeated champions of British electronic music are back, sounding bigger and better than ever.

'For me these feel like the most enjoyable Orbital times that we've ever had,' Phil says. 'It's just getting better and better. It feels like a new beginning.'

Album out 1st April 2012

UK Tour April 2012

05 Manchester Academy
06 Leeds O2 Academy
07 Glasgow O2 Academy
08 Liverpool O2 Academy
09 Cambridge Corn Exchange
10 London Royal Albert Hall

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The Scottish Alternative Music awards return

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added: 15 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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The Scottish Alternative Music awards are to return for a third year, drawing necessary attention to the Scottish bands and artists that mainstream music tend to ignore.

After the success of last year, with artists such as The La Fontaines and Three Blind Wolves performing, as well as appearances from winners Indian Red Lopez, and nominees Bwani Junction, this year sets to provide a platform as well as well deserved recognition for the hard working and talented members of the Scottish music industry.

Again this year will include live performances from some of the country's hottest new acts, as well as guest appearances from leading figures in the Scottish music scene.

SAMAs 2012 will run in association with retro clothing store Vintage Guru, which is located on 195 Byres Road in the West End of Glasgow. Roberto Cocozza (VG) states, 'Vintage Guru are pleased to be the Main Sponsor of SAMA 2012 following our tradition of supporting up
and coming music in Scotland'

'We feel SAMA is a unique opportunity for up and coming unsigned bands to be recognised for their hard
work over the year, always ignored by the more conventional music awards ceremonies'

SAMAs are given out on the following categories:

BEST ROCK / ALTERNATIVE sponsored by Ignite Records
BEST METAL sponsored by Departed Apparel
BEST ACOUSTIC sponsored by JamHut Studios
BEST ELECTRONIC sponsored by Bar Bloc
BEST LIVE ACT sponsored by Messer Schmitt
BEST NEWCOMER sponsored by Cathouse Rock Club
BEST HIP HOP sponsored by Young Scot

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Jamie Cullum and Paloma Faith return to Cheltenham Jazz Festival

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added: 14 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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May 2012 sees the return of the ever-popular and ground-breaking Cheltenham Jazz Festival, one of the country's most celebrated musical events and an absolute highlight of the arts calendar for spring this year.

Always a hit with both audiences and artists, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival prides itself on offering a wonderful range of musicians from across the world of jazz and related music, and 2012 is no exception. Audiences will be treated to the exceptional guitarist Bill Frisell, making a welcome return to the festival; jazz, funk and soul from master bassist Marcus Miller; the classic New York jazz sound of drummer Jeff Williams; world-class piano playing from the UK's own John Taylor; and American sax sensation Chris Potter unveiling his collaboration with the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Cheltenham also welcomes back both Jamie Cullum as Guest Director - his involvement with the festival in recent years has proved an unparalleled success - and Paloma Faith as Artist In Residence. As well as performing a special one-off concert with trumpeter Guy Barker, Paloma will also be inviting some of her favourite artists to perform and exploring the link between film and music with a range of personally chosen film noir screenings. And of course, no Cheltenham Jazz Festival would be complete without BBC Radio 2's Friday Night Is Music Night, broadcast live on Friday 4th May and celebrating the life and music of the great Ray Charles.

This is just a small taster of what's to come at the 2012 festival, with more names from the full line-up to be announced in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on the Festival's official website for more details: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

Booking for Cheltenham Festivals Members opens on Monday 13th February.

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Jennifer Lopez: I�d return to comedy

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added: 9 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Jennifer Lopez says it would be 'awesome' to return to the show that launched her career.

The star started out as a dancer on In Living Color, a US comedy sketch television series created by Keenen Ivory Wayans.

The programme is set to return to the small screen this spring and Jennifer would be open to helping re-launch the show.

'Oh my God, I didn't even know! That's awesome,' she told Access Hollywood on Sunday.

'I haven't heard from [Keenen], but if he called me and wanted me to do something, that would be awesome.'

Jennifer went on to reveal she will always be grateful to Keenen.

He offered her a great deal of support and advice when she was younger.

'I owe Keenan a lot,' she explained. 'From the beginning of my career, he always believed in me, he always was constantly putting in my brain, 'You're gonna be a star, you're gonna be a star, do you know that?' And he was a mentor to me so I wish him the best with that.'

Keenen will host the two new special half-hour episodes.

They will feature young talent, musical performances and special guests.

In Living Color originally aired in the US between 1990 and 1994 and starred previously unknown comedians such as Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx.

© Cover Media

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Pulp get cryptic on festival return

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added: 10 Jan 2012 // by: Noise11 

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After Pulp's hugely successful tour during 2011, many fans wondered if it would be the last time, but with the Coachella announcement it looks like the band is gearing up for a busy 2012.

A quick stop at their official website and you'll be greeted with a cryptic message:

'You think you get off that lightly? You think this is over? There are so many questions left unanswered: Can this feeling travel across the Atlantic? Can we make the desert bloom? Can we conquer our phobias? And ' most fundamentally: Why me? Why you? Why here? Why now? 2012: The year we get some answers?'

The message ends with '13 & 20 April 2012, Coachella, Indio, CA, USA'. The word 'Coachella' (presumably mistakenly) linked to the Spanish festival Primavera Sound's site.

On Twitter, the band said 'Do you think this is over?' It was their first post since September.

'See you again, in about fifteen years probably,' front man Jarvis Cocker jested to crowds around the world left hungry for more during their shows last year.

I'd like to add one more question to the fundamental list of questions offered above: Where else will Pulp be playing in 2012 and what do I have to sell to be in the audience for one of those shows?'

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