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(ASB) Eminem has clung on to number one in the U.K. music charts, marking the fourth week his album "Recovery" has hit the top spot. more - more on this story

Maroon 5 Launch Radio Station Tonight With Live Broadcast

Maroon 5 launches their A.P.E. Radio station, Maroon 5 Radio tonight with a live concert broadcast at 9:00 pm EDT. "Fuse Presents: Maroon 5 Live from the Beacon Theatre," will also air live in HD on the Fuse television network. iheartradio's A.P.E. channel, Maroon 5 Radio, is the exclusive online broadcast partner.

Says Maroon 5's Adam Levine, "Our fans have always been there for us. And our station, Maroon 5 Radio, is a new way for us to let them inside our world. We're starting the station off with a concert for a great cause (The Garden of Dreams Foundation). We just can't wait to play, and we invite anyone outside NYC to join us in their homes on Fuse, as well as the iheartradio platform."

The launch of Maroon 5 Radio is timed to support the band's North American summer tour and the forthcoming release of Hands All Over, Maroon 5's long awaited third studio album. Throughout its limited-time run, the band's A.P.E. station will broadcast a wealth of exciting content, including selected playlists of some of the band's favorite songs, from classic tracks by Al Green, George Harrison, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and The Police to modern tunes by Alicia Keys, Björk, Queens of the Stone Age, N.E.R.D., Outkast, Radiohead and many more. Stories told by the band members will punctuate the programming. Fans are encouraged to participate by emailing their suggestions to maroon5@aperadio.com. - more on this story

AIR Announce Exclusive U.S. Live Show

AIR have announced an exclusive one-off U.S. live date this Fall. The French electronic pop duo (Nicolas Godin and JB Dunckel) will play Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

The March 2010 shows were the band's first North American live dates in over three years. For the first time on these dates, the band performed their live show as an intimate three-piece with Godin and Dunckel taking on full instrumental and vocal duties. Tour highlights included a national TV appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, an unforgettable show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the recording of AIR's sixth studio session for KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic program.

Also in March, AIR teamed up with London-based music technology company RjDj to create an innovative App, "Love by AIR" for the iPhone, which allows fans to experience Air's music in a unique, immersive way. Fans choose from five different "soundscapes" and then use the App's features to transform the musical experience in real-time by sampling and processing ambient sounds, the fan's own voice and more into Air's own music. Fans can also record their own messages or performances with the application, allowing them to share their own unique productions of Air's music with their friends, and with the world. Upon release the App spent several weeks in the iTunes Top 20 Music Apps chart. - Grab it here

Classic Duran Duran Albums Remastered and Expanded

Capitol/EMI will follow the recent release of expanded editions of Duran Duran's first three albums with expanded Limited Special Editions of the band's fourth and fifth albums, Notorious and Big Thing on September 28th.

Both 2CD/DVD packages feature the remastered original albums and extensive bonus materials in lift-top boxes with an eight-page booklet, five postcards, and a folded poster. On the same date, the full audio from each set's two CDs will also be available for download purchase from all major digital service providers.

Duran Duran's platinum-certified Notorious was produced by Nile Rodgers; its release in 1986 followed the Grammy-winning band's third album, Seven and The Ragged Tiger, by three years. The title track reached #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and was revisited by The Notorious B.I.G. in 1999 as the sampled foundation of his eponymous single. - more on this story

The Chapin Sisters Add Dates Including Album Release Show

After spending most of their summer on the road with She & Him (both opening for and as a part of their backing band), The Chapin Sisters have announced additional tour dates through 2010.

They will continue supporting She & Him throughout the summer, as well as a handful of headlining dates this Fall.

The band is gearing up for the September 14th release of their latest studio offering, Two. In celebration, they will host two album release shows in both San Francisco (9/15) and their hometown of Los Angeles (9/16). - more on this story

The Lucky Tomblin Band Going On A Honky Tonk Merry Go Round This September

The Lucky Tomblin Band's new album, Honky Tonk Merry Go Round, will be released on September 21 via Texas World Records.

On its fourth album, The Lucky Tomblin Band continues to deliver the perfect soundtrack for a Texas Saturday night, as great for listenin' as it is for dancin'. Led by Lucky's lead vocals, the band boasts a veritable "who's who" of Austin's finest musicians: Earl Poole Ball on piano, Redd Volkaert on lead guitar, Sarah Brown on bass, John Reed on guitar, Jon Hahn on drums and Bobby Arnold on rhythm guitar. Piano man Earl Poole Ball performed for over 20 years as a member of Johnny Cash's band and played on landmark recordings by The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo) and Gram Parsons. Telecaster master Redd Volkaert's guitar work has dropped lots of jaws in the audience and on record, having been a member of Merle Haggard's band for many years, as well as playing with Ray Price, Dale Watson and a guest appearance on Brad Paisley's Grammy-winning album.

Bassist Sarah Brown was a mainstay of the Antone's house band and has toured and recorded with a host of blues and roots stars from Dr. John and Marcia Ball to Dave Alvin and Albert Collins. Guitar player John Reed has worked with such Texas greats as Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, as well as the legendary Doug Sahm. Jon Hahn's drum work has graced albums and stages with Radney Foster, The Flatlanders and Rosie Flores, among others. And while rhythm guitar player Bobby Arnold's main gig has been as a recording engineer, he's worked on albums with some of the greatest legends in the business, including Willie Nelson, Ray Charles and Les Paul. - more on this story

The Dance Party Is Coming

The Dance Party's debut album, Touch, will be released September 28 on Hell Ya! Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group.

Here is the announcement: Make no mistake: TOUCH is sexualized danger, fused with '80s pop, slick rock production and soaring pop melodies. It's evidenced by the first single, "Sasha Don't Sleep," in which frontman Mick Coogan alternates between a wailing growl and a Prince-like falsetto whisper to convey lyrics ranging from casual sex to Armageddon-level revelry. A video for the song will be released in the coming weeks.

To get fans pumped about the new album, THE DANCE PARTY will be posting remixed versions of five songs every two weeks on all of the band's websites. "Sasha Don't Sleep" remixed by Dillon Francis is currently available, and "Snake Eyes" remixed by Wallpaper will be posted on Monday, July 26. - more on this story

Cirque du Elvis Album Coming This Fall

Legacy Recordings announces the release of Viva ELVIS - The Album, a 21st century celebration of Elvis and his music, featuring the voice of the King in a whole new context. Viva ELVIS - The Album will be available everywhere this November.

The undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley remains one of the most iconic and powerful forces in popular culture. "Before Elvis," said John Lennon, "there was nothing." After Elvis, the world looked and sounded different. With a swivel of his hips and the power of his voice, Elvis broke down barriers and shattered the status quo, revolutionizing the worlds of music, film and fashion while signaling a seismic shift in gender, class, race, and generational relationships.

The Elvis revolution continues with Viva ELVIS - The Album. The postmodern studio masterwork invokes the spirit and essence of Elvis from a contemporary perspective while furthering the revolutionary impulses of Elvis' sound. Viva ELVIS - The Album re-imagines the king's own vocal performances in a broad variety of new musical settings. This new sound echoes Elvis' own versatility and ability to master all music genres, from Delta blues to rockabilly, from raw soul to gospel, from Southern folk to Vegas pop, while incorporating elements of garage rock, punk, urban and hip-hop. - more on this story

Lost In The Trees Previewing New Album Online

Lost In The Trees new album, All Alone In An Empty House, is featured on NPR's First Listen Series beginning today and running through the album's release date of August 10.

First Listen, part of NPR's All Songs Considered programmed by Bob Boilen, is a much sought-after avenue for allowing listeners to preview selected upcoming albums in their entirety. LOST IN THE TREES is led by songwriter, musician and vocalist Ari Picker, and creates a startlingly original sound merging elements of classical music with the accessibility of American folk and rock.

Bob Boilen explains: "You're about to listen to my surprise album of the year. I'd never heard of Lost in the Trees, didn't know what I was in for, but in just one listen I knew I'd found a new friend. Lost in the Trees is the music of Ari Picker, a songwriter from Chapel Hill on a bit of a mission: Take a pinch of the brilliance found in classical music and mix it with his own. Lost in the Trees is orchestral folk where the "orchestral" part isn't an afterthought. This is mighty potent stuff." - more on this story

Little Gold is Completely F**ked

Former Woods songwriter and Meneguar member, Christian DeRoeck is back with the Completely F**ked! 7", his second release as Little Gold.

Vastly different from the melancholy country of debut LP On the Knife (2009), these two songs are brimming with fuzzy guitars, sweet harmonies, and what sounds like youthful exuberance. DeRoeck's lyrical content is morose as ever, but on this record it comes packed in two and a half-minute pop songs. The most immediate difference is the addition of Brian Markham on bass and Pat Broderick on drums, both of Brooklyn psych-rockers Ancient Sky, and Broderick of beloved DC hardcore outfit Majority Rule.

Released in an initial run of 300 on NYC label Heart Break Beat (Beach House, Vincent Black Shadow, Virgin Forest) this record is a taste of what's to come. Little Gold heads back into the studio this year to record the follow-up to On the Knife. - more on this story

Reminder: Soulja Boy's Birthday Bash This Week

We told you about this a couple week ago but here is a reminder that it's taking place tomorrow: Soulja Boy to celebrate his birthday with a red carpet bash, exclusive performance and pay per view event.

The event takes place July 28th in Hollywood, California and those not on the private invite list, have an additional opportunity to be involved. Swaggmedia.com and Mathew Gavin present a pay per view live stream for only $2.99 when you log on to SwaggMedia.com.

The Birthday Bash will include celebrities, VIP guests and a combination of Soulja Boy's current hits and a preview of his upcoming album. Soulja Boy has over two million twitter fans and followers.

For more information log on to
- SwaggMedia.com

Cheyenne Marie Mize and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Release Free Album

Cheyenne Marie Mize and Bonnie "Prince" Billy have released Among the Gold, their rendition of a collection of 19th Century American parlor music handpicked by the duo, and it is available to enjoy for everyone for free (download the whole album here!)

"In the summer of 2008," describes Mize, "there was a place called Funtown where about 300 lucky folks saw the first official coming-together of The Picket Line, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and myself. In preparation for this little event, I met and began rehearsing with Will. After our first rehearsal together he asked me to join his touring band for the following Spring.

I had had the idea behind Among the Gold brewing for some time- originally thinking it was going to be me alone- to take some of my favorite very, very old tunes and record them. I offered the idea to Will, needing only a mic and a good room for recording, and he offered me a mic and a good room for recording. I asked him to sing a couple of the songs as duets as well. In the process we very much enjoyed singing together and we decided that they would all make great duets so it became more of a collaborative effort, with him helping me to decide on the rest of the tunes we would record, and helping me with instrumentation and arrangement decisions. And then it was." - more on this story

Long Beach Funk Fest 2010

Summer and Music (SAM) have announced the second annual Long Beach Funk Fest which will take place in downtown Long Beach, Ca. on August 7, from 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. near the intersection of Pine Avenue and Broadway in Downtown Long Beach.

Last year's LBFF—the crescendo of SAM 2009—drew at least 15,000 funk fans out to witness some of history's most respected funk royalty, including Charles Wright, Mandrill, Dawn Silva of the Brides of Funkenstein and The Meters' Experience with Leo Nocentelli, perform live in the streets of Long Beach. Cynthia Robinson of Sly and the Family Stone called last year's event, "a mini Woodstock!" Rickey Vincent said it was, "everything a funk fest is supposed to be." And Ric Wilson of Mandrill gushed that it was, "great to be involved in the launching of the Long Beach Funk Fest," complementing the leadership of LBFF masterminds Bobby Easton of Delta Nove and SAM co-founders Justin Hectus and Rand Foster. "The festival will certainly be a special affair for years to come," he added.

This year's funk factor is all that and "Fonky as nine cans o' shaving powder," as one LBFF Facebook fan describes the highly anticipated line-up. Emceed by Rickey Vincent—author of "Funk: The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One"—this year's event will see eight legendary funk performances on two solar-powered stages, more than a dozen DJs and various on-site activities and vendors. The caliber of talent at LBFF 2010 will add to the growing reputation of this "celebration of funk" as a national player in the summer music derby. Closing the night out is Ladies of P Funk—featuring Brides of Funkenstein's Dawn Silva, Parlet's Jeanette Washington-Perkins and Shirley Hayden and renowned singer-songwriter Sue Ann Carwell. This historic reunion has created record traffic on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. Fans from around the world are already making plans to see this year's exciting and rare gathering of funk's extraordinary music divas. - more on this story