Kenny Wayne Shepherd Keeping the Blues Alive

PR reports: Kenny Wayne Shepherd's critically acclaimed CD/DVD Ten Days Out: Blues From The Backroads (Warner Bros./Reprise Records) has been nominated for two 2008 Grammy Awards- "Best Traditional Blues Album" and "Best Long Form Music Video." The awards will be telecast from Los Angeles February 10 on CBS. In addition to the Recording Academy's recognition, The Blues Foundation will honor Shepherd's album and accompanying documentary with the prestigious "Keeping the Blues Alive" award for Film, Television or Video. The ceremony will take place on February 2, 2008 in Memphis, TN. The documentary is also nominated for "Best DVD" at the 2008 Blues Music Awards, which will take place in Mississippi on May 8. Shepherd will also be playing at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25th at Harry O's in Park City, Utah with special guest, Hubert Sumlin.

The #1 Album on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart for 2007, Ten Days Out: Blues From The Backroads chronicles the journey of renowned blues and rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd—along with a film crew, a portable recording studio and producer Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads)—through a ten-day journey into the heart of the American South. - more on this story

iTunes UK Price Drop Planned

BBC reports: Apple has announced that it will cut the price it charges for music downloads in the UK from its iTunes music store within the next six months.

The cut will bring the UK into line with the charges in the rest of Europe.

Apple currently charges 79 pence per download in the UK, compared with 99 euro cents (74p) in the rest of Europe. - more on this story

God Forbid Working on DVD and CD

BW&BK reports: New Jersey metallers God Forbid check in with the following update from guitarist Doc Coyle [regarding their forthcoming DVD and new studio album progress]:

"This is going to be a big year for God Forbid as we will be releasing our first ever DVD and our first new album since 2005. The DVD is pretty much done except for the menus and we still need a title. It's incredible how difficult it is to come up with something as minute as a title, but it is very important. I've already mentioned how incredible the concert portion looks and sounds, but the band was fortunate enough to be able to screen the documentary portion directed by Denise Korycki, and we were all blown away. It is a combination of historical insight, introspection into our personalities, social commentary, and some goddamn funny ass shit! I guess we were sick of being funny on other bands DVDs. If you consider yourself a God Forbid fan, this DVD will be essential. I think this DVD ranks among the best metal DVDs on the market.?

In regards to the new album, we are a lot further along in the writing process. We have a few songs done, and probably a dozen more in the works. The material so far is extremely varied. - more on this story

Justin Townes Earle Tour

PR reports: Justin Townes Earle announces a full U. S. tour to celebrate his debut album, The Good Life, in stores March 25th. Kicking off 2008 with select dates in January and February, he'll then hit the road with a vengeance in the middle of March. A full SXSW schedule is still to be announced, but mark your calendars and don't miss his performance at the Bloodshot Records Party at Yard Dog on Friday, March 14th! The rest of the country follows in March and April, as he goes far and wide in support of the Felice Brothers and McCarthy Trenching.

With Justin Townes Earle's pedigree comes mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game; but he's shown that he is up to the task, crafting stark portraits with elements of acoustic blues and folk. After a misspent youth in bluegrass/ragtime combo The Swindlers and the louder, more rocking The Distributors, the 25-year-old cleaned up his act, dropped his self-destructive habits and began to focus on songcraft. With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle's hero), The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. - more on this story

Atreyu Want You To Buy Their Album All Over Again

Metal Underground reports: ATREYU is getting ready to join fellow Orange County, California residents AVENGED SEVENFOLD on this winter's Taste of Chaos tour. Although the tour doesn't begin until February 29 in Denver, ATREYU singer Alex Varkatzas told The Pulse of Radio that his band is keeping busy with rehearsals and planning a reissue of its latest album, "Lead Sails Paper Anchor".

"We're just kind of practicing," he said. "We're working on writing a new song that we're gonna release as part of, like, a re-release of 'Lead Sails', just to add some DVD content and some other things like that. So we're keeping busy."

Varkatzas did not have a title for the new song, nor a release date for the expanded edition of "Lead Sails...", which will come with a DVD. - more on this story

Britney's Family Vs Dr Phil

AP reports: Britney Spears' family says "Dr. Phil" McGraw crossed the line by not keeping his mouth shut after making a house call on the singer last week.

Lou Taylor, a business manager for Spears' mother, Lynne, and younger sister, Jamie Lynn, appeared on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday and said McGraw had betrayed the family's trust by talking to the media about Spears' mental health after showing up at the 26-year-old pop star's hospital room on Saturday for a visit.

"The family basically extended an invitation of trust for him to come in as a resource to support them, not to go out and make public statements," Taylor said. - more on this story

EMI Deny Losing Coldplay

Launch reports: Reports that Coldplay are set to leave their record label EMI have been dismissed by a source at the label.

...a source at the label told NME.com today (January 9) that was not the case and the band remain in contract with the label.

"In reality Coldplay are signed to a long-term record deal with EMI and are committed to produce a number of studio albums," they explained. "The band's relationship with EMI is both long-term and very healthy and positive. Any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect and unfair on both parties." - more on this story

As I Lay Dying Headbanger's Ball

PR reports: Grammy nominees, As I Lay Dying's brand new video for "The Sound Of Truth," the newest single off of their album, AN OCEAN BETWEEN US, will be debuted on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball over the next few weeks.

Directed by Brian Thompson, who helmed their futuristic clip for "Nothing Left," the video for "The Sound Of Truth" was made at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA and is a continuation of the story the first video initiated. Like it's predecessor, the story for this video was conceived by the band, fine-tuned by Thompson, and displays the irony and hypocrisy that takes place in a decaying futuristic society.

A clip of the video will see its initial debut on www.headbangersblog.com on January 11th along with a special commentary from vocalist, Tim Lambesis. - more on this story

Candiria Members Resurface in Hope Kills Fear

PR reports: New York-based rock act HOPE KILLS FEAR featuring former Candiria vocalist Carley Coma and drummer Ken Schalk are currently recording new material with producer Mike Barile (E Town Concrete, Candiria, 40 Below Summer) at Barile's Sweetfire Studios in Brooklyn, NY.

When speaking about the current status of HOPE KILLS FEAR, Coma had this to say:
"We're focusing on writing songs that deliver a strong and powerful message. Songs that inspire and resonate with the listener. The band's name says it all."

HOPE KILLS FEAR is: Carley Coma – Vocals, Julio Arias – Guitar, Ken Schalk – Drums, Joe Fazio - Bass * Two new HOPE KILLS FEAR tracks — "Save me" and "Will to Live" — have been posted online on the group's - MySpace page

The Sword Soph

Metal Underground reports: THE SWORD has completed work on its sophomore album, entitled Gods Of The Earth.

The follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed debut Age Of Winters, Gods Of The Earth is set for an April 1, 2008 release via diverse NYC label Kemado Records.

Recorded at Folkvang Studios in Austin, TX, Gods Of The Earth features the following final track listing: 'The Sundering', 'How Heavy This Axe', 'Lords', 'Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians', 'To Take The Black', 'Maiden, Mother & Crone', 'Under the Boughs', 'The Black River', 'The White Sea'. - more metal news

Anti-Flag Set Release and Rage Against the Kangaroo Support

Punknews.org reports: Anti-Flag have set a release date for their upcoming full length and second album for RCA Records. The record is titled The Bright Lights of America and is due out April 01, 2008.

The album was recorded with producer Tony Visconti (T Rex, David Bowie, Morrissey) Justin Sane commented on the record: "Musically and lyrically The Bright Lights Of America is the most personal record we've ever written. For many years we have written about the trappings and injustice of the corporate state. With this collection of songs we traveled a new path. One of hope and one filled with the possibilities of change that we as individuals can create."

In the coming months, the band has scheduled a Big Day Out appearance along with some separate dates alongside Rage Against the Machine in Australia. - more including the tour dates

Echovalve Go to Rock Ridge

PR reports: Atlanta four-piece Echovalve is set to release its debut album, "helloagaingoodbye" on Rock Ridge Music on March 18, 2008. Mainstream in their own right, they have managed to take a distinctively original approach to a familiar genre. With searing and melodic riffs, tasty bass lines, pounding beats, and intensely haunting, hook-laden vocals, Echovalve has honed a sound that sets them apart. Their first single "Dirty Little Secret" hits the airwaves this month.

"Echovalve is truly grateful for the opportunity given to us by Rock Ridge Music," says guitarist Jay Langston. "It is a blessing to have a label that believes in the music we make, and together we will bring that music to the masses." - more on this story

Sons And Daughters Tour

Filter reports: Scotland's Sons And Daughters have announced a spring tour in support of their upcoming album This Gift, due out January 29th on Domino Records.

They'll be kicking things off with a label showcase at SXSW in March, and moving across the country from there.

To see more of Sons And Daughters, check out the latest issue of Filter where we embark on a rock n' roll love affair with Adele Bathel and Scott Patterson.
- dates

Shwa Losben CD Release Party

PR reports: January 7, 2008 Alternative singer/songwriter Shwa Losben will independently release his first full-length solo album Chop Chop on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. The CD is his most ambitious project to date and distinguishes him as one of the country's premier up-and-coming indie rock artists. A CD Release Party has been set for Feb 2nd Rockwood Music Hall in NYC.

Recorded in January 2007 in Austin, Texas, Chop Chop, is a collection of 11 songs that Losben wrote in 2006 while living in DC, London, Philadelphia, and New York. Drawing comparisons to early Elliott Smith, Chop Chop features rich vocal melodies over diverse instruments including guitars, bass, keys, electronic beats, mandolin, cello, and distorted mouth trumpet. "We were just having a great time recording and wanted an album that reflected that," Losben said. - more on this story

RIAA CD Ripping OK

CMJ reports: Following an intense debate between the Washington Post and the RIAA, the highly regarded newspaper has retracted a statement in which it claimed that the RIAA was trying to deem copying music from a CD onto a computer or iPod as illegal.

As CMJ.com reported in December, converting sound recordings from a legally bought record into an MP3 format is only considered "unauthorized" when placed into a shared folder.

"In a copyright infringement lawsuit, the industry's lawyer argued that the actions of an Arizona man, the defendant, were illegal because the songs were located in a shared folder on his computer for distribution on a peer-to-peer network," the Post's correction read. - more on this story

Warning: The Spice Girls Are Coming

PR reports: For the 2 or 3 Spice Girls fans that might mistakenly happen upon our site. Here is some news for you: Recently reunited international pop superstars the Spice Girls will release Spice Girls: Greatest Hits (Capitol Music Group) to retailers nation-wide on January 15th, two weeks before the girls return to the U.S. with their spice extravaganza "The Return of the Spice Girls" tour at TD Banknorth in Boston, MA on January 30th.

The Spice Girls who are managed by Simon Fuller for 19 Entertainment will release three versions of their Greatest Hits album; a standard edition which contains 13 smash hits such as "Wannabe" and "Say You'll Be There" plus 2 new songs "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" and "Voodoo, a CD/DVD deluxe edition, which includes a DVD featuring all of the Spice Girls promotional videos, and a gift box version, which includes the aforementioned CD and DVD, a karaoke disc, gift cards and an exclusive friendship bracelet. - more on this story

.... DJ Krush - History of DJ Krush

History of DJ Krush is not a perfect presentation of what this true musical pioneer is all about. But imperfections aside, it offers an extensive look at DJ Krush's musical life – a life not to be missed by any serious music fan. (3 stars) - Read the full DJ Krush - History of DJ Krush review

.... Aaron Stout - Queens Live In Caskets

Aaron Stout has the knack for making the mundane sound glorious. His storytelling is concentrated, his sound is fragile. There are no limitations for this immensely talented musician. On his debut gem Queens Live in Caskets, Stout finds ease in understated grace and allure. (4 stars) - Read the full Aaron Stout - Queens Live In Caskets review

.... Om - Pilgrimage

Like all great journeys, the album feels like it has done something life-altering to you when it is done. There is truly no other music out there like this right now, so embark on this particular Pilgrimage now before it is too late. - Read the full Om - Pilgrimage review

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