Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category

Chris Martin performs unreleased song at Apple event

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 by mattj

Coldplay’s Chris Martin showcased a new song last night (2nd September) during a surprise appearance at an Apple event where a new iTunes ‘Ping’ social music network and improvements for the iPod and Apple TV were unveiled.

The singer performed ‘Wedding Bells’ at the end of a press conference for the company’s new products at the Yerba Buena Centre in San Francisco which was also screened live on TV screens at The Brewery in east London.

Introducing the track, Martin, who was wearing a white Flaming Lips t-shirt, joked: “This is a new song called ‘Coldplay 2.6′ and it has a lot of new features, it features seven different kinds of chords and even a new one that our closest rivals have no idea about,” before adding: “This could be the only time you ever hear it. It could go terribly wrong but we’ll see what happens.”

The soft piano ballad featured the lyrics: “Wedding bells are ringing/I don’t want to swallow such a bitter pill/I always loved you and I always will.”

Earlier the Coldplay frontman also played ‘Yellow’ and their Number One single ‘Viva La Vida’ which Martin revealed: “Our record company said this is not a hit single. But with the weight of Apple, they managed to turn it into a very successful single. So thank you.”

Watch the exclusive Apple performance now!

Lea Michele was called ‘too ethnic’ to land a leading TV role

Monday, August 30th, 2010 by mattj

The ‘Glee’ star, who plays geeky singer Rachel Berry in the high-school based musical TV show, thinks she had trouble being cast on television because of her looks.

She said, ‘I came out to Los Angeles with the hopes of taking a break from New York and the stage and maybe getting a little guest spot. I was always told that I was too ethnic, or not pretty enough, or too much this or not enough of that.’

However, her audition for ‘Glee’ went well because the show’s creator Ryan Murphy remembered her from a brief meeting in 2007, where the pair discussed Barbara Streisand.

She explained, ‘I was working on Broadway in New York, and the Broadway strike happened, and my co-star was working on a pilot with Ryan Murphy out here in Los Angeles.

‘I met Ryan… and we just had a great night talking about Barbara Streisand and our shared love for her and musical theatre and what not ‘ and I never saw him ever again.

”Glee’ was the first audition I went on in Los Angeles and Ryan was there, and I went, ‘Do you remember me?’ and he was like, ‘Of course I remember you.’ After going through the studio and the network, he then told me that he had written it with me in mind.’

Let’s thank the Glee Gods that Lea was cast!

Are you a huge Glee fan??

Biological father of Madonna’s adopted daughter wants to see his child

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 by mattj

The ‘Like a Prayer’ singer adopted five-year-old Mercy from Malawi last year, and while her biological dad James Kambewa is pleased she now has a better life with the pop superstar, he is desperate to see what she looks like.

James, who has never met Mercy, whose mother died in childbirth at age 14, said, “I would appreciate if Madonna could send me pictures of how she looks like now as I don’t get any pleasure of being with her.”

”It’s emotionally painful for me as a father. I’m very happy that Madonna is taking care of her. But as a parent, from the moment I heard that she was still alive, I wanted to meet her and I’m hopeful that I’ll meet her one day.’

James, who has moved to South Africa to try to earn enough money to fly over to see Mercy in either her home in the UK or the US, was initially against the adoption. He now wants to meet Madonna to see how her life has been changed.

He told South Africa’s Sunday Time newspaper, ”As a father, I think about her every day. Having a baby is a blessing. So I go through the emotional pain of not living with her every day. I would like to make peace with Madonna so that I can meet my baby. I need someone to advise me on how to go about doing that.”

”From the time I learnt that my daughter was still alive, I’ve been longing for a chance to meet with her but how I do that? I don’t know.”

As well as Mercy, Madonna, also has adopted son David, 4, and her kids, Lourdes, 13, and nine-year-old Rocco from previous relationships.

Like Mercy’s dad’s dedication to his family?

Former ‘Fugees’ member doesn’t support Wyclef Jean’s presidential bid

Monday, August 9th, 2010 by mattj

Wyclef Jean’s presidential bid in Haiti is receiving criticism from his childhood friend and fellow Fugees bandmate, Pras.

The Haitian-born musician says he will not back Jean because he lacks a definitive plan to bring the island nation into the 21st century.

“You’ve got 1.2 million people living in tent city right now. What are the plans to get these people out,” Pras said of the survivors of the 12 Jan. earthquake.

Pras has said that he plans to support Jean’s opponent, Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly, who he claims is better suited to run the country.

“He’s more popular in Haiti than Wyclef,” assures Pras.

Jean is currently regarded as the front-runner in the country’s Nov. 28 election. But he has come under scrutiny since officially announcing his candidacy Thursday.

Actor Sean Penn has accused Jean of not spending enough time in Haiti after the quake and misappropriating $400,000 of the $9 million his charity, Yélé Haiti, raised after the disaster. Jean told The Associated Press on Thursday: “I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti and I’ve been coming to my country ever since (I was) a child.”

Pras said that Jean uses a private jet for his frequent trips to Haiti and that he wonders why Jean doesn’t take a commercial flight, since the money saved can help displaced families.

He added that he loves Wyclef “dearly,” but he just doesn’t support his policies.

Do you ‘like’ Wyclef Jean’s politics?

Exclusive interview with (glammed-up) Avril Lavigne

Friday, August 6th, 2010 by mattj

In the summer of 2009, Canadian rocker-chick Avril Lavigne introduced the world to her first perfume, Black Star, a fruity-floral with a sweet juice comprised of pink hibiscus flower, black plum, and dark chocolate.

Now the 25-year-old singer is taking things to a new level with Forbidden Rose, which launches in mid-August in department stores nationwide. Want to know what it smells like? Lavigne tells us to “Close your eyes and imagine a fruity-floral blended with red apple, wine peach, and white lotus, but with a woody base made up of vanilla and sweet praline.”

“I wanted to create a fragrance which takes the unique attitude of my first scent to a new emotional depth, adding mystery as well as a bit of magic,” Lavigne said in an exclusive interview. Read some of the best bits below:

Were you involved in the scent-making process?
Avril Lavigne: I was involved with everything because I have to make sure it’s something that I can stand behind and it has to represent me. Not only visually did I go through everything with creating the box, font and bottle, but I went through the whole message behind it including the ad campaign and commercial. I like the fragrance because you can wear it at day and night. Its fresh, edgy and fun. It makes me feel good. All of my girlfriends wear it, so we basically smell the same.

Is there anything you feel absolutely naked without?
AL: The thing that I’m most addicted to is black eyeliner. It’s been my obsession for years.

Are there any fashion mistakes from your past that you remember and regret?
AL: I feel like my style has evolved since I was 17 years old and I’m 25 now. I’ve changed fashion-wise which is normal to do. But I look back and see all of the pictures and all of the different crazy things that I wore. And it was cool back then wearing the tie and skater pants.

What are some of your favorite things to do in your spare time?
AL: I like to paint, cook, chill and do normal things like go to the movies. I really like to make vegetables. I like artichokes and Brussels sprouts. But I can cook everything — from homemade soups, salads and fish. I like to eat healthy. And when I like to eat bad, I pig out on Mexican food because it’s so good in California.

Do you have any summer fashion must-haves?
AL: I’m really big into sunglasses because I have sensitive eyes. So, I wear sunglasses all the time. I have a million pairs. I’m totally the person who would go to Venice Beach [California] and buy all the one-dollar, cheap sunglasses. I like Aviators. And I also like more high-end brands like Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.

You’ll be going on tour later this year. What are you most look forward to about hitting the road again?
AL: I’m looking forward to getting back on to the road to connect with the fans and do what I love to do which is play music. And it’s been a while!

Lily Allen is pregnant!

Thursday, August 5th, 2010 by mattj

The ‘Not Fair’ singer, who recently announced she was to take a five-year break from music, is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Sam Cooper.

After weeks of speculation the 25-year-old star, who is three months into the pregnancy, announced to The Sun newspaper, ”It brings me great pleasure to tell you that Sam and I are expecting our first child. It goes without saying we’re absolutely delighted.”

The ‘Smile’ hitmaker, who was left devastated after suffering a miscarriage with then-boyfriend Ed Simons’ baby in January 2008 ‘recently described 32-year-old Sam as ‘the love of my life’.

Allen said, ”Sam treats me differently. He’s told me he’ll look after me forever. That’s what I’ve always wanted, someone to look after me.”

And Lily, 25, admitted she is so happy with Sam because he’s ‘not impressed’ by her fame.

She said, ”We’ve never had one argument and there’s absolutely nothing about him that annoys me. He’s not impressed by what I do. I’ve been with guys and seen them looking in the mirror before they walk out the door with me. That makes me feel sick because I know it’s not just me they’re interested in.”

Lily has long spoken about her strong maternal instincts and plans to be a stay-at-home parent.

She said, “I want to be really hands-on for the first two or three years of having a little one. I don’t want to leave them.”

We wish both Lily and Sam much happiness with their upcoming family.

Like watching celebrities when they’re pregnant?

Will.i.am calls new Michael Jackson release “disrespectful”

Thursday, August 5th, 2010 by mattj

Black Eyed Peas singer/rapper Will.i.am has spoken out against the upcoming release of previously unheard of Michael Jackson songs. The album is scheduled to be launched this November.

The singer, who collaborated with Jackson prior to his June 2009 death, told the Associated Press that he thought it was “disrespectful” for a new 10-song Jackson album of the previously-unreleased material to be issued, as the Sony BMG record label are planning to do.

“How you gonna release Michael Jackson when Michael Jackson ain’t here to bless it?” he said. “He was a perfectionist and he wouldn’t have wanted it that way. I don’t think that should ever come out.”

He went on to add, “Now that he is not part of the process, what are they doing? Why would you put a record out like that? Because he was a friend of mine, I just think that’s disrespectful.”

The November album will be the first in a 10-album, seven-year deal the Jackson estate agreed with Sony BMG in March 2010. Only time will tell if the entire volume of unreleased MJ material will be launched, or if Will.i.am will get his wish.

Like how Will.i.am is sticking up for Michael?

Ozzy Osbourne ‘regrets’ putting family through TV show

Friday, July 30th, 2010 by mattj

Ozzy Osbourne says that he regrets the impact “The Osbournes” TV show had on his family, and said he would not repeat the experience.

While acknowledging the MTV reality show revitalised his global fame, he admitted that it did have an adverse effect on his loved ones.

“You go to bed one day and you wake up [the next day] and the world’s completely different. Everywhere there’s f***ing cameras, you get attacked by the f***ing things,” he said of the show, which ran from 2002 until 2005.

“The kids couldn’t handle it, my wife couldn’t handle it: she had colon cancer,” he explained. “On the one hand it was phenomenal, on the other hand I had to watch my family suffer. But we invented a new form of television. We started the ball rolling for all these f***ing new shows now. Would we do it again? I dunno. I don’t think so.”

Osbourne also spoke about the 2005 feud that erupted on Ozzfest between Iron Maiden and his wife Sharon, where she was seen pelting the band with eggs in San Bernardino.

“You know what? Unbeknown to me, every night he [Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson] was going onstage slagging me off. And that wasn’t fair,” said Osbourne.

“I’d never said a f***in’ bad thing to him. The bass player [Steve Harris] came round at the last gig and said, ‘I’m sorry about Bruce’ and I’m like, ‘What the f*** are you talking about?’… Sharon got pissed off… it was nothing to do with me. I suppose Sharon got pissed off. I’ll back my wife up to the hilt, but I didn’t know what was going down.”

He added he doesn’t blame the band, but suggested that Dickinson “needs a f***ing psychiatrist if he does that, he’s f***ing nuts. It’s an irresponsible f***ing thing to do”.

Like how much we had to censor f*** for this blog?

Madonna is planning to move back to Britain

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 by mattj

The ‘Celebration’ singer, who relocated from London to New York following her divorce from film director Guy Ritchie in 2008, is currently in London directing her new movie ‘W.E.’, about late British monarch King Edward VIII’s decision to renounce the throne for his American divorcée lover Wallis Simpson.

Despite originally planning to only stay for the six-month shoot, Madonna has rediscovered her love for the UK capital and told ex-husband Guy she wants to move back to Britain for good.

According to an insider, ”Guy says she talks about their home in Wiltshire, the kids and their friends in London. She seems nostalgic for her old life. She had built up a big circle of friends and fell in love with London. She’ll always love New York but she feels more at ease in London.’

Madonna, who has four children, is believed to be keen to move back to Britain so she can reconnect with her old friends.

The source explained, ”The person she spends most time with is her daughter Lourdes but she is desperate for more adult company.”

Madonna, 51, previously said she fell out of love with the UK because she couldn’t stand being referred to as ‘Madge’, her British nickname.

She said, “That’s one of the reasons I left England - so I don’t have to hear the word ‘Madge’ anymore. Some people say ‘Madge’ is a colloquialism for a boring middle-aged housewife. And other people say it’s short for Majesty.”

“Like” this post if you want Madonna as your neighbour!

Kings of Leon gig cancelled after pigeon ’s**ts in bassist’s mouth’

Monday, July 26th, 2010 by mattj

Kings Of Leon were forced to abandon their show in St Louis, Missouri on Friday 23 July after they were hit by pigeon droppings.

An infestation of birds in the rafters of the Verizon Amphitheatre saw the band bombarded as soon as they took to the stage.

Writing on Twitter drummer Nathan Followill explained: “So sorry St Louis. We had to bail, pigeons sh**ting in Jared’s mouth and it was too unsanitary to continue. Don’t take it out on Jared, it’s the fucking venue’s fault. You may enjoy being s**t on but we don’t. Sorry for all who traveled many miles.”

“Jared [Followill] was hit several times during the first two songs,” said management spokesman Andy Mendelsohn. “On the third song, when he was hit in the cheek and some of it landed near his mouth, they couldn’t deal any longer. It’s not only disgusting it’s a toxic health hazard. They really tried to hang in there.”

The pigeons had provided fair warning of their intentions before the Leons took the stage. Support bands The Postelles and The Stills left the stage complaining of getting riddled with large amounts of bird droppings.

“The Kings Of Leon decided to carry on regardless,” the group added in a statement released today. “The band felt it would be unfair to the fans to cancel the show at that late moment.”

Venue managers told the band’s representatives earlier on Friday about “a significant pigeon infestation problem with summer shows over the years, but they were doing all they could to fix it,” the statement said.

Would you of liked to have been that pigeon?

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