The Rapture Defy End of World, Return to DFA With New Album This Fall - Spinner

DFA Records

Well, the Rapture has come and gone and we're all still here blinking and breathing -- and so is a band that we gladly welcome back to the scene, theRapture. The New York-based dance rockers return toJames Murphy'sDFAlabel -- the label behind their breakout record 'Echos' -- for 'In the Grace of Your Love.'

According toPitchfork, the band are gearing up to release 'In the Grace of Your Love' September 6 in the US and September 5 in Europe via DFA, while Modular will pick up distribution duties in Australia and New Zealand.

"It's hard to guess what songs will make the record at {this} point, but I'd say this album is gonna be a lot more like 'Echoes' than 'Pieces' -- it'll be a broader album,"drummer Vito Roccofortetold Pitchforkback in February of last year.

"It won't be all dance songs. So far the recordings sound to me like the band playing live. We haven't done a lot of editing; we're trying to keep it organic."

The band have been busy working in the studio withPhoenixcollaborator and producer Philippe Zdar in Paris. This will be the Rapture's first album since 2006's 'Pieces of the People We Love.'

Thanks toConsequence of Sound, you can check out a live version of the Rapture's newest song 'Sail Away.'

Watch the Rapture Perform 'Sail Away' Live

Download the Rapture Songs|Buy the Rapture Albums

Source

Joseph Brooks, Oscar-Winning Songwriter + Accused Rapist, Dead of Apparent Suicide - Spinner

Everett

Joseph Brooks, the Oscar-winning songwriter of 'You Light Up My Life' who was accused of multiple counts of rape, was found dead in New York of an apparent suicide.

According to theAssociated Press, the 73-year-old's body was discovered on a couch in his Upper East Side apartment by a friend on Sunday afternoon. Brooks had a plastic laundry bag tied around his head and a towel wrapped around his neck, and a hose attached to a helium tank was connected to the bag. Police reportedly found a suicide note but the contents have not been made public.

In the 1977, Brooks found fame after penning theDebby Booneballad 'You Light Up My Life' for the film of the same name, which he also wrote, directed and produced. He would go on to win an Academy Award and a Grammy for the song.

In 2009, Brooks reentered the public eye when he was accused of the rape and sexual abuse of 13 women. He allegedly lured them to his New York City apartment under the pretense of a movie audition, drugged them and molested them. He pled not guilty and the case had yet to go to trial.

The Brooks family came under even more scrutiny in 2010 when Brooks' 26-year-old son, Nicholas, was accused of murdering his girlfriend, swimsuit designer Sylvie Cachay, in New York's posh Soho House club and hotel. His trial is pending.

Debbie Boone Performs 'You Light Up My Life'

Source

Mick Jagger Forms 'Super Heavy' Super Group With Joss Stone, Dave Stewart - Spinner

PA Photos

SirMick Jaggerhas teamed up withJoss Stone,Dave Stewart,Damian MarleyandAR Rahmanto form a new supergroup, reports say.

Currently in talks with major labels about a possible deal, the lineup believed to be labouring under the moniker 'Super Heavy', features an eclectic array of artists. A source was quoted by theNew York Post:"They just finished a record and their first video and are talking to major labels about a deal. The name for the band at the moment is Super Heavy."

Another source told the Post,"Each member has a very distinct and different style, but it works. Mick has been recording with Dave for a while, and both worked with Joss in the past."
Alongside soul singer Stone, formerEurythmicsstar Stewart andBob Marley's youngest son, Sir Mick is also joined by A.R. Rahman. Known as"The Mozart of Madras,"Rahman was responsible for the double Oscar-winning music for 'Slumdog Millionaire.'

In response to the Super Heavy claims, a representative for Sir Mick said,"They all thought it would be interesting and great fun to go into the studio and play some music. No video has been shot, no label in place. All a bit premature."

Source

Perry Farrell Battles Queen for a Bassist, Plots Dream Lineup for Lollapalooza 2012 - Spinner

Jason LaVeris,FilmMagic

For it's more than 20-year history,Jane's Addictionhas had a steady core of frontmanPerry Farrell, guitaristDave Navarroand drummerStephen Perkins. The role of bassist, on the other hand, has been a revolving door sinceEric Averysplit several years ago only to return for one tour and leave again. On their new album, 'The Great Escape Artist,' Jane's Addiction has had three bassists involved:Duff McKagan, who started writing with the band,TV on the Radio'sDave Sitek, now playing on the record, and Chris Chaney, who's been playing the live shows.

After all of this, the band may have ended up with the best situation, with Sitek on the album and Chaney, who played on 'Strays' and toured with the band multiple times, playing live. It is a win-win, as they can utilize both bassists, with Farrell telling Spinner he hopes to do at least three special shows with Sitek playing the new album live while Chaney will handle the remainder of the tour.

But there is a catch."I have to keep {Chris} away fromQueen, who want him and they're not gonna get him unless we're not doing anything. Then they can have him,"Farrell tells Spinner. How is he going to keep Chaney from playing with one of the greatest rock bands of all time?"I'm getting him on the record and then he's gonna come out with us for eight months."

That all sounds great, but we have a better idea: let Chaney play with Queen, as long as they share the bill with Jane's. Farrell, for his part, takes the idea one step further."Queen, TV on the Radio and Jane's Addiction,"he says."Would you see that?"

Farrell, who has a pretty good track record of putting acts together with his work withLollapalooza, also has a pick for Queen's next lead singer:"George Michael. I love George Michael. How about this, next year for Lolla, Queen, Jane's, George Michael, 2012."

Before that 2012 bonanza, Lollapalooza will have a pretty great lineup this year withEminemheadlining. Farrell has never met the hip-hop superstar, but they do share a common acquaintance: Farrell's wife, Etty."Etty, during the era of video, was his principal actress in one of the songs he did withDr. Dre,"Farrell says."They did a video and Etty was the girl that he hypnotized on a bed and took advantage of her."

Obviously, being a headliner for the 20th anniversary of Lolla is a huge deal and Farrell believes Eminem's appearance will be great for everyone involved."It's going to be a really special experience for everybody, including him."

Watch Jane's Addiction Perform 'Been Caught Stealin'' Live

Download Jane's Addiction Songs|Buy Jane's Addiction Albums

Source

Mark Ronson 'Almost Died' After Eating Raw Meat With the Black Lips - Spinner

PA Photos

Atlanta punk bandBlack Lipsare known for embracing their hard-partying ways, but even they would probably balk at being remembered for accidentally killing super-producerMark Ronson.

But that's almost what happened when their group hooked up with the mixing desk maestro to make their latest album, the NME reports (viaContactmusic)

Ronson teamed up with the garage rockers last year to work on the band's sixth album, 'Arabia Mountain,' but was apparently struck down with potentially deadly food poisoning after some ill-advised thematic catering decisions.

"To get in the mood to record {album track} 'Raw Meat' we started eating all this liver sashimi,"Lips singer Cole Alexander explained."Then we all started getting sick from it. Mark had to go to hospital because his fever was so high. His brain was cooking, man."

"I thought maybe I was hungover or something,"Ronson reported."Then I started shivering uncontrollably. The next thing, the band are putting all these blankets over me. I wake up an hour later , just f---ing moaning and groaning.

"One of them touched my skin and they were like, 'Listen dude, we've got to get you to a hospital,'"the producer continued."When I was there I was diagnosed with something with a lot of syllables in it. I almost died. But I don't think it was intentional on their part."

The Ronson-helmed 'Arabia Mountain' LP is out in June.

Mark Ronson and MNDR Perform 'Bang Bang Bang' on the Interface


Watch + Download Mark Ronson on the Interface

Source

Blondie Announce New Album Featuring Beirut, Release 'Mother' Video - Spinner

Denis ORegan, Getty Images

It's time to throw on 'Call Me'Blondiefans and do a little jig for joy. 'Panic of the Girls,' the forthcoming record from the iconic New York City rockers will be out as of September, and to drum up some fanfare (as if you need to, Blondie hasn't released an album in eight years and this one features a guest from none other thanBeirut's Zach Condon), the band has released a video for new track 'Mother.'

The slick video pays homage to New York's storied West 14th Street nightclub 'Mother,' which was a late-night playground for A-listers during the '90s. As you'd expect, frontwomanDebbie Harrylooks as ravishing as ever perched atop the stage in her black patent leather boots.

The suped up pop track offers a sneak peek at Blondie's ninth studio album, which comes courtesy of the legendary group's own imprint and features not only a collab with Condon but also sees the band tackle a Beirut cover with 'Sunday Smile.'

Largely recorded in Woodstock, New York, 'Panic of the Girls' was produced by Jeff Saltzman (theKillers,Fischerspooner) and Kato Khandwala (Paramore,Papa Roach). According to a press release, the disc"glances backward but resolutely moves forward, remaining keenly observant of street-level pop culture and continuing to find inspiration in the roiling musical melting pot of New York City."

On deck are the usual suspects, Harry, guitarist Chris Stein, drummer Clem Burke and bassist Leigh Fox (who joined Blondie back in '97 upon their reunion). The outfit also features new recruits guitarist Tommy Kessler and keyboardist Katz-Bohen.

The band's last record, 'Curse of the Blondie,' was released back in 2003. Needless to say, some fans were, uh, starting to panic about when the next disc would arrive.

Watch Blondie's New Video for 'Mother'

Source

Melissa Auf der Maur Gets 'Screeched In' for National Parks Project - Spinner

Tony Stone

Canada is known for its majestic scenery, so it was hardly a feat to convince some of the country's most celebrated filmmakers and musicians to sign on for theNational Parks Project. Artists likeGreat Lake Swimmers' Tony Dekker,Woodhands' Dan Werb andDFA 1979'sSebastien Graingertrekked deep into the wilderness to explore the National Parks scattered throughout the Great White North.Their adventures (complete with intimate jam sessions) were captured by respected filmmakers and will be posted on the National Parks Projectsitefrom May 19 onward, with the theatrical release kicking off in Toronto the following day. On May 24, the soundtrack from the ambitious project will be released as both a 20-track CD and a 26-track double-LP.

In honour of the disc, Spinner recruited various musicians who participated in the expedition to share their experiences making music in the depths of Canada's wilderness. Our third report comes courtesy of Quebec nativeMelissa Auf der Maur(formerly ofHoleand theSmashing Pumpkins) who visited Gros Morne National Park.

When i was contacted to participate in a Canadian film and music project in Newfoundland, I thought I was dreaming. It was a perfect opportunity to commune with a landscape I've always felt connected to in my distant Celtic roots, collaborate with new musicians and filmmakers and support the celebration of our country's most valuable asset: mother nature.

The additional appeal was that the director attached to the project, Sturla Gunnarsson, was very familiar with Newfoundland, as he had shot a viking film there once. Yes, you heard me right, a viking film. Whether you know me as a bass player or a Montrealer, you should know I LOVE VIKINGS. You should also know by now, that Newfoundland was discovered and even settled by vikings, before any others. We did not get a chance to go up to L'anse aux Meadows to see the unearthed viking ruins, but i felt it near.

The trip was phenomenal and a highlight in my creative adventures in recent years. I had not been camping in a very long time, so was in much need to be in nature and it was a bonus to sleep on the dramatic coast of Newfoundland with the sound of waves just over the hill.

It was an interesting filmic creative dynamic between the film directed by Sturla, which was pretty much an experimental art film, and the"making of"the music film conducted by theDiscovery Channelfor the TV version of the National Parks Project.

On one side, we were supposed to connect with nature and our instruments, and on the other side, we needed to intellectualize the experience to the TV cameras. Very split down the middle as far as creative mood, but rather entertaining because all the different crews and teams were great to work with.

Musically speaking, I was very curious how it would turn out, as the three of us musicians are very different stylistically from the other. I was the bass player and"heavy"rock component of the trio -- while {Montreal improv impresario} Sam {Shalabi} represented the eastern"ancient instrument"element and Jamie {Fleming of Toronto band Catl} was the Americana blues roots of it. So you have an electric bass plugged into a solar battery-powered mini Vox amp, an acoustic guitar with slide and a lute! That is a unique combination for any collaboration, especially between people who are playing together for the first time on cold windy cliffs, sand dunes and remote volcanic islands in an unknown land.

I am very happy with the results, it was incredibly easy in fact to connect and blend with each other, possibly because we are so different. The result is a slightly psychedelic piece of music.

In between playing our instruments, we were brought on expeditions to be"screeched in"by the natives, a ritual involving a drunken fisherman shouting at you, making you do shots of Maritime rum and resulting in a diploma-type document. We took two extremely bumpy and precarious boat rides into deep waters. One involved running out of gas and the other needing to board a deflating dingy boat to bring us into shore because the reefs would scratch the big boat.

Part of Sturla's vision, was DAWN and DUSK shoots only -- which was hard on the system but easy on the eyes. It was incredible to see these epic coastal, stormy skies turn purple, black and gold. This further enhanced the fact that we were sitting on and laying eyes on the most ancient rock formations on this continent. It was an honor to experience Newfoundland and a Canadian National Park in this way. I can say with certainty that I will be back there soon.

Read Cadence Weapon's National Parks Project Report

Source