Posts Tagged ‘album’

iTunes 8

Monday, July 27th, 2009

iTunes 8Along with the new iPods, Apple recently launched a new version of iTunes, iTunes 8. The new version looks very similar to the old version, but has a few new features that we’ve all been waiting for.

The biggest addition to the program is HD (High Definition) viewing. You can now download and watch HD T.V. shows using iTunes. When you buy the show you will also get an iPod ready version with the best settings for your iPod.

Another important background addition is in the accessibility department. It is now screen reader friendly on both Mac and PC. A screen reader basically helps disabled people to use the computer. It uses audio and/or Braille outputs to help the user to understand what is on the screen. It also works for iTunes content so that anybody can now purchase and download from iTunes.

Genius is Apple’s new playlist creator. You choose a song and click on the genius button and iTunes will create a playlist of other songs in your library that, ‘go great together.’ The sidebar will find music on the iTunes Store that goes with the song, helping you to find new music that you may like. It’s a nice addition but nothing groundbreaking.

On the visual side Apple has added two new elements. They have a new Visualiser with 3D spheres, ribbons and lights that move to the beat and they have Grid View. Grid View is just another way to look through your music. Your library will be displayed using the cover art of the albums. It looks great if you have all your album artwork, but if you don’t, this new feature will be of no use to you.

Although iTunes has not changed much at first glance it has taken a huge step forward, a step into the next generation of entertainment. And along with it they’ve given us a few extra features that can be used or ignored at your discretion.

Black Eyed Peas

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

The black eyed peas have wrapped up recording their new album, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies), in London recently but where did it all start and what’s coming up? Elephunk, launched in 2003, was The Black Eyed Peas breakout album. It launched them to worldwide fame with 7.5 million albums sold, four Grammy nominations and a Grammy award. Their sound was refreshing and different which had audiences going wild. Elephunk’s success kept the group on tour for eighteen months and inspired a lot of their next album.

Monkey Business was the Black Eyed Peas fourth album. “In going on the road for so long, we got an idea of what kind of music we wanted to play and make,” explains will.i.am. “Monkey Business is very much about the types of songs we play live. It’s about a party. It’s layered differently and has energy to it that reflects how we tour – from the beats to the types of instruments we used to how we interact with the audience. It’s very much about us and the crowd on this record.”

The group, which was formed in the late 1990s, was born in the vibrant Los Angeles hip-hop underground. Even then, the group possessed a magnetic spirit that helped them establish a worldwide following through their first two albums, 1998′s Behind The Front and 2000′s Bridging The Gap.

“I was in Brazil doing some CD shopping,” will.i.am recalls. “I came across this compilation and I thought it was one thing but it turned out to be something else. The Dick Dale song ‘Miserlou,’ was on it. At first I was angry – this isn’t what I wanted to buy,” he laughs. “But then, really, that song is hot. I said, ‘we should do a song like this.’ I jump-started the computer and made some beats on the train. Then we had to fly to Tokyo and I tightened up the beat on the plane. Then I recorded vocals in this park in Tokyo. And that’s how we recorded the song, ‘Pump It.’”

Before recording that album, the three original members of The Black Eyed Peas – will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo – had been ensnared by personal demons. “I remember that we were each talking about the things that were haunting us and seemed to be crippling us,” recalls will.i.am. Adding the vocal talents of singer, Fergie, the group used music as a therapeutic vehicle. Making music with that near-desperate fervour also is maintained on Monkey Business, says will.i.am. “You’re always challenged not to go back to those bad habits in life,” he says. “When you’re comfortable living, you sometimes think that, well, I beat it once so I can do it again. But you never really escape the things that haunt you.”

After Monkey Business the group members launched hugely successful solo careers, most notably Fergie and Will. On joining forces for their new album Fergie said it had been a lot of fun.

“Just getting in there and being creative, trying to push it forward and do things that are different and futuristic and that’s what we’re doing,” she said.

She wasn’t going to spill all the beans though.

“I can’t really describe the sound, it’s just new,” she said.

will.i.am recently worked with Hans Zimmer on the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa soundtrack, as well as voicing the Moto Moto character – a large Hippo. Reuters interviewed the star, and found out more about his roll in the new X-Men film.

Q: Now you’ve done your first movie score and soundtrack, you’re also branching out as an actor, right?

A: “Yeah, I’m in the new ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine.’ I play John Wraith, a mutant, and I’m very excited about it as I’m a huge ‘X-Men’ fan. We shot it in Australia and all my scenes are with Hugh Jackman. I have a pretty cool role – it’s not big, but it’s not small. I had a great time with Hugh and I definitely want to do more acting, as long as I can contribute to the creative process. That’s what I’m good at — dreaming and imagining.”

Parachute Band

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Parachute BandWith a mission to use music to connect people with Jesus, and a mandate to raise the standard of Christian music in NZ, Parachute Music came into being. The year was 1989 and the time was right.

Founder Mark de Jong, who had his roots in Youth For Christ big concert events, launched into the deep and began a ministry that has seen 19 years of rapid growth. Passionate about working with musicians who are not afraid to sing about what they believe in, Mark is all about the potential in a song that can change the heart.

“There’s power in a song to touch the human spirit when words are simply not enough.”
Parachute Music grew into a national organisation very quickly, filling the gap between artists and record companies and hosting the largest four day festival outside the US to showcase both local and international musicians. The event has not only become a “must” on the kiwi summer calendar but evangelical, in that a large percentage of unchurched people attend the annual event.
Operating with a Board of Trustees, a staff of 20, interns, a Festival Executive and thousands of volunteers, Parachute Music is a charitable trust with a long haul mentality.

It’s 3 phase approach is this:
1. to develop music written and performed by Christians in NZ
2. to take this music into the international Christian market
3. to take this music into the mainstream industry

TECHNICOLOR, the Parachute Band’s latest release sees a band that has found their voice. With eleven tracks of sonically colourful worship songs, TECHNICOLOR is based around the concept that God’s living water equals life in all its colour… full blazing colour.

The album’s opener ‘Come to the River’ sets the scene, showcasing a new found synergy within the band and plays on the Message’s version of Psalm 51 “Soak me in your laundry…I’ll come out clean…bring me from grey exile, put fresh wind in my sails”.

From the impassioned electro rock of ‘No Eye Has Seen’ to the U2-esque ‘Shout it Out’ it’s clear that TECHNICOLOR’S songs of salvation deliver with punch and sincerity, while the soulful intimacy of tracks like ‘Grace’ and ‘In Liberty’ present a band who aren’t afraid to wear their devotion on their sleeves.

Ashley Tisdale Biography

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Recently named one of Teen People’s 25 Hottest Stars Under 25, Ashley Tisdale is best known for her role as Maddie, a hotel candy counter clerk and baby-sitter of devious twin boys who live in The Tipton Hotel on the Disney Channel series “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.”
Ashley Tisdale

Ashley can currently be seen starring opposite Zac Efron in the original movie musical, “High School Musical,” directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega. The film premiered in January 2006 and was the highest rated telecast in Disney Channel history. Ashley made music history by being the first female artist to ever debut with two songs simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (“Bop To The Top” and “What I’ve Been Looking For,” both duets with co-star Lucas Grabeel from the RIAA triple-platinum certified “High School Musical” soundtrack).

Ashley has currently recorded her debut album for Warner Bros. Records, “Headstrong”. Her new version of “Kiss The Girl” is featured on the special edition DVD of “The Little Mermaid.”

Ashley TisdaleAshley’s acting credits include a featured role in the film “Donnie Darko” with Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Duval. She was a series regular on “Nathan’s Choice,” “Mayor of Oyster Bay” and “The Howie Mandel Pilot,” and had recurring roles on “The George Lopez Show,” “Still Standing” and “The Hughleys.” Guest star roles include “Grounded for Life,” “Strong Medicine,” “Boston Public” and “Seventh Heaven,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Charmed,” “Hannah Montana,” “Once and Again” and “Saturday Night Live.” Ashley also shot the-now-famous
T-mobile commercial with Catherine Zeta-Jones. On the animated front, Ashley has a recurring role on Disney Channel’s “Kim Possible” and will voice one of the lead characters in the new Disney Channel animated series “Phineas and Ferb.”

Manager Bill Perlman, who continues to represent her today, discovered Ashley at the age of three in her hometown mall in Monmouth County, NJ. After booking the first audition she was sent out on, Ashley went on to star in over 100 national network commercials. At the age of eight she booked a leading role in the national tour of the Broadway musical “Les Miserables.” She then toured internationally with the cast of “Annie.”

When Ashley isn’t pursuing her acting career, her passions include singing (she sang at the White House at the age of 12), shopping, and hanging out with her friends and sister Jennifer, who is also an actress.

Ashley currently resides in Los Angeles.

Ashley TisdaleStats

Birthday: July 2nd, 1985

Height: 5′-3″

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Blonde

Siblings: An older sister Jennifer who is also an actress,
and is her best friend

Pets: A Maltipoo named Blondie (Ashley’s nickname on the SLOZC)

Miley Cyrus Biography

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

Miley CyrusDestiny Hope Cyrus was born on the 23rd of November 1992. In January 2008 she officially changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus.

Miley become an overnight star thanks to Disney’s Hanna Montana which debuted in March of 2006. In October that year the shows soundtrack was released, eventually going triple platinum. Hannah Montana: The movie is due to be released in May 2009.

Miley was born in Franklin, Tennessee. She has two older half brothers, Christopher Cody and Trace. She also has a half sister, Brandi, a younger brother Braison, and a younger sister, Noah, who is also an actress. Apparently she was nicknamed Miley because she was always smiling.

Miley’s first acting role was at 9 years old. She was a guest star on her father, Billy Ray Cyrus’, television series Doc. In 2003 she played Young Ruthie in Tim Burton’s Big Fish. When Miley was twelve she auditioned for the lead role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in the new Disney Channel show but was told she was too small and too young. Disney finally signed her on. She then had the rare opertunity to audition her real father to play her on screen father. After trying to get rid of her Southern accent for seven years Disney told her to keep it.

Miley Cyrus - BreakoutIn 2007 Miley had a few seconds air time in the Disney Channel movie hit High School Musical 2, seen dancing by the pool. She also guest starred as Yatta on the Emperor’s new school.

Her Best of Both Worlds Tour was extended due to high demand. Tour tickets sold out in record time, and even the 3D movie concert broke records. Miley’s second studio album, Breakout will be released in July 2008.

In 2007 Disney released a Hannah Montana clothing line with some of Miley’s designs. Miley said, “It’s not a costume. A tween girl isn’t doing dress-up, they want to look like they could be Hannah Montana’s friend. This is a fashion line.” Miley is also writing a book about her life and career. Disney has reportedly bought the rights to the book for seven figures. It’s scheduled for release in spring 2009.

Miley is good friends with Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso from the set of Hanna Montana. She is also said to be friends with other Disney Channel stars such as Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Brenda Song and Ashley Tisdale. She has told Oprah that Hilary Duff is her role model. Miley has many pets, these include, horses, dogs, cats, fish and chickens.

Miley says her faith is “the main thing” and the reason she works in Hollywood.

Miley Trivia

Birth Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

Nickname: Smiley; Miley

Height: 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)

Trivia

Daughter of singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus and Leticia “Tish” Cyrus. Sister of Noah Lindsey Cyrus

Has five siblings: older paternal half-brother Christopher Cody, older maternal half-brother Trace, older maternal half-sister Brandi, and younger siblings Braison Chance and Noah Lindsey.

Her favorite sport is cheerleading.

Her favorite book is, “Don’t Die, My Love.”

Her favorite song by her Dad is “Achy Breaky Heart.”

Has written over a hundred songs and some of them have been used on her show, ”Hannah Montana” (2006).

Her favorite singers are Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.

Her favorite album is Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”.

Her favorite movie is Steel Magnolias (1989).

Likes to eat Chinese food.

Favourite hobby is going shopping.

She loves to watch High School Musical (2006) (TV) with her sisters.

She has three dogs, Loco (because “It’s crazy!”), Juicy (because of the clothing brand) and her newest dog, Minnie Pearl.

Miley was on the green team for 2 summers in a row in the Disney Channel Games.

She has never taken formal singing lessons (as of June 2007).

Started auditioning for Hannah Montana when she was 11 years old, She originally tried out for the part of Lilly Truscott.

Was ranked #17 on Forbes List of The 20 Top-Earning Young Superstars.(2007).

Ranked #12 on interview magazines Hollywood faces to watch “future stars of tomorrow”.

In January 2008, she legally changed her name from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus. Ray is for her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Miley was her nickname, given because as a

baby, she always smiled. Smiley evolved into Miley in baby slang.

Released a 3D concert movie of her Best of Both Worlds Tour on February 1st, 2008. It became the highest grossing Super Bowl weekend release ever.

Was ranked #22 on Entertainment Weekly’s ’30 Under 30′ the actress list. (2008).

Was ranked #1 on TV Guide Top 10 Teen Star Countdown (2008).

Befriended her backup dancer, Mandy Jiroux, while on tour. The two have a Youtube channel that they regularly update with new videos.

Miley’s half-brother (Trace) and Hannah Montana co-star Mitchel Musso’s brother (Mason) are in the band Metro Station.

Godmother is Dolly Parton.