Music – Page 2879 – 105.7 WDNY

Elton John explains why he’ll never hit a creative dry patch: “I’m a better musician than most people”

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Even though Elton John‘s ending his touring career, he’ll continue to make music. In fact, he believes he’ll never have writer’s block and will always be able to come up with new songs, because he’s just so much better than everyone else.

During a conversation with Elton, his husband, David Furnish, and ex-Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele about fashion, creativity and philanthropy for Saks Live Events, Furnish tells Elton he’s amazed that he and other musicians haven’t “run out of notes” yet when it comes to writing songs, since there are only a finite amount of them.

“Somebody will run out of notes, but I won’t,” Elton declares. “Most people will run out of notes, but I will not — because I just have faith … that something will happen.”

“Also I’m a better musician than most people,” he boasts. “I’m a piano player, so … I don’t just use three or four chords.” He then admits, “I know it sounds really egotistical to say that, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think that.”

Elton also dismisses American musicians’ fashion sense, saying they “never really got it as far as dressing [up onstage].” “American rock ‘n’ roll acts were usually just very boring to look at. They were just like, ‘Oh, God,'” he added, rolling his eyes for effect.

The exceptions, he notes, were Sly & the Family Stone and Earth, Wind & Fire — “people like that.”

So why are Brits so much better at fashion? “It’s a British tradition,” he explains. “You look at the great British singers like Mick Jagger and Bowie and Marc Bolan and Rod Stewart and Freddie Mercury … they dressed up and they were flamboyant. It’s a theatrical thing in England … and we were raised in Britain to love that kind of stuff.”

How Lindsey Stirling brings “Joy to the World” with unique versions of holiday classics

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lindsey Stirling‘s latest holiday album, Snow Waltz, features her takes on classics like “Feliz Navidad,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Deck the Halls” and her current hit, “Joy to the World.” She says she’s able to come up with fresh versions of these old favorites by focusing on her “secret weapon” — her violin.

“I always think to myself, ‘Why would someone want to listen to my version?’ There’s so many versions that have been done of all these different songs, and especially if you’re not having that vocal, like, why would someone want to listen to a violin version?'” she tells ABC Audio.

“So then I get to think of creative ways [to do them]: ‘Well, the violin is great at this style, a voice can’t do that,'” she adds, noting that “thinking of things that a violin can do” allows her to create things that “maybe no one else really can.” She laughs, “It’s really fun to think of it as my secret weapon!”

And Lindsey says that focusing on the powers of her violin allowed her to create some truly unique takes on those classics.

“It took the songs in such different directions, like ‘Joy to the World,’ I took it in a Celtic direction because I was able to do all these Celtic riffs and make the song super unique,” she explains. “And all of them are done in ways that you’ve never heard them done before. So whether it’s everybody’s cup of tea or not, who knows? But at least I enjoy them.”

She laughs, “They made them really fun for me to arrange and write, and if anything, it’s at least different. There’s a reason to listen.”

People definitely are listening to Lindsey’s Christmas songs: She’s currently in the middle of her annual holiday tour.

Switchfoot teases “big plans” for ‘The Beautiful Letdown’ 20th anniversary: “We have some cards up our sleeve”

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Next year, Switchfoot‘s 2003 breakout album, The Beautiful Letdown, celebrates its 20th anniversary. Speaking with ABC Audio, frontman Jon Foreman reveals the band has “big plans” to mark the milestone.

“We have some cards up our sleeve,” Foreman teases.

The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot’s fourth album, spawned the hit singles “Meant to Live” and “Dare You to Move” and has been certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

“So many memories about that album and the time,” Foreman recalls. “We’re excited to kinda dive in to that journey.”

One of those memories is the first time Switchfoot ever played New York City, which took place around the time the band first got signed to Columbia Records.

“Then they dropped us — we were that good!” Foreman laughs. “And then, like, 2 1/2 million records later, they said, ‘OK you can come back.'”

“It’s been wild to look back 20 years and think of the journey we’ve been on since that album,” he adds.

The Beautiful Letdown will officially turn 20 in February. In the meantime, you can catch Switchfoot on their current holiday-themed tour, which concludes December 18 in Mesa, Arizona. The band’s new holiday record, this is our Christmas album, is out now.

Pop Evil announces 2023 Skeletons tour

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Pop Evil has announced a U.S. headlining tour for 2023.

The trek, dubbed the Skeletons tour, launches March 17 with a home state show in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and will come to a close April 23 in Milwaukee. In a tweet, Pop Evil shares that the tour “marks the next chapter” for the band.

“This tour will show Pop Evil like you’ve never seen before,” the “Trenches” rockers tease. “Can’t wait to be back on the road playing for all of you.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 9, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit PopEvil.com.

Pop Evil’s most recent album is 2021’s Versatile, which includes the singles “Breathe Again,” “Work” and “Survivor.” This year, they’ve released two new songs: “Eye of the Storm” and “Paranoid (Crash & Burn).”

Angel Carter announces charity concert in memory of late brother Aaron Carter

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Angel Carter, the twin sister of late singer Aaron Carter, celebrated their birthday by announcing a charity concert in her brother’s memory. Aaron would have turned 35 on Wednesday.

Angel took to Instagram to explain why she was inspired to arrange the Songs for Tomorrow charity event.

“Aaron dying was the worst day of my life. I have loved him since we were born… it feels like a piece of my soul is gone. And yet, despite all this pain, his passing has lit a fire within me,” she wrote.

Continued Angel, “I feel a calling and responsibility to help other families and continue the conversation to further break the stigmas that surround mental illness.” She said she was encouraged by her family and friends to put on a benefit concert. Proceeds will be directed toward the children’s mental health charity On Our Sleeves.

Songs For Tomorrow will be held January 18 at 8 p.m. PT in West Hollywood, California. The website indicates Nick Carter will be at the event, as well as his fellow members of the Backstreet Boys.

The Carters will be supported by Lance Bass and other members of NSYNC, as well as O-Town, LFO, B. Howard and Ryan Cabrera. More performers will be announced at a later date.

Aaron was found dead in his California home on November 5 at the age of 34. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Following Aaron’s death, Nick created an initiative with On Our Sleeves in his memory, with funds supporting children’s mental health to give “a gift of hope” to their families.

Cold announces ’Year of the Spider’ 20th anniversary tour

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Cold has announced a U.S. tour celebrating the upcoming 20th anniversary of the band’s 2003 album, Year of the Spider.

The trek begins March 17 in Syracuse, New York, and will wrap up May 29 in Cleveland. Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 9.

Year of the Spider, Cold’s third studio effort, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. It includes the single “Stupid Girl,” which was co-written by Weezer‘s Rivers Cuomo.

Cold’s most recent album is 2019’s The Things We Can’t Stop.

Music notes: Whitney Houston, Andy Grammer, Alicia Keys, Harry Styles, Idina Menzel and more

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

RCA records released a sneak peek of a rare recording of Whitney Houston‘s live performance of “Don’t Cry For Me.” RCA also teased a Sam Feldt remix of the track. Both songs will be featured on the I Wanna Dance With Somebody movie soundtrack, out December 16.

Andy Grammer held a massive game night and Rachel Platten was in the mix. “1. Search minute to win it games on YouTube. 2. Laugh until you cry with your friends. 3. Get too serious and almost fight your friends. 4. Best night ever,” he captioned the Instagram video.

Alicia Keys teamed up with American Greetings to create new, customizable holiday greetings via Creatacard, where people can pick from four songs off Alicia’s new Santa Baby album to send as messages.

Harry Styles and Chris Pine put those “spit-gate” rumors to rest once and for all. Page Six reports the two were seen hugging it out in Brazil. It was rumored Harry spat on Chris during the screening of Don’t Worry Darling at the Venice Film Festival.

The sing-along music video of Idina Menzel‘s “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen has reached 3 billion YouTube views.

Ethan Slater, who played SpongeBob in the SpongeBob SquarePants musical, will play Boq in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Variety reports that actor Jeff Goldblum is in talks to play the Wizard of Oz.

Which artists trended the most on Google this year? The company found Ricky Martin, Adam Levine and Kate Bush were among the artists who had high spikes in traffic. Top trending songs include Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Taylor Swift‘s “Anti-Hero,” Kate’s “Running Up That Hill,” and Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “What Else Can I Do” and “Surface Pressure.”

Music notes: Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Whitney Houston, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande and more

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Demi Lovato reflected on their 2022 by sharing a TikTok reel of their biggest highlights of the year, which include releasing new album Holy Fvck, going on tour, getting a bunch of new tattoos and falling in love with partner Jutes.

Charlie Puth says he has a big announcement that he’s very excited to share, but we’ll have to wait to hear it. He posted a TikTok to cryptically tease what he says is major good news that he’ll share after Christmas.

RCA Records released a sneak peek of a rare recording of Whitney Houston‘s live performance of “Don’t Cry For Me.” RCA also teased a Sam Feldt remix of the track. Both songs will be featured on the I Wanna Dance With Somebody movie soundtrack, out December 16.

Ethan Slater, who played SpongeBob in the SpongeBob SquarePants musical, will play Boq in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Variety reports actor Jeff Goldblum is in talks to play the Wizard of Oz.

Which artists trended the most on Google this year? The company found Adam Levine and Kate Bush were among the artists who had high spikes in traffic. Top trending songs include Lizzo‘s “About Damn Time,” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Taylor Swift‘s “Anti-Hero,” Kate’s “Running Up That Hill,” “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, and Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “What Else Can I Do” and “Surface Pressure.”

Rihanna and Beyoncé make Forbes’ Most Powerful Women list

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Rihanna and Beyoncé have secured spots on Forbes’ list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.

Rihanna came in at #73, with her Fenty Beauty cosmetics line boosting her net worth to a whopping $1.4 billion. According to the outlet, Fenty generated $550 million in revenue in 2020, and the Savage x Fenty lingerie line surpassed $1 billion in valuation last year.

As for Queen Bey, she took the 88th spot on this year’s list. Forbes praised the nine Grammy nods she earned this year, which brings her to a total of 88 nominations and makes her the most nominated female artist in Grammy history. Her net worth is estimated to be $450 million, according to the outlet.

Rihanna and Beyoncé are also ending the year on another Forbes list, the one compiling America’s Self-Made Women. The singers came in at #21 and #61, respectively.

New York’s Paley Center for Media hosting ‘Directing The Beatles’ event with Michael Lindsay-Hogg and more

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Interest in the Beatles on film is at an all-time high thanks to Peter Jackson‘s eight-hour Disney+ documentary The Beatles: Get Back. That’s why New York’s Paley Center for the Media is hosting an event called From Paperback Writer to the Rooftop Concert: Directing The Beatles.

The event, which takes place Wednesday night, is a conversation with Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who directed the original 1970 Let It Be film that Jackson expanded and reworked, as well as the music videos for “Paperback Writer,” “Rain” and “Revolution.”

Lindsay-Hogg will be joined by The Beatles: Get Back producer Jonathan Clyde of Apple Corps, Rolling Stone‘s Rob Sheffield and Beatles academic Dr. Holly Tessler of the University of Liverpool.

The videos, as well as highlights from the Beatles’ 1969 rooftop concert — their last public performance — will be screened, and the panelists will discuss the Fab Four’s groundbreaking use of visual media to complement their music.

If you can’t make it to New York City on such short notice, the discussion will be posted on the Paley Center’s official YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure.

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