Music

It was a decade ago that fun. first set the world on fire with Some Nights.

The second and, so far, final album from the trio — made up of Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost — was released February 21, 2012, 10 years ago this Monday. The now triple-platinum record spawned hit singles in “We Are Young,” “Some Nights” and “Carry On.”

Of the three, “We Are Young,” featuring guest vocals by Janelle Monáe, was the biggest, hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earning Diamond certification by the RIAA. 

“We Are Young” was fun.’s first-ever song to even chart on the Hot 100, making them the first multi-member rock band to hit number one with their debut appearance on the ranking since Nickelback did it in 2001 with “How You Remind Me.”

The success of Some Nights led to fun.’s first and only performance on Saturday Night Live in 2012. At the 2013 Grammys, Some Nights was nominated for Album of the Year, and “We Are Young” won Song of the Year. while fun. also won Best New Artist.

After two years of nearly nonstop touring in 2012 and 2013, fun. played only a handful of shows in 2014. At the beginning of 2015, the trio put out a statement saying that, while they were not breaking up, they were taking time to pursue other projects. fun. hasn’t released any new music since then.

Ruess would hit number one again in 2013 with his Pink duet “Just Give Me a Reason,” and released his debut solo album, Grand Romantic, in 2015. Antonoff, who’d started his band Bleachers in 2014, has since gone on to become one of music’s most in-demand producers, working with artists including Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent and Lana Del Rey.

(“Some Nights” video contains uncensored profanity.)  

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“Life Goes On” singer Oliver Tree releases his new album Cowboy Tears today, and kicks off a headlining tour tomorrow.  He says the album represents a new sound for him — country music — which he says is a result of where he was when he wrote it.

“It was all something that happened very organically, I lived at my grandparents’ ranch for six months. They have a cattle [and] horse ranch,” he tells ABC Audio. “And so I was just there during COVID and my grandfather has this acoustic guitar there…he’s no longer with us, he passed, but I was using his acoustic guitar and I just wrote these songs.”

As for the title Cowboy Tears, Oliver explains, “My grandfather was a cowboy. His grandfather was a cowboy, I come from the lineage of it…and I’m a very emotional person. I always cry.”

The artist says creating the album was  “two-year process,” which saw him penning 112 songs, of which 13 made the final cut.  “I really am excited about this album because it covers so much range and every song is so poignant thematically,” he notes. “They’re big concepts.”

As for the tour, Oliver promises his shows will feature, “WWF wrestling…some scooter tricks…comedy…drama, performance art” and “incredible dance moves, choreographed by yours truly.”

You can also expect multiple genres — “everything from hip hop to a rock show to, now, country…[and] dance music…something for everyone,” Oliver boasts.

We’re not sure how serious he is about any of that, though, considering he also tells ABC Audio of the tour, “Of course, I grew up belly dancing, so you’re going to get to see some on my belly dance moves as well.”

Oliver’s tour, billed as his last one ever, wraps up March 26 in Austin, TX.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Here’s your chance to party in wine country with Metallica.

The metal legends have announced a charity raffle with the grand prize of two VIP three-day passes to the ‘Tallica-headlined BottleRock Napa Valley festival, taking place May 27-29 in Napa, California.

The campaign will raise money for Metallica’s All Within My Hands charity foundation. The more you donate, the more entries you’ll receive.

For more info, visit Metallica.com.

In related news, Metallica’s hometown baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, have announced the details of its 2022 Metallica Night. The annual celebration, which has missed the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, makes its return to Oracle Park on May 24.

Previous Metallica Nights have featured the band performing the national anthem and throwing out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

You can grab tickets now via MLB.com.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Brandy, who starred with the late Whitney Houston in the 1997 ABC TV version of Cinderella, felt like a princess again in Tuesday’s season finale of ABC’s Queens.

Her character, Naomi, married her longtime love Eric Jones while wearing a gorgeous white gown that was reminiscent of her costume in the film. “It was beautiful to then end up walking down the aisle and marrying the man she never stopped loving,” the Grammy winner told Deadline. “And, on top of that, her daughter gave her away. It really was a fairy tale, but most importantly, it was also very real.”

Brandy added, “It did make me feel like Cinderella again! It felt like the Cinderella that got married in the end. That’s how it felt.”

Another special moment in the finale was the return of Brianna, portrayed by Eve, who temporarily left the series to give birth to son Wilde, born February 1.

“Actually, it was a surprise for us. We didn’t even know anything they were planning, they kept it under wraps so our reactions could be real,” Brandy says. “It was unbelievable. I’m a little teary-eyed just thinking about that moment.”

Though Queens has yet to be renewed, Brandy hopes there will be a second season.

“I hope that we get another chance to do what we all love to do. I know I would love to see more performances, more rapping, and more stage stuff if there is a season two,” Brandy comments. “We didn’t really get a chance to do a lot of the stage performances that I wanted to do this year. I hope we get to tell more great stories and have a lot more entertainment in terms of the group. Fingers crossed.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Queens (@queensabc)

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

This week, Dylan Scott had a big announcement to share: His new album, Livin’ My Best Life, will be out in August.

The project will include “New Truck,” a 2021 single that Scott describes as an “up-tempo breakup song” about a guy who decides to swap out his truck for a new one after realizing that the one he’s got is filled with memories of the girl who just broke his heart.

While Dylan — who’s a happily married father — might not seem on the surface to have anything in common with the guy in the song, he says he can relate.

“I’ve been with my wife since I was 15 and we went through a little break-up for a while, about a three-month breakup,” he admits. “And I remember, man, it was tough. It was really tough. You hop in your truck and you still see her over there, think of memories or find little things that belong to her.”

But these days, things are great: In fact, Dylan says, he named his new album and his Livin’ My Best Life Tour after where he’s at in his own life right now.

“I’m definitely living my best life right now — with all the success going on, and getting to play all these awesome shows, and the kids at home, and the wife,” he reflects. “I mean, it really is, dude — life is great right now.”

Livin’ My Best Life will arrive on August 5.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ringo Starr stopped by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday to talk about his latest photo book, Lifted: Fab Images and Memories of My Life with The Beatles from Across the Universe, which features many rare, unseen and newly discovered photos of the band members, as well as recollections and anecdotes written by Ringo.

One memory he shared with Kimmel was that the band slept two to a room while on the road, a tradition that began as soon as he joined the band.

“As soon as we started going around, you know, Europe first, and even Scotland if we had to stay over, but usually if it was in Britain, that night we’d drive home. Even if it was 200, 300 miles, we’d drive home,” he recalls. “When we started going out, we only ever had two suites. We shared all the time.”

When Kimmel asked if there were situations where the hotel rooms didn’t have two beds and they were forced forced to sleep in the same bed, Ringo joked, “Well, I don’t want to talk about that.”

The idea to play their final concert on the roof of Abbey Road Studios also came up, which, like many of the band’s best laid plans, seemed to fizzle in the end.

“[It was always that way] with The Beatles, we’re going to India, we’re going to Everest, we’re going here! Aw, sod it, let’s just go on the roof,” he explained. “Abbey Road was another one. Let’s go to the Alps, let’s go to India…ah, just walk across the road.”

Lifted can be purchased now exclusively at JuliensAuctions.com. Proceeds benefit Ringo’s Lotus Foundation, which funds and supports charitable projects that focus on various social welfare causes.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Slipknot has released a live video for “The Chapeltown Rag.”

The clip compiles footage from the masked metallers’ 2021 Knotfest Roadshow tour. You can watch it streaming now on YouTube.

Slipknot premiered “The Chapeltown Rag” last fall ahead of their headlining set at the Knotfest Los Angeles festival, marking the band’s first new song to follow their 2019 album, We Are Not Your Kind. A new Knot album is expected to drop later this year.

Meanwhile, the Knotfest Roadshow is set to resume in March, and will stretch into June.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.) 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

AJR is determined to learn more about the Blue Man Group in a new skit promoting their upcoming shows together.

The clip finds the Met brothers attempting to interview the Blue Men, who, of course, famously do not speak. As they continue with their incessant questions, their interviewees hold up signs that read, “We are here against our will,” “AJR made us do this video to promote the tour” and, simply, “Please send help.”

AJR’s tour, which will support their new album, OK ORCHESTRA, launches in April. Blue Man Group will be on the bill for select shows in May and June.

Blue Man Group also guests on the OK ORCHESTRA song “Ordinaryish People.” The track’s video premiered earlier this month.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

After partnering with Kentucky Fried Chicken in December, Jack Harlow has a new endorsement with New Balance.

The “Whats Poppin” rapper has joined the athletic footwear and apparel company as a brand ambassador.

“I have been rocking New Balance since I was a kid, so to officially join the brand in this way is really exciting,” Harlow said in a statement. “I’ve always loved the 990 and recently the Joe Fresh Goods 993 and collabs with the 550’s have been fire. I’m excited to peek behind the curtain and work with the brand more.”

When the Louisville MC plays Friday at the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, he will debut a New Balance shoe. He’s also wearing New Balance in his new video for “Nail Tech,” which debuts Thursday at midnight.

Harlow is up for two Grammy Awards: Best Melodic Rap Performance for his feature on Lil Nas X‘s “Industry Baby,” and Album of the Year as a featured artist and songwriter on Nas’ Montero.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jack Harlow (@jackharlow)

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.