Red Blooded Women Featured on ElectroQueer

"They are not your average girls, they'll make you work!

EQ faves RBW have a new remix of "Halo" which is available to download right now in the newly launched EQ Facebook Fan Page. Make sure you join the fan page to get your hands on this hot little 90's tinged diddy. Because as they say, this beat is "Technotronic"...

RBW are also appearing at EQ Live on November 21st as well if you want to catch them rocking their latest tracks! I personally cannot wait. Be there or be, well, you get the drill..."

Click here to get the free download through ElectroQueer's Facebook page!

War Child's Young Soul Rebels "I Got Soul"

Here's a selection of the coverage we've gained for War Child's Young Soul Rebels single "I Got Soul" - OUT NOW! (And doing rather well in the midweeks - click here to get your copy)

Popjustice "Its structure is somewhat 'cavalier' and one or two parts are downright shit charity or not but there's something very nearly brilliant about this Young Soul Rebels (ie War Child) 'I Got Soul' track. The best bits come from Vincemusik (near the end), Chipmunk and - who'd have thought? - Tula N-Dubz." Click here to see the feature

ITN.co.uk "Tinchy Stryder, N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Ironik are ready to do chart battle. They are not going up against each other though, instead they are releasing a new single together. The biggest names in British urban music have teamed up to record as The Young Soul Rebels, supporting charity War Child." Read the full piece here

Drowned In Sound (!!) "But let's be entirely - and I mean entirely - serious for a second. War Child are shockingly useful sorts who do practical things for children what are almost guaranteed to have had a shitter time than you. So rather than buy this single, have a think about donating the three quid you might have spent on that final, unnecessary pint that sendsyouovertheedgeintotheboozechasmofdoom. You can do that here." Read the full review here

Digital Spy "it's all for such a worthy cause, you'd have to be a real grump to knock their efforts"

NME.com "Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole releases her debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' today (October 19), though she's up against the Young Soul Rebels' version of The Killers' 'All These Things That I've Done'(which has been re-titled 'I Got Soul'). Young Soul Rebels feature the likes of Pixie Lott, Tinchy Stryderand Frankmusik, and the track is raising money for War Child."

BBC Chartblog "The people who get to have a go at the singing bits do a good job, by and large. Keep an ear out for Dappy N-Dubz inserting some much-needed grammatical correctness when he sings "all these things that I HAVE done", and Pixie Lott lisping a bit at the beginning. Oh, and VV Brown's bit is good too. And if we still can't handle a bit of rapping, some 30 years after hip hop started, we're not really evolving quickly enough, culturally speaking. There again, if you don't like it, but you support the cause, why not donate the cost of the single and then whack the Killers version up dead loud? That's the gentleman's way out." Read the full feature here

The Guardian "Despite having a name that references one of the finest albums of the 1980s, Young Soul Rebels actually include Tinchy Stryder, Pixie Lott and VV Brown. Which means two things: a) the definition of rebel has been rewritten to mean "mediocre music proffered by personality voids" and b) it's charity-single time. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, the chorus – "I've got soul, but I'm not a solider" – samples the Killers, presumably to reference the fact the single is in aid of War Child. It's enough to make Dexy's Kevin Rowland turn in his grave. If he was dead, that is, and not busy maintaining his MySpace page and DJing at the Big Chill."

Bebo - Music Homepage for the Making Of video
MySpace Video Exclusive - featured on Homepage and Music Homepage - Young Soul Rebels rehearsing at the Shepherds Bush Empire
YouTube Homepage - Spotlight Music Tuesday - Young Soul Rebels Mobo Performance, and Ashley Walters
Habbo - Ironik visited Habbo for a VIP chat about War Child
BBC 5:19 Show - Ironik visited the show to talk about War Child

My Chemical Toilet : The evolution of Digga/McLean’s “Broken”

"I’m not one for R&B ballads, really. They tend to be syrupy and over-emotive, which is obviously a generalisation but, you know, given the choice between a ballad and a club “banger” it’s the bangful one that wins me over 85% of the time.

However, like the very best pop songs, Brit soul type McLean’s “Broken” manages to transcend the genre with which it would be most closely associated. It’s a heartbroken, overwrought fist-clencher which, in a landscape of overproduced, autotuned pop spaff with half an eye on ringtone sales, actually makes you believe the singer is properly, hair-tearingly lovewrecked. Marvellous.

It also has a very interesting history, having first surfaced way back in 2006, when McLean went by the name of Digga (since changed because an American artist went by the same name). Unbeknownst to me, it became an online sensation, racking up millions of plays on YouTube and prompting, seemingly, everyone with a webcam to produce their own version."

Continue reading and watching the 15 video versions of the track found by My Chemical Toilet here!

Example Q&A Featured On The Londonist

Fulham rapper Example has been knocking about for a few years, first releasing records on Mike Skinner's The Beats label, before returning this Autumn with a new label and a new sound. The Ibiza sounds of first single 'Watch The Sun Come Up' have propelled him straight into the Top 20 and have Radio 1 playing him at every possible moment. With an album to follow that sounds just as full of big pop songs and collaborations with Calvin Harris, we're sure this London boy has a bright future ahead of him. Tonight he plays Club NME at Koko so we caught up for a quick chinwag before…

Hello Example. Congrats on your first top 20! Can you tell us a little bit about who you are?
Er, I'm male, I'm 27, about 6'2" and I enjoy writing songs, performing them and celebrating with a Nandos and a rum & coke. That ok??

Sounds like a winning combo. Whereabouts in London are you based? What's brilliant and what's totally horrible about it?
I live in Fulham. Born and bred. Its brilliant cos Im right next to the river so it doesnt actually feel like I'm in a dirty noisy city. Whats totally horrible? Not much, maybe the queues at Tescos Express

If we had five hours in Fulham, what's the one thing we should make sure we do without leaving?
Watching Fulham Football Club I reckon.

What London location has been the most significant in your life so far?
Probably the river Thames. I run along by the side of the Thames almost every day to clear my mind and think creatively.

A lot of the current famous UK rap scene seems to be coming out of East London - is there secretly a West London massive?
Well I wouldn't say that. Grime comes out of East but rappers are from all over London. I'm the only person I know from Fulham who raps although Taio Cruz grew up down the road apparently.

What's your favourite London venue and why?
I quite like Koko, but I'd say Hoxton Bar & Kitchen - we've done about 5 sold out shows there over the last 4 years and their food is amazing.

Continue reading the Q&A on the Londonist here

Basshunter Same Six Questions featured on CMU Daily

Basshunter, aka Jonas Altberg, is - whether you like it or not - currently one of the biggest selling dance producers in the UK. With a little help from music software Fruity Loops, he began making music in 1999, self-releasing two albums before signing his first record deal in 2006 with Warner Music, releasing his first single, 'Boten Anna', the same year. Now signed to Ministry Of Sound's Hard2Beat label, he has just released new single, 'Every Morning', as well as his fifth studio album, 'Bass Generation', and began a UK tour this week. We spoke to Basshunter to ask our Same Six Questions.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
I was at a LAN party when I was seventeen, and I downloaded a folder from my friend's computer containing the music program Fruity Loops 3. I installed it and realised very quickly that this [making music] was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Q2 What inspired your latest single?
I had a two month break earlier this year in which to produce the new album and rest my legs for a while, after three years on tour. So, I had plenty of time to meet my friends and people in general, and during this period I met a really sweet girl. The feelings and emotions grew strong very fast and that inspired me to write 'Every Morning'. Because every morning she got up from bed before me and made me a cup of coffee, and she was always happy with a big smile on her face... tada: "Every Morning she makes me a cup of coffee with a smile on her face. I'm a man in love". But it didn't work out though, so as soon as I was done with the album I was back on tour.

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I usually begin with the riff and the chorus, because if I can't get that to work it's just a waste of time producing the rest of it. Regarding inspiration, hmm, well if I need inspiration I usually go to a busy bar or pub, have a beer and just watch people enjoying themselves, listening to their conversations etc.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Why would you think that any other artists influence my way of producing or writing? I'm better than that.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Hold on to your hat mate, because we are going on a wild ride packed full with wicked bass lines, awesome riffs and a powerful chorus!

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
My ambitions? Well, I always do the best I can, I can't do any more than that. But the most important thing for me are my fans, as long as they like my new stuff I'm happy. Without them, I would be just like a fart in the wind. That kinda speaks for itself, doesn't it?

To subscribe to CMU Daily click here

The Dirty Disco "Sista!"

Basshunter "I Promised Myself"

Red Blooded Women Popjustice's Song Of The Day! Again!

"Red Blooded Women received their first Popjustice Song Of The Day about a year and a half ago. There have been some limited single releases and a couple of changes to the band's look and sound since then but the 'v decent pop music' remit still seems to be in effect and 'Halo', one of the band's brand new tunes, should open some new doors."

Click here to see the piece on Popjustice and hear the clip of new song "Halo"

BBC Chartblog Review Young Soul Rebels "I Got Soul"

"Even before I put fingertip to keypad, the feeling of walking a tightrope starts to tingle and fizz in the back of my mind, and here's a quick checklist of reasons why:

'All These Things That I've Done' by the Killers is a great song.
This is a charity cover version, for charity.
It takes phenomenal liberties with the original song.
Most of the people who are singing (or rapping) do not make indie-type rock music.
And indeed, this is not indie-type rock music in any way.
This is a journey outside of The Safety Zone for hardcore indie-type rock fans, that's for sure.
It probably does not count as real music.
Or surreal music, despite Ironik reading his lines from his mobile while rapping.

Therefore, if one is to say that it's rubbish, it has to be rubbish in a way which transcends its charitable status, or you're mocking the noble cause that War Child supports. And if it's great, it has to be so great that it drowns out the tutting of Killers fans who object to someone rapping on one of the key musical experiences of their life.

The full list of contributors is as follows: Tinchy Stryder, Pixie Lott, N-Dubz, Frankmusik, Chipmunk, VV Brown, Ironik, Bashy, MPHO, McLean, Kid British, Egypt, Domino Go and the London Community Gospel Choir.

Most of them spend their time singing that "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" refrain in bits of the song where it did not originally appear. This, and the modern dance production, will probably be the bitterest pills for Johnny Rocksnob to swallow, once he's got those prickly rap thorns past his epiglottis."

Continue reading the review on the BBC Chartblog here

Electroqueer Feature Jem's "I Want You To"

"Jem is back! And reading the press release that was just issued, I totally just got schooled in Jem 101 as I really didn't know too much about her other than "Down To Earth" was a great cd that pops up every so often in my iTunes when set to random...so, here's some fun facts about Jem and her return to popular music.

Jem worked with Shakira producer Lester Mendez on this track...
The video is Jem’s directorial debut and features her fiancé Joseph MeNdicino - real life romance is HOT...
Jem is one of the most music-sync'd artists in the world, her music has appeared in the Sex And The City, CSI Miami, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, Ghost Whisperer and Beverly Hills 90210...
She's working on a few ELECTRO songs with Greg Kurstin of Beck, Kylie Minogue & The Bird & The Bee fame...
Feel schooled now? Thought so...now enjoy this little latino tinged numba if you please..."

Read the full feature on Electroqueer here

Bertie Blackman Nominated For An ARIA!

Bertie Blackman and Forum5 have been nominated for Best Independent Release at the Australian Recording Industry Association Awards!

Bertie recently performed Phil Collin's "In The Air Tonight" on JTV for "Like A Version";

Jem "I Want You To" Video

MSN Interview Basshunter

Click here to watch the exclusive interview MSN did with Basshunter!

Esquire : Kate Beckinsale 'Sexiest Woman Alive' Featuring Jet's 'Goodbye Hollywood'

"Spend some time with the newly crowned actress in a dark, undisclosed location in this video by the team that brought you "Good Morning, Megan Fox," as Kate Beckinsale follows in the beautiful footsteps of Jessica Biel, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, and Halle Berry." Music "Goodbye Hollywood" by Jet from the album "Shaka Rock"

Read the full article on Esquire.com here

Chicane "Hiding All The Stars" - released 19th October 2009

The Chicane video for "Hiding All The Stars" is attracting a good deal of comment, much like the sleeve for the single (check the website here)

The video which features long time Chicane vocalist Tash Andrews in two distinctly different guises that has upset some unaccustomed to seeing girls boxing.

The last two Chicane videos including the hit 'Poppiholla', have dealt with misconception. Indeed, when the cover of 'Hiding All the Stars' was first issued people thought that a woman with a black eye must be the subject of abuse. As always in life jumping to conclusions is a tricky thing. The film reveals that Tash or her character, likes to box.

Nick was intrigued by the 2012 Olympic committee's decision to allow boxing to be included in the Games, and coincidently saw feminist Germaine Greer's views on the BBC's One show. We all jump to conclusions, and he thought Germaine would be anti the sport - she initially was, but having spent time with some female boxers, she saw how empowering it was and shocked herself by realizing it could be a good thing.

The One Show's blog showed just how contentious the whole thing is, people were incensed by the idea of the 'last bastion of maleness' being infiltrated. The media is male dominated so it will be interesting to see the reaction there, if any of course.

The video's supporting cast include Jacqui-Lee Pryce, a boxing coach and actress (Mike Nichol's Closer, Doctors), who works with the Olympic team and Mitch Horner, (The Bill, Grange Hill), Ola, who featured in the last Chicane video, 'Poppihola'.

The fact a glamorous woman likes to box is something the world will have to come to terms with, like women soldiers being in the front line. Like a lot of life we may not agree but we salute the freedom of the individual. Tash enjoyed the training, it is one of the hardest sporting disciplines in the world.

The video was shot in the east end of London. Misconceptions are everywhere, one that commonly occurs with the band is that Nick or Chicane is a DJ.

http://www.chicanemusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/chicanemusic

My Chemical Toilet : Who Is This Bertie Blackman Person Then?

"You can find anything out on the internet these days. Anything. And when one is investigating an act one is unfamilar with it’s good practice to check out Wikipedia, wait 11 minutes for the artist’s MySpace page to load, and so on.

For once, with Bertie Blackman, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to wait and see if the information comes to me. I’ll pretend this is a fun “experiment” rather than a symptom of my laziness. Do you know anything about Bertie Blackman? Leave information in the comments.

All I know, thanks to YouTube’s geographical info, is that she’s considerably more popular in one country than any other:







Her - yes HER, OMG WEIRD, RIGHT? - song “Thump” is an urgent, immediate, quiet-loud, um, thump in the synapses. I loves it, I do. There are a couple of remixes here, too. Not as good as the original though, which seems a novel happening these days."



Read the full piece and download the mixes from My Chemical Toilet here

Popjustice Daily Pop Briefing features both Crazy Loop and Young Soul Rebels

"Eight singles from the next eight weeks

October 11
Crazy Loop - 'Crazy Loop (Mm Ma Ma)'
This is Dan 'Dan' Balan from O-Zone and it is 100% ridiculous. It has already been Number One in Romania.



October 18
Young Soul Rebels 'I Got Soul'
This song performs three useful functions. Firstly, the reimagined version of The Killers' 'All These Things That I've Done' is good in its own right (although a couple of portions are slightly ropey). Secondly, it annoys serious Killers fans who, feeling rather threatened after that absolute dog of a last Killers album, are in a state of panic, running around bleating "oh dear oh no the world is going to end my favourite song has been butchered by 'urban' and 'pop' people". Thirdly, if you buy it it will make everything that is bad in the world suddenly become good, because that is how charity records work. In fact that's not how it works at all - it's really just about awareness so perhaps you don't need to even buy the song, you just need to be aware that it exists. And having read this far you're already aware of its existence. Your work here is done."


See the full feature and the other six singles on Popjustice by clicking here

Beat Surrender review Gods, Gangsters & Honour

"Steven Machat has been clever in writing this autobiographical book, he doedsn’t bore us with 70 pages about his childhood which nobody really cares about in these sorts of books, instead he cuts to the chase and gets straight into the rock n’ roll stories that make it such a fascinating read.

Having been something of a go to man in the American music industry once his father let him into that life, you get a taste for the thrill, enjoyment and at times grief he got for his troubles.

Tales of gangsters shaking down label bosses, label bosses screwing foreign record companies, stupid musicians, brilliant businessmen and some of the biggest stars of the last 40 years (Michael Jackson, Wu Tang Clan, ELO, The Osbournes, Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Dr Dre... you name them and they are in here."

Read the full review on The Beat Surrender here