M. Ward, whose 10th album 'Migration Stories' will be released on 3rd April via Anti Records, has established himself as one of modern American music’s most unique and versatile voice, previously working with Norah Jones, Zooey Deschanel, Mavis Staples and countless more. The 11 track album features a collection of songs inspired by stories of human migration. Dream-like in narrative, the songs are birthed... Continue Reading →
The year 2020 just seems to have started off on the wrong foot, with negativity being spritzed all around like bug-spray, it's hard to stay positive but finding this track by Plastic Barricades in the Musicvein inbox is a breath of fresh air. 'Optimist' - released last month and taken from their forthcoming album 'Self... Continue Reading →
Eminem's Curtain Call might have made it to 400 weeks in the UK Top 100 Album Chart - but which album actually tops the list with a whopping 932 weeks? The answer would be Gold by ABBA. Notching up the equivalent of 17 years the album sits just ahead of Legend by Bob Marley which... Continue Reading →
Released in 2005, Eminem's Curtain Call - which for all intents and purposes was his first Greatest Hits album - went on to become a UK number one album for 5 weeks. Since 2017 Curtain Call has not left the UK Top 100 Album Chart and has become the first Rap Album to reach the... Continue Reading →
"It's a mad world out there!" I say as I sit typing away my message to you dear readers. "With uncertain times ahead be sure that, while I have internet access, Musicvein will continue to provide you with Music News, Opinions, Reviews and updates on all the New Music hitting my inbox - of that... Continue Reading →
With new album 'Strong Enough' now rescheduled for release 3rd July, Shaun Escoffery talks about his creation. Through his album, Shaun aims to fight the stereotypes associated with toxic masculinity by showing both strength and sensitivity in his music in equal amounts. He explains: “I grew up practising boxing and martial arts, which is an arena... Continue Reading →
During these uncertain times where venues up and down the country are shutting their doors, artists are finding themselves out of work but their inner creativity still burning. Artist Brooke Law found herself in this situation recently but instead of focusing on the negatives of her cancelled show, she's turned the whole thing around and... Continue Reading →
As filming of various TV shows are cancelled until further notice from the Government over Covid-19, the Voice UK which is to air Live finals in March/April will be cancelled. While Britain's Got Talent will air pre-recorded shows, Live rounds are also set to be cancelled. https://twitter.com/thevoiceuk/status/1240302228969271296
For the first time in its 64 year history, the Eurovision Song Contest will be cancelled over the viral infection sweeping the globe. Due to restrictions imposed by Dutch authorities and the Government, the official statement is to cancel the contest for this year rather than postpone it till another time. The full statement and... Continue Reading →
The news over 200,000 people didn't want to hear - Glastonbury 2020 has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Issuing a statement on their website, Michael and Emily Eavis will offer refunds or guarantee entry next year to those who paid deposits. "...We understand that it is not always easy to secure a Glastonbury... Continue Reading →
With news that Coachella will be pushed back to October this year and SXSW being cancelled for 2020 - the question and fears on organisers minds across the UK is whether or not they are covered by insurance. Musicvein reached out to small business insurance expert Catherine France, to get her views on the situation... Continue Reading →
Ditto Music, the global music distributor and label, have launched a competition looking for the UK's next big urban artist. Working in conjunction with Link Up TV and GRM Daily, the competition is open to all upcoming artists until 31st May 2020. Ditto Music will shortlist 20 acts on a Spotify playlist before one winner... Continue Reading →
Two of the most caliente men in pop, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin are to join forces touring the USA and Canada! Yes, you heard me correctly, the 90's 'Bailamos' and 'La Vida Loca' singers made their announcement much to the delight of USA fans. "We're figuring out the stage..." Iglesias explained "...it's gonna be... Continue Reading →
South London Museum, Horniman, is seeking a resident artist to join their 696 music project. The 696 developed to platform the best contemporary music ranging from Afrobeat and Jazz to R&B and Grime will take on and support the new artist. The year-long residency will see artists gain access to a host of benefits such... Continue Reading →
News broke on Friday that Austin's biggest Music Festival and Conference SXSW will not go ahead this year due to Covid-19 fears. The Festival which has ran for the last 34 years and attracted attendance figures of over 232,000 in 2019 released a statement of their regret. "...We are devastated to share this news with... Continue Reading →
Ronan Keating's long term pal Robbie Williams, has penned an emotional tribute song to the late Stephen Gately for Ronan's new album Twenty Twenty. The Boyzone singer who's untimely death occurred in 2009 left the band shattered. Watching a raw interview with Ronan on the 10th Anniversary of Stephen's death, Williams contacted Keating to offer... Continue Reading →
Lovers of the award-winning US Show Nashville will be pleased to hear that Clare Bowen aka Scarlett O'Connor will be teaming up with heart-throb Ronan Keating on his new album Twenty. The song 'Love Will Remain' sees Clare join Ronan for the duet. Speaking of the song he say; "My wife, Storm, and I are... Continue Reading →
When genres frenetically collide, a mephistophelian tryst ensues - and that's what we have with Pongo's latest release 'Uwa'. Taken from the Angolan-Portuguese artist's EP of the same name, the title track, meaning 'step' in Angola’s Kimbundo, sees Pongo interlacing the language with English lyrics to great effect. Filmed on location in Dakar by French... Continue Reading →
The international recording industry trade body has named Taylor Swift as the world’s best-selling recording artist of 2019, beating Ed Sheeran and Post Malone in album sales. This being the second time Tay-Tay has won the award, the first being in 2014. Her 2019 album ‘Lover’ debuted at No.1 in more than 10 countries achieving... Continue Reading →
With no current end in sight to the spreading of the Coronavirus, artists are now cancelling Tours in major hot spots such as Asia and Italy. The latest artists to do so are BTS, who join the likes of Greenday, Stormzy, Mabel, Sam Fender and Avril Lavigne in issuing statements. With several reported outbreaks in... Continue Reading →
News in this week that World-dominating Korean Boy-band BTS, are set to take the UK No. 1 album spot with Map Of The Soul: 7. Selling over 34K records this week, BTS' second album has already eclipsed their 2019 debut Map Of The Soul: Persona, which sold over 26K copies. Being the first K-pop band... Continue Reading →
Head of YouTube Originals, Luke Hyams has spoken to Music Week about controversial new Documentary, Terms and Conditions: A UK Drill Story. Released today, the documentary lifts the lid on Drill music, which has long been associated with gangs and violence. Featuring contributions from families who have lost loved ones through violence, Police, Lawyers and... Continue Reading →
Yesterday in an emotional Instagram post, 'Mercy' singer Duffy shocked followers with the news she was drugged, kidnapped and raped, hence her absence from the music scene. In a series of now deleted posts, the singer mentioned that she would soon tell all in a spoken interview about her ordeal and that she would also... Continue Reading →
Last week Space150, a digital agency in the USA, released an experimental AI music video based on Travis Scott. The AI rap artist TravisBott, with song 'Jack Park Canny Dope Man', was a result of the Space150 team continuously feeding Travis Scott lyrics into a text generator. Eventually the machine started producing its own rhymes... Continue Reading →
Janique Charles who currently plays Nala in the West End production of The Lion King has unveiled new single 'Superpower'. The song, a serious female anthem, full of power and exploration of femininity, would be perfect featured in a film or series like Black Lightening, Wonder Woman, Black Panther. Speaking to BBC News recently Janique... Continue Reading →
Brit Award Winner Dave, who won the Mastercard Album of the Year award for 2019 album Psychodrama, gave one of the most politically charged performances ever seen at the Brits. His bold piano-led performance of 'Black' followed by a free-style in which he labelled MP Boris Johnson as a racist, talked about the media comparisons... Continue Reading →
Shaun Escoffery has been thrilling West End audiences with his powerful and soulful voice, holding the prestigious role of Mufasa in The Lion King for the past 12 years (the longest-standing actor in the world to do so). Today, Shaun announces the release of his brand-new track ‘River’, which appears on his new album ‘Strong Enough’, out on Decca Records on 3rd April 2020. Featuring... Continue Reading →
With only two weeks to go till the launch of Queendom, Musicvein caught up with another one of the amazing artists to be featured on the album. This week rap artist Lekky talks about her musical journey, changes she'd like to see in the industry and the Queendom project. Musicvein: Lekky! Thanks for taking time... Continue Reading →
Returning this July for its 15th year - Kendal Calling the award winning Cumbrian festival is looking for participants. Application Closing Date: 17th April 2020 Visit Kendal Calling to apply now.
If you didn't manage to catch the Musicvein interview on Radio 5 Live - Tuesday 11th February - around the Reading/Leeds Festival controversy, here's a recording! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTUz779aMLc&t=31s
‘TWENT TWENTY’ UK & Ireland Tour: 5 June Live at Botanic Gardens - Belfast6 June Vicar St - Dublin, Ireland9 June Bridgewater Hall - Manchester10 June SEC Armadillo - Glasgow11 June Sage - Gateshead13 June BIC - Bournemouth14 June Motorpoint Arena - Cardiff15 June Cliffs Pavilion - Southend16 June Symphony Hall - Birmingham18 June Royal... Continue Reading →
Organisers of Record Store Day 2020 have announced their immediate withdrawl of Slowthai as their UK Ambassador 2020. In a statement released today they said of his inappropriate conduct at the NME Awards 2020; “You will have seen this morning’s reports of slowthai’s appearance at the NME Awards last night. The resulting reaction on social... Continue Reading →
The NME 2020 Awards turned to shambles last night as British rapper Slowthai sexually harassed host Katherine Ryan on stage before going on to attack a member of the audience. In footage released online, the Reading and Leeds Festival headliner can be heard taunting comedian Katherine about being jealous, before forcing her to smell his... Continue Reading →
Exactly 20 years after the release of his self-titled, debut solo & No.1 album, Ronan Keating returns with an album that encapsulates his many musical achievements since the millennium. Entitled ‘Twenty Twenty’, and set for release on Decca Records on 1st May, Ronan describes his new record as“a greatest hits of brand new music”. To help him celebrate, Keating made... Continue Reading →
The Reading/Leeds Festival has come under fire recently after revealing the final lineup for their 2020 summer festival. The male heavy headline includes Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, Migos and Rage Against the Machine - but on the headline bill every day, only ONE female appears. The lucky winners being Lady Leshurr, Mabel and female fronted band... Continue Reading →
A new decade brings change to the White Isle, and 2020 sees Together celebrating their 10th Anniversary in Ibiza! Season headliners Chase & Status will bring with them a horde of hand-picked special guests and world exclusive debuts on their most ambitious season yet. Showcasing the best from their latest RTRN II JUNGLE project, Chase &... Continue Reading →
Last month news came about upcoming album Queendom, an album for women by women. Due for release on 6th March and coinciding with International Women's Day on 8th - Musicvein tracked down a few of its artists - Lekky, Sahfy and producer James Sewell to find out more. Today singer/songwriter Sahfy shares her story on... Continue Reading →
LYR the latest signing to Mercury KX, comprises of genre-splicing trio; musician Richard Walters, producer/multi-instrumentalist Patrick Pearson and poet Laureate Simon Armitage. The band released debut single, ‘Never Good With Horses’ today, with their debut album ‘Call in the Crash Team’ to follow in the spring. LYR also announce their live debut at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club 9th March and... Continue Reading →
Musicvein first met Djinn five years ago as the founding member of French Soul/Funk group And This Is Max. Since they parted ways, Raphael has been on an artist journey of discovery. Musicvein caught up with the artist now known as Djinn, to chat about his evolving and new music. Musicvein: Djinn Tell me what... Continue Reading →
When you think of Duke Ellington's 'In a Sentimental Mood' you think of a bygone era, of summer garden parties with men whisking women off their feet for a twirl - but listening to Rafiq Bhatia's rendition is nothing of the sort. In fact if it wasn't for the title, you'd have no clue that... Continue Reading →
Pic credit: Luke Dubbelde Australian pianist and composer Sophie Hutchings is back with a new album, since her debut back in 2010. Newly signed to Mercury KX, 'Two Flames' the first single from new album 'Scattered On The Wind' out April, is an indelible first taste of the album’s ambition, scale, and prowess, featuring Sophie's... Continue Reading →
'Dry' the captivating and atmospheric new single by Austel is out now. With music often described as "haunting" that word couldn't be more true with new single 'Dry'. As listening ears feast on melancholic verses, Austel's intoxicating vocals meld with vacant ethereal notes to make a heady mix. The single follows on from her last... Continue Reading →
JW MARRIOTT GROSVENOR HOUSE, LONDON’S EMINENT BOOK CLUB EVENT, LITERATI, WILL HOST DECCA RECORDS IN JOINT 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION With Grosvenor House and Decca Records both established in 1929, Park Lane’s most iconic hotel and the legendary British record label are both celebrating their 90th anniversaries with a year-long programme of events. Literati is an intimate event where guests have... Continue Reading →
You may not of heard of him yet but Drum n Bass artist StronK is on the rise, and second single Electric Dream - is sure to put him on the map! Poised for release end of February, Electric Dream sees a different direction for the keen young artist. Once focused and disciplined in making... Continue Reading →
Photo Credit: Flavien Prioreau French pianist and composer Christophe Chassol releases 'Savana, Céline, Aya (Pt.2)' from forth coming album Ludi - due out March 6. Having previously worked Frank Ocean and Solange, Chassol is known for bringing the outside world into his music - quite literally! On new single ‘Savana, Céline, Aya (Pt.2)’, the playground... Continue Reading →
ReBalance are to host a networking event on International Women's Day, at Union Chapel, London for women seeking a career in music. ReBalance, which started in 2017, looks to bridge the divide between men and women in the industry by providing opportunities to create and perform. A pioneering 3-year programme was established in 2017, to... Continue Reading →
Musicvein is celebrating 8 years of spreading joy about emerging and established artists, as well as reviewing albums, shows and reporting on industry news. The journey has been incredible so far and can only get better. Whether it be with meeting new artists and seeing some go on to become chart-toppers, or even just getting... Continue Reading →
As Glastonbury organisers gear up for their 50th Anniversary Festival this year, they've once again launched a search for an emerging act to play one of their main stages. The competition which opens from 9am today, for 1 week only - Jan 27th to 3rd Feb - encourages anyone from any music genre to send... Continue Reading →
Dutch brothers Showtek presented a special episode on SKINK Radio, mixing their favourite tunes from the past decade. With a crazy and diverse 106 tracks, played over 3 pleasurable hours - featuring EDX, Karen Harding, Diplo, Tiesto and more - Episode 084 is a blood-pumping show not to be missed. https://soundcloud.com/skinkofficial/sets/skink-radio-episodes https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Rz0fSrYHGnBhwlkbIx59Y
Emerging and Unsigned Acts are being encouraged to apply to play at the Elderflower Fields Festival this May. Festival organizers are keen to hear from artists of all music genres, street/walkabout performers, theatre groups and non-music performers. Applications are open until March 2020 to perform at either one of two sites; Stanford Hall - Leicestershire... Continue Reading →
My daughter is an avid user of TikTok, forever throwing shapes in the mirror, perfecting routines those in the Hype House have created, but perhaps what makes me laugh the most is when I sing lyrics to the songs she's busting a move to. "How do you know that song?" followed by a perplexed look... Continue Reading →
London based musician Ted Jasper released latest single 'Heavy on My Heart' featuring songwriter and producer Alyss. Taken from forthcoming EP Equinox, queued for release April 3rd, the single 'Heavy on My Heart' fuses chilled house and down-tempo beats with the opulent voice of Alyss. Of the track Ted says; “I went through a phase... Continue Reading →
