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Daily Music News Report for 06/22/2016


Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant Testifies In Stairway To Heaven Trial

(hennemusic) Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant testified in a Los Angeles federal court on Tuesday as part of a copyright infringement lawsuit over the band's 1971 signature song, "Stairway To Heaven."

Rolling Stone reports Plant reconfirmed statements made earlier in the trial by both Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones that the song's origins began at the country estate Headley Grange and not the Welsh cottage Bron-Yr-Aur, contradicting decades of Zeppelin mythology.

"One evening, Jimmy Page and I sat by the fire going over bits and pieces," Plant testified, explaining how he would leave the musicians and go into his room to build the melody and lyric based on his fascination with Celtic lore, "the mountains of Wales, Snowdonia ... and the pastoral areas of Britain I love."

The singer also revealed that he first brought Spirit's work to the rest of his bandmates, having discovered their song "Fresh-Garbage" on a 1968 Columbia Records compilation and then incorporating a cover of it into Zeppelin's early live sets.

Regarding "Taurus" - the Spirit instrumental that Zeppelin are accused of plagiarizing as the basis for the trial - Plant said, "I didn't remember it then, and I don't remember it now."

As the defense continued, Page retook the stand to describe how the band worked together to build "Stairway" through its various stages during rehearsals Headley Grange. Read more here.

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Unreleased Prince Music Used In Versace Fashion Show

(Radio.com) Following the death of Prince, reports abounded about the sheer volume of unreleased songs his Paisley Park vault contained. We knew it was just a matter of time before some of that never-before-heard material reached the public, but with the contents of the vault still unrevealed, the first few notes of new Prince have been revealed, courtesy of his good friend Donatella Versace.

The Italian fashion designer incorporated some of Prince's unreleased instrumental recordings (which he shared with her as gifts) in her menswear presentation at Milan Fashion Week.

"Prince was always writing and recording, even if it was just a late-night jam at Paisley Park," Versace told Billboard. "He had been sending me songs for years - it was his way of communicating. Just hearing his voice again makes me smile."

She said the creative decision was her way of paying tribute to Prince. "It was a privilege and an honor to have Prince as my friend, and so it was my privilege to be able to share them with the audience," Versace said of the unnamed material. "I wanted people to hear how playful he was, how joyous, how creative, how pure a genius. The biggest tribute you can pay to him is to play his music, and to keep his memory alive." Listen for some of Prince's previously unheard music here.

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Tom DeLonge Turns His Focus To Aliens, UFOS And Conspiracy Theories

(Radio.com) Tom DeLonge is diving deep into a lifelong passion. The former Blink 182 guitarist and singer plans to focus his time and energy studying aliens, UFOs and conspiracy theories.

He's spearheading a transmedia series called Sekret Machines that will seek to investigate "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" through a range of fiction and non-fiction books, a documentary and music from his new band Angels & Airwaves. He already released the first fiction book Sekret Machines Book 1: Chasing Shadows in April.

DeLonge first became interested in aliens (not the term he would use, by the way) in junior high. "I just had some free time on my hands and I found myself at the school library looking for books on the subject matter," he told Mic. "[In] the beginnings of my career with [Blink-182], you have a lot of free time in the van, traveling across the country for 12 months, so I found myself getting a lot of really interesting books that challenged the way I thought about stuff."

But why focus on it now? Essentially, what he began learning about extraterrestrial life unearthed more and more that he needed to study in order to fully grasp the subject matter. "It's something I've always wanted to do," he explained. "I've always had a passion for space and the future. But when you dive into this type of material, it's a lot more than just science and technology. It has to do with religion and cosmology and it has to do with politics and secrecy. So it's a pretty fantastic ride when you start studying this stuff. You'll find yourself trying to challenge your belief system. This project was a good way to bring it to the world in a more elevated way."

Unfortunately, Blink 182 doesn't fit into those plans. Read more here.

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The Dead Daisies To Set Sail On The KISS Kruise

(Classic Rock) The Dead Daisies and Magnetico are among the first batch of acts to be confirmed for the sixth annual KISS Kruise. Also announced for this year's event - which will travel between Miami and Grand Cayman from November 4 to 9 - are Cleveland's Breakfast Club, Teaze, Sophie Simmons and Evan Stanley, with more still to be added.

The Dead Daisies say: "We are excited to announce that we will be joining Kiss aboard this year's Kiss Kruise, dubbed Creatures Of The Deep, based on Kiss' classic album Creatures Of The Night from 1982.

"With this being the third time on the Kruise, we hope to reconnect with the many Kiss friends and fans we met over the past two years. Kiss fans will also have the opportunity to catch our new lineup in the US from August 10 when we join KISS on their Freedom To Rock tour." Read more here.

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King 810 Connect With Flint In New 'Carve My Name' Video

(TeamRock Radio) King 810 have released a video for their track "Carve My Name." The Flint, Michigan, metal heroes say it will be the last video they issue from debut album Memoirs Of A Murderer as they work on the follow-up.

The video is displayed in the format of a photo book which looks back at the band's links with their local community in Flint. In the video's concept, the band say: "It consists not of the work we have done, but of the work all of you have done.

Whether it be on paper or on the streets, or on your own bodies in the form of tattoos or branding or scarification. We have been awed by this. This will serve as a photobook to look back on as we continue to grow over the years." Read more and watch the video here.

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Bowling For Soup Announce New Album 'Drunk Dynasty'

(TeamRock Radio) Bowling For Soup will release their album Drunk Dynasty in September. The Texan pop-rock band launched a Pledge crowdfunding campaign for the follow-up to 2013's Lunch. Drunk. Love - and they beat their target in nine days.

Singer Jaret Reddick says the band had originally planned to release an EP, but they then decided to record a few more tracks to make it a full-length - without increasing the price.

He says: "When we decided to go into the studio this summer, I thought an EP was the best move. Not really for any reason other than time. An EP is usually around five songs. We had recorded eight already. So I said, 'F*** it.' Drunk Dynasty is going to be 10 songs." Read more here.

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Steve Vai Releases 'Dark Matter' Stream

(Classic Rock) Steve Vai has made his track "Dark Matter" available to stream. The song is from the upcoming 2CD package to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album Passion And Warfare.

It includes a remastered version of the 1990 record, alongside album Modern Primitive - a collection of works-in-progress that the songwriter had penned following the release of his 1984's Flex-Able.

The double-album package will be released on June 24. Vai said: "Performing this record from top to bottom, with some very special surprises in the works, is something I've always dreamed of doing. There are songs here I've never performed before, and I'm delighted that 25 years after its release, I feel as though my guitar chops are as much up to the task as ever before." Check out the stream here.

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Selena Gomez Does Carpool Karaoke

(Radio.com) Selena Gomez took to the streets in James Corden's Range Rover for another edition of his hit series, Carpool Karaoke. During their musical road trip around Los Angeles, the pair stopped for some McDonalds. Comedy ensues when the woman behind the window just about loses her mind after Corden introduces her to Gomez.

Corden felt the need for fast food after drinking a shot of ginger on Gomez's request. According to the pop star, she likes to drink a shot or eat a piece of ginger every day. Unable to stomach it, Corden washed away the taste with a McDonalds combo No. 6.

But before pulling away from the golden arches, Corden demands that Gomez's Coca-Cola cup feature lyrics to one her songs. After refusing a cup with Cyndi Lauper's lyrics, he's finally given cups with lyrics to Gomez's hit song, "I Love You Like A Love Song." Check it out here.

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DJ Earworm Reveals Summer Hits Mash-Up 'Summermash 16'

(Radio.com) It will be another couple of months before the music industry crowns its "Song of the Summer," but DJ Earworm isn't content to wait that long. He compiled all the biggest summer pop, R&B and hip-hop hits into one super mash-up titled "Summermash 16."

Pulling from music videos, DJ Earworm mixes together Beyonce's "Formation," Drake's "Summer Sixteen," Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home," among others, to create a song that sounds like its own groove-heavy thing.

Rihanna's "Needed Me," Calvin Harris and Rihanna's single "This is What You Came For" and Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling" are just a few of the songs DJ Earworm uses most heavily to provide the fun, funky underlying rhythm.

The producer has been putting together hit compilation videos for some time, but this latest will be sure to get everyone moving. Watch it and check out the full list of songs here.

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Farm Aid 2016 Details Announced

(Radio.com) Farm Aid has just announced their date and lineup for the 2016 installment of the annual concert. The show will take place at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, on September 17.

The lineup, as always, will feature Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. Young will likely be backed by Promise of the Real, a band led by Willie Nelson's band, Lukas, who he's worked with in recent years (they have a new live album together, Earth, due out this Friday).

Promise of the Real is also on the bill, performing their own set. Dave Matthews, as he often does at Farm Aid, will perform as an acoustic duo with guitarist Tim Reynolds, instead of playing with the Dave Matthews Band.

Other artists on the bill include Alabama Shakes, Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Carlene Carter and Insects Vs. Robots (the latter band is led by another of Nelson's sons, Mikah). Read more here.

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Kelly Clarkson Plans 'Coolest Announcement' Ever

(Radio.com) Kelly Clarkson has something up her sleeve, and it involves a cover of Otis Redding's 'These Arms of Mine." The singer participated in a Facebook Live recording on Monday and performed the first of four fan-requested covers, promising more "cool" things to come, including a major career announcement.

"I'm excited to sing again because months ago I sounded like crap," the original American Idol champ said. "This is the coolest announcement for me as an artist and I don't want to ruin it."

The performance with pianist Jason Halbert was filmed in her living room and included some authentic touches: At one point, Clarkson apologizes for her crying baby in the next room. The Redding cover will be one of four live sets Clarkson performs in this intimate setting.

"I picked these four songs because these four artists have something in common� that's my hint for today," she said. Check out footage here.

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Kanye West and The Weeknd Lead Inaugural Meadows Fest Lineup

(Radio.com) The Meadows Music and Arts Festival will be held at Citi Field complex in Queens, New York On October 1 & 2. Kanye West and The Weeknd will headline.

Other names appearing on the Meadows Fest bill include Chance the Rapper, Kygo, Cage the Elephant, Grimes,The 1975, Mac Miller, Metric and Pusha T.

The festival reportedly came about because organizers wanted to bring West back to the city after his performance at Governors Ball was canceled due to inclement weather, according to Rolling Stone. It helps that Meadows Fest's organizers are the minds behind Governors Ball. Read more here.

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Arjen Lucassen Explains Why Steven Wilson Declined Collaboration

(Prog) Arjen Lucassen says that Steven Wilson declined the opportunity to work with him because he considered his music "too old-fashioned prog." The Dutch multi-instrumentalist, who recently released his DVD The Theater Equation in which he took his 2004 album The Human Equation to the stage, says that he believes his own music is actually more modern than the Porcupine Tree mastermind's work.

When asked if the duo will ever join forces, Lucassen tells Metal Wani: "Unfortunately, it's not going to happen. When Steven started out with Porcupine Tree, I loved it. It was completely unknown.

"But I contacted him at the time - I sent him my albums and he sent me his albums, and we were emailing a lot. Then I asked for my album Into The Electric Castle, and I sent him the stuff and he said, 'Man, this sounds amazing. It sounds great, one of the best things in this style I've ever heard - but it's not my thing.'"

He continues: "At that time, he called it 'too old-fashioned prog.' It's just that my music is not his thing. If it's not his style, that's his choice, of course. I find it a bit strange, because he uses Mellotrons, Hammonds synthesisers and old stuff, and his stuff may be more old-fashioned than my stuff. But I'm not gonna beg - if that's his opinion, then he gets one chance and that's it." Read more and watch the full interview clip here.

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Rolling Stones To Bring Exhibitionism To New York

(hennemusic) The Rolling Stones will bring their first-ever major touring exhibit, Exhibitionism, to New York this fall. Exhibitionism will see its North American debut at Industria Superstudio (775 Washington Street) in New York's West Village this November.

Launched this spring with the group in attendance and currently running at London's Saatchi Gallery through September 4, Exhibitionism tells the story of one of the most influential rock 'n' roll bands in the world, allowing visitors to experience their journey from their early days living together in a tiny flat to headlining the biggest stages around the globe.

The event sees the band display items from their 50-year career and features more than 500 important and unseen artifacts from the group's personal archives, embracing all aspects of art & design, film, video, fashion, performance, rare sound archives, and the musical heritage that took them from a hard working London blues band in the early 1960s to iconic worldwide status.

Exhibitionism presents an interactive tour through the Rolling Stones' history, including original stage designs, dressing room and backstage paraphernalia, rare guitars and instruments, iconic costumes, rare audio tracks and unseen video clips, personal diaries and correspondence, original poster and album cover artwork, and unique cinematic presentations.

"We've been thinking about this for quite a long time but we wanted it to be just right and on a large scale," says Mick Jagger. "It's not going to be like walking into a museum. It's going to be an event, an experience. It's about a sense of The Rolling Stones - it's something we want people to go away talking about it."

"While this is about The Rolling Stones, it's not necessarily only just about us," adds Keith Richards. "It's also about all the paraphernalia and technology associated with a group like us, and it's this, as well as the instruments that have passed through our hands over the years, that should make the exhibition unforgettable." Read more and watch the promo video here.

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King Crimson's Tony Levin Releases 'Fragile As A Song' Book

(Prog) King Crimson bassist Tony Levin has released a book of poetry and lyrics. Fragile As A Song includes a foreword by Peter Gabriel and introduction by former yes drummer Bill Bruford.

Every copy of the $25, 64-page leather-bound book has been signed by Levin. It can be ordered now via his webstore. Levin says: "These are my poems from through the years, and lyrics from songs on previous albums, current albums and future ones.

"Some are quite personal, others humorous. The title poem is about making a musical connection with a bonobo ape. We fashioned the book as some of my favorite poetry books are - small, leatherette bound, with no publicity blurb on the back." Read more here.

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Curse Of Lono Release 'Just My Head' Video

(The Blues) Curse Of Lono, the new band featuring former Hey Negrita frontman Felix Bechtolsheimer, have premiered their video for "Just My Head" with The Blues.

The London outfit describe their southern rock-based sound as "The Band and the Pixies having a Tupperware party, then Leonard Cohen sets the house on fire."

Bechtolsheimer tells The Blues: "Some of our music can be quite dark - but as a band we're far from miserable. Just My Head was written in my sleep when I was on holiday.

"There was a late night of barbecue and drinking, and when I woke up the next morning, I was humming the tune and I had all these words in my head." Watch the video and read more here.

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Tax The Heat Stream New Song 'Stood On The Platform To Leave'

(Classic Rock) Tax The Heat have released a lyric video for their single "Stood On The Platform To Leave." It's taken from the Bristol band's debut album Fed To The Lions, released earlier this year via Nuclear Blast.

The band say: "We are really excited to release Stood On The Platform To Leave as the next single. It has all the key elements of a big TTH song - big riffs and a bigger chorus.

"We love playing this song live as it really brings the audience and the band together to feed off each other." Tax The Heat have a number of UK tour dates lined up for the summer, as well as a short run of shows in November. See the dates and stream the song here.

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Singled Out: Kira Small's 3AM

Acclaimed R&B/Soul/singer-songwriter Kira Small tells us the story behind the title track to her brand new album "3AM", which was released earlier this month. Here is the story:

My new album chronicles how I got through a pretty devastating breakup. "3 AM" is the title track and, really, the sonic and emotional heart of the record. There is a point in every break-up when sleep just laughs at you. Instead you are blessed with that inevitable and horrible memory spiral that happens in the middle of the night. You'd much prefer being pissed at the person who broke your heart, but you're missing them instead. Cuz that's lovely�

A lot of the songs on the record were written while I was still in the space I was writing about. 3 AM materialized a bit later. A month or so before we started tracking, I was reflecting back on the dark days and weeks after the break-up. Spent a lot of wee hours sipping whiskey, smoking cigarettes, writing in my journal, "waiting on time to pass"...because I was too torn up and troubled to sleep. I'd had all of those feelings - those seemingly never-ending moments - but I hadn't put them into a song yet. When we made the video, we decided to use the imagery of memories as an inescapable prison - which is pretty much what that feels like at 3 in the f-ing morning.

I'm a HUGE Bonnie Raitt fan and she's got a song called "The Glow" that also sounds like 3 in the morning to me. That song has always resonated with me deeply and I've always wanted to write something like it. Took a hell of a heartbreak to finally do it, but I absolutely love the result.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself here and learn more about the album right here!

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