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Watch Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart Get Scared at a Haunted House

2016-10-14T18:40:59.177Z

Jimmy Fallon celebrated Halloween two weeks early by paying a visit to Blood Manor, a spooky New York haunted house, with his partner in crime, the actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

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Speaking to his studio audience, Fallon explained that last time he hung out with Hart, the pair went on a rollercoaster. “Since Halloween is round the corner I wanted to try something even scarier, so today we’re going to New York’s scariest haunted house,” he said. “I’m going to be honest, rollercoasters are okay, I can do a little bit, but I do not like being scared.”

That proved true as the pair entered the spooky abode and shrieked their way past zombies, vampires and even a chainsaw-wielding demon creature whom they begged to “Stop it!”

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Fallon and Hart were clearly pretty shaken by the time they reached the exit. “If you guys watch this and at any point it looks like I’m afraid, I’m an actor and was acting,” Hart unconvincingly told the camera. Watch the clip above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Bob Dylan’s Spotify Streams Skyrocketed After Nobel Prize Win

2016-10-14T18:29:26.724Z

Streams of Bob Dylan’s songs spiked on Spotify after his surprise Nobel Prize win on Thursday.

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Spotify said streams of the American musician’s songs rose 512% across the world since the prize was announced. The most-listened-to song was “Like a Rolling Stone,” which saw its streams increase by 258%.

The folk singer ranks among Spotify’s top 200 artists of all time, with over 700 million streams to date.

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Dylan became the first songwriter to win the Nobel award in literature, and immediately divided opinion on social media. He was credited by the awarding panel for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition” over his 54-year career.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

GoT’s Maisie Williams & Sophie Turner Created This Stark Sister Portrait

2016-10-14T18:19:34.200Z

When a Game of Thrones fan asked Maisie Williams for a selfie, she delivered a photo so epic, it could be the cover of the Song of Ice and Fire final book by George R. R. Martin.

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In the picture, which she posted to Twitter, Williams swapped faces with Sophie Turner, a.k.a. her TV sister Sansa. The result was a Sansa family portrait so epic that it would absolutely look right at home hanging in the grand halls of Winterfell—or it could be used on the battlefield to scare off the Lannister armies.

This isn’t the first time that Williams and Turner have swapped faces. The Game of Thrones co-stars are close friends (or at least appear to be on social media) and have even come up with their own portmanteau—Mophie. Face-swapping isn’t just for the Stark sisters, though. Back in 2014, Williams asked fans to swap her mug with that of the Hound and the results were both terrifying and awesome.

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@gameofmophie @SophieT pic.twitter.com/icBD6Iv8ak
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) October 13, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

10 Things You Should Know About Rachele Brooke Smith

2016-10-14T17:44:00.254Z

She hangs out with Dr. Emmett Brown. She fights sharks. She dances, sings and acts. Oh, and she also has a six-pack to die for.

Rachele Brooke Smith has a few things to say when it comes to pursuing your dreams and not giving up (she did have to let go of her athletic ambitions when she was a teenager). That's why she has her own philosophy and motivational blog. And that’s just a few things you should know about the star of the new thriller, Cold Moon. Below are 10 more.

She’s a Trained Athlete

It may sound like a dull cliché, but Rachele Brooke Smith really ticks all the boxes when it comes to being a natural-born performer. “I grew up as a competitive gymnast in Phoenix, AZ, and was always super driven. Gymnastics taught me many great things like determination, perseverance and hard work and learning how to become fearless. But I also had so much anxiety all the time and eventually broke my hand and had a surgery when I was 13. It was a really, really hard time for me, because it was my life and my world at the time. I had to figure out what to do with my life and needed a new goal and passion.”

She Was Destined to Be in 'Center Stage 2'

Life works in mysterious ways: leaving her competitive gymnastics career behind, Rachele found herself playing competitive athletes. There’s a whole bunch of movies in Rachele Brooke’s resume about competitions — whether she’s heading the cheerleading squad in Bring It On: Fight to the Finish or dancing her way to the top in Center Stage: Turn It Up. The latter was a dream gig for the aspiring actress.

“The first dance movie that I saw was Center Stage. I remember sitting in the theater and not being able to move as that was that moment I went: 'That’s what I wanna do.' Long story short, and a whole roller-coaster of emotions and challenges later, I ended up playing the lead in the sequel to that movie. That was my first big acting and dancing role when I was 18. I got to LA on a scholarship and couldn’t work for the whole year — all I could do was train. I was dancing, acting and singing eight hours a day, six days a week. As soon as I finished I saw a casting call announcement on the wall for Center Stage 2. I remember my heart dropping. It was my movie. I watched it all the time when I was feeling sad and lonely in that big city.” Apparently the producers saw that spark in up-and-coming actress as she got the role and even returned for the Center Stage 3, which came out earlier this year.

She Was Also Destined to Cheer

“When I had to stop doing gymnastics, I was looking for my new passion and I tried cheerleading for about a year. I wasn’t on the best team, and I remember thinking I didn’t like it and I said to myself: I’ll never be a cheerleader. I’m a dancer.

I ended up on a Pom Line in high school, which is basically cheerleading without the stunts, and then I got the role in Bring It On and became a cheerleader for a couple of month. Then I was a cheerleader on Glee. And after that I worker on a film called Fired Up, where I also played a cheerleader. So for that whole year I was a cheerleader. Bring It On gave me so much respect for cheerleaders. I think that’s one of the most difficult sports there is, and that they don’t get enough credit for what they do.”

She Loves Playing Bad Girls

Smith's had her fair share of good characters and bad ones: we still quote her line “I’m like this close to caring” from Bring It On and *may have* asked her to repeat it just for us.

“I definitely love playing characters that are very different from myself. That way you really get to dive-in in acting. There is definitely something that is so fun about playing a bad girl. I’m the complete opposite of what you would call a “mean girl,” but for some reason I love playing these characters.”

She’s Starring In 'Cold Moon'

Smith’s next big project is a suspense thriller called Cold Moon, which hits the theaters just in time for Halloween on October 27. The movie is based on the novel Cold Moon Over Babylon by Michael McDowell, who wrote the screenplay for Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, although Cold Moon promises to be way more sinister than any of the Burton’s offerings.

“I’m sure this movie will blow everyone away. It was so awesome playing alongside Christopher Lloyd, ‘cause I grew up watching Back to the Future. It was very intimidating for me at first actually to play opposite of him. He’s playing this grumpy old man in the movie and I think he kinda took that on a little bit. My role was another dream come true — I play this Southern belle character. And Southern characters are really one of my strengths. My character Belinda is the happiest, most energetic one and the light of that dark film. She’s almost like a comedic relief.”

She Knows How to Kick a Shark’s Ass

Summer season is hard to imagine without a pack of shark flicks these days, but this past summer brought the fans of light-hearted large-toothed entertainment more than just Sharknado 4. Rachele Smith played the lead (but not the shark) in Atomic Shark, yet another SyFy’s TV movie about CGI-sharks attacking a team of good-looking heroes.

“Growing up an athlete, I love fighting. I really wanna do more action hero roles. In Atomic Shark I’m playing Gina, who is such a badass. She’s a lifeguard who teams up with a marine biologist to save the world, or the West Coast anyway. It’s a very fun action comedy — my favorite combination. I’m basically in a bathing suit the whole movie, so it’s pretty interesting [laughs]. I fight a shark and there’s also a very cool catfight scene in there.” Sold!

She Does Her Own Stunts

“I still have some battle scars from Atomic Shark, as I was doing my own stunts. We were filming in Puerto Rico and there are lots of bugs there, so I was attacked by some very cool bugs. And jellyfish, too.”

She’s Also a Singer

All-around entertainer, remember? “Some of my songs are in Atomic Shark. Right now I’m really focused on acting though. But singing is something that I love to do, and I just really want to have some inspiring songs in the movies that I do.”

She’s UNBREAKABLE

She also dedicates her time to her YouTube project with a pretty in-your-face title, UNBREAKABLE.

“It’s my very special project. My company is called Unbreakable Production. My goal is to put up content that inspires people to create the life they want. It’s all about finding the inner strength to get back up again no matter what. ‘Cause that’s what every successful or just happy person is about: getting back up. I hope my content will make people question their daily habits and other things. In no way am I a guru; I don’t know everything, I’m learning along my journey, but I love to share stories. That’s why I love being an actress: there’s so much power in storytelling. I love sharing other people’s stories; I love sharing what I personally learned along the way. If I can help someone get through a challenge faster, I will be more than happy.”

She’ll Teach You How to Work Out

Smith’s also involved in Flo-Rida’s Flo Fit program. “I shot that with Flo a while ago. I loved working with him, he’s such an inspiring person to be around. I really liked his fitness program. I honestly think it’s one of the best workout programs and I remember when I was doing it, I felt like I was in the best shape of my life.” But what’s her personal secret regarding staying fit and healthy? Dancing? Fighting sharks?

“I really try to follow what I call Unbreakable philosophy. I question myself every day: What did I do today to get stronger mentally and physically and spiritually? My logo is three interconnected triangles: each one represents one of the elements. I think the power of this question is huge. That’s why I also started my apparel line. I realized that I created all of these rules that I used to live by, but didn’t question them. And a lot of times our habits don’t help us become the best versions of ourselves. So I wanted to put out something that would be fun yet inspiring. Every shirt in my store is super soft and has fun logos on them. One says, 'I don’t work, I flow,' the other one says 'Life before likes.' These are for both girls and boys.” Okay, we’ll need some sent to our office, please.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-10-14T17:40:26.567Z

It's that time of the week again, and we've got a roster of new records that you can throw into your playlist.

First, there's JoJo. Considering it's been a decade since we've heard from her, Mad Love. is a major comeback we can get behind. Northern Ireland's Two Door Cinema Club are back with their new album, Gameshow while husband-and-wife duo Johnnyswim follow up 2014's Diamonds with Georgica Pond. And then we have two new bands who are making their full-length debuts: Christoph and Anton Hochhein, also known as Ablebody, are dropping their record, Adult Contemporaries, and Muddy Magnolias draw soul from their life experiences to pen the tracks on their record, Broken People.

Find out more about this week's new releases below.

'Mad Love.' - JoJo

When JoJo released "Leave (Get Out)" in 2004, many said the then 12-year-old was set for pop stardom. And yes, with eight million albums under her belt, the adolescent was one of pop's brightest at the time. Unfortunately, that's when things seemed to go downhill. With her label, Blackground Records, turning its back on her as well as issues within her own family, this was a lot for JoJo to deal with. But despite her hardships — dealing with depression, drinking and her father's death last year — she found refuge in her music. And with the help of her ever so dedicated fans, she managed to continue to release her own music with EPs and standalone singles. But now, with the help of Atlantic Records, she's dropping her first album in 10 years.

If anyone could pack a decade's worth of growth and maturity into a record, JoJo can. Leading the new sounds with her first single, "Fuck Apologies," featuring Wiz Khalifa, she puts it all out there for everyone to hear and will never be sorry about it. She opens the record with one of her most vulnerable songs yet, "Music.," a tune that gives you a bit of Cliff's Notes version of the past few years with a shoutout to her late father. While she goes big with her other collabs on "I Can Only.," featuring Alessia Cara, and "FAB." with Remy Ma, songs like "Edibles." a sultry tune about getting high and hooking up with a good friend and "High Heels," which is about how she left her last relationship. JoJo shine with her vocals, but it's her sheer honesty that keeps us wanting more.

'Gameshow' - Two Door Cinema Club

Following the success of their 2012 album, Beacon, Two Door Cinema Club were ready for a break — not just from the touring life but also from each other. Between health issues and just wanting to see what else was out there for them outside of the band, singer Alex Trimble, guitarist Sam Halliday and bassist Kevin Baird took a break and reunited in the middle of 2015 with a fresh perspective and energy to record again.

But instead of actually getting into the studio together, they all did it from their current homes — Alex in Portland, OR, Sam in London and and Kevin in Los Angeles. Despite the piecemeal way of recording Gameshow, the body of work hardly feels disjointed and very much like the Two Door Cinema Club that we love. With bass and synth combos that keep you on your toes and Alex's vocals on songs like "Fever" and the title track will keep you moving on the dance floor (or your bedroom) all night. Their throwback rock-meets-disco groove on "Ordinary" and "Je Viens De La" will get you out of your weekday slump and get you ready for the weekend.

'Broken People' - Muddy Magnolias

What would a folk singer from Texas and the Mississippi Delta and an R&B singer from Brooklyn have in common? A lot of soul. When Kallie North and Jessy Wilson, who both just moved to Nashville to make names for themselves in 2013, met, it was instant musical magic. With powerful and harmonious vocals and their diverse musical backgrounds, these two became the soul sisters that we now call Muddy Magnolias. But what makes this album even better than the talent that these two possess is their ability to pen songs that not only sound like sonic poetry but also are messages of hope, peace and encouragement to make the world a better place.

Their lead single, "Brother, What Happened?" is a sheer example of their mission to make music that not only sounds good but will actually move people. You'll also hear it on "Leave It to the Sky," their closing tune that features the vocals and piano-playing talents of John Legend. Broken People might be an anthem perfect for the current times, but these artists also show they're humans that need some loving, too, as they sing on "I Need a Man" and the heart-hugging "Why Don't You Stay?" And if you like what you hear, you'll love Muddy Magnolias more when you see them on the stage.

'Georgica Pond' - Johnnyswim

It's safe and a bit cheesy to say that Johnnyswim make sweet music together, but they really do! Their combination of pop, folk and blues feels lovely on the ears and tingles in your heart, especially on their new record, Georgica Pond.

Following their 2014 LP, Diamonds, the husband-and-wife duo of Amanda Sundano and Abner Ramirez take their experiences together and put them into song. For instance, the two sound like they're renewing their wedding vows in the show tune-esque "In My Arms." Then, they blend country and pop vibes on "Lonely Night in Georgia," which features Vince Gill. Then there's ethereal "Touching Heaven" that includes a surprises vocal appearance by their baby at the end. They get down and dirty on "Hummingbird," while they get everyone in the bar singing along on "Drunks." Georgica Pond is the album that has something for everyone. No matter what you're into, you'll find something to get into on this one.

'Adult Contemporaries' - Abelbody

From the moment you press play on Ablebody's Adult Contemporaries, you instantly feel like you're taken back to another time. Between their sun-kissed melodies and mellow vocal harmonies, identical twins Christoph and Anton Hochheim have done a flawless job on a collection of songs that will ease you into the weekend. And can we just say how well each of the tunes would fit into a John Hughes movie soundtrack?

"Guacho" sounds like it would have been perfect for Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez and the rest of the Breakfast Club crew to get down in the library at Shermer High. Meanwhile, "Say What You Will" would seem to fit in perfectly in the post-argument scene between Eric Stoltz and Mary Stuart Masterson in Some Kind of Wonderful. While we can't go back in time to the teen film heyday of the '80s, at least we've got some tunes that not only feel nostalgic but also put us in a better mood.

iji’s Psychedelic Masterwork ‘Bubble’ Is an Album Written in Dream Language

2016-10-14T17:02:51.127Z

iji is one of the most prolific bands you’ve never heard of. For years, band leader Zach Burba was the only member, playing and multi-tracking every instrument himself to create more than 11 studio albums’ worth of crisp, catchy psychedelia that sounds far better than it should, given that Burba recorded it all at home.

Since then, however, Burba’s pet project has grown into an unwieldy full band that includes as many as 43 other members. It makes sense listening to their latest record, Bubble — only their second recorded in a proper studio, as every song is so loaded with sounds that come together neatly, only becoming chaotic when Burba’s brand of richly melodic psych-pop calls for it.

Despite the abbreviated recording period, months of thought went into Bubble, including months of dream journaling by band members in order to create an album “written in dream language.” We spoke with Burba about why Bubble is a punk record at heart, his exhausting songwriting process and how getting arrested helped them land a record deal.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Homebase: Seattle, WA

Describe your music to someone who's never heard it before.

Unreliable music, west coast music, transcendental party music, people music, regular music, wild music.

How did you first start playing music?

Both of my parents are musicians. I grew up in a house full of instruments. I shared a room with my brother until we were adults, and we spent all of our free time listening to and playing music together.

What's your songwriting process like?

I sit for hours with a classical guitar and go out of my mind trying to find something that passes my tests. The tests are constantly changing. Once the music and melody are in order, I play the song over and over, and if lyrics start to happen, then the song may live. If not I usually forget about it. For every iji song that makes it to a record there’s at least 20 songs that were abandoned.

You spent a long time recording independently without a proper studio. How does it compare being signed and being able to take advantage of a full studio?

The ability to work in a studio came out of becoming friends with engineer Nich Wilbur at the The Unknown recording studio. It's obviously a totally different approach, but I finally felt ready to make that leap after hanging around the Unknown a handful of times and experiencing its possibilities. It's a massive, old church that is full of ghosts, natural reverb, tape machines and vibraphones. It's set up for easy experimentation and even has a basketball hoop. We pay for the space with our limited resources so have to work much faster than at home, but we've embraced that urgency as a part of the records made there. It's still scary to leave that comfortable infinity of home recording, but it seems worth it lately.

Your list of regular band members is a little unwieldy. Do you ever have trouble organizing musicians?

I have tons of trouble organizing everything in my life, that's why the list of band members is unwieldy. The lineup that plays on Bubble have all been part of the solid band for about two years now, and that's the most consistent the band has ever been. I've come to terms with the fluid band but do really enjoy its moments of stability.

How does collaborating with a full band compare to working more on your own and multi-tracking instruments for the recordings?

They are two different religions, and I'm devoted to both. Working on my own is one of the few experiences of 'home' that I can still feel. I've read a lot of artists talk about the way time disappears when you record alone. Sometimes it feels like waking up after an alien abduction. I finish a track and realize that seven hours have passed and I haven't eaten all day. The hunger sets in all at once; I've completely forgotten to pay attention to my body. Working with a band can be equally transcendent when it's right. I'm thrilled to have the band I am currently working with. I trust their sense completely. That's hard to get to.

You've released at least 11 studio albums' worth of material at this point (even if it hasn't all been released as such). How do you manage to be so prolific without running out of ideas, musically or lyrically?

I don't know! Robert Wyatt was asked a similar question and compared it to throwing darts. As long as you never hit the bullseye, there is a reason to keep throwing. I would add that my bullseye is unclear and I hardly know what direction to even throw the things, making it an even more interesting and prolonged game.

What does it mean to you to write an album in "dream language?" Was it difficult or did it come naturally?

I have a lot of thoughts on this but hardly know how to explain it. The theory was based on the idea that our dreams are full of images. The images represent real parts of our lives, but it often takes research and abstract thought to figure out what they mean, and even then, it's only a guess. This sort of personal mystery is the most fascinating subject I've ever come across.

I thought that if I was able to turn off my filters and free write lyrics inspired by dreams I would get at the important and emotional themes I ought to be writing about without knowing what they are. To finish the songs, I meticulously edited the stream of consciousness lyrics adding more interesting words here and there from a clearer mindset. This seems counter to the process, but I feel like it improved the songs.

Was there anything new inspiring you while writing Bubble, whether it be other music, visual art or just a certain idea?

I'm always digging for new music. For Bubble, some of the biggest influences in that way were ‘80s records like The dB's Stand For Decibles, Arthur Russell's Catalogue, reading about Sun Ra, Laurie Anderson's output. There was a lot of non-musical influence — a few of the instrumentals came out of trying to imagine what certain paintings by Kandinsky would sound like as iji songs. I've read a lot poetry to get in the zone, Gary Snyder works... I'm still looking for the perfect poets. On the same tour we had our dream journals we also listened to Terrence McKenna lectures on the regular. All of this and much more.

What's your favorite part about touring?

The constant motion and unpredictability. Home life feels so dull for weeks after returning.

What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you while on tour?

I'm trying to avoid using the word “crazy,” but the most shocking was getting aggressively arrested in New Paltz, NY for swimming in a public pool after dark. We had to rearrange our tour to return to New Paltz for a Court Date, but this inconvenience led to making several new friends, coincidentally having breakfast with one of our art heroes, letting go of involved fears and ultimately getting us a record deal with Team Love.

How do you try to make your live shows unique?

As a band we have little desire to faithfully recreate our records live. We idealize the 'in the moment' ideas. We're also heavily influenced by the vibe of the room and audience and often let that creep into the music.

One random fun fact about iji, go!

Whoops! The one that popped up is actually a secret. Sorry!

Watch Anna Renee’s “Addicted To Heartbreak” Video Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-10-14T16:40:56.369Z

Pursuing love can be addictive — even if it leads you into undesirable places. That’s the crux of Anna Renee’s new dark electropop single “Addicted to Heartbreak,” which we’re premiering today on Myspace.

"'Addicted to Heartbreak' is a glimpse inside the allure of addiction,” explains Renee to Myspace, “where the thrill of chasing the next high is met with a sad desperation and the mind is lost in fantasy."

The video is a stunning, emotion-filled look into the highs and lows of chasing various lovers. In a hotel room, she meets these lovers to experience brief exhilaration — only to be disappointed. In the aftermath, she communicates her anger through a fierce dance.

Anna Renee's new EP will be released on October 28.

Watch The Intense, Bloody Video For The Weeknd's "False Alarm"

2016-10-14T16:33:52.648Z

This isn't for the light of heart. The Weeknd's new video for "False Alarm" depicts a vicious man robbing a bank and shooting everyone in sight. Also portrayed in the short film are police chases, car crashes and lots of blood.

It's a top-notch cinematic feat — but it's also super difficult to watch.

"False Alarm" is the second single from Starboy, which is The Weeknd's sophomore album. The record will be released on November 25.

Watch The Silly, Pokémon Go-Themed Video For Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know"

2016-10-14T16:22:01.678Z

The new visuals for Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know" are ridiculous — but, hey, at least they're self-aware.

The group, dressed up as Pokémon characters, find themselves chased by a rabid group of Pokémon Go fans. They also sing the tropical EDM-inflected song while wearing their new garb in front of fans.

The six-minute video features a behind-the-scenes look in the middle, where the director asks Adam Levine to wear a Pharrell-like hat. "It kind of goes against brand. You know, my socials, my public image," explains the frontman in regards to why he doesn't want to wear the hat.

Vince Vaughn, Sarah Silverman, Ed Helms and others also star in the celeb-studded video.

Listen To Franz Ferdinand's Anti-Donald Trump Song "Demagogue"

2016-10-14T16:08:20.100Z

The members of Franz Ferdinand can't vote in the US election, but they want to voice their hatred of Donald Trump regardless. The rollicking, guitar rockers go straight for the guttural: "Those pussy-grabbing fingers won't let go of me now," sings Alex Kapranos.

The song is part of a campaign called "30 Days, 30 Songs" created by an entity called "Artists for a Trump-Free America." Death Cab For Cutie and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James have also contributed songs to the effort.

"Consider this the music by which you will register to vote and cast your ballot for Hillary Clinton, the only candidate who can prevent the apocalypse that would be Donald Trump as president," says the organization on its website.

Happy 10th Birthday, YouTube

2016-10-14T15:52:28.940Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're looking back over some of the gems YouTube has given us and recounting how the website evolved to be the weird behemoth of a living time capsule it is today.

Ten Years of YouTube

Recommended Pairing: A delicious bottle of ten-year-old vintage Two Buck Chuck.

Twelve years ago, back when I was first giving marijuana a go, my friends and I spent our high times listening to bad electronic music and watching pixelated visualizations through WinAmp.

That's it. Just sitting and staring at a screen while it waved around "to the beat."

I am fully aware of how lame that is, especially considering our parents' generation created the idea of watching cool shit while stoned, like the Wizard of Oz synced up to Pink Floyd.

I have no idea what the kids are watching with their heads full of these new super strains, but I have a feeling it's probably live footage of someone else playing a video game and making dumb noises all the while. I know I sound like an old fogey, but what the hell is Pewdipie? Like, what is this shit?

I really don't like to smoke and sit around, but when I do one of my favorite things to do is just throw myself down into a deep dark YouTube rabbit hole. Back when I had roommates I would smoke with, we would play a few rounds of Wii Golf, I'd be a bad sport about losing, then we'd entertain ourselves with the YouTube Rabbit Hole Game.

What's the YouTube Rabbit Hole Game?

It's simple:

Smoke pot.
On the count of three everyone in the room shouts out a word.
The person at the controls types in two or three of the words they hear.
The room votes on which thumbnail they want to see.
After the video, you either click another suggested video or...
Start from the top.

This is the game that got us such gems as:

Turkey Talk w/ Paul Rackley

Family Guapo

I think of YouTube as an incredible social experiment; a time capsule of the last ten years that allows us to literally watch ourselves evolve from the "Wow, the internet is amazing" phase right on into the "We take the internet for granted because it was a thing when we were born" era. It's interesting to see the quality of storytelling go down alongside the rise of sophistication in the technology.

When YouTube first really started to become a thing, you could browse around and find so many weird clips of people talking to the internet for the first time. People seemed cautiously optimistic; they seemed excited at the possibility that someone else might be out there waiting to watch — hoping for a connection.

The rise of reality television ruined what could have been an amazing outlet for creative expression. Instead of inventive new devices for storytelling, we got selfies, vlogs, and reaction videos.

Now we have someone like Glozell, a woman with no real discernible talent, hacking and flailing on camera for her five millions subscribers. At least Pewdiepie is good at video games.

Fuck Donald Trump

Recommended Pairing: A conscious.

This was never supposed to be a political recap column. It was supposed to be just a fun column where I reviewed YouTube clips and miscellaneous internet news.

Instead, The Donald has wormed his way into almost every week. He lies, he snorts, he grabs women by the pussy... and he simply dominates the news and popular culture every week. I hate his guts.

Luckily, it looks like his misogynistic (as well as homophobic and xenophobic) train has finally come all the way off the tracks.

It's about fucking time. Seriously. Fuck. Donald Trump.

Right after the first presidential debate, Saturday Night Live and Alec Baldwin finally gave us the defining moment — the fulcrum on which the meteoric rise of Trump's "message" was met with his ultimate fall back to Earth. It's almost too easy. Just repeat every single ridiculous thing he says until it's clear that he's the joke.

Then footage/audio come to light where he said he can get away with sexual assault because he's a star. Fuck that guy.

Soon after Republicans began to pivot and abandon ship.

John Oliver wasn't having it.

This election cycle went about as awry as anyone could have ever imagined. I think we're all in agreement that we want to just move forward and watch the Republican party crumble as our first female president ushers in a new era of civilized political discourse.

Just kidding. We're all fucked.

All we can really hope for is that the Donald is going to get caught up in so many class action lawsuits and civil suits he won't have the time or the money to get his ugly butthole mouth on television anymore.

'Til next week.

LEGO Introduces a Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Set in Time for the Holidays

2016-10-13T23:53:38.112Z

LEGO introduced a Beatles’ Yellow Submarine set this week just in time for the item to crowd holiday wish lists.

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The box includes more than 550 pieces and mini figures representing John, Paul, George and Ringo, along with a figure for the character Jeremy from the film Yellow Submarine. The colorful set, a refined version of a LEGO Ideas project by Kevin Szeto, will retail at $59.99 when it hits shelves starting Nov. 1.

LEGO designer Justin Ramsden said he was at least inspired in part by seeing the movie when he was younger.

“It oozed so much imagination, comparable to how I view LEGO elements,” he said in a statement. “To see The Beatles in LEGO form is a dream come true.”

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The toy comes half a century after the release of the best-selling song and the movie that followed shortly afterward.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera Among Performers at Prince Tribute Concert Thursday Night

2016-10-13T23:43:20.315Z

“Prince Day” in St. Paul is here.

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Prince’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia and performer Nicole Scherzinger are joining a Prince tribute concert on Thursday, adding to a lineup that already included Stevie Wonder,Christina Aguilera and Chaka Khan.

Other artists who will perform include Portuguese Fado singer Ana Moura, who sang with Prince around the world, saxophone player Michael Phillips, Prince’s former bandmate André Cymone, and members of the New Power Generation, Prince’s backing band.

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The concert was announced after Prince’s death in April at age 57. Fans quickly bought most of the 17,000 tickets when they went on sale last month. John Mayer was slated to perform, but dropped out Tuesday due to a scheduling change.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Alex Trebek Just Couldn’t Resist Getting in a Jab at This Jeopardy Contestant

2016-10-13T23:28:13.890Z

The majority of Jeopardy is about fast-paced quiz rounds, but there are also those few minutes every episode when Alex Trebek takes some time to get to know the three contestants. These segments normally go off without a hitch. However, there are occasionally moments that seem like they were pulled straight from one of Saturday Night Live’s infamous “Celebrity Jeopardy” sketches.

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During Wednesday’s installment of the trivia show, contestant Susan Cole, a legislative librarian from Bowie, Maryland, began telling the host about her love of Nerdcore Hip-Hop. “It’s people who identify as nerdy rapping about the things they love,” she said. “Video games, science-fiction, having a hard time meeting romantic partners. It’s really catchy and fun.”

Unfortunately, Trebek is apparently not a fan of that particular music genre. “Losers, in other words,” he responded.

Joe Biden on Donald Trump: ‘This Is Absolutely Outrageous Behavior’

Watch the full clip below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Fraea Channels Another Realm on 'Bend Your Bones'

2016-10-13T16:30:00.000Z

Hailing from the Twin Cities, Fraea makes edgy, electronic pop that sounds wholly otherworldly. The duo's songs ooze with an eerie magic, lifted by singer Jessie Daley's ethereal voice and driven by moody synths. Made up of members Daley and Drew Preiner, the two-piece began their collaboration through email and have since released an EP, Bend Your Bones, released earlier this year. Finding inspiration for their name in the Norse goddess Freya, the pair weave their own mythology in song, drawn from their experiences and tribulations in the realm of love.

We spoke with Daley about their collaboration and song-writing process, the Minneapolis music scene, channeling inspiration and how seeing Kanye West was a spiritual experience.

Hometown/Homebase: Minneapolis, MN

How did you decide on your EP title of Bend Your Bones?

Bend Your Bones was lifted from the lyrics to a song on the album, "Criminal." “Bend your bones” in the song is kind of literal, a pretty way to say put your body around me, hold me, reconnect. But the deeper meaning to that phrase is about finding flexibility, imagination or fluidity within seemingly rigid or static parts of life and love.

How did you two originally meet?

We met through a mutual friend, who got us on an email exchange. We sent each other skeletons of what we were each working on at the time, and found some common threads that we then got together and began sorting through. Ultimately, we threw out most of those threads and ended up with something very different than what either of us was originally envisioning, but we are happy with where we landed.

How does your collaboration work? What do you each bring out in each other?

Maybe the short answer is that we take turns saving each other from getting stuck in different ruling parts of ourselves. I will get very stuck in my heart or my gut and just want to throw logic to the wind, and Drew will sometimes get stuck in the analytics and has to be reminded that he has all this very fertile intuitive soil in his heart and gut.

We have a working relationship that is full of duality, which can be challenging to navigate at times, but that also brings a lot of electricity and texture to our creative process. It also creates a very supportive working relationship. Our differences become helpful — we do life differently and can thus give each other fresh perspective and then go make songs out of our respective challenges and lightbulb moments.

What is your song-writing process like? How long does a song take to be completed?

Usually Drew starts making a beat and while he is making it, I am either strolling through lyrics I have written to find a “catch phrase” — something that strikes me as matching the mood I am in and/or the mood of the drums or the synths. Sometimes I just close my eyes and start writing something new that speaks to the moment or to something that is happening inside me.

So what happens is that some of our songs are based on a feeling or idea that happened years ago, and other times they are based on something very present and raw. "Criminal," for example, was written from a very vulnerable state, when I was in this very painful phase of marriage and all of those lyrics came dashing out of my brain, maybe even before Drew had drums fully in place. I think it was just this looped arpeggio and my feeling of loss and nostalgia or heartache that crashed together and became that song. A lot of the time, our songs are like that.

Then, once we have a general form, we go back in and start manipulating tones and vocals and rework the song until it feels like it is fully itself. On this album, we then brought all of our songs to our producer friend Danny O’Brien a.k.a HOTDAD (of Dem Yuut) who helped us find all the secret little sonic nooks and crannies that hadn’t been caressed. We are now experimenting with new ways of writing, just to keep the process fresh.

This album is the culmination of years of love songs scribbled in notebooks. What's the best environment to write a love song or journal?

I write as I am falling asleep at night, and also in the shower. Those are the times my music brain seems to snap on, so that is probably due to some brain wave action switching frequency, or relaxing. I have fallen asleep writing for years, and I find a lot of truth comes out in those moments, even when I don’t fully understand it, even when I don’t have intellectual or intentional access to it.

The other time I write is when I’m actively working on a song, when I have carved out that seat time to be creative — sitting with Drew, or Drew and Danny or with myself and a synth, and then, like I talked about, lyrics often come along with the tones and rhythms. I also seem to always need darkness when I am writing, but only with other people. Maybe because that part of the work feels so vulnerable and personal to me, I need to hide a bit.

What's it like being creative in Minneapolis? How much of an influence does it have on the music you make?

It’s like being part of a huge family of people with endless ideas. Lots of distant cousins, so to speak, who all feel somewhat connected to and responsible for one another. People really rise up and help each other out, across genres and generations.

It probably comes down to having all of these creative hearts living in one cold place, and having to power through those cold winters together. It can be very depressing and dark and isolating. I think we all sing to each other and create together and for one another in order to escape that isolation. Maybe it’s historical, like in our Minnesota DNA as a survival tactic, to make meaning of that darkness and cold through various forms of creativity. I guess that’s what art is about in general, so maybe Minnesotans are on a little creative weather-steroid.

Then, of course, we all celebrate and feel good and kind of naturally high for the six non-winter months, and art needs that glow too. So yes, this city is pulsing with art and artists and creatives in other realms. And also, people who don’t feel that need to create but who want to feel good or find meaning, who want to hear that music or watch that dancer move or look at those paintings, so they can witness a part of themselves in tangible form.

What's been one of your favorite recent shows? What made it special?

In terms of somebody else’s show, we actually just went to Kanye last night! That was the most impressive live visual production I have ever seen. I seriously kept thinking, What if he just gets beamed up and this is not really a light show but like really some serious, actual alien shit? It was dreamlike and haunting and fully beautiful. And the way the lights illuminated these little sections of the crowd energy, for the entire stadium to take in, while he hovered above. The energy was unbelievable. Like a spiritual experience.

As for one of our own shows, our EP release show was kind of like that too. Just kidding. But our EP release show at Icehouse in Minneapolis was one of my favorites so far. Walking out and playing to a full house in such a tender, lovely venue, people dancing, moving, foggy neon lights, and so much heart poured into those songs - finally getting to play them in front of people who danced and knew the words, that was very intense and touching. All of our shows feel so good to me though, in different versions of the same way. Just getting up there with Drew, who I have so much creative trust in, and moving my body and losing myself and letting all my guards down and connecting with people. That’s what healing feels like, to me, that’s what being “complete” feels like.

So for me, performance really encapsulates the most important parts of life; it’s like a direct way to access that feeling of purpose and meaning, if you can let yourself go there.

What's next for Fraea?

We are always writing, which is where we’re most comfortable. We love visuals, too, so it is very likely you will see more videos from us in the months to come. We keep booking shows that suit us, keeping them to a minimum while still performing often enough to stay connected to our audience. It’s a difficult balance to strike, and speaking for myself, hard to not want to be on a stage submerging in that feeling all the time, but ultimately very important to us to keep music-making as the central theme.

Take a First Listen to The Upset Victory's "The Weekend (Bad Habits)"

2016-10-13T16:30:00.000Z

Sometimes it just feels so good to break the rules. And The Upset Victory explores that idea on their latest track, "The Weekend (Bad Habits)."

"'The Weekend' is a bit of a satire, urging one to embrace their inner demons or desires (bad habits)," singer Jason Dill tells Myspace, "whilst poking fun at the status-quo of 'morality' — church and confession of sins. The song also points to our innate attraction to chaos, and our tendency to lust after something [or] someone despite knowing or being told it is 'no good.'"

Jason adds that it's also a bit biographical, too. "I feel 'The Weekend' is a reflection of my own life and the menace I have been," he adds.

Listen to the track below.

Lil Wayne Says He Doesn't Know Who Donald Trump Is

2016-10-13T16:24:49.607Z

Lil Wayne doesn't want to talk about Donald Trump. In fact, he feigned ignorance when asked if he had anything to say to the Republican presidential candidate in a new New York Times interview. "Who's that?" he replied.

While he's likely aware of the shockingly controversial candidate, it sounds like he simply doesn't want to take part in any sort of activism.

"I believe there’s a bunch of different types of artists and musicians," said the rapper. "To even notice what’s going on out there — I’m trying to make these words stop popping up in my head, I’m trying to make them rhyme. I’ve got all kind of color lives mattering up in here — green, all kinds of stuff mattering. I’m trying to make sense of what’s going on in this world up in here [points to head]."

Lil Wayne, who is currently embroiled in legal battles with his label surrounding the release of his 11th album Tha Carter V, ought to get out more.

Listen to his last single, 2014's "Believe Me," below.

Bob Dylan Receives Nobel Prize In Literature

2016-10-13T16:06:42.458Z

Now Bob Dylan can add a Nobel Prize (!) to his long list of accolades.

The Swedish Academy recognized Dylan "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition," according to NPR.

The award, which is typically given to novelists and poets, hasn't been awarded to an American since Toni Morrison won in 1993.

He's particularly being recognized for his influential body of works from classic albums like Highway 61 Revisited and Blood On The Tracks to his books including Writings and Drawings and Chronicles.

"He is a great poet in the English-speaking tradition, and he is a wonderful sampler — a very original sampler," said the Academy's Sara Danius to NPR. "For 54 years now he has been at it and reinventing himself, constantly creating a new identity."

Watch The Thrilling New Trailer For 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

2016-10-13T15:46:45.269Z

Get excited, Star Wars fans. The new Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer dives deeper into the tumultuous back story of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones). Apparently, her father (Mads Mikkelsen) was involved in creating the Death Star. And now she has to find him.

The trailer also shows a closer look at the construction of the Death Star — and features a Darth Vader cameo.

Rogue One, a prequel to the original 1977 Star Wars film, will tell the tale of the rebels trying to bring down the Death Star. It arrives in theaters on December 16.

5 Biggest Feuds Between Artists and Their Record Labels

2016-10-13T07:00:00.000Z

The music industry should be about just that—the music. Unfortunately, the huge sums of money involved in the business inspire all sorts of ugliness, including underhanded deals and deceptive contracts that lead to lengthy legal disputes, which only end up getting in the way of the music.

Many artists have struggled against the business-side of the music industry for one reason or another, but these 5 artists went one step beyond, engaging in epic feuds that often threatened to overshadow their actual work.

John Fogerty vs. Fantasy Records

John Fogerty was the voice and the brains behind the 1960s roots-rock hit-makers Creedence Clearwater Revival, but in 1972, he wanted out of the band and out of his suffocating contract with Fantasy Records. He ceded a large portion of his royalties to Fantasy’s owner Saul Zaentz so he could record elsewhere, but still spent a significant time fighting Fantasy in court after they lost money they owed to him in an offshore tax shelter deal gone awry.

In 1985, Zaentz accused Fogerty’s new song “The Old Man Down the Road” of being a carbon copy of the Creedence hit “Run Through the Jungle,” for which he owned the copyright. Essentially, he accused Fogerty of plagiarizing himself, resulting in further court proceedings that kept Fogerty from recording new material. The jury ruled in Fogerty’s favor, and in 2005, almost immediately after Zaentz sold his shares of Fantasy, Fogerty re-signed with the label.

Neil Young vs. Geffen

Never one to box himself into one specific genre, Neil Young started the ‘80s with 1982’s truly out-of-left-field Trans, a synth-heavy electro album that sounded nothing like his earlier country, folk and rock recordings. That didn’t sit well with David Geffen, the head of Geffen Records, which Young had only recently signed with.

“They told me they wanted me to play rock 'n' roll, and told me I didn't sound like Neil Young,” Young said, “so I gave them Everybody's Rockin' and said, 'This is a rock 'n' roll album by Neil Young after someone tells him what to do.’” Angered, Geffen sued Young in 1984 for $3.3 million for making music that was not “commercial” and “unrepresentative” of himself, and Young countersued for $21 million. Both suits were dropped after Geffen apologized, and Young returned to the label in 1988. An album of live performances of new songs recorded in the midst of the lawsuit finally saw the light of day in 2011, titled A Treasure.

Prince vs. Warner Bros.

Prince had clashed repeatedly with his record label Warner Bros. when he finally decided he wanted out of the contract he had signed with them in 1977 and extended in the early ‘90s.

Prince frequently disagreed with the record company, especially when it came to his enormous backlog of songs, which he wanted to release as soon as they were ready. Prince went rogue in 1993. He changed his name to the unpronounceable symbol , later dubbed “love symbol #2,” but was commonly referred to as “the artist formerly known as Prince.”

He was widely mocked by media and fans alike for the name change, but his new tendency to perform with the word “SLAVE” on his cheek gives some insight into the reason behind his rebellion. “The company owns the name Prince and all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros.,” he once said in a press release. Prince went back to using his own name in 2000, once the contract had expired, and continued to speak out against big record companies while releasing music in innovative ways on his own independent label — though he still re-signed with Warner Bros. in 2014.

Johnny Cash vs. Columbia Records

In 1964, Johnny Cash collaborated with songwriter Peter La Farge for a socially conscious concept album that would make waves even today — a collection of storytelling folk ballads about the past and present injustices perpetrated against Native Americans titled Bitter Tears.

The album was banned and censored, rejected by country purists as un-American, and Cash was caught in the middle of a career-threatening controversy. His label Columbia Records pulled advertising for the album and Billboard had publicly refused to review it, so Cash bought a full-page ad in the magazine and penned an open letter to the music business.

“I had to fight back when I realized that so many stations are afraid of ‘Ira Hayes.’ Just one question: ‘Why?’” Cash bought a thousand copies of the album’s widely-banned lead single “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” from Columbia and had copies sent to every radio station in the US. The song reached the Billboard Top 10 in December 1964. Columbia later dropped Cash entirely in 1986, ending a 26-year-long relationship because the singer wasn’t bringing in enough money. Cash enjoyed a big comeback eight years later with a series of albums with American Recordings.

Michael Jackson vs. Sony Music Entertainment

The 2001 release of Invincible — Michael Jackson’s first album in six years and the final full LP of his career — was marred by an earlier dispute between Jackson and his record label, Sony.

Jackson believed the licenses to his own albums’ master recordings would revert to him in the early 2000s, but certain clauses in his contract extended the date several years into the future — a fact Jackson’s attorney had overlooked, probably because he was also representing Sony in the same deal. Sony had also been pressuring Jackson to sell his large share of their music catalog venture, and thus may have had an interest in seeing his album fail and him forced to sell his shares.

Invincible’s sales suffered due to the ongoing legal battle and lack of any promotional tour. Jackson railed against the greed and alleged racism of Sony execs, including then chairman Tommy Mottola, who Jackson alleged called his colleague Irv Gotti a “fat n*gger.” Sony refused to renew Jackson’s contract and blamed the record’s failure on Jackson’s refusal to tour during the dispute. Jackson said in 2002, “The recording companies really, really do conspire against the artists — they steal, they cheat, they do everything they can. [Especially] against the black artists.”

Nick Waterhouse Dishes on the Music Industry Over Brunch

2016-10-13T07:00:00.000Z

Nick Waterhouse despises brunch. After his first choice of locale, Russ & Daughters Café, required a 90-minute wait last weekend, the Southern California-born songwriter, producer, guitarist and DJ traipses around the East Village seeking inferior, if instantaneous options.

Realizing that 1 o’clock on a Sunday was probably not the most convenient time for conversations over foodstuffs in Manhattan, Waterhouse leads the way westward to Freemans and then to The Grey Dog — unintentionally recreating the imagery of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album cover with his girlfriend. After rejecting both for their outrageous, out-the-door lines, we are finally seated at a four-person table in the very front of Café Gitane without a wait.

“It’s a cultural disaster,” Waterhouse grumbles. “Brunch is like a regression to Hobbsian warfare.”

Still, having agreed to eat and talk on the record about his new album, Never Twice, Waterhouse succumbs to brunch-like food in a brunch-like setting with brunch-like company.

The 30-year-old’s third LP of original music is likely his best work, too. It combines both the swinging, retro rhythm and blues of 2012’s Time’s All Gone and the brooding mystery of 2014’s Holly. As a result, Never Twice retains its danceable doo-wop, epitomized on songs like the single “Katchi,” a collaboration with new-soul singer Leon Bridges. The album also expands in all the right musical directions like on the instrumental “Lucky Once” and flute solo-filled funk of the seven-and-a-half-minute “Stanyan Street.”

Waterhouse is a self-described “reticent” interviewee. Rather than divulge details about his personal life or narrative, his songs’ meanings, or reasons for creating, Waterhouse steers conversation to larger industry issues.

“I think I want to do about 10% of what I do in my career and the other 90% are things that I have to do so that I can do that 10%. And I try to be a good sport about the other 90,” Waterhouse says over a ramekin of baked eggs with smoked salmon, capers, potatoes, and cream.

Even since the beginning of his musical career, Waterhouse has never wanted to be a singer or the center of attention. “It’s all been a big terrible misunderstanding,” he says, referring to his current position — making records under his own name, as the frontman for his own project. “You make something that you don’t think anybody’s gonna hear, and then everybody hears it and then they tell you, ‘This is the next thing you do. You go here. Take this plane.’”

The eldest son of a fireman and a saleswoman, Waterhouse reminisces briefly on his childhood. He listened to AC/DC, Black Flag and Elvis Costello, and cites Lester Bangs’ essay on Them as music journalism that changed his life — all influences that remain in his contemporary music. As a teenager, he played in bands and when no one wanted to sing in one of them, he took the gig out of necessity.

Thinking back, he says, “I guess that’s kind of the motto of my whole career: nobody else is going to do it. You have an idea and you’re like, ‘Man, it’d be great if somebody did this.’ And then you find that three years pass and nobody’s done it and all you’re doing is being the same person saying, ‘It’d be great if somebody did this.’ So that’s always been a motivation for me to do something else.”

Likewise, throughout his whole career Waterhouse has almost exclusively been labeled as sounding like/hailing from another era. He dresses himself in stylish threads; He wears his hair in a way that makes people ask if he uses pomade (he is quick to say he doesn’t); his music grooves to the beat of a jazz drummer and soars with saxophone solos and female vocal accompaniments.

Rejecting that notion, however, he argues, “I don’t think my music is from another place and time. I think it’s from right now.” Waving his fork around for emphasis, Waterhouse continues, “Maybe it’s a reaction to what I live in...What if everything I see in atmosphere, in sonics, in performance is emotionally bankrupt to me? What if I don’t believe a guitar pedal? Maybe it’s what’s not being said that’s actually happening?”

Even dealing with the 90% of frustrating factors stemming from a life in music and dealing with the music industry, the other 10% of creating seems to sustain Waterhouse.

“The fact of the matter is, when I’m making a record, fuck everybody,” he says. “That’s what’s happening when I’m making a record. That’s where I’m doing something that satisfies something in my mind’s eye. That’s when I’m smiling. It’s really nice. It has so little to do with the rest of it.”

And now, as audiences get to dig into Never Twice, Waterhouse steels himself against the onslaught of questions about hair gel and TV dinners — markers of a time that didn’t actually influence his music. “My record is how I want to be portrayed,” he decrees. “That’s the point of me making my record.”

But when faced with the question of why he stays in the game, in the crapshoot that is the music industry, Waterhouse seems like he’s at a loss.

“I dunno,” he says. “I dunno what else to do.” After a brief pause of simultaneously considering existential options and the last crumbs in his dish, he admits, “This is better than anything that ever happened in my life, so there’s no reason to stop doing it.”

Amy Adams, Ewan McGregor and Tom Ford Reveal Their Fashion Icons

2016-10-13T07:00:00.000Z

We all want to dress like our favorite celebrities, but who do our favorite celebrities want to dress like? As it turns out, many members of Hollywood draw their fashion inspiration from some unlikely places.

Vanity Fair asked some of your favorite stars who it was that inspired their fashion, and then put the entire video up for your viewing pleasure on their XUMO channel.

Check it out below, and keep it in mind next time you're feeling like making a bold fashion statement.

Vanity Fair on XUMO: Amy Adams, Ewan McGregor and Tom Ford Reveal Their Fashion Icons from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things fashion whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

8 Surprisingly Good Follow Up Singles From '90s One Hit Wonders

2016-10-13T07:00:00.000Z

One hit wonders. We love them for a brief moment but have seemingly zero interest in hearing anything from them ever again. Sadly, what this means is quite a few artists who make really good music have almost all of that music ignored by the masses.

The ‘90s were a time that featured a plethora of one hit wonders, and while some deservedly earned that title, others had quality follow up singles we just happened to ignore. Here are 8 such artists, and their surprisingly good follow up singles.

Orgy – “Stitches”

While Orgy’s cover of "Blue Monday" brought them to their pinnacle of popularity, their follow up, "Stitches," never cracked the Billboard Hot 100. That’s a shame, because it may actually be a better song. The biggest chart accomplishment for "Stitches," which was released in 1999, was that it reached #18 on the US Alternative Songs chart.

Blind Melon – “I Wonder”

When you see the name Blind Melon you instantly think of the bee girl, and the band’s ubiquitous hit “No Rain.” Sporting a remarkably different tone, the band released the grunge influenced "I Wonder" as the follow up single in 1992. The track didn’t strike a chord with listeners, but the video predicted the mud people of Woodstock '94, an event that featured Blind Melon on the bill.

Luscious Jackson – “Under Your Skin”

The follow up to "Naked Eye," Luscious Jackson released "Under Your Skin" in 1997. The very cool mixture of downtempo, rock, pop and hip-hop still sounds amazing today, even if it didn’t become a hit for the band.

Snow – “Girl I've Been Hurt”

There was no way Snow could have possibly topped “Informer,” his mega-hit that spent seven consecutive weeks at No. 1 back in 1993. That said, “Girl I’ve Been Hurt” was a follow up single that deserved way more spins than it was given. (The fur bikinis in the video were a nice visual bonus for some of us.)

Digable Planets – “Where I'm From”

Released in 1993 as the follow up to "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," "Where I'm From" wasn't nearly as big a hit for Digable Planets, but it’s still a fantastic song. Of course, most Digable Planets songs are fantastic songs!

Skee-Lo – “Top Of The Stairs”

When you think of Skee-Lo, his incredibly fun 1995 hit “I Wish” probably pops into your head. Amongst all his wishes, however, he forgot to wish for people to have a longer attention span, as his follow up single, the socially conscious “Top Of The Stairs,” failed to catch listeners’ attention despite being a really good, thought-provoking, song.

Vengaboys – “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!”

In 1999 everyone wanted to board the Vengabus, as "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The ride, however, was a short one, as The Vengaboys’ equally fun follow up single, "Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!," topped out at #84. There seems to be more of an appreciation for “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!” in retrospect, as it currently has double the YouTube views of its predecessor.

Aqua – “Lollipop (Candyman)”

If you’re anything like us, just seeing a Barbie doll will result in the chorus of Aqua’s incredibly cheesy, wildly addictive, 1997 dance pop hit “Barbie Girl” getting stuck in your head. Sadly, US success was short lived for the band, as their follow up single, "Lollipop (Candyman)" failed to crack the Top 20. That said, if you liked “Barbie Girl,” there really isn’t any reason you wouldn’t like "Lollipop (Candyman)."

Listen To The Burgeoning's "Loud Dreams" Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-10-12T16:44:48.032Z

The Burgeoning has a simple-yet-powerful message on the group's expansive new song "Loud Dreams." "Just push the weight off your shoulders and follow your heart," sings frontman Logan Thierjung. These yearning vocals mix with swirling wisps of melodic rock and psychedelia to make "Loud Dreams" their own.

"'Loud Dreams' is a song about taking control of your life and going full tilt to achieve your goals to see your dreams and aspirations realized," says bassist Alex Thierjung to Myspace.

"The song takes place in that exact moment when you make the decision to go for it all. Logan is singing directly to the listener here, acting as a guide and offering encouragement to those who would be hesitant."

"Loud Dreams" is the title track from the Philadelphia-based group's upcoming record, which is due on October 28.

Dyme-A-Duzin Talks 'Crown Fried' and Growing up in Brooklyn

2016-10-12T16:34:28.994Z

In the opening bars of the song "That Chicken," rapper Dyme-A-Duzin repeats the street name "Utica" over a lush beat in tribute to Crown Heights, the Brooklyn neighborhood it runs through and that he calls home. He's yet another protege of a neighborhood that has spawned a host of well-known names in music from rapper Nas to record executive and legend Clive Davis and even Matisyahu. Crown Heights is a melting pot — a hub of culture as well as struggle. Though the neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying, fried chicken and waffle joints still dot most corners, while jerk chicken and fried plantains seem to always be but a few steps away. The Brooklyn-bred MC aims to tell his story in verse, and Crown Heights serves as the backdrop in the tales he spits.

During his childhood, he lent his vocal talents to church choirs before breaking out on his own with rhymes. Since then, he's gone on to open for greats like the Roots and Erykah Badu, while also clocking collaborations with Joey BadA$$ and Fabolous. He's presently at work on his upcoming Crown Fried EP, which is slated to drop early in the New Year. We chatted with him about his upbringing, the influence of Crown Heights in his artistry, his song-writing process and how Michael Jackson factors in.

Hometown/Homebase: Brooklyn, NY

How did you first start rapping?

The first rap performance I ever saw was at a church benefit concert. I was probably 10 or 11 years old. A gospel rapper by the name of Q The Prophet took the stage and immediately inspired me. I began to grow under his mentorship and started rapping at school talent shows, lunch tables, etc.

How does a rap take shape for you? What sparks your ideas and how long does it take to finish a verse or a whole song?

My creativity sparks at random. The simplest phrases, noises and conversations can become an idea for a song. Really no time limit on the creation process either. I could be inspired at a session and write/record a song in a night. As well as gradually gather ideas and build songs in time. I take the craft very seriously. I'm all about the quality.

What's one of your earliest musical memories?

I grew up on Michael Jackson. I remember watching his legendary career highlights and movies as a kid and wanting to perform and make music. At seven to eight years old, I attempted to write my first song. Every idea in my head had the "Billie Jean" drums under it.

Since gospel and church choirs are a part of your musical history. Do you see that weaving its way into your output?

Definitely. I think that my background with gospel really adds a soulful element to my music. It's a part of me and as I continue to express myself my fans will get more of a sonic understanding of where I come from.

How did you end up linking up with Fabolous?

I started a little campaign after hearing a few people say that Fab would sound dope on my Crown Fried album single "That Chicken." I called it #TagFab. I asked the fans to tag Fabolous on a Instagram video of the track to bring it to his attention. He eventually caught wind and reached out to do the remix. As an up-and-coming Brooklyn artist, it's an honor to be acknowledged by a Brooklyn Legend.

You also have a track with up-and-coming MC Wati Heru. What can you say about that collaboration?

Wati has been my homie for a few years now. We have a great chemistry. I respect his talent. Great artist, emcee and writer with unmatched energy.

You give shout outs to Utica and Crown Heights in your songs. How would you describe the neighborhood? What are your main haunts?

A cultural melting pot of mostly African Americans, Caribbeans and Jews. Fast food on every corner. Cops on patrol. People struggling. The price of living increasing. Crown Heights is a beautiful place with a rich history and present that I will continue to convey musically.

Given that you rep your neighborhood, how important is that to you to represent where you are from? How much of an impact does being from Brooklyn have on you as an artist?

Brooklyn raised me. My parents, family, friends & everyone else who taught me how to be me are from Brooklyn. I feel obligated to represent BK for that reason. There would be no me without the goods, the bads and the uglies of these parts.

What's one of the best pieces of advice you've been given that you apply to your approach?

Be like water. Bruce Lee.

What do you want a listener to take away from your music?

I want them to feel encouraged, confident and royal through any circumstance. I want them to feel the passion and soul I spread through the music.

Troye Sivan Shares Advice to Anyone Wanting to Come Out

2016-10-12T16:15:11.151Z

ICYMI, Tuesday was National Coming Out Day. And singer, actor and YouTube star Troye Sivan offered up some words of wisdom to anyone who has been considering coming out of the closet.

"The first step and the hardest step, I reckon, is coming out to yourself and realizing kind of who you are and dealing with the realization of your new identity, or not your new identity but just realizing your own identity," the 21-year-old, who came out on his YouTube channel in 2013, said in the video for Rolling Stone.

He also encouraged people to do it in a safe environment and explained that coming out was "the best thing I've ever done."

Even though National Coming Out Day is done, this is a great video to watch and share with anyone who is dealing with their own sexuality. Watch it below.

Maroon 5 Team Up With Kendrick Lamar on "Don't Wanna Know"

2016-10-12T16:07:38.811Z

Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar have joined forces for the first time ever on the pop track, "Don't Wanna Know."

Produced by Benny Blanco, the song is laid back but still has some bounce to it. And due to the vibe, we're not hearing Adam Levine belting the falsettos or even Kendrick getting aggressive on the lyrical delivery, which show us different sides of each of them.

“No more police stop / No more hashtag boo'd up screenshots / No more tryin' make me jealous on your birthday / You know just how I make you better on your birthday, oh,” Kendrick says on his verse.

The video for "Don't Wanna Know" is set to premiere on NBC's Today on Friday (October 14). So be sure to tune in, and in the meantime, listen to the new song below.

Janet Jackson Shows Off Baby Bump

2016-10-12T15:58:42.649Z

After announcing her pregnancy and postponing of her tour back in May, Janet Jackson has been keeping a low profile. However, she recently shared a new photo with People not only showing off her bump, but also how good she looks with the pregnancy glow.

"We thank God for our blessing," the 50-year-old mama-to-be tells the magazine.

Janet and her husband, Wissam Al Mana, are focused on planning their family, the singer told People.

We wish the soon-to-be parents the best of wishes and can't wait to see the little one. See the photo below.

“We thank God for our blessing” - @JanetJackson

Full article: https://t.co/VHfG8awemp pic.twitter.com/nPVmGVkf7r
— ithl123 (@ithl123) October 12, 2016

7 Oddest Real Life Wrestling Couples

2016-10-12T07:00:00.000Z

Last week Daniel Bryan and his wife, Brie Bella, announced they’re expecting their first child. We’re pretty sure it’s on the up and up and not a wrestling angle, so congrats go out to the couple. The news perfectly coincided with the Bellas (twins Brie & Nikki) doing press for their new reality TV series, Total Bellas, which is the spinoff of Total Divas. As WWE tries to push the Bellas as their version of the toxic joke known as the Kardashians, fans have discovered real-life wrestling couples on the show like Daniel and Brie, Nikki and John Cena and Natalya Neidhart and Tyson Kidd, amongst many others.

Wrestlers dating or getting married isn’t new or surprising to fans. Considering professional wrestlers are on the road over 300 days a year, their lifestyles make it difficult to find people to date and actually be in a relationship with. The wrestling business is strange to begin with, but when you add the element of love, things go plain nutty. Just look at the face of WWE, headed by Stephanie McMahon and her husband, Triple H, which is a shining example of cupid’s drop-kick and where these relationships can go.

While some pairings make sense, others have us wondering if these men and women had one too many concussions. You’ll get people searching for whys and hows when it comes to some of the weirdest and oddest couples in wrestling. Here are 7 of the biggest head scratchers.

Alberto Del Rio & Paige

The current controversial couple that the internet can’t get enough of is former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio and current WWE women’s wrestler, Paige. Whether it’s the age difference (Del Rio is 39, Paige is 24), the Wellness Policy suspensions, or the opposites attract element, gossip about these two is constantly swirling.

Outside of both wrestlers coming from wrestling families, it wouldn’t appear they have much in common — she’s the rebellious goth princess, while he’s the low-key, grizzled veteran. Alberto Del Rio is now most talked about as being the source of Paige’s WWE downfall. Whether it’s deserved or not, ever since the couple started dating earlier this year, Paige’s career has been in a nose-dive. Just this week, the once shining star of the WWE women’s division was suspended for 60 days for breaking WWE’s Wellness Policy, her second violation.

Alberto just left WWE (the second time in three years) after being misused by the company in storylines. Signs point that Paige might be joining him out the door. The couple’s soap opera drama has also included an altercation on the Vegas strip this past summer and just last week, Del Rio was involved in a weird knife-attack that resulted in him receiving several lacerations. Where this TMZ-made pairing will go no one knows, but boring it most definitely isn’t!

Rusev and Lana

When they aren’t crushing opponents, this couple is crushing each other. WWE’s version of Beauty and the Beast, “The Bulgarian Brute” and his manager, Lana, got married this past summer. WWE naturally incorporated the celebration into the ongoing feud between Rusev and Roman Reigns. As their careers have grown, so has their relationship. Meeting in NXT, the giant and the beauty were put together in a knock-off gimmick of Ivan and Ludmilla Drago from Rocky IV.

Last year Lana got in hot water when she announced on social media that she and Rusev were engaged. The story got play on TMZ and normally WWE would love that attention. The big issue, however, was that at the time Lana was paired with Dolph Ziggler in a feud against Rusev, which completely killed the TV storyline.

Even though physically they don’t seem compatible, the social media friendly couple are having a blast. All of us jealous men can damn Rusev’s name as much as we want, but the guy is still winning in the game of life with Lana by his side.

Brock Lesnar and Sable

In fear of Brock Lesnar reading this and hunting me down to inflict lots and lots pain, I’ll keep it civil.

Most people see Brock Lesnar as a monster and rightfully so, considering the destruction he’s caused in a wrestling ring and inside the UFC Octagon. Brock and his lovely wife of 10 years, former WWE Diva Sable, seem like an “out of left field” pairing. Something along the lines of Donkey Kong and Pauline, or Katy Perry and Russell Brand. Formerly married to another wrestler, Marc Mero, Sable was one of the most successful Divas during the Attitude Era, including being featured in Playboy three times. Looking past the 10-year age difference (she’s 49, he’s 39), the buxom blonde has stepped out of the spotlight and transitioned to the role of wife and mother.

Brock is known for being an extremely private person and as he continues to build on his legacy, Sable will be right next to him supporting her monster…err…partner.

Dean Ambrose and Renee Young

Turns out that “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose is a sweet and adorable guy outside of the ring. Well, that’s according to his girlfriend, Renee Young, a WWE broadcaster and on-air personality. Not much is known about their relationship, as these two have been private and low key about their time together. Though that all looks to be changing soon, with Renee joining the upcoming season of E!’s Total Divas. Since that show plays like the WWE’s version of Real Housewives, fans will surely get more information on this couple with behind the scenes moments.

Even though these two have kept their romance almost social media free, it hasn’t stopped fans from “heartening” them as a couple, creating appreciation pages and fan fiction.

John Cena and Nikki Bella

When he’s not playing the role of Superman in a WWE ring or taking on a new acting or hosting role, John Cena is spending time with his girlfriend, Nikki Bella. On the opposite spectrum of private, this couple’s union almost feels scripted and very much a WWE creation. Why would we say that? Well, for starters their relationship has been one of the major storylines driving the success of Total Divas, so much so, that its helped propel the spinoff Total Bellas.

On Total Divas, John comes off as smart, well-spoken and cultured. Nikki on the other hand, not so much. Since the couple is an open book when it comes to their lives, fans have learned that Mr. Cena has no intentions of getting married or having kids due to his hectic lifestyle. Nikki, the longest reigning Diva’s world champion, is in it for the long haul, hoping to change his mind. Oh the anticipation!

The Undertaker and Michelle McCool

Elvira, Lily Munster or Vampira would make logical picks when choosing a bride for The Undertaker. But apparently the Deadman has a taste for blondes over raven-haired beauties, as he married former WWE Diva Michelle McCool back in 2010.

Side by side, you probably won’t find a more unusual pairing than these two. He’s 51, covered in tats and stands at about seven feet tall. She’s 36, clean cut and a blonde pinup type. We know why he likes her, but still unsure of what her interest is. Life in the circus known as professional wrestling can create head scratching pairings like this “unholy” union. If The Undertaker decides to drag his carcass to another WrestleMania, Michelle should dye her hair black and go full Morticia Addams to stand by her man.

The Miz and Maryse

The WTF pick on this list is easily The Miz and Maryse. We can hate The Miz as much as we want (and we do), but somehow this guy has been able to flip a stint on the Real World — and its crappy spinoffs — into a WWE career and a stunning wife in Maryse. The guy must have been a virtuous holy person in a past life or knows his way around some highly effective black magic.

Married in 2014, Miz and Maryse have enjoyed a successful 2016. After taking a few years off from WWE, Maryse returned to become her husband’s manager, helping him win the Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time. While Miz keeps benefitting from this relationship, what is Maryse getting out of it? They say love is blind, and we find it hard to argue that point!

5 African-American Artists Who Broke Down Barriers in the Music Industry

2016-10-12T07:00:00.000Z

In 1968, Harry Bellafonte, an African-American singer best known for his single “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O),” appeared on television to perform a televised anti-war duet with caucasian singer Petula Clark. Near the end of the song, Clark touched Belafonte, grabbing hold of its bicep. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, but it was. The program’s sponsor Chrysler tried to have the take removed from the special, believing a white woman touching a black man on television would offend Americans.

In many ways, it’s an incident that typifies the troubled racial history of the American music industry. Though protest songs have been at the forefront of many progressive movements, most notably the ‘60s Civil Rights movement, the record labels and sponsors often resisted racial progress in their own industry.

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These five artists are among the many who actively fought to break down the barriers to black musicians despite all the resistance, transforming the racial and musical landscape of America along the way.

Sly and the Family Stone

Sly Stone worked in favor of musical integration long before he was famous, starting by playing songs by white artists while he was a DJ at the San Francisco-based black-oriented station KSOL.

Sly and his band the Family Stone emerged as the first racially integrated, multi-gendered rock band in 1967, attracting black listeners for their gospel-tinged soul vocals and whites for their outrageous costuming and psych-rock influences.

Sly ignored calls from Black Panther activists to replace the band’s two white musicians, Gregg Errico and Jerry Martini. Not only did Sly and the Family Stone represent peaceful integration at a time when the entire nation was transitioning away from “separate but equal” facilities, they also invented a musical style that reflected the diversity of their lineup, incorporating elements of rock, soul, Motown, gospel and psychedelia into their sound and singing lyrics that pleaded for peace and love over prejudice on protest anthems like “Everyday People” and “Stand!”

Ray Charles

Ray Charles found crossover success in the late ‘50s with hits like “What’d I Say,” earning him enough clout to sign a deal with ABC that granted him an unprecedented degree of creative control over his output — at a time when most successful black artists were completely controlled by their labels.

With fans on both sides of the racial divide, Charles famously refused to play a segregated show at the Bell Auditorium in his hometown of Augusta, GA. He was fined for breach of contract and didn’t play in his hometown until it was desegregated.

His eclectic musical tastes led him to record Modern Sounds in Country Western Music and its sequel, Vol. 2 — two wildly successful albums featuring covers of country standards. Charles enjoyed a sudden influx of white fans, and the album immediately brought country music closer to the mainstream of pop music, firmly demonstrating, just as he did with soul music, that the genre shouldn’t be limited to one race. The first album alone spawned four charting singles that became staples for soul and country stations alike, and Willie Nelson said it “did more for country music than any one artists has ever done.”

Marvin Gaye

Soul music pioneer Marvin Gaye enjoyed enormous success in the ‘60s Motown scene, first as a session player and then as a solo artist, but unlike Charles, he was forced to work under the thumb of a controlling record label and a label head, Berry Gordy, who made him feel like nothing more than a “puppet.”

Gaye became one of the first Motown artists to wrestle creative control away from the label with his 1971 album What’s Going On, a landmark in socially-conscious music that precipitated a wave of politically-charged soul music. Gordy refused to release the album’s title track, a pained response to an act of police brutality at a Berkeley anti-war rally, saying he felt it was “too political.” Gaye responded by going on strike until the label agreed to release the song. It reached No. 1 on the R&B charts within a month of release, and the album became Gaye’s first to sell one million copies and spawned two more Top 10 singles.

His bold act of defiance paid off big, and the same year Gaye re-signed with the Motown label for a $1 million contract, then the most lucrative deal ever offered to a black recording artist.

Michael Jackson

In its early days, MTV heavily favored rock music and white artists. Then, in 1983, Michael Jackson released his album Thriller, along with videos for two lead singles, “Billie Jean” and the album’s title trck. Both iconic videos enjoyed heavy rotation on the channel — allegedly only after Michael’s label CBS threatened to pull their other artists and programming from the network — cementing Jackson’s reputation as the King of Pop and all but inventing modern music videos.

White-oriented radio stations that played Jackson’s songs like New York’s WPLJ endured protests from enraged listeners, but that couldn’t stop his runaway success. Before long, Jackson was partnering with Pepsi for an enormous promotional deal and MTV regularly featured other black artists on programs like Yo! MTV Raps.

Public Enemy

Public Enemy was among the first acts to bring hip-hop music to broader attention, and they managed it without ever compromising an ounce of their incendiary political messaging.

Politically motivated hip-hop was a rarity before the release of Public Enemy’s first album, 1987’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, which earned critical acclaim and established the band’s strongly pro-black political stance.

Their first four albums have been called “the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act.” Their most powerful statement came with their 1989 track “Fight the Power” and its accompanying Spike Lee-directed music video. The video begins with band member Chuck D denouncing the optimistic speeches of the ‘60s Civil Rights movement, saying that “young black America… ain’t goin’ out like that ’63 nonsense,” and then shows a black power protest against racially-motivated violence in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood. The song aimed to give young black Americans in the turbulent, politically conservative ‘80s a civil rights movement of their own, and it’s still regarded as one of hip-hop’s greatest tracks.

Garbage Talk ‘Strange Little Birds,’ Touring and the State of the Music Industry

2016-10-12T07:00:00.000Z

Garbage is a band that’s proven to stand the test of time. With Shirley Manson at the helm, the ‘90s juggernaut has been able to stay relevant in a disposable music industry, despite multiple hiatuses and an inconsistent album release schedule.

This summer, the band released Strange Little Birds — its first studio album in four years — and has been on the road exciting old fans and winning over new ever since.

We were able to chat with Manson, bassist Duke Erikson and guitarist Stever Marker before they hit the stage at Detroit’s Fillmore in July to discuss the inspiration behind their raw yet textured sixth album, touring since the early ‘90s and the current state of the music industry.

What was the inspiration behind Strange Little Birds?

Erikson: It was taken from one of our songs. The four of us are indeed strange little birds and proud of it. I think everyone underneath our public personas, we’re all strange little birds. I think it’s something everyone can relate to.

What’s your favorite song from the album?

Erikson: “Night Drive Loneliness”

Manson: “Sometimes”

Marker: “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed”

Studio time is nothing new to you guys. Describe an average recording day.

Marker: In the beginning, we would go to Butch [Vig, our drummer]’s basement every day and pick up whatever instrument and start playing. We wanted to write songs totally from scratch and not have any preconceived notions about what we’re going to do. About half of the album came from those writing sessions.

Erikson: If we had a formula, we would get bored pretty fast. Every song comes out a different way… If it didn’t happen that way, we would lose interest in the whole idea of making a record.

Touring is something else you’re very experienced with. Have you developed any pre-tour rituals to prep?

Erikson: I always pack too much.

Manson: I love going to beauty stores and stocking up on makeup. I go to my local MAC store and I stockpile my beauty products.

What are your favorite things to do on the road?

Erikson: Going for long walks in the different cities. I like to get lost.

Manson: I used to read like a fiend. Now I’m always answering emails or Skyping with friends at home. I’m currently obsessed with [the show] Vikings.

Marker: Netflix and HBO GO.

You have quite the discography, so your set list options are pretty much endless. What are your top three favorite songs to perform live?

Erikson: “Vow.” It always goes somewhere different every time, by the time we get to the end.

Marker: “Only Happy When It Rains.” We do it a little different from the record. It starts off real slow and moody. The audience is usually not sure which song it is from like 30 seconds, and then they realize what song it is and get excited. It takes off from there.

Manson: “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed.” We’ve been playing together for 21 years, so the new material will always feel the most exciting. You learn about songs by playing them live and you discover them. It’s really strange — a completely different experience from recording them, but you discover them because you’re playing them for other people. I get excited every night we play “Doomed” because it’s very different from the rest of our material. It’s very bare boned, down beat, really slow. And I think it’s an interesting practice for us as musicians to be forced to slow down. It forces us to become a different part of ourselves.

Do you remember the moment you decided to create music?

Erikson: I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I was at my friend’s house, and he had absolutely no interest. I was glued to the television. I noticed the difference between him and me.

Manson: Mine was watching my mom sing at church. I remember sitting in the little baby chairs. My mom got up and sang a solo — a song called “On A Clear Day” — and she was wearing a white dress with little blue cornflowers all over it. I remember looking at my mom, who I was so used to seeing as this mother, being transformed by the story I felt she was telling by singing. I fell in love with her. That’s how I think of my mom now that she has departed. Her true self… completely realized. That’s how I fell in love with music and how powerful the transformation it provides for people.

Marker: My parents were both really into music. We had instruments all over the house. My mom played the piano all the time. My dad played drums. His hobby was making oboe reeds.

What are the differences in the music industry between the ‘90s and today?

Marker: A complete shift. Our first record came out on cassette/cd/vinyl. No such thing as downloading or streaming. Barely email. The big record companies were the kings. There was a lot of money being thrown around.

Manson: The system by which we listen to music has changed 100%. I don’t think the actual business has changed. The problem is, you’ve got really greedy corporate interests exploiting creatives. It seems even more abusive now. Nowadays for a musician to earn is getting increasingly difficult. Instead what you’ve got is pretty much what you see in society. You’ve got the upper class who make 99.9% of all the money and get all the attention and media coverage. Then you’ve got everybody else — the 1% of whatever is left that isn’t ingested is left for everybody else to pick over. It’s really hard for the average musician to survive, which I really think is unfair. The business that’s built up around musicians is really obscene. Bordering on criminal.

Erikson: The function of the technical side has changed completely. The average person thinks music is in the air. It’s just free and they can play it. Nobody gets hurt. But the musician does get hurt. It’s their career.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-10-12T07:00:00.000Z

This week, Green Day announces an arena tour behind their new album, and Coldplay returns with yet another set of 2017 concerts. Also, Drake, the xx and Depeche Mode prepare for jaunts through Europe. Here's who we're most excited to see announce tours.

Green Day 'Revolution Radio' Arena Tour

Currently in the midst of a small club tour, Green Day has also just announced a 24-date arena trek in support of their new album Revolution Radio. Kicking off on March 1 in Phoenix, AZ, the pop-punk icons will be on the road until April 8. Against Me! will be on tap as openers. Click here for more info.

Coldplay North American Tour

We announced last week that Coldplay would be taking their Head Full of Dreams tour to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Now the UK outfit has announced another series of North American dates, beginning on August 1 in Queens, NY, at Metlife Stadium. Click here for more info.

Drake 'The Boy Meets World' Tour

With his "Summer Sixteen" tour coming to an end, it seems fitting that Drake would announce a new set of dates that take him throughout Europe this coming winter. Starting in January, catch the rapper in Amsterdam, London, Birmingham and more, performing multiple nights in several cities on his "Boy Meets World" tour. Click here for more info.

Depeche Mode World Tour

Depeche Mode is back in the spotlight with plans for a new album and world tour. Entitled Spirit, the band's 14th studio album is slated for release next spring. The coinciding tour will take them to 21 countries for 32 shows, including a headlining slot at Portugal's massively popular Nos Alive festival. Click here for more info.

The xx 2016-2017 Tour Dates

The xx is hitting the road for the first time in three years, testing out material from their upcoming album in cities the band doesn't often perform in. On the docket is Croatia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Tokyo. The trio is also on the bill at next year's Lollapalooza Chili, Argentina and Brazil. Click here for more info.

Khloe Kardashian: Kim Kardashian Is ‘Not Doing That Well’ After Paris Robbery

2016-10-11T20:29:56.005Z

Kim Kardashian West has not fully recovered from the “emotional terror” she suffered in Paris last week when armed robbers held her up at gunpoint, one of her sisters said Tuesday.

Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Coming Out to Her Parents

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Khloe Kardashian said “it will take time” for her reality TV star sister to heal from the harrowing ordeal. A group of thieves stole more than $10 million worth of jewelry after busting into a private residence where Kim Kardashian West was staying, tying her up and locking her in a bathroom.

“She’s not doing that well. It’s incredibly traumatic what happened to her,” Khloe Kardashian said. “It’s horrible what happened to her.”

Khloe Kardashian added that the incident was a “wake-up call” for the famous family, whose members often reveal personal details about their location and jewelry on social media, to “make a lot of life adjustments.”

Aaron Carter and Azealia Banks Withdraw Support for Donald Trump

“This is a really serious matter, and for Kim, I think that’s really personal as to when that emotional terror… [how] you could move on from that,” she said.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Coming Out to Her Parents

2016-10-11T20:22:06.230Z

When Miley Cyrus who recently starred in Crisis in Six Scenes, began exploring her own gender and sexuality, she wasn’t going to let anyone put her identity in a box.

In an interview with Variety, Cyrus revealed details about her first relationship, which was with a female. Here are the highlights from the interview.

This Guy Actually Got a Tattoo of the Shrug Emoticon and It’s Epic

On not wanting to be defined by one label when it came to her sexuality:

“My whole life, I didn’t understand my own gender and my own sexuality. I always hated the word “bisexual,” because that’s even putting me in a box. I don’t ever think about someone being a boy or someone being a girl.”

On coming to terms with her own sexuality growing up and coming out to her family:

“My eyes started opening in the fifth or sixth grade. My first relationship in my life was with a chick. I grew up in a very religious Southern family. The universe has always given me the power to know I’ll be OK. Even at that time, when my parents didn’t understand, I just felt that one day they are going to understand.”

Kevin Smith Really, Really Wants a Mallrats TV Series to Happen

On identifying as pansexual:

“I never related to loving being a girl. And then, being a boy didn’t sound fun to me. I think the LGBTQ alphabet could continue forever. But there’s a “P” that should happen, for ‘pansexual’…once I understood my gender more, which was unassigned, then I understood my sexuality more. I was like, “Oh — that’s why I don’t feel straight and I don’t feel gay. It’s because I’m not.”

Read the full interview at Variety.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

There’s Now a Kim Kardashian ‘Robbery Victim’ Halloween Costume

2016-10-11T20:19:12.846Z

A costume company is facing intense backlash for selling a Halloween getup that shows Kim Kardashian West being gagged and bound as a “robbery victim.”

The “Parisian Heist Robbery Victim Costume Kit” is selling for nearly $70 on the website Costumeish and features a white robe, long black wig, black sunglasses, a fake gag, 2 feet of rope and a large ring.

Kevin Smith Really, Really Wants a Mallrats TV Series to Happen

“She has devoted her life to promoting American decadence, youth, and hedonism but all that flashy living caught up with her one night in Paris when armed men bound her, stole her jewelry and her peace of mind,” the website says in its description of the costume. “This Halloween, have some fun with pop culture and dress just like the Queen of Social media.”

The website does not name Kim Kardashian West due to legal issues, Costumeish founder and vice president Johnathon Weeks said. But the reality TV star dominated headlines last week when armed robbers held her up at gunpoint inside a private Paris residence and made off with more than $10 million worth of jewelry. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was tied up and locked in a bathroom. She was reportedly seen wearing a robe in a Snapchat taken before the robbery.

Dozens of people blasted the costume company on social media and in reviews on the website for making fun of the harrowing crime. “This is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. How dare you make a mockery of a horrible thing,” one user wrote.

“I’m not a fan of Kim Kardashian but this is disgusting. This is not funny at all,” another person said. “The situation Kim was in shouldn’t be a joke to you or anybody. Just because she is famous doesn’t mean she is any less human.”

Weeks said the costume is meant to incite a strong reaction and that Halloween is a holiday that calls for some humor. “It’ll make people either cringe or laugh,” he told TIME on Tuesday. “I don’t want to make light of a serious situation. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. No one really deserves to go through what she did. We’re not mocking her.”

“Halloween references pop culture and celebrities are no different. That’s Halloween,” Weeks added.

Ronald McDonald Is Laying Low Until the Clown Craze Is Over

The costume company has been behind a handful of outfits that have sparked outrage in the past, including last year’s “Bruce Gender” costume, which depicts a male and female version of Caitlyn Jenner, who was known as Bruce Jenner before she came out as a transgender woman, and a dentist holding a severed lion’s head in reference to the man who killed Cecil the lion.

“It’s about fun. It’s about laughter,” Weeks said. “Sometimes laughter is the best remedy for serious situations.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Ronald McDonald Is Laying Low Until the Clown Craze Is Over

2016-10-11T20:08:38.493Z

Ronald McDonald, the iconic clown mascot of McDonald’s, is laying low until the clown craze in the country dies down, the fast-food giant said Tuesday.

It’s a ‘Good Thing’ That Martha Stewart Cafés With Martha-Approved Pastries Are Here

McDonald’s said Americans will see less of the recognizable red-haired jester in the yellow suit as the company remains “thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald’s participation in community events” as a result of the “current climate around clown sightings in communities,” according to the Associated Press.

Sightings of creepy clowns have been on the rise and have spread to more than two dozen states since late August when reports surfaced that clowns were trying to lure children into the woods in South Carolina.

Domino’s Will Now Deliver You Pizza by Canoe Just Around the Riverbend

Police in other countries like England and Canada have also had to investigate multiple reports of scary clown sightings.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Ken Bone Issues Public Apology for Briefly Removing Red Sweater

2016-10-11T19:56:27.890Z

The Internet’s favorite red-sweater-wearing man of the people, presidential debate hero Kenneth Bone, has inspired a slew of viral memes since his television debut on Sunday (and a rush to emulate his iconic style; his sweater is now sold out online).

Stephen Colbert Sang a Touching Fanboy Song About ‘Nerves of Stone’ Ken Bone

But the man—who openly admits that his wife is the one behind his fashion choices, and that the red sweater get-up was a last-minute decision, based on a wardrobe malfunction—proved on Tuesday that, despite popular belief, he is not inextricably half-zipped into the bright cable-knit.

Yes, Boneheads, Ken Bone does sometimes remove his cozy fall layer. Evidence via Twitter, below.

I took off the sweater between interviews, do you forgive me? #sweaterseason pic.twitter.com/PpDghD3B0H
— Ken Bone (@kenbone18) October 11, 2016

10 of the Best Ken Bone Memes on the Internet

As Bone asked: do we forgive him? We say: as his popularity continues to heat up, let’s give him the chance to cool off and strip down to his classic white button-down from time to time.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Cobi on Jimi Hendrix, Songwriting and "Don't You Cry for Me"

2016-10-11T16:03:03.730Z

Cobi may have initially fallen in love with music by listening to the epic guitar solos of Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. However, he was more than just another guitar player. After years with the Boston band, Gentleman Hall, he has ventured onto his own solo path and has revived the soulful sides of anyone open to hearing it. Find out more about Cobi below.

Hometown: Grand Marais, MN

How did you get into music?

I just fell in love with music at a young age. I think it was just the passion and the excitement that a lot of my favorite artists made me feel when I was listening to them like Jimi Hendrix. It was really the guitar that got me. So my favorite artists are Hendrix and Jimmy Page, stuff like that turned me on.

Since guitar was what hooked you, what was the first guitar solo or song did you learn?

Well, there's a few, but Hendrix was definitely the first. "Little Wing" was one, and then there's "Red House" and "Purple Haze." When I heard those songs, I thought, I want to play like that.

You were in another band called Gentleman Hall and had success there. What did you take away from that experience and bring to your solo career?

Gentleman Hall worked tirelessly on our songwriting craft and in the studio and in production and doing a lot of it at home. So one of the biggest things I took away from that was being relentless when it comes to songwriting and recording and just being in love with that whole process. That was definitely a big thing I took away.

Do you remember the first song you wrote and what was it about?

[Laughs] It was so long ago. It was probably terrible, I'm sure. But I don't know what it was about.

Fair enough. So "Don't Cry for Me" is a very powerful song. What was it about? And why did you choose that as the debut for you as a solo artist?

I guess people just chose that song because it spoke to them. When it came out, a few people heard it and felt that was the song. So it chose itself in a way. The song is really about when life strings you up. It uses a lot of metaphors for being hung, and that's kind of the inspiration for the song I guess.

With that song, people have compared you to Hozier. How do you feel about that comparison? And what do you feel sets you apart from the rest?

I think when people see me live, I think it's pretty obvious what sets me apart from the other artists. But it's cool if people hear those similarities with Hozier. Hozier is a great artist, and he's really soulful. I think that's where the comparison comes in.

Speaking of your own soulful voice, who are some of the artists that influenced your sound?

I don't know, really. I think that's just kind of how I express myself. I grew up listening to a lot of soulful music but really it's how I express myself. Honestly, I think it kind of comes from that.

You toured with Above and Beyond for a bit, and your styles are quite different. What was that experience like?

The experience was really cool and unlike anything I've ever done before. [Above and Beyond] were doing acoustic versions of their songs, acoustic meaning that they had real instruments onstage. It was the first time they went into that avenue, and it's the first time I got to step into a band that was something that big. The biggest show we did was the Hollywood Bowl with a full orchestra in the bag, and I've never done anything like that before. And it was a really cool experience. I got to travel to some places I've never been and play some incredible venues that I never dreamed of playing at this point in my life. Royal Albert Hall in London was one of them.

Watch Hanin Elias' "Hold Me" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-10-11T15:54:55.723Z

For her new single, "Hold Me," singer Hanin Elias has teamed up with Berlin-based producer Electrosexual for a dark techno track. As the former frontwoman of Atari Teenage Riot, Elias has been applying her talents to a variety of music projects including the duo Fantôme and her solo endeavor.

Her collaboration with Electrosexual began after he remixed a Fantôme song in 2014, and the two have been guesting on each other's tracks ever since. As for the inspiration behind "Hold Me," Elias points to current events as well as human instinct. "In times like this you often feel lost. An aggressive, fearful vibe is all around us — on the news and in the street. We are held hostage by something threatening. I wanted to mix the longing for love and security with the threatening surrounding in sound and lyrics."

While the track provides a taste of the underground, the new music video offers a glimpse at a haunting, overland dreamscape. The grayscale video is the vision of director Dukagjin Idrizi, whom Elias met on the set of a movie. Filmed in Iceland, the unsettling video stars actor Tomas Lemarquis, who recently appeared in X-Men: Apocalypse. Idrizi offered his services after taking a liking to the song and that good fortune doesn't escape Elias. "I'm so happy that life gives me the opportunity to meet all these great people and collaborate with them!"

Watch the chilling video below.

Blake Shelton Teaches Jimmy Fallon How to Milk a Cow

2016-10-11T15:45:56.474Z

Jimmy Fallon has been known to try new things on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; however, he wasn't prepared for what Blake Shelton had in store for him last night (October 10).

Blake took Jimmy from his city limits and brought him to the farm to learn how to get his hands dirty. So the country singer taught Jimmy how to milk a cow, a little payback gift after the late night host introduced Blake to so sushi.

"Being the nice guy that I am, I thought I'd give you a chance for some payback. You're going to make me do something that I've never done before, milk a cow," Jimmy told Blake.

During the lesson, it was clear that Jimmy didn't really want to do it, and Blake was loving it. "Whoa, you don't just reach out and grab a teat!" Blake warned.

Watch the clip below.

Shailene Woodley Arrested at Dakota Access Pipeline Protest

2016-10-11T15:37:06.673Z

Shailene Woodley has been known to fight for the greater good on the silver screen, and she takes that mindset to the real world as well. The Divergent actress has been fighting to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

However, while standing with protestors on the picket line, she, along with an estimated 200 others, was later arrested for criminal trespassing on Monday afternoon (October 10). And she made sure to get it on film, which you can see below.

Before being taken away in handcuffs, Shailene also posted a video explaining the current situation.

Nas Takes on Police Brutality on Robin Thicke's "Deep"

2016-10-11T15:29:14.297Z

Robin Thicke's new track, "Deep," is full of his fluid vocals and a smooth groove. However, it takes on different feel when Nas gets on the mic to deliver the opening verse. Without a beat, he spits rhymes that break down his thoughts on how African-Americans and police relations have been lately. And it takes a personal turn when he even includes a few lines about what he tells his own son.

"And they ask me why you ain't smiling Nas/ Because I have a son and I die inside when I've gotta tell him what was told to me/ Can't play with your water gun, son, 'cause the police see a 7-year-old as a threat/ They think it’s right to kill a 7-year-old on sight 'cause he ain't white." Nas delivers passionately.

Listen to the song below.

8 Great Tattoos of Musicians You Need to See

2016-10-11T08:29:12.164Z

Musicians are often known for their tattoos, but they're not always known for being tattoos.

As it turns out, your favorite musical artists can also be wonderful references for some truly amazing tattoos. Some artists have taken their love for rock stars or rappers and turned them into incredible portraits for diehard fans. Here are eight of our favorite tattoos based on musicians.

Action Bronson

A photo posted by Mistertroshin (@mistertroshin) on Aug 1, 2016 at 6:51am PDT

The great Bronsolini is a gorgeous man and he knows it. The model-esque rapper made for an amazing black and gray portrait piece by traveling artist Mistertroshin during Ink Mania Con in Florida. Don't lie, you wish you could have an artful portrait of the Queens legend too, we know.

Prince

A photo posted by Rich Pineda (@richiebon) on Jul 22, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT

Orange County's Rich Pineda is known for his unbelievable ability to do insanely realistic tattoos in colors that flawlessly match the actual subject matter. Although he's also knocked out awesome portraits of other musical legends like Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix, his Prince piece is both iconic and perfectly spot-on. As a rocker himself, Pineda knows plenty about the life of a musician, but it's in his tattoos that he's been able to share his incredible artistic talent with the world.

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein

A photo posted by Tommy Lee Wendtner (@tommyleewendtner) on Aug 26, 2016 at 1:42am PDT

Proof that a fantastic tattoo of a musician doesn't have to be a photorealistic portrait, this tattoo of the Misfits' famous guitarist puts a doll-like spin on the legendary punk rocker. From the proportions to the shading, everything about this eery take on a real musician fits perfectly. Unfortunately for most of us, you'll have to head all the way out to Germany if you want your own creepy take on your favorite musician by Tommy Lee Wendtner, but that plane flight might just be worth it to get a piece that'll last you a lifetime.

"Dimebag" Darrell

A photo posted by Bob Tyrrell (@bobtyrrell) on Sep 9, 2016 at 3:02am PDT

If you would honor your own deceased family member with a memorial portrait, why not do it for your favorite passed-away rock star? This Dimebag Darrell tribute is touching in the most metal way possible, and it captures the emotion and spirit that everyone loved so much about the late guitarist. Bob Tyrrell is a legend in his own right and might just be the best in the business when it comes to black and gray portraits (and other realistic colorless tattoos). Plus, he's going to be able to talk your ear off about everything rock 'n' roll for as long as you're in his chair (if not longer).

Tupac

A photo posted by Roman Abrego (@romantattoos) on Sep 13, 2016 at 8:25pm PDT

Speaking of artists who are truly at the top of their game, Roman Abrego is consistently viewed as one of the very best in the world. Abrego may be known more for his biomechanical tattoos (a style which he's helped popularize around the world), but his color realism skills are also at the very peak of the entire industry. While there are countless 2pac portraits out there, few of them can capture everything from the light in his eyes to the moisture of the rapper's lips in the same way that Abrego does on this tattoo.

Ozzy Osbourne

A photo posted by Nikko Hurtado (@nikkohurtado) on Jul 3, 2016 at 6:28pm PDT

It's impossible to do a list about portraits without including Nikko Hurtado at least once. Hurtado's completely changed the game on the level of detail and precision that goes into each portrait and has inspired many of the best young artists today. This tattoo of the Prince of Darkness himself is no different. From the wrinkles on Ozzy's fingers to the reflection in his glasses and shading on his forehead, it doesn't get better than this.

John Lennon

A photo posted by Szalai Tibor Tibi Tattooart (@tibitattooart) on Jan 6, 2016 at 5:22am PST

Imagine all the great John Lennon tattoos out there in the world, but this might be the best one. Capturing the beard-wearing Beatle as part of a music-based sleeve for a client, Hungarian tattoo artist Szalai Tibor Tibi nailed everything about this one.

Rap Legends

A photo posted by Domantas Parvainis (@domantasparvainis) on Aug 11, 2016 at 8:45am PDT

Don't know which iconic rapper you want inked on your arm? From Tupac to Biggie to DJ Premier, the Lithuanian tattooer included an incredible amount of detail while spanning a wide variety of imagery all in one piece. Now that's how you show respect to the rap game.

8 Most Controversial Movies in Film History

2016-10-11T07:00:00.000Z

Controversy doesn’t age well. The same things that inspired waves of outrage just a couple decades ago often seem downright silly by modern standards, but major controversies are nonetheless important reflections of public opinion.

While all art is meant to elicit a reaction, these films spawned dozens of outraged responses that were often more about the sociopolitical atmosphere of the times than they were about the film’s actual content. Here are the 8 most controversial movies in film history.

The Interview (2014)

Seth Rogen and his writing-directing partner Evan Goldberg intended to follow up their Hollywood apocalypse comedy This Is the End with another satire that this time took on the totalitarian regime of North Korea and leader Kim Jong-un, as well as standard media vapidity.

The North Korean government threatened to take action against the US if Columbia Pictures released The Interview as planned, prompting the company to delay the release and re-edit the film to appease the North Korean regime. After Sony was hacked by a group called “Guardians of Peace” with alleged ties to the North Korean government, The Interview was unceremoniously dumped on online rental services. Funnily enough, the admittedly entertaining film doesn’t say much about the famously oppressive country that wasn’t already common knowledge.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Italian exploitation director Ruggero Deodato made a routine of endangering his crew of underpaid actors and indigenous extras during the production of his violent mockumentary Cannibal Holocaust in the Amazon rainforest. But he was accused of even worse upon the film’s release in Italy, when he was brought up on charges that he had actually killed some of his actors on camera.

Deodato had made his actors sign a contract not to appear in any media after the film’s production to heighten the realism of the story, but he was cleared after explaining how he achieved some of his gore effects and several of the supposedly killed actors appeared on television. Nonetheless, the film was banned in multiple countries for showing real violence against animals on camera—including one ghastly scene where a large turtle is deshelled and has its entrails removed.

I Spit on Your Grave (1978)

Roger Ebert famously called I Spit on Your Grave “a vile bag of garbage...without a shred of artistic distinction.” Ebert, who had a bad habit of denouncing violent horror films that later proved influential, was only one of the many critics who denounced the film for its graphic depiction of a young woman’s gang-rape and subsequent bloody revenge against her attackers.

The rape scenes are painfully drawn out, causing many to accuse the film of glorifying violence against women, though director Meir Zarchi claims his intent was to highlight the horrors of rape and felt the violence was necessary to telling such a story. Despite a slew of bans from nations like Ireland, West Germany, Norway and Iceland, I Spit on Your Grave gained cult status and even inspired a more polished remake in 2010.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

The Last Temptation of Christ sparked a torrent of Catholic outrage even before its release, simply because it follows in the footsteps of its source material and depicts Christ as a man as much as a God, plagued by doubts that (spoilers!) inspire an extended dream sequence wherein Jesus marries and consummates his relationship with the prostitute Mary Magdalene and lives a normal life, just as Satan wants, instead of sacrificing his life on the cross.

After its release, an Integrism Catholic group set fire to a Parisian theater that was showing the film, and many nations banned the films for years. In the US, fundamentalist Christian groups organized mass protests at film screenings and outside the headquarters of MCA, inspiring several theater chains to not screen the film. For what it’s worth, director Martin Scorsese was raised within the church and has described himself as a “lapsed Catholic.”

Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)

The philosophical inspiration for Pier Paolo Pasolini’s final film Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom comes from the likes of Dante and Nietzche, but it’s easy to see how many of the film’s critics looked past its ideas — in terms of actual plot, the film is about four powerful fascist libertines who subject a large group of teenagers to months of physical, mental and sexual torture.

Pasolini was mysteriously shot and killed shortly before the film’s release, so he couldn’t see the international controversy he had caused. It was rejected by the British censorship board, and a Soho theater was raided by Metropolitan Police for screening it anyway. In 1994, long after the original 1975 release, an undercover cop found a copy of the film at a Cincinnati gay bookstore and arrested the owners for “pandering.” The court made no ruling on the merits of the film, but determined the officer had violated the owners’ fourth amendment rights.

The Birth of a Nation (1915)

The Birth of a Nation is a landmark film in terms of cinematic language, as DW Griffith’s 1915 Civil War epic invented many of the visual techniques still used by filmmakers today. Its historical impact cannot be denied, but its actual message is a vile one that glorified the Ku Klux Klan and depicted black freedmen as uneducated sexual brutes.

Under President Woodrow Wilson (a Klan sympathizer), it became the first film to screen at the White House, while the NAACP unsuccessfully lobbied to ban the film and organized protests that occasionally erupted into riots in major cities. Because of its twin status as a turning point in cinema and a pro-KKK propaganda piece, The Birth of a Nation is still controversial today, inspiring a 2016 film of the same title from black director Nate Parker, which tells the story of a slave boy who becomes an ideological leader and aims to reclaim the title to challenge racism.

The Great Dictator (1940)

Charlie Chaplin ruthlessly criticized German dictator Adolf Hitler long before it became America’s national pastime in his 1940 film The Great Dictator, which predated US entry into World War II.

Chaplin was deeply disturbed by the rise of fascism around the world and cast himself as both a victimized Jewish barber and a megalomaniacal Hitler surrogate to satirize and draw attention to issues of anti-Semitism and imperialism. It was welcomed in the UK for its value as propaganda and banned in many European and Latin American countries that had sizable populations of Nazi sympathizers.

It was one of Chaplin’s last great successes and ends with a sequence wherein he speaks directly into the camera and delivers a humanistic speech that may have alienated some viewers with its blatant political messaging (though it all sounds remarkably inoffensive by today’s standards). His left-leaning political sympathies also made Chaplin a target of government prosecution in subsequent years with the rise of McCarthyism, and he was effectively banned from the US in 1953 while attending a film premiere in London.

Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

Sometimes it takes a lot of controversy to reinvent cinema. Bonnie & Clyde is often cited as one of the major films of ‘60s counterculture and the first of the New Hollywood era, when sanitized studio epics focusing on biblical epics and escapist musicals were replaced by gritty, personal depictions of societal ills.

The graphic depiction of sex and violence divided critics and audiences alike. Like many films that have since followed in its footsteps, Bonnie & Clyde was routinely accused of glorifying violence, despite the famously prolonged deaths of its murderous heroes in the film’s final minutes.

Skyzoo Talks ‘The Easy Truth’ Over Crab Rangoon

2016-10-11T07:00:00.000Z

It's a balmy September afternoon in New York City, where pedestrians are feverishly scurrying to their destinations after a long day of work. While going home is on the mind of millions of New Yorkers, food is also on our minds.

The quaint Asian restaurant that is nestled between a bevy of Irish Pubs on 35th Street is where we meet up with Brooklyn rapper, Skyzoo. Donning his red fitted and blue t-shirt, Sky appears comfortable, and ready to dish out some gems. Like Sky, Asura is wrapped in richness and decadence. Inside the plush restaurant, you find several cooks meticulously chopping up sushi with seamless precision. A spoonful of their pineapple fried rice will make anyone instantly gush and ooze with happiness.

While indulging on his Crab Rangoon and Chicken Tempura, the 33-year-old lyricist begins ruminating on his younger years. "I had young parents — my parents had me when they were 20 — so when I was six, they were 26. When I was 7, they were 27. So they were young. All they were listening to was [hip-hop] because they were still young and in the streets." Fortunately for Sky, his parents' eclectic taste in music was damn near impeccable. An array of artists ranging from De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A. and Public Enemy were booming through his speakers. Still, it was a younger emcee who grabbed his ears when he was inching towards his rap dreams.

"I started rhyming because of Chi-Ali. That was '91. So I was nine years old. Chi-Ali was this 15-year-old kid who came out, and he looked like the guys in my building. He looked like the guys in my lobby. So when I was eight or nine years old going to school, you saw the 14-, 15-, 16 year-olds in the lobby tagging the walls, blowing bud, chilling and messing with the girls. So for Chi, it wasn't like he was young like Kriss-Kross, or like 20 something like Black Sheep and all of them where I felt like I couldn't relate. There was a cool middle ground. It was like he was older than me so I can look up to him, but he was young enough for me to relate to him. That's what did it for me, man. I heard Chi's ‘Age Ain't Nothing But a Number’ and I was done. Immediately, I said this is what I want to do."

From there, Sky pounced on his rap dreams like a ravenous lion ready to strike its prey. He sharpened his blade of lyricism and polished his delivery. The swagger and bravado was already burning a hole in his pocket. He had the juice. Initially, his dad wasn't a believer. Like every concerned parent, he preached the value of stability and education. He wanted his son to eclipse every expectation placed upon him with his knowledge of wealth and not just with his gift of gab.

"It took [a while for] my pops to get onboard with it only because he wanted what was best for me. So his heart was in the right place where he would look at me and be like, Look man. You can't put your eggs in this basket," says Skyzoo.

Fast forward to 2016, and Skyzoo is one of hip-hop's most groomed lyricists. After flawlessly etching together three solo albums with his last coming in 2015 in Music with Friends, he teamed up with one of hip-hop's best kept secrets in Apollo Brown for their newest endeavor, titled The Easy Truth.

Brown's spine-chilling samples bristled with Sky's poignant wordplay ability was a match-making in heaven. With the release of several singles including "One of the Same" and his Joell Ortiz-assisted "A Couple of Dollars", hip-hop aficionados smiled cheek to cheek. Despite recording the entire album in Detroit, Sky impeccably used his paintbrush to flesh out his childhood in the grimy streets of Brooklyn, the home of the greats including Jay Z and The Notorious B.I.G.

“With [Biggie’s] Ready to Die, I was there for that. I was the little kid going around playing ball, going to the store, getting iceys, going to the chicken spot and splitting a hero with my friends. I was the little kid doing that when B.I.G. was living everything that was on Ready to Die. Records like ‘Everyday Struggle’ and ‘Warning’ were records that he was living and we were there in the neighborhood. With Apollo, I was able to capture my memories as a kid and bring that out on this new album.

"I love being pushed and being creatively pushed to that point of no return," adds Sky. "Apollo pushed me to places he wanted to see me go on this project, and I pushed him. It was a team effort. I know the people are going to love it."

10 Pop Songs You Didn’t Realize Were Dirty When You Were Young

2016-10-11T07:00:00.000Z

Pop music is infamously built on innuendos and double entendre. Few straight-up sex songs make the cut when it comes to censorship, so the writers have to come up with clever ways to hide the true meaning of their offerings.

That’s how we end up with seemingly-innocent songs that only reveal their wild side when we get older, accidentally hearing them on the radio and suddenly realizing we were singing along to a tune about hook-ups or masturbation throughout our youth. Let’s recall 10 tracks that are much more sinister than their care-free hooks.

Kelis – "Milkshake" (2003)

Our favorite line: “You must maintain your charm / Same time maintain your halo”

Kelis’ biggest hit brought all the boys to the yard back in 2003, including the ones who were way too young to realize the bouncy track's sexual connotation. Yep, this song isn’t about a gifted junk food joint’s worker who’s making the best milkshakes on the block.

According to Kelis herself, milkshake stands for anything that makes a girl special, so there’s at least some room left for imagination. We’re still not sure what to make of that “Warm it up” line. Does anyone really like their milkshake warm? Ew!

Hailee Steinfeld – "Love Myself" (2015)

Our favorite line: “When I get chills at night / I feel it deep inside without you”

This werewolf of a pop song may pretend it’s a self-empowerment anthem. But it takes about 1.5 spins for it to reveal its true nature.

After hearing lines like “Keeping that tempo right without you” and “Pictures in my mind on replay,” one can’t deny the fact that Steinfeld’s debut single is actually a masturbation anthem. Not that it’s something to be ashamed of, as Hailee’s making self-pleasing sound both empowering and catchy. We’re just not entirely keen on that whole “I know how to scream my own name” business. At least when we’re spending some quality time with ourselves, we’re trying to keep it down. Plus it’s just a bit weird, even by pop music standards.

O-Town – "Liquid Dreams" (2000)

Our favorite line: “Janet Jackson's smile, throw in a body like Jennifer's / You've got the star of my liquid dreams”

We love to reminiscent on the good old days of bubblegum pop of late '90s/early '00s without properly analyzing the content that was spoon-fed through the speakers to the whole generation of pre-teens around the globe.

One of the most outrageous songs of that Britney-fied pop era was a little ditty called “Liquid Dreams” by American quintet O-Town, which was formed during the Making the Band reality show. There’s not much innuendo with this one: as if the lyrics about making the sheets wet at night while dreaming about Destiny’s Child and Janet Jackson (and it was before her nipple scandal!) weren’t straight-forward enough, the music video showcased the guys dancing inside what can be only be described as computer-generated walls of semen. The golden era of pop indeed.

Billie Piper – "Something Deep Inside" (2000)

Our favorite line: “Your love will be my guide / I've never been this satisfied”

Before switching her focus from singing to acting, Billie Piper was hailed as “British Britney” with an array of bubblegum bops. One of her most remarkable hits had an enlivening title, “Something Deep Inside.”

While Britney was yet to proclaim she was no longer a girl but not yet a woman, Billie decided to give this sex thing a go and liked it “too much”: “The third time was just as sweet, boy you make my life complete.” No wonder Piper eventually agreed to become TV’s most famous escort in the Secret Diary of a Call Girl series.

Aqua – "Barbie Girl" (1997)

Our favorite line: “You can touch, you can play, if you say, 'I'm always yours'"

On the first listen, this feel-good, care-free bubblegum banger from Danish band Aqua seemed like something recorded exclusively for the kindergarten playground. But there’s a reason why Barbie's mother company Mattel was furious enough to sue the band for defamation of (plastic) character.

Aqua’s lawyers were quick to counter-sue and eventually Mattel used the song with fixed lyrics in their ads. But let’s be real for a second: the song is obviously about sex role playing, no matter how vague the lyrics are. Why doesn’t Beyonce record a sexed-up version of this tune for the next 50 Shades of Grey trailer? It’s as submissive as it gets: “You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere, imagination, life is your creation.”

Christina Aguilera – "Genie in the Bottle" (1999)

Our favorite line: “Ooh (my body is saying let's go) / Ooh (but my heart is saying no)”

It still surprises us that Christina Aguilera’s switch from teen idol-hood to dirrrty-ness was considered a shock to some — did they forget her debut single was one huge sexual innuendo? A song that featured lyrics like “You gotta rub me the right way” rubbed more conservative listeners the wrong way and it was censored on some family-oriented radio stations.

There are several ways to interpret the Arabic-inspired lyrics, and let’s say none are related to the adventures of Aladdin. On the surface Christina’s talking about saving herself for the Mr. Right. But she may also be waiting for the guy who’ll finally “rub her the right way” and “release her” aka the one who knows how to properly please a pop star of her caliber. In other pop star’s words: “Work work work work work.”

Bryan Adams – "Summer of ’69" (1985)

Our favorite line: “We were young and restless / We needed to unwind”

Think this classic rock tune that propelled Canadian singer Bryan Adams to stardom was simply about the joys of his teenage years and light-hearted nostalgia? Well, think again, as Adams himself stated that the song had nothing to do with the year 1969. He meant having lots of oral sex in the 69 position during summer, because, as we all know, that’s what teenagers would much rather do than skateboard or go to the lake.

DNCE – "Cake by the Ocean" (2016)

Our favorite song: “God damn / See you licking frosting from your own hands”

Joe Jonas’ breakthrough single did feature a huge cake-throwing contest in its music video, but the lyrics weren’t about cakes at all. Joe explained to MTV that the Swedish producers who helped craft this hell of a bop kept mixing up “sex on the beach” with “cake by the ocean.” We’re not sure how that’s phonetically possible, but we’ll have to trust the guy.

Village People – "YMCA" (1978)

Our favorite line: “You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find / Many ways to have a good time”

Even your grandmother knows the hand-gestures required for this one, but does she also know it’s about gay sex? The quintessential disco banger was dedicated to the wonders of Young Men's Christian Association, which provided many opportunities for joyful cruising. As if the song’s message wasn’t obvious enough, it was featured on the band’s album called… Cruisin’.

Spice Girls – "2 Become 1" (1996)

Our favorite song: “Be a little bit wiser baby, put it on, put it on / 'Cause tonight is the night when two become one”

It’s amazing how you can study sexual history through pop music. If in the '70s “YMCA” promoted (or hinted at promoting) easy sex and careless hookups, the post-AIDs '90s sex pop was much more health-conscious. That’s why Spice Girls’ biggest ballad “2 Become 1” included a clear message: do hook up, but be safe and wear a condom.

8 Best Moments of Desert Trip (Until Roger Waters Blew It All Out of the Water)

2016-10-10T21:43:27.081Z

Desert Trip, lovingly called Oldchella, featured two sets a day from the six most iconic rock legends still playing: Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Paul McCartney, Neil Young and Roger Waters. It was a weekend of magical moments that went beyond just the music, and we were there to witness it all.

The Food

Oldchella seems to be giving the other fests a run for their money — at least for the more affluent attendees. Aside from a large selection of ala carte vendors that ranged from a bar with rare whiskey tastings curated by The Houston Brothers (LA’s favorite bar owners) to brick oven pizzas from Full of Life Flatbread to a Craft Beer Barn to kettle corn bags, there were two higher end food options.

One was Outstanding in The Field ($225), a touring farm to table meal pop up that included four tables a day each run by celebrity chef collaborators creating four course meals with wine pairings and all you can drink cocktails. The other was an area called The Culinary Experience ($179 per day or $499 for the weekend), which featured dozens of restaurant and bars offering all you can eat food and drink. Come for the music, stay for the good eats.

The Photo Experience

You had to get to the fest early to avoid the long lines to get into The Photo Experience, but if you needed to wait it was well worth it.

From Elliot Landy’s shots of Bob Dylan trying out a new trampoline in his backyard to Lynn Goldsmith’s shots of Mick Jagger, you can’t help but feel touched as you take these glimpses into the public and private lives of the iconic musicians you will see on stage in the evenings to come.

BONUS: This was one of the few places you could get air conditioning and shade away from the 99 degree.

The Amazing Band T-Shirts Everyone Was Wearing

The mature crowd wasn’t wearing crop tops and flower crowns (except one older woman rocking flowers around her bun who had to be at least 65, but there’s always an outlier). From old school Floyd tour shirts bought in the ‘70s to avant garde Bowie sweaters, it was hard to ignore everyone’s love of music through the ages.

Bob Dylan Actually Trying

I have heard tell that Bob Dylan is terrible live. That you literally can’t understand a word he says. And although there was some gravel in his voice, it seemed like he was actually making an effort to impress.

After the first few songs of his set though, he had the screens stop showing his face and only played B Roll. Keeping himself in mystery, he was probably the weakest set of the weekend. That being said, it was Bob Dylan serenading us for an hour and a half. It’s hard to argue that wasn’t a heartfelt highlight of anyone’s weekend.

The Rolling Stones Covering The Beatles

The Rolling Stones may not have played “Paint It Black,” but Mick Jagger still impressed, sweating through outfit after outfit as he, Keith Richards, Ronnie Woods and Charlie Watts played such hits as “Gimme Shelter” and “Sympathy for The Devil,” as well as a high energy encore of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and “Satisfaction.” The biggest surprise of the evening, though, was when they did a wonderful cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together.”

Neil Young Shredding His Heart Out During Both His Set and Paul McCartney’s

It was great hearing Neil Young tell dad jokes about Trump. There was totally a collective holding back of a single tear as he played “Harvest Moon” and the screens cut to a shot of the moon. We also all partied our hearts out to “Rocking In The Free World,” but the best part of Neil Young’s set was hearing him shred again and again.

There was one point he even played a 20 minute version of “Down By The River.” Everyone bowed down to Young’s greatness. Even Paul McCartney, who during his set brought Young out to sing and play guitar on “A Day In The Life.”

Paul McCartney’s Iconic “Live and Let Die”

Aside from bringing Neil Young out, McCartney played a crowd pleasing set of Beatles and Wings hits as well as solo songs and his Rihanna/Kanye collaboration “FourFiveSeconds.”

He also peppered his set with stories from his youth, and dedicated songs to George Martin, George Harrison, John Lennon, his wife Nancy and his ex wife Linda. If you have ever seen McCartney live before, you know he goes all out for “Live and Let Die,” and Saturday was no different. The Wings song was filled with fireworks, pyrotechnics and McCartney just smashing away at the piano like there was no tomorrow.

The Who Singing “Baba O’Riley” aka “Teenage Wasteland”

The Who started 15 minutes late, which was the least tardy set of the weekend. Still, though, they were bonafide rock and roll.

Pete Townsend was making jokes about Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” being too long on the radio and Roger Daltrey was swinging his microphone around his head and body like he was a teenage punk.

The set seemed to inspire the most jumping and dancing in the pit of the weekend, as the screens cut to shots of people leaping against the barricade. The highlight of the set was the building of anticipation when “Baba O’Riley” started in with it’s electronic introduction until the entire crowd screamed the lyrics “Teenage wasteland!”

But None of that Compared to Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters

He was the best thing I saw at Desert Trip, and maybe the best concert I have seen in my life. When Sia performed her artistic video and dance filled performance at Coachella this year I was positive I could not see anything more artistically beautiful on those polo grounds, but Roger Waters proved me wrong.

Fully utilizing the panoramic LED screens behind him to project psychedelic visions of clocks, stars and other surrealist imagery, his set was the most visually stunning thing seen that weekend. Waters also used the multiple surround sound speakers throughout the field to create auditory soundscapes of helicopters, rioters, police sirens, dogs barking, clocks ticking and dozens of other awe inspiring sensory shifts. Roger Waters was accompanied by Lucius frontwomen Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, who showed off their pipes throughout, but complemented him perfectly on “Dark Side of The Moon.” Robbie Wyckoff sang David Gilmore’s parts beautifully, and all the musicians on stage truly impressed.

Aside from a visual nod to the Black Lives Matter movement with a quote “If You Are Not Angry You Are Not Paying Attention,” and a speech about ending the occupation in Palestine, Waters used a large part of his stage time to condemn Donald Trump. During the song “Pigs” he had a giant pig float throughout the crowd that said, “Ignorant/Lying/Sexist/Racist/Fuck Trump and His Wall.”

He closed out his initial set by projecting lasers into the crowd in the shape of a pyramid with a rainbow coming out of it, a la the Dark Side record cover. The finale for his encore was when two hands, which had spent the entire show apart, finally reached each other during “Comfortably Numb.” The two radiated pastels of celebration as fireworks were shot into the air. It was a show about how we are being torn apart by so much hate in the world and the awe inspiring hope that comes from unity, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

10 People Who Flawlessly Paid Tribute to Beyoncé by Recreating Her Videos

2016-10-10T20:22:06.231Z

Melissa Molinaro’s high-octane Beyoncé-inspired wedding reception dance has gone viral.

The bride’s not the first person to recreate Beyoncé’s songs with an impressive tribute. She joins a tradition of dedicated folks who produced inspired homages to the Lemonade singer’s masterpieces. Regulars do it, celebrities do it. So who were the most notable people to do this?

Answering that question requires a Bey-tacular list of people who slayed the game Queen Bee-style with their own interpretations. From a multimedia artist heating it up in the snowy mountains with “Single Ladies” to Serena Williams’ sporty interpretation of “7/11,” see a timeline of people recreating Beyoncé moments below.

The Boy Who Recreated Beyoncé’s ‘Countdown’ in a Snuggie

You really haven’t seen Bey’s moves until you’ve seen them performed by someone in a massive snuggie that could accommodate all the original members of Destiny’s Child. Boy wonder Ton Do-Nguyen mastered all the head rolls and floor work with some help from his friends. Consider this an informational video on how to slay in a slanket.

The Woman Who Recreated Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ Silently in the Snowy Mountains

This video from artist Gery Georgieva takes the “Single Ladies” dance to the next level. In the remote snowy Rhodopi Mountains in Bulgaria, the multimedia artist nailed all the moves wearing traditional garb. She called it “Rodopska Beyonce, Auto-Ehnography: Doin’ Ma Own Li’l Thing.” Watch as she breathlessly whispers the lines on top of the most elevated stage ever.

The Shirtless Men Who Recreated Beyonce’s ‘7/11’ With Kale

A bunch of shirtless dudes (Matthew Barela, Andrew Yang, Daniel Randell, Garrett Bryant, and Timothy Williams) created an excellent remake of Beyoncé’s squad goals music video “7/11.” As a clever nod to Yonce’s kale sweatshirt in the original video, they slapped a lot of kale around.

Watch Alicia Keys and Jay-Z Put New Yorkers in a New York State of Mind Like Only They Can

Rita Ora Recreated ‘7/11’ on a Yacht

Singer Rita Ora took her tribute to the high seas, recreating the “7/11” video on a yacht in St. Barths. The cast: fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, the boat crew and an inflatable pool toy. All the points go to Rita for taking the “in the air,” part of the song literally with flyboarding.

Serena Williams Recreated Beyoncé’s ‘7-11’ With Sports

Before Serena Williams, ever appeared in Beyonce’s music video for “Sorry,” she recreated “7/11” for a popular Vogue video. Obviously, it was tennis-themed which gave the athlete countless opportunities to slam a ball with her racket for the song’s line: “smack it in the air.” It also starred the men of the Ballenisles Country Club in dad socks, so it was perfect.

The Bachelorette Party Who Recreated Beyonce’s ‘7/11’

This is possibly the most faithful reconstruction of the homemade vibes of the original. The bridal party mimicked the body rolls, the sunglasses and the “twerking rhythmically while you do your hair” part. Their human pyramid was exemplary.

The Internet Thinks the Presidential Debate Would Be Better Off as a Karaoke Duet

The Teen Girl Who Recreated Beyoncé’s Met Gala Gown for Prom

I love you Beyoncé 🐝 #iamindiaross

A photo posted by India Ross (@iamindiaross) on May 14, 2016 at 7:08pm PDT

St. Louis Missouri high school student India Ross went viral for wearing a DIY version of Beyoncé’s sheer 2015 Met Gala dress. She told designer Toi Hall, “make me look like Beyonce,” and her gown, which Hall covered in gems from Michael’s and Wal-Mart, looked pretty much identical to Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy Haute Couture that Bey wore to the 2015 Met Gala.

The Teen Girl Who Recreated Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’ Dance for Her Prom Entrance

This teen had two of her dancer friends expertly recreate the opener fromBeyoncé’s “Formation” video before she emerged from her house in a glittery dress. Watch the teen communicate world domination on the red carpet before the second string event of the night — the actual prom. Naturally, there’s a smoke machine effect.

The Woman Who Built the Lego Version of ‘Lemonade’

Veronica Watson, Legoland Discovery Center Westchester’s Master Model Builder, used LEGOs to interpret Beyoncé’s Lemonade album, reported the Huffington Post. In her faithful reconstruction of the “Hold Up” video, she expertly reinvented the ruffles of Beyoncé’s iconic yellow dress — all with LEGO pieces.

The Bride Who Did an Extremely Professional Version of ‘Upgrade U’ and ‘End of Time’

When the choreography is this impressive, it’s safe to say Melissa Molinaro’s wedding guests basically got a free Beyoncé cover band concert. The bride told USA Today she planned the powerful surprise performance for five months, and the well-rehearsed medley featured two of Beyoncé’s songs about commitment: “Upgrade U” and “End of Time.” Even the stunning costumes made this very close to the real thing.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Game of Thrones’ Joffrey Baratheon’s Theory on How to Beat the White Walkers Could Hold Up

2016-10-10T19:46:52.106Z

Warning: This post contains potential spoilers for Game of Thrones.

The New Walking Dead Sneak Peek Teases Another Gruesome Twist

Jack Gleeson — who played Joffrey Baratheon on Game of Thrones — has never seen a full episode of the show that turned him into one of the most hated characters in television history, but that hasn’t stopped him from theorizing about how it will end right along with the rest of its fans.

During an appearance at New York Comic Con this weekend, the 24-year-old actor gave his take on how the people of Westeros will eventually be able to defeat their greatest threat, the White Walkers, that he had discussed with a fan. “This isn’t a spoiler, because I know zero about the show and I literally know nothing about what will happen,” he said, according to MTV News. “[A fan] came up with this theory that they told me… someone’s going to melt down the Iron Throne because it has the Valyrian steel that will overcome the White Walkers. I think that’s kind of a cool idea — the monarchy is literally dissolved.”

John Oliver Reminds the World That Guantanamo Prison Still Exists

Considering that Valyrian steel is one of only two known materials (the other being dragonglass) that can kill White Walkers, this theory could potentially hold up in the long run. Of course, Joffrey’s dear old mother would almost certainly have to die before this occurs, as it doesn’t seem like Queen Cersei Lannister will willingly give up the throne anytime soon. However, many viewers suspect that task will soon be taken care of by her little brother anyway.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Listen To Soft Pyramids' "Planes" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-10-10T19:32:02.782Z

Soft Pyramids know how to craft an expansive, reverb-y rock cut. That quickly becomes clear on “Planes,” the title track off the sophomore album from the group of Boston-based musicians. It’s the sort of warm, jangly, mellow song that could soundtrack your favorite indie flick or local coffee shop.

“'Planes' is the first song we wrote that ended up on the record,” explains frontman Dwight Hutchenson to Myspace. "It set the tone for what we were trying to capture this time around; simple grooves with subtle flash.”

It’s an apt description, for sure. And it's especially impressive considering the band recorded the album live in their rehearsal space.

Soft Pyramids will self-release Planes on October 28.

Magic Wands Cast a Dreamy Spell on 'Jupiter'

2016-10-10T16:30:00.000Z

From hazy, washed out melodies to urgent guitar chords and thrashing drums, the sound of Magic Wands covers a lot of ground in the realm of rock, from post-punk to dream-pop. What started as a long distance collaboration has blossomed into a full-on partnership. The band operates as a two-piece, made up of members Chris and Dexy Valentine. The duo shares instrument duties and both play guitar while Dexy's echoing voice unites Magic Wands' tracks together.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles-based band released their sophomore album, Jupiter. We chatted with the pair about the band's origins, musical influences, tarot and what dreams may come.

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

How did you decide to name yourselves Magic Wands?
 
Dexy: We named ourself Magic Wands because Chris and I lived in opposite sides of the country before we met for the first time. We met online back in 2008 (on Myspace) actually, and we’d send each other music and gifts and Chris sent me a toy plastic wand and when we were trying to come up with a band name I just had happened to be holding it and though oh duh! Magic Wand and then we added the S .. Magic Wands..
 
How did the two of you initially meet? How did you begin to collaborate with each other?
 
Dexy: We began collaborating by Chris sending me music via email and I’d sing on it, we initially met like I said, on Myspace! Chris found a music page I had up and liked one of my songs, we got talking about doing music together, but I was in LA and he was in Nashville so I eventually moved there so we could record.

Chris: It was the song that went like this “When I wanna make myself go crazy I dream of you, you” I’ve probably listened to it close to 40 million times now.
 
How does your collaboration work as a duo? You've recently added new members, has that changed the dynamic at all?
 
Dexy: We’re about to be a five piece. Right now we’ve got a bassist and drummer. It’s a lot richer of a sound. There are more dynamics, playing to backing tracks as a duo got really boring. You’re forever bound to just playing the song as it is. As a band we are more experimental. We extend intros and endings and sometimes change tempos. It feels a lot more organic and real this way. We love having actual players on stage. The only thing I miss is the sound of a drum machine and keyboard, but our drummer is going to be adding electronic pads to his kit and we just got a keyboardist.

Chris: The collaborating is different every time, every song is different. Sometimes I’ll have the music and Dexy will write the lyrics and the vocal, or vice-versa. A lot of it just depends on what day it is and what we’re mood we’re in.

 
What artists have influenced you musically and how?

Dexy: I think the music I listened to growing up influenced how I write songs. A lot of British music like Cocteau Twins, the Smiths, the Cure, New Order, the Jesus and Mary Chain. I started going to concerts when I was a kid and just never forgot how it felt to watch a band live and have it take me to another world. That inspiration is what helped shape and define me as a songwriter most.

Chris: I really like guitar players, especially surf guitar players, so any surf player that plays with good feeling has influenced me, or like Davy Graham for folk. I like the idea of shoe gaze music, but I think most of it is super boring, just like most electronic music. I just like the sounds, the guitar sounds, like Kevin Shields' sounds. I like the delays. I like when somebody plays a real instrument and it has a feeling. I’m also really into Jill Mattson and Jezebel Decibel for sound healing music. “Punk” when I was young, and just very certain bands. I liked that for the songwriting simplicity. Joey Ramone was a perfect singer to me. I can’t listen to U2 or Eric Clapton ever, they both make me feel deeply uncomfortable. I also have a rare condition where when I hear most hip-hop I instantly tune out. The B52’s are still the greatest sometimes. I like how Kim Deal writes songs as well, I’ve listened to Moon Duo / Wooden Shijps a lot lately. 

How does living in Los Angeles effect you creatively?
 
Dexy: It had a negative and positive effect. It’s distracting sometimes. I was finding it to be a good source of inspiration a couple years ago, but I’m ready to travel some place else and write.

Chris: It’s not the easiest place to live, but it is more fun and you meet people you couldn’t ever imagine. Creatively you end up using more black in the art.
 
You've used some tarot imagery recently. Do you believe in tarot and have you had a reading? If so, can you relay a story of a specific reading that was memorable?
 
Dexy: I’ve had many readings. I believe in the tarot to an extent. I don’t let it run my life or anything. I’m pretty skeptical of certain people who charge a lot of money for readings. There are a lot of Gypsys in Hollywood. One memorable reading I had was where a reader told me this guy I liked was my brother from a past life so that kind of made things weird. We have a Magic Wands High Priestess sticker.

Chris: My last “paid” reading was from a gypsy who said I was going to live a long life and be wealthy and happy, and that I was a king in a past life. I saw the cards so I know she wasn’t making it up, so I left her a good tip because I don’t think she was just playin'. Actually the lyrics to our song “Chariot” are pretty much all tarot imagery.
 
From the tarot to the Jupiter album cover, how important is art to you?

Dexy: Our last couple of albums were space themed. I think Jupiter was a bit more down to earth than Aloha Moon, but we try to match the art to the sound using certain colors and images that evoke a similar feeling to the music. Art is pretty important to keep the overall aesthetic cohesive.

Chris: The art for records is probably completely pointless and really important. Most people hear a song and then go look for it. Sure, sometimes you see a great album cover and you listen to the music to see what it’s like, but it’s rare that the music is something you’d actually want to listen to. Usually you hear it first. Of course everyone loves a beautiful piece of art, though. So it’s important, because if you hear a band and see their record cover and it had a picture of dumpster, you’d feel sad. It is important. It should be interesting. But really it’s the colors we are more interested in.

 
Say a listener falls asleep listening to Magic Wands, what do you imagine that dream would entail?
 
Dexy: Hopefully the would escape Earth and rise up through the ceiling and fly above the rooftop and float up through the clouds, above the moon straight out of the atmosphere into a dimension of color and blissful feelings and wake up feeling recharged.

Chris: Yes, it would be like flying on a magic carpet in a state of timeless ecstasy through a warm pool of water and stars while on the master cleanse and feeling a sense of deep longing yet total satisfaction.
 
What's next for Magic Wands in the coming months and new year ahead? What are your goals?
 
Dexy: We’re working on writing and recording our third album, which I feel is our best work yet. Our goals are to keep getting our music out there and playing as much as we can, so thanks for the support and sharing us and our music.

Chris: We’ll also be in Europe early 2017 and should have our third record out by early Spring.

Rihanna on Her Exes: "I Wasn't Da Problem"

2016-10-10T16:21:02.858Z

Rihanna may be all smiles about her relationship with Drake. However, she's not bashful about calling out all the men it didn't work out with. Over the weekend, the "Work" singer posted a message on Instagram pointing out a fact that we think she's pretty smug about.

#🏆

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Oct 8, 2016 at 7:29pm PDT

We're not sure what hurts those guys more — the actual message or the fact that she claims to be the winner with the trophy hashtag as the caption.

As we mentioned above, Rihanna has been getting cozy with Drake as they did at the Staples Center on September 10. “I pray that you find somebody that holds you down like this woman right here,” he told the crowd during his show.

While they're quite the item, Drake and Rihanna will be going head-to-head for most American Music Awards won on November 20 because they are two lead in nominations with 13 and seven, respectively.

Drake Gets Record-Breaking 13 American Music Awards Nods

2016-10-10T15:20:01.220Z

Drake's Views is one of this year's hottest records, and it looks like The American Music Awards think so, too, as the Toronto rapper picked up 13 nominations including Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Album, Favorite Rap Artist, Favorite Rap Song and Favorite R&B Song.

Michael Jackson previously held the record for most AMA nominations in 1984 with 11. If Drake wins in any of these categories, it will be his first win at the AMAs.

Rihanna also received seven nominations while Adele and Justin Bieber got five each.

You can vote for your favorites and find out who else was nominated here.

The 2016 American Music Awards will air live on November 20 at 8PM EST on ABC.

Watch Alicia Keys and Jay Z Reunite for "Empire State of Mind"

2016-10-10T15:14:39.072Z

Alicia Keys is set to release her new album, Here, on November 4, and she celebrated the upcoming release with a special concert in the middle of Times Square on Sunday night (October 9).

Of course, it wouldn't be a Big Apple show without the performance of "Empire State of Mind," her duet with Jay Z. So the two joined forces, which you can watch below.

It was only a matter of time before they performed this live in #TimesSquare. @aliciakeys & @S_C_ come together for 'Empire State of Mind'. pic.twitter.com/5GKDQ67TM2
— Times Square (@TimesSquareNYC) October 10, 2016

Nas, Questlove and John Mayer also joined Alicia onstage. She also paid homage to the late John Lennon by performing "Imagine" in honor of his birthday.

Watch the clips below.

.@aliciakeys, @johnmayer and @questlove came together for a rare performance in #TimesSquare. #HEREinTimesSquare pic.twitter.com/rkoCYitykV
— Times Square (@TimesSquareNYC) October 10, 2016

Happy birthday, @johnlennon. @aliciakeys performs 'Imagine' live in #TimesSquare with a message of hope and love. pic.twitter.com/C7AOX1SFmH
— Times Square (@TimesSquareNYC) October 10, 2016

The Return of R&B Stars & Superhero Trailers

2016-10-10T11:24:52.037Z

While you were watching everyone's new favorite American hero, Ken Bone, dominate the presidential debate in style, some of R&B's biggest pianists were dropping new tunes. Another crooner went into Hulk mode while our childhood heroes made a comeback, and Donald Trump said some shit you really aren't supposed to say. Here's what you missed over the weekend.

Grab Him By His Pussy (The Remix)

The upcoming election finally reached unfathomable heights of absurdity this weekend with the release of Donald Trump’s 2005 off-air audio conversation with Billy Bush during an Access Hollywood taping, detailing how he shamelessly sexually assaulted women in the past with his now infamous line “grab them by the pussy.” Thanks to both men being oblivious to their microphones still picking up sound, this recording has not only resulted in fantastic memes, ridiculous front page news everywhere — even a song from Grammy-winning producer Mike Dean.

Athletes got involved in the debate after Trump described the whole debacle as "locker room talk," and Billy Bush was effectively canned by NBC. Welcome to the most interesting election in history.

Dueling Pianos

We’ve been seeing a lot of Alicia Keys and her beautiful, makeup-free face lately, but it’s been a long time since we’ve heard any new music from the piano playing songstress. Well, she must’ve sensed our sadness because not only did Keys announce November 4 as the release date for her new album Hero, but she also debuted the first song off of the album, titled “Blended Family (What You Do For Love)” featuring A$AP Rocky. The heartfelt lyrics are dedicated to her three stepchildren that she shares with her husband, legendary rapper and producer Swizz Beatz.

John Legend has been around here and there as well — mainly in his wife Chrissy Teigen’s hilarious Snapchats and Instagram posts. Everyone’s favorite couple took time off to start their adorable family, and now that baby Luna is getting older, Legend is ready to release some new tunes. After a three-year hiatus, Legend finally put out his new single “Love Me Now” from the upcoming album titled Darkness and Light, releasing later this year. Putting his personal experiences and thoughts regarding love on the table, the single is so good that even Miguel approves.

Watch the official lyric video for #LoveMeNow now on @Vevo https://t.co/1snU5iOdyT
— John Legend (@johnlegend) October 7, 2016

The bro John Legend just dropped his first single and that shit is fire. Love me Now
— Miguel (@Miguel) October 7, 2016

Bruce Banner Has Nothing On Miguel

Speaking of Miguel, the R&B singer found himself in a bit of a confrontation in San Diego this past week, and video footage obtained by TMZ was released this weekend. The suave R&B singer had signed a contractual obligation with the owner of Side Bar to appear at the establishment for an evening. Things were going well and everyone seemed to be having a good time, even Miguel himself. However, things took a turn for the worse when the owner tried to bolster his business by requesting that the musician perform a song or two for the excited crowd.

Now, for anyone that’s listened to Miguel’s music or seen him live, they’ll probably vouch for him being nothing short of passionate and very animated — he’s very much a lover. But things went south with the bar owner, as the man’s request was not outlined in the contract that had been agreed upon. The “All I Want Is You” singer politely declined, hoping to enjoy a relatively low-key evening, but the owner refused to take no for an answer. He repeatedly shoved a microphone in Miguel’s face, telling him that he was obligated to perform the service, and that’s when the calm Miguel lost it and attempted to fight the man. Cameras captured the artist being forcibly held back by security members as he shouted expletives in the man’s direction. Moral of the story: don’t tell Miguel to do something he doesn’t want to.

Heroic Trailers New & Old

Discover the power to change your world. Watch the NEW official #PowerRangersMovie teaser trailer ⚡️ – Coming to theaters March 24, 2017! pic.twitter.com/TXLpTYakf2
— Power Rangers (@ThePowerRangers) October 8, 2016

The nostalgia for your childhood is real with the return of the Power Rangers. In the first trailer for the new movie, we get a look at the surprisingly steamy new take on the ‘90s classic. Although it’s probably for the best that it looks nothing like the one you fell in love with over two decades ago, it still seems kind of weird to watch as the five heroic teens of our collective childhood get a very modern reboot. On one hand, it seems like some things should just be left in the past, but we’re totally still going to see it as soon as it hits theaters next March.

Danny trained his whole life for this. #IronFist pic.twitter.com/YxD2ZMOzdf
— Iron Fist (@MarvelIronFist) October 8, 2016

Aside from the Power Rangers origin story, Netflix and Marvel revealed the first trailer for the upcoming Iron Fist series. Given the success of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and anything else Marvel could possibly throw on Netflix, we fully expect Iron Fist to both provide some solid action and take over the internet while we rapidly build toward the Defenders. With The Punisher officially beginning next year as well, it seems like Marvel is wasting no time in getting some of their B-list superheroes on the most prominent streaming service around.

Building Games For Virtual Reality Storytelling

2016-10-10T07:00:00.000Z

We're pretty much all in agreement that virtual reality is the future of gaming, right? But if that's the case, then the next generations of video games look very different from anything that's come before.

Improving the graphics and complexity of a game from console to console is one thing, but having to completely revamp how games are created both in technology and in content is entirely different. Check out this video from WIRED on XUMO about just how little is known when it comes to VR gaming and where it could possibly go.

WIRED on XUMO: Building Games For Virtual Reality Storytelling from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things tech whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to WIRED.

5 Reasons to be Excited For the WildStorm Revival

2016-10-10T07:00:00.000Z

Comic book fans of the ‘90s rejoice: the WildStorm universe is coming back with a bang. For the uninitiated, WildStorm was the studio of iconic comic book creator Jim Lee. It was the home of WildCats, Gen 13, Deathblow, Stormwatch, The Authority and Planetary. It was the studio that gave careers to some very talented artists and writers, and last week DC announced that they were going to revive the Wildstorm Universe as a pop-up imprint headed by the legendary, quasi-sociopathic, most likely man from the future, Warren Ellis.

Here’s five reasons why we’re truly excited that Ellis is being handed the keys to the WildStorm kingdom.

First, a Brief History Lesson...

Image comics was founded by five of Marvel’s highest profile artists. They broke out on their own so that they could create and own their intellectual property. Each artist had their own studio within Image comics that represented their stories and characters. In the late '90s, Jim Lee decided that he didn’t want to be involved with the business side of comics; all he wanted to do was draw, so he sold his studio — WildStorm — and all of its characters to DC Comics.

Jim Lee Created WildStorm but Warren Ellis Gave It Depth

The guys that started Image Comics were all really good at coming up with ideas, but they weren’t really great at fleshing them out and giving their stories real depth. This is pretty much the early ‘90s comic book industry in a nutshell: hot chicks, big muscles, ridiculous costumes, huge guns, lots of teeth gritting...very little substance. The WildStorm world was really no exception. Jim Lee seemed to crank out a new idea every week. All of them looked really slick, sounded really cool but didn’t have a whole lot of character.

And then came Warren Ellis. StormWatch was a super powered, UN Sanctioned, world peace keeping force. What sounds like a pretty standard comic book trope these days.Ellis turned it on its head, making the trusted leader of the group into a psychopathic genetic engineering monster. He destroyed the StormWatch title and created what is regularly considered one of the greatest comics of all time: The Authority.

He introduced strange a weird elements into the WildStorm universe and created Planetary. He took all of the slick looking ideas that Jim Lee had created and rubbed some dirt on them to give them some much needed depth of character. And now he gets to do it all over again with any of the characters he wants.

A True Wildstorm Universe

In the New 52 reboot, DC tried to incorporate a lot of the WildStorm characters into the DCU. The recreated and rebranded Stormwatch. Grifter and Voodoo got their own solo books, but none of the characters did very well. The WildStorm Universe was always weirder and darker than the place where Batman and Superman lived, so it’s not hard to understand why they didn’t mesh well. Just because two things taste great separately doesn’t mean you should try to cram them all together.

Now without the bounds of the DC Continuity, or the need to include these characters in the same world where Superman and The Justice League exist, Ellis can be unbound in his storytelling. Just like he did on his original run of both StormWatch and The Authority he can explore mad new ideas and strange new characters.

Warren Ellis is at His Best When He’s Deconstructing Characters

Do yourself a favor; go buy Moon Knight and Karnak Volumes One. In these books, you’ll see one of the things that Ellis is so good at — he gets to the core of a character; strips away all of the nonsense; adds a few weird bits for flavor and sends ‘em back out into the world better than they were before. He plays with tropes in order to get his point across — that’s how we ended up with Apollo and The Midnighter — the WildStorm analogues of Batman and Superman — who just so happen to be a gay couple and the deadliest people in The Authority.

The characters of the Wildstorm Universe were born in a time when all you really needed for a comic book was a cool look, a cool power, a gritty name and a fuckton of pouches. They were still riding the line between kids entertainment, speculator money making scheme and legitimate form of entertainment and art. Ellis changed that with The Authority, Transmetropolitan and all of his work since. He loves the core of what the characters represent, and he’s brilliant at sussing out that tender morsel and building upon it, bringing forth new iterations of timeless characters.

The Exploration of the Weird

DC and Marvel dance around the edges of weirdness, but they never truly dive deep into it. Warren Ellis is a master of the weird. He creates a thousand new insane ideas a week, and then somehow manages to weave those into a super hero narrative. The WildStorm universe is based around a millennium-old alien civil war, a multiversal intersection and the ability to traverse multiple planes of existence. In short, it’s weird as shit and we’re hoping that it’s only going to get weirder.

And it doesn’t just stop with the environment, Ellis writes and creates weird characters. His bad guys aren’t just bad, they’re despicably evil on a level that Marvel and DC will never shoot for. His good guys aren’t the babyface, white meat good guys; they’re tragically flawed. Ellis’ heroes are the least likely to be able to win the day, and that’s what makes it so great when they actually do. Also, they probably did some awful stuff along the way that makes you question exactly what a good guy is.

The Future is Full of Possibilities

We’ve seen DC do a number of reboots over the last five years — each of them seeming to be more desperate than the last — but lately they seem to be getting things on track and are more willing to take risks. WildStorm is the second pop-up imprint under the DC banner. Just a few months ago they gave Gerard Way the Young Animal imprint using some less used characters. Now Warren Ellis gets an entire stable of characters to play with, and the people who truly win are us, the fans.

The world of comic books is one of the only places these days where you can tell almost any story at any time, regardless of how crazy it is. The fact that DC Comics is opening up more and more worlds for people to play in can only be a bright spot for creators and fans. If they’re willing to take a shot on weird properties like Doom Patrol and the new universe of characters from WildStorm, then there's a lot of potential for the future of these pop up imprints from DC Comics.

Anna Kendrick Had Terrible Relationships Just Like All of Us

2016-10-07T19:15:28.333Z

When it comes to relationships, movie star Anna Kendrick shows she’s just like the rest of us. In a story from her memoir, Scrappy Little Nobody, published on Glamour, Kendrick discusses the cardinal sin that she and so many other young women commit: Changing your personality in order to appeal to a boy.

Justin Theroux Really Doesn’t Mind His ‘Mr. Jennifer Aniston’ Title

“He was 28 and something of an introvert,” Kendrick writes of ‘Connor,’ a boy she started seeing when she was 20. “I took this to mean that he was deep and artistic and probably judged me for talking as much as I do. Once we broke up, I realized it just meant that he was kind of boring—and probably judged me for talking as much as I do.”

She admits to falling for him because he was the cool, mysterious older guy. “We would have made a terrible couple, but his indifference blinded me to all the red flags,” she writes. “He drove a BMW but slept on a futon. He watched the History Channel like it was a reliable source of information.”

Watch JoJo Become a Star Before Your Eyes in Her New Music Video

Kendrick is known for her outgoing personality, but she says she stifled that to make Connor like her: “If I could see tape of us interacting, I doubt I would recognize myself. Who was I trying to make him fall in love with? My strategy was to just be agreeable.”

Eventually, Connor broke up with her, and she spent years holding a grudge against the girl she thought stole his heart. Sound familiar? Let she who hasn’t sacrificed personality for someone dull be the first to cast a stone.

Read the full clip at Glamour.com

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Sarah Paulson Casually Slay Salt-N-Pepa’s ‘Shoop’ on Jimmy Fallon

2016-10-07T19:08:33.092Z

Actress Sarah Paulson is known for her dramatic chops—she just picked up an Emmy for portraying prosecutor Marcia Clark in The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story and is a longstanding cast member ofAmerican Horror Story—but that doesn’t mean she can’t bust out a casual rap when the occasion arises, as it did on Thursday night while she was on Jimmy Fallon’s show.

Watch Stephen Colbert’s Emotional Session With Acting Coach Emily Blunt

“I hate putting people on the spot,” Fallon started.

“Oh, but you’re going to,” she said, as he proceeded to toss her a mic and the Roots picked up the beat to the song “Shoop,” a 1993 classic by the rap group Salt-N-Pepa. Despite her initial hesitation, Paulson quickly got into the groove, rapping a flawless rendition of the old-school jam. Watch her MC like a champ, above.

Watch The Muppets Recreate 50 Shades of Grey in the Mashup You Didn’t Know You Wanted

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Internet Has a Lot of Feelings About Pierce Brosnan’s Controversial New Gig

2016-10-07T18:57:42.615Z

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan recently signed on to be the newest spokesperson of Pan Bahar, an Indian pan masala brand.

Watch Stevie Nicks and James Corden Sing About Who’s Really to Blame For Clown Craze

Pan masala or “paan masala” is a mixture consisting of areca nut and spices that’s generally chewed with tobacco and/or betel leaves. According to The Washington Post, the concoction has a government-mandated warning that tells consumers that it’s “injurious to health;” it’s also worth noting that the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer says that the areca nut is carcinogenic to humans.

Brosnan appears in an ad campaign for the product that includes a video depicting him as an action star who is aided by a can of pan masala; the campaign however, has received backlash online for the suave endorsement of a product that is associated with health risks.

Pierce Brosnan_ Pan Bahar
Pic1- when you want to kill others.
Pic2- when you want to kill yourself. 😛 pic.twitter.com/V0C2hKN3HT
— Lazy Cat (@DenNehaS) October 7, 2016

Watch Ben Affleck and Jimmy Fallon Act Out Hilarious Scenes Written by Kids

As Pierce Brosnan is endorsing #PanBahar, his new line should be - My name is Bond, aakthoo (splits).. James Bond.
— Dinesh Jain (@djdineshjain) October 7, 2016

Braking news : 94% of #panbahaar consumers don't know who #PierceBrosnan is & 97% of those getting agitated by the ad don't eat pan masala.
— Jitender Dabas (@dabas_jeetu) October 7, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Amy Adams, Shailene Woodley, and Lupita Nyong’o Read Drake’s “One Dance”

2016-10-07T18:23:05.098Z

In a combination of two of our favorite things, there's now a video of actors doing a dramatic reading of Drake lyrics.

Some of Hollywood's biggest names read the Canadian rapper's summer megahit, "One Dance," and XUMO teamed up with Vanity Fair to provide us with a video of it.

If you need your fix of Drizzy, comedy, and your favorite actors, check out the video below and stay tuned for much more quality content.

Vanity Fair on XUMO: Amy Adams, Shailene Woodley, and Lupita Nyong’o Read Drake’s “One Dance” from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things entertainment whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

Watch Maggie Szabo’s “Smile” Video Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-10-07T16:30:00.000Z

Sometimes it just wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t make the pains of break ups any easier, though.

On “Smile,” singer/songwriter Maggie Szabo laments over the immeasurable difficulty of heartbreak. Soulful vocals and top-notch songwriting color the track from the LA-via-Ontario, Canada singer. “The only thing that works is time,” sings Szabo. “Doesn’t matter how hard I try.”

The accompanying visual, which depicts the singer following her ex through deserted city streets, powerfully captures her sadness.

"I wrote ‘Smile’ on the beautiful island of Santorini in Greece at the legendary Black Rock Recording Studio,” says Szabo to Myspace.

"I was there for a writing camp. It was the end of a long day of writing and recording, and the producers I was working with played a track, and within 20 minutes ‘Smile’ just poured out of me. It’s a song inspired by someone I was in love with for a very long time, but as fate would have it, it just wasn’t meant to be. I was so heartbroken, and I remember just wishing I could delete the memories from my brain. I had to face the fact that there wasn’t some magical cure, or a simple solution to get over someone; the only thing that I could do is let time do its work. That’s what ‘Smile' is about."

Charlotte Cardin Makes Her Mark with 'Big Boy'

2016-10-07T16:30:00.000Z

Charlotte Cardin has mastered the art of the smolder. Her voice manages to sound smoky, yet smooth, as it hugs the stark beat of her tracks. Her songs carry a distinctive vibe that marries a jazzy delivery with hip-hop aesthetics. It's a combination that's equally haunting and enthralling.

After trading a career in modeling for music, Cardin has been on a tear, appearing on La Voix, the French Canadian version of The Voice, and releasing her debut Big Boy EP over the summer. We chatted with the bilingual chanteuse about her love of '90s pop, her career switch and how instinct leads the way.

Hometown/Homebase: Montreal, Quebec

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is a mix of jazz, electro and R&B, in a pop envelope.

What records did you grow up on?

All Celine Dion records! I also loved NSYNC and other '90s pop bands. Later on, I really got into Radiohead and I'm still obsessed with them.

What inspired your Big Boy EP?

Relationships and human contact in general inspired the record. Big Boy isn't about someone in particular, rather than about how certain people have made me felt at specific times. I get inspired by my personal experiences, but I also base my stories on things I am told or shown.

You sing in English — is that a conscious decision?

It's not really a conscious decision. My family is French Canadian, but I was brought up in Montreal, which is a super bilingual environment. I was always surrounded by both French and English. Making music in both languages is therefore a natural instinct rather than a conscious choice.

How would you compare and contrast music and modeling as creative outlets? Have either benefited the other?

Music is a much more creative outlet for me. It has always been. Modeling certainly has its good sides (for example, it has taught me how to feel comfortable in front of a camera, which came in quite handy lately), but has never been a passion or a way of expression for me. I think they can both go hand in hand, but I'm choosing to focus on music simply by preference.

What led to you decision to commit to music full-time?

Being on La Voix and then spending more and more time writing music showed me what my true passion was. It just became clear that nothing called to me as much as music did.

How would you describe the Montreal music scene?

It's very effervescent. You have amazing Québécois singer-songwriters as well as English speaking ones, rock bands, jazz, indie, grunge, just everything. It's so cool and inspiring to be surrounded by a small, yet super active cultural scene.

What's it like to be a creator in Canada?

It's wonderful because you get support from different crowds and the people that follow your career (from what I have experienced so far) stay faithful to the artist.

What's been a recent memorable response to your music?

I've had people from all over the world send me videos of them dancing to my music. It's always touching to see that your music can inspire other people to create. That artistic cycle is so strong and important and it makes me proud to see that I'm a part of it.

What are your career goals as a musician?

I'd love to play and share my music with people from all over the world. For a shorter-term goal, I also want to learn how to play guitar properly.

Watch Green Day Perform Hard-Hitting "Bang Bang" On 'Fallon'

2016-10-07T16:22:06.350Z

Four decades into their career, Green Day certainly haven't lost energy. That was certain the case on their pumped-up performance of "Bang Bang" on Fallon last night.

Bille Joe Armstrong and his crew of punk rockers were as fiery as ever performing the intense, political song written from the perspective of a mass shooter.

"It's about the culture of mass shooting that happens in America mixed with narcissistic social media," explained Armstrong to Rolling Stone. "There's this sort of rage happening, but it's also now being filmed and we all have ourselves under surveillance. To me, that is so twisted. To get into the brain of someone like that was freaky."

"Bang Bang" is the lead single from Green Day's twelfth studio record Revolution Radio, which was released today (October 7).

New Gorillaz Album May be Finished in "Two Weeks"

2016-10-07T15:57:56.754Z

Gorillaz fans may not have to wait too much longer for a new record. Damon Albarn reportedly said that there was "two weeks left of recording and the album’s finished," according to a source on Reddit (via Consequence of Sound).

This news follows Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett's earlier remarks that the new record will drop in 2017.

WE GOT JAMIE NEWS! This here is HIM and our friend Linda. JAMIE says new GORILLAZ is special, really fuckin special. Can't be rushed. 2017, yo. Fuck. So, guys, that Gorilla Fund, we got time. Go shop, take vacation, that shit aint happening this year. BUT its gonna be all that and more. And....Jamie follows us. So....you got something to say to him and don't wanna get yelled at on his IG by his very serious followers, say it here! HE IS HERE. Watching, reading and digging it. He loves this account and appreciates our repping. #JamieHewlett #JamieSaid #ThoseWords #FuckinAye #Gorillaz #Gorillaz2017 #ThisIsNotOurFace #WeTookThePic #HalfOfUsWasThere #OtherHalfInMontreal #Explanations #DidWeMention #JamieWasMadCool #Animated #Friendly #GangstaToo #HisShow #HisArt #SoCool #Go #IfYouCan

A photo posted by GorillazNorthAmerica (@gorillaz.northamerica) on Jun 12, 2016 at 6:38am PDTThe electro rockers' last record was 2010's The Fall. Listen to lead single "Phoner To Arizona" below.

The electro rockers' last release was 2010's The Fall. Listen to its woozy lead single "Phoner To Arizona" below.

The NSA is Watching You...Via Your Old Crappy Yahoo! Account

2016-10-07T15:51:14.896Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're happy to let the government search around the Yahoo email account we use to sign up for crap online as we wait for the new Google phone to show up at our door.

Yahoo!

Recommended Pairing: Imitation Krab and vintage boxed white wine.

Way way back, back around my freshman year of high school, I rocked the obligatory "Nickname / Last two digits of my graduating class year@aol.com." When I went into college I dropped that silly AOL account for something marginally better — the classic, "Punny and Immature Phrase Based on a Topical Pop Culture Reference@Yahoo.com." The actual address is one of my most closely guarded secrets, the lone skeleton in my closet. It's shameful and I don't embarrass easily.

Listen, I have matured a lot since my college days. I now have both a Gmail account and my very own website with it's own email account to prove to the world I am professional enough to receive money in exchange for services rendered.

Unlike my AOL account, which I imagine is buried in a shallow unmarked digital grave somewhere in a field littered with CD-Roms touting hours and hours of free minutes, I have held onto that stupid Yahoo email account. I used it for fantasy football for a while, but mainly it was just my official junk email for shit I knew I never wanted to check on.

Does drunk Mike need a pizza late at night? Do I get free stuff if I make an account?

Cool. Here, use my stupid Yahoo account and my credit card. Up until this week, the only thing I really worried about was falling asleep before the delivery guy arrived.

Not anymore.

Yup, Yahoo apparently built an email surveillance program for the NSA and/or the FBI.

So now the government knows hard data on my pizza consumption, the amount of times I'm willing to trade an email address for a shitty t-shirt, and the amount of times I have signed up and lurked around online dating sites.

It's official, the terrorists won.

Google Pixel

Recommended Pairing: Pepsi and Jim Beam.

I didn't know I was a Google fanboy until I got a message from them saying I could pre-order the new Google Pixel phone ahead of the big release and immediately forked over close to a goddamn grand. I didn't even really think about it. I looked at my four-year-old Google Nexus phone — a phone that had been on it's last legs for a year now — and thought, I'm gonna let you live the rest of your life in a drawer where I keep loose batteries, thumb tacks, and printed menus for local restaurants. It's the closest thing I've got to a farm for a device I suppose.

I got the receipt for the purchase and a nifty little note from them, thanking me for being a loyal fan and rewarding me with a complimentary Daydream VR facemask thingy.

Cool, I thought, I should probably check out the specs for this bad boy.

Apparently, it's new.

I don't like that Google is trying to incite a rivalry with the iPhone. Apple's already Jack and Coke, do you really want to force your way into being Pepsi and Jim Beam? Take it down a notch, Google. Just keep making quality stuff and let Apple do the same.

Aside from the tone of the marketing, I like everything I'm seeing. I mean, my old phone stood up to a huge rush of technological innovation and only just recently really started giving me problems, so I'm banking on this one doing the same.

I never want to feel loyalty to a corporation; I just won't do it. It's stupid. They don't give a fuck about me, so I return the favor. I happened to work at T-Mobile as a part time rep back when the first Google phone came out — a neat little slider device that worked its little heart out.

I was bad at my job, so I spent an inordinate amount of time dicking around on that thing (I was a borderline savant at Robo Defense). Right before I left T-Mobile for like, the 100th (and final) time, I was given another Android device. It worked well for a few years, but when it pooped out I bought my current Nexus. I was more concerned about not signing a contract than the phone brand I wanted to use.

I don't feel like I owe Google anything. If a fight broke out I wouldn't deck an Apple fanboy. What would I do, smash him over the head with my MacBook Pro that I basically run my life on?

Nah.

This isn't the column for nerding out about specs. But the Daydream VR Kit does intrigue me, and not just because I'm about to ratchet up my porn game straight to the future; it legitimately seems like there's going to be interesting content using the technology.

My best guess is that dudes will probably just use them to watch porn on the subway, though.

'Til next week.

Listen To The Glitzy New Bruno Mars Single “24k Magic”

2016-10-07T15:39:25.645Z

Bruno Mars goes larger than life on “24k Magic,” the funky new song from the suave pop star. Mars sings and raps about a life of luxury on the party-ready single. It’s everything you’d expect from the “Uptown Funk” singer — and then some.

“Girls, what y’all trying to do?” asks Mars. “24 karat magic in the air / Head to toe soul player / Uh, look out!”

In the music video for the new single, Mars hangs with his crew of models on the Vegas strip, throws money in the air and enjoys his champagne-laden life of celebrity.

“24k Magic” is the title track from Mars’ upcoming third album, out November 18.

Set It Off Loves Boneless Wings & Breaking the Mold

2016-10-07T08:30:21.402Z

Dan Clermont points across a crowded table at one of the many TVs showing college football on the walls of LA's Big Wangs.

"Dude, they just played our song!"

It takes a minute for the rest of Set It Off to realize what their lead guitarist is talking about. Vocalist Cody Carson turns around to look at the television while drummer Maxx Danziger looks up from his plate full of boneless wings to see what Clermont is talking about. The three of them along with bassist/rhythm guitarist Zach DeWall start celebrating as if their preferred team (the band is split among a few different NFL franchises) just scored a game-winning touchdown.

To the rest of the sports bar, it looks like the table full of young guys is celebrating a break in the action of an early-season football game between two relatively non-contending teams. There's no sound coming from the TV, making those who heard the discussion over the musical source of excitement even more confused. During the buildup to the release of Set It Off's third album, Upside Down, the band was told exactly where and when their song "Uncontainable" would be played during which college football broadcasts, so the avid football fans don't need to hear the track to know exactly when it's on.

"That's so cool," Carson finally says. "That was really big for us."

But while having a song on TV might be the excitement of the moment, it's just a drop in the bucket of Set It Off's year. The band spent all summer playing their second consecutive Warped Tour, and then promptly went on the road once again for a fall tour. Among all of their live shows, the quartet still managed to find the time to put the finishing touches on Upside Down. Now that they're established veterans of the music industry, Carson and company get to be the ones calling the shots when it comes down to making a record — particularly since they're no longer trying to fit into any sort of subgenre.

"Upside Down is a really eclectic journey of us diving headfirst into what we've always wanted to do, which is just be free to write whatever music we want to write," Carson says between bites of tremendous boneless wings slathered in buffalo sauce. "Right now, we're focused on writing the best songs possible rather than trying to write in a specific niche or a specific song. It felt so forced, honestly."

Although synthesizers, samples, pop rock might not go together in the eyes and ears of some bands, it works as well as boneless wings and french fries for Set It Off. The group that started as a simple synth-loving pop punk band has evolved into a much more intricate and complex sound, featuring different textures and tones on just about every track. Sure, their original pop punk influences are still there, but no one in the band is concerned about cashing in on pop punk's recent revival — or even playing a trendy type of music, for that matter.

"I feel like we were always a little too soon or too late on a lot of the trends," Clermont says as he sips his golden hefeweizen. "We started as pop punk when no one wanted to do pop punk. Then we went away from that and went a little more post-hardcore, and now that is becoming more popular as we're separating ourselves from it. It's still cool to see pop punk back because so many of the bands that were the soundtrack to high school for us."

"It's funny, because we used to get made fun of for playing pop punk," DeWall adds as he nibbles on a spicy garlic wing. "But now when we put out new music, people are like 'You should play the old stuff!'"

As Carson sees it, the band's multi-genre past is a large part of the reason an album like Upside Down exists. If they hadn't been teased for playing pop punk or if people had really dug their slightly heavier sound, Set It Off may never have gotten to the point where they decided to make the music they enjoyed rather than attempting to cater to as many fans as possible.

And yes, for those Netflix aficionados out there, the band that released a record called Upside Down has enjoyed all eight episodes of Stranger Things. For them, it's a happy coincidence — even if they announced their album just weeks before the entire nation became obsessed with the Demogorgon's homeland.

"We all loved Stranger Things, so it was perfect," Danziger says between handfuls of gravy-covered disco fries. "We even posted our album cover upside down in the Upside Down."

"We were binge-watching it together on tour, and as soon as they started calling it 'the Upside Down' we knew it was incredible," Carson adds. "We got so excited about it. They're obviously huge fans."

"The biggest joke we get right now is that we should call the next album 'Rightside Up,'" Clermont says.

"Maybe we should do that just to fuck with them," Carson responds.

10 Things You Should Know About Tony Lucca

2016-10-07T07:15:10.427Z

Tony Lucca has spent a considerable amount of time in the spotlight. It’s been well-documented that as a youth he was on The All New Mickey Mouse Club alongside future pop greats Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. He later went on to be featured on Season 2 of The Voice, where he found himself caught in the crossfire in a heated battle between his coach, Adam Levine, and the aforementioned Aguilera.

The spotlight, however, it not what Lucca desires. All about his craft, he’s been recording in some of the most storied studios in America and connecting with audiences during extensive national tours.

Why did he go this route, rather than the pop route of the friends of his youth? The answer to that, and a whole lot more, can be found in these 10 things you should know about Tony Lucca.

He’s Released Multiple EPs Recorded in Legendary Studios

With Sessions, Vol. 1: Sun Studio, and Sessions, Vol. 2: Muscle Shoals, Lucca has shown a penchant for working in storied recording studios. “I wish it were as deliberate, and intentional, as it might appear,” he says with a laugh, noting, “the truth of it is the Sun Studio (Tennessee) session was recorded about a year and a half ago, and the Muscle Shoals (Alabama) one was actually recorded almost ten years ago.”

Although Originally Unintentional, He’s Open to Continuing the Legendary Studio Theme

“If I could parade around, and hit up some of the classic, great studios before they’re merely historical reference points, my gosh, I’d love to go to places like Ocean Way (Tennessee), and Stax (Tennessee), Abbey Road (London), obviously, and the Record Plant (California).”

Lucca has previously recorded at Sound City (California), but he notes, “It wasn’t the original room, let alone the original console.”

He Includes Beat Poets and Writers as Some of His Greatest Inspirations

When his fellow former Mousketeers were in the process of starting to change the landscape of pop music, Lucca found himself enamored with the work of beat poets and writers. “Around that time I was deeply immersed in my coming of age, California, countercultural ... my own private countercultural revolution,” he remembers. “I was getting into (Jack) Kerouac, and (Allen) Ginsburg, and Ken Kesey, and all of that, and spending weekends going up to San Francisco to watch Grateful Dead shows.”

He Has a Strong Appreciation of Classic Singer-Songwriters

During his countercultural revolution, Lucca became drawn to great singer-songwriters of generations past. “Artists like Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills & Nash, artists I grew up on, ironically, were becoming so glaringly important, and inspiring, in my early 20s. I was like, holy cow, I see what this is all about. I see why this is so important, why these artists stand the test of time, so I really gravitated to coming from a place of lyrical purity, and telling my own narrative, and writing my own songs, and singing my own songs.”

He Was Nearly in a Country Version of NSYNC

“I was asked to be part of a group that was being funded by Lou Pearlman. They were trying to do an Eagles meets NSYNC. I took the bait because I saw the glory of these big things.” He also took the bait hoping it would be more Eagles, and country music, focused, rather than pop music focused. He says, in retrospect, “Obviously that was me being somewhat naive.”

In the end, Lucca left the group after having an epiphany while listening to the demo they cut. He’d thrown it into his CD changer alongside albums by Stone Temple Pilots and Sarah McLachlan the night before the final financier meeting about the project. Lucca remembers hearing the demo, and thinking, It was not unique. I was like, no. He called up his friends from the group to say he was out.

The rest of the group was understandably upset, although they were likely more upset when they were eventually all replaced by younger singers.

Christina Aguilera’s Fans Were Brutal to Him During His Time on 'The Voice'

Everyone saw the tension, much of it made for TV, between Lucca and Aguilera when Lucca was on Season 2 of The Voice. Aguilera’s fans, however, went more than a little overboard, blowing up his social media accounts with negative comments, and even threats. “I had friends come to my defense during this whole thing,” he recalls, “and (her fans) lashed out at them, and got all ugly on my friends, and family, and made death threats on my family. I’m like, are you shitting me? Like, guys, hang on a second, yes, she has a voice, a really nice voice, she’s a great artist and all that, but come on.”

He Almost Had an Incident With a Police Officer in Philadelphia

After a performance at Tin Angel in Philadelphia, Lucca says, “I got a little silly, a little extra sauced ... eyewitness accounts tell me I had come out of the alleyway (which is where the load out is for the venue), and I kind of mouthed off to someone. Apparently it was a cop. Fortunately, the cop was a good dude. He saw the kind of shape I was in, and how irrelevant getting worked up about me was ... I didn’t say anything offensive to the cop, like name calling, but it was definitely like one more sentence away from serious trouble.”

He’s a Breakfast Cook Extraordinaire

“I love to cook breakfast. I’m like a diner chef. I think if the music thing were to go away I would probably go study shorthand over at the waffle house, and learn that language, and that vernacular, so I could become a short order cook at a waffle house. I think it’s a wonderful art form.”

His First Two Albums are Only Available to His Patreon Supporters

While many artists are quick to put their entire catalogs online, the only way to hear Lucca’s first two albums is by being one of his Patreon supporters. This is due in part to Lucca feeling his more recent work better defines him. “I feel like I caught my stride three, or four albums in,” he explains, “learning what to do with my voice, (and) how to keep a song under five minutes.”

Describing his first two albums as “a little too dear diary-ish” for his liking, he says, “I’ve decided to let those sit, and let the core fans sniff ‘em out, and find them.”

You Can Catch Him Live This Fall

Lucca is currently wrapping up his Heads or Tails Tour with Alex Dezen (of The Damnwells), the name of which comes from the two artists hitting the stage together each night, and flipping a coin to decide who plays first. They then alternate from song to song. After this tour, Lucca will be on the road with Tyrone Wells throughout November.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-10-07T07:00:00.000Z

We've got some big releases for you this week. First, Green Day are releasing their first album in four years with Revolution Radio. Then, Norah Jones is back with her new record, Day Breaks. Following last year's Big Grams collab with Big Boy, Phantogram are back with Three. Jamestown Revival follow up 2014's Utah with their sophomore effort, The Education of a Wandering Man. And while we've got a lot of follow-up releases, there's also our recent Artist of the Day Jones, who's dropping her debut album, New Skin, today as well.

Find out more about these albums and give them some listening love below.

'Revolution Radio' - Green Day

What makes Green Day a must-listen to band is their ability to pen songs commenting on society's ills while being able to put it to an up beat punk rock beat. However, on their new album, Revoltionary Radio, the band does more than fulfill that mission. Even though they kept the signature guitar lyrics and headbanging drums, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool are spreading their growth and wisdom over the past few years. And that is why this is such an important release.

Green Day have gone through their fair share of trails over the past two years with Billie Joe's road to sobriety as well as Mike's wife and the band's touring guitarist being diagnosed with cancer. And the band reflects on this on introspective song, "Still Breathing." Then there's the album opener, which is inspired by Billie Joe's time right after rehab.

But Revolutionary Radio isn't just about the the band's personal hardships. Like American Idiot was their stance on former US president George W. Bush and taking America to war, the new one also delves into the issues affecting us today. But since it was written prior to the 2016 presidential election, you won't be getting any major references towards Donald Trump, though we're sure fans will make their own associations. But two songs that the Green Day frontman took a stance on was "Bang Bang," which talks about the continuing gun violence in America, as well as the LP's title track, which was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. So when you listen to their new record this week, you'll be walking away with more than something you can move to.

'Day Breaks' - Norah Jones

If there's anyone who's made the masses appreciate the magic of jazz, it's Norah Jones. Since her 2002 debut, Come Away With Me, her smooth piano playing and sweet vocals have wooed us time and time again. And on her new record, Day Breaks, she returns to the traditional sounds of jazz and serenades us into relaxation and romance over the course of 12 songs.

With songs like "And Then There Was You," "Carry On" and the bass-driven "Sleeping Wild," we're brought back to Norah's shining moments on the record. And while it's safe to say that Day Breaks falls into easy listening territory, she gives us some of that fighting spirit on "Flipside," where the tempo shifts into pulsating piano chords and drum beats to match. If she's got one fight song on this record, "Flipside" is it.

'Three' - Phantogram

Although it's been two years since Voices released, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, better known as Phantogram, haven't really taken a break. Not only have they been touring and playing fests, they also joined forces with Big Boi to form Big Grams — a project that yielded the trio's self-titled debut album in 2015. And while they could have gone the R&R route, they went into the studio instead to record, Three.

The moment you start listening to the new album, it's easy and pretty obvious to hear how much Phantogram have evolved as a musical act. While keeping the sound as experimental as they can get it to, it's still something that can reach the masses. But it's not just the sound of Three that people will gravitate to; it's also the fact that the lyrics have been experiences that most of us have gone through, whether directly or indirectly.

It's safe to say tunes like "Same Old Blues" and "Cruel World" are melancholy songs that show how one goes through pain. Dealing with everything from the death of loved ones to mental breakdowns, Phantogram go through the stages of grief through the creation of pop music. "Funeral Pyre" and "Answer" are big examples of this idea. And as listeners move toward the last stage of grief — acceptance, they can get their grooves on with the bouncy "Calling All."

'New Skin' - Jones

Earlier this week, we got to know Jones a little bit better as well as learn more about her debut album, New Skin. And today, we finally get to hear it. Jones is a little bit pop, a little R&B and all kinds of soul. Each of the 12 tracks on New Skin shows you a different side of her as well as all the kinds of sounds she can offer us.

First, there's her single, "Melt," led by a raindrop-sounding synth. She easily proves that she can get into the pocket of a song and get us grooving immediately. This is also evident in "Walk My Way" and "Wild." She also slows it down a notch and gets heavy on "Bring Me Down" and the sultry "Indulge." New Skin is a step in the right direction for this up-and-comer, and we can't wait to see what Jones comes up with next.

'The Education of a Wandering Man' - Jamestown Rivival

When Jamestown Revival released their debut full-length album, Utah, in 2014, it literally changed their lives. The then Magnolia, TX duo hauled over to Los Angeles, which open the doors for them to play bigger crowds and the festival curcuit. However, despite the success they gained from that first record, it seemed that put them in a rut when it came to this sophomore album. This sparked relocating to the Wasatch Mountains, where they were able to let go and musically be free of the pressure they were feeling rom the city. And after some time in the open space, The Education of a Wandering Man was born.

The lead single, "Love is a Burden," begins as a love song but ends up looking into a bigger picture that pushes us to let go of the past in order to move forward and progress. Meanwhile, there are other tunes that play with the idea of travel and going home like on "Journeyman" and "Back to Austin." Blending their southern rock roots with some sweet country elements, it's clear that each song was written and composed with so much care that you really do feel every note and lyric that they sing and play.

J.K. Rowling Just Revealed Another Fascinating Tidbit About American Magic in a New Story

2016-10-06T19:07:06.850Z

J.K. Rowling released the final installment of her magic in North America series Thursday, detailing the history of MACUSA (the American equivalent of the Ministry of Magic) in a new story posted on Pottermore.

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Titled “The Magical Congress of the United States of America,” the piece begins by describing the founding of the wizarding world’s secret government in 1693 —following the Salem Witch Trials — before exploring the significant moments that shaped the way it functions throughout time. From its many relocations to its original law enforcement team to the challenges it faced upholding the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, MACUSA has a storied past.

The Harry Potter author also delves into events such as the infamous “Country or Kind?” debate of 1777 in which wizards decided not to fight alongside the No-Majs (American Muggles) in the Revolutionary War and the 1892 uprising of the Sasquatch population in Washington.

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The story ends in the 1920s with President Seraphina Picquery presiding over MACUSA after its relocation to New York City — right in time for the events of the upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie.

Read the full story at Pottermore.com.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Why You Shouldn’t Believe Those Netflix-Disney Rumors

2016-10-06T19:02:26.112Z

Amid weeks of takeover talk about Twitter, this week is Netflix’s turn through the rumor mill.

After moving sideways for several weeks, Netflix’ stock has risen 8% this week amid rumors that Disney and Apple might be interested in buying the company that established streaming video as a business model and remains a leader in the industry. Netflix has signed an exclusive licensing pact with Disney to stream its live-action and animated movies, while developing series like Luke Cage that are based on characters from Disney-owned Marvel.

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Disney is reportedly considering a bid on Twitter as well. One reason the company may be interested in buying tech companies is that it needs a robust digital strategy. Disney’s stock has lost nearly a quarter of its value since last fall, after it became clear that cable subscribers were cutting the cord with networks like ESPN, long a prime Disney property. Disney is committed to preserving its cable subscribers while also building the foundation for a digital audience.

“The biggest thing that we’re trying to do now is figure out what technology’s role is in distributing the great content that we have,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said at a recent event, according to the Boston Business Journal. “It’s one thing to be as fortunate as we are to have Disney, ABC, ESPN, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Lucasfilm, but in today’s world, it’s almost not enough to have all that stuff unless you have access to your consumer.”

According to the Boston Business Journal, Iger declined to comment directly on any acquisition rumors. Still, what he said struck one analyst as remarkable. And both companies would offer Disney the kind of digital distribution that Disney needs to revive its stock performance. The catch is, both companies are seen as highly overvalued. Disney shareholders may view both as too risky and too costly to buy.

Disney also has about $5 billion in cash — a fraction of the stockpiles at tech giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft — and would need to rely on loans or its own devalued stock price as currency to buy companies valued in the tens of billions of dollars. Strategically, though, there may be a fit. Netflix could provide Disney with an “over-the-top” (a cable term for streaming video) platform that could host Disney’s movies and TV shows.

Apple buying Netflix seems even less likely. Analysts from Bernstein Research noted Tuesday that Apple buying the streaming video company is “a dream-scenario for many Netflix bulls, and a possibility often raised by investors” — before shooting down the dream in midair. With $150 billion in cash, they said, Apple could easily buy Netflix, but lacked a “compelling rationale” for doing so. That is, this $50 billion acquisition would be a waste of money for Apple, which tends to do much better with products rather than services like Apple Music. (Though said services are increasingly a growth point for Apple.)

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The notion of Netflix being bought out is nothing new. Alibaba has also been mentioned as a suitor, according to Fortune. And Amazon even tried buying it once a long time ago, according to Internet lore. The thing is that, unlike Twitter, Netflix has never signaled a whit of desire to be acquired. And these dream corporate pairings often lead to nothing. On Tuesday, Recode reported that Google and Apple won’t make a bid for Twitter, and neither will Disney.

Why, then, does this speculation keep recurring? Rumors tend to push up the stocks of a potential target, offering an opportunity for short-term gains. In tech, speculation is buttressed by the reality that power is consolidating into a handful of companies: Alphabet, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft — all with ample cash reserves and stocks that have risen over the past year. Most of them have areas, such as video or social networking, in which they’d like to grow stronger. There is a plausible logic for a spending spree, if not a palpable corporate will.

Media mergers have a history of ending badly. But so do aging media companies that remain independent. Twitter has been struggling to find new users for a couple of years. Netflix, by some measures, may be seeing subscriber growth slow. The real deterrent to these companies being bought out is that they remain too pricey to buy. Should they get cheaper, the would-be buyers would find it a lot harder to remain sitting on the sidelines.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Surprising History Behind the Scary Clown Phenomenon

2016-10-06T18:50:56.383Z

There’s some funny business going on in America: clown sightings. As TIME has reported, rumors of people dressed as clowns luring children into the woods started in late August in Greenville, S.C. and hysteria over creepy clowns has since spread into several states. Many of the sightings are hoaxes, but some have led to arrests—and even inspired college students to embark on a type of “witch hunt” to nab the culprits.

But clowns are supposed to be funny, right? So how did they get scary?

“It’s sort of a misconception to ask, When did clowns turn bad?” argues Benjamin Radford, author of Bad Clowns and a member of the American Folklore Society. “The notion of clowns as good is fairly modern.”

Early clowns and related archetypes were mischievous at best, like the court jesters of Renaissance era and Mr. Punch, the violent, stick-wielding character from the commedia dell’arte-inspired Punch and Judy puppet show that dates back to the 17th century (and is where the term “slapstick” comes from). Andrew Stott, professor of English at the University at Buffalo, concurs that “clowns have always been considered socially marginal, always on the edge of society.” Early examples include the fool in Shakespeare’s King Lear, “who pops up and says painfully truthful things to King Lear, delivers apocalyptic language and then disappears with the inference that he’s been hung.”

But, he argues, the very first proper “scary clown” as we know the idea today can be found in Charles Dickens’ 1836-7 The Pickwick Papers, where a clown is described as an emaciated “drunkard” when he’s off-stage, “skulking in the lanes and alleys of London”:

His bloated body and shrunken legs—their deformity enhanced a hundredfold by the fantastic dress—the glassy eyes, contrasting fearfully with the thick white paint with which the face was besmeared; the grotesquely-ornamented head, trembling with paralysis, and the long skinny hands, rubbed with white chalk—all gave him a hideous and unnatural appearance.

Stott says that Dickens was influenced by the acclaimed English actor Joseph Grimaldi, “the guy who invented the whiteface clown” and the first person to combine that look with “vivid hair and a multicolor costume.” Under the pen name “Boz,” Dickens edited the memoirs of Grimaldi right around the same time that The Pickwick Papers was published. (Stott, who also wrote a biography of Grimaldi, argues that the Pickwick Papers depiction may have actually been based on the performer’s son, who became an alcoholic and died after failing to live up to his father’s reputation.)

Creepy Clown With Knife Scares New York Subway Riders

“This [character] is the blueprint,” says Stott, for the clown’s reputation as “something sinister, which is absolutely what [today’s] scary clown thing is all about.” It’s “a model,” he adds, for the idea of clowns in disguise who are “covering up for something.”

In the U.S. in the 20th century, a combination of social and economic factors has caused an evolution of that 19th-century idea.

Clowns got a boost, says Stott, from the popularity of the traveling big-top circus during the “golden age of the railroad,” which linked successful clowns to the perception of 20th century America at the height of its industrial strength. But, as traveling circuses lost their pride of place as a form of entertainment, many clowns lost their platforms. That created an image of “clowns being associated with exhaustion or faded glory,” says Stott, who points to Krusty on The Simpsons as an example of a clown “past his prime” and “morally, financially bankrupt.”

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Then, according to Radford, the popularity of Bozo the Clown and Ronald McDonald in the ’50s and ’60s reflected Cold War-era social anxieties, in that Americans were eager for something uplifting and thus wanted “an always happy, fun clown.” But the child-friendly clown of that era would morph into a threat in the 1980s, a time of “moral panic” among parents, when high-profile child abductions (the numbers of which criminologists found to be inflated) and fears of “stranger danger” lent a dangerous air to the concept of an adult dressing up to approach a child. That fear was epitomized and solidified by the popularity of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel It and the subsequent TV movie adaptation, featuring the evil clown Pennywise.

So which social anxieties in 2016 could be fueling “clown attack” reports? There’s certainly a lot to be anxious about, but Radford has one theory: “There’s the increased influence of social media. Folklore, stories, legends and rumors that might have not gotten much traction years ago can now spread with the click of a button.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Holy Sons Does Lo-fi Like No Other

2016-10-06T16:30:00.000Z

By all critical accounts, Emil Amos is a mythical beast of a musician, the biggest legend you’ve never heard of. Under the monicker Holy Sons, he’s released more than a dozen lo-fi albums that have been labeled “ground-breaking,” “experimental” and “genre-bending.” He’s been a drummer for post-rock band Grails and doom-metalists Om, as well.

In Holy Sons’ newest album, In The Garden, Amos focuses on melody, building upon wave upon wave of sound via jangly guitars, pop hooks and “whoo-hoo-hoos” into lo-fi gems that are both beautifully unfinished and perfectly arranged by one guy. Amos says, “In The Garden is essentially [producer] John Agnello and I … carving out the sound of a classic 70’s record if it had been made by a band with all its players being very focused in the hey-day of their career… but we ‘faked’ that vibe using one player. That’s basically what I learned 4-tracking in the '90s… how to replicate live-sounding recordings where a band is reacting and playing off of each other in real-time.” He talks to Myspace about growing up in North Carolina, his 20-year-career and living in Brooklyn.

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Homebase: Brooklyn, NYC

You’ve had a long, storied career as an artist. How did it all start? How did you know you wanted to be a musician?

One of my earliest memories of obsessing over songs was on long car rides that my mother and I would take from North Carolina to Georgia as a small kid. She'd buy me these Gas Station cassette compilations to pass the time and I became really curious about songs like "Runaway", "Wine me Up" and "Tell Laura I love her."

Why call yourself Holy Sons instead of your real name?

Early on I struggled with different ways to try and be anonymous. ...and eventually relented to using a moniker because it really didn't seem to matter and there was a lot of music that needed to be released. But I initially didn't want to have to play live or promote myself in the beginning. Over time I had to find more comfortable ways to approach the situation.

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

Usually when I'm asked by a bank teller or someone next to me on a plane I say something like "It's like Pink Floyd." That answer can't really go wrong because you have the loose, experimental/psych side of that band and then their lyrical dimension is extremely heavy and philosophical.

What's your songwriting process?

I like to write lyrics first to make sure they're focused... usually while I'm on the subway here. But a chorus will usually come to me with words and the melody intact when a particular insight about the crux of a situation hits my mind.

Think about the first song vs. the last song you ever wrote ... Do they tell an accurate story of your evolution as a musician?

I think the early songs are definitely all tied and related to the new songs inherently. Every new record usually has a couple ancient melodic phrases I've had since the '90s and I often just re-word a verse or two.

So what is In the Garden inspired by?

I went to a church service with my mother last year in a tiny, backwoods town in Georgia and was mesmerized by the hymns they were singing. It occurred to me, as the choir was singing the old hymn "In the Garden," that life hasn't really changed at all since the story of Adam & Eve in the garden of Eden. We're still wandering around in this lush biosphere on Earth, speculating on the nature of reality with no guidance or answers.

Who are your musical heroes?

There are more obscure ones... but my major breakthroughs came early on from people like Paul McCartney (in realizing that one person could play every instrument on a recording), Syd Barrett (his style of impressionism and music as painting) and Lou Barlow (extremely raw honesty and home-made music as therapy).

You’re from North Carolina, lived in Portland and are now based in Brooklyn. Does where you live influence your music at all?

I don't think it does really. I'm generally dealing with the same internal things wherever I am and write songs as a sort of healing function. I don't really talk to people or go out much here and I love the anonymity and the energy that's never really revolving around you here. I basically just had to leave Portland, OR because I'd been there 13 years and it was time to get back to the east coast to change up my daily scenery.

Watch Heirsound’s “Choke” Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-10-06T16:30:00.000Z

When the Heirsound duo of Alexa San Román and Dane Peterson released their debut EP, Merge, they didn’t just release an album, they released a multimedia project. With each each song represented by a color that has an aura, and a feeling, San Román and Peterson set out to make a video for all six songs, with each video embracing the color theme.

Five videos later, all produced by San Román, Heirsound have completed the sixth, and final, video from Merge, which is for their latest single, “Choke.”

Myspace has the exclusive premiere of the video for “Choke,” which will have viewers, quite literally, seeing red.

Wanting to know more about the video, and the song, we caught up with San Román to ask her about both.

Tell us about the inspiration behind "Choke." Does it have ANYTHING to do with the Chuck Palahniuk novel of the same name?

[laughs] No, it does not! “Choke” is actually the oldest song on the EP, so we feel like, of all them, this one bridges the gap between our old band (Love, Robot) and Heirsound the best.

Lyrically it is about death, and being aware of it, which usually isn't a topic people are thinking about every second of every day, and I think that's why when somebody dies it's always such a shock. Everyone likes to pretend it's not real, but then when a sudden tragedy strikes, it hits us really hard.

You’re dealing with a lot in this song. What was the writing process like?

It was pretty natural. This song kind of just fell out. Instrumentally, Dane and I wrote it together first, and then we tackled the lyrics together afterwards. We like to try and write Heirsound songs together.

All of your videos have a corresponding color as a theme. What makes the color red a perfect fit for "Choke?"

Choosing red for “Choke” was a no brainer. The whole death theme kind of just felt red to us.

Now that all the songs have videos out it really makes you visualize each color when you listen to the EP.

The Rolling Stones Will Release New Blues Covers Album This Fall

2016-10-06T16:26:14.747Z

The Rolling Stones take a look back at their inspirations this December. For their first studio record since 2005's A Bigger Bang, the classic rock legends will reimagine some classic blues tunes.

“This album is manifest testament to the purity of their love for making music, and the blues is, for the Stones, the fountainhead of everything they do," says co-producer Don Was in a statement (via Consequence of Sound).

The 12 songs feature covers from 20th century bluesmen like Howlin' Wolf and Jimmy Reed.

Listen to the harmonica-laced single "Just Your Fool" and imagine a time when blues was the norm in smoky barrooms around the US.

Nine Inch Nails May Return with New Music This Fall

2016-10-06T16:06:12.455Z

Pencil in some new music from Nine Inch Nails into your calendar this fall. In response to a question on Instagram asking if Nine Inch Nails will still release new music this year, Reznor was mum but hopeful. "2016 is not over yet," said the frontman of the longtime industrial rockers.

He had previously hinted at new music in a short tweet last year.

New NIN coming in 2016. Other stuff, too.
— Trent Reznor (@trent_reznor) December 18, 2015

Nine Inch Nails last released an album in 2013 with the Grammy-nominated Hesitation Marks. Listen to "Came Back Haunted" from that record below.

Listen To Lady Gaga's New Heartfelt Song, "Million Reasons"

2016-10-06T15:53:07.343Z

Lady Gaga takes an intimate turn on "Million Reasons," her new single co-written by country songwriter Hillary Lindsey.

"Lord show me the way / To cut through all this worn out leather," sings Gaga. "I've got a million reasons to walk away / But baby I just need one good one to stay."

In an interview, she described the song as "a country song mixed with funk and rock 'n roll." The stripped-down song showcases Gaga's gorgeous vocal chops — and some of her deeper emotions.

Gaga premiered the track last night in Nashville as part of her dive bar tour.

Joanne, the pop diva's fifth record, will be released on October 21.

6 Historical Movies That Got It All Wrong

2016-10-06T07:00:00.000Z

Hollywood is in the business of selling entertainment, not education, so it’s always wise to take any film labeled as “based on a true story” with a grain of salt, if not a whole shaker-full. In order to make the most compelling, and therefore profitable, film with a real life subject matter, filmmakers often ignore real-life events or invent their own for the sake of the story.

Generally there’s little wrong with bending the truth to create art, especially when it can inspire viewers to seek out the whole story for themselves, but a few beloved films take their embellishing too far. These six films are particularly egregious for totally remixing historical fact for their own purposes.

The Revenant

Last year’s most grueling critical hit, The Revenant, finds Leonardo DiCaprio playing Hugh Glass, a 19^th century fur trapper who was left for dead by his companions after being brutally mauled by a grizzly bear but managed to survive thanks to pure strength of will.

All of that is true, but the filmmakers invented other major details that turned Glass’ story into a frontier-set revenge tale. There’s no indication that Glass ever had a half-Pawnee son and only speculation that he may have had a relationship with a Pawnee woman. Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) therefore couldn’t have murdered Glass’ son (who, again, didn’t exist) in real life, a pivotal act which motivates Glass to survive and seek revenge in the film. Without this, Glass would have no reason to beat Fitzgerald to death as he does in the film’s climax.

Most of The Revenant’s other inaccuracies are fabrications to make Glass’ survival seem all the more miraculous, including scenes where Glass is tracked by the Arikara and must cut open a dead horse for warmth.

They Died With Their Boots On

Most old Hollywood westerns are more about mythmaking than historical accuracy, but 1941’s They Died With Their Boots On, which ostensibly tells the story of Civil War General George Custer, may be the most absurd of them all.

The film exaggerates his war record by depicting him leading charges and earning decorations while he was actually working as a Union messenger. It also invents a romance with the higher-class Elizabeth Bacon, whom he can (of course) only marry after acquiring the rank of general.

His real life promotion to general was earned but is shown to be an administrative mistake in the film. He later turns to alcohol to cope with his shift to civilian life in 1865, whereas the real Custer swore off drink years earlier. Crazy Horse and other Native American characters are portrayed as typically one-dimensional savages and Custer as sympathetic to their cause, entering battle with the intent of sacrificing himself and his cavalry for the noble savages. Do I even need to clarify that all of that is pure bologna?

Braveheart

There’s almost nothing in Mel Gibson’s beloved telling of the story of Scottish warrior William Wallace that isn’t heavily fictionalized. Even the title is bogus, since Braveheart was a nickname applied not to Wallace but to Robert the Bruce, a traitor in the film who was actually never present at the Falkirk battle and never outright betrayed Wallace or his cause.

The married Isabella of France serves as Wallace’s forbidden love interest, though she was actually unmarried and only two years old when the rebellion took place. This depiction of Wallace ignores an awful lot in order to make him seem an unassailable hero, rather than the aristocratic leader who resorted to conscription and hanging those who refused to serve that he actually was.

The film’s climactic battle, the Battle of Stirling Bridge, was even missing the titular narrow bridge, an obstacle that directly contributed to the Scottish victory. The filmmakers also dressed the film’s 13^th century characters in that most Scottish of all garments, kilts, which weren’t introduced to the area until the 16^th century.

The Patriot

The British Redcoats were transformed into bloodthirsty marauders and sadists for the sake of this piece of pure historical fiction directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Mel Gibson.

At one point, the colonists’ adversaries from overseas are seen locking civilians inside a church and burning it the ground — a deed that was actually carried out but by Nazi soldiers in France during World War II.

Gibson’s protagonist Benjamin Martin is a composite of several real-life American militia leaders, namely Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion, who took great pleasure in killing Cherokees and raping his female slaves. In fact, the entire institution of slavery is another uncomfortable fact the film wholly ignores for the sake of making the American Revolution into a simplified conflict of good Americans versus evil Brits.

JFK

With JFK, director Oliver Stone delighted in giving false credence to the many conspiracy theories surrounding the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Kevin Costner plays a glorified version of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, who was actually often self-aggrandizing and unreliable, and obtained key testimonies using drugs and hypnosis.

The film strongly endorses a fringe theory about the assassination that insists it was a covered-up coup d’etat with direct involvement from Lyndon B. Johnson, the FBI and the CIA. Witness David Ferrie is even shown confessing to his part in the conspiracy, while in reality he denied any involvement and offered to take a polygraph test to prove it. Another key scene was pure invention, showing a mysterious Deep Throat-type named “X” who articulates Stone’s preferred version of events, one that’s been condemned by most historians and even by those actually involved with the Warren Commission.

U-571

The World War II-set U-571 was based on the real Operation Primrose, but took so many liberties that Britain’s then-Prime Minister Tony Blair denounced it as “an affront to the real sailors.”

Americans play a prominent role in the film, though the mission to capture the German’s Enigma cipher machine (which was aboard the U-110, not the U-571 as the title suggests) was a British endeavor that took place before the US had even entered the war. After capturing the coveted machine, the Americans are seen cracking the Nazi’s encrypted code, a feat that was actually accomplished by a group of British and Polish mathematicians.

The film also inaccurately demonizes the German sailors aboard the captured U-boat, showing them killing Allied crewmen after their ship has sunk in compliance with German naval policy. In reality, the policy of not rescuing survivors of enemy ships was similar to the Allied policy, and there is only one known case of a U-boat crew purposely attacking survivors, and guess what? They weren’t Americans either, but Greeks.

20 Notorious Celebrity Assaults

2016-10-06T07:00:00.000Z

Fame comes with a price, and sometimes you pay with your own safety. Idolizing another human being goes back to primal era, and some people can’t battle their animal nature. They begin haunting the people they’re fixated on.

Sometimes they simply want to get a celebrity’s attention, other times they’re dreaming of getting a taste of the celebrity lifestyle. Following the widely discussed attack on Kim Kardashian, we’re remembering other famous people who were assaulted: from harmless spooks to stone-cold murders.

Will Smith

LifeNews

Red carpets aren’t as glamorous as they look. You have to follow your publicist’s instructions, pose awkwardly, don’t go blind after all the flashing lights, and, in Will Smith’s case, also make sure no one is trying to kiss you.

Back in 2012 while promoting Men in Black 3 Smith fell victim to notorious Ukranian TV host/prankster Vitalii Sediuk, who told Smith he was his “biggest fan,” asked for a hug and then tried to kiss actor on the cheek. Smith retreated as fast as he could and gave the passionate fan a little warning slap. If only anybody would warn Smith that this man also presented a bouquet of hydrangeas to Madonna — her least favorite flowers.

Taylor Swift

YouTube

While promoting her "Bad Blood" single, Tay-Tay was projecting an image of untouchable leather-clad badass. Wel,l as it turned out, she wasn’t as untouchable as she thought — a frantic fan tried grabbing unsuspecting pop singer’s leg while she performed the song in Canada. Taylor looked genuinely frightened.

Brad Pitt

Splash

If you think getting a slap on the face by Will Smith stopped Ukranian prankster Vitalii Sediuk, then you thought wrong. He kept his wild red carpet tactics and later hit Brad Pitt in the face at the premiere of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. Pitt wasn’t hurt, but Sediuk got arrested. His excuse? Apparently, he believes celebrities need to tighten their security. Good idea.

Miley Cyrus

Getty

The scary reality of pop stardom is that you get both good and bad fans. But some unlucky celebrities also get the worst kind of followers: stalkers.

Miley Cyrus’ most notorious stalker was named Jason Luis Rivera, and he was convinced that he and Miley were an official item, claiming the two were “friends for five years.” He was caught climbing over the gates to Cyrus' house with a pair of scissors in his backpack. We suppose he was planning to have a collage making master-class with Miley that night?

Avril Lavigne

YouTube

She was a popstar, he was a fan, can we make it any more obvious? Back in 2011 Canadian pop girl wonder Avril Lavigne was enjoying her time on stage and getting ready for another song when a fan climbed to the stage and ran straight at her. Look at her expression in this video and hear her scream: this is one of these moments that inspire a singer to write songs with titles like “What The Hell.”

Harry Styles

YouTube

When you’re in the world’s hottest boyband, there are a lot of people wanting to get inside your pants. But there’s also the ones who want to… well, hit your groin with a bottle. That’s what happened to One Direction’s long-haired teen idol Harry Styles in 2015. A fan (or more likely a jealous boyfriend of a fan) threw a big bottle to the stage that hit the singer in the most sensible area. Maybe just send him a mean tweet instead of a bottle next time?

Paris Hilton

YouTube

The biggest socialite of '00s enjoyed her time causing trouble and even spent time behind bars, but she was also one of the victims of a sneaky teenage criminal clique, later immortalized in the The Bling Ring movie.

Hilton’s princess-castle-like mansion was the main target of a group of Calabasas-based teenagers who kept coming inside her house while Paris was away (yes, she kept the key under the mat). We still can’t decide which is crazier: that Paris didn’t realize her house was broken into until later or that she eventually let the movie based on the events be shot inside her actual house.

Tom Cruise

YouTube

Think reporting from a movie premiere is boring? Follow the example of British Channel 4’s presenter and take a fake microphone to an event which is actually a water gun. That’s what happened in 2005 at War of the World premiere where Tom Cruise got squirted during the interview with a pranking journalist. “Why did you do that?” the stunned actor asked repeatedly before concluding, “You’re a jerk.”

Lindsay Lohan

Getty

There’s a lot to criticize about Lindsay’s behavior, but back in 2008 she had to answer for her decision to wear real fur. The anti-fur activists flour-bombed the actress, who was wearing a fur coat on her way to a nightclub. At least that’s the least harmful powder one can get covered in on a night out.

Leona Lewis

Xposure

When writing a memoir, make sure to put enough punch lines in the stories you’re sharing. Unfortunately, in Leona Lewis’ case, the punch was more than real when she was punched in the face by a violent man at the signing of her autobiography in 2011. It turned out the attacker was British wannabe singer Peter Kopwalczyk, who was rejected by The X Factor — the same show that brought Lewis her fame.

Morrissey

TMZ

Sometimes your lyrics are mirrored by real-life events. Morrissey was singing “Someday Goodbye Will Be Farewell” in San Jose in 2014, when several men from the audience got on the stage and tackled him to the ground. Several days after, almost the same thing happened at his Denver show. The man surely has affectionate fans.

Steve Buscemi

YouTube

Be careful of who you’re going to a bar with. Actor Steve Buscemi learned his lesson the hard way back in 2001, when he went out drinking with fellow actor Vince Vaughn, who got into a fight over some ladies with other patrons. Buscemi, who was trying to break the fight, got stabbed several times until the police came in and pepper sprayed the brawl away.

Sean Bean

AVClub

Sean Bean’s characters are usually up for some epic fights, and turns out the actor isn’t the one to back away from a dangerous situation in real life either. That’s why in 2011 he got into a fight outside a bar in London with some passers-by who decided it was a good idea to offend Bean’s girlfriend. The actor ended up with some bruises and cuts by broken glass. He then returned to the bar to get another drink.

Noel Gallagher

Kyle Gustafson

Liam and Noel Gallagher have had their share of family rumblings (both on stage and behind the scenes), but sometimes they get a threat from the outside. Like in 2008, when Oasis were attacked on the stage by a 48-year-old fan in Toronto who shoved the musician into a set of speakers and broke three of his ribs. A couple of years later Gallagher told the interviewer he was in a lot of pain following the attack and would “never really recover.”

Snooki

YouTube

Remember the golden times when all we cared about was the gelled-up, spray-tanned, alcohol-consuming clique that occupied the far-from-glamorous Jersey Shore? Then you’ll surely recall what they call the reality TV goldmine in the MTV’s reality series’ first season: the moment when poor Snooki got punched in the face by mean-spirited nightclub patron Brad Ferro.

Apparently, it wasn’t staged at all. The man, who turned out to be a high school gym teacher, lost his job following the assault and eventually joined the army ‘cause he couldn’t find another job. And they say reality TV fame doesn’t last long!

Theresa Saldana

AP Photo/Craig Molenhouse

Long before the internet could help you find out almost anything you may want to know about your celebrity obsession, you had to work harder to follow your idols. That’s why back in 1982 actress Theresa Saldana (known for her roles in Raging Bull and I Wanna Hold Your Hand) was stabbed by a stalking fan, who tracked her whereabouts with the help of private investigator. Saldana was attacked outside her West Hollywood home and barely made it out alive. She passed away this past June.

Rihanna

TMZ

Young love burns bright. It can also hurt you a lot; just take a look at Rihanna and Chris Brown. The world was adoring the loving R&B couple before the shocking news broke in 2009 of Brown brutally assaulting his girlfriend assisted with a horrifying shot of Rihanna’s beaten up face. The couple eventually worked it out and even dated for a bit several years later, but the shadow of that incident will haunt Brown forever. Rightfully so.

Kim Kardashian

Getty

Kim Kardashian suffered not one, but two assaults by the Ukrainian prankster we’ve already mentioned: he first tried pushing her to the ground in 2014 and recently tried kissing her bottom. But nothing can compare to the horrors the socialite suffered right inside her Paris residence on October 3 when she was robbed at gunpoint by five assailants dressed as cops. As the story is still developing, we’re expecting to learn more about the shocking attack soon.

Selena

AP Photo

The Mexican-American singer was insanely popular in the late '80s and early '90s — her empire was running smoothly and needed a wise manager. That’s why Selena’s family hired Yolanda Saldivar to handle Selena’s fashion boutiques and fan club.

Eventually Salvidar’s embezzlement and obsession of Selena became transparent, but Salvidar convinced Selena to meet with her and shot her boss/idol right in a hotel room. The 23-year-old singer died in surgery and Salvidar is still serving her life sentence.

Christina Grimmie

Maker Music

The summer of 2016 brought the world a series of tragedies, but Orlando suffered the most back in June. Just a day before the bloodbath at Pulse nightclub, The Voice alumni Christina Grimmie was meeting fans after a show when a man (pretending to be a fan) walked up to her and shot her four times before killing himself. Grimmie died in the hospital that evening. The motive of the horrible crime remains unknown.

8 NES Games We Never Beat

2016-10-06T07:00:00.000Z

If you were a kid in the late ‘80s, or early ‘90s, there’s a really good chance you had an NES hooked up to a TV in your house. You probably saved Princess Peach from Bowser, collected all eight fragments of the Triforce and kicked some ass as Samus Aran.

There were some games, however, that presented challenges we couldn’t handle. Games that kicked our asses, instead of the other way around.

The following, are 8 NES games we never beat.

Ninja Gaiden

Most us of us knew someone who claimed to have beaten Ninja Gaiden, and we all looked at that person with a certain level of skepticism. I’d say it’s wrong to jump to conclusions regarding a person possibly lying about a video game accomplishment, but when we’re talking about Ninja Gaiden, it might be the one jump we can actually make.

Not only were the jumping puzzles difficult (specifically Level 6-2), but you could be knocked off by a bird. What kind of ninja gets killed by a bird!?!?!

Battletoads

While we may all have known someone who claimed to have beaten Ninja Gaiden, no one knows anyone who’s claimed to have beaten Battletoads. This is because such a claim is the equivalent of saying you ride a unicorn to work, or have a pet dragon.

Battletoads isn’t just considered a difficult game — it’s considered impossible. In fact, when you Google “Battletoads impossible,” it yields over 80,000 results.

The bane of every Battletoads player’s existence was the Turbo Tunnel speeder bike stage, which featured 108 obstacles to maneuver through over the course of just two minutes. Widely considered the most difficult level of any video game in history, just thinking about it gives people the video game equivalent of PTSD.

Ghosts ‘N Goblins

When you’re a kid and you see a horror-themed video game where you’re a knight on a quest to save a princess, you think, Awesome! I’m up for this! When that game is Ghosts ‘N Goblins, you learn very quickly that not all princess are going to be saved.

A game where if you get hit once you go from being in your armor to being in your underwear, and if you get hit twice you die, I don’t know how often I made it past the second level of Ghosts ‘N Goblins. That said, if you were one of the select few who made your way through the entire game, you were rudely greeted with a message that informed you the battle you’d just won was “a trap devised by Satan,” and to actually win you had to play the entire game a second time, at a higher difficulty level. Congrats ... ON NOTHING!

Gauntlet

Gauntlet was a game that kept it 100, and by that I mean it had 100 levels. Yes, 100 freakin’ levels! Even with each level having a time limit, in the days before energy drinks this game would have been difficult enough to complete simply from an endurance standpoint. Throw in the fact that in later levels there are invisible walls, and it was enough to make even the most seasoned gamer go mad.

Personally, I threw in the towel after failing countless times on a level that was ALL invisible walls. Despite this, if anyone would like to spend a very long night attempting to beat Gauntlet in two-player mode, I’d be down to give it a shot.

Adventure Island

When it comes to Adventure Island, the graphics were great, and the concept worked well, but holy hell they could have given us a little more leeway when it came to what would kill us.

If an enemy touches you, you lose a life. Heck, if you so much as trip over a rock, you lose health, which also gradually depletes over time and has to be replenished via picking up fruit and milk. Oh, and if you didn’t get the bee at the end of the first stage, you couldn’t continue!

I never completed Adventure Island, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. I always faltered on the Ice Temple stage. The realistic lack of traction was a killer (but, I guess, taught a valuable lesson about winter safety, or something).

Blaster Master

Another game with great graphics, and really solid gameplay, Blaster Master would let you get pretty far in the game before the difficulty was ratcheted up to impossible.

I remember there was a level where you were supposed to hover upwards to get to the next stage, and I could never get high enough. I’d be hovering as much as I could, attempting to get over a cliff, and nothing would happen. Time would run out. It was the most frustrating thing in the world (and it will be made even more frustrating when someone leaves a note in the comments section informing me of how to do it correctly).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

While all of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game releases were fantastic, the original TMNT video game for the NES was so far removed from that family of games that the only thing it had in common with them were the characters.

The level that most frustrated everyone was the infamous dam level, where you had to disarm eight bombs, underwater, before the time ran out, while swimming around obstacles such as electrified seaweed (which, to be fair, might actually be a thing in the Hudson River). It was a challenge very few were up for.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

A lot of people initially disliked Zelda II because it was nothing, and I mean NOTHING, like the original Legend of Zelda. When played without thinking of the original Zelda, however, Zelda II isn’t a bad game, and you can get pretty far in it, but Dark Link (aka Shadow Link) was my downfall. Dark Link, who was the final boss in the game.

Lemme tell it, it really hurts to get all the way to the final boss and not be able to complete the task. To quote Linkin Park, “I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end, it doesn’t even matter.”

Colbie Caillat Unplugs Her Instruments and Plugs Into a Vibe with 'The Malibu Sessions'

2016-10-06T07:00:00.000Z

With four hit albums and a Christmas album, under her belt, Colbie Caillat is ready to do things her way. This is why she’s launched her own label, PlummyLou Records, the first release off of which will be her first-ever acoustic album, The Malibu Sessions.

The Malibu Sessions is due out October 7, and Colbie will be hitting the road the following day for a month-long US tour. Myspace caught up with her before she packed her things, to find out more about the tour, the album and her very chill writing sessions on the beach.

For your upcoming album, and tour, you've gone acoustic. Other than the intimacy of playing acoustic, what inspired you to want to go this route?

It’s always been the form that I've loved best. Whenever I write a song it’s usually just me, or me and a couple of songwriter friends in a room with our guitars. I just have always loved the way that sounds.

I’ve always loved singing in my bathroom because of the reverb, and I think that as much as I love full music, where there’s tons of instruments, and beats, and all that, for me, as a singer, it’s easier to sing to something more stripped down, so I’ve always loved my acoustic shows.

Singing is my main instrument. I play a little guitar, and a little piano, to write songs, and I accompany myself on some of the songs, but if I can focus on my singing, and hear myself well, and then interact with the audience, and interact with my band members more, it’s my favorite. I’ve always wanted to do a full tour this way.

Tell us a little bit about what the live show will be like.

This is going to be a very storytelling kind of show. We’re playing the new album from start to finish, and ending the show with a good amount of old songs that people know. In between all of it we’re going to tell stories about the songs we wrote.

I’m really really excited. I kind of feel like I’m in a band now, because my favorite people, my best friends, my fiance, they’re the ones I wrote and recorded this whole album with, and they’re my band on this live tour, so we get to just tell stories, and laugh together, and I feel like the audience really is gonna get to know us personally, and get a better connection with the songs.

Rewinding a bit, you mentioned you enjoy singing in the bathroom. Do you have specific songs you sing in the shower?

I don’t have a go-to song. I catch on to anything that’s playing, even if it’s a song that I hear on the radio and I hate. I love singing, and melodies just get stuck in my head, so all day long you’ll find me singing, or humming, and I don’t even, honestly, realize I’m doing it. Especially if I have a new song written, and I just wrote it that week, that’s what I’ll be singing.

I know you also like to hike. What have been some of the most beautiful places you've hiked?

Oh my gosh, on the island of Kauai, everywhere. It’s an amazing hiking spot. I haven’t really hiked while traveling. The cities that we go to, usually we just jog through the cities for sightseeing, and for exercise, but I haven't done crazy hiking in different countries, or different states.

In a recent Instagram post celebrating your big sister you revealed A LOT about your younger years. I think my favorite revelation was that you partied on Sunset Boulevard with a fake ID. I want some details here. How old were you, where did you go, and how crazy did things get?

My sister’s five years older, so we started going out with her and her friends when I was 15. My two best friends and I, we would go with my sister and all her friends, because they were in a band, so they would always be playing at The Roxy and The Whiskey, so we’d get to go out with them. I looked so much like my sister that she got me another ID of hers, and we went in at separate times.

The thing is, I say we partied, and we did, we definitely drank. We didn’t do drugs, but we drank while underage, but my sister and her friends were super responsible, so I felt like we actually learned the right way. We learned the right things to drink, and not to over-drink, and her friends were really protective of us, so we would never just go off with random people. We felt like we were being taught the safe way to go out, and party, if that’s what you want to say. Then I feel like when I was 21 it was already out of my system. I’d learned it all. Now I’m a homebody, and I just go to wine bars sometimes.

Were you ever caught by your parents?

What’s funny is my parents totally knew, and they were cool with it because they knew we were responsible, and we were going to see live music, and we shouldn’t not be allowed to see live music just because of age.

In the same Instagram post about partying with your sister, you mentioned you’re a fan of whiskey. What's your main activity while drinking whiskey? Are you kicking back, or are you writing music?

I don’t usually drink while writing, now that I think of it. It’s not like I’m opposed to it, it’s just mostly with writing sessions, they’re more scheduled nowadays, so you’re not gonna go drink at the studio, but whenever we’re in Hawaii, and we’re writing naturally, we’ll definitely be having beers at the beach.

I want to hear some stories about having a few beers on the beach, and writing music, because that sounds awesome.

Yeah, it’s just so much fun. In Hawaii everything is super laid back. You don’t get in trouble for having glass, or alcohol, on the beaches. You’re allowed to park on the sand. It’s not like California, or any other beaches, where you have to pay to park, and they’re a stickler about everything. It’s more relaxed, and I feel like, in turn, everyone respects it, so people pick up after themselves. No one’s getting stupid.

We usually just bring our guitars and sit on the beach, jump in the water and stand up paddle board, and then open a beer, pick up the guitar and write a couple songs. That’s what we did for this album. A couple songs on this album were written on the beach in Kauai. It’s relaxing, just having a couple beers in the sun.

Watch Kristin Chenoweth Sing the Game of Thrones Theme Song Like You’ve Never Heard It Before

2016-10-05T18:57:47.771Z

Game of Thrones fans have proved themselves to be one of the most devoted fan bases and super fan Kristin Chenoweth is no exception.

Suicide Squad Is Getting an Extended Cut With More Harley Quinn

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the diva not only revealed that she is a huge fan of the show, but also gave a spirited “operatic” rendition of the show’s theme song.

Kimmel kindly helped Chenoweth get in the mood for the song by gifting her a sword made of Valyrian steel and playing the visuals of the show’s opening credits amid flames for what could only be termed as a truly epic performance.

Watch the full performance below.

Chrissy Teigen Makes Her Twitter Private Saying She’s ‘Not Strong Enough Anymore’

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch the Gilmore Girls Cast Relive the Sweetest Moments From the Show

2016-10-05T18:57:25.822Z

To help us gear up for Lorelai and Rory Gilmore’s return to our screens on Nov. 25, Netflix has released a special featurette of the Gilmore Girls cast narrating their favorite moments from the seven-season run of the show. Warning: this video is likely to give you all the feels.

Watch Ellen DeGeneres Recreate the Time a Fan Rubbed Taylor’s Lautner’s Abs

Actors Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham, Melissa McCarthy, Milo Ventimiglia, and the rest wax nostalgic over their top scenes from the beloved series, from their first days on set to the places that bring back the most memories.

“The fondest memory I have from this show is the very first scene, the very first day I was on set,” says Scott Patterson, who plays prickly but lovable Luke, source of all-important caffeine. “And I just thought, ‘This is gonna work.'”

Kelly Clarkson Is Sorry For Screwing Up President Obama’s Name That Time

“There are so many things that are my favorite about doing this show,” Graham reflects. “But honestly, just playing this character is my favorite part.” Cue the heartfelt warm-fuzzies as the rest of the cast also reminisces on how much they love the writing and the “sweetness” of the scripts. And if you’re now desperately in need of your Gilmore fix, never fear: all seven seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Mysterious New Website Surfaces Fueling Daft Punk Tour Rumors

2016-10-05T18:57:09.788Z

The appearance of a mysterious new website has reignited rumors that a Daft Punk world tour might be happening in 2017.

Buzz about a purported tour began last month on Reddit, when a user discovered a page on the Lollapalooza website that was dedicated to Daft Punk, leading some fans to speculate that the French electronic music duo would be headlining the festival.

Watch Lena Dunham Discuss Ongoing Criticism of Girls

Now with the emergence of a website titled “ALIVE 2017” (which simply features the text “ALIVE” on a black background,) Daft Punk fans and Reddit users are speculating that a world tour is in the works.

Further fanning the flames of this theory is the fact that Daft Punk’s past two tours were in 1997 and 2007 and titled “Alive 1997” and “Alive 2007,” respectively — which has many fans hoping that the pair will continue their tradition of touring every decade.

The Long Emotional Journey to Drake’s Sneaky Drake University Visit

The popular electronic artists most recently appeared on the Weeknd’s latest single, “Starboy.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Blake Lively's Best Pregnant Fashion Looks

2016-10-05T17:33:27.815Z

It's hard enough to look good on a daily basis, let alone when you're so pregnant you're about to burst. Yet Blake Lively manages to look stunning pretty much every time we've seen her when she's been pregnant.

To pay tribute to some of her best baby-carrying looks, XUMO and Vanity Fair have brought you 10 of the actresses best and most iconic looks from her pregnancies. In under two minutes, it'll make you feel woefully underdressed for just about any occasion.

Vanity Fair on XUMO: Blake Lively's Best Pregnant Fashion Looks from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things fashion whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

Watch Alessandro Coli's "I Betcha" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-10-05T16:30:00.000Z

Just two months shy of his 19th birthday, Italian pop singer Alessandro Coli has already amassed quite the impressive list of accomplishments. Hailing from Santarcangelo di Romagna, Coli has been featured on Italian TV, and he's topped the Italian radio charts with his song "Sento Che," which spent over a month in the Top 30.

After a successful EP, titled Senza Paura, Coli is ready to take America by storm with his new single, "I Betcha," and Myspace has the exclusive premiere of the video.

Wanting to know more about Coli, and his music, we caught up with him to get some insider info.

Tell us about what inspired your new single, "I Betcha."

"I Betcha" is about a love story I passed through. I always like to give life to some of my personal experiences through my lyrics.

I read that you found your passion for music listening to Freddie Mercury. What about Freddie, and Queen, captured your attention most?

First of all, his voice. Being a singer, I appreciate when high notes are hit that way. I also enjoyed the fact that I could sing Queen's songs, but that was before my voice got deeper by the years. [laughs]

As an artist from Italy, what have been some of the challenges you've faced trying to break into the American market?

Understanding how wide this market is, and how different it could be to become someone here, rather than in my little Italy. Then, understanding young people's language, and reaction, to what's new.

When is a new EP, or album, on the way?

That's probably going to happen by the beginning of 2017.

The Fontaines Want to Change the World with "New-Wop"

2016-10-05T16:30:00.000Z

When they're not covering Blondie, the Fontaines are busy strumming their own tunes. Led by brother and sister Hank and Charlotte Fontaine, the four-piece navigates a brand of energetic music they've deemed "new-wop." Their highly danceable rock is alive with real instrumentation and a steady beat to have listeners pogoing along. It's like the Anaheim-era of No Doubt never ended.

Fresh off the summer release of their four-song EP ii, the quartet are lighting up stages in LA. We chatted with Hank about the band dynamics, what it's like working with family and how they've come to settle in Los Angeles.

Hometown: Texas

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

How do you describe your sound?

High fashion scum. We like new wave music and we like sweet, '60s pop. Connie Francis with a synthesizer. Well, that sounds like an interesting concept, I don't know if that is very accurate though. So I'm gonna go back to high fashion scum.

What music did you grow up listening to?

I think Charlotte grew up more interested in classic pop rock (Blondie, The Cars, stuff like that), and I love that music, but I also have this fascination with British indie music. The Smiths and Joy Division, the music people refer to as "jangly". But when we were kids, we really bonded over '60s and '70s pop: Sam Cooke, Dusty Springfield, and Van Morrison. (Charlotte bought me Moondance on vinyl as a birthday present while everyone else her age was listening to LMFAO).

What are the pros and cons of collaborating together as siblings?

Pros: we are completely, unreservedly honest with one another.
Cons: we are completely, unreservedly honest with one another.

How did you come to expand the band into a four-piece? How do the added players change the dynamic of the band?

Charlotte and I have been writing together for a few years now. We actually always had other band members, we were just the primary songwriters. But Jason DeMayo and Scott Zimmerman played on our recordings and helped us develop them. They have their own band, Street Joy. Now we play with Chrystian Kaplan (drums) and Daniel Zuker (bass), and they are full-fledged members of the band who help in arranging the songs. We've always been interested in collaboration. And yeah, that is both live and in the studio. I don't think that anybody would particularly enjoy seeing us play as an acoustic duo or something like that. In terms of the band dynamic, I think we both have worked hard to maintain a strong sense of self and conviction, so it usually doesn't really cause problems.

How would you compare and contrast being creative in LA versus Texas?

When you first move to LA, it all feels very exciting. You spot Father John Misty at a coffee shop and it makes success feel much more attainable. After a while, you kind of stop caring about that stuff (and that happens faster than you'd think). Texas feels like more of an inwardly focused society. Except for South by Southwest, haha.

What are your goals both in the present, near future and further ahead?

We want to change the world with our music. I can tell that there is a bubble happening with certain kinds of music, certain genres, and I think that within the next two or three years our culture will shift back towards seeking out rawer sounding music. And we'll be right there, hopefully a couple albums deep. And I'd like to build a signature guitar or effects pedal sometime, but that's more for me.

Demi Lovato to Take Break "From Music and Spotlight" in 2017

2016-10-05T15:32:12.278Z

Demi Lovato is ready for a break, and she'll be doing that starting next year.

So excited for 2017. Taking a break from music and the spotlight.. I am not meant for this business and the media 👋🏼
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016

The announcement follows all the press she recently got after a new interview with Glamour, in which she candidly speaks about Taylor Swift's squad.

"...I think in certain situations, certain people could be doing more if they’re going to claim that as part of their brand,” she told the magazine. “To be honest, and this will probably get me in trouble, I don’t see anybody in any sort of squad that has a normal body. It’s kind of this false image of what people should look like. And what they should be like, and it’s not real."

Soon after the Q&A hit the web, everyone, especially Taylor Swift's fans, came out in defense of the 1989 artist. A rep for Taylor also made a statement to E! News saying, "Taylor has a tight group of women in her life that all have her and each others' back and sometimes people just want that. She thought it was unnecessary for her to make those comments. They both have never been really good friends."

Before announcing her break, Demi also addressed the hoopla regarding the controversy on Twitter.

I get asked questions. I answer them. Sue me.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016

Also don't forget that words can be taken out of context when doing interviews.. still not apologizing for saying what everyone want to say
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016

I don't understand why people care so much about what I say in interviews? Do y'all watch the news? Don't y'all got shit to worry about?
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) October 4, 2016

Ellie Goulding Blushes When Asked About Having Prince Harry's Baby

2016-10-05T15:26:27.184Z

Ellie Goulding attempted to keep her composure when she was asked if she was going to be having Prince Harry's baby live on Australian TV.

The "Love Me Like You Do" singer chatted with The Project about her new song "Still Falling for You," which is on the Bridget Jones's Baby soundtrack. If she thought it was already going to be awkward being asked if she were a "Bridget" or an "Anastasia," referring to Fifty Shades of Grey, which Ellie also contributed a tune to, she quickly breezed through it and blurted out that she'd rather be neither. However, she eventually picked Bridget.

Things got more awkward (for her) and hilarious (for the rest of us) when the broadcaster asked if she was having a baby with Prince Harry, whom she's rumored to be dating.

"Please don't make me go red," she said trying to dodge the question. "I'm bright red. Why did I have a feeling that was going to come up? You naughty people."

Watch the clip below.

We ask @elliegoulding if she’s a Bridget or Anastasia! #TheProjectTV | WATCH the full chat: https://t.co/K8VMd5x3ed https://t.co/OakpIIQyxy
— #TheProjectTV (@theprojecttv) October 5, 2016

Kid Cudi Enters Rehab Due to "Depression and Suicidal Urges"

2016-10-05T15:20:49.647Z

Kid Cudi has checked into rehab. The rapper and actor made the announcement on Tuesday via Facebook and informed his fans that he was seeking treatment after a long battle with "depression" and is also seeking treatment for "suicidal urges."

"I am not at peace," he wrote on his Facebook page. "I haven't been since you've known me. If I didn't come here, I wouldve done something to myself. I simply am a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life. Theres a ragin violent storm inside of my heart at all times. Idk what peace feels like. Idk how to relax. My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as long as I can remember and I never leave the house because of it. I cant make new friends because of it. I dont trust anyone because of it and Im tired of being held back in my life."

Despite going to rehab, Cudi promised that his album is still on the way but won't be doing much promotion while he's in treatment. And if he is feeling better, he will make it Complexcon, which takes place on November 5 and November 6 in Long Beach, CA.

We're sending him good vibes and hope he feels better soon. You can read his full message below.

5 Reasons Sum 41’s ’13 Voices’ is the Best Comeback Album in Modern Punk

2016-10-05T07:00:00.000Z

Admittedly, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley probably hates this title. After all, the band’s first tour in three years is called the Don’t Call It A Sum-Back Tour for a reason. Well, with apologies to Whibley and the rest of the band, a spade must be called a spade, and 13 Voices is most definitely a comeback record of epic proportions.

Here are 5 reasons the new Sum 41 record is the best display of modern punk in recent years.

It’s the Resurrection of an Era

Sum 41 became a monumental band in the early 2000s by being part of the now highly nostalgic pop punk era. However, this band was unique amongst its peers for a couple of reasons.

For one, they gave a heavier edge to their music by incorporating hardcore sounds, gruff vocals and metal-influenced guitar riffing to their always melodic brand of punk. Sum 41 possessed a heaviness and a versatility that other bands of the pop punk movement lacked.

Maybe more importantly, they were able to remain equally popular and respected in the underground that they gained extreme success in the mainstream. To put it simply: no matter how big they got, they never sold out. With the release of their new record, the band brings all of this into 2016, managing to hold on to an identity that remains very distinctly Sum 41 but advances their musicianship in a way that makes the record nothing short of triumphant.

It Documents a Road to Personal Recovery

just wanted to say thank you to the hilarious @stephencolbert and the whole crew at @colbertlateshow. it was an honour to perform and we had a blast. playing #LSSC was a personal goal for me while i was recovering after i got out of the hospital. needless to say this night meant a lot to me and i especially want to thank the audience for the standing ovation! when Stephen told me that that doesn’t normally happen i wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but i realized he was telling the truth when we spoke off camera after the show. so thank you all for a great return to TV. looking forward to seeing you at the @playstationtheater on oct. 14th - deryck

A photo posted by SUM 41 (@sum41) on Oct 3, 2016 at 8:24pm PDT

It was big news when frontman Deryck Whibley checked in to a Los Angeles hospital in 2014 for life-threatening health issues brought on by his excessive drinking and dangerous lifestyle. His body deteriorated to the point where he lost basic motor control and had to relearn how to walk and talk, and most notably, play guitar.

After spending most of his life up until this point making music, his body had forgotten what had once come so naturally, and Whibley had to start from scratch. 13 Voices is an impressive album regardless, but knowing the intense personal comeback behind the musical comeback makes the record that much more powerful.

It Explores Cinematic Inspirations

During the writing process, Whibley turned heavily to film as a means of stimulating his creativity. Citing references like filmmakers Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino, tracks like “There Will Be Blood” and “Twisted By Design” definitely carry a theatrical quality that is new for the band.

The cinematic feel these songs provide fill out the sound of the record and give it a larger than life presence. 13 Voices isn’t just brazen and in your face; it’s also quirky and full of character.

It is Unexpected

Other pop punk enthusiasts may argue that the recent Blink-182 record, California, was bigger than the Sum 41 return.

While Blink-182 may have garnered more attention, Sum 41’s new record is more important for two reasons: Firstly, because nobody thought it would happen, and secondly, because Blink-182 has all but turned into a pop star. True, they still produce great pop punk music, but Blink is treated by the media and the entertainment industry as, say, a Drake or a Taylor Swift, while Sum 41 very much cling to their heavier, punk roots and the semi-outcast status that comes with it.

It Feels Like It is Necessary

Whibley has said that without a record to write, he isn’t sure whether or not he could have recovered to the extent that he did. When listening to 13 Voices, that feeling of sheer necessity comes across.

This isn’t a record made for the sake of retaking the spotlight or filling needy pockets — it has an immediately recognizable genuineness and artistic integrity. It’s a record with soul and purpose, embodying the very essence of punk. The record sounds like a life is at stake, and according to Whibley, one was. Now that’s punk rock.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-10-05T07:00:00.000Z

This week, heavy-hitters from nearly every genre gear up for another round on the road, including Coldplay, Phish and Mother Monster herself.

Coldplay 'A Head Full of Dreams' Tour

Despite rumors that the band may be ready to retire from the road, Coldplay has extended their dates for "A Head Full of Dreams" tour into next summer. The new leg of European dates kick off on June 6 in Munich and wrap up on July 15 in France. The band is currently enjoying some downtime from live shows, until they resume touring on November 19 in India. Click here for more info.

Lady Gaga 'Dive Bar' Tour

Lady Gaga is coming to a dive bar near you! Maybe. The iconic singer has just announced the Bud Light x Lady Gaga Dive Bar Tour, set to kick off in an undisclosed location on October 5. There are also shows set for the 20th and 27th, but the whereabouts remain hazy. Fans can catch Gaga debut "Million Reasons" when Facebook Live streams the song during her October 5 performance. Click here for more info.

Phish New Year's Eve at Madison Square Garden

It wouldn't be a New Year's Eve without an announcement from Phish that they'll be performing at Madison Square Garden. The four-night run is tradition for fans who flock from all parts of the country to see the prolific jam band ring in the new year, with this year's festivities kicking off on Wednesday, December 28. Click here for more info.

Dierks Bentley 'What the Hell' World Tour

Although he's still in the throes of his "Somewhere on a Beach" tour, country stalwart Dierks Bentley has already announced dates for the "What the Hell" world tour. Set to kick off on January 19 in Dayton, OH, Bentley will be joined by Cole Swindell and Jon Pardi as support. The fun wraps up with a gig in Reno, NV, in early April. Click here for more info.

Justin Bieber New Zealand & Australia Tour

Months after Justin Bieber toured his Purpose album throughout the US, he's finally taking the show down under. The singer has just announced a series of stadium shows in Australia and New Zealand for March 2017, where he'll be joined by special guest Martin Garrix. It kicks off March 6 in Perth--click here for more info.

8 Most Outrageous Hairstyles in Professional Wrestling

2016-10-05T07:00:00.000Z

Being a professional wrestler is tough. Between life on the road, the grueling physical toll on your body and the often times negative crowd reaction, one just has to be a different breed to choose that path. Now to be a successful wrestler, well…that’s an entirely different thing. In an industry known for crazy antics and personalities, to try and standout from the pack, wrestlers sometimes take extreme actions to ensure their gimmick gets over with the masses.

What’s the secret formula of creating a popular wrestling persona? Most would say a combination of wrestling ability, attire and promo skills. They wouldn’t be wrong as it definitely takes a little of each of those to make sure you shine. But the most important element that people forget about is HAIR! Glorious luscious hair! It’s all about the hair, as the musical declares:

If you have it, you’re constantly messing with it. If you don’t have it, you’re constantly thinking of it. Your hairstyle says many things about who you are, how seriously you take yourself and if you are destined for wrestling greatness. If only The Barber Shop run by Brutus the Barber Beefcake were real, so that spandex gladiators in need of a new 'do could seek help. Whether it’s a mullet, a Mohawk, a rainbow colored explosion or just a bad cut, professional wrestling has delivered some eye-catching styles. Highlighting the bad, the bold and beautiful, here are the 8 most outrageous haircuts in pro wrestling.

Before we start, here's some Honorable Mentions:

Heath Slater

Shawn Michaels

Luna Vachon

The Undertaker

Hulk Hogan

“You know something, Brother…” is how the Hulkster tends to start off interviews. Sure, the 24-inch pythons and biker mustache catches your eye in promos, but what really propelled Hogan to iconic heights was that golden mane clinging on to the sides of his head. Hulk’s hair is one-of-a-kind — a constant through all the decades he’s been around. Balding is a curse for most men, but in Hogan’s case it’s been a blessing of sorts. It’s given him an ageless look, since he’s always appeared 10-15 older than he actually was. He’s covered up the front with a variety of bandanas, but those shoulder length platinum locks will never be cut as long as Hulkamania is alive!

Paul Heyman

Even though Paul Heyman looks like he’s following Hogan’s skullet look, it hasn’t always been the case. The outspoken, mad-genius of professional wrestling has gone through various questionable hairstyles over the decades. As the young brash manager Paul E. Dangerously, Heyman was trying to rock the Gordon Gecko look but just ended up with a slick-backed mullet. During his ECW years, he wore a baseball cap to cover up the bald on top, but with a long ponytail in the back. Nowadays, as the advocate to Brock Lesnar, Heyman has disposed of the trademark ponytail embracing a sleek, clean business style.

Bull Nakano

Crowds today might think that Asuka, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are wild and cool thanks to their Jem and The Holograms colored hair. But these three talented ladies ain’t got nothing when it comes to Bull Nakano’s extreme, loud and legendary hairstyle.

The no-nonsense Japanese superstar that made her way to WWE in the mid ‘90s was known for her vicious fighting style and punk rocker appearance, thanks to her face paint and Bride of Frankenstein-inspired hair. A cross between an anime character and something out of a horror film, Bull was simply amazing, ahead of her time in all aspects of her character. A women’s innovator in terms of wrestling style and what women wrestlers could look like.

Enzo Amore

He may be a “certified G and a bonafide stud,” but what he really can’t “teach” is the Enzo Amore hair style. The undisputed, current hair champ is hands down Amore, who has given us the most disturbing yet hilariously wonderful hairstyles to grace the mat in recent years. What Enzo lacks inside the ring, he makes up for with his promo skills, tacky appearance and wild locks. His love of leopard print and Michael Jackson jackets is only outdone by his love of patterns, dye jobs and rat tails on his head.

The Red Rooster

Imagine you finally reach the bigtime of WWE and the gimmick Vince McMahon and his brain-trust bestow upon you is that of The Red Rooster with an equally horrible red Mohawk (ala a rooster’s comb) to match. Poor Terry Taylor, as that’s the hand he was dealt in trying to be a WWE Superstar during the late 1980s. An accomplished and rising young wrestler who could never shake off that kiss of death of a gimmick, he became a cautionary tale for all pro wrestlers since.

Sheamus

While most wrestlers avoid any comparisons to The Red Rooster, Sheamus has tried to see how far he can get away with unusual red hairstyles of his own. Fans can keep chanting “you look stupid” at him, but we highly doubt the Celtic powerhouse cares. When your hair is bright fire red and you have a Casper the Friendly Ghost skin complexion, it’s hard to go unnoticed.

When Sheamus first arrived in WWE, he had the spikey hair, ala Beaker of The Muppets. Last year, the big man changed things up sporting a braided beard, shaved sides of the head and a red Mohawk. Fans may not like it, but Conan O’Brien gives his approval.

The Road Dogg

During the Attitude Era in the late ‘90s, Road Dogg was the mouthpiece of The New Age Outlaws and a member of Degeneration X. At the time kids thought he was cool because he could cut funny promos and do some rapping at the same time. Looking back now, boy did we miss the biggest sign that good ol’ Road was just the Chris Kirkpatrick of the group — rocking the dreadlock-bun look that only an *NSYNC member could!

Koko B. Ware

Sisqo, Chris Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. all owe a good amount of inspiration to the Birdman of WWE for his blonde locks. The entry winner for the hairstyle we all might be sporting within the next few months (macaw included), comes courtesy of Koko B. Ware. The fun loving Koko, who brought dancing, ‘80s style and a large macaw bird named “Frankie” to WWE, had an unforgettable signature blonde and blue fade that went well with the “I Want My MTV” era. Not only was the macaw Koko’s pet and friend, but apparently it was also his spirit animal, as he took on the same colors.

10 Halloween Costume Ideas for 2016

2016-10-05T07:00:00.000Z

Do you remember when Halloween costumes use to look like this?

When I was a kid, if you didn’t have a crafty mom to make yours, you would go to the local toy store or five-and-dime shop and buy yours in a box. Inside the box would be a disposable costume consisting of a plastic mask and vinyl smock. Silver Shamrock masks these were not.

Today, the prices and quality have risen, while the decision making process is more time consuming and outrageous. What to dress up as on Halloween is a big decision; right up there with what to wear on a first date or even worse, on your wedding day.

If you think Halloween is a silly holiday just for kids you’re greatly mistaken. From decorations to candy to pets and costumes, Americans spend roughly $6.9 billion on Halloween merchandise, with $2.5 of that going directly to costumes.

For many, Halloween is the one day out of the year where you can let your freak flag fly, as they say. You can be sexy, scary, goofy, political or vulgar. Not sure what to be this year? Looking to win best costume at that Halloween party? We’ve compiled the best pop-culture inspired costumes of 2016.

Before we get started...Honorable Mentions:

The Waif – Game of Thrones

New Ghostbusters

Chewbacca Mom

Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton

Landon Meier

With the US election just a month away, the go-to costumes of 2016 are these two fine specimens. Doesn’t matter if you’re team “I’m with Her” or team “Build a wall all around America,” there’s plenty of ways to dress up as your favorite powermonger.

The Hillary DIY route is the easiest way to go for most; as all you need is a pantsuit, sunglasses, short Bob wig and a blackberry. But let’s face it, it’s a boring costume. Trump, on the other hand, offers endless combinations to choose from. From the crappy hair, to the sour facial expressions and anti-everything stance, the man is made for parody, especially on Halloween. Whether it’s Piñata Trump, Third Reich Trump or Sith Trump, have at it!

Deadpool

Being a superhero on Halloween is about as unoriginal as it gets nowadays. But if you must, might as well go as Ryan Reynolds alter-ego, the breakout hero of 2016, whose film made almost $800 million worldwide. A longtime Comic-Con staple, Deadpool is finally reaching the masses as a popular pick, with kids and adults decked out in the classic red and black costume — think Spider-Man but with swords and guns.

Stranger Things – Eleven, Barb and & the Gang

If you and your squad have Halloween goals this year, then the winning choice is going as the hottest TV show of 2016! Stranger Things, Netflix’s surprise hit of the summer that took us back to the 1980s, has a surplus of costume options. The most popular pick will be the Eggo-loving Eleven, as all you need is a blonde wig, pink dress, blue jacket and raggedy shoes. A deeper fan-pick will be Barb. Looking past her sad fate in the Upside Down, you’ll need a red wig, oversized ’80s glasses, a hideous ruffled blouse, and mom jeans to complete the look.

Guys might go together dressed as Mike, Will, Lucas and the lovable Dustin. For that next level detail, get some BMX bikes or Dungeons & Dragons gear. The show has you covered if you’re looking for couples’ options also. You can go as Hopper and Joyce Byers, Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers, or Barb and the monster.

I've seen so many Elevens @DragonCon, it's safe to say that Eleven is the new Harley Quinn. #Eleven #StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/FgTbHzQNQ0
— Chris Gore (@ThatChrisGore) September 5, 2016

Suicide Squad – Joker and Harley

A popular pick last year, as we saw many women wearing short shorts dressed as Harley, while the fellas with tats on their faces went as gangster Joker. This year expect double that, now that Suicide Squad’s been released. Who cares if the movie was a mess. These two iconic characters from Gotham are always in style.

Margot Robbie’s super sexy version of Harley is a hit, with the blue & red hair and barely there attire. If you can pull off booty shorts, have fun. Now you could go as Jared Leto’s Joker, but if you want to stand out, I’d go as Cesar Romero’s version of the Clown Prince of Crime!

Pokémon Go

Nathan Rupert/flickr

No matter what you do, you can’t escape this year’s biggest addiction and phone vice. “Pokémon Go,” the global phenomenon game app that had people swarming streets and falling off cliffs, is sure to be a popular Halloween pick.

Just like the game, variety is key with the themed costumes for individuals or groups. If you’re hitting the party circuit solo, you can go dressed as a trainer, such as Ash Ketchum or the poke ball itself — if you’re crafty. Want to standout and attract new people? Then going as a Lure is the best option. Streets and Halloween parties will also be packed with groups of friends dressed as the virtual monsters like Pikachu, Jigglypuff and Squirtle. Gotta catch ‘em all, right?!

The Walking Dead – Negan

Every year you’ll find characters from TV’s The Walking Dead on Halloween costume lists. This year’s entry comes in the form of the new baddie Negan, leader of the Saviors and homicidal foil to zombie-killer Rick Grimes. To pull off this post-apocalyptic look, you’ll need a cool leather jacket, a burgundy/red scarf and motorcycle boots. Getting a baseball bat for ‘Lucille’ should be easy but if it’s a Louisville Slugger, you’d be a lot cooler.

Star Wars – Rogue One & The Force Awakens

The world we’re living in is like that old SNL skit with Bill Murray singing “Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars.” 2015 was ruled by The Force Awakens, and this year we have the highly anticipated Star Wars: Rogue One, set to come out in December. Both of these movies offer cool new heroes and villains that Star Wars fanatics can dress-up as. Last year Kylo Ren & Rey were trick-or-treat fixtures.

Just going off trailers and toy packaging, most hardcore fans have been working on their custom Rogue One costumes. Because what’s the point of making it, if you can only wear it at Cons?! Felicity Jones’ Jyn Erso character is sure to be a popular pick, but next-level selections are the all-black Imperial Death Trooper or Donnie Yen’s blind kickass fighter.

David Bowie & Prince

A/P

2016 has been ruthless when it comes to the passing of celebrities and legends. Seems like every week we’re marking the death of a cherished talent. The two most unexpected and painful losses came when we said goodbye to David Bowie and Prince. Fans looking for costume inspirations can turn to these men and pay tribute by dressing as the style icons.

If you’re thinking Bowie, you’ll really have to give it some thought considering his various looks. Known as a human chameleon, Bowie’s outrageous style fits right in with Halloween. There’s Ziggy Stardust, New Wave Bowie, Jareth the Goblin King (Labyrinth) and The Man Who Fell to Earth Bowie. If you’re thinking of going as Prince, first you have to love purple, then you also have to think of which era and gender-bending look to go with. There’s Purple Rain Prince, ‘90s body suit Prince, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince symbol, Batdance Prince and Super Bowl Prince.

Wonder Woman

I totally understand your boos and groans. Every year, women from all over the world go dressed as Wonder Woman on Halloween. It’s easily one of the “Top 10” women go-to costumes. This year, however, things are a bit different as women (young and old) are choosing her more because of being a badass warrior and less for being a sexy superhero (which you can still be if you like).

As bad as Batman v. Superman was, the light out of that darkness was the big-screen debut of Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot. Fierce and cool, this 2016 version of Wonder Woman was a major hit. With her solo film coming out in 2017, expect to see an army of Wonder Women hitting the streets on October 31. If You’re lucky, you could run into Sofia Vergara:

Secret proyect!! 😂😂😂😂😂 #modernfamily

A photo posted by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara) on Sep 16, 2016 at 7:30pm PDT

KFC - Colonel Sanders

It seems like Halloween is a year-round event for the folks at KFC, as they keep switching actors to portray company founder, Colonel Harland Sanders.

There’s been creepy Colonel Sanders played by Darrell Hammond:

Or maybe you prefer your Colonel burnt and crispy like the George Hamilton version:

Now laziness might have you leaning towards buying a store bought costume but for true lovers of fried chicken, DIY is the only way to go. The original Sanders had style and so should you. Track down a slick white suit, dye or spray paint your hair white, find a cane and eat about 10 buckets of chicken to give you that glowing pudgy look.

Ben Stiller Says He Was Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer

2016-10-04T19:16:31.578Z

Ben Stiller was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, the actor revealed Tuesday. The 50-year-old Zoolander star opened up about his diagnosis during an interview on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show.

Jimmy Kimmel Tries to Get to the Bottom of Donald Trump’s Movie Opinions

“It came out of the blue for me. I had no idea,” Stiller said. “At first, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was scared. It just stopped everything in your life because you can’t plan for a movie because you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Syrian Government Using Game of Thrones Theme Song to Attract Tourists

The actor and father of two told Stern that upon learning of his diagnosis, he immediately called fellow Hollywood star Robert De Niro, who had also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Stiller says he credits early detection with his positive outcome.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Leonardo DiCaprio Told President Obama He’s Signed Up to Go to Mars

2016-10-04T19:07:08.813Z

Oscar-winning actor, environmentalist, and wearer of many hats Leonardo DiCaprio has done some crazy things in his life: battled a grizzly bear,surprised Jonah Hill on the street, yachted around the world. But signing up for the world’s first experimental trip to the planet Mars? That seems like an extreme move. And yet.

Emily Blunt Shows Jimmy Fallon How to Lie Like a Pro

On Monday at the White House’s South by South Lawn (SXSL) festival of ideas, the actor was engaged in a panel discussion with President Obama and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist, who joked that it was of paramount importance to preserve our planet, as moving to Mars like entrepreneur Elon Musk had recently pitched wasn’t a realistic option.

“If you’re a human living on this planet—which most of us are, yeah?” she said, according to Inverse. “As long as we haven’t signed up for the trip to Mars—I don’t want to know if anyone has—I think you’re crazy.”

“I did,” DiCaprio rejoined, offhand. Bomb, dropped.

Fangirl Chrissy Teigen Has Been Opening and Reading Rihanna’s Mail

“I think he’ll acknowledge he’s crazy,” Obama added.

To refresh your memory, Musk himself warned that anyone who signed up should be prepared to die. Leo, life on earth seems pretty good for you right now; might we recommend you reconsider the mission? Besides, Matt Damon’s already done it.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Nike Is Giving Away Self-Lacing Back to the Future Sneakers

2016-10-04T18:55:31.909Z

Eighty-nine pairs of Nike’s limited-edition, self-lacing Back to the Future Part II-style Nike MAG sneakers will be given away in a charity raffle.

Chipotle Spices Up Its Menu With a New Addition: Chorizo

Entry to the online draw, which begins Tuesday and ends on Oct. 11, costs $10 and there is no limit to the number of tickets entrants can buy. All of the money raised in the raffle will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.

The futuristic sneakers can lace themselves thanks to an internal cable system comprised of fishing line and a pressure sensor located in the sole that responds to the weight of your foot as you move with “an algorithmic pressure equation,” Nike told Wired. The heels then light up to signal when the shoe is tightening, as well as when the battery needs to be charged.

Watch Chance the Rapper Sing the New Kit Kat Jingle in a Bear Costume

Raffle entrants must live in the U.S. or Canada, and the winners will be notified on Oct. 17. The raffled sneakers will be in U.S. men’s size 7, 9, 11 and 13. There will also be private auctions for a pair of the sneakers in Hong Kong, London and New York City.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Even Stephen King Has Had Enough of Your Clown Fears

2016-10-04T18:39:13.341Z

Stephen King, the creator of the nightmare-inducing clown in the horror novel and miniseries It, is not amused with the widespread clown paranoia that has been playing out across the country.

The best-selling author stood up for clowns on Monday and urged calm as threats of armed clowns shut down a Massachusetts college and a mob of Penn State students rushed the streets to hunt for clowns.

Watch a ‘Heckler’ Interrupt Stephen Colbert With a Donald Trump Joke

“Hey, guys, time to cool the clown hysteria—most of em are good, cheer up the kiddies, make people laugh,” King wrote on Twitter.

Hey, guys, time to cool the clown hysteria--most of em are good, cheer up the kiddies, make people laugh.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 3, 2016

It’s a stronger stance for King, who first spoke out about the clown hype early last month, telling his hometown newspaper, The Bangor DailyNews, that “the clown furor will pass, as these things do.”

Penn State Students Flood Streets to Hunt for Clowns

“But it will come back, because under the right circumstances, clowns really can be terrifying,” King said at the time.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Vice President Joe Biden and Adam Devine Crashed a College Party for an Important Mission

2016-10-04T18:22:07.293Z

Vice President Joe Biden has a bit of a reputation as a fun-loving party animal. So when Adam Devine needed a crime-fighting partner for an undercover operation at a college party, he knew just who to call.

A new video from Funny or Die features Biden and Devine crashing frat parties to help get the word out about a serious issue that affects college kids everywhere—sexual assault on campus, an issue that Biden has been vocal about, particularly in the wake of Stanford sexual assault case.

Watch Daveed Diggs Talk Voting on Black-ish

In the clip, the Veep keeps his sunglasses on at the party to conceal his true identity and tries to pass his Secret Service off as friends from the football team. He almost gets away with it until he accidentally tells a story about hanging with President Barack Obama. He saves himself, though: “I mean, I’m at the frat house watching a program about llamas on YouTube, you know?”

Biden and Devine drop the act to share their important message, though, reminding viewers how they can help prevent sexual assault. The video is a collaboration between the White House-launched It’s On Us campaign and Funny or Die, the people behind Between Two Ferns.

Benedict Cumberbatch Remains Grounded Despite the Internet’s Huge Crush on Him

Watch Below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Chance the Rapper's Special Rendition of "Blessings"

2016-10-04T16:31:34.338Z

Chance the Rapper is slowly dominating the world one performance at a time. After his explosive performance at The Meadows Music and Arts Festival, he stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform a special version of his track, "Blessings" last night (October 3).

MORE: 8 Times The Meadows Music and Arts Festival Won Us Over

Opposed to only bringing a choir onstage, he also invited Anthony Hamilton, Ty Dolla $ign, Raury and D.R.A.M. to join him. Between Ty and Raury on electric guitar and Anthony and D.R.A.M.'s vocal runs, it brings the song to another spiritual level. It's so good that we wish he would be able to perform the tune this way every night.

But since that probably can't happen, you'll just need to watch it below.

The Pheels Take R&B to a New Dimension

2016-10-04T16:30:00.000Z

Whether it be the new HBO show Westworld that blends western with sci-fi or fusion food that brings two cultures together in the same dish, merging various elements in a unique way often leads to success. Hybrids thrive. The same goes for Atlanta duo the Pheels. Their debut EP likeWise mixes together a collage of genres to create a brand of avant-R&B with a vibe as futuristic and as it is nostalgic. The Pheels manage to sound like the best of both worlds and beyond.

We spoke with member Curtis Fields to find out about how their collaboration began, the Atlanta music scene and Pokemon GO.

Hometown/Homebase: Atlanta, GA

How did you originally meet? How did the collaboration begin?

We met through a mutual friend in EastATL about three years ago or so. We've honestly played more video games together than made music at this point. We actually only started making music as a kinda time killer while house-sitting.

What's your song-writing process like?

It depends on how we feel. Sometimes, there's no direction. Sometimes, the song is done before I start recording. Phil does all the production and I do all the writing, so it's pretty streamlined.

Over how long did the EP come together?

A week.

What do you want listeners to take away from your music?

My goal is to start conversations. I kinda hope that any song I write is basically a message that someone wishes they could say to someone else. Like, "French Toast" is what a guy in the club might wanna say to this chick on the dance floor.

What's it like to be a musician in Atlanta? There's a lot of diverse music coming out of the city, what do you think fuels that and is there a cohesive music scene or is it splintered?

It's weird. The city is only so big, and the culture is pretty clique-y. That being said, it's kinda crazy how much overlap is created between disparate genres. It's like everyone is floating in and out of the same creative spaces, so there's more cohesion than there may seem. The struggle for musicians now seems to be setting themselves apart against the backdrop of the Trap scene. The easiest way to do that is bend genres, so collaborations become prevalent. It's weird.

What were your record collections like growing up? What artists soundtracked your early youth and when was music played?

I didn't really have a collection. I grew up without cable TV. If you were around in the '90s, you know that meant I had to entertain myself... A lot. I basically listened to the radio like people watch tv. My parents had really distinct tastes in music. My mom is into soul, jazz and like, blues. My dad is into Queen, the Eagles and anything else in between. I moved around a lot and so between the new flavor a of each city's radio culture and my parents driving us from city to city, I kinda got a sampler platter of "Americana." The first CD I ever got was Supa Dupa Fly by Missy, followed by Nirvana In Utero, then Donnell Jones Where I Wanna Be. I followed each of these rabbit hole albums deeper into each genre.

What does "the creators class" mean to you? How do you think it impacts your output and drive?

Creators class to me is saying that there's something new being created. It's like there's always a new way to approach a problem. So creators class is just a think tank. We're trying to make something new within the same eight-note scale that's existed since the beginning of time.

You've been on the road a lot lately, what have been some memorable experiences?

The road is my favorite. I love seeing new people and people watching. Performing is something I've been doing since I was in 6th grade, so there's that. I really remember the reactions from the perspective of the stage. My favorite is when people can't tell exactly what they're watching, but they can't look away. It's like magic and I feel magical AF. Playing Pokemon GO in NY is an experience.

What's next in the months and year ahead for the Pheels? What are your goals overall?

We're gonna be on the road a bunch and working on some more stuff for you guys! Overall, I just wanna make people feel something. I wanna make music that says exactly how someone else feels. I want them to hear our stuff and say, "This is how I've felt for so long, but I couldn't put it into words. Thank you for giving my voice life..." Then, go play it for the person they wish they could say it to.

Listen To Kingsley Flood's "Another Other" Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-10-04T16:20:06.121Z

Channeling adversity into creativity is often the best way to go. It certainly is for Kingsley Flood frontman Naseem Khuri, whose lively folk rocker "Another Other" tells the tale of an unfortunate turn to a bar night with friends.

"This song takes place in a bar. I was with alleged friends, and when some news about some terrorist bombing came on the TV and they put it together that my heritage is from that part of the world, a sudden wall went up," explains Khuri to Myspace.

"By doing absolutely nothing differently, I was cast as 'an other' and realized how powerful contextual definitions and judgments can be. A wall was put up in the blink of an eye. Where I thought I could straddle the line between races, maybe I couldn't."

It ends on a high note, though, and even features an exuberant trumpet interlude. "[Our producer Paul Kolderie] saw us all duking it out over the timing of a trumpet solo, and using very few words, resolved it. He just said quietly, ‘hold on,’ turned around, messed with the board, and played both tracks on top of each other, a few bars apart. Chris [Barrett] then did a real take of that second part, and we had our solo with dueling trumpets.'"

Listen to the "Another Other," the title track off of Kingsley Flood's new record (out October 14), exclusively on Myspace below.

Watch Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus' Heartfelt Duet

2016-10-04T16:15:39.622Z

Aside from being one of this season's judges on The Voice, Miley Cyrus has been a big advocate for love and acceptance of various communities. And now she wants to shed light on suicide prevention by posting a special duet with her dad in honor of Suicide Awareness Month.

With Miley on the piano and Billy Ray Cyrus on the guitar, the two harmonize and sing their hearts out. Miley also explains that this song is particularly important because it was one that Billy Ray wrote for a friend he lost to suicide.

"Magic jam sesh w dad!!! @billyraycyrus 🌻🌈💖 suicide awareness month has come to an end but never should the fight for love and acceptance for all! This is the 2nd song my dad ever wrote years ago after his best friend took his own life because of discrimination in his community ..... Love love love .....," Miley captioned the video

Watch it below.

Magic jam sesh w dad!!! @billyraycyrus 🌻🌈💖 suicide awareness month has come to an end but never should the fight for love and acceptance for all! This is the 2nd song my dad ever wrote years ago after his best friend took his own life because of discrimination in his community ..... Love love love .....

A video posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Oct 3, 2016 at 9:58am PDT

Watch the Jay Z and Solange Elevator Fight on 'Family Guy'

2016-10-04T16:05:49.920Z

When the video of Solange throwing punches at Jay Z in the elevator during the Met Ball in 2014 surfaced, it was one of the most talked about things that year. And while time's passed and things have simmered down between the two, Family Guy wanted to remind us of that moment with on their latest episode (October 2).

Unlike the original clip, Peter Griffin comes in as the mediator in the situation. Though his passive aggressive comments sound more like commentary and add humor the otherwise tense situation. No matter how you felt about what went down that night in May, the creators of Family Guy just want you to laugh about it.

Watch below.

Scenes From the Inaugural Meadows Music and Arts Festival

2016-10-04T15:38:53.920Z

The Meadows Music and Arts Festival opened its doors for the first time over the weekend (October 1 & October 2) at Citifield in Queens, NY. The lineup was filled with massive talents including J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, Metric, The Temper Trap and, yes, even Kanye West. Since we know not everyone could attend the fall outdoor fest, we've got you covered with a bunch of pics showing who showed up and what went down at the festival's debut.

See the pics below.

Frightened Rabbit

Chance the Rapper

Metric

Lolawolf

Coast Modern

J. Cole

Post Malone

Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires

The 1975

Damien "Jr. Gong" Marley

Mail the Horse

BØRNS

Chairlift

Empire of the Sun

Jack Garratt

Miami Horror

Savages

Sylvan Esso

The Temper Trap

Justine Serebrin Wants to Give You an Intuitive Tattoo

2016-10-04T07:29:38.455Z

Just when you thought you'd heard of every style of tattooing, a new shop with a very new take on the art form opens up.

Justine Serebrin has actually been tattooing for quite some time, but her "intuitive tattooing" is just starting to take off. Rather than picking artwork off of the internet or off the walls (or even having her pre-draw a custom piece), Serebrin sits down and gets to know each of her clients on a spiritual level before drawing an ornate design for the tattoo – often including a card reading to carefully determine the intent and meaning behind the ink and attaching a tattoo needle to a crystal for a portion of the tattoo.

Myspace sat down to ask Serebrin about intuitive tattooing and her brand new Earth Altar Studio.

How did you first get into tattooing?

It started when I had a vision while meditating, that’s why I went into tattooing. After that, it felt really profound like “I really need to learn how to do this.” I was just finishing art school at the time, and I had my own body painting business. I figured maybe this was the next step to that, so I just kind of tapped into my spirituality – which began with meditating – and saw these visions that just kept coming of this nice, clean, different kind of space to get tattooed in. I felt like I had to figure out how to do it, so I found someone to teach me and got an apprenticeship, and then I left there and started working kind of underground while I was testing out some of my ideas.

Since you started from a traditional apprenticeship, how did you start doing intuitive tattooing?

I worked in a 100 square foot studio, and I knew I wanted to transition more into the intuitive tattooing. I’d let my clients pick out the scent of soap they wanted, and I wanted to make it feel like they were coming into a spa or somewhere welcoming. I’m really sensitive to energy, so normal tattoo shops really give me anxiety a little bit. They’re a little harsh. My clientele has become a lot of really sensitive girls and moms or people who want to get a tattoo for the first time but don’t want to go into a normal tattoo shop. I’m still working on it with some clients, because there still is such a demand for the other styles of tattoo, whether it’s traditional or more creative watercolor kinds of things – really whatever people wanted for commissions and stuff. But I feel like that isn’t really where my heart is anymore, so I knew I needed to teach someone that.

How did your traditional apprenticeship affect the tattoos you do today?

I’m really grateful for that because I was showing a very very clean and professional standard and technique. The work that I do holds up to that standard and integrity. I really believe in everything being as clean as possible. Really fine details and super clean lines, and that was really really instilled in me in my apprenticeship. I don’t think I’d be able to have what I have now if I hadn’t learned that way.

Why did you decide you wanted to do intuitive tattooing instead of a more traditional method?

Tattoos can be so powerful. They really always mark a new chapter in your life. It’s like “I’m different. I’m changing my physical appearance forever.” What I’m doing is just creating more intention and more connection to the experience so people are mindful and focused while being surrounded by love and good energy. We’re opening up our skin and putting ink in, and that creates a really powerful memory of the experience. I’m all about creating a full-body well-rounded experience for my clients, from the smell to the sound. If they’re open to it, we’ll do a little card reading – I made my own oracle cards – so we can tap into what’s going on with them. It helps me dive a little deeper and get to know them more quickly. Then I prepare their skin and draw a design that symbolizes what they are wanting to bring into their life, and then we tattoo it.

Earth Altar Studio has one of the most ornate outdoor spaces of any tattoo shops, but how do you use it?

By the end of this year when the weather cools off, I’m working on getting a platform built in the outdoor area so I can do tattoos outside in a safe way. I’m hoping to get some mosquito nets so flies aren’t around and keep it really clean, because I really want to get tattooing back outside. That’s where it started, so let’s get it back there. For now, how I do it is I take people out to the patio area, and there’s this rug under the earth altar where we will sit and talk about the ideas so I can get to know this person. We don’t have to do a consultation prior – we can do it all in one day – but I want to tap into their energy and vibe and ask them what they came here for or what the tattoo symbolizes.

10 Things You Should Know About Watsky

2016-10-04T07:00:00.000Z

Not every rapper calls himself a poet, but then again not every poet knows how to adjust his rhyming to the beat. Luckily for Watsky, he learned a winning formula of rhymes + beats early on and has been adding a much needed dose of literacy and self-awareness into the hip-hop circuit for more than a decade now. Ever since he wrote a heated poem in defense of Pee-wee Herman.

We spoke with the artist about everything from a Twenty One Pilots collab to old strippers. Here are 10 things you should know about Watsky.

He Appreciates A Good Kebab Before a Show

An artist’s work is never done, especially when he’s only getting ready to go on stage. That’s a perfect moment to breathe, relax and, you know, get an overseas phone call from Myspace. Given the circumstances, we felt obligated to kick off our chat with Watsky by asking about the rapping poet’s pre-show rituals. “We all went to get some kebab food before tonight’s show in Manchester; everyone was very hungry. But I don’t really have any specific rituals. I just try to relax and have fun.”

He’s a Californian Hip-Hop Poet

Just like many talented poets before him, this particular San Francisco-native started rhyming words in his bedroom when he was a teenager. Then he added social and political commentary into the mix and has been on a roll ever since, releasing albums, touring the country and playing with words. “Poetry is a very big influence on my music. I used to do a lot of competitions and open mics for performance poetry when I was in high school.”

He Appeared on 'Russell Simmons' Def Poetry'

Watsky’s big break came in 2007, when he appeared on the final season of HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, a spoken word poetry series. “I was 19 at the time and got to make some money off my art. I used that money to fund videos for my music, and that helped me to jump-start an internet following. Then around 2012 I managed to make a shift from playing these college venues to doing ticketed venues with a band.”

He’ll Make You Pay Attention to His Lyrics

While hip-hop always has a way of sneaking into young listeners’ hearts, poetry, on the other hand, usually needs an extra push to get noticed. How does Watsky make his fans listen instead of just nodding to the beats? “I think the nodding to the beats is the first way in. The people who really analyze the music will listen multiple times and will start to understand what you’re saying. People who come to my shows do want to understand lyrics. At the end of the day rap is poetry as well. Songwriting is poetry. I have a following of people who love wordplay, language, storytelling and really appreciate lyrics”.

As any adventurous poet, he doesn’t like to repeat himself, but sometimes he accidentally does. “If there’s a rhyme that I’ve used already, I try not to do it again, but I still might do it accidentally. These little things that get stuck in my head and I forget that I’ve done multiple times. I think I’ve rhymed tourniquet with tournament in two different verses. I also try not to write about my family unless I have their permission.” Obviously we had to ask about his proudest poetic moment. “I’m proud of my song '4 AM Monday,' where I said:

"His flow is hole-y like the edge of abalone shells
"I want to flow holy like matrimony bells

"I’m really proud of that because it had four-syllable multi-rhyme and it also had homophones: holy and hole-y.”

Watsky is His Real Name

Unlike some of his finest verses, there’s hardly any mystery behind Watsky's catchy stage name. “It’s just my last name. I’m George Watsky. Sometimes I’m going by my full name when I’m doing my poetry or putting a book out. My friends called me Watsky growing up in school so it stuck.”

He Published a Collection of Essays

Apparently Watsky likes to be the only one reading his verses out loud, since he hasn’t put out a proper poetry book in a decade.

“I have only put out a printed poetry collection back in 2006 and I haven’t done one in over 10 years. I did put out a book this year that was a collection of essays called How to Ruin Everything. I’ll probably put out another poetry collection next year. It sort of got side-tracked by all the music that I’ve been doing.”

His essays collection, though, has already became a New York Times bestseller. “It’s comedic, in the style of David Sedaris, where it’s observational humor. It’s like my poetry and music: there’s serious stuff and there’s humor, but it goes from serious to funny stuff in a sentence or two. It’s 13 stories from my life. It’s not a memoir, just a collection of stories.”

He’s Inspired by Other Multi-Talented Performers

You can’t have a true artist without a detailed list of people who inspired him.

“There are two poets who influenced me the most. The one who helped shaping my stage persona is Beau Sia. He’s got this incredible charisma on stage that I always admired. Very funny, very subversively funny, able to control his audience by making very small things like raising his eyebrow or moving his pinky. The other one is Saul Williams, who inspired me to pursue different media on multiple platforms. He's an actor, a well-respected poet, had a music career. That made me believe that it was possible to have this multi-platform career and still have all of it, be very honest and true to yourself.”

His First Poem Was Pro-Masturbation

You always remember your first, right? Speaking of Watsky, his first was a short poem. “It was 90 seconds long, it was called 'Beliefs.' I was 15 years old. It was almost about nothing: I was rhyming and going back and forth, trying to come up with multi-rhymes. I think at the end I said something about how I believed that Pee-wee Herman shouldn’t have been arrested for masturbating in the public theater. That was the last line of the poem: 'Pee-wee Herman is innocent, the fucking system’s broken.'"

His Latest Album Features Twenty One Pilots’ Josh Dun

X Infinity is Watsky’s fifth record and it came out in August. “It’s 18 tracks long, so if anyone wants to listen to it, it’s a commitment. It’s very orchestral — there’s a lot of live horns instruments arrangements on it, jazz influences, little something for everyone," he explains. "It’s produced by Kush Mody. I’m very proud of it; there’s a mix of serious songs, funny songs, wordplay. It’s my most ambitious album yet — sort of a genre mash-up.”

One of the collaborator was Twenty One Pilots’ drummer Josh Dun. “He hit me up on Twitter, we arranged the session and he came in, super nice guy, played on a few songs and 'Midnight Heart' made the cut.”

Considering Watsky was a drummer in a jazz band when he was younger, did he ask Dun to teach him some cool drumming tricks? “I didn’t, but I’d love him to teach me how to do a backflip off the drum set, ‘cause I know he does that at his shows.” Josh, your turn.

He Had 65-Year-Old Strippers at His Birthday

This past September Watsky turned 30 and he did celebrate in style. “It was pretty crazy. I won’t go into too many details. But we did end up in Atlanta’s strip club called Clermont Lounge. It had non-traditionally beautiful older women, 65-year-old strippers. That was pretty wild.” Does he plan to be a decent gentleman and dedicate a poem to this wise stripper he met in Atlanta? “Maybe I get inspired when I get back home from tour.”

Meet TroyBoi, Diplo's Latest Protege

2016-10-04T07:00:00.000Z

This year’s Sziget festival saw a monstrous list of talent coming to Budapest to showcase their skills and the state of the music industry today, and trap is one genre you simply can’t live out — the 808-drum-driven blend of hip-hop and dubstep took the world by storm, presenting a whole new team of dancefloor superheroes on their mission to make you twerk the nights away.

One of the better known names in the game is London-based producer TroyBoi, who gained worldwide exposure last year with the equally catchy and hard-hitting “Afterhours,” which featured both co-production by his mentor-of-sorts Diplo and aerial vocals by sister act Nina Sky. We caught up with the rising star in Sziget's green room moments before TroyBoi's strobelight-heavy set and learned that young producer doesn’t plan to get trapped by trap after all.

How excited are you to hear this huge festival singing along to your biggest hit so far — “Afterhours”?

It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s absolutely one of the biggest festivals I ever played. I don’t play this every day, you know.

Did you get to see any other acts yet?

I’ve literally just touched down, literally.

And you're probably leaving right after your show?

You know how it works. But it’s all good, man.

But have you been to any great shows this year?

Well, I’ve played a few good ones across North America and Canada.

Maybe you’ve scouted for some new good vocalists or producers?

One of the craziest gigs I saw recently was at a Canadian festival called Faded. It was Travis Scott. Man, I was blown away! I’ve been a fan of his music for a bit, but just to see him perform was amazing. His energy is insane.

Did you already reach out to his team?

Hopefully he can see me before I reach out. That would be great.

We’ll make sure to forward him this interview, no worries. But talking about your own performances: what works better for you — the clubs or the festivals?

I like both, to be honest. I’m quite an interactive performer, so I like to be able to be in the crowd and touch the fans and really communicate with them.

Like crowd surfing?

That happened very recently actually. So yeah. Who know what’s gonna happen tonight! But I do like all kinds of crowds: clubs, festivals. Festivals are great because it’s always amazing to feel that kind of energy from so many people.

London obviously has tons of great talent. Is it hard to stand out there? Or more inspiring?

It’s definitely hard. The things they tend to push are more on the commercial side as opposed to the rawer, underground sound or sound that is just a bit left compared to the other stuff. And I feel like I fit right in the middle of these two. I’m starting to slowly cross over to the commercial market in the sense of my music staying the same but getting more mass appeal. But overall yes, in the UK it’s quite hard — there’s so much talent there.

How did you pick trap as your main route? And do you even consider yourself a trap producer?

No, that’s what the journalists call me [laughs]. Because it’s hard to really say what it is. I use trap influences in my songs. So I think when they hear that little [makes a rattlesnake sound], they go “Oh, it’s trap!” But I’m fine with it. I tend to call my music “my style,” because it’s a blend of multiple genres and textures from world music.

There’s another guy who also likes to blend all sorts of genres and his name is Diplo. He helped to push your record “Afterhours." How did you meet him?

He’d heard my music and just hit me up on Twitter: “Dude, I really like your music, we should get in the studio.” That’s a pretty cool tweet message to get! So I went to LA, met him…

Probably had a huge party?

No [laughs] he’s a hard worker — that’s one thing I respect about him the most. He just pushes himself to the limit and achieves such greatness for that. Everything he accomplished is due to his hard work.

How crazy do you get when you party, when you’re off-duty?

It depends on who I’m with. I party hard, definitely. When it’s time for me to have a good time, I’ll have a good time.

Are you a dancer?

I like to pop a little move, sure.

What should we expect from you this year except for dancing?

I’m working on a couple singles right now. I’ve worked hard on my 35-date North American/Canadian Mantra tour, that's on until mid-October. My own music, my own stage, my own lighting.

What are you going to watch on the bus?

Man, it depends. I need my PS4 and my FIFA in there. And of course my laptop ‘cause going to these places — inspiration will just pour in.

Talking about apps and music services, what do you usually use? Social media-wise, too?

Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud. What else is there? Twiter. Just the main ones.

How many Pokemon did you catch?

None. I refuse to download that app. I like Pokemon, but now it’s a bit crazy. I was at the airport and saw these men catching Pokemon. Grown men bumping into walls. C’mon, man!

How crazy is your rider?

I’m a humble guy. Check it out for yourself [nods to pretty much empty table in the middle of the green room]. I like HARIBOs, I like coconut water, I have vodka. But nothing crazy. For now.

Watch Ben Affleck Defend 'Batman v. Superman' Despite the Haters

2016-10-03T21:23:29.301Z

The blockbuster superhero movie Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice may have been critically lampooned, but Ben Affleck still believes in the outsized flick co-starring Henry Cavill’s Superman, explaining to an entertainment reporter that he “loved” the film.

Watch Diddy Play a Revealing Game of 5 Second Rule with Ellen

“So many more people went to see that than any movie I’ve ever made in my career. It’s my biggest hit of my career,” he mused while making the publicity rounds for the upcoming financial thriller The Accountant.(Batman v. Superman brought in over $870 million all told, with a hefty opening weekend in March.)

“Fans liked it,” the reporter offered.

“Fans went,” Affleck quickly corrected him. “It was judged not necessarily on execution so much as tone. People seemed to want a lighter tone to the movie. Tone isn’t like a qualitative thing; it’s subjective.”

“Did you like it?”

“Yeah, yeah. I loved it,” he insisted.

Watch Solange Knowles’ Two Stunning New Music Videos

That’s good, as Affleck is set to continue his involvement with the DC superhero franchise for quite a while, with an as-of-yet-untitled standalone Batman movie in the works and two more Justice League installments coming down the pipeline.

Watch above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

How You Can Get Free Coffee at Real-Life Gilmore Girls Coffee Shop Pop-ups

2016-10-03T21:13:33.157Z

One of the constants on the beloved TV show Gilmore Girls is the copious amount of caffeine that Lorelai and Rory consume, usually at Luke’s classic diner. So in honor of the return of Gilmore Girls on Netflix this Thanksgiving, the streaming service is launching pop-up coffee shops around the country. The best part? The caffeine fix is free.

Even Lindsay Lohan Is Celebrating Mean Girls Day

Over 200 coffee shops around the country (and a sprinkling in Canada) will be transformed into temporary versions of Luke’s Diner, the Stars Hollow establishment that the Gilmore women used as their watering hole and general hangout throughout the show’s original run.

Watch Ben Affleck Defend Batman v. Superman Despite the Haters

Eater reports that the cafés will come with “all the Luke’s Diner essentials,” like branded aprons and t-shirts, to make the experience true to Gilmore life. The pop=ups will get started with their complimentary coffee service on Oct. 5 and serve free joe until noon; you can see where in your state you can find your Luke’s fix on this site.

The revival, meanwhile, will air on Netflix on Nov. 25.

Drink it. Shoot it. Eat it. Snort it. Whatever form it's in, gimme. #NationalCoffeeDay pic.twitter.com/caUtqpG6L5
— Gilmore Girls (@GilmoreGirls) September 29, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Even Lindsay Lohan Is Celebrating Mean Girls Day

2016-10-03T20:59:52.104Z

It’s October 3rd, which as all true Mean Girls fans know, is the day that Aaron Samuels asks Cady Heron what the date is in the now-cult classic movie Mean Girls.

John Oliver Aims His Spotlight at the Police on Last Week Tonight

In the time since the movie debuted, fans have used October 3rd as a way to celebrate the zingy one-liners and quirky humor of the film, often posting memes of Lindsay Lohan, who played Cady Heron in the movie, along with the hashtag, #whatdayisit, alluding the question posed in the memorable scene.

Watch a Plane Make a Safe Landing in Extremely Intense Winds

This year, however, Lohan got in on the fun herself. Not only did she post a selfie with the hashtag, #whatdayisit, but she also shared an Instagram of a conversation that she and her friend had about Mean Girls Day, which just goes to show that stars really are just like us.

One handed selfie. 😂😂😂 🙏 #whatdayisit @_lauraslater

A photo posted by Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) on Oct 3, 2016 at 12:52am PDT

_lauraslater's photo https://t.co/8DQWjxOU2S 😂😂😂
— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) October 3, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Kim Kardashian West Defended by Celebrities After Armed Robbery

2016-10-03T20:32:28.426Z

Celebrities have spoken out in support of Kim Kardashian West who was robbed at gunpoint in a Paris hotel room on Sunday by men dressed as police officers.

Kanye West Ends New York Concert Early Due to a ‘Family Emergency’

The reality TV star and mother of two was tied up and locked in her bathroom before the perpetrators took off with millions of dollars worth of jewellery. Her husband Kanye West stopped a concert short as soon as he heard about the incident.

How You Can Get Free Coffee at Real-Life Gilmore Girls Coffee Shop Pop-ups

But not everyone felt sorry for the reality star, with some Twitter users posting jokes about the incident after the news broke. Among others, James Corden came to Kardashian West’s defense, reminding everyone that she is a human being and deserved sympathy.

People making jokes about @KimKardashian tonight would do well to remember that she's a mother,a daughter,a wife,a friend.Be nice or shut up
— James Corden (@JKCorden) October 3, 2016

Chrissy Teigen, who is married to singer John Legend, wrote a series of posts defending Kardashian and calling out the callous ways celebrities are sometimes referred to online.

Fame is interesting. Celebs are supposed to love you guys while also knowing you'd make a meme of our dead bodies to get retweets
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 3, 2016

Please do not think that I think celebrities are special snowflakes. I just miss empathy, in general, for everyone.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) October 3, 2016

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, condemned the attack, saying Kardashian will always be welcome to the French capital.

Je condamne l’agression subie cette nuit par @KimKardashian à Paris et je tiens à lui dire qu’elle sera toujours la bienvenue à Paris.
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) October 3, 2016

Former co-host of the View, Sherri Shepherd, called Kardashian a wife, mother and sister.

Just heard about @KimKardashian being robbed @gun point. So glad she’s okay. Kim you’re a, wife, mother, sister & praying woman #Godsgotyou
— Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) October 3, 2016

American comedian Steve Harvey called the entire situation “crazy.”

Wow, this is crazy. Hope everyone's ok. https://t.co/jBDF0FvRYB
— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) October 3, 2016

British television host Piers Morden seemed shocked by Kardashian West’s terrifying experience. He later had to defend himself
from fans who had branded him as a hypocrite over a comment he made about her selfies last week.

Feel very sorry for @KimKardashian. Must have been a terrifying experience. #Paris #robbery
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 3, 2016

Sorry? I can't object to her naked selfies but also feel sorry for her being robbed at gunpoint? Stop being ridiculous. https://t.co/r0hIqQzP8l
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 3, 2016

Comedian Tom Green said he was “happy to hear everybody is safe.”

Sorry to hear about this. Happy to hear everybody is safe. Kim Kardashian West held at gunpoint, robbed @CNN https://t.co/zg9VIaXS9K
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) October 3, 2016

Spencer Pratt said he was “furious” Paris police did not give West a protection detail after she was attacked the week before by celebrity ‘prankster’ Vitalii Sediuk.

I'm furious Paris police didn't have police protection for Kim especially after that scum assaulted her earlier in the week
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) October 3, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

5 Reasons 'Mean Girls' is Among the Most Important Movies of the 2000s

2016-10-03T20:22:14.690Z

One day out of the year, we all ask "What day is it?" and a video/meme/GIF of Lindsay Lohan staring at Jonathan Bennett over an open textbook circulates the internet and sets social media ablaze. "It's October 3rd" reads the text at the bottom, and just about everyone under the age of 35 knows the exact context of the seemingly random date.

Yes, it's a brief exchange from the 2004 film Mean Girls, and it's probably woefully meaningless to anyone old enough to have seen The Breakfast Club in theaters. For those of us classified as "millennials," it's among the most memorable lines from one of the most iconic movies of our lifetimes. Bust out your pink this Wednesday, here are five reasons why Mean Girls was so fetch.

There are Heaps of Quotes

While everyone discusses how "classic" movies from the 20th century are, nostalgia is just now starting to come around to the beginning of the 21st. Let's look at some of the comedies released in 2004: Anchorman, Dodgeball, Napoleon Dynamite, Eurotrip, White Chicks, the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and, of course, Mean Girls. That's as good of a run on hilarity as any year could boast, and it includes some of the most quotable films of all time. Mean Girls alone gave us gems like "You go Glen Coco," (in the same scene as) "And none for Gretchen Weiners," "I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom," "You can't sit with us," and "Oh my God, Karen, you can't just ask someone why they're white." We could keep going, but there are other reasons Mean Girls is great, so if you want some other quotes, you could try Sears.

Inclusion is the Main Theme

Despite all of the Plastics being white (which actually makes the equality message of the movie work even better), Mean Girls is ultimately about seeing beyond people's differences. Whether you're the daughter of the inventor of Toaster Strudel or almost too gay to function, the students of North Shore High School are all equal people through Cady Heron's eyes. Various races, sizes, disabilities, and sexual orientations are attacked by Regina George and the Plastics' "Burn Book," leading to a massive free-for-all throughout the entire school before everyone united through the power of school assembly. Heron even goes as far as splitting up the Spring Fling Queen's crown and throwing pieces into the crowd so others can share in the joy. In hindsight, Regina George and Donald Trump don't seem that different, so maybe we should just bake a cake filled with rainbows and sprinkles and everyone would eat and be happy.

Teenage Drama is Timeless

Whether we're talking about Pretty in Pink or High School Musical, some things about being a teenager just don't change. Mean Girls captured the essence of high school in the early 21st century perfectly, and can really be translated to anyone who's ever been in high school. Much like how all of the Molly Ringwald films of the '80s are still relevant and viewed as classics today, Mean Girls deserves to live on through the next generations of disenfranchised teenagers as they deal with the battle to lose three pounds, the rules of feminism, and math teachers who are pushers.

The Cast is Perfect

Although we'll never know where everyone from Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried would be without Mean Girls, they were certainly perfect for their respective roles back in 2004. Everyone from Lizzy Caplan to Tim Meadows fit flawlessly into the cast, and the movie wouldn't be anywhere near the same without them (just look at the ill-fated sequel). Some actors will likely never outgrow their characters (Daniel Franzese will always be Damian and Lacey Chabert may never see another career resurgence quite like Gretchen Weiners), but everyone from Mean Girls will always have a special spot in high schoolers' hearts for years to come.

It's the High School Movie of a Generation

Everyone knows a Regina George or a Cady Heron. We've all met a Janis Ian or a Karen Smith. Just as The Breakfast Club gave us the high school archetypes of the '80s and Clueless captured the '90s, Mean Girls cleared away the brush of the high school jungle for the 2000s. Forget flowery nonsense like High School Musical or the ridiculous levels of drama on Degrassi, Mean Girls walked the fine line of being funny, serious, and almost too relatable. What kind of impact has Mean Girls had over the last 12 years and will continue to have into the future? The limit does not exist.

And remember, don't let the haters stop you from doing your thang.

8 Times The Meadows Music & Arts Festival Won Us Over

2016-10-03T20:09:01.505Z

While many reeled over The Weeknd's last minute cancellation and Kanye West's family emergency and swift departure on Sunday night (October 2), the debut of The Meadows Music and Arts Festival was still loads of fun for everyone who braved the gloomy skies and brisk fall temperatures.

Transforming the parking lot at Citifield in Queens — where the New York Mets call home — thousands gathered to check out their favorite acts; nosh on some great fare and discover some new sounds. See our favorite moments from this past weekend.

Chance the Rapper

If there was one set you needed to see at The Meadows this year, it was definitely Chance the Rapper. Garnering one of the largest and loudest crowds at the fest, he did nothing but deliver a high energy set. Performing his hits from Acid Rap and Coloring Book, he could have just danced and jumped around the stage because everyone in the crowd knew all the lyrics to his tunes. And once the instrumentals for "No Problem" blared through the speakers, the fest erupted. So if you still haven't seen this man in action, you really need to get on it ASAP.

J. Cole's Homecoming Set

J. Cole may have grown up in Fayetteville, NC, but the rapper also calls New York City his home, especially Queens where he graduated from St. John's University. So getting the chance to be one of the closing performances on the first night of Meadows was quite an honor for him. Performing everything, from 2014's Forest Hills Drive to the mixtapes he dropped in the early days, J sparked the audience into song throughout his set. He also brought out local rapper who also performed earlier that day, Bas, to perform with him.

Despite all the fun he was having during the show, J had some news for the crowd at the end of his set. "Before I get out of here, listen," he said. "This is my last show for a very long time."

The 1975

While each act's fans will talk say they are the most dedicated, there's something about the group that gathered for The 1975. And considering this writer has yet to experience the magic that is this UK band, it was going to be an interesting ride. From the moment they get onstage, the ear-piercing screams fill the air. But luckily for everyone else, the band's music overpowered the crowd and showed newbies and skepitcs that they were more than just the boy band girls swoon over. Between their pop rock tunes and Matt Healy's expressive face and dance moves, you couldn't help but be taken away by them.

The Elaborate Sets

Empire of the Sun! One of the nicest setups of the festival.

A photo posted by DeShaun Craddock (@deshaunicus) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:41am PDT

What do The 1975, Kanye and Empire of the Sun have in common? They brought a kick ass stage set up to The Meadows. While The 1975 played with all kinds of lights, Kanye did bring his infamous platform that lowered him to the stage for the fest's finale. And then Australia's Empire of the Sun brought everything from trippy colorful imagery to a crew of backup dancers that made it more than just a show and turned it into an experience.

Legends Get Love From the Youth

While the crowds enjoyed the sounds of acts like Savages, The Temper Trap and Metric as well as newer acts like Zella Day and Coast Modern, there were also a couple of veteran artists on The Meadows bill that some attendees would admit they've never seen or even heard before. Charles Bradley was one of those veteran artists. But even though the 67-year-old singer brought his throwback soul sound to the stage, he caught everyone's attentions and gave the youngins a lesson a style of music that they may have never heard before. And his robotic dance moves didn't hurt either.

Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley may have been a bit more well known amongst the crowd but also had the same effect. Bringing the traditional sounds of reggae to NYC not only relaxed everyone but also got them in touch with their island sides.

Special Guests

Queens might not be where all the stars are. However The Meadows brought out a few famous fans. Zac Efron (pictured in the middle above) rocked the Chance the Rapper's signature "3" baseball cap. Chris Rock, who also stopped by The Roots Picnic in Bryant Park as well as Comedy Cellar the day before, made sure he was there for Chance's show. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande caused a stir at the Shea stage and made sure to show some support for her man, Mac Miller. The two were also caught cuddling in the golf cart that drove them away from the stage.

The Neverending Kanye Merch Line

If you were one of the many who was meant to see Kanye West's set at Governors Ball in June, which was cancelled due to weather, or couldn't get a ticket to one of his shows at Madison Square Garden, you were likely to show up at The Meadows on Sunday. And while tons of people waited for hours for his set that day, they made sure to stop by the merch stand to grab one of the coveted Pablo tees ($45), hoodies ($90) or long-sleeved shirts ($70).

While some might find the price tag a bit high, that didn't stop Yeezus fans from standing on line for hours to grab every single item on display. While some events struggle to sell merch, the line for Kanye's gear never ended throughout the entire weekend.

Food

n case you didn't know, The Meadows was organized by the same people who brought us Governors Ball. And aside from giving us a great lineup, they also know how to bring on the major food game. And thanks to the team at The Infatuation, who curated the food selections, at both fests, we were able to nosh on everything from Roberta's pizza (shown above) and Wowfulls to Luke's Lobster and Cafe Habana. The Meadows not only made sure you were fed but also were able to fill your Instagram feed with some of the best food pics around.

Jones Talks Love, London and 'New Skin'

2016-10-03T16:41:59.842Z

After years of teaching herself how to play the piano, working on her vocals and penning lyrics into her journal, Jones finally feels that she's ready to share her gifts with the rest of us. And she does so on her debut album, New Skin, which releases this Friday (October 7) via 37 Adventures. We had the chance to get to know the London singer a little bit better and find out more about the new record.

Hometown: East London, England

You're musically self-taught. Take us back to that time teaching yourself how to play keyboards and practicing singing. What were some of the songs/music you'd play and sing?

I was an only child, so I had a lot of free time on my hands as I was growing up. My mother knew that I loved to sing so bought me a keyboard at a young age; it started from me working out how to play theme tunes that I would hear on TV by ear. Then I'd take the melody line of a song I liked and work out how to play that on my keyboard. In my early teens I started delving deeper into singing and started trying to imitate singers like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey I wanted to do what they did. When I was about 15/16 I wrote a lot — stories, I also had a diary, I began to turn these diary entries into songs and that's how it all began. I bought books on music theory, learned some basics and started to put chords to the songs I was writing.

London is a very musical city. How did it influence your musical tastes and style?

I love that London has so many genres happening all at the same time. When I would go to open mics around the city when I was growing up I'd hear about people from different backgrounds who each had their own individual style, which I think in the early years inspired me to "find my own thing" too. My mother listened to a lot of soul music and pop so I think this played a strong part in my sound today. It was a mixture of Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Madonna and Bananarama.

What was the first song you wrote about?

It was about unrequited love, which I think is the most written about topic in songwriting. I had an infatuation with someone from my school days but I thought it was love, that was the closest I'd ever been to that feeling and it's something I'll never forget.

You worked with people like Justin Parker and Tourist. What was it like getting into the studio with them? What did you learn from that experience?

They are both brilliant in their own right, and I felt privileged to be in sessions with people who've done such great things. It was exciting, but I was surprised at how comfortable I felt — most writers that I've worked with are really lovely and just genuinely nice people so it feels more like sitting down with a friend and getting some ideas together. I learned not to over-analyze and to go for simplicity.

What is the most memorable moment for you in the studio?

So far that would be when I was getting my album mastered — when everything was written, produced and finished and we were at the final stage. It was a special moment because I was sitting there hearing my finished songs on these incredible speakers in front of this huge desk, and remembering how long I'd dreamed of being exactly where I was now.

What's currently your favorite song to perform?

There is a song on my album called "Waterloo," I've just finished a tour as the support act for HONNE and this was my favorite moment each night. I feel like I really captured a moment and each time I sing this song I'm filled with incredible emotion even though I know what's coming and what to expect. It's hard to explain, but that song just moves me.

Why did you call your album, New Skin?

Well, "New Skin" was one of the earlier songs I wrote for the album, not long after it was written it just hit me that this was what I wanted to call the record. It sums the past few years up perfectly. I'm crafting who I want to be; I'm different from when I was younger and that's what New Skin means to me.

What's "Melt" about?

"Melt" is about love. It's about the moment when two people come together and the beauty of how two separate lives on different paths can merge into one and support each other. It's a feel-good song, and I remember it being the first happy song I wrote for the album, once I'd written this one it seemed to open the door to more songs of a similar mood.

What's next for JONES?

I'm getting ready to go on a UK tour to promote the album and get out to places that I haven't been to yet, so I'm looking forward to that. I will be putting out another single soon so we are planning everything that goes around that. I'm doing a few more festivals in Europe and I'll have some more shows towards the end of the year.

Listen to Matthias Tanzmann's “Shake Shake” Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-10-03T16:27:40.471Z

Germany tech/deep house producer Matthias Tanzmann has been making several generations dance since his mid-90s debut. He also understands the importance of long-form releases, since this fall marks the arrival of his second full-length album Momentum (it drops October 7), that perfectly captures the moment of Tanzmann’s groovy domination on the scene. But let’s hear it from the man himself — in our interview and exclusive premiere of “Shake Shake.”

What's your story?

I have been DJing and producing for almost 20 years now. Momentum is my second album. The first one, Restless, came out in 2008. I have released a lot of EPs and remixes over the last years until I came to the point where I felt it is the right time for a new album.

What should we know about this new album?

I wanted to present a wider spectrum of music than what I release on EPs usually. The album format gave me the chance to do that. The 10 tracks on Momentum range from laid back home listening to the dance floor.

Let's talk about the track we're premiering - "Shake Shake". What's the story with this one and what's the best place to shake to it?

When I had the basic idea of this track ready, I realized this makes me wanna shake to it. So I went looking for a vocal. In the end I used a computer generated voice. That is why the pronunciation of the single letters is a bit odd sometimes. But I liked it that way. Shake to it wherever and whenever you can.

What's been your 2016 highlight?

I think my highlight is yet to come. I will go on an album release tour all over the world from October until December. I am really looking forward to that.

Lady Gaga May Be Playing at a Dive Bar Near You

2016-10-03T15:56:12.478Z

When Lady Gaga released "Just Dance" in 2008, she was known for elaborate makeup and the craziest of costumes. But now with the upcoming release of her latest, Joanne, she's going for something more stripped down.

Welcome her Dive Bar Tour. Starting this week, the "Perfect Illusion" singer is performing at a number of yet-to-be-announced bars around the US to promote her new music. Teaming up with Bud Light, Gaga is pretty excited over this series of shows, which will stream live on the Bud Light Facebook Page starting on Wednesday (October 5), followed by performances on October 20 and October 27.

"Which is why I love this dive bar tour so much, because I get to go perform these songs and really look my fans in the eyes when I'm singing to them and really try to have a more natural human experience," she said in statement (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Watch her announcement below.

Bruno Mars Announces New Single, "24K Magic"

2016-10-03T15:49:25.007Z

It's been four years since Unorthodox Jukebox dropped. So it's about time we heard some new material from Bruno Mars. Lucky for us, he's ready to give it to us.

Not only did he announce via Twitter that he's ready to bring on the new music, but he's also dropping the first single on Friday (October 7). Entitled "24K Magic," we don't know too much about what the song will sound like. However, he did post a huge image of what the single's cover will look like on his Instagram feed.

Be sure to come back on Friday to hear the new track!

MY ALBUM IS DONE!
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) October 3, 2016

Excited to announce 24k Magic, out this Friday!! You can call it my first single, but I call it… https://t.co/lnwFWlgWgR
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) October 3, 2016

Coming this Friday to a speaker near you. #24kMagic pic.twitter.com/H6AnzWeuVn
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) October 3, 2016

Solange Drops Videos for "Cranes in the Sky" and "Don't Touch My Hair"

2016-10-03T15:34:22.320Z

Following the release of her new album, A Seat at the Table, last Friday (September 30), Solange dropped two new visuals — "Cranes in the Sky" and "Don't Touch My Hair" — not only to remind us of her return to music but also just why she's such an artiste.

Both presenting the same subdued and natural color palette, "Cranes in the Sky" takes us to a number of epic locations. But it's Solange's dance ability that's highlighted in this video. And although Solange also shows us some moves on "Don't Touch MY Hair," there is a lot more energy in the visual as well as cast members.

Solange and her husband, Alan Ferguson, directed both videos, and the two clearly make a good team as they are beautiful visuals.

Watch them below.

This Weekend in Kardashian News

2016-10-03T10:12:55.249Z

While Amber Rose was fighting for women's safety on one side of the world, Kim Kardashian was being robbed at gunpoint on the other. Here's what you missed over the weekend.

Amber Rose Gets Slutty

Amber Rose and a few of her famous friends gathered together for a very good cause this past Saturday. Following the overwhelming support from last year, the model held her second annual SlutWalk in Los Angeles’ Pershing Square. Thousands joined Rose in an effort to shed light on society’s double standards for sexually active individuals, derogatory labels and the ongoing controversy surrounding rape and sexual violence. The rules to participate were simple: no bigotry of any kind. Everyone is equal and everyone is beautiful. Supporters arrived dressed in anything from everyday wear to lingerie, some donned ornate costumes, and others made the walk in high heels.

#amberroseslutwalk

A photo posted by Amber Rose (@amberrose) on Oct 2, 2016 at 7:53pm PDT

Hosted by Rose, Perez Hilton and more, the event featured multiple DJs; a fashion show; a panel of speakers ranging from doctors to authors — many of whom are personally involved in promoting sexual health awareness — and a ton of musical performances. Rose, who had been publicly victimized the year prior by ex-boyfriend Kanye West and ex-husband Wiz Khalifa for being a former stripper and comfortable with her sexual freedom, seemed in much better spirits this time around as she and other participants walked through the streets of Downtown LA, holding signs and wearing clothing that said things like “Walk of NO shame,” “Without consent it’s rape” and “Don’t tell me to cover up.” Some of the boldest ladies even went shirtless and used their torsos to colorfully display their demands for equality.

#amberroseslutwalk #pussypower 😍

A photo posted by Amber Rose (@amberrose) on Oct 1, 2016 at 5:47pm PDT

An Apple A Day Won't Keep the Crazies Away

Apple stores are quite possibly the most frustrating places on the planet. For devices that are supposed to be so “user friendly,” needing any kind of servicing without product insurance is a nightmare that no one wants to endure. One customer learned that the hard way this weekend. The unidentified man entered a store in Dijon, France with an issue that seemed to be beyond a solution. When he demanded a refund but was denied his request, all hell broke loose.

Conveniently armed with a fist-sized steel ball used in the bowling game pétanque, and the accompanying glove, the man calmly walks the length of the store before grabbing the display iPhones and smashing them one at a time. Employees try to calm the man down, and one customer is able to speak to him while recording a video of the incident, but he basically states that his actions are the result of being taken advantage of by Apple.

He then begins using the metal sphere to destroy nearby Macbooks before making his way over to more awaiting iPhones. By the time security arrives, it’s estimated that the man had wrecked around $56,000 worth of merchandise in the span of just a few minutes. Once escorted out by security, he almost escaped but was apprehended again. Moral of the story: always invest in AppleCare — it’s much cheaper than having to be bailed out of jail.

Tyga's Fishy Money

Who says you can’t keep bankrolling a lavish lifestyle when the IRS is investigating your finances? It certainly wasn’t Tyga, because he’s still spending money like it grows on trees. The "Rack City" rapper made a special guest appearance on the Animal Planet show Tanked, which is essentially the fish tank version of MTV’s Pimp My Ride.

MORE: Tyga's 5 Biggest Debt Collectors

In detailing his desired underwater habitat, he tells the hosts “I wanted to do something like a bank vault. Something that symbolizes money, like racks all in the tank.” Those hosts gave Kylie Jenner’s beau what he wanted and more, which was really professional of them considering Tyga and his friend wouldn’t even help them carry the damn thing inside, choosing to “supervise” instead. The saltwater aquarium is over 72 gallons, decked out in coral reefs, and wouldn’t be complete without literal stacks of cash. Mmmhmmm, that happened.

#Tyga #LamboLuxury

A video posted by Latest Snapchats By TYGA (@tygasnaps) on Jun 29, 2016 at 3:25pm PDT

While we can only estimate how much the project must’ve cost him, it was probably not the smartest financial decision that King Gold Chains could’ve made. This new expenditure comes after having a few cars repossessed this year alone, and most recently having to deal with late payments on his mother’s vehicle.

Just a few weeks ago, it was made public that Jenner may have to give disposition in a lawsuit against the rapper regarding his excessive spending, since he currently owes famous jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills $200,000 and just recently settled a $480,000 dispute in late rent with his former landlord. Yet he still found the time (and funds) to gift the youngest Jenner with a massive diamond promise ring and buy matching diamond Rolexes. Here’s hoping the 26-year-old gets both his priorities and finances straightened out.

Kim K.'s Parisian Problem

Kim Kardashian’s week was already going strangely, as the so-called celebrity “prankster” Vitalii Sediuk (yes, the very same douchebag that Gigi Hadid bravely elbowed in the face a few days ago) kissed her on her butt as she walked a red carpet at Paris Fashion Week.

MORE: Gigi Hadid's Attacker Tried to Kiss Kim Kardashian. Now She's Filing a Complaint Against Him

Sadly, she found herself down on her luck again as news broke late Sunday night that Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in her room at the No Address Hotel.

Balenciaga. No make up today.

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Oct 2, 2016 at 5:35am PDT

According to reports, Kardashian spent her day attending multiple fashion shows before accompanying older sister Kourtney to a dinner party. She returned back to the hotel around 2:30am, when several men dressed as police officers snuck in through a private entrance, forcing the concierge personnel to show them to Kardashian’s room. Once inside, they tied her up and locked her in the bathroom.

The unidentified assailants made off with over $10 million worth of jewelry, including a $4 million dollar ring and two cell phones. Kanye West, who was in New York and set to perform at The Meadows music festival, left the stage after performing for less than 30 minutes, citing a family emergency.

Statement from Team Meadows: pic.twitter.com/rSymMWNrWp
— The Meadows NYC (@themeadowsnyc) October 3, 2016

Top Games to Play in October

2016-10-03T07:00:00.000Z

It used to be that October meant a spooky game or two was on the horizon. Now it means publishers are trying to avoid the November juggernauts by releasing their titles early and getting them prepped for the Black Friday stampedes.

This month sees the return of a beloved Microsoft franchise; the return of a former Microsoft-only franchise; a highly-anticipated open world crime saga; everyone’s favorite Italian plumber and the birth of consumer-priced virtual reality. It’s going to be a tough month on your wallet, as will November, but check out the top five games you need to play this October!

Mafia III

Mafia III has a lot going for it. The third game in a flawed series of Grand Theft Auto is looking like a title that has learned from all the mistakes and shortcomings that maligned the early offerings.

Graphically, Mafia is looking stellar, with character models and environments unlike any other current open world game. Playing as a black Vietnam vet who is back from the war and hell-bent on revenge against the Italian mob that wronged him is both fresh and relevant, with real world racial tensions at their highest since the time in which this game takes place. Taking down the various money making aspects of organized crime (gambling, prostitution, etc.) will weaken the empire and make them easier to defeat once you decide to go in guns blazing.

All platforms get Mafia III when it hits on October 7, so you have no excuse to skip out on this awesome game!

Gears of War 4

The war between the COGs and Locust will seemingly never die. Even after the heroes from the prior games grow old and die, their kids pick up the mantle and chainsaw guns to close emergence holes across the planet.

New to the series are some new weapons and moves, like being able to pull enemies out of cover for a quick kill or hopping over a barrier feet first right into the enemy’s jaw. Horde mode is back and looks crazier than ever, using a currency-based system to help you build defenses wave after wave to stop the endless amount of enemies from killing you and your team. Still, we’re guessing rolling up on a dude with your shotgun out will accomplish 99% of what you need to do to win the war, so get geared up on October 11 on Xbox One or PC!

Paper Mario Color Splash

Poor, poor Paper Mario. This used to be the coolest side project Mario starred in, with hilarious writing, great RPG mechanics and a unique take on the tried and true Mario formula. But release after release has stripped away the RPG elements, replacing leveling up with card collecting or some other streamlined gimmick.

MORE: 5 Reasons to be Optimistic About ‘Paper Mario: Color Splash’

Color Splash doesn’t look to be a return to form, but it is the first console Paper Mario in almost 10 years and still has the charm only this series can provide. The Sticker Star gameplay is back, so people who hated the trading cards will not be happy, but those looking for any reason to dust off their Wii U and see what a proper Paper Mario game is all about, October 7 is your day.

PlayStation VR

This is a bit of a cheat, as PS VR is a platform and not a game. But because there hasn’t been that one killer app announced for the game just yet, we recommend trying both the demo disc packed in with the headset and a few other titles. Rez Infinite looks incredible but won’t last you more than a session or two if you’re not into the trippy visualizations and techno music. Super Hyper Cube looks awesome, as do a few other micro games like Farpoint and Batman: Arkham VR.

This is most certainly going to be an important moment in gaming history, as the expensive and power-hungry headsets available on the PC can’t match the price and ease of use that the PS VR has, even if they do perform at a higher graphical rate. October 13 is going to be a big day for Sony and can be the day you embrace your inevitable virtual reality.

Titanfall 2

While the new Battlefield is out this month and World War I is a bit of a shift for that series, it’s all been done before. Titanfall is attempting to do a ton of new things at once: add a compelling campaign, go multi-platform, shake up the Titan dynamic and convince gamers that the woes of the beta aren’t still in the final version.

Respawn has been good about responding to fan feedback during development, revealing beloved modes and maps from the first game, but the final product will have to feel as good as the first to win over both new fans and older ones. Launching on both consoles this time around will definitely help, as a large swath of the 40 million PS4 owners were pretty bummed about missing out on this exclusive last time. When Titanfall is firing on all cylinders, it does something no other shooter can provide, so here’s hoping Respawn has it all figured out and we’re treated to another brilliant robot fighting shooter come October 28.

Kesha Voices Support for Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado

2016-09-30T19:02:36.870Z

If you’ve been paying attention to the election in the past few weeks, you’ve probably heard the name Alicia Machado. The Venezuelan-born pageant star was crowned Miss Universe when Trump was a part of the franchise, and she faced his body-shaming comments first-hand (he called her ‘Miss Piggy’ and ‘Miss Housekeeping.’) Now, Kesha is joining the national conversation by coming out against Trump.

“I want to give my support and respect to you, Alicia. You did not deserve to be shamed by this monster,” Kesha wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday. “Your body is NO ONE else’s business. Donald Trump said that your body or weight was an issue (which makes me so sad and just sick).”

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The singer also mentioned her personal experience with body-shaming: Kesha said in her trial against Dr. Luke that he pressured her to lose weight. “Dr. Luke told a friend of ours he thought [Kesha] looked like a refrigerator on her latest video, and could she please try to control her weight,” Kesha’s mother told PEOPLE in 2014. Just this week, Trump made a similar comment, saying that Machado’s weight gain after the competition was “a real problem.”

I want to give my support and respect to you, Alicia. You did not deserve to be shamed by this monster. Your body is NO ONE else's business. Donald Trump said that your body or weight was an issue (which makes me so sad and just sick). but, I find the real problem here being his bloated, arrogant ego and offensive, racist, misogynist verbal diarrhea. he is a bully. WORDS mean something, and can be extremely hurtful and dangerous. They stay deep inside you and can affect your emotional and mental health. I know this from personal experience. They are hard, and sometimes impossible, to ever forget. please don't let him get to you any longer, instead realize that you are a strong woman and a beautiful role model for standing up and telling the truth, even if it hurts to remember it. much love, and mad respect ❤️🙏🏻❤️

A photo posted by Kesha (@iiswhoiis) on Sep 28, 2016 at 9:39pm PDT

“I find the real problem here being his bloated, arrogant ego and offensive, racist, misogynist verbal diarrhea,” Kesha said in the post. “He is a bully. WORDS mean something, and can be extremely hurtful and dangerous. They stay deep inside you and can affect your emotional and mental health. I know this from personal experience. They are hard, and sometimes impossible, to ever forget.”

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“Please don’t let him get to you any longer,” she said to Machado. “Instead realize that you are a strong woman and a beautiful role model for standing up and telling the truth, even if it hurts to remember it.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Joe Biden Eating Ice Cream With Jimmy Fallon Is the Only Thing You Need to See Today

2016-09-30T18:55:36.905Z

Vice president and national treasure Joe Biden might be the nation’s most famous ice cream enthusiast, which is why it only makes sense that he enjoy an ice cream cone on-air.

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The VP made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he proceeded to try the show’s Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, “The Tonight Dough” alongside Fallon.

Better yet, Fallon provided Biden with not only an ice cream cone, but a pair of sleek aviators so that they could recreate Biden’s oft-invoked moment where he licks an ice cream cone while holding a fistful of dollar bills and wears a pair of dapper aviators.

Watch Michelle Obama Try to Help a Student Get Money for College

I don't know if I'll ever love anything as much as Joe Biden loves ice cream. #NationalIceCreamDay pic.twitter.com/ChJ3Av67tW
— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) July 17, 2016

Watch the full clip above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

HBO Exec: Game of Thrones Spinoff Could Go in a Lot of Different Directions

2016-09-30T18:44:45.468Z

Game of Thrones still has two seasons left before the beloved series based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books comes to an end. But when Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen or maybe even (please no) Littlefinger finally ends up with control of the seven kingdoms, fans will hopefully have a spinoff to look forward to.

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter at HBO’s Westworld premiere, programming president Casey Bloys revealed the network is open to continuing the medieval fantasy saga. “There are so many properties and areas to go to,” Bloys said. “For us, it’s about finding the right take with the right writer.”

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And although current showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss recently said they won’t be involved with an offshoot, Bloys feels otherwise.

“You’re getting them right when they’re about to embark on production,” he said. “It’s a big, big commitment for them, not just their creative force, but also their family life. They’re gone for months at a time. So it’s a big, big thing. But should we find a property that makes sense as a spinoff or a prequel — whatever you want to say — I would not expect them to do it, because they’re going to need to decompress for a good amount of time, but it would certainly be nice to have their involvement in some way.”

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So what story would this spinoff tell? Well, that’s still very much up in the air. “There are things that sound interesting, but at this point, we have no writers assigned or anything like that,” Bloys said. “In a perfect world,Game of Thrones would keep going, and we wouldn’t have to deal with any of this!”

It seems like most fans would agree with that sentiment.

The Wild Wild Aims to Remind Listeners of Their Youth

2016-09-30T16:28:38.359Z

The Wild Wild was born out of a love of globetrotting and ‘80s synth sounds. The former helped The Wild Wild — performance moniker of Benjamin Dunn — discover the beauty of the world. The latter helped shape the sound of his debut EP, Kids, which was released earlier this year.

We caught up with The Wild Wild, who currently resides in rural Pennsylvania, to find out more about his music, his many travels, and his appreciation of hopeless romantics.

Homebase: Pennsylvania

Your EP is titled Kids. Do you feel the emotion of this EP is something we maybe let slip away in adulthood?

I think most of us don’t lose it, we just maybe forget. I mean that we forget, sometimes, the beauty of the simple things, especially the freedom of youth, and like middle school girlfriends, and weird friends we had as kids, memories and vibes that actually turn out to always stay with us through life. I feel that is what these songs represent, the world of our youth, and its magic, and a reminder to chill for a sec. I want to take people to that summer simple world of when we you cruising on your bike through the hood with a cigarette you stole from your uncle.

What initially drew you to ‘80s synth sounds?

I love ‘80s music, ergo I love the things that make it tick — the synths, the engineering, and the production of great ‘80s hits — so I began working with analog synths, especially the (Roland) Juno-106. It’s all over my recordings.

You’ve described your sound as "vintage pop for hopeless romantics." Why is it important that we still have hopeless romantics in the world?

I think that the world moves for love, and if no one is singing about it, or passionately proclaiming it from the rooftops, then we’ll all turn into a bunch of lifeless zombies looking for anything to distract us from our hearts. This world, I think, is meant to be enjoyed, and in my small experience it’s better enjoyed with someone you enjoy.

What inspired you to start hitchhiking at 18?

I was just ready to get out of the Midwest for a while. I had no plans. I just ended up in California.

Tell me about your year and a half living on the beach. What's your fondest memory from that time?

Well, the best thing about hitchhiking, and sleeping on the beach, on the West coast is Highway One, seeing Big Sur for the first time, camping near there somewhere, and climbing up to a waterfall that you can crawl down and get into — hippie secret I guess. All of those things, and endless more.

I read you studied theology during your travels while you were in New Orleans. What led you to religious study?

I actually studied theology in the Midwest. I lived in New Orleans after Katrina and played music at a church there. I think I'm attracted to anything that has color, and vibrancy, theology included.

How do you get out and gig in your current home of rural Pennsylvania? How far away is the nearest venue?

I do live in the woods, pretty much, but I work at a studio, and with friends, in Harrisburg, and Lancaster. As far as venues, we’re not far from any venue.

Your philosophy is to have your "eyes wide open to beauty and magic." Is modern technology hurting our ability to do this? Is an entire generation missing out, or are they capturing it all on Instagram?

I don't know. I feel like an artist will find a way to say something, or at least attempt to, with any medium, including Instagram. My Insta is a prime example, you should check it out, I bet you've never seen anything like it.

Listen To Young Creatures' "Slow" Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-09-30T16:20:33.830Z

Get wrapped up in the psychedelic wanderings of LA's Young Creatures on "Slow." The song of self-discovery ties undulating guitar riffs with lead singer Mike Post’s yearning tenor. It's the sort of smart guitar rock that you might find in an off-kilter coming-of-age film.

"Being our first release since our debut album came out exactly two years ago, we wanted to hit the ground running with one of our most upbeat songs to date. This song is basically about not giving up finding your place in the world,” says the band to Myspace.

"Slow" is the first taste of Young Creatures' upcoming sophomore LP, which is due next year.

Lady Gaga Will Perform At The 2017 Super Bowl

2016-09-30T16:15:30.550Z

Lady Gaga will hit TV's biggest stage in February. On the heels of her new single "Perfect Illusion," the pop diva has announced that she'll perform at Super Bowl LI at the NRG Stadium in Houston on February 7, 2017.

It's not an illusion. The rumors are true. This year the SUPER BOWL goes GAGA! @nfl @FOXTV @pepsi #PERFECTILLUSION #GAGASUPERBOWL pic.twitter.com/qR4O57451G
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 30, 2016

Other performers for the most-watched Halftime Show of the year haven't been announced, but we're pretty sure that Adele won't be there. "I mean, come on, that show is not about music," said the singer in August. "And I don’t really — I can’t dance or anything like that. They were very kind, they did ask me, but I said no."

Lady Gaga releases her fifth studio record Joanne, featuring Florence + the Machine's Florence Welch, Beck, Mark Ronson and Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, on October 21.

Blac Chyna Tweets Out Rob Kardashian's Phone Number

2016-09-30T16:05:29.701Z

Thanks to Blac Chyna, you can now call Rob Kardashian. Chyna revealed his alleged phone number on Twitter last night.

Robert Kardashian Number. (818) 317-5131 !
— Blac Chyna (@BLACCHYNA) September 30, 2016

She then explained on Snapchat that she made the decision "to make sure your man is not texting no bitches, tweet his number out."

Lol RT @consuelabetz: Ummm RT @bricesander: I respect and fear Blac Chyna's level of savagery. pic.twitter.com/8gRuXsY5rI
— Dakota Scamming (@QuietFiyah) September 30, 2016

It sounds like the couple's reality show (Rob & Chyna) is causing problems for the celebrity duo. "Rob's definitely not in a good place," said a source to People. "Filming makes Rob uncomfortable and he's still trying to get used to that lifestyle."

Listen To The Weeknd Take On Dance-Punk With "False Alarm"

2016-09-30T15:59:26.951Z

Alongside The Weeknd's new haircut, he's also diving into new musical territory on his upcoming LP Starboy. "False Alarm," defined by its in-your-face electropunk chorus and alt-leaning production, definitely confirms this. It's almost as if The Weeknd replaced his producer with the guys from the art-punk Bloc Party.

This and the first single, "Starboy," are definitely far cries from the smooth R&B of his earlier hits "I Can't Feel My Face" or "In the Night," that's for sure.

We'll find out whether Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, follows this vibe for more of his new record Starboy when it drops on November 25.

Who's Moving to Mars with Us if Donald Drumpf Becomes President?

2016-09-30T15:49:51.309Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're totally fucking blown away by Elon Musk's unveiling of the Space X plan to colonize Mars. Also, there was a political debate or something.

A Multiplanetary Species

Recommended Pairing: Enough Tang™ for around one-hundred people over eighty days.

Ok, so the CGI in this video is on par with a "high-budget" porno flick, but don't let that or the generic sweeping epic music fool you — this video is one of the coolest mother fucking things I've ever seen, especially when watched in the context of launching just off the heels of a debate where very little was discussed in terms of specific plans for the future.

Mr. Musk has laid out an incredibly detailed policy of making humans an interplanetary species. Watch:

It's so refreshing to see a smart person talking specifics about plans to accomplish great things. I mean, compare that coherent and brilliant 90-minute presentation with this gem from a man currently running for president of the United States of America.

This is the same guy who, when pressed about cyber security, rambled on about how his 10-year-old son is good with computers, and how we may have been hacked by some 400 pound dude jamming on some crusty old keys in his parents' basement, or whatever. I forget exactly what he said, but If Donald Drumpf isn't going to prepare for the first national debate, well, I'm certainly not going to take 30 seconds to Google the exact quote. Fuck it.

Anyways, let's stop talking about Drumpf. I'll touch on the debates later. Let's get back to Mars, because this is a subject of discussion worthy of a national debate.

Are we happy a private company is going to Mars?
Wouldn't this be better if NASA was doing this and America was going to colonize the red planet instead of one seemingly non-evil billionaire?
Shouldn't we be talking about the kind of society and government we'll set up when it's colonized?
Why the fuck are we having a debate about simple science facts in this country when we're very literally in the early stages of being able to send real fucking humans to mother fucking MARS!!!

That last point is the real kicker for me. This debate could have come from the early '90s. When I watched Hillary up there trying her damnedest not to appear like a shrill bitch as she watched that bald-headed baby spew bullshit from his puckered little mouth I realized how antiquated our political system is.

Here's some thoughts:

What's the point of bringing back manufacturing jobs when they'll be fully automated by the time the factory is built?
When the autonomous car revolution rolls in over the last half of this decade what will we do with the MILLIONS of former professional drivers?
Since most of our organs for transplant are pulled from victims in automobile crashes, shouldn't we be putting a premium on finding new methods and resources to prevent a catastrophic collapse of the organ donation system? Shouldn't we be investing in future technologies Mr. Tru–

"WRONG!"

Whoa. Don't interrupt me, you dumb asshat!

Anyways, like I was saying...We have to start thinking about creating an infrastructure in this country catered to the future of–

"Wrong."

Fine. Whatever.

On the Sidelines

Recommended Pairing: Sips from that old beer in your crisper drawer you forgot about from last Thanksgiving.

Just a friendly reminder: There are more than two people running for President in this current campaign. There is also the guy who would have had the moral high ground to eviscerate Drumpf, but instead of watching that serious man talk seriously about the nation he loves, this picture/tweet spread like wildfire:

Ouch. My feelings. I can't tell what makes me feel worse: The fact that he's not at the debate or the fact that i have a nicer television than my main man, B. Sandy. America is so weird.

Speaking of weird, the third (and fourth) party candidates got a little attention by the mainstream media and promptly ended their credibility. Apparently Gary Johnson has no space left in his brain for any information about the world outside of America. Is that a libertarian thing, being super conservative with stored information in your head?

Oops.

Jill Stein at least showed up to the debate at Hoffstra University. Sure she was promptly escorted away, but that didn't mean she couldn't participate in the debate, right?

I love this idea. Let's do a contest and just green screen in anyone who wants in on the debate! What could go wrong?!

'Til Next Week.

8 Sexiest R&B Videos of the '90s

2016-09-30T11:17:56.114Z

They just don't make R&B like they used to. Call us nostalgic, but it sure seems like the '90s were the prime decade for some sweet smooth rhythm and blues.

Of course, a great R&B tune was nothing without a perfectly choreographed visual counterpart, which combined with the popularity of MTV to make for some of the greatest music videos of all time. Step into the YouTube time machine with us as we check out eight of the best R&B music videos of the '90s (Hype Williams not included).

Dru Hill - “How Deep Is Your Love”

No one loved black leather vests more than Sisqó, Jazz, Nokio and Tao, and we aren’t hating. One of the most iconic groups of the ‘90s, Dru Hill was responsible for the 1996 smash hit off of the Rush Hour soundtrack, featuring various scenes from the movie with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan at their silliest. Everything about this video is classic, from the wardrobe to the helicopter aerial shots of the rooftop choreography. There’s just something about the Dru Hill together as a foursome that gives us all of the nostalgic feels.

Usher - “You Make Me Wanna…”

My Way was the second studio album to come from the young Usher Raymond, the result of him joining forces with legendary producer Jermaine Dupri. Though his prior endeavors were fruitful, 1997’s “You Make Me Wanna…” officially put the solo crooner on the map. Little did we know at the time that the baby-faced, smooth-dancing teen would grow up to be one of the most successful (and sexiest) recording artists of his time. Suspenders and sneakers have never looked so good together.

Blackstreet - “No Diggity”

Who knew puppets could keep a party raging? In a musical collaboration that no one would’ve expected, Blackstreet teamed up with Dr. Dre and Queen Pen for a beach party...err, song that single handedly knocked the “Macarena” from its top spot on the Billboard 100 chart and kept everyone dancing well into the 2000’s.

Mariah Carey - “Honey”

We miss the old Mariah — back when she was fun-loving, adventurous, and actually sang. Mariah had girls and women everywhere thinking that they too could break out of handcuffs, knock out a man twice their size, dive off of a balcony into the pool below, and escape to a desert island on a jet ski — all while wearing six inch heels.

Lauryn Hill - “Ex-Factor”

Hill knew exactly which heartstrings to tug on when she wrote “Ex-Factor,” and the video does nothing to help that sense of loss felt vicariously through her. As the beauty slinks around in slow motion from room to room, you can’t help but feel the internal struggle she’s going through. Allegedly, the lyrics are referencing the end of her relationship with fellow Fugees member, Wyclef Jean. “See I know what we’ve got to do. You let go, and I’ll let go too.” We’re not crying, you’re crying!

TLC - “Red Light Special”

When the ladies of TLC wanted to get down and dirty, they did it with the best of them. “Red Light Special” was exactly the type of slow jam you needed to listen to back in the day (as was the rest of the iconic CrazySexyCool). From the foreplay to the bumping uglies itself, “Red Light Special” covers it all — and has a super sexy video to go along with it. Leave it to three of the greatest R&B ladies of the decade to drop one of the sexiest feminist tunes of the ‘90s.

Aaliyah - “Are You That Somebody”

When you think of great R&B soundtracks from the ‘90s, you probably don’t think of Dr. Doolittle. Yes, the film with Eddie Murphy hilariously talking to animals also had some slow jams for the ages. Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody” was the centerpiece of the whole thing, and there’s no denying it’s one of the great R&B songs and videos of the decade. On top of everything else, the video features both Timbaland — nearly a decade before today’s kids would know him from his resurgence with Justin Timberlake — and a hawk. It might not be the only time you see a bird of prey in an R&B video, but it’s the best one.

Ginuwine - “So Anxious”

From the genius who brought you “Pony,” (RIP Li’l Sebastian) came the original thirst trap. Complete with a pre-song phone call — on a flip phone, no less — “So Anxious” checks literally every box you’d expect from a great R&B video. Tight white tank top? Check. Dramatic watch glance? Check. Dreary gray skies? Check. Weird mirror reflection in which he sees himself way more done up than he actually is preceding a one-man dance battle? Double check. If only modern R&B tunes used the term “sexaholic” more often in the chorus.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-09-30T07:00:00.000Z

This week, there are bunch of albums by artists who we haven't heard form in a while. First, there's Bon Iver, who are following up their 2012 self-titled record with 22, A Million. Regina Spector returns with her new album, Remember Us to Life. Banks is also back with her sophomore album, The Altar. French producer and DJ Mr. Oizo releases his new LP, All Wet. And finally, Belle Mare drops their debut album, Heaven Forget.

Find out more about this week's new releases below.

'22, A Million' - Bon Iver

Bon Iver haven't released a record in four years, which made many fans think that frontman Justin Vernon was done being front and center. He has been keeping himself busy. He's collaborated with the likes of James Blake, Kanye West and Francis and the Lights, and then there's his music festival Eaux Claires, which just celebrated its second year this past August. Needless to say, he hasn't been lying around. But thankfully, he got back into the studio with the band and created 22, A Million.

Unlike his melancholy 2008 LP, For Emma, Forever Ago and even the last record, this one shows just how Justin's past experiences with other artists and just the years have changed up his sound. Not only does he play with the capabilities of auto-tune on songs like "10 dEATtbREasT" and single, "33 “GOD,”" but also embraces the idea of flaws with the insertion of white noise, scratches and notes that might sound a lot like they were mashed together by accident. But it's these sonic risks that Bon Iver takes that show that the band isn't just breaking all the rules but also taking music to a place we've yet to hear it go -- till now. One thing that is refreshing to hear is Justin's natural voice on "8 (circle)."

While some may miss the straightforward balladeer ways of Bon Iver, 22, a Million brings you a new listening experience that might take some time to get used to. But if you stick with it, you're sure to love it.

'Remember Us to Life' - Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor has been quiet for the past four years following the release of her album, What We Saw From the Cheap Seats. And she returns with a collection of piano-driven tunes called Remember Us to Life. While she's known for her ivory-tinged melodies and delicate vocals, she takes some chances on this seventh album.

The album opens with the whimsical "Bleeding Heart," where her high notes float over synths. Then Regina takes her music to another level with "Small Bill$." Not only does is it quirky with all the heavy drums and quick violins sprinkled in the chorus, but it also shows a more upbeat side of the New York City singer. "The Trapper and Furrier" starts off as a poetic monologue and moves into a deep orchestral masterpiece as she sings a lyrical fable. She continues the musical drama with the atmospheric "Obsolete," where piano chords fill your ears as drums crash into it for an explosion of sound.

While Regina throws in a lot of strong sonic elements on Remember Us to Life, she ends on a lighter note with "The Visit" and thanks everyone for taking the time to listen to her tell her tales. And as the leader of this musical journey, she ends it on a pleasant note.

'The Altar' - Banks

While Banks broke into the scene with 2014's Goddess and showed us just how mysterious a 20-something can get, it looks like her sophomore effort, The Altar, shows us sides of Banks that we've never seen or heard before.

She introduced the new record with the unapologetic "Fuck With Myself," a tune about a dying relationship that she just doesn't want to be a part of anymore. Then, there's "Gemini Feed," that opens with Banks sound like she's in an empty room and 15 feet away from the mic. This bassy dance track picks up the pace and is another reflection of her strength on the album, which you also hear on "This Is Not About Us." She does bare it all on "Mother Earth," which is probably the most stripped down we'll ever hear from her. She replaces electronic sound effects for strings — lots of them — and her voice shines through perfectly. You'll also get to hear Banks' in her natural state on "To The Hilt," a piano-driven ballad that's ideal to listen to in a dimly lit room with a glass of wine in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other.

Banks may have been averse to social media and mysterious in person, but just listen to this record and you'll get a sense of who this singer has grown up to be.

'Heaven Forget' - Belle Mare

Following their 2013 EP, The Boat of the Fragile Mind, Belle Mare are finally releasing their debut full-length, Heaven Forget. Recorded at the iconic Electric Lady studio in New York City with producer Ben Baptie, the band, composed of Amelia Bushell and Thomas Servidone, have crafted a decade of songs that express the delicate care and fine-tune precision they have when it comes to music.

From the strings of bells on their single, "Cicada," to ambient orchestration on "In the Fall," Belle Mare's music will cause you to float into a more peaceful place, and you'll be more than happy to do so. "Dark of My Evening" is a little bit psychedelic and a little bit Fleetwood Mac while "Rehearsed Lines" has a jazz hue to it. Then there's "Feel You Against My Heart," which sounds like your in the middle of a neon-lit, smoky dance club. Heaven Forget has a variety of sounds that will make Belle Mare refreshing and make you want to hear more.

'All Wet' - Mr. Oizo

Quentin Dupieux, better known as Mr. Oizo, has been serving up house and electronic tunes since the 90s. And now he's back again with his sixth album, All Wet. Aside from being full of energy, Oizo teams up with a bunch of great artists who add their own flair to the tracks.

Charli XCX gives "Hand in the Fire" a sultry flair while Peaches is taking no prisoners on "Freezing Out." Phra tosses out the English on "No Tony," and Skrillex helps Mr. Oizo shows how bad society has gotten through sound with "End of the World." Each of the tunes have their own different nuances on tempos and sound sequences. But perhaps the most fun to listen to are "Your Liver" and the clap-happy "Low Ink." Mr. Oizo clearly has a winner on his hands. So if you're a fan of electronic or house music, All Wet is the perfect addition to your collection.

Fans Think This Major Game of Thrones Character May Be Making an Appearance in Season 7

2016-09-29T19:56:52.278Z

Warning: This post contains potential spoilers for the seventh season of Game of Thrones.

At this point in the Game of Thrones universe, it seems likely that viewers have met every character alive who will have a major impact on the final outcome of the story. But what about one who is dead?

Princess Kate and Prince William Snubbed by Canadian Indigenous Leader

Cue the introduction of Devin Oliver, the singer who some fans are speculating is playing none other than Rhaegar Targaryen in the HBO drama’s seventh season.

As a quick recap, Rhaegar was the eldest son of the Mad King Aerys II and Rhaella Targaryen who was married to Elia Martell but had an affair with Lyanna Stark, resulting in the birth of Jon Snow. During Robert’s Rebellion, Robert Baratheon killed Rhaeger for allegedly kidnapping Lyanna — all before the events of the show began.

Sarah Jessica Parker Almost Didn’t Do Sex and the City

However, with Bran Stark’s newfound ability to journey into the past, it seems as though Rhaegar is bound to make an appearance at some point. So when the blond-haired Oliver took to Instagram to post a photo captioned, “I may or may not have made an appearance in Game Of Thrones season 7,” fans immediately began to discuss the possibility.

I may or may not have made an appearance in Game Of Thrones season 7 🙊 📷 @leaborama

A photo posted by Treehouse (@devinoliveriss) on Sep 23, 2016 at 8:47am PDT

“Woah. I can totally see him as Rhaegar, he’s quite good looking and he’s a singer, so maybe we’ll hear Rhaegar sing?,” wrote Reddit user dcgp, alluding to the prince’s well-known talent for carrying a tune.

Haven't taken a selfie of the long ass blonde locks in a while // 🤘🏻

A photo posted by Treehouse (@devinoliveriss) on Aug 30, 2016 at 11:42pm PDT

Although nothing has been confirmed, we can only hope that this is all leading to Jon discovering his true parentage — and then joining forces with Daenerys to save the world.

HBO did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

[h/t Mashable]

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Kim Kardashian West Says Kanye West Has ‘No Hard Feelings’ Towards Taylor Swift

2016-09-29T19:47:49.558Z

In the ongoing saga of the feud of our time, Kim Kardashian West, reality tv starlet and entrepreneur, who shared Taylor Swift’s phone conversation with Kanye West on Snapchat about his controversial song, “Famous,” would like you to know that she is really, really tired of talking about T. Swift.

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In an interview with Billboard, Kardashian West revealed she was “so over it” when it came to the Kimye-Taylor Swift drama, which has been building for the better part of the past seven years, and even asked, “Ugh, do we really have to talk about Taylor Swift?”

She did, however, say that Kanye didn’t really care about the notorious phone call and that he has “no hard feelings.”

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“If it were up to Kanye, it all would probably never have come out,” Kardashian West said. “He can handle it, he has no hard feelings. He doesn’t even really care. I just wanted to protect my husband. I saw him getting a lot of shit. It wasn’t even about a look or anything, or to have this feud — it was like, ‘OK, here’s the truth.’ Done. Let’s all move on. I feel like I don’t want to talk about her anymore.”

Read the full interview here.

Zayn Malik on Why He Hates the Celebrity Label

2016-09-29T19:41:05.046Z

Zayn Malik—just Zayn to most—is no stranger to fame; after all, he was one-fifth of the world’s most popular boy band for five years, and now continues to court the spotlight with a high-profile solo music career while dating one of the most recognizable models on the planet. So it might surprise that he’s actually quite hesitant to throw himself into the ring of celebrity life.

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“I hate the word celebrity,” the “Pillowtalk” singer told Highsnobiety in a recent interview. “I think it’s a dangerous road to go down, thinking of yourself as a celebrity, because then you somehow automatically think that label makes you superior to other people. Some people just want to hang around you because they know your name, so they think that means they know you, and I can see through that bulls–t a mile off.”

Zayn’s look and ability to hit the high notes led him to the whirlwind of One Direction thanks to an appearance on Britain’s X Factor.

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“I don’t ever let myself take this for granted,” he said. He added that he’s been working in the studio on new music, although no release dates have been set. In the meantime, celebrity or not, you can usually find him glued to Gigi Hadid’s side.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Gigi Hadid’s Attacker Tried to Kiss Kim Kardashian. Now She’s Filing a Complaint Against Him

2016-09-29T19:37:01.452Z

Kim Kardashian is no stranger to crazy fans, but this week she got some very unwanted attention.

The same man who attacked supermodel Gigi Hadid last week attempted to kiss Kardashian’s rear in Paris on Wednesday, E! news reports. As the star entered a Balmain event for Paris Fashion Week, Vitalii Sediuk ran up behind her and tried to kiss her left butt cheek.

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Kardashian’s security team quickly tackled him to the ground, and she praised their work on Twitter.

My security @PascalDuvier is a G
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) September 28, 2016

This mischief maker has a long history of assaulting celebrities, and he wrote on Instagram that his invasion of personal space was “protesting Kim for using fake butt implants.”

Megyn Kelly Grilled Kellyanne Conway on Trump’s Women Issues

Look but don't touch 🍑 😘 #Paris #kimkardashian #MakeupByMario. Of course @pascalduvier crushed him 👌🏼👊🏼💪🏼 and @steph_shep too 😭

A video posted by Mario Dedivanovic (@makeupbymario) on Sep 28, 2016 at 9:31am PDT

But Kardashian has long denied having butt implants, and even got an X-Ray on her TV show to prove it. She isn’t done with him yet. She’s not letting this stranger or his rumors get her down. Kardashian has reached out to French authorities to file a complaint about Sediuk, according to E! News, and has filed a restraining order.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Hollywood Stars Describe Their Worst Jobs

2016-09-29T18:53:31.644Z

Before they were actors and musicians, celebrities were just like us. Similar to how many non-famous folks were forced to work in retail or the food service industry before making a living doing something else, celebrities have those early jobs they'd like to forget about as well.

Lucky for us (and you), XUMO got this gem from Vanity Fair so we can see a whole bunch of big celebrities talk about the worst jobs they ever held. It's absolutely not something you'd want to miss.

Check out the video below, and stay tuned for more entertaining videos.

Vanity Fair on XUMO - Hollywood Stars Describe Their Worst Jobs from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things entertainment whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

Watch Spiritual Rez's "Together Always" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-29T16:30:00.000Z

Love is hard when you’re in a touring band. It’s an unsaid truth, but reggae-rockers Spiritual Rez bring it to the forefront on "Together Always." In the video, Spiritual Rez frontman Toft Willingham and reggae singer Hirie sing their unending devotion to each other before departing on tour.

“We had a blast filming the video. My brother, James Willingham III, filmed it. He’s a Previs animator with credits on major films like Iron Man, The Hobbit and Avatar. Getting to work with him was rad. My wife Eleni edits all of our videos so the whole production was a family affair,” explains Willingham to Myspace.

“The plot of the song/video is one that most musicians and other traveling professionals experience: the stress of being separated from your significant other," Willingham continues. "Hirie plays the girl being left behind, which was hilarious since she's a touring musician herself. Her entire camp are amazing humans and it was a blessing to have her involved with the project. Once we had Hirie on the track, 'Together Always' became one of my favorite songs off of Setting in the West.”

"I had a blast recording ‘Together Always' alongside Toft Willingham and the boys in Spiritual Rez," Hirie gushes. "The song is very relatable because it speaks of a common theme: trying to keep a relationship afloat when the odds are against you. I am a big believer in soul mates and that if you choose to fight for what you want, you must make it work no matter what."

Spiritual Rez's fourth studio record, Setting in the West, is set to be released October 7.

Alexa Wilding on 'Wolves': "It Was My Lifeline"

2016-09-29T16:30:00.000Z

While many artists have said they've grown up around music, Alexa Wilding was really in the thick of it. With grandparents who were opera singers and her mom being an actress, performance and melodies were just part of her upbringing. However, it wasn't until she was 11 that the New York City singer-songwriter really felt like she got to know music.

"My parents split up, and my mom had a new younger boyfriend, who made mixtapes," she reveals to Myspace and admits to stealing one of them in the early '90s. "That's when I heard Kate Bush for the first time, and that exploded my consciousness. It was the most beautiful and weirdest music I've ever heard."

While that relationship eventually ended, she still refers to him as a friend. "He was the best," she says. "I can credit him, even though that relationship didn't work out. You just never know who's going to land in your life and deliver the gift of your future."

We had the chance to chat more about the making of her EP, Wolves, and how that helped her deal get through her son's cancer treatments. Find out more about Alexa Wilding below.

Hometown: New York City

Talk about the first song you ever wrote.

It was in high school, and it was about frames. I had just gotten glasses. It was about not being able to see the world without my glasses. And when I wore the glasses, I wished they were rose-colored glasses because the world would look better. I was an angst-ridden teenager so it was a song about glasses. I don't even wear them anymore.

So let's talk about Wolves. This is a personal one for you. How did working that help you cope with what going on in your personal life with one of your sons being diagnosed with cancer?

It was the tool. It was my lifeline, really. It was a six-month treatment that my son went through. It's pretty rough in the hospital. I've never been in that kind of environment. I just didn't know what to do. I'd sit in the dark while he was asleep, just staring outside the window. I was just in such a state of shock. We'd be there every week or two, and my husband and I would go back and forth between the boys. It wasn't until the second round of chemo therapy that I sat in the dark and realized, All right, that's it. I'm still a person. I'm a person that writes songs, and the only way I'm going to be able to get through this situation is if I turn to what it is I do.

And as a new mother, I had no time to write much. I wasn't even sure if I was even going to keep going with this, which, in retrospect, is a really scary thought. I had been doing this for so long. But that night I picked up a toy piano that we had during the day for my son, and songs just started pouring out. I realized that you don't really have a choice. When you're a creative person, you just have these things that you turn to. It's how you process the world. In order for me to process the world, I had to turn to my way of doing that.

It was quite an image. Our room overlooked the East River, and I would sit in at this deep window seat, cross-legged in my pajamas with this toy Casio piano. And even though it's the worst circumstances, I noticed the stars looking at the bridge and looking at the river — knowing I was going to get both of us out of there. It was an incredibly personal group of songs I wrote.

But the funny thing is, people thought the songs were about things I was going through. [But] actually the songs deal with a period of my life before I became a mother.

Oh wow.

So they were memories — this is going to sound so dramatic — but the last time in life that I've been free. So it was a specific tour I'd been on that was a long 23-city tour throughout the country. So it was really an escape. But of course, in reflecting on those times and telling those stories, I was able to be in the present. So that was an interesting experience.

You're very open about your feelings when it comes to your music and even this conversation. Were there any moments during the making of Wolves that you felt you were too vulnerable?

Yeah definitely. In "Wolves," I'm pointing my finger at someone who couldn't get it together to be in a relationship with me. I'm like, "I'm waiting! What's the problem?" That's a memory. Yeah, there's a song called "Road Song" that's about desiring someone that was taken, and that was a big deal for me — being a married woman with children. It was a memory, of course, from before. That was a big deal for me to write that song.

And likewise, there's a song on there called "Black," which is the short one where I just play piano. I think that's the only song on the record that directly addresses how I was feeling during Lou's treatment. Although it's about this room I used to know, I'm saying that I can't go there anymore. But there's this line that goes "Things go blacker and blacker and black and black." I tear up every time I hear that song because it was the most honest I was. I felt that I was descending into darkness. I'm a very cheerful person, so that was a big deal for me to put it out there. But I listen to it now and think it's beautiful.

And you recorded the music live. So do you feel that added more authenticity to the final product?

Absolutely. I was really nervous about expanding my sound into a full band. My last couple records were just me and a collaborator. We played everything. And so my producer Tom Beaujour said, "Let's do this the old fashion way. Let's get a bunch of people who play together all the time so they're used to each others' energy." And I've played with them before. So it was kind of a practical thing.

First of all, [Tom] thought I was out of my mind. I called him from the hospital. I was like, "Hey, I really want to come make a record." And he was like, "Right now?" And I told him,"Well, yeah between [treatment] cycles. His counts are up, and it would be nice to have a little break." [Laughs]

I was afraid that people would think that I was a selfish mother like, Shouldn't you be home and be with your son? But I would choose the days when he was doing well and could be with my mom and my husband. I really needed that space as a person. And I say to all new mothers, "You have to take care of yourself first before you can be there for your children." And for me that meant making a record. But we did have this logistical situation, which was that my son was in the middle of chemo. But that's how we got to doing it live. We only had two days. So Tim Foljahn, who plays guitar, I basically stole his band, and we're all friends. We have a good energy together, and we just played it out. And it was an exhilarating experience.

Now your son is well.

Yes.

Although they're young, does he and his twin brother know what you do?

Absolutely. They think that any female singer that comes on Spotify or the record player is mom, which just cracks me up. I'm like, "No, that's not mommy. That's Joni Mitchell. Thank you." They are music geeks. They're only three, but any chance they get, they'd grab my instruments. They learned to be gentle. And there's this look that they get. And I'm not touring with this record because they're still small. But I am playing locally as much as I can. And on the nights I have shows, they can tell that somethings up. It's like "Mommy's dressed up. She's leaving with all the instruments. Where is she going?" And the next morning after I had my first show a few months ago, they woke up and went, "How did it go?" It's so funny and cracks me up.

Listen To Niall Horan's Solo Acoustic Ballad "This Town"

2016-09-29T16:21:55.700Z

Niall Horan has officially begun his solo career. The One Direction member just released "This Town," an emotional look back at an old love from his hometown.

"And I remember everything," sings Horan. "From when we were the children playing in this fairground / Wish I was there with you now."

The Irish pop star announced the new song today on Twitter, saying that he wrote the song for his fans.

Been workin in the studio, wanted to share this song I just wrote with u guys. thank you for always being there https://t.co/LVIUAXi5PW
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) September 29, 2016

He co-wrote the song, which was produced by Greg Kurstin (Adele, Sia), with Jamie Scott, Mike Needle and Daniel Bryer.

“Thank you to all the One Direction fans for your love and support as always," said Horan in a statement. "I’m looking forward to the next part of this journey together."

But, of course, everyone has to ask: Is this the official demise of 1D?

Spotify Is Considering Acquiring Soundcloud

2016-09-29T15:56:25.828Z

The streaming music wars continue. In Spotify's latest move to battle rival Apple Music, the streamer is in "advanced talks" to buy Soundcloud according to the Financial Times (via Stereogum). The move would bring Soundcloud's huge user base of 200 million to Spotify.

Soundcloud, which allows any user — from the local musician to the major label star — to upload audio to the web, has been in financial straits lately. The online streaming service lost $70 million over the last two years, according to Consequence of Sound.

Considering Spotify's own financial difficulties, it's unclear whether this deal will go through. If it does, though, the acquisition could mean big changes for the music industry. After all, it's one of the primary platforms that musicians and websites (including this one) use to post music online.

We'll keep you updated.

Bruce Springsteen Says Kendrick Lamar & Kanye West are Two of His Favorite Artists

2016-09-29T15:38:45.230Z

Bruce Springsteen may have more diverse musical tastes than you'd think. In a live Q&A with Apple exec Eddie Cue, the New Jersey rocker (and state hero) noted that he likes Green Day and U2 — and a couple of current rappers.

“I like Kendrick Lamar a lot. He’s intense. He’s a great rapper, very intense. I like Kanye West, I think Kanye West makes great records. I love his records. Those are just very, very creative, amazing records," said the 67-year-old to Cue (via Consequence of Sound).

It sounds like he should teach fellow rock legend Keith Richards, who doesn't understand hip-hop, about the genre's virtues.

Watch the entire interview with Springsteen, who is promoting his new memoir Born To Run, below.

Crown the Empire Discusses Chasing Girls, Magic: the Gathering and Growing Up on Warped Tour

2016-09-29T09:59:35.091Z

The boys of Crown the Empire triumphantly returned to the Warped Tour stage for the third year in a row. While they might be some of the youngest musicians in the festival lineup, their experiences on the road helped mold them professionally and artistically. Just in time for the release of their third studio album Retrograde, the band graduated from the smaller stage onto the main stage, demonstrating that dedication and appreciation yield success.

Myspace caught up with Crown the Empire’s vocalist Andrew Velasquez and drummer Brent Taddie to talk about personal growth and how they kept busy at Warped Tour this summer.

What was it that inspired you to become a musician?

Andrew Velasquez: I think it was just out of pure necessity. I didn’t do any sports or extracurricular activities at all growing up, so finding something that motivated me to want to create was a huge deal. Probably around middle school or high school was when I was turning into a piece of shit and doing things like getting angry for no reason. You know, typical teenage stuff. I’d always wanted to get into music. I had a babysitter at the time who had a boyfriend involved in the Warped Tour world, and he introduced me to a bunch of music. I got a bunch of weird, eclectic emo things like Green Day, the first Fall Out Boy album and stuff like that.

Brent Taddie: There was a lot music in my family. My uncles played in bands and things like that. I went to a KISS concert when I was super young and was able to see them side stage putting on their equipment. They were almost scary before I saw them in person, but being able to see them as actual people made me realize I could do this for a living. It seemed so surreal, but ever since I kept thinking that it was a possibility and I continued to strive for that.

How has your relationship with Warped Tour evolved over the years?

Velasquez: It’s awesome! This is our third year. Before our first time joining the tour, being here was the end-all-be-all goal as far as a young band’s aspirations go. It was the “Warped Tour would be the best thing of all time” kind of thinking. Finally becoming a part of it was an achievement or milestone for the band, but at this point we’re in the group and we’ve done it. We’re basically Warped Tour pros at this point.

Taddie: It’s cool to be one of the main attractions on Warped Tour this year. When we first started, we were on the Battle of the Bands stage. Now we’re being talked about and included in signings and things like that, so it’s great.

Andrew Velasquez

Which song is most meaningful for you to play live?

Velasquez: “Hologram” for sure for me, just because it’s brand new and we put a music video out for it. People are becoming more familiar with it, and it’s really starting to pick up. I love playing new songs

Taddie: I like “Zero,” which is also a new one and the first song we play live. I always like our first song no matter what because the energy felt upon immediately walking out is always a different kind of vibe than the rest of the set.

Which bands have you been most excited to watch grow alongside you at Warped Tour each summer?

Taddie: We’ve done Warped with Issues before. They’re awesome guys.

Velasquez: I See Stars is one. They’re just around the same age, and we’ve seen them mature a lot. They’d always be late on our club tours and it was funny because we understood what it was like to be a young band, but to see them come into their own and really doing their thing is really cool. Since we’re closer in age, we can talk as musicians and be like “Yo, be real with me, is this bad?” We’ve earned that respect from one another, and that’s come from us being friends and touring together so many times.

Brett Taddie

What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
Velasquez: I don’t feel guilty about it, but I’ve been chasing a lot more chicks. I’m recently single and have been motivated all summer by just chasing girls around. It’s always pretty fun, and I haven’t gotten to do that in a while

Taddie: I play Magic: the Gathering. I don’t really tell a lot of people about that, but I like to play that a lot.
(Velasquez: “You don’t just play it, you’re really good!”)
Taddie: I’ve played since I was a kid, and it’s always been something that I’ve been passionate about. If we have a Friday off, that’s usually when the tournaments are, so Hayden [Tree] and I will sneak off and play a tournament. It’s pretty fun.

5 Magazines We Loved as Kids

2016-09-29T08:13:20.029Z

Not to sound too much like an old man yelling at a cloud, but for those of us who are of a certain age, we didn’t have a fancy internet to entertain us when we were kids. What we did have, however, was a plethora of incredible magazines.

Yes, we’d eagerly await the mailman’s arrival to see if he, or she, had something with our name on it, something in the form of a publication JUST FOR US!

Here are five such publications we remember having subscriptions to back in the day.

Zillions

Originally named Penny Power, Zillions was Consumer Reports for kids. Not only did it have product reviews and comparisons of brands, both major and discount, Zillions dealt with kid-related money issues, like how to make money when you’re a kid; how to save money and how to figure out a budget when your entire income comes from allowance, mowing lawns and babysitting.

Today, if we want a review of a product we go on Amazon, sift through hundreds of random folks’ thoughts on the latest vacuum cleaner and try to determine if HugoLovesSloths84 really knows his shit. Personally, I’d still prefer to read this gorilla’s thoughts on binders (side note: I don’t think the gorilla was an actual reviewer).

Sports Illustrated For Kids

Sports reporting without the steroids, sexual assault and other controversies that surround far too many athletes, Sports Illustrated For Kids was (and I assume, still is) the perfect magazine for kids who love sports. It gave us everything we wanted; shielded us from some of the realities we didn’t need to know about yet and allowed us to have our heroes.

(Fun fact: The young girl on the cover of the issue above is none other than Jennifer Morrison (House, How I Met Your Mother, Once Upon a Time)!)

Each issue came with a poster, and I remember having the two sided Bo Jackson poster on my bedroom wall (one side was baseball, one side was football). A Kirby Puckett poster hung proudly, as well.

There were also nine trading cards per issue. As a child, I sent the card of hockey superstar Brett Hull to him, care of the St. Louis Blues, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a letter asking for an autograph, and he sent the card back signed! Thanks, Brett!

Ranger Rick

Before there were cat videos on YouTube, or even animals knockin’ boots (Boots? Hooves? Paws?) on the Discovery Channel, there was Ranger Rick, and our childhoods were better for it.

Ranger Rick (which, thankfully, still exists) brought us one step closer to the animals we wanted to know more about, and it’s a good thing it did, because with the exception of dissection, animals aren’t exactly a topic taught in school. Oh sure, there’s the occasional field trip to the zoo, but if we wanted to know more about animals, it was usually a self-study thing. Ranger Rick put us on that path to knowledge. Plus, sometimes there would be pictures of tiger cubs, or otters, and who doesn’t love the occasional cuteness overload?

Nintendo Fun Club News

Before there was Nintendo Power, there was Nintendo Fun Club News. Basically a stripped down version of what would eventually be Nintendo Power, this magazine was probably most gamers’ first video game related read. Walk-throughs, previews, reviews and the like were in this slim, but useful, publication.

Sure, it was basically an extended advertisement for Nintendo, but we didn’t care. It helped us get through games, and, at one point, featured Mike Tyson on the cover.

Simpsons Illustrated

Simpsons Illustrated only lasted 10 quarterly issues, but if you were a Simpsons fan, it was a dream come true. Not only did it have fun Simpsons related material, it also had in-depth interviews, and real news related to the show.

The legacy of Simpsons Illustrated is that it led to the establishment of Bongo Comics Group, which was founded by Matt Groening in 1993. The company publishes comics related to The Simpsons, Futurama and SpongeBob SquarePants.

8 Most Inappropriate Kidz Bop Covers

2016-09-29T08:02:49.253Z

As I’m sure all of you know, Kidz Bop is the unholy creation that features children singing current pop hits. With over 30 albums in their catalog, the franchise has sold millions, while making parents, and pretty much anyone who’s a fan of music, question whether life is worth living.

Most of the time, if a song Kidz Bop is covering has suggestive lyrics, they’ll change those lyrics to make the song more kid friendly. That said, they don’t change every questionable lyric, and sometimes the changed lyrics aren’t that much better.

After combing through their extensive musical archive, and listening to far more Kidz Bop songs than any human being should, I found the eight most inappropriate Kidz Bop covers. Brace yourself, you aren’t gonna believe your ears.

Selena Gomez - "Come & Get It"

I don’t know who thought it would be a good idea to have kids sing, “When you’re ready come and get it,” and, “you ain’t gotta worry, it’s an open invitation / I’ll be sittin right here real patient,” but I hope whoever is behind this is doing time in a maximum security prison.

Hinder - "Lips of an Angel"

A song about lusting after an ex-lover, and contemplating infidelity, is exactly the kind of thing you want kids to sing, right? Apparently someone thought so, and that same someone thought there was nothing wrong with a children’s chorus singing, “My girl’s in the next room / sometimes I wish she was you.”

Uncle Kracker - "Follow Me"

Another song about infidelity, Kidz Bop actually changed a few of the lyrics of “Follow Me,” most notably altering “a ring” to “my ring,” to eliminate the infidelity part of the song. That said, their version of “Follow Me” still includes children singing, “I’ll be the one to tuck you in at night,” and, “I know you’re feeling guilty / and I’m well aware / but don’t you look ashamed / cuz I’m not scared.”

Yeah, we need a shower to wash those lyrics off of us, too.

Joe - "I Wanna Know"

After a soloist sings, “I wanna know what turns you on,” a children’s chorus follows with, “so I can be all that and more,” and we all throw up a little bit in our mouths.

Evanescence - "Bring Me to Life"

Easily the darkest song Kidz Bop has ever covered, lyrics like, “Bid my blood to run,” and, “save me from the nothing I’ve become” are more than a little disturbing coming from a group of children.

Beyonce - "Single Ladies"

Leaving aside the fact that the chorus of, “If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it,” ends up being a call for child marriage, the lyric, “Just cried my tears, for three good years,” ends up being hilarious, as three years is likely one quarter of the child singer’s entire life.

Justin Timberlake - "Cry Me A River"

The third song referencing infidelity on this list, and one of the best post-breakup songs of all-time, “Cry Me A River,” with lyrics like, “You don’t have to say, what you did / I already know, I found out from him / Now there’s just no chance, for you and me, there’ll never be / And don’t it make you sad about it,” is vomit-inducing coming from a child.

Britney Spears - "Toxic"

“The taste of your lips / I’m on a ride / You’re toxic, I’m slipping under / with a taste of poison paradise / I’m addicted to you / Don’t you know that you’re toxic?”

Hearing children sing this will make you long for the innocence of when kids simply played spin the bottle.

Kim Kardashian West Can Handle Your Criticism, Thank You Very Much

2016-09-29T02:33:20.539Z

Kim Kardashian West has no time for haters, and she really could care less about what Internet trolls have to say about her. Kardashian West was interviewed by Bravo host Andy Cohen at The Girls’ Lounge dinner Tuesday night in New York City and opened up about learning to grow a thicker skin.

“I used to look at everything and anything and have Google Alerts and just get so upset and go home and cry after something mean being said,” she said. “And now there is nothing anybody can say that can even rattle me.”

Not Even Chelsea Clinton Knew Her Mom Had Pneumonia

She said she’s proud of her ability to let things roll off her back, but “it’s a little bit sad that that’s the time you live in that people can say the meanest, nastiest things and you can be ok with it.”

Kardashian West thanked husband Kanye West for his invaluable life lessons.

Kate Middleton Has Worn The Same Boots for 12 Years

“My husband has definitely taught me to be my most authentic self and not care what other people think,” she said. “I think I was a people pleaser before.”

Discussing what she hoped to teach daughter North, she said, “I just want her to be a kind person.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Miley Cyrus Thinks She Was ‘Probably the Least Paid Person’ on Hannah Montana

2016-09-29T02:25:12.942Z

Ever since leaving Disney, Miley Cyrus has made it her mission to be famously unfiltered. In a new interview with Elle, the newest Voice judge gamely opened up about her past as Hannah Montana, the alter ego that launched her to tweenage stardom in the 2000s.

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“I did not grow up spoiled in any way. I just wanted to be on TV,”she told Elle. “I mean, at one point—they’ll probably kill me for saying it—I was probably the least paid person on my [Hannah Montana] cast because I didn’t know any better. I was just like, I can be on Disney! Yeah, I want to do it! My name was Miley on my show, but I didn’t own my name—we didn’t think about that.” Cyrus added that her parents ultimately helped surround her with people who enabled her to gain more control of her career, for which she doesn’t have a makeup artist. (In the Kardashian era, that’s a headline-worthy admission.)

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“Mostly, I tell people, Don’t wear makeup,” she said, “I mean, I cover my zits, but besides that, I don’t really wear it. And Alicia [Keys] doesn’t really wear it. But she’s got a makeup artist and I don’t.” Stay being Miley.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Daniel Radcliffe Thinks There’s One Big Difference Between Donald Trump and Voldemort

2016-09-29T02:17:32.960Z

Daniel Radcliffe may not be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election but he knows where he stands on the Harry Potter-related issues.

Wizards Are on the Brink of War in the Intense New Fantastic Beasts Trailer

During a recent interview with Sky News at the Empire Live film festival, the 27-year-old actor was asked for his take on J.K. Rowling tweeting that “Voldemort was nowhere near as bad” as Donald Trump. “I sort of think Donald Trump might not be as ideologically pure as Voldemort,” he said. “My thing on Trump is that he feels like more of an opportunist — like I don’t know how much of this stuff he’s saying he actually, really, really believes.”

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However, Radcliffe went on to clarify that this difference doesn’t mean that he doesn’t believe Rowling wasn’t onto something. “But that comparison is certainly not without its merits,” he said.

Daniel Radcliffe has revealed why Donald Trump and Voldemort aren't so similar to @SkyCinema's Craig Dillon https://t.co/xiUe9BPc40
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 27, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

New Lion King Is Officially In the Works From Disney

2016-09-29T02:08:21.800Z

Can you feel the excitement today? Disney officially announced Wednesday that a live-action version of the animated classic The Lion King is in the works, directed by The Jungle Book’s Jon Favreau.

Here’s Definitive Proof That Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch Are Obsessed With Each Other

The beloved 1994 children’s movie starring Simba, Mufasa, and various animal kingdom friends (and enemies) is one of Disney’s most long-lasting and lucrative hits, raking in nearly $969 million over its lifetime, according to Disney’s announcement. (When you add in its wildly successful stage adaptations, The Lion King has grossed more globally than any other film, Broadway show, or entertainment title “in box office history,” the company contends.) This new take on the musical cartoon follows in the footsteps of other entries in Disney’s animated library that have been transformed into live-action masterpieces: the upcoming Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson, last year’s Jungle Book, and previously, the fairy tales of Cinderella and Maleficent, and Pete’s Dragon.

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Favreau, who is uniquely prepared for this franchise given his experience with the animal-centric Jungle Book remake, has been behind blockbusters like Iron Man and the ever-popular holiday movie Elf, too. No release date or further details on casting have yet been announced.

Excited for my next project 🦁👑
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) September 28, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Weeknd Says Goodbye to the Old in 'Starboy' Video

2016-09-28T20:54:37.811Z

The Weeknd's new single, "Starboy," has only been out for a few days, and it's already broken the record for "most release weekend streams ever." And to top it all off, he's back with the visual for the new song.

And yes, my friends, the signature hair is gone. With a sharp fade going on, The Weeknd goes for a relaxed edgy cool as he dances around his apartment holding a neon cross. While he busts a groove, he also says goodbye to the old him by breaking platinum records, awards and even framed posters of himself throughout the flat with that neon cross. Following his cleanup job, he takes it to the bedroom where he seems to also do some spring cleaning in the closet. The visual ends with The Weeknd and some random panther with glowing eyes driving away in a sports car.

See the dark yet visually interesting video below. And his new album, Starboy, will be out on November 25 via XO/Republic Records.

Listen to Juicy J and Kanye West's Collab, "Ballin"

2016-09-28T18:30:17.433Z

Juicy J is back and teamed up with Kanye West on his new single, "Ballin." Following his 2013 debut album, Stay Trippy, the Three 6 Mafia rapper wants everyone to know that he's heading to the top and won't let anyone stop him from doing it.

"See us Gd up, money talks, speak up / Sleep, what for? / I get some rest when I croak / I want a new island to dock my new boat / I went to the action and bought me a chopper / Now I need a new helipad for my home," he delivers on the mid-tempo beat.

Meanwhile Kanye has a small role on the track and takes the reigns on the hook. "Ballin" is part of Juicy J's upcoming album, Rubba Band Business: The Album, set to release this winter.

Listen to the track below.

Stream Peter Wise's Without You Here' EP Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-09-28T16:35:37.876Z

Top notch, introspective songwriting ties Peter Wise's new EP Without You Here together. The seven tracks explore lots of ground, from R&B jams ("Denial") and electropop soarers ("On The Ground") to piano ballads ("Go On"). But it's a coming-of-age tale at its heart. And a good one, too.

We spoke with Wise about his musical background, his writing process and his favorite track on the EP. Stream Without You Here exclusively on Myspace and read on.

What was the inspiration for the EP?

I wanted to make something that was less a collection of songs — as EP’s usually are — and more a body of work that felt like a cohesive, creative whole. The first single I released, "On The Ground," is a statement about young adulthood, and the struggle I think most people feel in transitioning out of adolescence and into one’s early twenties. The EP as a whole reflects that struggle through the lens of an unraveling relationship.

What is your writing process like?

My writing process fluctuates a lot. When I started out writing songs I always started with the music. I would listen to what the music was telling me to write about, and then come up with corresponding lyrics and a melody. I still often begin with an idea or a title and build the song around that, but I’ve found myself more and more having a lyric idea first and the adding the music. I’d say the songs on this EP split evenly between starting with the music and starting with the lyrics. I find it very beneficial to be continuously tinkering with the creative process, so am always working to push myself in how I piece a song together

How did "Denial" come together?

Some songs come immediately and some songs come together in parts, and "Denial" was definitely the latter. I actually came up with the the musical idea for "Denial" a good two years ago or so. I wanted to combine the feel of a modern, Pharrell’s inspired r&b / pop song with some Eagles / Steely Dan inspired chords and 70’s harmonies. It took me awhile to figure out what direction to take the song, and it wasn’t until I had the title idea of “denial” that the lyrics started to take shape. I actually wrote the lyrics in two different stints of traveling, the second of which was on a plane to Tokyo of all places, so a lot of years and a lot of miles went into the creation of “Denial”.

Do you have a favorite song on the record?

Songwriting has always been a therapeutic endeavor for me, and ultimately is the reason why I write music, so I have a pretty personal relationship with every song that sees completion. However to answer the question, right now I would say "Go On." It’s a song I wasn’t sure I wanted to include on the EP as it’s not the most uplifting track that’s ever been made, and doesn’t really hide what it’s saying. But there’s a vulnerability in both the song and the production which I’ve never ventured towards, and I’m proud of the fact that it’s more blunt, more explicit, and less opaque than anything I’ve released.

What’s next for you?

I’m celebrating my EP with a show in NYC at The Bowery Electric this Friday night. After that I’ll be out in LA doing a couple shows, before returning to the northeast for some more shows this fall. I’m also working on a lot of new material which I’m hoping to start releasing in the winter / spring of 2017, so stay tuned!

Nick Jonas Joins Cast of 'Jumanji'

2016-09-28T16:32:09.106Z

The new Jumanji movie has already been filming for a bit now. However, it looks like there's a new face that's walking around the jungle: Nick Jonas.

And what better way to make the official announcement than by an Instagram post by The Rock. Dwayne Johnson posted the news on his IG account on Tuesday (September 27) and said, "Officially welcoming my guy @NickJonas to #Jumanji. Great dude, great positive energy and very talented. He’s gonna kill this role like I kill things with my bare hands. The jungle awaits. The adventure continues. And ironically the one who sings the most on set is Jack Black. #OnLocation #Hawaii #WelcomeToTheFamilyNick #Jumanji."

Nick also shared the new on his feed. "DJ and I looking tough. JUMANJI It's going down... This cast, crew and creative team are incredible. So pumped to be alongside @therock @kevinhart4real @jackblack @karengillanofficial in this epic adventure. The journey continues. #hawaii #jumanji," the "Bacon" singer captioned the pic.

There are no details on what role Nick has in the film, but we do know that the movie itself is supposed to be a continuation of the original 1995 film, starring the late Robin Williams. Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillian will also being starring in the film. It's set to premiere in theaters on July 28, 2017.

Officially welcoming my guy @NickJonas to #Jumanji. Great dude, great positive energy and very talented. He's gonna kill this role like I kill things with my bare hands. The jungle awaits. The adventure continues. And ironically the one who sings the most on set is Jack Black 😂. #OnLocation #Hawaii #WelcomeToTheFamilyNick #Jumanji 🔥

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Sep 27, 2016 at 10:27am PDT

Oh hey there... @jackblack #jumanji

A photo posted by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) on Sep 26, 2016 at 9:06pm PDT

DJ and I looking tough. JUMANJI It's going down... This cast, crew and creative team are incredible. So pumped to be alongside @therock @kevinhart4real @jackblack @karengillanofficial in this epic adventure. The journey continues. #hawaii #jumanji

A photo posted by Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) on Sep 27, 2016 at 11:28am PDT

Janelle Kroll Sings Heady Dance Tracks

2016-09-28T16:30:00.000Z

Janelle Kroll’s EP Outsider, out this Friday, already has a few certified hits. “FVR” is a bouncy, hook-laden jam. When Kroll released it, she also came out with a Yoko Ono-type performance art instruction of what the song was about ("collect the bits of nostalgia from when you were together.../crumpled receipts/ticket stubs/reasons to stay/reasons to go/take a photo or else it didn't happen. DO NOT POST PHOTO"), which just proves how cerebral of a songwriter she is. (Although, in simpler terms, she says of "FVR," “That song is a reflection of the happy couples I see walking down the streets of my neighborhood at 11am on Saturday morning."

“24 hrs,” written and produced with Penguin Prison and Andy Seltzer, is another get-your-butt-on-the-dancefloor track; the kind of song you’d want to be listening to when watching the sunrise with your friends after a full night of partying. Ironically, it’s an ode to alienation and disengagement in big cities — not exactly the kind of vibe you’d expect from the club hits Kroll sings on.

Yes, club hits. If you think Kroll's voice is infinitely familiar, it's because she was the voice on Dennis Ferrer’s “Mind Ur Step,” Autograf’s “Metaphysical,” and Moon Boots’ “Utopia.” In 2014, she went on tour with Big Data as lead vocalist. She also released a fan-fucking-tastic cover of Joni Mitchell's "Down to You" as a dance track. On her EP, Kroll is finally able to introduce an aesthetic all her own; she dubs her sound “dependent music.” What’s that? “I sing about emotional dependencies,” she says.

Hometown: Chicago

Homebase: New York City

What did you grow up listening to?

As a kid I listened to a lot of what my mom listened to, plenty of pop/R&B. The '90s were such an incredible time for strong female voices so there was plenty of contemporary inspiration. The pop balled hit its peak then, ya know? And feminist perspectives were in pop music! I also loved watching old movie musicals. And then a great deal of music discovery was through MTV and VH1. Music videos were at their peak. I would go home from school and immediately turn on TRL.

Did you always know you wanted to be a singer?

The eureka moment happened when I was six. I was in a play called When I Grow Up and in the opening song each person declared what profession they wanted. When we were assigning lines, I threw my hand in the air with great certainty and said ‘A SINGER.’ I didn't know I would be writing my own songs too.

Why is your song “FVR” called that? What was your inspiration for it?

Because the song is fire [laughs], but seriously I would say sonically it's inspired by Michael Jackson. And in the song I'm exploring the theme of romantic commitment, which seems like such a novel idea these days. Relationships require work, and this song is a celebration of two people hashing out their issues together instead of taking the easy way out.

And the rest of your EP?

Emotional in/dependence, nostalgia, longing for connection, being alone and feeling complete, being surrounded by others and feeling lonely. I like contrasts. If there's no sense of conflict there's no reason to write. The darkness needs the light.

Talk about the first time you realized you wanted to sing and perform for others.

When I was in kindergarten we went trick or treating AT THE MALL (because apparently that's what you do in the suburbs in the '90s), and I stood up on my chair in the food court and sang "Part of That World" from The Little Mermaid. I wasn't even Ariel for Halloween, by the way.

What about your transition to being a songwriter? Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

When I was about 10 I wrote a song called "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" that was an interpolation of the Jackie DeShannon song... I sped up the tag and made my own verses. The concept was that love is omnipresent. The song itself was pretty cheesy, but the sentiment was there. My friends and I performed it a cappella at my friend Nikki's house for her parents. It may or may not have been an overlooked hit record sung by what could have been the next generation of Spice Girls.

Who are your musical heroes and why do they inspire you?

Oh man, this question is very difficult for me to answer! My heroes are my heroes either because they are unabashedly themselves, they've had prolific careers and evolved over time, or a certain album is a part of my DNA now. Some of them include: Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Lou Reed, Roberta Flack, Kanye West, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Janet Jackson, St. Vincent, Arthur Russell, Stevie Wonder and Dinah Washington.

What's your songwriting process like?

It's much like throwing paint against a wall or doing a jigsaw puzzle blindfolded. My favorite way to write is when a producer gets a basic beat going and then I just improvise until we like something. I love pulling ideas out of thin air. Writing to a pre-made track can be too constraining.

What's the best part of being a musician for you?

All that I want is to make music that affects people. So when I see that happening because someone says they've been streaming my song or someone comes up to me after a show, it's a reminder that I’m on the right path and the energy going into the music is reverberating beyond me.

On a "career" level though, the best part has been those moments when in a glimmer of a way I’m in the same sentence as my idols. Playing Lollapalooza was surreal... probably the greatest homecoming I could imagine. The other week I shared a bill at Webster Hall with another hero of mine, Corrine Bailey Rae. It's getting to be more of an actualization than a distant dream.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#AreYouAnOutsider

Sia Uses "The Greatest" to Endorse Hillary Clinton

2016-09-28T16:19:51.898Z

With only about six weeks left until Americans cast their vote for the next president, artists from all over the music spectrum have been putting in their two cents regarding voting and their favorite candidate. And Sia wants everyone to know who she's rooting for this November with a new video using her single, "The Greatest."

The 33-second clip highlights Donald Trump's comment about Hillary Clinton's stamina during the first presidential debate on September 26 and presents clips of the former Secretary of State while the lyrics "Uh-oh, running out of breath but I / Oh, I, I got stamina," plays in the background.

Watch the clip below.

#ImWithHer #Stamina #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/8b1LHc0dN8
— sia (@Sia) September 27, 2016

The New 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' Trailer is Beyond Magical

2016-09-28T15:56:09.709Z

Back in December, we shared what we thought was the official trailer of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Just kidding! Apparently, the almost two-minute clip was just a teaser. But now, we've got the official trailer for the film, starring Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne.

As we previously reported, the film chronicles the adventures of Newt Scamander, played by Eddie, who has to recapture all the creatures that have escaped from his briefcase and have been running around New York City. With the help of a muggle, Newt needs to gather them before New Yorkers realize the existence of wizards and witches in the Big Apple. The story is meant to be a prequel to the Harry Potter books and is a story that HP and co. actually read in class 70 years later.

Watch the trailer below.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-09-28T07:00:00.000Z

This week the Queen of Bounce regains her throne, while Panic! at the Disco prepare for another major tour. Meanwhile, two legendary bands set to embark on jaunts throughout the UK. Here's who we're most excited to see announce tours this week.

Big Freedia Fall 2016 Tour

Catch the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia, performing live with a backing band from late September through early November. The shows are in support of her new album, Pressing Onward, which debuts in early 2017. The tour kicks off on September 23 in New Orleans at Gasa Gasa, and wraps up on November 4 at Night of the Living Fest in Tucson, AZ. Click here for more info.

The Stone Roses Reunion Shows

Earlier this year we reported that The Stone Roses would be reuniting for three summer festival appearances in the UK. Now the British rock legends have announced yet another series of dates, including a three-night run at Australia's Sydney Opera House in December, plus three shows in Europe next June. Click here for more info.

Kraftwerk 3-D United Kingdom Tour

After a 13-year hiatus from the country, Kraftwerk are taking their acclaimed 3-D live show to the United Kingdom next June. The fun begins on June 9 at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, and wraps up on June 22 at London's Royal Albert Hall. Based on the current end date of the tour, rumors that the group will also headline next year's Glastonbury seem likely. Click here for more info.

PARTYNEXTDOOR and Jeremih 'Summer's Over' Tour

PARTYNEXTDOOR and Jeremih are teaming up for their newly announced "Summer's Over" tour. Taking place from October 29 to December 11, fans can expect to hear tunes from PND's new album, P3, and Jeremih's Late Nights: Europe mixtape. Young Thug will also join the singers for the first night of the tour. Click here for more info.

Panic! At the Disco 'Death of Bachelor' Tour

In support of the band's new album of the same name, Panic! at the Disco will hit the road for the "Death of a Bachelor" tour, set to take place in early 2017. The tour will kick off on February 24 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, with stops all throughout US. It comes to a close on April 15 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Click here for more info.

5 Extreme Matches We Want to See Added to WWE Womens' Competition

2016-09-28T07:00:00.000Z

The women’s wrestling boom in WWE has been something of a rollercoaster ride ever since the Diva’s Revolution hit the main roster last summer. There’s been highs and lows. Some 5-star classics, and some botched matches.

Even through all the struggles, we’re living in the golden age of women’s wrestling. No other time in WWE history has the company had this many talented wrestlers that are legit superstars, able to pull off matches that can steal the show. The roster is stacked as each brand is led by a strong champion. RAW has Charlotte; Smackdown Live has Becky Lynch and NXT has the dominant Asuka. Not only are all three champions great in-ring competitors, but they’re also able to tell compelling stories through their work.

Even with all of these positives happening for the women, why do we still keep getting the same watered-down matches that creative keeps booking? Every week it’s a tag team match, or 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 match. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a women’s cage match or a women’s table match?! I would gladly watch Sasha Banks v. Bayley or Asuka v. Ember Moon in those type of gimmick matches because, simply, that would be awesome!

So far unfortunately, WWE has deemed these matches suitable only for men. Maybe they think the women will hurt themselves, or that fans aren’t ready to see women go that next level and get vicious just like their male counterparts. Whatever hang-ups WWE has, here are five extreme matches fans want to see the women compete in.

Steel Cage Match – Old School Style

Let the guys have their chain-link fence cage matches, the women will go retro and bring out the old blue bars that were the standard in the 1980s. Every time Saturday Night’s Main Event would roll around or for PPV’s like The Royal Rumble or SummerSlam, the fan-favorite blue-barred steel cage would be used in the headlining match. Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, and Macho Man Randy Savage, were just some of the greats that would put on memorable matches inside that confine.

The female wrestlers of today could certainly put on amazing bouts utilizing that vintage structure. The thick bars and spacing is easier to maneuver around in, allowing the women to move and up down the cage quicker. Athletic high flyers like Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss and Naomi could probably pull off astounding, death-defying moves, forcing us all to break out our best Jim Ross impersonation, yelling “Bah Gawd!”

TLC – Tables, Ladders and Chairs

A tables match is fine. A ladder match is cool. But if you want to see something really spectacular, then you have to watch a Tables, Ladders and Chairs (TLC) match. Part hardcore match, part circus stunt-show, the TLC originated out of the fierce tag team battles with the Dudley Boyz, Edge & Christian and the Hardy Boyz. The first two TLCs, between all six-competitors, are the type of classics you’ll find on “Best of” lists.

Since WWE has a tendency of booking as many women wrestlers as they can in one match, might as well have them fighting it out in a TLC match. WWE creative could book two interesting scenarios with this type of setup. This could be a Survivor Series special where all three brand champions are pitted against one another to determine who is the ultimate women’s champion. The second way to utilize a TLC match would be as a way to introduce a women’s tag team championship. The best incarnations of this match have been built around tag teams, so launching the women’s tag champions in this grueling manner would make the prize that much sweeter!

No Holds Barred

The first time I ever heard of No Holds Barred, it came courtesy of this Hulk Hogan cinematic masterpiece:

Sitting through that movie would make anyone feel as if they had just been in a no disqualification match, but the real match has been a staple in WWE for decades. In a nutshell, a No Holds Barred match — often times called a street fight — throws the rule book out the window. You can basically do or use whatever against your opponent as long as you pin or submit them inside the ring for the win.

In order for a No Holds Barred match to really work, you have to have the right two wrestlers. You want to avoid a dud like Brock Lesnar v. Dean Ambrose. Any combination of The Four Horsewomen (Sasha Banks, Bayley, Charlotte & Becky Lynch) would be fine, but something tells me that Nia Jax would excel in this type of environment. She’s still fairly new to the game but paired up against the right woman and we’d get one hell of a fight.

Strap Match

This one’s gonna leave a mark. Simply put, strap matches are painful. Watching two people whip and choke each other with a large leather strap is less about wrestling and more about sheer brutality. It’s kind of a sadomasochist’s dream activity.

In order to win a strap-match, you have to touch all four ring posts while tied to your opponent via a leather strap. There’s nowhere to run in this match, as the strap can be used as a weapon. That’s what makes the strap unique, in that it literally becomes an extension of the wrestler. A longtime favorite gimmick match in pro wrestling, we’re used to seeing big old cowboys or monstrous wrestlers beating the crap out of each other. That being said, women in other promotions like TNA have competed in the match before.

The women’s roster has the talent to make this match work, but it would be best utilized in a personal feud. Something like Charlotte v. Sasha Banks or Natalya v. Becky Lynch, where both competitors can get nasty and vicious with it.

Elimination Chamber

Somewhere between Hell in a Cell and War Games is the Elimination Chamber, looking like a movie set of a Jean-Claude Van Damme action film. Think of it as a Russian matryoshka made of steel and chains: a cage within a cage within a massive enclosed steel cage. Six participants go in, with two starting it off. The other four wait for their turn, inside small enclosures. It’s very much a mad scientist’s creation.

Going into the match, the women will know that their bodies and souls will pay the price in order to achieve victory. The steel and metal will not be forgiving on their bodies as those bumps will hurt 10 times more. If WWE ever decides to debut the chamber for the women, there’s probably no better place than WrestleMania for them to step inside. Having separate championship matches for both the RAW and Smackdown Live women’s divisions would raise the bar for what to expect in women’s wrestling. Now that’s a way to draw in views!

Pixies are Looking Forward to Your Bad Reviews

2016-09-28T07:00:00.000Z

It’s been 28 years since Pixies asked “Where Is My Mind?” The song eventually scored the iconic finale of Fight Club, while the band became one of the most influential indie collectives of all time, inspiring the likes of Nirvana, Radiohead and U2. Which makes it even more shocking that the new record, titled Head Carrier, is only the band’s sixth album.

The new record drops on September 30 and marks the arrival of bassist Paz Lenchantin and new producer Tom Dalgety. We chatted with founding member Joey Santiago about the band’s recording process, their upcoming tour and getting a kick out of bad reviews.

What should we know about the new album? How did you decide on the title?

Well, I’m not speaking on Charles’ [Thompson IV, real name of leader Black Francis] behalf, but the original title was going to be Cephalophore, which are the saints that carried their chopped off heads.

What’s special about this record?

This is one of our better works. Hopefully people will just take it as a piece of art and judge it with their ears. I do think the record is very, very good: it’s poppy, it’s got punch, it’s got a good variety of songs.

When making an album as a band, do you think in terms of the whole album and its theme or in terms of each song?

To me, we really don’t have such a theme. Maybe lyrically we will. I’d say lyrically it goes from head carrier to all the saints, it’s a whole story about cephalophores.

Tell me about Jack Palance's cameo of sorts on the song "Talent."

All I thought about was Jack’s face. It’s very angular. That’s all I know about Jack Palance.

You have a string of shows planned for November. What kind of shows do you enjoy playing the most these days?

For now I am looking forward for the bigger shows, because they are easier to play than the intimate shows. Even though you’re playing to a big crowd, for some reason it’s more comfortable. But club or theater shows feel great, too. The difference between the big festival and the club thing is that, for me, the festivals are easier and less stressful.

Because at the festival the attention is not only on you?

Exactly. You can’t see the white of their eyes.

So when you go to the stage on your shows now, who do you see in the crowd? Is it mostly older fans or you still get new fans? Because you did have a huge hiatus as a band, which probably divided your fanbase in two.

Yes. On the festivals what I would see is young crowd, ‘cause they’re the ones who have to be in the front, getting smooshed and stuff. At our own shows we see everyone — from teenagers to moms and dads.

This is your first record with Paz Lenchantin. Did the dynamics within the band change with her arrival?

Yes, of course. Anyone new added to this stew will make it different. She is definitely a pixie in every sense of the word. She’s elven like. She’s one of us, our new sister. She fit in ‘cause she was weird and we’re a bunch of weirdos. That’s what it is. Musically she’s great and her overall aura is very positive.

You also had a new producer this time around, which is a pretty risky decision since the producer is always like an unseen extra bandmember. How did this play out?

It kept us on our toes. We wanted a different audience member really. ‘Cause when we’re in the studio, we really are a band. The producer would be like another audience member. But he’ll also direct the whole thing according to the vision of the audience. He’s got a different way of working with us.

On "Oona" you sing "I wanna be in your band." Talking about wishful thinking, which band would you actually like be in? Maybe just for a moment...

I would like to be in The Jimi Hendrix Experience. No, I wouldn’t, wait a second… Led Zeppelin.

You did get a pretty bad review on Pitchfork last time around. Are you just going to skip reviews this time?

Nah, you know what, I’ll read them for entertainment. And what I look for are the bad reviews. It’s really common in this day and age. Go to Amazon — what do you wanna read? I like to read very shitty reviews. I would just peruse it, but it’s not that important to me.

A lot of younger people know you because of the Fight Club soundtrack. What other movies (old ones or future ones) would you like to put your music into, since you also work as a composer?

The genre I like to work with is drama. Movie-wise maybe I'd like to add my music to Run Lola Run.

For a musician who's been in this industry for so long, what do you think of the current hectic state of that industry? I'm talking streaming, clickbait music journalism, phone apps, etc, etc. What's your take on that over commercialized industry? Or you just go to the studio and make music?

Yeah, we just go to the studio and make music. As far as people trying to complain about Spotify and things like that — the cat is out of the bag. You’re gonna have to live with it. You’re gonna have to find a way to make it work for you. It’s more exposure to people. I look at the positive side of it. It’s immediate and you do get more listeners. And that’s what artist wants anyway: to be heard and play more shows.

Do you use any phone apps like Garage Band?

This is the other thing I wanted to say about current music thing: the CDs will sound superior to what you’re streaming. It’s just a better, better, better quality. But people just don’t know that. It doesn’t have the contingence of streaming but it does sound a lot better. And that’s the way we prefer people to listen to our music — that’s why we’re in the studio in the first place.

Are there any new artists who excite you?

God, I really can’t think of anybody. Not yet… They’re still at the garage.

Probably listening to Pixies and getting their homework done, huh?

Yeah, haha. Or whatever.

20 Celebrities You Should Follow on Snapchat Right Now

2016-09-27T21:29:30.557Z

Instagram may be stealing Snapchat’s fans with its stories feature, but until it introduces anything as genius as the doggy face filter, we’ll continue to snap. And more importantly enjoy the snaps of our way more famous “friends” (that’s nice of you to call them that, Snapchat!).

In the world of 24/7 celebrity culture, Snapchat provides just enough space for our beloved celebrities to share some personal stuff and not bore us in the process. Let's take a look at the 20 most exciting Snapchatters who will light up your feed with jokes, selfies and positive attitude.

Jason Derulo

Derulo_jason

Snap dirty to me! Derulo is relatively new to the snap-scene: he only joined the social network this past April, so we’re expecting more from him in the future. If his music videos are anything to go by, the guy clearly enjoys spending time in front of the camera flexing his muscles.

Jennifer Lopez

jlobts

Fergie may own the MILF 2.0 abbreviation (Moms I’d Like to Follow), but the top momma on this list comes straight from the block. JLo may have mocked the Snapchat generation in this Jimmy Fallon skit, but she’s no stranger when it comes to snapping herself. Follow her account to learn the everyday life of this multi-talented lady.

Diplo

diplo

They don’t call him daddy for nothing. Major Lazor’s resident buff blonde DJ/producer is living the dream life and never forgets to share it on Snapchat. If he’s not playing some hard-hitting DJ set shirtless, he’s probably spending some family time with his adorable kids… Only to be surrounded by twerking ladies one snap later. #parentinggoals all the way!

Calvin Harris

calvinharris

Another producer equally praised for his beats and his abs, Taylor Swift’s Scottish ex-boyfriend shares his on-the-road adventures on Snapchat and never shies away from a shirtless selfie video or two. Don’t lie: this is what you came for.

Christina Milian

Cmilianofficial

Christina Milian’s reality show Christina Milian Turned Up on E! may have failed to beat the Kardashians saga and was recently cancelled, but we don’t really need a proper show to know how turned up Tina’s life really is. Her debut single wasn’t called “AM to PM” for nothing: the singer/actress does snap all day long, whether she’s on the road, on the red carpet or filming her extremely cute and camera-friendly daughter Violet.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

jennaldewan

Channing Tatum’s wife could post 25 selfies a day and we still wouldn’t skip them — that’s how gorgeous the Step Up star is. Luckily her Snapchat is also entertaining: she loves playing with filters, filming her family life and sharing beauty tips.

Charlie Puth

charlieputh

Did you think that the life of a rising popstar was exciting? Well you though right, ‘cause judging by Charlie’s Snapchat, it’s not just performing day after day. He still has time to goof around, make selfies with friends and actually looks good in the doggy filter — even though his trademark eyebrow scar came from a dog’s bite.

Chelsea Handler

chelseahandler

As if planning three episodes a week of her new Netflix show Chelsea wasn’t keeping her busy enough, the stand-up-comedian-turned-talk-show-host Handler provides us with a daily dose of her life on Snapchat. She’s rapping, she’s harassing her co-workers and she's making a helluva lot of videos of her dogs. Our favorite segment: her "shortcuts." The recent one taught us that if we don’t have time to do our laundry, we can always throw the clothes in the swimming pool. Can we please use yours, Chelsea?

Paris Hilton

realparishilton

Miss Hilton’s tabloid darling reign may be over, but that doesn't mean Paris is staying at home. When not dropping EDM bangers on Ibiza, she’s promoting her 20^th (!) perfume, attending every clothing store on the planet and making sure to never miss a filter to put on top of her Mona Lisa-esque trademark smile. We’re just praying she’s making a whole new album using her erotic “Snapchat voice.”

Ariana Grande

moonlightbae

Ariana Grande is one busy lady. She’s planning her Dangerous Woman tour. She’s sharing cute videos with her boyfriend Mac Miller. She’s filming flies. She’s singing while using the “cartoon deer filter” voice. She’s eating carrots. Dangerous woman indeed.

Lady Gaga

ladygaga

The world may not be that excited about Lady Gaga’s lackluster comeback single “Perfect Illusion,” but the singer certainly is. That explains why she’s sharing videos of her singing it with various fans on Snapchat mixing it up with dentist selfies, make-up-chair selfies, i-woke-up-like-this selfies and getting-a-new-tattoo-selfies. Can we request an I’m-recording-a-proper-hit selfie, please?

Meghan Trainor

Mtrainor22

It’s not just about the bass on M-Train’s Snapchat. Just like her music, Meghan’s story consists of everything a normal 22-year-old would snap about: clothes, parties, car selfies and, you know, exclusive celebrity gatherings and visits to the studio.

Shawn Mendes

shawnmendes1

The buffest 18-year-old Canadian on the charts at the moment is equal parts motherly approved idol and certified heartthrob. His Snapchat is a window into the world of a rising popstar: shows, meetings with fans, interviews, lunch brakes and — most importantly — selfies. Including the shirtless ones.

Gigi Hadid

itsgigihadid

You can’t have a 21^st century supermodel without a buzzing social media account and Gigi’s Snapchat delivers on every level. Expect heavy use of all the filters, ever-changing location signs, celebrity BFFs and modeling secrets. Like the fact that you can eat pizza and date Zayn Malik at the same time.

Chris Pratt

ChrisPrattSnap

We never really doubted that Chris Pratt would be a riot on Snapchat and he didn’t disappoint us. He’s as funny in the short genre as he is on big screen. Follow him for your daily dose of feel good energy.

Justin Bieber

rickthesizzler

For a person with such a scandalous biography, Biebs is keeping it surprisingly PG with his snaps. Follow him for his life-on-the-road routine and countless selfies, and don't be surprised when you realize that he may not be as spoiled as we all liked to think. Is it too late now to say sorry?

Arnold Schwarzenegger

ArnoldSchnitzel

Seriously, what can’t this man do? He saved the world in his films. He was a governor. Now he’s a force to be reckoned with on Snapchat. Arnold doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. We can’t decide which is more endearing — that at 69 he knows which emoji to pick or that he’s still hitting the gym.

Kylie Jenner

kylizzlemynizzl

They came, they posted, they conquered. Kylie Jenner is still the most followed snapchatter and she’s still a pro at taking perfect selfies and promoting the lifestyle of a lifestyle promoter. In case you want to re-live some of Kylie’s best Snapchat moments, make sure to follow this Instagram account that shares Kylie’s Snapchat posts. Yes, this is the world we’re living in.

Kendall Jenner

kenjen

There’s always more than one Kardashian around and our next pick is Kendall. Runway shows, red carpets, family gatherings, meetings with baby cows — sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the Kardashians, but Kendall’s there to help us out.

DJ Khaled

KhaledSnapchat

The king of Snapchat may not know his way back to the shore on a jet ski trip, but he does know how to be responsible on social media. He recently spent a day telling us we need to work hard and make money as we “gotta pay for everything”. "Life is like an elevator: you go up, you go down", he said in his philosophical rant, filmed inside AN ACTUAL ELEVATOR. That’s a life coach we never knew we needed and the one we’re never unfollowing.

Game of Thrones’ Tormund and Lyanna Mormont Hung Out and Teased Season 7

2016-09-27T20:59:35.831Z

Following their record-breaking night at the Emmys, the Game of Thrones cast seems to be back in Belfast to continue work on the upcoming seventh season. And although the HBO drama’s return still seems much too far away, the start of filming at least means the start of on-set photos — the most recent of which features fan-favorites Tormund Giantsbane and Lyanna Mormont.

Watch the Trailer for the Ambitious New Netflix Series About Queen Elizabeth

Shared by everyone’s favorite Wildling actor Kristofer Hivju on Instagram Monday, the post sings the praises of his young costar Bella Ramsey, who won fans’ hearts with her very first scene in season six. “LOOK OUT FOR THIS ONE!,” Hivju wrote. “Bella Ramsey portrays Lyanna Mormont with such a strength, authority and coolness! She also stars in a upcomming BBC/ Netflix show called The Worst Witch! She’s super cool and a highly professional actor in the age of 11!”

Rob Lowe Says He’s Still Undecided Between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

He also hinted at what viewers can expect when the show finally returns: “Can’t tell you if our characters meet or not this season – but I can tell you this: you have SO much to look forward to in season 7! Hallelujaaaaa!”

LOOK OUT FOR THIS ONE! Bella Ramsey portrays Lyanna Mormont with such a strength, authority and coolness! She also stars in a upcomming BBC/ Netflix show called The Worst Witch! She's super cool and a highly professional actor in the age of 11! Can't tell you if our characters meet or not this season - but I can tell you this: you have SO much to look forward to in season 7! Hallelujaaaaa!

A photo posted by Kristofer Hivju (@khivju) on Sep 26, 2016 at 12:42pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts are Splitting Up

2016-09-27T20:48:19.115Z

Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts have announced their separation after 11 years together.

Although they have never married, Schreiber (star of Showtime’s Ray Donovan) and Watts (King Kong, Birdman) have been together since 2005 and have two sons together, Alexander, 9, and Samuel, 7.

Modern Family First Show to Feature Transgender Child Actor

“Over the past few months we’ve come to the conclusion that the best way forward for us as a family is to separate as a couple. It is with great love, respect, and friendship in our hearts that we look forward to raising our children together and exploring this new phase of our relationship,” the couple told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement on Monday. “While we appreciate your curiosity and support, we ask the press to be mindful of our children and respect their right to privacy.”

Schreiber and Watts both star in the upcoming Chuck Wepner boxing biopic The Bleeder that hits theaters in Spring 2017. The pair were seen together on the red carpet earlier this month promoting the film at its Toronto Film Festival premiere. In the film, Schreiber plays Wepner and Watts stars as Linda Wepner, the boxer’s second and current wife.

Madonna Defends Rosie O’Donnell Against Donald Trump’s Debate Comments

The high-profile split follows the separation of fellow Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, after Jolie filed for divorce on Sept. 20.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Amy Schumer Just Became the First Woman to Ever Make Forbes’ Highest Paid Comedians List

2016-09-27T20:38:46.725Z

It’s already been a banner year for Amy Schumer, who, in 2016 alone, has published her first book, had her Emmy-winning sketch show renewed for a fifth season, and become the first female comic to headline Madison Square Garden. But on Tuesday, the Trainwreck star raised the stakes even further by becoming the first woman ever to be named to Forbes’ Highest Paid Comedians list.

Game of Thrones’ Tormund and Lyanna Mormont Hung Out and Teased Season 7

Schumer is fourth on the list, ranking only behind Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld and Terry Fator. Forbes estimates she made $17 million between June 2015 and June 2016 to beat out Jeff Dunham’s $13.5 million, Dave Chapelle’s $13 million and Jim Gaffigan’s $12.5 million.

Inside Amy Schumer, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, an often sold-out tour and a Bud Light Super Bowl commercial campaign have all contributed to her financial success.

Orlando Bloom Wants Leaders to Focus on Making All Mothers Happy

This 6-Year-Old Girl Had a Glorious Drake-Themed Birthday Party

2016-09-27T20:07:29.874Z

A girl turning six celebrated her birthday with an appropriate theme: the 6 god.

According to Buzzfeed News, 6-year-old Leah loves Canadian rapper Drake so much that she requested that her birthday party be Drake-themed.

Watch Beyoncé Pay Tribute to Late Rapper Shawty Lo During Her Atlanta Concert

Her mother, Lex Saldivar, planned accordingly with black and gold Drake party decorations, a cake emblazoned with the OVO symbol, and mini-Hennessy bottles as balloon weights. There were even fake dollar bills for guests to throw, in case they wanted to emulate Drizzy’s club antics.

For her part, Leah sported a gold chain and a pair of Timberland boots a la Aubrey, as well as a shirt with lyrics from his song, “Pop Style”: “Turn my birthday into a lifestyle.”

Metal Band The Devil Wears Prada Is Back to Confuse Fans of the Fashion Movie

“She loves everything about his music,” Saldivar said. “She recently said she wanted to marry Drake when she’s older.”

Sounds like this birthday party would have made Drizzy proud. You can see pictures from this epic birthday party below.

She turned 6 lol pic.twitter.com/VSWSSCiom0
— 4 又 7 (@abbykillzz) September 26, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

You Won't Talk Difficulties in Songwriting and 'Revolutionaries'

2016-09-27T16:29:17.618Z

Longtime friends Josh Arnoudse and Raky Sastri, better known as You Won't, gain critically acclaim with their 2012 album, Skeptic Goodbye. And now the Massachusetts duo is back with a new collection of tunes, Revolutionaries. Recording it all on their own, the guys take things to a more theatrical level visually but keep their pop songs on point. We had the chance to chat with Josh to find out more about the making of their new record.

Hometown: Massachusetts

How did the band get together?

Raky and I met in high school writing and performing in theater pieces together. We were close friends for about 11 years before You Won’t came into existence.

Why did you name the band You Won’t?

Most band names are inherently ridiculous. The whole concept is kind of silly. Why should we be any different? It was basically an inside joke from our high school days.

How was your approach different on Revolutionaries compared to Skeptic Goodbye?

Much more intentional on Revolutionaries. We had a clearer sense of our musical identity since we had been touring for a couple years when we started writing and recording it.

Talk about the song that was most memorable to work on.

"1-4-5" was the most complicated recording we'd ever attempted, and I got so tired of it at one point [that] I decided we couldn't put it on the record. Fortunately, another year went by before we finished the album, and I had time to reconsider.

You produced the new album in your home studio. What were the advantages and disadvantages to that?

Advantages: infinite time and space at no cost. Disadvantages: infinite time and space at no cost. Sometimes deadlines and limitations are necessary to help you focus.

What is the premise behind the "Ya Ya Ya" video?

A visual manifestation of the weirdness within. A dance with the devil in your brain. Post-Halloween sale at Halloween outlet store.

What's next for You Won’t?

A short east coast tour with our beloved compadre, The Suitcase Junket, in December. Emotional growth and mind expansion.

Listen to Autopilot's "Hurricane" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-27T16:23:51.009Z

Autopilot knows the danger of deliberating on your own thoughts. That's the premise of "Hurricane," a new single from the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based alt rockers. Expansive '90s rock vibes mix with shoegazy guitars and synths on the impassioned song.

"Hurricane was written partly in the solitude of the Canadian winter. After coming home from a month on the road in the States, we finished it off with some new perspective," explains vocalist/guitarist Marlon Harder to Myspace.

"This song is about letting go in a tense pattern of thoughts and anxiety without completely losing yourself. In the day of judgment and less and less thought, it’s about the pressure and cracking before letting go only to realize you’re still in the same spot — like you’re stuck in a hurricane."

Take in the yearning new single for yourself below.

Katy Perry Rocks the Vote...Naked

2016-09-27T16:16:00.674Z

Katy Perry has really been showing her patriotic colors during the 2016 Presidential Election. But now it looks like she's ready to bare it all in order to inspire others to vote or register today (September 27) National Voter Registration Day. Teaming up with Rock the Vote and Funny or Die, the pop singer stars in a hilarious PSA that will lets us know it's OK to go to the polls on November 8 without combing your hair.

In the clip, not only does she literally jump out of bed and head to her polling place, but she's also rocking some crazy hair that kind of reminds us of her look in "Last Friday Night." But she doesn't just bring the kooky to the screen, she also takes it all off, claiming that the US Constitution allows it. (It actually doesn't.) She's then taken in handcuffs and thrown into the back of a car with Joel McHale, who's also in the buff.

Watch the video below.

Today, on #VoterRegistrationDay, I, @funnyordie and @rockthevote invite you to... #IRegistered pic.twitter.com/6kscHoRa0k
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 27, 2016

Gigi Hadid Opens Up About Milan Attack

2016-09-27T16:06:08.661Z

Gigi Hadid has known for being a red carpet regular and stylish model. However, she made headlines during Milan Fashion Week when she was grabbed and carried by some random stranger. After he got her, her instincts set in and immediately started to hit the man. Her reaction was quickly scrutinized by the press, but now she finally speaks out on what happened.

"I remember taking the time, as it all felt slo-mo, to look at him, a stranger," she tells Lena Dunham for her Lenny Letter, "and my first reaction was: 'Get me out of this situation.' I played volleyball, and my coaches talked about muscle memory. I started boxing two years ago and I always remembered that. Since then, I hadn't been in a situation that forced me to fight back, but it just came out when he grabbed me — it wasn't a choice. I do have that fighter in me."

She continues, "Honestly, I felt I was in danger, and I had every right to react the way I did. If anything, I want girls to see the video and know that they have the right to fight back, too, if put in a similar situation. Practicing self-defense is important so that when you're in the moment, reacting from muscle memory comes more naturally to you than freezing up. Confidence in your own ability to defend yourself comes with educating yourself about it, and is a massive advantage when in an unsafe situation."

She admitted that she was "pissed" when she not only found out that she was being criticized by her behavior but also by another woman.

"First of all, it was a woman who wrote the story with that headline," she says. "What would you tell your daughter to do? If my behavior isn't model behavior, then what is? What would you have told your daughter to do in that situation?"

Read Gigi's full story here, and watch what happened to her in Milan below.

Adele's '25' Goes Diamond in Less Than a Year

2016-09-27T15:58:24.897Z

Adele has been wowing New Yorkers, and bringing some of them to tears, during her six-gig stint at Madison Square Garden. However, she received an epic surprise at her final show last night (September 26) — her official 10x platinum plaque. What does this mean? In less than 10 months, 25 has reached diamond status. This means the album hit 10,000,000 in sales, which it reached last Thursday (September 22).

This isn't the first time Adele got this honor. 21 achieved the same status two years after it released.

While albums by other artists and bands have gotten diamond status, it's a rare feat to get it in such a short time period. Adele is clearly in a class of her own.

Getting to Know... Nikki's Wives

2016-09-27T10:08:39.536Z

After bringing their sultry sound across the country while on tour with CeeLo Green, Nikki’s Wives certainly seem like a band ready for their breakout. Frontwoman Nikki Whitehead may be the star of the future, but she doesn’t want to go anywhere without her two trustworthy bandmates.

“I was always a little uncomfortable being a solo artist. There’s just something about being up there on stage when it’s just you that’s not as fun. With the three of us on stage there’s this great chemistry, and collaborating with people whom you already have a connection with is so fun.”

Myspace caught up with Nikki’s Wives to snag some photos and get to know them a little bit better.

Dylan Lauzon, 27

Instrument: Guitar and keyboard
Song or Band Who Inspired You to Become a Musician: I draw a lot of inspiration from big, anthemic rock — the stuff that was coming out of [Los Angeles] in the ‘80s. I always try to go forward in time and listen to new things, but I always find myself going back there.
Favorite Song to Perform Live: We stretch out and take our time when we perform. I think “Fight Song” is about three minutes longer live than it is on the record, and to see people get it and understand where we’re going with it is the funnest part about playing those songs.
Favorite Performance You’ve Had: Back in February, we did this Victoria’s Secret Super Bowl party out in San Francisco. It was our first moment and there was so much stress and so much pressure, but after we finished, it felt so good. It was such a fun party.
Pre-Performance Rituals: We do this thing together. It’s almost like a moment of silence for all of the bands that we’ve slain over the course of our tours.
Things You Do In Your Downtime: It’s weird, because this used to be all of our hobbies, like going home and playing guitar. Now we finish a tour and it’s kind of still my only hobby, to just go home and write songs and play my guitar. We never really stop.
Guilty Pleasure: Never working out. I don’t exactly feel guilty, I actually take a lot of pleasure from sitting on the couch and doing absolutely nothing. I watch a lot of trash ‘80s action movies. Again — not guilty, but most people would feel terrible if they had to watch them with me. Sylvester Stallone, Steven Seagal, anything with a ponytail and back that gets broken over a knee, I’m into.

Nate Baylor, 28

Instrument: Drums and background vocals
Song or Band Who Inspired You to Become a Musician: I listen to a lot of Motown and a ton of ‘70s prog-rock music, so it’s a little bit different than what we tend to play.
Favorite Song to Perform Live: We change up the arrangements for all of our songs live — we’re big believers in giving people a different experience when they come to see us versus when they listen to the record. My favorite is called “Fight Song,” because we got this big drum for Nikki, and she and I have a drum battle. I win all the time, and she’s just sitting there looking stupid — but it’s a lot of fun! The crowd gets really into it.
Favorite Performance You’ve Had: Dylan nailed it right on the head.
Pre-Performance Rituals: We have a little prayer moment, but it’s almost sort of evil and demonic. We summon all of the evil spirits around to possess us and then we go out and unleash that strange, dark energy people. It’s one of those situations you’d have to be there for.
Things You Do In Your Downtime: Get drunk a lot. We don’t have a lot of downtime. Any time we have is spent songwriting and making sure that all of our stuff is in order. We don’t really have any hobbies anymore.
Guilty Pleasure: We have this philosophy that there’s no such thing as a musical guilty pleasure, so we’ll blast Backstreet Boys, Abba and things like that.
(Lauzon: I don’t feel guilty — shameless!)

Nikki Whitehead, 18

Instrument: Vocals
Song or Band Who Inspired You to Become a Musician: I listen to a lot of alternative artists, like Lana del Rey, Portishead. I grew up listening to girl rock, so a lot of the aggression that comes out in my voice — especially when I perform certain songs live — comes from that.
Favorite Song to Perform Live: It’s a new one we recently released called “Wanna Know.” It has this big vocal part and a big guitar solo. It’s a powerful song that’s really fun to sing. Because a lot of our songs are very structured, I don’t necessarily get to do what I want. On this song, I just get to be a singer, which is really fun.
(Baylor: She gets to show off a little bit.)
Favorite Performance You’ve Had: My favorite was the last show we did in San Francisco. The crowd was super into it, the room was packed, and the three of us were having so much fun on stage. It was just a great environment.
Pre-Performance Rituals: One time we didn’t do our ritual and the show was messed up, so now we have to do it every time.
Things You Do In Your Downtime: We see our family and friends but even after a couple of days I thought “I’m depressed that I’m here. I want to go back on tour.”
Guilty Pleasure: When I can’t sleep at night, I’ll start trying on outfits in my closet and walk around my house pretending I’m on a red carpet. But then I’m always tired after, so it helps me sleep!

10 Things You Should Know About Annabel Jones

2016-09-27T09:27:59.683Z

Annabel Jones may be a newcomer to many music fans, but she’s been around music her whole life. The 27-year-old first caught attention with her 2014 single, “Magnetic,” which garnered praise for Jones’ moody vocals. Having grown up with a famous father (who you can read about below), Jones released her terrific five-song Libelle EP earlier this year, which put her catchy electro-pop on display.

Splitting time between her native London and Los Angeles, we caught up with the jetsetting singer to find out 10 things you should know about her.

**Her Dad, Davy Jones, was the Teenage Heartthrob in Legendary Boy Band the Monkees**

“For me, having a famous father was always how it was,” she says of her pops. “It was great and always gave me opportunities traveling. From the time I was two weeks old, I was on tour and it was amazing. It’s made me open-minded and unfazed by a lot of things and I’m able to integrate into different situations. For the part, it’s given me a lot of good.”

But It Wasn’t Always Awesome Because of the Lack of Privacy

“The downside is obviously that you’re never alone if you get what I mean,” she admits. “You’re always people watching and they’re coming up to you. You always have to share (your dad), which sometimes is great and fine, but other times it isn’t.”

Alice Cooper Changed Her diapers When She Was a Kid

“I don’t have any recollection of that,” she says wryly.

She Had Dinner With Her dad and Coolio and it was Surreal

“I don’t get why I was gobsmacked by it, but one time, in France, we had dinner with Coolio,” she divulges. “I think I must have been about eight and looking at my dad like he was the coolest guy on earth hanging out with Coolio like that. That will never, ever leave my head! It was quite a memorable moment.”

She Decided to Go into the Family Business and Become a Musician Because That’s What You Do When Your Dad is a World Famous Musician

“To be honest, it wasn’t something I decided,” she admits. “I think it was just something I always knew that I wanted. It’s like if your dad is a baker and you take over the family bakery. It’s that real simplistic thing that it being the family business and it being the natural next step, which is quite a boring way to look at it, but it’s definitely a big part of it. I’ve always been obsessed with music and I listened to it constantly.”

She Got Her Start by Messing Around During the Monkees’ Soundcheck

“Growing up on tour, during soundcheck I would go and play all of the instruments on stage and I wanted to learn as much as I could,” she reminisces. “Sometimes they would play percussion and stuff during the live shows. I honestly think it’s as simple as that being all I’ve ever known.”

She Started Writing Music as Soon as She was Able to, but Started Writing Poetry When She was Seven

“I wasn’t very good at school and I would always be writing in my work books wanting nothing to do with school,” she recalls. “Poetry and short stories is how it started and it just developed when I was 13 or 14.”

She Used to be in a Band, but Likes Her Solo Career More

“Now I can do whatever the fuck I want!” she exclaims. “I don’t have to ask anyone what they think about anything. The only person I have to represent or be accountable to as far as what I’m expressing is myself. It’s a nice liberating feeling though it can be a little more lonely and you don’t have that camaraderie that you have in a band, which I miss.”

**The Title of Her Debut EP, 'LIbelle,' Refers to Her Critique of the Way Celebs Get Discarded So Quickly in the Age of the 24-Hour Media Cycle**

Jones is obsessed with Marie Antoinette and the story of her being in the respect that people are built up only to be knocked down. She believes that in celebrity culture, people are “destroyed quite frivolously.”

She’s an Avid Buyer and Seller of Second Hand Clothes

She’ll go the Depot app, which is like Instagram except you buy and sell items on there. “It works for me because I take a picture and this is what it is and here’s why I like it,” she says of how she sells. “It’s a way for me to just buy stuff without guilt because I’m going to sell it when it’s really just a shopping addiction

Skye & Ross on New LP: "We Wanted to Do Something That Felt More Alive"

2016-09-27T09:17:54.145Z

Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey, along with his brother Paul, have been offering up trip hop and electronic sounds as Morcheeba since the '90s. However, as they grew up so did their sound. And while longtime fans of the UK group have been waiting patiently for their follow-up to 2013's Head Up High, the members decided to give something else a try. And Skye & Ross was born. Going back to the heart and soul of musicianship and songwriting, the songs on their self-titled debut might not be what you expect from them. But it has the same masterfully crafted music that we love from them.

We had the chance to chat with Ross about why they decided to work on the new project, how their families got involved and what OG Morcheeba fans think of their sound now.

You and Skye have been playing together for a really long time. But how did Skye & Ross come about?

We've been touring, just the two of us, for about the last 10 years. We've formed a close bond musically. And when Morcheeba made records, Paul Godfrey, my brother, would stay home and do video stuff. And it kind of felt disconnected, and I didn't enjoy the last record. I didn't feel creatively satisfied on the last Morcheeba record. We just wanted to do something more organic and more natural. We wanted to do something that felt more alive and didn't have as much programming. We actually wanted to have drums and play with the band in the studio.

So we first set about doing acoustic kind of tracks, and it was all going to be quite humble. It was going to be quite a small setup. And as we went on, it got bigger and bigger with a full band and orchestra on stuff. So it naturally grew from humble beginnings.

Although it's been a while since a new Morcheeba record has come out, was it still hard to get into this new musical direction?

No, it was quite easy, and it's what we do naturally. We wanted to feature the musicianship a little bit more. I think that a lot of new records rely on studio trickery, and they're so edited to death and so auto-tuned. They start to lose the soul of the music. We're very conscious about keeping the soul of the music and keeping it natural and spontaneous. So I would say this record was easier to make than any other Morcheeba record I ever made, and it was also much more fun.

Not only did you two record in your own homes, but you and Skye also made it a family affair. So can you talk about home recording process and how did the families get involved on this album?

In a weird way, it was true laziness. Whoever lived in our house got to play on the record. [Laughs] We literally have, in our families, all of the musicians we need. In Skye's family, her son plays drums. He's fantastic, and he's a great drummer. Her husband plays the bass, and my wife, Amanda, she's a fantastic singer. So I got her to do some things on the record. We did have to get a keyboard player to come in, and he had been playing live with us for a while. Aside from him, it was all done by members of our family. And that's nice. It had a really good feel to it.

And I've got a good home studio. I had a big professional studio, but I got rid of it because it's kind of a dinosaur thing to have. We don't use studios really anymore. I got a setup at home with the guitars and the keyboards and recorded most of the stuff there. Then when we needed to record drums. We went into a studio around the corner and did a few days to get the basic rhythm tracks done. When the music was recorded and did all the songs, I would just send an audio file to Skye. She's got a great vocal studio in her house, which she calls her "sewing room," where she also makes all her costumes and clothes for stage. Basically, she set up a microphone in there and sang all the songs. Then she would send me one take of each, and they were all great. It was easy, and we did it very naturally. And the thing is we both have kids. So it takes a lot of organize childcare and going into the studio. Whereas, if you do it home, you can wait till they go off to bed, open a bottle of whiskey and start recording.

You want to be comfortable while recording. So do you think that being in your home added a little something extra to the album?

The thing about recording at home is that you do it when you feel like it. And when you don't, you can do something else. There's none of that pressure of being in a studio where you try to channel that creativity. Then when you don't feel it, it's costing you $500 a day. I think recording at home lets you get things done when you want and feel like recording.

Since your family plays on the album, does this mean that they will also be joining you and Skye on tour?

Yeah, I think Skye's son and husband will be playing drums and bass. My wife's not going to tour with us, but she might come to the odd show I think. Otherwise, the tour bus because a crash with all the kids. It's a fun thing, but I would imagine I'm the only one in my family who will be on tour. But I'm like an adopted member of Skye's family anyway.

What song was the most memorable to work on?

I really liked "The Point of No Return," which is the last song on the record. It's just a seven-minute long, psychedelic, swampy blues kind of number, and I really love that kind of feel. It's kind of got a late '60s, early '70s Dr. John kind of feel. It's really [Rolling] Stones and really slow, and the vocals are like a gospel choir. And that was really fun to because we didn't really have an arrangement about whether or not the song made sense. We just did what we wanted to do, and it felt very freeing. It was the first time we were able to do that like the early days of Morcheeba where it was more trip hop, where you can just jam anything over blunt beat for 10 minutes, and it would sound good.

The other song I liked recording was "Clear My Mind" because it was the opposite. It was just the acoustic guitar and Skye's voice. We didn't add anything to it. We did it in one take, and it sounded great. [Recording the song] was over in about half an hour, and it sounds really beautiful. I'm really happy with that song.

How have Morcheeba fans been responding to your songs?

It's been great. I haven't really seen much of a change in the transition. We're pretty much the same band that has been touring with Morcheeba anyway. And the new song have been going down great. We've gotten everyone to sing along to the chorus of "Light of Gold," and everything been going down better than the old stuff. It's incredible. The new material has been really coming to life onstage, and I'm really happy with how the audiences have been reacting to our new music.

5 Reasons Fall is the Best Season to Get Tattooed

2016-09-27T09:13:37.458Z

According to the calendar, it's officially fall (or autumn, if you're pretending to be fancy). While it's still just as hot as it was last month in many areas of the country, the weather should be cooling down soon enough as the leaves change colors and everything becomes pumpkin-flavored.

In the tattoo world, fall is also the perfect time to get inked. Don't be one of the questionable collectors who get tattooed during the summer (more on that later), go make an appointment with your favorite artist for the next few months. Here are five reasons why you should be getting tattooed between now and Thanksgiving (and none of them are even that Halloween-themed tattoos are awesome).

Summer is Too Hot

A photo posted by Tattoos and Artwork (@spacehustle) on Sep 26, 2016 at 2:04pm PDT

Everyone wants to get tattooed during the summer. Why? Because people are sheep. Since the general population is wearing less clothes (tank tops and shorts instead of sweaters and jeans) during summer, folks see the tattoos of others and think they should add to their own collection. Unfortunately, summer is actually the worst time of year for most people to get tattooed, as healing a tattoo requires keeping it out of direct sunlight or submerging it in water for a few weeks. Even if you're willing to wear long sleeves and stay out of pools and oceans for the better part of a month, getting ink done during the summer also means competing with everyone else for your artist's limited time. With more people getting tattooed and the same number of hours in a day, tattooers' schedules tend to fill up quickly during the summer, and that doesn't even take into consideration if they're taking family vacations while their kids or significant others are out of school.

If you enjoy doing anything outdoorsy (or even just traveling and/or partying) during the summer months, stay away from the tattoo shop until the temperatures start to drop below your ideal hiking/camping/swimming/surfing weather.

Your Tattoo Has Time to Heal

A photo posted by Evie Yapelli (@showpigeon) on Sep 14, 2016 at 9:11pm PDT

Much like how summer isn't the most opportune time to heal a tattoo, winter tends to be a deceptively poor choice as well. For one thing, having to wear several layers of clothing to brace against the cold can often mean that the bottom layer is something snug that could potentially rub against the tattoo (which is uncomfortable at the least). The other issue is that there's often a lot more activity in the winter and spring than there is during fall.

Unless you're an avid football player (or other fall athlete), the year's penultimate season tends to be among the calmest. You won't be running around with holiday plans and scrambling through the mall to find gifts. You won't have to worry about whether your tattoo will be healed in time for your trip to Cabo for spring break. You won't even need to use your new tattoo as an excuse to break your recent New Year's resolution of going to the gym every day. If you get tattooed in the fall, you'll have the entire holiday season (and thawing out period that follows) to do whatever you need to do without worrying about a fresh tattoo. Plus, you can totally tell grandma that you've had your new tattoo for years when she judgmentally asks about it at Christmas.

Artists Have More Availability

A photo posted by ⚡️BITCHMADE⚡️ (@megmcniel) on Jun 12, 2016 at 6:09pm PDT

Think about when you're busiest. It's probably during the summer when everyone wants to go places and have a good time and during the winter when you're obligated to go see family you won't talk to again until the next holiday. Believe it or not, tattoo artists have families too. Just like anyone else, they often want to go home for one holiday or another, and many tattoo shops even close for a few days in the end of December to give their artists a break (and save money on expenses since clientele tends to be busy around then too).

Add those commitments to the number of people many tattoo parlors have lining up to get inked during the summer, and your favorite tattoo artist is automatically harder to get a session with for about half of the year. We're not saying you'll get a discount or anything by booking a tattooer when they're not as busy, but they'll certainly appreciate it more.

There are Less Impending Expenses

A photo posted by Knarly Gav (@knarlygav) on Sep 10, 2016 at 10:13pm PDT

Tattoos can get expensive. That's an undeniable fact.

Getting tattooed around the holidays means adding to the financial burden of buying gifts for other people, and ink in the spring and summer will greatly cut into your budget for heading to the beach or traveling the globe. Other than Halloween and Thanksgiving, there aren't too many big spending days during the fall, making it the perfect time to save your money for some new work.

You Can Get Another Next Year

A photo posted by Kyle Crowell (@kylecrowell) on Sep 17, 2016 at 9:47pm PDT

Spring is the second-best time to get tattooed (just early enough so it's healed by summer), and getting tattooed in the fall gives you enough time to forget about how much it hurts and how annoying it is to heal a tattoo for a few weeks. You'll be ready to get inked again by March.

Tom Hanks Pulls the Ultimate Tom Hanks Move by Crashing a Wedding Photo Shoot

2016-09-26T19:47:09.565Z

Tom Hanks has long been considered one of America’s favorite actors, so it should come as no surprise that he continues to live up to the reputation. The Sully star crashed a wedding photo shoot in Central Park Sunday, pausing mid-jog to congratulate the couple.

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After shaking the groom’s hand, kissing the bride’s hand and posing for some pictures, Hanks even offered to preside over the ceremony, according to The Huffington Post. “He asked if they needed a wedding officiant, because he is an ordained minister,” photographer Meg Miller said.

Yesterday's wedding was so beautiful! Elisabeth and Ryan you planned one amazing celebration. The icing on the cake was @tomhanks stopping in Central Park to wish them congratulations. #megmillerphotography #newyork #nyc #nyminute #celebrity #brideandgroom #tomhanks #weddingdress #wedding #weddingday #blacktie #centralpark #blackandwhite #huffpostido #stylemepretty #weddinginspiration #selfie #celebritysighting

A photo posted by Meg Miller Photography (@megmillerphotography) on Sep 25, 2016 at 7:06pm PDT

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He then posted a selfie with the pair on his Instagram, writing, “Elizabeth and Ryan! Congrats and blessings! Hanx.”

Elizabeth and Ryan! Congrats and blessings! Hanx.

A photo posted by Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) on Sep 24, 2016 at 2:51pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Amy Schumer Got Caught On the Kiss Cam and Just Went For It

2016-09-26T19:37:18.614Z

Amy Schumer had her dream come true on Sunday.

The comedian was hanging out at a New York Mets game with her father, Gordon Schumer, and boyfriend, Ben Hanisch, when the Kiss Cam landed on her. At first, she gave her dad a sweet kiss on the cheek, but when the Kiss Cam lingered, Schumer just went for it. She stripped off her baseball hat and sunglasses and started a full make-out session with Hanisch right next to her dad. She and Hanisch hammed it up for the camera, even waving at the camera when she was done kissing her boyfriend.

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She later posted the video to Instagram saying, “I have always wanted to be on the kiss cam!”

I have always wanted to be on the kiss cam! My dad and my man!! #letsgomets

A video posted by @amyschumer on Sep 25, 2016 at 4:15pm PDT

Schumer wasn’t the only celebrity having fun at the Mets game on Sunday. She posted a photo of her “#dreamday” at the Queens, New York stadium with Jerry Seinfeld, Jessica Seinfeld, Matthew Broderick, and Jonah Hill. Almost enough to make you a Mets fan.

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Let's go @mets thank you jerry and @jessseinfeld #dreamday

A photo posted by @amyschumer on Sep 25, 2016 at 12:13pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Simpsons Season Premiere Coincidentally Referenced Late Golfer Arnold Palmer

2016-09-26T19:30:18.792Z

In an unusual coincidence, the season premiere episode of long-running animated comedy The Simpsons made a reference to the late famed golfer Arnold Palmer, who passed away on Sunday — the same day the episode aired — at 87. In the oddly prescient scene, Homer enthusiastically describes one of his bizarre schemes to Marge, and it all revolves around Palmer’s namesake drink.

“I’m going to fill a Super Soaker full of lemonade, Karl’s going to fill one with iced tea and we’re going to Arnold Palmer Lenny when he walks in!” he begins.

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“Arnold Palmer Lenny? You’re going to Arnold Palmer Lenny?” she asks, unclear.

“Yeah, you see, Arnold Palmer was a golfer and he made up this drink where it’s not a full glass of lemonade or a full glass of iced tea,” Homer then explains about the now-classic beverage.

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Twitter users were quick to point out the eerie reference, calling it “scary” and “weird,” especially since Palmer hadn’t particularly been in the news recently. The episode, the first in the show’s 28th season, had been written prior to Palmer’s passing.

There was an Arnold Palmer reference tonight on The Simpsons. So weird. pic.twitter.com/4obYfm2B5T
— Kirk Nawrotzky (@KirkNawrotzky) September 26, 2016

Homer had to explain to Marge who Arnold Palmer was on the Simpsons tonight, and then he passed away. :'-(

RIP Arnold Palmer
— Will Holder (@ThrillHolder) September 26, 2016

EERIE!! Simpsons predicts Arnold Palmer deathhttps://t.co/AWmrPXm9Ld @Paulhaider74 @chasethegroove @RobertWoelfel75 @CFraase @MLBIpa
— Amy Gallop (@AmyGallop66) September 26, 2016

The Arnold Palmer jokes on The Simpsons tonight are scary... I can't even think of an adjective.
— Alan Henry (@AlanHenry) September 26, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Sarah Jessica Parker Gives Renewed Hope For Another Sex and the City Movie

2016-09-26T19:19:16.703Z

It looks like Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte are still open to the idea of another reunion on the big or small screen.

The Cast of Will & Grace Reunited to Tease ‘Something Big’

In an interview with the Press Association, Sarah Jessica Parker said that the ladies of Sex and the City haven’t ruled out the possibility of reprising their beloved characters, citing that there’s “always a possibility, definitely” that we’ll be seeing Carrie Bradshaw again.

“I don’t think any of us have said no,” the Divorce star said. “I don’t know whether it’s a series or the movie. I think that remains an open question and discussion that will continue until it’s been resolved.”

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The SATC actresses last reunited for the second movie in their franchise in 2012; actress Kim Cattrall (you might know her better as Samantha Jones) had commented earlier this year that another SATC movie “could be fun.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

TATIANA Talks New York City, Los Angeles and 'New Love'

2016-09-26T16:08:37.101Z

ewWhile some people draw on heartbreak or new love, Tatiana has found her inspiration through the people she meets and places she's lived. Born in Moscow and then moving to Miami for school, she found that she was not just a gifted singer and musician, but a songwriter, as well. She then pursued penning tunes in New York City and now resides in Los Angeles, where she recorded her latest EP, New Love.

We had the chance to chat with the singer-songwriter about her musical beginnings, the artist's journey and, of course, the new EP. And we've also got a treat for you. Listen to New Love above before it drops tomorrow (September 27).

Hometown: Moscow, Russia

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

Take us back to the first song you wrote. What was it about?

I wrote a short piano song. I think I was about seven at that time. Don't think it was about anything in particular. I thought that it would be cool to only play using the black keys. So I came up with a simple form consisting of two different motifs in the right hand, and a simple left hand part. Which is a minor pentatonic scale so it sounded like all of the notes went with each other. It was a lot of fun, but then my piano teacher at the time encouraged me to notate it and it basically ruined it for me. [Laughs] I didn't learn to appreciate writing out music until way later when I was in college.

You were born in Moscow and lived in NYC, Miami and now LA. How has each of these cities influenced your music?

It wasn't until college in Miami that I started writing songs. I think it was the end of my freshman year, and I was home for the summer. I was messing around on the piano and came up with a song. I showed it to my parents, claiming that it was someone else's and I was just learning it. After they heard it, they seemed to approve so I told them I wrote it. Boom. That's how it started. Then I started writing a bunch of songs, one after another. That shifted my focus from my major to what I really wanted to do, which was recording music and putting a band together, which consisted of my college friends. That was an exciting time. The very first song we recorded was such a mess, but it was so great to learn about music and what it was like putting a band together.

I moved to NYC with a purpose of being a songwriter, and that was very different. NYC was a tough city for me. I learned a lot, but those weren't easy years by any means. I met my really good friend, Jeff Berner, about a year into my stay there, and we started recording music together. A year or so later my college friend Michael Feinberg moved into the city and we started playing together, later Daniel Platzman joined in. He is famous now! It was a very inspiring time. I had so many feelings about what I saw in the city, life, our society. And we basically did whatever we wanted. It was just about the music and being in the studio. We recorded a bunch of songs I am really proud of and a big part of them I actually haven't released. Maybe someday. It was much darker, and had this influence of rock music, but towards the end a blend of rock, electronic elements, and some jazz.

Once I got totally exhausted by NYC, I moved to LA. Pretty typical. Almost every time I am at a bar in LA I hear someone saying, "I just moved here from NYC." I think once I moved [here] I didn't want to be a solo artist anymore. In fact I didn't even know if I wanted to be an artist at all. I mean you can't change that about yourself, but you can choose to not pursue it as a career where you are trying to make money off of something you have made. I think I was definitely trying to figure out how to make music my profession, but I didn't know in what capacity anymore. I was signed to my friend Rachel Komar's, licensing agency at the time, and she introduced me to a few people here in LA. I started collaborating and that was very different. I have always done all of my writing alone. But here in LA it became about writing with others.

It was different, new and pretty cool. Sometimes weird. It's like dating. You have to find the right person. That's when I met Daniel Ahearn. We started writing together, he introduced me to his friend Richard Jacques, and we basically decided to make a "project" together. I don't like that word, but that's the word that is inevitably used by everyone here in LA! Maybe in NYC too? I just don't know. So this music is what the three of us have made together. Blood, sweat and tears, but mostly of joy. It took us about two years, and I really enjoyed opening up to other people's creativity and input.

What is your favorite song to perform from the EP right now?

"Born on The Full Moon." It's the one I have the most fun playing live. I think that's why.

What is "Born Under a Full Moon" about?

Living dangerously. Kids, don't do it. But honestly, it started with me saying that I was born on a full moon during one of our sessions. I am into planets and stuff like that. Although, yes, our moon is not a planet, unfortunately. Then Daniel said that we should write a song about it, so I went with it. At some point I think they wanted me to howl on the recording, and I made it very clear that it wasn't happening. Instead I sampled some vocals in ableton and made a weird sounding sample!

What's next for TATIANA?

Writing, maybe playing shows, creating. The life of a musician.

Taraji P. Henson Claps Back at 50 Cent's 'Empire' Diss

2016-09-26T15:57:19.855Z

There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. However, it looks like there's a major one brewing between 50 Cent and Taraji P. Henson. After Fiddy reportedly dissed the Empire star, Taraji channeled her Cookie character and clapped back.

"For the confused ppl. Do REAL research!!! Loose change makes sooooooo much UNNECESSARY NOISE. STILL LOOKING FOR THAT DAMN CENT SIGN!!! I guess it's obsolete. AGAIN CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS BLACK MAN!!! @50cent," she posted on Instagram.

For the confused ppl. Do REAL research!!! Loose change makes sooooooo much UNNECESSARY NOISE. STILL LOOKING FOR THAT DAMN CENT SIGN!!!😒 I guess it's obsolete 😔. AGAIN CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS BLACK MAN!!! @50cent 😘😘😘

A photo posted by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Sep 24, 2016 at 11:09am PDT

Of course, 50 Cent couldn't stand down and posted a response. He has since taken it down.

He posted, "All this back and forth s--t is starting to turning me on cookie, LMAO I ran into Lee Daniels at the gym on Sunset Blvd. he asked why I didn't except his offer to be on EMPIRE. I told him I have a lot going on, I'm actually working on the show FOX is gonna replace EMPIRE with, he looked at me like...why the f--k are you doing that? It's because I'm a drug dealer, and I was taught to get in, get your weight up, then take over. So that's the deal #EFFENVODKA #smsaudio #FRIGO."

Despite the beef, Taraji made sure to show some love for Power star Naturi Naughton.

Sooooooooo proud of you @naturi4real I WANT YOU TO KNOW I will NEVER let any NEGATIVITY come between the LOVE I have for my sisters!!! As women we put up with enough BS. I will NEVER add to that stress and heartache!!! YOU ARE DOPE on #Power and in life!!! #BlackGirlMagic SHINE BABY SHINE 💋💋💋

A photo posted by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Sep 24, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT

FKA Twigs Will Release Music "On My Own Time"

2016-09-26T15:46:43.782Z

Aside from FKA Twigs' 2015 EP, M3LL155X and her new stage show, "Radiant Me," we haven't heard too much about a new album in the works. And while Twigs never stops letting her creativity flow, she doesn't seem to be in a hurry to release a new record.

"I mean, it’s like Damaris [Lewis] and I have said, in my own time," she told Dazed and Confused. "I just like to let things grow. So me taking a few songs on the road — I don’t even know if I’ll release them, it’s just this way of me seeing which way it can grow. But it’s not part of any big masterplan."

The UK artist also wished that the music-making process could be like it was in the past: slow and steady opposed to the quick pace it is today.

"Back in the day you would take songs out on the road for two or three years and then release them, you know?" she said. "That’s how long it takes for the band to get perfect. It’s unusual nowadays because everything is so instant and everyone can see things straight away on the internet, but I’m sure there are plenty of songs that have been sung by amazing artists in a smoky room full of people, and only the people in the room have heard them. I guess I’m still trying to operate like that even though, you know, it goes viral."

Looks like we'll just have to be a little bit more patient for the next album, but we're sure it'll be worth the wait.

Drake Releases New Short Film, 'Please Forgive Me'

2016-09-26T15:32:23.261Z

Drake goes back to his acting roots with Please Forgive Me, a new short film inspired by the songs off of Views. Anthony Mandler directed the 21-minute piece, who worked with the Toronto rapper on "Over," "Miss Me" and "Find Your Love."

Drake tries to make things right with his love after cheating on her. Popcaan, who is featured on "Controlla," co-stars with him in the film. That song and "One Dance" are just some of the tunes from Views that are featured in the clip.

You can watch Please Forgive Me on Apple Music now. See the trailer for the film below.

#PleaseForgiveMe — A Film Inspired by The Album Views. Available now only on @applemusic.

A video posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Sep 25, 2016 at 10:16pm PDT

10 Biggest 'Step Brothers' Fans at the Catalina Wine Mixer

2016-09-26T13:05:06.866Z

Movie buffs from various parts of the country set sail for Catalina Island, just off of the Southern California coast, for a tribute to one of the best buddy comedies in the last decade. This weekend marked the second annual Catalina Wine Mixer, made famous by the 2008 hit comedy, Step Brothers, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Armed with their best Dale and Brennan costumes and closest friends, die-hard fans swarmed Descanso Beach to enjoy a weekend of music, food and, of course, lots of wine.

Myspace attended the Catalina Wine Mixer and got to know some of the film’s biggest fans and admire their themed wardrobes.

DB

Age: I feel ageless.
Place of Residence: Marina del Rey, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Brennan's mom, Nancy Huff.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "I smoked weed with Johnny Hopkins."
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? This island is incredible. The best thing about it is that there's more to do outside of the event itself. My wife and I are thinking about going snorkeling or kayaking before the weekend ends.

Ginger

Age: 35
Place of Residence: Marina del Rey, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Brennan and his mom Nancy Huff are the best duo since Batman and Robin.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? “Brennan, that is the voice of an angel. Brennan, I can’t even make eye contact with you right now. Your voice is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus.”
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? My husband DB and I are looking forward to relaxing after such a long work week. There's a ton of bands and things to do outdoors. We're sure to have a great time!

Greg

Age: 26
Place of Residence: Long Beach, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Dale.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "I've been called the voice of my generation, so that's good."
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? The wine, which flows like water.

Judd

Age: 40
Place of Residence: Long Beach, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Dale's father, Robert Doback.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? When Brennan and Dale build bunk beds in their room and are figuring out what to do with all of of the newly acquired space. “So many activities!” It still cracks me up.
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? The Dan Band!

Micaiah and Diana

Age: I'm 35. She's 28.
Place of Residence: We both live in Long Beach, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Seth Rogen even though he’s only in the movie for all of three minutes
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "I got a belly full of white dog crap in me, now you lay this shit on me?" and “Hey Derek….Sprechen sie dick!”
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? Maybe someone awesome will come make a special guest appearance. We were here last year and there was word that Will Ferrell was going to show up, but he didn't. Hopefully he'll come through this year.

Douglas

Age: 24
Place of Residence: Simi Valley, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Adam Scott's character, Derek.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "It's the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!"
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? There are so many tents set up for trying different kinds of wines. I'm going to visit as many as I can.

Tim

Age: 22
Place of Residence: Long Beach, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? It's got to be my main man, Dale.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? That scene after Brennan sings the Shania Twain song and Dale says to him “This is going to sound weird, but for a second, I think you took on the shape of a unicorn.”
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? Everything! Our group of friends had these awesome shirts designed for the inaugural Catalina Wine Mixer last year, and we decided to bring them back since they were such a big hit. We're huge fans of the movie, so we're sure everyone here is down to have a good time.

Dillon

Age: 26
Place of Residence: Lake Havasu, AZ
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Derek.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "It's a trophy fish, so yeah, it's big."
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? The Dan Band.

DJ

Age: 22
Place of Residence: Castaic, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Dale is the best!
What's your favorite quote from the movie? "I put my nutsack on your drumset."
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? Oh man, have you seen the Dan Band before? They're so fucking awesome!

Max

Age: 24
Place of Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Who is your favorite character from the movie Step Brothers? Will Ferrell as Brennan.
What's your favorite quote from the movie? “I’m Dale, but you have to call me Dragon.”
What are you looking forward to most at the Catalina Wine Mixer? Honestly? Well, drinking! My friends and I have been going at it kind of hard the the past few days, and we're having a rad time.

Snapchat Releases Specs, Brangelina Splits Property & Sports Lose Legends

2016-09-26T12:44:38.243Z

Did you have too much to drink at the Catalina Wine Mixer this weekend? Were you too busy at one of the dozens of music festivals wrapping up the summer season around the country? You missed some pretty great (and terrible) news in the worlds of sports, divorces and questionable technology, but we’ve got you covered.

As always, here’s what you missed over the weekend.

Snapchat Spectacles Sizzle

Sometimes, you really have to ask yourself if technology has gone too far. Just because a company can do something doesn’t mean they should do something, and it sure looks like Snapchat is testing their limits on that one with the new Snapchat Spectacles.

What are Spectacles, you ask? They’re basically just $130 sunglasses that can record clips to upload directly to your Snapchat Memories and look kind of strange on your face while you do it. It’s a piece of hardware that nobody asked for, and an idea whose time will probably never come… but it’s here.

Shoutout to @Snapchat. I got pair of glasses w/ a camera when they first became a thing & they were so ugly and obvious. These are adorable. pic.twitter.com/pcBl2cFzU5
— juan (@jariahsgone) September 25, 2016

The announcement comes with Snapchat looking for new ways to expand their rapidly growing brand and presumably trying to cash in on the sweet spot they’ve found in which their app is now used for more than just nudes but hasn’t yet been taken over by parents and weird political aunts/uncles. After all, Google Glass did so well (Spectacles are apparently very different because they come in three colors) and people still can’t figure out what to use their Apple Watches for, but isn’t wearable technology just the coolest trend ever?

Braxit & Birdman's Courtroom Battles

Getty Images

In the aftermath of Brangelina’s breakup (or Braxit, depending on who you ask), it looks like the two actors knew all along how they’d be splitting their finances and properties if things ever turned sour. According to TMZ, the couple had a detailed pre-nup covering all 12 of their properties, so there shouldn’t be too much bickering there. Unfortunately, no such agreement is in place for their six children (you know, like the ones they took from other countries), and Brad Pitt wants to split them too with joint custody.

In everyone’s other favorite current breakup, Birdman is going to have to dig through his receipts in his legal battle with Lil Wayne. Aside from all of his other complaints, Wayne says Birdman owes him about $20 million from a record advance, and a judge just told the Cash Money ringleader he’ll have to explain where that extra cash money went. Although it seems like a whole lot of money to lose track of, apparently Birdman could be in extra trouble as his bookkeeping may not have been quite up to snuff. The good news for Birdman is that no matter how little money he ends up with at the end of this legal warfare, he will be “Still Fly.”

Birdman need to get off #Empire and fix things with Lil Wayne.

And I ain't gon say it no mo #FreeCarter5 pic.twitter.com/ovISP5i4ut
— Ryan Belk (@rbelk_94) September 22, 2016

So Long, K.G.

NBA

One of the greatest basketball players of the last 25 years retired over the weekend, as Kevin Garnett called it quits once and for all. As one of the best big men in the NBA for the last 21 years, the former first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves was known both for his tenacious style of play and his use of the English language on and off the court. The 15-time All-Star’s array of on-court accomplishments is almost too lengthy to list, but his 2008 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and his 2004 MVP with the Timberwolves are the ones that stand above many of the others.

When he wasn’t snagging rebounds and getting buckets, Garnett was known to have some of the best trash-talking ability in the game – and the occasional fantastically motivational post-game interview. He forever changed the way the world looks at a delicious breakfast cereal in Honey Nut Cheerios while some of his opponents have resorted to pretending not to speak English whatsoever to avoid his quick tongue. Garnett joins legendary Laker Kobe Bryant and Spurs great Tim Duncan as surefire Hall of Famers to hang up their sneakers this year. So long ‘90s icons.

R.I.P. Jose Fernandez & Arnold Palmer

While it originally seemed like Kevin Garnett might be the biggest loss in the sporting world this weekend, talented athletes young and old tragically passed away just days after.

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First, the bright young star of the Miami Marlins pitching rotation, Jose Fernandez, lost his life in a boating accident early Sunday morning, The Marlins cancelled their Sunday afternoon game due to the loss, and the rest of the baseball world took a moment of silence to mourn the 24-year-old’s passing. Many believe the Cuban ace would’ve continued to build on his two All-Star appearances and Rookie of the Year award from 2013, but now baseball fans will just be left considering what could’ve been.

Getty Images

Hours after baseball lost one of the biggest names in the future of the sport, golf lost a piece of its treasured history. Legendary golfer and drink-mixing master Arnold Palmer passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday in a Pittsburgh hospital. “The King” is one of the handful of golfers singlehandedly responsible for making golf more accessible for the general public, and he’s the only one who ever would’ve dared mix lemonade and iced tea together when each is so delicious on its own.

5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About ‘Paper Mario: Color Splash’

2016-09-26T07:00:00.000Z

There aren’t many video games more beloved than the first two entries in the Paper Mario series. The first game, released in 2000 in Japan (as Mario Story) and 2001 in America for the Nintendo 64, was the spiritual sequel to an earlier game for the Super Nintendo called Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars — a Square-developed title that deftly combined the whimsy of the Mario universe with the role-playing sensibilities of Final Fantasy.

The original Paper Mario expanded on its predecessor in pretty much every meaningful way: it exchanged Mario RPG’s static, pre-rendered world for an animated, pop-up book aesthetic. Characters appeared as expressive, two-dimensional paper cut-outs placed in vivid 3D landscapes — hence the game’s title.

This faux-2D gave the game a strong platforming bent that had been absent from console Mario games since 1991’s Super Mario World. Most significantly was the revamped, turn-based battle system — this time, in addition to jumping and hammering on enemies, Mario could utilize a variety of items, battle partners and stat-enhancing badges in fights, making each one a unique exercise in strategy. All in all, it was a recipe for success.

The 2004 GameCube followup, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, took that recipe and perfected it beyond anyone’s expectations. It was bigger, markedly prettier, the story was more nuanced than that of any Mario game that preceded it and the English translation of the game was hilarious (and remains one of the best localization jobs in video game history).

And then, the franchise gradually got weaker.

2007’s Super Paper Mario for Wii was a bona fide platformer that did away with several of the RPG elements that had originally endeared the series to so many. While it was still a solid title, it didn’t feel like a true Paper Mario game: it was too easy, too slow and the heavy text felt perfunctory in the context of a “2.5D” platformer.

And then came 2012’s Paper Mario: Sticker Star for the 3DS — a game that had more in common with classic ‘90s click-and-point adventure games than previous titles in the series. The battle system, while technically turn-based, was also massively simplified, limiting Mario’s abilities to the “stickers” the player had collected. Stronger enemies were only able to be defeated with specific stickers, making most boss battles a process of trial and error. Players were frustrated by this (admittedly imperfect) battle system, and felt the click-and-point elements didn’t make sense in a Paper Mario game.

Because of all this, the fan reaction to Paper Mario: Color Splash — the upcoming installment for the Wii U — has been nothing short of hysteric. When the game was first unveiled in March, many had hoped the game would be a return-to-form for the series. And then at E3, it was confirmed that the game would, essentially, be a successor to Sticker Star.

A group of particularly irate gamers have even created a petition to get Nintendo to cancel Paper Mario: Color Splash; nearly two thousand people have signed it.

We’re here to play devil’s advocate. While it’s certainly understandable that some fans are wary of this new entry in the series, there’s also a lot about the game that looks undeniably promising. Here are the five reasons why you should be optimistic about Paper Mario: Color Splash.

It’s Gorgeous

Even if you aren’t psyched about some of Color Splash’s gameplay mechanics, you can’t deny how pretty it looks. The game is based around the premise of having to repaint the colorless “Prism Island” with the straightforwardly-named Paint Hammer. Any time Mario whacks a pale object or piece of land with his hammer, paint satisfyingly splatters in all directions.

This “color” conceit is a great way for Nintendo to show off just how much the series has evolved visually in the last decade — The Mushroom Kingdom has never looked so vivid. And realistic — maybe too realistic — physics emphasize the series’ unique dimensionality, causing the paper craft figurines to sway and bend in the wind. Just because, you know, Nintendo doesn’t want you to forget that these characters are made out of paper.

It Sounds Great

If what we’ve heard so far is any indicator, the music in Color Splash will be some of the best in the series. The song that plays during the game’s E3 2016 trailer (which is also its battle theme) combines symphonic elements with the modern, electro flair of Super Paper Mario and Thousand Year Door’s soundtracks. The result sounds like a Randy Newman score for a shelved Jetsons film.

It’s Funny

The first scene in the E3 trailer shows a Shy Guy sucking the color out of Toad with a straw. The next scene shows Mario smack a sentient paint box on the head with a mallet. “How would you like it if I whacked you with a hammer while you were sleeping?” the paint box (whose name is apparently “Huey”) furiously retorts.

Nintendo has historically tasked some of the most talented translators in the industry with localizing the Mario RPG games — and that’s because they’re really, really funny (and humor is incredibly hard to translate). Color Splash looks to be no exception.

There’s Loads of Fan Service

Another critique of Sticker Star was that it felt too insulated and not a part of the larger Mario universe. Color Splash looks to remedy that — even the small amount of gameplay we’ve seen is packed with meta self-referencing and appearances from fan favorites like Morton Koopa Jr. of the Koopalings and Draggadon from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

It Looks Like Fun

Sticker Star had some good ideas — they were just flawed mechanistically. While the Paint Hammer aspect of Color Splash certainly looks like it has the potential to become repetitive, the gameplay elements carried over from Sticker Star all seem to have been refined: the battle system seems deeper and more fluid; the emphasis on the “paperness” of the game world feels practical rather than gratuitous or merely clever and the characters and dialogue emit that signature Paper Mario spark that was sorely missing from Sticker Star.

Color Splash probably won’t end up being the best game in the series, but it also probably won’t be the worst.

Play the Kate Middleton Name Game

2016-09-26T07:00:00.000Z

Kate Middleton has quite a few names. She also has even more iconic looks. If only someone could assign those various names to the most fashionable of her looks.

Actually, that's exactly what the good folks at XUMO did when they teamed up with Vanity Fair to bring us one of the funniest versions of "the name game" ever. It's definitely not something you'd want to miss.

Check out the video below, and stay tuned for more entertaining videos.

Vanity Fair on XUMO - Play the Kate Middleton Name Game from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things entertainment whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

All 600 Episodes of The Simpsons Will Air in a 300-Hour FXX Marathon

2016-09-23T21:56:21.621Z

For Simpsons fanatics, it sounds like a dream come true: From noon on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24) until Dec. 6, the FXX network will be airing all 600 episodes of The Simpsons in chronological order, spanning over 300 hours (13 days).

Carrie Fisher Hilariously Explains Why Princess Leia and Han Solo Were Broken Up in The Force Awakens

According to IGN, FXX currently holds the record for the longest TV marathon, when the network broadcast 552 episodes of the same animated series in a 12-day marathon in 2014.

The Funny Reason Why Viola Davis Didn’t Want to Win an Emmy This Year

The new, 27-season marathon will begin with the 1989 SimpsonsChristmas special, also known as Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire. The episode was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990.

A new season of #TheSimpsons premieres September 25! https://t.co/ty5yTdakYy pic.twitter.com/Mg8f3Ayo8C
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) June 16, 2016

The 28th season of The Simpsons premieres on Sunday, Sept. 25 on FXX’s parent network, Fox. The 600th episode, Treehouse of Horror XXVII, involving Frank Grimes, is set to air on Oct. 19.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Kristen Bell’s Throwback School Portrait Reveals She Had a Mullet in the ’80s

2016-09-23T21:31:18.564Z

Kristen Bell might walk a red carpet with ease now, but that doesn’t mean that she didn’t have a “disastrous haircut” growing up.

Daisy Ridley Quit Instagram Because of the ‘Pressure’ of Growing Up in the Public Eye

On The Late Late Show on Wednesday night, the Good Placeactress revealed that she played baseball on an all-boys team as a kid. While some might worry about the gender disparity, Bell reassured host James Corden that she fit right in with the boys, thanks to her very ’80s hairstyle that came courtesy of her mother.

“My mother made sure that I would not take any flak from anybody because she gave me a real disastrous sort of haircut to make sure I fit in with the boys,” Bell said. “She took the bangs past the ear, past the forehead, past the ear, all the way down to the back, which I believe we now call a mullet. So I never had any problems because everyone thought I was one of the little boys.”

Watch Chris Pratt Tell His Hilarious Death-Defying Horse Story

Bell even generously shared a photo of the memorable cut on the show, which you can see in the full clip below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Paper Route Go All In with 'Real Emotion'

2016-09-23T16:50:54.069Z

On Nashville trio Paper Route’s third album Real Emotion, the group went all in for the cover — literally. For the image, lyricist and frontman JT Daly used monochromatic mixed media — prints, paint, and found items like a boombox and an old TV — to create an room, an installation filled with different pieces inspired by a song in the album. Then Paper Route posed in the same room — immersed themselves in their songs, so to speak.

Daly, Chad Howat (bassist and pianist) and Nick Aranda (guitar) have been a band since 2004, and have toured and shared stages with acts such as Paramore, Thurston Moore and Mark Kozelek. Real Emotion drops today (September 23); to celebrate, Howat chatted with Myspace to talk about their beginning and future. (They’re also heading off to a national tour starting October 27, featuring Halfnoise — Paramore’s Zac Farro — as an opener.)

Hometown: I’m originally from the Chicago suburbs, the same area as Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. JT is from a small farm town outside Cleveland, OH and Nick is from the high desert in California.

Homebase: We live in Nashville, TN

How did you all meet?

JT and I met in college. I joined his band. That band moved to Nashville. Band broke up. We “retired” from band life. He started doing art and I started producing. We then decided to make some music for ourselves and we haven’t really stopped since, no matter how hard we’ve tried. We met Nick a few years later when he was playing bass for a bunch of national artists. We didn’t need a bassist but we liked his personality and musicality.

Why are you called Paper Route?

A couple reasons. JT had a paper route as a kid and it reminded him of his youth. My dad had a paper route (in the middle of the night) as a second job when he was a school teacher, so that we wouldn’t lose our home. It reminded me of my adolescence and witnessing what it took to make ends meet.

Tell us why is your album called Real Emotion.

JT had the song title “Real Emotion,” which stemmed from a conversation he was having with a friend regarding mental health and the impact it has on relationships with those closest to you. I’ve battled OCD and anxiety for most my life. We’d been open with each other about the collateral damage our mental illnesses can have on ourselves and the ones closest to us. It’s hard to wrestle with thoughts like, Maybe the only way I can actually love somebody better is if I just take this pill of synthetic chemicals every day.

What’s different about this album is that Nick’s guitar is front and center on quite a few tunes. JT’s voice has never sounded better and he’s exploring new ways of using it. The beats, keyboards and sample-mangling are still there, but we sort of see this as our version of a guitar album.

How do you describe your music to someone who's never heard you before?

It’s a difficult thing, so I usually just try to avoid the answer and tell them to just check it out. That being said, I think if you took M83, Jimmy Eat World, Radiohead, The National, Nick Cave, Blur and Massive Attack and mashed them together, we would sound somewhat like that. This album is a bit more focused on the guitars and JT’s voice.

Did you grow up in a musical household?

Yes I did. My mom is a self-taught pianist and her whole family sings. Every Christmas we sing a dozen Christmas carols and there are tons of harmonies flying around the living room. My grandmother is very old but her voice is very sweet. My uncle, Pete Sallis, is a country songwriter here in Nashville. So I grew up surrounded by music. JT did as well. His dad was in bands and his uncle is an amazing pedal steel player who played with Johnny Cash and other legends back in the day.

Does living in Nashville influence your music?

There’s a rich history of songcraft and musicianship in Nashville. Anybody can experiment and get crazy and weird in the studio, which we LOVE to do, but if that’s married to a well written song underneath, it’s a beautiful thing. We try to make sure beneath all our sonic tomfoolery that there’s a solid skeleton.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

There are so many different influences. Between the three of us, the biggest ones were maybe Bjork, Elton John, Soundgarden, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Oasis and quite possibly a lot of obscure ‘90s CCM bands. And George Harrison is our favorite Beatle.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

The collaboration list is way too long: Max Richter, Nick Cave, Christopher Nolan, Jeff Nichols, Baz Luhrman, Kendrick Lamar, Pixar, Damon Lindelof, Nigel Godrich, Kate Bush, Spike Jonze and, um, Banksy. Maybe we could compete on Chopped or Naked & Afraid. I’d lose so quickly on BOTH of those shows.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#overdecadesensation

Do you have an awesome Myspace-related story as a musician?

I remember when we first got our Myspace account. It had to be around 2006 or so. I remember when we broke 100 plays. My roommate at the time was getting around 300 or so and he would give me advice on how to promote online (which was a new idea at the time!). Then we released an early version of our song “Carousel” and it had 3,000 plays in a single day! Managers and labels discovered us through Myspace.

T.I. Drops New EP 'Us or Else' in Response to Police Brutality

2016-09-23T16:37:33.708Z

T.I. sheds a light on racial injustice in America on his new EP entitled Us Or Else.

"It’s basically my take on things that are going on, how we got here, why we’re here, speaking to the oppressor and just trying to put something out there; a platform for people to speak so we can address this and move past it," explained the rapper to Hot 97 in July (via Billboard).

"I can’t really go into the studio and write records about throwing money in the club. It just don’t feel responsible."

The release is especially relevant this week considering the recent police shootings of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott.

Watch the video for lead track "Warzone" and stream the entire EP via Tidal.

Real Internet Hacks

2016-09-23T16:30:00.000Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're saying a prayer for the now sure to be deceased North Korean IT Manager and ridiculing Stonetear, the alleged Reddit poster asking advice for removing Hillary's name from emails.

North Korea

Recommended Pairing: More than enough apples and plenty of delicious fruit for everyone to eat.

Earlier this week I delighted in the initial story of a "hacker" breaching the typically ironclad walls of the North Korean internet. We learned that there are only 28 websites attributed to the .KP domain, and besides the one with recipes, most are just hysterical propaganda.

What an incredibly hilarious mishap, right!?

Well, no.

Not when you consider Kim Yong-Jin — the former vice-premier overseeing education affairs in North Korea — was executed by anti-aircraft guns for falling asleep in a meeting recently. I mean, here's what a gun like that looks like:

Holy shit, right!?

I don't even want to think about what sick demented torture the Supreme Leader has planned for whoever was responsible for this simple mistake or lapse in judgement by the IT Guy.

From what I've read, basically, there are bots that call on DNS servers throughout the day just to check and see if there's ever a time when access is available.

The TL;DR Project, in this case, pinged Pyongyang and was surprisingly granted access to the treasure trove of poorly designed websites dedicated to glorifying their "President" and vilifying South Korea and the United States.

Just two weeks ago, there was another nuclear warhead test in North Korea raising tensions and renewing fears that we're on the cusp of an attack. For the first time in my life, I'm unable to find anything funny about the situation above the 38th Parallel.

This is a family of dictators fueled by petty retaliation who savagely rule their country by convincing the citizens that their rule is inevitable simply by continuously lying until the truth becomes a distant fantasy.

Speaking of...

The Clinton Campaign

Recommended Pairing: Some Schnapps and an updated resume.

As a writer, I've participated in dozens of fun Reddit threads about the process of writing, structure and story. I've honestly learned a lot from really smart and helpful internet strangers. And for that, I am very thankful.

The internet truly is a miraculous tool for gaining knowledge and problem solving. The only downside is that when you interact with the internet, you're not as anonymous as you might think, or need to be.

Case in point, "Stonetear":

A couple of years ago, "stonetear," asked a pretty mundane question to an exchange server subreddit about some trouble he was having with an email server he was managing:

Notice the mention of a "VERY VIP" person whose name he was trying to remove from archived emails. Who could that be?

Well, obviously this is all based on assumptions but it's not a huge leap to think that "stonetear" — the guy from the picture at the top of this — is Paul Combetta, one of the computer specialists working with Hillary Clinton during her time as Secretary of State.

The resemblance is uncanny.

When I first noticed this story, it was nothing more than a Twitter user connecting the dots after a simple search through various social media channels. I thought, it could be a coincidence. There's been plenty of times where I went to sign up for something online and found that one of my common usernames was already taken.

The pictures had me willing to believe, but then the Washington Post dug a little deeper and found some pretty substantial connections.

The website, "Combetta.com" is registered to stonetear@gmail.com
On Etsy, stonetear's profile shows the name Paul Combetta
A website for Betrayal at Kondor (a ’90s role-playing game) thanks Paul Combetta for hosting files and lists stonetear@gmail.com as his email address.

The most damning thing I've seen, however, is this gem they found:

"The timing of two of Stonetear’s Reddit posts coincides with events in the Clinton email saga. One post, dated July 24, 2014, came one day after the House Select Committee on Benghazi and the State Department reached an agreement on producing records. The second, which is dated Dec, 10, 2014, and describes a 60-day email retention policy, came the same month that a longtime Clinton aide requested that their email retention policy be shortened to 60 days."

That's enough for me. I'm like:

Yes. It appears dat dude just did dat. And then, of course, he pleaded the fifth.

In a week where Elizabeth Warren decimated the CEO of Wells Fargo, it's really frustrating to know/accept that Clinton is the only real option.

I mean, can you imagine what we're going to find online about Trump staffers' online habits?

'Til next week.

Adam F, Kokiri and Rae Bring You Sweet "Harmony"

2016-09-23T16:30:00.000Z

What do you around sunrise after a night out dancing to the newest garage tunes? You keep on dancing, but slow down the pace a bit. That’s why renowned British drum’n’bass producer Adam F, newcomer producer Kokiri and powerhouse vocalist Rae decided to re-work their collaboration “Harmony” into a vocals-driven acoustic jam, which we’re happy to exclusively premiere for you.

''The song is inspired by the feeling of harmony and unity in the club,” says Rae. “The beauty of this song is that is can be transferred to every genre and mean something to everyone. Acoustic music is intimate and personal and really lets you tell the story, performing live in this way is a real reward. I love giving my songs a unique interpretation and sharing them — this version translates beautifully.”

"After waiting for a few months for the track to be released, i've gotta say the wait was definitely worth it as 'Harmony' is one of my favourite tracks I’ve worked on to date,” adds Kokiri. “The acoustic version of the track is incredible too as it showcases just how talented Rae is.”

"I believe I give you everything you need, that’s where you’re taking me, we need to feel that harmony," Adam F quotes. “Music has the power to evoke feelings, memories, a picture in our mind. We wanted to write about that moment when the music takes you to that feel good place — that harmonious moment between you and the music — with a track that sounds modern and nostalgic at the same time.’’

It’s safe to say their mission is accomplished. Twice, if you take this latest acoustic cut into consideration.

Hear Eminem Collaborate With Skylar Grey On "Kill For You"

2016-09-23T15:54:07.523Z

Eminem has joined pop singer Skylar Grey for "Kill For You," a devious love song inspired by Bonnie and Clyde.

"You always ride," raps Eminem. "Whatever the plan is / 'Til the end, even if I led us into an ambush / Even if we robbed the First National and cops caught us redhanded."

Grey is complicit, crooning "You gon' make me commit murder / Baby, I'd kill for you" on the chorus.

"Since the first day I started writing 'Kill for You,' I thought the Bonnie and Clyde message would be more powerful as a duet," said the singer to Rolling Stone. "I was stoked when Marshall put a verse on it."

"Kill For You" is off Grey's new studio record Natural Causes, which drops today (Sept. 23).

Listen To Green Day's Inspiring Rocker "Still Breathing"

2016-09-23T15:38:25.631Z

Green Day push the volume to 11 on "Still Breathing," the group's stirring new single. The song tackles the difficulty of overcoming obstacles.

"Cause I'm still breathing on my own," sings Billie Joe Armstrong on the track. "My head's above the rain and roses / Makin' my way away / Cause I'm still breathing."

Armstrong, who has overcome addiction to remain the frontman of the internationally renowned band, knows a thing or two about fighting for your life.

"That was a very heavy song," explained Armstrong to Rolling Stone. "Sometimes I run away from being too heavy. But sometimes it just comes out that way."

Every Time I Die's Keith Buckley Talks 'Low Teens' and Musical Consistency

2016-09-23T07:00:00.000Z

Although it’s been 20 years since they first walked out onto a stage, the gentlemen of Every Time I Die continue to perform as graciously as they did all those years ago. Their passionate live performances are due to how thankful they are for the love and support that they’ve received over the decades, especially from the hardcore scene and Warped Tour crowd. Eight years after joining the fast-paced tour, the guys came back once again in preparation for today's release of their eighth studio album, Low Teens.

Myspace sat down with vocalist Keith Buckley to talk about the band’s evolution up to Low Teens, their return to the iconic summer tour, and what he does when he’s missing home.

How would you say the band has evolved from the first album up to Low Teens?
We haven’t abandoned our sound that we honed in on when we started out, but we definitely keep finding ways to push it a little further without completely breaking off into something entirely new. We’ve seen a lot of bands change their sound and their style over time, and it doesn’t ever really serve them well. It feels really good to be playing the kind of music that we love and to do it honestly and have people receptive to it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

After all of these years, what does it mean for the band to continue performing at Warped Tour?
It means that our band is at least going to last another two years. I feel like that’s kind of the cycle we’ve been going on, where we put out a record and play Warped Tour around the same time. We then tour the record cycle — which is about two years — and then skip a summer of Warped. For the last eight years they’ve brought us back every other year. We completely owe our longevity to Warped Tour. It really means a lot to us.

What advice would you go back and give yourself when you were first starting out?
I don’t think I’d tell myself anything. It was really necessary that we make a lot of mistakes and sort of learn our way. Maybe I’d say to avoid certain roads in the winter to stay out of car accidents, but other than that I think it was really important to do all of the really stupid things that we did when we were coming up. We learned so much from it all. I would just make sure that that kid — whenever he felt like giving up — would not give up.

Which bands have influenced you personally?
My influences when I was younger won’t make much sense in the grand scheme of things. The alternative stuff that I was listening to — Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots — definitely added that rock element. One of my favorite bands growing up was Rage Against the Machine. I guess if I could find a place for that in the evolution of our band, they were the first band that made me think about the lyrics. Every song by Rage Against the Machine I would look up in an encyclopedia, and it added a new dimension to listening to music — which I appreciated and, in a way, tried to incorporate into lyric writing in order to give people something more than surface-level lyrics. I also loved Counting Crows. I know that’s a strange one for people to hear. The lyrics that he wrote when I was a kid hit really close to home, and I knew that lyrics could be a very powerful thing. Those bands taught me a lot about lyric writing.

What’s your favorite song to perform live?
There’s a song called “The New Black” which was important to me because it was the first time that I really had fun with a song and wrote it just because. Based on the way it sounded, I was trying to write a party song and didn’t take myself so seriously. Once I did that and it worked, it opened up so many new things for me as far as the content of the lyrics went. It was a monumental song for me, and I still like playing it.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I try to make it a point to watch Dr. Phil every day at 3:00. It just began right before we left to start the tour. I have a very new daughter who’s only like 6 months old. When I was home, her feedings were every three hours — noon, 3:00 and so on. I was feeding her at the 3:00 one day and turned on the TV to have some noise in the background. Dr. Phil was on, and I found myself kind of watching it. Then it became a thing where everyday at 3:00, her and I would sit, I’d put on Dr. Phil, and I’d feed her. It became sort of a strange routine, and now that I’m here without her it takes me back home a little to watch it. It sounds stupid, but it’s me and my daughter bonding over Dr. Phil.

40 Celebrities We Still Can't Believe Dated

2016-09-23T07:00:00.000Z

Celebrities never fail to surprise us. Whether it’s risky movie roles, unexpected career moves or shocking confessions. But let’s be honest for a moment: what we’re always dying to know is who’s dating who and who’s just broke whose heart. While the mammoth of celebrity couples, Brangelina, shocked us this week with the announcement of separation, we’d like to take a moment and remember the couples we can’t believe matched in the first place.

Drew Barrymore and David Arquette

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David Arquette certainly had fun on the set of the Scream trilogy. Not only did he marry his on-screen love interest Courteney Cox, but he recently revealed that he had a thing going on with Drew Barrymore, too. Although sources reveal Arquette and Barrymore dated long before they had to run away from the Ghostface together — they were an item in 1991.

Jessica Simpson and Jensen Ackles

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Apparently the Supernatural star was “Irresistible” for Jessica Simpson as they dated back in the '90s. The romance didn’t last long long — Simpson later revealed that Ackles cheated on her with LeAnn Rimes.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.

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Long before Downey Jr. was saving the world as Iron Man and Parker was clicking her Manolo Blahnik’s as Carrie Bradshaw, they were the tightest Hollywood couple from 1984 to 1991, before Downey’s addiction and misbehaving took the best of their relationships. Last year they had a reunion meeting, which gave both much-needed closure.

Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morisette

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Isn’t it ironic? Canadian pride all the way! Ryan Reynolds dated Alanis Morisette from 2002 to 2007, and their break-up inspired Morisette’s album Flavors of Entanglement. But both got their happy endings: Reynolds ended up with Blake Lively and Morisette married musician Mario Treadway.

Robbie Williams and Cameron Diaz

Rex

The British popstar and American moviestar met in 2003 and had a brief fling, but Diaz didn’t disappear from Williams’ life completely — Charlie's blonde angel later bumped into him and convinced him to reunite with his then-girlfriend soon-to-be-wife Ayda Field. An angel indeed!

Winona Ryder and Matt Damon

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Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow’s famous falling-out is well documented, but Ryder and Matt Damon’s romance is often forgotten. Damon was introduced to Ryder by her then-friend Paltrow and the couple really hit it off and dated for two years.

Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock

WireImage

Ryan Gosling had his bad boy swag early on. In 2002 he starred in Murder by Numbers alongside Sandra Bullock and the two actors began dating. The romance lasted for a year but left a good impression on Gosling, who later called Bullock one of his “greatest girlfriends of all time.”

Christina Applegate and Brad Pitt

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Yes, Pitt always had a thing for actresses, even before all of his Aniston/Jolie shenanigans. But to be fair, He didn’t exactly "date" Applegate, as their only publicly documented date didn’t even finish. The two went together to the MTV Movie Awards in 1989, but Christina ditched her date for another (still unrevealed) celebrity. Very classy, Christina, very classy.

Josh Hartnett and Penelope Cruz

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Back in 2007 these two beautiful people made tabloids devour on the details of their extravagant romantic night out in New York. Sadly, that was also the last time they were seen together.

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Esposito

Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Turner

Several years before his big Hollywood break, Bradley Cooper was dating Jennifer Esposito and the pair went as far as marrying each other in 2006, only to divorce a year later and make Jennifer vaguely describe her unmentioned partner as “cold” in her memoir. Ouch.

Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts

WireImage

These two rising filmstars weren’t just dating — they were about to tie the knot, before the rumors of Sutherland’s infidelity tore them apart. How can you cheat on a pretty woman like that?!

Fergie and Justin Timberlake

Getty

There’s a reason these two asked “Where Is The Love?” together in 2003, as by that time their romance was long time dead. 16-year-old Justin dated 23-year-old Fergie in 1996 when both were just ambitious showbiz newcomers. Luckily, they've stayed friends even after both hit the big time.

Conan O’Brien and Lisa Kudrow

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Funny people stick together, right? When both were just starting to laugh their way up in the show business, O’Brien and Kudrow decided to give a little romance a try. It didn’t work out but neither of them seem bitter about it.

Seal and Tyra Banks

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Seal really can’t stay away from fashion reality show hosts, can he? Before becoming a tight union with the future Project Runaway boss Heidi Klum, he had a fling with future America’s Next Top Model diva Tyra Banks.

Jean Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue

Capcom

In the '90s Kylie Minogue was pursuing a movie career, and that’s how she landed on the same set as B-movie superstar Jean Claude Van Damme in 1994’s Street Fighter. The two kicked it off (pun intended) quickly and had a short but lovely fling in Thailand.

Enrique Iglesias and Sofia Vergara

Sony/Getty

Before becoming the highest paid actress on television, Vergara was spending time with the Spanish hitmaker Enrique Iglesias in the late '90s. Yes, that was when Iglesias was still rocking his trademark mole.

Britney Spears and Fred Durst

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Everytime we’re remembering this pairing, we can’t really imagine how that was possible. Britney was entering her wicked phase when she was often see in the company of Limp Bizkit's frontman. When asked about the romance at the time, Britney said she barely knew the guy. “I just guess at the time it was taboo for a guy like me to be associated with a gal like her,” Durst later commented.

Moby and Natalie Portman

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Forward-thinking musician and beloved Star Wars star dated for a bit in early 2000s. Moby later commented: "As far as the very brief affair I had with Natalie, it's made me the target of a lot of nerd wrath. You can't date Luke Skywalker's mom and not have them hate your guts.”

Tom Cruise and Cher

Rex

We're certainly having a hard time imagining these two together, but apparently their short-lived romance back in the mid-80s left a pretty lasting aftertaste. The singer, who was 39 when she was dating the 23-year-old rising movie star, named Cruise one of her “top 5 lovers” on Andy Cohen’s show several years ago.

Colin Farrell and Elizabeth Taylor

Getty

A story that sounds straight out of a Hollywood movie, Colin Farrell met Elizabeth Taylor in the hospital and was enchanted by the actress. As he later confessed to Ellen, the two became phone buddies and Farrell likes to think that he was the last romantic interest of the legendary actress. That explains why Farrell was present at Taylor’s funeral.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-09-23T07:00:00.000Z

While there are a lot of new releases to choose from this week, the following five offer up a little something extra that make them our favorites. Shawn Mendes returns with his new album, Illuminate, while How to Dress Well brings the beats on Care. Warpaint blend some smooth grooves on their third album, Heads Up, and NYC duo, Acrylics are back after five years with Dada minor. Finally, The Walkmen's Hamilton Leithauser and Vampire Weekend's Rotsam have joined forces on I Had a Dream That You Were Mine.

Read more about our top five album releases below.

'Illuminate' - Shawn Mendes

Shawn Mendes has been capturing young hearts with covers that he'd post on Vine and later became one of the most followed people on the app — when he was only 15. Now at the ripe old age of 18, Shawn is releasing his second LP, Illuminate, and is ready make all the girls (and boys) melt.

A follow-up to his 2015 record, Handwritten, Shawn does what he does best: write honest songs about heartbreak and young love. But unlike his previous work, the Canadian singer-songwriter goes for a more bluesy vibe to the record. Take for instance, "Ruin." After listening to the opening chords, the tune takes you back to John Mayer's Continuum, which coincidentally celebrated it's 10th anniversary last week. He continues the momentum on the guarded tune, "Mercy," and the heartbreaking guitar-led song, "Don't Be Fooled." Between it's doo-wop feel and Shawn's falsettos, we know this will be a fan favorite.

What makes Illuminate worth the listen is the fact that it shows how much Shawn has grown as an artist. Unlike the LP's lead single, "Treat You Better," which sounds like his breakout hit "Stitches," Shawn isn't a one trick pony and has way more up his sleeve than pop beats and catchy hooks.

'I Had a Dream That You Were Mine' - Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

When we got wind of the collaborative sessions between Vampire Weekend's Rostam and The Walkmen's Hamilton Leithauser, we wondered what kind of music these two could come up with together. With such different sonic POVs of the indie rock spectrum, it could have really just turned into a hot mess. However, they decided to abandon the idea of staying within one musical genre and just let the songs speak for themselves. Sure, other musicians have done this in the past. But it's not as distinct as the tracks you hear on I Had a Dream That You Were Mine.

As you move through the track list, you get the doo-wop of "When the Truth Is...," the delicacy of "A 1000 Times" and the harmonica twang of "You Ain't That Young Kid." Although each song has a life of its own, the cohesion comes from the stories they tell, which the duo rooted in New York City. What makes the album even more interesting is hearing how many different nuances there are in Hamilton's voice. I Had a Dream That You Were Mine is like a unicorn in the heaps of album releases this week, as it really shows how musicians can bring diversity to one album and do it well.

'Heads Up' - Warpaint

After taking some time last year to work on their own projects, the ladies of Warpaint are finally back with their follow-up for their self-titled 2014 record. Keeping their ethereal bass-laden indie rock sound, the Los Angeles band surrounds you with its seamless harmonies and head-bopping drum beats.

Like they've done on their older songs, Warpaint's buzzy guitar riffs leave you in dream-like state. But as the title track will show you, there are sonic twists and turns on the record, which are nice surprises. "Whiteout" opens with a mid-tempo thump and chord progression that has a little xx feel, while "Don't Wanna" gets right into the pocket of the beat with the vocals gliding right above. "Today Dear" takes a more stripped down approach with the focus being on acoustic guitar and vocals, but "Above Control" has an eerie feel with spacey effects at the top of the tune followed by the ladies' hauntingly beautiful voices. It looks like the break from the band did the members of Warpaint some good, as the indie rock outfit have produced a solid record.

'Care' - How to Dress Well

What makes a pop record? Tom Krell, better known onstage as How to Dress Well, asked himself that question for years. And after playing in the R&B-esque world for years, he brings the pop side out on his new record, Care.

This time around, he beefed up his production side by teaming up with Jack Antonoff of Bleachers, Dre Skull and Andrew Dawson. Tom really looked into himself and penned songs about growth, love and sex. While he's been open about sexuality on previous records, he seemed to make a point to consciously write about sensuality. And with that consciousness, you hear the themes run wild on "Lost Youth / Lost You" and the album's lead single, "Can't You Tell." Perhaps the most introspective track on the record is "The Ruins," where he recounted the first time he engaged in sex. Like the nervousness and sometimes awkward way we've felt during our first times, you can hear it in the staccato flow of the tune. Tom's journey in to pop musicianship goes into traditional territory with his last two tracks, "Made A Lifetime," and "They'll Take Everything You Have."

Listening to Care does feel like a couple's progression into making love, not just getting down and dirty. Each track is gentle enough to entice you and leave you satisfied by the end.

'DADA minor' - Acrylics

If you want go deeper into alternative pop territory, give Acrylics a try. After five years, the New York City duo are back with DADA minor. It's a collection of tracks that is so melodically satisfying. "Golden Green" makes you want to hop into your car and just drive while the single, "Keeper Finder," is playful and fun as it delves into the memories of puppy love. Unlike their last album, 2011's Lives and Treasure, there are elements of krautrock woven in that add a sweet touch to songs like "Sunset Peach."

After a crazy week, this is the perfect album to chill out to with a cool beverage in your hand — spiked — if that's your speed, of course.

Watch Hugh Grant, Paul Rudd, and Kate Hudson Read Mean Tweets About Themselves

2016-09-22T20:35:36.056Z

It’s become one of the classic segments of late night television: Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s “mean tweets,” the self-roasting phenomenon that is both cringeworthy and, ultimately, a reminder that some insults are just plain funny. During Wednesday night’s show, we got another installment of the crowd favorite, this time featuring heartthrobs like Hugh Grant, Paul Rudd, and Kate Hudson.

You Can Now Stay in SpongeBob’s Pineapple Under the Sea at the New Nickelodeon Hotel

Kate Hudson read her social media insult, “Kate Hudson is a dead eyed trash bag that smells like low tide,” while Paul Rudd read his even deeper dig: “Paul Rudd is the most boring vanilla dude. You know he just sits at home with his wife having a bland spaghetti dinner talking about his day,” which he thought was a laugh riot. Hugh Grant wasn’t quite as amused as others.

Watch Lupita Nyong’o’s Amazing Reaction to Being Mentioned in a Jay Z Song

Watch the clip to see how thick-skinned (or not) these celebrities really are.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

J.K. Rowling Wants You to Know That ‘Harambe’ Is Not an Official Patronus Option

2016-09-22T20:28:21.587Z

No, the gorilla Harambe is not an official, J.K.-Rowling-approved Patronus option.

On Thursday, Harry Potter fans went into a frenzy with the launch of the Patronus “experience” on the all-things-Potter Pottermore site, in which Muggles can discover the corporeal animal form that their spirit shields would take — if we were able to perform the advanced-level magic of the beloved Patronus Charm, of course.

Mary Berry Is Leaving The Great British Bake Off

As users have shared across social media, the results are exceptionally diverse and specific: all kinds of creatures have been produced, from tortoiseshell cats to run-of-the-mill rats to even mythical fire-dwelling salamanders. But in the seemingly-endless universe of Patronus options, there’s one animal that’s definitely not going to appear at the end of the quiz, and that’s the deceased, meme-ified mountain gorilla Harambe, who once called the Cincinnati Zoo home and has since become a running viral joke.

Rowling retweeted a comedy account that shared a Harambe-as-Patronus joke image — but then tweeted again to clear everything up.

This Quirky Cat Artist Is Hosting a Cat Party Where People Can Dress Like Cats

Now, carry on practicing your pronunciation of “Expecto patronum,” wizard wannabes!

Wow @pottermore @jk_rowling too soon pic.twitter.com/zPMFM4Ch6R
— theCHIVE (@theCHIVE) September 22, 2016

I thought it was very funny, btw.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 22, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Daniel Radcliffe Would Be So Happy to Be Killed Off on Game of Thrones

2016-09-22T20:19:05.930Z

Daniel Radcliffe would really enjoy being in Game of Thrones, even if his character’s only alive for a quick spell.

The actor told Digital Spy that he’s enjoying his post-Harry Potterflexibility. “Right now, I have a little bit of freedom.” He continued, “I’ve recently read a couple of really good TV pilot scripts, but then it’s signing on for seven years.”

Watch James Corden Audition for Bridget Jones’s Baby as Harry Potter

But of course, Radcliffe is, it might not surprise you, extremely down for a brief stint on Game of Thrones.

“I would love to,” he said. “If they want to just bring me in and f–king kill me, I would be so happy to do that.”

Harry Potter Fans Can Now Discover Their Patronus in a Quiz Developed by J.K. Rowling Herself

He wouldn’t be the first Harry Potter movie vet to make the leap from the films to the HBO series. Jim Broadbent—who played Professor Horace Slughorn in the Harry Potter film franchise adapted from J.K. Rowling’s book series—will play an important role in the show’s upcoming seventh season, making him one of eight actors who have starred in both beloved franchises.

Send an owl over to the U.K. if you want to make this happen.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Hide Your Kids' "Stop Scaring Me" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-22T16:30:00.000Z

Instead of going for a major cinematic production, Hide Your Kids wanted to go for something more straightforward with their new video for "Stop Scaring Me." The Icelandic band take us on the road with them and show us what it's like to be on tour. From hotel-hopping to soundcheck, the Gardabaer-Reykjavik-based indie rock quintet make us feel like we're right there with them.

And as for the song, the band reveal that it came together without a hitch. "An old idea of a song was made into a new song in a few days," Hide Your Kids tell Myspace. "The inspiration for the lyrics could be sourced to Daniel’s (singer) experience working as a bartender at a cocktail bar in Reykjavik, where he’d see rich businessmen come there to get wasted while leaving their personal life back home. They’d fake their happiness with the illusion that alcohol and other substance can give you. The vibe and sound of the song could be described as elaborate while being rustic. We experimented with new strange sounds but still wanted the song to have a generic vibe and our own signature characteristics in the sound and vibe."

Hide Your Kids are putting the finishing touches on their new album, which they hope to drop in 2017. In the meantime, check out their video for "Stop Scaring Me" below.

Citizen Zero Discuss Detroit and 'State of Mind'

2016-09-22T16:30:00.000Z

While some bands seem to churn out records at hyper speed, some take their time to craft the album they wanted to make. This is the case for Citizen Zero. After two years of mulling over songs in the studio, the band has released its debut effort, State of Mind. While make a set of good rock songs, the Detroit band has been playing the festival circuit as well as opening for P.O.D.

We spoke with lead guitarist Sammy Boller about the band's beginnings, Detroit and the process of finally getting State of Mind out.

Homebase: Detroit, MI

How did the band get together?

The Dudley brothers had this reputation around town as these legendary players, but they could never find a singer to front their band. Josh met them through a mutual friend in 2010 and started jamming and writing songs almost immediately. Our drummer John was only 15 at the time.

You've released EPs before, but this is your debut LP. How does it feel to finally have that out?

We wrote and recorded this album at a very volatile time in our lives. It’s been finished for almost two years, and there was a time when we didn’t think it was going to see the light of day. The fact that it’s finally out, and people have been responding to the songs so well, is beyond what we could have ever imagined.

Take us back to the studio and talk about the most memorable moment.

There were a lot of memorable times while working on this record. There were a few days in the summer of 2013 when we were writing and working on demos in the studio with our producer and engineer, Steve Lehane. We went in a few days in row and laid down some ideas live and it seemed like we could do no wrong. The songs ended up being "What A Feeling," "Save The Queen," and "Go (Let Me Save You)." For a few weeks afterword, it felt like we caught lightning in a bottle. You don’t always capture special moments like that in the studio, so when it happens, it’s really surreal. We still listen to those demos in the van sometimes and they take us right back to that time.

What’s your favorite song to perform?

We just started playing "Home" live, and we’ve all been enjoying playing it. It’s got a lighter, old-school feel to it and it’s a good change of pace from the rest of the set. I also love playing Applause and Fame.

What is "Go (Let Me Save You)" about?

"Go" is actually the first song we wrote together after I joined the band. We wrote the music in a basement studio in Romeo, MI under what used to be the High Octane Lounge. Josh wrote the lyrics the same day as the Sandy Hook tragedy and I know for him, it was written as a response to how the media portrayed the events on TV.

How has Detroit influenced your band's sound and yourselves as musicians?

The Detroit sound is definitely ingrained in our music. There’s a great history of songwriting here — from Bob Seger to Motown. Growing up in the shadows of such great artists, we really learned to focus on the songs before anything else.

Favorite Detroit artist or band?

Gotta go with Alice Cooper. I was really big fan of his original guitarist Glen Buxton growing up.

What is next for Citizen Zero?

We’re going out with Young Guns starting [September] and hitting the road with Like A Storm in October. We’re going be on the road full time going into next year promoting the new album, so if you need to get ahold of us, we’ll be in the van.

Listen To Ringo Starr's Empowering New Song For International Day Of Peace

2016-09-22T16:19:29.396Z

Ringo Starr has released a soulful new song in celebration of the UN's International Day of Peace.

“I worked on this record with Peace & Love,” Ringo said in a statement. “It was a joy to be part of this project.”

On the song, the former Beatles drummer splits singing duties with Colin Hay, Billy Valentine and Richard Page. The track also features backup vocals from social media stars Christian Collins, Maddi Jane, Casey McPherson, James Maslow and Wesley Stromberg.

"I am so grateful to Ringo Starr for lending his talent to unite people through the gift of song," said UN representative Ray Chambers in a statement. "I hope people across the world from Colombia to Syria will heed this call for peace—now."

Watch Hillary Clinton's Bizarre Interview With Zach Galifianakis

2016-09-22T16:11:12.753Z

Hillary Clinton isn't shy to an probing interview — even if it's an absurd spoof of a segment with funnyman Zach Galifianakis.

Galifianakis quizzed the presidential nominee on questions about her policy, her sartorial choices for the first presidential debate on Monday and... whether she thinks Donald Trump wrote his own vows at his wedding.

"I really regret doing this," says Clinton early on.

But she plays along. In the interview, she notes that she won't flee to Canada if Donald Trump wins the presidency ("I would try to prevent him from destroying the United States"). And she gets mad at Galifianakis when he pauses the interview to run a Trump ad (because he paid the host in steaks).

Watch the whole interview on Funny or Die below.

Jam To The Weeknd's New Single "Starboy" Featuring Daft Punk

2016-09-22T15:35:29.337Z

The Weeknd has unveiled a doozy of a single: the title track of Starboy, featuring suave electronic production from none other than Daft Punk.

On the track, Abel Tesfaye's smooth vocals complement light instrumentals from the legendary French electro duo. "Look what you’ve done," sings the Canadian R&B star on the chorus. "I’m a motherfuckin’ Starboy."

In a recent interview, Tesfaye noted that Starboy will feel different than his 2015 blockbuster Beauty Behind the Madness. "I think it’ll be the best-sounding album I’ve ever done," said the artist to VMan Magazine.

"It’s hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced."

Listen to "Starboy" below, and look out for the album November 25.

TTNG Dishes on Name and Lineup Changes Over Seared Ahi Sandwiches

2016-09-22T07:27:01.102Z

"Tina Turner's Nipple Gravy!" all three members of TTNG respond enthusiastically when asked what their favorite fake name is for one of the UK's biggest math rock bands.

Henry Tremain, Tim Collis and Chris Collis used to be known as This Town Needs Guns, but the ironic humor in the band's name was lost as the trio became more famous, and they didn't want to be confused for a decidedly pro-firearm group. Rather than switching gears entirely, the band's well-known abbreviation became their official moniker.

"There are some legit rivals for the name on social media, like The Three Nice Girls and The Travel Network Group," guitarist Tim Collis says with a smirk. "We get tagged in all sorts of stuff on social media. That's the real reason we changed it: to do better on social media and to confuse our fans. Beside that, there's a big chat and spiel we can go on, but it's not a big deal."

But that was almost four years and a pair of releases ago. These days, TTNG's touring the world in support of July's Disappointment Island and has built a fanbase spanning continents. But today, they're still shaking off the jet lag and tracking down their instruments as they stroll into L.A.'s Mohawk Bend for a bit of lunch before their U.S. tour kicks off in two days. Of course, it's a lot cheaper for TTNG to go out to eat on tour these days than it was for the first couple of tours.

"When we first started, there were five people," Tim says as he bites into one of the four seared ahi tuna sandwiches at the table. "Then there were four, and then when we did 13.0.0.0.0 it was a transitional period. This is the first time we've been comfortable and written as three for the whole record."

"I'm just looking forward to the next record as a two-piece," jokes vocalist and bassist Henry Tremain. "We're going to have to draw straws to see who gets cut."

While some bands may struggle losing two members over two records, the guys in TTNG believe the downsizing has actually improved their sound. Tremain plays a modified bass to bridge the melodic gap of not having a second guitar, and each of the members believe that they have more space to shine individually as a trio. In a genre crowded with the most complex multi-guitar riffs and layered sounds, it gives TTNG a unique sound both on record and during live shows.

"It's nice to have that variety rather than a tonal range for the entire album," Tremain says as he crunches down on a fresh-made potato chip. "There are sections when the bass is missing, and then when the bass comes back in and you have some low frequencies it changes the feeling of the album. It gives variety and contrast, and I think contrast is super important for keeping music interesting."

Over the course of the next few months, TTNG will find out just how an American audience feels about Disappointment Island during their live shows across the country. By the end of the year, they'll have spanned most of the world with their new material in venues big and small. But while many bands dream of being able to tour internationally and have fans fill their concerts, the guys in TTNG are at the point where they appreciate the little things after over a decade of existence.

"It's always fun to come [to the U.S.] and see everyone," says drummer Chris Collis between fries. "It's also nice to be out here in sunny California where the weather is beautiful. We haven't had much of a summer back home in England, so the weather is a factor."

"I'm just looking forward to avocado," Tremain adds as he stares at his sandwich.

Although the sunshine and guacamole may not follow the band everywhere they go, there's little doubt that TTNG will continue to be one of the biggest names in math rock for years to come. From Albuquerque to Ireland, Philadelphia to Japan, they'll be continuing to dine on patios anytime the sun's out and crack jokes on each other regardless of temperature.

And for those still wondering what TTNG could possibly stand for these days, Teenage Tutant Ninja Gurtles and Tar Trek the Next Generation are two of the band's other favorites. It's pretty tough to beat Tina Turner's Nipple Gravy though.

Chelsea Handler Blames the Kardashians for Donald Trump

2016-09-22T07:00:00.000Z

It's easy to blame the Kardashians for just about anything these days, but comedian Chelsea Handler has taken things a step further with the upcoming election.

The good folks at XUMO teamed up with Vanity Fair to bring us a steady stream of Handler's hottest takes on recent stories. It's definitely not something you'd want to miss.

Are the Kardashians actually to blame for Donald Trump's presidential run? No more than Brandy is responsible for the Kardashians' success. Check out the video below for a good thought-provoking laugh.

Vanity Fair on XUMO - Chelsea Handler Blames the Kardashians for Donald Trump from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things entertainment whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

Felix Jaehn Shares 8 Songs That Inspire His Music Creation

2016-09-22T07:00:00.000Z

OMI's "Cheerleader" was one of 2015's most played songs. And although the tune was penned by the Jamaican singer, it's the remixing talents of Felix Jaehn that brought it to its chart-topping status. At 22, the German DJ and producer has dropped his own hit tune, "Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)" featuring Jasmine Thompson, as well as played on many of the major EDM stages in the world. With his ear tuned into melodic electronic music, we found out what songs have inspired his producing and DJ skills.

See Felix Jaehn's playlist below.

David Guetta f/ Kelly Rowland - "When Love Takes Over"

I [recently] plays Pacha Ibiza with David Guetta, and he's such a cool guy and so relax. "When Love Takes Over" is obviously one of his first huge hits, and I had to include David Guetta on this list because he's one of the guys who got dance music to the mainstream audience and to radio and to pop. So me making melodic house music that's being played on radio right now is massively influenced by his work.

Avicii - "Levels"

When this song was released, I was 15 or 16 years old. That's when I started DJing, and this song was on repeat. And this song is probably one of the reasons I got into DJing and stuff. Also, what I really like about it is the melody is so great. And all his songs are all about great emotions and melodies, and that's what I'm trying to approach as well.

DJ Snake - "Bird Machine"

You need to check it out. When it came out, it was surreal like wow! This is something new and something fresh. At the time, I was living in London and started producing music and studying music business and stuff. I was really inspired by [the song]. And he actually used a whistle as the lead sound, and I thought it was really cool because he was thinking out of the box or something, which I really like.

Passenger - "Let It Go"

This is another song I was listening to a lot while I was living in London, but it's completely acoustic. This one is not about the lead sound or the bass or the drums at all. It was all about the songwriting, which I think is incredible about this song. And listening to the song at that time, I also realized that it's not just about the bass, drums and dance music. It's emotions as well, like the words and melodies. What I'm trying to do right now is a lot of songwriting. The top line, the vocal is key to my music. And of course, it's a house record with an electronic sense, but I think the song is really the focus. And this song made me realize it.

Ben Pearce - "What I Might Do"

This is another song I listened to a lot in London. It's a really cool song with a deep, amazing vibe. And living in London, I didn't only start producing music, but I also opened at Ministry of Sound there. It was when I was 18, and it was incredible that I got to play there. And they played that song a lot in the clubs at that time. So I really relate this song to my time in starting to get out there as a DJ.

Major Lazer f/ MØ - "Lean On"

It was the song last year. And I love the whole production, the hooks, it all works well. If you hear my recent releases, you'll hear that I'm Major Lazer-inspired.

Jack Ü f/ Kai - "Mind"

I think everything about Jack Ü and particularly Skrillex that I love is the percussion and synths are just so spot on. The layering and the sounds are so punchy and special. I can't even describe it. That's a huge inspiration.

Earth Wind & Fire - "September"

And I end on a classic. The funny thing about this song is that everyone knows the hook, but until recently, I haven't actually listened to the entire song. I've been listening to the whole song a lot recently, so you may hear it in some of my coming productions.

Revisiting 'The Real World: Las Vegas' with Arissa Hill

2016-09-22T07:00:00.000Z

In 2002, when seven strangers took over an entire floor of The Palms Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, it made for one of the most memorable seasons of The Real World, and one that wholeheartedly embraced the city’s nickname of Sin City.

Arissa Hill was one of the seven strangers we would end up getting to know.

Currently, Hill resides in Boston, working as a chef. She also runs a food blog and is putting together a cookbook focused on eating healthy and organic without busting one’s budget. In addition to her culinary exploits, Hill recently re-signed with Maggie Inc., the modeling agency that sent her on the path to Vegas.

Though she happily admits she’s “definitely not the same person” she was during her time on The Real World, Hill notes, “There are elements of that girl in me now.

“My curiosity is the same, and my desire to have really dope experiences, it’s still there, it’s still prevalent, and it’s still passionate.”

Myspace caught up with Hill to find out more about her experiences on The Real World — including a crazy night that wasn’t seen by viewers — and why she did one, and only one, Real World/Road Rules Challenge.

MTV Classic has been airing marathons of early seasons of The Real World. You know they're going to get to Vegas. When they do, what are you most looking forward to seeing again, and least looking forward to seeing again? (Since the interview, MTV Classic actually did air this season.)

I have only ever watched maybe three episodes of my original season, and after three, that was enough. I didn’t need to see any more. I’ve never really gone back and revisited it in any real sense.

What I do get excited about is the nostalgia that it brings back. When they play a marathon, it’s kind of like a gentle reminder, like, You did this. I get to go back to those feelings, which is really cool. It was a cool experience.

Knowing what you know now, if you could go back, and give advice to yourself on the day you arrived at the hotel suite, what would you say?

I would probably tell myself to have fun a lot earlier. Funny enough, even though it doesn’t look like it, for the first two months I really didn’t do anything. There were the first three nights, and after those three nights I was so into being a good girlfriend I would sit in the house and read books. I would have probably really let loose a lot earlier.

Would you have broken up with your boyfriend before going on the show?

Oh absolutely. I would have gone there single as all hell. I would have been like, “Listen little girl, you’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, have nothing holding you back.”

Did being in those particular accommodations change the way you view hot tubs forever?

(Hot tubs) and pools. I don’t think they could print enough money for me to step into a hotel pool, or Jacuzzi. Never again.

Did you bring home a souvenir from the house that maybe MTV didn’t know you came home with?

I got an eight ball. I got an eight ball from the pool table.

I’m glad you said “from the pool table.” That’s an important part of that sentence.

[laughs] Yes.

Oh, and we had the whole floor (for the show), I think it was the 28th floor of The Palms. Maybe three rooms were the control room, but there were these other rooms they had just walled off.

Something that you didn’t see was that maybe about three weeks before we vacated, one night at four or five in the morning, we were being reckless, and I discovered the walled up room, and broke into it. I pulled off this thing and ended up getting into a suite that had been walled off completely. It was a full, complete, walled off, suite.

I remember Irulan and I climbed through the hole, and we went into the suite. We came out with bathrobes and toiletries. So I did take a sweep from a room that I discovered in our wall on the 28th floor.

You must have been like, “We totally could’ve had private bedrooms!”

I was so upset, because I was like, if I had found this earlier you guys would have never ever found me.

You are now really into healthy living, which a lot of people who watched the show may find interesting, because you were shown smoking A LOT. When did you trade cigarettes for organic food?

I only smoked cigarettes for like two years. It’s crazy, because once I got to California, that was when the lightbulb went on, and everything became extremely organic. I wanted to just put the best things in my body, and it’s paid off tenfold, because I feel great. It literally changed everything for me, so yeah, to look back and see myself smoking, not only smoking cigarettes, but smoking fucking Newports. Ugh.

That hallway must have smelled awful.

Still, years later, it’s embedded. Alton was smoking Marlboros. Irulan was smoking. All of us were smoking, and not one of us smoke now.

I liked the fact that there was never a fight about the smokers having to smoke outside of the living area.

Nobody was trying to pretend that cigarette smoke wasn’t the most disgusting thing ever. We all knew it was absolutely atrocious, and disgusting, and rude.

How did anybody deal with me then? I don’t want people near me when they smell like smoke, so I can’t even fathom how I had one friend, or how I even went on one date.

Five years after the show aired you did a seven episode Reunited special. If that offer were to be presented to you today, would you want to see everyone again?

I always want to see everyone. They’re the only people on this planet that truly know what that experience was like that we lived together, so I always want to see them, and I’m gonna always want to know how they’re doing, because I’m gonna have that connection with them for the rest of my life.

You also competed in a Real World/Road Rules Challenge. You just did one, though, you didn't make a career out of it like some folks have. What made you want to do it, and what made you only want to do it once?

The idea of going and playing games in sometimes exotic locations was inviting, and appealing. Then the reality of it was atrocious.

They asked us, “What is every single one of your fears?” They heard them, and they placed me in front of all of them.

On the one hand I was glad I faced every single one of my fears, whether I was successful at it or not is another story. However, I wouldn’t make a career out of it, because something that I just discussed with Melissa Beck, who did The Real World in New Orleans, the idea of trying to melt ice with your body for 18 minutes for a lifetime of clothes from Abercrombie, or eating bugs for a Tempur-Pedic mattress is not a viable career option after a certain age. You have to look at your life and say OK, what am I doing? Am I letting somebody make me look like an asshole?

At that point it may be time to log on to LinkedIn.

You know, let me just go back to the real world and just get a fucking job.

A regular job can have its drawbacks, but it’s still better than eating bugs.

Seriously. I was terrified of bugs, but I was presented with a challenge where I either had to eat the bugs, or get into the glass coffin with the bugs. The prize was a Tempur-Pedic mattress.

I was terrified, but I got in that coffin, and was in there for like three and a half hours. (Viewers) get such an extreme, edited version.

I did that challenge with Mark Long, and we decided to get out at the same time, because he was like, “Arissa, I want to get out of this so bad, but if I get out of here before you my life will be ruined as far as being a man, so if we could just make the decision to get out at the same time that would be great.”

Three hours was not a good time to choose. Three minutes would’ve been a much better time.

But we had to give them a chance to chew up all of those bugs and spit them in a cylinder, which, when I think about it, is literally one of the most disgusting sentences I’ve ever uttered.

Tell me this ruined the Tempur-Pedic mattress for you.

You know, I now refuse all Tempur-Pedic.

Getting to Know... Kongos

2016-09-22T07:00:00.000Z

Following the big success of their 2012 album, Lunatic, Kongos took some time to figure out what they wanted to do for their next record. And after the members of the South African-born, Arizona-based band penned new tunes on their own, they later came together to hash out what has become their latest album, Egomaniac.

"We came up with the title after we had written a bunch of songs," Jesse Kongos tells Myspace, "so once we saw the theme running through everybody's songs, based on the experiences of touring and ideas we had in our head, that's when we decided to make it more of a cohesive album. From that point on, we made sure those songs would be around that theme."

But did they feel any pressure when it came to making something that could top the success of Lunatic?

"Over the course of the Lunatic cycle, everything got better," Johnny Kongos explains. "The venues got better. The dressing rooms got better. The crowd got better. We definitely don't want to go backwards, you know?"

Danny Kongos also adds, "They're big shoes to fill. But during the recording process, we try to isolate ourselves from that. We were in Phoenix, AZ. You're not in LA or New York City where there's that hype, and the competitive nature in us comes out. [In Phoenix], we could just disappear and make the album that we wanted."

While chatting with Kongos, we took the opportunity to get to know brothers — Jesse, Johnny, Danny and Dylan — a little bit better.

Dylan Kongos, 30

Instrument: Bass/Guitar/Vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Jackson Browne
Best Show They've Played: Toss up between Oppikoppi, Lollapalooza Brazil, and Corona Capital
Best Show They've Seen: Punch Brothers at Crescent Ballroom
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: Go to the game farm

Jesse Kongos, 32

Instrument: Drums and vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Drums - Jack DeJohnette
Best Show They've Played: Corona Capital - Mexico City
Best Show They've Seen: Tinariwen at the Troubador in LA
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: House party with old friends

Johnny Kongos, 34

Instrument: Accordion
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Keith Jarrett - "Autumn Leaves (Live at the Blue Note)"
Best Show They've Played: Corona Capital, Mexico City
Best Show They've Seen: Tinariwen at The Troubadour
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: Visiting the Game farms

Danny Kongos, 27

Instrument: Guitars/vocals
Band or Song That Inspired them to be to a Musician: Jeff Beck
Best Show They've Played: Armando Records Bogota, Colombia
Best Show They've Seen: The Wall, Tinariwen, Punch Brothers
One Thing I Can't Wait to See or Do in South Africa: See lions

Michelle Obama on Beyoncé: ‘We Have a Lot in Common’

2016-09-21T21:48:53.583Z

First Lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday that she and Beyoncé “have a lot in common,” acknowledging what most of the country has already realized.

“She’s a sweetheart. I mean, she’s smart, she’s creative, she’s a great mother, she loves her family. I mean, you know, she’s just a low-key lady, so we have a lot in common in that way—except I can’t sing, I can’t dance,” Obama said Tuesday in an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Not like Beyoncé.”

Michelle Obama and Stephen Colbert Built a Blanket Fort

Colbert—who called Obama “Beyoncé’s Beyoncé”—agreed.

“She’s so talented that I have trouble looking at her without my retinas burning out,” Colbert admitted.

“You shouldn’t look her in the eye,” Obama said.

The power duo has collaborated on projects in the past and have both spoken out about their admiration for each other.

This H&M Commercial Celebrates Femininity in All Its Forms

Obama also referenced Beyoncé later in the interview, explaining that a typical family dinner at the White House often involves her eldest daughter, Malia, asking the President about his work, much to the chagrin of the First Lady and Sasha, her youngest daughter.

“Sasha and I want to talk about our favorite song on the Lemonade album,” Obama said. “That’s what we want to talk about.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Stranger Things’ Steve and Parks and Rec’s Jean-Ralphio Did All the Father-Son Things and It’s Hilarious

2016-09-21T21:35:48.272Z

Stranger Things fans have long theorized that Steve Harrington, the rich meanie whose only redeeming quality was his hair, played by Joe Keery, must be the father of Jean-Ralphio Saperstein, Parks and Recreation‘s most spirited entrepreneur, played by Ben Schwartz.

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To fulfill the Internet’s hopes and dreams, Schwartz confirmed the answer to this long-simmering question on the Late Late Show with JamesCorden in August. But the Jean-Ralphio actor really brought the fan theory home when he shared a video and snapshots of the pair on Tuesday night, and it’s the most important fake father-son photo series ever created. Cue up John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy” and gaze at them shaving together like family.

James Corden Made Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Stranger Things Into Inappropriate Musicals

Not only do their outfits match, but there’s also the irrefutable fact that they really do look alike.

See and watch below.

Dad and son meet because the Internet. @uncle_jezzy @strangerthingstv #strangertwins

A video posted by Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) on Sep 20, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

My son 👬

A photo posted by Joe Keery (@uncle_jezzy) on Sep 20, 2016 at 2:51pm PDT

The Upside Down Parent Trap.

A photo posted by Ben Schwartz (@rejectedjokes) on Sep 20, 2016 at 3:44pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Wax Figures Have Officially Split Up

2016-09-21T21:22:18.004Z

The announcement that Angelina Jolie had filed for divorce from Brad Pitt on Tuesday was the celeb split-up felt round the world. Brangelina fans basically broke the Internet speculating about the cause, wallowing in their feelings about it, and finding the appropriate memes for the occasion.

Watch George Clooney Find Out About Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Split During an Interview

Thankfully, one of the few things that ardent Brangelina shippers won’t have to worry about is the fate of the former It-couple’s wax figures.

Madame Tussauds wax museum in London has done the only logical thing they could at this time and tastefully separated Jolie and Pitt’s wax counterparts, who debuted at the museum in 2013.

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In an Instagram posted by the museum on Wednesday, it appears that Robert Pattinson now stands between the two in the “party area” of the exhibit; they offered this as explanation in the caption: “Following the news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie commencing divorce proceedings, we can confirm that we have diplomatically separated the couple in our Party area.”

Following the news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie commencing divorce proceedings, we can confirm that we have diplomatically separated the couple in our Party area. #madametussauds #london #tussaudslondon #brangelina #bradpitt #angelinajolie #brad #ange #wax #divorce

A photo posted by Madame Tussauds London (@madametussauds) on Sep 21, 2016 at 2:16am PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Rapper Shawty Lo Died in a Car Crash in Atlanta

2016-09-21T21:04:17.530Z

Carlos Walker, better known by his stage name Shawty Lo, died early Wednesday in a car accident in Atlanta.

Police say he may have been the victim of a hit-and-run but have yet to find the other vehicle apparently involved, according to CBS. His 2016 Audi went up in flames after hitting a tree.

Walker, 40, was ejected from his vehicle and died on the scene. Two women who were in the car with him were injured and taken to the hospital.

The Weeknd Teases Details About His New Album

Walker found success with his group D4L when they debuted 2006’s “Laffy Taffy,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He is also remembered for his solo releases like “Foolish” and the 2008 single “Dey Know,” the video for which featured his iconic running-in-place dance.

He made a splash in 2013 when he unsuccessfully helmed an Oxygen reality show that was set to feature his 11 children and their different mothers called “All My Babies’ Mammas.” The show was met with criticism and never made it to the air.

Watch Lady Gaga’s New Music Video for ‘Perfect Illusion’

Fans and well wishers celebrated Walker’s life online on Wednesday, posting videos, images and music as they mourned the artist.

legends never die...Shawty Lo Forever 🙏🏾
— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) September 21, 2016

*runs in place for the rest of the day* #RIPShawtyLo pic.twitter.com/bEpOk42Zvn
— Rev. Melech Thomas (@RevMelech) September 21, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Weeknd Announces 'Starboy'

2016-09-21T17:34:19.685Z

The Weeknd broke into stardom last year with Beauty Behind the Madness, and now, 13 months later, everybody's favorite drug-loving R&B crooner has officially announced his sophomore album, Starboy.

We don't know much about the album, aside from its cover, which shows Abel Tesfaye grabbing his head that is no longer adorned with the swirling locks we've come to know and love. He recently teased new music via Instagram (though the post has since been deleted) and his label, Republic Records, divulged he's collaborating with Daft Punk, which is pretty exciting.

While we wait for more info to leak, check out the album cover below.

NEW ALBUM COVER / TITLE shot by @nabildo #STARBOY

A photo posted by ⚡️✝⚡️ STARBOY ⚡️✝⚡️ (@abelxo) on Sep 21, 2016 at 9:01am PDT

Ruby the RabbitFoot Soundtracks Separation in 'Divorce Party.'

2016-09-21T16:56:37.066Z

On her latest album Divorce Party, songstress Ruby the RabbitFoot explores the dissolution of a relationship and her resulting recovery in song. The 10 tracks are effortlessly quirky alterna-pop, incorporating everything from handclaps to brass horns and plucked strings, all laced together by her breezy, feminine voice gliding over the instrumentation like a sprite. Even when tackling the darkness of separation, the tracks carry a buoyant and hopeful sound.

She's currently on tour with of Montreal in support of the album, which came out in August. We got a moment with her on the road to chat about the tour, the role of magic in her life and the power of music in terms of healing and connection.

Hometown: Athens, GA

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

Your sound seems to have evolved more on Divorce Party with less acoustic elements and fuller production — what do you attribute that to?

I’d say most of the music that I listen to — or was listening to during that period of time — was devoid of acoustic elements. I wanted to try it out.

Are the songs on Divorce Party related to an actual relationship of yours? Did tackling them in song aid in coming to terms with what had come to pass?

All of these songs are very personal and non fictional. Music always aids. Creating helps you realize your power and purpose.

What advice would you give to someone who has recently exited a long-term relationship?

I would look them deeply in the eyes and tell them not to worry one bit because this is actually the beginning and their ultimate opportunity!

Your imagery incorporates whimsy and magic. What's the importance of either?

I don't think about it that much. “Magic” has always existed for me. I wouldn’t really know its importance unless it left my side. Luckily that will never happen.

You're superstitious. What are your main superstitions? Do you see an impact on your life and creativity by paying attention to that side of things?

I believe that our actions have repercussions. Everything is connected and related. Your actions and words attract likeness to you. Being superstitious perhaps is just being cautious of what you are putting out and receiving. That being said, I believe I am most superstitious of the “knock on wood” phenomenon…. basically do not speak what you do not want. My life is definitely more positively focused because of this.

What's been a moment of recent magic in your life?

Recent magic! Well… who knows. I’m on tour with of Montreal right now. A week ago we played a venue that I have always wanted to play, basically sold out. A beautiful woman brought me flowers to the stage. Another woman screamed out the sweetest words to me. I’ve wanted to play that particular show/in that particular situation for 10 years. Right before I walked on stage I let out a mysterious “thank you” to the universe. That felt like magic. I put a blessing on that moment and invited it to happen again and again.

You have an ongoing collaboration with director Natalie Neal. How did you two meet and what works so well between you?

We met on a photoshoot for a Japanese magazine called Nero. After that she proposed a music video for me. I have always been super on board with her aesthetic. We bloomed from there. We work really well together because we assume the correct roles in production. There is complete trust and respect. When Natalie says jump, I jump.

What are your goals as a musician? Both in the present, near future and further ahead?

Right now I am focused on becoming a better live performer. Touring is challenging and rewarding. I learn a lot about existence because I am stripped from any attachment or comfort of home and routine. It feels like musician’s boot camp. I want my voice to grow. I want to keep making records and connecting with others through the music.

Listen to My Brothers and I's 'Don't Dream Alone' Remix EP Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-21T16:46:18.425Z

What better way to celebrate the anniversary of your debut album then breathing new life into it? That's exactly what Portland, OR quintet, My Brothers and I, did with their LP, Don't Dream Alone.

Set to release on September 23, the EP turned into a chance for them experiment with songs that they know very well and turn them on their heads. "We really enjoy remixes and jumped at the opportunity to put this EP together," keys player and singer Johnny Iliyn tells Myspace. "Over the past year we've had several producers approach us about remixes, so we were excited to collaborate with them. It's an amazing experience to hear other artist's interpretations of your work."

Working with Cathode, Adam Hinden, Bastien Lorenz and Filthy Fidgets, each track has its own distinct sound and vibe. And while they enjoyed working on the whole EP, drummer Scott Wurgler admits that "Na Na Na" is his fave. "It's why we picked it for our new music video," he says. "CATHODE did a great job creating an atmospheric energy. I can close my eyes and get lost in the song. I love it."

And how did they team up with Cathode? Bassist Erik Wrugler explains, "We've known the man behind CATHODE for a while, so when we started talking about remixing songs he was at the top of our list. We shared ideas and thoughts at first, then gave the artists freedom to re-create our songs. The first version of 'Na Na Na' he sent us is what's on the album, he nailed it from the beginning."

And while we wait for their new tunes, which they are now working on, listen to My Brother and I's new remix EP below.

Are Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Married?

2016-09-21T16:39:00.173Z

While people are still bewildered by the breakup of Brangelina, it looks like another celeb couple have secretly got hitched. According to US Weekly, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have been married since the beginning of this year. The celeb magazine reported that the two had a quiet ceremony with close family and friends.

“Eva and Ryan have always felt like a married couple,” one source close to Eva told US Weekly. “They are infatuated with each other.”

Ryan and Eva have been together for five years and have two daughters together. So this news isn't too surprising.

Back in September, Ryan gushed about his family at the Toronto International Film Festival. "I’m a lucky man," he said. "We couldn’t be happier. They are so sweet."

Kings of Leon's Mom Wants Them to Be Like Taylor Swift

2016-09-21T16:29:13.843Z

Kings of Leon will be releasing Walls, their follow-up to 2013's Mechanical Bull, on October 14. And with numerous albums and sold out tours under their belt, you'd think they're in a comfortable place on the fame spectrum. But according to Betty Ann Murphy — Jared, Caleb and Nathan Followill's mother — they're just not there yet.

"[She'll say] 'You guys need to do this, blah blah blah, I saw Taylor Swift go sign [autographs for fans] for four hours the other night and you guys never do that kind of thing,'" Jared told Q (via NME). "'Why don't you guys go out and sign for four hours? That's why she's the most famous woman in the world.'"

He also added, "She'll always get onto us after a show: 'I couldn't hear Caleb's voice last night at the concert. You need to tell your soundman, he's gotta turn Caleb up!'"

Mother always knows best, right?

Watch Lady Gaga's Electrifying "Perfect Illusion" Video

2016-09-21T16:20:18.583Z

From the moment we heard "Perfect Illusion," not only did we know Lady Gaga was back in full force but that she's definitely got another hit on her hands. And as she teased stills on social media to promote the tune, the video for it puts all those visual pieces together.

Unlike other videos where she takes on a particular persona and dons some interesting costumes, Gaga goes for a simple crop top and shorts and puts her all into the performance. You can totally see it when she gets into the crowd of fans partying around her and how she interacts with Joanne collaborators Mark Ronson, BloodPop and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala. Did you see how she just grabs Kevin's face?

Check out the video below.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-09-21T08:04:44.058Z

This week, music's indie frontrunners prepare for solo treks, and Red Hot Chili Peppers announce their first lengthy tour in years. Plus, Louis CK gears up for another round of comedy dates. Here's who we're most excited to see hit the road.

Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Getaway World Tour'

In support of their highly-anticipated eleventh studio album The Getaway, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are hitting the road for a tour of the same name. It kicks off on January 5 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX, and wraps up on March 18 in Vancouver. Click here for more info.

Louis CK Fall Tour

It hasn't been long since Louis CK wrapped up his summer tour, and he's already announced plans for the fall. Beginning on September 20 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, the comedian will spend multiple nights in numerous cities around North America, including a four-night run at Austin's Moody Theater. Click here for more info.

Aphex Twin December Shows

British DJ Aphex Twin (Richard David James) has announced plans for his first US performances in eight years. The 45-year-old musician will headline Houston’s Day for Night Festival, held this year on December 17 and 18. Will more tour dates follow? Let's hope so! Click here for more info.

Jim James 'Eternally Even' Solo Tour

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James will hit the road for a solo tour, in support of his new album Eternally Even. The new tunes take on the current political, social and environmental issues plaguing the country, and examines whether we're too late to fix them. Watch them performed live starting on September 28 in Pioneertown, CA. Click here for more info.

Bon Iver New York City Shows

Justin Vernon's Bon Iver has announced a short New York-based tour for this December. The shows come a few months after their upcoming album, A Million, drops on September 30. The run of shows starts with a gig at the Capitol Theatre on December 9, followed by a night in NYC and three nights in Brooklyn. Click here for more info.

10 Greatest Managers in Pro Wrestling History

2016-09-21T07:55:26.173Z

Three weeks ago on August 28^th, Harry Fujiwara, better known to the rest of the world as Mr. Fuji, passed away at the age of 82.

An accomplished pro wrestler whose career spanned two decades, Fuji is best remembered for being one of the greatest managers in pro wrestling. Taking inspiration from the James Bond villain Oddjob — decked out in a tuxedo and bowler hat — Mr. Fuji was the quintessential heel manager. Under his guidance, talents like Yokozuna, Demolition and “The Magnificent” Don Muraco found success and championships. The Hall of Famer’s passing serves as a sad reminder of how barren the manager landscape is when it comes to pro wrestling today.

What was once a much-needed and revered position in the world of sports entertainment has become a trivia question, or worse, not even a thought within WWE creative. Lost are the outrageous, entertaining and devious ringside generals like Mr. Fuji. In this era, where promos are overly scripted and wrestlers with personality are hard to come by, the art form of being a manager is screaming for a return. Want to know the power of a manager? Just take a look at The Miz. He was basically background noise on WWE TV until his wife Maryse became his manager, taking a defibrillator to his career and sparking it back to life.

While we wait for wrestling to wake up and utilize this position more, we put our spotlight on the talented men and women who flourished and became legends as mouthpieces and leaders.

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Look up "manager" in the wrestling books and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s picture is sure to appear alongside the description. Triple H calls himself “The Cerebral Assassin,” but that moniker is better suited for Bobby — the undisputed king of managers. Heenan was a master of ring psychology, gifted with a sharp tongue and wit that enabled him to enhance talent and build feuds.

The man was a star — a true entertainer who made you care about whatever he was doing or talking about on TV. He was able to transfer some of that shine to the wrestlers he guided. Legends like “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Andre the Giant all benefited from their partnership with Heenan. A natural comedian with a knack for banter, Bobby worked the fans like no one could. He could annoy and piss you off one moment and make you laugh out loud the next. Fans today should be so lucky as to be called “ham-and-eggers” or “humanoids” by The Brain.

Paul Heyman

Over the past 20 years, Heyman has been the top manager in the game. The former head and mastermind of ECW and current advocate for Brock Lesnar started out as a manager in WCW in the late ‘80s. Formerly known as Paul E. Dangerously, the loud mouthed and brash advisor — with his trademark brick cell phone — put together his own stable of talent called The Dangerous Alliance. His group of heels consisted of talent like Rick Rude, Arn Anderson and a young Steve Austin.

One of the most talented minds in the business, it’s no wonder that many wrestlers clamor to be a “Paul Heyman Guy,” hoping to be led under his tutelage. Heyman’s partnership with Lesnar led to one of his greatest feats as he orchestrated the end to The Undertaker’s WrestleMania win streak.

“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase

Little did we know then that this maniacal, millionaire character with a habit of buying people and ridiculing the less fortunate, would be a template for today’s Donald Trump! Don’t worry Ted, it’s not your fault.

Remembered more for his Hall of Fame career as a wrestler and his cool looking million-dollar championship, Dibiase was also a great heel manager. In the ‘90s, his Million Dollar Corporation was front and center as an evil faction hell bent on getting their hands on the championship. My favorite moment of Dibiase’s manager run was when he created his own fake Undertaker, after trying and failing to buy the real deal.

Mr. Fuji

We’ve already covered some of the greatness that Mr. Fuji brought to the ring. One trick up his sleeve (or in his pocket) was throwing salt into the eyes of opponents. Every time Fuji walked his wrestler(s) down the aisle and lingered around the ring, fans knew to expect cheating from him. That use of salt helped and hurt his cause at WrestleMania IX, when his client Yokozuna won the championship with Fuji’s help, only to lose it minutes later against Hulk Hogan due to an errant throw of said salt.

Jimmy Hart

The closest thing to a Quentin Tarantino character on this list is “The Mouth of the South.” Loud, flashy, over the top and with his trademark megaphone to boot, Jimmy Hart could have easily been a villain in Tarantino’s True Romance.

One of the most colorful characters to ever step inside the ring, Hart has guided the careers of an eclectic mix of superstars including The Hart Foundation, King Kong Bundy, The Honky Tonk Man and Hulk Hogan. Perfecting the art of being annoying and distracting at ringside, Jimmy’s true hidden talent was that of musician and songwriter. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, he composed classic wrestlers theme songs including The Legion of Doom and Shawn Michaels’ “Sexy Boy.”

“Sensational” Sherri Martel

Speaking of Shawn Michaels’ theme song, the woman who is heard screaming out “sexy boy” on the original track is his former manager Sherri Martel. A true pioneer in women’s wrestling and women sports in general, the late Sherri created her own unique path in a boy’s club. Captivating and terrifying at the same time, Sherri brought the same viciousness and intensity that made her a wrestling champion into her role as a top tier manager.

Known as “The Sensational One,” “Queen Sherri” and “Scary Sherri.” she commanded the respect of everyone she worked with. She gave legends like Randy Savage, Ted Dibiase and Shawn Michaels some dark edge. To this day, no other woman has been able to take her crown of cutting the best promos.

Miss Elizabeth

In a tossup spot in which Sunny could have taken, Randy Savage’s main squeeze will forever be seen as a managing icon. While most managers are loud, outspoken and in your face, the late Miss Elizabeth’s style was the exact opposite. She said little but when she did, the soft-spoken “First Lady of Wrestling” added emotion to the storyline. The rise and fall of The Mega Powers revolved around the lovely Liz, as Savage and Hulk Hogan battled it out with Elizabeth being the prize. Jealous eyes be damned!

Jim Cornette

Looking at Cornette, you would have never guessed that he made a living as a manager in pro wrestling. A car salesman or a member of Lambda Lambda Lambda, sure I’ll buy that. But a manager? That’s exactly what this good old boy was, with his fast talking ways and cowardly tendencies that would piss off fans.

Cornette had the talent of talking a big game, then quickly scurrying away behind his wrestlers when things went bad. His most noted partnership was with The Midnight Express in the NWA, but he also managed talent like Vader, The British Bulldog and Yokozuna once he got to WWE.

Paul Bearer

It can be argued that there’s no better pairing of wrestler and manager than what we had with The Undertaker and Paul Bearer. The character of The Undertaker would have never reached the heights he did without the assistance of Paul in the first half of his career. He’s the Colonel Tom Parker to Taker’s Elvis. The Sonny to Taker’s Cher. Based on his success with “The Phenom,” the late Paul Bearer also guided the twisted and scary souls of Kane and Mankind, launching them both to Hall of Fame careers as he crafted a niche with talent from the darkside.

J.J. Dillon

He was the manager to The Four Horsemen. What else do you need to know? To be the mouthpiece and representative to a group of men, who quite frankly, didn’t need a manager but chose to have Dillon as their guy, says a lot. J.J. was more cold and calculated and less loud and flamboyant, in terms of managing style. Every rock and roll traveling show needs a tour manager, and Dillon handled those duties perfectly, as Ric Flair and the boys partied and took care of business all over the world.

Jelly Roll Talks Babies and Getting Busted Over BBQ

2016-09-21T07:52:25.251Z

It’s roughly three hours before he’s due to hit the stage at The Studio at Webster Hall in NYC when country rap artist Jelly Roll arrives at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ on East 16th Street. Some pre-show nerves are starting to show. His fingers tapping, his right leg restless, moving as if it wants to run a marathon even though he’s sitting down. You’d never guess that less than two weeks earlier he’d rocked a crowd of thousands at the annual Gathering of the Juggalos.

Jelly Roll had one of the prime slots at the Gathering — a 7:30pm set time on the main stage on Saturday night, immediately after rock acts Emmure and (HED)Pe, and right before hip-hop acts Hopsin, Bone Thugs, and the event’s creators, Insane Clown Posse.

“Between each song I would look to the right of the stage, and it would just be getting thicker and thicker,” Jelly Roll says of the night. “I’d see the crowd get bigger as I was rapping, just thousands of people pouring in, but I would look to the right, and I’d see Hopsin, then I’d see Bone, then I’d see Insane Clown Posse, then I’d see (HED)Pe. I’m like, 'oh shit, the whole festival is watching my set.'”

New York City, however, is something entirely new for Jelly Roll. Despite being a veteran artist with over a decade of experience, this was going to be the first time he hit the stage in NYC, and he had no idea how his country infused brand of hip-hop would be received.

Later in the evening his concerns would be assuaged when a fan wearing a bandana, and a Michael Jordan Dream Team throwback jersey shouted, “I fucks with your music!” Jelly Roll was thrilled by the exultation, both as a review, and, as he noted, hearing it in an authentic New York accent.

That was later in the night, though. Sitting at the table, waiting for his order to arrive, he was nervous. Nervous, but still calm enough to joke about the location for dinner, which was chosen by his management. “No matter what city I’m in I always end up where they play country music, and where they serve whiskey,” he says with a laugh. “Whenever I go to Vegas we always end up at Hogs & Heifers. When we go to LA we always end up at Saddle Ranch on Sunset. We always end up where there’s a mechanical bull, or a live band.”

While there was no mechanical bull in the house, there was a marquee advertising Admiral Pete and the Seamen would be performing later.

Jelly Roll, obviously, would miss their performance, as he’d be at Webster Hall for his own show — a date on his Sobriety Sucks tour, which is in conjunction with the release of his latest full length album of the same name. The title, much like the music, is personal in nature, as Jelly Roll notes he learned about sobriety the hard way.

“I had to sober up for quite a while,” he explains. “My P.O. (parole officer) called me up for a random drug screen, and I failed for about everything you could fail for but crystal meth and heroin.

“I blamed it on everything but myself,” he admits. “I can only talk about it now because it’s over, but I was on codeine. I was drinking a lot of cough syrup. It was bad, man. It was hard to come off of.”

He calls the personal revelations on Sobriety Sucks, “Liberating.”

In a far better place now, Jelly Roll beams at any mention of his daughter, Bailee, or soon to be born son, Noah (who arrived into the world happy and healthy before this article was published). The Sobriety Sucks tour was actually booked with the due date in mind, as Jelly Roll and his team laid out a plan to work their way down the East Coast, moving closer and closer to his home of Tennessee as the due date nears.

Incarcerated when his daughter was born, Jelly Roll is at peak levels of excitement about seeing the birth of his son. “I get to be here for this one,” he says, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m stoked, man! It’s the whole experience. I got to go to the doctor’s appointments, the ultrasound. I missed all of that with Bailee.”

In addition to being there for all of the pregnancy milestones, before he left for tour, Jelly Roll became quite the children’s furniture craftsman, noting, “I got to put together his bouncer, (and) I got to put together his crib.”

Even with those skills, he jokes that he might hit the road again when it comes time to change diapers. “I’ll be on tour a lot,” he says with a laugh. “I got an 8-year-old. I think she’ll be doing a lot of the diaper changing. ‘It’s your cute little brother, you gotta help him.’”

He knows that if his daughter does end up on diaper duty, it will lead to jokes for his son later in life. “My best friend, Struggle, he’s an artist signed to Yelawolf, every time I see his 15-year-old son I say, ‘I changed your diapers!’”

This is a prime example of Jelly Roll's double life. He explains his two starkly different sides, saying, “When I’m at home I’m with my daughter. We’re at the park, and we hang out, and I help her do her schoolwork. Her principal knows me, and her teachers know me. When I’m on tour it’s fucking debauchery, and we smoke a lot of fuckin' weed, and we drink a lot.”

Speaking of those teachers, and principal, their reactions to the 300+ pound rapper who is covered in tattoos have ranged greatly. “I’ve had some of them be honest, and be like, ‘We listen to your music, and it’s not our thing,’ and I’ve had a principal take me aside and say, ‘I’m a hip-hop fan for 20+ years, this shit’s awesome. Keep doing it.”

That principal will be happy to know Jelly Roll will be following up this year’s Sobriety Sucks with a collaborative effort with Lil’ Wyte, their second, titled No Filter 2. That principal also would have enjoyed being in the crowd at Jelly Roll’s show at Webster Hall, although at that point he’d be the one leading the double life.

After dinner, and a raucous performance that included numerous shots of whiskey that were preceded by the call to, “Holler and swaller,” Jelly Roll and his team made their way upstairs to the Marlin Room at Webster Hall to show support for rapper Chris Webby, who also had a show that night.

With his first NYC performance now under his belt, Jelly Roll will be returning to the city in October for a show with Yelawolf at Brooklyn Bowl. His nerves will likely be lessened, but if history is any indictor, he’ll still end up at a BBQ joint before the show.

John Newman Would Rather Release Singles Than Albums

2016-09-21T07:00:00.000Z

Crooners have the ability to not only make you weak in the knees with a serenade, but also move you with their voice. And John Newman is one of those artists. Breaking into the spotlight with his collaboration with Rudimental, "Feel the Love," he really made a name for himself with his debut single, "Love Me Again," off his debut record, Tribute. He went on to tour the world, top charts and also release his sophomore LP, Revolve.

We sat down with John over the summer (before his brain tumor diagnosis) to talk about his current single, "Ole," making good pop songs and how he sees the future of his music.

Let’s start with your current single, ”Ole.” It’s not the kind of song I’d expect from you. Can you talk a bit about it?

I wanted to do something different to catch people’s attention and catch them off-guard. I honestly think that if I keep putting out the same thing and stay with the same sound, then there’s no point. So if I did another album of the same thing, I’d stop making music for the people and that’d be it.

Is this the precursor to what we’ll be seeing on the new album? Or a taste of what it will be?

It’s a taste in the way that I want to make great songs — just catchy, great songs that have meaning to them. I want to make some great pop tunes. I have loads of stuff coming out at the moment. There’ll likely be five singles coming out this year. I just want to do singles for a bit. I’m really enjoying it. I haven’t gotten a vision for a record yet. I don’t think you should do something when you don’t have a vision for it. I’m sure it’ll come very soon then I’ll be making a record. So we’ll see.

So what’s the draw to making singles?

Because I’m not at the level of Drake or Beyonce, who can just drop records and they’ll be hits. If I drop a record [now], it’ll flop, honestly. I’m only being real. But if I go one by one, it’ll give me the chance to promote records and put attention on them and show people new sounds and new records. I’m not at that level where I can drop two albums then expect them to do well. I want to promote every single and make everyone listen to each one.

So what is your definition of success then?

The definition of success is to do more. I want to sell out Wembley and Madison Square Garden. I want to tour America through stadiums. I want to release music that goes to the Top 10 straight away because I’m known for it. And the opportunity is there. I just need to find it, and why wouldn’t I try?

Quickly going back to “Ole,” you worked with Calvin Harris on this one. You’ve worked together before so what is it about collaborating with him?

It’s like a humid day when you’re walking down the seafront. Someone offers you a free ice cream, and it’s the best one you’ve ever had. [laughs] It’s sweet and salty. He’s very sweet and very salty. He’ll leave a taste in your mouth but is also very refreshing at the point. [laughs] No, he’s a genius, and he’s great to work with as well. He’s one of my best mates that inspires me daily by what he does. What he’s done in the past and what’s done now — he’s an absolute dream to work with.

You’re no stranger to collaborations in general. Do you have a running shortlist of people you want to collaborate with?

My hit list. There’s a couple of people I’d love to work with. But I only do it for musical reasons, not for any other reasons. I know this sounds mental, but I’d love to do something with Rihanna. I’d love to. I think her voice is very diverse. And it’s not because she’s released 20 singles this year or whatever it is. It’s like I’ve been such a huge fan. So I want to get into the studio and hear her rawest voice that I can and say some shit she really means.

And then I really like Ariana Grande. I think she’s amazing and really talented. I love to watch her creativity blossom as she matures. It’s an amazing thing to watch, and I’d love to be a part of that. I think I’m looking for a duet ballad. I think that’s what I’m basically trying to say. Then, I’m just discovering people and see who I like. Everyone’s changing all the time.

You’ve got a lot of festivals lined up for you this year. So what draws you to them, especially considering you’re a solo artist?

I see it as a challenge, an amazing challenge. I want people dancing. I want to take them all, put them in my pocket and leave. So that the next person who goes on struggles because there’s no one there. I want people’s attentions. I love doing live, and the bigger the festival the better. But it’s getting pretty intense at the moment. We’ve done nine flights in three days, the other day. Getting two hours sleep each night, and doing two countries in one day and stuff like that. It’s getting ridiculous, but I love it.

The other day, it was so hot at the festival, and everyone was struggling to play. And I was literally giving 110 percent,and soon as I walked offstage, I fainted. It’s because I was overheated, but my body wouldn’t stop because I had something driving me so much.

Your voice is such a powerful instrument. But with your crazy schedule and lifestyle right now, it can be hard to keep it strong. How do you keep that in check?

My lifestyle?

No, your voice.

Well, my lifestyle’s fucked. I can’t keep that in check. [laughs] But you’ve got to be careful. Drinking. I’ve stopped drinking quite a lot. I had a drink last night. But I’ve stopped drinking loads. You just have to keep on [being disciplined]. It’s your job. It’s not that difficult. But people keep forgetting that and start ruining their voices. They walk around festivals and talk to people with [whispers]. And I’m like, “I’m like what are you doing? What have you done that for?” It’s easy though. Just shut up. Put the pint down and shut up.

I just don’t understand when people don’t keep train voices properly. I mean, I smoke too much. That’s the next thing I need to get rid of because that’s bad for me as well.

Looking back on when you started and where you are now. How does it feel to be at this point in your career?

It’s just the same. It is. As long as you maintain yourself, so everything is a gimmick. So if you’re sitting in a private jet, you’ve got to laugh at it not sit there and go, “Yeah, I’m the boss.” You’ve got to enjoy it. And make sure your friends are still there. You’ve got to keep them around, and go see your mum every Sunday. I think that’s really important. And don’t take yourself too seriously. If you want to go for a drink, go to a pub and have a drink. It doesn’t have to be a posh place where you’re going to be a posh place where you’re going to be noticed.

The interview with John Newman took place less than a month before he confirmed his brain tumor diagnosis. We reached out to his camp but were unable to talk to him more about it. He did release a statement regarding his health, which you can read below.

“This was going to come out at some point and it's probably best it's out in the open now. I have been monitored constantly since the first time I had the tumour removed. There was always a chance that it could return and it is unfortunate but it is something I am prepared to get through when the time is right, some point next year. The medical staff have been absolutely amazing and I know I am in the best of hands. Nothing will ever stop me from doing the job I love so much, nothing will ever stop me from making music. People shouldn't worry about me, the prognosis is good and there are so many people in far more serious situations. I just hope this in some way helps raise awareness for those people and encourages people to be tested and treated as early as possible. I am one of the lucky ones!"

Kevin Hart Shared the First Photo From the New Jumanji Movie

2016-09-20T19:06:45.794Z

A few weeks ago, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared some concept art for “the smoldering” Dr. Bravestone, the character he plays in the Jumanji reboot. Now, Kevin Hart has revealed the final product not just for Johnson’s character, but for Hart’s and co-stars Karen Gillan’s and Jack Black’s, too.

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Nick Jonas has also been confirmed for the cast, but is not pictured, so fans will simply have to use their imagination instead.

Day 1 of shooting "Jumanji" is officially in the can. We had a amazing first day. The chemistry & energy of our cast & crew was beyond amazing!!!! This movie is going to be dope as hell....Can't wait to get back to work tomorrow @therock @karengillanofficial & jack black!!! #Jumanji

A photo posted by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Sep 19, 2016 at 8:49pm PDT

“Day 1 of shooting Jumanji is officially in the can. We had a amazing first day. The chemistry & energy of our cast & crew was beyond amazing!!!! This movie is going to be dope as hell….Can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow @therock @karengillanofficial & jack black!!! #Jumanji,” Hart captioned the picture on Instagram.

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The photo also seems to make it clear that, as Johnson promised, the new take on Jumanji will not simply be a remake of the classic Robin Williams movie. Instead, the film be a “re-imagining” of the story, based on Chris Van Allsburg’s original book, and would honor Williams’s name and the character he played in the film, Alan Parrish.

Jumanji is expected to be in theaters in summer 2017.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Internet Isn’t Happy About This 'Moana' Halloween Costume

2016-09-20T18:56:03.755Z

Disney is breaking ground with its first Polynesian princess in Moana, but many are upset over what they see as an offensive Halloween costume of one of the film’s characters.

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The costume is for the character Maui, a demigod in Polynesian mythology who is voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the film. The outfit, available on Disney’s online store, consists of a brown bodysuit with tattoos and an “island-style” skirt. It comes with“photorealistic teeth art appliqués” and “padded chest, shoulders, and calves,” promoting lazy stereotypes. Many are calling the costume racist.

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“Our brown skin/ink’s not a costume,” one critic tweeted in response. “Cosplaying shouldn’t be limited to what [your] race is. But literally wearing a brown skin costume? No,” wrote a third person. “Really, who (from Disney) thought a ‘brown skin’ costume would be a good thing?” asked NPR’s Kat Chow.

cosplaying things like moana is one thing - cosplay shouldn't be limited to what ur race is. but literally wearing a brown skin costume? no
— ✨ hannah ✨ (@donnatroying) September 19, 2016

this 👏🏽morning👏🏽 in 👏🏽dumb 👏🏽things. really, who (from Disney) thought a "brown skin" costume would be a Good Thing? https://t.co/dARZqhnwqF
— Kat Chow (@katchow) September 20, 2016

The film itself has been a topic of controversy since the release of the trailer. Moana fallows a Pacific Islander princess on her mission to find a legendary island. Many have already applauded Moana for featuring Pacific Islanders, a group grossly underrepresented in Hollywood. But others have accused Disney of appropriating or caricaturing Polynesian culture, especially with the character of Maui, who critics say is depicted as overweight and not serious.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Luke Roberts Doesn't Say Much, But He Says It with Passion

2016-09-20T16:41:20.971Z

When Luke Roberts describes his music to people who haven't heard it before, he tells them, “I'm classic.” As an interviewee, Roberts uses words sparingly, but he doesn’t need to talk when his music conveys so much. (In fact, his music is pretty much the same — it’s been described as “wide in scope and spare in structure, as universal as it is personal.”)

Roberts uses travel as inspiration for his songs, and has lived in a trailer to Montana, traveled to Cambodia and Thailand and created his third album, Sunlit Cross, in Kenya. He stayed with a family whose daily challenges inspired him to create.

“I spend a lot of time counterbalancing things,” Roberts says. “If I want to say ‘yes,’ I’ll pronounce it ‘no,’ and then ask myself why and I end up saying ‘Jesus.’” The album also has a cameo by Kurt Vile, who is a big enough fan that he asked Roberts to tour with him. Roberts elucidates on his new album, out on October 14 on Thrill Jockey, below. Well, sorta.

Hometown/Homebase: Nashville, TN

Tell us why your album is called Sunlit Cross.

I'm not sure, to be honest. I don't know how to say why, it just makes so much sense to my heart.

I read that being in Kenya was a big inspiration for the album. Why is that?

Being around the people in the country there reminded me of how I want to sing and play.

How do your songs get made?

I listen to my head and heart for rhythms and melodies, and I sing along with them.

Who are your musical heroes?

People who are tapped into that otherness and live in the twilight — that pay homage to their roots, that can sing from the heart. They make you not alone.

Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

I'm pretty sure I was born wanting to do it. [My eureka moment was] looking at heavy metal magazines at the grocery store. [I can't remember the first time I wanted to perform or sing but] I think it was probably about losing love.

You've traveled a lot; does your wanderlust influence your songwriting a lot? And does it also lend itself to your stripped-down sound?

Travel has been the main influence on my form and content. Having nowhere to go is the worst.

How did you end up in settling in Tennessee?

For me Nashville is a good place to raise my son.

You collaborate with Kurt Vile on "Silver Chain" … How did that happen?

We met online. I played him the track and he wanted to sing on it.

What's the one thing that still surprises you about being a singer-songwriter?

That people listen.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

One had my baby.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#idektbh

Take a First Listen to The Dexateens’ “Fellowship Of The Saturday Night Brotherhood”

2016-09-20T16:29:45.773Z

Southern rock lives in The Dexateens bones. That’s loud and clear on "Fellowship Of The Saturday Night Brotherhood," the single that is finally being released after it was recorded in 2011. Dusty guitar riffs and frontman Elliott McPherson’s drawl characterize the track that is about the spirituality of being in a band — or maybe the lack thereof.

"'Fellowship' was written about being in a band and being best friends with atheists, don't cares, agnostics, and believers," says McPherson to Myspace. "Even though we all believe different things, there is something about our deal that seems like there is some sort of quasi spiritual binding amongst us. It's probably only something that I see in my own personal narcissism, but I feel like it shows when we are ruling it on stage.

"The song makes a loose reference to Paul The Apostle's blinding on the road to Damascus and it is sort of saying that this is possibly what humanity is experiencing in this modern age when believing in the supernatural is considered naive and foolish.

"To be perfectly honest there is also a part of that song that is written about the fact that I know that one day I'm going to meet my maker and when I do, I'm going to be held accountable for all the public hell raising that I did in this band."

Gather some friends, crack open a few beers and enjoy the barroom jam below. The Dexateens' new record Teenage Hallelujah comes out on October 7.

Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt Make Out and Save Humanity in 'Passengers'

2016-09-20T16:12:52.129Z

With their roles in X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt are two of Hollywood's big action film stars. And now they're joining forces in a new futuristic film, Passengers. Directed by Morten Tyldum, Lawrence and Pratt, who were originally supposed to hibernate for 120 years on a new planet, wake up 90 years early and essentially have to save the others who are still asleep as well as the fate of humanity. But before all that, they go on a first date with only a robotic bartender, played by Michael Sheen, to see it all go down.

"It's just one of those stories that really grabs you," Tyldum tells EW.com. "The script was so smart and funny and clever and it was such a page turner, I couldn’t put it down."

Watch the trailer below.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Set for Divorce

2016-09-20T16:01:01.595Z

After 12 years of what everyone thought was marital bliss, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are reportedly splitting up.

TMZ reported that Angelina filed the divorce papers yesterday (September 19) and cited "irreconcilable differences." And what are these differences? Apparently it was their parenting styles because Angelina didn't agree with how Brad was raising their six children. There have been no details disclosed regarding these matters.

However, it was reported that she wants full custody of all the kids, giving Brad visitation rights. But she doesn't want to share physical custody of the children, just legal. And Angelina is asking for no spousal support.

The couple were together since 2004, wed in 2014 and reportedly were officially separated on September 16, 2016.

UPDATE:

Both parties have given statements, according to People.

"I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids," Pitt said in the statement. "I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

"This decision was made for the health of the family," Jolie's attorney said. "She will not be commenting at this time, and asks that the family be given their privacy during this difficult time."

Find Your Perfect Tinder Match By Sharing Favorite Song

2016-09-20T15:48:02.050Z

Asking about musical interests has been a standard question on most dating profiles and first dates, but hardly was it something we saw in the world of swiping. Now, thanks to the partnership between Spotify and Tinder, you can now show off your musical snobbiness or guilty pleasures on your profile.

Not only can users pick their "Anthem" or song that best describes them, but they can also show off the artists they listen to the most.

While technically Bumble did a similar partnership back in June, the new feature paired with the ability to see one's Instagram profile gives Tinder users a better snapshot of the matches they're seeing. Or as Tinder puts it in a statement: "We’re helping provide a completely new sensory experience on Tinder. Get ready for some serious sound."

The Spotify feature is now available on the new update of Tinder and all the countries the streaming service is offered.

Listen to Danny Brown's New Track, "Really Doe"

2016-09-20T15:28:25.381Z

With his long-awaited fourth album, Atrocity Exhibition, dropping next week, Danny Brown shared a new song off that record, "Really Doe." Starting with a series of bells in the intro, the beat bounces as we hear the Detroit rapper do his thing on the mic as well as Earl Sweatshirt, Ab Soul and Kendrick Lamar spit their verses. While Danny is a force on the mic with his rapid fire rhymes at the top of the song, you can't help but have Kendrick's vocals on loop when he does the hook.

Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition comes out September 30. In the meantime, listen "Really Doe" below.

Getting to Know... The Regrettes

2016-09-20T07:41:41.505Z

Don't let their youthful appearance fool you — the ladies and gentleman of the Regrettes can bring down the house as well as any band twice their age. Fresh off the release of some new singles like "Hey Now" and "A Living Human Girl," the Los Angeles teens have been garnering a lot of attention, and rightfully so; their distinct poppy retro punk vibes sound like a much beloved, worn out cassette tape, combining lively rhythms and down-to-earth verses that are refreshing and relatable at any age.

Myspace caught up with Lydia, Genessa, Maxx and Sage at the start of their nationwide tour to talk about their diverse inspirations, guilty pleasures, and finding time to be be a kid.

Lydia Night

Age: 15
Instrument: Guitar and vocals
Song or Band That Inspired You to Become a Musician: I’m influenced by a lot of '50s rock 'n' roll and '60s girl groups. The Crystals, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline and that genre as a whole — Bleached, Bikini Kill, L7, Babes in Toyland and that whole movement are a few of the bands who have influenced that spectrum of our music.
Favorite Song to Play Live: We just started playing this song called “What a Bitch” and it’s been so fun. I can just yell at people.
(Morando: It’s really high energy.
Gariano: It feels like you’re punching everyone in the face!
Chavis: But at the same time they love it!)
Best Performance You’ve Ever Seen: This is a hands-down no-brainer. I saw The Rolling Stones at the Staples Center. It was insane obviously. Kate Nash is one of my favorite musicians to see live — she’s amazing. Fleetwood Mac was incredible too because they sound identical to their records, even though they’re much older now. It’s a very emotional experience.
Hobbies: Hang out with each other. I’m big on sleeping and hanging out with my friends. When we’re not on tour and not super busy, it’s nice to spend time with people here. I just like being a kid!
Guilty Pleasure: Destiny’s Child and the Jonas Brothers. Sweets — I eat a lot of crap, but I balance it out really well since I eat healthy most of the time. I deserve it!

Genessa Gariano

Age: 19
Instrument: Guitar and background vocals
Song or Band That Inspired You to Become a Musician: I think a lot of my influences are similiar to what Lydia said. Neil Young, David Bowie and a lot of classics.
Favorite Song to Play Live: I love playing our song “Hot” because it’s fast and it’s our closing song, so we give it everything we have, every last bit of energy.
Best Performance You’ve Ever Seen: The band Tacocat, they’re so fun to watch live. Since we’ve been seeing them on this tour, they’re definitely my favorite.
Hobbies: When we’re not on tour, I do like to get out but I’m kind of a homebody. I like to read, draw, paint — do things alone a lot. But if I’m not alone, I’m rehearsing with them and hanging out with everyone else.
Guilty Pleasure: Cheese — on tour we end up eating a lot of cheesey food. Writing scathing Yelp reviews is another, like the shove the knife in the belly and turn it kind. But only when people deserve it.

Maxx Morando

Age: 17
Instrument: Drums
Song or Band That Inspired You to Become a Musician: I pretty much agree with everyone else, but I really like Foals — they’re probably my favorite band.
Favorite Song to Play Live: "Hot" is also my favorite, particularly in the beginning because I get to scream “1, 2, 3, 4” and it’s just a really fun song to play on drums.
Best Performance You’ve Ever Seen: One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to is — very surprising — Foals. It was so cool.
Hobbies: I like hanging out with friends and I just recently picked up skateboarding again and I’m trying to get back into it. Tony Hawk was my biggest inspiration.
Guilty Pleasure: I really like Katy Perry — I get a lot of slack for that but hey — you love what you love.

Sage Chavis

Age: 18
Instrument: Bass and vocals
Song or Band That Inspired You to Become a Musician: My two main influences are Freddie Mercury and Stevie Nicks. I think we’ve influenced each other as a band because we do all like very different kinds of music, but at the same time we appreciate the same things.
(Gariano: We have different degrees of love.)
Chavis: In turn that creates this sort of crazy sound because we mix all of our various loves together.
Favorite Song to Play Live: My favorite’s always going to be “How it Should Be.” It was the first song that we learned and played together. I love it because it starts out slow and tricks everyone — all of a sudden it becomes this cool, feminist pop-punk song and it’s really awesome.
Best Performance You’ve Ever Seen: Ty Segall is so cool to watch. He puts on such a crazy performance where’s he’s this psycho baby, but you meet the band after and they’re all such normal people. On stage, it’s a performance and they’re entertaining people.
Hobbies: Like them, I like to hang out with our friends and spend quality time with the people that we love. I do enjoy a lot of photography, and I’m trying to get back into taking portraits of people. I love being with my dogs, and watching Netflix and YouTube and being on the internet like a millennial should.
Guilty Pleasure: I got yelled at and kicked out of a Rite-Aid for swatching a bunch of unopened lipsticks on my hand. I guess makeup in general is my guilty pleasure, but I don’t feel guilty — I fucking love makeup. It’s art on your face. I love rap music as well. I don’t just listen to it, I put it on and really enjoy it.

Horishige & the Art of Japanese Tebori Tattooing

2016-09-20T07:04:07.406Z

For as long as I've been collecting tattoos, they've all been done more or less the same way. Some artists used a coil machine while others used a rotary, some had a heavier hand than others, but every tattoo on my body was done in more or less the exact same way.

Well, they were all the same until a couple of weeks ago.

That was when I got a text from veteran tattooer (and recent friend) Chris Winn to tell me that his buddy from Japan, Horishige, was in town and still had a slot open to tattoo me if I wanted it. I didn't know much about Horishige, but I knew he was an old school tattoo master who'd been specializing in the art of Tebori — a highly artistic hand-poked traditional Japanese method dating back roughly 12,000 years — for longer than I've been alive. I also knew Horishige doesn't visit the States too often, so I figured I should jump on the opportunity to get inked by him while he's tattooing a few minutes away from my apartment.

As I would with any tattoo, I showed Horishige the spot on my leg I wanted tattooed and asked him what he thought would fit best there. The tattoo master believed a Kitsune (Japanese fox) mask would fit best just below my kneecap, so I agreed and asked him a few questions while he drew it up.

How did you first get interested in tattooing?

When I was 18, I was living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I got my first tattoo because I was into '80s and '90s thrash metal and all of the rock stars were getting tattooed. I knew that Japanese tattooing could be really beautiful with the big tattoos, and then I went back to Japan and got tattooed by Horitoku — he's my master now. Horitoku II did by back piece, so while I'm getting tattooed, I decided to get an apprenticeship from Horitoku II, but Horitoku II wanted me to be an apprentice of Horitoku, so I became an apprentice of Horitoku. Then my tattoo art stuck.

When you started tattooing, Yakuza were among the only Japanese people getting tattooed. How has tattooing in Japan changed since then?

It's really changing in Japan now. The Yakuza people try to not get tattooed anymore. Now, my client is almost all normal people. It's very good for us.

What's the difference between Japanese tattooing and American tattooing in your eyes?

I think in American traditional and Japanese traditional, the designs are very different, but the way you're tattooing is very similar. It's a solid fat line and bright solid colors. It's really really close as a style. It's simple, and you can see what the tattoo is from far away. That new school thing like color portraits, I don't know. I don't do that.

If you've ever wondered what Tebori feels like, it's still painful, but it's about as different from a regular tattoo as you can get. Rather than the grinding pain of a machine tattoo, you feel each individual dot of the Tebori needle. Thankfully, a master like Horishige has an exceptionally smooth hand as he repeatedly pierces your skin with a long pencil-like stick at a rate of about five pokes per second. Each one feels like a tiny bug bite, with some more painful than others (just like any other tattoo).

The overall process is definitely slower than a regular tattoo (my small Kitsune mask took just over an hour), but it's not quite as annoying because you get miniature breaks every few seconds as the artist has to dip his tool back into the ink. Unlike most tattoo machines, your skin doesn't feel quite as raw by the time the tattoo master is ready to get back to stabbing you, so going back over a spot a second time isn't nearly as bad as one would expect. Of course, I don't usually start to complain about tattoo pain until hour three or four (except when I got the inside of my ankle done, that was the worst), so the human body probably hits its limit at some point for Tebori tattooing as well.

For any tattoo collector, I'd recommend getting at least one small Tebori piece. It's an experience unlike anything you've ever had before, and those who do it well can do some truly incredible artwork with it. As a bonus, the reduced skin trauma meant that my ink was just about entirely healed within a week. Whether it'll hold up longer than some of my other pieces remains to be seen (particularly considering that much of it is white or yellow), but the memory of my first Tebori tattoo will last forever.

Now I just have to get brave enough to try out a Polynesian Tatau.

20 Celebrities Who Survived Public Scandals

2016-09-20T07:00:00.000Z

Celebrities and scandals always come hand in hand — we all make mistakes, but when you're in the public eye, your mess ups are magnified tenfold. These days, when celeb news is available 24/7, everyone wants to become a journalist and everyone’s fighting for their 15 clicks of fame. But there will always be the ones who’d rather the world forgot their dirty deeds. And sometimes the world does forget. Or does it?

Zayn Malik

Billboard

Twitter Scandals

As if leaving One Direction at the peak of their success wasn’t scandalous enough, Zayn continued to outrage fans and media as a solo artist. He tweeted producer Naughty Boy “You fat joke stop pretending we’re friends no one knows you” after Boy apparently leaked Zayn’s music video. Even without Naught Boy's production the album proved be a success.

Ariana Grande

TMZ

Swearing and Donut Leaking

Ariana Grande may have been a perfectly clean popstar for years, but in 2014 she showed us her darker side when she was heard saying, “I hope they all fucking die,” after a meet-and-greet with fans. Grande quickly took it to Twitter to proclaim these allegations false. It didn’t stop there: In 2015 she was caught on-camera licking donuts and saying she “hates America." None of that seemed to bother her fanbase as she keeps on setting the charts on fire.

Diplo

Twiter

Dick Pic

A lot of celebrities become victims of their own naughty ways and end up having their naked photos leaked online. Diplo went even further when he posted a photo of his manhood on both twitter and Instagram mentioning that he had “a small dic but I make up for it with girth and my great music… and my camaro.” He also tweeted that Taylor Swift needs a Kickstart-sponsored booty. Why can’t they leave Tay-Tay alone?!

Jude Law

Getty

Cheating

Jude Law and Sienna Miller’s union seemed like a match made in heaven and the stuff every tabloid’s dreaming of putting on the cover. But the seemingly perfect romance collapsed when Law released a public statement that confirmed he was having an affair with his kids’ nanny. Apparently the bond between actors was too strong as they stayed together for one more year and then had an on-again, off-again thing years later.

Vanessa Hudgens

Bauer Griffin

Naked Selfies

These Disney kids just can’t stay decent, can they? Vanessa Hudgens was riding the wave of High School Musical success but landed on a shore completely naked so to speak. In 2007 her naked selfies surfaces online, making a huge dent in her good girl image. There were serious rumors going around that she would be replaced in High School Music 3, but she eventually apologized and kept her part. But she didn’t stop posing nude in front of her camera since more of her nude selfies were leaked over the years. No wonder Disney had to change the whole cast of their upcoming HSM sequel.

Drew Barrymore

Playboy

Naked Photoshoots and Drug Problems

Long before she was a Charlie’s angel, Drew Barrymore was a nation’s nightmare as her early start in show business propelled all kinds of misbehaving: from drug and alcohol abuse to two stints in rehab and risky photoshoots for Playboy and Interview magazines. But she eventually re-built her life and career.

Demi Lovato

Getty

Eating Disorder and Drug Addiction

Every Disney alumni comes with his or her very own set of demons and a closet filled with skeletons. Early fame caused serious health-related issues for then-18 Demi Lovato in 2010 and she ended up in rehab. She fought bulimia and drug addiction and has been a poster child for self-improvement ever since.

George Michael

YouTube

Public Restroom Incident

The British singer never shied away from a little controversy with his rather erotic music videos and playboy image. But he did take it a bit too far in the late '90s, when he was caught doing naughty things in a public restroom in California's Will Rogers Memorial Park. His partner in crime was an actual undercover policeman on an operation. Michael later mocked him in his “Outside” video, and the poor policeman even tried suing him, but it got him nowhere. Lesson learned: don’t mess with horny popstars.

Kim Kardashian

John Shearer/WireImage

Sex Tape

Let’s not pretend Kim K didn’t study Paris Hilton’s Book of Socialite’s Success like a Bible. And there must be a whole chapter dedicated to sex tapes. Her private video with ex-boyfriend Ray-J was leaked in 2007, four years after its recording and perfectly in time for the launch of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Britney Spears

X17Online

Nervous Breakdown

Britney’s blackout back in 2007 is still one of the most discussed and dark moments of seemingly carefree world of popstars. Rehabs, head shaving, losing custody of her kids, making a mockery of herself on that infamous VMA show and failing to promote her Blackout album properly… It took Britney a while to get back in shape and she’s still under a strict conservatorship. But at least she looks like she’s having fun again and her latest album Glory reminded the world why we loved her in the first place.

Cheryl

BBC

Assault

Fame can be pretty intimidating, especially when you’re young and temperamental. Case in point: British popstar Cheryl who just found her fame as one fifth of the girlband Girls Aloud in 2003 and almost immediately was charged with assault of a nightclub’s bathroom attendant, who also accused Cheryl of screaming racial slurs. The singer was eventually found guilty of causing bodily harm but cleared of racially aggravated assault charge. None of that prevented her from hailing an official title of Britain's National Sweetheart several years later and becoming one of the biggest celebrities in her homeland.

Kanye West

Getty

Taylor Swift Beef

The size of Kanye West’s ego remains a mystery, but we’re pretty sure it’s the size of some undiscovered planet. One of his better known not-so-proud moments is the infamous Kanye VS Tayor Swift VMA 2009 episode, when he grabbed the microphone from the young singer’s hand to proclaim his adoration of Beyonce, which left everyone but Kanye stunned. Fast forward to 2016 and Taylor and Kanye are still beefing.

Janet Jackson

People

Wardrobe Malfunction

By the time she was invited to perform at 2004’s Super Bowl, Janet Jackson was a well-established superstar with undeniable sex symbol status. But the world still freaked out when her breast got exposed onstage by Justin Timberlake. While some perks of that scandal were beneficial for Jackson (she became the most searched person in the internet in a blink of an eye), the consequences were severe. Most of the networks refused to support her next release since a lot of the companies were fined because of the incident. But Janet being Janet, she stayed in the spotlight even despite of the blacklisting and handled the situation with grace.

Nicki Minaj

gossip-stop.blogspot.com

Various Nip Slips

Nicki Minaj is a big fan of public scandals, and before you can ask “What’s good?" she’s probably up to some new adventure. Back in 2011 she followed Janet Jackson’s footsteps and accidentally showed her nipple during Good Morning America live broadcast twice. But the consequences weren’t nearly as grand as what happened to Janet — the risky part was simply edited out for the rest of country (the show was live on the East Coast). But Nicki never learned her lesson and her outfits continued to expose her curves on multiple occasions.

Kristen Stewart

YouTube

Cheating

Bella and Edward may have gotten their undead happy ending in the Twilight saga, but things didn’t go as smoothly for Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who were dating since 2008. In 2012 the world was shocked to learn that Stewart cheated on everyone’s favorite vampire with Snow White and the Huntsman’s married director Rupert Sanders. For some that would have meant a career dead end, but Stewart managed to continue starring in big projects.

Robert Downey Jr.

Handout

Arrests

The '90s were more rough for some celebrities than others. Robert Downey Jr. was the epitome of the '90s celeb-gone-wild with his countless drug-related charges and a year in prison in 1999. Luckily all the substances he consumed didn’t reflect on his acting skills, and by late '00s he was a proper movie star all over again, adored equally by teenagers and their parents.

Charlie Sheen

TODAY Show

Substances Abuse and Assault

As much as tabloids need people like Charlie Sheen, he needs all the media attention just as badly. Back in 2003 Jewel was name-checking Sheen in her celebrity-culture-mocking hit “Intuition,” and not much has changed since then. Sheen’s still the center of attention with arrests, scandals, health issues and ongoing movie/TV career.

Justin Bieber

FameFlynet

General Idiocy

Oh, what hasn’t he done? It seems like in a moment the Canadian star went from the singer you were too ashamed to admit you like to the celebrity everyone loved to hate. These days Biebs is trying to behave himself and — most importantly — his music got much better.

Woody Allen

Franck Robichon / EPA

Marrying His Wife’s Adopted Daughter

Now that’s a pretty creepy one. Back in 1992 Woody Allen divorced his actress wife Mia Farrow after she found naked photos her husband took of her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn. After Farrow left Allen, he happily married Soon-Yi (whom he never adopted) and they’re still together.

Chris Brown

Getty

Assault

Chris Brown and Rihanna’s romance seemed like a sweet R&B fairytale before all hell broke loose in 2009 and the world saw that horrifying image of Rihanna’s battered face. Brown did turn himself in, was sentenced to five years of probation and lost some lucrative endorsement deals, but eventually rebuilt his career and keeps on releasing bangers, although his public image is still far from perfect.

Here’s What Tom Hiddleston Had to Say About Taylor Swift on the Emmys Red Carpet

2016-09-19T22:13:40.498Z

It was a wild ride of a summer for Tom Hiddleston: He made a splash in the now-Emmy-winningThe Night Manager and filmedThor! Hiddleswift happened — and then didn’t! He joined Instagram! But it looks like at least one thing will last through the fall: despite the breakup, it appears Hiddleston hasn’t been officially excommunicated from the all-important Taylor Swift squad.

Aziz Ansari’s Dad Hanging Out With Cool Teen Jaden Smith Is the Best Thing You’ll See Today

In a red carpet interview from the Emmy’s on Sunday night, Peopleasked Hiddleston if he and Swift were still friends. His response? “Yes. Yes, we are.”

Ten Years Later, Friday Night Lights’ Perfect Couple Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler Are Still Marriage #Goals

That’s good news, as unless he was planning on joining Team Kimye, the Swift circle is one you don’t want to be excluded from. It’s a friend group that includes everyone from Kiwi music wunderkind Lorde to top model Karlie Kloss to golden couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, after all. And with the festive season coming up, the invites to the squad Halloween costume parties and Friendsgiving dinners are definitely not events Hiddleston will want to miss. Just think of the Instagram opportunities to boost his nascent account.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Here’s How Diverse the Emmys Actually Were

2016-09-19T21:54:34.734Z

The 68th Annual Emmy Awards offered recognition for robust roles played by non-white actors on television.

Rami Malek won Best Actor in a Drama for playing a detached hacker on Mr. Robot, becoming the first non-white actor to win the category in 18 years. By the end of the night, four non-white actors had won acting awards, a slight increase from last year’s three. This year, 24.6% of the acting nominationswent to non-white actors, an increase from last year’s ceremony. (That still falls behind the approximately 28.3% of speaking characters on television who were black, Latino, Asian or Middle Eastern in 2015, according to aUSC Annenberg report released in 2016.)

You Can Now Buy Harry Potter’s Childhood Home at 4 Privet Drive

The ceremony also gave airtime to presenters and winners like Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox and Master of None’s Alan Yang, whose calls to action championed marginalized groups. Two shows that address race —Master of None and Key and Peele — took home trophies for Best Writing for a Comedy Series and Best Variety Sketch Show, respectively.

Kate Moss Is Launching Her Own Talent Agency: ‘I Don’t Really Want Pretty People’

As for the leading and supporting actors who won awards, here are five numbers that illustrate, through the prism of the industry’s highest honors, the landscape of diversity on television today.

37 – Years since a non-white actor won an Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. This year, half of the nominees were non-white, and ultimately, Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) lost to Louie Anderson, who won for his blend of humor and heartbreak as the mother on Baskets.

18 – Years since a non-white dramatic lead actor won. Rami Malek (Elliot, Mr. Robot) is the first non-white winner since 1998 when Andre Braugher took home the trophy for his performance in Homicide: Life on the Street.

6 – Years since a non-white actress won the award for Best Actress in a Comedy. Black-ish’s Tracee Ellis Ross was the first non-white actress to be nominated in this category since 2008 when America Ferrera won her second consecutive Emmy for Ugly Betty. This year, the honor went to Julia Louis-Dreyfus for helming the Emmy favorite, Veep. The last black actress to win this category was Phylicia Rashad for playing Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show in 1986.

3 – Non-white actors took home awards this year for their supporting roles in a miniseries. Half the nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, often the most inclusive category, were non-white. Regina King won for her role as Terri Lacroix on American Crime, and she acknowledged the show for exploring mass incarceration in her speech; Sterling K. Brown won for his portrayal of attorney Christopher Darden on The People v. O.J. Simpson; and Courtney B. Vance won for his role as Johnnie Cochran on The People v. O.J. Simpson.

1 – More non-white winners than last year’s three non-white winners. This year brought the total non-white leading and supporting actors up to four, compared to last year’s three: Viola Davis (repeat nominee), Uzo Aduba (left out this year) and Regina King (repeat winner.)

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

See the Best Memes From the 2016 Emmy Awards

2016-09-19T21:42:41.771Z

The Emmys are television’s biggest night, which means celebrating the people you see every day on the small screen in one big show.

Sarah Paulson Also Engraved Prosecutor Marcia Clark’s Name on Her New Emmy

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel hosted the awards ceremony this year, but before the show even got started, it was clear this was going to be one for the books. The kids from Stranger Things kicked things off with a precocious rendition of “Uptown Funk” on the Emmys stage during the pre-show. And during the actual ceremony, not just one, but four people quoted Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement” in their acceptance speeches. The 2016 Emmys were made for reactions and the Internet was full of them.

The Game of Thrones Cast Ruled Over the 2016 Emmys

Here, we’ve rounded up the best web reactions to the 2016 Emmys, ranging from hot takes to memes.

On the Stranger Things kids basically being squad goals and performing the best rendition of “Uptown Funk” ever during the pre-show:

pic.twitter.com/i8s10FVz4F

— Nathan Zed 🍓🍌 (@NathanZed) September 19, 2016

Squad Goals at the #Emmys!!! I love the stars of #StrangerThings #Emmys2016 pic.twitter.com/TxrV18ThIa

— Ira (@IraHobbsJr) September 18, 2016

OMG!!! watch this!!! #strangerthings performs #uptownfunk before the #Emmys!!! @enews

A video posted by marcmalkin (@marcmalkin) on Sep 18, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

On the very public support winner Kate McKinnon received from lady bosses:

IM SCREAMING CRYING MY BITCH MY BITCH SHE WON YALL!!

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) September 19, 2016

Congratulations on your Emmy, Kate! Big fan of yours, too. pic.twitter.com/w00QO1GwyH

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 19, 2016

On the sudden popularity of Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement” line, “Got the hottest chick in the game wearing my chain.” The lyric became the de facto way to show affection after four winners used it in their speeches:

The hottest new way to refer to your significant other. 😂 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/WIYypvdCyz

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) September 19, 2016

On the inadvertent Friends reunion of Joey Tribbiani and Ross Gellar:

Could this BE any more nostalgic? (Chandler Bing voice) #EredCarpet @ENews #Emmys

A photo posted by Claudia Oshry (@girlwithnojob) on Sep 18, 2016 at 4:38pm PDT

On the Emmys being one giant Taylor Swift subtweet:

Feels like this Emmys show is subtweeting someone pic.twitter.com/4K2qC7OAYF

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) September 19, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Lily & Madeleine Grow Up on 'Keep It Together'

2016-09-19T16:45:37.541Z

Sisters Lily & Madeleine are proof that two is better than one. Together they create striking ethereal ballads, their transcendent harmonies supported by a combination of easy-going ivory keys, charged guitar chords and a steady beat. Their songs are like the soundtrack to a dreamland of their making.

Their latest album, Keep It Together, marks their third full-length release in three years. The pair are presently on tour criss-crossing the US for much of fall in support of the disc that came out earlier this year in spring.

We got to chat with both Lily and Madeleine about music and memories; their ever-present thirst for knowledge and the influence of Regina Spektor while also investigating the value of youth and promise of adulthood.

Hometown/Homebase: Indianapolis, IN

How does a song come together for you? What's the process like?

Lily: Usually, a song comes together in the fastest and most satisfying way if I'm passionate and focused on whatever subject I'm singing about. So like, when I wrote "Westfield," I was just sitting up in my room, thinking about one specific night in my life and trying to paint the picture of that as simply and naturally as possible.

Madeleine: I agree with Lily. Usually I'll find some inspiration naturally and just sing filler words until I'm able to accurately describe my feelings. I often work on melody and lyrics at the same time.

Who do you count as your biggest musical influences?

Madeleine: I adore Regina Spektor. She's one of the first alternative singer-songwriters I fell in love with in middle school. Her talent and lyrics have always inspired me, plus she's beautiful and strong and feminine, which are all things I aspire to be.

What's your earliest shared musical memory?

Lily: I think one of my earliest memories involving music is from when I was about six years old. Madeleine was taking voice lessons and singing at the piano with her vocal teacher, and I would dance around to whatever they were singing...I think one of the songs was "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Mis.

Madeleine: Yes I remember that too! I'll also never forget the time we wrote a song with our mom for our dad when he got a promotion at work. We sang it for him when he got home from work that day and our mom played the guitar. I still remember how it goes!

How do you think you've grown on Keep It Together, now that you're on your third album?

Lily: I'm definitely more confident as a performer and songwriter, and I don't feel the need anymore to put others' suggestions before my own intuition.

Madeleine: Again, I agree with Lily. With all the experiences we've had, I feel much more confident and empowered. Now I know I can handle both the creative and business side of our career.

How do you think your youth impacts your output?

Madeleine: Because we're still young (Lily is 19 and I'm 21), we are continuing to learn everyday and with every tour. I'm still starving for knowledge and experience and this craving allows me to draw inspiration from almost everything. I imagine that in 15-20 years Lily and I will start to get a little jaded haha, but right now I feel like we still have miles to go and it's very inspiring.

You've released three albums in three years, what's your production schedule like? Are you constantly writing? How many songs don't make the cut?

Lily: We've been working pretty constantly since I was 15 or 16. Surprisingly, not that many songs have remained unreleased because we kind of just wrote as much as we could and put out whatever we could, which is a fine way to make music, but I'm looking forward to being more selective and thoughtful with our upcoming work, whenever we begin working on what's next.

You have an all-female backing band. How important is that to you and why?

Lily: It's so fun!! Shannon and Kate are definitely two of my best friends and we're all very in tune with each other. But we didn't choose them for our band because they're women, we chose them because they're extremely talented and wonderful individuals.

Madeleine: Shan and Kate are the coolest ladies and definitely two of our dearest friends. Playing and touring with an all-female band is awesome because we can all connect as women and we have very similar opinions on a lot of things. We work together and support each other through everything.

What's it like creating in Indianapolis? What's the music community like?

Lily: Lately I've been feeling like I want to move away just because I've lived in Indy my whole life, but it really is a great place to grow up and create in.

Madeleine: The music community in Indianapolis is small but brilliant. It's nice that I'm finally 21 though, so I can go to bars and venues and clubs and connect with other artists. That's something Lily doesn't get to do, and it sucks so bad. I feel like my opportunity to connect and collaborate with people has really opened up now that I'm of age. I'm definitely trying to take advantage of it and go see as many shows as I can.

As musicians, what do you most look forward to?

Lily: I look forward to getting to a place where I can just do whatever I want and create whatever fulfills me.

Madeleine: Honestly I would love to be able to make enough money that I can travel anywhere and meet anyone and gain all the inspiration I can. That's my ultimate goal. I also just want to make art that people enjoy and connect with. I'm not good at science; I'm not very athletic, but I can sing and I can write and I just want to do that for the rest of my life.

James Corden Takes on Spice Girls, David Bowie in New Apple Music Ad

2016-09-19T15:41:25.769Z

James Corden is the latest celeb to be featured in Apple Music's commercials. Sitting in front of Apple execs Jimmy Iovine, Eddy Cue and Bozoma Saint John, the late night TV host pitches his best ideas for the next Apple advert, starring him. Despite all the rejected ideas, we do get to see him do some great impressions of David Bowie, the Spice Girls, Slash and Pharrell. But not only do the execs turn it down, Pharrell also tells James to stop the impression.

James gives one last dramatic pitch including diving into a a body of water filled with millions of apples and satisfying a child's thirst for music with an iPhone.

Not only is it entertaining, it also sheds light on James' new work with Apple Music, which will soon be streaming 16 episodes of Carpool Karaoke exclusively to its members.

Watch the full TV ad below.

Corey Feldman Expresses Hurt Over 'Today Show' Performance Reaction

2016-09-19T15:34:16.737Z

Corey Feldman's performance of "Go 4 It," off his fifth album, Angelic 2 the Core, on The Today Show went viral after it aired on Friday (September 16). And while he could have been pleased by the spread of his new song, the public's negative reviews and continuous teasing regarding the performance has got Corey really down. He was so upset by the world's reaction to the performance that he hopped on Facebook Live to express his feelings.

Although the video has since been taken down, People revealed some of the statements the former '80s heartthrob made and cried about.

"We just wanted to tell everybody that, like, it's been really painful," he said in the clip. "We put ourselves out there and we did the best that we could. And, like, I've never had such mean things said about me. Like constantly."

He also added, "All we can say is that we tried really hard. Because we love our fans and we just wanted to give them the best show that we could. But we don't deserve ... these things that are said about us are awful."

And while people have the right to their opinions, he felt that many went too far.

"It was a song, okay? It wasn't that weird," he said. "I'm sorry if it's not good enough for you, but you don't have to beat us up. I just want to say that, like, why is it okay to, like, publicly shame us? ... I don't understand ... It's, like, not PC to, like, say somebody is fat or somebody is white or somebody is black or somebody is yellow or green or if they have a short leg or if they have a missing finger. Like we can't talk about these things. But it's okay to bash Corey Feldman and the Angels."

He did get some love from Pink.

Well I love ya @Corey_Feldman and I know how much it takes to get up there and do your thing. Keep your head up and know that you're loved❤️
— P!nk (@Pink) September 18, 2016

You can watch his performance below wand read more about what Corey's reaction on here.

Wiz Khalifa Loves 'Stranger Things' As Much As We Do

2016-09-19T15:18:36.264Z

Like just about everyone else on the planet, Wiz Khalifa is all about Stranger Things. And it looks like that love is so great, he just dropped a song inspired by it. Not only is does it take on the Netflix show's title, but also samples a bit of the theme song, which was composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein (aka two of the members of S U R V I V E).

Produced by E. Dan, Big Jerm and Sayez, Wiz and J.R. Donato, who's also a member of his Taylor Gang, spit lyrics on this track.

Some of the lyrics include, "It's like I'm talking to a stranger / Now everybody getting stranger / They're stranger / I think I'm in danger, gotta wake my game up / Gotta stay the same, watching everybody change / Ah now they're getting stranger."

Listen to "Stranger Things" below.

'Game of Thrones' Wins the Emmys & Sequels Lose the Movies

2016-09-19T08:08:29.211Z

So you got NBA 2K17 and basically ignored the rest of the world? While you were busy living out your basketball dreams with Justice Young in MyCareer, Lady Gaga's "hit" single took a dive, no one went to the movies, and Game of Thrones proved it's still the best show on TV (even if we have to wait a ridiculously long time for it to come back). Here's what you missed over the weekend.

Lady Gaga's Radio Woes

Lady Gaga has never been the fearful type. From her energy and subject matter of her music to her highly controversial fashion choices, the pop music artist is all about taking risks.

It’s been roughly two years since she last released new music, and now the stage is set for her long-awaited album titled Joanne to debut in just a few short weeks. The first single off of the release titled “Perfect Illusion” was released just last week and to promote it, the eclectic musician strutted her fit physique around London in barely there short-shorts and heavily cropped tops.

Though the tune was initially well received on the iTunes chart, even reaching No. 1 very early on, it drastically declined in popularity and fell completely from the Top 40 listing — after only one week.The slump didn’t go unnoticed by Gaga, who seemed to allude during her iHeartradio on Air interview that the poor response to the single was possibly the fault of her record label for choosing “Perfect Illusion” to lead the album's release with.

To add insult to injury, rumors began circulating that the American Horror Story actress was in talks with the NFL to be the halftime show performer of choice at the 2017 Super Bowl. A few weeks back, it was Adele who was supposedly in talks with the commissioners of the sport to do the very same thing, but announced during one of her concerts that she had turned down the polite offer. Unfortunately, someone jumped the gun their reporting and Natalie Ravitz, senior VP of Communications for the NFL, had to take to her personal Twitter account to not only clarify the miscommunication, but to also emphasize the fact that the commission has yet to officially choose anyone to fulfill the task.

.@usweekly ignored my on record response: we've had conversations w several fantastic artists about SB Halftime Show but no final decision
— Natalie Ravitz (@NFLNatalie) September 18, 2016

The Summer of Sequels is Over

Two sequels premiered in the theaters this weekend, and so far the response has been less than stellar. Renee Zellweger made her return to the big screen in Bridget Jones’ Baby, a whopping 12 years after the 2004 sequel to Bridget Jones’ Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. But even role reprisals from Patrick Dempsey, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson weren’t enough to carry the film at the box offices, bringing in a mere $8.2 million domestically, for a total of $38.1 million globally.

When the Jones series first launched, the romantic comedy sought an audience of mostly women ages 16 to 35 and, let’s be honest, probably single — that was supposed to be her relatable charm after all. However, now those women are now much older, probably married and even with children. Bridget’s character and her whimsical romantic endeavors are now obsolete, and not relatable for many who are just being introduced to the film.

The creators of The Blair Witch Project are also back with their third installment of the witchy franchise, simply titled Blair Witch. The flick picks up where the original left off almost 17 years ago, with a brand new group of young adults naively looking for the same trouble that their equally curious friends (and the group from the second movie) clearly didn’t survive almost two decades prior.

Its weekend domestic results weren’t much better, narrowly surpassing Jones with $9.7 million. Back in their heyday, the creators were brilliant in introducing the world to the “found footage” film. The fear that they invoked almost effortlessly was reminiscent of the old horror genre from yesteryear. That cinematic magic has since been borrowed and knocked off again and again, purging the style of any awesomeness and relying now entirely on shock value.

Game of Thrones & Other Emmy Winners

Getty Images

Sunday (September 18) was a big night for television at the 68th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the who’s who of popular programming gathered together in Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater to see who would reign supreme — after making fabulous fashion statements on the red carpet, of course.

Though Kimmel was chosen to host because of his pension for comedic dialogue, he seemed to lack energy and his offensive jokes regarding Donald Trump, diversity and OJ Simpson’s past fell flat to some.

On the night that is meant to honor those who stood out for their performance and writing abilities, the academy was less than forgiving when it came to cutting off speeches. Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang accepted an award for their work on Master of None, but before Ansari had a chance to finish his brief dialogue he was cut off by music. The same move was pulled on Jeffrey Tambor while he was speaking on his work in Transparent, but he quickly put an end to the orchestra’s hijinks, shutting them up so that he could make his passionate plea for equality in Hollywood for transgender people.

While some of the night’s winners weren’t a surprise, such as Game of Thrones being awarded for Best Writing and Best Directing for a drama series, and best all around drama series (which earned it the most Emmy wins ever), others took viewers by surprise. Newcomers Mr. Robot and Orphan Black beat out some heavy-hitting competitors for Best Actor and Best Actress in a drama series, respectively. The full list of winners can be viewed here.

Underoath, Coheed & Cambria, Circa Survive & More Rock Out at Chain Fest 2016

2016-09-19T07:46:04.427Z

As one of the premier small alternative venues in Southern California, Chain Reaction's 20th birthday was celebrated by some of the biggest bands in the genre. Everyone from Underoath to Coheed and Cambria showed up to play the day-long Chain Fest, as the party rocked from noon until night. Of course, we couldn't help but snap some photos while we were there, so check out our favorites below.

Dance Gavin Dance

Anthony Green

The Story So Far

MxPx

Citizen

Portugal. The Man

Underoath

Circa Survive

Coheed and Cambria

20 Cheating Text Fails That Will Make You Want To Stay Faithful

2016-09-19T07:00:00.000Z

It’s safe to say none of these people are fit for the Cheater Of The Year award. Didn’t anyone tell them that if you want to start cheating, you should at least learn how to be discreet, careful and — most importantly — always pick the right person for your text booty call? Otherwise your little rendezvous will cost you an arm, a leg and probably you beloved Porsche.

When Your Boyfriend Takes Everything Too Seriously

You know how bitchy a text message can look like if you forget to put a smiley face in the end? Well, for some people even a heart sign doesn’t do the trick. Do. Not. Date. People. Who. Are. Too. Serious. Ever.

When Your Dad Doesn’t Know How to Cheat Properly

If you are about to cheat (and please don’t think we’re encouraging you!), at least make sure that your lover is disease-free. And you should probably also double check the number you're texting, to make sure it's not your kid.

When Your Boyfriend Mistakes You for His Confidante

Boys love to kiss and tell. Or in most cases these days — cheat and text. The main struggle here is to pick the right person to confide in. The difference between your best friend and the girl you’ve just cheated on can be deadly.

When You Cheat But Forget to Hide Your Xbox

First rule of cheating: lock the valuables before going on your sleazy adventure. Otherwise you can repeat the fate of this clueless cheater and lost not just the girl but also the Xbox. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which one is more painful.

When Your Daddy is Too Horny to Read

If you go as far as bragging about your "12 incher," then maybe, just maybe, make sure it’s not your own child you’re sexting. It could’ve been worse: the aforementioned dad could’ve attached a dirty pic to the message. We’d charge $100 extra for that.

When You Mix Up Your Joshes with Your Johns

Never cheat with the people whose names are almost identical to your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s. That way you’re in danger of saying the wrong name not just in text but also in bed. Oh and for the tenth time, make sure you’re always picking the right addressee for your sexcapades stories.

When Your Mom is a Lame Cheater

Sure, it’s nice when your mom still looks great and likes to go out. Until she starts bringing random men home while your dad is out at work. We’re still not sure what this MILF is more scared of: having to bribe her way out of this sext fail or potentially not getting laid tonight.

When You Jump to Conclusions Way Too Soon

Yes, you probably won’t believe it, but there is more than just one way to cheat. But there’s only one thing to do when your loved one casually mentions they’ve been cheating on you: block and delete.

When Your Uncle is Cooler Than You

When planning a perfect cheatfest, make sure you’re inviting the right person over. Otherwise you’re running the risk that the invitee will leave in your favorite Porsche and will slut-shame you for the rest of your life.

When Your Dad is a Good Robber but Bad Briber

Remember when you were a kid and was mad at your parents for not playing with you enough? Well it all changes once you’re a grown up and your dad suddenly invites you for a round of cops and robbers and wants to try his new handcuffs on you. No car can get you out of that house fast enough.

When You Get Both Bad News and a Major Movie Spoiler

Even if you think you’re helping a friend out by texting him that you saw his girl out with another dude on a movie night, please never spoil that movie to him. That’s just as tacky as cheating. Or maybe even worse.

When You Lose a BF But Make a BFF

Cheating can be a bonding experience, especially when both of you have no idea he’s been lying to each one of you. Just watch the movie The Other Woman and plan a perfect revenge with your new best friend.

When Your Friend is the Worst Accomplice in History

If you’re out cheating your night away, don’t leave your phone to a person who doesn’t know how to play the “Assisted Cheating” game. Otherwise you’ll lose a boyfriend and possibly a phone.

When You Cheated on Your Soulmate

It’s important to always keep in mind why you love the person you’re cheating on. Is it really worth risking a relationship with the person who makes the best dirty jokes in your life? Will you be eternally tormented by the memory of a person who could slut-shame you like no other? It’s simple: don’t cheat. Or don’t regret it if you do.

When Your Boyfriend is the Best Spy

If you plan to secretly go out and possibly cheat on your boyfriend or girlfriend, make sure to not pick his/her favorite spot as your destination. Otherwise you’ll have to come up with some elaborate story on how the only cure for your cold is vodka and that this bar is basically like a pharmacy for you. And why even going to a club to pick up somebody when you have Tinder? You’re too old school to cheat anyway.

When You Date an Amnesia Victim

You know how easily cheaters “forget” to mention things like current girlfriends and random hook-ups? All it takes for them to start remembering things is your good partner (aka his other victim) and a little bit of torture. Sometimes revenge is sweeter than they ever were.

When Your Stepmom is Worse Than Snow White’s

Once a mother always a mother: even when they cheat, they still bring candies along with the condoms to their lovers’ hotel rooms. This failed cheater must’ve been majorly baked when she sent that one out and we’re not talking about cookies here.

When You Got Your Priorities Straight

Xbox first, loyalty second. Always keep that in mind when deciding to confess that you’ve been cheating. ‘Cause maybe a good scare will sweeten the pill and you’ll leave this texting battle unscathed. And now that you're single, you can use this priceless amount of free time to play more games. Damn, we just realized how depressing that sounds...

When Your Best Friend is Awesome

Karma works in weird and often entertaining ways. Sometimes you discover that your boyfriend has been cheating on you and the next moment your bestie is already all over his case. Meaning that she’s literally rolling over him. Friends rule.

When Your Dad is a Thief

It’s one thing to learn that your mother has more toys than you. But it’s even creepier to learn that your farther could’ve taken it. Or that your mother is sharing her vibrator with her best friend. No, you’re never coming to any of your parents’ parties ever again.

Kate Upton Does Not Want to Share Her Lunch With You

2016-09-19T07:00:00.000Z

Have you ever narrated your friends' attempts to flirt with strangers as if it's a National Geographic documentary? If not, then you should live a little.

For those of us who have, XUMO and Glamour put together this video of superstar model Kate Upton out in the wild for a "Glamour Geographic" documentary. While it may just be an average photoshoot for some, it's an adventurous voyage into the (un)natural world of modeling for the rest of us.

Watch the video below, and feel free to add your own hushed and accented narration.

Glamour on XUMO: Kate Upton Does Not Want to Share Her Lunch With You from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things online fashion whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Glamour.

Getting to Know... Crobot

2016-09-19T07:00:00.000Z

While Crobot has been known to tear up the stage with electrifying performances, you'll quickly find out that Brandon Yeagley, Chris Bishop and brothers Jake and Paul Figueroa are a group of laid back guys who keep the jokes coming. And we got a piece of that when the Pennsylvania band sat down with Myspace to chat about their latest album, Welcome to Fat City.

"It's a Crobot album," Chris, who plays guitar and sings, said. "It's our sound. It's a little funkier, a little heavier, but it's still in the vein of what we're going for.

Paul added, "[The music] is something we just run with and see where it happens to go. We definitely took some turns on this album, but we also stick with what we like to do."

And Chris closed that topic with, "That's what side projects are for."

Aside from the new tunes, we also got to know each of the band members a little better. Find out more about the men of Crobot and their best dad jokes below.

Brandon Yeagley, 28

Instrument: Vocals and harmonica
Band or Album That Inspired You to Become a Musician: Corrosion of Conformity - Deliverance
Favorite Song to Perform From Welcome to Fat City? "Welcome to Fat City"
Best Show You've Seen: Riot Fest Denver - Iggy Pop
Best Show You've Played: Hellfest 2016 - Clisson, France
In honor of your "Not for Sale" video, what's your favorite "Dad joke"? "I bought shoes from a drug dealer today. I don't know what he laced them with, but I was tripping all day!"

Chris "the destroyer, honey lips, nanner nutz" Bishop, 30

Instrument: Guitar
Band or Album That Inspired You to Become a Musician: Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same concert on videotape specifically.
Favorite Song to Perform From Welcome to Fat City? Right now it's "Hold on for Dear Life"... I'm sure that will change soon.
Best Show You've Seen: Every night on 'The Clutch and the Sword' tour.
Best Show You've Played: Probably Paris, headlining two weeks after the attacks.
Best Dad Joke: Son - "Dad, make me a sandwich"
Dad - "Poof... you're a sandwich”

Jake "Locomotive Dogmatica" Figueroa, 29

Instrument: Bass, vocals, hamburger.
Band or Album That Inspired You to Be Come a Musician: Jimi Hendrix. He was the first black rock icon I was introduced to, and that was a very big deal to me as a child. [It] opened up the doors to so many possibilities.
Favorite Song to Perform: "Moment of Truth" and "Plague of the Mammoths"
Best Show You've Seen: Roger Waters at MSG on mushrooms.
Best Show You've Played: Hulavom in N.J. on LSD, Mmolly, ketamine, and a little coke. It was awesome.
Best Dad Joke: "How do you make dinosaurs run faster?" "Metal legs"

Paul Figueroa, 31

Instrument: Drums
Band or Album That Inspired You to Become a Musician: Led Zeppelin: Live at Royal Albert Hall
Favorite Song to Perform: "Welcome to Fat City"
Best Show You've Seen: Black Sabbath, original lineup, Ozzfest 2004.
Best show You've Played: Hellfest 2016
Best Dad Joke: "Where does Napoleon keep his armies?... In his sleeves!"

Listen to TVRQUOISE's "Liar and the Fighter" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-16T18:01:46.793Z

In TVRQUOISE's “Liar and the Fighter,” singer Faye Wellman’s distinctive voice glides over melodic electronics for a dreamy hush of a track that explores the gray area of an unrequited romance.

“In a way, 'Liar and the Fighter' is a conspiracy theory,” says Wellman of the song. “It’s a song about alleged unshared love; wanting someone who claims to not want you back. However, you refuse to believe it because all signs and actions tell a different story.”

The inspiration behind the track traces back to Wellman’s summer after high school. “A group of friends, including the person I was pretty much hopelessly in love with, jumped the fence to the neighborhood pool. I jumped in the pool and waited for him to follow — he never did. To an outsider, it seemed like a meaningless, passing moment, but within that moment I realized how symbolic this scenario was of our entire relationship,” she says. “Three years later I finally let go of the hope that he would come around and this song was written as a reflection.”

“Liar and the Fighter” came together over a number of months, with bandmate Matt Hogan helping to flesh out the ethereal opus. The appeal of electronic instrumentation is simple according to Wellman. “It’s great when you can create electronic music that still has that human touch — that’s important to us.”

The pair met during their last semester at Berklee and began collaborating soon after. Although they’ve been making music on their own since they were both 13, this batch of songs are the first original songs either has ever released publicly. “It takes a significant amount of time and dedication to craft your sound and from there, luck and fate to find someone you can collaborate with authentically,” says Wellman while reflecting on the ingredients at play. “We’re lucky enough to have found these things.”

Listen to "Liar and the Fighter" and check out a trippy visualizer below.

Watch Adele Sing a Touching Tribute to Amy Winehouse

2016-09-16T17:59:21.692Z

Adele took time during her Boston concert on Wednesday to give a beautiful tribute to the late Amy Winehouse on what would have been Winehouse’s 33rd birthday.

The singer told the audience that she owed her entire career to Winehouse and her music.

Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and Christina Aguilera Will Pay Tribute to Prince at Minnesota Concert

According to an MTV report, Adele said, “I feel like I owe 90 percent of my career to [Winehouse]. Because of her, I picked up a guitar and because of her, I wrote my own songs. The songs I got signed on were the songs that I wrote completely on my own – if it wasn’t for her, that wouldn’t have happened.”

The 10-time Grammy winner then expressed her sadness for Winehouse’s untimely death.

The Internet Seems to Think That Calvin Harris’ Catchy New Song ‘My Way’ Is About Taylor Swift

“I’m obviously completely happy with all the music that she left behind because it’s all genius. But every day I wish I could hear a new song from her.”

Adele then performed a touching cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” which you can listen to here.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Britney Spears Considers Quitting Music to Become a Teacher

2016-09-16T17:51:02.198Z

Britney Spears may be living the dream as one of the most successful, famous, and beloved pop singers in the world, but she occasionally reflects on what life would be like in a different line of work.

People Really, Really Like Dancing to ‘Closer’ by The Chainsmokers So It’s Becoming a Viral Sensation

In a new interview with British music outlet NME, Spears has considered trading in her fame, fortune, and Las Vegas residency for books, a chalkboard, and a classroom full of children.“Sometimes I’m like, ‘What am I doing? Like, I could be a teacher,’” she told NME. “But then I see other people doing it, too, and I’m like, ‘Well, you know, it’s probably all they’ve known for so long, so it just kind of makes sense’.”

Spears may not be swapping the VMAs for the SATs any time soon, but she did live out her dream of teaching recently when she took over a dance class. She showed natural teaching ability, too, breaking down her moves into an easy-to-follow format and showing the lucky group of girls some of the secrets to her incredible choreography.

From Paul Rudd’s Tina Turner to Emma Stone’s Blues Traveler: A Ranking of the Best Lip Sync Battles Ever

While Spears clearly has a knack for teaching, don’t expect her to live out her educational dreams anytime soon. “I love what I do,” she told NME. “I think that helps because it speaks for itself when I perform. Seeing other artists continue to do this kind of thing inspires me too.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Fifty Shades Darker Beats Out Star Wars to Become Most-Viewed Trailer in a Single Day

2016-09-16T17:45:03.074Z

The Fifty Shades Darker trailer broke the record for most trailer views in a single day following its Tuesday premiere, beating out Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the title.

The preview for the highly-anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey sequel — starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan — was watched 114 million times in the first 24 hours of its release, according toThe Hollywood Reporter, 2 million more than the 112 million mark set by The Force Awakens.

Everything You Need to Know About the Jimmy Kimmel-Matt Damon Feud

Within the first hour of its debut, the Fifty Shades U.S. Facebook page alone had recorded more than 2.5 million views for the trailer. However, it was internationally that it truly shone, racking up 74.6 million total views across its 32 foreign markets.

Fifty Shades Darker is set to hit theaters Feb. 10.

Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams Got Matching Tattoos Proving Stark Sisterhood Extends Offscreen

Watch the trailer below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Jonah Hill Really Didn’t Like Being Mocked by a French TV Presenter

2016-09-16T17:35:38.282Z

Jonah Hill has canceled his remaining press events for War Dogs in France after he was humiliated by a TV weather reporter there.

The Oscar nominee was mocked on CanalPlus’ program Le Grand Journalby Ornella Fleury, The Hollywood Reporter reports, who told him her sexual fantasy would involve Hill making her laugh then “all of a sudden, [bringing his] friends DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, and then going away.”

10 ‘Cut For Time’ Saturday Night Live Sketches That You Should Totally Watch

“I’m glad I came on this show to get ridiculed by your local weather girl,” Hill responded. He later canceled the rest of his press tour in France.

Fleury has since issued a formal apology. “Jonah, the problem is that for 10 years I have lived with you through your films,” she said, according to The Local. “In fact, Jonah, I really had the impression that I knew you so last Friday I thought I was just messing around with a friend, but the reality is that we are not friends.”

Fifty Shades Darker Beats Out Star Wars to Become Most-Viewed Trailer in a Single Day

Hill stars alongside Miles Teller in War Dogs, the true story of childhood friends who exploited a government procurement opportunity to land a $300 million contract to supply the Afghan army in 2007.

Thanks to everyone who saw #WarDogs. I'm truly proud of this character and if you have the time I'd love you to watch this weekend. ❤️
— Jonah Hill (@JonahHill) August 26, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The Curious Case of Harambe McHarambeface

2016-09-16T16:30:00.000Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week we follow the curious case of Harambe McHarambeface — the inevitable offspring of the year's two most insufferable memes — then we discuss the recently unearthed video of a Canadian political ad from the '80s, back when satire was more than a meme.

The Life Cycle of a Meme

Recommended Pairing: Motha fucking bread crumbs.

The internet has hardened my heart with a callous shell of skepticism. It's too bad because only a few years ago if I had read a headline about a Chinese Zoo regretting an online poll to name their new gorilla I would have devoured the article with glee. This week, however, I saw the headline and knew two things immediately:

1. That fucking gorilla had been christened "Harambe McHarambeface"

and

2. There was very little chance that it was a real story and even less of a chance that the name would stick if somehow it was true

A few days later the BBC cracked the case. Not only was the story a hoax, the Boston Leader, which was the first "news source" to report the results of the online poll appear to be fake as well. That's some serious dedication to an incredibly juvenile prank — a stunt that my hardened heart has softened up for.

Apparently, all you needed to do was simply click around that site for a minute to realize not only was the Boston Leader suspicious, and nobody's ever heard of the Boston Leader. That didn't stop this "story" from getting picked up on every blog and getting thrown into every other person's social media feeds.

That's the thing with memes though, right? They only exist because enough people connect to them so usually, the content that goes viral is incredibly low brow or viciously immature.

That being said, I loved the original story of Boaty McBoatface.

It was a classic example of the joke, "This is why we can't have nice things." I loved that even though the online poll got hijacked by nerds, they chose to vote for something silly instead of overtly racist, disgusting, and/or mean:

The whole Harambe thing, though? That shit is straight up out of hand. Sure, it's fun to say "Dicks out for Harambe" as a riff on our social justice warrior protest culture. I can see how it came to be as a go-to motto of parody for protest signs. It's irreverent, silly and mentions a penis — so you know it's gonna get a laugh.

I just want it to stop. Is there any way we can replace this with my new favorite gif and my official Halloween costume for 2016, "Girl devouring cotton candy like a demon"?

That'd be great. Thanks!

Walking Pneumonia

Recommended Pairing: Carefully omitted words and bedrest.

A quick takeaway from this week in American politics:

Journalism is dead, right? I mean, what the fuck is CNN even doing?

In a week where we "celebrated" the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, we were inundated with stories about Hillary's pneumonia; Trump's health records and how America pays for NFL patriotism. Nothing worries me more than people talking themselves into voting for Trump, even as a lark. I have nightmares of droves of dorks with "Dicks out for Harambe" T-shirts voting for Trump and then laughing about it with their friends.

Then we jump forward to two weeks later where we're all like:

Newsweek promised a bombshell-laden exposé on Donald Trump this week. And they delivered — the problem is everybody already knows he's an egomaniac that doesn't give a shit about everyday Americans. Hell, I doubt he cares about anybody except for himself and his hot-ass daughter.

Of course he has shady business deals around the globe. Of course they would put our national security and national interests into peril. Of course roughly half the country is going to vote for him. These are the same people who booed the President of the United States on 9/11 at football stadiums across the country. The same people, mind you, that ruined the careers of the Dixie Chicks when they suggested anything other than blind support for an acting president.

Fuck 'em.

Here's the best argument for moving to Canada in the event of a Trump presidency: Archival footage from the 1984 Canadian federal election, when Canada's political parties were given five minutes of prime-time television. This was the first and last time the Rhinoceros Party was allowed on CBC.

I think I may have to switch my party affiliation to the Rhinoceros Party ASAP.

Here's a 'greatest hits' of their platforms over their amazing 30-year run:

-Adopting the British system of driving on the left; this was to be gradually phased in over five years with large trucks and tractors first, then buses, eventually including small cars, and bicycles and wheelchairs last.

-Changing Canada's currency to bubble gum, so it could be inflated or deflated at will.

-Ending crime by abolishing all laws

-Repealing the law of gravity

-eliminate small businesses, and replace them with very small businesses, having less than one employee.

-Building one nuclear power plant per household, including monthly distributions of lead underwear to Canadians. Indoor lighting would then be provided by radioactive citizens.

'Til next week.

Break the Internet with Moshow the Cat Rapper

2016-09-16T16:15:51.381Z

Moshow, born Dwayne Molock, is known throughout the Internet as the cat rapper. In his song “Cat World,” he raps, “I’m chilling in a cat world/ I got cats in my house man/ cats on the floor.” And it’s true: Moshow and his girlfriend make a complete family with their four hairless cats, and making music is a family affair. His girlfriend films his videos, and his cats — Tali, Sushi, MegaMam, and Ravioli — all have starring roles in them.

The Portland resident describes his music as “very colorful,” and adds that it’s “filled with cat love and love for cat ladies.” So if you’re needing a bit of a pick-me-up, he's the emcee for you.

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Homebase: Portland, OR

Why do you call yourself Moshow?

Moshow comes from my dad; his last name is Molock, and they called him the “MO-SHOW” back in high school because he was a star basketball player. So it’s me paying respect back to my dad.

What came first? Wanting to be a musician or falling in love with your cats and using them as inspiration?

I was born and raised in the Projects Perkins Homes in Baltimore. I was always exposed to music through my parents and friends as a kid. I had my musician moment when I couldn't stop writing rhymes and freestyling. One day I just grabbed my cat and started rapping. It’s what I’ve been doing for years off camera, so I just did it. I feel in love with my cats because they truly love me. I'm their father and we just have a connection I can’t explain in words. I use them because they keep me alive. They make me happy; they are part of me and we are ONE.

Who are your musical heroes and why do they inspire you?

Lil Wayne, because he's one of the greatest to ever do it. James Taylor — I just love all his songs and he's a legend. Senses Fail — I love this band because they were always so raw with emotions. Sade, because she's just mind blowing.

What's the story behind your hairless sphynx?

I have three sphynx, all three are girls ... Tali is the actual birth mom to Sushi and MegaMam, who are birth sisters, so YES I have one big family!!! I also have one Devon Rex cat who's a boy, and his name is Ravioli. So I have four cats altogether. I always wanted Sphynx cats because they remind me of me. Very weird and bald, just like me! I feel like I understand them and they understand me. I have four cats because I'm CAT CRAZY!

How did you end up in Portland from Baltimore?

It was a goal of mine to move across the country to follow my dreams, so one day I made up my mind and set a date. When the date came I made it happen.

How does living in Oregon influence your songwriting?

I just feel super free here, and I just don't care. It makes me create what makes me happy, and as long as I'm happy with my music I'm happy!

What's your songwriting process?

I wake up and whatever I'm feeling that day, I start writing and start making it happen.

I read that you were into gangsta rap as a kid but that didn't feel like you. Which of your contemporaries do you now enjoy listening to?

I pretty much enjoy listening to everybody because music is music, so I'm always excited to listen as a fan to see what people create.

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

I would say it’s kinda odd, when some people listen to it the first time. You may not understand it at all, but eventually it starts to make sense. It’s more of a lifestyle and feeling!

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

They made a seven-foot cardboard cut-out of me and partied with it all night at a casino and through their town. [Laughs]

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#TheCatGod

What’s on your to-do list before 2016 ends?

Just to be the best I can and try my very, very best to spread the cat love.

Who makes your videos?

My girlfriend Emcee; she's my favorite cat lady.

Is it easy to film with your cats?

Yes its very easy to film with my cats because what you see in my videos is what my life is off the camera. This is all real-life things that happen daily.

Jamie Foxx Says If Trump Has a Chance at Being President, So Does Kanye

2016-09-16T15:57:49.394Z

While in Beverly Hills, TMZ was able to ask Jamie Foxx about his opinion on this year's election. And though the actor/rapper/comedian expressed how Trump v. Hillary is great for comics — there's a billion jokes you could say about the former — it's a little scary for his kids. He also talks about the reality of his good pal Kanye West running in 2020, since apparently you don't need any past experience to be the leader of the free world.

"That's what's weird about being president," he says, "is that you actually don't have to have any experience and you got a shot. That's why when Kanye say 2020, he really could fuckin' have a shot."

Watch the whole interaction below.

Watch Dave Grohl Join Prophets of Rage on Stage in LA

2016-09-16T15:52:41.707Z

As if Prophets of Rage didn't already represent enough famous bands, the supergroup added the legendary Dave Grohl for one track at their concert at the Forum in Los Angeles last night.

The Nirvana drummer/Foo Fighters frontman joined the members of Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy on stage to perform MC5's "Kick Out the Jams."

Grohl had previously joined the combined forces of Prophets of Rage in Toronto to perform "Kick Out the Jams" as well, but it certainly seemed like a bigger deal at the band's homecoming show last night.

Check out the video below to see musical icons from five different bands play a song by yet another famous group.

Calvin Harris Drops (and Actually Sings on) "My Way"

2016-09-16T15:35:13.478Z

Calvin Harris gave us a nice little treat this New Music Friday. After teasing his new single all week, our favorite Scottish producer dropped "My Way."

Though Harris usually enlists the help of other spectacular singers for his tunes, he decided to use his own vocals for this one. And even though he's sang on his own songs before ("Feel So Close," "Summer") this one seems even more personal, mainly because he repeats the line "You were the one thing in my way," over and over again...leading us to believe what's bound to be the song of Fall 16 is about his ex, Taylor Swift.

"I like to sing on a song every two or three years, or so," he said in an interview with iHeartRadio. "I just kind of thought it was a bit of a curve ball. I kind of like the idea of just tracking something out without a celebrity guest feature, and I think the vocal works so why not."

Watch the lyric video below.

6 Horror Manga to Make You Question Your Existence

2016-09-16T08:46:31.038Z

There’s something strangely satisfying about being scared; something so perversely pleasurable about fear. Fans of horror and related genres could point to any number of reasons why this phenomenon exists, but the one indisputable fact that remains is that we love the gross and the disturbing. Stumbling around any of the vast corridors of the internet will lead you to all sorts of twisted content that is inexplicably addictive and attractive. There’s no shortage of horror media out there in the box office or on the web, but the wealth of horror manga out there remains largely undiscovered to most fans.

Here, I offer a sample platter of six horror manga to make you question your existence. Whether you prefer comedy horror, psychedelic horror, or just plain gore, there’s something for every fan on this list. I’m excluding dark fantasy manga such as Berserk, Attack on Titan and Tokyo Ghoul because those deserve a list of their own.

Eiji Ōtsuka’s ‘The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service’

Eiji Ōtsuka’s The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is more comedy than horror, centered on a ragtag gang of Buddhist graduates who start their own business fulfilling the wishes of the recently deceased. Don’t be mistaken though, they’re not in it for just the karmic paychecks — they wouldn’t mind a few pounds of gold or a bucket of yen for their “not-totally-charitable” work either.

I debated whether or not to include this manga on the list, but this solid series deserves far more attention than it’s received during its 14-year run. Although not really scary by the standards of most fans of the genre, The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service still delivers a solid and diverse selection of stories that cater to everything from the absurd (read: aliens that are trapped in mummified astronaut monkeys) to the profound (read: immigrant refugees that are being exploited by the black organ market) to the plain disturbed (read: a father obsessed with his pop star/idol daughter).

The overarching mystery surrounding the main character Karatsu and his otherworldly protector Yachi also separates this horror manga from the pack and gives the series momentum as it continues.

Junji Ito’s ‘Gyo’

Any horror manga list would be remiss not to include at least one Junji Ito tale (the bibliography of Junji Ito could easily fill up its own list with the plethora of spine-tingling works authored by the undisputed king of horror manga).

Think of Gyo as the Sharknado before Sharknado was even a passing thought in the minds of Levin and Ferrante. Published in 2001, Gyo centers around couple Tadashi and Kaori as they struggle to survive in what can only be described as a mutant marine-robot apocalypse. If this sounds a little ridiculous, it’s because it is. Filled to the brim with Great White sharks and giant fish on robotic legs that storm Okinawa and then the rest of the Japan, Gyo is a B-movie horror manga done right that tickles both the imagination and the funny bone.

Kengo Hanazawa’s ‘I am a Hero’

I am a Hero is an award-winning apocalypse manga that focuses on former struggling mangaka Hideo Suzuki as he journeys through zombie-infested Japan armed only with a sports shotgun and his goal of seeing the next sunrise.

In true Walking Dead fashion, a central theme of the manga revolves on what it means to be human in an increasingly inhumane world. Although I am a Hero is fairly standard stuff in terms of horror, the real beauty propelling this series onto this list is the metamorphosis Hideo undergoes as he begins to think of himself as the main character in his own life. I am a Hero is a must for fans of both the apocalypse genre and horror manga.

Haruto Ryou’s ‘Ibitsu’

What would you say if, in the dead of the night, a girl asks you, “Do you need a sister?” Choose carefully, or else you might just find yourself a new little sister.

That’s the situation protagonist Kazuki in Haruto Ryou’s Ibitsu finds himself in one lonely night when he comes across a lolita sitting by his trash. From here on out, the rest of this twisted manga plays out like a creepypasta come to life, complete with the telltale twist at the end.

Ibitsu is a /nosleep or creepypasta lover’s dream come true — a violently disturbing manga centered on an urban legend of a lolita obsessed with becoming the perfect little sister, other family members be damned. Ibitsu is a quick and delightful bedtime treat for horror fans of the internet variety.

Kazuo Umezu’s ‘Drifting Classroom’

Drifting Classroom is something of a legend among horror manga addicts — a sort of holy text that any newcomer to the genre must pilgrimage to in order to truly appreciate the genre. Junji Ito himself said that Umezu was a huge source of inspiration for him and the evolution of his artistic style. Even a cursory comparison between Drifting Classroom and any of Junji Ito’s titles will reveal how Umezu influenced the most prolific horror mangaka in Japan.

In Drifting Classroom, an entire school is transported to the future, causing a time warp that triggers a world-wide environmental catastrophe. In this new desolate and depopulated wasteland, the surviving children must battle hunger, fatigue, disease and ferocious monsters of both the human and beast variety. Most of all, they must try to stave off the madness that creeps up on them all. Drifting Classroom remains a classic horror manga that all fans should read at least once in their lifetime.

Fujiwara Kaoru’s ‘Fetish’

Fans of psychological horror should find great pleasure in Fujiwara Kaoru’s Fetish. This single volume series is a collection of twisted short stories, each with an unnervingly human aspect to them.

Among the five issues, Love Letter, All of Sully/Lily, and Fetish stand out as the most alarming and unsettling. Fetish explores obsession, identity, voyeurism, incest, abuse and perversion with a dash of magical realism peppered throughout. The beautiful artwork connects the stories by imparting a dreamlike and melancholic quality throughout. Fetish is a fantastic short read for those who enjoy the perverse and perverted without the gore and guts that typically accompany a horror story.

40 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Related

2016-09-16T07:00:00.000Z

It’s very important to have somebody you can rely on in the shark-infested waters of the entertainment industry. And there’s no tighter bond than family — that’s why these famous people are lucky to have relatives working with them side by side, even though it might make your jaw drop when you realize they're related.

Elle King and Rob Schneider

Michael Schwartz/Getty Images

For a moment in the early '00s it seemed like Rob Schneider’s comedies were everywhere and, let’s be honest, they weren’t all that good. But apparently he’s a great father as his daughter Elle King (real name Tanner Elle Schneider) turned out to be a pretty kickass blues rockstar. She did star in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo with her dad, but eventually dropped the last name as she wanted to be “her own person” and switched to music. Just like you, we can’t get her “Ex’s & Oh’s” out of our heads.

Jenny McCarthy and Melissa McCarthy

Instagram

Melissa and Jenny may be operating on different ends of the body positivity spectrum, with both ladies equally kicking ass when it comes to feeling confident in their own skin, but they’ve got much more in common than just countless comedies in their resumes: they are cousins and Jenny even shared a rare childhood photo on Instagram of the two future movie stars posing uncomfortably for the camera. Oh how they've grown.

Zoey Deutch and Lea Thompson

Devid Livingston/Getty

Do you ever feel like you went Back to the Future when you’re looking at Vampire Academy’s Zoey Deutch? That’s probably because she’s the daughter of every '80s sci-fi fan’s favorite actress, Lea Thompson. On Conan, Deutch recalled the time she turned on the TV to see her mom making love to an oversized duck on Howard the Duck. Apparently it wasn’t traumatizing enough, as Zoey quickly followed her mother’s footsteps and became an actress herself.

Redfoo and Berry Gordy

Getty

The younger generation may not know the name of legendary record producer Berry Gordy, jr., but they can surely feel the impact he had on the music industry. He did after all found the iconic Motown record label, which influenced most of your favorite r’n’b and soul acts. Now forget this fact because Gordy’s youngest (and eighth!) son makes completely different music — first as a member of LMFAO and now solo.

Snoop Dogg and Brandy

Fresh

Excuse me, can we please talk to you for a minute? We've got a crazy fact for you: Brandy and Snoop Dogg are first cousins, which makes it pretty weird that their only officially released collaboration is a track off Snoop’s album Malice n Wonderland called “Special” that also featured Pharrell. Guess they don’t want to talk business at their family gatherings?

Ludacris and Monica

FreddyO.com

Talking about the other half of “The Boy Is Mine” duo, Monica's got a famous cousin, too: Ludacris. Although they are only relatives-in-law, it never bothered the two and they’ve recorded several songs together. Monica’s other cousin is a producer Polow da Don.

Julia Roberts and Emma Roberts

WENN.com

These days Emma Roberts is known for her role as the conniving mean girl in shows like Scream Queens and American Horror Story, but you don’t need to go the extra mile to learn the truth about her family. She’s the daughter of the king of B-movies, Eric Roberts, which means she’s the niece of mighty Julia Roberts.

Nicholas Cage and Jason Schwartzman

Getty

The Coppola family tree is so big that it has its own Wikipedia page. But did you know that apart from all the directly related Coppolas, that tree also includes actors Nicholas Cage and Jason Schwartzman? They're cousins! No wonder Cage still gets to work even after a number of poorly received movies.

Jessica Capshaw and Steven Spielberg

Bauer Griffin

Falling in love at a workplace is hardly anything new. Especially when you’re trapped on set like it happened with Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw when they were making Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The pair eventually married, which means that Dr. Arizona Robbins from Grey’s Anatomy (aka actress Jessica Capshaw) is Spielberg’s step-daughter.

Tom Cruise and William Mapother

Theo Wargo/Ron Galella/Getty Images

Did you ever look at Lost’s William Mapother and think, Hmm, he reminds me of someone? Well here's your answer: he’s a first cousin of Tom Cruise, which explains why they have a very similar smile. The two starred in not one, but five films together, including Vanilla Sky and Minority Report. Now that’s a tight bond!

Portia Doubleday and Kaitlin Doubleday

Cosmopolitan

We’re yet to discover the fate of Empire’s Rhonda (played by Kaitlin Doubleday), but Mr. Robot’s Angela (Portia Doubleday) is more or less safe. The sisters were destined to become actresses, since both their parents, Christina Hart and Frank Doubleday, worked in the industry for all their lives.

Zoë Kravitz and Lenny Kravitz

Getty Images

With an impressive filmography, which includes X-Men: First Class, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Divergent Series and a bunch of indie flicks, Zoë is already a star on her own. But let’s not forget where she gets it from: her famous dad Lenny and actress mom Lisa Bonet must have taught her a thing or two about how to work hard and handle the celebrity lifestyle. Zoë’s also a musician, playing in indie band Lolawolf.

Scott Eastwood and Clint Eastwood

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Did the guy you’ve been drooling over at Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams look familiar? Then you’re probably a big westerns buff, since the guy is Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood’s son. He’s a spitting image of his dad and that timeless look is always in demand in Hollywood. No wonder Scott’s been pretty busy as of late, popping up in all kinds of movies, from Suicide Squad to The Longest Ride.

Eliot Sumner and Sting

Getty Images

Do you remember 2010’s new wave sensation under a cryptic moniker I Blame Coco? Last year she resurfaced under her real name Eliot Sumner, which still doesn’t let you identify this singer as Sting's daughter. ““I think I’ll always be in the shadow of my parents. But that’s OK. Everyone has a challenge,” she told ES magazine last year. Judging by her impressive music, that's hardly a challenge after all.

Nash Overstreet and Chord Overstreet

Gregg DeGuire / Getty

Any pop rock fans out there? What about Glee fans? Considering the musical talents of Hot Chelle Rea’s lead guitarist Nash and actor Chord, it’s easy to see that they come from the same family. Chord even starred in music video of his brother’s band, “Tonight Tonight.”

Robin Thicke and Alan Thicke

blogcdn.com

If you never heard about classic sitcom Growing Pains, just ask your parents about it. But you’re certainly familiar with the little song called “Blurred Lines.” It’s sang by Robin Thicke, the son of Growing Pains’ star Alan Thicke. Alan once said he likes to have sex to his son’s music. Now that’s painful information.

Quincy Jones and Rashida Jones

Grammy.com

Jones last name is, you know, not that rare, so you may not think that these two celebrities are related, but they very much are — actress Rashida Jones is the daughter of music legend Quincy Jones. Rashida learned how to play piano at an early age, but her true passion was acting.

Beck and Giovanni Ribisi

Getty

The Scientology community is notoriously tight and celebrity-packed, so this one doesn’t really come as a surprise. Renowned musician Beck is married to actress Marissa Ribisi, who is a twin sister of actor Giovanni Ribisi.

Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci

E! Online

The Devil Wears Prada didn’t just launch Anne Hathaway’s career and made a lot of people want to join the fashion industry, it also propelled another Hollywood marriage when actress Emily Blunt introduced her sister Felicity to her ex-co-star Stanley Tucci. The couple hit off and got married in 2012.

Beyonce and Shanica Knowles

Getty

We all know that Solange is Beyonce’s sister, thanks to Solange’s own music career and that infamous elevator outburst. But did you know that Hanna Montana’s Shanica Knowles is the sisters’ cousin? Now that’s one talented family formation.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-09-16T07:00:00.000Z

Friday means two things: a couple of days to recuperate from the crazy week you just had and a new list of fresh tunes for you to put on repeat. Mac Miller is back with his latest, The Divine Feminine, and is full of surprises. AlunaGeorge finally returns with their follow-up to 2013's Body Music, with I Remember. Meanwhile, Laura Jane Grace speaks (or sings) her truth on Against Me!'s Shape Shift With Me. Beware of Darkness tell it like it is on their new record, Are You Real?, and finally Paper Lions are back with Full Colour, which will instantly put you in a bright mood.

Read more about this week's top 5 new album releases below.

'The Divine Feminine' - Mac Miller

Mac Miller may have explored sobriety in 2015 with GO:OD AM, but his new album, The Divine Feminine celebrates the female. And as crooners like Maxwell and D'Angelo have done in the past, he dedicates this fourth record not only to all women but also love.

While we're not saying that Mac is doing those vocal runs and hitting those high notes as the neo-soul artists we just mentioned, he does a surprisingly good job at singing on this record. Keeping the hip-hop flow in his voice, "Stay" shows how he keeps the vox in the pocket and bounces over each beat with each syllable. This new sound was pretty evident with the release of his lead single, "Dang!," featuring Anderson Paak. The '90s R&B vibe on that track runs throughout the LP, especially on his explicit bump-and-grind track, "Skin." And if you didn't know that song was about sex, then maybe the female moans that open the track may give you a hint.

Physical things aside, Mac's duet, "My Favorite Part," with his new boo, Ariana Grande, shows how committed he was to this fresh musical direction. In case their PDA in the press didn't tip you off to their feelings for each other, this song easily conveys that and is a great progression from their previous collaboration on Ariana's 2013 single, "The Way." Mac also teams up with Cee-Lo on "We," Ty Dolla $ign on "Cinderella," Bilal on "Congratulations" and the highly anticipated collab with Kendrick Lamar, "God is Fair, Sexy, Nasty." While fans have been waiting for the latter track, the best part about this song is how it ends — with Mac's grandma recounting his grandparents' love story. Get ready for all the feels with that bit.

'I Remember' - AlunaGeorge

Don't try to put AlunaGeorge in a category because you're likely not to find the right one for them. Being a little bit electro, a little garage, a little dancehall, Aluna Francis and George Reid have been able to prove that music can encompass all sounds with their sophomore effort, I Remember. Yes, it's obvious that the album is full of tunes that will get you moving. However, as you listen to each track, you'll get various layers of different sounds that seem to meld together into what has been their signature.

MORE: AlunaGeorge Will Inject You with a Dose of Bouncy Empowerment

Kicking off with the first track, Aluna seems to take a bit of inspiration from Rihanna's "Pour It Up" on the opening of "Full Swing" but delves into a man who's supporting his wife who's competing in the Olympics. Things switch gears on the moody "My Blood," featuring Zhu, which lyrically tackles racism and conflict. Meanwhile, "Mean What I Mean," their song with Leikeli47 and Dreezy, may sound like a party track; however, it has a more serious backstory. Aluna blasts a guy who refuses to take no for an answer and continues to pursue her. The collaborations continue with their tune, "I'm In Control," where dancehall artist, Popcaan, lends his talents. It's also been creeping up the dance charts around the globe. And the UK duo teams up with Flume on the title track, "I Remember," which is evident in the ambient tones and triple beats. While we really had to wait a while for this record, I Remember is worth the wait.

'Shape Shift With Me' - Against Me!

Live or through your headphones, Against Me! hardly ever shy away from blowing you away with their music. And Shape Shift With Me is no different. But in addition to keeping with the anthemic sound, Laura Jane Grace taps into the world of love on this one. Whether it's diving into it, falling out of it or just not knowing what to do when there's trouble in paradise, she covers it all on the 12-track record.

Although you may need to rifle through the belting and shouts as she traditional delivers vocals, songs like "Haunting, Haunted, Haunts," "Boyfriend" and the guitar-led tune, "Suicide Bomber" convey her stances on the more tender things in life. The frenetic "Rebecca" takes us into the first steps of attraction. While she doesn't want to fall in love with Rebecca, the lyrics seem to lead in that direction. While some Against Me! fans may be hoping for something more intense and not so romantic for the band's new record, it's refreshing to hear matters of the heart conveyed with buzzing guitars, heavy drums and a screaming Laura Jane Grace.

'Are You Real?' - Beware of Darkness

Life would be much easier if we just said what we mean, right? It seems that's what Kyle Nicolaides, frontman of Beware of Darkness, thought when he wrote the tunes for their new album Are You Real?. As you move from song to song on this record, you can hear the unapologetic candidness in the lyrics like "Muthafucka," which opens the record.

Reading about Are You Real?, the band members claim that it's their boldest effort, and it's true. Although instrumentals are filled with mid-tempo drums and roaring guitar riffs, it's all in what they're singing that will really grab you. "Dope" plainly tells a woman that she's great but also could be poisonous to him, while the title track looks at the characters we display on social media opposed to real life. The songs follow a pretty traditional indie rock formula, but "Angel" shows another side of Beware of Darkness. Not only does it weave two different styles of sounds, the atmospheric intro adds a nice surprise to the album, too.

'Full Colour' - Paper Lions

When you initially press play on Paper Lions' new album, Full Coulour, you'll think you just stepped into a vibrant disco ball. Despite the fact that the opening track, "Don't Wanna Dance," sets the tone on a high energetic note, it is only a taste of what the Canadian band has to offer.

Working on the record for the past two years, it's clear that they put thought into each song that they added onto the tracklist. While keeping the sonic theme light, Paper Lions offer up various sounds like the buzzy "If You Ever" or piano-driven melodies like on "Best Out of You" and "Born to Rule." And if the dance vibe on "My Number" or "Take a Look at My Girl" doesn't grab you, perhaps the sax solo and flowing vocals of John MacPhee on "End of July" will be more your speed. Full Colour has something for everyone, no matter what mood you're in.

Simone Biles Says Her Relationship Name with Zac Efron Would Be ‘Zimone’

2016-09-15T21:00:26.541Z

You might have heard of Simone Biles (just the greatest gymnast of all time), and you might have also heard of her charming crush on actor Zac Efron. Biles has been quite busy since meeting the Baywatch actor in Rio de Janeiro in August, what with appearing on TV shows and sitting front row during Fashion Week, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still on her mind.

Soon You Can Watch Jamie Oliver Teach Lindsay Lohan to Cook

During a visit to her home gym in Texas for an episode of Vogue‘s rapid-fire “73 Questions” series, the reporter bombarded Biles with a range of random queries as she prepped for practice.

“Alright, now let’s talk about a special guy named Zac Efron,” the reporter finally begins, as Biles grins and giggles. “You two—what’s your dream first date?”

“I think breakfast on the beach,” she responds. Efficient and healthy! She’s also asked what their relationship mash-up name would be (i.e. “Brangelina”), to which she seamlessly responds: “Zimone.” Snappy, we like it.

Watch Amy Schumer, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Laverne Cox Have the Best Time Ever at the Beyoncé Concert

Some other fun facts: her spirit animal is a honey badger, she still wants to meet Jennifer Lawrence, she’d like to be taller when she grows up, and she’s very secretive about her gymnastics routines (and definitely won’t let the reporter watch her practice). When he asks how he can get her enviably strong abs, her answer is simple: “You can’t.” That’s fair. Watch the video above for a more tidbits straight from the athlete herself.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Professional Party Crasher Bill Murray is Bartending in Brooklyn This Weekend

2016-09-15T20:52:05.225Z

The internet is filled with rumors of Bill Murray’s bartending skills, including stints pouring shots for Wu Tang Clan fans at the band’s 2010 SXSW showcase. He has alsocrashed an engagement photo shoot, done a slo mo walk with fans, crashed many parties, andshared French fries with strangers at an airport.

Trevor Noah Feels Like Harry Potter in the Fight Against Donald Trump’s Voldemort

Because of his penchant for a good time and his vast bartending experience, it’s no real surprise that the Ghostbusters star is stepping behind the bar at his son, Homer Murray’s, new Brooklyn bar, 21 Greenpoint. According to Time Out New York, to help inaugurate the new bar, Murray will be throwing down shots this weekend (Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th), starting at 7pm each night.

Don’t expect high-tech mixology from the actor, though. “We want people to come and have fun,” Homer Murray told Eater. “People can walk in; just be nice. What my dad lacks in experience, he makes up for in tequila.”

Apparently, Frank Sinatra Once Stole All of Emeril Lagasse’s Silverware

However, the restaurant is expecting a crowd eager to see the Meatballsstar show off his pouring skills. A rep for 21 Greenpoint has issued a statement cautioning that this will not be “an open door event.” Instead, the party will be limited to those on the guest list. That means you have two days to start pulling every Bill Murray-related string you have to get on the list to see an internet rumor come to life in Brooklyn.

[H/T Time Out New York]

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

That's What She Said - Rules for Online Dating

2016-09-15T17:58:07.805Z

Between dating apps and websites, online dating is more complicated than ever. How you handle your internet dates both on the web and in real life is ultimately up to you, but everyone could use some tips every once in a while, right?

Thankfully, the good folks at XUMO combined powers with The Score to bring you some (hilarious) rules to follow. We're not saying you'll become internet Fabio overnight, but your online dating life couldn't really get that much worse right?

You've got nothing to lose, so check out the video below and watch the rest of the series on XUMO.

The Scene on XUMO - That's What She Said- Rules for Online Dating from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things online dating whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to The Scene.

Lady Gaga Announces New Album Title and Release Date

2016-09-15T17:15:07.987Z

Lady Gaga fans, rejoice! You won't have to wait much longer to hear the pop star's upcoming album.

MORE: Lady Gaga on Working with Florence Welch and Bradley Cooper

Gaga announced that Joanne will be released October 21 during an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats Radio. The title is a tribute to the singer's late aunt, who died at the young age of 19 from lupus in 1974. One of Gaga's middle names is Joanne, and her father named his New York restaurant after his sister.

The album artwork will showcase Joanne's handwriting, as well as include personal items like her driver's license and photos.

MORE: Tame Impala's Kevin Parker Admits Lady Gaga Collab Was "Meaningful"

After hearing the album's first single, "Perfect Illusion," and seeing the stacked list of contributors, to say we're excited for this new album would be an understatement.

Salt Ashes on Electronic Music: "I Think It Just Found Me"

2016-09-15T16:40:29.712Z

Veiga Sanchez, better known onstage as Salt Ashes, grew up singing pop songs. But as she grew up and started to pen her own tunes this English singer found her home in the electronic music realm. Blending her powerful vocals and emotional lyrics with synths and bass, she crafted a collection of tunes take you to another place. We had the chance to get to know this up-and-comer a little better. Find out more about Salt Ashes below.

Hometown: Brighton, England

Let's start at the beginning. What's the first song you remember singing along to?

I used to sing all the time as a child and have home recorded videos of me as a four-year-old singing all the wrong words to "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles. It was my favorite song for years. Then "Don’t Speak" by No Doubt happened.

What's the story behind the moniker Salt Ashes?

I saw the words Salt Ashes scratched on the side of a wooden boat on Brighton seafront and instantly fell in love with the sound of them and how I connected with it. At the time I was using a lot of imagery with fire and seas which made Salt Ashes seem to fit my style of writing.

Your vocals are very powerful in your music even though there's a lot going on with the electronic sounds. What drew you to that style of music?

I love how changeable electronic music can be and how you can get so lost in it. But I’m really not sure how it happened. I think it just found me.

What's the most memorable song you worked on for the album?

Probably "If You Let Me Go." I wrote this song in an hour after a fight I’d had with my boyfriend. Tracks don’t always take that little time to write so when that happens it’s incredible.

What's your favorite to perform?

Right now, I love performing "Whatever You Want Me To Be." I love the way the track builds and crescendos. I probably love performing it the most because it one of the newer live tracks to be honest. I’m sure my favorite will change according to my mood and what’s happening in my life at the time!

How did growing up in Brighton inspire you musically?

Brighton is awesome for inspiration. It’s a massive hub full of creative and talented people, which always pushes you to be better than you already are as there’s always someone out there honing their craft more than you etc.

What is "Save It" about?

"Save it" is a about having a love that other people don’t approve of but you don’t care what they think. The love is so powerful and passionate that that outweighs other people's worries.

If there's one DJ or producer you'd want to collaborate with, who would it be?

Right now, it would be Lindstrøm. His track, "Closing Shot," is a tune. I’ve been a fan for a long time anyway but his new work is particularly magical, so would love to see what we’d come up with together.

What is next for Salt Ashes?

Hopefully more gigging, a tour and more releases!

Listen to Phizicist's "Sammiches" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-15T16:32:14.952Z

While we do get a fair share of fantastic electronics from places like Sweden, Holland and Berlin, we should't forget about more exotic places like South Africa. That's why we were highly interested in the newest compilation album from Das Kapital’s Do Work Records called Overtime, which features 15 tracks from eight local artists. The release paints a vivid picture of the South African electronic scene. We’re excited to premiere a track with a tasty title, “SAMMICHES” from producer Phizicist and vocalist FRQNT, which you can exclusively hear below.

We wanted to know more, so we chatted with Phizicist about his music and surroundings.

What’s your story?

I’ve been eating lots of bacon and keeping hydrated! I’m a producer born in Joburg. I moved to Pretoria, cultivated myself there and I now reside in Cape Town. I make mainly electronic music by myself and hip-hop / leftfield electronic music under the name of Hawkword with my friend J-Wan. I've collaborated with Das Kapital on a track called “Affection,” which was released on Do Work Records a few years ago. “Affection” was one of Eddy Temple Morris's (former radio DJ on UK's XFM) top tracks of the year.

I've just completed my second album, due out in a couple of weeks on Upscale Recordings and will be releasing a tune on the Renraku label as part of their Communications Compilation on September 20. My solo album has already garnered support from Hajimari, Frequent, Hudson Lee, Vorso, Chee, Raine and many more artists in South Africa and abroad.

What should we know about the South African dance scene and how do you fit in there?

It’s growing exponentially. South Africans are now supporting South African music. It's also diverse but at the same time it is also trend-based like all other parts of the world. With that being said, people here are innovative yet are sticking with the times.

I've never thought about whether I fit in or not or particularly where my place is in it all. I've always been an odd one out so in that sense I seem to stand out, along with my misfits as friends. I think we've all created a unique niche for ourselves where we're incomparable to others. And we're sick as DJs too! But most importantly about the dance music scene, we're all there to dance to music — I'm not one to get too involved in cliques and pigeonholes and the like.

It looks like there are a lot of interesting stories behind the creation of this compilation album. Do share!

I can't speak on behalf of how the others made their tunes but what I can say about “SAMMICHES” is that myself and FRQNT created the song (or at least the core parts of the song) in under two hours. I then wrapped it up and progressively added stuff over the next week or so, bouncing it off Tim (Das Kapital manager and co-owner with him of Do Work Records), getting some pointers and then bam, that was “SAMMICHES” — a tasty masterpiece.

Marilyn Manson Announces "Violent" New Record 'SAY10'

2016-09-15T16:16:36.859Z

Marilyn Manson will return next year with the follow-up to 2015's The Pale Emperor. While he worked with film score composer Tyler Bates again, don't expect a similar vibe on SAY10.

"It's not very much in any way like The Pale Emperor," says Manson to Rolling Stone. "The people who have heard the new songs said it reminded them of their favorite parts of Antichrist Superstar and Mechanical Animals — but with a new, different approach."

The seeds for the new album were planted while filming the new season of Salem in Shreveport, LS.

"It's pretty violent in its nature for some reason," continues Manson. "And it's not emotional in the same way. It's got a chip on its shoulder. I enjoyed doing it. I can't wait for people to hear it. I think they're going to be quite surprised."

Revisit "Antichrist Superstar" below.

Watch Bon Iver Perform Epic New Song "8 (circle)" On "Fallon"

2016-09-15T16:09:30.430Z

Bon Iver hit the national stage last night to perform a new song, "8 Circle," on The Tonight Show. The song features lead singer Justin Vernon's calming vocals over subtle electronics and backup vocals from the Staves, Anaïs Mitchell, Gordi and others according to Pitchfork.

"Philosophise your figure," sings Vernon. "What I have in heaven, hell / You called, I came, stand tall through it all / Fallen fixture just the same thing"

“I got a thousand questions — I don’t know how you do it," remarked Jimmy Fallon after the performance.

22, A Million is the much-anticipated third record from the indie folk group. Bon Iver's last effort, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album.

Watch Jay Z Explain How the War on Drugs is an "Epic Fail"

2016-09-15T15:51:14.910Z

Jay Z wants to remind us that racism is inherent in the War on Drugs. In his new New York Times visual op-ed, the rapper discusses how the drug laws unfairly target young men of color.

Jay Z notes that the US prison population is larger than "oppressive" countries like China and Russia. And African Americans are disproportionately imprisoned.

“Crack is still talked about as a black problem,” says the rapper. “The NYPD raided our Brooklyn neighborhoods while Manhattan bankers openly used drugs with impunity.”

Jay Z continues on to remark that today some states, like Colorado, have made a booming legal industry out of marijuana — while black and Latino dealers in places like Louisiana get slapped with mandatory sentences.

"Forty-five years later, it's time to rethink our policy and laws," concludes the rapper. "The War on Drugs is an epic fail."

8 Famous Artists Who Wrote Hits for Other Bands

2016-09-15T07:00:00.000Z

It’s easy to imagine our favorite musicians and bands penning their hits all alone, like singular visionary artists, but the reality of pop music is far more collaborative. Many pop singers have the voice and the image necessary for stardom but rely on carefully selected songs written by other writers to fill out their discography.

The flipside is that there are plenty of famous artists who are such prolific songwriters they have extra radio-ready material they can give away to other artists, whether out of kindness or financial necessity. These eight famous artists used their songwriting capabilities to create successful careers in music, both for themselves and by lending out their own would-be hits to other artists.

David Bowie

Early on in his legendary career, David Bowie struggled with finding an identity as a songwriter. This struggle would eventually spawn iconic characters like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, but before Bowie achieved such success on his own, he found it easier to write songs for other bands whose identities were already established.

Most notably, he wrote and produced “All the Young Dudes” for Mott the Hoople and co-wrote the majority of his close friend Iggy Pop’s solo debut The Idiot and its follow-up Lust for Life.

Randy Newman

Randy Newman is probably best known today for providing the catchy piano tracks with dopey yet endearing vocals that seem to score every other Disney-animated feature, from Toy Story to The Princess and the Frog. Newman’s early career in the ‘60s and ‘70s was defined by his songwriting, penning numerous top 40 hits like “I’ve Been Wrong Before” by Cilla Black and “Nobody Needs Your Love” by Gene Pitney even while his solo albums, including many of those same songs, failed commercially despite positive critical response.

Before Newman ever had an unlikely hit in songs like “Short People” and “I Love LA,” many of his earlier material had already become famous sung by other prominent acts. Three Dog Night made hits of his songs “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” while both Linda Ronstadt and Newman’s idol Ray Charles incorporated his track “Sail Away” into their repertoires.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars first found his way into the spotlight wailing hooks on songs by other artists, so it should come as no surprise that the Hawaiian singer-songwriter has maintained a dual career as a prominent pop songwriter while saving enough singles to release by himself.

His off-brand hits are just as impressive and catchy as his own singles, and his credits include Cee Lo Green’s “F*ck You,” B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You,” K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag,” Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” and Justin Bieber’s “Love Me.”

Sia

Australian singer-songwriter Sia’s path towards pop music prominence has been anything but conventional. She began her career fronting a local acid jazz band in Adelaide before providing vocals for trip hop duo Zero 7, then eventually leaving to focus on her musically diverse solo career.

Her biggest hit came with the Top 40 single “Chandelier” from her sixth solo album, 2014’s 1000 Forms of Fear, but Sia has never been a stranger to the Billboard charts, thanks to her songwriting. In all, she’s written a whopping 73 songs for other artists, many of which will be familiar to anyone with a passing knowledge of the pop charts — “Diamonds” by Rihanna, “Invincible” by Kelly Clarkson, “Passenger” by Britney Spears” and “Pretty Hurts” by Beyoncé, just to name a few.

Prince

Prince’s prolific songwriting abilities only seem more impressive in the wake of the singer’s death, with the revelation that he left behind hundreds of unreleased songs. His funk-rock party anthems and sexualized lyrics seem inseparable from his larger-than-life public image, but many of his tracks became hits for other contemporary artists.

He wrote “Manic Monday” for The Bangles under the pseudonym Christopher, and Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” “Love Song” by Madonna, “Jungle Love” by The Time and “Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks are all Prince compositions as well.

Kesha

When you think of songwriters overflowing with inspiration, you probably don’t think of Kesha — the pop singer who before her tragic relationship and legal battle with producer Dr. Luke was most famous for brushing her teeth with a “bottle of Jack.”

Not only did Kesha get a near-perfect score on her SATs, she’s also written plenty of hits for other artists in between recording her own material, stating that she prefers to know who she’s writing the song for before she begins. Among her credits are Alice Cooper’s “What Baby Wants,” Britney Spears’ “Till the World Ends,” Taio Cruz’s “Dirty Picture” and The Veronicas’ “This Love.”

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond spent the early days of his career working as a songwriter at the now famous Brill Building in New York, where one of his compositions first made the charts in Jay and the Americans’ top 20 hit “Sunday and Me.”

Diamond wrote and recorded a few potential hits for himself in the songs “I’m a Believer,” “A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You,” and “Love to Love,” but cover versions by The Monkees were released and hit the charts before Diamond’s originals. Diamond’s songwriting career flourished, as prominent acts like Deep Purple, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard rushed to record his material for themselves.

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen toiled in obscurity in his early career before his breakthrough album Born to Run helped him make the leap from critical acclaim to commercial success, but his knack for penning radio rock staples was present from the very beginning.

His debut album featured “Blinded by the Light,” which later became a monster hit for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, and he later co-wrote the hit “Because the Night” with his friend Patti Smith. His unreleased song “Fire” was a success for the Pointer Sisters, and Springsteen even wrote “Hungry Heart” for The Ramones. When they rejected the song, he recorded it himself and it became his first Top 40 single.

10 Things You Should Know About Luke Bell

2016-09-15T07:00:00.000Z

While artists like Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood have made waves in bringing country music to the mainstream with more modern sounds, there are artists like Luke Bell who like to go the more traditional route. Inspired by the classic greats like Merle Haggard, he's been creating honky tonk music perfect for this generation. So what drew him to this sonic style?

"I guess [it's] the simplicity of it," he told Myspace. "Well-written songs and simple direct and fun. You can dance to it. I always enjoyed that with honky tonk you can two-step and line dance to it. It forms an interactive experience."

With the release of his self-titled debut and lighthearted yet heartbreaking single, "Sometimes," Luke comes off as a chilled out guy, and we don't doubt he is. However, his music moves you to not only start two-stepping but also take another swig of your drink as you reminisce about the one you loved.

Find out more about the breakout country crooner below.

Merle Haggard Inspired Him to Become a Performer

Throughout high school, Luke would play along to the classic rock tunes on the radio. However, it wasn't until he heard an iconic Merle Haggard record that he considered this to be an actual career. "This record by Merle Haggard, Okie from Muskogee, really got me interested in the idea of live performing," he says.

New Orleans, Nashville and Austin Influenced His Career

Luke lived in a number of major musical cities on his journey to stardom, and each had its own lesson for him. "Austin is a great place to do live music," Luke says.

"There's always somewhere to play, lots of dancers. Austin is just a lively, fun town. New Orleans was really cool, and that’s where I got interested in the busking scene. And I was really impressed with their ability to perform in any situation — playing music to make money and build a show. And Nashville, there’s so much recording history, especially with country music. The studios up there, especially The Bomb Shelter, there’s no other place like that studio where I heard records that sounded like that."

He Still Performs at Santa's Pub in Nashville

Never forget the ones who've always been there, and Luke really holds true to that. Whenever he's not touring and in Nashville, he makes sure to stop by Santa's Pub and will likely play a song or two.

“For me, the most important thing about music is community,” he reveals. “And I am on the road more often now, and I don’t get to go to Santa’s often. But that community is something. We’ve been supporting each other for a few years now. And I know we’ll grow and change and people will move on in different directions, but it’s fun. I enjoy going there and seeing the people who’ve been coming out to see us for two years. And not to mention, the beer is $2 PBRs at the bar. And Santa and Angelina have been great friends the whole deal.”

He's Proud of the Debut LP But Ready to Move On

“I’m just happy that it’s finally out and able to take a life of its own,” he starts, “which allows me to move forward to work on new stuff. I have nothing bad to say about the record. I enjoyed the artists who played on the record and the songs. But as an artist, as with many things, by the time they’re done, they’re ready to do something else. Hell, by the time they’re half-done, they’re ready to do something else.”

He Really Had to Work With 'The Bullfighter' to Get It Right

“I don’t know why I felt like I couldn’t get that recorded the way I wanted it,” he says of The Bullfighter. "It doesn’t mean that it wasn’t good or bad. That’s just how it goes sometimes. But I never felt quite like I nailed that one. There were some on there that I felt like we nailed. There were some songs we nailed, like ‘Loretta,’ but there were some that we worked on a lot. 'All Blue' was another one that took some work.”

You Won't Catch Him Doing 100 Takes in the Studio

While other artists will stay in the recording booth for hours (maybe days) until they get the song right, Luke is the opposite. “I can’t get through three takes before I’m bored and mad,” he admits. “I like to get it and keep moving.”

He Questions Love in "Loretta"

“Trying to have a relationship in our generation can be frustrating because you don’t know when you’re supposed to stay and when you’re supposed to move on,” he explains. “That song in particular was about being torn between leaving or staying. Are you the right age to settle down or do you keep moving? It also tackles those feelings and emotions in a song.”

He Tries Not to Be Too Serious in His Lyrics

"I’m an open book, but at the same time, the style that I’m into, traditional," he says, "I’m not trying to take myself too seriously. There are lines in my songs that are like a theater piece. I think of my work like that."

And He Avoids Self-Indulgence in His Music

"One thing that I really shy away from and really dislike is being self-indulgent in your work," he says. "I think it’s important to be honest, but I also don’t want to wallow in self-pity. For me, the goal is to find the sense of humor in sad emotions or paint a romantic picture of your sadness. So say that girl who is Loretta in the song can listen to it and feel sentimental and know more about the story, instead of ‘Oh I’ve smashed a whiskey bottle / I’m a broken man / And you’ve ruined my life’ or something like that."

He'll Likely Play New Material at His Shows

"That's the one thing as an artist that my business people get frustrated with," he says. "I like to perform new songs. I like to perform things that I'm inspired by currently or try to."

5 Major Record Store Chains We Wish Still Existed

2016-09-15T07:00:00.000Z

Whenever I write about record stores I feel like I’m weaving some sort of fantastical bedtime story. “A long time ago, there were these places that were filled with albums. Aisle after aisle, loosely organized by genre. We’d congregate in these monuments to music, and spend hours going through albums, and talking about bands. Sometimes, an artist would even show up to do an in-store signing.”

When described in that way, they do kinda sound like magical places. Maybe that’s because for some of us they were.

Those are bygone times, however, and while the internet may have provided us with speedy access to everything, no download or streaming service will ever be able to replicate the feelings we had going to our favorite record stores.

While the mom and pop shops — those owned by local community members and known throughout that community — were great for a whole host of reasons, the national chains give us a common ground on which we can all relate. These are the record stores we all went to. Here are five we wish still existed.

Tower Records

Tower’s red lettering on a yellow background will always be iconic, and, as a store, they usually had the best sale prices on CDs.

THE place to be on a Tuesday, which used to be the day when new albums were released, Tower routinely had midnight openings for big album releases, and lines would form around the store of people wanting to be the first to hear the latest from their favorite artist.

Tower also had their own free magazine, named Pulse! I’m not sure why they felt the need for the exclamation point. If my pulse had an exclamation point I’d think that would indicate some sort of heart issue.

FYI, there’s an award winning documentary on the rise and fall of Tower Records that is well worth watching.

Sam Goody

At one point in my life I lived within 20 minutes of three different Sam Goody stores. If one didn’t have a specific album, another one might. Sure, in today’s age of downloading that may seem like quite the wild goose chase for a CD, but there was something special about going on a hunt for a desired release. Also, the thrill of victory when you finally found the CD was a feeling no download will ever be able to replicate.

Oh, and you know I signed up for their Replay membership, as there were special members-only sales, and membership included Sam Goody’s in-store publication, Request.

Virgin Megastore

An entire era of pop music can be defined by TRL happening right across the street from the Virgin Megastore in Times Square. In the span of an hour, throngs of screaming teenagers would go from holding up signs for their favorite artists, to buying those artists’ albums. Sometimes, an artist would even go from appearing on TRL, to having an in-store autograph session.

Personally, I have fond memories of the Virgin Megastore in Union Square. Not only did an artist friend of mine work there and score himself an in-store performance, but I also found a Japanese import of an Ace of Base CD in one of their $5 discount bins!

Coconuts

How does LeAnn Rimes live ... without a Coconuts?

My town once had a Strawberries that became a Coconuts, or was it a Coconuts that became a Strawberries? It was a long time ago, so I’m really not sure which tasty food-based title the record store ended up going by at the time of its demise, but both were under the Trans World Entertainment umbrella. What made Coconuts unique, at least in my area, was that whenever a band was coming to town, it was THE spot to get tickets to the show. Yes, these were the pre-Live Nation glory days!

Coconuts stores also had some pretty impressive in-store appearances. Check out the image below of what seems to be a Macarena tutorial. Some of us could have used something similar when the whole whip-nae nae thing was going on.

The Wall

The Wall had one thing no other store had, and it might have been the cause of the chain’s eventual demise — The Wall lifetime music guarantee. As long as you had a Wall sticker on your CD, or cassette, The Wall would replace it if anything ever went wrong.

When looking for albums at used CD stores, finding one with a Wall sticker on it was like finding gold. It didn’t matter if the CD worked or not, you’d just bring it into The Wall, and they’d give you a new copy of the album.

During the store’s waning years I heard stories of Wall employees going home with entire rolls of those stickers.

Rita Ora Addresses Jay Z and Beyoncé’s Lemonade: ‘I’m Just Not a Gossip Queen’

2016-09-14T19:13:49.336Z

Rita Ora has addressed getting caught up in the discussion surrounding who Beyoncé could have been referencing as “Becky with the good hair” in her song, “Sorry” on Lemonade.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the singer, who wore a “Not Becky” pin to the afterparty following the Met Gala, explained that she is still friendly with Jay Z and Beyoncé and that she isn’t invested in the drama of the situation, but instead, in her music.

There’s Definitely Hope For a Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake Collaboration

“First and foremost, Jay Z is my inspiration and one of my idols—lyrically, musically, business-wise,” Ora said. “I still look up to him and his wife every day. Beyoncé was one of my biggest idols growing up…As for the rest of it, I’m oblivious, I’m just not the gossip queen. I find it incredibly rude and disrespectful to women in general [when] we get accused of something that’s basically against the important part—the music.”

This isn’t the first time that Ora has been the center of a buzzy celebrity story; she also touched on her former relationship with Taylor Swift’s ex,Calvin Harris.

Ryan Seacrest and Adriana Lima Enjoyed a Friendly Dinner Together in New York

On that, Ora was also positive.

“He’s very talented. . . . I have had a few dramas, haven’t I?”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Ellen DeGeneres Took Michelle Obama Shopping for Boxed Wine at CVS

2016-09-14T19:13:44.173Z

What do you do when you have the First Lady of the United States of America on your talk show? If you’re Ellen DeGeneres, you take her shopping at CVS.

Watch Fred Armisen and Bill Hader Debut Their Talking Heads Parody Band

Like many, many Americans before them, for a segment for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Obama and DeGeneres spent some quality time wandering the aisles of a local CVS, which DeGeneres claims stands for “cotton, vaseline, and stuff.” Obama pushed her shopping cart around the pharmacy, while DeGeneres did her best to serve as her tour guide through the store, including stops at a Coinstar machine, perusing the magazine aisle, and picking out Halloween candy. It was an exciting trip to the store as Obama tried to pick up some earbuds for her daughter, Sasha, a “Bernie Sanders” sighting, and discovering the wonders of wine in a box.

Watch This Kanye West Fan Try to Climb On The ‘Saint Pablo’ Floating Stage

In the end, though, the First Lady does not recommend DeGeneres as a shopping partner, saying: “You are really not a good person to shop with.” Watch the full clip below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Kids Hilariously Try to Explain How Babies Are Made on Jimmy Kimmel

2016-09-14T19:13:42.434Z

Jimmy Kimmel had a noble goal—to improve sex education in this country. He had the notion that the birds and the bees talk would be far more effective if kids taught the basics to other kids because they could speak at their level, using their language. With that aim in mind, he sent producers out on the streets to interview kids about how babies are made.

That Gruesome Game of Thrones Death Was Supposed To Be Even Gorier

Their answers ranged from informative, if wildly euphemistic, like the young lady who summed it up as “the downstairs goes into the lady’s downstairs” to completely wrong, like the tyke who claimed they came from a woman’s chest. While off target, he was closer than the toddler who simply sang the alphabet into the microphone, but less succinct than the young man who simply answered, “Gross.” He knows this, because he’s “seen Star Wars” (the director’s cut, apparently.)

Stranger Things’ Eleven Finally Put Her Skills to Use By Heating Up This Burrito for Stephen Colbert

In short, the results were hilarious if not exactly conducive to the continuation of the human species. Ah well, they’ll figure it out eventually, probably. Watch below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Patrick Dempsey Was Appropriately Nervous Watching Bridget Jones’s Baby With His Kids

2016-09-14T19:13:40.269Z

Patrick Dempsey is the ultimate cool dad — cool enough, even, to allow his three children (all under the age of 15) to see his new rom-com, Bridget Jones’s Diary, opening Friday.

On Tuesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor formerly known as McDreamy shared that he took his 14-year-old daughter to the London premiere of the Renée Zellweger romance, in which Dempsey plays one point of a love triangle alongside his British foil, Colin Firth. He’s also potentially the father of the titular baby, which could make things, well, awkward.

Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams Hilariously Parodies the Beauty Industry in New Commercial

“The subject matter’s a little — in certain places, I was a little nervous. I was more nervous than she was,” he told Kimmel of watching the movie alongside his teenager.

He also screened the movie for his nine-year-old sons.

Watch the Trailer for Woody Allen’s New Amazon Show

“They lasted about ten minutes and they checked out, they didn’t get the movie at all,” he said. Probably for the best. Check out the full interview with Kimmel above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors Talk 'Medicine,' Touring and Tennessee

2016-09-14T17:00:13.999Z

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors' music garners a lot of superlatives from fans and critics alike. And yet, for playing about 150 shows a year, you still feel like you’re discovering a treasure when you come upon this crew from Nashville’s music. (We’re not the only ones; Rolling Stone named their 2015 release Medicine one of 30 great country albums you haven’t heard yet.)

Holcomb, who performs with his wife, Ellie Holcomb (vocals, guitars), Nathan Dugger (guitar, keys) and Rich Brinsfield (bass), are supporting Amos Lee on tour this fall, just before Holcomb’s own Moon River Music Festival, which is slated for October 7-9 at Memphis’ Levitt Shell. He talks to Myspace about David Gray’s influence, his musical heroes and his amazing live album, Live at the Ryman.

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Homebase: East Nashville, TN

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

Americana is a good catch all. But I don’t know, Folk Rock? Music played by people with instruments?

You toured your last album, Medicine, with a lot of steam. What inspired that album?

I was inspired by the loads of stories I was hearing from fans about how music, and my music particularly, had meant something to them. I realized how music is a medicine for souls, for me too. I was very happy with the reception and even more happy that our fans love it.

It got a really strong reception nationally — was that the impetus for you to record a live album afterward?

The live album wasn’t really planned so much as it just happened. We recorded the whole tour, just in case, and the Ryman show was just a magical night and it made sense to release it.

Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

[I had my eureka moment] in 1999, as a high school senior driving down highway 7 in north Mississippi, headed to Ole Miss to visit my sister in university. It was midnight and a friend introduced me to David Gray’s White Ladder album. It changed my life.

What's your songwriting process like?

Usually I start with something musical, and I collect words/phrases in a notebook and try to match the two up.

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

"It Was a Girl," it was about a broken heart. Mine, of course!

Who are your musical heroes?

Tom Petty. Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen. Jeff Tweedy. Patty Griffin. And hundreds of others. They tell the truth with joy and ache.

Does living in Tennessee influence your songwriting?

More than anything, music in Nashville and Memphis has a strong storytelling element, with lots of good melodramatic narrative arc, so that has seeped in quite a bit.

Why do you call yourself Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors instead of touring under just your name?

Because my band has creative influence in my work in a way that deserves to share the marquee.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

Built me a guitar.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#roadtrip

What’s your big goal going into 2017?

To love my kids and my wife well. To grow in courage and creativity. To have a heart full of gratitude.

Justin Timberlake is Down to Record with Britney Spears

2016-09-14T16:28:54.349Z

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were pop music's power couple in the early 2000s. However, after their very public breakup in 2002, the two have gone their separate ways and haven't spoken to one another. Over a decade later, are the two finally on good enough terms to collaborate?

When Britney did a live Q&A session with Most Requested Live with Romeo, she was asked who she would like to get in the studio with. She revealed that she'd like to work with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Gwen Stefani and Justin!

"Justin Timberlake is very good," she said in the interview, which you can watch below.

Meanwhile, Marc Malkin of E! News chatted with Justin at the Toronto International Film Festival and asked him what his thoughts were on the matter. "She did?" Justin replied when Marc told him about Britney's comments. "Sure! Absolutely, absolutely. I have a 17-month-old so I don't get the headline news. I apologize for not being in the know... I'm accessible, give us a call!"

They have collaborated in the past. Justin co-wrote "What It's Like To Be Me" with choreographer Wade Robson for Brit's 2000 Britney album.

While it looks like the two are amicable, we've yet to see this collab actually happen.

Watch JT's response below.

omg so turns out JT definitely WOULD collaborate with Britney I am shaking 😭 pic.twitter.com/XWrCLFqDGR
— ‏ㅤ (@britneyvibes) September 14, 2016

Tame Impala's Kevin Parker Admits Lady Gaga Collab Was "Meaningful"

2016-09-14T16:21:39.117Z

After Lady Gaga revealed who she's been working with for her forthcoming fifth album, there were a few acts we didn't expect including Tame Impala. Well, founder Kevin Parker explained his involvement in the project and admitted it did start as a strategic move.

"It started out as such a career move," he told Triple J in Australia. "'Oh yeah, I'll get in on that,' but it quickly became something so personal and meaningful for everyone involved. I'm just happy it's all out in the open now."

He also added, "When you actually meet the people behind the scenes, it's not just this big corporate world. It's actually full of people full of passion and drive."

During the interview Kevin was surprised to find out that Gaga called him a genius.

He responded, "Did she? No way! I'm gonna put that quote on our tour poster: 'A real musical genius' - Lady Gaga."

Listen to more of the interview below.

Naya Rivera Recounts Fall Out With Lea Michele in New Memoir

2016-09-14T16:14:38.988Z

Fans of Glee always saw (and even enjoyed) the quick spats between Santana and Rachel. However Naya Rivera, who played Santana on the show, reveals that the banter with Rachel, portrayed by Lea Michele, wasn't limited to the musical TV series.

“One of the Glee writers once said that Lea and I were like two sides of the same battery and that about sums us up,” Naya recounted in her new memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up. “We are both strong willed and competitive — not just with each other but with everyone — and that’s not a good mixture.”

And as Naya's character started to get bigger, Lea wasn't as pleased.

“As the show progressed, though, that friendship started to break down, especially as Santana moved from a background character to one with bigger plot lines and more screen time,” she wrote. “I think Rachel — erm, I mean Lea — didn’t like sharing the spotlight. On top of that, she had a hard time separating work from our outside friendship, whereas it was a lot easier for me.”

Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up is out now. See an excerpt from the book below.

Naya on her relationship with Lea Michele in #SorryNotSorry pic.twitter.com/p09TAFjTzg
— Naya Rivera D. News (@NayaRiverasNews) September 13, 2016

Saosin Talks Maturity, Guilty Pleasures & Chilling Out

2016-09-14T08:54:38.120Z

There’s a certain magic that captivates an audience whenever Saosin takes the stage. With Anthony Green’s gritty vocals and magnetizing gaze commanding everyone’s attention, we find ourselves both spellbound and feeling sentimental for 2003’s debut album, Translating the Name, while grateful for Green’s return to the band with 2016’s Along the Shadow.

Myspace met up with Green, drummer Alex Rodriguez and rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Beau Burchell before they performed for the eagerly awaiting masses at Taste of Chaos htis summer to muse over the past, how they’ve changed, and their favorite guilty pleasures.

Given that this Taste of Chaos lineup would've been just as big a decade ago, how have you changed as both an individual and as a musician over the the past ten years?

Alex Rodriguez: I think by playing with these guys it makes be a better musician. It makes me more crafted at what I do. I’m really influenced by what they do, and over the years I’ve matured with certain things and elaborate more with certain parts of my playing. I just feel very fortunate to be playing with these guys.

Anthony Green: It’s a natural thing. I’ve changed in the same way that everyone does. I’ve matured. I’m more relaxed now. Experience will mold you. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to grow and play music with some of my closest friends and the best musicians, which makes me better and expands my horizon. I’m seeing what possibilities have been laid out for me creatively and people have helped open those doors.

Beau Burchell: I’ve recently gotten much better as a guitar player. We have Phil [Sgrosso] from As I Lay Dying and Wovenwar playing guitar with us now, and he’s the most incredible. He’s so good at guitar. Ever since he came onboard he’s been really inspiring for all of us. We all just play so much better now. I don’t know if anyone outside of the band can notice it — hopefully they can — but it feels awesome now. After taking a lot of time off, you’re able to come back with some perspective and not be so entitled about things. I don’t party as much, so I remember the shows now, which is cool.

Alex Rodriguez

With everything that you’ve experienced in your career, what advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out?

AR: Don’t be a musician.
AG: Be a fucking DJ!
AR: (laughing) No, but I love playing music and stuff like this. I’d tell myself to stay humble and love what you do.

AG: I’d tell myself to chill out and not be so worried about everything.

BB: That’s like a whole book. Probably just "chill out."

Anthony Green

Which artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decade?

AR: They’re all such great bands. Probably Taking Back Sunday because we’ve been touring with those guys since 2002. Just seeing their progression from their first record to now has been an amazing process for them. The fact that they have credibility and longevity — they’ve been doing this for like 15 or 16 years. When you’ve been doing this for that long and you’re still successful and still making a living off of what you do, that’s amazing.

AG: The Anniversary — they’re a band I never got to see much. I’m excited to see so many bands today. I’m excited for Quicksand, The Get Up Kids and Reggie [and The Full Effect]. We’ve seen Taking Back Sunday everyday, and I still want to see them play. I’m just a huge fan of that band and some of those songs really touched me at times when, you know, you’re just really vulnerable and music can touch you and make a huge impact. That’s always stuck with me, and I’m so excited to see them.

BB: One thing we talked about this last week was how all of us — The Early November, us, Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard [Confessional] — who have been on this Taste of Chaos tour are coming back and about how this is the easiest thing ever because we’re all just enjoying it. It’s not like when you first start out and see one band make it and you get mad at them because you feel like they took your opportunity. You’re happy for them. So now we’re all just happy, and we’re happy to be here and that people care and still connect with the music in the same way we do.
(AG: We’re all just happy to still have a job.)

Beau Burchell

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

AR: Twenty One Pilots. I hate that I like so many of their songs. I really do. They’re so damn catchy! I’m a huge sports fan, too.
(BB: He’s a total jock.)

AG: I don’t associate those things together. I get full pleasure out of the things that I enjoy without any guilt.

BB: Everyone else in the world it seems has been watching Game of Thrones. I’ve never watched it before. I watched the last three episodes on this tour, and now I’m hooked. I’ve been binge watching it for the last two or three days. I’m currently on season 2 episode 6 and pretty psyched. Every time I watch it I’m like “When’s this dude getting his hand chopped off?” or “When is this thing going to happen?" "When does that guy die?” So that’s actually our intro music on stage now.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-09-14T07:00:00.000Z

This week, Green Day and NOFX announce new albums and tours, plus Stevie Nicks embarks on a solo mission. Also, dangerous woman Ariana Grande reveals the first leg of her upcoming jaunt.

Green Day 'Revolution Road' Tour

After a four-year gap, Green Day has finally announced plans for a new album, Revolution Road, due out on October 7. In support of the new material, the band has announced a lengthy North American and European tour kicking off on September 20 in St. Louis, MO, at The Pageant. It currently wraps on February 8 in London, plus two June festival appearances in Germany. Click here for more info.

Mike Gordon Band Tour

Phish bassist Mike Gordon has just announced plans for the winter. Following the jam band’s fall tour, Gordon will hit the road starting on November 18 at Delmar Hall in St. Louis, MO. He’ll be joined by his backing band that features Scott Murawski, John Kimock, Robert Walter and Craig Meyers. The tour wraps up with a three-night stint in Boston at The Sinclair. Click here for more info.

Ariana Grande 'Dangerous Woman' Tour

Pop starlet Ariana Grande delighted her hoards of fans yesterday when she revealed dates for her “Dangerous Woman” tour. In support of her recent album of the same name, the singer will kick off a 36-date US trek starting in Phoenix, AZ, on February 2. Currently, the run is slated to end on April 15 in Orlando, FL, but Grande has promised her international fans that more dates will be announced soon. Click here for more info.

Stevie Nicks '24 Karat Gold' Tour

In leu of a two-year Fleetwood Mac hiatus, rock goddess Stevie Nicks has decided to hit the road for a solo tour. Still promoting her most recent album, 2014’s 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault, catch the iconic musician from late October to mid December, kicking off on Phoenix, AZ, at the Talking Stick Resort Arena and wrapping up at The Forum in Los Angeles. Click here for more info.

NOFX Fall Tour

Legendary political punk-rockers NOFX are back with their 13th studio album and a fall tour to boot. Kicking off on November 2 at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR, catch Fat Mike and company throughout the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Midwest, before wrapping up on November 18 in Dallas, TX, at Gas Monkey Live. Click here for more info.

10 Things You Should Know About Strange Ranger (F.K.A. Sioux Falls)

2016-09-14T07:00:00.000Z

From The Wipers and Dead Moon, to Heatmiser and Hazel, Portland, OR has historically bred some of the country’s best and most unique punk bands — in part because the city’s cheap cost of living and progressive ambience has long accommodated the “young artist” lifestyle (for better or worse).

But Portland is changing. A combination of rising rents and lack of infrastructure for all-ages music is making the city less habitable for young, DIY-minded bands. At the start of the decade, Portland was still considered a mecca for all-ages music. Today, it’s tough to find a Portland venue that even hosts all-ages shows.

It’s a plight that 23-year-old Isaac Eiger and 24-year-old Fred Nixon — the members of Strange Ranger, who just recently changed their name from Sioux Falls — are all too familiar with. Since relocating from Bozeman, MT to Portland in 2011, Strange Ranger have largely been ignored by the city’s cultural arbiters. Even now that the group’s debut, Rot Forever, has achieved the blogosphere equivalent of going gold — the album received a positive review from Pitchfork and is prematurely being dubbed an Album Of The Year contender by a number of online outlets — most older Portland writers and promoters don’t even seem aware that the band exists.

But to the horde of minors who attend every one of their sweat-soaked basement shows, Strange Ranger are a bellwether, and understandably: they’re local kids making good, and songs like “Copy/Paste” and “Soaked in Sleep” highlight lyricist Eiger’s preternatural talent for poeticizing weedonistic, millennial malaise.

We recently caught up with Eiger and Nixon over mall foodcourt Chinese and talked for an hour about everything from Korn to the recording process of Rot Forever. Below are 10 things you should know about Strange Ranger.

They Were Never From Sioux Falls

Despite their original name, the group has no real connection to Sioux Falls, SD. Eiger took inspiration from a comment his mother made when he told his family that he would be pursuing music instead of attending college. “My mom was not psyched on me doing this [instead of going] to college,” says Eiger. “She told me that if I didn’t go to college and did this band, I would end up drunk at a bus stop in Sioux Falls.”

After realizing that their name was potentially offensive — "sioux" is considered a derogatory term to some indigenous tribes — the group changed their name to Strange Ranger, a name shared by Eiger and Nixon's record label.

Frontman Isaac Eiger was a Blues Guitar Prodigy

“Isaac was a blues rock prodigy in the Caribbean,” Nixon says with a snicker. Eiger reluctantly corroborates: “My parents are professors, and were teaching at this medical school on this tiny island called Saint Maarten for a couple of years when I was 11 through 13, and I played blues guitar at these gross bars every week,” he divulges.

“I didn’t really want to do it, but I think I was told I wanted to do it, and I liked everybody patting me on the back afterwards and saying, like, ‘those are some serious pentatonic scales, little guy!’”

They’re Currently Drummer-Less

Mere hours before our interview, Eiger and Nixon amicably parted ways with Ben Scott — the drummer who performed on Rot Forever. But there’s no juice: “It was totally mutual, and we love Ben,” Eiger says. Scott still plays in Portland screamo band Dowager.

They Aren’t Set on Portland

The Portland darlings have hinted at wanting to relocate to Philadelphia, a nerve center for modern, punk-flecked indie rock, although they say that nothing’s concrete. “It’s the epicenter for the sort of music we like and what we want to be associated with, but we have no firm plans,” says Nixon.

Isaac Eiger and Fred Nixon Are Bound by a Shared Love for the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Strange Ranger’s earliest influences include Bozeman band The Touchers and classic rock lodestars like Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix and the Clash — but the band that Eiger and Nixon bonded the most over were the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“I still maintain that there are some great Red Hot Chili Peppers songs,” Eiger says. “And John Frusciante is a great guitarist — in a cool way, not in a lame way.”

They Also (Sort of) Like Korn

Eiger and Nixon’s method for determining whether or not a song is good is if they’d “rather listen to it than Korn” — a band they feel perfectly embodies the dividing line between quality and inanity. “Korn is sick, but they also suck,” says Eiger. “It’s masked by this macho, tough guy thing, but underneath that there are good hooks, and it’s satisfying in a really stupid, primal way.”

…And “Drops of Jupiter” by Train

The group also have a soft spot for the early ‘00s Train hit “Drops of Jupiter” — a favorite among soccer moms and muzak playlist curators everywhere. “We had this astounding insight that ‘Drops of Jupiter’ would be an amazing song if it were by Oasis,” says Nixon, “but instead, it’s by Train, who are so inherently lame, and so a lot of people just [write it off].”

If You Couldn’t Already Guess, They Don’t Believe in Guilty Pleasures

Strange Ranger’s championing of cheesy music might just seem like trollish, ironic attitudinizing, but Eiger and Nixon insist that they actually just like a lot of bands that most scenesters think are really dumb.

“I still think there’s this pretty obnoxious indie snobbery with music, where people just refuse to like things that they feel like they can’t like — we’re all about embracing just liking whatever,” says Nixon.

‘Rot Forever’ was Recorded in 10 Days

Rot Forever is a sprawling double LP that boasts 16 tracks and clocks in at over an hour in length. Amazingly, it was recorded in only 10 days. “We basically just got together and played the parts the way we played them live,” says Nixon. The duo is currently demoing a new album, which they anticipate being much more of a “studio creation.”

They’re Over ‘Heavy’

Strange Ranger have been lumped into the nebulous category of bands participating in a so-called “‘90s revival,” and while elements of Rot Forever are unmistakably reminiscent of indie rock forebears like Built To Spill and Pavement, Eiger and Nixon don’t completely identify with that tag.

They claim that their next album will likely forego the heavier, emo-leaning tendencies of Rot Forever for a more subdued and textured sound. “The Microphones are going to be a huge [influence on the new material],” says Eiger. “Also, The Moon & Antarctica by Modest Mouse and a lot of ripping off Alex G.”

6 WWE Superstars Who Could Compete Better Than CM Punk in the UFC

2016-09-14T07:00:00.000Z

An ass-whooping is an ass-whooping. And that’s what everyone witnessed this past Saturday at UFC 203, as CM Punk made his MMA debut against Mickey Gall. The former WWE Superstar — known for his brash personality and “pipe bomb” promos on the mic — looked like one exploded on his face. Punk’s first trip inside the Octagon didn’t go-to-well, as Gall promptly took him to the ground and pounded on him, forcing Punk to tap out two minutes into the opening round.

The result wasn’t a surprise to most, as the 37-year-old Punk quickly found out how real things are outside of the wrestling ring. While Punk’s transition to the UFC wasn’t as successful as he hoped, it’s paved the way a bit more for pro wrestlers to try their hand in MMA. Previous attempts by Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley and Ken Shamrock have shown that with the right training and background, victory and money can be had for those willing to try.

Looking at the current WWE/NXT roster, there’s talented athletes and fighters that could certainly make the jump. With that in mind, we pick out the gladiators best suited to walk inside the Octagon.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Before the red-leather-wearing, enigmatic superstar we all know and love became NXT Champion, he earned his battle wounds competing in MMA early in his career. Shinsuke Nakamura had a brief run in MMA in the early 2000s with five matches, the most notable one being against Daniel Gracie. Even though Nakamura’s stint in MMA was quick and forgettable, it no doubt made a major impact on his wrestling career. Applying that mixed-combat striking and submission style into his repertoire — highlighted by his finishing move Kinshasa — has helped Nakamura earn the “King of Strong Style” moniker.

At 36 years old, time isn’t on his side and the wear and tear on his body would hinder what he could do. While highly unlikely, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Shinsuke might want to bookend his career with another go in MMA. Even if it’s just for one night, it would be a highly entertaining spectacle to watch.

American Alpha (Chad Gable & Jason Jordan)

Two for the price of one, as these guys are the most legit MMA prospects in WWE. Not only are they the most talented tag-team in the company, but Chad Gable and Jason Jordan are arguably the two most skilled, pure wrestlers on the roster as well.

With an amateur wrestling background, Chad Gable is an Olympic wrestler, having competed in the London 2012 Summer Olympics. His speed, agility and mat work have brought comparisons to Olympic gold medalist, Kurt Angle. Fans have dubbed him Angle 2.0, going so far as singing Gable’s name to Angle’s old theme song. Jason Jordan also has an amateur wrestling background, but more on the light-heavyweight side, competing on the NCAA Division I level at Indiana University. His college run was filled with accolades and many wins, including going on an epic 35-0 run. With his size, speed and power, it’s easy to see why people see a big future for him in pro wrestling.

Relatively young (Gable – 30; Jordan – 27) and with impressive amateur wrestling foundations to build on, both Gable and Jordan could compete as MMA fighters and thrive in their respected weight-classes.

Cesaro

The “Swiss Superman” is an athletic freak of nature, with crazy agility and scary strength. Having wrestled all over the world, he’s left fans in awe with his impressive physical abilities in the ring. Anything he wants to do against an opponent, he does because he can.

Cesaro’s basically in the same boat CM Punk was prior to leaving WWE for the UFC. Cesaro’s unsatisfied with his push and role in WWE and is basically wasting away his prime years. He should be holding a championship around his waist instead of involved in a pointless feud against Sheamus.

But if he leaves, what are his options? A return back to the independent wrestling scene is certainly a possibility, or he might go to Japan and work for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). If he wanted more of a challenge, Cesaro just might be interested enough to see what kind of deal he could get in the UFC. Unlike Punk, Cesaro’s a legit super athlete who could flourish in MMA with the proper training and team behind him. Even at 35, he could still find crossover success in a short but effective run.

Asuka

“Asuka’s gonna kill you…Asuka’s gonna kill you!” is the terrifying chant every opponent hears when facing “The Empress of Tomorrow.”

The most dominant and feared competitor in the women’s division is almost tailor-made to compete inside an MMA cage. Since arriving in NXT last fall, Asuka has gone undefeated, claiming the NXT Women’s Championship in the process. Don’t let her cute smile or kaleidoscope attire fool you. She’s destroyed everyone she’s faced — cleaning out the division, which she could easily do to both RAW and Smackdown Live as well. She’s basically the female version of Brock Lesnar.

Just like her fellow countryman, Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka is known for her kicks, strikes and submission moves. Her no-nonsense attacks and style could translate well in the world of MMA. Maybe UFC and WWE could do a talent exchange of sorts, where Ronda Rousey or Paige VanZant can dabble in the WWE, while Asuka appears on a season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Rusev

Packaged as the real-life version of Ivan Drago, Rocky Balboa’s foe, Rusev is a monster of a man. I’m still waiting for him to utter these words in one of his promos:

Just on physical size and attributes alone, Rusev could pursue a run in the UFC if he wanted to. Sure he’d have to work on his mat wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but the man has intangibles that make it difficult to match up against. This former power lifter is as tough as they come in WWE and would be a prized addition to the UFC heavyweight division. The man is so confident of his skills in a ring or an Octagon that back in June he tweeted out that he’d like to face Brock Lesnar. “The Bulgarian Brute” versus “The Beast Incarnate” would be a very appealing match for either WWE or UFC.

Watch the Brand New Suspenseful 'Fifty Shades Darker' Trailer

2016-09-13T19:37:58.909Z

The sequel to the Fifty Shades of Grey movie is slowly, teasingly coming to light. The brand-new trailer for the romantic thriller finally came out on Tuesday, and it promises another installment of the tensely erotic cinema that fans can’t get enough of.

Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as conflicted lovers Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, Fifty Shades Darker is set for a February release just like its predecessor, which was a Valentine’s Day smash hit and major box office win for Universal Studios.

See the 5 Best Street-Style Trends From New York Fashion Week

Fifty Shades of Grey left Ana and Christian at a bit of a relationship impasse, but clearly they are back together again in the sequel. But now she has an ultimatum. “This time, no rules, no punishments, and no more secrets,” she tells Christian in the trailer. For now, we can satisfy ourselves with continued glimpses of a fancy masquerade ball and the knowledge that this sequel is going to be even “more of a thriller” than the first, according to studio executives. A new director and screenwriter were tapped for this take on the bestselling E.L. James novel, and Hugh Dancy, Rita Ora, and Tyler Hoechlin will also appear.

Adrian Grenier Issued a Charming, Long-Winded Feminist Declaration

Watch the first trailer, below. It’s expected to hit theaters February 10th in 2017.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

South Park Parodies Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protest

2016-09-13T19:24:48.649Z

Following Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the singing of the national anthem, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback will be the subject ofSouth Park‘s 20th season premiere Wednesday.

A clip released Monday by the Comedy Central animated series shows the residents of South Park — including Stan, Kyle and Randy — singing a parody of The Star-Spangled Banner with lyrics that blatantly mock Kaepernick.

Take a Look at the Dynamic New Posters for Disney’s Upcoming ‘Anti-Princess’ Movie Moana

Colin Kaepernick is great.
Cops are pigs, cops are pigs.
Wait, someone just took my stuff, I need to call the cops.
Oh, no, I just said cops are pigs.
Who’s gonna help me get my stuff?
Why did I listen to Colin Kaepernick? He’s not even any good.
Oh, I just got all my stuff back
Cops are pigs again, cops are pigs.
Colin Kaepernick’s a good backup…

Kaepernick’s protests have lead to a string of similar demonstrations by fellow NFL players who have joined him, with several either kneeling or raising their fists in solidarity as the anthem played before their respective games this past week. Watch the teaser below.

Meg Ryan and Adam Scott Helped James Corden Turn Beyoncé Lyrics Into a Soap Opera

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Renée Zellweger Show Off Her Cheerleading Skills on Jimmy Fallon

2016-09-13T19:14:46.746Z

Not many people know that Renée Zellweger, currently making the rounds to promote her British rom-com vehicle Bridget Jones’s Baby, is actually originally from Katy, Texas. But on the Tonight Show on Monday, host Jimmy Fallon asked the actress to relive a bit of her small-town youth — and even got an unexpected lesson in cheerleading.

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“Back in the day we would go get Cokes at the meat processing place, right there on the old Katy road,” Zellweger reminisced about her childhood. That led to the two discussing Friday night football games… and Zellweger’s stint as a cheerleader (although she was sure to mention that she also ran track and played basketball.)

Getting up from her seat to give a full performance — choreography included — Zellweger whipped out her seventh-grade routine.

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“Get ready, get set, the Tiger team is the best yet,” she chanted, even removing her stilettos to show Fallon how to perfect his high kick. (Zellweger’s middle school cheer training must have been good, because her kick was flawless.)

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

20 Years After Tupac’s Death: ‘A Symbol of Possibility, of Life Cut Short’

2016-09-13T19:05:10.100Z

When the rapper and actor Tupac Shakur died on Sept. 13, 1996, TIME called his murder “a defining nightmare for a gangsta-rap world whose paranoid royalty seem increasingly compelled to live out the grotesque violence that fills its art.”

In the 20 years since, however, his legacy has proved to be about much more than that “gangsta-rap world,” according to research by Jeremy Prestholdt, an associate professor in the Department of History at UC San Diego. His book, Icons of Dissent: The Global Resonance of Che, Marley, Tupac and Bin Laden, is due out next March. Prestholdt tells TIME that, while researching in East Africa in the years after Shakur’s death, he realized that Shakur had a “global resonance” that was “more complicated and more nuanced than what I was familiar with from an American perspective.”

As Prestholdt described in a 2009 article for the Journal of African Cultural Studies, Shakur became a widely used symbol during the civil war in Sierra Leone, which began before his death and went on until 2002. He “became a lodestar for multiple rebel factions,” Prestholdt says, and the Revolutionary United Front used Tupac T-shirts as uniforms. The rapper was likewise a symbol in places including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Libya.

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Prestholdt explains that there was a “convergence of circumstances” in the early 1990s that led to this situation. Hip-hop had become a globally popular art form, and he was recognizable all over the world. There was a post-Cold War “sense of disillusionment,” a loss of meaning, which Shakur was able to capture. His message about systemic oppression and poverty appealed to many, even those whose experiences were very different from his. And, of course, there was his headline-making sudden death at the height of his career.

Prestholdt posits that his death helped make him “a symbol of possibility, of life cut short” as well as righteous violence and “courage, invincibility, resilience [and] a form of masculinity” in many different places around the world where people faced violent trauma, from South Africa to the South Pacific.

That symbolism has only increased in the past two decades.

“Tupac has become more and more a mythlike figure since his death,” Prestholdt says. “That’s consistent across very different socioeconomic, very different national environments.”

But that myth has also changed, as some of that post-Cold War alienation has faded.

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One of Prestholdt’s arguments is that, in order for someone who has become a symbol to remain one, the symbolism has to evolve over time. In some ways, the violent end that helped establish Shakur’s legacy has become less and less a part of his story, especially in the United States.

“He was vilified during his life by lawmakers and others and then you fast forward to the recent past and you have his poetry being used in Powerade commercials, you have the Vatican in 2009 using his music on their MySpace page,” Prestholdt says. The social relevance of his lyrics has taken on prominence—as, for example, in the musical Holler If Ya Hear Me—while the parts of his life that were seen more critically at the time have tended to fall away from view.

“He has become a voice for people who feel alienated, who feel marginalized by political or social systems, and I think the fact that he, in the minds of listeners or fans. really gave voice to their sense of alienation or their grievances, is what continues to make him such a powerful and resonant figure,” Prestholdt says. “People feel like he’s speaking directly to them and he’s narrating their experience.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Ages and Ages Conjure Music from Collapse in 'Something to Ruin'

2016-09-13T16:30:00.000Z

New construction and soaring rent isn't just changing the Portland's skyline, but also altering the city's creative class as it becomes harder to thrive in the Pacific Northwest hub. Taking the struggle and new reality of their hometown into account, Ages and Ages explore themes of change and acceptance on their new album, Something to Ruin. Together band leaders Tim Perry and Rob Oberdorfer apply introspection gleaned from travels in Central and South America to the rapid gentrification of their community and the realization that nature will reclaim it all in the end.

Something to Ruin's 11 folk-rock tracks combine textured guitar chords, steady beats and piano melodies with verses and choruses practically made to sing along to. The album was recorded in Portland at Ice Cream Party — the studio owned and operated by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. We spoke with Rob Oberdorfer about his travels; what's behind Portland's current boom and potential bust; the recording process and presidential playlist recommendations.

Hometown/Homebase: Portland, OR

You traveled to South America — was it seen as a band trip from the get-go and something that would lead to new music or was it just a trip as friends with an unexpected result?

Tim and I actually took two separate trips at the same time, though we did randomly end up on the same flight at one point. Tim went to Belize and Honduras in Central America, and I went to Chile. It was mostly us taking advantage of a break in our schedule before we started working on the record. We just both happened to want to head south. We came back talking about the ways cultures build over each other and then are eventually taken over by nature. There are all these indigenous civilizations that have come and gone, leaving ruins engulfed by the forest, as well as modern native movements to rediscover pre-colonial roots. It felt relevant to what's currently happening in Portland, though obviously on much different scales.

How did you know you wanted to address/explore the current upheaval in Portland with this record?

It's hard to ignore what's happening in Portland, as rents are rising dramatically and historically working class and minority neighborhoods are being turned into yuppie playgrounds at a crazy rate. There's an odd comfort in thinking that as dramatic as it is, nature is still going to make fools of all of us in the end — one way or another.

What do you think contributed to Portland's current boom? The exposure of Portlandia? More attention paid to the thriving communities within it, whether it be the beer scene or music scene?

I think Portlandia is more of an effect than a cause of the Portland hype. There are a lot of reasons to like Portland and the lifestyle that's getting associated with it, but really the same stuff can be found in pockets in any city. What drove so many young creative types to Portland was how affordable it was. That's no longer the reality, so we're in this shaky transition with a lot of people struggling while expensive condos are being built everywhere and the cops are busting up homeless camps.

Are you seeing an impact of this gentrification on the music scene and community? And are you all presently based in Portland?

Yes, we're all based in Portland still. We know a lot of musicians who have moved out in the last couple years or are making plans to do so. There is still a vibrant scene, but there's a sense that we're at the end of an era in terms of how centralized and livable it has been. How long are people going to be willing to commute 45 minutes for band practice or to wait tables? I don't know.

In terms of Portland and "As It Is," do you think a certain level of detachment is what's necessary for accepting change?

Yes. No one gets to have everything go their way in the end. We have to balance accepting things as they are while also doing what we can to make them better.

How did you come to link up with Isaac Brock on this record?

We worked in his studio, so he was just around sometimes. He's a really supportive and creative guy, so you don't have to twist his arm too hard to get him to grab a guitar and play. For "So Hazy" (the track he played on), he did about 15 passes, playing something unique and interesting each time. It was quite a challenge to choose what to include because it was all really cool.

If there's an ideal place for a listener to experience your album, what setting do you have in mind?

Interesting...I've never thought of that. I think of our music as a malleable thing to be lived with and seen from different angles. I'd like to think it offers someone something equally valuable watching a beautiful sunset or being stuck in a traffic jam.

Outside of being a livelihood, what role does music play in your life? An outlet to explore, affirm,etc...?

Yeah, it is those things. It's communion, commiseration... a way to explain the world to yourself and yourself to the world. It's also just fun to hit shit and make a racket with your friends.

You had a song appear on President Obama's playlist. If you were to make him a mixtape of other songs you wanted him to listen to, what are some songs you would include and why?

Oh man...he's done some good things and some awful things, so it's hard to frame an answer that respects all that. At the end of the day I'd encourage him and and anyone else to just open their hearts and minds to the reality of our interconnectedness and interdependence. Music can be a powerful vehicle for that realization, but the recipe is unique to every individual. Maybe he needs to listen to old Fugazi records?

Now that Something to Ruin is out, what's ahead for the band in the future ahead? And what would you like to accomplish in the near future?

We are really just focused on the live show right now, making it happen on stage every night is rewarding in a different way than recording or writing. Seeing people singing along or telling us stories about how they relate to the music constantly recharges our batteries. Once the dust settles from all this touring, we've got plenty of musical ideas to kick around. We're still having fun.

Nelly Fans Put "Hot in Herre" on Loop to Help His $2.4 Million Tax Debt

2016-09-13T15:40:19.093Z

After the IRS slapped Nelly with a massive tax lien totaling $2.4 million, fans quickly rallied on social media to help their favorite rapper. Using the hashtags #SaveNelly and #HotinHerreStreamingParty, they encouraged everyone not only to make those hashtags trend on Twitter, but also pushed people to continuously stream his sizzling hit song, "Hot in Herre," off his 2002 album, Nellyville.

In case you didn't realize, repeatedly streaming a song can help an artist or band rake in some extra cash. Check out one fan's tips below.

pro tip: turn your phone to mute and put on "hot in herre" while you sleep tonight. 7 hours sleep = 110 plays #hotinherrestreamingparty
— jim jar-jarmusch (@bergmansbro) September 13, 2016

Spin crunched the numbers. Since Spotify reportedly pays out $0.006 to $0.084 for each stream of a song, fans would need to stream Nelly's songs at least 402,880,500 times for him to make enough decrease his tax woes. However if his tunes, especially "Hot in Herre," paid out the higher $0.084, then fans need listen to the track a grand total of 287,176,547 times.

While no one's calculated how successful this campaign has been, we're sure that it'll take more than just a few days for Nelly to reach his goal. So keep that "Hot in Herre" stream on repeat and help him out!

Listen to Years & Years' New Song, "Meteorite"

2016-09-13T15:33:49.692Z

Years & Years have been busy touring and playing to tons of fans all over the globe. And following their debut album, Communion, the London trio has released a clip of "Meteorite," a new song.

The spacey pop song is a track off the Bridget Jones' Baby soundtrack, which will release on September 13. "We wanted to make something unashamedly disco and upbeat," frontman Olly Alexander said in a statement. "I can't wait for people to hear it!"

He also added, "If there's anyone I'd like to be it's Bridget — a wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between her thighs."

Stream "Meteorite" below and grab it on iTunes now!

Protestors Crash Ryan Lochte's 'Dancing With the Stars' Debut

2016-09-13T15:27:49.696Z

Ryan Lochte infuriated everyone when he was caught lying about the gas station incident at the Rio Olympics. And while it's been a few weeks since his apology, Ryan's debut on Dancing with the Stars on Monday night (September 12) proved that people are still fuming.

After his first performance with partner Cheryl Burke, two protestors rushed to the dance floor as judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave her feedback. Although no one was hurt, it did change the energy in the room. DWTS pro dancer Derek Hough was saddened by what went down.

"This is my home and I was just so shocked that people would come here and be so negative," he told People. "This is a safe place for people to learn a new skill and seek redemption or start a new chapter in their life and that's what Ryan is trying to do and I just felt so defensive that someone would try and ruin that for him and for everyone watching, so I took it upon myself to make sure they were escorted out. I wanted to protect my home."

Watch what happened below.

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Security takes down anti-@RyanLochte protesters who rushed the stage last night at #DWTS. https://t.co/LBf3JJ8qzu
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 13, 2016

10 Things You Should Know About Tamaryn

2016-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Tamaryn’s music may be challenging to categorize because of its seamless fusion of shoegaze, pop and rock, among other genres, but one fact is certain: it needs to be blaring through your stereo and headphones immediately if it isn’t already.

Working with class acts like the Dum Dum Girls and artist Richard Phillips, Tamaryn is not a newbie to the music scene, but she certainly is underrated and has somehow been masked behind her immense talent and depth as an artist and producer. Before heading out on tour with Lush, we caught up with the ethereal, ember-haired melody maestra and discovered 10 things you should know about her.

She Doesn’t View Music as a Job, But She Treats It Like One

“I've been playing in bands since I was a teenager, but in about 2004, I started recording as Tamaryn, and I didn't release anything officially until in 2008 and [have] put out three records [to date],” she explains.

“Career is a tricky word for me because I don't really see it as a career, because it's not really making me a lot of money, but it is a life path — I would say more than a career — and something that I'm compelled to do, and I would say that the moment that that happened was the moment I started figuring out the formula of what I consider to be good songs; I started off more in the nouveau wave, kind of experimental world in New York and did a lot of just getting up on stage and making things up — improv-ing — and then when I hit the precipice of actually writing songs, that was when I got really addicted and figured that I'd probably be doing it for a long time.”

Collaboration is Crucial

According to Tamaryn, her formula for songwriting first derives from not only her own efforts, but partnering with others, as well: “Working with people I already respect as songwriters who I think I could fuse my style with theirs, that hasn't happened before.” She also considers the basic formulas in pop music — verse, chorus, verse, chorus; breakdown, chorus out — to be “classic” and essential.

Her Creative Process Aligns With Being a Fan First

Lyrics never come first for Tamaryn. “In my mind, the lyrics — less so the lyrics, more so the vocals — come from the emotional world that the music itself creates,” she claims.

“I always imagined myself as my biggest fan of the band and then someone who's possessed or compelled to get up on stage and perform with the music. I don't even really feel like I'm 'in the band' [laughs], so it definitely happens afterward, but I set up the music from the get-go and produce it in a way that's evocative of the emotion I want the song to have, and then I write the lyrics from there.”

She Strives to Emulate a Pimp’s Lifestyle

“My friend told me a really good mantra that I'm trying to make [mine], and that's ‘A true pimp never trips,’” she says with a laugh. “I feel like it's applicable to all things in life. It's really easy to get worked up and stressed out — I’m very stressed out all the time, and I don't enjoy many things — so I'm very much trying to be more of a true pimp and not trip.”

She Recognizes Her Flaws and Utilizes Them to Thrive

“I'm just a stress case,” Tamaryn admits. “I'm neurotic and a control freak and have a very hard time living in the moment. I've definitely always been in my head. I have friends who go to therapy, and I've been auditing their [sessions] and they've been telling me tricks, like cognitive behavioral therapy, but I don't [actually] go. I mostly just have a very survivalist mentality about life — I just try to get through the day and not offend too many people and try potentially to play good shows and write good songs and make good imagery, and after that, it's just trying to stay alive. I think it's just like, a last-man-standing situation: if you just keep going, eventually you end up somewhere.”

Her Worldliness Has No Influence on Her Music

“I was born in New Zealand, but I lived a lot of my life in Washington state, [and beyond],” she says. “I moved a lot; I was raised by gypsy, hippie people. If it does [influence], I couldn't tell you how — I think it's more because I'm such a cerebral person who's caught in my own mind, and with the internet and the way you communicate with people around the world now, I don't really feel geographically influenced — I feel very influenced by my own inner realm, and that's a very nonlinear, non-geographical place.”

She Finds an Equilibrium Between Work and Play

Tamaryn’s cure for creative stagnancy? “Chill really hard — you ebb and flow between working really hard and chilling really hard. Sometimes you have these moments where you make an album, and sometimes you have years where you just play shows and get a boyfriend or do things that inspire you to make an album later when they all fall apart,” she says with a laugh.

“Music is a beautiful thing — it’s a very great experience, and it's been an honor to be able to get involved in it the way that I have been, but it's not everything in life. I stress myself out about most things, but I try not to stress myself out about whether I should be creating things, because I never feel like I have a lack of ideas; I just have a lack of resources and the right collaborators at the right moment. Those things have to come together. Labels and money and bandmates and all those things are the tricky things, but ideas —there’s an unlimited tap/source that I always have access to, and I'm always inspired in that way, but it's all the logistics that are difficult. You kind of just have to be patient.”

Her Live Band Can Change at the Drop of a Hat

“The first two records, I had Rex [Shelverton], who was my main collaborator and producer, and he always played in the live band, but this last record, I decided to change the sound,” Tamaryn explains.

“It was something that wasn't very interesting to him, so we parted ways very amicably — we’re still good friends, and he's very supportive — and then I started making music with two other guys; one of them played in the band for the first couple of months, and then I started changing the lineup depending on who could do what. We're not at a level where we're making millions of dollars, so you kind of have to be fluid about it and know from tour to tour who can do it. It's very difficult, though, because the music I make is not easy to play, and it's complex in the nature of the pedals and the sounds and the amps, and you have to be able to understand the stylistic, sonic nature of the record. So, it's been very challenging, but it's really rewarding when it all comes together.”

Music is Religion

“I consider making music/being a creative person in general a spiritual place — it’s a sacred place — so the number one reason I do it is to have some sort of connection to spirit,” she says. “It's like a religion to me, and no matter what — if I have a million friends at any moment or I have no friends or I have a great love or I'm completely alone — I always return to music as my grounding, center space. It's taught me a lot about life in that way because it really is like, the central force of how I view reality and live my own life, and that branches out in a lot of ways, but the essence of it would be that it's the closest thing I have as a connection to spirit.”

She’s Tight with Bret Easton Ellis

“I'm scoring a TV series directed and written by Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho) called The Deleted, and I got a part in a movie. I'm living in LA, and I'm just going with the flow.”

Eva Shaw Dishes on "Rise N Shine" & Becoming a DJ Over Poached Salmon

2016-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

Eva Shaw is a force to be reckoned with. The brunette beauty doesn’t have time for trivial endeavours or idly standing by and waiting for opportunity to present itself — she’s too busy building her ever-expanding brand, making a name for herself in the world of electronic dance music, and proving that ladies are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the fellas.

Between modeling, her education, and playing 10-hour sets alongside Tiësto, the one thing that’s always been a constant in her life is her passion for music. Prior to her performance at Create Nightclub in Los Angeles, Shaw stopped by The Tower Bar in Hollywood for some lunch.

“I had been writing music since I was a little kid,” Shaw says as she sinks her fork into her poached salmon. “I had a keyboard and I would write toplines. My dream was to be in an all-girl group, so I took dance lessons and that kind of stuff. I tried a few instruments including clarinet and piano, guitar and violin, but I wasn’t really good at any of them. I think I also didn’t put enough effort in.”

Opportunity came to the Canadian native when she was just 13 years-old, when she was first scouted by a modeling company while out on the town. What she thought was going to be something she did outside of school quickly became a full-time career that began taking her in a different direction. Shaw graduated from the pages of fashion magazines to runway shows, hitting the most exclusive stages in fashion-focused cities like Paris, Milan and New York — all while trying to finish high school.

“It was definitely difficult," Shaw says of her teenage modeling career. "I missed so much school before my senior year they told me ‘You need to either switch schools or quit your job,’ but I had really good grades! I was doing the work and handing it in, I just wasn’t attending. I tried to do it online and get the work in advance so that I could do everything at once before I’d have to fly somewhere.”

Much like how Shaw strived to make her academics computer-based, it wasn’t until she discovered a computer program called Ableton that allowed her to digitally compose music that her musical prowess really took off.

“I basically set up my apartment to look like a recording studio, and I had all of my gear there,” Shaw says between sips of her Coke. "Every night I would make music, and during the day I would model. Then I got so tired because I’d stay up all night working on music and then skip out on jobs, so my agency got really annoyed — but I also started booking more DJ gigs.

“When I first started out, I would totally cover myself up so you could barely see my face," Shaw continues. "I wore hats all the time so people didn’t know if I was a guy or a girl, and they’d be more honest with no prejudices. I know you don’t see many female DJs, so I think people automatically get a bad impression or whatever.”

It was through networking that Shaw gained exposure and experience, eventually landing her a meeting with Calvin Harris who had heard about Shaw through the grapevine and performances at Hakkasan Nightclub. After corresponding via-email and sending over her self-produced song “Charisma,” Harris signed Shaw to his label. With this new path laid out for her, Shaw realized that she was going to have to leave her studies at NYU and the world of modeling behind due to music's intense tour demands.

Eventually, Shaw decided to slow down on touring and switch gears into more collaborations and producing credits.

The most recent additions to her resume include tracks with Shaggy, Sean Paul, Kardinal Offishall, but her most notable collaboration is "Rise N Shine," a tune with Jason Boyd (a.k.a. Poo Bear), the Grammy-winning penman behind monster hits such as 112’s “Peaches and Cream."

"[Boyd] typically just writes and then someone else will sing the parts, but when we recorded the vocals he was so perfect for the song that I wanted to feature him," Shaw says. "He agreed, and I think it’s one of first songs he’s done with his own name as the vocalist."

Drawing attention to her chic sunglasses of her own design, she relays that she decided to take on fashion once more. This time, she served as a collaborative designer for G-Star RAW — following in the steps of Skrillex, Afrojack and her hero, Pharrell.

“I wanted it to feel natural to me, and G-Star is a little tomboyish, sort of like high-end sportswear," Shaw says, playing with her round frames. "My line is a mix between fashion and comfortable things that I’d normally wear when I’m DJing, like sneakers, t-shirts and tank tops. I wanted to to make something that reflected that which felt authentic to me.”

The last remaining flaky bites of salmon are consumed, and lunch has come to an end. As Eva Shaw casually mentions her hobbies, it becomes more evident that music has and will always be on her mind.

“I like painting and drawing. I like cooking and traveling. I like seeing new places. Actually, I’m thinking I might start singing.”

Brian Correia Explains Polynesian Tattooing & Sullen Art Collective's 9/11 Fire Helmet Art Show

2016-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

While much of the nation paid tribute to the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in one way or another, the Sullen Art Collective held a unique fundraiser in Southern California.

Dozens of the world's best tattoo artists were handed retired firefighter helmets to design however they saw fit for "The Ultimate Sacrifice: 9/11 Fire Helmet Art Show," and the results were nothing short of incredible. With money from each helmet going to the Junior Firefighter Youth Foundation, the event raised thousands of dollars for charity while providing amazing tattooers with an artistic challenge unlike anything they'd ever done before.

Brian Correia of Huntington Beach's Tattoo Gallery was one of the 30 top-notch artists asked to contribute a helmet for the event, so Myspace sat down with him to chat about his helmet, his history, and his love of the simple and complex Polynesian tattooing.

A photo posted by Brian C. (@btatu) on Sep 10, 2016 at 8:33pm PDT

What was your experience in Sullen's September 11 fundraiser art show like?

A friend of mine hit me up at the last minute and invited us [Correia and his coworker, Charlie Coffin] to do it. We had probably less than two weeks to get it done, so that made it interesting, but we need to be pushed like that anyway. We came up with some ideas, we put some time into it, and we were excited about the respect thing for the 9/11 anniversary adding to it. That made it really cool. I figured with the Polynesian [style of tattooing], they're warriors and their symbols have to do with protection and family. I felt like that would go along with being a firefighter and having that kind of presence. I wanted to kind of get out of the box and add some texture to it, so I have a tea leaf chin strap on it to kind of change it up.

You specialize in Polynesian tattooing, which isn't something too many people do. How did you get interested in that rather than more common tattooing styles like American traditional or black and gray?

When it comes down to it, I love the Polynesian culture. I lived in Hawaii on and off for 10 years, and it just drew me in from day one. I love the feeling of wearing Polynesian. It has so much depth and meaning even though it can be so simple sometimes. It's almost our culture to have traditional tattoos with all of the old sailors and stuff being around here, but it's definitely nice to be able to do that other style.

How did you first get introduced to tattooing?

I started in the industry around 16. I started making body jewelry for body piercers, and then I started apprenticing under one of them at a tattoo shop. I'd always been into art, so one thing led to another and I realized I needed to be making art, not just poking holes in people.

A photo posted by Brian C. (@btatu) on Feb 8, 2016 at 1:14pm PST

Even on tattooer standards, you're pretty heavily tattooed. What's it been like to see how people's perceptions of tattoos change over the last couple of decades?

I don't even really notice it anymore. I've been tattooed for so long that I just kind of put the blinders on and don't pay attention to it. It is kind of funny like when I walk down the street to go to Target and just watching everyone still turn around and look at you. I forget people still trip out on us sometimes. There are definitely more tattooed people in Southern California, but you still get the people who will trip out when they see you. When I see someone with a head tattoo, I still want to stop and look because you just don't see it. I'm sure everyone does that to me too.

What do you think of the increase in popularity of younger people getting tattoos on their throats, faces, and heads?

In one sense, it's awesome that people have progressed to being so heavily tattooed, but in our generation you had to earn that. That was a sign of paying dues. I didn't get my first hand tattoo until I knew that I was going to make it as a tattoo artist. I came off of my apprenticeship and I was working consistently, so my reward to myself was when I knew I could make it and I started having a clientele, then I'll get my hand tattooed. I only got my throat tattooed a few years ago, because that means you're done with any other industry. You better be rich or a rock star.

How have you seen the industry change in the decades you've been tattooing?

There's new styles and old styles being reinvented. There are new techniques and new machines making it evolve. A lot of the new stuff is either super realistic or super primitive now.

A photo posted by Brian C. (@btatu) on Mar 2, 2016 at 1:03pm PST

AlunaGeorge Will Inject You With A Dose of Bouncy Empowerment

2016-09-13T07:00:00.000Z

We know we like them, but it drives us insane that we had to wait more than three years for British duo AlunaGeorge to follow up their critically acclaimed debut record. The sequel, titled I Remember, finally drops on September 16.

We caught up with one half of the genre bending duo, vocal powerhouse/fashion icon Aluna Francis, to discuss the new album, their famous collaborations with DJ Snake and ZHU and the proper way to eat chocolate.

Tell me about the new record. How will it sound like? Or what exactly do you remember (as mentioned in the title)?

It’s a natural development from the last album. The title of the album is also the title track, which is about being reminded of the good times and the bad times with somebody from your past. But also “I Remember” is about remembering your strength in a difficult situation, where you’re intimidated or scared. This song was designed to give you a little boost and remind you that you’re in power.

Do you think about trends and the next best thing when you’re heading to a studio to write new material at all?

We never think about anything other than experimenting with music and trying to create something that will have a connection with our listeners. But we do think about keeping all the beats so you can dance to it and go with it. Staying on the edge between something little weird but also familiar.

Will the singles that you’ve put out this year make the new record?

The ones starting from “I’m in Control,” yes.

What’s the most personal song on the record?

“Not Above Love.”

Any special story behind this one? Or should we just wait for the song to come out?

Haha, it’s pretty obvious, I think. It is about issues you have in relationships.

Did you have people coming up to you saying that your music helped them deal with their love drama?

Sometimes, yes. But the best one I heard recently was from the friend who plays “I’m in Control” when she has to give herself injections for her health with diabetes. I was like “Wow, that’s amazing!” It’s giving her courage to do something painful.

I will start recommending it to people who need to have any procedures done!

Yes, if you have to go to the dentist play “I’m in Control” on the way.

What's your work process with George like? Because you’ve started out as a duo but now you have all sorts of collaborators coming in. Did it influence the way you two work?

Not really. What we discovered (which we didn’t know before) is that our way of working is very strong and has very strong influence on the studio process, so it’s kinda easy for people to work with us because they just have to come in and give a little flavor, but there’s already so much going on. Nobody has to come in and work from scratch with us. We’re always prepared. We don’t have long periods in the studio when we’re doing nothing; we can get a song started really quickly.

What’s it like working with ZHU? He’s surely a mysterious guy. Did you actually meet in person?

Yes, we did. I’ve spent a lot of time in the studio with ZHU. He’s great ‘cause he’s got a lot of different music influences. It’s maybe kind of rare for producers to be widely interested in different styles of music and be associated with dance music. You’d think that with “Faded” he’d just want to do house music all the time, but he really doesn’t: he loves R&B, he loves soul, live instrumentation.

So we’ll hear more of you two on your new album?

Yes.

What did you do the first time you heard your song on the radio?

It made me think: It’s serious now. You have to provide better music. You’re not just playing around anymore.

You’ve been in the spotlight for four years, so you’ve probably learned a lot about the industry by now. What’s the deepest darkest secret?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that it really, really matters if somebody has big achievement or skills or this kind of success when it comes to making relationships in this industry. It’s much better to build your team out of people you relate to that have the same vision and drive and dreams as you. Be loyal, be real, be caring. See these people as part of your success. For me, my success is based upon the people that I’ve worked with and how amazing they are.

Who comes up with the ideas for your music videos?

I’m involved with styling and things like that obviously. But I like to see how directors get inspired by the music and then we talk closely to them about how to push the story more if I need to. I know that every artist’s motivation is that special idea that they want to bring out into the world. So it’s important for me to get what the core of their idea is and build on that.

Did you get to visit a lot dance festivals given the success of your DJ Snake collaboration?

Yes.

Which ones were your favorites?

Heart festival in LA is very great. And nothing gets better than Glastonbury.

How crazy do you get when you’re partying?

Well… These days everything has to do with music, so my perspective on partying nowadays is if you can party with your conscious mind still intact as in not taking all the drugs and all the alcohol, it’s more beneficial. That way you really are letting go. Whereas you’re forcing your mind to let go through narcotics and alcohol, it doesn’t really last to the next day, you can’t remember why you felt so great.

Style-wise you’re usually pretty spot on. So what are your favorite brands, trends and style tips?

I don’t stick to brands that much. I always think it’s really helpful to think about how your clothes makes you feel when you put them on. Do you feel like a great interesting person when you’re wearing a killer piece of clothing even if it’s not cool or beautiful? Does it make you feel happy? Then you should wear it.

What’s always on your rider?

I always have dark and milk chocolate ‘cause I like to eat them at the exact same time. It’s really good!

And finally what was your song of the summer?

Dreezy “We Gon Ride”.

Watch Britney Spears Teach the Luckiest Kids Ever Her Sassy Moves

2016-09-12T23:51:36.433Z

Britney Spears is many things — singer, mother, icon — but it’s her certifiably strong dance routines that have made her an ingenue for the ages. Over the weekend, she shared videos of herself imparting this talent to a group of incredibly lucky young girls, teaching them a full dance class, including the characteristically sassy moves to a song.

This isn’t the first time Spears has taken to the front of the studio; she spent time instructing back in 2008 and also in 2015, proving that she’s perfectly comfortable in front of a crew of eager students.

Class today 👯👯

A video posted by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Sep 10, 2016 at 4:50pm PDT

And then Spears broke down the choreography step-by-step, keeping it fun by giving the moves amusing descriptions and singing some of the lyrics as she went:

It's sooo great to teach!

A video posted by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Sep 10, 2016 at 5:29pm PDT

Finally, here’s a peek at the dance in real-time, with Spears adding on to the choreography at the end. Girl still definitely has the moves.

Teaching these little ones dance brings me so much joy. It's so refreshing being with children. You're reminded of the UNKNOWN once again... let's all keep learning ❤️

A video posted by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Sep 11, 2016 at 2:51pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Katy Perry Says She’s Open to Collaborating With Taylor Swift ‘If She Says Sorry’

2016-09-12T23:44:45.595Z

Over the weekend, Katy Perry took to Twitter to share that she would be open to collaborating with Taylor Swift, tweeting “if she says sorry, sure!” in response to a fan’s question.

Solange Knowles Writes Powerful Essay on Her Personal Experiences With Racial Discrimination

The apparent quarrel between the two chart-topping pop stars reportedly began as a dispute over the hiring of a dancer who worked with both women. They’ve been embroiled in a public disagreement over the last few years ever since, with some fans interpreting Swift’s song “Bad Blood” as a rejoinder to Perry.

Why Miley Cyrus Won’t Ever Do a Red Carpet Again

Nonetheless, it seems Perry is open to working with her fellow entertainer, from this recent Twitter exchange with a fan.

@HerWonkEye @katycatsophia @camilasviews if she says sorry, sure!
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 10, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Daniel Radcliffe Doesn’t Want to Make the Harry Potter Version of 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'

2016-09-12T21:52:31.204Z

Daniel Radcliffe said he has not ruled out returning to the wizarding world to play Harry Potter again, in a recent interview.

“I’m never going to close the door,” he told The Hollywood Reporter at the Deauville Film Festival, adding: “That would be a stupid thing to do.”

Watch Michael Phelps Crush Simone Biles and Aly Raisman on Lip Sync Battle

That doesn’t mean he will be reprising the role on stage inHarry Potter and the Cursed Child or in the potential screen adaptation of the play. While Radcliffe hasn’t gone to see the play yet, he has faith in the play’s star, Jamie Parker. “I think I’ll be happy enough and secure enough to let someone else play it,” Radcliffe told The Hollywood Reporter. “At the moment it’s not even a concern, because I’m too young to play the character.”

Radcliffe also weighed in on the possibility of rebooting the popular Potter franchise, invoking some of the most dreaded words in the Star Wars universe—The Phantom Menace.

Why Your Brain Won’t Let You Look at These Black Dots All at Once

“If we went back to Potter, there’s a chance we’d make what Star Wars: The Force Awakens was to the original Star Wars, but there’s also the chance that we’d make [Star Wars: Episode I] Phantom Menace,” he said, noting that he didn’t want to risk souring fans on the Potter legacy.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Why Miley Cyrus Won’t Ever Do a Red Carpet Again

2016-09-12T21:46:39.493Z

Miley Cyrus is known for walking her own path. From her fashion choices to her music, there’s no denying the former Disney Channel star has blossomed into a free spirit in recent years, open to speaking her mind on a range of issues.

Whoopi Goldberg Basically Won the Politically-Charged Opening Ceremony Fashion Show

In a recent interview for the October issue of Elle, Cyrus spoke about the entertainment industry, explaining that she refuses to plug in to one major aspect of celebrity culture: red carpets. “[A year ago] I had to do the [A Very Murray Christmas] premiere, and I will never do a red carpet again,” she told Elle. “Why, when people are starving, am I on a carpet that’s red? Because I’m ‘important’? Because I’m ‘famous’? That’s not how I roll. It’s like a skit—it’s like Zoolander.”

Céline Dion Covers Missy Elliott and Nelly on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The 23-year-old Bangerz artist also revealed how she plans to motivate her contestants on The Voice during her upcoming first season as a judge. “I don’t want this to come off the wrong way, but I’m going to tell my contestants: Be Bernie Sanders,” she said. “Be the person people want and love. Don’t worry about the masses. That’s how you make a memorable moment. Let people talk about it.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Vritra Bridges Genres with Yellowing

2016-09-12T16:53:15.620Z

Under the guise of Vritra, rapper and producer Hal Williams navigates and narrates his own world, delivering lines over skittering beats to craft an experimental sound that is all his own. This summer the MC released his latest album, Yellowing — a varied collection of ten tracks that maneuvers through genres and beats that bridge elements of electronica and jazz with rhymes.

MORE: Watch Vritra's "Gypsy" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

He came to settle in Southern California by way of the South and currently records from inside his own home studio. We spoke with Williams about the story behind Yellowing's title, what music he grew up on, his creative recording methods and what's behind his latest transformation.

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

What's behind your album name, Yellowing?

Yellowing represents the aging process. Like old computers, old video game consoles. I've grown and went through a lot since my last project; I'm a dad now. I'm young but my mind and soul are old, aged and yellow.

What music and artists did you grow up listening to? How were you exposed to them?

Growing up it was all No Limit and Cash Money and other local Baton Rouge artists; Young Bleed, Beelow, stuff like that. That's what my dad would play. My mom listened to Keith Sweat, R Kelly, Sparkle and other Chicago R&B type stuff.

Drum & Bass, jungle and jazz are big influences on your latest album — how did they weave their way in?

I've always been into jungle and jazz. The complexity in the drums and improvisational rhythms in jazz have always intrigued me. Same with older IDM. I've been slowly introducing elements from those 3 worlds into my production and writing style.

Your album was recorded in "makeshift home studio" — what are the benefits and drawbacks? How long did it take to assemble the studio?

That's always how I've done it. All you need nowadays is a laptop, a good mic, an audio interface and quiet. As long as you have a good engineer and the quality of the recording is good youre good. My album Indra was recorded mostly in my car. And this album mostly at home in our old apartment. The only tax is recording quality, you just have to be aware of everything in the room and the sounds they make. Turn the fan off, close the window and what not. Other than that, it's about comfort. When you record at home and record yourself. You'll prolly try different things than you would with people around or studio time pressure. everything is limitless.

You revisited older songs/beats for this album. Were you originally expecting to when you set out? How did you know when a song is done?

I didn't plan to. When I set out to make an album I just make beats and write and shit comes together. It's done when it feels right — sometimes it takes two days, two weeks, even 30 minutes. It's about the feeling. With question and demand, I just really liked that part of "On The 4." I found the session, stripped the beat down and reconstructed and built upon it.

When did you decide to come to LA and when it did you make the move? What were your reasons?

I moved out to LA with a few of the NRK family a year after high school I think. Whenever things were really starting to pick up for Odd Future. Being in the Jet Age Of Tomorrow I got swept up in shit and had meetings with everyone out here and stuff. I visited a few times before with Matt.

What's the biggest transformation you've experienced recently? What was the catalyst?

I had a baby boy. It's tight being a dad. I had been looking for inspiration again and he brought it. Changed my perspective on things a bit, made me more aware. Made me more adventurous. Thank you Ivan.

Michael Phelps Channels Inner Eminem on 'Lip Sync Battle'

2016-09-12T16:43:18.208Z

Since Michael Phelps revealed that he listened to Eminem to pump himself up for his race against rival Chad le Clos in the 200-meter butterfly semifinal at the Rio Olympics and turn the internet on fire with the infamous face he made, it only seemed fitting that he would pick that Detroit rapper for his performance on Lip Sync Battle: All-Stars Live.

MORE: Michael Phelps Recalls the Moment He Knew 'Phelps Face' Had Been Caught on Camera on 'The Tonight Show'

Dressed in a white t-shirt and matching black pants and hoodie with the hood up, he took on Em's hit, "Lose Yourself." And like the rapper's movie, 8 Mile, Michael stares at himself in the mirror for the intro and walks out like a champ to give a relaxed yet brooding performance.

MORE: Someone Already Got Michael Phelps' Game Face Tattooed On His Body

Watch it below.

Lady Gaga on Working with Florence Welch and Bradley Cooper

2016-09-12T16:26:00.252Z

After what feels like ages since we've heard new music from Lady Gaga, the release of her new single, "Perfect Illusion," has sparked buzz about her forthcoming album. She sat down with Z100's Elvis Duran on Monday morning (September 12) to chat about what she's been working on in the studio for the past six months.

"Every song on this album is completely autobiographical... These songs are implicitly related to things relating to my life," she told Elvis (via Billboard).

Teaming up with Mark Ronson, Tame Impala, Josh Homme and BloodPop on the production side, the currently untitled new LP will also feature the likes of Beck, Father John Misty and Florence Welch. She recounted her time with Florence and their work on the song, "Hey Girl. "

"Florence and I when we were working together we laughed, we cried, we hugged each other," she said.

According to the interview, Gaga opens the song with "Hey girl can you hear me / Are you holdin' out your heart," while Florence responds with "Hey girl can you feel me / Sometimes I go too far."

She also chatted about working with Bradley Cooper, who's directing and co-starring in a remake of A Star is Born. "Bradley Cooper is amazing to work with, he's so talented and he's so fun," she said and also revealed she will be executive producing the soundtrack and also performed an impromptu duet with Elvis on the film's iconic tune, "Evergreen."

My love and thanks to the brilliant gentlemen I made this record with @MarkRonson @tameimpala @bloodpop & Josh Homme pic.twitter.com/AvV0wQmkOw
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 9, 2016

Watch Celine Dion Turn Rap Songs Into Ballads

2016-09-12T16:05:38.622Z

Celine Dion is the queen of ballads. But Ellen Degeneres wanted to put that to the ultimate test by giving lyrics to popular hip-hop and pop songs and see if she can give them the Celine Dion touch. With songs like Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Britney Spears' "Work Bitch," two things were clear: she really can sing anything you throw at her, but there are certain words that she's still queasy about as we saw with the Britney tune.

"What is that?" she said, baffled by her performance of "Hot in Herre." "My career is going to end tonight."

Perhaps the highlight of this great yet hilarious set was her soulful rendition of Missy Elliott's "Work It."

Watch the full performance below.

Beyoncé Helps Put a Ring on It & Kate Upton Feuds with Football Players

2016-09-12T08:46:35.427Z

Football is back, and the world is still a crazy place.

In case you were too busy worrying about your fantasy team this weekend (sorry, those of you who drafted Keenan Allen), we rounded up everything you missed. From an impossible-to-deny proposal to September 11 memorials, here's what you missed over the weekend.

Beyoncé-Assisted Proposal

There are many things that Beyoncé does pretty much perfectly, and now she can add planning marriage proposals to her resume. Queen Bey stopped mid-way through one of her most popular songs, “Single Ladies,” to allow one of her backup dancers, John Silver, on stage to say a few words. Now, while most of the crowd cheered for Silver, truth be told, they were probably wondering what this man was up to that would require Beyoncé herself to pause a song and give this notably well-dressed gentleman a microphone.

Silver gave his thanks to Bey as any human would and expressed his love for St. Louis, Missouri, where they were performing. Somewhere in his rave for his hometown, he switched thoughts and turned his love and attention towards one of dancers on the opposite end of the stage, his girlfriend, Ashley Everett. Confused in the moment, Everett anxiously watched as her man made his way over to her, got down on one knee, and asked for her hand in marriage. As the newly engaged couple embraced, Beyoncé fluttered over to congratulate the duo. But then it was back to work—after all, one simply cannot leave “Single Ladies” unfinished. The music queued up again, and Beyoncé jokingly said to Everett “Now let’s see if you can do the choreography after all of that.” It took her a moment to get back in the swing of things, but Everett was able to end the song as gracefully as she began it, only when it came to the part where she had to hold out her hand, this time she had a ring on it.

Beyonce.com

Desiigner's Drug Dilemma

TIDAL

It wasn’t that long ago when Desiigner burst on the scene with “Panda,” the song that left no fan capable of driving down the street without blaring at outrageous volumes or spontaneously breaking out into some sort of seizure-like dance routine. The Brooklyn native found himself in a bit of trouble over the weekend when he and four friends were arrested in New York City after another driver called to report a road rage incident involving a firearm. The civilian was able to provide police with the license plate of the aggressive driver, and NYPD traced the description back to the recording artist’s SUV. Upon searching the vehicle, officers made a discovery and charged the group with possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of drugs with intent to sell. Desiigner was also awarded a charge of criminal possession of a loaded weapon and menacing.

However, the rapper’s luck changed for the better toward the end of the weekend. The New York District Attorney made the decision to drop the felony gun charge, since no weapon was present when NYPD performed their search of his vehicle. Because the original reports leading to the initial search and subsequent arrest were based on the civilian’s claims surrounding the rapper brandishing a gun, the D.A. decided there was not enough evidence that would allow the charge to stick without a physical weapon. He then followed suit and dismissed felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell charge, although it’s not clear why. Desiigner wasn’t let off of the hook completely though — the last charges for felony possession of a controlled substance and menacing are holding fast. Here’s hoping this all gets sorted out.

September 11 Memorials

Getty Images

The United States found itself in somber spirits as it commemorated the 15-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Bright and early on Sunday, President Obama spoke to hundreds of family members, first responders, government officials and survivors alike who had gathered in Manhattan to pay their respects, listening to the names of the 2,983 casualties from both the 2001 and 1993 World Trade Center attacks. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his predecessors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani were in attendance, along with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the two presidential hopefuls and New York natives.

Six very specific moments of silence were observed throughout the ceremony. At 8:46 a.m., the first bell rang for the moment at which the first plane struck the North Tower. The second bell marked the impact of the second plane hitting the South Tower. The third bell tolled for Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth bell marked the collapse of the South Tower. The fifth ringing was in honor of those aboard Flight 93 who were brave enough to divert their plane, which ultimately crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the final bell at 10:28 a.m. was for the moment when the North Tower fell. Though the wreckage and devastation will always remain emotionally, Ground Zero now houses a tranquil memorial with a reflection pool and the names of all who were lost engraved along the plaza. Two powerful, blue lights which project towards the sky have taken their stead, as a reminder that we will never forget.

Kate Upton vs. the NFL

Her own personal scandals aside, 24-year-old supermodel Kate Upton decided to publicly air her grievances regarding her distaste for the behavior of the current roster of NFL players protesting the National Anthem. After seeing a photo of several Miami Dolphins team members kneeling while the rest of the players stood with their hands over their hearts, Upton took to her Twitter to scold them and anyone else who’s pulled the bold move. While her intentions may have been pure, they were a bit misguided. She shared: “In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. It represents honoring the many brave men and women who sacrifice and have sacrificed their lives each and every single day to protect our freedom. Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country.”

In my opinion, the national anthem is a symbolic song about our country. It represents honoring the many brave men and women who sacrifice and have sacrificed their lives each and every single day to protect our freedom. Sitting or kneeling down during the national anthem is a disgrace to those people who have served and currently serve our country. Sitting down during the national anthem on September 11th is even more horrific. Protest all you want and use social media all you want. However, during the nearly two minutes when that song is playing, I believe everyone should put their hands on their heart and be proud of our country for we are all truly blessed. Recent history has shown that it is a place where anyone no matter what race or gender has the potential to become President of the United States. We live in the most special place in the world and should be thankful. After the song is over, I would encourage everyone to please use the podium they have, stand up for their beliefs, and make America a better place. The rebuilding of battery park and the freedom tower demonstrates that amazing things can be done in this country when we work together towards a common goal. It is a shame how quickly we have forgotten this as a society. Today we are more divided then ever before. I could never imagine multiple people sitting down during the national anthem on the September 11th anniversary. The lessons of 911 should teach us that if we come together, the world can be a better and more peaceful place #neverforget.

A photo posted by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on Sep 11, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

The Miami Dolphins players in the photo — Arian Foster, Jelani Jenkins, Kenny Stills and Michael Thomas — were all taking a page from Colin Kaepernick’s lead. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback told NFL media "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." Foster responded to the criticism of their decision to kneel at their September 11 game by saying "When is the time? It's never the time in somebody else's eye, because they'll always feel like it's good enough. And some people don't. That's the beautiful thing about this country. If somebody feels it's not good enough, they have that right. That's all we're doing, exercising that right." Even the owner of the Dolphins, Stephen Ross, wasn’t upset by the actions of his players. What Upton failed to realize is that the National Anthem itself makes reference to slavery, and obviously Twitter had a field day.

@AmericanMcWade @KateUpton pic.twitter.com/gJ4EaeQKAA
— Nic (@NicHarris5) September 11, 2016

@Nickidewbear @KateUpton @SportsCenter those players stood for the 9/11 ceremony, kneeled during the anthem.
— Pablo Leyva (@PabloL569) September 11, 2016

@KateUpton And what exactly have you done for this country? I'm a #VeteransForKaepernick and you sure as hell don't speak for me.
— notLikeNormalPeople (@notlikenormal) September 11, 2016

Hot Rod Circuit Reflects on Partying, Growing Up & Taste of Chaos

2016-09-12T07:00:00.000Z

One of the most recognizable and influential names in the emo/indie rock scene, Hot Rod Circuit began crafting their musical empire back in 1997 and haven’t (permanently) stopped since. Despite a break-up, multiple hiatuses and side projects, and some rotating members, the band has always found a way to come back together to do what they love most. Six studio albums and almost two decades later, the guys took time out of their busy lives and got together to bless this year’s Taste of Chaos tour by playing just one show.

Myspace sat down with Hot Rod Circuit’s vocalist/rhythm guitarist Andy Jackson and drummer Mike Poorman before they took the stage at Taste of Chaos to talk about change, perspective and their guilty pleasures.

Given that you played Taste of Chaos with a lot of bands you toured with a decade ago, how have you changed as both an individual and as a musician over the the past 10 years?

Andy Jackson: We’re obviously much older. We’ve had a chance to go home and have families because we stopped being a band in...when was it?

Mike Poorman: We split up in 2007, got back together in 2011 and didn’t play again until last year. Now we’re playing a handful of shows here and there. Like Andy said, we’re all in or nearing 40 at this point. We all have wives at home and families. We’ve all individually grown into these really good places in our lives that have helped us as a band get back together and have fun.

Jackson: We’ve learned how to be a better band at the same time.

Poorman: Better friends, better bandmates.

Andy Jackson

With everything that you’ve experienced in your career, what advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out?

Jackson: I probably wouldn’t have drank as much honestly. When you’re younger, you just kind of — not necessarily lose control, and not everybody does — I mean this guy [Poorman] had never had a drink. He didn’t start drinking until we broke up.

Poorman: (jokingly) It ruined my whole life.

Jackson: I see it happen to a lot of younger bands now and with anybody in any situation. You just party a little too much and kind of wear yourself out. Now this guy’s getting up and doing yoga in the morning before we practice or play a show. It’s the difference in taking care of your body and stuff like that. I’m not saying don’t party and don’t have a good time because we all like to do that, but just not in excess.

Poorman: I think too that we got caught up in more of the fun of it, and it was like “Yeah! Let’s go! Let’s do this!” But now — not that we didn’t take it seriously — all that stuff is behind us, and we know what we know about business and how the music industry works. Obviously, it’s changed a lot over the years. But I feel like if we had understood more of the business end of things as we were coming up, I would’ve taken that a lot more seriously right off the bat rather than years later.

Jackson: We were just young and wanted to play music. Now we’re older and have to think about business because we have families and things like that.

Poorman: The one thing I wouldn’t change that I would still go back and say is “be passionate.” That was one thing that we had a lot of.

Jackson: No matter what, we always gave 110 percent.

Mike Poorman

Which artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decades?

Jackson: One for me is Quicksand. I’ve loved them since I was kid. I know them, but at the same time I’m a fanboy — they’re awesome and one of my favorites. They probably influenced half of the bands here [at Taste of Chaos]. I’m also stoked to see Anthony [Green] with Saosin.

Poorman: [Taste of Chaos] in particular for us is pretty much — we said it last night, because all of the one-off bands are staying at the same hotel — it’s a like a high school reunion with people who you actually love. The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary, Quicksand — they’re all bands that we’ve always admired and toured with and love the people in them. It’s fun because now we go to the bar and hang out and talk and it’s like “Oh, how are your kids? What’s going on with family life?” “Oh, I’ve got two kids now!” It’s totally different than 15 years ago.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

Jackson: Food, but probably coffee. I’m from the South, so I really like soul food. I like cold brew coffee, but typically straight up with cream and sugar.

Poorman: Food. Every time we travel, I have to find a good foodie-type restaurant. I’m really bad — over the last few years that’s all I’ve really cared about. I was in LA two weeks ago and ate through the town. It’s pretty bad. I like BBQ or Mediterranean.

Shower Thoughts With Emily Ratajkowski: Election Edition

2016-09-12T07:00:00.000Z

With everyone becoming a political expert every fourth November, there's no shortage of opinions and thoughts going on regarding the upcoming presidential election these days. Who's one person you probably wouldn't expect to hear political advice from? Emily Ratajkowski. But just like anyone else, the famous model and actress has some very candid thoughts and questions about the big race, and she's not afraid to share them.

Our friends at XUMO teamed up with Glamour to bring you all of Ratajkowski's innermost election shower thoughts in video form. Unfortunately, she's not actually in the shower. Check it out below.

Glamour on XUMO - Shower Thoughts With Emily Ratajkowski- Election Edition from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things fashion whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vogue.

20 Most Controversial Music Videos of All Time

2016-09-12T07:00:00.000Z

Great art is always thought-provoking. But when it comes to music videos being simply provoking is more than enough. Ever since the launch of MTV in the mid-80s, many artists tried to push the boundaries of what was acceptable to show on TV and used the medium to make fun of society’s taboos; make political statements or just stroll on the screen completely naked.

Let’s remember some of the most controversial music videos of all time. Just don’t tell your mother we showed you.

Prodigy – "Smack My Bitch Up" (1997)

The king of all the most scandalous videos, a quintessential '90s product and basically the reason everyone wanted to nab Jonas Akerlund for their videos ever since, from Lady Gaga to Maroon 5.

This music video is a dizzying journey through the seedy London nightclub scene and includes everything you would expect from a raunchy late-90s party: sexual harassment, vomiting, alcohol, drugs and a sort-of-twist ending, where the protagonist is revealed to be a woman. It was all too much even by MTV standards, so the video was only rotated for about two weeks and only after midnight before getting banned for good. It did top MTV’s Most Controversial Videos list — the only time the unedited version was shown on the music channel.

The Cardigans – "My Favourite Game" (1998)

Jonas Akerlund was obviously on a roll after the success of "Smack My Bitch Up," and his next scandal came shortly after, when the director sent Nina Persson from The Cardigans joyriding in the Californian desert.

The tattoo-rocking blonde was having a bit too much fun on the road and basically did everything that you’re told not to do on your driving lessons, eventually causing a car crash. There were five different finales (with Persson either surviving the incident or not) and countless edits of the video that were aimed to please all sorts of censors. The video was still banned in some territories: for example UK showed the version with no crash at the end.

Eminem – "Stan" (2000)

Despite his association with rap, Eminem also left a huge dent on pop culture. In case you didn’t know, the term “to stan” (ie: obsess over a certain celebrity) comes directly from this Dido-assisted song that told a story of a deranged fan, whose sole purpose in life was to attract attention of his idol (Eminem).

The video, which starred Devon Sawa in the titular role, followed the lyrics step-by-step and turned out to be pretty graphic, nerve-wrecking and dark. MTV eventually had to censor it for broadcasting, cutting out the parts with Dido’s character in the trunk; vodka drinking while driving and whole chunks of the verses, which is all pretty ironic since the very same network glorified “stanning” by running shows like FANatic.

Maroon 5 – "Animals" (2004)

Adam Levine discovered early on that it’s not just his trademark falsetto that helps selling his band’s records — it’s also his undeniable sex appeal. He’s been showing off his body and playing the role of wicked seducer ever since.

But the “Animals” video may have been a step too far. Even if you weren’t put off by the sight of dead animals and all the blood, you’d still wonder if spying on an unsuspecting girl and basically stalking her was a healthy sort of activity. Sure, the object of Levine’s obsession was played by his real-life girlfriend (and later wife) Behati Prinsloo, but the video still bothered a lot of people.

Madonna – "Like A Prayer" (1989)

Long before Lady Gaga and basically every pop singer on the planet were toying around with religion/sex dangerous combination, Madonna made one of her most scandalous videos to arguably one of the best songs of her career. Racism, religion, sex and undeniably catchy chorus — we didn’t expect anything less from a singer whose stage name is Madonna after all. Vatican, parents, religious organizations and even Pepsi (who used the song in their ads) were all super pissed.

Kanye West – "Famous" (2016)

You know we couldn’t leave this one out, right? The hottest celebrity feud of the year (that divided half of the show bizz into pro-Tay-ers and nay-Tay-ers) was all caused by this music video.

The premise of the 10-minute-long clip is simple: Kanye is sleeping in the middle of a huge bed. All of his tabloid buddies are next to him — from Kim K to Donald Trump — all nude and synthetic. Despite Kanye’s attempt to start some sort of a dialog and make a statement, all that the video did is start a new episode in the ongoing West VS Swift saga, while the song failed to conquer the charts. So the joke’s on you, Kanye. You may be saying that you “made that bitch famous,” but by the look of things, that’s Taylor who’s made your “Famous,” well, famous.

Cher - "If I Could Turn Back Time" (1989)

You can’t consider yourself a true pop diva if you don’t get at least one of your videos banner or censored. The future Twitter queen Cher caused quite a commotion (or should we say tsunami) when she graced the USS Missouri, revealing a fishnet outfit in her “If I Could Turn Back Time” music video.

The director and Cher both fought hard to keep the risqué costume and won the battle but lost the war when music channels refused to air the video during daytime. The story has it that this very video is the reason the Navy never lets any music videos be shot on their ships anymore.

Rammstein – "Pussy" (2009)

We mean, c’mon, what did you really expect from a German band who always relied on highly graphic and controversial gimmicks? When they announced a single dedicated to sex tourism called “Pussy,” we all knew the storm was coming but nothing could prepare us (and — most importantly — the censors) for the oncoming sexual wave.

Do we even have to add that the video was directed by Jonas Akerlund? It sees the men of Rammstein taking on classic pornography cliché roles and really going for it: no wonder some of the most graphic parts had to be edited for TV.

Robbie Williams – "Rock DJ" (2000)

Being a true English hooligan, Robbie Williams never had a problem with mooning a paparazzi and making a dirty joke or two. But in one of his most iconic videos “Rock DJ” he went much further than stripping off his clothes — he literally stripped off all of his skin and organs too.

Most of the channels didn’t like the idea of giving their audience a free anatomy lesson and would stop the video once Robbie was starting to rip off his skin. Dominican Republic’s censors completely banned the video — they thought that ex-Take That member was promoting Satanism.

Robin Thicke – "Blurred Lines" (2013)

There was so much more to this song than that inescapable “hey hey hey” refrain. The Robin Thicke/T.I./Pharrell collaboration sparked an accusation of glamorizing the date rape culture in seemingly care-free tune. It also made a lot of people angry with the generous amount of naked models in the music video.

The team behind the video stated that they meant everything as a joke and wanted to show the ladies in the video overpowering the men. We guess that subplot was a bit too subtle for the general public to catch.

My Darkest Days – "Casual Sex" (2012)

Welcome to every rockstar’s wet dream. There are girls kissing, girls undressing, girls acting promiscuous, girls exploring the wonderful world of S&M, girls playing strip poker and basically doing every degrading thing a professional groupie is expected to do. No wonder YouTube had to “causally” censor the hell out of this one. We just hope the poor goat wasn’t traumatized for life by all the debauchery in this video.

Madonna – "American Life" (2003)

You know we couldn’t have just one Madonna video on this list. When talking about her most outrageous music videos, it’s impossible to forget “Like a Prayer,” but let’s talk about a video so scandalous that an entirely new version had to be shot.

The video in question is “American Life”, the lead single and titular track of her 2003 album that criticized the celebrity lifestyle and the disfigured perception of the American dream. The original version (directed by our good friend Jonas Akerlund) showed Madonna crashing the runway and throwing a hand grenade at George W. Bush. The video was pulled from rotation just a month later by Madonna herself due to the beginning of Iraq war and the singer being afraid of offending anyone, which is still a highly questionable decision. Why pull a strong and well-made anti-war message during the time when such message is especially relevant? The video was replaced by a new one where Madonna was singing the song in front of different flags, and even more disturbing director's cut leaked online in 2005.

Michael Jackson – "Black Or White" (1991)

You can’t have an anti-racism anthem and not go a little over the top, right? In the case of Michael Jackson’s iconic video, controversy was caused by the last four minutes, where Michael is smashing windows, thrusts his hips in extra-suggestive ways and causes some serious damage to both the city and the mental state of puritan viewers. The video was cut shorter by some television networks and later “cured” in a rather original way: computer-generated racist graffiti was added to the location to justify Jackson’s misbehaving.

George Michael – "I Want Your Sex" (1987)

When it comes to risqué music videos, George Michael is a certified freeek. While his later videos were way more generous when it came to sexual content, one of the better remembered ones is this 1987 sexfest, which looks painfully prudent to 2016’s viewers but caused quite a rumble back in the day. Compared to later Michael-related public sex scandals (yes, there were more than just one), this video feels like a PG-13 movie.

Mylene Farmer – "Je Te Rends Ton Amour" (1999)

Mylene Farmer can be considered “French Madonna” due to her grand fanbase, long career and knack for stirring up a lot of controversy with her art. Her most scandalous video was 1999’s “Je Te Rends Ton Amour,” which criticized the church and featured a decent amount of blood and other shocking visuals. The video was cut from daytime broadcasting, while the full version was released on VHS with all the money later getting donated to an association fighting AIDS.

Britney Spears – "Toxic" (2004)

“Toxic” is hardly Britney’s most scandalous or raunchiest video — let’s not forget her steamy naked scene in “Womanizer” and suicide allusions in “Everytime” — But in the post Janet-Jackson-nip-slip world of 2004 everyone was too afraid of even the slightest sex-related imagery, so the video to one of the biggest hits of miss Spears’ career was only shown at night on American MTV.

Lady Gaga – "LoveGame" (2009)

Lady Gaga gave us numerous scandalous videos over the years, so let’s travel back to the beginning of her era-defying career. Back in 2009 she was the girl of moment and riding high on the success of hits like “Just Dance” and “Poker Face”. Then came the sex anthem.

“LoveGame” had everything your parents are afraid pop music will teach you: bisexual scenes, naked dancing and that famous “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick” line. To Gaga’s defense we’d like to point out that she indeed had a very real disco stick in the video, but it didn’t convince the censors all over the world — the video was banned in Australia and Arabia and was edited for US. Some games are just not fun for everyone.

Nine Inch Nails – "Closer" (1994)

One of the industrial heroes’ early claims to fame had expectedly provocative music videos, which featured all the necessary topics for the censors to get bothered, such as sex, religion, animal cruelty and violence. Trent Reznor later commented that he liked the song even more once he saw the finished video. If only the censors were as inspired as he was — the video had to be heavily edited for TV and usually shown at night.

Ellie Goulding – "Love Me Like You Do" (2015)

While the rest of the world seemed to have zero problems with the fact that 50 Shades of Grey was basically one giant BDSM advertisement, the movie was still banned in Malaysia. Which meant that some of the sexy movie clips had to be cut out from Ellie Goulding’s video for the movie’s main theme. So it was more like “Censor Me Like You Do.”

Marilyn Manson – "Tainted Love" (2002)

Marilyn Manson is another important figure in the history of controversial music videos, known for his dark visual and graphic content. Funnily enough the video which was highly censored was a rather sarcastic one. “Tainted Love” was recorded for the parody movie Not Another Teen Movie, and the full uncensored version of the video could only be found on the film’s DVD.

Noisia Share Aural and Visual Inspirations For Their Latest Record

2016-09-12T07:00:00.000Z

What goes into a mix when an artist is looking for inspiration for a next record? Basically, everything. It can be a flashback from childhood, a random image or a track you play over and over again.

Dutch electronic trio Noisia, who specializes in drum’n’bass, always impressed us with their knowledge of art, music history and overall ability to joggle with all sorts of creative mediums. Right before they drop their new record Outer Edges (out on digital retailers September 16), we asked Nik to create a very special playlist for us of everything we need to see/hear/experience before diving into the world they’ve created on the new album.

Angelo Badalamenti about Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks and David Lynch’s films, with their unspeakably dense moods, have been a big influence on us. This video is a beautiful insight into how they sat down to write the main theme. What’s really amazing about this video is how Badalamenti’s commentary as he plays becomes one with the music. “What do you see David…?”

'Alien' (1979) Original Trailer

Better yet, watch the whole film (the remastered Director’s Cut), after watching Blade Runner (same) as well.

Autechre - "Gantz Graf"

Synthesis between sound and image. Gold medal, 100% completion, achievement unlocked, GG WP. A standard most audiovisual content can still not hold a candle to 15 years later.

The Prodigy - "Smack My Bitch Up" (Uncensored)

Like the description says, it was only aired once on MTV's Top 100 most controversial music videos to which it came in at No. 1. The music has an obscene amount of relentless and riotous energy whilst keeping a very developed sense of rhythm and melody. Being teenagers this was the coolest shit ever, and still holds up. We also remixed it — proudest moment of our career.

The sun in HD

But with the sound off, and with the sound from this video instead. Or you could take a late night drive instead. But since the track is called "Sun," you might as well do it properly.

Aphex Twin - "Window Licker"

I really wonder if either Aphex Twin or Chris Cunningham had any idea how much of an impact this song would have globally. Even though it relies heavily on shock effects and profanity in the video (all of which I condone very much), this song, to me, is a kind of proof that people are willing to listen — and dance — to music that’s (very) different.

Meshuggah - "New Millennium Cyanide Christ"

This shows that no matter how heavy, dark and technically complex your music is, you don’t have to take yourself seriously. It also shows how heavy, dark and technically complex their music is. Their polyrhythmic riffs are mind-blowing when you’re used to 4/4 computer sequencer music.

Jon Hopkins - "Open Eye Signal"

There is a lot of lovingly crafted detail in this song, which makes it so human and alive, in contrast to a lot of dancefloor techno. Another example and great favourite is Stephan Bodzin, who would definitely have gotten a mention here if there’d be a video as symbiotic as this one.

16 Bit - "Dinosaurs"

We need more people like 16 Bit / Moodygood. So much colour. The bit at 0:40!

KOAN Sound & Asa - "Tetsuo's Redemption" (Billain Remix) Zan Lyons Video Edit

Akira (1988) is a singular film. I remember the first time I saw it. My dad fell asleep; I had chills the entire time. Billain’s ultra-futuristic sound design sickness and the excellent video edit yanks it back into the future where it belongs.

Renée Zellweger Loved Being Out Of The Spotlight For 6 Years

2016-09-09T20:02:41.069Z

Renée Zellweger hadn’t been onscreen since 2010 before her return in Bridget Jones’s Baby this year, and she said she loved her break.

Tim Gunn Calls Out Fashion Designers for Failing Plus-Size Women

“When you go away and you’re out of people’s consciousness, they stop noticing you,” she told British TV host Jonathan Ross, BBC reports. “It’s fantastic: you order your coffee and you get a coffee and leave.”

Along with ordering coffee unmolested, she said she also enjoyed getting the chance to “meet people authentically.” “You’d have authentic conversations on the street and I enjoyed that,” she said. “That’s something that I had missed.”

Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty: ‘It’s About Time We Had a Gay Miss America Contestant’

Zellweger said she decided to take time off from acting because “I just wanted to shift my focus a little bit and keep some promises that I had made to myself a long time ago”.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Beyoncé Is the Youngest Woman on This Year’s Fortune’s Most Powerful Women List

2016-09-09T19:56:58.004Z

All hail Queen Bey! Beyoncé rounded out this year’s list of “Most Powerful Women” as ranked by Fortune. The pop diva was not tallied into the ranking like the 50 other women honored, but was instead included as a “bonus pick.”

She joins a roundup of 22 CEOs and other boss people, ranging from Mary Barra, CEO of GM who takes the #1 slot to Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg of Lean In fame, clocking in at #6.

The Complete History of Beyonce Wrecking Cars in Music Videos

Bey’s inclusion was cemented by her landmark year so far; besides making history as the first female artist to have 12 songs on the Billboard top 100(thanks, Lemonade), she also launched an athleisure line, Ivy Park and invested in the female-founded startup, WTRMLN WTR.

Fortune adds that top of all that, Beyoncé continued to develop the entertainment and management company that she founded in 2007, Parkwood Entertainment; this year, Parkwood added a music label and signed three female artists.

Cam Newton Has a New Touchdown Dance to Replace the Dab

It’s worth noting that not only is she the only pop star on the list — her occupation title is rightfully listed as the “Queen Bee” — but she’s also the youngest honoree at 35 the next youngest is #31, Microsoft’s CFO and EVP, Amy Hood.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Lady Gaga and Baby Spice Get Flirty and Sing a Mini Spice Girls Duet

2016-09-09T19:49:57.062Z

It’s a good day to be a Lady Gaga fan. Besides releasing her first new pop single in years, “Perfect Illusion,” the Mother Monster also announced an upcoming Florence Welch collaboration, and then sang a mini-duet with none other than Baby Spice herself (also known as Emma Bunton).

Scary Spice Explains Why the Spice Girls Reunion Won’t Have the Original Squad

Gaga was doing the morning radio rounds in the UK on Friday to premiere her new song, which allowed the stars to literally align so that she and Bunton — who’s a radio host at Heart FM — would find each other and croon a few cheeky lines of the Spice Girls’ 1996 classic “2 Become 1.” Bunton captured the moment and posted it to Instagram, giving us an up-close-and-personal glimpse into Gaga’s very flirty a cappella line delivery.

Jessica Alba Gave Stephen Colbert a Hipster Makeover

Bunton is in the midst of her own musical relaunch as well, having recently announced the re-formation of a Spice Girls trio.

#2Become1 with @ladygaga..! 💋#shenanigans #duet

A video posted by emmaleebunton (@emmaleebunton) on Sep 9, 2016 at 12:33am PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Demi Lovato: I’m ‘More Successful Than I’ve Ever Been’

2016-09-09T19:28:02.929Z

Demi Lovato is thriving after receiving treatment for depression, bulimia and substance abuse.

In an interview with CBS’ Sunday Morning that will air on Sept. 11, the singer revealed that she had became a co-owner of CAST Centers, a Los Angeles-based rehab and sober living facility where Lovato received treatment in 2013.

In 2010, at age 18, the former Disney star entered rehab to seek treatment for substance abuse, depression and bulimia. In 2013, she said that she had been living at the sober living facility. She’s since made it a mission to help others living with mental illness, even speaking out on the topic at the Democratic National Convention in July.

Empire’s Taraji P. Henson Shares the Lessons She Wanted To Teach Her Son

“It sounds ridiculous but, like, I kind of made a pact with God,” Lovato told CBS. “And I don’t even think you’re supposed to do that, but I was, like, I promised, ‘If you make me a singer one day, I’m going to use my voice for so much more than singing, and I’m going to help people with it.’”

CAST announced in June that it would host speakers and group discussions on every stop of Lovato’s current tour, which she’s headlining alongside Nick Jonas.

Chelsea Handler: ‘Being Childless and Alone Are Everything They’re Cracked Up To Be’

Lovato told CBS she’s learned to function without drugs or alcohol.

“And because of that,” Lovato told CBS, “I’m now sitting here right now alive and more successful than I’ve ever been.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Spin Kings Of Leon's Anthemic New Single "Waste A Moment"

2016-09-09T16:42:01.701Z

Kings Of Leon are back with bigger production and a simple message on "Waste A Moment."

"Take the time to waste a moment," sings Caleb Followill. "Never ask to be forgiven."

The group brought on a new producer, Marcus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Coldplay), for Walls.

"We’re trying to change people’s perception of [us],” explained the lead singer/guitarist to Entertainment Weekly. "We have more depth on this album and more situations where we dipped our toe in before but never committed. Now we’re wanting to dive in."

We're not convinced that "Waste A Moment" is much of a change for the rockers, but maybe some of the nine other songs off Wall will have more surprises?

Atlanta, Apple and the National Anthem

2016-09-09T16:30:00.000Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're watching the first episode for FX's new comedy Atlanta featuring Donald Glover, trying to find our ear buds and deleting people from our social media feeds that are mad at Colin Kaepernick.

Atlanta

Recommended Pairing: A peach Swisher Sweet blunt wrap with all the fillings.

A great pilot episode does a few things right off the bat. First, it sets up a rich universe for the series to live within — a universe the viewer connects with and accepts immediately. You also need to meet the main characters and "get them" right away. A skilled writer and writing staff will make sure the characters they're introducing you to are motivated in their actions so, whether good or bad, the viewer's first impression is impactful. Lastly, a great pilot will pull you right into the series with the first scene or the first couple of scenes.

Atlanta's first episode was a perfectly executed pilot.

From the very first few seconds we have great sense of time, place, characters and action. We start on a dimly lit liquor store parking lot with hip-hop blaring from the speakers of a beat up car. Crickets and katydids fill up any available space in the atmosphere. Immediately I know where we are, who we're with and within a few seconds I'm already on the edge of my seat.

Wasn't that fun?

Great writing, interesting and complex characters (including a token white guy), clever editing of pristine cinematography and subject matter I didn't know I wanted to see a show about. Well, that's not entirely true. I did gobble up every single second of VICE's Noisey Atlanta series.

FX just added a show to my very short watch live every week list. I have a feeling I'll be writing more about the wisdom of Darius' constant non-sequiturs in a column sooner than later.

Apple

Recommended Pairing: With Bluetooth only, apparently.

No company in the history of this great nation has offered innovative technology as a solution for everyday problems. This week we saw that Apple has taken this sense of courage to begin offering very expensive solutions to problems it's created for itself.

I wish I didn't love/need my MacBook so goddamned much. I bet it feels amazing hating Apple and all their fanboys with reckless abandon.

At least Google is planning some cool shit with their new slate of phones.

QB Kneel

Recommended Pairing: Clear eyes and full hearts.

How was this the biggest news from the week? Seriously?

America is fucking broken, can we get our shit together and talk about anything else?

How about this:

A senator in Mexico has said he will put forward a motion to reclaim the American land once owned by Mexico if Donald Trump is elected President of the United States (and repeals NAFTA, as he has said he would do).

That'd be fun.

The meat to his point is that our two countries have dozens of agreements together, which naturally, are incredibly beneficial to the United States like the 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty, if you remember your American history lessons, ended the Mexican - American war and gave us both Texas and California. Not that they'd really get it back. But it is a fun thought experiment. It's always nice to have someone point out the consequences of the stupid shit that comes tumbling out of Donald's mouth.

So I won't have to move to Mexico or Canada – I can just stay here in sunny Los Angeles and watch the 48 remaining American states crumble under "the Don's" tiny hands.

Nope, we didn't talk about that. We didn't talk about the Native Americans protesting the oil pipeline planned to be built through their lands. We didn't talk about them being pepper sprayed and attacked by dogs. That shit happened!

We could have talked about the Mars simulation and how neat it is that we just had a crew spend 365 days pretending to live on the red planet. Would it kill you to interview one of those guys and celebrate the idea that we're going to have people on MOTHER FUCKING MARS one day?

Can someone report some news about the NASA rocket we just sent up to intercept an asteroid?

No? Really? Well, that sucks.

Instead we got every angle of what was essentially a non-story covered for a whole week.

I heard people talking about the spike in his jersey sales then debating on what percentage of those jerseys were being doused in lighter fluid. The whole thing is ridiculous.

We had to see every fat-faced pundit scream about veterans and patriotism because a guy tried to take a stand by kneeling.

sigh.

'Til next week.

Mail the Horse Isn't Just Another Americana Band

2016-09-09T16:30:00.000Z

Nowadays musicians draw from a variety of influences in order to craft their songs. And with that, the old notions of what genre they fall into is a bit harder to pinpoint. Mail the Horse is one just one of those bands.

After listening to Magnolia, some may toss them into a rootsy category. However, they'll be the first to tell you that they make the music that speaks to them. Michael Hesslein, who sings and plays guitar and keys, took some time to chat with us before they headed to Oldtone Roots Music Festival about their album, Magnolia, performing on the festival circuit and what "Americana" means to them.

Homebase: Brooklyn, NY

How did the band get together?

After about three years in a couple different bands in New Hampshire during college playing hippie houses and crappy basements and dive bars, Donny, Brendan and myself moved to Brooklyn and formed Mail the Horse and started playing DIY shows and small clubs. We started writing a lot and doing a lot of home recording in our basement apartment on Gates Avenue in Bushwick. About a year later Brendan's friend Chris May moved to Brooklyn and moved into our apartment and slept on the floor for a few months learning how to play pedal steel, and he joined the band. We had a few different drummers for a handful of years but early this year we got Andy in the band and felt like we were ready to take a step.

You're based in Brooklyn yet have an Americana, country twang to your sound. What influenced this direction?

"Americana" is simply a term that refers to an artifact or a piece of content or cultural tradition that comes from the United States. Therefore being that we are an American band, yes, our music is inherently "Americana." But we don't subscribe to the modern day application of the term "Americana" to music, nor do we think of ourselves as a "roots" or "twangy" band. We as individuals and as a team carry a wide palate of inspirations — sonic and otherwise — that are fluid and ever-changing. Any direction of our music that is perceived is not intentional. We play and write from our hearts.

What's the meaning behind Mail the Horse?

One time a couple of us and some very close friends ingested a type of psychedelic substance and lifted a stuffed pony from a Shell station off I-95 and crammed it in someone's mail box at the beach. Boom.

What's the most memorable song to work on from Magnolia?

The most memorable moment of working on Magnolia was probably when we recorded the backing vocals for "Backlash" at 5:30 in the morning with Hunter [Davidsohn] — we were feeling pretty insane while doing it.

What's "Backlash" about?

"Backlash" is a short meditation on the idea that meaningful, romantic love and personal success can go hand in hand, but more often than not they don't appear to occur at the same time. So I was intrigued by the idea of navigating that concept — the backlash that can occur from a very young person experiencing success. What does it mean to want to achieve personal success but also want happiness in life? Does one hand wash the other in that sense? The imagery of sunlight hitting a cigarette and sand is that an immature thought or an adult thought? I wanted to riff on these ideas and themes.

You've been playing a bit of the festival circuit this year with Bonnaroo and Firefly. What were those experiences like?

We've been loving the festivals. Festivals feature some of our favorite things: Cheap or free alcohol, interesting, focused and chill people are around, lots of ping pong, and the food is typically proper and good. Plus you get to play outside. You have so many chances to play inside at midnight at a dark club — playing during the day outside in the sunshine and the breeze is great — gotta soak it up when you get the opportunity. When we were first starting out we always kinda laid low in the summer, but now this year has come around and since March it has been the busiest we've ever been. It's felt very productive and I feel like we all learned a lot.

And you have a couple of fests coming up including Oldtone Roots Music Festival and The Meadows Music & Arts Festival. How do you prepare for these types of gigs compared to club shows?

Preparing for the festivals isn't much different than any other show for us; I guess the only difference is that we have been trying to get as much bang for our buck as we can, so flying through the set at a brisker pace has been something we've been working on.

Although you've recently released your EP, is there a full-length in the works?

We like to have new material floating around at all times so technically, there's always a new full length in the works.

What are the plans for the rest of 2016?

The remainder of 2016 is gonna be about playing these festivals in September, working on new material and hopefully hitting the road for one more stretch before the year's out.

Listen To Green Day's Fierce "Revolution Radio"

2016-09-09T15:52:15.774Z

Billie Joe Armstrong's iconic vocals and a defiant, punk rock spirit characterize the title track of Green Day's Revolution Radio.

"Give me cherry bombs and gasoline / Debutantes in surgery," sings Armstrong. "And the headline / Legalize the truth."

It's classic Green Day — and it sounds like we should expect a similar feel from the full-length. "This was me, Billie and Tré firing off each other," said bassist Mike Dirnt to Rolling Stone, "in the same way as if we were practicing for [1992's] Kerplunk without thinking about it like that."

Listen To Lady Gaga's New Dance Rock Single "Perfect Illusion"

2016-09-09T15:42:07.933Z

Lady Gaga's back to remind us that it wasn't love. "It was a perfect illusion," she sings. The rockin' single — her first since 2013's Artpop, goes back to basics for the diva with monstrous vocals and melodious, drug-laced lyrics.

"The song is about modern ecstasy," said Gaga at the iHeartRadio Music Summit last month, according to Billboard. "We found our sweet, simple, ragey way of saying it... I get this sick adrenaline rush every time I hear it."

The six-time Grammy winner produced "Perfect Illusion" with Mark Ronson, Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker and Bloodpop.

Expect to hear much more Gaga in the near future, as her fifth studio LP (featuring a duet with Florence + the Machine singer Florence Welch) is imminent.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-09-09T07:00:00.000Z

Another week means another list of some kick ass new albums. And as you start to say goodbye to summer, we've got a selection of albums that will get you ready for fall.

While she's had some issues with her label, we're finally getting to hear MIA's latest, AIM. Following the worldwide success of their 2013 debut record, Bad Blood, Bastille are back with their sophomore effort, Wild World. Scottish alt-rockers Twin Atlantic return with their new LP, GLA, while July Talk are dropping Touch. And finally LOLO is getting over heartache in her new record, In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit.

Find out more about this week's top 5 new releases below.

'AIM' - MIA

MIA has been one of those artists that isn't always in the public eye. But when she is, she goes hard. While she's released a series of politically charged tracks as well as her collab with H&M to promote sustainable style, MIA hasn't dropped a new record since 2013's Mantangi. And it's not like she hasn't been trying. Earlier this summer, she tweeted that her new record was ready to go but was being held by her label. She even threatened to leak. Around the same time, she also said that not only does she have a US visa to promote the new album, AIM, but it could also be her last record. While we're hoping the latter isn't true, let's get to her latest, AIM.

Like her previous bodies of work, she continues to bring in danceable beats and flowing melodies like on the single, "Go Off." She does team up with a couple of heavy hitters including Zayn on "Freedun" as well as Diplo and Blaqstarr on two versions of "Bird Song." And the day before AIM was set to drop, she treated fans to another new tune called "Foreign Friend," which she worked on with Dexta Daps. That song is particularly special to her as it was one she did for old friends, who had to meet her in the Caribbean since she isn't allowed to enter Sri Lanka. Again, we do hope that this won't be the last we hear from MIA, but until that's really official, we'll enjoy this new record.

'Wild World' - Bastille

Bastille put themselves on the map with their epic anthem, "Pompeii." From the moment that you hear the echoing chorus of "ohs," you feel that something big was coming. And once their debut album, Bad Blood, dropped in 2013, the UK pop quartet were whisked around the world playing everything from packed theaters to big festivals. But after three years of touring that record, it was only natural that they would want fans to hear something new. So welcome Wild World.

While keeping their signature orchestral sonic elements, the London band's frontman Dan Smith looks at a far bigger picture lyrically. On songs like "The Currents" and "Warmth," he doesn't hold back on the fears he has about how the decisions of others (maybe the government?) can affect masses if they aren't thought through. And although Dan has been hesitant to go the political route, the clips of radio broadcasts embedded in each song conveys some heavy messages to his fans and hopefully to the rest of the world. Meanwhile, "Glory" has a carefree attitude that makes you think back to your younger years. "Blame" has more of that straightforward rock sounds with heavy electric guitars, and "Two Evils" slows things down and focuses on Dan's emotive vocals. After a band drops a hit album like Bastille did, we only hope for them to grow on their next one. And after listening to Wild World, it's obvious they have.

'In Loving Memory Of When I Gave A Shit' - LOLO

Just by looking at the title of LOLO's new album, In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit, it's obvious that she's got a bit of an ax to grind on this one. And while we've heard certain female songwriters pen tunes that reveal the details of bad breakups and good for nothing men, LOLO, born Lauren Pritchard, does it with sharp lyrics and a finesse that doesn't make her sound so menacing.

The album opens with her single, "Heard It From a Friend." And while it sounds like she lost in the game of love, especially with this chorus, "So when you gonna tell me you fucked me over? / Don't You know that people watch? / Don't you know that people talk?," the frustration in vocals also sounds like she won't let him keep her down. She laments this and possibly other heartaches throughout her LP in "The Courtyard" and "The Devil's Gone To Dinner." And although she's trying to show her emotional strength, LOLO puts the vulnerability out there with "I Don't Want to Have to Lie" and "Not Gonna Let You Walk Away." From her vintage soul sound to the little rasps as she belts out the notes, LOLO will be making you feeling those feels with this one.

'GLA' - Twin Atlantic

If you're look for some good rock music this week, give Twin Atlantic a go. Following their 2014 album, Great Divide, the Glaswegian band offers up a heavy dose of furious guitars, heavy drums and strong vocals.

"Ex El" will blow you away while still being one of those tunes you can hear the whole crowd getting into at a live show. Meanwhile, their single "No Sleep" has a nice balance of melody and aggressive instrumentals. It is the perfect song to describe any insomniac. And although they're a band of punks, "The Chaser" proves that these rockers can write a pop song with its bouncy rhythm. We also get a sense of their softer sides with their mid-tempo acoustic ballad, "A Scar To Hide."

'Touch' - July Talk

July Talk has been great at bridging the gap between pop melodies and good ol' fashion garage rock. Following their 2012 self-titled album, the Toronto band returns with Touch. The record starts off strong with the dancey "Picturing Love" and bass drum-driven tune, "Beck + Call." The balance between Peter Dreimanis' raspy vocals and Leah Fay's supple voice on "Now I Know" makes you think they could never go together but prove that opposites — even when it comes to voices — can work together.

Touch is inspired by the band's time on the road and how that vagabond life has somewhat altered the way they view the world around them. They also played with the idea of opposing forces, which makes sense considering the two different lead voices. We get that struggle in "Push + Pull," which also has a sultry tone aside from being a battle between polar opposites. The album ends on the title track — a psychedelic tune that will put you in a trance and make you want to listen to the whole album all over again.

8 Amazing Movies That Never Got Made

2016-09-09T07:00:00.000Z

It’s something of a miracle that any film ever manages to get made. It takes so many people and so many resources to put together a production worth filming that it sometimes seems impossible to undertake even the simplest of intimate dramas, let alone an ambitious big-budget epic.

From the perspective of an audience member, it’s easy to forget about the production woes that plague so many films from conception to completion, so let’s look at some of the biggest missed opportunities in film history. These are the movies that sound amazing due to the source material and talent involved that, for one reason or another, never made it to the big screen.

Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Napoleon’

Stanley Kubrick was known for his enormous ambition and attention to details — traits that played a part in sabotaging his long-in-the-pipeline production of Napoleon, an historical epic tracking the life of the great French conqueror.

The film, originally planned as his follow-up to 1968’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, would require a $5 million production budget and more than 30,000 extras for battle sequences. David Hemmings was cast in the lead and Audrey Hepburn as Josephine. Kubrick worked tirelessly to acquire every bit of information he could about Napoleon’s life and career, but by the time he was satisfied with his sprawling vision, the studios were too timid to commit, since historical epics had gone out of vogue and the similarly focused film Waterloo flopped upon release.

Today, the 147-page script is available to read online and Steven Spielberg is working to develop the project as a miniseries.

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s ‘Dune’

The failed film notorious enough to inspire a whole documentary about the canceled project, Dune was to be surrealist director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic classic of science fiction literature. During the ‘70s, the counterculture filmmaker worked to assemble some of the greatest creative minds of the time, including H.R. Giger, Pink Floyd, Salvador Dali, Mick Jagger, Orson Welles, Gloria Swanson and visual effects supervisor Dave O’Bannon.

It would be almost impossible for anything to live up to the potential suggested by this source material and the creative team involved. Financiers cancelled the project before it could get far, based in part on the suggestion that the finished film could run as long as ten hours and the novel eventually made it to the big screen, courtesy of another beloved surrealist filmmaker, David Lynch.

Harold Ramis’s ‘A Confederacy of Dunces’

John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces is one of the great comic novels of the 20^th century for its colorful depiction of various incompetent New Orleans denizens, led by the obese smart-talking doofus Ignatius Reilly, and for a long time, it seemed as though Harold Ramis (Stripes, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day) would be the one to adapt the novel to film.

John Belushi and Richard Pryor were signed on to star (both of whom would have been perfect), but Belushi’s early demise in ’82 threw things into disarray. Names like John Candy, Chris Farley, John Goodman, Jack Black and Zach Galifianakis have all been thrown around in the coming decades, and directorial duties for the planned project went from Ramis first to Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic) and then to David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Joe).

If the shifting production plans and legal troubles ever let up, we may get to see some version of A Confederacy of Dunces onscreen, probably in another three decades or so.

Louis Malle’s ‘Moon Over Miami’

More than three decades before David O. Russell used the ABSCAM scandal as the inspiration for his film American Hustle, French director Louis Malle was all set to adapt the same story into a film starring Dan Akroyd and John Belushi in the roles later played by Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale, respectively.

With Malle given the greenlight based on the success of his last film, Atlantic City, the former Blues Brothers were set to legitimize themselves as serious actors. Akroyd loved the script, but Belushi never had the chance to read it before his death in 1982.

David Cronenberg’s ‘Frankenstein’

Canadian film producer approached Canadian director David Cronenberg in the ‘80s about adapting Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel Frankenstein for the big screen once more. Cronenberg dispassionately expressed interest, and somehow word got to the press, who touted the production as a sure thing when, as far as anyone knows, nothing ever got off the ground concerning the project.

“It would be a more rethinking than a remake. For one thing I’d try to retain Shelley’s original concept of the creature being an intelligent, sensitive man. Not just a beast,” Cronenberg said about his plans for the project. Cronenberg, whose earlier films represent the best and most nauseating the horror genre has to offer, would have been a natural fit for the classic tale of man playing God, but it was not to be.

Clair Noto’s ‘The Tourist’

Often a script becomes well-known throughout Hollywood circles but simply can’t find the right hands to realize the story. Clair Noto’s science fiction screenplay The Tourist is a prime example, touted as a Blade Runner-esque sci-fi noir about a community of aliens living covertly in Manhattan who meet to have sex and plot ways to return to their home planets.

Noto began the script in 1980 but languished for so long that eventually other films made use of The Tourist’s ideas, most notably Men in Black, which is like a comedic The Tourist stripped of its sexual overtones with a human buddy cop duo inserted as leads.

H.R. Giger (of Alien fame) created a series of alien designs to accompany the film, but the script and the designs proved far too discomforting for studio execs reluctant to greenlight a project that leaned so heavily on dark themes like corruption, xenophobia and sexual agony. Noto was eventually booted from her own deeply personal project, and studios tried to commercialize the idea for decades to no avail.

Paul Verhoeven’s ‘Crusade’

At his best, Paul Verhoeven makes popcorn movies that conceal a clever, cynical approach to modern life and media — movies like Robocop and Starship Troopers that entertain while satirizing themselves.

Crusade was to be Verhoeven’s second collaboration with Total Recall star Arnold Schwarzenegger (then the biggest star in the world). An historical epic focused on the papal corruption that spawned the First Crusade, Verhoeven used this bloody era in human history to satirize modern anti-Arab prejudices and, knowing him, a whole host of other controversial topics.

Other talent attached included John Turturro, Robert Duvall and Jennifer Connolly. In the end, the studio backed out of the project due to fear of backlash from conservative Christians and hesitation to give Verhoeven the budget he required to make such a film. Co-writer Gary Goldman put it this way: “[Paul] doesn’t really lie about budgeting, which is a mistake because there’s no way to get these movies made without lying.”

Sergio Leone’s ‘Leningrad: The 900 Days’

Imagine the epic scope and tactile imagery of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly brought to one of the Russian front of World War 2’s bloodiest battles. Director Sergio Leone was set to make just such a film, based on Harris Salisbury’s non-fiction work The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad and potentially starring Robert De Niro as an American photographer trapped in the city during the siege who falls in love with a Russian woman before dying on liberation day.

The script was never finished, but Leone had an outline of the story and ambitious plans for a first shot that would have swept across the activity of the entire city before settling upon an invading German Panzer division moving in to begin the attack. He managed to secure $100 million in financing by 1989 but died just two days before signing the final deal at the age of 60.

10 Worst Celebrity Tattoos

2016-09-09T07:00:00.000Z

We've all made mistakes, and for some that mistake is in the form of a tattoo. Lucky for (most) of us, we don't have the public eye on us at all times, but celebrities don't have the same luxury. Because of that, wouldn't you think they would be extra cautious before getting inked?

Apparently not, because some of the most beloved actors, musicians and athletes have made more than questionable choices when it comes to permanent body art. These 10 famous people definitely did not think it through before going under the needle.

Louis Tomlinson

Instagram.com/louist91

One Direction’s Harry Styles usually gets all the credit for his wide collection of tattoos, but his bandmate Louis spent enough hours at the tat parlor, too. Only difference is: Louis’ tattoos are pretty hideous and look more like a pre-school kid’s paintings than anything a sane person would want to put on his body for eternity.

Our “favorite” pick: an awry cup of tea with the word “Oops!” under it. Oops indeed. But apparently the fans of the boyband embrace Louis’ weird sense of beauty — you can even buy an iPhone case that features all of the singer’s tattoos. Just please don't replicate them onto your body.

Jessica Alba

Getty Images

When the world considers you a sex symbol, your body is put under the media’s microscope on a daily basis.

But why would you want to put a bow tie right on top of your booty is a mystery not even Spy Kids (one of the franchises Alba graced with her presence) could solve.

Chris Brown

Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Surely tattoos aren’t the only bad decision on Chris Brown’s part, but let’s focus on those for a bit. The most notorious piece of art this man wears on his skin is surely a face of a woman on his neck, scarily reminiscent of Rihanna’s beaten face back from 2009.

Even though the singer denied that the tat was inspired by his ex and said it was an ode to the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, the tattoo is still shockingly unattractive.

Zosia Mamet

Pacific Coast News

We totally adore Zosia Mamet for her style and acting skills, but the heart tattoo on her right hand is not something we can approve.

It looks like something Mamet’s Shoshanna from Girls would draw in her super-secret dream journal. She also has tattoos on both of her feet. The one of her left foot is an arrow design which screams “Urban Outfitters temporary tattoo” material to us.

Hayden Panettiere

Reuters

Back in 2009 actress Hayden Panettiere wanted to impress the world with a) her carefree philosophy and b) her knowledge of Italian. That’s why she decided to put a huge writing on the side of her body that read “Vivere senza rimpianti,” meaning “To live without regrets.”

Regrets kicked in the moment she stepped out of tattoo parlor and realized that the artist misspelled the phrase, turning “rimpianti” into “rimipianti.” No wonder a couple of years later she began the process of removing the tat. Next time around please bring a dictionary for your artist.

Cheryl Cole

Instagram.com/nikkohurtado

What does it take to turn a national sweetheart and beloved popstar into a laughing stock? One bad tattoo. Oh, let us fix that. One giant bad tattoo. British singer Cheryl Cole (also known as Cheryl Tweedy, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini or simply Cheryl) decided to put a huge array of red roses on her lower back side and, to quote her band Girls Aloud, “caused a controversy.” To this day Cheryl’s roses-covered butt is considered the worst celebrity tattoo decision.

Not that the singer cares for the world’s opinion. As she revealed on a TV show, she got the idea for the big-ass tattoo after she got seriously sick with malaria — it was part of her “everything I want to do” list. In case you actually like the design, you should note that it took three sessions to make and cost £14,000. And since Cheryl’s mostly endorsing hair and make-up products these days, her booty doesn’t get in the way of career opportunities.

David Beckham

Mirrorpix

Another victim of illiteracy is David Beckham, who had the best intentions of proving his loyalty to his wife and putting the name Victoria on his body. The twist? He opted to get it immortalized on his body in Hindi to make it more special.

His tattoo artist went an extra mile and added a special letter, misspelling the name and making it translate “Vihctoria.” If he really wanted to pay a tribute to his wife, he should’ve written “zig-a-zig-ah” instead.

Angelina Jolie

Rex

There’s a long list of poorly advised celebrities who put the names of loved ones on their bodies only to deal with the annoying process of getting the tats removed once the romance fizzles out.

Angelina Jolie had to get Billy Bob Thorton’s name off her shoulder after he left her heart and replace it with a new tattoo; Kaley Cuoco covered the date of her wedding with Ryan Sweeting on her back with a huge butterfly after divorce; Heidi Klum had to get rid of Seal’s name from her arm, and poor Eva Longoria got several tattoos that symbolized her devotion to ex-husband Troy Parker — she had their wedding date on her wrist as well as number 9 (Parker’s team number) on her neck. Both are gone since the couple separated.

Ed Sheeran

Instagram.com/teddysphotos/

Did you think soccer-inspired tattoos were exclusively reserved for drunk sports fans? Well, think again.

The most celebrated British redhead of recent times Ed Sheeran decided to put a huge lion on his chest in the name of English soccer team’s mascot.

Jennifer Lawrence

Getty Images

J-Law can do no wrong… Or can she? Apparently she’s not that good with chemistry as the H2O sign on her hand is spelled incorrectly: 2 should be down and not up.

“I call this tattoo a watered-down rebellion,” she explained to HitFix at Comic-Con 2015. “I was with Liam’s family and everybody was getting tattoos. And I was like, ‘Well I’m always going to need to be hydrated.’ So I guess I should just get H2O on my hand.”

Watch Teyana Taylor Recreate the Dance From the ‘Fade’ Video at Kanye’s Pop-Up Concert

2016-09-08T20:08:03.280Z

Teyana Taylor took the stage at Kanye West’s pop-up G.O.O.D. Music concert on Wednesday night to recreate her electrifying dance from West’s “Fade” video.

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Clad in the same black spandex Yeezy outfit that she sported for the runway show earlier, Taylor re-enacted her choreography from video, even down to dancing on top of a workout bench and making out with fiancee Iman Shumpert (this time she didn’t turn into a cat like the video’s surprise ending.)

The concert also included performances by Desiigner, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T who all attended Kanye’s fashion show earlier in the day. Yeezy also used the concert to announce that he signed rapper (and Kardashian-Jenner associate) Tyga to his music label.

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Watch Teyana’s performance in the clips below.

@TEYANATAYLOR danced to Fade, did the Milly Rock and brought out @imanshumpert #GOODMusicPopUp pic.twitter.com/XKFyTUkxxC
— Nigel Int'l D. (@Nigel_D) September 8, 2016

FADE LIVE @ GOOD MUSIC POP UP pic.twitter.com/H84QZPl9hV
— Rebeezus (@BecahJayy) September 8, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Even Drake’s Dad Puts His Own Son in Rihanna’s Friend Zone

2016-09-08T19:53:05.398Z

Despite rumors, public affection, a long history of flirtation, and a certain shark tattoo that Rihanna recently got, Drake’s father contends that the pair are “just friends.”

Drake’s dad, Dennis Graham, told TMZ on Wednesday night that there’s “no relationship.”

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“They’re friends, they’ve been friends for years,” he insisted, and went on to say that there was no relationship when pressed if they were “settling down.”

“I don’t know about settling down. No, they’re friends,” he said. “There’s no relationship, they’re friends.”

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So there you have it, folks. Around the world, Aubrih fans’ hearts are breaking.

Watch the full clip below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Why You Should or Shouldn’t Buy Sony’s New PlayStation 4 Pro

2016-09-08T19:39:39.122Z

We’re about to have a moment, and it’s a moment that revolves around a number and a letter: 4K, a way of referring to how many pixels your television can display. The more the merrier, and the 4K “ultra high definition” standard cranks out exponentially more pixels than today’s 1080p standard—a colossal leap from roughly 2 million to 8 million luminous dots. 4K makes possible far crisper visuals, especially when scrutinizing slight details in a scene, say the trees or rocks on a mountainside backgrounding a panoramic sweep, or simply viewing images standing at a distance from a physically gigantic screen.

It’s also the no longer nascent standard both Sony and Microsoft want you thinking about as they zero in on mid-generational game console updates. Sony said a little about its new system earlier this year, then Microsoft divulged specifics about its Xbox One refresh “Project Scorpio” during E3 this summer, though it left the arrival timeframe ambiguously “late 2017.”

Now Sony’s put the spotlight on what it’s calling the PlayStation 4 Pro—a revamped PlayStation 4 with roughly twice the performance of the company’s already formidable original. It’ll be available this November 10, and priced at $399, costing no more than the original PlayStation 4 did when it arrived barely three years ago.

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There’s no indispensable reason to buy a PlayStation 4 Pro

As Sony itself has said, this isn’t meant to be next-generation gaming, it’s simply a response to a shift in display technology. These new 4K-ish games will look better but play the same. You can thus ignore Sony’s “If you’re a gamer that wants to be at the forefront of innovation, PS4 Pro is for you.”Visually innovative, perhaps. But I think it’s reasonable to assume a majority no longer think of “innovation” as merely visual these days.

There’s also no reason to snub it

In no way does the PlayStation 4 Pro feel like an estranging device. Unless you hate options, nothing about its existence threatens your ability to enjoy the same games PlayStation 4 Pro owners will, in the same ways, on your garden variety PlayStation 4. As Sony’s said, the obvious visual enhancements aside, PlayStation 4 Pro games will function identically to their PlayStation 4 counterparts.

And no, this isn’t Sony trying to make consoles more PC-like. There are no upgradeable components here, no worrying about drivers and 3D setting overrides, or having to cobble together thermally tenable case configurations with fiddly liquid cooling tubes, fans and heat sinks. There’s simply a second tier of compartmental ready-to-play-ness on offer now, and you can take it or leave it without missing a jot of gameplay.

But there’s a double-dip here

4K TVs aren’t cheap. Yes, you can buy a decent entry-level 40-inch set for in the vicinity of $400 to $500. But 4K arguably finds its sweet spot on much larger screens. Scale up to 60 inches and you start to move toward four-figure pricing. Add the PlayStation 4 Pro’s $399 tag, and you could pay through the nose for 4K bragging rights.

Economies of scale will eventually drive 4K pricing down, but there’s a chicken-egg factor, and with 4K content still ramping up, it’s not yet clear Sony’s timed the PlayStation 4 Pro’s arrival to converge with a pricing shift.

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This is Sony doubling down on streaming, not overlooking 4K Blu-ray

The absence of an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player in the PlayStation 4 Pro—an upgrade Microsoft’s said it’s hoping to include in Project Scorpio—doesn’t sound like a merely cost-saving measure. As Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Shawn Layden put it to me after the press event: “To be honest, we’re the streaming generation. That’s how we get our content, how we enjoy it.” In other words, Sony isn’t including 4K Blu-ray in PlayStation 4 Pro because the economics don’t make sense.

It’s a choice that resonates with me, an avowed videophile who’s nonetheless gradually abandoned physical media. My DVDs were boxed and sold off years ago, my Blu-ray collection represents a dwindling handful of showpiece collector’s editions, and my plans to invest in followup standards were nonexistent long before companies began taking stances on 4K Blu-ray’s merits.

I can only speak for myself, of course, and there’s some evidence already that Ultra HD Blu-ray could have legs. Whether it’ll be a console selling point in 2017 or not — assuming Project Scorpio arrives with premium pricing and streaming providers like Netflix start dishing out substantial 4K content — remains to be seen.

PlayStation 4 Pro has a Project Scorpio problem

Microsoft’s Project Scorpio is at this point still a collection of claims, so with its 6 teraflops of GPU performance (versus PlayStation 4 Pro’s notably lower but officially designated 4.2 teraflops), we’re contrasting a hypothetical, presumably incomplete product with an imminent market-ready one. But let’s assume Microsoft’s going to meet or exceed that 6 teraflops figure. If Digital Foundry’s hypotheticals are accurate, it means Microsoft’s souped up Xbox One stands a much better chance of hitting native 4K resolutions at playable frame rates.

That could well mean Microsoft and Sony wind up trading psychological places in consumer minds. Due to power disparities, today’s Xbox One often has to run cross-platform games at lower levels of detail than Sony’s PlayStation 4. It’s impossible to say how much that’s impacted sales of the Xbox One, but the sense of being the system that offers an inferior visual experience, however slight, probably hasn’t helped.

Or does it?

Will the presumptive visual differences between these systems matter with pixel counts soaring by the millions? “I don’t think the questions about teraflops are terribly relevant,” says Layden. “Probably the most important spec on that sheet that you looked at is less about teraflops and more about November 10, 2016.” He may not be wrong if we’re comparing technical on-sheet disparities with off-sheet metrics like install base and platform momentum.

Sony has over 40 million PlayStation 4s in the wild not three years into its lifecycle. Contrast with Microsoft’s Xbox One, which recent estimates place at roughly half that figure. Set PlayStation 4 Pro aside for a moment. Even with Project Scorpio’s ostensible performance perks, it’s hard to imagine Microsoft’s Xbox One selling so well, month over month, that it manages to outpace Sony by sufficiently consistent margins to reverse the broad trajectories of this console generation. Assume for a moment that the performance disparities between Project Scorpio and PlayStation 4 Pro wind up meaningfully influencing consumer behavior. Assuming Sony’s hardware margins on this boutique system (and its downward-priced new slimline PlayStation 4) haven’t tied its hands, what’s stopping the company from making another performance leap in three or four years time?

Consoles aren’t becoming more like smartphones

Smartphones and tablets update annually. Leaving aside the question of alt-console experiences like cloud gaming or all the perennial prognostication about the death of locally complex set-tops, it’s hard to imagine traditional consoles ever matching mobile devices cycle for cycle. Consoles and mobile devices offers fundamentally different experiences, and for now, the evidence suggests sufficient numbers of people want both.

As Microsoft’s Phil Spencer put it earlier this summer, with consoles you’re talking more about “inflection points.” Right now that inflection point is 4K (with whatever’s post-4K likely a lot more than just three or four years off). “We’re right in the sweet spot of the cycle for the platform,” says Layden. “With 4K as a growing segment of the display market, yes, I think it was smart for us to extend our technology to take advantage of that growing 4K market.”

If he’s right, both Project Scorpio and PlayStation 4 Pro are reactions to the latest display technology sea change, not a shift to mimicking mobile platform cycles. Yes, related inflection points like virtual or augmented reality headsets could further impact the pace of whatever happens sooner than later. But this notion that mobile devices are now the market exemplar for every other form of entertainment misunderstands the distinctions between what’s possible or desirable in these yet disparate ways of thinking about interactive entertainment.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The New iPhone Won't Have a Headphone Jack Because of "Courage"

2016-09-08T16:48:48.328Z

Apple's iPhone 7, which debuts on September 16, will lack one major component: a headphone jack. The new iPhone features just one lightning port, which can be used to either plug in special headphones... or charge the phone. The reasoning for this monumental shift in design? "Courage."

"The courage to move on and do something new that betters all of us," explained Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller at the press event according to The Verge.

In a longer interview with Buzzfeed, an Apple exec explained that the headphone jack wasn't warranted because of space issues. “It was holding us back from a number of things we wanted to put into the iPhone,” said SVP of hardware engineering Dan Riccio. “It was fighting for space with camera technologies and processors and battery life. And frankly, when there’s a better, modern solution available, it’s crazy to keep it around.”

When push comes to shove, though, this means that iPhone 7 owners will need an adapter to listen to music using any regular pair of headphones. Instead, Apple wants listeners to use Bluetooth headphones or its proprietary headphones with a lightning cable.

Suffice it to say, Apple should expect a lot of unhappy iPhone owners in the near future.

Golden Age Write Music With a Sensual Hint of Mystery

2016-09-08T16:37:05.325Z

There's a certain mystique to the music of Golden Age. The group's single "Tinted Windows" manages to balance ethereal and exuberance, guided by frontwoman Sydney Sahr's cosmic voice over a rhythm that not only pushes the track forward, but also makes it highly danceable. With a chorus line of "half a man, half a myth, you're a labyrinth," the song unfolds like a modern fairytale, but one that remains unsolved.

Sahr's lyrics sound carefully strung together, fitting like puzzle pieces to reveal a larger picture. If the imaginative words she weaves together are any indication, she'd be pretty good at deciding the words that appear on refrigerator magnet poetry kits. A born-and bred New Yorker, Sahr comes from a family of story-tellers, growing up listening to tales told by her grandfather about the patrons of his bar. Going by the lyrics of her songs, it appears to be an inherited skill.

The group is currently prepping an upcoming EP and recently had their song "Thousand Kilowatt Lights" appear in an episode of the Fosters. We chatted with Sahr about story-telling and song sparks, why crying too much isn't a bad thing, the impact of the Flaming Lips on Golden Age's formation and what's ahead.

Hometown/Homebase: New York, NY

Where do you get your sparks for songs?

The sparks are everywhere — on the subway, in movies, dreams, conversations, the list goes on — whether or not they become songs depends on my catching them at the right moment. My overactive empathy also plays a big part in sparking songs. Whether I'm feeling something firsthand or secondhand is kind of irrelevant. The feelings are just as intense either way which seems like a curse at times! But crying too much is a small price for a great writing tool.

What's your song-writing process like? How does a song come to life and how long do they take?

It usually begins with an image, a melody or a phrase I can't get out of my head. I let it bounce around in there until it feels like it's starting to bloom, which can take days, sometimes months. The pace can be frustrating, but I think it's important not to rush it. Some songs practically write themselves, others require a lot of TLC. Once the idea is ready, we'll either work through it at practice or in the studio.

What was the inspiration behind your song "Tinted Windows"?

I've always been a big fan of mystery — the film genre, the novels and all the weird little unknowns of everyday life. My taste in people is no different. I find that quality intoxicating. And it's dangerous when it comes to love because you're basically running blindfolded across a highway. "Tinted Windows" was inspired by that struggle: terrifying and exciting at the same time (one of my favorite combos).

What life events have been integral to you in terms of your development as a musician?

I've been singing, writing songs and playing in bands since I was a kid, but I didn't start pursuing music seriously until about five years ago. I had a moment of revelation I'll never forget: I was at a Flaming Lips concert in Central Park and was suddenly struck by this overwhelming instinct to drop everything for music. So a few months later I moved to LA to write, play shows and figure out my identity a musician. Eventually I came back to NY and teamed up with lifelong friends/bandmates. That's when Golden Age was formed.

In terms of coming from a family of story-tellers, what makes a story captivating to you? What elements are a must?

I think some sort of suspense is necessary for tension and release. But the most important elements, in my opinion, are the characters. Captivating characters are flawed and heroic all at once, which might seem obvious, but I'm constantly surprised by how often cookie-cutter characters make it into stories. My grandpa's characters were always complex — I'm pretty sure 75% of them were made-up, but they were believable because they weren't "good guys" or "bad guys." They were just people, like us, somewhere in the grey area between happy and sad, kind and cruel, etc.

How important of a role does New York play in your identity given that you're based there and your family has long resided there?

As much as I try to fight it, my heart will always belong to this beastly city. Having lived here all my life, it's easy to take it for granted and get fed up with the never-ending noise and congestion. But any time I travel, I remember all the clichés are true; there's really no place more alive. As a writer, I can't imagine a more stimulating environment. And with my family roots in NY, it will always feel like home.

You recently had a song featured on the Fosters — what was that experience like?

It's always surreal to hear our music on TV! Also, I must confess, ever since I started writing for film and TV I've been secretly hoping for one of our songs to accompany a sex scene. I finally got my wish with the Fosters. Not only was it a sex scene, but a girl on girl one! Speaking of cookie-cutter characters, it's cool that major networks like Freeform are moving away from those.

Outside of music, how do you spend your time/what do you get up to?

I love to paint and draw — I went to school for visual arts, and I try to keep that creative outlet alive — the visual stimulation ties into my songwriting as well. When I'm not creating, I'm usually reading, climbing things, cuddling with my cat and counting down the days till Halloween.

What's next for you?

We're still working on our first EP, aiming to finish before the end of the year. Once the EP is done we'll tour. We're really looking forward to taking our music on the road!

Listen to Kap Slap's “Harbor” Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-09-08T16:30:00.000Z

No summer can be considered complete without a fun boat ride. We’ll leave the looking for a boat part to you, and we’ll provide the perfect soundtrack, deal?

“Harbor” is a collaboration between Los Angeles-based producer Kap Slap (moniker of Jared Lucas) and singer from Nashville Jake Etheridge, and it carries all of the necessary traits of a late-summer banger: it’s dancey but not too in-your-face; it’s romantic but not too syrupy and finally, it’s just a great track to nod your head to while sitting at work or school and dreaming about your next big adventure in the sea.

We chatted with Kap Slap about his background and the new single.

What's your story so far?

I wrote and recorded my first song in my basement when I was 16 or so with a high school friend of mine but never really pursued the traditional music route. I then went to Lehigh University for college, where I was accepted into the Honors Integrated Business and Engineering program but still needed an outlet for my creative side.

After seeing another mashup artist perform at my school, I made my first three mashups in 2010 using GarageBand, then switched to Ableton after learning that Skrillex and Deadmau5 were using it. Soon the name Kap Slap became synonymous with college party music due to the success of my mixes like the Spring Break Mix and bootleg packs like the Bootie Bundles.

Once I graduated I moved to the NYC area and locked myself in my room for two years perfecting my original productions. In January 2015 I released my first completely original work "Let It All Out," which debuted at #17 on iTunes Dance, following that up with a collaboration with my good friend Gazzo called "Rewind" and finally my last single "Felt This Good," which you may have heard on SiriusXM as the BPM Breaker!

What should we know about your new single? How did you meet Jake?

This single is the first pop crossover that I've made that doesn't have elements of a progressive house structure. It has one of my favorite vocals and it’s got an awesome theme. It’s a super pop friendly vocal that reminds me of something the band Fun would have released, so I had a little fun myself putting the Kap Slap sound to it. As far as Jake goes, to tell you the truth, I haven't even met Jake yet! We received the topline (which basically just means vocals and a barebones arrangement) from our A&R at our record label and loved it so much that we decided to take the vocals as is and build the track around that. After going back and forth a few times, we both agreed on the version you hear today, and the rest is history.

Talking about harbors, who would you invite and what would you take on a month-long boat ride?

I'd invite all of my producer / DJ buddies and have them invite all of their DJ friends, get a massive sound system, some CDJ's, and stop at every beach along the coast and turn it into a dance party.

What's the craziest thing that happened to you this summer?

I stepped into an Uber last week and my song was already playing on the radio, pretty cool feeling.

Stephen Colbert Sings Bye To His Relationship With Taylor Swift And Tom Hiddleston

2016-09-08T16:11:16.623Z

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston's short-lived relationship has now been memorialized in a parody song. Stephen Colbert did the honors on The Late Show last night, singing about his "relationship" with the couple.

"Taylor, Tom and me, we were a happy couple of three / But now they've said goodbye, and I just want to cry," croons Colbert. "How could you do this to me / Think of all our memories / Like kissing on that rock / or climbing on that rock."

The silly clip also features Colbert photoshopped onto pictures of Swift and Hiddleston at the beach. "And with a little cut and paste," explains the host, "the three of us were quite the pair."

At the end of the song, Colbert revealed he has a new couple of celebrity lovers now: Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.

Listen To Rage Against The Machine Frontman Zack de la Rocha's Industrial New Single

2016-09-08T16:03:55.611Z

Zach de la Rocha has finally released the fiery first single from his long-awaited solo project. Called "Digging For Windows," it features the former Rage Against the Machine frontman rapping about a dystopian future over an abrasive backbeat. "My fever rise in the jungle," says de la Rocha on the track, "as quick as the price spikes / the days are all night."

El-P produced "Digging For Windows" and the entire album, which will come in 2017.

the ZDR the album is happening. 2017.
— el-p (@therealelp) September 8, 2016

De la Rocha had been rumored to release a solo record since RATM broke up in 2000, but the former frontman largely kept a low profile.

This year, his bandmates Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk formed a supergroup called Prophets of Rage with Public Enemy's Chuck D and Cypress Hill's B-Real.

Your Guide To Fall and Winter Music Festivals

2016-09-08T07:00:00.000Z

Spring and summer lend themselves to being perfect for music festivals, as the weather is beautiful and people are off school and ready to dance their days away. While big names like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Electric Daisy Carnival all dominate the warmer months, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do when the leaves change and the air gets cool. In fact, some of the best events take place in the fall and winter, which many people don’t expect.

If the summer slipped away and you have been feeling like you missed your chance to do it up, think again! Try any of these amazing parties, and embrace the emergence of the fall and winter music festival.

Riot Fest

Date: September 16-18
Location: Chicago, IL

Riot Fest is just as crazy and rowdy as its name would suggest, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding what fall festival is right for you. The Chicago-based event has become so popular over the years it has expanded, and the Denver edition just wrapped up this past Labor Day weekend.

Unlike many music festivals these days, don’t expect to catch any chart-topping EDM acts at this party, as it’s all about various kinds of rock (with just a bit of hip-hop thrown in to make things interesting). The upcoming Chicago showing is set to feature groups like The Flaming Lips, Death Cab For Cutie, Brand New, Jimmy Eat World and a Misfits reunion, which is worth the price of admission for any superfan.

Roots Picnic

Date: October 1-2
Location: New York City, NY

The Roots Picnic is organized by, you guessed it, The Roots, and nobody knows quality music like them. The legendary hip-hop/R&B group has been curating and hosting the event in Philly for nine years now, and it has quickly become a staple of the summer.

This year, the brand is expanding, and in October, the Roots Picnic will pop up in the Big Apple for the first time, bringing along some superstar talent. The first NYC Roots Picnic will feature D’Angelo, John Mayer, Nile Rodgers, David Byrne, and of course the act that put it all together.

Desert Trip

Date: October 7-9 & 14-16
Location: Indio, CA

Hosted on the same hallowed grounds as Coachella and Stagecoach, Desert Trip is already gearing up to be one of the biggest and most lucrative music festivals of 2016 — and it’s only in its first year.

Most music festivals are aimed at nabbing as many young people as possible, but Desert Trip’s organizers looked in the other direction, and this may go down as the first massive fest for baby boomers. Believe it or not, there are only six acts on the bill, but that is more than enough. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and The Who are all signed up to play, and to be honest, I’m not sure any festival will ever be able to top that.

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

Date: October 28-30
Location: New Orleans, LA

If you’re tired of the same old Halloween party and you’re ready to do something different this year, there is absolutely no party like a New Orleans party, and you know that city can do Halloween right. The Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is the perfect event for the scariest weekend of the year, and the 2016 edition seems like it’s going to be frightfully good.

Voodoo brings every kind of music and every kind of person together and blends them all, which is fitting for the city where it takes place. This year’s lineup includes Arcade Fire, The Chainsmokers, G-Eazy, DJ Mustard, and plenty of talent waiting to be discovered, such as Cheat Codes, Lunice, Slaves, and many more.

SnowGlobe

Date: December 29-January 1
Location: Lake Tahoe, CA

SnowGlobe stands out from the crowded festival market for so many reasons, it’s at least worth considering. The event takes place over the few days surrounding New Year’s, and it’s an immersive, removed experience — though not the kind that most people are used to when it comes to festivals.

This party is surrounded by snowy nature, and in between sets by some of the biggest names in EDM, attendees go skiing and snowboarding. The lineup for 2016 hasn’t been announced just yet, but a look at past years suggests that it’s going to be great. In 2015, the show was headlined by Jack Ü, Kaskade and Dillon Francis, and in the past, names like Skrillex, Zedd, Disclosure, Deadmau5 and Tiësto. Thankfully, tickets for the upcoming SnowGlobe just went on sale, so there’s a good chance there are still spots open for you and your friends.

Lights All Night

Date: December 30-31
Location: Dallas and El Paso, TX

If you’re not in the mood for celebrating New Year’s Eve in the cold, but you feel the need to rage with some high-grade EDM, head down to Texas, where either of the Lights All Night parties are sure to give you what you’re looking for.

You have two chances to dance the night away, depending on where you’re headed in the Lonestar State. The Dallas event lasts two nights, and this year is set to feature Zedd, Above & Beyond, A Trak and A$AP Ferg, while the El Paso equivalent has thus far only announced Deadmau5 and RL Grime, with more set to be revealed soon. Who knew Texas could turn up so hard on New Year’s?

Bald Move: 10 Actresses Who Sacrificed Their Hair For Art

2016-09-08T07:00:00.000Z

When it comes to singers, no one beats Britney’s legendary The Bald and the Beautiful episode. But there are people in the entertainment industry who actually get paid to shave their heads. Some of them struggle to deal with the new look, while others embrace the opportunity to feel the wind caressing their bald scalps. The latest brave actress who agreed to let go of her hair in the name of film magic was young Millie Bobby Brown, a breakout star of Stranger Things series. To honor her and those who came before, here are 10 actresses who sacrificed their flowing locks for the sake of art.

Millie Bobby Brown

Netflix

Stranger Things’ wonder girl Eleven (or simply El) was a certified science-enhanced badass. And it took a real life badass to make this character believable and relatable. Spanish-born actress Millie Bobby Brown — who was 11 at the time of the filming — not only had to get rid of most of her emotions to play an enigmatic girl who brings a lot of troubles into a small town. She also had to say goodbye to her long hair. Luckily, it’s not the '80s anymore and thanks to the wonders of the Internet we can witness the moment young actress turned into El — just watch this video Millie recently posted on Twitter.

Judging by the kissing smiley face she added to that tweet, she was okay with the producers’ decision to make their little superhero bald. Will she have to re-shave her head for the upcoming second season of the hit show? We’re buzzing to know!

Charlize Theron

Warner Bros.

Miss Theron knows like no other that dramatic experiments with one’s appearance is not a fury road but rather a road to success. Her 2003 impressive transformation into real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster brought her an Oscar for Best Actress. And in 2015 she readily shaved her head and pasted her face with futuristic warpaint to become the unstoppable Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Do you think Charlize was sad to let go of her golden locks? Think again. As she told Ryan Seacrest, she felt liberated: “I had two huge garbage bags full of hair products. It's so freeing.”

Demi Moore

Caravan Pictures

A shaved head was one of the necessary looks for every '90s girl, yet somehow Demi Moore still managed to turn her buzzing experience into a sensation back in 1997, when she had to get bald for the titular role in G.I. Jane.

Maybe because she did it in front of the film crew, since the shaving scene was one of the key moments of the Ridley Scott girl power movie. Apparently Moore liked the process so much that years later she decided to share it with her daughter Tallulah and shaved her head, too: you can see the unconventional “mommy-daughter bonding activities” on Instagram.

Anne Hathaway

Universal Pictures

We wonder how high the eyebrows of Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly would jump if Anne Hathaway’s Andrea stepped into her office with no hair in Devil Wears Prada? Anne Hathaway had to get a rough short haircut for the role of Fantine in the film adaptation of the Les Miserables musical.

While some actresses enjoy making a dramatic change to their appearances, Hathaway stated on multiple occasions that this decision did not come easy to her. “When I eventually looked in the mirror I just thought I looked like my gay brother,” she said at one of the film’s screenings. She’s been growing her hair back ever since and thanks to her striking eyes and huge smile can make any hairstyle work.

Elise Eberle

WGN

Eberle’s Mercy Lewis is arguably the most tortured character in WGN’s Salem series (third season is coming this Halloween!). Originally an innocent teenager, she was lured to the dark side by the local powerful witch bitch Mary Sibley, then lost her mind, became a killer and got her hair chopped off, while other witches of the cursed town were all allowed to keep their long locks.

No wonder she was eventually promoted to the series regular and became one of the most interesting characters on the spooky show.

Natalie Portman

Warner Bros.

For Natalie Portman V didn’t just stand for Vendetta — it also stood for very short hair. The scene where her character gets her hair shaved off was among some of the most impressive moments of the Wachowski-produced dystopian thriller based on Alan Moore’s comic book.

“She loved it and kept rubbing her head,” recalls director James McTeigue. She wasn’t the only one: you know you’ve made an impact on pop culture when there’s an indie band called Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head (it was later re-named to Brite Futures).

Sigourney Weaver

20st Century Fox

As Alien’s famous tagline read “In space no one can hear you scream,” we’d like to extend it and add “…or see your hair.” No wonder Sigourney Weaver, the star of the chest-bursting-aliens franchise, agreed to go bald for the third installment of the blood-thirsty saga in 1992.

We still consider this the pivotal moment in the story of Weaver’s Ripley becoming a proper menace to her nemesis from another planet. But when the re-shootings were needed and producers kindly asked Weaver to shave her head again, the actress wasn’t so pleased and demanded $40,000 for another date with a buzzer. The producers opted for a $16,000 bald cap.

Naomi Grossman

FX

While Jessica Lange definitely stole everyone’s thunder during her four-year-long run on American Horror Story, there was no shortage of other remarkable female characters and actresses. The one that really stood out was Naomi Grossman’s Pepper, who first appeared in the rundown halls of Season Two’s titular Asylum.

Her stint caused countless You Won’t Believe How This Actress Actually Looks articles and was so adored by the producers that they brought her back for Season Four. The transformation was a rather demanding one: each time it took three hours. Apart from shaving her head, Grossman had to wear a prosthetic nose, ears and teeth. Sounds more like Make-Up Artist Horror Story to us.

Toni Collette

Getty Images

Last year’s drama Miss You Already saw Australian actress Toni Collette taking on the role of Milly, who discovers that she has breast cancer and relies on her best friend Jess (Drew Barrymore) to get through the hard times.

The role wasn’t just emotionally demanding, it also required Collette to go bald, which was hardly anything new to actress — she once told The Wall Street Journal that she shaved her head five times throughout her 20s: “I did it once for a friend’s fashion show in London, and I did it in a Peter Greenaway film. The first time I did it, I turned 25 in Mexico and I walked past the barber shop and that was that. And I did it like three days after meeting my husband just to see if he could handle it.”

Cate Blanchett

Miramax

The long wavy locks of Galadriel from Lord of the Rings may be one of the most iconic Cate Blanchett looks, but she never shied away from a brave experiment. The actress always stated how she doesn’t like to wear wigs and prefers to play with her real hair instead.

Back in 2002 she shaved her head for the role in Heaven and declined a proposition to put on a bald cap. She’s been toying around with her hair ever since — this March she dyed her hair pink and in August she starred in Massive Attack video for “The Spoils,” where she was once again seen bald. But her hairdresser can relax: this time around it was just a cap!

10 Things You Should Know About Diane Coffee

2016-09-08T07:00:00.000Z

Diane Coffee shouldn't just be heard — it should be experienced. While many bands tend to stand idle at their mics onstage, frontman Shaun Flemming and and his crew transform the stage and themselves into a production. With the costumes, sparkling makeup and his interesting facial expressions, one would think the theatrics would take away from the music. But it's exactly the opposite. We had the chance to get to know the man behind Diane Coffee and find out about his musical beginnings, Everybody's A Good Dog and his key to happiness.

Here are 10 Things You Should Know About Diane Coffee.

The Name “Diane Coffee” is a Product of Shaun Flemming's Musical Taste

Diane Coffee was born Shaun Fleming. And while he’s one to admit that band names aren’t the most important thing to him, he did need to come up with a moniker for the project and decided to combine two of the things that he was heavily listening to at the time.

“During the first conception of the project, I was listening to a lot of Diana Ross,” he explains. “There’s a singer-songwriter named Nathan Pelkey, who doesn’t have a lot of credits under his name. I got a hold of two unreleased tracks, and one of them was called ‘Mr. Coffee.’ And that’s some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. So I was listening to both those things in the same week that I needed to come up with a band name.”

He Got Into Music as a Kindergartener

Shaun jumped right into music when he was a kid. At the age of five, he was already covering tunes for his parents. “My dad had a tape recorder,” he says. “There was a lot of music in my house. He had us tape these covers for my mom. So I recorded a version of ‘Julia’ [by John Lennon] and ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ [by Bobby McFerrin] with my dad. On ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ I could only say those words then the rest was [random sounds].”

"Spring Breathes" Came to Him in a Dream

“‘Spring Breathes,’ the first track on the record. I dreamt it, and it’s the first that’s ever happened to me," he admits. "I grabbed my crappy voice recorder on the iPhone and tried, half-asleep, to mouth what is going on in my head. So there was that bit of it. And then it kind of got lost, but there were probably about 30 voices in the intro track as a choral thing. It only sounds like four or five, but we were struggling to find a way to make it work. It took a lot to mix that song to where we wanted it and not what I expected it to be.”

He Thinks "Soon to Be, Won’t to Be" is “Sloppy”

“‘Soon to Be, Won’t to Be’ was a demo,” he expplains. “The guy who recorded it, Tim Smiley, he came over and set up mics and recorded the first things that came to my head like the first drumbeat that came to my head. That’s how that song was done. It was completely off the cuff with no thought of what it was beforehand. We tried to recreate it in the studio, and it didn’t work. That’s why it’s kind of sloppy, because it’s really loose. But I love it. It stands out as a different kind of track.”

"Everyday" Delves Into His Time Being Away From Home

"That song, as with most songs on this record, is reflecting on what I was going through over the past year since the last record came out — a lot of touring, not being home, having a partner and trying to manage that. When you’re away, that can, no matter how much you call and stuff like that, you start to feel a weird drift between you.”

And The Track in His Partner’s POV

“It’s written in a woman’s, or at least my partner’s point of view,” he conveyed. “And that first line, ‘You don’t even see me / I’ve been here so long,’ that’s what the song’s all about. It’s about toying with someone’s heart. It’s like being a stranger in your own home with your partner and trying to manage that for any reason. It’s dealing with that.”

He Was Inspired By His Time With Foxygen

Before Diane Coffee, he was a drummer for Foxygen. After working with the California band for five years, he took away some tricks and applied it to his own band. “I took a lot from Foxygen,” he admits. “It was more about learning how to run a tight ship and how to manage because the first couple of years, it was chaos. It was trying to figure out how to work in this industry. Sam’s a great frontman. He really commands the stage. I’ve taken as much out of those shows as I have from watching other greats.”

While in Foxygen, He Continued To Work On His Own Music

“Foxygen was never my project,” he explains. “I played in that project, but I’ve been writing and playing my own music for a while now. So it kind of felt like getting back to business as usual. But now, [this] is taking off, which is great because I’m playing to crowds that I want to play to. So that’s different.“

He’s Living the Life

“I’m doing what I love, and this is most people’s dream. It’s really hard, and I get stressed out a lot. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. What was the Tower Records thing? ‘No Music, No Life’? It’s true.”

And He Wants People to Find Their Happiness, Too

“Do what you love. It doesn’t have to be your career, but make time to do something that makes you happy," he proclaims. "It could be a hobby. Today, more so than ever, people can get locked away in their phones and that’s not what’s important, and that’s not what’s going to make you happy. The more you do of that, the happier you’ll be.”

Lena Katina on t.A.T.u.: "I Was Living in a Dream Which I Thought Would Never Come True"

2016-09-08T07:00:00.000Z

When the video for t.A.T.u.’s “All The Things She Said” was released in 2002, featuring the then teenage Russian pop duo embracing in the rain, it launched Lena Katina and Julia Volkova into the spotlight almost overnight.

t.A.T.u. became pop stars on an international level, and according to Katina, even without social media, or gossip blogs, the rigors of instant fame were a lot for two 15-year-olds to handle. “I wasn’t taking pictures with my family for a while,” she says, “because literally, the cameras would drive me crazy.”

Currently working on her own material, having released her first solo album, This Is Who I Am, in 2014, as well as a Spanish language album, Esta Soy Yo, earlier this year, Katina is now prepping a Russian language album.

Myspace caught up with her to get the full story on t.A.T.u.’s rise to fame, eventual breakup, and her current solo career.

With one song, "All The Things She Said," you and Julia went from being Russian teenagers, to international stars. At what point during that process did you realize the whole t.A.T.u. thing might be something bigger than you imagined?

I think that was when we started going abroad to tour. In particular, I think that’s when we went to New York to the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time.

The video, in two weeks it became No. 1 on MTV Russia. That was the first step, and I was surprised, to be honest, because I never believed we would be famous one day. It was some sort of very far away dream, but I kind of thought it would never come true. I was just doing my thing. I can’t say I was even hoping something would come out of it, I was just enjoying what I was doing — singing, recording, shooting the video — and then boom, we woke up famous the next day.

How much of that was overwhelming? Were you prepared for any of it?

Can you be prepared, when you are 15, to be a world No. 1 star? I don’t think so. I don’t think we were prepared. Even right now, I’m still working with a band that we worked on with t.A.T.u., and sometimes the musicians will be like, “Do you remember this, do you remember that?” I’m like, no. It was like in a dream. I couldn’t believe it was happening, and it was happening to me. What did I do to deserve that?

Did you actually have that question at 15?

I knew for sure that there are a lot of other girls who are a lot more talented than I am, with better voices, better experience, better looks, but it was me. A lot of people would give everything up to be in my place.

From the other place, I was absolutely happy. Like I said, I was living in a dream which I thought would never come true.

When you started out, you were working with Trevor Horn. Did you have any idea how big of a deal that was?

No, I didn’t realize that. Right now I absolutely do realize how huge it was, and what kind of experience we had working with all of these great producers. Trevor Horn wasn’t the only one. Sting played bass guitar on our second album, and we worked with Richard Carpenter (and Dave Stewart).

Do you have a favorite piece of memorabilia from those years that’s either on your wall, or in your closet, that sparks really great memories?

I do have a picture on my wall with Marilyn Manson and Eminem. That was an after-party for, as far as I remember, the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, where we performed “Not Gonna Get Us” with hundreds of girls in school uniforms coming up to the stage. It was awesome.

You had controversy attached to you with the lesbian angle of t.A.T.u. In retrospect, did anything about people's reactions to that surprise you?

Not really. It didn’t because the LGBT topic, it’s a hot topic in Russia still, and in some other countries. I think that the image that we actually came up with, that was the, I don’t know, genius idea, not only for us becoming famous, which I think that probably the image worked for, too, but we also had amazing songs, which is the most important thing.

Throughout, a lot of people were coming out of the closet. They were like, “Oh my God, I’m not alone in this.” So I’m looking at it as we helped a lot of people to realize that it’s not a sickness, it’s the way you are, it’s who you are, and if you are this way, then like Gaga’s song, you are born this way.

Do you have any stories of fans coming up to you saying your music was the reason they accepted themselves, or came out of the closet?

Thousands of letters; thousands of calls from fans on the (radio) shows. We even got a lot of emails saying that we saved his, or her life, because people were really ready to commit suicide, and we helped with our music — our music helped them to get through this. I’m telling you that I have goosebumps on my body. I think that’s a really big big big thing.

Your former musical partner, Julia, made some anti-gay comments that caused some eyebrows to be raised. You, on the other hand, have done a lot of work in the LGBT community. Have you been in touch with her, are you two still close at all?

We have not been in touch for a pretty long time. We got into a fight. We finished t.A.T.u., and I was doing my solo album, and we tried to work together for a little more after (the reunion to play at) the Olympics (in Sochi in 2014), because, I mean, you can’t say no to the Olympics. It didn’t really go anywhere because very soon it became clear that we cannot work together, so we got into a fight again, and we’re not in touch in any kind of way.

That’s sad.

It is sad. It is very sad, but that’s the way it is.

People change, and then you just grow apart because you have different points of view on things, a different way of working, and treating other people. It happened. It happened, and I’m actually happy that it happened.

Are you happy because it represents moving on to another phase of your life?

Yes. I am very happy because without us breaking up, I would probably never have started a solo career and never become a writer and start writing songs and grow up, because when you are in a band it’s a little different, you divide everything by two. All the energy — I’m not talking about the money right now — I’m talking about the psychological aspect of this.

When I started the solo career I realized I am responsible for myself, for nobody else, and everything depends on me. When you realize that I think it makes you stronger, it makes you smarter, wiser, it makes you research, it makes you go back and realize, and think, and make decisions, or try to make decisions, and look at things a little bit differently.

Tell us about your solo album, This Is Who I Am.

It's all me. It took me five years to finish this album, and it’s just everything — every thought in my soul, in my head, in my heart, different situations in life, that’s how my songs were created, under bad things happening, and good things happening, in life.

I was really depressed because t.A.T.u. was all I knew. I knew how to be in a band. I didn’t know how to be a solo artist. I was super scared. I felt like the ground was going out from under my feet. I was losing it, to be honest. I was so depressed. When I got the offer to do a solo project, it saved me.

'Clueless' Director Reveals How She Discovered Paul Rudd and It’s Pretty Dope of Her

2016-09-07T21:56:56.908Z

Before Paul Rudd was the founding member of the good guys club in your heart, he got his big break starring in Clueless as Cher’s couch potato ex-stepbrother.

In an interview with MLive, the film’s director Amy Heckerling explained how she picked Rudd to play the brown-noser to the movie’s superficial space cadet (Cher).

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Heckerling was very intentional about crafting the character of this aspiring environmental lawyer with spare time to be Cher’s driving instructor. According to MLive, Heckerling wrote him as someone who was “cute but not hunky; smart but not stuck up and with a conscience but not wimpy and annoying,” and no one who auditioned could fill those shoes.

She was going to throw in the towel when she stumbled on the pilot Wild Oats featuring Rudd. “There was something about him, and certainly when I met him I was ‘oh my God, this is great.’ I will be able to have what I want,” she said.

Now’s Your Chance to Be Kelly Ripa’s New Co-Host on Live!

Heckerling is currently working on a jukebox musical version of Clueless.

Relive the magic below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Jonah Hill Rock Out in the Mosh Pit at Kanye West’s Concert

2016-09-07T21:49:06.571Z

Kanye West’s Saint Pablo tour has only just started, but it’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about shows of the year. One of the highlights is watching Yeezy perform atop a floating stage that’s suspended over the general admission area, making it the perfect environment for a mosh pit.

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The mosh pit isn’t just for hardcore Kanye stans however — his NYC concerts have seen celebrities join in on the action just like everyone else. Case in point? West’s Tuesday night performance at Madison Square Garden, where actor Jonah Hill earnestly rocked his little heart out with rapper Vic Mensa while ‘Ye floated above them.

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You can watch Hill and Mensa mosh in the clip below.

Just a casual mosh pit with Vic Mensa & Jonah Hill #SaintPabloTour pic.twitter.com/cvEuPuWO32
— Andrew (@Aeezus__) September 6, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

The 12 Best Summer Movies You Might Have Missed

2016-09-07T21:33:32.977Z

With Labor Day come and gone, the summer movie season is officially over. And although the silver-screen stories of recent months were dominated by tales of box-office disappointments and superhero fatigue, there was plenty to relish in between the flops—and, indeed, even in some of the flops themselves.

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In case you missed them, here are the little indies that could, the gems that went straight to streaming and the overlooked triumphs worth a watch as the temperature begins its inevitable descent.

Please Enjoy This Hilarious Video of Tom Hiddleston Sing-Dancing a Shakespearean Love Sonnet

The Shallows

Many people wrote off Blake Lively’s showdown with a shark as an unworthy-looking successor to Jaws. And while it may not have enough bite to topple Steven Spielberg’s reign in the “gonna need a bigger boat” department, it proves watchable in its own right: a terrifying tale about a woman—“hair-tossingly fearless,” as TIME’s film critic Stephanie Zacharek puts it—who perseveres in the face of her toothy would-be killer. On top of which, as Zacharek notes, it’s a 90-minute masterclass in cinematography.

The Shallows is available for pre-order on Amazon.

The Fundamentals of Caring

The premise sounds familiar: a broken man begins taking care of a kid in a wheelchair, and in so doing begins to reassemble the shards of his life into something more meaningful. But in the hands of director Rob Burnett, The Fundamentals of Caring resists sliding into syrupy cliché, and the kid in the wheelchair (Craig Roberts) is defined by much more than his quadriplegia. Roberts and Paul Rudd, who plays the caretaker in question, have a rapport that evolves from tentative to tender, and Selena Gomez proves she’s much more than an overgrown Disney star.

Watch The Fundamentals of Caring on Netflix.

Wiener-Dog

Fans of Todd Solondz’s 1995 black comedy Welcome to the Dollhouse likely rushed out to see the filmmaker’s latest, but you don’t have to be steeped in Dawn Wiener’s world to appreciate her reincarnation, in the form of Greta Gerwig, in this bizarre but profoundly humane four-part tale. The movie follows a dachshund passed between four owners—a young boy, a twenty-something veterinary assistant (Gerwig), a washed-up film professor (Danny DeVito) and a bitter old woman (Ellen Burstyn)—and features an intermission in which the pup waltzes across various landscapes to the sound of her own western theme song.

Watch Weiner-Dog on Amazon.

The BFG

To judge by its bonafides—Steven Spielberg in the director’s seat, Roald Dahl behind the source material—The BFG was one of this summer’s can’t-miss family movies. But to judge by its box-office belly-flop—a $19 million opening weekend on a $140 million budget—it was indeed widely missed. Whatever the reasons for its failure to draw bigger crowds (and there are many theories), its worth shouldn’t be defined in dollars. Chief among its merits is Mark Rylance’s instantly winning gentle giant, who beautifully butchers the English language while protecting the story’s pint-sized protagonist and bringing Dahl’s whimsical ideas to life.

The BFG is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Captain Fantastic

Several of this summer’s movies probed issues of parenting, from The Phenom’s take on the obsessive sports dad to Bad Moms’ more lighthearted romp for overworked, underappreciated mothers. Captain Fantastic is perhaps the most extreme example, as it follows a father (Viggo Mortensen) raising his six kids off the grid in the Pacific Northwest, worshiping Noam Chomsky over Santa Claus and practicing extreme rock-climbing over suburban soccer tournaments. The crew of novice child actors is excellent, as is Mortensen as a headstrong father forced to confront whether what he thinks is best for his kids may actually be hurting them.

Captain Fantastic is available for pre-order on Amazon and iTunes.

Don’t Think Twice

You don’t need to be an improv junkie to appreciate comedian Mike Birbiglia’ssophomore feature, a nuanced comedy about an improv troupe in New York City, starring Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Tami Sagher, Kate Micucci and Chris Gethard. The movie, which deals with the fallout from one member of the troupe getting cast on an SNL-like variety show, offers an honest look at what it feels like to be jealous of your friends’ successes, anxious about your own future prospects and grappling with whether it’s time to ditch your dreams and face reality. As Gethard’s character puts it, “Your 20s are all about hope, and then your 30s are all about realizing how dumb it was to hope.”

Don’t Think Twice is still playing in limited theaters.

The Little Prince

There’s a lot to unpack in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 novella, one of the most translated works of the 20th century, and director Mark Osborne’s adaptation doesn’t skimp on the weighty themes. Imagination, loss and the importance of play are just a few of the threads woven through the animated film, which features voiceover work from Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais and, as the eccentric aviator who befriends the lonely little girl next door, Jeff Bridges. It’s not a straight adaptation—Saint-Exupéry’s story is embedded within a new, updated tale—but it’s the kind of layered work that can be revisited many times with increasing rewards.

Watch The Little Prince on Netflix.

Little Men

Filmmaker Ira Sachs concludes his trilogy of New York stories, which began with 2012’s Keep the Lights On and continued with 2014’s Love Is Strange, with a story about a friendship between boys complicated by the adult problems of their parents. When Brian and Kathy (Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Ehle) inherit a building in Brooklyn, their son Jake (Theo Taplitz) befriends the son (Michael Barbieri) of the seamstress (Paulina García) who rents the first-floor shop. The result is a modern coming-of-age tale that holds a magnifying glass to the incidental friendships and quiet dramas precipitated by the proximity of urban dwelling.

Little Men is still playing in limited theaters and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Hell or High Water

Come for Chris Pine’s brooding baby blues, stay for Jeff Bridges’ warm West Texas drawl. Call it a heist thriller or a neo-Western, David MacKenzie’s tale about two brothers (Pine and Ben Foster) robbing banks to save the family ranch transcends genre, elevating a series of stick-ups to a poetic examination of fraternal bonds in the face of desperation. The dusty landscape is quite literally painted onto Pine’s face, but the humanity of his character, a father trying to do right by his kids even if that means doing wrong, never stops shining through.

Hell or High Water is still playing in limited theaters and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Many children’s movies deal with grief, but few do it as honestly and as beautifully as Kubo and the Two Strings, the latest film from the Portland-based stop-animation studio Laika. The story centers on a young Japanese storyteller named Kubo who embarks on a perilous journey to battle an evil spirit. In the opening scenes, it’s revealed that Kubo’s father died when the boy was small and that his mother, catatonic from grief or a head wound or perhaps both, is, in a sense, gone in her own way, too. The movie is impressive for its stunning visuals alone—the result of a combination of giant puppets, 3-D-printed creatures and computer animation—but it’s the meditation on the healing power of memory that resonates long after the credits roll.

Kubo and the Two Strings is still playing in theaters and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Morris From America

You may know him from The Office or Hot Tub Time Machine but Craig Robinson, who won a special jury award at Sundance for his performance as a widowed father in Morris From America, shows new depths in this gem of a movie from writer-director Chad Hartigan. Robinson plays a soccer coach who has moved with his 13-year-old son Morris (Markees Christmas) to Heidelberg, Germany, where they are among the only black residents of the small university town. The father struggles to reach the adolescent son while the adolescent son struggles to reach the pretty blonde classmate, all the while reminding us that coming of age can be as tough on the parent as it is on the kid.

Morris From America is still playing in limited theaters and is available to rent on Amazon.

The Intervention

The easiest way to describe The Intervention is The Big Chill set 30 years in the future, and it’s a comparison which writer-director-star Clea DuVall says she welcomes. The premise: a group of college friends convene at a stately Southernvacation home for a weekend, ostensibly for a reunion but in reality to convince one of the couples that they’d be better off if they divorced. In a standout performance (which most of hers are), Melanie Lynskey is the architect of the intervention, though it turns out the one who meddles may be most in need of meddling.

Watch The Intervention on Amazon.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Damon Dash Blasts Beyonce and Jay Z For Never Revealing Becky's Identity

2016-09-07T16:27:16.983Z

Ever since Beyonce sang about "Becky with the good hair" in her song, "Sorry," everyone's been wondering who she is. And while many thought that she was fashion designer Rachel Roy, Becky's true identity has never been revealed. Now, Rachel's ex-husband Damon Dash is calling out both Bey and Jay Z for never setting the record straight.

'They are cowards," the producer told Grazia (via The Daily Mail) in an explosive new interview. 'They should have stepped up and said something."

Since the moment Rachel was speculated to be "Becky," her email's been hacked, phone number changed (by someone else) and even her and Damon's children have been bashed on social media.

'Adults can go and harass a kid on behalf of an R & B singer?" he said. "The trolls should have been put in jail for that, it was crazy."

Aside from any beef he has with Beyonce regarding the "Becky" ordeal, Damon also has some bad blood with Jay Z, as he used to be Hova's manager as well as business partner with Roc-a-Fella Records. And let's not forget the fact that Rachel and Jay have been rumored to actually have relations. But all Damon could say to that was, "I don't care what Rachel did, I don't agree with a lot of things she does."

Former Paramore Drummer Gets Shimmery with HALFNOISE

2016-09-07T16:17:14.935Z

Ex-Paramore drummer Zac Farro’s solo project, HALFNOISE, has been compared to Tame Impala and M83 in its shiny, shimmery splendor. Farro, who drummed on Paramore’s first three albums before leaving the group in 2010, just started drumming with Paramore again. But HALFNOISE started as an outlet for his own songs. The solo act also showcases his versatility as a musician — HALFNOISE’s synthy pop couldn’t be more different from Paramore’s emo sound.

On September 9, Farro drops Sudden Feeling, HALFNOISE’s second full-length. Summer may almost be over, but you can extend those long, lazy days by listening to it.

Hometown and homebase: Nashville, TN

You were Paramore’s drummer, then left, then started HALFNOISE, then started playing with them again recently. Were you always sure you were going to be a musician?

There was a moment when I first played a drum set for the first time when I was nine years old that made me feel something I had never experienced before. It wasn’t till later on in life I discovered my love for the writing songs.

Your solo effort is a cool surprise, especially for all the Paramore fans out there. How did HALFNOISE come to be?

I took some time off the road in 2010. It was then that I discovered I wanted to create and record. That’s when I started HALFNOISE.

Why go solo, then, instead of forming another band?

I tried playing in a few bands after I stopped playing with my old band, but nothing felt as good as developing my own music. I had grown up in a band; it felt time to try and do something on my own.

How did you develop your sound as HALFNOISE?

I then moved to New Zealand for a few years and really discovered my love for writing HALFNOISE songs.

Why the name? Does it mean anything?

I wanted to go by a project name. I just liked the way HALFNOISE sounded and didn’t want to go by Zac Farro. It felt too normal for me.

What's your songwriting process like?

I normally start with a key or guitar part, then start building a track off that, then think of the lyrics and melody once a rhythm or slight structure is in place. It’s not always like that, but that’s the most consistent pattern I suppose.

Do you remember the first song you wrote?

It might have been a break-up song called “Erase Me” — sounds so sad! [Laughs]

Who are your musical heroes?

The Beatles, Radiohead and Talking Heads. They were — are — game changers. The rhythm and melodic elements of the music and vocals are a massive inspiration for HALFNOISE. Probably [my biggest songwriting influence is] The Beatles. I feel like they were just as much limitless as accessible. They still inspire me every time I listen to them. Also, Afrobeat music and Talking Heads for the rhythm side of things.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

This may not be the craziest, but a few fans came up to Nashville from Cuba to see us play. That was amazing.

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

I just say HALFNOISE is indie-pop with some electronic elements.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

Probably #lol. lol

What’s your big 2016 goal?

To release Sudden Feeling, tour it around and meet people!

The Weeknd on New Music: "The Production Feels Aggressive But Still Sexy"

2016-09-07T16:09:51.551Z

The Weeknd's 2015 album, Beauty Behind the Madness, was not only one of most highly praised of that year but also a breakthrough record for the Toronto singer. So how can he follow that one up? Simple. By changing up his playlist and letting different sounds inspire him.

"There are new inspirations on this album," he tells VMAN. "The production feels aggressive but still sexy. The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles. We wrote it all in Los Angeles."

He also adds: "I think it'll be the best-sounding album I've ever done. It's hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced."

The Weeknd is very vague about the new album. However, when asked about how he will be able to produce something on the same level as Beauty Behind the Madness, he says, "My purpose is to make exciting music, and I feel like I'll be doing that for the rest of my life, so there’s no pressure. Nothing is stopping me from doing what I love to do."

Watch Britney Spears Break All the Rules

2016-09-07T16:02:35.060Z

Britney Spears is, without a doubt, a pop star. And Ellen Degeneres wanted to put that celebrity status to the test by taking Britney to the Westfield Fashion Square Mall in Los Angeles to run amuck and do whatever they please. From walking out of Bloomingdale's with a dress shirt and blazer without paying to requesting free sprinkles at Ben & Jerry's (without ice cream...or a cup), these two ladies did what they wanted. Why? Because they're celebrities! Ellen even went so far as to convince a 14-year-old to change his career aspirations from a doctor to a celeb and told parents to start putting their kids on diets so they can grow up to be famous. While Ellen was leading the show, Britney was just enjoying the ride.

Watch their antics below.

8 Great Ways to Stream the NFL Season

2016-09-07T08:00:26.252Z

The 2016/2017 NFL season is upon us! Sure, there's nothing like gathering around the TV every Sunday to enjoy football with friends, but in a world where television is rapidly being replaced by streaming services, what are those without cable to do? Stream them online, of course! Read on to find out how.

Twitter

Twitter recently purchased the streaming rights to 10 Thursday Night Football games, which means that as long as you have an Internet connection or a good data package, you can watch said games wherever and on whatever device you'd like (you don't even need a Twitter account). Twitter will also utilize Periscope for pre-game coverage and in-game highlights. Check out what Twitter has brewing here.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers a seven-day free trial when you first sign up as a customer, so if you're trying to tune in for the Super Bowl or other one-off games from your favorite local teams, this would be a good one-time option. Otherwise, you could continue past the trial date and pay $40 a month for the Orange+Blue plan, which will get you Fox, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network. And for an extra $5 a month you can add NFL RedZone. Sling TV is available on Mac, Windows, Apple TV, Roku, and basically everything else. Get Sling TV here.

Playstation Vue

Similarly to Sling TV, you can sign up for a free seven-day trial of Playstation Vue. Sign up for their Core or Elite plans ($35-$45 a month) to get the NFL Network, and pay an extra $40 for RedZone for the season. You can watch Playstation Vue via iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Google Chromecast. While you don’t need an actual Playstation system to do this, you will need a free Playstation Network account.

NFL Sunday Ticket App

Move to another state and still want to watch your hometown team play? Then DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket streaming video service may be your best bet. For $50 a month, stream out-of-market games from non-local teams from the comfort of your laptop, tablet or mobile device. Learn more here.

Fox, NBC & ESPN Online

Available from mobile devices and computers, you can login to Fox, NBC or ESPN to stream games live this season. This is the most reliable and simplest option for folks who have a cable login at their disposal (just use the same one you steal for Game of Thrones). Find ESPN here; find Fox here; find NBC here.

CBS All Access

With CBS All Access, you can stream live TV plus over 7,500 episodes on demand across all devices. Which includes CBS football games! While you won't get to watch every matchup, at $5.99 (plus a free week trial) it's a more cost-effective option. Click here to get started.

NFL Mobile App

Verizon Wireless subscribers can stream several NFL games through the NFL Mobile app via their iPhone or Android. Watch local Saturday afternoon games, plus Sunday, Monday and Thursday night games. For an extra $1.99 a month, get access to NFL RedZone. Because this is for Verizon Wireless customers, you can only watch the games on your smartphone. Download the app here.

NFL Game Pass

If you don't care about watching the game a little bit later than the rest of us, you can purchase an NFL Game Pass to watch replays and live preseason games at $99.99 per season. Click here to start your free, seven-day trial.

KT Tunstall Wants to Become Your 'Kin'

2016-09-07T07:55:52.471Z

It’s been ten years since we’ve learned the hard truth behind the fashion industry from Devil Wears Prada: working for a fashion magazine is as hard as it is glamorous. The same can be said about the life of a musician. For example, Scottish singer KT Tunstall, whose hit “Suddenly I See” scored the opening scene of the (already) classic movie.

Her 2005 breakthrough allowed KT not only to leave busking behind, but also took her around the world and let her release five albums. The sixth one, Kin, drops September 9 and comes as a surprise to everyone, including KT, who decided to abandon making records several years ago and relocated to LA to pursue a career of scoring films. Apparently the hold pop music had over her was too strong to deny, and now KT is ready to make a comeback with what she promises to be “some of the best stuff I’ve ever written.”

We chatted with the Scottish songstress about her decade-spanning career; foray into film scoring; Devil Wears Prada and Kin.

I still remember hearing your first song on the radio.

Oh, yeah, it was a long time ago, haha!

Yes, I wasn’t even in high school back then.

Oh, that’s so sweet! And so weird for me. Sometimes I have fully-grown adults coming up to me and just going “I’ve been listening to your music my whole life.” And I’m like “How is that possible?”

So where are you at this very moment?

I am on an amazingly beautiful Scottish island called Orkney. I’m walking by some sparkling water in the sunshine and it’s covered in seabirds and it’s just beautiful.

Seems like a perfect place to start writing your next record…

It’s all done, it’s all done!

No, I know, I was talking about the follow-up. I know how you musicians are — you never stop working.

It’s so funny, I have actually started tinkling with some ideas. It’s true.

Good to know. Especially since you were about to give up on releasing albums before making this new one, right?

Yes. I didn’t think that I would give up forever. I just thought I really needed some time out. I needed a hiatus. I honestly didn’t think I was gonna write a record for a good few years. Maybe five to ten years. I really wanted to do something else, I felt very burned out, I didn’t feel that I was enjoying touring as much anymore. As you get older it’s more of a sacrifice every time. You’re away from home, from friends and family. You have to love it and I’ve been doing it for ten years. I loved my last record, fans responded so well. I toured the record solo and they were these very beautiful sit down shows. The shows were very emotional and gentle. I was wearing a suit that was made for me by Dior. It was a beautiful experience, but at the end of it I felt very exhausted. It takes so much from me to play in that environment with everyone seated. It’s very difficult for people to express themselves when they’re sitting. So I felt done.

I enrolled in a Sundance Film Festival composers lab in California. I sold everything I owned in London and moved to Venice Beach. I’d wanted to work in film music for many years but didn’t have time. And that’s what I did. I did music for some short films and a couple of feature films with other composers. Made songs specifically for movies. I was just flexing different creative muscles and it felt so good to do something else.

But I love listening to music in a car. I was driving to Laurel Canyon, Mulholland Drive and places like that and listening to Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchel. It’s just got into my bloodstream and I connected with the fact that this music had been written in that place. And I started writing these muscly big powerful emotional pop choruses and it reminded me of the first record. It felt very carefree, very joyful, but at the same time very vulnerable and honest.

At first my body and my mind were very annoyed going, I don’t wanna write anymore, shut up! And then the spirit won. If it was folk music that was coming out of me like the last record, I’d probably just put it on a shelf. But the fact that it was these very powerful songs didn’t let me ignore it. I feel like this is some of the best stuff I’ve ever written.

Talking about touring alone — maybe now you can have some company since you have James Bay appearing on your record.

It was one of the best collaborative experiences I’ve ever had. He’s an extraordinary musician. I was so pleased that he did this song with me. We met at the Jools Holland show last New Year’s and made friends. We admired each other’s work. A few days after meeting him I realized he’d be perfect for the song I really wanted someone to duet with on. I wrote to him going “Hey, I know you’re owning the world, but would you like to finish writing this song with me?” And he agreed right away. He was coming to LA and we had this beautiful Sunday where he came by and we finished the song. He could’ve easily done it in one take. And he did it in three. It was just fantastic.

Since you both have quite long hair, did you exchange any beauty tips?

Haha! The guy has much better quality hair than I do, I’ll tell you that much! He only has to deal with the bottom part of his hair — his hat deals with the roots. Totally smart move!

One of the songs on the record is called “It Took Me So Long to Get Here (But Here I Am).” Is it about you reflecting on your career?

Yeah, that song is arguably my favorite song on the record. It’s absolutely the mission statement for the album and such a meaningful song for me. I decided to really try and embrace my vulnerability as much as possible with this record and just say it how it is. The lyrics are very honest and completely autobiographical and real. With this song I just wanted to go out and celebrate it with the fans who come to the shows. We go through all of this shit in our lives and we don’t just survive it, we become better, wiser people and therefor find your kin at the end of that journey.

Your songs were placed in many movies and TV shows. Which one is your favorite?

It has to be Devil Wears Prada. It was an utterly extraordinary experience — to have a new artist and a new song used in its entirety in a movie. My manager at the time told me: “Enjoy it, it doesn’t happen very often.” It was a huge and brilliant movie. Because of that movie I went to Japan, because the Japanese fans are so into fashion and suddenly I’m like a fashion girl with my own 9-page-long fashion spread. There’s nothing like hearing your music playing over a movie theater’s sound system. It’s just such a thrill.

Would you ever want to run a fashion magazine yourself?

I could never run a fashion magazine. I’d be constantly trying to slip in articles about dolphins and whales and puppies and too many other things.

Maybe a Japanese fashion magazine then…

Haha. Maybe it could work, you never know. I think if I wasn’t a musician I’d love to be a jeweler.

I know you started as a busker. Do you still get to busk on the streets? Venice beach seems like a perfect place for that.

I have to be honest: it’s nice to not have to do this anymore. I quite enjoy going by other buskers and thinking, Good for you, I don’t have to do this anymore. I did my time. It’s hard work! But it was amazing training. One of the many things that I learned from this, that I take to my shows now, is that you have to earn people’s attention. You shouldn’t just expect people to listen to anything that you have to say or play. If I have a noisy crowd at my show, I’ll really do anything I can and put in 110% to make sure I’m putting on a performance to get their attention. And if that still doesn’t work, I’ll tell them to shut the fuck up.

Let’s talk about one of your older hits. Did you ever plant a cherry tree?

I didn’t. When I lived outside of London in the countryside there was a cherry tree in the garden. And one of my friends during a party bought a really cheesy statue of a black horse and put it at the bottom of the tree. We found it the next morning with a hangover. It was pretty funny. I remember eating my first cherry off that tree and chuckling to myself.

I know you're pretty tech-saavy, so what are you favorite phone apps?

You’re right. Garage Band for iPhone is absolutely astounding. I wrote some of the demos on my phone using it. I also like artistic apps, so I use Mextures photography app. I’m a huge Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat fan. I have so much fun with them and love interacting with fans.

So no pokemon?

I don’t have time! It looks quite fun, but I don’t have time and I’m also quite clumsy. I’d be among these people who’s in the news for falling off a cliff.

Okay, so don’t install it wherever you are right now!

Yes, I won’t. It’s beautiful here without the pokemon.

And finally what’s your gem right now?

“WTF” by Missy Elliott. It’s so good! We use it as a warm-up music before we go on stage.

Fantasy Football Wheeling and Dealing with a WWE Spin

2016-09-07T07:54:29.131Z

Labor Day weekend is all about road trips, cooking on the grill and America’s new favorite pastime activity: Fantasy Football.

Not only am I a connoisseur of pro-wrestling, but I also enjoy and partake in the game of fantasy football. This booming industry and craze has NFL fans meeting up before the start of the season; huddling together over stats and depth charts, as they select players to build their teams. It’s basically Dungeons & Dragons for the sports inclined.

To the victors go the spoils and in full disclosure, I’m not only a fantasy competitor but I’m also a champion:

But enough patting myself on the back. WWE held their own Draft back in July, selecting WWE Superstars for their brand split, as talent went to either RAW or Smackdown Live. For every two picks Smackdown got, RAW got three since they have a three-hour show. The results were met with mixed reactions, as fans were left questioning the moves that were made and the ones that weren’t. The consensus is that Smackdown Live got the short end of the stick.

In the spirit of fantasy drafting, we made ourselves the draft commissioner for WWE. These are the trades, signings and cuts we would make in order to improve both Raw and Smackdown Live. So let’s get down to business.

Smackdown Live Trades for Chris Jericho

Smackdown’s top tier shelf was paper-thin even before Alberto Del Rio left the company. With Del Rio gone and John Cena taking time off to work on Hollywood projects, the Blue brand needs to add a main-event, quality veteran. Here comes Chris Jericho to the rescue. As hilarious as ‘Jeri-KO’ was as a tag-team, it looks like the pairing of Jericho and Kevin Owens is no more, now that Owens is the Universal Champion. Jericho’s recent resurgence with his comedic promos and “it” could easily put him in the title mix, reigniting his feud with Dean Ambrose, or squaring off against AJ Styles.

RAW’s Cruiserweight Division Lands Kalisto

In giving up Jericho, RAW would acquire Kalisto in return. Being wasted in filler matches against Baron Corbin, there’s nothing for Kalisto in Smackdown. Shane McMahon’s brand doesn’t have cruiserweights and Kalisto doesn’t have a partner to compete in the tag team division. Having him drafted to Smackdown Live made no sense. Arguably the most recognizable cruiserweight WWE has, Kalisto could easily be the face of that division, having already been United States Champion. If WWE wants to mold this high flying luchador into the next Rey Misterio Jr., they need to right this wrong and send him to RAW.

Undertaker Rises From the Dead on Smackdown

RAW has their big special attraction in Brock Lesnar, and Smackdown Live has…Heath Slater?

While I love Slater’s new free agent push, he doesn’t bring the star power that Lesnar or the Deadman does. Smackdown has to sign the biggest free agent out there to give their show a must-see talent. But what’s left of the Phenom you might be asking? Sure, Undertaker looks more like “The Undertaker’s Father” considering his age and the wear and tear on his body. But realistically Shane and General Manager Daniel Bryan will only utilize their legendary superstar in a limited capacity, specifically for big PPV matches. Imagine his return, as the gong hits and lights go out!

Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel Get Cut From RAW

In baseball, if you aren’t putting up numbers, you get sent down to the minors so that you can hopefully fix yourself. Case in point, the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig. The WWE equivalent is being sent down to NXT.

NXT should be seen more as a golden opportunity than a punishment, considering how "hot" that brand is. Former NXT Champion Bo Dallas could use some “Bo-lieving” considering he’s been floundering on the main roster, and non-existent on RAW. With his recent arrest at an airport for being hammered, the clock’s ticking on his WWE run. Some time back in the place where he’s had the most success could reinvigorate his career. His talent isn’t the issue, he just has to find the right gimmick to get him over with the WWE Universe.

For Curtis Axel, NXT is possibly his final chance. His career has basically flat-lined. It’s either now or never for the son of the legendary “Mr. Perfect” Curt Henning. Not inheriting his father’s charisma or appeal, Axel has to find something that works for him and NXT should allow him to find an angle to shine as a singles competitor or a tag team specialist. Whatever it is, it’d better work, as our magic eight ball shows: outlook not so good.

Both Women’s Divisions Bolster Their Ranks

So here we have Emma being signed by Smackdown, while veteran wrestler, Mickie James signs with RAW. Prior to injuring her back in May (requiring surgery), “Evil” Emma was building a nice little run. On Smackdown Live, she’ll get more of an opportunity to shine and go after the championship instead of getting stuck behind Sasha, Charlotte and Bayley on RAW.

Being out of the WWE since 2010, Mickie James would be a great addition to RAW, pushing the new crop of women. The former five-time Women’s champion doesn’t have to carry the division, as she’ll be used as a seasoned competitor in the ring and a mentor behind the scenes. Women like Nia Jax and Paige would benefit from squaring off against James.

Shane McMahon Signs Kurt Angle to Settle a Score

Looking past the blood bath, Brock Lesnar v. Randy Orton was a dud of a match. In order to avoid another crapper like that, Smackdown should go out and hire a talent from the past. Kurt Angle against Brock Lesnar is a headlining moneymaker for a PPV like Survivor Series or WrestleMania 33.

Shane McMahon’s looking for retribution against Lensar, for getting F5’d at SummerSlam. The smart play is for Shane to stay out of the ring and bring in a man who can compete and match-up with Lesnar on skill and intimidation. "The Beast Incarnate" and "The Olympic Gold Medalist" have battled before, but it’s been ten years since Angle last competed in WWE, so a return against Lensar would be insanely entertaining!

Getting to Know... The Starting Line

2016-09-07T07:53:36.052Z

It’s been 14 years since The Starting Line blessed the pop-punk music world with their debut album, Say It Like You Mean It, and we’ve been in love ever since. Following two more successful studio album releases and a hiatus, the band made a comeback and played this year’s Taste of Chaos music festival.

Myspace caught up with the guys before their performance to talk about the past; how things have changed over the years and what they’ve learned from it all.

Kenny Vasoli

Age: 32
Instrument: Vocals and bass guitar
How have you grown as both an individual and as a musician over the the past ten years? Maybe like an inch and a half. Wider. We upgraded to playing 4 or 5 chords and added some harmonies and dimension to our sound.
What advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out? I’m not really one for going back and trying to tell my younger self stuff because I feel like I’m well enough adjusted now that I feel like you have to go through that stuff to learn what’s going to set you down the right path for the rest of your life. That’s what being a kid is all about, and as far as being a kid, it was a pretty awesome time.
What artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decade? Probably Anthony [Green]. Anthony’s seemed like he was sort of touched from the get-go, like when he started performing with Circa [Survive], I think everybody on the Warped Tour was turning their heads like ‘oh shit, someone bending the genre a little bit.’ Glassjaw was an amazing influence and helped to break us out of the box. They were another band that was always doing something different and pushing the envelope, and it was rock solid.
Guilty pleasure: Ice cream — any flavor, you name it. Have you had vanilla before? It’s good!

Matt Watts

Age: 37
Instrument: Guitar
How have you grown as both an individual and as a musician over the the past ten years? We went from being a full-time band to a part-time band, which makes us appreciate one another for the four or five shows that we get to play every year.
(Golla: It makes the shows that much better—you definitely don’t take any of them for granted. When you live on the road for a while, it just becomes part of the routine and you don’t appreciate it as much as you should.
Schmutz: It makes shows like this super exciting. We’re always available for something really cool, like if this show is happening, we’re down.)
What advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out? You’re not going to be Aerosmith or the Rolling Stones. I thought I was going to be Keith Richards.
(Schmutz: You thought that? Haha!)
What artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decade? We all love Hot Rod [Circuit]. We’ve done Warped Tours together, so we’re pretty tight with those guys and big fans of theirs. They aren’t on this tour, but Brand New is a band whose evolution I admire. I got to see them play the other day in Tampa, and it was amazing to see their growth in terms of their fan base but also pushing boundaries creatively and they do it at such a high level, so it’s been fun to watch.
Guilty pleasure: Float tanks or sensory deprivation chambers. You’re weightless, can’t see, and can’t hear anything, so it’s a really interesting way to meditate and hit the reset button. I was bored the first 10 minutes, but then I got into the groove and now I do it pretty frequently and love it.

Mike Golla

Age: 35
Instrument: Guitar
How have you grown as both an individual and as a musician over the the past ten years? We’ve definitely all gotten older —
(Vasoli: — but we’re still young...)
What advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out? Save all of your money — that’s the most realistic advice I could give myself. Appreciate it more while you’re in it. When we were in it and touring around playing these awesome shows, we were just in this feeling that hardly spoken about, but in a sense we thought it was going to last forever. It doesn’t, and it’s kind of mutual when it doesn’t last forever, but don’t take it for granted.
What artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decade? I’m beyond excited to be here with The Get Up Kids since it’s something we’ve never done together.
(Vasoli: HUGE influence on us.)
Guilty pleasure: Disney movies, because I have a handful of kids and they’re all girls, so there’s a lot of pink and princess stuff happening at my house. Pixar movies are pretty awesome.
(Vasoli: Golla’s basically super dad.)

Brian Schmutz

Age: 84 (ha!)
Instrument: Keyboards
How have you grown as both an individual and as a musician over the the past ten years? I joined the band later, and we definitely started experimenting with the sound. Based On A True Story was one sound, then Direction was another —there’s still a bunch of dick jokes in the lyrics, but otherwise we’re a regular Foo Fighters of our genre.
What advice would you go back and give yourself when you were just starting out? Talk to James Dewees. He’s the reason I started playing keys.
What artist(s) have you been most excited to watch grow and progress alongside you over the past decade? New Found Glory was really instrumental with getting us on the road and helping us get our feet wet when it came to playing shows, and spring-boarded us into exposure through their fans, which is something we’re probably in debt for.
Guilty pleasure: I’m a big movie dork. I watch them constantly, and recently I’ve been getting into a lot of comedies.

Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston Break Up After Three Months

2016-09-06T22:51:38.413Z

Hiddleswift is no longer. According to People, the hot and heavy couple broke up after three lustful months.

"It was an amicable break up," a source told the publication. But what could have gone awry this summer, after the couple met each other's parents; traveled the world (including Italy and Australia) and spent the 4th of July at T-Swift's annual star-studded affair?

To that, we don't have an answer, but what we can say is we're not surprised. Guess we'll just have to add Tom Hiddleston to the never-ending list of Taylor's exes.

16 Groovy Photos of Beyoncé’s ‘Soul Train’-Themed Birthday Party

2016-09-06T22:11:20.831Z

After a year devoted to basically slaying us all, Beyoncé turned 35 on Sunday and celebrated as only Queen Bey could: with a groovy Soul Train-themed birthday bash. Bey gathered her nearest and dearest for a party of epic proportions in NYC, where the dancing was hot, the flares were big and the hair was bigger. As with all good parties, the soiree was documented by its very star-studded guest list because if there aren’t pics, did it even happen?

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Here are 16 of the most FOMO-inducing Instagrams, Snapchats, and tweets from Beyoncé’s fabulously funky Soul Train birthday party.

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Carmelo and LaLa Anthony: Basketball’s most ballerific couple truly committed to the groovy Soul Train theme, channeling Jimi Hendrix and Donna Summer, respectively.

I don't think I've ever danced so much in my life!!! 👟👟👟 Happy Birthday B! 🐝

A photo posted by LaLa (@lala) on Sep 6, 2016 at 7:15am PDT

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys: The couple turned out for Bey’s big day with a counter-culture take on the funky theme; Swizz also took a turn at the turntables at the party that night.

HBD my virgo sis Beyoncé 🙌🏽 date night at the soul train party with my Love⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

A photo posted by therealswizzz (@therealswizzz) on Sep 5, 2016 at 9:31pm PDT

#SwizzBeats had the party rockin lastnight for #BeysSoulTrainBDayParty 🐝🎉

A video posted by Magic 103.9 (@magic1039) on Sep 6, 2016 at 6:03am PDT

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie: Diddy and Cassie showed off their ’70s style in the kitchen alongside iconic hip hop stylist June Ambrose; Diddy seemed to enjoy himself immensely at the party, according to his Snapchat.

#juneafterdark Guess who was the chef in the kitchen tonight! Ask @iamdiddy & @iamdiddy for the ingredients! 😝 #WillieEarl

A photo posted by June Ambrose (@juneambrose) on Sep 5, 2016 at 11:31pm PDT

Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams: Beyoncé’s Destiny’s Child co-members were on deck to help their friend celebrate; Rowland channeled Diana Ross while Williams went for a Cher-inspired look.

Good times with @diandre_tristan at 👑🐝's birthday party. Can't half step when it's a themed party. @diandre_tristan was @gucci'd down!!! I called him with an idea and he made sure my look was right. Custom jumpsuit by @iluvtylerwells! Makeup by @elenageorge1mkp. #sonnyandcher #michellewilliams #balance

A photo posted by Michelle Williams (@realmichellew) on Sep 6, 2016 at 6:05am PDT

#KellyRowland X #Lala busting a move at #Beyonce's #Soultrain themed birthday party! #BeysSoulTrainBDayParty

A video posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Sep 5, 2016 at 8:01pm PDT

Usher: No one enjoyed this theme party more than Usher. The singer Snapchatted the entire party, much to our benefit, showing us what might be the best couples dance in the history of couples dance as done by Bey and Jay.

👀 Happy Birthday Beyoncé!

A photo posted by Usher (@usher) on Sep 6, 2016 at 5:21am PDT

#TheCarters show that they can have a little fun too at #beyssoultrainbdayparty! #jayz #beyonce #k104

A video posted by K104 (@k104fm) on Sep 6, 2016 at 7:23am PDT

Solange Knowles: Bey’s little sister was on hand to wish her a happy 35th birthday.

Solange and her hubby from ushers snap..did y'all hear blue in the background 😭😭😍 #BeysSoulTrainBdayParty #Beyonce

A video posted by Beyoncé 👑 Fanpage (@beyonce.slayys) on Sep 5, 2016 at 9:25pm PDT

Chance the Rapper: It’s a well-established fact that Chance might be the biggest Beyoncé fan of all, judging from his reaction to her surprising him at the MTV Video Music Awards. While he already performed a sweet birthday tribute to his “Auntie Yoncé” at this weekend’s Made In America Festival, Chance also partied with Queen Bey at her party and paid subtle homage to Lemonade with a lemon slice adorned belt.

Happy bday TT! You are so good to me! @Beyonce pic.twitter.com/2K0MM0vwFI
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) September 6, 2016

#happybirthdaybeyonce pic.twitter.com/25T3Lvqu46
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) September 6, 2016

Kendrick Lamar: Bey’s “Freedom” collaborator helped her celebrate her birthday, where he partied with music producer Detail.

@kendricklamar new reasons why to do dis !!

A photo posted by detailgo (@detailgo) on Sep 6, 2016 at 1:30am PDT

Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman: Queen Bey’s supermodel squad from the “Yoncé” music video showed up in their groovy best, ready to dance.

HAppy Birthday @beyonce 🎉🎊🎉 We ❤️ ya

A photo posted by Chanel Iman (@chaneliman) on Sep 6, 2016 at 8:07am PDT

Oh Bey hive 🔮☮🎶

A video posted by Chanel Iman (@chaneliman) on Sep 6, 2016 at 7:53am PDT

Serena Williams: The foremost athlete of our time took time from the US Open to party with Tyrone Wells and Kelly Rowland at the bash.

@kellyrowland @serenawilliams ❤️ ❤️

A photo posted by Ty Hunter (@tytryone) on Sep 6, 2016 at 5:16am PDT

Chloe and Halle: Beyoncé’s protégés helped her ring in another year with soul-themed looks.

we got soullllll

A photo posted by chloe x halle (@chloeandhalle) on Sep 5, 2016 at 10:03pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Why This Week’s iPhone Event Is a Big Deal for Apple

2016-09-06T21:22:09.581Z

Not long ago, it seemed Apple’s iPhone was impervious to gravity. For nearly a decade, Apple set a new company record for smartphone sales every three months. No longer. iPhone sales have dropped on a year-over-year basis for two straight quarters. That’s bad news for Apple, which makes more than half of its money from the device.

That’s not to say Apple is in dire straits. It’s still the world’s most valuable firm by market capitalization, reliably taking in revenue north of $40 billion every quarter for the past two years. Profits, meanwhile, have hovered around $10 billion. But the iPhone situation puts a great deal of pressure on the company, and CEO Tim Cook, as it prepares to unveil a refreshed model on Wednesday at a high-profile event in San Francisco, California. (The company has not officially said the event is for a new iPhone, but it’s safe to say that’s what’s in store.)

Because Apple typically releases new iPhones on a predictable schedule (every two years for a big refresh, with minor upgrades in between), it’s natural for sales to dip somewhat in the months leading up to big new release. Savvy shoppers, of course, are loathe to spend money on a device that’s about to be outmoded. Yet if the rumor mill is to be believed, this year’s iPhone will offer little by way of major upgrades. In fact, the most notable expected change, the absence of a dedicated headphone jack, could prove a headache for consumers forced to either upgrade their headphones or use an unwieldy adapter. (The shutterbug set, however, might enjoy what’s said to be an improved camera system.) Meanwhile, Apple’s chief rival in the smartphone arena, Samsung, has lately been emerging as a stronger-than-ever competitor, an embarrassing recall of its latest device notwithstanding.

What to Expect From Apple’s Big iPhone Event This Week

Apple is also contending with broader changes in the wireless industry. Mobile carriers like Verizon and AT&T are revamping how they sell smartphones. Instead of offering a discounted device every two years, carriers are increasingly selling phones through a kind of payment plan, wherein customers pay for the full cost of their phones over time. That has two effects on consumers, both of which can depress smartphone sales: Shoppers no longer get a biannual nudge to upgrade their device, and they are feeling the full, unsubsidized cost of their often very expensive phones for the first time. To deal with this, Apple recently introduced a payment plan of its own, which offers new iPhones every year, plus damage insurance, for a monthly fee.

Apple is hitting roadblocks in China, too. Once a source of mind-boggling growth, the company’s sales in what it calls “Greater China,” which includes the mainland and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, dropped 33% in the most recent quarter compared to the previous year. That’s the result of three factors: China’s slowing economic growth, unfavorable currency rates and hotter competition from local upstarts selling cheaper yet still high-quality smartphones.

Facing flagging iPhone sales, Cook and other Apple executives have spent the last few earnings calls stressing the company’s growth in what it calls “services,” which include offerings like streaming music and online storage. Indeed, the category is a bright spot for Apple, with revenue hitting close to $6 billion in the most recent quarter, up 19% year-over-year. That may seem a paltry figure in contrast with the company’s more than $24 billion in iPhone revenue, but it remains impressive nonetheless. Cook’s goal is for services alone to reach “the size of a Fortune 100 company by next year,” he told CNBC earlier this summer.

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Like any technology company facing headwinds with its flagship product, Apple is investing mightily in innovation. The company’s research and development spending could hit $10 billion this year, according to one estimate, up 30% from 2015. Like many Silicon Valley firms, Apple is notoriously tight-lipped about its future plans. Part of that money is undoubtedly going to new versions of hardware like the iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac computers and so on. But the company’s recent investments in artificial intelligence and healthcare suggest those are also areas of interest for the company — and potentially very lucrative fields to boot. The persistent rumor that Apple is building an automobile, meanwhile, refuses to die.

Services and skunkworks are indeed reasons to be optimistic about Apple’s future. But neither can do much to alleviate the pressures facing the company in the short term. Investors increasingly view Apple as a source of steady, not meteoric, growth. If it can truly wow consumers with its latest gadgets Wednesday, it might delay that narrative from taking a wider hold. Otherwise, it’s safe to expect the company won’t be setting more eye-popping records any time soon.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

7 Things We Learned From 'Pottermore Presents,' the New Harry Potter eBooks

2016-09-06T20:54:39.039Z

Those who thought that the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in July 2007 marked the end of the franchise couldn’t have been more wrong.

As well as the succeeding movies, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them due for release this November and the highly-acclaimed Cursed Child play delighting audiences in London, J.K. Rowling has kept diehard Potter fans satisfied with regular essays and explanations from the wizarding world on the interactive fansite, Pottermore.

Now her enlightening updates and personal reflections have been knitted into three short story collections, released as $2.70 eBooks Tuesday.Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide, Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists and Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies are packed full of surprises and intricate details about much-loved characters, insight into magical history and revelations of Rowling’s writing regrets. Here are seven things we learned:

1. Why the Hogwarts Express was controversial to begin with

The Hogwarts Express is an integral part of Harry Potter. It’s on the magic train that Harry, Ron and Hermione first meet, where Harry first comes across a Dementor (which causes him to pass out) and the last, moving scene in the final book revolves around the Platform 9¾ drop off.

But getting the Hogwarts Express ready to transport witches and wizards to school was no easy feat – secret records at the Ministry of Magic detail a “mass operation involving one hundred and sixty-seven Memory Charms and the largest ever mass Concealment Charm performed in Britain”. The next morning, Muggle railway workers in Crewe woke with the uncomfortable notion they had mislaid something important – while villagers in Hogsmeade were were amazed to see a “gleaming scarlet steam engine” waiting in a station they didn’t know existed.

The Hogwarts Express is leaving! Did you make it to the train in time? #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/72K2b2rtfa
— Pottermore (@pottermore) September 1, 2016

Even though the mass operation went to plan, many pure-blood families were outraged by the idea of their children using “unsafe, insanitary and demeaning” Muggle transport. However, their objections were overruled by the Ministry who said if their children wanted to go to Hogwarts, they had to get the train.

2. What came before the Sorting Hat

Before Rowling decided on a Sorting Hat as the way of dividing the students into the four houses, she dabbled with the idea of four statues taking charge. Writing in Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide, Rowling explains that after deciding against a “Heath Robinson-ish machine that did all kinds of magical things before reaching a decision,” she “placed four statues of the four founders in the Entrance Hall, which came alive and selected students from the throng in front of them while the school watched”.

This didn’t feel right though, and she eventually settled on the Sorting Hat – inspired by the classic notion of pulling names out of a hat to choose someone for a game.

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3. Which of J.K. Rowling’s creations made life most complicated

The Marauder’s Map—a magical document that allowed Harry to see all the goings on at Hogwarts—became “something of a bane to its true originator (me) because it allowed Harry a little too much freedom of information,” Rowling writes. However, despite the complication of the plot device, Rowling “on balance” is glad she did not let Harry leave the map in Mad-Eye Moody’s office as she “like[s] the moment when Harry watches Ginny’s dot moving around the school in Deathly Hallows“.

Like the Marauder’s Map, Hermione’s Time-Turner, which enabled her to time travel, opened up “a vast number of problems” for Rowling. To solve it, she emphasised, by way of Dumbledore and Hermione, how dangerous it would be to be seen in the past.

She also had Hermione give the Time-Turner back when she was done using it and smashed all the remaining devices in during the Department of Mysteries battle. “This is just one example of the ways in which, when writing fantasy novels, one must be careful what one invents,” Rowling writes. However the Time-Turner makes a comeback as the central plot device in the Cursed Child play.

4. What happens to Professor Quirrell in Sorcerer’s Stone

Professor Quirrell is “turned into a temporary Horcrux by Voldermort” in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Rowling writes in Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists. This explains his weakened state; “he is greatly depleted by the physical strain of fighting the far stronger, evil soul inside him”.

5. What Azkaban’s name means

In Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, Rowling writes that the name of the wizard’s prison, Azkaban, derives from Alcatraz – the high-security prison located in the San Francisco Bay, which Rowling describes as Azkaban’s “closest Muggle equivalent, being set on an island”.

The rest of the word is inspired by the Hebrew term “Abaddon,” meaning “‘place of destruction’ or ‘depths of hell'”.

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6. Who Minerva McGonagall’s parents were

Undoubtedly a favourite of the Hogwarts teachers, Transfiguration professor and later headmistress Minerva McGonagall is the first child of a Scottish Presbyterian minister named Reverend Robert McGonagall and a Hogwarts-educated witch named Isobel Ross.

Reverend Robert, a Muggle, believed that Isobel attended a selective ladies’ boarding school in England and even after their child was born, Isobel did not reveal her true identity. Writing in Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Rowling explains that eventually Isobel confessed the truth to Robert, who was “profoundly shocked by her revelation, and by the fact that she had kept such a secret from him for so long”.

7. What Remus Lupin’s werewolf condition really meant

One of the most interesting revelations Rowling has made about the books since the series ended was the fact that Remus Lupin – one of her “favourite characters” – and his condition of lycanthropy (being a werewolf) was a “metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma like HIV and AIDS”.

“The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes,” she writes.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

See Katy Perry, Diplo and More Go All Out for Burning Man

2016-09-06T20:38:40.726Z

Burning Man — the performance art festival/temporary urban construct/steampunk desert utopia that pops up in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert each year — extinguished the final embers of its massive, 70,000-person camp on Monday. As the eight-day event has grown in popularity, it’s also started to draw more than just free spirits eager to explore a Mad-Max-style existence.

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At this year’s 30th annual Burning Man, celebrities like Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Karlie Kloss and Scott Eastwood all got down and dirty in the dust alongside major DJs like Diplo and Skrillex. (Although their photos show an adulterated good time, Burning Man was not impervious to its own version of class warfare this year, as a so-called “luxury” camp was vandalized by other festival-goers.)

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This was Perry’s second go-round with Burning Man. She opted for multicolored yarn-covered braids to keep her hair out of the dust. The massive sunglasses and face mask might seem like overkill, but that’s de rigueur attire for the desert.

🔥AlivE🔥

A photo posted by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Sep 2, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT

Paris Hilton and her brother, Barron, climbed atop an old-school truck for their photo op.

Best time at #BurningMan with my amazing brother @BarronHilton! 🎉🔥👫🔥🎉

A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Sep 5, 2016 at 7:45pm PDT

Alien on the #Playa. 🌈✨👽✨🌈 #BurningMan

A photo posted by Paris Hilton (@parishilton) on Aug 31, 2016 at 8:05pm PDT

Models Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne also met up.

Ran into this burner in the desert 😘 @caradelevingne

A photo posted by Karlie Kloss (@karliekloss) on Sep 6, 2016 at 7:37am PDT

Nina Agdal, a Danish model and Leonardo DiCaprio’s rumored girlfriend, took a photo in front of the Temple — a temporary structure that would by ceremonially burned to the ground at the festival’s end.

The Temple 🙏🏼🕌💙 #BurningMan 🔥 @newyorkvintageinc #styling @frankelfresh

A photo posted by Nina Agdal (@ninaagdal) on Sep 4, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

Heidi Klum captured a solid sunset pic.

Burning Man ….WOW👀 I❤️N👽C🐍R💥E🌞D🌚I🍭B🎪L👾E🚀

A photo posted by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) on Sep 5, 2016 at 3:18am PDT

And man-about-town/photographer/writer Derek Blasberg was there to document the adventure.

(She always wanted a supportive boyfriend)

A photo posted by Derek Blasberg (@derekblasberg) on Sep 3, 2016 at 5:44am PDT

Scott Eastwood, son of Clint, made a stop at a “Kissing Booth.”

Okay. I made it to burning man!!! And I found this. Hung around for awhile. And didn't get any takers. Guess I was a little too dusty….. Might head back tonight ….

A photo posted by Scott Eastwood (@scotteastwood) on Sep 2, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Diplo hung out with some art.

RIP Harambe

A photo posted by diplo (@diplo) on Sep 3, 2016 at 5:04pm PDT

As did his frequent collaborator, Skrillex. Both DJs played sets while they were at the event, too.

A photo posted by SKRILLEX (@skrillex) on Sep 5, 2016 at 2:12pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Eyes Eat Suns' "Priceless Faces" Video Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-09-06T16:30:00.000Z

Eyes Eat Suns’ emotions are palpable in the trio’s new video for “Priceless Faces.”

The video for the song about finding oneself in a new city begins with a pop punk power chord and the band horsing around at a train station. It then continues with shots of the band walking through a mostly-deserted area of Los Angeles overlooking the city and the three-piece performing their song — with gusto — in a loft.

Soaring vocals from Ayisa Adderley, driving guitars and pounding drums define "Priceless Faces," which calls to mind powerful rocking songs from Paramore and Avril Lavigne.

We spoke with Adderley about Eyes Eat Suns' inspirations, making the video and what’s next for the group.

What drives Eyes Eat Suns to make such emotive rock?

It's never really something we had sought out to do. We write what we feel and we feel a great deal and I guess it just shows in our music.

Could you talk about the inspiration for the video for “Priceless Faces”?

We felt the song had this fun vibe to it. We really wanted the focus to be on the song and the band. So, Jonathan [the director] thought shooting candid shots out in the streets of LA would accomplish that and it did. The atmosphere was great because the crew was so friendly and everyone was just ready to produce an awesome product. This is our first official video release, so I'm glad we were able to be in such a comfortable environment among family and friends.

What was the most difficult part of making the video?

Playing and singing along to the song because in order to accomplish most of the shots, we were singing along to a sped up version of the track. I forget by how much, but it was much, much faster than what you're hearing in the final product today.

What’s next for Eyes Eat Suns?

Touring! Honestly, we are just playing a bunch of shows right now. All of the dates are linked on our social media pages-- Facebook, Twitter, etc. We are also focusing a lot of our free time on writing new stuff. Even though we just put out the "Alive - EP" the beginning of this summer. We are already hard at work on some new stuff.

LAYNE Discovers Self in 'The Black Hills'

2016-09-06T16:30:00.000Z

South Dakota might not be known for its burgeoning music scene. However, that means when we find sonic gems, they're extra special. And singer and guitarist Layne Putnam and her musical partner, drummer Alexander Rosca, are just two of those talents. Known as LAYNE, the musical duo combine rock and pop sounds with personal and honest lyrics. And they show it off on their new EP, The Black Hills. We had the chance to chat with band founder Layne and get to know the group a little bit better.

Find out more about LAYNE below.

Hometown: South Dakota

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

Talk about the moment you decided to become a musician.

I'm not sure there really was a "moment" I decided. I've played music my whole life and since I can remember its been a huge part of my identity so maybe I'm lucky but I don't feel like I ever "decided" I just was.

What is "Good" about?

“Good" Is about being lonely and going through depression but finding someone in that darkness, and realizing we were both totally alone but alone together.

And people have really been responding to the music, especially since it's gone viral. How does that feel?

It's absolutely crazy. It's hard to understand what a number on a screen means, but when I think about even one person listening to it in their car or wherever it blows my mind, so having that many people that have heard it... it's very surreal.

Your EP, The Black Hills, is out. What's the premise behind it?

It's full of self-reflection and commentary on my generation right now. Also the frustration, sadness and hard work that goes into doing this is a common theme.

Song you can't wait to perform from the record?

We love playing "Topical," so I'm excited to take that one on the road.

You're from South Dakota — not necessarily the biggest of musical places. But how did growing up there influence your sound and songwriting?

I think nature and the environment shaped me as a person so much, which in turn shapes my music. And growing up around amazing players who threw me into jam sessions definitely helped me as a player. But I was on Myspace back in the day finding bands to love, and that's where my music taste and my sound really started to form.

What's next for LAYNE?

We leave for tour in a couple days, which we're all very excited about. This EP is coming out, We've got some home shows in Los Angeles in October and hopefully some more runs this fall. And I'm already working on the next EP so music, shows, videos, content and a lot of expansion and growth.

Lil Wayne Lends "No Mercy" to 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed'

2016-09-06T15:42:27.147Z

Lil Wayne is a huge sports fan. So it's not surprising when Fox Sports 1 asked him to provide some tuneage for their new show, Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, that he'd agree. But he didn't only give them "No Mercy," he's also performing it on the series' opening credits.

"Let’s go face to face / I embrace debate / I don’t make mistakes / I just make my case," he delivers shirtless as we see clips of Skip Bayless, formerly of ESPN, and NFL Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe get into heated debates.

“Lil Wayne has been a friend and frequent guest on my show, and I’ve told him how honored I am to have such a legend create such a great song for our new show," Skip revealed to Billboard.

Skip and Shannon: Undisputed premieres on Fox Sports 1 this morning (September 6) at 9am EST, and Wayne is supposed to make an appearance on today's episode to celebrate the premiere.

Sia Enlists Maddie Ziegler Again for Her New Video, "The Greatest"

2016-09-06T15:36:21.658Z

Sia's "Cheap Thrills," featuring Sean Paul, may be highly rotating on radio, but she's got a new collaboration that will no doubt be heating up the charts soon. Teaming up with Kendrick Lamar, she just released her new song, "The Greatest." And aside from dropping the new tune, she also revealed the visual that goes along with it. And keeping her great collaborators close, teen dance star, Maddie Ziegler, stars in the video.

Dressed as mini Sia, as she's done in the previous videos, Maddie dances her way around an old prison where children covered in soot and dirt are standing or lying around lifeless. However, Maddie, who opens the video by wiping away rainbow tears, inspires the young people to rise up and dance with her — as a sign of protest.

Watch the video and listen to the song, which features Kendrick's verse, below.

Daniel Craig Could Still Be James Bond for Two More Films

2016-09-06T15:28:42.151Z

Since Daniel Craig revealed that he's "done" playing James Bond on the silver screen, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Kristen Stewart were just some of the people who were hoping to take on the iconic role. However, it seems Sony is practically begging Daniel to reconsider and come back, and nothing says that better than a hefty paycheck. Radar reports that Sony is offering $150 million for him to be in two more 007 movies.

MORE: Idris Elba "Too Street" to Play James Bond, Says 007 Author

"The studio is desperate to secure the actor’s services while they phase in a younger long-term successor," a source told the site.

The source also added, "Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn't an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned."

MORE: Will Tom Hiddleston Be The Next James Bond?

And before he passes off the baton, Sony is ready to pay what they need to in order to keep the film's popularity alive. "Daniel's the key for a seamless, safe transition as far as Sony and Bond bosses are concerned," the source said, "and they're prepared to pay a king’s ransom to make it happen."

MORE: Kristen Stewart Wants Next James Bond to Be Female, Too!

Lena Dunham & Ann Coulter Had a Worse Weekend Than You

2016-09-06T09:12:10.475Z

Welcome back to the work grind. We hope everyone out there had a fun and safe weekend. While you were nursing those gnarly hangovers, a lot went down over the three-day break.

Lena Dunham apologized for exhibiting yet another severe case of foot-in-mouth syndrome, but the internet was was having it. Rob Lowe narrowly escaped his Comedy Central Roast thanks to Ann Coulter's presence in the room. Stanford University sex offender, Brock Turner, was granted an early release from prison, and some good samaritans with guns were kind enough to welcome him home. Made in America music festival took place in Philadelphia, but it wasn’t who was on stage that was causing a commotion so much as it was the star-studded spectators behind the scenes.

Here’s what you missed over the weekend.

Lena Dunham Gets No Love

On Friday, the Girls star sat down with Amy Schumer for a Lenny Letter interview to discuss their experiences from the night of the 2016 Met Gala. While most attendees are lost in the splendor and extravagance of the insanely exclusive, invitation-from-Anna-Wintour-herself-only event, Dunham and Schumer instead found themselves bored with the festivities and full of complaints. It was then that Dunham mentioned that her seat was next to Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver for the New York Giants, and because he wasn’t engaging her in conversation and instead chose to play around on his phone, she assumed it had something to do with his lack of sexual interest in her and took it personally. She stated: "I was sitting next to Odell Beckham Jr., and it was so amazing because it was like he looked at me and he determined I was not the shape of a woman by his standards. He was like, 'That's a marshmallow. That's a child. That's a dog.' It wasn't mean—he just seemed confused. The vibe was very much like, 'Do I want to f–k it? Is it wearing a…yep, it's wearing a tuxedo. I'm going to go back to my cell phone.'"

Naturally, people were confused. Beckham remained silent on the situation, so people came to his defense via Twitter. Under attack and feeling the heat, Dunham tweeted out a personal apology, blaming the discrediting accusations on her lack of physical self-confidence.

I owe Odell Beckham Jr an apology. Despite my moments of bravado, I struggle at industry events (and in life) with the sense that I don't rep a certain standard of beauty and so when I show up to the Met Ball surrounded by models and swan-like actresses it's hard not to feel like a sack of flaming garbage. This felt especially intense with a handsome athlete as my dinner companion and a bunch of women I was sure he'd rather be seated with. But I went ahead and projected these insecurities and made totally narcissistic assumptions about what he was thinking, then presented those assumptions as facts. I feel terrible about it. Because after listening to lots of valid criticism, I see how unfair it is to ascribe misogynistic thoughts to someone I don't know AT ALL. Like, we have never met, I have no idea the kind of day he's having or what his truth is. But most importantly, I would never intentionally contribute to a long and often violent history of the over-sexualization of black male bodies- as well as false accusations by white women towards black men. I'm so sorry, particularly to OBJ, who has every right to be on his cell phone. The fact is I don't know about his state of mind (I don't know a lot of things) and I shouldn't have acted like I did. Much love and thanks, Lena

A photo posted by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on Sep 3, 2016 at 11:12am PDT

Although the attempt was genuine, it was too little too late for those who felt she brought unnecessary and unwanted attention to the footballer, and the internet let her have it. Many felt as though she had (once again) taken advantage of the fact that her fame has granted her a voice, and she chose to use that freedom in a terrible way.

The Roast of... Ann Coulter?

For anyone who’s ever seen a Comedy Central Roast, you know that they’re often pretty harsh. While most celebrities in the hotseat go out and have drinks with the people who were spewing lovingly slanderous, expletive-filled diatribes only moments prior, the average civilian would go home and cry into their pillow and question a lot of those so-called “friendships.”

No one is safe at the #LoweRoast. Not even the Karate Kid. https://t.co/wjyYWF2BfX
— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) September 2, 2016

Rob Lowe stepped into the comedy ring prepared to be battered and bruised, only to be saved by Ann Coulter. Her very presence was so distracting that many of the famous faces doing the roasting, such as musician Jewel and comedian Nikki Glaser, hurled their insults toward Coulter. In her unsolicited novel titled Godless: The Church of Liberalism, the blonde-haired Cryptkeeper infamously wrote about the widows of September 11, stating “These broads are millionaires, lionized on TV and in articles about them, reveling in their status as celebrities and stalked by grief-arazzies. I have never seen people enjoying their husbands’ death so much.” Yup, she went there. It was only right that the roasters went in on her as hard as possible, all while exercising the utmost politeness.

Have no idea who this is, but these aren't just accusations, they're fact. #LoweRoast @AnnCoulter pic.twitter.com/jIjiZKP6Ie
— Pylon (@DeakInABox) September 6, 2016

Brock Turner Goes Home

Convicted Stanford University rapist, Brock Turner, was granted an early release from jail this past weekend. The former undergraduate swimmer was to serve a six-month jail sentence for sexually assaulting an intoxicated student behind a dumpster on campus back in January of 2015, but held no prior criminal record and was let out early as a result. The case originally made headlines not just because of the absurdity in the lack of punishment befalling the criminal, but because of the judge who handed it down, stating that the young man had a promising athletic career and he didn’t want to see it tarnished by the situation. The judge has since stepped down from his position following another terrible sentencing choice for another convicted rapist, this weekend left the concerned public demanding his full resignation.

Open carry protesters at the house of Brock Turner in Sugarcreek Township. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/QpsqOQCPC2
— Jay Warren (@JayWarrenWCPO) September 2, 2016

Upon arriving home to his parents’ house in Ohio, Turner was met by a friendly group of neighbors, welcoming him home with signs that read heartwarming things like “Castrate Turner” or “If I rape Brock will I only get 3 months?” The welcoming committee brought over their personal collections of assault rifles to let the disgraced athlete know that he was in safe hands. A local artist even did his best Banksy and gifted the Turner Family with their own sidewalk mural. The generosity of this housewarming brigade will be talked about by the Turner Family for years to come.

#BrockTurner may have gotten a light sentence but the neighbors not making it easy for him to live outside of jail pic.twitter.com/k4DXAF7AY2
— coke (@wildd_child) September 3, 2016

Made In America

The Made In America music festival took place this weekend in Philadelphia, and the Jay Z-run function was the talk of many towns, not just for the big names he enlisted to perform, but for who he was hanging out with offstage. Beyoncé was photographed laughing it up with former-POTUS Bill Clinton, who happened to be in town doing political things. The group looked as cosy as ever, with Bey and Bill smiling, and Jay sitting comfortably nearby. While some took to the internet to express their assumptions that this was Beyoncé's way of endorsing Hillary for President, the theory was swiftly shut down, as she has never officially made a statement. For now, we’ll just chalk it up to the Carters befriending all of the cool presidential families, first place of course going to the Obamas.

Speaking of, the Obama offspring, Malia and Sasha, were spotted giving festival life another try following the chaos that ensued with Malia’s provocative dancing and smoking of an unidentified substance at Lollapalooza back in August. Of course, it helps when Beyoncé is there to show you the ropes. Malia trolled her naysayers by sporting a simple but funny “smoking kills” t-shirt. The sisters hung out in the crowd having a good time. Sasha was even lifted onto someone’s shoulders so that she could have a better view of Chance the Rapper serenading Bey with his personal rendition of “Happy Birthday.” What a time to be alive.

Her Reaction 😩 and Sasha Obama I'm The Background👀 pic.twitter.com/DCwpBQtKNj
— . (@brotherofpablo) September 5, 2016

8 Times Chris Brown Actually Made the World a Better Place

2016-09-06T07:29:48.787Z

Although most of the press about the multi-talented Chris Brown is bad these days, the singer/dancer has done plenty of work for charity in the past. Whether it's his own Symphonic Love Foundation or collaborating with other organizations, Brown has given back many times to the world that so often vilifies him. We dug deep to find our eight favorite contributions the artist made.

Boys and Girls Club

I've been very fortunate and blessed with so much in my life and I always thought that it was supposed to be that way. I was selfish, arrogant, and cold hearted. I'm able to bless and inspire so many others and I realize that now. This woman has delt with domestic abuse through her life and her 3 wonderful children had to experience that. I see myself when I looked into their eyes. The amount of strength this woman has is remarkable. I hope I could make their Christmas a great one. I hope the kids love all the toys and things I got for them. And for moms. I hope I could put a smile on this family's face. #❤️

A photo posted by 1 YOU ❤️ 2 HATE (@chrisbrownofficial) on Dec 5, 2015 at 8:10pm PST

The holidays are a time for giving to those you love and to those less fortunate. Chris Brown was feeling the spirit this past year when he made the selfless decision to help out Jessica Roncalli and her three children. “I’ve been very fortunate and blessed with so much in my life and I always thought that it was supposed to be that way. I was selfish, arrogant, and cold hearted. I’m able to bless and inspire so many others and I realize that now. This woman has dealt with domestic abuse through her life and her 3 wonderful children had to experience that. I see myself when I looked into their eyes. The amount of strength this woman has is remarkable. I hope I could make their Christmas a great one. I hope the kids love all the toys and things I got for them. And for moms. I hope I could put a smile on this family’s face.”

Unity Campaign

Getty Images

Back in Summer of 2013, Brown teamed up with Reebok, his own Unity Campaign, and his fans (Team Breezy) to donate 1,000 pairs of shoes to the “WE US: Walk Everywhere in Unity’s Shoes” event.” Having grown up dependent on donations and the kindness of others, Brown felt it necessary to give back to others enduring the same hardships. Sponsored by the LA County Mayor’s office and affiliated gang prevention groups, the charitable occasion served to remind underprivileged youth in Compton and Baldwin Village that “wherever and whenever they walk, we are a united community.”

GIVE BACK-pack Initiative

Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

No one can ever say that Chris Brown doesn’t take care of the children, and while he doesn’t strive to serve as a role-model in every way, he does his best to ensure that the young ones understand the importance of giving back themselves when they’re able. Some of his youngest recipients are little ones about to make the big leap from preschool by making a handsome donation to the GIVE BACK-pack Initiative. As part of the Courage for Kids Organization, the initiative focuses on early childhood development by giving backpacks fully loaded with essentials to kiddos before they continue on to kindergarten.

$50,000 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital

By the age of 17, Brown was already doing what most teenagers could only dream of, traveling the world and performing for audiences in sold-out arenas. While most kids his age were working part-time jobs in hopes of saving up to purchase a car or go on trips with friends, he was busy saving his money to give it away. That’s right. In 2006, Brown donated more than $50,000 in proceeds from his Up Close and Personal Tour to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The following year, he returned to support their Math-A-Thon, which focused on helping children with cancer and other serious medical complications.

Debbie Allen Dance Academy

Getty Images

Remember a few years back when the artist was being chased through Los Angeles by paparazzi and it resulted in him crashing his beloved Porsche? Turns out he was on his way to the prestigious Debbie Allen Dance Academy and refused to let the wreckage of his very expensive vehicle get in the way of such an important day. After arriving at the dance school, Brown watched 11 students audition for 5 highly coveted scholarships from his very own Symphonic Love Foundation. However, feeling moved by the students’ passion, he spontaneously awarded all 11 finalists with scholarships that covered the cost of after school and weekend training, audition fees and entry and a spot in the annual concert.

Art Collaboration and Auction

Michael Stewart/Getty Images

Art has always been one of Brown’s passions, and he found ways to use the medium not just as a means of inspiring others, but also to bring good fortune to an organization he cares deeply for, Best Buddies. In recognition of Global Best Buddies Day, put on by Brown’s own Symphonic Love Foundation and Best Buddies International, he teamed up with international pop musician Romero Britto and graffiti artist Slick to create unique works of art that would be auctioned off in the spirit of acceptance and integration. All money earned from the murals and accompanying shirts and smaller prints went directly to the organization.

'Royalty' Proceeds

Winter of 2015 was hectic for Chris Brown. The world had only recently been introduced to his infant daughter, Royalty, and the release date for his highly anticipated, seventh studio album was swiftly approaching. He adorably decided to title the album after his first-born, even adorning the cover with a black and white photo of the two of them together. In appreciation for his fanbase supporting him by purchasing the record, he vowed to donate $1 from every Royalty album sold to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

AIDS Walk

Chris Brown’s Symphonic Love Foundation always goes above and beyond when it comes to supporting those in need. In the past, Brown has organized celebrity sporting events that draw a lot of attention to good causes, one of his biggest partners being AIDS Project Los Angeles. Instead of the classic kickball, basketball or golf tournament, Brown took on the AIDS Walk Los Angeles in fall of 2013. After appealing to his friends and fans on Twitter to join his team, Brown teamed up with a slew of famous faces and good samaritans to raise both money and awareness for the illness.

8 Amazing Black and Gray Tattoo Artists You Need to Know

2016-09-06T07:00:00.000Z

Outside of American traditional tattoos, black and gray is one of the most common styles of tattooing you'll see today. Its level of detail and soft shading can bring out a level of art that used to be reserved for only the finest museums, bringing the style out of California penitentiaries and into the eyes of millions.

Like any other style, some artists are lightyears ahead of others, so we went ahead and rounded up our top 8 black and gray tattoo artists for you.

Carlos Torres

A photo posted by carlos torres (@carlostorresart) on Aug 24, 2016 at 3:51pm PDT

If you're going to talk about the top guys in the world right now, you have to include Carlos Torres. Aside from creating amazing artistic work, Torres has also helped redefine and repopularize black and gray tattooing as a genre by adding a level of depth and fine art that was rarely seen before. As an accomplished painter in addition to tattooing, many young tattooers already look up to the skilled artist, and there's no reason to think he won't be viewed as an icon for decades to come.

Jack Rudy

A photo posted by Jack Rudy (@j_rudy_gtc) on Aug 22, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

While there are still some conflicting stories about the exact moment that black and gray tattooing broke into the mainstream, Jack Rudy is one of the handful of living tattoo artists who was there for it. He's kept the legacy alive at Good Time Charlie's Tattooland in Anaheim, and his work is still among the most sought-after and distinguishable in all of California. Rudy is as much of a legend as anyone in the tattoo world these days, and he's not afraid to speak his mind and drop some knowledge on just about any and every topic. Go to him for a tattoo, but stay for the hours of stories that you can't hear anywhere else.

Paul Booth

A photo posted by Paul Booth (@paulbooth) on Aug 29, 2016 at 8:40pm PDT

When it comes to dark and scary tattooing, no one compares to Paul Booth. The NYC-based artist has been creating incredible nightmare-inducing tattoos for decades and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Even if you're not lucky enough to get a tattoo from the man himself, stopping into his Last Rites Tattoo Theatre next time you're in New York is a must for the artwork and ambiance alone.

Freddy Negrete

A photo posted by Freddy Negrete (@freddy_negrete) on Sep 3, 2016 at 9:32pm PDT

In most people's eyes, Freddy Negrete is the person most responsible for popularizing black and gray tattooing in the first place. But while many old school artists struggle to keep up with everything that today's best tattooers are doing, Negrete continues to learn new techniques and skills to stay as relevant as ever. Four decades into the game, Negrete remains one of the best in the business and is a major part of one of LA's most famous tattoo shops, Shamrock Social Club.

Steve Soto

A photo posted by Steve Soto Tattoo Art Co. (@stevesototattoo) on Aug 22, 2016 at 7:42pm PDT

As one of the biggest names in tattooing, Steve Soto can pretty much go anywhere in the world and fill his schedule in any tattoo shop for as long as he wants. Soto brings unmistakeable qualities to his work and truly channels the spirit of the Chicano streets of which the tattoo style came from. Whether you need a portrait, some classic Chicano imagery, or something just a little surreal, Soto is a go-to for tattoo collectors around the world.

Bob Tyrrell

A photo posted by Bob Tyrrell (@bobtyrrell) on Aug 30, 2016 at 1:35am PDT

Who's the rock 'n' roll icon of black and gray tattooing? That honor goes to Detroit's Bob Tyrrell. The longtime master of the art form knocks out some of the best realism and surrealism out there, and he'll regale you of tales of all of your favorite rock stars while he does it. Tyrrell doesn't just do amazing portraits, skulls, monsters and everything else, but he's also widely known as being one of the nicest guys in the industry as well.

Josh Duffy

A photo posted by @josh_duffy on Aug 9, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

The Phoenix-based tattooer has one of the smoothest hands in all of tattooing. Duffy owns and operates Arizona's Black Castle Art Co. and nails the multi-layered shading and design as well as anyone tattooing today. From the most innocent women and clocks to the most demonic skulls and creatures, Duffy's a world-class tattoo artist and perfect for large-scale work. It's worth the trip into the desert just to get tattooed at his shop.

Franco Vescovi

A photo posted by FRANCO VESCOVI (@franco_vescovi) on Apr 3, 2016 at 10:30pm PDT

While most tattoo shops look and feel fairly similar, Franco Vescovi's Vatican Studios location is unlike anything you've ever seen before. The veteran tattoo artist and painter's studio feels more like a fine art gallery (or a church, even) than a tattoo shop, and his work certainly looks more like it belongs on a canvas or wall somewhere rather than skin. It's not much of a surprise, considering Vescovi's frequent collaboration and commissions for his clients and friends like Travis Barker and Yelawolf, but Vescovi's artwork continues to blow away the competition particularly on classical and religious designs.

Bella Hadid’s Jet-Lag Beauty Survival Guide

2016-09-06T07:00:00.000Z

As fashion’s favorite girl-of-the-moment and the new face of Dior beauty, Bella Hadid can coax her complexion back to supermodel status in seconds, no matter the time difference between her internal body clock and the sun. The secret is in her concealer—and, of course, the ever-important blending sponge. After that? “You just like, wing it, you know?”

Our friends at XUMO teamed up with Vogue to bring you all of Hadid's secrets in video form. Check it out below.

Vogue on XUMO: Bella Hadid’s Jet-Lag Beauty Survival Guide from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things fashion whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vogue.

The Head and the Heart Want You to Sing Along

2016-09-06T07:00:00.000Z

Seattle indie folk group The Head and the Heart was already half-formed when Tyler Williams, who was living in Virginia at the time, received an early demo of “Down in the Valley” from his friend and vocalist Jonathan Russell. He moved across the nation to join the band as drummer almost immediately.

After the runaway success of their self-released, self-titled debut, the band went from playing tiny dives to massive auditoriums overnight. But according to Williams, the band isn’t so concerned with monetary success, but rather with trying new things and making honest songs. We spoke with him about the band’s upcoming album Signs of Light, their strange relationship with pizza and the decision to include a copy of the record with every concert ticket purchase.

Do you think starting out where you did in Seattle helped you guys thrive?

Yeah, when we first put out that record [The Head and the Heart], it was self-released so we didn’t really have a label behind us. I don’t know why it just became this local thing — you had to have our record, but I can’t really explain it. [Local record stores] Sonic Boom and Easy Street definitely helped us sell 10,000 records on our own before we signed to Subpop.

When you joined the band, was the sound fully formed, or were you still figuring it out?

There was a lot of figuring it out, especially how to add drums tastefully to the songs that they were playing. And when we were first starting we didn’t have a bass player, so Chris came on board playing bass in January of 2010. That’s when it really started to feel like a full band rather than just a collection of songwriters.

Why was it difficult to add the drums into the songs?

They were all fully formed songs, because they’d been playing them for three or four months without any drums. I think that’s why that first record feels a little restrained, kind of intimate, because we were playing in a really small space, writing for a room the size of a bedroom. We were playing dive bars, so that was the space we were feeling sonically at that time, and that’s why that first record sounds the way it does.

How did finding success and getting signed so quickly affect how you thought of the band going forward?

I think it was never really our intention to sign so quickly or have things move very fast. We always wanted to be a band that grew organically over the course of many records, which I still think we’re doing. I guess success for us is not really material or the idea that we’re playing to a lot of fans now. Success for us is always trying to make the best music we can, the most honest music we can that comes from how we feel within. I guess that’s our gauge for success, and we’re having success making really great music on this newest record. To me, it feels like we’re hitting the watermark of quality we’ve been shooting for all along.

What was the recording process like for the new album?

It was probably the lengthiest recording process, because we took a year off touring to gather material to write and really live life again. We hadn’t really done a lot of personal travel or anything like that because the band was touring so much.

When we decided to get back together to write, we went to Stinson Beach in California, about an hour north of San Francisco. It was incredible. That was where the record really started to take shape and feel like a statement that we had to make. It felt like we hadn’t really played together in such a long time because we took so much time off. It really felt like we had a lot more to say to each other, and a lot more to say through our music. When we were sitting in the living room in Stinson overlooking the beach, everything that had been building for a year just came pouring out of us.

So the break really affected how you guys approached the new album?

For sure. I think that it really gave us the time and space to learn new inspirations and tricks with instruments. I played drums in a side project that was like a psych-rock band, so that definitely approached the drums for The Head and the Heart as well. Playing more straightforward rock drums was just where my head was at at the time.

Have you guys gotten much better at collaborating? It sounds like you weren’t as much a part of the process for the first album.

That’s not so much the case. We were very democratic on that first record too, but for those songs, the skeleton had been sort of formed already, if that makes sense. Whereas on the last two records, we’ve all been there from the first notes and first demos. I just feel that they’re more fully formed.

Was there anyone or anything, outside of the psych-rock band, that influenced you during this recording?

Definitely all the locations we were in, those different settings and different scenery and different vibes of places. That was huge, and that definitely inspired the art direction we took with the album packaging — it felt very California, very Laurel Canyon in a way. Working with a producer for the first time definitely changed how we viewed our songs as well. It was cool to have an authority figure we could look to and be like, is this good? So that was nice.

What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever played to support the band?

That would definitely be a pizza place in Boise, ID called Pie Hole. It was unintentional, but we’d had a really bad show just the hour before, and we met some people there. We were bummed out, but they were like, “Come to this pizza place, bring an acoustic guitar and a couple shakers, there are always a ton of people there lined up, on a Friday night at 1am.” So there are 40 people in this pizza shop, and they’re all loving it and dancing around. That to me was a weird fun moment.

We actually had a lot of pizza in the beginning of our career. We also played a pizza party in Lawrence, KS. I have no idea why pizza was so prevalent in the beginning of our band, but — well, we’re all big fans of pizza.

How did you decide to include a copy of your new album with every concert ticket purchase?

We were just thinking how we could get the album in the hands of our fans. You can’t really count on media or anything to spread the word about music anymore. You just have to do it however you can as a band, in a declining industry where people are just streaming singles. We just wanted to put the record in people’s hands so they could listen to it in full. If you’re coming to see us, we want you to hear these songs and have the lyrics memorized so you can sing along with us. That’s one of the best parts of these shows, just seeing people sing along.

Here’s What Jennifer Lawrence Texted Amy Schumer Following Trainwreck Shooting

2016-09-02T18:04:35.993Z

In a candid interview with Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer has opened up about how affected she was by the 2015 Lafayette shooting, where two women were killed during a showing of her movie, Trainwreck.

Speaking as part of a feature for Dunham’s feminist newsletter, Lenny Letter, Schumer explained that she “didn’t really know how to react” when she first heard of the murders. “I was so upset, I watched the news that whole night, I was just f**king f**ked up by it,” she said.

Madonna Called Donald Trump’s Sons the P-Word Then Endorsed Hillary Clinton

“Knowing it was my movie, and… that they went and they bought tickets and wanted to go see this movie, it just crushed me. I felt so powerless. And it felt a little bit like something that I had done, that there was a connection to me actually hurting people.”

My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) July 24, 2015

However, the 35-year-old comedian said that Jennifer Lawrence made her feel better by texting saying “It’s your fault,” which Dunham described as the “greatest worst thing” she had ever heard. “In times like that only jokes make you feel a little better,” Schumer explained.

Birth of a Nation Actress Gabrielle Union Speaks On Nate Parker Rape Allegation

Dunham and Schumer first met around six years ago, when Schumer unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Shoshanna in Dunham’s HBO series Girls.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Michael Phelps Recalls the Moment He Knew ‘Phelps Face’ Had Been Caught on Camera on 'The Tonight Show'

2016-09-02T17:54:02.667Z

Michael Phelps had already revealed the true story behind his viral game face, but it seems people are still interested in the iconic 2016 Olympics moment. During his appearance on Thursday’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host couldn’t resist bringing up the U.S. swimmer’s epic stare, producing a life-size version of the look and prompting him to tell the story behind it.

Construction Worker Explains His Viral Selfie With Kate Middleton

“The worst is — I was sitting in the ready room and I always know there are two cameras in the upper right-hand corner right before I walk out — and I’m sitting there spitting water,” he said. “And as I’m making a face, I was like, ‘yep, that’s on camera.'”

Fallon then went on to subtly broach the topic of the controversy swirling around Phelps’ teammate Ryan Lochte’s Rio robbery.

Watch Rachel Bloom’s Saturday Night Live Audition From 2012

Watch the full clip above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Read Rihanna’s Loving Note to Drake About His MTV Video Music Love Confession

2016-09-02T17:45:55.722Z

Before you think that Rihanna’s kiss with Drake at his Miami concert and new shark tattoo that she allegedly got for Drake means that they’re really a couple now, take a minute to read her carefully-worded Instagram caption where she skillfully continues to keep Drizzy’s decade-long unrequited love for her, well, unrequited.

See Beyoncé Cheer Serena Williams on at the U.S. Open

In the caption, Rihanna takes 200 words to sincerely thank everyone from her family, her fans, her friends, and her team for helping to make her Video Vanguard performances and award happen. Even MTV, Mary J. Blige, Naomi Campbell, and Tracee Ellis Ross get a shout out.

Finally, at the end of the caption, she devotes 11 words to Drake, writing, “Your speech was so touching and I love you for that!” Which is basically the nice way of saying, “Thank you for pouring your heart out to me and declaring your love for me on the MTV stage.”

Is Banksy Actually Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja?

May we all approach love with the self-awareness of Rihanna.

#VMA2016 night was one that I would never forget!! I have the most incredible people in my life! My family, friends, loved ones, my fans, my team!!! All gifted beautiful spirits! And I'm so grateful that God has precisely and flawlessly arranged our paths to meet at each other! It's because of you that I was able to reach this moment in my career! And it's also because of you that I was able to pull off a night like this one, with 4 medley performances, 4 set productions, 4 outfits, 4 hair and makeup looks, and all in 4 days of rehearsal! It was a challenge but I wanted nothing more than to give my fans a true representation of all the colors that I'm made of as an artist! My journey has been filled with growth and people who continue to inspire me! Forever grateful to everyone involved creatively, from choreography all the way to wardrobe and production! @MTV team you were a dream to work with! Thank you to the beautiful @iamnaomicampbell @therealmaryjblige @traceeellisross for your kind words! @champagnepapi your speech was so touching and I love you for that! All in all....Best night ever!!! I'm a lucky girl!!! To God be the Glory! #RiRiVanguard

A video posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Sep 1, 2016 at 11:00pm PDT

This originally appeared on TIME.com

Listen To North By North's "Babes In The Wood" Exclusively On Myspace!

2016-09-02T16:30:00.000Z

Dive into the fantasy world of North By North on "Babes In The Wood." The retro single from the duo's upcoming Stephen King-inspired sophomore record melds Nate Girard's haunting vocals with fuzzed-out guitars and dark house organs.

""Babes In The Wood" is essentially about the last two people to have "good" supernatural powers in the world. In the song, the couple uses their powers to become immortal so that they may continue to wage war against Mama Gold and her gang (who symbolize the "bad" supernatural power of the world)," says keyboardist Kendra Blank.

"However, this immortality comes with a high price: 'On the day you find mortality... the last days of magic will be.' Should this couple ever be killed by MG, all the magic in the world — good or bad — will be eliminated."

Find the rockers' entire sci-fi journey on Last Days Of Magic, a double-LP that comes out October 14 via Double Hex Records.

Emmy Noms & The Death of Network Television

2016-09-02T16:30:00.000Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're reading the writing on the wall for network television and celebrating their classics (by watching them on Netflix).

Emmy Nominations

Recommended Pairing: A bitter pill and a bottle of Château Lafite-Rothschild for network TV execs to swallow.

I haven't watched the Emmys since it was a debate on which Seinfeld actor should win best supporting actor: Michael Richards or Jason Alexander. A few weeks ago the good people at the Emmys announced the nominees for 2016, and I didn't even give it a glance. What's the point? It's not a fun show to watch live and the next day I'll simply catch up on anything of note in my Facebook feed, along with a list of all the winners and losers.

But then I saw the actual list.

The Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX got a combined 140 nominations.

HBO and NETFLIX collected 148.

Heck, the 94 nominations HBO received is more than double NBC's 41, which was the top spot for network channels. Brutal. I decided to pop some old favorites from the golden era of network television onto Netflix recently. Who knows, maybe they're due for a comeback.

The West Wing

Recommended Pairing: Ample space for a signature Sorkin walk & talk and some New Hampshire maple syrup.

It's funny how little network television I watch the night it premieres and how much network television I watch on Netflix and Hulu days, weeks and years later. Only a few shows demand my attention and get it. I'm one of those people who prefers to skip a few weeks of a show I like so I can watch them all at once on a lazy Sunday in bed.

I watched the West Wing for the first time about two years ago (well, up to season four) and couldn't believe how much I liked it, and how ahead of its time it was. Everyone knows about how it tackled the issues of the day: The trouble with the two party system, corruption, grandstanding, racism, wedge issues and all of the constant bickering we're still mired in during this era of the 24 hour news cycle. We all know about the pithy dialogue, clever repartee, and, of course, the world renowned Aaron Sorkin walk and talk. People have tried, but nobody can pull it off quite like him...

UNTIL NOW!!!

Oh shit! Yes!

Now I can write stuffy, high principled white intellectual men with panache!

Characters like...

Will McAvoy:

President Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet, PhD:

Toby Ziegler:

And my all time favorite, Josh Lyman:

If anyone can send me $90 to enroll that'd be great. Thanks so much.

Cheers

Recommended Pairing: Doesn't matter. Throw it on Norm's tab.

I finally finished the entire series last month. Every episode. From Sam and Diane to Frasier's impending spinoff. As a comedy it still delivers the goods, but as a time capsule of life through the '80s and into the '90s, it's basically like watching a fossil record. We watch the show about lovable misfits in a pub tackle the issues of the day from homophobia to misogyny, womanizing to monogamy, poverty to yuppyism.

One big take away from the show for me is that despite all of the hot button issues that were dropped into the overflowing beer mugs on the old wooden bar, the politics of the age were kept out of it. There was no talk, at least that I can recall of. If ever a politician was mentioned, it was all about the character of the man or woman.

It's a good feeling, ya know. It's refreshing. Like a cold beer or having people shout your name triumphantly whenever you walk into your favorite establishment.

"NORM!"

Law & Order: SVU

Recommended Pairing: Mashed up percocets mixed with some iced tea.

When we look back at the history of network television, (aside from reality TV), Law & Order SVU is going to loom large as the beacon atop the pile of trash we so gleefully watch. It has everything: formulaic writing, characters that can grow within an episode, but rarely grow through a series and the most ridiculous plots ever conceived for human consumption.

Oh and Ice T:

God damn.

You know there was a small period in time when a handful of people thought John Mulaney was going to save the network sitcom, but instead we got this:

Oooof.

I watched every episode of that show. Every. Episode. I kept telling myself, "Ok, so they had to work the bugs out. This next episode will be the one where they finally start to hit some good notes."

Nope.

What's funny is if I heard Mr. Mulaney was getting a new show on NBC I'd watch it expecting the worst. If I found out he got a show on TV LAND after the Jim Gaffigan Show I'd be fucking ecstatic!

Yes. I would be psyched to watch the channel TV LAND. TV LAND is a channel. It has the Jim Gaffigan Show, which is pretty damn funny. Mulaney's been on it. He can be on a sitcom without it sucking. C'mon TV LAND execs, give Mulaney a real show — none of this network television crap.

'Til Next Time.

New York Movie Turn Their Hobby Into a Career

2016-09-02T16:30:00.000Z

When Austin Jones and Philip Anderson Edsel were playing around with sounds in college, they didn't anticipate it being anything more than a hobby. Fast-forward a few years and many gigs later, and the two have formed New York Movie, inspired by Edward Hopper's 1939 painting.

Drawn to the energy of the Big Apple, they compose soundscapes that not only lure you in but also have finesse that sounds refreshing. We spoke with Austin about the duo's beginnings, their songs and how New York Movie fits into their Austin home.

Homebase: Austin, TX

Let's start at the very beginning. What are your musical memories?

I remember the first record I purchased with my own money. My mom let me go into the store in our local mall by myself, and I went straight for a huge display of Nirvana's Nevermind. I'm shocked they let a 9-year-old kid purchase it since it had the parental warning on the front, but I made it out with the CD and repeatedly listened to that album for the next several years.

I also have a distinct memory around the same time of calling into our local rock station repeatedly until I finally got through. I requested Bush's "Glycerine," and waited listened for about an hour until they finally played the song.

How did the band begin?

Philip and I started playing music together our freshmen year of college in Austin. What began as a hobby developed into some success, and we started touring and playing shows together right around the time we graduated.

What's the story behind the band name?

Edward Hopper has a painting titled "New York Movie." It carries a lot of interest and emotion for us as viewers, and we wanted our listeners to experience a similar interest and emotion from our music. Check out the painting, and all of his for that matter, and hopefully you will understand a little more of the type of soundscape we’re trying to develop.

You do all of the production on your own and have your own studio. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing it all yourself?

The main advantage is that, equipment aside, it’s totally free. It can be incredibly expensive to make music with a producer in a high end studio, so we slowly accumulated enough gear that we could just do it on our own. The main disadvantage is that neither of us are professional producers or engineers. However, we know what we want our music to sound like, so with a little trial and error it tends to shape up in spite of our deficiencies, leaving us with a product that we’re undeniably more happy with in the end.

What is it about New York that is so inspiring to you musically?

New York is such an epicenter of culture and vivacity that every time I’m there I feel a little more alive and a little more inspired to create something worthwhile. Also the fans in New York are particularly engaged in a live setting, which always helps our desire to play in a city.

But you're from Austin, which has it's own music scene. How do you feel like you fit into it?

We’ve never set out to be the biggest band in Austin. We would rather fit into the scene nationally and be a band from Austin then try to really develop ourselves locally. That being said, we have some amazing venues, and nearly everyone from Austin goes to shows and knows their music, which makes it a great place for a band to get their start and to develop a fanbase.

What's "Little Emotion" about?

"Little Emotion" is the story of a guy that loves a girl just to feel something. Sometimes love is irresponsible to oneself, or the other party, and we wanted to capture that chaos of emotion in a song. We’re not trying to be preachy about it, so the song is still fun and dance driven in its production, but when you take a closer look at the lyrics, we want the listener to feel a little more connection to the highs and lows of young love, which everyone has dealt with in their own way.

What's the premise behind the video for "Firecracker"?

Similar to the way we produce our music, the video was conceptualized and produced by us. We wanted the raw energy of a dancer, coupled with the nostalgia of headlights in the night. With budgetary constraints, we tried to keep everything as simple as possible, with our main goal being to provide a visual experience of the song in its simplest form.

What's next for New York Movie?

Stay tuned for more music soon!

Listening To Alicia Keys' Invigorating New Song "Back To Life"

2016-09-02T16:26:56.993Z

Alicia Keys reawakens on "Back To Life." Beginning off as a soulful acoustic crooner, the song switches beat midway to become an revitalizing, upbeat electro jam.

"[It's] is about pushing past that little voice of doubt in our heads so we can instead, electrify the world," said Keys in a statement. "When we allow women to find and express their power and potential, the world changes for the better."

The song is from the upcoming Disney film Queen of Katwe (out on September 30) about 10-year-old Ugandan chess master Phiona Mutesi.

Keys is also expected to release her much-awaited sixth record, featuring lead single "In Common," in the near future.

Watch Prince's Band The Revolution Play Reunion Show

2016-09-02T15:49:08.797Z

Prince's longtime backing band The Revolution performed the first of three shows at Minneapolis' iconic venue First Avenue, where Purple Rain was shot, last night.

No words

A video posted by Mayte Garcia (@maytejannell) on Sep 1, 2016 at 7:54pm PDT

The Revolution played renditions of "Let's Go Crazy," "Little Red Corvette," "Do It All Night" and "Purple Rain" during the two-hour set, according to Pitchfork.

"If Prince saw this right now, he’d be in tears," said guitarist Wendy Melvoin during the show according to the Star Tribune.

The Revolution performed with Prince from 1980 to 1986, performing on Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day and Parade.

Watch more fan shot footage from the reunion show below.

The Revolution. This is how I want to celebrate Prince. Amazing.

A video posted by Shellae Mueller (@msmulrmpls) on Sep 1, 2016 at 8:22pm PDT

Party 💜

A video posted by Eric  (@mspdude) on Sep 1, 2016 at 8:41pm PDT

#PurpleRain

A video posted by Andra Suchy (@andrasuchy) on Sep 1, 2016 at 9:47pm PDT

Listen To MIA's Spacey Collaboration With Zayn Malik, "Freedun"

2016-09-02T15:17:36.270Z

For MIA's newest single, she teamed up with former One Directioner Zayn Malik for a "floaty" politically charged song called "Freedun."

After MIA begins with some signature rap flows, Malik mutedly sings the chorus ("All the stars are still shining / But you're the only one I see / I can feel when your heart beats, yeah / But you can't can't keep your eyes off me"). The two continue to trade off throughout the laid-back track before MIA finishes the song with some singing.

"It was always sort of like too mainstream sounding for me," explained MIA about the track on BBC Radio 1 (via Rolling Stone). "And it just seems like it's perfect to have that — if I was going to have a collaboration and have someone like Zayn, this is like the perfect song. You know, it sort of takes me out of my comfort zone, but kind of takes him out of his a little bit as well."

AIM comes out September 9.

Georges St-Pierre Talks Mixed Martial Arts & 'Kickboxer: Vengeance'

2016-09-02T07:00:00.000Z

Georges St-Pierre has been making headlines in the MMA world recently.

The former UFC Welterweight Champion and legendary mixed martial artist is mulling over a possible return to the Octagon, but he's certainly in no rush to get back to fighting for a living if he can't come to an agreement with UFC brass.After all, the Canadian icon is currently working on a burgeoning career as an actor, most notably battling Captain America as Georges Batroc in The Winter Soldier.

With St-Pierre's most recent movie, Kickboxer: Vengeance, now available in select theaters and on demand, Myspace caught up with the world-class martial artist to discuss the Kickboxer franchise, working with one of his heroes and life as an actor.

What was it like for you as a martial artist to be a part of a film like Kickboxer: Vengeance?

For me, it was very special because I grew up watching Kickboxer and Jean-Claude Van Damme had such a big influence in my life. I'm from Montreal, Québec and Jean-Claude is from Belgium, so he's really a big, big star where I'm from. For me, being able to work with him and have a fight scene with him is just unbelievable.

After being a star in the mixed martial arts world for so long, what was it like for you to transition into becoming more of an actor?

It's something very different. I have a lot to learn. I'm not the kind of guy to go on to a set and tell people "Oh, do you know who I am?" like I can with UFC guys. I can't do that. It's a completely different thing for me, and I'm here to learn. I practice stunts as much as I can, and the guys on the stunts work with me. They're very nice, and they show me how things should be done. Fighting in mixed martial arts and fighting for the camera are two different things.

How do you think your background in martial arts helps you prepare for fight scenes in movies like Kickboxer: Vengeance?

[Kickboxer: Vengeance is] a martial arts movie. I know what it takes to win in real fight situations, and I know I have a good solid base. But you could be a good MMA fighter and a bad actor, or you could be a good actor and a bad MMA fighter too. They're two different things. For me, of course, I'm aware that I get the opportunity to be in movies because of my mixed martial arts, but I believe that if I want to be successful in it that I need to work very hard and learn as much as I can when I'm on set with the guys. That's what I'm doing. I have a white belt in movies, so to speak, so I go there and want to learn. I learn every time I work on set with these guys, and I try to get better at it. I have acting class, and I'm trying to make myself better in that because I really enjoy doing it.

Did you have any concerns going into the movie, either about your own performance or the film itself?

For me, I was very excited with this project, and the only thing that I was worried about is that sometimes you do a sequel or a remake and things are bad. It kind of ruins the memory of the first one, so you wish you hadn't done it. But that's not in this movie. It's a fun movie, and just the fact that Jean-Claude accepted to do it is a good sign. He would not have done it if he'd thought it was bad or if it would've kind of ruined the memory of the first one. It's a fun movie with a lot of action, and it's entertaining. The reason why I chose to do this was to be entertained and to have fun, and you're going to be entertained and have fun when you watch this movie.

What was your experience being on set with the cast and crew like?

Everybody in the movie and on set was so nice to me, I'm really thankful for all the help. I look forward to doing some more.

8 Band-Branded Essentials For Your Labor Day Weekend

2016-09-02T07:00:00.000Z

As you roll out your Weber grill for the last time this summer, here are some of our favorite band-branded BBQ and pool party necessities that will make your guests think you’re weirdly nostalgic, scary, or just super chill. Enjoy, and don’t be afraid to kick out anyone wearing beer-branded board shorts to your pool party. This isn’t Cabo, it’s not Spring Break 2008, and you’re not in a Corona commercial.

Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce

Dexter Holland of The Offspring is the culinary rocker behind this brand of hot sauces that come in a variety of Red, Green and Super Hot flavors. Since its beginnings as a Christmas present from Holland to his friends a few years ago, Gringo Bandito has arguably grown out of the novelty stage that most band-branded hot sauces never seem to escape, and has garnered favorable reviews from press and YouTube food bloggers alike.

In a 2014 Playboy list ranking the “Top 19 Hot Sauces,” it came in at No. 1, knocking off hot sauce titans Cholula, Tapatio and Tabasco. Gringo Bandito is sold coast to coast in the US and throughout Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Splash some on your favorite carne asada tacos, or with traditional gringo-style tacos.

Mmmhops

For most, a visit to www.mmmhops.com reveals what appears to be another craft beer company, trying to squeak by in this new craft beer age on sincere brewing techniques and a devotion to hoppier beer. One might even see the banner that says “Hanson Brothers Beer Company” and not think anything of it. But a more in depth analysis reveals that the Hanson Brothers Beer Company is actually composed of everyone’s favorite bowl cut ‘90s pop trio.

Yes, “Mmmbop” hit makers Hanson have also joined the increasingly popular craft beer craze in an attempt to squeeze out the last bit of nostalgia around their 1997 smash. Mmmhops, the premiere beer from Hanson Brothers Beer Company, is described as a “full bodied pale ale with a unique toasted malt signature and a refreshing hoppy finish.” The Hanson Brothers beer is available mostly in their native Oklahoma, but also throughout the midwest. Pale Ales go great with a host of grilled meats, so pair an Mmmhop with a grilled steak or pork loin. I won’t ask you to listen to “Mmmbop” while drinking it. You’re welcome.

Blood for the Master Hot Sauce

This might take the cake for greatest hot sauce name of all time. New Orleans extreme metal outfit Goatwhore have entered the hot sauce game with one of the better band related hot sauces on the market.

Blood for the Master is a brutal combination of black pepper, red habaneros and St. Arnold Beer. The sauce is made and distributed by Big Daddy’s Hot Sauces, leaders in the independent hot sauce game, and scoville unit sorcerers to be sure. The most barbaric hot sauce out there goes great on potatoes, steak, and of course, blackened chicken. Hail.

311 Amber Ale

To celebrate 25 years, Nebraska rap-rock-reggae stalwarts 311 have partnered up with Rock Brothers to bring the over-saturated beer market another craft beer. Named after the band’s 2001 chilled-out-bro anthem, 311 Amber Ale was originally tested on the 311 Fan Cruise to Jamaica a couple years back. The response was so irie that they took the recipe back to Nebraska and began brewing with the help of Nebraska Brewing and Rock Brothers.

311 Amber Ale features roasted caramel malts and Equinox hops, giving it a “subtle hint of tropical citrus and kush aromatics.” Kush aromatics? Crack this one open before the chaos of labor day starts. Eat with some kale chips after you’ve done yoga and found out that “amber is the color of your energy,” dude.

Ghost Papastrello Italian Red Wine

Swedish theatrical hard rock band Ghost are the latest heavy group to move away from hops and barley and turn their sinister gaze to grapes. Papa Emeritus, Ghost’s papal face-painting lead singer, is the main inspiration behind this red wine that blends Corvina and Rondinella grapes. The band has informed us that this vino goes well with “most rituals, wicker-burnings, and other pagan activities.” Sounds like a party.

Wavves Grinder

San Diego based lo-fi rockers Wavves know their fans well. The fuzzed out indie group released this accessory a couple years back for all your kush obsessed needs. Use the Wavves grinder to mix up oregano, garlic, and other spices you plan to use for your Labor Day dry rub. If your Mom comes to your Labor Day pool party, just tell her they’re really cool, massive bottle caps. Or custom Altoid cases. Comes in a variety of blue, red, clear, and neon. Gnarly.

The Summer Set Beer Koozie

This koozie is pink and it says The Summer Set on it. C’mon. Goes perfect with a Warped Tour tank and over a Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Enjoy while lounging poolside next to your other pop-punk bros this weekend that are too punk for the pop kids and too pop for the punk kids. It’s also $5 and will keep your beer ice cold.

Joewave Coffee

Hosting a Labor Day BBQ can be a serious grind. Figuring out what and how much food to get is an honest migraine. There’s always the vegetarian friend that shows up and can’t eat anything, so politely starves while eating the pasta salad that no one else touches. Then there’s the friend of a friend who drinks too much and falls asleep on one of those floating pool flamingos and gets third degree burns and has to be pulled out of the pool with one of those long cleaning poles.

Properly caffeinating yourself with some strong java is key for any Labor Day party. Luckily, synth-pop practitioners Joywave have partnered with Glen Edith coffee roasters and Cultco to bring you Joewave. Roasted in Rochester, NY by Pour Coffee Parlor every Tuesday to guarantee your batch is fresh. Stock up on this and thank us later.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-09-02T07:00:00.000Z

While other weeks were packed with songs that have been on high radio rotation, this week's list of releases might not necessarily be of the mainstream variety.

While Morcheeba have been silent on the new release front, Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey have released their first self-titled album as Skye & Ross. Angel Olsen returns with her new musical effort, My Woman. Then there's the Melbourne rocker rocker Teeth & Tongue who's dropping her boldest album yet, Give Up On Your Health. James Vincent McMorrow channels our sensual sides with We Move. And finally, Soundwalk Collective, Patti Smith and her daughter, Jesse Paris Smith, pay tribute to The Velvet Underground's Nico on Killer Road.

'Skye & Ross' - Skye & Ross

The last time we heard from Morcheeba was their 2013 album, Head Up High. While fans have been waiting for new material since then, they'll be happy to know that two-thirds of the British electronic band have decided to put out a new record.

Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey — who haven't really stopped touring over the years — are trying something a little different with their new project Skye & Ross. Instead of layering on the electronic sounds, this duo have gone back to their songwriting and live band roots to put together 10 songs that sound more like a gritty soul rock album than anything they've made in the past.

From their single, "Light of Gold," to the grooving "Feet First," we see a different side of these two talents, and we're really liking it. And to make their self-titled debut extra special, the two turned the project into a family affair by bringing on Skye's son Jaega and husband Steve as well as Ross' wife Amanda to fill in on instruments and vocals. Even though some Morcheeba purists may take a while to get used to this sound, they can't deny that it's a solid body of work.

'My Woman' - Angel Olsen

Following the release of her critically acclaimed 2014 album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, Angel Olsen is back with My Woman. Working with producer Justin Raisen, Angel explores the ups, downs and what she calls the "complicated mess of being a woman" on this album.

Although songs like "Sister" and "Woman" would hint at a poetic pop folk record celebrating women, she keeps the themes more open ended. Take for instance, the guitar-driven upbeat song, "Shut Up and Kiss Me." Taking control of the situation, she tells her current affection to take that chance on their relationship. "Give It Up" is another faster-paced tune that laments about a relationship that didn't work out. Meanwhile "Those Were the Days" whispers her way through an electric guitar melody and reminisces about the good times.

My Woman brings Angel's signature slower tracks with some toe-tapping songs that make for a nice addition to your music library.

'We Move' - James Vincent McMorrow

James Vincent McMorrow has been known for being a heartfelt crooner; however, his third album, We Move, proves that he can do more than just sing you a slow song.

Kicking it off with the mid-tempo pop tune, "Rising Water," he wears his heart on his sleeve with "Last Story" and the gospel-infused "Evil." But the neo-soul Irishman can't shy away from his smoldering ballads will easily make you weak in the knees with "I Lie Awake Every Night," "Get Low" and "Killer Whales." And yes, his voice effortlessly reaches heights on this record. So it would make sense for him to end on that falsetto with "Lost Angels."

'Give Up on Your Life' - Teeth & Tongue

While many of us wallow with unlimited alcoholic beverages and pints of ice cream after a break up, Jess Cornelius, aka Teeth & Tongue, uses it as inspiration for her latest album, Give Up on Your Health.

The New Zealand-born and Melbourne-based artist retreated to Iceland for a three-month New Artist Residency and penned songs like "Small Towns," which express the stages of one's heartache. While it's lyrically a sad album, you hear Jess' will to move forward on tracks like the dancey "Turn, Turn, Turn" and the title track, ""Give Up on Your Health." She flips off adversaries on "Dianne" while lets all the feels out on "Your Ghost is the Hardest to Kill." Whether you just had your heart broken or are still getting over that ex from six months ago, put Teeth & Tongue's Give Up on Your Health on repeat this weekend.

'Killer Road' - Soundwalk Collective & Jesse Paris Smith featuring Patti Smith

If you're looking for something unique to listen to today, Killer Road is the album for your. Putting together the talents of Stephan Crasneanscki, Simone Merli, and Kamran Sadeghi, otherwise known as Soundwalk Collective, as well as Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of Patti Smith, the collection of nine songs were crafted to not only tell a story but make you feel like you're in the middle of it.

Killer Road pays homage to the late Christa Päffgen, better known as Nico of The Velvet Underground, and takes us back to her tragic death in Ibiza in 1988. Starting with the title track, the songs are filled with layered ambient soundscapes with Jesse Paris' vocals floating on top. And like Nico, she performs in more of a monologue tone opposed to just singing the lyrics — adding an eerie and almost freakish vibe to the whole album. As you listen to the record, you'll also hear Patti on some of the tracks. Probably not for the faint of heart, but it is quite the sonic adventure.

8 Celebrities You Didn't Know Had a Twin

2016-09-02T07:00:00.000Z

Everyone knows about some famous celebrity siblings. The Kardashian Klan, Olsen Twins, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, the Gyllenhaals, and many other sets of siblings have long been a part of Hollywood.

But not every brother or sister is as famous as their family. To prove that point, Glamour and our friends at XUMO got together and created a video of the top 8 sets of half-famous Hollywood twins out there. How many of these people did you even know had a twin (and where have the cute ones been all this time)?

Check it out below, and let us know what you think.

Glamour on XUMO: 8 Celebrities You Didn't Know Had a Twin from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things celebrity whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Glamour.

Pamela Anderson Says ‘Porn Is for Losers’

2016-09-01T20:48:56.435Z

Former Baywatch star and Playboy bunny Pamela Anderson wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach about the dangers of porn. Anderson and Boteach criticize pornography and its “corrosive effects on a man’s soul and on his ability to function as husband and, by extension, as father,” citing disgraced former politician Anthony Weiner as evidence.

Anderson and Boteach pointedly reprimand Weiner and his “self-sabotaging sexting.” The sexting is, according to them, “an addictive danger of pornography.” According to a study by the American Psychological Association they cite, porn consumption rates are at 50-90% among men, and 30-86% among women. Anderson and Boteach call these findings “terrifying.”

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Boteach and Anderson predict porn usage and addiction will only get worse through generations, calling children who grow up with sexualized images as the norm “the crack babies of porn.”

Rather than porn, Boteach and Anderson advocate for a “sensual revolution” which “would replace pornography with eroticism—the alloying of sex with love, of physicality with personality, of the body’s mechanics with imagination, of orgasmic release with binding relationships.”

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In the end, Boteach and Anderson simply want an end to porn. They write, “Simply put, we must educate ourselves and our children to understand that porn is for losers—a boring, wasteful and dead-end outlet for people too lazy to reap the ample rewards of healthy sexuality.”

Read their entire op-ed here.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Time To Stop Feeling Bad for Drake, He Finally Got a Kiss From Rihanna

2016-09-01T20:41:38.515Z

The narrative of Drake appearing to pine for Rihanna is a tale as old as time, but Rihanna finally kissed Drake during a concert in Miami on Wednesday night.

Let’s take a look at the facts on the ground. Longsuffering, emotionally sensitive boy loves girl who is possibly too cool. But there is chemistry andthere is ardent hope and there are unabashed, sincere declarations of true love on the part of the romantic boy. They collaborate on tons of hit songs that include music videos that necessitate making out with each other, and generally behaving in a couple-like manner, which might add to the boy’s optimism.

This went on for nearly a decade, which you can read about in excruciating detail here, until all of the events of the past ten years came to a head on Sunday night when one Aubrey Drake Graham presented the apple of his eye, one Robyn Rihanna Fenty, with her MTV VMA Vanguard award, and a heartfelt declaration of his eternal love. He attempted to consummate the relationship he has pined for throughout his whole feelings-laden life by planting a kiss on the MTV stage.

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Ri Ri, self-actualized queen that she is, however, seemed to be having none of it and appeared to promptly dodge the smooch and pat his head maternally, thus effectively putting him back in the friend zone where he has seemed to reside for most of their flirtatious friendship.

People have always pited Drake throughout his career, as evidenced by the excellent Drake’s Tears memes and also the fact that he has been compared to AJ Soprano and Chandler Bing. However, after the VMAs, pity for Drake was at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at the headlines.

“Watch Drake’s Longing For Rihanna Reach Its Pinnacle With Their VMA ‘Kiss‘”

“Has Rihanna Really Been Friend-Zoning Drake All Along?”

“Watch Drake Awkwardly Stan for Rihanna at the MTV VMAs”

“What Is Curving, and Will Drake Ever Be Okay Again?”

Drake must have been moping about it for days because our girl finally took pity on him and benevolently bestowed a kiss on the most “extra” (her words) of lover boys.

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So let’s call a moratorium on the pity parties for Drake, because after nearly a decade of waiting, Aubrey finally got that kiss. Whether or not this will turn Aubrih into reality or it all turns out to be some elaborate trolling on all of us (including Drizzy) by Rihanna remains to be seen, but until then, revel in the glory that is Drake’s supreme bliss over finally getting some love from Ri Ri.

Another view ❤️ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #6god #badgalriri #champagnepapi #drizzy #riri #rih #anti #antitour #views #work #teamaubrih #aubrih #ovo #f4f #rihannanavy #antiworldtour #summersixteen #summersixteentour #s16 #viewsfromthe6 #ovojordans #onedance #rihanna #drake

A video posted by Fierra 💕⚓️𓅓⁶ (@papi.riri) on Aug 31, 2016 at 9:58pm PDT

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Britney Spears on a ‘Really Bad Date’: ‘He Just Wasn’t That Into Me’

2016-09-01T20:33:24.100Z

It turns out no level of international fame will keep you safe from a lackluster love life. In a new interview with Marie Claire, pop icon and mother of two Britney Spears admitted that she still struggles with dating — even when it’s with a guy she already knew and liked.

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“We went to the movies, but I could tell right away it wasn’t working,” the Glory singer told the magazine. “It was sort of awkward. So after the movie I came home and that was it.” Stars: they’re just like us, hitting up the local cineplex for a run-of-the-mill rom-com to break the first-date ice. But Spears has more devastatingly relatable news.

“He just wasn’t that into me,” Spears explained, crushingly. “I liked him. He knew that. But he definitely didn’t feel the same. It happens to everybody. Being famous doesn’t make you any different.”

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This news is both reassuring and terrifying, as most of us don’t have celebrity good looks and platinum-selling albums to fall back on. At least it sounds like Spears knows how to cut her losses early on. And with her latest album release sitting pretty in the top five on the iTunes Store and a successful VMAs performance under her belt, we doubt Spears will be feeling lonely for too long. Besides, as she told James Corden in her Karaoke Carpool segment last week, she doesn’t believe in marriage anymore.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

10 Daters We Met at Sensory Speed Dating

2016-09-01T18:22:41.701Z

Dating in New York City can be a challenge. With everyone's busy schedules, it seems many have reduced their search to a few swipes on Tinder or Bumble. But if you're tired of doing that, you can try the Sensory Speed Date.

Hosted and organized by Guerilla Science, the event takes speed dating to a whole new level because you're blindfolded. Myspace had the chance to check out the org's event at Littlefield in Brooklyn on Wednesday night (August 31). People were paired off and got to know their partners using everything other than their eyes. From smelling the nape of another's neck to telling each other embarrassing stories in their sexiest voices, everyone was taken out of their comfort zones and entered personal spaces that we usually don't go into with someone we just met.

After each sensory round, on-hand scientists explain why the activity helps you figure out your attraction to someone else. So not only do you get to meet potential love matches, but you also get some education there as well. And who doesn't like to learn about sexual attraction?

We chatted with 10 of the night's daters to find out more about their experiences. And if you want to get in on this action, head to the Guerilla Science website for more info.

Isa, 32

Have you ever speed dated before? No.
Were you nervous about tonight? No.
Favorite part? When we were feeding each other, there was this guy, I don't know why, we touched each other and felt that weird connection. But when I took the blindfold off, I was like, "Oh no, I'm not attracted to this guy at all."
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: Their smile, definitely teeth.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? I feel like it might be their presence, their closeness. If somebody is accepting of your space, you can feel that energy. That's what I feel.
What did you learn from this event? The smell. When we were eating the jelly beans, I thought I had cherry when I tried it. But then it was actually lime. It was completely different. And trying not to offend anybody, especially if their face is bigger on one side compared to the other.

Richard, 22

Have you ever speed dated before? No, I have not.
Were you nervous about tonight? Yes, I was.
Best part? Interacting blindfolded. I never did anything like that, and it's weird talking to people just completely in the dark.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: How tall they are.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? The way they walk.
What did you learn from this event? That you can find out new things about people even when you can't see them.

Rachel, 35

Have you ever speed dated before? I have.
Were you nervous about tonight? I would say more curious than nervous. I didn't know what I was in for, but I was kind of ready to go along with the flow.
Favorite part? When we were blindfolded and had to feel each others' faces. My partner and I were talking at that point, and we both identified that it was oddly soothing to have somebody feeling your face like in a no strings attached context.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I don't know if there's one physical feature I'm attracted to, but there's something in the way people dress and carry themselves. It's the energy they're putting into the world; so the visible sign of that is clothing and walk.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Intellectual curiosity. I like people who find many things interesting and follow up on those interests and want to find out more.
What did you learn from this event? I learned that it's a lot less awkward to do these weird sensory things with a perfect stranger once you kind of get into it.

Andres, 23

Have you ever speed dated before? Nope.
Were you nervous about tonight? I was definitely interested. It was a peculiar motif. I was interested more than nervous.
Favorite part? Finding out what aroused me and heightened my senses more than anything else.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: The eyes.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Probably somebody who can hold a stimulating conversation about anything.
What did you learn from this event? That there's a lot of science in the dating world.

Tierre, 24

Have you ever speed dated before? Never.
Were you nervous about tonight? I'm not really nervous. But if I would pick something, maybe just not seeing. Maybe just not knowing where I am.
What are you looking forward to? Hopefully getting into a really cool conversation and being blindfolded. That would be really cool.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: How they present themselves, not necessarily how they look. But how they talk. I like sweet girls. So if you come off as sweet and kind, I'll be more attracted to you right away.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Because if they're shy or nervous, it'll ease the tension. So I'll come up with a conversation starter and try to smooth it out.
What do you hope to learn from this event? Maybe just reading signals better. Since we're blindfolded tonight, maybe it'll help read verbal and atmospheric signals better.

Annabelle, 34

Have you ever speed dated before? No actually.
Were you nervous about tonight? I was more excited to discover it.
Favorite part? I love dancing. So getting to dance with a blindfold was really fun. I was really into it. I think it was really cool to get to know people, even briefly. And it's more intimate when you have your blindfold on, and it was really weird. But it's cool.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: It's more style if anything else. How they carry themselves. What they chose to wear or what their hair looks like.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Confidence, especially if they're funny. I'm very attracted to funny people.
What did you learn from this event? I never knew about how feelings correlate. Like if you're in fear, then you're likely to fall for somebody. And why we're more attracted to people. I was actually looking forward to learning about the science behind it.

Daniel, 24

Have you ever speed dated before? No, I've never done it before.
Were you nervous about tonight? Slightly.
Favorite part? Dancing.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I don't know.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Intelligence.
What did you learn from this event? A mixture of love and science can make somebody spend $10.

Kevin, 33

Have you ever speed dated before? Never. This is the first time.
Were you nervous about tonight? You know what? I really wasn't nervous. I'm not usually nervous when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Favorite part? Being able to speak to different people.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I'd have to say hair.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? Probably her voice.
What did you learn from this event? I thought the session where we touch each others' faces was very sensual. It wasn't necessarily something that I learned, but it reminded me of the power of touch.

Jessica, 28

Have you ever speed dated before? No.
Were you nervous about tonight? I'm not nervous.
What are you looking forward to? Learning more about myself.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: The men to women ratio. [Laughs] That's a big one.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? A good sense of humor. That's important.
What did you hope to learn from this event? How to not feel awkward when you meet new people and finding a good way to connect with somebody.

Nicholas, 22

Have you ever speed dated before? No.
Were you nervous about tonight? Not really. I'd say if I really, really had to pick, it's the anticipation of meeting someone new and being blindfolded and whatnot.
What are you looking forward to? Meeting some cool people. I don't go out much. So this is new to me, and I never did anything like this before.
First thing you notice about people when you meet them: I pay attention to hair and teeth.
Looks aside, what do you find sexy? I usually notice who they are. I spark conversation with them and hear how they sound. From that, I can piece a little bit of who they are as a person. Then after that, I really just get to know them.
What did you hope to learn from this event? Not to judge a book by its cover.

Watch 'Stranger Things' Millie Bobbie Brown Rap To "Monster"

2016-09-01T17:12:39.026Z

The kids from Stranger Things can now add late night TV guests to their resume.

During an amazing "Stranger Strings" segment on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Finn Wolfhard each picked up a card with a secret on it. Then, Jimmy Fallon and the Stranger Things stars shot gobs of silly string at the person they thought wrote the secret.

While most of the secrets were straightforward (i.e. "I still sleep with a night light"), one was particularly revealing: Millie knows Nicki Minaj's entire verse from Kanye West's "Monster."

Watch Millie rapping "Monster," lots of silly string madness and more in the video below.

Stop Light Observations Channel the Charleston Spirit on 'Toogoodoo'

2016-09-01T16:30:00.000Z

While some musicians write about scenarios they created, Stop Light Observations went back to their roots — literally. Swapping the modern studio for an old plantation house on the Toogoodoo River in South Carolina, they channeled the sights, sounds and overall spirit of the area to create their new album, appropriately titled Toogoodoo.

We spoke with John-Keith "Cubby" Culbreth about the new record, why they skipped the studio and the story behind "Aquarius Apocalyptic."

Homebase: Charleston, SC

How was the approach to Toogoodoo different from Radiation?

Toogoodoo was live-tracked in a plantation house on the Toogoodoo River. We live-tracked every song until the perfect take was achieved, and every time we finished “the one” there was a certain supernatural energy that was captured in its recording. It was a very spiritual and delicate process that required a 100% creative team camaraderie. After the first song was successfully finished, there was an unexplainable feeling that for the first time ever we had became a true “band.”

Not a group of five people that played music together, but a single immortal soul embodied by five flesh bodies to create a small word that describes a giant achievement…a band. Today’s music industry is so obsessed with sonically perfected singles that the authentic “band” feeling has become a rarity. Where this album lacks sonic perfection, we believe it overcompensates with its authentic band energy and its story.

Radiation was recorded in a studio with pro gear and was live-tracked... So when I messed up my part I did it over and over again and dubbed and pasted thing to make my mistakes seem perfect.

What was it like to record in a place with so much history?

I found some pictures actually yesterday of Toogoodoo Bluff before it was restored and relocated. It looked like the scariest most haunted place you have ever seen. It was abandoned the middle of the woods and was found and restored and taken down piece by piece to be relocated. It's older than our country and has seen it all. It's filled with spirits and past energy like you can't even imagine. You simply have to be there. To record an album live in that energy is unexplainable but the least I can say is that the house is without a doubt the 6th instrument in the record.

What were the advantages and disadvantages of that?

Advantages is that it is real and rich with ancient spirit and heart, the disadvantage is lacking sonic perfection.

And why did you decided to title the LP, Toogoodoo?

The house is a place where we grew up as kids, learned to rebel, had psychedelic experiences, made love, where I wrote my first song, caught fish, paddled to the intercostal, not to mention its own bigger than life aura...the house and the river is so important we had to name the album after it.

What's "Aquarius Apocalyptic" about?

Because the song was created in such a strange circumstance, the meaning is much deeper than what words could describe. However, what I can say is that a song that may sound like word jambalaya at a first listen is far beyond the mistaken assumption. The satire-like array of lyrics is played as a joke, but is intentional to the meaning. It is a fact that global climate change is here and on its way. It is a fact that the earth is overpopulated. It is a fact that underlying racial, religious and classist separations are being exfoliated to the surface of discussion. It is a fact that technology is exponentially growing. The world is rapidly changing. It is a fact.

What is to come no one knows. Yet whatever it is, it will be magnificent in scale. It is called the Age of Aquarius to many and is described as the age of enlightenment. Some believe that the human race will reach a unity of light and awareness in this time that is to come. On the other end many people believe the world is going to end and that the human race will be eradicated through a trial of facing the pile of selfish mistakes we continue to make. They call it an Apocalypse. This song is the belief in both. The yin and the yang. The idea that those who reach for positive action and altruistic thought will indeed experience the Aquarius, and for those that do not...well...the apocalypse is the experience that lies ahead.

How has Charleston inspired your sound?

Charleston is everything to us. Our sound is the culture that has filled us. The marsh, the people, the islands, the Gullah influence, the food...everything. There is a reason it is the #1 travel city in the world right now!

What song is the funnest to perform?

For me, it is "Give to Get" or "Aquarius Apocalyptic."

What are the plans for the rest of 2016?

To get inspired by the world and hope to give some back....resurrecting rock n' roll and becoming a headline act would be nice too

Chris Brown's Lawyer Says Rapper Didn't Threaten Woman With Gun

2016-09-01T16:27:50.422Z

Chris Brown's lawyer Mark Geragos took to Twitter late on Wednesday night to claim that his client is innocent. The rapper was jailed on Tuesday (though quickly released on bail) after actress Baylee Curran accused him of threatening her with a gun.

Thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes. Chris is out and well. The allegations against him are demonstrably false #TeamBreezy
— Mark Geragos (@markgeragos) August 31, 2016

Geragos claims that Curran "fabricated" the incident. “It has become apparent that the allegations are not just false but fabricated,” he said to the LA Times. He further noted that Brown "cooperated fully" with police.

Police have acquired footage of Brown's home captured by his home security system, according to the Times, but have not released details of what was captured on tape.

Brown was formally arrested for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday. He has a long history of arrests, most notably spending six years on probation for assaulting Rihanna in 2009.

Gene Wilder's 20 Best Roles

2016-09-01T16:18:02.260Z

Gene Wilder was a great actor, there's no denying that much.

But what were his best roles? Well, you can probably name a few of your favorites, but you probably can't come up with 20. Thankfully, Vanity Fair and our friends at XUMO teamed up to bring you Wilder's 20 top roles in video form, so you don't have to do any of the thinking on your own. From Young Frankenstein to The Frisco Kid, they're all there.

Check it out below, and let us know what you think.

Vanity Fair on XUMO: Gene Wilder's 20 Best Roles from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things movies whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to Vanity Fair.

John Legend Calls "The Star Spangled Banner" A "Weak Song"

2016-09-01T15:54:24.296Z

John Legend supports NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to not stand during the National Anthem.

In fact, he's willing to go even further: the ten-time Grammy winner called the "Star Spangled Banner" a "weak song" on Twitter. He then linked to a story on The Intercept that notes the racial history of our National Anthem.

For those defending the current anthem, do you really truly love that song? I don't and I'm very good at singing it. Like, one of the best
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 30, 2016

My vote is for America the Beautiful. Star spangled banner is a weak song anyway. And then you read this... https://t.co/iAE62FAbxj
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 30, 2016

In response to a fan noting that Kapernick's boycotting wasn't about the lyrics, Legend further explained his interpretation of the NFL star's decision.

@Lindsey50783746 I agree that his protest wasn't about the lyrics. It's about the value of the lives of people of color in America.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 30, 2016

As Legend notes, he prefers "America the Beautiful." Listen to his rendition of the song from the 2015 Super Bowl below.

Black Eyed Peas Reunite For "Where Is The Love?" Remake

2016-09-01T15:29:28.947Z

The Black Eyed Peas are back to ask "Where Is The Love?" again.

Styled "#WHERESTHELOVE," the new song reconsiders the 2003 track in light of recent acts of police brutality. Many stars, including Justin Timberlake, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Diddy, Jaden Smith and A$AP Rocky, guest on the track.

"Overseas, yeah, they trying to stop terrorism," sings Diddy. "Where's the love? / Over here, on the streets, the police shoot the people, put the bullets in 'em"

The group explained why they decided to revisit the song in a video (below). "I hope this song inspires the millennial to go all out," said will.i.am. "Scream from the tallest mountain. Care like your freedom depends on it. Pay attention like that is at risk."

"#WHERESTHELOVE" and its music video are currently available on iTunes and Apple Music.

5 Ways a 'Road Rules' Marathon Made Us Long for the '90s

2016-09-01T07:00:00.000Z

The other day I was flipping through channels when I landed on MTV Classic just as they’d begun a marathon of the first season of Road Rules. I was in high school when Season One originally aired in 1995, so I was more than happy to take a trip down memory lane on a lazy Sunday.

Everybody likes to think the era in which they grew up was the best of times, and I’m just as guilty of this as anyone. That said, re-watching Season One of Road Rules gave me some fantastic flashbacks to what I consider to be better times. Here are five ways in which the adventures of Kit, Mark, Los, Allison and Shelly made me long for the ‘90s.

They Used Disposable Cameras

After completing a particularly wild task involving alligators, I noticed Los took out a disposable camera to capture the moment. When I thought about this, it really represented what photographs used to be about. Photos were taken to preserve a memory.

Today, with every cell phone taking a million shots, and selfie culture reigning supreme, photos are less about preserving memories, and more about bragging on social media.

Sure, the old way required you to finish a roll of film and get it developed, but there’s still something really nice about the concept of preserving a memory on a personal level, rather than taking photos in hopes of getting “likes.”

There Were No Cell Phones

Speaking of selfie culture, it didn’t exist in 1995 thanks to the fact that nobody this side of Zack Morris had a cell phone, and even he couldn’t possibly have imagined they’d one day take pictures. Because of this lack of technology, the quintet in the RV actually conversed with each other; learned about each other and went out and created their own fun.

People Treated Each Other Better

I know what you’re thinking — wasn’t conflict a key element of Road Rules?

Yes, that’s absolutely true, but the arguments they had in the early years weren't like the kind we now see on a daily basis on Facebook, and in the comments sections of websites, where people say things with absolutely no regard for who they’re talking to. There was, dare I say it, a maturity to the conflicts on Road Rules, even the one between Los and Shelly.

No one was ever on the precipice of setting everything on fire, which is how people act on Facebook with nearly every status update, and comment.

They Used Maps

In 1995 GPS technology wasn’t available to the public. Instead, we used these magical things called maps. We had paper maps, and, in the case of the Road Rules gang, they also had a map program on their bulky laptop. It didn’t give them directions, it simply gave them a bunch of searchable maps.

While they ended up lost more than a few times, they always made it to their destination. As a bonus, because they were mapping the journey themselves, rather than letting a robotic voice tell them where to drive, they arrived with some actual knowledge of their surroundings.

I’m not denying GPS technology is great, and I’ll be the first to admit I like having my GPS when I’m driving alone, but perhaps we’ve become so obsessed with the destination that we’ve forgotten how enjoyable the journey can be, especially when it’s shared with friends.

Clothes Were All About Comfort

Maybe it’s because of my close proximity to a number of hipster havens (I’m looking at you, Brooklyn), but while watching Season One of Road Rules I couldn’t help but notice the clothes being worn were all about comfort, and not about an attempt to look cool, or show off. Jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, oftentimes of the baggy variety, ruled the day.

No one felt the need to have $250 jeans that come pre-ripped and are so skin tight you can’t fit a wallet in any of the pockets. Guess what, people still looked attractive! Imagine that.

Taking Back Sunday Shares a Timeless Summer Playlist

2016-09-01T07:00:00.000Z

Taking Back Sunday has been pretty consistent ever since the band’s debut record came out back in 2002. Every couple of years or so they’d release a new collection of pop punk anthems. The seventh installment — entitled Tidal Wave — hits stores on September 16 to score your final days of summer, so it’s only natural that bassist Shaun Cooper made us an exciting and eclectic playlist of his beloved summer gems. Get a blanket and a six pack of beer and head to the nearest beach with your buddies to listen to this festive compilation.

Roger Harvey - "City Deer"

I first heard this song in the spring and I wanted summer to get here.

Weezer - "Wind in our Sail"

The other song I heard back in the spring and I couldn't wait for summer to get here!

The Bouncing Souls - "Say Anything"

This song reminds me of summer of 1998.

The Queers - "Mirage"

Summer 1997 I played this in the car during drivers ed. Everyone thought I was weird.

The Dwarves - "Everybody's Girl"

Summer of 1998 I was a camp counselor and listened to this song everyday.

Saves the Day - "Shoulder to the Wheel"

Favorite song from my favorite album of 1999.

Ramones - "Do You Wanna Dance"

Listened to this song as a kid dreaming of how life would be as an adult. The others were:

The Ronnettes - "Be My Baby"

The Beach Boys - "Don't Worry Baby"

The Drifters - "Save the Last Dance for Me"

Tyga’s 5 Biggest Debt Collectors

2016-09-01T07:00:00.000Z

The past couple of years have been a roller coaster for Tyga. After dishing out a multi-platinum single in “Rack City,” many thought he had the potential to eclipse expectations created by hip-hop pundits. Slowly but surely, Tyga’s sunny future dissipated because of poor money decisions and dissolved relationships.

First, his baby mama, Blac Chyna dragged the life out of him and Kylie Jenner, after he elected to become a member of the Kardashian Clan. Then, he attempted to tango with the indomitable Drizzy Drake Rogers. Sadly for him, he was lyrically obliterated on Drake’s “6 P.M. in New York.” In addition to that, who can forget about his insipid release of The Gold Album: 18^th Dynasty, where he went double wood? Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for the Cali rapper, the man has been struggling immensely with his money habits.

As much as Tyga likes to boast and brag about money, you would have thought the 26-year-old rapper would have some money in reserves. Well, unfortunately, he has fried all of his savings. On numerous occasions, Tyga found himself staring the repo man in the eyes because of his inability to pay his bills on time. With arguably the heftiest debts in hip-hop, we take a look at some of his biggest collectors to date.

Tyga’s Clothing Line

Getty Images

Amount Owed: $186,275.89

Like any common rapper, Tyga decided to invest in a clothing line. Egypt's Last Kings Clothing proved to quickly be a debacle and became a stain in Tyga's resume.

In June 2015, his clothing line company landlord walked into his facilities and found the place in utter disarray. The doors were painted black with Egyptian patterns; the ceiling tiles were painted over and ink was poured down the drain and into a public sewer. The damages cost his landlord over $75,000. In addition to that, Tyga was several months behind in rent. In total, he owes them $186,275.89.

Jason the Jeweler

Craig Barritt / Getty Images

Amount Owed: $270,000

Just when he thought he was in the clear, Tyga found himself embroiled in another contentious battle with a familiar face. This time, it was with Jason of Beverly Hills.

The famous jeweler had no problem tackling the debt head-on with Tyga after the rapper stiffed him of nearly $100,000 when he purchased a watch and chain in 2013. To make matters worse, Jason hired the same lawyers as Tyga's old landlord, who was recently awarded his money after failing to receive his payments. After filing his first suit in 2013, Jason tried to obtain $185,306.50 in costs and late fees. The total skyrocketed to an overwhelming $208,334.47, after a judge ordered Tyga to pay up in 2014. Sadly, Tyga has yet to cough up any money and owes $270,000 in damages, interest, and attorney fees.

Tyga’s Stable of Whips

Yahoo Style

Amount Owed: $357,350.77

Tyga has a penchant for purchasing gaudy jewelry and speedy whips. The sad thing about it is while it's good to have expensive taste, it sucks when you can't even crack open your wallet to foot the bill.

Choice Motor Credit sent over their people to chase after Tyga, when he ditched them on his 2013 Lamborghini Aventador. Apparently, the rapper owes them $357,350.77 after failing to follow through on his payments. Because of his missed payments, Tyga haplessly watched the repo man take his sleek whip. In addition to that lofty bill, Tyga still owes $91,000 for his 2014 Bentley Mulsanne. Once again, the repo man returned with vengeance and snatched away that car, as well.

Tyga's Ex-Landlord in Malibu

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Amount Owed: $480,000

Five years ago, Tyga opted to rent a Malibu crib for a whopping $16,000 a month. In typical Tyga fashion, he chose to not pay his rent; broke his rental agreement and left the house in ruins.

In addition to that, Tyga made matters worse when he elected to purchase Kylie Jenner a $200,000 Mercedes Maybach for her 19^th birthday instead of paying the $480,000 that he owes to this landlord. His landlord's lawyers were not pleased with the fact that he bought his girlfriend a flashy gift knowing that he's in a financial crisis. Fortunately, both parties were able to reach a settlement.

Kylie’s G-Wagon

Getty Images

Amount Owed: $233,000

Remember when Tyga gifted Kylie his 2013 G-Wagon — the same one he gave to Rob's fiancé and baby mother Blac Chyna? Well, the Repo Man wanted a piece of that as well after it was reported that Tyga missed several payments on the car. The luxury vehicle, which totals up to be $233,000, was rumored to be a birthday gift for Kylie, even though she vehemently denied those claims.

Oddly enough, reports claimed that the repo man tried to pry away the G-Wagon from Kylie’s house. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t able to gain access to the car because the social media maven’s property is protected by not one, but two gates.

Top 5 Games To Play in September

2016-09-01T07:00:00.000Z

We survived the Madden release! And now that the yearly gridiron gauntlet is out on store shelves, September is looking like another strong month for gaming. Sony is announcing two new PSs, one slimmer (and hopefully cheaper) and one more powerful, built for 3D gaming and the future of tech. Nintendo’s NX console seems to be moments away from a full unveiling and the WiiU is sort of floundering as a result.

Still, plenty of games are coming out to fill in the gaps including an expansion of one of the most popular online games, a racing game built for 4K and the best sports game played on ice. Check out our picks for the best five games out this month!

Destiny: Rise of Iron

Let’s get the clear winner out of the way right now, as Destiny’s latest expansions looks to give gamers a reason to load up their Guardians and increase their light level all over again.

So what’s new? There is a new raid, new story campaign, new social zone, tons of new weapons and armor pieces, and, of course, new PVP maps and modes. Earth is being opened up a bit more and the Plaguelands will become an unwelcome battlezone for players, introducing a new enemy race and plenty of bosses that need some destroying. That new PVP mode is essentially like Call of Duty’s Kill Confirmed, where fallen foes drop an orb that need to be collected in order to score points, meaning long range players will need to get their hands dirty if they actually want to contribute. If you’ve been cold on Bungie’s shooter since the last big expansion, schedule some time with your friends so you can raid on day one!

Mother Russia Bleeds

We got a chance to check out this 2D brawler at E3 and were left wanting more. For those who grew up in the heyday of Streets of Rage, Final Fight and other “walk down the street and punch anything that moves” games will feel right at home with this digital bloodbath. But Mother Russia Bleeds is born out of the Hotline Miami style of game design, where mature themes and high-energy techno are the core components and ramping up the blood and gore only helps drive the message home.

This won’t be the perfect family game, but you could easily boot this up at a party; pass around the controllers and begin bashing skulls left and right without relying on expert skills or twitch muscle memory.

NHL 17

While Madden has its ups and downs, NBA Live has been a perpetual tire fire and FIFA continues to be a cash cow, EA’s NHL franchise has been the blue collar workhorse game for over a decade.

Now there was a bit of a setback when the new generation of consoles launched, but all of the desired modes and features are back and the gameplay is just about where it needs to be. This year’s entry is bringing in some great features from their other games, like Madden’s Draft Champions (think fantasy hockey in short bursts) and the real world World Cup of Hockey will be represented with accurate rosters, jerseys, and arenas. The full franchise experience is of course back, and the gameplay improvements are mostly in net and in front of the goalie, where players can battle for position and control deflections better than ever before.

ReCore

ReCore has a lot going for it. It was created by Keiji Inafune (of Mega Man, Resident Evil and Dead Rising fame), developed by Comcept and is retailing for $40. The impressions coming out of E3 were mostly positive, as the game has a slick sense of platforming and adventure not seen in most modern games. You team up with a bunch of differently shaped and skilled robots to accomplish your tasks, from defeating enemies to traversing a dangerous land. The boss fights look like they will incorporate puzzle solving over sheer brute force, but the various weapons you find and upgrade over your playthrough won’t hurt.

This one is an Xbox One exclusive, but PC gamers will get to try out Microsoft’s new Play Anywhere promotion where buying it on Xbox gets you the PC copy and all of your progress will carry over from one version to the other.

Forza Horizon 3

September is a good month for Microsoft, as their flagship racing franchise Forza is back with their offshoot Horizon series and this one looks to be the best one yet.

First off, the visuals are gorgeous and playing it on a high-end PC makes it stand out above and beyond any other racing game we’ve seen thus far. Australia is the latest backyard for you to drive 150+ vehicles through, and the Outback is fitting for a new class of cars, like dune buggies that rip up the sandy beaches and off-road vehicles perfect for tearing through the jungle.

Horizon’s trademark sense of style is back in the form of another catchy soundtrack, as well as gorgeous vistas and over-the-top races against crazy vehicles like jets and helicopters. While the series has become a sort of known quantity, the team at Playground Games has obviously put a ton of heart and effort into this entry.

Mel Brooks Says He Misses Being Able to Call Gene Wilder

2016-08-31T20:13:31.106Z

Actor and director Mel Brooks on Tuesday mourned the loss of Gene Wilder during an appearance on The Tonight Show, lamenting the fact that he’ll never be able to call his close friend again.

Gene Wilder Showed That Anxiety Could Be Hilarious—and Tender, Too

Brooks told the show’s host, Jimmy Fallon, that he knew Wilder was “sick” and that he expected his friend would pass soon — but that he was still shaken when he learned of the death. “When it happens, it’s still tremendous. It’s a big shock,” Brooks said. “I’m still reeling from that — no more Gene. I can’t call him. I can’t. He was such a wonderful part of my life.”

Gene Wilder’s 5 Most Memorable Movie Moments

Wilder, who often collaborated with Brooks and starred in the director’s films, died Sunday from complications stemming from Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Associated Press. The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory actor was 83.

Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Michelle Obama and Nick Offerman Take You Through the ‘History of Exercise’

2016-08-31T20:01:59.896Z

Nick Offerman, the more emotive alter ego of mustache aficionado Ron Swanson, can now add another title to his already impressive resume: exercise enthusiast.

Stephen Colbert Mocks Donald Trump’s Evolving Immigration Stance

Alongside comedian Megan Mullally (who happens to be his wife IRL) and First Lady Michelle Obama, Offerman runs through the many fitness trends that the have cycled through during the past 6 decades since the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition was created. The video was created in collaboration with Funny or Die! and the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the council.

Among the most memorable fitness trends Offerman participates in? Wearing a vibrating belt machine from the ’50s, using a Thighmaster while sporting a leotard and legwarmers (and listening to Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical”), and making good use of an ab roller while rocking out to Cher.

Football Player Eats Lunch With Boy With Autism After Seeing Him Sitting Alone

Watch Offerman get his sweat on below.

This originally appeared on TIME.com

Amy Schumer and J. K. Rowling Just Had the Best Exchange on Twitter

2016-08-31T19:40:25.583Z

During the most recent stop on her world stand-up tour, Amy Schumerperformed in Edinburgh, Scotland — the hometown of none other than J.K. Rowling. But it wasn’t until after the Tuesday night appearance that Schumer learned the Harry Potter author had not only been in the audience, but had loved her show.

Following the set, Rowling took to Twitter to gush about the comedian’s talent. “Just seen the goddess that is @amyschumer live in Edinburgh,” she tweeted. “What a night.”

Bill Nye is Getting a New Show on Netflix

Schumer quickly replied, requesting Rowling’s opinion on a wizarding world aspect of the show. “Thank you so much!,” she wrote. “Did you like my sister’s gryffindor hat?!”

Just seen the goddess that is @amyschumer live in Edinburgh. What a night 😂❤️
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 30, 2016

Thank you so much! Did you like my sister's gryffindor hat?! https://t.co/phcKMLoMFm
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) August 30, 2016

Is This Monkey The New Incarnation of Voldemort?

Of course, Rowling had the best response.

.@amyschumer I *loved* the Gryffindor hat.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 30, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

7 Things We Know About the New Season of 'Stranger Things'

2016-08-31T19:30:19.199Z

Netflix officially announced that a second season of Stranger Things will premiere in 2017. Until then you’ll have to hold onto your wrist rockets, but The Duffer Brothers did give Entertainment Weekly teasers about the show to get everyone all jacked up for the new season.

Watch the teaser above, and here’s what we know so far.

Watch John Krasinski Struggle Through a Shakespearean Sonnet About Emily Blunt

1. The action’s going to pick back up in Fall of 1984. So plan accordingly by getting all your friends the correct walkie talkies to discuss the finer points of Steve’s hair.

2. It will be a continuation of the first season’s story. “I think we talked like a larger time jump where the kids are older now and it’s a different decade,”Ross Duffer revealed to EW. “That’s something we batted around from the very beginning. But for us, there’s still more story here, there’s still things that are unresolved.” These are the people coming right back at you, so you can continue to live life: Joyce, woman of light bulb chats (Winona Ryder); Mike (Finn Wolfhard), whose love for Eleven was huge; and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), the kid who says everything you can’t, but the writer-directors were cryptic about Eleven. “We don’t know about Eleven,” Ross Duffer says. “We leave that up in the air.” Disappointingly, no mention of whether the show’s heartthrob Dr. Brenner lived to melt our hearts another day.

3. Expect four brand new characters. “There’s going to be a lot of new and interesting dynamics that we didn’t see in season 1,” Matt Duffer says. In the teaser, we see the words “The Lost Brother.” So fingers crossed Barb’s mom can lose one more kid the show can drop like a bad habit, in case that family didn’t endure enough misery.

4. There’s one more major influence that will inspire this season. Bringing the show’s tally of cool guys the Duffer Brothers admire up to 6 million, the new season will have a heavy James Cameron influence. Matt Duffer explained why. “I know movie sequels get a lot of s—, but the ones we look up to aspire to pivot and do something different,” he says. “There’s Temple of Doom, Aliens, Terminator 2. I guess a lot of this is James Cameron. But he’s brilliant. And I think one of the reasons his sequels are as successful as they are is he makes them feel very different without losing what we loved about the original. So I think we kinda looked to him and what he does and tried to capture a little bit of the magic of his work.” We’ll never let go, Barb. We’ll never let go.

See Chris Christie Dance Like No One’s Watching at a Bruce Springsteen Concert

5. Good old monster-infested Hawkins won’t be the only location. Season two will open on another town, the creators reveal. (It’s conceivable that the Byers’ and co. wanted to have a new beginning in a town without terrifying government operatives at every turn, but given that adorable little William coughs up a slug at the end, they’re not escaping the past anytime soon.)

6. Everyone will still have access to the Upside Down. Great news, in case they want to go hang with the throat snakes for a fun long weekend for the whole family. There will be more discussion of the otherworld and some loose ends will be tied and the creators even posed some questions because a good teacher never keeps a curiosity door locked. They assure us the show will answer some long-marinating questions. “We obviously have this gate to another dimension, which is still very much open in the town of Hawkins. And a lot of questions there in terms of, if the Monster is dead, was it a singular monster? What else could be out there? We really don’t go in there much until they go in to find Will at the end. So we’ve opened up this doorway, and to us it’s exciting to talk about, like, what else is behind there? There’s a lot more mystery there to be solved.”

7. It will be nine episodes instead of eight. This way, fans can spend nine hours without moving in front of the screen, because life is fair. “We’re letting the story dictate it,” says Matt. “I think if it gets any longer, it gets unwieldy for us. We want to make sure it’s manageable and we want to be able to tell a movie-like story where it’s never treading water. We want it to have the same feel and pacing as season 1. I think if we extend it too much, it will have a very different feel.”

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Buster Moe’s Live Acoustic Video for “Down” Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-08-31T16:30:00.000Z

A longtime hotbed of musical talent, Sweden’s impact on the current American music scene can be heard just by turning on the radio, with acts like Tove Lo, Avicii, and Zara Larsson ruling the airwaves. The country’s latest musical export is soulful singer-songwriter Buster Moe.

Moe’s debut EP, titled Good Kinda Crazy, is due out September 23 via PRMD Music. It comes on the heels of a highly successful alternative take on the Cypress Hill classic “Insane In The Brain,” his version of which garnered more than 1.5 million streams on Spotify.

Wanting to follow that up with his original work, Moe recently released the single, “Down,” and Myspace has the exclusive premiere of the live acoustic video for the song.

Impressed by “Down,” we caught up with Moe to find out more about his upcoming EP, and the potential for bumping into pop royalty in his hometown.

"Down" is off of your upcoming EP, Good Kinda Crazy. Give us a story about one of your favorite experiences with someone who's the good kinda crazy.

Ha ha! Which story to pick of all the crazy ones?! Actually, this one happened last weekend.

I was entering a nightclub with some friends in Stockholm. As soon as you get into the club there’s a stand where they give out free condoms. All of us might have grabbed maybe two condoms, and then sneaked away while one of my friends just completely filled her purse with all of these different condoms. There must have been like 200 condoms in her purse!

That’s a lot of condoms! In terms of the music of Good Kinda Crazy, how representative is "Down" of the rest of the EP?

I would say that "Down" is more of the wild card for the EP. It's more rough, and hard, than the other songs. The last two songs for the EP are acoustic, and ballad-like.

You're from Stockholm, and we all know Sweden is a haven for great musicians. Do you just randomly bump into Tove Lo, or Avicii, in the supermarket?

Ha ha! (It’s) true, there are a lot of great musicians in this town. Even though I wish I had bumped into Tove Lo, or Avicii, in the supermarket, I haven't yet, but you're right, especially if you're out enjoying the nightlife, there’s a big chance you will bump into several amazing artists. A while back I bumped into the lead singer of Bo Kaspers Orkester, which is an awesome Swedish band.

The Bad Suns, Masters of the Pop Hook

2016-08-31T16:30:00.000Z

The Bad Suns create songs that are so catchy, hooky and cute, you’d be surprised to hear that they’re touring vets who are about to drop their second album. (Don't believe us? Just listen to their single "Heartbreaker.")

These fresh, young Angelenos are releasing Disappear Here on September 16. They’ve also been opening for Halsey all summer and will keep touring through the fall. Right after a stint at Austin City Limits, they’re hitting the road with Nashville band COIN. Frontman Chris Bowman talks to Myspace about his musical awakening via the School of Rock (yes, the movie!), Bret Easton Ellis as a musical inspiration and living in Los Angeles.

Hometown / homebase: Los Angeles, CA. More specifically, Woodland Hills. Our guitarist Ray always unintentionally makes this answer difficult — he’s the one of us who lives in Newbury Park, a few miles north. He’s very handsome though, so it’s okay.

How did you meet your bandmates?

Gavin and I met on my first day of 7th grade, in science class. Our science teacher didn’t believe in deodorant, so his scent was always fantastic. Apart from that, the friendships that formed the band came to be as we each became more and more involved in the San Fernando Valley’s local music scene. The Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park was somewhat of a safe haven for young bands and young music fans uninterested in the happenings of the zombified Hollywood scene, if you could even call it a scene. The Cobalt has since closed down and that is a travesty for the valley’s youth of today, whether or not they’re aware.

Did you grow up in a musical household? How did you know you were going to be a musician?

My dad could always carry a tune and keep a rhythm. During the 20th century, the Bowmans were heavily involved with the Salvation Army, and there were many horn players, casual pianists, and singers sprinkled throughout the lineage. However, I’m the first to forge a career out of music, especially outside of the church. My musical awakening came in 2004, when I saw School of Rock for the first time. I was nine years old and my life would never be the same after that day.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

There are so many. What makes this band special to me is largely to do with the musical chemistry between the four of us and the dire importance of each member’s contributions. U2, Green Day, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are a few wonderful examples of groups who’ve built their vast catalogs on similar ideals. We look to them in many ways. How do you remain creative, happy, and how do you keep that spark alive for so long? Respect to those groups.

What’s with the name Bad Suns?

The year was 2011 and by this point, Gavin, Miles, and I were still playing under the moniker of my first band from 2006. We were beginning to take things a bit more seriously, and we realized we needed a name a bit better than what 12-year-old-me had to offer. The Bravery’s Sun and the Moon album was a favorite of mine, and on it there’s a song called “Bad Sun” — that always stuck out as peculiar to me, and I figured a good band name should encompass some sort of peculiarity.

Does living in Woodland Hills influence the kind of music you write?

Spite is involved when you’re young and trying to start up a music career in a city famed for the Sunset Strip and the days of '80s hair metal. We never wanted anything to do with that history, and we often felt like the odd band out of the bunch in that respect. I can recount many instances where we’d play the Whisky a Go Go along with five terrible glam-rock-wanna-be bands. It made us want to do something different and work towards a new era of the Los Angeles sound.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

I’ve had a few fantasies which involve a member of Title Fight breaking an arm before a tour, leaving space for me to come in and fill out guitar duties. For Bad Suns, we’re really interested in collaborating with Tycho’s Scott Hansen. I hope that’s something we can make a reality down the line. If not, we’ll settle for the '90s Hanson.

What do you do for fun?

Binge watch the X-Files, play guitar, go to shows, go to the beach, hang out with my girlfriend, eat sushi, repeat.

What's the craziest thing experience you’ve had as Bad Suns’ frontman?

At this point, there are several people who’ve come up to me at shows and have shown me their Bad Suns tattoos. Several! That blows my mind, each time. I don’t even have a Bad Suns tattoo! Honestly, our fans are so warm and loyal. They’re some of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and a lot of them will go through some shit in order to make it out to one of our concerts. I’m talking flights, busses, 12 hour car drives, you name it. That will always be very special to me.

Why is your album called Disappear Here?

I was reading Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero for a second time last summer, while we were recording the album. For those who don’t know, it’s a story based in Los Angeles in the 1980s, which chronicles the lives of a group of college-age kids steeped in casual nihilism. Many aspects of that book have always rung particularly true for me, regardless of its wonderfully embellished nature. Maybe the second or third time the ‘Disappear Here’ billboard appears in the narrative, it sort of just hit me like a ton of bricks: “What an excellent title for an album…” It encapsulated absolutely everything. What a prompt, “put on this record, put on these headphones, and just disappear here for a little while.”

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

Yes, I do. it was called “I Don’t Want To” and I was 9. It was about not wanting to move away from home and my friends, because at nine years old, that’s sort of your biggest fear, isn’t it? I heard it the other day and, honestly, not a terrible song. [Laughs]

Tell us an awesome Myspace-related story you have as a musician.

Yes, on that first day of 7th grade science class where I met Gavin, his first words to me were “Do you have a Myspace?” I did, and he had known that because he had done some research on the new kid in town before I arrived at AC Stelle Middle School. My profile was plastered with the Atticus clothing logo, and he had taken notice as we were both huge fans of blink-182. That pretty much started it all.

Chris Brown Released on $250,000 Bail

2016-08-31T15:59:15.183Z

After he was arrested for allegedly threatening model Baylee Curan with a gun, Chris Brown made the $250,000 bail and was set free.

According to Los Angeles County jail records, the "Loyal" singer was released at 11:19pm on Tuesday night (August 30). Despite being out of the pen, Chris does have to appear in court regarding the issue on September 20 at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

While Chris strongly claims that he is innocent, this arrest just adds to his laundry list of run-ins with the law, which could essentially work against him during this particular case. He already served six years of probation after the 2009 assault case that involved his now ex-girlfriend, Rihanna. Then his manager, Mike G, sued Chris for allegedly punching him in the face.

Despite Breezy's past, only time and the upcoming court appearance will determine his fate. So we'll just have to wait and see.

Selena Gomez Takes Break Due to "Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Depression"

2016-08-31T15:42:26.955Z

Selena Gomez has been all over the globe on her Revival World Tour, and now she's ready to take a break.

"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways," she told People in a statement "I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges."

While the pop singer and actress brought the energy onstage each night, Selena needed to take a moment to take care of her own health.

"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues," she said.

And before skeptics start blaming it all on the alcohol on drugs, a source close to Selena squashed the idea.

"She decided to clear her calendar for the year in order to have this be her priority for future happiness and didn't want to leave any promoters at bay," the source told People. "She feels relieved that she can now make more sense of why she was feeling the way she was and is optimistic about the future."

We wish Selena the best and hope she feels better.

'Stranger Things' Confirms Season Two With New Teaser

2016-08-31T15:34:04.328Z

If there's one new show people have been talking (and raving) about, it's Stranger Things. And while fans hoped for a second season after binging on the Netflix series, the streaming service officially gave Season 2 the greenlight. And it'll premiere at some point in 2017.

Promising to have most of the cast back, creators the Duffer Brothers promise new characters, new places but a return to the Upside Down.

"We kinda just peeled back the curtain and revealed a tiny bit of the Upside Down," Matt Duffer tells EW. "So we definitely want to explore a little bit more. There's a lot we don’t know about the Upside Down at the end of season 1."

They also view the new season as more of a sequel to the first one — despite the flack that sequels tend to get.

"I know movie sequels get a lot of shit, but the ones we look up to aspire to pivot and do something different," Matt says. "There's Temple of Doom, Aliens, Terminator 2. I guess a lot of this is James Cameron. But he's brilliant. And I think one of the reasons his sequels are as successful as they are is he makes them feel very different without losing what we loved about the original. So I think we kinda looked to him and what he does and tried to capture a little bit of the magic of his work."

Watch the teaser for the new season below.

8 Animes You Must Watch This Fall

2016-08-31T07:00:00.000Z

Time to cash in all those sick days and PTO you’ve been saving because the fall 2016 anime season is rapidly approaching. Whether you’re a fan of action-adventure, horror, or more of a slice-of-life, comedy kind of person, there’s something for every taste on this list! Premiering in October, these animes can be watched with subtitles on a variety of streaming sites such as Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and FUNimationNow.

From Haikyū!! to Drifters to Nanbaka, here are eight promising animes to keep on your radar this fall!

Warning: this list may contain spoilers for continuing/ongoing animes!!

Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy

Starting this list off is the most anticipated anime of the fall 2016 season: Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy by Production IG. After two brilliant, heart-wrenching and anxiety-inducing seasons — and the stunning upset of another powerhouse school — the third installment of this adored series finds Karasuno High School’s volleyball team facing off against a Top 8 school and reigning prefecture champions, Shiratorizawa Academy.

Unlike in the previous seasons, which regularly showcased numerous matches, Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy is dedicated entirely to a single match and rightfully so: between Karasuno and their spot at nationals is their greatest opponent yet, Wakatoshi Ushijima, one of the Top 3 aces in all of Japan. If you haven’t already seen Haikyū!!, do yourself a favor and binge the first two seasons in preparation for this climactic third one.

Bungō Stray Dogs

Next on the list is one for fans of the fantasy and seinen genres: Bungō Stray Dogs, one of the hot animes of spring 2016, which saw the first part of the first season. Returning for the fall is part 2 and continues the story of Armed Detective Agency and their supernaturally powered detectives as they solve mysteries and carry out business.

Central to the identity of the series is the concept of bungō, traditionally meaning the literary form of classic Japanese but used here to represent literacy in general, with most of the series’ characters named after famous authors. Many of their powers also reflect aspects of the author, be it the name of their power or a common theme, motif, or symbol present in their writings. With a unique premise, stylish art, and an electric soundtrack, Bungō Stray Dogs was well-received by viewers who now wait patiently for the continuation of the season.

Ajin: Demi-Human Season 2

Ever wished you could live forever? Well, think again because as the supernatural horror mystery series Ajin: Demi-Human shows, immortality may be the worst fate of them all. Building off the momentum of a manga, two anime films, an original video animation (OVA) and its first anime television season already, the second season of Ajin: Demi-Human continues to develop the hellish world of immortals known as Ajins through the eyes of Kei Nagai. An Ajin himself who lacks any sort of empathy, Kei finds himself trapped in a power struggle between vengeful Ajins and the governmental bodies that wish to experiment on and exterminate them.

The 3DCG animation may take some getting used to, but the series is definitely worth the try. Netflix is licensed for distribution in North America, so subscribers can binge the entire second season there once concluded.

Drifters

Drifters is the love-child of Berserk, Bleach and Attack on Titan: think the tone and infernal, gory landscape of Berserk; the story of Bleach and the intensity of Attack on Titan. If it sounds overwhelming, it probably is and will be.

In this historical fantasy action anime, recently deceased heroes and warriors are transported to another realm and placed into a league known as Drifters. Their goal is to defeat the Ends, a different group of great historical warriors who seek to take over the world and terminate the Drifters. Although Hoods Drifter Studio is relatively new and unknown, the initial trailers and promotional videos have been promising and the idea of historical figures duking it out in an all-out, bloody brawl makes Drifters worth watching out for in October.

Nanbaka

Moving away from the serious and into more light-hearted territory is the comedy series Nanbaka. Flaunting a vibrant and neon color palate, and an energetic and avant-garde design, Nanbaka is set in a prison where inmates are divided into groups and assigned numbers.

The show follows Group 13, a fun-loving, rambunctious, and rowdy crew of four as they navigate incarceration and attempt to escape once Jyugo realizes there was more to his past than he remembered. Expect this over-the-top anime to be a wild and crazy ride that will leave you highly confused but very entertained.

Sengoku Choujuu Giga

Sengoku Choujuu Giga is an understated original anime you won’t find populating many lists this season.

Without a built in fan base to attach itself to; the name of a big animation studio behind it or a flashy and catchy plot to work off of, this is an anime that is sure to fly under the radar, which is a shame because it’s a charming, idyllic and comedic historical anime that uses animals to tell the live and stories of famous Sengoku warriors, imparting a fable-like quality to the series.

Natsume Yuujinchou

Heading into its 5th season is the mega popular but low-key Natsume Yuujinchou, a fantasy and slice-of-life anime that explores the relationship between Takashi Natsume and the spirits (ayakashi) that roam the earth.

A powerful medium, Natsume spends his days under the tutelage of his spiritual guide, a cat known as Nyanko-sensei, and releasing spirits that were bound to servitude in the Book of Friends, a journal bequeathed to him by his lonely and misguided grandmother Reiko who was also a medium. Shunned by other humans, she bullied spirits into signing the book so that she would have friends and companionship.

Natsume Yuujinchou is an anime for those who are in the mood for a fanciful and whimsical anime full of the mythical and fantastical.

Nobunaga no Shinobi

Last but not least on our list is a charming and delightful historical gag comedy that is based on a popular 4-panel comic strip, Nobunaga no Shinobi. Like Drifters, and Sengoku Choujuu Giga, Nobunaga no Shinobi is also set during the Sengoku period and stars a young girl named Chidori who vows to serve warlord Oda Nobunaga after he saved her life years before.

For those looking for a truly light-hearted comedy full of gags and quick jokes fired in rapid succession, consider adding Nobunaga no Shinobi to your TV schedule this fall.

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-08-31T07:00:00.000Z

This week, the Red Hot Chili Peppers announce their triumphant return to the UK, plus the brains behind the Stranger Things soundtrack gear up for the road. Here's who we're most excited to see announce tours this week

Red Hot Chili Peppers UK Tour

Although we wish it were stateside, it's still exciting that after a five year hiatus from the country, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are returning to the UK for a December tour. It begins with a two-night-run at The O2 in London, followed by stops throughout Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester. Click here for more info.

Seu Jorge 'A Life Aquatic - A Tribute to David Bowie' Tour

Seu Jorge, the musician who performed covers of David Bowie tunes throughout Wes Anderson's Life Aquatic film, is hitting the road. The Brazilian singer/songwriter will tour North America this fall, kicking off in Miami Beach at the Faena Theater on November 4. Click here for more info.

Survive 'Stranger Things' Soundtrack Tour

Austin synth group Survive turned into overnight stars after the music they created for Stranger Things went viral. Now they're planning on touring said music around the U.S. this fall, starting on September 30 in Austin, TX, and wrapping up on November 6 in Chicago, IL. Click here for more info.

A$AP Ferg 'Turnt & Burnt' Tour

Rapper A$AP Ferg will hit the road for the Turnt & Burnt Tour, kicking off on October 30 and running through December 2. He’ll be joined by Playboi Carti and Rob $tone for the North American trek, including stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, NYC and parts of Canada. The tour will be in support of A$AP Ferg’s latest album, Always Strive and Prosper. Click here for more info.

Letters to Cleo Reunion Tour

Children of the ’80s will be excited to hear that Letters to Cleo, the poppy alt-rockers that graced the closing credits of 10 Things I Hate About You, are reuniting for a tour and upcoming EP. The five-date jaunt will kick off on October 20 in San Francisco at the Rickshaw Stop, and wrap up on November 19 in Boston at The Paradise. Click here for more info.

Anthony Michael Hall, Mason Dye & Katherine McNamara Discuss 'Natural Selection'

2016-08-31T07:00:00.000Z

Movies often serve as direct reflections of the happenings in pop culture and daily life. The new narrative of the high school story has become that of Natural Selection, and suddenly we suddenly find ourselves longing for the feel-good films of the '80s that Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles) once starred in, when life seemed slightly less complex. Directed by Chad L. Scheifele, the film tackles some of the more serious issues plaguing American society: gun control, bullying and mental health. Hall returns to high school as Mr. Stevenson, a former cop avoiding his troubled past, alongside Mason Dye as new kid Tyler Evans, and Katherine McNamara as the kind-hearted Paige Thomas.

Myspace caught up with Hall, Dye and McNamara to talk about the complexities of the film and the serious subject matter behind it.

With such serious subject matter being presented, what do you believe the film is ultimately about?

Anthony Michael Hall: Like any piece of art, it’s very subjective and really up to the person to draw whatever they can from it. Ultimately it’s supposed to be about redemption and support, and the relationship between the three main characters. What’s nice is that these characters go on an arch—the violence and the events toward the end are certainly not a footnote, but a build between characters as those elements unfold.

Mason Dye: It’s a movie about friendship, as crazy as that sounds. It’s about a kid that could be persuaded one way or another. He’s teetering between this dark path and overcoming that to become a better person who walks a good path.

Katherine McNamara: It’s about people and the fact that everybody has skeletons in their closet. Everybody has heartache that they have to go through and complications they have to deal with. It’s how you deal with all of that, and how you let it shape you and your relationships that really determine who you are as a person. Eventually, your survival is in this "natural selection" that we’re all a part of.

How do your own characters' hardships play into the film?

AMH: The character I play is sort of a compassionate witness with what he’s going through. His tale develops within the story as a conversation between Indrid (Ryan Munzert) and myself. You get the backstory in a way that’s more authentic and without giving exposition to the audience. I think it’s a nice choice.

MD: Tyler has had a rough life—his dad commits suicide when he’s 7-years-old, his mom is a druggie/alcoholic. On top of that, he and his mom move and settle down in this new city. It’s there he meets Indrid, who is this dark, tormented soul trying to pull Tyler in one direction. But then he meets Paige, and she’s trying to pull him down this good path. The movie echoes how Tyler has to cope with all of that.

KM: Paige grew up in that town, but as she gets older she’s realizing that there’s more to life and there may be something else out there for her. As she comes to this realization, there are certain aspects of her life that she has to let go of so that she can open herself up to new opportunity. It’s something that a lot of people go through when they grow up and as certain relationships become toxic. There are things that you have to let go of in order to open yourself up to something new, and that’s what Tyler represents for her.

What were some of your favorite elements about filming this movie?

AMH: The exploration of going somewhere new and working on a new project—you go to a different state and you collaborate with a bunch of people. There was a really cool group of young filmmakers who were either all artists from Philadelphia or the greater Pennsylvania area, and I like that they kept it sort of contained. Because Scheifele is from there, these were people who he grew up with. People from his family even helped produce the film.

MD: There usually aren’t roles like this for someone my age that tackle such controversial subjects, so it was something new and interesting. Although it’s heavy stuff, I’ve always been intrigued by the darker subjects. Obviously working with Anthony Michael Hall was one of my highlights. That was awesome. The whole cast and crew was so much fun to work with.

KM: What drew me to the character and to the project was the sense of realism, because there’s this grounded-ness and reality to all of these characters that I love. It was such a collaborative filming process between the director and the cast, everyone brought their own perspective to the project and their roles, which allowed it to take on another life and made it a lot of fun. We filmed in a small town and with a small cast, which created more of a familial feel to the entire thing.

What sort of challenges did you face in bringing the script to life?

AMH: I didn’t have any trouble to speak of, but the production team probably has stories. There are always challenges and many more struggles when you’re behind the scenes and putting everything together.

MD: Every part. I had a blast shooting the film, but the whole script is so disheartening and my character is going through so much that it became emotionally draining. In a good way, though. That scene when I walk in to find my mother drunk again and flipping through old photos was really difficult. But that last scene of the movie with Indrid was by far the most challenging.

KM: Every film presents its own challenges you learn and grow from. I love it when I read a script and think to myself “I don't know if I can pull that off” or “I don’t know if that will come through,” but on the day [of shooting], you pull it all together and make it happen one way or the other.

What do you hope the audience will take away from Natural Selection?

AMH: We didn’t go about the process of making this film to be preachy or soapbox-y, it was more about the relationship between the three leads. However, we’re on this treadmill, always keeping up with modern culture and what it controls, like media and consumer information. The perspective reflects the current situation in our country because—as we know—gun control is built into our Constitution, and it is a construct that we have to deal with as Americans. We’re trying to make a point about that, but it has to be relative. I don’t think it was Scheifele's intention to that intentionally speak on the issue, but the sad thing is that it still remains topical, because there are over 300,000,000 guns registered, so the gun issue is always at the forefront and, sadly, that makes it relevant.

MD: Throughout the movie, Indrid has all of these telltale behaviors that indicate something’s off, and people should’ve taken notice of that. Young people go through some serious crap, and we should have better awareness in order to alleviate situations before they become tragedies.

KM: The audience is universal, but there are middle and high school-aged kids who deal with this in their daily lives. Hopefully after seeing the characters go through this, it will create awareness on these topics and issues and in a really positive way.

8 Best Wrestling Cartoon Incarnations

2016-08-31T07:00:00.000Z

Would you see a movie about WWE Superstars as animated penguins? You’re in luck if you said yes. Sony Pictures Animation and WWE have teamed up for the upcoming animated movie, Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania, a sequel to the 2007 animated film. Vince McMahon and WWE Superstars John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker and Paige provide the voices for a group of penguins and a sea otter.

Odds are no one under 10 years of age will appreciate that cinematic offering, but the movie is right in line with other WWE home movie animated titles. Did you see Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon?

Or what about Scooby-Doo WrestleMania Mystery?

It seems that WWE can’t get enough of the Mystery Machine sleuths, but these films got us thinking about other times that pro wrestlers have taken animated form. Grab a bowl of your favorite cereal, kick back on your couch and get comfortable as we serve up two of our most favorite things: pro wrestling and cartoons.

Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling

Relive 1980s Saturday Morning Cartoons with the zenith of pro wrestling animation! During the golden age of “Hulkamania” and height of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, CBS aired this cheesy wrestling goodness from 1985-1987. The cartoon had all of the key players of the era including the headliner Hulk Hogan. Some of Hogan’s buddies consisted of Andre the Giant, The Junkyard Dog and Captain Lou Albano, as they squared off against the likes of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, The Iron Sheik and Mr. Fuji, amongst others.

Aimed at children, the silly scenarios usually had Hogan and his friends trying to do good while foiling the plans of the “bad guys” wrestlers. A great part of the show was the live-action segments that would have “Mean” Gene Okerlund conducting weird interviews with members of the cast.

Fun fact: Brad Garrett of Everyone Loves Raymond fame did the voice for Hulk Hogan.

Bret Hart - The Simpsons

“The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be” was also the best wrestler to ever appear on The Simpsons. Back in 1997, The Hitman made a cameo in the episode “The Old Man and the Lisa,” appearing as himself.

After Mr. Burns loses his fortune, Bret buys Burns’ mansion and adds salt to the wound by calling the old man a “pitiful, pencil-neck geek!” Even though Bret provides the voice, he sounds a bit off from the Canadian icon we all know. For collector fans, you can bring home this version of The Hitman, as he’s included in NECA’s line of The Simpsons’ 25 Greatest Guest Stars!

Sgt. Slaughter – GI Joe: A Real American Hero

Cobra Commander and Destro were enemies to the GI Joe team, but only WWE Hall-of-Famer, Sgt. Slaughter, could strike terror and intimidation amongst the Joes.

With his distinct raspy, loud voice, the Sarge was the first real-life character featured in the animated series GI Joe: A Real American Hero and toy line. Somewhere in a storage box, I still have my Sgt. Slaughter action figure as back in the ‘80s, every kid loved the GI Joe cartoon, causing his figure to be the most successful in the line. Slaughter was Batman and Superman rolled into one, as he would take on a battalion of Cobra soldiers by himself, destroying all of them. Sgt. Slaughter’s run was so successful that he became the pitch man for the toys, hosted the cartoon, and was featured in the 1987 animated feature film, GI Joe: The Movie.

Hogan’s Heroes – Robot Chicken

Seth Green and the team at Robot Chicken, the creators behind Camp WWE, must have grown up watching the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling cartoon. They put their own spin on that show, creating a hilarious stop-motion sketch, that placed Hulk Hogan and other wrestling icons of the '80s (like “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper) into Colonel Klink’s POW camp, spoofing the ‘60s sitcom, Hogan’s Heroes.

I never watched the original Hogan’s Heroes, but definitely would if it had pro wrestlers. This 2006 Adult Swim episode had Hulk Hogan and the late great, Roddy Piper providing their own voices, as they busted out of the Nazi camp. Highlights included the boys going crazy over Slim Jim’s and the episode ending with the wrestlers beating the crap out of Hitler in a ring.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin – MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch

In the late ‘90s MTV had a hit with their Claymation series Celebrity Deathmatch that would pit celebrities from all walks of life into a battle to the death. The animated fights were outrageous, over-the-top and usually ended in gore and blood — the perfect environment for Austin to join. Stone Cold provided his voice and served as a guest commentator and fighting/weapons expert. Of course, the only Deathmatch Austin would partake in would be against his longtime nemesis, Vince McMahon.

Captain Lou Albano – The Super Mario Bros. Super Show

When you think of the late, great Captain Lou, Cyndi Lauper music videos or wrestling videos like this come to mind:

Talk about outside-the-box casting. No one ever looked at the madman of Captain Lou Albano and thought, gee that’s Super Mario. Well, that’s exactly what happened back in 1989, when Captain Lou was cast as the most famous video game figure ever. During the popularity boom of Nintendo, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show was launched. For the live-action segments, Captain Lou appeared as the flesh and bone version of everyone’s favorite plumber, in addition to providing the voice for Mario in the cartoon. The most-dastardly thing this wrestling icon ever did was introduce us all to the “Do the Mario!” dance:

Ric Flair – The Cleveland Show

Because sometimes WOOOOO! is all you need!

Ric Flair has pretty much yelled out his trademarked “Woooo!” everywhere and anywhere you could think of. The first time he did it on the animated platform, was in a 2011 episode of The Cleveland Show. You haven’t lived until you’ve heard The Nature Boy yell out “canoe,” the only way he knows how.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage – Rasslor – Dexter’s Laboratory

The late, legendary Randy Savage gave life and provided the voice to the cult cartoon hero, Rasslor, the most powerful wrestler of the entire universe. The white-haired, purple skin, masked tower of power appeared in a 1996 episode of Dexter’s Laboratory, facing off against the Justice Friends. Rasslor’s intergalactic promo is on par with anything the Ultimate Warrior rambled about, “So, terrestrial heroes, can one of you quench my thirst for the divine conflict, the supreme struggle? Or will your planet be doomed to the same fate that has befallen so many?” We can dig it, Rasslor!

Gene Wilder Once Turned James Corden Down in the Most Willy Wonka Way Possible

2016-08-30T20:32:51.675Z

Following the announcement that Gene Wilder died earlier this month of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, James Corden paid tribute to the actor during the opening monologue of The Late Late Show.

The host began Monday night’s episode by telling the story of the time he met Wilder, recalling that he came to a play Corden was in soon after moving to New York and sat backstage with him afterward. “If anyone else came backstage, they’d stay for five, six, 10 minutes tops — he sat in my room for half an hour,” he said. “We sat on this couch, and I’ll never forget it as long as I live. The thing I remember — I was thinking about it today — was all he really wanted to talk about was how my wife and son were adjusting in New York, and were we happy, and was it fun? It was amazing.”

Corden then revealed that he had tried to persuade Wilder to appear on the first episode of The Late Late Show — which included a Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory bit — but that he had refused him with an email that embodied everything Wilder was as a person.

"Dearest James,

I don’t do or go where you are hoping, but I’ll be looking for you.

With my love,

Gene"

“In the history of people saying no to things, it couldn’t have been nicer,” Corden said. “Even the way he said no was so poetic. Even his emails sounded somehow like Willy Wonka.”

Watch the full clip below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Ryan Lochte: I Made a ‘Very Big Mistake’ With Rio Robbery Story

2016-08-30T20:32:33.364Z

U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte said Tuesday that lying in his now-infamous tale of being robbed in Rio de Janeiro was “a very big mistake.”

Lochte, 32, initially claimed that he and three teammates were robbed at gunpoint on Aug. 14 after a night of partying. Brazilian police later said Lochte lied about the robbery after vandalizing a gas station bathroom, and Brazilian authorities charged Lochte last week with filing a false robbery report.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday, Lochte admitted that he had lied, explaining that he “over-exaggerated” the part of his story in which he said an officer pointed a gun at his forehead. He still maintains that a gun was drawn.

“I did lie about that one part, and I take full responsibility,” Lochte said. “I’m human. I made a mistake, a very big mistake, and it’s something that I learned from. And I know that that will never happen again.”

Lochte also defended himself, accusing people of “blowing this way out of proportion.” He also said he never damaged the gas station bathroom.

“The story about me vandalizing the bathroom is absurd,” he said. “It never happened.”

Lochte—who recently lost endorsements from Speedo USA, Polo Ralph Lauren and Syneron-Candela—said he hopes to be able to put this controversy behind him.

“The past two weeks have been like the lowest point of my life,” he said.

“I just want to put this behind me and move on,” he added.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

James Corden Has Zero Patience for Teyana Taylor in Kanye West’s ‘Fade’ Music Video

2016-08-30T20:32:18.946Z

James Corden parodied Kanye West’s music video “Fade” by superimposing himself in the video of Teyana Taylor dancing all over the gym, on Monday’s The Late Late Show.

The conceit is that Taylor’s mesmerizing routine is simply rude to the other paying gym members. He files quite a few complaints to no one in particular. He’s just trying to get a workout in, but can’t because of all her sweaty body oil raining down on him. And to top it off, the video violates the gym’s clearly established zero sheep policy. All he has to do is sit there and look inconvenienced by sheep, and it’s funny. The cat face is fine by him though.

Watch his frustration escalate as Taylor ramps up below.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Police Investigate Claim That Chris Brown Threatened Woman at Gunpoint

2016-08-30T20:32:04.197Z

Authorities are investigating whether Chris Brown allegedly threatened a woman at gunpoint inside his California home early Tuesday.

Los Angeles police said they responded to a 911 call about a disturbance about 3 a.m. and found a woman outside Brown’s Tarzana residence crying and asking for help. The woman said Brown pointed a gun at her before she ran outside to call police, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The singer taunted police in a series of expletive-laced videos he posted on Instagram as authorities were waiting to obtain a search warrant. “I’m not coming out. For what? I ain’t did s—. I ain’t gon do s—. F— the police,” he said, adding that he’s not the “villain” he’s being painted as for “something I didn’t do.”

“I’m tired of this s—. I am a father. I am one of the best entertainers out here,” he added. “Good luck, when you get the warrant or whatever you need to do, you gonna walk right up in here and you gonna see nothing, you idiots.”

A video posted by 1 YOU ❤️ 2 HATE (@chrisbrownofficial) on Aug 30, 2016 at 9:16am PDT

Detectives were attempting to make contact with Brown, Lt. Chris Ramirez said at a news conference outside the singer’s home. The investigation has been moved to the police department’s Robbery and Homicide division, Ramirez said.

Brown pleaded guilty to attacking his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, according to the Times. He was released from probation in March 2015.

Brown’s representative declined to comment.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, LCD Soundsystem & More Light Up the Night at FYF Fest

2016-08-30T18:56:16.085Z

Los Angeles' FYF Fest took place this past weekend; in it's third year at its current location at Exposition Park in downtown. This year, some of the stage setup was changed around from previous years but the array of musical acts were as stellar as ever. From Kendrick Lamar to emo era faves Saves the Day, sets spanning many genres brought in the masses.

We were there, snapping photos of the artists both on and off stage. Check out our favorite shots below.

Beach House

Black Lips

Charles Bradley

Father John Misty

Grace Jones

Kelela

Kendrick Lamar

LCD Soundsystem

Saves the Day

Tame Impala

Ty Segall

Vince Staples

Wolf Parade

Young Thug

Chelsea Wolfe

Classixx

Cooper Saver

Gold Panda

Jagwar Ma

Junior Boys

Peter Bjorn and John

Preoccupations

Wild Nothing

SonReal Gets Self-Aware Over Sushi

2016-08-30T18:09:15.105Z

SonReal has finally found his musical style. It’s been a long time coming for Aaron Hoffman, who has used the stage name since he self-released a DIY album for friends in 2008. Eight years later, the Vancouver-based rapper has finally released a major label-released work — called The Name — that he considers the embodiment of SonReal. Before the first of a sold-out, two-night stand at Webster Hall opening for rapper Jon Bellion, we chatted with Hoffman about his career over sushi in Manhattan.

One thing’s for sure: the 31 year-old pop rapper is more down-to-earth than you might expect from his suave, radio-ready hit “Can I Get A Witness.” He notes that he doesn’t have a natural talent for rap (“I wasn’t good at all [at first]. It took me a long time.”). And he took lots of inspiration from his idols (“One day I would sound like this rapper. The next day, I’d be like ‘I want to sound like him now.’”)

“The biggest thing is I’m just learning how to be myself over the years,” explains Hoffman while we wait for our food. “A lot of people think it’d be really easy – you’re you, so why can’t you just be you? It’s not that easy. When you’re making art, you’re styled by so many things. It’s hard to dig deep and find what it is about you that’s special that differentiates you from everyone else.”

Originally from the small British Columbia city of Vernon, he became interested in rap while skateboarding as a teenager.

“I used to watch skateboard videos and groups like Nas would be playing on there. I just became fascinated with it. I love people like Common – I love conscious rap to hardcore gangster rap to nerdy backpack rap. I just liked rap. I also just liked music and the whole lifestyle of just music and the whole rock ‘n roll mentality of you can’t tell me what to do.”

Hoffman first decided to try his hand at rapping when he was 15. “You can’t spit without slobbering and you scoring drugs,” he raps to us, remembering the lyrics to his first song. “You get severely cursed. In the department of freestyle unrehearsed. I could’ve ripped you apart in elementary with all the natural skill like an infinite gentry.” Needless to say, his lyrical skills have since improved.

On The Name, he worked with producer Rocky (Kendrick Lamar) to find the sound of SonReal. And Rocky was the one who convinced him to sing on the EP. “We did it. It was a song called 'All I Got.' It was a really special song. I started realizing he did some of the softest songs on the album. The way he likes to work is he likes to work with live instruments. Start with just the piano and build it slowly from there. It’s really cool."

He shows his spunk, though, on songs like “No Warm Up” and the lead single “Can I Get A Witness.” The latter is a statement to people who think he’s sold out. “It’s me telling my fans look, this is the most purest form of me,’ says Hoffman. “I even brought back all the old characters from my old videos in the [music] video because I wanted to show love to where I come from and where I’m at now."

After scarfing down two different salmon rolls (Yuzo Miso and Orange Dragon), the rapper explained why music videos are so important to him.

“I always thought that the music video was a visual representation of the song. It should be just as justifiable as the song is. I put so much work into my music. Why wouldn’t I put so much work into the video that represents it? We’ve always just taken it really seriously.”

His most recent video for “Soho,” which was he worked on during a cross-country Canadian tour, shows that he wants to push the boundaries with his visuals. Shot in Regina, Halifax and Prince Edward Island, it features aerial and close-ups of the desolate Canadian terrain (with and without SonReal and his crew rapping). “We had no thought going into it at all,” he says. “I just knew I wanted to shoot a video in beautiful Canada and show people what some of these areas really look like, some of these desolate areas in the middle of Canada.”

Canada is — and always will be — a big part of SonReal’s identity. While artists like The Weeknd, Justin Bieber and Drake have put Canadian pop music on the map, he noted that Canadian musicians are at a disadvantage because of the country's small size. “Just doing music in Canada is a lot more difficult because there’s less people in Canada than there is in the state of California,” says the rapper. “Even to have a million views on a video as a Canadian artist, you’re one of the few in Canada.”

So far, three of his videos have hit the million views mark, and that is something any artist should be proud of.

5 Things Gene Wilder Left Us

2016-08-30T16:41:49.529Z

Growing up, Wilder was a legend in my household, but not for the obvious reasons one might think.

Sure, just like most children of that era, I grew up on Young Frankenstein (one of my dad's favorites), Blazing Saddles (one of my Uncle Kevin's favorites) and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (one of my favorites... though apparently not loved much by author Roald Dahl). But the reason Wilder was placed on a pedestal in the Shady household was because he was a hometown hero.

Gene Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, WI on June 11, 1933 (I would be born in Milwaukee some 43 years later), and attended Peckham Junior High School in the mid-1940s. Decades later, Peckham Junior High School changed its name to Jackie Robinson Middle School, which I attended for three years starting in 1987.

In an ironic twist of fate, that school is now an old folks home.

The transition from Peckham to Robinson wasn't 100% thorough, as there was still a giant "P" in the middle of the gymnasium floor. And while the school had changed its name to adapt with the times, to me, it was still known as "the school that Gene Wilder went to."

When I was a kid, the idea that Willy Wonka attended my school was about the coolest thing you could imagine. Partly because of my love for that movie, but also because of what Wilder represented. He was a funny kid who used his talents to do something big with his life, and that appealed to me in many different ways. That isn't to say I needed to escape from anything in Milwaukee, but I did gravitate toward the idea that one could use their skills to benefit and entertain an audience.

As a child, Gene Wilder was an example of who I could be when I grew up. Of course, I am not Gene Wilder. Not even close. But I like to think that my idea of him, the thought of him running through Peckham's halls and making his friends laugh, contributed to the person I am today. To me, that's way cooler than playing Willy Wonka.

Gene Wilder passed away late Sunday night (August 28) at his home in Stamford, CT at the age of 83. Of course, it goes without saying that he will be remembered, first and foremost, for the characters he portrayed. Rightly so. Still, there was more to the man than just the characters he played onscreen. Here are five things Gene Wilder left us.

His Roles... And The Roles He Didn't Take

Leo Bloom.

Willy Wonka.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein.

And the recovering alcoholic gunslinger Jim, the Waco Kid.

While these four roles will be the bulk of Wilder's film canon, he should also be remembered for the roles he didn't take.

Wilder's first film role came in 1967 when he portrayed Eugene Grizzard in Bonnie & Clyde. With an acting career that spanned more than five decades — he first appeared in television in 1961 — Wilder would go on to make less than two dozen films. That's almost the same number of movies that Nicolas Cage starred in last year.

Sure, not all of Wilder's movies were top notch (I'm looking at you, The Woman In Red), but he had more hits than misses. He worked when an interesting project came along, not just to keep the lights on. His last theatrical performance was in 1991's Another You, and his last credit was in 2015 when he did a voice for The Yo Gabba Gabba! Movie 2.

You have to respect an actor who has the willpower to not just take whatever comes his way. And by "whatever comes his way" I mean "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle."

His Refusal To Play The Hollywood Game

Wilder rarely gave interviews (I should know, because I tried interviewing him many times over the past 15 years), and he kept his private life exactly that: private.

Here's a rare interview Wilder did with Merv Griffin in 1979, where they talk about how he rarely gives interviews. Seriously.

As a moviegoer, we knew very little about the man who brought life to some of cinema's most beloved characters, and that was just fine. We didn't need to know what Wilder was like behind closed doors because the characters he played on the silver screen were more than enough for us. A celebrity having that level of restraint is something that seems to be lost today.

Gene Wilder got away with not showing us who he was as a private person because he was Gene Wilder, and we respected him for that.

His Yin to Richard Pryor's Yang

Over a span of 15 years, Wilder co-starred opposite Richard Pryor in four films: Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Another You, which would be both Wilder's last film and Pryor's last leading role.

In real life, Wilder and Pryor were good friends who looked out for the other person (Wilder was responsible for getting Pryor his role in Silver Streak), but more importantly, they collectively became cinema's first successful interracial comedy duo.

Before Wilder and Pryor, interracial co-stars in comedy films were a rarity. So, you know, Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart have them to thank for it.

His Love For Gilda

Wilder married twice before he married comedienne Gilda Radner in 1984, and once more after she passed away, but it will forever be this relationship that Wilder will be remembered for.

After her death from ovarian cancer in 1989, Wilder penned this goodbye to her for PEOPLE magazine.

Have some tissues handy.

His Compassion

After Gilda's death, Wilder founded the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in LA to help raise cancer awareness and treatment. Soon after, he also co-founded Gilda's Club with Joanna Bull, Radner's cancer psychotherapist.

Wilder was also a staunch opponent of the Vietnam and Iraq wars and contributed to numerous charitable organizations throughout his career including one that delivered aid to families affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He donated materials to the library of his alma mater, the University of Iowa, and, though raised Jewish, was once quoted as saying that he practiced only the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you would wish to be treated."

I think we could learn a lot from Gene Wilder. Though, to be honest, I'm pretty sure we did.

Thanks for the Wondrous Boat Ride, Gene. See you at the end of the tunnel.

The Brocks Make Electronica with a Soul

2016-08-30T16:30:00.000Z

The Brocks are Utah’s answer to electropop, and have been compared to M83, Empire of the Sun, Phoenix, and Miike Snow. You may have heard them on the Mountain Dew commercial “Arctic Surf,” an ad for Kenneth Cole’s “Mankind” cologne, or seen them in the EDC documentary The Electric Sky.

Dane Brock (lead singer/synths), Christian Darais (drums/sequencing), Morgan Ence (guitar/sampling), Ryan King (bass/backup vocals) create a totally organic sound using digital instruments, so it’s interesting to hear Brock say he got into EDM late. “My first experience was the live stream of EDC Las Vegas when Kaskade played our “Summer Nights” collab. I was totally blown away by the massiveness of it. I've never seen so many people in one place and I couldn't believe I was hearing my voice.”

The quintet (Brock’s brother Grant still writes with the band but doesn’t perform live with them) were all friends before they were bandmates and say they love making music together. “There was a certain level of cohesion between us right off the bat that made it super enjoyable,” Dane says.

Currently, the Brocks are putting the final touches on an album. In the meantime? Get to know the quintet a little better below.

Hometown: We're from all over. Bend, Oregon; Las Vegas; Sterling, Virginia; Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Homebase: Utah Valley

Why are you called the Brocks?

Dane: The Brocks started with just my brother and [me], so the name made sense then. He still writes with us but no longer performs live. We probably could have changed the name by now but we've been with it so long that it just feels right to keep it.

Describe your music to someone who's never heard you before.

Electronic music with a soul.

What is your songwriting process like versus your live renditions?

Usually Dane or Grant bring the skeleton of a song to the band and we all do our things to flesh it out. When we perform we try to bring the energy and thump of electronic music and the magic of a live rock performance together.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Miike Snow, Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

We'd love to get together with Bloodshy and Avant or Brandon Flowers.

Utah is not known to be a DJ hub. Does living there influence your music?

Starting our musical careers here, we never even thought of the DJ/producer thing as an option. It's all about live music. So maybe that's what lead us to incorporate the electronic dance stuff into our sound while still keeping it organic enough that we would fit on a bill with other local acts.

What's your relationship with Kaskade? How did he come to produce "Going Nowhere"?

Kaskade is actually pretty involved in the Provo music scene. He has collaborated with a ton of Utah artists and when he was asked to do the soundtrack for "Under the Electric Sky", our friend/producer Nate Pyfer showed him a demo of "Summer Nights." He loved it and wanted to get involved with more of our stuff.

What was the creative vision behind the "Going Nowhere" video? It reminds me of Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity."

The frustration of feeling like you're spinning your wheels but not really getting anywhere. Our friend Nick Rush at Paradox Digital came up with the concept and got access to a rotating room. He was the driving creative force behind the video.

Tell us the craziest thing that’s happened to the Brocks so far.

Opening for Kaskade in front of 15,000+ people at a free outdoor concert in Provo. They had to stop our set halfway through to tell everyone to tone it down and take a few steps back. Teenage girls on the front row were getting squeezed through the barrier bars like Play-Doh. It was insane.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#goodthingscometothosewhowait

Do you have an awesome Myspace-related story as a musician?

Morgan: I learned how to code HTML & CSS through the old MySpace. I coded our current website.

Christian: Myspace was how I kind of got connected to the local music scene. I saw who was friends with who and who was supporting who. It was a cool online community that I got to dive into.

Watch Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj's "Side to Side" Video

2016-08-30T16:28:20.965Z

If you saw this year's MTV Video Music Awards, then you saw Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj join forces on "Side to Side." But if you were wondering (like we did) what the spinning in heels deal was all about, the visual for the song just dropped and answers that question.

MORE: The Best Moments of the 2016 VMAs

Ariana went with the workout theme on this one. Not only did she show us that she really can cycle in her heels but also that boxing and the steam room require platform footwear as well. With the help of Guess, which clothed just about everyone in the video, everyone looked extra sexy as they worked up a sweat.

See what we mean and watch the video below.

Ryan Reynolds Paid 'Deadpool' Writers' Salaries Himself

2016-08-30T16:20:39.846Z

It wasn't a secret that Ryan Reynolds and director Tim Miller really pushed to get Deadpool made. But what fans probably didn't know was that Ryan was cutting the screenwriters' paychecks.

"[20th Century] Fox interestingly wouldn't pay for us to be on set," Rhett Reese, one of the writers said on AMC's Geeking Out (via NME). "Ryan Reynolds paid out of his own money, out of his own pocket."

Rhett also added, "We were on set every day. Interestingly, Ryan wanted us there. We were on the project for six years."

While 20th Century Fox was hesitant about the film's success in the beginning, the $780 million it made worldwide proved the film studio wrong. And now it has officially green-lit the sequel, which will start filming in in early 2017.

Mel C Explains Why She Backed Out of Spice Girl Reunion Tour

2016-08-30T16:14:35.719Z

If you were into pop music in the '90s, the Spice Girls were part of your daily playlist. And as we hit their 20th anniversary, everyone who adored Baby, Scary, Sporty, Ginger and Posh Spice hoped the five ladies would get together for another round of "Wannabe." Unfortunately, it's not happening, and now Mel C explains her side of the story.

"You’re not going to get me complaining about my life — it’s brilliant," she started her essay for The Love Magazine. "I know some people complain about the attention — but I wanted to be famous from the start. Like the rest of the Spice Girls I learnt very early on that you can’t take one slice of the pie when it comes to fame. You have to eat the whole thing."

She also recounted the difficulties of growing up in the industry; going to therapy and just how much harder it is for pop stars today. Then she finally touched on why this reunion isn't happening.

She started, "Look, I will be a Spice Girl until I die. But the continuous speculation on whether we will reform to celebrate 20 years of Wannabe has been particularly exhausting. Don’t get me wrong — I totally get it. But is it a new rule that bands have to reform? Why can’t we just be remembered for our incredible achievements in the nineties."

She then explained that after meetings with Mel B, Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell, she herself had to bow out. Victoria Beckham previously said no to the reunion due to her professional and personal obligations.

Read the complete essay here.

Teyana Taylor Reveals Some "Fade" Choreography Was For Beyonce

2016-08-30T16:04:52.949Z

Ever since we saw her Flashdance-like appearance in Kanye West's latest visual, "Fade," Teyana Taylor has been a big recent inspiration for people at the gym. But what inspired Teyana's dance moves?

"Yes, I did the choreography," she told Vogue. "But my boy Guapo was a big inspiration to me; he helped me a lot. And then my homeboy Matthew, he co-choreographed that ending part I was just talking about. Big shout-out to both of them. The moment I found out I was in Kanye’s video, Guapo was the first person I got on the phone with. He was like, 'T, you got this.'”

And apparently, part of the choroegraphy was meant for Beyonce. "...the dance scene at the very, very end, maybe the last eight counts that I did," she said, "me and one of my homeboys Matthew Pasterisa actually made that choreography for Beyonce for when the 'End of Time' came out. She loved it but she wound up not being able to use it because she was pregnant, but back then the world didn’t know. All this time that choreography was just sitting there. And as soon as I was freestyling it just came out naturally."

KANYE WEST x FADE // Starring @TeyanaTaylor https://t.co/10d6YSytJP
— black excellence (@goafgang) August 29, 2016

Since the video dropped, there have been many who've tried to recreate it, including James Corden, who decided to put his own twist with a hilarious commentary. Watch below.

Tattoo Legend Freddy Negrete Talks His New Book & the History of Black and Gray Tattooing

2016-08-30T07:00:00.000Z

Without Freddy Negrete, tattooing wouldn't be where it is today. Black and gray tattooing might still only be found in prisons, and it definitely wouldn't be at the level of popularity it is now.

For the last four decades, Negrete's been at the forefront of his preferred style of tattooing. He's a legend in the tattoo world, but he's not concerned with building a huge Instagram following or inking rock stars. Instead, Negrete is focused on becoming the best tattooer he can be and keeping up with all of the current stars of the black and gray tattooing world.

Negrete recently released his life story in the form of a book, Smile Now, Cry Later: Guns, Gangs, and Tattoos - My Life in Black and Gray, and sat down to talk with Myspace about the autobiography and tattooing.

Why did you decide to finally sit down and write out your story?

That's a good question because everybody wants to know why I wanted to write a book and who's going to read the book. We had a difficult time getting an agent and getting a publisher, but it all came to pass. One reason is that people are interested in the Chicano subculture that went on in East LA. They're interested in this whole style of dress and tattoos and lowrider cars and art and the subject matter of the art and what we found important to us. That was me. I was raised in that culture, and having art ability like my father's, I had a great deal to do with the development of that style or art. That brings me to the next reason, which is that people are interested in prison life. The California penal system is so unique with the racial divides and alliances, and the development of the Chicano style black and gray tattoos that all developed within the California prisons, which is another part of my story. It's about all of the things that encompasses, from the violence to the art, the prisons and the tattoo history.

The most important reason I wanted to tell this story is that it's a story of redemption and recovery. It's a story of change and making your life better. I lost my youngest son to gang violence after he joined the same gang that I was a member of. He was following my footsteps, and it nearly destroyed me. I'd always partied and got high and used different things, but I plunged into a drug addiction so deep that I was suicidal and it ruined my health. Then the real story of recovery and refocusing my art happened. I went back to prison and nearly died when I had three heart attacks, and when I did make the big changes in my life, I made a change in my art too. All of that time that I was wasting my life, the tattoo world was taking tattooing to another level. The Chicano art went up another level, and there were all these great young artists like Nikko Hurtado, Carlos Torres, Tommy Montoya and Steve Soto. There were people I saw who were young at the time and were raising the bar, and I didn't want to get left behind. Older tattoo artists tend to do things the way they've always done it, like "Grandma taught it and I bought it." My new focus was to become teachable and learn what those guys added that made a difference so I could learn from them and keep myself relevant as an artist.

You were one of the first people to start doing Chicano style tattooing. What's it like to see that style in so many places now?

It's really weird, because I never had a high outlook on myself. I learned to tattoo in prison, and I was in prison as a result of being a gangster and hurting people and doing bad. It was a tremendous blessing that something that I had a part of and was so small has become so big. Everybody always says I'm humble about it because I guess a lot of artists who really try real hard and are successful, they have a sense of pride and maybe too much ego, but rightfully so. I never had that kind of outlook on myself, but it's definitely fun to see what's taking place. Of course it's nice for people to show respect. I'll take that much just for being an older guy who's been in it since the '70s.

Even before the recent boom in tattooing popularity, how had you seen the tattoo world change over the last four decades?

It's definitely changed a lot. It's become more popular with the people that get it, and there are certain places and events that took place that really changed tattooing. When I went to work for Ed Hardy, Ed Hardy was busy introducing the new style of Japanese art to the world. Ed Hardy was a true innovator, because he's the one that classified tattooing as "traditional" or "Japanese" or "black and gray." There was only one kind of tattooing for Ed Hardy, but there were innovative people in that traditional tattooing as well. Then we introduced the black and gray.

Another huge part is guys like Mark Mahoney and Bob Roberts, and even Ed Hardy as well, who made tattooing relevant for rock stars. It added to their persona on stage, and it made tattoos almost a part of being a rock star. Those artists made tattoos relevant for the rock and roll scene, and MTV was putting their videos out to the world. That was a huge change for the tattoo world because people looked up to these artists no matter what their lifestyle was. They could've been crazy partiers or on drugs or whatever, but when they got up on stage people looked up to them and loved their tattoos. When people look up to people who have tattoos, it becomes OK to get them.

NERVO Talk Ministry of Sound and a Fun-Filled Summer

2016-08-30T07:00:00.000Z

If you don’t have any plans for the first weekend of September, you better catch the next flight to London because you don’t want to miss iconic club Ministry of Sound’s 25^th anniversary. Friday September 2 will see Australian twin duo Liv and Mim from NERVO rocking The Gallery with their always extra-energetic set.

We caught Mim in the airport to discuss everything from wanting to play back-to-back with Diplo to becoming superheroes behind the decks and chocking a fire in the middle of their set.

So what do you usually do when you get stuck in the airport?

We usually just work. ‘Cause if you work, then time flies a little faster. And then I can get to the hotel and sleep.

Do you get to sleep on the plane at all?

Yeah, I’ve got my travel pillow and everything. I’ve become a professional airplane napper.

That’s good. What’s been the highlight of this summer so far?

Oh it’s such a hard question…

I’ve seen you play Sensation Moscow, that must’ve been quite a remarkable gig for you…

Oh yeah, it’s always fun playing as Sensation. It’s just so nice to be in Europe. It’s so lovely to fly all around and feel the different cultures and have the sunshine on our backs. Eat pizza for breakfast or lunch and then borsch for dinner.

That’s a good unhealthy diet, I like it!

Haha, yeah.

Tell me about upcoming Ministry of Sound anniversary, which you’re playing in London in September.

We’re honored to be asked to play there for that event. Especially because Ministry of Sound is so iconic, we’ve played there a few times and can honestly say that the British crowd is great. They get crazy all the time. We’ve can’t wait for this gig — it’s gonna be extra special.

When are we getting a new single or an album?

We’ve just released a new single in July called “People Grinnin’” and it features The Child of Lov. And then we have jam-packed six or even eight months of releases coming up. Keeping busy!

You’ve had Kylie Minogue guest star on your single. What other pop divas would you love to work with?

Ah, so many! The list goes on and on. Lauryn Hill would be great. Erykah Badu, I’ve heard her on the radio the other day. I heard Sade on the radio, too, and that would be very cool to work with her.

I’d love that: “Smooth Operator 2.0.”

Oh, could you imagine?!

I once saw you play Sziget festival with Martin Garrix. Who else would you like to spin with?

I love what Diplo does. He plays completely different sets to what we do, which we really enjoy. It would be fun to do a back-to-back with him. Skrillex as well; he’s incredible. I love DJ Snake. And I’d love to do a back-to-back with Solomun.

What DJ is the best to drink with?

Oh God, so many! I think Mike from Dimitry Vegas & Like Mike is great. Robin Schultz, definitely! There are so many fun people. That’s the best thing of our job — we meet so many fun people.

What’s the craziest thing that ever happened during one of your sets?

Well you’re asking me after a night of no sleep, so let me think for a bit… We played at Pacha La Pineda in Tarragona, Spain, and one of the club’s effects, the fire, caught fire. Liv and I had some Gatorade bottles at the bottom of our CDJs, so we were lucky. We just sprayed the fire and it went out.

Good job! What are your favorite clubs?

New York’s Space is super cool. There’s no VIP there, which is awesome. Pacha in Ibiza is iconic, pretty and feels like a different place.

What’s your guilty pleasure right now?

Pizza for breakfast, lots of tea.

What’s your Summer 16 anthem?

I’ll just go through our Tomorrowland set. Definitely our single “People Grinnin’.” “Faded” went really well whenever we played it. So these two.

8 Best Moments of FYF Fest 2016

2016-08-29T23:53:51.432Z

For two days in August, Downtown Los Angeles always becomes the center of the music universe. Those two days were this weekend, as FYF Fest stopped by Exposition Park on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone from Kendrick Lamar to LCD Soundsystem, Grace Jones to Rae Sremmurd, took to the stage, and no one left disappointed.

We were there to check it out, so here were our eight favorite things about FYF this year.

Kendrick Lamar

Mallory Turner

Before we even touch on anything else, let's talk about the real star of the show. Kendrick Lamar's headlining performance on Saturday night will likely go down in the history books as one of LA's greatest festival performances ever. Kendrick brought the entire festival to another level with nearly 90 minutes of energy, intensity, and sheer musical genius. He may be the best rapper alive, and he certainly acted like it during his homecoming set for one of the biggest and most powerful hip hop shows in recent memory.

A Wide Variety of Food

By no means are we saying that all of the food at FYF was good (because some of it just wasn't), but there were plenty of options to choose from, regardless of dietary restrictions. From vegan stands to all-organic food trucks, gluten-free dishes to heartiest of cheeseburgers, you could find just about anything within the grounds of the Coliseum. For that matter, it was almost impossible to find every food vendor listed in the directory, but we don't think anyone went hungry this weekend. Maybe you sacrifice some of the beauty of sprawling forests and rolling hills by hosting a pretty big festival in the heart of LA, but you sure get some solid cooks to come out. For us, the highlights were a Yakisoba bowl from a random stand and the falafel from the Middle Feast food truck.

Saves the Day

Mallory Turner

Although hip hop, pop, and more modern hipster-friendly alternative were on full display during FYF, it was the old school emo rockers who brought out one of the most vocal crowds of the day. Warped Tour 2003 was in full effect when hundreds of formerly disenfranchised emo kids sang the chorus of "Freakish" back to Chris Conley and company.

All of the Lights

Eran Ryan

Regardless of how you felt about the musical selections, you had to admit that FYF was one of the prettiest festivals of the year. Downtown LA isn't known for being an exceptionally beautiful place, but the vast array of string lights, globe lights, floor lights, and other types of light managed to make for a fantastic glowing visual experience. Sure, festivals like Outside Lands and Lollapalooza might have a nicer park, but FYF absolutely made the best out of what they were given.

Vince Staples

Mallory Turner

Despite not quite having the energy he's become known for, Vince Staples still put on one of the best performances of the weekend. His wit and sarcasm was as sharp as ever, and anyone who doesn't think he's the future of hip hop is likely mistaken. His Saturday afternoon set was the first time that it seemed everyone at FYF had gathered in one spot, and it was for a good reason. Once again, Staples proved that you don't need to be flashy or over the top to put on a great show, you just have to know what you're doing.

Actually Good Drinks

Eran Ryan

Any festival with a three-digit wristband price is going to have a decent craft beer selection. That much is almost as necessary as the music itself. But FYF really showed that festivals can have a solid cocktail menu too. From the simplest of margaritas to the most complicated $20 beverages, there were quite a few bars at FYF serving up mixed drinks that would be worth getting in an actual bar or restaurant setting. The only issue was that you weren't allowed to drink them in most of the areas where the stages were, causing massive lines to get into the few beer gardens where you could see a stage.

Grace Jones

Mallory Turner

If you didn't know who Grace Jones was going into FYF, you do now. The 68-year-old songstress dominated the stage and took all of the teenage and twentysomething children to church and school at the same time. Describing it in words wouldn't do it justice, so just check out this video.

The Vibe

Eran Ryan

For some reason, FYF always has a friendly vibe. From the sparkling balloons that told you where to go to the smiles of just about every person working there, 2016 was no less friendly than years past. There's not the overwhelming feeling of Coachella, and everyone seems to be comfortable for most of the weekend. From size to location to overall atmosphere, there's just something right about FYF that other festivals should look to capture.

Benson Henderson, A.J. McKee, Joey Davis & More Bring the Fight at Bellator 160

2016-08-29T18:18:23.908Z

Don't let those charming smiles fool you—the brawlers of Bellator mean business, and they're ready to step into the cage to prove it. It's fight night on Spike TV and tensions are high as newcomers seek validation in the eyes of the spectators, and veterans fight to defend their reputations with the most skilled punches, kicks and chokes they know. Their bodies are rugged and scarred from years of intense training, ranging from wrestling to Muay Thai to boxing. The crowd grows more rowdy with each passing second, as one move could mean the difference between getting knocked out or going home a victor.

Myspace sat ringside for 10 matches at Bellator 160 to check out the action. From bloody noses to broken legs, check out a few of our favorite photos below.

Bellator Girls

Michael "Venom" Page (center) and Phil David (right)

Tito Ortiz

Cung Le

Phil Davis (left)

Randy Couture

Michael Chandler (left)

Fernando Gonzales (left) and Michael "Venom" Page (right)

Fernando Gonzales and Michael "Venom" Page

Jake Roberts (red) and Stephen Martinez (blue)

Chinzo Machida (red) and Mario Navarro (blue)

Mike Segura (red) and Jacob Rosales (blue)

Jonny Cisneros (red) and Andy Murad (blue)

Gabriel Green (red) and Alex Trinidad (blue)

Joey Davis (red) and Keith Cutrone (blue)

A.J. McKee (red) and Cody Walker (blue)

Georgi Karakhanyan (red) and Bubba Jenkins (blue)

Saad Awad (red) and Derek Anderson (blue)

Benson Henderson (red) and Patricio Pitbull (blue)

The Victors (left to right): Chinzo Machida, Georgi Karakhanyan, Benson Henderson, Scott Coker-President of Bellator, Jon Slusser-Senior VP of Sports and Specials on Spike TV, A.J. McKee, Joey Davis, and Derek Anderson

The Best Moments of the 2016 VMAs

2016-08-29T17:59:47.578Z

This past Sunday night (Aug. 28), the MTV Video Music Awards took over Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. A plethora of celebrities graced the white carpet and watched their stock exponentially increase with every flicker of a paparazzi camera. The star-studded atmosphere included the likes of Beyonce, Drake, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and more. With the show once again exceeding expectations, we handpicked the cream of the crop moments from last night's festivities.

VMA Sistas

VMA 2016 #arianagrande #ari #arigrande #grande #ariana #moonlightbae #dangerouswoman #snapchat #arianator #arianagrandesnapchat #moonlightbaesnapchat #favourite #aribyarianagrande #frankiegrande #queen #princess #arinator #arianatorforever #singing #singer #bestsinger #arianamusic #love #sweetlikecandy #loveit #f4f #vma #mtv #nickiminaj #sidetoside

A photo posted by Ariana Grande Official Fanpage (@dangerouswoman.ari) on Aug 28, 2016 at 8:11pm PDT

In 2014, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj tag-teamed for their performance of "Bang Bang." This time around, they reunited for a very steamy performance of "Side to Side" in which both artists worked up a sweat. Grande flawlessly flexed her vocal muscles, while Nicki's bodacious curves caused a massive earthquake on stage. Ain't nothing sexier than watching two gorgeous women beam with confidence on stage.

Future Hendrix is a Rock Star

Aye!! #future got the #Vmas LIT AF!!!😬 | 📷: @shearerphoto

A photo posted by 106 KMEL | #106KMEL (@106kmel) on Aug 28, 2016 at 8:06pm PDT

Super Future took a quick break from his Summer 16 Tour with Drake to hit the stage at the VMAs and performed "Commas." With a band behind him and dancers donning nothing but all red, Super delivered an electrifying performance that pumped up the entire crowd. It’s safe to say that at this juncture of his career, that Future is a marquee artist, for sure.

Alicia Keys Pays Respect

#aknovma2016 #vma2016 #vmas #vmas2016 #aliciakeys

A photo posted by Alicia Keys Brasil (@aliciakeysbrasil) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:34pm PDT

The R&B songbird pulled heart strings when she performed a touching poem while paying homage to Martin Luther King Jr. This past Sunday served as the 53rd anniversary of when Martin Luther King Jr. recited his illustrious "I Have a Dream" speech. Barefaced and all, Alicia illuminated the stage with her passion-filled words and powerful vocals.

Kanye is Still the Voice of the People

#KanyeWest shouts out #AmberRose at the #VMA's! #WSHH

A video posted by WorldstarHipHop (@worldstar) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:21pm PDT

For the second year in a row, Kanye delivered a rousing speech after MTV gave him the opportunity to do whatever he wanted for four minutes. Once again, Kanye's candor and pretentiousness was on display for everyone to see. This time around, he tackled touchy subjects like Ray J, his beef with Taylor Swift, the pointless murders in Chicago, and why he's among of the most vital innovators in history. His speech proved why we need to really consider Kanye for a 2020 campaign.

The Legend of RiRi

Yes, #Rihanna! What did you think of her #VMAs opener? (Photo credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

A photo posted by Us Weekly (@usweekly) on Aug 28, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

Vanguard recipient Rihanna opened the VMAs and performed a medley of bangers including "Don't Stop The Music", "We Found Love", and "Only Girl." The second time around, she delivered a scorching island mix of "Rude Boy", "What's My Name" and "Work.” During that segment of the performance, she flipped the VMAs stage into her personal house party. For performance number three, she delivered a thunderous medley of "Needed Me", "Pour It Up", and "B*tch Better Have My Money." It was a sheer exhibition of excellence and pure artistry on her end. Finally, she concluded her string of performances with strong ballads of "Stay" and "Love on the Brain." After initially being dubbed a no-show, Drake popped out at the end of the show to hand Rihanna her Vanguard award while also professing his love for her.

Teyana Taylor is the Ultimate MILF

Junie's Mom. Teyana Taylor in Kanye's "Fade" music video. #teyanataylor #kanyewest #goodmusic #defjam #mtv #vmas

A photo posted by Travon Moody (@travonmoody) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT

Just when you thought Kim Kardashian-West was the quintessential definition of a MILF, Teyana Taylor quashed those claims with her rock-solid abs and massive booty. Say what you want to say about Kanye West's "Fade" video, and whether it was a borderline softcore flick, but Teyana Taylor demolished the Internet in a matter of three minutes. Iman Shumpert, you totally are the real winner at this thing called life.

Beyonce Still Runs the World

🏾🏾🏾🏾 BEAST MODE... She just lit and murked the whole show.. #beyonce#mtvawards #vmas2016#beyhive#beastmode

A photo posted by Sirquent MrFlyguy (@quentcoolguy) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:45pm PDT

Toward the latter part of the afternoon, in typical Beyonce fashion, she surprised everyone when she revealed her intention to perform at the VMAs. She gave the fans a small serving size of her thirst-quenching album Lemonade. First, she captivated the crowd with a chilling performance of "Pray You Catch Me", where angels surrounded her on the stage. Then, she switched up the pace and cracked a camera screen with her signature baseball bat from her video "Hold Up." After that, the venerable singer jumped into her unapologetic banger "Sorry." Her swagger was cranked all the way up when she jumped into "Don't Hurt Yourself" and "Formation." You would have thought you walked into a Beyonce concert, because she gave everyone in attendance a 5-song concert.

Facebook Gets Nerdy, Rihanna Wins at Life & Frank Ocean Outdoes Himself

2016-08-29T17:40:24.898Z

It was a busy weekend for the entertainment world. Frank Ocean found himself in a bit of a conundrum after last weekend’s surprise releases. Rihanna accepted the Vanguard Award at MTV's VMAs and reminded us that we need to work work work work work harder. The notorious bed of wax figures from Kanye’s “Famous” video are now available for a very up close and personal look, and Facebook continues its quest for internet domination. Here’s what you missed over the weekend.

Boys May Cry After All

It's only been one week since Frank Ocean released both his Apple exclusive visual album Endless, and Blonde—the long-awaited, 17-track junior album featuring the hit single, "Nikes." However, the releases come at a time of transition and restriction. Endless was released as a means of settling any remaining contractual obligations between Ocean and Def Jam, so that he could independently release Blonde from his own label, Boys Don’t Cry. However, the rush to make the work available to the masses may have cost Ocean a few well-deserved accolades and certainly a lot of money.

Unlike Beyonce's Lemonade, which had both a Tidal exclusive stream and an accompanying physical album release, Endless does not offer any form of purchasable option. There is no means of quantifying the 45-minute virtual album’s success compared to monetary sales figures, unfortunately making the glorious work of art ineligible for both the Music Video Sales Chart and Billboard 200. As a result of Ocean's departure from the recording company, Universal Music Group has decided that it will no longer offer streaming exclusives. Further complicating the situation, Blonde, which is also currently an Apple exclusive release, is receiving similar fan treatment to Kanye West's TLOP, having been illegally downloaded more than 750,000 times in only 6 days! That number is only representative of entire album downloads, not even taking into account individual singles. West still reigns supreme at 500,000 in 24 hours.

Queen Rihanna Gets Her Crown

Every year at the MTV Video Music Awards, one artist or music video director is nominated to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Also known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, the recipient is chosen based on their personal contributions to the music industry and pop culture. Previous recipients of the award include The Beatles, David Bowie, the Beastie Boys, and director Hype Williams. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year is none other than the captain of her “Navy,” Rihanna herself. Congratulations, Bad Gal RiRi!

The 2016 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient, @rihanna https://t.co/vD4t73xgnG
— MTV (@MTV) August 29, 2016

Since bursting on to the scene back in 2005, The Barbadian beauty has released eight major studio albums and has had 14 singles reach number one on the Billboard 100 chart, which subsequently earned her eight Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards (including the Icon Award), twelve Billboard Music Awards, four iHeart Music Awards, and two BRIT Awards. Between albums and touring, she’s appeared in nine movies and is currently filming her tenth. She’s sold over 200 million records worldwide, 10 million of which are stateside alone. Did we mention that she’s only 28-years-old? As always, Rihanna continues to effortlessly proves that she is a force to be reckoned with.

1 down, 3 to go! #RiRiVANGUARD #VMAs

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Aug 28, 2016 at 6:43pm PDT

Kanye's secret "Famous" Art Exhibit

Originally a secret made known to only the most exclusive of invitees and the Kardashian clan, Los Angeles' Blum & Poe dedicated their gallery space to housing those 12 eerily realistic wax figures from Kanye West's "Famous" video. Remember them? Those sculptures look so real in fact that at the time of the video's premiere, it was hard to distinguish between who was playing themselves in the infamous visual piece, and what was actually just a really good mannequin.

@kendalljenner vía Snapchat #kendalljenner #kendalljennersnapchat

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner Snapchat (@kendalljenner.snap) on Aug 26, 2016 at 8:30pm PDT

Kim Kardashian and little sister Kendall Jenner arrived this past Friday night for a private viewing of the work of art—gigantic bed included. The famous sisters took photos and Snapchats of the bedded friends and foes, ranging from Kardashian and West, to Amber Rose and even Anna Wintour. Someone's upcoming Met Gala invite was most definitely lost in the mail this year. West himself wasn't in attendance, but instead chose to telecommute via video chat, even taking a few moments to flirt with his wife over the airwaves.

Go follow @khlokardashianarmy

A video posted by Kim Kardashian Snapchats (@kimmysnapchats) on Aug 26, 2016 at 11:02pm PDT

Facebook Domination

Back in June, Facebook went public with its plans to delve further into online gaming and join forces with gaming pioneers, Blizzard Entertainment, and the partnership went live this weekend. For those who don’t know, Blizzard is home to legendary titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, and Overwatch. Facebook—last they counted—is home to more than 1.6 billion users. That’s a quarter of Earth’s population! The purpose of the high-profile union? To create a video game live stream on the world’s most accessible social media platform, capable of competing with the likes of Amazon’s well-known steaming channel, Twitch. Streaming is a lucrative business, as Twitch alone brings in an average of 1.7 million users who stream, and roughly 100 million people who watch the broadcasts.

The concept—still in it’s infancy stages—is meant to be simple: video game enthusiasts just need to log into their personal Facebook account, select a title for the current course of adventure, choose the ideal settings, and then presto! Users are showing off those newly acquired skills via-Facebook Live! If it happens to be a day of rest for the thumbs, one can opt to view other streams instead. Of course, there are still a few technical kinks to work out, but the duo seems up to the task of making accessibility and gameplay more efficient. At the moment, the only countries where the live stream is supported are Southeast Asia, North and South America, New Zealand, and Australia. Because Twitch is the biggest and most widely accessed location for live action streams, many well-known professional players are locked into contracts with the platform; however, some companies are flexible and allow their clients to roam over to other sites. With Facebook's 650 million users who already play games on the site, they should have no problems swaying at least a few people to make the leap into the new realm.

Listen to Dirt Monkey's "Maui Sunrise" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-08-29T17:18:02.835Z

Apparently if you’re looking for hot new beats, you should stop by Colorado. In particular, Dirt Monkey’s studio, where trap/dubstep producer has crafted 11-track record filled with fusion of genres, buzzing basslines, dramatic melodies and exquisite samples. His new record is called Chroma and it comes out tomorrow, but today you can listen to the exclusive premiere of the track off the record.

Where's your name come from?

It’s pretty simple - I’ve always been into rock climbing, so that’s where the monkey part came from. And I’ve always had a thing for sounds that come from the dirt.

What's your story?

I grew up in Sacramento, starting making beats when I was 15, moved to Colorado when I was 19, learned how to DJ with hip-hop records, started making dance music. Made a name for myself in the Denver/Boulder dubstep scene as it was blossoming. Started a record label called Kairos Audio with my friend Jantsen, and here we are now.15 years in a nutshell for ya.

What should we know about your album?

Chroma is my way of redefining myself as a DJ/producer and attempting to make a long lasting dent in the music scene. I’ve always had mad respect for artists that put out full albums, because that has become a rarity in the EDM world. People like Kill The Noise and Skrillex are super inspiring to me because they release their music in this way, while everyone else just blasts singles out to try and stay in the spotlight as much as possible. I believe what I’ve done with this is the most extreme variety of quality music in one album from one artist. It hits all the genres I love - trap, twerk, dubstep, drum & bass, chill out, future bass, deep house, breaks, garage… I’ve had some people tell me it’s a terrible idea to have that much variety, but I love making all that stuff and feel that I do it well, so the world needs to hear.

Did you ever try to count how many people twerked at your show at the same time?

I actually played a wild show at SXSW a couple years ago where I couldn’t see because literally all the girls in the crowd got on stage and were twerking everywhere, even on top of the DJ booth I was playing on. I’m surprised nothing got smashed.

What's the craziest show you played this summer?

Craziest show I played this summer was Dreamscape Festival in Maryland. Those kids go so hard and the energy was really high.

What's next for you after the album drops?

Got a bunch of music to drop after the album with my homies - Nathaniel Knows, Jantsen, JSTJR, Ruxell. And I guess it’s time to start working on the next album, right?!

Calvin Harris May Actually Be on the Next Season of 'X Factor'

2016-08-29T17:07:05.771Z

Calvin Harris is one of the biggest musical acts in the world. With his hits and experience, he would make a great mentor for X Factor. However, after making fun of the UK twin act Jedward in 2009, the DJ and producer was banned from the show. But after the seven-year feud with X Factor bigwig Simon Cowell, it looks like the two have made peace and Calvin reportedly will soon be on the show for the next season.

According to The Sun, Calvin will be helping out Nicole Scherzinger in the judges' houses as a mentor for the contestants.

"Calvin is rightly regarded as one of the biggest artists in music due to his phenomenal chart success," an insider reportedly told The Sun. "Simon wants A-listers on board and made a beeline for Calvin, ensuring him there would be no issues after the Jedward row. It was a long time ago and both have moved on so much since then."

The new season premiered on August 27; so we'll see if Calvin does make it back on the show.

In other Calvin news, he won a VMA for "This Is What You Came For" in the Best Male Video category. While he thanked the fans and Rihanna, who's featured on the track, he skipped his ex, Taylor Swift, who co-wrote the hit song. Looks like he's still a bit sore about that one.

Jack Ü Debut New Collab With Florence and the Machine at Reading Festival

2016-08-29T16:33:24.053Z

Jack Ü have been bringing their hits around the world this summer. But at the Reading Festival on Friday night (August 26), the duo, comprised of Diplo and Skrillex, revealed their latest collaboration with Florence and the Machine.

Reportedly entitled "Constellations," the song features the UK band's frontwoman Florence Welch singing over a mid-tempo beat, which got the crowd pumped.

"We’ve never played this before," Diplo announced. "It’s a brand new record: Jack Ü and Florence and the Machine."

Back in March, both EDM DJs and producers shared snippets of the song via Snapchat, which you can hear below.

Listen to another snippet from Skrillex's snapchat! Of Constellation around your heart ☄ pic.twitter.com/3f1q2VOqdE
— Florence Updates (@FATMUpdates) March 19, 2016

"Constellation around your heart" - listen to the Florence/Jack Ü snippet on 'Diplo' Diplo's snapchat! pic.twitter.com/LLu4BObKiJ
— Florence Updates (@FATMUpdates) March 19, 2016

Hear the new song below.

Growing Up Sucks Less with Blowout

2016-08-29T16:30:00.000Z

Although its members hail from California, Blowout has established itself as a fixture of Portland, OR’s burgeoning punk scene. The band has spent the last couple of years playing any venue that would host them, in addition to throwing shows at their own house—affectionately christened “The Pound Pit.” While Blowout has since moved out of that house, Pound Pit shows have become the stuff of local legend: for a little over a year, the group’s house was a DIY guidepost and the venue of choice for touring punk acts like Tony Molina, Winter Break and Alaska.

Blowout released their debut LP No Beer, No Dad on August 5th of this year, a split release between Lauren Records and Making New Enemies. One of the album’s highlights is “Pound Pit”—a song that pays tribute to the hallowed, defunct house venue. The group’s influences are worn proudly on their sleeves—Laken Wright’s crystalline vocals are reminiscent of Lemuria’s Sheena Ozzella, while Travis King and Brennan Facchino’s noodly guitar interplay evokes emo legends Cap’n Jazz—but they’re far from mere imitators. While plenty of Blowout’s nü-emo peers are content just passively sentimentalizing their bygone adolescences, No Beer, No Dad is an affront to the ineluctable realities of adulthood: “Maybe I’ll get a job someday / Maybe I won’t smoke as much, or drink as much, or give a fuck,” Wright sings sardonically in the anthemic refrain to “Cents Cents Money Money”.

Myspace caught up with Wright and we talked about her band’s influences and the process of writing and recording No Beer, No Dad. You can check out our complete interview below.

No Beer, No Dad by Blowout

Hometown: Moorpark, California

Homebase: Portland, Oregon

How long has Blowout existed, and how long has everyone in the band known each other?

We played our first show at the now-extinct Habesha bar, in Portland, Oregon in 2014. I think we can mark that as an official starting point. Nick, Travis, and I met in San Luis Obispo, California around 2008, where we were all living at the time. It wasn't until late 2014 that we met Brennan by playing with his old band Donkeylips, which is right around when we asked him to join up with us.

I see Blowout frequently categorized as “emo” or “pop-punk” by music writers, but I can’t think of very many bands who actually embrace those labels since they can imply a lack of artistic maturity. How does the band identify itself? What do you think is the most accurate way to describe your music?

Labeling our music is something that's never been easy for us, nor have we found anything that works well enough to get the point across. We really don't feel we are quite pop-punk or emo. Fuck the labels I guess. Is that punk? I don't know, call us a rock band, that's vague enough.

What are some of your biggest influences?

Saves The Day, Cursive, Hop Along, Radioactivity

What were some of your first influences?

Kriss Kross, Alkaline Trio, The Cars, Sade, Minor Threat

There was a pretty big waiting period between your last EP and the LP, to the extent that I even saw the record sarcastically compared to Guns ’N Roses' Chinese Democracy. Are you still excited about the material on this record? By now, do you already have enough new material for a second LP or a followup EP?

We are still very excited about No Beer, No Dad, though we've been playing the songs live for some time now. We've got a few new songs we have been playing live that we are stoked on, so we are eagerly looking to put together a split, or EP once this summer tour is over. We haven't decided what just yet.

Is there a consistent thematic thread that ties all of the songs together?

I think the consisted thread is really just the mundanity of life. Breakups, shitty friends, partying, being called out for being a loser. We just wanted to make music that was fun for us to play live, and all those elements were a perfect fuel for the fire.

What is your favorite song on the record and why?

"Green Couch." It's the most fun for us to play. We enjoy how each part progresses to the next, all building up into this anthemic ending about partying all the time. Stylistically we believe it's a good representation of what we believe and want our music to be.

A lot of modern punk or emo bands just sort of idly bemoan their youth, but I feel like Blowout is actively rebelling against adulthood in a way that specifically reminds me of The Replacements. How much of that is an affect and how much of it is a real philosophy the members of the band adhere to?

I definitely wouldn't say it's our philosophy. We all work and pay our bills. We're just rejecting antiquated views on what being an adult is. We don't need a family and career to feel validated.

What’s next for Blowout? Djent? Raga rock?

For now, just more recordings, and more shows in the very near future.

Beyonce Now Has the Most VMAs EVER

2016-08-29T16:25:04.867Z

Rihanna may have picked up Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night (August 28). However Beyonce walked away with the title of possessing the most VMAs ever following her wins at last evening's awards ceremony.

The Lemonade singer walked away with wins in the technical awards for "Formation," Best Female Video for "Hold Up" as well as Video for the Year. And even though her work with Kendrick Lamar on "Freedom" lost to Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign's "Work From Home" for Best Collaboration, Bey went home with a total of six moon men, which gives her two more than Madonna, who was the former VMA record holder with 20.

Bey not only made headlines with her Lemonade medley performance, but she also caught everyone's attention by inviting the mothers of Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Michael "Mike" Brown Jr. to walk with her on the red carpet.

98 Degrees, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera & More Light Up the My2K Tour

2016-08-26T19:45:21.853Z

This one’s for all of you late-90s/early 2000s pop music lovers, wherever you are. Get ready to take a trip down Memory Lane, because 98 Degrees, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and Dream came together on one stage for My2K Tour to get you in all of your boy band-loving feels. It's been a while since the musicians have graced us with the gift of live music, and much like fine wine, they've only gotten better — and cuter — with age. Dream's Melissa Schuman said it best when she quipped "This is to let you know that you can still be sexy past the age of 30.”

Myspace attended the Los Angeles leg of the tour to take some photos while we danced and sung along to heart string-tugging classics such as "On The Way Down," "Liquid Dreams," "I Do (Cherish You)" and "He Loves U Not." Check out a few of our favorite photos below.

Ryan Cabrera

Dream

O-Town

98 Degrees

Vince Staples Reviews the New, Non-Racist Emojis (Which Are Still Racist)

2016-08-26T18:42:12.059Z

If you ask rising rap star Vince Staples, Apple's new "non-racist" emojis are still pretty racist.

Our friends at XUMO teamed up with the wonderful people at GQ to bring you this hilarious video in which Staples looks at the new additions to your emoji keyboard and calls them like he sees them. You'll never be able to look at emojis the same way after this one.

Check it out below and let us know what you think.

GQ on XUMO: Vince Staples Reviews the New, Non-Racist Emojis (Which Are Still Racist) from XUMO on Myspace.

Keep up with all things Vince Staples whenever you want. Get XUMO for unlimited, free access to GQ.

Fox News Names Red Hot Chili Peppers The "Worst Band On The Planet"

2016-08-26T16:36:55.126Z

Fox News host Greg Gutfeld doesn't think the Red Hot Chili Peppers are any good. Actually, he'll go a step further and say that a gorilla hitting a few guitar chords is a 'vast improvement' over the longtime L.A. rockers.

In reference to a video of Koko the Gorilla playing around with a guitar, Gutfeld had some choice words. "As most musicians know, this is a vast improvement over the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the worst band on the planet," said the host.

"The ape is better than Anthony Kiedis," continued Gutfeld. "By the way, the ape is 45, which is half the age of Anthony Kiedis. Red Hot Chili Peppers, poor man's Faith No More, don’t ever forget it."

Needless to say, don't expect to see Gutfeld at a Red Hot Chili Peppers show any time soon.

HBO Summer Binge

2016-08-26T16:30:00.000Z

Every week I'll be here to reveal and review some of my favorite moments from the internet. Whether it be binging television shows, streaming sports or simply getting lost in a YouTube rabbit hole, I'm here to give you my top picks every Friday, as well as the perfect pairing to get into an optimal headspace for them. This week, we're anticipating The Night Of to go from sleeper hit to full blown hit; scratching our heads over what to expect from Westworld and generally just enjoying avoiding the summer heat (and the movie theaters) with some quality television.

The Night Of

Recommended Pairing: A mystery pill, some tequila shots, and a knife.

I don't know what took me so long to get into this show. I loved Serial's ever-expanding first season, I think John Turturro is brilliant, and whole-heartedly want to celebrate the late James Gandolfini's passion project. I'm the type of guy who likes to get a few episodes built up so I can do a mini-binge to get into the series and then watch the last few in real time with the rest of the world. After a few weeks went by and the show started to receive rave reviews, I had friends urging me to just get into it. "It's not the type of show you want to watch back to back to back. It makes you feel anxious and squirmy. Once a week is perfect."

This week, at the behest of a wide array of people I respect as television watchers I finally dove in.

Seriously. Fuck. Me.

Good lord, this show is intense.

In an era where watching a dozen or so episodes of a show has replaced watching a movie or two, The Night Of really feels like an outlier. I'll say this: if you watch the first episode and don't have a sneaking suspicion that maybe you killed Andrea and somehow you unwittingly framed poor Naz, you should probably be locked up without the help of a sleazy, yet hard working eczema plagued defense attorney.

The show is as beautiful as it is difficult to watch. Tension and apprehension drape the scenery like a layer of freshly fallen snow — trampled and muddied, piling up against the closed shops of the Upper West Side.

In the absence of Stranger Things and in the midst of network television's summer hiatus, I'm expecting the ground swell of appreciation to start building for this show. With only a few days until the finale, now's the time to get into it if you haven't already.

I expect to take a week or two after this Sunday's final episode to calm myself and convince myself I am not a murderer before jumping back in and doing a more thoughtful breakdown.

Westworld

Recommended Pairing: Robots and cheap saloon whiskey.

Have you ever seen Westworld — Michael Crichton's classic 1973 genre bending robotic cowboy action-adventure epic starring Yul Brynner as the Terminator with a six shooter, boots, and a removable face?

No? Boy, have we got a vacation for you!

Here's an updated trailer using the original footage from a few years ago I really enjoyed.

And here's Stephen Malkmus' fantastic ode to Yul Brynner, Jo Jo's Jacket.

Westworld has long been a film buff litmus test. If you've seen it you love it, but nary a soul under 25 has ever laid eyes on it even though it has famously been kicked around for a potential reboot for decades.

Then the folks from HBO got their hands on it and finally got it set for a premiere.

Oops.

But seriously, this time it's for real. Executive Producer JJ Abrams is serious, watch:

People are getting hyped as fuck.

And who can blame them? I mean there was the little scandal about the official consent form handed out to the extra's:

“This documents serves to inform you that this project will require you to be fully nude and/or witness others fully nude and participate in graphic sexual situations.

“By accepting this Project assignment you may be required to do any of the following: appear fully nude; wear a pubic hair patch; perform genital-to-genital touching; have your genitals painted; simulate oral sex with hand-to-genital touching; contort to form a table-like shape while being fully nude; pose on all fours while others who are fully nude ride on your back; [and] ride on someone’s back while you are both fully nude.”

Holy shit!

HBO has been cranking out badass content since OZ and well into the current Game of Thrones era. Technology has allowed film makers the opportunity to see a vision through a season or a series in episodes instead of one take it or leave it film.

When I was in school to learn the art of screenwriting, everything was based on creating film. I vaguely remember having to write a spec script for television at one point, but it was glossed over. Film was art, and we were studying to be auteurs. Flash forward to the last 18 months and I haven't written anything for a feature, save for a few notes about a camera rig idea I had for an action sequence. Movies just don't excite me like they used to. I've seen more movies in the last month then I have all year — unfortunately it was Jason Bourne and Sausage Party — so I'll probably just stick with HBOnow and Netflix for the foreseeable future.

'Til next week.

The Peach Kings Discuss Touring With Cyndi Lauper & New Music

2016-08-26T16:30:00.000Z

Despite the fact that Mojo Thunder dropped in 2014, The Peach Kings have been continuously bringing their music to the stage. They've spent 2016 touring with The Heavy and Cyndi Lauper, as well as doing a bunch of their own headlining shows. And the fact that they're doing it all on their own gives them that extra bit of street cred. With two EPs under their belt, they plan to finally get into the studio at the end of their current tour and work on new material. We had a chance to catch up with the rock duo and get to know them a little bit better.

Homebase: Los Angeles, CA

Let's start at the beginning. How did The Peach Kings get together?

Steven Dies: Someone suggested I check out her music so I actually went to her Myspace and listened to the songs she had up there and I was definitely intrigued. Then when we finally did meet, not too long after that, we sat down and started playing music before we even really had any conversations and we got hooked on each other.

You've been touring a lot for the past few months. How do you prep for being on the road for so long?

Dies: Poorly. Can't really prepare for touring other than packing properly and I'm not even that good at that. or at least I could do better.

Paige Wood: It's all about setting ourselves up to make good choices with sleep, exercise and eating right.

What's the most difficult thing about touring?

Wood: Just staying engaged after exhausting drives, playing shows and then meeting promoters and bartenders and then doing that same dance day in and day out. it's really easy to have a tendency to want to check out mentally. But it's actually great to have fans who have never seen us, or who have come out to see us again, come up after the show and express their love of the music. Definitely worth the effort.

Favorite song to perform live at the moment?

Wood: We do a cover of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" by Iggy [Pop] and the Stooges and that's really fun to play, Not only because people know that song but because we get to freak out on stage for a few minutes. We let ourselves become possessed by the spirit of that song.

You did a few dates with Cyndi Lauper in May and June. What was that experience like? What did you learn from seeing her perform onstage?

Dies: It was a wonderful experience, and it's hard to believe that it actually happened but we've had some fans come out to the some of these past shows who we first got to play for in front of Cyndi and they have become die-hard, which is amazing.

Wood: What we learned from watching her perform is basically that you need to stick with your vision of what it is that you want to accomplish and don't let other people try to tell you what you should be doing with your style or your stage in your performance or anything like that just keep it authentic and stick to your guns.

Mojo Thunder has been out for a while. Will we hear new tunes from The Peach Kings soon?

Dies: Yes, we definitely have new music in the works. We have been playing almost entirely unreleased music on the road for the past year.

What are the plans for the rest of 2016?

Wood: First thing we're going to do when we're back in LA is jump into the studio and start laying down an EP. We're also going to be focusing a lot on working with some of our friends who have made some of our amazing videos to create some more visuals for the new music.

Take a First Listen to Tiësto & John Legend's “Summer Nights” Deep Mix

2016-08-26T16:30:00.000Z

It’s been a minute since Dutch house guru Tiësto worked with the king of soul John Legend. 2014’s dance rendition of Legend’s “All Of Me” won a Grammy and was a dancefloor staple all over the world. Now the duo reunite to give us something to dance to during these long “Summer Nights.” The original mix was premiered in June and now, as the summer’s cooling down for a bit, Tiësto premieres Deep Mix of the funky song.

“I was really excited to work with John again following the huge success we had with my remix of ‘All Of Me,’” says Tiësto. “For 'Summer Nights' we wanted to make a record that mixed the energy from my club tracks with his amazing soulful take on pop music and I’m really happy with the result. This record is definitely a bit of a musical departure for me but it was important to us that the end result really emphasize John’s funky soul vibe.”

Watch Kanye West Perform on a Floating Stage For "Saint Pablo" Tour

2016-08-26T16:18:11.796Z

For Kanye West's The Life of Pablo tour, the rapper flies high — literally. Always larger than life, part of West's new live show features the rapper performing on a floating stage.

kanye west c/o donda ©2016

A photo posted by @virgilabloh on Aug 25, 2016 at 6:43pm PDT

At his tour opener last night in Indianapolis, he towered over the crowd while performing songs like "All Day," "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1," and Can't Tell Me Nothing," according to Pitchfork.

The setlist for the Indianapolis show was 31 songs, focusing on material from Pablo but also including "Blood On The Leaves," "Jesus Walks" and "Devil In A New Dress."

Watch footage from the show below.

Kanye has hit the stage! #SaintPabloTour 🐐🙌🕊 pic.twitter.com/H9SLb5jNrj
— UTOR (@utorlive) August 26, 2016

ok so the stage is flying over the crowd

A video posted by joncaramanica (@joncaramanica) on Aug 25, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT

Watch Britney Spears Sing The Hits On "Carpool Karaoke"

2016-08-26T16:09:41.663Z

Britney Spears joined James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" last night for a fun, career-spanning medley of songs. The superstar sang "Toxic," "...Baby One More Time," "Oops!...I Did It Again," "Womanizer" and "Make Me...," the lead single from her new album Glory.

Highlights included Corden re-enacting the iconic scene from her "Oops!...I Did It Again" video, in which he gifted her a pen, and the two dressed in schoolgirl outfits for her 1998 breakout hit "Baby One More Time."

Spears, a mother to two boys, also told Corden that she wants three more kids — but she's done with marrying men.

Watch the video below.

Top 5 Album Releases of the Week

2016-08-26T07:00:00.000Z

Two big comebacks are part of this week's list of new releases. Britney Spears returns with her latest pop offering Glory, while the ballad queen Celine Dion is back to her French Canadian roots with Encore en Soir. And Celine's not the only one going back to her foundation, Florida Georgia Line's new album, Dig Your Roots, aims to make them more than the ones who get the party started. Midnight Faces are ready to get your heart racing with their third album, Heavenly Bodies, and finally, London's The Hunna drop their debut album, 100.

Find out more about these new albums below.

'Glory' - Britney Spears

Does Britney Spears really need an introduction? Probably not. However, the past few years have proven to be a period of growth — moving away from the dramatic meltdowns and tabloid fodder and towards bigger and better things. Her residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas is going on its third year. She's got two sons whom she loves unconditionally — openly sharing great family moments on Instagram.

MORE: 8 Most Glorious Moments of Britney Spears' Career

And now, she's back with her ninth album, Glory. Following the sonic confusion that was 2013's Britney Jean, Glory is the comeback album everyone was hoping and waiting for. Why? Because it's clear that this is the music that Britney wanted to make. Sure, it's safe to say that the majority of the album rides on sexy opposed to more monumental moments of her life. But if rappers can throw down rhymes about B's and H's and turning up, then why can't Brit talk about sex?

And she definitely turns up the heat on her lead single with G-Eazy, "Make Me..." and "Just Luv Me." Meanwhile, "Do You Wanna Come Over?" plays to the Tinder and Grindr generations and is also reminiscent of "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" off 2007's Blackout. While Britney Spears makes sure that you can move to the songs on her album, like "If I'm Dancing" (off the deluxe version) and "Love Me Down" the LP's the clear club banger, "Just Like Me" showcases the different facets of her vocals. Whether or not you're part of the Britney Army, you should give Glory a whirl.

'Dig Your Roots' - Florida Georgia Line

Following their chart-topping 2012 hit, "Cruise," Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, better known as Florida Georgia Line, were the go-to country guys to start a party. And while their fun was well-rewarded with millions of albums sold worldwide and sold out tours, the duo wanted to take it back to their early days with their new LP, Dig Your Roots. While grabbing their fans with their signature hooks, upbeat melodies and flawless harmonies, they prided themselves in the songwriting aspect of this record.

Let's start with their title track, where each verse conveys Tyler and Brian's upbringings and how they can't turn their backs on home. "Good Girl, Bad Boy" sounds a lot like that girl in the rom-com who tries who so hard to fix the rebel she's fallen for. It's a storyline that many of us can relate to -- whether we'd like to admit it or not. Aside from teaming up with Tim McGraw on "May We All," Florida Georgia Line also teamed up with Ziggy Marley on "Life is a Honeymoon" and Backstreet Boys on "God, Your Mama, and Me." It was about time that collaboration happened, especially after they covered BSB songs on their last tour.

'100' - The Hunna

Although all the new albums featured in today's list are follow-ups, The Hunna are making their full-length debut with 100.

MORE: Getting To Know... The Hunna

Kicking it off with their debut single, "Bonfire," The Hunna prove they are one of 2016's breakout rock bands. Hailing from London, the band seamlessly blends traditionally indie rock guitar riffs with fluid melodies. And thanks to guitarist and singer Ryan Potter, their songs have a warmth that would welcome those who wouldn't normally listen to rock music with open arms. He's tender when he needs to be in the beginning of "She's Casual" or "Sycamore Tree" while still laying on the grit on "Never Enough" and "Bad for You."

Making music about being young; going after what you want and occasionally finding that special person, The Hunna have a winner on their hands.

'Heavenly Bodies' - Midnight Faces

Get ready to hop into the hovercraft and ride along with Midnight Faces' new album, Heavenly Bodies. From the continuous finger-picking in "Sirens" to the marching drums in the record's title track, the Los Angeles band meld spacey sounds with rock ingenuity to make what they called "two of life's more challenging years cut down to 36 minutes of music."

Meanwhile songs like "Geranium" and "Party Donna" have the '80s synthpop sound that is perfect for any dance party. "Feeling Like a Stranger" has that same feel with some sensual element with the sax solo midway through the song. And "Love Is All Around" closes the nine-track album with an extended guitar solo in the beginning. Although Heavenly Bodies is a short musical ride, it ends up being a fun one.

'Encore En Soir' - Celine Dion

Celine Dion lost her husband and manager, René Angélil, in January. And while she and her three kids mourned the loss of their loved one, she found a way to get through it: music. And her latest album, Encore En Soir, became a tribute to her late husband.

As one could see from the title, Celine returns to her native language on this one and records the entire album in French. Considering I don't speak the language, this was probably one of the more difficult records I'll have to review this year. However, despite my lack of French skills, Encore En Soir is still a beautiful one to listen to. And with Celine's ability to sing each lyric with every ounce of energy and emotion, it's easy to feel her message aside from just understand the words that leave her lips like on "Je nous veux" and "À la plus haute branche," penned by Daniel Picard, whose song was chosen from more than 4,000 entries in a contest on the pop singer's website.

Teaming up with longtime collaborator and songwriter, Jean-Jacques Goldman, the album's title track was born. So yes, perhaps it would have helped to blur that language barrier; however, Encore En Soir proves that music is universal. You can enjoy it even if you don't exactly know what they're singing about.

Erin Tobey Spent 10 Years Making This Freak Folk Triumph

2016-08-25T16:38:33.006Z

It’s been more than ten years since Erin Tobey released her self-titled first album, but the Bloomington, IN-based artist kept plenty busy during the intervening years, maintaining a career in visual art while publishing her own local zine and acting as frontwoman for indie punk rockers Fat Shadow.

Middlemaze, her long-awaited second album, was always simmering on the back-burner as she found novel ways to procrastinate with less daunting projects before finally entering the studio with her husband and brother to record the ideas she’d been refining for the past decade.

Almost impossibly, the album feels worth the wait — deliberate yet so full it feels like the entire sum of all those years she stayed silent, culling unusual influences, recording melodic voice memos and making fresh new lyrical observations that range between gently philosophical and effortlessly witty. The starry, shifting freak folk of the resulting album is an involving triumph far more sonically interesting than most singer songwriters can ever hope to manage.

We spoke to Tobey about her lengthy songwriting process leading up to Middlemaze, and how long we can expect her next solo album to take.

Homebase: Bloomington, IN

Describe your music to someone who's never heard it before.

I'd like to think the new record is very accommodating to all moods. Picture the music someone would make who grew up listening to Paul Simon, followed by East Bay pop-punk, followed by Drag City freak-folk, and followed by this archive of Guinean pop music in the British Library collection.

How did you first start playing music?

My first memory of playing music was recording songs from the radio onto cassettes using this little boombox with a microphone, and then playing it back, singing the harmony parts and recording THAT onto a second boombox — and so on, back and forth. I was determined to figure out all the parts in that Cranberries song “Dreams” in the wild end section where everybody is yodeling, for example.

What do you love about Bloomington, IN?

It’s like The Simpsons where there’s a cast of townspeople you know and love who appear in the background of every scenario you find yourself in. Like, Oh here I am at the co-op and there’s the lovable Bumblebee Man buying yogurt-covered pretzels in bulk. There are a lot of charming things about living in a small city. It’s also really beautiful here for much of the year.

Was it difficult creating a solo album after so long?

Yeah, it really was. The longer I waited, the heavier it felt — it felt like an insurmountable task. I had imbued the project with all these expectations that made it become this lurking demon in some ways. Whatever hubris I had before that had initially propelled the project in my early twenties was gone, and I didn't know what it all meant anymore. I was just thinking about it too much, obviously. I had to force myself to do it. Once I started, the fear just started melting because really it was based on some weird illusion. It turned into an awesome triumphant feeling.

How is it different recording a solo album versus working as part of a band?

It's a lot different in some ways. If you're used to being in collaborative bands, recording a solo album but with a band puts you in this role of conductor where you have to be really on the ball and have a vision that you can communicate clearly. With that feeling of control comes a lot of self-criticism, for me. I needed to figure out how to be patient with everybody involved including myself, and not control-freak all over everything, to trust the people I was working with and let go enough to make it joyful.

What was your songwriting process like for this album?

I wrote these songs over years and years. The oldest one is over 10 years old. The majority of the songs are from the last couple years, but the writing definitely spans a decade of evolving practices and moods. In general, I record a lot of voice memos when I’m driving or walking around. I do a lot of writing vocally and in my head. Never been one to just noodle around on guitar for hours, for better or worse.

How did working with your brother and husband affect the recording process? Is it just easier working with people you're close with?

In some ways it's easier working with people you're really close with. Those kinds of relationships use unspoken communication that can be really magical in playing music together. There's also an interesting challenge in it for me, too, because I'm more comfortable criticizing people that I really love, or holding them to unrealistic standards. Ultimately, though, you’re going to love and cherish an album you made with people that you cherish. It has a psychic value that makes the product feel really meaningful.

But all that aside, my husband Jeff and brother Matt are both extremely skilled and creative musicians, and so are my friends Mike Bridavsky and Kyle Houpt, who we recorded the album with, so the short answer is: the experience was awesome and the record is good because they worked on it.

What or who was influencing you while making this album?

It’s not really in my character to listen to the production on an album I love and obsess over recording techniques, I just absorb stuff and it manifests in different ways. I was listening to the Damien Jurado album Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son. You can probably hear some of that in there. Lots of weird little percussion and interesting sounds. Always very inspired and energized by my community of Bloomington musician friends that I’m usually working on stuff with or around at any given moment: Amy O, Busman’s Holiday, Vollmar, Mike Adams at His Honest Weight, The Hollows, Patrick Jennings… Many more. Got a lot of good things going here and a lot of cross-pollination.

Were you trying to do anything different, musically or lyrically, when recording the album?

I only had recorded one other solo album, more than 10 years ago, and that experience was completely different and special in its own way — one or two mics, with a digital 8-track in my friend Rich Diem’s living room in Florida. I have done a lot of recording since then with other projects and have learned quite a bit about what I like and how to track. I brought it all with me for the new record. So yeah, the approach was quite different and the result is therefore quite different. That’s just the technique; musically and lyrically, everything is evolved. Ten years is a long time.

Are there any unifying themes between your visual art and your music?

I think I explore my own fears using all the media available to me. That theme definitely shows up all over the place in whatever I do, dealing with things that are terrifying or debilitating in whatever way. Shining light on something scary makes it shrink, or so I’ve found.

What were the biggest challenges you encountered while making it?

The challenges were mostly mental, as I talked about before. Discarding paralyzing expectations and poisonous mental loops and just starting the project was hard. But then later, it was like, why was that so hard? It feels so easy now.

I like how your music often balances punk and folk sounds. How do you find the right balance between the two for each song?

There’s no formula! It’s like how do you decide how much peanut butter and how much jelly to put in a PB&J? Just feels right. I’ve been enjoying trying to generate as much excitement and emotion as possible at lower volumes. More sustainable in the long term, health-wise.

Do you have plans to release solo albums more frequently in the future? I'm impatient for more.

Releasing Middlemaze is kind of an experiment to see how it feels inhabiting this project again. Practicing for tour has felt really good. I have a pretty big backlog of unfinished material that could get a breath of life if that’s the way the wind is blowin’. Anyway, I’m always working on something. My other band Brenda’s Friend (with my friend Amy Oelsner) has a lot going on right now, and my other other band Full Sun (with my excellent-songwriter husband Jeff Grant) also has a new EP coming out. Can’t stop, won’t stop!

One random fun fact about you?

I’m in a comedy troupe called Sitcom Theatre where I’ve portrayed an elderly woman, a little boy, an alien, the president, and have danced to the “Y’ALL READY FOR THIS?” jock jam in the Bloomington Fourth of July Parade.

Kings Of Leon Will Release New Album This Fall

2016-08-25T16:23:15.102Z

Alt. rock giants Kings Of Leon will return to the spotlight this fall with Walls, the seventh record from the Followill family (consisting of three brothers and a cousin).

The wait is over. 7 is coming. #WALLS #KOL7 pic.twitter.com/m6FQpcBBBz
— Kings Of Leon (@KingsOfLeon) August 21, 2016

“There are a lot of personal stories on this album,” said frontman Caleb Followill in an interview with Q (via DIY). “A lot of stuff that people maybe won’t get, but if you study it a little more, and if you knew the stories behind it, there’s a lot [that’s] heartfelt.”

Expect a different vibe on the upcoming album, which was produced by Markus Dravs (Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire).

"One song would sound almost electronic and another would sound so broken-down," said bassist Matthew Followill to Billboard. "But the way it all flowed together, we were just like, 'This guy is a genius.'"

Watch V²'s 'Hard and Fast' Video Exclusively on Myspace

2016-08-25T16:08:56.448Z

V² (pronounced “V-Squared”) is made up of twin 13-year-olds who play rock songs with old school guitar solos and power chords, but don’t say they can’t shred.

The virtuosos — guitarist/vocalist Vittorio, who is a minute older than drummer/vocalist Vincenzo — already have a full length out. V²: The Beginning dropped on August 5, and it packaged V²’s first two albums, We are V² and Pass the Rock N Roll Torch, with new songs. The album is precious, as are Vittorio and Vincenzo, who were nine years old when they performed their first concert in their hometown, Santa Rosa, CA (they played six original songs and six AC/DC covers!).

They count classic rock artists as inspirations (AC/DC, Van Halen, Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, KISS and ZZ Top were mentioned), but Vincenzo says they were exposed to classical music in the womb. “Our mother sang in a classical music choir while she was pregnant with us. After we were born she played classical music in our room and in the car. We could identify the pieces by name when they came on the radio.”

Today V² debut the “Hard and Fast” video on Myspace. Vincenzo says “'Hard and Fast' is a true story: One of our V Squared Angel fan club members snuck into our rehearsal before a show. We let her stay backstage with us for the whole rehearsal and put her in the front row for our show. The video recreates how the fan found her way backstage during our rehearsal. We already had her in the front row of the original concert footage, so we were able to put the whole video together without too much effort,” Vittorio explains.

“The hardest thing was making sure we had the same clothes on for the new video material as we wore during the original concert!” Vincenzo added. “She had hers, and we still had the jerseys we wore for the show, but we had blown through our original jeans and tennis shoes months ago!”

Watch the below.

Former Oasis Frontman Liam Gallagher To Release Solo Album in 2017

2016-08-25T15:57:47.738Z

Liam Gallagher is taking time out from insulting his brother Noel to release a solo record next year. "Looking forward to making some super sweet sounds," said the former lead singer of Oasis in a statement. "Keep the faith!"

He's quick to note that it's not the start of a solo career, though. “Everyone should know that," he said in a recent interview with Q Magazine (via Pitchfork).

"There are just 10, 11 songs I’ve written that are eligible to be recorded. They’ve got flair, attitude, the melodies are sick and the words are fucking funny. … It’s a record written by me, that’s got all the right ingredients and sounds well tasty. You won’t be scratching your chin. It’s not Pink Floyd and it ain’t Radiohead. It’s chin-out music.”

Liam's last musical project was fronting Beady Eye (featuring all of the members of Oasis aside from Noah). The group released two records, most recently 2013's BE, before disbanding. Listen to the lead single "Flick Of The Finger" from BE below.

Lorde Is Nearly Done With Her Second Album

2016-08-25T15:49:44.703Z

Breakout alternative pop darling Lorde is nearly done with the follow-up to Pure Heroine.

The New Zealand-based artist gave the update via Instagram in response to one particularly desperate fan, who asked her in a comment whether another album is coming or if "we should just give up on you as an artist."

"Give up on me if you want to! I write a record when I have enough special stories to tell, and it's all me, every melody every lyric, not some team who just start the machine up every eighteen months like clockwork," responded the "Royals" and "Tennis Court" singer.

"The record is written, we're in the production stage now. I've worked like a dog for a year making this thing great for you guys."

There isn't yet a release date or a name for her sophomore record. We'll keep you updated.

In the meantime, revisit her 2013 chart-topping hit "Royals" below.

Julie Ruin’s Kenny Mellman Shares His Deep Cuts Playlist

2016-08-25T08:37:48.018Z

Throughout the media blitz surrounding the July release of the Julie Ruin’s Hit Reset, much of the spotlight has been on singer Kathleen Hanna and bassist Kathi Wilcox. The former Bikini Kill bandmates deserve an immense amount of credit for the funky, danceable vibes and sociopolitical stances captured on the album and replicated during the band’s fun and inspiring live sets.

Among their bandmates is keyboardist Kenny Mellman. He’s a punk and indie force for social change in his own right, dating back to the 1989 formation of cabaret duo Kiki and Herb.

Mellman shared a 12-song playlist with Myspace earlier this summer. It’s a brief glimpse at how deep cuts from his record collection and the music of such peers as Mecca Normal and the Geraldine Fibbers have impacted him as a musician and entertainer. Sink your teeth in below.

Van Morrison — “Listen to The Lion” (Live Version)

From the greatest live album of all time (Too Late to Stop Now). Van has continually taught me how to work the ebb and flow of a song. The version on Saint Dominic’s Preview is good, but this live version takes the song into the quiet center of a storm.

Mecca Normal — “It’s Important”

Jean Smith and David Lester taught me so much about the interplay of one instrument (in their case David’s guitar) and a vocal. Their synergy is something I have always been thrilled by. The amount of energy and noise they make with just two people is completely inspiring to me.

Pulp — “Countdown”

An early song from Pulp that has the blueprint for every other great Pulp song. Jarvis is probably my favorite frontman of all time.

The Geraldine Fibbers — “Lilybelle”

I can’t tell you the number of times this song starts and I am still surprised with the direction it takes. The build from quiet violin to punk rock squall still makes me astonished.

PJ Harvey — “Goodnight” (Demo)

There is something about the rawness of this version that excites me more than the one that ended up on To Bring Me Your Love. I saw her on that tour, and she stood on stage and pounded a huge stick on the floor to create the drum sound on this song. It was mesmerizing.

Kate Bush — “And Dream of Sheep”

It is hard for me to pick a favorite Kate Bush track. She has informed my life in so many ways. “And Dream of Sheep” is so simple but is the perfect opener to her side long suite “The Ninth Wave.” It lulls you into its world so beautifully.

X — “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts”

The interplay between Exene and John Doe’s voices inspires me to no end. Their harmonies seem like they shouldn’t work but oh do they!

The B52s — “Song For a Future Generation”

The instrumentation is almost as sparse as Young Marble Giants but then the vocals adds a grandeur to the song. Like X, the B-52s taught me so much about intertwining vocals on a song.

Low — “Mom Says”

This song, and Low often in general, stretches time in the most exquisite way.

Prince — “Do Me Baby”

I first heard this song in high school and the sheer sexuality of it set against the almost metronome-like beat opened a world to me. Prince was a master of ramping a song up. And that falsetto is stunning.

Sparks — “Angst in My Pants”

I could have picked basically any Sparks song. Their use of keyboards whilst still sounding punk as all get out is the best. And those vocals? Maybe the best in punk — And yes, I think they are punk.

Otis Redding — “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”

The way the band and his vocal builds this song is perfect. I was always sad when the 45 version would play because it fades out before he really finishes the build of the song.

5 Sordid Tales of Scamming Columbia House

2016-08-25T08:29:02.517Z

If you’re a music lover from a certain era, you fondly remember Columbia House and its irresistible offer of eight CDs for a penny. Most of us didn’t bother to read the fine print about having to buy a bunch of CDs afterward at jacked up club prices. We wanted those eight CDs, and we sent away for them.

Our album collections filled up quickly, but when the catalog, and occasionally the Selection of the Month, arrived, we found interesting ways of avoiding having to fulfill our contract with the club.

From changing addresses, to legal loopholes, these are some true stories of how people took their eight CDs for a penny, and ran. (The names of everyone involved are initialed to protect the guilty, as Columbia House does still exist, although not as a CD club.)

A College Education

“One of the times I signed up for Columbia House was during my senior year of college. I snagged the eight CDs for a penny — for some God unknown reason they came in separate shipments — and then the monthly catalogs started to arrive. I, of course, sent back the card every time, indicating I didn't want their featured selection. At the time I lived within minutes of a Tower Records, a Sam Goody, a Nobody Beats the Wiz, and two used CD stores. Why on earth would I pay the Columbia House price for anything?

"Well, as we all know, college has to end sometime, and when I moved out, I never bothered to tell Columbia House. I kinda figured a major University had a bit too much on its plate to be informing places of a change of address. I was right. I never heard from Columbia House again. I still wonder if someone showed up to my old dorm room that fall to find a mailbox filled with random CDs sent over the summer.” – A.B.

Multiple Identities

“I used my real name at first. I was pretty much in disbelief when a small box stuffed with cassettes arrived for me. Then I began getting collection notices that I had to gather from the mailbox before anyone else, and hide ‘em from mom. I was maybe 12-ish.

"The stress was too much. Collection letters, as I learned well later on, can be worded pretty aggressively. I told my dad about the situation during a weekend visit. He laughed it off and said he'd take care of the bill, which was for under $10, and to not do it again.

"So of course I did it a bunch under fake names. You had a year to purchase one album at full price to get more for free, if I recall correctly. I just never bought the one, and then opened up other accounts.” – A.L.

Fourth Grade Fraud

“I joined Columbia House in the late-80s/early-90s, at somewhere around eight to ten years old. Unlike most subscribers I wanted to fulfill my obligations as soon as possible, and did so in a little over a year with my lawn mowing money. Upon fulfillment you were graduated to Preferred Member status, and were entitled to one free selection for every album you bought at regular club prices.

"You probably remember that in your Columbia House packet that came every month, it came with a Selection Of the Month card, and it was up to you to mail it back indicating you didn't want it, or they would mail it to you, and bill you for it.

"One month I was away at 4H Camp, and didn't mail the card back. I came home to find that they hadn't mailed me the Selection of the Month, but they HAD mailed me a card that said, 'Hey J, you're a preferred member now, and you forgot to pick out your free bonus selection! Please choose a selection and return!'

"Curious, I picked out an album I did want, and mailed it back. Sure enough a week or two later, the Bobby Brown cassette I'd chosen as my freebie arrived, and the Selection of the Month followed behind it a few days later.

"Again testing the waters, I wrote, 'Return to Sender' on the Selection of the Month, and kept the bonus tape. Sure enough, they credited back the charges for the Selection of the Month, and made no mention of my free bonus cassette on the invoice. Thus began the first criminal act I ever participated in.

"For the next 18 months I rinsed and repeated my scheme each month: packet comes, do nothing. Wait for the card saying I forgot my bonus album, fill that out, return the Selection of the Month when it arrived, and keep the bonus tape consequence free.

"My parents eventually caught me, and made me stop. They were MAD, but I found out years later that they were secretly very impressed that a Tennessee fourth grader was scamming a company the size of Columbia House, by mail, at their own system.” – J.P.

Contract Renegotiation

“My mom had signed up for Columbia House, and if my brother and I received good grades, she'd let us pick something out. I saw the ad in Rolling Stone and filled out the postcard for myself. The CDs came, and I didn't send the order card back in, so when the Selection of the Month arrived I had no idea how I was going to pay for it, and was afraid if I told my mom that I would get in trouble. I wrote to them to cancel, but they kept sending me letters that I owed money.

"Around this time, I learned in one of my classes that you had to be 18 to legally sign a contract. I wrote them, and said I was a kid. I never got a response, but the letters stopped.

"A year or so later I signed up for Columbia House and BMG and got a bunch more CDs, usually stuff I was too embarrassed to buy in the store, or music that might be good, but I didn't want to spend money on, from sappy and slow R&B, to movie soundtracks, to Harry Connick Jr.” – D.S.

When Mom Finds Out

“I couldn't have been any older than eight years old. My older brother Dan heard of Columbia House before me and had received what felt like were hundreds of CDs. I quickly followed suit and picked CDs that I found to be much better — as many Mariah Carey albums as possible!

"I received my CDs and instantly realized that I didn't have a CD player. I intended to use my birthday money to buy one.

"A month later I received another CD. It wasn't Mariah Carey, but it was some beautiful woman named Sade that I had never heard of before. The following month I received another, and then another. It was an exciting time for an 8-year-old. Getting CDs in the mail, even to this day, is still awesome, by the way.

"My mother discovered what I was doing when I received a collections notice a few months later. That was the day that I learned to always read the small print. So instead of buying a CD player, I was forced to use my birthday money to pay the debt collector.” – M.M.

9 Horror Music Videos That Will Scare You Stiff

2016-08-25T08:25:14.595Z

“Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y’all’s neighborhood.” These opening lines of Vincent Price’s epic rap in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” came to terrorize many a listener. Honesty, if I hear it on a dark cold night, it’ll still make me look over my shoulder. The addition of horror icon Price to Michael’s already masterpiece of a song has cemented the video not only as the greatest music video of all-time, but also the best horror-themed one as well.

MORE: 8 Best Horror Films You Haven't Seen

While “Thriller” holds the top spot, there’s a long list of other scary and monster-filled music videos to entertain us. The ‘80s, more than any decade, embraced the horror genre as almost every major horror film had its own music video on MTV (back when they played music). A hair band or rap group would sing about the exploits and kills of nightmare men such as Freddy and Jason.

So let’s take a nostalgic trip to a time when horror and music went hand in hand and highlight our favorite pairings!

Alice Cooper – “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)”

The lead single from 1986’s Friday the 13^th Part VI: Jason Lives comes courtesy of Alice Cooper. “The Godfather of Shock Rock” was the ideal choice to do a song for a Jason Voorhees film, as the video revolves around a teen couple going to the movies to watch Jason’s latest chapter. Intercut with scenes from the film is Alice onstage and decked out in all black leather with his trademark face-paint and donning Jason’s iconic mask. Part of Cooper’s Constrictor album, the song has grown in popularity over the years, becoming a Halloween staple at parties and events.

Dokken - “Dream Warriors”

If for nothing else, Dokken should get an award or star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for this video. It’s heavy metal magic.

The title song for 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors perfectly encapsulates the movie and ‘80s era, as Freddy Krueger not only has to do battle with Patricia Arquette’s character, but also with the band. Horror fans love the song, as outside of Freddy’s children’s rhyme, it’s the song most associated with the franchise. With top-notch production value, the music video places Dokken inside the nightmare world of Elm Street. As Don Dokken’s high pitched notes dispose of Freddy, the video ends with Krueger (Robert Englund) waking up and asking, “What a nightmare, who were those guys?”

Megadeth - “No More Mr. Nice Guy”

Originally recorded by that horror fiend Alice Cooper, Megadeth did a cover of the song for the 1989 film, Wes Craven’s Shocker. For those of you unfamiliar with the movie, it’s about serial killer Horace Pinker, who survives his execution via the electric chair to become a supernatural killer fueled by electricity.

Dave Mustaine is front and center in the music video, head-banging and shredding on his guitar, surrounded by bolts of electricity. Mixed in with scenes of the film, Mustaine’s life is played out from innocent kid to pissed-off teen, and finally ending up in the electric chair just like Pinker. If you look closely, you’ll see a cameo by Alice Cooper through old footage of him performing the song.

Fastway - “Trick or Treat”

You’re probably thinking this is in reference to 2007’s Trick ‘r Treat, but it’s not. You have to go farther back (1986 to be specific) and find a little known cult classic titled Trick or Treat. This heavy metal horror film introduces us to the big hair, glamour villain known as Sammi Curr (an amalgam of David Lee Roth, Gene Simmons and Freddy Krueger). British rock band Fastway not only provided the soundtrack for the film, but also sang the songs for Curr and his evil band.

I haven’t seen the film in years but two things that stick with me are: 1) Family Ties’ Skippy (Marc Price) is the hero; 2) Sammi Curr is brought back from the dead after some soda spills on his record. Very scary.

The J. Geils Band - “Fright Night”

When a song has the power to disband a group shortly after performing it, you know it’s scary good. The story goes that The J. Geils Band was just about ready to break-up while recording this song, then promptly did so after its release. Even though the band’s biggest hit was “Centerfold,” the title song of the 1985 vampire flick Fright Night is what many people remember them by.

Matching the campy nature of the horror-comedy, this synthesized goodness of ‘80s fun takes us back to a time where vampires were scary and possibly your neighbor. Just like other picks on this list, you’re sure to hear this song when Halloween season comes around.

Gerard McMann - “Cry Little Sister”

A personal favorite and just an all-around awesome song is “Cry Little Sister” from 1987’s vampire classic, The Lost Boys. The soothing, eerie beat paired with the church-like children’s chorus has created a horror anthem many instantly associate with the movie.

The Lost Boys is the perfect extension of the MTV-era, with the style, hair and music, as Keifer Sutherland and his pack of teen vampires deliver death. McMann aka G Tom Mac infused the song with raw sexual energy that you don’t usually find in horror songs. McMann didn’t have an official music video for the original but oddly, the straight-to-video sequel Lost Boys: The Tribe, did.

The Fat Boys - “Are You Ready For Freddy”

The most unlikely pairing on this list comes in the form of Freddy Krueger and three heavy-set rappers. After finding success going the heavy metal route the year before with Dokken, Freddy flipped the switch for 1988’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. “Are You Ready For Freddy?” is the movie’s theme song performed by the loveable Hip-Hop legends, The Fat Boys. The music video plays out like a live-action Scooby-Doo episode, as Prince Markie Dee, Kool Rock-Ski and the late Buff Love, have to spend the night in Krueger’s Elm Street home, in order to inherit it. Lucky them!

The boys spend most of the video running away from the burnt face killer, as the tone for the piece is gloriously campy. This video answers the question of what if Freddy Krueger was a rap star, as the Springwood Slasher spits some lines likes: “So if you feel like you’re tired and ready for bed, don’t fall asleep or you’ll wake up dead!” Needless to say, the Fat Boys didn’t last the night.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - “A Nightmare on My Street”

How much do musicians love Freddy Krueger? Apparently they’re big fans, as they’ll even go out of their way and release unofficial singles about him. That’s the case here as back in 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (known to everyone as Will Smith) released an ode to Krueger called “A Nightmare on My Street” that was quickly met with legal action by New Line Cinema and the movie producers.

Story goes that Will and Jazzy Jeff recorded the song to be included in the previously mentioned A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, but the producers went with The Fat Boys’ song instead. Their loss is our gain as now we have two Freddy rap songs to play on Halloween. And you remember the epic video right? If you do you’re a liar, as the video was made, but never saw the light of day due to the lawsuit.

Tim Cappello - “I Still Believe”

Back on our list is 1987’s The Lost Boys as this time we bring up a song and scene that almost stole the movie. Mention the muscle-bound saxophone player to any horror fan and they immediately know who you’re talking about. No, it’s not this guy:

One of the coolest and unforgettable scenes in this vampire favorite is when the main characters make their way to a concert on the beach. Front and center on stage is the oiled-up, gyrating Tim Cappello, performing a cover of The Call’s “I Still Believe.” For what could have easily been a throwaway scene, Cappello’s ponytail, attire (Mad Max chic) and swagger, created ‘80s magic. Turns out Cappello is an accomplished musician having played with the likes of Tina Turner and Peter Gabriel. Cappello never had an official music video but fans love it so much that they’ve created a few of their own.

Esme Patterson Explains Why 'We Were Wild' is Most Mature, Polished Record Yet

2016-08-24T16:33:42.459Z

Esme Patterson has been making music for a long time. She co-founded the Denver-based indie-folk band Paper Bird, and also dropped two solo albums — All Princes, I and Woman to Woman. However, her latest album, We Were Wild, proves to be her best. Tapping into her own personal experiences and the world around her, the Boulder, CO singer-songwriter's produced a collection of 12 songs, including "Feel Good" and "No River," that aren't only masterfully crafted soundscapes, but also contain lyrics that will resonate with your own emotions.

Following the release of the album, Esme had a full schedule of tour dates. But we had the chance to catch up with the songstress to find out more about her approach toward the new album, her favorite song to perform and what her plans are for the rest of the year.

Hometown: Boulder, CO

How do you feel We Were Wild is different from your previous solo work?

We Were Wild is my most mature, polished record yet. I am really proud of it. It took the longest time to make of any record I've done.

Your video for "Feel Right" looked like a lot of fun to make. What's the premise behind it?

My dear friend Isaac Ravishankara came up with the idea — we wanted the video to emphasize the discomfort and friction within the lyrics, we wanted the video to make you kinda dizzy. He hit it out of the park on that video. I love it. It was so fun to make.

What is "No River" about?

It's a meditation on getting older, on cutting your losses and being grateful for what you have [and] are.

The songs on this album sound quite personal to you. Are you ever worried about being too vulnerable in your music?

Art that's real and raw is the most interesting to me. Hearing someone be vulnerable in public can be really healing for the listener. I can testify from my own experience as a listener, to see someone be up front and honest about uncomfortable or painful things that we all feel can open those doors within one’s own self to explore vulnerability and healing in our own lives.

What's your favorite song to perform off We Were Wild?

"No River" always makes me really happy when we play it live. I often find myself dancing around with a big grin playing that one.

How's the tour been going?

Tour is horrible and transcendentally beautiful. It's everything all at once. So, I guess my answer is, it's going? It just keeps going.

What's next for Esme Patterson?

I'm excited to keep touring, playing the songs from We Were Wild around the US and the world. I'm starting to map out the next record as well. I've always got something new cooking.

Listen to Varick's "Surrender" Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-08-24T16:26:00.353Z

Keith Varick, better known as Varick onstage, is a spiritual person. So he takes that approach when it comes to his music. Creating ambient yet lush soundscapes, he wants to take you along on this journey, especially on his latest song, "Surrender."

As the title suggests, the song is full of bouncing bass beats and spacey sounds, which Varick's vocals sit comfortable on top of.

"This track is about surrendering your ego in order to find a deeper meaning within yourself," the New York City-based electronic artist tells Myspace.

"Surrender" is off his upcoming album, Veda I, which releases on September 9.

Listen to the song below.

Listen to Ryan Lochte's Apology Transformed in "Drunk Frat Boy"

2016-08-24T16:23:47.627Z

Ryan Lochte's antics following his medal wins at the Rio Olympics will go down in history as some of the worst (and probably dumbest) things an athlete has done in a long time. And while he already sat down with The Today Show's Matt Lauer to apologize, he has yet to get in people's good graces.

MORE: Stephen Colbert Hilariously Parodied That Ryan Lochte Interview

Well, the Gregory Brothers have found a way to make Ryan's apology a tad easier to swallow by turning it into their next installment of Songify This. Using the dialogue exchanges throughout that interview as well as Al Roker and Billy Bush's comments regarding the issue, they have crafted a hilarious two-minute song, "Drunk Frat Boy," that includes Ryan "playing the cello" as he says sorry as well as Matt calling him out by saying, "That's some dumb shit." (Matt Lauer doesn't say this in the actual interview, but it does add some dramatic effect, right?)

Watch the video below.

The New 'Rings' Trailer Will Scare The Crap Out of You

2016-08-24T16:20:53.930Z

She's baaaaack! It's been 14 years since The Ring premiered and Samara entered our lives. And now she returns to the silver screen in Rings. And unlike the first film and 2005's Ring 2, she traded in VHS tapes for email messages but still continues to haunt anyone who decides to watch her come out of that well.

Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz stars as Julia, the girl who unfortunately see the video and is then plagued by Samara. Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Lizzie Brocheré (American Horror Story) and Aimee Teegarden (Friday Night Lights) also star in the movie.

Rings opens in theaters on October 28, just in time for Halloween. So if you loved and were terrified of the last two Ring films, you'll surely enjoy this one.

Watch the trailer below.

Kanye West Blasts Radio for Ignoring Frank Ocean's New Music

2016-08-24T15:59:09.324Z

Frank Ocean's new album, Blonde, is not only set to top the Billboard album charts this week, but it's already getting rave reviews. So why can't we hear it on the radio?

That's the same question Kanye West is asking. But in normal Kanye fashion, he framed it into one of his infamous rants on Twitter.

"If anyone at radio really loves music," he wrote on social media yesterday (August 23). "Come together and pick your favorite Frank Ocean song and play it at least 10 times a day."

Kanye calls out the major radio companies including iHeartRadio and Clear Channel to promote the R&B singer.

While many of Kanye's rants can be easily swept under the rug, he does have a point with this one.

See his full Twitter monologue below.

If anyone at radio really loves music ... Come together and pick your favorite Frank Ocean song and play it at least 10 times a day.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 23, 2016

Every station across the globe. I Heart. Clear Channel local stations. Satellite. Every station. This will make the world better.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 23, 2016

Me and Drake both listen to Frank. Radio has to support amazing artists.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 23, 2016

Ask yourself Why did you love music in the first place and what can you do to add to the story.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 23, 2016

Power to the people. Power to the artist. Empower the artist and create a more inspired world.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 23, 2016

Top 5 Tour Announcements of the Week

2016-08-24T07:00:00.000Z

This week, Tricky comes out of retirement, Dillinger Escape Plan prepare to go into retirement, and some electronic favs drop albums and hit the road. Here's who we're most excited to see announce tours this week.

Tricky 'Skilled Mechanics' Tour

After a six-year hiatus from the road, legendary producer Tricky has announced a tour behind his Skilled Mechanics project. Taking place over the last half of October, catch the Brit throughout California, Philly, NYC and Massachusetts, plus a final show on October 30 in Chicago at Double Door. Click here for more info.

Flosstradamus 'Hi-Def Youth' Tour

After high profile performances at this year’s HARD Summer and Lollapalooza, the duo Flosstradamus have announced the first leg of the Hi-Def Youth Tour. Currently, the run spans early November to mid-December, and features support from Slushii, Gent & Jawns, Towkio & Whethan for varying dates. Click here for more info.

The Dillinger Escape Plan Final Tour

Hardcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan have already announced their plans to disband after their upcoming album release, Dissociation, which drops October 14. But before officially retiring, they're hitting the road for one last hurrah beginning on October 12 and running all the way through November 19. Click here for more info.

STS9 Fall Tour

Jamtronica outfit STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) are closing the year out strong, with the release of a new album and a supporting fall tour to boot. The Universe Inside will drop on September 2, just one week after their trek kicks off on Atlanta, GA, at the Tabernacle. You can also see them at this year's Dominican Holidaze on December 1 and 2. Click here for more info.

Big Gigantic 'Brighter Future' Tour

In support of their upcoming fifth studio album, Brighter Future, livetronica duo Big Gigantic are heading out on a fall tour of the same name. The shows begin on September 2 with a performance at Electric Zoo, and includes stops at LouFest, Red Rocks, and Suwannee Hulaween. Click here for more info.

How Pop Punk is Cashing in on Your Nostalgia

2016-08-24T07:00:00.000Z

While names like Drake, Rihanna, and even The Chainsmokers seem to be dominating 2016, there is something else worth noting about the musical trends of this year. It’s a bit surprising, but pop punk seems to be having something of a renaissance, thanks to a number of the biggest names the genre has ever seen returning all at once.

Pop punk is nothing new, and in fact it’s been around for decades, but it only truly broke into the mainstream a few times in notable ways. Green Day helped usher in the style back in the ‘90s with their seminal album Dookie, and then a decade later, artists like Good Charlotte, New Found Glory, Simple Plan and a whole host of others brought it back. Now, the genre has resurfaced, but interestingly enough, this time it’s thanks to those that already made it famous, more so than new talent.

Comebacks have been mounted by many of the genre’s titans, and despite the fact that some of them have been out of the spotlight for years, their returns have all been welcomed by legions of fans that have been waiting. In short, pop punk is cashing in on our nostalgia.

Blink-182 kicked it all off when they made headlines earlier this summer by debuting their first album in five years in the top spot on the Billboard 200. In claiming the No. 1 position, the pop-punk trio finally knocked Drake’s Views out of the penthouse after an incredible nine straight weeks, during which time not even the likes of current-day pop stars and top 40 radio favorites like Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, or Fifth Harmony could topple him.

MORE: Benji Madden Talks ‘Youth Authority,’ Madden Brothers & Good Charlotte’s Uncertain Future

Good Charlotte hopped on the bandwagon next with their sixth studio album, Youth Authority. The “Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous” rockers have been on hiatus since their fifth album Cardiology essentially tanked, but the time away apparently did them well. This latest effort performed better in the States than expected, and in other territories such as Australia, it topped the charts, surprising many in the process.

For the rest of the year, it would be smart to keep an eye out for Green Day, who just a week or so ago announced that they too had a fresh crop of new music to release, and thankfully, it sees the group returning to their controversial, middle-finger-raising roots. The pop-punk veterans have a new album expected in the fall, and it is preceded by “Bang Bang,” a single that makes America look at its own obsession not only with guns, but with mass shootings and violence in general. Leave it to Green Day to get political and still manage to create one hell of a catchy song, which few musicians can pull off.

Reunion tours have also been exceptionally popular so far in 2016, and it’s likely that many other acts will look to replicate recent successes in the coming year or two. Boys Like Girls, the pop punkers who charted hits like “The Great Escape” and “Hero/Heroine,” took to the road this year to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their self-titled major label debut, which turned them into stars.

The Used — a rock act that was a bit harder than some of the other bands mentioned here — but who still shared many of the same fans, is also touring on past albums as a way to say thank you to the fans that supported those records (and of course subsequent ones as well). The Used are playing two nights in every chosen city, with the first dedicated to their self-titled debut, and the following evening focusing on their sophomore record, In Love And Death. The first run of shows sold out immediately, and the band ended up adding an entire second leg to the trek of other cities, with a possible international extension being considered.

Pop punk has been making a somewhat subtle comeback for a while now, so it’s good to see those that helped bring the sound and the style to millions around reclaim their rightful spots on top. With groups like 5 Seconds To Summer hitting number one with every new album released, it was only a matter of time before those that came before, and even those that helped 5SOS get where they are today — many of their hits were written or co-written by the two brothers from Good Charlotte, by the way — wised up and realized that the world was ready for more.

MORE: 5 Reasons Blink-182’s ‘California’ Benefited From Matt Skiba

If you’re a fan of pop punk, keep both your ears and eyes open, as there are sure to be plenty of beloved bands returning, while at the same time, brand new up-and-comers are also sure to take advantage of this newfound love of the genre to launch careers as well. For all we know, the next few years could end up being a fantastic third coming for pop punk, and wouldn’t that just be wonderful?

10 Best Moments from SummerSlam 2016

2016-08-24T07:00:00.000Z

Over the past couple years, the WWE has had a difficult time delivering a major pay-per-view that actually lives up to all of the hype and marketing they push behind it. Some people point to the creative team as the source of the letdown, while others find it hard to get excited about matches they’ve seen countless times on RAW or Smackdown. SummerSlam is the company’s second biggest event on the calendar, and this year’s version took place this past Sunday from Brooklyn, NY.

While the event had its flaws, the 2016 version was a step in the right direction in delivering a big time show. The card was stacked with entertaining bouts, memorable highlights and entertaining wrestling. Now that we’ve felt the heat, witnessed the pinfalls and got “it” from Chris Jericho, we breakdown our favorite moments from the night.

The Massacre of Randy Orton

Was it planned or did Lesnar go “off script”? is the question everyone’s asking after the headlining match. Brock Lesnar did what Brock Lesnar does, and that’s destroy his opponent, which in this case is Randy Orton. The unexpected bloody fiasco that it ended up becoming is what’s driving social media into a frenzy. Lesnar cracked Orton’s head open with an elbow, as a river of crimson poured over Randy’s face and onto the mat. The match itself was a letdown, but the carnage created by Lesnar is why we watch his matches.

Got Juice Sign

The argument of whether Brock forgot he was in a pro wrestling match instead of a UFC fight was made by many a fan. The bravest fan award, however, goes to the guy holding the “Got Juice” sign right in front of Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman during their entrance. Since the guy is still alive (as far as we know), we’re guessing Brock didn’t see it. The sign is an obvious reference to Lesnar failing drug tests following his UFC bout with Mark Hunt.

Hey Brock, got juice??? #WWE #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/n12m0V3cZo
— RSN - WWE News (@RingsideNews) August 22, 2016

Match of the Night: Cena v. Styles

Say what you will about John Cena, but when paired with the right opponent he delivers good matches. AJ Styles certainly brought that out of him at SummerSlam, as the advisories delivered the match-of-the-night. The high flying style of Styles perfectly paired with the power of Cena, as the crowd was really into the match, going crazy after each false finish. With the clean win, AJ Styles has solidified his main event status, while Cena takes a break for a bit to work on some Hollywood projects.

And the People Chant: John Cena Sucks

Kudos goes out to the Brooklyn crowd for singing in unison during Cena’s entrance. “The Face That Runs The Place” was serenaded with a tune he’s pretty familiar with at this point: John Cena Sucks! While loved by kids and parents, Cena’s character is still Public Enemy #1 with adult fans and marks. Don’t know the chant? Well, let Cena himself teach it to you:

The Demon Wins

Every time I hear Universal Champion, this song comes to mind:

If Flash Gordon can’t be your Champion of the Universe, then I guess The Demon King is the next best thing. Finn Balor…The Demon King...The Former Face of NXT, is now the WWE Universal Champion after his victory over Seth Rollins. Balor’s ascension to the top spot has been nothing short of extraordinary considering he’s been on Raw for barely a month. The good news is that corporate is behind him and he has the talent to be a top level guy. The bad news is that Seth Rollins struck again with his powerbomb botch, injuring Balor at SummerSlam, putting him on the shelf for the next six months. So begins the curse of the Universal Championship.

Jon Stewart Returns to SummerSlam

“Amuse the tower” is the explanation Jon Stewart offered to Stephanie McMahon as he backtracked on insults. Returning to SummerSlam from his hosting duties of last year, political funnyman Jon Stewart became the official fourth member of The New Day by introducing and awkwardly dancing with the purveyors of positivity. His best moment, however, was the backstage segment with Stephanie. A match between both is what’s best for business!

Jeri-KO Drink it in Man

I called it! The team of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho is pure gold! They’re the most entertaining act in the WWE, so enjoy it while it lasts. Sure fans love Enzo and Cass, but those boys got nothing on the Canadian super team. Signs point that Jericho or Owens will turn on the other eventually, but let’s hope this pairing lasts a few months more, or at least till we have a YouTube volume of their best comedic bits.

Enzo Amore and Sasha Banks Live to See Another Day

This highlight is more relief than anything that neither Enzo nor Sasha got injured badly in their matches. From his neck injury with the ring rope at Payback, to his Air Enzo botched landings, Enzo Amore is good for at least one nasty fall in his matches. He didn’t disappoint at SummerSlam, as he took a painful looking knee to the face from Jericho’s Codebreaker. He’s better suited to be a manager than in-ring performer, due to the high volume of injuries.

As for Sasha, did you see the first half of her match with Charlotte? Sloppy and botched-filled are the best ways to describe it. It’s no wonder that Sasha dropped the title to take time off for her body to heal. She almost broke her neck and back as Charlotte dropped her from the top of the turnbuckle. The Boss has to learn which spots are worth the risks and which aren’t.

The Show-off: Colonel Sanders

No one will ever remember the championship matches that both Dolph Ziggler and The Miz were involved in. Hell, I’m forgetting now as I write this. What will live on in WWE infamy, however, is that Ziggler dressed as Colonel Sanders and Miz dressed as a chicken, battled it out in a KFC Promo. It happened and here you go:

A Violin is All You Need

Was SummerSlam the best wrestling PPV we saw this weekend? No, that honor goes to little brother, NXT and their TakeOver Brooklyn II show. The event was so good that it forced itself onto this list and stole a spot. The headlining match between Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura was awesome, but the moment people will be talking about years from now is Nakamura’s cinematic entrance. Violinist Lee England Jr. performed Nakamura’s theme song to chilling perfection as fans stood in amazement then erupted in unison as they sang along. Now, if I could only hire England Jr. to serenade all aspects of my life, things would be good!

Joe Nichols is Embracing Patience as a Virtue

2016-08-24T07:00:00.000Z

The owner of 14 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay, charts (five of which have hit number one) Joe Nichols is a superstar in every sense of the word. His latest single, “Undone,” is currently on the rise, and while Nichols was taking a quick break from finishing up his upcoming ninth studio album, Myspace caught up with him to find out more about his new music, his man cave and the one thing he’s happy to see less of at shows.

You are married with three daughters, so I gotta know, what are the specs of your man cave?

[Laughs] Well, it’s a fairly big room. It’s a fairly undone room, no pun intended. I think my TV in there is an 80-inch flat screen, got a sound bar that makes the sound pretty big, and a huge couch. Other than that it’s just a bunch of boxes.

It’s still your space, though. It’s not like there’s a spare stuffed animal, or you accidentally sit on a Barbie doll.

With three kids, especially two little ones, that’s gonna happen everywhere in the house, no matter what.

Do you have any horrible Barbie doll related injuries you can share?

Nothing uncommon. Just the same old, wake up at 3am to use the restroom, or check on something, and step on one of those little, extremely tough, plastic figurines.

Is a Lego still the worst thing to step on?

There are so many. The princesses now, the little figurine princesses that have that sharp hards, and the crowns, those are pretty bad, too.

Moving to your music, your ninth studio album is due out later this year. With the exception of your first two albums, this has been the most time you've taken in-between albums. What’s been going on in your life during the past three years, and how do you feel it’s reflected in the new music?

I think, most of all I think the music is most important, and sometimes you have the songs, and sometimes you don’t.

Nothing was really going on in my life other than just trying to work on the road as much as possible to keep visible there, and at the same time trying to find the right songs, not just some songs, but the right songs. That’s a pretty big chore, especially given that my sound has kind of evolved a little bit over the last few years, from “Brokenheartsville” to “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” to “Sunny and 75.” People are pitching a lot of different things, so it’s hard for me to identify when I’m writing, or when I’m picking songs, exactly which direction we’re gonna go in, and for the label it’s the same thing, and likewise for the producer, Mickey Jack Cones.

It’s just one of those things where it’s not an on purpose thing, there’s nothing delaying us other than (we) just gotta get it right. I think we’re really close, and I don’t know what the payoff is going to be for taking our time on this, but I know in the end, when we sit back in 20 or 30 years and listen to that album again, we’ll know that it was worth the time.

Is your process such that you can write while on a tour bus, or do you have specific spots at home where you do your songwriting?

It’s really tough on the road, because so many things vary from day to day. It’s always a good environment, but not necessarily for writing.

When I go home I have a couple of rooms designated in the house to write in, to get quiet, where I can sit and think about ideas. That’s always helpful, but I think the most helpful places usually tend to be Nashville writing groups, because that’s where a lot of magic happens.

Can you take me to being a fly on the wall during those writing sessions? How many people are in the room, what’s going on, what kind of beverages are being consumed?

There’s probably two, maybe three people per writing room, about nine or ten writing rooms occupied at the same time from 10 until about 4. Beverages depend on the room. Some guys like to write in the dark, some guys don’t.

I will say this for every writing room I’ve ever been in — everybody’s been really super cool. Whatever the vibe I have wanted to do, they were always willing to make that happen.

It’s part of Nashville, you can make great music, or what you think is great music, and spend your day, what should be at the office, having fun with your friends, coming up with some ideas, and being creative. I think that’s why we all became musicians, or wanted to get into music, to do something that was filled with effort, but seemed effortless, and was very fulfilling, while having fun.

Getting to work with your friends, and making your own hours, is definitely the best thing possible. Although, as someone who makes his own hours, I know we can be harder on ourselves than a regular boss. Do you have any examples of this from your own life?

Yeah. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize that. My wife has to point it out to me that, "hey, you’re really taking it a lot harder than you should take it," or, "you should take it easy on yourself," or, :this situation is not as big as you’re making it out to be."

So you’re the workaholic and at times your wife is the voice of reason.

That is absolutely 100% correct. Now it’s a little harder because we have little babies, and she has a really good point, they haven’t seen me in a long time. They haven’t seen me very much, and they’re at that age where they know that I’m gone, and they actually miss me, and I miss them, and she reminds me of that all the time.

I noticed a comment on one of your videos was by someone with a Confederate flag as an avatar. Have you ever had to deal with someone bringing that flag to one of your shows, and if so, how did you handle the situation?

I’ve had people who’ve brought confederate flags to shows. You’d be surprised where they come to shows at. We’ve had shows in Northern Michigan, Washington, and New York, where people have brought confederate flags.

It’s like anything else that you don’t care for, or you don’t necessarily want to see, or agree with, you just kinda look the other way, or give that person their space to do their thing, and let them deal with it.

It doesn’t happen near as much as it used to, but it still happens. It’s very very little compared to where it used to be, for sure.

On a much lighter note, you appeared on Lucy Hale's album, Road Between. Are you now a closet Pretty Little Liars fan?

I’m a Lucy Hale fan. I have a couple of girls in my family, including my oldest daughter, and my younger sister, they’re all Pretty Little Liars fans, so when I told them I was doing a duet with Lucy Hale they were like, I love her!

So you’re totally going to put your, what I’m assuming is now a Pretty Little Liars addiction, on your family.

[Laughs] Yeah, I guess so.

You can’t watch that show and not get addicted to it. Believe me, I know!

It hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’ve heard a lot of people say that. I will say this about Lucy, she’s one of those people who’s just incredibly charming. She’s a very personable person, a very sweet person, a talented person, a great singer. To get to work with her was neat in the sense that there were family members who were over the top excited about it, and I was, too, but at the same time I met somebody who is a pretty big star in a world sometimes where you don’t find many charming people, and she was so genuine, and so nice.

I hope she sends you an autographed boxed set of the entire show.

If she does I’m sending it to you!

Jennifer Lawrence Is This Year’s Highest-Paid Actress

2016-08-23T20:43:57.133Z

It’s been a good year for Jennifer Lawrence. The actress raked in $46 million between June of 2015 and 2016, Forbes reports, thanks to her star turn in the blockbusterHunger Games franchise, her Oscar-nominated role in Joy and an advance for the sci-fi dramaPassengers. This is her second year topping the list.

Ghostbusters‘ Melissa McCarthy and Marvel star Scarlett Johansson took top honors after Lawrence, while Jennifer Aniston, Fan Bingbing, Charlize Theron, Amy Adams, Julia Roberts, Mila Kunis and Deepika Padukone round out the top ten. Of course, this metric only takes the calendar year’s activity into account not their lifetime earnings or their bankability to studios. For that, we can crown Scarlett Johansson: she’s brought in $3.3 billion in domestic ticket sales. Those are receipts worth keeping.

Although these women are certainly finding an impressive level of financial success in Hollywood, they’re far from being the highest-paid celebrities this year. That honor goes to Taylor Swift, who brought in $200 million, over four times what Lawrence made.

Compared to their male counterparts, none of these ten actresses are even close to the same page: comedian Kevin Hart brought in $87.5 million, putting him in fourth place on Forbes’s annual Celebrity 100, a co-ed, multi-industry ranking. Lawrence doesn’t even show up until number 49, out-paid by actors like Jackie Chan, Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp. Looks like Lawrence’s comments about the industry’s equal pay challenges still ring true.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Why John Krasinski Only Cooks for Emily Blunt Because of Leonardo DiCaprio

2016-08-23T20:27:13.316Z

Walking Hallmark card John Krasinski is now cooking for his wife Emily Blunt on a weekly basis, all because of Leonardo DiCaprio’s eternally youthful face.

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Krasinski went on Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday to discuss his dad routine, and he revealed that after a solid 36 years of not knowing how to cook for himself, he’s finally cooking up a storm. It’s because he lost a bet about DiCaprio with his wife. Ah, married life for people who are famous. Blunt mentioned in passing that DiCaprio was 41, but Krasinski wasn’t buying it. “‘How dare you! That cherub of a man—that cherub of a talent—can’t be more than 28,” he explained to Kimmel. “He’s not over 40, was my thing.”

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He was wrong, and so the family man now cooks for her every Sunday because that was the deal, and he’s quite pleased with himself about it. Except he’s not living up to his end of the bargain all the time, like when the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer dropped, he took that Sunday off. Even Krasinski has his limits.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Robert De Niro Sit Through Jimmy Fallon’s Robert De Niro Impression

2016-08-23T20:04:22.696Z

Robert De Niro went on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Monday night, where he sat next to yet another person doing a De Niro impression: Jimmy Fallon.

Watch a Teenage James Corden Interview Meat Loaf Over a Full English Breakfast

The guy had it coming. De Niro made the mistake of describing his boat with an “it’s pretty big.” Unable to resist the catnip, Fallon launched into his De Niro impression, which the legendary actor acknowledged with a generous laugh as he has many times before. Smoothie that he is, Fallon transitioned by suggesting they take a boat trip together. “We might do that one day, we’ll see,” De Niro said like a guy appeasing another guy.

Fallon has treated De Niro to his impression before. This one time, he impersonated the Hands of Stone actor laughing in Cape Fear, and then De Niro returned the favor to Fallon with some incomprehensible nervous mumbling.

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Watch the class act and the adorably starstruck host above.

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Stephen Colbert Hilariously Parodied That Ryan Lochte Interview

2016-08-23T19:52:08.256Z

Stephen Colbert has been on a break from The Late Show during the Olympic Games, but he returned Monday night for to have some fun with Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s exclusive interview about the whole “overexaggerated” robbery story he reported happened in Rio.

Lochte, of course, already sat down with the Today show’s Matt Lauer to explain his version of the incident that made international headlines, but Colbert decided to re-use the same interview, taking short clips from the real interview and re-contextualizing for his audience’s entertainment.

Ryan Lochte Says He’d Rather Face Charges Than Be Banned From Olympic Swimming

In the fake interview, Colbert demands answers, and Lochte’s explanation was simple: “I over-exaggerated that part.” And Lochte had a great answer for everything: “I was intoxicated.”

Colbert also poked fun at the swimmer during his monologue, suggesting that Lochte consider a run for president.

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“Now the whole world thinks that Ryan Lochte is that crazy American with the weird hair who keeps making stuff up and causing an international incident, which is not how an Olympian acts,” Colbert said. “That is how a presidential candidate acts.”

Tonight! Could a new, mostly aquatic challenger enter the presidential race? #LSSC https://t.co/y4SiPUxHu5
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) August 23, 2016

This article originally appeared on TIME.com

Watch Geordie Kieffer's "Red Line" Video Exclusively on Myspace!

2016-08-23T17:05:55.944Z

When Geordie Kieffer writes a song, his methods of composition are anything but conventional. The eccentric musician isn't afraid to take risks rather than play it safe, and in doing so not only wrote his single "Red Line," but also took his preferred Agro-Pop sound to the next level.

The visual counterpart is just as quirky, edgy and shrouded in darkness as the song itself, as it opens with Kieffer doing his best Tony Montana impression: coming up for air at a table covered in white powder, still visible on the tip of his nose. "This video was a fucking ball," says Kieffer. "I mean, who doesn't like drugs, violence, and cake?!"

Watch the video below.

Trashcan Sinatras Talk ‘Wild Pendulum’

2016-08-23T16:15:49.044Z

Three decades after forming in 1986, Scotland’s Trashcan Sinatras are only now releasing their sixth studio LP, titled Wild Pendulum. And yet they’ve released more irresistible vocal harmonies with only six albums than most artists could manage with a dozen.

Their timeless brand of power pop hasn’t earned them mainstream recognition beyond a brief stint as the next Smiths after the release of their 1990 debut Cake, but their soulful melodicism and rich baroque sensibilities are more than enough to maintain a loyal fan base in between their oft-delayed releases. We spoke with the band’s vocalist and acoustic guitar player Francis Reader about recording their first album in seven years, how things have changed after 30 years in music and meeting Willie Nelson naked.

Homebase/Hometown: I live in LA, and the rest live in Glasgow. Our management is LA-based.

Describe your music to someone who's never heard it before.

Extravagantly melodic, soulful, fun.

You guys started as a cover band. Did that help you bond over your shared musical tastes?

We didn’t start as a cover band in the barroom sense, just threw in some covers to fatten our set out. And yes, many dirty musical secrets were uncovered.

What's your songwriting process like?

Waiting. We share songs and ideas with each other and whomever feels the love for a certain idea gets on with advancing it. We still look to impress each other.

What or who was influencing you while recording this album?

Much orchestral pop music, really. ABC, ABBA, baroque pop.

Was it difficult or daunting to begin recording your first record since 2009?

Not really. We had an unusually distinct idea (for us) of the type of sound we were building. It was a little worry in the back of our minds that it might not all come together, importing our pre-production work with Simon Dine and asking Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott to embellish, arrange and refine it, but it worked out great from the start.

This album was announced all the way back in October 2014. How did you guys spend the time between then and now? Were you working in the studio a lot?

There were about five to six weeks of working with Mike and Nate — three of them spent in the Bright Eyes studio in Nebraska — then the rest Mike was mixing and mastering. The pledge campaign was pretty involved too—feeding that insatiable beast will eat up your time.

Were you consciously trying to do anything different from your earlier records with Wild Pendulum?

Yes, we were keen to hear some new sounds around us. Simon and I had started to work on songs before the other Trashcans banged at the door and demanded to be allowed to play too.

How did Mike Mogis's involvement influence the record?

He was the glue. There seemed to be a lot of paths we could choose to take with the songs, and Mike had the authority and decisiveness. He inspired trust, and worked very tastefully.

Was there any sort of mission statement behind this album, or did it simply grow organically?

There was a distinct idea to make an ornate record, and not to worry about any chaos or cacophony. Lyrically, a lot of it was last minute. It’s all organic, however it grows.

The production on this record feels especially lush and loaded with minor but crucial touches. How do you decide when and how to add all those little flourishes?

We spent three years working on these tunes, and much of the credit for the sonics goes to Simon Dine, who builds these beautiful orchestral scenes, for which we wrote ourselves leading roles, and hammed them up. We just built up the off-Broadway version together in that time, and Mike/Nate put it on Broadway.

How has recording and touring changed, and how have you changed, since first starting in the late '80s?

Recording is no longer something we look at beyond the one album we’re making at the time. Each one could easily be our last. Touring is more exhausting, with more bathroom stops. I haven’t seen much change in the people around me — I think they’re the same people I met 30 years ago, while I feel I’ve changed a lot. Everyone else would probably say the same.

What's the craziest experience you've ever had on tour?

Various embarrassing drunken fights and pompous outbursts — too many to mention. Meeting Willie Nelson in a hotel room while naked (me, not Willie) was pretty surreal.

One random fun fact about Trashcan Sinatras?

We recorded most of our delightful oeuvre in our own studio, Shabby Road, whilst wearing pajamas.

Watch Halle Berry and Jodie Foster Dramatically Recite Britney Spears Songs

2016-08-23T16:12:54.746Z

Britney Spears' Glory is dropping at the end of the week, and to pay homage to that release, W Magazine rounded up Halle Berry, Jodie Foster and Priyanka Chopra to put their own twists on a couple of Brit's pop tunes for the latest installment of "Lyrical Improv with Lynn Hirschberg."

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Halle has a very dramatic approach with her performance of "Oops I Did It Again." while fellow Academy Award winner Jodi adds in some fun into her interpretation of "Toxic." Meanwhile Priyanka, star of ABC's Quantico, jumps into an a cappella performance of "Toxic" with some vocal sound effects thrown in.

Watch their performances below.

Montell Jordan Surprises James Corden With Birthday Performance

2016-08-23T16:03:46.761Z

James Corden turned 38 yesterday (August 22), and although he had to come to work as host of The Late Late Show with James Corden, the actor and singer was probably glad he did because he was treated to a big surprise.

To celebrate his birthday, Montell Jordan did a surprise (and rare) performance of his hit, "This Is How We Do It," which is also James' favorite song! Not only did he get the show, Montell also surprised him with a button at his desk that will play "This Is How We Do It" whenever he wants.

"This is the greatest present I could ever have," James said with a huge smile on his face.

James also received a compiled happy birthday video featuring his parents, sisters, his favorite boy band O-Town and his favorite soccer play West Ham United's Mark Noble.

Watch how it all unfolded below.

Listen to Jimmy Eat World's New Single, "Get Right"

2016-08-23T15:51:51.157Z

Jimmy Eat World is back with some new material. The band just dropped, "Get Right," the first single from its upcoming ninth album.

The Mesa, AZ band teamed up with Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who produced M83, Nine Inch Nails and Beck, for the new record. While they haven't revealed the name of the new album yet, it is set to release in the fall. Jim Adkins told BBC Radio 1's Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter that the band will be be playing two "exclusive" concerts in London with more touring to follow.

Listen to the song below, and for a limited time, you can also get the track for free on the Jimmy Eat World's website.

Deran Hall Bridges the Gap Between Tattooing & Music

2016-08-23T07:00:00.000Z

For a long time, Deran Hall was a big fish in a small pond. It wasn't that the tattooers around him weren't good, it was just that he was ready to be in the tattooing mecca of Southern California, and not every tattooer in North Carolina is prepared for that kind of competition.

Earlier this year, Hall decided to make the move and take a spot at the famous Timeline Gallery in San Pedro, California. Now surrounded by some of the best in the business (like Carlos Torres and Sergio Sanchez) on a daily basis, the former musician's art can finally be seen among hundreds of the top artists in the world. Myspace sat down with Hall to talk about his beginnings, his passion for music, and what it's like to work with legends.

How did you become interested in being a tattooer?

I was in the engineering industry doing civil engineering, and I've been an artist my whole life. For a long time after high school, I was focused on music. I wanted to be a guitarist, but I got tired of the whole band thing. I decided to start pursuing art again as a career, and I just fell in love with tattooing. I grew up in a really small town in Michigan, and I didn't really consider tattooing then because no one was doing good tattoos there. It was just little Tasmanian Devils and Superman logos, not at all the type of art I was into. Then tattooing really began to take off, and I decided maybe it was worth getting into.

In what ways are music and tattooing related in your eyes?

It's very similar, actually. I would say about half the artists I know are also musicians. It's a cool creative outlet. It's hard to really explain, but they're really similar in a lot of ways.

What's it been like to work with some of the best tattoo artists in the world, particularly the ones known for a similar style to yours?

It's amazing. I was tattooing on the East Coast, and I just moved out here about three months ago. It's just a completely different world out here. It's one thing to see tattoos on Instagram, but to come here and see so many of these amazing pieces personally, it's a little overwhelming. It's also very inspiring, for sure.

You've only been out here for a little while, but have you seen any major differences between East Coast tattooing and West Coast tattooing?

I've only been in one shop here, but I would say on the East Coast that there's definitely a lot of that old biker mentality. I got made fun of for being an actual artist when I was in my apprenticeship because that just wasn't cool. That might still be prevalent in some places out here, but I haven't seen it in the few months I've been out here. I would imagine there's a lot less of it out here. People on the West Coast tend to not give a shit what you're doing, whereas on the East Coast everybody needs to be involved in everybody else's business. It's not cool if you just want to work on your own thing.

How have you seen tattooing change as both an art form and an industry in the time you've been tattooing?

As an industry, it's changed because there are so many actual artists now who are doing tattoos. It's awesome because artists tend to be a little more laid back than some of the more biker tattoo artists. Everybody likes everybody, and good artists want to be friends with each other versus back in the old days when they viewed each other more as competition. There's always going to be a little bit of that, but it's changing very rapidly in that regard. I want to see other guys around me succeed. Even if they're in other shops, I don't care. If you're a good artist, you're a good artist. That's how it should be. There are enough tattoos to go around for everybody. If you're worried about somebody else taking money from you, that says more about you than them.

What's the transition to California been like for you so far?

I'm still fairly new out here. I'm just trying to build up a clientele in the area. Most of the people I tattoo come from out of state, which is cool, but it'd be cool to have some locals too.

Benji Madden Talks ‘Youth Authority,’ Madden Brothers & Good Charlotte’s Uncertain Future

2016-08-23T07:00:00.000Z

It’s been a few years since we’ve heard from Good Charlotte, but thankfully the boys from DC are back, and they’re back to the sound that helped make them a household name years ago. Earlier this summer, the pop-punk group released its highly anticipated sixth full-length, Youth Authority, pleasing millions of longtime fans around the world who have been waiting anxiously for new tunes. Time away obviously did the group well, as the title performed fairly well on charts, and fans are responding positively.

In the years between albums, the members of Good Charlotte haven’t been just laying around. Brothers Joel and Benji Madden — who have lead the band for its entire run — went solo, and while we didn’t hear too much of their new sound in the States, they managed a No. 1 album and single in Australia. As they approach 40 (yes, they’re almost 40), a handful of the members of GC have been having kids, and for a while it wasn’t clear if they’d ever return to the rollicking good times their music always induced.

Thankfully, Youth Authority is just what people were hoping for, and these are now some of the coolest guys in the scene yet again. With a new album to promote, the band has a massive tour coming up, and according to at least one member, you should see them when you can, because they may not be around forever. We recently spoke with Benji Madden about what it’s like to have been doing this for so long and on what the future holds for GC.

Congrats on album number six! Did you ever think you'd still be doing this as Good Charlotte and be at this place 15 years in?

Yeah, I don't know man. It's funny. Time flies so fast. We actually started Good Charlotte in 1996 and I was 17 and now I'm 37 and I have to say that when I started the band, I wasn't really sure what I was getting into. We just had these big dreams. I don't know if we actually had a specific goal in mind other than we really just wanted to take care of our mom and we had these dreams of making it. Now, to be 37 and to look back at us as 17 year olds starting the band, I have to say I couldn't have guessed that we would end up here, but I'm definitely proud of us going from being these little kids from a small town in the middle of nowhere to having seen the world and now getting the band started back up.

When we took a break, I think the band felt like it wasn't ours anymore and it belonged to everyone else. That was a little disheartening for us because it was so special to us and it was something that we put our entire youth into. I think it definitely feels like it's ours again and that’s really good.

Is that why this time around you decided to opt to release on your own label?

Yeah, exactly. As kids, there wasn't anyone really looking out for us, in a sense. We didn't have an uncle in the music business, or something. When we came into it we wanted to make everyone happy. We wanted to be good team players. We ended up, I think, doing that to our detriment a little bit. When you listen to the first two Good Charlotte albums, the self-titled and then the Young and the Hopeless, those albums, we made before anybody gave a fuck. Then the albums that came after that, Chronicles [of Life and Death], Good Morning Revival, and Cardiology. All of those albums, I liked for different reasons, but they were albums that we were kind of making for other people, in a way. You know?

That’s rough.

I don't think we understood that yet. I don't think we really knew that. I think as we got older, we gained an understanding about ourselves a little bit more. We became grown men. Six years ago after Cardiology, we shut the website down, we shut the merch store down, there was no more Good Charlotte merchandise for sale. There was nothing Good Charlotte available and there were no more shows. The only thing that you could probably find was on eBay or the records that were for sale from the old label.

We decided that we needed to make it ours again. We needed it. It was our baby to start with and then it turned into this thing that wasn’t. It belonged to everyone else and we felt that our really hardcore fans would understand where we were coming from. I feel like we were right because this record, it is very genuine to us. I feel like this record has this energy, and it's more of an energy than really like a sound. If you listen to it, sonically, it's different than any of our other records but the energy and the spirit of it is really in line with the first and second Good Charlotte albums. For us, that's what we were going after. Making it feel special again.

If it feels special to us then there's going to be someone else who understands it. That was a little bit of what the whole Good Charlotte hiatus was about and why we decided to get back together right now. Now was the time because we felt like we had something to say. Joel actually told me he was never going to make another Good Charlotte record. Not in an angry way.

Really?

He was like, "You know, it was just a chapter of my life and I've got to be genuine to where I'm at." Then he came back and he said, "There's a certain little place in our hearts and our brain that Good Charlotte music comes from. I think anybody who loves Good Charlotte associates it with their use." That's what it is for us too. It's the misunderstood teenager side of us, which is a part of you that never really dies. You always have that angst in some way. I think that when I'm writing records for other bands or other artists, I write from a whole different side of my heart. But when I write Good Charlotte records, I write from this one place that takes me right back there. It's a really special place. It's a really good, really genuine place.

I guess we just started feeling it again. Joel was like, "I've got some things to say that I can only say on a Good Charlotte record. So I think we need another record." That was exciting for all of us, we all felt like it was time.

Do you think that this energy that you've recaptured, was that a mixture of just you guys bringing that back, or do you think that has to do with bringing producer John Feldmann back on board? Where exactly did that come from?

I think it's really come from the work that we've been doing with other artists, as writers, producers, managers, and mentors. Now being at the place that we are now, there's nothing more rewarding than mentoring another artist. It's the most rewarding thing that you can do, to try and help another artist achieve their dreams, to try and protect them, try and teach them.

We’ve worked on some other records. We worked on the last two ">5 Seconds of Summer records. We've worked with All Time Low, Sleeping with Sirens, a bunch of really talented and great bands. We heard stories of what Good Charlotte meant to them; we heard stories about people's first shows being a Good Charlotte show or Good Charlotte being the band that got them being into rock music. They were listening to whatever, and then they heard Good Charlotte and they got into bands and Warped Tour, that whole thing. That's definitely meant a lot to us. It feels like the things we have to say are important and we've always been in that place. Good Charlotte has always been for sticking up for the little guy. Good Charlotte's always been for the underdogs.

We looked around and saw there wasn't enough bands in that role, and that it was important. We could be big brothers to a lot of these bands, a lot of the younger bands. That's how the energy came back to us. It is that energy, it is that drive.

You took this time off and you and Joel did something solo that was totally different. Do you ever think you would want to do that again?

For me, the Madden Brothers record is the kind of thing we can do until we're 70. The Madden Brothers record is very timeless. There isn’t really a genre that you can put it in. It is more of an art project. That is more of me and Joel, I wouldn't say flexing, but it's exercising different styles and different interests that we have. The recording process and record-making in general. The Madden Brothers is definitely an art project. I think we'll make another Madden Brothers record somewhere down the line. Maybe in our 40s.

I don't know how many Good Charlotte records we'll make. I think we've got one more in us. I can't see us doing Good Charlotte too far past our 40s. I feel like the whole reason that we came back with Good Charlotte was to make it special again, to make it special to us, so we could go out on our own terms. We felt like we limped off the field a little bit, at the end there, when we took a break.

We feel strong again. We feel like we're in our power, we're doing the things that we really want to do. We're not pandering, we're just keeping it real with ourselves. That is definitely how we began our career and it's definitely how we want to end our careers. So yeah, I think the future definitely holds plenty more music though.