Every now and then a new pop star emerges fully formed and Conor Maynard is one such artist – a genuine new talent discovered doing their own thing, spotted making waves and building their own fanbase before being given the platform to burst forth and show the world what they’re capable of.
Little more than a year ago 19-year-old Brighton UK-born Conor Maynard was uploading videos of himself to the internet, and now, 50 million YouTube views later and with the 7th most subscribed music channel in the UK, Conor is gearing up for his first official release, his debut single ‘Can’t Say No’.
Ahead of that, Conor has just been voted winner of MTV UK’s Brand New 2012 by a mile with 45% of the total vote. Says Conor: “It’s such an amazing feeling winning MTV’s Brand New 2012, I can’t thank the fans and viewers enough for voting, and MTV for selecting me in the first place. I hope this is the first success of many to come!”
Conor’s album will be released in the summer. In the meantime, check out this sneak preview of ‘Can’t Say No’:
Norah Jones is set to release a new album this spring through EMI’s Blue Note Records entitled ‘Little Broken Hearts’, a collaboration with producer and musician Danger Mouse.
The two first worked together on Danger Mouse’s acclaimed 2011 album ‘Rome’ and their connection proved deep enough that they decided to collaborate on Jones’ fifth studio album. ‘Little Broken Hearts’, which features original songs co-written by Jones and Danger Mouse, is the fascinating next step in the artistic evolution of one of the most intriguing singers to have emerged in the past decade. Together they have married their highly personal styles to create an entirely new sound.
Jones will tour extensively in 2012, performing at a mixture of festivals, ampitheatres and theatres in the US and abroad, including her return to the Hollywood Bowl on August 10 which has been announced as part of the venue’s subscriber series. Subscriptions have gone on sale today – for more information and ticket details visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.
To sign up for updates on Jones’ upcoming tour dates visit www.norahjones.com.
Calling all Pink Floyd fans – check out the brand new Pink Floyd Facebook store which currently has exclusive Immersion Edition and vinyl bundle offers available for purchase without leaving Facebook. Visit the store here or click on the image below.
2012 is turning out to be quite a year for the amazing Emeli Sandé. Confirmed as the winner of the prestigious Critic’s Choice Award and nominated for British Breakthrough Act at this year’s Brits, the singer-songwriter has confirmed the release of her stunning new single, ‘Next To Me’, on February 13. The track is taken from her enormously anticipated debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ which will be released by Virgin Records on the same day.
‘Next To Me’ is yet another flawless pop classic from Ms Sandé, full of soaring emotion and heartfelt lyrics. At first glance it could be about a boy or perhaps be spiritual in its sentiment. In fact, says Emeli, it was written about her number one love; Music. You can listen to it right here:
‘Our Version Of Events’ is warm, wise, frank, funny, thoughtful and as inimitable as Emeli’s vertical shock of blonde hair and the Frida Kahlo tattoo that takes up most of her right arm. It promises to be a classic album from one of the most exciting debut artists we’ve seen in recent years.
Ahead of the album’s release next month you can listen to snippets from each track here:
Katy Perry is becoming a Sim! Katy has teamed up with Electronic Arts Inc. for a new collaboration on EA’s hugely popular ‘The Sims’ gaming series. The tie-up will see multiple games developed within ‘The Sims’ franchise featuing special Katy Perry themed in-game content and virtual goods. The relationship kicks off with a special Collector’s Edition of ‘The Sims 3 Showtime’ which launches in March 2012.
“I love how you’re able to play out different stories through your Sims characters,” says Katy, “Giving the different careers and watching them succeed. It’s cool to see the Sims’ stage performances in The Sims 3 Showtime decked out just like my California Dreams Tour – even my cotton candy video screens are in there! I always like to think of myself as a cartoon, and now I’m a Sim!”
EMI is proud to announce the release of a brand new Iron Maiden Blu-Ray, 2 DVD set and double soundtrack album on March 26.
‘En Vivo!’ was filmed on April 10 2012 in front of 50,000 ecstatic fans at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago in Chile during the ‘Round The World In 66 Days’ leg of the band’s mammoth ‘The Final Frontier World Tour’. With a spectacular stage show and a jaw-dropping appearance by Eddie, the gig encapsulates perfectly the heart and soul of Iron Maiden.
Says bass player and founder member Steve Harris: “For The Final Frontier Tour it was really important to me that we filmed in South America as we’re always so overwhelmed by the fans’ reaction when we go to that part of the world and I wanted to reflect that in the filming. After much consideration we chose the Santiago show as we felt it was one of our best performances of the entire Tour and to play at the prestigious Estadio Nacional was a landmark moment for us.”
DVD disc two is a bonus disc featuring an 88-minute documentary, ‘Behind The Beast’ which shows what goes on behind the scenes at an Iron Maiden show.
Iron Maiden’s ‘Final Frontier World Tour 2010-11′ saw the band circumnavigating the planet for the third time in their customised Boeing 757, Ed Force One, piloted by lead singer Bruce Dickinson, and playing 98 shows in 36 countries to over 2 million fans.
The tracklistings of the discs are:
DVD disc one: ‘Live At Estacio Nacional, Santiago’ (approx running time 120 mins):
1. ‘Satellite 15′
2. ‘The Final Frontier’
3. ‘El Dorado’
4. ’2 Minutes To Midnight’
5. ‘The Talisman’
6. ‘Coming Home’
7. ‘Dance Of Death’
8. ‘The Trooper’
9. ‘The Wicker Man’
10. ‘Blood Brothers’
11. ‘When The Wild Wind Blows’
12. ‘The Evil That Men Do’
13. ‘Fear Of The Dark’
14. ‘Iron Maiden’
15. ‘The Number Of The Beast’
16. ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’
17. ‘Running Free’
Bonus disc – DVD disc two: ‘Behind The Beast’ (approx running time 120 mins):
1. ‘Behind The Beast’ documentary
2. ‘Satellite 15…The Final Frontier’ promo video (director’s cut)
3. The Making of ‘Satellite 15…The Final Frontier’ promo
4. ‘The Final Frontier World Tour’ show intro
Congratulations to all EMI Music artists who have been nominated for this year’s BRIT Awards. In all EMI Music artists and partners picked up nine nominations to add to the two Awards already confirmed for Blur and Emeli Sandé. As previously announded Blur will receive this year’s Outstanding Contribution To Music BRIT and at Thursday night’s event Emeli Sandé, who is nominated in the British Breakthrough Act category, was presented with the Critics’ Choice BRIT.
Noel Gallagher (Sour Mash, released through EMI Music Services)
Professor Green (Virgin Records)
British Female Solo Artist:
Kate Bush (Fish People, released through EMI Music Services)
Laura Marling (Virgin Records)
British Breakthrough Act:
Emeli Sandé (Virgin Records)
British Group:
Coldplay (Parlophone)
Mastercard British Album Of The Year:
Coldplay – ‘Mylo Xyloto’ (Parlophone)
International Male Solo Artist:
David Guetta (Positiva/Virgin Records)
International Group:
Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records)
Plus the previously announced BRITS for Blur (Outstanding Contribution To Music Award) and Emeli Sandé (Critics’ Choice).
Says Andria Vidler, CEO for EMI Music UK & Ireland: “Congratulations to all our nominees for this year’s BRITs. The mix of EMI artists nominated includes both new and established stars, UK and international acts, signings to EMI labels and artists we work with through EMI Music Services. With Blur confirmed for their award and Emeli picking up the first BRIT of the year, these nominations are a fantastic testament to the talent of these amazing artists and everyone at EMI is immensely proud to work with them.”
Indeed we are! This year’s BRIT Awards will be held at London’s O2 Arena on 21 February. Here’s a reminder of those incredible Outstanding Contribution To Music winners:
