Gorillaz To Escape To America

The U.S. and Canada dates, promoted by Live Nation, will be followed by a series of ten shows across Europe and the UK, as well as, seven shows across Australia and Asia. - dates

Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers Going To Camp

Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers are featured on the Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam soundtrack, which hits stores and online retailers on Tuesday, August 10th.

Here is the announcement from Disney: The album features 15-all new songs from the movie, including three bonus songs ("Different Summers," "Walkin' In My Shoes" and "It's Not Too Late"). The physical CD also features exciting special bonuses, including the full-length "It's On" music video, exclusive interviews with Demi Lovato and Jonas Brothers, and a movie photo gallery accessible through computer ROM drives. "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," premieres Friday, September 3rd on Disney Channel.

The Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam soundtrack will receive its worldwide broadcast debut on Radio Disney's Planet Premiere feature Saturday, August 7th (7:00 p.m., ET/ 4:00 p.m., PT) and Sunday, August 8th (12:00 p.m., ET/ 9:00 a.m., PT). Two of the soundtrack's hits, "It's On," and "Can't Back Down," have been anchored in the Top 10 of Radio Disney's Top 30 Countdown. - more on this story

American Idol Lee DeWyze Spending the Summer on the Road

We received the following update about Lee DeWyze, the winner of the ninth season of American Idol: Lee DeWyze is tasting fame after his competition win, and is celebrating his success on the road with his fellow contestants!

Only adding to his achievement, Lee's Wuli Records release, Slumberland, recently peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and #39 on the U.S. Indie chart!

As mentioned above, Lee DeWyze has previously released records available for purchase now! The notable records, Slumberland and So I'm Told, feature producers Ryan McGuire and guitarist extraordinaire, Louis Svitek, well known for his work with Ministry, M.O.D. and Mind Funk. The collaboration is an evocative, haunting mix of multi-instrumental, multi-faceted songs whose artistry draws comparison to Jack Johnson and Chris Martin. - more on this story

The Rosebuds Slow Down Bee Gees Staying Alive For Download To Promote Hopscotch Music Festival

The Rosebuds have released two tracks for Hopscotch Music Festival, the new music festival in the band's hometown of Raleigh, N.C.

The tracks, a sexy, somber cover of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" and the slinking, dark travelogue "Secret Life of The Rosebuds" can be downloaded only here

From Sept. 9–11, 2010 Hopscotch will gather more than 120 bands in North Carolina's capital city. On Friday, Sept. 10, on the festival's biggest stage, The Rosebuds will play their only remaining show of 2010 with Broken Social Scene and Panda Bear. - more on this story

Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel Receives Royal Honor

Tommy Emmanuel was honored as a Queen's Member of the Order of Australia on July 26 in Washington, DC. The ceremony took place at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency the Honorable Kim Beazley.

"I was humbled and honored to be awarded with the Order of Australia," said Emmanuel. "To be so recognized by my country for making music and for serving the young people of Australia is incredibly wonderful and deeply fulfilling."

The prestigious Order of Australia Award, established in 1975, is bestowed on Australian citizens for meritorious service in a particular area or field of activity. Emmanuel is cited for, "service to the music and entertainment industries as a guitarist, and to the community as a supporter of Kids Under Cover." Kids Under Cover is an Australian charitable organization working to build homes and provide scholarships for homeless and at risk young people. - more on this story

Massive 43-CD Miles Davis Collection Announced

Legacy has announced a massive new release: The Genius of Miles Davis: 43-CD collection assembles all eight multi-cd box sets released between 1996 and 2007. Here is the announcement:

The consummate artistry of Miles Davis and the scope of his musical vision at Columbia Records is paid the ultimate tribute on The Genius of Miles Davis. For the first time, this new collection brings together the eight deluxe multi-CD box sets that were known as The Miles Davis Series. Each volume – seven of which have collectible "metal spines" – explored a major phase of the artist's development from 1955 (Miles Davis & John Coltrane: The Complete Columbia Recordings 1955-1961) through 1975 (The Complete On The Corner Sessions).

Each volume presented the music from various LPs, plus a wealth of previously unissued session material. The eight box sets, totaling 43 CDs of music, were originally released on Columbia/Legacy between 1996 and 2007, and won a total of eight Grammy Awards. - more on this story

MeTalkPretty Preview New Album With EP Release

MeTalkPretty are previewing their forthcoming album with this week's release of a new EP which containing 5 songs from their upcoming full-length debut, We Are Strangers. The full album will be out this Fall/Winter.
The EP will include the band's first single, "Wake Up," as well as "Brokenhearted", "Love is in the air," "Why Are You Here?" and "Say You Will". This early sampling of material will serve to whet appetites for MeTalkPretty's signature sound.

The band's music practically bursts with passion from the very beginning of the album. Romanian born singer, Julia Preotu, has a breathless urgency to her vocal style and her counterpart, songwriter/guitarist, Leon Lyazidi, brings a darkness and texture to the music that makes it so much more than radio-ready-rock. The rhythm section of James Kluz (drums) and Nate Meng (bass) provide the most solid of foundations for the band's dynamic sound. - more on this story

For Love Of Liberty: The Story Of America's Black Patriots Soundtrack Announced

When the film For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots premiered on PBS stations in February of this year, it won praise for its comprehensive depiction of the heroic actions of black men and women in the nation's armed services. The documentary, hosted by Halle Berry and narrated by Avery Brooks, includes an introduction by former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

It also turned heads for the impressive music that accompanied its visual storytelling, a combination of songs and original underscoring for voiceover readings by a veritable who's who of entertainment figures, among them Morgan Freeman, Susan Sarandon, Alan Rickman, Robert Duvall, Danny Glover, Donald Sutherland and Louis Gossett, Jr.

On September 28, independent Blix Street Records, best known for its catalogues of recordings by singers Eva Cassidy and Mary Black, will issue the award-winning original soundtrack to Frank Martin's acclaimed documentary, FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S BLACK PATRIOTS. The soundtrack, winner of the 2010 Gold Medal for Excellence in Film Music at the Park City Music and Film Festival, presents 17 musical pieces taken from the score, deftly combining instrumental passages with vintage and contemporary vocal performances. - more on this story

As The World Turns for Trek Life

Trek Life's new album Everything Changed Nothing, was released digitally this week and to celebrate he has released second single from the album "As The World Turns".

The Oddisee produced track features the emcee proclaiming his intentions for the rap game with a sharp tongue over the DMV producer's futuristic beat, matching airy instruments with heavy drums. When asked of his inspiration for the new single the California rapper says, "This song is completely based on emcee aspirations. It's important for an emcee to state his intentions in his flows; you get the whole idea of what I set out to do when I rhyme on this song".

The song delivers the same message as the albums first single, but with a vibe that comes as a stark contrast to the aggressive sound of "So Supreme". Trek had the full support of Oddisee on the track. "He was into the song lyrically line for line," explains Trek. "It made the song that much better because you know that emcees of his caliber aren't easily impressed." Oddisee's not the only one impressed. - more on this story

Team Bayside High Keeping Busy

DJ duo Team Bayside High are planning a summer full of high profile gigs around their native Chicago.

On July 31, Team Bayside High will perform at Chicago's coolest local street fest, Wicker Park Fest, along with LA Riots and a number of local standouts like Moneypenny, Hollywood Holt, Gemini Club, and fellow Lollapalooza 2010 artists, Only Children on the Center Stage.

While growing in popularity as DJs, Rick and Derek's weekly party, "Rehab" at Debonair, hasn't skipped a beat and continues to live up it's "Best Party In America" status with over 600 die-hard attendees lining up every Monday night for a chance to party with Team Bayside High. - more on this story

RuPaul's Drag U Blue Collar, Pink Pumps Preview

RuPaul's Drag U episode 103: "Blue Collar, Pink Pumps" will premiere this coming Monday, August 2 at 9/8c on Logo and they were kind of enough to send over a tease and video preview for your enjoyment.

Three women with dirty jobs are put to the test with Drag Professors Pandora Boxx, Ongina and Shannel cracking the whip.

Hollywood's hardest working mom Kris Kardashian-Jenner joins the faculty for the draguation ceremony. - Wanna Preview?

The Roys Going On A Mission to South America

Beginning August 16th, The Roys will take a detour from their schedule and head to Columbia, South America, as part of a missionary trip with Compassion International.

As the reigning ICM Duo of the Year, The Roys understand what being Inspirational to others is all about. Being part of a Compassion International trip is very exciting," says Elaine Roy.

"This organization has been in existence for 58 years, and they have done so many wonderful things around the world. To lend our name to such a great cause is a blessing." - more on this story

Killah Priest Releases Words From a Viking Video

Killah Priest's new release, The 3 Day Theory is in stores and all digital retailers this week on Man Bites Dog Records.

In order to celebrate the release, Priest has unleashed another video, "Words From a Viking" is part 1 in a 5-part series, making it the pre-quel to the now infamous video "Shadows".

The series which is known as the "Theory" involves the origins of Killah Priest and his constant battle with evil. The entire series was written and directed by Man Bites Dog Records CEO RML and animated by Orign of Futprnts Workshop. - Check it out here

Scott Hardkiss You & I Remix EP

Scott Hardkiss will release the You & I EP on August 10th on God Within Recordings. For the fifth remix EP, Scott takes the anthemic closing track from his kaleidoscopic electro-funk debut Technicolor Dreamer (God Within Recordings) and unleashes some of the world's most innovative producers to create the heavenly You & I EP – 90 minutes of pure sonic bliss that positively radiates summer sunshine.

Featuring remixes by Bjørn Torske, Brennan Green, Christian Prommer, and Telepathe – the You & I EP follows the format this eclectic series has become known for by also including dubs and instrumental versions as well as an acappella version of the original song to ensure you have everything you need to customize your very own gorgeous end-of-the-night anthem.

The EP kicks off with the funky breakbeat euphoria of the original track featuring hands-in-the-air piano, horns by Steve Bernstein (Lounge Lizards) and the soaring vocals by NYC soul sensation Bobby Harden whose falsettos will melt your heart. - more on this story

Frazey Ford Hits The Road

Frazey Ford of The Be Good Tanyas is embarking on a U.S. tour in support of her critically acclaimed debut solo record, Obadiah.

Starting this Thursday in Northampton, Frazey will play a series of intimate dates, including two sets at Portland's Pickathon Festival.

She'll also be performing at a show for the annual Americana Music Association Conference in Nashville, playing a concert open to the public at The Rutledge on September 8.
- more on this story

Classical Meets Hip-Hop at Classical Beats Showcase

Violin Virtuoso Paul Dateh and Hip-Hop DJ Inka One will merge music genres at Summer And Music (SAM) 2010's Two Day 'Classical Beats' Showcase, here is the announcement:

Violin strings will be plucked, vinyl will be scratched and public art will be had at Summer And Music (SAM) 2010's two-day Classical Beats showcase—a sound synthesis of hip-hop juggling and classical violin arrangements—happening in downtown Long Beach on Friday August 13 and Saturday August 14, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Lime Avenue.

Headlining the remarkable night of art and genre collision is Paul Dateh—a classically trained violinist beginning his studies at age four and evolving his understanding and mastery of music in every possible directionsince then. Attending the prestigious University of Southern California's Thorton School of Music, Dateh has been touring vehemently since he hit the music scene two years ago. - more on this story

Just Call Josh Turner Papa Turner

Josh Turner told People.com this week that he and his wife, Jennifer, are expecting their third child in January.

The new addition will join the Turner's growing family, which includes three-year-old son Hampton and one-year-old son Colby. "Jennifer and I are very thankful to be expecting our third child," says Josh. "We've always wanted a big family. It's hard to believe we already have two with another on the way."

Josh and Jennifer decided to share the good news in person with Josh's grandmother after a recent sold-out show in Myrtle Beach, SC. They were traveling very close to Josh's hometown of Hannah, SC en route to his next show when they decided to call his grandmother to see if she could meet them. During that special visit, Josh asked her, "Are you ready to be a great-grandmamma again?" To which she responded, "I was thinking that it was about time!" - more on this story