Author Archives for ABC Audio

Watch Pentatonix throw a non-stop ’90s dance party

Published by Comments Off on Watch Pentatonix throw a non-stop ’90s dance party <p><div class="moreInfo firstrow_exclusives"></div> <p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/M_Pentatonix90sdance_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1618003364145" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Pentatonix/RCA Records</span></span>We spent 2020 dancing to <strong>Dua Lipa</strong>'s album <em>Future Nostalgia</em>.  Now, <strong>Pentatonix</strong> is throwing it back to the '90s, with a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57YEAEKKcOk" target="_blank">club-tastic medley</a> that's the perfect soundtrack for a six-minute dance party.</p> <p>In their new video, the group, dressed in their best '90s club styles, sings their way through an amazing 17 dance floor favorites a cappella style, including "Around the World (La La La La La)," the ATC song that<strong> Ava Max</strong> interpolates in her current hit, "My Head & My Heart."  O.K., it came out in 2000, but close enough.</p> <p>Other smashes you'll hear include <strong>Jennifer Lopez</strong>'s "Waiting for Tonight," <strong>Cher'</strong>s "Believe," <strong>C+C Music Factory</strong>'s "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" and, of course, "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2h4PhgobI8" target="_blank">What Is Love</a>" by <strong>Haddaway</strong>.</p> <p>Part of the fun, is, of course, seeing how many songs you recognize, but here's a handy list:</p> <p>La Bouche, "Be My Lover"<br>Haddaway, "What Is Love"<br>ATC, "All Around the World"<br>Alice Deejay, "Better Off Alone"<br>C+C Music Factory, "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"<br>Snap!, "Rhythm Is a Dancer"<br>Vengaboys, "Boom Boom Boom Boom"<br>Sonique, "It Feels So Good"<br>Cascada, "Every Time We Touch"<br>Eiffel 65, "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" <br>Robin S, "Show Me Love"<br>Jennifer Lopez, "Waiting for Tonight"<br>Ace of Base, "Beautiful Life"<br>Cher, "Believe"<br>Crystal Waters, "Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee La Da Da)"<br>CeCe Peniston, "Finally"</p> <p></p> <p>By Andrea Dresdale<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p></p>

Watch Maren Morris get in “The Middle” of some mac ‘n cheese & her Spotify awards plaque

Published by Comments Off on Watch Maren Morris get in “The Middle” of some mac ‘n cheese & her Spotify awards plaque <p><div class="moreInfo firstrow_exclusives"></div> <p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/Getty_MarenZeddGrey_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1618000460365" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Target</span></span>Because they're silver and concave, the plaques that Spotify gives to artists for racking up one billion streams of one of their tracks have inspired <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2wRIjHl8K/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">some musicians</a> to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEvKxi5hyxU/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">turn them</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/joejonas/status/1373449692281933826" target="_blank">into dinner plates</a>.  Now <strong>Maren Morris</strong> is jumping on that bandwagon.</p> <p>On her socials, Maren wrote, "Said I'd do it," alongside a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNc6joUD3t-/" target="_blank">black-and-white video</a> of herself cooking mac 'n cheese, dumping it on her plaque, and eating it while wearing a fancy dress.</p> <p><span>"thanks for a billion streams on The Middle, y’all," she wrote, referring to her Grammy-nominated smash hit with <strong>Zedd</strong> and <strong>Grey</strong>. "And thank you @spotify for the multi-purpose plaque."</span></p> <p><span>"The Middle," released in 2018, was a top-five hit on the <em>Billboard</em> Hot 100 and was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys in 2019.</span></p> <p><span>In 2018, <strong>Taylor Swift</strong> invited Maren to join her onstage to perform "The Middle" during the Arlington, TX stop of her Reputation Stadium Tour.  Maren can currently be heard singing on the song "You All Over Me" on Taylor's newly released <em>Fearless (Taylor's Version)</em> album project.</span></p> <p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">said I’d do it. 🖤🤍<br><br>thanks for a billion streams on The Middle, y’all. and thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/Spotify?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Spotify</a> for the multi-purpose plaque. 💿 <a href="https://t.co/8fuH6IHZPc">pic.twitter.com/8fuH6IHZPc</a></p>— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarenMorris/status/1380558040995405829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <br></span></p> <p><span>By Andrea Dresdale<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</span></p></p>

Matchbox Twenty’s NFT auction raises nearly $75,000 for charity

Published by Comments Off on Matchbox Twenty’s NFT auction raises nearly $75,000 for charity <p><p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/M_MB20_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1617995822601" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Randall Slavin</span></span><strong>Matchbox Twenty'</strong>s first foray into the world of NFTs -- the new technology that allows people to own a unique piece of digital content -- has worked out pretty well.</p> <div class="clearfix"> <div class="textblock01"> <div class="toggle_on"> <p>The band's first NFT offering, which included the rights to high-res digital images of the original lyric sheets for their hit song, "Unwell," was sold for $24,000, proceeds from which went to the charities RADical Hope and The Trevor Project.  Then, a donor kicked in an additional $50,000 directly to RADical Hope in support of the whole project.</p> <p>RADical Hope addresses America's youth mental health crisis, while The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth.</p> <p>During a conversation about the NFT auction on the app Clubhouse last Thursday night, Matchbox Twenty frontman <strong>Rob Thomas</strong>, who wrote "Unwell," spoke about why he wanted to tie the song to the current state of mental health in the country.</p> <p>"What we're really talking about is the mental health of our future generations," Rob said. "Who we're going to be ten years from now depends on how we treat people now, and I think the Trevor Project and RADical Hope are pinpointing a huge group that we might lose if we don't let them know how special they are and how normal they are."</p> <p>"Unwell," a top-ten hit in 2003, was recently interpolated by superstar DJ and producer <strong>Steve Aoki</strong> for a new song called "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F_KnKmI424" target="_blank">Used to Be</a>," featuring vocals by <strong>Kiiara</strong> and <strong>Wiz Khalifa</strong>. A new <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvwty1FPSxI" target="_blank">acoustic version</a> incorporates Rob's vocals as well.</p> <p></p> <p>By Andrea Dresdale<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p> </div> </div> </div></p>

New Music Friday: Gwen Stefani, Pink, Doja Cat & more have new songs for you

Published by Comments Off on New Music Friday: Gwen Stefani, Pink, Doja Cat & more have new songs for you <p><div class="moreInfo firstrow_exclusives"></div> <p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/M_GwenStefani_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1617993486373" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Interscope Records</span></span>When you're done listening to all 27 tracks on <strong>Taylor Swift</strong>'s latest release,<em> Fearless (Taylor's Version)</em>, you can check out all these other new songs as a palate cleanser:</p> <p><strong>Pink</strong> has teamed up with soulful British singer/songwriter <strong>Rag'n'Bone</strong> for a duet, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilut9TzMfXs">Anywhere Away from Here</a>." He says, "<span title="Edited">It’s an honor to have Pink on this record and I’m so glad she is able to be a part of it."</span></p> <p><span title="Edited"><strong>Doja Cat</strong> has released a new collaboration with <strong>SZA</strong>, "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVVKs6DQLo" target="_blank">Kiss Me More</a>," along with a colorful video starring <em>Grey's Anatomy </em>actor <strong>Alex Landi</strong>.  It's from her hotly-anticipated new album<em> Planet Her</em>, due later this year.</span></p> <p><span title="Edited"><strong>Gwen Stefani</strong> has teamed up with red-hot rapper<strong> Saweetie</strong> for a remix of her single "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKyna2mbL8k" target="_blank">Slow Clap</a>."  There's also an exuberant high-school-themed video directed by <strong>Sophie Muller</strong>, who was also behind the camera for <strong>No Doubt</strong>'s classic clip "Don't Speak."</span></p> <p><span title="Edited">DJ & producer<strong> Imanbek</strong>, who turned<strong> Saint Jhn</strong>'s "Roses" into a hit, has teamed up reggae superstar <strong>Sean Paul</strong> and <strong>Sofia Reyes</strong> for a new song called "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csMz2XbfWJE" target="_blank">Dancing on Dangerous</a>."<br></span></p> <p><span title="Edited"><strong>Surfaces</strong>, the who went RIAA double Platinum with "Sunday Best, is back with a new song and video, "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6BkYrE6yMU" target="_blank">Wave of You</a>."</span></p> <p><span title="Edited"><strong>AJ Mitchell</strong> has released a new single called "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYNRLh96ZBY" target="_blank">Stop</a>" from his long-awaited debut album, <em>Skyview</em>, which will reportedly finally drop this year.</span></p> <p><span title="Edited">Canadian singer/songwriter <strong>Forest Blakk</strong> has added none other than new mommy <strong>Meghan Trainor</strong> to his sweet ballad "<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvSO4sP5yGs" target="_blank">If You Love Her</a>," making for a melodic duet.</span></p> <p><span title="Edited"> <br></span></p> <p><span title="Edited">By Andrea Dresdale<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</span></p></p>

Justin Timberlake to star as game show host Chuck Barris in new Apple TV+ series

Published by Comments Off on Justin Timberlake to star as game show host Chuck Barris in new Apple TV+ series <p><div class="moreInfo firstrow_exclusives"></div> <p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/Getty_JustinTimberlake_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1617989682316" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images</span></span><strong>Justin Timberlake</strong> has lined up his next acting gig for Apple TV+.<br><br><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://deadline.com/2021/04/justin-timberlake-chuck-barris-apple-tv-series-auction-gong-show-host-cia-assassin-confessions-of-a-dangerous-mind-1234731030/" target="_blank">Deadline</a> reports the 40-year-old singer/actor has been tapped to play <em>Gong Show</em> host <strong>Chuck Barris</strong> for an as-yet-untitled hour-long drama series.<br><br>The show will be based on Barris’ 1984 memoir <em>Confessions of a Dangerous Mind</em>, in which he claimed his job as a game show creator and host in the ‘60s and ‘70s was just a front for his real job as a CIA assassin. Barris created such game show classics as <em>The Dating Game</em> and <em>The Newlywed Game</em>.<br><br>The book was previously made into a 2002 film of the same name that was directed by <strong>George Clooney</strong> and starred <strong>Sam Rockwell</strong> as Barris.<br><br>Justin’s new role comes on the heels of his other Apple TV+ project, the film <em>Palmer</em>, which was released in January.</p> <p>By Andrea Tuccillo<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p></p>

Watch Katy Perry complain about lack of sex while presenting GLAAD Award to Sam Smith

Published by Comments Off on Watch Katy Perry complain about lack of sex while presenting GLAAD Award to Sam Smith <p><p><span class="thumbnail-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/music-news-images-april-2021/Getty_SamSmithGLAAD_040921.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1617987150794" alt=""></span><span class="thumbnail-caption">Photo By The 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards/Getty Images for GLAAD</span></span>Last night at the GLAAD Media Awards,<strong> Sam Smith</strong> was named Outstanding Music Artist, but <strong>Katy Perry</strong>, who presented them with the honor, took the opportunity to sum up the past year in a way that we all could relate to.</p> <p>"Music helped us get through this very difficult time, when not much else did," Katy <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MCzu99EdmI" target="_blank">said in her remarks</a>. "I mean, our fabulous clothes? They just stayed on the hangers while we lived in sweats <em>every single day</em>."</p> <p>"Some of us even went up a couple of sizes -- I did, I also had a baby," she noted. "And the sex dried up! Yeah!"</p> <p>"Well, I hope it all comes back, but maybe not that baking bread thing, that was kind of a weird thing," Katy continued. She then went on to salute all the incredible music artists who "gave us moments of hope, happiness, resilience and even just plain ol' escapism."</p> <p>Accepting the award from London, Sam noted, "I'm so honored to be receiving this this year...it really means a lot to me. This has been such a tough year for everyone....and for me, music has remained this constant force of unity throughout the world for people."</p> <p>"Looking at this category tonight...these are the albums that have got me through this year," they said. "So I just want to raise a cup of tea -- have a tea party -- for everyone in this category."</p> <p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal">Among the artists who Sam beat in that category: <strong>Lady Gaga</strong>,<strong> Miley Cyrus</strong>,<strong> Adam Lambert</strong>,<strong> Ricky Martin</strong> and <strong>Halsey</strong>.</p> <p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal"></p> <p class="x_x_x_MsoNormal">By Andrea Dresdale<br>Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.</p></p>