Durban-based country pop duo Connecting Stars has taken the American country world by storm
Durban-based country pop duo Connecting Stars has taken the American country world by storm after smashing into the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts at number 30 with their single Stuck, just days before they set off to play several dates across America. At the same time, the music video is being released with an exclusive premiere on Tasteofcountry.com – one of the biggest country music website in the States. The single, taken from their debut self-titled album Connecting Stars, to be released on August 26th, is the group’s first attempt at capturing the American market and it’s been a massive success for this home-grown talented act. Having just signed a record deal with American label Morada Music, the duo is amazed to have been received with such gusto by the American market. Marshall Blonstein, music industry veteran and president of Morada Music is quoted as having stated, “We are very selective in the artists we take on but Connecting Stars is very special. The music speaks for itself.” Martin and Cheryl Engel, who collectively make up the duo Connecting Stars, have had extensive careers in the music industry as producers, songwriters and performers. No stranger to the American music climate, Martin cut his teeth on touring in the States as the bassist for 90’s supergroup Tree63, whilst producing several other acts through his own studio. Connecting Stars’ debut album was produced by Brent Quinton and long time musical peer and friend of the band, John Ellis – also from Tree63 fame. Quinton and Ellis also played a variety of the instruments on the record and helped them create the country-tinged pop masterpiece that has been likened to acts such as Lady Antebellum. The confirmed American tour dates: 16 August – Rockwood Music Hall – New York 19th August – showcase in Nashville 21st August – Room 5 Lounge, Hollywood 23rd August – LeStats, San Diego. Connecting Stars is set to be one of the countries biggest musical exports in 2014. The first single in South Africa, entitled Pieces, will be released to radio in August 2014. Watch this...
Celebrate Women’s day with FEMBOTS at Fiction night club
On the 8th of August 2014, FEMBOTS are bringing Woman’s Day celebrations to Fiction. Hauswork and SHE will be hosting an all-female line-up of artists that reflect the diversity and finesse of women across South Africa and beyond. Taking place at Fiction in Cape Town, both guys and girls are invited to join the celebrations from 22h00 until 04h00. Headlining the FEMBOTS event is the much-acclaimed Marcela Ospina. Colombian born, Jo’burg DJ that has been impressing with her intense dancefloor-connected style of techno. This, born through her anthropological studies and keen observation into the curiosity that is the human condition. Marcela is supported in her headliner role and first appearance in Cape Town by veteran Shylo Slabber, host Nicole Weitsz, and co-host Vanessa Holliday, who will be debuting her exciting new live acoustic collaboration project Holliday + Flinch. Line-up: 10h00 to 11h30: Shylo https://www.facebook.com/ShyloDJ?fref=ts 11h30 to 12h00: Holliday + Flinch https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holliday-Flinch/618528958265792?fref=ts 12h00 to 01h00: Vanessa Holliday https://www.facebook.com/DJVanessaHolliday?fref=ts 1h00 to 3h00: Marcela https://soundcloud.com/marcela-ospina/marcela-toy-toy-set 3h00 to 4h00: Nicole Weitsz https://www.facebook.com/hausworkct Pre-sale tickets are available for R40 on Pulse Radio and for R60 at the door. Since it is women’s month, we cannot go without some added benefit for the ladies… For each guy who buys a pre-sale ticket; one female will be able to enter for free before midnight. Join the FEMBOTS for a journey into the diverse straight-beat experience, with a distinctly feminine touch. For more information on FEMBOTS: https://www.facebook.com/events/320614494771114/ Ticket sales on Pulse Radio:...
Reason debuts new single, 2Cups Shakur, off upcoming album, Audio HD
South African Hip Hop artist and lyricist, Reason, has released a new single titled #2CupsShakur and has had the country buzzing over the past 36 hours since its debut. #2CupsShakur is Reason’s latest offering off upcoming Audio HD album. This single follows the very popular Bump The Cheese Uptrack which found its way into the vocabulary of many young, urban, trend setters across the country. Listen to #2CupsShakur here: http://bit.ly/1kaE9mD After nationwide debuts on 5FM and Metro FM, it is clear to see why #2CupsShakur has had such great reception. The tongue twister of a song is very catchy and has a lot of people intrigued about its meaning and supposed association to 2 Pac. “It’s a song of celebration” expresses Reason. “I want people to celebrate all aspects of life with this track. Even celebrate the observers and haters. It’s an indication that you are doing something right.” The track will be available for free download tonight during SABC 1’s Live Amp where Reason will perform #2CupsShakur live for the first time on television....
The Fault in Our Stars: Soundtrack album review
If you haven’t watched the movie, then the soundtrack won’t move you as much as it should because it also tells a story, not visually but through beautiful melodies. The soundtrack opens up with Ed Sheeran’s “All the Stars” which kind of sets the right mood for the album. It’s painful to listen to the album because the movie was emotionally draining, yes it’s one of those movies that will make you weep and listening to the soundtrack evokes those emotions from the movie theatre. It also made sense for the music producer to work with some of the best melancholic artists like Lykke Li, Birdy, Kodaline to set the atmosphere of the movie. Themes that appear in the album are: love, pain, life; it’s a long, hard journey. The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack is a rock-solid collection of heartfelt pop songs that, refreshingly, feel genuinely connected to the film and the producer carefully chose the artists that can bring the film to life with the music. That’s what The Great Gatsby managed to do with their soundtrack, The Fault In Our Stars followed suite, or maybe even better. Suggestion: Go watch the movie before you listen to the soundtrack, you can get the album here:...
2014 MTV VMAs nominees list
The 2014 MTV Music Video Awards nominees were announced on Friday and it looks like Beyonce is leading the awards this year with 8 nods. Iggy Azalea & Eminem both have 7 nominations. The winners will be announced on Sunday, 24 August at an event to be held in California. See below for a full list of nominations: VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy” Beyoncé ft. JAY Z – “Drunk In Love” Pharrell Williams – “Happy” Sia – “Chandelier” Miley Cyrus – “Wrecking Ball” BEST HIP HOP: Eminem – “Bezerk” Drake ft. Majid Jordan – “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” Childish Gambino – “3005″ Kanye West – “Black Skinhead” Wiz Khalifa – “We Dem Boyz” BEST MALE: Pharrell Williams – “Happy” John Legend – “All Of Me” Ed Sheeran ft. Pharrell – “Sing” Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster” BEST FEMALE: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy” Beyoncé – “Partition” Lorde – “Royals” Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem” Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse” BEST POP: Pharrell Williams – “Happy” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX – “Fancy” Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz – “Talk Dirty” Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem” Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc – “Wake Me Up” BEST ROCK: Imagine Dragons – “Demons” Arctic Monkeys – “Do I Wanna Know” The Black Keys – “Fever” Lorde – “Royals” Linkin Park – “Until It’s Gone” MTV ARTIST TO WATCH: Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” 5 Seconds of Summer -”She Looks So Perfect” Charli XCX – “Boom Clap” Schoolboy Q – “Man Of The Year” Fifth Harmony – “Miss Movin On” BEST COLLABORATION: Beyoncé ft. JAY Z – “Drunk In Love” Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea – “Problem” Pitbull ft. Ke$ha – “Timber” Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Tyga – “Loyal” Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Monster” Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – “Dark Horse” MTV CLUBLAND AWARD: DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What” Zedd ft. Hayley Williams – “Stay the Night” Calvin Harris – “Summer” Martin Garrix – “Animal” Disclosure – “Grab Her!” BEST VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE Angel Haze ft. SIA – “Battle Cry“ Avicii – “Hey Brother” Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts” J. Cole ft. TLC – “Crooked Smile” Kelly Rowland – “Dirty Laundry” David Guetta f/ Mikky Ekko – “One Voice” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Thirty Seconds to Mars – “City of Angels” Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts” Arcade Fire – “Afterlife” Gesaffelstein – “Hate or Glory” Lana Del Rey – “West Coast” BEST EDITING Eminem – “Rap God” MGMT – “Your Life is a Lie” Zedd ft. Hayley Williams -”Stay the Night” Beyoncé – “Pretty Hurts” Fitz and The Tantrums – “The Walker” BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Sia – “Chandelier” Beyoncé – “Partition” Usher – “Good Kisser” Michael Jackson f/Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt So Good” Jason Derulo f/2Chainz – “Talk Dirty” Kiesza – “Hideaway” BEST DIRECTION DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What” OK Go – “The Writing’s On the...
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