Month: October 2010

MUSICIANS SURPRISE FANS WITH ELECTION REMINDER CALLS

Some of the biggest names in music will be hitting the phones over the next week to help get the vote out, calling randomly-selected fans to chat about the upcoming election. Willie Nelson, ?uestlove of the Roots, and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips are among the dozen musicians involved with the “Pledge to Vote”…

WORD MUSIC PUBLISHING SIGNS IAN ESKELIN

Word Music Publishing announces today the signing of an exclusive world-wide publishing agreement with Ian Eskelin, one of the industry’s top songwriters and producers. For over a decade, Eskelin has written hits for some of Christian music’s most celebrated artists including Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Krystal Meyers, Hawk Nelson, Avalon, Stellar Kart and recently wrote…

BLAQSTARR TO RELEASE THE DIVINE EP

Recording artist, DJ, and producer Blaqstarr will release The Divine EP on N.E.E.T./Interscope Records on January 25th, 2011. The six-song collection is the Baltimore native’s debut recording for N.E.E.T., the label imprint launched by British/Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. Blaqstarr, often known as DJ Blaqstarr, experienced local success in the early 2000s with a series of…

AM TAXI ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER LIVE DATES

After tearing through nearly three solid months on the road, showing fans coast-to-coast how raw and energetic their live show truly is on 2010’s Warped Tour, AM Taxi is pleased to announce a string of live dates this November with The Lawrence Arms and White Wives. CATCH AM TAXI LIVE THIS NOVEMBER: 11/10   Philadelphia,…

R.E.M. REVEAL NEW ALBUM WILL BE CALLED COLLAPSE INTO NOW

Best-selling rock band R.E.M. have revealed that the title of their 15th studio album will be Collapse Into Now. The album will be released in Spring 2011 by Warner Bros. Records. BBC Radio 6 broke the news on its Twitter feed after R.E.M.’s manager Bertis Downs revealed the title at the In the City conference.…

RON ISLEY TO RELEASE LONG-AWAITED FIRST SOLO ALBUM

As anticipation builds towards the November 30th release of Mr. I on Def Jam/Def Soul Recordings, the first solo album ever by Ronald Isley — it has just been announced that 2010’s gala Soul Train Awards will honor “the longstanding careers and musical influences” of Isley and Anita Baker.   Returning to co-host the music…

ERIC JOHNSON RELEASES EXPANSIVE NEW ALBUM DECEMBER 7TH, 2010

Guitarist, songwriter and singer Eric Johnson brings listeners Up Close to his stunning musicality when the Grammy winning artist releases his sixth studio album on his own Vortexan Music label (via EMI Distribution) on December 7th 2010.   The 15-track disc presents 14 new Johnson compositions plus his version of the Electric Flag song “Texas,”…

MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 2010

GAGA/ELTON JOHN DUET DETAILS Elton John has revealed some information about his forthcoming duet with Lady Gaga.   According to EW.com, the singer-songwriter told the ladies of The View that the tune will be called “Hello, Hello” and will be featured in the upcoming Disney movie Gnomeo & Juliet, which is due out in February…

Sissita’s Soul Tangos, Self-titled

Get ready for a style of music that is so creative & original that it will amaze your ears!   Sissita’s Soul Tangos and the genius behind it were originated by Austrian soul singer Sissita and Bueno Aires-based producer Ariel Gato.   These two members have successfully blended together classic Argentine tango, soul, waltz and…

Ceramic, The Past Ain’t Fair

This group known as Ceramic really digs deep here by going outside the box on The Past Ain’t Fair.   The mastermind behind this band is singer/songwriter John Scheaffer who hails from NY.   The new record also features guest cameos from vocalist Kendal Meade and violinist Margaret White.   These two musicians play regularly…

ASHLEY GEARING VIDEO “WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT US”

“What You Think About Us” was directed by award-winning video director Eric Welch (Randy Houser, Rodney Atkins, Heidi Newfield) and filmed in Franklin, Tenn., as well as the neighborhoods surrounding Nashville’s Belmont University and historic Music Row.

NEW YORK RADIO STATION TESTS LDR

Listener Driven Radio (LDR), the leader in interactive audio programming software, today announced top-rated Q104.3 (WAXQ/New York) as its latest affiliate. Demonstrating the versatility of LDR software, where each radio station can customize their application and approach with LDR technology, Q104.3 is using LDR to power their “Two-fer Tuesday” programming. Each Tuesday, the station selects…

BROOKE FRASER HITS THE BILLBOARD TOP 200 AT #54

Brooke Fraser’s self-released third album, Flags, has debuted at #54 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, #4 on the iTunes album charts and had the #1 album on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Chart this week.     Flags has also achieved the #1 album and #1 single (“Something in the Water”) in her home country of…

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN AND GENTLEMAN TO TOUR EUROPE

Jamaican music sensation Christopher Martin heads to Europe this winter for 5 solo shows and then joins European reggae star Gentleman as they embark on a multi-city European tour in November and December. Christopher Martin and Gentleman have seen significant success in their careers as individual artiste but recently teamed up and merged their solo…

Japandroids, No Singles

Re-releases of old, out of print EP’s are essentially a double-edged sword. Not only do you realize how much great material you may have missed before you caught on to said band, but you get absolutely no cool points for coming in this late in the game. Thankfully, the release of No Singles, does all…

JESSIE J AUDIO “DO IT LIKE A DUDE”

After one listen to Jessie J, it’s clear that the extraordinary vocalist and songwriter stands alone. Her Lava/Universal Republic debut album, Who You Are, showcases the skills of a gifted lyricist while highlighting an unforgettable journey. “I feel like my album is an example of what exists in the world of music right now. It’s…

JOSH GROBAN ANNOUNCES FOUR INTIMATE SPECIAL SHOWS

Internationally renowned singer and songwriter Josh Groban has announced that he will perform four intimate live concerts in November, three in California and one in Connecticut, leading up to the release of his fifth studio album, the eagerly anticipated Illuminations, which is due from 143/Reprise Records on November 15th, 2010.   Groban has decided to…

DISTURBED ANNOUNCE THE ASYLUM INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

Grammy-nominated hard rock band Disturbed will premiere The Asylum Interactive Experience on October 28th       Based on the music from the band’s new album, the dark, intense game commits players to the Asylum and dares them to try to unlock its secrets.     Fans must try to escape in order to prevent…

UGLY LION’S MUSIC IS A REGGAE REVOLUTION TO STOLI

I know it’s only Thursday but the good Skope mgmt decided to give Stoli a 3 day weekend, who am I to complain? As many loyal readers know, Stoli does not listen to Top 40 radio. This next band just cements my logic for having no patience for manufactured music. When I first put in…

MTV RADIO’S MORNING FACTS FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 2010

IS BEYONCE PREGNANT? Earlier Wednesday morning, news broke that Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z were rumored to be expecting their first child together. A source spilled to Us Weekly that the power couple “was shocked,” explaining that while Bey “loves kids… she wasn’t ready to be a mother just yet. She really wanted to get her…

PENNAN BRAE RELEASES VIDEO FOR “NEED YOU NOW”

Pennan Brae’s video, ‘Need You Now’ was shot in the sweltering heat of Osaka this August, 2010. DIrected by Mogcat Productions, the premise is of a young man writing a love letter which he folds into a paper airplane & hurls in the air, hoping it finds his love.

VTG, Love Is Letting Go

VTG is one man known as Lawrence Stone who releases his 6-track EP Love Is Letting Go.   It’s worth noting that Stone is a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist who also studied classical & jazz at The Berklee College of Music.   This multi-dimensional artist from San Francisco proves that he is extremely talented with…

SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: Redman “Defjammable”

We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot! Redman “Defjammable” : SKOPE IT HERE!

SKRILLEX UNVEILS MAU5TRAP/BIG BEAT DEBUT EP

Mau5trap/Big Beat recording artist Skrillex is poised to unleash his much-anticipated new EP.   The “SCARY MONSTERS AND NICE SPRITES” EP will be available exclusively via Beatport.com on October 22nd, followed by its arrival at all DSPs beginning November 19th (exact dates differ based on territory). A multi-talented DJ and artist, Skrillex has made waves…

TONY CLIFTON RETURNS

Readers might know Tony Clifton, from Jim Carrey’s portrayal in Man on the Moon. Well, the crude, obnoxious, lounge singer is back from a long hiatus. The alter ego of Andy Kaufman will be touring across the United States   in support of   Comedic Relief, with his newly adopted daughter, Keely, burlesque beauties, The…

Daniel Romano, Workin’ For The Music Man

The liner notes of Workin’ For The Music Man offer a fairly honest perspective of Romano’s life a rambling, folk troubadour. The notion of naming his first born after the person that would give him his first “Hit,” and the fact that one track Romano recorded enjoyed a run up the charts in Sweden in…

MARY J. BLIGE PROTÉGÉ STARSHELL RELEASES DEBUT

The video inspired by 80’s pop star, Cyndi Lauper, features two nerdy teens using their computer smarts to generate the ideal woman. “Superluva” was produced by Fernando Garibay, the famed producer who has worked with Lady Gaga, U2, Britney Spears and more, and is available at iTunes today.

SOCIAL DISTORTION TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM ON JANUARY 18

Rock ‘n’ roll icons Social Distortion have officially announced the release of their long awaited, highly anticipated new studio album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, which is set for January 18.   A follow-up to their acclaimed album Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is the band’s seventh studio album…

INXS TO RELEASE”ORIGINAL SIN” JANUARY 11, 2011

INXS has announced they will release their new album titled Original Sin on January 11, 2011. The first musical project between INXS and original manager CM Murphy in over a decade, the band has recorded several of their signature hits re-imagined by some of the world’s finest musicians including Ben Harper, Rob Thomas, Tricky, Nikka…

HOPE UNVEILS AUTUMN TOUR PLANS

Atlantic recording artist Hope has announced details of her upcoming U.S. tour set to kick off on October 24th in Albuquerque, NM.   Hope, a New York born singer/songwriter/producer will be touring in direct support of fellow label mate Ryan Star and pop rock group Days Difference on the nationwide trek, which culminates with a…

EL DEBARGE’S NEW SINGLE FEATURING FAITH EVANS

R&B star El DeBarge has released his new single, “Lay With You featuring Faith Evans,” from ‘Second Chance,’ his highly anticipated first album in 16 years out November 30 on Geffen Records. This week, El DeBarge will support Mary J. Blige on three West Coast dates before wrapping up a headlining tour in Florida.

T-PAIN & RICK ROSS BTS VIDEO

T-Pain’s latest hit “Rap Song” feat Rick Ross had everyone coming out for the video shoot including, DJ Khaled, Flo Rida, Bow Wow, Detail, One Chance, Sophia Fresh, Maino, Tay Dizm and more. [youtube 6woFEhQAHR8 nolink]

JW, JWtheMusic

Soulful vocals, backing electronica and infectious lyrical subject matter are the facets that comprise the ethos of the full-length LP from Boston native, JW. The 11-track debut was made under the mantra “Live for today and tomorrow” and it taps a myriad of musical influences that run the gamut from East Coast style Rap to…

EXCLUSIVE: ABM OFFERS “DON’T HATE CONGRATULATE” MP3

Dancehall reggae artist “ABM” comes to us from Trinidad, in the musically renowned West Indies, and he is the latest addition to the Platinum Trini Entertainment roster. Excelling in track and field, as well as basketball and football, in his home country, he attended Grambling State University thanks to a track scholarship, and he graduated…

RILEY ETHERIDGE, JR. SIGNS TO ROCK RIDGE MUSIC

Americana singer-songwriter Riley Etheridge, Jr., whose new album “Powder Keg” is due out in March, 8, 2011, has signed to Rock Ridge Music for the release.   Says Etheridge of the partnership:   “I am excited about the potential of working with Rock Ridge Music. They are smart, experienced and fun folks who have a…

DJ HERO 2 SPINS ONTO STORE SHELVES NATIONWIDE

Now available online and at retail stores nationwide, budding beat chemists, singing sensations and all of their friends will “Mix 2gether” to experience the best soundtrack in entertainment with DJ Hero ® 2, Activision Publishing Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced.   Delivering an all-new, unparalleled music experience with 83 original, exclusive mixes featuring the hottest…

THE HUSH NOW OFFER FREE MP3 FOR HALLOWEEN

Boston-based indie-pop quintet The Hush Now self-released their new EP, Shiver Me Starships, on September 28th, and now they have an additional treat to share with fans- a FREE Halloween single, in the form of “Please Mephistopheles (Leave Me Alone).” The bluesy track is catchy as all hell, and here just in time for All…