Skope

TOMMY LEE MAKES A STUDIO

Tommy Lee has opened up a recording studio in his Calabasas, California home.   The studio is called The Atrium and was created specifically to provide an environment that inspires creativity.   The place is mainly just for private use but the Motley Crue drummer plans to open the doors to it to friends so…

QUEEN LATIFAH WANTS YOU ON HER ALBUM

DigitalSpy.com reports Queen Latifah is giving new talent the opportunity to record a track for her forthcoming Persona LP. The songwriter with a “fresh new voice and a hot new song” will compose for the album. In addition, the winning artist will be given the opportunity to record the track as a duet with Latifah.…

MIKE SHINODA MAKES NEW KICKS

Mike Shinoda has once again teamed up with DC Shoes for a new brand of sneakers.   This time, the Linkin Park man has helped create the Xander Remix, a lighter summer version of his Xander line.   He says the kicks were inspired by his Japanese heritage.   Proceeds from sales of the shoes…

SPENCER PRATT STEPPING TO ASHER ROTH?

Spencer Pratt recently released the rap song “I’m a Celebrity” to promote his upcoming stint on the reality show, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!   The newlywed Hills star revealed that the song is just a taste of what fans can expect from his rap album.   He told MTVNews.com that he’s “always…

WHO IS AMERICA’S BEST DJ?

This competition features 100 American-born DJs that DJ Times Editors hand selected and fans vote on through www.americasbestdj.net. It’s really cool because this competition does a lot to bring dance music fans together as opposed to bringing them apart. There are so many different dance music sub-genres and you’ll see that there is a diverse…

JAY Z ANNOUNCES SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

International superstar JAY-Z officially announced today that he will headline a series of intimate performances to connect with fans as he takes a break from putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, The Blueprint 3. Backed by his full band, the exclusive engagements begin July 3rd at the Pearl in the Palms Casino in…

ITUNES & STEVE MADDEN HOOK UP WITH JESSE JAMES

Today, iTunes started featuring Jessie James’ sultry   “Wanted” video as the “Video Of The Week,” after more than 180,000 folks had viewed the video on her MySpace page, since it launched three weeks ago.   iTunes has also made “Wanted” available for sale With the single hitting at radio (over 60 stations across the…

THE DONNAS TO RELEASE GREATEST HITS JULY 7

In celebration of 16 impressive years playing blissfully high-powered rock and roll, unrivaled all-female quartet The Donnas will deliver a career-spanning retrospective entitled The Donnas Greatest Hits, Vol 16 July 7th on their own Purple Feather Records. The comprehensive album features two brand new songs, two never-before-heard b-sides from their self-released 2007 album Bitchin, live…

THE CAB UNVEILS NEW EP

Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group The Cab has announced details of their upcoming new EP.   “WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS…” will be available via iTunes and all leading DSPs on June 16th. The EP is highlighted by the single, “Take My Hand (Remix),” featuring guest vocals from Hey Monday’s Cassadee Pope.   The track —…

DIRTFEDD TO RELEASE ‘THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE’ JUNE 2

E1 Music is set to release heavy metal band Dirtfedd’s debut album, The American Nightmare, on June 2nd, 2009. The album was produced by M. Shawn Crahan (Clown) from Slipknot.   Crahan discovered the Lincoln, Nebraska band and describes the music as “right here right now.” He goes on to express his excitement at working…

JON FOREMAN ON HUNGER STRIKE FOR DARFUR

Recording artist Jon Foreman joined the DARFUR FAST FOR LIFE today following activist-actress Mia Farrow and Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson. A longtime activist and front man for multi-platinum selling rock band Switchfoot, Foreman will undertake a water-only fast in order to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis currently taking place in…

THE DATE FARMERS DESIGN N.A.S.A SKATE BOARD

Now, in another group effort, The Date Farmers have designed a limited edition N.A.S.A skate deck that was manufactured by Girl Skateboards. The rare boards are available online and feature a download card for The Spirit of Apollo designed by Mark Gonzales. SKOPE IT HERE!

HOUSE OF BLUES BOSTON TO BRING BACK WORLD-FAMOUS GOSPEL BRUNCH

Praise the Lord and pass the biscuits.   The world-famous House of Blues Gospel Brunch will return to Boston on Sunday, May 17, 2009.   This award winning Gospel Brunch on Sundays is a one-of-a-kind celebration that nourishes the body and soul while making the cultural and musical gift of gospel available to all.  …

PHIL AND THE OSOPHERS RELEASE “WE HAVE ALL SUMMER” MP3

Phil and the Osophers have put out five albums via their own sustainable label, Factual Fabrications.   They pride themselves on carefully crafted philosophical lyrics.   Their latest release “Toward Conquering The Invisible North” recieved rave reviews and garnered a delightful video for High Art, in which the band perform laser eye surgery on a…

SALLY SHAPIRO NEW SINGLE “MIRACLE”

Sally’s  debut “Disco Romance” will come out in early fall of 2009. Sally will first be releasing her single “Miracle” on Paper Bag Records in North America on June 16th. “Miracle” is written and produced by Johan Agebjörn and Roger Gunnarsson, and includes a remix by up-and-coming Bulgarian producer Bogdan Irkük.

JASON MRAZ UNVEILS HIS “GRATITUDE CAFÉ TOUR”

Jason Mraz has announced details of his eagerly awaited summer tour schedule.   The Grammy-nominated tunesmith will headline the “Gratitude Café Tour,” set to kick off on Saturday, July 25th at the world famous Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.   Atlantic recording artist Mraz will be joined on the North American trek by very…

ZIGGY MARLEY ‘B IS FOR BOB’ TO BE RELEASED JUNE 23

B is for Bob, a collection of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs re-imagined for kids, will be released June 23 by UMe/Island/Tuff Gong. The international musical legend’s eldest son, four-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley, executive produced the album, which bridges the gap between the timeless Bob Marley and a new generation of kids. www.ziggymarley.com

NEW VIDEO FROM NIGHTRIDERS “SHAKEDOWN”

Nightriders are the Boston dance duo; Matt Johnson and Joe Faria, where a chance meeting in 2004 at Boston’s legendary superclub, Avalon, (and many drinks later); formed a solid friendship. Little did they know that their similar tastes in music and their technical teamwork would be the essential ingredients of Nightriders in the making.

Joe Parillo Trio with Jay Hoggard, Segments

As Segments begins, you have no idea where you are. Perhaps you have been transplanted into a fantasy sequence of a movie? The first 30 seconds of the opening track, “Intro/Clouds,” definitely inspire this mystical feeling, with a small orchestra playing a theme that segues into a beautiful piano/vibraphone duet. The vibraphone is a pretty…

REV RUN’S SON BUSTED WITH MARIJUANA

MTV News reports Rev Run’s oldest son, Joseph “Jojo” Simmons, was arrested on Friday night for allegedly buying marijuana and attempting to flee from the cops. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said Simmons was booked on two misdemeanor charges of criminal use of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest and a violation for…

CHRISETTE MICHELE TOPS CIARA

It’s all about album sales these days, and according to HitsDailyDouble.com, Chrisette Michele is expected to out-sell Ciara. Yes, Michele’s sophomore Epiphany album is predicted to rake in five to ten thousand copies more than Ci Ci’s Fantasy Ride LP. Hmmm, which album did you go out and support?

KATY PERRY CREATES FASHION LINE

Katy Perry has designed a signature line for Fashion Against AIDS.   According to the New York Daily News, the singer designed a trendy bodysuit that will be sold for $16.90.   Other designers included Estelle, N.E.R.D., Yoko Ono, Dita von Teese and more.   The Fashion Against AIDS line will hits H&M stores on…

SHINEDOWN STRIKES GOLD

“THE SOUND OF MADNESS,” the acclaimed third album from Atlantic recording group Shinedown has been certified Gold by the RIAA, marking sales exceeding 500,000 units.   The news comes as the band’s single “Second Chance,” has just exploded into the top 10 at CHR/Top 40 outlets nationwide and is quickly shaping up to be the…

NEW DORM LIFE EPISODE “MARCH MADNESS”

What does it mean when people bleed school colors, brackets are filled with great care, bets are made and beers flow like a river of awesome? Exactly – MARCH MADNESS has taken over! Check out how the guys and gals of 5 South celebrate March Madness – their school is in the Division I NCAA…

(RED)NIGHTS THE CONCERT SERIES TO COMBAT AIDS IN AFRICA

Today, (RED) and Live Nation announce the (RED)NIGHTS series, an innovative slate of 26 live concerts in the U.S., which will raise money and awareness for the ultimate goal of eliminating AIDS in Africa. To kick off the series, (RED)NIGHTS artists, Santigold, Gomez, O.A.R., Fall Out Boy, Lisa Hannigan, The Veronicas and The All-American Rejects…

STOLI MEETS THE ONE MAN BAND NAMED BAILEY

My nexy guest is a one man band and he proves that on his album, ‘Burden The Hand.’ Bailey is from Los Angeles by way of Ohio. He spent the better part of 2008 recording ‘Burden The Hand’ in his Hollywood apartment. Bailey went without a band as he played all the instruments from guitar,…

HALLOWEEN, ALASKA ON NORTHERN OUTPOST

Be sure to check out the recently filmed interview and live session Northern Outpost shot with Minneapolis-based indie-pop band Halloween, Alaska. Chatting about their local scene and performing the song “Be a Man” off their new album “Champagne Downtown,” this intimate session provides a glimpse into the charming and impassioned nature of the band and…

ERIC CLAPTON AND STEVE WINWOOD “AFTER MIDNIGHT” AUDIO

After their extraordinary sold-out three-nights at Madison Square Garden last year, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood are set to release a 2-disc CD/DVD of their amazing performances on May 19, 2009 from Reprise Records. The rock legends took the stage together for just three concerts in a highly anticipated collaboration, performing a string of hits…

CONVERSE RELEASES “YOU SAID NO TO PROM” FEATURING ELIZAVETA KHRIPOUNOVA

Converse today released a new music video, “You Said No To Prom,” which arrives online just in time for prom season across America. The video features the songwriting, guitar and vocal talents of Los Angeles-based musician, Elizaveta Khripounova.   “Converse is dedicated to being a catalyst for creativity in the worlds of music, sport, art…

MELANIE FIONA NEW VIDEO FOR “GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT”

In support of the summer release of her debut album The Bridge, SRC/Universal Motown Records’ soulful pop artist Melanie Fiona recently released the official video for her album single “Give it to Me Right.” “Give it to Me Right” Video Link: [myspace 57024788 nolink]

NEW SINGLE & LIVE FOOTAGE FROM MOS DEF

The Ecstatic Available In Stores On June 9, 2009. Special guests include Talib Kweli and Slick Rick. ‘The Ecstatic’ produced by Oh No, Chad Hugo, Mad Lib, Mr. Flash, DJ Preservation, J Dilla, Georgia Anne Muldrow. Mos Def – “Casa Bey”: SKOPE IT HERE! Mos Def Live In South Africa @ The Cape Town Jazz…

AIR SUPPLY SIGNS NEW LABEL DEAL WITH ODDS ON RECORDS

As reported this week exclusively by Gail Mitchell of Billboard, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock–known the world over as 80s hitmaking duo Air Supply have signed a label deal with Las Vegas based independent label Odds On Records. Distributed by E1 Music (formerly Koch) and headed by former Warner Bros. marketing and promotion executive Ted…

DTP PRESENTS WILLY NORTHPOLE IN “THE GHETTO TOUR GUIDE” VIDEO

Over the years, ‘hoods the nation over have been made infamous within the lyrics of rap songs. Until now though, the ghettos of Phoenix, AZ have remained largely unreported. Enter DTP’s current on-deck offering, Phoenix native, Willy Northpole, whose single, Hood Dreamer ft. Bobby Ray (B.o.B.) offered the first real look into what it was…

ZAP MAMA NEW VIDEO FOR “HELLO TO MAMA”

ZAP MAMA is teaming up with CARE to honor mothers around the world. Beginning May 4th, Zap Mama will donate to CARE a percentage of the proceeds from the iTunes download of their song, “Hello To Mama,” the first single off their upcoming album ReCreation, due out on Heads Up International, a division of Concord…