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Albums Out Today: Jehnny Beth, Chloe x Halle, Norah Jones, Built to Spill

Konstantinos Pappis
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Albums Out Today: Jehnny Beth, Chloe x Halle, Norah Jones, Built to Spill

In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on June 12th, 2020:

Jehnny Beth, To Love is To Live

Image may contain Torso Human Person and MannequinJehnny Beth, the frontwoman of the English rock band Savages, has come out with her debut solo album, To Love is To Live, out now via Caroline. The album was originally slated for release back in May, but was postponed to the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes production work from the likes of Atticus Ross, Flood, and Johnny Hostile, and features musical contributions from The xx’s Romy Madley Croft, actor Cillian Murphy, and IDLES’ Joe Talbot. “When I started making this record all I could think about was the impermanence of life, that I had to do this before it’s too late,” Beth said in her announcement statement back in February, “and here I am now sitting on a train telling you that my album is coming and it’s called TO LOVE IS TO LIVE. Today those words resonate more than ever. There isn’t really anything else in life, is it?”

Chloe x Halle, Ungodly Hour

DOWNLOAD ALBUM : Chloe x Halle – Ungodly Hour | GidijamsThis is the second studio album and fifth release from rising R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle, out now via Parkwood Entertainment. Following 2018’s The Kids Are Alright, the record was originally slated for release on June 5th but was delayed in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Speaking of the album’s title, Chloe Bailey told Teen Vogue: “We wrote this song [the title track “Ungodly Hour”] with Disclosure, and we had the best time. I forgot what I was watching, but I heard the phrase ‘ungodly hour’ and wrote it in my notes. [It] kind of stuck out to all of us, and we were like, ‘What can you say with this?’ We all came up with this sentence: ‘Love me at the ungodly hour,’ which means love me when I’m at my worst; love me when I’m not all dolled up and made up. Love me when all my insecurities are out on the table.” The album includes the singles ‘Catch Up’ and Do It’.

Norah Jones, Pick Me Up Off the Floor

Norah Jones - Pick Me Up Off The Floor – Blue Note RecordsNorah Jones is back with her seventh studio album, Pick Me Up Off the Floor, via Blue Note Records. The album, which started out as a collection of previously unreleased leftovers, features contributions from Jeff Tweedy of Wilco among others. It was originally set for release in May, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Living in this country — this world — the last few years, I think there’s an underlying sense of, ‘Lift me up. Let’s get up out of this mess and try to figure some things out,’” the singer explained. “If there’s a darkness to this album, it’s not meant to be an impending sense of doom, it feels more like a human longing for connection. Some of the songs that are personal also apply to the larger issues we’re all facing. And some of the songs that are about very specific larger things also feel quite personal.”

Built To Spill, Built to Spill Plays the Songs of Daniel Johnston

Built To Spill Plays The Songs Of Daniel Johnston | Built To SpillBuilt to Spill have released a Daniel Johnston covers album via Ernest Jenning Record Co. The band served as the late Johnston’s cover band during his final tour in 2017, and the songs on the album, which was previously postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, are derived from recordings of their sessions together. “It was pretty special for us,” frontman Doug Martsch told Rolling Stone of that experience. “Basically we wanted to get good documentation of what our rehearsals were like. It was a lot heavier than what I thought it would be.” Johnston passed away in September, when the album was in its final stages of production.

Other albums out today:

Chloe x Halle, Ungodly Hour; Kodaline, One Day at a Time; Paul Weller, On Sunset.

Here Are 6 New Hobbies To Try Out Whilst in Quarantine

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Here Are 6 New Hobbies To Try Out Whilst in Quarantine

Quarantine should not be a time to put more pressure than necessary on yourself. After all, with everything going on in the world at the moment, the last thing that anyone wants or needs is something else to worry about.  

Ignore social media and all the beautiful pictures on Instagram of people with plans to write great novels, following unattainable fitness programs and redecorating their house like something out of an interiors magazine. Times are tough enough as it is.

However, if you are bored and have exhausted your Netflix watchlist and are all Zoomed out, a new hobby, or rekindling one that had been long pushed aside can be a good idea. There are plenty of things that you can try in the comfort of your own home. They are even better there sometimes because those rookie errors can be made without embarrassment or fear of judgment! Many of them can be therapeutic, especially if you are anxious, and are good for relieving stress and taking your mind off things.

Here, we have put together a list of manageable hobbies and activities that you could try your hand during a quarantine period, from arts and crafts to cooking.

Take an online art class

We all have an artist locked inside us – it is just which one, which is the answer. Whether you are the next Vincent Van Gogh, or your style is more Pigasso (not a typo – the pig who became an artist!) is the question, and the only way to find out is by giving art a whirl. There are art classes online for everyone, whether in real-time via a platform such as Zoom or step by step tutorials that you can follow at your own speed on YouTube. All you need is a computer, access to the internet, and a few basic art supplies to get you started.

Learn a new language

It is a cliche one, but many people find that quarantine is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, such as a new language. There are less distractions and more chances to immerse yourself in it. Again, there are multiple ways of doing this. There are online classes, apps, audiobooks, tapes, or good old fashioned books to help you quickly and accurately pick up the lingo.

Learn an instrument

It is never too late to learn an instrument, and again, this is the perfect time to do it. There are plenty of benefits to picking a new one up. For example, the Ukele – a very underrated instrument – can really help with hand and eye coordination. If you need more persuading, here are 25 Reasons to Play Ukulele (#8 is backed by Science). Grab that instrument, download a tutorial video, and before you know it, you will be the next big thing. Maybe.

Find a pen pal

While we are all living very separate lives at the moment physically, the world feels like it has come together more, so what perfect way to celebrate this by making new friends and communicating via mail? Perhaps you could talk to someone in your local community with a view to meeting up ‘in real life’ when the COVID-19 pandemic is over, or perhaps you could email someone in a different state, country or even continent to find out more about a different culture and way of life. 

Learn calligraphy

The art of beautiful penmanship is circling back into fashion now, with it being a huge thing on Instagram. It is one of the most simple things to start – you literally need a pen and a piece of paper. Look online for some simple how-to guides to get you started.

Learn to cook

Or, if you already know how to cook, use this time to expand on your repertoire. Recipes are readily available on the web or, if you are feeling creative, see what you can concoct from the ingredients that you have available. Once you are out of your isolation period, invite some friends round for a post-pandemic dinner party to show off your new skills and recipes.

Isolation can be stressful. It can be anxiety-inducing too – no one quite knows what to expect when the world goes back to normal, if it ever does, but by using the time to do something new and exciting, you can make the most of a bad situation and have some new skills at the end of this all.

Alone in Iceland by Alexis Malin

Modestas Mankus
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Alone in Iceland by Alexis Malin

Alexis Malin, a digital art director and photographer out of Montreal, Canada, has published an eye-pleasing, adventuresome series named Alone in Iceland. In this photo series, Malin travels the beautiful country of Iceland and explores the natural beauty it has to offer.

Writing about the series Malin stated: “I went to Iceland, alone, under the snow, the storm, the ice, the cold. I wanted to transpose my feelings of powerless and almost fear in front of this hostile but magnificent nature. Only the sun rays can give a little bit of comfort in this landscape of infinite ice.”

Find more work by Alexis Malin here.

3 Types of Insurance to Consider When Starting an Independent Movie Business

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3 Types of Insurance to Consider When Starting an Independent Movie Business

If you enjoy films, TV shows and stories, then starting your own independent movie business could be an ideal venture for you. There are plenty of things that you can do with an independent movie business, whether it’s making movies for individuals or groups who’ve got a great story but lack the know-how and equipment to turn it into a film, or making your own films and selling them online or pitching them to Netflix. Or, you could even take a more business-centric route and provide video marketing and brand storytelling to companies. The opportunities are endless when you’ve got camera operating and editing skills, but before you get started, make sure you’ve got the right insurance to keep you covered if anything doesn’t go to plan.

Public Liability Insurance

First of all, you’ll need to ensure that you’re covered with public liability insurance. This is especially important if you are going to be filming in public places or enlisting other people to come and help you with your work. If you’re working as a video production contractor for businesses, you’ll need this insurance as a very basic requirement. No matter how careful you are, there’s always the risk of equipment falling over and hurting somebody or wires causing a trip hazard, and the last thing that you need is to end up in court with a personal injury claim that you can’t afford to pay out for.

Business Car Insurance

If you’re going to be using your car for running your business, even if it’s just transporting yourself, your actors and your equipment from set to set, you’re likely going to need insurance that covers you. This is not always covered on a general social and commuting policy, so make sure that you read the fine print and if in doubt, get in touch with your insurer to clear up the facts about what you need. If you provide your crew with cars for work, fleet insurance will be a necessity. You can compare quotes at Quotezone to find the best option for your business needs, just fill in a form here to get your quote.

Film Production Equipment Insurance

Filmmakers often have a lot of expensive equipment that they need to get the job done. From your video cameras to tripods, drones, gimbals, fly cams, lighting and sound equipment, none of it comes cheap if you want to ensure a quality finish for the films that you make either for yourself or your clients. And, if a key piece of equipment like your camera is damaged, it could be thousands of pounds to replace it which could spell huge trouble for your business, especially if you’re just starting out. You really don’t want to end up in a position where you need to postpone filming while you save up for a new camera. So, make sure that all your equipment is covered with a generous insurance policy that will provide a like-for-like replacement or the funds to have equipment repaired if needed.

Starting an independent movie business is a fun and exciting way to make a living, but don’t forget to make sure you’re protected with these essential insurance policies.

Album Review: Hinds, ‘The Prettiest Curse’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Album Review: Hinds, ‘The Prettiest Curse’

Fans have always been wary of their favourite indie band going pop, and understandably so – too often, slick, glossy production and big hooks come at the expense of the endearing qualities that made their music worth checking out in the first place. But there was less reason to worry with Hinds, the Spanish garage rock group that started earning a prominent fanbase with their breakout debut album Leave Me Alone in 2016, followed by their confident sophomore outing, I Don’t Run, two years later. Even if the band was never too shy about wearing their influences on their sleeves, their music was always infused with a sense of exuberant personality that separated them from run-of-the-mill indie acts who utilized the same formula. And it didn’t look like they were gonna give up that youthful spark any time soon.

Thankfully, that doesn’t happen with their latest album either – instead, The Prettiest Curse is a welcome change of pace that enhances those qualities rather than diluting them. After all, despite admitting to being “afraid of pop” for many years, Hinds’ approach naturally lends itself to big choruses and sweeping arrangements thanks to the sheer infectiousness of the  songwriting itself. Besides, tracks like ‘Just Like Kids (Miau)’ exhibit a sense of playfulness that more than assures the listener none of the band’s personality is gone, while also providing wry insight into what it’s like to be a girl in a band, even in 2020 (“You’re too pink to be admired/And too punk to be desired”). This also marks the first time in the outfit’s career that they’ve ever sung in their mother tongue, most notably on tracks like the bouncy opener ‘Good Times Bad Times’ and the flirtatious ‘Come Back and Love Me <3’, the latter of which also incorporates a classic Spanish guitar progression that further pays homage to their home country’s culture.

There’s no denying the band is being anything less than themselves here, which of course also means being upfront about not knowing what that exactly entails. “’Cause all I do is question which is the real version of me,” Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote duet on the defiant chorus of highlight ‘The Play’, before a wave of soaring guitars kicks in to catapult the track to breath-taking heights. The album’s oxymoronic title is no coincidence – the album largely navigates the contradicting feelings that come when a relationship is at the edge of falling apart or just after it’s been terminated, vacillating between a newfound sense of empowerment and an all-consuming surge of desperation. The jangly yet oddly shoegaze-inspired ‘Riding Solo’ details sleepless nights spent apart from the singer’s lover (“All day feels kind of useless if I don’t give you my night/ Like instinct of survival, you’ve been engraved in my mind”), while tracks like the effortlessly catchy ‘Waiting for You’ are more confrontational in their approach. The dreamy ‘Boy’, on the other hand, is a nice contrast to those conflicted moments, evoking the simple, uncomplicated rush of falling in love all over again.

There are certainly grand, almost arena-sized arrangements here, but there is also quite a bit of bite to the production, courtesy of Jenn Decilveo (Albert Hammond Jr., Bat for Lashes’ Natasha Khan). Though it sometimes has the unfortunate effect of drowning out the engaging interplay between Cosials and Perrote, the dynamic and colourful mixes amplify the feelings of restlessness that permeate throughout the record without being too overbearing. With so many larger-than-life, invigorating moments, the spacious but emotionally piercing closer ‘This Moment Forever’ serves as a pleasant surprise, an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on what Cosials breathily describes as “joy down my throat”, unintentionally providing the perfect metaphor for the album itself. Hinds may always be an unapologetically of-the-moment, no-frills rock band at heart, but The Prettiest Curse proves they’re not afraid to grow and take their sound a step forward. And they’re not afraid of going a bit pop, either.

The Flaming Lips Perform ‘Race for the Prize’ to a Live ‘Colbert’ Audience Inside Giant Bubbles

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Flaming Lips Perform ‘Race for the Prize’ to a Live ‘Colbert’ Audience Inside Giant Bubbles

The Flaming Lips performed their 1999 song ‘Race for the Prize’ on last night’s remote episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. But unlike most performances taking place during the coronavirus pandemic, where band members appear in multiple screens, The Flaming Lips broke the mould, performing inside giant bubbles – to a live audience, also housed inside bubbles, all in the same room. The band members, apart from frontman and singer, Wayne Coyne, also wore masks and gloves. Check out a clip from the show below.

Bubbles have been an iconic live staple of the band for years, with Coyne often crowd-surfing inside one. Last month, the band released a new single titled ‘Flowers of Neptune 6’, featuring vocals from Kacey Musgraves, whose video also saw Coyne wandering around a burning prairie in a bubble.

No new album announcement has been made, but the band recently changed their Facebook profile picture to one where they are all wearing masks. Their last album was 2019’s King’s Mouth.

Coachella 2020 Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

Konstantinos Pappis
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Coachella 2020 Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

After being postponed from its usual April dates to October due to concerns over coronavirus, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2020 has been officially cancelled following orders by public health officials. This marks the first time the festival has been cancelled in 20 years.

Riverside County’s public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, signed the order on Wednesday (June 10). “Events like Coachella and Stagecoach would fall under [California] Governor [Gavin] Newsom’s Stage 4, which he has previously stated would require treatments or a vaccine to enter. Given the projected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward,” he said. “These decisions are not taken lightly with the knowledge that many people will be impacted. My first priority is the health of the community.”

This year’s line-up was set to include performances by Frank Ocean, Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, Lana Del Rey, Lil Uzi Vert, Thom Yorke, Run the Jewels, FKA twigs, and more.

Goldenvoice, the festival’s organizers, have not yet provided any comments. According to NME, they are reportedly looking into the possibility of a smaller Coachella event in 2021 and a full festival in October next year, given that restrictions have eased. AEG Presents, the live events company that owns Goldenvoice, is also instigating a number of layoffs, furloughs, and pay cuts across all areas of the organization starting July 1, Variety reported on Monday.

This marks the second major summer festival cancellation this week, following Lollapalooza’s cancellation two days ago. Countless festivals, including Primavera Sound, as well as tours have either been postponed or cancelled. Read about how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting independent musicians.

Doing Your Best to Enjoy the Lockdown

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Doing Your Best to Enjoy the Lockdown

Many of us are staying at home more often than we would have normally done, and if that means working from or just enjoying it and taking the time to relax, it can be a time we will never have again. However, there are so many things we could be doing with the time that we have now. With that in mind, here are some suggestions that will help you to keep it real in lockdown and how you can enjoy it. 

Read more

One of the first things that you can consider doing is reading more. Many people will say that they don’t have the time to enjoy a good book anymore, but now we have more time than ever. It could be worth looking online and seeing what others are reading and reviewing. You may find that you start to enjoy new genres and pick up on things you love that you never thought you would do. 

Redecorate your home

Being at home more means that you may have taken a long hard look at your home and decided now is the time to make some changes. Maybe you have repainted the walls or looked online to find a famous Australian artist with some unique and contemporary artwork to jazz up the walls. It might be you have the time to sort through photographs, frame them and display them. Maybe decluttering is on the cards or looking for new storage options to consider. 

Learn a language

It could be that you take the time to think about learning a language. This could open up many different options for you, perhaps travelling or working abroad or even things like new job prospects. You could take the time to really pick things up and make a difference and it could be a great thing to occupy your time. 

Improve your skills and gain qualifications

Maybe you have noticed that you now have the time to focus on your career a little more. It might not be the job that you want to do, so it might be time to think about how you can improve upon your skills and gain some new qualifications. Online learning can be a great thing to take advantage of at the moment, and it could help you to finally progress in the workplace and make some great changes to your working lifestyle moving forward. A successful career requires consistent learning and training. If you are involved in healthcare, you can find valuable online courses such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and attend completely online. This way you can get certified while working.

Take better care of yourself 

Finally, you could take this time to take better care of yourself. It might be that you look at improving and buying on your skincare routine. Focusing on moisturising and cleansing on a daily basis. Maybe it is exercising more frequently and eating well. Perhaps now having the time to cook meals from scratch and enjoy better quality of food and meals. There are many ways you can take better care of yourself and you will start to benefit from it in the long term. 

Let’s hope these tips help you to keep it real in lockdown and enjoy it more. 

Grammys Remove “Urban” from R&B Category, Rename “Latin Pop” to “Latin Pop and Urban”

Konstantinos Pappis
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The Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammys, has announced a number of changes to their rules and guidelines, including name changes for several categories. Most notably, “Best Urban Contemporary Album” has been renamed “Best Progressive R&B Album”, seemingly in response to increasing criticisms of the term “Urban” since the category was introduced in 2012. However, the term has been kept for the category of “Latin Pop”, which has now been renamed “Latin Pop and Urban”.

According to a statement by the Recording Academy’s interim president and CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the change was decided last month. “We’re constantly evaluating our Awards process and evolving it to ensure the Grammy Awards are inclusive and reflect the current state of the music industry,” he said.

“Each year, we receive a number of rule change proposals from artists, producers and songwriters asking us to reevaluate our process,” Chief Awards Officer Bill Freimuth added.

The Best Progressive R&B Category is described as “intended to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, and electronic music” and may incorporate “production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk, and alternative.”

“Best Latin Pop or Urban”, on the other hand, is “intended to recognize excellence in Latin pop or urban music recordings that utilize a stylistic intention, song structure, lyrical content, and/or musical presentation to create a sensibility that reflects the broad spectrum of Latin pop music style and culture.”

Moreover, “Best Rap/Sung Performance” has been renamed “Best Melodic Rap Performance”, representing “solo and collaborative performances containing…. a strong and clear presence of melody combined with rap cadence.”

With regards to the “Best New Artist” category, there is no longer a limit on the number of prior releases for an act to be eligible for the award. Instead, “screening committees will determine whether the artist had attained a breakthrough or prominence prior to the eligibility year,” according to the new rules. Previously, artists with more than 30 singles/tracks (or three albums) were not eligible for the prize. This change is likely in response the controversy following Lizzo’s nomination last year, which was allowed despite her surpassing the maximum amount of tracks.

The Recording Academy also made changes within its Nominations Review Committees, the group responsible for taking the most popular Grammy submissions, who are now required to fill out conflict of interest forms.

You can check out the entire 66-page rule book here.

Gorillaz Share New Track ‘Friday 13th’ Featuring Octavian

Konstantinos Pappis
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Gorillaz Share New Track ‘Friday 13th’ Featuring Octavian

Gorillaz have recruited London rapper Octavian for a new single titled ‘Friday 13th’. The track marks the fourth installment of the group’s Song Machine series. Listen to it below.

After teasing the collaboration online, the cartoon band also shared an official music video featuring Octavian as well as a host of Gorillaz members in their animated form. At the end of the video, we’re shown a quote by US activist James Baldwin: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”

Speaking of the track, drummer Russel Hobbs said: “Every day starts in the dark, and ends in the dark, but in the middle there is light.”

The Song Machine series kicked off in January with a track titled ‘Momentary Bliss’ featuring slowthai and Slaves. Since then, the group has unveiled ‘Désolé’, ‘Aries’, and ‘How Far?’, a collaboration with the late Tony Allen and Skepta.

Last month, Gorillaz announced the Gorillaz Almanac, to be published by Z2 Comics, in celebration of their 20-year history.

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