U2, could get a Bargin. This weeks announcement that U2 was releasing their new album, Songs of Innocence, for free was met with both joy from the fans and questions on why they would use such a tactic.
Obviously, the move will hurt the actual sales of the album when it is released in mid-October, so there had to be more to the deal than meets the eye.
A message from Bono on the official Facebook page on Tuesday may shed some light on the situation. In it, he says that a second album, Songs of Experience, is just around the corner.
We're collaborating with Apple on some cool stuff over the next couple of years, innovations that will transform the way music is listened to and viewed. We'll keep you posted. If you like Songs of Innocence, stay with us for Songs of Experience. It should be ready soon enough. although I know I've said that before.
The band also won't be going broke over the Innocence promotion. Apple has paid both U2 and their record company, Universal, a fee as a blanket royalty, one that is being reported as worth up to $100 million.
The basis for all of the new strategy can, most likely, go to the band's new manager, Guy Oseary, who took over the reigns a year ago. His innovative moves have been guiding Madonna's career for many years and it looks like it may also be reinvigorating U2's. Primal sadness Robert 'Throb' Young has been found dead in his apartment at age 49. Young died on September 9.
Sussex Police have confirmed that the death was 'not suspicious'.
Robert 'Throb' Young was an early member of Primal Scream with Bobby Gillespie who he met at Kings Park Secondary School as students. In 1984 they formed Primal Scream. Young was the original bass player and later switched to guitar.
Young left the band in 2006 due to personal issues.
Robert 'Throb' Young leaves behind two sons Brandon and Miles, his current wife Rachel and former partner Jane. Young's former bandmate, and Stone Roses member, Mani confirmed the news in a message posted on Primal Scream's forum, sating: "Robert young, AKA the throb, passed away this weekend in hove. Truly devastating news.
Bigger than the Beatles......svvvt!! One Direction have surpassed yet another world record following the announcement of their brand new album 'FOUR'.
Album track 'Fireproof' has become the most downloaded free track in history, in just 24 hours. The song was downloaded 1,089,278 times in the limited 24 hours it was available to fans.
The album's launch on Monday was Announced with the free giveaway of 'Fireproof'. Since then the album has hit number 1 on the iTunes Album Chart in an incredible 67 countries on pre-orders alone. Last year the boys' third album 'Midnight Memories' debuted at top spot in 39 countries, and went on to become the top selling album of 2013 worldwide.
'Fireproof' is written by Louis and Liam with John Ryan, Jamie Scott and Julian Bunetta.
Sydney Lauren Friedman is a 19 year old solo artist from New York City, USA. She started playing the guitar and piano when she was 14. Singing has always been her passion prompting her to attend Berklee College to undertake a music performance program and voice lessons, this is also where she discovered her other passion for songwriting. Sydney has performed at small restaurants and concerts but on March 4th of 2012 Sydney debuted as a singer/songwriter at the legendary Bitter End in New York City.
We had the opportunity to speak with Sydney and ask her a few questions. Here is what she had to say:
Given name and stage name : My name is Sydney Friedman and after long debating, we decided I would go by Sydney Lauren for my stage name. Lauren is my middle name!
Age: I'm 19 years old but my secret is that I tell everyone I'm 20 because I'm young for my grade!
Place of birth: I was born in Manhattan, NYC, and moved to Westchester, NY, when I was 5. I lived in Westchester until I went to college!
Where you live currently:
When anyone asks me that question I can never decide what to answer! On some days, I'll tell you I live in NY but go to school in Boston, and other days I'll tell you I live in Boston! What can I say, I a true New York girl at heart! Nothing's like New York!
What Genre/s of music do you listen to?
I'm pretty open about what music I'll listen to besides a few, but if you looked on my iTunes you would specifically see Pop, James Taylor, and Carole King! I love my James Taylor but I am deeply in love with pop music. Ever since I came to Berklee, I've been developing my personal sound into where I've always wanted to go. I'm loving this new path pop music is heading to, more electronic sounds. Now that music is officially my life and I go to music school, I've become even more in love with pop music and that specific sound you get listening to it. I literally want the sounds to blow my bind, blow my ears off! If there's not enough excitement and drive, I become bored very easily.
First album you bought ?
It's probably a tie between a Spice Girls Album and a Britney Spears album. That's definitely what I had dance parties to in my room to! But when it comes to remembering that kind of stuff, I really live in the moment. I know that sounds cheesy but that's how I've grown and changed musically and successfully. I study artists who are living this life right now and making music right now. I study what's relevant and popular.
First concert you went to ?
The first concert I went to was Z100's Jingleball. z100 is the most popular radio station in New York and they play top 40. They host "Jingleball" every year and get all the top acts to come play a short set. It was amazing because I got to see all my favorite artists at the moment and it was a ball!
Have you ever been to the UK? (if yes did you perform here ?
I have been to the UK! When I was 12, my grandparents took my whole family to London. It was my first trip abroad and it was amazing, I for sure want to come back! I haven't performed in the UK but that is something I must do! One of my favorite things to do, besides music, is to travel! I love seeing the different cultures. I want to be able to tour the world some day!
Have you ever performed outside of the US if no tell us more about playing in the US and other places you have played there !
I haven't played outside the US and the stuff I've done in the US has been really great! It's always been solo, just me and a guitar or piano. Some places you might know of is The Bitter End in NYC. Lot's of people have played their, my two favorites James Taylor and Carole King! Lady Gaga, and many many others! That was an awesome show because it was an intimate venue, all my friends and family were there, and all the music was mine. It was an awesome experience.
My other performances have been just like that one I described.
What I'm really excited about is that now that I'm here at Berklee, I've been working on a lot of new production with my music and when the songs are finished, I have the producers send me the track with no vocals. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to do a show with my instrumental tracks and really show my audience what my music is all about. It's a different experience hearing a song with the right production. Singing lyrics that are clearly a pop song might sound weird acoustically if you're not so familiar with the song.
You started playing instruments at the age of 14, who/what inspired you to start playing instruments ? and why?
Ever since I was young I begged my parents to play the piano. I wanted to play something to accompany my singing. My grandparents, who still live in Boston, had this gorgeous antique grand piano in their house. Every time we visited, I would sit at their piano and make up random songs. I remember figuring out how to play Happy Birthday! Finally, when my grandparents moved and I was 14, they gave us that piano. It's too out of tune to play it for real so my mom bought a keyboard for me to take lessons! Side note is I started playing the flute in 4th grade at school. I loved the flute and really was good at it. It was nice because when I started playing piano, I knew how to read music. Right when we got the piano it was time for me to go to my yearly sleepaway camp. This is where I learned guitar. I became obsessed. I showed my parents I was really serious on visiting day and they bought be a guitar as a past present! This is really where everything started developing. I could now do everything myself. If I could accompany myself, I could start to do this music thing! This is also when my parents knew I really loved music and was really dedicated. Usually when parents make their kids take piano lessons, they have to beg their children to practice. I sat at that keyboard for hours on end playing. I couldn't get enough! Another side note is when I came home for a three week break in between semesters at Berklee, I decided to pick back up the flute! I'm obsessed and I can't put it down! Check out my latest YouTube covers! I've made sure to add in some flute!
Where Was Your fist gig ? what was the experience like ? how old was you when you performed your first gig ?
My first gig was at a restaurant named "Sam's". I was 16 years old and I was invited to play a few songs by a friend who has a weekly gig there. I'm not gonna lie, I was extremely nervous. Once I started the first song, I felt like I was on top of the world! When I get on stage and get going, I feel deep down inside I'm doing the right thing. I love it! Definitely an adrenaline rush!
How frequently do you Gig/practice? what are some of the local venues on your circuit ?
I practice every day. When I was 16, I experienced vocal damage. I had to stop singing for three months, go to speech/vocal therapy, and relearn how to sing/speak. Now that I've gone through that, and vocal therapy a second time, I'm very careful with my voice. Practicing also includes doing exercises to strengthen my voice. I been told that some people don't and don't need to warm up but I always need to warm my voice up. Usually my practicing ends in writing or finishing up a new song!
At the moment I haven't been performing as much as I would like because I am a full time student! The places I am performing at are restaurants and other smaller venues. I really would love to be performing for huge crowds and experiencing other things!
What is the name of the first song you wrote? what is it about? and what inspired you to write it?
I can't remember the title of the first song I wrote but all I can remember is the first line "Blue sticky notes on my hand".... the worst line ever! Why blue sticky notes?! But the first official song I wrote that I was proud of at the time was called "Dance" and it was about my grandfather who passed away from Alzheimer's. It was extremely poetic and pretty but definitely something for a starting out songwriter!
Do you have family and friends who support you?
My family and friends are my biggest supporters! I'm not sure where I would be without them! Their unending support is the real reason I have so much faith in myself. I really believe you can't get anywhere in this business without believing in yourself 100% from the start. It's basis for everything! An example is I was recently in a competition on gigg.com to open for one of Andy Grammer's shows. It was a huge opportunity and one way to win the round was to get the most votes. My family and friends really came through for me and were getting their kids to vote and so on! It was really humbling and I'm so grateful for the people surrounding me!
Do any of them play music and have you played in any bands Ect.. with friends ?
I am the only person in my family who plays music, we're not sure where it came from! I haven't played in a band with any of them but that would be cool one day!
You study music at college/university what type of music do you study and besides studying and pursing a career in music do you have other work or hobbies?
The reason I fell in love with Berklee and decided to go here is not only because it's an amazing school, it's one of the only colleges that teaches contemporary music. At Berklee I can study pop! I can study what is going on in the music industry today! We are taught Jazz based and it gives a great background to our culture, creativity, and really amazing music. Besides singing, playing instruments, and songwriting, I love hanging out with my friends, finding new and exciting things to do, and traveling!
Do you set yourself targets to reach musically? E.g play so many gigs a month or write/record so many songs a month?
I do set targets for myself and sometimes I realize I don't want what those targets would bring. Before I came to Berklee, my goal was to start my own band here! I tried, and it failed miserably, but it also made me realize the stuff I want to do is more electronic so I should be working with a producer to have something physical to show people. My goals help me get to where I really want to be! I love what I'm doing and I will always have goals!
IMN has been searching for upcoming music talent around the world and we are proud to announce our first interview in a new series is the talented singer/songwriter Sydney Lauren from New York.
Looking for somewhere to gig? or just looking for a good night out? This might be just for you! If you are musician in the northwest area looking for somewhere to gig and are free on Thursday nights, then why not pop down to Bier on Newington (just off Bold Street) for their fortnightly open mic nights! All acts welcome with friendly, music loving clientele. It is also a great night to go if you just enjoy watching live performances and a couple of drinks with friends as Bier are famous for their world beer collection! The next open mic will be on 18th September from 9pm why not check it out! Don't forget to like, follow & subscribe for more updates on gigs and open mic nights!!!
U2, could get a Bargin.
