Today's Music Headlines on ARTISTdirect - Free Music Download, Music Video, MP3 music and Music CD

Sony BMG Drops One-Half of Its Name

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:59:22

Sony has bought Bertelsmann's 50-percent share of Sony BMG for $600 million, rebranding itself as Sony Music Entertainment Incorporated (SMEI). Epic Records, J Records, Columbia, Jive, Zomba and Arista are all part of the Sony family, which accounted for 24.1-percent of the industry's market share in the past nine months. —The ...more
Feist Turns Fall Tour Into a Charity Drive

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:54:26

The Canadian Association of Food Banks has teamed with Feist for food drives at every stop of her fall Canadian tour. According to Pitchfork, a custom piece of Feist merch will go to one charitable fan at each stop. The singer has also agreed to give the proceeds from sales of T-shirts and such to Doctors Without Borders, War Child Canada and the ...more
Dailey & Vincent Nearly Sweep Bluegrass Awards

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:40:48

The International Bluegrass Music Association held their annual awards show last night, dishing out five nods to Dailey & Vincent, including entertainer and album of the year. "To the fans that come out to see the shows, thank you so much," Darrin Vincent said during an acceptance speech. "I promise you we'll give our 100 percent best to honor ...more
Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro May Paint Houses

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:09:17

The terrific twosome of director Martin Scorsese and his favorite leading man Robert De Niro may reunite for another round in I Heard You Paint Houses, a mob drama for Paramount Pictures. The film will be based on Charles Brandt's 2004 book about a mob hitman who many believe was involved in the mysterious, still-unsolved death of Teamster ...more
Ben Affleck is a Company Man

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:59:38

Actor Ben Affleck, who is also expecting his second child, is in talks to star in The Company Man, a drama about a man whose life is deeply affected by financial downsizing. Given the recent problems affecting Wall Street and the country's financial sector, the film's plot is extremely relevant. John Wells will direct the film, which will be his ...more
Gwyneth Paltrow Launches Lifestyle Website

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:55:50

Actress, mom and renowned "foodie" Gwyneth Paltrow has launched her own website, www.goop.com. GOOP is an online lifestyle destination where the Academy Award winner will write a series of essays under the active categories: "Go," "Get," "Do," "Be," and "See." The website will chronicle suggestions on places to visit and things to eat based on ...more
Alice In Chains Reveal New Album

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:09:24

Alice In Chains have promised to record their first full-length in 13 years this fall. Issuing a statement on their Web site, a band rep—someone named Baldy—wrote, "October will arrive and Alice In Chains will reconvene to record the new album. So as 2008 winds down, band activity will be gearing up, and at some point in 2009 you'll finally hear ...more
Wu-Tang Doc Ready For DVD, BET

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:01:17

Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan has been confirmed for a November 18 release on DVD, with a BET premiere coming five days earlier and screening throughout the holiday season. Members of the group will also appear on BET's "106 & Park" to discuss Gerald K. Barclay's documentary, which chronicles the Wu-Tang's Staten Island beginnings right on ...more
Interview: Anne Hathaway and Rosemarie DeWitt

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:33:38

In Rachel Getting Married, actresses Anne Hathaway and Rosemarie DeWitt play estranged sisters who reunite upon the occasion of a family wedding. Hathaway is Kym, a recovering narcotics addict who, as a teen, was the agent of a tragic accident that her family struggles to forgive her for. DeWitt is Rachel, the elder sibling and bride-to-be who ...more
Interview: Deerhoof

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:57:03

Over the past decade, Deerhoof have established themselves as an inimitable voice in indie music without glomming onto a single aesthetic. Their albums are akin to a shed skin; each record preserves a snapshot of the band's sound while signifying that they've already outgrown it and moved onto their next form. Looking over this erratic catalogue ...more
CSS Announce Yet Another North American Tour

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:40:47

CSS have confirmed a two-week run through North America, beginning in Las Vegas on December 9 and winding down in DC on December 20. The band's still touring in support of Donkey, their second Sub Pop LP. The dates: 12/9 Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 12/10 Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia 12/11 Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex 12/12 San ...more
Seal Unveils Cover Song Collection

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:30:46

Seal has announced the November 11 release of Soul, a collection of covers that range from Sam Cooke ("A Change Is Gonna Come") to James Brown ("It's a Man's Man's Man's World") to Otis Redding, ("I've Been Loving You Too Long"). "Someone once said, 'The album will sound like the time you had making it,'" Seal explained in a statement. "Never ...more
Morrissey, Johnny Marr Give Blessings to Smiths Comp

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:21:46

Morrissey and Johnny Marr of The Smith have given their stamp of approval to The Sound of the Smiths, yet another retrospective of the legendary band. While Marr oversaw Rhino's mastering process and track selection, Morrissey gave the compilation its title and also helped curate it. Available November 11, The Sound of the Smiths comes in single ...more
Interview: Trivium

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:21:04

Things aren't always what they seem—especially in North Carolina. "We're in Asheville, which is a really fucking cool city," exclaims Trivium frontman Matt Heafy. Really? "I've never been here before, but everything is organic and Farmer's Market-based. There's all local produce, which is something I've got a little bit of back home in Orlando, but ...more
Rod Stewart Retrospective Set For Fall Release

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:18:44

Warner Bros. has announced the start of an extensive reissues campaign for Rod Stewart, beginning with the November 18 release of The Definitive Rod Stewart. The two-CD collection is also available as a "deluxe edition," complete with a DVD of 14 music videos. Further reissues will include expanded versions of Stewart's solo work and three ...more
Dirty Pretty Things Disband

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:12:38

Carl Barat's post-Libertines band, Dirty Pretty Things, have announced their split after just two albums, including this year's Romance At Short Notice. Here's their official band statement: "It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things. It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but ...more
Phish Confirm Reunion Rumors

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:07:13

Phish has announced a run of reunion shows next March at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia, one of the band's favorite venues and the site of a six-CD set called Hampton Comes Alive. According to the band's spokeswoman, Ambrosia Healy, Phish will play March 6-8, with more 2009 dates to be determined soon. "Sometimes you hear bands say 'We're ...more