Spotlight: Midnight Youth

Kiwi rockers Midnight Youth (M.Y.) have made it to the big time with the release of their third single, "The Letter".
Originally from Auckland, M.Y. formed in 2006 and released their debut single "Supernatural" which attained national airplay, and was followed up by their next release "A New Day". This track was good but just felt a little weak, but still did enough to ensure their continuing rise.
But 2008 has to be their year as they headed to New York to record their debut album in April/May of this year, which is set for release in early 2009.

Their third (and best) single "The Letter" was finally released in September. This track is very (very) tightly put together, and does everything it should; it shows off their great instrumentals and the very fitting vocals of lead singer Jeremy Redmore. It is highly catchy and feels at home amongst many of their contemporaries. They do run the risk of lack of originality but are forgiven as it's early days, but they will have to be more daring if they hope to establish themselves as more than just the "next big thing".

A very solid start from this Kiwi act and we are hoping for big things from them in the future! And after seeing them live last year i can definitely say M.Y. are a great live act, so if you get the chance go along and support them!

Score: 8/10

Check them out at their official Myspace page.

New Killers; Spaceman

With "Day & Age" finally released, The Killers return with single #2; "Spaceman". This track is more "Sam's Town" than "Hot Fuss" but is another great track from them none the less!
Instrumentally this track shows a more rock side than their previous hit ("Human") but is as confusing yet beautiful lyrically, as Flowers once again writes lyrics that are definitely original; and a little strange!
None the less this is a solid track, a little generic and more bland than their other stuff, but still, it's great to have them back! They're not ready for the supermarket playlist yet!

Score: 7.5/10

Check out everything-Killers at their official Website.
"Day & Age" review coming soon!

It's Gonna Be A Hot Summer!

This summer anthems keep rolling out, and the latest one to pop up on the radar is So You Think You Can Dance runner-up Rhys, and it's called..well... "Hot Summer"!
This track is a definite club track, with great bass and use of electrics, plus he his vocals finish off what is a really great track!
There's not really that much to say about this track, apart from expect it to be HUGE! It'll roar all summer long!

Score: 8.5

Check out Rhys on his official Myspace.

Song of the Week - In This City

Iglu & Hartly second single "In This City" is set to be one of the biggest hits this summer!
This song is simply quintessential summer music! The Californian (duh!) natives are a 5-piece Pop/Rap/Rock-New Wave act who emerged onto the scene this year and have been making their mark on the UK ever since. This song has "anthem" written all over it and encompasses their Californian-sun kind of music which draws similarities to fellow Californian stoners Shwayze & Cisco who's song "Buzzin" will forever be played all summers long! The fusion of rap and new wave/indie is definitely the "it" music of the moment!

Score: 8/10

Check out this song as many more off her debut album, "& The Boom", on their official Website or Myspace!

Billboard Chart Beat 28/11

This week on the Billboard Charts it's all about Queen B, Beyonce!

After occupying the top two spots for the last few weeks, T.I. still holds at #1 with "Live You Life featuring Rihanna" but slips to #2 with "Whatever You Like". Soaring in the #2 position this week is Beyonce with her latest single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" whilst "If I Were A Boy" holds at #3.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (29.11.08):

1. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
2. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (SonyBMG)
3. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyBMG)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. Katy Perry "Hot N Cold" (Capitol)

On the album chart, Beyonce scores her third #1 album with "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" selling an impressive 482,000 copies in it's first week.
The Chart also featured another three other big debuts of the week with Nickelback debuting at #2 with "Dark Horse". Another American Idol alum, this time winner, David Cook debuts this week, in at #3 with his self-titled debut album. Simon Cowell's successful multi-national vocal group Il Divo's "The Promise" debuting at #5.

New Zealand's Next Top Model

It's official, one of the biggest reality show franchises , Top Model, is coming to New Zealand this 2009!
A nationwide search for 13 young women to take part in the season, which "will include modelling assignments and challenges to prove they have what it takes to make it in the industry".
Also this week the Sara Tetro (who is one of NZ’s most successful and influential model and celebrity managers) was confirmed to host and judge, and will be joined by on the judges panel each week by ,Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Chris Sisarich.
Colin Mathura-Jeffree is an internationally successful model and actor and Chris Sisarich is a top photographer and former model.

This how could actually work in NZ a) it doesn't have that weird bitch Tyra Banks involved (what a mess), b) we have actually had some really good models come out of NZ, and c) hey, it can't be any worse than NZ Idol!

Bring on '09!

Britney on Rolling Stone Cover!

Yes, after picking up the pieces from her meltdown and a new studio album out NEXT WEEK, Pop Princess Britney Spears takes on the cover once again of mega-magazine, Rolling Stone!
Gracing the cover in the December 11th issue, Britney talks about everything in this exclusive interview which touches on both her personal and personal life!

Grab your copy when it comes out and also catch up on all things Twilight!

NZ Chart Beat 24/11

Still atop of the New Zealand Singles Chart with "Poker Face", Lady Gaga makes it three weeks in a row.
There has also been no change in the top 5 this week, with this weeks highest entry going to Beyonce with "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It" in at #32,her follow-up to her smash "If I Were A Boy" which is this weeks number two.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (24.11.08)

1. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (Universal)
2. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyMusic)
3. P-Money "Everything" (Dirty/Rhythm/DRM)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)

No change atop theOalbum chart either, with The Feelers holding on to #1 with their greatest hits, titled "The Best: 1998-2008". In at #2 this week is legendary Guns & Roses with thier first album in almost two decades, the FINALLY released "Chinese Democracy", and in at #3 is Nickelback (er) with their latest "Dark Horse". Two other new entries are Dido in at #6 with her third album "Safe Trip Home", and a disappointing week for Beyonce's latest, "I Am... Sasha Fierce" which enters at an embarrassing #16!

Favourite New Song - Be The One

The Tings Tings latest offering "Be The One" is their best work yet!
This song is so damn good, its of medium pace but is so infectious that at the moment it's my Summer Anthem! Like all Ting Tings song its lyrically and instrumentality quite simple, but that is what has defined them as the Breakout Act of '08! There's not really much else to say about this track apart from that it just works and is a sure fire hit!

Score: 9/10

See them at the Big Day Out 2009 throughout January and February!

No Doubt Are Back!

Californian Rockers No Doubt have announced on their official website that they want to tour in 2009 while finishing their upcoming sixth studio album. The band who have an amazing back catalog, went on hiatus in 2004 (following Stefani's successful solo career) but have plans with plans to headline the Bamboozle 2009 festival (along with Fall Out Boy), 2009 may just be a big year for Stefani and the boys!

Try It, You May Like It!

New York Indie-Rockers Vampire Weekend came to my attention recently, and they're amazing! They first came onto the scene in 2007 with their debut single, "Mansard Roof" from their debut self-titled album, and wowed audiences and critics alike! Their follow-up "A Punk" was recently on the CW's monster teen-remake, 90210, and this song showed off Lead singer Ezra Koenig's unusual but somewhat charming voice and created a unique and uplifting sound! It also sort of reminds me of Sublime. But my favouite single from thew so far would have to be "Oxford Comma ". This cheeky track has some amazing instrumentals and mixes well with Koenig's cool voice. It's hard to describe this track cause it's...well...just random, but in a very good way!

Score: 8/10


American Indie-Rock outfit The Virgins formed in 2005 and the New Yorkers have been slowly rising ever since. Their 2008 EP release, "The Virgins", show cased some of the best Indie music that I've heard in ages! My favourite track would have to be "One Week Of Danger".
This track is soooooooo good and just so damn catchy!!! Lyrically and instrumentally it's 2:45 of pure bliss! This song is sort of like a new-age-indie anthem, with it being hard to resist the catchy chorus and electrifying verses! Definitely fit for success!

Score: 9.5/10

Check out both bands on their Myspaces, Vampire Weekend and The Virgins!

Simian Mobile Disco - EPIC!

English production and remix team, Simian Mobile Disco formed in 2005 and have been making dance/electronic music of epic proportions!
This Electronic outfit first came to my attention this year when i heard their amazing single, "Hustler", possibly on of the best Electronic-House tracks of the last decade! Other great singles from them include "I Believe", "It's the Beat" and my favourite of them all, "Tits & Acid"!
This track is a real stomper and great for getting ready for a big night out!
If you're lucky enough to be going, you can catch Simian Mobile Disco at the Big Day Out 2009 in Auckland, January 16th for what will be an epic show!

Check them out on their official Myspace!

Twilight Sequel Confirmed!

It's official, Stephenie Meyer's "New Moon" will be coming to a theater in the near future (possibly 2010/11)!
After the mega success of the first novel-turned film adaptation, the next film will be based on the next book in the series, and looks to be a little darker!

Here's the book synopsis:
"Edward and his family leave Forks because of his belief that he is constantly endangering Bella's life. Bella falls into a deep depression, until she develops a strong friendship with werewolf Jacob Black. Jacob and the other wolves in his tribe must protect her from Victoria, an evil vampire who intends to avenge the death of James, her mate, by killing Bella. A misunderstanding occurs, and Edward is led to believe that Bella is dead. Edward decides to commit suicide in Volterra, Italy, but he is stopped by Bella and Alice. They meet with the Volturi and are released on the condition that Bella be turned into a vampire in the near future."

With no word on whether Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewarthow or the rest of the cast will be returning but more will be confirmed in the next few weeks!

Eating My Own Words!

Who would have thought that tween-star Miley Cyrus's music would be acceptable and awesome! "Fly On The Wall", off Cyrus' latest "Breakout", is a really really good song (is she still a guilty pleasure?) and sounds very Britney Spears - "Toxic" but obviously a lot more PG.
The song blends her husky yet sultry voice with some great electronic-rock instrumental and creates a great futuristic sound, plus it follows up to another good song from her, "See You Again". Has she found her sound? Compared to her Hannah Montana stuff, then yes!
A very cool track!

Score: 8/10

Check out more from Miley Cyrus here

Where To Be This New Years!

Rhythm and Vines 08 is the place to be this New Years! Featuring an EPIC line-up over 3 days, there is no better place to bring in '09!

Rhythm and Vines 08 is now the quintessential Kiwi New Years Party, held in Waiohika Estate vineyard, ten minutes from Gisborne city. This now 3 day event (Dec. 29 08 - Jan. 01 09) boasts an even stronger line-up than ever, featring top international and local acts.

Here are just some of the must-see acts:
Public Enemy, The Kooks, Franz Ferdinand, Santogold, Shihad, Carl Cox, Adam Freeland, Digitalism, The Datsuns, The Black Seeds, Cut Copy, The Cribs, Anika Moa, So So Modern, Motocade, Bang! Bang! Eche!, Fur Patrol, and now the amazing Ladyhawke!

This is one event not to miss (even though I will, pissed), so get your tickets and bring in the New Year the best way possible!

Visit the official Rhythm and Vines website here and don't miss out!

Twilight's BIG Opening!

It's official, Twilight looks set to be one of the biggest movie ever! It opened bigger than the latest Indiana Jones and the latest James Bond flick, with an opening day total of $35USD million!
It is now expected to take in around $75USD million in it's opening week, up from a previously expected high of $60USD million!

Twilight opens Christmas Day in New Zealand.