Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Owl City Single: ‘ Fireflies ’ to be released 22nd February 2010 on  Island Records ‘Most of my inspiration comes from daydreaming, as I haven't really gone anywhere or done anything. I find a lot of inspiration in imagining what the world would be like if things were different -- better.’ It’s hard to imagine how much better things could get for Adam Young right now. When the shy 23-year-old first uploaded a few synth-pop songs on to his MySpace profile in 2007, his Owl City project was just one of thousands of unknown acts in the web’s worldwide hive of musical activity. Two-and-a-half years and one EP, two albums and over 50 million MySpace hits later, Owl City ’s ‘ Fireflies ’ single hit the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Billboard charts in early November 2009. It had already sold nearly two million copies, been No.1 in the U.S. iTunes chart, and been officially declared the fastest-selling electronic/alternative track of all-time. Its parent album, the self-produced ‘Ocean ...

Mumford and Sons release their new single, ‘ Winter Winds ’ through Gentlemen Of The Road / Island Records on the 7th December 2009 . It is taken from the band’s critically acclaimed debut album, ‘ Sigh No More’ . Mumford and Sons are one of the most significant success stories of 2009, with their debut album charting at number 11, and number 1 on iTunes. But like all great stories, we’re not even halfway through the first novel and the best is still to come. This British folk-rock band have quickly became renowned for their euphoric live shows, heart-wrenching songcraft, and for bringing beautiful music back in vogue. Since Mumford and Sons released the first of their limited-edition vinyl EPs through Chess Club Records back in the summer of 2008, the road has become their rolling home. The gospel spread across the globe, and from one sold-out tour to the next. ‘ Sigh No More ’ was made with producer Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Bjork) harnessing all the energy and soul of their...

A host of top stars including Robbie Williams , Dizzee Rascal and JLS are set to appear in this year's Top Of The Pops Christmas and New Year Specials. BBC Radio 1's Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates will present the two special shows which will be shown on BBC One on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Top Of The Pops Christmas Day Special (25 December 2009, 2.00-3.00pm) offers up an hour of stellar performances from some of the year's biggest stars including Dizzee Rascal ; Kasabian ; Lily Allen ; JLS ; Alexandra Burke ; La Roux ; Sugababes ; Florence and the Machine ; Diversity ; and Muse . The hour of top music and festive fun culminates in a glistening performance from this year's Christmas number one! Then, on New Year's Eve (31 December, 6.30-7.30pm) , Fearne and Reggie are back on BBC One with the Top Of The Pops New Year Special to review the year in pop, taking in 2009's greatest hits and brightest stars. The show features special performances fro...

• New single ‘White Feather’ to be released February 1st, 2010 •Norwich date added to previously announced January tour Wolfmother are indeed back. Critical acclaim aside, the fans have spoken as well - the new album "Cosmic Egg" surpassed the chart debut for their Grammy-winning first album around the globe, including the U.S, Australia, Germany, Canada, France, Ireland, Holland, Austria, and more. The fans have also come out in force to the band's live shows - Wolfmother already played a string of packed out shows across Europe and UK, and tickets are going fast for their next European tour, in January 2010. Amidst all this, Wolfmother get ready to release their second single - the rolling hard rock of White Feather. With it's bluesy lead licks, AC/DC-esque thump and stadium-sized chorus, White Feather is Wolfmother’s latest anthem, and one of the many highlights from Cosmic Egg. Expect it to be sung like a terrace anthem at their forthcoming live shows. White ...

“AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH” Release date 21st December 13 year old London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield, whose sensational debut TV performance on Strictly Come Dancing introduced her as an exciting new talent, has her new Lioness Records single, “ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ” released on December 21st. The single is a double A-side with Dionne’s festive rendition of Christmas classic “I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus”. Dionne is the first signing to five time Grammy winner Amy Winehouse’s brand new label Lioness Records, and the single is taken from her recently releaSed debut album “Introducing Dionne Bromfield” . Speaking about Dionne Amy says, “ The first time I heard Dionne sing, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing… such an amazing voice from such a young girl. I’m just so proud of her. I’m very lucky to have a record label. I’ve got all these people that I love, that are really talented – and Dionne is my number one” .   It was at the age of ten that Dionne s...

Tori’s First and Highly Anticipated Seasonal Album Midwinter Graces is out now. After nearly two decades writing and recording some of her generation’s most emotionally powerful music, Tori Amos has released her first seasonal album, Midwinter Graces, on Island Records. A follow up to Tori’s critically acclaimed studio album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, Midwinter Graces will find Tori reworking and expanding on classic carols as well as developing some of her very own seasonal tracks. Midwinter Graces is an album that has been in the making for the past 40 years. Raised in the Baltimore area under the watchful eye of her Methodist minister father, Tori grew up playing holiday carols at Sunday services and Christmas Day celebrations in her father’s church. These were the songs that gave a young Tori her first taste of music, and now almost 40 years later Tori gets her own chance to reimagine classics like “What Child, Nowell” and “Star of Wonder.” Tori will also add her own bitterswee...

Mumford & Sons are pleased to announce details of a second night at Shepherds Bush Empire in March, after the first date sold-out this morning in an hour. (27.11.2009) The British folk-rockers will now play the London venue on the 13th and 14th March. Their Spring UK tour went on sale this morning at 9am , with tickets available through www.mumfordandsons.com Mumford & Sons release their new single, ‘Winter Winds’ on the 7th December through Gentlemen of the Road/Island Records. Mumford & Sons play: 3rd March – Glasgow O2 ABC 4th March - Manchester Academy 1 (Upgraded from Academy 2) 6th March - Wolverhampton Wulfrun 7th March - Newcastle University 9th March – Liverpool O2 Academy 10th March - Cambridge Junction 12th March - Brighton Corn Exchange 13th March - London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire – SOLD OUT 14th March – London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – EXTRA DATE ADDED 16th March – Edinburgh Queen’s Hall 18th March - Dublin The Academy 20th Ma...

Double A-side single - “ Hollywood ” plus “I Am The Resurrection” - December 28th Debut Album – “ Codeine Velvet Club ” – December 28th   Codeine Velvet Club , the sensational new band featuring chief Fratelli Jon Lawler and Glasgow chanteuse Lou Hickey, will release a new single to coincide with the release of their eponymously titled debut album on December 28th ‘09 .  Side A will feature album highlight and 21st century wall of sound masterpiece “Hollywood” while the other Side A will feature Codeine Velvet Club’s unique take on the Stone Roses’ classic “I Am The Resurrection”, a song that the band covered for fun as an encore and has since been recorded because so many fans demanded it! Codeine Velvet Club is a new musical collaboration that celebrates Jon Lawler and Lou Hickey’s shared love of ’60s girl-boy duets, dramatic orchestral pop, and dark post-war Hollywood romanticism. Since their fantastically well reviewed (see press quotes!) debut headline shows in...

Peter Kay has announced a new tour residence at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Tickets will go on sale at Ticketmaster Uk tomorrow Saturday at 11:00 am for the following dates: * 27th April 2010 * 28th April 2010 * 29th April 2010 * 30th April 2010 Peter Kay’s stand–up career started when he won a competition in Manchester, beating fellow stand-up comedian Johnny Vegas. Kay's experience working at the Manchester Evening News Arena, the residence of this newly announced tour, inspired him to wear the official yellow jacket of the MEN Arena for the final performance of his "Mum Wants a Bungalow" tour.

Kid CuDi ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ feat. MGMT and Ratatat - Monday 11th January 2010 ‘Following in a line that includes legendary fabulists like Ralph Ellison and Sun Ra and intersects with hip hop via artists like the Wu Tang Clan, Outkast and CuDi's mentor, Kanye West, this Cleveland-raised former film student expands hip-hop's language by exploring the inner life of the inner city the way others focus on the action in the street.’ The L.A. Times ‘A serious new talent in alt-rap.’ The Sunday Times ‘CuDi’s got a rare pop gift.’ The Stool Pigeon ‘The song is a deeply stoned singsong nugget.’ Pitchforkmedia Produced by Crown Heights, Brooklyn electronic-indie duo Ratatat ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ is the second UK single from Kid CuDi’s debut album ‘Man On The Moon : The End Of The Day’. Psychedelic rock stars MGMT sing the ghostly chorus over Ratatat’s trademark half-step beats, swirling synths and heavily processed guitars. CuDi’s vocal has the mixture of melody an...

Having released their critically acclaimed debut album ‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’ earlier this year, selling out the London Garage for their album launch show and playing a summer of stand out festival performances including a spellbinding set at Glastonbury, Bombay Bicycle Club are back on the road for a fully sold out UK tour before returning to release their next single. The London based four-piece will re-release live favourite ‘Always Like This’ on November 23rd through Island Records. ‘Always Like This’ was initially released on the band’s own label in April and was the first track from the album to catapult the band into the nation’s conscience and is likely to propel them even higher this time. Celestial vocal loops meet echo chamber guitars and afrobeat rhythms, as Bombay Bicycle Club juggle ecstatic, anthemic melodies with an uncompromised experimental vision. Led by lead singer Jack Steadman’s unique tremulous vocals, ‘Always Like This’ is defined by an irresi...

Fashion icon, V V Brown whose beautiful debut album ” Travelling Like The Light ” has just been released to huge critical acclaim is to take to the road on tour at the beginning of November She will be performing at the following dates:    Buy Tickets                                                         Nov 4 Manchester Club Academy Manchester Nov 5 Sheffield Academy 2 Sheffield Nov 6 Northampton Roadmender Northampton Nov 9 Birmingham Academy 2 Birmingham Nov 10 Glasgow King Tuts Glasgow Nov 11 Newcastle Academy 2 Newcastle Nov 13 Leeds Cockpit Leeds Nov 14 Bristol Thekla Bristol Nov 16 Nottingham Rescue Rooms Nottingham Nov 18 Brighton Concorde 2 Brighton Nov 19 Cardif...

Frankmusik is a unique proposition in 2009, multi-talented, ferociously productive, a motor-mouth, thinking, making, doing at high speeds. In 09 Frankmusik is the future of pop futuristism. Which other male newcomer this year would have the drive to have written/produced a brilliant debut album, tracks for other Top 10 stars, remix The Pet Shop Boys and his whole album into a ‘night’ version. His creativity is all-night compulsive. In terms of raw talent Frankmusik is exceptional, his output prodigious. ‘ Complete Me ’ , available now is the debut album by Frankmusik and an introduction to a major new British pop star. - Buy Tickets Frankmusik Tour November Monday 2nd   Phoenix    14+    Exeter Tuesday   3rd Thekla   14+   Bristol Wednesday 4th Rescue Rooms   14+   Nottingham Friday   6th   Cockpit 16+/14 acc Leeds Saturday 7th   Plug 14+   Sheffield Sunday 8th   Academy 2   16+/14 a...

Codeine Velvet Club is a new musical collaboration featuring Jon Lawler, lead singer and chief songwriter of The Fratellis and singer-songwriter Lou Hickey, that celebrates their shared love of ’60s girl-boy duets, dramatic orchestral pop, and dark post-war Hollywood and Las Vegas romanticism. “Soaring strings, biting brass, sweet as sugar guitar licks and a healthy dose of noir drama… Add the kind of retro glamour that conjures up late nights in Vegas or Hollywood , stir in the kind of songwriting that oozes class and sophistication then freight in a few world-beating pop hooks. That’s the recipe for the sensational new sound of Codeine Velvet Club” News Of The World, Scotland 13th Sept. ’09. Since their fantastically well reviewed debut headline shows in Glasgow at the Classic Grand and at London’s Bush Hall Codeine Velvet Club are heading out on a full UK tour throughout November and December to coincide with their releases.  Debut single “Vanity Kills” – November 16th ...

London-born soul singer Dionne Bromfield releases her debut album on October 12 through Lioness Records/Island. “Introducing Dionne Bromfield” is the first album issued by Lioness, the new label created by Amy Winehouse. Amy is also godmother to 13 year-old Dionne and says of her protégée, “She’s so much better than I was at her age.” “Mama Said” , Dionne’s debut single, will be released on November 2nd. Introducing Dionne Bromfield features covers of 12 classic songs that reflect her love of vintage soul music and ‘60s girl groups. Tracks include “Mama Said”, Motown anthem “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, which Dionne has recorded as a duet with fellow Lioness artist Zalon, and “Foolish Little Girl”, originally a hit for The Shirelles in 1963. The full tracklisting is as follows : Tell Him Mama Said Foolish Little Girl My Boy Lollipop Beachwood 45789 Two Can Have A Party He’s So Fine With A Child’s Heart Until You Come Back To Me Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Am I T...

Taio Cruz, whose single “ Break Your Heart ” crashed into the UK singles chart this week at no. 1, firmly establishing the 26 year-old Londoner as a genuine solo artist in his own right, has his hugely anticipated second album, ” ROKSTARR ”, released on October 12th through Universal Records. The album features the number 1 smash as well his Top 3 collaboration with Tinchy Stryder “ Take You Back ”. Special guests on the album will include superhot rising US star Ke$ha and Tinchy Stryder. Written, produced and arranged by the multi-talented Cruz the twelve track set also features “Dirty Picture”, “I’ll Never Love Again”, “Only You”, “Feel Again “and the UK Bonus track “The 11th Hour. Although “Break Your Heart” is his first solo release this year, Taio has already enjoyed an extremely productive and successful 2009. As well as completing work on “Rokstarr”, the follow up to the 150,000 selling debut “Departure”, Taio has been writing and producing for Cheryl Cole’s feverishly anticipa...

Top pop duo the Yeah You’s have just released  their debut album “Looking through You” on Island Records. The Yeah You’s take the unusual step of releasing a greatest hits compilation as their first album release when their eagerly awaited debut album ‘Looking Through You’ is released on  Island Records. The album was written in keyboard player Mike Kintish’s bedroom in London and recorded in LA with Greg Wells (Mika, Katie Perry & Rufus Wainwright). The Yeah You’s have been tipped for greatness by Popjustice, The Guardian, The Sun and the News of the World amongst others. The album is preceded by the band’s second single “Getting Up With You” sees duo, Nick Ingram and Mike Kintish, at their anthemic song writing best, once again producing a hook filled melody and sing-along chorus that will stick in your head for days.. “ Looking Through You ” contains 12 new songs, including their debut hit single “15 Minutes”, a wry look at pop stardom that, ironically, propelled the d...

‘Soundclashing whirlwind’ V V Brown will release her brand new single “Game Over” on September 21st through Island Records.   V V, whose beautiful debut album ” Travelling Like The Light ” has just been released to huge critical acclaim, has had a busy summer wowing festival crowds at Glastonbury, T In The Park, Lovebox, Camp Bestival and Secret Garden Party.   She will also bring her unique brand of exhilarating pop to V Festival in August and Bestival in September. V V first came to the world’s attention after landing an upfront slot on ‘Later With Jools Holland’.   Her performance on the show won her a lot of admirers including Damon Albarn who invited her to perform on his Africa Express adventure in Lagos , which provided inspiration for the song ‘Game Over’.   Says V V: “ The Africa Express trip inspired me to get more involved in African music so we experimented with African sounds and beats and came up with a lyric about the ending of a relationship. I got th...

Mumford & Sons release their debut album, ‘ Sigh No More ’ through Gentlemen Of The Road / Island Records on the 5th October 2009 . It will be preceded by a new single, ‘ Little Lion Man ’, on the 28th September. Fresh from a series of acclaimed festival appearances throughout the Summer, Mumford & Sons deliver their eagerly anticipated debut album as one of Britain ’s most beguiling young acts in years. Creating a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of Kings of Leon, the incredible energy of Mumford & Sons draws us quickly into their circle of songs: to the warmth of their stories and to this magical community of misty-eyed men. Since the band formed in late 2007, their primary goal has been to make music that matters. Mumford & Sons are Marcus Mumford (vocals, guitar, bass drum, and tambourine strapped to his left foot and right), Ben Lovett (keyboards), Country Winston (banjo, dobro, electric guitar) and Ted Dwane ...