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

Just over a month ago the career of Alex Clare, whose debut album “The Lateness Of The Hour” was released to widespread critical acclaim in July last year, had reached a bit of a standstill. Alex had returned to working for a friend as an estate agent and had put his music career he figured out his next move. In the meantime he kept receiving emails asking if his single “Too Close” could be used in a Microsoft ad. Eventually he agreed and thought no more of it. Fast forward to now and “Too Close” has turned into a bona-fide worldwide hit single flying high in the charts in the US and the UK and topping the charts in Germany - with his full album peaking at #2 on the iTunes chart there last week. Microsoft poured millions of dollars into a massive US ad campaign with 60-second spots broadcast during prime-time TV shows and in cinemas before major titles like "The Hunger Games." TV viewers and cinema-goers began Shazam-ing the song and searching for the track on YouTube and i

blink-182 have confirmed that their UK and European dates will go ahead as planned despite the cancellation of US tour dates. The band posted the following news on their website: “ The North American cancellation does not affect any European tour dates. blink-182 will start their summer run as planned in Birmingham, UK on June 7th”  The band will be touring in support of their album “Neighbourhoods” which was released in September 2011 and the first new music released by the band since 2003. Blink 182 were formed in San Diego in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and Tom De Longe and later joined by drummer Travis Barker. The bands breakthrough album, Enema Of The State, was released in 1999 and went on to sell in excess of 15 million copies worldwide. Their next two albums, Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001) and blink 182 (2003) cemented their position as a pop punk supergroup. Additionally the band have won a number of MTV Awards throughout their career. The band will head to the UK next

21 year old Salford born singer and widely rated newcomer Ren Harvieu, who was included in the BBC’s Sound Of 2012 Poll, has her much anticipated debut album ”Through The Night” released through Kid Gloves / Island Records. The album was originally set for release in the summer of 2011 when Ren suffered a terrible accident which left her with a broken back and not knowing whether she would ever walk again. Thankfully after a miraculous recovery, in less than three months, Ren is back on her feet and finally ready to release her wonderful music and perform live once again. Ren Harvieu is brand new, just turned twenty one. She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. No Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart. Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’ and attended what she calls the Primark version of a performing arts school