In celebration of New Zealand Music Month this May, independent emo revival band The Not Okays are this week releasing a reimagining of the classic Kiwi track ‘Sophie’ by Goodshirt.

“Sophie has and probably always will be one of my favourite Kiwi songs, so it felt like the obvious choice for us to celebrate this May” says vocalist Lauren Kate Borhani. “Even down to the iconic award-winning music video we all know and love, Sophie has a place in a lot of Kiwis’ hearts and provides such a strong hit of nostalgia, so it was important to us to give the original as much respect as possible while adding our own flair.”

While The Not Okays’ version of ‘Sophie’ starts similarly to the original, guitarist and vocalist Aaron Prictor produced the cover to build organically into a pop-rock anthem.

“Had we not been fighting covid at various times in the band, we’d absolutely intended to recreate the music video too,” laughs Lauren. “We just hope the Goodshirt lads don’t mind a bit of eyeliner and a lot of straightened hair.”

‘Sophie’ will be available to stream on all platforms on Friday 6th May 2022.

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Riding high following their chart-topping triumph with an incredible cover of Tame Impala’s Elephant in triple j’s Hottest 100 last weekend, The Wiggles have today dropped a brand new single.

This time it is their interpretation of Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba’s Apple Crumble.

Anthony Field said today, ‘We are still so buzzed about the triple j Hottest 100 – it’s going to take us a while to get over that one!  Earlier last week we headed into the studio to record Apple Crumble – a song that also made the Hottest 100, coming in at #14 for Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba.  It’s another taste of what’s to come from the ReWiggled album!”

Both Apple Crumble and Elephant come from The Wiggles’ forthcoming album release, ReWiggled, set to drop on March 11 (ABC Music). ReWiggled sees the current Wiggles lineup join forces with the ‘OG Wiggles’ (Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page), and some very special musical friends, for an ambitious and expansive recording project. A double album, comprised of two distinct halves, ReWiggled celebrates both the enduring nature of The Wiggles’ songbook, and also The Wiggles’ own lifetime love of music.

Side One of the album sees some of Australia’s top musicians paying tribute to The Wiggles, honouring the profound and unique influence the band has had over generations of young music fans. Featuring classic Wiggles songs reimagined by artists including Spacey Jane, DZ Deathrays, The Chats, Stella Donnelly, San Cisco, Emily Wurramara, Polish Club, Dami Im, Donny Benet, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Custard, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Luca Brasi, and more.

Side Two features “wigglified” versions of hits originally performed by AC/DC, Queen, James Brown, The Chats, Fatboy Slim, and many more.

Last year the band celebrated their 30th anniversary; a remarkable milestone that has seen them entertain millions of families and generations of fans around the world. They completed a massive tour of Australia and New Zealand, and released several albums including a career-spanning Greatest Hits collection, We’re All Fruit Salad!, and the ARIA-nominated Lullabies with Love.

Most recently, The Wiggles were named as the second-most streamed local artist on Spotify in Australia in 2021, across all genres.

In an exciting development, the long-standing Wiggles lineup of Anthony Field, Simon Pryce and Lachy Gillespie has recently been joined by new yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins, as well as fellow ‘Fruit Salad TV’ Wiggles Evie Ferris, John Pearce and Kelly Hamilton. The expanded lineup will be hitting the road next month for the ‘Fruit Salad TV Big Show Tour’, which will run alongside and the OG Wiggles’ reunion tour for over 15’s audience.

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Following his recent single Passion Never Dies featuring UK hip-hop artist Knytro, Martin Badder returns to Gorgon City’s REALM imprint with hypnotic remix from award winning Australian producer Hayden James.

As a Beatport chart-topper Martin Badder has consistently been making his mark on the scene with 2018’s See It Through My Eyes via DFTD earning support on Danny Howard’s BBC Radio 1 show, and 2019’s Lights Off being crowned Today’s Anthem on Mistajam’s show.

This year, his talent landed him both the heavyweight release Hey Johnny via DJ SKT’s Stashed, and a killer collaboration with Blaise via Toolroom with Coming Back To You, which boasted airing on loyal supporter Mistajam’s BBC R1 show once more.

Meanwhile, Hayden James’ ground-breaking success is undeniable with his breakout single Something About You reaching over 212M streams, over half a billion streams to his name and sold out shows worldwide.

More recently his album Between Us debuted in the ARIA charts top 10, featuring collaborations with NAATIONS,Panama, Edlerbrook and GRAACE. Adding fuel to the fire Hayden has also collaborated on releases with Icona Pop for Right Time as well as fresh single Waves of Gold with Azteck and Paijie, further cementing his crossover appeal as an influential and in demand producer globally.

With the established success of Hayden James, and the sky-rocketing career of Martin Badder, their combined talent on Passion Never Dies is destined to light up both club and commercial realms.  Marrying euphoric synths and futuristic warps that soar amongst the original vocal, this hypnotic house remix encapsulates yet another stellar undertaking from Hayden James.

Martin Badder – Passion Never Dies (Hayden James Remix) is out now.

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Marilyn Manson has teamed up with producer Shooter Jennings to record a cover of The Doors’ ‘The End’ along with a visual created by Zev Deans.

Following an incendiary set at Travis Scott’s Astroworld earlier this month Manson has been confirmed as a special guest on Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tours 2 which will hit arenas in North America in May of 2020 including NYC’s Madison Square Garden2 (June 22) and the Hollywood Bowl (July 27).

The End follows Manson’s recent cover of God’s Gonna Cut You Down, shared in October with a cinematic video shot by director Tim Mattia.

‘The End’ is available to pre-order now on limited pressing picture disc featuring one of Manson’s original watercolour painting.

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Thandi Phoenix has this morning wowed radio audiences around the country, taking on Portishead’s ‘Glory Box’ for triple j’s Like A Version.

The explosive cover was taken on by Phoenix and a huge backing band, including strings, horns, bass, keys and drums, and showcased the incredible vocal delivery by Thandi. The captivating cover also had a cheeky reference to the smash hit ‘Here’ by Alessia Cara, which uses the same Isaac Hayes sample as ‘Glory Box’. The cover started true to Portishead’s original moody palette before bringing in elements of Drum and Bass, soul and gospel to create a dynamic reinvention. Featuring some of Sydney’s finest voices, Thandi was joined on backing vocals by Karen Lee Andrews, Golds and Sayah as well as featuring Thandi’s own backing band augmented with some of the finest musicians in Sydney. Thandi also had a chat with Ben and Liam, announcing her debut headline Australian tour which is on sale today, heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in June.

Thandi also performed her incredible new single ‘Say It’ which was added to full rotation across triple j and across NOVA nights. Produced with UK electronic powerhouse Sigma, ‘Say It’ has been a favourite among fans – debuting at #77 this week on the National Australian airplay chart, as well as being the 7th most played track on triple j.

At just 25, the singer-songwriter has been touted as “one of Australia’s most promising up and comers”, with songs that blend pop with electronica and raw, honest storytelling. Thandi’s music flourishes effortlessly tying hints of UK Garage and Drum-and-bass in previous singles like ‘Standing Too Close’, ‘Come Around’ and ‘Tell Me Where The Lovers Have Gone’.

Her talents come endorsed by internationals like Jhene Aiko, Tinashe, Rudimentaland Tinie Tempah, all of whom have called on Thandi for support slots on their Australian tours as well as joining Vera Blue on her sold out 2017 national tour.  Her 2018 single the enormous DnB banger ‘My Way’ was produced with hit makers & close friends Rudimental – taking Thandi’s name around the world.

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Elton John has announced Revamp, which will release on April 6th, 2018 on Virgin EMI.

Bringing together a carefully curated selection of the world’s biggest and best artists, Revamp sees Elton John and co-writer Bernie Taupin’s best loved songs reinterpreted by some of contemporary music’s most vital talents. The album spans a breathtaking array of styles, shining a light on Elton’s unparalleled influence across popular music of all genres, ranging from Hip-hop / Soul  (Q-Tip, Mary J Blige) to Rock (The Killers, Queens of the Stone Age) to Pop (Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, P!nk & Logic).

Elton John says: “It’s always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it. As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We’re humbled and thank them all for their generosity.”

Revamp Tracklisting:

1. Bennie And The Jets  / Elton John, P!nk and Logic
2. We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Coldplay
3. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues / Alessia Cara
4. Candle In The Wind (2018 Version) / Ed Sheeran
5. Tiny Dancer / Florence +The Machine
6. Someone Saved My Life Tonight / Mumford & Sons
7. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word / Mary J. Blige
8. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart / Q-Tip featuring Demi Lovato
9. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters / The Killers
10. Daniel / Sam Smith
11. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me / Miley Cyrus
12. Your Song / Lady Gaga
13. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Queens of the Stone Age

The calibre of names contributing to Revamp is another reminder of Elton’s enduring popularity at a typically busy and prolific time for the superstar. Last month Elton announced his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour. Comprising of over 300 dates across five continents over three years, the tour kicks off in the US in September and marks the finale of 50 years on the road. The first 60 dates sold out immediately after going on general sale, confirming that the farewell tour will be some of, if not the, hottest gig tickets of the next three years.

His ultimate greatest hits album Diamonds – released to coincide with Elton’s 70th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his phenomenal songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin – was released in November 2017 to a flurry of celebratory activity and was certified twice Gold in the UK. It reached the top 5 of the UK album chart upon its release.

Elton’s influence on the worlds of fashion and film also continues to burn as brightly as ever. Last year Gucci unveiled their Spring Summer 2018 collection designed by Alessandro Michele and inspired by Elton’s inimitable style, referencing original items taken from the style icon’s archives. Elton also appeared as himself in a critically lauded, hilariously tongue-in-cheek role in Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and his songs soundtrack the forthcoming ‘Sherlock Gnomes’.

Last year also saw Elton and Bernie launch ‘The Cut’, a project allowing undiscovered creative talent from all over the world the chance to create the official music videos for some of their most iconic songs: ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Tiny Dancer’ and ‘Bennie And The Jets’, each winning video attracting millions upon millions of Youtube views.

Revamp stands as yet another timely reminder of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s influence on the next generation of global stars at a time when their music continues to fill stadiums, sell albums and influence fashion. Elton stands alone as a true great, whose music still garners such admiration from a truly broad range of global stars.

The release of Revamp will also be accompanied by a Nashville influenced album Restoration, also released on April 6th on UMG, featuring Elton’s songs reinterpreted by the biggest in Country music, including Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Miley Cyrus and Willie Nelson.

The post ELTON JOHN ANNOUNCES REVAMP ALBUM appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Island Records artist Bishop Briggs, who has amassed over 316 million global streams and soared to #3 on the Alternative chart with her massive RIAA-certified gold single “River”, has released her brand new single “White Flag,” from her highly anticipated debut album entitled Church of Scars, scheduled to be released on April 20th, 2018.

“White Flag is about pushing till there is sweat stinging your eyes, blood under your nails and never giving up, no matter what the circumstances are.” – Bishop Briggs.

Affirming her exploding fan base, Bishop Briggs will embark on a headlining North American tour this spring opening on April 27th, 2018 in Vancouver. The month-long tour of the U.S. and Canada will wrap up June the 2nd 2018. The headlining tour will be preceded by festival dates in San Antonio, New Orleans and Tempe, AZ in March; and followed by festival dates in Michigan in June – July 2018. 

Bishop can also be heard on her cover version of the INXS classic “Never Tear Us Apart”,  the latest song to be released from the Fifty Shades Freed Official Soundtrack. She joins the soundtrack roster that includes Julia Michaels, Hailee Steinfeld x BloodPop, Liam Payne & Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Sia, Dua Lipa, Jessie J and others.

As the global MTV Push: Artist to Watch for January 2018, Bishop Briggs was prominently featured in interviews as well as live performances of “River,” “Wild Horses,”“Dream” and “Never Tear Us Apart.”  “River” and “Wild Horses” were featured on last year’s 6-track Bishop Briggs EP. 

Bishop Briggs was born in London to Scottish parents, but grew up in Japan and Hong Kong. 

Days after graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles where, after years of performing at any venue that would have her, she was discovered in a small hole-in-the-wall by a former A&R rep and the rest was history.  The music of Bishop Briggs transcends the limitations of singular genres, blending folk, pop and electronic music into a wholly unique sound.  Her debut track “Wild Horses” reached #1 on Spotify’s US Viral Chart and #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 charts, with airplay on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation, Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Show and a prized spot in Acura’s 2016 TLX and ESPN’s NFL Playoffs ads. 

She followed up with the RIAA-certified gold single, “River,” a searing and cathartic track that captured the attention of tastemakers and gatekeepers and rose to #3 on the Alternative chart with over 170 million global streams and “Dream” (video above). 

In 2018, the release of “White Flag” and her debut album, under­scored by her next headlining tour, proclaim the arrival of Bishop Briggs as one of 2018’s most important breakout artists. 

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