In the golden era of late-night television, where wit and charm ruled the airwaves, few moments could capture the essence of comedy quite like the exchanges between Joan Rivers and Betty White. Both icons in their own right, they brought an energy and finesse to late-night TV that’s hard to match, even today. Their appearances together were not just interviews—they were a master class in banter.
Photo Gallery: New Kids On The Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff
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Ian Anderson Opens Up To Dan Rather On Why The Flute Became His Signature Sound
When you think of Jethro Tull, the first image that comes to mind is likely Ian Anderson, commanding the stage with his iconic flute in hand. But how did Anderson, originally inspired by the likes of Muddy Waters and classical music giants, end up choosing the flute over the guitar? In an insightful interview with veteran journalist Dan Rather, Anderson takes us on a journey through his early musical influences and the pivotal moments that shaped his unique sound.
From his admiration for guitar legends to his deep appreciation for the complexity and beauty of classical music, Anderson shares the story behind his decision to make the flute his instrument of choice. It’s a fascinating look into the mind of a musical genius who dared to defy convention, creating a sound that’s as timeless as it is distinctive. This interview is a must-read for any fan eager to understand the origins of Jethro Tull’s legendary sound and the man behind the music.
Ted Lasso Stars Rock THUNDERGONG! 2023 with Epic ‘Love Shack’ Cover
Kansas City was buzzing with excitement as Ted Lasso stars Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Welton) and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) took the stage at THUNDERGONG! 2023, delivering an electrifying cover of the B-52s’ classic hit Love Shack. Backed by the talented Summer Breeze, the duo lit up the Uptown Theater, bringing the house down with their energetic performance. It was a night to remember, filled with incredible music and even more incredible generosity, all in support of the Steps of Faith Foundation.
Since its inception in 2017, THUNDERGONG! has raised nearly $2.1 million to help provide prosthetics to over 1,000 individuals in need. This year’s pinball-themed musical extravaganza set a new record, raising an astounding $804,267! Every donation from the night will go towards restoring mobility and hope for amputees, proving once again that when music and community come together, magic happens.
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Unleashes Hilarious Roasts on Conan O’Brien
On a recent episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, the ever-entertaining Conan O’Brien found himself squarely in the comedic crosshairs of none other than Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the legendary puppet with a razor-sharp wit, voiced by the brilliant Robert Smigel.
As Triumph joined Conan, Sona, and Matt, the insults flew fast and furious, leaving everyone in stitches. It was a classic roast session that only Triumph could deliver—biting, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable. But this wasn’t just about laughs; Smigel also took the opportunity to chat about his latest creative venture, the animated film Leo.
Burl’s Art Crafts a Stunning 5-String Bass from 2,000 Colored Pencils
Burl, the visionary luthier behind Burl’s Art, is back at it again, pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship with his latest masterpiece—a 5-string bass made from 2,000 colored pencils! This isn’t just any bass; it’s a vibrant, eye-popping colorburst that takes his artistry to the next level.
What makes this build truly special is Burl’s departure from his usual linear designs. Instead, he’s crafted an outgoing colorburst that’s as bold and unique as it gets. This annual tradition of creating a colored pencil instrument started five years ago, and each year, Burl finds new ways to innovate and refine his designs.
Reflecting on his journey, Burl shares, “Since I began building guitars 5 years ago, I’ve tried doing one colored pencil build a year to see how I can improve upon the original design. I’m going back to my roots here, but this time with a new design, new methods, and a twist—it’s a bass, not a guitar.”
The result? A stunning blend of craftsmanship and creativity that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Burl’s Art continues to inspire with each build, proving that when it comes to combining art with music, the possibilities are truly endless.
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass’ 1974 Variety Show That Previewed the Brilliance of The Muppet Show
Picture this: It’s 1974, and the legendary Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass are about to take the stage for a variety show that would go down in history—not just for the music, but for the unforgettable surprise guests that joined them. Thanks to the creative genius of the Jim Henson Company, this wasn’t just any ordinary performance. Oh no, this was a delightful precursor to what would soon become The Muppet Show.
Son of James Unveils Powerful Cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” to Mark the 100th Anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act
Son of James, the dynamic Vancouver-based band renowned for their unique blend of rock, soul, and traditional Chinese music, is proud to release a powerful cover of Queen’s legendary anthem “We Will Rock You.” This special release is dedicated to the Chinese Canadian Museum to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which came into effect on July 1, 1923.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, a landmark of institutionalized racism, consisted of 43 sections that severely restricted Chinese immigration and rights in Canada for nearly a quarter of a century. This Act exacerbated the hardships initiated by the head tax, leaving lasting scars on the Chinese community. For Son of James’ frontman, the history is deeply personal. His grandfather immigrated to Canada in 1907, and his father was born in Cranbrook in 1913. Both men endured the profound pain and discrimination brought on by the Act.
“We Will Rock You” serves as a powerful symbol of the resilience and strength of the Chinese community in Canada. “The Chinese have time and time again faced racism and still face it today. ‘We Will Rock You’ is our line in the sand. We ain’t going anywhere. We gave our blood to help build this country,” says Son of James.
In addition to their cover of “We Will Rock You,” Son of James is excited to announce the release of their new single, “Come On”. This track showcases the band’s signature “Chynatruckerfunk” sound, blending gritty rock and funk with the delicate and haunting tones of traditional Chinese instruments.
“’Come On’ is so careening and funky that you’d have a hard time believing what’s making that gritty, swaggering sound is a delicate Chinese instrument,” says frontman Shon Wong. The track features the Guzheng (Chinese harp) in the intro, merging genres to create a sound that is both magnetic and magical.
“The Chinese have such beautiful instruments that pierce your heart, rip through your soul, and give you goosebumps,” Wong explains. “These instruments are the key ingredients to a Chinese Canadian sound that I am creating. Only with music of our own can we truly celebrate our identity.”
Son of James is a Vancouver-born-and-bred Chinatown rock band. They blend the soulful sounds of rock and funk with the mystical sounds of Chinese instrumentation. Led by Shon Wong, a third-generation Chinese Canadian, the band reflects his personal journey of defining his Chinese Canadian identity. Growing up with a family of Chinese Opera actors and performers, music and art have always been integral to Wong’s life.
Son of James features Michelle Kwan on Guzheng, Adam Richards on guitar/bass, Jonathan Reichert on guitar, Johnny Walsh on bass, Mark Hoeppner on keys, Dave Say on sax, Eric Tsang on sax, Jason Overy on drums, Ed Whelan on drums, and Erica Ullyot on vocals.
Indie Groover DARLING NIKKI Pays Homage to Elvis and Prince with Debut Single
Have you ever felt like you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time? Fortunately, indie groove songstress Darling Nikki is here to write the quintessential soundtrack for this exact feeling of desiring a lost era. With an artistry that conveys nostalgic themes of disco, funk, and hippie enthusiasm, Darling Nikki’s music takes listeners back to a time where 70s soul thrived.
Her debut single “Elvis” – written, recorded, produced by herself – along with producing and editing the video, too – is a retro-fueled earworm, combining a punchy bass line with catchy brass to deliver a story of the king of rock and roll himself. However, the song was initially inspired not by the King, but Prince.
Though he don’t even know my name
And he has never seen my face
I can feel that I will be the one he loves
The King of Rock’n roll
“I wanted to write a song about a special encounter I had with Prince, when I was a teenager,” Darling Nikki says. “He’s always been a huge inspiration, and I was a super fan and I chose my artist name after one of his songs. It’s bizarre that I met him several times, but the coolest thing was when I met him in a club in Monaco – we chatted and immediately clicked. The music sucked and we went together to the DJ Booth to pick James Brown tunes. It was really special. Like finally being at the right place at the right time, when all my life I felt I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Her debut single tells the story of a girl who feels like an outcast and is drawn to Elvis, believing one day she’ll meet him, and everything will be okay. However, the girl will soon learn that the only one who can save you at the end of the day is yourself.
Though he’s a million miles away
And he don’t care about my pain
I can feel him, no-one else can soothe my soul
One day he’s gonna know
Combining funky guitars, rock and roll swagger and horns via Al Green, “Elvis” is a tune that draws listeners in the same way any idol attracts their devout fans.
“Elvis” is released ahead of Darling Nikki’s forthcoming EP Hippie Soul. The singer-songwriter says her EP is a multi-cultural project, featuring contributions from musicians and engineers from Brazil, Turkey, Germany, and the UK.
Born and raised in Germany herself, Darling Nikki started making music at five years old. In a country known for its iconic techno and industrial music scenes, Darling Nikki – drawn to 60s and 70s funk – felt like she was in the wrong place from an early age. At 17, she left home to become a professional musician. Throughout her career, she has provided vocals and worked with several renowned music industry figures including Larry Graham (Sly Stone, Prince), Dionne Warwick, and Nelly Furtado.
During the pandemic, Darling Nikki devoted herself to songwriting and is now preparing to release her debut EP Hippie Soul, a collection of the singer’s most deeply personal songs that celebrate her favorite musical era.
“With Hippie Soul, I also created my own genre and brand,” she says. “I want to take people back to a world where the air is thick of 70s nostalgia and to the free-spirited ethos of the Hippie Movement and its music.”
Her debut single, “Elvis,” is only a sneak peak of how Darling Nikki delivers 70s-inspired songs with her own unique touch.
HOT MUD Shares Newfound Zest For Life After Addiction With Sophomore Album ‘Pink Cloud Pop’
Less than six months after bursting into the indie pop/rock scene, Hot Mud is ready to share his newfound zest for life with his sophomore album Pink Cloud Pop, set to release on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. The lead single, ‘Welcome to Humankind’, is out now, and asks “How often do you wonder what this life is all about?”
The catchy, upbeat song serves as a quirky anecdote that applies to everyone, regardless of where they are in their life’s journey. The poignant lyrics evoke the questioning and questing that Hot Mud has endured in his life so far, while also reminding the listener to “Fill your days with laughter/Cuz nothing really matters/And live happily ever after” because “Surprise/No one gets out alive.”
While his debut, Rehab Rock, was a raw, down and dirty, honest introspective album, hearkening to his early days of addiction and recovery, Pink Cloud Pop brings a new positive perspective and a more cheerful sound. Hot Mud said that the new album saw him embracing his oddities in anthems for outcasts, while expanding on his journey as an artist and recovering addict.
Hot Mud is a self-described alter ego, rocker, and weirdo. The man behind the nickname is Ottawa musician Muddy Watters, who was named after the famous blues musician. He styled himself Hot Mud after being told he becomes a completely different person while inebriated.
Thankfully, his journey led him to rehab, and he spent over a year in treatment facilities, where he became sober and healthy. Rehab Rock was recorded in its entirety during his stays, while Pink Cloud Pop looks ahead, and shares a somewhat happier outlook.
From the perspective of Hot Mud, the song, and the album, are a new beginning. Coming after his focus single from Rehab Rock, “Where the Bad Kids Go” — a song that embraces the dirty glamour and mystery of living in the dark, dangerous world of drugs and inebriation — Pink Cloud Pop feels like a happy rebirth.
Now sober and focused, Hot Mud said he has evolved a new positive perspective, mirroring his attitude and behavior. The title and theme of his new album refer to the term ‘pink cloud’, known in addiction recovery circles as a temporary phase of euphoria and extreme optimism during the rehabilitation process.
According to the artist, he has spent what “seemed a lifetime” struggling with addiction, only recently emerging from the dark and seedy underbelly of that life.
That’s why Hot Mud has made ‘Pink Cloud Pop’. He says it’s a miracle that he is still alive — he sees it as a rebirth and a ‘Welcome to Humankind.’