President Barack Obama asks Bruce Springsteen what was going through his mind when he was writing “Born in the USA.”
Robert Plant & AC/DC’s Brian Johnson walk in Wales and talk Led Zeppelin III
On a beautiful day in Wales, Robert Plant and Brian Johnson walk to Castell y Bere in the the Dysynni Valley at the foot of Cader Idris, near where Led Zeppelin III was recorded.
Royalty-Free Music: Your Guide to Using This Great Resource for Video Editing
If you are an aspiring filmmaker, then you’ll know all about the trials and travails of video editing. When it comes to putting together your masterpiece, at whichever level you are producing (be it a fully-fledged feature to a student short-film), the editing process can be the fine line between success and failure.
Regardless of the type of project you are involved in, there are bound to be several obstacles to overcome in order to put together a well-structured film that is edited to perfection, and you can never underestimate the importance of music when it comes to this part of the post-production process.
Music Is Your Friend
The art of using music to help tie up any loose ends in the editing process is as old as the art of filmmaking itself. Of course, your musical soundtrack has an inherent value to the overall production. After all, what the viewer hears (be that an original score or soundtrack or your choice of sound effects) is pretty much as crucial as the visuals they accompany.
Music can help to either mask an edit or add weight to it. As with any element of the filmmaking process, experience is a key factor in how effectively you use these ‘tricks’ and below are just a few examples of where music aids the editing of a project.
Blurring the Transition
If you are looking to cleverly move from one scene to another in a way that feels almost invisible, then the right choice of musical arrangement can be key to completing the effect.
A subtle transition can be used to indicate a passing of time or a movement in the action, and an excellent example of how music can add weight to this could be seen in a famous scene in the blockbuster comedy Notting Hill.
In this movie, we see a character, Hugh Grant, walking through a market, and as he does so, the seasons appear to change, and the way the piece is edited gives the impression of one seamless shot. Of course, this is a series of shots attached to each other, but the music helps complete the deception.
This is an example of music aiding the edit.
Jump Cutting
The use of a good jump cut, where your action moves abruptly, but the scene appears sequential, is aided by a nice sharp sound effect of a musical bridge. Usually, this is, perhaps not too subtly, with a loud break and restarting of a sound or musical score.
Editing these types of cuts can be very stylistic, and therefore the choice of musical score can be a nice additional unique aspect you can create.
Putting Together a Great Montage
Perhaps your film contains a scene where your character is undergoing some level of physical or spiritual change. Typically, this is put together in a series of shots called ‘a ‘montage’. In action movies, these are standard shots, and the use of a great piece of music works wonders.
Here the proper selection will dictate your narrative’s mood and tone, and again, this is a prime example of where music can aid the editing process.
Scoring Your Video Project
Putting together the soundtrack for your film project can prove costly and time-consuming, especially if you don’t happen to have access to a bunch of musicians who are willing to work for free.
Many, in the past, have looked to use existing and well-known music without securing a license. This is a big mistake. The costs of getting approval for these types of music, regardless of how big a hit the track was, will be high, but the punishment for doing so without clearance could prove even more problematic.
Better than elect to use royalty-free music for your film projects. Royalty-free music, or copyright-free music as it’s sometimes known, is a more readily available and cost-effective option.
Royalty-free music providers offer large databases of great quality music from hundreds and thousands of less established musical artists, all available for a much more affordable fee. These musical indexes also house huge sound effects libraries that are of course of huge importance to any film project.
The rise of user-generated content and the lowering of the costs associated with the technology required to film, produce and edit a film have led to a real boom in the royalty-free music market.
There are now countless reputable royalty-free music providers, and in turn, this has improved the overall quality of the service and now is an excellent time to check out what’s on offer.
Pink Floyd ‘Live At Knebworth 1990’ to be released April 30
Pink Floyd Live At Knebworth 1990 gets released for the first time on CD, double vinyl and digital platforms on April 30, 2021. The concert was part of the star-studded 1990 Silver Clef Winners performance at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, headlined by Pink Floyd.
The monumentous Silver Clef Award Winners Knebworth concert saw Pink Floyd topping the all-star bill that included Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Genesis, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant (with Jimmy Page), Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton and Tears For Fears. Around 120,000 music fans saw these giants of rock appear on the hallowed stage of Knebworth, all in aid of the Nordoff Robbins charity, profits from which went towards setting up the BRIT School. The concert was broadcast globally on MTV.
David Munns, Chairman of Nordoff Robbins, remembers the event well: “The Knebworth Concert was a defining moment in the music industry’s commitment to Nordoff Robbins, the BRIT Trust and the concept of the BRIT School. What a fantastic day it was, culminating in this brilliant performance by Pink Floyd. The money raised allowed the BRIT School to come into being and allowed Nordoff Robbins to significantly expand its service. Knebworth will go down in history as one of those great moments and the music industry should be very proud of what it achieved.”
Nick Mason also reminisces about the gig: “There is something special about Knebworth. We all still have fond memories of playing there in the 70’s, and this show was no different. As a North London boy this was almost a home game, but with the added delight of being the re-assembly of the band after a fairly mega tour that had lasted for well over a year. It was also an opportunity to get the wonderful Candy Dulfer to play – I had been a fan of hers for quite a while, and it was just a shame we didn’t have an opportunity to utilise her for more. We also had our dear friend Michael Kamen guesting. Michael had contributed so much to PF over the previous ten years, it’s great to have something of his playing on the recording.”
Pink Floyd – David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright – were joined on stage by members of their touring band including Guy Pratt, Jon Carin, Tim Renwick and Gary Wallis. Backing vocals came from Durga McBroom, Sam Brown and her mother Vicki, and (original The Great Gig In The Sky vocalist) Clare Torry. Pink Floyd also welcomed guest musicians including sax player Candy Dulfer and keyboard player and composer Michael Kamen. David Gilmour and Andy Jackson have remixed the audio from this iconic concert featuring all seven tracks performed on the day, and the album features new artwork shot by Floyd collaborator Aubrey ‘Po’ Powell of Hipgnosis and designed by Peter Curzon of Storm Studios. The concert, previously unreleased until it appeared on 2019’s Later Years box set, is now available as CD or double Vinyl set for the first time as a stand-alone album.
FORMAT LISTS
LP
Disc 1 Side A
1 Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts 1-5
2 The Great Gig In The Sky
Disc 1 Side B
1 Wish You Were Here
2 Sorrow
Disc 2 Side C
1 Money
Disc 2 Side D
1 Comfortably Numb
2 Run Like Hell
CD
1 Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts 1-5
2 The Great Gig In The Sky
3 Wish You Were Here
4 Sorrow
5 Money
6 Comfortably Numb
7 Run Like Hell
New Streaming Music Channels From Bob Marley, LL COOL J, and more Launch on SiriusXM
SiriusXM announced today a new selection of artist branded channels with Bob Marley and LL COOL J available as streaming channels on the SiriusXM app. Each major artist is supplementing their existing SiriusXM channel with new channels that will further explore that artist’s genre and will dive deeper into different themes that are important to the artists and their fans.
The new artist branded channels launching today are part of a 26-channel addition to the SiriusXM streaming lineup. These new channels will reflect sounds devoted to the 90s and 2000s–a listener-favorite music period, with lifestyle themes, moods, and celebratory, good vibes including Lithium Stripped, Classic Chill, Queens of Pop, 90s R&B Jams, Boy Bands and more. The introduction of these new music channels enhances SiriusXM’s already powerful music and entertainment streaming offering that includes an array of music channels, podcasts and video, giving subscribers more choice than ever before as part of their streaming subscription.
Streaming access to SiriusXM is included with most subscriptions. Subscribers can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM app, and with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant or however they stream at home. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.
Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio was one of the latest year-round artist-focused channels to launch on SiriusXM, showcasing the music of Bob Marley and family along with a wide range of new and classic reggae music. The new streaming channels came about due to the popularity of Tuff Gong Radio’s weekly show, Soca Afrobeats Mix, which debuted last December. The two new streaming channels will be spotlighting the best in Soca and Afrobeats music.
LL COOL J previously launched LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio in March 2018, featuring a wide range of classic Hip Hop content, music, interviews and in-depth retrospectives. LL now dives deeper into the Rock The Bells world with three new streaming music channels that explore: B-Sides, exclusive mixes, and clean versions of classic Hip Hop songs. The channel logos for LL COOL J’s new SiriusXM streaming channels were created by the acclaimed and influential American contemporary street artist, Shepard Fairey, famous for creating the iconic Barack Obama “Hope” poster during the 2008 presidential campaign. Shepard Fairey had previously created the logo for LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio.
At the top of the year, SiriusXM launched artist-branded music streaming channels with Armin van Buuren and Steve Aoki, and earlier this month, renowned guitarist Tom Morello launched three new streaming channels, a weekly show, and weekly podcast (more info HERE).
To find a full list and tune in to all new streaming music channels visit: www.siriusxm.com/streaming-channels.
New artist branded streaming music channels:
Bob Marley’s Tuff Beats: The fusion of jazz with the traditional drum beats and melodies of West Africa initially pioneered by Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti has been reimagined by a new generation. The result is a rising tide of hits that has brought African pop stars to the airwaves and dancefloors of America and Europe. Tuff Beats has the latest and greatest in Afrobeats from its origins with Fela straight through to the contemporary hits of Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage and more.
Bob Marley’s Tuff Soca: The soul of Calypso, Chutney, Reggae, Zouk, Latin, Cadence and traditional West African rhythms all come together in the music of Soca. Originally birthed in Trinidad and Tobago, the high-energy music that started in the 70’s with Lord Shorty has spread throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Tune in to Tuff Soca for the genre’s beloved classics plus the latest and greatest from Nailah Blackman, Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, and more.
LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells – Clean Versions: Hear clean, profanity-free versions of your favorite classic Hip Hop songs that the whole family can enjoy.
LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells – Mixdown: Nonstop exclusive mixes from some of Hip Hop’s best DJ’s including: DJ Premier, DJ Z-Trip, Kid Capri, Magic Mike, Da Beatminerz, Cut Chemist, DJ Maseo (De La Soul) and many more.
LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells – B-Sides: For hardcore heads only. Dig in the crates and rediscover hidden Hip Hop gems from mainstream and underground artists.
Additional new streaming music channels include:
- Lithium Stripped: Acoustic version of 90s alt rock. Hear stripped down performances from legends like Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell, Gavin Rossdale and more.
- Classic Chill: First generation of Chill music from the 90s and 2000s. Listeners will hear Thievery Corp, Air, Moby, Zero 7 and more.
- Queens of Pop: Female power singers from the 90s and 2000s. Listeners will hear music from Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston and more.
- 90s R&B Jams: Whether you want to get the party “Jumpin’ Jumpin” or wondering if it’s the “End Of The Road”, 90s R&B Jams has it. All the hottest R&B upbeat and slow jams from the 90’s. Listeners will hear music from Usher, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, TLC and more.
- Boy Bands: Music from the boy bands of the 90s and 2000s. Listeners will hear music from *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, One Direction, Boyz II Men, Jonas Brothers and more.
- Coffee House Classics: 90s & Early 2000s Acoustic Music. Listeners will hear music from Tracy Chapman, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and more
- Mardi Gras Radio: The soundtrack to any Mardi Gras celebration with nonstop New Orleans music.
- Spectrum of Hip Hop: The roots of Hip-Hop through today, spanning decades of music revolution from pioneers like Run-D.M.C., Tupac and Beastie Boys to today’s hitmakers like Drake, J. Cole, Cardi B and many more.
- Viva 90s/2Ks Hits: An era when Latin pop exploded to the center of the world stage. Hear the hits of the 90’s and 2000s from internationally renowned superstars. Music full of energetic beats infused with the soul and sounds of the Caribbean and Latin America that captivated audiences world-wide.
Elton John – “Scarecrow” and Five Additional Rarities and B-sides Released Digitally for the First Time in Celebration of Elton’s 74th Birthday
Elton John today announces that “Scarecrow,” the song that began his legendary songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin in 1967, and five other deep cuts from Elton: Jewel Box have been made available worldwide on streaming and digital formats for the first time. The release, and with it the unification of the complete Jewel Box on digital formats, is timed to celebrate Elton’s 74th birthday (March 25th, 1947).
Elton and Bernie Taupin first met in 1967 after answering an advert placed in the NME that summer searching for new songwriting talent. Despite the lyrics being written before the 17-year-old Bernie and 20-year-old Reg Dwight had even met, “Scarecrow” marks the first time Elton put his music to Bernie’s lyrics and set the pair on the road to becoming one of the greatest and most enduring songwriting duos and friendships of all time. “Scarecrow” will always hold a special place amongst one of pop and rock’s greatest songbooks, and today’s digital release will provide fans new and old with a tantalizing insight into the rich treasure trove of 24-carat classics the twosome would create over the coming decades. It would later be referenced in Bernie’s lyrics to “Curtains” from the seminal 1975 classic album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – “I used to know this old scarecrow, He was my song, My joy, and sorrow.” And in 2018, when Taupin sold his lyric manuscripts, “Scarecrow” would be one of the only original sheets he didn’t take to auction, its place in rock history and the duo’s story deeming it too important.
Elton says, “‘ Scarecrow’ will always have a very special place in my heart, and I know that Bernie feels the same way too. It’s the song that started it all. This last year in lockdown has given us all time to look back and reflect – finding this song again when I put together the Jewel Box and thinking of everything that has happened in our careers and friendships that has sprouted from this one point is just remarkable. Jewel Box contains the embryos of something special, and Scarecrow goes right to the heart of that, naive compositions of a time and place that went on to become something very special indeed. What a wild ride it’s been so far, and how lucky we are to have found each other.”
Originally released on November 13th via UMe, to a hail of critical and commercial acclaim, Elton: Jewel Box is an unrivaled collection containing 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019 on 8CD, 4LP, 3LP, 2LP, digital download, and streaming formats. With the release of the last 6 tracks from the boxset “Scarecrow,” “Holiday Inn,” “Keep It A Mystery,” “Smokestack Children,” “Two Of A Kind,” and “Conquer The Sun,” Elton: Jewel Box is now available in its entirety for the first time ever on digital formats.
Elton: Jewel Box is yet another marker in an incredible few years for the world’s favorite singer-songwriter. Since the release of the ultimate greatest hits album Diamonds in 2017, Elton has undertaken a breath-taking 4 years of activity that are unmatched in their ambition, reach, and impact across generations of music fans. Elton announced his record-breaking Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018 with a typically forward-looking virtual reality spectacular. Encompassing 5 continents and over 300 dates, this 4-year-long tour started in September 2018 and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. August 2018 saw Elton named the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history. In 2019, the Farewell Tour was named Billboard’s Top Rock Tour and Pollstar’s Major Tour Of The Year. 2019 also saw the release of Elton’s critically acclaimed global bestselling autobiography, Me. The paperback version of the release topped the Sunday Times Bestsellers list in 2020. The 2019 epic fantasy musical motion picture of Elton’s life, Rocketman, has been a commercial and critical hit, taking over $200m at the box office. It has won an Oscar, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and a Critics’ Choice Award and garnered BAFTA nominations. Its soundtrack was also nominated for a GRAMMY Award. 2019 also saw Elton awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV/AIDS, and he was also honored with both a Royal Mail stamp collection and Royal Mint coin collection. Diamonds, the ultimate greatest hits package of Elton and Bernie, has spent a staggering 175 consecutive weeks in the UK album charts to date, including 78 weeks in the Top 20, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide in the process and recently reaching 700,000 sales in the UK alone. As a long-standing advocate for emerging talent, Elton continues to work with the British government, music industry, and artistic community to find positive solutions to the challenges facing young musicians needing to tour Europe. His Apple Music Rocket Hour show also provides a regular showcase for the next generation of emerging artists.
An unparalleled career that has forever changed the cultural landscape, Elton John’s collaborations with Bernie Taupin and others continue to shape the cultural landscape, break records, top charts and win new fans across the generations. We’ve had the book, the film, the farewell tour, the fashion collections, and the greatest hits. And now, with the completed version of Elton: Jewel Box available on digital formats, fans finally have the treasure trove of previously unheard and unreleased tracks they have been waiting for from the world’s favorite singer-songwriter.
Madlib and KAYTRANADA Take Lexus IS Wax Edition for the Ultimate Spin
he Lexus IS Wax Edition hits all the right notes. The custom concept vehicle, a modified 2021 Lexus IS sports sedan, has a fully functional turntable built into the dashboard capable of playing vinyl records while the car is in motion without missing a beat – even on a bumpy road. To celebrate this innovation, Lexus and Pitchfork brought together legendary DJ and producer MC Madlib and chart-topping artist and producer KAYTRANADA for the first time to create a brand-new double-single on vinyl and debut it in the Lexus IS Wax Edition, giving a whole new meaning to “taking it for a spin.”
This impressive fusion of music and cars was captured in a two-episode documentary series, “Driven by Sound,” created in partnership with Pitchfork. Episode One offers a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of Madlib and KAYTRANADA. Episode Two documents the creation of the in-dash turntable and reveals the Lexus IS Wax Edition. It features music from the highly anticipated release of the artists’ joint double-single. Vinyl Me, Please (VMP), a monthly record subscription club that curates and creates vinyl packages, will distribute the exclusive 7″ vinyl to select members as part of their subscription.
“When I make music, I usually do it in headphones, so I hear everything clear,” said Madlib. “And I take it to the car, test it out. Every time. That’s the big test. To have the turntable in a Lexus? That’s beyond.”
“When Lexus said they wanted to build this car, I didn’t think it was possible,” added KAYTRANADA. “It was amazing to see and hear vinyl playing while cruising in a car.”
With vinyl listening once again on the rise and the Lexus IS attracting drivers with a passion for authenticity and amazing experiences, creating an in-car turntable that works flawlessly with the vehicle in motion was a challenge worth pursuing. To bring the concept car to life, Lexus commissioned SCPS, a world-renowned creative technology and custom fabrication studio based in Los Angeles. For over a decade, SCPS has been behind the marketing innovations of consumer brands and Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
The record player, created with a 3D printer and modified with carbon fiber and machined aluminum, fits snuggly into the vehicle’s glovebox and is large enough to play a full-size 12-inch record. Once the needle hits the grooves, a rotating motor helps stabilize the turntable to avoid skipping while the vehicle is in motion. The enhanced suspension system of the Lexus IS and fine-tuned handling provide a smooth and stable ride, which are critical for the needle of a record player. The Lexus IS Wax Edition offers an ideal environment for appreciating the warmth and depth that vinyl records give to recorded music. The modified vehicle, designed to celebrate the launch of the 2021 Lexus IS sports sedan, will not be for sale but will be on display at future Lexus events.
“Like audiophiles who go ‘all in’ to create the purest listening experiences, we went ‘all in’ to design the new 2021 Lexus IS as the purest expression of a sports sedan,” said Vinay Shahani, vice president of Lexus marketing. “The Lexus IS Wax Edition exemplifies the ultimate union of our respective passions, bringing together vinyl and cars in a fresh new way.”
Featuring the Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System, the new 2021 Lexus IS boasts one of the best sound-listening spaces for music lovers. Its 17 speakers and new amplifier offer 1,800 watts of power for a 7.1 surround sound listening experience.
Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” And Gilligan’s Island Have A Connection
San Francisco-based Little Roger and the Goosebumps formed in the 1970s, and with a few stops and starts, they’re still going.
The band is best known for its single “Gilligan’s Island (Stairway)”, a song combining the lyrics to the theme song of the television show Gilligan’s Island with the music of “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. The band released it as a single in May 1978 on their own Splash Records label, which led to Led Zeppelin’s management threatening a copyright infringement lawsuit against the label. Zep’s attorneys demanding that all copies be destroyed, and the band withdrew the song, seeing their legal resources as inadequate.
During a 2004 interview on National Public Radio, Robert Plant referred to the tune as his favorite cover of “Stairway to Heaven.”
Sony Music Publishing Announces Landmark Acquisition Of Paul Simon’s Song Catalog
Sony Music Publishing announced it has acquired the song catalog of the incomparable Paul Simon, one of the greatest and most celebrated singer-songwriters of all time. The milestone deal includes Paul Simon’s classic songs spanning more than six decades, from his time as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, through his extraordinary career as a solo artist – among them, “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Homeward Bound,” “I Am A Rock,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Graceland,” and many others.
Paul Simon’s unique body of work joins a diverse collection of culture-defining catalogs represented by Sony Music Publishing, including The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Lieber & Stoller, Michael Jackson, Motown, Queen, Ashford & Simpson, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Paul Simon said, “I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades. I began my career at Columbia/Sony Records and it feels like a natural extension to be working with the Publishing side as well.”
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing said, “Paul Simon is a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime songwriter whose remarkable body of work has generated an enduring influence on our culture and consciousness. From Simon and Garfunkel standards like ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ to solo classics such as ‘Graceland,’ Paul Simon’s music resonates deeply as a cultural touchstone for people all over the world. To represent his indelible songs is an incredible honor for Sony Music Publishing, so with tremendous pride, I welcome Paul to our family!”
Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group said, “We are truly honored to now represent the music publishing catalogue of Paul Simon. To be entrusted with his songs and recorded music is a privilege of the highest artistic order for the Sony Music Group worldwide.”
Paul Simon launched his music career as a member of Simon & Garfunkel. Beginning in 1964, the duo released five studio albums and achieved enormous success, selling over 100 million records to date. Simon and Garfunkel’s iconic recordings captivated millions in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Paul Simon then embarked on an incredibly successful solo career, crafting innovative, genre-bending hits that received global acclaim and brought generations of music fans together. Paul’s pioneering influence as a solo artist remains a driving force behind many of today’s most popular songs. His recorded music catalog is signed to Sony Music Entertainment.
Over the course of his expansive career, Paul has received countless esteemed honors. He has won 16 Grammy awards, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also a member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of its Johnny Mercer Award. Additionally, Paul is a two-time inductee into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, a Kennedy Center honoree, and the first ever recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Paul is also recognized for his work as a philanthropist – he is co-founder of The Children’s Health Fund, which provides access to comprehensive healthcare for children and families in underserved areas across the US. Paul has currently been involved with several environmental non-profits, most notably EO Wilson’s Half Earth Foundation.
Garbage Announce Their Highly Anticipated Brand-New Album ‘No Gods No Masters’
Garbage have today announced their brand-new seventh studio album No Gods No Masters, set for release on 11 June Via Stunvolume/Infectious Music. The band have also shared the track The Men Who Rule the World and its accompanying video – the first new music to be released from the album. The video was made by Chilean film director, animator and painter Javi.MiAmor.
The Men Who Rule the World is an incendiary indictment and call to arms, a typically powerful sonic display that sets the tone for the band’s searing new record. A critique of the rise of capitalist short-sightedness, racism, sexism and misogyny across the world, the track is a forceful protest song and a clear statement of intent from a band who still believe in the power of dissent.
“This is our seventh record, the significant numerology of which affected the DNA of its content: the seven virtues, the seven sorrows, and the seven deadly sins,” says Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson of the band’s ferocious new album No Gods No Masters and its twists and turns from capitalism and lust to loss and grief. “It was our way of trying to make sense of how fucking nuts the world is and the astounding chaos we find ourselves in. It’s the record we felt that we had to make at this time.”
Produced by Garbage and long-time collaborator Billy Bush, the seeds for No Gods No Masters were planted in summer 2018 in the desert in Palm Springs. The quartet convened at a home belonging to one of Steve Marker’s relatives and sketched out the skeleton of the album over two weeks, jamming, experimenting and feeling the songs out. They then took those demos and went their separate ways, before reconvening in Los Angeles to finish the record.
Garbage are releasing a deluxe CD/digital version of No Gods No Masters, which features covers of classic tracks, including David Bowie’s Starman and Because the Night, written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen. Garbage’s take on Because the Night also features US punk rock outfit Screaming Females.
The deluxe album includes rare Garbage tracks No Horses, On Fire, Time Will Destroy Everything, Girls Talk, The Chemicals and Destroying Angels, the latter three of which feature Brody Dalle, Brian Aubert and John Doe and Exene Cervenka respectively.
The album vinyl is neon green as standard with Garbage also releasing a limited white vinyl via their official artist store and HMV, as well as an exclusive limited pink vinyl as part of this year’s RSD Drops on 12 June. The band will be touring the UK with Blondie this November. Full dates are listed below.
No Gods No Masters tracklist:
The Men Who Rule the World
The Creeps
Uncomfortably Me
Wolves
Waiting for God
Godhead
Anonymous XXX
A Woman Destroyed
Flipping the Bird
No Gods No Masters
This City Will Kill You
No Gods No Masters deluxe edition tracklist:
The Men Who Rule the World
The Creeps
Uncomfortably Me
Wolves
Waiting for God
Godhead
Anonymous XXX
A Woman Destroyed
Flipping the Bird
No Gods No Masters
This City Will Kill You
No Horses
Starman
Girls Talk feat. Brody Dalle
Because the Night feat. Screaming Females
On Fire
The Chemicals feat. Brian Aubert
Destroying Angels feat. John Doe & Exene Cervenka
Time Will Destroy Everything
UK tour dates with Blondie:
6th November – Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena
8th November – Birmingham – Utilita Arena
9th November – Manchester – AO Arena
11th November – Hull – Bonus Arena
12th November – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena
14th November – Brighton – Brighton Centre
16th November – Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena
18th November – London – The 02
20th November – Glasgow – SSE Hydro
21st November – Leeds – First Direct Arena