The newest music news for you: 2012-11-25

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Nicole Scherzinger reveals shower inspiration

Nicole Scherzinger's catchphrases often leap into her "fantastical mind" while she's in the shower.

The former Pussycat Doll has built a career as a TV talent show judge recently and often stuns viewers by coming up with her own words. She will blend things together to show her appreciation for contestants and has spoken about how she dreams up these new words.

"From my fantastical mind, of course. They come to me, usually when I'm in the shower, or when I'm at home, cleaning the house. Crazy thoughts will come into my head," she told Heat magazine. "Sometimes you just have to be in the moment."

Nicole has often called on her celebrity friends for support during her career and feels proud to be in touch with so many other talented people.

She counts singers Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson as friends although she won't be drawn on how many other famous faces she is in regular contact with.

"I can't tell you, it would be weird!" she laughed. "I've been in the business for a minute and I'm fortunate to have made some friends like Mary and Jennifer. I call them my mentors and my friends."

Not every part of her career journey has been easy for the 34-year-old star. She still finds it hard when people are rude about her, so avoids following the headlines.

"I try not to read anything that's written about me, because I am very sensitive," she said.

Susanna Hoffs 'From Me to You' preview

Susanna Hoffs follows up her brilliant album, Someday, with a new three-song digital EP highlighting some of her favorite sixties classics.

Hoffs said "It was a pure pleasure to record songs that I adore and have dreamed of singing for years. It's exciting to be able to share some of my more obscure favorites. I think of this EP as kind of like a mix-tape that I'd give to a friend, except I decided to actually record the songs myself."

Included on the album are her interpretations on the Jaynetts' Sally Go Round the Roses, the Beatles All I've Got to Do and the Zombies This Will Be Our Year.

Hoffs has a special affection got the music of the 60's with her Someday album built around the bright sounds of the decade. She also recorded the album Under the Covers, Volume 1 with Matthew Sweet which highlighted numerous hits from the 60's.

The timing of the release is also special for Hoffs. "For me, the end of the year is a time to reflect on all the things that I am grateful for. This year, I'm especially thankful for the opportunity to make music for the pure joy of it, and to be able to connect with all the people who have given me so much support over the years. For that, I am truly grateful."

Artist: Susanna Hoffs
Title: From Me to You
Release Date: December 4
Label: Baroque Folk
Format(s): DD

Flo Rida 'Let It Roll' video

Check out the eagerly anticipated official new video for "Let It Roll" by Flo Rida shot in his hometown.

Directed by Jessy Terrano (Sean Paul, 50 Cent, Akon), the accompanying clip to the track taken from his fourth studio album ' Wild Ones, was shot entirely on location in Miami.

Let the good times roll!

Ooberfuse mark International Day for the Abolition of Slavery with video

To mark the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December 2012 Ooberfuse are set to release a harrowing new music video of their heart-rending trip-hop lament Rescue inspired by UK human-trafficking survivor Sophie Hayes.

Through haunting melodies and disturbing visuals Rescue draws you into the world of someone trafficked unleashing the emotional turmoil induced by human slavery. Rescue can be heard and viewed here : http://youtu.be/0GeXjHA7eGM

Cherrie, front-woman of ooberfuse, whose disturbing visual portrayal of the emotional impact of human trafficking is the main feature of the video, says : 'when I was living in Manila a close friend of mine disappeared one day. It turned out that she had been kidnapped and trafficked to a remote part of Far East Asia to be forced into degrading domestic servitude which included sexual exploitation. It was the horror of human trafficking that inspired the song Rescue. During the video shoot I was recalling my close friend's terrifying ordeal when quite suddenly something broke inside me and I was overwhelmed by a tidal surge of emotion.'

Please check out www.ooberfuse.com for more information.

Tiesto and Laidback Luke ask their fans to help fight AIDS

World AIDS Day was December 1st and as part of the DANCE (RED), SAVE LIVES campaign that sees some of the world's biggest dance artists unite for the first time to fight AIDS, Tiesto and Laidback Luke are asking their fans to donate to help deliver an AIDS FREE GENERATION by 2015.

In six years (RED) has raised $200 million to fight AIDS with 100% of that money going to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the world's leading financier of programs to fight these three diseases.

Tiesto and Laidback Luke are asking their fans to donate on (RED)'s CrowdRise page and in addition to TiГ«sto's pledge to match the first $100,000 donations dollar for dollar both artists are offering their fans unique prizes in exchange for donations to the cause. These prizes range from personal thank yous, to merchandise, meet and greets and even the chance to get entered to win a flyaway for two to see TiГ«sto play at New Year's Eve in Atlantic City. To see a full list of the prizes on offer and to donate to (RED) go to www.crowdrise.com/DanceREDSaveLives

The DANCE (RED), SAVE LIVES campaign also consists of an album featuring an exclusive collaboration between TiГ«sto and Bono on U2's track, 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)'. In addition, on World AIDS Day, Tiesto, Laidback Luke, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Martin Solveig and many more artists are livestreaming their sets from Stereosonic Melbourne 2012 to help fight AIDS. The livestream is powered by YouTube and is available on December 1st and 2nd on (RED)'s YouTube page.

For more information go to: www.joinred.com/worldaidsday

Tulisa to play 'The Female Boss' on tonight's X factor

Tulisa will be performing a song from her much anticipated album 'The Female Boss' during tonight's X Factor results show.

The album, launching on Tuesday, has been blipped by pioneering mobile technology experts Blippar. Fans will be able to 'blipp' the cover using the free smartphone app to unleash exclusive hidden content enabling them to take virtual photos with Tulisa, watch an exclusive video of Tulisa talking about her songs, listen to exclusive track samples and watch her music videos.

Asher Monroe talks new music and Billboard cover

Emerging pop artist Asher Monroe recently sat down with The Insider for an exclusive 'Artist You Should Know' interview segment and acoustic performance of his hit single, "Here With You." In the interview clip, Asher discussed his career in the entertainment industry, his upcoming album, and his cover story on December's issue of Billboard.

Asher will also be unveiling a brand new video for "Why Worry" (a cover of Dire Straits' bittersweet 1985 ballad), with a premier on MTV Buzzworthy December 5th.

"I wanted to sing a classic ballad for my fans about long winter nights and spending the holidays with those we love," says Asher. Until then, fans can hold themselves over by revisiting the official video for "Here With You" (available now on iTunes).

Keep an eye out for much more to come from Asher, including his upcoming debut album, featuring songs produced by Ryan Tedder and collaborations with Sean Kingston and Chris Brown. Also stay tuned to Asher's Facebook and Twitter for a chance to win a copy of his Billboard cover issue through various contests during December.

For all of the latest news, visit Asher's official sitee at ashermonroe.com.

Jenny Johnson speaks out about Chris Brown twitter feud

This past Sunday, comedian Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) got involved in a (nasty) Twitter exchange with Chris Brown ' one that ultimately led him to delete his own Twitter account.

Now, days after the online incident, Jenny has found herself still to be a hot topic within the media and the target of many (misspelled) death threats. She's chosen to speak out and clear the air on GQ.com about the whole debacle, but wants everyone to know that she's not sorry.

Several excerpts from Jenny Johnson's personal response are below:

'I didn't want attention from all of this. If I wanted attention, I would have accepted all of the invitations to be on shows and to actually give exclusive interviews, but I declined all of them. I didn't think the thousands of (misspelled) death threats I got would have people thinking I saw myself as a victim, because I am NOT a victim ofanything, nor have I ever thought I was (excluding the time I paid to see The Village). I've had people assume I dislike Chris Brown because I'm taking up for Rihanna, I'm not. I'm on the side of good, of equality and respect for my fellow woman. I was raised to not respect a person who doesn't respect others. And one human being physically harming another human being is one of the most disrespectful acts there is. I have never been a victim of domestic abuse, nor was I raised in a house where there was abuse. I do however, know people who have been victims of abuse by a so-called "loved one" and I've seen the long term damage it does.'

'I won't say I regret what I did, but I will say I have learned from it. I chose to turn a lazy Sunday watching football with my husband into a total shitstorm. I never thought I'd see the chicks on The View attempt tobreak down our interaction on Twitter (if they only knew how little thought and effort go into anything I tweet, there is literally nothing to break down).'

'.My Twitter account is meant to be funny. While there are truths behind a lot of the things I write, in no way, shape or form are they meant to be seen as anything other than the words of a comedy writer, in 140 characters or less. I started it on Sunday and it was certainly not my finest hour, but here we are.'

Elijah Woods in Flying Lotus' 'Tiny Tortures' video

In this hauntingly beautiful music video for Flying Lotus' track "Tiny Tortures," Pulse Films' director David Lewandowski takes us on a twisted journey into the mind of a recent amputee played by Elijah Wood, whose possessions slowly self-assemble to build him a new arm.

Elijah Wood (The Hobbit) convalesces in bed with a bandaged stump in place of his right arm. Maybe it's magic, or meds, but his room slowly comes alive to create a bionic replacement and transport him into a fractal fantasy where his limb fully regenerates. It's all a dream, maybe the result of watching Akira too often - but he wakes up to a change in his condition that proves something happened in his altered state.

"The impetus for this idea was from a director called Jaume Collet-Sera," said Lewandowski. "He was slated to direct a live action version of Akira. I really liked the idea of someone doing all this telekinetic, hallucinatory, visual stuff on a big budget level. And then the project got cancelled. The thought of seeing that all photo-realistic really excited me, and then the project went away so I said I just have to do that kind of animation. So I wrote an idea from that despair of really wanting to see really interconnected, mechanical, psychic floating objects."

Ne-Yo releases 'Forever Now' video

Following the huge success of 'Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)' Ne-Yo is back with his second single 'Forever Now' from his fifth studio album R.E.D.

R.E.D. is Ne-Yo's first album for Motown and the first single 'Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself) saw Ne-Yo bag not only his fourth solo UK #1 but also Motown's first #1 single in 20 years. R.E.D.'s title is an acronym for Realizing Every Dream.

The title, said NE-YO, 'came from me stepping outside myself, looking at my life as it is today and realizing that every dream I've had from the day I decided I wanted to do music, every dream that I've had from then til now, I'm definitely on the way to realizing it.' In January 2012, NE-YO was also named Senior Vice President of A&R for the legendary label.

Other highlights from R.E.D. include 'Unconditional' and 'Jealous' (both produced by Phat Boize), 'Don't Make Em Like You' feat. Wiz Khalifa and 'She Is', a ballad with 'a country feel but is still in my world too. The good Lord willing, Tim McGraw will get on the radio with a remix and we'll perform it at the Country music awards one day. Another dream. Another goal.'

R.E.D TRACKLISTING

Standard
1.Cracks In Mr. Perfect
2.Lazy Love
3.Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
4.Miss Right
5.Jealous
6.Don't Make Em Like You feat. Wiz Khalifa
7. Be The One
8.Stress Reliever
9.She Is feat. Tim Mcgraw
10.Carry On (Her Letter To Him)
11.Forever Now
12.Shut Me Down
13.Unconditional

Deluxe
1.Cracks In Mr. Perfect
2.Lazy Love
3.Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
4.Miss Right
5.Jealous
6.Don't Make Em Like You feat. Wiz Khalifa
7. Be The One
8.Stress Reliever
9.She Is feat. Tim Mcgraw
10.Carry On (Her Letter To Him)
11.Forever Now
12.Shut Me Down
13.Unconditional
14. Should Be You feat. Fabolous & Diddy
15. My Other Gun
16. Alone With You (Maddie's Song)
17. Let's Go feat. Calvin Harris

In addition to his successful careers as a recording artist, songwriter, music executive, philanthropist, and actor, Ne-Yo is in partnership with worldwide spirits and wine giant Pernod Ricard to develop Malibu Red, their popular coconut-flavored rum infused with silver tequila.

Ne-Yo also heads the Compound Foundation, a 501 c-3 non-profit organization which is committed to increasing awareness about the status of children in the child welfare system, and supporting and partnering with residential care facilities and independent group homes through programs aimed at teaching entrepreneurship and life skills that will empower them to become productive, successful, independent adults.

Johnny Depp joins Alice Cooper on stage in LA

Alice Cooper continued his US tour 'Raise The Dead' last night with a gig at the Orpheum Theatre in LA .

He was joined by sometime guest star Johnny Depp who helped the band rip through covers of The Doors' Break On Through (To The Other Side), The Beatles' Revolution, Jimi Hendrix's Foxy Lady and The Who's My Generation - all in tribute to Alice's old drinking buddies in the notorious Hollywood Vampires.

Plus they took on Cooper classics I'm Eighteen, Under My Wheels, Poison and Schools Out....

Set List of songs that Johnny performed on:

Break on Through (To The Other Side)
Revolution
Foxy Lady
My Generation
Poison
Under My Wheels
I'm 18
Schools Out

Villagers to be live streamed live tonight

Villagers' headlining performance at this weekend's Other Voices will be streamed live via www.guardian.co.uk/music this Sunday 2nd December at 7pm.

Other Voices takes place annually in St James' church in the village of Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland. For the past 10 years, the concerts, featuring the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, The National, Spiritualized, the Wainwrights and the late Amy Winehouse, have been played before a live audience of just 85 people. This year's event is hosted by Irish actor Aidan Gillen.

Villager's new album, {Awayland}, is the follow up to the Mercury-nominated and Ivor Novello Award winning debut, Becoming a Jackal and will be released on January 14th.

The second single from {Awayland}, Nothing Arrived, was revealed last week and will also be released on 14th January. The accompanying video directed by Alden Volney can be viewed below.

Villagers have recently completed a UK and European tour as special guests to Grizzly Bear, as well as a handful of headline dates in London and in Ireland. Villagers will be headlining a full UK tour next February/March, and have just added a second Dublin show due to high demand.

Dates with ticket links are as follows:

• Friday 8th February SHEFFIELD Leadmill
• Saturday 9th February NEWCASTLE Warehouse
• Sunday 10th February GLASGOW Stereo
• Tuesday 12th February LEEDS Wardrobe
• Wednesday 13th February MANCHESTER Gorilla
• Thursday 14th February BIRMINGHAM HMV Library
• Saturday 16th February BRISTOL Trinity
• Sunday 17th February BRIGHTON Old Market
• Monday 18th February PORTSMOUTH Wedgewood Rooms
• Wednesday 20th February LONDON Village Underground
• Thursday 14th March GALWAY, IRE Seapoint
• Friday 15th March LIMERICK, IRE Dolans
• Saturday 16th March BELFAST, NI Empire Music Hall
• Mon 18th March KILLARNEY, IRE Inec Acoustic Club
• Tues 19th March CORK, IRE The Savoy
• Thursday 21st March DUBLIN, IRE Olympia Theatre
• Friday 22nd March DUBLIN, IRE Olympia Theatre

Friday, November 30, 2012

Squeeze Bournemouth 02 Academy

Squeeze

Bournemouth 02 Academy

When bands like Squeeze go on tour, who are they playing to? The hard-core fan base that wish to hear B-sides from less successful singles? Or the casual fans who wish to have a sing-a-along on a Friday night to their classics? It is a difficult thing for established bands, or those revisiting former glories. Mostly, the former glories are what fill the venues, so it is brave that tonight Squeeze start with a new song.

But having said that, the band's efforts as a post-reunion act are impeccable as you try to decipher if the song they are playing is new or an album track half remembered. And their album tracks were of such a high calibre as their fame-making singles. This is a testament to Difford-Tilbrook’s song writing abilities and the band’s finesse on stage. But is this what Friday’s audience wanted?

It seems most of the crowd are not too impressed. Standing in the middle of the floor you’d hear snippets of conversation and gossip, begging the question: why listen to the new songs when all you want to hear is Cool for Cats? The fate of post-reunion bands might just be this type of inattention as friends take turns to buy rounds in-between the hits of their prime, both band and fan. The proof came when one bloke stops nattering to sing drunkenly Labelled With Love, before going back to his conversation about the Premier League.

Squeeze seem to take it in good stride, “This is a new one that we’re really proud of” says Glenn Tilbrook before launching into a nostalgic ditty about watching Starsky and Hutch instead of studying school books. A rose tinted piece of pop which could stand with their earlier efforts, except here people only want to sing Up The Junction.

The band also seem to be aware of this as they, in rapid succession, give the fans what they want, launching into Some Fantastic Place, Hourglass, Is That Love?, Pulling Mussels, Up The Junction and Tempted without pausing for breath. They end the night with an encore of Cool for Cats and an extended sing-a-long of Goodbye Girl. For many of those that have battled flooded roads and disrupted trains to get here tonight, it just about makes up for the hassle. But you wonder if anyone will remember any of those new songs the band are so proud of.

Monks of Mellonwah Neurogenesis

Monks of Mellonwah

Neurogenesis

The Monks are described as an “Alternative Rock” band – possibly by their own admission – but the ‘Neurogenesis ‘ EP seems to be a massive step towards the commerciality of the Pop Rock genre. The four-piece band from the beautiful Australian city of Sydney are clearly determined to shift from out of the indie music shadow and earn some serious dollars by producing tunes that everybody can handle. To hell with exclusivity!

Those of you who are particularly fond of, say, the Chilli Peppers when they are not demanding that you ‘Give It Away’ or scream-enading ‘Dani California’, will undoubtedly draw comparisons to some of their more relaxed and metaphorical songs. Each track is very evocative and tuneful containing powerful guitar riffs, yet, the entire assemblage of instrumental influences doesn’t overawe the listener. The creation of this album shows that basic is best, stripping down the elements to provide simplicity and comfortable entertainment.

Word is out on the Monks – apparently, they are very close to making it huge as a household name worldwide…well, at least the hope is. I can’t say that ‘Neurogenesis’ is something that can be considered as inexorably innovative, but you can imagine a few of the tracks scoring a TV advert for a sexy product or two very soon. Let’s face it – that’s how every band is hitting the high time these days, isn’t it?

Bad for Lazarus Rich Fownes Interview

Bad for Lazarus

Rich Fownes Interview

Brighton based psychedelic rockers Bad for Lazarus have been whipping audiences into a frenzy in the last few years with their energetic live shows.

Ahead of their long awaited debut album they released the stand alone single ‘My Muddle’, the video of which was the second most popular on NME. I chatted to Rich Fownes to find out what the reactions been like to the new tracks and the state of rock music.

You set up your own label to release your music, why do that rather than approach an already established label?
For every clichй reason you hear about day after day. We'll always be open to offers, but it's a wasteland out there and I don't expect any favours or easy rides. No established label would have much of a reason to gamble on us, why pick us over One Direction...if I had money to invest I'd know who the safer bet is. We don't want to curb our ideas to try to appeal to the last, panic-stricken dinosaurs remaining.

As a band you have had a few incarnations, was it every frustrating and how did you keep the motivation going?
Not frustrating at all, we got better every time. So there were always a few excited faces when we took it to the next level.

How’s the tour been going? What’s the reaction been to the new tracks?
Amazing so far! (I have to say that though, right?) ..but genuinely amazing. The main difference I've felt on this tour is our singing has started getting really tidy. It's nice when that kind of thing starts feeling effortless, when you start you never know if you're gonna get there. Right now we're feeling the karmic payoff for all our public onstage no-no's.

How many takes did you have before you got the full my muddle video?
Six takes, although I think we used the fifth. But about a week of walking through Brighton and scouting areas to get the timings just right.

Craig Charles is a big fan, would you consider going on the new series of Red Dwarf, you could be rock aliens or something?
YES! I can't believe I hadn't even thought of that blag. If I could shoehorn my way into some gross latex outfit it would be a dream come true. I would like to be on Red Dwarf too. Zing.

How can an audience member expect to feel after watching one of your shows?
Ten English pounds lighter once they've visited our merchandise stall and seen some of our wonderful winter deals. We like to press the flesh after gigs and you can usually find us sweating it out behind the merch, so come and say hi, we'll give you a really sweaty hug.

Is the ‘My Muddle’ single a fairly accurate representation of the album to come?
Yes and no. As we got better at writing we got better and instrumentation, so every song has a pretty unique flavour. Having said that the hallmarks are pretty consistent. Our vocal harmonies, phrasings and rhythms are what tie together the tangents, so if you think of ‘My Muddle’ as the bouncy keyboardy one, we have a rocky fairground one. A barbershop doom one. A glam twangy one. A country shuffle one. A distorted hip-hop one. A Four Tops screaming into a dustbin one. And some other ones.

When is the album out and which is your favourite track to play live?
Album should be March! Tough question. Probably 'All The Single Ladies' by Wing. Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to sneak it into a set as of yet. I'm looking for the right safe party to give it a go.

How do you feel about the state of rock music at the moment? It all seems to be pop with a hint of whatever ‘scene’ is popular at that time.
Yeah I guess that's pretty spot on, but isn't that a great thing FINALLY!? I had a lot more apathy for the underground scenes a few years ago when it was all clangy noise.
Interesting as it was, it was more academic. In the last couple of years everyone seems to have fine-tuned their hooks and space in the writing, and for me it’s a bazillion times more satisfying. I think pop in its best and simplest terms means not overcomplicating stuff for the sake of being a smart-ass.

Potential Badboy Talks about 'Big Man Tings' (feat Junior Dangerous)

Potential Badboy

Talks about 'Big Man Tings' (feat Junior Dangerous)

Potential Badboy is one of the ‘unsung heroes’ of drum and bass. Having been on the scene since the early nineties his eclectic production is influenced by street poetry and TV adverts and his discography includes remixes for Shaggy, Mary J Blige and Nelly. But it is the jungle scene that he calls his home and he’s got a new EP out featuring Junior Dangerous. He caught up with Music News to chew the fat.

Music News: You've said before that your best tunes are made in a day. Is this true of new EP 'Big Man Tings'?

PBB: Not quite. Because this was a project and I had a new set of sounds to work with it was created on a vibes tip and I wanted to get the sound right so there wasn't a rush.

Music News: You had a break from DJing (after famously saying there were too many DJs out there) but now you're back at Fabric. What brought about the return to the decks?

PBB: I'm always happy to do Fabric but the break from DJing nationally and internationally is due to my focus on productions as ultimately I am a producer. Although I will be returning to the decks soon, when my album almost complete.

Music News: And on that note, what killer tunes are in your set at the moment?

PBB: The vibes on the dance floor guide my sets and which tunes to play although they can range ie. Liondub, Dub Phiziks, Die & Break, Hazard and Lynx.

Music News: With over 20 years in the business, you've watched the scene change a fair bit over the years. Has there been a stand out gig or release for you?

PBB: Best gigs: Russia and LA. Stand out releases came from the 'Ibiza' and 'E' labels and also 'You're Mine' and 'Girls' on Ganja.

Music News: What are you working on as a producer right now?

PBB: Working on more projects with Dangerous and Yush, collaborating with Liondub, projects with Shy FX and a couple of up and coming artists.

Find out more at http://www.realplayaz.co.uk/potential-badboy/

Coldplay album 'definitely coming'

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin confirms that the band isn't retiring.

The British rockers played a concert in Brisbane on last after which frontman Chris Martin suggested the band has grown tired of touring.

"This is the last big show for three years or so,' he told reporters after the show, while adding, "I don't want to stop.'

Chris didn't mean that Coldplay would stop producing music.

In fact, the band already has a release date for their new album set.

'It happens to us every album. I say on stage, 'I'll see you in a bit', then we always bring out another album and look silly because everyone's like, 'I thought you retired?' ' Chris told British newspaper The Sun.

'The album is definitely coming, unless the rest of the band decide to pursue their modelling careers of course ' goodness knows mine is over.'

Coldplay has been on tour since October 2011 promoting their latest record, Mylo Xyloto.

The industrious group has released five studio albums since 2000.

Bieber 'ditches family meal for Selena'

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez skipped a family meal to go on a romantic date.

The couple have been experiencing difficulties recently, following claims Justin was flirting with models at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. It was reported the pair split but they have since been spotted together and after Selena was seen backstage at the 18-year-old singer's Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, it's thought things are firmly back on.

After the performance Justin's family had arranged a get together, with the New York Post claiming his grandparents, sister and 30 friends all attended.

The young star and his girlfriend decided to take a trip to arcade Dave & Busters in Times Square.

They 'played a bunch of games', the publication claims, among them car racing and a shooting one. There is also a rollercoaster at the establishment which the two love birds were only too happy to test out.

'Sources tell us the couple later took off for the Trump SoHo Hotel, where both were said to be staying,' the site reports.

It was the second night in a row that the on/off couple had spent time together. On Tuesday, they were spotted enjoying a meal at the Marble Lane restaurant where they surprised onlookers by how in love they seemed.

Justin recently gushed about Selena during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which took place before they began experiencing difficulties.

'I am all about genuine people, and I feel like she's just one of the most genuine people,' he said. 'She just has a good heart. And I can talk to her about anything.'

Nicki Minaj wants fans to fight back

Nicki Minaj wants to teach her fans to 'stick up for themselves'.

The eccentric singer is known for her honest nature and has been involved in high-profile celebrity spats with the likes of Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler and pop diva Mariah Carey.

The 29-year-old rapper insists she only acts in self-defence and wants to maintain a good example for impressionable fans.

'It gets a lot of attention when I fight back. But that's the key; fight back! Someone started the fight with me, and that's what always happens,' she defended herself to Australian radio show hosts Kyle and Jackie O.

'But I want my fans and the people who look up to me to stand up for themselves.'

The Super Bass singer is currently a judge on American Idol, but unfortunately clashed with her co-star Mariah.

Nicki admits she grew up listening to the icon's music and finds it hurtful when she falls out with people she admires.

'I've gotten so much from people who don't know me from a can of paint - people in the industry, who have such a problem with me. I don't know why they always have to mention me and say something ridiculous and try to shoot me down. These are people who I've looked up to for so long, and I've honoured and respected them and I give them so much love,' she explained.

'I was really offended by the Mariah situation and that she didn't want me to be on the show. She didn't specify me, but she didn't want another woman on the show. And then when I got there, you could feel it in the air. I was like, 'Oh my god! What's going on!' Even when they do things, I still love them; I always go back to being a teenager and admire them. I never hate them.'

Earlier this week Nicki was involved in a bitter feud with former American Idol judge Steven.

The two stars used Twitter to voice their opinions, with Nicki accusing the 64-year-old of being racist.

Steven later apologised and assured his fans he was not racist.

Taylor Swift 'trying to make ex jealous'

Taylor Swift is allegedly using Harry Styles to win back her ex-boyfriend

The singer has recently been linked with the British boy band star after they were spotted hanging out together.

It had been reported that Taylor was even considering a move to the UK to be closer to her One Direction beau, which made headlines as she appeared to be moving on so soon after splitting with student Conor Kennedy.

Now it has been claimed the star has pre-calculated her relationship with Harry purposely to make her ex-boyfriend jealous, following their break-up in October.

"It wouldn't be surprising if this fling with Harry is all about Taylor trying to win Conor back," a source told British magazine Grazia. "She still seems really into him."

Taylor and Conor's relationship was well documented, with Taylor gushing about her romance with the 18-year-old son of Robert F Kennedy Jr. on numerous occasions. The 22-year-old American country star apparently still has feelings for Conor, with her alleged dalliance with Harry serving as nothing more than a ploy to make him jealous.

"Taylor is still hung up on Conor," a source continued. "She says they only broke up because of her work schedule and his commitments."

Dionne Warwick wants Oscar

Dionne Warwick would love to win an Oscar.

The 71-year-old star is one of the most successful singers in music history, with hits such as Walk On By and I Say a Little Prayer. She has won a series of Grammy awards for her music, but admits there are still other accolades she dreams of taking home. Dionne harbours a desire to be recognised for her acting talents on the big screen, television or theatre stage.

'Yes ' and I do say this sincerely ' there are three awards that I would at least like to have a chance at: the Oscar, the Emmy and the Tony,' she told British newspaper The Guardian when asked if there is anything else she wants to achieve. 'Although not necessarily in that order.'

Dionne's five Grammy awards are proudly displayed in her home. She is thrilled that the music industry has chosen to honour her achievements.

'They're on a shelf. But I don't call them awards, I call them rewards,' she explained. 'It's nice to be appreciated for the things that I've done.'

As well as being a critically-acclaimed singer, Dionne is also an expert in the kitchen.

She is looking forward to rustling up a series of festive dishes for Christmas next month, and will be entertaining a staggering 100 guests.

The star admits that preparing a feast for so many people can be 'quite' stressful.

'I certainly am [a good cook]! I do a Christmas dinner for 100 people every year,' she revealed. 'Oh, it's not only turkey. The tradition in our family is that every meat, every pastry, every bread and every vegetable that has been eaten during the course of the year in my home is what we eat for Christmas.

'It is quite [stressful]. But it gets done.'

Chris Brown discusses love 'hurdle'

Chris Brown says love is the 'biggest hurdle' in his life and something he is still trying to master.

The American singer has reunited with his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, having recently split from Karrueche Tran after admitting he still loves his former flame.

Chris and Rihanna initially split after he assaulted her and there has been a lot of interest in their relationship this year after they recorded songs together and seemingly spent a lot of time with each other.

In what is being called his first major interview for two years by XXL magazine, Chris spoke about his romantic status.

'One thing people often want me to talk about is my public love life,' he told the publication. 'When it comes to my love life, the perception seems as though I am a player. But that's not true... Love is something I am still learning. It's just an obstacle that I haven't yet mastered. I think that's my biggest hurdle in life.'

The star also discusses his use of social media websites, which made headlines this week after he entered into a war of words with a female comedian on Twitter and then deleted his account.

Chris claims he has been trying to use such sites in a different way recently as he knows he has been too quick to post things which could be deemed offensive in the past.

'I haven't been as mature and thought out in the past, so, me growing now, it's showing my progression,' he said in the interview, which was conducted before his Twitter spat.

'I used to use my Twitter account to vent, but now I mostly use it for marketing and promotions. Even if the media asks me something, if it's cool then it's, 'What's up?' But if it's anything that's too negative, I don't care to respond.

'In the beginning, I used to be hot. I'm normal. I'm human, so if anybody says something that's a lie, I'm numb to it. I've smartened up.'

He also refused to be drawn on his infamous fight with Drake this summer, said to be over Rihanna. The two came to blows in a nightclub but didn't face criminal charges and it's not something the 23-year-old thinks about now.

'A lot of people wanna know about the whole situation with me, Drake and Meek Mill,' he said. 'At the end of the day, I'm me, they're them. They rap, I sing. Totally different calibre. I rap, I play around on mixtapes. But our words don't collide as much as you'd think.'

Rihanna fuelled rumours she is dating Chris again this week by posting a photograph of her snuggling into his neck on Twitter.

Minogue, Ne-Yo to perform for Nobel Prize winners

Kylie Minogue and Ne-Yo will perform at a concert honouring the winner of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize next month.

The singers will take the stage at the 19th annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11 in Oslo, Norway.

Il Volo, Milow, Fanfare Ciocarlia and OqueStrada are also scheduled to perform, concert organisers announced today.

Founded by Alfred Nobel in 1901, the prestigious Nobel Prize is bestowed to individuals and organisations around the world for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.

The awards are administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden.

Laureates receive a medal, personal diploma and cash award.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union "for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe", the organisation said.

This year's concert, in honour of the EU, will be hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Gerard Butler.

Previous Nobel Peace Prize concert performers include: Jennifer Hudson, Seal and Karpe Diem.

Underwood to play Maria in Sound of Music

Carrie Underwood will star in a new television version of The Sound of Music.

The 29-year-old Grammy-winner has landed the role of Maria von Trapp in a forthcoming US broadcast based on the 1959 Broadway musical.

Julie Andrews most famously took on the role in an Oscar-winning movie adaptation released in 1965.

The television version will be a three-hour event.

It is scheduled for broadcast on NBC sometime during the holidays in 2013.

The network announced Carrie's casting on Friday.

'Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn't be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp,' Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said today. 'She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist,' he added.

The Sound of Music is based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, a memoir by the real-life Maria von Trapp. She was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers.

The tale was adapted for a 1956 German film which then inspired Broadway's The Sound of Music.

The 1959 stage production featured music and lyrics penned by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Their songs My Favorite Things, Climb Ev''ry Mountain, Do-Re-Mi and the title song The Sound of Music became enduring musical favourites after Julie Andrews was cast in the big screen adaptation.

Styles serious about Swift

Harry Styles is reportedly keen on getting into a substantial relationship with Taylor Swift.

It is rumoured that the One Direction singer and the country crooner have recently rekindled their romance.

One Direction is performing a huge concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday.

The most important women in the group members' life, mothers, sisters and girlfriends, will be attending the show.

Harry is said to have invited Taylor.

'It's such a momentous time for the boys and they want their girlfriends by their sides,' a source told British newspaper The Mirror.

'Seeing [bandmates] Zayn with Perrie and Louis with Eleanor made Harry realise there's a person he wants to be there with him, too. Taylor.'

Harry has spoken about how much he admires Taylor before.

He absolutely lit up when speaking about her in a recent Seventeen Magazine interview.

'Taylor honestly couldn't be a sweeter person,' he gushed.

'She's genuinely nice and extremely talented, and she deserves everything she has.'

The pair enjoyed a brief romance in April, but they split to pursue other affairs.

Harry dated model Emma Ostilly and Taylor had a summer romance with Conor Kennedy.

J. Cole feels 'no pressure'

J. Cole is confident that his sophomore album will inspire listeners.

The rapper is preparing to release Born Sinner in January.

J. Cole's creativity was unrestrained while composing tracks for this record.

The musician believes that a feeling of liberty is pervasive throughout his new works.

"I don't think it's gonna be hard to top my first album [2011's Cole World: The Sideline Story]. I don't think that's gonna be tough. I think I got that,' he told MTV News.

"Freedom, just [having] no pressure. As soon as my first album dropped, all of this weight was off me and everything was flowing out and that lasted a long time, months and months. So just the freedom of not having to please the label, the machine, that was very inspiring."

J. Cole's maturation as an artist is evident in his new songs.

"It definitely sounds like growth, [just] bigger and not in a corny way, not in a trying way," he explained.

"It's weird because I have these songs that are bigger and then I have these songs that are just as underground as some of my old stuff, it's like always playing these two worlds."