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Hollywood Reporter Lists 25 Best Music Schools: Juilliard, Berklee and University of Southern California Top List [INTERACTIVE MAP]
Parents and high school seniors across the nation typically take to U.S. News for their university rankings but The Hollywood Reporter has come up with a solid list of its own, ranking the Top 25 music schools in the world for aspiring performers. -
Fleetwood Mac Announces Seven-Date UK Tour for 2015; Still Deny Glastonbury Spot but Schedule Leaves It Open
We can safely report that Fleetwood Mac is still a band based on the tour of the UK that was announced on Monday. The tour won't kick off until May of 2015 but tickets will go on sale on November 14. The run will consist of seven dates across England, Scotland and Ireland. None of them seem to be a Glastonbury appearance however. -
The Rolling Stones Face Legal Battle with Insurance Underwriters over L'Wren Scott's Mental State and Policy Claims
The ugly business regarding the death of fashion designer L'Wren Scott has come back to the fore now that insurance underwriters are investigating whether The Rolling Stones can file a claim following her suicide in March. Scott was dating vocalist Mick Jagger, who along with the rest of the band opted to cancel the Stones' tour of Australia following the news. -
Black Tusk Bassist Jonathan Althon Passes Away from Injuries Sustained during Motorcycle Accident
More bad news in the world of metal as reports have come through from Loudwire that Black Tusk bassist Jonathan Athon passed away from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. He had been placed in a medically-induced coma but doctors indicated that he had suffered irreparable brain damage during the accident and he was removed from life support, per his wishes. He was 32 years old. -
One Direction Big Winner at MTV European Music Awards Otherwise Dominated by North American Acts
The MTV European Music Awards went down in Glasgow last night and, as usual, a majority of the prizes were given to acts that were not at all from Europe. Although it has to be said that the biggest winner of the night was one of the few from the hometown continent, as One Direction took home three trophies. The group won for Best Live Act, Best Fans and Best Pop Act. -
5 Songs Sympathetic with Germans Divided by the Berlin Wall: Pink Floyd, Steve Earle, David Crosby and More
If you've used Google today (or you're just on top of your historical dates), you know that November 9 marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Check out our list of huge concerts that were staged at the iconic structure and also consider these other five great tracks about walls. We're not talking about "99 Bottles of Beer on The Wall" here, we mean songs that approach walls in the same spirit as the German protestors who tore down the barrie holding them back from their neighbors. -
Huge Concerts at The Berlin Wall: David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters and More
It's bizarre to think that at some point not too long ago, the Berlin Wall still served as a brutal barrier between East and West Berlin. East Germans could be killed for trying to cross the barrier, forbidden from visiting (or fleeing) to the other side. As with nearly all major world events, musicians were among the most proactive activists in demonstrating against what the structure represented. Check out five huge shows that have occurred at the site both before and after its fall 25 years ago. -
'Death Metal Angola' Showing in Los Angeles and New York; Hit Documentary Qualifies for 2015 Academy Award Nominations
We were just talking about music from parts of the world the don't get enough attention, but we didn't have death metal from Angola in mind, admittedly. That is somewhat the subject of a hit documentary making the rounds, alluringly titled Death Metal Angola. -
Los Angeles DJ Vick One Calls Out Logic for "Overrated" 'Under Pressure'...But His Own Logic is Downright Offensive
We read a headline from HipHopDx reporting that a DJ had come straight with rapper Logic during his interview, telling the emcee that recent release Under Pressure was "overrated." We were intrigued, ourselves finding the record a little "whatever" (another quote used by the DJ in question, Vick One of Power 106 in Los Angeles). Then we heard the basis for Vick's thoughts and had to laugh. -
Seven Seas Music Makes Licensing True International Music Easy; Red Bull, Dodge and Hollywood Already Knocking
Seven Seas Music, a San Francisco-based company, was created to curate authentic "world music" from around the globe with the purpose of international customers licensing it for use in all sorts of commercial projects. If you find a song that hits the spot, the licensure can be granted within 48 hours. -
Taylor Swift and '1989': Can She Keep Top Two Sales Spots for Rest of 2014?
Taylor Swift is having her cake and eating it too. Her monster release 1989 set the standard for albums dropped during 2014, selling nearly 1.3 million copies during its first week. Now the folks over at Nielsen Soundscan are saying she'll win the Billboard 200 competition during the album's second week as well. And not just win it: She'll actually have the second highest sales week for any album during 2014. -
Facebook Banned "Like-Gates": Bands Are among Many Entities That Stand to Lose (but Can Still Grab New Fans)
Musicians and many an entity with social media presence may find its approach altered as part of Facebook's new regulations that were announced last week, according to Clickz.com: "Like-Gating," or luring users into "liking" your page by offering prizes or rewards, will no longer be allowed on the site. -
The xx Detail Recording Details for New Album in Newsletter; Including Stops in London, Iceland and Texas
The xx are among the last decade's most critically acclaimed performers and the group is getting ready to share its wares as part of a third studio album. No date or title was shared but the group gave a newsletter to fans (thank God...we're tired of the term "open letter") giving details on the new album and otherwise reassuring us that yes, it's coming. -
Ranking This Year's Surprise Albums: Beyoncé, U2, Azealia Banks, Skrillex and More
Maybe you heard: After more than two years and numerous label changes, Azealia Banks finally got around to dropping Broke With Expensive Taste, and she did it as a total surprise. It was (we think) the cap on 12 months of surprise album drops from huge performers. Check out six of the biggest surprises of the last year, ranked for both quality of product and innovation of release. -
Syleena Johnson Could USe a Live Band on Vocally Sound 'Chapter 6: Couples Therapy'
Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. -
One Direction Confirmed as First Official Act for 30th Anniversary Rendition of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Bob Geldof is out recruiting for a 30th anniversary version of the classic Band Aid charity track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and Music Times offered a "most likely" list earlier this week. Turns out our number one pick was exactly correct: One Direction was confirmed by The Sun today as the first act that's been officially tied down for the recording. -
Guvera Opens as First International Streaming Service in India; App Available for Nation's Booming Smartphone Market
Controversy over streaming and its payments to performers and songwriters can only continue but musicians have to take solace knowing that as more and more get access to services such as Spotify, their royalty payments can only go up (or they can see it as a sad sign that streaming isn't going anywhere). Either way, Australian service Guvera made its debut in India this week, opening the mobile streaming app to more than 1.25 billion people -
Aloe Blacc Demonstrates via Avicii's "Wake Me Up!" That Streaming Services Are Awful for Songwriters
There are plenty of reasons for us to argue in support of streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora as music fans not in a band. If not the high payouts, then at least you're getting better promotion and at least you're being paid a small amount, which is better than nothing. Then again, a performer like Aloe Blacc can quickly demonstrate that streaming leaves some music professionals in the cold. Namely, songwriters. -
Oral Arguments Heard on 'American Idol' Racism Lawsuit; 12 Contestants Allege Show Was a "Non-Competition"
The first stages of a trial against American Idol and its promoters kicked off October 6 as Judge Naomi Buchwald heard oral arguments alleging that the show partook in racial discrimination over the course of its existence. The suit is being brought by 12 former contestants, all black, who believe that they never actually had a shot in the "false" competition. -
NOFX's "Fat" Mike Peters Beats Down Stage Rusher at Sydney Concert; Pair Make Up Later on Twitter
NOFX is not one of the punk concerts where we normally fear for our safety but that doesn't mean you can shouldn't expect repercussions for your nonsense. This is what one fan in Sydney found out when he jumped on stage to hang out with his idol, frontman and guitarist "Fat" Mike Burkett. -
Elvis Presley's One Commercial and Five Other Performers Singing About Donuts: Parquet Courts, J Dilla and More
Music Times celebrates the only advertisement Elvis Presley ever recorded (for Southern Maid Donuts) but highlighting five other performers who have referenced the baked good in their track titles. -
'Call of Duty' Trailer Soundtracks: From Frank Sinatra to Eminem, AC/DC and More [WATCH]
The biggest franchise in video games at the moment released another explosive game onto the market this week. The only thing more explosive and out of control than Call of Duty series gameplay nowadays is Call of Duty commercials, which more and more feature big name musicians and celebrity guest stars. The last five titles have all packed an expensive soundtrack into its trailers. -
Robyn, Avicii, Max Martin and More Get Faces on Swedish Stamps for 2015
We're not quite sure what the regulations of stamp collecting is, whether you're supposed to focus on stamps from your homeland or what, but music fans who also enjoy harboring postage can take pleasure in knowing that a new set from Sweden highlights five of the nation's biggest names in music at the moment (via Pitchfork). -
SoundExchange Gives Record Payouts during Q3 of 2014; We're Not Out of The Woods Yet
SoundExchange, a digital performance rights organization responsible for disbursing royalties from the music you listen to every day, gave out a record amount of payments during the third quarter of 2014, which is either good news or news to be wary of, depending on how you look at the issue. -
Snoop Dogg, Skrillex, Wiz Khalifa and Chromeo Playing Sets at Winter X Games This January in Aspen
This who used to play Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 know that music has an important role to play in extreme sports. That attitude is in motion for next year's Winter X Games, where a slew of big name acts have been added as headlining performers for the event. Thus far Snoop Dogg, Skrillex, Wiz Khalifa and Chromeo have been added as musical guests for the event. -
AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Arrested in Alleged Attempt to Hire Hit Man in New Zealand; Will It Effect Potential Tour?
Australian rock music fans are reeling after the revelation that the drummer for one of the nation's biggest bands has been arrested on charges of trying to procure the services of a hit man in an attempt to murder two individuals in New Zealand. Phil Rudd, a longtime member of AC/DC, was bailed out on November 6. -
Nickelback Launching Huge 2015 Tour in Support of 'No Fixed Address'; The Pretty Reckless to Open
For reportedly being the most hated band on Earth, Nickelback sure seems to sell a lot of tickets. Hence the band's ability to launch huge tours such as the "No Fixed Address" run that was announced by the group on Wednesday. The group will be kicking off a 60-city cycle that will kick off in Allentown, PA next February. -
'South Park' Recap: Stan, Satan, Terrance and Phillip Get Wrapped Up in Addictive "Freemium" Gaming
Stan becomes that one guy you know who just can't stop playing the incredibly mundane game on his cell phone. Thankfully Satan is here to help. -
Taylor Swift Tops Digital Downloads Chart with 'Blank Space' while 'Style' Debuts at No. 8; Meghan Trainor Hangs On
Taylor Swift absolutely dominated the Billboard 200 this week and she managed to top the Digital Downloads chart as well, although it took far less effort. "Blank Space" became the third track from 1989 to earn the "most downloaded" title (along with "Shake It Off" and "Out Of The Woods"), as the song moved 155,000 downloads, and that's not counting the nearly 1.3 million people who got the track along with the album. -
Taylor Swift Sets Records with '1989,' while 'NOW 52,' Sam Hunt and Barry Manilow Struggle to Keep Up
Maybe you heard Taylor Swift put out a new album last week. Surprise: It went to no. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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