Once upon a time, a Brit-pop duo known as The Tings Tings were discovered by music producer Rick Rubin, which led to some appearances on MTV and ended with a hit song called “Shut Up and Let Me Go.” Apparently everyone lived happily ever after. The group, which just announced details of its sophomore LP, is nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy, and this weekend will be taking its irreverent antics to Saturday Night Live in an episode hosted by Sigourney Weaver.
Don’t recognize the band’s name? Check out a Dr. Suess-style rhyming primer on the Ting Tings — which was done by artist Peter Oumanski and narrated by MTV host Jim Cantiello — after the jump. We’ve also rounded up some of our favorite illustrated music videos to help you kill the remaining hours in your work day.
Now that we’ve revealed all 50 of our essential women-in-music album selections, we thought we’d do a brief recap of all of our picks, ranked in order of influence. Our list was diverse so it was a tough job, but we think we nailed it. We also picked five up-and-comers we think could wind up on a list like this ten years from now. Once you’ve finished reading our rankings, it’ll be time to tell us what you think. Did we get it right? Which albums did we leave off the list entirely? Who should’ve been ranked higher/lower? Let us know. Read More »
After the release of her eponymous debut album, New Zealand musician Phillipa Brown, known as Ladyhawke, enjoyed near-unanimous critical acclaim and the development of a steadily-growing international fan base. She’s co-headlining a tour with Semi Precious Weapons, Julian Perretta, and Frankmusick sponsored by gossip blogger Perez Hilton (which kicked off yesterday in Atlanta) and is currently working on the follow up to her debut. Her singles “Paris Is Burning” and “My Delirium” are slick throwbacks to the glory days of ’80s synth pop and have both been hits overseas.
After the jump, read our complete interview with Brown, where we chat about meeting Perez, Christina Aguilera’s rumored cover of one of her hits, and why she’s really grunge at heart. Read More »
Obnoxiously large hair, the white glove, in appropriate schoolgirl uniforms and getting creative with condoms. These are just a few of the memorable and cringe-worthy fashion choices made by musicians over the years. According to Spin.com, the seven rock acts who turned heads in ’08 opted for less sensational fashion duds that seem styled by their local vintage store. After the jump we ask: Does dressing to impress have anything to do with making good music?
Named after an ’80s fantasy flick starring Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer, New Zealand’s Ladyhawke is carrying the torch for the decade of her birth in a big way. The artist, known to her family as Pip Brown, released her self-titled debut album in the U.S. this week. A mix of retro-synth pop, dance-floor cool, and timeless tunes, the record has already charted everywhere from her native continent to her adopted home of England, where she is currently on her first headlining tour. While Brown is drawing comparisons to everyone from Pat Benatar to Peaches, she’s also drawing a host of celebrity fans, including Kylie Minogue and Courtney Love.
