Audio Up, Lava for Good Podcasts and Republic Records have partnered on a new music podcast called “Sonic Leap” that is described as “a sci-fi, synth-pop musical, with comedy twist” that involves Lava-Republic recording artists Hero the Band. The “almost true story” is slated for release in early 2021 through iHeart Media. The podcast follows
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“No Cover,” a new competitive series backed by production entity Hit Parader, is promising to deliver the “next great unsigned original artist.” To aid in the search, the televised show has recruited celebrity judges Alice Cooper, Bishop Briggs, Gavin Rossdale, Lzzy Hale and Tosin Abasi. Differentiating itself from shows like ABC’s “American Idol” and NBC’s
After some 35 years of collaborations with such artists as Cher, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Aerosmith, Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren will release her first album as an artist — or rather, “a DJ,” as Warren joked on Instagram. “Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1” is scheduled for release in 2021. “I am
Representation of ethnic minorities and women in the the U.K. music industry has significantly improved over the last two years, reveals a new workforce diversity survey commissioned by industry body U.K. Music. Representation of Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities among those aged 16-24 in the music industry stands at a record 30.6% — up
The initial performance lineup for November’s CMA Awards telecast includes Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth doing a live duet of her crossover hit “I Hope,” presumably for the first time in the same room, since Puth put together the pop radio remix that features his voice after the pandemic began. But “in the same room”
Kelly Curtis, who has managed Pearl Jam since its 1990 formation, has retired. Curtis, 64, stepped away from his role in August but did not make any official announcement at the time, Variety can reveal. Longtime Pearl Jam tour manager Mark “Smitty” Smith has assumed managerial duties for the Seattle-based 2017 Rock and Roll Hall
Bob Gibson, who co-founded Gibson & Stromberg, a pioneering firm in music publicity during a key golden age of rock in the late ’60s and early ’70s, died Oct. 23 in Los Angeles. He was 80. The company he formed with Gary Stromberg lasted from 1969 until 1975 and represented artists including the Rolling Stones,
The past few months has been such a dynamic time for this industry that it was a challenge to keep up with all the executive moves for women on this year’s report. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has accelerated change, disrupting business models and personal lives. Still, the women on Variety‘s Power of Women impact list
Downtown Music Holdings has announced a number of appointments and recent key hires. Tracy Maddux, who has served as CEO of CD Baby and AVL Digital, which Downtown acquired in March 2019, will transition to Chief Commercial Officer for Downtown. Amber Charania has joined the Legal and Business Affairs team as Legal Counsel, along with Dean Luck, Downtown’s new International
Sia first announced her plans for her directorial debut, “Music” at the 2015 Venice Film Festival. But the story germinated over fifteen years ago when she penned the short story, still the “Chandelier” singer tells Variety’s Executive Editor of Music Shirley Halperin that she never saw herself as a director. Speaking as part of Variety’s
Dua Lipa has announced a special online concert called “Studio 2054” that will be “a night of music, mayhem, performance, theater, dance and much more,” according to the announcement, “reality and fantasy exploding together to deliver a brand new multi-dimensional live experience.” The show will be streamed starting on Friday, Nov. 27, via LiveNow.com, and is
For Ethiopia Habtemariam, president of Motown and EVP of Capitol Music Group, being a woman and leader in the music industry means a more compassionate approach to all aspects of the business. In the world’s current climate — with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on and the fight for racial justice at an all-time high
Maren Morris, Bon Jovi, Snoop Dogg, are among the artists who will perform at a one-hour concert special called “Play On: Celebrating the Power of Music to Make Change,” to be broadcast Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The benefit concert special will raise funds for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and
Country music singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, whom Willie Nelson once called “the greatest living songwriter,” died Wednesday in his native Texas at the age of 81. Shaver is reported to suffered a massive stroke at Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas. Shaver rose to acclaim in 1973 with his debut album, “Old Five and Dimers
Planned Parenthood Action Fund has launched the “We Need Every Voice” campaign with full-page ads featuring over 200 top musicians. Katy Perry, Halsey, Andra Day, André “3000” Benjamin, Beastie Boys, Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, Foo Fighters, HAIM, Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers, Questlove, Paulina Rubio, The Chicks, and more, have signed on to the “We Need
Of the many businesses laid flat by the coronavirus pandemic, small and independent music venues are among the most greviously impacted. They were among the first to close and will be among the last to reopen, and despite the $10 billion “Save Our Stages” act currently languishing before Congress and the efforts of organizations like
Even at the time, it was obvious that the 1995 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards were going to go down as a seismic pivot point for hip-hop. Held in New York City on August 3, the event was a tense one, bringing artists from New York’s Bad Boy Records and Los Angeles’ Death Row together in
After a rough first fiscal quarter, Sony Music saw its recorded music division post an 11% year-over-year revenue boost — a record $1.16 billion — driven by a 19% surge in streaming (in dollars). Streaming brought in $742.3 million for the quarter. The division saw a 6.5% overall gain in revenue (in dollars) and even
Joni Mitchell has not talked with the media since suffering an aneurysm in 2015, but she has spoken with a part-time member of the press — Cameron Crowe, the rock journalist turned writer-director turned very occasional rock journalist again — for a Q&A that has been published in England’s Guardian. In the interview, Mitchell talks
Demi Lovato will host the 2020 People’s Choice Awards next month. “Demi Lovato is an international icon and we cannot wait for her to host the 2020 E! People’s Choice Awards,” Jen Neal, general manager of live events and lifestyle digital at E! News, said in statement. “Her authentic presence and dynamic talents will make
Trent Reznor is the happiest surprise on a list of performers lined up for a David Bowie tribute webcast set for January, helmed by former Bowie pianist Mike Garson, who has toured “Bowie Celebration” shows since the star’s death almost five years ago. Reznor is among the next-generation rockers with the closest association with Bowie,
BET has announced a new original documentary, “SMOKE: Marijuana + Black America,” executive-produced and narrated by Nas. The two-hour film will provide a closeup look at marijuana culture and its impact on both American society and especially the Black community. It’s set to air on Nov. 18. “The world has finally begun opening up to
Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” is back on top of the album chart for the eighth non-consecutive week. She was able to retake the No. 1 spot 13 weeks into the album’s run because of two factors — a lack of major superstar releases, and autographed CDs going up through her web store, boosting full-album sales tenfold
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar has signed an exclusive, worldwide administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group, the company announced Tuesday. Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith said: “Kendrick and I are excited for our new partnership with Jody Gerson and UMPG. Jody was passionate from the jump – she fought to make this deal happen.” Lamar has
After missing a $45 million bond-interest payment earlier this month, the Guitar Center, the largest musical-instrument retailer in the U.S. and a mecca for musicians, is assessing its future, considering multiple restructuring options, including bankruptcy, according to reports in the New York Times and Bloomberg. Like many retail outlets, the Guitar Center, which has around
Dr. Martens has announced the lineup for the next installment of its Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series, curated by L.A.-based filmmaker Ali Roberto and New York-based filmmaker Gabriel Gomez. Lauren Ruth Ward (pictured above), the Regrettes, Sunflower Bean, Cautious Clay, Tolliver, Blimes and Gab, duendita, Frankie & the Witch Fingers, NEZ, Orion Sun, Rosehardt
There’s no shortage of music-focused nonprofits, but there’s plenty of room for more: The Montclair, NJ-based We Are All Music Foundation (WAAM) has launched with a mission to identify and support the most deserving social cause-focused music charities. Assembled by professionals from the fields of music, entertainment, finance and philanthropy, WAAM named the first three
After nearly four decades of high luxury bunking in L.A.’s swank Benedict Canyon — with his model wife Sharon Tweed, of course — tongue-waggling Kiss bassist Gene Simmons is looking to rock out of his custom-built mansion, which has been set out for sale with an attention-grabbing $22 million pricetag. As was first reported by
Bobbi Cowan, a veteran publicist who worked with some of the biggest names in music, died Thursday. She was 78. “Her bands were like a who’s who of the era,” says Cameron Crowe, whom Cowan took under her wing when he was a teen rock journalist in San Diego. “Jethro Tull. The Rolling Stones. Jackson
Rock ’n’ roll marriages rarely run smoothly. Constant touring, booze and fragile egos often turn marital fault lines into gaping crevasses. A scorched earth separation usually results in a jettisoning of assets. Case in point: Aussie punk singer Brody Dalle and rocker Josh Homme, who have just listed their modern Mediterranean-style Hollywood Hills abode after