Author: The Dishmaster

Music Spotlight On: Jonsi of ‘Sigur Ros’ — Great Solo Album

My musician buddies are constantly introducing me to new, unique artists, and this process usually entails me feigning an understanding of their technical terms. Every so often though, they reject the shop-talk and use the term “stoner music.” That doesn’t help much either, seeing as how I don’t do drugs. I therefore find myself questioning the occasion for such music in my own life, and the other day — it hit me. Stoner music to them is yoga music to me! Having said that, I’d like to introduce you to Jonsi, an Icelandic musician that is most known as the lead singer of Sigur Ros. His second solo album, entitled Go, was voted best rock/pop album of 2010, at the 17th annual Icelandic Music Awards. Listen to one of my favorite tracks, Around Us, below. Feel free to do downward dog while doing so.

Thia Megia Sings ‘Heatwave’ — This Song Must Die

When Thia Megia sang Heatwave on tonight’s American Idol, I got the strange feeling that I’d heard it before. After doing my research, I realized the cause of my deja vu. I have heard it before! I’ve heard it sung by three other contestants, and it was once even performed as a group medley. I understand that these songs get repeated, but this isn’t a Karaoke bar with a one page song list.  Do the producers limit the contestants’ choices?  You would think with all that money they could get more songs cleared.   Watch Thia’s performance below, along with the slew of other contestants who sang the same song.

Thia Megia

Lil Rounds

Kimberly Locke

Vonzell Solomon

Howard Stern Sues Sirius — Should he Mention it on the Air?

Can someone please explain to me how you sue the company you work for and still churn out a great product for that company every day?  Such is the case with Howard Stern, who recently sued Sirius for not delivering his stock grants.  Stern’s contract provided stock awards based on increased subscriber growth, and he only received those awards in 2006 and 2007.  Sirius and XM merged in 2008, and apparently Sirius doesn’t think the increased subscribers from the merger warrant Stern’s stock awards.  According to Stern, his presence at Sirius facilitated the merger, and he’s therefore responsible for the increased subscribers.  Translation?  It’s arguable.  I’m not sure why Stern resigned with Sirius if he felt so wronged by the company, but perhaps they cajoled him into resigning by promising the previous stock awards and then didn’t deliver.  It’s unclear.  What is clear; however, is that Howard Stern is nothing if not honest on his radio show, which means, at the very least, this should be brought up on the air.  There is absolutely no legal consequence of simply saying, “yes, I’ve sued the company, but I cannot discuss it on the air.”  That way he kills the elephant in the room.

Dear Chris Brown — Return to GMA and Discuss the Rihanna Incident

I often fancy myself a Hollywood publicist. Image cleanup seems so simple, yet celebrities have the hardest time with it. That’s either because their publicists aren’t doing their job, or because the celebrities won’t listen to them. Chris Brown recently appeared on Good Morning America to promote his new album, and the interview apparently ended with Chris Brown ripping his shirt off and breaking a window.  Needless to say, he wasn’t pleased with Robin Roberts’ questions about Rihanna. If I were advising Chris Brown, I’d tell him to immediately return to Good Morning America and openly discuss the incident. He needs to say why he got so upset and explain precisely what happened. I’ve read that those questions were approved prior to the interview, so it’s unclear why he was so surprised and angry when they were asked. Unless he owns his flaws and continues to discuss the Rihanna incident with a calm head, the public will never forgive him. I understand he’s difficult to root for because he physically abused his girlfriend, but I’m not a fan of shunning people for life because of their mistakes. If he’s legitimately changed then I’m willing to move on. It’s difficult to believe he’s changed though, especially since he can’t even get through an interview with losing his temper.

Did Eliza Doolittle Copy Lily Allen’s Music?

I first heard of Eliza Doolittle while researching the musicians who performed at South by Southwest.  When I listened to Pack Up, I immediately noticed the resemblance to Lily Allen.  I then googled Eliza Doolittle, and I’m apparently not the only person who noticed.  Eliza has addressed the comments directly, saying, “It annoys me quite a bit. I do think our music is very different and we are different people.”  Since Lily Allen entered the music scene first, I was curious if she was also annoyed by the comparison.  Specifically, does Lily think Eliza ripped her off?  The short answer is yes.  Lily said, “I’m feeling for Eliza Doolittle, it seems she’s sick of being compared to me all the time.  Then again, maybe if she’d gone in a different direction with her artwork and wasn’t riding around in a chopper in her new video . . . ”  After researching the album covers in question, it’s abundantly clear that Eliza Doolittle’s self-titled debut album bears a striking resemblance to Lily Allen’s Alright, Still album cover.  Since music producer George Kurstin worked on both their albums, this isn’t too surprising.  It is; however, surprising that Eliza Doolittle wouldn’t acknowledge the overlap.  Listen to a song by both artists below, and judge for yourself.

Liam Gallagher Still Hates Oasis — New, Angry Interview

If you’ve ever heard of Oasis, then you’re likely familiar with the venomous hatred between the Gallagher brothers. Liam Gallagher fronted the band, which included his brother, Noel Gallagher, along with four other members who fortunately survived Liam Gallagher’s very public anger issues. The Gallagher brothers have long been splashed across tabloids for their sibling acrimony, which ultimately escalated into a pre-concert fist-fight, forcing Noel to finally quit the band for good.  Liam Gallagher subsequently formed a new band that includes everyone from Oasis except his brother Noel.  The band is called Beady Eye, and when asked about Oasis in a new interview for MTV Hive, LIam did not disappoint.  Please take the time to read excerpts from the interview below.  At the very least, it will make you feel really great about your relationships with your siblings. (Further Reading: Liam Gallagher Discusses Suing his Brother)

The future of Oasis: “Get over it. Oasis is yesterday. It’s fucking done.”

Ryan Adam’s version of Wonderwall: “It’s shit to me, man. I like Ryan Adams and I like some of his songs. But I hated what he did with “Wonderwall. It’s not his fault. To be quite honest, I’ve never really cared for the original either.”

On why you won’t hear Oasis songs on the Beady Eye tour: “We could’ve if we wanted, but we’ve got a lot more fucking self-respect. It’s why we don’t fucking play somebody else’s fucking songs when we can make our own.

Keith Richard and Mick Jagger working together (despite reported tension)- “Yeah, and what have they fucking done for the last twenty-five fucking years?”

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Premieres — Kirstie Alley Rocks the House

Just when I thought there would be no one to root for on Dancing With the Stars this season, Kirstie Alley shocked me.  I knew she’d be worth watching, but I had no idea she’d be incredible.  Her performance with Maksim Chmerkovskiy was the best of the night, and they actually had surprising sexual chemistry.  I use the word “surprising,” because I never thought Maksim and Kirstie would get along, given that they are both strong personalities.  I suppose it makes sense though.  Maksim needs someone to slap him around and compensate for his sometimes awkward interview demeanor.  Did I mention that Kirstie looks hot?  Can someone sign me up for their workout routine?  Watch below.

Kiefer Sutherland Stars in Jason Patric’s Play — Forgives Him for Julia Roberts Affair?

For those that don’t follow tabloid history, I’ll give you a nutshell review of one of the greatest scandals of all time.  Once upon a time, Kiefer Sutherland was engaged to Julia Roberts.  She left him shortly before the wedding and ran off with his best friend.  So who’s the best friend in question?  It was Jason Patric.  Years later, Kiefer spoke kindly of Roberts in interviews, saying they were not ready to be married, and he’s thankful that she realized it.  When asked about Patric, Kiefer wasn’t as kind, saying, “I’m surprised that I never got a call from him saying I’ve fallen in love da-da-da. Instead, I found out from a stranger.”  Jason Patric later paid for the affair, saying,  “I knew (dating her) would be trouble.  But I think sometimes people walk into their own nightmare maybe not so consciously.  This was a person who very much put herself in the public eye, and the public life. I think everyone has a right to privacy, but once you use your personal life to advance your fame, you really don’t have the right to say no to (the press).”  Now that you know the history you can imagine my shock when I discovered that Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric are currently starring on Broadway together in That Championship Season.  The play was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Jason Miller, who also happens to be Jason Patric’s father.  I’d like to note that only men can move past bad blood.  If my best friend ran off with my fiance, I’d accept her invitation to star in a play only so that I could get close enough to choke her on stage.

Dancing With the Stars Costume Designer: “Celebrities Not as Hot as They Think”

Randall Christensen, the costume designer for Dancing With the Stars, revealed that his biggest design challenge is the celebrities’ distorted body image. When I first read the article, I thought he was about to discuss how the celebrities are too insecure to wear the revealing costumes, but it’s actually the opposite. According to Christensen, “a lot of times they really think they’re in better shape or a lot more toned than they are.” Nothing pleases me more than hearing about an “untoned” celebrity. That’s not because I like to swim in the misery of others, but rather, I enjoy knowing that I’m not the only one with a fat ass.

Sport’s Illustrated Model Irina Shayk on Letterman — Funny Interview

Irina Shayk appeared on David Letterman last month to promote her Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, and I just stumbled across the very funny interview.  Forgive me if I’m surprised by a smart model.  I’d also like to point out that I’ve noticed something awry with David Letterman after I’ve religiously watched his interviews.  Though I might be wrong about this, I’m under the impression that he doesn’t think women are funny.  Every time Irina makes a joke, Letterman moves onto the next question, and refused to verbally spar on any level.  In fact, there are moments where I think he’s actually making fun of her. Watch the interview below and judge for yourself.