Category: Music

Gwen Stefani Talks Gavin Rossdale, The Voice, and more!

The Voice

Wonderwall sat down with Gwen Stefani for an exclusive interview about her new role on ‘The Voice,’ working with her husband, and stepping on the stage so soon after her son was born. Read some quotes below, and visit Wonderwall for more.

On collaborating with her husband, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, who serves as a mentor on the upcoming season of “The Voice”:

“I went back and forth about having Gavin on [the show] because we have only collaborated on babies before. … They turned out really cute. … He breeds well.”

On being torn about working with her husband on “The Voice”:

“I was really overwhelmed that Gavin was actually going to be on [the show] with me, and we got in a little fight about it the night before because I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can handle this. It’s just too much.’ Then I slept on it, and in the morning, I said, ‘Let’s do this. It’s going to spice things up. This is new. Let’s do something collaborative. Why not?’ And it was awesome.”

On why she was so nervous about working with her husband on “The Voice”:

“The first couple [of contestants] who came through, I was so nervous. I wasn’t nervous because of being on the show. I was nervous because I was sitting next to him. He’s smart. He’s so musical. You play different roles for different people in your life — and I’m his wife, so it was weird. But it was awesome and really, really fun to do that with him.”

On deciding to get back to work so quickly after welcoming her third son:

“I wasn’t motivated. I literally had just had my new little baby boy, and I was sitting at home and the phone rang. … It was so quick and spontaneous, and I think that’s been the best part about it.”

On her first public appearance after welcoming her third child:

“[Pharrell] asked me to do Coachella, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I literally just popped out this baby,’ but I wanted to do is it so bad. … I got a tour bus because I wanted to show off for my kids. So I got a tour bus and I got the boys on the bus and we drove to Palm Springs. The first time I left the house after having a baby was walking out on stage [at Coachella] to do ‘Hollaback Girl.’”

On her concerns about being the only female coach on “The Voice”:

“I was nervous because it’s one thing to be in the boys’ club with guys you have known since you were 16 years old. But to walk onto this platform with these guys who have been doing it already and not knowing them, I was freaked out a little bit.”

On not having girlfriends:

“I’m used to being the only girl. I paid for Harajuku girls to hang out with me at one point in my life because no girls would hang out with me. I was always surrounded by boys — and I don’t know how that happened because I’m such a girl. I love getting dressed up. I love hair and makeup. I played Barbies.”

On loving Barbies and why she can’t have them now:

“If I had all girls [instead of sons], I would still be playing Barbies. But I don’t get to because if I got Barbies at my house, [my sons] would just take all the clothes off and go like, ‘Oh, they’re naked!’ And then I would have to get rid of them because it’s inappropriate.”

Eminem’s “Guts Over Fear” Video: WATCH NOW

Eminem is at it again. His label, Shady Records, will release SHADYXV on November 24th, a two CD compilation of the label’s greatest hits, including Eminem, 50 Cent, D-12, and more. Eminem’s new tune, “Guts Over Fear,” will appear on both the CD and the upcoming film, ‘The Equalizer.’ Listen to the lyric video featuring Sia below.

Jimmy Fallon Sings Duets With Barbara Streisand: WATCH NOW

Barbara Streisand made a refreshing return to late-night television last night, where the iconic singer performed duets off her latest record beside Jimmy Fallon, who played the role of Elvis, Michael Buble, and Blake Shelton. Hats off to the host for getting the iconic ice queen to loosen up a bit. Watch below.

Eric Hutchinson Debuts “A Little More” Music Video — WATCH

If you’re sick of seeing asses ad nauseum (see Nicki Minaj, JLO, and Iggy), then take a look at Eric Hutchinson’s video for “A Little More” below. The new single off his latest record,’Pure Fiction,’ is a refreshing reminder that there’s more to music than woe-is-me indie depression and pop-tart hit machines that all sound the same. Watch below, and read my interview with Eric for an inside look at the performer.

Damien Rice Launches Comeback — Releases Teaser Track

Damien Rice is making a triumphant return with his first record in eight years. Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, the album, entitled ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy,’ will be released on November 3. In a press release to promote his record, Rice addressed his hiatus, saying, “Sometimes you have to step away from what you love in order to learn how to love it again”. Listen to a snippet of the title track below.

Maroon 5 Releases ‘Maps’ — Album Review

You’d think with all those hands in the cookie jar, Maroon 5 would manage to produce a catchier record. Despite having criticized the band for relinquishing most of their songwriting duties to bigger names, this process previously paid off with the success of their last record. Unfortunately, those hit-making machines have malfunctioned for their follow-up, ‘V,’ which has moved the band from “overexposed” to overproduced. To quote the legendary Coco Chanel, “Before leaving the house, a lady should look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” The same can be said about music. There’s just too much garbage invading the melody to actually enjoy it. Tracks that could have been moving, like “Unkiss Me” for example, are clouded with crap that strangle the tune.The 80’s-esque, synth-driven “Sugar” also falls victim to the same complaint, though it’s a tad catchier than most other tracks. And while “Animals” is likely the second single, it’ s not nearly as strong as “Maps,” the only song worthy of extensive radio play. “Leaving California” and “In Your Pocket” are personal favorites, though their placement on the album order suggests I’m alone in that thought. Overall, this is good, but not great. Listen to “Maps,” the catchiest tune, below.

Music Spotlight: Willis Earl Beal

MEMPHIS_WILLISEARLBEAL_POSTERWillis Earl Beal has a lot to brag about. Born and raised in Chicago, he’s released two albums (Acoustic Scorcery and Nobody Knows) under an independent record label, and both are stellar examples of his talent. But despite this success, Beal has since exited his label in an attempt to exclusively control the entirety of his career. According to Under the Radar, Beal resented promoting his music as a product, dismissed touring, and didn’t want a backing band. He had already “traveled the world with a reel-to-reel machine as his only musical accompaniment,” and he wanted to return to the “very simplistic outlook as to what [he] could and couldn’t do.” Beal will take his talent to the silver screen for his starring role in Tim Sutton’s upcoming film, ‘Memphis,’ where he “portrays a strange singer with “god given talent” who resembles but doesn’t equal Beal.” The movie will feature his new release, Experiments in Time, which is a hypnotic, moving departure from his previous work.  To learn more about the complicated artist who is worthy of wide recognition, check out his interview with Under the Radar. It’s clear from his complaints that he needs to get out of his head and into his music, but like many artists before him, sometimes internal discord drives talent, and perhaps that’s the case here. Watch the trailer for Memphis below, and check out the second video for one of his best songs, “Too Dry to Cry.”

Counting Crows Release ‘Somewhere Under Wonderland’ — iTunes First Play

Counting Crows latest record is a refreshing throwback to their well-known sound, with Duritz’s standard love lamenting perfectly put up against up-tempo tracks like “Earthquake Driver,” which remind us of his prolific, “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby.” There’s a lot to love on this record, and lucky for you, you have a few days left to listen on iTunes First Play for free, courtesy of Counting Crows. Enjoy the video for “Scarecrow” below.

MTV VMA’s Recap: WATCH PERFORMANCES NOW

For a pocket of time each year, MTV enters a time machine to celebrate the music that once drove its channel. Last night’s VMA’s brought out the industry’s best players, who executed some unforgettable (and forgettable) performances. Enjoy the most notable videos below, along with my thoughts on each.

Sam Smith was an evening standout, with his vulnerable, monster-hit, “Stay With Me.” The refreshing performance reminds us all that not everyone needs a sparkly leotard to get noticed.

Nikki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and Jessie J joined together for their performance, with Nikki stealing the show. As for Minaj’s wardrobe malfunction, I have an extremely low tolerance for her unprofessional antics. Had the dress simply snapped open, I’d be more forgiving, but she clearly knew during dress rehearsal that she’d have an issue with time, and she chose to take the risk. As a result, she trumped her female counter-parts in the press, who have solely chosen to cover the mistake. And though this may be mean to mention, a music industry insider has pointed something out to me about Jessie J, and it’s worth repeating. It’s just not going to happen, despite the enormous push from her label. To quote my friend, “She’s pop’s Grouplove,” and it’s time to abort mission.

Beyonce brought down the house with a standout medley of hits, proving once again through professionalism and vocal prowess that she deserves her reigning title as Queen Bey.

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I’ve recently discovered 5 Seconds of Summer, and though I’d love to hate on the boy band, much like One Direction, I simply can’t. They are good, their songs are catchy, and they’re adorable. Watch their sweet song below. It will pull at your heartstrings.

For a guy who bad-mouthed the VMAs last year, it’s interesting to see him perform, but given that Adam Levine has sold his soul to secure his billboard status, I’m not surprised. It’s also worth mentioning that this is a professional show, and the guy is wearing a jersey. Remember when Maroon 5 wore suits? Yeah . . . so do I.

This was not the best night for Usher, who looked noticeably winded. I usually love the guy, so that’s all I will say.

‘For the Record’ Presents ‘Tarantino’ — A Must-See Event

tarantino-poster-largeLos Angeles locals are lucky enough to encounter unforgettable talent at every turn, and the team behind For the Record certainly brought their best players for ‘Tarantino.’ The can’t-miss cabaret series left Los Feliz’s Rockwell Table and Stage for its debut at DBA, a new nightclub acting under artistic director and notorious nightlife impresario Simon Hammerstein. With a modern mash-up of Quentin Tarantino’s most notable films, the live-music event is an edgy, high-concept masterpiece, which is best described as sensory overload at every vantage point. ‘Tarantino’ transforms traditional entertainment and catapults the well-known nightclub outing into a captivating new direction. There’s just one week left to enter the wondrous world of  creators Shane Scheel, Christopher Lloyd Bratten and Anderson Davis, and you don’t want to miss it. Visit DBA Hollywood or For The Record Live for tickets.