Trying to pick the best soundtrack of all time or even the top ten is nearly ....nope, it's just downright impossible. However, what's easier to determine is someone whose films will always, without a doubt, be in that category: Quentin Tarantino. Fight scenes, sexy dancing, over-the-top gore, and badass music are what come to mind when someone mentions a Tarantino film. His latest western-themed movie about bounty hunting and slavery, Django: Unchained, follows suit. While many movies incorporate the same music and scene irony for dramatic effect; one might say Tarantino is the Godfather of cinematic juxtaposition with his music and scene choices and their comparability...or rather, their contrast. Any fan can recall the ear cut-off torture scene with "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel playing in the background, or Urge Overkill’s cover of Neil Diamond’s Latin-inspired “Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon” as the legendary Mia Wallace overdoses.
Last Wednesday night, over 400 celebrities, cocktail industry enthusiasts and socialites dressed to impress and to raise a dram to the US launch of The Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz Edition featuring a photo-series with Kevin McKidd of Grey’s Anatomy at NYC's, Bowery Hotel.
While guests experienced Macallan 18 neat and on the rocks with ginger beer, the gliteratti posed for pics at the various step and repeats. Star sightings included Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser of Mad Men, Stacy Keibler, John Legend and his fiancé, Chrissy Teigan model, Carolyn Murphy and more. Also in the Whisky sippin’ crowd was author, Simon Doonan and founder of foursquare, Dennis Crowly.
HELLO PHILADELPHIA! With the warm weather looming and festivals impending, we know you're in the mood for some musical love in the coming weeks. Youll be glad to hear you have a seemingly endless list of musical options happening soon, including Steve Aoki, The Weeknd, Bassnectar, John Legend, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Death Cab for Cutie, Acid Mothers Temple (which is obligatory), Andrew Bird, Spriritualized, M83, and tons more. Also, the Spring Edition of the Punk Rock Flea Market is coming up on May 13, which is always a great time, so don't miss it! As always, if we forgot a show or you want something listed, comment below.
With all the recent hoopla surrounding Coachella 2012 (specifically, the digital resurrection of Tupac), one begins to ponder what other shenanigans are in store during festival season. Summertime truly is the season of festivals: beer & wine fests, food expos, but most importantly, music fests. There’s Bamboozle, Warped Tour, Lollapalooza, Bonnarooo, Electric Daisy, and a cornocoupia of other niftily named musical celebrations.
Looking into another person’s life can sometimes be intoxicating. Especially when that person has boundless heaps of money, a gorgeous home, exciting social life, and do we even have to mention immaculate abs? Regardless of whether its right or wrong, we all secretly indulge vicariously on the delights (and disasters) of celebrity status. And here for you, is a look into the decadent sanctuaries of some of the hottest stars in NYC.
Adrian Grenier
This piece of Entourage perfection chose a classic tri-level brownstone in Brooklyn, to call home. You can find this charming arched brownstone, and him, in the cute neighborhood of Clinton Hill, where Grenier has set up a (relatively) self-sustainable rooftop garden over his guest retreat. Lucky for us, he’s planning to stay a while and work on his new eco-advocate website SHFT.com.
Kanye West's independent record label, G.O.O.D. Music, has officially been signed to an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with the Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG). The announcement was made today by West and Barry Weiss, Chairman and COO of Universal Motown Republic Group and IDJMG. This contract marks the beginning of a new era of really GOOD music. "G.O.O.D. Music is an exciting new chapter in the long and successful association of Kanye West and Island Def Jam," said Weiss. "As a recording artist and a producer over the past eight years, there is no one who has made a greater impression on the game than Kanye. We look forward to working closely with the new and established artists that he will be bringing to G.O.O.D. Music, which is already off to an impressive start with Big Sean."
Stream three new albums in their entirety (visit NPR’s First Listen page) before they hit stores on June 28th!
1) 'Rave on Buddy Holly': a tribute to the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, features Holly covers by Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, Modest Mouse, Cee Lo Green, Fiona Apple, and many more. The album’s A-List artists make up a rather impressive and diverse collection, and all prove to be a remarkable fit for Holly’s timeless tunes.
There are so many conflicting public and private personas that culminate in the egotistical, frustrating and yet undeniably creative and brilliant man that is Kanye West. After all, West consistently invites criticism and speculation with each successive exasperating public stunt and diatribe. He may be an exhausting media fixture, but West has never shied away from confronting his own demons. It's this unnerving introspection that makes Kanye West's music electric, enjoyable and undeniably important.
With My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the superstar has returned with an album that speaks not only to tabloid sensation Kanye, he of the Taylor Swift debacle, the Amber Rose over-sharing, the Twitter rants and media posteuring, but also to the private emotional depths of a man at a crossroads in his life. The album blends the dark, haunted self-analysis of 808s and Heartbreak with the slick, hip-hop-faithful production techniques of The College Dropout and inspired samples of Late Registration; it's the climax of everything West has been working up to until this point.
Are you an early riser with no plans tomorrow morning? Be sure to head down to the Central Park Summerstage on Rumsey Playfield for a free concert featuring one of the most prolific collaborations in the music world. The Roots and John Legend will be performing together as a part of ABC's Good Morning American Summer Concert Series tomorrow, Friday August 6.
The legendary Philadelphia hip-hop group and the singer-songwriter are releasing an album together this fall, entitled Wake Up! which you may need someone to tell you tomorrow as the show starts at 7 am, with gates opening at 6 am.
Every four years the World Cup bring people from all over the world together to celebrate the game. This time around it seems as though many celebrities have caught World Cup fever. Let’s take a look at the stars showing their support.
-Katy Perry wore a dress supporting both U.S.A. and England on the day of their match, which they tied.
-John Travolta flew his entire family out to South Africa to show support for the Australian national team.
-Prince William, Prince Harry, and David Beckham hung out at a World Cup event after attending England’s game against Algeria.