I continue to feel that the “Blurred Lines” ruling set a dangerous precedent. Copying somebody else’s song is one thing. But “borrowing” liberally or using somebody else’s work as a jumping off point is just part of making art.
But I mean, separate from that, not only are these two songs not substantially similar in any way, but there is no fucking way the producers heard this song. This is nuts.
It seems to me that if what we are after is equality, then it is absolutely silly for it to be circumstantial. If a rock or pop or indie festival of this size announced a lineup with NO female headliners and only a few women even on the bill at all, people would (rightfully) level serious criticism at the festival. Coachella would be drowning in anger if it looked like this. Hip hop is over 30 years old. If we are going to hold the music industry to a certain standard I see no sound reason why hip hop should be exempt. But I am open to explanations or arguments, if there are any!
I was there in December when Enrique Iglesias and Jason DeRulo played a Formula E race. The rumor we heard is that the ban on female drivers was lifted in order to enable female racers to participate (nine women tested for the race). Speaking to that poor Saudi Woman's point, it seems that a whole lot of these lovely conservative laws go out the window when somebody stands to make millions of dollars (as they will by holding a huge pop concert). Related: it is illegal for Israelis or anybody with an Israel stamp on their passport to enter the country, and yet they didn't bat an eyelash when my Israeli bandmate showed his passport at the border.
Much to nobody's surprise, money speaks louder than just about anything else.
Am I crazy or was there a Brooklyn based band called Big Business that I think were an instrumental fuzzed out rock trio with a girl on bass? Circa early/mid 2000s.
Step Up 3 is okay, but Step Up 2 The Streets is a legit masterpiece. I am not being sarcastic. I still have the DVD (with no means to watch it anymore, of course).
I spent 6 years playing guitar in a backing band for a pop hearththrob, and some variation of this occurs every single night. Multiple times. People would jump on stage and try to grope and/or kiss him on a weekly (if not nightly) basis.
I mean, I was just an anonymous bandmember, and I had underwear thrown at me, phone numbers and phones thrown at me, people yelling they loved me and wanted to marry me, people making lewd gestures, people commenting sexual and objectifying things on my Instagram.
I am not saying this shit to show off, I am saying it because that is part of being a performer in the pop world. Being Harry Styles and getting groped by super fans is not sexual assault. There is a real problem with sex, sexism, sexual assault, etc, in this country (not to mention the rest of the world). I do not believe that this incident is in any way representative of that problem.
1) I feel legitimately bad for him, it just seems like he does not want to be doing this anymore. Hoping he takes some time off or something to regain his sanity.
2) To be fair, he wouldn't really hear the screaming all that loud if he kept his in-ear monitors in. They block out just about everything. Doesn't solve the fact that he is clearly tired of being a teeny bopper pop star, but it would at least make the screaming less obnoxious : )
Hoping he also has a second drummer? I mean, cool that his son is on drums, and he is very good for 14 years old, but I'd be kinda bummed if he was the one holding down that rhythm section. Scott, any insight?
I mean, this dude obviously has a severe personality disorder and a lot of issues. He's clearly been a monumental piece of shit, but I feel bad for him. I hope he gets some help.
This "Say You Will" is the arrangement he used for the Hollywood Bowl 808s shows (or at least, close to it). It was very badass live, and it is very badass on recording.
I have played twice at that venue on a for-hire gig and they protested both times. According to Wikipedia, they are based out of Topeka, so I guess that venue is just convenient for them? Which means they are both hateful AND lazy. Double bonus!
Ya now, I never liked the Gin Blossoms back in the day because their songs always struck me as being particularly middle-of-the-road. But I recently heard "Hey Jealousy" and listened to the lyrics, which are actually surprisingly dark and depressing. I don't think they're an amazing band by any means, but I do think there's a lot more depth to their songs than I initially gave them credit for.
It is a shame that the mixer for this show continues to push Lars so high in the mix, because Lars continues to play like a fucking high schooler. Jesus.
Thank GOD! For years I have been dying to know the answer to that age old question, "How many artists does it take to totally suck the fucking life out of 'God Only Knows'?"
To her credit, unless you are a real jazzhead it's definitely difficult to immediately pick out a Miles Davis record. That being said, I kiiiind of feel like the fact that she thought for even a second that this could have been "Bitch's Brew" means that she has clearly never heard "Bitch's Brew"?
Oh, and also, "Suf." #LOLOL
I mean, it seems like people are voting for the song they wish would be all over the place, but in reality I have some awful news: the song of the summer is going to be the bro-reggae ridiculousness of Magic's "Rude" (which has slowly climbed the iTunes charts and currently sits at Number 1, above both "Problem" and "Fancy"). I am not endorsing this as a good song! I'm just stating a fact. It will be heard at every bar, every club, all over the radio, played by every fucking wedding band. We're doomed. If you want to vote for the BEST song of the summer, that's a different poll. If you want to vote on which song we think will be fucking everywhere, it is that steaming turd. Mark my words.
This is amazing. I find the original to be so cloying, but it's amazing how suddenly the exact same awful lyrics twist and become heartbreaking in this context. Awesome.
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