Sainthood...

Erm, OK. Army Of Lovers have published an open letter to group member La Camilla, thanking her for her services through the years and announcing that she will no longer be a part of the comeback, which started with their performance at Melodifestivalen last weekend. She will be replaced by Dominika, who is of course well known to fans of the group. Here is the letter:

"Army Of Lovers declare Sainthood for Santa Camilla - and welcome La Dominika to center stage!

Our Dearest Beloved Sister Camilla, Our Hundreds of Thousands of Fabulous Loyal Fans, and The Chosen Few of the Rest of You Out There in This Cold Cold World who dare to care

Please accept our sincerest and most heartfelt gratitude for the hilarious months of joy and happiness we have shared with You, Our Beloved Sister, during studio recordings, rehearsals, therapy sessions, interviews, and performances in connection to The Original Army Of Lovers’ participation at Melodifestivalen 2013. You are dearest to our hearts, You are forever Our Beloved Sister, You are the undisputed People’s Queen of Army Of Lovers. For all this, we are to You forever grateful.

Your performance at Melodifestivalen in Malmö - from Your fabulous entrance to Your royally ignorant attitude towards even hitting the lipsynching right - make Yours quite possibly the ultimate Army Of Lovers performance ever. Who cares about rehearsing properly in advance, or hitting the right notes, when the world really revolves around the Art of Entries and Exits? And since You practice this Art with the ultimate superiority, how could Your performance possibly be improved upon in any way whatsoever? It was flawless. You are flawless.

Our Beloved Sister, what was Your Melodifestivalen performance if not the quintessential celebration of the Talented Untalented, the Victory of Charisma over Substance, the Glamorous Amateur set against the Boring Professional, the Good Bad Taste against the Bad Good Taste, the Ethic of Anybody with an Attitude is born to be a Star? You personify all these qualities better than anybody else on this planet. You are the proudest Ambassador of the Heritage of Milli Vanilli, and for this we herald You as Our Eternal Queen of Punk!

However, the show must go on! There are wars to battle and win. Army Of Lovers have a huge task ahead of them, fighting hatred and intolerance everywhere until everybody on the planet can have sex with everybody else all of the time. In this year of The Reformation of Army Of Lovers - in all its various incarnations - it is time to take the next step. Just as generously as Dominika stepped aside to let You, La Camilla, and the boys reunite as The Original Army Of Lovers for Melodifestivalen, we now thank You for stepping aside to let Dominika take center stage in the next reincarnation of Army Of Lovers in this Golden Year of 2013.

We therefore today proudly declare Dominika to be La Dominika, and in return we award You the Ascension from La Camilla to Santa Camilla, The Enlightened Global Consciousness of Femme Fatale Hysteria, Our Living Saint! We will always kneel before Your Altar on every stage we enter. You will always be with us in our hearts. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, for Everything!

The Committee for The Continuation of The Reformation of Army Of Lovers"

Alexander Bard

Jean-Pierre Barda

Dominika Peczynski

Michaela Dornonville de la Cour

Camilla Thulin

Army Of Lovers will release a new compilation CD on March 27th, entitled Big Battle Of Egos. Here is the tracklist:

Rockin’ The Ride

Crashing Down

Signed On My Tattoo

Give My Life

Crucified

Sexual Revolution

My Army Of Lovers

Lit De Parade (Feat. Big Money)

Obsession

Israelism

Ride The Bullet

I Am

King Midas

La Plage De Saint Tropez

Let The Sunshine In

Tragedy

"Signed On My Tattoo" will be the 2nd single, following the current one ("Rockin' The Ride").

Not My Day...

I just got home from the worst test experience of my life! Me and math continue to battle it out and this time I lost - big time! Which means I have to spend the next couple of weeks studying for a makeup test, praying that I will pass...

And there are more bad news today. The "longest ever in the making album in history" has been delayed - again!

Yes, Cher has confirmed the delay of her new single and album. She was expected to release her 26th studio record in March after unveiling new song "Woman's World" late last year.

After a fan directed their doubt over the new record being released next month at Cher, she tweeted: "I'm sure it won't Either! Single in June cd inSept ! AS A MATTER OF FACT,YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT PALES IN COMPARISON 2 MINE. RECORD CO Wants 2 put it out AFTER SUMMER ! SHOOT ME."

So then. This is just getting silly! Cher's last album was Living Proof back in 2001!

Rockin' And Leaving...

Well, we sadly won't see Army Of Lovers anywhere near the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, as they did not get through to the Melodifestivalen finals (they finished in 6th place on Saturdays semifinal). But I don't think anyone really expected them to be loved by the general public...

Here is their performance:



The always fabulous Alcazar also gave the show some additional campness with a medley of some of their hits:

Who's That Girl?...

Leading Lady...

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Things have been a bit crazy with school and will continue to be for the next couple of weeks (I have a math test on Thursday and I have no idea how on earth I'm going to pass!)

But, there should always be time to enjoy a diva or two (especially when they come complete with a really, really big hat!).





BTW, a brand new Motown musical, which focuses on the love story of Diana Ross and Berry Gordy is set to open on Broadway in a couple of weeks.

RIP...

Pioneering DJ and producer Mark Kamins, who was instrumental in facilitating the signing of Madonna to Sire Records in 1982, has died.

According to BlackBook, on Feb. 14, he suffered “a massive coronary” in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he has been teaching. A family source has confirmed Kamins’ death to Billboard.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna writes…

I’m very sorry to hear about Marks death. I haven’t seen him for years but if it weren’t for him, I might not have had a singing career. He was the first DJ to play my demos before I had a record deal. He believed in me before anyone else did. I owe him a lot. May he Rest in Peace.

Kamins, noted for always living his life in the grandest of fashions, had apparently been struggling with heart problems for some months previous.

Legend has it that he took the budding superstar and clubland habitué Madonna Ciccone under his wing, passing her demo on to Sire Records honcho Seymour Stein, who quickly signed her — the rest, of course, is pop history. Kamins, who also produced her nascent single “Everybody”, would be the first in a line of high-profile Madonna beaus, to be eventually usurped by the likes of Jellybean Benitez and, of course, many others. A significant talent in his own right, he went on to work with radical performance artist Karen Finley, as well as 80’s musical giants such as David Byrne, the Beastie Boys and Sinead O’Connor.

The latest issue of UK magazine Record Collector features a five page article on the making of Madonna's debut single.

The story of Madonna's rise to fame has been told many, many times, but thanks to his exclusive interviews with virtually Everybody who was involved in making the single, the article reveals some cool new facts about Madonna - including the name of yet another unreleased demo from the early years. This feature is possibly one of the most in-depth articles about the making of Madonna's first single.

Included in the article are new and exclusive interviews with Mark Kamins (producer), Bob Blank (studio owner), Butch Jones (studio engineer), Fred Zarr (synths), Leslie Ming (drums), Ira Siegel (guitar), Rob Prinz (Madonna's first agent), Danny Tenaglia (legendary club DJ) and Charlene 'Chardonna' Martinez (the world's first Madonna wanna-be) - many of whom very kindly spoke exclusively and went on the record for the first time about working with Madonna in and out of the studio.

Here is an early performance at Uncle Sam's of the song that began the career of the biggest female artist the world has ever seen. What a shame that them man who played such a big part in the launch has left us. Rest in piece.

Mark Kamins (April 13, 1955 – February 14, 2013)

Born To Be Better?...

Music producer Fernando Garibay (who worked with Lady Gaga on her underwhelming Born This Way album) posted a photo on Twitter yesterday of himself in the recording studio with Kylie Minogue. It is believed that he is producing tracks on her next album which should be out later this year.

I was very disappointed by the Gaga album, but hopefully this collaboration will work out well.

"Im Thinking Of Shaving My Moustache!!!!"...

Tracks...

Time for the first collection of tracks for 2013. The year does not start off all that interesting, with a very disappointing Depeche Mode single and new songs from Hurts and Sarah Brightman that are not bad but just don't deliver what I had hoped for. Videos for both songs have disappeared from the internet (the Hurts video is currently being re-edited to remove some "controversial" matters, including burning crucifixes - hello 1989) and I have no idea what happened to Sarah's video. I don't dare to try to upload either of those myself, so I am not including them for now.

 But here is my first selection of the year. We have amongst other things some drag queens (courtesy of Boy George), an ex-Calling singer making a bloody Adele song work (for me, at least), a porn star with an unusual partner and Svetlana Loboda being rather dramatic over here in Iceland (she did NOT pop in for coffee - I am obviously very distraught!)

Impressive Instant...

Madonna has made her debut on Instagram with this picture and a "Cheers motherfuckers! I'm on instagram" note.

"Madonna welcome to Instagram", her manager Guy Oseary wrote on Twitter. "Now I can see what you're up to when I'm not around!" 

Unbreak My Heart...

Very sad news for Toni Braxton fans!

Toni Braxton has announced that she is retiring as a recording artist!

"I'm just not going to do any albums anymore; maybe touring occasionally here and there because I love performing, but not as much as I did in the past. But no new projects." 



She also told Good Morning America that she doesn't 'feel the love' for music anymore.

"It' s not affecting me, making me feel that thing I've always felt when I perform," she said. "It's leaving me. I'm not sure what's going on in my life. Maybe a female mid-life crisis? My heart isn't in it anymore. I hate to say that. I don’t know what to say when I hear songs. They don’t impact me. I have been trying to listen to songs, record companies have been calling me, so it’s a good situation to be in, but I’m not really interested at all". Braxton added that she wishes to focus on acting.

Very sad news - I had been looking forward to an album she was supposed to release last year, but never materialized. Hopefully she will reconsider her decision in the future!

Braxton has won 8 Grammy Awards, 5 American Music Awards, and 9 Billboard Music Awards. Throughout the years, she has sold close to 70 million records worldwide.

Moving...

After the news yesterday about Kylie Minogue's new management deal, now comes groundbreaking news about her current record label.

Parlophone Label Group has been sold as a complete unit to Warner Music.

The record label - which is the home of Kylie Minogue, Coldplay and Pet Shop Boys - has been sold off by the Universal Music Group, after it acquired the label as part of the EMI buyout last year.

The Warner Music Group has confirmed that it has acquired the label as part of an all-cash transaction for £487 million ($765m).

The company beat a joint bid by Sony and BMG, and Simon Fuller/Chris Blackwell as the main contenders to acquire the company and parts of its back catalogue.

"This is a very important milestone for Warner Music, reflecting our commitment to artist development by strengthening our worldwide roster, global footprint and executive talent," said Len Blavatnik, Chairman and founder of Access Industries, which owns Warner Music.



Stephen Cooper, CEO of Warner Music Group, added: "Having the Parlophone Label Group become part of our family represents a unique opportunity for us to join with legendary record labels and artists that are highly complementary to our existing organisation from a creative, geographic and strategic standpoint.

"We are committed to making this a great outcome for Parlophone's artists and employees, who will find in WMG a similar spirit and culture that is dedicated to providing the most supportive and innovative home for recording artists.The continuation of the Parlophone legacy and brand are central to the future success of this combination, and we are proud to have them join us."

The Parlophone Label Group is comprised of the Parlophone label, Chrysalis and Ensign labels, as well as EMI's recorded music operations in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia and Sweden.

Radiohead's early catalogue, Queen, Tinie Tempah, Lily Allen, Gorillaz, Goldfrapp, David Guetta, Tina Turner, Pink Floyd and The Chemical Brothers are also part of Parlophone's collection.

However, it is understood that Universal Music has retained ownership of Virgin Records, the Beatles catalogue and other key assets.

A shame this couldn't happen earlier - Kylie and PSB could have been label mates with Madonna!

Deal...

Kylie Minogue has signed a new deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation.

The singer is the latest star to join the company, which manages artists such as Rihanna, Rita Ora and MIA.

"Roc Nation would like to welcome Aussie singer, recording artist, songwriter, actress and designer Kylie Minogue to the family," Jay-Z announced on his Life and Times blog.

"Kisses from my new home rocnation #KM2013ROC," Minogue tweeted of the news. Her signing to Roc Nation follows Timbaland's new deal with the company earlier this week.

Roc Nation's website only has Kylie listed under  "Management" not "Artists". This likely means her deal is similar to Shakira's, in that she is managed by the label, but not signed to them for a record deal. Roc Nation seem to handle a lot of artists in a management capacity who are not actually signed to the label.

Whatever the case I hope this means good things for the future!!!

UPDATE:

Billboard has confirmed that the deal is only for management! AND: a new single is coming very soon!!! HURRAH!!!

The Aussie singer's U.S. publicist confirms to Billboard that the partnership is for management services, while she is still signed to Parlophone as a recording artist. Minogue has already been added to the "Management" section of Roc Nation's site. She joins artists ranging from Rihanna, Solange, M.I.A, Shakira and Timbaland, another recent addition, on their roster. Meanwhile, an industry source tells Billboard Minogue will release a new single "soon." She's been at work on a new studio album since at least the spring of 2012, as previously reported."

 (Thanks to Marky)

SOTD...

Things are very quiet in the Madonna camp these days. The queen finished the biggest tour of 2012 just before christmas and fans are waiting for the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the tour, which has not been announced yet.



While we wait: here is a track from the Celebration-era that was only released as a limited 12" record to members of Madonna's fanclub. Been hooked on this lately ;)

Artwork Hurts...

The artwork for the new Hurts album, Exile, which is released on March 11th. Hopefully it will be as good as their debut album.

And here is the video for the first single, "Miracle":



UPDATE:

Apperantly there were some elements (especially the burning crucifixes) that were deemed too controversial. The video is being re-edited.

Get Close Again...

The wonderful Close album by Kim Wilde is finally getting a re-release!

Kim herself mentioned on Twitter yesterday that a re-release is in the works, 25 years after it originally came out.

Great to hear various Close re-mixes for HeyMr Heartache,You Came,Never Trust a Stranger,Four Letter Word,Love in a Natural Way today

— Kim Wilde (@kimwilde) January 31, 2013

When asked by fans if she was doing this for a re-release of the album, Kim replied:

@aintetienne OH yes : )

— Kim Wilde (@kimwilde) January 31, 2013

The new reissue will most likely be released by Universal, who own the rights to Kim's recordings from this era. Record company Cherry Red, who released Kim's previous albums in expanded editions put in a request almost two years ago for the next three albums in the series ( Close, Love Moves and Love Is) but were denied.

I am VERY much looking forward to this - hopefully we will get a double disc, there were some excellent remixes made for the singles from this album. And I can not wait to hear this album re-mastered!!!

I will obviously post any more news on this release in the future...