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John Mayer Teases New Album With Song Snippet

Posted 2/17/12 2:57 pm EST by in Music


John Mayer

Finally! Some new music from John Mayer! Yay!

After delaying his next album due to some throat and vocal problems, John is finally teasing his forthcoming project in the form of a song snippet on his Tumblr account.

As promised, the song definitely has a cowboy vibe to it. It’s sunny and bright and John’s voice sounds as John Mayer-y as ever. (If you listen to enough John Mayer you know exactly what that means.) On the very, very ear-pleasing “Shadow Days,” Mayer sings, “Well, I ain’t no troublemaker / And I never meant her harm / But it doesn’t mean I didn’t make it hard to carry on.”

The lyrics certain fit in with the Mayer repertoire, where he readily plays a good-natured Casanova. As the chorus kicks in, he sings, “Hard times, let me be / I’m a good man with a good heart / Had a tough time / Got a rough start / But I finally learned to let it go / Now I’m right here and I’m right now / And I’m open / Knowing somehow that my shadow days are over / My shadow days are over now.”

Shedding some light on the new track, he wrote on his Tumblr (click to listen), “Here’s a clip of the first single off Born and Raised, called 'Shadow Days.' I’m excited to share the first bit of sound from the album… Been looking forward to a post like this since October 14, 2010, the first day I started writing this group of songs. Enjoy.”

Enjoy we did. Hey John, give us more! We’re totally into it.

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Exclusive: Backstreet Boy Howie D Announces Tour Of Israel

Posted 2/7/12 8:00 am EST by in Exclusives, Music, tour, Tour Dates


Howie D

Have you always wondered: When is Backstreet Boy Howie D going to hit the road for his own tour around the sacred land of Israel? What, you have? Well, then it’s good that he is heading there this September and he wants some of his biggest fans to join him.

The singer has announced a Howie D-themed trek around Israel (yes, you read that right!), which includes a lot of face time with Mr. Dorough. What kind of face time, you’re wondering? Well, lucky fans will get dinners with him, tours of various tourist attractions alongside the singer and will even attend some events hosted by Howie. The lengthy trip to the country kicks off on September 2 and wraps up on September 11.

“All of my fans know I love to travel and learn about new cultures – especially trying new cuisines! So I’m excited to visit Israel (for the first time) with them!” Howie told MTV News in an exclusive statement. “We’ll absorb all of the history and I’ll personally have a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform my new music while we cruise the Sea of Galilee together. This is going to be an amazing experience that I get to share with true fans. This is going to be an unforgettable trip!”

Fans who want to learn more and buy tickets can visit the trip's website as well as Howie's personal site.

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The Wanted Describe Their Perfect Night Out With Mike Tyson

Posted 1/31/12 3:09 pm EST by in Music, Video


U.K. boybanders The Wanted are currently deep in their U.S. tour. Along the way they are not only winning over the hearts of teen girls across our great land, but also the heart of one particular former boxer-turned-actor.

Mike Tyson has owned up to his fandom for the band. It all kicked off shortly after they appeared as the musical guests on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” From there, Mike’s people called The Wanted’s people and a bro session was discussed (all was originally reported by Brit newspaper, The Sun).

When the guys stopped by the MTV Newsroom last week, they opened up about the possibility of hanging out with him, and they seemed quite enthusiastic about the whole idea, noting that they hope it lives up to anything and everything they’ve seen in “The Hangover.”

“[I want] chill on his tiger,” Max George enthused as he relaxed in the MTV Newsroom with his bandmates. He later joked, “[That's] not a euphemism.” Watch:

Well, considering the guys will be stateside for a little while longer, here’s hoping that they get the chance to bro out with Mike Tyson in Sin City and get a proper date on the books. You know what they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Read More...

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Taylor Swift Pens A Song For The Kennedys

Posted 1/25/12 10:17 am EST by in Taylor Swift


When we read that Taylor Swift had penned a song for America’s answer to the Royal Family, The Kennedys, we met this fact with very little shock and awe. It is Taylor Swift after all: lover of snow globes, Christmas trees and cardigan sweaters. So for her to be fascinated with America’s most fascinating political family, well, that’s just Taylor being Taylor.

The news of T’s Kennedy-themed track was shared by Rory Kennedy to ABC News. “She really just loves my mother which is so sweet,” Kennedy said. “I’m a huge fan of hers, I have young girls and we had been to a few of her concerts. I met with her at one of them and she had read a ton of books about our family. She was inspired and wrote a song.”

Swift had been spotted with Rory at Sundance, where the Kennedy screened a documentary about her mother called “Ethel.” The singer also opened up about her love for the fam in Vogue, when she shared, “The only time in my life I have ever been star struck was meeting Caroline and Ethel Kennedy. I got to spend the afternoon with Ethel a couple of weeks ago. She is one of my favorites because you look back at the pictures of her and Bobby and they always look like they are having the most fun out of everybody. You know, eleven kids, all these exotic animals on their property. I’ve read a lot about them.”

Okay, while we anxiously await this new Taylor track (like will it be on her new album?), we have a few other suggestions of historical families that would make the perfect muses for TayTay. Read More...

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Oscar Nods: 'The Muppets,' 'Hugo' Get Music Noms

Posted 1/24/12 10:02 am EST by in Madonna, oscars


Sure, the movies are what count when it comes to the Oscar nominations, but there’s also some music news sprinkled in there. On Tuesday when names like Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill (yes, that Jonah Hill), George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Rooney Mara and many more were announced as nominees, there were a few musicians who also got some love.

In the Music (Original Song) category only two songs made the cut, “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets” (music and lyrics by Bret McKenzie) and “Real in Rio” from “Rio” (music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown and lyrics by Siedah Garrett).

Surprisingly, will.i.am’s “Rio” track “Hot Wings” didn’t make the cut, nor did the Elton John/Lady Gaga track "Hello "Hello" from “Gnomeo & Juliet.” But, most surprisingly, Mary J. Blige’s “The Help” track, “The Living Proof,” was noticeably absent from the final list of nominees.

For all the Madge stans out there, Madonna's Golden Globe-winning track “Masterpiece” was ineligible due to Academy placement regulations, but her film, “W.E.,” did at least get one nod in the costume design category. At the NYC premiere of the film on Monday, the singer shared that all she wanted was some Academy love for the movie, so that should make the Queen of Pop happy. Read More...

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Matthew Crawley Teases 'Thrills and Chills' On 'Downton Abbey'

Posted 1/20/12 5:03 pm EST by in Television


As we Americans emotionally prepare ourselves for the next installment of the second season of PBS’ answer to “Gossip Girl,” “Downton Abbey” (airing Sunday), MTV News figured out the best way to get some awesome scoop-age was to get on the telephone with one of our favorite residents of Downton, Matthew Crawley (played by the incredibly awesome Dan Stevens).

(For those wondering why Matthew—well because we just KNOW the Dowager Countess is scared of telephones and any possible vapors they may let off.)

“There’s a couple of thrills and chills still with the war. I don’t think it’s giving too much away to say he gets injured … there’s a lot of heartbreak still to come,” Dan shared, much to our dismay. “He’s definitely not at his lowest point yet and towards the end of the season, I think what will be your episode three and the first part of episode four, is pretty dark, dark place for him. Your episode three, get the box of tissues ready. It’s a pretty tough going.”

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Are The Spice Girls Reuniting?

Posted 1/20/12 12:46 pm EST by in Reunions


Spice Girls

It’s a Spice, Spice World and we’re all just living in it.

According to a new report, the world’s great girl group of all time, the Spice Girls may reunite for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Yes, that means THIS YEAR they may take the stage together. Consider us VERY excited.

If the reports do pan out, the reunion would act as a promotion for the stage musical based on their incredibly catchy and irresistible catalogue and career, “Viva Forever,” penned by the absolutely fabulous Jennifer Saunders.

"The girls are so very excited for their musical to be released," the Radar Online source says. "They absolutely love what Jennifer Saunders has done with the script. It's going to be unlike anything anyone has ever seen on stage. Fans of the Spice Girls and younger generations that never knew their music will get to experience what Girl Power is all about!"

While Scary Spice was the last lady to agree to the musical, it seems it’s another Spice Girl making it difficult for the reunion to happen. "Mel B is pushing for it to happen. It would be an opportunity of a lifetime for the band to perform in front of a worldwide audience in front of the best athletes in their country – well, there are no words!” the source added. "Mel B and Emma Buntin are agreeable to doing it, but the holdout seems to be Victoria Beckham. She has so much going on ... and she isn't agreeing to it – yet!" Read More...

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Backstreet Boys' 'I Want It That Way' Kicks Off Weekly Vintage Video Series

Posted 1/20/12 10:58 am EST by in Music, Video, vintage video


As far as I’m concerned it’s still 1999. That’s the year the greatest song in pop music made its debut. In April of that year, my boos, the Backstreet Boys, dropped their first single off their Y2k-themed Millennium. The track, “I Want It That Way,” changed the scope of pop music at the time, which had favored cheese over substance. It was deeper, more meaningful and definitely impactful.

The chart-topping, Grammy-nominated tune landed at #10 on the MTV/Rolling Stone magazine-curated list of "100 Greatest Pop Songs Of All Time.” Written and produced by pop demi-god Max Martin (along with fellow Swede Andreas Carlsson and Kristian Lundin), the song quickly became a “TRL” and Top 40 radio staple.

The video itself was a more mature look at the five guys in the band. The Wayne Isham-directed clip was actually pretty simple, given the complex heartache of the track. The sun-drenched video just followed the guys through an airport. As the song crescendos, the guys are met by screaming excited fans holding up handmade signs, a scene they regularly encountered in 1999. (I know, I was there.) That year, the video was up for 4 VMAs and eventually took home the Moonman for Viewer’s Choice. (It probably should have won all of them in retrospect.)

In fact, it was so great and so popular that it was later parodied by the very funny guys of Blink-182 for their “All The Small Things” clip, released later that same year.

So hit “play” and party like it’s 1999 all over again.

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John Mayer Says New Album Will Feature 'Cowboy Songs' Written 'Under The Stars'

Posted 1/19/12 1:55 pm EST by in Music


John Mayer

Last fall, John Mayer had to delay the release of his new album, Born And Raised, after he was diagnosed with vocal problems, much to his many fans’ dismay. Now, months later, the singer/songwriter has reemerged and is opening up a bit about the album, noting that while he is feeling better, he is not yet 100 percent.

Rollingstone.com reports that at the National Association of Music Merchants Conference in Anaheim, Calif., where he was promoting a limited-edition guitar (a custom 00-45SC John Mayer Edition Martin, for those wondering) he said that the album will have "organic cowboy guitar sounds,” adding that he had this very romantic thought when it came to the album’s vibe: “What would it sound like if I wrote an album of cowboy songs on this guitar under the stars?"

Mayer has certainly tackled various topics on his songs over his career ranging from heartbreak and love to loneliness and even politics (both actual politics and those of the heart) and he says that this next release will see him launching a new phase in his musical evolution. "Every new record I start, a new aesthetic comes in. I can't help it,” he said. “I think it's gonna be more organic, more natural lyrics and chords and artful simplicity.” Read More...

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Nick Jonas Talks Gay Marriage, Stage Nudity

Posted 1/19/12 12:15 pm EST by in Gay Rights, Jonas Brothers


As Nick Jonas prepares for his debut in “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” he’s opening up to The Advocate about his history on Broadway, as well as his future on The Great White Way.

When asked if he’d ever consider going au natural on stage, like his “How To Succeed” predecessor, Daniel Radcliffe, he didn’t completely rule it out. “I love theater and I understand the difference between acting and who you are as a person. I don’t know that it’s something I would’ve done in the end, but I definitely would’ve considered it,” he said laughing. “You have to be open to everything.”

Nick does seem pretty open to a lot of stuff. He says that growing up in Broadway shows has always meant that he’s comfortable around gay people. While he clarifies that none of the JoBros are gay, he adds that they totally love their gay fans. “It was definitely cool when we realized that, because the more you can grow your audience, the more people you can impact. They’ve been incredible over the years,” he said. “My brothers and I totally look forward to meeting them, because they really respond to our style, and it’s cool to see how our influence has impacted what they’re wearing. They also give really good gifts at our meet-and-greets — hats, scarves, and other things. They always have good taste.” Read More...

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