Obsessively blogging about pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from inside the MTV headquarters in Times Square. We also have a slight Jonas Brothers problem. And a little fixation with Tokio Hotel.
Well, let's downshift a little here and end the week with a really good jam, shall we? We're big fans of La Roux on this side of the street: we talked to her about cooking and David Bowie, we showed you some really great MTV photos of her. She's already a fearless, refreshing, and inimitable style icon, she's going places, and we're going with her.
In her awes new video, "I'm Not Your Toy," La Roux turns her infectious, lovely electro-pop jam steampunk (check the Viewfinder), and throws in some Frankie Goes To Hollywood too. It's a blast. TGIF!
The leaves are leaving the trees and the kids are back in school. It's starting to look like Woodie weather out there, no?
MTVU's annual award show--held this year on December 4th--honors those artists who put it down on college campuses everywhere; celebrating the music the kids listen to while studying to become the future leaders of America, etc. And the best part about this show? You can vote to determine who wins!
This year features a really healthy crop of artists. Let's take a gander at some of the categories and nominees, shall we?
A couple of weeks ago you got to know the enchanting Elly Jackson, the woman behind the enchanting electro act La Roux. Well, now you get some pictures, too.
In her edition of "The 5," La Roux talked openly about her deep affection for David Bowie, who, I have to say, she shares a striking resemblance to in these pics. Check out this enigmatic collection. And make sure not to smoke cigarettes, despite the fact that she is enjoying one.
If you just judged her on her admittedly fabulous videos, you might take Brit electro-pixie La Roux as some sort of neo-Bjork, post-modern chanteuse from the future. But, really, she's a regular ol' around the way girl (the "way" being London, in this case). Elly Jackson--who performs as La Roux with partner Alex Stewart--is a pretty normal lady; she likes David Bowie, cooking, thinking about fashion and patterns (something on display in her "Bulletproof" clip) and enjoys vintage jewelry.
+ Ever the smart businessman, Snoop Dogg has just released some sick headphones (the only ones available with in-ear subwoofers), in partnership with music accessory outfit Skullcandy. Gotta make that meezy, fo' sheezy. (HipHop Wired)
+ Lady Gaga does the cover of OUT magazine (along with an amazing photo spread and accompanying article), and when we say "does it," we mean she blows it out. of the effing. water. Don't walk... RUN! (OUT)
+ Guitar god Les Paul passed away today, leaving tons of musicians and music lovers worldwide mourning the loss of a genius inventor and performer. (E! Online)
+ Electro duo La Roux announced today that their next single will be "I'm Not Your Toy." We're kind of in love with this band, and my boyfriend hates me because of it. Overshare? Oh, you just WAIT... (NME)
+ Remind us again why Scarlett Johansson is trying to have a singing career? Probably the same reason Beyonce is trying to have an acting career. Watch this just-released video in which, regardless of whether or not she can sing she looks insanely hot, for "Relator" with Pete Yorn to refresh your memory. (PopSugar)
+ We love Fefe Dobson (remember "Take Me Away?"). Evidently she put on a smoldering show at NYC's Mercury Lounge (performing new tracks like "I Want You" mixed with some old favorites) last night. We love what this girl stands for: sticking it to the man and doing things her way. Let's hope this time around her label will keep her on the payroll for a while. (Neon Limelight)
Shame on me for sleeping on La Roux (that's a figure of speech -- I didn't actually sleep ON TOP of the British electropop twosome Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid for an electropop threesome) up until a few weeks ago. And it turns out I was like the ONLY one asleep at the keyboard because they've opened for Lily Allen, The Guardian is all over them, they just played All Points West this past weekend, and they got a Mercury Award nomination.
If you're into Robyn (and I AM!) and/or Yelle and miss '80s androgynous powercrossdressing -- think "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?"-era Boy George meets M.I.A. (meets Tilda Swinton), La Roux will make this your SUMMER OF ELECTROPOP. And TRUST: "Bulletproof" will be in your head for A MONTH. AT least. Of course, that could be because I've listened to this song about once every 15 minutes for the past week.
Watch La Roux's live performance of "Bulletproof" from yesterday's episode of It's On With Alexa Chung.
HUGE It's On With Alexa Chung day for Brits and animal print! Almost everyone on the show today either WAS British (Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, the AMAZING La Roux. and Rick Edwards) wore animal print, OR BOTH -- -- Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller. Total outlier: Vanessa Hudgens, who looks like a mini Jennifer Lopez.
Okay, here's what Alexa Chung wore today! Tuesday, August 4 + Dress: Rebecca Taylor + Shoes: Juicy Couture + Necklace: J. Crew
This leopard-print Reko dress is really cute in a wild-granny-goes-back-to-school way. It's $80 at Topshop.
SUCH a hot animal print dress by Alexander Wang. It should remind you NOTHING of your grandmother, I hope. It's $524 at LuisaViaRoma.com.
And if I knew how to steal identities and had no morals and hijacked your credit cards, this Matthew Williamson dress would be the first thing I'd buy. It's $1150 at Net-a-porter.com.
+ More photos and Sienna Miller's pants after the jump!
I have a special place in my heart devoted to high-energy, melody-driven rock songs -- and for mustachioed hipsters in cut-off jeans -- and Florida export Fallbrooke set up shop in my happy little heart the minute I watched their "Losin' It" video.
There are many reasons I'm obsessed with "Losin' It," and some of those reasons don't even involve chest hair, though it's certainly a plus. Top of the list -- an appearance by the sexy (though chaperoned), Mandy Jiroux -- as in, "Manders," Miley Cyrus' bestie and partner in vlogging and going to Starbucks.
"Losin' It" is based on a real-life online omance/frustration, so it was totally apropos to recruit Manders, who gives great video, for the Web-themed video. I'd even tell Schmanders to stick with her Web-cam niche had she not already branched out into girl group territory. P.S. Mandy's group, The Beach Girl5, shared recording space with Fallbrooke (signed to RMR Music Group), a proximity that led to an encounter and subsequent gig.
Overall I heart Fallbrooke for its good-boy rocker vibe, as well as for Eric's strong vocals, showcased in my favorite Fallbroke song, "Can't Have You". Seriously, if the "Losin' It" video doesn't charm you, check out Fallbrooke's MySpace for "Can't Have You" and the boys' (pretty adorable, though not completely current) vlogs.
At the ripe old age of 16, Miley Cyrus has already had kick-ass hit songs, blockbuster movies, a dance off (!), and sold-out tours. But all of that hasn't come without its fair share of controversy. While we still think she's firmly planted on the good-girl side of the fence, she hasn't quite managed to keep herself scandal-free. So, herewith are the Top 5 Most Major Miley Cyrus Scandals Evarrr (so far):
5. HaXxZorZ: Miley's no stranger to technology, but being sooo web 2.0 has its consequences. Her YouTube channel was hacked earlier this year when some random weirdo posted a fake message that said she had died. And just this past week Miley's Twitter account was hardcore hacked ("Demi Lovato wears hair extensions," wha???).
3. Demi/Selena Fight: Okay so this one was kinda Miley's fault. She and her BFF Mandy Jiroux made a YouTube video where they kinda/sorta made fun of Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Miley claimed that it was all in good fun and that they were JKsies, but considering Selena's maybe-relationship with Miley's ex, Nick Jonas, it was hard to tell. And speaking of Nick Jonas, that brings us right up to No. 2!
2. Jonas Brothers: As hard as we try, it's pretty near impossible to think of Miley without thinking of the JoBros. Nick and Miley were obvs TLF for awhile, and though things didn't work out (see "7 Things"), we can't help but always feel like they'll forever be king and queen of the prom.
1. Asian Gate: Miley, honey, walk away from your digital camera (and, uhm... drop the racial pantomiming?) Just sayin'. Love Buzzworthy.
Last time we spoke, I wondered whether there was room among the neon names of the new pop explosion - the Hannah Montanas - for the wilder likes of Animal Collective. Surprise, surprise, I got no real answers. Only misdirected anger in the comments section and misspelled sarcasm on disillusioned lolcatz culture blog, Hipster Runoff. So I went looking for my own answers and got a resounding YES from British electro-tart, Little Boots (who also just so happens to have turned up in the comments of the Hipster Runoff post!).
Have you listened to Little Boots yet? Her moody dance music, which would be right at home on the Twilight soundtrack, has charmed the media elites and won her coverage in Pitchfork, VICE and The FADER. But! She's also won over the masses with her incessant blogging and her ongoing series of home videos in which she lays around in pajamas and ... just sings songs. In one, she sincerely covers Miley Cyrus and gives this introduction (with typos intact):
"this song is actually amazing..... how can i possibly to it justice...... SEE YOU AGAIN by HANNAH MONTANNA/ MILEY CYRUS..... what kind of genius can write lyrics 'my best friend lesley said she's just being miley'.... think i might as well give up now."
So, is there really any difference between "indie" and "mainstream" anymore? Little Boots says no. It's 2009! It's all just music! Some of it's good, some of it sucks. Like food. And if you can put pickles on a tuna sandwich, there's no reason that R. Kelly, Plain White T's, Panda Bear and Lil Wayne can't occupy the same iPod, much less the same blog. Trust me, you can definitely get down to "My Girls" with "Hey Delilah" in your head. I've done it. I'm maybe doing it now. Anyway, this is getting ridiculous. Listen to Little Boots. What do you think?
