She’s worked with some of the biggest songwriters in Nashville, contributed a song to the soundtrack of a hit movie and was personally sought out for collaboration by none other than Katy Perry – all before releasing her first album.
Clearly, Jessie James is not your average “new artist.” “I’ve been performing on stage since I was 9 years old,” the singer-songwriter, now 21, tells andPOP. “So it’s definitely something I’m used to. . . . I’ve been doing this forever.”
It’s all coming to a head with the impending release of James’s debut album via Mercury Records/Island Def Jam. Due in stores July 14, the album is a genre-hopping fusion of country, pop, rock and soul, driven by James’ powerhouse vocals. Lead single “Wanted” (co-written by “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi) is already playing on more than 60 stations across the U.S., and its music video was featured by iTunes as a “Video of the Week” last month.
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Some of the world’s biggest artists have teamed up with Cuban band Rhythms Del Mundo for a benefit album that puts a Latin twist on well-known songs.
The Killers, Amy Winehouse, Fall Out Boy, Jack Johnson, KT Tunstall, Keane, Cat Power, Kaiser Chiefs, OneRepublic and the Rolling Stones are among the acts featured on “Rhythms Del Mundo Classics,” which is set for release July 13.
The album aims to raise awareness and funds for climate crisis projects and natural disaster relief through the U.K.-based charity Artists Project Earth.
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Director Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventure of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn” is set to hit North American theatres on Dec. 23, 2011, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The 3-D motion-capture feature will premiere to audiences in other parts of the world even earlier, with an international rollout scheduled to begin in late October of that year.
Filming began in January for the project, which is inspired by the famous character introduced by Belgian illustrator Herge in 1929. Jamie Bell stars as the titular globetrotting young reporter, while his “Defiance” co-star Daniel Craig plays the villainous pirate Red Rackham.
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Two films – one a beloved action franchise, the other an upcoming horror comedy – are making their way into the comic world courtesy of Boom! Studios.
The comic-book company has announced it will publish a “Die Hard” prequel titled “Die Hard: Year One,” which will star a younger version of the John McClane character made famous by Bruce Willis on the big screen.
The official plot synopsis reads: “Every great action hero got started somewhere: Batman Began. Bond had his Casino Royale. And for John McClane, more than a decade before the first DIE HARD movie, he’s just another rookie cop, an East Coast guy working on earning his badge in New York City during 1976’s Bicentennial celebration. Too bad for John McClane, nothing’s ever that easy.”
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We all remember Xena – but now get ready for Natalie Portman: Warrior Princess.
The 27-year-old actress is joining the cast of Universal’s “Your Highness,” a medieval farce starring Danny McBride and James Franco.
As previously reported, the movie will follow an arrogant and lazy prince (McBride) and his more competent brother (Franco) as they go on a quest to save their father’s kingdom.
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Music, Pop, Rock Tags:
duran duran,
Mark Ronson,
Rio Posted on June 1st, 2009 by
Eva Lam
Duran Duran have recorded a “new” version of their 1982 hit “Rio” in tribute to British uber-producer Mark Ronson.
Ronson, who is collaborating with the veteran band on their upcoming album, appeared on BBC Radio 1’s “Zane Lowe Show” last week with the updated track, which now includes lines like: “His name is Ronson and he mixes with both hands” and “When he cuts he really shows you all he can.”
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Music, Rock Tags:
concert DVD,
Metallica Posted on June 1st, 2009 by
Eva Lam
Metallica have confirmed they will film four shows on their World Magnetic Tour for a new concert DVD.
“There’s been a little chatter here and there about us filming a few shows this summer for potential release on DVD and among the countless Internet rumors, these ones are actually true!” the band announced in a recent posting on their official website.
“We thought it would be cool to document a few shows that are unique and sure to be extra memorable for us, and hopefully for you too.”
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Angelina Jolie is reportedly back on the set of her latest movie after being taken to the hospital for a minor bump to the head.
The actress was shooting an action sequence for the thriller “Salt” in New York on Friday when she sustained the injury.
According to Columbia Pictures spokesman Steve Elzer, Jolie was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure, examined and released.
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Dr. Dre will give fans a sneak peek at “Detox,” his first album in 10 years, in a new Dr. Pepper commercial that is set to debut Monday.
The rapper-producer makes his way through a party in the soft-drink ad, saying “Scientific tests prove when you drink Dr. Pepper slow, the 23 flavours taste even better. For me, slow always produces a hit.” He then uses his pop can to slow down the beat at a DJ stand, to the delight of the partygoers.
As Nah Right reports, the beat featured in the commercial is from “Shit Popped Off,” a track that is expected to appear on Dr. Dre’s new album.
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Dustin Hoffman has joined the cast of “Barney’s Version,” a big-screen adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel by Mordecai Richler.
The two-time Academy Award winner will star alongside Paul Giamatti (”Sideways”), who will portray the cantankerous title character, Barney Panofsky. Hoffman will play Izzy, Barney’s foul-mouthed, retired cop father.
In a statement, the film’s director expressed his excitement for the addition of Hoffman to the Canada-Italy co-production.
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