Thursday 26 January 2012

Neon Hitch: The Newest Pop Star People Need To Know About

I was browsing through some blogs the other day when I stumbled upon a Youtube video for an artist called Neon Hitch. I didn't think much of the stage name ( in fact it isn't, her real name is actually Neon !) but decided to give it a go anyway.

The song in question was 'Poisoned With Love' produced by Greg Kurstin, the wizard behind tracks by Kylie and Lilly Allen. After the first listen I was hooked ! Great pop vocals, infectious melodies and a swagger that puts singers like Cher Lloyd to shame. In fact, she's the Cher Lloyd your allowed to like !

You should really check out her Youtube page as she also has done some amazing covers of various rap tracks by the likes of Snoop Dogg, which are ACTUAL reinterpretations of the originals, not some lazy karaoke nonsense.

Her first album is supposed to drop this year, with production duties by Benny Blanco (Britney Spears, Kelis), Greg Kurstin and more !

Mango Debuts New Kate Moss Campaign



Mango has released the first photos of their new Summer campaign starring Brit Supermodel staple Kate Moss.

The adverts channel a sort of 60's Bridget Bardot vibe that Moss has pulled off before to great effect in previous shoots.

While the clothes themselves are nothing overly special, Kate looks great in the Terry Richardson shot campaign.

It's all about the Mid-End market these days in fashion with the recession, so Mango should expect good sales for this collection with Mossy out there promoting for them.

Kim Kardashian Has Google Alerts Set Up, For Herself !


In the most unsurprising news of the day Gawker has reported that recent photos of Kim Kardashian show that she has Google Alerts set up for herself.

Now she isn't the only celebrity who does this sort of thing and of course, you have to be an ego maniac like Kim to sell yourself in every way possible but the question is, what type of earth shattering stories is she expecting to stumble upon ?

'Kim Kardashian sighted getting coffee from Starbucks !'

'Kim Kardashian appears at dry cleaners shocker !'

'Kim Kardashian seen at salon getting a bikini wax'

etc etc.

She doesn't actually DO ANYTHING, so why does she need the constant updates on her life ?

If there is one thing I must applaud her for it's for her unwavering commitment to extreme narcissism.  On that front Kim you are truly worthy of admiration.

Rihanna Launches New Fashion Show With Sky TV


A press release today by Sky TV channel Living revealed that Rihanna is helping them to launch a new fashion reality show.

In the show, to be presented by Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, contestants will battle to to create an outfit deemed worthy of wear by Rihanna for her UK gig in Hyde Park this Summer.

While it's always positive to have an outlet for young/upcoming designers to show off their talents I can't help but be cynical about this type of format. Haven't we seen this type of show time and time again ?

I can't think, off the top of my head, of any notable designers being produced via this kind of show. Just seems like more of a novelty with Rihanna's name being used to publicize her more than the designers. At this point does Rihanna even need more exposure ?

The show is due to air on Sky Living UK this Summer.

Will.I.Am confirms LMFAO/Madonna Super Bowl Appearance




Speaking on Capital FM today Black Eyed Peas front man Will.I.Am has confirmed that his group LMFAO will be joining Madonna onstage for her Super Bowl performance next week.

A supposed setlist sees them joining the 'Queen Of Pop' on a new rendition of Holiday but it's just an unconfirmed rumor at the this stage.

So we have M.I.A, Cee-Lo and now LMFAO. All the artists mentioned belong to Interscope, Madonna's new label, so it makes perfect sense.

These collaborations should insure that critics of Madonna, being a Super Bowl performer, are silenced. She's one smart cookie that Madge ;-)

Wednesday 25 January 2012

M.I.A Releasing New Single 'Bad Girls'


Pitchfork have posted that M.I.A will be releasing her new Danja (Madonna, Timbaland, Britney Spears) produced single 'Bad Girls' next week on January 30th.

The song will be available to stream on their site and for purchase the following day via ITunes.

Love the version on the Vicki Leekz mixtape she released last year. Can't wait to see what her and Danja have cooked up for the official version !

With her new single and an appearance with Madonna at the Super Bowl Maya is going to be one busy lady.

A New Way To Lose Weight ? Just Chill


The New York Times health section has a new article about a surprising new finding.

They have discovered a new type of fat in humans called 'brown fat'. Now before you start tearing your hair out worrying about a new threat to your svelte figure, brown fat is actually good for you.

The Times reports that it actually aids in burning calories thus burning the other fat we want rid of. Brown fat is created one of two ways, either through exercise OR through BEING COLD !

So the next time your freezing in Winter, don't complain okay, just think 'I may be freezing my ass off but at least i'm burning that blubber !'. Here's the full article in The New York Times along with the 'science bit'.

Lana Del Ray - Blue Jeans Live BBC Radio 6



I'm a bit late to the Lana Del Ray party but over the past month or so she has really blown up on the web.

There has been a lot of comment about Ms Del Ray. Plastic surgery, collagen lips, manufactured image etc etc but I don't really care much about that.

I heard her latest single Blue Jeans earlier this month after a performance on SNL. She receieved a look of flack for less than stellar vocals and a lot of blogs accused her of just being a studio singer with no real vocal chops.

This week she performed as part of a BBC Radio 6 Live show and she blew me away. I can't think of any mainstream artist who is doing what she's doing at the moment. She has a unique sound, very moody, restrained vocals and production (which is refreshing after the constant barrage of four to the floor style beats we have been enduring from chart radio).

I think she has a bright future ahead of her and I look forward to hearing her new album when it's released this quarter. One things for sure, she can certainly cut it live.

The Joys Of Mrs Featherbottom- Arrested Development



Netflix recently launched in the U.K and i'm currently using the free trial they have on offer. While they lack a fair number of actual films they make up for that with a wide range of TV shows.

The full 3 seasons of Arrested Development is on there and I've been catching up with the Bluth family. Now Tobias was always one of my favorite characters (along with vodka guzzling Lucile) but I totally forgot about his Mrs Featherbottom creation !

Now whenever I hear the word 'Banger' it will never be the same again !

Can't wait for the new Netflix produced series to launch, it truly was one of the best shows on television !

Breaking Into Fashion- An Insiders Guide


The Huffington Post has a column by fashion journalist Louise Roe about how to break into the oh so elusive fashion industry.

The article is actually full of quite practical straight forward advice however what it does show is just how prohibitive working in the fashion industry actually is.

Her key point seems to be experience, experience, experience ! Which is sensible, before you can enter into any paid employment you have to have demonstrable skills and experience behind you. The main problem is that a lot this work experience in the fashion industry is gained through interning, usually at sites based in very expensive cities and the real kicker is, you have to work for FREE !

Now in a time of recession who but the uber rich can afford to do free internships after college/university ?! And people wonder why there isn't more diversity in the fashion world.

Anyway, check out the story here.

Demi Moore In Hospital With Alleged Substance Abuse Problem



Gossip website TMZ is reporting that actress Demi Moore has been rushed to hospital due to an 'alleged' substance abuse problem.

A 911 call from Demi's house on Monday night saw paramedics rush to her house and she was later taken into hospital.

Demi Moore's rep states that the actress is in hospital to 'seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health'.

Probably linked to her recent break up with Ashton Kutcher/some other underlying issues and the substance abuse angle makes a lot of sense. Demi is rich and lives in Hollywood. The place is awash with easily obtainable medication (see Lindsay Lohan) so it's not too far fetched to imagine she has a problem with drugs.

Madonna's First Super Bowl Promo


French radio station NRJ has just released a promo for Madonna's Super Bowl performance next week. Madonna is wearing her outfit from the recent W.E premiere in London (and looks amazing) but the real treat is hearing a snippet of her new single 'Gimmie All Your Luvin'.

The single is due to receive it's radio debut at 12am February 3rd on U.S radio and features Nicki Minaj/M.I.A. Madonna will perform the new track live with the two rappers at the Super Bowl alongside 'some oldies but goodies' that she hinted at in a recent interview.

Can't wait for her Madgesty to rock that stage !

Quirky New Missoni Ads With Pedro And Co !



Missoni has just released a new set of adverts for their Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Usually these campaigns are predictable high gloss nonsense, however, not on this occasion. Instead of stoic faced models Missoni has roped in Pedro Almodovar and his actresses Rossy de Palma and Blanca Suarez (who recently starred in the excellent Pedro film The Skin I Live In) for the campaign.

The results are actually quite good, it's a slight shock to the system to see a bit of humour/quirkiness in fashion campaigns but these pictures prove Missoni has hit the mark well. They appear similar to Dolce and Gabanna's recent campaigns featuring models in Italian domestic settings but without the Stepford Wifeish Photoshopped aesthetic.

Here are more pics from the campaign @Huffington Post.