The Pipettes are back with “Boo Shuffle” a super fun single resplendent with its own dance routine that zaps them right back to their polka-dotted girl group roots.
One of the last songs to be produced by the legendary Martin Rushent (The Stranglers, Shirley Bassey, Altered Images, The Buzzcocks and, most famously, the Human League’s ‘Dare’) before his untimely death earlier this year, Boo Shuffle fizzes with energy and is sure to put the band right back in the hit parade where they belong.
With their sassy songs and their referencing of the girl groups of the late fifties The Pipettes had remarkable success. A top ten album in Japan where the single ‘Pull Shapes’ was only kept off the number one spot by J-Lo, top ten radio positions all across Europe, two Top Forty hits in the UK and a Top Ten in the US billboard indies. They played on the main stages at Reading and Glastonbury, blazed a British trail across the states, conquered the world and sold a heap of records. Their second album of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘ saw a move towards the sounds of Chic-inspired seventies disco and eighties chart music, but “Boo Shuffle” sees a return to the fifties / sixties retro vibe of the material that made their name.
Singer and songwriter Ani Saunders says, “The song’s named after my shuffling hamster Boo (RIP) and more or less represents exactly what The Pipettes are about (the song that is, not the hamster). We like to sing pop songs, we like to dance, and we like to have a good time. It’s got dance moves and directions, and it’s the perfect opportunity for everyone to have fun and let go a little. Let’s face it, it’s pretty gloomy out there at the moment and this song always lightens the mood.”
The B-side is a remix by Martin Rushent, who the band are devastated to have lost, having grown close to him and his family during the recording of their album at his home studio. Famed for the album ‘Love And Dancing‘, a remix reinterpretation album of the Human League’s ‘Dare‘ which changed dance music forever, this remix was to have been the start of his second such project, an album of remixes of ‘Earth Vs The Pipettes‘. As Ani says, “It was an honour and a privilege to have worked with Martin. This single is a tribute to him and a big thank you to the whole Rushent family.”
Already a huge live favourite with the band’s fans, “Boo Shuffle” comes complete with a dance moves video made with London’s all girl 60s dance troupe The Actionettes and is odds on to be the number one dance song at parties across the land this Christmas. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to do the boo shuffle!
The Pipettes return with Boo Shuffle tracklisting:
1. Boo Shuffle (Radio Edit) 3.33
2. Boo Shuffle 4.00
3. Stop the Music (Martin Rushent Remix) 3.46
The Pipettes release Boo Shuffle on Fortuna POP! as a 7” vinyl & digital download on 14 November 2011.
For celebrities, life is all about the limelight, being in it, staying out of it, either way they are constantly under the scrutiny of fans and followers across the globe. With the paparazzi waiting around every corner, it is hugely important for pop stars to keep their styles fresh, which can mean regular makeovers with varying results.
2011 has been no exception in the style stakes, with pop stars in the public eye queuing up to show off their new looks –which have ranged from the classical (think Cheryl Cole) to the fantastical (hands up Lady Gaga). Here we look at some of the style choices made by pop stars so far this year, how they have been reported and what the public reaction has been.
Katy Perry
The California Girls singer may have waxes lyrical about the benefits of “Daisy Dukes, Bikinis on Top” but her own style is starting to sway a little from the skin tight bodycon looks that she has favoured so far.
A recent appearance on the UK X-Factor saw the number one pop princess ditching the risqué and revealing outfits that finally tamed famed womaniser Russell Brand in favour of a demure combination of wide-leg black trousers with a short-sleeved sheer off white blouse complete with unfastened bow tie.
Debbie Gibson
80s pop starlet Debbie Gibson may be making a bid for the big time again with her appearance on the celebrity apprentice, but her chosen style for the shoot left little to the imagination sparking whispers of mutton from the fashion press.
The once iconic “Electric Youth” singer stepped out in New York wearing a short denim skirt and cutaway top that would not have looked out of place on a woman less than half her age, and while the outfit didn’t cover much, it certainly secured her some coverage.
Jennifer Hudson
This divine diva is looking better than ever in 2011 after a long-term approach to weight loss began to show dividends. The Dream Girls Star and platinum selling artiste this year faced accusations of having undergone secret gastric band surgery, claims that have been strongly refuted by her management, who attribute her changing shape to hard work and a strict diet.
And with a new shape has come a whole new level of style, with Jennifer opting for smart tailored pieces that really flatter her newly honed curves.
Leann Rimes
Another singer whose weight has been under scrutiny this year is Leann Rimes, whose shrinking form has been the subject of mass speculation, all of which Rimes assures us is unwarranted. The singer and screen star, who rose to fame with her single Blue recorded when she was just 11-year-old, said that the changes in her body were a “natural progression” and slammed critics as irresponsible.
Certainly, the married stepmom is looking fantastic this year and has been photographed steeping out in a number of bohemian inspired outfits that inspired a little envy in us all.
Skepta, aka ‘The New King Of Grime’, returns this Autumn with his new single ‘Hold On’, the first offering to be taken from his forthcoming album due to be released in Spring 2012.
2011 so far has seen Skepta release his third studio album ‘Doin’ It Again’ and the DJ Whoo Kid hosted mixtape ‘Community Payback’, complete a nationwide headline UK tour, play a number of European festivals over the summer including Glastonbury, be nominated for his 2nd BET Award for ‘Best International Artist’, and perform with P Diddy at his recent Wembley Arena show.
Otherwise known as Joseph Junior Adenuga, the Tottenham born and raised DJ producer and MC, Skepta has played a key role in the elevation of grime to the mainstream masses. With a string of club anthems (such as ‘Duppy’ and ‘Too Many Men’) alongside chart hits (such as ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘So Alive’) to his name, in addition to a staggering YouTube presence, Skepta’s ability to crossover and provide material for both the underground and more commercial audiences is clear.
Still maintaining a key role in the collective Boy Better Know that includes his brother JME, Skepta has not just continued to produce mixtapes and albums on the scene but further helped to create tracks and provide lyrics for fellow peers such as Tinchy Stryder, N-Dubz and most recently Chipmunk, when featuring on the track ‘Decorations on my Body’ taken from Chipmunk’s recently released mixtape ‘Spazzz.com’.
Combining an infectious chorus with Skepta’s signature lyrical prowess over a dirty bass line, ‘Hold On’ is not only a dynamic club track with huge anthemic potential, but is arguably his most radio-friendly release to date. The video to ‘Hold On’ favours an Olympic theme showing Skepta in preparation for the 2012 Olympics and featuring cameos from Olympic medallist Darren Campbell and UK actor Richie Campbell, (Anuvahood).
‘Hold On’ will be released on 28th November 2011 by 3 Beat/ All Around The World. In the run up to the release, Skepta is set to embark ‘The Wedding Bells Tour’ – his second headline nationwide UK tour this year. Dates as follows:
Skepta UK Tour Dates
Fri 7th OCT: GLASGOW ABC
Sat 8th OCT: NEWCASTLE ACADEMY
Mon 10th OCT: LEEDS STYLUS
Tues 11th OCT: MANCHESTER ACADEMY
Thurs 13th OCT: SHEFFIELD ACADEMY
Fri 14th OCT: LEICESTER ACADEMY
Sat 15th OCT: NORWICH WATERFRONT
Sun 16th OCT: BRIGHTON CONCORDE
Mon 17th OCT: BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTE
Tues 18th OCT: LIVERPOOL ACADEMY
Wed 19th OCT: BRISTOL THEKLA
Thurs 20th OCT: LONDON ISLINGTON ACADEMY
Skepta schedules new single, Hold On for release on 28th November 2011 by 3 Beat/ All Around The World.
Underage Festival 2011 took place on Friday 5th August @ Victoria Park, east London.
Underage is a festival exclusively for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. A one day music festival in east London’s Victoria Park where younger music fans can meet with their friends independently of adults and chill out to some of the fresh tunes from new and popular artists.
This year’s Underage Festival was a huge success. The variety of artists meant that all musical tastes were catered for.
There were no fewer than seven stages with Bombay Bicycle Club headlining the main Underage Stage; while other stages were sponsored by the likes of Last FM, Topman CTRL Live, Artrocker, Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage, The Music Space Stage and The Roundhouse.
Artists played from 11am to 6pm and at times the promoters had a headache keeping to the schedule as some artists didn’t want to stop playing as the atmosphere was so exhilarating.
Great bands and artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club, Miles Kane, Rizzle Kicks, Crystal Fighters, Pulled Apart By Horses, Janelle Monae, BAIO, CocknBullKid, Devlin, Maverick Sabre, Roll Deep, Labrinth, Fugative, Tribes, The Midnight Beast, Yasmin, Giggs, Dog is Dead, Ms Dynamite and Loick Essien rocked the different stages amongst many other superb bands.
The first performers I started watching were Rizzle Kicks – a brilliant new duo with hopes to reach number 1 in the charts this summer. Even though they performed early in the day the tent was filled with screaming girls (and boys) as they played their set, including a great cover version of The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’, whilst they began to wrestle each other to the ground. They finished with their new single ‘Down With The Trumpets’ and literally everyone inside the park, sprinted towards the tent just to jump up and down in such excitement.
In my opinion Crystal Fighters had to be the best performance of the day. They delivered a stunning performance with everyone in the tent jumping up and down to the beat of their excellent singles including ‘Swallow’, ‘Follow’, ‘Xtatic Truth’ and ‘Solar System’.
Pulled Apart by Horses also gave a great show, and had the crowd cheering at literally everything they did, which just proves how much everyone was enjoying themselves.
Roundhouse was a smaller stage with performances from lesser known bands to those playing on the main stages. Cynikal and Mz Bratt gave great performances even though the smaller audience were pretty subdued.
Even though it is only one day, there was plenty to do besides listening to the live music. There were different stools to visit whilst walking around including the Youth Market, Coca-Cola, Claire’s Accessories and many others, either selling cool festival or artists merchandise, giving away freebies or prizes or even art and craft style activities which entertained almost everyone there.
The headliners, Bombay Bicycle Club got everyone jumping and dancing. They were the last band to play this year’s Underage Festival, and they totally won it. Everyone was singing along and dancing like no tomorrow!
Overall, Underage is a great idea and a brilliant way for music loving teenagers to have a great time.
Underage Festival 2011 was reviewed by Jack Lane (15) & Luca Lane (13).
Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys & Archive headline the main stage at this year’s Rock en Seine music festival but there are plenty of other great artists playing over the August Bank Holiday weekend that will make it a worthwhile trip to France.
CSS, Tinie Tempah, The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro, The LA’s, The Wombats, Seasick Steve & French pop band Sexy Sushi are among the many other artists I am looking forward to seeing. CSS are best known for their hit single ‘Let’s Make Love & Dance To Death From Above’ (Death From Above 1979 are also on the bill) while festival favourites The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro & The Wombats will play their lively, high-octane pop songs and no doubt get the crowds going.
I recently saw Tinie Tempah put on a great show at the Wireless Festival in London and I am also looking forward to seeing old timers Big Audio Dynamite and The LA’s for a big dose of nostalgia.
Rock en Seine music festival
Rock en Seine music festival is situated in a northern suburb, 10km outside Paris and is on from Friday 26th August to Sunday 28th August.
Francophonik promoting French music gigs & festivals
If you are a fan or want to listen to more French music, Francophonik is a cool new service offering you the chance to win tickets and packages to French music gigs in the UK and festivals in France. Their latest competition is to win two tickets to Rock en Seine. All you have to do is visit the Francophonik Facebook page, become a fan, then apply for tickets by simply ticking a box.
