Babymetal, 2016

Babymetal

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Babymetal Drop Incendiary New Single, Video "Distortion"

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The Japanese pop metal outfit have released a surprise new single and music video
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
May 8, 2018 - 11:44 am

The Japanese pop metal trio Babymetal dropped a new surprise today as a gift for their legions of rabid fans and to commemorate the opening date of their new world tour, which kicks off with an eight-date U.S. run and will include appearances at some of the world's most iconic metal festivals.

The new video for "Distortion" is the group's first new release since announcing on May 1 that they have partnered with U.S.-based 5B Artist Management and Records and U.K.-based Cooking Vinyl to launch their own record label, Babymetal Records.

Part of the group's mystique is there incorporation of pseudo lore surrounding their music, in the form of "prophecies," as Blabbermouth elucidates further:

"On April 1, known as 'Fox Day', a new prophecy was revealed. The prophecy revealed that up until now we have only experienced the Light Side and there exists an unknown Dark Side …'Distortion' explores the unrevealed Dark Side …The music video of this song presents this unknown side and marks the important beginning of a new legend."

(How metal is that??)

"Distortion" is now available through all major digital streaming services. The U.S. leg of Babymetal's world tour starts tonight in Kansas City, Mo., and will run through May 20, wrapping up at Rock On The Range before skipping across the Atlantic for a series of European dates. Further show details can be found on Babymetal's official website.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Music Festival AUS

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Australia's Pill Testing Debate Heats Up Following Music Festival Deaths

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Authorities have threatened to cancel future music fests in order to decrease accidental on-site deaths, but others say pill testing could do more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jan 2, 2019 - 1:19 pm

The conversation over whether pills should be tested at Australian music festivals is intensifying after two recent deaths.

A man died on Dec. 30 of a suspected overdose at the Lost Paradise music festival in New South Wales, and another man died on Jan 1. of a suspected drug overdose after attending the Beyond The Valley festival in Victoria.

Pill testing is one possible solution to the overdose deaths continuing to happen at music festivals in Australia, according to medical experts. But the option has been met with resistance.

Although the Australian Bureau Of Statistics can provide date on the number of people who have died from drug-related cases, the data does not show how many occurred "at large scale public events," according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 2016, there were 1,808 drug induced deaths in the country, according to the Australian Bureau Of Statistics. Illicit drugs increased that year, with the death rate from Psychostimulants quadrupling since 1999.

Authorities have threatened to cancel music festival events; the New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would do "everything we can" to shut down the Defqon.1 festival after two people died in Sept.

READ: Music Fans Traveled The World For Live Events In 2018

But some say shutting down festivals is not a realistic way of keeping people from taking illicit drugs and welcome pill testing as a way to decrease deaths.

In the past, Berejikian has had a zero tolerance stance on pill testing, stating: "Anyone who advocates pill testing is giving the green light to drugs. That is absolutely unacceptable."

But as other leaders in parts of Australia rule out pill testing at music festivals, following the recent deaths, the Premier is warming to the idea.

"If there was a way in which we could ensure that lives were saved through pill testing, we would consider it—but there is no evidence provided to the government on that," Berejiklian said, according to the Guardian.

READ: Hearing Clinics Help Make Summer Festivals Rock

The country held its first pill test trial at the Groovin the Moo festival in Canberra in April. Participants were able to provide a small sample of their pill(s) or powder to volunteers, who then analyzed the m in a mobile laboratory.

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner has said that the governments have to consider all available evidence to save people's lives, including pill testing.

"Pill testing is not a silver bullet, but it's a proven and positive way to help prevent this kind of tragedy, has majority support from Australians and must be at least trialed on a pilot basis —if it doesn't work, then stop it," Palmer told the Australian.

After the death of the man in New South Wales, Brisbane Water Police district commander Acting Superintendent Rod Peet said, "the best safety message is don't take drugs."

ABC Triple J conducted a survey of 11,000 young people that showed 55% have brought drugs to a festival and 83% would use pill testing, if available.

2019 Music Festival Preview: Noise Pop, Ultra & More

ASCAP Logo

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ASCAP Makes Disaster Relief Donation To MusiCares

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Donation will help music community members most affected by the fires
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 27, 2018 - 11:59 am

Performing rights organization ASCAP announced on Dec. 18 that it is donating to MusiCares to support music's creators including those "affected by the recent wildfires in northern and southern California" needing help with food, shelter and replacement of instruments or equipment.

"We are truly grateful for the support and ongoing partnership of ASCAP," said Recording Academy and MusiCares President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Their work on behalf of music people is vital, and their generosity to the music community is equally strong. This donation demonstrates how the music industry works together to take care of their own."

"We have all been stunned by the devastation caused by the California fires and the heartache and loss suffered by our members who reside there," said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, winner of three GRAMMY awards as a songwriter. "ASCAP has always been an advocate for music creators, and faced with these terrible circumstances, we have their backs. We are pleased to work with MusiCares to get help to those who need it most."

Members may make disaster relief requests by contacting MusiCares toll-free at 1.800.687.4227.

For those wishing to donate, the "Gift Designation" choice at MusiCares' donation page offers "Disaster Relief" as a selection.

"The music community knows that it can turn to MusiCares in times of distress," said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. "They have the organization and the infrastructure necessary to respond to these horrible events and help members of the music community in times of need. We're glad to work with MusiCares once again to ensure that our funds reach the people most affected by the fires."

Learn Why "She Is The Music" & ASCAP's Female Songwriting Camp Felt "Essential"

Apple Music

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Apple Music Removes In-App Social Sharing Function

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The streaming platform notified musicians they are taking away the Connect feed, launched in 2015 for artists to share content with fans
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 13, 2018 - 6:16 pm

Apple Music has reportedly sent artists an email to notify them that the Connect social sharing feed is being phased out and they would no longer be able to use it to share content with fans. Instead, streamlined artist pages on the platform will feature new design and functionality.

As reported by Variety, Apple initially unveiled the Connect function with the launch of Apple Music (its debut into music streaming) in 2015 as a way for artists to share content directly with fans in the platform, yet "saw less traction from artists than Apple had anticipated."

As 9to5Mac, the Apple-centric site who shared the message sent to artists, pointed out, Connect was popular with artists upon Apple Music's launch, but its popularity quickly dropped off. They highlighted that many artists only have posts from several years back, consequentially pushing Apple to shift focus away from it, moving it from its own visible tab within the app to a more hidden location below music recommendations and playlists.

9to5Mac shared the content of Apple Music's email, which included the following: "We're always looking for ways to enhance our focus on artists and help them better connect to fans. So we've given Artist Pages an all-new design and added new, personalized Artist Radio."

While Connect was originally billed as a way for artists to share special content with their fans, the popularity of other preexisting social platforms like Twitter and Instagram likely had an impact on its popularity.

It sounds like Apple Music, which has recently made major moves on its main competitor Spotify, is helping perfect the craft of music discovery and artist-fan connection in the music-streaming arena.

Apple To Expand Austin Presence With $1 Billion Campus

Apple

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Apple To Expand Austin Presence With $1 Billion Campus

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The tech company announced plans to build a new office in the Texas capital that will add 5,000 jobs, as well as new, smaller offices in other U.S. cities
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 13, 2018 - 2:48 pm

This morning, on Dec. 13, Apple announced plans to expand its already large presence in Austin, Texas with a new 133-acre campus less than a mile from its existing 6,200-person campus.

The new office will allow the tech company to employ 5,000 more people, "with the capacity to grow to 15,000," in the music-centric city that is already home to its biggest employee base outside of its Cupertino, Calif. headquarters.

In addition to increasing its employment capacity in Austin, Apple also is planning to create more jobs across the U.S. over the next three years, with new 1,000-person offices in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City, Calif., a doubling of its Miami office, plus hundreds of additional jobs in other cities.

The company also noted that the Austin expansion is projected to make them "the largest private employer" in the capital city of Texas. The city's mayor commented on the positive relationship between Austin and Apple, highlighting the "creative spark" both share.

"Apple has been a vital part of the Austin community for a quarter century, and we are thrilled that they are deepening their investment in our people and the city we love," said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. "Apple and Austin share a creative spark and a commitment to getting big things done. We share their commitment to diversity and inclusion."

A partnership between a creative city like Austin, the self-appointed music capital of the U.S., and a company like Apple, whose innovation and influence doesn't limit itself to just the tech arena, sounds perfect. Each spring, Austin invites rising stars and established greats in tech, film and music to South By Southwest, whose festivals, including the world-renowned SXSW Music Festival, take over the town for well over a week.

Apple Music, since its growth and genesis from iTunes, which changed the music-listening game when it originally launched in Jan. 2001, has always been a friend of—and power-player in—the music industry. For music fans, iTunes allowed its users to create and share all the playlists their hearts desired, and now, with Apple Music, fans' access to specially curated playlists is next level.

You can listen below to our very special 61st GRAMMY Nominee Apple Music playlist, which features artists nominated for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best New Artist, including Cardi B, Drake, Lady Gaga, Childish Gambino and more.

SXSW Adds Second Round Of Global Artists For March 2019 Festival