A snippet of a new Madonna song, rumored to be titled “Rebel Heart,” leaked to the Internet on Thursday (Nov. 27). Madonna’s publicist had no comment about the leak, but the diva’s manager, Guy Oseary, tweeted: “I would be grateful to any Madonna fans that can assist us in finding those responsible for the leak. We appreciate your help.” It’s assumed the song is titled “Rebel Heart,” as Madonna is heard singing the phrase at one point in the snippet, and because she used the #RebelHeart hashtag on her Instagram for months. The song might be a co-production with Avicii, as Madonna used the #RebelHeart hashtag in a photo of her with him and his team nine months ago.
Madonna’s last album, 2012’s MDNA, reached #1 in the US but sold just 2 million copies worldwide. Contrast that with her 1990 greatest hits package, The Immaculate Collection, which sold 30 million copies sold worldwide.
Atmospheric, melodic and moody, Matthew Connor’s newest – “Midnight Blue” – sounds and looks like it would be right at home in an episode of American Horror Story.
No “freak show” here, just haunting visuals and gorgeous vocals reminiscent of Elvis or Ray Orbison.
Quite the change up for Matthew, who spent time as the front-man for electronic dance-pop band Provocateur before heading out as a solo artist in 2011.
His latest album, Farewell Motel, follows two earlier EPs, Ghost Town and Denouement.
After influencing just about every artist in the disco and electronic music genres, Giorgio Moroder is now producing his own solo music.
And the folks showing up to lend a hand are pretty stellar: Kylie Minogue, Sia, Britney Spears and a whole lot more.
“74 Is the New 24” is the first single from the album due Spring 2015. The title sends a message that the 74-year-old producer feels he has a lot more music to share.
After a flood of press and media appearances (including shaving his chest on the Ryan Seacrest radio show this morning), Nick gets to sit back and see how his audience takes to the new, grown-up Nick Jonas.
In addition to the usual promotional appearances and interviews, Nick has made a clear effort to include his LGBT audience in this project’s campaign. More than a few times Nick has been clear that he appreciates his gay audience and is actually confounded as to why other artists don’t embrace the gays as he has.
Check out the first single from the album below. Plus, just a couple of reminders as to why we’ve really decided Nick is our favorite “Jo-Bro.”
From L to R: Brad Takei, George Takei, Matt Zarley and Benjamin Pollack
This weekend I was invited to attend the first screening of the new musical short film hopefulROMANTIC by award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley.
Starring Zarley – along with Chuck Saculla, Jolie Jenkins and the uber-wise & wonderful George Takei – the film is a universal story about loving, letting go, and holding onto faith that there’s somebody for everybody. The film is practically dialogue-free with the narrative articulated solely through Matt Zarley and Emmy & Grammy award-winning Andy Zulla’s soulful pop score.
After the film, I moderated a Q&A with the creative team including Zarley, Takei, Saculla plus director Benjamin Pollack and director of photography Chris Ekstein.
I also conducted interviews on the “orange carpet” before the screening where I kept my inner “fan boy” in check as I interviewed openly gay TV legend (and internet wiseman) George Takei – who is EVERYTHING you want him to be and more. Serious honor.
Also in attendance were tons of favorites from the LGBT entertainment world including singer/songwriters Tom Goss and Jeb Havens, Haviland Stillwell of the upcoming Magic Mike XXL, recording artist and Broadway fave Shoshana Bean (who contributes vocals to the soundtrack), “Fashion Police” writer Dennis Hensley and many more.
“When I first started writing the music for this, I was deeply in love. The original plan was to write a simple little EP of love songs. I was so happy and I wanted everyone to know it.
“A few weeks into the process, my relationship ended abruptly without warning. I was devastated. It was hard for me to access a lot of positive loving feelings at the time. Out of that temporary writer’s block, I wrote ‘Constantly’. As I was finishing that song, I began to rethink my project. What was originally gonna be a 5 song EP of love songs suddenly took a turn.
“I had decided to construct a narrative… a journey with music being the guide. Having had an extensive background in Broadway and musical theatre, it seemed natural to finally merge my two worlds together. Much of what I was writing about was also what I was experiencing in real life. Thru this creative journey, I began to heal myself.
“In the end, my faith and belief that there’s someone out there for all of us was restored. Holding onto the eternal cliche that ‘everything happens for a reason’ couldn’t hold more truth for me now.
“I’m convinced that had I not loved as deeply as I did and had I not been so devastated, this project surely wouldn’t have happened. For that, I’m thankful for my once broken heart.”
If the Sunday night audience is any indication, the future looks bright for hopefulROMANTIC. The crowd was clearly with the filmmakers from the opening notes of the driving “I Just Knew,” to the quietly heartfelt “Let Me Let Go,” to the sweeping emotional release of “Hopeful.” As the film credits rolled, the entire audience stood with applause and approval.
Matt is currently submitting the musical short film to film festivals now. Check out the trailer for the film below, along with pics from the evening.
All photos by Nina Prommer unless otherwise noted.
George Takei and Matt Zarley at the premiere of “hopefulROMANTIC”
Cast members Chuck Saculla, George Takei and Matt Zarley with director Benjamin Pollack (hat)
Recording artist and Broadway favorite Shoshana Bean with Matt Zarley
From Broadway and the upcoming “Magic Mike XXL” – Haviland Stillwell
Hottie singer/songwriter Jeb Havens with Matt Zarley Havens co-wrote one of the songs featured in hopefulROMANTIC with Zarley
Matt Zarley beams on the “orange carpet” at the premiere of his short musical film hopefulROMANTIC
Music hotness in the house! Singer/songwriters Tom Goss (L) and Jeb Havens (L) on the carpet
Interviewing Matt Zarley on the “orange carpet” of hopefulROMANTIC
Interviewing TV legend George Takei (photo: Michael Caprio)
Moderating Q&A after the screening of hopefulROMANTIC
I finally met super-talented singer/songwriter Tom Goss! (photo: Michael Caprio)
With Jeb Havens on the “orange carpet” I’m a huge fan of the singer/songwriter (and hottie) whose video cover of “Fast Car” went wildly viral recently
Hubby Michael and I on the “orange carpet”
Hiding my inner fanboy as I chat with legend and LGBT hero George Takei (photo: Michael Caprio)
