Monthly Archives: April 2019

Linkin Park Without Chester?

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Not surprisingly, it has taken a while for the members of Linkin Park to get back on their feet after losing lead singer Chester Bennington two years ago. The singer sadly committed suicide, leaving the band, fans, and the music industry devastated.

To the Linkin Park faithful however, the legendary group are showing newfound glimmers of hope for new music.  Turntable specialist Joe Hahn of the band recently did an interview with South Korea news agency Yonhap and said dialogue within the group about new records have been broached.

"The members are taking care of themselves and their families and are going through the problems in their own way," Hahn divulged.  “We aren't discussing detailed plans. I just want to go back to those days when I made music in the garage."

This comes after a February interview with band co-lead singer and guitar player Mike Shinoda, who told German outlet Rock Antenne that it would be practically “unhealthy” for the group to stop recording and rocking stages.

"We all thrive making and performing music," explained Shinoda, who dropped a solo project last June. “I know the other guys, they love to be on stage, they love to be in a studio, and so to not do that would be like... I don't know, almost like unhealthy."

Although, the late great Bennington is irreplaceable, there may come a time when they need to pick up an additional vocalist to join the group. It will have to be organic if it does happen.

"It's not my goal to look for a new singer," Shinoda clarifies. “If it does happen, it has to happen naturally. If we find someone that is a great person and good stylistic fit, I could see trying to do some stuff with somebody. I would never want to feel like we are replacing Chester."

It feels like it will still be awhile before we get a new Linkin Park album.  For their fans’ sake, hopefully it won’t be as long as Joe Hahn believes:

“Maybe in about 10 years?” He laughed off when asked about a release date ballpark figure. “It might be sooner. I don’t want to set a deadline. We just want to focus on the present and talk about music. We aren’t discussing detailed plans. I just want to go back to those days when I made music in the warehouse.”

New Florence and The Machine on HBO

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As the Night King continues his journey across Westeros, emotions and drama increase with everyone's favorite and beloved characters.  Game of Thrones took things to another level last night, and to help them out producers of the show called upon Florence and The Machine to close out the episode with a brand-new song called “Jenny Of Oldstones.”

“We've always been huge fans of Florence's music, and the season two trailer with her song, 'Seven Devils,' was possibly the most powerful we've ever had," series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explained in a joint press release. “So, the opportunity to hear her otherworldly voice on our show was always at the forefront of our minds. We're still pleasantly shocked that she agreed to sing 'Jenny of Oldstones,' and we're in love with the result."

“When I first heard the song it sounded like a Celtic lullaby to me," Florence Welch said in her statement to the press. "Celtic music has always been in my blood, so I felt like I could do something with it. The magic and ritual in Game of Thrones, not to mention the costumes, have always appealed to me. I am honored to be a part of the final season."

With the tension building to a breaking point, at least we have “Jenny of Oldstones” to tide us over until next week’s eagerly anticipated installment.

Kanye Previews New Song 'Water' At Coachella

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This Easter Sunday morning was so spiritually uplifting, that Kanye West himself was driven to tears. Kanye has been turning heads as clips have leaked out showing him performing with a gospel choir and band, which the world has come to know as West’s “Sunday Services.” Finally ready to bring his righteous collective to light, the polarizing musical genius brought his services to the second week of Coachella 2019.

Kanye and his collection of talent wore the same plain garb. They all walked down a hill to gather in two circles a little after 9:14am pacific.

The band started to masterfully play the “Summer Madness” by Kool and the Gang, the record DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince Will Smith sampled for their classic “Summertime.”

Instrumentals for Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do” and The Gal Band’s “Yearning For Your Love” and “Outstanding” followed, bringing the feel of a easy going family reunion BBQ.

“We’re stepping out on faith,” the choir director said. “Can you worship with us?”

“Jesus went to Calvary, to save the wretched like you and me. That’s love,” he would add shortly later over more instrumentation by the band.

The choir repeated his words, singing them.

“They hung him high, the stretched him wide… that’s love.”

A rendition of Kanye’s “Father Stretch My Hands” and “Power” came after. West was on his keyboard jamming.

The choir then sang over the beat to Watch The Throne’s “Otis” changing the lyrics but keeping the melody;

“He makes it easier to bear. he won’t forget us. oh no, he won’t forget us. Lovvvvvve!” The crooned. “His joy is our happiness. Jesus won’t leave us. Never leave us.”

The choir and band then flipped small parts of Stevie Wonder’s “As” and Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life.”

By this time, more and more people began forming around the congregation. No stage, just a hill-top. Lil Pump was among the spectators and Kanye’s tribe includes Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi , Ty Dolla $ign and Teyana Taylor.

Taylor has her own spotlight, singing a solo of Marvin Sap’s “Never Would Have Made It.”

The jam session continues with Kanye’s crew singing “Follow Me” by Aly Us. The original lyrics are so poignant and universally resonating, they didn’t have to switch the words;

“I'm hoping to see the day./When my people/Can all relate./We must stop fighting./To achieve the peace./That was torn in our country./We shall all be free./Follow me./Why don't you follow me./To a place./Where we can be free./Come with.”

Kanye finally joined the fray minutes later, really jumping on the mix for he first time rapping , “All Falls Down.”

Behind that song was brand new West material, a record called “Water,” which he debuted.

“We are water,” the choir sang...”Your love’s water.”

“Let your light reflect on me,” West added, singing himself...Let your light reflect on me. We’ll get through it because of your love.”

Chance The Rapper came out as a surprise for his verse on “Ultra Light Beam” and DMX added a prayer.

“In the name of Jesus let us pray,” X said. Taking over the Pastor duties temporarily. “Father please walk with us through the bad times. As well as the good. May we be heard as well understood from the suburbs to the hood. May you judge is by our hearts and not by our mistakes. And see that we get our breakthrough however long that it takes.”

As the music kept playing, Kanye began to cry, holding his head in his hand. Cudi put his hand on Kanye’s shoulder to comfort him and DMX gave him a hug.

West ended with “Jesus Walks” where he finished the song on his knees and his eyes closed for several seconds. His band and choir performed an encore of more music for around another 30 minutes.

Despite the fact that West has seemingly turned off a lot of his fans with his political views and pledge of Allegiance to President Trump, the “Sunday Service” was a massive win where Kanye reminded people why his was in there good great graces originally, bringing great music to the forefront.

On Saturday night, West actually did touch Coachella’s proper stage, coming out as an unannounced guest of headliner Kid Cudi. Cudi and Kanye rocked for several minutes together to close and also brought out Ty Dolla and 070 Shake.

Celebrate Our Planet With Lil Dicky!

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Lil Dicky is best known for his smart but silly rap satire, like the one where he switches bodies with Chris Brown or the one where he tries to make a rap video as cheaply as possible. But in 2019 he’s actively trying to make a difference. Dicky wants to bring attention to climate change with his new song and animated video, Earth.

What’s the best way to get maximum eyes on a project about climate change? How about featuring 30 of the biggest artists in the world? Superstars like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa & Ed Sheeran all pop in and out of the song, voicing various animals who live on the planet. An animated Leonardo DiCaprio even shows up at the end to lend some credibility to the cause through a partnership with his foundation.

Dicky got help on the project from Benny Blanco & Scooter Braun, and told Time Magazine "“I’m still like a peon compared to someone who’s actively informed, but I’d say I’m maturing, and I’d like to figure out a way to impact humanity as best as I possibly can beyond my typical dick and fart jokes.”

A portion of proceeds from the song, video and related merchandise will go toward nonprofits working to find solutions to climate change, including the Quick Response Fund for Nature, the Shark Conservation Fund and the Carbon Cycle Institute.

Let me know what you think of the video by talking to parkeronslacker on twitter, and keep the Earth Day love going by listening to Slacker’s Going Green station!