A weekly update on all things music, advertising, and technology coming straight to you from Anthony Vanger at MassiveMusic. #TWIM
ARTIST OF THE WEEK: SHARON VAN ETTEN & ANGEL OLSEN – LIKE I USED TO
Is borrowing so liberally from ABBA’s iconic Knowing Me/Knowing You video a good thing or hubris? In this case, the duet of Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen singing their masterful track, Like I Used To, they have made these iconic images their own. I can see why they chose the look because the way their voices soar on the chorus is reminiscent of Agnetha and Anni-Frid at the height of their powers. It was a long-standing mutual appreciation for each other’s music that inspired Van Etten to reach out with an unfinished demo, and the resulting duet is a winner — buoyed by swagger and subtle harmonies, while the music production lends the whole endeavor a sweeping grandeur. One of my favourites.
#sharonvanetten #angelolsen
AD OF THE WEEK: PEPSI SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW TRAILER
Of course, we all love American Football, especially the Superbowl, right? Endless pauses, endless penalties, and lopsided scorelines. But really what we look forward to is the Halftime Show and this year does not disappoint. Pepsi has given us a sneak-peak at who will be performing in a Halftime Show trailer. Directed by filmmaker F. Gary Gray, “The Call” features Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. Scored by Adam Blackstone, “The Call” features a musical compilation of iconic tracks “Rap God,” “The Next Episode,” “Family Affair,” “HUMBLE.,” “Still D.R.E.,” and “California Love.” Solid lineup. I will watch it (highlights).
#superbowllvi #pepsi #kendricklamaar #drdre #mjblige #fgarygray #snoopdog #eminem
ENGLAND TO SCRAP COVID ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR CLUBS NEXT WEEK
The UK Prime Minister has announced that Covid entry requirements for clubs will be scrapped from next week.
Vaccine certificates showing proof of a Covid vaccination, or a negative lateral flow test result, will no longer be needed for entry to events from 26th January.
The so-called Covid passports were introduced as part of the Government’s Plan B measures on 8th December to curb rising Covid cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant. The entry requirements applied to all unseated indoor venues with a capacity of at least 500 people and unseated outdoor venues that hold more than 4,000 people.
Nightclubs across the country are likely to welcome the lifting of restrictions which are thought to have had a devastating impact on the night-time economy. In October, when similar measures were in place in Scotland, The Scotsman reported a 46% drop in attendance at some venues, with others registering a 60% decline.
Boris Johnson’s announcement also confirmed that all other Plan B measures that were introduced to combat Omicron, including work from home guidance and compulsory mask-wearing on public transport and in shops, will also come to an end.
Mandatory self-isolation for people with Covid-19 is also set to end on 24th March, a date which could be brought forward.
BBC PRESENTER ROS ATKINS REVEALS FORMER LIFE AS A DRUM ‘N’ BASS DJ
BBC News reporter, Ros Atkins has shared tales of his life as a drum ‘n’ bass DJ.
Appearing on BBC Radio 6’s Music’s Desert Island Disco All-Dayer, Atkins revealed that he partied at clubs from Brixton to Johannesburg.
Atkins even set up a club night at the Brixtonian Havana Club as well as performed at Womad festival and the Oppikoppi Music Festival in South Africa.
The reporter has tweeted a collection of images and insights into his previous life as a raver. He writes: “Back in the 90s, along with lots of teenagers in Cornwall, I started going to raves & listening to hardcore and drum & bass.” He then continues to explain his journey as a DJ.
The Tweet ends with Atkins explaining the inspiration for his BBC 6 mix by saying: “The mix I’ve done is inspired by some brilliant pre-COVID nights spent at Electric Brixton where D&B heavyweights LTJ Bukem, DJ Storm, Roni Size & Dillinja expertly mixed styles and eras. Those nights felt as visceral and uplifting as anything in the 90s.”
ROLAND RELEASES DIGITAL WIND INSTRUMENT THE AEROPHONE AE-20
Roland have created the Aerophone AE-20, a digital wind instrument which lets you play in the tone of woodwinds, strings, brass, the latest synth sounds and many more.
This new product is the latest in a line of products from Roland and was made with their SuperNATURAL technology as the instrument can provide realistic dynamics, articulations, and overtones in accordance with the users playing.
The AE-20 also incorporates Roland’s ZEN-Core synthesis system which is a sound engine typically found in the company’s synths.
With both a built-in speaker and headphone jack you can perform in different settings. A USB-MIDI allows it to also work as a controller for a DAW or the quarter-inch stereo output can be plugged directly into an amp or interface.
The instrument includes a reed within the mouthpiece and an identical button layout to a standard saxophone. And if you play a different woodwind instrument or are left-handed you can simply change the fingering layouts to suit you.
Find out more about the Aerophone AE-20 on Roland’s website.
Written by Anthony Vanger
Additional research and reporting by Adam “Badger” Woolf
Artwork by Badger