Hot Music Beat

Check out this exclusive behind-the-scenes look at pop/rockers SafetySuit featuring the single “Someone Like You.” Watch the band talk about what the past few years have been like getting signed to Universal, being on the road, and recording their debut album. Life Left to Go is due out on 5/13.

SafetySuit EPK Stream:

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SafetySuit Tour Dates:

4/10: Charlotte, SC Tremont Music Hall
4/11: Columbia, SC Headliner’s Music Hall
4/13: Maplewood, MN The Rock
4/15: Flint, MI The Machine Shop
4/16: Michigan Center, MI Motorheads Bar and Grill
4/17: Toledo, OH Headliners
4/18: Lexington, KY A1A
4/19: Richmond, VA Classic Amphitheater
4/20: Jacksonville, NC Hooligans

The album cover for Scarlett Johansson’s debut album ‘Anywhere I Lay My Head’ has been released and it’s quite obvious that someone got inspired by Snow White. The album which consists almost entirely of Tom Waits covers, with one original song called ‘Song for Jo’ which serves as the album’s centerpiece will hit stores on May 20m Tuesday. Two tracks – ‘Falling Down’ and ‘Fannin’ Street’ feature the guest vocal styling of David Bowie while members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Celebration and Stars like Fleas play on the album which was produced by Dave Sitek. That’s a lot of star power in one album!

Madonna’s a triple threat! The pop queen now has the #1 song, ringtone, and video on iTunes. The video for “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland snagged the top spot after its iTunes’ premiere last week.

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Ever wanted to ask Ashlee Simpson a question? Now’s your chance! Head over to the new Q&A section of her official site to submit questions, and Ashlee will post her responses. Ashlee is set to release her album Bittersweet World on 4/22 that features the single “Little Miss Obsessive,” a duet with Tom Higgenson of Plain White Ts.

“Little Miss Obsessive” Audio:

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Born in Elva, Estonia, a tiny, then-Soviet occupied town of 5,000 people in the forest, Kerli grew up with a dream to escape from her surroundings. “Little creepy girl/Oh she loves to sing/She has a little gift-an amazing thing,” Kerli declares on the autobiographical, world music beat of “Walking on Air.” The Estonian pop princess showcases the haunting yet ethereal qualities of her voice on the track off of her debut album, Love is Dead, which is now due out this June through Island Records. Stay tuned for the video for “Walking on Air.”

“Walking on Air” Audio Stream:

Most young bands today can’t say they have performed together for 18 years, but sisters Lisa and Jessica of The Veronicas have done just that. The vocal chemistry that has evolved from singing together from the age of five is showcased in their dramatic single, “Untouched” which pairs intense strings with an electro-dance beat. The emotional ferocity of the single has also found its way into the video for “Untouched” with a cinematic elegance that not only compliments but magnifies the power behind The Veronicas’ vocals.

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Check out the second webisode of “Being…Ashlee Simpson.” Watch more behind-the-scenes footage from the “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)” video shoot and find out what it was like for Ashlee to learn to fly. Hanging upside-down in a fashionable, Vivienne Westwood straight jacket was no easy task – Ashlee had to learn to tough it out! She had her buddy Kenna on set to make a cameo and provide some comic relief.

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Tokio Hotel have just unveiled the latest installment of their Tokio Hotel TV series. The newest webisode, and the first shot on U.S. soil, gives a behind-the-scenes look into the band’s travels to Los Angeles, exploring on Melrose Ave. and their sold-out concert at the world famous Roxy!

Watch it here

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has just announced that they will be renewing Mariah Carey’s contract in an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement. The diva is sure to make millions by signing the contract with the company which will continue to publish Mariah’s songs and future records. In a statement, the Chairman and CEO of UMPG David Renzer said “Mariah Carey is well known for her incredible voice, but we also celebrate her incredible strength as a songwriter and the fact that she has co-written most of her best known songs.” He also mentions how honored they are that Mariah agreed to renew her contract.

Slash has warned Amy Winehouse not to destroy her career with drugs.

The former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, a reformed alcoholic and drug abuser, thinks Amy should stay away from illegal substances if she wants to make the most of her incredible talent.

He said: “Amy’s cool, she’s carrying the torch for rock ‘n’ roll. I think she’s great, not so much because of her personal choices, but because she’s a fantastic singer with a unique sound and style. She’s on the verge of greatness, but it would be regrettable if her talent was overshadowed by her extra-curricular activities. She’s at a crossroads – I hope she makes the right decision.”

Although he is a huge fan of Amy, Slash isn’t so complimentary about today’s guitarists.He added: “It’s sad. There’s no identifiable guitar player in rock ‘n’ roll any more. With the exception of Jack White – who is great – the new breed of bands aren’t bringing out decent guitarists. Rock ‘n’ roll is so diluted at the moment, you just don’t hear good solos.”

Slash, 42, is regarded as one of the all-time great guitarists along with Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton.

A week after the sudden death of her saxophonist husband Jason Rae who died of a suspected accidental drug overdose, singer Corinne Bailey Rae has released a statement through her reps saying “Corinne Bailey Rae and her family have been touched by the huge amount of love and support that’s flooded in from all over the world, and that is really helping all of us cope at this terrible time. Corinne is also very grateful for the privacy she is being given and the respect that has been paid to herself and Jason.” My condolences go out to Corinne and the rest of her family.