Friday, March 26, 2010

GRAND OPENING OF THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SET FOR JUNE 18


Universal Orlando Also Unveils Details for the Highly Anticipated New Attraction:
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey


ORLANDO, Fla. (March 25, 2010) – One of the most widely anticipated theme park entertainment experiences ever created – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort – is set for a public grand opening on June 18.

Today, Universal Orlando Resort also revealed details about what is expected to be one the most exciting theme park experiences ever created: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It will be one of three themed attractions within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the heart of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This all new adventure combines a powerful storyline with spectacular new technology so effectively that guests will be completely immersed in the experience.

And as they live their adventure, guests will feel things no one has ever felt inside a theme park attraction, move in ways no one has ever moved, experience film like no one else ever has, explore vast sets punctuated by amazing special effects – and have an adventure only possible in Harry Potter’s world.

The new attraction lies deep within Hogwarts castle, a majestic structure that towers over The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - the only place in the world where the wonder, excitement and adventure of the Harry Potter books and films comes to life.

The Adventure
Imagine…

…meeting Harry, Ron and Hermione as if they were in person
…soaring over Hogwarts castle with Harry
…being swept into a Quidditch match
…feeling the chilling effect of a Dementor
…exploring your favorite places inside Hogwarts castle
…living adventures you’ve only been able to imagine – until now.


HARRY POTTER AND THE FORBIDDEN JOURNEY

The Story

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey draws you into the excitement and chaos of Harry's life. As you venture through Hogwarts castle, you meet Harry, Ron and Hermione who convince you to skip a planned lecture and follow them. Upon taking their advice, you travel by Floo powder, and begin the adventure as you soar over Hogwarts, narrowly escape a dragon attack, have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, get pulled into a Quidditch match and more.

"Guests will experience firsthand a completely new adventure featuring the iconic characters, amazing creatures and recognizable locations they’ve only read in the books or seen in the films," said Thierry Coup, creative director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The Location
The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey experience starts as soon as you walk through the gates of Hogwarts. Within the towering Hogwarts castle, you explore a truly magical place. You journey through iconic locations taken from the films and take in the extraordinary detail of each scene. They include:

• Dumbledore’s office: Here, you meet the Headmaster as he welcomes you to Hogwarts
• Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom: Where you first meet Harry, Ron and Hermione
• Gryffindor common room: You meet three additional characters who prepare you for your journey
• Room of Requirement: Here, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey
• Other locations: In addition, guests will pass through the Dungeon passageway and hallways of Hogwarts where they will have the chance to see hundreds of wizard portraits from the films, including several magical talking portraits created exclusively for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including the four founders of Hogwarts. Guests will even get a glimpse of the Sorting Hat.

The Innovation

This is more than just an attraction and it is unlike any theme park experience ever created. It’s a revolutionary, 360-degree theme park experience and first-ever combination of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking – specially designed and developed for this brand-new adventure.

"We have created an entirely new way to place our guests into the heart of one of the most compelling stories of our time," said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. "What we have done will forever change the theme park attraction experience."

The attraction’s newly created ride system envelops guests in filmed action scenes and moves those scenes with them as they travel through the ride, allowing more time in the center of the adventure and with their favorite characters. This fusion of robotic technology and filmed scenes has never been achieved until now. In some cases, technology had to be invented to achieve the highest level of guest experience. The combination of pioneering, state-of-the-art technology, innovative filmmaking and surprises around every corner make this attraction the embodiment of the Harry Potter book and film series—and the future of theme park entertainment.

For the latest news about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

GORILLAZ' PLASTIC BEACH RELEASED TODAY


EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES GALORE ON
iTUNES LP AND DELUXE EXPERIENCE EDITION

“STYLO” SETS RECORD AS MOST SUCCESSFUL
MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE IN YOUTUBE HISTORY


Gorillaz’ third album, the already globally acclaimed Plastic Beach, is released today in the U.S. on EMI’s Virgin Records.

The physical and digital deluxe editions of Plastic Beach promise to surpass anything previously hatched from the Gorillaz imaginarium: The iTunes LP version of Plastic Beach includes the record-breaking “Stylo” video and a Making of “Stylo” documentary; a video collection of Gorillaz animation, Plastic Beach trailers and six exclusive films set to album tracks; a still gallery featuring original Gorillaz art and images exclusive to iTunes; a Gorillaz interactive game; and an Online Extras section providing access to Gorillaz live concert performances and additional exclusives. The iTunes deluxe edition of the record also features the bonus tracks “Pirate’s Progress: and “Three Hearts, Seven Seas, Twelve Moons.”

The physical “Experience Edition” of Plastic Beach includes such bonuses as a Making of Plastic Beach DVD, ability to stream live Gorillaz performances, and a special access card unlocking a world of exclusive and interactive online content to be revealed over time.

Having already been hailed with a 4-star Rolling Stone review and an Entertainment Weekly “Must List” plug, Plastic Beach’s first single, “Stylo,” was unveiled in its video incarnation Tuesday March 2 on YouTube. The “Stylo” world premiere instantly became the most successful official music video premiere in YouTube Music Tuesday history, generating over 900,000 views in its first 24 hours, since breezing past the million view mark and surpassing previous record holders U2 and Weezer. The “Stylo” video can also be seen on VH1, MTV, MTV2, MTVU, Logo, and Fuse.

Elsewhere, the NPR Music Exclusive First Listen for Plastic Beach was the #1 most popular story on NPR.org in its first 24 hours.

Plastic Beach is the first Gorillaz album produced entirely by Damon Albarn and features a roster of guest stars including Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, Lou Reed, The Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, The National Orchestra for Arabic Music and many more. Gorillaz a/k/a Murdoc Niccals, 2D, Noodle and Russel Hobbs were co-created by Albarn and visual artist Jamie Hewlett over ten years ago, and unleashed on the world with their self-titled 2001 debut album, which has sold nearly two million copies in the U.S. The band’s 2005 follow up, Demon Days, featured the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocal Grammy-winner “Feel Good Inc.” and sold in excess of two million copies in America. Gorillaz will headline the April 18 final day of this year’s Coachella festival in Indio CA, which will be the first live Gorillaz experience in the States since the Demon Days Live sold out five-night run that took place in April 2006 at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.

For further developments in the ongoing Gorillaz saga, check back hourly at the all new http://gorillaz.com/, follow the band’s own Murdoc Niccals at www.twitter.com/murdocgorillaz, or check out the Gorillaz YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/gorillaz.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

MOVEMENT ATLANTA


Look for free issues of MOVEMENT around Atlanta GA in Urban Outfitters on Ponce (pictured) and various shops in Little 5 Points.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

MASSIVE ATTACK ANNOUCE 1st N. AMERICAN TOUR IN 4YRS IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM

MASSIVE ATTACK ANNOUCE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN FOUR YEARS IN SUPPORT OF NEW ALBUM ‘HELIGOLAND’

‘Heligoland’ Debuts At # 46 On The Billboard 200 Marking Highest U.S. Chart Position Of The Duo’s Career

“Massive Attack’s arsenal has expanded and the resulting onslaught is nothing short of brilliant.” – Billboard Magazine

“more menacing than midnight in the darklands. Welcome back- you’ve been missed terribly.” - Alternative Press

“Much of ‘Heligoland’ works like this – a dour, glitchy intro of impeccable atmospherics implacably winds its way into something panoramic and exhilarating.” – Los Angeles Times

“Heligoland still prizes the minimalism that always made Massive Attack seem so cool” – New York Daily News



(Feb. 25th, 2010 -New York, NY) – Legendary Massive Attack will tour North America for the first time since 2006 in support of their newly released 5th studio album ‘Heligoland.’ The North American trek will start May 7th at Sound Academy in Toronto, ON and wrap May 30th at the Sasquatch Festival in George, WA. They will play 2 shows in NYC, Los Angeles and San Francisco with general on sale beginning March 5th (full schedule below).

Massive Attack’s latest album ‘Heligoland’ was released on Feb 9th on EMI’s Virgin Records and debuted at #46 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest U.S. chart position of the duo’s career. An all star cast join founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grand Marshall (Daddy G) on their first studio album in 7 years which includes Damon Albarn, Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Elbow’s Guy Garvey and TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe. USA Today praises the collaborator’s contributions on ‘Heligoland’ by saying, “They give the gloomy grooves and chilled beats a heartbeat but also step into Massive Attack’s otherworldly sonics with enticingly haunted performances.” Albarn also plays bass on “Flat Of The Blade” and Keyboards on “Splitting The Atom” while Portishead’s Adrian Utley plays guitar on ‘Saturday Come Slow’. The band also collaborated with DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy on selected tracks. The cover artwork features an original image by Robert Del Naja.

Over the last three years Robert Del Naja has written and produced soundtracks for a number of films and documentaries, including ‘Trouble In The Water’, ’44 Inch Chest’, ‘In Prison My Whole Life’ and ‘Gomorra’, the latter for which he won the David Di Donatello Award for Best Song. Last year Massive Attack won the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award at the Ivor Novello Awards. In September, Massive Attack headlined this year’s Bestival ahead of their first full UK tour in three years.


For more information on Massive Attack, visit www.massiveattack.com or massive attack wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_Attack

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) Announce Headlining North American Tour



Since returning in December 2009 for seven monumental concerts in the United Kingdom–their first shows in 17 years–PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) now continue into 2010 with a headlining North American tour starting Saturday, April 17 in San Francisco.

After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd in 1978. With their experimental sound fusing Rock, Dance, Folk, Ballet, Pop and Dub, PiL are regarded as producing some of the most diverse music of the 70s and 80s. As a band, the music and vision constantly evolved like no other, culminating in an incredible live experience.
The North American tour will be preceded by a special performance at the COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL on Friday, April 16 (opening day of the three-day event) in Indio, CA. It marks their first show in the United States in 18 years.

Cited as one of the most innovative and influential bands in music history, PiL return to a country where they enjoyed a special relationship throughout their career for what are set to be stunning shows. The North American dates will be followed by a series of high-profile summer European Festival appearances.

John Lydon (vocals), Lu Edmonds (guitar), Bruce Smith (drums) and Scott Firth (bass) earned critical and public acclaim for their concerts in December 2009, with many British media outlets championing them as the shows of the year.

John Lydon: “I sound like a bag of kittens thrown down the staircase.”

2010 sees the 30th anniversary of the band’s first U.S. tour and also their U.S TV debut on “American Bandstand,” where singer John Lydon invited the audience onstage to dance with the band! Host Dick Clark famously introduced their appearance as "a memorable moment in rock n roll, something special and interesting.”

With a wide and varied back catalogue spanning three decades, Public Image Ltd will be showcasing the unique sounds of tracks such as “Public Image,” “This Is Not A Love Song,” “Rise,” and “Disappointed,” with many further surprises in store.

Lu Edmonds: Multi instrumentalist and former guitarist in The Damned Lu joined PiL in 1986 recording and playing on the album Happy? and co-writing the album 9 adding yet another dimension to the PiL sound. Lu is also associated with a variety of eclectic and acoustic bands including The Mekons and Siberian band Yat-Kha.

Bruce Smith: Former drummer in The Pop Group and The Slits became percussionist for PiL also in 1986 playing and recording on the albums Happy? and 9. Seen as a drumming virtuoso, Bruce Smith brought his unique style into the fold. Bruce has also played with the likes of Björk and Terence Trent D’Arby.

Scott Firth: A bass player/multi instrumentalist that has collaborated and played with a variety of top musicians and bands including Steve Winwood, John Martyn, Elvis Costello and The Spice Girls. Scott’s arrival into the band in 2009 resulted in John Lydon declaring him “Genius at work!”

The preliminary North American tour dates are as follows, with more shows to be added:

Fri 4/16
Indio, CA
Empire Polo Field/Coachella
Sat 4/17
San Francisco, CA
Grand Ballroom @ Regency Center
Tue 4/20
Seattle, WA
Showbox at The Market
Wed 4/21
Portland, OR
Crystal Ballroom
Fri 4/23
Salt Lake City, UT
The Depot
Sat 4/24
Denver, CO
Ogden Theatre
Mon 4/26
Kansas City, MO
Midland Theatre
Sun 5/2
Chicago, IL
House of Blues
Tue 5/4
Boston, MA
Royale Boston
Wed 5/5
Boston, MA
Royale Boston
Fri 5/7
Toronto, ON
Kool Haus
Sat 5/8
Montreal, QC
Theatre L'Olympia de Montreal
Tue 5/11
Baltimore, MD
Rams Head Live
Wed 5/12
Washington, DC
9:30 Club
Fri 5/14
Pittsburgh, PA
Club Zoo
Sat 5/15
Atlantic City, NJ
The Borgata Music Box
Tue 5/18
New York, NY
Terminal 5

For further PiL information, see: www.pilofficial.com

IAMX Announces "Reinterpretation" Album, featuring reworkings by Combichrist

Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK to be Release May 11th
Featuring Reworkings of IAMX Tracks by Alec Empire, Combichrist, James Cook,
Black Light Odyssey, Miss Derringer, etc.



NEW YORK, NY - While most artists tend to see their art as a finite entity, IAMX's mastermind Chris Corner sees his music as ever-evolving, morphing and shifting... open to interpretation and changes. In this respect, IAMX will be releasing DOGMATIC INFIDEL COMEDOWN OK, a compilation of reworkings, covers, and remixes of tracks from their full-length album, Kingdom of Welcome Addiction (2009) on May 11, 2010 on Metropolis Records.

"IAMX has been remixed in the past but I was never much involved in choosing the artists and somehow it always fell short of my expectations," says Chris. "This is the first time I put my attention to it. Sometimes I am the child in the candy shop with all the tingling excitement, and sometimes my anti-industry-anti-people cynicism kicks in. But I had a feeling that I wouldn't be disappointed with this collection of oddballs." Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK includes different versions of Kingdom's songs from a diverse collection of musicians, including Combichrist, James Cook, Pull Out Kings, Alec Empire, among many others. "We targeted artists with the same attitude and free spirit as IAMX... people working on the fringe and being generally ignored by the commercial world," he continues. "I wanted the package to be a special collection of reworks and interpretations - unconventional with an eclectic mixture of styles and an experimental edge. To me, the record has become another little symbol of independence in this confused, bloodsucking music industry."

From the dark and industrial remix of "I Am Terrified" by Atari Teenage Riot's Alec Empire to the midnight dance beat of Black Light Odyssey's take on "Nature of Inviting" to the twangy punk cover of "Think of England" by Miss Derringer, Dogmatic Infidel Comedown OK is a fascinating take on how other artists interpret the incredibly deep and complex mind of Chris Corner. Kingdom of Welcome Addiction has been lauded as a masterpiece, from Alternative Press who calls it "gorgeous... deliriously gloomy... and endearingly vulnerable", to BLURT's nine star review which pegs the record as " Corner's most personal and mature work to date... IAMX's best album, the album will certainly become an addiction to anyone who takes a listen."

Chris says of some of the different versions: "The first artist I contacted was Alec Empire. I have been a fan of his work for a long time. His remix for 'I Am Terrified' is, as expected, beautifully difficult and powerful. The structure is very dynamic, going from traditional 4-4 time and breaking into the original 6-8. The version of the LA-based band Miss Derringer is probably the most surprising version. They re-recorded 'Think Of England' completely in their own style - a 1950s B-movie rockabilly version. It is very satisfying to be able to present things like this."

"I am always restless with my versions of my songs," Chris further explains. "It seems impossible to be 100 percent comfortable with the final mix, so producing the tracks again in different forms gives me a second chance. My disease is wanting to dress up the tracks in every style at the same time and therefore never being content. In some ways, allowing others to come up with their own interpretations is very freeing. The responsibility is taken away from me and I can enjoy my music from a clean perspective. The closest I get to hearing my music for the first time like everybody else does. But I do always relish the chance to deconstruct myself and play the role of the studio Mad Professor."

IAMX are currently planning the next chapter of their very storied history which includes touring throughout Europe and the follow-up, which is planned for release in Fall 2010. "After a long hard northern European winter, I have fallen into an impatient and aggressive state of mind," he says. "I have the feeling everything I am writing at the moment is more biting than Kingdom of Welcome Addiction. But then again I am known to have intense mood swings. We will spend a month touring Europe in March and then I will lock myself in my East Berlin playhouse and continue work on the next IAMX album. I plan to release this in the autumn. After the festival season, around the release we will tour extensively in the US and in Europe. In the in-between I will be developing material for online activity, making videos and talking to the wild boars in my garden."

www.iamx.eu
www.myspace.com/iamx

Native Instruments Introduces SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS

Berlin, February 24th, 2010 - Native Instruments has just introduced SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS, a new set of software instruments that provide highly expressive and authentic renditions of the most legendary electric pianos, for use in KONTAKT 4 and the free KONTAKT PLAYER. Based on the acclaimed Scarbee sample libraries that have become a staple in professional productions worldwide, SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS gives musicians and producers of all genres an efficient and affordable way to integrate the distinctive sounds of these classic keyboards into their music.

SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS features the most revered electric pianos of the 60s and 70s, dubbed MARK I, A-200, CLAVINET and PIANET, all based on carefully recorded 24-bit sample material. The instruments utilize up to 16 velocity layers per key as well as special "Horizontal Release Technology" to recreate the complex dynamic behavior of each instrument with maximum precision and authenticity. Each instrument also offers an integrated multi-effect section with up to 10 algorithms, including phaser, chorus, reverb and various other classic effect types, which add further depth and variety to the vintage electric piano tones.

All four instrument emulations contained in SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS are also available as separate download purchases, and can be used both in the full-featured KONTAKT 4 sampler as well as in the free KONTAKT PLAYER.

SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS is available in DVD format in the NI Online Shop for $169 / 149 EUR. The individual instruments are available for download purchase for $79 / 69 EUR.

Additional information on SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS including audio demos is available at
www.native-instruments.com/scarbeevintagekeys.info