Music News: Minneapolis City Hall bells ring again
by Jay Gabler
May 08, 2017
After nearly a year of silence, the bells in the Minneapolis City Hall clock tower are ringing again. The tower's 15 bells went silent last spring to allow for a $2 million restoration, but as of May 5 they can be heard again — including Friday noon concerts of standards and pop songs performed by bell maestro Don Wascoe. (Star Tribune)
On April 24, 2016, the bells rang out with the songs of Prince in tribute to the recently deceased star.
Fyre Festival lawsuit count goes up to six
The disastrous Fyre Festival has now been served with a total of six lawsuits. The most recent suit, which names the festival's PR and advertising companies as well as festival founders Ja Rule and Billy McFarland, cites "cease-and-desist letters that Fyre's lawyers reportedly sent to people who relayed disparaging information about the festival on social media," reports Rolling Stone. The organizers reportedly warned that negative tweets could "incite violence, rioting, or civil unrest."
A number one for Chance
Chance the Rapper has his first number one hit — but he's sharing it with some friends. The song is "I'm the One" by DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, and Quavo (Migos) as well as Chance.
Chance recently said that he plans to release his forthcoming official debut album through conventional channels, eschewing the streaming-only approach he's used for his mixtapes. "I kind of hate the fact that I can't chart, really," he told Pitchfork. "I can chart, but the way they have the streaming s--t set up is weak as f--k. It's unfair." (Pitchfork)
New trailer for Iggy Pop documentary
There's a new trailer for American Valhalla, a documentary about the making of Iggy Pop’s Josh-Homme-produced album Post Pop Depression. The film is promised to be coming "soon," though no specific release date has yet been confirmed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQB8SWawUnk
Don Bryant plots comeback
If you can't stand the rain against your window bringing back sweet memories, you'll be excited to know that singer-songwriter Don Bryant has just released his sophomore album. Granted, he's a little more seasoned than the average artist releasing a second album: the veteran musician is 75 years old. His first outing, Precious Soul, was released in 1969. He's best-known as a songwriter, notably penning the 1974 Ann Peebles hit "I Can't Stand the Rain," later covered by artists ranging from Tina Turner to Seal. (Rolling Stone)
Vin Diesel is making a record
Superstar EDM artist Steve Aoki has picked an unusual collaborator for an upcoming track: action hero Vin Diesel. "I was able to help capture an essence from Vin," says Aoki. "He's a musical guy, but I think no one's been able to help produce him to a place where he could really share a lot of his vulnerabilities, and you're going to hear that in his song." The track is still unfinished, but Aoki says "there is so much magic in the song already that it's going to really blow people's minds. They're going to see a side of Vin, and they're going to hear a side of Vin, that no one's ever experienced." (Billboard)
https://youtu.be/-fmbmd0qYL4?t=3m59s