Tag: music

Sing for Hope Piano project returns to New York City’s public parks

By: Abigail Vital, EBC New York Bureau Music has been an important part of history, as a way to pass on part of a tradition or simply just for pleasure.  Creating music, then, has been an integral part of carrying out this tradition.  With the use of instruments, music is made, and thus enjoyed by many.  The piano in itself has its own history. Whether playing one of Beethoven’s classics or serenading to Billy Joel’s, […]

Music stars unite in Manchester as fans face down fears

by Jacques Klopp Agence France Presse MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — Cheers drowned out tears in Manchester on Sunday as Ariana Grande was joined by fellow music stars for a charity concert where fans vowed to face down fears of terrorism after two deadly attacks in Britain. “Let the world hear your resilience,” Pharrell Williams told a sell-out crowd of 50,000 who had gathered to remember victims of a May 22 suicide bomb attack on […]

After break, Katy Perry announces new album and tour

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Pop superstar Katy Perry on Monday announced a new album and tour, promising a more mature and reflective side after taking time off. The 32-year-old singer said that “Witness,” her first album since 2013’s mega-hit “Prism,” would come out on June 9. She also announced an extensive tour, for now just of North America, to begin on September 7 in Columbus, Ohio. Perry, who will close the North American tour […]

Harry Styles channels glam rock in post-1D debut

NEW YORK, United States  (AFP) — One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles on Friday released a ballad with touches of 1970s glam rock as he became the latest member of the boy band to go solo. “Sign of the Times” is the first solo single by the 23-year-old English singer who is expected to put out a full album at a later date. The song starts with a dark chord progression on a piano before quickly […]

As streaming booms, songs getting faster: study

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Streaming is making it quicker not only to play music. A new study finds that pop songs themselves are getting faster as listeners’ attention spans diminish. Instrumental openings to songs have shrunk dramatically over the past three decades and, to a lesser extent, the average tempo of hit singles has been speeding up, the research found. Hubert Leveille Gauvin, a doctoral student in music […]

Roland founder, Grammy winner Ikutaro Kakehashi dies

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Ikutaro Kakehashi, founder of Japanese electronic musical instrument maker Roland which defined much of the sound of 1980s pop, has died aged 87. Kakehashi, who won a technical Grammy, passed away on Saturday, according to digital musical instrument manufacturer ATV, which he established in 2013. An ATV official said details were being withheld until after Kakehashi’s funeral at his family’s request. Kakehashi founded Roland in 1972 after running an electronic appliance […]

Justin Timberlake wins best song and delivers powerful message about inclusion

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, United States (Reuters) — Music’s biggest stars attended the iHeartMusic awards show on Sunday (March 5) in Inglewood California. Justin Timberlake won best song of the year for “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and used the awards podium to talk to youths that struggle with being identified as different. “I want to take this opportunity to speak to young people right now ’cause there are a lot of you looking at me. If you […]

Exploring indie music

Exploring indie music

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 27) – Of course, our personalities influence our music preference. Also, we listen to music that reflects our mood. If you are one for exploring new auditory treats, why not try indie music? Indie music is a very hard genre to define – which is why it does not get that much of a coverage from FM Radio stations and recording companies that like music that are easily labelled and marketed […]

Music as therapy

Music as therapy

QUEZON City, Philippines – Way back on high school, that was the time when I started appreciating music. Music gives me peace and relaxation. I don’t just love listening to it – music is my therapy. The truth is everybody needs music. In the history of music therapy, hospitals begun hiring musicians for patients that were traumatized during the World War II. Classical music was used for healing sick and wounded patients. Nowadays,  the most common […]

Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ tops record 33 million sales mark

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the biggest album in history, on Thursday notched up another mark as it was certified as selling 33 million copies in the United States. The Recording Industry Association of America gave the new sales total for the 1982 work one year after the group started to factor in streaming. “Thriller” — which produced all-time hits such as “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” — appears unlikely to […]

Music and film streaming on social media – good or bad?

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 15) – Of all the forms of entertainment, it is safe to say that music and movies are the most consumed by the people. Some even say that music is not just music; it’s a way of life. When it comes to movies, the saying “you are what you eat” may also apply, you are what you watch. As such, it is almost inevitable that one day, there will be music and […]

Adele wins big at Grammys with five awards

by Shaun TANDON Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — Adele on Sunday triumphed once again at the Grammys with five awards for her latest blockbuster album of ballads, but she paid glowing tribute to her rival Beyonce, calling her an idol. The English balladeer swept up the top prizes of the night at the music industry’s biggest night — Album, Record and Song of the Year. Beyonce walked away with two trophies. And in […]