May Album Guide
From long-awaited returns of established artists such as Arcade Fire and Florence and the Machine, to emerging MC Knucks, to the established legend that is Kendrick Lamar. What an exciting month of music awaits.
Music
whynow New Music Friday - April 29
This week's round up of music also features the first instalment of our creatively named new series, Music Video of the Week. Watch, read and listen below.
ADMT: ‘Busking has taught me there’s loads of love, but you will get negative people’
Doncaster-based ADMT knows what hard work is. From working on market stalls and various jobs, he’s showed a tenacity to get his music out – even in the depths of lockdown, by busking in his neighboring towns of Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.
OneDa: ‘I was a rebel without a cause – now I’m a rebel because no one can tell me shit’
With a new track, ‘Vibes’, out now, OneDa wants to put all the self-belief she’s come to learn into the world. We speak to her about her journey into music, her spiritual awakening and her future plans.
Oasis Guitarist Bonehead Diagnosed With Cancer
Former Oasis guitarist Paul Arthurs has announced he has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer.
Tim Westwood Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
Tim Westwood, the former BBC Radio1 DJ, has been accused of sexual misconduct over incidents between 1992 and 2017.
Wake Up Punk Review: A Scattered and Unfocused Punk Documentary
★★☆☆☆
Vivienne Westwood’s son Joe Corré burned £5m worth of punk memorabilia in 2016 and now Nigel Askew has made a documentary about it. Kind of.
Tyler, the Creator Breaks Record for Rap Album with the Biggest Vinyl Sales
Call Me If You Get Lost has leapfrogged Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon III to become the biggest-selling rap album on vinyl since figures began.
Kayem2x: ‘I’m sitting on absolute bangers’
Barely out of his teens, Kayem2x has already supported Unknown T and is among a new generation of rappers making their mark, following the success of his track ‘Steady (Birkin Bop)’
George Harrison’s Widow to Publish a Book of Poems Dedicated to Beatles Icon
Martin Scorsese has provided an introduction to the collection of poems by Olivia Harrison, releasing June 21.
Pete Doherty to Publish a New Memoir Called ‘A Likely Lad’
Pete Doherty has announced he’ll publish a memoir called A Likely Lad, which will be released on 16th June.
Little Simz Cancels US Tour Due to Financial Pressures as an Independent Artist
Little Simz has had to cancel her North American tour due to the “huge deficit” it would put her in as an independent artist.
Thomas Rhett: ‘My family are brutally honest about the songs they like – and the ones they don’t’
Thomas Rhett is just about everything you want in a modern-day country star; a Grammy-nominated singer who, despite all his successes, still remains firmly rooted in family, home and his everyday surroundings.
British Composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle Dies at 87
Sir Harrison Birtwistle, one of the most celebrated British composers of the 20th Century, has passed away at the age of 87.
Sting at the Palladium Review: For Fans Who Love Sting (as Much as he Loves Himself)
★★★☆☆
The former Police frontman shows that he’s aged liked a fine wine at the Palladium – though is perhaps slightly drunk on narcissism as a consequence.
Ride’s Loz Colbert: ‘Shoegaze visually would be the kind of art Rothko might make’
With reissues of their first four EP’s, as well as their first two studio albums, Nowhere (1990) and Going Blank Again (1992), we speak to the drummer of Ride, Laurence “Loz” Colbert.
Ed Sheeran court decision will make 'the little guy' think twice before suing
The ruling announced this morning by Mr Justice Zacaroli is one that sets a precedent for the rest of the music industry – and will make smaller artists think twice before suing such stars of Ed Sheeran’s calibre.
'George Harrison is coming to dinner': The Family Who Introduced the Beatles to Indian Music
When George Harrison snapped a sitar string in 1965, a family from Finchley came to the rescue. This is the story of Ayana and Patricia Angadi and the role they played in shaping 60s British popular culture. Mae Losasso speaks to their daughter, Chandrika Casali, about Paul, peanuts, and swimming in George’s pool.
Dear Young Me: Bill Wyman
Talking to my younger self, young Bill - be daring young man:
Dear Young Me: Gary Barlow
"Your ambition to leave this town is not because you don’t like it."
Heléna Star
Foundation FM resident and prolific DJ, Heléna Star, talks about the power of radio during dark times, and why now is the time to push for a more inclusive industry for all.
Sol Bailey-Barker
Sol Bailey-Barker compiles artefacts and remnants to construct immersive installations and environments. The multi-disciplinary artist works with sound, sculpture and performance that call to his nature of being “stuck between reality and dream” as a result of an auto-immune disease he faced as a child. In these tough times for our community and beyond, here is the dreamlike world of Bailey-Barker.
Ruff Mercy
Ruff Mercy (“the slurred, drunken interpretation” of Russ Murphy) has worked with Thom Yorke, Freddie Gibbs and more, creating and revamping their music videos with a stimulating buzz. The Radiohead frontman even labelled him ‘a genius’ – ruff-ly. Delve into the making of his lively works with whynow’s first episode of ‘Behind The Lens’.
Jez Nelson
Jez Nelson has been a key figure for jazz in the UK, having spent years transmitting it through pirate radio stations before joining the newly licensed Jazz FM in 1989. Along the way he’s spoken to some of the greatest and most eccentric characters in jazz and performance, including Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone and Sun Ra. For 'Decades' he talks us through the years 1982-1992.
Michael Gray
DJ and producer Michael Gray has been spinning tracks from the age of 12. Having learnt and perfected his craft during the rise of house music, Gray has had an illustrious career. His hit ‘The Weekend’ remains beloved by all to this day and we couldn’t wait to have him ‘In The Studio’.
