Gidget’s Weblog

Madonna and Guy Ritchie have finally admitted to the public that they are getting divorced.For months there has been speculation and denials from the former couple but now it is confirmed.Maybe Guy couldn’t keep up with the Queen of Pop anymore, or maybe Alex Rodriguez just did it a little better. Whatever the reason, the two will now have to decide how to split their $525 million combined worth.

Divorce is usually a private matter but with stars of this magnitude, discrete is not really an option. Divorce is also a negative occurance in anyone’s life. Even the best PR professional will have a hard time spinning this story because the couple was so picture perfect.

Honest is always the best policy but I think if the reason for the divorc was an affair on Madonna’s part, this fact should be left out. Madonna needs to inform her fans of the news in some way to let them know she is thinking of them even in this hard time. A myspace blog, tweet messages or letter to her fans on her website would be ideal.This would also provide a way for her fans to be there for her and help her cope with the change.

Photo courtesy of Photobucket.com

Earlier this week, Brookland Media filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against rapper Kimberly Jones. Lil’ Kim apparently decided to turn diva on her people by demanding that they get Wyclef Jean and Akon to collaborate with her or she would turn to other labels for recording. Big surprise on her part. According to NY Daily News, “the suit says Lil’ Kim is known in the music industry for her extravagant and costly excesses.” Also this isn’t the first time the artist had been on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Back in July pulishing company Simon & Schuster sued her for $40,000 for a manuscript she had promised to write but just never got around to it.

This poor start-up label chose the Queen Bee as their debut artist and fronted thousands of dollars to rebuild her career and jump start this new album only to be completely screwed over. Seriously Lil’ Kim needs to be checked by someone. Publicist, where are you? Divas can be divas and still abide by contracts that were previously drawn up and agreed upon. This is not a good reputation to have in the music industry. Sooner or later the girl’s money will run out and no label will be around to front $20,000 for a new album.

Lil’ Kim should absolutely apologize to the guys at Brookland Media and thank them for the opportunities they are giving her to be their star client. She needs to clean up the mess she has made of herself in the music industry and public eye by getting some positive media exposure. Lil’ Kim why don’t you try keeping your word for once and making a full length album with this label. I am sure after a couple round of drinks the entire mess could be forgotten. Once she cleans up her act, who knows, maybe Wyclef will be calling.

The boys from Chromeo will be back in the studio in November to begin work on their follow-up album to “Fancy Footwork.” This won’t be the only project keeping the unparalleled electro-pop duo busy. P-Thugg announced that Chromeo will be collaborating with French fashion label Surface to Air this year. Each member will design a number of clothing pieces that reflect their own personal style, which is very different from each others.

myspace.com/chromeo

Dave 1 is a Jewish professor at Columbia University who usually keeps it classy in suits and fedoras. P-Thugg, on the other hand, is a Canadian Arab who likes to keep it “gansta” and usually dresses like, well, a thug. Talk about one unique pair. The best part is that the two have been best friends since the were kids and describe themselves as, “the only successful Arab/Jew partnership since the dawn of human culture.”

For the fashion line, P-Thugg will design a varsity jacket and hoodie while Dave 1 will put a twist on the classic western shirt and design a jacket as well.

This is the second time the band has worked with Surface to Air. Previously the fashion label worked on album art for them. The cover for “Fancy Footwork” is now available printed on t-shirts on the Surface to Air Web site.

Not only do these two know how to create stellar club tracks, they know how to make a entrance to the music world. Since their debut in 2004, their music has been everywhere from Reese’s television advertisements to video games. Their diverse personalities attract all types of fans and listeners from different ethnicities. The fashion line is just another great way of getting their brand into the media and into prospective fan’s hands, or onto their bodies!

News of legendary rock band AC/DC’s new album is not the only thing causing a stir in the music industry. The band’s refusal to make their music available on iTunes has angered fans, Apple enthusiasts, and music critics alike.

Guitarist Angus Young told the U.K. “Telegraph” that, “If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album – and we don’t think that represents us musically.” ITunes refuses to “lock” any album sold through them making it only available in it’s entire form. AC/DC is not the only band who takes pride in creating a full album. Kid Rock also refused to make his music available on iTunes because of the same factor. The question is, are they doing it because of possibly losing money on full album sales, or because of the art of an album itself?

Prior to their decision the band was advised by their management and label that sales could decrease if they boycott. They are finding that this shouldn’t have been the only warning given heed. Backlash from bloggers and media are surfacing about the band’s decision and Columbia Records does not know how to react. Yesterday, music writer Bob Lefsetz ranted about the band’s decision using plenty of choice words. He feels the band is screwing young fans who mainly buy music through iTunes and forcing them to pay full price for the music. Most importantly, Lefsetz believes that fans will choose to just download what they wish illegally instead of paying full price.

AC/DC’s label is doing a terrible job of backing up the band and clearing up this crisis. When asked by Lefsetz about the “Telegraph” interview, the head of Columbia claims he doesn’t even believe the quotes are real. Yea right. Lefsetz was then cycled through two publicists who couldn’t get it straight first claiming the interview never even happened then that it did happen, but in Germany. Like that really even matters.

AC/DC’s publicist needs to be on damage control immediately. Lefsetz should have his story set straight. Fans need to know that the band is in no way trying to make more money by not using iTunes, they were even warned that sales could be hurt by this move. They are doing it purely from an artistic standpoint; a defense on the role modern technology has played in killing album rock ‘n’ roll. The label definitely should be behind the band in their decision as well, at least to the public.

Right now iTunes is the biggest music distributor in America and number two in the UK. What is more rock ‘n’ roll then boycotting this company? All artists should take a look at the integrity of their music just as AC/DC is. Are they simply cranking out singles in hopes of hitting number one? Or are they really putting blood and sweat into creating a fabulous album to be enjoyed in its entirety?

Libertines Reunion?

Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty was scheduled for a solo performance after the Gio-Gio fashion show Wednesday night. To the crowd’s surprise, Pete was joined by Carl Barat, Dirty Pretty Things’ frontman, as if every Libertines fans’ prayer had been answered.

The duo played a set of Libertines hits and executed the entire performance beautifully. The show could not have attracted more press! It was staged in their hometown and in the midst of London Fashion Week. If a publicist was not involved in this surprise show then maybe these musicians should be given a little more credit for their public relations work!

The two ex-Libertines have come a long way from 2004 when Pete was ousted by bandmates because of extreme drug habits and criminal offenses. Pete and Carl had been the best of friends, but after Pete’s life began spiraling downward they could hardly be in the same room together. The two began focusing on other projects and went without speaking for almost two years.

More recently, clues have popped up that the two have put the past behind, and could be leaning towards a full Libertines reunion. This past summer Carl expressed to NME that the band has “unfinished business.” Even more encouraging was his admittance that a reform is a “big MAYBE,” which is a huge step away from what Libertines fans have heard for the past four years.

If this is the beginning of a reunion, the guys are doing are lovely job of easing into the endeavor and building up momentum. This is not the first onstage reunion we have seen from the pair and it does not seem to be the last. Both Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things are losing energy and never reached the fame that the beloved Libertines achieved during their short reign. Keep an eye out fans, a new era of Libertines music could be upon us.

Check out the only footage I could find of the performance below.

It was announced on Rollingstone.com that Chicago punk band Rise Against will be featured in the new “Guitar Hero World Tour” video game. This was a heroic move from the people working for Rise Against.

Their new album will drop October 7, and the first single “Re-Education (Through Labor)” was scooped up by Guitar Hero’s creators. This is such a brilliant move because the game is so popular with today’s younger consumers. It is as trendy at the Tri Delt house as it is with junior high gamers and band geeks.

Now for Rise Against, a new multitude of listeners will be introduced to their punk tunes. So great job Geffen, you got their music into the hands of the masses. Even more props for the interview with front-man Tim McIlrath about the game and roots of the band. ‘“We have songs that can sound good on the radio and can sound good in a video game, but we have lyrics that are still very much derivative from the hardcore and punk world that we came from.”’ A beautiful defense to backlash they might receive about “selling out.” Tim points out to “Rock and Roll Daily” that even though Rise Against has come a long way, most kids still have not heard of them.

Here is the proof that this will change and soon everyone will be singing along to “Re-Education” as if it were “Hit Me Baby One More Time.”

From a punk standpoint, let’s hope that with the new popularity the true essence of punk isn’t washed away. From a publicist’s standpoint, why was this not in the news section of Rise Against’s Web site? Get with it people!