April 13, Belfast, Northern Ireland Sean Paul performs during MTV Presents Titanic Sounds in Belfast to celebrate the Titanic Belfast attraction at Titanic Slipways.
THE TASTEMAKERS Today’s opinion formers predict tomorrow’s headline acts
ON THIS DAY
Sunday, April 20 1997 Michael Jackson attends the unveiling of a wax statue of himself at the Grevin Museum of Wax in Paris. The figure sports clothes provided by the King of Pop himself.
CHARLIE ASHCROFT (AMAZ- ING RADIO/ARTROCKER) The Kill Van Kulls • Songs For Sinners Self-released
The Mancunians’ new EP continues the momentum generated by
their two previous singles, with lead track Impossible Man a rousing slice of synth-soaked pop. The Kill Van Kulls deal in huge choruses throughout. Heartstrings duly tugged.
MILLY MCMAHON (I-D) Decibels • The Lesser Warp
Scattering fren- zied vocals over wild galloping tempos, Decibels’
new single The Lesser is more than just a clever pop song. Auspiciously condensing a pletho- ra of musical genres into one sin- gle synth-socked anthem, electro- pop meets new wave post punk in the form of five boys from Northamptonshire.
JOE GEESIN (RECORD COLLECTOR) Bogdana Chivas • Great Life Rivendell Records
Bulgarian-born Chivas is a breath of fresh air, mix- ing Hendrix-like
guitar with a modern angular harshness typified by Alanis Morissette. This debut single typi- fies her melody, power, and her readiness to tackle sensitive sub- jects, in this case prostitution.
STUART HAMILTON (BLUES MATTERS) Joan Osborne • Bring It On Saguaro Road
Osborne returns to her roots with a record chock full of blues and soul
classics. She takes on songs from Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Sonny Boy Williamson and more, and comes out a winner. I’ve been hoping for this her entire career, and it’s more than worth the wait.
CAMPAIGN SUPERNOVA NORAH JONES • Little Broken Hearts
SINGLES Lead track Happy Pills was launched
in March and the video to accompa- ny it premiered on VH1 in the US last week. Two exclusive Dave Sitek remixes are being released on limited seven-inch vinyl for Record Store Day.
RADIO Happy Pills is currently playliisted at
Radio 2.
TV Norah is confirmed to perform on Later With Jools Holland.
OUTDOOR Backlit portrait sites and mega-4
sites have been booked for display around release.
LIVE Two shows at the Royal Festival
Hall are scheduled for June 1 and June 2.
DIGITAL & PRESS An extensive digital marketing
and press advertising campaign is set to impact in the run up to release and beyond.