Friday, March 12, 2010

The Gaga Saga continues (and she doesn't have man bits)

Let me just start with a plain, simple point. I am not a Lady Gaga fan. (Quick note, some viewers may find some of the content in the video mildly lesbionic and arguably unsuitable for <18’s).

That said, she is beginning to show all the hallmarks of a recording artiste who appreciates that she isn’t the best looking, nor is she the best dancer, with nothing more than a slightly above average voice. So what’s going in her favour? 

A masterful grasp of the modern media landscape and how to manipulate it deftly. Remind you of anyone?

So, what does this 9 1/2 minute video really tell us about Lady Gaga?

  1. Beyoncé actually has a sense of humour (particularly after the apalling videophone track)
  2. Lady Gaga (allegedly) has no man parts and is indeed female
  3. Kodak will be bringing back the Polaroid shortly (Gaga’s installation as Creative Director was nothing short of a masterstroke of genius)
  4. Many big brands (I counted 12 I think), clearly believe in the money-making prowess of the Gaga. This vid is dripping with (often not so subtle) product placements . And I imagine this will do Diet Coke far more favours than the Duffy spot did
  5. The record company have spent a small fortune on this (on the face of it) pretty average song. It shows that they not only believe it’ll sell big, but they are investing their money where they see potential for greater longterm returns. The Lady Gaga brand…

I was foolhardy in my attempts to write her off as a one hit wonder (as I also did with Steps and I was way off the mark there despite serious offences to decency and taste that should have been tried in a court of law).

If this lavish video tells us anything, it’s that Lady Gaga (somewhat like her mentor of years gone by), will be around for some time yet.

If the big brands are moving in just off the back of album one, the Gaga juggernaut is becoming a serious cash cow. Ripe for milking the world over. Whilst wearing high heels and ‘outrageous’ outfits.

Obviously…

Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And is expecting a full Gaga Pussy Wagon merchandising range to be launched shortly…

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[Via http://igmorrison.com]

MADONNA and LOURDES team up for 'MATERIAL GIRL'

The buzz has been moving through the fashion industry like mark down specials. That is correct Ladies and Gents, Madonna is due to release a clothing line with her every chic daughter Lourdes Leon. The plan is to release a line inspired by none other than Madonna and Lourdes for teen girls. I can see this duo going places, and punching out amazing styles and looks. ‘MATERIAL GIRL’ which is said to name of the line, makes perfect sense. It is also noted that Macy’s will be the carrier of the brand. I for one am very excited to see the creations and visions of these two. Being a fashion icon, the “material girl” sure can be a expected to bring nothing but the best to the table. Little Lourdes is gonna have a great time working with mom. Let’s hear it for MATERIAL GIRL. I am anxiously waiting its debut!

[Via http://princenerv.wordpress.com]

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Madonna Wants to Dress Your Daughters

Get ready, shoppers: the Material Girl is coming to a mall near you.

Madonna and Macy’s are teaming up to launch a brand new juniors fashion line, ‘Material Girl’ which will debut with a collection in time for back-to-school this fall. The new line is said to be a collaboration between Madge and her 13-year-old daughter, Lourdes Leon. It will retail for between $12.00 and $40.00 and include apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry.

So what will it look like?

Judging by Lourdes’ style, I’d expect an urban/rocker chic aesthetic–leggings, leather, lace–and a lot of black.

If my own mother–who forbid me from listening to Like a Virgin–were alive today, I am fairly certain she’d have a heart attack at the thought of Madonna designing clothes for tweens.

But what do you think? Will you be buying ‘Material Girl’ for your daughters?

(Photo credit: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com; Source, PR Newswire)

-EB

[Via http://babbletest.wordpress.com]

Friday, March 5, 2010

Madonna touring Oz!???


The  Queen of the pop, Madonna is ready to announce an Australian tour and it could be called Madonna ‘The Celebration Tour’ for the next July, at least that is what some online sources have been saying the last days.

Madonna has not been in Australia since 1993 and it will be her second ever Australian tour. 10 shows are planned with three shows for Sydney and Melbourne, two for Brisbane and one each for Adelaide and Perth.

The big issue and concern for the tour company, and for sure for the fans is the ticket price, wich could be the highest price ever for a pop concert in Oz. Some people say the cheap locations will be around $249, next level at $499, Gold at $999 and then an Ultimate ticket at $2000. Moreover for $1000 more, the ultimate ticket holders can also upgrade to the Penultimate ticket for $3000 which will include a meet and greet, photo op and personally signed program from the tour (of course this ones will be sould out, no matter the price).

The Australian shows will be indoor arena shows as opposed to the outdoor stadium shows she did in other parts of the world last year, hence the expensive ticket price.

The Melbourne show at Rod Laver Arena is also expected to be filmed for a live DVD.

More will be announced soon…we will keep you posted, hopefully to say that this rumours are real and confirmed!

via: undercover

Madonna Australian Tour Imminent

by Paul Cashmere – March 3 2010

Madonna looks about ready to announce an Australian tour.

A touring company insider has alerted Undercover to the soon-to-be announced Madonna ‘The Celebration Tour’ for July.

This will be the first time Madonna has been to Australian since 1993 and it will be her second ever Australian tour.

In total, 10 shows are planned with three shows for Sydney and Melbourne, two for Brisbane and one each for Adelaide and Perth penciled in.

The ticket price is said to be the highest price ever for a pop concert ticket in Australia with the cheap seats expected to go for $249, next level at $499, Gold at $999 and then an Ultimate ticket at $2000.

For $1000 more, Ultimate ticket holders can also upgrade to the Penultimate ticket for $3000 which will include a meet and greet, photo op and personally signed program from the tour.

The show is expected to be marketed as “a gift to Australia” for the years of touring cold shoulders.

The Australian shows will be indoor arena shows as opposed to the outdoor stadium shows she did in other parts of the world last year, hence the expensive ticket price.

The Melbourne show at Rod Laver Arena is also expected to be filmed for a live DVD.

All shall be revealed soon.

[Via http://thespotlightreport.wordpress.com]

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"Make Milwaukee": The Hinterlands | Richard Newman and Liza Bilby

Listen: The Hinterlands are hard to describe. If you haven’t heard of them, check out the group’s Facebook profile. Long story short, they’re a group of open-minded and maximally-talented performers from all over who have decided to make Milwaukee their creative home base. And besides that, they’re really great people.

I invited Richard Newman and Liza Bilby, half of the company, into the studios to chat about a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We had a solid and consistently interesting 30 minute conversation. So how did I translate that for air play?

When I sit down to edit an interview, I try to recreate the experience I had during the conversation. After the Hinterlands left the studio, I was left with a really big smile on my face. So, in the following pieces, I decided to share a bit of these performer’s wonderful personalities. Take a listen.

Liza on stage! (Photo from Bob Doron's Flickr)

“What was the first song you remember dancing to?” Liza’s answer, Madonna’s “True Blue,” came out without a moment of hesitation:

Richard in Isaac Newton Is Our DJ! (Photo from Richard's Facebook)

A young and raw performer, Richard expresses his passions to “From A Distance” by Nanci Griffith:

Even on the way to the studio, the Hinterlands were incredibly entertaining. I’m a sucker for mouth-guitar sounds:

More Isaac Newton Is Our DJ! (from Richard's Facebook)

Sometimes I have long and really interesting interviews and I end up using the silliest parts for the radio. Go figure. Keeping that in mind, the Hinterlands don’t just entertain, but they also approach performance in incredibly interesting and thoughtful ways. These out takes are just some examples.

The Hinterlands spend a good chunk of time in intensive training. And what do they mean by training? Here’s an example:

Here’s another example of how the Hinterlands approach performance — unsure of exactly how it turn out, Liza attempted to crowd surf at a recent performance:

Richard and Liza on how they incorporate the idea of “community” into their performances:

You really need to meet and see The Hinterlands perform… and your opportunity is now! Or at least coming soon! You can see them tomorrow and the following Thursday in Isaac Newton Is Our DJ at Moct. Follow this link for more details.

Produced by: Adam Carr

Liza and Richard! (From Richard's Facebook)

[Via http://unifiedmilwaukee2.wordpress.com]

Monday, March 1, 2010

High Fashion, High Times, High World

Hier soir j’ai vu le film The Cell, un film qu’un bon ami à moi m’a fait regardé parce qu’il sait que j’adore les mondes imaginaires de débiles, la haute couture, et le sentiment de ne plus être ici sur Terre.

Le film explore l’idée de pouvoir entrer dans l’imaginaire des gens dans un coma, et de les aider à s’en sortir. Ici, on voit la scientifique chargée d’entrer dans leur tête, qui arrive dans un imaginaire qui ne l’apprécie pas.

Des scènes qui m’ont particulièrement intriguée:

Ce matin, je regardais des vieux vidéos de Madonna, comme Music, Hollywood, Don’t tell me, tous les plus chargés de moments high fashion que les autres. Mais la ressemblance de Frozen avec The Cell m’a frappée! Ca donne qu’une envie; disparaître dans le désert de notre propre imagination, où tout est possible.

Je vous reviens bientôt avec des nouveautés, je devais simplement vous montrer un petit glimpse de l’imaginaire que j’adore, question encore de m’évader!

[Via http://otsotm.com]

Jerry Seinfeld's The Marriage Ref Normalizes Relationship Differences

The Marriage Ref

Tom Papa is the Marriage Ref in Jerry Seinfeld's new comedy on the challenges of love and marriage.

Jerry Seinfeld’s The Marriage Ref premiered on NBC last night with an intimate peak into the lives of two couples navigating the unique challenges of their relationships.

While the particular issues highlighted in this first episode were unusual – a husband wanting to keep his deceased dog’s stuffed body in the family room and another eager to install a stripper’s poll in the bedroom – differences in every human relationship, especially between intimates, are not.

Together with panelists Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, and Seinfeld himself, host Tom Papa navigated the very real issue of relationship differences with lighthearted humor that is too often missing when couples find themselves at odds with each other.

With weekly episodes beginning this Thursday in Jay Leno’s previous 10:00pm time slot, celebrity panelists such as Madonna, Tina Fey, Eva Longoria Parker, and Larry David are sure to bring a valuable message to millions of couples: differences are a normal part of every relationship. Learning to deal with them with humor, empathy, respect and structure is a message that can make a difference for countless marriages.

Ultimately, few couples will bring the challenges of their lives to the show’s panel of comedic commentators and analysts. In the process, however, many more will find new perspective, strategies and opportunities to become their own marriage refs. As those insights help couples reach out to each other with love, levity, empathy and respect, Jerry Seinfeld’s journey through the absurdities and inanities of modern life has the potential to be a brilliant success.

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Seth Eisenberg is President & CEO of PAIRS Foundation, one of the nation’s oldest and leading relationship skills training organizations. This post originally appeared in his blog, Redefining Relationships.

[Via http://pairsblog.wordpress.com]