Digest: Black Eyed Peas Open Music School; Moby Announces New Book and Album
Black Eyed Peas Open Music School
The Black Eyed Peas have announced plans to open a school in Manhattan, where local teenagers can learn video and music production skills on professional equipment. The Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy, the result of a partnership between the group’s Peapod Foundation and the Adobe Foundation, will offer classes for students ages 13 to 19 beginning in July. [Billboard]
Moby to Release New Book and Album
Moby is set to release a new record and book of photography, both titled Destroyed, on May 17th. The projects are the result of the artist’s decision to write music on tour and document the experience of traveling from show to show with his camera. Moby says the new music is inspired by Kraftwerk, Suicide, Silver Apples, Brian Eno and other early electronic music pioneers. [Billboard]
Michael Jackson Estate Settles With Charity
The estate of Michael Jackson has reached a settlement with the Heal the World Foundation over its use of the late pop star’s likeness. The estate sued the charity in 2009 for misappropriating the singer’s trademarks to create an association with his defunct organization of the same name. The agreement states that the charity can no longer use the Heal the World name or Jackson’s image. [BBC]
Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright to Play River to River Festival
The lineup for the 10th annual River to River Festival of free concerts in New York City has been announced. This summer’s schedule, which will fall between June 19th and July 17th, includes performances by Patti Smith, Rufus Wainwright, Sean Lennon, Laurie Anderson, Rosanne Cash and My Brightest Diamond. The festival will kick off with the annual Bang on a Can Marathon, a 12-hour event that will feature Philip Glass performing music composed by David Byrne, St. Vincent’s Annie Clark, the Sun Ra Arkestra and Glenn Branca. [press release]
Andrew W.K. Plans Party Album
Rocker Andrew W.K. announced to his fans on Twitter yesterday that he is the process of making a new record. “Do you realise I’m recording my new full-length party album? It is a mega-party vibe,” the singer wrote. The party-centric theme is not exactly a surprise coming from the man who penned the anthems “Party Hard,” “Long Live the Party,” “Big Party” and “Party Til You Puke.” [NME]
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