Did you guess the right video? Well, @PopInStereo @rippleintime17 @layn501 @NTChaddius @TheDignews @diaedellikeyeah @MamaSarahJane @Wattyz @BillEscalona and @The_Blaqk_Mamba all tweeted back the correct link. Congrats guys!!!
"Walking on Broken Glass" is by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, and was on her 1992 album, Diva. This song climbed the charts and reached #1 in Canada, #8 in the UK and Ireland and #14 in the US. The music video for this song was apparently based on the 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons, and had costumes inspired by France in the 1700s. John Malkovich, who not only was in the movie, also, starred in the video. Hugh Laurie, your trivia hint, also starred in the movie and went on to become the star of the TV Show House.
Check out her live version too...
North Carolina-based rock band, The Black Rabbits, sound as if you took "Neil Diamond and put him as the lead of Nirvana." Find out more about their love of burritos, working with Stan Lynch and the music scene in Ashville, NC.
Who are The Black Rabbits?
We are brothers Jetson (Guitar, Vocals) & Skyler Black (Drums) along with bassist Natalie Smallish and organist Kim Drake.
First song you remember really affecting you?
"Lithium" by Nirvana because of the pure, raw, and sincere emotion of it.
How does it feel to be the MTV Music’s Needle In The Haystack?
It's great to be noticed and we really appreciate being chosen.
What is "Emotion" about?
Emotion is about the frustration of dealing with someone who doesn't care.
What is your creative process like?
Inexplicably and without method.
When did you realize you wanted to be in a singer?
I picked up a guitar at 15 and just started writing songs and Read more...
The Devil Wears Prada has just released a five-song EP about Zombies. Singer Mike Hranica was inspired to pen songs about the subject by reading several novels and stories about the undead, including Max Brooks’ World War Z and new cult hit Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. Instead of recommending one of those well-known books, Hranica has elected to recommend a short story called “Those Who Seek Forgiveness.” Here Hranica talks about why he likes the story, how it influenced the Zombie EP and where literature fits into songwriting for him.
Why this book?
I came across [it] when reading zombie anthology The Living Dead. I know it's not so much a book as a story, but this particular tale played a strong role in inspiring me to be creative when writing about zombies. For the Zombie EP, I didn't want to create a new breed of zombies, but this story reminded to be creative with my writings.
Describe this book in one sentence.
A horror story based on reviving the dead, a grieving widow and deception.
How did you first come across this book?
I was at a Borders searching for something particular when I coincidentally noticed The Living Dead zombie anthology on an end shelf. This was right about the time I was cooking up lyrics for our EP, and I was trying to gather as much zombie knowledge as I could. Read more...
HINT: Is that House in drag? Start looking now or if you know the answer tweet back @MTV_Music!
Canadian singer/songwriter, Darrelle London's music is like, "Piano-driven quirky pop. Light with a bite." Find out more about her creative process, Toronto's music scene, and her dreams of playing with Ben Folds.
Who is Darrelle London?
I write and perform my piano-based pop songs. I was raised on a farm in a small town, and now I live in Toronto. I have a boy’s name that’s spelled in a strange way. I am (possibly) coming soon to a town near you, so please check out my music!
First song you remember really affecting you?
I always loved "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. I bought Jagged Little Pill in fifth grade and I would sing You Oughtta Know in the schoolyard before I knew what all the dirty words meant.
How does it feel to be the MTV Music’s Needle In The Haystack?
I’m excited! I appreciate this chance to reach out to new fans and hopefully connect with more people through my music. Thanks MTV Music!
What is "Understand" about?
Understand is about having that “what are we” talk with a guy I was dating. We weren’t on the same page. He wanted to be “bf/gf” and I wasn’t quite there yet. In the song, I try to take a light-hearted approach to explain that I like this guy but I’m scared to jump in.
What is your creative process like?
I usually write songs alone in my room. I write music and lyrics at the same time, and rarely write anything down on paper. It comes Read more...
Even though he just released his band’s third album, Steel Train, at the end of June, Jack Antonoff is already thinking about the inspiration for his next disc. It turns out the singer/guitarist/pianist is influenced by a collection of Woody Allen’s essays from the early ‘80s. Here Antonoff discusses how he came across this collection, what it means to him and how it sort of made an appearance on Steel Train’s new album.
Describe this book in one sentence.
Essays of dark knee-slappers.
How did you first come across this book?
My sister used to read it to me years ago. On long drives, nights in hotels, etc.
How many times have you read it?
Well, it's all short essays, so I've jumped around quite a bit. If you tally it all up maybe six times? Maybe 60? Somewhere in there. Read more...
We've made it to the half way mark of 2010. Time sure does fly. The MTV/VH1 music departments responsible for placing all the fantastic music within your favorite shows were asked to list their favorite album releases since January 2010.
Here we go!
SCOTTIE DIABLO
Gayngs - Relayted
John Grant - Queen of Denmark
Bob Desper - New Sounds (reissue)
Guards - Guards
Heavy Young Heathens - Make Room for the Youth (EP)
Cults - Cults
John Carpenter - Fairy Tales Forgotten
The New Feelings - Corner Frenzy
The Library is on Fire - Magic Windows, Magic Nights
Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart (out September 2010)
Ernesto E.
LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
The Black Keys - Brothers
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Sleigh Bells - Treats”
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Read more...
When a musician titles one of their albums The Magnificent Adventures of Heartache (And Other Frightening Tales...), it seems natural that they would be interested in literature. It turns out Jason Reeves, the singer-songwriter behind the aforementioned album, does in fact take some inspiration from the written word. Reeves, who is now signed with Warner Bros, recommends a lesser-known Ray Bradbury novel. Here Reeves talks about how he discovered this book, what it means to him and how literature generally influences music.
Describe this book in one sentence.
The wild brilliant profound and gorgeous heart awakening details of youth caught and bottled like the summer sun.
How did you first come across this book?
One of my best friends told me to read it and for some reason I hadn't even read Fahrenheit 451 yet, so I was taking a chance on an author I'd really only heard of. Soon after that I had all of his books.
How many times have you read it?
I've read it two times so far, but I read it very slowly because each line is full of so much color and life.
Have you passed it on to anyone else?
Yes I've given it to a few people. Powerful books like that one are great gifts. Read more...
NYC based pop/rock group, Lion Of Ido are known for their "dramatic vocals, powerful harmonies, and ear catching lyrics." Find out more about their plethora of odd jobs, baba ganoush chants, why NYC is so damn great.
Who is Lion of Ido?
The band is comprised of Ido Z, Steve Lombardo, Crista Russo, Adam Samuels and Zach Periharos. We're based out of New York and were making pop music cool again.
First song you remember really affecting you?
Ido Zmishlany: "Black or White" by Michael Jackson. It was a simple pop smash that is also incredibly complex and poignant. Adam Samuels: "Bulls On Parade" by Rage Against the Machine. It's a high energy song, perfect mix of hip hop and rock. Crista Russo: "The Magic Touch" by The Platters. It reminds me of driving with my father to work when I was a kid. Zach Periharos: "La Bamba". When I was 4 I heard it at a restaurant and my mother asked them to play it again. I danced my ass off.
How does it feel to be the MTV Music’s Needle In The Haystack?
Happy to be out of that itchy-ass haystack thanks for finding us.
What is "Work it out" about?
It's about taking responsibility for your life.
How do you describe your music?
Fresh aggressive pop music.
What is your creative process like?
We focus on writing really strong songs and the Read more...
Did you guess the right video? Well, @naganicol @undrockroller @Tinyschaef @schneetokio @tomhigley @NTChaddius @PopInStereo @rockrollnight @mellywynne11 @giannii @CMack75 @CherylSab @Davebrennanm @MrBusby4o8 @sallen_87 @pagot_ @MrBusby4o8 @lamb83 @wndrlnd @AvonDave @AllisonBIVS @marceholc @brittanyshute @DecodedStorm @ceeceeboo81 @jasmined @LindsJames @TheDignews and @gagasfuturelove all tweeted back the correct link. Congrats you rule!!!
"Dancing In The Dark" is by rock artist Bruce Springsteen and was the first single released from the 1984 album Born in the U.S.A. This single started it off to becoming the best-selling album of his career. The music video for this song is set as a live performance and stars Courtney Cox as a fan who is invited to dance on stage.
