See MGMT, Santogold, Against Me! and More for FREE

After a long summer of music festivals across the map, and forking out $100 or more on tickets to see these events, the label/ad agency, Cornerstone Promotions, has come along and given music fans a big sigh of relief with the free, let me repeat, FREE Soul Collective Tour (No not the ‘90s rock group, though that would be cool too).

Big names in the college radio scene such as MGMT, The Silversun Pickups and The Walkmen are scheduled to rock this 10-city venture across the States. Other artists scheduled to perform are: Against Me!, Major Lazer, The Clipse, The Maine, Santogold, No Age, The Miniature Tigers, Dear and The Headlights, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Secret Machines, Times New Viking and Dan Deacon.

So, here’s the catch. The only way you can gain access to this free tour is by test-driving a Kia-Soul one of the three days prior to the show.

Soul Collective began on August 20, in Seattle, Wash., and is currently underway in Phoenix, Ariz.

Here are the remaining dates:

Chicago, Ill. - Event Space (September 10-13)
Washington, DC - Warehouse (17-20)
Philadelphia, Pa. - 23rd Street Armory (24-27)
Miami, Fla. - Awarehouse (October 1-4)
Atlanta, Ga. - Ambient Plus Studios (8-11)
Boston, Mass. - AFH (15-18)
New York , N.Y. - TBD (22-25)
Los Angeles, Calif. - Siren Studios (November 5-8)

To find out more about the Soul Collective Tour and about Cornerstone Promotions visit Cornerstonepromotion.com.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: The Jittery Joe’s Barista’s play-list. (Good Taste! And coffee.)

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

A Picture is Worth … $25,000 Big Ones to John Mayer

I have made the mistake of following John Mayer on Twitter. The new phenomenon that is the social media outlet, Twitter, has officially connected stars like Mayer to your average Joe through only 140 characters of text. For those of you who follow Mayer, you will realize why it is a mistake. He tweets way too much for a celebrity that should be busy writing music and doing other celebrity things.

But every once in a while, between his ominous “I’m trying to write (insert song title)” and comments on what food he has just eaten, Mayer actually says something worth reading. Today, as I scanned my Twitter homepage, I saw that he intended to give 25,000 to a charity chosen by whom ever posted his 2001 mug shot first. He was prompted by the recent mug shot of Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump. Though the request was a little juvenile, the thought was heartwarming.

I love it when big stars dish out big cash to charity for stupid things like mug shots. It makes me realize just how depressing it is to have $10 left until the end of this month with rent due tomorrow. Oh, to be a millionaire.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “I Had To Do It” by Allison Weiss

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Christmas According to Dylan

Bob Dylan and Christmas carols. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Dylan will release his first holiday album, Christmas in the Heart, on October 13.

If you like the old Christmas favorites (that are seemingly impossible to escape the month between Thanksgiving and December 25), then you’ll probably like this album. Classics such as “Little Drummer Boy,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Here Comes Santa Clause” will be among other tracks on the record.

In a very Santa Clause-esque gesture, Dylan plans to donate the album’s U.S. royalties to Feeding America, a charity that works to relieve hunger in the U.S. So buying this album should give you a little holiday cheer.

Looks like we’ll all have to shelve that old “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” tape this year.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Bled White” by Elliot Smith

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Death Cab For Cutie: Hop on the Vampire Bandwagon

Everybody, including myself, seems to have a fascination these days with the perpetually undead. Since the onset of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight the obsession with blood-sucking predators—or in Twilight’s case, very experienced deer hunters—has become a phenomenon worldwide.

Death Cab For Cutie is just one more band that has been sucked into this ongoing fiasco. The band sings the lead single "Meet Me on the Equinox," for the second film Twilight Saga: New Moon.

According to MTV, bassist Nick Harmer notes that though the collaboration seems bizarre, he thinks a lot of their “songs in general concern a lot of the things the main characters in the books are going through: There's a lot of stuff about relationships beginning and ending, and the questioning that happens around being in love and falling out of love.” Sounds to me like Twilight Saga: New Moon has met a perfect match.

The premiere of the song will be on September 13th, at the MTV Video Music Awards. Until then, Twihards, get your hopes up—this is going to be a good one.

-Marie Baginski
Currently Listening to "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Brian Epstein Biopic in the Making

David Permut, producer of 2008’s Charlie Bartlett, has just been confirmed by Variety Magazine to be taking the reigns on, “A Life in the Day” an upcoming movie which profiles the life of Beatles’ Manager, Brian Epstein.

Epstein discovered and managed the Beatles from 1961 to 1967, and died at age 32 from a drug overdose.

The script was written by Tony Gittelson, who has worked as assistant director on tv shows such as Veronica Mars and Heroes.

Producers Steve Longi (who also worked on Charlie Bartlett) and Chris Mangano will also be on board as co-producers.

In an interview, Permut explained that he will try to put as many Beatles’ songs in the film as possible, but at its core, the plot will focus more on the bands formation rather than their explosive career.

"Everybody turned down the band,” said Permut, “even though Brian promised they would become bigger than Elvis, and he finally got George Martin at EMI to change his mind and give them an audition.”

Permut has also just completed two films in which he acted as producer: Dimension Films’ “Youth in Revolt,” a comedy starring Michael Cera and “Prayers for Bobby,” a Lifetime film starring Sigourney Weaver.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Flowers on the Wall” by The Satler Brothers

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Hip Hop Giants Collaborate

An epic track from rap superstars Eminem, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and newcomer Drake was released this week. This is one of the biggest collaborations of rap giants in recent history, and all four artists bring their best - with Eminem even threatening to go all Hannibal Lecter on us.

“Forever” is over six minutes long and will be featured in the upcoming documentary “More than a Game” about Cleveland Cavaliers baller LeBron James. Only King James could bring together these four forces of hip hop.

The soundtrack for “More than a Game” comes out on September 29, but you can listen to the track online now. “More than a game,” directed by Kristopher Belman, hits theaters October 2.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to the silence of the library

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Oh Lourdes, It's a “Celebration”

Madonna’s got something to celebrate. Not only is she dating someone named Jesus—I won’t go there—but she is now going to expose her 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, to the masses in the video for her new single “Celebration.” Let’s see how much I don’t think this is a good idea.

First off, Lourdes is far too young to be acting so grown up. Not only is she adapting Mad’s sense of style, but also pretty soon she’ll be dating 23-year-olds, just like Mom—okay I went there. Be careful or Lourdes will turn out with the mentality of Britney Spear’s, the plastic surgery habits of Tara Reid, and the party habits of, well, Tara Reid.

Secondly, don’t you think a good parent would let Lourdes find her own path to fame? Lourdes wants to be just like Madonna, I’m sure, but I just don’t think she’s fully realizing her options. Superstardom, though the dream of most little girls, doesn’t seem to have had good effects on the child stars of the past.

Perhaps it’s only an innocent gesture that Madonna wants to get more media for her biological kids than those from countries abroad. In that case, keep a close eye Madonna, and don’t let Lourdes turn Lohan.

The video for “Celebration,” will be released this week. Madonna: Celebration - The Definitive Greatest Hits Collection arrives September 29th.

-Marie Baginski
Currently Listening to “Still Ness in the Move” by Dirty Projectors

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Kings of Leon Get Remixed

The Kings of Leon seem to be everywhere these days, and with their latest album, Only by the Night, going platinum in the US and six times platinum in the UK, the Tennessee boys are embarking on their next musical venture: A remix album.

Though, the idea for the album wasn’t initially thought up by the Followill brothers, rather, the band found out that N.E.R.D’s Pharrell Williams as well as Justin Timberlake had already begun remixing their songs.

"It's neat to have these people who we would've jumped at the chance to work with ourselves...coming to us before we even get a chance to ask them," Nathan Followill told Billboard. "It's amazing to hear your song played by these people who are so creative. Most of the time it takes me two or three listens to even wrap my head around, 'Oh man, that's our song...'”

Along with Williams and Timberlake, artists and creative minds such as Mark Ronson, Kenna, Lykke Li and Linkin Park are also taking part in the remixing process.

In other KOL news, the boys are prepping a DVD release that will feature one of their shows at London’s O2 Arena earlier this summer.

"England is really the first place we broke...We figured what better place to make a live DVD than where the fans have been the craziest for the longest?" explained the Kings drummer.

As for a new album with brand new songs, KOL already have about 10 new songs they have been “kicking around.”

"The new stuff is all over the place. I call it 'Aha Shake...' but by guys that are a little grown-up and a little better at their instruments.” Nathan said. “There's stuff that sounds like Radiohead. There's stuff that sounds like Thin Lizzy. There's stuff that sounds like The Band. We're pretty much to the point now where...we can be experimental and try stuff we would've been scared to death to try on the first couple of records. Now we find ourselves being a little more adventurous."

Currently, there have been no announcements confirming the release dates of the remix album, DVD or new album, but stay tuned. . . .

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Jeepster” by T-Rex

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Songwriter Ellie Greenwich Passes Away

Influential songwriter Ellie Greenwich passed away today from a heart attack while being treated for pneumonia in a New York hospital. She was 68.

Greenwich’s song credits include many huge hits from the 1960s including “Chapel of Love,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Da Doo Ron Ron” and the holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

In 1968 Greenwich released her own album, Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces and Sings, and in 1991 she was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Greenwich was also influential in the early career of Neil Diamond and sang backup for Frank Sinatra. The Broadway musical Leader of the Pack, which debuted in 1985, was based on her life and featured many of the popular songs she helped to create.

Greenwich’s family has asked for any donations in her honor to be made to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Golden Age" by TV on the Radio

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Patrick Stump is a Bad (Fall Out) Boy

Frump Stump was arrested this past Monday late night because Fall Out Boy’s frontman decided “rock stars” don’t have to go to court. Wrong. Even Paris Hilton has to go to court.

After he was given a traffic citation for driving without a license, Stump failed to appear in court and thus got the cuffs slapped on and took a vacay to West Hollywood Sheriff’s station.

This little trip wasn’t without a hefty fee of $15,000 bail.

Ouch. Best be a good (Fall Out) Boy from now on, Stump. Get a license and a clue. Even the famous are not above the law…most of the time.

Want to catch Fall Out Boy doing something legal? Catch them on the Blink-182 Summer Tour. Check the dates here.

-Marie Baginski
Currently Listening to “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage The Elephant

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Tegan and Sara Album, Tour

Indie songbirds and twin sisters Tegan and Sara generated excitement amongst fans by releasing the cover art and track list for their new album, Sainthood. The album, due out October 27, is the follow-up to 2007’s critically acclaimed The Con.

The Canadian duo also announced the first three dates of their U.S. fall tour, which kicks off October 25 in L.A. The two other shows announced will take place in New York. Here’s hoping they announce more dates soon – and bring the tour to ATL or ATH.

Sainthood features 13 tracks, with titles such as “The Cure,” “Alligator” and “Sentimental Tune.”

For an extra dose of Tegan and Sara, check out steroegum.com and listen to their collaboration with DJ Tiesto. Their vocals are featured on Tiesto’s new album, Kaleidoscope, on the track “Feel It In My Bones.” T & S will also be featured in the video, which involves dancing and lazerish lights – cool.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Back In Your Head” by Tegan and Sara

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

R.I.P. Senator Ted Kennedy

Ted Kennedy passed away late last night (Tuesday) after a long battle with brain cancer. The Massachusetts senator died at his home in Hyannis Port at the age of 77.

Statement released by Kennedy Family:
“Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.”

Ted Kennedy will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “I Shall Not Walk Alone” by Ben Harper

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

No More Full Albums from Radiohead

The bad news: The rumors are true, Thom Yorke told Believer, a literary magazine in San Francisco, that Radiohead will no longer be releasing whole albums.

“None of us wants to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again. Not straight off. I mean, it’s just become a real drag.” Yorke told the Believer. “It worked with In Rainbows because we had a real fixed idea about where we were going. But we’ve all said that we can’t possibly dive into that again. It’ll kill us.”

The good news: Instead of releasing an album as a whole, the group will begin to release singles whenever they please.

This shouldn’t come as much of a shock since Radiohead is no stranger to brand new marketing strategies.

In 2007, the band left their label, EMI, whom they had been with for 17 years, and distributed their latest album, In Rainbows, directly through the internet. They also did something many money-grubbing record companies would cringe about: Allowing fans to pay what they wanted for the album.

Funny enough, this strategy worked. Warner Chappell, Radiohead’s publisher, said that 3 million digital and physical album formats were distributed in the first year. The cost of each one of these albums varied, and some fans did not pay a cent. With that being so, In Rainbows still sold more copies and made more money than the band’s previous two full-length releases.

The marketing for the “pay what you want” strategy also sparked more interest in the album, causing it to skyrocket to the top of the Billboard 200 chart in the US.

With this being said, it makes one wonder why the Oxfordshire boys are trying a new approach when their last effort worked so well.

Personally, I believe Radiohead are at the forefront of the evolution of music business.

The only way to find out how the music industry will get out of this dismal period full of song piracy and declining album sales (Nielson SoundScan reported physical and digital album sales were down 14 percent in 2008) is to experiment.

Only time will tell how this ‘singles strategy’ will work, but one thing that can be said for Thom Yorke and company is that they are innovative—in both music and in marketing.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Bang Bang” by Nancy Sinatra

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

The Cranberries Reunite for Fall Tour

To add to the growing list of bands reuniting this year, after a seven-year hiatus, the Irish band who created songs like “Linger,” “Zombie” and “Dreams,” The Cranberries, are back and have announced plans to tour the US in late fall.

The US tour will begin in November and will follow with a European tour in early 2010. Specific dates have yet-to-be announced. Lead singer Dolores O’Riordan has confirmed that the band will play classic hits as well as new material from her solo album, No Baggage which was released on August 25.

O’Riordan worked with Ontario’s Dan Brodback on writing and producing her album which The Cranberries’ official website describes as “a bright, clean sound that finds the singer's astoundingly emotive voice front and center.”

"I probably haven't worn my heart on my sleeve like this since the second Cranberries album (1994's No Need To Argue). It's at times very confessional and dealing with my true emotions,” O’Riordan said on Cranberries.com. “Everyone, through their experiences or their background, has had terrible moments where they think they can't handle it. With this record I'm trying to show that, no matter how bad things may seem, it's not really that bad in the big picture."

As for the tour, all of the band’s original members, Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, will be present.

The only question to ask now is, “Why did they have to let us linger?”

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “Baby It’s You” by Smith

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

R.E.M.'s New Live Album

R.E.M. fans, rejoice. Athens’ golden group just announced the release of their new live album, R.E.M. Live at the Olmypia. The album, out on October 26, features not one, but two (!) discs full of songs recorded at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin over a series of five nights in 2007.

The record’s 39 tracks include songs from the band’s earlier years, “many of them rarely if ever played,” according to their official web site. Also included are many songs from 2008’s Accelerate and a couple of bonus tracks not included on any other R.E.M. albums.

If two discs just isn’t enough, there’s also a special edition of Live at the Olympia that includes a DVD with footage of Michael Stipe & Co.’s five night musical bender in Dublin.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to “Hard to Explain” by The Strokes

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Chris Brown Sentenced

Hip hopper Chris Brown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting former girlfriend and fellow superstar Rihanna, received his sentencing today in L.A. In addition to five years probation and a nearly $3000 fine, Brown must complete 180 hours of community labor and take part in a domestic violence counseling program.

Brown created a huge controversy in February when photos of a bruised and battered Rihanna surfaced on the Internet, and allegations that he caused those bruises were eventually found to be true.

Since the incident, Brown has experienced some serious backlash. Many radio stations refused to play his hit songs and Brown lost a lucrative endorsement deal he had with Double Mint Gum.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Looks Just Like the Sun" by Broken Social Scene

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Mad Whiskey Grin wins Open Mic Night One

The first night of the Epic Open Mic series was a huge success. Mad Whiskey Grin came out on top in what turned out to be a very close night of competition.

Thanks to our great judges, Wilmot, Jason and Ethan, and to all the performers. Everyone played well, and it was truly a close competition. We certainly hope everyone had fun, and we enjoyed seeing all the new and familiar faces. Hope everyone makes Open Mic night part of their Monday routine.

This series is completely booked, but if you would like to be put on the waiting list or sign up for the next series, keep sending submissions to openmic@athensblur.com. And of course, keep coming every Monday night at Rye Bar.

Pictures coming soon...

-Lindsey Lee

Who Killed Michael Jackson?

Allegations and half-truths have been thrown around the media in the past weeks surrounding Jackson’s death. Rather than let him rest in peace, multiple investigations have been launched to uncover the reasoning behind Jackson’s overdose and finding someway to make this a homicide and not an accidental passing. The lack of proof behind each allegation has left fans around the world hoping for the answers and for Jackson’s body to be laid to rest.

The most recent report is the most official we’ve heard in weeks. CNN’s website states: Jackson’s “Los Angeles coroner has concluded preliminarily that singer Michael Jackson died of an overdose of propofol, a powerful sedative he was given to help him sleep, according to court documents released Monday.”

Along with the latest media allegations that his personal physician gave him drugs under the table, and failed to call police until 82 minutes after he realized Jackson had stopped breathing (both currently being investigated), this new development may lead to a conviction of homicide on Jackson’s physician’s part.

But who is to blame for his passing? He was in pain and thus his doctors might have gone above and beyond what is legal by them to ensure the world-famous artist stay alive. Or did Jackson, himself, administer the drugs improperly resulting in the overdose?

I guess the only question viable at this point is, what do you think happened?

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Death On Two Wheels

I hope you didn’t miss the jam orgy that went down this past Saturday at Tasty World. Death On Two Wheels had more than just instruments and catchy indie rock tunes; they brought energy to fuel the crowd. I’m not being cliché…the vibes that were coming from these guys were mental. The show was complete with dueling guitar jams, pitch perfect harmonies, and even a few jumps on the bass drum by a barefoot band mate. Though their instrumentals prove jam-worthy, their vocals are not lost and their lyrics have substance.

Hailing from the south, this Atlanta-based band seems to get their influence from 70s rock n’ roll while still incorporating their roots in southern rock into a distinctive blend. Though it can be said that DO2W has similar qualities to bands such as Kings of Leon or Cage the Elephant, their unique lead vocalist, Trae Vedder, adds an edge of goth-grunge-raspy voice sexiness to their overall sound that differentiates them from other bands in their genre.

Stage presence can make or break a band. These guys have it down. Ending the show with an impromptu encore made the masses wild and constituted a good end to a good show.

Trae Vedder - lead vocals, guitar

Paul Doss - lead guitar

David Fountain - bass, vocals

Andrew Knox - organ, vocals

Greg Neel - drums, vocals

Official Website: http://www.deathontwowheels.com/

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to “Living Thing” by Peter Bjorn and John

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Simpson-Wentz Tries Not to Suck at Acting

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz actually got a part on a television show that people will probably watch. Okay, we know she had a reality show back when everyone knew her as “Jessica’s little sister”, but Ashlee is all grown up now. She is married to eyeliner connoisseur and rocker boy Pete Wetnz and has a bouncing baby boy named after a character in the movie “The Jungle Book.” She is going places.

On September 8, Ashlee will be appearing on CW network’s new drama series, “Melrose Place.” According to the official website, she will be playing "Violet Foster, a seemingly naïve young woman who hides a dark side.” I believe being a singer, a struggling new actress, and a poster child for failed plastic surgery has fully prepared Ashlee for a roll in a soppy drama about beautiful 20somethings and the pangs of life.

I’ll hold on passing judgment and let this one play out on its own. Maybe it won’t be as painful as I anticipate.

-Marie Baginski
Currently Listening to "Hott Mess" by Cobra Starship

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Rhianna, Kanye, and Jay-Z Run This Town

A new song, and really tiiight video, has been posted online featuring Ri-Ri, KWest, and Beyonce’s hubby, Jay-Z. The trio are looking fierce and sounding even more fierce in their new song, "Run This Town". This is a group of hott, powerful, stinking rich R&B superstars that know even if the song isn’t fabulous, it will still reach #1 in a week. I like the song, but it’s no epic Lady GaGa. Check the video here and see for yourself.

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to "Run This Town" by Jay-Z ft. Rhianna and Kanye West

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Yellow Submarine Remake

According to a report in Variety, Disney and director Robert Zemeckis are negotiating a deal to remake the 1968 animated film "Yellow Submarine."

The original film, based on the music of the Beatles, chronicles the story of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, an animated version of the Beatles themselves, and of the underwater realm of Pepperdom.

Zemeckis and Disney must gain the rights to use the 16 Beatles tracks, including "All You Need Is Love" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," that arefeatured on the original soundtrack.

The film will be shot in performance-capture 3-D, the same technology used by Zemeckis to make the upcoming "A Christmas Carol" movie.

If all goes according to plan, the new "Submarine" will hit theaters in 2012 while the Summer Olympics take place in London.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Pot Kettle Black" by Wilco

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Real Housewife's First Single Leaked Early, Not Tardy

Kim Zolciak, one of the stars The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is up in arms. Her debut single, "Tardy for the Party," was leaked onto the Internet this week. According to her website, Zolciak and the song's producers did not consent to its release.

Zolciak's musical aspirations have been chronicled on The Real Housewives. In the first season she was shown singing in a recording studio in an effort to jumpstart a country music career.

"Tardy for the Party," though, has a decidedly un-country feel. With lyrics such as "on the dancefloor looking fine," and "party all night and we won't go to sleep," this song was made for the club.

The reality TV star and mother of two had hoped to release the single on iTunes after chronicling its production on the show. Zolciak thanked fans for their "understanding . . . and continued support."

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Face Down" by Modern Skirts

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack Set To Release

It's finally here. Almost. The long awaited soundtrack to Spike Jonze's film Where the Wild Things Are is set to release on September 29. The soundtrack is the creation of Yeah Yeah Yeahs front woman Karen O.

The album has generated lots of buzz because of its long list of contributors. In making the album, O enlisted help from her fellow YYY members, as well as members of the Raconteurs, the Dead Weather and Deerhunter, to name a few. O also used the voices of a children's choir -- a good way to tie the soundtrack into the movie's theme. The soundtrack is aptly credited to "Karen O and the Kids."

Although the album doesn't drop until late next month, those anxiously awaiting a listen can hear the first single, "All is Love," soon enough. The track will be available online August 25.

The film adaptation of Mauric Sendak's beloved Wild Things will be in theaters October 16.

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "They're Leaving Me Behind" by Nick Drake

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

From Rock n' Roll to Country: The Dangers of the Music Biz

Concertgoers fear violent mosh pits and broken beer bottles but who knew that the musicians themselves would have more worries than an over-zealous fan. When rocker Bret Michaels was injured this past June at the Tony Awards by a falling piece of his stage nobody could have predicted just how dangerous entertaining the masses had become. Micheals’ fame had dissipated almost completely after “Rock of Love 9ish” so the media just asked him to stop complaining and moved on with their lives.

But when the queen of all things music, our Lady Madonna, had a near collision with her stage in Marseille, France people actually started to care. And by a near collision, I mean that Madonna was completely untouched by the malfunctioning set, but her tour gang and a few stage crew were not so lucky. In fact, there were two deaths as a product of the faulty stage. This incident got much more hype because, honestly, Bret Michaels is about as famous as Madonna's bus driver.

We thought after the possible threat to Madonna, stage crews around the world would be making sure their set wouldn’t be next. However, a team in Canada wasn’t prepared for the strong storm that would unleash the stage on the unsuspecting country crooner, Billy Currington. Though he was only injured, the set collapse resulted in a death and 40 other injuries.

Could this stream of stage failures persist, its is possible that people will start coining the phrase “you’re more likely to be hit by a falling stage than to…”

-Marie Baginski
Currently listening to "Province" by TV On The Radio

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com