Check out the 2007 section of Coldplay.com for a new star...

You can discuss this star here [thanks amsterdam528]

EMI showcases iconic vinyl artwork with Art Vinyl

EMI Music UK today announced a deal with innovative designer frame manufacturer Art Vinyl to sell vinyl copies of a selection of its classic albums presented in a special ‘frame plus vinyl’ package.

Creating a value around the visual aspect of album artwork, the deal extends the concept of record sleeves as art in their own right. Classic albums from the likes of Pink Floyd, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Gorillaz and Blur are available to purchase now, just in time for Christmas.

Giles Harris, Head of Music and Brands, EMI Music UK, comments: “These incredible album covers have become works of art in their own right and deserve to be displayed as such.”

Price: £39 - Buy Now

Art Vinyl’s patent pending framing solution for 12” vinyl includes a unique pivot mechanism to allow easy access to the album inside – hence the product tagline ‘Play and Display’.

Art Vinyl founder Andrew Heeps said: “EMI has some of greatest music and visual assets in the record industry. We are delighted to be working with them to create a premium gift package for the Christmas market.”

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood To The Head

This indie rock album has become iconic amongst a new generation of what has traditionally been ‘non vinyl record buying’ music fans. For fans of the band however, this is a great opportunity to celebrate a modern classic with art and music that over time will become a new generations Abbey Road.

To start your voyage of discovery into album cover art or give this unique gift, this Play & Display White Flip Frame plus vinyl is available for £39

About Art Vinyl

Art Vinyl is a London start-up whose innovative 12” vinyl framing solution is leading a reappraisal of the visual and emotional power of the record sleeve.

Art Vinyl has mounted a series of exhibitions at its gallery in the East End’s Broadway Market highlighting the work of independent labels such as Domino, Kent and Greensleeves.

In doing so it has tapped into a growing public affection for sleeve art which goes beyond nostalgia and into the new vinyl culture.

For labels Art Vinyl offers the increasingly unusual possibility for premium pricing of music.

For the music fan Art Vinyl offers the opportunity to showcase the music – and the record sleeves – they love.

For further information on Art Vinyl, please visit: www.artvinyl.com.

The Art Vinyl Gallery Shop

The Art Vinyl Gallery is a unique exhibition space dedicated to vinyl cover art. Art Vinyl Exhibitions change every two weeks as do our curators.

Situated in East London’s Broadway Market, The Art Vinyl Gallery is worth a visit during the week or on Saturday market days when your visit will include DJ’s relevant to the current Exhibitions.

Source: http://www.artvinyl.com/

Despite its faintly melodramatic title, The Guardian's list of 1000 albums to hear before you die isn't meant to be definitive, nor is it meant to be one of those Greatest Albums Of All Time lists. It's supposed to be more of a miscellany, an eclectic collection of interesting albums, (including Various Artists compilations, which usually don't get into those kind of lists).

In an attempt to get as wide a spread of music included as possible, all artists were limited to one entry each. Coldplay's AROBTTH was featured:

Coldplay

A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)

After the winsome acoustic pleasantries of their first album, Chris Martin's indie anthemists comprehensively upped their game for this follow-up. From the moment the album bursts to life with the pounding Politik, its songs are bigger, bolder and more affecting than its predecessor's. Coldplay were bedwetters no more.

Read the full 1000 list here

With the European release of SingStar for the PS3 just around the corner, SCEE’s semi-official blog Three Speech has revealed that the online SingStore will launch alongside the game on the 7th of December.

While the game features 30 new songs, Sony has announced that the SingStore will offer 44 additional downloadable songs at launch, with some being existing SingStar PS2 songs and some being new.

The tracks will cost 99p ($2) each. You can expect some new tracks from the Manic Street Preachers, Zutons and Depeche Mode and existing titles include tracks from Gwen Stefani, OutKast, Coldplay, Pussycat Dolls and Razorlight. More songs will be added from the 17th of December.

Wanna be singstars can buy a standalone copy of SingStar for £24.99 ($51) or a bundle with two microphones for £49.99 ($102). SCEA has not yet confirmed a North American release date or pricing for the PS3 SingStar.

SingStar for the PS3 boasts exclusive next-gen online features which allow gamers to customize their SingStar experience on the SingStore. This online store allows gamers to download new songs (while playing), customize playlists and share the SingStar fun by uploading photos (using the PlayStation Eye and other USB cameras), videos and performances.

You will be able to rate performances, build a profile and more on www.singstargame.com. The game also features new menu skins and backgrounds as well as new voice effects and wallpapers. Players will be surprised with a new look as well as the ability to reduce the volume of the original song.

Source: http://www.el33tonline.com

A Guitar once owned by rocker Noel Gallagher and autographed by a host of pop stars is up for sale - for just £795.

The Takamine electro-acoustic guitar bears the signatures of the Oasis songwriter, Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin and lots of other top artists like members of rock group Idlewild, Ms Dynamite and Lou Rhodes.

All the artists signed the guitar after appearing alongside Manchester rock band Oasis at the Oxfam Make Trade Fair concert in October 2002. The guitar was auctioned on behalf of the charity Oxfam after the gig and was bought by internet-based music memorabilia specialist 991.com. Now the company is selling it.

Apart from the autographs on the front of the guitar, the reverse bears a unique backstage pass from the Oxfam gig.

The instrument, which usually costs about £300, also comes complete with a letter confirming authenticity from Oxfam and a Certificate of Authenticity.

A spokesman for 991.com said: "It was originally at a higher price but we wanted it to be more accessible to fans so brought the price down. We think the person who buys this is likely to use it as a display piece rather than play it so the price reflects that too."

When Noel's former Oasis bandmate Paul `Bonehead' Arthurs put some of his guitars up for sale at legendary Manchester guitar store Johnny Roadhouse in 2005 one of them fetched almost £25,000.

Source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Having already secured a deal with EMI Classics, the celebrity endorsement of Myleene Klass and recorded an exceptional debut album, Kindred Spirits are definitely a choir to look out for this autumn and this is your chance to win your very own copy of the album which is being released on 3rd December.

A choir with a difference, Kindred Spirits features over 20 members aged between 6 and 14 and the choir embraces the diversity of 21st Century Britain, featuring children one would see in any classroom or playground up and down the country. Talented, professional and hugely excited about the project, the childrens' enthusiasm exudes through every track on the album.

The classical album features the choir's own take on tracks as diverse as Coldplay's 'Fix You', 'Here Comes The Sun' and the Christmas carol, 'In The Bleak Midwinter.' Recorded over the summer in London, the album is set to become a 'must have' this Christmas. Members of Kindred Spirits include Nyota Izeidi (10) from South East London; Flora Grace Higgins (10) from Southwark; Patrick Bell (12) from Muswell Hill and Jenna Katie Harris (13) from Totteridge, who helped her grandmother overcome a stroke and regain her speech by singing Abba at her bedside.

As the ambassador for EMI Classics, Myleene Klass is regularly sent material from new artists and groups on the label and the moment she heard a demo of the choir, she was smitten. Having met the children, Myleene has agreed to both fully endorse Kindred Spirits and help with any promotional activity she will be able to fulfil, making them the first project she has taken on since the birth of her baby, Ava, earlier this summer.

Myleene Klass states, "The moment I heard the demo CD of Kindred Spirits, I knew I wanted to be involved in the project. Maybe it's because I'm a new mum, but these children are adorable and so talented."

For more information on Kindred Spirits visit www.kindredspiritschoir.com.

Source: http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk

Coldplay, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Soul Asylum, Lenny Kravitz, Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthews, The White Stripes and Green Day are just a few of the Grammy winning artists who will be featured on a new rock CD honoring the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards.

In celebration of the award ceremony’s golden anniversary, the recording Academy is planning a series of seven discs, each concentrating on a specific genre of music.

They’ll release discs dedicated to contemporary R&B and contemporary pop on November 27th, and CDs for contemporary rock, contemporary country, classic country, classic R&B and classic pop on January 8th, all under the series name Ultimate Grammy Collection.

Classic rock fans don’t get their own disc, although TOTO, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, KENNY LOGGINS, PHIL COLLINS and STEVE WINWOOD are all featured on the classic pop collection, with ARETHA FRANKLIN, OTIS REDDING, THE ISLEY BROTHERS, THE TEMPTATIONS, MARVIN GAYE and others on the classic R&B set.

A portion of the proceeds from the collection will go to The MusiCares Foundation and The Grammy Foundation — two charitable arms of the Recording Academy.

Here’s the full track listing for Ultimate Grammy Collection: Contemporary Rock, due in stores January 8th:

LIVING COLOUR, “Cult of Personality”

MELISSA ETHERIDGE, “Ain’t It Heavy”

SOUL ASYLUM, “Runaway Train”

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, “Plush”

SOUNDGARDEN, “Black Hole Sun”

BLUES TRAVELER, “Run-Around”

TRACY CHAPMAN, “Give Me One Reason”

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, “Block Rockin’ Beats”

FIONA APPLE, “Criminal”

LENNY KRAVITZ, “Fly Away”

COLDPLAY, “In My Place”

DAVE MATTHEWS, “Gravedigger”

THE WHITE STRIPES, “Seven Nation Army”

EVANESCENCE, “Bring Me To Life”

GREEN DAY, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”

Source: http://93x.com/

Check out the 2005 section of Coldplay.com for a new star...

Chris and I delivered the single to Steve Lamacq at Radio 1. We were nervous about the reaction, especially the texts and emails. I’m sure they hide the bad ones…

JB

You can discuss this star and previous stars here.

Head over to Coldplay.com to check out a brand new addition to the timeline. During gaps between drumming duties, Will has put together an intriguing short film made up from over 600 pictures taken in the studio. Pictures like these:

Once you’ve watched it, check out Prospekt’s latest journal entry, which he posted last week giving the latest update on the band’s new album.

Among the other recent additions on the timeline, head to 1999 to hear rare audio footage of Coldplay chatting to Steve Lamacq before their first ever BBC Radio One session. They sound extremely nervous.

And don’t forget to keep checking back to Coldplay.com for new content - they’re adding at least two items a week.

More than 100 celebrities — including Kanye West, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Evanescence’s Amy Lee, the Beastie Boys, Bright Eyes, Cobra Starship, Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz — have signed on to create personalized lunchboxes for an online auction to benefit a pair of hunger-relief organizations: the Food Bank for New York City and South Africa’s Lunchbox Fund.

The auction will go live on December 7 at midnight at TheLunchboxAuction.org and run through December 21.

Other stars participating in the event include David Bowie, Elton John, Casey Affleck, Eva Mendes, Interpol, Jessica Biel, Cat Power and Courtney Love.

Source: MTV

Coldplay's Will Champion talks to The Rhythm Studio about the new album, life on the road and his beloved Saints...

How’s work on the new album going?

It's going very well. We have our own studio now which is great because it means we can go in at any time of the day and we don't have to worry about wasting time in an expensive studio. We've been writing and playing for most of the year now and have been recording for about 2 months... so far!

What was the inspiration behind recording in various churches in Spain?

The idea was to have a little bit of a change of scenery. We were just recording group vocals and wanted to go to spaces that were acoustically and aesthetically interesting, to give the record some different character.

How has Brian Eno influenced the Coldplay sound?

Brian's work has always been an influence on us. From the things he's done with Bowie and Talking Heads to his own solo records, his use of atmospheric sound and electronic treatment of traditional instruments is something that we've used heavily in the past. Funnily enough, this record sounds less Eno-like than the last couple even though it is the only one he has worked on officially!

Read the full interview here

Speculation is growing that Coldplay's latest release - no not the album - but a short video of a collection of stills is actually a hidden message with details of the forthcoming record.

Messages that have been discovered so far are hand signals from Chris Martin that reads similar to "viva la vida", which roughly translates in to "Live the Life". This is backed up by lip readers that say Will Champion says the same thing. This may have links to Spanish influences, recently announced as part of Coldplay's Barcelona visits. Other messages include various other rantings, a picture of Nick Cave, and other unknown people.

Read some of the messages already deciphered in the video, and discover your own, here

Music biz buzz is that Coldplay will come out of self-imposed exile to headline the Main Stage at next year's T In The Park 2008 festival.

Chris Martin wants to unveil the next studio album - the first since X&Y in 2005 - at Balado. They'll follow up with a European arena tour. An insider said: "Two years ago, Coldplay staged their own open air gigs at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

This time, they want to be part of the whole summer festival vibe and T In The Park would be automatic choice."

More on this exclusive story here

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Pop stars beware. The new owners of major record label EMI have warned artists they could be dropped if they do not work hard enough for the company.

Guy Hands, chief executive of private equity group Terra Firma, which agreed to buy EMI in May for 2.4 billion pounds ($4.9 billion), has written a memo to staff calling for "fundamental change" in the way it does business.

"There is no reason why we should not be more selective in whom we choose to work with," Hands wrote in an internal memo, according to the Financial Times on Friday. "There has been a lot of talk about what labels offer to artists and to the consumer. However, there is not much talk about how artists should work with their label," he added.

EMI is home to major acts including the Beatles, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen and Norah Jones. Hands avoided naming any individual artists in his memo.

"While many spend huge amounts of time working with their label to promote, perfect and endorse their music, some unfortunately simply focus on negotiating for the maximum advance ... advances which are often never repaid.

"However, once EMI has the best products and services in music and the best culture for working together then ... it will be open to us to choose which artists we wish to work with and promote."

EMI, like other big record companies, has struggled with declining global sales of CDs and illegal downloading of tracks over the Internet.

But analysts say EMI has been too reliant on British talent and lacked firepower in the United States, the world's biggest music market.

The company also signed a deal with Williams in 2002 which record industry sources put at 80 million pounds, the biggest in British music history, but his star has waned in recent years.

Hands challenged EMI's compensation system, which, according to the Financial Times, rewards senior recording executives for signing up new acts regardless of whether the company makes a return on the advance paid.

Source: Reuters

Check out the 2000 section of Coldplay.com for a new star.

Trouble Video 1 UK 26/10/2000

Terrible video. Good song, great director.

BUT never let the singer come up with the concept

CM

You can discuss this star here onwards [thanks Joyhannah]

Someone on the forum said Chris looked old these days. Well if this photo doesn't prove you wrong... he looks exactly like he did in 2003. This photo was taken just a few days ago [thanks nevaehdreamz]

Coldplay is nearing completion of its fourth album, due in the first half of 2008 via Capitol. "It feels like a very dense record," reads a post on the band's Web site. "There are so many melodies and colors packed into a relatively short space (42 minutes)."

The post says two new songs, 'Famous Old Painters' and 'Glass of Water,' are now in the mix, joining previously announced songs such as 'Lost,' 'Cemeteries of London,' 'Violet Hill,' 'Poppy Fields,' '42,' 'Yes!,' 'Leftrightleftrightleft' and 'Rainy Day'. As you'd expect with [producer] Brian Eno, there's experimentation and exploration," it says. "But the music still has integrity. It's real and honest. There's no posturing or bombast. When the deadline comes and the work is done, this will be the album I always dreamed we'd make," it concludes.

The as-yet-untitled new album is the follow-up to 2005's 'X&Y', which topped The Billboard 200 charts. Read more headlines on Coldplay's new album via these links:

Coldplay Nearing Completion Of Fourth Album

Coldplay under "pressure"

Coldplay Post Curious New-Album Update

Coldplay: Chris Martin talks about 'pressure' of new album

Coldplay Under Pressure To Meet New Album Deadline

Coldplay finally knuckle down

Coldplay Nearly Done With New Album

Coldplay Check In From Studio

Coldplay's Dream Album Nearly Completed

Coldplay's New Album

Coldplay nearing completion of new album

Check out the 1999 section of Coldplay.com for a new star.

25th Feb 1999 - 1st Steve Lamacq Session

We were really nervous about playing - the idea of so many people listening to us play live on the radio was so alien.

GB

You can discuss this star here onwards [thanks o_0Emma-Beatrice0_o]

Chris Martin has marked the first time he heard his band on Xfm as one of the finest moments in Coldplay’s career so far, via a journal entry on their official website.

Martin reveals the exactly moment that Coldplay first heard themselves on air on 104.9 Xfm, at exactly 3.45am on April 18 1999, via a journal timeline which displays written excerpts, pictures and videos at www.coldplay.com.

The written excerpt says: “18th April 1999 Me & Tim hear Brothers and Sisters at 3.45am in the morning on Xfm”

‘Brothers and Sisters’ was the first ever single released by Coldplay, with only 1500 vinyl copies pressed through Fierce Panda. Martin also goes on to reveal that he can never listen to his songs on the radio again, writing,

“Every time since this, I turn the radio off if any of our songs comes on, but this first play we got was pretty special, so we listened. But I still got that weird feeling you get when you hear your own answerphone message. CM”

Coldplay’s fourth studio album is being penned for release early next year, and is rumoured to be nearly complete, with the main recording sessions done, and now being mixed. The record is reportedly to be made up of approximately nice songs, and clocks (ahem) in a around 42 minutes).

Tracks rumoured to be included are 'Lost', 'Cemeteries of London', 'Violet Hill', 'Poppy Fields', '42', 'Yes', 'Leftrightleftrightleft' and 'Rainy Day'.

Source: XFM

Coldplay has announced a further two songs via Prospekt, 'Famous Old Painters' and 'Glass Of Water'. As always, the Wiki pages have been updated to reflect the updates.

Friday 26 October 2007 - London

The self-imposed deadline looms and new songs have arrived. Famous Old Painters and Glass Of Water. It's as if the pressure is a catalyst. The pressure to finish has triggered a new writing surge. However, the deadline still stands...

With two new songs to explore and record, there's a lot of extra work. But it can still be done. The sense of focus, in the studio, is palpable. Much credit must go to producer Marcus Dravs for pushing to the point of exhaustion but never beyond.

It feels like a very dense record. There are so many melodies and colours packed into a relatively short space (42 mins). As you'd expect with Brian Eno, there's experimentation, and exploration. But the music still has integrity. It's real and honest. There's no posturing or bombast.

The next few weeks will be intense. There's no doubt about that. I've already developed (a) a small patch of alapecia on my hand. Guy's got insomnia and Chris is up and down like a yo-yo. But when the deadline comes and the work is done, this will be the album I always dreamed we'd make.

Prospekt.

You can discuss this here onwards [thanks Loretin]

Coldplay's bass player loves street style. His fashionista wife is an old romantic. So what happened when they set up home together?

A dream home doesn't materialise overnight, as Jo and Guy Berryman know. It took them two years to find an Edwardian mansion, then a year to bring it back to its former glory. Yet now they're living there, it feels as though they've been there for ever.

Despite their 13-month-old daughter Nico, this is a grown-up house with a groovy rock 'n' roll edge. Former fashion stylist Jo, co-owner of chic boutique Jezebell in London's Marylebone, oozes cool (from her Jonathan Saunders dress to the Cole & Son wallpaper she's chosen for the living room) and is the perfect foil to Guy's hip street style as bass player with Coldplay.

More on this story here

A columnist for FOX News, who has seen about half an hour of footage from The Golden Compass, expects that the film will "without a doubt be the big holiday smash hit for which Hollywood is so desperate".

The columnist also mentions hearing the possibility that UK band Coldplay might contribute to the film's soundtrack. If true, then it would appear likely to be played over the closing credits of the film similar to the use of songs in the soundtracks to New Line's previous film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

Source: http://www.hisdarkmaterials.org

Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson yesterday revealed his tactics to deal with superstarencounters - being grumpy.

The frontman says he’s so shy when he bumps into other celebs that he starts moaning in a bid to look cool.

Ricky said: I do get a bit starstruck, it’s not like I can’t speak but when I meet famous people I moan. I think it makes me appear cool and blasé. We were talking to Coldplay yesterday and Chris Martin asked me how relations within the band were. I went, ‘Mm, you know. All right I suppose.’ The others were stood next to me going, ‘You what!’

Read the full article here

Check out the 1999 section of Coldplay.com for a new star.

Blue Room - EP 25/10/1999

This is our first release on Parlophone Records. David Doublit’s photography was used for the cover, and the EP really spurred us on to make a full-length record.

GB

You can discuss this star here onwards.

Check out the 1999 section of Coldplay.com for a new star.

XFM Brothers & Sisters - 18th April 1999

Every time since this, I turn the radio off if any of our songs comes on, but this first play we got was pretty special, so we listened. But I still got that weird feeling you get when you hear your own answerphone message.

CM

You can discuss this star here onwards.