Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin: New Songs about ‘Addiction, OCD’
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin says the band’s forthcoming fifth album will consist of clear, consistent themes, instead of being a traditional concept album. According to Martin, the still-untitled effort will focus on “love, addiction, OCD, escape and working for someone you don’t like,” as will be a “a thinly veiled account of what happens within the group.” The new album is due out by the end of 2011. ( BBC1)
Kanye’s Banned Album Cover a Publicity Stunt
Although Kanye West complained last October that Def Jam had banned the graphic album cover to “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” apparently that had been the rapper’s intent all along. According to George Condo, the artist behind the “Fantasy” cover, West had come to the artist and requested an image “that will be banned” for the album artwork. ( The New Yorker via NY Mag)
Demi Lovato Thanks Fans for Support
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After taking home two People’s Choice awards last week, Demi Lovato expressed her appreciation toward her fans on her Facebook page. “I want to make sure my fans know how thankful I am for all their love, support and prayers during this difficult time,” wrote Lovato, who entered a treatment facility in November after a physical altercation with a backup dancer. “Thank you for standing beside me through it all.” (Demi Lovato Facebook page)
Aerosmith Having Trouble Finding Joe Perry
Although Steven Tyler is busy getting ready for his “American Idol” debut, the Aerosmith singer says that he’s ready to record with his old band — if they can find their guitarist, Joe Perry. “I’m trying to rally the guys together,” Tyler says. “We’re having trouble getting Joe [Perry]. I don’t know where he is, but just come down to L.A. at the end of January sometime. I’ve had enough downtime.” ( Rolling Stone)
Pavement Set for ‘Ace of Cakes’ Appearance
Indie rock group Pavement is slated to appear on the Jan. 20 episode of the Food Network’s pastry-based reality show, “Ace of Cakes.” Matador Records announced the news via Twitter and posted a picture of the band cutting into a colorful, horse-shaped cake bearing the group’s name. ( The Hollywood Reporter)
The Roots’ Dice Raw Recovers from Car Crash
The Roots‘ Dice Raw has issued a statement following a car accident in North Philadelphia last Wednesday (Jan. 5). “My car got totaled, my face got all cut up, my ankle and knee are fucked and I still can’t walk,” says the band member. Dice Raw added that he plans to “give my time to handicap organizations” once he recovers. ( Rap Radar)
Car Companies Showcase New Music Apps at CES
Music got truly mobile at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, as a number of car manufacturers and car stereo makers finally got serious about including digital music apps into their products. Toyota introduced its Entune system, basically an in-dash collection of apps that include Pandora and iheartradio. Meanwhile, Ford revealed that its Sync voice controlled system has been built into 3 million vehicles since it launched in 2007, and has updated it so that all include access to Pandora. Audi will soon be joining the car manufacturers, and more are expected to follow. (Find out more at Billboard.biz)
(Reporting by Katie Morgan, Kevin Rutherford, Kadeem Lundy, Ricardo Gomez, Antony Bruno and Jason Lipshutz)