Just when you think technology can’t be more advanced, something new pops up. Before, it was NFTs, and now, it’s AI. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has slowly seeped its way into every facet of our lives, so it’s no surprise music would be next. Google, one of the world’s leading tech giants, announced it had developed a music-making robot that will be able to create “original” audio from texts and prompts.
The Verge reports that Google researchers have created an AI that can “generate minutes-long musical pieces from text prompts, and can even transform a whistled or hummed melody into other instruments.” The model system is called MusicLM.
MusicLM is even said to be able to imitate human vocals, despite having a few kinks, including a grainy or staticky sound.
Currently, there is no way for users to play around with this on their own, but Google has uploaded several 30-second snippets of songs that have been created through this process. The songs were crafted using ” paragraph-long descriptions that prescribe a genre, vibe, and even specific instruments.” Longer pieces could even be generated by one or two-word phrases like “melodic techno” and “futuristic club.”
There is even a “story mode” where the AI model is given a script to modify between prompts.
It has not been announced when the technology will be available for public use, but it will presumably be in the near future.
When he first started doing movies, Dave Bautista took the standard wrestler-to-actor route: He did genre movies and big blockbusters. But he knows he contains multitudes. He doesn’t just want to do movies where he beats people up. Back in 2021, he even said he wanted to play Ernest Hemingway. Someone should make that movie or show! But Bautista does worry there are limits to what he can do, some genres that wouldn’t work for him.
“I know I’m not your typical rom-com lead,” Bautista told Page Six at the premiere of his latest film, M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin. “I’m a little rough around the edges. But I always, you know, I look in the mirror and I say, I ask myself, ‘Am I that unattractive? Is there something that unappealing about me that excludes me from these parts?’”
That said, he’s only saying that because he wouldn’t mind doing one. They “just never come my way,” he said, adding, “I’ve never had an offer to do a rom-com. I still have high hopes. I’ll just keep searching.”
Someone, please accept this challenge. Put the erstwhile Drax the Destroyer in a charming rom-com where he owns a book shop and has a fling with a famous movie star, and at one point finds himself at a press junket where he’s forced to awkwardly pretend he’s a journalist from Horse & Hound. That’s right, remake Notting Hill with Dave Bautista and — why not — his Guardians of the Galaxy co-star Pom Klementieff as Julia Roberts.
Between this and the thing where he wants to play Lex Luthor, too, Dave Bautista is out here this week trying to speak his dreams into existence. And to that we say… good!
HBO’s emotional third episode of the zombie series “The Last Of Us” became an instant favorite among fans, thanks in no small part to Linda Ronstadt’s late 1970s ballad, “Long, Long Time.”
Using the song as the episode’s title, “Long, Long Time,” moves away from the show’s main plot to instead focus on a heartbreakingly beautiful love story between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), from its endearing start all the way to its bittersweet end.
The song makes its first appearance during the initial stages of Bill and Frank’s romance as they play the tune on the piano, just before they share their first kiss.
We see their entire lives together play out—one of closeness, devotion, and savoring homegrown strawberries—until they meet their end. The song then plays on the radio, bringing the bottle episode to a poignant close.
Series co-creator Craig Mazin recalled in an interview with IndieWire that he searched far and wide for the right song to encapsulate a theme of “commitment.”
“It was important for me to show that the romance, however long it lasted, it didn’t last. And then it’s arguing. And then it’s bargaining. And then it’s realizing what the other person does for you…The whole idea was to hit the highlights of moments in your life where love means something different,” he said.
It wouldn’t be until Mazin reached out to a friend with an “encyclopedic knowledge of all music” that he would stumble upon Ronstadt’s song, which had fallen into obscurity.
Music streaming service Spotify also reported that “Long, Long Time” received a 4900% increase in plays compared to the previous week. The chart-topping phenomenon resembles that of Kate Bush’s 80s pop hit “Running Up That Hill,” which saw a huge spike in plays after it was used in a pivotal episode of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
During its original release, “Long, Long Time” spent 12 weeks on Billboard’s top 100 list and earned Ronstadt a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance.” Sadly, due to a 2013 diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition similar to Parkinson’s disease, the rock icon hasn’t sung her legendary ballad, or any of her great songs, in over a decade.
Though Ronstadt has yet to comment on the use of her song in “The Last Of Us,” the singer did post an older clip of a live performance onto her Instagram soon after the episode aired, along with the caption, “I think I’m going to love you for a long long time.”
We might never hear Ronstadt sing again, but her music is being honored in beautiful ways. Her song’s comeback through the show (which let’s not forget is an adaptation of a video game) is a perfect example of how great art has a way of finding new life time and time again.
With over 125,000 followers, 34-year-old Oliver James is a star in the BookTok community. And it all started with a very simple goal: Learn to read.
For most kids, school is a place where they can develop a relationship with learning in a safe environment. For James, school was the opposite. Growing up with learning and behavior disabilities subjected him to abusive teaching practices in special education, which, of course, did nothing to help.
“The special education system at the time was more focused on behavioral than educating,” he told Good Morning America. “So they spent a lotta time restraining us, a lotta time disciplining us, a lotta times putting us in positions to kinda shape us to just not act out in class.”
Reading struggles carried over into James’ adulthood, and as is the case for many adults who are functionally illiterate, it significantly reduced his employment opportunities and affected his self-esteem. As he would tell you, even a trip to the grocery store would be a source of anxiety.
However, when he and his girlfriend decided to expand their family of three, James became determined to change things.
Starting his journey with a book of inspirational quotes gifted by his girlfriend, James began reading bits out loud and posting to TikTok. Being a personal trainer by trade and an aspiring motivational speaker, he would often combine his interests, like practicing planks while reading thought-provoking excerpts.
With his heartfelt honesty and exuberant personality, it’s no surprise that he has grown a loyal following. Fans will often send James more books to read in hopes for one of his popular book reviews. In fact, James has such an overwhelming to-read list that he’s had to build his first bookshelf.
But perhaps the biggest impact has been the way reading has shaped James’ relationship with his son. In an interview with NPR, he shared that they’ve not only bonded over books like “Percy Jackson” and “The Witches,” but reading has proven to be a great resource for mental health, which has helped James become a better parent.
“I didn’t know how much my journey was going to affect him, but I see now it’s not even about the reading. The books I’m reading have taught me about my mental issues, which I can now not put on to him. I can actually work on them, so he doesn’t end up with the mental issues I have, because I can take them out of my household because I’m working on them. Without these books, I might have shown him these mental problems,” he told NPR.
James’ new goal is to read 100 new titles by 2024—ambitious for any bookworm in this day and age. But this man has already shown himself and the world just what can be done with simple daily practice and a dash of hope.
If you’d like to support James on his reading journey, you can purchase something from his Amazon Wishlist here.
Ever since social media has given fans more access to their favorite stars than ever, the dark side of fandom has been counterbalanced by a silver lining — artists can clap back, often in clever, hilarious, and sometimes downright profitable ways.
After a troll online called out Latto for allegedly wearing the same pair of leopard-print panties two days twice in a row, the Atlanta rapper’s response not only put the peanut gallery in its place, it also nearly netted her $100,000 when she put the underwear in question up for auction on eBay (after providing photographic evidence that like Albert Einstein, she has a drawer full of identical pairs from Target).
Unfortunately for Latto, eBay pulled the listing for violating its “used clothing policy” according to TMZ. According to the policy: “Used underwear and socks are not allowed, even if they are clean.” I guess if Latto’s really serious about profiting from her pantaloons, she’ll have to try one of the (many, many) other platforms where such things aren’t just allowed, but encouraged (seriously, there are so many).
Look, fam, no kink-shaming here… but where are y’all getting the money for this? In this economy!?
Anyway, Latto likely doesn’t need the extra income. She’ll be honored as one of Billboard‘s Women In Music in March, which will undoubtedly lead to more lucrative opportunities. She was also Billboard‘s top new artist in 2022, thanks in large part to her hit “Big Energy,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 and stuck around for 51 weeks.
After a 4-11 start, the Denver Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett, who only coached one season for the franchise. Denver expected to make a push for the playoffs after acquiring Russell Wilson via a trade last offseason, but Wilson struggled in his first year with the team. While Hackett was hired to lift the offense based on his work with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, the team struggled to put together any prolonged stretch of competent offensive football, plus there were some bizarre late-game situations that cost them several times this season, like settling for a 64-yard field goal to win a game.
Denver needed an experienced head coach that could get the best out of Wilson, and they may have found their man. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team is hiring former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton.
Breaking: Saints and Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN. This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach.
Payton has spent the last year working as a Fox analyst after stepping away from coaching. He is still under contract with New Orleans, which will require Denver to send compensation back to make the hire official. According to Schefter, Denver will send their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to the Saints for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.
Breaking: Saints and Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning HC Sean Payton, sources tell ESPN. This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become Denver’s next head coach.
This means Denver will send out another first round pick after sending two first rounders to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade. The lack of Draft resources will prove to be a challenge for Payton, but this bet could pay off if Payton can get help Wilson regain his Seattle form.
It’s been nearly three months since Kari Lake lost her bid to be governor of Arizona, and like her hero, Donald Trump, she won’t go away. Instead she’s cried voter fraud without supplying clear evidence backing her claims. She’s even had her own experts screw up her defense. The former anti-Trumpist’s actions probably won’t get her installed in the job she didn’t get, but it might send her somewhere else instead: to jail.
As per Newsweek, Arizona secretary of state Adrian Fontes has sent a criminal referral to the state’s attorney general, Kris Mayes, arguing that Lake committed a felony by tweeting out pictures of voters’ signatures. In a tweet from last week, Lake claimed that there were nearly 40,000 illegally counted votes allegedly featuring mismatched signatures.
“I think all the ‘Election Deniers’ out there deserve an apology,” Lake wrote.
Instead of changing minds, Lake may have incriminated herself. In his criminal referral, Fontes said posting unauthorized voter signatures was in violation of a state law that outlawed “records containing a voter’s signature” from being “accessible or reproduced by any person other than the voter.”
“The protections afforded by this subsection prohibit posting any information derived from voter registration forms or precinct registers to the internet, and under no circumstance may a person other than the voter or [a] statutorily authorized person reproduce a voter’s signature,” reads the referral.
Fontes pointed out that violating this law results in a class 6 felony. It’s the least severe of the state’s felonies, but its penalties can result in fines, probation or a prison sentence between four months and 5 ¾ years. It’s not yet known if the Mayes will investigate.
Lake herself has not weighed in on scoring a criminal referral, but her campaign Twitter account, Kari Lake War Room, did. “Adrian Fontes wants Kris Mayes to investigate & potentially imprison @KariLake for the ‘crime’ of … sharing signature verification evidence that was presented before the @AZSenateGOP & is currently in her lawsuit,” the account wrote. “Welcome to the Banana Republic of Arizona.”
Meanwhile, some on the far right, including Steve Bannon and Lake herself, have been referring to her as the state’s real governor, despite her getting fewer votes than the since sworn-in Katie Hobbs. Will she keep doing that from the slammer? We may find out.
When the San Francisco 49ers lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Eagles on Sunday, there was an expectation that for the second straight offseason, Kyle Shanahan would have to replace one of his coordinators.
Last year it was offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel that got his first head coaching job in Miami, but this year all eyes were on the other side of the ball for San Francisco and defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. The Niners were the best defense in football this year and Ryans name had steadily risen from potential head coach to a guy that was almost unquestionably getting poached this offseason. The Houston Texans became the team linked most to Ryans, with it being reported as a foregone conclusion that once the Niners were eliminated, the Texans would finalize a deal for him to be their next head coach.
However, through Monday afternoon, there was nothing official and no update from the leading newsbreakers in the NFL on Ryans to the Texans. That’s when the recently retired JJ Watt decided to offer what seemed to be a tease/confirmation of what everyone expected, posting a picture of he and Ryans when they were teammates in Houston.
And on Tuesday, Adam Schefter revealed that Ryans is, indeed, heading to the Texans.
Former 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans reached agreement today on a six-year deal, per sources. Texans have their new head coach. pic.twitter.com/1CvFSLvZY5
Ryans played the first six of his 10 NFL seasons in Houston from 2006-2011 before finishing his career in Philadelphia. He has been an assistant in San Francisco since 2017, spending the last two seasons as their defensive coordinator, presiding over the NFL’s best scoring defense this past season. Taking over a Texans team that has won just 11 games in the last three years will present a steep hill for Ryans to climb, but with the No. 2 overall pick coming in as the new face of the franchise at quarterback, hopefully this hire will be a long-term one for Houston.
The Texans have fired their last two head coaches after one-year stints, as David Culley and Lovie Smith both were given just one year with one of the league’s worst rosters before being ousted. Ryans represents a very different hire to Culley and Smith, who, at least from the outside, seemed very much like they were there to be the adults in the room until the organization could figure out its direction and go for someone younger. Ryans certainly fits that bill at 38 years old and will bring a different energy to the Texans, one that is much needed within a franchise that has been wandering aimlessly for a number of years now.
As the release date for Magic Mike’s Last Danceinches near, it’s important to remember this: Salma Hayek is historically very good at dancing! Her dance sequence resume includes Dogma, Frida, and From Dusk Till Dawn, while Channing Tatum has what, Step Up and a few Magic Mike’s under his belt? Come on.
Regardless of their technical dancing abilities, making a movie is hard, which means that no matter how good a dancer she is, there can always be a terrible mistake. Hayek recounted a time while filming the upcoming Magic Mike installment when Tatum almost killed her, probably because he was jealous of her dance moves.
The actress told Jimmy Kimmel that there was one elaborate dance sequence that almost ended badly. “This one part that’s not in [the movie] where I’m upside down, and my legs had to be somewhere. But upside down, one loses sense of direction, and I didn’t do what I was supposed to do, so in the rehearsal, I went like, head down, almost hit my head,” Hayek explained. Tatum quickly swooped in to save her, though it didn’t go very well.
“[Channing] held on to my pants, but I was really concerned because my pants were going away, and I couldn’t remember if I had underwear or not in this moment,” she said, because it was the set of Magic Mike, so anything is possible. “Instead of putting my hands to protect my head, I just held onto the pants. He’s like, ‘Put your hands up,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no, no, no.’” Hayek then added that the crew came in and helped her down, and she was furious that a supposed professional dancer such as Channing Tatum almost let her down. “[Channing] said, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ I said, ‘What’s wrong with me? You nearly killed me!’”
Despite the hiccup, Hayek says that she was happy to be working on set with all of those shirtless men. “You know what was my day going into the office? I would just sit around and watch, like, 12 men, semi-naked dancing and doing pirouettes,” Hayek told Entertainment Tonight last month. “And I got to boss them around.” Except for that one time when she almost got a concussion, it seems like she had a great time on set! You can watch her interview with Jimmy Kimmel above.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance hits theaters on February 10th.
Podcasts have changed my life. Not only because I am a podcaster myself, but because the knowledge I have gained and the spiritual connections I have made through the audioscape have been transformative. Nearly one-fifth of the population listens to some sort of podcast, according to research, and personally, I think it should be more.
That sentiment goes double for any podcast novices looking to improve their mental and physical health, because the first step in that journey could be right in your pocket. Everybody has a podcasting app on their phone these days, and with it comes a treasure trove of experts, trainers, and thought leaders from all walks of life.
Do you want to know what an ideal before-bed routine looks like? Do you want to know what food is the best to eat before and after going to the gym? Do you want to know how to set and stick with an intention? Do you want to start meditating? There’s a podcast for that. But just like finding a new gym or a new yoga class, it takes effort to find the right one.
There are a lot of different reasons people are drawn to certain podcasts, from host to subject matter, and a genuinely curious person like myself has a wide range. I am always on the lookout for the next great listen, and I’ve picked up a few favorites along the way that I know bring true value. Check below for a list of shows worth the downloading.
HUBERMAN LAB PODCAST
Courtesy
What It’s About:
Dr. Andrew Huberman has become one of the most-trusted voices in the world of neuroscience, and in addition to being a great speaker, he has an impressive set of credentials. Sleep is one of the most important factors in our general health and well-being, which makes it a subject worth learning about when we can. In this podcast, Huberman dives into sleep on his own, as well as with distinguished guests, allowing us to tune in.
Where To Start:
Episode: AMA #1: Leveraging Ultradian Cycles, How to Protect Your Brain, Seed Oils Examined, and More
Huberman has some great guests on the podcast but these are the episodes I enjoy the most, where he shares usable insights. This one in particular has a great batch of behavioral, nutritional, and supplement-based tools meant to get you started on the right foot. Did you know that you shouldn’t be doing certain meditations too close to your bedtime? Give it a listen, and try the tips out for yourself.
Dan Harris began his journey with meditation after having a panic attack on national television. Since then, he has become something of an expert on the subject — exploring it in his bestselling book 10% Happier and starting this podcast of the same name. His investigative and curious approach to the world of meditation is perfect for someone just starting their practice or just curious “what it’s all about.”
Where To Start:
Episode: #538. The Dalai Lama’s Guide to Happiness | Part 1
This episode is a real treat, Harris brings us to Dharamsala, India where he spent two weeks around His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is not the kind of content that you are going to find anywhere else really. In this episode, he speaks with His Holiness about how to deal with difficult people and what having compassion really means in this world. If there’s any way to bring a little bit of his wisdom into your day then it’s definitely worth a download.
Elisabeth Scott went from barely running at all to running a four-hour marathon in the course of six months. During that time she made a lot of rookie mistakes, learning along the way, while becoming obsessed with the sport. This podcast was created for runners of all backgrounds from beginning to expert to advance their knowledge on training, recovery, nutrition, gear, and everything else.
Where To Start:
Episode: s2/e31 Your Knees & Running with Dr. Lauren LaPierre, DPT (@thepersonalizedrunningdoc)
This podcast has the answers to all of the questions that new runners don’t know to ask yet. Because of how accessible running is there are a lot of people who start a running practice without doing any real preparation or research. Keeping this podcast around and refreshed is a great way to keep yourself on track for a long and healthy relationship with this beautiful sport.
Kelly Smith, the founder of Yoga For You, uses this podcast to share short, weekly guided meditations to help you stress less and live more. The topics explored range from anxiety, insomnia, self-esteem and manifestation, all while staying in the realm of 20 minutes. In addition to the meditations, Smith sometimes explores the subjects at greater length with her calming nature.
Where To Start:
Episode: Intro To Meditation
In the past, we have written about the tremendous benefits of meditation and ways to make it a part of your daily routine. This episode is another great tool for that journey, as Smith shares a workshop that she does frequently on the road to help people begin the practice. The show title says “intro” but as anyone who meditates knows, even the professionals need to brush up on their basics at times.
Dr. Michael Greger, who founded NutritionFacts.org and wrote the bestseller How Not to Die digs deep into evidence-based nutrition advice that will have you feeling better throughout the day. Have you ever wondered if there’s a natural way to lower your high blood pressure, lose weight, and feel better? Food is meant to be the fuel of life, and listening to Dr. Greger is a great way to eat like it.
Where To Start:
Episode: Salt vs. Potassium
One of the reasons to love this podcast is Greger’s ability to take general health concepts that we know, and give us the facts that we need to make the right decision. For example, this episode dives into an idea most already know, that too much salt is bad, and make us understand why we need to be careful with our daily eating habits. On top of that he addresses the lack of potassium in most diets, which is an issue that many adults struggle with. Data and results, what’s not to love?
Dave Asprey is considered “the father of biohacking” and for over a decade has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to exploring ways to improve the human condition. On the show he interviews bright thinkers and radical doers who push the boundaries of science, technology, personal development, and performance specialists in every way imaginable.
Where To Start:
Episode: Upgrade Your Eyesight – Claudia Muehlenweg
There’s no doubt Asprey himself is a great speaker and supremely intelligent, but this is one of those podcasts where you will find yourself blown away by the guests. The roster ranges from well-known names to more fringe specialists, and chances are if there’s a new topic or trend in the world of wellness it will be discussed here. This episode is particularly good because it addresses the realm of eye health which with our modern-day screen obsession is more important than ever.
Jay Shetty is one of the biggest personalities on social media and YouTube. Despite living in worlds that can commonly be plagued with superficiality and ego, he has consistently shared a message of positivity and kindness. His goal with the podcast is to make “wisdom go viral” and having spent significant time with Buddhist monks he has a refreshing perceptive to share.
Where To Start:
Episodes: #1 Daily Habit to Transform Your Life & How to Set Intentions That Actually Work
There is a great diversity of topics and formats approached in this podcast, from solo considerations to interviews with esteemed guests. This episode stands out amongst the rest though, as Shetty discusses setting intentions with Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mind Valley. During the conversation, Shetty also speaks about his time as a monk.
The Zaddy Zone is a health and wellness podcast with a sense of humor, hosted by actor Luke Cook. The show is regularly done with expert guests who will share their stories, as well as advice on sex, training, diet, psychology, and community. On top of all of that, you can expect Cook to bring a laugh or two along the way with his infectiously upbeat nature.
Where To Start:
Episode: Dr. Asia Muhammad x Healing Your Gut
Every episode is great, but where this show shines is when evidence-based advice and insights are combined with Cook’s levity. If you are on TikTok it is very possible you’ve seen him doing a skit or two, maybe with a wig involved. I attend and listen to a lot of very serious fitness talks, so getting to hear legitimate data with a smile on my face is a real pleasure.
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