Month: April 2024

It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. It’s time to learn more about Jim Henson.

Directed by Ron Howard, Jim Henson Idea Man is an upcoming Disney+ documentary about the life of Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets. Without Henson, there would be no Big Bird, no Kermit the Frog, no Miss Piggy, no Yoda, no Elmo (hmm, maybe a world without Elmo wouldn’t be so bad).

You can watch the trailer above.

Jim Henson Idea Man is described as “an unprecedented, intimate look at Henson’s illustrious, revolutionary career and complex personal life. Using never-before-seen personal archival home movies, photographs, sketches, and Henson’s personal diaries, as well as interviews with those who knew him best, the film is the definitive portrait of one of the world’s most inspiring and iconoclastic creators.”

All I’m saying is, there better be at least 10 minutes on Muppet*Vision 3D. And 20 minutes on the episode of The Muppet Show where Sylvester Stallone sings “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” to a lion while dressed as a gladiator. Also, what’s the deal with Gonzo and chickens? There’s a lot for Jim Henson Idea Man to cover.

Jim Henson Idea Man premieres on Disney+ on May 31.

Nilüfer Yanya is back, with her first piece of new music since her 2022 album, Painless. Today (April 24), Yanya is kicking off a new era. After recently signing with Ninja Tune, Yanya is gearing up to release a new album later this year. Ahead of this project, Yanya has shared her new single, “Like I Say (I Runaway).”

On the new track, Yanya finds herself trapped by the confines of time. Distorted guitars give the song a transcendental element, symbolizing the idea of wanting to break free.

“‘Cause I feel like all my friends / They don’t read my mind / The minute I’m not in control / I’m tearing up inside / Fill up on that feeling . Fill up on the line .If I’m falling out with you / ‘Cause if you can’t hold my hand / Just to feel alive / In the early morning truth,” Yanya sings on the songs chorus.

Production on the song was handled by Yanya’s frequent collaborator, Wilma Archer, who worked with Yanya on her last two albums.

“It’s about how you choose to spend your time,” said Yanya in a statement. “Time is like a currency, every moment. You’re never going to get it back. It’s quite an overwhelming thing to realize.”

The song’s accompanying video was directed by Yanya’s sister, Molly Daniel, and features Yanya running from an altar in an attempt to see the bigger picture of the world around her.

You can watch the video for “Like I Say (I Runaway)” above.

Idris Elba is one of the most versatile actors of the 21st century, not only because he can switch up his accent at the drop of a hat, but also because he came out of Cats (2019) relatively unscathed, which could not be said about some of his co-stars.

Elba’s latest venture is a series starring his Sonic character Knuckles in the all-new Paramount show based on the red hedgehog. Knuckles takes place in between Sonic The Hedgehog 2 and the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 3 which may or may not feature the vocal talent of Keanu Reeves.

Here is the official synopsis:

The new live-action event series follows Knuckles (Idris Elba) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade (Adam Pally) as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior. The series takes place between the films SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3.

All six episodes of the series will premiere on Paramount+ on Friday, April 26, at 12:00 a.m. PT / 3:00 a.m. ET. Ben Schwartz will also reprise his role as Sonic, ahead of the third installment which hits theaters in December. The first two films in the series can be viewed on Amazon Prime. And in case you’re interested, Cats is on Netflix.

Now that Coachella is in the rearview, Indio, California is bracing itself for the OTHER major festival that takes over the Empire Polo Club in the spring, Stagecoach. The country music festival has a wide-ranging lineup this year that not only includes country mainstays like Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, and Willie Nelson but also has neophytes and unusual additions like Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and even Wiz Khalifa.

There’s one more star fans expect to see even though her name isn’t on the flyer: Beyoncé. But why?

Well, for one thing, last month, Beyoncé released her Great American Songbook-influenced album, Cowboy Carter, which spans genres from blues to hip-hop to yes, country music. While it was thought to be a country album by many fans ahead of its release, it takes influences from across the spectrum of American music; with that said, there’s enough Americana, folk, and country music on it that Beyoncé wouldn’t be out of place at Stagecoach (at least, not any more than Diplo and Nickelback, who are also on the bill somehow).

Meanwhile, plenty of the folks on the lineup directly contributed to Cowboy Carter, including Post Malone, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Willie Nelson. But mainly, people think one name, Backwoods Barbie, might be a secret reference to a surprise Beyoncé pop-in.

According to Billboard, the only info on this mysterious act is an equally mysterious Instagram profile, birthed the same day that Cowboy Carter hit DSPs — and incidentally, it’s a Stagecoach lineup for Diplo’s Saturday night Honky Tonk set. Most of the account’s post contain references to Cowboy Carter, either overt (album art, song quotes) or oblique (photos of contributors like Dolly Parton). Also, there’s a “disco ball crossed with country Western” theme that just SCREAMS “Renaissance Trilogy.” At the very least, it seems likely to be someone at least affiliated with Bey (my money, were I a betting man, would be on a surprise Solange set).

Obviously, if Backwoods Barbie is Beyoncé, she’s not going to say anything beforehand (the crowd crush would be insane, for one thing). I guess the only way to know for sure is to show up at the spot marked on the map at 7pm on Saturday, April 27 (or wait for the inevitable deluge of social posts if it is her).

The wait for The Sandman‘s second season might be longer than most Neil Gaiman addicts would prefer, but a bonus from the same world is about to arrive on Netflix.

Dead Boy Detectives is an adaptation of a Vertigo comic offshoot from The Sandman universe. The ghostly teenage gumshoes originally hailed from the iconic saga’s fourth graphic novel in an arc that is connected to the Dream (Tom Sturridge)/Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) beef. And as attendees of a British boarding school, Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland find themselves picking up cases that human detectives cannot handle.

What Time Will You Be Able To Watch ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ Season 1 On Netflix?

If this show follows the standard Netflix new release pattern, the first season will be available at 12:00am PST on April 25. That means that, soon enough, we’ll find out how many The Sandman easter eggs surface and whether any of The Endless siblings pop up. Death would be an ideal pick, yes? Let’s do the synopsis thing:

Meet Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland, ‘the brains’ and ‘the brawn’ behind the Dead Boy Detectives agency. Teenagers born decades apart who find each other only in death, Edwin and Charles are best friends and ghosts… who solve mysteries. They will do anything to stick together – including escaping evil witches, Hell and Death herself. With the help of a clairvoyant named Crystal (Nelson) and her friend Niko (Kitamura), they are able to crack some of the mortal realm’s most mystifying paranormal cases.

The eight-episode first season of Dead Boy Detectives will be streaming when you wake up on April 25.

It didn’t reach Brendan Fraser-in-The Whale “the only frame from the movie” status, but it feels like we’ve been seeing that image of Zendaya sitting on a bed with Mike Faist on one side of her and Josh O’Connor on the other for years. That’s only a slight hyperbole: Challengers was originally scheduled for August 2023, but it was pushed back to 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Thankfully, Luca Guadagnino’s sexy (and sex scene-free) tennis movie finally comes out this week, so we’ll be able to see the bed scene in context.

Speaking of that scene, Zendaya told Variety what was on her mind while taking such good care of her little white boys. “The only reason I really remember is because Beyoncé came out with ‘Break My Soul’ that day,” she said. “I was having a great day, like, ‘Y’all. Beyoncé’s single just dropped.’ That’s what I was focused on, to be honest.”

O’Connor joked, “We lost Zendaya for like a week. She was on set, normal, chatting with us. Then one day Beyoncé released something. They called ‘cut,’ and she immediately had headphones in. She was completely lost to the world.” Beyoncé: the only person who can make literally Zendaya lose her cool.

Here’s more on Challengers:

From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.

Challengers opens in theaters on April 26. See it.

(Via Variety)

Ahead of an upcoming Talking Heads tribute album Everyone’s Getting Involved, Girl In Red has shared a cover of the band’s fan-favorite, “Girlfriend Is Better.”

On Girl In Red’s updated track, the singer/songwriter gives the song some funkadelic queer energy with soulful vocals and thumping percussion.

“Talking Heads is an iconic band that helped define my identity when I was a teenager and they continue to inspire young people all around the world,” said Girl In Red in a statement. “Being a part of this tribute is so sick and I’m super grateful I was given the opportunity.”

Upon the release of the “Girlfriend Is Better” cover, A24 has also revealed the tracklist for the cover album. The tracklist mirrors that of the original Stop Making Sense album, and features covers by Miley Cyrus, Teezo Touchdown, Paramore, BADBADNOTGOOD, and more.

You can listen to Girl In Red’s cover of “Girlfriend Is Better” above and see the Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense tracklist below.

1. “Psycho Killer” – Miley Cyrus
2. “Heaven” – The National
3. “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” – Blondshell
4. “Found A Job” – The Linda Lindas
5. “Slippery People” – Él Mató A Un Policía Motorizado
6. “Burning Down The House” – Paramore
7. “Life During Wartime” – Dj Tunez
8. “Making Flippy Floppy” – Teezo Touchdown
9. “Swamp” – Jean Dawson
10. “What A Day That Was” – The Cavemen.
11. “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” – BADBADNOTGOOD Feat. Norah Jones
12. “Once In A Lifetime” – Kevin Abstract
13. “Genius Of Love” – Toro Y Moi Feat. Brijean
14. “Girlfriend Is Better” – Girl In Red
15. “Take Me To The River” – Lorde
16. “Crosseyed And Painless” – Chicano Batman Feat. Money Mark

Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense is out 5/17 via A24 Music. Find more information here.

Sure, some skeptics wondered if Tim Burton’s Wednesday series could live up to the iconic version portrayed by Christina Ricci on the large screen. Every doubt evaporated, however, when Jenna Ortega — who will also soon star in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — unblinkingly materialized as the Addams Family daughter. The Netflix show volleyed not only into the stratosphere but also perches atop the streamer’s Top 10 Series of all time list in hours viewed. Not only that, but the first season’s total running time is less than most of the other entries on the list, so those hours look doubly impressive.

In other words, fears have no place when it comes to this show’s quality, although Ortega should send a shiver down your spine, not only for her spooky character but how well she pulls off that classic monotone. Not only is Ortega pitch perfect, but the series also set the title character into sleuthing motion with such success that a second season was speedily renewed with deadpan vigor. Let’s get down to business on where the Nevermore Academy’s chief outcast will go (and film) next.

Plot

This season, most filming will have moved to Ireland instead of Romania, and it remains to be seen how that might affect the show’s aesthetic. Wednesday Addams, however, will never change her ways. She will continue despising everything and return after solving multiple murders and saving Nevermore Academy. It’s also worth noting that Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester arrived as such an onscreen treat that he will surface in his own spin off series soon. In other words, there will be a whole lot of gloomy Addams Fam to witness for years to come. (How horrible for Wednesday herself.)

So, although Netflix has stayed relatively mum about the actual plot of the next season, we can make a few guesses and gather hints from Ortega’s own words.

– Ortega has revealed that darkness will shine in this sophomore era with the series being “more action-packed” and “leaning into a little bit more horror.” The Scream VI actress also suggested that this season will feel more cinematic, although she did not elaborate on the reasons why that is the case.

– Not only will Uncle Fester be expanding the Addams-centric world on Netflix with his own show, but Netflix has confirmed that another new family member will be introduced for the second season, so perhaps we shall see Cousin Itt?

– Unfortunately, Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie) did indeed die in the first season, and we’ll discuss her replacement in the casting-news section below. And it’s a bummer to lose Christie’s presence, but at least we should see her on The Sandman again. Also, we should simply be relieved that Thing survived the first season.

– From there, expect followup on the season finale after Tyler was revealed to be The Hyde. Will we see Wednesday reckon with finding herself attracted to a murderous monster? Given her generally unemotional state, the show’s approach to following up on this development will be telling and should pave the way for the second season’s tone. As well, we should find out who is stalking Wednesday with disturbing messages (and imagery) via text message.

Cast

Jenna Ortega is back for more amateur detective deeds, and we can expect to see Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman as the perfect Morticia and Gomez again. Recently, Variety revealed that Steve Buscemi joined the cast as Nevermore Academy’s new principal (further confirming Gwendoline Christie’s departure), and Thandiwe Newton has also joined in an unspecified role.

As already mentioned, Fred Armisen will surface in his own Uncle Fester spin off, but perhaps he’ll make a trip into the principal series, too. As for the theory that Cousin Itt will arrive, let’s dreamcast Ryan Hurst, who is used to hiding his face and making us all sad in the process.

Release Date

Filming began this month and is expected to continue through December. Fingers are duly crossed for a spring 2025 release.

Trailer

Until Netflix lets some footage fly, this miserable video of a second-season announcement will have to do.

Early this month, Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign canceled several listening events for their upcoming album Vultures 2 without warning or explanation. The canceled listening sessions were just part of an uneven rollout for the project, which they announced in January. After several setbacks, though, it appears that the album has a new tentative release date: May 3. Kanye revealed the release date during an appearance on influencer Justin LaBoy’s podcast.

Some skepticism about the release date is probably warranted. When Kanye and Ty first announced that Vultures would be released in three parts, they initially gave the second installment a March 8 release, with the third part billed for April 5. They’ve now blown past not only the second release date, but the release date for the third part as well. After missing the date for the first Vultures, they released the album in mid-February, only to run into problems with the distributor — namely, that FUGA, the company listed as distributor, had previously refused to work with Kanye over his antisemitic comments. The album was pulled from Apple Music, but still debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 because we crossed through the looking glass sometime in 2015.

Meanwhile, on March 8, Kanye delayed Vultures 2, attributing the delay to an internal debate about adopting a direct-to-consumer distribution method.

Vultures 2 is (supposedly) out on 5/3.

Babehoven’s music incorporates stillness while gently, encouragingly nudging you forward. The indie-folk duo of songwriters Maya Bon and Ryan Albert creates a space where you can sit for a while, reflecting on how you’ve arrived at your present moment while granting you the time to contemplate where you’re headed next. Water’s Here In You, their latest album, progresses at a leisurely pace, like a lazy river that relaxes you while carrying you to its eventual endpoint. Bon’s soothing vocals intermingle with faint guitars and hushed drums, resembling a single organism with intricate moving parts, however effortlessly simple it all seems at first glance.

Nowhere is this more apparent than on the gorgeous closing track, “Ella’s From Somewhere Else,” a six-minute ode to Bon’s childhood dog and Squirrel Flower’s Ella O’Conner Williams. Through her dual tribute to others, she uncovers realizations about herself: “In the magic, I found wonder / I found fear,” Bon sings. Whether it’s wonder or fear that Babehoven find themselves in, there’s always a universal thread coursing through their music: magic.

Ahead of the record’s release this Friday, Bon sat down with Uproxx to talk about her indecisiveness in getting her first tattoo, her love of knitting and ceramics, and why Cat Stevens’ “Trouble” makes her emotional in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Lush, emotional, honest, human

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

I’d like to be remembered as a songwriter who wore my heart on my sleeve, creating a sense of connection through song.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Each year I come to the table with different songwriting inspos depending on what I’m listening to and feeling. I’ve currently been practicing the song “Lonely, Cold Seed” in preparation for our upcoming May/June tour so I’ll focus on this song in particular because it’s fresh on the mind. This song takes great inspiration from Kristine Leschper’s album The Opening, Or Closing Of A Door. I adore this album and find it very inspiring both in production and lyrical content!

Where did you eat the best meal of your life and what was it?

My family friend Oguri is an incredible cook. I think the best meal I’ve ever had was at his house in 2012: chicken katsu with Japanese curry and finely sliced cabbage. It was perfect!

Tell us about the best concert you’ve ever attended.

Ryan and I saw Tuvan throat singers Chirgilchin and Yuliyana Krivoshapkina at Zebulon in 2019. I still think about it to this day. It was magical.

What song never fails to make you emotional?

“Trouble” by Cat Stevens. I listen to this song when I need to cry. Ever since I was little, I start bawling as soon as the song starts. I think it started after I saw the movie Harold And Maude as a five-year-old (one of my favorite movies to this day). “Trouble” starts playing when they wheel Maude away in a hospital bed. I’m tearing up just thinking about it now.

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“Turning heart inside out” — I was trying to think of a good word to summarize this feeling to answer question number one. Didn’t find one!

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

We slept in someone’s basement that was very dirty and smelly with a bunch of cats running all over us while we slept. Someone kept coming down into the basement to smoke weed throughout the night so we were also all getting hot boxed while we tried to sleep. In the night, we overheated because there was no air circulation. Ryan went to open the window and found that it was stuck. He worked on it for a while and when it finally pried open, it whacked him in the head so hard he had to sit down for a while. Not a good night. To be honest, I’m sure there have been way worse situations but I can’t remember them now thanks to selective memory :~)

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform and what’s the city you hope to perform in for the first time?

We love playing in NYC. We have a super supportive listener base there now. They make us feel cherished! I’d love to perform in London soon. I was born there and lived there until I was 5. I have some family friends there I’d love to play for!

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Life will get better! You won’t be in this much pain forever! Take risks, make changes that are hard, explore!

What’s one of your hidden talents?

Knitting and ceramics! I love to knit and play with clay. I sell some of my pieces.

If you had a million dollars to donate to charity, what cause would you support and why?

Oof, this is a hard question. I’d have to divide the money up and support many causes. For one, I’d give a large chunk of it to help people in Gaza in any way possible (free Palestine, ceasefire now, end the occupation, end the genocide!!!!). I’d hope to support an environmental org that focuses on urban heat island effect to help depave, repurpose brownfields, make rooftop gardens, and paint roofs white. I’d also give a huge chunk of the money to invest in wildlife crossings for migratory species. I’d give a bunch of money to investing in affordable housing and housing for houseless people.

What are your thoughts about AI and the future of music?

I feel confused about what it would mean for AI to be involved in the kind of music we make. To be honest, I’m curious what kind of song AI would make if I described my songwriting process to it.

You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location it would be held.

Cluster, Cate Le Bon, Laraaji, Kristine Leschper, John Roseboro. I’m picturing less of a music festival and more of a “let’s get together and play music for each other and then maybe all play some songs together if we feel like it” kind of vibe. It would be held in my backyard on a beautiful, summer day. We’d throw some ribs on the grill and we’d all go swimming together after!

Who’s your favorite person to follow on social media?

Ellington Peet, our drummer. He has the best eye for photos/designs and his story posts in particular are funny and unique.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I signed up for a tattoo with Screamie Weemie with no plan of what I wanted. I was 27 years old and I had wanted a tattoo for a decade but was too indecisive to make a move. I decided to choose a tattoo artist I love and just go and get a flash piece so that the decision making process was less intensive. I ended up finding a flash drawing that looks just like my dog Woody and it felt kismet. I love it so much!

What is your pre-show ritual?

I sing along to Jacobs Vocal Academy’s “5 Minute Vocal Warmup” and then my band and I share four deep breaths together.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Heath Ledger in The Patriot, lmao.

You have a month off and the resources to take a dream vacation. Where are you going and who is coming with you?

Ryan and I would go to a small town in the mountains of Croatia. We’d stay at a cute inn and explore my ancestral homeland!

What is your biggest fear?

Snakes :0

Water’s Here In You is out 4/26 via Double Double Whammy. Find more information here.