Artist of the Week: Vampire Weekend

'I feel like the first album was very open to misinterpretation. And I hope that this one is more direct in that sense,' so vocalist Ezra Koenig said of 'Contra'.

Dubbed as one of the best new bands in 2008, Vampire Weekend are going to release their second studio album "Contra" across United States on January 12. The four-piece band will celebrate the album release with a special intimate show at Los Angeles' Henry Fonda Theater. They will make an in-store performance in London the next day.

Already being made available for free stream on their official website, "Contra" is aimed to follow up their Gold-certified eponymous effort "Vampire Weekend" which has been in stores since 2008. It is led by single "Cousins" which peaked at No. 33 on Billboard Modern Rock Track chart.

When comparing this upcoming release to their debut album, lead singer Ezra Koenig told The Canadian Press, "I feel like the first album was very open to misinterpretation. And I hope that this one is more direct in that sense."

In support of the new album, Vampire Weekend are going to hit the road starting January 17 at a sold-out concert to take place at United Palace Theater in New York. A number of dates across Europe and North America are set to follow until June.

Beside releasing a new album, this band also did an acoustic performance for MTV's Unplugged. They stripped down their hit singles "A-Punk", "Oxford Comma" and "M79" as well as new songs "White Sky", "Run" and "Cousins".

More details about Vampire Weekend's upcoming shows can be seen on their MySpace, while the whole songs of their new album can be streamed on the following widget.



source: aceshowbiz

Fergie 'Emotional' When Renewing Marriage Vows

It was a 'really romantic, great views of the Pacific, sunset ceremony' lasting for about 15 minutes on the bluff of a Californian resort.


Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie and Josh Duhamel, the couple who was hit with infidelity rumor awhile back, has proven the public wrong about their marriage situation. They renewed their vow in a ceremony held in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Wednesday, January 6.

Duhamel had them flown from Los Angeles to the resort town with private helicopter. A limo was already waiting for them when they landed and they were taken to Bacara Resort and Spa. Only the two of them and a minister were in attendance of the very private ceremony. A source told Us Weekly, "It was a total surprise for Fergie."

Fergie was reportedly crying and very emotional about the whole thing. They then dined at the resort's Miro restaurant before flying back to Los Angeles using helicopter again.

Fergie and Josh Duhamel were first married on January 10, 2009 in Malibu in front of hundreds guests. Their first year as a married couple hit a rocky road when a stripper admitted she was involved in an affair with him while he was shooting "Life as We Know It" in Atlanta. Fergie and the "Transformers" star denied such marital problem.

source: aceshowbiz

Justin Bieber and Rihanna to Kick Off Free Super Bowl Concert Series

Along with the Usher's protege, Rihanna will perform on the first day of the concert series which will hosted by Kevin Dillon on February 4.

Tween singing sensation Justin Bieber and Barbadian songstress Rihanna are paired up to entertain concertgoers at Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam. The two artists will be singing on the first day of the concert series on Thursday, February 4.

Justin is set to deliver songs from platinum debut album "My World" in front of the crowd in the South Beach of Miami. Meanwhile, Rihanna is scheduled to perform tracks from her fourth studio effort "Rated R".

The second day of the gig, which will also be the last one, takes place on February 5. Nelly Furtado, Paulina Rubio and Pitbull are tapped to rock the event with singles from their latest studio installments.

"Entourage" hunk Kevin Dillon and TV anchor Nancy O'Dell will host the Thursday night's concert, while Telemundo stars Leti Coo and Jessi Losada will host the Friday night's festivity along with actor Karim Mendiburu. NFL players also will participate in the two concerts which will be aired live on VH1.

Free tickets for both gigs will be made available on a "first come, first serve" basis beginning Monday, January 11 on TicketMaster.com. There is limit of 10 tickets per person.

Casey Johnson's Family Boycotting Tila Tequila's 'King' Appearance

The one-hour show is allegedly intended to be a tribute to Casey, accommodating 'all the good things and happy times of her life' and having only Tila as guest.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Tila Tequila is negotiating to appear on "Larry King Live" but the road to there may not be so smooth after all. Family of Casey Johnson, the fiancee of Tila who was found dead on January 4, is reportedly against the reality show star appearing on the CNN talk show although rumor has it, it would be a tribute to Casey.

Per E! News, the Johnsons and Casey's friends are calling Larry King to cancel the plan of having her live on Tuesday, January 12. "The Johnsons just want Tila to go away," a source told the publication. "They're in mourning. She is the last thing they want to deal with right now." Tila reportedly would be the only guest in that evening.

A source close to the Johnson family said they were tired of Tila and only wanted to maintain their dignity post Casey's death. "Everyone knows the tabloids won't back away from Tila, but they didn't think Larry King would actually consider having her on his show," E!'s source added. "They've called him and sent him emails asking him to cancel the interview."

The unharmonious relationship between Tila and people close to Casey was sniffed a couple of days ago when Nicky Hilton and Bijou Phillips visited Tila's home to collect Casey's dogs and belongings. Tila refused to give them up and ranted on her Twitter. "Now that she's gone her family and so called 'FRIENDS' pop up at my house, stealing our stuff & acting like they care? BULLS- - -! Money doesn't buy you class," she wrote.

John Travolta's 'From Paris with Love' Gets New Red Band Trailer

This age-restricted trailer gives a preview to Jonathan Rhys-Meyers who is told to do whatever his partner John Travolta says, including killing people.

Lionsgate Films has released another R-rated international trailer for "From Paris with Love". Sharing some never-before-seen scenes, this more than three and a half minutes video gives a better look at how James Reese reluctantly works with Charlie Wax, who uses his own ways to do his job.

James Reese is a low-ranking intelligence operative working in the office of the U.S. Ambassador in France. One day, he gets more than what he bargained for when he teams up with high-ranking U.S. agent Charlie Wax, who's been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack.

James and Charlie are played by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and John Travolta respectively. "From Paris with Love" additionally has Amber Rose Revah and Melissa Mars in the supporting roles. Directed by Pierre Morel, this action movie will be dropped in U.S. theaters on February 5.

Regina King Romantically Linked to 'The Cosby Show' Star

Regina King and former 'The Cosby Show' child star Malcolm-Jamal Warner are in love and reportedly to move in together in Los Angeles.


Actress Regina King has found love with former "The Cosby Show" child star Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The "Ray" star, who divorced her husband Ian Alexander in 2006, has shared a close friendship with Warner since their first meeting in the 1980s, and their relationship took a romantic turn in 2008.

The couple has since moved in together, reports the National Enquirer. A source tells the tabloid, "Malcolm and Regina have known each other since the '80s, but two years ago their friendship blossomed into romance. They recently found a place together in Los Angeles and (they) are living as a family with her teenage son. Malcolm loves the boy as if he was his own, and Regina refers to Malcolm as her 'soul mate'."

The stars have become so close, they are contemplating taking their relationship to the next level. The insider adds, "Malcolm and Regina are thrilled that they've found the most satisfying relationship of their lives... They're both extremely content right now, and marriage is the next step."

King has a 13-year-old son, named Ian Alexander Jr., with her ex-husband. Warner was left heartbroken in 1998 when he lost his longterm love, actress Michelle Thomas, to stomach cancer.

source: aceshowbiz

Mariah Carey's 'Up Out My Face' Feat. Nicki Minaj

Audio stream of 'Up Out My Face' remix which has Mariah Carey collaborating with Nicki Minaj has arrived.

Remix of Mariah Carey's single "Up Out My Face" has made its way out. Featuring Nicki Minaj's vocal on the hook, the track is one of the re-recorded singles which will appear in the R&B/Hip-Hop/Pop repackage of Mariah's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" album.

Earlier this week, a revamped version of Mariah's "Angles Cry" song has also hit the web. In the "Angels Cry" remix, the wife of Nick Cannon who recently won Favorite R&B Artist at 2010 People's Choice Awards joins forces with Ne-Yo.

Both of the re-worked songs will soon get their music video coming out for viewing pleasure. Over 2009 Christmas holiday, Nick brought forward stills from the forthcoming videos for sneak peeks. The "Up Out My Face" images see Mariah and Nicki as Barbie dolls, while


source: aceshowbiz