Friday, May 12, 2023

"Kismet"

Belinda Carlisle, today releases her brand new five track Kismet EP, featuring the single “Big Big Love, which marks the pop icon’s first new English language studio recording since 1997 and the triumphant reunion with the incomparable songwriter Diane Warren.

Produced by Mati GavrielKismet, is released on Warren’s label imprint RAF through BMG and in addition to “Big Big Love” features the brand new tracks, “If U Go” (the EP’s focus track), “Deeper Into You,” “I Couldn’t Do That To Me,” and “Sanity”.

Kismet is available now on CD and across all streaming platforms/digital services.

 

Stream / Purchase / Share Kismet HERE

 

Currently celebrating more than 35 years as a solo performer with her critically acclaimed Decades tour, the release of “Big Big Love” has received rousing acclaim from fans, media, music industry insiders and tastemakers around the globe.

With a great vocal performance, driving synths and an amazing hook, “Big Big Love” was the number one most played record on the BBC R2 network for three weeks as it launched straight to A-list rotation / Record of the Week status and stayed there for five weeks!

 

Watch the official “Big Big Love” music video HERE

Watch the “IF U GO” lyric Video HERE

 

Discussing working with Belinda Carlisle again Diane Warren commented, “I'm so excited for everyone to hear Belindas new record. She’s never sounded better. It's so great to be working together again after all these years.  From “I Get Weak” and now to “Big Big Love,” a new chapter has begun.  I can't wait for everyone to hear these new hits!”

Belinda and Diane first collaborated in 1987 for Belinda’s second solo album Heaven on Earth, which featured the Diane Warren penned songs, “I Get Weak” and “World Without You,” and also the anthemic, “Heaven Is A Place On Earth,” the track that shot to the top of the charts all over the world and established Belinda Carlisle as a global star.

In addition to Belinda’s new solo outings, she has also recently recorded another Diane Warren track – “Gonna Be You” which is featured in the movie 80 For Brady. This song saw Belinda team up with Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry - a line-up of female icons for the ages.

Discussing working with Diane Warren, Belinda Carlisle commented, “Twenty-seven years on from making my last English language pop record I really wasn’t thinking I would ever make one again…… and I was quite happy with that idea. Then a chance encounter in a coffee shop led me back to the wonderful Diane Warren and she gave me the incredible gift of this song and the other songs on my new EP.”

Carlisle goes on to add, “Diane’s songwriting is both a joy and mystery to me. She makes it look so easy, where I imagine it must be unbelievably hard, to do what she does so amazingly well over so many years and so many records. I can’t thank her enough for writing this music for me and I only hope everyone else loves it as much as I do.”


CONNECT WITH BELINDA CARLISLE

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

 

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Michael's Musings

I Feel It Still...
Michael Shinafelt

I remember the fifth grade quite well. It was when I spied baseball player Jim Palmer in his Jockey Underwear ad campaign. At that very moment I knew I was attracted to men. No one groomed me, I repeat no one groomed me.

The feeling was innate, and guess what? When I see Mr. Palmer in these ads now, I feel it still. OK I'm gonna remove myself from the cross of martyr the wood is needed elsewhere LOL!!!

This morning I found out about the passing of Jackie Zeman of General Hospital fame, rest in power you were shining light.

If God has helped you in your life insert Amen. Do you need lube for this???

Ticked off trannies with knives, discuss...

Welcome to this place for better wages

Feeling Cute, might put the lotion on the skin later, might get the hose again...IDK

Camilla Parker Bowles giving hope to all you side chicks out there, woot!!!

I can't make you interesting. Thus I'm going to pretend to go to the toilet

All bisexual people do is work at Starbucks, dress like Stuart Little, and lie, the more you know

Woman Crush of the Week - E. Jean Carroll so courageous and it was a win for all women. She is amazing!!!

On that note Charlize Theron vows to F#ck anyone up who tries to take away LGBTQ+ rights, now that's an ally

Am I more political this week than usual? "Yes" because I'm feeling it, so there!!!

CNN can suck a dick

Jolly Rancher Watermelon, there's that 

I'm ready to ____ the blank is yours to fill in

Personally I know what I'm ready to do, catch me here...

https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/MShinafelt  

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Hump Day & Chill

Kylie Jenner

While I have a mere passing interest in fashion, I do loosely keep tabs on certain designers that catch my eye. One of them is Jean Paul Gaultier, hey I like the really creative type of fashion, that's the way it goes.

Much to my shock & awe he has teamed up with Kylie Jenner of all people for his latest campaign.

Reading this sounds lunatic, but it turns out as you can see above amazingly inspired! A match made in fashion heaven where everything is half off.

Thus we are gonna Hump Day & Chill to this dynamic and inspired duo. Whoever thought of this deserves a really good paycheck.

Paging Kris Jenner...

Jean Paul Gaultier on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Paul_Gaultier 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Dr. Seuss Says...

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

Indeed...

Dr. Seuss on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss

Monday, May 8, 2023

Monday Motivation

From The Trenches

Pssssst! In case you haven't heard there's a writers strike happening in the entertainment industry  as I sit here at my keyboard, well, writing this.

While the WGA strike is to be taken seriously, it also has resulted in some really funny/creative signs on the picket line. Hey, it's writers striking so of course it has!

My personal favorite is this one, that riffs on Nicole Kidman's AMC Theater commercial. 

I stan with the writers, duh. Keep pushing until you get what you need, want and deserve. You've got this!

Monday Motivation indeed...

WGA on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Writers_Guild_of_America

Sunday, May 7, 2023

"Still Holding On"

Pop-punk duo the Dollyrots have released “Still Holding On" in the US with a brand-new accompanying lyric video. The song is now available on all major streaming platforms.

Stream it here: https://orcd.co/stillholdingondollyrots

In February 2023, the band toured the UK with an exclusive UK-only early release of “Still Holding On” via Wicked Cool Records.

See the video here: https://youtu.be/RZYVFAHDvZE

“Still Holding On” chronicles the current state of the World with Dollyrots style optimism. Kelly explains, “Still Holding On” is a standalone single pulled from our newest recordings, from the first full album sessions since 2019! A hint of the flavor of the upcoming full-length album to be released this Fall. It’s a song about counting on the people you love to get you through the strangeness of modern life. The lyric video features an AI generated version of me, a digital reminder of how off-kilter the Future is becoming”.

In March they released the 7-inch single “Hey Girl”, which was co-produced with Stevie Van Zandt at his Renegade Studios in NYC, with Geoff Sanoff Engineering. The single was released during the band’s “Hey Girl” Spring US tour. The B-Side “I Touch Myself” - a cover of the Divinyls 1990 hit - was co-produced by longtime collaborator John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, All Time Low, Meet Me At the Altar), who is responsible for the bulk of production credit on the upcoming full-length LP due out this fall.

They will be bringing their live party on the road with summer tours planned in both the South and the West Coast with support by friends Don’t Panic and Dog Party. This Fall the band will also embark on a co-headlining run with Tsunami Bomb, including a September 1st pitstop at the 3rd annual Camp Punksylvania Music & Camping Festival at the legendary Circle Drive-In Theater in Pennsylvania. More dates are being confirmed and TBA, with a full list below. Tickets are on sale Monday, May 1st at: http://www.dollyrots.com

The Dollyrots have released albums on Panic Button/Lookout and Blackheart Records and are now working with Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. They have hit the Billboard Heatseekers chart multiple times, have been featured in movies and television, and have shared stages with some of punk’s biggest names. Frontwoman Kelly Ogden can also be heard daily on SiriusXM's Underground Garage as the host of the Sunrise Surprise radio show weekday mornings from 4 am EST to 8 am EST. Go to www.SiriusXM.com/streaming to learn more.

Hear more from the Dollyrots here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TrzTUgWQlVRkoVGR0L7jy?si=ZUvs9e9oSIq7NiGSQt9tkA

Socials:

www.thedollyrots.com

http://www.facebook.com/thedollyrots

http://www.twitter.com/thedollyrots

http://instagram.com/thedollyrots   

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Tomorrow: Drag Isn't Dangerous

The organizers of “Drag Isn’t Dangerous,” the biggest fundraising effort to combat recent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation to date, are proud to announce that an overwhelming wave of entertainment industry talent, executives and businesses have signed on to participate in the live telethon broadcast worldwide Sunday, May 7 at moment.co/dangerous

 

The initiative is created by Producer Entertainment Group (PEG), a full-service artist management firm, record label and production company representing many of the world’s top drag queens and LGBTQIA+ talent. PEG is joined by a coalition of media groups and companies including Warner Music Group’s ADAACLU, GRAMMY Museum, Amazon’s Glamazon, UTA, Concord, GLAAD, HeadCount.org, Q.Digital, OUTtv, Five Senses Reeling/Obsessed, Trixie Cosmetics, SERV Vodka, Loyal Studios, DeleteMe, Victory Institute, Black Queer Town Hall and others who are contributing significant funds and/or resources to the cause. See below for a full list of participating talent. 

"Freedom of expression is guaranteed and enshrined in our constitution's First Amendment. Drag is nothing but artistic and personal expression and drag artists are simply that: ARTISTS. Drag has always been about entertainment and joy, and has always celebrated this most important of our freedoms. For centuries drag artists have dressed up, told stories, sang, danced, made us laugh, wince, or cry depending on the moment. Drag artists are not dangerous. Frankly, the only thing dangerous about drag is walking in 8 inch heels. That and being hunted by cowardly bigots looking for more young minds to groom into their own cultures of fear and intolerance. Our community has been through this before and every time they come for us, we grow stronger. We will fight and we will prevail, wigs, nails and lashes in place, and like Ginger Rogers did, "backwards and in heels"! – Adam Shankman

Drag brings hope, truth and laughter to a community that desperately needs it. We need to fight for drag rights because we need to fight for gay rights. For our rights. - Margaret Cho

“Glamazon celebrates Pride every day through community activism and engagement, and it is an honor to support the drag community through Drag Is Not Dangerous” said A.J. Mayers, Glamazon LA Co-Chair of Non-Profit Engagement & Volunteerism. “Drag helped bring queer culture to the mainstream – it unites us and makes us laugh. It’s difficult to see this art form challenged, and we look forward to locking arms together.”

“When we watch ourselves do something extraordinary it makes us feel like…”we can forget everything at home for a moment and enjoy the moment, be free, live free and exist! This is a beautiful way to express yourself and that’s why we should fight for Drag!” - Eureka O’Hara

Said Jesse Eisenberg: “The recent demonization of drag culture has been greatly upsetting and completely shocking to me. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many drag performers, including one of my idols, the incomparable Trixie Mattel, over the past several years. Drag artists represent joy, creativity and celebrate the many wonderful ways to be in our society. To attribute anything else to them is appalling and dangerous. I am heartened to see my peers and other allies of this community standing up against hate during this fraught time.” 

“The nerve of these disingenuous politicians is unfathomable. The number one killer of children is guns and these NRA pawns deflect it with a completely fabricated problem that puts the drag community in danger. The hypocrisy is astounding.” -Sarah Silverman

"Drag is an art form that provides inspiration and empowerment. As soon as you try to define what Drag is, it changes forms and becomes something new. It’s an unstoppable force that cannot be silenced." - Alaska

 

“It is unacceptable to allow politicians to force LGBTQIA+ people back into the shadows of society, so PEG - along with our colleagues, clients and allies - is using our collective influence to raise money and fight back,” said David Charpentier, Founder and Talent Manager, Producer Entertainment Group. “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received so far.”

 

The highlight of the campaign is a one-night-only telethon on Sunday, May 7, at www.moment.co/dangerous. Hosted by a wide range of drag performers and celebrities, the event will feature a mix of live and pre-taped performances, appearances, and testimonials from drag performers, LGBTQIA+ entertainers and celebrity allies, as well as a live celebrity phone bank accepting callers’ donations. 

 

Select cities have also signed on for in-person watch events. These fine cities will play host to the telethon; New York @ VERS NYC, El Paso, TX @ Touch Bar, Milwaukee, WI @ This Is It, Seattle, WA @ Flying Lion Brewery and in West Hollywood, CA @ Stache West Hollywood & Kitchen 24 with more being added.

 

In addition, a charity single, “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” Click Here featuring Jayelle & Ocean Kelly (Bob The Drag Queen) written by Ashley Gordon (Alaska, Trixie Mattel),  Drew Louis  & Ocean Kelly and produced by Drew Louis will be released on streaming services and performed live on the telethon.  All revenue from the streaming and downloads of the song will be donated to the telethon.

 

The full list of confirmed talent for Drag Isn’t Dangerous includes:

Ada Vox, Adam Lambert, Adam Shankman, Alaska, Ali Wong, Amber Tamblyn, Amy Redford, Ashley Fink, BeBe Zahara Benet, Billy Eichner, Blair Erskine, Blu Hydrangea, Bob The Drag Queen, The Boulet Brothers, Brandon Stansell, Bridget Everett, Charlize Theron, Cheri Oteri, Chris Wood, Danielle Cabral, David Cross, Darcy & Jer, Darienne Lake, Desmond Is Amazing, Devon Green & Ned Douglas, Elizabeth Banks, Ella Vaday, Elektra Fence, Emma Hunton, Eureka O’Hara, Frankie Grande, Ginger Minj, Glass Battles, Henry Platt, Heidi N Closet, Idina Menzel, IMHO (Alexis P Bevels & Darby Lynn Cartwright), Isaac Mizrahi,Jack Falahee, Jackie Beat, Jasmine Kennedie, Jai Rodriguez, Jane Castor (Mayor of Tampa, FL), JAX, Jen Kober, Jesse Eisenberg, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jiggly Caliente, Jinkx Monsoon, Joey McIntyre, Jujubee, Justin Martindale, Katya, Kelly Mantle, Kelly Osbourne, Kerri Colby,  Kitty Scott-Claus, Lala Ri, Laganja Estranja, Lance Bass, Leadr, Leland, Leslie Jones, Loni Love, Love Bailey, Manila Luzon, Marcia Gay Harden, Margaret Cho, Max Harwood, Melissa McCarthy, Mercy Collazo, Michelle Visage, Militia Scunt, Miz Cracker, Monét X Change, Nika King, Nina West, Orville Peck, Peppermint, Salina EsTitties, Sarah, Hyland, Sarah Silverman, Scott Hoying, Sherry Vine, SNG, Stephen Trask, Sutton Stracke, Tammie Brown, Tolliver, Tom Kitt, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel, TS Madison, Vanity Milan, Whitney Cummings, Wilson Cruz, VINCINT, Zee Machine with more names to be announced.* 

 

Ticket sales & donations for the telethon have already surpassed $100K since the event was first announced. All net proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, especially in states where they face discrimination and bans. None of the performers or organizers are taking fees for their work on the campaign. All donations are tax deductible and 501c3 verification will be available on request. 

 

The official pre-show donation page for “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” is at: https://tiltify.com/dangerous

 

For more information and updates on the "Drag Isn't Dangerous" campaign, visit www.dragisntdangerous.com.

 

Direct ticket link for “Drag Isn’t Dangerous” fundraiser: www.moment.co/dangerous  


Instagram: @dragisntdangerous