New Zealand 12th grader Lorde has jumped from releasing her debut EP in March to topping the Billboard Alternative chart this month (the first woman to do so since Tracy Bonham did with "Mother Mother" in 1996, which says a lot about the gender makeup of alternative music) and now her song "Royals" has even made it over to more mainstream formats (I heard it on My 92.9 over the weekend). Her full-length album is scheduled to come out at the end of September, but in the meantime, here's a remix of her hit by Toronto R&B nihilists The Weeknd that either is a) better than the original or b) just seems fresher and thus, more interesting. Either way, it's worth a listen.

Willie Nelson played a full set of what his fans wanted to hear at AVA last Wednesday, but not a minute more. Although he could have been days singing through his catalog of favorites, there was no encore. Still, the fans heard plenty to keep them happy. He even made time for covers of other country rebels, and he made it a family affair by duetting with his daughter Amy Lee Nelson for the two set closers. Photographer C.E. Elliott reports some memorable performances:



Stardust

Georgia on My Mind

Blue Skies

All of Me

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Funny How Time Slips Away

Crazy

Night Life

Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

I'll Be Seeing You

Whiskey River

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys

Shotgun Willie

On the Road Again

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die 



Just hold on a little longer and , the way laws are going, everyone will be able to salute you with an appropriate smoke.

As it stands today, if I made a list of my favorite active musical acts, the French band Phoenix (who performed at AVA earlier this year) and R. Kelly (who hasn't played Tucson to my knowledge, but was involved in a bit of drama involving a cruise cancellation here) would like both be on it. So, following a Coachella collaboration, hearing R. Kelly drop a verse on the new remix (although calling it a remix is a stretch...it almost sounds like R. Kelly added his contribution via cassette tape) of Phoenix's "Trying to Be Cool" is the perfect way for me to close out the week.

The Polyphonic Spree, who are coming to test the capacity limits of the Club Congress stage on August 26, released a video this week for "You Don't Know Me" from their new album Yes, It's True. It's a charming song with a somewhat less charming video, especially when there's a kid limo driver. Then a taxidermied dog on roller-skates? What the heck is that all about? Stop putting these ugly things in my brain, Polyphonic Spree!

Sure, it's only one joke, blending Smiths lyrics with panels from Peanuts comics, but it's a pretty good joke.

[Obligatory Entertainment Tabloid Lede] Watch your back, Queen Bey: There's a new First Lady of Hip-Hop — and it's the First Lady of the United States! Holla! [End Obligatory Entertainment Tabloid Lede]



But seriously, Michelle Obama is actually behind a hip-hop album, featuring roughly three musicians I've heard of, and a whole bunch of other people who arrange sounds with the intent of making them aurally pleasing. Though the point of this release isn't actually to topple the Carter-Knowles Empire (as if even the nation's chief executive has the power to do that at this point, much less his wife), it has similarly lofty intentions — namely, to end childhood obesity as part of Mrs. Obama's "Let's Move" campaign.



The tracklist for the album, which I would totally listen to if it happened to arrive for free on my doorstep, can be seen below. Welcome back to musical relevance, Doug E. Fresh (and, to a lesser extent, Jordin Sparks)!

1. “U R What You Eat” f/ Salad Bar (Matisyahu, Ariana Grande, Travis Barker)

2. “Everybody” f/ Jordin Sparks, Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Oz, Ryan Beatty, Hip Hop MD

3. “Let’s Move” f/ Doug E. Fresh, Artie Green, Chauncey Hawkins

4. “Just Believe” featuring Ashanti, Gerry Gunn, Artie Green, Robbie Nova

5. “Veggie Luv” f/ Monifah and J Rome

6. “Hip Hop FEET” f/ DMC and Artie Green

7. “Stronger” f/ Shayna Steele, Jeremy Jordan, Our Time Theater kids, and E-Street Band guitarist Nils Lofgren

8. “Give Myself a Try” f/ Ryan Beatty

9. “Jump Up” f/ Brady Rymer and the Little band that Could

10. “Hip Hop LEAN” f/ Artie Green

11. “Pass the Rock” f/ Iman Schumpert and Artie Green

12. “Good Living” f/ Ashton Jones

13. “Beautiful” f/ Daisy Grant and Artie Green

14. “Change the Game” f/ The Happiness Club, featuring Naledge

15. “Wanna Jump (Let’s Move)” f/ Paul Burch

16. “Mother May I” f/ Amelia Robinson

17. “We Like vegetables” f/ Los Barkers!

18. “Get Up Sit Up” f/ Babi Floyd

19. “One Step Forward” f/ Samite

The Charlie Daniels Band brought their hits from a nearly half-century career built on trenchant nationalism, Southern pride, and showing the folks a good time, at Desert Diamond Casino, Sunday, Aug. 11. Pan-genre music afficionado C.E. Elliott was there.

Brian J. Pedersen and I were discussing our predictions this morning for the KFMA Fall Ball announcement (full disclosure: most weeks I do an unpaid segment on the KFMA morning show with Fook) and while we couldn't quite pin down the headliner (my guess was Imagine Dragons, he went with the Chester from Linkin Park fronted Stone Temple Pilots), we both resigned ourselves to the idea that Korn would likely end up as the top biller anyhow.

So, guess what? It is Korn! (I refuse to use their capitalization style.)

Also on the bill for the September 22 show at Kino Sports Complex? A Day to Remember, POD, Device (featuring the bald dude from Disturbed), Pierce the Veil, Asking Alexandria, Stars in Stereo and American Fangs, although usually a band drops out and another one gets added along the way.

If you enjoy a bargain (and pizza), Pizza Hut will be selling $25 tickets to the show this Saturday only.

Sure, who wouldn't want to hear a thirty minute tribute to the music playing in the background at your local CVS, including tracks by Roxette, Paula Cole and the woman who sang that "I Love You Always Forever" song (Donna Lewis, maybe? Doesn't seem worth looking up, but I'm pretty sure she was on an episode of the original 90210). Plus, airhorns and gunshot sounds.

The ALL CAPS description from DJ HENNESSY YOUNGMAN (sure, of course):

CVS BANGERS IS THE AUDIOSCAPE FOR WHEN YOU'RE BUYING TAMPONS OR A 12 PACK OF CONDOMS, A SAMPLING OF THOSE MAGIC TUNES THAT PLAY WHEN YOU'RE CONTEMPLATING HOW RIDICULOUS YOU WOULD LOOK CARRYING 24 ROLLS OF TIOLET PAPER ON THE TRAIN, THOSE BITTERSWEET TUNES OF YESTERYEAR THAT SKIP THROUGH YOUR MIND AS YOU READ THE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE BACK OF A BOX OF FROZEN PIZZA AND OPT FOR A PINT OF ICE CREAM INSTEAD, THOSE SPECIAL DITTIES THAT ACCOMPANY YOUR SMASHING THE BAR CODE OF A CAN OF RED BULL AGAINST THE SCANNER OF BROKEN SELF-CHECKOUT MACHINE. CVS BANGERS IS COMMERCE ITSELF, AND COMMERCE, MY FACELESS INTERNET FRIENDS, IS BEAUTIFUL.

Be sure to stick around to the 22 minute mark for the most accurate drop of all time.

Thoughts of James … ”The AmoSphere!” will forever remember James Hunt with that huge smile on his face. Playing drums, he lit the room up every time! Our musical brother dealt with his illness on his own terms, and his wish to make that final trip home came true, as he was able to pass at home surrounded by his loving family. Thank you to all that supported James. The three benefits we did for him and the PayPal link raised $10,000. He was able to go home to Michigan and bury his Mother and be with his family right after his diagnosis… he was able to afford medicine and help pay his high medical bills. He came back to play with his friends here as long as he could, and then make that trip home. The love and support that our Tucson music community showed James, is testimony to the sweet generous hearts of all of you- we are all blessed. James ‘you never have to Hunt for the beat’ will always be in the pocket! Love from all of us in “The AmoSphere!”

Hunt, who was recently diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, played his last gig at Chicago Bar with the AmoSphere last weekend before driving home, his van filled with drum kits he planned to give to his nephews in Michigan. I went to that show and Hunt played early in the evening and played well. There was a lot of joy in that room and it was a great send off.