The Wrens’ Charles Bissell has announced that he has left the band and launched a new solo project, Car Colors.The co-frontman of the New Jersey indie rock band is set to launch his new solo project on November 17 with lead single ‘Old Death‘.It will mark both his first new music in 20 years and the end of his time with The Wrens, who formed in 1989.The single will arrive with B-sides ‘And It’s All Guns and Arrows’ and ‘I’ll Bear’, while ‘Old Death’ has been described in press materials as his “life as The Odyssey disguised as a pop album”.A post shared by charles bissell (@_the_wrens)The new three-track single is available to pre-order/pre-save on Bandcamp. The full LP, meanwhile, is slated for a 2024 release.While an Instagram post shared to The Wrens’ profile this weekend appeared to signal the end of the band, a new statement shared with Pitchfork by Aeon Station – aka The Wrens bassist/vocalist Kevin Whelan, his brother Greg and Jerry MacDonald – disputes the idea that Bissell’s departure signals the group’s disbandment.“Though Charles has decided to leave the band, it does not mean that the band has broken up,” the statement read.
Colombian Indie Producers Launch New Association, PI (EXCLUSIVE)
22.09.2023 - 07:11 / variety.com
Anna Marie de la Fuente Some of Colombia’s most prominent producers have banded together to form PI, a new association of independent producers led by Cristina Gallego, behind Oscar-nominated “Embrace of the Serpent” and “Birds of Passage,” who is an official jury member at this year’s 71stSan Sebastian Film Festival. “Colombia has become a production destination for major companies due to its tax benefits, which has led to growth, experience, and job opportunities within the sector,” Gallego told Variety. “However, members of PI view with particular concern the need for attention, updates, and the evolution of national and departmental policies that support the continued production of Colombian cinema, its voices, its artists, and its filmmakers,” said Gallego who will preside over the association along with director-producer Franco Lolli (“Gente de Bien”) as vice president while Diana María Bustamante (“Memoria,” “Land & Shade”) and Manuel Ruiz Montealegre (“Amparo”) serve as legal representatives.
It has been some 20 years since Colombia’s coveted Film Law and Development Fund was created, leading to an explosion of film and television production in the country. More international film companies, including Netflix, have set up shop there.
“We are not cutting ties; rather, we are coming together to engage in collective dialogues with ministries to update the system. The policies and funds from 20 years ago are inadequate for the size of the industry today,” Gallego asserted.
Spotify reportedly launching new “Supremium” tier with more features
Spotify are reportedly set to launch a new ‘Supremium’ tier that contains extra features for higher prices.A report in The Independent say the new tier will cost twice the current price at $19.99 (£16.33) and that it will offer lossless audio – a feature currently offered on Apple Music for free.The tier will also reportedly include new statistics about listening, a new audiobook feature as well as AI playlist generation tools. The Independent say the changes have been noted by technology expert Chris Messina, who, according to the publication, “found mentions of the update with Spotify.”The new audiobook feature has already been rolled out and it allows users to stream up to 15 hours of audiobooks for free each month.The streaming platform rolled out the new feature in the UK and Australia earlier this week (October 3), and are set to bring it over to users in the US by the end of the year.
‘Dicks: The Musical’ Joins Festival Fare ‘She Came To Me’, ‘The Royal Hotel’, ‘Strange Way Of Life’ & More In Lively Indie Weekend – Specialty Preview
A wacky film based on a stage show by comedians Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, Dicks: The Musical – a riff on The Parent Trap with two adult men as the starring twins — opens in seven theaters in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco on a crowded specialty weekend as theatrical releases of fall film festival titles accelerates.
Superdrug launches new £7 menopause skincare which gives the look of a full night's sleep
The menopause can be a challenging time for many women, with the skin just one of the many parts of the body affected by the change in hormones. Some women noticed that their skin gets drier and less firm during the menopause, while other may find that they break out in spots for the first time in years. To help with this, Superdrug has just launched a new skincare range in store and online, designed to help to support these skin changes by hydrating, firming and providing comfort to the skin.The B.
Berlin Film Festival Launches New Section for Emerging German Filmmakers
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent The Berlin Film Festival will be launching a new section, called Newcomer German Films, during its next edition taking place from Feb. 15-25. The section will highlight emerging German filmmakers, and will be part of the main program alongside the Competition, Encounters, Panorama, Generation and Forum sections.
Bestselling Cook Alison Roman to Launch New Podcast ‘Solicited Advice’ (EXCLUSIVE)
William Earl Viral cook and bestselling author Alison Roman is launching her own podcast. “Solicited Advice with Alison Roman” is debuting today via the Talkhouse Podcast Network and will be available on all podcast platforms.
Wall Street Research Firm MoffettNathanson Goes Indie Again After Bankruptcy of Parent Company
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor MoffettNathanson, a leading Wall Street research outfit covering the media and communications sectors, is once again an independent entity. In December 2021, SVB Financial Group acquired New York-based MoffettNathanson, which was founded in 2013 by analysts Craig Moffett and Michael Nathanson. In March of this year, Silicon Valley Bank — part of SVB Financial Group — collapsed after a run on its assets, leading the parent company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Martin Scorsese claims ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ is hurt by ‘indie’ label
told IndieWire Wednesday at the New York premiere of his new film “Killers of the Flower Moon” — the first of his films to get a full theatrical release since 2016’s “Silence.”“But also what they consider now ‘indie films.’ I don’t like that title,” continued the “Taxi Driver” director. “I think that categorizes, pigeonholes.
Newsom Vetoes Bill Giving Unemployment Benefits to Workers on Strike
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill giving unemployment benefits to striking workers, which was backed by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. “Now is not the time to increase costs or incur this sizable debt,” he wrote in his veto message Saturday.
Lady Gaga Releases New Single With The Rolling Stones
Hackney Diamonds. “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” showcases the iconic lineup of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Steve Jordan, with the added brilliance of Stevie Wonder’s piano accompaniment.
Major Studios Join Other Companies To Launch New Streaming Advocacy Trade Group
Major studio streamers are among the inaugural members of a new trade group devoted to advocacy for federal and state policies that impact their services.
Deborah Roberts Named Co-Anchor at ABC News’ ’20/20′ (EXCLUSIVE)
Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Deborah Roberts is taking up co-anchor duties at ABC News’ “20/20,” the latest in a line of distinguished anchors that includes Barbra Walters, Hugh Downs, Diane Sawyer, Connie Chung and Elizabeth Vargas who have led the long-running newsmagazine. Roberts is no stranger to the series’ rhythms. She has been contributing to it for 28 years, ever since she joined ABC News in 1995, recruited by Barbara Walters.
DECO Entertainment Joins Producing Team of ‘The Wiz’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Brent Lang Executive Editor DECO Entertainment, founded by Lascelles Stephens and Deborah Cox, will join the co-producing team of the all-new revival of “The Wiz.” The production will launch a national tour on Sept. 23, 2023 in Baltimore before returning to Broadway for a limited engagement in the 2023 t0 2024 season.
Rupert Murdoch Still Looking To Exert Political And Media Influence Despite Retiring As Fox & News Corp Chairman
The news that Rupert Murdoch was stepping down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp. quickly triggered talk of his legacy, overshadowing one aspect of his announcement: Whether it comes to politics or to his companies’ media properties, he’s not going away.
Rupert Murdoch, The Creator Of Fox News, Is Stepping Down As Head Of News Corp. And Fox Corp.
Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings.
‘Griselda’ Trailer Unveils Sofia Vergara as Notorious Colombian Drug Queenpin; Netflix Sets Release Date
Sasha Urban editorNetflix has released the teaser trailer for “Griselda,” a limited series starring Sofia Vergara as the infamous Colombian drug trafficker Griselda Blanco, who was widely known as the “Godmother.” From writer-producer Eric Newman and director Andrés Baiz, both “Narcos” alums, the series follows Blanco as she builds one of the most profitable drug cartels in history while simultaneously parenting her three sons. She ran a notoriously ruthless and violent cocaine trade in New York and Miami in the 1970s and ‘80s after immigrating from Colombia, before she was arrested in 1985.
Pete Davidson adds 2 new NJ shows. Here’s how to get tickets now
Pete Davidson can’t get enough of the Garden State.After gigs in Atlantic City and Montclair earlier this year, the “King of Staten Island” just added two more NJ shows to his tour schedule later this year.First up, the “Saturday Night Live” alum is slated to headline at Red Bank’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 18.After that, Davidson will take the stage the following night at Englewood’s Bergen Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Nov.
IHeart Launches New Podcast to Revisit ‘90s Icons Such as Pamela Anderson and Robin Givens (EXCLUSIVE)
Naman Ramachandran iHeartPodcasts and The Meteor are launching “In Retrospect,” a pop culture podcast by Emmy-winning journalist Susie Banikarim and New York Times editor Jessica Bennett. Each week on “In Retrospect,” Banikarim and Bennett revisit a pop culture moment from the 80s and 90s that shaped them, to try to understand what it taught them about the world and a woman’s place in it.
Justin Timberlake & Tiger Woods Join Forces to Launch New Sports Venue T-Squared Social, & It Opens Tomorrow!
Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods are opening an exciting new venture together.
Kylie Minogue announces London pop-up shop to launch new album ‘Tension’
Kylie Minogue has announced details of an upcoming pop-up shop in London, set to celebrate the release of her new album ‘Tension’.The special store will be open for a limited time later this week and will see the Australian pop star open up a pop-up shop in the heart of London, filled with exclusive merchandise and unique products related to her latest album.The forthcoming LP, titled ‘Tension’ will mark the singer’s 16th studio album, and is set to be released this Friday (September 22). It will follow on from her previous singles: hit anthem of this summer ‘Padam Padam’, and ‘90s-inspired title track.Located at 55 Regent Street, the store will be open to fans from 10am until 6pm on Friday, when the album is released, and will run throughout the weekend, ending on Sunday (September 24).To those visiting, there will be plenty of exclusive items available for purchase – all of which have been curated personally by Minogue and are set to become collector’s items of the future.These include limited-edition and individually numbered copies of ‘Tension’ on vinyl, as well as limited-edition signed prints and lithographs.