The man dubbed the godfather of Korean hip-hop, Tiger JK, alongside his queen of hip-hop wife Yoon Mi-rae and long-time friend Bizzy, have proclaimed their new album “Wondaland” is one of the driving forces that helps blur the distinctions between Korean rap music and K-pop. “I know many people are anticipating a hip-hop album from us, but to the three of us, this is our attempt at trying to reinterpret the definition of K-pop,” said Tiger JK during a press conference held at the M Academy Conce

K-pop sensation EXO will make a grand return to the music scene with its new album “Exodus” in late March, its label SM Entertainment said Thursday. The band’s second full-length album, which comes nearly a year after its debut album “Overdose,” will hit stores on March 31.  EXO. (Yonhap)Some tracks, including its lead single “Call Me Baby,” were unveiled during EXO’s five-day local concert series held early this month in Seoul. This time, the boy band aims to promote the upcoming album by relea

K-pop female quartet Miss A will release its new album on March 30, the group announced. The group unveiled three teaser images for the upcoming album “Colors” on its official website, with a release date set for March 30. Tracks will be made available to listen to from midnight on March 29, according to the group, while a showcase event for the album will be held at 7 p.m. on March 30. Composed of two Chinese members, Wang Feifei and Meng Jia, and two Korean members, Min and Suzy, Miss A debute

Those who missed the opportunity to see Steve Barakatt perform live at his recent concert can now see the show on television. The pianist and composer’s recent concert, “Ad Vitam Aeternam,” will be broadcast on TV Art Stage, a late-night MBC music program that features artists from diverse genres of music.  Steve Barakatt performs with the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on March 8. (Rainbow Bridge Story)Barakatt, whose songs have long been loved in Korea and

1 channel is all the Mavericks need on ‘Mono’The Mavericks“Mono”(Valory) The Mavericks have always been a rootsy band, plying musical turf from Havana to Nashville via Miami. Here their sound is more retro than ever, recalling the era when these sorts of songs were best heard on small radios and big jukeboxes. ”Mono” was recorded in -- you guessed it -- mono. Kids, that means everything was loaded into one channel, including horns, accordion, bouncy beats and Raul Malo’s glorious tenor.The Maver

Korea’s oldest and arguably most popular radio show, “Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp,” has been introducing Western pop music to Korean listeners for more than two decades. Its playlist covers an array of genres and eras, playing everything from classic bands like The Beatles, Queen and ABBA to the more recent Maroon 5 and Coldplay. Celebrating 25 years on air, legendary DJ Bae Chul-soo will host live shows entitled “Live is Life” for three days, accompanied by 12 leading Korean bands. From March 13-

Police may probe Seoul Philharmonic director Chung; KBS Symphony risks losing 70% of its musicians

Madonna performs at the Brit Awards 2015 at the 02 Arena in London, Feb. 25. (AP-Yonhap)PARIS (AFP) – Madonna has added a second concert date in Paris in December after the first that went on sale this week sold out in five minutes, the promoters said Wednesday."Given the demand, Madonna has added a second concert in Paris as part of her worldwide 'Rebel Heart Tour': Thursday December 10, 2015," the company Live Nation said.The 56-year-old diva is playing at the Bercy stadium in the French capit

City to seek UNESCO Creative City of Music designation

Jose Gonzalez returns after hiatus with best workJose Gonzalez“Vestiges & Claws”(Mute)The latest album from Swedish-Argentine Jose Gonzalez was partly produced by himself in his kitchen and the intimacy is felt throughout “Vestiges & Claws.” Across 10 arresting tracks, Gonzalez plays his acoustic guitar with a graceful tranquility considering “what it’s all about” in his aching tenor.His voice is at once fervid and fragile, and like Arthur Russell or Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, he often lightens h

New promotion hopes to reestablish district’s identity as breeding ground for independent music

Imagine Dragons Imagine Dragons“Smoke + Mirrors”(Interscope)Imagine Dragons’ second studio album, “Smoke + Mirrors,” is certainly one of the more technically ambitious releases of this young year. It’s a boisterous but hit-and-miss effort from the alt-rock band still swooning in international acclaim from its 2012 debut, “Night Visions,” which launched the Grammy-winning hit “Radioactive.”There’s a lot of everything here. Too much at times, as it can feel like instrumental overload. Songs like “

Celebrated composer and pianist hopes to ‘wow’ fans with first-ever symphonic show in Korea