The Korea Herald

Met Opera talks halted for financial review

Aug 3, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― The Metropolitan Opera and unions representing its singers, dancers and musicians agreed Saturday to halt labor negotiations for a week and avoid a threatened lockout while an independent analyst studies the New York City organization’s finances. The Met and the unions agreed to the review at the request of a federal mediator brought in to end the contract dispute, which could disrupt one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions. The Met, the American Guild of Musica
Dionne Warwick knows her way to San Jose

Aug 3, 2014

SAN JOSE, California (AP) ― In 1968, Dionne Warwick had never been to San Jose and didn’t think much of the song. But after the iconic singer recorded “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and the song became a huge hit, the 73-year-old singer says with a laugh that she “cried all the way to the bank.” The catchy tune penned by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David would become her biggest international seller and won Warwick her first Grammy Award in 1968. This week, Warwick is head
Eyelike: Block B may lose identity with new concept

Aug 1, 2014

Block B may lose identity with new conceptBlock B“Her”(CJ E&M)The seven members of Block B have returned with the love-themed EP “Her,” which moves away from their typical quirky and upbeat style and instead features cutesy tunes best described as “less macho.”Though the boy band understandably steers in this new direction in a bid to show off its wider musicality and boyish charm, it seems that the new EP potentially tarnishes the group’s established style and core identity ― being silly, energ
Massive Attack dedicates Lebanon gig to Gaza children

Jul 31, 2014

BYBLOS, Lebanon (AFP) ― Influential British band Massive Attack dedicated their only Middle East gig to the children of Gaza, openly condemning Israel’s “massacre” of the Palestinians.As the band played in Byblos, in Lebanon, just a few hundred kilometers north of Gaza, swaying music-lovers on Tuesday night held up Palestinian flags as Massive Attack issued a rare, explicit condemnation of Israel’s offensive.In an exclusive interview with AFP, frontman Robert Del Naja said: “This bombardment of
Making music of her own

Jul 31, 2014

From TV dramas to films, composer Miho hopes to keep making her own style of music
European jazz festival in Sept.

Jul 30, 2014

Last year’s inaugural European Jazz Festival in Korea showcased diverse jazz musicians and unique jazz styles from eight European nations.This year, 13 acts from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Italy, Germany and Norway will once again bring a fresh array of European jazz to Seoul audiences.European Jazz Festival 2014 will take place over three days from Sept. 19-21 at the BBCH Hall at Kwanglim Arts Center in Seoul. Unlike most other music festivals, EJF will be held in
Gaga on Bennett duet CD: Jazz comes easier than pop

Jul 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) ― Lady Gaga is a bonafide pop star, but the singer says recording jazz music was easier than pop. Gaga has spent two years recording an album of jazz standards with Tony Bennett called “Cheek to Cheek,” to be released this fall. “You know, it’s funny, but jazz comes a little more comfortable for me than pop music, than R&B music,” Gaga said in an interview Monday. “I’ve sang jazz since I was 13 years old, which is kind of like my little secret that Tony found out. So this is almost
Under-15 performers banned from working late at night

Jul 29, 2014

New legislation aimed at improving long-criticized practices and protocols in the entertainment industry took effect on Tuesday.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that actors, singers and other performers under the age of 15 are banned from working between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and also more than 35 hours a week.Moreover, private entertainment agencies cannot be established and operated freely any longer. The new legislation requires them to now register with the go
5 Seconds of Summer get hands-on with ticket sales

Jul 27, 2014

INGLEWOOD, California (AP) ― The rising pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer gave its feverish female fans the surprise of a lifetime by personally selling tickets Saturday morning for an upcoming concert in Inglewood, California. Many fans, including 13-year-old Trina Umana, camped out overnight at The Forum to get seats for the Australian group’s first U.S. headlining concert on Nov. 15. “I can’t speak right now. I’m too overwhelmed,” she sobbed after purchasing her tickets from guitarist Michael
Legendary singer returns, kinder, gentler

Jul 25, 2014

Softer around the edges, ‘Evil King’ Shin Hae-chul continues to push boundaries with his music
Eyelike: Sistar brings summer sounds on new EP

Jul 25, 2014

Sistar brings summer sounds on new EPSistar“Touch & Move” (LOEN Entertainment)Known for their sexy dance moves and powerful vocals, K-pop girl group Sistar has returned with the new summertime-inspired EP “Touch & Move.”The lead single “Touch My Body,” a dance-pop track, features a catchy and repetitive chorus, during which the four girls continuously sing “touch my body, touch my body, touch my body.” Though its cool, summery tones are at times reminiscent of Sistar’s past hit “Loving U,” “Touc
One Direction to release film

Jul 23, 2014

LONDON (AFP) ― Hit boy band One Direction is to release a concert film to be screened in cinemas around the world, the group said on Tuesday.The recording of a concert at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, will be screened in cinemas on October 11 and 12.Called “Where We Are,” the same name as the band’s current world tour, the film will include behind-the-scenes footage and a 15-minute interview. “The ‘Where We Are’ tour is coming to a cinema near you for one weekend only,” band member Zayn Mali
‘Weird Al’ on his weirdly successful week in music

Jul 22, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Attention pop stars: If “Weird Al” Yankovic shows up at your concert or has tracked down your personal email address, you’re likely his next parody conquest. Such was the case for artists like Pharrell and Iggy Azalea, who are covered by Yankovic in his latest album, “Mandatory Fun.” For his 14th studio effort, released last week, Yankovic had his heart set on Williams’ No. 1 smash “Happy.” When he didn’t hear back from Pharrell’s camp, he decided to go straight to the source.
Knife Party, Krewella to join Seoul electronic music festival

Jul 22, 2014

Global Gathering Korea to take place at Jamsil Sports Complex on Oct. 4
Seeger tribute at Newport honors traditional folk

Jul 21, 2014

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) ― There are few musicians as inextricably linked to the Newport Folk Festival as the late Pete Seeger. Newport, known as the place where Bob Dylan cast aside his acoustic guitar and went electric in 1965, has made its mark on the festival scene more recently with an innovative mix of old and new ― most with a far different sound than the folk movement Seeger helped lead. This year’s top acts include Jack White, Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples. In a hearkening back to