Never Gone...until this week

So we have lost a Backstreet Boy…there is always one member of a boy band that decides to leave. Abs from Five, Robbie from Take That, Justin from N*Sync, Brian from Westlife…and now Kevin from the Backstreet Boys.

The below is posted on the official website www.backstreetboys.com

“Earlier this year, after much soul searching, Kevin Richardson came to us and told us that he had decided to leave the group and pursue other interests. He gave his blessing to continue the music without him.We have no intention of replacing Kevin, and the door will always be open for him to return to the Backstreet Boys. We wish him the all the best in his future endeavors.This weekend we are returning to the studio to begin the follow-up to Never Gone, and will see you later this year with a new album.”Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLeanStatement from Kevin Richardson“After 13 years of what can only be described as a dream come true, I have decided that it is time to leave the Backstreet Boys. It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life. Howard, Brian, Alex and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support. I would like to thank the Backstreet fans for all the beautiful memories we have shared together and look forward to including you in the next phase of my life. I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album.”Kevin

More next week….

Pop Princess xo

Busy bee...yep, that's me!

Billboard has reported that Justin Timberlake will release 'Sexy Back’ the first single from his forthcoming album ‘Future Sex/Love Sounds’ (do you think it's a double???) to radio on July 7. Hopefully radio here will jump on it pretty quickly…like they did with Christina Aguilera’s ‘Ain’t No Other Man’, which rocks by the way.

It was also reported that Audioslave will release ‘Revelations’, their third album, in September. Let’s hope it improves on the luke-warm response ‘Out of Exile’ got in Australia the year before last. Expectations have probably lowered somewhat, they had a lot to live up to after their self-titled debut, and the buying public have delivered their verdict by…well…not buying.

Snow Patrol’s ‘Eye’s Open’ is an album that I have been both excited and terrified to hear at the same time. Terrified because 'Final Straw’ is now one of my favourite albums of all time, and had changed the way I listen to music, and what I have come to expect of a live gig. I’ve been excited, for the same reasons as above. It is with delight that I say that my worry was wasted. ‘Eye’s Open’ is as spine-tingling, delicate and powerful as ‘Final Straw’. PLEASE let them do ‘Chasing Cars’ in the side shows for Splendour. That song gives me chills. It is the ‘Run’ of the album, the anthem.

And while we are talking Splendour and said show…why are the Scissor Sisters not doing one here??? Their Prince of Wales gig sold out last time, and there is no shortage of fans! Ripped off.

Vibed about the upcoming release from…Janet Jackson - ‘Twenty Years Old’, it should be interesting, as ‘Damita Jo’ was not my cup of tea at all. She lost me a bit there…but I still have faith that at least one Jackson can still cut it. I guess we will have to wait and see. I heard a snippet of the single, and it sounds a little boring and very Mariah, but then I only had one listen.

I have gigs coming out of my ears at the moment. I went to see the very lovely Holly Throsby on Sunday night. Check her out if you like Sarah Blasko, Clare Bowditch and the like…you will thanks me! Got the amazing Sleepy Jackson this weekend and Kisschasy and Coldplay the next, followed by You Am I at The Forum and Snow Patrol at the Metro…feeling very spoilt!

If you wanna be a My Space buddy go to http://www.myspace.com/i_luv_pop

Luv Pop Princess

Close Encounters...of the Williams kind

Robbie Williams 'Close Encounters' tour sold out in Melbourne and Sydney today in under half an hour! Melbourne will host the show that will signal the end of the world tour. I feel truly blessed and honoured to be going to that show, we are so lucky!!! It is bound to be a corker. I wonder who will be the support? So happy to have paid me $50 to be an www.robbiewilliams.com inner sanctum member now...to get tickets early was worth it alone, without the t-shirt or blog access etc.


The Scissor Sisters are releasing the follow up to their critically acclaimed first self-titled album in September. 'Ta-dah' contains some tracks already being featured in the groups live shows. As I missed out on Splendour tickets, really hoping they announce some side shows soon! 'Ta-Dah' is also said to contain a duet with Elton John and Bryan Ferry!!!

Last night was the 2006 APRA Music Awards. Congratulations to Ben Lee for nabbing Song of the Year and Most Performed Australian Work! Also great to see gongs going to Wolfmother and the Rogue Traders!!!

The winners:-

Songwriter of the Year: Bernard Fanning

Breakthrough Songwriter: Wolfmother (Ted Albert)

Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music: Bill Armstrong

Song of The Year: Ben Lee - Catch My Disease

Most Performed Australian Work: Ben Lee - Catch My Disease

Most Performed Australian Work Overseas: Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Most Performed Dance Work: Rogue Traders - Way To Go

Most Performed Urban Work: Guy Sebastian - Oh Oh

Most Performed Country Work: Kasey Chambers - Pony

Most Performed Blues and Roots Work: The John Butler Trio - Somethings Gotta Give

Most Performed Jazz Work: The Necks - Mosquito

Most Performed Foreign Work: Rob Thomas - Lonely No More