Brian Eno drawn by Titanic for experimental new album

NEW YORK (AFP) - Experimental artist Brian Eno has announced a new album that focuses on unencumbered human voices as he explores the legacies of World War I and the Titanic.　The groundbreaking British electronic designer, known for his work with David Bowie, Roxy Music and Talking Heads, said that the album, “The Ship,” would come out on April 29.　“On a musical level, I wanted to make a record of songs that didn't rely on the normal underpinnings of rhythmic structure and chord progressions but

Feb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Rick Springfield adds country chops to ’Rocket Science‘

Rick Springfield　“Rocket Science”　(Frontiers Records)　Rick Springfield sprinkles the sounds of country music across his 18th album, with banjos, steel guitars and mandolins underpinning electric guitars and his energetic vocals on “Rocket Science.”　Even at age 66, Springfield has been working hard, building up his resume like a Boy Scout trying to earn an elusive merit badge.　A stint on the second season of HBO’s “True Detective,” a role opposite Meryl Streep on “Ricki and the Flash,” a novel an

Feb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Vince Gill’s latest album shows artist at his best

Vince Gill　“Down To My Last Bad Habit”　(MCA Nashville) 　Perhaps Vince Gill highlights his Gibson ES-355_the guitar B.B. King made famous_in his new publicity photos and CD artwork for a reason. “Down To My Last Bad Habit,” Gill‘s first album in four years, features plenty of blues tones, sustained notes, and gut-bucket grooves. 　A top-tier guitarist, Gill emphasizes that skill on southern roadhouse rockers “Reasons For The Tears I Cry” and “Make You Feel Real Good.” His interplay with steel guit

Feb. 26, 2016

[Album review] Lovely melding of cultures on Rodriguez 'Lola'

Carrie Rodriguez and the Sacred Hearts　“Lola"　(Thirty Tigers/Luz)　 　On “Lola,” singer Carrie Rodriguez alternates between English and Spanish, sometimes switching in midsentence as she creates a distinctive musical language. 　The melding of cultures can be a beautiful thing, especially when orchestrated by such a talented cast. The Sacred Hearts includes bassist Viktor Krauss and the ubiquitous guitarist Bill Frisell putting their special stamp on the material.　And then there’s Rodriguez, a vers

Feb. 26, 2016

Lee Joo-mi wins grand prix at Paris dance competition

Lee Joo-mi, 23, won the grand prix in the contemporary category at Le Grand Prix de Paris Let’s DANCE 2016, an international dance competition that ended in Paris on Feb. 14, Korea National University of Arts announced Wednesday.　Lee has won several prestigious awards, including the grand prix at the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition in New York in 2014, first prize at the Dong-A Dance Competition and senior female first prize in the contemporary dance category at the 10th Seoul

Feb. 25, 2016

Korean artist’s DMZ project chosen for Venice Architecture Biennale

Korean artist Choi Jae-eun has been invited to present her project about the Demilitarized Zone at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale in May.　Entitled “Dreaming of Earth,” the work is a collaboration with Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who was a winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2014 and who is also a long-time friend of Choi.　The premise behind “Dreaming of Earth” is Choi’s belief that the DMZ’s rich ecological heritage can help solve complex issues between North and South Korea,

Feb. 25, 2016

Kolleen Park presents new musical ‘Airport Baby’

Following her portrayal of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder in the Korean rendition of the off-Broadway musical “Next to Normal,” musical director, conductor and actress Kolleen Park has stepped away from the stage and reprised her directorial role with her latest musical production, “Airport Baby.” 　The musical touches upon international adoption, a controversial social issue in Korea. It tells the story of a young Korean-American named Josh Coen, played by local actor Choi Jae-rim,

Feb. 25, 2016

Cosmic Girls make long-awaited debut

The K-pop girl group Cosmic Girls unveiled their debut album Thursday.　The 12-member group of nine Korean and three Chinese members released its first album “Would You Like?” at noon on major Korean music streaming sites. The album has five songs, including the title track “MoMoMo,” as well as “Catch Me,” “Take My Breath” and “Tick Tock.” 　“The girl group has been generating a lot of buzz in the K-pop industry, under the wings of Starship’s winning strategies and China’s largest talent agency Yu

Feb. 25, 2016

Seohyun looks to build stage reputation through ‘Mamma Mia!’

Inarguably one of the world’s best known jukebox musicals and one of the country’s most popular live stage productions, “Mamma Mia!” has returned to Seoul with its all-Korean cast.　One of the leading ladies belting out ABBA’s classic hits in this year’s production is popular Girls’ Generation starlet Seohyun who plays the role of the 20-year-old bride-to-be Sophie. Girls’ Generation member Seohyun stars as Sophie in this year’s musical production of “Mamma Mia!” (Seensee Company)　“I did not want

Feb. 24, 2016

Tablo releases Jinsil collaboration

Producers group Mad Soul Child’s sole vocalist Jinsil and Epik High member Tablo released a collaboration song “Do Do Do” at noon Tuesday, said Jinsil’s agency Happy Tribe Entertainment.　“Do Do Do” is described as neo-soul infused with jazz and punk, with its theme and mood perfectly suited for Jinsil’s soulful voice and Tablo’s rapping. The song features the story of a couple in a state of ennui as a metaphor for the emptiness and weariness of everyday life.Jinsil, a member of musical group Mad

Feb. 24, 2016

Artday to hold February auction

Herald Artday, a subsidiary of Herald Corp., is holding the February online auction from Feb. 26 to March 2, presenting major artworks of modern and contemporary Korean artists. 　The art auction features 200 artworks of Korean artists, including Chun Kyung-ja, Hwang Yong-yeop, Nam June Paik and Oh Chi-gyun. Highlights of the auction include a female nude pen drawing by Chun Kyung-ja, drawings by Nam June Paik whose 10th anniversary of death is marked this year, and pastel landscape paintings by

Feb. 24, 2016

Kim Tai-soo exhibition celebrates simple yet practical creations

A cluster of traditional thatched roof houses on a hill helped architect Kim Tai-soo make progress in the early days of his architectural career in the United States. These houses were located in the rural town of Haman-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, which had been a sanctuary for Kim and his family during the Korean War. “It’s a small town where my family fled to avoid bombings in Seoul during the Korean War. We stayed there for a year,” he said. “The scene of the houses gathered on a hill was

Feb. 24, 2016

Musical ‘Ro Gi-su’ returns to Daehangno stage

The locally produced tap dance musical “Ro Gi-su” has made its way back to the Seoul stage, following its successful premiere last spring which was met with rave reviews. 　Set against the backdrop of a North Korean prisoner of war camp, the musical is not at all the grimacing tale of war and tragedy one might expect.　The musical by director Kim Tae-hyeong tells the tale of a young North Korean prisoner of war who, in the unlikeliest of scenarios, discovers a love for dancing. In the midst of the

Feb. 23, 2016

[Hallyu Power] S.M. Entertainment continues expansion with New Culture Technology

This is the fifth article in a series that explores the driving forces behind hallyu and the global rise of Korean pop culture. --Ed.　Since the first wave of idol stars and groups created the musical and social sensation in the late 1990s that has become today’s K-pop culture, one entertainment company has always stayed a step ahead.　The home of H.O.T, BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and EXO and many more household names, S.M. Entertainment has yet to suffer a major failure -- despite

Feb. 23, 2016