senior editor @billboard ~ singer-songwriter @nicpoolmusic ~ by-lines in THR, Variety, BAZAAR, RobbReport, ArchDigest & more. Email: nick.williams@billboard.com
Articles by Nick Williams
Anthony Mackie: Falcon, Captain America: Brave New World, and a Connection to Kendrick Lamar
During Black History Month, Kendrick Lamar’s iconic and symbolic yet subversive half-time show performance is still stirring up conversations with similar parallels to that of “Captain America: Brave New World” about representing Black-American culture and having a seat at the table. “Captain America: Brave New World” is the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson.
Tom DeLonge Geeked Out on New Wave, Bigfoot & More While Making New Angels & Airwaves Album
The high-art rock band released its sixth album, Lifeforms, on Friday (Sept. 24) on Rise Records, which delves into everything from the intersection of science and religion (“Restless Souls”) to the quest for intelligent lifeforms in the universe (“Lifeforms”). Next year, DeLonge will make his directorial debut with the release of a new sci-fi film, Monsters of California, as a companion piece to the album.
2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Music Executives Share Their Wish Lists
Masks are popping up on wish lists this year due to sheer urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Julie Gurovitsch, talent executive and music booker for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,"points to artist designs created to benefit Crew Nation, which also includes a bespoke face-mask ($15). The fund "provides global relief for live music crew members," she says.
Electronic Duo Haulm Ponder the Grief of a Collapsing Democracy In 'Call the Waves' New Video: Exclusive
"We wrote 'Call the Waves' the night of March 12, after the news that President Trump met with [Brazilian] President Bolsonaro, who was potentially COVID-19 positive,” JT says. “The idea that these two world leaders, who both downplayed the virus to the detriment of their people, could potentially become victims of it smacked of a kind of poetic justice.” Directed by Zachary Sprague, the clip was shot at dawn under Route 35 in Austin, Texas.
#TBT Mixtape: U.K. Soul-Pop Singer Jessie Ware Shares 'Teenage Heartache'-Inspired Playlist
LIFESTYLE 8/3/2017 by Nick Williams Tom Beard Jessie Ware "I have a sick feeling of butterflies and teenage heartache listening to these!" Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's new series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood.
Inside Tegan And Sara’s Grassroots Fight For LBGTQ Women & Girls
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images Tegan and Sara at New York City Pride in 2017. Since their debut in 1998, twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin have advocated for LGBTQ and gender equality amid a recording career that has sold over 1 million albums, earned three Juno Awards and one Grammy nomination.
Inside the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Efforts During COVID-19 Pandemic
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF Anne Aslett, Executive Director, EJAF (L) and Sir Elton John attend the Elton John and partners launch of a new Elton John AIDS Foundation fund aimed at preventing and treating HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia on July 24, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Singer Elton John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in 1992 to fight the AIDS epidemic.
Fight Song: Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore on $115M 'Rallying Cry' Rise Up New York! Benefit
Courtesy of Robin Hood Wes Moore The executive, social entrepreneur and author discusses combatting the “unprecedented moment” that is the COVID-19 pandemic On Mon. May 11, New York’s largest poverty fighting organization Robin Hood raised $115 million during its Rise Up New York! benefit. Produced alongside Alex Coletti Productions, iHeartMedia and talent producers Casey Patterson and Rick Krim, the virtual telethon raised awareness and funds to help New Yorkers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How the Recording Academy and MusiCares 'Jumped Into Action' to Provide Relief During COVID-19
Courtesy of The Recording Academy A selfie of Mason taken in self-isolation at his studio in Los Angeles. On March 17, the Recording Academy and its charitable arm, MusiCares, established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help music creators and community members affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The fund launched with a $2 million base donation from the academy and MusiCares, and has since ballooned to over $10 million, with support from key business stakeholders across the industry.
Blondie's Debbie Harry on Spending Six Weeks at No. 1 with 'Call Me'
Meredith Jenks Debbie Harry photographed in 2016. As frontwoman of Blondie, Debbie Harry has been a pop-culture fixture for nearly half a century. The new wave pioneers and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have released 11 studio albums to date, and have sold an estimated 40 million albums worldwide, according to Sony.
Listen to Texas Pop Duo Surfaces' #TBT Mixtape
POP 3/19/2020 Stefan Kohli Surfaces The rising Texas pop duo's throwback mix includes tracks by Commodores, Tame Impala, Mac Demarco & others. Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Surfaces.
Producer Sounwave On Kendrick Lamar’s Historic No. 1 Album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’
Gari Askew II Sounwave photographed on Feb. 27, 2020 in Los Angeles. Compton, Calif., native Sounwave, born Mark Spears, is an in-house producer at the record label Top Dawg Entertainment and has had a hand in every release from rapper Kendrick Lamar since his self-titled debut EP in 2009, including Black Panther: The Album (2018), DAMN. (2017) and To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).
Eurovision Star Netta's '90s Freak' #TBT Mixtape Is for 'Dancing to Your Own Drum'
The Israeli rising star and Eurovision winner's throwback mix includes tracks by Metallica, Lou Reed, Lizzo and more. Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Netta.
Listen to Silverstein's Emo & Post-Hardcore Inspired #TBT Mixtape
Wyatt Clough Silverstein Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Silverstein.
Songwriter Shelly Peiken on the Christina Aguilera Hit That Landed Her a No. 1
Winnie Au Shelly Peiken photographed on Feb. 14, 2020 at Big Orange Sheep in Brooklyn. In January 2000, Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants,” co-written by Shelly Peiken, dethroned Santana and Rob Thomas’ “Smooth” to become the first new Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 of the millennium.
Listen To R&B Futurist & UMPG Signee Ayelle's #TBT Mixtape
Polly Hanrahan Ayelle This week’s #TBT Mixtape comes from Ayelle. Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Ayelle. The Swedish-Iranian signer-songwriter (real name Amanda Lundstedt) has amassed over 35 million streams just two years into her tenure.
Angie McMahon's #TBT Mixtape Tells Her Life Story in Chapters
Paige Clark Angie McMahon Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week's edition is from Angie McMahon. The Australian singer-songwriter has been in the midst of a stateside promotional blitz following the release of her debut album Salt last summer via Dualtone Records (Chuck Berry, The Lumineers).
Linda Perry On Her 1993 Billboard Music Awards Performance: 'It Felt Like Making It'
David Needleman Linda Perry photographed in 2014. Songwriter-producer Linda Perry is one of the music industry’s most pervasive hitmakers. As an artist, she had success as frontwoman of San Francisco queer-rock band 4 Non Blondes, whose 1992 debut album Bigger, Better, Faster, More! peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. to date, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
Listen to Bruno Major's TBT Mixtape, Inspired by DMT, Fantasia and More
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Bruno Major. The British singer-songwriter has been on a high since the release of his debut album, A Song For Every Moon, in 2017.
Listen to Cheerleader's Gritty, Indie Rock-Tinged #TBT Mixtape
Shawn Brackbill Cheerleader Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Cheerleader.
Pasquale Rotella on First Power 100 Placement & Becoming the 'Willy Wonka of EDM'
Aaron Sinclair Pasquale Rotella photographed on Jan. 17, 2020 at Insomniac in Los Angeles. In 2011, Insomniac Events moved its marquee festival, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), from Los Angeles to Las Vegas — a gutsy decision that required founder/CEO Pasquale Rotella to pull together millions of dollars in independent financing. “They were acting like it could never be done or that I was the problem, and it was treated like the movie Footloose,” says Rotella.
Listen to Dan Deacon's Ska & Crate Digging-Inspired #TBT Mixtape
Frank Hamilton Dan Deacon Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Dan Deacon.
Aleen Keshishian Talks Selena Gomez's 'Rare' Rollout and Brokering the Largest Sale in Music Doc History
The Lighthouse Management & Media founder treats clients like family. "You really put their needs, desires, goals and aspirations first." In January 2014, Selena Gomez was in Park City, Utah, to promote her role in Rudderless at the Sundance Film Festival. At the time, she was looking for the next step in her career, after growing up as an actress on a series of Disney shows and releasing four albums on Hollywood Records.
Listen to Rise Records' Signee Social Animals' #TBT Mixtape
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Social Animals. The Duluth, Minn.-bred rock band -- comprised of Dedric Clark, Tony Petersen, Boyd Smith and Roger Whittet -- signed to Rise Records (At the Drive In, Placebo) in November.
Bombay Bicycle Club's #TBT Mixtape Is Dedicated to Their 20s
Josh Shinner Bombay Bicycle Club Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Bombay Bicycle Club.
Producer Dave Cobb on Chris Stapleton's Billboard 200 Run for 'Traveller'
David McClister Dave Cobb photographed in 2015. One of Nashville’s top producers, Dave Cobb has collaborated with Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen, Sturgill Simpson, Zac Brown Band, Elle King, Shooter Jennings, John Prine, Jamey Johnson, and many others.
Electric Lady Studio's Designer On His 50-Year Career, And Why He's Moving Into the Podcast Space
Tycho Burwell A recent client project of Storyk’s: home studio The Body in Amagansett, N.Y. Five decades ago, John Storyk’s life “changed on a dime” when he met Jimi Hendrix. The then-22-year-old musician-carpenter had just completed his first design project for New York’s Cerebrum nightclub. Hendrix admired the space’s aesthetic and asked his manager to track down its designer to work on his own Greenwich Village space that would later become the now iconic Electric Lady Studios.
Joseph's #TBT Mixtape Is Dedicated to their Pre-Record-Deal Selves
Louise Brown Joseph Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week's edition comes from Joseph.
Weird Al's Manager Jay Levey on the Comedian-Musician's First-Ever Billboard 200 No. 1
Andrew Hetherington "Weird Al" Yankovic (left) and Jay Levey photographed in 2014. As “Weird Al” Yankovic’s manager for nearly 40 years, Jay Levey helped the comedian-musician earn 827 million views on YouTube, 11 Billboard Hot 100 titles, led by “Eat It” (1984, No. 12) and “White & Nerdy” (2006, No. 9 peak), and 10.3 million total albums sold in the U.S., since Nielsen Music began monitoring retail sales in 1991.
Listen to Rapper-Singer Dessa's 'Lucid' #TBT Mixtape: 'What Hits You Younger, Hits You Hard'
Matthew Levine Dessa Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Dessa. The rapper-singer released her new live album Sound the Bells: Recorded Live at Orchestra Hall this November alongside the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra and arranged by composer Andy Thompson.
Island Records' Eric Wong on Landing His First Industry Internship Via an Ad In Billboard
Aaron Richter Eric Wong photographed in 2016. A nearly two-decade veteran of Island, Eric Wong’s tenure has included stints as evp, marketing, evp/gm and his current role of chief operating officer, where he leads operations and marketing strategy for clients including Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Bon Jovi, The Killers, Nick Jonas, Bishop Briggs, Tove Lo, Jessie Reyez and others. Wong first joined the label, then-Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ), in 1999 after graduating from New York University.
Is Indie Label Ninja Tune Set for Its Best Run Yet?
Sarah M. Golonka Marie Clausen In 1990, electronic musicians Matt Black and Jonathan More, who performed as the duo Coldcut, were nearly five years into their career and already felt confined by the major-label system. So, they founded their own U.K. imprint, Ninja Tune, and its publishing company, Just Isn’t Music. Come 2020 -- and with offices in London, Berlin, Paris and Los Angeles -- the label will celebrate its 30th anniversary in a digital age where indie acts have more options than ever.
Listen to '90s R&B-Influenced, 'Nostalgic to a Fault' #TBT Mixtape From 88Rising's NIKI
Courtesy Photo NIKI Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's weekly series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from NIKI. The Indonesian singer-songwriter -- born Nicole Zefanya -- has been quietly plotting her global takeover since the release of her breakout EP, 2018’s Zephyr.
Martin Kierszenbaum on Signing t.A.T.u. to Interscope, Launching Cherrytree
Eric Ryan Anderson Martin Kierszenbaum photographed in 2015. With his Cherrytree Music Company, begun as a joint venture with Interscope Geffen A&M in 2005, Martin Kierszenbaum helped launch the careers of Lady Gaga, Feist, LMFAO, Disclosure and others. Since then, he’s grown his business to include publishing and management divisions, the latter of which represents longtime client Sting, Shaggy, Incubus’ Michael Einziger and more.
Listen to Fletcher's 'Hard in My Feels' #TBT Mixtape
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week's edition comes from Fletcher. The lightning-rod pop newcomer and Capitol Records signee has been riding high on the release of her debut EP, You Ruined New York City for Me, released in April and executive produced by Malay (Frank Ocean, Lorde, Sam Smith).
Listen to Beck, Sia & Roger Waters Collaborator Gus Seyffert's #TBT Mixtape
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Gus Seyffert.
Folk Icon Judy Collins On Meeting Joni Mitchell & Her Highest Charting Album, 1967's 'Wildflowers'
Ahead of the release of her new LP 'Winter Stories,' out Nov. 29, the legendary singer-songwriter recalls her international breakthrough. One of the most iconic names in folk, Judy Collins got her start in the 1960s in New York’s Greenwich Village scene, where she collaborated with Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Shawn Colvin, Michael McDonald, Joan Baez, Ari Hest and many others.
Listen to Overcoats' Middle School Dance & Wesleyan Dorm Party-Inspired #TBT Mixtape
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s edition comes from Overcoats. The electronic folk-pop duo — comprised of Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell -- first debuted in 2017 via their striking breakthrough LP YOUNG, released via indie imprint Arts & Crafts (Broken Social Scene, Feist).
Listen To Zayde Wolf's Sporty 'Pump Up' #TBT Mixtape
Sean Hagwell Zayde Wølf This week’s edition comes from Zayde Wolf, the solo moniker of songwriter/producer Dustin Burnett, who has collaborated with Augustana, Us The Duo and more.
Marshmello Manager Moe Shalizi On Breaking Dance/Electronic Songs Chart History With 'Happier'
Martha Galvan Moe Shalizi photographed in 2018. In 2018, manager Moe Shalizi landed on the cover of Billboard’s Dance Issue alongside his marquee client Marshmello. The now-29-year-old -- then based at Red Light Management -- was named executive of the year and was credited with building the genre’s “most irresistible brand” with the masked DJ/producer.
Listen to Blu DeTiger's Ibiza & CBGB-Inspired #TBT Mixtape
Rachel Cabitt Blu DeTiger Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Blu DeTiger. By day, the New York City-based musician is a touring bassist for Atlantic Records’ pop-rock band Kitten and a Vogue-approved DJ.
Non-Binary Artist Claud Debuts New 'Sideline Star' EP & Shares Exclusive 'Gaylist' Mix
Lani Parrilla Claud Non-binary pop singer-songwriter Claud today (Oct. 25) released their new EP Sideline Star, via The Orchard. The bedroom pop set is an ode to “outsiderdom" at its core. It follows a 2018 EP, released under the name Toast and via Terrible Records, recorded from their college dorm room. After dropping out to pursue music full time, the now 20-year-old singer penned the new record during the “dark period of transition and growth” that followed over the past year.
New York Rocker Julia Haltigan Considers 'Personal Mythology' On #TBT Mixtape
Mary Ellen Matthews Julia Haltigan Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Julia Haltigan. A chameleonic creative force, the New York singer-songwriter has released three albums to date — 2011’s My Green Heart, 2012’s Magneto and 2016’s Hot Tears.
Artist Publishing Group GM Angie Pagano On Landing Three No. 1s With Fresh Talent In 2019
Yuri Hasegawa Angie Pagano photographed on Oct. 4, 2019 at Artist Publishing Group in Los Angeles. Since 2014, Angie Pagano (GM, Artist Publishing Group; senior vp, Artist Partner Group) has led operations, business affairs and A&R for the Warner Music Group-funded publishing startup.
Santigold's #TBT Mixtape Is an Education in 'Melody, Harmony & Rhythm'
Craig Wetherby Santigold Across the past decade, singer-songwriter Santigold (born Santi White) has evolved from indie blog fixture to bona fide pop star and global creative force. She's collaborated with Jay-Z, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, David Byrne, Diplo, Mark Ronson and Pharrell and has released four full-lengths to date: 2008’s self-titled debut, 2012’s Master of My Make-Believe, 2016’s 99 Cents and last year’s I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions.
Palehound's Dad Rock & Radio Disney-Influenced #TBT Mixtape
Bao Ngo Palehound Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's weekly series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin is from Palehound. The Boston based trio -- comprised of Ellen Kempner, Jesse Weiss and Larz Brogan -- celebrated the release of their third full-length album Black Friday in June via Polyvinyl Record Co. (Jay Som, Vivian Girls).
Zac Farro of Paramore & HalfNoise Shares His 'Between Genres' #TBT Mixtape
AJ Gibboney Zac Farro of Halfnoise Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's weekly series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Zac Farro. The Nashville musician got his start as the longtime drummer of Paramore, joining the band when he was just 14 years old.
Listen to Canadian Rockers The Glorious Sons' Counter-Culture Mix
Jonathan Weiner The Glorious Sons This September, Canadian rockers The Glorious Sons -- comprised of Brett Emmons (vocals), Jay Emmons, Chris Koster (guitars), Adam Paquette (drums), Chris Huot (bass), and Josh Hewson (Keys) -- released their new studio LP A War On Everything, via BMG/Black Box.
First Access Entertainment's Sarah Stennett On Managing Lil Peep's Legacy
Michele Thomas Sarah Stennett photographed on Sept. 15, 2019 at First Access Entertainment in Los Angeles. The talent manager from Liverpool, England, is known for her work with such pop stars as Bebe Rexha, Rita Ora and Madison Beer, but managing the legacy of the late Lil Peep -- born Gustav “Gus” Åhr -- has become her most defining project to date.
Listen To Italian Composer Ludovico Einaudi's Sublime #TBT Mixtape
Welcome to #TBT Mixtape, Billboard's weekly series that showcases artists' very own throwback-themed playlists exclusive to Billboard's Spotify account. The curated set features the artists' favorite tracks from their youth and childhood. This week’s spin comes from Ludovico Einaudi. The Italian composer and pianist is certified as the world’s most streamed classical musician, with over 2 billion collective spins to date of his catalog, and over 3 million monthly fans on Spotify.
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