Jill Brown has been intermittently working in Barlinnie Prison for the last 10 years, organising performances and shows for inmates. From this involvement with the prison, Jill began to arrange songwriting workshops for prisoners with an interest in hip-hop and rap music. In addition to the Barlinnie workshop, Jill has embarked on a publishing project. Conviction Records is a label, formed in late 2021, that focuses on giving those with a criminal history the support they need to pursue a career in music. While the label remains in its early stages of development, secured funding from Creative Scotland marks the beginning of the Conviction Records project. 

Speaking to the BBC, Jill said: “The workshops are designed to give the guys who take part a voice, because a lot of people who are actually in jail have never had a voice.” This is a significantly different perspective than one heard last year from Edinburgh Live and the Daily Record. In May of 2023, a video of several inmates rapping in Midlothian’s Addiewell Prison surfaced on TikTok. Reports from both outlets were scathing, calling the prisoners “Shameless”. Although this video was by no means sanctioned by prison staff and was recorded on a smuggled smartphone, it does reveal that many behind bars need some form of creative outlet. It is this need that Jill Brown aims to serve, making prison a more productive and rehabilitative environment for people who often lack the opportunity to integrate back into society. 

Speaking to the BBC about the workshop program, one inmate said: “It’s gave me something to look forward to, and it’s something I’m going to follow up on when I’m out. It’s came at the right time. It’s gave me a chance.” Projects like these are few and far between but hopefully the success of Jill’s work in Barlinnie will inspire other facilities to take a leaf out of her book. 

The management company is home to well-known names including Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Ray, Noah Cyrus and London Grammar. Since being managed by the company, the singer gave up ownership of her material, only gaining royalties from her music. This essentially meant the label owned the copyright to the artists’ music.

The English-Albanian artist was signed to TaP for just under 10 years, signing to the company in 2013 although the relationship ended suddenly, just nine days into Dua’s February 2022 tour.

It has been revealed the firm has now sold back the catalogue, one year after she left the company. Co-president of TaP Music, Anna Neville gave her best wishes to the singer saying “We wish Dua all the best for the future. This is an exciting time for our publishing company – we are expanding our services and teams globally and continue to add talented writers and artists to our already stellar roster.”

Brian Message, the manager for Radiohead is in favour of artists owning their copyrights and licensing them. He mentioned “A partnership between a financial investor/service provider with the creator shouldn’t mean that the creator has to sell their rights forever,” he continued “For me, that’s unbalanced.”Allegedly this issue continues as long as artists are releasing with labels and selling their songs to publishing.

Dua Lipa has a huge collection of hits including ‘Levitating’, ‘Don’t Start Now’ and ‘Dance The Night’ which featured in the most talked about film of 2023 – ‘Barbie’ and was overseen by producer Mark Ronson. She has also collaborated on songs with numerous big stars such as ‘Cold Heart’, which was released in 2022 with Elton John and remixed by PNAU. It became the 33rd Top 10 song of John’s career and his first No. 1 in 16 years. When asked about the song, Elton named Dua as the star of the show stating “A lot of it is, of course, due to Dua Lipa’s popularity and the brilliant PNAU remix, but I feel very, very content and happy that I’m relevant,”

Now managed by her father, Dukagjin Lipa, the artist is set to make waves with her first release since ‘Dance The Night’. The upcoming single ‘Houdini’ is out on November 9th. She also is set to star in the upcoming film ‘Argylle’ directed by Matthew Vaughan. Her next album will debut in 2024.

When asked his thoughts on the recent advancements in AI platforms, the 76-year-old expressed his fear on it’s potential impact and how he thinks AI could change the music industry for the worse.

May told the magazine, “My major concern with it now is in the artistic area. I think by this time next year the landscape will be completely different. We won’t know which way is up. We won’t know what’s been created by AI and what’s been created by humans,”

He continued, “Everything is going to get very blurred and very confusing, and I think we might look back on 2023 as the last year when humans really dominated the music scene. I really think it could be that serious, and that doesn’t fill me with joy. It makes me feel apprehensive, and I’m preparing to feel sad about this.”

Whilst the English rock legend claims that “a lot of great stuff will come from AI, because it is going to increase the powers of humans to solve problems”, he is still apprehensive about the technological advance, stating “I think the whole thing is massively scary. It’s much more far-reaching than anybody realised — well, certainly than I realised”.

The notion of using computers to generate music is definitely not new, however, recent leaps in AI technology have expanded the possibilities of what computers can do in the music industry. For example, AI platforms such as ChatGPT are now able to replicate songwriting and music production to create entirely computer generated music, therefore eliminating the whole writing and recording process artists go through.

Brian May is not the first musician to share their thoughts on AI’s impact on the music industry, and he definitely won’t be the last.

Nick Cave revealed in his blog, The Red Hand Files, that he believes AI songwriting to be a “grotesque mockery of what it is to be human”, while Sting told the BBC that he isn’t impressed by AI, and songwriters will have to fight to protect “our human capital against AI”.

Some artists however, are seemingly big fans of the way technology is evolving in the music industry. For example, Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes is allowing fans to use her voice in AI generated songs, so long as they share the royalties with her.

I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI generated song that uses my voice. Same deal as I would with any artist i collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty. I have no label and no legal bindings. pic.twitter.com/KIY60B5uqt

— Grimes (@Grimezsz) April 24, 2023

Brian May‘s conversation with Guitar Player magazine is set to feature in the October 2023 issue, however, you can read the interview online here.

Happy Birthday, Mick.
Long may we keep saying this to each other, Happy 80th!
Love, Keith @MickJagger pic.twitter.com/g86Zy8wpZC

— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) July 26, 2023

Jagger is only slightly older than Richards, who will also be celebrating his 80th birthday in December and the legendary guitarist sent his frontman a moving message while picking out a short tune on the piano. Richards said, “long may we keep saying this to each other, happy birthday Mick have another good-in and give me a call and let me know what it’s like.”

Often considered one of the greatest songwriting pairs in rock n roll history, the two musicians met as teenagers while waiting for a train in Dartford where they were both from. On that journey, rock legend laid its foundations as soon after, the duo began the Rolling Stones and embarked on one of the most storied careers in the genre’s rich history.

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments and birthday wishes!! : Mark Seliger pic.twitter.com/XoNN05lYNH — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) July 26, 2023

Following closely behind British contemporaries The Beatles, The Rolling Stones have been noted for Richard’s unique playing style- having the ability to pluck out some of the best known riffs ever to be recorded and Jagger’s energetic live performances, punctuated by his distinctive vocal style. The partnership made the band one of the most successful musical acts of all time, overseeing the group’s continued success in each of the decades they have been a part of.

Often credited as The Glimmer Twins on Rolling Stones records, Jagger and Richards first penned the song “As Tears Go By” for artist Marianne Faithful, before writing “The Last Time” in 1965-earning the band their first top ten hit. The pair would go on to write such hit songs as “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”,” Jumpin Jack Flash,” and “Brown Sugar.”

Although Richards and Jagger have remained close friends for 73 years, their relationship has often been described as love/hate and the pair have weathered some stormy periods, some of which heralded successfully productive periods immediately after. With Richard’s autobiography Life, released in 2010- which some have claimed hurled barbed criticisms at Jagger-many pondered if the Rolling Stones would continue.

The two have proven in subsequent years that a break in the relationship could not be further from reality as the duo have continued to take The Rolling Stones forward into their 6th decade. And, if Richard’s birthday message is anything to go by, the pair’s friendship is just as strong as ever.

He said recently on an interview with Uncut Magazine,  “I’m working on one at the moment that was going one way but I didn’t like the lyric. “No, this is not happening, mate. He continued in talking about his working relationship with John saying, “We collaborated for so long, I think, “OK, what would he think of this? What would he say now? We’d both agree that this new song I’m talking about is going nowhere.”

Out this week, the new issue of @uncutmagazine features Paul on the cover talking about #McCartneyIII, with photography by @maryamccartney. Order a copy here for home delivery: https://t.co/N5N5O39UTM pic.twitter.com/S7bJwaYpx9

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 10, 2020

He continued, “‘So instead of sitting around we should destroy it and remake it. I started that process yesterday in the studio. I took the vocal off it and decided to write a new vocal.” He added to The Daily Mail, “the best collaborator in the world’ and said the anniversary of what would have been his 80th birthday was ‘happy sad’.”

McCartney has just finished writing his third album. The Beatles were the best selling band of all time releasing 11 albums between 1963 and 1970 and his songwriting with  John Lennon is thought to of been one of the most successful partnerships of all time.  On October 9th, it would of been John Lennon’s 80th birthday. McCartney admitted to ‘The Daily Mail‘ that it was a sad day for him as he’s reminded of his friends untimely death at the hands of Mark Chapman, who has been behind bard for his murder since December 8th 1980.

Sir Paul said to ‘The Daily Mail’ that he mentally ‘consulted’ with Lennon during writing sessions. He said, “Yeah, often. We collaborated for so long, I think, “OK, what would he think of this? What would he say now? We’d both agree that this new song I’m talking about is going nowhere. So instead of sitting around we should destroy it and remake it. I started that process yesterday in the studio. I took the vocal off it and decided to write a new vocal.” 

His third albumin his trilogy series ‘McCartney 111′ is due to be released on 11th December 2020 and will be his eighteenth solo album which he recorded during lockdown. This yeah marks the 50th anniversary since Paul McCartney released the first album in the trilogy.

McCartney talked about the making of his new album to ‘The Daily Mail’ by saying, “I’ve always tried to put some kind of positive spin on most things. Then I’ll think, “You know what, that’s enough optimism. Let’s get weary for a change. But I know the effect music has on me and the effect it can have on other people. People come up to me in the street saying, “I had cancer. I’m cured now, but your music really helped me get through it.” 

He continued to say, “I’m so proud that music that we made has had this effect on people – and appears to be still having! C’mon, man! This was supposed to be a little rock’n’roll band that lasted 10 years if that. It’s mind blowing.” 

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Had the best time on SNL! Thank you to the most wonderful cast, crew, writers and producers. What a sublime bunch of people you are. Lorne thank you for believing in me! Lindsay my sister for life, Maya my comedy and Mama hero! Plus the so up for it audiences at both the dress rehearsal and live show! I did it for the joy of it and I hope you got some from it too! Good luck with the election America I love you so much. Look after each other and go easy on yourselves. Happy Halloween! I’m going back to my cave now to be the (single) cat lady that I am! Peace out til next year

A post shared by Adele (@adele) on Oct 28, 2020 at 11:16am PDT

The Hello singer has laid low for the past few years, after disappearing for a while fans didn’t recognise her when she next emerged. After leaving the spotlight following her massive single Hello and her album that followed 25 and then tour cancellation, Adele went through a body transformation leaving her unrecognisable to fans. Regardless of what she looks like now I’m sure it’s safe to say we are all looking forward to her new music.

After the release of her third album titled 25 back in 2015, Adele went on tour. It was during her final shows in 2017 that Adele suddenly had to cancel her remaining shows and a weekend at Wembley. “However, I’ve struggled vocally both nights. I had to push a lot harder than I normally do. I felt like I constantly had to clear my throat, especially last night. I went to see my throat doctor this evening because my voice didn’t open up at all today and it turns out I have damaged my vocal cords.”

Since then her life changed and she remained out of the spotlight and away from the public eye. Adele and her now Ex-husband Simon Konecki divorced. As it would be in any case this was a hard time for Adele as the two had a child together. However, rather than letting the divorce consume her every waking moment she has channeled the feelings and emotions into her music and is using it as the drive to write music for her new upcoming album.

“It was also claimed that Adele had found making new music “like therapy” after the end of marriage to Simon Konecki last year.”. As with many artists, difficult times and extreme emotions are the drive for their music and a source for new material. In many cases, these drives are what lead to their more powerful and greater pieces of work. With that in mind, we can certainly hope that this album will be just as much a great album as all of her past 3 albums.

An Insider has been reported saying “New music is still a big deal for her, and she feels alive and happy.”. With Adele still laying low and keeping out of the public eye we can hope and assume that her new album and singles will be close around the corner.

The album was recorded earlier this year in Sussex and features live takes of the musician on vocals, guitar and piano and an overdubbed bass and piano part. He began writing the album after revisiting an unreleased track, ‘When Winter Comes’ Which he worked on in the 90’s with George Martin.

He told The Guardian, “It was about making music for yourself rather than making music that has to do a job,” he says. “I had some stuff I’d worked on over the years but sometimes time would run out and it would be left half finished so I started thinking about what I had. Each day, I’d start recording with the instrument I wrote the song on and then gradually layer it all up. It was a lot of fun.”

Some of the other instruments he used to record the album included his violin shaped bass guitar, used at Abby road studios by ‘The Beatles’ and a double bass that backed Elvis Presley and The Wings sessions in 1971. Many other musicians have followed suit by recording at home during the pandemic, and it felt the right time for McCartney to complete his trilogy during lockdown.

He talks about the album to Rollingstone.com saying ““Each day I’d start recording with the instrument I wrote the song on and then gradually layer it all up; it was a lot of fun,” he added. “It was about making music for yourself rather than making music that has to do a job. So, I just did stuff I fancied doing. I had no idea this would end up as an album.”

His solo album, ‘McCartney’ released in April 1970 was greeted eagerly from fans as it was his first solo work since ‘The Beatles.’ The album turned out to be heavily criticised by critics for being, ‘shambolic, primitively recorded collection of instrumentals, song fragments, experiments in what would eventually be called world music,’ – The Guardian

‘McCartney 11′ his second solo album was recorded with his 1970’2 band, ‘Wings Collapsed’ and has more of a 70’s synth based sound to it with influences of disco punk. Both of the albums were, in a sense, experimental music and very different from the melodic tunes has written.

When asked about retirement, McCartey replied, “Everything I do is always supposed to be my last. When I was 50 – ‘That’s his last tour.’ And it was like, ‘Oh, is it? I don’t think so.’ It’s the rumour mill, but that’s OK.”

McCartney was due to headline ‘The Glastonbury Festival’ this year for it’s 50th Anniversary edition but due to the coronvirus pandemic, it was cancelled in March. After a 40 year wait for the new solo album, fans are excited to hear his new music, which will complete his trilogy.