Arch MUSIC NEWS for 10/18/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

Alanis Morissette is tackling rap – with the help of her husband, Souleye. The singer recently told “Billboard” she and Souleye have started to write songs together for him. Souleye has been performing as Alanis’ opening act on her current tour promoting “Havoc and Bright Lights.” Alanis says she had been interested in collaborating with a rap artist for a long time and working with Souleye for his upcoming album was a “dream come true.” Morissette says when she first met her future husband she was a huge fan of his music. She describes his songwriting as a “super stream of consciousness” and “half ascension, half hip-hop, half rap world.”  Souleye has been performing the songs he and Alanis wrote together while on tour with his wife. Though Alanis enjoyed the experience and is happy for her husband, she insists that her own rapping would be “really awful,” saying she is “as white as it gets.”

Bruce Springsteen is on the road today, making appearances at two rallies in support of President Obama’s re-election. He’s slated to take part in the “Obama For America” events in Parma, Ohio and Ames, Iowa. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina says they believe Bruce’s participation will help motivate Obama supporters to go to the polls and cast their votes.

But, KISS’ Gene Simmons hasn’t been pleased with the Obama presidency. The bassist voted for Obama in 2008, but now says he is “very disappointed” with the job Obama has done.

Aerosmith is offering fans a preview of their upcoming album, “Music From Another Dimension.” The group will debut the tracks over the coming weeks via RollingStone.com. The first preview is the album’s lead-off track, “LUV XXX”, a song that features the late John Lennon’s son Julian Lennon.  Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler says when he and Julian recorded the vocals, they shared a microphone just like John and Paul McCartney did in The Beatles. He also praises Julian as a talented singer who has “such a character to his voice,” adding that it’s “very Beatle-y.” Aerosmith’s “Music From Another Dimension” will be in stores on November 6th.

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