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Music News: See Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in new biopic trailer

by Staff

February 03, 2016

Miles Ahead, a new biopic about Miles Davis, is slated to hit theaters on April 1. The film marks the directorial debut of Don Cheadle, who also stars as the jazz legend. Below, watch a new trailer for the movie — which has already sparked controversy for some of the "poetic license" that Cheadle admits taking with the life of the iconic trumpeter. (Billboard)

https://youtu.be/Bvt9LU45ruc

Ten albums have been shortlisted for the 2016 Australian Music Prize; the annual prize, given to an outstanding album from Down Under, will be awarded in Sydney on March 9. Among the finalists are Courtney Barnett (Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit) and Tame Impala (Currents). (Billboard)

Singer Jon Bunch has died at age 46. Bunch was best known as the frontman of '90s emo band Sense Field. Bunch's passing inspired social-media tributes from Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Jimmy Eat World. (Billboard)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ramones' debut album, and it will not go unrecognized. Tribute plans include a special panel at SXSW (featuring Seymour Stein, who signed the band to Sire Records), an exhibit at the Queens Museum, a documentary film, a comic book, an in-store promotional campaign with Levi's (the band's favorite denim brand), and of course a deluxe reissue of the album itself: three CDs and one LP. (Billboard)

James Corden's latest Carpool Karaoke guest is Chris Martin, whose band Coldplay are about to play the world's most-watched live music event: the halftime show at Super Bowl 50. (Rolling Stone)

Prior to the Super Bowl takes place this Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif., Metallica are playing a show in San Francisco, with openers Cage the Elephant. Metallica say they plan to live-stream their show, because "we don't want anyone to be left out!" (Rolling Stone)

If you're a woman who can sing and play keyboards and is seeking active employment in a relevant buzzband, M83 want to hear from you. Their follow-up to Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is due for release this spring, and the band are looking for a female singer-keyboardist to join them on tour dates starting in April. Pitchfork has details on how to submit your audition video.

A California judge has ruled that the name of the hit Fox drama Empire does not infringe on the trademark of Empire Distribution, a real-life record label with a name bearing a close similarity to that of Empire Enterprises, the fictional record label depicted in the show. Judge Percy Anderson ruled in Fox's favor in a legal battle between the network and the label, saying that Fox did not intend to capitalize on the existing label's name when they chose a name for their TV show. (Billboard)

Taylor Swift has announced "a new one-of-a-kind mobile game for smartphones and tablet devices" that will come out later this year.

Having finished eighth in the Iowa caucuses, Republican presidential candidate John Kasich would like the support of some more music fans. Accordingly, he's made a big promise: "If I’m president," Kasich told CNN, "I am going to once and for all try to reunite Pink Floyd." That might be a tall order even for the most powerful politician in America — especially since Pink Floyd are British. (Billboard)

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.