Stream New Dixie Chicks Single

Dixie Chicks are hotter than hot. After 2003's controversy and radio boycott, the Texas trio is no longer a plain country & western act. They have become a crossover pop culture phenomenon that is about to gain more stream with the release of their new album "Taking The Long Way" on May 23. Instead of taking the easy road, Dixie Chicks continue to make bold and daring choices both musically and lyrically.

Produced by legendary Rick Rubin, the album shows off a rockier side of the group. On the first single "Not Ready to Make Nice," the trio makes a clear statement about how they feel about the events in 2003 when singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush that ignited a public firestorm and a boycott of their music on country radio.

In the song, Maines sings "I'm not ready to make nice. I'm not ready to back down. I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round. How in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge." Country radio appears to have forgiven Dixie Chicks. After its first week of airplay, the single made a strong entrance in the Billboard Country Singles chart at #36. Thanks to NoComment for the tip.

Stream Dixie Chicks "Not Ready To Make Nice"

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This Is The Man!
Who do pop stars turn to if they need a hit? Max Martin! The Swedish composer and producer has written hits for people like Kelly Clarkson ("Since U Been Gone"), Britney Spears ("Stronger"), Backstreet Boys, N*Sync and many others. The seclusive Swede and studio innovator is moving ahead with the time and the taste of the pop-loving public. While his songs still rely on catchy choruses, Martin's productions have grown from frothy teen pop to grittier pop-rock. His latest pop masterpiece is Pink's should-have-been-first-single cuz-it-is-fingerlickin'-good "U + Ur Hand" from her brand-new CD "I'm Not Dead." This track could easily be this year's "Since U Been Gone." (Thanks Perez for the Pink heads-up) [Source]

Stream Pink's "U + Ur Hand"

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Introducing Mirror Boiyz
Mirror Boiyz don't like to get it twisted. Spitting out their uncompromising, powerful lyrics, the duo is one of the few openly gay hip hop acts that uses big beats and rap to talk about issues that often directly resonate with gays whether it is about online dating or America's Next Top Model.

Wesleyan University students Chris and Joe first got together to make music after seeing a Destiny's Child performance. Both have always been hip hop fans and they feel this style fits them best. "We could have easily made some sort of indie-pop album, but I don't think it would have the same effect," Joe tells Arjan.

"Recently, 50 Cent said that gays could never be a part of the rap game because they aren't aggressive enough. I guess we want to prove him wrong. If we're not aggressive enough, we can at least be sassy enough."

In their music Mirror Boiyz not only tackle gay issues, but also pop culture topics such as America's Next Top Model. Joe explains that the song "Don't Get It Twisted" was inspired by model contestant Ebony Taylor from Season 5 of the popular television show. Lyrical diversity is important to the group because when there is too much focus on gay issues "there comes a point where queer activism becomes straight-bashing, and that's not cool," he says.

One of the songs that speaks directly to a hot button issue in the gay community is the sexually explicit "IRL" that deals with the dangers of online sexual encounters. "[Thousands] of gay men log onto sites looking for a quick release. This topic is rarely discussed in the mainstream culture."

Visit Mirror Boiyz' MySpace page for more music and information about the group. A big thank you to Mirror Boiyz for making some tunes available to readers!

Stream or Download Mirror Boiyz "Don't Get It Twisted"
Stream or Download "Mirror Boiyz "IRL" [Explicit - NSFW]

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FAGGOT First Wednesdays & Podcast
San Francisco's FAGGOT First Wednesdays is one of the hottest queer parties in the country. With popular mash-up artist DJ Earwom behind the turntables, this party easily rivals the hip and sassy gay dens of Manhattan's East Village. The party's website describes FAGGOT as "the center of the gay universe for a night like no other night in the Castro [with] a bunch of rowdy faggots for boozing, cruising and causing trouble." If you're not in San Fransisco and want to get a taste of FAGGOT, make sure to check out the monthly podcasts that Earworm puts together. If the pop debauchery of his sets are a good indication then FAGGOT is for sure a night not to be missed. The FAGGOT podcasts include tunes by Fischerspooner, Annie, Eurythmics, Blur, The Killers, Console, Miss Kittin and many others. Add the FAGGOT podcast feed to your RSS reader or stream the broadcasts here. The next FAGGOT Party is this upcoming Wednesday at Daddy's (440 Castro Street).