• 'Empire's' Bryshere Gray On Kissing Naomi Campbell, Rapping With Timbaland And Landing His First Acting Role Opposite Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

    Bryshere Gray, aka Yazz the Greatest, drip-dropped his way into becoming a household name after landing a plum role on Fox's Empire arguably the hottest show of the new 2015 season. As bad boy rapper Hakeem Lyon, the 21-year-old Phildelphia native dazzles as he vies for his father's (Terrence Howard) attention in a quest to inherit the Empire. When's he's not battling his brother Jamal (Jussie Smollet), Hakeem finds just enough time to woo the ladies: Mainly his much older secret lover played by 44-year-old Naomi Campbell. Here, Gray talks on "conquering" the small screen, filming steamy bathtub scenes with a certain supermodel and what to expect from Season 2 of Empire.
  • Ekaterina Gordeeva Juggles Motherhood with 'Dancing for Joy' in New 'Stars on Ice' Tour

    Figure skaters come and go, some grab titles only to disappear a year or two later. Sometimes the only goal is to win a national title and then to leave the sport altogether. Very few skaters actually find any kind of longevity in the often fickle and extremely competitive sport and even less actually become household names, spending decades on the ice. There is a handful of skaters that are considered figure skating royalty and Ekaterina "Katia" Gordeeva certainly does find herself leading the way.
  • Emily Hearn Talks New Album 'Hourglass,' Bill Murray's Appearance In Her Music Video, Her Upcoming Tour & More; Performs "The Oak Tree" & "Volcano" [WATCH]

    Singer-songwriter Emily Hearn just released her latest album Hourglass this month and will be embarking on a massive North American tour, opening for Tyrone Wells that will take them from coast to coast and everywhere in between. Before she hit the road, we were able to sit down with Emily for a chat about her beginnings in the music industry, what inspired the new album, how Bill Murray ended up in one of her music videos, her favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor (her song "Not Walking Away" was featured in one of their commercials), what it's like touring with her husband, the various milestones she's reached and more. She also treated us to live acoustic performances of her songs "The Oak Tree" and "Volcano."
  • The Hold Steady's 'Almost Killed Me' Turns 11: Five Best Songs From the Group's Debut

    Members of The Hold Steady celebrated their 10th anniversary last year with the release of a sixth album, 'Teeth Dreams.' It was clear the band had veered a bit from the sound and angst that graced its superb debut 'Almost Killed Me,' which turned 11 today, March 16. The group would go on to record the concept effort 'Separation Sunday' in 2005 and the fan-favorite album 'Boys and Girls in America' in 2006. None contained the explosiveness the first had.
  • 5 Musicians with Real Animal Attack Experience (Sorry Taylor Swift): Johnny Cash, His Ostrich and More Examples

    Taylor Swift had some fun with fans after having some "fun" with her famous cat Meredith, posting a photo on Twitter of a long slash left by the feline on her reportedly well-insured legs. "GREAT WORK MEREDITH," she wrote, caps lock for emphasis. "I WAS JUST TRYING TO LOVE YOU AND NOW YOU OWE ME 40 MILLION DOLLARS." She apparently got too close for her pet's comfort at the moment (a frequent experience for those of us with non-declawed, purring companions). Swift was joking of course, but several musicians have had less amusing encounters with animals.
  • 5 Great Tracks from Phil Lesh on The Grateful Dead Bassist: 'Box of Rain,' 'New Potato Caboose' and More

    The biggest concert of the year, by this reporter's reckoning, has to be the "Fare Thee Well" concert series announced by the Grateful Dead to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band's legendary shows at Soldier Field in Chicago. Although it will be the band's first official in decades (not counting The Dead gigs), none of the original members have been far from music, including bassist Phil Lesh, who has toured with Phil Lesh & Friends and the Other Ones. Music Times wants to celebrate Lesh's contributions to the Grateful Dead to honor his 75th birthday.
  • EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Junkie XL Shares 'Mad Max: Fury Road' & 'Run All Night' Score Details, Film Composing Vs Electronic Music Career & More!

    Junkie XL has been making waves in the film, TV and video game industries with a strong collection of soundtracks and scores already under his belt, despite starting his career as a touring musician beforehand. Forming partnerships with and assisting big-name composers definitely allowed the producer to step into the world of scoring, but we learned that his drive to reach higher levels in music is the main factor behind his success and talent. In our new exclusive interview with the world renowned producer and composer, Junkie XL details on two 2015 movies that he scored, Run All Night and Mad Max: Fury Road - two very different films with contrasting composing processes. Find out more about Junkie XL below!
  • Dan & The Wildfire Frontman Talks New Album 'Bull Moose,' Tour Plans, A Memorable Trip To Build-A-Bear & More [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

    Boston-based Americana band Dan & The Wildfire are set to release their new album Bull Moose, which features the singles "Austin, TX," "Backwash" and "Buzzard," on March 31. Ahead of their March 19 album release party at New York City's Rockwood Music Hall, frontman Dan Htoo-Levine spoke with Music Times about the project, a memorable visit to Build-A-Bear, the milestones they've reached so far, what lies ahead, and more.