By Geoffrey Rowlands


People react in a variety of ways to the breakup of a long-term relationship. Justin Bieber appears to have rather gone off the rails making headlines for a plethora of wrong reasons. But Selena Gomez, his actress and singer ex-girlfriend, seems to have thrived on their split.
She has made a smash hit movie and enjoyed her first top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 with Come & Get It, the lead single from her forthcoming debut solo album, Stars Dance. Selena, who will celebrate her 21st birthday on July 22, has also abandoned her wholesome teen star image. “I had to grow up sometime,” she smiled. “It wasn’t really a conscious decision to change my image as much as a transition in my life as a whole.
“It’s interesting to hear the songs on my album because I was in a different place in my life when I began recording. The transition happened throughout the time when I was making my album.
“I don’t know if anyone listening to the songs could appreciate the difference between the first and last recordings but it’s obvious to me. I went through some interesting and cool times and feel I’ve come out a better person.”
Despite reprising her multiple-award-winning role as Alex in a one-hour special of the Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place late last year, Selena’s transition was perhaps best encapsulated by playing Faith in Harmony Korine’s film, Spring Breakers.
“That was my first adult role. My character was the good girl in the group but she still got involved in some less than innocent situations. I felt a little sad that many of my fans weren’t old enough to see the movie as it was given an R rating. But I couldn’t do Disney Channel stuff forever.”
Her time in Disney Channel productions coincided with Selena’s first foray into the pop world as founder member and lead singer with Selena Gomez & the Scene. The band released three studio albums, all of which went top 10 on the Billboard 200, though none of their singles peaked higher than number 21.
Having announced that last year would be devoted to acting, Selena said she and her band would be going their separate ways for a while. With no members of the Scene listed among the credits on her solo album, does this mean her work with the band is a thing of the past?
“I wanted to explore a different style of music for my solo album. I’m trying to keep this separate from the Scene’s output so it didn’t seem appropriate to have any of the guys on my album.
“I did intend to work with them again when I announced our hiatus. Right now, I don’t know what will happen. It would be nice to have two music careers, one as a solo performer and another with the Scene.”
Selena has been promoting her music by performing a series of concerts across America. Her more adult image was reinforced during a recent gig in Boston where she was wearing a backless dress which was also split to the hip.
These pictures may have been the catalyst for Justin Bieber to reignite his relationship with Selena. Although she refuses to be drawn on their rumoured reconciliation, a post on his Instagram account by Justin’s friend Alfredo Flores appears to show Selena, or her double, partying with the Canadian heart-throb.
“We had a difficult break-up but actually reconciled as friends soon afterwards. As everyone will know from newspaper stories, there have been other people in both of our lives. Who knows what might happen in the future.”


in brief

 

Pixies

American alternative rockers Pixies are back with Bagboy, their first new single since 2004’s iTunes exclusive release, Bam Thwok. But the song is not quite so new as fans might imagine. “The music has been around for some time,” admitted singer/rhythm guitarist Black Francis, real name Charles Thompson. “It comes from demos I made with (guitarist) Joey (Santiago) and (drummer) David (Lovering) a few years ago for a film idea which has yet to see the light of day.”
Bagboy features former bassist Kim Deal singing backing vocals. She left the band some weeks ago and has been replaced by Kim Shattuck, previously a member of garage rockers The Pandoras and pop/punk outfit The Muffs.
The video for Bagboy is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGdSYPh5_BI.
It is not without controversy. A white male teenager is depicted trashing the home of what is eventually revealed to be a black woman. The final scene sees this poor lady tied up in her bedroom.
Made by the Lamar + Nik production team, the video has been criticised for perceived racist and misogynistic imagery. This concept is firmly disputed by Lamar.
“We knew it was a risky video,” he stated. “But we find the criticism sad. I’m black, Nik is white, but we don’t automatically see colour in people. The kid is Nik’s younger brother, the lady is my older sister. If our relatives had been reversed, it would have been a black kid trashing the home of a white lady. It’s 2013, when do we stop seeing things as racist.”

Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails have issued the video for their new song, Came Back Haunted. It is the recently re-formed band’s lead single from their eighth studio album, Hesitation Marks, which is scheduled for release on September 3.
The video was created by renowned director David Lynch. It marks his first video for Nine Inch Nails but band founder Trent Reznor has previously worked with David on the soundtrack music for his 1997 film, Lost Highway.
Their latest collaboration can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RN6pT3zL44.

Spoek Mathambo

South African rapper/vocalist Spoek Mathambo is offering fans a free 12-song mixtape, Escape From ‘85. Although Spoek describes 1985, the year of his birth, as a horrible time for South Africa, he says the songs were inspired by the music and culture of the 1980s and insists the mixtape is essentially “an extended exercise in fun.” It is also accompanied by a vintage-style computer game designed to be played while listening to the music.
Everything can be accessed via www.spoekmathambo.com/ Each song is available to hear by clicking on ‘stream mixtape’. Gamers can click on ‘play the game’ while listening. They have a choice of two modes, one with points and lives or another where the players are immortal. If you enjoy the mixtape, the free download link takes you to www.audiomack.com/album/spoek-mathambo/escape-from-85-2.

Netsua

Austin Beaty may be an unfamiliar name to most music fans. But to those who particularly enjoy the electro house genre, Austin’s stage name of Netsua may just ring a bell. The Florida-based DJ/producer has posted six of his remixes at (no www.) soundcloud.com/theofficialnetsua/tracks. More of his work can be heard at (no www.) dj.beatport.com/#/theofficialnetsua.
His own creations have now appeared on a four-track EP, This Is Not My Debut Album. It can be heard in full at www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5kWuvpd1FA.