MUSIC

These Famous Stars Hate Their Own Music

Jimmy Page isn't the only one who found his old songs cringe-worthy.

Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A. (Official Video)

Legendary rocker Jimmy Page has had a lot to say over the years regarding Led Zeppelin's smash hit "Stairway to Heaven."

In 1988, the rocker told The New York Times that he'd "break out in hives" if he had to perform the song. Page has calmed down since then, but still confirmed to UCR yesterday that he simply "couldn't relate to the track anymore."

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Miley Cyrus

Photo by Kobby Dagan (Shutterstock)

It's time to re-evaluate the age-old questions that have plagued society for time immemorial: How are celebrities so hot? How do they stay hot? Is it their wealth—if you sleep on a bed of money, do you never age?

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CULTURE

Miley Cyrus Is Not a Queer Icon: Do Better

"I always thought I had to be gay, because I thought all guys were evil, but it's not true."

Miley Cyrus

Kobby Dagan

For those still celebrating Miley Cyrus as a queer icon, may we invite you to take a moment to reconsider.

Yes, she came out as pansexual and genderfluid in 2015, soon proving herself to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community by founding Happy Hippie foundation for homeless queer youth. Then, after ending her marriage to Liam Hemsworth, Cyrus briefly dated reality TV star Kaitlynn Carter before moving on to Cody Simpson, with whom she did an Instagram live on Sunday. Here's where things got...dicey, to say the least.

In the midst of the livestream, Cyrus stated, "There are good men out there, guys, don't give up. You don't have to be gay, there are good people with dicks out there, you've just got to find them," She said, while Simpson laughed. "You've got to find a dick that's not a dick, you know? I always thought I had to be gay, because I thought all guys were evil, but it's not true. There are good people out there that just happen to have dicks. I've only ever met one, and he's on this live."

Oof. Miley, honey, it's 2019! Twitter, of course, immediately popped the f*ck off.

Soon, Cyrus wielded a powerful, often misused celebrity weapon: the notes app apology.

So. There's a lot of toxicity to unpack here. Let's start with the easy part: Cyrus' implication that the only good man she has ever met is Cody Simpson. *Cue her father, brothers, and Liam Hemsworth giving the camera a long, Jim Halpert-esque look.* Misandry aside, Cyrus implied that 1.) Being queer is a choice. 2.) Dating men is always preferable to dating women, even if you're queer. 3.) Cyrus herself chose to date women because of a distrust for men, not necessarily an attraction to women. None of these things were addressed in her apology; in fact, she didn't even bother to claim that she misspoke or that it was meant as a joke. All she really did was re-enforce that men are sh*tty.

To be clear, for anyone still living in 1950, being queer is not a choice, dating within the LGBTQ+ community is not an exciting and temporary foray into counter-culture on your way to a heterosexual relationship, dating men as a bisexual/pansexual woman is not somehow inherently preferable to dating women, and you don't get to call yourself queer just because you find men annoying sometimes. Being queer is defined by being attracted to genders other than the opposite gender to your own, and again, it is NEVER a choice. Just a little bit louder for those of you in the back: BEING QUEER IS NEVER A CHOICE.

If you still aren't sure, here's some science for you: A 2019 study by Andrea Ganna, lead author and European Molecular Biology Laboratory group leader at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Finland, said that while her study did not find a "gay gene," it revealed "there are a number of genetic variations that can influence sexual behavior." Essentially, the research reinforces that queerness is simply "a natural part of our diversity as a species." That means that women being attracted to women is not simply a matter of thinking "all guys were evil" and so resorting to women—it's a matter of bonafide, biological sexual attraction.

Please do better, Miley.

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Cody Simpson & the Tide have an "Underwater" adventure in Stores

The undercurrent runs strong

The art for the Album Cover is such an amazing piece of artwork, like a drawing that has come to life. Cody Simpson & the Tide have just released "Underwater." Produced by Simpson and Adrian Cota, Cody's latest track fuses catchy, beach-pop hooks, with rock-and-roll sensibility and electric beats. The video's striking, underwater choreography perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a carefree summer. It impacts the senses with such clarity.

We were so excited to have Cody Simpson & The Tide on Popdust Presents, although we didn't know exactly how lucky we were. It was a serious lesson in the way it is supposed to be done! Brent Butler spoke with the band about the Wave One EP and an acoustic performance that blew us away. I was struck by how philosophical Cody's approach to music as he was. It was as serious as it is fun. The songs evoke a different era but through the prism of today. Following a positive attitude, the music reminds me that it's coming from a higher place. These sounds course through my veins as thick as a wave that overwhelms me. An undertow pulling me closer to the music on the beach, near a fire, plenty of drinks and a beat that wags my head.

The band mates we sharing a genuine enthusiasm to each other's energy. It is part of what makes a band different than a solo artist. Like parts in a machine, vital to the other. Cody feels very strongly about establishing the rebrand from him as a solo artist to that of a collective. So it is not just Cody alone. Adrian and Shareef join him, not simply to accompany him, they elevate the music. That chemistry is apparent as soon as you see them live.

Follow Cody Simpson and The Tide onFacebook | Twitter | Instagram

Dan Victor is editor of Popdust and producer of Popdust Presents. He is also a music producer, bassist for Low Profile (live hip hop) & The Coldpress (indie rap) and front-man for Ductape Halo (indie rock). Follow on Youtube.

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