music posts

Did you dream of being a pop star? Singing with your iPod in front of the mirror or practicing your fave song in the shower?

For this exclusive group of female pop stars, the dream became reality, and led them to the top of the heap of the music industry.

And the best benefit - these ladies are making the big bucks - and are certainly not stressing over paying their credit card bills.

Here's the top 10 women pop stars - and how much came to their bank accounts in 2012.

SLIDESHOW: Divas Who Made the Most Money in 2012

Are you the person who always wanted to be the DJ at the party? The person who had the massive music collection, and who, despite the move from albums, cassettes, CDs and now mp3s, owns all these formats?

But reality bites - this isn't a career. You go to school to learn to become a teacher, to work in business to become a dentist.

You don't go to school to become a DJ do you? That's a part-time job for weddings and parties.

The reality of the 21st century is that a DJ is now a full-time career - one that can put you on the A list and earning $100,000 per gig. According to Forbes.com, the modern-day DJ, one who can command the same kind of money as well-known bands, is big business.

In the past 12 months, reports Forbes, the kings of EDM - electronic dance music - have pulled in US$125 million, thanks to endorsements, merchandise and endless touring.

Unlike their musician counterparts, DJs travel with minimal equipment, a far cry from the touring entourage, and earn more than the 1/3 of gross ticket sales that rock stars typically make on the road.

So who are these spin kings? Click through the slideshow to find out...

SLIDESHOW: How Much Do Top DJs Make?

The Fall season doesn't just mean new clothes and back to school - for many of us its all about the new releases in the movie theatres, bookstores and from our favourite bands.

From September to December, the focus for the entertainment world is getting its biggest and brightest in the stores and on screens - and its a lot of offerings to lure you to spend those hard earned loonies and toonies.

From Hollywood, well-known names such as Spielberg, Burton, Tarantino and the Wachowskis are bringing new films to the big screens, while soon there will be new songs from to be put on the mp3 player from The Killers, Aimee Mann and Dinosaur Jr.

So how to be an entertainment miser with all these new lures?

Music is everywhere and we like it that way. Studies have shown that the majority of people will go to bars and restaurants that play good music and people even expect good music to be piped into their gym. That said, you'd have to have your Discman earbuds stuck into your brain not to realize the music industry has changed: big music retailers are shutting down and that Ikea CD Tower you were once so proud of now looks more like an antique. So what is the future of consuming music and where are the deals?

CLICK BELOW FOR A GUIDE TO DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC

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Summer is the time to have fun with family and friends and to get out and explore.

But summer can be expensive - and for those of us who want to avoid overspending, it's good to remember that having fun doesn't have to cost big bucks.

One of the favourite summertime activities is taking in some live music performances - especially outdoors. There are options to see favourite touring acts as well as annual festivals - but unfortunately both of these are big bucks - so how to find something that fits the budget needs?

It's that time of year, if you don't get out of the house with the kids or at the very least get the kids out of the house you're likely to lose your sanity. I recently did a run-down of kids sports programs and what you get for your money, but not every child is on her way to becoming the next Cassie Campbell. It's important to remember, some kids excel at activities of the mind. (And don't nerds make more money eventually anyway?) So here are some financially viable options to consider to keep your child busy and mentally motivated this winter.

Art classes
If you want a fun math problem, add up the cost of playdough, paints, markers, crayons, crate paper and easels that have passed through your rec room. Multiply this by the cost of carpet cleanings.
Cheaper and less frustrating are art classes at your local gallery. Here your pint-sized Picasso will have the artistic freedom to pursue his life's work surrounded by somebody else's white walls. In most art classes offered your child will at the very least get to experiment with painting and drawing. In some sessions, sculpting and printmaking are offered.
Weekend classes range from about $100 - $180 for four weeks depending on the gallery, which means paint on the canvas is a lot less than re-painting your kitchen.
Rating: Not Bad but be sure your minuscule Monet knows that what happens at the gallery stays at the gallery.

Dose.ca and The National Post are offering up a free 15-song new music download just in time for back to school.

There are a few bands in this mix that have been garnering a lot of buzz, including Crystal Castles, Tokyo Police Club and Arcade Fire, so it may be a good one. The download is available until October 31, 2010.

To download the playlist, click here.

And while you're at it, check out these other free music downloads I've blogged about in the past.

It's time to refresh your summer playlist - after all, one can only listen to "Cruel Summer" so many times.

A couple of months ago I blogged about a free iTunes mix from Starbucks (which is still available, by the way). Now you can top that up with this free 10-song sampler playlist offered by the Vans Warped Tour.

All you have to do is click the iTunes icon, enter your password and the mix will begin downloading.

The Warped Tour is taking place this summer between June 25 and August 15.