Latest news with #Sidequest
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Calum Hood is fourth 5SOS member to go solo
Don't miss out on the headlines from Music. Followed categories will be added to My News. Calum Hood has 'emphatically' reassured fans of global chart-toppers 5 Seconds of Summer the band is not splitting up. The bassist is the fourth member of the Aussie stream kings to unveil a solo project with his debut album CHAOS order CHAOS released this week. Back home in Sydney for the big reveal, Hood said he understood fans and music industry commentators assumed the raft of solo releases from himself, Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin and Michael Clifford signalled the end of the pop rockers after 15 years. It is incredibly rare for several members of any act to pursue solo careers while their band was still active with The Beatles, Rolling Stones, KISS and Fleetwood Mac among those who flexed their solo muscles as the group continued. Calum Hood was the final member of the group to announce a solo album. Picture: Thomas Lisson 'Emphatically, 5SOS is not over and actually, quite thriving,' Hood said. 'This might be a bit weird to people but we revel in doing things people think we shouldn't do.' Hood said the solo efforts of his bandmates had given him a 'good blueprint for how to do it'. Clifford released his debut solo single Cool in April ahead of the release of his album Sidequest next month while both Hemmings and Irwin have dropped two records each since 2020. It took Hood more than two years to craft the atmospheric, synth-heavy sound for the songs for CHAOS order CHAOS as he battled the inherent anxiety artists suffer when they start a new project. 'You know me, I'm an anxious boy anyway, but I never had that with the band; I was never anxious about releasing 5SOS songs,' he said. Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford and Calum Hood have big plans for the next 5SOS album. Picture: Justin Lloyd His solo songs are mostly of the sad boy variety, dealing heartbreak and the tyranny of distance playing havoc on relationships with family and friends when you are always on the road. One track Dark Circles explores the 'fantasy' of what life would be like if 5SOS didn't exist. 'Obviously it's a question that's coming up a lot with all these solo things happening. Is the band OK?' Hood said. 'The answer is the band is great, but (for that song) it was on my mind that if shit hit the fan, it would be devastating for me. I've spent half my life in the band, it has shaped who I am.' The band's bassist said fans have been shocked by one particular aspect of his solo project as he has travelled the world recently to promote the record. 'There's a big joke amongst the fans that 'Oh, he's actually talking,' which is really funny,' Hood said. 'In the band, I guess I'm the more reserved one but I actually have a f … ing lot to say!' While he has played some acoustic gigs to launch the project, Hood has no plans to go on a world tour, hinting that he is required to get back to his full-time gig with 5SOS. 'It was such a big deal for me just to release this music. When there is another record, if there's space and the time allows and it feels good, then we will see what happens about touring.' Originally published as Calum Hood assures fans 5SOS is 'thriving' as he releases solo record
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform
NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. Fourth Star transforms traditional entertainment, enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies, and redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment. 'Fourth Star is more than a platform - it's a revolution in entertainment,' said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. 'We've created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content, but actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.' A New Era of Interactive Entertainment With the largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie's storyline. 'The combination of VR, AI and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,' said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. 'Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.' Built for Content Partners Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment. Key Features of Fourth Star - VR Streaming Platforms - Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships, all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub. - Social & Customization - Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship. - Player Portal - Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content and invite friends. - Creator Portal - Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. - Blockchain Integration - The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards. FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase apartments, ships, AI companions and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from VIP Access: Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences, with Discounts: 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content. FSTRs are available today on the Probit Global Exchange at A New Paradigm in Entertainment Discover the New Entertainment Frontier, watch a traditional 2D movie and then seamlessly transition into a breathtaking 360-degree, stereoscopic fully gamified interactive scene where the environment comes alive around you. Don't just watch, step into the action and interact with the characters and live the story from a first-person perspective. Transform your entertainment into a fully immersive, gamified adventure. Invite your friends to join you in exploring over thirty environments or relax in your own ship or apartment with hours of immersive entertainment content. Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment, merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering a seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences, with advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters. A thriving community for players, creators, and investors where you don't just watch the star in the movie, you become the star. Availability and Access Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you're an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment, where you don't just watch the star in the movie, you become the star. About Fourth Star Fourth Star is a virtual reality immersive media streaming and gaming metaverse. Established in 2022, work began on platform design and environmental modeling. In 2023, focus turned to closed alpha and beta testing, alongside workshops with content creators. 2024 saw the release of our open beta, as we gathered feedback and introduced creators, while we launched our FSTR, sold ships and apartments, and developed our creator and partner reward systems. In 2025, we'll launch 'Genevieve', an AI-powered comprehensive marketing system, advanced AI tools enabling generation of immersive content and interactive storylines, AI companions, a creator reward system introducing virtual asset rentals, and interactive gamified blockbuster films. Greg Simon
