(RNN) - Pandora, I Heart Radio, Last FM ... and now iRadio?
It appears Apple may be ready to jump into the streaming music game.
iRadio, as it's been dubbed in the press, is rumored to be launched next week, as early as Monday.
iRadio will likely stream music based on artists and songs users like, much like Pandora.
So why do we need another streaming service? Technically, we don't. But iRadio's possible integration to iTunes, allowing users to buy music they like on the spot, could be a huge incentive for record labels to turn over their catalogue.
Apple has reportedly been inking deals with major labels for access to their artists.
And Apple is nothing if not innovative. So whatever the other streaming services bring to the table, you can bet Apple will find a way to stand out.
If iRadio is announced Monday, chances are it won't find its way to consumers until the next iOS launch later in the year.
Stay tuned.
Cassadee Pope releases first post-Voice single
Cassadee Pope, the powerhouse voice who fronted punk pop band Hey Monday before winning the third season of The Voice with her Avril Lavigne/Michelle Branch-tinged vocals, has released her first post-Voice single, Wasting All These Tears.
The country-tinged pop song starts with a soft banjo before launching into her signature anthem-esque soaring chorus.
It's classic grown-up Cassadee, and her Voice fans won't be disappointed.
Daphne Willis co-writes new EP with John Oates
Singer/songwriter Daphne Willis takes the pop genre to a whole new level by cleverly incorporating a hint of blues and soul into her work.
Willis received her first record deal in 2008 and released her first full-length album What to Say in 2010, which was co-produced by Tim Lauer and Grammy winner Gary Paczosa. Her second album, Because I Can, reached the No. 2 spot on iTunes' Top 40 Singer/Songwriter Chart.
She co-wrote a few of the tracks on her latest EP Inside Outright with John Oates of Hall & Oates. If you listen closely, you can hear his influence.
Willis' voice is smoky sweet and her music lively; as a matter of fact, she'd make a good addition to any summer playlist.
You can listen to Inside Outright in its entirety along with tracks from each of her albums on SoundCloud. You can also purchase Inside Outright on her website.
Oh, and did we mention that Willis will write you a personalized song for a price? Yeah, she does that too and personally, we think it's awesome. Check it out.
Jimmy Eat World releases new single
The perennial master of punk earworms sure to put themselves on permanent "repeat" in your mental jukebox, Jimmy Eat World has released a new single and video for I Will Steal You Back.
The song is part of their upcoming album Damage, which drops June 11.
Wanna hear the songs live? Jimmy launches a U.S. summer tour starting June 30 in Pittsburgh. Tour dates can be found at http://jimmyeatworld.com/tour/.
Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez reveal new music
Teen favorites Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez both released new music within hours of one another.
First, Miley Cyrus took to Vevo on Monday to premiere her much-anticipated return with We Can't Stop, the lead single off of her upcoming album.
Hours later, Gomez hosted a chat on her YouTube channel and unveiled details about her upcoming album Stars Dance, as well as new track Slow Down. Stars Dance, Gomez's first solo album, will be released July 23.
To view the live chat, visit Gomez's YouTube page.
After a dismal season, American Idol finds itself starting over
It's been a long and prosperous road, but it looks like the American Idol ship may finally be sinking. The show has lost nearly 10 million viewers since 2010 and this year's drama-filled season couldn't turn things around.
In early May, 12-year veteran Randy Jackson announced he would not be returning for season 13. Then within hours of each other on May 30, both Mariah Carey's publicist PNK BNC and Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to announce their departure from the show.
Carey and Minaj both plan to focus on their music, with Carey preparing to embark on a world tour.
In the midst of all the drama, Carey and Jackson also decided to no longer have a working partnership. Jackson will no longer be co-managing Carey and she instead signed with Red Light, the company who also manages the Dave Matthews Band, Alicia Keys, Ben Harper and Miley Cyrus.
There's no word yet on whether Keith Urban will be leaving or staying.
"I have no official information of anything," Urban told the Associated Press. "I'm pretty much in the same boat as everybody else here with the rumors that have been floating around. I don't know anything more about what's happening next season."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Hudson is in talks to judge season 13. The other judges have yet to be determined.
New Releases
Barenaked Ladies: Grinning Streak - June 4
City and Colour: The Hurry and The Harm - June 4
Lonestar: Life As We Know It - June 4
Harry Connick Jr.: Every Man Should Know - June 4
Ben Folds Five: Live - June 4
John Fogerty: Wrote A Song For Everyone - May 28
Laura Marling: Once I Was An Eagle - May 28
Della Mae: The World Oft Can Be - May 28
Upcoming
Harry Connick Jr.: Every Man Should Know - June 11
Jimmy Eat World: Damage - June 11
Hanson: Anthem - June 18
Stephen Kellogg: Blunderstone Rookery - June 18
And Finally
Kids across the ages have banged on pots, pans, whatever they could find, creating their own homemade drum kit.
For Johnathan Carollo, the instrument of choice is a Super Queen washing machine. He does the work of an entire drumline.
And he's not even 12.
Appliances everywhere may never be the same.
What we're listening to
Delta Rae - If I Loved You
Have a music tip? Drop us a line!
Copyright 2013 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
Apple's streaming music service, dubbed in the press as iRadio, is rumored to be launched next week.
