News

FEATURING COVERS OF SONGS BY TAYLOR SWIFT, R.E.M., PAVEMENT, SLOWDIVE AND SHERYL CROW

PLUS KARAOKE VERSIONS OF CATALOGUE-SPANNING SINGLES, VISUALIZERS AND MORE

TORONTO, ON – September 22, 2023 – Soccer Mommy – Nashville-based artist Sophie Allison – releases her Karaoke Night EP today, a collection of genre-spanning covers of songs from some of her favourite artists. Out now via Loma Vista, Karaoke Night features covers of songs by Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, R.E.M., Pavement, and Slowdive. 
 
Allison has cited both Crow and Swift as early influences, is a long-time fan of R.E.M., and has toured with both Pavement and Slowdive. Soccer Mommy opened for Stephen Malkmus on tour in 2018, and appeared at the Pavement Museum in 2022, where she performed alongside Snail Mail, Bully and Speedy Ortiz. Following her opening slot for Slowdive in 2017, Soccer Mommy’s acoustic cover of Dagger has been a staple of the band’s live performance.
 
“All the covers on Karaoke Night are from artists that have inspired me throughout my life,” says Allison. “I find that each of these songs has a different reason for appealing to me - and that’s what made it so fun getting to record them. I wanted to make these songs my own while also staying true to what originally drew me to them.”
 
Download, stream or purchase the EP here, watch visualizers out for all five of the covers here and listen to Dagger here.
 
To accompany the EP, Soccer Mommy is also releasing karaoke versions of some of her greatest hits. The Soccer Mommy Super Hits Party Pack features singles from all three of her full-length records, including Your Dog and Scorpio Rising from Clean, Circle The Drain and Yellow Is The Color Of Her Eyes from color theory, Shotgun and Feel It All The Time from Sometimes, Forever, and more. Grab your friends – and your pink limited edition Soccer Mommy karaoke mic – and get ready to sing “I’M JUST A VICTIM OF CHANGING PLANETS / MY SCORPIO RISING AND MY PARENTS” at the top of your lungs.
 
Soccer Mommy’s touring continues this fall and winter – see below to find a show near you, and get your tickets here. For a taste of what to expect, watch the band’s career-spanning NPR Tiny Desk performance from earlier this year here, or watch Soccer Mommy perform Shotgun and Feel It All The Time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! here.
 
KARAOKE NIGHT TRACKLIST:
1. Here (Pavement Cover)
2. Soak Up The Sun (Sheryl Crow Cover)
3. Dagger (Slowdive Cover)
4. I'm Only Me When I'm With You (Taylor Swift Cover)
5. Losing My Religion (R.E.M. Cover)
 
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
9/23 Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena #
9/24 Glasgow, UK @ Ovo Hydro Arena #
9/26 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
9/27 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
10/28 Nashville, TN @ Halloween Bash at Eastside Bowl^
11/4 Pensacola, FL @ Night Moves Fest
11/17 Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital
12/3 São Paulo, BR @ Primavera Sound
12/7 Asunción, PY @ Primavera Sound
12/9 Bogotá, CO @ Primavera Sound

# = with The National
^ with support from Avey Tare and Total Wife

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – Karaoke Night cover artwork

ABOUT SOCCER MOMMY AND SOMETIMES, FOREVER:
Sometimes, Forever was named one of the best albums of 2023 but the likes of The New York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vulture, Associated Press, Billboard, Stereogum, The A.V. Club, FLOOD, Paste, Uproxx, and more, with, Shotgun named one of the top songs of 2023 by The Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, NPR, Gorilla vs. Bear, Pitchfork, Consequence, Vulture, NYLON, Billboard and more. Sometimes, Forever debuted on the Billboard charts, taking the #1 slot for Heatseakers, Top New Artist and Alternative New Artist, debuting in the Top 200, and many more. She performed on both The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2022, completed a largely sold-out international headline tour, and performed an intimate show at the GRAMMY Museum alongside a Q&A hosted by The Los Angeles Times’ Mikael Wood. Following the album release, Soccer Mommy has since hosted Roblox’s most successful Listening Party to date with 10.8 million unique visitors, and she has also shared incredible alt-versions of Shotgun by Magdalena Bay, a slowed and reverbed edit, as well as a Simlish version, available now within The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack. Soccer Mommy also collaborated with Brain Dead on a limited edition t-shirt, which can be purchased here.
 
Sometimes, Forever is Soccer Mommy’s boldest and most aesthetically adventurous work yet, and it cements Sophie Allison’s status as one of the most gifted songwriters making rock music right now. The album sees Allison once again tapping into the turn-of-the-millennium sensibilities she’s known for, as she advances her self-made sonic world beyond the present and into the future with experimental-minded production, an expanded moodboard of vintage touchstones, and some of her most sophisticated songwriting to date. Inspired by the concept that neither sorrow nor happiness is permanent, Sometimes, Forever is a fresh peek into the mind of an artist who synthesizes everything — retro sounds, personal tumult, the relatable disorder of modern life — into original music that feels built to last a long time. Maybe even forever.

Praise for Soccer Mommy & Sometimes, Forever: 
 
"Sophie Allison finds new sonic frontiers...Throughout the album, Soccer Mommy staves off despair with musical craftsmanship" - The New York Times (Critic's Pick)
 
"Throughout Sometimes, Forever, [Allison] and Lopatin expand on the ’90s palette that has characterized previous Soccer Mommy releases. Bolstering the lingering imprints of Liz Phair, Sheryl Crow, and Sleater-Kinney is a healthy dose of Loveless worship: glide guitars and tendrils of haze." - Pitchfork (8/10)
 
“[Sometimes, Forever] is Soccer Mommy’s gnarliest and most resplendent, fashioning poppy melodies, disarming lyrics, and twisted sounds into dismayed songs of young adulthood.” - The New Yorker
 
"The singer/songwriter's vulnerability resulted in two critically acclaimed releases — 2018's Clean and 2020's Color Theory — though Allison's latest may be her most exciting yet." - GRAMMY.com
 
“You get some Pixies, you get some Nirvana, you get a little bit of Nine Inch Nails, and Portishead here and there. It’s just interesting how much music is reflected on this record while still sounding very current…she is just really good at mining those influences and making it sound extremely of the moment.” - NPR Music
 
“Sophie Allison’s emotive rock acquires new dynamism” - Wall Street Journal
 
"Soccer Mommy deepens her indie-rock brilliance on ‘Sometimes, Forever’...[and] proves herself to be one of the sharpest songwriters around" - Rolling Stone
 
"Allison has made a bold move that paid off better than we’d ever have expected."
- Variety
 
"Sometimes, Forever’s marriage of Allison’s lyrical prowess and OPN’s stark, synth-driven sonics makes it by far the darkest and most compelling offering from Soccer Mommy yet." - Billboard
 
""by far the band’s most sophisticated and adventurous body of work to date. Allison’s inner turmoil has never sounded so spectacular — or so well-rounded."
- Stereogum (Album of the Week)
 
"sharp indie rock" - Vulture

"one of Gen Z’s brightest voices" - Associated Press

LONG INSPIRED BY YOUNG, WHITE RELEASES
HER REIMAGINED VERSION OF THE SINGLE TODAY
LISTEN HERE
 
WHITE CONTINUES HER RUN OF DIRECT SUPPORT SLOTS
OPENING FOR BAND OF HORSES, JOHN CRAIGIE, AND ASHLEY MCBRYDE IN SUPPORT OF HER
RECENTLY RELEASED ALBUM AMONG OTHER THINGS
 
CANADIAN DATES IN VANCOUVER AND TORONTO

TORONTO, ON – September 21, 2023 – Today, breakout singer/songwriter, Bella White, releases a reimagined version of Neil Young’s Unknown Legend from his classic 1992 album, Harvest Moon, available via all DSPs. Listen to the track here.

Long inspired by the legendary artist, White and producer, Jonathan Wilson, collaborated closely on the arrangement, combining White’s unique vocals with fiddle, piano, organ, and guitars to transform the song into her own. In addition to producing the track, Wilson contributed drums, percussion, resophonic guitar, electric guitar, and B-Bender. White was also joined for the session by Drew Erickson (piano, Hammond organ, and string arrangements), Buck Meek (electric guitar, nylon guitar), Patrick M’Gonigle (fiddle, violin, tenor guitar), Gabe Noel (acoustic bass, Ampeg baby bass, and baritone guitar), and Omar Velasco (nylon acoustic guitar).

White shared the process of creating the record, which she notes was initially recorded “on a whim,” and added, “Throughout the process of making Among Other Things, we listened to so much Neil Young and Emmylou Harris. It was one of the last days in the studio, and we were sitting around hanging out, and I was strumming that classic guitar line. Jonathan Wilson had the idea to cut the song, and I was overjoyed. Unknown Legend has always been an all-time favourite of mine. The imagery and mood that it creates is so melancholy and wistful. Plus, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing a few unknown legends myself.”

White’s sophomore album, Among Other Things, was warmly received by critics upon its release in April of this year. Writing in AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted, “As she opens her heart and chases her thoughts, White writes and performs with a guileless empathy, a quality that gives Among Other Things a raw intimacy even in its quietest moments.” Holler’s Jof Owen observed that White is “capable of wringing meaning from the tiniest of details and magnifying them until you can see yourself reflected within,” while Jezebel’s Sarah Rense marveled, “Her lyrics are wise beyond her years—she’s 22, good lord—as is the warble in her voice.”

In October, White will embark on the next leg of tour, which includes support slots for Band of Horses, John Craigie, and Ashley McBryde. A full list of confirmed shows is below, including Canadian dates in Vancouver and Toronto.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
9/23 Boats & Bluegrass, Winona, MN
10/1 Avondale Brewing Company, Birmingham, AL*
10/3 The Ritz Ybor, Tampa, FL*
10/4 Revolution Live, Fort Lauderdale, FL*
10/6 House of Blues, Orlando, FL*
10/9 The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD*
10/10 Roxian Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA*
10/11 Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI*
10/13 The Salt Shed. Chicago, IL*
10/15 The Ritz, Raleigh, NC*
10/17 The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte, NC*
10/19 The Mill & Mine, Knoxville, TN*
10/20 Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville, NC*
11/4 Moab Folk Festival, Moab, UT#
11/6 Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, CA#
11/8 Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA#
11/9 El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA#
11/10 Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA#
11/13 Ashland Armory, Ashland, OR#
11/15 Hollywood Theatre, Vancouver, BC#
11/16 Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA#
11/17 Revolution Hall, Portland, OR#
12/1 Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Ontario**
12/2 The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, OH**
12/8 Webster Hall, New York, NY**
12/9 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA**
12/10 Bella Whitem Keswick Theater, Glenside, PA**

* supporting Band of Horses
# supporting John Craigie
**supporting Ashley McBryde

DOWNLOAD - single artwork
DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – album artwork

LISTEN HERE

FROM UPCOMING ALBUM HIGHWAY RESTAURANT
SET FOR RELEASE ON OCTOBER 27
VIA LISBON LUX RECORDS

TORONTO, ON – September 20, 2023 – Today, Montreal indie-pop singer, songwriter and producer, Ormiston, reveals Cherry Picker, the new single from his forthcoming new album, Highway Restaurant, which is set for release on October 27 via Lisbon Lux Records. A deeply moody track for fans of Men I Trust and Munya, Cherry Picker perfectly embodies the feeling of cruising around a strange city at night, while knowing there are going to be some eventful twists and turns. Listen here and pre-save Highway Restaurant here. 

Cherry Picker serves as the third offering from Ormiston's new album, following the previously released singles Lose Yourself - a sunny and relaxed track highlighted by 80s synth and guitar - and the pristine, emotional indie song, Distortion of Reality. Inspired by an old acquaintance that always left Ormiston “starry-eyed”, Cherry Picker sees the artist flowing through traffic on a moody night in a strange city. Being guided through the unknown, during an eventful night, with only his engaging beats and the city lights. 

With +400k streams, Ormiston - the solo project of Nicola Ormiston - creates sunny and relaxed music, full of light and engaging indie pop rhythms. Falling somewhere indie pop, chillwave and yacht rock, listeners will hear influences of Toro Y Moi, MGMT as well as an electro-disco touch.

In 2020, Ormiston signed with Canadian label, Lisbon Lux Records, and released his debut album, Hammer Down (2021). Cinematic and full of groove, the album explores love stories and failed relationships on optimistic indie-pop. The opus was well received by the public and the song, Time Fades, was also featured in Pete Davidson's latest film, Meet Cute.

DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD - Highway Restaurant artwork

MORE ABOUT ORMISTON:
Born into a bilingual Montreal family, Ormiston was raised around female musicians and grew up with a strong sense of melody. After  mixing and producing some tracks for Milk & Bone, Heartstreets, Misage and Freida Mari, he released in 2013 the song Typically Her (under the name Beverlay) that ended up being remixed by Kaytranada, helping it reach more than three million streams worldwide. In 2020, he signed with Canadian label Lisbon Lux Records. On stage, his piercing voice is supported by his three outstanding musicians. He offers a lively and touching show that irresistibly invites you to dance.   

CO-HEADLINING TOUR WITH KEN YATES
KICKS OFF OCTOBER 15 IN WINNIPEG

NEW ALBUM ROSES OUT NOW

“With folk tunes that will squeeze your heart, Kelly is bound to become an artist that will have you falling in love with her songs.” – eTalk

TORONTO, ON – September 20, 2023 – After a month-long residency at Toronto's Cameron House in July, acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jadea Kelly, is thrilled to be coming back home to Canada this fall for a run of tour dates across the western provinces next month! Kicking off on October 15 in Winnipeg, the co-headline tour with award-winning musician, Ken Yates, will see the pair hit stages in Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton, before wrapping in Calgary on October 22. See below for full details and find tickets here. 

"I'm looking forward to finally re visiting Western Canada alongside Ken Yates, after a long pandemic pause," says Jadea. "Some of my favourite touring memories occurred in AB, SK and MB. Some of my favourite songwriters live here as well. It's time to reunite and rock!"

Described by CBC as “one of the shining jewels in the crown of Canadian songwriters” (Tom Power, CBC) Jadea Kelly spends her time writing and living between rural Ontario Canada and Los Angeles CA. She has co-written and toured (as opener and backing vocalist) with the likes of Justin Rutledge, Whitehorse, Judy Collins, Catherine MacLellan, Royal Wood, Kelly Prescott, Sweet Alibi, Peter Katz, The Digging Roots, Leela Gilday and Joey Landreth. She has also performed and showcased her music across Canada, The United States and Europe, performing at the likes of Americana Fest (Nashville TN), Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo, Metal Toronto and Peterborough Folk Festival. Despite her Americana influence, she is also the featured vocalist with JUNO award winning metal group Protest the Hero (Kezia, Scurrilous and Volition).

Jadea's fourth studio album, Roses, was released in March 2022 and has been warmly embraced by fans, with over two million streams across all platforms. The record made its way on to the cover of Spotify’s Renegade Folk playlist, and the heartwarming single, Any Old Boat, has seen over one million streams to-date.

UPCOMING CANADIAN TOUR DATES:
October 15 - Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre
October 17 - Saskatoon, SK - The Bassment
October 18 - Regina, SK - The Artesian
October 19 - Calgary, AB - Private House Concert
October 20 - Medicine Hat, AB - Medicine Hat Folk Club
October 21 - Edmonton, AB - The Aviary (w/ The Good Lovelies, matinee + evening)
October 22 - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood (matinee)

DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – tour poster

MORE ABOUT JADEA KELLY
In 2016 Jadea was awarded Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for her 2016 release Love & Lust. Its featured single Beauty was placed on the Lifetime Network feature No One Would Tell and the 2017 CBC Rio Paralympics, a viral opening montage portraying the life and struggle of Terry Fox. Her most recent EP (MWI / 2019) received Best Score & Music accolades from the Hollywood Independent Documentary Awards. MWI is the official soundtrack for Met While Incarcerated the Film, which aired on the Documentary Channel and CBC in March 2019.
 
She spearheaded the 2018 collective, Canada Covers Tom Petty, featuring an impressive collection of tributes from Matt Mays, Terra Lightfoot, Dwayne Gretsky, Molly Brown and the Redhill Valleys. She also hosts a semi-annual Canadian songwriter showcase in Los Angeles through the celebrated Hotel Café, Monday Monday, concert series.
 
Following a pandemic pause, Jadea returned triumphantly in 2022 with her long-awaited fourth studio album – Roses (released March 4 on Darth Jadea Music / Tonetree). The album was produced by a collection of artists, including Aaron Goldstein (Matt Mays / Daniel Romano), Joel Schwartz (Dionne Taylor), Rich Jacques (Lisa Loeb), Joe Moralez (Skyler Day) and Tim Abraham (Royal Wood).
 
“I ended up tracking a majority of the album in Toronto with my Canadian friends and bandmates, in person and virtually. It felt full circle to record in Canada after 4 exploratory years in the US. I love California with all my heart. It is my new found home and has provided a playground to rediscover my confidence, my freedom, my voice and a collection of songs that truly reflects my journey to health.
 
I composed these songs between Ontario Canada, Nashville TN and Los Angeles CA over the past four years. A massive musical delay and musical pause but a necessary one. Life, happiness and health came first. Including the pandemic. Feeding money and time into artistic pursuits can often feel like feeding coins into a broken parking metre. I hold so many incredible musical memories in my heart but it also took its toll. I therefore took my time with these songs, the production and processing of the emotions. Roses was a complete joy to compose and truly reflects my journey to a conscious and balanced state. To me, Los Angeles is a gift I gave myself. It was a blank slate to finally confront my emotional, physical and financial health. The result is Roses. The result is abundance and joy. I’m holding the light up now, and roses are falling all around.”

ABOUT KEN YATES
Ken Yates is originally from London, Ontario and studied at the Berklee College of Music. He released The Backseat EP in 2011, and followed up with his full-length debut, twenty-three, in 2013. He won the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award in 2014 for his song The One That Got Away. Since then he has released two more award-winning albums, including his most recent, Cerulean (2023), which features guest appearances from Kathleen Edwards and Katie Pruitt. He won two Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2017, and supported Passenger on both the European and North American legs of his 2019 tour.

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

ACCLAIMED JAZZ AND HIP-HOP COLLECTIVE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM SOLAR MUSIC OCTOBER 6 VIA CONCORD JAZZ

PRE-ORDER HERE

"A spirit of generous communion runs through 'Solar Music'" 
- The New York Times

TORONTO, ON – September 19, 2023 – Today, critically acclaimed jazz and hip-hop fusionists, Butcher Brown, share Eye Never Knew, featuring genre-agnostic artist, Pink Siifu, and world-class trumpeter, Keyon Harrold, the latest single from the group’s forthcoming album, Solar Music, out October 6 via Concord Jazz. The album includes previously released singles, DYKWYD featuring Braxton Cook, This Side Of Sunshine, and I Can Say To You, which has seen support across BBC Radio from the likes of Benji B, Gilles Peterson and Huey Morgan. Listen here and watch here. Pre-order Solar Music here.
 
Eye Never Knew, collides two of the musical pedigrees that have been central to the band's core since its inception. The song brings the forward-thinking and inventive delivery of hip-hop/soul/punk polymath, Pink Siifu, and pairs it with Butcher Brown's masterclass of jazz instrumentation. With accents from accomplished trumpeter Keyon Harrold, the result is a sonic collage that creates one of Butcher Brown's most memorable and experimental collaborations to date.
 
The song enlists Keyon Harrold, who contributed all trumpet playing in the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, and has worked with the likes of Diana Ross, Nas, D'Angelo, and many more. Additionally with Pink Siifu, whose 2021 Gumbo! album was praised by Pitchfork, they collectively curate an other-worldly ambiance while maintaining their own signature sounds. Separate from Eye Never Knew, Butcher Brown and Pink Siifu also share a number of critically acclaimed collaborations, one of which being Siifu's B.Cool-Aid Album with Ahwlee, Leather Blvd., which was released earlier this year.
 
Described by Butcher Brown bandmates as “having something for just about everybody under the sun,” Solar Music collectively demonstrates the band's dynamic approach to the jazz format and incorporates their own rich lineage of musical influences from their upbringing in Richmond – fusing elements of soul, funk, rock, and hip-hop, into a universal sound. Releasing digitally, on CD and double LP at 45 RPM, the new album incorporates longtime friends and new unexpected guests into their approach, with additional appearances by Charlie Hunter, Jay Prince, Nappy Nina, Braxton Cook and Michael Millions throughout its 17 tracks. Exclusive Solar Music limited edition Solar Red vinyl, signed CDs/vinyl and merchandise are all available here.  
 
Butcher Brown will perform an extensive 2023 Solar Music Global Tour, with dates across the U.S. and Europe throughout the Fall in support of the new album. The tour heads to 13 states and seven countries and will feature domestic appearances from California to Washington, D.C., including performances at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City October 18, NPR’s World Cafe Live October 21, and a hometown show November 24 at the Broadberry in Richmond, Virginia. In between their North American runs, Butcher Brown will bring their infectious live performances to six countries across Europe including shows at The Forge in London November 6, Zenner in Berlin alongside B. Cool-Aid November 8, and Le Trabendo in Paris November 15.
 
To learn more about Butcher Brown, read the full bio here, or watch their 2021 NPR Tiny Desk (Home) performance. Listen to Eye Never Knew featuring Pink Siifu and Keyon Harrold and pre-order/ pre-save Solar Music above, and stay tuned for more new music from Butcher Brown coming soon.

BUTCHER BROWN 2023 SOLAR MUSIC GLOBAL TOUR DATES:
September 22 - Harrisonburg, VA @ James Madison University
October 12 - Reno, NV @ University of Nevada
October 17 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
October 18 - New York, NY @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
October 20 - Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern Café and Music Hall
October 21 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live (upstairs)
October 22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
October 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Dakota
October 25 - Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
October 26 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
October 27 - Indianapolis, IN @ Jazz Kitchen
November 4 - Eindhoven, NL @ So What’s Next?
November 6 - London, UK @ The Forge
November 7 - Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
November 8 - Berlin, DE @ J.A.W. (Zenner)
November 9 - Mannheim, DE @ Alte Feuerwache
November 10 - Técou, FR @ Coco Jazz
November 11 - Groningen, NL @ Rockit
November 12 - Rotterdam, NL @ Rooterdam / Bird
November 13 - Amsterdam, NL @ Bimhuis
November 14 - Charloeroi, BE @ Palais des Beaux Arts
November 15 - Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo
November 18 - Eilat, IL @ Red Sea Jazz Festival
November 24 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
November 25 - Washington, DC @ Atlantis
December 5 - Seattle, WA @ Madame Lou’s
December 6 - Portland, OR @ The Get Down
December 7 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
December 8 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Kuumbwa
December 9 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
December 10 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues - Voodoo Room

DOWNLOAD – album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

THE LEGENDARY ALT-ROCKERS’ BESTSELLING ALBUM INCLUDES
THE UK TOP 10 HIT DAYSLEEPER PLUS FAVOURITES LOTUS, SUSPICION AND AT MY MOST BEAUTIFUL
 
NEWLY REMASTERED AND EXPANDED, THE REISSUE FEATURES
A NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD 11-SONG SET FROM R.E.M.’S 1999 
PARTY OF FIVE TAPING
 
A DELUXE 2-CD/1 BLU-RAY OFFERS EXPANSIVE LINER NOTES
INCLUDING NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE BAND,
HD-RESTORED MUSIC VIDEOS, PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE
FROM THE ERA, AND MORE
 
ALSO AVAILABLE ON 2-CD, 2-LP AND DIGITAL FORMATS
 
LISTEN TO THE PREVIOUSLY-UNRELEASED
DAYSLEEPER (PARTY OF FIVE RECORDING) HERE

TORONTO, ON – September 19, 2023 – Craft Recordings celebrates the 25^th anniversary of R.E.M.’s bestselling 11^th studio album, Up, with a series of expanded and remastered reissues, all of which are available for pre-order today and set for release on November 10.
 
Created in partnership with the band, the Deluxe two-CD/one Blu-Ray edition offers a wealth of material for fans, including the band’s previously unreleased set from their guest appearance on the hit TV series, Party of Five. Captured in 1999, the performance includes an 11-song setlist (including enduring hits like Man on the Moon, Losing My Religion, and It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)), plus a spoken-word introduction. The accompanying Blu-ray features HD music videos from the 1998 album (Daysleeper, Lotus, At My Most Beautiful), a six-song performance from the era (titled Uptake), recorded in a London studio, the album’s original EPK, plus stunning hi-resolution and 5.1 surround sound audio. Housed in a 32-page hardcover book, the collection also includes new liner notes from journalist and Talkhouse Executive Editor, Josh Modell (A.V. Club, SPIN, Rolling Stone, Vulture), featuring new interviews with the band members. 
 
The expanded reissue, which features the album, plus the Party of Five performance in its entirety, can also be found on two-CD, digital, and hi-res configurations, while the 14-track, two-LP album will be reissued on 180-gram vinyl. A limited-edition pressing on Green Marble vinyl is also available exclusively at R.E.M.’s official store along with special Up merchandise. All reissue formats feature newly remastered audio by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering.
 
Available to stream today is the remastered version of Daysleeper, as well as the band’s never-before-released performance of the song from the Party of Five taping. Listen here. R.E.M.’s appearance on the teen drama (which launched the careers of Matthew Fox and Neve Campbell, among others) remains a fond memory. “The intersection of visual and musical art is always interesting, so it was cool to be a part of TV,” recalls bassist, Mike Mills. 
 
The intimate concert, recorded at Los Angeles’ Palace Theatre, was populated by R.E.M. fan club members and served as an opportunity for the band to rehearse their latest material – plus beloved hits – ahead of touring. “There are dozens of great R.E.M. live sets out there, but nothing quite like this up-close oddity,” writes Josh Modell. “Loose and happy, the band runs through a good chunk of Up in front of a small crowd… Stipe is chatty, telling stories about accidentally ripping off Billy Corgan (and telling Corgan about it), playing with the Human League on a funny stage at that very venue, and more.” 
 
Read the full Up bio here.
 
UP 25^TH ANNIVERSARY TRACKLISTS:
 
Deluxe Edition (2-CD/1-Blu-Ray):
Disc 1 – Up (remastered audio)
Airportman
Lotus
Suspicion
Hope
At My Most Beautiful
The Apologist
Sad Professor
You’re In The Air
Walk Unafraid
Why Not Smile
Daysleeper
Diminished
Parakeet
Falls To Climb
Disc 2 – Party of Five Recording 
Introduction
What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
Lotus
Daysleeper
Country Feedback
Walk Unafraid
Losing My Religion
Parakeet
The Apologist
Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
I’m Not Over You
Man On The Moon
Disc 3 - Blu-ray   
Up – 5.1 Surround Sound
Up – Hi-Resolution Audio
This Way Up (press kit)
Uptake (six-song performance)
Daysleeper (music video)
Lotus (music video)
At My Most Beautiful (music video)
  
Expanded Edition (2-CD/Digital):
Disc 1 – Up (remastered audio)
Airportman
Lotus
Suspicion
Hope
At My Most Beautiful
The Apologist
Sad Professor
You’re In The Air
Walk Unafraid
Why Not Smile
Daysleeper
Diminished
Parakeet
Falls To Climb
Disc 2 – Party of Five Recording 
Introduction
What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
Lotus
Daysleeper
Country Feedback
Walk Unafraid
Losing My Religion
Parakeet
The Apologist
Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
I’m Not Over You
Man On The Moon
 
Up (2-LP Remastered Vinyl)
Side A
Airportman
Lotus
Suspicion
Side B
Hope
At My Most Beautiful
The Apologist
Sad Professor
Side C
You’re In The Air
Walk Unafraid
Why Not Smile
Daysleeper
Side D
Diminished
Parakeet
Falls To Climb

DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – Up album artwork

ABOUT R.E.M.:
Having established a powerful legacy as one of the most enduring and essential rock bands in popular music history, R.E.M. pioneered the alt-rock movement of the ’90s, influencing the likes of Radiohead, Nirvana, Pavement, and Pearl Jam. Formed in 1980, the group enjoyed an extraordinary three-decade-long run of creative vitality and multi-platinum sales before amicably disbanding in 2011. Despite great success, the band members never lost track of their core values—remaining outspoken in their views about political, social, and environmental issues, and never wavering when it came to artistic integrity. Throughout the course of their career together, R.E.M. released a total of 15 studio albums, won three GRAMMY® Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

DATES IN MONTREAL AND TORONTO NEXT WEEK

WATCH THE DREAMS VIDEO HERE
 
NEW EP THE HALF WE STILL HAVE OUT NOW
ON FANTASY RECORDS

"Striking... Poignant" - NPR
 
“Rachel Bobbitt is back with another stomach-jilting piece of
bedroom alt-pop perfection.” - Paste
 
"Rachel Bobbitt’s tender, shimmering voice has the capacity to carry a massive weight of emotion — a weapon she wields very carefully." - Consequence
 
"'The Ceiling Demos' offers fans of Bobbitt and newcomers to her music alike an intimate view into her process" - The FADER
 
"She wrote one of my favourite songs of 2022 with 'More from her last EP, The Ceiling Could Collapse, and her latest four-track collection is somehow an even more cohesive, pristine distillation of her sun-bleached syntax."
- Exclaim

TORONTO, ON - September 15, 2023 - Emerging Toronto-based artist, Rachel Bobbitt, released her remarkable new EP, The Half We Still Have, via Fantasy Records last month. Tonight, she kicks off her tour with Jesse Jo Stark in support of the release, and to mark the occasion she shares a gorgeous cover of The Cranberries’ classic, Dreams.
 
Of the cover, Bobbitt says: “I’ve wanted to cover Dreams for quite some time now. When I first made the demo, it was 2020 and I was staying at my parent’s place in Nova Scotia. The feeling of that slow summer surrounded by the rural landscapes of the valley worked its way into the track- I wanted it to feel like laying out in the sun with friends or a book. Stacks of vocal harmonies and a Twin Peaks inspired lead guitar remained for the final version, and I’m so excited to have been able to interpret such a beautiful song.” Listen to Dreams here and watch the video here.
 
The Half We Still Have is a series of sharp and incisive character studies, told with unflinching honesty, piercing intuition, and fearless self-reflection. “I wanted these songs to reflect the intense dynamics that take shape in relationships,” Bobbitt explains. “I’ve found in some relationships, you give and give, only to eventually lose yourself in the process. In those moments where we feel abandoned and hollow, a small sliver remains intact, preserved, and personal.” 
 
The EP’s singles Two Bit, which Paste called “another stomach-jilting piece of bedroom alt-pop perfection,” and Clay Feet, which saw support from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and more, perfectly encapsulates Rachel’s remarkable gift for expressing universal truths in the tiniest of details. Listen and/or purchase The Half We Still Have here. 
 
Produced and mixed by Jorge Elbrecht (Sky Ferreira, Japanese Breakfast) at 80A Studios in Toronto, The Half We Still Have is a searing, empathetic work of musical non-fiction, and just the beginning of an immensely bright future to come.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
September 15 - Somerville, MA @ Crystal Ballroom *
September 16 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground *
September 23 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz *
September 24 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground *
September 25 - Detroit, MI @ Loving Touch *
September 26 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *
September 28 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *
September 29 - St Paul, MN @ Turf Club *
September 30 - Milwaukee, MN @ Back Room at Colectivo *
October 1 - St Louis, MI @ Blueberry Hill *
October 3 - Kansas City, MO @ recordBar *
October 5 - Denver, CO @ Meow Wolf *
October 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
* supporting Jesse Jo Stark

MORE ABOUT RACHEL BOBBITT AND THE HALF WE STILL HAVE:
Rachel Bobbitt (vocals/guitar) is joined on The Half We Still Have by close musical partner, Justice Der (guitar/e-bow), Stephen Bennett (drums/percussion), Isaac Teague (bass), Sam Laramee (synth) along with Alex George (strings). The band’s tight-knit cohesion, combined with Elbrecht’s visionary production, helps give Rachel’s expansive bedroom, art-pop compositions their shimmering toughness. 
 
Previous EP, The Ceiling Could Collapse, and now The Half We Still Have showcase strong songwriting prowess, a skill that Bobbitt has been honing for a long time. She made a name for herself on Vine as a teenager, uploading covers of pop hits and all-time classics to the now-defunct social media site. As her profile rose, Bobbitt found herself overwhelmed rather than inspired. “It was exciting to be doing what I loved, but it was difficult to be observed by that many people at that age where I simultaneously wanted to just shut myself in,” she says. “I’m grateful it ended when it did, because it gave me time to step back and think about what I wanted to create for myself.” She soon found herself at a jazz program, before leaving it during the pandemic to focus on her own music. 
 
“Most of the moments I have had in my life that felt right, like they made sense, have been a result of human connection,” Rachel concludes. “It can be so beautiful, and it can also be desperate and damaging. I have had connections in my life that made me question the fundamentals of my character, and unfortunately, I don’t think that is uncommon. But throughout every complicated, demoralizing, or harmful relationship, there has always been that slice of myself that remained mine, even when I didn’t feel it. The Half We Still Have centres around that small piece, and the connections that threaten it.”

SHARES VIDEO FOR NEW SONG YES – WATCH HERE
 
DEFINITIVE EDITION OF THE ACCLAIMED ALBUM INCLUDES FOUR ADDITIONAL SONGS ON DIGITAL
+ THREE ADDITIONAL SONGS ON CD AND VINYL
 
STREAM / PURCHASE MICHAEL DELUXE HERE

“A complex portrait of Southern Black masculinity” - NEW YORK TIMES
 
"If Killer Mike is an undefeated superhero, Michael Render
is an unshakable man." – EXCLAIM!
 
“Killer Mike’s position as one of the great and yet underrated rappers and lyricists of his time is affirmed.”  - SPIN
 
“MICHAEL is worth the wait: a soul-baring collection of deeply personal songwriting that nevertheless contains the kind of bars-on-bars rapping that RTJ fans have come to love.” - CONSEQUENCE
 
“One of the most heartfelt and serious albums in his discography” - FLOOD

 “One of the year’s best albums” - BET
 
“The influence of the South’s church-steeped culture undergirds Mike’s tearful reflections and assertive remonstrations as he recounts his evolution from nihilistic drug dealer to community leader and unofficial poet laureate of Atlanta.” - UPROXX 
 
“Michael reminds us that, Jewels or no Jewels, Killer Mike is a bona fide star, a man who spent years tirelessly making music on his own terms until the world was finally ready to come to him.” - SLATE
 
“Michael is a standout release in Killer Mike’s already impressive oeuvre.”
- HOT NEW HIP HOP
 
“Michael is an admirable body of work that serves as a reminder that Killer Mike is a preternatural mic controller that’s fully in tune with where he’s come from and the man he’s become after being molded by the fires of life.” - VIBE

TORONTO, ON – September 15, 2023 – Killer Mike has just released the definitive version of his acclaimed 2023 album, MICHAEL DELUXE, on 2xLP vinyl, CD, and digital. The album – now expanded to 17 tracks on the physical editions and 18 tracks digitally – arrives alongside a video for the new song, YES. The album details were announced last week with the release of Maynard Vignette, a huge multi-generational Atlanta anthem with features from T.I., JID, and Jacquees, with Mike explaining that “MICHAEL was originally longer and now we’re starting to release the rest of it. These songs are some of my favourites from the album sessions, but we needed more time to get them the way we imagined them. We finished three of them in time to make the vinyl and one more for the digital.”
 
Killer Mike hosted a global album celebration party for his fans on his YouTube channel last night on the eve of the release, where he premiered WHAT MADE MICHAEL (A Conversation with Elliott Wilson), a mini-doc where he breaks down his album and gives fans a guided tour of his upbringing in Atlanta, followed by the premiere of the music video for his new single, YES. Mike also joined Anthony Valadez and KCRW for a special evening at Apogee Studio in Los Angeles that aired as a Morning Becomes Eclectic session yesterday to celebrate the release. This Sunday, Mike will host a Record Store Revival at Rough Trade NYC at 4:00 p.m. ET, an in-conversation event moderated by Carrie Colliton (Co-President of Record Store Day), followed by an album signing event for fans in attendance. The conversation from the event will also livestream via his and Rough Trade's YouTube + META platforms, so that his fans around the world can join – tune in here.
 
MICHAEL was executive produced by No ID and released via Loma Vista Recordings, with a roster of features spanning multiple eras of rap, including Andre 3000, Future, Young Thug, Ty Dolla $ign, Curren$y, 6LACK, EL-P, Blxst, Eryn Allen Kane, and more (full tracklist below). The album has been heralded as “a complex portrait of Southern Black masculinity” for its holistic portrayal of Michael’s come up in Atlanta – from his inauspicious start being raised by his Grandmother, to his plainspoken and empathetic detailing of his teenage girlfriend’s unwanted pregnancy, to his years selling drugs to folks with whom he felt a deep human connection, to aspiring to and achieving rap stardom in the face of his own self-doubts. Since its release and subsequent touring Mike has interfaced with countless fans, from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to New York’s Apollo Theatre to Chicago’s Pitchfork Festival, to the Clive Davis Theater in the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, who have been deeply moved and enriched by his relatable working-class story of perseverance, responsibility, and community.
 
Mike and the album have been a media fixture throughout the year, from a brand-new in-depth feature in Complex this week, to New York Times, Billboard, Esquire, BET, The Breakfast Club, Sway in the Morning, Vulture, SPIN, Idea Generation, and many, many more.

MICHAEL DELUXE TRACK LIST:
1. Down By Law (ft. CeeLo Green)
2. Shed Tears (ft. Mozzy & Lena Byrd Miles)
3. RUN (ft. Young Thug)
4. N Rich (ft. 6LACK & Eryn Allen Kane)
5. Talk’n That Shit!
6. Slummer (ft. Jagged Edge)
7. Scientists & Engineers (ft. Andre 3000, Future, & Eryn Allen Kane)
8. Two Days (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)
9. Spaceship Views (Curren$y, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige)
10. Exit 9 (ft. Blxst)
11. Something For Junkies (ft. Fabo)
12. Motherless (ft. Eryn Allen Kane)
13. Don’t Let The Devil (ft. EL-P & thankugoodsir)
14. High And Holy (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)
New Tracks:
15. Yes
16. Maynard Vignette (ft. T.I., JID, & Jacquees)
17. Get Some Money
18 Act Up (ft. Young Nudy) *digital only

DOWNLOAD – MICHAEL album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

WATCH AND LISTEN HERE
 
WATCH HIROMI’S JUST-RELEASED NPR TINY DESK HERE
 
ELECTRIFYING NEW BAND HIROMI’S SONICWONDER FEATURES HADRIEN FERAUD (BASS), GENE COY (DRUMS)
AND ADAM O’FARRILL (TRUMPET)
 
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OCTOBER 7 TO 20
WITH VANCOUVER AND TORONTO STOPS

TORONTO, ON – September 15, 2023 – Internationally celebrated and GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer, Hiromi, has shared a new song. Reminiscence, featuring UK singer/songwriter/keyboardist, Oli Rockberger, is from her forthcoming album Sonicwonderland, out October 6 (via Telarc). Sonicwonderland represents a new musical adventure for the constantly evolving pianist and composer, who is a star in her native Japan, and burst onto the music scene 20 years ago with her debut album. Recorded with a new quartet, called Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, the album features nine new works bursting with synthesizer and deep-in-the pocket grooves. Watch the video for Reminiscence here and pre-order Sonicwonderland here. 
 
Featured vocalist, Oli Rockberger, was a classmate from Hiromi’s days at Berklee College of Music. Hiromi says, “We’ve been great friends for many years. So even though he didn’t know at the time, he was there from the song’s inception. I called Oli and said, ‘I’ve written this song and I'm hearing your voice in my head. Would you like to co-write the lyrics?’” The finished composition was initially set aside but came to fruition once Hiromi realized how well Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet could complement Rockberger’s singing.
 
Hiromi also just made her NPR Tiny Desk debut, which has over 400,000 views in just seven days. Together with the Sonicwonder band that made the new album, they performed two songs from it (the title track and Wanted). Says NPR Music, “[Hiromi’s] whole body generates an observable power that's also playful and virtuosic. She plays with great command but yet she is also at ease, as her notes ripple from her fingertips like streams of water.”  Watch here.
 
Hiromi has also announced a select run of shows performing this new album in North America in October, with stops in Vancouver on October 7 and Toronto on October 18. See below for the full itinerary.
 
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is a quartet featuring blossoming young talents Hadrien Feraud (bass), Gene Coye (drums), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet) and began performing live together earlier this spring. Sonicwonderland was recorded May 25-28 at Skywalker Sound Stage in Nicasio, California, where Hiromi also recorded her 2019 solo piano album, Spectrum. In addition to new works written for this project, the album includes songs that were released on her One Minute Portrait YouTube initiative during the pandemic and rearranged for this band. "The word 'wonder' has a lot of meaning. It fits the musical view that I have for this project…it is definitely a new adventure for me," says Hiromi.   
 
Hiromi previously released the title track, Sonicwonderland, with a music video, inspired by classic videos games (watch here). And watch the album trailer here. 
 
Sonicwonderland is Hiromi’s 12th studio album, a prolific artist who has explored a number of musical spheres over the course of her career. Earlier this year she recorded the soundtrack to, Blue Giant, a motion picture film based on the manga series of the same name. 2021's Silver Lining Suite features her with a string quartet and 2019's Spectrum a solo piano recording. Her work has been celebrated by the New York Times, NPR and NPR Music, the Washington Post and beyond, and she was a featured performer at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in 2021. She has worked with Stanley Clark, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal (who produced her first album and was her mentor), and many other jazz luminaries throughout her career, is a perennial favorite on DownBeat’s Annual Critics Poll, and has performed at the world’s finest jazz festivals. 
 
The Sonicwonderland cover was created by Lou Beach, famous for his Weather Report album covers, not to mention Blink 182's Dude Ranch and albums by Flying Burrito Brothers, Madonna and Weird Al.

WATCH HERE

PLAYING LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, PHOENIX
AND OKLAHOMA CITY NEXT WEEK

FRONT DOOR CONFRONTATIONS
EP OUT NOW ON FANTASY RECORDS

TORONTO, ON – September 14, 2023 – Rising Nashville-based indie rock band, The Criticals (Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart), who released their new EP, Front Door Confrontations via Fantasy Records earlier this summer, will begin a swing of shows in California, Arizona and Oklahoma beginning next week. Front Door Confrontations features the singles, Clever Girl and Belmont, along with the epic opener, All The Way. Listen here.
 
Known for their electric shows, the band has also released a new, live performance video of fan favourite, High Life Clinic, from their record release show at the Basement East in their hometown of Nashville last month. Watch High Life Clinic (Live at Basement East) here.
 
The Criticals' run of western U.S. tour dates kicks off on Monday, September 18 at The Echo in Los Angeles, followed by House of Blues (Voodoo Room) in San Diego on September 20, the Valley Bar in Phoenix on September 21 and Oklahoma City’s Uptown After Dark on September 23.
 
"There is nothing better in the world than getting to play our music in a sweaty little packed club for our people,” says Forbes and Shugart. “Especially when we have so much new music to play. We have dreamed of playing all of these clubs since we were teenagers, especially The Echo. It's going to be a dream come true.”
 
Friends for more than a decade, Forbes and Shugart forged a unique musical bond logging time together in Nashville’s wild DIY rock scene. Building on the foundation laid by their heroes Bowie, The Stones, and The Kinks, the pair’s taut, revved up tunes also evoke post-modern touchstones such as The Strokes, The 1975, and Fontaines DC. That close friendship and shared vision has spawned a symbiotic musical partnership that fuses tuneful classicism and indie-rock thrash into a seductive, unforgettable mix. Following a pair of highly-regarded EPs — 2019’s Mimosa Hygiene and the following year’s Sour Grapes — not to mention a steady diet of raucous live shows, the band released their most accomplished work yet with Front Door Confrontations.
 
Since officially forming in 2018, The Criticals have proven themselves with their sharp songwriting and a whiplash live show that has drawn sell-out crowds in major US markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The Criticals will begin recording their debut full-length album for Fantasy later this year. 

TOUR DATES:
September 18 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
September 20 - House of Blues Voodoo Room - San Diego, CA
September 21 - Valley Bar - Phoenix, AZ
September 23 - Uptown After Dark - Oklahoma City, OK

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – EP cover artwork

LISTEN HERE
 
DOUBLE ALBUM EXPANDS HER 2023 OPUS WITH
NINE PREVIOUSLY-UNRELEASED TRACKS OUT OCTOBER 13
ON LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS
 
WATCH THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF ACCOMPANYING
SHORT FILM LIGHT ME UP EXPLORING HER LATEST COLLABORATION WITH MIKE CAMPBELL: UNORIGINAL SIN
 
FALL TOUR ROLLS ON WITH AMERICANA AWARDS, FARM AID,
HEADLINE DATES & MORE, PLUS THE PREMIERE OF NEW
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS EPISODE

TORONTO, ON – September 14, 2023 – Today, with the release of Act II: Mind Travel, Margo Price shares three more songs that widen the time-bending world of Strays II. Out in full on October 13, the nine-track expansion to 2023’s acclaimed Strays LP is a triptych of musical exploration, each part telling its own unique story of love, grief and acceptance. With contributions from Strays and Strays II producer, Jonathan Wilson, as well as Buck Meek and Ny Oh, Act I: Topanga Canyon reflected on the pain and sacrifice it takes to find freedom. Act II: Mind Travel enters the parts of a psychedelic journey where one learns to both ponder the past, and embraces the present with open arms. Inspired by beat poetry, out-of-body experiences and the loss of Price’s family farm, Strays II’s second of three acts includes the previously unheard Black Wolf Blues, Mind Travel and Unoriginal Sin (feat. Mike Campbell), all available now via Loma Vista Recordings. Listen to Act II: Mind Travel here and pre-order Strays II here.
 
Since announcing Strays II last month, Margo Price has further expounded upon the double album with Light Me Up, a three-part short film directed by Chris Phelps. Each vignette brings viewers into the Topanga studio and life-changing sessions where the music was recorded: Part I: Light Me Up sees Price discussing the role that mushrooms and sex played in her writing process, and Part II: County Road reminisces on the passing of a beloved friend, whose life is honoured in one of the Strays’ stirring centrepieces. The final installment, Part III: Unoriginal Sin, debuts today and illustrates the surreal feeling of co-writing with Mike Campbell. Watch it here, and read more from Margo Price on the collaboration and the rest of Act II: Mind Travel: 
 
“The psychedelic journey continues down the blurry rabbit hole of time and space. We were lucky to have Mike Campbell co-write a dark rocker called Unoriginal Sin. Working with him on some of these songs was like having a master class in songwriting. Sometimes there are dark corners you haven’t explored for some time, but it does some good to clean them out.
 
Mind Travel is one of the more lyrically strange songs I’ve written. Jeremy and I wrote it in South Carolina. It’s pretty much beat poetry on drugs with a back beat – it was influenced by having an out of body experience on psilocybin. We both had some pretty incredible breakthroughs about accepting death and just reckoning with how fast it’s all going. It’s okay to be reflective and remember the past as long as you don’t get stuck back there. This part of the trip is where you learn to be satisfied with the present.
 
I love how these songs came together. Black Wolf Blues in particular, Jeremy started writing the words from my exact point of view – he found myself reflecting on my ancestors, my grandparents (Paul & Mary Price) and their love and how it grew despite the drought and the loss of their farm. I wrote the chords and the melody and helped finish the verses and chorus. Even though it has a sweetness and a nostalgic way about it, there is a looming darkness – the wolf who’s been watching and weaving his way like a stray throughout the entire album. Look for him. It’s like an invisible plague hanging in the air, it’s the man in the suit and tie who’s lying to you through his straight, white teeth. He hides in shadows.”
 
Following the digital, double album release of Strays II on October 13, all nine of the new Strays II songs will be available on vinyl on November 10. Before then, Margo Price will return to the Americana Honors & Awards next week, where she is up for Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Song of The Year. Tied for the most nominations of any single artist in 2023, the accolades have cemented Strays as “her strongest solo work yet” (The New Yorker).
 
In recent weeks, Margo Price performed at the Grand Ole Opry with Tyler Childers, detailed the new Jessi Colter album that she produced, hosted a star-studded tribute to John Prine for Newport Folk Festival and more. Her latest episode of Austin City Limits premieres on October 28 as part of Season 49 of the PBS program, and her tireless year of touring rolls on with a fall leg of Til The Wheels Fall Off, including numerous headline shows, dates with Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, Orville Peck’s Rodeo, and festivals such as XPoNential, Pilgrimage and Farm Aid, where Price is the first female artist to sit on the board of directors. Find the full list below and tickets at margoprice.net/tour.

STRAYS TRACKLIST:
1. Been To The Mountain
2. Light Me Up (feat. Mike Campbell)
3. Radio (feat. Sharon Van Etten)
4. Change of Heart
5. County Road
6. Time Machine
7. Hell In The Heartland
8. Anytime You Call (feat. Lucius)
9. Lydia
10. Landfill
 
STRAYS II TRACKLIST:
Act I:
1. Topanga Canyon
2. Strays 
3. Closer I Get (feat. Ny Oh) 
4. Malibu (feat. Jonathan Wilson, Buck Meek) 
 
Act II:
1. Mind Travel 
2. Black Wolf Blues 
3. Mind Travel 
4. Unoriginal Sin (feat. Mike Campbell) 
 
Act III:
1. Burn Whatever’s Left
2. Homesick (feat. Jonathan Wilson) 
3. Where Did We Go Wrong 
4. Burn Whatever's Left 

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
September 14 - Bloomington, IN - The Castle Theatre #
September 15 - Madison, WI - Live On King Street #
September 16 - Bayfield, WI - Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua #
September 17 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly's #
September 22 - Camden, NJ - XPoNential Music Festival
September 23 - Noblesville, IN - Farm Aid
September 24 - Franklin, TN - Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
September 28 - Harrisburg, PA - Harrisburg University (XL Live)^
September 29 - Northampton, MA - Academy of Music^
September 30 - North Truro, MA - Payomet Performing Arts Center^
October 1 - Bridgeport, CT - Sound on Sound
October 3 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom^
October 5 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena*
October 6 - University Park, PA - Bryce Jordan Center*
October 7 - Belmont Park, NY - UBS Arena*
October 27 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater !
November 3 - Scottsdale, AZ - Dreamy Draw
November 12 - Pioneertown, CA - Orville Peck’s Rodeo
December 12-15 - Cancun, MX - Dead Ahead Fest 2024

* supporting Chris Stapleton
# w/ S.G. Goodman
^ w/ Brit Taylor
! supporting Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

DOWNLOAD – Strays II cover artwork
DOWNLOAD – Act II: Mind Travel cover artwork
DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – September 14, 2023 - Today, Denzel Curry releases new single, SKED, featuring rising Atlanta artist, Kenny Mason. The new single arrives on the heels of Curry performing four sold out shows at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City (at which Kenny Mason made a surprise appearance at one of the shows to perform SKED) and his July single, BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ, with Juicy J and its companion, ICE COLD ZEL FREESTYLE with ICECOLDBISHOP.

These songs mark the beginning of a new chapter in Denzel Curry's musical journey, one in which he is embracing spontaneity by sharing his music as it is being created, rather than holding onto songs until they are released later as part of a larger conceptual body of work, as he has done throughout the bulk of his career to date.

Listen to SKED above now and stay tuned for more from Denzel soon.

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Single Art

A DAZZLING MEDITATION ON THE HUMAN CONDITION FILTERED THROUGH THE LENS OF THE CALIFORNIA MYTH
 
PRODUCED BY THREE-TIME GRAMMY WINNER
SHOOTER JENNINGS
 
LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE SOME MISTY MORNING
FEATURING ERIN RAE
 
UPCOMING APPEARANCES INCLUDE GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT, AMERICANAFEST, AND OCTOBER RUN
WITH VINCENT NEIL EMERSON

“Like its predecessor, Golden State distills a variety of roots influences with some echoes of pop — fitting for an artist who also loves the 1960s Los Angeles sounds of Phil Spector, The Wrecking Crew, The Beach Boys — to create a style and sensibility that are familiar yet fresh. Golden State, however, is more suffused with an elegant melancholy that reflects the bruised romanticism and existential angst at the heart of Ledger’s exquisitely crafted compositions.” - Nick Cristiano, No Depression
 
“These effortlessly melodic tunes and Ledger’s rich performance sound familiar. It’s the mark of quality songwriting, near-perfect production, and an artist comfortable in his own unique talents.” - Hal Horowitz, American Songwriter
  
“For many, Logan Ledger is on the short list of the greatest modern singers in the country and roots space. Though that might sound like hyperbole to some, it’s not to those who’ve heard him sing.” - Kyle “Trigger” Corneos, Saving Country Music

TORONTO, ON –  September 8, 2023 - Today, Logan Ledger, releases his sophomore album, Golden State, a ruminative and graceful 10-song collection steeped in many of the ineffable qualities embodied by California: wild-eyed idealism, uneasy predictability, and the infinite promise of rebirth and renewal. Listen here. 
 
Produced by three-time GRAMMY winner, Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Turnpike Troubadours, Tanya Tucker), Golden State marks a stylistic departure from the timeless country noir of Ledger’s critically lauded, self-titled 2020 debut. The album features performances by Cage the Elephant guitarist Nick Bockrath, pedal-steel player Russ Pahl (Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson), Jennings’ longtime bassist, Ted Russell Kamp, and drummer Jamie Douglass, and Jennings himself (on piano, Wurlitzer, organ, and celeste), dreaming up a lush and spirited sound partly inspired by the California country-rock scene of the late 60s and early 70s. Mainly recorded live at the famed Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, the result is a sublime setting for Ledger’s meditation on loss and despair and the search for transcendence.
 
One of Golden State’s most mesmerizing moments, Some Misty Morning, a luminous duet between Ledger and singer/songwriter Erin Rae, is available today as a single. Ledger reflects, “I tend to write songs that can be interpreted either spiritually or secularly, so that song could be either about looking forward to the afterlife or about waiting for a reunion with someone you love.” Listen to it here.
 
“Making this record really reinforced that I don’t ever want to do the same thing twice,” Ledger said. “In the future, I might make a crazy Western swing record or an ‘80s country-pop record, but no matter what I do, I always want to combine different eras and styles and come up with these strange hybrids. I’m not much of a purist and I don’t have any interest in just repeating the past,” he laughs. “I guess we’ll see what the future has in store.”

Later this month, Ledger will make his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage, closely followed by appearances at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville and the BeachLife Ranch Festival in Redondo Beach, CA. In October, he will join Vincent Neil Emerson for a series of dates in the western United States. Further tour plans will be announced next week.

TOUR DATES:
September 10 - The Groove (In Store), Nashville, TN
September 16 - The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN
September 22 - 3^rd & Lindsley/AmericanaFest 2023, Nashville, TN
September 24 - Beachlife Ranch Festival, Redondo Beach, CA
October 4 - Cypress, Reno, NV*
October 5 - Temblor Brewing Company, Bakersfield, CA*
October 11 - Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR*
October 12 - Volcanic Theatre Pub, Bend, OR*
October 13 - Trout Lake Hall, Trout Lake, WA*
October 14 - Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA*
October 16 - District Bar, Spokane, WA*
October 18 - Top Hat Lounge, Missoula, MT*
October 19 - The Coop, Columbia Falls, MT*
October 20 - The Rialto, Bozeman, MT*
10/21 Mangy Moose, Teton Village, WY*
 
*support for Vincent Neil Emerson

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

LISTEN HERE

TORONTO, ON – September 8, 2023 – Up-and-coming 22-year-old, Tommy Richman, releases his latest EP, THE RUSH, today via PULSE Records x ISO Supremacy. The five-track EP traces the emotional turmoil of a relationship in distress, encompassing emotions ranging from frustration, desire, to rage and lust. This release follows the announcement earlier this month that Richman has become the first signee to launch the joint venture between PULSE Records and ISO Supremacy, the newly founded label and creative agency by artist Brent Faiyaz. Listen to THE RUSH here. 
 
“Putting out THE RUSH feels like an emotional release to me. It’s a lot of pent up energy that I’ve been ready to show the world. – I made a lot of these songs at the lowest point in my life, no money, no stability, no support, I stayed on my friend Jonah’s couch for six months working on this project. I still listen back excited every time I hear these songs,” says Richman.
 
THE RUSH begins with MESSY, a brooding yet boppy number that channels classic R&B vocal harmonies and melodies intricately layered over contemporary beats, creating a slick, smooth musical landscape. As the EP progresses, GLOCK 25 ft. Zachary Moon brings in a slower tempo, contrasting sharply against the velvety vocal production that viscerally illustrates the tension between love and frustration. The EP concludes on an upbeat note with DEMONS and PRAY 2 U, with the latter combining all the elements of a potential viral TikTok sensation. Driven by a solid disco groove, the danceable beat leads into a sweeping chorus that fills the sonic space, creating a catchy, glimmering, slick atmosphere.
 
Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, Richman demonstrates a genius ability to blend and bend various genres into a signature sound, creating expansive and moody tracks that encompass influences from disco and indie pop to R&B and hip-hop. His sound, while deeply rooted in alt hip-hop foundations, seamlessly incorporates elements of alt rap and house/bounce influences. Richman channels the emotive depths of R&B into his songs, crafting tracks that invite listeners to dance while simultaneously tapping into an underlying world of emotions.

Faiyaz first debuted Richman to his world via the release of the visually stunning Jackie Brown music video earlier this month, where Richman is seen clinking glasses at a table with Faiyaz and his crew as they dine with beautiful women. This initial feature marked Richman's introduction as the inaugural artist for Faiyaz’s newly created label ISO Supremacy (an acronym for 'In Search Of Supremacy') as they join forces with legendary PULSE Music Group to establish a new paradigm in the music industry.

“In launching my new label ISO Supremacy and partnering with PULSE Records, we’ve created this platform to give artists like Tommy Richman a creative home with the ability to scale global impact and a team that is accessible who keeps creativity at the forefront. We’re going to continue to make history,” comments Faiyaz.

Richman is currently opening for Faiyaz on the sold out F*ck The World, It’s A Wasteland! Tour, which continues through November 2023 and was reviewed by Miami New Times as having a “genuine and lighthearted approach to live performances.” The synergy of this tour, combined with the release of the EP and Richman's landmark inauguration of ISO Supremacy, underscore a powerful launch into a new phase of Richman’s creative journey. Undoubtedly, these converging events set the stage for Richman to solidify his dominance in the music world. Follow Tommy Richman via Instagram for more news.
 
THE RUSH TRACK LIST:
1. MESSY
2. LAST NITE
3. GLOCK 25 ft Zachary Moon
4. FEVER
5. PRAY 2 U

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – album cover artwork

ABOUT TOMMY RICHMAN:
Musician, Tommy Richman, blends music genres based on feeling and impulse; his vocals come from the heart, not pen and paper. As a DIY artist, several of Richman’s songs have streamed into the millions, including the warm and lush melody of ELECTRIFY TONIGHT, the punchy Games, and the frantic glitchiness of Chrono Trigger. His diverse catalog reflects a broad scope of abilities and moods. “I feel like I switch up my style every four months,” Richman notes. The artist does not overthink his direction or classification. Instead, he creates from the heart with intention and care. That authenticity attracted multi-platinum artist, Brent Faiyaz, whose new imprint, ISO Supremacy, now backs Richman along with PULSE Records. 
 
Named after the famed Mötley Crüe drummer, Richman seemed destined for music. He grew up just 30 minutes outside Washington, D.C., in Woodbridge, Virginia. Deeply rooted in his local music community, Richman took a risk. In early 2022, he relocated to Los Angeles. The move changed his life. There, he recorded Games and mynameisntjmack collaboration, BUNKER/PREROLL, songs garnering millions of listens. Faiyaz’s team heard and presented this music, leading to Tommy's signing. THE RUSH shows range, depth, and emotion. “I mix genres of music, but I make it make sense with a great curated experience.”

WATCH HERE AND LISTEN HERE

The dynamic collaboration showcases a twist on Purple Disco Machine’s signature style, leaning into electronic indie pop with shimmering synth textures, a bubbling electro bassline, and Nothing But Thieves’ unmistakable sound. The unique blend of genres is further enhanced by Dom Craik and chart-topping producer, Duke Dumont, whose friendship with Purple Disco Machine was born out of playing shows together over the years.

The track is accompanied with a super slick visual directed by Denisha Anderson at Caviar. Featuring cameo appearances as hijacked hostages from Nothing But Thieves and Purple Disco Machine, the video takes viewers from high-speed joyrides to robbing restaurants as fiery, romantic sparks take centre stage. 

Purple Disco Machine has been at the forefront of a disco revival, earning accolades and chart success with his infectious grooves. His recent collaboration with Kungs on Substitution, so far achieved over 110 millions streams worldwide, becoming another massive European airplay hit (#2 in Europe), and Gold status in Italy, The Netherlands, France, Belgium and Hungary. With an impressive track record that includes GRAMMY wins and remixes for a multitude of acclaimed artists, Purple Disco Machine has solidified his position as a trailblazer in electronic music. Having recently received a GRAMMY for Best Remix Performance on Lizzo's About Damn Time, Purple Disco Machine continues to ride a wave of incredible success. The electronic virtuoso has established himself as a chart-topping artist through his collaborations with Sophie and the Giants on tracks including Hypnotized, In The Dark and Paradise as well as achieving numerous multi-platinum singles with the likes of Eyelar and Moss Kena. Alongside these achievements, Purple Disco Machine has consistently delivered a series of dancefloor favourites including Body Funk, Dished (Male Stripper), Rise, Playbox and recent single Bad Company.

Nothing But Thieves are known for their distinctive sound and powerful lyricism. The band bring their alt-rock sensibilities to the table, adding a dynamic edge to the collaboration. The Southend five-piece recently released their UK #1 album Dead Club City and have an adept ability to progress their sound and experiment between the diverse genres that shape them, which make Something On My Mind a particularly powerful collaboration.

While Duke Dumont’s focus is purely on artistry and building a world-beating live show, he’s still in the habit of making outrageously successful music commercially in the process. His worldwide streaming numbers literally stretch into the billions, over 4 billion to be precise, making him one of the most successful producers of electronic music on the planet. Monster tracks such as The Chant, Ocean Drive, The Power, Red Light Green Light, I Got U and Need U (100%) have been detonating clubs and parties, and continue to do so, for the last decade. Upon release, I Got U and Need U (100%) went to #1 in the UK single charts.

The concept for a collaboration blossomed from a mutual respect shared between Purple Disco Machine, Duke Dumont and Nothing But Thieves. Purple Disco Machine has long been an admirer of the indietronica sound, which is evidenced by his remixes for artists like Foals, Two Door Cinema Club, Balthazar, New Order and Royal Blood. When Nothing But Thieves approached Purple Disco Machine with a request to remix a track from their latest album, Purple Disco Machine had a different proposition in mind – instead, proposing the idea of creating something entirely original together. With this, the band eagerly joined forces, resulting in the birth of Something On My Mind.

After already playing a run of multiple headline DJ sets across the globe earlier this year Purple Disco Machine will play his first ever headline show in his home city of Dresden on September 15. The sold out 5 thousand capacity show will feature guest appearances by many of the collaborating artists from his hit records. With more than 80 shows to play in 2023 he will then travel to the USA, Canada, Europe and Mexico to spread some more disco love across the planet.

Something On My Mind is out now and is set to be one of the biggest anthems of 2023.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
September 15 - Purple Disco Machine & Guests @ Junge Garde, Dresden, DE
September 22 - Echostage, Washington DC
September 23 - Life Is Beautiful Festival, Las Vegas, NV
September 24 - Brooklyn Mirage (Day + Night Show), Brooklyn, NY
September 29 - Midway Pre-Party, San Francisco, CA
September 30 - Portola at Pier 80, San Francisco, CA
October 1 - Shrine Outdoors w/ Chromeo, Los Angeles, CA
October 13 - Tomorrowland, Sao Paolo, BR
October 14 - Madero Broadwalk, Buenos Aires, AR
October 21 - AMF @ ADE, Amsterdam, NL
October 28 - Elrow @ Fabrik, Madrid, ES
November 2 - Travel With Pride @ Belmond VSEO Train
November 3 - Duplex Club, Prague, CZ
November 10 - Gasometer, Vienna, AT
November 11 - Dogana, Innsbruck, AT
November 19 - Dreamfields, Guadalajara, MX

DOWNLOAD - Single Art 

ABOUT PURPLE DISCO MACHINE:
So ingrained in his identity, Tino Piontek’s artist name, Purple Disco Machine, is a deliberate homage to his funk hero, Prince, and the dance flair of Gloria Estefan’s, Miami Sound Machine. While the sonic identity of Purple Disco Machine grew up in the clubs of East Germany, where his passion for disco and house flourished, he has since evolved to become an all-encompassing radio and streaming king. A suitable title for an artist with over 1 billion streams and multiple European Airplay Chart toppers across his catalogue with hits such as Hypnotized, Fireworks, Dopamine, In The Dark and Substitution. Beyond the radio, he has proven to be a club favourite among DJs across the world as the #2 best-selling Beatport Artist of all time with dance floor heaters such as Body Funk, Dished (Male Stripper), Playbox, and Devil In Me feat Duane Harden & Joe Killing-ton. A GRAMMY Award winner with a remix of Lizzo’s About Damn Time, Purple Disco Machine has had huge success with multiple high- profile remixes for the likes of Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, Foals, Calvin Harris, Sir Elton John & Britney Spears, Fatboy Slim, Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, Diplo & SIDEPIECE and many more. Proving his passion for the intimacy of the dancefloor the acclaimed producer played more than 160 shows in 2022/23 across Europe, the United States, and South America, with festival appearances at Coachella, Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, Ushuaia Ibiza and Dreamland Pride in Central Park New York. A dedicated performer and a hit-maker extraordinaire, his influence on the global dance scene will be felt for generations to come.

NEW SINGLE JEALOUS MOON OUT NOW
LISTEN | WATCH

TORONTO, ON – September 7, 2023 - Four-time GRAMMY winner, Sarah Jarosz, has announced her new album, Polaroid Lovers. The record is set for release on January 26 via Rounder Records. To mark the occasion, she has shared the album opener, Jealous Moon, and its companion video. Watch here. The song finds Jarosz backed by a decidedly more electric band, with her Texas lilt as clear and evocative as ever. Polaroid Lovers is available for pre-order today digitally and on vinyl with gray, lavender, orange and green splatter variants. Indie retailers will also have a special blue and green splatter vinyl. More information here.
 
Sarah Jarosz on Jealous Moon: “I wrote this song with Daniel Tashian in Monteagle, TN on a screened in porch with birds chirping all around. It was a warm summer afternoon. It started as a quiet melody on ukulele and nylon string guitar, but when we got to the studio it became something much more powerful. It’s a song about the times when the parts of ourselves that we try to keep hidden rise to the surface and we have no choice but to ride the wave. Sometimes that means doing your own thing to figure it out so you can emerge stronger on the other side. It’s not about the end of a relationship, but rather a moment of self reflection and a promise to keep showing up even when things get tough. Once Daniel played the opening riff on piano I knew it had to open the album. I’m always seeking to push myself into new sonic territory, and this song gave me permission to not hold back.”
 
The seventh album from Sarah Jarosz finds the highly decorated songwriter at the apex of change. A Texas native, she’s spent most of her adult life living in New York City, but shortly before writing the album Jarosz left her adopted home to join her soon-to-be husband in Nashville, TN. The geographic shake-up led to a sonic one as well for Polaroid Lovers. For the first time in her career, she opened herself up to collaborators, leading to writing sessions with Daniel Tashian, Ruston Kelly, and Natalie Hemby. The creative reorganization of her writing process evolved to include a much richer and more electric sound in the studio and being in Nashville meant access to a world of hot shot players. She tapped guitarist Rob McNelley (Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood), Tom Bukovac (Tom Petty, Vince Gill) on guitar and organ, her husband-bassist, Jeff Picker (Nickel Creek), and drummer Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams) for the album recording. Tashian took the helm as producer and the whole album was laid down at the legendary Sound Emporium.
 
As it goes with all change, Jarosz’s major life events had her feeling contemplative. While sitting on the precipice of adulthood, Polaroid Lovers finds her reflecting on past loves, childhood dreams, the places she lived in and all the versions of herself that she’s been. Although the listener experiences the sonic shift forward, the album’s subject matter is a photo album of the past. Jarosz has never sounded more assured. Polaroid Lovers is filled with the kind of confidence that comes from hard won life experiences and the conviction of someone who truly knows herself.
 
Sarah Jarosz released her debut album at the age of 18 and was immediately nominated for her first GRAMMY. Raised in Texas, she began playing mandolin at age 10 and soon after guitar and banjo. To date, she has released six studio albums, has netted 10 GRAMMY Nominations and four wins. In 2018, she joined Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek and Aoife O’Donovan to form the supergroup, I’m With Her. The group released their debut album, See You Around, and won duo/group of the year at the Americana Awards. Their song, Call My Name, won the GRAMMY for Best American Roots song.

Read more about Sarah Jarosz and Polaroid Lovers here. 

TOUR DATES:
September 23 - Americanafest Showcase @ The Basement East - Nashville, TN

DOWNLOAD - Cover Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

ROBERT FINLEY RELEASES YOU GOT IT (AND I NEED IT)
LATEST SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM BLACK BAYOU
OUT OCTOBER 27 VIA EASY EYE SOUND

LISTEN HERE

69-YEARS-YOUNG SINGER-SONGWRITER STAR RETURNS WITH DAN AUERBACH PRODUCED ALBUM: A SWAGGERING TOUR DE FORCE OF BLUES, SOUL, AND FUNK, SHARING STORIES
FROM THE SWAMPS OF LOUISIANA
 
FINLEY TO PERFORM AT THE NEWLY REVAMPED
KNITTING FACTORY NYC
ON OCTOBER 26 AHEAD OF EUROPEAN FALL TOUR

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
October 26 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory
November 3 - Kaiserslautern, Germany - Kammgarn with Kai Strauss
November 4 - Groningen, NL - Take Root Festival
November 5 - Brussels, BE - Rotonde @ Botanique
November 8 - London, UK - Jazz Café
November 9 - Manchester, UK - Blues Kitchen
November 10 - Pandrup, DK - Blues Heaven Festival
November 14 - Toulouse, FR - Salle Nougaro
November 15 - Saint-Nazaire, FR - VIP
November 16 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates
November 18 - Šumperk, CZ - Blues Alive Festival
November 20 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix
November 21 - Paris, FR - Maroquinerie
November 23 - La Roche-Sur-Yon, FR - Quai M
November 24 - La Rochelle, FR - La Sirène
November 25 - Castres, FR - Lo Boegason
November 26 - Saint-Etienne, FR - Le Fil

ABOUT ROBERT FINLEY:
Robert is an army veteran and was a skilled carpenter before losing his sight in his 60s, which led him to finally pursue his musical dream. Finley has overcome divorce, house fires, an automobile accident and is now legally blind following losing his sight due to the medical condition, glaucoma, which forced him to retire from carpentry and finally pursue his long delayed music career. Finley believes his sight was improved by the power of prayer, and Finley’s faith has also helped him focus on launching his music career in his 60’s. According to Finley, “losing my sight gave me the perspective to see my true destiny.”

His ascent has been swift. His previous Auerbach-produced album, Goin’ Platinum, received widespread critical acclaim including Associated Press who praised Finley’s ability to lend “instant credibility to any song.” Finley also toured more than 10 countries, and his live show drew praise from publications including The New York Times. Finley was profiled on PBS NewsHour, which led to him becoming a contestant on the 2019 season of the TV competition, America’s Got Talent, reaching the semi-finals.

He was born in Winnsboro in 1953, but has spent most of his life in Bernice, a small town of about 1,600 souls just 30 miles from the Arkansas border. After serving in the Army, he played blues in juke joints and sang gospel in churches around the region, often mixing those two styles with southern soul, heavy rock, swamp pop, jazz, and anything else that crossed his mind. His second album, Sharecropper’s Son, was inspired by Finley's childhood: his family were sharecroppers, and he was unable to regularly attend school and often worked with his family in the field picking cotton. This was a landmark release, landing him the cover of SPIN Magazine, NPR Morning amongst other critical acclaim.

He’s since headlined shows with The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Nathaniel Rateliff and many more.

CONFIRMS NEW BODY OF WORK IS ON THE WAY

WATCH HERE AND LISTEN HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 25, 2023 – Rising artist and rapper, AUDREY NUNA, continues to blaze a trail, this time with her latest single, locket, out everywhere today. The mesmerizing track comes with an ingenious official music video directed by the late Valentin Petit, who tragically passed in an aircraft accident earlier this year: locket was the last music video he directed. Watch here and listen here.
 
On discovering Petit’s work, AUDREY NUNA shares: "The first work I saw of Valentin Petit's was the video he did for A$AP Ferg (Floor Seats). This was a few years before ever meeting him or knowing who he was. I noticed a few things: first, the attention to detail... every moment, micro and macro, came with intention and specific energy. Clearly this person was a genuine lover of the craft. Second: the casting of characters and storytelling - he was a lover of people, fascinated by fellow humans. The third thing, though, was what really pushed me to reach out when the opportunity came. It was this defiance - a fuck-you to the rules of gravity that I saw in his visuals. There was an air of freedom and playfulness and pure instinct that so few can translate to cinema gracefully.”
 
On meeting and collaborating on locket with Petit, and his legacy: “When it came time to build out the visual universe for my new project, I came across Valentin's name through my friend and reached out online. After two months of preparing over the phone, we shot locket in Paris in April of 2023... it was a surreal week. Every person on set was lively and focused for every shot under his leadership. There were cranes and flying actors. There was dessert with every catered meal on set. There was a lot of laughing and a lot of magic. It's funny how much you can learn about a person through their work and how they choose to work. Even though I only knew Valentin for a sum of three months, I found in this short time that everything that drew me to his videos clearly stemmed from the blueprint of his soul and who he was at his core. I'm honored to have worked with him and been inspired by him as a fellow artist. I'm just as honored to have gotten to know him as a person; his honesty, the undying and selfless passion he had for the craft, his free spirit and anti-gravity, his love and respect of people and adventure. He was gifted in all the ways his work vividly illustrated, and with such a sense of refreshing humility towards his collaborators and crew that can often times feel rare to find in this industry. This is his final music video of this lifetime - I'm sure he's already getting started, some place, somewhere, gathering ideas and crafting wildest and freest visions to life.”
 
With the release of locket comes exciting news that AUDREY NUNA is working on a new body of work from which the track is part of, thus marking a new and captivating chapter for 24-year-old NUNA, who is undeniably poised for stardom.
 
Having laid the foundations with her a liquid breakfast release in 2021, she soon attracted attention from the likes of The New York Times, NPR, High Snobiety, VOGUE, BILLBOARD, COMPLEX, PAPER, FADER and V Mag. AUDREY NUNA continues to push the boundaries and lead with a commitment to creativity, setting precedent as one of the first female Korean-American R&B acts breaking into mainstream culture.
 
More exciting AUDREY NUNA news to be revealed very soon.

DOWNLOAD - Single Artwork 

FEATURING COVERS OF SONGS BY TAYLOR SWIFT, R.E.M., PAVEMENT, SLOWDIVE AND SHERYL CROW

I’M ONLY ME WHEN I’M WITH YOU (TAYLOR SWIFT COVER)
OUT NOW

TORONTO, ON – August 23, 2023 – Soccer Mommy – Nashville-based artist Sophie Allison – recently shared her version of Sheryl Crow’s Soak Up The Sun to critical acclaim, and today she reveals that the cover is part of an EP entitled Karaoke Night. Karaoke Night, out September 22 via Loma Vista, will feature covers of songs by Crow, Taylor Swift, R.E.M., Pavement, and Slowdive. Out today is Allison’s take on Taylor Swift’s I’m Only Me When I’m With You. “I really wanted to cover this song because it’s one of my favorites from Taylor’s first album,” she says. “I listened to that record so much when I was a kid and I think it had a lot of influence on me then.” Listen to the track now here.
 
Karaoke Night is available to pre-save and pre-order on a limited-edition cassette with a Soccer Mommy karaoke microphone here.
 
Soccer Mommy’s touring continues this fall and winter – see below for full details and get tickets here. For a taste of what to expect, watch the band’s career-spanning NPR Tiny Desk performance from earlier this year here, or watch Soccer Mommy perform Shotgun and Feel It All The Time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! here. 
 
KARAOKE NIGHT TRACKLIST:
1. Here (Pavement Cover)
2. Soak Up The Sun (Sheryl Crow Cover)
3. Dagger (Slowdive Cover)
4. I'm Only Me When I'm With You (Taylor Swift Cover)
5. Losing My Religion (R.E.M. Cover)
 
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
9/9 Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
9/21 Dublin, Ireland @ 3 Arena #
9/23 Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena #
9/24 Glasgow, UK @ Ovo Hydro Arena #
9/26 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
9/27 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
11/17 Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital
12/3 São Paulo, BR @ Primavera Sound
12/7 Asunción, PY @ Primavera Sound
12/9 Bogotá, CO @ Primavera Sound
 
# = with The National

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – Karaoke Night cover artwork

Sometimes, Forever was named one of the best albums of 2023 but the likes of The New York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vulture, Associated Press, Billboard, Stereogum, The A.V. Club, FLOOD, Paste, Uproxx, and more, with, Shotgun named one of the top songs of 2023 by The Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, NPR, Gorilla vs. Bear, Pitchfork, Consequence, Vulture, NYLON, Billboard and more. Sometimes, Forever debuted on the Billboard charts, taking the #1 slot for Heatseakers, Top New Artist and Alternative New Artist, debuting in the Top 200, and many more. She performed on both The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2022, completed a largely sold-out international headline tour, and performed an intimate show at the GRAMMY Museum alongside a Q&A hosted by The Los Angeles Times’ Mikael Wood. Following the album release, Soccer Mommy has since hosted Roblox’s most successful Listening Party to date with 10.8 million unique visitors, and she has also shared incredible alt-versions of Shotgun by Magdalena Bay, a slowed and reverbed edit, as well as a Simlish version, available now within The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack. Soccer Mommy also collaborated with Brain Dead on a limited edition t-shirt, which can be purchased here.
 
Sometimes, Forever is Soccer Mommy’s boldest and most aesthetically adventurous work yet, and it cements Sophie Allison’s status as one of the most gifted songwriters making rock music right now. The album sees Allison once again tapping into the turn-of-the-millennium sensibilities she’s known for, as she advances her self-made sonic world beyond the present and into the future with experimental-minded production, an expanded moodboard of vintage touchstones, and some of her most sophisticated songwriting to date. Inspired by the concept that neither sorrow nor happiness is permanent, Sometimes, Forever is a fresh peek into the mind of an artist who synthesizes everything — retro sounds, personal tumult, the relatable disorder of modern life — into original music that feels built to last a long time. Maybe even forever.

Praise for Soccer Mommy & Sometimes, Forever: 
 
"Sophie Allison finds new sonic frontiers...Throughout the album, Soccer Mommy staves off despair with musical craftsmanship" - The New York Times (Critic's Pick)
 
"Throughout Sometimes, Forever, [Allison] and Lopatin expand on the ’90s palette that has characterized previous Soccer Mommy releases. Bolstering the lingering imprints of Liz Phair, Sheryl Crow, and Sleater-Kinney is a healthy dose of Loveless worship: glide guitars and tendrils of haze." - Pitchfork (8/10)
 
“[Sometimes, Forever] is Soccer Mommy’s gnarliest and most resplendent, fashioning poppy melodies, disarming lyrics, and twisted sounds into dismayed songs of young adulthood.” - The New Yorker
 
"The singer/songwriter's vulnerability resulted in two critically acclaimed releases — 2018's Clean and 2020's Color Theory — though Allison's latest may be her most exciting yet." - GRAMMY.com
 
“You get some Pixies, you get some Nirvana, you get a little bit of Nine Inch Nails, and Portishead here and there. It’s just interesting how much music is reflected on this record while still sounding very current…she is just really good at mining those influences and making it sound extremely of the moment.” - NPR Music
 
“Sophie Allison’s emotive rock acquires new dynamism” - Wall Street Journal
 
"Soccer Mommy deepens her indie-rock brilliance on ‘Sometimes, Forever’...[and] proves herself to be one of the sharpest songwriters around" - Rolling Stone
 
"Allison has made a bold move that paid off better than we’d ever have expected."
- Variety
 
"Sometimes, Forever’s marriage of Allison’s lyrical prowess and OPN’s stark, synth-driven sonics makes it by far the darkest and most compelling offering from Soccer Mommy yet." - Billboard
 
""by far the band’s most sophisticated and adventurous body of work to date. Allison’s inner turmoil has never sounded so spectacular — or so well-rounded."
- Stereogum (Album of the Week)
 
"sharp indie rock" - Vulture

"one of Gen Z’s brightest voices" - Associated Press

DOUBLE ALBUM DELIVERS NINE NEW SONGS
PRESENTED AS THREE DISTINCT ACTS

LISTEN TO ACT I: TOPANGA CANYON HERE
FEATURING BUCK MEEK, JONATHAN WILSON AND NY OH

FALL TOUR INCLUDES HEADLINE DATES, FARM AID AND MORE

TORONTO, ON – August 22, 2023 – Today, Margo Price brings listeners deeper down the psychedelic rabbit hole of an album that The New Yorker and more have hailed as her strongest work yet: Strays. Out in full on October 13, Strays II expands the original 2023 opus with nine new songs that will arrive in the form of three distinct acts, each telling its own unique story of love, grief and acceptance. On Act I: Topanga Canyon, available now via Loma Vista Recordings, Price is joined by Strays producer, Jonathan Wilson, as well as new collaborators including Buck Meek of Big Thief, plus singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ny Oh. Together they dive deeper into the sacrifices it takes to find freedom, the grit it takes to make it, and the consequences that come with all of it.

Recorded at Wilson’s Topanga studio during the same life-changing sessions as the rest of Strays – and partially written amidst the formative, six-day psilocybin trip that Margo Price and Jeremy Ivey took the summer prior – all three acts of Strays II further complement and intensify the resilient, resounding and hard-rocking proclamation that Price delivered across the initial LP earlier this year. 

Listen to Act I: Topanga Canyon, including Strays, Closer I Get (feat. Ny Oh) and Malibu (feat. Jonathan Wilson, Buck Meek) here. 

Accompanied by a three-part short film directed by Chris Phelps and recently previewed at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, Strays II will continue to unfold throughout the coming weeks with the release of Act II: Mind Travel and Act III: Burn Whatever’s Left. All 19 tracks will then combine into the double album’s digital release on October 13, followed by a vinyl LP release of the nine new Strays II songs on November 10 – pre-order it here. Of the three new additions out today, Price says: 

“The title track is the story of how my husband Jeremy and I met and fell in love in Nashville two decades ago. I wrote most of the words and Jeremy wrote the chords and melody. It also reflects how we have always tried to stay true to who we are as people: ‘Love and pain it comes in waves but it was quite enough in those early days, we were wild as wolves my darlin’, we were strays.’

Closer I Get (co-written with Jeremy Ivey) was originally meant to open this double album with the line, ‘Being alive costs a lot of money but so does dying.’ I’ve always thought it was unfair that the moment we are born, we immediately start racking up debt just for existing. This song was conjured from the ashes of our initial psychedelic trip – sometimes your perception and depth of field changes depending on where you’re at in life.

Malibu was written with Mike Campbell in his Malibu home after Jeremy and I had driven through the canyon fleeing a forest fire to get my guitar from our Airbnb. I had the start of the song and brought it to him looking to finish it out. I wanted to write something with a country funk/Bobbie Gentry feel, a good long rambling story about the minutiae of the day, like Ode to Billy Joe. Mike added the long ‘California yodel’ and the bridge and was exactly what the song needed. My favourite line is ‘love and grief are a package deal, the more you have, the more you feel’.”

Like Strays and its many “stoic pearls of wisdom” (Pitchfork), Strays II reveals more of what makes Price so “unstoppable, unsinkable, uninhibited” (The New York Times). Surmounting loss, trauma, substance abuse, demons of self-worth and more, the songs of Strays have cemented her place as a singular storyteller, with so much to say but nothing to prove. Since the album’s release, Price has earned nominations for Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Song of The Year (Change of Heart) at the upcoming Americana Honors & Awards, tying for the most nominations of any single artist in 2023. 

Recently, Price revealed details of the new Jessi Colter album that she produced (Edge of Forever), hosted a star-studded tribute to John Prine for Newport Folk Festival, performed with My Morning Jacket and Angel Olsen, celebrated Willie Nelson at his 90^th birthday, played shows with Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, published a powerful, personal essay about gun control at Rolling Stone, met with Tennessean lawmakers and sang alongside Dr. Jill Biden at Nashville’s vigil for the Covenant shooting victims. She has brought Strays songs and stories to CBS Mornings and The Late Late Show with Radio collaborator, Sharon Van Etten, discussed her memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It, during the closing keynote of SXSW, taped an episode of Austin City Limits, reigned for 14 weeks at #1 on the Americana radio charts with Change of Heart, and released a new version of that song with Sierra Ferrell. 

Following a long-awaited return to the UK this week, Price and her band will hit the road for a fall leg of her ‘Til The Wheels Fall Off Tour. In addition to headline dates across the country, Price will play festivals including Hopscotch, XPoNential, Pilgrimage and Farm Aid, where she is the first female artist to sit on the board of directors. Find the full list below and tickets at margoprice.net/tour.  

STRAYS TRACKLIST:
1. Been To The Mountain
2. Light Me Up (feat. Mike Campbell)
3. Radio (feat. Sharon Van Etten)
4. Change of Heart
5. County Road
6. Time Machine
7. Hell In The Heartland
8. Anytime You Call (feat. Lucius)
9. Lydia
10. Landfill
 
STRAYS II TRACKLIST:
Act I:
1. Topanga Canyon
2. Strays 
3. Closer I Get (feat. Ny Oh) 
4. Malibu (feat. Jonathan Wilson, Buck Meek) 
 
Act II:
1. Mind Travel 
2. Black Wolf Blues 
3. Mind Travel 
4. Unoriginal Sin (feat. Mike Campbell) 
 
Act III:
1. Burn Whatever’s Left
2. Homesick (feat. Jonathan Wilson) 
3. Where Did We Go Wrong 
4. Burn Whatever's Left 

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
August 24 - London, UK - Rough Trade East
August 25 - London, UK - Lafayette
August 26 - Leicestershire, UK - The Long Road
September 8 - Raleigh, NC - Hopscotch Music Festival
September 9 - Bristol, TN - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
September 10 - Lexington, KY - The Burl County Fair
September 11 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall #
September 12 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom #
September 14 - Bloomington, IN - The Castle Theatre #
September 15 - Madison, WI - Live On King Street #
September 16 - Bayfield, WI - Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua #
September 17 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly's #
September 22 - Camden, NJ - XPoNential Music Festival
September 23 - Noblesville, IN - Farm Aid
September 24 - Franklin, TN - Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
September 28 - Harrisburg, PA - Harrisburg University (XL Live)^
September 29 - Northampton, MA - Academy of Music^
September 30 - North Truro, MA - Payomet Performing Arts Center^
October 1 - Bridgeport, CT - Sound on Sound
October 3 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom^
October 5 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena*
October 6 - University Park, PA - Bryce Jordan Center*
October 7 - Belmont Park, NY - UBS Arena*
October 27 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater !
November 3 - Scottsdale, AZ - Dreamy Draw
 
* supporting Chris Stapleton
# w/ S.G. Goodman
^ w/ Brit Taylor
! supporting Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

DOWNLOAD – Strays II cover artwork
DOWNLOAD – Act I: Topanga Canyon cover artwork
DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

PRAISE FOR STRAYS:
 
"Her strongest solo work yet" - The New Yorker
 
"Strays struts through big-hearted indie country, honky-tonk stomp and ’70s guitar-explosion psychedelia" - New York Times
 
"Another impressive showcase for Price’s skills as author and troubadour, featuring volcanic vocal performances and sharp character studies" - Vulture
 
"With scorching riffs, heartfelt folk, and appearances by the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell, it's her strongest, most cohesive record yet" - Rolling Stone
 
"Strays bursts with easy confidence and kind, stoic pearls of wisdom" - Pitchfork
 
"A potent, genre-spanning opus that's rooted in Americana, but stretches into glittery pop, squelching rock and psychedelia" - NPR Music 
 
"Strays brilliantly rattles through country, psych and Patti Smith-style poetic rock’n’roll...powerful lyrical gut-punches" - The Guardian, ★★★★
 
"A winding, deeply felt, at times rollicking trip” - ELLE 
 
"A Career-Best" - Variety

MOTHER ROAD TOUR KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 7
INCLUDES STOPS IN NYC, ATLANTA, CHICAGO,
VERMONT, AND MORE
 
POTTER TO APPEAR ON CBS SATURDAY MORNING ON AUGUST 26

FIND MOTHER ROAD HERE

TORONTO, ON - August 18, 2023 - Today, 3X GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter and “one of the greatest living voices in rock today” (SPIN), Grace Potter, releases Mother Road via Fantasy Records. Across 10 dynamic tracks, Potter deconstructs her deepest fears and darkest regrets, charting the fallout with brutal honesty and emotional daring. Find Mother Road here.
 
“While writing Mother Road, I spent two years driving back and forth across America, exploring the backroads & byways of Route 66, favoring alternate routes whenever possible. I spent the time reflecting on my roles as a woman, a mother, and a dreamer,” Potter shares. “As Mother Road unfolds, my central narrative begins to fragment into multiple paths. Each path becomes a character, and each character weaves in and out of my present-day consciousness at important milestones along the way. The album is my take on what it means to be alive and how to live life to the fullest.”
 
Produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Nickel Creek) and recorded at RCA’s famed Studio A in Nashville and Topangadise in Topanga, CA, Mother Road - the “dynamite” (Guitar Player) follow up to Potter’s 2019 acclaimed, 2X GRAMMY-nominated album, Daylight - commands an expansive soundscape of soulful rock, roots, funk, country, and R&B. 
 
Potter is set to appear on CBS Saturday Morning next Saturday, August 26. The appearance will include three electric performances of tracks off the new album. Earlier this week, she was featured on Billboard’s Behind the Setlist Podcast and today, she can be heard on SiriusXM’s Howard 101 for a Songs I Want to Hear segment.
 
Tickets are currently on sale for Potter’s Mother Road Tour, which kicks off at Collin Center for the Arts in Orono, ME on Saturday, September 7. The 26-date fall tour includes newly announced shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Chattanooga, and more. The tour will also feature two sold-out performances at Shelburne Museum in her native Vermont, as well as shows at New York City’s Pier 17, Milwaukee’s Pabst Theatre, Chicago’s Riviera Theater and Atlanta’s Tabernacle, among other great venues, before concluding at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC on November 18. See below for the full itinerary. For tickets and information please visit gracepotter.com. 

GRACE POTTER TOUR DATES:
September 1 - Snowmass Village, CO - JAS Aspen Snowmass
September 7- Orono, ME - Collins Center for the Arts 
September 8 - Providence, RI - Veterans Memorial Auditorium 
September 9 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark 
September 10 - Hammondsport, NY - Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyard 
September 14 - Concord, NH - Capitol Center for the Arts 
September 15 & 16 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum, Ben & Jerry's Concerts on The Green - BOTH DATES SOLD OUT 
September 17 - Albany, NY - The Egg 
September 22 - Branford, CT - Stony Creek Brewery 
September 23 - New York, NY - Pier 17 
September 24 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak 
September 27 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater 
September 29 - Richmond, VA - Maymont 
September 30 - Harrisburg, PA - Southside Stage  
October 1 - Ocean City, MD - Oceans Calling Festival
October 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre 
October 5 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater 
October 6 - Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Place 
October 7- Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater 
October 8 - Columbia, MO - Rose Park 
November 1 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE 
November 4 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre 
November 8 - Columbus, OH - KEMBA Live! 
November 9 - Fort Wayne, IN - The Clyde Theatre 
November 10 - Cincinnati, OH - Andrew J Brady  Music Center
November 11 - Highlands, NC - Highlands Food & Wine Festival
November 15 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel 
November 16 - Chattanooga, TN - Walker Theatre
November 17 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
November 18 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
March 18-22, 2024 - Miami, FL to Cozumel, MX - Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea

DOWNLOAD - album cover artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

ELECTRIFYING NEW BAND SONICWONDER
FEATURES HADRIEN FERAUD (BASS), GENE COYE (DRUMS) AND ADAM O’FARRILL (TRUMPET)
 
LISTEN TO TITLE TRACK SONICWONDERLAND HERE
AND WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE
 
VIEW ALBUM TRAILER HERE
 
CONFIRMS OCTOBER NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

TORONTO, ON – August 18, 2023 – Hiromi has announced Sonicwonderland, the internationally celebrated and GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer’s new album to be released on October 6 (Telarc).  Sonicwonderland represents a new musical adventure for the constantly evolving pianist and composer, who is a star in her native Japan, and burst onto the music scene 20 years ago with her debut album. Recorded with a new quartet, called Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, the album features nine new works bursting with synthesizer and deep-in-the pocket grooves. Hiromi dazzles at the keyboard, striking a balance of playing that is powerful, aggressive and delicate. She has also announced a select run of shows performing this new album in North America in October.

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is a quartet featuring blossoming young talents, Hadrien Feraud (bass), Gene Coye (drums), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet), and began performing live together earlier this spring. Sonicwonderland was recorded May 25-28 at Skywalker Sound Stage in Nicasio, California, where Hiromi also recorded her 2019 solo piano album, Spectrum. In addition to new works written for this project, the album includes songs that were released on herOne Minute Portrait YouTube initiative during the pandemic and rearranged for this band. UK singer/songwriter/keyboardist, Oli Rockberger, also contributes vocals to Reminiscence (lyrics co-written by Hiromi and Rockberger).

Today Hiromi has shared the album’s title track, listen to Sonicwonderland here. Watch the music video, inspired by old school video games, here, and learn more about the project in this album trailer here. Pre-order the album here.
 
Sonicwonderland is a preview of the album’s many delights: it kicks off with a thumping sequenced synthesizer groove that’s more dance club than jazz club. It’s fast-paced, fun, and unfurls into an eight-minute adventure of open space and improvisation. While other songs feature quick tempos, funk grooves and synth work (Trial and Error, Go Go), Hiromi works gracefully on acoustic piano extensively throughout, her elegant playing and composition work shines on pieces such as Polaris and Utopia. The closing track, Bonus Stage, is a lively, modern take on traditional jazz, with a short intro that could be mistaken for a video game soundtrack.
 
"The word 'wonder' has a lot of meaning. It fits the musical view that I have for this project…it is definitely a new adventure for me," says Hiromi.   
 
Sonicwonderland is Hiromi’s 12th studio album, a prolific artist who has explored a number of musical spheres over the course of her career. Earlier this year she recorded the soundtrack to Blue Giant, a motion picture film based on the manga series of the same name. 2021's Silver Lining Suite features her with a string quartet and 2019's Spectrum a solo piano recording. Her work has been celebrated by the New York Times, NPR and NPR Music, the Washington Post and beyond, and she was a featured performer at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in 2021. She has worked with Stanley Clark, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal (who produced her first album and was her mentor), and many other jazz luminaries throughout her career, is a perennial favourite on DownBeat’s Annual Critics Poll, and has performed at the world’s finest jazz festivals. 
 
The Sonicwonderland cover was created by Lou Beach, famous for his Weather Report album covers, not to mention Blink 182's Dude Ranch and albums by Flying Burrito Brothers, Madonna and Weird Al.

LISTEN AND WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO FOR
THE SLIGHTLY UNHINGED CONSPIRACIES, CULTS & UFOS HERE
  
NEW ALBUM HEAT COMES DOWN OUT OCTOBER 6
VIA ROUNDER RECORDS
 
MILLER PLAYS CATBIRD FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND, HEALING APPALACHIA BENEFIT WITH TYLER CHILDERS, JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, MARCUS KING AND MORE IN SEPTEMBER

TORONTO, ON – August 18, 2023 – John R. Miller, who will release his latest album, Heat Comes Down, via Rounder Records on October 6, picks up the pace on his frenetic new single, Conspiracies, Cults & UFOs, out today. As Miller frantically sings about sleep-deprived all-night drives, the music attempts to keep up the raucous pace. You can almost picture Miller behind the wheel of a van, late at night, mimicking the song’s chorus – just ranting “conspiracies, cults and UFOs” over and over and over again. Listen and watch here, and pre-order Heat Comes Down here.
 
Miller belongs to the rare breed of songwriters whose expansive introspection uncovers many truths about the state of the human condition. On Heat Comes Down, the West Virginia-raised, Nashville-based artist intimately narrates his sleepless nights and nostalgic daydreams, existential dread, and nuanced observations of the troubled world around him. But while a number of its songs convey a certain unease, Miller endlessly imparts the kind of lovely reassurance that can only come from shared catharsis.
 
The follow-up to his 2021 Rounder Records debut Depreciated—an album No Depressions says “casually saunters towards a full existential breakdown that’ll leave you gasping for air”— Heat Comes Down finds Miller teaming up with producers, Andrija Tokic and John James Tourville (both known for their work with artists like Sunny War and The Deslondes). Over a three-day session at The Bomb Shelter (Tokic’s Nashville studio), Miller joined forces with several members of his longtime live band, (drummer John Clay Burchett, guitarist J. Tom Hnatow, fiddle player Chloe Edmonstone), as well as bassist, Craig Burletic and Jeff Taylor (a multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello).
 
Miller will head out on a two-month fall tour, wrapping up in Nashville, TN for a Lightning 100 Nashville Sunday Night show at 3^rd & Lindsley. This weekend, Miller plays at Catbird Festival in Bethel, NY, and next month the West Virginia-raised Miller takes part in the Healing Appalachia benefit show in Lewisburg, WV alongside other acts including Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Marcus King and more. The show raises funds for Hope in the Hills, which helps support recovery efforts around central Appalachia.
 
JOHN R. MILLER 2023 TOUR DATES
August 19 - 20 - Bethel, NY - Catbird Music Festival
September 21 – 23 – Lewisburg, WV – Healing Appalachia
September 22 - 23 - Whispering Beard Folk Festival - North Bend, OH
September 27 – St Louis, MO – Off Broadway
September 29 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Other Side
September 30 – Boulder, CO – eTown Hall
October 4 – Bozeman, MT – Rialto Bozeman
October 5 – Columbia Falls, MT – The Coop
October 6 – Spokane, WA – Lucky You Lounge
October 7 – Walla Walla, WA – Billsville West
October 8 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
October 10 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
October 12 – Portland, OR – Show Bar
October 13 – Talent, OR – The Talent Club
October 14 – Albany, CA – Ivy Room
October 15 – Mariposa, CA – The Grove House
October 16 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s
October 18 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold-Diggers
October 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
October 24 – San Antonio, TX – The Lonesome Rose
October 25 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)
October 26 – Austin, TX – The White Horse
October 27 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips
October 29 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern
October 30 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
November 2 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbird South
November 3 – Macon, GA – Grant’s Lounge
November 4 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
November 5 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
November 7 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Pour House
November 8 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
November 9 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
November 10 – Thomas, WV – Purple Fiddle
November 11 – Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street
November 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café
November 14 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
November 15 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
November 16 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival
November 18 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
November 19 – Nashville, TN – 3^rd & Lindsley

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

LISTEN HERE & WATCH HERE

FINAL SINGLE BEFORE RELEASE OF NEW ALBUM
COMME DANS UN PENTHOUSE
ARRIVES ON SEPTEMBER 22

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM DIGITALLY
AND ON VINYL HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 18, 2023 – After unveiling pieces of their new album, Comme dans un penthouse, which will see its release on September 22 (via Lisbon Lux Records), acclaimed Montreal trio, Le Couleur today share the final single, À la rencontre de Barbara. Featuring Standard Emmanuel - lead singer of Montreal band, Choses Sauvages - the track is a shimmery, disco-pop earworm, sure to heat up these last weeks of summer! 

With over 20M streams, 150 concerts, and syncs with HBO, Netflix and Apple TV, Le Couleur is back with Comme dans un penthouse - their sixth album. Featuring an electronic, nu-disco sound à la Todd Terje and reminiscent of Fujiya & Miyagi’s early 2000’s Krautrock, this new album is irresistibly suspenseful. Using Barbara, a character from 2016’s P.O.P., as a symbol of our collective thirst for excitement, this eight track speed train of an album will transport you to a realm of icy desire.

À la rencontre de Barbara, is a danceable, enigmatic track reminiscent of 80s TV theme songs.The race against time begins - it's Barbara's turn (La rencontre de Barbara); will she be unmasked? Like a guru, she attracts glances - lost under the play of lights, what image do the mirrors of her penthouse reflect back to her? Barbara lets herself be tracked. Addicted to the chase, she runs to her doom. 

The accompanying video continues to depict Barbara's tale. In the heart of a glittering metropolis, a pair of shoes triggers an enigmatic quest for an elusive figure. Guided by urban lights, a traveler explores a nocturnal stroll, awakening lost memories and forgotten dreams. As secrets converge, Barbara's mysterious story unfolds, captivating the viewer between reality and illusion.

Listen to À la rencontre de Barbara (ft. Standard Emmanuel) here and watch the cinematic video here. 

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
September 1 – Saint Adolphe d’Howard, QC – Festival Focus
October 19 - Montreal, QC - Le Studio TD (album release show)
October 20 - Quebec City, QC - Le Pantoum (album release show)

DOWNLOAD – À la rencontre de Barbara single artwork
DOWNLOAD – album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res press photo

MORE ABOUT LE COULEUR:
Created by Laurence Giroux-Do, Patrick Gosselin and Steeven Chouinard, Le Couleur first rose to prominence with an electro-pop sound as bright as the lights of the now-defunct Studio 54, with the EPs Voyage Love (2013) and Dolce Désir (2015), followed by their acclaimed full-length albums, P.O.P. (2016) and Concorde (2020).  
 
With rich and irresistibly danceable performances, Le Couleur delivers decadent and dynamic shows - full of exhilarating energy. In addition to their four European tours (UK, FR, IT), the trio, which has over 100 dates under its belt, has made notable appearances at SXSW (US), Sound City (UK), Fimpro (MX), and more.

LISTEN HERE

NEW MIXTAPE FEATURING:
 TINCHY STRYDER, MASTER PEACE, FROZEMODE + MORE OUT SEPTEMBER 8
 
MIXTAPE LAUNCH PARTY AT SIGNATURE BREWERY
BREW HALL TICKETS ON SALE HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 17, 2023 – Alternative trio, NOISY, today release new single, DANCEFLOOR, featuring, Charlotte Plank, taken from their upcoming mixtape, FAST FWD: to friday [Vol 1], out September 8 via Concord Records. Pre-save the EP here.
 
DANCEFLOOR is a euphoric track that details the hedonistic heights of the dance floor, the feeling of losing yourself in the music. Featuring the hotly tipped musician, Charlotte Plank, the track perfectly encapsulates the band’s dynamic sound as well as their ethos of creative freedom.
 
To celebrate the mixtape release, NOISY are set to host a launch party at the almighty Signature Brewery Brew Hall on September 8. Partygoers will be treated to an all-dayer of energy in the form of a live NOISY show that’ll feature a few special guests. Tickets on sale now here.
 
The band says about the single: “DANCEFLOOR is about being in a knot at a party when you feel like you can’t move from the sofa and trying to pull it together to continue the sesh. Sometimes all you need is for the perfect song to come on and you’re right back in it. Charlotte absolutely smashed it on this. We had made some music together previously for her project which was really exciting and then we played her this and knew she’d sound amazing on the chorus”.
 
Charlotte Plank says about the single: “I’m so gassed to be linking up with Noisy on this track, I’m a big fan of theirs as we share a lot of the same musical influences/DNA so it only made sense for us to work together! This came about earlier this year when the boys asked me to hop on the hook of this track they already had in the works. I loved the energy and excitement of the track and the way Cody’s verses about being disoriented/taking a bad turn on a night out contrast with the euphoric togetherness/feeling of the hook. That is almost like a warm hug bringing you back from the dodgy turn- giving you the power to soldier on and live the rest of the night to the full! We’re dropping it just in time to be able to perform it together at Reading and Leeds fest, so we’re gassed to have it out in the world and for everyone to get it round their ears before then!!”
 
NOISY have always fostered a sense of community and strived to bring people together. This led them to curate their Brighton club night, Fast FWD to Friday. A fusion of DJ sets and live performance, the FAST FWD mission statement is to spotlight and celebrate emerging artists within the alternative scene. FAST FWD: to friday [Vol 1] mixtape is an extension of this - a body of authentic collaborations, many of which stemmed from simple DM exchanges and showing appreciation for one another's work.
 
Alongside a jam-packed summer of festivals, NOISY will be returning to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at this year’s Reading & Leeds Festival (Friday Reading, Saturday Leeds) for what is set to be an unforgettable set. The band have already played knock-out shows this summer at Prague’s Metronome, The Great Escape and 2000 Trees and NASS Festival.
 
This self-sufficient, DIY mindset is one of the driving forces of NOISY (comprised of singer Cody, guitarist Connor and producer Spencer), who pride themselves on owning creative control, writing, recording and producing all of their music, designing their own merch and often shooting their own music videos.
 
It’s been all gas no breaks for as long as the band can remember. The past few years alone, they’ve had D&B legend High Contrast remix their single 24/7, opened for Mike Skinner, enjoyed a UK headline tour which came to London for a sold-out XOYO show and previous collaborations with the likes of The Prototypes, 1991 and Zero.
 
If NOISY’s ambitions are no-holds-barred, then they perfectly match up to the euphoric maximalist blend of dance, drum’n’bass, jungle and electro sounds they’ve celebrated for creating.

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - NOISY and Charlotte Plank photo

JOHN VINCENT III SPINS A DAYDREAM
ON THE SWEETLY PHILOSOPHICAL
THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS, BABE OUT TODAY

SOPHOMORE ALBUM SONGS FOR THE CANYON
SET TO ARRIVE NOVEMBER 17

PRE-ORDER HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 17, 2023 – When singer-songwriter, John Vincent III, set out on a journey from his southern California home with his partner and a guitar in tow in early 2021, he had no real plan, and no idea that the eight-month long odyssey –which saw the couple make their way to more than a dozen states across the US – would eventually lead to the creation of his sophomore album, Songs For the Canyon, due out on November 17.
 
Today, Vincent releases That’s Just the Way It Is, Babe, the album’s second single. Listen to it here. Songs For the Canyon is available for pre-order here.
 
The young artist – whose self-released 2019 debut amassed nearly two million monthly listeners on Spotify – wasn’t even sure that he wanted to continue to pursue a career in music. Nonetheless, he was determined to keep up with his daily practice of writing songs, which helped to keep him grounded and kept his mind sharp during the many long months of the pandemic.
 
As he recalls, “During my time away, I was still writing very simply structured and easy to play songs, just as I did when I first started making music – not allowing myself to stress over the details of the song, but writing about what I was thinking or feeling in the moment. Ultimately, it was never about me being done playing and writing: it was about me figuring out who I am outside of music, finding joy in other areas of life, working on my relationships and myself. I wasn’t sure it was for me anymore, and the only thing I knew to do was leave LA and start driving.”
 
He eventually made his way back to his home in California, and after a lengthy period of self-reflection, was persuaded to give music another go. The bulk of the recording on Songs For the Canyon was done with co-producer, Tom Elmhirst (Adele, David Bowie), with additional production by Tony Berg (Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, Blake Mills), Jonathan Gilbert (Mt. Joy, The Kills), and Ryan Hadlock (Brandi Carlile, Vance Joy, Lumineers).
 
“That’s Just the Way It Is, Babe is one of two songs that made its way onto the album at the last minute,” says Vincent.  “After sitting with the version of the album prior to this song being made, I felt like there was still something more that could be done to bring it all back to the canyon. I wanted something that had lots of acoustics moving around – that you can play alone, or make a jam session with your friends: something about leaving the bullshit behind and stepping into the light.”

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Album Art 

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

ACCLAIMED JAZZ AND HIP-HOP COLLECTIVE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM SOLAR MUSIC OCTOBER 6 VIA CONCORD JAZZ

PRE-ORDER HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 15, 2023 – Critically acclaimed jazz and hip-hop fusionists, Butcher Brown, today celebrate the release of, DYKWYD, the third single from the group’s forthcoming album, Solar Music, out October 6 via Concord Jazz. Listen here and watch the lyric video here. Pre-order Solar Music here.
 
The song – an acronym for Do You Know What You’re Doing – features EMMY Award-winning saxophonist, Braxton Cook, a rising voice in the urban jazz scene whose talents have been called upon by Rihanna, Mac Miller and Jon Batiste. DYWYD puts technical and creative musicality on display as it glides between classic R&B sounds and funk-laden bass and guitar, demonstrating the many sonic influences that have formed Butcher Brown's identity. MC Marcus Tennishu's raps carry the song's smooth momentum into Cook’s standout sax solo halfway through the song. The end result is four minutes of sonic clarity that beautifully holds the space between jazz, hip-hop and neo-soul.
 
Described by Butcher Brown bandmates as “having something for just about everybody under the sun,” the Solar Music collectively demonstrates the band's dynamic approach to the jazz format, and incorporating their own rich lineage of musical influences from their upbringing in Richmond – fusing elements of soul, funk, rock, and hip-hop, into a universal sound. Releasing digitally, on CD and double LP, the new album incorporates longtime friends and new unexpected guests into their approach, with additional appearances by Pink Siifu, Charlie Hunter, Jay Prince, Nappy Nina, Keyon Harrold and Michael Millions throughout its 17 tracks.
 
Following a lauded performance at Newport Jazz Festival earlier this month, Butcher Brown will embark on an extensive global tour with dates across the U.S. and Europe this fall in support of the new album. The global tour – which heads to 13 states and 7 countries – will feature domestic appearances from California to Washington DC, including a performance at NPR’s World Cafe Live October 21 and a hometown show November 24 at the Broadberry in Richmond, Virginia.
 
To learn more about Butcher Brown, read the full bio below or watch their 2021 NPR Tiny Desk  (Home) performance. Listen to DYKWYD and pre-order Solar Music above, and stay tuned for more new music from Butcher Brown coming soon.

TOUR DATES:
8/24 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27
8/25 - Charleston, SC @ Charleston Pour House
8/26 - Asheville, NC @ Salvage Station
9/2 - Stuart, VA @ Front Porch Fest
9/22 - Harrisonburg, VA @ James Madison University
10/12 - Reno, NV @ University of Nevada
10/17 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/18 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
10/20 - Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
10/21 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live (upstairs)
10/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
10/24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Dakota
10/25 - Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
10/26 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
10/27 - Indianapolis, IN @ Jazz Kitchen\
11/4 - Eindhoven, NL @ So What’s Next?
11/6 - London, UK @ The Forge
11/7 - Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
11/8 - Berlin, DE @ J.A.W. (Zenner)
11/9 - Mannheim, DE @ Alte Feuerwache
11/10 - Técou, FR @ Coco Jazz
11/11 - Groningen, NL @ Rockit
11/12 - Rotterdam, NL @ Rooterdam / Bird
11/13 - Amsterdam, NL @ Bimhuis
11/14 - Charloeroi, BE @ Palais des Beaux Arts
11/16 - Geneva, CH @ TBA
11/24 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
11/25 - Washington, DC @ Atlantis
12/5 - Seattle, WA @ Madame Lou’s
12/6 - Portland, OR @ The Get Down
12/7 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
12/8 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Kuumbwa
12/9 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
12/10 - San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room

DOWNLOAD – album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MORE ABOUT BUTCHER BROWN:
"So, what kind of music do you make?” This question is the bane of every musician’s existence because it requires that they shrink down the wide expanse of their creativity to an easily (mis)understood genre description.

No matter how vivid or elaborate the description, “show” will always be more powerful than “tell.” The words we use to describe music don’t encapsulate what the listener’s experiences as much as give context clues. 

That’s why Butcher Brown – the multifaceted band from Richmond, Virginia – call their sound and their follow up to 2020’s #KingButch and their second release on Concord Jazz, Solar Music. 

Solar music is not simply a description; it’s an invitation to listen and an invitation to feel. 

Friends and bandmates Corey Fonville (drums), Andrew Randazzo, (bass), Morgan Burrs (guitar), Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney, (trumpet, saxophone, vocals) and Devonne “DJ Harrison” Harris (multi-instrumentalist) make music that is as diverse as their own varied tastes and backgrounds. It’s a seamlessly blended amalgam of sounds including jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk, R&B, alternative, soul, country, house, bossa nova, pop, and more. “We are the melting pot. We are the mix,” says Devonne. “I feel like that's what we represent and that's what this album represents.”

But Butcher Brown’s eclecticism isn’t for the sake of musical masturbation or to impress chin-stroking critics. Theirs is music of, and for, the people. “It’s music for everybody," says Tennishu reflecting on how well-received they’ve been on stages across the globe. “You can see it on all kinds of different faces, young, old, big, small, short, tall, they all start dancing eventually. It’s literally music for the whole solar system.”

So how did this band of brothers make the sun come out on this new album? They challenged themselves to break from routine and old formulas. “[In the past] we'd make a record, like [2014’s] All Purpose Music and put constraints on what we do in the studio with the thought of the live show, thinking ‘let's make this something that we can recreate at the show,’” explains Andrew. “We did that for a few records but then #KingButch was the one where we kind of departed from that idea and took more of a Sgt. Pepper … approach of, let's just explore what we can present in the studio, even if it's not something that we can pull off live.”

Realizing that listening to their albums and their live show are two distinct experiences unlocked a new level of creativity for the band. Now Butcher Brown could allow themselves to explore new sounds and approaches to songwriting and production. This new unbridled creativity informed their approach to making Solar Music over the course of many sessions in 2021 and 2022 at go-to studios Montrose Recording, Minimum Wage Studios, and their homebase Jellowstone.

Of course, the sun is at the centre of the solar system, giving us warmth, lighting our days and keeping the planet revolving around it. Similarly, when it came time to create Solar Music, the band saw themselves at the centre of their sound drawing in other like-minded musicians with gravitational pull. 

What could have been an insular musical conversation between the five became a collaboration with some of their friends and faves including Oakland-bred wordsmith Nappy Nina (Half of It), hip-hop iconoclast Pink Siifu (Eye Never Know, Run It Up), East London rapper Jay Prince (Move), real-life guitar hero Charlie Hunter (Espionage) and more.  

On the new album, Butcher Brown flexes their musicianship not only as players but also songwriters, producers, and composers collaborating with guests. “We can do everything on our own, sure, and we have done that for forever, but it's also cool to have other people come in and get their perspectives,” explains Morgan. “Butcher Brown is evolving, maturing, and we’re growing as people,” adds Corey, reflecting on the making of Solar Music.  

The results of these collabs are extraordinary. Take the album’s first single, I Can’t Say To You, for instance. “You’ll find your way/ tomorrow or today/ there’s nothing else I can say to you …,” sings guest Vanisha Gould, in a voice that sounds both angelic and ancestral. “She has a voice that almost sounds like a sample, almost like Billie Holiday or something," says Corey who sought her out to feature on the song. “It’s got that warmth, like somebody’s mama singing to you.” 

Warmth, light, and connection through a sound that like the sun itself is for everyone. Welcome to Solar Music.

WATCH MASTERPIECE VISUALIZER HERE  

MOTHER ROAD TOUR KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 7
INCLUDES STOPS IN NYC, ATLANTA, CHICAGO, VERMONT
AND MORE

TORONTO, ON - August 14, 2023 - Today, 3X GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, Grace Potter, shares Masterpiece, the finale track from Mother Road, her “dynamite new album” (Guitar Player) out this Friday, August 18, via Fantasy Records. A coming-of-age autobiography in cabaret-pop form, Masterpiece envisions Potter’s libertine young adulthood𑁋and the lust for life that propelled her out into the world in whimsical detail. Watch the Masterpiece visualizer here. Pre-order Mother Road here. 

“Masterpiece came from going back home, driving by my high school every day, and feeling childhood memories rushing back, one of the silver linings of going back home,” Potter shares. “The kids I’d grown up with were there with a million stories about me, every story got weirder and wilder than the last. But I love that that’s how they remembered me and that I’m living those stories out through Mother Road.”

Produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Nickel Creek) and recorded at RCA’s famed Studio A in Nashville and Topangadise in Topanga, CA, Mother Road - the follow-up to Potter’s 2019 acclaimed, 2X GRAMMY-nominated album, Daylight - finds the rock and soul artist deconstructing her deepest fears and darkest regrets and charting the fallout with brutal honesty and emotional daring. 

Throughout the album’s 10 original tracks, Potter, along with contributions from top-flight musicians, commands an expansive soundscape of soulful rock, roots, funk, country, and R&B. Watch the Mother Road album trailer here.

Tickets are currently on sale for Potter’s Mother Road Tour, which kicks off at Collin Centers for the Arts in Orono, ME on Saturday, September 7. The 18-date fall tour also includes two performances at Shelburne Museum in her native Vermont, as well as shows at New York City’s Pier 17, Milwaukee’s Pabst Theatre, Chicago’s Riviera Theater and Atlanta’s Tabernacle, among other great venues, before concluding at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC on November 18. See below for the full itinerary. For tickets information please visit gracepotter.com. 

GRACE POTTER TOUR DATES:
September 1 - Snowmass Village, CO - JAS Aspen Snowmass
September 7- Orono, ME - Collins Center for the Arts *
September 8 - Providence, RI - Veterans Memorial Auditorium *
September 9 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark *
September 10 - Hammondsport, NY - Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyard *
September 14 - Concord, NH - Capitol Center for the Arts *
September 15 & 16 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum, Ben & Jerry's Concerts on The Green - BOTH DATES SOLD OUT 
September 17 - Albany, NY - The Egg *
September 22 - Branford, CT - Stony Creek Brewery *
September 23 - New York, NY - Pier 17 *
September 24 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak *
September 27 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater *
September 29 - Richmond, VA - Maymont *
September 30 - Harrisburg, PA - Southside Stage  *
October 1 - Ocean City, MD - Oceans Calling Festival
October 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre *
October 5 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater *
October 6 - Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Place *
October 7- Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater *
November 11- Highlands, NC - Highlands Food & Wine Festival
November 17- Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle *
November 18 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore *
March 18-22, 2024 - Miami, FL to Cozumel, MX - Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea

*official Mother Road Tour dates

DOWNLOAD - album cover artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

LISTEN HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 14, 2023 – Rising artist, August Royals, has released his latest single, Every Time I Go, via RCA Records.
 
The pop-punk influenced single follows a run of recent releases from August Royals, including, Love You Til I Die and Angel Arms, each serving as the next chapter of his continued sonic evolution. Awash in upbeat percussion and melodic vocals, the song serves as an ode to August’s partner, proclaiming that no matter where he is, he keeps her with him.  
 
Garnering praise from V Magazine, Rollacoaster, Lyrical Lemonade, and more, August Royals has quickly started making a name for himself in just a few short months, establishing himself as an artist to watch. Selected as part of Pigeons & Planes’ highly coveted Best New Artists, he was heralded as “the rare kind of talent who’s positioned to strike the difficult balance between artistry and accessibility.” The Georgia-born and Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter first caught listeners’ attention in 2019 when he posted a clip of his song, Restless, and went viral on Instagram with hundreds of thousands of views.
 
After a chance meeting with Kevin Abstract at a show in Los Angeles, the two became fast friends and collaborators. Championed by Abstract, August signed with RCA Records and released his debut single, Blue Football, to praise and critical acclaim. Clash called the release “exhilarating,” praising it as a “carefully finessed song, one that balances the micro with the macro in its search for meaning.” Following suit with, Crash, less than a month later, the single was featured as one of Billboard’s 10 Cool New Pop Songs. In 2022, he released his debut project, Inhaler, a nine-track EP that served as a multi-genre reflection of his own experiences and struggles.

DOWNLOAD - single artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

A STUNNING GENRE SNAPSHOT ACROSS GENERATIONS PRODUCED AND COMPILED BY DAN AUERBACH

12-SONG SET UNITES LEGENDARY BLUES MASTERS
(ROBERT FINLEY, RL BOYCE, JIMMY "DUCK” HOLMES,
LEO BUD WELCH, GLENN SCHWARTZ) AND BREAKTHROUGH NEWCOMERS (NAT MYERS, GABE CARTER, MOONRISERS) PLUS NEVER-BEFORE-HEARD SONGS FROM AUERBACH AND THE BLACK KEYS

THE BLACK KEYS HEADLINED ALL-STAR JUKE JOINT JAM
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY AT NASHVILLE'S BROOKLYN BOWL THIS WEEK + LISTEN TO PREVIOUSLY-UNRELEASED NO LOVIN' FROM THE GROUP HERE

"With the way the production is built around the artists, no one should be surprised that in Music City, Easy Eye Sound is recording and releasing blues material every bit as splendid, gritty — and yes, authentic — as anything coming out of Chicago or Mississippi." — Nashville Scene

"This is a powerful, insistent collection of artists laying down a murky groove that few contemporary artists get right. Credit producer/auteur Auerbach, who understands, appreciates, and is inspired by the music these non-commercial artists make and uses his capacity as a high-profile star to share it with the world.” — American Songwriter

"Tell Everybody! anthologizes some of the most important and undersung blues work of the last century...ranging near and far across the works of bluesmen who have greatly informed the landscape." — Paste Magazine

"Glenn Schwartz is one of America's great unsung guitar heroes – as evidenced by Tell Everybody!" — Guitar World (on Daughter of Zion)

"Paying homage to the muddy roots that inspired him, Auerbach keeps the heart and spirit of the blues alive for future generations to enjoy.” — No Depression

TORONTO, ON – August 11, 2023 – Easy Eye Sound, the Nashville based label headed by Dan Auerbach and named Billboard’s 2022 Blues Label Of The Year, has shared Tell Everybody! (21st Century Juke Joint Blues From Easy Eye Sound) today; a gripping anthology surveying the current state of the blues. Listen here.

Featuring exclusive recordings, including a new The Black Keys song, cut at Easy Eye Sounds’ Nashville studio, this snapshot of 21^st century juke joint music captures a wide-ranging collection of artists brought together by a label that's earned 16 GRAMMY nominations, four Billboard #1 Blues Albums, and widespread acclaim since its founding in 2017. But beyond any of these accolades, Easy Eye Sound works to preserve the blues; uplift unsung voices in the genre and, in the process, build a thriving, multigenerational community. Across its 12 tracks, Tell Everybody! serves as a living embodiment of that core mission. Listen to The Black Keys' never-heard track, No Lovin', from Tell Everybody! here.

Throughout its tracklist, Tell Everybody! features masters like North Mississippi’s RL Boyce, Betonia’s Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Louisiana powerhouse, Robert Finley, and the Delta gospel sounds of Leo Bud Welch; alongside brilliant youngbloods like Detroit duo, Moonrisers, Chicago-based Gabe Carter, and Korean-American Kentucky native, Nat Myers. Auerbach shares a pair of never-before-heard tracks from both The Black Keys and his solo work, and can be heard with members of The Arcs alongside Joe Walsh backing the late Ohio blues hero Glenn Schwartz – a seminal if unsung guitar mentor for both Auerbach and Walsh alike.

To celebrate the release, Easy Eye Sound threw a Juke Joint Jam album release party earlier this week at Nashville's Brooklyn Bowl. The event was headlined by The Black Keys, with the band that created the GRAMMY-nominated Delta Kream album — including Hill Country blues legends, Kenny Brown (guitar) and Eric Deaton (bass) — and a special guest appearance from Robert Finley. Additional sets were performed by Tell Everybody! contributors, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and Gabe Carter.

TELL EVERYBODY! (21ST CENTURY JUKE JOINT BLUES FROM EASY EYE SOUND) TRACK LIST:
RL Boyce - Coal Black Mattie
Robert Finley - Tell Everybody
Moonrisers - Tall Shadow
Dan Auerbach - Every Chance I Get (I Want You In The Flesh)
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes - Catfish Blues (Mono)
Gabe Carter - Anything You Need
Nat Myers - Willow Witchin’
Leo Bud Welch - Don't Let The Devil Ride (Mono)
The Black Keys - No Lovin’
Glenn Schwartz - Daughter Of Zion (Featuring Joe Walsh)
Gabe Carter - Buffalo Road
Glenn Schwartz - Collinwood Fire

DOWNLOAD – album cover artwork

SHARES NEW TRACK LIVE ANOTHER LIFE
FOLLOWING LAST MONTH'S RELEASE OF
LEAD SINGLE COCOON

ON TOUR ACROSS WESTERN CANADA
THROUGH THE FALL

TORONTO, ON – August 11, 2023 – Following last month's launch of the groove-laden lead single, Cocoon, acclaimed BC-based singer-songwriter and producer, Jordan Klassen, is thrilled to now announce the forthcoming release of his new album, Marginalia. Arriving October 20, the album serves as a companion piece to his 2022 release, Glossolalia. Pre-save Marginalia here and pre-order the album on vinyl here. Klassen will bring the record to life as he takes to stages across western Canada this fall, co-headlining with David Vertesi (Hey Ocean!) - see below for full details. 

When Klassen set out to write Glossolalia, he tapped into a new creative well. In the midst of recording the record, he found himself continuing to write, coming away from the process with two distinct yet complementary bodies of work. Marginalia now rounds out the collection from this period. Composing Glossolalia mostly with guitar, Klassen created a subtly blossoming record that perhaps nailed his “fairy folk for troubled times” approach better than ever before. The arrangements on Glossolalia were reduced to the bare essentials to support his voice with minimal production. While troubles are not a thing of the past, times are now different, and thus, Marginalia is the other side of the musical coin: smoother, fuller, and more elegant than its predecessor.

While not “folky”, Marginalia is poetic like its sister record, but more melodic and less stripped down than what Klassen has produced before. From the contemplative opener, You, Yourself, which pulls lines from an orthodox prayer, to the emotional closer, Vanya, a song written as a gift to his sister during a season of hardship, Klassen once again has impressively demonstrated his ability to evoke an incredibly deep poetic auditory experience.

Songs primarily are led from piano with sweeping orchestral arrangements. Diverse keyboard tones are used to move songs forward while also setting an emotional atmosphere, perhaps best expressed in Old Flame. Klassen writes about his sobering awareness that he has spent “Half my existence pushed out on a ledge,” as he acknowledges the persistence of his own mental battles. One can easily visualize the songwriter recognizing the emotional power of memories, like a bad relationship that still has power over him even as he tries to break free. The newly released track, Live Another Life, continues the expression of emotional struggle with intrusive thoughts that haunt the songwriter and tell a different narrative where "All the conversations (are) never true)." 

"This song is about my own struggle with mental illness," reflects Klassen. "With intrusive thoughts often one can start to believe a completely different narrative about who they are and what they value, it’s like living another life in your head.”

Arriving today, the next taste of the new music from Marginalia, Live Another Life features stirring additional vocals from fellow BC artist, Alexandria Maillot - an atmospheric track highlighted by evocative storytelling lyrics and warm, muted piano. Listen here. 

With this new body of work, Klassen’s ultimate message is that what feels intangible can be revealed by peering into the marginalia. The sacred is manifested all around us, “in touch and taste and smell,” there for us to discover if we look for it. Look for more to be revealed of Marginalia soon, and tune in to Live Another Life today. 

MARGINALIA TRACK LIST:
1. You Yourself
2. Casey
3. Greener Hills
4. Cocoon
5. King of the Empire
6. Overstep
7. Life Another Life (feat. Alexandria Maillot)
8. Old Flame
9. Where Else Would I Go?
10. Vanya

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
September 15 - Delta, BC - Barnside Harvest Festival
October 4 - Kelowna, BC - Benvoulin Church 
October 5 - Rossland, BC - Flying Steamshovel
October 7 - Calgary, AB - King Eddy
October 8 - Red Deer, AB - Red Hart Brewing
October 11 - Winnipeg, MB - WECC
October 12 - Saskatoon, SK - The Capitol
October 13 - Regina, SK - Artesian
October 14 - Edmonton, AB - The Aviary
October 15 - Kamloops, BC - Effie Arts Collective
October 19 - Vancouver, BC - Hollywood Theatre
*more to be announced soon*

DOWNLOAD – album cover artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

EMMYLOU HARRIS HONOURS THE MEMORY
OF HER FRIEND NANCI GRIFFITH WITH SUBLIME RENDITION OF LOVE WORE A HALO (BACK BEFORE THE WAR)

MORE THAN A WHISPER: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF NANCI GRIFFITH 
PAYS TRIBUTE TO GRIFFITH’S VAST MUSICAL LEGACY
OUT SEPTEMBER 22 

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 11, 2023 – Trailblazing singer and songwriter, Nanci Griffith, whose life was suddenly cut short in 2021, was a pivotal figure in the development of what is now known as Americana music. She left behind an extraordinary and keenly influential body of work that will likely inspire future generations of songwriters for years to come. On September 22, Griffith’s artistic legacy will be memorialized through the all-star tribute, More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith.
 
Today, Griffith’s longtime friend, Emmylou Harris, releases a joyful and buoyant rendition of Love Wore a Halo (Back Before the War). Listen to it here.
 
Harris and producer, Buddy Miller, enlisted a stellar group of musicians for the recording, including multi-instrumentalists Sam Bush and Michael Webb, bassist Dennis Crouch, drummer Fred Eltringham, and guitarist, Jedd Hughes.
 
More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith features Griffith’s friends, collaborators, and fans interpreting her most beloved songs, including Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Lyle Lovett and Kathy Mattea, John Prine and Kelsey Waldon, and Mary Gauthier, who also shares her admiration for Griffith in heartfelt liner notes. Recorded over several years in studios across America, More Than a Whisper also includes stirring contributions from Brandy Clark, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, Iris DeMent, Todd Snider, and Aaron Lee Tasjan with Patty Griffin, while Ida Mae and The War and Treaty both appear exclusively on the expanded CD, digital, and HD versions of the album. All proceeds from More Than a Whisper will benefit Nashville’s Cumberland Heights, a non-profit treatment facility offering hope and healing to those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Click here to pre-order More Than a Whisper: Celebrating The Music of Nanci Griffith.

DOWNLOAD - Cover Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE
 
BURY THE SORROW LP OUT OCTOBER 13
VIA LISBON LUX RECORDS

PRE-ORDER HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 9, 2023 – Today, Canadian synthwave reference-artist, Das Mörtal, shares the third single, PIECES, from his new and upcoming album, BURY THE SORROW, out October 13 via Lisbon Lux Records. Featuring Tony Kim (Dance With The Dead), PIECES is a sad boy song for techno dancefloors and dark rooms, and sees Das Mörtal further exploring genres, while always remaining true to an emo foundation. Listen to PIECES here and watch the visualizer, here. Pre-order BURY THE SORROW here.
 
PIECES, a self-proclaimed witch house song, is about the pain of daily routine, a concept Das Mörtal applied in the repetition of the lyrics, which contain just three phrases: "It's all just pain, Every morning is the same, When your brain is in pieces."
 
On working with Dance With The Dead, Das Mörtal offers: “[It was] awesome, since other than my family, they’re the people I hanged the most within the last three years or so… Dance with the Dead were the last people I saw before the world went into slumber. PIECES is the result of mind's inability to move forward during that moment in time.”
 
WASTED, the first single from Das Mörtal’s third and upcoming album, was released in February and showed how much the Chilean born producer had grown as an artist, as the track related to the fear and mental block he experienced during the pandemic, when the impression of doing nothing was omnipresent. IDÖL, the second track from BURY THE SORROW, further gave listeners a look into how Das Mörtal had pushed his sound and tapped into new influences he hadn’t explored previously.
 
BURY THE SORROW was mostly recorded at Das Mörtal’s home – one of the few environments he enjoys. He recorded more vocals than his previous works, and in turn, got more personal with the project. Themes of struggle abound on the album: the struggle of making an album, getting through each day, and of sometimes just being yourself. 

“It goes in so many stylistic places because that’s how my brain was working,” Das Mörtal explains. “Being stressed, lazy, anxious and etc... while working on just one track, can make them feel a bit erratic. It makes them sound less over produced and more genuine to the creative struggle I was in.”
 
Keep up to date with Das Mörtal below, as BURY THE SORROW nears existence, come this October.

DOWNLOAD - Single Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

ABOUT DAS MÖRTAL:
Das Mörtal began his journey in Berlin, inspired by artists such as Steve Moore and Aphex Twin. The producer forges a dark and nostalgic sound, skillfully mixing influences that range from German techno to horror and sci-fi film soundtracks. With several EPs and albums released, he has performed in several major festivals such as Osheaga, Transmusicales de Rennes, FME and Meg Festival while opening on tours for Vitalic, Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, etc. Now part of the world's leading synthwave producers, the enigmatic artist offers a more personal sound, a unique musical signature charming a growing audience worldwide. With over 20 million streams on Spotify alone, Das Mörtal receives media and radio support in a dozen countries, as well as on several influential pages on YouTube. On stage, he has racked up nearly 100 shows since 2015, including more than 70 dates in the U.S. and Europe (UK, France, Scandinavia). 

HOMETOWN TORONTO RELEASE SHOW
ON AUGUST 17 AT THE DRAKE

FALL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
INCLUDING STOPS IN MONTREAL AND TORONTO

"Striking... Poignant" - NPR

“Rachel Bobbitt is back with another stomach-jilting piece of
bedroom alt-pop perfection.” - Paste

"Rachel Bobbitt’s tender, shimmering voice has the capacity to carry a massive weight of emotion — a weapon she wields very carefully." - Consequence

"'The Ceiling Demos' offers fans of Bobbitt and newcomers to her music alike an intimate view into her process" - The FADER

"A distillation of the enormous and unutterable, Rachel Bobbitt's ‘More’ is an unflinching rumination on the uterus-bearing experience." - Exclaim

TORONTO, ON – August 4, 2023 – Today, emerging Toronto-based artist, Rachel Bobbitt, releases her remarkable new EP, The Half We Still Have via Fantasy Records. The Half We Still Have is a series of sharp and incisive character studies, told with unflinching honesty, piercing intuition, and fearless self-reflection. “I wanted these songs to reflect the intense dynamics that take shape in relationships,” Bobbitt explains. “I’ve found in some relationships, you give and give, only to eventually lose yourself in the process. In those moments where we feel abandoned and hollow, a small sliver remains intact, preserved, and personal.” 

The EP’s singles, Two Bit – which Paste called “another stomach-jilting piece of bedroom alt-pop perfection” – and Clay Feet – which saw support from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and more – perfectly encapsulates Bobbitt’s remarkable gift for expressing universal truths in the tiniest of details. Stream and/or purchase The Half We Still Have here. 

Produced and mixed by Jorge Elbrecht (Sky Ferreira, Japanese Breakfast) at 80A Studios in Toronto, The Half We Still Have is a searing, empathetic work of musical non-fiction, and just the beginning of an immensely bright future to come.

Bobbitt will give a hometown Toronto performance on August 17 at The Drake in celebration of the album’s release. Additionally, she has announced a fall tour supporting Jesse Jo Stark. See below for all dates, including stops in Montreal and Toronto.

Bobbitt (vocals/guitar) is joined on The Half We Still Have by close musical partner, Justice Der (guitar/e-bow), Stephen Bennett (drums/percussion), Isaac Teague (bass), Sam Laramee (synth), and Alex George (strings). The band’s tight-knit cohesion, combined with Elbrecht’s visionary production, helps give Bobbitt’s expansive art-pop compositions their shimmering toughness. 

Previous EP, The Ceiling Could Collapse, and now The Half We Still Have, showcase strong songwriting prowess, a skill that Bobbitt has been honing for a long time. She made a name for herself on Vine as a teenager, uploading covers of pop hits and all-time classics to the now-defunct social media site. As her profile rose, Bobbitt found herself overwhelmed rather than inspired. “It was exciting to be doing what I loved, but it was difficult to be observed by that many people at that age where I simultaneously wanted to just shut myself in,” she says. “I’m grateful it ended when it did, because it gave me time to step back and think about what I wanted to create for myself.” She soon found herself at a jazz program, before leaving it during the pandemic to focus on her own music. 

“Most of the moments I have had in my life that felt right, like they made sense, have been a result of human connection,” Bobbitt concludes. “It can be so beautiful, and it can also be desperate and damaging. I have had connections in my life that made me question the fundamentals of my character, and unfortunately, I don’t think that is uncommon. But throughout every complicated, demoralizing, or harmful relationship, there has always been that slice of myself that remained mine, even when I didn’t feel it. The Half We Still Have centres around that small piece, and the connections that threaten it.”

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
August 17 - Toronto, ON @ The Drake (Record Release Show)
September 15 - Somerville, MA @ Crystal Ballroom *
September 16 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground *
September 23 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz *
September 24 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground *
September 25 - Detroit, MI @ Loving Touch *
September 26 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *
September 28 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *
September 29 - St Paul, MN @ Turf Club *
September 30 - Milwaukee, MN @ Back Room at Colectivo *
October 1 - St Louis, MI @ Blueberry Hill *
October 3 - Kansas City, MO @ recordBar *
October 5 - Denver, CO @ Meow Wolf *
October 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
* supporting Jesse Jo Stark

DOWNLOAD – hi res press photo | DOWNLOAD – EP cover artwork

LISTEN TO NYE FEATURING SUKI WATERHOUSE HERE
 
FIFTH STUDIO LP TIME WILL WAIT FOR NO ONE
OUT NOW VIA LOMA VISTA
 

NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR UNDERWAY NOW WITH VANCOUVER SHOW SEPTEMBER 25 AT VOGUE THEATRE

 
STREAM/BUY TIME WILL WAIT FOR NO ONE HERE

TORONTO, ON – August 4, 2023 – Today, Local Natives release a reimagining of the single, NYE, featuring singer-songwriter, Suki Waterhouse. The original version of the song premiered on BBC Radio 6 Music and comes off their fifth studio LP, Time Will Wait For No One, that arrived last month via Loma Vista. The latest version of NYE is dreamy, romantic and stripped-down, with Suki’s vocals adding a contemplative bend - turning a song fit for a house party in the hills into a sunset drive to the beach. Listen here and watch here. 

Time Will Wait For No One showcases the band’s seminal SoCal harmonies and was recorded across historic LA recording studios with GRAMMY award winning producer, John Congleton (Angel Olsen, Death Cab For Cutie, St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten), Michael Harris (Lana Del Rey, Feist), and Danny Reisch (Sun June, Other Lives).

Following two hometown nights at the Ford Theater in LA to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band’s sophomore LP, Hummingbird, the band will embark on the Time Will Wait For No One Tour. The 25-city nationwide tour kicks off in Minneapolis on August 18 and criss-crosses the US all summer, including performances at NYC’s Pier 17 on August 29, two nights at DC’s 9:30 Club on August 24 and 25, Austin's Stubbs on September 16, and the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver on September 25.

TIME WILL WAIT FOR NO ONE TOUR DATES:
August 18 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue^
August 19 - Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater^
August 20 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre^
August 22 - Boston, MA - House of Blues^
August 24 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club^
August 25 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club^
August 26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE^
August 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall^
August 29 - New York, NY - Pier 17^
September 8 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre*
September 9 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues*
September 11 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall*
September 12 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works*
September 13 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern*
September 15 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues*
September 16 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater*
September 17 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom*
September 19 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren*
September 21 - Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom*
September 22 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot*
September 23 - Bozeman, MT - The Elm*
September 25 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre*
September 26 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre*
September 27 - Portland, OR - McMenamins Grand Lodge*
September 28 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater*
September 30 - Del Mar, CA - The Sound*

^ w/ Annika Bennett
* w/ Halfnoise

DOWNLOAD - Single Art | DOWNLOAD - Local Natives Press Photo

DOWNLOAD - Suki Waterhouse Press Photo

ROBERT FINLEY RELEASES SNEAKIN’ AROUND
SOULFUL SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM BLACK BAYOU
OUT OCTOBER 27 VIA EASY EYE SOUND

FINLEY IS THE EPITOME OF SMOLDERING COOLNESS
IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO

WATCH HERE AND LISTEN HERE

69 YEAR’S YOUNG SINGER-SONGWRITER STAR RETURNS
WITH DAN AUERBACH-PRODUCED ALBUM - A SWAGGERING TOUR DE FORCE OF BLUES, SOUL, AND FUNK SHARING STORIES FROM THE SWAMPS OF LOUISIANA
  
EASY EYE SOUND JUKE JOINT JAM SHOW WITH THE BLACK KEYS, JIMMY “DUCK” HOLMES, AND MORE ON AUGUST 9 AT NASHVILLE'S BROOKLYN BOWL

TOUR DATES:
November 4 - Groningen, NL - Take Root Festival
November 5 - Brussels, BE - Rotonde @ Botanique
November 8 - London, UK - Jazz Café
November 9 - Manchester, UK - Blues Kitchen
November 10 - Pandrup, DK - Blues Heaven Festival
November 14 - Toulouse, FR - Salle Nougaro
November 15 - Saint-Nazaire, FR - VIP
November 16 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates
November 18 - Šumperk, CZ - Blues Alive Festival
November 20 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix
November 21 - Paris, FR - Maroquinerie
November 23 - La Roche-Sur-Yon, FR - Quai M
November 24 - La Rochelle, FR - La Sirène
November 25 - Castres, FR - Lo Boegason
November 26 - Saint-Etienne, FR - Le Fil

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

About Robert Finley:
Robert is an army veteran and was a skilled carpenter before losing his sight in his 60s, which led him to finally pursue his musical dream. Finley has overcome divorce, house fires, an automobile accident and is now legally blind following losing his sight due to the medical condition, glaucoma, which forced him to retire from carpentry and finally pursue his long delayed music career. Finley believes his sight was improved by the power of prayer, and Finley’s faith has also helped him focus on launching his music career in his 60’s. According to Finley, “losing my sight gave me the perspective to see my true destiny.”

His ascent has been swift. His previous Auerbach-produced album, Goin’ Platinum, received widespread critical acclaim including Associated Press who praised Finley’s ability to lend “instant credibility to any song.” Finley also toured more than 10 countries, and his live show drew praise from publications including The New York Times. Finley was profiled on PBS NewsHour, which led to him becoming a contestant on the 2019 season of the TV competition, America’s Got Talent, reaching the semi-finals.

He was born in Winnsboro in 1953, but has spent most of his life in Bernice, a small town of about 1,600 souls just 30 miles from the Arkansas border. After serving in the Army, he played blues in juke joints and sang gospel in churches around the region, often mixing those two styles with southern soul, heavy rock, swamp pop, jazz, and anything else that crossed his mind. His second album, Sharecropper’s Son, was inspired by Finley's childhood: his family were sharecroppers, and he was unable to regularly attend school and often worked with his family in the field picking cotton. This was a landmark release, landing him the cover of SPIN Magazine, NPR Morning amongst other critical acclaim.

He’s since headlined shows with The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Nathaniel Rateliff and many more.

ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER AND GUITARIST SHARES  A BLISTERING, UNRELEASED VERSION OF KOKO TAYLOR’S VOODOO WOMAN HERE

16-TRACK SPECIAL EDITION INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BONUS MATERIAL AND LIVE VERSIONS

TORONTO, ON – July 28, 2023 – Susan Tedeschi is one of the most celebrated blues and American roots musicians of her generation, and her unyielding commitment to her craft – both as a solo artist and in Tedeschi Trucks Band – has earned her multiple GRAMMY nominations and the adoration of audiences around the world. It all began humbly at blues jams in her native Boston back in the early ‘90s and led to significant regional acclaim, but with the 1998 release of her solo debut, Just Won’t Burn, Tedeschi put the wider music world on notice that she was a true force to be reckoned with. 
 
In celebration of the album’s 25th anniversary, Fantasy Records will release Just Won’t Burn (25th Anniversary Edition) on September 22. This special, 16-track expanded edition features the original album plus five previously unreleased bonus tracks: an alternate take of Looking For Answers, two new album outtakes, and two live versions of Just Won’t Burn album tracks recorded with Tedeschi Trucks Band at NYC’s Beacon Theatre.

Pre-order various formats of Just Won’t Burn (25th Anniversary Edition) here. Watch the visualizer for Tedeschi’s blistering version of Koko Taylor’s Voodoo Woman here. 

“Making Just Won’t Burn was a pivot,” Tedeschi says of the album, which was co-produced by Tom Hambridge and Tedeschi and recorded by Sean Carberry at Rear Window Studio, Brookline, MA. The album features musicians such as guitarists Adrienne Hayes and Sean Costello, and harmonica player, Annie Raines, tackling Tedeschi’s original songs in tandem with material popularized by Ruth Brown, Junior Wells, and John Prine. “All of a sudden, I was working with different groups of people, new musicians, new songwriting collaborators. We had no idea how it was going to turn out. I think the thing that held it all together was the blues. Blues is a language that I love. You can take it anywhere in the world and communicate with people, which isn’t necessarily true about other forms of music. And being a white artist in a black milieu, you just have to let the music speak.”
 
Speak it did, as Just Won’t Burn went Platinum (a rare achievement for a blues-based album at that time) and earned Tedeschi a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist in 2000 (alongside the of-the-moment cast of Britney Spears, Macy Gray, Kid Rock, and Christina Aguilera). It would be the first of five GRAMMY nominations for Tedeschi as a solo artist, with each of her next three solo releases earning nods for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
 
Even after 25 years, the past-decade plus of which have seen Tedeschi rise to even greater heights with her husband Derek Trucks in Tedeschi Trucks Band, Just Won’t Burn remains a touchstone of blues-based rock’n’roll. “The way people react to Just Won’t Burn has always been heartwarming and surprising,” she admits. “I used to get letters from a prisoner who identified with the songs and found hope in them, and then I started getting letters from the rest of the prisoners on the cell block because it was the only cassette they had.”
 
“Sometimes when I look back on the 25 years since the release, I think about the places I’ve been and the adventures I’ve had, and I feel like Forrest Gump,” Tedeschi continues. “I say, ‘No! You’re a baseball mom. You didn’t do all that!’ But I must have. The blues has its demands. You have to be honest — musically, emotionally, and personally — above everything else, and that can lead to some uncomfortable truths. But the blues hasn’t burned me. It hasn’t hurt me. It’s my main resource. I can express myself and get stuff out about my life – or, like B.B. always said, ‘whatever ails you.’ The blues got me here.”
 
Just Won’t Burn (25th Anniversary Edition) Track List:
​​1. Rock Me Right
2. You Need to Be With Me
3. Little By Little
4. It Hurt So Bad
5. Found Someone New
6. Looking For Answers
7. Can’t Leave You Alone
8. Just Won’t Burn
9. Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
10. Angel From Montgomery
11. Friar’s Point

BONUS TRACKS
12. Looking For Answers (Alternate Take)
13. Voodoo Woman (Album Outtake)
14. Waste Of Time (Album Outtake)
15. Looking For Answers (Tedeschi Trucks Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre, 10/06/2022) 
16. Just Won’t Burn (Tedeschi Trucks Band - Live at the Beacon Theatre, 10/07/2022) 

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

NEW ALBUM MOTHER ROAD OUT AUGUST 18 VIA FANTASY
 
MOTHER ROAD TOUR KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 7
INCLUDES STOPS IN NYC, ATLANTA, CHICAGO,
VERMONT, AND MORE

TORONTO, ON – July 28, 2023 – Today, 3X GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, Grace Potter, shares Ready Set Go and Lady Vagabond, the newest tracks off her highly anticipated album, Mother Road, out August 18, via Fantasy Records. Each track reveals one of the many wild characters Potter manifests in Mother Road’s twisted odyssey. Ready Set Go finds Potter as a 20-year-old, happy-go-lucky, wayward hitchhiker locked in an alternate reality, while the dramatic Lady Vagabond, wrapped in spaghetti-western bravado, illuminates the lawless, superhero within. Watch track visualizers for Ready Set Go here and Lady Vagabond here. Pre-order Mother Road here.
 
“Ready Set Go is one of the very first songs I wrote for Mother Road. I’d been driving solo for about a week, and I must’ve been desperate for some company because any time I stopped, I got this bizarre urge to jump in every car, truck, train, or bus I saw drive by! While I didn’t indulge that highly questionable and risky idea in reality, I did explore it through song...and my imaginary co-pilots took me down some very unexpected roads,” Potter shares. “On the other hand, along the many stops on Mother Road, Lady Vagabond is, without a doubt, the steepest exit ramp to another dimension from which you cannot return.”
 
Tickets are currently on sale for Potter’s Mother Road Tour, which kicks off at Collin Centers for the Arts in Orono, ME on Saturday, September 7. The 18-date fall tour also includes two performances at Shelburne Museum in her native Vermont, as well as shows at New York City’s Pier 17, Milwaukee’s Pabst Theatre, Chicago’s Riviera Theater and Atlanta’s Tabernacle, among other great venues, before concluding at The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC on November 18. See below for the full itinerary. For tickets information please visit  gracepotter.com. 
 
Produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Nickel Creek) and recorded at RCA’s famed Studio A in Nashville and Topangadise in Topanga, CA, Mother Road - the follow-up to Potter’s 2019 acclaimed, 2x GRAMMY-nominated album, Daylight - finds the rock and soul artist deconstructing her deepest fears and darkest regrets and charting the fallout with brutal honesty and emotional daring. Throughout the album’s 10 original tracks, Potter, along with contributions from top-flight musicians, commands an expansive soundscape of soulful rock, roots, funk, country, and R&B. Watch the Mother Road album trailer here.

GRACE POTTER TOUR DATES:
(OFFICIAL MOTHER ROAD TOUR DATES IN BOLD)
August 12 - Beech Mountain, NC - Beech Mountain Resort Summer Concert Series
September 1 - Snowmass Village, CO - JAS Aspen Snowmass
September 7- Orono, ME - Collins Center for the Arts
September 8 - Providence, RI - Veterans Memorial Auditorium
September 9 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark
September 10 - Hammondsport, NY - Pavilion at Point of the Bluff Vineyard
September 14 - Concord, NH - Capitol Center for the Arts
September 15 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum - Ben & Jerry's Concerts on The Green - SOLD OUT 
September 16 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum - Ben & Jerry's Concerts on The Green - SOLD OUT 
September 17 - Albany, NY - The Egg
September 22 - Branford, CT - Stony Creek Brewery
September 23 - New York, NY - Pier 17
September 24 - Jim Thorpe, PA - Penn's Peak
September 27 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
September 29 - Richmond, VA - Maymont
September 30 - Harrisburg, PA - Southside Stage  
October 1 - Ocean City, MD - Oceans Calling Festival
October 4 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
October 5 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
October 6 - Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Place
October 7- Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater
November 11- Highlands, NC - Highlands Food & Wine Festival
November 17- Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
November 18 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
March 18-22 (2024) Miami, FL to Cozumel, MX - Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea

DOWNLOAD - album cover artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

“THIS IS THE HOTTEST SUMMER I CAN EVER REMEMBER
‘CAUSE THE WORLD IS ON FIRE”

OUT TODAY VIA CONCORD RECORDS

LISTEN TO TITLE TRACK AND FULL ALBUM HERE

“...a dappled, jangly, and unabashedly sincere amalgam of ’70s AM-radio rock and peak-era Sheryl Crow filtered through a lens of lo-fi California cool.”
- Vulture
 
“The debut single, the light and lilting ‘It’s Fine,’ has the gentle twang of midcareer Sheryl Crow and the bright gloss of Liz Phair’s pop era.”
- The New York Times
 
“In Natural Disaster, she's crafted an artifact that will feel at once familiar to those who followed her work with Best Coast and also distinctly her own, merging vulnerability with a dry sense of humour, and deploying to full effect her well-honed skill for blending sincere nostalgia with her own brand of millennial irony.” - Exclaim!

"A fearless, fragile debut" – ★★★★  NME
  
“…Bethany Cosentino has struck out on her own with ‘It’s Fine,’ a self-assured song that exchanges the sun-kissed surf-pop with which she made her name for an engaging country-rock strut made all the more irresistible by tasty, twangy, Southern-fried funk leads that complement the song perfectly.” - Guitar World
 
“Natural Disaster is a breath of fresh air for Cosentino”
- Northern Transmissions

TORONTO, ON – July 28, 2023 – Today, Bethany Cosentino unveils her highly-anticipated debut solo album, Natural Disaster, via Concord Records. Merging 90s power-pop staples with a modern folk-pop edge, the title and opening track is the perfect introduction to the record, lyrically exploring themes of global warming and solidarity when it feels we’re staring the end of the world right in the face – “And hey, if we’re all dying then what does it matter? We’re a natural disaster.” Listen to Natural Disaster here.
 
“Natural Disaster was absolutely the easiest song on the album to write,” said Cosentino of the single. “Producer and songwriter, Suzy Shinn, sent me an instrumental track, and the moment I heard it, I ran to my music room and wrote this. It was one of those songs that felt like it was just waiting to come out of me. The message is very clear: I had been thinking a lot about the energy of the summer of 2020 in particular. Political upheaval, protests against police brutality, wildfires throughout the state of California, and other Natural Disasters around the globe. That chaotic energy was palpable on planet earth. The song is meant to serve as a commentary on the way we as humans go about our business as the world around us crumbles and literally burns. Thinking about the way our planet is changing is wildly anxiety-producing, but it’s very real, so I hope this song can call attention to it while also giving people something to sing along to.”

On the newly released video, Cosentino explains, “I wanted to create a visual for Natural Disaster that drew attention to the way in which our planet is suffering, but also reminding people of the beauty of this earth and why we should be fighting to save it. None of us are perfect, but even if we do one or two small things in an attempt to elicit change, we are doing the right thing. With some of the hottest temperatures on record happening this summer, I hope this song and video can serve as a call to action. I chose to highlight Evergreen Action, a non-profit organization working towards combating climate change. This is the only planet we’ve got, let’s all do our best to treat her right.”

Previously released songs, It’s Fine – which earned Cosentino her solo debut on Triple A radio chart – as well as Easy and For A Moment give listeners a full spectrum of what they can expect from the album – signature luminosity and reflection without mincing words – in other words, what Cosentino does best and has been doing since she burst on the scene in 2009. Intensely intimate yet rooted in universal truth, Natural Disaster reminds us that Cosentino has a rare capacity to transform the way we navigate the fast-changing world around us. It is the first offering from this next chapter of her already-incredible career, and a stunning reflection of a woman in her mid-30s embracing all of the change that life has to offer, even when it’s downright terrifying.
 
Cosentino hopes that the album might help others find their own way toward transformation and renewal. “When I look at all the artists I find most influential, the common thread is that they take risks and continue exploring different versions of themselves,” she says. “My goal is to keep growing and challenging myself and living outside any kind of box, to keep on evolving as an artist and a person. And if anyone’s feeling stagnant, I hope this record inspires them to see what else life has to offer. It’s really scary to take those risks and make big changes in your life, but what you find on the other side can be so magical.”

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
August 3 - Amoeba Records - Hollywood, CA
September 18 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
September 23 - Breckenridge Brewery - Littleton, CO

DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD - album artwork

BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ OUT NOW VIA LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 27, 2023 - Denzel Curry releases new single, BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ, a new collaboration with the legendary Juicy J, for which Denzel teased his verse last week when he released the Omar Jones-directed music video for the song ahead of today's official single. The song arrives in the midst of what has proven to be a busy summer for Denzel and is anticipated by fans after he previewed the song on his Australian tour dates earlier this year, his headlining sets at Outbreak Festival in the UK, Capitol Hill Block Party in the US, and his performance at Germany's SPLASH! Festival. Listen here and watch the video here. 

BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ marks Denzel's first original single of 2023 following his Live At Electric Lady EP that was released in May, in partnership with Spotify, and found him reuniting with Cold Blooded Soul Band (with whom he performed his Tiny Desk Concert for NPR and The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon appearance) to perform four standouts from his 2022 album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future, in addition to covers of Erykah Badu's, Didn't Cha Know (the original version of which was also recorded at Electric Lady) that enlists the legendary Bilal, and Shogun’s Lonely Man (from Japanese TV Series Detective Story), as well as the previously-unreleased, Endtroduction.

After a series of concept-driven, critically-acclaimed albums, BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ serves as a return to Denzel's roots that nods to his early fan-favourite projects Nostalgic 64 and Imperial, but wizened by the pop sensibilities he has steadily developed over the course of his career.

Listen to BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ above now and stay tuned for more from Denzel soon.

UPCOMING LIVE DATES:
7/28 - Niigata, Japan @ Fuji Rock Festival
8/3 - Honolulu, HI @ The Republik
9/8 - Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
9/9 - Avondale, AZ @ IYKYK Music Festival
9/12-13 New York, NY @ Blue Note

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Single Art

THIRD RELEASE FROM FORTHCOMING
DEBUT ALBUM SET TO ARRIVE THIS FALL

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 27, 2023 – Laur Elle has been trickling out new music from her forthcoming debut album over the past few months and has now shared the latest sneak peek with Easy Way Out. Listen here and watch the accompanying music video here. 

Following previously released singles, Burning Out, and The Man, Easy Way Out perfectly showcases Laur Elle's unabashed pop prowess, heartstring-tugging vocals and earworm melodies, all tinged with a dreamy indie-rock style. 

Of the song's inspiration, Laur Elle says, “Easy Way Out is heartbreak wrapped up in hope. I was in a very mentally abusive relationship and even afterwards, I found it so hard to talk about or write about. The first two lines of the song hit me while I was driving through the mountains when I realized for the first time the amount of relief I felt from being finally free. It’s a reminder to anyone struggling that you deserve better.”

As a singer-songwriter who has always been enamoured by the power of words, Laur Elle is a true multi-talented self-starter through and through. The breakthrough LA-based (by way of Alberta, Canada) indie pop artist uses her music to process her own emotions, with a musical vision that is intrinsically tied to her own voice. After time as an internationally competitive gymnast for the Canadian national team, she immersed herself in the creative community and has quickly proven that while poetry was her artistic starting point, music is truly her calling. With music that starts with her pen and her guitar, Laur Elle’s airy vocals, grounded lyrics and lush sound, create the perfect vehicle for escapism — a sound she calls perfect for running (or, more appropriately, driving) away from problems. Writing is her escape, and she’s ready to offer the same kind of solace for her listeners. 
 
Cruise along with Laur Elle's Easy Way Out, and watch for more to come this summer as she gears up for her full album's release!

DOWNLOAD – Easy Way Out single artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MUSIC VIDEO FOR FIRST SINGLE IN YOUR LOVE
OUT TODAY
 
SOLD-OUT TOUR CURRENTLY UNDERWAY

TWO NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOWS AT LEXINGTON’S RUPP ARENA CONFIRMED

TORONTO, ON – July 27, 2023 – Rustin’ In The Rain, the new album from renowned singer, songwriter and musician, Tyler Childers, will be released September 8 on Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records (pre-order/pre-save).

Of the album, Childers shares, “This is a collection of songs I playfully pieced together as if I was pitching a group of songs to Elvis. Some covers, one co-write, and some I even wrote in my best (terrible) Elvis impersonation, as I worked around the farm and kicked around the house. I hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as I enjoyed creating it. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

In advance of the release, the first single, In Your Love, is out today—watch the song’s official music video here. Written and creative directed by Silas House (with a story idea by House and Jason Kyle Howard), the video was directed by Bryan Schlam and stars Colton Haynes and James Scully and depicts a timeless love story of two men set in rural Appalachia in the 1950s. 

House is a New York Times bestselling author, current Poet Laureate of Kentucky and recipient of the 2022 Duggins Prize—the largest award for an LGBTQ writer in the nation. Of the video, he shares, “As a gay teenager who loved country music, I could have never imagined seeing myself in a video. That visibility matters. There have always been LGBTQ people in rural places and finally we’re seeing that portrayed in a country music video. Tyler and I both felt the attention to detail about rural life was very important, so we made sure that the house and the people looked realistic for the time period instead of the stereotypes of country people that have become so ingrained in the public consciousness. We used our own family pictures as references. We wanted to tell as complex a story as we could in four minutes, not only about a gay couple, but also about rural people. We wanted to show their joy and their sorrow—all the things that make up a complex life. Too often simplistic notions are pushed about both rural and LGBTQ people, so we did everything we could to make this story as rich and layered as possible.”

Childers and his longtime band, The Food Stamps—James Barker (pedal steel), Craig Burletic (bass), CJ Cain (guitar), Rodney Elkins (drums), Chase Lewis (keyboards) and Jesse Wells (guitar, fiddle)—are currently in the midst of a 30-date sold-out nationwide tour. Upcoming stops include two nights at Radio City Music Hall, Boston’s Leader Bank Pavilion, DC’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, two nights at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre as well as two newly announced New Year’s Eve shows at Lexington’s Rupp Arena.
Tickets for the Rupp Arena shows will be available through a registration process hosted by Ticketmaster. Registration for pre-sale tickets is open now through Sunday, July 30 at 11:59pm ET (details here). Following registration, randomly selected fans will receive an access code for the pre-sale, starting Wednesday, August 2 at 10:00am ET. General on-sale will follow Thursday, August 3 at 10:00am ET. Full details can be found here.

The new album follows last year’s triple album, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?, which featured eight songs presented in three distinct sonic perspectives—Hallelujah, Jubilee and Joyful Noise. Released to widespread acclaim, Esquire praised, “Who’s doing it better than Childers in roots music these days? No one,” while the Associated Press declared, “fearless exuberance…one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists” and NPR Music asserted, “eight songs so good he had to record them thrice.” Before Hounds, Childers released 2020’s GRAMMY-nominated surprise album, Long Violent History, which NPR Music called an “explicit and remarkable stand in solidarity.” His two previous releases, 2019’s #1 Country Squire as well 2017’s RIAA Platinum debut, Purgatory, were released to overwhelming critical and commercial acclaim. In the years since his debut, Childers has earned two GRAMMY nominations and has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Seth Meyers,  NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

TYLER CHILDERS CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH THE VISUALZIER HERE
  
KICKS OFF MAGGIE ROGERS TOUR
 
PLAYING NYC’S FOREST HILLS STADIUM TONIGHT
 
PLAYING TORONTO’S BUDWEISER STAGE AUGUST 3
AND OSHEAGA AUGUST 4 IN MONTREAL

TORONTO, ON – July 27, 2023 – Soccer Mommy continues to tour in support of 2022’s critically acclaimed album, Sometimes, Forever, and is opening for Maggie Rogers on her current run. Ahead of tonight’s show at NYC’s Forest Hills Stadium, Soccer Mommy is sharing a cover of Sheryl Crow’s, Soak Up The Sun. Crow is a formative artist for Soccer Mommy’s Sophie Allison, who was interviewed by The New York Times last year about Crow’s influence. “She has so many songs that are these massive hits that, at least for someone my age, you can’t have grown up and not heard those songs,” she told NYT. “She has a knack for saying something hard, but making it feel like she’s ready to acknowledge it and be cool with this hard acceptance.” Listen to her cover of the 2002 classic here and watch its accompanying visualizer video here.

See below to find a Soccer Mommy show near you, and get your tickets here. For a taste of what to expect, watch the band’s career-spanning NPR Tiny Desk performance from earlier this year here, or watch Soccer Mommy perform Shotgun and Feel It All The Time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! here.
 
Sometimes, Forever was named one of the best albums of 2023 but the likes of The New York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NPR, Vulture, Associated Press, Billboard, Stereogum, The A.V. Club, FLOOD, Paste, Uproxx, and more, with, Shotgun named one of the top songs of 2023 by The Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, NPR, Gorilla vs. Bear, Pitchfork, Consequence, Vulture, NYLON, Billboard and more. Sometimes, Forever debuted on the Billboard charts, taking the #1 slot for Heatseakers, Top New Artist and Alternative New Artist, debuting in the Top 200, and many more. She performed on both The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2022, completed a largely sold-out international headline tour, and performed an intimate show at the GRAMMY Museum alongside a Q&A hosted by The Los Angeles Times’ Mikael Wood. Following the album release, Soccer Mommy has since hosted Roblox’s most successful Listening Party to date with 10.8 million unique visitors, and she has also shared incredible alt-versions of Shotgun by Magdalena Bay, a slowed and reverbed edit, as well as a Simlish version, available now within The Sims 4 High School Years expansion pack. Soccer Mommy also collaborated with Brain Dead on a limited edition t-shirt, which can be purchased here.
 
Sometimes, Forever is Soccer Mommy’s boldest and most aesthetically adventurous work yet, and it cements Sophie Allison’s status as one of the most gifted songwriters making rock music right now. The album sees Allison once again tapping into the turn-of-the-millennium sensibilities she’s known for, as she advances her self-made sonic world beyond the present and into the future with experimental-minded production, an expanded moodboard of vintage touchstones, and some of her most sophisticated songwriting to date. Inspired by the concept that neither sorrow nor happiness is permanent, Sometimes, Forever is a fresh peek into the mind of an artist who synthesizes everything — retro sounds, personal tumult, the relatable disorder of modern life — into original music that feels built to last a long time. Maybe even forever.

TOUR DATES (TICKETS HERE):
7/27 Queens, NY @ Forest Hills Stadium *
7/29 Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center *
7/30 Portsmouth, NH @ Prescott Park Arts Festival %
7/31 Portland, ME @ Thompson's Point *
8/1 Portland, ME @ Thompson's Point *
8/3 Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage *
8/4 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
8/6 Pittsburgh, PA @ Allegheny County Summer Concert Series+
8/7 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Listening Lawn - Outdoor Stage^
8/8 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room Lounge ^
8/9 Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre &
8/10 Salt Lake City, UT @ Gallivan Center - Twilight Concert Series $
8/12 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent !
8/13 San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
9/9 Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
9/21 Dublin, Ireland @ 3 Arena #
9/23 Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena #
9/24 Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro Arena #
9/26 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
9/27 London, UK @ Alexandra Palace #
11/17 Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital
12/2-12/3 São Paulo, BR @ Primavera Sound São Paulo
12/7 Asunción, PY @ Primavera Sound Asunción
12/9 Bogotá, COL @ Primavera Sound Bogotá
 
* = with Maggie Rogers
% = with Purr
+ = with Disq
^ = with Pool Kids
& = with Pool Kids and Slow Caves
$ = with Bratty and Blue Rain Boots
! = with SASAMI
# = with The National

DOWNLOAD - press photo

Sometimes, Forever is out now via Loma Vista - Listen here

LISTEN TO / WATCH:
Shotgun | Feel It All The Time | Unholy Affliction | Bones | newdemo

Praise for Soccer Mommy & Sometimes, Forever:
 
"Sophie Allison finds new sonic frontiers...Throughout the album, Soccer Mommy staves off despair with musical craftsmanship." - The New York Times (Critic's Pick)
 
"Throughout Sometimes, Forever, [Allison] and Lopatin expand on the ’90s palette that has characterized previous Soccer Mommy releases. Bolstering the lingering imprints of Liz Phair, Sheryl Crow, and Sleater-Kinney is a healthy dose of Loveless worship: glide guitars and tendrils of haze." - Pitchfork (8/10)
 
“[Sometimes, Forever] is Soccer Mommy’s gnarliest and most resplendent, fashioning poppy melodies, disarming lyrics, and twisted sounds into dismayed songs of young adulthood.” - The New Yorker
 
"The singer/songwriter's vulnerability resulted in two critically acclaimed releases — 2018's Clean and 2020's Color Theory —
though Allison's latest may be her most exciting yet." - GRAMMY.com
 
“You get some Pixies, you get some Nirvana, you get a little bit of Nine Inch Nails, and Portishead here and there. It’s just interesting how much music is reflected on this record while still sounding very current…she is just really good at mining those influences and making it sound extremely of the moment.” - NPR Music
 
“Sophie Allison’s emotive rock acquires new dynamism.” - Wall Street Journal
 
"Soccer Mommy deepens her indie-rock brilliance on ‘Sometimes, Forever’...[and] proves herself to be one of the sharpest songwriters around." - Rolling Stone
 
"Allison has made a bold move that paid off better than we’d ever have expected."
- Variety
 
"Sometimes, Forever’s marriage of Allison’s lyrical prowess and OPN’s stark, synth-driven sonics makes it by far the darkest and most compelling offering from Soccer Mommy yet." - Billboard
 
""by far the band’s most sophisticated and adventurous body of work to date. Allison’s inner turmoil has never sounded so spectacular — or so well-rounded."
- Stereogum (Album of the Week)
 
"sharp indie rock." - Vulture
 
"one of Gen Z’s brightest voices." - Associated Press

SOPHOMORE ALBUM BLAME MY EX
OUT SEPTEMBER 15
 
HEADLINING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR THIS FALL

TORONTO, ON – July 21, 2023 – Today, The Beaches share their latest single Me & Me in anticipation of their upcoming sophomore LP, Blame My Ex, to be released on September 15. Serving as the third single from their highly-anticipated album, Me & Me is a spirited, infectious anthem for anyone overcoming the perils of being single. Listen here.
 
The track swiftly captures listeners’ attention with its escalating tempo, eventually culminating in a beachy, soft rock jam perfectly suited for the summer. Throughout the song, an infectious guitar riff rolls smoothly in the background while the distinctive alto of lead singer Jordan Miller asserts the group’s determination to conquer heartache and loneliness with moxie: “save your pity, bitch / it’s kind of fun, just me and me / won’t waste my life self-loathing.” High-spirited and addictive, Me & Me is yet another perfect example of the charismatic spunk that distinguishes The Beaches as one of contemporary rock’s rising stars. 
 
Me & Me serves as a follow-up to The Beaches’ previous single, Blame Brett, released in late spring. The hit track was accompanied by a music video that encapsulates the group’s playfully irreverent, free-spirited brand of cool-girl rock. In a bold warning to all future lovers, frontwoman Jordan Miller sings, “I’m sorry in advance / I’m only gonna treat you bad / I’m probably gonna let you down / I’m probably gonna sleep around […] but don’t blame me, blame Brett”. Blame Brett serves as a compelling, angsty anthem for all members of the broken hearts club and to date has over five million Spotify streams, reached #1 on Canadian Alternative Radio, #1 on the CBC Music Top 20, and peaked at #21 on Spotify's Daily Viral 100. 
 
The Beaches will be performing at Lollapalooza before embarking on their Blame My Ex headlining tour, with shows throughout the U.S. and Canada this fall. See below for full details.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
August 3 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
August 5 – Saint John, NB @ Area 506 Festival
September 8-9 – Sarnia, ON @ Sarnia Block Party
October 8 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Cooperage
October 11 – Nashville, TN @ The East Room
October 12 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
October 13 – Charleston, SC @ The Charleston Pour House
October 15 – Washington, DC @ Pearl Street Warehouse
October 16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
October 17 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
October 18 – Boston, MA @ Crystal Ballroom
October 20 – Halifax, NS @ Light House Arts Centre October
October 21 – Moncton, NB @ Tide and Boar
October 26 – Kitchener, ON @ Centre in The Square
October 27 – Hamilton, ON @ FirstOntario Concert Hall
October 28 – Montreal, QC @ M Telus
October 30 – Kingston, ON @ Ale House
November 1 & 2 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
November 5 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
November 8 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
November 9 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
November 10 – Kelowna, BC @ Kelowna Community Theatre
November 12 – Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum
November 13 – Victoria, BC @ Royal Theatre

DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – Blame My Ex album artwork
DOWNLOAD - Me & Me single artwork

ABOUT THE BEACHES:
Named after the neighborhood they lived in, The Beaches is composed of lead vocalist/bassist, Jordan Miller, guitarist, Kylie Miller, keyboardist/guitarist, Leandra Earl, and drummer, Eliza Enman-McDaniel. As self-proclaimed lifers, The Beaches forfeited a typical university experience to pursue their careers in music - a topic that is often addressed in their lyrics.
 
Taking inspiration from artists like Muna, Dayglow, Coin, Olivia Rodrigo, Girl in Red, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and The Strokes, The Beaches believe their upcoming releases will be a new direction for them: “We’re not abandoning our rock ‘n ’roll roots, but for this next chapter of our career we wanted to take ourselves less seriously, have fun, and be less precious with the musical ideas we pursue.”
 
After releasing their self-titled EP in 2013, the group landed a major label deal with Island Records in 2016. Under Island Records they released their debut album, Late Show – which was described by Elton John as “The best rock album of last year” – as well as their next two EP’s, The Professional (2019) and Future Lovers (2021), which were later combined for a full-length release called Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Albums) in 2022. 
 
The Beaches have garnered over 60 million streams across Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. Having sold 30,000 albums in Canada alone, it’s no surprise that they have found themselves awarded with six #1 singles on Canadian Alternative Radio.
 
The Beaches have opened for iconic acts such as The Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters, as well as many other critically acclaimed artists (Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morisette, The Aces, Passion Pit, and Eagles of Death Metal). Their last album was described by Elton John as “The best rock album of last year,” and they’ve been recognized with two JUNO Awards: Rock Album of the Year (2022) and Breakthrough Group of the Year (2018). In 2022 the band embarked on a successful North American tour with sold out shows across Canada, including HISTORY in Toronto, Corona Theatre (Montreal, QC) and London Music Hall (London, ON).

LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE

ALBUM ARRIVING THIS FALL

TORONTO, ON – July 21, 2023 – Following the release of her lead single, Dad Worked Hard, acclaimed Canadian-American singer-songwriter, Rachael Kilgour, returns today with Heart on Fire, the second offering from her forthcoming album, My Father Loved Me. Intimate and vulnerable to the core, the gorgeously heart-shattering song reflects on the grief and loss of a loved one’s physical form after they pass away.

“There are so many layers to our grief, particularly when it comes to the loss of a parent. A couple years after my father’s death, I felt like someone new,” Kilgour shares. “I had grown in his absence, working through so many pieces of the letting go while making room for the parts of him I wanted to carry with me. The one thing that continued to haunt me was the loss of my dad’s physical form. This body I had known and loved - his rough hands, his tightly wound biceps, the smell of his hair, the way his collar bones laid in his chest - had been rolled into a cremation oven that burst his flesh into flames. The thought of it can still keep me up at night. And yet, all bodies must return to earth one way or another. Would we want it any other way? Surely, anything worth loving is temporary. Every being, every home we call our own is only ours for a time and then becomes something entirely new. And the love remains.”

One of the first tracks that Kilgour and producer, Rose Cousins, began building in the studio, Heart on Fire continues to reveal the heartfelt stories that Kilgour crafted in honour of her late father for the new album. Soft and reflective, her stunning vocals shine through on the song, alongside warm acoustics and expansive, building string arrangement.

“Like every song on the record, we started with my solo acoustic performance and then wove together a soundscape layer by tender layer. Joshua Van Tassel (synth/percussion) and Dean Drouillard (electric guitar) reinforced the heartbeat of the song with deep, resonant bass tones and delicate swells,” Kilgour adds. “With loose plans for some post production work, I drove home from Toronto with the track unfinished. A couple months later Rose surprised me with a gorgeous string arrangement she had secretly crafted and a first listen to the mix which made me weep. It still does.”

Listen to Heart on Fire here today as Rachael Kilgour continues to reveal more of My Father Loved Me.

DOWNLOAD – single artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MORE ABOUT RACHAEL KILGOUR:
Rachael Kilgour is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. She comes by her considerable skills honestly, honing her craft over the past decade in listening rooms, festivals, concert halls, and recording studios, and picking up accolades along the way. Kilgour first attained notoriety outside her native Duluth, MN as the grand prize winner of the 2015 international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition and winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest. She has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and at the Sundance Film Festival. Her oft-noted “unapologetic lyrics” (Rolling Stone) and “master crafted indie folk” sensibilities (Billboard) are on full display in her latest collection of songs.

ON TOUR NOW

TORONTO, ON – July 21, 2023 – Nashville-based indie rock band, The Criticals (Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart), have released their new EP, Front Door Confrontations today. The EP is the first for their new label home, Fantasy Records. Front Door Confrontations features two of their recently released singles, Clever Girl and Belmont, along with the epic opener, All The Way.  Listen and purchase here.
 
The Criticals on Front Door Confrontations: “We recorded this EP in the dead of winter, where it was so cold we stuffed hand warmers in our socks. Choosing to be off grid, just the two of us, with no cell phone service, in a shed in rural West Tennessee where we've recorded most of our music. It is the finale of our EPs, before we start working on our full-length debut. Front Door Confrontations is a tribute to our youth. It is meant to be played loud and to embody what is the new Nashville Rock and Roll.”
 
Friends for more than a decade, Forbes and Shugart forged a unique musical bond logging time together in Nashville’s wild DIY rock scene. Building on the foundation laid by Bowie, The Stones, and The Kinks, their taut, revved up tunes also evoke post-modern heroes like The Strokes, The 1975, and Fontaines DC as well. The two musicians quite simply feed off one another’s energy and not only has it made for a close friendship, but an incomparable musical partnership that fuses tuneful classicism and indie-rock thrash into a seductive, unforgettable mix. Now, following a pair of highly-regarded EPs — 2019’s Mimosa Hygiene and the following year’s Sour Grapes — not to mention a steady diet of raucous live shows, the band is set to release their most accomplished work yet with Front Door Confrontations.
 
Since officially forming in 2018, The Criticals have proven themselves a powerful duo — one with both a diverse musical appetite in their songwriting and a whiplash live show that’s drawn sellout crowds in major US markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The band will be on tour throughout the summer and fall. Highlights include a hometown show at The Basement East in Nashville on August 2, Barboza in Seattle on September 12, Brick & Mortar in San Francisco on September 15, and The Echo in Los Angeles on September 18. Full tour dates are listed below.

UPCOMNING TOUR DATES:Tour Dates:
August 2 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
September 5 - Uptown Theatre Encore Room - Kansas City, MO
September 7 - Vultures - Colorado Springs, CO
September 8 - Lost Lake - Denver, CO
September 10 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT
September 12 - Barboza - Seattle, WA
September 13 - Polaris Hall - Portland, OR
September 15 - Brick & Mortar - San Francisco, CA
September 17 - Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA
September 18 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
September 20 - House of Blues Voodoo Room - San Diego, CA
September 21 - Valley Bar - Phoenix, AZ

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – EP cover artwork

LISTEN HERE
 
WATCH A FULL-BAND LIVE PERFORMANCE OF DITCHER FROM THE SOUND EMPORIUM IN NASHVILLE HERE
 
NEW ALBUM HEAT COMES DOWN OUT OCTOBER 6
VIA ROUNDER RECORDS
 
PLAYING NELSONVILLE MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND, CATBIRD FESTIVAL IN AUGUST, HEALING APPALACHIA IN SEPTEMBER – FALL HEADLINE TOUR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 27

TORONTO, ON – July 21, 2023 – John R. Miller leans into the avoidant side of his personality on his latest single, Ditcher, a slow-rolling standout from his upcoming album Heat Comes Down (out October 6 via Rounder Records). Ditcher is a kind of ode to the part in all of us that would rather stay at home or just not deal with much of anything. In addition to the album version, available today, Miller and his band recorded a languid, dream-like version at the Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN – watch that here. The song itself came to Miller during a particularly sleep-deprived part of the Heat Comes Down recording sessions. Pre-order/pre-save Heat comes Down here and listen to Ditcher here.
 
“Ditcher wrote itself after I’d been awake for about 36 hours,” Miller explains to BrooklynVegan. “I had been in a fever, recording and working on songs for several days in the basement of the house I used to live in in Madison, TN, and I started playing a melody that knocked me in the head. The words came out in about ten minutes, and I made a fully-formed demo of it right away, which has maybe only happened to me a handful of times. I don’t know where it came from, but I liked it enough that it became one of my favorites on the record, as well as the source of the album’s title.”
 
Miller belongs to the rare breed of songwriters whose expansive introspection uncovers many truths about the state of the human condition. On Heat Comes Down, the West Virginia-raised, Nashville-based artist intimately narrates his sleepless nights and nostalgic daydreams, existential dread, and nuanced observations of the troubled world around him. But while a number of its songs convey a certain unease, Miller endlessly imparts the kind of lovely reassurance that can only come from shared catharsis.
 
The follow-up to his 2021 Rounder Records debut, Depreciated—an album No Depressions says “casually saunters towards a full existential breakdown that’ll leave you gasping for air”— Heat Comes Down finds Miller teaming up with producers Andrija Tokic and John James Tourville (both known for their work with artists like Sunny War and The Deslondes). Over a three-day session at The Bomb Shelter (Tokic’s Nashville studio), Miller joined forces with several members of his longtime live band (drummer John Clay Burchett, guitarist J. Tom Hnatow, fiddle player Chloe Edmonstone) as well as bassist, Craig Burletic, and Jeff Taylor (a multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello).
 
Miller has extensive headline tour dates into the fall, and will hit a number of summer festivals, including Nelsonville and Catbird. He’ll also take part in the Healing Appalachia benefit show in Lewisburg, WV in September. The show raises funds for Hope in the Hills, which helps support recovery efforts around central Appalachia.
 
John R. Miller 2023 Tour Dates:
July 21 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern
July 22 - Nelsonville, OH - Nelsonville Music Festival
July 26 - Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
July 27 - Winchester, VA - Bright Box Theater
July 28 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
July 29 - Galax, VA - The Blue Ridge Music Center
August 19 - Aug 20 - Bethel, NY - Catbird Music Festival
September 21 – 23 – Lewisburg, WV – Healing Appalachia
September 22 - 23 - Whispering Beard Folk Festival - North Bend, OH
September 27 – St Louis, MO – Off Broadway
September 29 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Other Side
September 30 – Boulder, CO – eTown Hall
October 4 – Bozeman, MT – Rialto Bozeman
October 5 – Columbia Falls, MT – The Coop
October 6 – Spokane, WA – Lucky You Lounge
October 7 – Walla Walla, WA – Billsville West
October 8 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
October 10 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
October 12 – Portland, OR – Show Bar
October 13 – Talent, OR – The Talent Club
October 14 – Albany, CA – Ivy Room
October 15 – Mariposa, CA – The Grove House
October 16 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s
October 18 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold-Diggers
October 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
October 24 – San Antonio, TX – The Lonesome Rose
October 25 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)
October 26 – Austin, TX – The White Horse
October 27 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips
October 29 – Little Rock, AR – White Water Tavern
October 30 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
November 2 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbird South
November 3 – Macon, GA – Grant’s Lounge
November 4 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl
November 5 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
November 7 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Pour House
November 8 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
November 9 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
November 10 – Thomas, WV – Purple Fiddle
November 11 – Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street
November 12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café
November 14 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
November 15 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
November 16 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival
November 18 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
November 19 – Nashville, TN – 3^rd & Lindsley

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

NEW ALBUM SOLAR MUSIC OUT OCTOBER 6 VIA CONCORD JAZZ

PRE-ORDER HERE

2023 SOLAR MUSIC WORLD TOUR BEGINS AUGUST 4

TORONTO, ON – July 18, 2023 – Acclaimed jazz and hip-hop fusionists, Butcher Brown, announce their latest single, This Side Of Sunshine, an imaginative reinvention of Roy Ayers' masterful but lesser-known cut. The single is the band’s latest offering from their forthcoming album, Solar Music, which is set to release digitally, on CD and double-sided LP October 6 via Concord Jazz. In support of the new music, Butcher Brown will embark on an extensive global tour with dates across the U.S. and Europe this fall.

In keeping with the slow pace of the new song, Butcher Brown’s rendition highlights the role that funk and soul play in the band's musical foundation. With half of the song dominated by the wistful sounds of the drums, guitar and bass, the band demonstrates a thorough understanding of soul without tampering with the original version's ingenuity. The single is also accompanied by an animated visual by Chris Acosta. Check it out here.

Speaking on the decision to rework This Side Of Sunshine, Butcher Brown drummer, Corey Fonville, says: "It’s important to give masters their flowers. Roy Ayers created a new wave that impacted so many of the younger artists, and with his originality he made timeless classics. This song is everything we love about his music and casually is a sleeper you don't hear people discuss."

Solar Music follows the group’s critically acclaimed 2022 album, Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey, which NPR said “sizzles from the first note” and Pitchfork described as “finding a natural home within the comfortable confines of hip-hop and big-band jazz.” In kind, the new record demonstrates the essence of Butcher Brown down to its core – incorporating a rich lineage of musical influences from its band members’ upbringing in Richmond, Virginia to fuse soul, funk, rock, and hip-hop into a universal sound.

In support of the new music, Butcher Brown’s 2023 global tour will bring the group’s explosive live show to cities across the U.S. and Europe. The tour – which heads to 13 states and seven countries – kicks off August 4 at Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. Other standout stateside performances include Telluride Jazz Festival August 11-12, an appearance at NPR’s World Cafe Live October 21, and a hometown show November 24 at the Broadberry in Richmond, Virginia.

To learn more about Butcher Brown, read the full bio below or watch their 2021 NPR Tiny Desk performance. Listen to This Side Of Sunshine and pre-order Solar Music above, and stay tuned for more new music from Butcher Brown coming soon.

Butcher Brown 2023 Solar Music World Tour Dates:
August 4 – Newport, RI – Newport Jazz Festival
August 5-6 – Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon 
August 11-12 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Jazz Festival
August 24 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27
August 25 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
August 26 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station
September 2 – Stuart, VA – Front Porch Fest
September 22 – Harrisonburg, VA – James Madison University
October 12 – Reno, NV – University of Nevada
October 17 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
October 18 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
October 20 - Charlottesville, VA – The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
October 21 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live (Upstairs)
October 22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe
October 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota
October 25 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village
October 26 – Detroit, MI – El Club
October 27 – Indianapolis, IN – Jazz Kitchen
November 4 – Eindhoven, NL – So What’s Next?
November 6 – London, UK – The Forge
November 7 – Antwerp, BE – De Roma
November 8 – Berlin, DE – Zenner
November 9 – Mannheim, DE – Alte Feuerwache
November 10 – Técou, FR – Coco Jazz
November 11 – Groningen, NL – Rockit
November 12 – Rotterdam, NL – BIRD
November 13 – Amsterdam, NL – Bimhuis
November 14 – Charloeroi, BE – Palais des Beaux Arts
November 15 – Paris, FR – Trabendo
November 16 - Geneva, CH – TBA
November 24 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
November 25 – Washington, DC – Atlantis
December 5 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s
December 6 – Portland, OR – The Get Down
December 7 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
December 8 – Santa Cruz, CA – Kuumbwa
December 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
December 10 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room

DOWNLOAD – album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MORE ABOUT BUTCHER BROWN:
"So, what kind of music do you make?” This question is the bane of every musician’s existence because it requires that they shrink down the wide expanse of their creativity to an easily (mis)understood genre description.

No matter how vivid or elaborate the description, “show” will always be more powerful than “tell.” The words we use to describe music don’t encapsulate what the listener’s experiences as much as give context clues. 

That’s why Butcher Brown – the multifaceted band from Richmond, Virginia – call their sound and their follow up to 2020’s #KingButch and their second release on Concord Jazz, Solar Music. 

Solar music is not simply a description; it’s an invitation to listen and an invitation to feel. 

Friends and bandmates Corey Fonville (drums), Andrew Randazzo, (bass), Morgan Burrs (guitar), Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney, (trumpet, saxophone, vocals) and Devonne “DJ Harrison” Harris (multi-instrumentalist) make music that is as diverse as their own varied tastes and backgrounds. It’s a seamlessly blended amalgam of sounds including jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk, R&B, alternative, soul, country, house, bossa nova, pop, and more. “We are the melting pot. We are the mix,” says Devonne. “I feel like that's what we represent and that's what this album represents.”

But Butcher Brown’s eclecticism isn’t for the sake of musical masturbation or to impress chin-stroking critics. Theirs is music of, and for, the people. “It’s music for everybody," says Tennishu reflecting on how well-received they’ve been on stages across the globe. “You can see it on all kinds of different faces, young, old, big, small, short, tall, they all start dancing eventually. It’s literally music for the whole solar system.”

So how did this band of brothers make the sun come out on this new album? They challenged themselves to break from routine and old formulas. “[In the past] we'd make a record, like [2014’s] All Purpose Music and put constraints on what we do in the studio with the thought of the live show, thinking ‘let's make this something that we can recreate at the show,’” explains Andrew. “We did that for a few records but then #KingButch was the one where we kind of departed from that idea and took more of a Sgt. Pepper … approach of, let's just explore what we can present in the studio, even if it's not something that we can pull off live.”

Realizing that listening to their albums and their live show are two distinct experiences unlocked a new level of creativity for the band. Now Butcher Brown could allow themselves to explore new sounds and approaches to songwriting and production. This new unbridled creativity informed their approach to making Solar Music over the course of many sessions in 2021 and 2022 at go-to studios Montrose Recording, Minimum Wage Studios, and their homebase Jellowstone.

Of course, the sun is at the centre of the solar system, giving us warmth, lighting our days and keeping the planet revolving around it. Similarly, when it came time to create Solar Music, the band saw themselves at the centre of their sound drawing in other like-minded musicians with gravitational pull. 

What could have been an insular musical conversation between the five became a collaboration with some of their friends and faves including Oakland-bred wordsmith Nappy Nina (Half of It), hip-hop iconoclast Pink Siifu (Eye Never Know, Run It Up), East London rapper Jay Prince (Move), real-life guitar hero Charlie Hunter (Espionage) and more.  

On the new album, Butcher Brown flexes their musicianship not only as players but also songwriters, producers, and composers collaborating with guests. “We can do everything on our own, sure, and we have done that for forever, but it's also cool to have other people come in and get their perspectives,” explains Morgan. “Butcher Brown is evolving, maturing, and we’re growing as people,” adds Corey, reflecting on the making of Solar Music.  

The results of these collabs are extraordinary. Take the album’s first single, I Can’t Say To You, for instance. “You’ll find your way/ tomorrow or today/ there’s nothing else I can say to you …,” sings guest Vanisha Gould, in a voice that sounds both angelic and ancestral. “She has a voice that almost sounds like a sample, almost like Billie Holiday or something," says Corey who sought her out to feature on the song. “It’s got that warmth, like somebody’s mama singing to you.” 

Warmth, light, and connection through a sound that like the sun itself is for everyone. Welcome to Solar Music.

ACCLAIMED TROUBADOUR UNVEILS LONG AWAITED CONCORD RECORDS DEBUT ARRIVING NOVEMBER 17

PRE-ORDER HERE
 
FIRST SINGLE HIGHWAY WOMAN PREMIERES TODAY LISTEN HERE
 
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE

“A true craftsman, John Vincent III’s approach echoes those early Bon Iver cuts, while also supplying a pop edge, a clear willingness to communicate.”
– CLASH

TORONTO, ON – July 17, 2023 – Acclaimed singer-songwriter, John Vincent III, has announced the release of his long-awaited sophomore album, Songs For The Canyon, arriving via Concord Records on Friday, November 17. Pre-orders are available now here.
 
Executive produced by Vincent, with Tom Elmhirst (Adele, David Bowie), and featuring production from Tony Berg (boygenius, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift), Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile), and Jonathan Gilbert (Mt. Joy, Pete Yorn), Songs For The Canyon is heralded by today’s premiere of the deeply moving first single, Highway Woman, available now at all DSPs and streaming services here.
 
“Highway Woman is one of those songs that came out of a stream of consciousness,” says John Vincent III. “Both the piano and the lyrics were written in about an hour, and the first demo was cut immediately after. This is a pretty rare way of getting there for me as most of my songs are worked out for days or weeks before they’re ready to demo. It is still a love song, a travel song, a song about the one you love to travel with… but with the stain of life’s hardships smeared on it. Sometimes life can really beat you down, and it's important to recognize the person or people you get through those times with as the gifts that they are.”
 
Currently boasting over 1.8M monthly listeners on Spotify alone, John Vincent III earned immediate attention and critical applause with a series of self-released singles and EPs, followed by his breakthrough 2019 debut album, Songs From The Valley. The Houston, TX-raised, Los Angeles, CA-based singer-songwriter celebrated the LP’s success with nearly non-stop touring, returning home just as the pandemic struck the world over. Rather than sit still, Vincent and his partner, photographer/filmmaker Kaitlyn Renee, packed up their Ford Transit van and hit the road, spending eight months together (along with a new puppy) exploring America in their home-on-wheels. Though Vincent tried his best to tune out the world around him, he found himself writing songs for the sheer joy of writing songs, not thinking about structure or intricate chords, but simply relating the extraordinary experience he was living.
 
Vincent returned to Los Angeles and pushed his songcraft even further, tightening and adapting and refining until his songs revealed their true identities. The resulting Songs For The Canyon proves a massive leap forward for Vincent, his evocative lyricism and wistful melodic gifts now even more detailed and emotionally rich than ever before. Recorded with top producers in studios on both coasts (including New York City’s famed Electric Lady Studios), songs such as Bluebird Singing, the incandescently orchestrated Dandelion, and the foot-stomping, solo acoustic, That’s Just The Way It Is, Babe, see the talented troubadour driving his heartfelt, stripped-down sound towards new sonic vistas inspired by the classic folk-rock of Laurel Canyon. Marked by its open-armed storytelling and timeless musical approach, Songs For The Canyon serves as an undeniable milestone for John Vincent III, standing tall as both a warts-and-all chronicle of his recent adventures and confident signpost towards future musical journeys.
 
“This album feels like waking up at 2 am to someone knocking on the van window and telling us we can’t be parked there to sleep, and our dog chewing up our clothes,” John Vincent III says. “There were times I felt like I was on top of the world, and others when I was crying about how the album just wasn’t coming together.
 
“To the people who have supported my career, even during my time away, I want them to know that this album was therapeutic. It was just me trying to figure out what the hell I was going through. Maybe I still don’t even have the answers, but I tried my best to create something that was as honest as possible and hopefully worth the wait.”

SONGS FOR THE CANYON TRACKLIST:
1. Highway Woman
2. Lincoln, NB
3. Dandelion
4. Bluebird Singing
5. When She Leaves
6. Juniper and Yellow
7. I Lit A Fire
8. That’s Just The Way It Is, Babe
9. More Than Alive
10. On and On
11. Rolling Stone
12. Money and My Pride

DOWNLOAD - Album Art

DELIVERS HAUNTING GHOST IN MY GUITAR COLLABORATION FEATURING CHRIS STAPLETON

FEATURED BY NPR + THE TENNESSEAN

APPLE MUSIC’S COUNTRY RISER OF THE MONTH FOR JULY

LISTEN HERE

WATCH VISUALIZER FOR ALBUM CLOSER
MANIFEST IT FT. JEAN DEAUX

TORONTO, ON – July 14, 2023 – Today, multi award-winning artist, DJ and producer, Haviah Mighty, drops her highly-anticipated new LP, Crying Crystals. Listen here. 

The LP follows Haviah's history-making 2021 mixtape, Stock Exchange, which earned her a 2022 JUNO Award for Rap Album/EP of the Year - the first time a woman had ever won in a Rap Album category. Co-executive produced by Haviah and Amir Jamm, Crying Crystals sees Haviah turn inward, thematically exploring the emotional journey one takes during a tumultuous relationship, with each song representing a different emotional stage throughout that journey. 

"A lot of my previous works, like 13th Floor and Stock Exchange, have been observational in nature; me finding my perspective on what I perceive within society, and reflecting on that," Haviah shares. "Because of this, I've created a lot of politically-charged music, tackling concepts larger than, and outside of myself. With this project, I went inward - leading to a huge amount of personal and internal growth over the past year. This project documents the emotional journey experienced through a long-winded and tumultuous relationship - the toxic thoughts, the moments and realities of a failing relationship - from the beginning of the end, to the end.

Each song speaks to an emotional stage of that journey, starting with confusion, denial, sadness...to flawed confidence, the need to relapse, the need to bargain again for this failing love...all the way through to acceptance, understanding, and the ability to truly, and healthily, move on. This range of emotion inspired a lot of experimentation within different genres, as new ways of storytelling – floating between hip-hop, dance, pop, and even playing with afro and amapiano energies. Of all of my projects, this is by far, the most refined and fully-realized. I’m no longer simply a mirror of what’s going on around us. I’ve become a much more self-aware human being, whose experiences have become a part of the stories that I share. Still, like all of my artistic endeavours, the takeaway is to influence strength within self, especially with how easy it is to lose yourself in others. To be able to navigate through this confusing world with a sense of internal clarity – that’s the level up. That, is the endless tears, solidifying into gems. That, is Crying Crystals.'"

See the expanded tracklist below – detailing each of the feelings that are represented by the songs on Crying Crystals, and check out the visualizer for album closer, Manifest It (ft. Jean Deaux), concluding the LP's emotional journey with real confidence. 

CRYING CRYSTALS TRACKLIST: 
1. Snowfall Ft. Zach Zoya (Confusion) 
2. Lil Baby Ft. Zach Zoya (Denial) 
3. Stress Free (Sadness) 
4. Huh (Disappointment) 
5. Sensational Ft. Jess B (Frustration) 
6. Boundaries (Guilt) 
7. Main Character (Anger) 
8. Honey Bun (Flawed Confidence) 
9. Zoom Zoom Ft. Omega Mighty (Relapse) 
10. Room Service (Bargaining) 
11. All The Time (Acceptance) 
12. Manifest It Ft. Jean Deaux (Real Confidence) 
13. Outro 

UPCOMING  PERFORMANCES:
July 22 - Vitkovice, Ostrava - Colours of Ostrava

DOWNLOAD - Crying Crystals album artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

ABOUT HAVIAH MIGHTY:
Haviah Mighty didn’t need to change her birth name when she decided to dedicate her career to music. Mighty could not better describe Haviah’s craft of provocative challenges and uncompromising truths.

Haviah has spent a lifetime developing her skills as a songwriter, vocalist, producer, and performer, culminating in a style of profound introspection and incisive socio-political critique. Her dynamic combinations of rap, song, and instrumental transition seamlessly from hip-hop to soul to afrobeats with a meticulous flow and cadence that transcends any traditional expectation of genre.

2019 saw Haviah earn break-out success with her album, 13th Floor, making her the first hip-hop artist and the first Black woman to win the Polaris Music Prize, celebrating the Best Canadian Album of the Year - but Mighty didn’t stop there. With her JUNO Award-winning mixtape, Stock Exchange (November 2021), Haviah made history once again as the first woman to ever win within the Rap Album of the Year category. Most recently, Haviah was the only Canadian nominee at the 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards within the Best International Flow category. Recognition has spread internationally, garnering praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Pitchfork, GRM Daily, FADER, Hot New Hip Hop, and so many more.  

From performance invitations by massive European tastemaker, COLORSxSTUDIOS, to BBC 1’s Jack Saunders proclaiming “I just cannot find anything as good as Haviah Mighty," to crushing the 5 Fingers of Death on the legendary show, Sway in the Morning, Haviah Mighty is unstoppable.

Mighty pushes forward continuing to carve out spaces that boldly defy gendered expectations for women in hip-hop. Unyielding and irresistible – Haviah Mighty will be heard.

A NOD TO THE UK’S GARAGE SCENE OF THE LATE 1990S

LISTEN HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 14, 2023 – Today, rising saxophone star and composer, Nubya Garcia, has shared her newest single, Lean In. Listen to it here.  On the track, Garcia pays affectionate tribute to the Garage scene that dominated the UK club scene throughout the late 1990s. Garcia’s freewheeling and supple melody lines are buoyed by syncopated rhythms and bright countermelodies provided by her band, consisting of bassist Daniel Casimir, keyboardist Deschanel Gordon, and drummer Sam Jones.

Garcia notes, “Inspired by the sounds of Garage that I grew up around, this track is about the combination of leaning into the frenzy of life and going with the flow, letting the universe keep things moving, and trusting it’s all gonna’ bop along.”

She hopes listeners will give themselves the grace to, in her words, “Lean in and both trust yourself and ask for what you need. Lean in to your community.  Lean in to your spirit. Lean in to the unknown with as much courage as you can. Lean in and let go.”

Garcia will appear at a number of music festivals throughout the UK and Europe this summer and will announce further tour plans in the coming weeks. A list of confirmed dates is below.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
July 21 - Bluedot Festival 2023 - Macclesfield, UK
July 23 - San Sebastian Jazz Festival - San Sebastian, Spain
July 26 - Marseille Jazz Festival - Marseille, France
July 28 - Project House Launch Series - Leeds, UK
August 12 - We Out Here 2023 - Huntingdon, UK
September 8 - Bozcaada Jazz Festival - Turkey
September 15 - Southbank Centre: Nu Civilisation Orchestra with Nubya Garcia: ‘Focus’ - London UK
September 16 - Bozar Centre for Fine Arts - Brussels, Belgium
September 17 - Düsseldorf Festival - Germany

DOWNLOAD – single artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo 

ABOUT NUBYA GARCIA:
Nubya Garcia is a multi-award-winning saxophonist and composer and a fixture in London’s burgeoning jazz community. Her debut album Source, described by the New York Times as funneling “a life’s worth of experiences into an hour long listen,” entered the UK charts in the top 30 and was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize.

The NME’s Dhruva Balram observed, “Source is a reflection of Nubya Garcia’s hometown; a mirror spotlighting London’s skilled musicians and a reminder of how thrilling this scene can be….While nodding to jazz greats of the past, Garcia has created a sound that, for many years to come, will reverberate as her own.”

In 2022, Garcia toured the US in support of Khruangbin, performing at sold-out venues including New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and Philadelphia’s The Met.
Her subsequent headline tour saw her play to capacity crowds at venues such as The Salt Shed, Le Poisson Rouge, and The Ford, and at festivals including Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Pickathon, and Newport Jazz.

In March of this year, London Brew – a group featuring Garcia and other leading lights of London’s jazz scene – released their self-titled album, which has met with global acclaim.

Last month, a brand-new live concert recording, Khruangbin and Nubya Garcia Present: Live at Radio City Music Hall, New York, was released by Dead Oceans.

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW HERE
 
JOHN PRINE AND KELSEY WALDON’S STIRRING RENDITION OF LOVE AT THE FIVE & DIME IS RELEASED TODAY

TORONTO, ON – July 14, 2023 – Nanci Griffith’s music left an indelible mark on the American roots music community. The trailblazing singer and songwriter, who would have celebrated her 70^th birthday this month, left behind a remarkable and enduring body of work that will likely inspire future generations of songwriters for years to come. On September 22, her artistic legacy will be honoured through the all-star tribute, More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith.
 
Today, John Prine and Kelsey Waldon’s deeply moving rendition of, Love at the Five & Dime, is released. Listen to it here.  
 
The poignant and heartfelt duet, recorded shortly before Prine’s untimely passing in 2020, perfectly encapsulates Griffith’s abundant gifts as a storyteller of grace and economy.
 
“John and Nanci were friends and musical collaborators from way back in the late 1980’s,” recalls Fiona Prine. “I am especially proud that Oh Boy Records recording artist Kelsey Waldon sings with John on this beautiful tribute to Nanci.”
 
More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith features Griffith’s friends, collaborators, and fans interpreting her most beloved songs, including Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Lyle Lovett and Kathy Mattea, John Prine and Kelsey Waldon, and Mary Gauthier, who also shares her admiration for Griffith in heartfelt liner notes. Recorded over several years in studios across America, More Than a Whisper also includes stirring contributions from Brandy Clark, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, Iris DeMent, Todd Snider, and Aaron Lee Tasjan with Patty Griffin, while Ida Mae and The War and Treaty both appear exclusively on the expanded CD, digital, and HD versions of the album. All proceeds from More Than a Whisper will benefit Nashville’s Cumberland Heights, a non-profit treatment facility offering hope and healing to those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Click here to pre-order More Than a Whisper: Celebrating The Music of Nanci Griffith.
 
More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith Tracklist (CD/Digital):
1. You Can’t Go Home Again (Sarah Jarosz)
2. Love at the Five & Dime (John Prine, Kelsey Waldon)
3. Listen to the Radio (Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle)
4. Love Wore a Halo (Back Before the War) (Emmylou Harris)
5. Trouble in the Fields (Lyle Lovett, Kathy Mattea)        
6. Gulf Coast Highway (Brandy Clark)     
7. Outbound Plane  (Shawn Colvin)    
8. Radio Fragile (Ida Mae)*               
9. It’s a Hard Life Wherever You Go (Steve Earle)
10. Late Night Grande Hotel (Aaron Lee Tasjan)
11. Ford Econoline (Todd Snider)
12. Banks of the Pontchartrain (Iris DeMent)
13. More Than a Whisper (Mary Gauthier)
14. From a Distance (The War and Treaty)* 

*CD/Digital exclusive

DOWNLOAD - Cover Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

SET TO TOUR THIS FALL
INCLUDING TORONTO DATE ON SEPTEMBER 23

TORONTO, ON - July 13, 2023 - Today, rising soul artist, Devon Gilfillian, releases the live performance video for Right Kind of Crazy from his critically acclaimed album, Love You Anyway. Gilfillian’s elegant, stripped back, black and white performance flawlessly evokes the song’s message of love and acceptance. Watch Right Kind of Crazy (LIVE) here.
 
Love You Anyway, which was released in April via Fantasy Records, recently surpassed one million streams on Spotify and hit #1 on the College Radio Soul/R&B chart. All I Really Wanna Do, a Top 5 hit at Triple A radio, was named one of Rolling Stone’s Best Songs of 2023 So Far and was included in The New York Times’ Morning Spring 2023 official playlist and on CBS Morning Morning’s official playlist Mixtape. Watch Gilfillian perform the track on CBS Saturday Morning here.
 
Gilfillian is set to embark on a headlining tour across the country this fall, kicking off on September 18 in Columbus, Ohio. The tour will include a Toronto stop on September 23, a hometown performance at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia on September 28 and an evening at the Los Angeles’ legendary venue, The Troubadour, on October 27. The tour will wrap on September 29 in Santa Fe, NM. For more information and tickets, please visit devongilfillian.com.
 
Gilfillian has recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Saturday Morning, the GRAMMYS’ Positive Vibes Only series, and has received acclaim from Rolling Stone, People Magazine, Relix, No Depression, Rated R&B, Paste, and American Songwriter, among others. 
 
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
August 18 - Peoria, IL - Lakeview Park 
August 19 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon 
August 20 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
August 26-27 - Richmond, VA - Iron Blossom Music Festival
September 3 - Portsmouth, NH - Prescott Parks Arts Festival
September 7-9 - Park City, UT - Park City Song Summit
September 15 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum *Supporting Grace Potter
September 16 - Shelburne, VT - Shelburne Museum
September 18 - Columbus, OH - The Basement 
September 20 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall 
September 21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird 
September 22 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark 
September 23 - Toronto, ON - The Drake, Underground 
September 25 - New York, NY - Racket 
September 27 - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair 
September 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl 
September 29 - Ocean City, MD - Oceans Calling Festival
September 29-OCT 1 - Memphis, TN - Mempho Music Festival
September 30 - Columbia, MO - Treeline Music Fest
October 6-8 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 13-15 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 16 - Denver, CO - Cervantes' Other Side 
October 18 - Boise, ID - 9th St. Paralle
October 19 - Portland, OR - Polaris Hall 
October 21 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
October 24 - Healdsburg, CA - Little Saint 
October 25 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord 
October 27 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour 
October 28 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
October 29 - Santa Fe, NM - Meow Wolf

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

FROM EASY EYE SOUND’S UPCOMING COMPILATION
TELL EVERYBODY! (21ST CENTURY JUKE JOINT BLUES) OUT AUGUST 11

WATCH THE VIDEO DIRECTED AND ANIMATED BY
ROBERT "ROBOSHOBO" SCHOBER HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 13, 2023 – Easy Eye Sound – The Nashville based label headed by Dan Auerbach and named Billboard’s 2022 Blues Label Of The Year – has spent the past six years not only preserving the blues, but uplifting unsung voices in the genre and, in the process, building a thriving, multigenerational community that has earned 16 GRAMMY® nods, four Billboard #1 Blues Albums, and widespread acclaim.
 
Today, Easy Eye Sound releases an all-new solo track from Dan Auerbach — the label head, The Black Keys frontman, and 2023 GRAMMY-nominated Producer of the Year himself. Titled Every Chance I Get (I Want You In The Flesh), the insistent instrumental drone on Auerbach’s solo track will remind some listeners of Canned Heat’s 1967 recording On the Road Again. “I loved that song as a kid,” says Auerbach — which itself borrowed from Chicago bluesman, Floyd Jones’ Dark Road (1953), and its inspiration, Mississippi Delta deity, Tommy Johnson’s Big Road Blues (1928). Listen to Every Chance I Get (I Want You In The Flesh) here.
 
Every Chance I Get (I Want You In The Flesh) is the latest preview of Easy Eye Sound’s upcoming blues anthology, Tell Everybody! (out August 11), which surveys the modern blues scene and is composed of exclusive, Auerbach-produced recordings from Easy Eye Sound Studios. Featuring blues legends like Bentonia’s, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and the Delta gospel sounds of Leo “Bud” Welch; alongside brilliant youngbloods like Detroit duo, Moonrisers, and Korean-American Kentucky native, Nat Myers, Tell Everybody! is the latest iteration of Easy Eye Sound’s mission to uplift unsung voices in the blues genre.
 

NEW EP THE HALF WE STILL HAVE
OUT AUGUST 4 ON FANTASY RECORDS

"Striking... Poignant" - NPR

“Rachel Bobbitt is back with another stomach-jilting piece of bedroom alt-pop perfection.” - Paste

"Rachel Bobbitt’s tender, shimmering voice has the capacity to carry a massive weight of emotion — a weapon she wields very carefully." - Consequence

"'The Ceiling Demos' offers fans of Bobbitt and newcomers to her music alike an intimate view into her process" - The FADER

"evocative indie rock" - Brooklyn Vegan

"The demo, released this week, is even more haunting, bereft of the slick guitar lines that lend the final version a polish. All that’s left is the ache. But through Bobbitt’s beautiful recitation, the song still takes flight." - MTV

"A distillation of the enormous and unutterable, Rachel Bobbitt's ‘More’ is an unflinching rumination on the uterus-bearing experience." - Exclaim

TORONTO, ON - July 11, 2023 - Emerging Toronto-based artist, Rachel Bobbitt, has shared a new single entitled Clay Feet, the second track  from her recently announced new EP, The Half We Still Have, out August 4 on Fantasy Records. An obsessive tale of power dynamics and disenchantment, Clay Feet perfectly encapsulates Rachel’s remarkable gift for expressing universal truths in the tiniest of details. Listen here.

“Clay Feet describes a love that is all consuming and desperate,” Bobbitt explains. “While the song details the gentle and delicate moments within a relationship, it also alludes to a darker undercurrent of manipulation and control. Love can take you outside of yourself and make you do things you’d never expect- both good and bad.” 

The track’s accompanying video was shot in the foothills of Malibu, CA by director Lauren Wade, watch here.

Produced and mixed by Jorge Elbrecht (Sky Ferreira, Japanese Breakfast) at 80A Studios in Toronto, The Half We Still Have is a series of sharp and incisive character studies, told with unflinching honesty, piercing intuition, and fearless self-reflection. “I wanted these songs to reflect the intense dynamics that take shape in relationships,” Bobbitt says. “I’ve found in some relationships, you give and give, only to eventually lose yourself in the process. In those moments where we feel abandoned and hollow, a small sliver remains intact, preserved, and personal.” The Half We Still Have is a searing, empathetic work of musical non-fiction, and just the beginning of an immensely bright future to come.  

Rachel Bobbitt (vocals/guitar) is joined on The Half We Still Have by close musical partner, Justice Der (guitar/e-bow), Stephen Bennett (drums/percussion), Isaac Teague (bass), Sam Laramee (synth) along with Alex George (strings). The band’s tight-knit cohesion, combined with Elbrecht’s visionary production, helps give Rachel’s expansive bedroom, art-pop compositions their shimmering toughness. 

Previous EP, The Ceiling Could Collapse, and now The Half We Still Have, showcase strong songwriting prowess, a skill that Bobbitt has been honing for a long time. She made a name for herself on Vine as a teenager, uploading covers of pop hits and all-time classics to the now-defunct social media site. As her profile rose, Bobbitt found herself overwhelmed rather than inspired. “It was exciting to be doing what I loved, but it was difficult to be observed by that many people at that age where I simultaneously wanted to just shut myself in,” she says. “I’m grateful it ended when it did, because it gave me time to step back and think about what I wanted to create for myself.” She soon found herself at a jazz program, before leaving it during the pandemic to focus on her own music. 

“Most of the moments I have had in my life that felt right, like they made sense, have been a result of human connection,” Rachel concludes. “It can be so beautiful, and it can also be desperate and damaging. I have had connections in my life that made me question the fundamentals of my character, and unfortunately, I don’t think that is uncommon. But throughout every complicated, demoralizing, or harmful relationship, there has always been that slice of myself that remained mine, even when I didn’t feel it. The Half We Still Have centre around that small piece, and the connections that threaten it.”

DOWNLOAD – hi res press photo | DOWNLOAD – EP cover artwork

BOLD NEW SINGLE  BLOOD ORANGE
RELEASES TODAY ALONG WITH VIDEO

SECOND PREVIEW OF HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED
NEW EP GOD IS AN ENDLESS MIRROR

ARRIVING SEPTEMBER 22 ON ALT EDEN

NOMINATED FOR  INDIGENOUS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
AND VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR FOR HOLDING ON
AT THE 2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS

“...beauty in vulnerability…” – COMPLEX

“...frenetic, sensual " – NYLON

“...emotional electronica…” – ROLLING STONE

TORONTO, ON – July 7, 2023 – Following the spring release of her powerful lead single, Holding On, JUNO-nominated Indigenous (Anishinaabe/Cree), Queer, activist, actress, poet, alt-pop singer-songwriter-producer and filmmaker, Jayli Wolf, returns with the transformative musical creation, Blood Orange. The second track to be shared from her highly-anticipated sophomore EP – God Is An Endless Mirror – Blood Orange is a powerful anthem that encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit, resonating with those who have faced abuse and oppression. Listen here and watch the accompanying video here. 

Blood Orange invites listeners on a journey of empowerment, urging them to find the strength within to stand up against their oppressors and courageously share their stories. Through its evocative lyrics and captivating melodies, this song serves as a rallying cry for survivors, offering solace and inspiring them to embrace their truth and reclaim their power. 

“I wanted this song to boldly confront the themes of control, oppression, and societal standards, while also illuminating the courage to break free and reclaim one's narrative," Jayli shares. "Blood Orange is a poignant testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have faced adversity, encouraging resilience, healing, and the liberation that comes from telling one's story."

Jayli's eagerly-awaited second EP, God is an Endless Mirror, expands on the themes that run through Holding On and Blood Orange, focusing on topics of spirituality, self-love, awakening, and healing. Set for release on September 22 through Jayli's own label, ALT EDEN, the album sonically experiments with collected sounds across Turtle Island, and fusing both folk and electronic alternative styles and seeing Jayli blend her own poetry with more organic instruments and elements. 

"While I was writing this EP I just kept feeling like there was more I needed to be tapping into," Jayli continues. "Every song was about losing my mind, barely holding on, and feeling lost. As I reflected on that I realized that I needed a massive change in my life. I stepped back from acting, and bought my childhood farm. Then the music began to shift too - into more resolve, more faith and power. And so there is both music from during the shift and after in this EP. And I am excited for what is to come now." 

DOWNLOAD - Blood Orange single artwork | DOWNLOAD - album cover artwork
DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

ABOUT JAYLI WOLF:
A by-product of the Sixties Scoop, and proud of her post-traumatic growth, the Canadian rising star’s debut EP, Wild Whisper – which explored the hardship her family endured from the colonial genocide inflicted by the Canadian Government; the exodus of leaving the religion she was born into and releasing the shame and guilt instilled in her around her bisexuality – received much critical acclaim including a 2022 JUNO Award nomination, a spot on Apple’s 100 Best Songs of 2021, a Top 10 placement in CBC Music's Canadian Songs 2021 lists, a #1 on CBC Radio One, over 1+ Million views on Youtube for the Child of The Government self-directed music video, and coverage in VOGUE (Global), NYLON, Rolling Stone, CBC, them. and much more.
 
Jayli’s work caused a global stir when several of her TikTok videos went viral, one of which reached over half a million viewers and received countless comments from people whose Indigenous family members had similar experiences in the Sixties Scoop. Rolling Stone calls Jayli Wolf's music a crossover between Phantogram, Crystal Castles, and Chvrches. Her critically acclaimed prowess is living proof that you can find your truth despite a tumultuous past. 
 
More about the Sixties Scoop: the Canadian Government and Catholic Church were responsible for taking or “scooping” more than 20,000 First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children from their families and communities in the 1950s through the ‘90s. The children were placed in foster homes or adopted (with accounts of children even being sold) into non-Indigenous families across Canada, the United States, and beyond. Along with the loss of cultural identity, the government went so far as to change some children’s true ethnicity on file. Many experienced severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

OUT NOW VIA LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS
 
BAND TO CELEBRATE WITH RELEASE DAY SHOW
AT THE LODGE ROOM IN HIGHLAND PARK LA
 TICKETS ON SALE HERE
 
HEAR MAGNETIC, ETHEREAL SINGLE EMPTY MANSIONS HERE

HEAR THE BAND'S VIVID EXPRESSION OF SUFFERING AND HOPE ON PARADISE HERE
 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN-STORE TOUR WITH
STRIPPED-DOWN SHOWS AT AMOEBA, FINGERPRINTS, SALZER’S AND LOU’S RECORDS KICKS OFF JULY 11
 
NORTH AMERICAN HEADLINE TOUR TO START AUGUST 1 
VANCOUVER SHOW SEPTEMBER 25
 
BUY/STREAM THE LP HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 7, 2023 – Today, LA’s Local Natives release their fifth studio album, Time Will Wait For No One, via Loma Vista Recordings across all formats (digital and physical) worldwide. To celebrate their new album, Local Natives surprised their fans this morning announcing a special, same day album release show at the Lodge Room Highland Park. A major underplay for the band in their hometown of Los Angeles, which promises to be an intimate and special evening for any lucky fans able to attend. Find tickets here and listen to the album here. 
 
Time Will Wait For No One was recorded across legendary Los Angeles studios including Valentine Recording Studio, 64Sound and Nest Recorders and is produced by GRAMMY-award winning producer, John Congleton (Angel Olsen, Death Cab For Cutie, St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten), Michael Harris (Lana Del Rey, Feist), and Danny Reisch (Sun June, Other Lives). The album was written while the band was going through a turbulent time: after a decade spending every waking moment together, a period of metamorphosis started to test them with new marriages, kids and bouts of depression and isolation.

Last week the band released the single, Paradise, the group's most vivid expression of suffering and hope. The track opens with a soft guitar tremble, offering glimmers of the beauty of LA juxtaposed with personal tragedy. Paradise follows Kelcey Ayer (vocals/guitar/keys) and his wife’s immense heartache that came with the pain of pregnancy loss in addition to charting the California wildfire disasters. 
 
Kelcey Ayer says: “Paradise deals with the reckoning after intense loss. The person in the song brings flowers over to someone’s house to help console them while they’re going through a disastrous event that’s still occurring. My wife and I suffered two losses while trying to have a baby over the last couple years. At the same time California was being ravaged by wildfires.  It felt like the world was coming apart.  This song definitely helped me process that pain.” Listen to Paradise here. 

Today, the album release is accompanied by single, Empty Mansions, a track with harmonious, rich vocals on the chorus that are punctuated by transfixing softer spoken-sung verses that paint a picture of self-doubt and self-imposed seclusion: “we’re just empty mansions on eroding shores / falling down so slowly no one notices at all.” Listen to Empty Mansions here.
 
Local Natives say, “Our new album begins with the ambient sound of Kelcey, Ryan and Taylor outside in the backyard of a Los Angeles studio singing these words together huddled around a single microphone. Suddenly, the song kicks in with the full fidelity of the entire band, repeating the lyrics like a mantra of reassurance. Time flows on uncontrollably and change is relentless, and the people you love are the only constants. This album was made during a time of metamorphosis for us. Former selves melting away as some of us became fathers. We endured periods of isolation, loss, and identity crisis. We grew and changed as individuals, but we found our way back to each other and made music that we can only make together.”
 
Local Natives recently announced a curated series of special in-store performances at some of the most storied independent record stores around southern California kicking off July 11 at Amoeba in Hollywood. A special Los Angeles edition of their album, with lemonade coloured vinyl, will be available at these in-stores plus limited, exclusive posters for each in-store. On August 18 the band will kick off a 30-date tour - criss-crossing the US, including performances at NYC’s Pier 17 on August 29, two nights at DC’s 9:30 Club on August 24 and 25, Austin's Stubbs on September 16 and the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver on September 25.
 
Based in Los Angeles, the group progressed their sound over the course of four full-length albums, Gorilla Manor [2009], Hummingbird [2013], Sunlit Youth [2016] and Violet Street [2019]. In the span of one year, the band performed twice on Jimmy Kimmel Live! For the first performance they were accompanied by Sharon Van Etten playing Lemon feat. Sharon Van Etten, off the Sour Lemon EP. They closed out 2021 with a performance of Roxy Music’s, More Than This, from Music From The Pen Gala 1983, an EP coinciding with their appearance in the Apple Original Series, The Shrink Next Door, starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell. Local Natives have received praise from Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, The Guardian and many more. In between countless sold out shows and festival appearances - including a standout Coachella 2017 set - they’ve graced the stages of Austin City Limits, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show With David Letterman, The Late Late Show With James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and more.

SOCAL IN-STORE TOUR DATES:
July 11 - Hollywood, CA - Amoeba
July 12 - Long Beach, CA - Fingerprints
July 13 - Ventura, CA - Salzer's
July 15 - Encinitas, CA - Lou’s Records
 
TIME WILL WAIT FOR NO ONE TOUR DATES:
August 1 - Los Angeles, CA - Ford Theater (Hummingbird 10th Ann. Show)
August 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Ford Theater (Hummingbird 10th Ann. Show)
August 18 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue^
August 19 - Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater^
August 20 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre^
August 22 - Boston, MA - House of Blues^
August 24 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club^
August 25 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club^
August 26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE^
August 27 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall^
August 29 - New York, NY - Pier 17^
September 8 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre*
September 9 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues*
September 11 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall*
September 12 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works*
September 13 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern*
September 15 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues*
September 16 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater*
September 17 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom*
September 19 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren*
September 21 - Denver, CO - Mission Ballroom*
September 22 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot*
September 23 - Bozeman, MT - The Elm*
September 25 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre*
September 26 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre*
September 27 - Portland, OR - McMenamins Grand Lodge*
September 28 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater*
September 30 - Del Mar, CA - The Sound*

^ w/ Annika Bennett
* w/ Halfnoise

DOWNLOAD - Time Will Wait For No One Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 7, 2023 – Montreal’s Ormiston – the solo project of Nicola Ormiston – lands today with new single, Lose Yourself, via Lisbon Lux Records. A sunny and relaxed track highlighted by 80s synth and guitar, Lose Yourself is sure to be an instant summer hit - listen here and watch here.

The song takes listeners on an indie pop, chillwave, yacht rock adventure, telling the story of a child lost in adulthood, running away from responsibility without regrets, and desperately desiring to stay youthful. "Looking for a hideaway, somewhere that you never been on your own, a changing of reality" the narrator laments.

In 2020, Ormiston signed with Canadian label, Lisbon Lux Records, and released his debut album, Hammer Down (2021). Cinematic and full of groove, the album explores love stories and failed relationships on optimistic indie-pop. The opus was well received by the public and the song, Time Fades, was also featured in Pete Davidson's latest film, Meet Cute.
 
With +400k streams, Ormiston relies on a light, relaxed sound with engaging indie pop rhythms. His last single, Distortion Of Reality, premiered on David Dean Burkhart Youtube channel (923k) and received media support from the likes of Exclaim! (added to The Eh! List Spotify Playlist – March 17, 2023) and Canadian Beats. Mixed by Ormiston and Peter Van Uytfank, and Mastered by Richard Adisson, Lose Yourself is the second single from the artist's forthcoming album, due for release in October.

About Ormiston:
Singer-songwriter and producer of a sunny and laidback sound, somewhere between indie pop, chillwave and yacht rock where you can find influences from Toro Y Moi, MGMT and electro-disco. Born into a bilingual Montreal family, he was raised around female musicians and grew up with a strong sense of melody. After  mixing and producing some tracks for Milk & Bone, Heartstreets, Misage and Freida Mari, he released in 2013 the song Typically Her (under the name Beverlay) that ended up being remixed by Kaytranada, helping it reach more than three million streams worldwide. In 2020, he signed with Canadian label Lisbon Lux Records. On stage, his piercing voice is supported by his three outstanding musicians. He offers a lively and touching show that irresistibly invites you to dance.   

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Artwork

LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – July 7, 2023 – Latin music heavyweights, Nicky Jam and Maluma, have teamed up with renowned New York DJs and producers, The Chainsmokers, in a one-of-a-kind collaboration set to shake up the music scene. The result of this explosive fusion is their latest single titled, Celular, a Latin-urban melody that combines the talents and styles of these outstanding artists. Listen here and watch here.
 
Celular is a song that blends Latin and urban rhythms, with a special touch by incorporating sounds from regional Mexican music, adding an authentic and fresh twist to the track. The result is a vibrant and infectious musical proposal that is sure to become the next hit on playlists all summer long.
 
But that's not all! The music video for Celular is a true work of art that captivates from the very first second. Inspired by the reality show format of The Bachelor, the video immerses Nicky Jam, Maluma, and The Chainsmokers in a thrilling love story. The three artists become contestants in this unique competition, surrounded by fascinating characters who bring comedy and mischief to the plot.
 
Filmed in the vibrant city of Miami, the Celular video was directed by the talented Justice Silvera and produced by Michael Brett Breslauer, who successfully captured the energy and festive spirit of the song in each scene. The production stands out for its cinematic quality and meticulous aesthetics, making the video a captivating visual experience.
 
Celular is now available on all digital platforms, allowing fans of Nicky Jam, Maluma, and The Chainsmokers to enjoy this explosive collaboration anytime, anywhere. This single promises to be a milestone in the music industry, showcasing once again the versatility and innate talent of these outstanding artists.
 
Don't miss the opportunity to witness this unprecedented musical fusion. Listen to Celular now and let yourself be carried away by its infectious rhythm and vibrant energy, available on all digital platforms.

 DOWNLOAD - Celular Single Art

VIDEO FOR LATEST SINGLE THE MAN
PREMIERES TODAY - WATCH HERE

DEBUT ALBUM SET TO ARRIVE THIS FALL

TORONTO, ON – July 6, 2023 – Breakthrough pop singer-songwriter, Laur Elle, is gearing up to release her debut album this fall. After sharing the shimmering lead single, Burning Out, she followed with the insatiably fun new track, The Man, which now sees the premiere of its cinematic music video today. A cheeky, desert-set western film-inspired adventure, the video perfectly accompanies the song's undeniable playfulness. Watch here. 

"The Man was born out of a relationship that felt too good to be true," Laur Elle says of the song's inspiration. "After a perfect start, the guy did a total 180 and decided to tell me all the ways he thinks men are better than women. I was shocked and of course had to write about it. Playfully and introspectively, I explore the internal struggle of uncovering the truth about someone while having to fight off lingering feelings.

It's so interesting to me how lived experience can shape the meaning of words—how two people can say the exact same sentence, and yet the intention and weight behind those words can be so different. This is really what The Man is about at its core. I found myself getting to know someone who said all the right things, only to find out that what we wanted wasn't the same. I wanted a relationship, and he wanted a trophy. I've always loved taking painful experiences and packaging them as feel-good, uplifting indie pop songs, and this one is truly the most fun song yet."

The video for The Man is the first instalment in an interconnected series that will take viewers through Laur Elle's forthcoming new album. 

"I wrote this record in the middle of the most chaotic chapter of my life," she continues. "A long-term relationship had ended, and I decided to move to a new country. I left comfort and a piece of my heart in a city where I'd spent the last nine years, packed up my car, and drove 35 hours to Los Angeles. Every song on this record feels like a stop on this road trip; an attempt to find myself again. All of the visuals from the upcoming album are connected to each other, and I am so excited to share the very first stop with you. The Man takes place in the middle of the desert after my car breaks down. It's always been a dream to make a western music video, and we did exactly that! This video definitely shows a side of me that most people haven't seen before. I wanted to start this video series off with something to talk about, and I think we did just that!"

As a singer-songwriter who has always been enamoured by the power of words, Laur Elle is a true multi-talented self-starter through and through. The LA-based (by way of Alberta, Canada) pop artist uses her music to process her own emotions, with a musical vision that is intrinsically tied to her own voice. After time as an internationally competitive gymnast for the Canadian national team, she immersed herself in the creative community and has quickly proven that while poetry was her artistic starting point, music is truly her calling. With music that starts with her pen and her guitar, Laur Elle’s airy vocals, grounded lyrics and lush sound, create the perfect vehicle for escapism — a sound she calls perfect for running (or, more appropriately, driving) away from problems. Writing is her escape, and she’s ready to offer the same kind of solace for her listeners. 
 
If she’s not on your playlists already, be prepared to become obsessed with Laur Elle!

DOWNLOAD – The Man single artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

VOTING NOW OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY
UNTIL TUESDAY, JULY 18
 
WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER DURING
BREAKOUT WEST IN KELOWNA, BC

KELOWNA, BC – July 4, 2023 – Today, the Western Canadian Music Alliance is excited to reveal the 2023 Western Canadian Music Award nominees. The winners of the awards in both the Artistic and Industry categories will be revealed during BreakOut West, which will take place this year in Kelowna, BC from October 11-15. Please see below for the full list of nominees, and stay tuned for more announcements about this year’s specialty award recipients, as well as details on the winner reveal celebrations. 
 
“We are excited to announce and celebrate the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards nominees,” exclaims BreakOut West Executive Director, Michael Dawson. “On behalf of Breakout West and the Western Canadian Music Alliance we would like to congratulations to all of the nominees and thank all of the artists and industry who submit. Your hard work, talent, and integrity is an inspiration.” 
 
Voting is now open to members of all western Provincial and Territorial Music Industry Associations. Only MIA members will be sent an email regarding login information to vote (beginning today – Tuesday, July 4). If any members do not receive an email, please check your junk/spam folder and then contact their Music Association regarding their membership. Voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, on Tuesday, July 18. Stay tuned for more details around member voting and the Western Canadian Music Award winners this fall.
 
Now in its 21^st year, BreakOut West continues to develop, support and honour the best of western Canadian music, with its annual conference, festival and the Western Canadian Music Awards. 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the WCMAs, with nominee representation from all of the provincial and territorial Member Associations, and an outstanding showing from host-province acts, MAUVEY, and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, who top the list with four nominations each.
 
BreakOut West 2023 officially begins on Wednesday, October 11 with the start of its five-day career development conference and international industry program. Offering immersive content, international market deep dives, one-on-one mentor meetings, workshops and more, the conference is a landmark event for both artists and industry alike, looking to gain insight into the ever-changing musical landscape, and make invaluable connections. Featuring the best in emerging talent from across western Canada, as well as select international and Pan-Canadian acts, the 2023 music festival will highlight 50+ artists performing at multiple venues across the host city. Festival wristbands are available now here.
 
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Western Canadian Music Award nominees!

2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS ARTISTIC NOMINEES:
 
BreakOut Artist of the Year (Sponsored by FACTOR)
Boslen – BC
Katie Tupper – SK
Leith Ross – MB
Mariel Buckley – AB
MAUVEY – BC
 
Children’s Artist of the Year
Beppie – AB
Ginalina – BC
Ira Pettle – BC
Mom Bop – BC
Will et Seeka – BC  
 
Classical Artist / Ensemble of the Year (Sponsored by Canadian Music Centre [CMC])
Karl Stobbe – MB
Krisztina Szabó – BC
Mark Takeshi McGregor – BC
Megumi Masaki – MB
musica intima – BC  
 
Classical Composer of the Year                     
Christopher Tyler Nickel – Oboe d’amore Quintet, IV. Con fuoco – BC
Jessica McMann – The Bear and the Wild Rose, Home, Muskwas Mountain Home – AB
Katerina Gimon – Borealis, Roots Beneath – BC
T Patrick Carrabré – Transformation, Orpheus 1 – BC
Vincent Ho - Sandman's Castle, Supervillain Études – AB
 
Country Artist of the Year                  
Gord Bamford – AB
Hunter Brothers – SK
JoJo Mason – BC
Nice Horse – AB
Whitehorse – MB   
                      
Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year            
Boogey The Beat – MB
Khanvict – BC
Modern Biology – BC
RUMPUS – SK
The Librarian – BC
                      
Francophone Artist of the Year (sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique)                      
Andrina Turenne – MB
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Jocelyne Baribeau – MB
Sala – MB
Sympa César – AB      
                   
Global Artist of the Year 
Cristian de la Luna – AB
El Leon & The Strangers – MB
Gisela Romero – AB
Onna Lou – MB
Ruby Singh – BC  
                      
Indigenous Artist of the Year 
Blue Moon Marquee – BC
Celeigh Cardinal – AB
Jayli Wolf – BC
PIQSIQ – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC       
                 
Instrumental Artist of the Year                      
Adam Dobres – BC
Elise Boeur & Adam Iredale-Gray – BC 
Glen Gillis – SK
Hello Moth – AB
Jasmine Jazz – BC  
                      
Jazz Artist of the Year            
Chris Andrew – AB
Jocelyn Gould – MB
Melody Diachun – BC
Up and Over Trio – AB
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – MB     
                   
Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year                      
Gnarwhal – NT
Grimelda – SK
KEN mode – MB
New Jacobin Club – SK
Osyron – AB    
 
Pop Artist of the Year            
Begonia – MB
Josh Ramsay – BC
Kaeley Jade – AB
Louise Burns – BC
MAUVEY – BC   
                     
Producer of the Year             
Boogey The Beat – MB
deadmen – MB
Jill Barber, Erik P. H. Nielsen – BC
Kevvy – BC
Louise Burns – BC  
                      
R&B Artist of the Year 
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds – MB
Katie Tupper – SK
Kuba Oms – BC
Major Funk – YT
ZENON – AB  
 
Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year                   
Arlo Maverick – AB
Boslen – BC
Cartel Madras – AB
Dill the Giant – MB 
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC  
                      
Recording of the Year
Dear Rouge – BC
MAUVEY – BC
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – BC 
Whitehorse – MB
William Prince – MB
                       
Rock Artist of the Year 
Dan Mangan – BC
Hotel Mira – BC
Kris Anders – BC
The Royal Foundry – AB
The Zolas – BC
                       
Roots Artist of the Year             
Jake Vaadeland – SK
Jill Barber – BC
Mariel Buckley – AB
The Bros. Landreth – MB
William Prince – MB   
                     
Songwriter(s) of the Year (Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada [SOCAN])
Alexa Dirks and Matt Peters – Begonia, Butterfly – MB
Leith Ross – We'll Never Have Sex – MB
Ryan Dyck – Skinny Dyck, TV Blue – AB
William Prince – When You Miss Someone – MB
Young D, Yung Trybez – Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Hot Planet – BC
                       
Spiritual Artist of the Year                 
Andrea Menard – BC
Cikwes – AB
Dee Daniels – BC
Stirling John – AB
Two Late To The Party – AB  
                      
Video Director of the Year (Sponsored by Manitoba Film & Music) 
Jayli Wolf – Holding On – BC
Lester Lyons-Hookham – Dan Mangan Fire Escape – BC
Mayumi Yoshida – Different Than Before – BC
Michael Linton – Mariel Buckley, Neon Blue – MB 
Ryan Steel – Begonia, Married by Elvis – MB
 
2023 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS INDUSTRY NOMINEES:
 
Audio Engineering Award                  
Andy Schichter – BC
Cam Loeppky – MB
Eric Cinnamon – AB
Johnny Gasparic – AB
Sheldon Zaharko – BC  
                      
Community Excellence Award                       
ADVANCE Canada's Black Music Business Collective – BC  
Folk On The Rocks – NT
Good + Plenty Arts Collective – MB
Hitmakerz – NV
National Music Centre – AB
                       
Excellence in Visual Design                
Feisty Creative – BC
Lyle Bell – AB
MAUVEY and Bree Laryea – BC
Roberta Landreth – MB
Sonny Assu – BC  
                      
Impact in Artist Development           
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chris Wynters – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
Tiny Kingdom – BC
UWIDO – BC    
                     
Impact in Live Music (Sponsored by Canadian Live Music Association)
Folk On The Rocks – NT
JazzYYC – AB
National Music Centre – AB
Paquin Artists Agency – MB
West End Cultural Centre – MB  
                      
Impact in Music Marketing                
All Good Promotion & Marketing – AB 
Birthday Cake Media – MB
Chronograph Records – AB
National Music Centre – AB
West End Cultural Centre – MB

About the Western Canadian Music Alliance / BreakOut West:
The Western Canadian Music Alliance is a pan western organization created by the Alliance Member Music Industry Associations (MIA’s) of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, The Northwest Territories, the Yukon Territory, and in partnership with Nunavut, to promote and celebrate western Canadian music. WCMA, with the financial support of each provincial and territorial government partner, FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada's private radio broadcasters, WCMA annually hosts their core artist and industry development event, BreakOut West. The event is held in a different western Canadian city on a rotational basis and is the prime music industry event in western Canada. BreakOut West 2023 will be held October 11 – 15 in Kelowna, BC, and includes a five-day music conference, three-night multi-genre music festival and special events. The 2023 Western Canadian Music Artistic Awards and Industry Awards will be announced in October 2023.
            
WCMA’s head office is in Winnipeg. We recognize the ancestral lands, from Treaty One Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Use #BREAKOUTWEST and join in the conversation!

DOWNLOAD – BreakOut West / WCMAwards 2023 logos

BELOVED ROCK BAND SHARES 
FIRST NEW TRACK IN FOUR YEARS
 
LISTEN HERE
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE   

SIGN TO FANTASY RECORDS
 
HEADLINING SAD SUMMER FEST 2023 BEGINNING JULY 6

TORONTO, ON – June 30, 2023 – Today, rock powerhouse, Taking Back Sunday - John Nolan (lead guitar, piano, vocals), Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass), and Mark O’Connell (drums) - share a brand-new track and video entitled, The One, the multi-platinum selling rock band’s first new music in over four years. An inspiring declaration of love, hope, and acceptance, The One is a soaring reminder to seize the moment and live your dreams while you still can.

Listen to The One here. In the track’s accompanying video, directed by DJay Brawner, the band primes for the next gig and new roads that lay ahead, inviting us along for the mystery ride. Watch the official video for The One, here.  
 
Produced by Tushar Apte (Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj), and mixed by Neal Avron (Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers), The One finds the influential rock band flexing its creative muscles and evolving its sound without ever losing sight of the explosive riffs, affecting vocals, and epic choruses that has resonated with their audiences for so long. The anthemic new track also marks the band’s first release for Fantasy Records, the L.A based indie label who signed the influential quartet to a world-wide recording contract earlier this year.  
 
"The One is a sweet love song — full on John Cusack holding a boombox," the band says in a nod to the classic 80’s cinema moment in Say Anything. "We’ve been waiting a long time to share this song and we’re so excited that we finally can. We hope you love it as much as we do."
 
On the track’s deeper meaning, the band explains, "This song came from a riff that Shaun Cooper wrote the day he lost his grandmother while she was in a nursing home at the start of the Covid pandemic. Devastated with overpowering sadness, he found comfort in writing music and initially titled the riff, Posivibes, in an effort to find some light through the darkness. He never shared the story of the title or how that riff came together with us until after it was complete. Shaun didn’t want his story affecting the ultimate meaning of the song, because it’s actually an uplifting one."
 
Taking Back Sunday is set to hit the road this summer for a nation-wide tour (they are calling Rad Summer), that includes headlining the 16-date Sad Summer Fest 2023 through July and a number of additional dates in August and September. Find tickets here and the full routing below. 
 
For over two decades, Taking Back Sunday has cultivated a massive, dedicated fanbase built around music that reverberates with supreme sincerity, desire, and connection. Originally from Long Island, NY, the band brought mature songcraft and pop sensibilities to punk’s rigid conformity, helping expand the genre’s contours while carrying the band to new heights.
 
TAKING BACK SUNDAY ON TOUR:
SAD SUMMER FEST 2023
7/6 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily's Place
7/7 — Clearwater, FL — Coachman Park
7/8 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7/11 — Portsmouth, VA — Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion 
7/12 — Baltimore, MD — Pier Six Pavilion
7/14 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
7/15 — Philadelphia, PA — Skyline Stage at Mann
7/16 — Boston, MA — Leader Bank Pavilion
7/18 — Sterling Heights, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
7/19 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center
7/21 — Chicago, IL — Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
7/22 — Indianapolis, IN — TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
7/23 — Nashville, TN — Ascend Amphitheater
7/25 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
7/26 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater
7/29 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
 
8/12 — Washington, PA - Four Chord Music Festival 2023
8/19 — Las Vegas, NV — Downtown Rocks FREE Concert Series
8/25 — St Louis, MO — Ballpark Village 
8/26 — Kansas City, MO — KC Live!
9/29 — Cocoa, FL — Cocoa Riverfront Park
9/30 — Jupiter, FL — Dastoberfest

DOWNLOAD - Single Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

WHAT GOES AROUND (COMES AROUND) OUT TODAY
WATCH HERE AND LISTEN HERE

THE 69 YEAR OLD SOUL SINGER-SONGWRITER RETURNS WITH DAN AUERBACH-PRODUCED ALBUM - A SWAGGERING
TOUR DE FORCE OF BLUES, SOUL, AND FUNK SHARING STORIES FROM THE SWAMPS OF LOUISIANA

HIS TIMELESS TALES OF SURVIVING LOVE, BETRAYAL, AND ALLIGATORS CEMENTS HIM AS
ONE OF THE LAST TRUE BLUESMEN OF HIS TIME

ANNOUNCES FRENCH, EUROPEAN & UK DATES

On the track Finley stated, “You gotta reap what you sow... do to another what you would have done to you. Be real, tell the truth. For all those out there hurting, you just have to keep the faith. I've seen it over the years, especially with my career - you got to put joy out into the world and it will come back. It's never been anything short of the truth for me."

Black Bayou, Finley’s third studio album, is a portrait of Louisiana from an insider who’s lived there all his life and coalesces all of the vibrant genres bubbling in the bayou from gospel, blues, rock and roll and more. With this Auerbach-produced album, they created a vivid collection of songs that depict life in North Louisiana, with Finley playing the role of charismatic and knowledgeable tour guide.

“It’s amazing to realize how much of an impact Louisiana has had on the world’s music,” says Auerbach. “And Robert embodies all of that. He can play a blues song. He can play early rock and roll. He can play gospel. He can do anything, and a lot of that has to do with where he’s from.”

Finley recorded Black Bayou at producer Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville. It’s the fourth time the duo have worked together, although for this record they did things a little differently. Rather than write songs beforehand—as they did on 2017’s, Goin’ Platinum, and 2021’s, Sharecropper’s Son—they devised everything in the studio, with Auerbach leading a band of some of the finest players around: drummers Patrick Carney (The Black Keys) and Jeffrey Clemens (G. Love & Special Sauce), bassist Eric Deaton, and legendary Hill Country blues guitarist, Kenny Brown, along with vocalists Christy Johnson and LaQuindrelyn McMahon—who just happen to be Finley’s daughter and granddaughter. They worked quickly, devising their parts spontaneously and using getting everything in one take.

“I started singing, and they started playing,” Finley explains. “That’s how we made the album. It wasn’t written out. Nobody used a pencil and paper. We just sang and played together in the studio.”

If Finley’s previous albums established him as a formidable blues and soul artist - overcoming losing his sight in his 60s to become a music star - Black Bayou reveals Finley as something even more distinctive: a truly original Louisiana storyteller who evokes the place and its unique culture for the rest of the world. Finley doesn’t plan to call any other place home. “I’m not interested in living in no big city,” he says. “There’s good places here for hunting and fishing. I can fall asleep in my yard or sleep out on my porch, and nobody’s gonna bother me. Nothing bad is gonna come and get me.”

Struggle and celebration commingle in the stories of Black Bayou. In everyday life death looms. Through the jaws of an alligator on Alligator Bait, where Finley shares a true tale of his grandfather using him as as bait to catch an alligator when he was a child, or just the gradual pace of time, on Nobody Wants To Be Lonely, a poignant track spotlighting the generation forgotten in nursing homes across the nation. On Sneakin’ Around or Miss Kitty, Finley’s tales of lust and love are a timeless induction into the canon of the blues tradition. In all, a collection set to establish Finley as perhaps one of the last true bluesmen of our time.

TRACKLIST:
1. Livin' Out A Suitcase
2. Sneakin' Around
3. Miss Kitty
4. Waste Of Time
5. Can't Blame Me For Trying
6. Gospel Blues
7. Nobody Wants To Be Lonely
8. What Goes Around (Comes Around)
9. Lucky Day
10. You Got It (And I Need It)
11. Alligator Bait

TOUR DATES:
4 November 2023 - Groningen, NL - Take Root Festival
5 November 2023 - Brussels, BE - Rotonde @ Botanique
8 November 2023 - London, UK - Jazz Café
9 November 2023 - Manchester, UK - Blues Kitchen
10 November 2023 - Pandrup, DK - Blues Heaven Festival
14 November 2023 - Toulouse, FR - Salle Nougaro
15 November 2023 - Saint-Nazaire, FR - VIP
16 November 2023 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates
18 November 2023 - Šumperk, CZ - Blues Alive Festival
20 November 2023 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix
21 November 2023 - Paris, FR - Maroquinerie
23 November 2023 - La Roche-Sur-Yon, FR - Quai M
24 November 2023 - La Rochelle, FR - La Sirène
25 November 2023 - Castres, FR - Lo Boegason
26 November 2023 - Saint-Etienne, FR - Le Fil

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

About Robert Finley:
Robert is an army veteran and was a skilled carpenter before losing his sight in his 60s, which led him to finally pursue his musical dream. Finley has overcome divorce, house fires, an automobile accident and is now legally blind following losing his sight due to the medical condition, glaucoma, which forced him to retire from carpentry and finally pursue his long delayed music career. Finley believes his sight was improved by the power of prayer, and Finley’s faith has also helped him focus on launching his music career in his 60’s. According to Finley, “losing my sight gave me the perspective to see my true destiny.”

His ascent has been swift. His previous Auerbach-produced album, Goin’ Platinum, received widespread critical acclaim including Associated Press who praised Finley’s ability to lend “instant credibility to any song.” Finley also toured more than 10 countries, and his live show drew praise from publications including The New York Times. Finley was profiled on PBS NewsHour, which led to him becoming a contestant on the 2019 season of the TV competition, America’s Got Talent, reaching the semi-finals.

He was born in Winnsboro in 1953, but has spent most of his life in Bernice, a small town of about 1,600 souls just 30 miles from the Arkansas border. After serving in the Army, he played blues in juke joints and sang gospel in churches around the region, often mixing those two styles with southern soul, heavy rock, swamp pop, jazz, and anything else that crossed his mind. His second album, Sharecropper’s Son, was inspired by Finley's childhood: his family were sharecroppers, and he was unable to regularly attend school and often worked with his family in the field picking cotton. This was a landmark release, landing him the cover of SPIN Magazine, NPR Morning amongst other critical acclaim.

He’s since headlined shows with The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Nathaniel Rateliff and many more.

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

SUMMER OF FESTIVALS INCLUDE READING AND LEEDS, 2000 TREES, NASS FESTIVAL AND BARN ON THE FARM

TORONTO, ON – June 29, 2023 – Alternative trio, NOISY, have joined forces with London rap powerhouse, Frozemode, on brand new single, THE MOTIVE. Listen here and watch here.
 
An explosive melting pot of gritty breakbeats, woozy trance synths and frenzied attack flow, THE MOTIVE blends NOISY’s signature party sound with Frozemode’s raw versatility to bring something special for this summer.
 
The collaboration was born totally organically, with NOISY using a method that’s become commonplace and synonymous with the band - messaging artists they like on social media purely to show love. Destined to come together, and with a mutual desire to create something special, the Instagram conversation soon graduated to the studio where the magic really happened, and the result was THE MOTIVE.
 
On the new track, NOISY commented: “We had this beat knocking around for a while with the ‘capture the motive’ hook and always knew it had to have its moment at some point. As soon as the Frozemode boys heard it they were buzzing and started writing their verses. The energy in the room for that session was crazy, all six of us were just bouncing off the walls with excitement listening to what we were creating.
 
We were both playing (The Great Escape) so we said we’ve gotta perform it together. They came on during our set and we went on during theirs and playing it live got us gassed for releasing it.”
 
Frozemode also commented on THE MOTIVE: “This track ‘captures’ the essence of turning up to a motive and feeling like no one can touch you. It’s a sick cypher-like track where we all spit some cool bars on the verses and go crazy on the hook. We made this track the first time we linked up with the NOISY boys and something just clicked straight away. We went through a couple of ideas and this one grabbed our attention as soon as we heard it.”
 
THE MOTIVE comes as the trio recently performed with Frozemode on their own dedicated stage at The Great Escape, where they brought their celebrated club night to the festival and follows the recently released, DESIRE, and fan-favourite, RUDEBOY, which was hailed as the BBC Introducing Track Of The Week. Marking the mixtape’s release, NOISY plan to bring their Fast Fwd: To Friday club night to London for a night to remember.
 
Doing what they do best, NOISY have had an explosive start to 2023. Back on home soil after a monumental SXSW in Austin and off the back of performing at London’s Lafayette for BRITs Week, they reintroduced their celebrated Brighton club night Fast FWD To Friday. A fusion of DJ sets and live performance, the club night promised an exhilarating, energy-filled night out whilst emerging talent within the scene.
 
Festivals are where the music comes to life, and this summer offers a run of unmissable shows, including NASS Festival, Barn On The Farm, 2000 Trees and a returning slot on the BBC Radio 1 Dance Stage at the prestigious Reading & Leeds.
 
It’s been all gas no breaks for as long as NOISY can remember. The past year alone, they’ve had D&B legend High Contrast remix their single, 24/7, opened for Mike Skinner, enjoyed a UK headline tour which came to London for a sold-out XOYO show, and collaborated with the likes of The Prototypes, 1991 and Zero.
 
This self-sufficient, DIY mindset is one of the driving forces of NOISY (comprised of singer Cody, guitarist Connor and producer Spencer), who pride themselves on owning creative control, writing, recording and producing all of their music, designing their own merch and often shooting their own music videos.
 
If NOISY’s ambitions are no-holds barred, then they perfectly match-up to the euphoric maximalist blend of dance, drum’n’bass, jungle and electro sounds they’ve celebrated for creating.
 
2023 continues to shape up to be a standout year for NOISY - your new favourite band that sound nothing like a band.

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - THE MOTIVE Artwork

LISTEN AND WATCH HERE
 
FRONT DOOR CONFRONTATIONS 
EP OUT JULY 21 ON FANTASY RECORDS
 
ON TOUR NOW

TORONTO, ON – June 28, 2023 – Nashville-based indie rock band, The Criticals, (Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart), have released their new single, Belmont, today. Listen here. The single also arrives with a companion music video, directed by Daniel Chaney, watch here. The song is a love letter to their hometown of Nashville and captures both the idleness of youth and independent spirit running through the city’s Belmont Hillsboro neighbourhood. The band recently signed to Fantasy Records and announced their debut EP for the label titled, Front Door Confrontations, out July 21. The EP also features their recently released single, Clever Girl.
 
The Criticals on Belmont: “Back in 2018, Nashville was very different than it is now. The rest of the country was just starting to consider moving here but hadn’t pulled the trigger quite yet. It was an untouched, innocent, and inexpensive place. Especially the underground music scene, house shows and backyard parties til 5am because none of us could play at the actual clubs. Belmont is a vivid description of the community we were all immersed in at that time of our lives. It was so electric and so real.”
 
Friends for more than a decade, having first met as children at music camp - Forbes and Shugart logged time together in Nashville’s wild DIY rock scene. The two musicians quite simply feed off one another’s energy and not only has it made for a close friendship, but an incomparable musical partnership that blends tuneful classicism and indie-rock thrash into a seductive, unforgettable mix. Now, following a pair of highly-regarded EPs — 2019’s Mimosa Hygiene and the following year’s Sour Grapes — not to mention a steady diet of raucous live shows, the band is set to release their most accomplished work yet with Front Door Confrontations.
 
Since officially forming in 2018, The Criticals have proven themselves a powerful duo — one with both a diverse musical appetite in their songwriting and a whiplash live show that’s drawn sellout crowds in major US markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The band will be on tour throughout the summer and fall. Highlights include a hometown show at The Basement East in Nashville on August 2, Barboza in Seattle on September 12, Brick & Mortar in San Francisco on September 15, and The Echo in Los Angeles on September 18. Full tour dates are listed below.

UPCOMNING TOUR DATES:
July 8 - Pleasantville Music Festival - Pleasantville, NY
July 9 - The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls Theatre - Millvale, PA
July 11 - Open Chord Music - Knoxville, TN
July 14 - A&R Music Bar - Columbus, OH
August 2 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
September 5 - Uptown Theatre Encore Room - Kansas City, MO
September 7 - Vultures - Colorado Springs, CO
September 8 - Lost Lake - Denver, CO
September 10 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT
September 12 - Barboza - Seattle, WA
September 13 - Polaris Hall - Portland, OR
September 15 - Brick & Mortar - San Francisco, CA
September 17 - Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA
September 18 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
September 20 - House of Blues Voodoo Room - San Diego, CA
September 21 - Valley Bar - Phoenix, AZ

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – EP cover artwork

SHARES MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE REBORN

GEARING UP FOR DON’T LOOK DOWN
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH MISTERWIVES

TORONTO SHOW SEPTEMBER 19

TORONTO, ON - June 23, 2023 - After building widespread anticipation, multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Bishop Briggs, presents her highly anticipated new EP, When Everything Went Dark – out now via Arista Records. Listen to the EP here.

About the EP, Bishop said, “When I was little, I would sleep with a night light that filled my bedroom with warmth as I drifted off to sleep. Something about the afterglow made me feel protected, as if someone was staying awake looking out for me. As I got older, I learned to truly rest you have to feel that safety deep in your body. As the leaves have changed colors several times over, I’ve had a lot of difficulty shutting my eyes despite feeling completely exhausted. The truth is When Everything Went Dark has been my solace as I try to process what’s happened in my life the past few years. It was and continues to be the little night light in the corner of my room begging me to be switched on because without its comfort I don’t know where I’d be today.”

She celebrates the release of the EP by uncovering the music video for the opener and new single, Reborn. On the track, synths reverberate through the cracks of guitar as Bishop holds her head up in the face of adversity. The hook resounds with a proclamation, “I have been reborn, I’m not myself, I’m better now.” At the same time, the visual seamlessly translates this energy to the screen. Watch the Reborn music video here.

Elsewhere, tense guitar complements her breathless high register throughout Cherry On Top and on Bad, her sultry delivery bares down on the bass-boosted thump as she exudes confidence on the chorus.

When Everything Went Dark also boasts the single, Baggage, which earned widespread acclaim. Atwood Magazine hailed it as “an impassioned anthem of empowerment, emotional reckoning, and self-acceptance.” V Magazine touted it on V’s New Music Roundup and proclaimed, “Briggs’s shockingly powerful voice booms atop of a production that blends alternative and techno influences, reflective of the conflict inside of her own inner turmoil.”  

Making headlines, Bishop also just emerged as the winner of the latest season of The Masked Singer. She left crowds in awe worldwide with one show stopping performance after another.

Plus, she recently announced her co-headline Don’t Look Down Tour with MisterWives this fall across North America. Tickets are available for purchase here. See full confirmed itinerary below.

In 2022, Bishop captivated the world with fan favourite, superhuman. Inspiring critical applause, Forbes lauded it as “brilliant” and proclaimed, “Like all great songs though, Briggs makes the tale universal.” Prior, she dropped the emotionally charged one-two punch of High Water and Art of Survival. She enraptured viewers with a stirring rendition of High Water on CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden. Simultaneously, Revolution graced the tracklisting of the EA Games NHL 23 Soundtrack and video game, while the MLB chose to use Revolution prominently during the playoffs. She also contributed Lessons of the Fire' to the NETFLIX original series, Devil In Ohio, which dominated the platform at #1 in the US and cracked the Global Top 10 for two weeks at #2.

Now, Bishop Briggs’s light shines brighter than ever on When Everything Went Dark.

Don’t Look Down Tour Dates w/ MisterWives:
9/8/23 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl
9/9/23 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
9/10/23 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
9/12/23 - Washington, DC - The Anthem
9/15/23 - New York, NY - The Rooftop at Pier 17
9/16/23 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore Philadelphia
9/17/23 - Boston, MA - Roadrunner
9/19/23 - Toronto, ON - History
9/20/23 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
9/22/23 - Chicago, IL - The Salt Shed
9/23/23 - Madison, WI - The Sylvee
9/24/23 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
9/26/23 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Center
9/27/23 - Columbus, OH - Kemba Live!
9/29/23 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
9/30/23 - Kansas City, MO - Grinders KC
10/1/23 - Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom
10/4/23 - Houston, TX - House of Blues - Houston
10/6/23 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues - Dallas
10/9/23 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
10/10/23 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
10/11/23 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
10/13/23 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
10/15/23 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo

DOWNLOAD - EP artwork | DOWNLOAD - press photo

ABOUT BISHOP BRIGGS:
Bishop Briggs is known for emotional and cathartic songs that blur the boundaries between alternative, pop, and electronic. Born in London to Scottish parents, Bishop grew up in Japan and Hong Kong. Days after graduating high school, she moved to Los Angeles where, after years of performing at any venue that would have her, she was discovered in a small hole-in-the-wall by a former-A&R rep and the rest was history. The music of Bishop Briggs transcends the limitations of singular genres, blending folk, pop and electronic music into a wholly unique sound. Her debut track Wild Horses reached #1 on Spotify's US Viral Chart and #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 charts, with airplay on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation, Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Show and a prized spot in Acura’s 2016 TLX and ESPN’s NFL Playoffs ads. She followed up with the RIAA-certified platinum single, River, a searing and cathartic track that captured the attention of tastemakers and gatekeepers and rose to #3 on the Alternative chart with over 680 million global streams while Bishop’s videos have 524M overall views on YouTube and she has 1 million YouTube subscribers. After her critically acclaimed albums Church of Scars and Champion, headline tours, live performance slots opening for Coldplay, Kaleo, alt-J, and Bleachers, and with more music on the way, Bishop Briggs is set to have her most incredible year yet. It began with the double dose of emotion on the 2022 singles High Water and Art of Survival. She parlayed this energy into REVOLUTION, which graced the Soundtrack for NHL 23. Continuing a banner year, she also served up Lessons of the Fire as the lead track for the smash NETFLIX series Devil In Ohio. She capped off 2022 with the empowering superhuman, ushering in another era. During 2023, her confidence and charisma define the When Everything Went Dark EP introduced by the irresistible single, Baggage, and new single, Reborn. Infiltrating every corner of culture, she impressively won Season 9 of The Masked Singer as Medusa and will co-headline the Don’t Look Down Tour across North America with MisterWives in the fall. Once again, she holds nothing back, and the world is better for it.

POST-HARDCORE BAND RELEASES FIRST NEW MUSIC SINCE LAST YEAR’S ACCLAIMED DEBUT LP PAST LIVES

L.S. DUNES SET FOR EXTENSIVE NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER TOUR INCLUDING STOP IN TORONTO ON JULY 13

TORONTO, ON – June 23, 2023 -  Today, L.S. Dunes – vocalist Anthony Green, guitarist Frank Iero, bassist Tim Payne, guitarist Travis Stever, and drummer Tucker Rule – unveil a dazzling new psyche-metal track entitled Benadryl Subreddit, the post hardcore band’s first new music since the release of their landmark debut album, 2022’s Past Lives. Listen to Benadryl Subreddit here.

In the track’s trippy new video (also out today), a mischievous ice-cream truck guy (Anthony Green) serves up some magical treats to some unsuspecting clientele. Watch the full video, directed by Nick and Pat Demarais, here.

Benadryl Subreddit was produced by Alex Newport (Mars Volta, Frank Turner, City & Colour) and recorded at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, CA.  Dunes joins a long list of renown artists who have found inspiration at the famed high-desert studio, including Arctic Monkeys, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Afghan Whigs, Iggy Pop and many others. To pre-order the special L.S. Dunes Benadryl Subreddit 7-inch single, visit the band’s webstore here.

L.S. Dunes comments on Benadryl Subreddit:

Frank Iero:

“Benadryl’s title comes from a conversation that Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) and I were having one night on tour about sober guys finding out legal ways of getting high without doing actual drugs and messing with their sobriety. The music for this song came about when I knew we were going into the desert to record with Alex Newport at Rancho De La Luna. I had just received a new guitar in the mail from Ben Wasser at Guitarworks called the ‘Shaft’ and I got to thinking about the desert and what I thought that guitar should sound like in that setting. That riff came out immediately. Benadryl Subreddi” represents the heat of the day out in the desert, sweating bullets and going fast.”

Travis Stever:

“In the early stages of the demo it was clear this song needed to be recorded and released sooner than many of the other songs we’ve been working on. It captures an energy for the moment. It’s hard to keep hold of the energy and aim from demo to final recordings. I feel like with Alex Newport we did it!”

Tucker Rule:

“Frank sent this infectious riff, and I immediately knew what I was going to play. The chemistry of this band is undeniable, and I love it so much.”

Earlier this month, the band released another ingenious new video⏤ a glorious send-up of 70s Japanese Sci-Fi horror flix for fan favourite, Grey Veins – watch here.

L.S. Dunes also recently announced an extensive run of new summer tour dates across North America beginning with five dates on the Sad Summer Festival tour: Jacksonville, and Clearwater FL, on July 6 and 7, Alpharetta, GA on July 8, Portsmouth, VA on July 11 and Baltimore, MD on July 12. The acclaimed post-hardcore band’s headline tour begins July 9 with a show at the Basement East in Nashville, TN., and is set to hit topflight venues such as The Opera House in Toronto on July 13, NYC’s Irving Plaza on July 17, Saint Vitus Bar also in NYC on July 18, Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on July 22, Portland’s Crystal Ballroom on August 1, and The Showbox in Seattle on August 2, before returning to California for a string of shows that include The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on August 6, The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco August 9 and The Garden Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, CA on August 11.

Find tickets here. 

L.S. Dunes On Tour:

May 28 - Atlantic City, NY - Adjacent Music Festival

July 6 - Jacksonville, FL -  Sad Summer Fest

July 7 - Clearwater, FL - Sad Summer Fest

July 9 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East

July 11 - Portsmouth, VA - Sad Summer Fest

July 12 - Baltimore, MD - Sad Summer Fest

July 13 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House

July 15 - Providence, RI - The Strand

July 17 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza

July 18 - New York, NY - Saint Vitus Bar

July 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre

July 21 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s

July 22 - Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew’s Hall

July 24 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave Bar

July 25 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s

July 26 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room

July 28 - Fort Collins, CO - Washington’s

July 30 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory

August 1 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom

August 2 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox

August 6 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre

August 7 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom

August 9 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore

August 11 - Garden Grove, CA - The Garden Amphitheatre

September 16-17 - Chicago, IL - RIOT FEST 2023

“A staggering collection of progressive-rock and post-hardcore songs.” – Alternative Press

“A tour-de-force of post-hardcore.” – Heavy Consequence

“An urgent and flat-out fantastic record.” – Brooklyn Vegan

Praise has come from all corners of the globe including year-end accolades from Guitar World, Revolver (Best New Bands of 2022), Loudwire, Kerrang, Alternative Press: (55 Best Albums of 2022) Brooklyn Vegan: (Best Punk Albums of 2022), Rock Sound (cover), Stereogum, Loudwire: (Best Rock + Metal Debut LPs 2022) New Noise (cover), Line of Best Fit, Heavy Consequence, AllMusic and many more.

 DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – Benadryl Subreddit artwork
DOWNLOAD - tour poster

LIFE UNDER THE GUN OUT NOW
VIA LOMA VISTA RECORDINGS

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH SCOWL
KICKS OFF THIS FALL
WITH STOPS IN MONTREAL AND TORONTO

"one of the best rock albums of the year" - BrooklynVegan

"Militarie Gun could take the rock world by storm at any moment" - Revolver

"frontman Ian Shelton isn’t afraid to turn his innermost fears and doubts into straight-up earworms” - Rolling Stone

“the most ambitious band in hardcore” - SPIN

"the catchiest, most energetic guitar-based rock ‘n’ roll out there"
- Stereogum

"the most impactful album to emerge
from the extended hardcore universe in 2023" - UPROXX

Toronto, ON – June 23, 2023 – Today, Militarie Gun releases their debut album, Life Under The Gun, via Loma Vista Recordings. The kind of debut album that feels like a true arrival, Life Under The Gun’s 12 tracks — including previously shared singles Do It Faster, Very High, and Will Logic, along with a new version of their 2022 track, Big Disappointment — take all of the best part of Militarie Gun’s earlier work and amp them up to the highest possible degree. Life Under The Gun is available on limited edition vinyl, CD, and cassette here. This upcoming Monday, June 26, Militarie Gun will do a Reddit AMA with r/indieheads to answer fan questions about Life Under The Gun.

Militarie Gun are presently in Europe to perform at multiple festivals - namely Outbreak, Kliko, Metropolis, 2000 Trees, Rock Werchter and Ieper. Next month, the band will perform at Chicago's The Rumble festival on July 21 and 22 along with a special performance in New York City's legendary Rainbow Room for indieballroom II alongside Soft Kill and Chromatic's Ruth Radelet on July 30. This September, Militarie Gun begins their 32-date North American Fall tour with Scowl in Los Angeles and sees both bands, with support from MSPAINT and Big Laugh, crossing the continent with stops in Montreal and Toronto, before wrapping up in Berkeley on October 21. See all upcoming live dates below and get more ticket info at militariegun.com.

Life Under The Gun is almost impossible to describe without bouncing between contradictions. Is it abnormally aggressive pop music or is it unusually catchy hardcore? Is it deeply intellectual or is it satisfyingly primal? Is it a vulnerable attempt to unpack lifelong cycles of hurt, or is it a collection of world-beating, absurdist punk anthems? In the end, the answer is obvious: it is all of it. It is Militarie Gun.

Since forming in 2020, the group have been releasing music and touring at a startling rate, and while Life Under The Gun feels like a culmination of this recent hard-earned momentum, the record is inextricably linked to Shelton’s past. “I grew up in a household with family members struggling with addiction,” he explains. “It was an oppressive force. We were always wondering, ‘Is it going to be a good day or a bad day? Are the cops going to come today? What am I going to come home to after school?'” The challenges of his homelife were only exacerbated by living in Enumclaw, WA, a sparsely populated rural suburb where Shelton spent his formative years longing for a way out. In this difficult and stifling environment, the roots of Life Under The Gun began to grow. As he began to pick up instruments, play in bands, and write his own songs, music quickly became a vital outlet for self-expression, but Shelton couldn’t shake the idea that it was also a literal escape route.

What followed was a flurry of activity that still hasn’t let up. After relocating to Los Angeles and forced to stay put during the 2020 lockdown, Shelton’s restless creative drive took over and he spontaneously wrote the first songs that became Militarie Gun. The sound was decidedly new for him: firmly rooted in punk and hardcore but more hook-driven, pulling from influences like Guided By Voices, Fugazi and The Jesus Lizard. Shelton quickly recorded Militarie Gun’s 2020 debut EP, My Life Is Over, by himself, then rounded out the lineup with guitarists, Nick Cogan and William Acuña, and drummer, Vince Nguyen (Max Epstein played bass on Life Under The Gun). 2021 saw the release of the dual All Roads Lead To The Gun EPs and the start of a seemingly endless run of tour dates. In 2022, Militarie Gun teamed up with Dazy for the critically-acclaimed collaborative single, Pressure Cooker, which was soon followed by the band signing to Loma Vista Recordings and releasing a deluxe edition of the All Roads Lead To The Gun EPs that included even more new material.

Militarie Gun soon had the makings of Life Under The Gun: a debut album forged by a lifetime of experience and effort that’s now allowed an artist to fully come into their own. Engineered by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio, the 12-tracks sound massive without sacrificing the punk spark – full of driving drums, distorted bass lines, and of course Shelton’s instantly recognizable roar – only this time everything is bigger and even catchier. “This is what I thought we sounded like all along,” Shelton laughs. “It’s always felt like a melody-forward band to me, but I think now we’re finally achieving what I was always setting out to do.”

Listen to Life Under The Gun above and see below for upcoming live dates and more info about Life Under The Gun.

UPCOMING LIVE DATES:
6/23 - Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Festival
6/24 - Haarlem, NL @ Kliko Fest
6/26 - Antwerp, BE @ Kavka Zappa &
6/27 - Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje &
6/29 - Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
6/28 - Hamburg, DE @ Logo &%
7/1 - Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
7/2 - Rotterdam, NL @ Metropolis Fest
7/3 - Berlin, GER @ Hole44 #
7/4 - Cologne, GER @ Gebaude 9 #
7/5 - Haarlem, NET @ Patronaat #
7/7 - Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees Fest#
7/8 - London, UK @ Electric Ballroom #
7/9 - Ieper, BE @ Ieper Fest
7/21-22 - Chicago, IL @ The Rumble
7/30 - New York, NY @ indieballroom II / Rainbow Room
9/8 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720*
9/9 - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction*
9/10 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge*
9/12 - Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad*
9/14 - Dallas, TX @ Cheap Steaks*
9/15 - Austin, TX @ The Ballroom*
9/16 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
9/17 - Houston, TX @ The Compound*
9/19 - Orlando, FL @ Conduit*
9/20 - Miami, FL @ Gramps*
9/21 - Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall*
9/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
9/23 - Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest*
9/25 - Durham, NC @ The Pinhook*
9/26 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall*
9/27 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar*
9/28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts*
9/29 - New York, NY @ The Meadows*
10/1 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall*
10/3 - Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa*
10/4 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground*
10/6 - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups*
10/7 - Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary*
10/8 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean*
10/9 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry*
10/10 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb*
10/11 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater*
10/13 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Beehive*
10/14 - Boise, ID @ The Shredder*
10/17 - Seattle, WA @ Vera Project*
10/18 - Portland, OR @ Mission Theatre*
10/20 - Reno, NV @ Holland Project*
10/21 - Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman*
10/23-27 Miami, FL @ S.S. Neverender

& = with Soul Glo
% = with Code Orange
# = with Rival Schools
* = with Scowl

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Album Art

TOUR MATES TEAM UP FOR A SPECIAL VERSION
OF THE ELVIS PRESLEY CLASSIC
 
2023 FALL GATHER ROUND SOUNDS TOUR ANNOUNCED
 
PRE-SALE BEGINS WEDNESDAY JUNE 21

GENERAL ON SALE BEGINS FRIDAY JUNE 23
AT 10:00 AM LOCAL TIME

TORONTO, ON – June 20, 2023 – Today, acclaimed pop/soul group, Lake Street Dive, celebrate the summer by sharing a gorgeous, sun-kissed version of the Elvis Presley classic, Can’t Help Falling In Love, featuring rising singer-songwriter, Monica Martin. Listen here. The new track release is timed with the announcement of the band’s 2023 Gather Round Sounds Tour this fall (with special guest Monica Martin).
 
Lake Street Dive on Can’t Help Falling In Love, Featuring Monica Martin: "When we were preparing to tour together with Monica, we were dying to perform a song with her at the center. She brought in the idea of Can't Help Falling in Love, so we worked up this arrangement on the road to fit the acoustic intimacy of the tour’s namesake— Gather Round Sounds. The recording is done the same way; all six of us completely live in one room with no headphones. You can hear every little breath and the closeness of Monica, Rachael, and Akie singing together. What a joy to perform this timeless classic with the timeless Monica Martin!”

Monica Martin concurs: “We sang this every night on tour at the top of their encore, and it was such a dream, we had to cut it to record!”
 
Set to hit cities across the South and Midwest, the semi-acoustic, 2023 Gather Round Sounds Tour (with special guest Monica Martin), begins October 24 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The 18-date run will feature fan favourites, deep cuts, and new material all presented in a relaxed, easy going, living room style setting.  Pre-sale begins tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21 and general on sale begins Friday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The full tour routing is below. Find ticket information here.
 
Last year, Lake Street Dive - vocalist, Rachael Price; bassist/background vocalist, Bridget Kearney; drummer/background vocalist, Mike Calabrese and keyboardist/vocalist, Akie Bermiss - released their second collection of much-admired covers, Fun Machine: The Sequel. The six-track EP ranged from R&B and pop favourites such as Dionne Warwick’s (Burt Bacharach/Hal David penned) classic, Anyone Who Had A Heart, and The Pointer Sisters’ funky Automatic, to works by introspective singer-songwriters like The Cranberries’ gorgeous Linger, Carole King’s timeless So Far Away, Bonnie Raitt’s era-defining Nick Of Time, and Shania Twain’s resurgent pop-country anthem, You’re Still The One. The nine-track vinyl edition builds on the digital EP’s original tracks, adding three Beatles covers including the Lennon/McCartney classics Dig A Pony, Two Of Us, and Don’t Let Me Down. Purchase Fun Machine: The Sequel vinyl edition here.  
 
Can’t Help Falling In Love, was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss, and recorded by Presley for the film (and accompanying album), Blue Hawaii In 1961.

Lake Street Dive – Gather Round Sounds Tour (with special guest Monica Martin):
October 24 - F.M. Kirby Center – Wilkes-Barre, PA
October 25 - Sandler Center For The Performing Arts - Virginia Beach, VA
October 27 - Peace Center - Greenville, SC
October 28 - Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, NC
October 29 - Gaillard Center - Charleston, SC
October 31 – Dr. Phillips Center - Orlando, FL
November 1 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, FL
November 3 - MSU Riley Center - Meridian, MS
November 4 - Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium - Chattanooga, TN
November 5 - Alabama Theatre - Birmingham, AL
November 7 - Tennessee Theatre - Knoxville, TN
November 8 - The Louisville Palace Theatre - Louisville, KY
November 10 - Masonic Temple Cathedral Theatre - Detroit, MI
November 11 - Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI
November 12 - Hoyt Sherman Place - Des Moines, IA
November 14 - Orpheum Theater - Omaha, NE
November 15 - The Midland Theatre - Kansas City, MO
November 17 - Winspear Opera House - Dallas, TX

DOWNLOAD - Single Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

SUMMER PERFORMANCES WITH THE OSTARA PROJECT
KICK OFF THIS WEEK

TOUR DATES THROUGH THE FALL

LISTEN TO YOUR REQUESTS HERE
+ WATCH NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO FOR ALBUM TRACK
ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE

TORONTO, ON – June 20, 2023 – Following the release of her new album – and first return to the Great American Songbook in more than 10 years – Your Requests (out now!), award-winning vocalist/pianist, Laila Biali is excited to be hitting the road to share the songs with audiences across Canada. Kicking off this week, she will be taking the stage with acclaimed collective, The Ostara Project, performing at jazz festivals throughout the summer, followed by dates that will run into the fall. See below for a full list of details.

For a taste of Biali’s stunning re-interpretations found on Your Requests, have a look at the performance video of album highlight, All The Things You Are, featuring GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy).

“This is another arrangement I first wrote 20 years ago,” Biali reflects. “It takes me back to the days when I was mostly an instrumentalist, barely ever singing tunes. It’s another arrangement that got tucked away in a binder for 15+ years. When it got requested again more recently, I thought it would be a nice contrast to some of the other vocal arrangements featured on this album and a fantastic opportunity to let the superstar drummer Larnell Lewis cut loose. (His solo is fire!)”

Widely recognized for her original material, Biali’s return to classic jazz standards for Your Requests (released on May 26^th) was prompted by her delight in fulfilling the song requests of her fans, and marks her first album release that exclusively features covers. When she put out the call on social media asking her followers what tunes they'd like to hear her perform and record, more than 150 songs were submitted. The result is what Biali calls a love letter to her listeners. 

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
June 22 – Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Jazz Festival *
June 23 – Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat Jazz Festival *
June 24 – Victoria, BC – Victoria Jazz Festival *
June 25 – Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Jazz Festival *
June 27 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Jazz Festival *
June 28 – Toronto, ON – Toronto Jazz Festival *
June 30 – Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon Jazz Festival *
July 1 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Jazz Festival *
July 7 – Montreal, QC – Montreal Jazz Festival *
July 15 – Niagara, ON - Niagara Jazz Festival *
July 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Crooners Supper Club
August 6 – Campbellford, ON – Westben w/Brian Barlow’s Big Band
August 11 – Stratford, ON – Revival House – SOLD OUT
August 13 – West Vancouver, BC – Harmony Arts Festival
August 18 – London, ON – Aeolian Jazz & Music Festival
August 19 – Markham, ON – Markham Jazz Festival w/Brian Barlow’s Big Band
September 2 – Toronto, ON – T.U. Jazz Fest
September 16 – Fredericton, NB – The Playhouse, Harvest Music Festival
October 13 – Banff, AB – Maclab, The Banff Centre
October 20 – Quebec City, QC – Palais Montcalm
November 1 – Dresden, DE – Jazztage Dresden
November 4 – Bærum, Norway – Bærum Jazz Festival
*with The Ostara Project

DOWNLOAD – tour poster
DOWNLOAD – album cover art | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

TUESDAY NIGHT RESIDENCY TO TAKE PLACE
THROUGHOUT JULY (11, 18 & 25)

FEATURING SURPRISE SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMERS

“With folk tunes that will squeeze your heart, Kelly is bound to become an artist that will have you falling in love with her songs.” – eTalk

TORONTO, ON – June 19, 2023 – Next month, acclaimed singer-songwriter, Jadea Kelly, will return to her old stomping grounds - Toronto's Cameron House. After taking to the venue's stage 13 years prior, Jadea is thrilled to come home and step in to the very same time-slot that she did over a decade ago. Kicking off on July 11, Jadea will perform each Tuesday night from 6-8 p.m. through the month, and will welcome special surprise guest artists along with her. 

"The Cameron House was home to me for all of 2010. Every Tuesday from 6-8PM," Jadea reflects. "It provided an opportunity to build my Toronto audience, hone my sound and find my voice. I have nothing but fond memories in this space. The Cameron House represents my 20s and a family of Canadian artists dedicated to their craft. I look forward to returning this July 2023 during the same Tuesday 6-8PM time slot, to showcase my new unreleased album (produced by Jim Bryson this past year). Each Tuesday (July 11, 18 & 25) will feature four surprise super star guest openers. Performing in the round."

Described by CBC as “one of the shining jewels in the crown of Canadian songwriters” (Tom Power, CBC) Jadea Kelly spends her time writing and living between rural Ontario Canada and Los Angeles CA. She has co-written and toured (as opener and backing vocalist) with the likes of Justin Rutledge, Whitehorse, Judy Collins, Catherine MacLellan, Royal Wood, Kelly Prescott, Sweet Alibi, Peter Katz, The Digging Roots, Leela Gilday and Joey Landreth. She has also performed and showcased her music across Canada, The United States and Europe, performing at the likes of Americana Fest (Nashville TN), Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo, Metal Toronto and Peterborough Folk Festival. Despite her Americana influence, she is also the featured vocalist with JUNO award winning metal group Protest the Hero (Kezia, Scurrilous and Volition).

Jadea's fourth studio album, Roses, was released in March 2022 and has been warmly embraced by fans, with over two million streams across all platforms. The record made its way on to the cover of Spotify’s Renegade Folk playlist, and the heartwarming single, Any Old Boat, has seen over one million streams to-date.

DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo
DOWNLOAD – Cameron House residency poster

MORE ABOUT JADEA KELLY
In 2016 Jadea was awarded Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for her 2016 release Love & Lust. Its featured single Beauty was placed on the Lifetime Network feature No One Would Tell and the 2017 CBC Rio Paralympics, a viral opening montage portraying the life and struggle of Terry Fox. Her most recent EP (MWI / 2019) received Best Score & Music accolades from the Hollywood Independent Documentary Awards. MWI is the official soundtrack for Met While Incarcerated the Film, which aired on the Documentary Channel and CBC in March 2019.
 
She spearheaded the 2018 collective, Canada Covers Tom Petty, featuring an impressive collection of tributes from Matt Mays, Terra Lightfoot, Dwayne Gretsky, Molly Brown and the Redhill Valleys. She also hosts a semi-annual Canadian songwriter showcase in Los Angeles through the celebrated Hotel Café, Monday Monday, concert series.
 
Following a pandemic pause, Jadea returned triumphantly in 2022 with her long-awaited fourth studio album – Roses (released March 4 on Darth Jadea Music / Tonetree). The album was produced by a collection of artists, including Aaron Goldstein (Matt Mays / Daniel Romano), Joel Schwartz (Dionne Taylor), Rich Jacques (Lisa Loeb), Joe Moralez (Skyler Day) and Tim Abraham (Royal Wood).
 
“I ended up tracking a majority of the album in Toronto with my Canadian friends and bandmates, in person and virtually. It felt full circle to record in Canada after 4 exploratory years in the US. I love California with all my heart. It is my new found home and has provided a playground to rediscover my confidence, my freedom, my voice and a collection of songs that truly reflects my journey to health.
 
I composed these songs between Ontario Canada, Nashville TN and Los Angeles CA over the past four years. A massive musical delay and musical pause but a necessary one. Life, happiness and health came first. Including the pandemic. Feeding money and time into artistic pursuits can often feel like feeding coins into a broken parking metre. I hold so many incredible musical memories in my heart but it also took its toll. I therefore took my time with these songs, the production and processing of the emotions. Roses was a complete joy to compose and truly reflects my journey to a conscious and balanced state. To me, Los Angeles is a gift I gave myself. It was a blank slate to finally confront my emotional, physical and financial health. The result is Roses. The result is abundance and joy. I’m holding the light up now, and roses are falling all around.”

TOUR COINCIDES WITH BAND’S FIRST-EVER
RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTION GREATEST HITS
AVAILABLE TODAY ON CD & DIGITAL

VINYL DUE OUT AUGUST 25

TORONTO, ON – June 16, 2023 – Coinciding with the release of their brand new single, Together Right, and their first-ever career-retrospective collection, Greatest Hits, Finger Eleven are set to embark on an extensive North American tour. Today, the multi-platinum-selling band announced the first batch of dates for their Greatest Hits North American Tour, kicking off this Saturday (June 17) in Beaumont, AB, and including stops in Vancouver, Omaha, Green Bay, Cincinnati and more.
 
Frontman, Scott Anderson, shares: “I’m excited to share that F11 is finally getting back on the road. This time we’re hitting both Canada and the US, including places we haven’t been in years. We can’t wait to start making noise again. See you out there!”
 
Today also marks the official release for Greatest Hits, which is available on CD and digital formats now, with the vinyl edition (Finger Eleven’s first-ever vinyl release) to follow on August 25. The 12-track collection includes the new single, Together Right, alongside the multi-platinum hit, Paralyzer, and JUNO-nominated One Thing, plus chart-toppers like Falling On and Living in a Dream. As a bonus, the set also offers a previously unreleased cover of Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine (a longtime live staple). Together Right represents the band’s first new single in more than seven years. The breakout hit debuted on the U.S. Active Rock Top 40 chart and is currently charting #2 on Canada’s Active Rock charts.
 
A limited-edition Blue Smoke pressing of Greatest Hits will be available exclusively via FingerEleven.com and CraftRecordings.com, and indie record stores will carry an exclusive Yellow Marble variant.   
 
Finger Eleven, which currently includes original members Scott Anderson, Sean Anderson, James Black and Rick Jackett, plus drummer Steve Molella (who joined the band in 2013), released their critically acclaimed seventh studio album, Five Crooked Lines, in 2015. Since then, they have remained active on the road and enjoyed their legacy as one of Canada’s biggest bands. The band is among the top 75 best-selling artists of all time in Canada and Paralyzer (certified 5x platinum—the only rock song with that distinction) is one of the greatest rock exports.
 
As evidenced by the band’s latest release and the Greatest Hits North American Tour, Finger Eleven show no signs of slowing down. More tour dates to be announced this summer. Follow along and purchase tickets on FingerEleven.com.

GREATEST HITS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
June 17: Four Seasons Park, Beaumont, AB
August 4: Allandale Station Park, Barrie, ON        
August 6: Outdoor Stage - Queen City Ex, Regina, SK
August 9: Kickin’ Horse Saloon Stage - Saskatoon Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK
August 11: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC
August: 18: Cold Lake Exhibition Park, Cold Lake, AB
August 20: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, BC
September 2: Lot 2 @ CHNI Center, Omaha, NE
September 3: Rust Belt, Moline, IL    
September 6: District 142, Detroit, MI
September 9: Blue Ridge Rock Fest, Alton, VA
September 11: The Forge, Joliet, IL     
September 12: EPIC Event Center, Green Bay, WI
September 14: Riverfront Live, Cincinnati, OH
September 16: MMR*B&Q, Camden, NJ
November 20: Key City Theatre, Cranbrook, BC
November 24: Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Camrose, AB
November 28: Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, North Battleford, SK

DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD - Greatest Hits album cover

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM
JAGUAR II COMING SOON
 
VICTORIA MONÉT SET TO HOST FIRESIDE CHAT
ON JUNE 17 WITH KELLY ROWLAND AT CULTURECON LA

TORONTO, ON – June 16, 2023 – Multi-talented, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter and producer, Victoria Monét, releases On My Mama today via Lovett Music/RCA Records. The new track is the latest addition to her catalog of 2023 summer anthem contenders and is the final track debut leading up to the release of her upcoming sophomore album, JAGUAR II. Listen here.

Monét's On My Mama hits a home run by sampling the classic 2000s hip-hop Chalie Boy track, I Look Good, while floating positive affirmations over blaring horns by Kyla Moscovich, smooth melodies, and an 808 and bass-heavy beat produced by Jamil “Deputy” Pierr and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman. “I put that on my own mama, on my hood, I look fly, I look good,” she sings. It’s an empowering song for people everywhere uplifting them to feel like the best version of themselves both inside and out.
 
“On My Mama is the soundtrack to positive affirmations!” says Monét. “Singing the lyrics about yourself will change your frequency and elevate a positive mental state. The words speak not only to physical features but to a feeling too because I believe when you feel good, you look even better! Give yourself the words you need to hear because it’s true - you look good! There’s no one like you and that’s on ya mama. Enjoy being yourself witcha fine ass!"
 
On My Mama is the third single off JAGUAR II, and is the follow up to her most recent smash hits, Party Girls, ft. Buju Banton. The Sean Bankhead choreographed Party Girls music video garnered an incredible reaction to Victoria’s performance, leading to her trending for several days, hitting the YouTube Trending Top 15. Party Girls' and Smoke, ft. Lucky Daye, both have garnered heavy praise from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Flaunt, Nylon, Hypebeast, FLOOD Magazine, and more. All three singles mark the beginning of a new era for Victoria Monét, ending the long-awaited pause since her heralded 2020 solo project, JAGUAR.
 
After the initial JAGUAR era, Monét turned up the heat with a string of releases including collaborations featuring Kehlani (Touch Me (Remix)) and most recently, a Spotify single with Bryson Tiller (We Might Even Be Falling In Love (Duet)).  Additional tracks F.U.C.K and Coastin' built on the JAGUAR sound and emphasized its staying power with impressive visuals all set in Monét’s signature brown tones and 70s influences. She’s also gone viral on socials with the #SomeCutChallenge and currently with her open verse challenge for buzzing song, We Might Even Be Falling In Love.
 
Monét’s breakthrough artistry led to appearances on The Late Night Show with Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome, plus festivals such as Made In America, Sol Blume, and Day N Vegas.
 
Most recently, Monét sold out her first-ever headlining show in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theatre in partnership with Spotify and Goldenvoice - which sold out in under one minute - and will be participating in a fireside chat with fellow superstar Kelly Rowland at CultureCon LA on June 17. As a new member of RCA Records, much more music from the superstar is on the horizon as anticipation builds for the much-desired album, JAGUAR II, coming summer 2023.

DOWNLOAD - On My Mama Single Art 

ALBUM FEATURES ANDRE 3000, EL-P, 2 CHAINZ, FUTURE, YOUNG THUG, 6LACK, TY DOLLA $IGN, CURREN$Y, ERYN ALLEN KANE, BLXST, AND MORE
 
THE HIGH & HOLY TOUR KICKS OFF NEXT MONTH
FIND TICKETS HERE
 
LISTEN TO MICHAEL HERE

“A complex portrait of Southern Black masculinity” - NEW YORK TIMES
 
"If Killer Mike is an undefeated superhero, Michael Render is an unshakable man." – EXCLAIM!
 
“Killer Mike’s position as one of the great and yet underrated rappers and lyricists of his time is affirmed.”  - SPIN
 
“MICHAEL is worth the wait: a soul-baring collection of deeply personal songwriting that nevertheless contains the kind of bars-on-bars rapping that RTJ fans have come to love.” - CONSEQUENCE
 
“One of the most heartfelt and serious albums in his discography” - FLOOD
 
“This album will secure his legacy as one of the best rappers to ever come out of the South." - DORK

TORONTO, ON – June 16, 2023 – Killer Mike has just released MICHAEL – the celebrated MC’s first solo full length since 2012’s critically lauded, R.A.P. Music – and the capstone to a huge week that included appearances on The Breakfast Club, Sway in the Morning, HBO’s The Shop, no less than three billboards in Times Square, plus features in Billboard, Vulture, The Atlantic, New York Times, Exclaim!, a SPIN cover story, and more.
 
On Tuesday, Mike spoke with Zane Lowe to premiere SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS (ft. Andre 3000 and Future), a song that saw an outpouring of critic and fan attention, prompting @RAP to ask if this was the "biggest ATL collab ever" and BET to proclaim that Andre’s feature “reminds us why he’s one of the greatest to ever do it” (meanwhile others have rightly pointed out that Mike goes bar-for-bar with his former mentor).
 
The 14-track album, executive produced by No ID and released via Loma Vista Recordings, includes a panoply of rarified features from the likes of Future, Young Thug, Ty Dolla $ign, Curren$y, Andre 3000, 6LACK, EL-P, Blxst, Eryn Allen Kane, and more (full tracklist below). Over the course of the last few months, Mike has been presenting the album at a series of private listening sessions, guiding intimate gatherings of friends, fans, and colleagues through the autobiographical details of the album in his own words, culminating in a hometown event in Atlanta this past Monday that filled The House of Hope Atlanta to the brim. Meanwhile Mike has been previewing the live presentation of the album joined by his backup singers, The Midnight Revival, for recent performances at SXSW, Shaky Knees Festival, and Bottlerock Festival. Killer Mike and The Midnight Revival will head out on The High and Holy Tour in July. The 19-date U.S. tour kicks off July 10 in Birmingham and makes its way across the country, including an appearance at Pitchfork Music Festival and a performance at New York City’s iconic Apollo Theatre, before wrapping up August 5 in New Orleans. Tickets are on sale now - see full dates below.
 
MICHAEL serves as a holistic introduction to the totality of Michael Render, a lifelong rap fiend whose consciousness is steeped in the sounds of community that raised him – traversing multiple eras of southern rap flows, Sunday church service, and barbershop discourse. Anticipation for the album has been steadily building over the course of a prodigious run of singles, including RUN (ft. Young Thug), TALK’N THAT SHIT!, DON’T LET THE DEVIL (ft. EL-P & thankugoodsir), and MOTHERLESS (ft Eryn Allen Kane), culminating in this week’s release of SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS (ft. Andre 3000 and Future). The album’s sprawling list of features was revealed in conjunction with the last single’s release, unveiled alongside a collage of each featured artists’ respective childhood photos as a callback to Mike’s school yearbook photo on the album cover. Fans are invited to participate as well, with a bespoke Instagram filter that renders a similar effect to the photo treatment on the album’s cover.

DOWNLOAD – MICHAEL album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
7/10 - BIRMINGHAM, AL - Saturn
7/11 - CHARLESTON, SC - Music Farm
7/13 - ATLANTA, GA - Tabernacle
7/14 - NASHVILLE, TN - Ryman
7/15 - CHARLOTTE, NC - Underground            
7/17 - NORFOLK, VA - NorVa
7/18 - WASHINGTON DC - Lincoln Theater          
7/20 - NEW YORK, NY - Apollo
7/21 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Franklin Music Hall                   
7/23 - CHICAGO, IL - Pitchfork Festival
7/24 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - First Avenue       
7/27 - SEATTLE, WA - Showbox
7/28 - PORTLAND, OR - Crystal Ballroom
7/29 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Fillmore       
7/31 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Ace Theater
8/1 - PHOENIX, AZ - Van Buren       
8/3 - HOUSTON, TX - House of Blues
8/4 - DALLAS, TX - House of Blues
8/5 - NEW ORLEANS, LA - Joy Theater

LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE

SONG OFFERS FIRST PEEK AT NEW ALBUM
MY FATHER LOVED ME ARRIVING THIS FALL

TORONTO, ON – June 16, 2023 – Just two days before Father’s Day, acclaimed Canadian-American singer-songwriter, Rachael Kilgour, shares the first offering of her forthcoming album, My Father Loved Me, with the beautiful leading tribute, Dad Worked Hard. Produced by award-winning songwriter, Rose Cousins, Dad Worked Hard is a soft and stripped-down acoustic track, that introduces the heartfelt stories about Rachael’s father, who passed away shortly after she had written the song. Listen here and watch the intimate accompanying video here.
 
“This song serves as an introduction to my dad and to the collection of soon-to-be-released work,” Rachael shares. “It is the only completely bare track on the record, just me and my guitar. But we built each track around these basic building blocks – my singular voice and the expanding and contracting sense of time that comes with telling a story from the heart.” 
 
Rachael was in the last days of tracking her 2019 EP, Game Changer, in an Asheville, NC recording studio, and had just written a new song – Dad Worked Hard. “I hadn't written any other songs about him at that point – I certainly hadn't considered making an entire album in his honour. I had no way of knowing how little time he had left or how much his death would transform me. But when the producer suggested recording Dad Worked Hard for the new EP, I just knew I needed to hold onto it. So I said it: ‘no, I think I’m gonna make a dad album’.”
 
Dad Worked Hard speaks to the sorrow of Rachael watching her once steady father deteriorate in body and mind, and the injustice of not being able to afford appropriate care for a man who worked long days as a building contractor all his life. Read Rachael’s reflections on her father’s life and the inspiration behind the song here.
 
Of the creation of the song, and new album, she continues, “It was such a gift to record with Rose. She and Chris worked so well together to create a warm environment and capture the essence of these songs. I am grateful for the beautifully intricate production choices she made throughout the rest of the record and for her understanding of the power of a simple, truthfully told song.”
 
Stay tuned for more of Rachael Kilgour’s stunning tribute to her dad as she unveils My Father Loved Me in the coming months.  

DOWNLOAD – single artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MORE ABOUT RACHAEL KILGOUR:
Rachael Kilgour is a Canadian-American songwriter and performing artist whose plain-spoken, lyric-driven work and intimate performances have endeared her to listeners and fellow artists alike. She comes by her considerable skills honestly, honing her craft over the past decade in listening rooms, festivals, concert halls, and recording studios, and picking up accolades along the way. Kilgour first attained notoriety outside her native Duluth, MN as the grand prize winner of the 2015 international NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition and winner of the 2017 Kerrville New Folk Contest. She has been featured at NYC’s Lincoln Center, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and at the Sundance Film Festival. Her oft-noted “unapologetic lyrics” (Rolling Stone) and “master crafted indie folk” sensibilities (Billboard) are on full display in her latest collection of songs.

LISTEN HERE

SHARES ALBUM STANDOUT TRACK MINDFUL MADNESS FEATURING MARTHA JOHNSON (MARTHA AND THE MUFFINS)

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW JULY 13 AT BAR CATHEDRAL TICKETS HERE

Toronto, ON – June 16, 2023 – Today, Toronto artist, Alex Exists, shares his anticipated debut album, Everybody’s Famous, via The Confidence Emperors. “[The album] is a unique set of stories about the complex and often absurd nature of human behaviour, and the need to express our truth and full potential,” says Alex. It’s the tension between these themes that fuel Everybody’s Famous and blends the rebellious, grungy, glammy, punky, and psychedelic sounds into an eight-track punch. Among these tracks is the album stand out, Mindful Madness, a song that explores the idea of maintaining a sense of awareness and purpose in the midst of chaos and confusion, and features the voice of Martha Johnson (Martha and the Muffins). As Alex puts it, “Her voice soars over the carnival grounds in such an eerily beautiful way.” Listen to Everybody’s Famous here and check out the Mindful Madness visualizer here.
 
To further celebrate the release of his debut record, Alex will be performing an album release show at Bar Cathedral on July 13 in Toronto. It will certainly be a show not to miss as Alex will bring Everybody’s Famous to life through his various music videos that will be on display at the venue, while playing the record live. Tickets available here.
 
On Mindful Madness, Alex shares: “With strong ties to struggling with mental illness and being on the brink of losing one's sanity. As the song unfolds, one begins to see the madness as a source of creativity and insight, rather than a burden to be ashamed of.”
 
On the album, Alex further offers: “I aim to inspire listeners to navigate the complex social dynamics that shape our lives, and to never stop striving for something better. The message is clear: we have the power to change what we don't like and the obligation to improve life for each other or else risk being trapped in the warped reality that these songs illustrate.”
 
Everybody’s Famous was produced mainly by Alex with assistance from Michael Fong. Drums were recorded at Revolution Recording in Toronto with Luke Schindler, and the rest of the tracks were recorded at Alex’s studio, Audio Ritual. The final product is a sonic exploration of expressing optimistic nihilism and radical authenticity as we tread into a brave new world. Alex quips the album resembles "a wrestling match with one’s ego." It represents a story about finding one’s true self amidst the chaos, continuing to create through the chaos while learning how to wield the energy of the changing tides instead of swimming against it - and letting it destroy you.
 
This can be heard on the previously released album standout Believe The Hype, which serves as a reminder for listeners not to believe everything you see or hear. As well, there is the dark prose, edgy synth, percussion heavy, With A Bang, and Dancing With Chaos, which features Alex's sharp vocals and deep lyrics on the state of the media, politics, and societal expectations. All videos were produced by Moon Reel Media, which Alex co-runs and co-founded, and were directed by Agata Waclawska.
 
“Collections of songs like albums are important snapshots in time. I think that it's a really admirable achievement to write, record and release an album in this day and age,” shares Alex. “I think the role of a great artist is to use their work to get deep inside someone's head or soul, rearrange all the furniture in their mind, and leave them seeing the world differently. Not knowing what really changed, other than experiencing the art, yet now they see everything differently. For better or for worse.”
 
Stay tuned as the Everybody’s Famous adventure continues on this summer!

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Album Art

ALBUM OUT OCTOBER 6 VIA ROUNDER RECORDS
 
LISTEN TO NOBODY HAS TO KNOW YOUR MIND HERE
 
EXTENSIVE HEADLINE TOUR DATES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER WITH VARIOUS FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES INCLUDING NELSONVILLE, CATBIRD,
WHIMMYDIDDLE AND MORE

“His music reflects a refreshingly raw honesty, reflectiveness, and the undeniable beauty in discovery and growth”-Spin

TORONTO, ON – June 16, 2023 – John R. Miller belongs to the rare breed of songwriters whose expansive introspection uncovers many truths about the state of the human condition. On his new album, Heat Comes Down, out October 6 via Rounder Records, the West Virginia-raised, Nashville-based artist intimately narrates his sleepless nights and nostalgic daydreams, existential dread, and nuanced observations of the troubled world around him. But while a number of its songs convey a certain unease, Miller endlessly imparts the kind of lovely reassurance that can only come from shared catharsis. Pre-order/pre-save Heat Comes Down here and listen to the lead single, Nobody Has To Know Your Mind, here.
 
“Whenever I’ve got a lot of thoughts bouncing around my head, alchemizing that energy into something creative helps take the gravity out of them and quiets them down for a while,” says Miller. “For me this album is largely about anxiety in many forms: the things that cause it, what it causes in turn, and the moments of clarity in between. Listening back to it now, most of the songs seem like they’re trying to answer the questions I’ve been asking myself.”
 
The follow-up to his 2021 Rounder Records debut Depreciated—an album No Depressions says “casually saunters towards a full existential breakdown that’ll leave you gasping for air”— Heat Comes Down finds Miller teaming up with producers Andrija Tokic and John James Tourville (both known for their work with artists like Sunny War and The Deslondes). Over a three-day session at The Bomb Shelter (Tokic’s Nashville studio), Miller joined forces with several members of his longtime live band (drummer John Clay Burchett, guitarist J. Tom Hnatow, fiddle player Chloe Edmonstone) as well as bassist, Craig Burletic, and Jeff Taylor (a multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello).
 
With its understated but gorgeously detailed convergence of country and rock-infused folk, Heat Comes Down hits with a potent impact despite its exquisite intricacy—a dynamic suited to an artist whose background includes playing in punk bands in high school and touring as a member of an old-time string band in his 20s. “I think the feeling in the room heavily contributes to the feeling of a record, and that room was full of people I love very much,” Miller points out. “We all felt free to open up and fool around and experiment with different ideas, which helped us create something that hopefully feels warm and inviting to everyone.” 
 
On the album-opening, Nobody Has to Know Your Mind, Miller immediately draws the audience deep into his inner world, offering up a gently swinging cosmic-country tune etched with his self-aware humor (from the second verse: “Give me a mile, I’ll take an inch/Give me a shovel, I can dig my own ditch”). “In my more socially anxious moments, it’s easy to feel like my thoughts are written all over me,” he says. "That song is essentially a reminder to get out of my own head and be more present with whatever's going on in the room."
 
Miller has extensive headline tour dates into the summer, and will hit a number of summer festivals, including Nelsonville, Catbird and Whimmydiddle. Fall tour dates will be announced soon.
 
JOHN R. MILLER 2023 TOUR DATES:
June 14 - Chicago, IL - Sleeping Village
June 15 - Milwaukee, WI - The Back Room at Colectivo Coffee
June 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Icehouse
June 17 - Spring Green, WI - Shitty Barn
June 18 - Wisconsin Dells, WI - Showboat Saloon
June 20 - Davenport, IA - The Raccoon Motel
June 21- June 24 - Owensboro, KY - Romp Fest
June 22 - Hamilton, OH - Whimmydiddle Music Festival
June 23 - Indianapolis, IN - HI-FI Annex
June 24 – Owensboro, KY – ROMP Festival
July 13 - Shenandoah Junction, WV - The AMP at Sam Michaels Park
July 15 - Londonderry, VT - Black Line Tavern
July 16 - Portsmouth, NH - The Press Room
July 18 - North Haven, ME - Turner Farm
July 19 - Burlington, VT - Nectar's
July 21 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern
July 22 - Nelsonville, OH - Nelsonville Music Festival
July 26 - Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
July 27 - Winchester, VA - Bright Box Theater
July 28 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
July 29 - Galax, VA - The Blue Ridge Music Center
August 19 - August 20 - Bethel, NY - Catbird Music Festival

DOWNLOAD - Album Art | DOWNLOAD - Press Photo

SHARES LEAD SINGLE I CAN SAY TO YOU
FEATURING VANISHA GOULD

WATCH | LISTEN

PRE-ORDER/SAVE SOLAR MUSIC HERE

TORONTO, ON – June 13, 2023 – Richmond's polymath band, Butcher Brown, announces its new album, Solar Music, out October 6 via Concord Jazz, available on CD, 2-LP and digitally. While rooted in jazz, the band explores the through lines between genres and generations, which is clearly evident on the album's lead single, which is also out today: I Can Say To You featuring vocalist Vanisha Gould.

Following their critically-acclaimed 2022 album, Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey, where they collided a hip-hop album with big band jazz, Solar Music demonstrates the essence of Butcher Brown down to its core. The album draws its name from a descriptor the band has come to use to categorize their music, the scope of which is decidedly broad and defies categorization altogether. Solar Music demonstrates the band's dynamic approach to the jazz format and incorporating their own rich lineage of musical influences from their upbringing in Richmond, fusing elements of soul, funk, rock, and hip-hop, into music that is universal. Incorporating longtime friends and new, unexpected guests into their approach, the album features the likes of Pink Siifu, Charlie Hunter, Braxton Cook, Jay Prince, Nappy Nina, Keyon Harrold, Michael Millions and more.

Reflecting on their latest project the band shares: "Solar Music is everything under the sun. We get asked so often what type of genre we fall into, and at the end of the day, we play all of our influences. It’s not genre specific… It’s all types, & this album is a true representation of that. Solar Music is for everybody.”

The band had a jam-packed live schedule in 2022 around the release of their last album, which included a sold-out show at Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa Valley, a collaborative set with Pink Siifu at Pitchfork Music Festival and Afropunk Fest in Brooklyn all in the last year. Picking up where they left off in 2023, the band is slated for a run of festivals through the Summer, including the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival on June 18th, Newport Jazz Festival, and Telluride Jazz Fest and more.

Check out I Can Say To You featuring Vanisha Gould and pre-save Solar Music here. Learn more about the band and Solar Music below, and stay tuned for more new music from Butcher Brown soon.

TRACKLIST:
1. Cozumel
2. Espionage featuring Charlie Hunter
3. I Can Say To You featuring Vanisha Gould
4. MOVE (RIDE) featuring Jay Prince
5. Turismo featuring Julia Shuren
6. Eye Never Knew featuring Pink Siifu and Keyon Harrold
7. No Way Around It
8. Half of It featuring Nappy Nina
9. DYKWYD featuring Braxton Cook
10. Happy Hourrr
11. Run It Up featuring Pink Siifu
12. Pink Fur featuring Michael Millions
13. This Side of Sunshine
14. BubbleBath
15. Touring Pains
16. It Was Me
17. Around For A While

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
6/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
8/4 - Newport, RI @ Newport Jazz Festival
8/5-6 - Happy Valley, OR @ Pickathon
8/11-13 - Telluride, CO @ Telluride Jazz Festival
8/26 - Asheville, NC @ Salvage Station
8/31-9/3 - Stuart, VA @ Front Porch Fest

DOWNLOAD – album artwork | DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo

MORE ABOUT BUTCHER BROWN:
Miles Davis once quipped, “I’ll play it first and tell you what it is later.” Butcher Brown has released forward-thinking and expansive hybrids of jazz and hip-hop since 2013. Today, they have an apt descriptor for their songs: solar music. Drawing inspiration from every sound under the sun, the Richmond, VA band adds elements of funk, soul, and rock to their foundational mix. The result is a Southern-leaning, sometimes psychedelic fusion that feels fresh yet familiar. Simultaneously working within and defying genre conventions, Butcher Brown is a jazz festival mainstay that could tour with Tyler, the Creator as easily as Khruangbin.

“We get daps from the jazz cats, the rap scene, the indie scene, and everyone else,” says drummer Corey Fonville. Every Butcher Brown album, show, and improvisational leap therein stems from the synergy, vision, and inexhaustible musical curiosity of him and his bandmates: producer/multi-instrumentalist DJ Harrison; bassist/composer Andrew Randazzo; trumpeter/saxophonist/MC Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney; and guitarist Morgan Burrs.

The band’s past begins in Richmond, where several members attended VCU’s jazz program, and everyone mixed in the city’s vibrant music scene. Between classes and performances at local clubs, all congregated at Harrison’s home studio: Jellowstone. Jam sessions bled into blunt-passing smoke sessions soundtracked by beat tapes from renowned Richmond producer Ohbliv, D’Angelo’s sensual, funky and forward-thinking neo-soul, and saxophonist Joe Henderson’s Power to the People. All culminated in Butcher Brown’s 2014 debut, All Purpose Music, a 76-minute jazz-driven odyssey into every genre at the band’s disposal.

That spark fueled a beat tape (Grown Folk, 2015), southern-inflected soul and rock excursions (The Healer, 2015 and Virginia Noir, 2016), a raucous live album (Live at Vagabond, 2017), jazz-funk fusion (Camden Session, 2018), and an Afrobeat tribute (Afrokuti, 2018). After tours with Galactic, Lettuce, and jazz giant Kamasi Washington, Butcher Brown turned a corner with their Concord Jazz debut, 2020’s #KingButch. They recorded at Jellowstone and abandoned worries about creating songs that would be easily replicable live, blurring the lines between soul-jazz and boom-bap, eliminating the divide between P-funk and modern funk, and transforming rap-meets-bossa nova amalgams into kaleidoscopic psychedelia. With Tennishu rapping, the band was in new territory and closer to their roots than ever. Their catalog-spanning NPR Tiny Desk Concert, crowd-packing European tour, and inspired, Alex Isley-assisted cover of Patrice Rushen’s Remind Me in 2021 proved their range remained limitless, unbound by genre and time.

Describing the group's journey, bassist Andrew Randazzo says, “Over the years, everything about this band has become more refined and mature — from the playing and producing to recording — but the soul was there from the beginning... We already had the spark.”

TORONTO, ON - June 13, 2023 - Midnight Agency, Canada’s leading independent booking agency, is thrilled to celebrate its esteemed Agent, Co-Founder and President, Grant Paley, who has been honoured with the prestigious Agent of the Year award at the 2023 Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) Live Music Awards. This achievement is a testament to Paley’s unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and unparalleled contributions to the music industry.
 
The CLMA Live Music Awards, held annually to recognize outstanding professionals in the live music sector, bestowed the Agent of the Year title upon Grant Paley for his remarkable accomplishments in talent representation and booking, at Friday night’s ceremony in the Toronto Westin Hotel as part of Canadian Music Week. Paley’s extraordinary ability to identify emerging talent, negotiate lucrative deals, and create transformative opportunities for artists has solidified his reputation as one of the most influential agents in the industry.

"We are immensely proud of Grant for receiving the Agent of the Year award at the 2023 CLMA Live Music Awards," said Nick Middleton, CEO of Midnight Agency. "Grant's passion for music and his tireless efforts on behalf of our artists are unparalleled. This is a testament to his extraordinary work ethic. He’s been a guiding light for so many of our artists as we’ve seen our industry go through unparalleled challenges. Grant has been a pivotal leader and champion of artists across the country as we’ve all worked so hard to return to touring post-COVID.”
 
Since co-founding Midnight Agency in 2021, Paley has consistently displayed a deep passion for the artists he represents and an unwavering commitment to their success. His strategic vision, industry knowledge, and personalized approach have set him apart as a trusted advocate for artists and a formidable force within the music business.
 
Paley expressed his gratitude for the award, saying, "I’m truly honoured. This award is voted on by the very people in this room. I call you my collaborators, my partners, my artists and first of all my friends. Thank you all for giving me so much of your energy throughout my 25 years in this industry.”
 
In his speech on Friday night in front of his peers, Paley went on to thank his team. “Thank you Nick Middleton for dreaming up a crazy idea to start a new agency in the middle of the pandemic. Thank you to all the Midnight Staff - there’s nine of us now in two years; Mac, Sage, Liam, Charissa, Joel, Luke and Sari. You all play such a vital role for myself, this agency and our artists.”  Paley also expressed deep appreciation for the artists he represents, emphasizing, "Thank you all 48 of our artists for coming on this journey with me, you are a huge reason I am here and I am forever grateful."
 
Midnight Agency extends its sincerest congratulations to Grant Paley on his remarkable achievement. As an agency, we remain dedicated to empowering artists, fostering creativity, and shaping the future of the live music industry.

ABOUT MIDNIGHT AGENCY:
Midnight Agency is a leading independent Canadian talent and booking agency dedicated to nurturing the careers of exceptional musicians and artists. With a commitment to providing unparalleled guidance, strategic representation, and creative solutions, Midnight Agency has become a trusted partner for artists seeking to elevate their careers to new heights. For more information visit:

DOWNLOAD – Midnight Agency logo
DOWNLOAD - Grant Paley headshots

LISTEN HERE

TORONTO, ON – June 9, 2023 – Today, rising artist, August Royals, releases his latest single, Love You ‘Til I Die, out now via RCA Records.
 
Coming off the back of last month’s release of Angel Arms, Love You ‘Til I Die sees August continuing to embrace and experiment with alt-pop and indie-rock influences. Flush with guitar strums and warm bursts of percussion, the lo-fi single examines the encompassing feeling of loving someone until your last breath.
 
Garnering praise from V Magazine, Rollacoaster, Lyrical Lemonade, and more, August Royals has quickly started making a name for himself in just a few short months, establishing himself as an artist to watch. Selected as part of Pigeons & Planes’ highly coveted Best New Artists, he was heralded as “the rare kind of talent who’s positioned to strike the difficult balance between artistry and accessibility.” The Georgia-born and Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter first caught listeners’ attention in 2019 when he posted a clip of his song, Restless, and went viral on Instagram with hundreds of thousands of views.
 
After a chance meeting with Kevin Abstract at a show in Los Angeles, the two became fast friends and collaborators. Championed by Abstract, August signed with RCA Records and released his debut single, Blue Football, to praise and critical acclaim. Clash called the release “exhilarating,” praising it as a “carefully finessed song, one that balances the micro with the macro in its search for meaning.” Following suit with Crash less than a month later, the single was featured as one of Billboard’s 10 Cool New Pop Songs. In 2022, he released his debut project, Inhaler, a nine-track EP that served as a multi-genre reflection of his own experiences and struggles.

DOWNLOAD - single artwork | DOWNLOAD - hi-res photo

LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – June 9, 2023 – Global Latin music idol, Maluma, has just released his new single, Coco Loco, today. The fiery track showcases Maluma's unique and iconic sound, this time as Don Juan, embodying urban flow and sensuality. Stream or download the track here. 

The new single sets the stage for his upcoming, Don Juan album, due out later this year. Also on the album are Maluma’s recently released singles, La Fórmula with Marc Anthony, La Reina and Diablo, Que Chimba, alongside Anuel AA.

The steamy video, directed by Jessy Terrero and produced by Cinema Giants and Royalty Films, is set in the beautiful streets of a stormy Miami. When his concert is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, Maluma performs an impromptu concert in the rain, surrounded by dancers, a festive atmosphere and of course, enjoying his very own Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal. Watch it here. 

Coco Loco was produced by MadMusick and written by Juan Luis Londoño Arias (Maluma), Julio González Tavares, Jonathan Rivera, Giencarlos Rivera, Edgar Barrera and Vicente Barco.

Further, as part of the announcement of his new Don Juan World Tour, Maluma will be in Europe this summer to perform a series of concerts in July, before he starts the U.S. leg of his world tour with more than 30 confirmed dates.

Promising a groundbreaking experience for his devoted fans, Maluma is set to embark on a 30-city tour throughout the United States. The tour kicks off in Sacramento, CA on August 31 and wraps in Miami, FL on November 4. This tour follows the wildly successful Papi Juancho Maluma World Tour 2022, which boasted sold-out shows across the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. To purchase tickets, visit https://maluma.online/conciertos-maluma.

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:
June 16 - Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
June 18 - Ibiza, Spain
June 23 - Vienne, France
June 24 - Basel, Switzerland
July 1 - Seville, Spain
July 2 - Ibiza, Spain
July 5 - Sicily, Italy
July 7 - Malaga, Spain
July 8 - Las Palmas, Spain
July 11 - Montreaux, Switzerland 
July 12 - Rome, Italy
July 14 - Gdansk, Poland
July 16 - Naples, Italy

DON JUAN WORLD TOUR U.S. DATES:
August 31 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center 
September - Portland, OR - Moda Center
September - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena
September - San Jose, CA - SAP Center
September 9 - Los Angeles, CA - The Kia Forum
September 10 - Phoenix, AZ - Footprint Center
September 13 - Las Vegas, NV - Grand Garden Arena
September 15 - Ontario, CA - Toyota Arena
September 16 - San Diego, CA - Pechanga Arena
September 21 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
September 22 - Hidalgo, TX - Payne Arena
September 24 - El Paso, TX - UTEP (Don Haskins)
September 29 - Austin, TX - H-E-B Center
September 30 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
October 1 - Houston, TX - Smart Financial Centre
October 5 - Belmont Park, NY - UBS Arena
October 6 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
October 7 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
October 8 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
October 12 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
October 14 - Reading, PA - Santander Arena
October 15 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
October 19 - Washington, DC - Capital One Arena
October 21 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center
October 22 - Atlanta, GA - StateFarm Arena
October 26 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center 
October 28 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena
October 29 - Fort Myers, FL - Hertz Arena
November 3 - Orlando, FL - Amway Center
November 4 - Miami, FL - Kaseya Center

Last month, he attended the MET Gala wearing a sleek plastron and matching trousers, crafted entirely in a sophisticated, grey-hued leather, inspired by the 90s Karl Lagerfeld collaboration with Hugo Boss. Check out Maluma’s Esquire ‘getting ready’ piece here. Additional dates may be added in the coming weeks.

DOWNLOAD - Single Art

About MALUMA:
Maluma is one of the leading voices in Latin music and a bona fide global youth idol. Born Juan Luis Londoño in Medellin, Colombia, he formulated his artistic moniker, Maluma, from the first two letters of the names of his mother, father and sister.

The 2018 Latin GRAMMY award winner for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album (for F.A.M.E.) is one of social media’s most popular artists with over 25 million Facebook fans, 8 million Twitter followers, and a whopping 63 million Instagram followers, making him the leading Latin male artist on Instagram and the first and only one to surpass 50 million followers. His official YouTube/VEVO channel has more than 28.1 million subscribers, having earned him a YouTube Diamond Play Button Award.

With his Maluma World Tour he has achieved unparalleled success, having sold over one million tickets in 105 worldwide concerts in 2017 alone and becoming the top concert-selling Latin artist in the world. In 2018 and 2019, he broke records achieving full houses in all of his shows throughout the United States and Europe selling out Madison Square Garden (New York), the American Airlines Arena (Miami) and two The Forums (Los Angeles), among others. With his 11:11 World Tour he also sold out Israel's largest venue, Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv (60,000+ audience); made history at the 18th annual Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco, setting an all-time attendance record with his headlining concert in front of 200,000 people; and performed for the first time ever in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in front of 25,000. He continued to take over throughout 2021 and 2022 with sold-outs in the United States, Europe, Latin American and the Middle East.

Since joining Sony Music Latin in 2015, Maluma has released seven albums: Pretty Boy Dirty Boy (2015), F.A.M.E. (2018), 11:11(2019), Papi Juancho (2020), 7DJ (2021), The Love & Sex Tape and The Love & Sex Tape Deluxe (2022). Maluma is the youngest artist to simultaneously hold both the #1 and #2 spots on Billboard's Latin Airplay chart and only the sixth act to ever achieve the feat he has now repeated three times. To date Maluma has had twenty-two #1 singles on Billboard's Latin Airplay chart.

Maluma's altruistic spirit is outstanding for the community work he leads with his foundation, El Arte de Los Sueños, based in Medellín, Colombia. Founded in 2016, the Foundation's mission is to transform at-risk youth through art and music education. In 2021, Maluma acted in his first Disney animation movie, Encanto, 2022 Oscar winner for Best Animation Feature. Earlier this year, Maluma debuted in Hollywood with his starring role as “Bastian" in the movie Marry Me, alongside Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.

+ JIMMY EAT WORLD COVER MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA’S TELEPATH

HEAR BOTH TRACKS ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS NOW
WITH LIMITED EDITION 7” VINYL AVAILABLE ONLY VIA VIP TOUR TICKET PACKAGES

AMPLIFIED ECHOES TOUR BEGINS JULY 11
BRINGING BOTH BANDS TO MORE THAN 30 CO-HEADLINED DATES INCLUDING LA’S GREEK THEATRE, RED ROCKS, NYC’S SUMMERSTAGE + CANADIAN DATES IN CALGARY AND TORONTO

TORONTO, ON – June 8, 2023 – Today, ahead of their highly-anticipated, North American co-headline tour, Manchester Orchestra and Jimmy Eat World have teamed up to cover songs from each other’s vast and beloved catalogues. As Manchester Orchestra pay tribute to Table For Glasses, the opening track off Jimmy Eat World’s classic Clarity LP, Jimmy Eat World reimagine Telepath, an album highlight and enduring favourite from Manchester Orchestra’s The Million Masks of God. Listen to Manchester Orchestra’s cover of Table For Glasses via Loma Vista Recordings, here.

Both of the original arrangements are simultaneously sparse, slow-burning and soaring in their delivery, speaking to the bands’ shared strengths of cathartic melodies and vocal harmonies that invite fans to shout and sing along. While Jimmy Eat World flips Telepath on its head, turning the song’s soft acoustics and spectral strings into a thunderous wall of electric guitar, Manchester Orchestra approach Table For Glasses with a subtle touch that equally and intricately retains its invigorating power.

“It was an absolute honour to trade covers with one of our favourite bands,” says Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull. “We approached our cover with admiration for the original and had a blast exploring all of its spacious corners.”

Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins adds, “Manchester Orchestra is great at sitting you down, spinning your chair around and stopping it to show you are now somewhere else. We knew if we were going to cover an immersive song like Telepath, we’d have to commit to ‘stopping the chair’ at bizzaro-Jimmy Eat World universe.” Listen to Jimmy Eat World’s cover of Telepath via Exotic Location Recordings, here.

Both covers will also be available on limited edition 7” vinyl, exclusively as part of the VIP Experience on the bands’ upcoming Amplified Echoes Tour. Kicking off July 11, and produced by Live Nation, Amplified Echoes will bring Manchester Orchestra and Jimmy Eat World to dozens of illustrious stages from coast to coast, including Canadian dates in Calgary and Toronto, as well as LA's Greek Theatre, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Nashville's Ascend Amphitheater, Chicago's Salt Shed, NYC's SummerStage in Central Park, and more through to the end of August. Find the full list below and tickets here, featuring support from Middle Kids.

The Amplified Echoes Tour will see Manchester Orchestra perform music from their new album, The Valley of Vision, live for the very first time. The record was released alongside a breathtaking and groundbreaking film earlier this spring, enveloping the viewer in 180 degrees of 3D virtual reality. The dual release marked "one of the first instances of a rock band using VR to help tell the stories of their songs" (Alternative Press), and in a five-star review, Uncut said, "few bands are brave enough to try something this ambitious, even fewer have the talent to pull it off." Enter The Valley of Vision and explore more of its world in the music video for lead single The Way, currently climbing into the Top 20 on the AAA radio charts.

Celebrating three decades and 10 albums of existence in 2023, Jimmy Eat World will arrive at the Amplified Echoes Tour fresh off a string of shows with My Chemical Romance and the release of recent singles, Something Loud and Place Your Debts.

Amplified Echoes Tour Dates:
July 11 – Missoula, MT – Big Sky Brewing Company Amphitheater +
July 12 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede
July 14 – Spokane, WA – The Podium +
July 15 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater +
July 16 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater +
July 18 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic ^
July 19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre +
July 21 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park +
July 22 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan ^
July 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Complex Outdoors +
July 25 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater +
July 27 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park ^
July 28 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater ^
July 29 – Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit ^
July 30 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
August 7 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall +
August 8 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater ^
August 9 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory ^
August 11 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion +
August 12 – Bellevue, NE - Outlandia
August 13 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory ^
August 15 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club +
August 16 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed ^
August 18 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River
State Park +
August 19 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live! Outdoors ^
August 20 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill ^
August 21 – Toronto, ON – RBC Echo Beach ^
August 23 – New York, NY – SummerStage In Central Park ^
August 24 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway +
August 25 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Buffalo +
August 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at the Mann ^

+Jimmy Eat World Closing
^Manchester Orchestra Closing

DOWNLOAD - Manchester Orchestra press photo
DOWNLOAD - Table For Glasses single artwork

ABOUT MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA:
Manchester Orchestra continues to push themselves into fascinating new realms with their latest release, The Valley of Vision, a reinvigorating record and awe-inspiring film that immerses the viewer in 180 degrees of 3D virtual reality. From continuously appearing on Billboard charts and major festival lineups, to earning hundreds of millions of streams and frequently collaborating with visionaries like the Daniels (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Swiss Army Man), Manchester Orchestra have followed up their acclaimed 2021 album, The Million Masks of God, with six songs rooted in a renewed sense of resilience, rebirth and self-redemption, delivered through a wealth of sounds and textures unlike anything the band has made before.

ABOUT JIMMY EAT WORLD:
Jimmy Eat World is celebrating three decades and 10 albums of existence in 2023. The Mesa, AZ, four-piece’s commercial breakthrough came with the release of several singles from their album, Bleed American, with The Middle hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and peaking at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it spent 33 weeks total and became RIAA-certified Platinum. Futures, their follow-up to BA, featured Pain, which also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. In October 2019, the band released their tenth album, the critically acclaimed, Surviving, which became one of three 'chapters' of their 2021 globally streamed series, Phoenix Sessions, that also included Futures (Chapter V) and Clarity (Chapter III), performed in their entirety (available on YouTube here). Recently, they’ve released two independent singles, Something Loud and Place Your Debts, with the former charting 21 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay.

LISTEN TO 6 EP HERE

FOLLOWS HIS EP 3 RELEASED IN MARCH

 9 EP COMING SOON

DRACULA VIDEO OUT NOW
 
WATCH HERE

TORONTO, ON – June 6, 2023 – Breakout Atlanta rapper, Kenny Mason, releases his latest EP, 6, today on the sixth of June via RCA Records – listen here. Produced by Coupe (Young Nudy, 21 Savage), Poison Thorn (Shane Moran from the band Title Fight), Prince 85 & Notinbed, this project expands on Kenny’s out-of-the-box, genre-blending style while still keeping true to his roots. Ahead of this EP, Kenny dropped focus single, DRACULA, alongside a visual – watch here. This all follows his EP 3 (listen here), and video for 100 or Nun featuring Tony Shhnow (watch here) that were dropped in March of this year. The 3 and 6 EPs area part of an 18-track unique rollout that includes an EP titled, 9, coming soon. Listen to EP 6 here.
 
Kenny on the creative/rollout for his latest Eps: “My team and I wanted to drop 18 songs for the Pups, but have it delivered in a cool way so we broke it up into three different projects — 3, 6, and coming soon, 9. Hope y’all enjoy.” – Kenny
 
Previously, Kenny released his mixtape, RUFFS, in September 2022 (listen here) which included the tracks from his EP PUP PACK and new songs such as, SPIN N FLIP, feat. Young Nudy and MINUTE FOREVER. Most recently, Kenny Mason has been working on new music and continuing to cultivate his elevation. Kenny’s music comes on the heels of his buzzing single, Stick, a Dreamville collaboration with J. Cole, JID and Sheck Wes from the D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape. The Stick visual, which has over 5.7 million views, featured Kenny alongside the other artists on the track. Kenny has been on the festival circuit with sets at Rolling Loud, Wireless Festival, Bonnaroo and more, in addition to making surprise appearances at 2022 Coachella on JID’s set and 2022 Governor’s Ball on J. Cole’s set. 
 
Kenny first broke out in the rap space in 2019 with his buzzing single, HIT, which catapulted him from Atlanta's underground DIY scene to the national spotlight. As Kenny continued to release more music, he became increasingly known for his versatility and unique sound. His bars and genre-bending abilities that incorporates elements of 90's punk, grunge, hip-hop and more, sets him apart from the rest. Kenny Mason has received critical acclaim from press, being included on The FADER, Entertainment Weekly and more in addition to features with Rolling Stone, XXL, VMAN and FLAUNT. His 2019 single, G.O.A.T., was also featured in season one of HBO's hit show, Euphoria. Kenny released his debut album Angelic Hoodrat in 2020, followed by the alternative version, Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut, in 2021. The latter expanded upon the themes he set forth on the original debut album, showcasing his sweeping vocal range and well-earned reputation for stretching beyond the confines of rap. The new project continues the theme of duality inherent within its title, Angelic Hoodrat, representing the concepts of light within darkness, beauty within ugliness, and hope within despair. 
 
Stay tuned for more from Kenny Mason coming soon.
 
6 EP TRACKLIST:
1. DARKSIDE
2. RICH
3. I GOT
4. DRACULA
5. SIDE II SIDE
6. STACK IT UP feat. Project Pat

DOWNLOAD – Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - EP Artwork

BUY AND STREAM KARMA HERE

FOLLOWING RECENT SINGLE fund$

TORONTO, ON – June 5, 2023 – GRAMMY-nominated, Nigerian dance-pop vocalist, Kah-Lo, has released her new single, Karma, on Epic Records. Listen here.

Following on the heels of her fierce single, fund$, Kah-Lo continues to dazzle with her unabashed lyricism and playful bravado with, Karma. Flaunting her genre-blending tendencies, Kah-Lo’s unique palate of pop, R&B, and house music combine on Karma, with her sultry vocals shining amidst slinky basslines and snappy percussion. Enveloped with Kah-Lo’s bewitching personality, Karma is masterfully dichotic as it captures Kah-Lo’s inspiring self-confidence while simultaneously exposing her deep vulnerabilities. With Karma, Kah-Lo looks inward to unravel her own “toxic feminine energy,” learning to accept and overcome her flaws.

Regarding the single, Kah-Lo said, “Karma is a song I wrote when I was trying to channel my negative emotions into fun pop songs. I uncovered in therapy that perhaps I was the toxic one in a romantic situation and I decided to make a campy dramatic time accepting that I got what I deserved - to be walked out on.”

Kah-Lo first emerged on the scene in 2016 appearing on Riton’s, Rinse & Repeat, which earned them a GRAMMY nomination for Best Dance Recording. In 2017, Kah-Lo dropped her debut solo single, Fasta, following up with Fake I.D. in 2018, which became the lead song for the U.S. arrival of TikTok. Her fierce persona as a solo artist continued to shine through with her debut The Arrival EP, which saw its lead single, Commandments, included on the FIFA 2022 Soundtrack. In 2022, Kah-Lo released her hit single, Drag Me Out, which was featured in Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2022 campaign and has amassed more than 6 million streams on Spotify alone.

A combination of frisky, party-starting lyricism and refreshing blend of house and pop music, Kah-Lo’s spirited originals have been placed in shows like ZIWE, Gossip Girl, Run The World, Harlem, NCIS Los Angeles, Everything’s Trash, and more. Her rhythmic vocals and consistent track record have also earned her features alongside Idris Elba (Baille), Diplo (Give Dem), The Knocks (Awa Ni), and Michaël Brun (Melanin).

Having garnered a reputation as one of dance music’s most accomplished vocalists, Karma is the next chapter in Kah-Lo’s new era. Kah-Lo invites fans to indulge in the pain and pleasure that has rocked her career and stream, Karma, out now.

Kah-Lo Upcoming Tour Dates:
December 10-16 - Your Paradise Festival - Mamanuca Islands, Fiji

DOWNLOAD - Single Art

LISTEN HERE 

NEW STUDIO ALBUM PEACE…LIKE A RIVER
OUT JUNE 16 ON FANTASY RECORDS 

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE

SUMMER HEADLINING TOUR LAUNCHES JUNE 9 

DARK SIDE OF THE MULE TOUR DATES KICK OFF
JULY 22 WITH TICKETS HERE

"Warren Haynes is a meaty and masterful player, as well as a soulful singer and songwriter – an all-star." 
–  Rolling Stone

“Gov’t Mule is an essential, iconic American band.” 
– Guitar World

“[Warren Haynes is] one of the most celebrated, legendary guitar pros.”
– Billboard

"[Gov't Mule's] songs stomp and wail with unmistakable energy and heft."
–  NPR

“Brilliant and never predictable…an effortless combination of blues, soul and classic roots-rock…innovative and commanding.”
– American Songwriter

“One of the greatest live bands in existence.”
– Music Connection

“Haynes and the band deliver a world-class musical experience.”
– Goldmine

TORONTO, ON – June 2, 2023 – As they prepare for the release of their 12^th studio album, Peace…Like A River, this month, renowned GRAMMY-nominated band, Gov’t Mule, led by guitar legend, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Warren Haynes, has issued one final tease with their new single, Made My Peace. Listen here and watch the visualizer here. When writing the new song, Haynes – who recently performed at Willie Nelson’s 90^th birthday extravaganza and CMT Music Awards’ Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute and is a featured player on Dolly Parton’s forthcoming Rockstar album alongside Steven Tyler – drew on another rock-solid artist for inspiration: The Beatles. Haynes sought to double-track his vocals the way John Lennon often did on Beatles and solo recordings and included a harmony slide guitar in the song’s middle that was informed by George Harrison. Made My Peace also features a sweeping orchestral backdrop from The Kerhonkson Philharmonic. Watch a behind the song video for Made My Peace here. 
 
Peace…Like A River, the follow-up to Gov’t Mule’s chart-topping, GRAMMY-nominated blues album, Heavy Load Blues, is a 12-song rock journey from the revered band that also includes guest appearances from Billy F Gibbons, Billy Bob Thornton, and Celisse, in addition to Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster, the featured vocalists on the album’s lead single, Dreaming Out Loud. Pre-order and pre-save Peace…Like A River on DSPs here. Each digital pre-save includes an instant download of Made My Peace along with the previously released singles, Same As It Ever Was and Dreaming Out Loud. In addition to various vinyl options, Peace…Like A River will also be available in a Deluxe Edition (on CD only) including the special five-track, Time Of The Signs Bonus EP, in addition to the original 12 tracks.
 
“Made My Peace is one of the first songs we recorded for this new album,” shares Haynes. “It deals with a lot of different aspects of what we’ve all gone through. It touches on the emotions I was having to get past with the loss of my dad, who was an extremely important figure in my life. There are several songs that reflect on loss, but more in a way of making the future count. Taking the rest of your life and looking at it with a fresher, more aggressively positive attitude.”
 
Stirring lead single, Dreaming Out Loud, featuring Ivan Neville and Ruthie Foster, is currently impacting Triple A radio nationwide. For the song’s lyrics, Haynes wove together inspirational quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Robert and John Kennedy, and the late civil rights leader and U.S. Representative, John Lewis. Peace…Like A River opens with the soaring and heartfelt track, Same As It Ever Was.
 
Peace…Like A River was recorded during the same sessions as Heavy Load Blues at The Power Station New England with co-producer, John Paterno (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos), alongside Haynes. The albums, however, were created in different rooms, with no shared gear or instruments, keeping the two concurrent projects with their own unique identity and character. Thematically, the forthcoming collection explores the seismic changes the world has gone through over the past few years. Influenced both in his songwriting and playing by what Haynes calls “the golden era of rock, soul, jazz and blues,” Gov’t Mule combines the best and most enduring qualities from all those musical strains to create a timeless piece of art on Peace…Like A River that could have easily come out in the 1970s. Watch the album trailer here.

Gov’t Mule will be out on the road all year in support of Peace…Like A River, bringing their acclaimed live show across the U.S. The band recently wrapped a headlining spring tour that took over the famed Ryman Auditorium for a sold-out evening featuring a variety of special guests including Peter Frampton, Jamey Johnson, and Audley Freed. Ahead of the tour’s two-night finale in his hometown of Asheville, NC, Haynes made a special stop at his elementary school alma mater, Claxton School, where he was joined by his grand-nephew’s music class to perform for the students and teachers and donated a gift to the entire student body. Up next, Gov’t Mule will launch a June headlining tour on June 9, taking the band to the West Coast and Midwest for a mix of headlining shows and dates with The Avett Brothers before launching their Dark Side of the Mule Tour on July 22. The 18-date summer amphitheater outing will feature a full Gov’t Mule set leading into their extremely rare Pink Floyd tribute Dark Side of the Mule, in addition to special guest Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening opening and will mark the final time Mule will perform the acclaimed set, which first debuted in 2008 and has only been performed live 10 times in total. Additionally, Gov’t Mule will appear at select dates on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour as well as various festival appearances this summer and fall. The band’s New Year’s Run from last year has also been rescheduled for December 29 in Philadelphia and December 30 and 31 in New York City. See below for full list of upcoming tour dates and visit mule.net for ticketing details and to purchase.

GOV’T MULE TOUR DATES:
June 9 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion 
June 10 – Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery 
June 11 – Valley Center, CA @ Harrah’s Resort Southern California 
June 13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden Amphitheater 
June 15 – Kansas City, MO @ Grinders KC 
June 16 – Camdenton, MO @ Ozarks Amphitheater +
June 17 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP + 
June 18 – Wichita, KS @ TempleLive 
June 20 – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center Theater +
June 22 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ Alliant Energy Power House +
June 23 – Mankato, MN @ Vetter Stone Amphitheater 
June 24 – Fargo, ND @ Outdoors at Fargo Brewing Company  
July 22 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena *
July 23 – Patchogue, NY @ Great South Bay Music Festival ~*
July 25 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE *# 
July 26 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! *# 
July 28 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center *#  
July 29 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts %
July 30 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater %
August 2 – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre *
August 3 – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center *
August 4 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre *
August 5 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Stir Concert Cove – Harrah’s Council Bluffs *
August 7 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre *
August 9 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion *
August 11 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion *
August 12 – Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park *
August 13 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center %
August 15 – Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *
August 17 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion *
August 18 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion *
August 19 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center *
August 20 – Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap *
September 16 – Fredericton, Canada @ Harvest Music Festival ~
October 6 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre % 
October 7 – Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre % 
October 8 – Orange Beach, AL @ The Amphitheater at The Wharf % 
October 15 – Columbus, GA @ RushSouth Fest ~
December 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met
December 30 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
December 31 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
 
~ festival appearance
+ with The Avett Brothers
% Outlaw Music Festival dates
* Dark Side of the Mule dates
# Gov’t Mule only/No Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

DOWNLOAD – press photo | DOWNLOAD – album cover artwork

ARRIVES TO KICK OFF PRIDE MONTH!

TORONTO, ON – June 2, 2023 – Kickstarting another era, Florida-born quadruple-threat, singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor, MK xyz returns with a brand new single and music video entitled, No Boys Allowed, today via Epic Records and RZ3 Recordings. Listen here and watch the music video here.
 
With its empowering message, the track serves as the perfect soundtrack to PRIDE Month. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, they unwaveringly emphasize inclusivity. GLAAD just tapped MK for its ICONS interview series alongside Isaac Dunbar, and INIKO. During the chat, they opened about their story and spoke on what the community means to them. Additionally, Amazon Music just spotlighted MK on its Times Square NYC billboard in support of the Asian American Girls Club Playlist during AAPI Heritage month. Plus, No Boys Allowed and MK xyz will appear in an upcoming VICE News documentary, VICE Special Report: Out Loud, about groundbreaking queer artists set to premiere on VICE’s TV channel and YouTube June 15.
 
Produced by the GRAMMY Award-winning powerhouse producer, Theron Thomas (Grammy win for Lizzo About Damn Time and nomination for Latto’s Big Energy), Sam Sumser, and Sean Small, No Boys Allowed layers airy guitar above hypnotic drums. MK xyz oozes nothing but attitude on the verses before they carry the chantable chorus with an invitation and a declaration, “Come and slide with me baby, no boys allowed.” They alternate rapid flows with magnetic melodies, showcasing the dynamics of their signature style yet again.
 
Directed by Madeline Kate Kann, the accompanying visual shocks the song to life on-screen. Our star introduces a slick look as MK and her girl-gang take over a power plant with on-point choreography and a whole lot of fierceness.

No Boys Allowed comes on the heels of MK’s previous single, Baddie, which picked up acclaim from Soul Bounce, while RAP-UP praised, “MK xyz is quickly making a name for herself.” MK originally burst onto the scene with breakout singles including, Pass It, ft G-Eazy and One Time which garnered over 10 million streams combined.

MK captivated audiences everywhere as fan favourite Tess on the massive NETFLIX teen vampire series, First Kill. Their presence instantly shined on screen and the show quickly launched into the Top 10.

Stay tuned for more from MK xyz coming soon!

DOWNLOAD - single artwork 

LISTEN HERE AND WATCH HERE

DEBUT ALBUM EVERYBODY'S FAMOUS
OUT JUNE 16 VIA THE CONFIDENCE EMPERORS

Toronto, ON – June 2, 2023 – Today, Toronto artist, Alex Exists, shares his latest single, Believe The Hype, the third release from his forthcoming debut album, Everybody’s Famous, out June 16 via The Confidence Emperors. A defiant, rebellious, and empowering earworm, Believe The Hype serves as a reminder for listeners not to believe everything you see or hear, and to cultivate a healthy sense of skepticism and independent thought, through the use of catchy riffs, melodies, and vocals from Alex, as well as fellow Toronto artists, Sam Casey and AARYS. Listen here and watch the video, directed by Agata Waclawska and produced by Moon Reel Media, here. Pre-order Everybody's Famous here.

Alex says of Believe The Hype: “[This is] a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly accepting popular beliefs and trends without questioning their validity. It satirizes the modern day hype machine and surrounding trends as entirely fabricated. It reveals how your beliefs can be subverted into blindly following the crowd, such as developing unhealthy habits, or even falling victim to scams or hoaxes. The song is a defiant anthem about the importance of being skeptical and critical in an age where information and opinions can be easily manipulated and distorted.”
 
Inspiration for the track first came from a time when Alex fell victim to an identity theft scam. “The experience really shook me,” he says. “It made me solidify the need to express the anger of inauthenticity in general. That, and of the never-ending cavalcade of fear-based nonsense spewed from mainstream news and TV.”
 
And it’s not just in the music Alex was able to express himself, the anger, and general inauthenticity from his experience. It also comes through in the single artwork which is designed as a newsprint tabloid about Alex Exists which questions whether you can be any artist, or yourself even, with reality, given the world of constant illusion. Further, the video sees Alex harnessing the energy of "Chaotic Good" with his own talk show called "Believe The Hype," where nothing seems to be real and satirizes how ridiculous news and talk shows can be. 
 
The upcoming debut album, Everybody's Famous, is a sonic exploration of expressing optimistic nihilism and radical authenticity as we tread into a brave new world. Alex quips the album resembles "a wrestling match with one’s ego." It represents a story about finding one’s true self amidst the chaos, continuing to create through the chaos while learning how to wield the energy of the changing tides instead of swimming against it - and letting it destroy you. Alex will use art as a weapon for peaceful rebellion inspired by his interactions with the world, channelled through song. Audiences can expect melodic rock tunes ready for both solo listening and the dance floor, filled with ironic humour to highlight social issues, with a satirical dimension. “This will be my first full length album,” Alex says. “So, it’s very much an important moment in my overall growth as an artist.”
 
This can be heard on the previously released singles, With A Bang and Dancing With Chaos. With A Bang uses dark prose, edgy synths, funky percussion, and resonant chords to drive the irreverent dance song about celebrating the end of something in a flamboyant and over-the-top way. Whereas Dancing With Chaos crawls with riffs, Alex's sharp vocals and deep lyrics and is dedicated to anyone that feels overwhelmed by the state of the media, politics, and the unreal societal expectations they face. All videos were produced by Moon Reel Media, which Alex co-runs and co-founded, and were directed by Agata Waclawska.

Alex’s music is inspired by absurdism, hyper surrealism and optimistic nihilism with an acid tongue firmly planted in his cheek. He is fascinated by pop culture and ego. The signature of Alex’s creative work is his unique sonic touches, drum-heavy rhythms and classic “pop through a blender” melodies. His new project, Alex Exists, launched with a neo-glam pop version of David Essex’s, Rock On, for The Confidence Emperors’ multi-artist album, Coverama, followed by his T. Rex-meets-John Lennon seasonal original, Never Christmas Without You. Alex played all of the instruments on both tracks except the drums. 
 
One final thought on Believe The Hype, Alex shares: “Not a lesson per say, but a reminder to use art to speak truth to power and help empower others. Everyone should do it more often and use art as a therapy for your anger, skepticism and bound up energy.”
 
Stay tuned for Alex’s debut album coming in just a few short weeks!