J. COLE ON LETTERMAN “BE FREE”
J. Cole performed “Be Free” on Letterman last night, a track he wrote in response to Ferguson back in August. Though he dropped 2014 Forest Hills Drive on Tuesday “Be Free” was not on it; a bold statement. The performance is emotional with a new verse and is just him and a keyboard player. Check it below and listen to the new album out now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0LNMviSTTg
ALL MUSIC INC CELEBRATES 30 YEARS AS THE LONG ISLAND MUSICIAN’S FRIEND
This month, All Music Inc – the Long Island musicians number one choice for quality equipment, rentals and lessons for decades – is excited to be celebrating 30 years as the Long Island musicians best friend at South Oyster Bay Rd in Plainview.
All Music has long been considered the Island’s premier guitar shop and music school, with their sales people and teachers intent on helping to create lifelong musicians with a desire to be the best at their craft. Just as importantly, the brand has always taken real steps to stand out and distinguish themselves from the other chain music stores and schools with some of the best repair technicians; who work on all guitar, amp, brass, woodwind and orchestra instruments, consistent musician and venue outreach, and the strong strategic partnerships and alliances they have formed.
LIGHT YOU UP VIDEO “IT’S ABOUT TIME”
Light You Up will be a part of the upcoming Pure Noise Records UK Tour featuring FOUR YEAR STRONG, HIT THE LIGHTS, and FOREVER CAME CALLING. Dates and ticket links can be found here http://purenoisetouruk.net.
It comes from the group’s upcoming debut LP All We’ve Ever Known that will be released on January 26th, 2015. Pre-orders can be found here: http://lightyouup.bigcartel.com/.
JOYNER LUCAS “BACK WORDS”
As Worcester, MA up-and-comer Joyner Lucas prepares for the January 20, 2015 release of “Along Came Joyner”, the follow-up to his 2013 release, “LFO’s” (Low Frequency Oscillators), he drops a track that screams as to why he will one day be considered one of the greatest to do it. He nails these verses, both forwards and backwards, in a way reminiscent of Chamillionaire’s Rap City freestyle (TBT), and he does it with ease.
https://soundcloud.com/realjoynerlucas/back-words
TEXAS THUNDER 2015
Proving yet again that everything IS bigger in the Lone Star State, organizers are rolling out the best line-up to date for the third annual Texas Thunder Music Festival. The premier camping and lifestyles festival of West Texas, set for Aug. 21-23, 2015, in Gardendale, Texas, will feature some of the biggest names and brightest stars in country music, including superstar duo Florida Georgia Line, multi-platinum-selling pair Big & Rich, one of the fastest rising star in Country music Thomas Rhett, “Sunny And 75” and “Yeah” chart-topper Joe Nichols, “Sunshine & Whiskey” hot newcomer Frankie Ballard, CMA and ACM award-winner Tracy Lawrence, “Tippin Point” Country rocker Dallas Smith, crowd favorite Jon Pardi and singer/songwriter/guitarist Clare Dunn. Fans can expect even more exciting artist announcements in the coming months and one HUGE reveal in March 2015!
Three-day, general admission tickets are available for a limited time for the early-bird price of $120. And grab your campsite while they last starting at just $110! For more information or to purchase tickets and camping, please visit www.texasthunderfest.com or call (855) 362-0535.
https://www.facebook.com/texasthunderfest
THE KILLING LIGHTS DEBUTS NEW VIDEO FOR “UNTIL I BLEED” WITH ALTERNATIVE PRESS
The Killing Lights release their new video for “Until I Bleed” exclusively today via Alternative Press. Directed by Brad Golowin (Miss May I, Asking Alexandria) the performance-based clip wraps perfectly around the incendiary, very personal song.
http://www.altpress.com/aptv/video/watch_the_killing_lights_energetic_new_video_for_until_i_bleed
SILVA ALBUM BEST ON I-TUNES
2014 has been a great year for Brazilian electronic artist SILVA. After releasing his critically acclaimed album Vista Pro Mar (released as Ocean View in the U.S. and featuring two bonus english-language tracks), SILVA embarked on a successful tour, participated as an official artist at Red Bull’s Music Academy event in Tokyo, and made a number of prominent live TV appearances in his home country. Now, iTunes Brazil has recognized SILVA’s latest work as the Best Album Of 2014. Other notable mentions alongside SILVA included nods to Pharrell Williams (Best Artist), Sia (Best Song), and Jungle (Best New Artist).
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ocean-view/id916032980
MURDA MOOK: BATTLES, DAME DASH FILM & DISSING DRAKE (INTERVIEW)
Andres Tardio chops it up with Murda Mook – check it here:
http://www.crazyhood.com/murda-mook-battles-dame-dash-film-dissing-drake-interview/
DEJA MAE NEW VIDEO
The alluring Deja Mae has released a new music video for her haunting single, “Black Blood.” The video is a voyeuristic compilation of the artist withdrawn in close quarters, mixed with footage of her silhouette against a brick wall resembling a prison. “Black Blood” is now available on iTunes with the video streaming on YouTube.
ZERBIN OFFERS NEW HOLIDAY EP FOR FREE DOWNLOAD
Canadian indie-rock trio Zerbin is spreading holiday cheer with a free download of its latest EP. Premiering on Pancakes & Whiskey, the new release features Christmas classics with a modern pop twist and two never before heard remixes of the band’s hit song, “New Earth.” The free download is available via NoiseTrade.
http://noisetrade.com/zerbin/christmas
REVIVER RECORDS ADDS LANDRUM TO ROSTER
Reviver Records is quickly building one of the most talked about rosters in the music business and that lineup adds more star power with the announcement that singer-songwriter Samantha Landrum will be added to the roster of the Nashville offices, with an upcoming single, “I’ll Still Need Your Shoulder,” being slated for a nationwide release in early 2015.
“Samantha brings a unique talent to our brand,” said David Ross, President and CEO / Reviver Records, in announcing her signing. “The entire team is excited about bringing her music to the forefront of the music industry and to lead the Samantha Landrum charge at radio. We truly think that Samantha has the talent, drive, and determination to become one of the industry’s most respected female vocalists. We can’t wait to be a part of that story.”
SEATTLE EMCEE NICK WEAVER PRESENTS HIS DEBUT ALBUM YARDWORK
The Pacific Northwest has become an independent hip-hop hotbed of late, and emcee and producer Nick Weaver is part of the phenomenon. With his new six-track EP, Yardwork, which will be released on January 6, 2015, Weaver is poised to test his metal beyond Seattle’s small, but competitive hip-hop scene.
CAVE PEOPLE “BRACE” VIDEO
Cave People have released the music video for “Brace!” The video, directed by Matt Schimelfineg, can be watched HERE. This track comes off of Cave People’s debut EP, which was released this past Tuesday digitally and on tape through Stereophonodon Records. Older, the first official release from the band, has begun to turn heads throughout the scene. Led by Scranton turned Philly native Dave Tomaine, Cave People perfectly encapsulate that scene, combining elements of indie rock, punk, emo and folk to create a sound vaguely reminiscent of The Shins, Elliot Smith and Pedro The Lion without sounding like a carbon copy of anything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQc5srABbAM
LYDIA RENE EP SAMPLER
She is originally from Philadelphia PA but has since relocated to Los Angeles CA this year. Lydia released her single “Last Night” on May 30, 2014 and Her debut studio EP “Vintage Heart” is set to be released in early 2015.
https://soundcloud.com/lydiarene/sets/vintageheart
BLESS THE CHILD NEW VIDEO
Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, the deathcore outfit Bless The Child are pleased to release their brand new music video that was produced by Paul Cunningham of Cool World Photography. The music video is for their single “Indiscriminate Annihilation,” which was released on their July 15th full length entitled Walls. Walls was released on Ferocious Records and featured ten tracks of melodic deathcore and death metal. The band is expected to hit the road on several tours throughout 2015 with those plans being announced at a later date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja1OKkWc1EE
LITTLE DAYLIGHT DEBUTS LATEST VIDEO FOR HIT TRACK “MONA LISA”
Don’t be fooled by the name. With their undeniably infectious sound, Little Daylight is quickly becoming a big, bright spot on today’s musical landscape.
After performing at South by Southwest in 2013, Little Daylight signed with Capitol Records and released their debut EP, “Tunnel Vision,” shortly thereafter. “Tunnel Vision” contained the single, “Overdose,” which shot to #1 on The Hype Machine. Since then, Little Daylight has toured with the likes of Bastille, Charli XCX and The Neighbourhood. The band made its network television debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers in May of 2014.
http://whenthegramophonerings.com/2014/12/10/premiere-little-daylight-mona-lisa/
ILOVEMAKONNEN TO RELEASE 7-SONG SELF-TITLED EP
On Monday, December 15th, OVO Sound’s ILOVEMAKONNEN will re-release his self-titled EP ILOVEMAKONNEN. The seven-track EP from the rapper features Drake, Key!, and Father, featuring production from Mike Will Made It, Sonny Digital & Metro Boomin.
https://wbr.app.box.com/ILOVEMAKONNENbio
LAURA WELSH “GHOSTS”
Laura Welsh has announced an intimate show at Servant Jazz Quarters, London N16, on Thursday 15th January 2015. The gig falls just upfront of the release of her acclaimed new single Ghosts (“Showcases her dextrous vocal style, from wind-machine diva to whispered soul enigma” The Guardian F&M Playlist, 5th December) and her debut album Soft Control, both out 19th January on Outsiders/Polydor.
CHAINFIST “STATEMENT”
“Statement“, a brand new lyrics video from Danish metallers CHAINFIST, featured by KrankTV, can be viewed below. The track is taken from the band’s new album, “Scarred“, which was released on October 6, 2014.
KATY PERRY RACKS UP #1 YEAR-END RANKINGS
As 2014 comes to a close, Katy Perry is #1 across a multitude of platforms. She’s the #1 female artist on Spotify globally with 651 million artist streams. The official video for “Dark Horse” (feat. Juicy J.) is #1 on YouTube’s Top Trending Music Videos of 2014 global playlist, dominating the competition with more than 715 million views since its February 2014 premiere. The clip was also the most viewed on VEVO worldwide in 2014. Katy led VEVO’s fan-voted Hot This Year 2014 awards with wins in four categories: “Dark Horse” took top honors for Video of the Year, Best Pop Video and Best Certified Video while “Birthday” was named Best Lyric Video.
At radio, Katy is the only artist to win the coveted #1 Most Played artist honors at three different formats in 2014: Top 40, Hot AC and AC, according to Mediabase, which also reports that “Dark Horse” was the #1 Most Played song at Top 40 radio.
THE AVETT BROTHERS ANNOUNCE 2015 TOUR DATES
THE AVETT BROTHERS have begun lining up additional tour dates for 2015.
Alongside John Prine, the critically acclaimed folk stalwarts perform at Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH June 12 followed by Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY June 13. In July, they’re set for their annual three-night stand at the revered Red Rocks Amphitheatre—July 10 with Lake Street Dive, July 11 with Sturgill Simpson, and July 12 with Prine.
About the Red Rocks shows, AEG Live Rocky Mountains President and CEO Chuck Morris comments, “I look forward to our yearly AVETTS at Red Rocks as much if not more than any shows I’ve ever done going back to 1976. They’re one of my favorites of all-time!”
http://www.theavettbrothers.com/tour/
BØRNS ACOUSTIC “ELECTRIC LOVE”
BØRNS – “Electric Love” (Acoustic) featuring Zella Day on VEVO now:
http://www.vevo.com/watch/b%C3%B8rns/Electric-Love-%28Acoustic%29/USUV71402919
‘THE PEOPLE MAGAZINE AWARDS’ ANNOUNCE NICK CANNON AS HOST
“The PEOPLE Magazine Awards” announced today that comedian, entrepreneur and entertainer Nick Cannon will host the inaugural “PEOPLE Magazine Awards.” It was also announced that Josh Groban, Ryan Guzman, Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina and Kate Upton are scheduled to appear on the two-hour live special that will broadcast live on NBC on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9 P.M. ET/PT, from The Beverly Hilton.
“People Magazine has created an indelible imprint on pop culture and it is truly an honor for me to be asked to host their very first televised live awards ceremony,” said Cannon. “For the show to be broadcast on NBC makes it even more special for me. Looking forward to an amazing night and hopefully this will launch a new category for People to name me Sexiest Host Alive in 2015.”
http://www.nbc.com/people-magazine-awards
MAYA ANGELOU LYRIC VIDEO
In celebration of the recently released Caged Bird Songs, the late iconic American writer Maya Angelou’s poetry/hip hop fusion album, fans can now enjoy a unique visual component to the track “Pickin’ Em Up” with its new lyric video, which can be seen HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4dNiU_gguo
MAHD “RAW SHIT”
MAHD has been representing his hometown to the fullest, garnering praise from 2DopeBoyz for his ability to create “a passionate painting of the city’s make-up and plea to its detractors.” With a resurgence of Detroit artists like Danny Brown, Dej Loaf and Big Sean making waves in the music industry, it’s nice to hear one of Detroit’s seasoned rookies confidently rapping about the gritty struggles of the Motor City.
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/mahd-nolan-the-ninja-raw-shit-mp3.html
AYLER YOUNG “CAUGHT UP”
Ayler combines an eclectic mix of genres and out comes a retro-sounding disco soul/funk vibe. The new reggae-tinged track features Brandon Seabrook (named “Brooklyn’s Shred Guru” and NY Guitarist of the Year in 2012 by The Village Voice) on a guitar solo and Grammy-nominated saxophonist/flautist/clarinetist Jay Rodriguez on horns.
https://soundcloud.com/ayleryoung/caught-up
A SKYLIT DRIVE “RISE” ACOUSTIC
A Skylit Drive has released another track from their upcoming album Rise: Ascension. The song “Rise” is streaming on the Tragic Hero Records youtube page and was the title track from their 2013 breakthrough record that they’ve re-visited and will release on 1/06/15 as an acoustic album.
David McKenna of Revolver Magazine gave Rise: Ascension 4/5 stars and said “The result is an oddly satisfying reinterpretation of what was already a solid record.” and that “A Skylit Drive even manage to breathe new life into Rise’s heavier cuts.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh-xezMa_vg
CHIILDREN “O’ CHILD”
The highly controversial, Synthetic-Metal duo Chiildren have released their newest track entitled “O’ Child” (produced by Michael Keene of The Faceless) from their upcoming EP “The Circle Narrows.” The EP, which does not yet have an official release date, also features artwork from Steven Johnson Leyba.
“It has been an honor to work with producer, Michael Keene, on The Circe Narrows EP. His knowledge and understanding of metal, industrial, and electronic music has been integral in shaping the new material from experimentation into what I hope is the perfect representation of our sound.”
– Chris Zeischegg (Chiildren)
https://soundcloud.com/chiildren/o-child/s-lKsFg
RUBBLEBUCKET PREMIER PERFECT PUSSY REMIX OF “CAROUSEL RIDE”
Rubblebucket are closing out an incredible year that saw the Brooklyn based outfit playing to their largest audiences yet on the strength of their acclaimed new album Survival Sounds, recently released on Communion records. Other highlights from the year include a soon to air visit to NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk”, Survival Sounds being featured by The New York Times “Press Play”, their song “Carousel Ride” named as one of NPR Music’s top songs of 2014, and the humbling opportunity to contribute to Yep Roc’s Arthur Russell tribute (Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell) alongside Jose Gonzalez, Hot Chip, Robyn, Sufjan Stevens, Phosphorescent, and other great artists.
DAMIAN “JR GONG” MARLEY’S “IS IT WORTH IT? (GUNMAN WORLD)”
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley reveals the video for his powerful single “Is It Worth It (Gunman World)” off the upcoming compilation Ghetto Youths International Presents Set Up Shop Vol. 2 (out Dec 23). He teamed up with the acclaimed visionary Nabil Elderkin (Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver and Seal) and co-director Francesco Carrozzini to capture the essence of this song, which contemplates a killer’s conscience. Elderkin and Carrozzini ventured to Morocco to create this short film featuring actor Saai Taghmaoui (American Hustle, La Haine and Three Kings), who takes on the role of a hitman-for-hire.
http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/damian-marley-is-it-worth-it-video-premiere
ESTIVA WANTS YOU TO “LET IT GO”
The enigmatic Estiva returns to Enhanced with another trademark energetic injection of delicate melodies & powerful vocals. This time serving up the incredible ‘Let It Go’, the Dutch producer adds yet another peak-time crowd pleaser to his repertoire.
https://soundcloud.com/enhanced/estiva-let-it-go-original-mix
MISHKA SHUBALY RELEASES ALBUM CHRONICLING THE WASTED YEARS
Everyone loves a comeback story. On February 3, 2015 the underdog Mishka Shubaly releases his third full-length album, Coward’s Path (In Music We Trust Records), a document of Shubaly’s wasted years—songs he wrote about getting messed up that he was too messed up to record. Twelve tracks of drinking songs, snapshots from a life careening out of control—tunes about death and darkness and failure and the cold comfort of oblivion. Somehow, it’s also incredibly funny.
“The title refers to a time in my life where I took the path of least resistance to the end of the line,” admits Shubaly. “In one of the first copyrighted blues songs from 1912, Lee Roy White says ‘the blues ain’t nothing but a good man feeling bad.’ Coward’s Path is the sound of a bad man feeling bad.”
PHOTOTAXIS COVER PRINCE
Phototaxis is an electro-soul movement, led by Yael Feldinger (vocals, guitar, drums) and Itai Tsuk (guitar,keys and toys). This combo also includes a cello, trumpet, drums and bass.
Yael can capture every person with her truthful and mysterious ways of channeling the music while Itai is fixing his “medicine”… These rare potions of sound and rich layers will surly uplift and re balance your strength.
https://soundcloud.com/phototaxis/phototaxies-when-doves-cry-prince-cover
NEW MARILYN MANSON “DEEP SIX”
Last night, Marilyn Manson premiered “Deep Six,” from his forthcoming new album THE PALE EMPEROR due January 20th, 2015. Listen to “Deep Six” here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9YJS4nTNsM#t=27
THE WATERBOYS DEBUT “BEAUTIFUL NOW”
The Waterboys will release a brand new album next month titled: Modern Blues via Kobalt on January 20th 2015. The album is a first for the band, as it’s the first release fully recorded in Nashville, Tennessee by the group. Produced by Waterboys leader Mike Scott and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, Modern Blues, the band’s eleventh studio album, contains nine freewheeling rock and roll songs with a southern soul edge, evoking the very best of The Waterboys past work while forging forth to explore new ground.
FUN WAYS TO LIGHT THE CHRISTMAS TREE
It’s almost Christmas, and at this time of year, we begin to hear a lot of cool stuff associating the spirit of this celebration and technology. Here is one!
A Christmas tree connected to the Internet, that we can control not only from any screen anywhere in the world, but also with smart sensors and interactions.
This video posted few days ago presents fun and creative ways to light up a Christmas tree. By posting a tweet, using a NFC Tag or even with your voice “Google now”. It sure brings a smile on faces when the magic works.
