SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 7, 2015

RAYLAND BAXTER’S NEW ALBUM NOW STREAMING

Rayland Baxter’s anticipated new full-length album, Imaginary Man, is now streaming in full exclusively at The New York Times. Of the music The New York Times praises, “Nashville may be the capital of country music, but it’s also seen its share of top rock acts, including Jack White’s Raconteurs, Kings of Leon and Paramore. Rayland Baxter sits between those two worlds, as evidenced on his second full-length release…On this album, Rayland builds melodies with lush guitars, keyboards and harmonies far closer to the Shins than Blake Shelton.”

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/05/arts/music/press-play.html

WELL HUNG HEART “THROW IT ALL AWAY”

DIY Alt Rockers and live performance gurus, Well Hung Heart will release a self-titled EP, “Well Hung Heart”, recorded entirely in their home in one day, on September 1st, 2015 via their own label and multimedia company Grow Vision. It is available for pre-order via iTunes and Amazon. Those who pre-order will receive an instant download of the first track to be released “Throw It All Away”.

The EP, “Well Hung Heart”, is a marvelous evolution of the band and beautiful culmination of melody and heavy groove. Lead singer and songwriter, Greta Valenti’s passion and pain are wonderfully illustrated through her mix of powerfully cutting yet often delicate vocals with unashamedly honest lyrics. Guitar virtuoso and British Blues Hall-of-Famer, Robin Davey’s heart-stopping riffs are complimented with and equally strong balance of intricately placed thunder on the percussive side, from drummer, Kevin Conroy.

ANIMAL OMEN “DIRTY AIR”

Based in Vancouver, Animal Omen’s Feral Moans EP blurs the lines between genres, and combines elements of blues, surf and psychedelic rock with dynamic arrangements. A dualistic approach to songwriting means that darkness is equally as important as light, and the songs range in theme from the pang of relationships to the current decay of of freedom. Animal Omen’s soulful retro-rock relies heavily on groove, melodic riffs, well-placed hooks, and the occasional time-warping tempo shift.

CHEVY WOODS EP STREAM

Pittsburgh rapper Chevy Woods never asked to be the center of attention, but with the spotlight on him as his first retail project releases, the mixtape king is primed for a break out. Named after the block he was raised on in the Hazelwood area of Pittsburgh, The 48 Hunnid Project is a legacy-defining EP that finds Woods taking listeners on a journey from the hard times and harsh realities that came in his early years leading into the lavish lifestyle that’s come more recently with world tours and fame. “I say [“4800”] a lot, it’s where I come from,” Woods told the Pittsburgh City Paper in this week’s main music feature. “It represents me, and my mom still stays on that block. It’s the family that is there, it’s the kids. Everything about that number is just me.” Speaking with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the EP, and why it took 12 years of consistent street releases to get to this first commercial release, Woods noted that “if you want to read a good book about someone’s life, it’s not done in a year.”

BLAMING HOLLYWOOD RELEASES “LIARS AND THIEVES”

Hard rock outfit, Blaming Hollywood, has signed with 3Thirteen Entertainment/eOne for the release of its debut album, Liars and Thieves, available now on iTunes at: https://itun.es/us/BAso9.

With lead single “Numb Existence” already receiving airplay on The Jasta Show, hosted by none other than Hatebreed frontman, Jamey Jasta, Blaming Hollywood is excited for what the future holds. “With the launch of Liars and Thieves under 3Thirteen Entertainment Group/eOne, Blaming Hollywood has an opportunity to make significant breakthroughs in several areas in the music industry,” the band commented.

“Numb Existence” can be streamed now on ReverbNation at:

https://www.reverbnation.com/blaminghollywood/song/23435571-numb-existence

MATTHEW KOMA RELEASES DEBUT SINGLE “SO F**KIN’ ROMANTIC”

RCA Records is proud to announce the signing of electronic music trailblazer, Matthew Koma and the release of his debut single “So F**kin’ Romantic” available today. As a songwriter, vocalist, producer and DJ, Koma is a virtually unmatched triple threat when it comes to crafting hooks. With 8 Beatport #1s, 4 Billboard Top 10s, and a #1 Billboard single GRAMMY-award winning song “Clarity” which he co-wrote with Zedd, there is little question why Entertainment Tonight named Matthew Koma “the Man with EDM’s Golden Touch.”

ERIK HASSLE VIDEO FOR “NO WORDS”

Erik Hassle today releases NO WORDS REMIX EP, a remix collection of his current critically-acclaimed single, available worldwide everywhere now.

Swedish soul-pop Record Company TEN/RCA Records signee Erik Hassle recently announced he will be joining fellow Swedish songwriter and performer Tove Lo for her upcoming North American tour this fall.

SPACE MIRRORS “WHITE SHIP”

International space metallers ‘Space Mirrors’ are back with their “Cosmic Horror III: Stella Polaris” album which concludes the H.P. Lovecraft inspired trilogy! For the first time Space Mirrors features the same line-up as on previous album and it allows the band to show even more cohesive and solid musicianship and songwriting – Alisa Coral, Martyr Lucifer (Hortus Animae), Claudio Tirincanti (Blaze Bayley), Sparky Simmons (Acid FM), Gabriel Monticello (Spaceseed).

DOLLYWOOD ADDS WORLD’S FASTEST WOOD ROLLER COASTER FOR 2016

Dollywood today announced the addition of Lightning Rod, both the world’s fastest wood coaster and the world’s first launching wood coaster. Set to roll to the starting line in March 2016, Lightning Rod adds another groundbreaking roller coaster to the park’s already impressive portfolio of world-class attractions. The thrilling $22 million ride also marks the single largest attraction investment in The Dollywood Company’s history.

Themed after a tricked out 1950s-era hot rod, Lightning Rod launches riders from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories up its lift hill to one of the ride’s first airtime moments. At the crest of the hill, riders face twin summit airtime hills before tackling the daring first drop. Lightning Rod races down the 165-foot drop and propels guests along its 3,800-ft. track to a top speed of 73 mph, the fastest speed for a wood coaster in the world.

http://www.dollywood.com/

NASHVILLE BAND THE DELTA SAINTS FULL ALBUM STREAM

Nashville band, The Delta Saints will release Bones on Loud & Proud Records tomorrow, August 7, 2015. Bones was produced, engineered and mixed by Third Man Records alum, Eddie Spear who has assisted on projects with Jack White, Arctic Monkeys and Neil Young to name a few. The band has been garnering praise from the press for a sound that recalls the likes of My Morning Jacket and The Black Keys.

http://www.elmoremagazine.com/2015/08/music-news/stream-nashville-band-the-delta-saints-experimental-new-album

HBO FIRST LOOK: STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

Noisey today is excited to premiere the HBO First Look for the upcoming, highly anticipated NWA biopic, Straight Outta Compton. Featuring unseen footage from the film, behind-the-scenes looks at the production, and candid interviews with NWA members Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, as well as the stars of the film.

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/watch-an-exclusive-first-look-at-straight-outta-compton

SECRET SOMEONES RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “HEADFIRST” TODAY

New York-based melodic alt-rockers Secret Someones release the video for their new single “Headfirst” today. “Headfirst” is written by Secret Someones and produced by Chris Kuffner, who worked with the band on their I Won’t Follow EP. Directed by Mike Irving, the video for “Headfirst” was shot in New York City and features the band playing aliens who are observing a fellow alien girl as she runs around New York City wreaking havoc.

Watch the video for “Headfirst” here:

http://vevo.ly/kYLY3x

FALCONS FOUR TRACK RELEASE FEATURING GOLDLINK, STUSH AND MORE

Whether reshaping LA’s dance scene for a new generation with his Athletixx crew, or delving into uncharted beat territory with solo tracks and remixes, California DJ/producer Falcons is a force to be reckoned with.

IRS NASHVILLE SIGNS MUDDY MAGNOLIAS

Muddy Magnolias will open for Zac Brown Band during the GRAMMY®-winning group’s three-night stand at Boston’s Fenway Park, which kicks off tonight. The duo will also perform at Austin City Limits Festival on October 4.

Before even putting out a single, Muddy Magnolias have earned rave reviews from the national press, including Rolling Stone (“a sound that melds city grit and Delta dirt, exploding onstage not like two lead singers but more like parts of the same whole…performed as if Mick Jagger and Keith Richards inhabited the Indigo Girls”) and Elle magazine (“heavy on harmony and candid, occasionally gritty lyrics…reinventing the American Woman”).

http://www.muddymagnolias.com/

SHINEDOWN UNVEIL “THREAT TO SURVIVAL”

Atlantic recording group Shinedown has announced the release of their much-anticipated new album. “THREAT TO SURVIVAL” – the multi-platinum certified rock band’s first new album in three years – arrives everywhere on September 18th (see attached track listing). “THREAT TO SURVIVAL” follows 2012’s RIAA gold certified “AMARYLLIS.” The album – which includes the #1 rock radio smash, “Cut The Cord” – is available for pre-order beginning today on the band’s website (www.shinedown.com/ThreatToSurvival) and all other online retailers.

“Threat To Survival refers to that primal instinct in all of us that determines how we respond to crisis and conflict – the idea of ‘fight or flight’ and the choices we make in any given situation,” explains Shinedown frontman Brent Smith. “This album represents those deciding moments for us as a band. It’s a collection of scenarios that made us who we are, and is, by far, the most autobiographical album we’ve created to date.”

http://www.shinedown.com/

FOALS SHARE “A KNIFE IN THE OCEAN”

This morning UK band Foals shared a lyric video for their new song “A Knife in the Ocean.” Zane Lowe premiered the track on his Beats 1 radio show on Apple Music. “A Knife in the Ocean” is the third song Foals has shared from their forthcoming album What Went Down, out August 28th via Warner Bros. Records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-n4U2KZZVs

NOVALIS “FOLLOW”

Today, Atlanta-based hip hop purist hailing from West Africa, NoVaLiS (@novalisofficial), dropped “Follow” ft. @JarrenBenton. The record, produced by @OmariMC, appears as a bonus track on the EP, “1.5,” which is scheduled to drop next week. The record will also appear on NoVaLiS’ upcoming project with all new content, “Last Kings.”

NoVaLiS who is originally from Ghana, West Africa, brings a unique style to the game by combining a smooth lyrical delivery with up-tempo, feel good beats infused with percussion to add an African flare. In his upcoming project, “Last Kings,” look for features from Jarren Benton, Zuse, Young Dro and more.

ROLEMODEL “CLAIRE”

Rolemodel first began as the “solo noise pop sound experiment” of Toronto musician-producer Jordan Allen in 2011. After releasing several EPs, ROLEMODEL’s debut full-length album, Before Then Was Now, was released in 2013 to positive reviews. The project soon morphed into a new, fully integrated 4-piece live band that has been performing regularly in the Toronto circuit alongside acts such as Hamilton Leithauser (the Walkmen), Big Data, Diamond Rings, Young Magic, and Viet Cong.

http://www.purevolume.com/news/PREMIERE-Rolemodel-Claire

STICK FIGURE X SLIGHTLY STOOPID

Roots reggae/dub band Stick Figure have another summer smash on their hands with the Slightly Stoopid-assisted single “Choice is Yours.” The band led by singer/producer Scott Woodruff are currently on tour, and “Choice is Yours” will be in high demand as the breezy, up-lifting track bounces with jubilance and feelings of euphoria remain through the song’s closing guitar solo. The free-willing reggae dub jam accentuates the multi-instrumentalist skills of both Woodruff and Slightly Stoopid’s Kyle McDonald, in addition to flawlessly intertwining vocal tracks from the two artists.

AGAINST ME! RELEASE NEW STEAK MTN.-DIRECTED MUSIC VIDEO FOR “TRUE TRANS SOUL REBEL”

Celebrated rock band Against Me!, Total Treble and INgrooves Music Group are pleased to present the brand new Steak Mtn.-directed music video for “True Trans Soul Rebel.” Featuring the moody, signature black & white animation of the esteemed artist, the video for “True Trans Soul Rebel” is the first visual to be released from the band’s forthcoming live collection titled 23 Live Sex Acts.