SKOPE NEWS FOR AUGUST 19, 2015

KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM + TITLE TRACK

Starting out in 2010 as a solid garage rock group, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard followed their collective muse wherever it chose to lead them. For their latest opus, Paper Mâché Dream Balloon, they initially thought it was going to be filled with the darker, heavier material that the band has been playing live of late. But front man Stu Mackenzie soon decided that it was time to put aside the longer, more conceptual pieces and go in a completely new direction.

MCGRAW TRIUMPHS IN NASHVILLE

At a sold-out show in Nashville, three-time Grammy®-winning singer, songwriter, and actor Tim McGraw partnered with Ram Truck and Alumacraft Boats, Yamaha Motors and Anderson Marine to give away a 2015 Ram 1500 and a Prowler 175 Alumacraft Boat with a Yamaha 50HP Motor to a lucky fan. The giveaway benefited Operation Homefront – a military family support nonprofit – through a matching gift from McGraw and some of the sponsors. Fittingly, McGraw invited country artist Chris Janson on stage to where they sang his hit “Buy Me A Boat” for the giveaway moment. The night’s lucky fan was Kenny Jordan of Nashville who was in attendance with his wife and two of his daughters

Also in attendance at the concert was Navy veteran Tracy Baggett, who received a mortgage-free home at the concert from Operation Homefront through its continuing partnership with McGraw and Chase. Over the past three years, McGraw, Chase, and Operation Homefront have partnered to award 108 homes to veterans at his concerts.

http://timmcgraw.com/

SYMBA NEW SINGLE FEAT IAMSU!

Premiered by 2DopeBoyz, the first single “How You Rockin” is mob music at its finest. Mixing elements of nü-hyphy drums, a haunting concert chime loop, and mob-music bass line, the song is equal parts club-ready and street anthem. Explains Symba, “I rarely make street anthems or club tracks, so I wanted to make one with this track and with Su being the creator of our hometown it was only right that I get him on this song with me.”

http://2dopeboyz.com/2015/08/18/premiere-symba-how-you-rockin-iamsu/

RAPOLOGY: THE HIPHOP TRIVIA APP

Now available for iPhone and Android users is Rapology, a new, free trivia app offering thousands of original questions to test your knowledge of rap music and hip hop culture, spanning Old School, Golden Era and New School eras as well as East Coast, West Coast, Midwestern and Dirty South styles. High scores unlock Pop Quizzes and Final Exams where users can learn rare facts about their favorite artists and access exclusive content. With many artists set to regularly contribute to the Rapology platform, offering free album streams/downloads and more the first to be highlighted are Brooklyn beatsmith Marco Polo and St. Louis battle rapper Ooops. Rapology is the brainchild of Brian Hamilton (Owner, Beats & Rhymes (searchforbeats.com), a licensing and music supervision company for tv & film and advertising agencies responsible for the Brooklyn Nets and NYCFC theme songs among others) and entrepreneur Scott Bruno. Rapology offers a multiplayer option for trivia battles and users can submit their own questions for possible inclusion in the game.

http://www.rapologytrivia.com

SOMETHING WICKED 2015

Presented by the legendary electronic music event producers Disco Donnie Presents and NightCulture, Something Wicked will once again bring its spooky soiree, the largest Halloween dance music festival in Texas, to Houston’s Sam Houston Race Park. A diverse spread of acts will be performing over the course of two days, on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.

Something Wicked always boasts a versatile line up — last year’s headliners included Bassnectar, Kaskade, Martin Garrix, A-Trak, and Dillon Francis plus Excision, Deorro, Nervo, Zeds Dead in addition to over 30 other acts. Look for Early Bird Tickets on sale August 20.

Something Wicked festival is 18+.

http://somethingwicked.com

GIVEN NAMES DEBUTS VIDEO

Authenticity, consistency, and agility. We crave them. In our lives and our daily diversions; a frenzied sort structure that feeds our souls. We get it where can in fits and starts. We thirst between doses. On September 8 Given Names will release EP1, an aural art experiment utilizing elements of rock, prog, pop, and electronic music in the same vein as Massive Attack and Radiohead. A video for “Razor Wire” is premiering today at Substream Magazine. The mildly disturbing video featuring Sasha Peters was filmed in Brooklyn and is as cryptic as the album from which it was culled.

http://substreammagazine.com/2015/08/premiere-given-names-razor-wire-video-juxtaposes-sensuality-with-despair/

EDM X METAL = ZARDONIC

International Metal EDM Producer ZARDONIC has released the single “Against All Odds” off of his highly anticipated debut album on eOne Music, Antihero. The massive album boasts a phenomenal collection of 26 not to be missed tracks, including instrumental mixes as well as remixes from Voicians, The Outside Agency, Evol Intent, Heavygrinder, Darksiderz, Esparta, Dub Elements, Counterstrike, and Rusty K.

I’d like to think this is a special song for him, not only because of the quality, but because Zardonic has been at the forefront of his sound, gaining mass popularity despite creating a style that isn’t accepted by the mass of dance music listeners, although it should! With “Against All Odds” you get vicious breaks mixed with heavy guitar riffs that will rip your ears apart in the best way possible. – Tyler Trew – Your EDM

MUSIC MOGUL MATHEW KNOWLES’ NEW BOOK

It is no secret that before Mathew Knowles was a Grammy Award-winning executive producer, he was Xerox’s top sales executive, worldwide. Also not hidden from the mainstream are rumors about his keen marksmanship when it comes to helping artists hit targets of success. He has strategized superstar careers-not just for himself, but also for what appears to be his entire bloodline and other top acts. After more than 23 years of music moguling, what is newly worthy of the media’s attention is his explosive new publication, “The DNA of Achievers: 10 Traits of Highly Successful Professionals” (Music World Publishing, 2015). The book is an Amazon #1 best-seller even before its official release. Why such an early fervor? Many come compelled by the book’s description: the 10 traits of successful people (Passion, Work Ethics, Vision, Risk-Takers, Team Building, Talk-To-Do Ratio, Planning, Learning from Failure, Giving Back, and Thinking Outside the Box), and curious about the experiences of Mathew Knowles and others.

http://www.musicworldent.com/

HEZEKIAH JONES NEW SINGLE

Hezekiah Jones is the musical vehicle for Raphael Cutrufello, a Philadelphia-based musician who has been recording with his bandmates–AKA the family Jones–since 2006. Their newest creation, In Loving Memory of oosi Lockjaw, will be released by Woodfarm Records in late fall, 2015.

Drawn to the cartography of imaginary worlds, Raphael began writing soundtracks to nonexistent science fiction films in middle school. He has written about everything from the inability to grow a proper beard to letters from 30 years in the future, to psychic mobility, or the lack thereof.

SINGLE G.C. “GET IT STARTED”

Bronx, New York emcee G.C. a.k.a. Godz Chyld presents “Get It Started”, the new Dizzee-produced single from his forthcoming full-length T.I.M.E. (To Improve More Everyday).

PYRO, OHIO NEW SINGLE

Post-hardcore quintet Pyro, Ohio (who are actually from Virginia) released a new lyric video for their song “The Genie Should Stay in the Bottle”. The stunning animation was created by Peter Shkolniy of Loud Frame who has worked with Versus Me and Brighter Than a Thousand Suns. “Peter was such a pleasure to work with and brought so many creative ideas to the lyric video. We were obviously impressed by his previous work, but the final product came out even better than we had imagined,” says guitarist Stephen Noel. The video premiered exclusively though Punknews.org.

http://www.punknews.org/article/58703/exclusivevideos-pyro-ohio-the-genie-should-stay-in-the-bottle

ZENDAYA JOINS CELEBRITY JUDGING PANEL FOR THE 95th ANNIVERSARY BROADCAST OF MISS AMERICA

The Miss America Organization, dick clark productions and ABC announced today that television and recording star Zendaya will be a judge on the “2016 Miss America Competition.” She joins previously announced celebrity judges including country star Brett Eldredge, author and wife of the late U.S. Navy SEAL “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, Taya Kyle, entrepreneur and businessman of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Kevin O’Leary and 2014 Paralympic snowboarding bronze medalist, Amy Purdy.

The “2016 Miss America Competition” returns to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 (9:00 – 11:00p.m./ET) on the ABC Television Network. The evening will be filled with glitz and glam as 52 women compete for the coveted crown and scholarship.

http://www.missamerica.org/default.aspx

LOU BARLOW “WAVE”

Brace the Wave adds to Barlow’s extensive and celebrated discography, which includes releases from Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, and his first solo endeavor, Sentridoh. Recorded in under a week in Easthampton, MA with Justin Pizzoferrato (who also worked on Dinosaur Jr.’s Beyond, Farm, and I Bet on Sky), the album is a mix of tracks that employ Barlow’s early methods of tuning his ukelele down low and writing during the recording process (“Redeemed,” “Wave,” “Moving”) and traditional-style folk songs that he performed live in the studio (“Lazy” and “C&E”.)

LIXO “NORMAL”

‘Gloomer’ is the debut EP from GETME!’s head honcho Alex Hislop (AKA LIXO).

Having put out releases by the likes of Slime, Becoming Real and Dam Mantle, the London label and party crew has built up it’s reputation as key underground tastemakers for interesting electronic music.

https://soundcloud.com/getme/normal-dgmix-030615-master2-24

AMATEUR BEST “THEY KNOW”

Ahead of the release of his upcoming sophomore LP The Gleaners out on Brille Records October 2nd, Amateur Best has shared breezy, synth-laden track ‘They Know’ on i-D.

Amateur Best is the alias of Birmingham-based “personal pop” musician, songwriter, and producer Joe Flory.

https://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/premiere-amateur-best-they-know

THE BULLS SHARE “SMALL PROBLEMS” SINGLE

The Bulls, Anna Bulbrook of The Airborne Toxic Event (and sometimes Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) and Marc Sallis of The Duke Spirit, are sharing the title track off their new record Small Problems, today in advance of the song’s release this Friday and the full EP on August 28th.

PREMIERE OF JAMES LEG’S NEW TRACK “DIRTY SOUTH”

James Leg (aka John Wesley Myers of the Black Diamond Heavies) is set to release his second proper solo album, Below The Belt, later this summer. Back in his days with the Heavies, Leg laid the foundation for his solo work with his down-n-dirty keys, fervent live performances and trademark gruff howl mixed with equal measures of bourbon, butane & nicotine.

http://www.purevolume.com/news/PREMIERE-James-Leg-Dirty-South-Bob-Reuter

FAIRGROUND SAINTS’ SELF-TITLED DEBUT STREAMING ON POPMATTERS

The Los Angeles based trio Fairground Saints’ self-titled debut album is now streaming on Popmatters. Listen to the album HERE. The site says “Fairground Saints are on to something very, very good on their debut album” and goes on to say “the end result is a quietly beautiful album with enough ambition to try new things.”

http://www.popmatters.com/post/196535-fairground-saints-fairground-saints-album-stream-premiere/

SAM SMITH HONORED FOR FOUR MILLION ADJUSTED ALBUM SALES

Capitol Records presented Sam Smith with a plaque commemorating four million adjusted album sales of his GRAMMY-winning debut album, In The Lonely Hour, at a ceremony at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA. The young U.K. artist made his U.S. debut at the legendary venue with two sold-out shows on December 2 and 3, 2013. By January 2015, Smith was playing sold-out concerts at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and The Forum in Los Angeles. His current North American arena/theatre tour is winding down tonight in Dallas, TX.

http://riaa.org

NEIL YOUNG + PROMISE OF THE REAL CONFIRM WEST COAST LEG OF THE REBEL CONTENT TOUR

Neil Young + Promise of the Realhave confirmed a second leg of the Rebel Content Tour which will resume Oct 1st , in Missoula, MT., and wind down in Berkeley, CA., on Oct 17.

http://www.neilyoung.com/index2.html

KIM SIMMONDS AND SAVOY BROWN CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY

Acclaimed blues rock band Savoy Brown, led by its seminal guitarist Kim Simmonds, celebrates its 50th anniversary year with the release of a new album of original material called THE DEVIL TO PAY and a worldwide concert tour to support it. The album arrives on September 18 from Ruf Records while the tour, launching this month, will continue throughout the year and include shows in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Savoy Brown CD cover The band will celebrate the release of THE DEVIL TO PAY with a special CD release appearance at B.B. King Blues Club in New York City on September 15.

“When I started the band back in 1965, the concept was to be a British version of a Chicago blues band,” Simmonds says. “And the exciting thing now is that vision is still alive.”

http://www.savoybrown.com/

A BREACH OF SILENCE GO ACOUSTIC

Australian powercore metal pioneers A BREACH OF SILENCE have just premiered their new music video for a very special acoustic version of the song Vultures. The video features footage of the band shot while on tour, and memorable moments of the band hanging out with fans before and after the shows. The video may be watched at the Eclipse Records YouTube channel.

LISTEN TO “ANIMAL STYLE”

EDM powerhouse, Jackal, serves up his newest offering “Animal Style” via Mad Decent today. The England native has gained support from big names like Skrillex, Diplo, Zeds Dead, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Kill The Noise for monstrous remixes and signature punchy tracks. “Animal Style” is named after one of the most popular “secret” toppings prepared by the famed In-N-Out fast-food burger chain consisting of pickles, extra spread, grilled onions, and mustard (as displayed by the art below). This style is not to be taken lightly and neither is this beat. Check out “Animal Style” now.

http://MadDecent.lnk.to/AnimalStyle

EXIT EARTH “SABRINA”

Today, Leeds’ own Exit Earth, unveiled their latest work in the track of Sabrina courtesy of the team at Exclaim! The track comes from Exit Earth’s forthcoming album Calm Waters – due to drop September 9 on Daysleeper Records – which can be pre-ordered by visiting Exit Earth’s Bandcamp.

http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/exit_earth-sabrina

RACHAEL YAMAGATA ANNOUNCES FALL HEADLINING U.S. TOUR

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata will hit the road this fall for a run of headline dates across North America. These career-spanning sets will feature fan favorites and a collection of new songs from Yamagata’s forthcoming album, due for release in early 2016. The U.S. leg kicks off on October 15th at Club Café in Pittsburgh and wind down on November 17th at Webster Hall in New York City.

http://rachaelyamagata.com/tour

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN TO RELEASE ‘BLACK LIGHT’

“Playing and working with the same musicians in a band is a living process which unfolds as time goes by,” reflects guitarist, composer, and bandleader John McLaughlin when considering the release of his latest album, Black Light – the third studio album to feature his band, the 4th Dimension. Available via Abstract Logix on September 21, 2015, Black Light finds the relentlessly inquisitive, exploratory McLaughlin continuing to uncover new melodic and rhythmic pathways with the same fearless zeal that has made him one of modern music’s most admired and influential figures.

Black Light includes 8 original McLaughlin compositions, but the emotional core of Black Light, and one of McLaughlin’s finest acoustic performances on record, rests in “El Hombre Que Sabia” – a deeply moving tribute McLaughlin’s late collaborator, Paco de Lucía, who passed away in early 2014. “You cannot imagine how much I miss him,” reflects McLaughlin. “‘El Hombre’ is one of the pieces Paco and I had planned to record on a new studio album last year.” The two had intended to compose an album’s worth of new material just before De Lucia’s untimely passing.

http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/