SKOPE NEWS FOR NOVEMBER 18, 2015

SWMRS ANNOUNCE WEST COAST CO-HEADLINING TOUR

Bay Area quartet SWMRS have announced a co-headlining West Coast tour with So-Cal’s Melissa Brooks and The Aquadolls. “The Aquatic Reference Overkill Tour” will kick off in Santa Ana, CA on January 13th, 2016 and wrap in Fresno, CA on January 24th, 2016. Tickets for all shows are on sale now and available.

http://www.bandsintown.com/SWMRS

JOSHUA HYSLOP SHARES OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “THE FLOOD”

Nettwerk Records and Canadian singer-songwriter Joshua Hyslop are pleased to celebrate the release of In Deepest Blue, which made a career high debut at #102 in the Canadian Top 200, #90 in the Top Current Albums Chart and achieving #2 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart.

http://www.folkalley.com/archives/001439.php

KINGDOM RAVE 23

Following the success of Kingdom Rave 22 with Hip Hop legends Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, veteran promoter MJ and partner/Tequila Rage Face Group CEO Sporty-O have put together another sterling line-up for their December 11th party, Christmas: A Galaxy Far Far Away! Headed by LA heavy beat dropper RL GRIME, the hottest Atlanta winter party will also include BAELS, MIDNITE PANDA, PAUZE!, The Widdler, UNICORN FUKR, Quickie Mart, Organik, Werd2jaH, Double Down, Sarah Sativa, and SYLO.

https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/998339

PAVEMENT ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS FLAW

Louisville, KY Rock/Metal act FLAW has just inked a worldwide deal with Pavement Entertainment. The band is currently in the studio finishing up the yet to be titled new LP due for an April 2016 release. This release marks the band’s first album since 2004’s “Endangered Species”.

“Completely stoked about joining the Pavement roster! The label is run by people who understand the rock world and what it takes to succeed. It’s a perfect situation for us and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store!” comments FLAW vocalist Chris Volz

http://www.pavementmusic.com

NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR “NONSENSE” FEAT. MARK FOSTER

The video is the final installment of a trilogy, (following “You’re On” and “Pay No Mind” videos), set in a remote city in an undefined future, focused on a young woman, Asteria, and a young man, Icarus. Asteria is restless to see more of the outside world and finds a friend in Icarus, who shares her desire of leaving.

http://noisey.vice.com/blog/madeon-video-nonsense

CASH MONEY RECORDS ANNOUNCES ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAYS

Upholding a 19-year annual tradition of charity and goodwill, Cash Money Records once again hosts turkey giveaways in New Orleans and Miami for 2015.

Miami is announced for Friday, November 20th, while New Orleans is set for Tuesday, November 24th. The Johnny and Gladys Williams Foundation—founded by Cash Money Records co-founders and brothers Ronald “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams—produces the yearly charity.

The executives first envisioned the Turkey Giveaway in 1996 as a means to give back to the New Orleans community, which provided a foundation for them to become one of the city’s biggest success stories. That same year, they instituted the Johnny and Gladys Williams Foundation as a tribute to their parents—who inspired the organization’s namesake.

http://www.cashmoney-records.com/

HANK WILLIAMS JR. CONTINUES TO MAKE HISTORY

Hank Williams Jr. continues to make history this week as his first single from Nash Icon Records, “Are You Ready for the Country” featuring Eric Church, enters the Billboard Country Airplay Chart at #58. With 106 charted singles under his belt, Hank Jr. joins George Jones, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Eddy Arnold and Merle Haggard on a small list of elite artists who have also charted over six decades.

“It’s surreal to stand back and take in the fact that Hank Williams, Jr. is on our artist roster,” said Scott Borchetta, President/CEO Big Machine Label Group. “His music means so much to so many and he truly defined numerous moments in Country music over the last six decades. It is our true honor to be part of the next chapter as he continues to blaze his own unique musical trails. Message to ALL Hank Jr. fans – you are going to love this music – this is the good stuff.”

http://www.hankjr.com/

X AMBASSADORS CELEBRATE PLATINUM CERTIFICATION OF HIT SINGLE “RENEGADES”

KIDinaKORNER/Interscope band X Ambassadors is celebrating the RIAA’s platinum certification of their hit single, “Renegades,” marking sales and streams of one million in the United States alone. The band received the honor backstage at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles during a stop on their sold-out X Ambassadors – VHS Tour. Tune in tonight, November 17, to see X Ambassadors perform “Renegades” on the Late Late Show With James Corden (CBS , 12:37am/11:37pm c).

X Ambassadors will usher in 2016 by joining Muse on select dates of their Drones World Tour.

https://www.xambassadors.com/

KAP G FEATURED ON WSHH

Check out KAP G’s lyric video for “I Be Up” Featuring Nechie.

https://youtu.be/eL6VTW_iXCo

PAST LIFE NEW SINGLE

Today, Past Life has shared “Sever Your Love” the first single from their debut EP out February 5th on Broken Circles. The FADER, who premiered the track, is saying “…it’s really goddam dope to hear a song that shreds so hard about a feeling that is so deep and darkly relatable.” EP 1, is available for pre-order now on Broken Circles.

http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/17/past-life-sever-your-love-ep1

GLOBAL SUPER GROUP ONE DIRECTION RETURNS TO HEADLINE BILLBOARD HOLLYWOOD PARTY ON “DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2016”

One Direction returns for its second year to headline the Billboard Hollywood Party as part of ABC’s telecast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2016.” The group will perform three songs throughout the show during the bi-coastal celebration. They join previously announced performer Carrie Underwood, who will be performing for over 1 million fans in Times Square, and millions more on TV, moments before the ball drops. With over 38 performances and 5 ½ hours of music, America’s biggest celebration of the year will take place on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the ABC Television Network.

“It’s been an incredible year for us and we can’t wait to ring in the New Year with all our fans on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” said One Direction. “It’s an honor to be back at the Billboard Hollywood Party for our second year.”

http://www.newyearsrockineve.com/

“BOBBY BABY BEAR”

Former and founding editor Doug Van Pelt has stayed busy since selling off HM Magazine in the spring of 2013. Besides maintaining his blog at HMmagazine.com, his band Lust Control stays active, he’s designing billboards and other marketing materials, as well as online publications for the popular GO TEXAN program at the Texas Department of Agriculture, he has recently written and illustrated a children’s early reader book called Bobby Baby Bear.

“Around the same time that I wrote my novel, Desert High, the entire plot for this children’s story just kind of downloaded into my brain,” says Van Pelt. “I cranked it out and laid it out in book format, but spent the last five years trying to find an illustrator for the thing. I honestly didn’t try very hard, but I had a handful of conversations with illustrators and artists. Nothing ever materialized and, in spite of being a bit intimidated by the prospect of illustrating an entire book, I decided, ‘Heck! I’ll do it myself.'”

Van Pelt soon found himself lost in time doing the illustrations. “That was the fun part,” he said. “When you lose track of time, it usually means you’re having great fun. I’m so thrilled with the end result.”

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/HMmag/bobby-baby-bear-project-redux

KIDZ ENTERTAINMENT CONTINUES TO HELP CHILDREN

Since helping make Baldwin’s Halloween Festival extra special through costume contest prize donations at the Annual event organized by Assemblyman Brian Curran and sponsored by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Senior Councilman Anthony J. Santino; Diane Baumann and her Long Island, NY based toy manufacturer Kidz Entertainment Inc. are continuing in stride bringing interactive and educational products to an even larger audience at the ENK Children’s Club Exhibition January 10th-12th, 2016 at NYC’s Pier 94, 55th St. at 12th Ave, New York, NY 10019!

http://www.kidzentertainmentinc.com/

BEFORE THEIR EYES NEW SINGLE

Before Their Eyes have released a new single titled “We Won’t Make The Same Mistake Again”, featuring Hotel Books that you can watch here. The single is off of their album ‘Midwest Modesty’, due out December 18, 2015. The album is produced by Craig Owens (Chiodos, Cinematic Sunrise, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) and Nick Ingram (Dayseeker, Hotel Books, City Lights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wR36Irl-i4

GILLBANKS “NERVE”

Directed by local Peckham boy Charlie Hawley and envisioned by the band, Nerve has distinctly rich and instantly captivating visuals on par only with the infallible studio recording of the song. Let the video take you in its stride and bring you to where GILLBANKS roam, in the swirl and buzz of emotion and passing time. This is their world and they want you to be a part of it. Oh yeah and sorry if you’re colour blind.

http://bit.ly/NerveVid

BELLE MARE PREMIERE NEW SINGLE “DARK OF MY EVENING”

Belle Mare recorded both tracks and their upcoming album at Electric Lady Studio in Manhattan with Grammy winner Tom Elmhirst and Ben Baptie. Elmhirst offered to record the band with Baptie at the helm as producer, after hearing Belle Mare perform by chance, at a live video session taped at the studio.

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/exclusive-track-premiere-dark-of-my-evening-belle-mare/

DREAMERS NEW SINGLE

Welcome to DREAMERS universe: you are invited to experience this Brooklyn-birthed band’s iridescent grunge-pop sound that will attack your senses and take you on an emotional odyssey of nostalgia and wonder.

http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/17/dreamers-shooting-shadows

DENMARK’S LUKAS GRAHAM SHARES LYRIC VIDEO FOR BREAKOUT HIT “7 YEARS”

Lukas Graham, award-winning Danish artist poised for global crossover success, has shared the lyric video for breakout hit “7 Years.” Since its release, “7 Years” has been streamed an incredible 40 million times worldwide and is rapidly climbing the Spotify Global Top 50, with Lukas and his band set to make their U.S. television debut performing the song on Conan on December 10. “7 Years” embodies the singer’s distinct, raw blend of soulful vocals with poignant lyrics, and is reflected in the video as his life is chronicled through a collage of the singer’s personal photos, from his childhood in Copenhagen’s Christiania neighborhood through his explosive success overseas to now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jErJimwom94

PENTATONIX RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FOR “JOY TO THE WORLD”

Pop super group Pentatonix releases their music video for “Joy To The World” courtesy of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. The track comes off the group’s deluxe edition of their platinum selling holiday album That’s Christmas To Me in addition to 4 other brand new tracks. That’s Christmas To Me is currently #1 on Billboard’s Holiday Album chart with more than 20,000 units sold and doubling the #2 position. Additionally the group has the #1 and #2 spots on both the iTunes and Amazon’s holiday charts with That’s Christmas To Me & PTXMas respectively.

NOISEY RELEASES NEW DOCUMENTARY ON UK GRIME LEGEND: SKEPTA: TOP BOY

Noisey’s new documentary catches Skepta on a sold-out tour of North America, and features behind the scenes footage of the grime legend with Novelist, A$AP Nast, Jammer, Shorty, Krept & Konan and Frisco

Watch the documentary exclusively on Noisey:

http://noisey.vice.com/noisey-specials/skepta-top-boy-the-documentary

NAO REVEALS THE VIDEO FOR ‘BAD BLOOD’

NAO has revealed the video her new single “Bad Blood”, on her own label Little Tokyo. It’s the first single to be taken from her debut album, due in 2016. It’s a cinematic vision depicting an otherworldly character who brings life and memories to people trapped in limbo. The trees represent re-birth and a connection back to lost memories.

THE KNOCKS X CAM’RON

Album features include Carly Rae Jepsen, Fetty Wap, POWERS, Matthew Koma, Wyclef Jean, X Ambassadors, Alex Newell, Justin Tranter, Magic Man, Phoebe Ryan, and Walk The Moon!

http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/17/the-knocks-55-new-york-city-camron

YUPPICIDE, LAMBGOAT.COM STREAM NEW SONG “SPREAD THE INFECTION”

Seminal NYHC act, Yuppicide, has teamed up with Lambgoat to stream a new song, “Spread the Infection,” from the band’s upcoming release, Revenge Regret Repeat, out December 4 on Dead City Records. Stream the first new Revenge Regret Repeat track, “Spread the Infection,” exclusively at:

http://lambgoat.com/features/282/Yuppicide-Spread-the-Infection-song-premiere

JOLIVI PREMIERES “GAMES” MUSIC VIDEO

Rising electro pop artist JoLivi has unveiled the music video for her sultry single “Games.” The video premiered on Fanlala and is available to view on JoLivi’s official YouTube channel. “Games” is the first single off of JoLivi’s forthcoming self-titled EP; set to be released February 2016.

“The song is a tale of two who love each other but love the game even more,” JoLivi explained. “I want to be a strong voice for other women who go through what I went through, like how Alanis Morissette and Gwen Stefani were for me. I want to show that its ok to be vulnerable, to be heart-broken, to make the wrong choices, to lose yourself, and to ultimately know when its time to move on.”

https://www.fanlala.com/news/jolivis-games-music-video-dark-and-mysterious-treat-music-fans

ROB CROW NEW SINGLE

Rob Crow will release You’re Doomed. Be Nice. on March 4 via Temporary Residence Ltd. The album is available on CD and vinyl to pre-order now in the Temporary Residence online store. Limited edition (200 copies) colored vinyl, orange w/ deep purple splatter, is available while supplies last. You’re Doomed. Be Nice. is Rob Crow’s first album since his heavily-publicized withdrawal from music – specifically the toxic byproducts of the lifestyle of a touring professional musician attempting to survive in an industry of diminishing returns. Rather than perform, record, and mix every note himself – a trademark of his previous solo endeavors – Crow formed Gloomy Place, a band made up of close friends that includes another member of the beloved Heavy Vegetable. Pitchfork is streaming “Business Interruptus” from You’re Doomed.

http://pitchfork.com/news/62137-pinbacks-rob-crow-isnt-quitting-music-after-all-announces-new-band-new-album-and-tour

SEES BEGINS STREAMING UPCOMING SINGLE FROM “THREE WINTERS”

New England heavy metal outfit, SEES, is gearing up to release its first album in three years, aptly titled, Three Winters, via Rogue Records on November 27. In anticipation, the band has begun streaming new tracks from the upcoming release – one per day – until it drops next week.

The first song “Acquiesce” is streaming online at:

The second track “Growing Down” is streaming at:

SINGLES “FIRE”

2015 was a big year for SINGLES. The band burst onto the scene with countless shows around the country. Singles have already played along side the likes of British India, Last Dinosaurs and Kingswood, as well as playing headline shows of their own.

The boys recently got into the studio with the legendary Malcolm Besley to work on their debut EP.

https://soundcloud.com/singles-2/fire/s-81AwM

YEARS & YEARS RELEASE VIDEO FOR “DESIRE” GRYFFIN REMIX CREATED ENTIRELY WITH A.I. TODAY

Interscope Records artists Years & Years debut a very special video for their track “Desire” Gryffin Remix today on Vevo. The video, which premiered yesterday on TechCrunch, was created entirely using new creative Artificial Intelligence technologies, artificial neural networks and machine learning initially based on Google’s “Deep Dream” open source code that allows a computer to imagine and “dream” about things it has previously learned. This is the first time a full scale music video has been made using this new Creative Artificial Intelligence where creative machines and humans interact as equals to paint, dream, design, and complete other creative tasks.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/GBUV71501214

OKEECHOBEE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival today announced Bassnectar, The Avett Brothers, and Odesza are joining previously announced headliners Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, Future, Miguel, Fetty Wap and Big Grams (Big Boi & Phantogram). Other new additions to Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival’s diverse bill include Kill The Noise, Lil Dicky, Nahko and Medicine For The People, Lettuce, White Denim, Booker T. Jones, Post Malone, Dungen, Family And Friends, and The Shelters. The Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is slated for March 4th – 6th, 2016 just North of Florida’s magnificent Lake Okeechobee.

http://okeechobeefest.com/

STARS FROM FILM, MUSIC AND TELEVISION TO PRESENT AT THE “2015 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS®”

dick clark productions and ABC announced today that a star-studded line-up of film, music and television personalities will present at the “2015 American Music Awards.” Those slated to appear include Paula Abdul, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Benson, Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell, Ciara, Terry Crews, Hannah Davis, DNCE, Florida Georgia Line, Tyrese Gibson, Ellie Goulding, Gigi Hadid, Fifth Harmony, Julianne Hough, Kylie Jenner, Wiz Khalifa, Taylor Lautner, Little Big Town, Tove Lo, Jenny McCarthy, Shawn Mendes, Chloe Grace Moretz, Kevin O’Leary, Norman Reedus, Jeremy Renner, Nick Robinson, Alicia Silverstone, Jeremy Sisto, Hailee Steinfeld, Wilmer Valderrama, Donnie Wahlberg and Zendaya. They will take the stage at the world’s biggest fan-voted award show, which will feature must-see performances by previously announced artists Jennifer Lopez, 5 Seconds of Summer, Coldplay, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, One Direction, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, WALK THE MOON, The Weeknd, duets from Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth, Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town and the legendary Star Wars score to be performed by pop super group Pentatonix and a full symphony orchestra. The “2015 American Music Awards” will broadcast live on Sunday, November 22 at 8:00pm ET on ABC.

http://www.theamas.com/

RAMLEH ALBUM STREAM

As Crucial Blast prepares to release the massive new Circular Time double-disc album by legendary UK-based noise rock outfit, RAMLEH, in early December, the entire release has been issued for public streaming early.

https://crucialblast.bandcamp.com/album/circular-time

THUMP KICKS OFF NEW MONTHLY DJ LIVESTREAM SERIES UN-LEASHED BY T-MOBILE

Kicking off tonight, Thump Sessions will deliver exclusive live sets from some of the best and brightest DJs in the world, including TOKiMONSTA, A-Trak, and Baauer

Stream TOKiMONSTA’s set tonight on THUMP’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/Thump

MAINE PSYCH ROCK OUTFIT COKE WEED PREMIERE MYSTERIOUS “I COULD BE SO REAL”

Coke Weed was formed in the summer of 2010 in Bar Harbor, Maine. Fresh from New York, songwriter Milan McAlevey and then new-to-singing Nina Donghia were already planning to start a proper rock band when a chance encounter connected them to guitarist Caleb Davis and drummer Peter Cuffari. The newly formed Coke Weed quickly got to work that fall, recording their first LP, 2011’s Volume One, a low-fi set that firmly established the band’s signature sound: the deadpan singing of Nina D. backed by inventive twin-guitar interplay and a churning, hypnotic rhythm section.

http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/premiere_coke_weed_-_i_could_be_so_real_video/

“GAME SHOW” VIDEO

Majical Cloudz have shared an official video for “Game Show” from their sophomore album Are You Alone? taped at their recent record release show at New York’s intimate National Sawdust venue. Frontman Devon Walsh offered: “The song was one of the earliest ones from AYA and went through a few different phases. The lyrics were quite different initially. Emotionally it’s not like the rest of the songs on AYA but the song is one of our personal favorites.”

https://youtu.be/9990o3UGfQ4

HALF JAPANESE NEW SINGLE

Half Japanese has announced a new LP, Perfect, to be released January 22nd via Joyful Noise Recordings. A collection of songs that feature otherworldly sounds, chaotic rhythms, and weird time signatures — topped off with Jad Fair’s brash vocals and oddball lyrics — it’s currently available for pre-order, with 500 VIP copies available on baby blue & clear vinyl with cyan splatter. The VIP edition also comes with an exclusive art print signed by Jad.

http://www.stereogum.com/1843895/half-japanese-that-is-that-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

BIRD DOG’S “THE DESERT SONG” PREMIERES ON THE WILD HONEY PIE

“The Desert Song,” the latest track from Bird Dog’s forthcoming debut EP Misty Shrub, is streaming now at The Wild Honey Pie who explains, “…the warm piano, buoyant chiming and driving percussion combine to create a whole larger than the sum. Add the sheen of full-bodied vocals and a sardonically hopeful melody, and you have a track that engages from start to finish.”

http://www.thewildhoneypie.com/bird-dog-new-track/

THE SEPHARDIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015

This Chanukah, after 10 years in NYC, The Sephardic Music Festival will be making its way to L.A. for its second year. The annual festival is a music and arts celebration showcasing musicians from around world that mix traditional, dance, electro, hip hop, and folk songs. SMF is the first music festival to focus exclusively on the less familiar but captivating culture of the Jewish communities of Spain/Portugal, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Past SMF performers have included Yemen Blues, Yair Dalal, Matisyahu, Moshav, Asefa, Assaf Avidan and more. The festival will continue SMF’s cutting-edge reputation for presenting the best in contemporary Sephardic Jewish music from across the globe.

https://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/