SKOPE NEWS FOR DECEMBER 15, 2016

Bronze Whale Releases Final Single From Forthcoming EP

After teasing listeners with the first two tracks off their collaborative EP “Million” with singer/songwriter The Odds, future-indie duo Bronze Whale unveils their third and final single. “Mercy,” out now for free download via their label imprint Magic Magic, tells the story of a heart yearning for love through the passionate vocals and lyrics by The Odds. Bronze Whale reflects the romantic sentiment through production that revisits their pop future-bass style portrayed in their previous originals like “Weird Dark Things.” As the Texas-based duo wrap up the year with an expressive endcap to the EP, it can only be foreshadowed that more success is yet to come.

TheThursday Bundle: 111716

Luna Aura Premieres “The Next One” with OnestoWatch

Luna Aura’s path to popstar is clear of glitz and glamour — just how she likes it. Now based in LA, the Phoenix transplant challenges West Coast as the ‘Best Coast’ in “The Next One”, premiering the official video for the big-beat track exclusively with OnestoWatch.

KIKA joins the Aftercluv Family with “Aguacero”

Venezuelan Star KIKA joins the Aftercluv Family with “Aguacero”: The budding DJ and producer makes her debut on Aftercluv with an original tribal gem.

When she’s not touring around the world, Venezuelan DJ and producer Kika is hard at work in the studio, honing her unique blend of indie-electro and tribal house. Coming off an extensive Latin American tour, the young star at last makes her debut on Aftercluv with an unforgettable original: “Aguacero..” Featuring tribal percussion and Kika’s own Spanglish rap, the track is an irresistible creation that seems perfectly designed for late nights in the Terrace Room at Miami’s legendary Club Space.

DAT BOY SNAGS BOOSIE BADAZZ FOR HIS SMOKIN NEW “MAKE EM MAD”

Houston’s next up, Dat Boy, just dropped a new DJ Scream-hosted tape called “Too Talented To Be Bullshittin” on LiveMixtapes and the title alone should make you take notice. If that’s not enough though, todays offering from that project has Boosie all up in it and the two combined are straight fire. Haters are a running theme in rap and the video for “Make Em Mad” runs with it; flaunting as it does, everything our intrepid heroes have that you don’t. All them broads you can’t have, all that talent you don’t posses and all them watches, rings and chains will just make you sick; hell, even Johnny Dang makes an appearance, but not so sick that you won’t want to keep bumping it. You know what they say…..hate the player not the game. PS….Dat Boy’s project also features Z-Ro, Doughboy and Sauce Walka as well as some fire boardwork from none other than Zaytoven…….as if you didn’t hate him enough already. Check it out.

NOAH CYRUS AND LABRINTH GO ACOUSTIC ON DEBUT SINGLE “MAKE ME (CRY)”

Noah Cyrus’ debut single “Make Me (Cry)” featuring Labrinth was recently released to critical acclaim, with the accompanying video accumulating 18 Million views in just a few weeks. Now, Cyrus and Labrinth have recreated the indie-pop single with a stripped-down acoustic version, with the video premiering today on Rolling Stone.com.

Judge Roughneck “Mirror in the Bathroom”

“Mirror In The Bathroom” is a made-over version of The English Beat’s classic, and features vocals from Angelo Moore, lead singer and founding member of Fishbone. The track comes off of Pick You Up, Judge Roughneck’s first album in 14 years and their fourth full length.

Judge Roughneck’s blend of ska & reggae pays tribute to both the early ’80’s British 2-Tone movement and the original jazz-laced ska of Jamaica, infused with soul, has been electrifying audiences since 1995.They have headlined countless venues and opened for almost every ska and reggae legend who has passed through town, including UB40, Burning Spear, Rebelution, General Public, The Skatalites, The Specials,The English Beat, Fishbone, Damian Marley, Steel Pulse, and The Wailers. They have appeared at the prestigious Reggae on the Rocks Festival at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater 15 times.

Eau Claire, WI’s Waldemar will release debut, a tribute to a hard-to-know relative, on 1/13

Eau Claire, WI reeks of talent. It has been blessed with the emergence of nationally recognized bands and artists to bring forth the indie scene in recent years that has no doubt been thriving all along, but was never getting the recognition it deserved. Eau Claire’s most recent emergence is solo-artist Gabe Larson who goes by the stage moniker Waldemar – the royal name of lines of ancient Swedish and Danish king’s as well as Larson’s late paternal grandfather.

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR 48TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

The nominees for the 48th NAACP Image Awards were announced today with ABC and HBO leading the nominations in the television categories with 23 nominations and 14 nominations, respectively. In the recording category, Columbia Records leads with 16 nominations, followed by RCA Records with 10 nominations and Atlantic Records with 4 nominations. Walt Disney Studios leads with 9 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 7 nominations, while A24 and Fox Searchlight Pictures both received 6 nominations in the motion picture categories.

Beyoncé leads the pack with 7 nominations, followed by her sister Solange Knowles with 5 nominations. Additionally, Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar received 4 nominations, while Donald Glover and Nate Parker both received nominations for 3 awards.

SAGE THE GEMINI RELEASES NEW VIDEO FOR “NOW AND LATER”

Atlantic Records / Global Gemini recording artist Sage The Gemini has released the official companion video to hit track “Now and Later” – watch here.

Robert Ellis Gains Year-End Praise, Announces 2017 Tour

Robert Ellis has rounded out 2016 with an array of impressive year-end accolades for his acclaimed self-titled LP released in June via New West Records. The album landed on Ann Powers’ Favorite 2016 Albums for NPR Music, Rolling Stone’s “40 Best Country Albums of 2016,” American Songwriter’s “Top 50 Albums of 2016,” The Tennessean’s “12 Nashville records you should have picked up in 2016,” and AllMusic’s “Best of 2016: Favorite Folk & Americana Albums.” Of the record, Rolling Stone Country comments, “Ellis uses traditional credentials – a light nasal croon, co-writers like Jonny Fritz and Angaleena Presley – as cover on an album that quietly pushes a wildly open-minded view of what country music can be.”

Doo-Wop Documentary “Street Light Harmonies”

An entertaining journey through bands, songs and harmonies that evoke both days gone by as well as current hits, Street Light Harmonies is a new documentary that uncovers the definitive period of doo-wop music and the artists that defined it. Millions know the music but few know the artists and their history that laid the foundation for rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and built a bridge to the civil rights movement. Featuring commentary from Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Lance Bass (NSYNC), Brian McKnight, Jimmy Merchant (The Teenagers), La La Brooks (The Crystals), Charlie Thomas (Drifters), Al Jardine (Beach Boys) and more, Street Light Harmonies will be a combination of present-day interviews and archival footage. View the extended trailer now online.

SUPERSTAR SIBLINGS JULIANNE & DEREK HOUGH ANNOUNCE THE THIRD INSTALLMENT OF THEIR ACCLAIMED LIVE SHOW

Following the sold-out successes of both its 2014 inaugural run and a fan-demanded sophomore run in 2015, Move Live on Tour, featuring powerhouse duo JULIANNE & DEREK HOUGH, is back and better than ever in 2017 with an all-new experience – MOVE – BEYOND – LIVE ON TOUR. Julianne and Derek stopped by Good Morning America this morning to make their nationwide announcement, performing at the Times Squares studio and giving fans a taste of the high-energy choreography expected from the tour. Taking a cue from the elements, the show will feature inspiration pulled from earth, wind, fire and water. Move – Beyond – Live on Tour kicks off April 19th in Akron, OH and continues through Chicago, Boston, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and more before concluding in Santa Rosa, CA.

Chaka Kahn, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis concert – one night only

On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis and other special guests will honor the memory of their friend and colleague, 15-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Michael Brecker, at
The Nearness of You benefit concert in New York City.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness are hosting the post-concert reception and bassist Will Lee is the musical director. Will was discovered by Michael and his brother Randy Brecker while Will was a student at the University of Miami. Among the most-in-demand session players, Will also performed for over 30 years with Paul Shaffer on Late Night with David Letterman.

WATCH: MERIDETH GRACE PUCKETT “PERFECT WORLD” VIDEO

Having recently returned from a trip to NYC spreading her incredible vocal talents to the East Coast, young singer Merideth Grace Puckett is continuing to bring her star power to new heights with a brand new video titled “Perfect World”. Winning over fans across the globe this past summer performing on Germany’s “Superkids” TV show, Puckett then headed towards the bright lights of Hollywood, shooting her newest video on the world famous Sunset strip, and continuing to showcase her incredible voice and creative outlook.

Cloud Cult’s Feature Film The Seeker to be Released in Theaters Nationwide

The Seeker is a groundbreaking new movie that has been winning awards at film festivals across the United States. Set to be released in select theaters nationwide in January of 2017, The Seeker is one of a small handful of feature-length narrative dramas to land on Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List”. According to film critic Joe Neumaier of the Tribeca Shortlist, “Anyone who’s ever heard echoes of their childhood during times of crisis or contemplation – meaning, anyone breathing – will be utterly swept away.” The film stars Josh Radnor (Mercy Street, How I Met Your Mother) along with Alex McKenna (What Women Want).

The award winning film The Seeker was created by the indie rock band Cloud Cult. It is a story of Grace, a daughter whose idyllic life is turned upside-down by immense tragedy. As she grows older, her cynicism and apathy towards her new reality is challenged by a reminder from the past that sets her on a pilgrimage that will define her.

MOTHERSHIP: new album “High Strangeness” out this March 17th!

Dallas heavy rock missionaries MOTHERSHIP have confirmed the release of their third album “High Strangeness” on March 17th through Heavy Psych Sounds and Ripple Music.

Three years after their widely-acclaimed full-length “II”, MOTHERSHIP are ready to propel the rock’n’roll crowds into orbit with their compelling new effort “High Strangeness”. Recorded and mixed by Ryan Lee and mastered by Tony Reed, this third album will be released through Heavy Psych Sounds in Europe and Ripple Music in North America.

ANN MY GUARD Release “Hekate” Lyric Video

Hungarian female fronted metallers ANN MY GUARD have released a new lyric video for “Hekate”, the song is taken from their forthcoming album ‘Ourania’, due out on January 13, digital and January 27, 2017 as CD via Rock’N’Growl Records. The video was made by Molnár Alexandra “Rusek”.

Song: Eric Bellinger – “Sex For Christmas” (Prod. by Ayo & Keyz)

‘Tis the season for sleigh bells, eggnog, and an endless stream of Christmas standards flooding the airwaves. Luckily, we have Eric Bellinger, who applies his signature twist to Holiday cheer with the new song “Sex For Christmas.” A swirling slow jam produced by Ayo & Keyz, “Sex For Christmas” is suggestive and sweet. Despite the provocative title, “Sex For Christmas” is not merely a novelty, but a song of devotion–an ode to the girl who has everything. This marks Eric’s first new original song since his Rakim-inspired Eric B. For President: Term 1 EP, released in September. Echoing classic themed R&B sex jams like R. Kelly’s “In The Kitchen,” Eric’s new standard will make sure you never think about the Yuletide the same way ever again.

Alex Clare Set To Release New Album, “Tail Of Lions” January 20th

lex Clare announces new album Tail of Lions, out January 20th and available for pre-order now. The album’s first single, ‘Tell Me What You Need’ – available digitally – explores the frustrations and difficulties that come along with relationships.

“You have to learn to ride the bumps,” says Alex.

London-born singer, songwriter and producer, Alex Clare, removed himself to a narrow boat on the River Lea in the summer of 2015 with bass-player and founding member of Submotion Orchestra, Chris Hargreaves and began recording the album. The result: a remarkable body of work written and recorded in just a few short weeks. Once recorded, Alex and Chris spent months perfecting the soul, rock and funk soundscape heard on the album. The title comes from a Jewish expression, it’s better to be the tail of a lion than the head of a fox. Alex explains: “we live in a society where the focus on success and celebrity seem to far outweigh the focus on ability and effort – all the money, limited talent.”

Sub Focus Unveils Official Video For ‘Love Divine’

Sub Focus has revealed the video for his latest original track, ‘Love Divine’. Featuring shifting trippy, brightly coloured imagery, the artistic video complements the rave-influenced single.

‘Love Divine’ has already had huge support since its release, with Annie Mac making it her ‘Hottest Record’, and receiving further plays from Friction, Danny Howard and Alice Levine. Opening with a hefty bassline and old school break beats, ‘Love Divine”s soaring vocals and uplifting piano chords make it an instantly likeable track.

HIP-HOP LEGENDS A TRIBE CALLED QUEST’S PANDORA MIXTAPE “WE THE PEOPLE”

n honor of the release of legendary hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest’s latest (and final) album, WE GOT IT FROM HERE…THANK YOU 4 YOUR SERVICE, Pandora is pleased to present the “We The People” MixTape. The station is now live and features Tribe songs from the new album, classics from their three-decade career, as well as tracks from some of their favorite artists including Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Nas and more.

The “We The People” MixTape is curated and narrated by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. Join Tip as he takes the listener through his world for the ultimate A Tribe Called Quest audio experience.

LIONEL RICHIE TO PERFORM IN LAS VEGAS ON “DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE

Music legend Lionel Richie will make a special appearance from his concert in Las Vegas on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017.” Richie will be the first performance of 2017, performing his song “All Night Long” immediately following the midnight countdown and Times Square celebration. America’s biggest celebration of the year will take place SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the ABC Television Network.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of America’s biggest celebration of the year and will include 5 ½ hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the country. Ryan Seacrest will host and lead the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City as he has for the last 11 years with live reporting from actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy. Mariah Carey, DNCE, Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan with the cast of her Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! will perform for over one million fans live in Times Square and millions more on TV. Fergie will host and perform at The Billboard Hollywood Party, with additional performances by Alessia Cara, Fifth Harmony featuring Kid Ink and Ty Dolla $ign, Flo Rida featuring Macy Kate, G-Eazy featuring Bebe Rexha, Martin Garrix also with Bebe Rexha, Niall Horan, John Legend, Lukas Graham, Shawn Mendes, Mike Posner, Emeli Sande and Hailee Steinfeld.

Lionel Richie to Perform from Las Vegas to Kick off NYRE

Animotion Announce First New Album in 27 Years

On January 20, new wave pioneers Animotion will release Raise Your Expectations, their first studio album in 27 years, through Invisible Hands Music, on LP and CD. Newly reformed, with the line-up including both original front-people, Bill Wadhams and Astrid Plane, Animotion are back with an incredible set of original new music – and a new version of one of their signature hits “Let Him Go.”

Today, Billboard.com premiered “Last Time,” the first single to be released from the forthcoming LP, and said “the first offering from the band’s return strikes an effective balance between the distinctive sound of ’80s pop and more modern production techniques.”

UNEARTHLY TRANCE Announces New Album Stalking The Ghost

New York City sludge/doom/drone trio UNEARTHLY TRANCE reemerges from the shadows with Stalking The Ghost, their sixth full-length recording and first album in over seven years.

Immersion Share “Fireflys” video with Clash Magazine

With their recent LP Analogue Creatures Living On An Island out now, instrumental ambient drone duo Immersion, made up of Wire’s Colin Newman and Minimal Compact’s Malka Spigel are sharing a new video for their recent single ‘Fireflys’.

Trikaya (dela Moontribe & Eastern Sun) Releases “YOPO / ONO” EP

YOPO / ONO is a two track psychedelic dubstep EP from Trikaya (Eastern Sun and dela Moontribe) out now on independent label Soul Resonance. The EP is named in part for Yoko Ono who is respected for her work as a conceptual artist, known for pushing boundaries and defying expectations.

Sxip Shirey “Palms” video feat. Puddles Pity Party Premieres

Acclaimed electro-acoustic composer and performer Sxip Shirey’s video for his new track “Palms,” featuring vocals and performance from iconic clown persona Puddles Pity Party, is streaming now, having premiered with Elmore Magazine, who calls the video “joyous” and proclaims, “…the track explodes with violins and the swelling, singalong harmonies of a chorus, leaving the viewer impossibly charmed—and in stitches—by the off-beat aesthetic.”

Sxip Shirey Recruits Puddles Pity Party as the Guest Vocalist for his Joyous, Strange Video

New KAMI track ft. Vic Mensa

Chicago artist KAMI gathered his friends Vic Mensa, Knox Fortune and Smoko Ono for his new track “Right Now.” This one has some of the best verses of the year and comes off his debut project due out early 2017.

Video: Tuki Carter – “Like Me”

A creative wordsmith with a soft-spoken Southern drawl, Tuki Carter is a unique presence in Hip-Hop. Riding a laconic, melodic delivery over a hazy, guitar-plucked instrumental, the Montage-produced “Like Me” is an anthem for those who get faded without giving a thought to the consequences: “Should’ve left it in the club/Now I gotta pour it out/fuck around and get pulled over/right in front a n*gga house.” Premiered today by Mass Appeal, the video focuses on the women who feel Tuki has wronged them, Tuki only emerging from the background to spit his verses and make a getaway with a new girl. The latest video from The Tuki Toker Tape, released December 9th via Taylor Gang Entertainment, “Like Me” follows up “Texting and Driving,” the first video single premiered in November by 2Dopeboyz, which finds Tuki defying the DMV amongst hula-hoopers, toy car joyriders, and footwork dancers and the smoke-filled video for the laidback “Get High Freestyle.”

PREMIERE: Tuki Carter Just Wants to be Great in “Like Me” Video

Carl Cox Partners with Babylon Festival in Australia

Today Babylon Festival, Australia’s new electronic music and lifestyle camping experience, has announced its partnership with techno pioneer and Ibiza King Carl Cox. Carl will act as an official partner on the event helping to curate the musical programming, shape the multi-faceted ethos, and will join the line-up as a headliner for the festival. With decades of experience playing and producing some of the best events in the world, Carl will bring his unparalleled knowledge of the electronic landscape to the Babylon community.

In Carl Cox’s own words, “I am super excited to be part of the Babylon family. The magic of a three-day camping event is something every Australian music fan should experience, especially in these amazing locations. Words can’t describe the fun to be had with friends at such gatherings.

MASTA KILLA SHARES “THERAPY” FEAT. METHOD MAN & REDMAN

Legendary Wu Tang Clan member Masta Killa returns with a new track titled “Therapy” feat. fellow clan-mate Method Man and honorary member Redman to cap off the year for the Adult Swim Singles Program. The track, produced by PF Cuttin, is the first single from MK’s forthcoming album Loyalty is Royalty on Nature Sounds and now available for free download via AdultSwim.com/Singles. Additionally, a limited edition flexi-disc of the song can be pre-ordered from mastakillamusic.net. Knowledge and wisdom reign supreme from the High Chief trading potent verses with Meth and Red as the duo team up for the piano-driven Wu-banger with nostalgic ease. Stay tuned, take a listen and share now.

BELLY PREMIERES VIDEO FOR “TRAP PHONE” FT. JADAKISS

Today rising rapper, songwriter and producer BELLY premieres his latest video for his song “Trap Phone” featuring Jadakiss. The video was directed by Spiff TV (Diddy, Drake, French Montana, Rick Ross) in New York City and features the duo driving and performing the song around the city, while playing homage to iconic hip hop videos of the past. The song is taken from Belly’s latest acclaimed mixtape, Inzombia, which was released earlier this fall and also features collaborations with the likes of Future, Young Thug and rising artist Nav.

Blackest Ever Black announces 12″ for NAAAHHH

Sidereal downers for all hardcore ravers. Five tracks of darkside slither from somewhere under London.

Frontier Ruckus premieres new video on Rolling Stone

Frontier Ruckus announces their new album, Enter The Kingdom, out February 17, 2017. The announcement of the Detroit-based band’s new album comes along with the premiere of their first single and video for “27 Dollars” via Rolling Stone Country. “With gentle 12-string guitar strumming, rolling banjo and almost bashful vocal harmonies, it’s a light and airy pop throwback about a girl who got a fancy job and left her average-Joe boyfriend behind,” said Rolling stone Country. Enter the Kingdom was recorded and produced by founding Wilco drummer Ken Coomer and is the band’s 5th and most lush record to date. Pre-order for the album is available this Friday, December 16.

Ramin Djawadi (Westworld, Game of Thrones) scores Zhang Yimou’s ‘The Great Wall’

Milan Records today announces that it will release the original orchestral soundtrack to the upcoming Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) epic, The Great Wall on February 17th in North America. The score was composed by three-time Primetime Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated composer Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones, Westworld, Pacific Rim). Rated PG-13, The Great Wall opens nationwide the same day.

Blair Crimmins Satirizes Current State of Music Industry with “You Gotta Sell Something”

“Now listen to me girls and guys, you can’t play unless you advertise, you gotta sell something if you want to play. So take your songs and your melodies, and get them up on the TVs. People buy most anything, you just got to give them that song to sing,” Blair Crimmins proclaims at the top of the title track from his new album You Gotta Sell Something!. The Atlanta-based Ragtime/Dixieland/Gypsy jazz artist, along with his band The Hookers, will release the album on February 17th via New Rag Records. Their fourth studio record following 2013’s Sing-a-Longs, it delivers more of their signature sound of supercharged Ragtime and Swing while also reaching into some new territory with Gospel and Soul. With “You Gotta Sell Something,” premiered this morning on Southern Living, Crimmins satirizes the current state of the music industry.

Music Premiere: Blair Crimmins’ “You Gotta Sell Something”

American Dreamer on IMPOSE’s Week in Pop

Last Friday American Dreamer was featured in IMPOSE’s Week in Pop who noted the song excels “with it’s great assemblage of strings & earnest & earth vibrations.”

The Dead Ships Reveal Live Animated “CITYCIDE” Video

The Dead Ships debut full-length LP CITYCIDE is out now via Nevado Music. The album is available to order digitally via iTunes and on CD & LP in the Nevado Music Online Store. CITYCIDE follows up The Dead Ships’ critically acclaimed EP 1 and includes singles “Company Line” as well as “Big Quiet” which spent five weeks at number one on KROQ’s Local’s Only. The Dead Ships have just announced February shows in Southern California. On Febraury 1, The Dead Ships will perform at the Casbah and on Febraury 2, they will headline the Roxy in West Hollywood.

The Dead Ships to headline The Roxy West Hollywood — share new animated live video

Huffington Post Premieres TENGGER CAVALRY Music Video for “kAAn”

Global Music Award-winning Nomadic Mongolian folk metal group TENGGER CAVALRY just released a brand new EP, entitled kAAn. Today, the band showcases the EP’s socially-conscious themes by revealing the new music video for the title track, “kAAn”, which puts oppression of nomadic cultures under the spotlight. Much like our country’s own Native American community, who are suffering from governmental and corporate oppression (i.e. Standing Rock), nomadic Mongolians have found their culture threatened by surrounding forces for generations. As brothers in nomadic culture, TENGGER CAVALRY penned “kAAn” as a beacon of support.

OSLO releases THE MORNING AFTER EP

OSLO first emerged on the Los Angeles music scene in 2005 with its self-titled debut album, which garnered accolades from Rolling Stone, LA times, Billboard and LA Weekly. After a reflective hiatus, OSLO returns with The Morning After EP, available everywhere.

Premiering exclusively with PureVolume, The Morning After EP is full of churning post-punk guitar over brit-pop vocals, with the outlet saying, “As you can hear on [The Morning After EP], there’s nothing like a little straightforward rock to brighten your day.”

Closely Premieres Single, “Years” Via CHART ATTACK

Closely is a new band from Toronto and “Years” is their 3rd single. They’ll be playing at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on January 6th with more releases and upcoming shows in the new year.

Toronto’s Closely make dance music about the march of time in “Years”

Låpsley Explores Post-Soviet Electronic Music in Tbilisi, Georgia in New THUMP Special

Today, THUMP is excited to debut a brand-new THUMP special, Låpsley in Tbilisi. Presented by YouTube Music, the short documentary follows the emerging 20-year-old musician and producer, Låpsley, as she travels to Tbilisi, Georgia to speak with local artists about why the electronic music scene is essential to the city’s social movement.

Deep Cuts shares instant Holiday classic, “Comatose Come Christmas”

Houston-based sophisti-pop group Deep Cuts shares a new Holiday song, “Comatose Come Christmas” via Self-Titled Mag. The accompanying video features all manner of retro Christmas footage and was assembled by Josiah Hall who plays sax in Deep Cuts.

Deep Cuts Share a Tribute to Egg Nog, Surviving the Holidays

FEELSCLUB release new single ‘1×1’ with sumptuous film clip

Brisbane purveyors of quirk-laden synth-pop FeelsClub today release their tropical new single ‘1×1’ (One By One) along with a deliciously lush video clip; they’re also set to embark on a steamy summer tour beginning on 6 January.

Touching on the all-too-relatable subject of tormented perfectionism, ‘1×1’ quite literally came to songwriter St Jonnie while in the shower, and was penned in a semi-dewy state. Taking cues from artists such as Talking Heads and Future Islands, with a scintillating bass riff and punchy percussion made mellow by airy, atmospheric synths, ‘1×1′ is FeelsClub’s second official single. Directed by Creative Clones’ Pernell Marsden (who’s worked for the likes of Disney & BBC internationally), the accompanying clip was borne from a vision of an extended bender steeped in D-grade decadence. Feathers, a vibrator, crystal bottles, and purple pineapples all feature in this dizzying, delightful descent down a hedonistic rabbit hole.

Colin Hay’s ‘Fierce Mercy’ coming on Compass Records on March 3, 2017

Fierce Mercy is an epic, cinematic step forward from singer-songwriter Colin Hay, most beloved for his intimate, confessional live shows but most widely known for being an influential and celebrated frontman. The range of artists who have chosen to cite him as a muse or who have found themselves on stage with him in the past year spans the genre landscape from heavy metal, to Americana, to Cuban rhythms and beyond. His inclusion as a playlist favorite from the likes of Metallica to The Lumineers reflects his continuing relevance and broad appeal.

The album is due out March 3, 2017 on Compass Records.

Recorded in both Los Angeles and Nashville and mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White) and Gordon Hammond (Buddy Miller, Don Williams), Fierce Mercy explores themes of love and loss, mortality, and even the odd UFO sighting, but always with the singular perspective and insightful wit that define Hay’s work. He has created a new classic in his impressive repertoire (this is his 13th solo release), using a palette of pop songcraft, Americana flourishes, and soundtrack-ready strings. Fierce Mercy is animated by its pensive, honest, and impassioned lyrics, and, Hay adds, by a sense of urgency felt deeply in the song “The Last to Know,” which introduces the album’s title concept of “fierce mercy.”

A preview for my Facebook friends – something from the new album, just in time for the holidays. Hope you enjoy!

Posted by Colin Hay on Thursday, December 15, 2016

Less Acrobats “Floating Opera” premiere via Northern Transmissions

Tel Aviv’s very own, Less Acrobats unveils their effervescent single “Floating Opera” via Northern Transmissions. PRESS HERE to listen. Band members Itai Nirenblat and Roi Keidar’s lush falsettos gives the song a seductive texture that merges with expansive synth chords and an R&B rhythmic baseline. The band describes the track as a “post truth” song influenced by a John Barth fantasy.

“Floating Opera” is from the quartet’s forthcoming debut EP, Stanza, out February 2017 via innovative music label BLDG 5 Records. BLDG 5’s roster and own compilation albums have been praised by Pitchfork, Stereogum, FACT, Clash, The FADER, NPR, SPIN, i-D and more.

Maxwell / Miranda / Parsley Share “Going To Get The Tree”

CLRVYNT has shared an acoustic video of “Going To Get the Tree” from Maxwell / Miranda / Parsley’s recently released Christmas album entitled ‘Catskill Christmas’. The trio previous released the single for “Going To Get The Tree” on Brooklyn Vegan. The album is out now via Dangerbird Records. Also, CLRVYNT did a “Late Night Seduction” interview with Holly Miranda which accompanies the video.

AWAKEN I AM SIGN TO VICTORY RECORDS

Brisbane, Australia’s dynamic rock outfit AWAKEN I AM have joined the Victory Records roster. Beginning their journey in 2012, AWAKEN I AM have taken the Australian rock scene and turned it on its head, bringing their unique sound to a dedicated, underground following worldwide. Formed by vocalist Adam Douglas, AWAKEN I AM rebirthed themselves in 2014 with the addition of drummer Luke McKenzie and guitarists Ned Jankovic and Connor Oakley. The instant energy of the band clicked and their DIY work ethic, drive and hunger caught the attention of Victory Records, who are proud to welcome the four-piece to the label family.

BILL & PHIL: Horror Icon Bill Moseley And Metal Legend Philip H. Anselmo Unite

Horror icon Bill Moseley – most notable as Chop Top in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, and Otis in Rob Zombie’s House Of 1000 Corpses and Devil’s Rejects – recently joined forces with extreme music legend Philp H. Anselmo (Down, Pantera, Superjoint, Scour, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, Arson Anthem etc.) for a very special collaborative release entitled Songs Of Darkness And Despair.

Set for official unveiling on January 20th 2017 via Anselmo’s own Housecore Records, the five-track offering was produced and performed by Anselmo and Stephen “The Big Fella” Berrigan (Down, SYK, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, Eyehategod, haarp, Classhole, etc.), and mastered by Scott Hull of Visceral Sound. Songs Of Darkness And Despair includes guest appearances by Kevin Bond (Superjoint) on guitar, Squizzy Squires (King Parrot) on bass and guitar, and José “Blue” Gonzalez (Superjoint, Warbeast, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals) on percussion.

JULIAN LENNON Re-Records “SALTWATER” for Silver Anniversary

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, photographer, documentarian and philanthropist, Julian Lennon, has re-recorded his hit single “Saltwater” to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release, announced today. Originally released in 1991 from his fourth studio album Help Yourself (Atlantic/Charisma Records), “Saltwater” has taken on a life of its own amongst fans and peers as a humanitarian call to action. The anniversary recording will release on Wednesday, December 14th, exclusively at JulianLennon.com and will go wide on digital platforms across the globe on December 30. A proportion of the Proceeds from single sales will go to The White Feather Foundation.

Produced by Lennon and Justin Clayton, mixed by Andreas Ahlenius, and mastered by Björn Engelman, ‘Saltwater’ was co-written with longtime collaborator Mark Spiro and Leslie Spiro in 1990, and was Lennon’s first stand on environmental conservation and the plight of indigenous peoples of the world. The single was certified platinum in Australia, topping the singles chart for four weeks, as well as reaching #6 on the UK singles charts, while also hitting Top 10 Radio throughout the rest of Asia & Europe.

Aftercluv launches first global radio station Aftercluv 107.5 FM from San Jose, Costa Rica

After successfully launching radio shows in Peru, Colombia, and Mexico, Aftercluv – Universal Music Latin America’s division dedicated to entertainment and dance music culture – is thrilled to announce the launch of its first major radio station: Aftercluv 107.5 FM Costa Rica. The station will broadcast from the cosmopolitan hub, San Jose in Costa Rica, and will feature shows by dance music icons and visionaries such as Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Afrojack, Martin Garrix and Armin van Buuren, as well as Aftercluv’s own talent including Alex Midi, Allan Ramirez, Atellagali, Club Banditz, SOLANO, Tom & Collins, El Dusty, Marcelo Cic, Dani 3Palacios, Jessica Audiffred and White Machine, among many others.