LA Weekly’s former movie critic, April Wolfe, runs your new favorite podcast
Switchblade Sisters is a podcast providing deep cuts on genre flicks from a female perspective. Every week, film critic April Wolfe sits down with a phenomenal female film-maker to slice-and-dice a classic genre movie – horror, exploitation, sci-fi and many others! Along the way, they cover craft, the state of the industry, how films get made, and more. The first three episodes included Emily Gordon (The Big Sick), Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, The Invitation) and Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse, Saved!).
Gainesville, FL Sports Reference Streaming ‘Somewhere Else’ EP
Gainesville, FL’s Sports Reference will release their new EP “Somewhere Else” EP tomorrow (January 5, 2018) via Emocat Records, but you can stream the whole thing now on New Noise.
Bear Call Announces Tour
With a skewed sense of romanticism and a fear of wasting youth, Skyler Warren started Bear Call with Nikk Moreno late 2014 in San Francisco, California. After recording a self-titled EP, the band’s songwriting collaboratively expanded to include Aaron Mortemore. The band blends 60s soul with melodic garage psych creating a sound described as something “reminiscent of a suburban coming-of-age film, replete with internal conflicts, punk ferocity and the hyperactivity of growing up in a stagnant neighborhood”.
Nash Boogie – ‘Choose Wisely’ (Official Video)
Fresh off dropping a loosie “UP” (Boogie Mix) about a week ago (week ago lol)!! Boogie is back with another visual from his latest project “Make America 08 Again” entitled “Choose Wisely.” In the visual Boogie takes advantage of his A3C experience in Atlanta,GA with some help from ATL based videographer “Perfect Take” as they capture the A in it’s true essence!! From the actual festival to the actual streets of ATL Boogie paints the town with a little bit of Kali steez!
Canadian Group SHADES OF SORROW Join Sliptrick Records
Shades of Sorrow is a heavy metal band from Moncton, New Brunswick Canada. Their sound is a blend of old and new metal with a splash of European influence. Shades of Sorrow are an eclectic group that has spent the last 10 years honing their sound and are ready to expand their reach to the rest of the world. With influences ranging from all over the musical spectrum, they seamlessly blend multiple genres into their signature heavy sound. The group has had the pleasure to perform with some of the best bands from the East Coast and the rest of Canada as well as international touring acts.
Don Broco release new single ‘Come Out to LA’
Don Broco have revealed their brand new single ‘Come Out To LA’, taken from their forthcoming album Technology, due for release on February 2nd through SharpTone Records.
Featuring one of the most brilliant, entertaining and OTT videos you’re likely to see this year – featuring death, dancing, robots, inter-band rivalries, mad scientists, insane TV performances and much, much more – ‘Come Out To LA’ showcases Don Broco pushing the boundaries both musically and visually.
NPR First Listen features Typhoon’s new album “Offerings”
Today, NPR’s First Listen has offered up an advance play of contemplative indie-rockers Typhoon’s forthcoming new album Offerings, which will be released January 12th via Roll Call Records.
Typhoon will also be making their much-anticipated, and long-awaited, first set of UK live appearance this coming February. The first of their dates at London’s The Lexington has sold out well in advance, with a second just added.
video premiere: KANTICA “Albatross”
The Symphonic metal band Kantica, have released the lyric video for the song “Albatross”, from the debut album “Reborn in Aesthetics”, which will be released on February, 02 via Revalve records.
The King of Chess, Magnus Carlsen, Wins Gold at World Blitz Chess Championship
The new King and Queens of Chess are crowned at the inaugural King Salman World Open and Women’s Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships in Saudi Arabia.
Described by players as a championship to remember, the World Open and Women’s Blitz Chess Championships kept onlookers from across the world with bated breath for the jam-packed affair. Saudi Arabia welcomed male and female players from 55 countries, among them 10 men and 11 women of world’s top players, in an effort to become a sporting hub and a beacon for change.
PRIEST New Single “Our Time Will Come”
Indie-Synthpop artist PRIEST releases the second single from her upcoming EP Lost Lions. “Our Time Will Come” opens with a captivating, soaring synth that takes listeners into the clouds, where they’re greeted with glittery guitars and pulsing, irresistible drum rhythms. Camille’s familiar but fresh vocal musings cry out to fans, “Hang on, lean on me! Our Time Will Come!” As her current fans know, and her new ones will find out, it’s hard not to ‘hang on’. Expect this song to find itself on repeat in your head long after it ends.
PRIEST is electronic-based indie-pop vocalist Camille Priest. Equal parts modern and nostalgic, PRIEST finds a balance between rich sonic textures and irresistible dance pop.
NEW MUSIC: YOUNGR – ‘OOH LORDY’
2018 is already set to be another step up for the multi-talented musician, songwriter and producer, with a U.S. and Canadian tour kicking off at the end of the month, including key support slots with tropical house commander Matoma on his ‘One In A Millon’ tour.
New Video! Axia Nation ft Yani, Papa San “Nothing Without You”
Native of the twin Caribbean islands Trinidad & Tobago, Yani is a singer, bassist, artist & founder of the fashion jewelry line “Yani Designs” , whose talents have been displayed all over the nation. Yani is also the band leader of Trinidad & Tobago’s first all female Gospel band known as Axia Nation whose music has reached the UK and Ghana in West Africa.
CORROSIVE: Watch the lyric video for “Lucifer Gave The Faith”
German death metallers Corrosive start 2018 with their brand new lyric video for the track “Lucifer Gave The Faith”, the title-track of the band’s latest effort released last December via MDD Records.
Calum Scott Premieres Video for New Single “You Are The Reason” Today
“You Are The Reason” is available now for download and streaming at all digital partners and is the first single from Scott’s debut album, Only Human, out March 9th on Capitol Records. The single is fast approaching 20 million worldwide streams combined, while the lyric video garnered over one million views within a few days- watch it here.
Ferris & Sylvester release new song ‘London’s Blues’
Ferris & Sylvester have released a brand new song ‘London’s Blues’, the new track is taken from their forthcoming EP Made In Streatham, out February 2nd. ‘London’s Blues’ has been launched today with strong support from Spotify who feature it prominently in their ‘New Music Friday’ playlist and Napster in the ‘New & Good’ playlist.
ST. BEAUTY ANNOUNCE DEBUT EP RUNNING TO THE SUN AVAILABLE JANUARY 19
Atlanta duo, St. Beauty have announced their highly anticipated debut EP RUNNING TO THE SUN will be released January 19 via Empire / Wondaland Records. RUNNING TO THE SUN is available now for pre-order on all digital retailers.
Fruition Premiere “Northern Town” at American Songwriter
Today, Fruition release “Northern Town”, the second single off their forthcoming album Watching It All Fall Apart, out February 2nd via LoHi Records. The song premiered at American Songwriter who said “The lonesome love song is built on a richly layered arrangement that swells and grows more hopeful as the song progresses. Coupled with previously released Watching It All Fall Apart track ‘I’ll Never Sing Your Name,’ it’s an intriguing taste of things to come.”
Leilani Wolfgramm, Debuts NEW Track via EARMILK
The track was produced by Wolfgramm, Fredro Odesjo (multi-platinum producer for Tohoshinki/TVXQ) and Joshua Sadlier-Brown (John Legend, Gogol Bordello, Kelly Buchanan). Already making waves in her genre,she has shared the stage with Ziggy Marley, Incubus, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, Sublime ft. Rome and New King. Jamsphere raves, “[Wolfgramm’s] voice isn’t matched by anyone else in pop right now, in terms of how she mixes high class elegance with lowdown and dirty grit. She’s the devil and a queen all wrapped in one.”
Rosie Carney shares ethereal cover of Cigarettes After Sex’s single, “K.”
Of her decision to cover “K” she says “I wanted to record a song that was released by one of my favorite artists this year. I chose ‘K’ by Cigarettes After Sex because, firstly I’m a huge fan of this band and their music and aesthetic, and secondly because this song definitely resonated with me the most from their new record. It’s such an honest song and I just love the message it carries. I love how relaxing and transcending the melody is. It’s one of those songs that I wish were mine.”
OLIVER TREE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “UPSIDE DOWN”
Oliver Tree, the Los Angeles-based genre-defying singer/songwriter/producer is back with new single, “Upside Down.” “Upside Down” blends Tree’s electronic influences with his signature distorted vocals. The track is now available at all DSPs and streaming services here.
FIRST AID KIT SHARES VIDEO FOR “FIREWORKS”
First Aid Kit has shared the official video for “Fireworks” – watch here. Directed by Mats Udd, the visual takes sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg back to the 80’s where they attend a high school prom that comes to an abrupt and mysterious end. “Fireworks” is the latest track from their forthcoming album, Ruins, and has been praised by The New York Times, Stereogum, SPIN, and more. Paste declares the song is “another gorgeous glimpse of First Aid Kit’s new record.”
Stav G New Single
Stav G is releasing her new single “My Sheltered Room” to coincide with the move. The track offers a scathing attack on the machinations of war and an open desire for dialogue and coexistence amongst people. All this is delivered with her signature mix of venom and melody.
SKIZZY MARS RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “2006”
Skizzy Mars returns today to release his new single, “2006.” The track is the rapper’s first solo release since his 2016 album, “Alone Together.” Skizzy celebrated the album’s release with a North American headline tour spanning April of 2016. More recently, Skizzy Mars was featured on VICE’s “Steady 1234” alongside Jasmine Thompson, which boasts over 100 million streams to date.
Craig Connelly Featuring Kate Miles
Craig Connelly’s a man who knows how to start a New Year the right way. He kicked off 2017 with the release of his album debut ‘One Second Closer’ and he’s quicker off the blocks yet again in 2018 with new single ‘Lost Without You’.
Representing new post-‘One Second Closer’ material from the Manchester-based producer, it sees him on a first time studio-connect with singer Kate Miles.
Consumers Surprise Industry with New Information About Music Spend
MusiComms™, the leading organization dedicated to the future of music distribution, announced today the results of its latest industry research. The survey, which was conducted in Q4 2017, polled 5,000 consumers across all demographics and regions across the United States.
How much will consumers pay for music? Will they ever pay more? How will this type of information impact music business strategy? Those are the types of questions MusiComms posed to consumers in their latest survey. Here’s what they learned:
Most people get their music for free today. 52% of people indicated that they do not pay anything currently for their music. Of that number, 29% said their primary source is free AM/FM radio. That number was followed by 15% who listen to free Internet-based music services, and 7% referred to Internet video sites.
40% of consumers polled will never pay more for music. When asked what would motivate consumers to pay more, a whopping 40% responded that they would never pay more.
40% of consumers polled said they would pay more for music! A significantly important 25% said they would pay more if they knew it was better for artists and creators. 15% said they would pay more if they knew it could help save the music industry.
Some people will never pay for music. 17% of people said they will never pay for music.
People want their music at home from devices. When asked about accessibility, most people want their music from the Internet, and many of those people want it from an in-home device.
People buy music from technology companies and service providers. When asked where they will get their music, 23% percent said through a retailer, and 77% said everywhere else (TV provider, phone, electronics, car, utility).
NO1-NOAH PREMIERES “KICK ME DOWN”
NO1 NOAH says, please don’t kick him down or count him out, with his latest visual for his single, “Kick Me Down”. The artist grind is not an easy one to say the least and recording artist, NO1 is going through the motions when it comes to his life and his career.
“Kick Me Down” is a song that I made while I was going through a crucial moment of self doubt, but also, doubt from people around me. I wanted to motivate people who are going through something similar and inspire them, to be the best they can be. The video shows that when you want something you gotta go and get it, take action and get what you want, and accomplish what you wish.” – NO1 NOAH
CRAIG DAVID REVEALS MUSIC VIDEO FOR “I KNOW YOU” FT. BASTILLE
Craig David today reveals the official music video for his new single, “I Know You” ft. Bastille. The track is currently on BBC Radio 1’s “A” list and has been streamed over 12 million times on Spotify worldwide. The New York Times proclaims, “The Craig David comeback is in full flower, graduating from hybrid DJ set-performances to king-size collaborations…’I Know You’…begins with nods to club music, but at the hook it begins to swell, and in comes an unlikely partner: Bastille’s Dan Smith,…who here sings at his meatiest, perhaps mindful of the royal company he’s in.”
NEW MUSIC // NYC-BASED PRELOW RELEASE NEW SONG “GOES TO SHIT”
New York City-based Prelow has released their brand new song available now via all DSPs – listen to “Goes To Shit” HERE. With their latest track, co-written with rising pop songstress Phoebe Ryan, and London O’Connor, after a late night out, Prelow continues to capture the essence of coming-of-age in NYC nightlife with wisdom and wit.
Anderson East’s “Encore” now streaming exclusively at NPR Music
Of East and producer Dave Cobb, NPR Music declares, “they’ve bested themselves with Encore, drawing inspiration from the sophistication of Donny Hathaway’s compositions and arrangements, the grandness of Van Morrison’s Caledonia Soul Orchestra and the dashing song interpretation of Joe Cocker.”
KID INK RELEASES NEW TRACK “TELL SOMEBODY”
Today, Chart-topping, multi-platinum selling rapper and producer Kid Ink releases a new track entitled “Tell Somebody” via Tha Alumni Music Group/88 Classic/ RCA Records. The track is now available at all digital service providers.
Alex Aiono Releases Virtual Reality Video For “One At A Time Feat. T-Pain” Today, January 5th
Having released the audio just before Christmas, 21-year old Interscope recording artist Alex Aiono releases an accompanying Virtual Reality formatted video for “One At A Time feat. T-Pain” today, January 5. The video was directed by Nancy Bennett and shot in the Los Angeles Arts District in VR and is available for viewing on VR headsets and in 360. Watch the video for “One At A Time feat. T-Pain” HERE.
Becca Mancari Announces Tour Dates with Nikki Lane, The Lone Bellow, The Weeks and Bermuda Triangle
After a banner 2017 that marked the release of her critically-acclaimed debut album Good Woman, Nashville’s Becca Mancari is announcing 2018 tour dates with Nikki Lane, The Lone Bellow, and The Weeks. Mancari will also hit the road with Bermuda Triangle, her band with Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard and songwriter Jesse Lafser.
ALL PIGS MUST DIE Announces West Coast Tour With Baptists In February
In support of their monstrous 2017-released Hostage Animal, ALL PIGS MUST DIE has announced a string of West Coast shows in support of the album. These shows follow the band’s East Coast record release mini-tour which closed out the year, and mark their anticipated return to the West Coast in five years. With Vancouver-based labelmates Baptists on the lineup as well, this will be a tour not to miss. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 8th at 10am in each respective market; see the full routing below.
Maxo Kream Announces 1/12 ‘Punken’ Album Ft. Trippie Redd and 03 Greedo
Known for his hypnotic and witty rhyming style, Houston’s Maxo Kream inspires a cult following with his outsized personality and absorbing music. Returning with a new batch of grimy, addictive rap songs, Maxo announces Punken, his upcoming album. Featuring critically acclaimed singles such as the deeply personal “Grannies,” the banging, minimalist “Bussdown,” and the ethereal “5200,” Punken is an impressive, sonically diverse project. Building upon 2015’s debut Maxo 187 and 2016’s accomplished and self-aware The Persona Tape, Punken finds the young rapper on top of his game, flashing clever wordplay and expanding his beat selection to incorporate elements of grime, cloud rap, and electronic music. Featuring appearances from Trippie Redd, 03 Greedo, and D. Flowers, and with production from The Wlderness, Beatboy, Sonny Digital, Ethereal, Honorable C Note, $uicideboy$, Tommy Kruise, Wolfe De Mchls, Teddy Walton, and MexikoDro, Punken releases on January 12th.
Mixtape: HoodRich Pablo Juan – Rich Hood
Hailed by Stereogum as “Atlanta’s Next Up,” Hoodrich Pablo Juan captivates with his soft-spoken flow and nimble wordplay. Enlisting Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, Gunna, Key Glock, among others, Hoodrich Pablo Juan is ringing in the new year with his Rich Hood mixtape hosted by DJ Scream and DJ Champ. The tape follows the Cassius Jay-produced, Shad Da God/YSL Duke/Gunna-featuring “Chanel Swag,” a twinkling, auto-tuned anthem dedicated to the finer things in life. With highlights like “Street Punk” featuring Lil Yachty and “Ball Like A Bitch” featuring Key Glock, Rich Hood has the 1017 signee collaborating with some of Trap’s finest.
Tragic Hero Records welcomes Eternal Void to the roster
As 2018 is now upon us, Tragic Hero Records is proud to announce the first signing of the new year with Ohio based, Eternal Void. The band is excited to premiere the first single, “Element,” off “Catharsis” which will be out on March 2nd.
Finding the perfect fit for a partnership can be a difficult task, but being longtime fans of the label, the choice to work with THR was an easy one for Eternal Void. Vocalist Logan Adams shared, “We are extremely excited to be a part of the Tragic Hero family, which has a rich history of amazing artists. We couldn’t ask for a better team to have our back.”
Artists spend years perfecting their sound and creating music that encompasses who they are not only as individuals, but as a band. With the premiere of the first single, “Element,” fans get a glimpse of what to expect from the record. Adams explained, “Element is the first song where we felt we found our sound. It’s full of quick tempo changes and technical passages that make it a blast to play live.”
AWARD-WINNING DANISH ARTIST & SONGWRITER SOLEIMA SHARES NEW TRACK ‘LOW LIFE’
“Low Life” continues Soleima’s ever-adventurous journey into off-kilter sonics, with a sound that evolves with a confident step into neo-soul. Utilizing layers of looped sounds – bouncing bass, back-to-basics percussion and Soleima’s singular vocal style – the disparate elements combine for a compelling track with a playful sophistication that rewards repeated listens. The Danish artist often describes her music as garage pop and “Low Life” is a clear reflection of this – modernist pop with a hand-crafted sense of character.
YOUNGR RELEASES NEW PROJECT ‘THIS IS NOT AN ALBUM’
Kicking off the year with a bang, Youngr today announces the release of new collection ‘This Is Not An Album’, led by new single ‘Ooh Lordy’, via Island Records.
‘This Is Not An Album’ is a collection of Youngr’s releases to date, including the likes of goliath hit ‘Out Of My System’, ‘Monsters’, recent release ‘Give It Up’, plus new single ‘Ooh Lordy’, an instantly euphoric slice of house-pop genius that sees Youngr at his jubilant, effervescent best.
UK’s Sea Girls Unleash New Single Heavenly War
Sea Girls are pleased to share details of a new single, in a series of imminent releases from the fast-breaking new band. Kicking off 2018, Huw Stephens cherry-picked Sea Girls as Ones To Watch For 2018 during his R1 show. Following quickly on the heels of the R1 approved What For, Heavenly War furthers the bold claim that Sea Girls are one of the most reliable new bands for penning these instant indie-disco, festival ready anthems. . Written and fronted by Henry Camamile, Heavenly War now follows Call Me Out, Lost, and What For as another timely example of what this young British band are capable of. On this side of the pond Sirius XM’s Alt Nation is an early supporter.
BillBoard Names Jessie Chris Artist to Watch in 2018
BillBoard today released their annual Artists to Watch List and on it you will find twenty-year old Jessie Chris. Chris is coming off of a very impressive 2017 which included making her National TV Debut on The TODAY Show when she was the first country artist to be named Artist of The Month by the legendary Elvis Duran.
Chris, who was the youngest performer at the 2015 CMA Festival returned to the iconic event in 2017 with a performance on the Radio Disney Country Stage and earlier in the year joined Kelsea Ballerini, LoCash, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina on the Disney healing anthem “The Human Race” which reached #6 on iTunes Hot Tracks.
Jussie Smollett Releases New Original Song “Freedom”
“It’s a song about complete bliss, not the fantasy or some false sense of security, but love in its most honest and pure form. Whether it’s love for your partner, your family, your people or yourself, when Love is true, there’s a feeling that you can literally fly. That’s what I want for myself and every creature on this planet. To me that’s true Freedom.” – Jussie Smollett
“Texas” from Portland (OR) act Maxwell Cabana
The act Maxwell Cabana was born in a hazy ’02 Corolla, in the parking lot of a fried chicken joint up in Seattle. It was there that his journey began, and with a basket of chicken and a mix CD of classic Soul tunes, he got to work. Nowadays, his psychedelic R&B quartet includes Seattle native Murray McCulloch on guitar and vocals, Portland’s own Noah Puggarana on keys, and Chicago-born brothers Sean and Jamie Higgins on bass and drums, respectively.
ANCESTORS Joins The Pelagic Records Roster
Pelagic Records is pleased to welcome Los Angeles’ ANCESTORS to their eclectic roster for the release of their forthcoming new full-length.
ANCESTORS manifests mighty, modern music that dovetails innovative arrangement, crushing primordial riff interplay, and melodic instrumental passages with textural atmospherics. The band was forged in 2006. A deal with Tee Pee Records resulted in four critically acclaimed, expansive albums, which incorporated the heaviness of doom metal with the vast dynamics of post-rock, the structural elements of progressive rock, and the fluidity of psychedelic rock.
KILLER DWARFS SIGN TO EMP LABEL GROUP
Canadian Metal favorites KiLLeR DWaRfS have signed to EMP LABEL GROUP, who are set to release the band’s long awaited live set LIVE, NO GUFF in stores April 13th. 2018 will also see EMP reissues of the band’s recent catalog, including the independently released START@ONE, the band’s previously unreleased studio album from 1993, and WIRELESS, the solo acoustic release from vocalist RUSS DWARF. EMP will also release a 2019 new studio album from Killer Dwarfs, and a new studio album from RUSS DWARF.
WE WERE SHARKS PREMIERE MUSIC VIDEO “ASHLEY”
At just eighty-two seconds in length and loads of punk rock shenanigans, WE WERE SHARKS have released the raucous new video ‘Ashley,’ from their upcoming album Lost Touch. The album will be available February 23 through Victory Records, just as the Canadian six piece will wrap up their second tour behind the new record.
