SKOPE NEWS FOR FEBRUARY 22, 2018 @ 1 PM EST

Jake Ward’s “Not Too Far to Reach” Soars to #1 on Texas Regional Radio

Country singer-songwriter, Jake Ward, is celebrating his 4th consecutive #1 single on Texas radio with “Not Too Far to Reach” as it tops Texas Regional Radio Report. “Not Too Far to Reach” was written by Jake Ward, Mark Addison Chandler, and Davis Corley and was produced by Mason Shirley (Sound Machine Studio, Corpus Christi, TX). The song was inspired by his wife and is the first single off the four-track EP of the same title, which was released in October 2017 and is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

BRUCE LAMONT: Revolver Premieres “Goodbye Electric Sunday” Video

Broken Limbs Excite No Pity is the long-awaited second full-length from BRUCE LAMONT (Yakuza, Corrections House, Brain Tentacles et al). Set for release via War Crime Recordings next month, with his latest studio output LAMONT demonstrates an ability to create hypnotic, ominous, emotionally resonant, and even somehow transcendent arrangements of patterned sound. These aren’t “songs” like you hear on the radio. They’re literally sound art. This is an album you dunk your head in like a bucket of ice water, and when you pull it back out, you’re not the same person you were before.

New Music: XXXTentacion “HOPE”

Florida rapper/singer/songwriter, XXXTentacion, returns with a new song dedicated to the victims of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that tragically transpired last week. X included the following message on his Soundcloud page:

“follow your dreams, and know that even though you have lost, you have guardian angels watching over you, day in and day out, the last thing they want is for their lives to be lost in vein, make them proud! live full, healthy, genius lives!”

Greyhaven Premiere New Single “Blemish”

Progressive metal act, Greyhaven, returned today with “Blemish” – the second single from their upcoming Graphic Nature / Equal Vision Records full-length Empty Black. “Blemish”, which premiered today with Metal Injection, comes a week ahead of the band’s North American tour with Norma Jean, Gideon and Toothgrinder that commences February 27th at Murray Hill in Jacksonville, Florida.

Young Jesus release video for “Green”

Los Angeles via Chicago experimental outfit Young Jesus have released a new video for their single “Green” which premiered this morning on Brooklyn Vegan. The band recently signed with celebrated indie label Saddle Creek who will be releasing the band’s new album S/T physically this Friday. The album is available digitally now.

Seven Eyed Crow to release ‘Organized Chaos’ this spring

A few days after unveilling a first audio excerpt from their upcoming effort, French alternative band Seven Eyed Crow (rock/metal/progressive crossover) just inked a deal with Send The Wood Music // Lunatik Music // Season of Mist // The Orchard and will release ‘Organized Chaos’ on April 27th for CD & Digital editions.

Watch the new video to Branko & PEDRO’s club smash, ‘MPTS’

‘MPTS’, a shortened, Portuguese SMS term for ‘Meus Putos’ — which loosely translates to mean ‘my crew’ — is a new collaborative single between Branko and PEDRO, formerly known as KKing Kong.

2018 Oscars Facts: 90th Academy Awards By The Numbers – WalletHub Report

With the 90th Academy Awards just 10 days away, WalletHub today released its 2018 Oscars Facts report, which includes an infographic filled with fun facts about the event as well as a Q&A with a panel of entertainment experts.

Band Of Gold premiere new single ‘Well Who Am I’ at PopMatters

Today, Band Of Gold have premiered the new single ‘Well Who Am I’ from their forthcoming album ‘Where’s The Magic’ at PopMatters where it was described as ‘a really unique take on pop music with the gentle funky beats, lean arrangements, sudden swells of a guitar rocking out. It’s a minimal canvas with carefully chosen elements that somehow coalesce into an addicting and intriguing sound.’.

Editors Unveil Video For New Song ‘Hallelujah (So Low)

Editors today unveil the video for Hallelujah (So Low), the next song to be unveiled from forthcoming album Violence. The song was premiered on Radio 1 as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record In The World on Wednesday 21st February.

Diamante reveals Thelma And Louise inspired video for ‘Had Enough’

As her sultry and show-stopping video for ‘Coming In Hot’ crosses 1 Million YouTube streams, 21-year-old Diamante shows she’s more than meets the eye in the brand new video for her female empowerment video anthem ‘Had Enough’.

SCUMPULSE: Rotten Full-Length By UK Grinders Streaming At No Clean Singing

Rotten, the new full-length from Edinburgh, Scotland blackened grindcore squad, SCUMPULSE, is now streaming in its entirety at No Clean Singing ahead of its release this Friday through Gore House Productions.

Brand new video from Sweden’s Janice: “You Only Say You Love Me in the Dark”

Just as a refresher – Janice (pronounced Jah-NEES) is just getting started over here in the US but in Sweden, she’s been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Act, her song “Answer” from the new album has gone gold, and she just performed her song “Queen” at the P3 Guld Awards.

THE FRATELLIS Release New Video for “Starcrossed Losers”… On Tour!

THE FRATELLIS are back with a video for their single “Starcrossed Losers”, another little taster from their upcoming fifth studio album In Your Own Sweet Time, released by Cooking Vinyl on March 16, 2018. “Starcrossed Losers” is a raucous Romeo & Juliet riff that perfectly encapsulates the madcap absurdist abandon of the Brit Award-winning Glaswegian trio’s forthcoming LP.

BIGMOTHERGIG release RUSSIAN MEDDLING playlist

BIG MOTHER GIG today shared a 15-song playlist called “RUSSIAN MEDDLING” which is a soundtrack to listen to “while watching the Russians hack our next election.”

Includes songs by Beach Slang, UK Subs, Gogol Bordello, t.a.t.u, Jeff Rosenstock, Soviet Soviet, Dead Kennedys, Scruffy The Cat, Fear, The Blow Monkeys, Big Mother Gig and more.

Jukebox the Ghost Releases “Everybody’s Lonely” Video

Jukebox the Ghost today shares the joyful video for their new single “Everybody’s Lonely” – the first single from new studio album Off To The Races, set to be released March 30th via Jukebox the Ghost/Caroline. The single impacted Alternative & AAA Radio last week and has made a quick impression with programmers & audiences alike, breaking into the Top 50 its first week out with spins at Los Angeles’ Alt 98.7, Denver’s KTCL, and dozens of other stations across the country! Check out an interview with Consequence of Sound which details the songs origins & inspirations here.

Jukebox the Ghost share the Origins of their new single “Everybody’s Lonely”: Stream

Molly Brazy “Trust None”

Detroit-based rapper Molly Brazy was born in 1999 and first dabbled with music through posting videos of her freestyles on her various social media channels. The seeds of some unpolished talent were apparent in these videos, and hype from her content eventually led to significant exposure on YouTube hip-hop channel 4Sho Magazine. 4Sho regularly featured new tracks from Brazy beginning in 2016, and the rapper’s profile grew significantly.

Lynyrd Skynyrd to Perform Exclusive Concert in Atlanta for SiriusXM

SiriusXM announced today that Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform a special invitation-only show for SiriusXM on Thursday, March 15 at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta. The exclusive performance for SiriusXM subscribers will feature Lynyrd Skynyrd playing music from throughout their career before the band embarks on its two-year farewell tour, Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour.

PVRIS UNVEIL LIVE ACOUSTIC VIDEO FOR “HEAVEN”

Today, PVRIS released the live acoustic video for their hit single, “Heaven,” which appears on their sophomore full-length studio album, All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell (August 2017, BMG/Rise). The record hit #5 on Billboard’s Rock Chart, #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and has been praised in the press by the likes of Alternative Press, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, NME, and more.

Sylence 100 – Pray First

“Pray First” happens to be the first new release from the artist in the last couple months, however it was worth the wait. Sylence 100 delivers bars the NYC way over a thumping beat. No word on whether this will be on his new project but the song is definitely catchy. The expresses his wishes of the good life through what may be a loose prayer

City Harvest’s 35th Anniversary Gala Honors José Andrés, Bill & Wendy Mills, Robin Hood, and Chrissy Teigen

City Harvest will host its 35th Anniversary Gala, will honor José Andrés, Bill & Wendy Mills, Robin Hood, and Chrissy Teigen. The evening will support the organization’s work to rescue good food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to New Yorkers in need.

City Harvest’s 35th Anniversary Gala Benefit Committee includes Alex Guarnaschelli, Anita Lo, Bill Teleplan, Dana Cowin, Dominique Ansel, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Marc Murphy, Margaret and Geoffrey Zakarian, Rocco DiSpirito, Ron Ben-Israel, Scott Conant, and Ted Allen.

MADISON Premieres Touch Tone Remix Of “Hustle”

The reigning queen of infectious pop, Madison, teams up with LA based producer Touch Tone to put a brand new spin on her mesmerizing new single “Hustle”. Out today on her own label, G Records, the track is dedicated to female empowerment and pairs the original version’s high octane beats combined with Madison’s signature sticky-sweet vocals with a propulsive, elastic beat behind this dazzling dark pop gem. Premiering on This Song Slaps, you can listen to the Touch Tone remix of “Hustle” HERE.

Logan Lynn Jay Mohr short film “My Movie Star”

Actor and Comedian-turned-Producer Jay Mohr (Saturday Night Live, “Jerry Maguire”, FOX’s “The Mick”) and Portland, Oregon-based musician Logan Lynn have joined forces with T-Pain muse GLASYS to create “My Movie Star”, a multi-media double album, accompanying remixes and covers record, and a featurette by the same name. The record features collaborations with 80’s pop icon Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now”), Jarryd James, Rian Lewis, The Dandy Warhols and more, and is due out later this year.

New Music Video From Mystic Roots Band

Roots Musician Records and Top Shelf Reggae are proud to announce the permiere of Mystic Roots Band latest video for their track “Remind Me.” The song comes off of their latest release from Roots Musician Records entitled “Change”
The hook of the song feautres the lyrics from the classic 80’s tune “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes, while the rest of the song holds the reggae, hip-hop vibe fans have come to love from Mystic Roots Band.

AMERICA’S MOST EXPENSIVE MARGARITA TO BE SERVED IN NYC

National Margarita Day will be in full celebration on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Selena Rosa Restaurant as they offer “America’s most expensive margarita.” The record-breaking drink was created by a Mexican-American bartender Marco Antonio, inspired by the historic 70th anniversary of the cocktails’ invention.

Dubbed the “Silk Stocking Margarita,” after the influential neighborhood where it was innovated, the drink will cost a whopping $2,500, and will be served alongside caviar tacos and other contemporary Mexican-fusion delicacies. The upper-class cocktail will be made with Clase Azul Ultra Anejo Tequila, which costs over $1,500 per 750ML retail. Additionally, the cocktail will be rimmed with a blend of exclusive Mexican-salts, and garnished with a fresh-cut lime and spiral-cut jalapeño, skewered by a mini beach umbrella, and complimented by rose pedals.

Olivia Nelson – Smother Me

Emerging new artist, Olivia Nelson. Olivia’s breakout track was a feature on Soulection producer Jarreau Vandal’s Someone That You Love, currently at 6 million streams.

On 2nd Feb, the London based singer-songwriter released brilliant new soulful single ‘Smother Me’, premiered by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target as UK unsigned and now at 170K plays on Youtube.

Olivia’s new single is a great blend of smooth vocals, passionate lyrics and cleverly crafted production by Jarreau Vandal.

DE LA MUERTE “The Last Duel” Lyric video

The Hard ‘n’ Heavy metal band De La Muerte, have released a brand new Lyric video for the single “The Last Duel”, from the album “Venganza”

Netflix Debuts Trailer for New Original Film Roxanne Roxanne

In the early 1980s, the most feared battle MC in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenage girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. At the age of 14, Lolita “Roxanne Shanté” Gooden was well on her way to becoming a hip-hop legend as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the streets of the Queensbridge Projects in NYC.

Tony Njoku Shares Shapeshifting and Arresting New Track ‘Remain Calm’

“I moved in the middle of winter. The first thing I noticed was how much calmer London was than Lagos, and how orderly everything was. But most of all, I didn’t have to fight at school anymore. At least not as much.”

The elite boarding schools of Lagos were dominated by the frustrated offspring of politicians and tycoons, and governed by tyrannous Christian fanatics. Kids there grow up fast. Tony Njoku was no different.

FORM ARCOSANTI ANNOUNCES 2018

FORM Arcosanti, the annual 3-day creative retreat & festival curated by Hundred Waters, has announced the initial music lineup, cultural programming partners, and social impact partner for its 2018 edition, which will take place the weekend of May 11-13, 2018 in the desert eco-city of Arcosanti, AZ. Surrounded by iconic architecture and landscapes, an intimate community of participants will have the opportunity to experience performances by Chance The Rapper, Charli XCX, Beach House, Fleet Foxes, Skrillex, Courtney Barnett, Blood Orange, Daniel Caesar, Hundred Waters, Mount Kimbie, Willow, Dirty Projectors, Mitski, Zola Jesus, Jenny Hval, and many more in a wholly unique setting – see full list of announced performers below.

Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards) shares new song

“This song sort of sums up the whole album in a lot of ways,” says Wennerstrom. “‘Twisted Highway’ is the process of learning more self awareness and self acceptance. Writing songs over the years has forced me to do a lot of self-reflection, and I haven’t always liked what I see. I really needed to change my way of thinking though. I chose to focus on the negatives within myself. I really needed to stop and take a look at what’s good in my life. I have a lot of love in my life and I have had some truly beautiful experiences and opportunities. I was so focused on where I was going instead of appreciating where my life was. Going forward never stops. I don’t really have to propel myself. I need to smell the flowers, taste the food, and see the beauty around me.”

Camp Cope Premiere New Album ‘How To Socialise & Make Friends’ Via NPR Music’s ‘First Listen’

The ‘First Listen’ follows the release of singles “The Opener” and the title track, which have earned praise from outlets including Pitchfork (“searing… never sounded more powerful”), Stereogum (“a powerful indictment of sexism in the music industry and the ways in which toxic masculinity leads to doors being shut”), NY Magazine’s Vulture (‘Best New Songs of the Week’), Uproxx (“…yet another sign that How To Socialise & Make Friends is going to be a standout record in 2018”), KEXP (‘Song of the Day’), and SPIN (“a downcast, all-too-real protest of the status quo”), among others. NPR Music also premiered a live video of “The Opener” in January, which was filmed in the Utzon Room at Sydney Opera House, saying the track is “scathing… a song that speaks directly to issues not only of representation, but also indie rock’s virtue signalling.”

INSECURE MEN DEBUT IS ALBUM OF THE WEEK ON THE GUARDIAN

Insecure Men, the band led by the fiercely talented songwriter and musician Saul Adamczewski (Fat White Family) and his schoolmate (and Childhood main man) Ben Romans-Hopcraft, release their forthcoming self-titled debut album tomorrow on Fat Possum.

Insecure Men

Joan Baez’s Whistle Down The Wind now streaming via NPR Music’s “First Listen” + Album out March 2

Joan Baez’s highly anticipated new album, Whistle Down The Wind, is exclusively streaming now via NPR Music’s “First Listen,” who proclaim, “This particular batch of folk songs amplifies Baez ever-present gift for interpretation.”

Foreigner Announces First Ever Orchestral Album and Companion Tour

I Want To Know What Love Is, Cold As Ice, Waiting For A Girl Like You, Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero. FOREIGNER‘s timeless anthems continue to rock the charts with ten multi-platinum albums, sixteen Top 30 hits and album sales now exceeding 75 million copies. For the first time ever, FOREIGNER will present all their hits with a 58 -piece orchestra and a 60-piece choir with FOREIGNER with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus available on April 27th, 2018 via earMUSIC.

ILSA: Revolver Premieres “Long Lost Friend”

Horror-obsessed, underground cult ILSA shares “Long Lost Friend” off their imminent new full-length Corpse Fortress set for release via Relapse Records next month. The latest track features guest guitars by Lasse Pyykkö of Hooded Menace.

TOM GRENNAN UNVEILS VIDEO FOR “SOBER”

“Sober” serves as another taste of Tom’s forthcoming debut album Lighting Matches out this May via Insanity Records/Columbia Records. The album was produced by Grammy award-winning producer, Fraser T Smith (Adele, Stormzy, Kano, Plan B) and Dan Grech (Liam Gallagher, The Killers, Radiohead). The album also features hit single “Found? What I’ve Been Looking For,” which was being used as the title music to Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage and has racked up over 14 million streams to date. In March, Grennan is set to embark on his biggest sold-out headline tour across the UK.

JANELLE MONÁE TO RELEASE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED THIRD ALBUM DIRTY COMPUTER APRIL 27TH

GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter/performer/producer/actress/activist, Janelle Monáe, unveiled new details of her highly-anticipated third solo album project, DIRTY COMPUTER. The “Emotion Picture” includes an album and an accompanying narrative film. The album is available for pre-order beginning today and arrives everywhere Friday, April 27th. Release date for the accompanying narrative film to be announced soon.

Turn Up the Heat with Fortune’s Worldwide Release of “LondonPxrisTokyo”

Rugged, sensual, and innovative, “LondonPxrisTokyo” by the United Kingdom’s Fortune, is a heart pounding thrill ride, and the perfect way to turn up the heat with that special someone. Designed for the club, ready for the radio, and destined to soundtrack steamy nights around the world, “LondonPxrisTokyo” is a journey into the best of contemporary RnB. Atmospheric and fun, this is a great album for shaking off the winter blues and preparing for the sun and fun of the summer to come.

John Craigie Releases New Track “Talkin’ Leviticus Blues”

Documenting a pair of sold out performances at Mississippi Studios and The Doug Fir late last year, the Portland, OR-based John Craigie will take the unique step of issuing a second live album in his relatively young career with the release of LIVE – Opening For Steinbeck (out March 16). With wry observational humor interwoven in both story and song, the album is an ideal introduction to an artist doing something that’s simultaneously old and brand new.

Vancouver Pop Punk Band CHIEF STATE Sign with Mutant League Records

The band says, “We’re stoked to have this opportunity to work with MLR, the label has put out some incredible music and has helped propel the careers of a bunch of our favourite bands. We’re really honoured to be added to the roster and can’t wait to release the new EP!”

GASHI SHARES NEW TRACK AND VIDEO FOR “1134”

On the heels of announcing that he will join Big Sean’s “Unfriendly Reminder” tour this spring, Brooklyn-raised artist GASHI today releases a new track and accompanying video for “1134” via Honesty Saves Time/RCA Records.