HALSEY ANNOUNCES HOPELESS FOUNTAIN KINGDOM / WORLD TOUR THE FINAL INSTALLMENT
GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum songstress Halsey announces her 2018 summer world tour dates! All over the world, Halsey will be accompanied by a team of incredible, buzzing, and accomplished female artists. In Australia & New Zealand, Bay Area hit maker Kehlani will be a special guest. In Latin America, Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, featured on Halsey’s “Strangers,” will be supporting on her debut tour. Rising soul crooner Jessie Reyez will support Halsey on the North American leg, produced by Live Nation. Jakarta’s own emerging singer, Niki, will accompany Halsey on tour in Asia.
The Armed mellow out w/ “Luxury Themes”
Check out a new song from Detroit punk/hardcore/experimental collective The Armed. Known for their chaotic/progressive hardcore stylings The Armed mellow out with a song you can bring home to mom. Shoegaze-y with pop/industrial sensibility “Luxury Themes” is off their forthcoming LP ONLY LOVE due April 27th via No Rest Until Ruin (US) / Throatruiner (UK).
LAUREN ALAINA, MIDLAND, AND BRETT YOUNG ANNOUNCED AS NEW ARTIST WINNERS
The Academy of Country Music® revealed the winners of the new artist categories for the 53rd ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. Lauren Alaina, Midland, and Brett Young have been named New Female Vocalist of the Year, New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, and New Male Vocalist of the Year, respectively. The winners received a surprise phone call from 53rd ACM Awards® host Reba McEntire notifying them of the news. In addition, Lauren Alaina, Midland, and Brett Young will all perform on the ACM Awards, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Over the weekend @Reba called the ACM New Artist of the Year winners to let them know they had won! Let’s just say our New Female Vocalist of the Year had us all in tears. Congrats @Lauren_Alaina! #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/q0DN9jJuje
— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) March 26, 2018
Scotty McCreery Cements Fourth No. 1 Album
Scotty McCreery has walked through many seasons, both hot and cold, since breaking onto the country music scene in 2011, and yet, it seems as though this is only the beginning. His new album, Seasons Change, arrived at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart, marking his fourth full album to enter at No. 1 on a Billboard album chart, selling more than 40,000 units in its release week (released 3/16/18), one of the strongest first weeks for a country music album in the last year.
Seasons Change, joins McCreery’s Clear As Day (2011), Christmas With Scotty McCreery (2012) and See You Tonight (2013), all of which reached chart-topping success in their respective album release cycles. The album was produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis.
HANSON’s Hop Jam Beer & Music Fest announce 5th annual event
Oklahoma’s largest Craft Beer and Music festival will turn five years old this May. The downtown festival staged at the heart of the Tulsa Arts District, which was founded in 2014 by Tulsa stalwarts HANSON and their Hanson Brothers Beer Company with McNellie’s Group, will introduce an increasingly diverse and impressive list of breweries from Oklahoma, across the US, and around the world, alongside a free All-Ages concert with a robust music lineup, to be announced.
“It’s hard to believe we are about to host our fifth Hop Jam festival but it is clear to see that the craft beer community is here to stay and we are glad to have been a part of the revival we have seen here in Oklahoma,” said Taylor Hanson co-founder of the event. “When The Hop Jam started we had nearly every one of the then dozen breweries in Oklahoma, now Oklahoma can boast almost triple that and we are able to feature them alongside some of the world’s most respected brewers, right here on Main Street, with an incredible music festival creating the soundtrack”.
POP DUO LOOTE RELEASES “YOUR SIDE OF THE BED” MUSIC VIDEO
“Your Side Of the Bed” amassed over 1 million streams in just 4 days and follows up Loote’s previously released singles “Out Of My Head” and “High Without Your Love” which together have amassed over 55 million global streams to date. The Chandler Lass directed music video was shot in LA. The super-duo spoke to Billboard saying, “There’s a layer of more intimate and specific feelings, emotions and situations that you find yourself in after a breakup that don’t even occur to you at first… you’re reminded of it everywhere you go. We wanted to show what it’s like to experience those things alone instead of with that person, and processing the shock of it.”
Las Rosas Announce Sophomore LP ‘Shadow By Your Side’
Shadow By Your Side comes as a follow-up to last year’s Everyone Gets Exactly What They Want, and showcases the band’s lean, pop-infused mix of psych and garage rock. Lead single “Christa” features twangy guitars, chugging rhythms, and playful, luminous vocal harmonies, and its accompanying video has mystical, otherworldly vibe that perfectly captures the band’s aesthetic. You can watch the “Christa” video where it premiered with The 405 or on YouTube.
Jason Stein’s Locksmith Isidore – “After Caroline” out May 18th on Northern Spy Records
Jason Stein is a ubiquitous presence on the world class Chicago improvised music scene and beyond. He’s a staunch force with a monogamous passion for his instrument of choice, the darkly sonorous and notoriously difficult bass clarinet. It’s a testament to Stein’s consummate musicianship and versatility that he plays an indispensable role in a raft of über creative outfits including but not limited to, Mike Reed’s Flesh and Bone, Joshua Abrams’ Natural Information Society, drummer Quin Kirchner’s Group, James Falzone’s Renga Ensemble, The Charles Rumback Quintet, Kyle Bruckmann’s Wrack, The Russ Johnson Quartet and an electronics fed collective with drummer Chad Taylor and pianist Paul Giallorenzo, Hearts and Minds. But Stein thrives as a leader also, as witnessed by his critically-acclaimed recent quartet release. However, no other aggregation he works with has quite the road legs, perspective, and intimacy of Locksmith Isidore, his long running trio with bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Mike Pride. Of late, this decade old unit has toured arenas throughout the US opening for comedy star Amy Schumer, who happens to be Stein’s kid sister. Presenting avant jazz in such massive venues as Madison Square Garden and LA’s Forum has cemented Locksmith Isidore’s very special bond, which is more than apparent on their fourth album After Caroline.
New Music from Synead, “Zenith,”
Out now, artist and respected activist Synead is releasing her third single “Zenith.” The new release follows critically acclaimed singles “Tropicao” and “Lost In The Wild,” which received international support from outlets including Apple Music’s Ebro Darden on Beats 1, Australia’s Purple Sneakers, Tokyo outfit Dance Works, and esteemed publications including V Magazine, Teen Vogue, Nylon, and Solange’s Saint Heron. Now, new release “Zenith” is already seeing it’s fair share of praise as well with BBC 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, KCRW’s Garth Trinidad, Okayplayer, Tidal, Shazam, and Apple Music already showing early support.
Gabriel and the Apocalypse Launch New Video and Announce Tour with Mushroomhead
To wrap up the 18-month long tour and promotional campaign for The Ghost Parade album, Gabriel and the Apocalypse release a music video for “Behind the Sun.” The video closes the chapter on this highly acclaimed and commercially successful album, as the band plans on entering the studio to record a brand new studio album for 2019 in the near future. To also celebrate the end of the album cycle, the band will hit the road with Mushroomhead in late April.
George Strait: 2018 Texan of the Year
Iconic entertainer George Strait has been named “Texan of the Year” by the Texas Legislative Conference. At the 52nd annual statewide forum taking place at the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 23, Strait joins an array of prominent honorees including former U.S. Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Governors and innovators.
Strait was recognized for his many contributions to the state of Texas throughout the years, particularly within the last year for his role leading recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The Category 4 hurricane ties Hurricane Katrina as the costliest storm to impact the U.S., inflicting damage of over $125 billion and displacing more than 30,000 residents.
Americana-UK exclusively premieres The Lied To’s “Buffalo”
Today, Americana-UK has your exclusive first listen to “Buffalo,” the new single from Boston-based roots duo The Lied To’s. These days, the political is often very personal, and for The Lied To’s (songwriters Susan Levine and Doug Kwartler) the mood of the country since the 2016 election has provided an emotional, if not literal, backdrop for many of the songs on their forthcoming release, The Lesser of Two Evils, set for release on May 11th. Both single parents to two children each, the two have reason to wonder about the world their kids will grow up in and inherit.
JESSIE REYEZ & DANIEL CAESAR JOIN FOR “FIGURES, A REPRISE”
Jessie Reyez has skyrocketed into stardom over the past year and further proof was confirmed last night as she took home Canada’s most prestigious award in music – a Juno- for 2018 Breakthrough Arist. Reyez enlisted fellow Torontonian Daniel Caesar for a stunning new version of her breakout single, “Figures”.
Raw Thrills Premieres “Bad Dream Blues” Video
Zak Mering has recorded music under the Raw Thrills moniker for past 7 years or so, ever since he relocated to Brooklyn in 2009. He also runs GunkTVRecords. A record label meant to shine light on the many different projects and releases Zak has created, curated or been involved in.
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album “Sometimes Just The Sky”
Already receiving critical acclaim, the album’s first single, “Heroes and Heroines” premiered at Billboard, who praises “…the new rendition features not only different flavors and textures created by the players but also a deeper meaning within the lyrics, which hold up 30 years later.” The Tennessean recently debuted the title track “Sometimes Just The Sky”—the only song Carpenter wrote originally for the album.
MIDDLESPOON Share Self-Titled Track Via Out
Austin, Texas-based duo, MIDDLESPOON, have shared their new track, “MiddleSpoon” exclusively with Out. Prior to this they shared the track “SomeOne” on The 405. Both tracks will be on their forthcoming debut EP, HouseWife.
DJ ESCO RELEASING HIS ALBUM KOLORBLIND FRIDAY MARCH 30, 2018!
Artist, producer, A&R visionary, and “The COOLest DJ In The World” DJ ESCO will unleash his anxiously awaited major label full-length album, KOLORBLIND [Freebandz/Epic Records], available for download and streaming at all digital retailers and platforms Friday March 30, 2018.
Stimmerman unveils new track in an interview w/ Billboard
In the piece, Stimmerman (real name Eva Lawitts) shares, “All of these songs started as demos in 2016. “Good Answer” is one of the ones that just burst forth the fastest. I just sat down with a guitar and started playing. I was probably really depressed, so depressing words came out of me; it happened sort of in a flash.”
Lawitts goes on to discuss Educated Little Monsters, a non-profit she teaches with that serves underprivileged kids in the Brooklyn community that is being displaced by the closing of the Silent Barn.
GYRE: New Jersey Metal/Rock Trio To Release Shared Visions Debut In June
New Jersey-based metal/rock outfit GYRE — formed by members of the metallic hybrid Junta and others — will release their debut full-length, Shared Visions, in June. The album features ten sprawling new tracks mixed and mastered by Kevin Antressian (The Dillinger Escape Plan). A brief trailer has been issued alongside the album’s track listing, artwork, and more.
Greyhounds Shares New Track “Credo,”
Austin-based trio Greyhounds have shared their new track “Credo”, from their upcoming album Cheyenne Valley Drive. The track is currently streaming via The Bluegrass Situation. Describing the meaning behind the song, Greyhounds writes: “We live in a world that is increasingly divided along ideological lines. Technological advances have given man powers that our ancestors believed to be the sole domain of the gods. The very nature of what it means to be human has come into question.” Cheyenne Valley Drive will be released on April 13th.
MIDAS FALL: Ambient Post-Prog Rock Duo Unveils Fourth Single
Scottish ambient post-prog rock duo MIDAS FALL – Elizabeth Heaton and Rowan Burn – has unveiled their fourth single, “Dust And Bone” for communal delight. The entrancing tune comes courtesy of the band’s impending new full-length, Evaporate, set for release on April. 27th.
LA duo Lean announces debut LP & shares new track / video “Inaction”
LA duo Lean formed in late 2016 when Kyle McCammon moved from NYC to Los Angeles and met kindred spirit Stephen Johnson. The two bonded over their shared love of 90s hip hop and indie rock and quickly found a formula that combined these influences. “With Stephen’s ear for hooks it came together effortlessly” McCammon said of the band’s conception.
BHAD BHABIE CELEBRATES 15TH BIRTHDAY WITH NEW SINGLE “GUCCI FLIP FLOPS” FEATURING LIL YACHTY
This morning viral superstar Bhad Bhabie turned 15 and is celebrating her birthday with the release of her new single “Gucci Flip Flops” featuring Lil Yachty. In addition, July will see Bhad Bhabie cross the Atlantic for her first ever European live dates, with eagerly awaited stops set for Germany, Belgium, France, England, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Listen to Dama Scout’s fierce new single, “Milky Milk”
Glasgow/London trio Dama Scout have unveiled their new single ‘”Milky Milk” available to hear here (link). The Fader praises the track’s “heavy-and-sweet” vibe. Listen to “Milky Milk” HERE.
“Milky Milk” is the first piece of new material to surface since Dama Scout’s acclaimed debut EP, which was released at the tail end of 2017 with Hand In Hive (UK) and Father/Daughter (US). The Dama Scout EP garnered rapturous praise from the likes of Wonderland, Crack, Dork, NME, a 5 star EP review in DIY as well as extensive radio support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Lauren Laverne, Huw Stephens and more.
