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Ben Kunder – BERLIN is out now!
““Berlin,” the first single taken from my upcoming album, Searching For The Stranger (out May 29th), is about finding your strength.
While touring Germany, I realized how lucky I am to have the privilege to speak up, to tell my story, and to actually be heard when so many of the people of my past were denied that right. I don’t take that for granted.”
Willie Shaw Announces Tour Opening for Josie Dunne Amid Debut EP
Willie said of this EP, “It means a lot to me for a variety of reasons. First, it is a stripped-down version of me that takes listeners back to how I got here in the first place. For a majority of these songs it’s just me and my guitar. It’s raw and I really wanted the listener to hear me without all of the bells and whistles that production can add to create a sound. Second, there is an emphasis on my ability to write songs. Lastly, these songs are very much a part of my experience and the growing that has occurred over the last few years. Within these stories is a ton of heart, through real life events that I’ve shared with close friends and family.”
Toronto’s CRIMSON SHADOWS to Release New EP, “The Resurrection”
Canadian melodic power/death metal quintet CRIMSON SHADOWS have returned with their powerful new digital EP, The Resurrection, set for release on March 13, 2020 via Napalm Records. The EP features a reimagining of the band’s 2007 track, “Betrayed By Thy King”, as well as blistering covers of STRATOVARIUS’s “Against The Wind” and DRAGONFORCE’s “Blackfire”.
Alexandria Maillot’s gripping new visuals for latest single ‘Someone To Keep You Warm’ spark joy and vengeance
Following her successful album ‘Benevolence’, which bagged attention from the likes of EARMILK, Alexandria Maillot kickstarts the new decade with a brand-new music video for ‘Someone to Keep You Warm.’
Orville Peck’s “Queen of the Rodeo” music video premieres
Of the video, Peck shares, “‘Queen of the Rodeo’ is a song about a drag queen friend of mine named Thanks Jem. Jem is a First Nations drag queen from Vancouver, BC and also the star of our video. She’s always fighting against perception and has a hard time fitting in with the other queens, but to me she has always been a star. The song and video are about allowing yourself to get out of your own way, beat your demons and crown yourself queen of the rodeo.”
WILD RIVERS Announce New EP ‘Songs To Break Up To’ Out May 1
On Songs To Break Up To, Wild Rivers transpose personal experiences into relatable anthems woven from strands of folk, indie, rock, pop, country, and beyond. For its recording, they retreated to Nashville in late 2019, where they worked with producer Skylar Wilson (Rayland Baxter; Justin Townes Earle; Joshua Hedley) to expand their sonic palette by further incorporating synths, guitar effects, gang vocals, and choral harmonies. The theme of the EP was inspired by co-lead vocalist/guitarist Khalid Yassein facing the dissolution of a long-term relationship in 2018.
“The first single from our upcoming album, “Nebulous,” is a sonic departure from the creature-of-habit that is our process. This track is from the dual record Stream of Youth / Blank World, an album that explores personal dichotomies: hope and pessimism, wildness and composure, joy and pain.”
THE DEAD SOUTH SHARE NEW VIDEO FOR “FAT LITTLE KILLER BOY.”
There aren’t many bluegrass songs with pierogies and cabbage rolls on the menu, but there aren’t many bluegrass bands like The Dead South. This string band from the Canadian prairies, currently on a world tour that includes sold out stops in over 20 countries, is known for – and is comfortable with – their left field approach to the genre.
icymi: Metal pirates from VANE release new music video for “The Cannibal”
It’s the third single from the band since the debut album “Black Vengeance” was released. Robert Zembrzycki (guitars) on the new material: “This time we wanted to explore the darker aspects of the rough lives that the seafarers of old endured. The Cannibal is a journey into the madness of a mind deprived of sustenance, and the musical atmosphere of this song is only fitting.”
STATEMENT FROM JAMES HETFLIED
Dear Metallica Family, It pains me to write this, but I have to let all of you know that I cannot make it to Sonic Temple in Columbus and Louder Than Life in Louisville this year. As part of my continuing effort to get and stay healthy, I have critical recovery events on those weekends that cannot be moved. I apologize to all of our fans who have bought tickets for these festivals. We are working with the festival promoters to provide for refunds or exchanges. My intent with this statement is saying “I apologize” to each one of you. The reality is that I have not prioritized my health in the past year of touring and I now know that my mental health comes first. That might sound like a no-brainer for most of you but I didn’t want to let the Metallica team/family down and, I alone, completely compromised myself.
Looking on the brighter side, my therapy is going well. It was absolutely necessary for me to look after my mental, physical, and spiritual health.
I want to stress that the band will play all other announced 2020 shows.
I am looking forward to getting back to playing and seeing all our great South American fans in April. And, of course, playing the Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome to Rockville, in Daytona and Aftershock in Sacramento. We will still play two unique sets at each of these festivals.
Beyond 2020, I am optimistic about the blessings I have been given and what the future brings. I appreciate all the great prayers and support from everyone since I went into rehab last September. Like the moth into the flame, being human in this career has its huge challenges and can be difficult. Your understanding helps the healing. – James
Metallica Cancel Two Festival Appearances as James Hetfield Continues Therapy
UPDATE: Art Of Shock Release New Song And Title Track “Dark Angeles”
“There’s a desperate heartbeat that comes with life in Los Angeles,” says Art of Shock guitarist and frontman, Art Geezar. “People come here with big dreams and very little else. It makes them do shitty things just to get by. It’s a desperate place and even achieving fame and fortune doesn’t change that at all.”
Hinder Announce ‘Extreme Behavior’ 15th Anniversary Tour
Oklahoma City, OK: Multi-platinum rockers Hinder will hit the road to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of their debut Extreme Behavior, playing the LP live in its entirety for the first time ever. Extreme Behavior reached #6 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top Rock Albums chart and the second single ‘Lips of an Angel’ became one of the biggest songs of the year reaching the top 10 across several Billboard singles charts, including #1 at Top 40 and Pop 100. Extreme Behavior has since been certified 3x Platinum. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, February 28th.
Ren Harvieu Shares New Track “Strange Thing”
Commenting on the track, Harvieu says “Strange Thing is a serenade to the outsiders of this world. The ignored, misunderstood, awkward self-conscious sparkling diamonds.. Don’t think you’re not being seen because I see you. I am you.”
Matt Lovell overcomes near death and announces debut LP “Nobody Cries Today” out 6/5
“Many people who experience an acute trauma go through somewhat of a euphoric period immediately after the incident occurs, and this was definitely my experience. Call it a spiritual awakening, or the result of adrenaline and endorphins gone wild, or even just the natural result of a near-death story with a happy ending. Whatever it was, this event threw me into a span of six months where it felt as if I was on a honeymoon with myself. The level of peace I felt was something I had never touched before. I wrote profusely, I gardened, I brought new life and vigor to my musical ventures, and I made peace with complicated friendships. More than anything, I found a level of great self-acceptance, and this created space for me to begin to learn how to live this life.”
Body Count (feat. Ice-T) Release “Bum-Rush” Video
Ice-T, the legendary, genre-busting icon, said of the song: “Another fast moving Body Count track continuing my attempt to wake people up.”
MAGG DYLAN confront alcoholism’s prison on their journey of recovery in new “Delusional”
Alternative metal rockers Magg Dylan have revealed a very powerful music video for their latest single “Delusional”. The video was directed by Scott Hansen and Desiree Connell of Digital Thunderdome and was filmed at an abandoned prison to symbolize their past struggles with alcoholism. Watch it right now at on YouTube:
JENSEN MCRAE STEPS OUT WITH STUNNING NEW SINGLE “WOLVES”
As a bi-racial black and Jewish woman growing up in a predominantly white spaces, McRae’s music explores all aspects of identity; from race to gender, as well as delving into issues of depression and unrequited love. Inspired by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Alicia Keys, and James Taylor, McRae started her musical journey writing in her bedroom, to then playing the local songwriting circuit in Los Angeles. Her unique voice and songwriting caught the attention of her manager, who connected the young artist with Grammy award winning producer, Rahki (Eminem, Kendrick Lamar). While finishing her senior year at USC’s Thornton School of Music in 2019, the two were in the studio weekly working on her debut body of work, due out in early 2020.
DAY OF RECKONING (Featuring Rusty Cooley) Announce Release of Sophomore EP, Spread Your Disease
A follow-up to their debut EP Into The Fire, this new EP completes a long awaited project that is the culmination of the band’s stylistic explorations. Guitarist extraordinaire Rusty Cooley’s blend of subtly unorthodox chord progressions, hyper shifting meters, and blistering tempos creates an unsettling ocean for singer Brad Lambert’s vocals to tell each song’s story. Lyrically, the songs explore a variety of themes ranging from apocalyptic views of society all the way to more introverted themes of overcoming personal struggles such as betrayal, self-doubt, and loss. Cooley’s signature riffs and high paced melodic runs are matched in several places on the record by DOR’s second guitar player and former Cooley student, Matt Hough, who often plays intricate fast paced harmonies in tandem with Cooley.
LISTEN: “Easy” – Ezra Jordan
Having suffered a traumatic and life-threatening injury at the age of 18, Ezra Jordan’s life was put on hold to make way for 18 months of rehabilitation and recovery. It’s during this time that Ezra truly came into his own, both in terms of physical resilience, but also in terms of musical grit. Forced to pause his career as an incredibly talented pianist, Ezra sought alternative ways to express himself and stumbled upon some serious singing/songwriting talent.
Monsta X Top 5 Billboard 200 Chart Debut
After a whirlwind 2 week U.S. takeover, K-pop supergroup and worldwide phenomenon Monsta X, debut at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart with ALL ABOUT LUV. “The set, which is the act’s first all-English language album, launches with 52,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Feb. 20, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Of that sum, 50,000 are in album sales.” – Billboard
UK Artist Becky Hill Makes US Live Debut April 9 at NYC’s Mercury Lounge
Renowned for her show-stopping vocal prowess and credentials as a hitmaking songwriter, the 25-year-old artist is one of Britain’s most in-demand musical exports. Popjustice declared her “UK pop’s greatest secret weapon.” To date, Hill has written and performed on seven singles that charted in the top 40 of the UK Official Singles chart yet her roots are firmly ensconced in electronic music. Her songwriting skills have been enlisted by such artists as Tiësto, Jax Jones, Martin Solveig and Little Mix.
Introducing > DADJU > France’s biggest Afro-RnB star > new vid ft Burna Boy > watch here
DADJU is France’s new mega-hit afro-RnB star poised to breakthrough in the UK in our new polyglot pop world. If anything makes the argument for his appeal in the English-speaking world it’s his new single ‘Donne moi l’accord’ featuring Nigerian superstar Burna Boy.
German Electronic/Synthpop Duo SEA OF SIN Present Their New Single, “Valentine.”
German Electronic/Synthpop Duo SEA OF SIN present the release of their new single, “Valentine.” The lyrics of “Valentine” reflect a melancholic mood and deep emotions covering a broken relationship and love story.
“But then came the rain to take it all away
Valentine, there was a time
Between you and me
I thought that you were mine”
The Dream Syndicate Announce New Album ‘The Universe Inside’
Reminiscent of 70s Miles Davis and his chaotic brilliance, the track starts all fired up. Over of the course of the song, textures of eastern droning electric sitar (played by Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders), deep funky bass, haunting vocals, and saxophone flourishes by guest Marcus Tenney (a member of all-instrumental progressive ensemble Butcher Brown) grow into something delightful and unexpected.
INTRODUCING DIZZY
Baby Teeth was Dizzy’s coming of age story, set in the dense suburban sprawl of their hometown Oshawa, ON. Their influences and lyrics were both personal and universal in a way that could speak to anyone who has dealt with the anxieties of small-town ennui. The album won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year in 2019 and garnered international praise from the likes of Apple Beats 1, NME, DIY, Uproxx, The Times of London and Stereogum, who described the music as “a dreamier update of Lorde’s sleek, minimalist pop-rock.” They have also toured with the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, Oh Wonder, Tokyo Police Club and U.S. Girls.
16-Year-Old Singing Sensation TYLAN Releases New Single, “FEEL THIS WAY”
Tylan bursted onto the music scene last year with a sound all his own and described by music industry insiders as soulful R&B with a hint of trap. His music is reflective and has broad appeal to younger and more mature audiences. The straight A student is also the star basketball player at his high school. Tylan was born and raised in Washington, DC., known for turning out major music industry giants and its love for the artist community. He grew up singing in the church and discovered he had a unique ability to captivate people through his music.
HEILUNG Announce Forthcoming Blu-Ray Release for ‘Lifa’ Live Film
Filmed during a late summer night at Castlefest 2017 in The Netherlands, ‘Lifa – Heilung Live at Castlefest’ captures HEILUNG’s legendary debut performance. This will be the first time that the mesmerizing footage is available worldwide as a stand-alone audio/visual (Blu-ray) piece. ‘Lifa’ lays bare the power and majesty of the enigmatic Danish trio’s deep and enchanting live ritual for all to experience.
