ALABAMA SHAKES ARE NO. 1 + “SOUND & COLOR”
Alabama Shakes’ sophomore album, Sound & Color, debuts at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, selling 96,000 units in its first week of release in the U.S. It also tops numerous other album charts – including the Independent, Alternative and Top Rock albums charts. Released by ATO Records in North America and Rough Trade in the U.K./Europe, it is also No. 1 in Canada and in the Top 10 in the U.K., Australia, Switzerland and Netherlands. Sound & Color is available now at all music retailers, including iTunes and Amazon, and via the band’s website and the ATO Records webstore. Co-produced by the band and Blake Mills, it is the follow-up to Alabama Shakes’ 2012 Gold-certified debut album, Boys & Girls, which earned the group GRAMMY® nominations in three categories, including Best New Artist.
ANDY SHAUF ANNOUNCES SUMMER US TOUR DATES
Andy Shauf is confirmed to support First Aid Kit on a run of US tour dates this July and August, beginning July 16th in Austin, TX at Stubb’s and continuing through August 5th in Los Angeles, CA at the Cathedral Sanctuary. The dates include a July 27th show in New York at Central Park SummerStage, which additionally features Dawes. Shauf – who recently wrapped up a US tour that also saw him play SXSW and multiple support dates with Viet Cong, as well as perform at School Night in Los Angeles – is also confirmed for a number of UK and Canadian festivals this spring and summer, including The Great Escape, Regina Folk Festival, and the End Of The Road Festival.
D RANDALL BLYTHE PHOTOG EXHIBIT
Richmond, Virginia-based author, photographer, actor, music critic, composer and vocalist of Grammy-nominated, chart-topping heavy metal band LAMB OF GOD – is pleased to announce his upcoming photography exhibition, D RANDALL BLYTHE: Show Me What You’re Made Of, taking place from May 2 – June 30, 2015 at Sacred Gallery NYC. The opening reception will take place on May 2nd from 8-11pm.
Sacred Gallery NYC is located in Manhattan’s SoHo District at 424 Broadway on the northeast corner of Broadway and Canal.
In addition to his work with LAMB OF GOD, D. Randall Blythe is the author of the forthcoming memoir Dark Days (to be published July 2015 by Perseus/Da Capo books in the USA, and Random House in the UK and associated territories), a music critic at the highly acclaimed TheTalkhouse.com, has acted in movies filmed in America and Asia, and periodically composes music for the Richmond Ballet.
ICELAND’S OLIVER ENGLAFJORD
Nettwerk Records is excited to announce the signing of Icelandic DJ Oliver Englafjord to its North American label roster. On July 10, Englafjord, the alter ego of Swedish DJ/Producer Marcus Schössow, will release a nine-song LP titled, Myrki Heima.
Inspired by Iceland’s powerful geography, the album concept is driven by the certainty of time and nature’s inevitable course. Paired with dreamlike vocal reflections, the album teaser uses lead single, “Molntus,” to deliver a high concept, art-house visual soundscape. Englafjord partnered with Earmilk to premiere the video clip.
“GOOD WILL RISE” BY AMBER EDGAR
“Good Will Rise was a difficult collection of songs for me to record, but I felt they were worth sharing with others because they speak to common experiences — depression, unrequited lust, grief, etc.”
THE WEAKS ALBUM STREAM
The Weaks are now streaming their first full length release Bad Year, in full. You can find the record streaming on the Converse website or the Lame-O Records youtube page. The guitar heavy, Weezer rocking, solo shredding record from The Weaks comes out tomorrow via Lame-O Records!
http://conversemusic.tumblr.com/post/115675408722/stream-the-debut-lp-from-the-weaks-converse-rubber
DARKNESS FALLS STREAM ‘DANCE AND CRY’
Darkness Falls is Josephine Philip (vocals and keyboard) and Ina Lindgreen (bass & guitar). The Danish duo’s sophomore release Dance and Cry is out April 14, 2015 in the U.S. and The Line of Best Fit is premiering the full album stream a week ahead of its release.
NPR MUSIC’S “SONGS WE LOVE” PREMIERES PASSION PIT’S “UNTIL WE CAN’T (LET’S GO)”
Kindred was written by Passion Pit creative force and frontman Michael Angelakos and recorded in New York City. The album was produced by Angelakos alongside longtime collaborators and co-producers Chris Zane and Alex Aldi, as well as Benny Blanco.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2015/04/06/397270196/passion-pit-until-we-cant-lets-go
CARLY RAE JESPEN “ALL THAT”
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen made her SNL musical guest debut this past weekend and performed a brand new song titled “All That” accompanied by Dev Hynes and Ariel Rechtshaid. Jepsen co-wrote the track with Hynes who co-produced it along with Rechtshaid.
http://www.vevo.com/watch/carly-rae-jepsen/I-Really-Like-You/USUV71500234
ALYXX DIONE RELEASES FIRST SINGLE “CHINGALINGA” FEAT. JASON DERULO
RCA Records and Future History Records’ up-and-coming superstar artist Alyxx Dione releases her first single “Chingalinga” feat. Jason Derulo today. Check out the lyric video for “Chingalinga” HERE . The single is available at all digital providers now.
“Chingalinga” was written by Future History label head Jason Derulo, along with Sean Douglas, Jason Evigan, Jonas Jeberg, and produced by Jonas Jeberg and Jason Evigan with vocal production by Jason Derulo and Jonas Jeberg. The much anticipated video for “Chingalinga” will be available this month and a full length album from Alyxx Dione will be out later this year.
http://www.vevo.com/watch/USRV81500286
GOBLIN REBIRTH POSTS NEW SELF-TITLED ALBUM TEASER
Relapse Records is excited to announce Goblin Rebirth’s new self-titled album, which will see a release on June 30, 2015. The group (which features members of Italian film score figureheads Goblin) has revealed an album trailer to give fans a taste of what to expect of the record, which is available to stream or embed HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLq6NULtuhFulJGw65DwX4uGYGBgJ8IIw3&v=oiYpjnho6Ew
OKANAGAN ROCKS MUSIC COMPETITION PRODUCED BY TOMMY ROUMANAS
OKANAGAN ROCKS’ MUSIC COMPETITION is a promotional event to facilitate exposure, promotion, and recognition of the great original musical talent in the Okanagan Valley. Contest is open to all categories of original artists: solo acts, duos, and full bands. Play your original music in front of judges and win prizes! First place receives recording time at BIG AUDIO PRODUCTIONS. There will also be runner up prizes and door prizes.
ENCEPHALON “ILLUMINATE”
The second album Psychogenesis took Encephalon three years to make. IT possesses a far darker outlook towards the future than the optimistic futuristic counterpart The Transhuman Condition. The new album is focusing on how the luxuries of technology could ultimately weaken the human experience, nanophobia, and the grim possibilities that may await those who would attempt to attain immortality at all costs. A soundscape of thunderous orchestras merging with searing electronics weave a vision of organic and mechanical lifeforms colliding as vocalist Matt Giffords ominous yet versatile narration gives each track the feeling of a chapter in a larger story that continues throughout the album.
THE GRISWOLDS’ ACOUSTIC EP PREMIERES AT ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
The EP features five acoustic versions of songs off their critically acclaimed debut album Be Impressive as well as covers of “Anna Sun” by Walk the Moon, who the band are now supporting on tour nationwide, and “Doses and Mimosas” by Cherub. Acoustic EP will be released April 13 via Wind-Up Records.
http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/06/the-griswolds-acoustic-ep-exclusive
GALLOWS STREAM NEW ALBUM ‘DESOLATION SOUNDS’ IN ITS ENTIRETY
Desolation Sounds represents a new chapter in Gallows career as they move towards their tenth anniversary. Produced by Steve Sears at Titan Studios, it’s a body of work which builds upon the aggression and passion of the band’s acclaimed catalogue while opening up new horizons for the quartet. It is, says Gallows founding member Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard, “the record I’ve dreamt about making.”
http://www.revolvermag.com/news/gallows-premiere-new-album-desolation-sounds.html
THE RENTALS PREMIERE VIDEO FOR “IT’S TIME TO COME HOME”
Directed by Daniel Kaufman, the video, part one in a two part series, takes place 50 years in the future, as a group of five elderly Rentals haphazardly go out in search for new, younger bodies to transfer their spirits. Or as bandleader, Matt Sharp told Noisey, “It’s a simple science fiction tale about the quest for eternal life. Imagine if Cocoon starred Gary Numan and Grimes instead of Wilford Brimley and Steve Guttenberg.”
http://noisey.vice.com/blog/premiere-the-rentals-video-its-time-to-come-home
COLISEUM ALBUM STREAM
Post-punk stalwarts Coliseum have shared a stream of their masterful new album Anxiety’s Kiss (out May 5th on Deathwish). Find it below paired with an interview with frontman Ryan Patterson via Noisey.
http://noisey.vice.com/blog/coliseum-anxietys-kiss-interview
HANK WILLIAMS, JR. JOINS NASH ICON RECORDS
Country legend HANK WILLIAMS, JR. has officially signed to NASH ICON RECORDS, a joint venture label between the Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) and Cumulus. The raucous Superstar joins the distinct voices of Reba, Martina McBride and Ronnie Dunn on the label, which launched in 2014. These four artists combined have sold over 186 million albums worldwide.
“Country music singers have always been a real close family and today the Nash Icon family has added me as a new member. I have done shows with Ronnie Dunn, recorded a hit record with Reba and absolutely love Martina McBride,” said Williams, Jr. “I am writing songs better than ever and am signed with a label that is already making history … it’s an exciting time!”
http://www.bigmachinelabelgroup.com/labels/nash-icon/
VENOMOUS MAXIMUS NEW SINGLE & LP
Houston heavy metal band VENOMOUS MAXIMUS will release its new album, Firewalker, on May 19 via Shadow Kingdom Records. The award-winning four piece, who has won back-to-back-to-back titles at the Houston Press Music Awards as the city’s Best Metal Band, recorded the album at the Diamond Factory in Austin, TX with engineer Travis Bonner (Ancient VVisdom). The record was mastered by Paul Logus (Satyricon, Clutch, Anthrax). Today, Invisible Oranges premieres the new song “Through the Black”, saying, “Venomous Maximus strikes the John Carpenter creepy-cool balance”. Rock VENOMOUS MAXIMUS’ “Though the Black” now at THIS location.
http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2015/04/exclusive-song-stream-venomous-maximus-through-the-black/
GREGG ALLMAN ANNOUNCES THE INAUGURAL LAID BACK FESTIVAL
Gregg Allman, in a joint venture with Live Nation, is excited to announce the inaugural Laid Back Festival. Set to take place on August 29 in New York at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, the one-day event named after Allman’s seminal first solo record from 1973, will feature performances by: Gregg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers, Jaimoe’s Jassz Band and City of the Sun. More artists will be announced soon. Besides offering an all-star lineup of great music, Laid Back looks to become a premiere destination for great food and drink as well, with Allman and Live Nation curating over 20 of the finest regional restaurants, wineries and breweries.
JOYNER LUCAS “MANSION”
Joyner Lucas’ project, “Along Came Joyner” finally had its official release and the celebration in hometown Worcester, MA Sunday night shut the club down; standing room only. With that out of the way, and with a full body of work to represent his incredible talent now available, Joyner is ready to reap the rewards one usually attributes to one so gifted. Unfortunately, the search for those is ongoing and, in this latest visual from the first track off the album, “Mansion”, the rhymeslayer parodies an encounter with the mythical Illuminati as he toys with the idea of selling his soul for that which has proved most illusive up to this point.
LEARN TO CODE IN BOSTON THIS SUMMER
The Immersive Education Initiative today announced the opening of two new “Creative Computing” summer camps in Boston USA this August. Hosted by Boston College High School, and taught by Boston College faculty, the 1- and 2-week summer camps are open to K-12 students, home schools, and the general public. Registration is now open.
During the Creative Computing camps attendees will: 1) Use fun and easy visual programming tools to learn the fundamentals of coding as they explore logic and reasoning, mathematical thinking, and creative computing concepts, 2) Use Minecraft to develop logical thinking and problem solving skills while creatively expressing themselves through 3D artistry, design and architecture, and 3) Create their very own Virtual Reality (VR) headset to explore the fundamentals of immersive VR and 3D computer graphics.
Participants are also eligible to compete in upcoming Minecraft “Builder Bowl” competitions that conclude with championship rounds during IMMERSION 2015.
http://ImmersiveEducation.org/camp
DEVOUR THE DAY SIGN TO RAZOR & TIE + “FAITH”
Razor & Tie announces the addition of hard rockers Devour The Day to its worldwide label roster. The band is currently in the studio working on their new album with producer Dan Korneff (Paramore, Lamb of God, My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach). The music will be released later this year.
The band continues to have a stronghold at rock radio with their current single “Faith” just cracking the Top 20 at Active Rock this week and #23 at Mainstream Rock. Listen to “Faith” here:
“LETTER TO OBAMA”
Young Slee releases new single titled “Letter To Obama”.It’s a heartfelt song/letter to President Obama asking him to speak up and bring justice for the innocent victims that have been wrongfully killed by police. -Lindsey K. Williams-
