PHANTOMS COVER “COCAINE”
Phantoms have released their new cover of Eric Clapton’s classic “Cocaine” with all new production and vocals. The song was originally recorded in 1976 by country blues singer JJ Cale, both the song and Cale were made famous when Eric Clapton released his version in 1977. Stream the Phantoms cover below and grab a free download of their latest remix of Rihanna’s Drake-assisted “Work.”
“We’ve wanted to do a cover of an older song for a while. Nothing was really coming to us until last Friday when we were a few drinks deep and ended up at a Thai karaoke restaurant at 3AM. This young Thai man was doing an electric guitar cover of “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton, but he wasn’t singing, so we jumped on stage and sang along with him. It must have been in the haze of vodka and pad kee mao that we decided we should cover it as well.” – Phantoms
AVICII TO RETURN TO USHUAÏA IBIZA BEACH HOTEL FOR FIFTH YEAR AS WEEKLY RESIDENT
Having announced plans for its grand opening on 28th May, Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel can now reveal that Avicii will continue his renowned Sunday residency from 10th July to 28th August – marking 5 years at the open-air club.
Firmly established as one of dance music’s biggest global stars, Avicii’s return to the White Isle follows the huge release of his second studio album ‘Stories’ in October of last year – which went on to reach #1 on iTunes in 36 countries – whilst his latest single ‘Broken Arrows’ has already amassed over 20 million views. Credited for his unparalleled ability to amalgamate genres into atmospheric club anthems, Avicii’s innovative approach to both production and performance has consistently drawn in crowds at Ushuaïa, with his fifth anniversary run set to be even bigger and better than ever before.
http://www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com/en/
BIG FREEDIA RELEASES NEW SINGLE “I HEARD”
On the heels of his guest vocals to Beyonce’s “Formation,” the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia, is excited to announce his own track, “I Heard,” off his forthcoming album on Queen Diva Music.
“This one is for all my fans who check for me all over the world,” says Big Freedia about the new track.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6882906/big-freedia-i-heard-single-exclusive
HIT BARGAIN NEW SINGLE
Los Angeles punk outfit Hit Bargain shares their second single “Song For Fainting” via The FADER. The band will release its self-titled debut EP on March 25.
Hit Bargain are the progenitors of a new genre — “queencore”, the intersection of queer, queening and hardcore. They are as much a part of the LA underground, as an answer to it. Their song “Circuits That Cannot Be Cut” is a reimagining of the major motion picture, Die Hard, disguised as wry social commentary on gun and police violence. Bruce Willis is their spirit animal because he represents the sensitive everyman, called upon to be a hero–much in the way that Hit Bargain’s feminist anthems are a call to awareness for their listeners.
http://www.thefader.com/2016/02/22/hit-bargain-premiere-song-for-fainting
CHARLI XCX UNVEILS DETAILS OF HER ‘VROOM VROOM EP’ & ANNOUNCES HER ALL-NEW RECORD LABEL
Pop phenomenon, Charli XCX, is delighted to announce details of her brand new ‘Vroom Vroom EP’, which will be released through her all-new record label Vroom Vroom Recordings on Friday 26th February – a subsidiary of Atlantic Records UK and marks another milestone in the starlet’s career. To celebrate the new venture, Charli has released two of her favourite tracks of the moment from brand new acts RIVRS and CuckooLander.
After touring the globe over the past couple of years to mark the release of her critically acclaimed second studio album SUCKER (over 850,000 global album sales to date), having recently penned Selina Gomez’s US #1 “Same Old Love”, the Billboard ‘Hitmaker of the Year’ (2014) and Sesac ‘Songwriter of the Year’ (2013) has worked with electronic/synth-pop producer SOPHIE on the new EP venture. Charli’s ‘Vroom Vroom EP’ showcases her prowess for producing musical gold and was recorded in Stockholm last year. At the end of 2015, Charli unveiled the now lead track, which went onto receive a wealth of chatter across the Internet with its thrumming beats and noisy composition. To coincide with this exciting news, Charli has been confirmed to host her own Beats 1 radio show starting on Friday 26th February at 8pm UK time – the shows will take place every fortnight. Her EP track ‘Trophy’ will also receive its first play with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 tonight, alongside an on air interview.
http://www.vroomvroomrecordings.com/
PLANTS AND ANIMALS NEW VIDEO
Today Montreal’s Plants and Animals premiere a video for their new song “Stay” with both Brooklyn Vegan and Les Inrocks. The song appears on Plants and Animals’ forthcoming album, Waltzed In From the Rumbling, out April 29 via Secret City Records.
In the video, three dancers are following their hearts in two different cities: on the sunny streets of Tel-Aviv and in the snowy woods of Montreal. The video is fresh, fun and human. It expresses some strong internal feelings that everybody has – in an external, visceral way. Plants and Animals wanted to make a video that is dancing the dance, which is dancing to the music.
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2016/02/plants_and_anim.html
NO HOT ASHES “GOOSE”
Indie pop newcomers No Hot Ashes have announced the upcoming release of their debut single Goose. The track serves as the perfect introduction to the band’s vibrant blend of funk rock with a hip hop overlay, a sound that is as infectious as it is fresh.
Comprising of Isaac Taylor (vocals/guitar), Jack Walsh (bass), Luigi Di Vuono (guitar) and Matt Buckley (drums), the Stockport four-piece have been busy mastering the skill of writing addictively funky guitar riffs. With the influences of Nile Rodgers and Johnny Marr evidently crafted in their debut release, the band are sure to create a buzz in the Manchester scene and beyond in 2016.
PETER FRAMPTON’S ACOUSTIC CLASSICS STREAMING IN FULL AT BILLBOARD
Acoustic Classics, the new album from Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton is streaming in its entirety at Billboard now. Listen here: http://bit.ly/1QVkBgh. The album, which is out this Friday, February 26 via RED Distribution, is available for pre-order now. A special pre-order bundle is being offered exclusively on www.frampton.com, which includes the album, a pick set and signed lyric sheet.
For the first time ever, Frampton brings us stripped-down versions of his classic hits including “Baby, I Love Your Way,” “Lines On My Face,” “Do You Feel Like I Do,” “Show Me The Way” and more. Acoustic Classics includes one new song, “All Down to Me,” which was co-written by Kennedy, the co-producer of Frampton’s Grammy Award-winning album Fingerprints. “All Down to Me” is the only track on the record featuring a guest musician.
“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC ANNOUNCES RETURN OF MANDATORY WORLD TOUR
Following his wildly successful 2015 tour, four-time Grammy-winning artist “Weird Al” Yankovic has announced the continuation of his Mandatory World Tour in 2016. Also announced was a flyaway contest where winning fans will choose an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to see one of his two performances at the Hollywood Bowl or to New York City for his show at Radio City Music Hall. Full routing listed below and complete contest info can be found at weirdal.com.
Mandatory World Tour tickets go onsale this week beginning with fanclub presale on Wednesday, February 24 at 10am local time at weirdal.com, followed by general onsale Friday, February 26 at 10am local time.
HEATHER NOVA TO RELEASE NEW CD “ THE WAY IT FEELS” ON 3/25
On March 25th, Heather Nova will be releasing her 10th record “The Way it Feels”, easily her best and most important to date. Producers/musicians Josh Kaler and Jay Clifford, of Charleston, South Carolina have collaborated with Heather to create a record with unique sonic textures which are at once natural and otherworldly. The result is an album with a very original and authentic sound, which hints at Americana, injected with infectious guitar riffs and cool rhythms. Great songwriting, a laid-back atmosphere, poetic lyrics and Heather distinctive vocals are the hallmark of “The Way It Feels.”
INNER BLAST NEW VIDEO
Portuguese female-fronted gothic metallers Inner Blast have premiered the lyric video for the track “Insane”, which was taken off the band’s upcoming debut full-length “Prophecy”, out on April 15th via Nordavind Records.
Watch the lyric video from this highly accomplished and mature band that are destined to make a name for themselves, below or at this location:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isnkjoBN7Ug
THROW THE FIGHT NEW SONG
Throw the Fight are back. The band will release its new album ‘Transmissions’ via Bullet Tooth on April 8. The band worked with producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland, whose credits include August Burns Red, Texas In July, Everclear, Affiance, Live, and more.
The band has shared the first taste of music from ‘Transmissions’, premiering the lyric video for “Drown With Me” via Revolver Listen to the new song here The song is also available via iTunes and Spotify.
http://www.revolvermag.com/news/throw-the-fight-premiere-new-song-drown-with-me.html
LA TRIO MEATBODIES SHARE FREAKY, SCUZZY “VALLEY GIRL” AT CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
Meatbodies is a band consisting of Kevin Boog, Chad Ubovich, and Patrick Nolan. Chad started the band in 2011 as a solo project called Chad and The Meatbodies one tape was put out by GOD? Records, and soon after the name of the project was changed to simply “Meatbodies,” followed up by a full length LP for In The Red Records of the same name.
Meatbodies announce new 7-inch single, share A-side “Valley Girl” — listen
BILLY GRIMA “SUGAR & CREAM”
Award-winning Canadian singer songwriter Billy Grima has released the new music video for “Sugar & Cream,” the title track from his critically acclaimed 3rd album. The video was directed by Gregory DeSouza, and filmed at Turtle Jack’s Restaurant in Ontario “on a night out with friends,” according to Grima.
The song, written by Grima, is a slight departure from Grima’s americana/country-pop sound. With a full horn section and soulful motown-esque production, Grima delivers a piece of r&b/pop soul perfection with “Sugar & Cream.”
THE CAVE SINGERS SHARE VIDEO FOR “THAT’S WHY”
The Cave Singers have shared the new music video for their single “That’s Why.” The video, directed by Sam Gordon, features the band strolling through the dark woods of Washington state, being followed by haunting figures in animal masks. Check out the video here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KpolAuxqOg
WANDER “SOAR”
Today, Oakland’s instrumental quartet Wander have started their musical endeavors with a bang! The group premiered their brand new video Soar, as well as announcing their signing with record label Other People Records to release their forthcoming album Mourning (due out this year).
“”Soar” is instrumental, and focuses on the intricate strumming of guitarists Christian Francisco and Bernard Barcela. ” – Anne Nickoloff, AltPress
ZACHARY MURDOCK NEW VIDEO
Of the video, Murdock explains “Often we are presented with limited options: conform or rebel; hate or love. But there must be more! Instead of accepting definitions and boundaries, it is our job as humans to push past these man-made walls, explore outer space and inner space and bring back the unique magic that we discover! With this project, I wanted to point towards that other way, the way that only you can find, the way that the ‘mad ones’ throughout time have travelled.”
BIG UPS DEBUT “HOPE FOR SOMEONE” ON FADER
Big Ups are thrilled to share “Hope For Someone”, the third single from their forthcoming album Before A Million Universes, on FADER today. Following the record’s first teaser “Capitalized” (which appeared online before Christmas alongside plans for a spring UK/EU tour), and the video for “National Parks”, the stunning visual interpretation of the album’s emotional and musical core, “Hope For Someone” is the band’s ode to idealism, a reoccurring theme throughout their body of work. As FADER puts it, “Big Ups are asking hard questions with all of their heart.”
http://www.thefader.com/2016/02/23/big-ups-hope-for-someone-song-premiere
CHASE & STATUS “CONTROL”
“Control” is the first track to be lifted from Chase & Status’ forthcoming fourth studio album, due for release later this year and features primal punk-rock duo Slaves.
Primal punk-rock duo Slaves are Laurie Vincent (Guitar, vocals) and Isaac Holman (Drums, vocals), one of the UK’s most in demand live acts renowned for their fierce and chaotic shows. 2015 saw the band release their hugely acclaimed debut album, Are You Satisfied? a colorful, funny and often riotous riposte to the dreary mood of Austerity Britain. The record crashed in to the top 10 and subsequently received a Mercury Music Prize nomination. Currently writing their second album, the Kent duo are also about to embark on their first US tour in April.
http://www.vevo.com/watch/GBUV71600171
CHULO “REAL LOVE”
Chulo a North Carolina Based artist decided to start his year off right, by dropping this track titled “Real Love”. The title is self explanatory as he gives you in depth description of what “real Love” is to him. Gearing up for his new mixtape release “Class Act” which is slated for a late spring release. If you’re a fan of this artist, this should hold you over until his debut LP “Attention Please” is released..
DAM GILA “WHAT FIRE”
Since forming in 2009, Chicago’s YAWN has released a handful of widely-praised EPs and LPs, toured with acts like Tame Impala, Mates of State, and Yuck, and won fans over with their synthy, psych-infused sound. When not playing with the band, frontman Adam Gil crafts his own sunny psych-pop tunes as Dam Gila, and today he shares a track from his upcoming EP, Face the Sun, due out on April 1st. You can stream “What Fire,” the EP’s driving opening track, where it premiered with Consequence of Sound.
YAWN frontman Adam Gil shares new single as Dam Gila, “What Fire” — listen
THOSE PRETTY WRONGS “ORDINARY”
Those Pretty Wrongs are Jody Stephens and Luther Russell, two old friends and veterans of the music scene in different ways.
Jody-as many people in rock and roll (and beyond) know-was the drummer for the legendary band Big Star. He went on to help run the equally legendary studio Ardent in Memphis and play with the endearing troop Golden Smog. Luther Russell was the leader of seminal roots-rock band The Freewheelers and went on to make several acclaimed solo records, as well as produce many important artists over the years. Together they have forged a sound that is brand new for both, yet begets a strangely familiar feeling…
GEORGE C. WOLFE TO BE HONORED BY EUGENE O’NEILL THEATER CENTER
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center announces that award-winning stage and film director, playwright, and actor George C. Wolfe will receive the 16th Monte Cristo Award. A gala dinner will be held in his honor at The Edison Ballroom (New York) on May 9, followed by a special program hosted by O’Neill Executive Director Preston Whiteway.
The O’Neill annually bestows its Monte Cristo Award on a prominent theater artist whose lifetime work has had an extraordinary impact on American theater. The gala event supports the Center’s commitment to developing new work and new artists for the stage.
Says Whiteway, “George stands alone as a director, author, and actor in his impressive and wide-ranging career, covering both stage and screen. With his range and breadth in the theater, he is a very deserving Monte Cristo Award recipient. It is an honor to celebrate his artistry, unique talents, and his enormous impact on our field.”
http://www.theoneill.org/join-us/special-events/special-events-2/
LAIS NEW SINGLE
“Tell me one more time, is it me or are you mine?” Fresh off the February 19th release of his 114 EP, the Pakistan-born, Toronto-based Lais graced the digital airwaves when Zane Lowe premiered his hypnotic new single “Mine Only” with a showcase on Apple Music’s Beats 1. “Mine Only” demonstrates the artist’s versatility, as Lais switches effortlessly between softly-sung come-ons and doubletime raps, his weapons in the psychological warfare depicted in the lyrics. Lais is no stranger to the Beats 1 spotlight. The artist got a huge co-sign last summer when Drake spun Lais’ track “For You” on the second episode of OVO Sound Radio, directly before he debuted “Charged Up” and monster hit “Hotline Bling.”
SHAMANIC PARTNERS WITH AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR MATTHEW LAWRENCE ON HIS LATEST MUSIC VIDEO “BA DA DA DA”
ShaManic is an up and coming rapper – whose roots are set in Nashville. Gaining notoriety for his dynamic beats, diverse melodies and passionate vocals, ShaManic is delivering a playful and energetic take on the life of a rising star. He is releasing his latest music video, the second from his debut album THE ARTIST, for the track “Ba Da Da Da” on Leap Day, February 29, 2016. This is the follow-up to the video for ShaManic’s Mindless, which premiered on Hiphopdx.com last year.
“SEX & DRUGS”
Today, A Giant Dog premiered their sparkly new video for “Sex & Drugs,” the first single from their Merge debut Pile.
In their premiere, Stereogum wrote, “The song is dense mix of springy guitar strums, bright vaudeville-esque piano, and shimmer galore balanced by rumbling drums and bass. Director John Valley’s video is pure energy, featuring the band silver-faced in all-white everything performing the track in repetitive, jerky motions.”
TYPHOID ROSIE DROPS NEW TRACK “BABY I WANT YOU”
Brooklyn-based indie pop/rock band, Typhoid Rosie, are releasing their debut album, Hearts Bleed Goodbye, with their current line up on March 25th, 2016. The new LP features 11 powerful tracks inspired by love and love lost. Although the full album is a tribute to front-woman Rosie Rebel’s mother, who passed away suddenly, this focus track specifically deals with a unique type of one-sided love relationship. Rebel developed a stalker during her comedian years. She expresses this experience through her music in “Baby I Want You.” PopDose says, Typhoid Rosie is “rising like a phoenix straight outta Brooklyn, recalls a fister rock & roll yesteryear when the likes of Joan Jett, Suz Quatro and Kim Carnes ruled the charts.”
SINGER-SONGWRITER ROD MELANCON SETS RELEASE OF EP
A Southern-Louisiana native, singer-songwriter ROD MELANCON grew up on a hearty helping of an Americana-meets-blues style of music. In the same way Johnny Cash captured the Arkansas of his childhood and Springsteen brought Asbury Park alive for millions, MELANCON has infused this great American art form with his own unique style and the results have re-invigorated the genre. His third release, the EP LA 14 (in reference to the Louisiana State Highway 14), teams MELANCON again with pioneering producer Brian Whelan (former multi-instrumentalist for Dwight Yoakam) and will be released via the innovative indie label, Blue Élan Records, on April 22, 2016.
THE VIRGINMARYS NEW SINGLE
Hailing from Macclesfield, England, the Virginmarys make anthems that scream with all the potent sound and fury of modern punk acts, brimming with the honesty of prime British rock of the early 1970’s, before the wizards and capes overcame the attack and dynamic.
The Virginmarys announce new album, Divides, share “Motherless Land” — listen
WAKE LP STREAM
The release of Sowing The Seeds Of A Worthless Tomorrow from Calgary-based grindcore act, WAKE, is up on us this Friday, and Invisible Oranges has let the beast out of the cage early with a stream of the full LP.
http://www.invisibleoranges.com/wake-sowing-the-seeds-of-a-worthless-tomorrow-album-premiere/
MARCO BENEVENTO “DROPKICK”
Directed by Jonathan Leder and starring pin-up model Amy Hood, Marco Benevento has premiered the video for the first single “Dropkick” off his new studio album, The Story of Fred Short, out April 1 on Royal Potato Family. The collection is some of Marco’s finest and most adventurous work—a maestro making “bold indie rock” says Brooklyn Vegan. It’s the follow-up to 2014’s Swift, which found Marco singing for the first time and honing his psych rock and late night dance party sensibilities. The Story Of Fred Short is a continuation of this exploration, and Marco cites everything from LCD Soundsystem, Harry Nilsson, Manu Chau and Gorillaz as inspiration.
http://flaunt.com/music/marco-benevento-dropkick/
BROOKE HUMMEL “CRUEL”
16 year old singer/songwriter popstress, Brooke Hummel. As a young teen traveling through her high school years, Brooke has documented her struggles with bullies in a very raw, delicate, and personal new song. “Cruel” fleshes out every emotional bullying encounter she has faced and wrote a song to help others.
“PRAY” BY THE AMERICAN WEATHER
Many words come to mind when trying to describe The American Weather, but few convey a more accurate representation than one in particular: Hungry
With the members of this indie rock n’ roll three-piece all having been born and raised in the old working class neighborhoods of Las Vegas, their unique sound is simultaneously reminiscent and current, much like the city in which they have spent years cutting their teeth together.
http://theamericanweather.bandcamp.com/track/pray-single
PLAZA “TOTEM”
PLAZA are 4 late-teens from the Industrial seaside town of Hartlepool, writing anthems that resonate the trials and tribulations of growing up; youthful romance, lukewarm beers and parmos.
Gearing up to release their debut single ‘Totem’ via Beyond The Wall on Monday 28th February, PLAZA neatly blend their love for 90s alternative music and obnoxious pop to form their very own defiant brand of self-destructive Post-Indie music.
