ROGER K RELEASES CINEMATIC DARK-POP ANTHEM “PLEASE DON’T PUT IT ON ME,” EXPLORING THE WEIGHT OF CHILDHOOD BURDENS
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, rising artist and incredibly diverse music creator Roger K has officially released his latest single, “Please Don’t Put It on Me.” Arriving on August 25, the track is a sweeping, cinematic dark-pop reflection that delves into the profound psychological impact of forcing children to carry burdens that were never theirs to hold.
The genesis of “Please Don’t Put It on Me” stems from a difficult but necessary question. Reflecting on the systemic issues that lead many adults into the prison system, Roger K began examining the shared histories of childhood instability, trauma, and immense pressure that often precursor such outcomes. He found himself wondering: What might have been different if someone had reached the child before those experiences followed them into adulthood?
As the songwriting process evolved, the scope of the track widened. From the quiet pressures within the family home and heavy academic expectations to the terrifying realities of political conflict, displacement, and war, the song tackles how children continuously inherit the fears, expectations, and consequences of the adult world.
Written entirely from a child’s perspective but delivered powerfully through an adult voice, “Please Don’t Put It on Me” acts as a poignant inner-child therapy session. The lyrics give the child the articulate, powerful voice they lacked at the time, pleading: “Please don’t put it on me / Don’t you know I can’t breathe / All this weight controls me / Let my spirit be free.” As the song progresses, the sense of suffocation becomes deeply visceral, with lines like “Every breath is getting thin / Like the air is burning out.”
Yet, beneath the cinematic doom, the very act of crying out offers a glimmer of hope—the possibility that someone will finally listen.
Sonically, Roger K places this deep vulnerability inside a fiercely original soundscape. By colliding grand cinematic orchestration and dark, spacious production with alternative R&B, soulful pop vocals, and a trap/drill-influenced rhythmic foundation, the track evokes the theatrical emotional scale of Labrinth, the atmospheric weight of Jacob Banks, and the raw vocal vulnerability of Sam Smith.
A true solo triumph, the record was entirely written, arranged, performed, produced, mixed, and mastered by Roger K. Abandoning specific musical reference points, the sound was born of pure experimentation—layering theatrical, haunting emptiness with contemporary percussion until the production itself mirrored the immense weight of the lyrics.
To accompany the release, Roger K has unveiled a self-directed animated visualizer. Inspired by and reimagining the striking, thought-provoking imagery of Banksy’s public works, the visual journey—conceptually directed and edited by Roger—moves through phases of childhood innocence, authority, conflict, displacement, and war. It perfectly connects the song’s themes into a broader visual story about children navigating a fragile world shaped by adults.
Even in its darkest moments, “Please Don’t Put It on Me” refuses to succumb to hopelessness. At its core, the record leaves listeners with one simple, echoing plea: Let my spirit be free.
Listen to “Please Don’t Put It on Me” on Spotify:
Watch the Banksy-Inspired Visualiser on YouTube:
What Is Wedding Photos Sharing, Should You Use the Option & How?
If there is one thing that we cannot deny when it comes to weddings nowadays is that it will be, well, rather well photographed. And no, I am not talking solely about the professional photographs that will play a major role in your big day. No doubt that you understand their importance already, and that you are sure to make them a huge part of your wedding plan.
But, you most likely also understand that your guests will be capturing some candid snapshots on their phones, meaning that hundreds or even thousands of images can actually be created in just a couple of hours. The question, however, is how you can collect these and have them organized. This is where wedding photo sharing comes in as an option that you may want to consider using to your advantage. There are now some modern photo-sharing solutions that allow people to upload, view and download the images all in one convenient place. Thus, you don’t have to chase people for the pics, as you will have them all ready for you in no time.
Of course, the fact that you are here tells me that you have become interested in this particular option. You have likely come across it while doing your own research, or someone may have recommended it to you. Whatever the case, though, what you want to do is understand what wedding photo sharing is specifically, as well as why it is that you may want to use the option to your advantage, and how to use it in the first place. And, well, those are all some rather important questions that we will answer for you below, so keep on reading to find out what you need to know.
What Is Wedding Photo Sharing?
Okay, let us begin with the very basics here. The very first thing you want to understand is what wedding photo sharing actually is. And, to cut right to the chase, it refers to using a digital platform that will allow people involved in your wedding to upload and access photos from the celebration. This way, you won’t need to have your guests send photos through messages or share them through social media albums, as you will have a dedicated sharing platform that will keep it all organized in one and the same location.
Now, depending on the actual service that you will use, your guest may be able to upload their own photos or videos, to view professional wedding images, to download high resolution pictures, leave comments and reactions, create favorite collections and access their albums from smartphones, tablets or computers. Furthermore, a lot of modern services also allow couples to organize their photos into categories, thus making things even simpler to access. In case you’re curious about how to pose for some of the photos on your big day, this could help.
Why Should You Give This Option a Chance?
You may be wondering why using this option to your advantage may be a good idea in the first place. And, well, there are plenty of reasons for that. For starters, traditional photo sharing can be quite difficult, given that there are a lot more photos that you can get nowadays than you could in the past. So, if you don’t have an organized system, you will end up with the pics scattered across various text messages, social media platforms and groups, email attachments, even USB drives, which may make finding specific photos a bit later quite difficult.
When you have a dedicated photo-sharing platform, though, you will eliminate this confusion, since everything will be kept together. So, in short, everything will stay organized. Apart from that, another benefit of doing this consists of allowing the guests to really participate and feel included in your wedding, which is definitely a huge plus.
Another thing that you should understand is that this option will help preserve image quality as well. After all, messaging apps often compress images significantly, and you can find it explained at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_compression why that happens. With a dedicated photo-sharing app, you can rest assured that the images will remain of great quality. On top of that, you will increase privacy this way, and easy access for everyone will be ensured.
How to Do It the Right Way?
Having understood the benefits, the only thing left for you to do right now is figure out how to exactly use this option to your advantage the right way. And, well, the main thing to do is, of course, find the right platform that will support your goals and needs, so make sure to research more of them and compare what they offer and at what prices. Once you’ve made this choice, things will be simpler from there, as you will just get to display the QR code to the guests and allow them to share their visions of your big day quite easily.
Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents – “Long Live The King” On Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 7 PM PT on Twitch
Rocky Kramer will be hosting “Long Live The King” on this week’s episode of Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays on Twitch. Tune into Twitch on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 7 PM PT for this amazing show.
Rocky Kramer is a guitar virtuoso, often being compared to the greatest guitar players in the world. Rocky has performed on shows with some of the greatest musicians on the planet including Ozzy Osbourne, John Lodge, Steve Vai, Leland Sklar, Kenny Aronoff, Tommy James, Verdeen White, Ten Years After, BuckCherry, Rick Wakeman and more.
Rocky’s first studio album, “Firestorm” is now available worldwide through Allied Artists Music Group, together with an epic music video of his #1 Global DRT Chart topper single, “Rock Star”, that also picked up a Best Rock Performance nod at the 2019 Hollywood Music In Media Awards (“HMMA”).
Rocky Kramer recently returned to the studio to record his sophomore album “Alone In The Rain” which will be released soon!!!
Rocky Kramer was recently cast in The Mutt Productions/ Allied Artists rock n’ roll time travel comedy adventure “Rockin’ In Time” where he will play the film’s lead character, Lars Olsen. The film is being directed by Aaron Lee Lopez (of the “Teenage Girl” franchise) and is being produced by multi-platinum and six-time Grammy Award winning musician turned motion picture producer, Kurt Wipfli.
Rocky Kramer is now the new lead guitarist in Prescott Niles’ new revival of the legendary band The Knack. Known worldwide for their smash hit “My Sharona,” The Knack helped define the sound of late-1970s power pop and rock. Decades later, the band’s influence continues to resonate with fans and musicians across generations. With Rocky Kramer now joining the lineup, the band is poised to introduce that legacy to a new era of audiences while honoring the spirit that made them legendary.
Watch Rocky Kramer’s “Rock Star” Music Video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKx6zN1DydQ
Watch Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays “Long LiveThe King” on September 1st, 2026, at 7 PM PT on Twitch here:
http://www.twitch.tv/rockykramer
The official website for Rocky Kramer may be found at http://www.RockyKramer.com
Visit Rock & Roll Tuesdays with Rocky Kramer on IMDB here:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13299266/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
PREMIERE: Rachael Sage & The Sequins Unveil “Canopy (Acoustic)”
Rachael Sage & The Sequins return with “Canopy (Acoustic),” a gently reimagined rendition of the title track from Sage’s 2025 album Canopy. The new recording offers a subtly stripped-back take on the original, allowing its lush string arrangements and quietly hopeful message to take centre stage.
“Canopy” has always carried an expansive, almost anthemic quality, built around Sage’s invitation to find common ground in a world increasingly defined by division. On the acoustic version, that sentiment remains intact, but the arrangement feels softer and more intimate, giving greater space to the strings and Sage’s vocals, while the familiar melody and emotional architecture of the song remain largely unchanged.
At its heart, the song is about creating a place where people can feel safe, welcomed, and connected. Its chorus “Come to me and hold my hand / You don’t have to understand / You just have to stand under my canopy” turns that idea into something direct and disarmingly simple: an invitation to begin with compassion rather than requiring agreement.
Sage says of the song: “The absence of women’s voices and their active presence on the world stage is a lot of what has contributed to the violence we currently see, militarily and environmentally. Creating safety and inclusivity in times of divisiveness can be a radical and powerful act; it takes courage to stand up for justice and for our fellow human beings, and through the message of this song I am trying to inspire each of us – including myself – to boldly do that for one another even when it may be uncomfortable or go against the cultural grain to do so.”
Produced by Sage with Grammy®-nominated engineer and bassist Mikhail Pivovarov, “Canopy (Acoustic)” features Sage on vocals, alongside The Sequins’ violinist Kelly Halloran and drummer Andy Mac, with cellist Dave Eggar and additional musicians contributing to the arrangement. The acoustic treatment brings the string elements into sharper focus, giving the song a warmer, more reflective character without losing the uplifting quality of the original.
The single arrives as part of the rollout for Under My Canopy, Sage & The Sequins’ forthcoming acoustic album, which revisits songs from Canopy through fresh arrangements and a more intimate sonic palette.
For now, “Canopy (Acoustic)” stands comfortably on its own: a familiar song given just enough breathing room to reveal another side of its warmth.
https://youtu.be/bAFGyjTVGbo?is=tXOhHo8Q-b5Y0ZEd
SCARECROW’S “TWISTED” — FEATURING THE LEGENDARY DEE SNIDER — NOMINATED FOR SONG OF THE YEAR AT THE JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS
The All-Star Metal Anthem Earns Recognition in the Metal/Alternative Metal Category at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards, September 20 at the Grand Ole Opry House
Metal has always been about moments — the ones that hit like lightning and leave a scorch mark on everything around them. “TWISTED,” the thunderous anthem from SCARECROW, is one of those moments, and now it has the recognition to match: an official nomination for Song of the Year – Metal/Alternative Metal at the 12th Annual Josie Music Awards, taking place September 20, 2026, at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
Look at the names on this record and the nomination begins to explain itself. On vocals: Dee Snider — the voice of Twisted Sister, one of the most powerful and instantly recognizable singers in the history of heavy metal, the man who turned “We’re Not Gonna Take It” into a generational battle cry. On violin: Mark Wood, the trailblazing electric violinist who redefined what the instrument could do inside a wall of amplifiers. On guitar: TJ Jordan, whose riffs give “TWISTED” its spine of steel. On drums: Bobby Marks, driving the whole machine forward with relentless precision. This is not a track with a guest spot. This is a summit.
And there is poetry in the timing. Snider announced his retirement from the road earlier this year after a lifetime of famously ferocious performing — which makes every recorded moment of that legendary voice more treasured than ever. On “TWISTED,” he sounds exactly like the legend fans have roared along with for four decades: defiant, enormous, and utterly alive. That a song titled “TWISTED” carries one of the great Twisted Sister’s most electrifying latter-day vocals is the kind of symmetry rock and roll writes only when it means it.
The Josie Music Awards, recognized as the largest independent music awards show in the world, judge Song of the Year on the craft: originality, composition, structure, and the power of the recording itself. A nomination in the Metal/Alternative Metal category places SCARECROW among the fiercest independent acts working today — and confirms what listeners have felt since the first note: “TWISTED” was built to last.
On September 20, the independent music world converges on the Grand Ole Opry House — country music’s mother church, opening its doors to the loudest congregation in town. SCARECROW will be there among the honored, carrying a song forged by legends and earned by every decibel.
Some songs get nominated. “TWISTED” got summoned.
The official website for the Josie Music Awards may be found at https://www.josiemusicawards.com
Matilda Grace Brings Retro Pop Energy Into The Now With ‘Cover Boy’
London’s Matilda Grace taps into the glossy excess and playful confidence of classic pop on ‘Cover Boy’, a sharply produced new single that brings 80s and 90s nostalgia into a distinctly contemporary setting. Built around shimmering synths, infectious melodies and an unmistakably upbeat energy, the track understands that nostalgia works best when it is used as a creative springboard rather than simply replicated.
There is plenty of personality in Grace’s approach. Influences from the likes of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran and The Buggles inform the track’s aesthetic, but ‘Cover Boy’ avoids feeling like a retro exercise. Instead, Grace reshapes those references into something polished, playful and immediately accessible, with a hook designed to translate just as effectively to a live setting as it does to streaming.
The track also reinforces Grace’s growing position within the UK’s emerging pop scene. Following releases including ‘Chemistry’ and ‘Tell Me Why’, alongside support from BBC Introducing, Apple Music editorial playlists and the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition long-list, ‘Cover Boy’ feels like a confident step forward rather than a stylistic detour. Its accompanying fashion-led video further strengthens the song’s visual identity, extending the track’s world of glamour, ambition and playful escapism.
Most importantly, Grace sounds like an artist enjoying the process. ‘Cover Boy’ is bright, immediate and knowingly fun, while its carefully constructed production gives the nostalgia enough modern polish to avoid becoming pastiche. At 21, Grace is developing a clear artistic identity, and this latest release suggests there is plenty more to come.
Clarity Liao Captures the Ache of Unrequited Love on ‘Have You’
There’s something wonderfully awkward and honest about a song built around the words you never quite managed to say. On ‘Have You’, Clarity Liao turns that familiar feeling of unspoken affection into a soft, intimate slice of bedroom pop, where longing sits comfortably alongside a quietly infectious indie-pop warmth.
The track feels less like a grand romantic gesture and more like a late-night confession you’re not entirely sure you should be making. Liao’s vocal stays close and expressive as understated instrumentation gives the song plenty of breathing room, allowing its emotional details to land without ever becoming overworked. There’s a genuine sense of vulnerability here, particularly in the way the song captures that slightly obsessive side of a crush, the overthinking, the hoping, the wondering whether they might finally notice.
As part of her forthcoming Dear… EP, ‘Have You’ feels like another revealing glimpse into Liao’s songwriting world. It’s tender without becoming overly sentimental, personal without shutting the listener out. Sometimes the songs that connect most are the ones that simply say what we were all too nervous to say ourselves.
Pam Ross Takes a Midnight Ride Toward “Lost in Heaven”
By Lonnie Nabors
There is a particular kind of song that doesn’t knock politely. It kicks open the screen door, turns the stereo past ten, and dares you to remember what it felt like when attraction could erase every sensible thought in your head. Pam Ross’ “Lost in Heaven,” arriving September 11th, is that kind of record: hot-blooded country rock with pine trees overhead, faded denim on the dance floor, and enough romantic voltage to keep the moon awake.
Ross wastes no time establishing the temperature. The music is loud, the night is open, and somebody in those faded jeans is moving like tomorrow has been canceled. “You get me hotter than a day in late June,” she sings, delivering the sort of direct, uncomplicated line that country music has always understood. Desire doesn’t need a philosophy degree. Sometimes it only needs a beat, a look, and a locked door.
But “Lost in Heaven” is more than a flirtatious midnight romp. Ross understands that the best sensual songs carry an emotional undercurrent. The physical chemistry is obvious, yet the chorus frames the encounter as an answered prayer. Her lover becomes equal parts blessing and temptation—something sacred enough to inspire angels and dangerous enough to make them blush.
That contrast is where the song earns its halo.
The imagery feels cinematic without losing its intimacy. Pines hide the couple from the world. Stars spill light across a body. The full moon becomes a trusted accomplice that “won’t tell anybody.” You can practically hear tires leaving the pavement and rolling onto some secluded country road where radio signals fade and inhibitions disappear with them.
Ross also gives the story somewhere to go. When Sunday morning arrives and the object of her affection is still lying beside her, the song shifts subtly. This is no longer merely a wild night preserved in whiskey-colored memory. There is tenderness in that morning-after realization, a suggestion that heaven might not be the temporary escape. It might be waking up and discovering that the other person stayed.
Musically, the lyric begs for a muscular country-rock arrangement: guitars with some dust on their boots, drums that push without rushing, and a chorus wide enough to fill an outdoor stage. Ross’ multi-genre instincts make her the right artist for such a balancing act. She can bring rock attitude to a country setting while retaining the warmth necessary to sell the song’s romantic center.
“Lost in Heaven” doesn’t pretend desire is tidy. It celebrates the moment when restraint gives way, music gets louder, and two people step outside the ordinary world together. Pam Ross turns that moment into a Southern nocturne—part prayer, part temptation, and part glorious trouble.
On September 11th, heaven may be closer than anyone thought.
@skopemag INTRODUCING: STEVE STACKS – MUSIC PRODUCER – CANADA
Steve Stacks is a fully independent artist/producer from Toronto Canada who has produced 4 multi genre albums and has a 60 song catalogue in his 3 year career. Multi talented artist who has the ability to impersonate peoples voices.
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/steve-stacks/1472153419
Has written and published 2 guidebooks for indie musicians producers. Has great talent in graphic design. His journeys in life has brought him to this point. Music has always been in his life.
And 1 day tried rapping on his home pc and put it onto a CD. And slowly started producing without any education or mentors.
Basically diving into the industry blind. Has accomplished a lot in his short career. Getting continuously aired on terrestrial and online radio and having a following as far as Japan and Australia. He continues to break the rules of music and lead in being a pioneer of his craft which can be heard in his intro vocal impressions in his songs as well as in his song creation style.
Ruby & Sasha Draw The Line On Sassy New Country-Folk Single “Red Light,” Out August 25th
Ruby & Sasha Draw The Line On Sassy New Country-Folk Single “Red Light,” Out August 25th
Listen Here
NEW YORK, NY – Rising duo Ruby & Sasha are turning heartbreak into a warning sign on their new single, “Red Light,” arriving everywhere Tuesday, August 25th. Equal parts biting, vulnerable, and self-assured, the country-folk ballad captures the moment when disappointment finally becomes clarity and walking away starts to feel a whole lot better than sticking around.
Built around the universal experience of realizing someone simply does not measure up, “Red Light” is a song about leaving before a bad situation has the chance to become worse. Rather than mourning a relationship that failed to live up to its promise, Ruby & Sasha flip the script, delivering a scathing review of a man who cannot seem to meet even the lowest expectations.
At its core, “Red Light” is about recognizing the warning signs and choosing yourself.
With its country-folk foundation, the track balances the intimacy of a breakup ballad with a sly sense of humor and a well-earned edge. Acoustic and electric guitars create the backbone of the arrangement, while pedal steel, harmonica, Wurlitzer, bass, and drums give the song a warm, lived-in sound that complements its pointed storytelling. The result feels both classic and contemporary, allowing the song’s attitude to cut through without sacrificing its emotional weight.
There is a particular kind of freedom that comes from realizing you do not have to wait for someone to hurt you again before deciding you have had enough. “Red Light” lives in that moment. It is not about begging someone to change or wondering where things went wrong. It is about seeing the situation clearly, understanding your worth, and getting out while you still have the chance.
The song was produced, recorded, and mixed by Daniel Markus, who also contributes acoustic and electric guitar. Natalia Catalan performs bass, with Sam Schuman on drums, Quinn Devlin on harmonica and Wurlitzer, and Sam Roller on pedal steel. Mastering was handled by Elaine Rasnake.
With “Red Light,” Ruby & Sasha transform romantic disappointment into something sharper and far more satisfying: a reminder that sometimes the strongest ending is the one you choose for yourself.
“Red Light” by Ruby & Sasha will be available on all major streaming platforms Tuesday, August 25th.
For more on Ruby & Sasha, follow them on social media:
FOLLOW RUBY & SASHA:
Instagram | Spotify | TikTok
FENIX360 Bets the House on Artists With a Global Streaming Reimagined
On a Tuesday morning in Times Square, with the lights of Broadway still burning off the last of the summer heat, a company that calls itself the future of social media staged something closer to a coronation. FENIX360 had come to New York to launch “Streaming Reimagined,” a worldwide push to hand artists a bigger share of the money their music actually makes — and it chose to make its entrance loud.
The celebration opened on August 25 with FENIX360’s partnership in the inaugural Wonder Games, produced by Wonderama, the longest-running children’s television show in American history. David Osmond hosted alongside actress and social media creator McKenzi Brooke, and the afternoon stacked live music on top of esports exhibitions and creator showcases, then closed with a video announcement beamed in from Mumbai, where FENIX360 was making its official debut at India’s All About Music conference at the very same hour.
That Mumbai unveiling was no small addendum. Alongside the streaming service Gaana, FENIX360 introduced a new in-app artist social feed and a suite of monetization tools, a first look at a direct-to-fan integration set to roll out fully in the fourth quarter of 2026. The partnership opens the door to Gaana’s audience of more than 40 million monthly visitors across better than 20 regional languages — one of the largest digital-music followings anywhere in the world.
The story keeps moving on Thursday, August 27, when artists from thirteen countries take part in what the company is calling one of the largest coordinated global showcases ever staged by an emerging creative-tech platform. The broadcast stretches across Mumbai, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Munich, Tokyo, Rome, Melbourne, Singapore, Sweden, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Zimbabwe, and it will carry a special video and song release from three-time Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej.
Behind the spectacle sits a blunter argument. FENIX360 says it built its platform because the numbers in the creative economy simply don’t work: more than 98% of artists cannot earn a sustainable living from their music, and the dominant streaming platforms pay out as little as $0.003 a stream — roughly $3,000 for a million plays. Founder, Chairman and CEO Allan Klepfisz doesn’t soften that math. He describes the current ecosystem as “in disarray” and argues creators deserve dramatically better options.
“Empowering artists with disruptive technology is long overdue,” Klepfisz said. “Creators have been told that a fraction of a cent per stream is the best the industry can do, which is not true. We are cutting out the middlemen to level the playing field for creative artists. It is time for the creators to own their own distribution.”
The standalone FENIX360 app is built to make good on that promise, paying artists 70% or more of all revenue, advertising included — a figure that dwarfs industry norms. Inside a single integrated app, artists can earn from advertising, commerce, streaming, subscriptions, merchandise, tickets, collectibles, NFTs and private sessions. FENIX360 has also built out professional-grade infrastructure once reserved for major-label artists: custom apps and website builders, geo-targeted fan notifications, unified social-media management, touring and marketing utilities, and six patent-pending AI systems — AI4AI, GigBooker, Harmony AI, InstApp, and TourBooker & RPM — that together form an end-to-end intelligence layer for creative professionals.
Headquartered in Singapore, FENIX360 is now preparing a worldwide rollout across Europe, the UK and the United States, with additional distribution partnerships in the works and a NASDAQ listing targeted for 2027. The company says it has already recruited more than 7,000 artist ambassadors.
The August 27 broadcast will do double duty as a philanthropic vehicle, driving donations to Teen Cancer America — founded by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who — along with Creative Visions and Share and Care. And the momentum doesn’t stop there: on Monday, August 31, FENIX360 will introduce the FENIX360 Artist Trust, chaired by international concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith CBE, the legendary force behind Live Aid, with a mandate to give back to artists and support charitable causes.
Taken together, it’s a week built to make a case in public: that the economics artists have lived with for a generation aren’t inevitable, and that a platform willing to cut out the middlemen might finally prove it.
Visit Streaming Reimagined by FENIX360 – https://fenix360rising.swigit.com
From “Finally Feel Big” to FOX 2 St. Louis, Liana Valle Steps Into Her Next Chapter
Liana Valle is turning an already busy year into the foundation for what comes next.
The singer-songwriter and actress recently appeared on FOX 2 St. Louis’ The Hawk’s Nest with Ty Hawkins, adding another television moment to a career that continues to move between music, film and entertainment.
Instagram video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcUYV5evmMX/?igsi=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
The appearance follows Valle’s release of “Finally Feel Big,” a personal single exploring ambition, self-worth and the determination required to continue pursuing a bigger vision for yourself.
LISTEN TO “FINALLY FEEL BIG”:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lianavalle/finally-feel-big
That willingness to write from real experience has become an important part of Valle’s identity as an artist. Rather than separating the uncomfortable parts of growing up from her music, she has increasingly allowed those experiences to become part of the story.
Music, however, represents only one part of Valle’s creative world. She continues to work across acting and songwriting and has appeared in director Sean McNamara’s Soul on Fire, further establishing a career that refuses to stay confined to a single lane.
With “Finally Feel Big” continuing to introduce listeners to this stage of her artistry, Valle is already preparing new music. Another single is currently in development, with additional details expected as the rollout moves closer.
For now, Valle is allowing each step to build naturally on the last: a new record, a television appearance, expanding creative opportunities and another song waiting in the wings.
For an artist whose latest release is called “Finally Feel Big,” the timing feels particularly fitting.
‘Good Luck, Nice To Meet You’ By The Mighty Pines
‘Good Luck, Nice To Meet You’ feels like an album built around the idea that roots music doesn’t have to stand still. For The Mighty Pines, tradition is less a boundary than a starting point, with the St. Louis quartet folding bluegrass, soul, rock & roll and contemporary groove into a sound that feels deeply connected to place while remaining open to outside influence.
There is a particular warmth to the record, largely carried by the band’s three-part harmonies and an instinct for melody that gives even its more adventurous moments a sense of familiarity. The title track arrives with immediate purpose, balancing a relaxed, roots-driven groove with the kind of expansive vocal arrangement that has clearly been honed through years of live performance. Elsewhere, Juniper introduces a touch of funk and soulful restraint, while The Fire reveals a more thoughtful side to the songwriting, allowing the record to breathe beyond its more celebratory moments.
The result is less interested in neatly defining what Americana should sound like than in exploring what it can become. The Mighty Pines bring a wealth of influences into the room, but never allow them to overshadow their own identity. Instead, ‘Good Luck, Nice To Meet You’ captures a band with a strong understanding of its musical foundations and the confidence to keep moving beyond them, a record shaped by experience, collaboration and a genuine affection for the possibilities of playing together.
Tristan Roberson Finds His Country Voice on ‘Down For The Ride’
Tristan Roberson brings a remarkably seasoned voice to ‘Down For The Ride’, a sophomore album that balances traditional country storytelling with a fresh, contemporary energy. Rooted in the Texas country tradition and drawing influence from the likes of George Strait, Alan Jackson and George Jones, Roberson approaches fourteen tracks with a confidence that belies his age, moving naturally between upbeat anthems, reflective ballads and songs centred on the highs and complications of growing up.
The title track captures that balance particularly well. Built around lively fiddle, driving guitars and an infectious rhythm, ‘Down For The Ride’ finds Roberson embracing the thrill of falling for someone despite knowing it might not be the wisest decision. There’s humour and youthful optimism in the performance, but also an honesty that keeps the song grounded. Across the album, that combination of classic country character and modern production gives Roberson plenty of room to establish his own identity.
Roberson isn’t simply recreating the sounds of country’s past; he’s taking those influences and filtering them through his own experiences as a young songwriter and performer. With its strong melodies, heartfelt storytelling and unmistakable Texas spirit, the album marks another confident step forward for an artist whose impressive trajectory already suggests there’s plenty more to come.
Can a Sacred Activist Change the World? New Book Challenges Readers to Confront Today’s Greatest Crises with Courage, Compassion and Action
Oxford-educated psychotherapist and spiritual educator Serge Beddington-Behrens argues that the future of humanity depends not on politicians, but on ordinary people willing to become Sacred Activists.
What if the greatest crisis facing humanity isn’t political division, war or climate change—but the loss of the human soul?
In his powerful new book, Regenerating an Unravelling World: Exploring the Sacred Path of the Visionary Activist, acclaimed psychotherapist, teacher and author Serge Beddington-Behrens delivers a bold and timely message: our world will not be transformed by waiting for leaders to save us. Instead, real change begins when ordinary people choose to become Sacred Activists—individuals who combine inner transformation with courageous action in service of humanity.
Blending psychology, philosophy, spirituality, politics and practical activism, Regenerating an Unravelling World is neither a conventional spirituality book nor a political manifesto. Instead, it offers a compelling vision of how personal consciousness and social responsibility must evolve together if humanity is to navigate one of the most turbulent periods in its history.
“The crises in our world today are all crises resulting from a lack of soul. Soul needs to return to the world.”
Drawing on more than five decades of experience as a psychotherapist, lecturer and spiritual educator, Beddington-Behrens argues that today’s challenges—from war and authoritarianism to environmental destruction, inequality, greed and disconnection—are symptoms of a civilisation that has lost touch with compassion, purpose and the sacred.
Rather than encouraging despair, however, the book offers hope.
“Our current systems may be unravelling,” he argues, “but this does not mean humanity is doomed. The collapse of outdated ways of thinking creates the opportunity for something wiser, kinder and more conscious to emerge.”
From Sacred Warrior to Sacred Activist
At the heart of the book lies the idea that spirituality should never be passive.
Inspired by traditions including the Samurai, Zen Buddhism and King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table, Beddington-Behrens redefines the archetype of the Sacred Warrior—not as someone who fights against others in a destructive way, but who fights for causes they believe in. For example, he believes that unless we fight to preserve all the noble ingredients of democracy, it will begin to wither.
Part One: Growing the Sacred Warrior
The first half of the book explores the inner journey required before meaningful change can occur.
Readers are invited to cultivate presence, resilience, courage, compassion and self-awareness while confronting fear, ego and disconnection. Rather than offering superficial self-help, Beddington-Behrens presents a practical philosophy for developing what he calls the Sacred Warrior—someone whose inner life becomes the foundation for responsible action.
As Gandhi famously said:
“We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Part Two: Changing the World
The second half turns outward.
Here, Beddington-Behrens examines many of the defining issues of our time, including war, authoritarianism, fascism, political extremism, environmental collapse, corporate power, poverty, inequality and the hidden psychology of evil.
He argues that remaining silent in the face of injustice is no longer an option.
“Evil thrives because good people do nothing.”
Rather than leaving these challenges to governments and institutions, he encourages readers to recognise that each individual has the power—and the responsibility—to contribute to a healthier future.
The book introduces The Eleven Sacred Paths of the Activist, demonstrating that activism can take many forms. Whether as educators, innovators, creators, investigators, initiators or compassionate leaders, everyone has the capacity to become part of the solution.
A Spirituality for the Twenty-First Century
One of the book’s central themes is that spirituality must move beyond private wellbeing.
Beddington-Behrens challenges forms of spirituality that focus exclusively on personal fulfilment while ignoring the suffering of the wider world. Equally, he questions forms of activism driven solely by anger, arguing instead for a new model of Sacred Activism—where love, courage, wisdom and meaningful action work together.
For him, spirituality often has little to do with religion. He quotes the Dalai Lama, who suggests that:
“We can develop higher human qualities such as love, compassion, wisdom, courage, forgiveness to a high degree without recourse to any religious or metaphysical system.”
For the author, the aim must be to bring higher-order or spiritual values into our politics, our business, our education and our relationships and how we engage in all areas of our daily lives.
A Message of Hope
Although Regenerating an Unravelling World examines some of the darkest issues facing modern society, its message is ultimately optimistic.
Rather than predicting the end of the world, Beddington-Behrens believes we are witnessing the end of an outdated way of living.
He argues that today’s crises are part of humanity’s evolution, creating the possibility for a more compassionate civilisation and a new generation of conscious citizens willing to help shape it.
In a world searching for hope, purpose and direction, Regenerating an Unravelling World asks one profound question:
What kind of human being do we need to become if we are to help create the future we wish to see?
About Serge Beddington-Behrens
Serge Beddington-Behrens MA (Oxon.), PhD is an Oxford-educated transpersonal psychotherapist, teacher of transformation, lecturer and author. For over forty years he has worked internationally, leading retreats, workshops and lectures exploring psychology, consciousness, relationships and spiritual development. His previous books include Awakening the Universal Heart, Gateways to the Soul and Amazing Grace. He lives in Mallorca, Spain.
Dysmusia Finds Character In The Complicated Bits Of “In your eyes”
Dysmusia does not treat romance as a neat and tidy business on “In your eyes”. And let’s face it; it rarely is. His latest single deals with a relationship that has gone through repeated breakups and reunions, but there is a looseness to the writing that keeps the subject from becoming overly serious.
That comes through in the details. He describes having “a thousand locusts” in his head when he tries to shift his attention away from his former partner, an unusual image that gives the opening verse plenty of personality. Later, the lyrics “I’ll move a little closer” pushes the song in a more hopeful direction, even though Dysmusia remains unsure about where things might lead.
The writing has a good balance of sincerity and wit. He is clearly taking the situation seriously, but he also allows himself to sound human rather than polished at every turn. That makes the song feel like it belongs to a real relationship rather than an idealised version of one.
Musically, Dysmusia brings together the warmth of acoustic folk with a more energetic indie-rock approach. The dropped-tuned acoustic guitar gives the track its weight, while the second guitar in standard tuning adds contrast and helps fill out the arrangement.
There is also a pleasing sense of movement in the song itself. Dysmusia starts with uncertainty, considers what might happen next and eventually reaches the point where he is ready to find out.
With more than 1,000 radio plays in six months, including airplay on BBC Radio Wales, “In your eyes” arrives with some momentum behind it. More importantly, it shows an artist with a clear knack for turning complicated feelings into songs that remain approachable and full of character.
DAV-EL Turns Romantic Obsession Into an Electronic Escape on “Lost in Your Love”
By Marissa Lane
Argentina-based electronic producer DAV-EL introduces his artistic world with “Lost in Your Love,” an immersive new single that brings emotion, atmosphere, and contemporary pop instincts into the same glowing space. Built around the universal sensation of surrendering completely to another person, the track presents love not as a simple feeling but as an environment—something vast enough to enter, inhabit, and potentially disappear within.
https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/track/0tOtAoLTWMdJ10s6Njj581?si=754cfc85a44242d1
That idea is central to DAV-EL’s developing identity. His music explores the meeting point between emotion, energy, and sound, and “Lost in Your Love” serves as an inviting expression of that philosophy. Rather than treating electronic production as an exercise in technology or technical precision, he uses it to shape an experience. The song is designed to be felt physically and emotionally, allowing its electronic textures and cinematic atmosphere to communicate beyond the limits of its words.
There is a distinctly visual quality to the single’s concept. Its title suggests blurred lights, suspended time, and the emotional disorientation that arrives when attraction becomes all-consuming. DAV-EL leans into that feeling by presenting the track as more than an isolated release. It belongs to an evolving creative universe in which music, imagery, and storytelling work together. That broader ambition gives “Lost in Your Love” the character of an opening scene: intimate enough to stand alone, yet expansive enough to hint at something larger waiting beyond it.
The pop influence makes the emotional core accessible. While the production exists within an electronic framework, the song’s central idea is immediate and familiar. Almost everyone understands what it means to become so absorbed in a relationship that the outside world briefly disappears. The phrase “lost in your love” may be simple, but it carries two possible meanings. It can describe romantic bliss—the freedom of giving oneself fully—or the danger of losing one’s identity inside another person. That ambiguity gives the song emotional depth.
DAV-EL’s Argentine background also places him within an increasingly global electronic landscape. The music does not appear confined by geography, language, or a narrowly defined scene. Its combination of electronic color, pop appeal, and cinematic scale is intended to travel, creating an emotional connection with listeners wherever they happen to be.
What makes “Lost in Your Love” especially promising is its sense of purpose. DAV-EL is not merely assembling fashionable sounds; he is establishing the emotional and visual vocabulary of a new project. The single feels like an invitation to step inside that world and remain there for a while.
With “Lost in Your Love,” DAV-EL transforms romantic surrender into a widescreen electronic experience. It is a confident introduction from a producer interested in connection rather than limitation—and the beginning of a journey that could lead almost anywhere.
Eau the Music Blends Dream Pop and Shoegaze on ‘In This Silence’
Montreal-born, Ottawa-based artist Eau the Music makes an assured introduction with ‘In This Silence’, the first preview of her forthcoming debut album, ‘Light in the Dark’. Self-produced from start to finish, the track occupies a compelling space between dream pop, shoegaze and alternative rock, pairing shimmering guitar textures with a distinctly introspective emotional core.
What makes the release particularly striking is the instinctive nature of Eau the Music’s approach. With no formal musical training, she wrote, produced and mixed the album herself, turning a period of personal transition into an immersive body of work shaped by themes of love, loss, identity and self-discovery. On ‘In This Silence’, that honesty translates into music that feels expansive without sacrificing its intimacy.
The track moves patiently through hazy atmospherics and understated melodies, drawing subtle echoes of Metric, Pixies and Radiohead while maintaining a character of its own. Its shifts between major and minor harmonies create an unresolved tension, while layers of shimmering fuzz continually suggest a larger emotional release just beyond reach. Rather than relying on a conventional crescendo, Eau allows that anticipation to become the song’s defining quality.
Described by the artist as an exploration of “the liminal”, those uncertain spaces within relationships, loss and self-reflection, ‘In This Silence’ ultimately finds beauty in restraint. It is a thoughtful, cinematic introduction to an emerging artist whose DIY methodology is matched by a clear understanding of atmosphere, texture and emotional pacing. If ‘Light in the Dark’ continues along this trajectory, Eau the Music could prove to be one of Canada’s more intriguing new alternative voices.
Who Educates Parents? Challenges Traditional Parenting Advice with a Refreshingly Honest Family Perspective
A unique new book written not only by parents—but with their children—offers a powerful conversation about raising families in today’s rapidly changing world.
Parenting books often promise expert advice and step-by-step solutions, but Who Educates Parents? takes a strikingly different approach. Written by Dr. Žilvinas Svigaris in collaboration with his own family, the book asks a simple yet profound question: Who teaches parents how to become parents?
Rather than presenting parenting as a one-way process, Who Educates Parents? explores the idea that children educate parents just as much as parents educate children. Drawing on more than two decades of family life, the book combines personal stories, philosophical reflection and honest conversations between parents and children to show how dialogue, trust and shared experiences can strengthen relationships across generations.
Unlike conventional parenting guides, the family’s children contribute their own memories and perspectives throughout the book—sometimes remembering the very same events differently from their parents. This creates a rare and authentic dialogue that encourages readers to reflect on their own family relationships instead of searching for universal parenting formulas.
Covering topics including communication, adolescence, education, responsibility, family traditions, learning through music, schools, creativity and preparing children for an uncertain future, Who Educates Parents? argues that the strongest families are built through mutual respect rather than authority alone.
The book is particularly relevant at a time when many parents face increasing pressures from social media, technology and rapidly changing educational expectations. Instead of focusing on perfection, Dr. Svigaris encourages families to rediscover curiosity, empathy and meaningful conversations that allow every family member to grow.
“Children do not simply receive education—they actively shape the people their parents become.”
Dr. Žilvinas Svigaris brings together an unusual combination of academic expertise and lived family experience. With backgrounds in Computer Science, Economics and Philosophy, he has authored and co-authored several academic works while remaining deeply involved in educational initiatives. Who Educates Parents? represents his most personal project to date, inspired by raising three children and reflecting on the lessons learned together as a family.
Rather than offering rigid rules, Who Educates Parents? invites families, educators and parenting professionals to begin an ongoing conversation about what modern parenting can become when children are treated as participants rather than passive recipients.
The book will appeal to parents, teachers, grandparents, education professionals, family therapists and anyone interested in creating healthier relationships between generations.
Spellemann Winner Sidiki Camara Announces New Album Ankaben, A Powerful Celebration of Humanity and Cross-Cultural Music
Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and cultural ambassador Sidiki Camara is set to release Ankaben, his most ambitious project to date, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians.
The album, whose title translates to “Humanity”, is a deeply personal expression of Camara’s belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures, genres and borders. Following his 2023 Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) win for Return to the Traditions, Ankaben continues his lifelong exploration of Malian musical traditions through collaboration and improvisation.
A Lifetime Connected Through Music
Camara began playing music in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old, eventually choosing music over formal education to pursue a professional career. His journey has taken him from Bamako to Brussels, where he lived from 1989 to 2006, and ultimately to Oslo, where he has been based since 2006.
Throughout his career, Camara has worked with some of the most respected names in international music. His collaborations include legendary Malian musician Boubacar Traoré, with whom he toured the United States, as well as acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell. After Frisell encountered Camara performing with Traoré, he invited him to join his trio on a European tour, eventually contributing to the Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. Camara subsequently spent several years touring internationally with Frisell.
His musical collaborations have continued to cross boundaries, with a career encompassing artists including Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding.
An All-Star Norwegian Ensemble
For Ankaben, Camara has assembled an exceptional group of musicians:
- Bendik Hofseth – Saxophone
- Unni Løvlid – Vocals
- Sarah Camille – Vocals / Spoken Word
- Erik Sollid – Fiddle
- Jacob Young – Guitar
- Audun Erlien – Bass
- Eirik Askerøi – Guitar
The album grew out of the acclaimed Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music performance, which debuted at Oslo World in 2024. The ensemble returned to the studio in June 2026, recording at Oslo’s legendary Rainbow Studios, with mixing and mastering handled by Martin Abrahamsen.
“Music Connects and Brings Spirit to All Peoples”
At the heart of Ankaben is Camara’s belief that music can offer an alternative to division and conflict.
“Ankaben is about meeting across genres and cultures through mutual respect and spontaneous creation. It’s a reflection of my life’s journey through sound.” — Sidiki Camara
When asked what he would most like the press to focus on, Camara highlighted humanity as the central message of Ankaben: a world in which people connect through music, togetherness and joy rather than division and war.
The project follows a series of major career achievements, including Camara’s 2023 Norwegian Grammy and the “Attestation De Reconnaissance” award presented by the Malian government in January 2026 in recognition of his contribution to Malian culture.
Camara will also appear at several upcoming Norwegian events, including the Drammen Sacred Music Festival on September 16, Djembe Tekno at Holmlia Kulturhavn on September 19, and a Sidiki Camara Group performance at Holmlia Kulturhavn on November 7.
With Ankaben, Sidiki Camara continues to build a musical world where West African tradition, Norwegian contemporary music, jazz and spontaneous collaboration can meet. His ambition is clear: to bring this music and its message of humanity to audiences around the world.
Sidiki Camara’s dream is to take his group on a world tour — carrying the message of Ankaben and the universal language of music with him.
Follow Sidiki Camara
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidiki_camara_yankadi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidiki.camara.376
Website: www.sidikicamara.com
