5 Ways to Promote Your Music Store
Running a music store can be a rewarding but challenging endeavor. With the rise of online shopping and digital downloads, it’s important for music store owners to think outside the box when it comes to promoting their businesses. This blog post will discuss five effective ways to promote your music store and attract more customers.
Host In-Store Events
One great way to promote your music store is by hosting in-store events. This could include live performances by local musicians, instrument demonstrations, or workshops on topics like songwriting or music production. Not only do these events provide entertainment for your customers, but they also create opportunities for you to showcase your products and services. Be sure to promote these events through social media, local newspapers, and flyers posted in your store.
Offer Discounts and Promotions
Everyone loves a good deal, so offering discounts and promotions is a great way to attract customers to your music store. Consider running sales on popular items or offering special deals for students or first-time customers. You could also create loyalty programs that reward repeat customers with discounts or freebies. Make sure to promote these discounts and promotions through your website, social media channels, and email newsletters.
Collaborate with Local Musicians
Another effective way to promote your music store is by collaborating with local musicians and bands. You could sponsor their gigs or provide them with gear in exchange for promotion of your store. You could also offer musicians the opportunity to showcase their music in your store or hold album release parties on-site. By forming partnerships with local artists, you can tap into their fan bases and reach new audiences.
Utilize Social Media Advertising
In today’s digital age, social media advertising is an essential tool for promoting any business – including music stores. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow you to target specific demographics based on factors like age, location, interests, and more. You can hire paid advertising for businesses that will showcase your products or services and drive traffic to your website or physical storefront. Be sure to track the performance of your ads so you can make adjustments as needed.
Develop Relationships with Schools and Community Organizations
Music education is an important part of many communities, so developing relationships with schools and community organizations can help you promote your music store while supporting local musicians and students. Consider sponsoring school concerts or providing discounted instruments for school bands or orchestras. You could also offer workshops or clinics at schools or community centers where participants can learn more about different instruments or musical styles.
Promoting a music store requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to think outside the box. By hosting in-store events, offering discounts and promotions, collaborating with local musicians, utilizing social media advertising, and developing relationships with schools and community organizations – you can attract new customers while building goodwill within the community. Remember that promoting your music store is an ongoing process that requires constant effort and attention – but the rewards are well worth it in the end! So get out there, get creative, and start promoting your music store today!
A Poetic Journey of Self-Discovery: Holly Bruce’s “What I Know”
Nashville’s enchantress of melodies, Holly Bruce, returns with a soul-stirring offering that transcends mere music; it’s a voyage into the depths of the human spirit. “What I Know,” the second revelation from her forthcoming album “Love Remains,” unveils a tapestry of longing, introspection, and the quest for inner truth.
Inspired by the labyrinthine corridors of unrequited affection, Bruce’s ethereal verses and haunting refrains illuminate the path of self-discovery. With a gentle hand, she unravels the tangled web of idealization, revealing the mirror it holds to our own souls. “The crush was a projection,” she confesses, peeling back layers of vulnerability to expose the essence of her journey. In this revelation, she finds the seeds of empowerment, planting them in the fertile soil of self-worth.
The genesis of “What I Know” began amidst the hallowed halls of PlethoraTone studio in Brentwood, TN, where Bruce embarked on a transformative odyssey of sound. Emerging from this crucible is a symphony of Indie Pop, Americana, and Folk, adorned with subtle nuances of dance and world music. Collaborating with virtuosos like Lex Price and Brian Allen, she orchestrates a sonorous landscape that resonates with the heartbeat of humanity. Under the masterful guidance of Nashville luminary Chris Brush, the song blossoms into a kaleidoscope of sonic colors, inviting listeners into its luminous embrace.
As anticipation swells for the release of “Love Remains,” Bruce stands poised on the precipice of artistic transcendence. Through her authentic storytelling and soul-stirring melodies, she cements her status as one of Nashville’s luminaries, weaving a tapestry of love, grief, recovery, and empowerment. With “What I Know,” she extends an invitation to embark on a transformative odyssey of self-discovery, illuminating the path to wholeness and fulfillment.
In the mosaic of life, Holly Bruce’s music shines as a beacon of hope and resilience, guiding us through the labyrinth of our own souls. As we eagerly await the dawn of “Love Remains,” let “What I Know” serve as a testament to the enduring power of music to heal, inspire, and elevate the human spirit.
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Escuela Grind Drops New Track + Video “Always Watching You”
Emi Noda new single out now
WORMED Announces New Album ‘Omegon’
G-EAZY SURPRISES FANS WITH NEW REMIX OF VIRAL HIT WITH “LADY KILLERS III”
Rising artist mehro’s new album trauma lullabies out now
https://lnk.dmsmusic.co/mehro_traumalullabies
LEGENDARY UKRAINIAN BAND OKEAN ELZY SHARE NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR “VOICES ARE RISING”
Odie Leigh Announces Debut Album, “Carrier Pigeon”; New Single Out Today
Ra Ra Riot Headlines Royale in Boston 5/3; New Single “The Wish” out now!
https://loty.lnk.to/rrrthewish
MINNY POPS – Release New Single: “Dad Dog” | Watch Video Now
Mexican Rock Band Rodeo Radio Release Electrifying New Single “Miénteme”
UK metal quartet HERIOT unveil new single “Siege Lord”
THE WATCHERS: stream new album “Nyctophilia” in full!
https://doomedandstoned.com/post/749378317517570048/thewatchers
celebration of summer & afrobeats // new music
CAVALERA ANNOUNCE SCHIZOPHRENIA RE-RECORDING + RELEASE LIVE MUSIC VIDEO FOR ‘ESCAPE TO THE VOID’
https://cavalera.bfan.link/escape-to-the-void
CATEGORY 7: New Heavy Metal Supergroup Featuring Members Of Armored Saint, Kerry King, Adrenaline Mob, Exodus, Shadows Fall, And More To Release Eponymous Debut Full-Length On July 26th
https://www.metalblade.com/category7/
Emily Wolfe releases in-your-face single “Kill The Love” and ‘The Blowback Mini-Documentary’
FROGG Presents New Experimental Techie Music Video “Double Vision Roll” Off Forthcoming Debut Album
Sky Blue Sound Reveals Sonically Alluring New Single “Providence”
https://skybluesound.bandcamp.com/track/providence-single
ECMA ‘Songwriter of the Year’ Kellie Loder Shares Romantic Track “Honey I’m Scared” from New LP ‘Transitions’
https://ffm.to/kellieloder-transitions
Blues/Americana Singer Jesse Roper Shares the Funky and Uplifting Track “Way Down In The Valley”
https://fanlink.tv/RoperWayDownValley
Spencer Sutherland is “Alive” on Anthemic New Single
MERY EME: PASION EN CADA NOTA, CON SU NUEVO SENCILLO EN RITMO DE BACHATA “SI ELLA SUPIERA”
KANDACE SPRINGS SULTRY NEW SINGLE “CHASING SHADOWS” IS #1 MOST ADDED
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Release “Soul’s A Camera” Today; On Tour Now!
Famed Hitmaker Alan Walker Partners With Kylie Cantrall On Vocal Dance Pop Anthem ‘Unsure’
https://alanwalker.lnk.to/Unsure
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Little Monarch Releases Radiant Single “Follow Your Majesty”
https://vyd.co/Followyourmajesty
BRAZEN TONGUE Releases New Single “Last Train From Myrdal” from Their Upcoming Album ‘Of Crackling Embers & Sorrows Drowned’
Logan Lynn Shares Synth-Pop Ballad “I Feel Alone When I’m With You” | LP out 6/7 via Kill Rock Stars
Cris Jacobs Teams Up with Billy Strings & The Infamous Stringdusters In New Video for “Poor Davey”
PRIEST Release New Single “Black Venom” ; Fourth Studio Album ‘Dark Pulse’ Set for Release on May 31, 2024 via Label Blue Nine
https://ffm.to/priestblackvenom
Irish Folk / Celtic Rock Band JOLLY JACKERS Release New Album ‘Welcome to the Grind’!
Duff McKagan to Release “Tenderness Live in Los Angeles” May 31
https://duffmckagan.ffm.to/riverofdeceit
AFTERMATH Releases Single “We Don’t Want a Riot” + Official Lyric Video via TLG|ZOID Through Virgin Music Group
https://ffm.to/we-dont-want-a-riot
LES CHANTS DU HASARD: French Blackened Orchestral Opera Project To Release Livre Quart Full-Length June 21st; Stunning New Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
https://leschantsduhasard.bandcamp.com/album/livre-quart
Laura Pieri Presents “Daughter of Demeter” Music Video
BECKY HILL SHARES NEW TRACK “RIGHT HERE”
https://beckyhill.lnk.to/righthere
Frances Forever Announces New Album ‘Lockjaw’ – Releases New Single and Video “Troll” via Mom+Pop
https://francesforever.co/troll
Thin Lear Debuts “Bowie’s Ley Lines” Single/Video via Under the Radar, New Matthew E. White-Produced EP Out June 7th (Metropolitan Groove Merchants)
Skope: Logan Lynn new single (Kill Rock Stars)
Queer artist Logan Lynn just released “I Feel Alone When I’m With You,” the latest single off his forthcoming album SOFTCORE out June 7 via Kill Rock Stars. Equal parts head-bop and heart-stop, the deceivingly upbeat song laments the relatable experience of loneliness and despair that comes along with being with the wrong person in a relationship.
Juliana Madrid releases “Just Enough” on Neon Gold Records + tours with Alice Merton
https://neongoldrecords.ffm.to/justenough
Singer-Songwriter Brennley Brown to Release Debut Single “Miracle Story” May 3
https://brennleybrown.lnk.to/MiracleStoryPR
Atlas Genius announce new album End Of The Tunnel; share lead single
Kneecap Share New Single & Video for “Love Making” & Announce U.S. Tour for September
OUT NOW: No-wave/free rock icons Love 666 aim to bring freedom back to rock with new album ‘Take A Chance On Death’
https://muteantsoundsnetlabel.bandcamp.com/album/take-a-chance-on-death
For Skope: Decadon releases therapeutic debut album “Lovely Destruction” – a fusion of dubstep, rock, and melodic bass
Folk Singer Tennyson King Collaborates with Country Singer Lindi Ortega on Sentimental Song, “Where I Make My Home”
Maggie Gently announces new LP ‘Wherever You Want to Go’ + new single “Breakthrough”
BLOSSOMS – Return with “What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?” Single || + Big UK Shows This Summer
https://blossoms.orcd.co/wcisais
5 Billion in Diamonds (Butch Vig/Queens of the Stone Age/Silversun Pickups) Share “Waiting to Land” Single + Video via FLOOD | Video Out Today
https://floodmagazine.com/160796/5-billion-in-diamonds-waiting-to-land-first-listen/
wolfacejoeyy Shares MCVERTT-Produced “Double Tap” From ‘Valentino,’ Out 5/15
https://wolfacejoeyy.lnk.to/DoubleTap
TYDE Get Sillay In The Music Video For Their Single ‘Latte Partay’
LAVELIN Enters The Dreamscape With Her Music Video For Single ‘Addicted’
Progressive Rock/Metal Force Ereley Unveils Heartfelt Lyric Video for “Orient Flowers”
MAN ALIVE SHARES THE NEW SINGLE ‘MILES AWAY’ – WATCH THE VIDEO DIRECTED BY AISLING BEA
https://found.ee/ManAlive-MilesAway
Cassadee Pope Announces New Album ‘Hereditary’
LA FLEMME unveils music video for ‘Somnifères
MINNY POPS – Release New Single: “Dad Dog” | Watch Video Now
THE WYTCHES Announce Covers Cassette EP ‘Replica’ Released 5th July 2024 via Alcopop! Records
Nissy and SKY-HI Release Music Video for “Stormy” Theme Song of Blue Lock -Episode Nagi-
Irish indie rocker IANN BRENNAN releases single ‘Game Over’, out now on AGR Records.
FIONA-LEE signs to EMI/GRAVITY RECORDS & releases debut single ‘Mother’ | out today (May 2nd)
ERNIE releases new single ‘Laundry Day Dreaming’ | out today (May 2nd)
https://beatcha.in/links/ernie1/1a6b5bf5
BLACK PYRAMID: new album streaming in full!
Premiere: Black Pyramid ‘The Paths of Time Are Vast’– New Album Drops Tomorrow, 3rd May
OUT TODAY: HUNNY BUZZ share their debut EP ‘Welcome to Our Garden’ // Listen here
https://apollodistro.lnk.to/hunnybuzz
HIGH DESERT QUEEN drop new lyric video ‘Death Perception’
Newly Restored Vintage Horror Punk Band MOURNING NOISE Featuring DANZIG/SAMHAIN Member STEVE ZING Unleashes Scorching New Single & Video
PERCHTA drop new video single ‘Hebamm’
INTERVIEW: Rachael Sage gives the low-down on upcoming reimagined album ‘Another Side’
We caught up with the award-winning folk-americana artist Rachael Sage about reinterpreting her 15th studio album, ‘Other Side’…
1) Your brand new album ‘Another Side’ drops on 17th May via your label MPress Records – how does it represent the current status of your musical journey and how you’ve evolved as an artist?
I think ‘Another Side’ is probably the low accurate musical capture on recording of what I actually sound like live – with a few bells and whistles but not many. The music I love most tends to reflect a mood and really feel like you’re right there in the space where the artist spilled their heart out. I think this album represents an evolution from me as primarily a pop/alternative artist to someone who is equally at home in the folk/roots/Anericana realm. It’s interesting for me to go back and listen to some of my earlier records that were similar in the sense that sonically I gravitated toward acoustic instrumentation; but lyrically and even musically the writing was more cryptic, and less eager to connect than to impress. I think the older we get the more that dynamic naturally shifts, and for me now it’s always going to be about resonance and connection rather than cultivating some kind of mystique…
2) Another Side’ is a reimagining of your album ‘Other Side’ – what are the key musical differences between them?
The key differences vary from song to song but across the board there are no drums, no electic guitar or electric bass. Guitar solos have been replaced by harmonica, mandolin and string lines, and the rhythm section is upright bass and percussion. I also wanted to avoid singing all the harmony parts myself so it was a lot of fun having Annalyse & Ryan and my friends Cry’s Matthews, Amy Speace and Grace Pettis lend their voices to the project.
3) Stylistically, how does ‘Another Side’ differ from your previous albums?
It’s more organic, more stripped down and dare I say, a bit more down to earth I think.
4) Has the creative process of ‘Another Side’ inspired your songwriting or musical direction, and why?
I’m not sure creating ‘’Another Side’ inspired my songwriting or musical direction rather than captured it. I tend to get bored easily and want to shift to a completely different direction with each record. Since this one had no drums…maybe that means my next one will have at least two!
5) How would you describe ‘Another Side’ to someone who’s never listened to you before?
Poetic chamber folk
6) You’re set to tour the UK and US this Spring and Summer – where are you most looking forward to playing?
I can’t wait to play at The Great Escape! It’ll be my first time – and I love Brighton l :)
7) After the anticipated release of Another Side, do you have any new music in the works?
I certainly do! I have most of an album completed – but I probably won’t have time to keep chipping away at it until later this Fall.
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Ginny Luke feat. Orianthi Presents “Devil at My Heels” [Hard Rock]
Internationally renowned electric violinist, Ginny Luke has emerged back on the music scene ready to leave a bold impression. The singer, songwriter, and violinist has built up her reputation as a multi-talented creative in the music industry while exhibiting strength and integrity. Hailing from a quaint town in Iowa, Ginny Luke’s musical journey began at the tender age of 3 when she first picked up the violin. Guided by her parents’ unwavering support and passion for music, Ginny’s childhood was steeped in melodic inspiration. Taking a bold leap at just 15, she ventured to Los Angeles. Her tireless work ethic and commitment to her craft propelled her toward boundless opportunities. Like touring with Meat Loaf at age 20 and recording with legends like Britney Spears and The Foo Fighters.
Ginny aims to infuse every piece of music she creates with bold and fearless energy. Her musical endeavors have also taught her a lot about staying strong and upholding her values. She’s known for speaking up for women in the music industry and hopes to help people find their own strength through her music. Ginny Luke’s musical journey is nothing short of inspirational and she is just getting started.
Reuniting with Harrison Sanborn, Ginny channels the realization of personal empowerment in her latest music video, “Devil at My Heels” offering a symbolic portrayal through her artistic expression. In the leading track of her upcoming album, Ginny’s commanding vocals and dynamic electric violin solo serve to amplify her declaration of strength and triumph over adversity. The electric violin becomes a symbol of rebellion, shattering stereotypes and challenging conventional norms associated with it. Ginny’s music and self-realization of power come to life through visionary storytelling and powerful symbolism in her music video.
The “Devil At My Heels” video depicts Ginny and a male counterpart navigating a passionate yet tumultuous relationship. Initially, Ginny exudes happiness and freedom. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that the male lead harbors ulterior motives, serving as a detrimental force in Ginny’s life. The red-soaked video symbolizes the male lead’s sinister intentions. Tragically, he betrays Ginny by selling her prized violin leaving her anguished and disappointed. In the climax, Ginny confronts the man amid a flickering fire, symbolizing her resilience and inner strength. In a defiant act, she destroys his guitar, reclaiming her agency and asserting her independence. The video concludes with a powerful image of Ginny reunited with her beloved violin, illuminated by the flames—a testament to her self-realization and empowerment.
Follow Ginny Luke
http://ginny-luke.com/
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Nuke The Soup Present “Bugs” [Rock]
For the last 20 years, Baltimore-based musician Mark Davison has dedicated his career to standing out as one of the most prolific artists in the rock scene. Davison initially began his journey as one-half of the founding duo of Cubic Feet, and the group’s success allowed them to tour nationally. Having developed relationships with various producers, managers, and other musicians during his tenure, Davison eventually found himself moving on from Cubic Feet to spearhead his latest project, Nuke The Soup. Davison is joined by keyboardist Brian Simms, bassist Mike Mennell, drummer Chester Thompson, and guitarists Andy Thurston, Rennie Grant and Gerry Leonard. The group has put out two albums since their founding; Make Waves Not War in 2009, and Deeper in 2018. Davison has stated that the band is working on a new album to be released in 2025.
“Bugs” was originally released as a track on the band’s 2018 album Deeper. On its surface, “Bugs” is a fun, energetic dance song that makes listeners want to sway their heads in response. But like most of the other tracks on Deeper, the lyrics of “Bugs” reveal much darker and personal themes. The narrator of the song constantly refers to the struggle of overcoming addiction. Davison owes the inspiration for the track to William S. Burruoghs’ 1959 novel Naked Lunch (as well as David Cronenberg’s 1991 film adaption), which follows an exterminator who becomes addicted to getting high off of his pesticide; to which Davison adapts as “bug powder” in his song. One might akin the song to David Bowie’s “Low”, a connection worth noting with producer Kevin Killen and guitarist Gerry Leonard being former collaborators of Bowie.
The lyric video for “Bugs” comes to coincide with the 2024 emergence of cicadas throughout the southern and midwestern United States. The cicadas displayed prominently throughout the video serve to help the audience experience the uncomfortableness of addiction and withdrawal. The video itself shares the same stark contrast in tones that the song has; the lyrics are displayed in bright colors and enter with wacky transitions, all superimposed against close-up shots of the noisy insects.
Follow Nuke the Soup
https://www.nukethesoup.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nukethesoup
“Ghosts & Girls” by B.D. Gottfried
B.D. Gottfried has finally released his first new project in three years called “Ghosts & Girls,” and let me tell you, it’s been quite the unexpected journey to tackle. I’ll be honest, I’m not usually one to dive into the world of modern rock music, but there was something about the allure of this album that drew me in from the get-go.
From the moment I pressed play, I found myself completely captivated by Gottfried’s hauntingly deep voice. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before – raw, emotive, and filled with a sense of melancholy that cuts straight to the core. Tracks like “Warbird” and the lead single “Two Worlds” hit me like a ton of bricks, with their powerful storytelling and infectious melodies paired with somber instrumentals and astonishing production. I couldn’t help but get swept away by the sheer emotion and intensity pouring out of each note.
What really struck me about “Ghosts & Girls” is its ability to transport you to another time and place. Whether it’s the haunting echoes of ancient battles in “Warbird” or the clash of cultures in “Two Worlds,” each track feels like a window into a different world. It’s like I’m stepping into a movie or a novel, with Gottfried as my guide through the twists and turns of history.
But it’s not just the storytelling that’s impressive – the musicality of this album is off the charts. Gottfried’s fusion of indie folk and Americana with moody production that feels almost inspired by Nine Inch Nails if they made an ambient album creates a sound that’s both timeless and contemporary, with just the right amount of edge to keep things interesting. The instrumentation is rich and textured, weaving together layers of instruments to create a sonic tapestry that’s as intricate as it is immersive.
https://open.spotify.com/album/71SmhC2vbEwgJMQTJvdnbA
And let’s talk about those standout tracks for a minute. “Warbird” is an absolute powerhouse of a song, with its pulsing, heart-wrenching rhythm and soaring chorus that practically begs to be sung at the top of your lungs. It’s the kind of track that gets your heart racing and asking to be screamed as emotional release, leaving you feeling invincible and ready to take on the world at its end. And then there’s “Two Worlds,” the lead single that hooked me from the very first listen. With its infectious melody and thought-provoking lyrics, it’s the kind of song that sticks with you long after it’s over, begging to be played on repeat.
But perhaps what I love most about “Ghosts & Girls” is its sense of authenticity. You can tell that Gottfried pours his heart and soul into every word, every chord, every nuance of the music. There’s a rawness and vulnerability to his songwriting that’s incredibly refreshing, like he’s inviting you into his world and laying bare all his hopes, fears, and dreams for you to see.
In the end, “Ghosts & Girls” is more than just an album – it’s an experience. It’s a journey through time and space, a window into the human soul, and a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect us all. So even if you’re not normally a fan of rock music, I urge you to give this album a listen. Who knows, you might just discover something truly special along the way. And trust me, you won’t regret it.
Gwen Waggoner
The Earthly Frames Sing the Body Robotic with New Single “Cicatrise Dud”
The Earthly Frames Sing the Body Robotic with New Single “Cicatrise Dud”
Deeply Weird Genre Bending Streak Continues with Full Length “Infranyms” Out 6/3
RIYL: Black Moth Super Rainbow, Horse Lords, Bowie, Louis Cole, Six Organs Of Admittance
WATCH THE MESMERIZING “CICATRISE DUD” VIDEO
Musical mad scientist Gabriel Walsh is back with “Cicatrise Dud,” the latest offering from his ever-shapeshifting project The Earthly Frames and the first single from the new full-length Infranyms, out June 3rd.
With “Cicatrise Dud,” Walsh delves into robotics and the human-technology interface while giving us a taste of his new direction: a retro-futuristic barrage of rock and pop, Infranyms sees Walsh finding the ecstatic sweet spot between new wave and no wave while balancing synthetic sounds with careful, introspective songwriting.
One of most captivating experimentalists on the contemporary indie landscape, Walsh has switched genres over the course of the last six Earthly Frames albums, from electronic to classical to what Walsh himself describes as “deeply weird rock.” And, as his body of work expands, Walsh increasingly resembles a kind of missing link between classic American eccentrics like R. Stevie Moore and modern YouTube outsider artists like Louis Cole.
Infranyms is the seventh album in Walsh’s series The Rainbow Table — a decade-plus endeavor to create an LP for each color of the classic ROYGBIV mnemonic. Infranyms occupies the much-debated indigo spectrum of The Rainbow Table. Many speculate Sir Isaac Newton only added this half-way color to align with a grander pattern he saw in observation and the occult. Infranyms celebrates this gloriously unverifiable assertion in measure and mystery.
The Earthly Frames is the current musical incarnation of Gabriel Walsh. (Walsh derived the name from the almost-disturbingly trippy children’s puppet program Magic Star Traveler.) For twenty-five years Walsh has been producing experimental pop recordings. He’s played in bands such as sad-songers Timesbold, freaky-improvers Wooden Wand & the Vanishing Voice, and Hebrew space-rockers The Solillians.
With The Earthly Frames, we can hear the through-line of layered, warped sounds that Walsh has been honing for a quarter century join up with a fixation on disjointed, fictional worlds. For example, the first Earthly Frames release was a USB drive with a one-of-a-kind narrative fragment. Owners of the devices had to choose whether or not to share their particular artifact with the others to complete the story or keep it to themselves – flipping the notion of music file sharing on its head. The following release came with a card game and short film all set in the world of a billboard salesman who’s having a nervous breakdown.
“…the perfect combination of sophisticated lyrics and ragged, heartfelt vocals — which are both entirely unique in the current music climate.” — Big Takeover
“Heady science-fiction metaphysics mix with earthy Americana… [the] untethered embrace of bold sounds and themes sets the project apart from artists who simply forge a signature and tinker with it. Walsh’s work relishes in the profound and the challenging.” — Tinnitist
“…melancholy but neon. Cuddly bitterness and sublime despair.” — NoHo Arts District
THE EARTHLY FRAMES ONLINE
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Greg Hoy & the Boys Get Back to Riff Rock Roots on Hives/Kinks Inspired “Holy Mother of God” EP, Video, and Tour
Greg Hoy & the Boys Get Back to Riff Rock Roots on Hives/Kinks Inspired “Holy Mother of God” EP, Video, and Tour
After last year’s introspective “Yay For Effort” vinyl LP and tour, Greg Hoy and The Boys return to the catchy punk pop sound of their earlier albums. “Holy Mother of God“, which is now available on Bandcamp with a planned release to Spotify and hard hitting music video that’s about to drop, is three and half minutes of guitar riff catchy rock n roll.
The 4 song EP features two amazing guests. In particular, Eddie Spaghetti of The Supersuckers – one of rock n roll’s underrated songwriters and icons – took the title of the song, and wrote an entire new story from a different perspective. And as a joke, the band decided to cut a tongue-in-cheek ‘upbeat’ version, “Holy Mother of Ska”, featuring veteran ska icon Dave Sharma, drummer of the famously cool The Skalars, to play on it.
Jack Rabid from The Big Takeover says “With ‘Holy Mother of God’, California’s Hoy & The Boys are back to restless rocking — if The Kinks’ ‘You Really Got Me’ lashed to Nirvana’s “Lithium.”…if Cobain or Chrissie Hynde sang this strong outing, it’d be a smash”.
The trio’s tour will hit several regions and have the band sharing the stage on the east coast leg with Richard Reilly of legendary NYC 80s punks Victims.
Holy Mother of God Tour 2024
4/25 The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma, WA
4/26 Blue Moon Tavern Seattle, WA
4/27 Snapdragon Vashon Island, WA
5/01 The Hotel Utah Saloon, San Francisco, CA
5/03 Live on KMPH Fox Great Day Fresno, CA
5/03 The Great Room Fresno, CA
5/04 The Redwood Bar & Grill Los Angeles, CA
5/10 Berlin, New York, NY
5/11 Metropolis Collective, Mechanicsburg, PA
5/12 The Fire Philadelphia, PA
5/16 Club Cafe Pittsburgh, PA
5/17 Westside Bowl, Youngstown, OH
5/18 Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge Nashville, TN
East Bay, CA-based songwriter Greg Hoy – who’s recorded with Steve Albini (Nirvana, Pixies), Sylvia Massy (Johnny Cash, Tom Petty), and John Vanderslice (Spoon, Nada Surf) – toured incessantly across the US over the past several years supporting his releases “Yay for Effort” and “Cacophony”. Comparisons to Jack White, Tom Petty, and Brittany Howard aside, the veteran songwriter has been a long time critical favorite. Hip-hop icon Ice-T appeared in his music video for ‘Can You Take It?’ which was nominated for a California Music Video Award. Picked to take part in the Durango Songwriters Showcase for Film & TV, his songs have been heard on networks such as the CW, HBO, and MTV, as well as in commercials for Pinterest, Adobe, and American Express. Time Out NY says “Hoy’s music is fueled by straight up melodicism”. Red Red Wine on a Sunday says “Greg’s records are deep – like peeling layers off an onion – each song is a revelation!”, Broken 8 says his work “shines with a focused punk rock swagger.”
EP LINK | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
@skopemag news – wednesday – may 1, 2024 @ 12 pm est
@skopemag news – wednesday – may 1, 2024 @ 12 pm est
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OH HIROSHIMA: Swedish Post-Rock Stalwarts Release Video For Latest Single, “Secret Youth;” Introspective Epic Taken From Forthcoming Fifth Full-Length, All Things Shining
ULTIO: Italian black metal project unveils “A Thousand Times More” single, new full-length album “Cor” out in May
Pop/Rock Trio Royal Castle Share Groovin’ and Cheeky “I Don’t Think I Like You”
Stove God Cook$ “Let Him Cook Tour” Canada + Northeast Dates
https://fanlink.tv/lethimcooktour
Toronto Indie Rock Band The Neighbourhood Watch Share New Single “Lifeline”
JOSH X RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR BILLBOARD-CHARTING HIT “BREATHE”
RAT BOY ANNOUNCE A LONDON HEADLINE SHOW AT THE LOWER THIRD ON JUNE 13TH & SHARE THE NEW VIDEO FOR ‘SUBURBIA CALLING’
SHABOOZEY’S “A BAR SONG (TIPSY)” HITS #1 ON BILLBOARD’S HOT COUNTRY SONGS CHART
https://music.empi.re/abarsong
Peter Bibby | Terracotta Brick
DEATHRETRO ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE: ‘BELGIAN LIMOUSINE’ OUT TODAY, VIA COSMIC GLUE
https://viewmusic.lnk.to/BelgianLimousine
Femme Rock Project Elour Signs Deal with Epictronic
Salisbury’s CARSICK Bemoan Industry Darkside On New Single ‘Gig Tax’ Out Now Alcopop! Records
FINK’s optimistic ‘So We Find Ourselves’ arrives from July album
Liverpool DIY Punks Coughin’ Vicars Sign To Venn Records + Announce New Album ‘Curses & Prayers’ Released 26th July 2024
BORED AT MY GRANDMAS HOUSE releases ‘I Like What You Bring Out In Me’ single
Tech-House Titan ADRIANNA to release ‘Wild Electric’ single. (Nicole Moudaber, Deborah de Luca, Charlotte de Witte)
Scott Lavene shares new single featuring Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) | New album “Disneyland In Dagenham” out 10th May via Nothing Fancy
Experimental Newcomers POTATO Announce Debut EP ‘Stew’ Released 26th July 2024 via Mookin Records
Brighton 5-Piece Canned Pineapple Return With Infectious New Single ‘She Says’ & Announce UK
One for a news piece? “Terracotta Brick” by Peter Bibby – “Drama King” out May 31st | Same mgmt. as Tame Impala
Suffolk Alt-Pop Riser Loome Shines On Melancholic New Single ‘Day I Died’
New Orchestral Ballad from L.C. Franke Out Today
https://orcd.co/lcfrankeyna
Moxxy Jones Unveils Explosive Synth-Pop Single “This Time” From Debut Album “Unnoticed”
MADLIB SHARES NEW SINGLE “REEKYOD” FEAT. BLACK THOUGHT & YOUR OLD DROOG
CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON RELEASES TWO NEW SINGLES; ALBUM OUT FRIDAY MAY 3
https://charlottedaywilson.x-l.co/myway
Red Sleeping Beauty drop 80s smash New York, New Me (out today)
GHOST: DEBUT FEATURE FILM, RITE HERE RITE NOW, IN CINEMAS WORLDWIDE JUNE 20 & 22 ONLY
Ra Ra Riot Releases 1st New Song in 5 Years
https://loty.lnk.to/rrrthewish
Author & musician Scott Guild shares pensive “Until They’re Home” out now ahead of debut LP this month via Sony + The Orchard’s North Street Records
https://scottguild.ffm.to/untiltheyrehome
Russian Baths drop enveloping new single “Purgatory”
The Ratchets Release New Single “Swagger With Kindness”
ZOLLE: new album “Rosa” streaming in full now!
https://maximumvolumemusic.com/maximum-volume-exclusive-stream-zolle-rosa/
Emo Rockers THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT To Join Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson, & Slaughter To Prevail on Summer N. American Tour
https://thefuneralportrait.ffm.to/ysuwyc
Richie Kotzen releases brand new single ‘Cheap Shots’
Chris Cohen’s Paint a Room Available July 12th Worldwide From Hardly Art
Exiled Hope Releases Lyric Video For “Dreamwalker”
FONT announce debut album ‘Strange Burden’ and share video for lead single ‘Hey Kekulé’ | ‘Strange Burden’ out July 12th
Brother Maven Releases New Track, “I Just Wanna Love You” on Musical Notes Global
https://music.brothermaven.com/brother-maven
SHIV Releases “Wishing”
SHIV is a very creative bunch and you can sense the passion coming forth as a whole unit. The new single is titled “Wishing” and the listener will be engaged from the moment he or she hits play. With thoughtful lyrics, meaningful music and proud musicianship, SHIV packs a big punch with the new release.
SHIV is a rock band that is made up of three seasoned musicians and they are: Joshua Elyashiv, Eddie Willer and Elisa Seda. Together they are SHIV and what they have created is a sound that connects and has mass appeal. The new song “Wishing” is a perfect indication of that as SHIV shows up and shows out from start to finish.
As soon as “Wishing” starts up, I am hit with a simple yet moving tone that actually has a big impact overall. The single is lyrically strong and speaks volumes as SHIV is just “Wishing” for an end to war. Wars have been going on for generations and so the content on “Wishing” is something many listeners can identify with. The material is also personal, sensitive and relates to many souls out there. SHIV is performing with a purpose on “Wishing” with music that connects with people from all walks of life.
SHIV is playing at a high level on “Wishing” where everything seems to come together for the group. Musically, lyrically and vocally, SHIV delivers on all levels and checks all the boxes for quality control on the new single. If “Wishing” is this strong of a number, then I can’t wait to here more from SHIV in the near future!
https://shivband.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/46ZUIzKPAAOGH0HvjYBfty
https://www.facebook.com/SHIVbandofficial
https://www.instagram.com/shivbandofficial/
By Jimmy Rae
The Infamous HER Present “Dare Me”
Though nobody likes to admit it, something is thrilling about getting a dare. A dare is the most outrageous way to flirt — and when the dare is taken, it’s the person who issued the challenge who has to react next. How many hot nights began with a dare? Too many to count. On “Dare Me,” the latest single from The Infamous HER (the lovely and talented Monique Staffile), the pop-rock singer entices a proposition from a potential lover. In so doing, she turns the solicitation around: she’s daring her target to dare her. She wants to hear something outrageous, salacious, eyebrow-raising, pulse-racing and imagination-broadening. She doesn’t just want to be led somewhere she’s never been before. She wants to consider doing something she’s never even thought about. Does her partner have what it takes to outguess her, and come up with something novel, off-the-wall, mysterious, dangerous, irresistible?
The Infamous HER knows all about challenges like that. In a way, every song she and her band makes is a kind of dare. She’s always reimagining her sound, stepping boldly across genre boundaries, shaking up the old and the new like an audacious bartender mixing up a fresh cocktail. Her audacity has been her guide, and she’s been rewarded for her courage with an audience of true believers who expect to be surprised. “Dare Me,” for instance, matches a monster groove and a pure pop verse with a chorus that evokes the playful elegance of 1960s film soundtracks. As always, the writing is impeccable: smart, sharp, fun and funny.
A song as sultry as “Dare Me” needs a video to match, and frequent collaborator David Dutton has delivered with something colorful, magnetic, and extremely suggestive. This is the sort of clip that feels like footage of a party that’s about to get too wild to film. The evidence captured before the dare was taken and the subsequent action necessitated a media blackout. As is always the case with The Infamous HER, the video feels like it belongs to every era at once and none at all. Viewers could be looking at a ’50s pool party attended by a group of girlfriends who could soon be something more, or a glimpse backstage after a sizzling show. The Infamous HER teases fans from frame to frame, posing, cajoling, daring fans to follow.
Follow The Infamous HER
https://theinfamousher.rocks/
https://www.youtube.com/theofficialher
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHER
https://www.instagram.com/theinfamousher/
https://www.tiktok.com/@theinfamousher
Sabrina Monique “Run Back” – Single
Meet Sabrina Monique, a rising talent whose latest single, “Run Back,” is a refreshing addition to the constellation of up-and-coming artists. With a blend of pop energy and personal lyrics, Sabrina Monique stakes her claim as a contender in the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary music.
“Run Back” pulses with a vibrant synth-pop energy that feels tailor-made for radio play. From the infectious beat to the catchy melody, this track is a testament to Sabrina Monique’s knack for crafting tunes that stick with you long after the music stops.
In some ways, Monique’s core sound can be compared to other contemporary pop acts who are also making waves in the industry. Artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae come to mind, with their introspective lyrics and infectious melodies, but there is clearly a more vibrant pop tapestry humming away beneath the single’s hood.
Much like these rising stars, Sabrina brings a sense of authenticity and depth to her music that sets her apart from the cookie-cutter pop acts of yesteryear.
Sabrina Monique’s upcoming debut album ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ (due out this year) is poised to be a defining moment in her career. With each new track she releases, she invites listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of love, loss, and self-discovery, proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of pop music. And with “Run Back” serving as just a taste of what’s to come, fans can eagerly anticipate an album that is as personal as it is universal, as emotive as it is exhilarating.
And let’s not forget about the production value of “Run Back.” From the shimmering synths to the pulsating bassline, every element of this track has been meticulously crafted to perfection. It’s clear that Sabrina Monique and her team have put in the time and effort to ensure that every note hits just right, resulting in a polished and professional sound that belies her status as an up-and-coming artist.
Gwen Waggoner
The Woolfman captures heartache in alluring new single ‘MY WOUNDED HEART’
Multi-instrumentalist The Woolfman has forged an unforgettable career over the years – from the pop hit days of the 80s with Blue Zoo to his Cannes World Film Festival win for debut release ‘Make America Love Again’, the artist has received a multitude of acclaim for his signature take on house music. Setting himself apart from others with the captivating new single ‘MY WOUNDED HEART’, The Woolfman is destined to electrify audiences and transfer them to a hypnotic realm, marking the beginning of his next musical voyage.
Led by seamless house piano interwoven with the exquisite vocal talent of Italian jazz singer FC, ‘MY WOUNDED HEART’ illustrates the last moments of hope in a relationship at its end. Diverting between blissfully nostalgic and refreshingly modern, The Woolfman infuses intelligent production with classic house music tendencies. Backed by an infectious beat and grown from the classic features of a Spanish love song, the track signifies the artist’s return with one of his most poignant works to date.
Having received praise from DJ great David Guetta, The Woolfman’s talents for emotive house music is clearly one-to-watch. With its perfect blend of dynamic instrumentation and strikingly relatable lyricism, ‘MY WOUNDED HEART’ is poised to be the lovelorn club anthem of the summer.
Listen to ‘MY WOUNDED HEART’ out now via W Records.
Listen HERE
Watch HERE
@skopemag news – tuesday – april 30, 2024 @ 4 pm est
@skopemag news – tuesday – april 30, 2024 @ 4 pm est
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OUT TODAY: Tragic Sasha debuts her brand new single ‘Fate’s A Bitch’ // Listen here
https://apollodistro.lnk.to/tragicsasha
La Luz share new single “I’ll Go With You” | New LP “News of the Universe” out May 24th on Sub Pop
ALIEN CHICKS announce debut EP ‘Indulging The Mobs’ & share lead single ‘Steve Buscemi’ | out now via SO RECORDINGS & HIDEOUS MINK RECORDS
Lip Filler unleash new single “CARLING”, new EP ‘witchescrew’ out 24th May on Chess Club Records
poolside glitter punks Hayley and the Crushers’ Play Halfsies Between Grit and Glitz with New Single “Unsubscribe” Out Today
Toronto Experimental Rock Trio, Parade, Walk Away From Toxic Situations in “The Bridge”
https://linktr.ee/paradeonparade
STR^NGE Share Beguiling, Exhilarating New Single ‘Gal Gadot’s Vertigo Overthrow’
HOUSE OF PROTECTION share debut single ‘It’s Supposed To Hurt’ produced by Jordan Fish | Out now via Red Bull Records
DYMNA LOTVA release full Dark Easter Metal Meeting concert video
Umbra Vitae Reveal “Velvet Black”
HI/JACK Release “Punk Rock Queen of the BBC”
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hijack/the-punk-rock-queen-of-the-bbc
Chris Kasper Shares “Getting Right” Featuring Oliver Wood
EIVØR Releases Dreamy New Single
HIPPO CAMPUS sign to PSYCHIC HOTLINE (Sylvan Esso) & share new single ‘Everything At Once’ | out today (April 30th)
FANA HUES RELEASES “PAPER TIGERS” + US TOUR DATES WITH LUCKY DAYE ANNOUNCED
https://fanahues.ffm.to/papertigers
MEGATON LEVIATHAN Reveals “Silver Tears” Video & Limited Edition Flexi Disk
NEAERA To Release All Is Dust Full-Length June 28th On Metal Blade Records; New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
https://www.metalblade.com/neaera/
Boonsdale Records – THUNDEROR (ft. members of Skull Fist) Release New Video/Single “Get ‘Em Counted”
“The Only Queer In The Van”- G.H. Francis discusses coming-out while touring in a rock band with lavish, meaningful indie-pop single!
ONE DAY ALIVE Release New Single “ADDICTED AGAIN” ; Announce ‘Parental Advisory Explicit Content Tour’ with Josey Scott, Trapt, Adema and Tantric
Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee Announce U.S. Dates with Miki Berenyi Trio / ‘Los Angeles’ Out Now via Play It Again Sam
https://pias.ffm.to/los-angeles-album
RAYYA’s debut song “Heartbreak” releases via Mega Hit Music
SHALLOW SIDE Premieres New Single/Video for “Filters” featuring Elias Soriano of NONPOINT
Great American Ghost release devastating new single and video “Hymn of Decay”
Deep Purple – New Video For First Single from New Album
SALTPIG: new single “Burning Water” streaming now!
MIASMIC SERUM: Italian death metallers to release debut album “Infected Seed” in June
Genre flexing EP from YellowStraps w shouts from Nelly Furtado, Masego, SiR & Yussef Dayes
https://umg.lnk.to/tentaclebutdifferent
BARRY & CARR – New Single & Video “Lovely Lady”
Kaiit’s ‘Space’ Is A Neo-Soul Sensation
Magic Fig Share “PS1” :: New Single & Video Out Now
Mau P Blends Worlds of Electronic & Hip-Hop On Newest Hit Ft. Mike Dean
https://insomniacrecs.ffm.to/onagain
Kitty Coen invents witch-rock with spellbinding debut LP ‘HELLCAT’ & follows her heart with “center of the sun” out now
https://ingrv.es/hellcat-6k2-t
beccs Shares Moody New Single + Video Ahead of EP
KANDACE SPRINGS’ SULTRY NEW SINGLE, CHASING SHADOWS, IS #1 MOST ADDED & HIGHEST DEBUT
Sam Weber Traverses the Canada/US Border for Love on Gentle, Swinging “Kind Dog”
https://orcd.co/samweber-kinddog
BC Hard Rockers SuckerTrap Bring an Epic ‘Tell Me I’m Wrong’: The Evolution of a Song’s True Identity
BARRY CAN’T SWIM SHARES NEW SINGLE “KIMBARA” OUT TODAY ON NINJA TUNE
https://barrycantswim.lnk.to/kimbaraPR
Leo Napier Drops Sonic Masterpiece ‘The Philly Gritz EP’
Hailing from the golden shores of California, Leo Napier unveils his latest EP, ‘Philly Gritz EP’. His music is dynamically rich and uniquely original, and the EP marks his musical comeback, showcasing his musicianship, songwriting, lyricism, vocal dynamism, and showmanship on par with 20th-century music giants.
After a near-death experience in August 2023, Leo Napier has come back from the dead, revitalised beyond recognition, and possessing an unwavering focus and resolve. Every note is a chapter, every melody is a verse, and he challenges us to face our own lives and accept the complex, wonderful adventure that is being human with every enthralling refrain.
With his pen, microphone, and sense of humour, Leo Napier shows how an artist can fortify himself in times of vulnerability and give the listener a peek into his personal struggles through his detached delivery of personal baggage. His rich voice tones, heartfelt plot, and intriguing production show off his promise as a budding musician.
In this increasingly manufactured world, Leo Napier’s deep soulfulness, exhibited through his smoky, barrel-aged vocals, elegant piano playing, and melodic arrangements, combined with his frequently sardonic, humorous, and self-deprecating lyrics, provide a welcome lift.
Commenting on the release, “One of the first things that hit me upon regaining consciousness a few days after the operation was that, had I died, I would have taken all of my unheard music to the grave with me. I’ve dedicated most of my life to this craft and these songs. They’re the fragments that comprise the mosaic that is my identity, my soul. From now on, every song I’ve written is going back to the people I wrote them for. These songs are for you, as much as they are for me. My second life began after my heart stopped and restarted on August 18th, 2023. My career begins in earnest on April 30th, 2024, with the release of the ‘Philly Gritz EP.’”
Leo Napier’s musical ability is showcased throughout the EP, along with his genuineness, passion, and dedication to his own artistic growth. ‘Philly Gritz EP’, which fits in perfectly with his whole musical career to date, showcases his creativity in full.
ONLINE:
https://www.facebook.com/LeoNapierMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/leonapiermusic/
https://www.youtube.com/@LeoNapierMusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2twGthIPnZl1icD7K2jXx3
Holly Lerski shares her healing journey after heartbreak on the emotional “Sweet Decline”
Americana singer-songwriter Holly Lerski sat down recently with @skopemag to talk about her gorgeous new album, “Sweet Decline.”
@skopemag: Tell us about your new album.
Holly Lerski: It started with a bucket list American road trip I took in 2019 to get over a broken heart. I took the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco, then picked up a car and tried to see as many National Parks as possible before heading for my final destination, Big Sur. I went back two months later and did it again – ended up with an album and a story and realized I had to share it. I wanted to get the message out to people there is life after heartbreak – you just have to get out there and connect with life.
@skopemag: How do you feel about releasing this album?
Holly: I feel a huge sense of relief and joy. This has been an epic, five-year journey. When I set off, I never planned to write an album. I was just trying to find some way to rebuild my life. I’d decided I’d go out there and say yes to everything. I spoke with everyone I met, tried to engage with them in an authentic way. It was a complete conscious change of attitude toward life, and I was met by nothing but the kindness of strangers. And all these crazy synchronicities and songs.
@skopemag: How would you describe your music?
Holly: It’s very emotional. It does seem to connect with people on a deep level, maybe because it’s real? None of it is made up. If you can be that honest and it helps people connect with similar feelings, it can only be a good thing. I was also told recently it’s like getting a warm hug – which I love because this is why I do it. I want to make people feel better and not alone. I had many times growing up I was alone; the big breakup took me back to that time. Music saved me. That’s what I’d like my music to be for someone.
Brickwall Jackson is Red Hot in Big Orange Guitar
Over the course of four albums, Brickwall Jackson have stayed true to their roots and their overall sound and their newest album is no exception. They take a few creative risks that pay off on tracks like “The Bricks,” and “Get off My Lawn,” but they never abandon their unambiguously Southern spirit. Hailing from Virginia, John Hudak carries almost an Appalachian dialect that pleasantly sets his voice apart from other artists in his neck of the woods and it shines through from the very beginning on the title track where he takes shots at his nay-sayers and victoriously proclaims over a bashful instrumental that they can suck on his big fat orange guitar, not-so-subtly using his guitar as a phallic symbol for his own amusement. The track takes a bit of a political direction at times and the message is about what you’d expect from a group whose namesake is a famous confederate general. That being said, the track is very energetic and fun and fits well as an opener for this album. They take the politics a little bit further a few tracks later on “Get off My Lawn,” and the message is exactly what you’d expect from a song with such a title, but they do make some sentient points in it about working class people not deserving the brunt of the vitriol from major protest movements. Along with the politics, he also ramps up the energy in this one with a sliding piano taking us into a fast-paced groove that’s sure to evoke the image of Elvis dancing on a black and white TV.
While it’s unlikely that you’d resonate with the lyrics of those two tracks if you don’t keep up with Fox News, it’s absolutely worth it to listen to the rest of the album for stories of life and love and the evolution of one’s personal relationships over time. The best example of this is the third track, “Porch Swings.” In it, he sings over a soft, yet very catchy acoustic riff that has a hypnotizing tremolo texture to it about fond memories of doing simple things with people he loves and expresses a desire to make more of those memories with those people. It’s not a sort of painful longing for the past but rather an open invitation for the people he doesn’t talk to as much to hang out and talk with him for a while. “When We’re Gone” takes a slightly different route and expresses a desire to reach an understanding with people he likely has painful memories with for the reason that they will never come to any sort of understanding when one of them is gone. And it would be a shame if all they went through ended so unceremoniously as for them to just cut one another off. It’s still a rather upbeat track that even features a rather tasteful pinch harmonic guitar solo so as not to let us forget that Hudak can sling the guitar.
“Son of Many Fathers” is easily one of the most joyfully reflective songs on the project and he fondly reminisces times he’s had with his mentors or moments of adversity that taught him lessons and helped in his musical development. Stories like getting kicked out of his first band for playing sloppily are looked back on with pride because he’s been able to see the bigger picture and allow those kinds of moments to motivate him. And of course he gives credit to men who took on a sort of fatherly relationship with him on his way to becoming the musician he is today. “May You Remain” is the last track on the album and is somewhat of an extension of its predecessor. In it, he’s matured into understanding the lessons and wisdom imparted on him by his mentors and now that he has children of his own, he wants to carry on the legacy of his own mentors in a capacity far beyond teaching them music but he expresses desire for his pupils to live a full live and do good by their soul and it’s an understated and beautiful ending to the album and it ties the album up in a nice little bow and leaves the listener with a clarity on what they just listened to.
All in all, this project is very much worth a listen. The political statements are there but they’re not alienating because you really can either take them or leave them. With them, you develop a clearer understanding of his life philosophy and how it carries into his personal relationships, but if you do chose to ignore the political messaging, you’re still left with captivating instrumentals, a lovely voice that could only come from Virginia, and thought-provoking lyrics that’ll leave you reflecting on your own life, likely with a sense of wholeness, and it would be quite a shame to miss out on that.
Reviewed by Bret O’zee
Legendary Singer Songwriter Kicks Off New Album ‘The Calling’ With Hard-Hitting Jazz/R&B Single ‘We Gotta Wake Up’
‘We Gotta Wake Up’ is a powerful new love song by legendary singer songwriter Russell Oliver Stone, taken from his new album, ‘The Calling’ which features some of the best-known musicians from the UK such as Paul Spong, Steve Sidwell, Neil Sidwell, Terry Johnston, Dave Arch, Jeff Leach, Terry Johnston, John Parricelli, Yolanda Charles, Laurie Lowe, Martin Williams, Andy Wood and more..
Legendary singer, songwriter, Russell Oliver Stone combines his soulful voice with piercing lyrics that lay bare the failures of our politicians, captains of industry, billionaires, autocrats, and dictators to address the catastrophic social issues humanity is facing. Combining Jazz and R&B with his unique voice, ‘We Gotta Wake Up’, Stone’s new song, is a call to arms to humanity. The percussive urgency of the song, emphasised by the horns, and the hypnotic descending bassline in the hook all add to the dynamism of the lyrics. The sentiments of the spoken word of Amen Noir and Poetikah lift it to a different plane.
Russell rose to fame in 1976 with his global hit ‘We Do It’ by R&J Stone but suffered a tragic loss after the global success of ‘We Do It’, when his wife and singing partner Joanna, died soon after the song became a hit. The crisis saw Russell retreat from the music scene and spend years struggling with alcoholism. This led Russell to becoming a transpersonal psychotherapist, but he never gave up on writing and singing. Russell, now 76, and recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, is on a mission to inspire and nurture others, just as he was inspired and nurtured in so many different ways throughout his life when faced with tragedy.
Russell says: “I have often felt hopeless in the face of all the many crises humanity is facing, and I want to use everything I have learnt as an Integrative Transpersonal Psychotherapist and Nada (sound) Yoga teacher to give hope to others. We must all focus on what can be done, and this song, written in collaboration with two wonderful poets, Amen Noir and Poetikah, is a call to do exactly that. We must all wake up. Solutions are within each of us, and we all have a role to play if we use our hearts.”
Endorsement:
“From the opening track, Wake Up, through to the last track, Let It Burn, this extraordinary mix of musical compositions, profound lyrics, and vocals sung and spoken, all delivered by Russel Oliver Stone and his amazing ensemble will rouse you, soothe you, entertain you and invite you into the depths of wisdom and love. And then propel you into your life to act on all the wisdom and love you embody! Stone’s lush vocals and sublime jazz arrangements carry the eternal wisdom of the soul into the present moment, into the listener’s heart and consciousness. Chantelle Dusette’s lyrics and vocals add the living, healing presence of the Divine Feminine which Stone’s creations invoke. Stone draws from Escalus, Rumi, Riane Eisler, Joni Mitchell, science fiction, and more to convey the deep knowledge and fierce, liberating Love so very needed at this critical time in history. Imbibe this musical feast and you will be delightfully entertained while receiving its enlightening gifts!”
-Lawrence Edwards PhD BCN Senior Fellow, LMHC
Russell continues: “As an elder, I am continually inspired by the millions of young people who show how much they care in the face of indifference and hostility as they take action to try and raise public awareness. I say to them, come, come join me, let’s dance together, as one. Together we can embrace the power and purpose of love.”
Notes to Editors:
Russell Oliver Stone – Biography
Russell is a professional studio singer and writer for 40+ years working in all areas of the music business such as TV, radio, touring and cabaret. He achieved great success with the act ‘R & J Stone’ with the self-penned world-wide hit ‘We Do It’ in 1976. Russell accompanied a wide variety of artistes including Marvin Gaye, Adam Ant, Tony Bennett, Twisted Sister, Cliff Richard, and Right Said Fred.
Russell has been on a conscious spiritual journey since attending a clinic for alcoholism in 1992, have been sober for 30+ years and continue to study the great wisdom traditions of the East – Yoga, Buddhism and Sufism – as well as the Western tradition of Transpersonal Psychology.
He qualified as an Integrative Counsellor in 1998, as a Transpersonal Psychotherapist (MA-CCPE) in 2004 and taught counselling at Diploma level from 2000 – 2005. He has been facilitating groups since 2000. During this time Yoga became his spiritual path as well Yoga philosophy/psychology becoming his transpersonal model.
• ‘We Do It’ was released in 1976, and sold over 300,000 copies resulting in a silver disc, and was a hit in Canada, Australia (number 1), New Zealand and Brazil.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussellOliverStone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/russellostone
Website: https://www.thecalling.online/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/72bfd0vJBTptSL5O8S7N9F
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfLj2EZkygiJF_972BreSQ
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=popular&rh=p_32%3ARussell+Oliver+Stone&ref=dp_byline_sr_music_1
