20/02/2025

Joanne Shaw Taylor Unleashes High-Energy New Single "Hell Of A Good Time".

Joanne Shaw Taylor Unleashes High-Energy New Single “Hell Of A Good Time”

The electrifying track is the latest preview of her upcoming album Black & Gold, out June 13th via Journeyman Records.

Stream “Hell Of A Good Time” on all digital platforms HERE
Watch the official music video NOW

British blues-rock powerhouse Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to build anticipation for her forthcoming album Black & Gold with the release of her latest single, “Hell Of A Good Time”—an energetic, hard-hitting track that blends her signature fiery guitar work with infectious rock & roll swagger. The song delivers a raucous, no-holds-barred performance while carrying a deeper reflection on the fleeting nature of excess and escape.

“Hell Of A Good Time” is a song about how sometimes a party isn’t really a party at all,” Joanne explains. “How drinking to excess and always being the life and soul of the party is usually one person’s way of running away from themselves. Unfortunately, that lifestyle can’t last forever and usually ends up not being a lot of fun.”

With lyrics like “Rolling through town, I’ll burn it down just like wildfire / Singing and sinning, I like living like a live wire,” Joanne captures the exhilarating highs and inevitable lows of living on the edge. Driven by pulsating rhythms, blistering guitar riffs, and anthemic choruses, “Hell Of A Good Time” showcases Joanne at her most uninhibited, bringing an electrifying energy to the Black & Gold track list.

Set for release on June 13th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, Black & Gold pushes the boundaries of blues-rock, weaving in elements of Americana, indie rock, and retro ‘80s pop to create a sound that is as expansive as it is deeply personal. The album explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the complexities of human connection, balancing raw vulnerability with bold, fearless innovation.

“Hell Of A Good Time” follows an impressive line-up of recent singles, each offering a unique glimpse into the album’s depth and range. Her latest, “Grayer Shade of Blue,” explores a once close friendship that ended abruptly. “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now” delved into themes of grief and healing, while “I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down” delivered a powerful statement on self-worth and breaking toxic cycles. The deeply reflective “Grayer Shade Of Blue” explored the bittersweet emotions of moving on from a past relationship, adding another layer of emotional depth to the album. Earlier tracks like “All The Things I Said” and Joanne’s soul-stirring cover of Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” further demonstrate the album’s dynamic storytelling and genre-defying spirit.

Joanne’s ability to seamlessly fuse deeply personal narratives with hard-hitting blues-rock anthems has solidified her status as one of the most innovative voices in modern blues. Praised by legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox and backed by Kevin Shirley’s masterful production, Black & Gold promises to be a career-defining release that cements Joanne’s place at the forefront of the genre.

Joanne’s prolific creativity and relentless evolution make her a perfect fit for Joe Bonamassa’s
Journeyman Records, a label dedicated to giving artists the freedom to release music on their own terms. This partnership ensures that every song Joanne releases reaches fans exactly as intended—without industry constraints, allowing her artistry to shine.

Joanne is set to bring her high-energy live performances to audiences across the country, kicking off with Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X from March 21-26, 2025, followed by an extensive U.S. Spring Tour. Fans can expect to hear new material from Black & Gold alongside beloved fan favorites, all delivered with Joanne’s signature passion and electrifying stage presence. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour

Black & Gold’ by Joanne Shaw Taylor
1. Hold Of My Heart
2. All The Things I Said
3. Black & Gold
4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?
5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down
6. Summer Love
7. Grayer Shade Of Blue
8. Hell Of A Good Time
9. Look What I’ve Become
10. What Are You Gonna Do Now?
11. Love Lives Here

2025 U.S. SPRING DATES
March 13 - Greensburg, PA The Palace Theatre*
March 14 - Northfield, OH MGM Northfield Park*
March 15 - Toronto, ON Massey Hall*
*Experience Hendrix Tour

KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AT SEA X
March 21-26, 2025 – Miami, FL

2025 U.S. SPRING TOUR
March 28 – Portland, ME – Aura
March 29 – Cranston, RI – The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center
March 30 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
April 1 – Easton, PA – State Theatre
April 2 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
April 4 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton Live
April 5 – Port Washington, NY – Landmark on Main Street
April 6 – Wilmington, DE – The Baby Grand
April 8 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center
April 9 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
April 11 – Jacksonville, FL – FIVE
April 13 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Blues Festival
April 14 – Pensacola, FL – Saenger Theatre
April 15 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall
April 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Memorial Hall
April 18 – Columbus, OH – TempleLive Columbus

# # #

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
Website | Facebook | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | KTBA Records

Samantha Fish announces new album "Paper Doll" and new single "Sweet Southern Sounds".

POWERHOUSE GUITARIST AND SONGWRITER SAMANTHA FISH ANNOUNCES FIERCEST ALBUM TO DATE, PAPER DOLL, OUT APRIL 25 ON ROUNDER RECORDS

LISTEN TO LEAD SINGLE “SWEET SOUTHERN SOUNDS”: https://found.ee/SFSouthernSoundsViz

PRE-ORDER / PRE-SAVE PAPER DOLL:

https://found.ee/SFPaperDoll

UPCOMING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE DATES WITH CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM, JAZZFEST + MORE

One of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation, Samantha Fish, has consistently captivated audiences with her unparalleled energy, boldness, emotional depth and unique blend of rock and soul. Known for her expressive guitar playing and powerhouse performances, Fish's career hit warp speed with the release of her last album, 2023’s Death Wish Blues, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, and earned her a Grammy nomination, plus invitations to support The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, Slash and more.

This April, the Kansas City-bred, New Orleans-based musician will unveil her fiercest work to date with a new studio album Paper Doll (Rounder Records). Produced by Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow (The Go) - with assistance from fellow Detroit luminary Mick Collins (The Gories) on one track - each of the songs on Paper Doll are delivered with visceral force, soul-soothing empathy, and newfound clarity. “It’s taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting,” Fish admits. “But with this record, I took everything I had and slammed it right on the table.” The theme of unapologetic defiance runs throughout the album, as Fish explores new depths of vulnerability and self-expression and confronts love, loss, and personal growth.

Tracked in Austin at The Orb and Los Angeles at Savannah Studios, the 9-song collection was recorded during a gruelling touring schedule, ultimately capturing the untamed energy of her live performances. “I’d never made a record on the road like that,” Fish reveals. “Even though it was intense, it felt good to keep up the momentum from the live show. It helped us make an album that’s got a real living, breathing pulse to it.” The album features touring bandmates Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys).

With today’s announcement, Fish has released the album’s lead single “Sweet Southern Sounds.” Co-written with fellow New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Anders Osborne, the track is a gripping meditation on the struggle to balance passion and personal connections, topped with smoldering riffs and lush organ melodies.

“It’s an anthem about being on the road and feeling guilty about not prioritizing the people in your life,” says Fish. “It’s hard to find that balance between taking care of your relationships and dedicating yourself to your music, and there’s definitely a tinge of heartache to that song.”

Listen to “Sweet Southern Sounds” on YouTube here: 

https://found.ee/SFSouthernSoundsViz

Pre-order / pre-save Paper Doll (out April 25) here: 

https://found.ee/SFPaperDoll

Fish will tour across the US and UK throughout 2025, including dates with Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, plus performances at JazzFest and more. For tickets and all upcoming tour dates please visit https://www.samanthafish.com/tour/.

Samantha Fish 2025 Tour Dates

2.21.2025 - L'Auberge Casino and Hotel - Baton Rouge, LA
2.22.2025 - IP Casino Resort and Spa - Biloxi, MS
3.21.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.22.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.23.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.24.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.25.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.26.2025 - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea - Miami, FL
3.28.2025 - Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee - Immokalee, FL
4.1.2025 - Count Basie Center - Experience Hendrix Tour - Red Bank, NJ
4.2.2025 - Mayo Performing Arts Center - Experience Hendrix Tour - Morristown, NJ
4.3.2025 - Hampton Beach Casino - Experience Hendrix Tour - Hampton Beach, NH
4.4.2025 - Ocean Casino Resort - Experience Hendrix Tour - Atlantic City, NJ
4.5.2025 - Warner Theatre - Experience Hendrix Tour - Washington, DC
4.6.2025 - DPAC - Experience Hendrix Tour - Durham, NC
4.8.2025 - North Charleston PAC - Experience Hendrix Tour - Charleston, SC
4.9.2025 - Ovens Auditorium - Experience Hendrix Tour - Charlotte, NC
4.10.2025 - Tennessee Theatre - Experience Hendrix Tour - Knoxville, TN
4.11.2025 - Peace Concert Hall - Experience Hendrix Tour - Greenville, SC
4.12.2025 - Fox Theater - Experience Hendrix Tour - Atlanta, GA
4.30.2025 - Crawfish Fest - New Orleans, LA
5.3.2025 - JazzFest - New Orleans, LA
5.14.2025 - Aztec Theatre - San Antonio, TX *
5.15.2025 - House of Blues - Houston, TX *
5.16.2025 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX *
5.17.2025 - TempleLive - Fort Smith, AR *
5.18.2025 - Cain's Ballroom - Tulsa, OK *
5.21.2025 - The Astro - Omaha, NE *
5.22.2025 - Cotillion - Wichita, KS *
5.23.2025 - Gillioz Theater - Springfield, MO *
5.28.2025 - Cheese & Grain - Frome, United Kingdom
5.29.2025 - Red Rooster Festival, Thetford, United Kingdom
5.30.2025 - Arts Club - Liverpool, United Kingdom
5.31.2025 - The Brook - Southampton, United Kingdom
6.1.2025 - Academy 2 - Oxford, United Kingdom
6.5.2025 - Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
6.7.2025 - Peer Blues Festival - Peer, Belgium
6.8.2025 - Ribs N Blues Festival – Raalte, The Netherlands
6.9.2025 - Tivoli – Utrecht, The Netherlands
6.10.2025 - Le Trianon - Paris, France
6.11.2025 - Le Transbordeur - Lyon, France
6.13.2025 - Bilbao Arena – Bilbao, Spain
6.14.2025 - Joy Eslava, Madrid, Spain
6.15.2025 - Razmataz 2, Barcelona, Spain
7.12.2025 - Samantha Fish Outlaw Square - Deadwood, SD *

* Supporting Christone “Kingfish” Ingram 

# # # 

CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA FISH
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | X | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK

Bywater Call announce November 2025 UK tour with special guest Dan Patlansky LSS.

Planet Rock & The Gig Cartel Present 

BYWATER CALL

THE CANADIAN SOUL, GRIT, AND BLUES ROCK
POWERHOUSE RETURNS TO THE UK IN NOVEMBER 2025 

SPECIAL GUEST: DAN PATLANSKY LSS ⚡️ 

GENERAL ON SALE: MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2025
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THEGIGCARTEL.COM

“The sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable” – Classic Rock Magazine

“A very special live act.” – Blues in Britain Magazine

“Bywater Call performs with so much soul, it’s hard not to be swept away by their distinctive sound” – HRH Magazine

“When you see a band onstage thoroughly enjoying themselves, it’s contagious... one hell of a performance.” – Buzz Magazine

Get ready for a soul-stirring, high-energy ride as Bywater Call, the electrifying 7-piece Southern Soul and Roots Rock sensation from Toronto, Canada, returns to the UK for an 8-date November 2025 tour with special guest Dan Patlansky LSS.

An exclusive Planet Rock ticket pre-sale starts at 10am on Friday 14 February. Pre-order tickets are available HERE. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Monday 17 February at thegigcartel.com.

Fronted by the powerhouse vocals of Meghan Parnell and driven by the fiery guitar work of Dave Barnes, Bywater Call has been making waves across the globe, earning nominations from the Independent Blues and Maple Blues Awards, including “Entertainer of the Year” and “Best Female Vocalist.” 

The band were also nominated for the 2024 UK Blues Awards “International Artist of the Year” alongside the winner of the category, Larkin Poe. This year, the band was short-listed once again for this award and are in the top 20 along with Larkin Poe, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Beth Hart, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Samantha Fish, Bobby Rush and other notables in the genre.

Their live performances have set European festival stages ablaze, including a show-stopping set at the legendary Moulin Blues festival in the Netherlands—where Meghan’s vocals were hailed as the finest in blues and roots music today.

But Bywater Call doesn’t just play their music— they ignite it with a unique style of blues-infused roots, rock and soul. From headlining festivals across Europe and North America to sharing the stage with legends like Joe Bonamassa and Blackberry Smoke, their commanding live presence is second to none.

UK fans got a taste of their firepower in 2024 — leaving audiences hungry for more. Now Bywater Call is coming back and is ready to once again deliver an energetic, emotional experience that transcends genres, and promises to leave a lasting impression.

In August 2024, Bywater Call released their third album Shepherd which featured the singles “Everybody Knows,” “Holler,” “Colours,” “As If,” “Roll,” and “For All We Know.” “Everybody Knows” and Holler” were championed and put on high rotation on Planet Rock; the UK’s popular classic rock radio station.

In their August 2024 issue, Henry Yates of Classic Rock Magazine made Shepherd his Album of the Month in his Blues round-up, and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record,” and added, “the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” The album was also selected as the Top Blues Album of the Year in the magazine’s year-end round-up.

Bywater Call’s special guest is the critically acclaimed and award-winning South African singer-songwriter and guitarist Dan Patlansky who will bring his brand-new Loop Station Show Electric (LSS⚡️) —a fresh and innovative take on the solo live performance.

This is not your typical one-man show. Loop Station Show Electric will feature all the energy, dynamics, and firepower of Dan's show. Every song will be reimagined and delivered in an exciting new way— all electric, all live, all Dan.

“On record, Dan Patlansky is superb, but on stage, he takes it to another level.” – Music News

Over the past few years, he has been refining his craft, writing new material, and pushing his musicianship to new heights. In 2024, Patlansky released his 11th album “Movin’ On” which garnered rave reviews was voted the #3 Blues Rock Album of the year by Blues Rock Review.

“The time away from touring gave me a rare opportunity to focus on my playing, singing, and songwriting like never before,” says Patlansky. “This new show reflects that growth, and I can’t wait for UK audiences to experience it.”

With a reputation for jaw-dropping live performances, Loop Station Show Electric promises an unforgettable night of world-class blues-rock innovation from one of the genre’s most respected modern guitarists.

Planet Rock & The Gig Cartel Present
        

BYWATER CALL

NOVEMBER 2025 UK TOUR

SPECIAL GUEST: DAN PATLANSKY LSS ⚡️ 

GENERAL ON SALE: MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2025

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THEGIGCARTEL.COM 

LONDON, THE GARAGE
WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD
www.thegarage.london

SOUTHEND, CHINNERYS
THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
21-22 Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EJ
www.chinnerys.co.uk

GLOUCESTER, GUILDHALL
FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
23 Eastgate St, Gloucester, GL1 1NS
www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

NEWCASTLE, ANARCHY BREW
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Benfield Business Park, Unit A1, Benfield Rd,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 4NQ
www.anarchybrewco.com/events

GLASGOW, ORAN MOR
SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Top of Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX
https://oran-mor.co.uk

LEEDS, BRUDENELL
TUESDAY 25 NOVMEBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
33 Queen's Rd, Burley, Leeds, LS6 1NY
www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk

MANCHESTER, BAND ON THE WALL
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
25 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JZ
http://bandonthewall.org

SOUTHAMPTON, THE BROOK
FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2025
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
466 Portswood Rd, Southampton, SO17 3SD
https://the-brook.com

19/02/2025

Austin artist Claude9 shares groovy synth-laced single 'Clouds So Low', teasing 'Clouds of Love' album.

FOR FANS OF: Enigma, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Boards of Canada, The Orb, Tangerine Dream, Air, Eno & Cluster, Massive Attack
INFLUENCED BY: Massive Attack, Augustus Pablo, Leftfield, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, Cluster, Kruder & Dorfmeister, The Orb
ISRC code QMEU32029469

FOR SHARING
'Clouds So Low' https://youtu.be/u4dFIMq8KpM
Bandcamp  https://newhumanmusic.bandcamp.com/track/clouds-so-low
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/4uCWmUUmpjToXUmg3Ldgy2
Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/claude-9/281501988
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/claude9/04-claude-9-clouds-so-low-3 
'Chords of Love' album order  https://newhumanmusic.bandcamp.com/album/chords-of-love-2
'Chords of Love' mini-live set  https://youtu.be/imkgQPYYj8A


Austin-based electronic-synthpop artist Claude9 presents 'Clouds So Low', the soulful first single from his forthcoming 'Chords of Love' album, slated for release on March 28 via indie imprint New Human Music. This chill feel-good offering tastefully blends Enoesque ambient music and downtempo trip-hop.

Encapsulating the dreamy, rhythmic energy that defines much of the album, 'Clouds So Low' serves as a perfect introduction to this relaxing 9-track sonic journey. Claude9 also offers a newly-recorded mini-live set a sneak-peak of 'Chords of Love'.

"'Clouds So Low' is a funky, breakbeat-driven downtempo track that was inspired by the surreal low-hanging clouds I encountered during a drive to the studio for the song’s first session. Combining vocoder effects with soulful live vocals and melodic lines from my electric melodica, the track offers a playful and atmospheric vibe. With its lighthearted energy, it evokes a sense of wonder, reminiscent of The Orb’s iconic 'Little Fluffy Clouds'," says Claude9.

"This was the first track I began for this album, originally envisioned as a collaborative project with my friend Alec Ash. However, shortly after the first session, COVID hit, and the album evolved into a solo endeavor. The inspiration for this track came from my deep love of downtempo trip-hop acts like Massive Attack and The Orb."

Claude9 has been involved in the Austin music scene for several decades, both as a live performer and recording artist. As a keyboard player and singer, he has worked with Reggae acts Pressure, the Killer Bees, and Raggamassive, cutting his teeth to become a sought-after keyboard player. From there, he joined forces with hiphop-funk act Afrofreque, Supercreeps and Hail Marley.

Emerging in the late 90s as one of Austin's first electronic producers, Claude9 was involved in several well-received House music collaborations in the early 2000s. His background as a live musician brought authenticity to the dub and funk elements in his electronic compositions and, more recently, to his
collaboration with Noëlle Hampton (the Belle Sounds) and Ken Christensen (East Coast Boogiemen) in synth pop band XANIMAL.

"The lyrics for 'Clouds So Low' were sparked by a vivid moment on my drive to Lockhart, TX, for that initial session. The clouds that day hung incredibly low in the sky, and as I crossed a high overpass, it felt as though they were close enough to touch. I found myself imagining stepping out of the car and walking on them—a whimsical thought that became the core idea for the song," says Claude9.

"I already had the breakbeats I wanted to use, and once I arrived at the studio, the rest of the track came together surprisingly quickly. It turned out almost exactly as I had envisioned, which is a rare occurrence for any artist. The track brings together many of my favorite elements: crisp breakbeats, lush pads, a heavy bass synth, melodica melodies, and a blend of vocoder and “real” vocals."

As a producer at Claude9 Studios, Claude continues to produce and record internationally recognized music in the House and Downtempo genres, while still pushing limits and being an influential member of the ever changing Austin music community.

'Clouds So Low' is out everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Now available for pre-order, the 'Chords of Love' album will be released - on vinyl and digitally - on March 28.

ALBUM TRACK LIST
1. Entrance 6:38
2. Chords of Love 7:07
3. Cicada Soul 2:47
4. Clouds so Low 5:08
5. Can You Hear Me 1:57
6. The Shadow 4:45
7. Down to the Underground 5:42
8. Echolalia 2:22
9. Enough is Enough 7:22

CREDITS
Claude9 - Keyboards, real and synthesized vocals, melodica, harmonica
Jorja Chalmers - saxophone on tracks 1 and 9
Recorded at Claude9 Studios (Austin, TX)
Initial session for track 4 at ESH INSTITUTE, Lockhart Tx.
Production assistance by Alec ESH
Mixed and mastered by Charles “Chicky” Reeves at Sublime
Studios London, UK
Album cover design by Fumihito Sugawara / Fumanstudios
Released by New Human Music
Distributed by Xelon Distribution
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Claude9
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Studio | Instagram | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify

Keep up with New Human Music
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud 

Sue Foley Receives 2025 JUNO Award Nomination.

SUE FOLEY RECEIVES JUNO AWARD NOMINATION FOR BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR

VANCOUVER, CANADA — Topping off an amazing year since the Stony Plain release of her ONE GUITAR WOMAN album, Sue Foley is honored in her native Canada with a JUNO Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year. In a year that has seen her fourth consecutive Blues Music Award for Female Blues Artist, three Blues Blast Music Awards and a GRAMMY® Award nomination, this distinction is particularly meaningful for Sue, who enthuses:

“I’m beyond thrilled that ONE GUITAR WOMAN has been honored with a Juno Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year. This project has been a true labor of love, and seeing it resonate with so many people since its release has been amazing.



After an unforgettable experience at the Grammys this year — a milestone in my career – I’m especially moved to receive this recognition in my home country of Canada. There’s something truly special about standing alongside my fellow Canadian artists and representing our incredible music scene on the world stage.”

ONE GUITAR WOMAN has been celebrated by ecstatic press, radio and fans alike, gracing magazine covers, topping radio charts, and selling out shows and tours across the US, Canada and beyond. In this moving solo acoustic tribute to the female pioneers of guitar (Elizabeth Cotten, Memphis Minnie, Maybelle Carter, Lydia Mendoza, Elvie Thomas and Geeshie Wiley, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ida Presti, and Charo), Sue not only shows her total mastery of their styles and techniques, she seems to summon the spirits of her long gone teachers, letting them speak through her voice and guitar.

The 54^th Annual JUNO Awards will take place March 30, 2025 in Rogers Arena, Vancouver, Canada.

PRESS

“A lush, brilliantly performed salute to women who helped forge the history of the guitar.” ⁠—Living Blues Magazine ⁠

“The kind of album that will live forever.” —Americana Highways

"Confirms her new status as a major guitar talent." —Soul Bag Magazine

"Fabulous." —Guitar Player Magazine

"A sonic tapestry." —Guitar Girl Magazine

“The often spellbinding One Guitar Woman … is an enlightening look into her remarkable talents, filtered through the lens of a more intimate expression of the blues.” —Hal Horowitz, Rock and Blues Muse

MORE ABOUT SUE FOLEY

Sue Foley is a multi-award winning blues guitar player and singer/songwriter. Her latest album, ONE GUITAR WOMAN: A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, was nominated for the 2025 GRAMMY® for Best Traditional Blues Album and is currently nominated for a JUNO Award for Blues Album Of The Year.

Growing up in Canada, Foley was captivated by her father’s guitar and began performing professionally at 16. By 21, she was in Austin, TX, recording with Antone’s, the iconic blues label and nightclub that launched the careers of legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Foley has toured extensively, sharing stages with icons like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Billy F Gibbons. Her high-energy, guitar-driven performances reflect the Texas blues tradition that shaped her sound. She’s also a four-time recipient of the Blues Music Award for Traditional Female Artist (2020–2024).

In addition to her music, Foley is a dedicated scholar of women in guitar. Her interviews with female guitarists have appeared in Guitar Player Magazine and will be featured in her forthcoming book, Guitar Women: Conversations and Life Lessons from the Heroines of Guitar (Sutherland Press, 2025). Foley holds a PhD in Musicology from York University in Toronto.


"Foley has a killer voice, an impossibly alluring blend of sex and innocence to go with those blazing guitar chops.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

“Canada’s greatest blues guitarist.” —Toronto Globe and Mail

“Hot licks and tasty riffs, all inspired by classic Texas blues.” —Vintage Guitar Magazine

17/02/2025

Chicago's Evidence of a Struggle reveals 'Eddy Derecho', first offering from sophomore album.

FOR FANS OF: Swans, Mogwai, Coil, Explosions in the Sky, Rage Against The Machine, Maybeshewill, Queens of the Stone Age
ISRC code QM4TW2516369

 

FOR SHARING
'Eddy Derecho' video https://youtu.be/eLpWesiv2-4
Get the single  https://orcd.co/eddyderechosingle
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/5XOcnR5jOlb2lYDFIHqdYr
Bandcamp  https://evidenceofastruggle.bandcamp.com/track/eddy-derecho
'Evidence of a Struggle' album https://evidenceofastruggle.bandcamp.com/album/evidence-of-a-struggle-2
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/0bzXBY0s2i9DKKk3IuP8if
'Keep It' video (2024) https://youtu.be/4GBmXqmbQtk


"Wonderfully cinematic, forward-thinking, open-minded, genre-hopping, rule-breaking... a symphony of sonics, subtlety and suppleness, and of the subverting of expectations" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"'Keep It' is a relentless prowl of low rumbling concrete scattered with the glass shards of guitar and keyboards. The controlled chaos of the instrumentation is in slow motion... an epic feel, as well as the queasy sense of being drunk and disorientated in an dystopian landscape" ~ Joyzine

"Fascinating... This melodic journey expertly fuses the innovative textures of art rock with the insurgent spirit of alternative music... a complex and immersive auditory universe" ~ Post-Punk.com

"'The coolness of electric jazz, Krautrock-inspired post-rock and atmospheric art rock... a gripping and upbeat refined sound & thoughtful arrangement with sonic prowess" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"Chaotic and lovely" ~ Punk Rock Beat


Chicago-based outfit Evidence of a Struggle presents their new single 'Eddy Derecho', the first offering from their sophomore album by the same name, which will be released on May 9 via The Glue Factory and The Orchard.

Centred around the musings of multi-instrumentalist W P C Simmons V a.k.a. Rev. Billy Simmons, Evidence of a Struggle has grown since releasing their 2023 eponymous album to also involve Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, of1000faces, Garbage, Filter) on drums, synths and bass, and John Airo, who provides visual art for the projects.

Evidence of a Struggle creates lush, cinematic, beautiful and sometimes chaotic compositions. In creating this album, Evidence of a Struggle spent most of 2024 weaving a dense tapestry of sonic, musical, lyrical and visual ”observations” of what’s happening in our world now, what’s happened in the past, and what may happen in the future.

”The music and videos we’ve created for this record have really helped us make sense - personally and as a collective - of what’s going on in our world, how it’s effecting and affecting everyone regardless of their race, religion, color, ability or socioeconomic standing," says Rev. Billy.

"Maybe our music can help us recognize a better way to approach the idiocy happening in this world. The wars, inequity, inequality, pain, suffering, anger, maybe it can help everyone else really look at themselves a little closer and not become part of the problem"

The new album also sees contributions from several other notable artists, including bassist Alan Berliant (Chris Connelly, Mavis Staples, Saint Asonia) and Solomon Walker (Liz Phair, Bryan Adams, Morrissey, Eastern Shadows, Year of the Rabbit) with Grammy-nominated sound engineer Chris Gelin (Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor, RZA, Tom Morello, Korn) engaged in mastering and post-production, including in-studio assistance at The Glue Factory studio.

'Eddy Deracho' is a lyrical departure from Evidence of a Struggle's debut instrumental album. Rooted honestly within the chaos of our world, it is a loud and thoughtful sonic exploration of our unique ability as a species to harm, destroy, thoughtlessly marginalize, and discard with reckless disregard for anyone or anything outside of our immediate orbit.

"This record brings 13 musical stories of sonic solidarity, woven out of an unfortunate reality and understanding that Evidence of a Struggle is humbly presenting to encourage each one of you again to wake up, look in the mirror, and find a way to fix what we’re still fucking up," says Rev. Billy.

Transforming into a musical chameleon at night, Rev. Billy's day to day entails running Rev. Billy's Chop Shop, a salon with a creative space that regularly showcases artists' work (declared by Chicago Reader as the city's best gallery).

Earlier in his journey, Rev. Billy collaborated with RCA artist Ké and artists (like Urge Overkill) on Touch and Go, and other majors like BMG and Universal. In 2020, he returned to music in the midst of lockdown boredom, allowing him a continued creative outlet. Playing every instrument and recording his debut album at The Glue Factory studio, he joined forces with renowned sound engineer Sanford Parker (Voivod, Russian Circles, Yob, Eyehategod, Wovenhand, Darkthrone) for additional production, recording and mastering.

As of February 12, 'Eddy Derecho' is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.  The full album will be released on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally, on May 9.

SINGLE CREDITS
All music written by William P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy)
William P C Simmons V - Vocals, Guitar, Synth
Matt Walker - Drums, Synth
Alan Berliant - Bass guitar
Recorded at The Glue Factory, Ming Music Studios, and Hypercube
Mixed & produced by Sanford Parker at Hypercube
Mastered by Chris Gelin at Opus Audio Labs.
Cover art and animations for Eddy Derecho by John Airo
Loveless Publishing ASCAP
ISRC code QM4TW2516369
Video and cover artwork by John Airo
Artist photos by Jeremy Glickstein
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

ALBUM TRACK LIST
01 Eddy Derecho
02 The Whale
03 Le Caution
04 Alma
05 Coulda
06 Ophan
07 Charity
08 Church Key
09 Bastion
10 Aethyrs
11 Give us a Kiss
12 Earthburner
13 We Want War

LYRICS
The day has come
We knew it would
Exactly like they say
 
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away
 
Twist it
Turn it
Lie
And hold it down
Society is carrion
 
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away
We’ll help you burn it down
And blow it all away


Keep up with Evidence of a Struggle
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | BlueSky | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

16/02/2025

Lita Ford: Returns to the UK with Vixen for July 2025 dates.

Tickets available from
www.aegpresents.co.uk
www.kkssteelmill.co.uk
www.planetrock.com

VIP Meet & Greet packages will be available.Rock Icon LITA FORD and her band is proud to announce two exclusive UK Headline shows in July 2025 in addition to her show already announced at Steelhouse Festival in Wales on July 26th.

Joining Lita will be legendary 80’s all-female hard rockers VIXEN, who will be playing these two shows as UK exclusives with the bill going under the banner “Girls’ Night Out!”

Lita: “OK everyone, it’s time to “wreak havoc” on LITA’s hometown of London. I’m so excited to be back! Joining me will be 4 Sexy-Badass Rock N Roll Bitches called VIXEN!!  Together we are having a GIRL’S NIGHT OUT!!!  So put on your sexiest rock ‘n’ roll attitude and join us on the 24th of July in London and the 23rd of July in Wolverhampton! With long awaited - HUGE excitement to be back in the UK, There Is No Place Like Home… Can’t wait to see you there. It’s going to be magic!”

Rounding out the evening will be guests Chez Kane in Wolverhampton and Bobbie Dazzle in London.

ABOUT LITA FORD:

American guitarist, Lita Ford, started her professional music career at age 16 as the lead guitar player for the all-female rock band, The Runaways, in 1975.  In 1982 Lita embarked on her successful solo career and launched he debut solo record, OUT FOR BLOOD. In 1988, she released her most commercially successful album, LITA, which contained the hit single, “Kiss Me Deadly”.  In 1989, another single from the LITA album reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100: her duet with Ozzy Osbourne on “Close My Eyes Forever”. 
 
In addition to constant touring, Lita published “Living Like a Runaway: A Memoir” in 2016 and is currently working on her next album to be released later in 2025. Lita’s band includes Drummer Bobby Rock, Guitarist Patrick Kennison and Bassist Marten Andersson.
http://litafordonline.com/
https://www.facebook.com/litaofficial/

ABOUT VIXEN

Los Angeles based Vixen have sold over two million albums Worldwide, had six MTV #1 videos and four songs is the US Billboard Top 100. Hits include “Edge Of a Broken Heart”, “Cryin”, “Love Made Me” and “How Much Love”.
https://www.vixenofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/vixen

Goth rock stalwart THE AWAKENING shares 'Haunting', darkest taster of eponymous 12th album.

FOR FANS OF: David Bowie, The Sisters Of Mercy, The Mission, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, HIM, Beauty In Chaos
FOCUS TRACKS: Mirror Midnight, Haunting, Your Vampire, Through The Veil, Below The Emptiness, Cabaret
 

FOR SHARING
'Haunting' video  https://youtu.be/LEZRfa_Orp0
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/4GCxEQGH1BlHMUtihejjal
'The Awakening' album (vinyl, CD, digital) https://www.theawakening.com/the-awakening-album
'The Awakening' (digital) https://bit.ly/3YoZvEb
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/album/76kjbQtHacmaUOEOMBxFXR
'Mirror Midnight' video  https://youtu.be/50wZPAAQmX0



"Lush, dark, and infectious... A legacy act in their own right, The Awakening offers us a stunning, most welcome introduction to their newest album" ~ The Spill Magazine

"The Awakening has evolved, but Nyte’s haunting voice and genre-bending instincts remain" ~ Post-Punk.com

"As a taste of the album to come, “Mirror Midnight” does its job admirably. After listening to its dark majesty, who isn’t ready for a whole album of such deft and delicious sonic beauty?" - The Big Takeover


Gothic Rock / Darkwave act The Awakening shares 'Haunting' with its new music video. This is the latest taster of their eponymous album, released via Intervention Arts on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats.

'Haunting' follows 'Mirror Midnight', which has already amassed over 1.1 million views, establishing The Awakening's return to its dark roots. Once again, Nyte created the music video in his trademark black-and-white format.

"'Haunting' is a celebration of old-school Gothic Rock, with a suitable dose of Post-Punk swagger and a wink at the camera. It's probably the most whimsical song on the album and one I greatly look forward to playing live later this year", says frontman Ashton Nyte. "I wanted the video to capture some campy Horror B-Movie goodness, and I am very happy with the result," says Ashton Nyte.

"After the intensity and social commentary of 'Mirror Midnight', it was a lot of fun to create a video on the other side of the spectrum. It is best enjoyed at very high volume!"

Now US-based, The Awakening was formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the late ’90s as the creative expression of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte, who was anointed as "Johannesburg's Bowie" for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performances. Having morphed over the years, The Awakening's sound incorporates numerous genres, including gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir, new wave and more.

'The Awakening' follows Nyte's second book and eighth solo album 'Autumn's Children', which was selected as one of American Songwriter's Top 17 Albums of 2023. This new album is a celebration of the band's roots and influences. The last two Awakening albums were departures, with 'This Alchemy' (2021) exploring the electronic side of his musical personality, and 'The Passage Remains' (2022) including his previously-unreleased heavier material.

Ashton Nyte is a core contributor to LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos, involved with every album released to date, including the latest 'Dancing With Angels' and 'Signs in the Heavens Reality Upside Down'. Nyte has collaborated with members of The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, Peter Murphy's band and All About Eve.

Having toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people, Nyte has also written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his “Rock Against Rape” concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. Nyte is also an author and actor.

With a catalogue of over 300 songs, Ashton Nyte and The Awakening have enjoyed airplay and chart success worldwide, with songs featured in popular TV shows like 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' and 'The Purge'. Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for 'Don't Let Go' (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and 'Pale Horse', directed by the late Pearry Teo.

'The Awakening' album is out now on vinyl, CD, digitally and limited-edition formats. It can be found on Spotify and other digital platforms, and can be ordered directly from the artist. Tour dates will be announced soon with The Awakening set to tour extensively in the EU, USA, Mexico and the UK.

CREDITS
All music and lyrics by Ashton Nyte
Published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2024)
Recorded, mixed & produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
Cover artwork & artist photos by Ashton Nyte
Video created by Ashton Nyte
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with The Awakening
Website | Store | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music | Tidal

30/01/2025

Britain's History Of Guns marks 25th anniversary of debut single ‘Little Miss Suicide’ with fresh 3-track offering.

FOR FANS OF: Alien Sex Fiend, Cabaret Voltaire, Nitzer Ebb, Coil, Nine Inch Nails, Deathboy, The Prodigy, LCD Soundsystem

FOR SHARING
'Little Miss Suicide (25)' https://youtu.be/WPaXtI0cIKg
Bandcamp  https://historyofguns.bandcamp.com/album/little-miss-suicide-25
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/artist/4n2EfG19UlV8cQC9zNW36L
Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/us/album/little-miss-suicide-25-single/1793059613
'Half Light' album (2024) https://historyofguns.bandcamp.com/album/half-light
'What's Buried (Will Rise)'  https://youtu.be/otp835dyWXI
'When You Don't Matter' https://youtu.be/pbhlkOLX-Do
'No Longer Earthbound'  https://youtu.be/3-PujCcxtE0
'Last Train To Drug Castle'  https://youtu.be/vb841Ncl_5I


“Invisible hooks that will sink further in” ~ Auxiliary Magazine

 “By far, the most inventive UK band to have got their hands caught in the Industrial threshing machine” ~ Mick Mercer

"Like Killing Joke and NIN, they’ve taken on new forms whilst remaining identifiable in their journey from goth rock to post-punk and darkwave to EDM and electro-goth" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

“Polished, dramatic, full of poise and binding sentiment, and one of awesome sound and feeling” ~ Liverpool Sound and Vision


UK industrial-postpunk legends History Of Guns kick off 2025 with the single 'Little Miss Suicide (25)'. Released via the Liquid Len Recording Company, this fresh take on the band's debut single from 2000. The accompanying video uses footage, originally filmed by Danni Cutmore on a VHS camera, of the band writing and performing the song at Earthworks studio in Barnet in 1998.

Based in Hertfordshire, History Of Guns were frontrunners of the UK's Wasp Factory / FuturePunk scene of the early 2000s and are still crafting their unique meta-modernist Industrial sound 29 years after forming in Cheshunt. Aiming to create a strange alternative world where people can feel safe, HoG embraces the dark as well as the light, bleakness as well as hope - as openly and honestly as possible.

Produced by Max Rael, this single was mixed by Max Rael and Caden Clarkson, using all the original audio recorded back in 1999, and mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Pixies, Nick Cave, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails).  Written in 1998 by founding members Del Alien, Max Rael and Stagger Lee, alongside regular contributor Gary Hughes (who also plays the lead guitar melody), the rougher original version of this song was released in February 2000.

Stagger Lee's lyrics challenged the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide that prevailed at that time - an environment where openly discussing one's personal struggles was discouraged. Projecting his own depression and suicidal thoughts on to an imagined female character, Stagger relays the character's experience of not being taken seriously, as reflected in the title - a nod towards the popular "Mr. Men and Little Miss" series by British author Roger Hargreaves back in the 70s and 80s.

“This was our first song to really feature major chords, which Del wasn’t at all convinced by. In the end Stagger and I won him round by assuring him we were only using happy chords ironically to contrast with the dark subject matter. It’s probably the closest we’ve ever come to an actual proper pop song," recalls Max Rael.

Del Alien adds, "We knew all too well that sincerity wasn't respected or valued in the 90s, so from early on we'd incorporate humour amongst the darkness, we said because we wanted to reflect the whole of life and experience, the good and the bad, but it also gave us a way of talking about the terrible things that were happening to us and our friends, but we could never be accused of taking ourselves too seriously, or being emo or whatever. We may, at times, have taken this a bit too far at times. "

Last year, the band released their widely acclaimed eighth album 'Half Light', a sonic exploration of modern society, addiction, abandonment, different levels of reality and the struggle to keep going. But it is also a reminder that, through this darkness, there remains underneath, a core of hope.

Del Alien - an original punk turned goth - is an anti-authority seeker of truth and the questions behind the questions. Max Rael is in love with the idea of using music to create a separate universe for creating stories and escaping into, was an autistic, music-obsessed child, absorbing a dozen genres before diving into trance after Britpop ruined the alternative scene.

History of Guns' 2004 single 'Your Obedient Servant' was championed by The Quietus and Mick Mercer among the “30 best goth singles of all time”. Taking hiatus in 2012, they released the album 'Forever Dying In Your Eyes' in 2022. Influenced by Killing Joke, PWEI, Bauhaus, Coil, Joy Division, Sisters of Mercy, Nine Inch Nails and Swans, History of Guns have played Whitby Gothic Weekend, as well as Futurepunk and Back to the Futurepunk events.
 
'Little Miss Suicide (25)' is out now, available to download for next-to-nothing, alongside the B-side 'I Am Defective' and a trance remix by Gary Hughes, at https://historyofguns.bandcamp.com/album/little-miss-suicide-25

CREDITS
Music by Del Gilbert / Stagger Lee Barker / Gary Hughes / Max Rael
Lyrics by Stagger Lee Barker
Mixed by Max Rael and Caden Clarkson
Produced by Max Rael
Mastered by Pete Maher
Del Gilbert - vocals
Stagger Lee Barker - bass
Gary Hughes - lead guitar
Max Rael - keys, programming, rhythm guitar
Cover artwork by DALL-E 3, Gemini and Max Rael
Video filmed by Danni Cutmore. Edited by Max Rael
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

TRACK LIST
1. Little Miss Suicide (25)
2. I Am Defective
3. LMS (Deep Mix)


Keep up with History of Guns
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music 

Erja Lyytinen Springs Into Action With New Album and Title Track Single "Smell The Roses".

ERJA LYYTINEN SPRINGS INTO ACTION WITH 

NEW STUDIO ALBUM AND TITLE TRACK SINGLE 

"SMELL THE ROSES"

STREAM SINGLE | WATCH VIDEO

PRE-ORDER ALBUM

APRIL 2025 UK TOUR

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM

https://erjalyytinen.com/tour

On March 28th, 2025, award-winning guitarist and blues artist extraordinaire Erja Lyytinen will release her new studio album Smell the Roses. The album is available to pre-order HERE.

The lead single and title track is released on Wednesday January 29th and is accompanied by a new music video. Elaborating on the track Erja said: “The message is simple - wake up and Smell the Roses. There’s so much beauty in the world, so why don’t we stop and enjoy it rather than fighting and wanting more.”

The single is available on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the music video HERE.

It’s been three years since the release of Erja Lyytinen's last solo studio album, Waiting for the Daylight. Since then, the high-flying Finn has continued to tour the globe relentlessly, performing at prestigious events such as the Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia, headlining HRH Blues at the O2 Academy in Leicester, and making her debut at the legendary Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, to name but a few.

Throughout her career Erja Lyytinen has appeared on many television shows in her native Finland, but in the latter stages of 2024, the artist was invited to participate in The Masked Singer on Finnish TV. As one would imagine, Erja was sworn to secrecy about her role on the show; even her twin boys were left guessing whether their mum was on the programme. "I got to perform on The Masked Singer in Finland, where I made it through to the finals. It was such a fantastic experience, and I always love doing TV shows. My character was “Skeleton," and I got to sing cool songs like "Master of Puppets," by Metallica, "Running up That Hill," by Kate Bush and "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley. I recorded my version of the latter as a single.”

Amid extensive touring activity and her stint on The Masked Singer, at the close of 2024, the Queen of the Slide Guitar released a new live album titled 20 Years of Blues Rock! The concert recording was captured in her hometown of Helsinki, Finland during an evening that celebrated a musical milestone – that being the 20th anniversary of the release of Erja’s debut solo album Wildflower.

During what was already a sterling year for the artist, in November 2024 Erja Lyytinen was recognised as an Angel of Rock at the HRH Awards in Great Yarmouth following in the footsteps of legends of the genre such as Doro Pesch and Jackie Chambers from Girlschool. “It really made me very happy. Especially being a Finnish artist who started playing guitar at fifteen years old and dreamed of playing abroad for audiences. It feels great and being recognized always gives me a push to improve myself as an artist. It also makes me feel so grateful to my fans who have been so supportive all these decades.”

Behind the scenes, throughout much of 2024, Erja was in the studio working on her upcoming full-length studio album. “2024 was very innovative for me. I started to write new songs in Spring 2024 when I had a chance between my hectic schedule,” says Erja. “On my last studio album from 2022, Waiting for the Daylight, we had lots of layers on each track - violins, keyboards, tens of guitar tracks and lots of backing tracks. With the new album, I wanted to go the opposite direction. For the album Smell the Roses I wanted to put the focus on the guitar riffs and guitar solos and make the band instruments stand out individually.”

Smell the Roses continues to showcase Erja Lyytinen’s musical evolution as the artist proceeds to push her creative boundaries with each release that follows. "The album's backing tracks were recorded at Hollywood House Studios in Helsinki. I told my mixing engineer Matias Kiiveri to go for the sound of seventies rock albums. I have been recently listening to mainly vinyl and recordings from the sixties and early seventies,” explains Erja. “While mixing the album, we used some analogue gear like a two-track tape machine to get a fat and warm sound on the album. This sound and the organic way of creating music speaks to me a lot.”

Erja once again was at the helm of production duties during the recording of Smell the Roses. “I was working in the studio with my band for only three days, and all the backing tracks were recorded at that time. Then I recorded my guitar solos and vocals on my own at Sniper´s Studio in Helsinki,” confirmed Erja. “This is not the first time I produced and recorded my own album, so I knew what to expect from the task. There were long hours and hard decisions and a lot of guitar playing on my own! I didn’t let myself off easy in the studio this time either. I challenged myself to create more advanced solos than ever before. The album has some fully arranged guitar solos, but also some improvisational lead parts.”

Whilst the genesis of the artist’s last three albums centred around the breakdown of a relationship, by her admission she wanted to make the songs on Smell the Roses to be "edgier". "There are songs about encountering deep sorrow, meaning getting the blues and subsequently going to hell. Topics like forgiveness, hope, lust, loss and betrayal have been inspiring my songs along with my love for nature. I wanted to add a bit of mystery to some of the songs too,” she says. “There are some puzzles you need to put together yourself.”

Like a lot of artists, Erja wants the subject of her lyrics to be open to the listener’s interpretation. “I don’t want to explain the songs too thoroughly but rather have the listener find their story and their interpretation of the song. Titles like "Going to Hell, "Abyss", and "Empty Hours" probably tell a lot - this isn’t just an album played in a major chord with a smile on your face,” laughs Erja. “The album is a lot heavier than my previous ones, but it does still lift you up. The rhythms on the album are groovy and rocky and I´m pretty sure most of the songs will be fun to play at festivals and live shows!”

With a March release date, Erja Lyytinen is preparing to spring into action as she unveils her eagerly anticipated new studio album to her loyal followers around the globe. The album release will be accompanied by Erja’s most extensive UK tour since before the pandemic.

Smell the Roses, the new album from Erja Lyytinen, will be released on March 28th, 2025 via Tuohi Records. For further information, including an up-to-date touring schedule, please visit https://erjalyytinen.com/tour. 

ERJA LYYTINEN

APRIL 2025 UK TOUR

SPECIAL GUESTS:

*THIEVES OF LIBERTY" AND *SYTERIA

   TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
https://erjalyytinen.com/tour

Oxford, O2 Academy 2*
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Tickets: Ticketmaster

Dudley, The Lamp Tavern
Thursday 3 April 2025
Tickets: Kate Shill Press

Liverpool, O2 Acadmy 2*
Friday 4 April 2025
Tickets: Ticketmaster

Newcastle, The Think Tank*
Saturday 5 April 2025
Tickets: Eventim

Edinburgh, The Mash House
Sunday 6 April 2025
Tickets: TicketSource

Glasgow, Nice ’N Sleazy
Monday 7 April 2025
Tickets: TicketSource

Sheffield, The Greystones
Tuesday 8 April 2025
Tickets: We Got Tickets

Leeds, Brudenell Social Club**
Wednesday 9 April 2025
Tickets: SeeTickets

Blackpool, Waterloo
Thursday 10 April 2025
Tickets: SeeTickets

London, O2 Academy 2, Islington
Friday 11 April 2025
Tickets: Ticketmaster

Sittingbourne, The Apple Yard
Saturday 12 April 2025
Tickets: Gigantic

HRH Blues Festival

Leicester, O2 Academy

Sunday 13 April 2025

Tickets: HRH Blues

# # #

ERJA LYYTINEN

Website | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube



Mick McConnell & Blue Thunder Announce Debut Headline February 2025 London Show.

Blues-rock guitarist Mick McConnell is pleased to announce that Mick McConnell & Blue Thunder will be perform a debut headline set at the famous 100 Club in London on Tuesday 11th February 2025.

 Blues/Rock guitarist, Singer/Songwriter - Mick McConnell has been in the music business a long time and was an in-house songwriter for music publishing giants Warner Chappell. Mick also currently continues to tour the world playing lead guitar with Bradford legends ‘Smokie’.

In 2017 Mick released his second solo album, ‘Under My Skin’ to much critical acclaim. Working with double-winning Grammy Producer, Blue Miller (Bob Seger, India Arie, Grand Funk Railroad and Blackfoot). Not surprisingly ‘Under My Skin’ achieved a number 13 spot on the European Blues Chart. His first album ‘My Kinda Heaven’ is due for re-release in June 2024.

Mick was also interviewed for a centre page spread in both ‘Blues Matters” magazine as well as the ‘Blues In Britain’ magazine.

‘Under My Skin’ received exceptional reviews in the Elmore (USA) and Music Republic magazines as well as various other online publications. Mick was also featured on heavy rotation, on the many online Blues podcasts and Blues shows, especially in the UK.

Mick also features well on Spotify, and in particular, Spotify’s own Blues/Rock-playlists!

At the beginning of 2023. Mick decided that it’s time to put a band together to play his brand of Blues-Rock! Whilst in many ways starting at the bottom . . . like all new bands, Mick is hoping that his no-nonsense offering will bring his name to the attention of the Blues faithful in the UK and beyond. 2023 marked the first of his shows with his band ‘Blue Thunder’

"A truly exceptional and masterfully melodic offering" - Elmore Magazine USA

"Technically top drawer and they are his own riffs, he's not a borrower" - Music Republic Magazine

The band has gained traction very quickly and he is gaining a steady following on the UK Blues circuit especially in the North of England.

At every single gig to date! .... The band has been rebooked!!!!

He stated recently,

“We don’t jam” . . .  “We play carefully crafted songs, just as they are played on the album”.

At a recent gig at Venue23 in Wakefield, the band filmed the entire show in 4K and songs from this event will soon be ready to share with promoters and bookers. Another gig at Tapestry Arts Centre in Bradford was recorded and mixing is underway for a new live album which will be released at the beginning of 2025 to coincide with the band’s UK tour that will take place through January and February 2025.

With his band ‘Blue Thunder’ there is a promise to bring to your venue a professional polished show, with top notch musicians who are well known within the music industry, playing great Blues!

Band Members:

Mick McConnell - Lead Vocals/Guitar

Tsutomu “Atom” Abe – Keyboards

Lincoln Roth – Bass Guitar/Vocals

Bob Pears – Drums

Donna Thompson – Backing Vocals

Other acts performing that evening include Half Moon Panic and Back To One and the gig is presented by Solid Entertainments.

Please find further information below.

Tickets are on sale.

The 2025 UK Tour will visit the following location:

Tuesday 11 th February 2025 – Solid Entertainments Presents, 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street,

London, W1D 1LL

Time: Doors at 7.00pm

Ticket Price: £14.00 each plus fees

Ticket Link:

https://www.solidentertainments.com/presents.htm#MICK-LONDON

Venue Website:

https://the100club.co.uk/

For more information on Mick McConnell and Blue Thunder visit:

Website: 

https://www.mickmcconnell.com/

Justin Hayward: The ‘Forever Autumn’ Tour 2025.

Live Nation / Kennedy Street are delighted to announce that legendary singer-songwriter Justin Hayward, The Voice of the Moody Blues, will undertake The ‘Forever Autumn’ Tour of 10 venues in October 2025. The shows will go on general sale at 9am on Friday 31 January 2025*. Tickets available from ticketline.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and the venues direct. 

Justin Hayward says, “I always enjoy touring the UK. When I was in a local group in Swindon, we were offered a tour of the North of England and Scotland and I thought, ‘This is it - this is living”. British music - and British music fans - have a special place in the world of music, and I’m privileged that my songs are a part of that. The same goes for ‘Forever Autumn’. Wherever I go in the world people seem to know the song and associate it with my voice. It feels right to acknowledge ‘Forever Autumn’ this Autumn.
 
Mike, Julie, Karmen and myself are always trying to do something original and fresh, and thanks to guitar tech Josh , who has learnt exactly how to play my own acoustic parts on many songs, it means my beloved Gibson 335 electric guitar will be playing a bigger part in the show this year. Sharing songs that I have written, new and old, and playing many of them live for the first time on our 'Forever Autumn' 2025 tour will be a joy.”
 
Justin Hayward OBE has enjoyed a career which is now in its fifth decade. The vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the iconic Moody Blues, had hits including the masterful ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘Question’, ‘The Voice’ and the US top 40 hits ‘I Know You’re Out there Somewhere’ and In Your Wildest Dreams’: plus other classic, era and genre-defining hits. These laid the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues – as well as solo work.

Already established as a songwriter, he joined the Moody Blues in 1966. Hitting his stride with “Fly Me High,” he followed with ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’ from seminal album Days of Future Past. The Moody Blues sold 70 million albums worldwide, with 18 platinum and gold LPs. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Justin created several solo albums such as Songwriter, Night Flight, Moving Mountains and ‘Classic Blue’ with Mike Batt, and The View From the Hill. He hit the Top Ten globally in 1978 with ‘Forever Autumn’ – created for Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, he starred in its spectacular live production. His Spirits Of The Western Sky (2013) was followed by DVD ‘Spirits…Live’, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Video chart. All The Way followed - a compilation of solo work and live cuts. In 2020, Justin took to YouTube for the ‘Tuesday Afternoon Video Series’: this led to the digital album ‘Tuesday Afternoons: The Audio Files’. In 2021 he released ‘One Summer Day’ and ‘My Juliette’, and ‘Living For Love’ in 2022.
 
Justin spent much of 2023 and 2024 on the road - with several solo tours, along with two ‘On The Blue’ cruises, and a sell-out tour co-headlining in the USA with Christopher Cross. In September 2023, Justin was privileged to perform with the Athens State Symphony Orchestra at the Herodes Atticus historic amphitheatre in Athens, Greece. In 2024 Justin found time to make some new recordings, reuniting with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, for release this year.
 
The ‘Forever Autumn’ Tour 2025 represents a rare chance for Justin Hayward’s fans to connect with one of music’s keenest talents and to hear the music that he loves, presented with a truly personal touch. See also www.justinhayward.com

 
October 2025
19 – Cardiff New Theatre
20 – Truro Hall for Cornwall*
21 – Weston-Super-Mare Playhouse Theatre
23 – Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
24 – Bournemouth Pavilion
25 – Basingstoke Anvil
27 – Llandudno Venue Cymru
28 – New Brighton Floral Pavilion
29 – Birmingham Town Hall
31 – London Cadogan Hall
 
* Tickets for this show on general sale 31 March 2025
Ticket prices £45 / £39 except London, £50 / £45 with a very limited number of prime front tickets at £60.

Tombstones In Their Eyes manifests the triumph of color and light in new 'Mirror' single.

FOR FANS OF: Spacemen 3, Jesus & Mary Chain, Elephant Stone, Asteroid 4, Kyuss, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pink Floyd, Electric Wizard, My Bloody Valentine, The Dandy Warhols

FOCUS TRACKS: Mirror, In Your Eyes, Sweet As Pie, I'm Not Like That, I Like To Feel Good

FOR SHARING
'Mirror' video https://youtu.be/_5u3gS07CBA
'I Like to Feel Good' video  https://youtu.be/6lA_dD-CLYo
'Asylum Harbour' album order https://kittenrobot.com/playlist/tite-asylum-harbour/
Bandcamp https://tombstonesintheireyes.bandcamp.com/album/asylum-harbour
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/2JkeDhBC9xGYKzumPJubvl
Apple Music  https://music.apple.com/us/album/asylum-harbour/1777486850



After kicking off 2025 with a successful Los Angeles show, indie rock outfit Tombstones In Their Eyes offer up their latest fuzzed-out dish of bliss rock in 'Mirror', along with a fine positively-charged kaleidoscopic visual reel created by Italian multi-arts visionary Francesca Bonci.

'Mirror' highlights the latest 'Asylum Harbour' album from the LA-based psych-rock shoegaze collective, made up onf long-time members John Treanor (vocals & guitar), Stephen Striegel (drums), Courtney Davies (vocals) , Phil Cobb (guitar) and Paul Boutin (guitar), along with new band members Joel Wasko (bass) and Clea Cullen (vocals).

"I'd rather let listeners go where they want with the lyrics as I did write it without conscious thought by singing whatever came to mind (with some tweaks afterward). But in reading the lyrics after the fact, I can see that this song is more direct than most. From my standpoint, the song is about trusting your instincts and your awareness when dealing with love or friendship," says John Treanor.

"It's on it's way to be a happy song until you hit the chorus, with the lyric "I can see it in the gloom". I consider this one of the sleeper songs on the album for me because I didn't consider how much I loved it until after the record was complete. I love the harmonies on the choruses. The lead or melody line in the bridge by Paul Boutin is fantastic and even the verse vocal melody is cool (IMHO, of course)."

Named after a maritime phrase for a safe place to wait out a storm and released via Kitten Robot Records, 'Asylum Harbour' is about resurfacing in a new phase of healing following the pandemic. Produced and engineered by Paul Roessler (45 Grave, Twisted Roots, The Screamers, Nina Hagen), known for his work with Josie Cotton, Hayley and the Crushers and Gitane Demone, this record was co-produced by the band's frontman John Treanor and recorded at Kitten Robot Studios.

As a professional new media artist, Francesci Bonci has created videos for numerous artists, including The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Collin Hegna for his Federale project, The Dandy Warhols' Peter G. Holmström a.k.a. Pete International Airport and Slowdive's Rachel Goswell. Bonci is a visual champion, highlighting the triumph of color and light in her works and mixing captured photographic images and video with chromatic and luminous tapestries, often using vintage analog elements.

Bonci shares, "This was a very instinctive and emotional video. But this time, it's more abstract. I perceived and felt many deep things inside the song - like being in that room and seeing John’s soul entering and exiting that mirror. Though seemingly simple, there are a lot of layers one on top of the other, in which I sculpted the emotions that the song suggested to me. I used an analog processor that recreates the atmospheres of old VHS, with which i manipulated the images in a cathode ray tube tv".

'Asylum Harbour' follows the band's 'Sea of Sorrow' album, this new record seeing Treanor pull past the pain, numbness and chaos imbued in that previous offering. Earlier, the band released 'Sweet as Pie', 'I'm Not Like That', 'In Your Eyes' and the supercharged 'I Like to Feel Good', its video oscillating between electrified stage performances and a chilled drive through LA, reflecting its lyrics about how one's inner strength and individuality can be a catalyst for positive change.

What began a decade ago as two childhood friends (Treanor in LA and James Cooper in NYC) swapping demos quickly grew into a full-fledged band with a healthy stream of expansive music, laced with fuzzed out psychedelic majesty. Writing and performing is Treanor's way to deal with anxiety and depression, to speak about a subject without being the centre of the conversation, and to express oneself in a subliminal way. TITE's music gazes into the universe as much as inward toward the soul.

'Asylum Harbour' is out now, available on CD and on snazzy red vinyl, as well as digitally everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. 

TRACK LIST  
01. In Your Eyes
02. Sweet As Pie
03. Mirror
04. I Like to Feel Good
05. I'm Not Like That
06. Gimme Some Pain
07. By My Side
08. The Sky Is Blue
09. Set Me Free
10. I Am Cold

ALBUM CREDITS
John Treanor - vocals & guitar
Paul Boutin - guitar & backing vocals
Phil Cobb - guitar
Stephen Striegel - drums & percussion
Nic Nifoussi - bass
Courtney Davies - harmony & backing vocals
Paul Roessler - keyboards, harmony & backing vocals
David Murphy - Pedal Steel guitar on 'I'm Not Like That'
Recorded at Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles, CA
Produced and Engineered by Paul Roessler
Co-produced by John Treanor
Mastered by Alex DeYoung at DeYoung Masters
Digital album UPC 198595938096
CD catalog #KR20241-CD (UPC 706091205507)
Vinyl album catalog #KR20241-LP (UPC 706091205514)
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 


Keep up with Tombstones In Their Eyes
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Keep up with Kitten Robot Records
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Southern Avenue Unveils "Rum Boogie" From Upcoming Alligator Debut.

GRAMMY-NOMINATED MEMPHIS BLUES, ROOTS AND SOUL BAND SOUTHERN AVENUE PREMIERS NEW SONG, RUM BOOGIE

Track Taken From Band's Highly Anticipated Alligator Records Debut Album, FAMILY, Coming April 25, 2025

Rootsy stripped-down Memphis soul…masterfully written songs [featuring] Tierinii Jackson's soaring vocals
--AllMusic

Inquisitive and uplifting…The band’s signature whisk of roots, blues and soul stylings lean into the spirit of Memphis [and] maintain a timelessness and soul-laden delivery not unlike The Staple Singers.
--Relix

Compelling, exhilarating anthems that urge the listener to create the world in which they want to live
--No Depression

GRAMMY-nominated Memphis-based roots, blues, and soul band Southern Avenue unveil their new song, Rum Boogie.  The track tells the story of band's early days, as they navigated Memphis' fun and exciting club scene. The song is taken from Southern Avenue's forthcoming Alligator Records debut album, Family, slated for release on April 25, 2025.

Southern Avenue plays original Memphis blues, modern soul, and gospel-infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless. They are known worldwide for their positive, message-driven original songs fueled by hard-hitting grooves and electrifying guitar. The band is unlike any other on the scene today, featuring three Memphis-born sister singers who perfected their vocals in church before embracing their own sonic identity: lead vocalist/songwriter Tierinii Jackson backed by her two harmonizing musician sisters, Tikyra (TK) on drums and Ava on percussion and violin. Tierinii’s husband, Israel-born and bred guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly, provides funky grooves and raw Memphis guitar.

According to Tierinii, "Rum Boogie is our love letter to Memphis, the city that shaped our sound and our story. It reflects the places where we played nonstop in our first two years as a band—from the Rum Boogie on Beale Street to the old Buccaneer and DKDC clubs. This song captures the friendships and experiences that made us who we are today."
 
Naftaly adds, "In the early days, playing together in Memphis felt electric—like we were creating something bigger than ourselves. Those moments shaped our sound and strengthened our bond. Rum Boogie is a tribute to that time and the city that brought us to life."

Listen to Rum Boogie and watch the lyric video here:

Southern Avenue is named after the famous street that runs through the center of Memphis, leading right past the original Stax Records. But it was still a surprise when they became the first Memphis band signed to the newly reformed Stax label, which released their self-titled debut album in 2017. In 2018 Southern Avenue won the Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist. Their follow-up, Keep On, received a GRAMMY nomination. Constant touring has brought Southern Avenue to destinations across North America, Europe and Australia, and earned them non-stop adulation from fans, press and fellow musicians. In 2024, the band joined the Outlaw Music Festival tour, performing alongside Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

On the band's upcoming album, Family (Southern Avenue’s fourth), they unleash one musically memorable performance after another, all delivered with soul-healing power and fueled by warm sister harmonies, Naftaly’s singular, deeply rooted guitar playing and TK’s forceful, propulsive drumming. Southern Avenue's music unveils honest, universal truths about the unshakable power of togetherness.

The first single from the album, Found A Friend In You (released in September of 2024 and featuring Luther Dickinson on bass), continues making waves at radio. The song has garnered critical praise and airplay from some of NPR Music’s most influential stations including WFUV in New York and WMOT Roots Radio in Nashville. It was the #1 most-played song on SiriusXM's Jam On channel and has remained in heavy rotation since its release. On January 24, 2025, Southern Avenue received a Blues Music Award nomination for Band Of The Year, marking the third time the group has been nominated for this high honor.


About The Rum Boogie Video:
To create the lyric video, Southern Avenue partnered with Muze Art, a cutting edge platform that infuses a human-centered approach to AI technologies, with the goal of helping artists create compelling, personalized video content. “We are excited to work with Southern Avenue," says Muze Art Founder & CEO, Lee-Or Kabalik. "Our visions align with how we both connect music with the visual arts."

The Sunset Donkeys: ‘BLOW (Won’t Let You Go)’ out NOW on the Cleopatra Record Label.

The Sunset Donkeys

Featuring Chris Constantinou, Preston Heyman, Hal Lindes and Glen Lynch, the eagerly anticipated 2^nd single release ‘BLOW (Won’t Let You Go)’ is out NOW on the Cleopatra Record Label

The Sunset Donkeys is an English/ American Rock Band featuring Chris Constantinou, Preston Heyman, Hal Lindes and Glen Lynch. Their second single ‘(BLOW) Won't Let You Go’ is made available now on the Cleopatra Record Label. The band’s musical history draws upon the hybrid influences of Rock / Punk / Funk, Rhythm and Blues and Folk, Post Punk, Pop Punk, Pop, working class British pub rock/folk.
 
Produced, Mixed and featuring Preston Heyman, ‘(BLOW)’ , recorded during a wild night in St John’s Studio, London, kicks in with The Sunset Donkeys’ trademark stomping rhythm, punching, gritty, street-fighting twangy guitars; fuelled by Bogdan Wiczling’s blazingly emphatic and deliciously ferocius drums. Old school rock and R&B at its best! Yet sounding uncompromisingly fresh, savage, REAL!
 
Psychedelic undertones ricochet around the track, injected by Josephine Banham’s hallucinogenic and sweetly-menacing keyboard, and underpinned by mesmeric, hypnotic melodies and BVs.
 
Constantinou and Lynch’s unbridled raw chemistry, writing partnership and character radiate via frontman Lynch’s gritty, savagely soulful vocal backed—or more accurately haunted—by Constantinou’s transcendental, twisted, bewitchingly dark BVs.
 
‘BLOW (Won’t Let You Go)’ follows on from the first single ‘Setting It All On Fire’ as The Sunset Donkeys look to what promises to be an exciting 2025 with rumours of an album release and a back catalogue bursting with many, many more hits currently lined up for release.
 
Their music is summed up as “The Bastard Love Child of British Invasion having a one-night stand with the Deep South and being raised in a Detroit R&B Orphanage”.
 
With influences taking in The Who, The Small Faces, The Kinks, The Clash, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, The Animals, The Sunset Donkeys have emerged with a sound and a swagger all of their own.
 

Pre-Order / Pre-Save Link



Introducing The Band….

GLEN LYNCH is an English Vocalist singer songwriter. A vocal range and delivery that has been likened to Roger Daltrey and Steve Marriot and writer/lyricist of songs that possess narratives and stories of the everyday trials and tribulations, love and laughter of the underclass / working classes.
A collaboration/partnership with Chris Constantinou was formed after a chance meeting in a pub, which struck up a friendship. They ended up writing several songs that very night.
 
CHRIS CONSTANTINOU, also known as Chris De Niro, is an English musician/songwriter best known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for Adam Ant and for his work with Sinead O Connor, Lou Reed, The Wolfmen, The Mutants, One Thousand Motels with Rat Scabies and RudeGRL + CC.
Origin: London, England. Genres: Rock – Punk – World Music – Hip-Hop – Grime – Funk – Blues – Ska. Instruments: Vocals – Bass Guitar – Guitar – Flute – Harmonica
 
PRESTON HEYMAN
Preston Heyman is a British record Producer, Drummer and Percussionist.
He has worked with Kate Bush, Massive Attack, Terence Trent D’Arby (U.S.A number 1 Wishing Well), Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Simply Red, Roy Harper / Jimmy Page, Brian Ferry, And with Mike Oldfield on the Grammy Award winning “The Killing Fields” Soundtrack
 
HAL LINDES
Hal Lindes, working alongside Mark Knopfler, was a member of one of the world’s most commercially successful bands, Dire Straits, with worldwide album sales of over 120 million, winning numerous music awards during their career, including four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards and winning Best British Group twice. Some of the many other artists Hal’s worked with include Tina Turner, Johnny Hallyday, Jeff Beck, Fish, Gary Brooker and The Paranoyds.
 

ALSO FEATURING ON BLOW
 
BOGDAN WICZLING   DRUMS
Adam Ant, Bill Wyman, Jimme O’Neil, Lene Lovich, Bill Nelson, Jacqui Brookes Fingerprintz, Annabella Lwin, SF-GO (Constantinou, Danny Kustowe, Tom Robinson)
 
JOSEPHINE BANHAM   KEYBOARDS
 RudeGRL & CC, Annabella Lwin, Naked Experience, Giant Killers

28/01/2025

Dion Releases New Single "New York Minute" and New Book "The Rock 'n' Roll Philosopher".

Dion Releases New Single “New York Minute,” A Love Letter to New York City and His Wife

Song Debuts in Celebration of Dion’s New Book, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher

Stream Dion’s “New York Minute”
Watch the Official Music Video NOW
Order The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher Book HERE

Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci has released his new single, “New York Minute,” now available on all streaming platforms. To celebrate his new book Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher, the song arrives as a nostalgic ode to Dion’s lifelong love affair with New York City and his wife, Susan, to whom he has been married for over 60 years.

Watch the official music video for “New York Minute” HERE.

“New York Minute” encapsulates Dion’s signature sound and is yet another testament to Dion’s ability to craft songs that resonate across generations, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters in rock and roll history.

“The song ‘New York Minute’ expresses my love for my city, New York, and my wife, Susan,” Dion shares. “When I first saw Susan, I could not think of anything else. I went to school but didn’t hear one word the teacher said. All I could think about was her! Where is she now? What is she doing? I wanna look at her. I wanna talk to her. I wanna get close to her any way I can. My mind was on a loop. Yeah, take a listen to the song. I think my mind was broken. I dropped my subway token, though not a word was spoken when I saw her smile.”

The new music follows hot on the heels of Dion’s recently released, highly anticipated book, Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher. Co-written with recovery and performance coach Adam Jablin, the book offers an intimate glimpse into Dion’s remarkable six-decade journey through rock and roll history.

With contributions from luminaries like Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Bishop Robert Barron, and Stevie Van Zandt, the book is an inspiring reflection on his rise to fame, battles with addiction, enduring marriage, and friendships with legends like Hank Williams and Bob Dylan. In addition to the beautiful hard cover, an incredible companion Audiobook is also available exclusively on Audible which includes 30 songs, 3 Rock & Roll Hall induction speeches, interviews between Dion and Adam and more.

Featuring over 200 vibrant photos, the hard cover book is both a celebration of Dion’s life and a chronicle of the evolution of rock and roll. In his role as a mentor and storyteller, Dion shares wisdom, humour, and insight, making Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher a must-read for fans of music history and anyone seeking inspiration.

Dion’s new single and book follow the success of his latest studio album, Girl Friends, which was released by Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive Records and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. The album featured collaborations with powerhouse women musicians like Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, and Joanne Shaw Taylor. In Girl Friends, Dion explored the “feminine genius” that has profoundly shaped his life and music, creating a deeply personal and innovative record that captivated critics and fans alike. Dion’s partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s label has allowed him to continue to release inspiring new music to his long-time fans, as Dion continues to be prolific to this day.

From chart-topping hits in the 1950s and a Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction to Grammy nominations and groundbreaking collaborations in recent years, Dion continues to innovate and inspire. With “New York Minute,” he offers fans a fresh, heartfelt anthem to create a backdrop for Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher, as fans dive into the life lived with passion and purpose. Listen to “New York Minute” now on all streaming platforms and find Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher wherever books are sold. For more information, visit diondimucci.com.

About Dion DiMucci:
As one of the original innovators of rock and roll, Dion remains one of the most creative and relevant artists of his generation. From iconic hits like “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” to his modern collaborations with legends like Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon, Dion has spent more than six decades shaping music history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and continues to inspire new audiences with his music, books, and live performances.

27/01/2025

Steelhouse Festival: Wolfmother, Inglorious, Wednesday 13, Hillbilly Vegas, The Raven Age, and Jayler added.

Steelhouse Festival

25-27th July 2025

Third wave of artist announcements confirms appearances from Wolfmother, Inglorious, Wednesday 13, Hillbilly Vegas, The Raven Age, and Jayler

Buy Tickets Now

Steelhouse - the rock and metal festival on top of a Welsh mountain - has announced yet more bands to play the 2025 edition. The line-up consists of a wide range of artists from across the rock spectrum. This, the third round of announcements, features five artists who make their Steelhouse debuts, with one making a welcome return after an extended lay-off.
 
Australian cosmic hard rockers Wolfmother are confirmed as Sunday very special guests, in what will be their only UK festival show. Added to the Friday - a bill that mostly features artists that start also with the letter, ‘W’ - is 21st century shock rocker, Wednesday 13. Fresh-faced and buzz-worthy retro rockers, Jayler open proceedings on Saturday, while Hillbilly Vegas add a strong southern flavour to the same day. Inglorious and The Raven Age are both set to appear on Sunday. 

Promoters Max and Mikey said, “The third round of SHXIV bill announcements features a dynamic and diverse set of artists from this broad church we know as rock - first up, we've extremely pleased to welcome Sydney rock n roll machine, Wolfmother to The Mountain. Wednesday 13 will bring the shock and the show, the first live appearance announced by Inglorious since their reconvening adds a solid, quality assured slice of the classic. Hillbilly Vegas bring the southern vibes and The Raven Age inject a full shot of the contemporary. Then there's Jayler - young lads we're proud to say who started playing together in our campsite, who have gone on to wow audiences across the UK, turn the heads of industry professionals and assemble an incredible team around them...Their energy, passion and honest appreciation of 70's music is infectious...It's the start of something truly special. There really something for every rock fan at Steelhouse this year!”
 
“The latest round of announcements adds to a bill that already boasts LA metal legends, W.A.S.P, local heroes Those Damn Crows and the re-activated Wildhearts as headliners across the three days, all of whom make their Steelhouse performances their exclusive UK festival appearances of 2025. They're joined by a stellar cast of names both classic and contemporary that includes rock icon Lita Ford, Brit-rock favourite Kris Barras Band, Tamworth terrors Wolfsbane, guitar sensation Sophie Lloyd, and many more across the weekend...Plus there's still a surprise or two to come!”
 
Nathan James, of Inglorious said, “We are honoured and excited to be back up the mountain. We cannot wait to play some brand new music and to see so many other great bands. It’s a very special festival, Steelhouse, the passionate organisers and loyal attendees and hard working crew really do make it a weekend to look forward to. 2025 is gonna be another great year. We’re thrilled to be a part of it. See you there!”
 
Wednesday 13 said, “We are so excited to announce that we will be appearing at Steelhouse festival this July. The UK has always been our home away from home, and we can’t wait to perform alongside this stellar line-up. See you all there!” 

Tyler Arrowsmith of Jayler added, “It’s going to be very special for me as I have been going there since I was 10 years old. James started going with me the last few years and we would bring a PA system and some acoustics so we could play some cover tunes in the camping area. We started to gather a great audience of around 100 people surrounding our tent and made quite an impression on the Steelhouse fan page!”

2025 marks the 14th iteration of Steelhouse, a now essential fixture on the summer festival map. Tickets are on sale now. For those wanting to spread the cost, a monthly payment plan has been introduced on weekend arena tickets AND for the first time VIP upgrades have been introduced for those wanting VIP bar access, luxury facilities and other bonuses!
 
The Festival at the top of the mountain boasts not only the best views of any UK rock event but one of the most passionate, friendly and loyal followings. With a reputation for not only bringing in the biggest and best names from the international world of Rock, Steelhouse also understands the role it can play in throwing open its prestigious stage to the best of the new breed of bands. It all adds up to a compelling mix of classic and cutting edge Rock, old and new.
 

“So, once again let's get ready to Rocio y Mynydd / Rock the Mountain!”

Planet Rock's review of Steelhouse 2024

About Steelhouse Festival:

 Utterly unique and truly independent since its establishment in 2011 the Steelhouse Festival is a firm fixture on the UK music event circuit drawing rock bands from around the world. With its spectacular mountain top setting in the heart of the South Wales valleys, this family friendly and great value festival has built up a true following and a real heritage of its own. Previous performers at The Steelhouse Festival have included Thin Lizzy, Glenn Hughes, Myles Kennedy, Black Star Riders, The Wildhearts, Thunder, The Darkness, Accept, Mr. BIG, UFO, Uriah Heep, Europe, Rival Sons, Saxon, Anvil, Michael Schenker, Black Stone Cherry, Airbourne, and Skindred. The event now includes a larger stage, an official Friday night, more glamping and we are working once more with our media partner Planet Rock.

The Chords UK ‘But Then Again: The Best Of’, and more out on 2LP + CD and 3CD in April.

The Chords UK
‘But Then Again: The Best Of’, and more out on 2LP + CD and 3CD in April

The Chords UK, the alt-rock heroes helmed by Chris Pope, will release the mammoth 44-track ‘But Then Again: The Best of The Chords UK’ on 2LP [plus bonus CD], 3CD and digital formats on 4 April 2025 on EPOP Records. The collection’s full release will be preceded by the single / video for new track ‘World Gone Crazy’ out today, 24 January 2025. The band will also tour extensively in 2025. Chris was described by Paul Weller as “the best songwriter of his generation”, by Uncut as “savage as Townshend with a toothache” and Vive Le Rock as creating, “timeless song writing and understated brilliance!” This collection underlines all that.
 
Designed to truly tell the tale of The Chords UK, ‘But Then Again’ is an ambitious and inventive collection, featuring new and previously unreleased tracks, remastered / remixed / remade versions of favourites, unashamedly obscure B-sides, and even live recordings. The main album features 26 tracks - culminating with an acoustic re-working of Top 40 hit ‘Maybe Tomorrow’- with additional bonus material making a total of 44 songs. This is a set of songs that draw on what has gone before - and the fans will find all their favourites - but they have all been revisited and taken to another place!
 
Chris Pope himself said, “I decided a few years ago to start work on a ‘compilation/ best of’, of sorts. But simply to add 20 plus songs from six albums onto Vinyl/CD and put it out there: that would be far too easy and wouldn’t interest me one bit! Instead, I looked back at songs from the three Pope albums ‘Grace of God’, ‘Tall Tales’, ‘Peace of Mind’ and the Hat-trick of Chords UK albums ‘Take on Life’, ‘Nowhere Land’ and ‘Big City Dreams’, then picked the ones we knew we could ‘dream up’ again or re-imagine. The new tracks are renderings of unrecorded songs written between 1982 up to 2024. Finally, we hit the acoustic guitars, and some old original Chords tunes got laid down too”.
 
The Chords UK were formed over a decade ago to continue playing classic Chords tunes such as ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, ‘The British Way of Life’ and ‘So Far Away’. But Chris isn’t interested in remaining frozen in time and his aim has always been to push forward, ‘But Then Again: The Best of The Chords UK’ does just that. This album is a milestone, sure, but also a statement of intent – Chris Pope and The Chords UK have plenty to celebrate, but also plenty more to achieve along the way.

H.E.A.T Announce New Album "Welcome To The Future" and Release New Single "Disaster".

H.E.A.T ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
‘WELCOME TO THE FUTURE’

NEW TRACK & VIDEO ‘DISASTER’ OUT NOW

“The future of rock music is in safe hands”
– Powerplay Magazine UK

Hard rock sensation H.E.A.T light up 2025 with the announcement of their brand-new studio album ‘Welcome to the Future’, set for release on April 25th on earMUSIC.

The first single ‘Disaster’, which premiered yesterday on rock radio stations across Europe, is out today and guaranteed to snap listeners out of their winter sleep. The single was added to the A List on Planet Rock Radio in the UK. Watch the official music video on YouTube HERE.

The track comes with an explosive music video that merges 80s arcade aesthetics with metal madness, directed by the renowned Patric Ullaeus (known for his work with Europe, Arch Enemy, Children of Bodom, and many more rock superstars).

LISTEN & WATCH 'DISASTER'

‘Welcome to the Future’ delivers everything that fans of the celebrated Swedish rock band love: an innovative, heavy, highly dynamic, and refreshingly melodic sound, the unmistakable vocals of frontman Kenny Leckremo, and an inimitable talent for catchy anthems that leave you hooked for days.

ACCESS THE NEW ALBUM

‘Welcome to the Future’ is now available for pre-order and will be released in multiple formats: CD Jewel Case, Black Vinyl, Limited Edition Neon Orange Vinyl, and Digital.

Tracklisting (CD/LP):

A

1. Disaster
2. Bad Time for Love
3. Running to You
4. Call My Name
5. In Disguise
6. The End

B

7. Rock Bottom
8. Children of the Storm
9. Losing Game
10. Paradise Lost
11. Tear It Down (R.N.R.R.)
12. We Will Not Forget

H.E.A.T – 2025 TOUR DATES

Tickets are available at 

www.heatsweden.com 

In support of the album, H.E.A.T will kick off their 2025 tour next week, bringing their breathtaking shows to stages across the UK, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.

Jan. 28, 2025 – The Fleece, Bristol, UK
Jan. 29, 2025 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK
Jan. 30, 2025 – Manchester Club Academy, Manchester, UK
Jan. 31, 2025 – Islington Assembly Hall, London, UK
Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2025 – Mid-Glamorgan, UK – Planet Rock Winter's End
Feb. 1, 2025 – KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, UK
Feb. 15, 2025 – Norrköping, Sweden
Feb. 18, 2025 – Helsinki, Finland
Feb. 19, 2025 – Tampere, Finland
Feb. 21, 2025 – Uppsala, Sweden
Feb. 22, 2025 – Lund, Sweden
Feb. 23, 2025 – København, Denmark
Feb. 25, 2025 – Göteborg, Sweden
Feb. 26, 2025 – Oslo, Norway
Feb. 27, 2025 – Örebro, Sweden
Feb. 28, 2025 – Johanneshov, Sweden
Mar. 1, 2025 – Falun, Sweden
May 1, 2025 – Ciudad De México, Mexico
May 3 - 4, 2025 – São Paulo, Brazil – Bangers Open Air Brasil 2025
May 4, 2025 – Comuna 1, Argentina
May 6, 2025 – Santiago, Chile
May 8, 2025 – Lima, Peru
May 10, 2025 – Bogotá, Colombia
May 23, 2025 – Madrid, Spain
Jul. 11 - 13, 2025 – Mogilovo, Bulgaria – Midalidare Rock 2025
Jul. 17, 2025 – Bremen, Germany – Seebühne Rockt! 2025

# # #

Follow H.E.A.T on their socials for the latest updates and exclusive content!

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE

Stone Foundation: ‘The Revival of Survival’ Tour 2025 follows release of 11th album.

Stone Foundation

‘The Revival of Survival’ Tour 2025

Band announces major tour to follow release of eleventh album as they continue rich vein of form

TICKETS



8-piece Soul band Stone Foundation have announced a major tour of the UK, Eire and mainland Europe to follow the release of their eleventh studio album, their first since 2022, on 28th March 2025 through 100 Percent Records. ‘The Revival of Survival’ Tour which will take in 14 UK & Eire venues as well as including shows in Germany, Holland and Italy.  Tickets available now from stonefoundation.co.uk / seetickets.com. Neil Jones says: “We can’t wait to play Shepherd’s Bush Empire again! For me it’s always been my favourite venue to play in London, a stage graced by so many legends over the years. The history & atmosphere in that building is magical. Last time was incredibly special with Jalen N'Gonda & Graham Parker supporting us and this year we’ve got some amazing guests & a very memorable night planned on The Revival Of Survival Tour.”

‘The Revival of Survival’ album will be available on CD / Vinyl / Cassette as well as Digital – with ‘first edition’ special numbered signed versions available via their website. The next single will be ‘Summer Song’ (feat Omar) on 14th February, the album also features spots from JP Bimeni, Sheree DuBois & Carmy Love, and Laville. 

Reflecting their commitment to physical formats - the band have had 17 consecutive Top 10 entries on the UK Vinyl Singles chart – they plan to continue that with a 7” of ‘Cut Me Loose’ released on the same day as the album. In 2023, the band celebrated 25 years of success with the release of the retrospective anthology ‘Standing In The Light’.
 
The new material is reflective of the confidence within the band, who cannot wait for the fans to hear all the new material, and indeed to play it live.  Neil Jones says: “With ‘Cut Me Loose’ we wondered what it would be like to mix Talking Heads, Fela Kuti and Disco. The addition of the Prince of Burundi JP Bimeni on vocals was the cherry on top of a very funky cake. Neil Sheasby added, “‘Cut Me Loose’ was something we worked up fairly quickly once we had found the groove, it kind of puts me in mind of those early 80’s Rolling Stones movers like ‘Dance (pt1)’ or ‘Emotional Rescue’. Like off kilter disco!”
 
Of the track ‘Summer Song’ Neil Sheasby said, “Sometimes you just capture the spirit of what you are searching for in a song first time and that was pretty much the case with this one. Most of what you hear is from the initial demo. We had Omar in mind for this as soon as it came together, thankfully he liked it and agreed to collaborate on it, he brings the magic and lights the tune up”. Neil Jones added, “This was a tune we based on a studio groove myself, Sheas and Dom had recorded. We wanted the vocal to fit the jazzy laid back hip hop feel of the track and Omar’s voice fits that vibe perfectly.
 
Neil Jones says of ‘The Revival of Survival’, “I think this is our funkiest to date. We wanted to push the sound to a different place with elements of disco, funk and house, and lyrically retain the optimism you find on a Stone Foundation record. It’s a joyous uplifting record that deserves to be played loud out on the dance floor”. Neil Sheasby agreed, “I feel like the whole record has a club vibe to it, it’s bookended by a couple of almost ambient moments but on the whole it’s a dancer! It feels very cohesive and concise.We were quite mindful to create a more contemporary and modern sounding album. We certainly captured the mood and spirit of our intentions and I think it’ll be a whole load of fun(k) to perform live too”.
 
With several tracks already made available and garnering praise, and indeed airplay, ‘The Revival of Survival’ seems set to continue the remarkable Stone Foundation story: they are not merely surviving, they are thriving!

TRACKLISTING

A1 How Many Times
A2 The Revival Of Survival
A3 Everything & All I Want
A4 Cut Me Loose (feat. J.P. Bimeni)
A5 Close To Where You Are
B1 Fix You Up
B2 The Beat I Know (feat. Sheree DuBois & Carmy Love)
B3 2 Die 4 U
B4 When Worlds Collide
B5 Reach Out (feat. Laville)
B6 Summer Song (feat. Omar)

23/01/2025

Nola Blue Records signs Kid Ramos.

On his first album in five years, Strange Things Happening, internationally renowned guitarist and producer Kid Ramos shares a musical message of faith, joined by featured vocalists Brian Templeton (The Radio Kings) and his son, Johnny Ramos. Produced by Chris Lizotte (singer/songwriter and worship leader), the session includes Dave Limina on Hammond organ (Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters), international touring bassist Mike Tuturro, and Stephen Hodges (James Harman, John Hammond, Tom Waits) on drums. A gospel blues fusion accompanies songs made famous by icons including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, The Soul Stirrers, and Bob Dylan as well as original compositions by Brian Templeton, in this spiritual salve for modern times.

In a career spanning more than forty years, Orange County, California native Kid Ramos has been a member of the James Harman Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Mannish Boys, Los Fabulocos and The Proven Ones. Ramos was awarded The Orange County Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and has received 14 Blues Music Award nominations to date. He also produced legendary pianist Floyd Dixon's final recording, Time Brings About A Change, as well as the accompanying documentary.

Featured vocalist and harmonicist, Brian Templeton, is a forty-plus year veteran of the Boston, Massachusetts music scene. Templeton was the iconic voice of The Radio Kings, with recordings on the Memphis-based Icehouse Record label. He has been a featured performer with Jerry Portnoy, Sonny Rhodes, James Cotton, Otis Grand and has toured under his own name in Europe, Canada and the United States. Templeton's independent label, Straight Street Records, presents his approach to Christian music. Featured vocalist and Kid's son, Johnny Ramos is a singer/songwriter and guitarist from southern California. His music is heavily influenced by the blues and rock 'n' roll of the 50s and 60s.

The inspiration for this record came when Kid Ramos received a phone call from an old pastor friend, James Rasmussen. "James was telling me about missionary work he was supporting overseas. He had lost confidence in the people he was supporting and where the money was being spent," says Ramos. "He decided he was going to start supporting musicians that were playing gospel music and spread the word that way, and he wanted to know if I wanted to make a God record. Of course I had to call my brother Brian Templeton up and he was down for the project. We recorded everything live in basically two days. I had my son Johnny on there, and Stephen Hodges, Mike Turturro and the great organ and piano player Dave Limina from back East that Brian recommended," Ramos continues. "Meeting producer Chris Lizotte and discovering many mutual friends turned into a great friendship. My first gospel record is really from the heart, and I hope people enjoy it."

"To hear gospel music presented with a West Coast Blues vibe is such a unique and compelling approach to combining two styles of roots music with shared influences," says Sallie Bengtson, Nola Blue Records president. "Having worked on previous albums featuring Kid Ramos and Brian Templeton (together and independently), I'm honored to join forces with them once again."

Album preorders will begin February 28, 2025.

Follow Kid Ramos at facebook.com/KidRamosMusic for all news and updates.

"Jesus is the holy light. Turning darkness into light. There are strange things happening everyday." - Sister Rosetta Tharpe

SATCHVAI Band Unveils Star-Studded Line-up.

SATCHVAI Band Unveils Star-Studded Line-up

New Band Featuring Drummer Kenny Aronoff, 

Bassist Marco Mendoza, and Guitarist Pete Thorn

Alongside Guitar Legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai

 “Surfing with the Hydra Tour” is set to Launch June 13, 2025, Running Across Europe through late July, New Dates Announced in Bucharest, Istanbul, and Athens

WATCH

TICKET INFO

As previously announced, iconic guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have joined forces to create the SATCHVAI Band. Today, we are excited to introduce the full band line-up: powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn complete the stellar quintet that is SATCHVAI Band.

"Finding the right musicians for the SatchVai Band was at first a daunting task, then, an exciting one; there are so many great musicians to choose from!” says Satriani. “It’s no secret that the chemistry between players will always be the thing that makes them a magical live band, and we’ve found that chemistry with Kenny, Marco, and Pete. The upcoming shows will focus on not only our respective solo works, but also the music from our new album. We are so excited to get this show on the road and celebrate it with all of our fans!”

As Vai explains, “When considering forming one band around myself and Joe we talked about the qualities needed for each position, bass, drums, rhythm guitar. It was a surprising challenge to find the right fits.”

Drummer Kenny Aronoff is no stranger to Satriani fans. He has toured alongside Joe as part of the Chickenfoot band, joined on Satriani solo tours since 2019, played on The Elephant of Mars album, and most recently stepped in for Jason Bonham on the Best of All Worlds tour with Satriani, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony.

"What can I say about the legendary Kenny Aronoff that I haven’t said before?” asks Satriani. No other drummer has the sound, feel, time, groove, and swagger like Kenny. He’s an exceptional human being too. He’s supernatural!"

"Kenny is the quintessential rock drummer,” said Vai. “His time is bullet-proof, his tone is fat and clean, and his ability to respond in an improvisational setting is instant. Besides that, he’s one of the easiest and most fun guys to tour with—an essential quality on the road."

When it came to adding a rhythm guitarist and bass player, the duo was challenged to find the right combo. Vai had been aware of Pete Thorn for quite a while and knew he was perfect for their band. As Vai explains, "Pete’s playing is rock solid with a huge tone in his fingers. His rhythm playing is tight and in tune in a way that’s rare, and his intonation is stunning. He’s the perfect musician for this band, and we couldn’t be happier to have him."

Satriani agrees, “Pete is an all-around monster guitarist. He has that rare ability to shine on rhythm and lead guitar, switching back and forth with finesse. He’s got the technical abilities and the rock ‘n’ roll attitude Steve, and I were hoping to find for our band."

Then came the choice for bassist, again Vai says of the addition of Marco Mendoza, "Marco is a bass phenomenon. With his 6-string fretless, his bass sings with perfect intonation and swooning vibrato. His wide, rich tone and masterful control of dynamics will bring a new dimension to our songs."

With Satriani echoing, "Marco’s musicianship is boundless. He’s got a special magic to his bass playing; it’s both foundational and out front at the same time. Together with his exceptional singing voice and stage presence, he will be a driving force in our band."

“I’ve been performing and recording music with Joe Satriani since 2012 (Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar, G3 and Joe’s band) and have performed live with Steve Vai, but the next level is RIGHT NOW because I am joining the SATCHVAI band for a two-month tour this summer in Europe. I am pumped, excited and ready to kick ass!” – Kenny Aronoff

“It sounds like something out of a mad fantastical dream that the 14-year-old guitar-obsessed me would have had….’Joe Satriani and Steve Vai called, they want you to join their new band!’ And then I’d wake up and go to 9th grade math class! But it’s real! It’s a mind-blowing opportunity, and yet I also feel like I’ve arrived exactly where I’ve always wanted to be. I’m beyond excited to be of musical service to these legends, and to rock out!” – Pete Thorn

“I have to say that getting invited to be part of a great project like this is monumental for me personally! I know it’s going to be something very special, and I can’t wait to get it started.” – Marco Mendoza

The SATCHVAI Band tour will kick off on June 13, 2025, and feature stops in major cities like London, Paris, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, and will also include performances at major European summer festivals including Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival and Guitares en Scene Fest. The tour is set to conclude in late July, with more dates to be announced soon.

Celebrating nearly five decades of musical friendship, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai made their first musical collaboration debut in March 2024. “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” showcases the unmatched synergy between these two legendary guitarists as they seamlessly trade solo sections throughout the nearly six-minute opus. Their second collaboration is set to be released just before the European tour, adding even more anticipation for this epic run.

Stay tuned for more details on this unprecedented collaboration and the release of their highly
anticipated new music.

Surfing with the Hydra Tour 2025 Itinerary (new dates in bold):

June 13 York, UK - Barbican
June 14 London, UK - Eventim Apollo
June 17 Glasgow, SC - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
June 18 Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
June 19 Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
June 21 Clisson, FR - Hellfest
June 22 Paris, FR - Palais Des Congres
June 23 Amsterdam, NL - Amsterdam Afas
June 24 Antwerp, BE - Lotto Arena
June 26 Copenhagen, DK - Amager Bio
June 27 Malmo, SE - Slagthuset Saluhallen
June 29 Helsinki, FI - House of Culture
June 30 Tampere, FI - Tampere Hall
July 2 Uppsala, SE - Parksnackan
July 3 Oslo, NO - Sentrum Scene
July 5 Warsaw, PL - Torwar
July 8 Munich, DE - Tollwood Festival
July 10 Dusseldorf, DE - Mitsubishi Electric Hall
July 11 Frankfurt, DE - Jahrhunderthalle
July 12 Zurich, CH - Volkshaus Zürich
July 13 Milan, IT - Comfort Festival @ Villa Casati Stampa
July 15 Pordenone, IT - Parco San Valentino
July 16 Perugia, IT - Umbria Jazz
July 17 Bologna, IT - Sequoie Music Park
July 18 Saint-Julien, FR - Guitares en Scene Festival
July 20 Prague, CZ - Forum Karlin
July 22 Sofia, BG - National Palace of Culture
July 23 Bucharest, RO - Arenele Romane
July 25 Istanbul, TR - KüçükÇiftlik Park (not yet on sale)
July 28 Athens, GR - Lycabettus Theater

More dates TBA

All ticket information at SATCHVAIBAND

About Joe Satriani
For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the "Crystal Planet" comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary "Beyond the Supernova," directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. It was a busy 2024 for Joe Satriani as he embarked on the highly anticipated G3 Reunion tour alongside the original powerhouse line-up: Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. This was followed by the Satch/Vai duo tour, where the longtime friends not only shared the stage but also unveiled a new musical collaboration together. Rounding out the year, Satriani joined forces with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Jason Bonham for the Best of All Worlds tour, which sold out arenas nationwide and was met with widespread fan and critical acclaim.

JOE SATRIANI

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

About Steve Vai
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 45 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. In the recent past, he has travelled the globe supporting his most recent studio album Inviolate, staging performances in 51 counties across the globe. Over the course of his 43 years touring, he continues to visit locations for the first time. His final excursion in 2023 saw Vai perform in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Zallak (Bahrain), Bangalore and Kolkata (India), alongside six new markets in China (Foshan, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, and Hefei).

STEVE VAI

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

About Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff is a world-renowned drummer celebrated for his precision, versatility, and powerhouse performances. With a career spanning over four decades, Aronoff has played on more than 60 Grammy-nominated recordings and worked with an extraordinary range of artists, including John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Chickenfoot. His contributions extend across genres, from rock and pop to jazz and country, showcasing his adaptability and mastery of rhythm. A sought-after session and touring musician, Aronoff is known for his high-energy style and impeccable timing, which have established him as a prominent figure in the music industry. In addition to his extensive studio and live work, he is a published author, motivational speaker, and educator, sharing his experiences and expertise with audiences worldwide.

About Pete Thorn
Pete Thorn is a celebrated guitarist whose dynamic and versatile playing has earned him spots alongside legends like Don Henley, Chris Cornell, and Melissa Etheridge. Originally from Edmonton, Thorn moved to Los Angeles to study at the prestigious Musicians Institute, launching a prolific career that includes stints with Sony-signed band Surreal McCoys and rock acts like Forty Foot Echo and Five for Fighting. Beyond his work as a sideman, Thorn has toured globally with stars such as Jewel and Mylene Farmer and collaborated with luminaries like Courtney Love and Linda Perry. His solo album Guitar Nerd showcases his mastery across a range of styles, from bluesy shredding to atmospheric fingerpicking. A true "guitar nerd," Thorn also shares his expertise with a massive audience on his YouTube channel, where his gear demos and tutorials have amassed millions of views, solidifying his status as a modern guitar virtuoso.

About Marco Mendoza
Marco Mendoza is a highly versatile bassist, vocalist, and songwriter with an extensive career that spans a variety of genres. He has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in rock, including Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, and The Dead Daisies. A dynamic live performer, Marco is equally at home on large stages as in intimate settings, showcasing his ability to play everything from jazz and Latin groove to hard rock. As a solo artist, he has released several acclaimed albums, including Viva La Rock, Live for Tomorrow, and New Direction. In addition to his musical achievements, Marco is a dedicated ambassador for music, connecting with fans through clinics and interviews. With The Dead Daisies, he has contributed to multiple studio and live albums, performing across the globe from Cuba to Australia.



ZEZTRA: London show on 3 February 2025 follows ‘Always On My Mind’ single.

ZEZTRA

London show on 3 February 2025 follows well-received single ‘Always On My Mind’

Tickets

Hear ‘Always On My Mind’

With its heartfelt lyrics, lush harmonies, and a '90s-tinged alt-pop production, ‘Always On My Mind’ is the gorgeous new single from the duo.

Record of the Day [and in fact awarded Record of the Week!]Following in the footsteps of a new current wave of vibrant Irish artists invading the UK, Dublin born singer/songwriters Avril and Lorna Meade form the powerful sister alt-pop duo Zeztra. They are performing at The Windmill Brixton on Monday 3 February 2025. This show follows the release of their single ‘Always On My Mind’ through Good Deeds Music.
 
Shortly after forming, Zeztra caught the attention of Maverick Sabre, who invited them to open for him at the Academy Dublin. This marked the beginning of their meteoric rise, leading to tours across the UK and US with him, including Brixton Academy and Brooklyn's Rough Trade. Continuing to gain support from prominent Irish artists, Zeztra recently supported number one selling Irish platinum artist, Damien Dempsey at his sold-out run of shows at Dublin’s Vicar Street in December. They have since graced the stage of the prestigious Ruby Sessions alongside a myriad of some of the world’s biggest names.
 
When asked about working, performing and writing together as sisters, Lorna explained “being together throughout the lockdown period allowed us to come together and write lyrics that are inspired from both our lives”.  Avril added “drawing inspiration from different genres of pop, alt-rock, R&B, and Latin music has honed our craft, creating songs with blood harmonies and hopeful instrumentation”.
 
Critically acclaimed, award winning producer John Reynolds (Sinead O’Connor/ Passenger/Indigo Girls/Seun Kuti/Andrea Corr/Belinda Carlisle) picked up on the duo and invited them to record at Big Tree Studios. “I fell in love with the Zeztra sound when they played Vicar St supporting Damien Dempsey. Their exciting harmony vocal arrangements and great composition made me want to work with them. There’s something very special when siblings sing together. I joined forces with the brilliant  David Prendergast to take the songs on a production journey. A great team and a fantastic result”.
 
Zeztra will be releasing music from their forthcoming album in the summer.  ‘Always On My Mind’ is a powerful statement from a band who will, surely, indeed linger long in the memory, and this London show is a great chance to catch an act very much on the way up.

22/01/2025

Joanne Shaw Taylor Announces New Album "Black & Gold," Featuring New Single "Grayer Shade Of Blue".

Joanne Shaw Taylor Announces Exciting New Album "Black & Gold," Featuring a Poignant New Single "Grayer Shade Of Blue"

The trailblazing guitarist/singer-songwriter’s 10th studio album, "Black & Gold" will drop June 6th via Journeyman Records, offering a powerful glimpse into the incredible talent fans expect from this landmark release.

PRE-ORDER the New Studio Album "Black & Gold"
Stream “Grayer Shade Of Blue” on all digital platforms HERE
Watch the official music video NOW

British blues-rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced the upcoming release of her highly anticipated 10th studio album, Black & Gold, arriving June 6th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Reuniting with iconic producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa), the album showcases Taylor’s bold creativity, blending blues-rock with influences from Americana, indie rock, and retro ‘80s pop. Black & Gold offers a captivating mix of heart-wrenching ballads and hard-hitting rock tracks that redefine the boundaries of blues music.

Joanne shares about her latest single “Grayer Shade Of Blue,” “This story is a personal one to me. Since this is my 10th studio album and I’m going into a fresh decade's worth of recording, I decided I wanted to use some of my writing on this album to put to bed something that has been bothering me. This song is about a close friendship I had for over a decade that ended suddenly. I’ve never known why. The person just stopped communicating with me, which understandably has made me very sad. This song was my attempt to give myself some closure on the situation as evidently, none will; be given to me otherwise. I love how it turned out and I’m very happy now to close that chapter in my life but still be able to cherish memories." 

Discussing the monthly new release strategy, she explains, “This approach allows me a bit more creative freedom compared to releasing a full album and then going quiet for months or even years. With music constantly coming out, I feel a bit less judged; if I want to write a bit more of a pop song, but you know weeks later, there might be a blues song."

Black & Gold delves into the intricacies of human connection, resilience, and self-discovery, capturing the highs and lows of life with raw authenticity. The album balances deeply personal reflections with universal themes, exploring heartbreak, empowerment, and the bittersweet nature of change. Musically, it pushes the boundaries of blues-rock, blending Taylor’s soulful guitar work and powerhouse vocals with influences ranging from Americana to retro pop. With its rich emotional depth and dynamic soundscapes, Black & Gold is a compelling journey through the complexities of modern life, delivered with the fearless innovation that has become Joanne Shaw Taylor’s hallmark.

“Grayer Shade Of Blue” follows a string of acclaimed singles Joanne has released over the past year from the upcoming album, including “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now,” a deeply personal exploration of grief and healing, and “I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down,” which channels the frustration and resolve of ending an on-again, off-again relationship dominated by unfulfilled promises. Earlier singles like “All The Things I Said” and her celebrated cover of Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” further highlight the album’s dynamic scope, with each track showcasing Joanne’s ability to blend raw emotion with searing guitar work and masterful songwriting.

Joanne’s latest work has solidified her place as one of today’s most innovative voices in blues-rock. Praised by legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, and bolstered by Kevin Shirley’s masterful production, Black & Gold is poised to be a career-defining release.

‘Black & Gold’ by Joanne Shaw Taylor
1. Hold Of My Heart
2. All The Things I Said
3. Black & Gold
4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?
5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down
6. Summer Love
7. Grayer Shade Of Blue
8. Hell Of A Good Time
9. Look What I’ve Become
10. What Are You Gonna Do Now?
11. Love Lives Here

Joanne’s prolific creativity and constant evolution as an artist are a perfect fit for Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, a label committed to empowering musicians to release music on their own terms. With a wealth of new material and the freedom to collaborate with top-tier producers like Kevin Shirley, Joanne continues to redefine what it means to be a blues-rock artist in today’s music industry. This partnership ensures her dynamic and innovative work reaches fans as it’s meant to be heard—without constraints, with every release building on her remarkable legacy.

Joanne is set to perform on the Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X from March 21-26 2025, a fan-favourite cruise celebrating blues music. Following the cruise, she will embark on her highly anticipated 2025 U.S. Spring Tour, kicking off on March 28 in Portland, ME, and stopping at iconic venues such as Sony Hall in New York City on March 30 and The Hamilton Live in Washington, DC, on April 4. Fans can expect electrifying performances featuring new material from Black & Gold alongside beloved fan favourites.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR ON TOUR

KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AT SEA
March 21-26, 2025 - Miami, FL - Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X

2025 US SPRING TOUR
March 28 - Portland, ME - Aura
March 29 - Cranston, RI - The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center
March 30 - New York, NY - Sony Hall
April 1 - Easton, PA - State Theatre
April 2 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
April 4 - Washington, DC - The Hamilton Live
April 5 - Port Washington, NY - Landmark on Main Street
April 6 - Wilmington, DE - The Baby Grand
April 8 - Roanoke, VA - Jefferson Center
April 9 - Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theater
April 11 - Jacksonville, FL - FIVE
April 13 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Blues Festival
April 14 - Pensacola, FL - Saenger Theatre
April 15 - Jackson, MS - Duling Hall
April 17 - Cincinnati, OH - Memorial Hall
April 18 - Columbus, OH - TempleLive Columbus 

# # #

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
Website | Facebook | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | KTBA Records



Gavin Friday: First UK show in 17 years in April 2025.

Ticket Link

Tickets will go on sale on Friday 24th January 2025 at 10am

Gavin Friday will take to the stage to perform his first UK show in 17 years at London’s EartH venue on Sunday 6^th  April 2025. Tickets are on sale at 10am on Friday 24 January 2025 from https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/gavin-friday/. Gavin Friday made his mark initially as a founder and the frontman of the Dublin band Virgin Prunes, the post-punk pioneers who released their debut ‘….If I Die, I Die’ in 1982, following it up with ‘The Moon Looked Down and Laughed’ in 1986. He went on to forge a storied career as a truly acclaimed solo artist, but also songwriter, composer, actor and painter.
 
His first solo album was ‘Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves’ in 1989, with the most recent, his 6^th , being 2024’s ‘Ecce Home’. His first album in over 13 years, the latest album was produced by Dave Ball [of Soft Celll], Michael Heffernan and Riccardo Mulhall. As well as on his own projects, the versatile Friday has also worked regularly with his childhood friend Bono of U2, but also the late great Quincy Jones on music for the 50 Cent biopic ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin’’, as well the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has appeared at the Meltdown Festival. His songs have been performed by the likes of Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, and more.
 
Away from the music, he is known for his painting, but also acting work. He appears in Neil Jordan’s film ‘Breakfast On Pluto’ which was based on Patrick McCabe’s book of the same name, itself influenced by Friday’s own 1995 ‘Shag Tobacco’. Friday performs two songs in the film, including a duet with Cillian Murphy.
 
This one off April London show at EartH is a very rare chance for Gavin Friday’s UK fans to reconnect with this essential and eclectic artist, and is not to be missed.
 

 UK 2025

Sun 6 April – EartH, LONDON

New Will Wilde single "Trouble of That Girl".

Will Wilde

"TROUBLE OF THAT GIRL"

NEW SINGLE AVAILABLE NOW!

VIZZTONE RELEASES ACCLAIMED BLUES-ROCK HARMONICA SENSATION AND SINGER WILL WILDE'S LATEST SINGLE, "TROUBLE OF THAT GIRL."



This high-energy track takes a bold, contemporary twist on the traditional spiritual song “Trouble of The World,” reimagining it with Wilde's signature harmonica playing, an electrifying guitar groove and infectious rhythm.

“Trouble Of That Girl” is the third single from his upcoming album BLUES IS STILL ALIVE, set for release on February 28, 2025, via VizzTone Records.

Will says, “I wanted to take a traditional gospel song and give it a fresh perspective, like Willie Dixon did with ‘My Babe’ or Ray Charles did with ‘I’ve Got a Woman’, changing the lyrics to make it about a girl instead of God,” says Wilde. It’s really simple but catchy. Lyrically it’s about making the decision to leave a toxic relationship and move on to better things.”

From the first note, the harmonica delivers a punchy hook that feels both timeless and fresh, later building to a blistering harmonica solo that showcases Wilde’s unparalleled talent. “Trouble of That Girl” merges classic blues and gospel roots with a contemporary edge, drawing comparisons to the likes of Gary Clark Jr. and Samantha Fish. 

Will Wilde teamed up with blues guitar legend Walter Trout for the album’s title track “Blues Is Still Alive,” which landed in Classic Rock’s TRACKS OF THE WEEK and SiriusXM Bluesville’s countdown of top blues tunes. “Trouble of That Girl” is sure to further cement his place as a groundbreaking new blues talent.

Smokey Robinson: SPECIAL GUESTS Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri on The Legacy Tour ‘Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A Quiet Storm’.

The true musical legend that is Smokey Robinson announces four UK shows in July 2025, which will be his first in a decade, the year in which he marks the 50th Anniversary of his 1975 breakthrough album, ‘A Quiet Storm’. The Legacy Tour will highlight and celebrate this, as well as all of his top hits from throughout the decades. Tickets are on sale NOW from www.aegpresents.co.uk, axs.com, ticketmaster.co.uk. All dates will feature SPECIAL GUESTS: Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, very fitting as Kiki Dee was the first female singer from the UK to sign with Motown's Tamla Records. Kiki Dee enjoyed 10 UK chart hits (3 in duet with Elton John, and 2 as part of The Kiki Dee Band), including classics like ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, ‘I’ve Got The Music In Me’, ‘(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am’, ‘Loving And Free’, ‘Amoureuse’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Star’ and more.
 
Smokey Robinson said, “I always love performing in the UK, it has been too long. These special shows mark the 50^th anniversary of ‘A Quiet Storm’, an album that is truly special to me. So whilst I want to honour that record, and those amazing times, this will also be a celebration of everything that has come before and we will be performing all the hits. It’s been over 10 years and I cannot wait to return in July 2025 and entertain all my UK fans”.
 
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy’s first vocal group, and it was at Robinson’s suggestion that Gordy started the Motown Records dynasty. Their single of Robinson’s ‘Shop Around’ became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group, including ‘You've Really Got a Hold on Me’, ‘Ooo Baby Baby’, ‘The Tracks of My Tears’, ‘Going to a Go-Go’, ‘More Love’, ‘Tears of a Clown’ (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and ‘I Second That Emotion’.
 
The Miracles dominated the R&B scene throughout the 1960s and early 70s, and Robinson became Vice President of Motown Records, serving as in-house producer, talent scout, and songwriter. In addition to writing hits for The Miracles, Robinson wrote and produced hits for other Motown greats, including The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye, and others. ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do’, ‘My Girl’, ‘Get Ready’, ‘You Beat Me to the Punch’, ‘Don't Mess with Bill’, ‘Ain't That Peculiar’, and ‘My Guy’ are just a few of his songwriting triumphs during those years. He later turned to a solo career where he continued his tradition of chart-topping hits with ‘Just to See Her’, ‘Quiet Storm’, ‘Cruisin’’, and ‘Being with You’, among others.
 
The album ‘A Quiet Storm’ was released in 1975 and cemented Smokey Robinson’s reputation not only as a bona fide superstar in his own right, after his previous huge success with The Miracles, but also as a world class songwriter and producer. The album contained three hit singles and was so successful that the title even came to be used as a shorthand for radio that broadcast the type of romantic and smooth music that Smokey Robinson did better than anybody else.
 
As the holder of two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [for his solo and group work], and as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters' Hall of Fame., Smokey Robinson’s career is the stuff of legend. He has received numerous other awards, including the GRAMMY Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors, and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States.
 
Throughout his 60 plus year music career, Smokey Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences worldwide with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric and style. These four UK shows celebrating ‘A Quiet Storm’ - such an important moment in this incredible career - will allow his fans to share this moment with him: a legacy indeed.

Smokey Robinson
The Legacy Tour
‘Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of A Quiet Storm’

 
Thurs 3 July 2025GLASGOW SEC Armadillo
 
Tues 8 July 2025 BIRMINGHAM Utilita Arena
 
Weds 9 July 2025 CARDIFF Utilita Arena
 
Fri 11 July 2025 LONDON Eventim Apollo

Don Airey: New Solo Album ‘Pushed To The Edge’, first track ‘Tell Me’ Out Now.

LISTEN TO ‘TELL ME’



Pre-Save / Pre-Add Here

Don Airey, the master behind the keys for some of rock’s most iconic albums, announces his latest studio album ‘Pushed to the Edge’, set to release on March 28, 2025 on CD (Digipak), 2LP (black, 180g, Gtf.) and Digital formats. The new song ‘Tell Me’ is now available for streaming and as an instant gratification track with all download pre-orders of the album.

As one of the most recorded keyboardists of all time, with over 300 albums featuring his unmistakable sound, Don Airey’s skills have been valued by nearly every rock ’n’ roll superstar. The list includes legendary artists and bands such as Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Judas Priest, Gary Moore, Brian May, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, and, of course, Deep Purple, the band Don Airey has been a full-time member of for over twenty years. After last year’s success, when Deep Purple secured their fourth consecutive number-one album with ‘=1’ and a subsequent global tour, Don Airey kicks off 2025 with the same energy in his solo work.

Joining Don Airey on the new album is an all-star lineup featuring Carl Sentance (Nazareth) and Mitchell Emms (The Voice UK) on vocals, Deep Purple guitarist Simon McBride, drummer Jon Finnigan, and bassist Dave Marks. Produced in the finest Hard Rock tradition, ‘Pushed to the Edge’ is a raw gem – crafted without tricks or shortcuts, staying true to the pure musicianship of world-class artists.



Tracklisting (CD/2LP):
 
A

1. Tell Me
2. They Keep on Running
3. Moon Rising

 
B

1. Rock the Melody
2. Flame in the Water
3. Out of Focus

 
C

1. Power of Change
2. Girl from Highland Park
3. Godz of War

 
D

1. Edge of Reality
2. Finnigan's Awake

21/01/2025

Held By Trees: 'Hinterland' the second album.

‘Hinterland’ is the second LP by Held By Trees, taking in elements of jazz, post-rock, and ambient music and will be released on CD/Vinyl (and digital download only on Bandcamp) on Friday 4^th April, 2025 on Tweed Jacket Music Ltd and Lasgo Records Distribution. The follow-up to 2022’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Solace’, this new eight-piece album is a sonic journey through ambiguous spaces, within and without.

 Once again, Held By Trees – helmed by composer/producer David Joseph - brings together living DNA from its chief influence, the latter work of Mark Hollis with Talk Talk, and as a solo artist. This includes this time his son Charlie Hollis who plays piano on four of the tracks. Returning Talk Talk/Hollis veterans are Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Laurence Pendrous on piano, Andy Panayi on flute, clarinet and saxophone (who are each members of the live HBT band), plus Martin Ditcham on drums/percussion and Simon Edwards on double bass.
 
 Other notable contributors to the album include: Rob Coombes (Supergrass) on Hammond Organ, Stephen Gilchrist (Stephen Evens, Graham Coxon) on drums, Simone Marie Butler (Primal Scream, Jesus & Mary Chain) on synths and sound effects, Matt Simms (Wire, It Hugs Back) on guitar, Norman Westberg (Swans) on guitar, Robert Poss (Band of Susans, Phil Niblock) on guitar, Simon Scott (Slowdive) with field recordings, Mark Simnett (Bark Psychosis) on drums and percussion, Jen Macro (My Bloody Valentine, Hurtling, Graham Coxon) on guitar, Chris Pedley (The Baker Brothers) on bass.
 
 David Joseph said, “‘Hinterland’ is a meandering celebration of the vague, the between places, the forgotten, nameless margins – not just in the landscape around us physically, but also internally – somewhere in the middle of faith and doubt, joy and melancholy, departure and arrival.”
 
 “The thrill of Held By Trees is bringing such a variety of musicians together and sculpting something surprising and unique from the ideas they submit. This album is an odyssey of guitar, with some of the most innovative guitarists of the last 50 years of alternative, left-field music taking part. ‘Hinterland’ is full of soundscapes using guitars like paint-brushes, painting a variety of rich, delicate, floating and abrasive textures that evoke the liminal spaces around us and within us.”
 
 In a departure from previous releases, the artwork this time is supplied by Brighton-based abstract mixed-media artist, Gareth Hayward. David said, “Gareth’s artwork is the perfect visual pairing for the music. It asks us what we see within it, without dictating what or where it is. There is plenty of intentional ambiguity, which is central to the album’s musical theme. I adore Gareth’s use of negative-space and his visceral approach to capturing landscape full of mood and mystery.”

Guardian Feature

Stone Foundation ‘The Revival of Survival’: 11th album as band continues rich vein of form.

8-piece Soul band Stone Foundation release their eleventh studio album, their first since 2022, on 28th March 2025 through 100 Percent Records. ‘The Revival of Survival’ will be available on CD / Vinyl / Cassette as well as Digital – with ‘first edition’ special numbered signed versions available via their website. The next single will be ‘Summer Song’ (feat Omar) on 14th February, the album also features spots from JP Bimeni, Sheree DuBois & Carmy Love, and Laville. Summer Festival and UK tour dates will be announced later this month!
 
Reflecting their commitment to physical formats - the band have had 17 consecutive Top 10 entries on the UK Vinyl Singles chart – they plan to continue that with a 7” of ‘Cut Me Loose’ released on the same day as the album. In 2023, the band celebrated 25 years of success with the release of the retrospective anthology ‘Standing In The Light’.
 
The new material is reflective of the confidence within the band, who cannot wait for the fans to hear all the new material, and indeed to play it live.  Neil Jones says: “With ‘Cut Me Loose’ we wondered what it would be like to mix Talking Heads, Fela Kuti and Disco. The addition of the Prince of Burundi JP Bimeni on vocals was the cherry on top of a very funky cake. Neil Sheasby added, “‘Cut Me Loose’ was something we worked up fairly quickly once we had found the groove, it kind of puts me in mind of those early 80’s Rolling Stones movers like ‘Dance (pt1)’ or ‘Emotional Rescue’. Like off kilter disco!”
 
Of the track ‘Summer Song’ Neil Sheasby said, “Sometimes you just capture the spirit of what you are searching for in a song first time and that was pretty much the case with this one. Most of what you hear is from the initial demo. We had Omar in mind for this as soon as it came together, thankfully he liked it and agreed to collaborate on it, he brings the magic and lights the tune up”. Neil Jones added, “This was a tune we based on a studio groove myself, Sheas and Dom had recorded. We wanted the vocal to fit the jazzy laid back hip hop feel of the track and Omar’s voice fits that vibe perfectly.
 
Neil Jones says of ‘The Revival of Survival’, “I think this is our funkiest to date. We wanted to push the sound to a different place with elements of disco, funk and house, and lyrically retain the optimism you find on a Stone Foundation record. It’s a joyous uplifting record that deserves to be played loud out on the dance floor”. Neil Sheasby agreed, “I feel like the whole record has a club vibe to it, it’s bookended by a couple of almost ambient moments but on the whole it’s a dancer! It feels very cohesive and concise.We were quite mindful to create a more contemporary and modern sounding album. We certainly captured the mood and spirit of our intentions and I think it’ll be a whole load of fun(k) to perform live too”.
 
With several tracks already made available and garnering praise, and indeed airplay, ‘The Revival of Survival’ seems set to continue the remarkable Stone Foundation story: they are not merely surviving, they are thriving!

TRACKLISTING

A1 How Many Times
A2 The Revival Of Survival
A3 Everything & All I Want
A4 Cut Me Loose (feat. J.P. Bimeni)
A5 Close To Where You Are
B1 Fix You Up
B2 The Beat I Know (feat. Sheree DuBois & Carmy Love)
B3 2 Die 4 U
B4 When Worlds Collide
B5 Reach Out (feat. Laville)
B6 Summer Song (feat. Omar)

Vizztone to release BOB CORRITORE’S 30th career album/first single out now.

The VizzTone label group is proud to announce the upcoming February 28 release of the newest album from Bob Corritore and Friends - DOIN’ THE SHOUT! This powerful album celebrates the career milestone of Bob Corritore’s thirtieth album release!

Available now, we have the January 15 release of the album’s first single, “I’ve Got Three Problems” featuring the legendary Bobby Rush. This original Bobby Rush composition is a collaboration between Corritore and one of his true blues heroes. Bobby is an acclaimed harmonica player, so it’s quite a statement that he turns the harp chores over to Bob Corritore and cheers him on with his great commentary! The all-star band features Dexter Allen and Jimi Primetime Smith on guitars, Chester Thompson (of Santana and Tower Of Power) on B3 organ and kickin’ the bass pedals, and Steve Ferrone (Average White Band, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Michael Jackson, George Harrison, and more) on drums. When you combine all these elements, the outcome is a pinnacle performance by world-class musicians at the top of their game. Bobby’s edgy lyrics and powerhouse vocals, Bob Corritore’s sly harmonic licks and this groovy band deliver a true blues masterpiece!

The second single, “I Guess I’m A Fool,” a deep blues lament featuring famed blues, jazz and Gospel singer Francine Reed, drops February 7.



DOIN’ THE SHOUT! comprises twelve tracks, freshly recorded during 2023 and 2024. Featured singers include Thornetta Davis, Oscar Wilson, Nora Jean, Francine Reed, Bobby Rush, Tia Carroll, John Primer, Jimi Primetime Smith and Bob Stroger, and the amazing list of musicians includes Bob Margolin, Duke Robillard, Kid Ramos, Dexter Allen, Steve Ferrone, Ben Levin, Chester Thompson, Mark Early, Johnny Burgin and many more.

UK alt-pop artist SICKY releases 'Slide' single on the gritty reality of a personal struggle.

FOR FANS OF: Fun Lovin' Criminals, Beck, Supergrass, Blur, Prince, Muse, Ash
INFLUENCES: Prince, Bowie, Nirvana, Supergrass, Blur, Kinks, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Elvis

FOR SHARING
'Slide' video  https://youtu.be/SvBc87IIrPY
Bandcamp  https://sicky2.bandcamp.com/track/slide
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/0dLo7Mr23XemiGt203McdK
'Troubled Delight' album order  https://sicky2.bandcamp.com/album/troubled-delight
'I'm Happy If You're Happy' video https://youtu.be/oNfJLw9w7eY
Bandcamp  https://sicky2.bandcamp.com/track/im-happy-if-youre-happy
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/1A4ojC1T78v96PsKw51LZ2
'Garbage Town' album (2022)  https://sicky2.bandcamp.com/album/garbage-town


"SICKY does it again with more fun and memorable music... A witty and upbeat feel-good offering that explores (and pokes fun at) the allure of temptation, playing the game of love and testing psychological comfort levels" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Down-the-middle catchy and clever. It is, at the same time, gleeful, tuneful, and a hell of a lot of fun... recalls such artists as Gene, Manic Street Preachers, Muse and Super Furry Animals" ~ Amplify Music Magazine


British indie alt-pop artist SICKY presents his new single 'Slide', which captures the gritty reality of a difficult experience, involving the relapse into harmful behaviour and the painful aftermath. Featuring Jen Bone (Project Blues Band) on double bass, this is a raw and powerful exploration of a deeply personal and relatable struggle previewing SICKY's new album 'Troubled Delight'.

SICKY is the solo project of Mick Butler, whose brand of melodic Britpop-infused indie rock spells good news for fans of Beck, Supergrass and early Blur. Originally from the Black Country region of England, he is now based in Shropshire. 

'Slide' follows the lead track 'I'm Happy If You're Happy', an upbeat affair exploring temptation and the art of winning over another.... of all the possibilities if the bait is pitched right. 

"This is a song about falling off the wagon. Going on a huge session and suffering the consequences. Nightmares, cold sweats, a hangover from hell and the wondering why in the world you did it to yourself. The video covers this perfectly I think. 'Slide' features the double bass skills of Jen Bone, who also played on the first single 'I’m Happy If You’re Happy'. I’d like to think the Soggy Bottom Boys would approve of the vibe on this track," says Mick Butler.

SICKY's forthcoming album - his third to date - is a more organic beast than previous offerings, featuring instruments "borrowed from the kids' music room", he says, "including a broken violin, a ukulele, gloks, bells, drums and a mouth organ… Anything you could get a noise out of really".

While Mick Butler has had his run of playing in bands, ranging from the brass soaked pop of Papa Mantra to the dirty stomp of SUMO, he now derives pleasure from banging out tunes and crafting new material. Literally everything you hear in his music is him squeezing noises out of anything that'll sing.

This single arrives two years since the release of British alternative artist SICKY presents his thickly layered and widely acclaimed sophomore album 'Garbage Town'. SICKY released his debut album 'Bowling Balls', partially inspired by Prince, Bowie and Ray Bradbury's book 'The Martian Chronicles', in 2021 during lockdown. 

As of January 16, 'Slide' is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full 'Troubled Delight' album will be released on February 14. 

CREDITS
Written by Mick Butler (SICKY)
Recorded, mixed and produced by SICKY in Shropshire
Mastered by Charlie Francis at Synergy Mastering Cardiff.
Photos by Helen Marshall
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Jen Bone - double bass on Tracks 2, 4, 5
Rebecca Butler - vocals on Track 11
Lily and Scarlet - back vocals & random noises on Track 2

TRACK LIST
01. Billy Cousins
02. I’m Happy If You’re Happy
03. Ten Minutes
04. My Girl’s Gone
05. Slide
06. Money For The News
07. Win
08. Life In A Jar
09. Songbird
10. The Hill
11. Mankind
12. Just Me


Keep up with SICKY
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

20/01/2025

Restless Mosaic presents 'Lost Within This Time' single featuring Lovespirals' icon Anji Bee.

FOR FANS OF: Projekt Records, Everything But The Girl, Lovespirals, Delerium, Hybrid, Ital Tek, Kettel, Ochre, Spooky, Susumu Yokota, Trentemøller

FOR SHARING
'Lost Within This Time'  https://youtu.be/g4L6lywB9Bs
Bandcamp  https://restlessmosaic.bandcamp.com/track/lost-within-this-time-feat-anji-bee-3
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/1dSF4coJitkgcCNcuVql6A
Get the single  https://bit.ly/3BRHsOE
Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/restless-mosaic/1553791225
Album pre-save on Spotify https://bit.ly/42bNVP8



West Coast artist Restless Mosaic presents 'Lost Within This Time', the first taste of his forthcoming third album 'Quality Mirrors', due out on March 7. The song takes many surprising turns, all of them dark. Developed around elevator samples that came to form four separate layers of this song, this lead track features vocals by Anji Bee of renowned dreampop duo Lovespirals, singing ethereally and as claustrophobically as the slabs of the unsettling soundscape behind her.

In the video, Anji plays a ghost haunting an elevator. With Restless Mosaic (a.k.a. Brandon Isleib) and Anji Bee residing quite a distance from one another, they shot their scenes separately. Portraying a ghost who lures Isleib into her haunted elevator – where she lives in a concert poster. Now entrapped, she transmits his soul into the poster, essentially taking her place. Isleib explains, "My home city let me and my producer film in a city-owned office building that hasn’t been used in years – a perfect setting to make a campy ‘80s horror story".

"'Lost Within This Time' is about my mental state post-pandemic. Like many, I’m finding it hard to re-acclimate. Places I used to go have closed. I quit doing the things I used to do. Many people I thought I knew either disappeared or showed sides that made me pull away. Society both on and offline seems much more hostile, and as a consequence I’ve become guarded," says Anji Bee.

"Working with Brandon let me express my thoughts in a slightly edgier manner, as the instrumental he presented me with is a lot more experimental. The elevator sounds, in particular, are quite eerie, so I had fun playing that up with an ethereal refrain of “I’m lost” – which sounds like it could be a ghost calling up the elevator shaft, or wandering down a long, dark hallway."

Brandon Isleib is an electronic songmaker based in Everett, Washington. The name Restless Mosaic derives from the idea of a mosaic's intricacy and structure, and how the parts and the whole relate in a way that they only make sense when they come together. In the same way, he combines sounds and genres, usually considered disparate, connecting them into something greater than any one of them.

Through these song structures, transitions and balanced textures, and by anchoring certain aspects, the listener can enjoy grounded music and enjoy these sonic adventures – explorations that embody a sense of restlessness. Noted as offering up “a setting in which listeners can expect the unexpected” with music that is “a boon for your neuroplasticity”, Restless Mosaic's music has been streamed over 3 million views via YouTube.

"I met Anji Bee through the listening party for the remaster of Love Spirals Downwards’ 'Flux' album. I had noticed she’d made a lot of different song styles, many of them dark, so I inquired about a collaboration. When she expressed interest, I started composing a sort of gothic metal song but swapping out all the sounds for ‘80s synth-jazz instead – something to fit both Anji’s angel and chanteuse sides," explains Brandon Isleib.

"That fit nicely with samples recorded of a creepy elevator in a hotel I had stayed at, and I started building the next part of the song around that. That gave the most space for Anji to put a verse, but she surprised me by wanting to make the denser chorus music into the verse. The ensuing rearrangement yielded the unusual structure of starting as a full-fledged synth song, then going into a barely melodic industrial phase, then gradually introducing both halves to each other. I draw a lot of inspiration from Underworld’s production style: set up the song’s rules and then start breaking them. 'Lost Within This Time' does this while showcasing Anji’s versatility and ability to make the bizarre sound right."

Anji Bee adds, "The frenetic, skittering energy in the first part seemed suited to my lyrics' theme. The fretless bass reminded me of music I loved in the '80s, like Mick Karn and Kate Bush. I tried to channel their vocal theatricality in my performance. Though I’m best known as a singer, I’ve dabbled in spoken word for decades, and I enjoyed incorporating a bit of that too. This is a personal lyric, but I think it’s pretty universal, and I hope that others in a similar period of their life will find some comfort in the song."

Apart from Anji Bee, the 'Quality Mirrors' album features contributions by New York singer-songwriter Rose Alaimo and prolific rapper Declaime (Aloe Blacc, Madlib, and Flying Lotus), with whom Restless Mosaic is already working on a new album that brings Declaime's poetry to Isleib's back catalog of instrumentals.

As of January 14, 'Lost Within This Time' is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The full 'Quality Mirrors' album will be released on March 7.

CREDITS
Music written and performed by Brandon Isleib
Recorded, mixed and produced by Brandon Isleib and Anji Bee
Lyrics, melody and vocals by Anji Bee
Additional production and effects by Ryan Lum
Mastered by Vincent Villuis / Ultimae Records
Album artwork and music video by Jennifer Wee
Anji Bee photos and video footage shot by Anji Bee
Brandon Isleib photos shot by Jennifer Wee

LYRICS
Lost inside my mind
So lost within this time
Don’t know who I am
Or where I’m going to
Lost and I’m not fine
No reason and no rhyme
This life doesn’t make sense
What am I going to do
These past few years have been so hard
Trapped within these walls and my small yard
I’ve dropped out of society
I don’t think I’ll ever be
Who I was before I went on guard
I’m lost
I’m lost
I’m lost


Keep up with Restless Mosaic
Website | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify

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Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood | New single/video taken from first solo album in 12 years 'Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams', out 21 Feb.

PATTERSON HOOD

NEW SONG 'THE POOL HOUSE' OUT NOW

WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS CO-FOUNDER HERALDS FIRST SOLO LP IN 12 YEARS

AMBITIOUS NEW COLLECTION SEES SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FELLOW MUSICIANS INCLUDING WAXAHATCHEE, WEDNESDAY, KEVIN MORBY, LYDIA LOVELESS, STEVE BERLIN, MEMBERS OF THE DECEMBERISTS, AND MORE  

'EXPLODING TREES & AIRPLANE SCREAMS' ARRIVES VIA ATO RECORDS ON 21 FEBRUARY 2025

“Hood’s gift for the character study abundantly justifies the extra room to roam, and the ambitious arrangements, spanning folk to jazz to electronica are fleshed out by a stellar cast of collaborators.” 9/10 Uncut

Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood has shared the second song, 'The Pool House', from his landmark new solo album, 'Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams' arriving via ATO Records on Friday, 21 February 2025. Pre-orders are available now.

LISTEN TO 'THE POOL HOUSE' HERE

WATCH VIDEO HERE

“The Pool House” was originally inspired by a night I spent at a creepy rental,” says Hood. “A literal pool house for an apartment complex that I rented cheap for the night during a solo tour. It was off-season and the pool was dark green and filled with algae. The whole thing was creepy and as I’d had a couple of drinks, my mind was definitely wandering, conjuring up some macabre shit. I wrote most of it during lockdown and demoed it then on my home rig. I later recorded it with Nate Query (The Decemberists) playing upright bass and Dan Hunt (Neko Case) on drums. I played piano, guitar, vocals, and a trashcan as percussion on the bridge. Then I had Kyleen King do her magic adding viola and layers of strings (from her own arrangement) to it and the great Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) played flute, which he knocked out of the park. He had come by the studio to put some sax parts on some songs and I mentioned wanting a flute for this song. He asked me what kind of flute part I was thinking of and I said, “something like what Chris Wood would play in Traffic.” He just smiled and said he’d see what he could do. It’s one of the weirdest and most twisted tracks I have ever recorded and I’m really thrilled with how it all turned out. 

“Frances Thrasher (Heaven4TheYoung), who painted the album cover, also does incredible and creepy stop-motion animation, and has made me a super cool video for the release using a vintage dollhouse and her own amazing skills and talents.”

xxx

Produced by Chris Funk (The Decemberists, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks) at various studios in Hood’s current hometown of Portland, OR, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams marks the singer-songwriter-guitarist’s most expansive and ambitious extracurricular effort to date, supported by a stellar cast of friends and fellow musicians including Waxahatchee, Brad and Phil Cook (Megafaun), Kevin Morby, Wednesday, Brad Morgan, and Jay Gonzalez (Drive-By Truckers), Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, The Blasters), David Barbe (Sugar, Mercyland), Nate Query (The Decemberists), Steve Drizos (Jerry Joseph and The Jackmormons), Daniel Hunt (Neko Case, M Ward), and Stuart Bogie (The Hold Steady, Goose).

The 10-track collection was heralded by first single late in 2024 with the first single 'A Werewolf and a Girl', featuring additional vocals from Lydia Loveless. A lyric video directed by Jason Shevchuk is streaming now on YouTube.

Hood’s fourth solo album and first in over 12 years, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams sees the veteran singer, guitarist, and songwriter exploring his youth and young manhood in a collection unlike anything in his ever-evolving catalogue. It is inspired in part by his own short story, “The Exploding Trees,” in which Hood tells the tale of a natural disaster that occurred in his North Alabama hometown just as he turned 30 and relocated to Athens, GA where Drive-By Truckers were co-founded in 1996. 

The album gathers songs that have amassed over the remarkably prolific songwriter’s career, many of which provided him with distraction and creative sustenance during lockdown, others which have resided among his notebooks for years, including the string-driven “Airplane Screams,” written over four decades ago but never successfully recorded until now. 

The album was further driven by his friendship with producer/musician Funk, a “profound chemistry” forged upon Hood’s 2013 move to Portland, OR. Having long discussed a collaboration, in 2023 the stars finally aligned, and they set to work on recording this new album which Hood intended to be “a bigger departure” from Drive-By Truckers and his previous solo efforts than ever before. 

Working together at a number of Portland studios, Hood accomplished his goal, in part by writing much of the album on piano in a vigorous attempt to expand his parameters in new, heretofore uncharted, directions. While he planned to bring in a professional pianist for the recording sessions, Funk, eager to push his friend from his comfort zone, encouraged Hood to play the parts himself. Hood further took the opportunity to explore sounds outside the boundaries and obligations of his day job, deviating from his traditionally guitar-driven palette to create richly textured arrangements marked by the inclusion of strings, woodwinds, and vintage analog synthesizers. 

The result is an ingeniously baroque Americana song cycle, fueled by Hood’s finely drawn character studies and gift for clear-eyed self-examination. Songs like “Pinocchio” and “Miss Coldiron’s Oldsmobile” are nakedly autobiographical and remarkably unflinching, steeped in the past but very much informed by who Hood is in the here and now. With its powerful textural clarity and Hood’s literary strengths at the fore, Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams coalesces as a staggering investigation into how time can shed light on the recesses of memory, revealing an exceptionally gifted songwriter’s resolute inclination to look back through the golden haze in order to grapple with the darkness and secret truths that perhaps weren’t understood or reckoned with at the time. 

“You remember it one way, but when you really dip into it, when you really look back, the world was a different place,” Patterson Hood says. “Things were accepted that wouldn’t be accepted now and things you didn’t understand then make sense now. 

“This record has all these kind of unintended themes. I don’t know if that was anything I set out to do as much as it just kind of worked out that way. You know, there are a lot a lot of happy accidents in this record.” 

The cover art for 'Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams' is by Frances Thrasher, an artist from Athens, GA. “She recently put up a show called Heaven4TheYoung that really blew me away,” says Hood. “I was especially moved by one painting in the series, and she was kind enough to let me use it for the cover. I honestly didn’t have a second choice.” 

Currently continuing to travel the US with Drive-By Truckers on their hugely successful Southern Rock Opera Revisited 2024 Tour, Hood will celebrate the arrival of Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams with a run of US headline dates. The Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams 2025 Tour – which will feature backing from his band, The Sensurrounders, with support from special guest Lydia Loveless – gets underway on 18th March at Somerville, MA’s Arts at the Armory, with stops in DC, Atlanta and Nashville, while finishing up at The Whirling Tiger on 5th April. Tickets are on sale now. Additional dates will be announced soon. Click HERE for complete details. 

“I’m putting together a kind of stripped-down band so we can go do this record right,” Hood says. “Now the challenge to see if I can pull off a few of the songs on piano live. There’s nothing but good to come from it. I think good has come from each of my solo records, they each made me better at what I do in various different ways.”

Tracklist:

Exploding Trees

A Werewolf and a Girl (w/Lydia Loveless)

The Forks of Cypress (w/Waxahatchee)

Miss Coldiron’s Oldsmobile

The Pool House

The Van Pelt Parties (w/Wednesday)

Last Hope

At Safe Distance

Airplane Screams

Pinocchio

PRE-ORDER EXPLODING TREES & AIRPLANE SCREAMS

www.pattersonhood.com

www.facebook.com/pattersonhood

www.instagram.com/dbtph

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www.youtube.com/user/RuthStRecords

Giovannie and the Hired Guns Announces New Album Quitter, Out March 14th.

GIOVANNIE AND THE HIRED GUNS TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM
 

QUITTER

OUT MARCH 14TH

ANNOUNCE 2025 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES + DROP MUSIC VIDEO FOR LATEST TRACK "QUITTER"

Giovannie and The Hired Guns announce their fourth full length album, Quitter, in stores and available across music platforms on March 14th, and present the video for the title track, “Quitter.”  Building on the success of 2022’s Tejano Punk Boyz—which reached #1 on both Alternative and Active Rock radio with the hit single "Ramon Ayala" and earned them the iHeartRadio Award for Best New Rock/Alternative Band—Giovannie and The Hired Guns’ latest LP sees the band fully embracing the free-spirited energy that defined their early days.

Since their inception in 2015, Giovannie and The Hired Guns have made a blockbuster career out of wildly defying expectations. With a visceral sound that merges alt-metal, Red Dirt country, Latin pop, Americana, and much more, the Stephenville, Texas-based five-piece have ascended from playing local honky-tonks to taking the stage at major festivals and arenas across the country, drawing an ardent crowd ranging from cowboys to metalheads to skate punks. 

As they continue their colossal rise, Giovannie and The Hired Guns now return with their new album Quitter: a body of work that pushes the boundaries with even more intensity, matching its explosive riffs and unforgettable hooks with the band’s most brutally honest songwriting to date. 

Produced by Johnny K (Megadeth, Sevendust, Plain White T’s), Quitter marks the fourth full-length from Giovannie and The Hired Guns (frontman Giovannie Yanez, guitarists Carlos Villa and Jerrod Flusche, bassist/tuba player Alex Trejo, and drummer/pianist Milton Toles) and second LP since signing with Warner Music Nashville through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Warner Music Latina. 

PRE-SAVE QUITTERQUITTER

Recorded at the famed Sonic Ranch (a residential studio near the Mexican border in Tornillo, Texas), Quitter ultimately supplies the kind of catharsis that can only come from exorcising your demons and bravely moving toward a better future. While the band have always brought a powerful emotionality to their lyrics, the album embodies an unfiltered urgency that has much to do with Yanez’s processing a number of life-altering troubles in real-time.

WATCH THE "QUITTER" MUSIC VIDEO
 

An album rooted in the band’s fearlessly candid storytelling, Quitter takes its title from its most poignant title track—a thundering but undeniably tender expression of longing and self-doubt. ““Quitter” is about being out on tour all the time and never getting to be at home, and also feeling like you don’t deserve the person who’s back at home waiting for you,” says Yanez. 

Throughout Quitter, Giovannie and The Hired Guns reveal their rare ability to channel painful self-reflection into songs with all the raw exuberance of a fist-pumping party anthem. On “Quitter,” Yanez closely details the confusion and loneliness of dealing with addiction (“Something’s really wrong with me/And I don’t wanna talk about my history/Just crush ’em up so we can live happily”), but brilliantly twists the mood at the track’s sing-along-ready and strangely carefree chorus (“I’m not a quitter/But I wish I was”). 

“Everything kind of clicked for this album after we wrote ‘Quitter,’” Yanez points out. “Jerrod came up with a riff and I just jumped in and started singing those opening lines: ‘Here we go again/Pass me a Xan.’ It was exactly what I was going through at the time, but I didn’t even mean for it to come out.”

Giovannie and The Hired Guns - Quitter - Tracklist

1. Cheap Tequila
2. Quitter
3. Talk Dirty
4. Great Escape
5. Chiquita
6. Good Day
7. Pineapple Sunshine
8. Letcha Down
9. Over and Over
10. Land of the Lost
11. We Never Change
12. You

Giovannie and The Hired Guns - 2025 North American Tour Dates

January 31 | Hayes, KS | Fox Theatre

February 01 | Manhattan, KS | The Hat
February 22 | Terrell, TX | Silver Saloon
March 7 | Corpus Christi, TX | Brewster Street Ice House
March 14 | Tulsa, OK | Cain’s Ballroom
March 15 | Fort Smith, AR | Majestic
March 18 | Columbia, MO | The Blue Note

March 19 | St Louis, MO | Off Broadway
March 20 | Des Moines, IA | Wooly’s
March 21 | Chicago, IL | Chop Shop & 1st Ward
March 22 | Milwaukee, WI | The Rave
March 25 | Minneapolis, MN | Fine Line
March 27 | Omaha, NE | The Waiting Room
March 28 | Iowa City, IA | Wildwood Smokehouse

March 29 | Lawrence, KS | The Bottleneck
March 30 | Wichita, KS | WAVE
April 4 | Cottonwood, AL | Breakout at Big Creek
April 5 | New Orleans, LA | Hogs for the Cause
April 12 | Gonzales, TX | Cattle Country Festival
April 17 | Starkville, MS | Rick's

April 18 | Huntsville, AL | Furniture Factory
April 19 | McCaysville, GA | Tooneys
April 20 | Atlanta, GA | Terminal West
April 22 | Greenville, SC | Radio Room
April 24 | Charleston, SC | Music Farm

April 25 | Winston Salem, NC | Ramkat
April 26 | Richmond, VA | The Broadberry
April 27 | Washington DC | Union Stage
April 29 | Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Made
May 1 | Cleveland, OH | Mahall’s

May 2 | Flint, MI | Machine Shop
May 3 | Grand Rapids, MI | The Stache
May 4 | Indianapolis, IN | HiFi Annex
July 26 | White Deer, TX | White Deer Rodeo
August 03 | Sturgis, SD | Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2025

CONNECT WITH GIOVANNIE AND THE HIRED GUNS: 

TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Website

Stewart Prosser: Trumpet player, composer and member of The Style Council releases debut solo EP.

“Everyone has a path. Find it and embrace its message. It can be done”.

Trumpet player, composer and member of 1980s band The Style Council, Stewart Prosser is releasing his first solo work as a triptych of tracks. Entitled ‘Far From Home’, the EP will be released digitally through Elm Tree Records on 14 February 2025. A single, ‘Fogbound’, will arrive first on 17 January 2025.
 
Commenting on the work, Stewart said, “The compositions were prompted by my deep concerns about how difficult the world has become for young people to navigate. The melodies came to me as I was trying to capture a mood that sits somewhere between jazz and ambient sounds. From searching for meaning and sparring with constraints, to reflecting on the right path and self-care, I hope the tracks speak to personal fortitude, optimism and resilience. Each musical statement has that at its core.”
 
Raised amongst a strict small-town religious backdrop, music was an early escape for Stewart. The trumpet fell into his hands, he felt connected: hearing Miles at the same time as The Beatles, Beethoven and early jazz rock brass voicings lit a fuse. Moving to London was the bedrock step. Hardened in clubs gigging with a feisty soul band he became increasingly in demand in the studio. Being noticed and hired by The Style Council brought opportunities to tour the world, record, arrange, perform, learn. Number one album, top ten singles.
 
Love and the need to provide pushed his creative energies in another direction for a while. Valuable new skills were learned. Serious illness a later turning point. A reassessment which allowed time to develop a broader musical palette and vocabulary. Collaborations with composer Damian Montagu and actor Hugh Bonneville followed, generating a number one classical album and a number one single. He received growing notices as a jazz player, and continued his musical evolution, often playing with - and learning from - other musicians.
 
The triptych itself was recorded in Autumn 2024, and produced by Jody Smith, a seasoned Irish multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer who has performed with artists such as Van Morrison, Clannad, Bill Shanley, Nigel Price and Carl Orr. His film and soundtrack work has been featured on numerous TV channels and streaming services, and his help on ‘Far From Home’ was essential to create the atmosphere, tone and character of Stewart’s vision.
 
Now Stewart is here to tell his own story and encourage others, ‘Far From Home’ immerses the listener in a probing of the social iniquities heaped upon the younger generations. Reflecting his search for meaning after serious illness and with references from Jon Hassell and Miles Davis to Kenny Wheeler and Nils Frahm, this triptych is a perfect winter reflection.

CREDITS AND NOTES:

Trumpet: Stewart Prosser
Piano, bass, percussion: Jody Smith

Composed by Stewart Prosser
Arranged by Stewart Prosser and Jody Smith Produced by Jody Smith
Mastered by Lucky Kilmartin Recorded at Herne Studios, Hampshire during Autumn 2024
Released on Elm Tree Records
Photography by Jacq Justice
Design by Miles Prosser

16/01/2025

Canada's roots reggae kings THE HUMAN RIGHTS return with "Life Is The Thing" :: New album One People out March 7.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS SHARE NEW SINGLE "LIFE IS THE THING"

Canadian roots reggae kings also announce spring tour dates in support of One People LP out March 7

WATCH "LIFE IS THE THING" (OFFICIAL VIDEO) AT REGGAEVILLE

TORONTO ON -- Canada’s finest roots reggae band The Human Rights has announced the March 7 release of its fourth album, One People, another testament to the group’s tireless mission to spread good vibes along with good grooves.

That’s all present on the album’s first single “Life Is The Thing” – available now on all digital platforms and Bandcamp – which The Human Rights’ co-founder and lead vocalist Friendlyness describes as, “A new track with a classic sound, and a message of hope for all. No matter what ups and downs we're going through, it's good to recognize that life is the greatest thing of all. Must be lived and can't be bought!”

The Human Rights are certainly entering 2025 with a lot of positive energy. The end of 2024 marked over 250 festival and club shows the band has played across Canada and the U.S., with a recent highlight being a Canadian opening slot for The Black Crowes. The Human Rights will be back on the road in Canada this spring in support of One People (SEE DATES BELOW).

The Human Rights first came together in 2007 around the talents and vision of Friendlyness, a Toronto Reggae lion who had previously worked with Big Sugar, Culture Shock and Truth And Rights. He was joined by drummer Eric Woolston (Maylee Todd, The Hooded Fang), versatile bassman Tyler Wagler and keyboardist Bernie Pitters (Toots & The Maytals, Hit Squad), who sadly passed away in 2023. One People carries on Pitters’ loving memory, and his spirit continues to propel the band forward.

The Human Rights quickly established a reputation while showcasing their original material while opening for the likes of The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, Sanchez, and other top international Reggae artists. In 2014, much-loved Toronto vocalist Tréson (who has recorded with the likes of Black Uhuru, Spearhead, and Mykal Rose) joined the band, giving The Human Rights a distinctively powerful two-man front line that seamlessly moves between modern roots Reggae, lovers rock, soul, R&B and dancehall vibes. After Bernie’s health began preventing him from touring, Canadian keyboard legend Dave Jackson stepped in. The Declaration of Human Rights horn section is the musical icing on the cake featuring members of The Heavyweights Brass Band, Kune, and Shout! The Band.

After making their debut album One Thing in 2010, The Human Rights worked with Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson on their 2016 self-titled collection that solidified their sound both in the studio and on stage. That energy was carried forward on 2021’s Reggae Strong (2021) which Amplify Music Magazine described as, “their finest album to date, while once again proving Reggae’s ability to unite and inspire everyone struggling to get through tough times.”

Expect more of the same from The Human Rights on One People, an album that arrives just when it’s needed most.

Ringo Starr’s Country album Look Up is out now.



“One of the most-anticipated albums of 2025” - Variety

“This country album’s real fine” - The Times - ★★★★

“It’s paying homage to the genre he loves, but still feels contemporary and energised, with thoughtful lyrics that showcase his warm vocals” - Clash - 8/10

“Look Up is more than Ringo Starr’s best record since his ‘70s heyday...it is also a statement of what real country music can and should sound like” - Americana UK - 8/10

“A stylish return” Daily Mail - ★★★★

“A Starr is reborn”- Daily Mirror

“This new, late-career reinvention suits him like the snuggest of Stetsons” - Rolling Stone (UK)

"Look Up ranges stylistically from early Beatles rockabilly snap of ‘Never Let Me Go’ to cosmic country ballad ‘String Theory’ and does indeed boast some of Starr's best vocal performances." - MOJO

LISTEN TO LOOK UP | HERE

WATCH VIDEO FOR THE TITLE TRACK ‘LOOK UP’ HERE

Ringo Starr has released his new country album, Look Up. The album was produced and co-written by T Bone Burnett. It is Starr’s first country album in more than 50 years and his first full-length album since 2019.

Recorded last year in Nashville and Los Angeles, Look Up features 11 songs and nine were written or co-written by Burnett. Starr sang and played drums on all the songs and co-wrote the album’s closer, ‘Thankful’, featuring Alison Krauss. Burnett enlisted some of Nashville’s finest and hottest talent for the record, including Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Lucius, Molly Tuttle and the aforementioned Krauss. Acclaimed musicians Dennis Crouch, Paul Franklin, Daniel Tashian, Joe Walsh and more also played on the album.

A video for the title track was also released today. It features Starr singing in the sunshine interwoven with images of people from all walks of life gathering in a field and ultimately, as seen in shots from above, forming a human peace sign. Director Wyndham Garnett was inspired by the song’s prescient lyrics and Starr’s dedication to spreading peace and love: “No matter where you place/In the human race/There is mercy/There is grace/Look Up Up above your head/Where the music plays/There's a light that shines/In the darkest days/Look up//Live to fight another day/Good things are gonna come your way.” The video abounds with positivity and stands as a beacon of hope as we head into this New Year. 

Starr’s lifelong love of country music has been apparent and celebrated throughout his illustrious career. He performed and wrote numerous country and country-tinged songs throughout his years with The Beatles (i.e. ‘Act Naturally’, ‘What Goes On’, ‘Don’t Pass Me By’) as well as with the earlier Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, and recorded a country album, Beaucoups of Blues, in 1970 as his second solo album. His love of Country and the Blues led him to try and emigrate from London to Texas while still a teen, after reading that Lightnin’ Hopkins lived in Houston. 

The artist’s new album comes after a chance meeting with Burnett at an event in Los Angeles in 2022 (the two had first met in the 1970s), where Starr asked Burnett to write a song for an EP he was recording. Taking the task to heart, Burnett returned with nine songs, all in a country vein, which happily put Starr on a path to record Look Up.

Track List: Look Up (Written by)

1.   Breathless (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Percussion, Lead Vocal; Billy Strings – Lead Acoustic Guitar, Harmony Vocal;

Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian – Acoustic Guitar, T Bone Burnett – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar

2.   Look Up (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Molly Tuttle – Harmony Vocal; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel Guitar; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Woodblock; T Bone Burnett – 6 String Bass, Electric Guitar

3.   Time On My Hands (Paul Kennerly, Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, 6 String Bass, Piano; Andy Cata – Piano; T Bone Burnett – 6 String Bass; David Mansfield – String Arrangement

4.   Never Let Me Go (featuring Billy Strings) (T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Billy Strings – Electric Guitar, Guitars, Harmony Vocal; Mickey Raphael – Harmonica; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian – Electric Guitar; T Bone Burnett – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar

5.   I Live For Your Love (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Billy Swan, T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Molly Tuttle – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Harmony Vocal; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel; Mike Rojas – Piano; Dennis Crouch - Bass

6.   Come Back (featuring Lucius) (T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Whistling, Lead Vocal; Lucious (Jess Wolfe, Holly Laessig) – Background Vocals; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Colin Linden – Resonator Guitar; Stuart Duncan – Mandolin, Fiddle; Rory Hoffman, T Bone Burnett – Acoustic Guitar

7.   Can You Hear Me Call (featuring Molly Tuttle) (T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Molly Tuttle – Acoustic Guitar, Duet Vocal; Dennis Crouch – Bass; T Bone Burnett – Electric Guitar

8.   Rosetta (featuring Billy Strings and Larkin Poe) (T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Billy Strings – Electric Guitar, Harmony Vocal; Rebecca Lovell – Mandolin, Background Vocals; Megan Lovell – Background Vocals; Joe Walsh – Slide Guitar; Dennis Crouch – Bass; T Bone Burnett – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar

9.   You Want Some (Billy Swan)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Mike Rojas – Piano; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel Guitar; Rory Hoffman – Clarinet; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett – Electric Guitar

10. String Theory (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Daniel Tashian, T Bone Burnett)

Ringo Starr – Drums, Harmony Vocals; Molly Tuttle – 12 String Guitar, Harmony Vocal; Rebecca Lovell, Megan Lovell – Background Vocals; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel Guitar; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Daniel Tashian – Acoustic Guitar, 12 String Lead Guitar T Bone Burnett – Electric Guitar

11. Thankful (featuring Alison Krauss) (Richard Starkey, Bruce Sugar)*

Ringo Starr – Drums, Lead Vocal; Alison Krauss – Harmony Vocal; Daniel Tashian – Electric Guitar, Harmony Vocal; Paul Franklin – Pedal Steel Guitar; Dennis Crouch – Bass; Greg Leisz – Acoustic Guitar; T Bone Burnett – Electric Guitar

Produced by T Bone Burnett

Co-Produced by Daniel Tashian and Bruce Sugar
* “Thankful” Produced by Ringo Starr and Bruce Sugar with T Bone Burnett

Starr will be bringing this new music to Nashville when he headlines the famed Ryman Auditorium on January 14 and 15, 2025. Tickets are currently on sale.

About Ringo Starr

Throughout his career he has received nine GRAMMY® Awards and has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- first as a Beatle and then as solo artist. Between 1970 and 2023, Ringo has released 20 solo studio records and 4 consecutive EPs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He has acted in over 15 films, received an Academy Award®, and has been nominated as an actor for an Emmy®. Ringo has published 8 books; had a stint as a male fashion model, and that same year went behind the lens as the photographer for some Foo Fighters PR photos. Ringo is also a visual artist and has had numerous exhibitions of his work and his “Peace Sculpture” is on permanent display in the Beverly Hills Park. In 2008 Ringo began dedicating his July 7 birthday to promoting Peace and Love and the movement has grown to include events all over the planet and into the stars with support from NASA. In 2018, Ringo was knighted and in 2019 he celebrated 35 years of touring with his All Starr Bands. In 2022 Ringo received an honorary degree as a Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music and earlier he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame with the Joe Chambers Musicians Legacy Award.

Robert Jon & The Wreck Release New Single "Ashes In The Snow" From Upcoming New Album.

Robert Jon & The Wreck Release Brand New Music “Ashes In The Snow,” A Stirring Anthem of Love, Resilience, and Hope

First Single From Upcoming New Album Produced by 

9x Grammy winner Dave Cobb

Stream ‘Ashes In The Snow’
Watch The Official Music Video Here

Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have unveiled their latest single, “Ashes in the Snow,” now available on all major digital platforms. Produced by the legendary Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell) and written in collaboration with the renowned H. Jack Williams, the track is a poignant ode to the fragility of relationships and the enduring power of love. “The simple message from ‘Ashes in the Snow’ is about keeping a relationship together and not letting it crumble or turn to ash, knowing that love is the most important thing,” explains frontman Robert Jon Burrison.

“Ashes in the Snow” marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Robert Jon & The Wreck, teasing a slate of fresh material from their upcoming new album in 2025. Recorded in Savannah, GA at Cobb’s studio, the song marries heartfelt lyrics with a classic rock sensibility, drawing inspiration from the band’s favorite ‘70s rock influences. Featuring melodic slide guitars, three-part harmony vocals, and lush keyboard layers, the single delivers an emotional depth that complements its epic, groove-driven arrangement while offering a glimpse into the creative direction the band is exploring, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable year.

Guitarist Henry James adds, “We wrote this in the fall of 2023 during a jam session with H. Jack Williams, taking an idea he had, and building off of it. It was one of the first songs we put together for our sessions with producer Dave Cobb. When we started recording, Dave suggested adjustments to the arrangement, lending a feeling of spontaneity to the track. Dave even played rhythm guitar, which is prominently featured. The result is something fresh and exciting that we’re incredibly proud of.”

The release of “Ashes in the Snow” follows a landmark year for Robert Jon & The Wreck, which included a successful European tour, the release of the Red Moon Rising Deluxe Edition, and standout performances that solidified their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in modern rock. With the addition of new songs like “Boss Man” and “Life Between The Lines,” the deluxe album has garnered critical acclaim for its rich storytelling and electrifying musicianship.

The band is now gearing up to bring their signature live energy to audiences across the U.S. and beyond. Their 2025 Winter Tour kicks off aboard The Rock Boat XXIV, followed by headlining dates throughout the Southeast, culminating in performances on the Rock Legends Cruise XII and Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X. For tickets and more information, visit robertjonandthewreck.com/tour.

Robert Jon & The Wreck - 2025 U.S. Winter Tour Dates
January 26-31 – Miami, FL – The Rock Boat XXIV
January 31 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center
February 1 – Bonita Springs, FL – Arts Bonita
February 2 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center
February 4 – Birmingham, AL – Woodlawn Theatre
February 5 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
February 6 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
February 7 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
February 8 – Elkin, NC – The Reeves Theater & Cafe
February 11 – Stuart, FL – The Lyric Theatre
February 13-17 - Miami, FL – Rock Legends Cruise XII
March 21-26 – Miami, FL – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X

Robert Jon & The Wreck - 2025 E.U. Spring Tour Dates
April 15 – Hengelo, NL – Metropool
April 16 – Verviers, BE – Spirit of 66
April 17 – Lössnitz, DE – Zur Linde
April 18 – Seewen, CH – Gaswerk Eventbar
April 19 – Lyss, CH – Kufa
April 20 – Nürnberg, DE – Hirsch
April 26 – Edinburgh, UK – Liquid Room
April 27 – Holmfirth, UK – Picturedome
April 29 – Hull, UK – Welly Club
April 30 – Norwich, UK – Epic Studios
May 1 – Folkestone, UK – The Quarterhouse
May 2 – Venlo, NL – Grenswerk
May 3 – Groningen, NL – Groningen Rhythm & Blues Nights Festival
May 6 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy 2
May 7 – Gloucester, UK – Guildhall
May 8 – Chester, UK – Live Rooms
May 10 – Portsmouth, UK – Guildhall

About Journeyman Records
Journeyman, the newest endeavour between Joe Bonamassa and his long-time manager Roy Weisman, is a vertically integrated music management, concert promotion, and marketing company that builds awareness for great live artists worldwide. After years of perfecting strategies, while building Joe Bonamassa’s career, the company will utilize the same savvy tactics that allowed them to overcome industry barriers that typically held back artists from achieving success. Journeyman provides the infrastructure to take an artist from its infancy, to record music and tour without dealing with the typical resistance of “gatekeepers” who don’t believe in or support emerging acts. Bonamassa has been keen on using his experience to pay it forward to help other artists navigate the murky industry waters. Consequently, Journeyman sets itself apart in this way as being the true market maker for their artists. 



VizzTone to release new Big Al and the Heavyweights album.

BIG AL AND THE HEAVYWEIGHTS

BLUES POWER ALBUM COMING JANUARY 31

SINGLE "IF" AVAILABLE NOW!

VIZZTONE TO RELEASE EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM FROM NEW ORLEANS-BASED BIG AL AND THE HEAVYWEIGHTS, BLUES POWER, JANUARY 31, 2025. FIRST SINGLE OUT NOW



NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — The VizzTone label group is proud to announce the January 31 release of New Orleans based band Big Al and the Heavyweights' new studio album, BLUES POWER. This is the band’s second VizzTone album, and their eighth overall.

The first single, “IF”, which is available now, is a minor blues ballad, sung by Marcel Anton in the classic bayou soul tradition. His powerful baritone delivers the heart-wrenching tale of lost love and reaches a natural falsetto that recalls some of the region’s masters. Intensity builds after a bridge and a stop as the band modulates into the final chorus, “If you’re gonna let me down, don’t make it easy.” Big Al shares, “IF is a heart-rending song of troubled romance and betrayal that happens when one lover is hurting the other playing games. It’s sung by Marcel Anton in the classic Louisiana tradition of the great Wayne Toups.”

This album showcases 10 original tracks and introduces two new band members, Dennis Cedeno on bass and Dangerous Dale Robertson on harmonica, while still featuring the soulful Marcel Anton on guitar and vocals and bandleader Big Al Lauro on drums.

 Constantly on the road, the band will be hitting some of their favorite rooms in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana and DC.

CLICK TO STREAM OR DOWNLOAD SINGLE HERE

BIG AL AND THE HEAVYWEIGHTS ON TOUR:

Jan 10, 2025 / 8:30 PM / Tupelo, MS / Blue Canoe

Jan 11, 2025 / 9:00 PM / New Orleans, LA / Riverside Tavern

Jan 17, 2025 / 9:00 PM / Mobile, AL / Blues Tavern

Jan 21, 2025 / 7:30 PM / St. Petersburg, FL / Cage Brewing

Jan 22, 2025 / 8:00 PM / Englewood, FL / Englewood on Dearborn Restaurant

Jan 24, 2025 / 7:00 PM / Bradenton, FL / Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food

Jan 25, 2025 / 8:00 PM / Goodland, FL / Little Bar Restaurant

Jan 26, 2025 / 5:00 PM / Pompano Beach, FL / Gig’s Bar and Café at Planet RV Inc.

Feb 8, 2025 / 8:30 PM / Enterprise, AL / Bugsy’s

Feb 13, 2025 / 6:00 PM / West Palm Beach, FL / Clematis by Night

Feb 14, 2025 / 8:00 PM / Fort Lauderdale, FL / Tarpon River Brewing

Feb 15, 2025 / 7:00 PM / Ramrod Key, FL / Looe Key Tiki Bar & Grill

Feb 16, 2025 / 6:00 PM / Ramrod Key, FL / Looe Key Tiki Bar & Grill

Mar 4, 2025 / 12:00 PM / Orange Peach, AL / Coastal Orange Beachh

Mar 28, 2025 / 8:00 PM / Wilmington, NC / The Rusty Nail

Mar 29, 2025 / 10:00 PM / Washington, DC / Madam’s Organ

Mar 30, 2025 / 3:00 PM / Pulaski, VA / Pulaski Theatre

Apr 5, 2025 / 7:00 PM / Ozark, AL, Ozark Crawdad and Music Festival 2025

Apr 7, 2025 / 6:00 PM / Summerville, SC / Montreux Bar & Grill

Apr 11, 2025 / 6:00 PM / Slidell, LA / Heritage Park

Apr 24, 2025 / 8:30 PM / Indianapolis, IN / Slippery Noodle Inn

Jun 22, 2025 / 5:30 PM / Orange Beach, AL / Flora-Bama Storage

Jun 23, 2025 / 7:30 PM / Pensacola, FL / Seville Quarter

Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Reveal New Single "Climbed A Mountain".

Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Climb A Mountain on the last single before their 9th studio album.
 
You can watch the video for “Climbed A Mountain” here:
https://youtu.be/lhsQMAszTh4
 
Taken from new album ‘House of Sticks’
Released on 31 January via Provogue / Mascot Label Group
Pre-order HERE
 
Check out the videos for Inner Light | Already Gone | Long Time Ago
 

Pre-Order The Album Here

The award-winning roots-rock octet Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado are back with their new single 'Climbed A Mountain.' The song combines energetic rock riffs, funky brass instruments and Thorbjørn Risager's characteristic vocals. At the same time, it gives a final taste of the powerful expression that will characterize the upcoming album 'House of Sticks', which will be released on 31 January via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. You can watch the video for "Climbed A Mountain” HERE.

 An energetic journey through life's struggles with a captivating rock riff, small funky brass instruments and Thorbjørn Risager's characteristic, 'smoky' vocals, 'Climbed A Mountain' provides a powerful insight into the challenges we all face as humans

.

Thorbjørn himself describes the song as follows: “The song revolves around themes such as the difficult circumstances of being human. It is about common feelings that we all know – melancholy, sadness or anxiety. Life is a struggle. We all have to climb a mountain, but hopefully we will also be allowed to enjoy the view once in a while.”
 
A unique blues-rock universe Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado are known for uniting the soul of the blues with the energy of rock and the rhythm of funk. 'Climbed A Mountain' builds on the band's ability to deliver music that both makes the floor shake and touches listeners with its deep, existential themes.
 
The song is the final foretaste of the album ‘House of Sticks’, which has already created expectations with the singles ‘ Long Time Ago’, ‘Already Gone’ and ‘Inner Light’. The album was recorded at Medley Studios and MillFactory NuVenue Studios in Copenhagen with Thorbjørn Risager, bassist Søren Bøjgaard and guitarist Joachim Svensmark as producers.
 
An unforgettable live experience over the past two decades, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado have played their way through more than 20 countries and countless stages – from intimate jazz clubs to large festivals. Along the way, they have won four Danish Music Awards, ‘Best Band’ at the European Blues Awards and the prestigious German Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Jahrespreis. The band’s explosive live shows and Thorbjørn Risager’s signature vocals have made them one of Scandinavia’s most prominent roots rock
Bands.

Listen to ‘Climbed A Mountain’ from January 10th and experience the band’s musical journey live in 2025 when they embark on a European tour.

Track Listing

1. House of Sticks
2. Already Gone
3. Light of Your Love
4. Long Time Ago
5. Said I Was Hurt
6. Inner Light
7. We'll Get By
8. Out of the Rain
9. Climbed A Mountain
10. Fine Summer Night

14/01/2025

Janiva Magness Unveils Poignant Track From Highly Anticipated Spring Release.

Janiva Magness Announces The Release Of Her Latest Album 'Back For Me'
Due March 28, 2025 Via Blue Élan Records

The Seven-Time Blues Music Award Winner Unveils Poignant New Single Featuring Jesse Dayton

Listen To Hittin' On Nothin' Here

LOS ANGELES, CA - Janiva Magness has returned with her 17th album, Back for Me, produced by her longtime friend, producer, and collaborator Dave Darling. The album is a powerfully engaging, emotionally rich collection from a dynamic artist who continues to renew and redefine her widely celebrated relationship with the blues. Janiva’s far-ranging search for songs has unearthed a treasure chest of lesser-known gems by well-known artists (Bill Withers, Ray LaMontagne, Allen Toussaint, Doyle Bramhall II, Tracy Nelson, Irma Thomas) and deep-dive discoveries that connect with the rich feelings embodied in her voice and music, cherished by her fans. “I have always been into the B-sides,” she says. “There’s a freshness to doing a B-side rather than a well-known hit. I absolutely love the idea of shining a light on material that people are not familiar with.”

Back for Me is the 17th album for Magness, who has been honored with seven Blues Music Awards (including being named B.B. King Artist of the Year in 2009) and a Grammy Nomination for her 2016 album, Love Wins Again. In 2019, she published her memoir, Weeds Like Us, a vividly portrayed account of both the traumas of her youth (her parents’ suicides and her often-nightmarish experiences in the foster care system) and the hard-earned triumphs that have fueled her growth as an artist and in life.

Darling anchors the album’s core band, also featuring drummer W.F. Quinn Smith and bassist Ian Walker, with keyboardists Sasha Smith and Phil Parlapiano, guitarists John Schroeder and Robert “Chalo” Ortiz, Nick Maybury, and blues harp player TJ Norton also appearing on various songs. Ace guitarists Joe Bonamassa, Sue Foley, and Jesse Dayton put their stamps on their respective special guest appearances.

It’s a powerhouse set moving from the Chicago-via-Texas churn of “Masterpiece” (written by Darling and featuring searing guitar from Bonamassa) to the aching gospel-soul-funk of Bill Withers’ “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh,” to the haunting resignation of Bramhall’s “November” and Nelson’s torch ballad “Down So Low,” to the sly release “Hittin’ on Nothin’” - written by Allen Toussaint and originally sung by Irma Thomas, and blasting guitar, courtesy of Jesse Dayton. 

She credits the band for bringing layers of dimensions to the songs. Aside from Darling, Parlapiano, and Schroeder, the main musicians were new to Magness, but as soon as the sessions began, she felt the fresh energy they brought.

“We tracked together live,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons that it sounds as solid as it does. And the other reason is because these guys have worked together on other albums with Dave and other projects, so they have a history. That brings an automatic intimacy to the backbone of the songs. And because they’re basically all a bunch of badasses.”

It’s that vulnerability that Magness sought in songs as she put Back for Me together, a search that took her deep into the mines of the blues and R&B for material she could internalize and personalize.


TRACK LISTING
Masterpiece (featuring Joe Bonamassa)
Back For Me
The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
November
Holes (featuring Sue Foley)
I Was Good To You Baby
You Can Bring Me Flowers
Down So Low
Do I Need You
Hittin' On Nothin' (featuring Jesse Dayton)


TOUR DATES
Feb 19-23    Montreal, Quebec        FAI

Mar 19           Pawling, NY                  Daryl’s House

Mar 20            Philadephia, PA           World Café Life

Mar 21            Rochester, NY             Mountain Stage

Mar 23            Syracuse, NY        443 Social Club – SOLD OUT

Mar 23            Syracuse, NY        443 Social Club – Matinee

Mar 26            Petaluma, CA               Mustic Theater – Krush on the Road

Mar 27            Bakersfield, CA            World Records Live

Mar 28            San Francisco, CA     Biscuits & Blues

Mar 29            Santa Monica, CA     McCabe’s

Apr 2              Seattle, WA                  The Triple Door
Apr 4               Derry, NH           Tupelo Music Hall

CONNECT

Website | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

Bootleg Beatles: The Fab Four on Film celebrated on Spring 2025 tour.

The Bootleg Beatles

Celebrating The Fab Four on Film

UK Tour Spring 2025

The Bootleg Beatles will undertake a very special 16-date UK tour in Spring 2025 which will continue their celebration of the music of The Fab Four on Film. Tickets are on sale now from https://bootlegbeatles.com/gigs/.
 
Sixty years ago The Beatles’ debut feature-length film A Hard Day’s Night became a huge critical and commercial success, even being nominated for two Academy Awards. The following year in 1965 their second film Help!, this one in colour, received similar glowing plaudits. The group was hailed as a modern-day Marx Brothers and their director, Dick Lester, credited with ‘fathering’ the MTV pop video culture that was to come. 

So what better time to celebrate the songs not just from the soundtracks of these two iconic motion pictures, but from all five in their catalogue.  Featuring hits from A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine and Let It Be, The Bootleg Beatles and their orchestra will take you on a whistle stop trip through the celluloid career of The Fab Four in their brand new spectacular multi-media stage show. 
 
It's all there, the costumes, the hairstyles, the banter and the gear. It’s not The Beatles….. but you simply won’t believe it!

BOOTLEG BEATLES SPRING 2025

Fri 28 March BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion
Sat 29 March IPSWICH Regent Theatre
Sun 30 March CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Tues 1 April CHATHAM Central Theatre
Weds 2 April GUILDFORD G-Live
Fri 4 April SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
Sat 5 April BASINGSTOKE Anvil
Sun 6 April READING Hexagon
Tues 8 April OXFORD New Theatre
Weds 9 April STOKE Victoria Hall
Thurs 10 April BUXTON Opera House
Fri 11 April BUXTON Opera House
Sat 12 April HALIFAX Victoria Theatre
Mon 14 April HASTINGS White Rock
Tues 15 April TRURO Hall For Cornwall 
Weds 16 April BATH Forum

Robert Jon & The Wreck reschedule 3 UK Spring 2025 concerts and add new date in Portsmouth.

ROBERT JON & THE WRECK RESCHEDULE 3 UK SPRING 2025 CONCERTS AND ADD NEW DATE IN PORTSMOUTH

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
ROBERTJONANDTHEWRECK.COM,
ALTTICKETS.COM, GIGANTIC, THEGIGCARTEL,
PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL

“Robert Jon & The Wreck may be the hardest working band out there just now.” 

– Fireworks Magazine

“Robert Jon & The Wreck deliver innovative, high-energy Southern Rock’n’Roll.” 

– Rock and Blues Muse

“Everything that Robert Jon & the Wreck have delivered has been absolute gold. This is no exception.” – Music News

“A rollicking boogie that wouldn’t feel at all out of place at a Blackberry Smoke show.” – Classic Rock

Californian southern blues rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have rescheduled three of their Spring 2025 UK tour dates. They will now play Birmingham O2 Academy 2 on Tuesday 6 May, Gloucester Guildhall on Wednesday 7th May and Chester Live Rooms on Thursday 8 May. They’ve also added a new date at Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday May 10.

Tickets are available from robertjonandthewreck.com, alttickets, Gigantic, thegigcartel and Portsmouth Guildhall.

Produced by the legendary Kevin Shirley (Journey, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa), the band’s recent critically acclaimed album Red Moon Rising is a bold declaration of evolution and rebirth that captures the essence of the band's transformative years and sets a new course for their musical odyssey. A Deluxe Edition of Red Moon Rising includes four new songs and is available to stream HERE.

Red Moon Rising features a blend of powerful storytelling and diverse musical influences, with standout tracks such as “Ballad of A Broken Hearted Man,” which has hit over 1 million views on YouTube, “Give Love,” “Dragging Me Down,” and “Worried Mind” showcasing the band’s ability to connect deeply with their audience. With its dynamic range and emotional depth, Red Moon Rising set a new standard for the Southern California rock genre.

Prolific songwriters with a wealth of new material who refuse to be constrained by traditional release strategies, the band’s new partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records affords them the opportunity to work with the world’s top producers and release a steady stream of high-quality singles on an ongoing basis, cutting through the industry chaos and ensuring new music is accessible to their fans.

Hailing from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck take the Southern rock sound from the East Coast and make it their own. Since their inception in 2011, these native Californians featuring Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), and Warren Murrel (bass) have been electrifying audiences all over the world with their soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and memorable tunes. Recently, keyboardist Jake Abernathie joined the band as an official member as they continue to tour and record in the studio. Simply put, it is difficult to ignore when these talented musicians take the stage.

As Robert Jon & The Wreck prepare to embark on this next chapter with their highly anticipated Spring 2025 UK Tour, fans old and new are invited to join in the celebration of change, rebirth, and the relentless spirit of rock 'n' roll. Stay tuned for continued updates.

ROBERT JON & THE WRECK RESCHEDULE 3 UK SPRING 2025 CONCERTS AND ADD NEW DATE IN PORTSMOUTH

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
ROBERTJONANDTHEWRECK.COM,
ALTTICKETS.COM, GIGANTIC, THEGIGCARTEL,
PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL

LIQUID ROOM, EDINBURGH
SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2025

Tickets: ticketmaster.co.uk

PICTUREDOME, HOLMFIRTH
SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025
Tickets: thegigcartel.com

THE WELLY CLUB, HULL
TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025
Tickets: alttickets.com

EPIC STUDIOS, NORWICH
WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2025
Tickets: alttickets.com

QUARTERHOUSE, FOLKSTONE
THURSDAY 1 MAY 2025
Tickets: gigantic.com

O2 ACADEMY 2, BIRMINGHAM
TUESDAY 6 MAY 2025
Tickets: alttickets.com

GUILDHALL, GLOUCESTER
WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2025
Tickets: thegigcartel.com

THE LIVE ROOMS, CHESTER
THURSDAY 8 MAY 2025
Tickets: thegigcartel.com

GUILDHALL, PORTSMOUTH
SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
Tickets: Portsmouth Guildhall

Robert Jon & The Wreck - 2025 U.S. Tour Dates
January 9 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
January 26-31 – Miami, FL – The Rock Boat XXIV
January 31 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center
February 1 – Bonita Springs, FL – Arts Bonita
February 2 – Orlando, FL – Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater
February 4 – Birmingham, AL – Woodlawn Theatre
February 5 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
February 6 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
February 7 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
February 8 – Elkin, NC – The Reeves Theater & Cafe
February 11 – Stuart, FL – The Lyric Theatre
February 13-17 – Miami, FL –  Rock Legends Cruise XII
March 21-26 – Miami, FL – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X

April 24 – New Orleans, LA –  New Orleans Jazz Festival

Robert Jon & The Wreck - 2025 E.U. Spring Tour Dates
April 15 – Hengelo, NL –  Metropool
April 16 – Verviers, BE – Spirit of 66
April 17 – Lössnitz, DE – Zur Linde
April 18 – Seewen, CH – Gaswerk Eventbar
April 19 – Lyss, CH – Kufa
April 20 – Nürnberg, DE – Hirsch

April 26 – Edinburgh, UK – Liquid Room

April 27 – Holmfirth, UK – Picturedome

April 29 – Hull, UK – Welly Club

April 30 – Norwich, UK – Epic Studios

May 1 – Folkstone, UK –  The Quarterhouse

May 2 – Venlo, NL – Grenswerk

May 3 – Groningen, NL – Groningen Rhythm & Blues Nights Festival

May 6 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy 2

May 7 – Gloucester, UK – Guildhall

May 8 – Chester, UK – The Live Rooms

May 10 – Portsmouth, UK – Guildhall

About Robert Jon & The Wreck
Reigning from southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck has been taking the southern rock sound established on the east coast and bringing it to the West Coast. Since their inception in 2011, these five native Californian’s; Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and Jake Abernathie (keyboards), have been electrifying audiences globally with their soaring guitar leads, infectious grooves and rich vocal harmonies. With yearly European tours now becoming an integral part of their touring regiment, Robert Jon & The Wreck found their flow being on the road most of the year, returning to California and prolifically pumping out new material. Their sixth studio album, the critically acclaimed Shine a Light on Me Brother, was released in 2021. On September 30, 2022, The Wreck released Wreckage Vol. 2, a collection of exclusive in-studio and live concert performances recorded from 2020 – 2022 on Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records. On August 4, 2023, the band released the album Ride into The Light via Journeyman Records to critical acclaim. On June 28, 2024, the band released their current album Red Moon Rising featuring the singles Ballad of A “Broken Hearted Man,” “Stone Cold Killer,” and the title track “Red Moon Rising.”

About Journeyman Records
Journeyman, the newest endeavour between Joe Bonamassa and his long-time manager Roy Weisman, is a vertically integrated music management, concert promotion and marketing company that builds awareness for great live artists worldwide. After years of perfecting strategies building Joe Bonamassa’s career, the company will utilize the same savvy tactics which allowed them to overcome industry barriers that typically held back artists from achieving success. Journeyman provides the infrastructure to take an artist from its infancy, to record music and tour without having to deal with the typical resistance of “gatekeepers” who don’t believe or support emerging acts. Bonamassa has been keen on using his experience to pay it forward to help other artists navigate the murky industry waters. Consequently, Journeyman sets itself apart in this way as being the true market maker for their artists.

Robert Jon & The Wreck

Website | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube



Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Announce CLOSER TO THE BONE Tour.

TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS ANNOUNCE CLOSER TO THE BONE TOUR

CLOSER TO THE BONE -- Castro's First All-Blues Album -- To Be Released On February 7

“A great artist...impassioned vocals and pure inventiveness in his stellar guitar solos…He makes playing rough feel easy.”
 --Blues Music Magazine
 
“With a sterling reputation, guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro is one of the foremost practitioners of electric blues. Searing delivery…rousing and teeming with emotion. [He is] a sheer, soaring tour-de-force.”
--Living Blues
 
“Castro plays gritty, string-bending blues like a runaway train...a glorious blend that rocks the soul and lifts the spirits.”
--No Depression
 
"Soaring vocals and swirling leads…showcasing Castro's testifying, confessional vocals [and] resonant emotional power as a singer.”
--AllMusicAward-winning, California-based blues and rock sensation Tommy Castro -- the guitar slinging, soul-singing leader of the telepathically tight and wildly raucous Tommy Castro & The Painkillers -- has announced the first leg of dates for the band's upcoming Closer To The Bone tour. The new album, Closer To The Bone, is the most unvarnished, straight-ahead blues release of Castro’s career, one that bristles with every ounce of his dynamic energy and raw emotion. It will be released on Friday, February 7, 2025. According to Castro, "this is a record I've always wanted to make."

On Closer To The Bone (Castro’s 8^th Alligator release), Castro and his Painkillers – bassist Randy McDonald, keyboardist Mike Emerson and drummer Bowen Brown – mix new Castro originals (Ain’t Worth The Heartache, Can’t Catch A Break, Crazy Woman Blues) with songs originally performed by many of Castro’s friends and heroes, including Johnny Nitro, Magic Slim, Ron Thompson and Mike Duke. Castro additionally chose obscure songs by Wynonie Harris, Eddie Taylor, Jimmy Nolen and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. According to Castro, “These are not the obvious artists people generally cover, and that was most definitely on purpose.”

The Closer To The Bone Tour, with newest Painkiller, drummer Stewart Burr, will kick off in Austin, Texas on February 11, followed by performances in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans. The band will hit the East Coast including dates in New York and Philadelphia, before heading to the Midwest. Further dates will be announced soon.

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers Tour:
Jan 10, 2025   The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jan 11, 2025   Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA
Jan 12, 2025  The Venice West, Venice, CA
Jan 14, 2025   Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
Jan 15, 2025   MIM Music Theater, Phoenix, AZ
Jan 16, 2025   Palm Springs Cultural Center (with special guest Deanna Bogart), Palm Springs, CA
Jan 17, 2025   Stage Red, Fontana, CA
Jan 18, 2025   The Siren, Morro Bay, CA
Jan 19, 2025   Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, CA
Jan 25, 2025   The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton, FL
Jan 26, 2025   Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (01/26/25-02/02/25), Fort Lauderdale, FL
February 7, 2025 - Closer To The Bone album release
Feb 11, 2025   Antone's (with special guest Marcia Ball), Austin, TX
Feb 12, 2025   The Kessler Theater (with special guest Marcia Ball), Dallas, TX
Feb 13, 2025   Sam's Burger Joint (with special guest Marcia Ball), San Antonio, TX
Feb 14, 2025   The Heights Theater (with special guest Marcia Ball), Houston, TX
Feb 15, 2025   Chickie Wah Wah, New Orleans, LA
Feb 18, 2025   The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
Feb 19, 2025   World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
Feb 20, 2025   The Iridium, New York, NY
Feb 21, 2025   Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, Portsmouth, NH
Feb 22, 2025   Shea Theater Arts Center, Turners Falls, MA
Feb 23, 2025   The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook, CT
Feb 25, 2025   Funk 'n Waffles, Syracuse, NY
Feb 26, 2025   The State Theatre, State College, PA
Feb 27, 2025   Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center, Bethlehem, PA
Feb 28, 2025   Moondog's, Blawnox, PA
Mar 01, 2025   Stuart's Opera House, Nelsonville, OH
Mar 02, 2025   The Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY
Mar 04, 2025   The Castle Theatre, Bloomington, IL
Mar 05, 2025   SPACE, Evanston, IL

Castro has released 16 previous albums over the course of his four-decade career as a world-beloved, headlining touring musician. Each record mixes horn-fueled R&B, piping hot blues and soul with fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll. With Closer To The Bone, Castro has returned to his roots, delivering what he calls “a real blues record, the way they would have made them back in the day.”

Closer To The Bone was produced by master guitarist and studio wizard Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (producer of over 100 albums), at his now-famous Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California. On song after song, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers deliver one raw, inspired performance after another. Says Castro, “Here, I’m not the contemporary guy, not the rock guy, not the soul guy. This is the deeper blues side of me. I know, with these songs, I am at my most authentic.”

12/12/2024

Juanita Stein - UK Tour in March - New album 'The Weightless Hour' out now.

“Haunted, folk-infused indie-rock” Pitchfork

“Stripped down and minimalist” The Wall Street Journal

“Spellbinding” Rolling Stone France

“Former Howling Bells singer/guitarist returns with a radically different, stripped-back sound… it’s a marvel how big she can make her voice and guitar sound. She is allowing herself to take up that space” The Quietus

“A mature record that sounds completely at peace with its place in life” DIY Mag

"Stein steers these heavy songs with admirably light touch” Mojo

"I got my sound", Juanita Stein insists on "Ceremony" accompanied by distorted guitars and a hint of a twang, but nowadays it's sparser, as these semi-acoustic songs confirm” Uncut

“Accompanied only by her electric guitar, she sings soulful songs about broken hearts, America and the climate crisis” Louder Than War

“A carefree, whistle-it-on-the-porch Americana-ish tune with a lovely melody” The New Cue   

“Juanita Stein is poetically drifting forward into her own creative world on every song off her wittingly beautiful new album” Northern Transmissions

"Juanita Stein’s evolution as a solo artist is becoming a fascinating journey to witness" Music OMH

Juanita Stein's critically acclaimed fourth solo album ‘The Weightless Hour’ is out now via Agricultural Audio. Having recently toured with Evan Dando, and with a handful of shows remaining for the Travis support dates, the Howling Bells frontwoman has just announced her UK headline tour in March, which includes a performance at London's Lower Third on the 25h.

Juanita Stein Live Dates 2024:

DECEMBER

Fri 13th - LONDON, o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (with Travis)

Sat 14th - LONDON, o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (with Travis)

Sun 15th - BRISTOL, Beacon (with Travis)       

Tue 17th - EASTBOURNE, Winter Gardens (with Travis)

Wed 18th - SHEFFIELD, Octagon (with Travis)

Thu 19th - NEWCASTLE, City Hall (with Travis)

Sat 21st - GLASGOW, OVO Hydro (with Travis)

Juanita Stein Live Dates 2025:

MARCH

Mon 14th - SHEFFIELD, Hallamshire Hotel

Tue 15th - MANCHESTER, Soup

Thu 17th - NEWCASTLE, Cluny 1

Fri 18th - GLASGOW, Nice'n'Sleazy

Sat 19th - EDINBURGH, Sneaky Pete's

Mon 21st - LEEDS, Headrow House

Tue 22nd - CARDIFF, Clwb Ifor Bach

Thu 24th - BIRMINGHAM, Hare & Hounds

Fri 25th - LONDON, Lower Third

Sat 26th - SOUTHAMPTON, The Joiners

Sun 27th - BRIGHTON, Hope & Ruin

Tickets are available here.

’The Weightless Hour’ sees Stein join forces once more with long-time collaborator, the producer Ben Hillier (see also: Depeche Mode, Doves, Blur, Elbow). After originally teaming up for 2020’s Snapshot, Stein’s third record, which was built from collected fragments of grief following the loss of her father, it was Hillier’s penchant for minimalism – his instinct for risk-taking while stripping sounds back to their gleaming bones – that aligned with her vision for her fourth project. 

LISTEN TO NEW ALBUM 'THE WEIGHTLESS HOUR' HERE

In removing most instrumental additions beyond the guitar (and you will notice there are no drums on the LP), with ‘The Weightless Hour’, Stein made a subconscious choice to make the project entirely her own. In the space freed by the stripped-back instrumentation, her storytelling bleeds freely like watercolours across a blank page. The album is an intensely human document with a profound sense of dignity. A record on which Stein has found that exploring a more restrained side can yield work that is armed with experience and yet is all the lighter for it, where your attention isn’t demanded and yet is effortlessly claimed. Every sound, every choice, has earned its place. 

“I think making records is a really powerful way of letting go of experiences,” Stein notes. “I’m allowing myself to kiss things goodbye.” Through these converging chapters of her life, ‘The Weightless Hour’ feels like an arrival for Juanita Stein: “I’ve finally learned to be okay in space and be loud in my experiences.”

WATCH 'MOTHER NATURES SCORN' VIDEO HERE

WATCH 'CARRY ME' VIDEO HERE

WATCH 'MOTIONLESS' VIDEO HERE

BUY 'THE WEIGHTLESS HOUR' HERE

www.juanitastein.com

www.instagram.com/msjuanitastein

www.facebook.com/msjuanitastein

Trashcan Sinatras' John Douglas shares 'Johnsburgh, Illinois' from new 'Still or Sparkling?' EP. 

FOR FANS OF: Trashcan Sinatras, Mark Kozelek, Billy Bragg, Prefab Sprout, Withered Hand, Aztec Camera, Red House Painters
FOCUS TRACKS Still or Sparking?, Across The Bridge Where Angels Dwell, Johnsburgh Illinois

FOR SHARING
'Still or Sparkling' EP  https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/still-or-sparkling-ep-2024
'Johnsburgh, Illinois' https://youtu.be/GlRvvcRS3r4
Bandcamp https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/track/johnsburgh-illinois-tom-waits
'Still or Sparkling?' single  https://youtu.be/-TIW5dVCpsA
'John Douglas' debut album (2023)  https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/john-douglas-2023
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ZXOR2nzUHiZQIfIYHLnk6

EARLIER VIDEOS
'Weightlifting'  https://youtu.be/FDFwypH-nIM
'Apples & Oranges' video https://youtu.be/DCcXk4iUmU0
'I'm Not the Fella' https://youtu.be/qBZFbBa0alg
'I Just Want To Go Home' https://youtu.be/Fi7M96suf6A
'Lost' https://youtu.be/veTlfuHc1m4



Revered Scottish songsmith John Douglas of Trashcan Sinatras fame presents 'Johnsburgh, Illinois', the latest offering from his new 'Still Or Sparkling EP', released via Reveal Records. 

This has been a very busy year for Douglas, with highlights including headlining tours of the UK and North America (with select shows involving Trashcan Sinatras' Frank Reader and Paul Livingston), the UK Top-40 charting of Trashcan Sinatras' 'Cake' reissue (33 years since its initial release), and a Trashcan Sinatras documentary, produced by award-winning journalist Ken Sweeney, which featured Douglas' acoustic performance of beloved Trashcans' songs.

"I first heard this Tom Waits song in the early 80s and I read that the recently-married Tom had written it about his wife. I was a lonesome, single young fella at the time and I yearned to find a love that inspirational. Eventually I found my girl and I sing this song for her… ‘She’s my true love and I’m her only boy’", says John Douglas. 

About the video, he shares, "I was visiting a sculptor friend, who worked in what used to be an old school. The reverb from the old brick stairwell was spookily magical. I had my guitar outside in my car, so I grabbed it and sang this on the stairs when my sculptor friend downed his tools for lunch."

With his own love story involving none other than Eddi Reader of Fairground Attraction, now his wife and also a solo artist in her own right), everything has come full circle, with Reader also contributing back vocals and accordion on this EP.

Earlier, Douglas shared the lead single 'Still Or Sparkling?', evoking the early days of any relationship…. the getting to know each other phase, flirtatious and light, in which he also name-checks the unlikely trio of Shirley Collins, Annie Briggs and Michelangelo, noting "This is a new song of new love… the fresh, early days. Inspired by a late night date with my future wife, spent listening to folk records, eating figs and getting to know each other."

Following up his eponymous debut album, released in 2023 and produced by Mark Freegard (New Model Army, Lush, The Breeders, Del Amitri, Marillion), this new EP maintains a natural 'no overdubs' approach and also involves Boo Hewerdine (The Bible), Kevin Mcguire and Alan Kelly, all members of Eddi Reader's Band. This EP also features Douglas' rendition of the Van Morrison classic 'Across The Bridge Where Angels Dwell'.

Douglas also recently shared his version of 'Weightlifting' for the 20th anniversary of Trashcan Sinatras' album by that name, preceded by endearing videos for 'Oranges & Apples', 'I Just Want To Go Home', 'Lost', 'I'm Not The Fella', 'Always' and 'Leave Me Alone'.

The 'Still or Sparkling?' EP is out now, available from fine online platforms, including Bandcamp. Douglas will next perform on January 17 at Glasgow's Cottiers Theatre for the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival.

TRACK LIST
1. Still or Sparkling?
2. Lost (band version)
3. Across The Bridge Where Angels Dwell
4. Johnsburgh, Illinois

CREDITS
John Douglas - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Finger Clicks
Eddi Reader - Backing Vocals
Alan Kelly - Accordion
Kevin McGuire - Double Bass
All footage filmed by Stephanie Gibson upstairs in Cathkin, South Lanarkshire and upstairs at The Doublet Bar, Kelvinbridge (Glasgow, Scotland)
Video edited by John Douglas.
John Douglas photos by Stephanie Gibson
Trashcan Sinatras photo by Chris Williams
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with John Douglas 
Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Songkick | BandsInTown

Keep up with Reveal Records
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band to Release New Album.

REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND TO RELEASE NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM

MIXED BY VANCE POWELL - 6X GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

HONEYSUCKLE SET FOR FEBRUARY 21 RELEASE
PRE-SAVE & PRE-ORDER HERE

WINTER TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

NEW YORK, NY — The new album from Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Honeysuckle, is scheduled for independent release on February 21, 2025, via Family Owned Record/Amplified Distribution.

Often called "the greatest front-porch blues band in the world," the Big Damn Band is led by Reverend Peyton, who is considered to be the premier finger picker playing today. Rev has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy, country blues styles that captured his imagination early in life and inspired him and his band to make pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Mississippi, to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour, and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. Reverend Peyton is accompanied by his wife, the washboard virtuoso, Washboard Breezy Peyton, and kept on time by the deep rhythms of Jacob "The Snakob" Powell.

The new record, Honeysuckle, was produced and recorded by Reverend Peyton and mixed by six-time Grammy winner Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White). The record features many special guests, including gospel music group The McCrary Sisters on the song "Manger," Blues Music Hall of Famer and Grammy-nominated harmonica player Billy Branch who plays on the Blind Lemon Jefferson song "Nell (Prison Cell Blues)," Grammy award-winning and IBMA's 10-time Fiddle Player of the Year Michael Cleveland plays on "Freeborn Man" and Colton Crawford from The Dead South plays banjo on "The Good Die Young." The album artwork features classic wet plate photography by Bill Steber, the legendary photographer who has documented blues culture in Mississippi for the last 30 years.

"This record is a bit of a return to my roots, a very personal mix of old and new songs that shaped me or that I'm currently shaping. It's the most acoustic record we've made in years, using all vintage equipment: microphones, guitars, and recording gear, and a lot of me and my National guitar. There is a smattering of Big Damn Band thrown into the mix to spice things up, and a short list of legends that I've always dreamed of collaborating with", said Reverend Peyton.

TOUR DATES

Supporting The Dead South
12/10/24 Grand Rapids, MI GLC Live at 20 Monroe
12/12/24 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit
12/13/24 Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre
12/14/24 Maplewood, MN MYTH LIVE
12/15/24 Madison, WI The Sylvee

12/27/24 University City, MO Blueberry Hill Duck Room w/ The Hooten Hallers
12/28/24 Peoria, IL Kenny's Westside Pub w/ The Hooten Hallers
12/29/24 Holland, MI Park Theatre w/ The Hooten Hallers & Jaik Willis
1/23/25 Knoxville, TN Open Chord Stage
1/24/25 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle w/ Eddie 9V
1/25/25 Galax, VA The Rex Theater
1/26/25 Charleston, SC Charleston Pour House
1/29/25 Weirsdale, FL Orange Blossom Opry w/ Cedric Burnside
1/30/25 Sanford, FL Tuffy's Music Box
1/31/25 St. Petersburg, FL Bayboro Brewing
2/1/25 Delray Beach, FL Arts Garage
2/5/25 Key West, FL Key West Theater
2/7/25 Fort Myers, FL The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon
2/8/25 Bonita Springs, FL Bonita Springs Seafood & Music Festival - Free!
2/9/25 St. Augustine, FL Cafe Eleven
4/26/25 Cookeville, TN Spring Awakening 2025
7/4/25 Rotterdam, NL Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival
7/5/25 Emmen, NL Roots, Ribs, Brews 2025

Supporting Gaelic Storm
2/28/25 Dekalb, IL Egyptian Theatre
3/1/25 Dubuque, IA Diamond Jo Casino
3/2/25 Northwood, IA Diamond Jo Casino
3/3/25 Des Moines, IA Hoyt Sherman
3/5/25 Iowa City, IA Englert Theatre
3/6/25 Omaha, NE Steelhouse
3/7/25 Minneapolis, MN Pantages
3/8/25 Madison, WI Barrymore
3/9/25 Wausau, WI Grand Theatre
3/12/25 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre
3/13/25 Menomonie, WI Mable Tainter
3/14/25 Chicago, IL HOB
3/15/25 Chicago, IL HOB
3/16/25 Akron, OH Goodyear Theatre
3/22/25 New York, NY Adler Hall
3/23/25 Wilmington, DE Grand Opera House
3/25/25 Harrisburg, PA XL Live
3/26/25 Northampton, MA Academy of Music
3/27/25 Boston, MA Wilbur
3/30/25 Alexandria, VA Birchmere

BUY TICKETS HERE

HONEYSUCKLE PRE-SAVE & PRE-ORDER HERE

CONNECT
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Malia: One month till 'One Grass Skirt To London'.