Rock And Blues International - May 2021 by Rock and Blues International

MAY 2021

Rock And Blues International Frank Zappa Short Story The Biker

Photo by Marilyn Stringer

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Toast Records Billie Eilish Arlo Parks Paula Cole The Weeknd Tom Jones Motorhead Saliva & More!

Rock And Blues International May 2021 Hello Rock And Blues International readers. I hope everybody had a great April! I see that there is a lot of new concert tours being announced now, so it looks like things are slowly getting back to normal. We actually attended an Air Supply concert in Houston this past month, but the magic dates for touring seems to be looking like August, September, and October. There is even a Megadeth Tour in the works now. You can see their ad in this issue. Don’t give up, live music is coming back with a vengeance. It will be coming your way soon! And now on to the May issue of Rock And Blues International. In this issue you can read stories about Frank Zappa, Toast Records, Billie Eilish, Arlo Parks, Of Monsters And Men, J Balvin& Khalid, Brian Johnson of AC/DC, Paula Cole, Decoupler, Travis Denning, Children Of Zeus, Caroline, Kingsbury, The Weeknd, Tom Jones, Motorhead, Cream, Myles Kennedy, Stone Whiskey, Saliva, Moonspell, Rusty Young, and more. As you can see, there are a lot of varied genres of music here for you to check out, or as we like to say, there’s a little of something for everyone here. We have even included Chapter of a short story here for you to check out called “The Biker”. I sincerely hope that everybody reading this publication finds something here that they like and I would like to encourage you to let your friends and colleagues know about us. Just look for us every month at http://www.rockandbluesinternational.com. I would also like to encourage you to email us for a free subscription to Rock And Blues International as well. Just email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com and in the subject line simply put “Sign Me Up” and we’ll email you a link to the magazine each month when it is published.

Kevin Wildman Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Rock And Blues International Kevin Wildman Editor and Publisher

Web Address Http://www.rockandbluesinternational.com Mailing Address Box 1162, League City, TX 77573 Phone 281-650-1953

For Advertising email us at rockandbluesinternational@gmail.com or call 281-650-1953 For A Free Subscription email us at rockandblues international@gmail.com and in the subject line put “Sign Me Up Now” May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Contents

VOL. 1 NO. 10

MAY 2021

ISSUE NO. 10

FRANK ZAPPA Frank Zappa’s Final American Show To Be Released For The First Time Ever As Zappa ‘88: The Last U.S. Show

10 TOAST RECORDS

Edoardo Fassio Talks About The Rich Legacy Of Toast Records

BILLIE EILISH Billie Eilish Reveals Album Title, Release Date, Artwork, And Tracklisting For Her New Album

18 Arlo Parks

Arlo Parks Announces Fall North American Tour

33 33

PAULA COLE Paula Cole Shares New Song, “Black Mountain Blues” - New Album American Qilt Out May 21 On Renew Records / BMG

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Contents

VOL. 1 NO. 10

MAY 2021

ISSUE NO. 10

MYLES KENNEDY Myles Kennedy Releases Topical Animated Music Video for “Get Along” From Upcoming Sophomore Solo album, The Ides Of March

68 SALIVA

Saliva Debuts Updated Version Of Classic Single “Click Click Boom”

THE BIKER - CHAPTER 2 LIMITED EDITION SHORT STORY EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ONE AND IF YOU WANT MORE OF THIS SERIES.

In This Issue: 6 10 12 13 14 18 23 24 26 27 27 28 30 32 33

Frank Zappa James Hoover Toast Records (English) Toast Records (Italian) Billlie Eilish Arlo Parks Dana And The Wolf Isabella Lovestory Of Monsters And Men Johan Ruborg The Chimpz J Balvin & Khalid Elvie Shane Brian Johnson Book Paula Cole

34 36 37 38 40 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 54

Shaylen Years & Years Gavin Preller Decoupler Travis Denning Fried Monk Riot 10 FCG Heem Lil West Children Of Zeus Patrick Droney The Weeknd Caroine Kingsbury Racquel Jones Tom Jones

55 56 57 58 60 62 64 66 67 67 68 70 72 73 74

Coma Culture Bernth Motorhead Cream Goodby Tour Album Myles Kennedy Live On The Lawn Stone Whiskey Revisionist Kataan Appeal To Authority Saliva Moonspell Living Dead Drummer Rusty Young The Biker - Chapter 2

Nobody knew, not even Frank Zappa, as he led his 11-strong band through a celebratory version of “America The Beautiful” to close out his show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY on March 25, 1988, that it would be the last time he’d ever play in the United States. Days later, the ’88 band would trek to Europe for a multi-country tour, only to implode on the road before they could make it back to the States for another round of scheduled shows. Despite the growing tensions in the band, the ensemble was considered one of the best Zappa ever put together, a skilled mix of extremely talented musicians made up of both longtime members that had played with The Maestro from the early days alongside exciting new additions, bolstered by his favorite new instrument, the Synclavier. A well-oiled machine armed with an extensive 100-song repertoire, the adroit band were equally as adept at playing Zappa’s complex and challenging, genre-defying songs as they were performing classical compositions by the likes of Bartók, Ravel and Stravinsky.

FRANK ZAPPA’S FINAL AMERICAN SHOW TO BE RELEASED FOR FIRST TIME EVER AS ZAPPA ’88: THE LAST U.S. SHOW LIVE CONCERT ALBUM ALSO INCLUDES PERFORMANCES FROM ADDITIONAL SHOWS FROM THE ’88 TOUR AND FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE OF “THE BEATLES MEDLEY” AVAILABLE JUNE 18 VIA ZAPPA RECORDS/UMe STREAM/EMBED “I AIN’T GOT NO HEART” https://stream.lnk.to/IAintGotNoHeartLive 6

Rock and Blues International • May October November December 2021 2020 2020 2020

On June 18, Zappa’s historic, final American show will be released for the first time as the new live album, Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show via Zappa Records/UMe. The first posthumous archival release from the ‘88 touring band, the album features 29 unreleased performances including two additional performances from the same tour: Zappa’s wild interpretations of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Whipping Post” from the March 16 show in Providence, R.I. and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven” from the March 23 Towson, Md. show. The record is also notable for containing the first official release of the much talked about “The Beatles Medley.” Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show will be released digitally, on 2 CD or as a 4LP 180gram vinyl box which will be available on both black vinyl or as a limited edition 180-gram purple vinyl variant, exclusively via the official Frank Zappa online store or uDiscover. Fully authorized by the Zappa Trust and produced by Ahmet Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers, the recordings have been newly mixed by Craig Parker Adams in 2020 from the 48track digital master tapes. The shows were recorded using two Sony 3324 DASH PCM 24 track tape recorders synced together using a Lynx Time Code Module, thus providing 48 track recording capabilities. The album is rounded out with detailed liner notes by Travers and Zappa ’88 drummer Chad Wackerman, who celebrated his 28th birthday on stage and is serenaded by Zappa and the crowd, as well as photos from the tour by Peder Andersson. Pre-order for all configurations is available now and will come with a download of the first single, the previously unreleased performance of “I Ain’t Got No Heart,” available to stream now. First appearing in 1966 on Zappa’s Mothers of Invention debut album, Freak Out!, then later in 1981 with an updated faster arrangement on Tinsel Town Rebellion, the ‘88 version takes the song to another level with the addition of a 5-piece horn section.

continued Photo on next by Jeff page Fasano

Stream “I Ain’t Got No Heart” at https:// stream.lnk.to/IAintGotNoHeartLive Pre-order Zappa ’88: The Last US Show at https://frankzappa.lnk.to/Zappa88 As Travers writes in the liner notes, “Start with the fulcrum of the 1981-1984 touring bands (Robert, Scott & Chad), bring back Ike Willis, add the Synclavier digital workstation, a 5-piece horn section with multiinstrumentalist Mike Keneally and you have what FZ famously described as “The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life.” While saying “never heard” might have been a bit of hyperbole, it wasn’t far off as the short-lived band (four months of rehearsal in 1987/1988, followed by a tour from February through June 1988) only played a few dozen shows on the East Coast and Europe before disbanding. Nonetheless, the shows they did play together were electrifying and a masterclass in musicianship. With Zappa on lead guitar, vocals, and wielding his new obsession the Synclavier, he led the proceedings through a career-spanning set, backed by a stellar cast of veteran band members and newly added members: Mike Keneally (guitar, synth, vocals), Scott Thunes (electric bass, Minimoog), Ike Willis (rhythm guitar, synth, vocals), Chad Wackerman (drums, electronic percussion), Ed Mann (vibes, marimba, electronic percussion), Robert Martin (keyboards, vocals) and the cracking horn section of Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugel horn, synth), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Paul Carman (alto, soprano and baritone sax), Albert Wing (tenor sax) and Kurt McGettrick (baritone and bass sax, contrabass clarinet). The band prepped nearly 100 songs and the sets were wide ranging, spanning tunes from the first Mothers of Invention albums, but with characteristically updated and often times everevolving arrangements (“I Ain’t Got No Heart,” “Love Of My Life,” “Who Needs The Peace Corps?”), to new compositions created for the ‘88 tour (“Jesus Thinks You’re A Jerk” and “When The Lie’s So Big”) as well as classical compositions (Bartók, Ravel, Stravinsky) that Zappa liked to play to expose his audiences to music he appreciated. In addition to the inclusion of the 5-piece horn section and it being Keneally’s only tour, the concerts also included extensive use of sampling through the then current machine, the Synclavier, which Zappa took on the road for the first time, as well as percussionists Mann and Wackerman’s use of electronic sounds in their set ups. Zappa ’88: The Last U.S. Show includes all of this and many more highlights such as fan favorites, “Peaches In Regalia,” “The Black Page” “Inca Roads,” “Sharleena” “Sofa #1” and “Pound For A Brown.” It also includes a horn-laden cover of The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus,” and the first official release of the highly sought after “The Beatles Medley,” which features the band performing the music of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” with the lyrics completely changed to reflect the then-recent sex scandal of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart. The bawdy lyrics poke fun at the hypocritical minister and was part of Zappa’s agenda to demystify

televangelists. Just how Zappa felt it was important to rail against toxically prude self-appointed culture protectors and whatever hypocrisy or hypocrite rankled him that day, he was also a motivator of positive action, passionate about causes, especially voting rights, making it his mission to get his audiences to register to vote. With a presidential election looming, Zappa offered voter registration on the tour, aided by The League of Women Voters. Fans were encouraged to vote before the show or during a special 20-minute intermission in the middle of the two-hour plus concert, which would start with Zappa triggering the Synclavier to play a piece of music. In Uniondale it was “One Man, One Vote.” Notably, the version here is a different mix than the studio version released on Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers Of Prevention. Zappa 88: The Last U.S. Show kicks off with Zappa extolling the importance of voting and encouraging the unregistered to sign up at the show by registering someone live on stage. It was followed by a representative from Governor Mario Cuomo’s office reading a message congratulating “Mr. Zappa for the important work you are doing encouraging your audiences and others to register and vote.” “Sadly after the European run was over,” as Travers pens in the liners, “Frank Zappa chose to disband the group and cancel the rest of the tour, reportedly forfeiting $400,000.00 in revenue and depriving additional audiences the opportunity to witness how special this group really was. With all of the time and money spent to prepare and promote the tour, not to mention the potential within the talented band and crew, now in 2021, it’s an even more historic loss considering FZ was to never tour again.” Fortunately, Zappa’s final U.S. show, like so many others of his, was documented and can now be experienced in its glory more than three decades later. FRANK ZAPPA – ZAPPA ’88: THE LAST U.S. SHOW TRACKLISTING 2CD/DIGITAL DISC 1 1. “We Are Doing Voter Registration Here” 2. The Black Page (New Age Version) 3. I Ain’t Got No Heart 4. Love Of My Life 5. Inca Roads 6. Sharleena 7. Who Needs The Peace Corps? 8. I Left My Heart In San Francisco 9. Dickie’s Such An Asshole 10. When The Lie’s So Big 11. Jesus Thinks You’re A Jerk 12. Sofa #1 13. One Man, One Vote 14. Happy Birthday, Chad! 15. Packard Goose Pt. 1 16. Royal March From “L’Histoire Du Soldat” 17. Theme From The Bartok Piano Concerto #3 18. Packard Goose Pt. II 19. The Torture Never Stops Pt. I 20. Theme From “Bonanza”

DISC 2 1. Lonesome Cowboy Burt 2. The Torture Never Stops Pt. II 3. City Of Tiny Lites 4. Pound For A Brown 5. The Beatles Medley 6. Peaches En Regalia 7. Stairway To Heaven 8. I Am The Walrus 9. Whipping Post 10. Bolero 11. America The Beautiful 4LP VINYL LP1 SIDE 1 1. “We Are Doing Voter Registration Here” 2. The Black Page (New Age Version) 3. I Ain’t Got No Heart 4. Love Of My Life SIDE 2 1. Inca Roads 2. Sharleena 3. Who Needs The Peace Corps? 4. I Left My Heart In San Francisco LP2 SIDE 3 1. Dickie’s Such An Asshole 2. When The Lie’s So Big 3. Jesus Thinks You’re A Jerk 4. Sofa #1 5. One Man, One Vote LP2 SIDE 4 1. Happy Birthday, Chad! 2. Packard Goose Pt. I 3. Royal March From “L’Histoire Du Soldat” 4. Theme From The Bartok Piano Concerto #3 5. Packard Goose Pt. II 6. The Torture Never Stops Pt. I 7. Theme From “Bonanza” 8. Lonesome Cowboy Burt LP3 SIDE 5 1. The Torture Never Stops Pt. II 2. City Of Tiny Lites 3. Pound For A Brown PT. I LP3 SIDE 6 1. Pound For A Brown PT. II 2. The Beatles Medley (Lennon/ McCartney) 3. Peaches En Regalia LP4 SIDE 7 1. Stairway To Heaven 2. I Am The Walrus LP4 SIDE 8 1. Whipping Post 2. Bolero 3. America The Beautiful zappa.com facebook.com/zappa twitter.com/zappa

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Photo by Alain Broeckx

Photo by Jeff Fasano

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Piano Playing Aunt Was His Muse Today James Hoover Is Is A Much Sought After Professional Sound Engineer When it comes to sound a good engineer is as valuable as a CPA or a top rated lawyer. There is a marriage between knowledge and feeling that makes those that are the best at what they do within their vocation. Long before James Hoover was a much sought after professional his aunt turned him on to the piano. Today an accomplished piano man himself he will be the first to tell you that it was his aunt’s love of music that remains the greatest influence of his life. He’s recorded Matthew Knowles’ Destiny’s Child over 100 times for instance and teamed with recording studios and artists of all kinds. But it was his Aunt that fostered his thirst for music and then a dedicated junior and senior high school band director that added fuel to the fire. He realized that the discipline that was required was not an effort but yet he did not wish to seek out front man status. Jazz band would soon become a favorite of the young keyboard man. James realized in his formative years that did not have a desire to be a front man but on the other hand when it came to perfecting recorded sound he was all in. A rebellious soul of sorts in those formative years James developed a deep desire for heavy metal and the hard driving rock releases of the 70’s. Van Halen being among his favorites because they presented a commanding full sound. On top of bands like Van Halen and The Allman Brothers James developed a deep appreciation for what Phil Spector was doing at the time as well with The Righteous Brothers. Spector’s wall of sound idea was just what the Righteous Brothers needed and James got right into it. His reputation for being a quick upstart with a solid ear led him to work at Digital Services Recording Studios, one of the hottest studios going at the time. While there he did tour production work for ZZ Top, worked with Depeche Mode, The Backstreet Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Spice Girls, Willie Nelson and Debbie Gibson to name a few. After the company closed James opened Hoover Sound and since has mixed and mastered for such artists as LL Cooper, George Kinney, Rich Cagle, The Lone Star Hippies, Annika Chambers, The Suffers, Sam Barlow, Julia Cozby, Moses Guest, Davi Jay and more. It can also be noted that the man has five placements on television since going on his own. To this day James still enjoys recording but it’s his ear for mixing and mastering that brings artists and labels back over and over again. In closing - Artists, you too can be a muse of sorts. Got an instrument you are not using? Band Directors at all kinds of schools would love to have it for their kids. Learn more about James Hoover www.hooversound.com 10 Rock and Blues International • April 2021

April 2021 2021 •• Rock Rock and and Blues Blues International International 21 March 21

Toast Records Unveils a Blues Inferno in Turin By Edoardo Fassio Toast Records devotes new album Blues City Inferno Blues to the devil’s music. It includes eleven mostly newly recorded tracks by contemporary artists, active in and around Turin. The production is handled by Daniele Boretto and by label founder Giulio Tedeschi, for half a century a specialist in “making things happen” in his hometown, all over Italy and the rest of the world. Tedeschi was, and still is, the éminence grise of the underground scene: with the flair of the old-school talent scout he promoted emerging acts in various categories - beat, rockabilly, progressive rock, punk - and was also pivotal in literature, poetry, comics and diverse experimental arts. He still manages the label from its headquarters, located in the city‘s Art Nouveau architecture district. The selection takes up the thread of an earlier LP, issued by Toast in 1989 and simply titled Blues City. A sense of coherence is easily breathed in the setlist, a variety of original blues-rock tunes proudly true to what “was happening” in late twentieth century clubs: big city restlessness, penetrating riffs, piercing harmonicas, amps at full blast. The disc starts with a gutsy cut by the late educator, songwriter and guitarist Luigi Tempera, who passed away in 2014, and includes contributions from pupils and collaborators, such as the Boogie Bombers and harmonica player Roberto Guidetti. Sixstring star Dario Lombardo, the Turin bluesman most loved in Chicago thanks to his work with Liz Mandeville and his 20+ years partnership with Phil Guy, shares a winner from his strong repertoire. Also noteworthy are eclectic folkster Thomas Guiducci, singer-songwriter of genuine dark-blue expressionism Rosalba Guastella, aka Albablues & Los Interphones, Max Arrigo with Nandha Blues and the Black Shout. All the tracks are sung in English, except for the powerful instrumental by Marco Roagna, whose axe belongs to the Hendrix / SRV / Leslie West tradition, and the final one “C’è chi vive il blues” (There is some who lives the blues), a full-blooded boogie from 1995 by Roman band Fleurs du Mal, outsider by birthplace, not by emotional and artistic traits. As for the rest of Toast’s catalog, the interest of collectors from all over the world can also be predicted for Inferno Blues. They’ll be attracted by the cover, too: it reproduces a series of thematic portraits made by Mirko Petrossi from Ivrea, half of the Black Shout and an esteemed and ingenious painter. http://www.toastit.com/ 12

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Toast Records: l’Inferno Blues è a Torino By Edoardo Fassio La Toast Records dedica alla musica del diavolo il nuovo album Blues City Inferno Blues, che contiene undici incisioni, quasi tutte di nuova fattura, di artisti di blues contemporaneo attivi a Torino e in Piemonte. La produzione è curata da Daniele Boretto e dal fondatore Giulio Tedeschi, da mezzo secolo specialista nel “far accadere le cose” a Torino e in Italia. Tedeschi è stato protagonista della scena underground in territorio musicale, dove ha promosso con il fiuto dello scopritore di talenti alfieri di vari stili - beat, rockabilly, progressive rock, punk - e pure in letteratura, poesia, fumetti e varie arti sperimentali. Gestisce ancora l’etichetta dalla sua antica sede, situata nel quartiere liberty della città. La raccolta riprende il filo tracciato da un long playing pubblicato da Toast nel 1989, intitolato semplicemente Blues City. La continuità si respira nel programma, una varietà di blues-rock originale nelle composizioni e orgogliosamente fedele alle tendenze dei club di fine Novecento: disagio metropolitano, riff decisi, armoniche

squarcianti, amplificatori a palla. Il disco si apre con un pezzo viscerale del compianto educatore, cantautore e chitarrista Luigi Tempera, scomparso nel 2014, e comprende contributi di suoi allievi e collaboratori, come i Boogie Bombers e l’armonicista Roberto Guidetti. Vi partecipano astri delle sei corde del calibro di Dario Lombardo, il bluesman torinese più amato a Chicago: collabora in studio e in tour con Liz Mandeville, per non dire della generosa partnership con Phil Guy, durata più di vent’anni. Si fanno notare inoltre l’eclettico folk singer Thomas Guiducci, il verace espressionismo dark di Rosalba Guastella, ovvero Albablues & Los Interphones, Max Arrigo con Nandha Blues e i Black Shout. Tutte le tracce sono cantate in inglese, salvo il mirabile strumentale di Marco Roagna, manico di scuola Hendrix/SRV/Leslie West, e “C’è chi vive il blues”, sanguinoso boogie d’archivio targato 1995 dei romani Fleurs du Mal: outsider per provenienza, non per matrice emozionale e artistica. Tedeschi spera di poter riunire i protagonisti della compilation in un paio di concertoni dal vivo, a Torino e a Biella. Come per l’intero catalogo Toast, è prevedibile anche per Inferno Blues l’interesse dei collezionisti di tutto il mondo, attirati anche dalla copertina che riproduce una serie di ritratti tematici realizzati dall’eporediese Mirko Petrossi, metà dei Black Shout e pittore di qualità. http://www.toastit.com/ May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

NEW SINGLE JUST OUT THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Billie Eilish Reveals Album Title, Release Date, Artwork, And Tracklisting For Her New Album

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Billie Eilish has revealed details on her highly anticipated sophomore album. The 16track studio album, titled Happier Than Ever, will be released via Darkroom/Interscope Records on July, 30 and is available to preorder/add/save AT https://billieeilish.lnk.to/ HappierThanEver. Continuing the tradition on from her multi-GRAMMY Award, recordbreaking debut album WHEN WE ALL GO TO SLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, Happier Than Ever features no outside songwriters or producers, and was written by 19-year-old Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS who produced the album in Los Angeles. Happier Than Ever will also be available as Deluxe and Super Deluxe boxsets, as well as in 2 exclusive color-way vinyl, cassette, photo-book and CD. For more information on each box-set go to www.billieeilish.com Billie Eilish has fast become one of the biggest stars to emerge since the release of her debut single “ocean eyes,” and continues to shatter the ceiling of music with her genredefying sound. Fast forward from her humble breakout in 2015, Billie’s album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S as well as 17 additional countries around continued on next page

the world upon release, and was the most streamed album of 2019. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? was written, produced and recorded entirely by Billie Eilish and brother FINNEAS in their childhood home of Los Angeles. Billie Eilish went on to make history as the youngest artist to receive nominations and win in all the major categories, at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards, receiving an award for Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album. Billie Eilish is also the youngest artist to write and record an official James Bond theme song, ‘No Time To Die.’ Most recently, Billie Eilish was nominated for four additional awards at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2021, and took home both Record of the Year for ‘everything i wanted,’ and Best Song Written For Visual Media for ‘No Time To Die.’ PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE AT https://billieeilish.lnk.to/ HappierThanEver ‘HAPPIER THAN EVER’ 1. Getting Older 2. I Didn’t Change My Number 3. Billie Bossa Nova 4. my future 5. Oxytocin 6. GOLDWING 7. Lost Cause 8. Halley’s Comet 9. Not My Responsibility 10. OverHeated 11. Everybody Dies 12. Your Power 13. NDA 14. Therefore I Am 15. Happier Than Ever 16. Male Fantasy OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://www.billieeilish.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/billieeilish/

‘HAPPIER THAN EVER’ OUT JULY 30 (DARKROOM / INTERSCOPE RECORDS)

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 15

Rock and Blues International • April 2021

video

Arlo Parks by Alex Waespi

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Arlo Parks Announces Fall North American Tour Debut Album Collapsed In Sunbeams Out Now Via Transgressive Records WATCH: Arlo Parks on The Late Late Show with James Corden https://youtu.be/ccEwmt563pc LISTEN: Collapsed In Sunbeams https://arloparks.ffm.to/collapsedinsunbeams Arlo Parks returns to announce a Fall North American tour. Starting September 21st in Brooklyn, she’ll make her way across 24 cities including stops in Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, and more, before concluding the run October 27th in Philadelphia. Tickets will be on sale here this Friday April 16th at 10am local time. Arlo collaborated with Reuben Dangoor for her tour poster artwork below. Reuben shares about the collaboration, “I’m a massive Arlo fan, and I’ve wanted to work with her for ages, so it’s great to finally be able to do a project with her. The idea that anyone is doing a world tour is exciting enough given the year we’ve all had, so to be able to work on a series of tour posters for her is so cool.” The news arrives on the heels of Arlo Parks performance of “Hope” on The Late Late Show with James Corden, her third late-night television appearance after playing “Black Dog” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at https://youtu.be/2n-Ive3VmOQ and “Hurt” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at https://youtu.be/gZiOgPBTyNA. One of the year’s brightest stars, Arlo Parks has had one of her most industrious years yet. She released her criticallyacclaimed debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams, which includes the singles “Hope” ( https://youtu.be/8d-blfWHSng),”Caroline” ( https://youtu.be/IBFdbJlGhFE ), “Green Eyes” ( https://youtu.be/ddjr5KDqYGA ), “Hurt” ( https://youtu.be/2qz4cAAwtv0 ), “Black Dog” ( https://youtu.be/QOu0Ht0-D4M ) and “Eugene” ( https://youtu.be/ikwBBNnn2gI ). The New York Times described the album as a “glimmer of possibility, that belief that the light at the end of our collective dark tunnel could be something other than another onrushing train.” She appeared on Later...with Jools Holland where she co-hosted the show and performed a stripped back version of “Caroline,” and she released a variety special Tonight with Arlo Parks, streaming now on Prime video at https://www.primevideo.com. Listen to Collapsed in Sunbeams above, find the full North American tour routing below, and stay tuned for more from Arlo Parks coming soon. In Arlo Parks world, words are as useful as photographs. Luscious, expressive vignettes pepper the poetic lyrics in her sweet, ruminative indie pop songs. Born Anaïs Oluwatoyin

Estelle Marinho, the 20-year-old from West London - who burst onto the scene with 2018’s “Cola” - uses poetry as her songwriting compass, weaving vivid imagery and sensory touches throughout the stirring, honest stories that make up her already-rich body of work. “I was really interested in the idea of delving into a hyper-specific moment and making it feel universal, making it something that people could connect to,” Arlo says about drawing from poetry in her approach. A sensitive child, Arlo grew up in a peaceful part of town. “There wasn’t that much to do, and I was a pretty happy kid, I was very much in my own little world,” she explains, describing spending her free time exploring creative ways to express her emotions. “Because I was feeling a lot, I started writing quite young,” she says, referencing poets Gary Snyder, Mary Oliver and Pat Parker and more who inspired her to write. “It’s that cinematic quality that can make you feel like you’re plunged into someone’s subjectivity,” she adds about poetry’s impact. Arlo recalls a gift from her uncle—a record collection that included classics from Sade, Earth Wind & Fire, and Bob Dylan—and choir practice as fundamentals to her musical side. Like most kids her age, she grew up digging around on YouTube for music, discovering Portishead, Odd Future, Elliott Smith, Joni Mitchell, King Krule and an eclectic range of music to root herself in. When she was 14, Arlo downloaded Garageband and started making beats to rhyme her poetry to, which over time naturally morphed into singing and the dulce soprano that sets her apart in today’s music climate. In 2017, she took a chance and submitted her recordings to BBC Introducing, which led to her first interview, management and recording contract. In the summer of 2018, Arlo dove into her first EP, collaborating with producer Gianluca Buccellati on 2019’s acclaimed Super Sad Generation. “We were in an Airbnb in London, just writing, taking photos, and going for walks,” Arlo remembers - they ended up writing the songs in just 24 hours. Arlo’s Sophie EP quickly followed, alongside performances at Glastonbury and Latitude Festivals and supporting slots on tour with Jordan Rakei and Loyle Carner. A place on the BBC Sound Poll, and inclusion in Dazed’s 100 List, followed in 2020 - beginning a truly exceptional year for Arlo. Landing covers with NME and Evening Standard, winning the AIM One to Watch and BBC Introducing Artist Of The Year Awards, making her debut continued on next page May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 19

appearances on COLORS and Later.... with Jools Holland, all whilst gaining champions in Phoebe Bridgers, Billie Eilish, Florence Welch, Lily Allen, Michaela Coel and Michelle Obama. Upcoming North American Tour Dates: 9/21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right 30

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

9/22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg 9/25 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall 9/26 - Montréal, QC @ Le Petit Campus 9/28 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club Theatre 9/29 - Detroit, MI @ El Club 10/1 - Columbus, OH @ The Basement 10/2 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall continued on next page

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Arlo Parks Collapsed In Sunbeams Transgressive 1.Collapsed In Sunbeams 2.Hurt 3.Too Good 4.Hope 5.Caroline 6.Black Dog 7.Green Eyes 8.Just Go 9.For Violet 10.Eugene 11.Bluish 12.Portra 400 Connect with Arlo Parks: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/arloparks/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arlo.parks/?hl=en

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DANA AND THE WOLF Share “It’s Too Late” New Single Out Now Via All DSPS Debut Album LA FADE Coming Fall 2021 (VERO Music) LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: Dana and The Wolf - “It’s Too Late” at https://youtu.be/I9s0e6yjhFQ The atmosphere surrounding Dana and the Wolf’s recording process is a swirl of loud arguments, cruel language and brutal honesty. But it’s this intensity that drives the duo creatively — grasping for moments of truth when lightning is captured.

ghosting and roller-coaster relationships — set to a backdrop of epic vocals, highly personal lyrics, and cinematic arrangements.

Chicago-born couple Dana Hobson and Daniel Wolf wrote and recorded their debut album, “LA FADE” over a series of twelve turbulent months hunkered down in their 2 bedroom apartment in Burbank, CA.

Of the first single, Dana says: “It’s Too Late is a great intro to the whole album because it was sort of the first failed experience we had seriously dating people outside of each other. Things jumped between amazing and horribly wrong and you get to witness it all! Come see the shit show that is Dana and the Wolf.”

Inspired by their adventures in dating, LA FADE tells tales of guilt,

More recently, Dana and the Wolf have freed themselves from the con-

straints of monogamy — with the subsequent relationship drama providing plenty of creative fuel for the album. Their candid and often hilarious videos on non-monogamy are clearly striking a nerve — with a recent post attracting over 100K views on TikTok and an avalanche of debate. Prior to the recent hiatus, the duo’s music videos premiered on Billboard and Clash Magazine, with their singles featured on KCRW, Spotify’s Viral 50, New Music Friday, Apple’s Best of the Week — and tracks “Him” and “Got Me Poly” topping the Hype Machine Charts.

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

Photo by Elle Spex

Isabella Lovestory Announces New Remix Mixtape Out May 6th Shares “Kitten Heel” Remix Featuring Hook And Ebhoni LISTEN: “Kitten Heel” (Remix) feat. Hook & Ebhoni https://orcd.co/kittenheeleb PRE-SAVE: Remix Mixtape https://orcd.co/remixmixtape Honduran artist Isabella Lovestory returns to announce her Remix Mixtape, out May 6th via True Panther Records. Enlisting the help of MC Buzzz, Kamixlo, Iasmin Turbininha, Hook, Ebhoni, BBY GOYARD and more, the mixtape finds Lovestory reimagining standout tracks from her 2019 debut EP Humo and last year’s EP Mariposa into various other disparate global and internet sub-genres which draw influence from funk, electro-clash, ambient music and reggaeton. 24

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Alongside the Remix Mixtape announcement, Isabella Lovestory is also sharing the first offering from the project, a remix for her standout single “Kitten Heel” featuring California MC Hook and Canadian artist Ebhoni, which follows her remix of the same track by NYC electro duo Club Eat. Elevating the original, which PAPER described as “deliciously bratty production and welldeserved arrogance,” the rework adds new verses from Hook, Ebhoni and Lovestory herself for a nearly threeminute club banger full of sleek kitten

heel adoration. Described by Lovestory as the “rebellious teenager” to her 2019 debut EP Humo’s gentler pop innocence, Mariposa revels in the power of sexual agency and embracing one’s fantasies. Inspired by the raw production elements of the early 2000’s Reggaeton of Daddy Yankee, Plan B and Wisin Y Yandel, the new project channels the same sultry, unadulterated energy of its predecessors but through a contemporary and empowcontinued on next page

ered glossy pop lens. The result is a collection of six dance floorready perreo-pop anthems that are as raunchy as they are exciting. Isabella Lovestory wants you to feel the way she felt at 13 — unrestrained, full of desire — euphorically dancing alone to a distorted reggaeton riddim booming on the radio. “It is about the real me ,” she says. “But also the imagined me - the girl I made up to step out of myself, to escape into my indulgences and excesses.” The ‘real’ Isabella is a synthesis of her childhood experiences, the soundtracks to her memories. In her hometown of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, she absorbed the music of reggaeton artists like Wisin y Yandel and Plan B; her cooler older cousins would blast DJ Playero at family parties. Her father, a radio DJ, exposed her to alternative rock from The Cure and The Smiths. While alone, she obsessively transcribed lyrics to pop songs by Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani off the radio. After moving to the US and later Canada as a teenager, she discovered American rap music from artists like Soulja Boy, Lil Wayne’s Young Money, and raps mutations via MIA, Kreayshawn and Lil B. Isabella’s music brims with these musical influences but also with the originality and experimentation that they share. Contemporary reggaeton and urbano music feels like it lacks the energy and rawness that defined its origins. Isabella aims to encapsulate much of these genre’s initial experimental impulses by utilizing similar harsh drums, and singsong melodies ; while reimagining them with honest but playful lyrics. Isabella doesn’t aim for the sleek continental aesthetics of many of Isabella’s contemporary reggaeton peers. Instead It is raunchy, and free in production and delivery. Extreme in its own way. Isabella likes extremes. Her songs are stories of love, sex, life and the rage,

ecstasy and humor in it all. “Love can be nasty and violent, it’s not always a sugary fairytale. Sex is liberating and the most primal creative expression, but this same feeling can be found in other sides of life, not everything sexy is about sex. Desire vs. freedom. Parallels and unusual dichotomies, poetry in lust. Expressing sins is healing.” Listen to the “Kitten Heel” remix feat. Hook & Ebhoni above, see mixtape details below and stay tuned for more from Isabella Lovestory coming soon. Isabella Lovestory Remix Mixtape May 6, 2021 1. Humo [Chicken remix] feat. MC Buzzz 2. Kitten Heel [Club Eat remix] 3. Whiskey & Coca Cola [Flirty800 remix] 4. Mariposa [Kamixlo remix] 5. Kitten Heel remix feat. Hook &

Ebhoni 6. Golosa [DJ gigi remix] 7. Mariposa [Iasmin Trubininha edit] 8. 1 Time Thing remix feat. Lecx Stacy & BBY GOYARD 9. Whiskey & Coca Cola [Drumloop remix] “a new kind of popstar” Document Journal “perreo-pop shapeshifter” The FADER “a healthy abundance of surrealism and sass” NYLON “an exaggerated alter ego, channeling multiple artistic mediums to create a distinctive narrative” Remezcla “glitzy reggaeton-pop” Rolling Stone May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 25

album, FEVER DREAM. Not only did the record tally 80 million-plus total streams to date, but it also attracted acclaim from Billboard, NPR, The Line of Best Fit, Independent, Paste, and more. Clash Magazine claimed, “The songs also have an emotional content to them that is hard to ignore.” Q Magazine praised it as “a dizzying rush of exuberance and emotion…their transformation into an arena-ready pop beast is complete.” Notably, the single “Alligator” made history by completing “their quickest climb to #1 on the Adult Alternative Songs Airplay Chart,” as reported by Billboard. In addition to selling out dates coast-to-coast on the FEVER DREAM Tour, the group delivered rapturous television performances on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! ,The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Ellen.

Of Monsters and Men Release New Track “Destroyer” “Destroyer” Featured On The Season Opener Of NBC Show “Manifest” Stream “Destroyer” here at https://omam.lnk.to/DestroyerPR Just as the winter begins to fade and spring begins, Of Monsters and Men announce the release of “Destroyer” out today via Republic Records. Stream “Destroyer” here at https:// omam.lnk.to/DestroyerPR and view the lyric video here at https://youtu.be/ TGPexohZm_0. The song was featured on last night’s episode of NBC’s Manifest during a pivotal scene.

Jimmy Fallon. The performance was shot in Iceland in the landmark theater I_NO in central Reykjavik. See the incredible performance here at https://youtu.be/ xty8pduO5hM. The track was also remixed by indie darlings MUNA who gave new life to the track (listen here at https://omam.lnk.to/ VisitorMUNARmxPR a). The success adds to the band’s over 5 billion global streams across their impressive catalogue and “Destroyer” is the second song off a new body of work coming in 2021 in celebration of the group’s tenth anniversary together.

The track follows several songs and performances the band has done in the past year while in lockdown. Kicking off with a haunting cover of Post Malone’s “Circles,” the band performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Last fall they released new original track “Visitor” ( https://youtu.be/ In 2019, the group Bq1lpEC70Hg ) which generated over welcomed listeners into the 14 million streams worldwide and embrace of their critically performed on The Tonight Show with acclaimed third full-length 26 Rock and Blues International • Mayl 2021

OF MONSTERS AND MEN went from the talk of Iceland to the top of the global conversation on their 2011 debut, My Head Is An Animal. Not only did the record go platinum, but it also produced an international smash in the form of “Little Talks.” The breakthrough single earned a quintuple-platinum certification from the RIAA, made history as “the first song by an Icelandic band to cross 1 billion streams on Spotify,” and landed the band a performance on Saturday Night Live. The group appeared on official soundtracks for franchises such as The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, and Beat Bugs, to name a few. In addition to performing at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Firefly, and beyond, they supported Florence + the Machine on a high-profile arena tour. In the midst of this rapid rise, 2015’s Beneath The Skin bowed in the Top 3 of the Billboard Top 200 and the band starred in an episode of HBO’s Game of Thrones in the same year.

Johan Ruborg Announces New Album ‘Gravel and Gold’ ‘Gravel and Gold’ is out on May 28 Swedish singer/songwriter Johan Ruborg is set to release his fourth album ‘Gravel and Gold’ on May 28. This is the follow up to his album ‘Villain of the Piece’ from 2020, preceded by the singles ‘Gravel and Gold’ and ‘Brothers Till We Die’. His dark honest voice has already been appreciated by fans of Bruce Springsteen, Warren Zevon and Tom Waits. For Ruborg, ‘Gravel and Gold’ was approached with a different mindset from his last record. Moving away from the traditional rock sound he opted for a more dirty, lo-fi and almost industrial sound, looking to incorporate both his guitar driven rock roots but also a more modern vibe with loops and samples. The album shifts intensity throughout, from down tempo americana to straight-up hard rock, whilst Johan Ruborg’s rich, deep voice shines across each and every track. The album ‘Gravel and Gold ‘ will be available across all streaming platforms on May 28, 2021. The third and final preceding single ‘Miss Misery’ is out April 30. Johan Ruborg is a songwriter and recording artist who deftly blends literate classic rock with an undeniably modern sensibility. His music sets the bar higher with great melodies, poetic and often character driven lyrics, tipping the hat off to iconic songwriters such as Bruce Springsteen and Warren Zevon. Ruborg makes music that impacts the human heart and soul while still remaining kinetic and rocking. Based in Sweden, Johan Ruborg makes this music to tell stories of real life, to communicate and to help revitalize guitar driven rock music. With his new material he’s looking out towards wider horizons and at the same time finding new paths that leads back home. Artist links: www.johanruborg.com instagram.com/jruborg facebook.com/jruborg https://youtube.com/channel/UCrNeYV9xSXQwMTHCdaV347g

The Chimpz Release New Music Video “Corrupt” Hailing from Los Angeles,CA, The Chimpz have brought their driving, rock hopping genre sound to the masses. THE CHIMPZ are back again and they are celebrating the ten year anniversary of their EP “Who Can I Trust” which was released back in 2011. Recorded, mixed, arranged, and produced by Ryan Green at Crush Recording. They celebrate the anniversary with the release of their new video “Corrupt” filmed at Tiger Lab studios and drone footage by Neal Walter. About the song: The Chimpz are a product of our environment. We live in a Corrupt society where there are no rules. “Bad Apple cause I’m made that way each and every day. it feels natural to say I’m Corrupt” Corrupt by The Chimpz (Official Video) https://youtu.be/DJuLoq4akfg As a testimony to their drawing power, the band has an enviable roster of sponsors & touring partners including: Harman Kardon, JBL, Soundcraft, AKG, Sabian, Xcel Drumsticks, Pickbay, Schecter, Hustledank, Bolted Spine, Fishman, Eventide, Mogami, Mesa Boogie, Reunion Blues Cases and Sophia Tremolos The Chimpz are Artimus Prime (Lead vox), Chuck P (MC/Vocals), Doug Weiand (Guitar), Shawn Lyon “Sonic” (Bass), and Sean “Cappy” Topham (Drums). For more information visit: The Chimpz Official Website http://thechimpz.com ReverbNation https://www.reverbnation.com/thechimpz Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chimpznation?fref=ts May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 27

J BALVIN AND KHALID 40

Rock and Blues International • May November 2021 2020

J Balvin shares a new song and video featuring Khalid, the Grammy-nominated, chart-topping and platinum-certified star. “Otra Noche Sin Ti” arrives with a Colin Tilleydirected video and is a hypnotic call to an exlover. A seamless blend of slow perreo and R&B, the song effortlessly bounces from vocalist to vocalist and their delivery in both Spanish and English. Produced by up-andcoming talent Lexus and songwriter Keityn (“Tusa” and “Chica Ideal”), the song is the third offering from J Balvin’s forthcoming album following previously-released singles “Tu Veneno,” which Consequence of Sound called a “dance-able slice of reggaetón gold,” and “Ma G,” which Billboard said “marks a return to Balvin’s rap roots.” “Otra Noche Sin Ti” also arrives following “Tu Veneno” debuting at #1 on the Latin Airplay Charts and Latin Rhythm Charts, and his collaboration with Karol G, “Location,” climbing to the #1 spot just days later. These mark J Balvin’s 28th and 29th songs to go #1, the artist making Billboard history as he becomes the Latin urban artist with the most #1 songs on the chart. J Balvin is one of the most consumed multiplatinum artists today. He has over 48 billion career streams and more than 55 million monthly listeners on Spotify, making him the most-listened-to Latin artist on the platform and the sixth in the world, while also being the first Latin artist to reach one billion streams on Apple Music. His influence and reach transcend cultural boundaries; Balvin was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, is the only Latin artist with a collaboration with Jordan (which sold out in a minute), awarded in the Guinness World Record as the artist with the most nominations to a single Latin Grammy award show in its 21 year history, is the third superstar – and the first ever Latin artist – to get a signature meal on the McDonald’s menu, named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Creative from Colombia, and is VEVO’s most watched artist worldwide and the #1 global Latin artist on YouTube, Spotify, Deezer and Shazam. Listen to and watch “Otra Noche Sin Ti” here and stay tuned for more from J Balvin coming soon. About J Balvin: “Reggaeton’s Global Ambassador” - 4time LATIN GRAMMY winner J Balvin is now one of the Top 10 streaming artists in 11 different countries on Spotify and Top 10 in 14 countries on Apple Music, regardless of language, and has developed a legion of fans worldwide. Hailed by Billboard as “the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years” and Pitchfork as “the face of modern Reggaeton,” Balvin is leading a second generation of Musica Urbana stars that have propelled Latin music to an unprecedented global embrace. His latest album, Colores, saw both critical acclaim and commercial success. With “Blanco,” “Morado” and “Rojo” going #1, J Balvin became the artist with the most #1 songs on the Latin Airplay charts in history, with 29 of his songs earning that spot over the course of his career. Most recently, his collaboration with Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny, and

J BALVIN SHARES NEW SONG AND VIDEO FEATURING KHALID WATCH “OTRA NOCHE SIN TI” NOW “Otra Noche Sin Ti” feat. Khalid WATCH: https://youtu.be/qrTiyVEW8gc LISTEN: https://JBalvin.lnk.toOtraNocheSinTi!Khalid Tainy, “UN DÍA (ONE DAY),” has garnered over 900M streams and is RIAA certified Diamond. With his music and impact on the culture, Balvin has cemented himself as not only a leader of Reggaeton but as a torchbearer of the new state of Latin music by continuously expanding the limits of the genre and paving the way for “la nueva escuela.” About Khalid: Multi-platinum selling global superstar Khalid, who was named one of Time’s Most Influential People of 2019, has taken the world by storm since his first single, the 5x platinum “Location” (released right before his high school graduation) exploded onto the scene leading to a major label deal with Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records followed by the release of his debut album, the double platinum certified, American Teen. His sophomore album Free Spirit, released to critical acclaim in 2019, was declared a New York Times “Critic’s Pick” and was called “superb” by the Associated Press. The album, which has been certified platinum by the RIAA, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and features the Grammy nominated multi-format #1 single “Talk”. Free

Connect with J Balvin: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jbalvin/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt-k6JwNWHMXDBGm9IYHdsg Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JBalvinOficial/

Spirit has garnered over 5 billion worldwide streams. Khalid, who has been called a “pop prodigy” by Rolling Stone has been streamed over 16 billion times worldwide across all partners, has been nominated for 6 Grammys and has won numerous awards including 6 Billboard Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards, a Teen Choice Award, a MTV Video Music Award and a MTV Woodie Award. Khalid has collaborated with some of music’s biggest stars including his #1 singles “Love Lies” (with Normani), “Eastside” (with Halsey and Benny Blanco) as well as hits with artists Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Marshmello and more. The Mayor and Council of the City of El Paso honoured Khalid with a “Key To The City” marking September 13th, 2018 “Khalid Day.” Khalid, alongside his mother, launched The Great Khalid Foundation, which is committed to helping families by alleviating a burden of need. Khalid recently wrapped up his “Free Spirit World Tour” which took him to arenas all over the globe in 2019. Khalid kicked off 2020 by releasing his critically acclaimed track “Eleven” and his smash “Know Your Worth” with Disclosure. Khalid was recently named the youngest artist to reach 15 billion streams on Spotify alone and was just named BMI’s Songwriter of the Year (alongside Post Malone.)

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Opry because I’ve always had an intangible kind of relationship between rock n’ roll and Jesus—who better to understand that than the Opry!?” Following his appearance on the iconic stage, Elvie joined WSM Radio’s Coffee, Country & Cody, on Tuesday, April 27th to chat about County Roads and his experience on the iconic stage. The Gospel-born and Southern Rockbred Elvie Shane seamlessly fuses Country with Soul to create a sound that has graced hundreds of dives, jukes and festivals across the States. Born on a Sunday in the quiet town of Leitchfield, KY, it wasn’t but a week later when he was first introduced to music and the magic that it holds. Tucked firmly in his mother’s arms alongside a hymnal at the small-town Baptist church, Elvie would go on to spend many hours immersed in gospel before returning home. Greeting him in the driveway each Sunday afternoon were the sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steve Earle and The Temptations pouring out of the speakers of some old Ford his father would be tucked under, fixing up. Quickly drawn to the Rock n’ Roll sounds, it wasn’t until a Baptist Revival that his love of Gospel and Rock would collide— if was there that a young man who recently lost his lead singer heard Elvie sing and immediately invited him to play with his Rock band. Within six days, Elvie learned nearly a dozen new songs and performed his first show and fell in love with the stage. It was with this band that Elvie began songwriting—a talent that he has carried with him for many years. His songwriting ability caught the attention of fans as his debut single, “My Boy,” written about his stepson went viral on the internet in 2018 and again in 2021, having reached the No. 1 spot on the TikTok Country as it climbs through the Top 30 on Country radio. His debut EP, County Roads is slated to be released April 23. His picture-based lyrics and knack for storytelling lead to his signing with United Talent Agency and has since opened for Toby Keith, Billy Currington, Brothers Osborne, Cole Swindell, Brett Young, Walker Hayes, and Lady A, to name a few.

Elvie Shane Makes Double Debut Last Month With The Grand Ole Opry and Country Roads EP “My Boy” Singer Celebrates The Release of First Project On Iconic Opry Stage BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records artist celebrated the release of his debut EP ( https://elvieshane.lnk.to/countyroads ), County Roads last month on April 23 in a monumental way by also making his Grand Ole Opry debut. A day full of milestones, Elvie stepped into Country music’s hallowed circle to deliver a solo performance of his Top 30 debut single “My Boy” ( https://elvieshane.lnk.to/myboy ) just before the legendary Opry band joined him for the first live performance of “Keep On Strummin’” since its release. County Roads will be fans first peak into the multi-faceted singer songwriter, who until recently had only released the tender ballad, written for his stepson. Across the six-song EP, Elvie will share his high-energy, larger-than-life personality and properly introduce himself to the world. With each song written, the truck driver’s son draws upon his blue-collar existence blending picture-based lyrics, grit, nostalgia, classic rock electric guitar, soulful vocals to make for an honest portrait of life in small town America. “Some of my earliest memories of music were singing hymns in church with my Mamma and watching the greats on the Grand Ole Opry with my Pops so it’s a really special moment for me to share the release of my first project where it kind of all began,” said Elvie Shane. “I’ve heard playing the Opry is like a religious experience so I’m a little nervous but have always felt some sort of kinship with the 30 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Track Listing: 1. “County Roads” – (Dan Couch, Oscar Charles, Elvie Shane) 2. “Keep On Strummin’” – (Dan Couch, Oscar Charles, Elvie Shane, Clinton Payton) 3. Sundays In The South” – (Derrick Southerland, Elvie Shane, Albert E. Brumley) 4. “My Boy” – (Elvie Shane, Russell Sutton, Nick Columbia, Lee Starr) 5. “Sundress” – (Elvie Shane, Doug Johnson, Adam Wood) 6. “My Mississippi” – (Elvie Shane, Jakob Miller) Producer: Oscar Charles For more information, on Elvie Shane, visit: website https://www.elvieshane.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/elvieshanemusic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elvieshanemusic/?hl=en Twitter https://t.e2ma.net/click/dadehg/h1kh7mc/p3fhgm

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Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins, announced today that they will publish THE LIVES OF BRIAN, a memoir by AC/DC’s legendary frontman Brian Johnson. SVP and Executive Editor Mauro DiPreta negotiated the deal with Tarquin Gotch. The book will be released October 26, 2021 and will also be published in UK & Commonwealth by Penguin Michael Joseph, a division of Penguin Random House. Johnson’s memoir will cover his years growing up in a small town to starting his own band to ultimately replacing Bon Scott, the lead singer of AC/DC in 1980, and recording and touring for their first album together, the iconic Back in Black. Back in Black, went on to become the biggest-selling rock album of all time. After a quarter century of platinum albums and record-breaking tours, he was forced to quit the band in 2016 after being diagnosed with hearing loss. However, he made a triumphant return in Photo Ebru of Yildiz 2020 withcredit: the release Power Up, which went to No.1 in twenty-one countries. A successful competitive vintage racing car driver, Johnson has more recently enjoyed acclaim as the charismatic presenter of television shows Cars That Rock with Brian Johnson and Brian Johnson: A Life of the Road. “I’ve had some long nights and some great nights, some bad days and a lot of good days, and during that time I’ve gone from choirboy to rock ‘n’ roll singer, and now I’ve gone and written a bloody book about it,” says Johnson. “Brian’s memoir captures an unforgettable moment in rock history. Anyone who wants to understand Brian’s roots as well as the moment of ignition when he joined AC/DC and helped create a monster album will be in for an unforgettable ride,” says DiPreta. About HarperCollins HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 17 countries. With 200 years of history and more than 120 branded imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year in 16 languages and has a print and digital catalog of more 32 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Dey Street Books Announce “The Lives Of Brian” by Brian Johnson To Be Released On October 26 than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and

Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Paula Cole shares her new song “Black Mountain Blues.” Recorded by Bessie Smith and covered by Janis Joplin, Cole’s version of the song is the second single from her upcoming album American Quilt. “It’s strong like black coffee and it’s warrior-esque”, says Cole. American Quilt will be released on May 21st through Renew Records / BMG. “Black Mountain Blues” follows Cole’s recent single “Wayfaring Stranger” which premiered in Rolling Stone. American Songwriter also praised the track and album writing, “Throughout, the 11-track collection contains the folkloric roots of American music. Cole’s radiant vocals pull the underlying humanity of a nation divided.” With a musical catalog defined by honest and deeply personal lyrics carried by her powerful, radiant voice, Cole has always had a gift for discerning the underlying humanity in stories from her own life as well as those around her, and channeling those emotional elements into captivating music. On American Quilt, Cole applies this natural insight to American history and musical roots traditions by interpreting a selection of classic songs – each of which provide an entry point for rediscovering the overlooked stories and figures that populate America’s interwoven cultural lineage. The album was produced by Cole, who was the first woman nominated (without collaborators) as Producer of the Year at the 1997 Grammy awards. She garnered a total of seven Grammy nominations that year and won “Best New Artist” for her second album and major-label debut, This Fire, with its timeless hits, “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait” (later the theme song for hit TV series Dawson’s Creek). As a visiting scholar at Berklee College of Music, Cole tells “all my female students, ‘Start thinking like a producer, think about how you want the whole track to sound, be a voice.’” “Together these songs make an American Quilt,” says Cole, “a patchwork of heritage, a stitched-together-history of culture both painful and beautiful. I hope the listener will step inside the canoe and float down the Missouri River of their mind. I hope they will hear the gospel of the country, and taste the liquor in the speakeasies. I hope they will feel the freedom in the jazz of the cities, heed the call to morality in the spirituality of a day’s hard work, and the call to the Great Beyond from the Appalachians.” As on previous albums, Cole was joined by a longtime “family” of musicians, including esteemed drummer Jay Bellerose and guitarist Kevin Barry, collaborators since the trio’s days at Berklee. American Quilt follows 2019’s acclaimed album of originals, Revolution, deemed by PopMatters as “an exceptional piece of work, a timely reminder of how soulful and perceptive a writer and singer Cole is and has always been.”

Paula Cole Shares New Song “Black Mountain Blues” New Album American Quilt Out May 21 On Renew Records / BMG Listen: Paula Cole - “Black Mountain Blues” https://youtu.be/hWKUWT49dTc Pre-Save American Quilt https://lnk.to/americanquilt Track List: 1. You Don’t Know What Love Is 2. Wayfaring Stranger 3. God’s Gonna Cut You Down 4. Wayfaring Stranger 5. Shenandoah 6. Black Mountain Blues 7. Good Morning Heartache 8. Nobody Knows You (When You’re Down And Out) 9. Blackbird 10. Steal Away / Hidden In Plain Sight 11. What A Wonderful World Connect with Paula Cole: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paulacolemusic/ May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 33

way I’ve ever collaborated, I’m fuckin pumped.” Bryce chimes in, saying, “I met Shaylen through a good friend, and when I heard Kyle’s beat for her new song I knew I could nail the vibe. It’s such a fun song that makes you want to get back to partying and enjoying time with friends.” “Do Si Do” continues a hot streak for each of these three respective talents. Shaylen capped off 2020 with her double EPs, Temporary Feelings and Santa Barbara, which featured her breakout hit “Goodbye,” a reinvention of the classic Macy Gray track “I Try.” “Goodbye” has caught fire on SiriusXM Hits 1 and subsequently seen an increase in streams across all platforms, contributing to the 12 million-plus streams across her catalogue.

Shaylen Returns With New Single “Do Si Do” With Bryce Vine & Kyleyoumadethat Listen Here At https://dosido.lnk.to/ListenPR Returning with a bang, Los Angeles songstress Shaylen is back with a new single entitled “Do Si Do” with multi-platinum pop/hip-hop maverick Bryce Vine and artist, producer and TikTok viral-king KyleYouMadeThat out now via Republic Records. Listen to “Do Si Do” here at https:// dosido.lnk.to/ListenPR. For the track, KyleYouMadeThat crafted an instantly hummable beat accentuated by guitar and just the right amount of country twang. Shaylen 34

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launches into dance-inducing verses before issuing an invitation on the hook, “Grab your partner, let’s do si do,” before Bryce responds with a slick response on his verse. Of the inspiration behind the song, Shaylen says, “So pumped about ‘Do Si Do’! I posted a clip on TikToak of an idea I had, flipping a country classic, and KyleYouMadeThat took it and turned it into a straight up smash. Bryce did a verse over TikTok as well, and we had to make this happen in real life! The coolest

Last month, Los Angeles-based artist and rapper Bryce Vine continued his genre-bending streak with new anthem “Care At All,” in addition to logging recent collaborations with everyone from Cheat Codes to FITZ of Fitz and the Tantrums. Bryce has tallied more than 1 billion total streams since breaking out on the global stage with his multi-platinum smashes “Drew Barrymore” and “La La Land” feat. YG. Meanwhile, Toronto-born artist, producer and creative KyleYouMadeThat has soundtracked 16 million-plus videos on TikTok and generated billions of views on the platform. Just this year alone, he has amassed over 2 million streams across a pair of genre-defiant singles— “All About Cake” feat. Coi Leray & Kaash Paige and “HOOPLA” with NLE Choppa—which first went viral on TikTok with the success translating over to streaming platforms. ABOUT SHAYLEN Way more than a singer and songwriter, Shaylen might just be your shoulder to cry on, partner-in-crime, and the keeper of your most intimate truths. Spilling her secrets first, she doesn’t just welcome this sort of vulnerability as she does command it. She’ll open up about days on the floor in tears, share the mantras she spoke to the mirror on continued on next page

Instagram, and laugh about going home alone despite eyeing a dude across the bar like, “You gonna make a move or what, bruh?” Listening to her is like sharing an Uber with a brand new best friend. It doesn’t matter where you’re headed; you just hope the ride doesn’t end, because the conversation is so freakin’ interesting. As a result, she racked up over 12 million streams in twelve months across her debut EP Highs & Lows, singles such as “Sprite,” and collaborations a la “Come Back To Me” with Chantel Jeffries as she twisted up pop, R&B, and alternative on her own terms. Not to mention, she garnered acclaim courtesy of Billboard, Just Jared, Hollywood Life, Popdust, and Idolator who predicted “[she’s] on the brink of a major breakthrough.” However, she embraces listeners even tighter on her latest 2020 EPs Temporary Feelings and Santa Barbara [Republic Records], led by the singles “Forgive Myself” and “Goodbye.” ABOUT BRYCE VINE Distilling nimble wordplay, hypercharged hooks, and intimate guitars into genre-less and timeless songcraft, Bryce Vine leaves his stamp on pop music and culture. Since emerging in 2013, the Los Angeles-based multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist has quietly built a devoted audience with EPs such as Lazy Fair (2014) and Night Circus (2016). However, he popped off on an international scale with the doubleplatinum smash “Drew Barrymore.” It paved the way for the platinum “La La Land” [feat. YG] and his first full-length in 2019, Carnival. And when the world shut down in 2020, Bryce also looked inward and released the contemplative EP Problems. Along the way, he attracted widespread acclaim from Bustle, Billboard, Teen Vogue, American Songwriter, VIBE, Flaunt and more, with TIME declaring “Bryce Vine is the epitome of low-key cool.” In addition to tallying over 1 billion total streams, he delivered a series of unforgettable performances on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, Wendy Williams, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Live with Kelly and Ryan, Good Morning America, and more.

ABOUT KYLEYOUMADETHAT KyleYouMadeThat already moved the internet, and now he’s set to move the culture. Soundtracking 16 millionplus videos on Tik Tok and generating views in the billions by 2021, the Toronto-born artist, producer, and creative cooks up genre-defiant anthems and curates viral moods. After years producing for the likes of Trey Songz, Ryan Leslie, and Tinashe, he found himself stuck at home at the onset of the Global Pandemic. He leveled up allaround, becoming more proficient at graphic design, photo editing, and video editing. He also studied TikTok and pledged to “get a viral hit.” He didn’t just go viral; he practically broke the platform. “Crystal Dolphin” incited videos by dozens of influencers such as Charli D’Amelio [102 million followers], Addison Rae [71 million followers], SpencerX [50 million followers], and Loren Gray [50 million followers] as well as superstar Jason Derulo. Not to mention, the success translated to other platforms with 56 million streams on Spotify. Meanwhile, “All About Cake”

inspired videos by everyone Kimberlyloazia [31.8 million followers] and Tony Lopez [23 million] to three posts from Lizzo. It would be his offkilter sonic sensibility that shined through the loudest though, defining a whole wave in the process under the radar. Now, he asserts himself as both a trend architect and precise hitmaker on a series of 2021 singles for The Heavy Group/Republic Records, tipped off by “HOOPLA” with NLE Choppa.

SHAYLEN: FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ ShaylenOfficial/ BRYCE VINE: FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ brycevine/ KYLEYOUMADETHAT: FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ KyleYouMadeThat/ May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 35

Years & Years Unveil Official Video For New Single “Starstruck” (Interscope Records) WATCH “STARSTRUCK” at https://youtu.be/YGfaYTIYh40 Years & Years have today released the video for brand new single “Starstruck”, which was directed by Fred Rowson and choreographed by Sherrie Silver (responsible for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America”). It’s the first new Years & Years music since 2018’s much-loved second album ‘Palo Santo’, and follows hot on the heels of Olly Alexander’s leading role in the critically acclaimed HBO Max show, ‘It’s A Sin’, written by multi-BAFTA Award-winning writer Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk, A Very English Scandal, Years and Years, Doctor Who). Watch the “Starstruck” video here at https://youtu.be/YGfaYTIYh40 Olly Alexander’s superstar-status graces new heights on “Starstruck”, an irresistible, instant-classic Years & Years anthem about human connection (and the cosmos). “Starstruck”, reveals Olly, “came together one night at a studio in the countryside outside of London. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen so many stars, you get used to them not being there when you live in the city. Since we’ve all had to stop, all I’ve wanted to do is go out and dance. So I’ve been putting all that pent up energy into the music. ‘Starstruck’ is about the rush you get when you’re with somebody you’re really into, it’s about holding onto a good feeling and not letting it go. Like most of us I’ve spent the past year at home, and I wanted to create something super positive and fun for people (and myself) to bop along too. Whatever we’re doing or wherever we are in life, I think we all deserve three minutes of interstellar ecstasy.” Listen to “Starstruck” here at https://yearsandyears.lnk.to/ StarstruckSo

As Years & Years, Olly Alexander has become one of the world’s most trailblazing modern pop stars. Across two hugely successful albums to date, the singer, actor,

and cultural vanguard has earned 5 Brit Award nominations, sold-out numerous global tours, and played triumphant homecoming shows at London’s O2 and Wembley Arena. Along the way, Olly has also become a fearless, once-in-ageneration voice on important discussions around mental health, and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. This has been marked by a number of standout moments, ranging from Alexander’s defiant speech at Glastonbury in 2016 in the wake of events in Orlando to his BBC Documentary ‘Olly Alexander: Growing Up Gay’, plus the dizzyingly creative world around ‘Palo Santo’ (a record that arrived with an ambitious short film starring Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw). Ever since multiplatinum-selling debut album ‘Communion’ in 2015, Years & Years’ influence has been growing in plain sight; today, Olly’s impact in a show like ‘It’s A Sin’ resonates deeper still (following the show’s broadcast, the Terrence Higgins Trust reports that there has been a four-fold increase in HIV Testing Week stats from previous years). Currently hard at work on more music to follow “Starstruck”, Years & Years push boundaries by challenging notions of identity and sexuality in a way that is new to pop music - and totally Olly Alexander’s own. “Starstruck” is available everywhere at https:// yearsandyears.lnk.to/StarstruckSo

OFFICIAL WEBSITE https://yearsandyears.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/YearsAndYears/ TWITTER https://highrisepr.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e1881ce6fa06ce0191b442b67&id=290c31eb61&e=0f5e3131ed INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/yearsandyears/ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv91THkkj4WXJdzvTpvX-Rw 36

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“It’s hard not to hear flares of the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Jeff Buckley, proof of just how much Preller’s vocals are truly captivating.” - Variance “A subtle, contemplative, and courageous debut.” - Psychedelic Baby Albany-based singer-songwriter Gavin Preller announces his debut LP, There Is Wonder, out May 21st on Kramer’s Shimmy-Disc label and Joyful Noise Recordings. Preller shares the music video for “Wonder” at https://youtu.be/Th2n95ontMo. There Is Wonder?, which represents the debut-album of 21year-old Gavin Preller, was written and recorded between October 2020 and February 2021 in Albany, NY. Preller wrote, arranged, and performed every song from a basic basement setup in his parent’s home - except for drums on two tracks, which were recorded by Leor Manelis. The first six songs on the record were conceived quickly - written, recorded, and mixed within one week. Upon sending those tracks to iconic producer Kramer for mastering, Preller was unexpectedly signed to the Shimmy-Disc label and encouraged to expand the six songs into a full record. Preller spent the following months completing the album while living at home and working part-time. Preller is already at work on the next project and will be moving to New Paltz, NY, in July 2021. Gavin Preller’s music has been compared to Will Oldham, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake, and JeffBuckley. A native of Albany, NY, Preller began studying classical piano at the age of 3, later picking up guitar at ten years old. In 2019 he attended Berklee College of Music before dropping out after one year to live in an agricultural community in Southern France. Back in the States in February, 2020, Preller took his backpack and acoustic guitar on a cross-country train to Portland, OR. He was living by himself in a used van, without a job, using a nearby Planet Fitness for showers, when Covid hit. That March, he sold the van and returned to his parents’ home in upstate, NY, to wait out the pandemic. Determined to make the most of it, Preller set up a primitive home recording studio in a basement bedroom and sang into a microphone for the first time in his life. While working part-time for a small, family-owned food

Photo Cred: Maggie Preller

Gavin Preller Announces Debut LP Mastered By Kramer There Is Wonder LP Out 5/21 Via Shimmy-Disc/Joyful Noise Recordings LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: Gavin Preller - “Wonder” Stream at https://gavinpreller.bandcamp.com/track/wonder Watch at https://youtu.be/Th2n95ontMo company, Preller wrote and recorded songs. His focus was on minimalist, primarily acoustic recordings, relying on strong lyrical and harmonic sensibilities. In early November, Preller sent 6 tracks for mastering to Kramer, an acclaimed indie producer (Galaxie 500, Low, Palace Music) and founder of New York’s groundbreaking Shimmy-Disc label. To Gavin’s surprise, Kramer replied one day later: “We need to talk.” The following day, Gavin was signed to the newly revived Shimmy-Disc label. There Is Wonder ?- a subtle, contemplative, and courageous debut - marks the beginning of Preller’s promising music career. THERE IS WONDER LP TRACKLISTING 01. Wonder 02. You Can Always Go 03. No Warden 04. 111 05. Kathy 06. Narrow 07. Sometime 08. Midnight 09. Still Here 10. Curtains 11. Fishing 12. Anywhere, Anyplace 13. 337 May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 37

Photo Credit: Matt Keppler

Decoupler Release Glimmering Technicolor Video For “Cold Sweat” Check it out at https://youtu.be/PnbGhrVa50E The video is directed by the expert visual design team SUPERVOID.tv, who have worked visuals for The Disco Biscuits, Magfest, Tom Morello & The Atlas Underground, and even Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live. “It was an amazing experience to get to work with SUPERVOID.tv,” says Laub. “One of the more unique effects that their team was able to create was done by strapping multicolored crystals to the edges of the camera lenses. The crystals overlapped the shot, and by setting up lights that refracted through the crystals, the camera shots gained a colorful, kaleidoscopic effect.” Walker adds, “‘Cold Sweat’ is a reflection of the dizzying parts of isolation. By combining shots that placed us on opposite sides of the room with the claustrophobic and eerie visual effects between us, we were able to capture the feeling of being alone while standing right next to the people you are closest with.” DECOUPLR “Cold Sweat” Video Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/PnbGhrVa50E

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Beginning 2019 in West Philadelphia, DECOUPLR came to be when they realized that meshing Bailey Walker’s long history of live vocal performance with Adam Laub’s world of electronic music (and electronics in general) created a unique sound altogether. Their debut DIGITAL BONFIRE is an 11 track album that offers a fresh take on the digital world’s fusion with the physical. Influenced by musicians like Trent Reznor, Sylvan Esso, and Flying Lotus, the album ranges from dreamy and sweet with tracks like “Keepsake” and “Osage”, to punchy and playful on “Changes” and “Punchline”. The album draws from the helpless feelings of countless pandemic hours spent sitting on voice chats and video calls, while at the same time snarkily expressing the hopefulness found in the changing forms of communication within our closest relationships. Lyrically, Walker opens up about everything from nomadically moving around the country, to growing up with continued on next page

Photo Credit: Matt Keppler touring musicians, to the feelings of dread and anxiety we have in our everyday conversations. Musically, Laub pulls deep, live sampled hip hop drums, mellotron flutes, vintage synth pads and twinkly arpeggiators to create a palette of electronic sounds that range from hip hop to dance. The digital age is a tether that keeps people connected no matter where they are, and DIGITAL BONFIRE explores the ever increasing feelings of loneliness that are associated with this new connection. It embraces the oftentimes cold nature of electronic music as a framework to express the very real feelings we have surrounding the uncertainty of our modern world. BAILEY WALKER Inspired by musicians such as Lianne La Havas and Talking Heads, Bailey started her solo career in Savannah, GA performing with local musicians Rich Animals. After recording a solo EP under the name Bailey Mae Walker at Low Watt Recording with Sean and Brendan Kelly of A Fragile Tomorrow, Walker moved to Philadelphia and began performing live with local neo soul group, Likebirds. ADAM LAUB A long time resident of the Philadelphia music scene, Laub played drums in local wacky indie pop band, OhBree, before starting Sleepless Sound Studio with other Philadelphia area recording engineers. Laub has released electronic and trip hop music under the name <radioaddict> and annually produces and performs in a 24 hour long live streamed noise and ambient music

performance as a member of the noise and ambient music collective, Tidal Archive. LISTEN TO DIGITAL BONFIRE HERE: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/decouplr/digital-bonfire DIGITAL BONFIRE Tracklist 1. Keepsake 2. Cold Sweat 3. Changes 4. In My Pocket 5. Serotonin Fund 6. Punchline 7. Got It Covered 8. Tourist Town 9. Back To That 10. Aces 11. Osage “The Philadelphia duo... have released their 80s inspired album of electro-pop called Digital Bonfire to cofmrt your pandemic malaise and take you to a higher ground. We ignite DECOUPLR on Echoes.” -Echoes (PRX) “Decouplr manage to implicate the notion of solitary aloneness so prevalent in electronic-based music – an icy signature of the genre, a sign of quarantine times – while pursuing something equally warm and organic.” - Dosage Magazine “Icily electronic... noodling through moody synth-phonica.” - Philadelphia Weekly “Exploring the intersection of digital and organic sounds... [“Cold Sweat”] previews the tech-driven style of DECOUPLR’s music, with trip-hop percussion and synths atmospheres.” WXPN’s The Key

Decoupler On The Internet Facebook https://www.facebook.com/decouplr Website https://www.decouplrmusic.com SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/decouplr-music Instagram https://www.instagram.com/decouplr/ May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 39

Travis Denning Tips His Hat To Country Music Videos From The 2000’s In Hilarious Official Music Video For “Abby” Denning World Premiered The Tongue-In-Cheek Video On CMT 40

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Watch “Abby” here at https://youtu.be/3_VVK45qe2c Mercury Nashville Recording artist Travis Denning brought his new single “ABBY” to life this weekend, premiering the official music video exclusively on CMT, available to watch here at https://youtu.be/3_VVK45qe2c. Denning, alongside director PJ Brown, took the already-humorous anthem up a gear in the new video as Denning embraced the role of multiple characters all tipping their hat to some unforgettable and beloved country music videos from the 2000’s. “‘ABBY’ has always been a song that typically gets a good laugh when people first hear the lyrics,” explained Denning. “So, when it came to a concept for the music video, it just made sense for it to be something that matched that sentiment of lightheartedness and not taking yourself too seriously. We had so much fun shooting this music video and honestly just paying tribute to some of my favorite artists in the genre, from Toby Keith to Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney to Montgomery Gentry. I hope everyone feels that when they’re watching it.”

the release of his Top 40 debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs.” Denning has toured as direct support for Dustin Lynch and has previously opened shows for Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, LANCO, Riley Green and his first headlining “Heartbeat Of A Small Town Tour.” With over 353 million streams worldwide, Denning has been spotlighted for his head-turning sound and was previously selected as one of CRS New Faces, an Opry NextStage recipient and a CMA KixStart Artist, as he makes his mark within the industry. Inspired at a young age, Denning developed a love for country, A native of Warner Robins, pop, rock and heavy metal and started Georgia, singer/songwriter and Mercury playing local bars from the age of 16, as Nashville recording artist Travis Denhe built a strong following from his ning celebrated his first No. One and distinctive songs and raucous guitar GOLD-certified single in 2020 with the solos. A prolific writer with an unques“shadowy” (Rolling Stone) “After A tionable stage presence, Denning moved Few.” Accelerating his ascend from a to Nashville and secured outside cuts by chart-topping single, the song is taken Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael from his debut EP BEER’S BETTER Ray and more. Denning’s newest COLD that debuted in the Top 20 of songwriting cut includes Michael Ray’s Billboard’s Country Albums chart. Top 20 single “Her World Or Mine.” For Denning first made waves showcasing more information, visit travisdenning.com. his “future star power” (Billboard) with May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 41 Since it’s release the “clever kissoff” (Billboard) and “wickedly fun good-riddance anthem” (PEOPLE) has been a fan-favorite, and instantly turned heads with it’s double-edged lyrical anagram that has fans already amassing over 17 million streams and the track reaching the No. One spot on Sirius XM’s Highway Hot 30. Written by Ashley Gorley, Matt Jenkins and Chase McGill, Music Row declares “this is as clever as all get out. Catchy, too. Play it,” with the track earning the most adds at country radio upon add date.

Photo credit: Matthew Beniamino

Fried Monk and beautiful-fortune Team Up for Indie-Electronic Here As One EP Groove-Charged Single “Planet B” (https://youtu.be/e_Ek9bHFWzI) Out Now After years of working together on each other’s personal musical projects, long-time Philly stalwarts Fried Monk (Lucas Kozinski) and beautiful-fortune (Jameel Farruk) are now combining their electronic hip-hop and indie sounds for the groove-laden EP Here As One, out May 7, 2021. The release of “Planet B” lines up perfectly with the sunny late-Spring weather, exuding unfettered headbopping vibes over celestial synths and drums that recall electronic indie and hip-hop mashups circa 2010 like Gorillaz, Kid Cudi, and STRFKR. The free-flowing lyrics, beaming backdrop, poppy guitar, and funky bass dance their way to a luminous carefree track. 42 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

“Planet B” was fully realized by the end of the first day that Kozinski and Farruk collaborated in the studio. On a creative roll after laying out the structure for the EP’s opening track “Patient Zero,” the two jumped right into producing an euphonious electric guitar piece, and with the addition of a wildly catchy vocal line, it became their lead single. “I’m overly curious about the sun. I’m borderline obsessed with it,” says Farruk. “As a solo artist, I can’t help myself from having referred to the sun over and over throughout my catalogue of songs.” Combining this fascination with the all too common experience of a bad breakup, Farruk dove into his personal history and called “Planet B,” “a declaration of my acceptance of a life

without her.” Unable to shake the entrancing and groovy spirit of the track, the two both knew this was going to become the single from the start. For over a decade Kozinski, under the moniker “Fried Monk,” has been creating dusty boom bap and downtempo electronic tracks in Philadelphia, where he is also the co-owner of Sleepless Sound recording studio. It was there that he began working with Farruk (who was recording under the nome de plume “beautiful-fortune” and his melodious alternative indie-rock releases. Being so familiar with each other’s music, Here As One flowed quickly and instinctually from their minds to the recording, giving continued on next page

the three-song collection the confident drive of two artists who know how to highlight their distinct sounds. Farruk explains the process: “We didn’t arrive with a concept in mind, any unified theme, or a particular statement in mind to make with these songs. All we knew was we wanted the ability to explore and create without any boundaries or restrictions. Verses were often written on the spot, and in just a few minutes. We never went back to punch in a new verse or make any deliberate changes. The first drafts are the final drafts.” The EP opens with the raucous slow driving beats, atmospheric synth, and layered vocals of “Patient Zero.” “It would be foolish to deny that the extraordinary time we’re living in didn’t have a hand in shaping something or another about this EP,” comments Farruk. “While we’re all experiencing this pandemic together, each of us is experiencing it from our own perspective. That’s not just the pandemic. That’s life. Each of us, while humans, have our very own interpretation of the human experience. At its core, ‘Patient Zero’ is all about having empathy for one another.” After the funky drive of “Planet B,” the EP ends on a poetic and multifaceted track called “That Simple.” Recalling the song’s theme of time, Kozinski explains, “Days turn into weeks, weeks into months. I constantly have to remind myself to enjoy the moment before it becomes a memory. The lyric ‘We’ll talk some other time’ is leaning into that idea. We often say we’ll get together with an old friend and a month goes by before any attempts are made to hang out. I don’t understand how people get bored with free time. There will never be enough hours in the day for me.” Starting off with verses of melodic guitar and pensive vocals, the track soon dives into a grim folk-like movement coupled with a mix of low and hi-fi vocal tracks. Ultimately “That Simple” bursts into a defiant chorus, reprising the first verse from “Patient Zero” and bringing the EP to a full circle. “Planet B” is out today on all DSP’s, and the Here As One EP will be released on May 7, 2021. May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

fans are accustomed to hearing from the El Paso native. Though still an unmistakably Riot Ten creation, “Don’t You” exquisitely blends robotic vocals over a modern, rhythmic beat that’s sure to be a solid addition to any summer 2021 playlist. Riot Ten is gearing up for a busy summer of live performances with upcoming shows scheduled across the U.S. and others coming soon.

Riot Ten Releases Don’t You Third Single Ahead of Upcoming Sophomore Album Buy & Stream: https://ffm.to/dontyou Known and respected for his aggressive style of dance music, Riot Ten’s latest single “Don’t You” veers from his signature sound and brings listeners into a melodic, dreamy trance that showcases Riot Ten’s creativity and musical prowess. “Don’t You” is out today via Dim Mak. Riot Ten’s sophomore full-length LP is scheduled for release later this year. While the world was stuck inside during the global coronavirus pandemic, Riot Ten was in the studio laying down new tracks, collaborating with other talented artists, and pushing the limits of his musical talents. In 2020 alone, Riot Ten released his Hype or Die: Emergence EP and the house-infused BLKMRKT Vol. 1

Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Riot Ten exploded into the world of electronic music at the age of 22. Joining the Dim Mak Records family in 2017, with additional music out on Never Say Die, Bassrush and Excision’s “Rottun Records”, Riot Ten blasted off with four #1 top 100 dubstep singles and his music can be heard around the world from the likes of DJ Snake, Zeds Dead, The Chainsmokers, Excision and many more. The 2017 single “Fuck It” became a staple on The Chainsmokers’ “Memories Do Not Open” tour. This success helped pave the way for “Rail Breaker”, his global smash in 2017, to become one of the most played out dubstep songs of the last decade. Following the release of “Rail Breaker”, Riot Ten dropped his debut EP with DIM MAK called Hype Or Die: The Dead in 2018, which recorded a top 10 debut on the iTunes “dance album” charts, a feat seldom seen by an artist in the genre. He recorded another top 10 debut on the iTunes charts in 2019 with his debut album Hype Or Die: Nightmares. Outside of the music, Riot Ten has continued to record sell out shows around the world, touring his infamous “Hype Or Die” brand for 3 consecutive years. He also made appearances at EDC Las Vegas, Coachella, Lost Lands, Nocturnal Wonderland, Electric Zoo, EDC Mexico, Global Dance Festival, Electric Forest, Bass Canyon, Imagine Music

EP. Riot Ten has kept the same intense momentum going into 2021, releasing singles, “Poppin” with CHRMNDRS, featuring Krystall Poppin, as well as “Get Out” with STARX, featuring vocalist Blupill and rapper Dopeboylo. “Don’t You” is the third track from Riot Ten’s album due out later this year on Dim Mak. Riot Ten is no stranger to pushing his own limits as an artist. On “Get Out,” Riot Ten fused mutated sound design with thunderous hip-hop versus for a truly unique track. “Don’t You” offers a notably different sound than what his

Festival, and many more. Riot Ten Online at: Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/RiotTen/ Twitter @ https://dimmakrecs.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d4cb445fe6edfb6fa3c62a86&id=4cbf69aa50&e=f2c463be81 Soundcloud @ https://dimmakrecs.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8d4cb445fe6edfb6fa3c62a86&id=47a184faca&e=f2c463be81 Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/riottenmusic/ TikTok @ https://www.tiktok.com/@riottenmusic?mc_cid=46c4103f68&mc_eid=f2c463be81

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Maintaining his impressive momentum, Florida phenomenon FCG Heem unveils a brand new single and video entitled “Shinin’” via Republic Records today. Listen to “Shinin’”: HEREl at https://fcgheem.lnk.to/ShininPR On the track, 808s and skittering cymbals bounce along underneath his melodic flow. The confident and contagious hook culminates on an infectious and irresistible chant. With bangers like “Shinin,” FCG Heem has positioned himself as an up-and-coming heavy hitter. In the documentary-style music video, Heem’s undeniable positive energy jumps through the screen. Just last month, he dropped off “Champagne Showers,” while “More Pain” [feat. Toosii] attracted critical acclaim. HotNewHipHop dubbed him “one to look out for from Florida” and highlighted “his authentic, unadulterated tales of the streets.” FCG Heem continues to generate palpable and powerful buzz with one anthem after another, including the recently released “Need It” and “Peace & Positivity.” He also joined forces with LBS Kee’vin on “Hood Dreams.” Straight out of the gate, HotNewHipHop promised, “The track will leave you feeling inspired.” Meanwhile, HipHopDX recently raved, “The 23year-old rapper has honed his ability to drop catchy bars that sometimes moonlight as hooks.” Additionally, his 2020 single “Haha” became a favorite song amongst NFL pros with stars such as Eddie Jackson, Dalvin Cook, D.K. Metcalf, Jerry Juedy, Calvin Ridley, and Lamar Jackson quoting lyrics in their social media captions. Receiving critical acclaim, ThisSongIsSick exclaimed, “He’s showing major sparks as one to watch!”

Florida Rapper FCG Heem Uncovers New Single “Shinin’” WATCH VIDEO HERE at https://youtu.be/_-Vaok5ppRw About creating music FCG Heem said, “I’m trying to motivate the young people and give them something positive to look up to.”

Hailing from the rough spot of Shallow Side in Fort Lauderdale, FL, FCG Heem turns struggles into soaring melodies and hypnotic rhymes. Music found him at just three-years-old when dad brought home a karaoke machine. As a kid, he spent hours singing along, freestyling, and entertaining the family with a microphone in hand. Growing up of Jamaican descent, he would be exposed to reggae early on and developed a passion for artists such as Sizzla in addition to discovering R&B and hiphop. Citing 50 Cent as a favorite, he carefully cultivated a singular flow. Music became serious in 2018. Fired

from his job at Walmart and now a dad, he started to upload tracks to Soundcloud, beginning with “This Year.” On its heels, “Dead Weight” caught fire organically. Fellow Broward County native and Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson enthusiastically evangelized and shared it online. The track perked up ears across the industry as it racked up over 224K Soundcloud plays. In between projects such as the Letter To My People EP and Street Virus EP, he signed to New Era Tha Label and 100K Management. Republic Records also took notice and welcomed him to the roster in 2020. After posting up 3 million views and 2 million streams independently and receiving the public endorsement of NFL stars Eddie Jackson, Dalvin Cook, D.K. Metcalf, Jerry Juedy, Calvin Ridley, and Lamar Jackson, he formally tells this story on his upcoming project, led by the single “Haha.”

Follow FCG Heem online Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fcgheem/?hl=en Twitter https://republicrecords.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3051269687d98ad95ab882a80&id=39ea39a578&e=8c586f3e2f YouTube https://republicrecords.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3051269687d98ad95ab882a80&id=dcaaecdc7f&e=8c586f3e2f Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GSZ8C4Dyu5VsGz16jAgPC May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 45

LIL WEST RELEASES NEW SINGLE “WEST SIDE” Critically acclaimed Delaware rapper and genre disruptor Lil West returns with a brand new single entitled “West Side” via Republic Records. It marks his first new music of 2021. Listen to “West Side”: Here at https://lilwest.lnk.to/WestSidePR This time around, he flexes his mic skills more than ever before. The production by 808 Mafia disciple Steezefield delivers a distinct West Coast bounce with throwback California vibes as Lil West glides towards a bold hook. On this ode to the rap star lifestyle, he paints an idyllic portrait of Southern California as he raps, “Fast cars and the city life, shooting stars on the west side.” Get ready for more soon! : Delaware genre disruptor Lil West fuses a penchant for catchy

hooks and chameleonic sonic innovation with knockout bars. Grabbing a mic at just 18-years-old, he made waves with his 2016 Indigo EP followed by buzzworthy collaborations such as “LMK” [feat. Lil Aaron], “DON’T!JustStop” [feat. Dylan Brady], and “Fukk CodeRED” with Night Lovell. Signing to Republic Records, he landed a one-two punch with Vex Part 1 EP and Vex Part 2 EP, including highlights such as “Somedays” [5 million Spotify streams] and “Not Sure” [2.8 million Spotify streams]. Meanwhile, HotNewHipHop christened him “one of the best up and coming artists in the game.” Additionally, he linked up with Brevin Kim on the Metallic Body Language EP and appeared on 100 gecs’ “gecgecgec (Remix).” After dropping a series of fan favorite projects, amassing 35 million-plus streams, and picking up praise from HYPEBEAST, Complex, HotNewHipHop, and Def Pen, to name a few, Lil West has found his creative home on his 2021 EP, Final Home [Republic Records], led by the single “West Side.”

Follow Lil West on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lilwestbb/ Twitter https://republicrecords.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3051269687d98ad95ab882a80&id=d6c28bb7f8&e=8c586f3e2f YouTube https://republicrecords.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3051269687d98ad95ab882a80&id=e588e76b30&e=8c586f3e2f Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/59dLTffLsw2ljmCiD8O1JX 46

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Manchester, UK duo Children of Zeus have announced their forthcoming sophomore album, Balance, due out June 4 via First Word Records, and have released the lead single from the LP, “No Love Song.” Following the release of their debut album Travel Light in 2018 (which was featured in numerous ‘album of the year’ lists), Tyler Daley and Konny Kon spent the next two years extensively touring the UK, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. 2020 allowed Children of Zeus to settle back in the studio and re-focus on the music making process where Balance was conceived. “No Love Song” was released alongside a teaser video. “Directed by Tarnish Vision, [the video] looks like it’ll play up the track’s G-funk sheen with shots of Tyler and Konny cruising through the nighttime city streets in an expensive whip with the imposing skyscrapers looming large from all sides,” describes Complex UK. News of the album has garnered attention from GRM Daily, who described Children of Zeus’s unique, soul-driven R&B sound as “refreshing,” as well as The Vinyl Factory, and Trench. For “No Love Song,” Children of Zeus turned once again to Grammy Awardwinning producer Beat Butcha (known for his work with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Nipsey Hussle, Griselda & Eminem). Children of Zeus’ journey began with a mutual love of 90s Manchester pirate radio, consuming hip hop and beats, R&B and street soul, lovers rock and dancehall, garage and bass music. Since their debut, the group has garnered considerable praise—Travel Light was named Album of the Year by BBC 6 music, and was featured in Earmilk, Ambrosia for Heads, Complex, among others. Children of Zeus have performed for the likes of Soulection and BBC 1Xtra, in addition to hosting their monthly NTS Radio show and collaborating with artists like Black Milk and Goldie. Listen to “No Love Song”: http://lnk.to/nolovesong Children of Zeus consists of Tyler Daley and Konny Kon They met in Paris in 2005 whilst touring with previous groups; Tyler with Bodyroq & Kon with Broke ’n’ English (w/t DRS & Strategy) The first track they produced together was called ‘Coming Home To You’ which was posted on Soundcloud in the late noughties. A few years later, Tyler approached Konny about producing a full EP for him. Children of Zeus were born The duo signed to UK independent label First Word Records & released their debut single “Still Standing” in April 2016 An EP composed of an accumulation of several years worth of home demos called “The Story So Far” was released October 2017 Their critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Travel Light’ was released in July 2018

Press photo credit: Benji Reid

Children of Zeus Announce New Album Balance, Due out June 4 & Release “No Love Song” Single Listen to “No Love Song” Here at https://lnk.to/nolovesong Artists featured on their debut album include [ K S R ], DRS, LayFullStop, K15, Beat Butcha, Juganaut, Sebb Bash & Mr Thing Children of Zeus have collaborated with Black Milk, Caron Wheeler, Goldie, Lenzman, Green Lantern, Zed Bias, Kinkai and Kaidi Tatham Live sessions include a BBC Maida Vale session for Jamz Supernova (BBC 1Xtra) with Moses Boyd, Joe Armon-Jones & more Other live sessions have included performances for Soulection (Beats1 / Apple Music), Boiler Room, Colors and Red Bull Music The majority of their work is self-produced, all self-written (except for lyrics from respective feature artists) Tyler Daley was formerly known as Hoodman Konny Kon has hosted a monthly Sunday radio show on NTS Radio for several years playing hip hop, soul, reggae and d&b Their official tour DJ is Gyalex, though they sometimes have other DJs for live shows, including Katbrownsugar and P Ro Jones Socials: Twitter - @ChildrenOfZeus Instagram - @childrenofzeus_ | @tylerdaleyuk | @konnykon May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 47

Singer, songwriter and celebrated guitarist Patrick Droney continues to preview his debut studio album STATE OF THE HEART ahead of its May 21 release via Warner Records with new track “Talk About That” - a swelling build that finds Droney encouraging deeper, more honest conversations- is available now. Co-written and co-produced by Droney, introspective lyrics, “We all have words we can’t take back / Look too long at a photograph / All have something we think we lack / Holding onto bags that we can’t unpack / All need help, but we don’t ask / Maybe we should talk about that,” ambitiously motivate connection and conversation via the common ground amongst us all. Watch Droney bring the new track to life here at https://youtu.be/M4Iolb6mzd0.

PATRICK DRONEY ENCOURAGES CONVERSATION WITH “TALK ABOUT THAT” AVAILABLE NOW WATCH THE VIDEO HERE AT https:// youtu.be/M4Iolb6mzd0 Debut Studio Album STATE OF THE HEART Available May 21 48

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“There’s a thread between all of us woven within the unspoken,” Droney explains. “While each of our stories are our own, there are a million examples of how we are more the same than different. The more specific I get in my songwriting the more universal the stories seem to become. At its best, music is a connecter and a gateway to greater conversation. “Talk About That” touches on vignettes of life and flashes of unique human perspectives wrapped within the universal point that at the end of the day we all need help, but we don’t ask. I hope ‘Talk About That’ helps start that conversation.” Most recently, the singer/songwriter released the album’s pulsating title track and music video starring Lucy Hale, available to watch here at https://youtu.be/ 825NscbmFmM. Growing up in South Jersey, Droney’s career began with a bang, as at age 13 he won a Robert Johnson New Generation Award as “Best Young Blues Guitarist” and began sharing stages with the likes of B.B. King, James Brown, The Roots, Taj Mahal, Macy Gray, and Elvis Costello. Droney became enamored of New York City at an early age, gigging frequently in esteemed Manhattan clubs and eventually attending the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. He moved to LA and signed a publishing deal, and in 2018 relocated to Nashville to craft a self-titled EP, also making his TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, performing at Barclays Center for Tidal X, and seeing his song “High Hope” featured on Grey’s Anatomy. After signing to Warner Records in 2019, he appeared at Bonnaroo and ACL, collaborated with Kygo, released the first half of his debut, and recently reached the 60 million streams milestone. With a résumé that reads like a dream, and after extensive touring and playing onstage with some of the all-time legends of blues, pop, rock, and soul, Droney is set to release a debut album of his own — STATE OF THE HEART — available on May 21

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The Weeknd unveils the much anticipated “Save Your Tears Remix” with Ariana Grande via XO/Republic Records. Listen to “Save Your Tears (Remix)” here at https://theweeknd.lnk.to/ SYTRMXPR. Watch the official animated video with both stars directed by Jack Brown and produced by Blinkink here at https://youtu.be/LIIDhqI9oI. The diamond-selling icon paired with Grammy winner Grande, continuing a tradition of epic collaborations together such as “Love Me Harder” and “off the table.” The original “Save Your Tears” remains a standout from The Weeknd’s historic multi-platinum 2020 opus After Hours. The song not only went double platinum and eclipsed 1 billion streams, but it also currently holds #1 at Top 40 Radio. The Weeknd is the Most Streamed R&B Artist of 2021 and After Hours remains the most streamed R&B album of this year continuing on from its release in early 2020. He has 2 songs in the Top 5 Most Streamed Globally with “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears”. Grammy winning, multi-platinum recording artist and international superstar, Ariana Grande, is the first artist to hold the top three Billboard Hot 100 spots since The Beatles in 1964 with “7 Rings,” “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” and “Thank U, Next.” In 2020, she became the first and only artist to have 5 singles debut at #1 in the charts history.

Rock And Blues International

February April 2021 2021 •• Rock Rock and and Blues Blues International International

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Caroline Kingsbury Shares “Kissing Someone Else” Video

Photo cred: Lissyelle Laricchia

Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Debut LP Heaven’s Just A Flight Out Via Fortune Tellers Caroline Kingsbury shares her long-awaited Heaven’s Just A Flight LP, out now on Fortune Tellers Records. This Caroline Kingsbury record is so close to a massive pop album, the kind you hear out on Republic Records with hundreds of thousands of dollars sunk into it so that it blasts out your speakers absolutely perfectly, the kind of inescapable music you hear taking over the airwaves and internet. And yet, it’s something else entirely. It’s the story of a young artist begging, borrowing and stealing to just get her voice heard, and of all the desperation and hard days cutting through. With each song you can actually hear a young kid who moved from Florida writing in her bedroom and starting out on her own in her cheap Hollywood apartment. You are right alongside her chasing those massive pop sounds, going to work day after day at the local grocery, and going on tour with a band for the first time. Feel her tenacity waver as she gets stuck in a sleazy contract, as her agent leaves her, and as her first serious relationship falls apart. The record lands in this strange place that is really like the sound of our own dreams. It takes you right there with her. It’s not so shiny, not so escapist anymore. Sometimes it’s really hard. Sometimes it’s broken. Sometimes dreams don’t come true but we keep trying. Entitled Heaven’s Just a Flight, it’s the story of a queer artist from a religious family coming out to the world, meeting her girlfriend, finding her people and her place. It’s the story of her older brother’s battle with cancer, his sudden passing just as she arrives home from her first national tour, just as she’s set to release her first single. The music is bursting at its seams. You feel her story, her experience. It’s the sound of a really big voice in a small world. Heaven’s Just a Flight is the first release from Fortune Tellers, a label founded by Peter Matthew Bauer of the Walkmen with several more to come in the following months. Last year, Caroline self released a few of these songs, opened forChai, Aurora, Miya Folick and wenton a US tour with Alex LISTEN & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury Heaven’s Just A Flight LP Spotify https://smarturl.it/heavensjustaflight Apple Music https://smarturl.it/heavensjustaflight Amazon Music https://smarturl.it/heavensjustaflight WATCH & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury “Kissing Someone Else” (Official Video) YouTube @ https://youtu.be/EbAWUP0JpaQ LISTEN & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury (feat. Liv Singerland) - “Hero” Spotify http://smarturl.it/ckhero

Lahey. Her music was also featured on the Netflix show“The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” Up until now, she’d always gone under the name “Kingsbury.” She has elected to shift her artist name to the full “Caroline Kingsbury” for the new record, deciding that, in these times, it was important to show exactly who you are-every side of you - “not just a fantasy of who you might become.” HEAVEN’S JUST A FLIGHT TRACKLISTING 01. Power 02. Fall In Love 03. Breaking Apart 04. Massive Escape 05.16 06. U Take It Back 07. Kissing Someone Else 08. Ending of Love 09. Give Me A Sign 10. Lose 11. In My Brain 12. Dreams, for You 13. Heaven’s Just A Flight 14. My Brother’s Voice 15. Hero 16. Funeral

Apple Music http://smarturl.it/ckhero

Amazon Music https://smarturl.it/massiveescape

Amazon Music http://smarturl.it/ckhero

WATCH & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury - “Fall In Love” (Official Video) Youtube @ https://youtu.be/ZVnmgzIz_s8

WATCH & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury “Massive Escape” (Official Video) Vevo @ https://youtu.be/RLwdA1tjyXE

CAROLINE KINGSBURY LINKS Website https://www.carolinekingsbury.com

LISTEN & SHARE: Caroline Kingsbury “Massive Escape” Spotify https://smarturl.it/massiveescape

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kingsburyxx/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kingsburyxx/

Apple Music https://smarturl.it/massiveescape May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 51

Rapper, Painter, and Model RACQUEL JONES Releases Intense and Empowering New Album IgnoRANT Listen Here at https://ffm.to/ignorant The multi-talented Racquel Jones who lists singer/songwriter, skilled visual artist/painter, accomplished model (former Miss Jamaica Universe contestant), and poet in her catalog of accomplishments, has spent the past several years as part of Thievery Corporation’s touring band which has exposed her to tens of thousands of fans throughout Europe, South America and the US from coast to coast. Today though, April 23, 2021, she highlights “RAPPER” in her current CV 52 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

with the release of her heart-stopping and ruthless new album IgnoRANT via Magnetic Moon Records. “I create music that’s conceptual, but not too esoteric, intelligent but dope, relatable yet deep, revolutionary and soulful, thoughtful in its words, learned in its language, but totally accessible. That’s me and I’m baring my soul for the world to see and hear.” Listen to IgnoRANT here: https://ffm.to/ignorant

Racquel Jones “Queen” Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/XGkLynuikpQ Her new album IgnoRANT is a 12track digest of colossal rap, tackling truths that affect massive populations but evade the mainstream cultural discourse due to their provocative and potentially controversial nature. The record flows with her outrage like a “rant,” as the title might suggest, coming in waves of continued on next page

justified anger, breaths of introspective air, and demands for acknowledgement, transparency and change. Kicking off the ?thunderous ????storm with “Invocation,”?? Jones ?pelts the world ?into submission while laying out her demands. “This is about me, but about you at the same time / This is about everybody, but nobody at the same time / Cuz really, do you hear me? Do they hear us? Are they listening? / Oh, but you? You gonna hear me.” Imminently right behind, the record ?strikes hard ?with the confrontational track “Sacrilege,” which she explains as, “a blatant denouncement of religion, specifically Catholicism and what it represents for Black people whose history was intercepted by slavery.” ?Without a moment’s hesitation, she arrives full-force with “Ange?r?,” ?hinting that this storm isn’t ready to relent. “Daddy Issues” offers a pop and reggae ?respite, ?with ?the pensive and tranquil first half of “Manic,” ?before launching back into ?cyclonic power with ?the hair-raising horror-rap stylings that are trademark to the record. “Arrogant” re-asserts Jones’s power before diving into a beautifully harmonized version of the Christian “Doxology”, laden with contextual irony in a way that only a preacher’s daughter could accomplish. “Ugly,” “Heartless,” and “Hurt” turn inward and examine more personal topics of body image, self-love, and how systematic oppression affects people on the individual level. Then, as the album nears its end, “Jungle” paints an explicit and unrestrained picture of colorism, misogyny, and the way women with dark skin have been fetishized in our society. After digging up so many roots of oppression, Jones caps off the record with the previously noted powerful and

emboldening message of “Queen.” “It may seem at times cynical, sarcastic, provocative and uncomfortable, but the anguish is palpable by intention,” explains Jones. “It’s a voice unique but one that anyone can understand. It’s the voice of undiplomatic gritty intelligence, relatable to all cultures, transcending pop cultural vernacular and ‘waves’. It’s the voice of powerful women made to feel powerless. It’s the voice of black kings made to feel less than human. It’s the voice of sexual freedom in the face of misogynistic false standards for women. It’s the voice of a young Jamaican woman who’s seen the world and its parallel stereotype universes in all cultures. It’s the edgy voice of Jamaica, a rebel beauty queen, a fallen preacher’s child, the only sister among three brothers, four years in art school and a bachelor of fine arts. That’s me, I’m that voice. I’m Racquel Jones.”

IgnoRANT was released on April 23, 2021 via Magnetic Moon Records. Racquel Jones “Sacrilege” Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/rP_OO-5xnvo IgnoRANT Tracklisting 1. Invocation 2. Sacrilege 3. Anger 4. Daddy Issues 5. Manic 6. Arrogant 7. Doxology 8. Ugly 9. Heartless 10. Hurt 11. Jungle 12. Queen

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

continue what was already the longest musical association of his career. An avid record collector, there were songs he had set aside for decades, waiting to reach an age at which he would truly be able to do them justice. Here and elsewhere, perhaps the question that determined the shape and feel of Surrounded By Time was this: what if this were to be Tom Jones’ final album? “I hope I get to make several more,” he adds, “But at this point, you really have to make it count.”

Credit: Rick Guest

Tom Jones Releases New Album Surrounded By Time Out Now via BMG Records Sir Tom Jones has released his new album Surrounded By Time via BMG. The album has been met with critical acclaim worldwide, with The Independent calling it “a triumph of hope and experience” and The New Yorker proclaiming it “steeped in gravity.” Recently, Sir Tom appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show in conversation with Hoda & Jenna, and has also performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Surrounded By Time is out digitally now and will be released on physical formats on May 7. Listen to Surrounded By Time: http://TomJones.lnk.to/ surroundedbytime Watch a brand new in-studio performance of “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall” via YouTube: https://youtu.be/hIWlcgj2Lbw Recently, Sir Tom appeared on WTF with Marc Maron, and has been featured in PEOPLE Magazine, The Boston Globe, SPIN, American Songwriter, AARP, and many more. The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano also kicked off his Best Tracks of the Week video featuring the recent single “Pop 64 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Star.” Watch the video for “Pop Star” via YouTube: https://youtu.be/qQMfzOEThto Co-produced by Ethan Johns and Mark Woodward, Surrounded By Time marks out new territory with a sonic landscape of outstanding musicianship and a vocal delivery that reimagines a diverse set of songs of personal importance that have impacted Jones throughout a long, unpredictable but undeniably impressive career. Having recorded three acclaimed albums with producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Paolo Nutini, Kings Of Leon, Ray Lamontagne), Tom was keen to

Surrounded By Time tracklist: 1) I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall (Bernice Johnson Reagon) 2) The Windmills Of Your Mind (Michel Legrand/Alan & Marilyn Bergman) 3) Pop Star (Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam) 4) No Hole In My Head (Malvina Reynolds) 5) Talking Reality Television Blues (Todd Snider) 6) I Won’t Lie (Michael Kiwanuka & Paul Butler) 7) This is the Sea (Michael Scott) 8) One More Cup Of Coffee (Bob Dylan) 9) Samson And Delilah (Tom Jones, Ethan Johns, Mark Woodward) 10) Old Mother Earth (Tony Joe White) 11) I’m Growing Old (Bobby Cole) 12) Lazurus Man (Terry Callier)

Coma Culture share their second single “In Love” from their upcoming LP Camouflage, out June 25th on The Repost Network. Filtering the modern condition through a dream pop haze, Coma Culture is a new indie rock band featuring Young the Giant’s Eric Cannata and Francois Comtois with producer/ songwriter Jon O’Brien. Taking their name from their debut single, the longtime friends and collaborators use their unique lyrical voices and experimental production to explore existential dread and the hope for something more. After trading demos and favorite records on the road, when O’Brien was the tour manager for Young the Giant, Coma Culture bonded over their shared love of Broken Social Scene, Sparklehorse, Slowdive, and the Cure. Cannata, Comtois, and O’Brien have worked together on a variety of projects over the years, including Travelers and American Pets, but in 2019 they came together as a trio and founded the band in a series of sessions at O’Brien’s Music Box Studios. They reworked and recorded everyone’s songs together, including some inspired by their early touring days, and finished the album throughout 2020. Their debut album, Camouflage, combines vintage instruments, modern recording techniques, and classic songwriting for a sound that’s immediately distinct yet warmly familiar. Each song was crafted together, combining personal lyrics and layered production to communicate what it’s like to be alive today. The result is a sound that is sometimes unstable and warbly, as if overwhelmed and interrupted by a new technology, sometimes quiet and unsure about what comes next, and sometimes clear and confident. The band polished off their sound with a little help from Yuuki Matthews (The Shins, Richard Swift, David Bazan), who

Photo Cred: Kelly Victoria

Coma Culture Share “In Love” Camouflage LP Out June 25th Via Repost Network Vinyl Preorder + Merch Store Live Now at https://www.comaculture.com/shop mixed “Martha” and “Bad Habits.” The preorder for the Camouflage LP is live now at the Coma Culture website at https://www.comaculture.com/shop, along with a brand new line of merch.

LISTEN & SHARE: Coma Culture - “In Love” Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/0605WMnBHxrrMZihlMcuf7?si=SnAqWaaYTEC-0Jj0dkDheQ SoundCloud https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=bc77d27e2d&e=28146e6e7b LISTEN & SHARE: Coma Culture - “Coma Culture” SoundCloud https://tellallyourfriendspr.us10.list-manage.com/track/ click?u=63f1674ecdb2a4574b77e600b&id=99ce6cab55&e=28146e6e7b May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Watch Viral Shred Guitar Virtuoso Bernth Play Through One of the Most Difficult Pieces Ever Written for Solo Violin Niccolò Paganini’s “Caprice No. 24” ( https://youtu.be/4w1FIpWN_0Q ) Long-Awaited Debut Album, Elevation, Scheduled for Release on May 14 After taking over Instagram and YouTube with his insane guitar skills, reaching millions of viewers and over 280.000 subscribers in just one year, BERNTH has officially released a studio version of Paganini’s “Caprice No. 24” as the first single from his upcoming album, Elevation, available May 14. Watch the awe-inspiring playthrough now at https://youtu.be/4w1FIpWN_0Q. BERNTH’s new adaption of Paganini’s final “Caprice” (widely considered to be one of the most difficult pieces ever written for solo violin) showcases all of his signature breathtaking guitar techniques and a stunning light show. “This is the only song on the album I did not write myself, but there might be the strongest personal connection and story behind it,” says BERNTH. “I wanted to play this piece since my teenage years when I first picked up a guitar. I was fascinated with all the techniques and melodies but couldn’t make it past the first measures! I brought this piece to many guitar teachers in my early years and they all couldn’t really help me... that’s when I realized that I had to do this on my own. I promised myself that someday, I would be

able to write a full arrangement and a killer metal guitar version of ‘Caprice No. 24’ by Niccolò Paganini!” After becoming a double honor student of the acclaimed Vienna Music Institute, gathering experience on tour and in the studio working for highly praised multi-platinum productions and exploring the limits of the guitar through his weekly shred videos over the last years, BERNTH is finally ready to cross this achievement off his bucket list. Guitar enthusiasts can download the tabs and guitar pro files for this Paganini arrangement on BERNTH’s Patreon page (along with 160+ guitar technique and theory lessons) at https:// www.patreon.com/bernth. Elevation, the first instrumental album full of BERNTH’s signature highadrenaline shredding, took years to finish and embodies the absolute dedication and perfectionism his viewership is already accustomed to. “I couldn’t be happier with these new songs and the album in general,” BERNTH says. “My biggest goal was writing fresh, challenging instrumental music that is also easy and entertaining to listen to. All songs were insanely challenging to record but emotion, feeling and melody always had priority. You can find odd meters, exotic scales, unique guitar techniques, the weirdest effect, and many more details all over the album – but always in a way that serves the songs and the emotions they are supposed to portray.” Before focusing on his YouTube and Instagram presence, BERNTH mainly

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worked with the Austrian pop/rock act Seiler und Speer, playing on multiple gold and platinum-certified albums and singles in his home country of Austria. His roots lie in the extreme metal genre, where he started his career as a session/live guitar player for the Austrian band Belphegor in 2010. He also wrote David Hasselhoff’s debut metal song “Through the Night” with his electronic metal project CueStack. Aside from his work on stage and in the studio, he is a double honor student of the Vienna Music Institute, where he studied jazz guitar and instrumental pedagogics. BERNTH has taught over 10,000 students in the last two years with his online courses, “10 Steps to Modern Shredding” and “Sweep Picking Masterclass” on www.bernth.at and with this weekly video lesson content on www.patreon.com/ bernth. Pre-orders for Elevation are available now at https:// bernth.myshopify.com/. Limited bundles sold out within hours of their announcement. BERNTH online: www.bernth.at www.youtube.com/bernthguitar www.instagram.com/bernthofficial www.facebook.com/bernthofficial www.patreon.com/bernth

five years after leader Lemmy Kilmister’s death, listeners are still ravenous for “new” MOTÖRHEAD music.

MOTÖRHEAD’s Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin Available Now MOTÖRHEAD’s Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin, a previously unreleased recording from the 2012 Kings of The Road Tour, is available now via Silver Lining Music. Recorded December 5, 2012, Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin captures Germany’s love affair with the Grammy award winning band as they play in front of 12,000 delirious, delighted and demented MOTÖRHEAD fans at the Berlin Velodrom. Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is available on CD with a bonus live DVD, as a double vinyl set, box set (GSA Retail Exclusive and via D2C Worldwide Ex GSA, containing CD with bonus DVD in Digipak, double black

vinyl gatefold album in 180 gm and MOTÖRHEAD branded passport cover) and via digital platforms. Throughout Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin, MOTÖRHEAD’s powerful synergy boots its way through the speakers with the boisterous charm and dirty, dangerous, sweaty gusto that was the Lemmy Kilmister/Phil Campbell/Mikkey Dee trademark. From the unapologetically furious “I Know How to Die” to a deliciously raucous “Going to Brazil,” Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is all about the thick, raw and liberating power of MOTÖRHEAD live, with longtime producer Cameron Webb bringing his mixing skills to the party as well as doing a 5.1 mix of the DVD. Further highlights include a favorably feral “Rock It,” a rudely raunchy “You Better Run” and a classic one-two haymaker of “Ace of Spades” and “Overkill.” The leading track from the album will be a cranium cracking “Over the Top,” a song which must be as close to definitive of this band as you’ll ever find. A longtime favorite of heavy metal, punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll fans alike, MOTÖRHEAD also became unlikely media darlings around the globe. Early reviews of Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin have proven that

Louder than Noise…Live in Berlin was captured by Herwig Meyszner, who has also produced concert films for the likes of Saxon, Exodus and Kreator, with a multicamera no-shot-missed shoot that captures not just the energy onstage but the energy on the floor. In so many ways, Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is a joyous celebration of Lemmy, Phil, Mikkey and this special night in Germany, and whether a collector completist or newbie to MOTÖRHEAD’s music, Louder Than Noise… Live in Berlin is a welcome reminder of what real rock ‘n’ roll is truly about. Louder Than Noise...Live in Berlin track listing: I Know How to Die - Live in Berlin 2012 Damage Case - Live in Berlin 2012 Stay Clean - Live in Berlin 2012 Metropolis - Live in Berlin 2012 Over the Top - Live in Berlin 2012 Doctor Rock - Live in Berlin 2012 String Theory - Live in Berlin 2012 The Chase Is Better Than the Catch - Live in Berlin 2012 Rock It - Live in Berlin 2012 You Better Run - Live in Berlin 2012 The One to Sing the Blues - Live in Berlin 2012 Going to Brazil - Live in Berlin 2012 Killed by Death - Live in Berlin 2012 Ace of Spades - Live in Berlin 2012 Overkill - Live in Berlin 2012 MOTÖRHEAD is: Lemmy Kilmister – Vocals/Bass Phil Campbell – Guitars Mikkey Dee – Drums MOTÖRHEAD online: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ OfficialMotorhead YouTube https://smarturl.it/MotorheadYT Official Motörhead https://imotorhead.com May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

CREAM GOODBYE TOUR LIVE AT THE FORUM 1968 LIMITED EDITION BLUE 2LP OUT NOW Available Now At https://shop.udiscovermusic.com/collections/cream! UMe/Polydor is delighted to release the limited edition, blue, 2LP release of Cream’s show Live at the Forum, recorded at the Los Angeles Forum during their Goodbye Tour of 1968. Taken from the 2020 full version of the 4-CD set of the Goodbye Tour 1968 and produced by Bill Levenson, this sumptuous 2LP set is the first authorized release of the full concert on vinyl and is available now here athttps:// shop.udiscovermusic.com/collections/ cream. It captures Cream at their virtuosic best, at the end, and at the height of their career.

together as Cream in July 1966, they shone briefly but blindingly bright throughout two trailblazing years. “Cream was a shambling circus of diverse personalities who happened to find that catalyst together..... any one of us could have played unaccompanied for a good length of time. So you put the three of us together in front of an audience willing to dig it limitlessly, we could have gone on forever.... And we did....just going for the moon every time we played.” Eric Clapton

With Cream, Ginger Baker, Jack The limited-edition, blue, 2LP Bruce and Eric Clapton, set the template release of Cream’s show Live at the for not only the ‘supergroup’ but also the Forum is available now here at https:// “power trio,” with their innate musical shop.udiscovermusic.com/collections/ talent and brilliance. Only coming cream 58 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

Tracklisting: Side 1 Introduction by Buddy Miles White Room Politician I’m So Glad Side 2 Sitting On Top Of The World Crossroads Sunshine Of Your Love Side 3 Traintime Toad Side 4 Spoonful

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Myles Kennedy Releases Topical Animated Music Video for“Get Along” from Upcoming Sophomore Solo Album The Ides Of March To be Released May 14 via Napalm Records By Nathan Pugh Myles Kennedy has released yet another video from his upcoming second album, The Ides Of March. The new video is for the song “Get Along.” This new video takes the form of an animated feature which was based on an idea by Myles and created by director / animator Ollie Jones. For this video, Myles and Ollie enlisted the expertise of animators Jake Lava and Sam Clark. Jake and Sam worked hand in hand with Ollie Jones to great a story of how society is changing the animal society. It shows how a forest of animals join together to fight a pollution that is infecting their homes, not to mention the corporate expansion that is running amuck in the forest as Kennedy sings the pivotal lyrics, “Why can’t we all get along?” The group of animals that band together in this poignant video include a bear, deer, ninja turtle, and beavers that enlist the help of a wise old owl to help them band together to combat this growing problem and help them to create a better society for themselves. This is the third song to be released from the upcoming album that is slated for a May 14th release on Napalm Records. His first solo album, released in 2018, featured more of an acoustic approach and with this new one, he has returned to his electric roots and really

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making strides as a guitarist and songwriter. With this new album, Kennedy really excels in his diversity as evidenced in songs like “Wake Me When It’s Over,” “Moonshot,” and “A Thousand Words.” No doubt his fans will be having a ball listening to these new tracks when the album is released. “Get Along” is the new single off the album, but he has already released two previous songs from the album that seem to be doing quite well. “In Stride” is shooting up the Active Rock charts and has firmly rooted itself in the Top 30, and the album’s title track, “The Ides Of March” has been met with great critical acclaim and a lot of praise from his fans. “The Ides Of March” is the longest song on the album and it clocks in at a little over seven and a half minutes long. Joining Myles on the album is drummer and longtime friend Zia Uddin a well as bassist and manager Tim Tournier. The Ides Of March was produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette, which is a longtime associate of Myles. Myles has had the career that most musicians dream of and aspire to accomplish. He has recorded several albums with his band Alter Bridge, as well as albums with Slash’s band, Slash and The continued on next page

“Get Along” watch at https://youtu.be/XiuApDdvyko Conspirators, along with two albums with The Mayfield Four. When he released his first solo album, Year Of The Tiger, it featured a very impressive list of guest musicians, including members of Disturbed, Haelstorm, Gov’t Mule and Sevendust. Mark Morton and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels even made guest appearances on the album. He has led quite an active musical career and it was with his band, The Mayfield Four where he opened for chartmakers such as Creed where he met Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips. This led to the formation of Alter Bridge. H even met with members of Led Zeppelin where he jammed with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham for a proposed project. Unfortunately noting materialized from this lineup. Finally in 2009 former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash starting working on a solo project and he enlisted the help of Myles Kennedy which proved to be very productive and has resulted in doing three records together. He even went on to sit in with Guns N’ Roses as their lead singer for their 2012 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when Axl Rose was unable to attend. In addition to all of that, he has also appeared on several television shows such as The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel, and Conan. His music is in such high demand, that it has been used by the WWE, Major League Baseball and NASCAR among many other organizations. And yes, that was him n the movie Rock Star. Now Myles is on another path dictated by his newly found solo career which started off with his 2018 debut Year Of The Tiger and has segued into his sophomore release, The Ides Of March. The Ides Of March tracklisting: 1) Get Along 2) A Thousand Words 3) In Stride 4) The Ides of March 5) Wake Me When It’s Over 6) Love Rain Down 7) Tell It Like It Is 8) Moonshot 9) Wanderlust Begins

10) Sifting Through The Fire 11) Worried Mind The Ides Of March will be available in the following formats: - Digital Album - 1 CD Jewel Case - 1 CD Digipack (Napalm mailorder, limited to 500 worldwide) - 2 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl - 2 LP Gatefold Grey Vinyl - 2 LP Gatefold Bottle Green Transparent Vinyl (Napalm mailorder, limited to 400 worldwide) (SOLD OUT) - Die Hard Limited Edition: 2 LP Gatefold Clear Splatter Mint/ Violet/White Vinyl + Aluminum Print (SOLD OUT) - Limited Deluxe Box: Glow In The Dark Vinyl + Cover Artprint + 7” Glow In The Dark “A Thousand Words” Vinyl Demo Single + Pendant + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder, limited to 700 worldwide) MYLES KENNEDY ONLINE: WEBSITE - https://myleskennedy.com/ FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMylesKennedy TWITTER - https://www.twitter.com/MylesKennedy INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/OfficialMyleskennedy/ NAPALM RECORDS https://label.napalmrecords.com/myles-kennedy

Pre-Order The Ides Of March here at https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/myleskennedy

“In Stride” watch at https://youtu.be/ZVgjcbo8D1k

“The Ides Of March” watch at https://youtu.be/hAD_82BD7k4 May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Live Music Concerts Will Be Returning To Louisville, Kentucky This Month Thanks To “Danny Wimmer Presents!” Danny Wimmer Presents and Waterfront Park Announce “Live On The Lawn At Waterfront Park” Concert Series To Debut This Spring In Louisville, KY Featuring Prominent Touring Acts Across Multiple Genres Leading independent festival promoter and producer Danny Wimmer Presents announced that it will produce a months-long concert series on the Great Lawn At Waterfront Park beginning this May. Called “Live On The Lawn At Waterfront Park,” the series will consist of up to 15 live events, scheduled for the 2021 season beginning this Spring. The events will feature some of the brightest names in various musical genres that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. More details will be announced soon about the individual shows. “The arts are the soul of our city. And from all the festivals to our orchestra and to the amazing local performers that we’re known for across the world, music brings us together, soothes us through troubled times and helps us celebrate the good times. So I’m excited about this new concert series on our waterfront,” says Louisville Mayor Fischer. “DWP has always been a great partner, and I appreciate their continuing support and commitment.” Adds Deborah Bilitski, President/ Executive Director of Waterfront Park, “While we’ve safely been hosting millions of people throughout the pandemic, this signals a turning point for the park in terms of a return to muchneeded revenue generation. Event fees 62

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and donations keep the park wellmaintained and free for everyone, so we really appreciate the energy DWP is putting into this wonderful concert series.” Danny Wimmer Presents has had a strong relationship with the city of Louisville, starting with the longstanding rock festival Louder Than Life, returning for a sixth edition September 23 to 26, and in recent years, developing the Louisville Trifesta that presents additional consecutive festival weekends with Bourbon & Beyond and Hometown Rising. Together, these destination events have drawn considerable attention and tourism traffic to the city, which DWP hopes to expand on with the new “Live On The Lawn At Waterfront Park” series. The concert series will not impact longstanding successful annual events that already take place at Waterfront Park, with DWP working around those existing events in the seasonal calendar to provide additional show dates in this unique location. The scenic Waterfront Park along the Ohio River is adjacent to downtown Louisville, and in February was named the #6 Best Riverwalk in the country in USA Today’s 2021 “10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.” “DWP has worked very closely

with the Waterfront Park team, Louisville city officials and Louisville Tourism to fulfill our joint mission of bringing even more outstanding live entertainment options to this incredibly vibrant and expanding city,” says Danny Wimmer, Founder of DWP. “Louisville has so much to be proud of and excited about for the future, and we’re thrilled to help play a small role in promoting a greater sense of community through live music with our new Live On The Lawn series.” Live On The Lawn is thrilled to host the Bud Light Seltzer Main Stage as well as Heaven Hill Brands, Red Bull and Harley-Davidson of Louisville, as supporting partners in this inaugural year. “Partnerships continue to play a key role in the groundwork of DWP events and we could not be happier to have their participation as we launch this new venture with the city,” says Maureen Valker-Barlow, Executive Vice President Partnerships at Danny Wimmer Presents. To comply with existing COVID19 guidelines, and to keep fans, artists and staff safe and healthy, DWP plans to implement a limited capacity, socially distanced live performance setup for the “Live On The Lawn At Waterfront Park” series. Current plans include a pod-style setup with each pod holding 4-6 people, based on purchase. All pods will be continued on next page

spaced appropriately on the site as well to maintain socially distancing while enjoying the shows, as long as the guidelines are in place. For most events, there will also be several small areas for Standing Room Only with very limited capacities. As local and state authorities potentially loosen restrictions on social distancing as the year progresses, DWP also has the flexibility to reconfigure the site to accommodate more traditional viewing options. Danny Wimmer Presents has built a strong reputation in the live entertainment industry for being one of the most innovative festival creators, developers and producers in the country. With multiple successful annual festivals to their name, DWP is one of the most trusted names in the market. In 2021, the company announced its expansion into several new related lines of business including an artist streaming platform, promoting national tours and exclusive venue operations and development. With this Louisville partnership, Waterfront Park becomes one of several new locations that DWP will begin focusing its attention on; more details will be revealed soon about the additional venues.

To stay updated on show announcements and show information, or to learn more about “Live On The Lawn at Waterfront Park”, please visit www.liveonthelawnlou.com and follow on socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveonthelawnlou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveonthelawnlou

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOTL_LOU About Danny Wimmer Presents: Since 1993, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he formed Danny Wimmer Presents, which now produces several of the largest rock and alternative festivals in the U.S. By combining A-list talent with local cuisine and culture, DWP has become recognized within the industry for delivering the highestquality entertainment experiences to fans, artists, sponsors, partners and host cities. DWP creates memorable and allencompassing festival experiences, leaving both consumers and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. DWP will continue to add new music

festivals to its already stellar portfolio, which currently includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville. Previous DWP festivals include Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion and more. In 2020, DWP launched the popular digital series Offstage with DWP and ventured into the digital content curation space, promoting pay-per-view live streams. www.DannyWimmerPresents.com Twitter.com/DannyWimmerPres Facebook.com/Dannywimmerpresents Instagram.com/Dannywimmerpresents

Waterfront Park is a treasured community asset and home to some of Louisville’s most exciting celebrations. Once a wasteland of scrap yards and heavy industrial uses, Waterfront Park is now a vibrant 85-acre green space that welcomes over 2.2 million visitors each year. As the most utilized urban park in the city, it’s a place where Louisville comes together to celebrate our unique sense of community. Waterfront Park is a non-profit public park made possible by the generosity of Waterfront supporters. https://ourwaterfront.org

ADVERTISE HERE Advertise in a revolutionary new magazine that will be taking the music world by storm! call us now at 281-650-1953

Novmber 2020 • Rock and Blues International 35 September 2020 •• Rock Rock and and Blues Blues International International 77 21 May 2021

Rock And Blues International

scheduled to coincide with the album’s release on May 7. Pre-orders for Rebels of the Sun are available at https://stone-whiskeymerch-store.square.site/. “This album is made to be played as loud as possible,” notes bassist Jim Hunter. “If you dig albums like Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Appetite for Destruction’ and The Cult’s ‘Electric,’ ‘Rebels of the Sun’ just might scratch that rock n roll itch.” Stone Whiskey is: Alan Rueda – vocals, Bill Spears - guitar, Chris Clark – guitar, Mike Ropelewski- drums, & Jim Hunter - bass.

Stone Whiskey Carries the Torch for Straight Up Rebellious Rock ‘N’ Roll on New Album, Rebels of the Sun Rebels of the Sun Pre-Orders Available Now at https://stone-whiskey-merch-store.square.site North Carolina hard rockers Stone Whiskey are set to release their debut album, Rebels of the Sun, a record chock full of hard-hitting rebellious rock ‘n’ roll, on May 7. “This album screams rock ‘n’ roll from start to finish,” says guitarist Bill Spears. “It’s got all the key ingredients I want in a band...killer vocals, big guitars, catchy hooks and stories delivered with just the right amount of swagger and character.” Stone Whiskey’s classic, time tested sound was bought to life by producer Anthony Focx, whose more than 500 releases include Buckcherry, Night Ranger, Vince Neil, Daughtry, Aerosmith and 17 gold and platinum awards. “Quarantine really gave us the time to focus on writing songs and recording the album,” says vocalist Alan Rueda. “Being able to work with a producer like Anthony Focx was awesome. He took what we had and made it 64 Rock and Blues International • May 2021

sound like a rock album should sound.” There’s no filler on Rebels of the Sun, with each of the record’s nine tracks delivering a hefty dose of high-energy rock. Drawing comparisons to Guns N’ Roses’ early recordings, Stone Whiskey has already garnered praise for their classic sound, with fans enthusing that the Raleighbased quintet is carrying the old school rock ‘n’ roll torch for a new generation. Check out the videos for the first two singles from the release, the title track “Rebels of the Sun,” and “Into the Moonlight.” A third video for the track “Empty Eyes” is

Rebels of the Sun track listing: Into the Moonlight Empty Eyes Rebels of the Sun Out on the City Troublemaker Mirror Feels Like Yesterday Talkin’ Dirty Livin’ Wild Stone Whiskey online: https://stonewhiskeyband.com www.facebook.com/stonewhiskey www.instagram.com/stonewhiskeyband https://twitter.com/stone_whiskey www.youtube.com/channel/ UCgYJS4qfB_aEYiqFEhCKF5Q

March 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Kansas Hardcore Collective Revisionist Reveals Video for “Half Moon” By Tank Kansas hardcore rockers, Revisionist, will be releasing their new EP, The Emptiness Of Gravity this month on May 21st. The Emptiness Of Gravity will feature six new songs from the band. As a precursor to the EP release, the band has released a new song and video off the album as their first single, titled “Half Moon.” You can check out the video for “Half Moon” right now at https://youtu.be/ Rm6T8Wuwaiw “We wrote this almost entirely in the studio and it just came together,” says vocalist Eric Martin. “It is definitely the most unique song on the EP, I think it’s going to catch people off guard in a good way.” Adds guitarist Josh Barbee, “‘Half Moon’ just drips vibe. Creating movement with dynamics that just drip rock and roll.” Revisionist recorded their new EP at Rio Grande Studios in Albuquerque, New Mexico with producer Aaron Gillespie (Underoath, Paramore, The Almost). Aaron has worked with he band before on other projects. “‘The Emptiness of Gravity’ is a pissed off, honest offering, purging emotions built over the past couple years,” Barbee says. “Struggle inspires us and drives us to

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be more. In a world of processed clones and emotions, it is a brand new scene.” Revisionist was formed in Wichita, Kansas in 2016. The band features members of The Gentlemen Homicide, Take It back! Between the members of the band they have over a decades worth of experience under their belts. The goal of the band was to take it back to a “simpler and purer time” when the message of the song was the most important element to it. With that being said, the band presents a more honest approach to their music reminiscent of the hardcore metal of the early 2000s. The band already has one full length album to their name, Culling, which was released in 2018 and produced by Jeff Sayhoun (Letlive). The group released three videos from the album: “Culling” ( https://youtu.be/4z3dAcOnRzY ), “Lifer” ( https://youtu.be/ZTbgC-akLkQ ) and “Salient” ( https://youtu.be/mvT0hF_Vz3s ). Revisionist is comprised of Max Abood - Bass, Joshua Barbee - Guitar, Eric Martin - Vocals and Joshua Peavey - Drums. The band already has endorsements from ESP Guitars, Enki Cases and Engl Amps. “Revisionist has always been a band to write the most honest music we could,” says drummer Josh Peavy. “With this EP, we

wanted to incorporate some different elements that no one has heard us do before and I think that we did that without sacrificing who we are as a band.” The Emptiness of Gravity track listing: 1. Violence Golden 2. Half Moon 3. Deathbed Kings 4. Panic Burn 5. Wasteland Dreams 6. Night Chills REVISIONIST online: https:// revisionistofficial.bandcamp.com/ www.facebook.com/revisionist316/

Appeal To Authority Kataan New Single Goes Extraterrestrial with Debut Video “Abyss” Out Now! credit: MeiLing Boland

WATCH THE VISUAL FOR ABYSS at https://youtu.be/eK0VLZAERjA

By Tank Florida progressive metal band, Appeal To Authority has just released a cool video single from their upcoming debut EP. Their first single is titled “Pulling Me Inside” and the video of it leans towards a space age extraterrestrial theme.

Recent Prosthetic Records signees, KATAAN have released Abyss, the second single from their upcoming self titled EP - out on May 7. The modern death metal duo is comprised of Nicholas Thornbury (formerly of Vattnet Viskar) on guitar and vocals, and Brett Boland (Astronoid) on drums and bass. Whilst small in number KATAAN’s sound is vast in scope.

Evidently the video explores the world of Alien Abduction and is told through a short story format. You can check it out for yourself at https://youtu.be/ lkVHybQNFiY

Pre-order Kataan EP here at http://smarturl.it/Kataan Speaking on the new single, Nicholas Thornbury comments: “Abyss is a song about loss or what could have been. That thing, that choice or action that will haunt you forever. I find myself dwelling on these things in that half-conscious state right before sleep, sometimes wishing I could stay there and fix the things I’ve broken in the past.” Dystopian death metal is the foundation for KATAAN’s explorations through existential missives and depressive imagery. The pair have created a thick, hypnotic level of atmosphere with layers of pounding drums and pummeling riffs that fill up the furthest ends of the musical spectrum. Shot through with melody, the four track EP is as uplifting as it is melancholic - invoking cinematic landscapes and post-apocalyptic darkness. Recorded by Brett in summer 2019, before being mastered by Magnus Lindberg, KATAAN have crafted a statement of intent with these four tracks and paved the way for their debut full-length.

“I had been binge watching a lot of Bob Lazar videos on YouTube and watching a lot of UFO documentaries and became very enthusiastic on the idea of life beyond ours on earth,” says bassist and backup vocalist Stan Martell. “The task of making a video to tell the lyrical storyline was a challenge we were willing to take.” For production of the video, the band contacted Thomas Crane of Kill Devil films (Todd La Torre, Saliva). Bassist Stan Martell took on the responsibility of all the CGI and video effects, while the film was structured by Kill Devil Films’ Thomas Crane. “Thomas was able to take the idea and mold it into exactly what we were looking for,” Martell says. “He incorporated the CGI space scenes that I had built in after effects and flawlessly made the flow of the storyline. I then finished off the video with some added video effects to give it that alien feel. We are excited with the outcome and can’t wait to share it with the world!”

Kataan EP will be released via Prosthetic Records on May 7. Kataan track listing: 1. Erase 2. Abyss 3. Processor 4. Vessel KATAAN is: Nicholas Thornbury - Guitar and vocal Brett Boland - Drums and bass Follow Kataan Online at: twitter @ https://www.twitter.com/kataanband facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/kataanband instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/kataanband/ Listen to Abyss via Spotify ( https://open.spotify.com/album/ 40NoC5E17ERW8N9sicsuuE?si=7r194fyjRracDRcQk7veyg ), Apple Music ( https://music.apple.com/gb/album/kataan-ep/ 1549757738?uo=4&ls=1&app=music&at=11lEW&ct=kdbnih ) and Bandcamp ( https://kataan.bandcamp.com/album/kataan ).

Appeal To Authority was formed this last year in Jacksonville, Fl by bassist Stan Martell, drummer Shaun Taunton, and guitarist/vocalist Larry Schroeder. The band prides itself on it’s “ unique blend of crushing riffs, complex arrangements, hard hitting grooves and aggressive prog elements.” They tells us that their influences range from Gojira, Periphery, Tool, and Megadeth, among many others. The band develops its unique sound from its use of complex time signatures, heavy tones, and technical rhythms. Without a doubt, the music of “Pulling Me Inside” will definitely pull you inside this cool video. The band is doing quite well on this developing a style of their own, so we can hardly wait to hear the full EP when it comes out. The yet untitled EP is being slated for a Summer release. APPEAL TO AUTHORITY online: www.appealtoauthority.net https://www.facebook.com/appealtoauthority https://www.instagram.com/appealtoauthorityband/ May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

Photo: Thomas Crane

Saliva Debuts Updated Version of Classic Single “Click Click Boom” Every Twenty Years EP Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Breakthrough Album Every Six Seconds with Re-Recorded Tracks Featuring Current Band Lineup Every Twenty Years Out May 7 via Megaforce Records SALIVA has revealed the second single, “Click Click Boom,” from Every Twenty Years, an EP featuring re-recorded classics with current vocalist Bobby Amaru to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of their major label debut, Every Six Seconds.

Boom,’” Swinny says. “Producer Bob Marlette took a song which was a cool, interesting rock song and crafted it masterfully into a piece of music that has stood the test of time for two decades and will continue to do so into the future.”

“Re-recording ‘Click Click Boom’ was much easier than the original recording because we already had the blueprint laid out for us,” says guitarist and founding member Wayne Swinny. “There was no need to alter anything because the original had all the right pieces in all the right places. We simply used the advances in modern technology to enhance the song sonically.”

Every 20 Years is slated for release on May 7 via Megaforce Records. The first single from the six-song EP, “Your Disease,” is available via digital music providers at https://orcd.co/yourdisease. A documentary on the band’s journey through the years is also slated for release this spring. Pre-orders for Every 20 Years are available at https:// orcd.co/everytwentyyears.

“Click Click Boom,” available now via digital music providers at https://orcd.co/ clickclickboom, remains one of the most popular tracks from SALIVA’s 2001 breakthrough album. “I think the combination of multiple genres of music has contributed greatly to the popularity of ‘Click Click

Formed in Memphis is 1996, SALIVA released a self-titled a debut album the following year. After selling 10,000 copies of the self-released album, Island Records took notice of the band. Every Six Seconds and its hit singles, the Grammy-nominated “Your Disease” and “Click Click Boom,” catapulted

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SALIVA into the mainstream and is now certified Double Platinum. After nearly 15 years, SALIVA parted ways with vocalist Josey Scott. In 2011, Bobby Amaru stepped in to fill the roll, infusing SALIVA with new blood, spirit and an energy similar to that which launched the band’s career a decade earlier. From modern metal to straight up hard rock, SALIVA continues to write in-your-face, anthemic songs, and win fans over through tours around the world with the biggest names in rock and appearances on the main stages at countless festivals and the most well-known motorcycle rallies. SALIVA is Bobby Amaru – vocals, Wayne Swinny – guitar, Paul Crosby – drums and Brad Stewart – bass SALIVA online: https://salivaofficial.com/ www.facebook.com/Saliva

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International

photo by Rui Vasco

Moonspell Shares Epic Live Video for “The Greater Good” & Announces New Tour

New Album, Hermitage, Out Now via Napalm Records Order here at https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/moonspell Watch the video for “The Greater Good” at https://youtu.be/Uvih29TgqTY By Tank Portuguese gothic metal band, Moonspell have just released their thirteenth studio album, Hermitage. The album is out now on Napalm Records. In addition to that they have also released an amazing new video for the song “The Greater Good” to go with it. The video for “The Greater Good” was recorded live at their concert that took place at the Pavilhão Rosa Mota - Super Bock Arena - in Porto, Portugal, in December 2020. This new video is being released in celebration of their newly announced UK tour with Paradise Lost that will be kicking off in 2022. Needless to say, the members of

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Moonspell are very excited about the new UK tour announcement and can’t wait to join their friends in the English Gothic band, Paradise Lost on this return back to touring. The world is returning for live music to return to its arenas and Moonspell is happy that they will be leading the way. For Moonspell, this is really an auspicious occasion as they are also poised to celebrate their 30th Anniversary as Moonspell when they hit the road again. Moonspell is also happy to be able to share their songs from their 2021 album release, Hermitage alongside Paradise Lost’s magnum opus Obsidian that was released in May of 2020. No doubt Paradise Lost will be happy to finally

present their newest work on stage since that celebration was cut short by the worldwide pandemic. Finally this world class tour of Gothic Metal Legends will take place live on stage starting in February 2022. We would urge you to start getting your tickets now, as this tour will no doubt be a sellout. Gothic Metal Giants Paradise Lost have announced that this tour will be called the “Obsidian Moon” tour, and they are equally as excited as Moonspell to announce that their longtime friends Moonspell will be their special guests. Paradise Lost lead singer, Nick Holmes tell us that “”We’re looking continued on next page

forward to doing a full UK tour again and playing some long-awaited shows in support of ‘Obsidian’, and who better to bring along for some of the ride than our old friends from Portugal, MOONSPELL? Thanks to you all for your continued support during these crazy times, and we hope to see you there. Until then, stay safe and stay well. Cheers, x!” Moonspell vocalist Fernando Ribeiro adds that “We couldn’t think of a more perfect way of getting back to touring than to join forces with the mighty Paradise Lost, a group we always looked up to and that helped ignite our very own existence as a band.” Moonspell is extremely excited about the release of Hermitage. While the world was going through a bit of depression with the halt of all touring, Moonspell utilized the time to record their thirteenth album Hermitage. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Primordial, Ghost, Sólstafir & many more). Recording took place at Orgone Studios in the UK during the summer months of 2020. The album was released on February 26th of this year through Napalm Records. Moonspell tells us that the album is an “epic journey through the darkest days of human existence and features some of the most beautifully crafted songs they’ve ever written. Just take the new single, “The Greater Good.” This is a wonderful example of what to expect on the album. Other tracks on the album further exemplify the Moonspell tradition of bringing the best in dark, gothic metal to their fans. No doubt, this will be one of the most epic albums that the band has ever written. One can only wonder how they will top this when they get back to writing again. MOONSPELL is Fernando Ribeiro (Vocals), Ricardo Amorim (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Pedro Paixão (Keys, Guitar), Aires Pereira (Bass), and Hugo Ribeiro (Drums).

Order MOONSPELL’s new full-length, Hermitage, now at https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/moonspell MOONSPELL online: WEBSITE https://www.moonspell.com/ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/moonspellband INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/moonspellofficial/ NAPALM RECORDS https://label.napalmrecords.com/moonspell May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 71

New Music from the Living Dead Drummer The Living Dead Drummer Nick Mason has a number of projects coming out this month, including collaborations on a new single, a full EP, and a podcast. The LDD recently contributed drums on The Despair Collective’s ( https://thedespaircollective.bandzoogle.com/home ) latest single “Your Say.” The synth rock power ballad marks The Despair Collective’s debut and is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. While LDD’s drum track was was recorded in his LA studio, the song was conceived by NY based producer Dana Fogle, with vocals provided by UK based singer Christina Rotondo of Adelyn. On April 12, Ethan Royale ( https://www.facebook.com/EthanBakerRoyale ) released his debut EP Mister Miser Man ( https://open.spotify.com/album/3qalRR78IwBV76eB7wO8lj?si=fyHOnoFNSXqBKsPQUVNeNA ), which features the LLD keeping beat on all four tracks. Mister Miser Man is currently available on all major streaming platforms. Earlier this month, the LLD’s virtual project The Deadlights released the third episode of their DEADCAST ( https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MTDW6OFmk6cOw9eLZpA6z?si=hFIfjgFsTGuUv41G3gK9yg ) podcast, which is also available on YouTube ( https://youtu.be/GZHlbTKBaRQ ). The five members of the LDD’s first band LURID ( http://rorymisener.com/lurid/ ) have reunited across four states and two countries to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their May 2001 EP release. LURID was active in the western New York music scene from 1998 to 2002 and gained radio play on FM rock stations nationwide with their single “Showdown.” The original three-song EP will be released digitally for the first time on May 4th, 20 years to the day of the EP’s original physical release. Expect a virtual reunion in the coming months that will include a chat with band members and a virtual performance, followed by a newly recorded version of “Showdown.” For updates and news about future releases, follow LURID on Facebook at ( https://www.facebook.com/Lurid2021/ ). The Living Dead Drummer is managed by Shawn Barusch 72

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In Memoriam: Rusty Young (1946-2021) Singer/songwriter/multiinstrumentalist Rusty Young, founding member of seminal country-rock band Poco and one of the most influential steel guitar players in rock history, died yesterday of a heart attack at his home in Davisville, Missouri. He was 75 years old. Norman Russell ‘Rusty’ Young was born February 23rd, 1946 in Long Beach, California and raised in Denver, Colorado, where he began playing lap steel as a boy and performed in local country and psychedelic rock bands throughout his teens. In 1967, Rusty was invited to Los Angeles by Richie Furay to play steel on Buffalo Springfield’s third and final album Last Time Around, and Young, Furay, George Grantham and Jim Messina formed Poco soon after. Over the next five decades, alongside members that would also include Randy Meisner, Timothy B. Schmit and Paul Cotton, Rusty became not only the musical core of the band, but also the writer and vocalist behind hits including ‘Rose Of Cimarron’ and the #1 smash “Crazy Love’. The current band – led by Rusty and featuring Jack Sundrud, Rick Lonow and Tom Hampton – still performed over 100 dates per year. “I made a promise to myself that Poco would only keep going if we remained a band of real musicians who were having fun,” Rusty said last year. “Because audiences can tell the difference.” “Poco, at its core, is an early example of what could be described as Americana” No Depression says, “a roots rock band that melded genres in the process of creating something new and exciting.” Rusty was inducted into Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Gallery Of Greats’ in 1974 and ‘Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame’ in 2012. Young orchestrated Poco’s 50th anniversary reunion in 2017 and released his solo debut album Waitin’ For The Sun on Blue Elan Records later that year. “Rusty was the most unpretentious, caring and idyllic artist I have ever worked with, a natural life force that he consistently poured into his music,” says Rick Alter, Poco and Rusty’s manager of more than 20 years, “To fans and fellow musicians alike, he was a once-in-a-lifetime musician, songwriter, performer and friend.” Young is survived by his beloved wife Mary, with whom he shared a log home overlooking the Huzzah Creek where he loved to go fishing in the Mark Twain National Forest. He is also survived by his daughter Sara, son Will, and 3 young grandsons Chandler, Ryan and Graham, as well as Mary’s 3 children Joe, Marci and Hallie and grandchildren Quentin and Emma. A memorial service for Rusty will be held October 16th at Wildwood Springs Lodge in Steelville, MO where Rusty and Mary met 20 years ago. May 2021 • Rock and Blues International 73

The Biker - Chapter 2 The Biker, The Blues, The Open Road, And Miles To Go Riding a rigid frame for thousands of miles is a great way to leave your kidneys somewhere down the road but man a Harley engine and transmission in a low riding rigid frame sure looks good. Riding a rigid frame is sort of like hooking up with someone that looks really good but over the long haul they chuck you for a comfortable ride back home. Oh yes been there and had that happen on both topics. Obviously life on the road isn’t for everyone but if you can get away, if you can just let go of the crap that dogs you day in and day out even for a weekend little setbacks aren’t that big a deal. Well then again maybe some are I guess take a broken master link in the middle of nowhere and no spare link hooked on to the buckle on your boot. That situation sucks and no one in a flat bed Ford is going to slow

down to take a better look at me. That comes across well in a song but not at 9pm on a dark desert highway. Here’s this month’s report from the open road You may remember that I had just dropped off a nice gal in a small town in southern New Mexico near I-10 and indeed it was an interesting detour. She forgot to mention that her Daddy was the sheriff and her daddy didn’t tell me either but one of his deputies certainly did and since I was leaving anyway it was probably a good time to be making tracks. So I scooted east on I-10 looking for a road going north just west of El Paso up through Las Cruces and then on into Ruidoso New Mexico. Buddy of mine has a recording studio up that way, he specializes in recording blues artists. There’s this cool coffeeshop combination 74

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restaurant entertainment place there too named Sacred Grounds. The trip from where I was to Ruidoso would take about five hours when you added in a lunch stop and gas so I would arrive there midafternoon. Great road day, clear skies, temperature about where you want it, everything was perfect except for this one trucker with a loud air horn. I run open pipes so as he came up behind me I didn’t notice him and so to get my attention as he began to pass at 85 mph he blew his freaking loud ass horn. I don’t think Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda had that kind of a problem in Easy Rider. Oh they had their share of problems but a guy that was air horn happy was not one of them. That experience was mine, all mine. I am sure the trucker dude meant well but I would not enjoy that experience twice. My old blue jeans would not smell like just oil and gasoline anymore. Beyond that lots of friendly folks were waving as they passed. I was doing about seventy just taking the day in and as folks drove by I could see a lot of smiles. I felt bad for them in a sense because they were caged in and me I was free, free as a bird. “Oh I Want To Be A Bird” seemed like a good song and so I got right into it. About then my hunger alarm went off so I began to watch the road signs for a pub listing. A burger, fries, and no more than ten beers at most and I would be out of the place no matter where it’s located. Getting back to Ruidoso - it’s an interesting place, a tourist town, and from

where I am it’s a bit too far to go before eating and refueling. Ruidoso has a horse track, a casino, all kinds of craft shops, and cabins in the big woods. I got past Las Cruces and I could see a sign that read White Sands ahead. Then there was a billboard that advertised a place named Picacho Brewing Company in Alamogordo. Sounded like a winner so it was going to be the Picacho Brewing watering hole for this guy. Arrived, nice place, clean, easy parking, and I could smell the smoke coming from the grill, this was going work out just fine. I put a five spot in the jukebox and received twelve credits. Most songs eat up two credits so six songs in total. Alvin Lee came to mind and I chose “Baddest Blues”. The man sings, “I couldn’t wait to see you - waiting by the door. There’s no one there to meet me - and your clothes are on the floor. Sorry if I hurt continued on next page

The Biker, The Blues, The Open Road And Miles To Go continued from previous page you and I made you cry. Couldn’t stand to see you with another guy. It’s the bluest blues and it cuts me like a knife. It’s the bluest blues since you walked out of my life” Yep, that the blues baby. I walked over to the bar and a friendly lady asked me what I would like, I replied, “a lager”. She brought the menu over and I ordered something to eat. Then I went back over to the juke and chose some more slow blues. I spotted a new Maria Daines number, “Low Down Dirty Love”. Maria Daines, that woman must have certainly lived it in one way or another so much feeling in her songs. I returned to the bar and a big fella the

size of a Minnesota lumberjack said nice choices and nodded in approval. I smiled and nodded back. The food arrived and I began to take it all in. The bar maid’s choice in a lager went a long way too. These folks got some really good beer. Then someone who meant well punched in a song that completely deflated the mood but that was ok because I was leaving anyway. I Paid up and moved along. I was full, the tank was full, and I was about an hour and half out of Ruidoso. Scooted right through Mescalero and that would have been an interesting place to see but I wanted to end up in Ruidoso while the sun was up. Arrived in Ruidoso. A nice main street, crowded as it has a ton of shops, restaurants, watering holes and

there it was Sacred Grounds. It was time to park, stretch the legs, relieve myself and fill up with a cold beer or ten. I wondered if they had single malt scotch? I mean a man has to have his priorities. On this night Sacred Grounds is featuring recording artist Julia Cozby and if you don’t know about her well this gal is a songwriter and artist extraordinaire. My kind of songwriter because she writes about places as well as life’s experiences. For instance she wanted to write about Route 66 so she went there and visited the small towns that are almost vacant these days. She learned details from the folks there about the initial hopes and then the dashed dreams that occurred on their portion of route 66. Then she penned the lyrics and matched them up with original music and that’s how she began to climb the charts. As the man says, “you either is, or you ain’t” and this Americana songwriter definitely is. I had chosen a good spot to sit so I didn’t have to move later on. Things were working out. I called Rich and yep, he was coming down. It felt like look out Ruidoso we are going to burn some brain cells tonight. Soon a man walked up to me and asked if I owned the shovel outside and I said yes. He said he didn’t see it and pulled into the same parking space and hit it. “You what?” He said yes and it fell over, I am sorry. I immediately stood up and he began to laugh and I didn’t think it was funny at all. He stopped me and said no he didn’t hit it. He told me he was riding a pan and parked next to me. Then he asked where I was from? I told him I was from my Mother where was he from? Then I spotted Rich who was laughing too and then the prank started coming into view. So that was how it was going to be that evening. Hmmm. Paybacks are a bitch gentlemen. I’ve got to admit though they had me, that was a good one, well sort of. It’s nice in Ruidoso and it’s not far from the land of Billy The Kid, the

famous band lands of New Mexico. It was a nice evening too so I had been thinking that I might settle down in the woods, take my sleeping bag off the front tubes, build a campfire and crash under the stars. Rich told me that night that ne was recording a man named Sam Barlow out of El Paso, a bluesman with a long history that stretches across Texas. Great guitar slinger who has definitely been there, done that as they say. Well I am gonna close for now. Thinking about heading over to Roswell or maybe scooting on up to Albuquerque to say hey to Matt at KUNM radio. If I go to Roswell though I could go right through Lincoln New Mexico where Pat Garrett put Billy in jail. Ok going to Roswell. Ever wonder how aliens have sex? I think about things like that. Roswell will be fun…..

May 2021 • Rock and Blues International