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Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba Bring He-Man Back to the Big Screen in ‘Masters of the Universe’

Eric Alper
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Nicholas Galitzine, Jared Leto, and Idris Elba Bring He-Man Back to the Big Screen in ‘Masters of the Universe’

He-Man is back, and the new “Who is He-Man?” featurette offers the first real look at what director Travis Knight has built with ‘Masters of the Universe,’ arriving in theaters June 5. The live-action adventure brings one of the most enduring pop culture franchises across generations back to the big screen with a cast and creative team that signal genuine ambition.

Nicholas Galitzine leads as Prince Adam, a character separated from Eternia for 15 years before the Sword of Power pulls him home to find his world shattered under Skeletor’s rule. Jared Leto plays Skeletor. Idris Elba brings Duncan/Man-At-Arms to life alongside Camila Mendes as Teela. Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, and Charlotte Riley round out the ensemble, with Kristen Wiig voicing Roboto in a casting choice that speaks to the film’s tonal range.

Knight, whose directing credits include the acclaimed ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ and ‘Bumblebee,’ brings the franchise’s core themes of heroic transformation and finding inner power into a 132-minute sci-fi action adventure built for spectacle. The screenplay comes from Chris Butler alongside Aaron Nee, Adam Nee, and Dave Callaham, from a story developed by the Nee brothers with Alex Litvak and Michael Finch. Producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, and DeVon Franklin shepherd the project for Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Studios.

He-Man has crossed cartoons, toys, comics, and film across more than 4 decades. June 5 is when this generation gets its version.

Israeli Artist Harel Asaf Recorded His Debut EP ‘Eretz Muvtachat’ Inside an Air-Raid Shelter

Eric Alper
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Israeli Artist Harel Asaf Recorded His Debut EP ‘Eretz Muvtachat’ Inside an Air-Raid Shelter

Harel Asaf didn’t wait for the war to end to make something. Between October 7, 2023 and early 2024, the Israeli artist recorded his entire debut EP ‘Eretz Muvtachat’ (Promised Land) under his alias DJ ZOAMBAR, mostly from inside a family shelter, between sirens, between fear and the stubborn need to create. The 6-track Hebrew EP is out now on all major streaming platforms.

What makes ‘Eretz Muvtachat’ remarkable is what it doesn’t do. The lyrics never mention battles or enemies. Instead, Asaf turns inward, writing about fathers and children, about what it means to stay, not politically but personally. Across 6 tracks, he moves from spiritual hip-hop to piano ballad to rock anthem, all in Hebrew, all produced with full electronic instrumentation, each song a different answer to the same question.

3 tracks anchor the EP’s emotional range. “Dima Acharona” (Last Tear) is a slow-burning Hebrew anthem built in E minor, its emotional weight arriving with restraint and precision. “Kir Shel Barzel” (Wall of Iron) shifts into D major at BPM 129, a full rock anthem that carries the EP’s most outward-facing energy. The electronic title track “Eretz Muvtachat” closes the set in C# major, propulsive and searching, the sound of someone working through something in real time with no guarantee of resolution.

This is what music made under impossible circumstances can sound like when the artist refuses to let the circumstances define the work.

The Oasis Reunion Documentary Is Coming to IMAX and Disney+ This September

Eric Alper
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The Oasis Reunion Documentary Is Coming to IMAX and Disney+ This September

Disney, magna studios, and Sony Music Vision today announced a highly anticipated documentary following the legendary British band Oasis. Presented by Disney+, the film will open in select IMAX and cinemas worldwide for a limited theatrical engagement beginning September 11, before streaming exclusively on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S. later this year.

The currently untitled Oasis Documentary film is created by the BAFTA and Oscar-nominated writer, producer, and director Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows) and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace (Shut Up and Play the Hits, Meet Me in the Bathroom). The feature documentary charts Liam and Noel Gallagher’s triumphant reunion tour Oasis Live ’25, one of the most anticipated rock ‘n’ roll comebacks of our time. The film is an unapologetically uplifting account of arguably the biggest musical event of 2025, capturing the experience and emotions of the band and their fans across the world. The unique perspective includes rehearsal, backstage and onstage access, as well as the first joint interviews with Noel and Liam in over 25 years. Alongside the band’s sold-out world tour, the film also explores the profound emotional impact of this phenomenal global cultural moment and what their music means to audiences and generations worldwide. 

Knight said, “I genuinely cannot wait for the world to see this film. I believe it captures the spirit and emotion of a global cultural moment and does justice to the wit and genius of two exceptional people. I wanted to tell the story of the brothers and the band, but just as important, the story of the fans whose lives the music has touched and sometimes changed forever. It is also the story of how music and songwriting can unite generations, cultures, countries and in a time of spite and division, give us all some reason to hope.” 

“Opportunities like this are incredibly rare,” said Eric Schrier, President of Direct-to-Consumer International Originals, Strategic Programming, and Emerging Media. “The film is an intimate story of reconciliation, the power of music, and Oasis, one of the most successful and influential acts of all time.  It’s a privilege to bring this extraordinary film to the big screen and to Disney+ subscribers around the world.” 

Featuring unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage, the film is a magna studios production, presented by Sony Music Vision in association with Sony Music Entertainment UK. Producers are Sam Bridger (Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now, Meet Me in the Bathroom) and Guy Heeley (Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man). Executive producers include Kate Shepherd, Marisa Clifford, Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener, Isabel Davis, and Tim O’Shea, with Oscar-winning sound mixers James Mather (Top Gun: Maverick, Belfast) and Tarn Willers (The Zone of Interest) along with cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos (Belfast, Beetle Juice Beetle Juice) leading the creative technical team. 

Further details, including cinema listings, will be announced soon. The film opens at select IMAX and theaters worldwide for an exclusive theatrical engagement presented by Disney+ on September 11 and will stream exclusively on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the U.S. later this year.

SoLa Foundation and Live Nation Open a 9,000-Square-Foot AI and Entertainment Center in Crenshaw

Eric Alper
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SoLa Foundation and Live Nation Open a 9,000-Square-Foot AI and Entertainment Center in Crenshaw

The SoLa Foundation and Live Nation have opened the SoLa AI & Entertainment Center in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw neighborhood, a 9,000-square-foot creative and workforce training hub designed to prepare local youth and young adults for careers in entertainment, media production, AI, and technology. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, SoLa leadership, and Live Nation executives, alongside a live demo of the Center’s production capabilities in the Live Nation Lounge.

The Center is built around a direct partnership with Live Nation that goes beyond funding. A dedicated 1,650-square-foot space functions as both a flexible classroom and creative production environment, connecting students with SoLa educators, Live Nation professionals, and industry mentors. SoLa Foundation Executive Director Sherri Francois frames the mission plainly: “As technology continues to evolve, especially with the rapid rise of AI, we are committed to equipping our community with the tools, skills, and exposure needed to participate and lead.” SoLa Impact CEO Martin Muoto puts the stakes even more directly: “Our goal is to ensure that a young person in Watts who understands how to use AI has the same access to opportunity as a kid from Palo Alto.”

Central to the Center’s model is the SoLa Live Accelerator Program, a 6-month intensive that trains a new generation of live entertainment professionals from South LA through guest speaker engagements, immersive field trips, experiential learning, and guidance from Live Nation staff including CEO Michael Rapino. The Center also houses the Crenshaw Cafe, SoLa’s second culinary training kitchen and social enterprise, offering vocational training and state-recognized certifications with career pathways into food and hospitality. Programming will roll out over the next year with continued expansion planned as partnerships and curriculum evolve.

Cameron Whitcomb Announces His Biggest US Headline Run Yet With the Kingdom of Fear Tour

Eric Alper
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Cameron Whitcomb Announces His Biggest US Headline Run Yet With the Kingdom of Fear Tour

Cameron Whitcomb doesn’t stop. The 22-year-old Nanaimo, BC singer-songwriter has announced The Kingdom of Fear Tour, his largest US headline run to date, kicking off September 24 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and closing October 31 at Houston’s House of Blues. Presales begin May 12, with general on-sale starting May 15 at 10am local time. A dollar from every ticket sold goes to Project Healthy Minds, supporting access to mental health services across America.

The tour takes its name from Whitcomb’s explosive new single “Kingdom of Fear,” the highest-charting song of his career to date in the US, Australia, the UK, and Canada, and his second consecutive instant debut on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Billboard called it “an emotionally charged folk-rock song fronted by Whitcomb’s raw, gritty vocals and a fervent guitar.” Next week, he performs the track live on the Season 24 Finale of American Idol alongside finalist Brooks Rosser, airing Monday, May 11 at 8pm ET on ABC and Disney+.

“Kingdom of Fear” headlines his new EP ‘Deep Water,’ out now via Atlantic Outpost. The 5-song project also includes the dynamic title track, captured in a live performance video filmed at his sold-out Citizens House of Blues Boston show in front of 2,700 fans, his biggest solo headline show to date. “You and Me,” the tender third track, debuted immediately on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 upon its March arrival. Billboard praised it as “an emotional, heartfelt folk-rock song characterized by his soft, weathered vocals and a stomp-clap rhythm.”

The Kingdom of Fear Tour runs through venues including Atlanta’s Tabernacle, Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom, Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles’s The Wiltern, and Austin’s Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. Support across various dates comes from Noah Rinker, NEP, and Liam St. John.

All of this follows a landmark 2025 and an already packed 2026. Whitcomb is currently on a fully sold-out Australia and New Zealand headline tour, with additional shows added in some markets due to demand. His Fragile Egos Tour resumes June 2 in Detroit, continuing through sold-out stops across North America. He’s also supporting HARDY on THE COUNTRY! COUNTRY! TOUR! through the summer, with festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Dauphin’s Countryfest, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, Big Valley Jamboree, and more.

Earlier this year, Whitcomb took home 2 JUNO Awards, “Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year” and “Country Album of the Year” for his debut album ‘The Hard Way,’ which debuted at number 1 on Canada’s Country Albums chart, earned Gold certification, and surpassed 500 million streams nationally. His JUNO performance of “Options” went viral after he capped it with a backflip on the catwalk. He also holds the 2025 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award and back-to-back CCMA wins for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice. With over 7.5 million monthly Spotify listeners and 835 million global streams, the trajectory is unmistakable.

2026 Tour Dates:

May 9 – Melbourne, Australia – Forum (SOLD OUT)

May 10 – Melbourne, Australia – Forum (SOLD OUT)

May 12 – Brisbane, Australia – The Tivoli (SOLD OUT)

May 13 – Brisbane, Australia – The Tivoli (SOLD OUT)

May 15 – Sydney, Australia – Roundhouse (SOLD OUT)

May 16 – Sydney, Australia – Roundhouse (SOLD OUT)

May 29 – Fergus, ON – Meadows Music Festival

May 30 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall (SOLD OUT)

June 2 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues (SOLD OUT)

June 4 – Rogers, AR – Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion (with HARDY)

June 5 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (with HARDY)

June 6 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center (with HARDY)

June 14 – Vancouver, BC – FIFA Fan Festival

June 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Fillmore Minneapolis (SOLD OUT)

June 20 – Bloomington, IL – Tailgate N’ Tallboys

June 25-28 – Dauphin, MB – Dauphin’s Countryfest

July 5 – Fort McMurray, AB – Hello Summer Festival

July 11 – Craven, SK – Country Thunder Saskatchewan

July 23-25 – Three Forks, MT – Headwaters Country Jam

July 24 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena (with HARDY)

July 28 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater (LOW TICKETS)

July 29 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall

August 1 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza

August 2 – Camrose, AB – Big Valley Jamboree

August 14 – Toronto, ON – History (SOLD OUT)

September 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

September 25 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

September 30 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 2 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 3 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 6 – San Diego, CA – SOMA (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 7 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24 (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 9 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 10 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 13 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 14 – Seattle, WA – The Paramount Theatre (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 21 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 23 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 24 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 27 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 28 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 30 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

October 31 – Houston, TX – House of Blues (Kingdom of Fear Tour)

Blackberry Smoke’s High Tide Getaway Returns to Mexico With Jamey Johnson, Steve Earle, Margo Price, and More

Eric Alper
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Blackberry Smoke’s High Tide Getaway Returns to Mexico With Jamey Johnson, Steve Earle, Margo Price, and More

Blackberry Smoke are marking their 25th anniversary in style. The second edition of High Tide Getaway runs December 4 through 8 at the all-inclusive Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa in Riviera, Mexico, in partnership with Cloud 9 Adventures, and the lineup assembled around the hosts is as strong as the setting.

3 full shows from Blackberry Smoke anchor the 4-night event, with additional performances from Jamey Johnson, Steve Earle, Margo Price, Reckless Kelly, The Band of Heathens, Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Steed Brothers featuring Charlie Starr, and special guests The Black Bettys. The resort is exclusively taken over for event guests, with concert venues including a beachfront main stage, a poolside gazebo, and an open-air palapa for late-night shows, all steps from guest rooms and the resort’s full amenities.

Beyond the music, the event includes activities and workshops, poolside contests, daily yoga, charity opportunities, theme nights, and off-site excursions ranging from Cancun to Tulum. Packages cover a 4-night stay with unlimited food and drink across multiple restaurants and bars, with room options including tropical views, beachfront swim outs, private villas, and suites overlooking the main stage. Pre-sale packages go on sale May 12, with remaining rooms available to the public starting May 13 at 1:00 PM ET at the High Tide Getaway website.

Kathy Griffin Takes Her No-Holds-Barred Comedy to Palm Springs for Her First-Ever Residency

Eric Alper
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Kathy Griffin Takes Her No-Holds-Barred Comedy to Palm Springs for Her First-Ever Residency

Kathy Griffin is getting her first-ever residency, and she’s bringing it to downtown Palm Springs. “Can You Handle This Heat? The Kathy Griffin Palm Springs Residency” lands at the Plaza Theatre on January 31, February 26, and March 26, 2027, with tickets on sale now via Ticketmaster. The announcement follows 2 sold-out shows Griffin played at the venue in March, which clearly made the case for something more permanent.

Each of the 3 nights promises all-new material, true to Griffin’s reputation for pull-no-punches comedy that doesn’t soften for anyone or anything. Plaza Theatre SVP and General Manager John Bolton frames it directly: “Kathy Griffin is one of the most fearless comedians alive, and we couldn’t be prouder to give her first-ever residency a home right here in Palm Springs. Can You Handle This Heat is the kind of bold, unexpected programming that defines what The Plaza Theatre is all about.”

The 700-capacity Plaza Theatre reopened in December 2025 after a decade-long closure and has quickly built a reputation as one of Southern California’s premier intimate entertainment destinations, with recent shows from Colin Hay, Dusty Slay, Aloe Blacc, Suzanne Vega, Joss Stone, and others. Plaza Theatre members receive early access to the best seats.

Fitz and The Tantrums, D Smoke, and Anthony Anderson Join LACHSApalooza at the Greek Theatre

Eric Alper
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Fitz and The Tantrums, D Smoke, and Anthony Anderson Join LACHSApalooza at the Greek Theatre

LACHSApalooza, the music festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, keeps growing. Fitz and The Tantrums and hometown rapper D Smoke have joined the May 30 lineup at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with comedian, actor, writer, and director Anthony Anderson serving as master of ceremonies. All 3 are former LACHSA students, joining previously announced alumni Ozomatli, Gerald Clayton, Jon B., Gretchen Parlato, and entrepreneur April Showers.

The charitable festival is raising $2.5 million to support LACHSA’s arts education programs, which serve 550 student artists each year. With only 50% of the school’s arts funding covered by the state, the LACHSA Foundation fills a critical gap, and LACHSApalooza is the centerpiece of that effort. The evening will also honor 3 educators who shaped the school’s legacy: the late Pat Bass, known as Ms. B, who led the gospel choir and vocal jazz ensemble to 5 first-place finishes at the Monterey Jazz Festival High School competition and influenced artists including Alex Isley, Gretchen Parlato, and opera star Angel Blue; Lois Hunter, who served as theatre department chair for 33 years; and Jerry Freedman, L.A. County’s Teacher of the Year and a “Most Inspirational Teacher” honoree from the Board of Supervisors. Additional artists are still to be announced. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.

The Grand Ole Opry Turns 100 With a Summer of Tributes, Throwbacks, and Free Concerts

Eric Alper
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The Grand Ole Opry Turns 100 With a Summer of Tributes, Throwbacks, and Free Concerts

The Grand Ole Opry is 100 years old this year, and Nashville’s most iconic stage is marking the milestone with a full summer of programming under the banner “Summer Of The Century.” The celebration runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and covers tribute shows, throwback nights, backstage tours, and a free weekly outdoor concert series on the Opry Plaza stage every Friday and Saturday before that evening’s show.

The summer opens with “Opry Celebrates CMA Fest” on June 2, 3, 5, and 6, featuring Carrie Underwood, Avery Anna, Jordan Davis, Maddox Batson, Deana Carter, and more. On June 10, “Opry 100 Honors: Don Williams” brings Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Crowell, and others together to pay tribute to country music’s Gentle Giant and the songs that defined decades of country radio. June 28 brings “Opry Celebrates ’90s Country,” a night dedicated to big hair, high-waisted jeans, and the decade’s defining songs, with artists to be announced. Backstage tours run throughout the summer with 4 options to explore the historic Opry House. Tickets for all 2026 Opry shows through December are on sale now.

Om Records Hits 30 Years With a Landmark Compilation and Celebrations in San Francisco and Los Angeles

Eric Alper
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Om Records Hits 30 Years With a Landmark Compilation and Celebrations in San Francisco and Los Angeles

30 years. Over 800 releases. 9/11, the dot com crash, Napster, the recession, a global pandemic, and the full arc of the digital music era. Om Records has weathered all of it, and today the San Francisco-based label marks the milestone with ‘Om Records – 30 Years,’ a compilation out now that draws a line from where the label started to where it stands today. Listen here.

Co-founder Chris Smith traces the label’s origin directly to the energy of mid-90s San Francisco. “The music scene in the city was incredible when we started the label,” he says. “There were solid club nights seven nights a week for house music, downtempo, acid jazz, and a vibrant hip-hop scene too that we commingled with. We were obviously super into house music, but we wanted to do something that really embodied all of these eclectic sounds.” That spirit of genre fluidity has defined Om’s entire catalog, and the 18-track compilation reflects it fully, featuring Kaskade, Groove Armada, Samantha James, Colette, Mark Farina, Rithma, King Kooba, 40 Thieves, Homero Espinosa, and more.

The celebrations extend beyond the record. Tomorrow, May 9, a free day party takes place at Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco, produced by Another Planet Entertainment as part of their San Francisco Free Concerts series in conjunction with the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, with Mark Farina, Colette b2b Heather, Shiny Objects, and J Boogie performing. The night continues at The Great Northern with Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Colette b2b Heather, Shiny Objects, J Boogie, Rithma, King Kooba, 40 Thieves, and Homero Espinosa. Limited tickets remain.

On May 16, the celebration moves to Jungle Hollywood in Los Angeles for a 4pm to 9pm event presented by Coco & Friends and WCS Events in partnership with KCRW, featuring Mark Farina, Colette, DJ Heather, Rithma, Raul Campos, and DJ Dazy. Limited tickets remain there as well.

Limited edition vinyl of ‘Om Records – 30 Years’ is available now on Bandcamp.

‘Om Records – 30 Years’ Tracklist:

Kaskade – “Freedom feat. EZI”

Samantha James – “Summer Haze (Late Night Alumni Mix)”

Groove Armada – “Do It Right”

Colette, Richard Earnshaw, Kenny Summit – “The Sunshine”

King Kooba – “Radio Faber (Homero Espinosa Tuff Mix)”

Shiny Objects – “Want Your Love”

Rocket Empire – “DMC”

40 Thieves – “Déjà Vu”

Rithma – “Can’t Future the Past (Big Room Mix)”

Mark Farina, Homero Espinosa, Dani Siciliano – “Stay on My Mind”

J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – “Wind Trades feat. Carlos Araiza”

PillowTalk, Choosey Lover – “Uncharted”

Max Sedgley – “Ego Spiritual (Revisited)”

Samantha James – “Closer”

Rithma – “Slow Gin”

The Jazzual Suspects – “The Out”

Ming & FS – “Back to One feat. Napoleon Solo”

King Kooba – “The Savage”

Anniversary Events:

May 9 – San Francisco, CA – Embarcadero Plaza (Free Day Party)

May 9 – San Francisco, CA – The Great Northern (Night Event)

May 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Jungle Hollywood

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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