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New West Announces North American Tour

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Following the release of their recent EP, acclaimed music collective New West announced their North American Tour 2025. Produced by Live Nation, the 24-city tour kicks off on February 12 at The Park Theatre in Winnipeg, MB making stops across North America in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Chicago and more before wrapping up in Montreal at Petit Campus on March 20.

New West recent EP, shaped by Toronto and recent global tours, resonates in these six songs. “Love Language” captures the unspoken bond of performance and relationships, while “Alive” recalls dreams of travel before they became reality. Rooted in classic sounds with a modern touch, this EP renews their passion for crafting music that bridges tradition and innovation, looking forward to future projects.

Tickets will be available starting with Artist presales beginning on Tuesday, November 19. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday, November 22 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com

The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, Meet & Greet and photo op with New West, autographed tour poster, specially designed VIP gift item & more. VIP package contents vary based on offer selected. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

Four individuals. One vision. Endless possibilities. Meet New West. The Toronto-based “collective” comprises four individual artists, namely Kala Wita, Vella, Ben Key, and Noel West. For as different as they respectively may be in terms of where they’re from, how they create, and why they’re here, they fit together as seamlessly as long-lost puzzle pieces. They rotate between instruments and pass around the mic, morphing in real-time across each and every song with an unabashedly warm nostalgic undercurrent. Tracing an invisible line all the way from the British Invasion to 21st century alternative R&B, they defy genre as they simultaneously define a singular style on their 2023 full-length debut on Republic Records and much more to come.

“This isn’t a traditional band,” observes Noel. “Everyone in the group is an artist. It’s not like one guy plays guitar and another guy plays bass in the traditional sense. We all contribute. That’s why we call it a collective. I’m the only one who can’t sing,” he laughs. Their origins date back to 2017. Childhood friends Noel and Ben began to collaborate with Kala. Eventually, Ben invited Vella to the fold, crystallizing the sound. Raised in the digital music ecosystem, influences spanned Elton John, The Beatles, and Rolling Stones as well as Radiohead, Frank Ocean, and hometown heroes Drake and The Weeknd. They translated a collective passion for music into countless hours writing and recording together.

“We’re all speaking the same language, but we have our individual accents and tendencies,” notes Kala. “The common bond is we’re always searching for inspiration.” They doubled down on this search at the onset of the global pandemic. Coincidentally, the collective had just rented the same house together. Once quarantine happened, the kitchen and living room transformed into a de facto studio. “That’s where we really came together as a group by living with each other,” says Ben.

Their very first release “Those Eyes” hinted at the potential of their chemistry. Its lush lo-fi acoustic guitar, dreamy piano, lullaby melody, and quotable play-by-play of a relationship in full bloom instantly reacted with listeners worldwide. It initially popped off on TikTok (the guys aren’t quite sure where but it’s all good), and the success slowly but surely translated to streaming platforms. Between the Original and “Sped Up” version, it clocked nearly 150 million Spotify streams.

“Kala had those lyrics, and we came up with chords they felt good over,” adds Ben. “The whole song was born from there. The rest is history.” “That song really brought us closer,” Kala continues. “We knew what we could be at that point.” They maintained their momentum with independent singles such as “Next To You,” “Call Me When You Hear This Song,” “Paris,” and more. 2022 saw the band sign to Republic Records as they staunchly maintained a D.I.Y. mindset with Noel producing, mixing, engineering, and mastering everything.

“The entire project is insular,” affirms Noel. “We’re not going to take some new direction. When we are trying new things, it happens between the four of us. There’s no external influence.”

In the end, New West conjure a familiar feeling through a fresh perception.”We want you to be taken back to a place,” Kala leaves off. “If you are, we’re doing something right.” “It’s like saying a new thing, but from an old friend rather than a stranger,” Noel offers. “There’s a warmth and familiarity, but we’re also pushing forward at the same time.” “We’re a warm hug from an old friend in new clothes,” promises Kala.

NEW WEST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ‘25 TOUR DATES:
Wed Feb 12 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
Fri Feb 14 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
Sat Feb 15 – Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar
Tue Feb 18 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
Wed Feb 19 – Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
Thu Feb 20 – Portland, OR – The Aladdin Theater
Fri Feb 21 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Mon Feb 24 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
Tue Feb 25 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall
Thu Feb 27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater
Fri Feb 28 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
Sat Mar 01 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues
Sun Mar 02 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Tue Mar 04 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Thu Mar 06 – Denver, CO – Marquis
Fri Mar 08 – Saint Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
Sat Mar 09 – Chicago, IL – Chop Shop
Mon Mar 11 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5
Wed Mar 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
Fri Mar 15 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
Sat Mar 16 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore Philadelphia
Mon Mar 18 – Boston, MA – Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Tue Mar 19 – Ottawa, ON – Algonquin Commons Theatre
Wed Mar 20 – Montreal, QC – Petit Campus

My Next Read: “50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic” by Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr.

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Peek behind the curtain into the making of Happy Days, the ultimate American sitcom, in this detailed season-by-season history written by two of the show’s longest-serving writer-producers.

One of the most successful TV shows of all time, Happy Days drew in 30 million viewers weekly at its peak and launched the careers of stars like Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, and Robin Williams. Now, just in time for its 50th anniversary, tune in for exclusive access, as writers Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr. chronicle life on set and examine the evolution of a television show that made history.

Featuring new interviews with the creators, cast, and crew of the show and a foreword by The Fonz himself, explore rarely-seen photographs and personal anecdotes on a season-by-season journey behind the scenes.

This coffee-table art book includes stunning, full-color photos of candid moments between cast and crew, lovingly preserved scenes from the show, exclusive shots that capture the energetic set, and a look at some of the vintage collectibles that brought the sitcom into fans’ homes.

Explore the strategies and big gambles that fueled one of the most successful shows of all time, as told by the individuals who made it happen.

Gather anecdotes straight from Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Anson Williams, Marion Ross, Ted McGinley, and a host of Hollywood royalty who worked as a team to change the landscape of television forever.

Take a deep dive into the in-world lore that will bring to life the 1950s Milwaukee of Richie and Joanie Cunningham, Potsie Weber, Ralph Malph, and, of course, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.

Saturday Morning Cartoons “Sneak Peek” From 1973 Featuring Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear and Lassie

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The Saturday Morning Cartoons “Sneak Peek” (1973) was a special event showcasing previews of upcoming animated and live-action series for children. The program featured appearances by iconic characters such as Batman, Chuck Woolery as Superman, Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear, and Lassie, offering an exciting glimpse into the Saturday morning entertainment lineup. This nostalgic showcase brought together superheroes, animated favorites, and a beloved canine star, cementing its place as a cherished part of TV history for fans of all ages.

Radiohead’s Early Days Unearthed With “Happy Song” Demo from On A Friday Era

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Happy Song is a 1988 demo track recorded by Radiohead during their formative years when they were still performing under the name On a Friday. The track captures the band’s early sound, offering a glimpse into their pre-fame experimentation and evolution. Happy Song highlights the raw talent of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway before they transitioned into the globally renowned band known for pushing musical boundaries.

The Paul Lynde Halloween Special From 1976 Is So Good, You Can Watch It Any Time Of The Year

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The Paul Lynde Halloween Special from 1976 is a campy, comedic variety show that aired on ABC, showcasing Paul Lynde’s signature humor alongside an eclectic mix of guest stars. The special featured appearances by Margaret Hamilton reprising her role as the Wicked Witch, Florence Henderson, Betty White, and musical performances by KISS in one of their earliest television appearances.

Bear and Lampshade Reimagine Queen’s Legacy in Bold Electronic Album Queen III

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Bear and Lampshade – Queen III: The Mercury and Acid Edit from 2011 is an experimental electronic album that creatively reimagines Queen’s iconic music. Using an array of Queen samples, the project deconstructs and remixes the band’s classics into a genre-blurring sonic experience. The album pays homage to Freddie Mercury’s artistry while infusing the tracks with modern electronic elements, resulting in a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation.

My Next Read: “The Endless Refrain: Memory, Nostalgia, and the Threat to New Music” by David Rowell

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In The Endless Refrain, former Washington Post writer and editor David Rowell lays out how commercial and cultural forces have laid waste to the cultural ecosystems that have produced decades of great American music. From the scorched-earth demonetizing of artist revenue accomplished by Spotify and its ilk to the rise of dead artists “touring” via hologram, Rowell examines how a perfect storm of conditions have drained our shared musical landscape of vitality.

Combining personal memoir, intimate on-the-ground reporting, industry research, and cultural criticism, Rowell’s book is a powerful indictment of a music culture gone awry, driven by conformity and subverted by the ways the internet and media influence what we listen to and how we listen to it.

The Jesus And Mary Chain Celebrate 40 Years of ‘Upside Down’ with Limited 7” Vinyl Reissue

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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Jesus And Mary Chain’s debut single ‘Upside Down’ is being reissued on 7” vinyl which – as per the original pressing of the release – comes with a colour variation of the original artwork design. To be released on 6 December, it is available to pre-order now from here.

Originally released in November 1984, it put the band on the map selling 50,000 copies and subsequently became one of the first major successes for the now iconic British independent label Creation.

The b-side is a cover of the Syd Barrett written ‘Vegetable Man’, a track not officially released on a Pink Floyd album until 2016’s The Early Years 1965–1972 box set, but a track that caught the imagination of the band in the early-mid 80’s and their cover is an unmistakable and celebrated version.

The single topped the UK Indie Chart twice, once in February 1985 and then again in the March. It stayed in the Indie charts for a huge 76 weeks making it one of the biggest selling indie singles of the 1980s.

Hailing from East Kilbride in Scotland, The Jesus And Mary Chain revolves around brothers Jim and William Reid, the bands founders and only consistent members. The band are recognised as being key to the development of the shoegaze scene and have remained uncompromising in their sound releasing eight albums, most recently ‘Glasgow Eyes’ released earlier this year.

Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Dream Requiem’ with Meryl Streep Narrating Premieres 17th January 2025

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Rufus Wainwright is a musical polymath who occupies a unique and beloved place in our musical lives – singer, songwriter and composer of two operas and a musical. His latest work, Dream Requiem, is an epic work for orchestra, chorus, soprano and narrator. It received its world premiere in June this year in Paris with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and the chorus and children’s choir of Radio France conducted by Mikko Franck with Meryl Streep as the narrator and soprano Anna Prohaska. On 17th January 2025, Warner Classics will release the live recording from the premiere.

A co-commission from major cultural institutions in the US, UK and Europe, Dream Requiem was written during the pandemic and in Wainwright’s own words it’s a requiem “for the people we have lost in this crisis, for the past from which we are cut off and for the future to which we do not yet know how to connect, a Requiem for human contact, solidarity and the human voice that have all become dangerous and contagious.” 

Dream Requiem is also a reflection on environmental collapse with its text combining words from the Latin Mass for the Dead – as used by Verdi, Britten, Mozart and many others – with Lord Byron’s apocalyptic poem Darkness, an imagined dream about total planetary ecological collapse written after the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1915 that darkened the skies worldwide and led to the “year without a summer.”

Both texts are interwoven in the composition but treated in a distinctly different manner musically. Byron’s text is mostly narrated by an actor and is underscored by dark orchestral arrangements demonstrating the brutality and sheer force of the apocalyptic images that the poem conjures. The Latin Requiem text is sung by a large mixed choir, children’s choir and soprano. Massive choral moments are interrupted by quieter soprano solo passages to underline the fragility of life and nature. Wainwright’s Dream Requiem ultimately overcomes this desolation and tragedy, giving rise to hope and beauty through the music.

Dream Requiem is dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi and Puccini. When his mother played him a recording of Verdi’s Requiem when he was 13, Wainwright underwent one of the most transformative experiences of his life, showing him a clear artistic path for his future.

The co-dedicatee, Puccini, isn’t the great operatic composer but Wainwright’s beloved little dog who was killed during the pandemic in a violent encounter with a larger dog when he was only 18 weeks old.

“No matter what one’s [spiritual] leanings are, as an artist when dealing with a strong and ancient sacred text revolving around death, you kinda have to go there. This, I humbly believe, happened while composing Dream Requiem. Be it turning 50 and my final earthly landscape beginning to form on the horizon; my latent catholic upbringing which, though not strict, was still incredibly impactful; or just the fact that this ain’t my first time at the rodeo; many strong forces converged in the composition of this piece and not once was I lacking in a sense of direction,”  says Rufus Wainwright.

Over the next two years, Dream Requiem will be performed at major international venues including in 2025 Barcelona’s Palau de la Musica, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles with Jane Fonda, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released eleven studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the Grammy-nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. He has written two operas, a musical and numerous songs for movies and TV.

His latest GRAMMY nominated album Folkacracy reinvents folk duets with artists like Chaka Khan, Brandi Carlile, John Legend and Anohni and many more.

Dream Requiem will be performed at major international venues across 2025 to 2027. Forthcoming dates in 2025 include:

January 25, Barcelona/Palau de la Musica

May 4, LA Master Chorale Walt Disney Concert Hall, with Jane Fonda

June 20, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, with Carice van Houten

Other dates to be announced in 2025 including major venues in Finland, Germany, Greece and Ireland.

Track Listing:
1. Darkness I
2. Requiem aeternam
3. Lux perpetua
4. Kyrie, eleison
5. Sequentia I: Dies irae
6. Darkness II
7. Sequentia II: Mors stupebit
8. Sequentia III: Rex tremendae
9. Sequentia IV: Ingemisco
10. Sequentia V: Confutatis
11. Darkness III
12. Offertorium
13. Sanctus
14. Agnus Dei
15. Lux Aeterna
16. Darkness IV
17. In paradisum
18. Applause

Dial Brand Partners with Country Duo Maddie & Tae to Empower Everyday Connections

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For over 75 years, the Dial brand has been trusted to deliver undeniable clean skin to help consumers feel confident and connected. Everyday moments of connection are essential, which is why Dial brand is thrilled to partner with award-winning country duo Maddie & Tae for their upcoming campaign. Maddie & Tae’s music celebrates everyday moments and the power of feeling good in your own skin. Their unbreakable bond embodies confidence and authenticity, which is why Dial brand has enlisted the duo for a campaign that showcases how Dial brand helps us connect and live life close-up. This initiative aims to raise awareness for the Dial brand as they move into 2025 and gear up to launch new product innovations. Dial brand’s evolved positioning from “Dial Up Your Day” to “Dial Up Your Clean” showcases a renewed dedication to delivering trusted innovations that provide powerful deep cleansing while remaining gentle on your skin so that nothing holds you back from being ready to engage and connect.

“The partnership with Maddie & Tae is a powerful testament to Dial’s brand commitment to empowering everyone to confidently engage in everyday moments of connection. Dial brand believes that nothing should hold you back from being ready to connect and delivers an undeniable clean that lets you live life close up.” said Allison Feldman, VP Marketing – Personal Care Brands at Henkel. “By aligning with such a talented duo, we’re encouraging consumers to embrace their own undeniable clean and confidence journey with Dial brand products.”

The campaign launches on November 12, 2024 and will run until December 9, 2024. Maddie & Tae will star in three social media posts across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. These posts will feature Dial brand’s 2024 launch, the Exfoliating Cocoa Butter and Orange Extract Body Wash, and illustrate how an “undeniable clean” empowers consumers to reset and connect with confidence. To elevate the campaign experience, Dial brand will also host a sweepstakes with Maddie & Tae, offering a luxurious spa experience and VIP access to their concert rehearsal in Nashville. Consumers are encouraged to follow @maddieandtae and @diafor more information on how to enter the sweepstakes.

Dial brand is just getting started on ramping up for the new year ahead. This campaign provides a sneak peek into their updated brand positioning and product innovations for 2025. With a fresh lineup of launches for both men and women, Dial brand is ready to resonate deeply with consumers and redefine the way they connect. Stay tuned for more updates as the Dial brand continues to innovate and inspire connections through authentic experiences.

Award-winning duo Maddie & Tae channel their unbreakable bond, honest songwriting, and signature harmonies into their latest EP, What A Woman Can Do, out now. Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr previously drew praise for their 1-2 punch project Through The Madness Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and their No. 1 debuting The Way It Feels album. The album’s 3X Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Die From A Broken Heart” topped the country airplay charts, making Maddie & Tae the first and only female twosome with multiple No. 1s – their first being the Platinum-selling, brilliant counter to bro-country, “Girl In A Country Song.” Stacking acclaim throughout their career, they have taken home Group/Duo Video of the Year (“Woman You Got”) at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and are currently nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 58th CMA Awards. They have toured with country music’s biggest names including Carrie UnderwoodDierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley. They recently wrapped their headlining Here’s To Friends Tour, and will kick off their Love & Light Tour in Spring 2025.