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Jade LeMac Pop Artist Lights Up the Moment With Her EP ‘It’s Always At Night’

Eric Alper
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Jade LeMac Pop Artist Lights Up the Moment With Her EP ‘It’s Always At Night’

21-year-old pop singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jade LeMac has released her highly anticipated EP It’s Always At Night, out now via Warner Music Canada / East West Records – pre-order/pre-save here. The announcement comes alongside the release of the new single and lyric video for “Running Home”.

“Running Home” is a refreshing pop-track with an infectious hook that leaves listeners wanting more. Jade’s songwriting on love is relatable and with this track she digs into the feeling of security in a relationship. Explaining the inspiration she says,  “Running Home is a song about reassuring the person you are in a relationship with that you will always choose them no matter how they might feel.” 

Jade has consistently transfixed audiences and tastemakers alike with her unapologetic approach, and unique perspective. Her breakout hit “Constellations,” which landed a sync in Tubi’s new 2024 movie, Sidelined: The QB and Me, continues to grow, having surpassed 325 million streams, leaving fans eagerly anticipating new music.  The upcoming EP It’s Always At Night will bring four new songs, alongside “Running Home,” and fan-favourite “Pink Balloon.” With this project, Jade dives into themes of being in love and finding yourself through it all, opening herself to listeners and empowering herself through her vulnerability. Explaining, Jade says,  “It’s Always at Night is a story about a person who’s in love with love. There are songs for so many emotions – heartbreak, desire, love, and lust. Each song is its own story about the different ways I’ve felt while being in love with someone.”

Earlier this summer, Jade took the festival stage at both Montreal’s Osheaga, as well as Chicago’s Lollapalooza, even joining ROLE MODEL at his Lollapalooza afterparty.  Now, the celebrated singer-songwriter is gearing up to join GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris’ upcoming North American tour this fall as the opener. See full tour itinerary below. 

Jade, is a rapidly rising star who has received praise from the likes of LA Weekly, OnesToWatch, Rolling Stone and Wonderland Magazine to name a few and has received a GLAAD Award nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. She has built a devout and evergrowing fanbase by being true to herself as a Queer Vietnamese Canadian, and re-shaping the definition of pop stardom. With It’s Always At Night, Jade positions herself as one of the most exciting pop-artists to watch.

It’s Always At Night Tracklist:

  1. Running Home
  2. Heaven’s Sake
  3. Sleeping with the Lights On
  4. Intertwined
  5. Sweet Dreams
  6. Pink Balloon

Charley Pride: The Lost Tapes Unearthed! Country Legend Gets Down with R&B Great Brook Benton on ‘Endlessly’

Eric Alper
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Charley Pride: The Lost Tapes Unearthed! Country Legend Gets Down with R&B Great Brook Benton on ‘Endlessly’

A previously unreleased album by the late country music artist Charley Pride has been confirmed for an upcoming release. Pride, who passed away in December 2020, left a notable legacy in music, including numerous awards, No. 1 songs, and millions of records sold. His career began after he transitioned from semi pro baseball in the late 1950s, eventually establishing himself in the country music genre with his smooth baritone vocals.

In 2017, the presence of new material was confirmed when several forgotten reels were located in a storage room at Pride’s Dallas production office. Following his passing, the multi track reels were verified to contain recordings of a Brook Benton tribute album, which Pride recorded in the 1980s but never commercially released. In 2021, the tapes were digitized. ‘Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton’ is scheduled for release on September 19th on Music City Records, coinciding with the 94th anniversary of Brook Benton’s birth. The album’s first single, “Thank You Pretty Baby,” will be available on Friday, August 29th, across digital music platforms.

This project is described as an homage to singer and songwriter Brook Benton, showcasing elements of vintage country, rhythm and blues, and pop music. It suggests that Pride’s artistic range was not limited to country music. The material was originally recorded in Dallas during a gap in Pride’s recording contracts, specifically between his tenure with RCA Records and 16th Avenue Records. The production style, helmed by Bob Pickering, chief engineer at Pride’s home studio CECCA Sound, is noted as being different from his standard 1970s and 1980s country recordings. The album features a string section and a collection of professional North Texas musicians from the mid 1980s, including bassist Chuck Rainey and jazz pianist Fred Crane.

The track selection for the tribute primarily covers songs from Benton’s initial successful period between 1959 and 1961. These include titles like “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” “Endlessly,” “Thank You Pretty Baby,” “So Close,” “So Many Ways,” and “Kiddio,” all of which were major R&B hits that also performed well on the Top 40 pop chart. The release of this album is viewed as a demonstration of both Charley Pride’s vocal adaptability and the talent of the North Texas studio musicians who supported him. It is anticipated that this previously unreleased work may contribute further to Pride’s overall body of work.

The full track listing for the album is:

  • Think Twice
  • Endlessly
  • It’s Just a Matter of Time
  • Hurtin’ Inside
  • Thank You Pretty Baby
  • Pretend
  • Kiddio
  • So Close
  • The Ties That Bind
  • So Many Ways

5 Surprising Facts About The Killers’ ‘Hot Fuss’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About The Killers’ ‘Hot Fuss’

Hot Fuss arrived with glitter, pulse and neon heart, giving the Killers a debut that reshaped rock radio and club floors across the world. Behind the synths, stories and rising stardom sits a handful of incredible true facts that reveal just how wild and unlikely the album’s journey really was. Here are five little known moments that shaped the making and legacy of Hot Fuss.

1. Matt Pinfield Inspired “All These Things That I’ve Done”
Before the Killers rose to global success, Matt Pinfield visited the band in Las Vegas while he was mentoring wounded soldiers returning from Iraq. He shared stories with Brandon Flowers over a late night conversation. Flowers went home and wrote “All These Things That I’ve Done” that same night. The famous line “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” came directly from Pinfield’s work with the Army mentoring program.

2. “Mr. Brightside” Became the Most Successful UK Single Never to Hit Number 1
Although it peaked at number 10, the track became a historic chart force in the United Kingdom. By 2024 it spent over 408 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, later passing 480 total weeks by 2025. It became the third biggest selling and streaming song in UK history. It also reached 10x Platinum in the UK, one of only two songs to cross that mark without reaching the top spot.

3. The Band Chose a New Order Homage for the “Somebody Told Me” Video
The music video for “Somebody Told Me” includes visuals inspired by New Order’s “Crystal,” which featured a fictional band also called the Killers. The group named themselves after the band in that New Order video. The desert performance clip with LED screens mirrors the same aesthetic. The video became an early visual signature that tied the Killers back to their post punk heroes.

4. Most of Hot Fuss Came From Demos the Band Decided to Keep
Much of the album was originally recorded as spontaneous demos with producer Jeff Saltzman in Berkeley. The band kept these demo versions because they carried an energy that felt raw, fresh and unrepeatable. Only “Everything Will Be Alright” came from a separate recording at Dave Keuning’s apartment. The demo spirit became a defining part of the album’s sound.

5. The Iconic Vocal Tone Came From One Default Echo Farm Setting
Producer Jeff Saltzman relied heavily on a single Echo Farm default setting that created the slightly overdriven, delayed vocal sound across the entire album. The effect delivered an 84 ms delay and gave Brandon Flowers a bright, urgent tone. That consistency shaped the full record and became one of its most recognizable sonic signatures.

5 Surprising Facts About Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Frank Ocean’s ‘Channel Orange’

Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange changed modern R and B with its dreamy worlds, rich storytelling, and the orange glow that shaped an entire era. Behind the acclaim sits a set of fascinating details that reveal just how bold and experimental the project truly was. These five little known facts show how the album came together with creativity, risk, and pure Frank Ocean imagination.

1. The Album Was Written in Only Two Weeks
Frank Ocean and Malay began writing in February 2011 and formed ideas by improvising at keyboards and guitars. Ocean typed lyrics on a laptop for the first time instead of storing lines in his head. The two shifted between past experience and imagination to build entire worlds. Ocean later said the album defined exactly where he stood as an artist.

2. Frank Recorded Alone for Months Before Rejoining Malay
Ocean tracked vocals by himself for several months, aiming for a standard that satisfied him before any production began. Only after shaping the emotional tone did he reconnect with Malay. Those solo sessions created the intimate atmosphere that runs through the album. Malay said Ocean carried a diligent, focused work ethic throughout the process.

3. Andre 3000 Agreed to Appear Only If Big Boi Did Not Join Him
Frank originally invited both Outkast members for “Pink Matter.” Andre 3000 chose to appear alone because he did not want an Outkast reunion on another artist’s album. Andre played guitar and delivered a verse after Frank asked him to tell any story he wanted. The collaboration became one of the album’s most iconic features.

4. Frank Planned to Record the Album Alone in a Beverly Hills Mansion
Ocean originally intended to avoid expensive studios by renting a mansion with a pool and sauna and bringing gear into the home. He recorded only three songs there: “Lost,” “Pyramids,” and “Analog 2.” The rest happened back at EastWest Studios, where he preferred the vintage 1960s equipment. The mansion idea became a creative side path instead of the main workspace.

5. Everest the Dog Received Executive Producer Credit Instead of Frank
Wanting the focus to stay on the work, Frank requested that his own name not appear on the front cover. Instead, he credited Everest, his Bernese Mountain Dog, as the album’s executive producer. It added a playful, personal detail to an album that wrestled with deep emotion, identity, and memory. It also echoed Frank’s love for anonymity and storytelling.

Five Surprsing Facts About Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’

Eric Alper
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Five Surprsing Facts About Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’

‘Brat’ arrived with a wild spark that lit up the music world, fashion world and internet culture all at once. Charli XCX captured a rave soaked spirit that felt bold, loud and proudly messy in the best way. The album moved charts, moved minds and moved bodies on every dance floor. These five little known facts show just how deep the brat universe runs.

The Final Green Shade Came After Testing Around 500 Options
Designer Brent David Freaney auditioned roughly five hundred greens before landing on Pantone 3507C. Charli wanted a colour that felt intentionally off trend and wonderfully abrasive. The goal was a shade that sparked instant reaction. The entire brat aesthetic grew out of that single choice.

The Album Artwork Took Five Months of Development
The cover looks simple, yet the design process stretched across five full months. Versions with photographs, patterns and alternate fonts sat on the table. Charli and the team kept returning to the bold green square. The final layout matched Charli’s love for something plain, loud and impossible to ignore.

The Brat Wall Changed Messages Throughout the Release Cycle
A wall in Greenpoint, Brooklyn became a live billboard for each milestone. It first read “i’m your fav reference” then switched to “brat” then turned white for the deluxe edition and later displayed “lorde” to tease her involvement. Each repaint matched a new moment in the album timeline.

“Girl, So Confusing” Was Confirmed To Be About Lorde
Listeners speculated for months about the unnamed artist in the song. The guesses focused on Marina, Rina Sawayama and Lorde. Charli eventually confirmed that Lorde inspired the track. Lorde later joined the official remix and added her own perspective to the story.

Charli Debuted Snippets of “Spring Breakers” and “365” at Her Boiler Room Set
On 22 February 2024, Charli dropped surprise previews of the songs during a warehouse set. Fans identified the titles by ear alone. These clips circulated heavily online. The Boiler Room moment became a key early spark in the rollout of Brat.

John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton Rekindle Their Songwriting Magic With the Warm and Wise New Album “Together Again”

Eric Alper
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John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton Rekindle Their Songwriting Magic With the Warm and Wise New Album “Together Again”

John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton return with “Together Again”, a fourteen song collection arriving January 9, 2026, that celebrates a partnership born on quiet pandemic afternoons and strengthened through years of Mondays at Two Zoom calls. What began in August 2021 as a way to ease isolation quickly became a creative ritual, yielding nearly two hundred songs and a renewed sense of play between two of folk music’s most respected voices. Their first album “Together” topped folk charts in 2023, and this new chapter carries the same spirit of curiosity, humor and deep craft that defines their friendship.

The album reflects a pair of artists who remain at the height of their powers even as their touring lives shift. Paxton has stepped off the road at eighty eight, and McCutcheon has scaled back his travel at seventy three, yet both channel decades of lived experience into songs filled with warmth and clarity. The opener “The Future” draws on McCutcheon’s memories from the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, where he watched young talents like Alison Krauss and Molly Tuttle signal the next generation’s rise. Elsewhere on the album they explore remembrance in songs like Old Dog and Rebel Gal, honor Pete Seeger with Pathfinder, share humor in Cheatin’ While I’m Eatin’, and weave in a classic baseball tale with Famous for a Day.

Their writing sessions still carry the same energy that sparked the project. McCutcheon jokes that they have material for ten more albums, a nod to the creative flood they never anticipated. Paxton brings the abandon and insight that Billy Collins once compared to using the pen as a flashlight, illuminating forgotten corners of human experience. McCutcheon brings a sense of wonder rooted in the fourteen year old kid who once learned Woody Guthrie songs from a library book.

“Together Again” celebrates the companionship, imagination and lived history that only decades of storytelling can produce. It is a rare gift to have these two voices side by side once more, sharing songs shaped by friendship and time.

Converge Unleash Ferocious Purpose With Their Eleventh Album ‘Love Is Not Enough’

Eric Alper
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Converge Unleash Ferocious Purpose With Their Eleventh Album ‘Love Is Not Enough’

Converge return with ‘Love Is Not Enough’, a strident new album arriving February 13, 2026, that distills thirty five years of intensity into one of their sharpest artistic statements yet. Jacob Bannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton and Ben Koller tap into the urgency that has fueled their entire catalogue, creating a record that brings their punk, hardcore and metal DNA into fierce alignment. The title track introduces the project with emotional force as Bannon reflects on what it means to stay empathetic and compassionate in a world that tests those instincts at every turn.

The band approached the album with a commitment to realism. There are no guests, no digital smoothing and no pursuit of flawlessness. Instead, they embrace the wildness in each take, trusting that the raw edges carry the power listeners connect with. They recorded and mixed at Ballou’s God City studio in Salem with engineering support from Zach Weeks, capturing performances that feel vivid, immediate and fully alive. Bannon created artwork for every song, shaping a visual world that deepens the album’s impact.

Across its ten tracks, ‘Love Is Not Enough’ keeps building energy. Converge crafted the sequencing with intention, aiming for pure momentum rather than following familiar album structures. Each song pushes the next forward, amplifying the emotional weight and tension. The result is a record that resonates with urgency while offering clear moments of reflection from a band whose perspective continues to evolve.

Converge remain anchored in the purpose that has guided them since the beginning. They see this album as an essential continuation of the outlet that has defined their creative lives. Their clarity, experience and hunger collide here in a work that speaks to the complexity of living with honesty and awareness. Before the album arrives, the band will appear at Saddest Day Fest on December 13 in Boston with Touché Amoré, Coalesce, The Hope Conspiracy, Full of Hell and Soul Glo, giving fans an early taste of this new era.

‘Love Is Not Enough’ Track Listing

  1. Love Is Not Enough
  2. Bad Faith
  3. Distract and Divide
  4. To Feel Something
  5. Beyond Repair
  6. Amon Amok
  7. Force Meets Presence
  8. Gilded Cage
  9. Make Me Forget You
  10. We Were Never The Same

Bobby Mahoney Hits the Gas With the Nostalgic New Single “Smoke and Drive” and a Fired Up Cover of “Machine Gun Blues”

Eric Alper
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Bobby Mahoney Hits the Gas With the Nostalgic New Single “Smoke and Drive” and a Fired Up Cover of “Machine Gun Blues”

JUNO nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie releases his third single “Frozen Hearts” from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs.

“Frozen Hearts” – “Emerging from the depths of grief and resilience, I wrote Frozen Hearts as a personal tribute honouring the victims of residential schools,” says Spencer. With searing guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a rhythm that echoes both sorrow and defiance, this song became my memorial in sound –ensuring that the voices of those who never made it home are forever heard.”

Continues Spencer, “Writing Frozen Hearts meant confronting the painful legacy of children taken from their families, children whose laughter was silenced, whose lives were cut short, whose culture and identities were stripped away. Through every chord and lyric, I tried to transform that mourning into remembrance, to carry forward the voices silenced by history. This song is my promise to remember them – with love, respect and truth.”

Mackenzie’s new album Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20th, 2026. The album is produced by 2XJuno nominated producer, mixer and engineer and Emmy Award winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist of The Commoners.

Spencer’s passion for the genre deepens as he explores the works of blues legends while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers in this highly anticipated new album. This fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound in his new upcoming album Empty Chairs embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar, punchy riffs, soaring organ, dynamic vocals, and an explosive rhythm section.

Bobby Mahoney Hits the Gas With the Nostalgic New Single “Smoke and Drive” and a Fired Up Cover of “Machine Gun Blues”

Eric Alper
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0
Bobby Mahoney Hits the Gas With the Nostalgic New Single “Smoke and Drive” and a Fired Up Cover of “Machine Gun Blues”

Bobby Mahoney returns with a new single, “Smoke and Drive,” paired with a cover of Social Distortion’s “Machine Gun Blues.” The release finds the Asbury Park songwriter and his band channeling nostalgia, grit, and heart through a rock-and-roll lens that’s both timeless and unmistakably Jersey.

“‘Smoke and Drive’ was the title of a demo recording that [producer/songwriter] Matty Carlock sent me last year,” says Mahoney. “It was drums and guitars, and he had me write a melody and lyrics to the track. The song just screamed nostalgia to me — driving around with friends in high school or college on highways and single-lane back roads. We had a great time ironing the song and production out with Matty and with Geoff Sanoff in NYC. Mark Masefield (Dave Hause, Will Hoge, Outside The Box) plays keys on the track and adds a beautiful dimension. We hope it reminds you of that time when…”

On the B-side, Mahoney and his band tackle Social Distortion’s “Machine Gun Blues,” a fan-favorite live cover that finally found its way into the studio.

“We love Social Distortion and have had fun covering ‘Machine Gun Blues’ live for a few years now,” Mahoney explains. “I think I first saw them play it on Conan a few years ago. It felt like the right time to ‘pull the trigger’ on it, along with ‘Smoke and Drive.’ Shout out to Social D!”

The recordings feature Mahoney’s core lineup — James McIntosh (drums), Andrew Saul (guitars, backing vocals), Jon Chang-Soon (bass, backing vocals), and Mark Masefield (keys) — with Matty Carlock and Geoff Sanoff contributing backing vocals. Mahoney adds, “Brian Legentil (LKFCT) is our new live bass player and will be on the rest of the record. Nothing but love for Jon Chang-Soon (JC Soon).”

Carlock, who co-produced the single, is a New Jersey native working between LA and NYC with artists across pop, hip-hop, punk, and hardcore. Masefield, whose keys can also be heard on both new tracks, is a veteran player known for his work with Dave Hause, Will Hoge, and Outside The Box.

Carrie Underwood, Shinedown and Creed Lead a Blockbuster 2026 Return to the Field of Dreams

Eric Alper
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Carrie Underwood, Shinedown and Creed Lead a Blockbuster 2026 Return to the Field of Dreams

The Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville, Iowa, is set for its biggest weekend yet as Dyersville Events announces that Carrie Underwood, Shinedown and Creed will headline the 2026 Velocity Music Festival from September 4 to 6. T

he historic location, known worldwide from the 1989 film, continues to build a new legacy as a live music destination after hosting Tim McGraw and Nickelback in 2025. Organizers shared that last year’s success strengthened their decision to grow the event into a full three day experience, with U.S. Concert Agency founder Nick Abate noting the powerful economic impact and the site’s rise as a world class venue.

Shinedown will kick things off on Friday, Carrie Underwood takes center stage on Saturday and Creed will close the festival on Sunday.

Tickets go on sale November 21 at 10 a.m. through velocityfest.live.

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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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