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Jon Mullane’s Ode To Summer Nabs Top Honour In California Music Video & Film Awards

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Son of a beach! Canadian recording artist Jon Mullane scored big in the recent California Music Video & Film Awards, winning Best Male Solo Artist for the clip to his feel-good surfside anthem, “The Sun In The Summertime.”

Viewers named Mullane’s video the best in its category for its retro portrayal of life by the sand, deeming it a standout amid the awards’ salute to California-influenced music and performers.

Directed by Martin Noel, “The Sun In The Summertime” is a collage of mid-century Golden State iconography, including cool guitars, classic cars and nostalgic movie footage that plays out on vintage TV screens. (Of course, actor Harvey Lembeck gets in some face time in his role as Eric Von Zipper from the “Beach Party” movies.) Through it all, Mullane appears as a six-string troubadour singing the praises of coastal culture.

Co-written by Jim Gelcer and Mullane, “The Sun In The Summertime” comes from the latter’s 2023 EP, the appropriately named California. The infectious pop-rock number was the sole new track on the record, which otherwise compiled tunes Mullane had released individually during the pandemic. The EP was devised as the Halifax-born artist’s salute to his years as a Los Angeles resident; now a Nova Scotian once more, he currently resides in the seaside town of Mahone Bay. The music video for the song was actually shot on Bayswater Beach in Nova Scotia in early June 2023, in the midst of wildfires that were anything but “a good time.”

“I’ve always aspired to write a summertime anthem since I was in my teens,” Mullane says. “It was a time where we always had a song of the summer on the radio that became a part of the fabric of our lives and life experiences, creating vivid images of surf, sand and drivin’ around. Living in L.A. brought out that feeling.”

Beyond the EP, Mullane’s recording catalog includes five full-length albums and several radio singles that have hit the Billboard Top 40 in Canada. He reached #32 on the U.S. Hot AC Billboard Chart with his song “My New American Girl.” Many other songs from his repertoire have been featured in TV programs, commercials and sporting events, including NBC’s use of his “Make Your Move” to promote the Beijing Olympics.

Pursuant to its awards win, the video for “The Sun In The Summertime” will be shown in Summer 2024 on the TasteTV television series Music California and on the program Short Films On, both of which are carried on PBS-affiliated public television stations across the U.S. Too bad the title The Endless Summer was already taken, because this one’s going to have legs as long as the mercury’s high.

Toronto’s Stratford-Bound Harriet Chung Releases Heartfelt Anthem of Love “Hold Me Tight”

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In the realm of music, there are songs that transcend mere melodies and lyrics, touching the very soul with their heartfelt resonance. “Hold Me Tight,” the latest release from the talented artist Harriet Chung, stands as a shining example of such a song—a poignant anthem of love and security that captivates listeners with its emotional depth and sincerity.

Crafted by the skilled songwriter George Chiang and brought to life through Chung’s soul-stirring vocals, “Hold Me Tight” is more than just a musical composition; it’s a journey through the intricacies of human emotion, wrapped in the soothing embrace of harmonious melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

At its core, “Hold Me Tight” speaks to the universal longing for love and reassurance in the face of life’s uncertainties. Set against a backdrop of tender guitar melodies and sweeping piano, the song opens with a sense of vulnerability and apprehension, as the protagonist grapples with feelings of fear and insecurity. Yet, amidst the chaos of life’s relentless pace, there is solace to be found in the comforting presence of a loved one.

As the chorus unfolds, Chung’s vocals soar with emotion, mirroring the protagonist’s sense of relief and empowerment when enveloped in their partner’s embrace.

With each repetition of the refrain, listeners are drawn deeper into the warmth and security of love’s embrace, reminded of its transformative power to conquer even the darkest of fears.

‘When you hold me tight
Everything’s all right
You’re my shining star
My beacon in the night
When you hold me tight
I can face anything
You’re my rock
My safe haven
My everything (…)’

Throughout the song, Chung’s vocals exude sincerity and warmth, inviting listeners to empathize with the raw emotions laid bare in each verse. From the tender vulnerability of the opening lines to the resounding declaration of devotion in the final chorus, the single is a testament to the enduring strength of love to light the way through life’s trials and tribulations.

Accompanied by Warren Robert (arrangement and instruments) and Rique Franks (backup vocals), Chung’s performance is elevated to new heights, each instrument adding its own layer of depth and richness to the composition.

As “Hold Me Tight” makes its debut, it promises to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of listeners around the world. With its timeless message of love and resilience, it serves as a reminder that, no matter the challenges we face, we can always find strength and solace in the arms of those we hold dear.

In the midst of her burgeoning music career, Harriet Chung continues to captivate audiences with her unparalleled talent and passion for storytelling through song. With each new release, she reaffirms her status as a rising star in the world of music, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts of all who have the privilege of listening.

Harriet and George Chiang will be featured performers at the prestigious Stratford Festival for the world premiere of “Salesman in China.” With rehearsals starting on June 5, previews beginning on August 3, and the grand opening slated for August 23, the production runs until October 26, allowing time between the 2 to 4 weekly shows for other creative pursuits.

“Hold Me Tight” is out now, and get more information on the Stratford Festival here.

Master Composer Lou McMahon Spreads Her Wings On May 15 At Berlin’s Neue Stage Friedrichshain

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And lo, the chrysalis was opened: Visionary Irish composer Lou McMahon is headed to Germany for a high-profile concert that will mark the next stage in the life of her groundbreaking 2023 album, Butterfly Wars.

Thanks to funding from Culture Ireland and her country’s Department of Foreign Affairs, the artist and her Lou McMahon Ensemble+ will be traveling to Deutschland as part of the cultural-exchange program An Irish Season in Germany. Violist Ed Creedon, Violinist Phoebe White, Violinist Elena Kyoko, and Cellist Callum Owen will take the stage with McMahon when they perform Butterfly Wars LIVE May 15 at Berlin’s Neue Stage Friedrichshain. Presented as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24—“a celebration of the richness and diversity of contemporary Irish culture”—the show will see the Ensemble+ joined by the Zest Dance Studio Berlin, the Berlin Drum Experience and the Gut Reaction Theatre Company for a multidisciplinary, transnational amplification of the record’s innovative sounds and thought-provoking themes.

The performance represents a bold step into physical reality for Butterfly Wars, a six-track concept record that blends contemporary classical melodies, baroque-teen storytelling and video-game music and methodologies to explore themes of artificial intelligence and the human experience. A hybrid audio journey and gameplay narrative, Butterfly Wars invites listeners to embark on an epic adventure alongside the enigmatic character X-Lú as she navigates gothic realms, battles terrifying species and grapples with profound questions about her identity. Each track follows the structure of video-game music, incorporating elements like game-over-screen stems, emotional shifts and character leitmotifs that are designed to loop and trigger, making for a quirky sonic experience.

While she’s in Germany, McMahon will also be performing live in the studio of Radio Hagen 107.7 at a date to be determined. And later this fall, the Ensemble+ will perform Butterfly Wars LIVE at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, as part of the Metronome series.

The five instrumentals on Butterfly Wars were composed and arranged around the skills of the Ensemble+, which McMahon assembled from members of the prestigious National String Foundation and RTÉ Orchestras and with support from the Arts Council of Ireland and The Glens Arts Centre in Manorhamilton, Leitrim) Also appearing on the album are Joe England (drums) and Bernard O’ Neil (double bass). McMahon herself plays piano and sings on the track “Mysteria,” a solemn processional that makes the absolute most out of its stately two-chord pattern.

“If you like the Bridgerton soundtrack and string ensembles like The Vitamin String Quartet or Kronos Quartet, you might like Butterfly Wars,” McMahon undersells.

The experts are far more effusive. The renowned Bernard Clarke of RTÉ Lyric FM, Ireland’s national broadcaster, has described McMahon’s work as “immersive and rapturous.” She’s also won three Communicator Awards for a music video she made in collaboration with film and TV composer Shie Rozow. Currently, McMahon is writing an instrumental piece especially for Hollywood’s most in-demand trombonist, Alex Iles, who can be heard on John Williams’ original Star Wars theme.

In addition to her classical compositions for piano, strings and voice, McMahon’s repertoire as a singer-songwriter includes folk-rock numbers she’s recorded with the likes of Terry Woods of The Pogues—work that’s landed her in the Ultimate Guide to Irish Folk. And she loves contributing audio reports to Luke Clancy’s Culture File on RTÉ, researching and interviewing celebrity guests. She even created the musical score for the show.

The German premiere of Butterfly Wars LIVE is the latest item on McMahon’s rapidly expanding international résumé, which has already included exposure on radio and TV not only in her native Ireland, but also in Slovakia and the United States. Watch for further updates as the performing campaign continues; these are some Wars any nation would be happy to see invading their borders.

TNA Impact Wrestler And Scrounge-Rock Queen GOLDY LOCKS Finds Her Purpose In “Just Say Yes” Single

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When you need a pep talk in how to get the most out of life, you always want to turn to a woman who grows food out of her own poop.

Okay, hear us out. Yes, it’s true that Goldy Locks, lead singer and mastermind of Nashville’s house-shaking Goldy lockS Band (yes, that’s how she spells it), recently appeared on a 2023 of TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates to explain how she uses her own feces as garden compost. She also mentioned that she collects stray socks from the laundromat to use as sanitary napkins and cuts down on her bar tab by finishing strangers’ discards. But before you dismiss her as some sort of crackpot, you owe it to yourself to take a listen to her band’s new single, “Just Say Yes,” a simply undeniable instant anthem that could convert just about anyone to her philosophy that the glass is always half full (especially when it isn’t yours).

No mere novelty record from a freegan lifestyle guru, the song soars on a can-do spirit and a musical oomph that make it as invigorating a statement of intent as “I Will Survive.” Strings saw away melodramatically, guitar power chords crash and churn, and Locks spews optimism in a voice that sure doesn’t sound like it’s been weakened by second-hand bourbon. Far from it:

I’ll stop at nothing ’til I reach the top
I’ll keep on moving and I’ll never stop
I’ll start a motion where the money’s free
I’ll make it happen where we all agree
Just say yes
Don’t put me to the test, oh baby
Don’t say no
Just how far can we go
If you would just say yes
Don’t make me have to guess
Just stop making a mess of my life
And just tell me yes

Now, who could resist an entreaty that direct? Locks says she wrote the song specifically “to empower people to say ‘yes’ to quitting their deadbeat jobs,” and also as “a female empowerment song showing that women can ALSO be the boss.” But its appeal is as universal as the unexpected joy of finding a perfectly good sofa somebody left out on the curb.

Even the hoot-and-a-half of a music video Locks and her band have whipped up finds liberty in liberation: The vacuum cleaners and other household totems they wield as props were all rescued from the trash, and the kitsch-Americana costumes they’re wearing come from either thrift/secondhand stores or the nearest dumpster.

That’s pretty appropriate for a woman who was discovered while rifling through the refuse at Prince’s Paisley Park complex. (Clarification: She was discovered by the police.) What followed was a circuitous path to show-biz prominence: first as a seamstress to boy bands, then a pop chanteuse in her own right (she opened for Pink and others), and then, perhaps most famously, as a commentator/manager/wrestler for TNA Impact Wrestling. For years, she’s preached better living through frugality from a variety of media platforms, including her own TLC show, Call in the Cheapskates, and a podcast, Goldy’s Closet (a sub-cast of ex-WWE writer Vince Russo’s The Brand).

But there’s nothing cheap about the bang-for-your-buck reputation she’s simultaneously carved out as leader and frontwoman of The Goldy lockS Band, whose 100+-song repertoire of originals and covers has made the lineup of Locks, Johnny Oro and Rod Saylor a top draw throughout their region—and an in-demand opener for everyone from Saliva, Sevendust and Nickelback to Stevie Nicks, The Bret Michaels Band and Maroon 5. On record, their mastery of rock, pop and beyond has shifted over 65,000 CDs and EPs since 2008, plus more than 2,500 DVDs. Their 2019 collaboration with Smith & Hay x King Tech on a cover of Pearl Jam’s “Black” was the first single from an album that hit Number Two in Billboard—on the Jazz chart, yet!

And when it comes to charitable causes, this bunch are anything but stingy. Their 2021 single/video “All to You” aided suicide-prevention efforts, “Black” did the same for child abuse, and previous hit “Today I Won’t Be Afraid” has helped raise thousands of dollars for organizations like the YWCA and Soles4Souls, which helps get new shoes and clothing to people in crisis situations. Now that’s the kind of recycling anybody can get behind.

Asked to offer a thumbnail sketch of the Type-A personality that’s taken her so far down so many avenues, Locks describes herself as “driven, professional, a neat freak and an occasional hot mess.” Maybe so, but what a fabulous disaster it is. Now we can all “Just Say Yes” to the mess.

Taylor Swift’s ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT’ Becomes Spotify’s Most-Streamed Album in One Week

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Records smashed. History made. It’s been just five days since Taylor Swift unveiled her 11th studio album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, and the reception from Swifties worldwide has been rapturous.

On April 22, 2024, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single week. And as of today, the album has surpassed 1 billion streams since release, the first in Spotify history.

Did we mention it’s been just five days since its release?

Adding to the medal count, on April 19, 2024, the album became the first in Spotify history to reach over 300 million streams in a single day. Also on April 19, its debut single, Fortnight (feat. Post Malone),” became the most-streamed song in a single day in Spotify history.

Rounding out the records, Taylor became the most-streamed artist in a single day in Spotify history with THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT, breaking her previous record achieved with the October 27, 2023 release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version). On April 18, 2024, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT became the most pre-saved album Countdown Page in Spotify history.

The “Jim Henson Idea Man” Trailer Will Make You Cry Ugly Tears

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Muppets enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an emotional journey. Director Ron Howard unveils a heartfelt documentary chronicling the life, artistry, and humanity of Jim Henson. Despite his tragically brief life, Henson accomplished extraordinary feats, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to inspire. It arrives on Disney+ on May 31, 2024 and get the tissues ready.

Slightly Stoopid And Dirty Heads Announce ‘Slightly Dirty Summer Tour’

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Today, Slightly Stoopid and Dirty Heads announced their 2024 Slightly Dirty Summer Tour across the U.S. The 23-date run kicks off on Thursday, July 11 in Cleveland, OH at Jacobs Pavilion, with stops in Bridgeport, CT, Virginia Beach, VA, West Palm Beach, FL, San Diego, CA, and more before wrapping up on Saturday, August 25 in Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre. Special guests Common Kings will join on select dates and The Elovaters will join across all dates on the tour.

The announcement follows Slightly Stoopid’s successful ‘Summertime 2023’ tour with Sublime with Rome, which saw the two bands hit 25+ amphitheaters across the U.S. last year.

Speaking on the upcoming tour, Slightly Stoopid’s Miles Doughty says “Slightly Dirty Summer 2024 is gonna be nuts! It’s been a minute since we did a full summer tour with our brothers the Dirty Heads and we are excited to get this party started. Joining us in the madness will be our boys Common Kings and The Elovaters taking the vibes to a new level! Looking forward to playing some new songs all summer while hitting new venues and some cities we have never played!”

“So happy to be back out on the road with our boys! Every time we get together it’s nothing but good times and I expect nothing less this summer!” says Dirty Heads’ Duddy B.

Slightly Stoopid and Dirty Heads are proud to partner with Maui Food Bank so that $1 from every ticket sold will help support Maui relief.

Since 1994, Slightly Stoopid has continued to be a musical brotherhood. Founded by Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, two musicians determined to succeed on their own terms, the pair of long-time childhood friends, has created a multi-genre fusion of rock, reggae, and blues with hip-hop, funk, American folk, metal, and punk. They remain unwavering in their principles of independence, honoring their diversity of influences and mentors, and furthering their inherited legacy of the Southern California sound. Slightly Stoopid has built a sweeping legacy for itself, continuously expanding in diversity and repertoire. Warriors of the road, their touring has grown exponentially both domestically and internationally with sold-out headlining dates across the world, and festival appearances at famed events such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, New Orleans Jazz Fest, ACL, Outside Lands, and Cali Vibes amongst countless others.

Thirty years into the journey, the prolific collective has much to celebrate; the band founded their own record label, Stoopid Records, garnering the platinum single “Closer To The Sun,”, and gold singles “2am” and “Collie Man,” and over one million physical catalog sales. They have worked with an array of collaborators and guest artists including Snoop Dogg, Bob Weir, Stephen Marley, Cypress Hill, G-Love, Barrington Levy, Chali2na, Karl Denson (Rolling Stones), Don Carlos (Black Uhuru) & Rashawn Ross (Dave Matthews Band). The entrepreneurial spirited band also created and continue to curate their annual sold-out Closer to the Sun destination music festival in Mexico (2024 will mark its 10th year), and have launched a line of unique, high-quality cannabis products under the guise of ‘Stoopid Strains’, along with their “Tangie Summer Haze” lager, a beer collaboration with Buzz Rock Breweries in Southern California.

Since 2001, Dirty Heads have mixed hip-hop, reggae, and rock to create a unique sound that fully embodies their Southern California roots and resonates with audiences around the globe.

Dirty Heads are currently out-streaming some of the biggest alternative acts in the U.S., with over 1.31 MILLION digital track sales and 2.7 BILLION on-demand streams since 2018. Dirty Heads also have over 2.4 million unique monthly listeners on Spotify.

The band’s global appeal reached new heights in 2021, when their hit “Vacation” (originally released in 2017) garnered over six billion views and streams across social media via the ubiquitous #VacationTransition challenge that originated organically with users on TikTok.

The group formed when punk rocker Dustin Bushnell (aka Duddy B) asked his friend, rapper Jared Watson (aka Dirty J), to collaborate on a project that would focus on positive vibes and infectious grooves. Watson added singing to his vocal skills, and later with percussionist Jon Olazabal, drummer Matt Ochoa, and bassist Dave Foral, Dirty Heads began building an immense audience.

In 2008, Dirty Heads released their acclaimed album Any Port in a Storm, with a deluxe edition following in 2010. The deluxe version featured the track “Lay Me Down” with special guest Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome. The song reached number one on Billboard’s Alternative Songs in May 2010, and nine weeks later it established a record as the song with the longest stint atop the chart for an independently released title.

They followed up two years later with Cabin by the Sea and later recorded an acoustic version of the title track. This, in turn, led to an entire acoustic album in 2013 called Home: Phantoms of Summer. Dirty Heads’ next album, Sound of Change, would prove to be a breakthrough for the now-veteran band, debuting at number eight on the Billboard Top 200 while topping the Independent and Alternative Albums charts upon its May 2014 release.

Building on their renewed success, Dirty Heads enlisted a bevy of industry hitmakers to work on their self-titled 2016 follow-up, which — thanks to its mainstream appeal — again charted high on the Billboard Top 200. The following year saw the band drop its sixth studio album, Swim Team, featuring the singles “Vacation,” in its original form, and “Staloney.”

Inspired by current events and the fan interpretations of their music in the #VacationTransition challenge, the band went into the studio to work on new music. In 2021 Dirty Heads released The Best Of Dirty Heads compilation, which included a new collaboration with Travis Barker and Aimee Interrupter of The Interrupters. The band also released their highly anticipated 8th studio album Midnight Control in August 2022 which featured 10 all-new songs including their take on Joe Walsh’s 1978 hit “Life’s Been Good.”

In 2023 Dirty Heads released the digital deluxe version of their album Midnight Control, featuring 23 tracks including acoustic versions of hit songs “Rescue Me,” “Life’s Been Good,” and “Island Glow,” Lo-Fi versions of 3 album tracks, 3 unreleased songs and more in addition to all 10 tracks from the original album. Featured artists include Monsieur Periné, Ivy Miller (Ivuss) and Alex Vince.

This summer, Dirty Heads performed their Top 5 hits “Life’s Been Good” and “Rescue Me” on the Today Show. Before the performance, Hosts Hoda & Jenna presented the band with a RIAA platinum plaque for their hit “Vacation,” acknowledging sales of more than 1 million digital downloads since its release BY BETTER NOISE MUSIC. The band’s take on Eagles founding member Joe Walsh’s classic “Life’s Been Good” has been streamed over 17 million times since its release and climbed to the Top 5 on the Mediabase Alternative chart. Dirty Heads also completed 37 dates on their Island Glow Summer Tour with Lupe Fiasco, Yelawolf, G. Love & Special Sauce, Tropidelic and Bikini Trill.

SLIGHTLY DIRTY SUMMER TOUR 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu Jul 11 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion *+
Fri Jul 12 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center *+
Sat Jul 13 — Bangor, ME — Maine Savings Amphitheater *+
Sun Jul 14 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion *+
Thu Jul 18 — Bridgeport, CT — Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *+
Fri Jul 19 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live *+
Sat Jul 20 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater +
Sun Jul 21 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion +
Thu Jul 25 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach *+
Fri Jul 26 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park *+
Sat Jul 27 — Wilmington, NC — Live Oak Bank Pavilion *+
Sun Jul 28 — Charleston, SC — Credit One Stadium *+
Thu Aug 01 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place *+
Fri Aug 02 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre *+
Sat Aug 04 – Gautier, MS – The Sound *+^
Thu Aug 15 — West Valley City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre *+
Fri Aug 16 — Nampa, ID — Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater *+
Sat Aug 17 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre +
Sun Aug 18 — Bend, OR — Hayden Homes Amphitheater *+
Thu Aug 22 – Redding, CA – Redding Civic Auditorium Lawn *+
Fri Aug 23 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre +
Sat Aug 24 — Chula Vista, CA — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre +
Sun Aug 25 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre *+
* With Common Kings
+ With The Elovaters

Don Charles’ ‘Singing Dogs’ Album Is Really Wild For The Audio Splicing At The Time In 1955

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Carl Weismann, while recording the sounds of birds for other projects, ended up with many recordings that were spoiled by dogs barking. Weismann found a new use for these spoiled takes by splicing together the pitches of dog barks into the pattern of songs.

And Weismann used recordings of five dogs barking – their names were Dolly, Pearl, Pussy, Caesar, and King.

Grateful Dead Release From The Mars Hotel: The Angel’s Share, 16 Newly Unearthed Session Recordings

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Today, with Rhino’s surprise release of From The Mars Hotel: The Angel’s Share, the Grateful Dead vaults have once again been opened. Featuring 16 newly unearthed session recordings, the digital collection brings listeners directly into San Francisco’s Coast Recorders during the spring of 1974, revealing the band’s real-time process as they crafted such eternal staples as “Scarlet Begonias,” “Ship Of Fools,” “China Doll,” “U.S. Blues,” “Unbroken Chain” and more that would make up their classic From The Mars Hotel LP. The evolution of all of those songs and other album highlights is charted throughout this fourth edition of the band’s fan-favorite Angel’s Share series. Like previous installments that accompanied milestone reissues of Workingman’s Dead, American Beauty and Wake Of The Flood, From The Mars Hotel: The Angel’s Share brings together hours of expertly-curated outtakes, alternate versions, acoustic mixes, unexpected moments and revelations that have never been heard or available on DSPs until now.

As these Angel’s Share recordings further showcase, the Grateful Dead were cooking with gas in the runup to From The Mars Hotel. The band had successfully emerged from a series of hectic, harrowing times, and would soon follow their transformative Wake Of The Flood with this second self-released album from their very own Grateful Dead Records. During the mere eight months that had passed between the two beloved LPs, the group also played some of their most exploratory live music and largest venues to date, famously amplified by the homemade, 75-ton Wall of Sound that they debuted on March 23rd, 1974. While several of the album’s formative songs would first be introduced into setlists along that season’s tour, the Grateful Dead spent two months recording and honing them in the studio for the album.

In honor of its 50th Anniversary, From The Mars Hotel has also been reissued and expanded with rediscovered material and rarities. Out June 21st via Rhino, six days before the album’s original release five decades ago, From The Mars Hotel (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) features remastered audio by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer David Glasser, with Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Produced for release by Grateful Dead Legacy Manager and Audio Archivist, David Lemieux, the deluxe edition includes demos of “China Doll” and “Wave That Flag” – the song that became “U.S. Blues” – as well as a previously unreleased live performance of the Grateful Dead at University of Nevada-Reno on 5/12/1974, where a massive wind storm was no match for the Wall of Sound.

Furthermore, From The Mars Hotel (50th Anniversary Remaster) will be released on June 21st as a single 180-gram black vinyl LP, limited edition Neon Pink vinyl, limited edition “Ugly Rumors” custom vinyl exclusive to Dead.net, and a specially-designed picture disc created in partnership with zoetrope pioneer Drew Tetz. When viewed with a camera or strobe, the zoetrope LP will appear to animate, and can be pre-ordered now along with the rest of From The Mars Hotel (50th Anniversary Remaster) variants.

As part of From The Mars Hotel’s 50th Anniversary celebration, the Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast is unlocking the many secrets behind the album. Along with a track-by-track breakdown of the LP, the podcast’s ninth season is currently telling the story of the Wall of Sound, with archival audio of its mastermind – legendary LSD chemist Owsley Stanley – and new interviews with those who made the game-changing, larger-than-life speaker system a reality. With five million downloads and counting, new episodes of Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast will continue to premiere every other week HERE.

The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day-one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music. Today, the connection is as strong as ever. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Their final tally of 2,318 total concerts remains a world record. The Grateful Dead recently celebrated their 59th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart, a feat no other group has achieved.

From The Mars Hotel: The Angel’s Share
Scarlet Begonias (Takes 1 & 2)
Scarlet Begonias (Alternate Mix)
China Doll (Acoustic Mix)
Money Money (Alternate Version)
Loose Lucy (Alternate Mix)
Ship Of Fools (Take 7)
Ship Of Fools (Alternate Mix)
U.S. Blues (Takes 1 & 2)
U.S. Blues (Take 4)
U.S. Blues (Take 8)
Pride Of Cucamonga (Take 1)
Pride Of Cucamonga (Alternate Mix)
Unbroken Chain (Take 1)
Unbroken Chain (Take 5)
Unbroken Chain (Take 6)
Unbroken Chain (Alternate Mix)