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Billy Currington Announces Spring 2024 Tour With Kip Moore

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Billy Currington will hit the road this spring with Kip Moore and special guests Larry Fleet and Redferrin on select dates, produced by Live Nation. Taking his Multi-Platinum hits and energetic live show to major markets including Atlanta, Nashville, New York, and more, tickets go on sale this Friday (1/26) at 10am local time.

Billy Currington has spent nearly two decades topping the country charts, parlaying his rich, emotion-laden tenor and unerring song sense into some of the format’s most memorable hits. Across multiple Platinum-certified albums, the Georgia native has tallied 12 No. 1 singles, including 4X Platinum hit “People Are Crazy,” 3X Platinum “Good Directions,” 3X Platinum “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” plus Double-Platinum “Do I Make You Wanna,” Platinum “We Are Tonight,” and more. Equally skilled at delivering upbeat summertime anthems as well as exploring the complexities of life and love with a poignant ballad, Currington joined Jessie James Decker on the wistful, slow-burning duet “I Still Love You.” Two new songs – “City Don’t” and “Anchor Man” – are out now, with more new music on the way.

Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore recently released his fifth studio album DAMN LOVE. Praised by Holler as “the best album of Kip Moore’s career.” Moore’s DAMN LOVE WORLD TOUR in 2023 saw more play sold-out headlining shows – including stadiums – in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, The U.K., Europe, and the U.S. Known as “one of country’s more thoughtful artists” (Billboard), Moore has toured the world earning acclaim and a rabid fanbase as an all-in performer in each setting, consistently selling out headlining shows internationally with huge followings. Praised by Noisey as “an uncompromising, genre-defying artist firing on all cylinders” Moore has blazed his trail, with “a bit more Southern rock than traditional country… to be a Kip Moore fan suddenly became a marker of your having a certain refinement in your country-music taste” (Chicago Tribune). Moore first splashed into the mainstream with the double-PLATINUM “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” in 2012, then followed up with three more best-selling No. Ones (“Hey Pretty Girl,” “Beer Money” and “More Girls Like You”). In 2024, Moore will hit the road with Billy Currington as part of a limited Billy Currington & Kip Moore: Live In Concert run, as well as join HARDY this summer for his QUIT!! Tour.

Tennessee-born troubadour Larry Fleet grew up on a stack of records spanning Merle Haggard, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson, and Marvin Gaye. A thoughtful songwriter with a knack for a one-liner, an ear for a sturdy hook, and a powerhouse voice that strikes like a match, Fleet was working blue-collar jobs to make ends meet long before landing his recording contract with Big Loud Records. Six years in, the devout family man is turning heads among fans and critics with albums full of soon-to-be-classics; 2021’s tribute to the music that raised him, Stack of Records, his aptly titled 2019 debut, Workin’ Hard, and his third effort, Earned It, out now. Saving Country Music puts it simply: “If you’re looking for the future of traditional country music, then look no further than…Larry Fleet.” A road-tested live show standout, Fleet wrapped 2022 and 2023 with his headlining One For The Road Tour and Larry Fleet Live, respectively, following up crowd-winning opening slots supporting Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Jon Pardi, and many more. He just announced his upcoming headlining run, The Earned It Tour, set for the top of 2024.

In many ways, Warner Music Nashville’s rising artist Redferrin is a musical version of the famous Jack Daniels Old No. 7 blend. Made in Tennessee just like the whiskey, the singer-songwriter is emerging from behind the scenes of country’s edgy new post-modern era. He packs a punch you can’t ignore, and although his mix of country heart and hip-hop swagger might be an acquired taste, he’s been bringing fans a full-bodied buzz for years now – most recently with his viral hit “Jack & Diet Coke,” which has surpassed 25 million global streams and charted on Spotify’s Viral 50 (US) chart. But with his long-awaited Old No. 7 debut, out February 16, those fans can now savor their buzz longer than ever. Each song on the EP was co-produced by Redferrin himself – another important new ingredient making Old No. 7 his most potent (and exciting) small-batch yet. Best known as a collaborator, his co-written hits include good-timing anthems by early believers Florida Georgia Line – tracks like “Lil Bit” (featuring Nelly), “New Truck,” “Countryside” and more, plus a record-breaking Canadian No. 1, “Can’t Help Myself” by Dean Brody & The Reklaws. No longer sending his best songs away, Redferrin is all-in on his artistic vision. The man behind the scenes is now stepping into the spotlight and it’s about time. The 2024 Amazon Breakthrough Artist to Watch has amassed over 60 million global streams so far and will tour across the country throughout the year with artists such as Niko Moon, Billy Currington and more.

Billy Currington Tour Dates:
April 26 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park #
April 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater #*
May 3 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion #*
May 4 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park #*
May 11 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre #*
May 17 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater #+
May 18 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater #+
June 14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre *+
June 21 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *+
June 22 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *+
# = with Kip Moore
* = with Larry Fleet
+ = with Redferrin

Country Music Hall Of Famers Brooks & Dunn Buckle Up For The Reboot Tour 2024

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The best-selling duo of all time, Brooks & Dunn, announced today their forthcoming REBOOT 2024 Tour produced by Live Nation. Kicking off in West Palm Beach, FL on May 3 the Country Music Hall of Famers will hit the road for more than 20 dates across the United States and Canada, bringing their indelible energy to the stage following their wildly “don’t miss” (Whiskey Riff) 2023 Tour. Tickets will be available starting Friday, January 26 at 10AM local time at brooks-dunn.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, invitation to the Neon Lounge, exclusive signed poster, VIP merchandise gift & more.

Adding to the excitement, renowned country rocker David Lee Murphy and country hitmaker ERNEST will accompany Brooks & Dunn on the REBOOT 2024 Tour. Fans can expect electrifying performances from “country greats” (Dallas Observer) Brooks & Dunn with Fort Worth Star Telegram praising their show as “the dream of the ‘90s country was alive and well, successfully passed down to a new generation of singers and fans alike.”

With 20 No. 1 hits stretching back to 1991, two GRAMMY awards, dozens of ACM and CMA honors and a discography counting more album sales than any duo in history – regardless of genre – Brooks & Dunn’s influence on today’s country has never been in question. Hits like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria” and “Believe” have propelled the duo to more than 30 million albums sold, with the New York Times heralding “together they helped drive the power-country era of the early-to-mid 1990s and continued to benefit from the sea change in the genre they helped initiate right through their most recent albums.” Their original “Merle Haggard meets The Rolling Stones” vibe made them progressive stars in their own right. The duo’s recently released collaboration project REBOOT debuted at No. One on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. The impressive feat marks the first time the duo has topped the album charts since 2009 while simultaneously earning the duo their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history. In 2019 the duo was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category and they hold the record for the longest running Country Music residency in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.brooks-dunn.com.

REBOOT 2024 Tour Dates:
5/3 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
5/4 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
5/10 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
5/11 Thackerville, OK — Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino and Resort
5/16 New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
5/17 Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman
5/30 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
5/31 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
6/1 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
6/6 Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center at Fresno State
6/7 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
6/8 Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
6/13 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post
6/14 Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
6/15 Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
6/20 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
6/21 Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
6/22 London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
6/27 Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
6/28 Allentown, PA – PPL Center
6/29 Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
8/10 Welch, MN — Treasure Island Amphitheater

The Doobie Brothers Announce The 2024 Tour

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Four-time GRAMMY Award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, The Doobie Brothers, have announced The 2024 Tour which will touch down in 38 U.S. cities, many of which the band has not played in several years, beginning with Seattle at the White River Amphitheatre on June 15, 2024. The 2024 Tour will go on to major markets like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City at Madison Square Garden on August 7, 2024, before wrapping in Salt Lake City at the USANA Amphitheater on August 30, 2024.

The Doobie Brothers will also be joined by GRAMMY Award winning artists Robert Cray and Steve Winwood on various dates. A Blues Hall of Fame inductee, Robert Cray and his band have been touring worldwide since 1974, and singer-songwriter Steve Winwood has composed countless hits over the past five decades including “Higher Love,” “Valerie,” “Back In The High Life Again,” among many others.

The 2024 Tour follows The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour which had TOM JOHNSTON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, PAT SIMMONS and JOHN MCFEE back on the road together for the first time in over 25 years. Selling nearly 50 million albums worldwide, The Doobie Brothers have had five top-10 singles, 16 top-40 hits, 3 multi-platinum albums, 7 platinum albums, 14 gold albums and own a rare diamond record for their 1976 album, Best of the Doobies.

In 2023, the band released a new single, “Lahaina”, their first release since their 2021 album Liberté. The song, which also featured Mick Fleetwood, Jake Shimabukuro, and Henry Kapono, is in support of those affected by the devastating fires in Maui last year. Along with this new music, The Doobie Brothers’ collection of timeless hits will once again be played by the artists who wrote them, providing fans the rare opportunity to see these Rock and Roll legends performing their full catalog of songs on stage.

For over five decades, The Doobie Brothers have been known for delivering mind-blowing, roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll – all of which recently culminated in an induction into the 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Boasting one of the most loyal fan bases in music, selling more than 48 million albums, and winning four GRAMMY® Awards, The Doobie Brothers continue to write and record new material and tour the world. Their No. 1 singles “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes,” both gold, lead a catalog of indelible songs that include: “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Jesus Is Just All Right,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Take Me In Your Arms,” “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” “You Belong to Me,” “The Doctor” and more. In all, the Doobies have tallied up five top 10 singles and 16 top 40 hits. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street, the Doobies have 3 multi-platinum, 7 platinum, and 14 Gold albums. Best of the Doobies has sold more than 12 million copies – a rare “diamond record.” In 2021, the band kicked off their 50th anniversary tour which reunited Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee on stage. Additionally, The Doobie Brothers released their autobiography, Long Train Runnin’ on July 26, 2022.

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS: THE 2024 TOUR DATES
DATE CITY, STATE VENUE
Saturday, June 15, 2024** Seattle, WA White River Amphitheater
Sunday, June 16, 2024** Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Tuesday, June 18, 2024** Bend, OR Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Thursday, June 20, 2024** Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
Saturday, June 22, 2024** Concord, CA Concord Pavilion
Sunday, June 23, 2024** Los Angeles, CA The Kia Forum
Tuesday, June 25, 2024** San Diego, CA North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Wednesday, June 26, 2024** Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
Saturday, June 29, 2024** Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
Sunday, June 30, 2024** Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Tuesday, July 2, 2024** Tulsa, OK BOK Center
Wednesday, July 3, 2024** Durant, OK Choctaw Casino and Resort
Saturday, July 6, 2024** Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
Monday, July 8, 2024** Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
Wednesday, July 10, 2024** West Palm Beach, FL iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Thursday, July 11, 2024** Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Saturday, July 13, 2024** Atlanta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sunday, July 14, 2024** Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boling Arena
Tuesday, July 30, 2024++ Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
Wednesday, July 31, 2024++ Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Saturday, August 3, 2024++ Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sunday, August 4, 2024++ Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Tuesday, August 6, 2024++ Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Wednesday, August 7, 2024++ New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Friday, August 9, 2024++ Bridgeport, CT Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
Saturday, August 10, 2024++ Gilford, NH BankNH Pavilion
Monday, August 12, 2024++ Boston, MA Xfinity Center
Tuesday, August 13, 2024++ Saratoga Springs, NY Broadview Stage at SPAC
Thursday, August 15, 2024++ Detroit, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
Saturday, August 17, 2024++ Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Sunday, August 18, 2024++ Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Tuesday, August 20, 2024++ Pittsburgh, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Thursday, August 22, 2024++ Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
Saturday, August 24, 2024++ St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sunday, August 25, 2024++ Tinley Park, IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Tuesday, August 27, 2024++ Omaha, NE CHI Health Center
Thursday, August 29, 2024++ Denver, CO Ball Arena
Friday, August 30, 2024++ Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheater
**with Robert Cray
++with Steve Winwood

About The Doobie Brothers

Mother Mother & Cavetown Join Forces For 2024 North American Co-Headline Tour

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Canada’s biggest alt-rock export Mother Mother and multi-Platinum singer/songwriter and producer Cavetown join forces for a massive North American co-headline tour this summer, with Destroy Boys supporting on all dates. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on June 7 in Phoenix, rolling through boutique amphitheaters from coast-to-coast, hitting famed venues like Red Rocks in Colorado, with stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, and more. Artist pre-sales go live on January 22 at 11am local time, with general on-sale beginning January 26 at 10am local time.

“We are beyond thrilled to share the stage with Cavetown on the first co-headline tour of our career,” says Mother Mother vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Ryan Guldemond. “We are huge fans of the music, the art, and the community that surrounds this artist, and we feel like the Mother Mother world will merge beautifully with theirs to create an epic night of indie rock and positive vibes. Truly can’t wait!”

“It’s gonna be so cool to be touring with Mother Mother this summer!!” shares Cavetown. “I’m such a fan and am excited to see our fanbases come together for our big rock show. See you soon !!”

The tour announcement arrives as Mother Mother share their new single, “Nobody Escapes” — listen HERE via Warner Records and watch the captivating video HERE. “In ‘Nobody Escapes,’ we sing cheerily about the indiscriminate nature of death and how, regardless of status, good looks or physique, the reaper comes for us all,” says Guldemond. “The animated video that accompanies our rollicking and blasphemous album opener follows suit, depicting a sinister factory where conveyor belts and machinery crudely sort through freshly fallen souls.”

The track is the latest offering from their highly anticipated new album, Grief Chapter, due out February 16 via Warner Records. Pre-order HERE. The album was introduced by lead single “Normalize,” which arrived alongside an intense video directed by acclaimed horror director Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters, What Keeps You Alive). It was then followed by the uplifting “To My Heart” and the future-facing “The Matrix,” which deploys dreamy keys and swooning vocals.

Cavetown is currently finalizing a highly-anticipated batch of new music for 2024. He most recently wrapped his biggest tour to date, Bittersweet Daze – featuring mxmtoon, Ricky Montgomery, and grentperez – which was his first stateside run since 2022 and in support of his globally acclaimed album, worm food. As the follow up to 2020’s Sleepyhead, the record catapulted Cavetown to more than 4 billion streams worldwide and earned widespread praise from the likes of The New York Times, The FADER, NME, V Magazine, and more. Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon.

TOUR DATES:
June 7 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
June 8 Los Angeles, CA The Torch
June 9 San Diego, CA Gallagher Square at Petco Park
June 11 Berkeley, CA The Greek
June 14 Troutdale, OR Edgefield
June 15 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
June 16 Seattle, WA Seattle Zoo
June 18 Salt Lake City, UT Granary Live
June 20 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
June 22 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom
June 23 Austin, TX Moody Amphitheatre at Waterloo Park
June 25 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
June 28 Miami, FL FPL Solar Amphitheater
June 29 Orlando, FL Orlando Amphitheater
June 30 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy
July 2 Washington, DC The Anthem
July 3 Philadelphia, PA Highmark Skyline Stage at the Mann
July 5 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
July 7 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
July 9 New York, NY The Rooftop at Pier 17
July 10 New York, NY The Rooftop at Pier 17
July 12 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
July 13 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

The 502s Announce ‘Great American Road Trip Tour’

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Today, American indie folk group The 502s have announced their Live Nation-produced 2024 trek – Great American Road Trip – across 26 cities in North America with support from Zach Seabaugh and Daniel Nunnelee. The “happiest band on Earth” promises to deliver their signature upbeat folk party performance in support of their forthcoming self-titled album coming out on April 12th. The tour kicks off on April 12 at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL making stops in Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Toronto, ON; Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA and more before wrapping up in Austin, TX at Scoot Inn on May 24.

he 502s are known as the happiest band on earth. Led by earnest banjo-strumming lead singer-songwriter Ed Isola, the six piece indie-folk (or beach core or ska folk) band from Orlando is more than just a group of happy-go-lucky musicians, they are one of the best live bands of their generation. The raucous, nonstop, life-affirming experience of a 502s show is quickly becoming a thing of legend.

In three short years, the 502s leapt from their first show at a local bar to selling out tours across the US and Europe, fueled by their hit “Just A Little While” (100m streams and counting). However, to credit their fast rise to success on one song misses the full story and would greatly disappoint the enthusiastic fanbase who sing every word to every song at their live shows. As a fan once famously said “If you could bottle this experience up and sell it, it would solve a lot of the world’s problems.”

GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP TOUR DATES:
Fri Apr 12 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live *
Sat Apr 13 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues Orlando *
Mon Apr 15 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre *
Tue Apr 16 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville *
Wed Apr 17 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte *
Fri Apr 19 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *
Sat Apr 20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia *
Tue Apr 23 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza Powered By Verizon 5G *
Thu Apr 25 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues Boston *
Sat Apr 27 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix Concert Theatre *
Mon Apr 29 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter *
Tue Apr 30 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue *
Wed May 01 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s *
Fri May 03 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues Chicago *
Sun May 05 – Minneapolis, MN – Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus *
Tue May 07 – Denver, CO – Summit +
Fri May 10 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall +
Sat May 11 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre +
Sun May 12 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre +
Tue May 14 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore +
Thu May 16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco +
Fri May 17 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues San Diego +
Sat May 18 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren +
Wed May 22 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall +
Thu May 23 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston +
Fri May 24 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn +
+ = support from Zach Seabaugh
* = support from Daniel Nunnelee

Photo Gallery: Theory Of A Deadman with JJ Wilde at Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage in Fallsview Casino

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All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X

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Singer Songwriter James Leclaire Begins Ambitious Monthly Release Project With ‘Are You Ready?’

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Singer-songwriter James Leclaire gets everyone singing along with his latest single, “Are You Ready?”

Manotick, Ontario-based folk artist James Leclaire released his sixth single “Are You Ready?” from his ambitious and unique project where he is releasing a new song each month for the next three years.

After the shocking end to his 23-year marriage in 2020, Leclaire recorded an astounding 37 songs that encapsulate his heartbreak and journey as he navigated through many new life experiences.

“My sorrowful songs were always written from a fictional place or as a witness to others pain. Now it was my sorrow, my pain, my wound, and it caused my pen to bleed ink and my guitar to cry chords,” says Leclaire.

To assist on the project, the Renfrew, Ontario born folk singer-songwriter amassed an all-star team of seasoned musicians that have worked with artists such as Norah Jones, the Doobie Brothers, and Neil Young. The contributors include guitarist Kevin Breit, drummer Ed Toth, guitarist and pianist John Fraser Findlay, harmonicist Mickey Raphael, and many other local musicians.

“Are You Ready? describes all the ups and downs that one will face while chasing the thing that they love. It enforces the idea that good things are always worth fighting for. Am I ready? I sure am.” says Leclaire.

With a chorus highlighted by backing vocals inspired by 80s metal, combined with the grounded folk and alt-country sensibilities of the musicianship and Leclaire’s life experiences, “Are You Ready?” creates an acoustic driven track with melodies that make it impossible to ignore. Leclaire’s gruff vocals add a sense of urgency and emotion that expels his emotional lyrics like a memorable punk sing-along.

Leclaire’s newest work comes after a hiatus that saw him not perform or record new music for over five years. After his life was turned upside down and finding new life experiences and a new relationship, Leclaire had an overflow of inspiration which resulted in kickstarting his return to music.

The first monthly single, “Things That I Said”, was released in August 2023. Each new monthly song has a different surprise and “Are You Ready?” is one that will get audiences singing and moving.

Muscle Memory: Hamilton, ON Hard-Grooving DOCTOR TONGUE Drops A Jam You Won’t “Forget”

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Anybody can have an existential crisis, but not everybody can make it fun to listen to. “Not everybody” means musical eccentrics Doctor Tongue, who’ve found the funkier side of emotional detachment on their infectious groove of a new track, “Forget About Love.”

A deceptively boppy little outing in a quasi-Curtis Mayfield mode, the song is actually meant to convey the alienation of today’s culture – specifically the isolating effect of personal devices and other single-user technology. Yet from the universality of the lyrics and the irresistible pull of the music, you could easily assume you were merely listening to a great, format-busting hit about romance gone bad.

Forget about the fortune
Forget about the pain
Forget about the torture
Forget about the fame
Forget about the darkness
Forget about the light
Forget about me
Forget about love

Forgettable? Anything but. Like the bombastic SCTV horror host with whom they share a name, Doctor Tongue work in vibrant 3D. The Hamilton, Ontario-based sextet finds inspiration in genres as diverse as rock, funk, soul, hip-hop and country. “Forget About Love,” though, is way more cohesive and focused than that eclectic list of influences might indicate. From its confidently strutting rhythm to the fuzzed-out, high-sustain guitar that squeals around the supple vocal line, the song sounds like the opening number to a lost blaxploitation flick – if blaxploitation flicks had been about retreating from personal attachments instead of taking down neighborhood pushers.

And if any band could be excused for giving in to the urge to retreat, it’s Doctor Tongue. Formed in the midst of the COVID quarantine, the group made a grand debut in May 2022 at the Come Together festival in Durham, Ontario. Tragedy struck not a year later, when guitarist and founding member Dylan Matthews tragically passed away. Instead of curling up in the fetal position and going to radio silence, the unit reconfigured itself, rallying in a style as bold and triumphant as vocalist/keyboardist’s George Panagopoulos’ top hat and funky shades. The current lineup is rounded out by Mark McMaster on drums, Olivia Brown on bass and vocals, Chris Wheeler on guitar, Tom Bigas on percussion and Jethro Mann on rhythm guitar and vocals.

With four singles under the group’s collective belt pre-“Forget,” the current plan is to release a new song every 6 to 8 weeks, telling the story of Doctor Tongue in song and video until the results can be compiled into the group’s first-ever full-length album. Building anticipation a few months at a time? Sounds like the best prescription for engagement a doctor could write.

Jet Puppy Unleashes Rock and Roll Frenzy with Debut Single ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’

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Jet Puppy, a dynamic and highly entertaining rock and roll band from Toronto, Ontario proudly announces the release of their debut single, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” – available now.

With its catchy and nostalgic up-tempo beat, “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” is a vibrant ode to the heyday of rock and roll. The band’s commitment to preserving the joy, exuberance, and timeless sound of North American popular music is evident in this track, flawlessly embodying the essence of both rock and roll and rhythm and blues. Alec “Ears” Pham engineered the band’s live sessions which proved to be a revelation, making the band’s positive and shared aspirations crystal clear.

The song “Shake, Rattle and Roll” cements the foundation of Jet Puppy’s roadside tavern. Bursting with energy and positive vibes and showcasing how much fun making music can be. Jesse Stone wrote the song “Shake, Rattle and Roll” in 1954; and is typically credited to him under his songwriting pen name, “Charles Calhoun.” Big Joe Turner was the first to record the song that year, and it lands at No. 127 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Weekly gatherings at the home of the band’s founder, Adam Faux, featuring Scotch, camaraderie, and a passion for classic tunes, and evolved into the formation of the band, Jet Puppy.

“Jet Puppy was born out of a desire to socialize and to honour the R&B and R&R vernacular of North American popular music,” says Faux. “More precisely, to perform music from an era when broadcasting, recording, electric guitars, and transistor radios, all flourished at the same time. To celebrate an era when dancing and joy reigned, and performers shared musical tradition and the stage, no matter their creed or culture, and not in deference to those who would attempt to separate them.”

The group is comprised of gifted musicians, each of whom adds a distinct sound and unique flavour to the mix.

Adam Faux (vocals/guitar), has an extensive career in live television, recording, and engineering. Mary Sound (bass), a former lifeguard turned bassist and singer-songwriter is known for her incredible songs and captivating voice. Multi-instrumentalist Fraser “The Pocket” Koval’s’kyj (drums) adds a more complex sound to Jet Puppy with his post-punk patina and commanding presence behind the drum kit. Ph.D. candidate Jon “Doc” McSpadden (piano) adds a wide range of tonal options to the band with his classical expertise and eclectic musical background. The son of a jazz musician, Brent “Professor Pedal Down” Welbourn (guitar), gives the band’s sound a unique take on melody by fusing together majestic, lively, and moving guitar styles.

Doing The “Elephant” Walk: Groove Rockers Les Moontunes Put Some Stomp In Their Step With “Enchanted Tusks”

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If you want to be a mammoth, you’ve got to make tracks like a mammoth. That’s why Moncton, NB Acadian “heavy soul” outfit Les Moontunes have deepened their musical footprint on their sophomore album, Elephant Wizard, and its attendant second single, “Enchanted Tusks.”

A concept record about a mystical pachyderm and his quest to find peace somewhere in the universe, Elephant Wizard adds some extra muscle to the septet’s customary melánge of soul, jazz, hip-hop and metal. That toughened-up approach was foretold by the title track when it was released as a preview single late last year; now comes “Enchanted Tusks,” whose Zappa-esque sonics are built on dreamy piano swirls interrupted by bursts of fuzzed-out guitar frenzy. Vocals overdriven to the point of distortion crackle with electricity as they chronicle the emergence of the album’s title character, whose tusks can be seen “Coloring the night/ Brighter than the starlight.” Then the picture turns grimmer:

Wanted for its wizardry
The Elephant wants to run free
Evil wants the ivory
A magic tusk of eternity

What happens then? Don’t expect to be spoon-fed an answer. Lyrically and musically, the focus of the album is less on traditional, linear storytelling than on conveying an emotional journey through mood. Then again, what else would you expect from a bunch of highly intuitive groove junkies who met in high school and started playing and improvising together in a darkened basement, with only a swirling disco ball for light? Some of the members of Les Moontunes have since departed their native Moncton to Montreal and Halifax to formalize their musical education, but you can still feel the camaraderie of those early marathon rehearsals in every like-minded jam they record.

Ironically, the new album was inspired by isolation. Reeling from the one-two punch of a lost job and the COVID shutdowns, pianist/vocalist (and chief songwriter) Miguel Dumaine coped by brainstorming a character called the Elephant Wizard, whose story could be told in song. When he and his bandmates — Jeremie Poitras, Martin Daigle, Monica Ouellette, Patrick Gaudet, Samuel Frenette and Marc-Andre Richard — were able to reunite for a residency in Sussex, they fleshed out the concept together.

Producer Mike Trask’s analog approach to recording and his receptivity to in-studio composition were just the old-school influence the band was looking for to get the tale on tape. The premise of the resulting album is as provocative as it is simple: “When faced with cruelty and betrayal, the magical Elephant Wizard sets out to fight off evil and find a better life for himself on Planet Metal. But will this solve his misery?”

Taking a trip to their own planet metal gives Les Moontunes every chance of living their best life. Their eponymous 2021 debut album netted them that year’s Music NB Awards for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Video of the Year (for the single “Paper Boat”). With the new album out and “Enchanted Tusks” and its accompanying video turning all the right heads, even greater accolades are sure to follow. This Elephant has just begun to roar.