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The Pogues Reissue ‘Fairytale of New York’ As A Charity Single in Honor of Shane MacGowan’s Legacy

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Experience the magic of Christmas with The Pogues’ 1987 hit “Fairytale of New York”, transporting yourself to the heart of the holiday season with this timeless classic featuring Shane MacGowan’s and Kirsty MacColl’s unmistakable vocals.

Capture the festive spirit with this 7” vinyl single, featuring the original track and instrumental version. This cherished song has touched the hearts of millions, igniting a sense of Christmas warmth and will bring the festive season in with a hint of nostalgia.

£6 from the sale of each product will be donated to Dublin Simon Community (Charity Number: CHY 5963). You can get it here.

Emma Kilkenny, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Dublin Simon Community said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to The Pogues and Shane McGowan’s family for their generosity in creating such a special legacy for Dublin Simon Community with this release. Music is an emotional and visceral gift that can lift spirits and bring hope to people at their lowest point. We share the truly magical memory of Shane’s performance at the very special Christmas Busk recorded in St Patrick’s Cathedral during Covid lockdown. The Christmas Eve Busk is a beating heart at the core of Dublin Simon’s fundraising and Shane was always a very welcome and truly amazing addition to this special event.”

For almost 55 years Dublin Simon Community has been working to end and prevent homelessness.  Originally founded as a soup run by a group of students from Trinity & UCD, the organisation was founded on the values of community, respect, inclusion and non-judgement.  Today Dublin Simon continues to operate with these founding values and more, delivering low-threshold supports like Street Outreach, emergency accommodation, addiction treatment and healthcare services, independent housing and a range of homelessness prevention supports for people from all walks of life, working to end homelessness for people every single day.

The Simon Christmas Eve Busk is a sacred tradition for more than a decade, surviving through Covid in virtual form thanks to the dedication of the brave and talented buskers, but now boldly back on Dublin’s Grafton Street each year.  Shane McGowan was amongst those amazing Busk veterans who supported this event by lending his talents and voice to the chorus for change for people experiencing homelessness.

For more details visit www.dubsimon.ie

My Next Read: “What a Fool Believes: A Memoir” By Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser

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A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award–winning, platinum selling icon of blue-eyed soul Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award–nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.

Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of rock and R&B with hit records like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “Peg,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” and “Yah Mo B There.”

In his candid, freewheeling memoir, written with his friend, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Paul Reiser, Michael tells the story of his life and music. A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, Michael chased his dreams in 1970’s California, a heady moment of rock opportunity and excess. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters would send him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom—from joining Steely Dan and becoming a defining member of The Doobie Brothers to forging a path as a breakout solo R&B artist.

Interwoven with the unforgettable tales of the music, Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. He reckons with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him, the drug and alcohol addictions that plagued him, and the highs and lows of popularity. Along the way he relays the lessons he’s learned, and that if he’s learned anything at all it’s that there’s often little correlation between what you get and what you deserve.

Filled with unbelievable stories and a matchless cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Quincy Jones, What a Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.

SiriusXM Launches Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio

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SiriusXM announced today that Grammy Award-winning reggae icon Shaggy is launching an exclusive year-round SiriusXM channel, Shaggy’s Boombastic RadioBringing listeners Shaggy’s favorite reggae, dancehall and afrobeats, the channel is now available to subscribers in their cars on channel 332 and on the SiriusXM app. The channel was announced as part of SiriusXM’s Next Generation Industry & Press Preview event in New York.

Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio, curated entirely by Shaggy, invites listeners to immerse themselves in the sounds of reggae, dancehall and vibrant afrobeats. From the iconic rhythms of Sean Paul and Lady Saw to the dynamic sounds of Wizkid and Burna Boy, Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio is packed with songs that will get everyone moving while celebrating the rich musical traditions of the Caribbean and Africa.

As part of the exclusive channel programming, Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio will debut Shaggy and Sting’s recent live performance from their inaugural One Fine Day Festival. The performance, captured at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, will air on the channel over Thanksgiving weekend.

Shaggy’s Yaad, the reggae icon’s current show which first debuted on SiriusXM’s FLY and is now in its third successful year, will now regularly air on Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio. The show, hosted by Shaggy, takes listeners on a cultural journey with a wide mix of rare and classic tracks spanning the hip-hop, dancehall and reggae genres.

Born Orville Richard Burrell and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaggy got his start as an MC in New York City’s burgeoning dancehall scene soon after moving to Brooklyn in his teens. Not long after serving four years in the U.S. Marines (including two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Storm), he inked his first record deal and quickly scored a global crossover smash with “Oh Carolina.”

As the only diamond-selling dancehall artist in music history, Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, has sold more than 40 million album units to date, in addition to landing 8 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 7 albums on the Billboard 200 (including 4 in the top 40). He has received 2 Grammy Awards and is among the top 3 streamed reggae artists of all time on Spotify.

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

Global Home Audio Equipment Market Report 2023: Record Surge in Smart Speaker Market in Wake of COVID-19 – Forecast to 2030

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In the ever-evolving landscape of home entertainment and technology, the Global Home Audio Equipment Market is moving forward at a significant pace. This comprehensive market research report offers strategic insights that hold the power to transform businesses and enhance market share. Presenting a meticulous analysis of the market trends, growth projections and segment performances, this report is an invaluable tool for making data-driven decisions in the Home Audio Equipment industry.

With a focus on regions like the U.S, China, Japan, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific, the report explores diverse markets and their unique dynamics. Moreover, it provides a detailed profile of key competitors, equipping businesses with the knowledge to stay ahead in a competitive marketplace. The purchase of this report also comes with benefits such as special coverage on different global issues, access to digital archives, and complimentary updates for one year. This report is not just data, but a map to the future of the Home Audio Equipment Market.

The global market for Home Audio Equipment estimated at US$36.3 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$73.7 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.2% over the analysis period 2022-2030.

Home Theater Systems, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 6.4% CAGR and reach US$18.7 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Smart Speakers segment is estimated at 11.1% CAGR for the next 8-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $13.1 Billion, While China is Forecast to Grow at 11.1% CAGR

The Home Audio Equipment market in the U.S. is estimated at US$13.1 Billion in the year 2022. China, the world’s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$9.7 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 11.1% over the analysis period 2022 to 2030.

Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 7.6% and 8.6% respectively over the 2022-2030 period. Within EuropeGermany is forecast to grow at approximately 8.2% CAGR.

Marc Anthony Receives SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award

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SoundExchange, the premier music tech organization powering the future of music, announced today that four-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer Marc Anthony has been awarded the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award for being one of the most streamed artists in the company’s 20-year history.

Marc Anthony has been making chart-topping, multi-lingual Latin, salsa, and pop music for nearly forty years,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “Marc has consistently elevated the genre and is well respected in the industry. It’s an honor to recognize his artistry and achievements with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award.”

Marc Anthony is a true ambassador of Latin music and culture as one of the best-selling salsa artists of all time. His career spanning nearly four decades includes 105 No. 1 Billboard hits, dozens of gold and platinum certifications from RIAA, more than 8 billion views on YouTube, and a total of 15.2 billion streams across all platforms. Anthony is one of the most prolific touring artists in the music industry with many entries in Pollstar’s Global Top Grossing Concert Tours lists. Following his first salsa album, Otra Nota (1993), his albums broke sales and chart records. His third album, Contra La Corriente, was the first salsa album to enter the Billboard 200 album chart. His most recent album, Pa’llá Voy (2022), his thirteenth album (his eleventh sung in Spanish), was released on his own Magnus / Sony Latin Music imprint. It received four GRAMMY nominations and won the GRAMMY for Best Salsa Album. His previous album, Opus (2019), received the 2020 GRAMMY for Best Tropical Album, and was a finalist in four categories for the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Anthony is also an actor and philanthropist. He launched the Maestro Cares Foundation in 2012, which has built orphanages in various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In September 2023Marc Anthony was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

TIME Names the 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift

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TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs writes, “The [TIME Person of the Year] has typically been a ruler over traditional domains of power…very often a politician or a titan of industry…And yet the person whose singular influence was revealed throughout 2023 has held none of these roles—or anything remotely similar….much of what Swift accomplished in 2023 exists beyond measurement. She mapped her journey and shared the results with the world: She committed to validating the dreams, feelings, and experiences of people, especially women, who felt overlooked and regularly underestimated.”

Jacobs continues, “For building a world of her own that made a place for so many, for spinning her story into a global legend, for bringing joy to a society desperately in need of it, Taylor Swift is TIME’s 2023 Person of the Year.”

Swift is the first figure from the arts to be named Person of the Year for her success as an entertainer.

In the cover story, which features an exclusive interview with Swift— her first in-depth conversation in nearly four years—TIME’s Sam Lansky writes, “This was the year she perfected her craft—not just with her music, but in her position as the master storyteller of the modern era. The world, in turn, watched, clicked, cried, danced, sang along, swooned, caravanned to stadiums and movie theaters, let her work soundtrack their lives.”

Highlights from TIME’s exclusive interview with Taylor Swift:

On taking a few hits in her career, Taylor Swift tells TIME, “I’ve been raised up and down the flagpole of public opinion so many times in the last 20 years…I’ve been given a tiara, then had it taken away.”

On her year in 2023: “It feels like the breakthrough moment of my career, happening at 33…And for the first time in my life, I was mentally tough enough to take what comes with that….This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been.”

On training for The Eras Tour: “Every day I would run on the treadmill, singing the entire set list out loud…Fast for fast songs, and a jog or a fast walk for slow songs…Then I had three months of dance training, because I wanted to get it in my bones…I wanted to be so over-rehearsed that I could be silly with the fans, and not lose my train of thought.”

On how fame is a seesaw: “Nothing is permanent…So I’m very careful to be grateful every second that I get to be doing this at this level, because I’ve had it taken away from me before. There is one thing I’ve learned: My response to anything that happens, good or bad, is to keep making things. Keep making art.”

On life in the public eye: “Over the years, I’ve learned I don’t have the time or bandwidth to get pressed about things that don’t matter. Yes, if I go out to dinner, there’s going to be a whole chaotic situation outside the restaurant. But I still want to go to dinner with my friends…Life is short. Have adventures. Me locking myself away in my house for a lot of years—I’ll never get that time back. I’m more trusting now than I was six years ago.”

Read more from the interview and explore related content: time.com/person-of-the-year

“TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape the world and Person of the Year recognizes the individual or group that shaped the year. We are thrilled to recognize Grammy-winning artist Taylor Swift, who had a monumental year and epitomizes global influence, as the TIME Person of the Year,” said TIME’s Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley. “We look forward to celebrating leadership and impact in 2023 at our ‘A Year in TIME’ celebration with leaders and visionaries from the TIME community and our partners at American Family Insurance, Smartsheet, The Macallan and Ally.”

All three cover editions are available for purchase now from Time.com and through a first-time partnership with Flowcode. Subscriptions ordered through December 31 are guaranteed to receive the 2023 TIME Person of the Year issue. The issue will be available on newsstands beginning on Friday, December 15. Select cover prints from the People of the Year issue will also be available through TIME’s Cover Store.

LASSO Montreal Announces Headliners Eric Church And Sam Hunt

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The third edition of LASSO Montréal festival, presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original is set to take place in August and country fans have much to rejoice about, as the LASSO Montréal team is thrilled to announce headliners Eric Church and Sam Hunt! They are two of country music’s most celebrated artists, and they’ll be taking the stage at one of the North America’s most beautiful festival sites. With the massive success of the first two editions of the festival making waves all round the country music world, Montreal has become a country music hotbed, and is preparing to host one of the biggest countryfied parties north of Nashville this summer.

Fans will no doubt gather at the altar of Eric Church on Friday night when he brings his massive show to LASSO, and he’ll be ready with a wide array of big hits and surprises to thrill country fans, old and new. Known affectionately as The Chief (due to his ubiquitous shades and his grandpappy’s former position as police chief of his hometown), Church is one of country music’s most enduring stars, and his electrifying live shows have made his country revival movement something that needs to be experienced to be believed. With multiple number-one hits under his belt, the country megastar has won multiple awards, GRAMMY nominations, an AMA for Favorite Country Album for The Outsiders, and was even honoured with a CMT Artists of the Year Award. Church’s LASSO performance is sure to be a blessing and a spiritual experience for country fans of all stripes.

Sam Hunt is fixin’ to turn LASSO into one giant outdoor house party on Saturday! The Georgia-born country singer became one of the brightest stars on the scene when all ten tracks on his debut album MONTEVALLO reached RIAA-certified status. Massive Platinum and Multi-Platinum hits like “Leave the Night On”, “House Party”, “Take Your Time” & “Make You Miss Me” have contributed to Hunt’s 12 billion global streams and 39 million RIAA certified units. Before embarking on his career as a solo superstar, Hunt was an accomplished athlete with a bright future in the NFL. Songwriting quickly became a strong passion, and he began writing hits for such legends as Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Reba McEntire, making a name for himself as one of the most accomplished songwriters of his generation. Hunt’s musical style is very much big tent country with plenty of pop and R&B influences, as well as lots of traditional country instrumentation, making him one of the most accessible and beloved country singers to rule the charts. Fans can expect a roaring good time when Hunt takes the stage at LASSO.

LASSO MONTRÉAL 2024 TICKET PRICES
(taxes and service fees included)

GENERAL ADMISSION / 2-DAY TICKET: starting at $240 CAD
CASINO DE MONTRÉAL GOLD TICKET / 2 DAYS: $450 CAD
American Express Cardmembers can get Front Of The Line® presale tickets starting tomorrow, December 13 at 10 a.m. ET
until Thursday, December 14 at 10 p.m. ET.
Click HERE to take advantage of the offer.

Klarna offers to secure your tickets now and pay in 4 interest-free payments.
2-day tickets on sale December 15 at 10 a.m.

Single day tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Toronto-Based Tropical Rock Band Blumarelo’s Decade-Long Musical Journey Culminates in “Maybe You’ll Win This Time”

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If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Nothing worth having comes easy.

Vincent Teetsov has been steadily writing music and books since 2013. It’s been quite the 10-year ride, and it helped bring him to become the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Toronto-based “tropical rock” band Blumarelo. It also inspired the band’s latest single, “Maybe You’ll Win This Time.”

The song is a reflection of the decade Teetsov has spent roaming the path that was meant for him: the peaks, the valleys, and every terrain in between.

“At the core of ‘Maybe You’ll Win This Time’ is a story of patience, persistence, and frustration in the pursuit of one’s destiny,” the band said.

Over a groovy instrumental, Teetsov lays down the mindset of a man willing to maintain for as long as it takes. It may seem daunting to conceive facing years and years of baby steps, incremental progress, with sprinkles of failures big and small, but Blumarelo approaches the storm with a calmness that stares into the future with hope, not fear.

“Another year, maybe you’ll win this time.
Another race, another wait in line.
One more.
This one will change it all.
No regrets.
Better to trip and fall.”

It’s a natural way of life for Blumarelo, which first came together as a band in 2022. The collective’s name is derived from the colour blue, “sea” in Spanish (“mar”), and “yellow” in Portuguese (“amarelo”), and it has crafted a style that has earned the moniker “tropical rock.” Full of sentimental melodies, storytelling, and hip-swaying grooves, Blumarelo packs passion with playfulness into its music.

The Blumarelo name and its sound also represent the infused nature of the group; the band’s four members all came to Canada from different parts of the world and with different backgrounds. Teetsov was born in Alameda, California, and he has lived all over the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy. Bassist Mauricio Gamboa is from Mexico City, and lead guitarist Renan Deodato hails from São Paulo, Brazil. The three’s Latin roots have been the foundation of their “tropical rock” adoption.

The band grew even more international in 2023 with the addition of drummer Julious Nshaba, who came to Canada from Kampala, Uganda. Before joining Blumarelo, Nshaba spent years making live and recorded music and toured with Afrigo Band, Uganda’s oldest and most respected live band.

All four of the musicians had a hand in making “Maybe You’ll Win This Time” an audio version of a coastal California road trip.

“As often happens with Blumarelo’s songs, Vincent first creates the ‘skeleton’ of a song’s lyrics, chords, and melody,” the band explained. “Then ‘muscles,’ ‘organs,’ and ‘a nice outfit’ are added by the rest of the band, so to speak. It’s this process that allows every member of the band to add their signature mark to the song.”

“Maybe You’ll Win This Time” is the third of many singles (and a planned EP) that Blumarelo intends to release over the next several months. If “Maybe You’ll Win This Time” is anything to go by, Blumarelo will be at it for as long as stages exist.

“With every new song, we give listeners something to ponder,” the band said, “but also an upbeat piece of music to lift their spirits.”

iLLAH Unleashes Powerful Lyricism in New Single ‘Desire’ from Upcoming One-Way Mirror Album

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iLLAH is ready to introduce the world to his hard-hitting lyrics and delivery with his new single, “Desire.” After years of honing his skill, iLLAH’s multifaceted talent and reflective lyrics are on full display.

Growing up in the NDG neighborhood in Montreal to a Jamaican family, iLLAH draws inspiration from a range of musical genres, from jazz to reggae. His journey into emceeing began when his older brother imparted the art of structuring raps. As a burgeoning young writer, iLLAH seamlessly transitioned from crafting short stories to composing impactful lyrics.

Having honed his craft in the underground scene, iLLAH has already garnered attention for his thought-provoking lyricism. Now, with the release of his One-Way Mirror album, fans can expect a musical journey that transcends conventional boundaries with large topics at hand.

iLLAH says about the album, “I spent a lot of time in the studio the last few years, just the music and me, writing, creating, dreaming, reflecting, un-learning and re-learning myself. In that process, I came to a lot of realizations. One thing being that the whole world is a mirror and the only thing you can ever really experience is yourself. We experience the world the way we do because of who we are and how we see things, not because of how it is. Kinda like a one-way mirror.”

Freestyle battles, writing sessions, and collaborations with other Canadian artists developed iLLAH’s skills and ultimately led him to record his new singles in studios across Toronto. His catalog reflects a deep love for hip-hop, and now, iLLAH is poised to solidify himself as a household name in the industry.

The single “Desire” was conceived when a friend asked iLLAH about the motivation behind making music. In a moment of introspection, iLLAH felt compelled to create a track exploring the challenges of pursuing your dreams, taking accountability, and achieving success.

The lyrics illustrate a vivid picture of iLLAH’s journey, and the verses showcase the artist’s growth, determination, and burning desire to elevate higher. The backing track and iLLAH’s delivery are reminiscent of 90s hip-hop greats with a modern twist. Together, the track weaves together thoughtful lyrics with a dynamic beat, creating a compelling narrative that invites listeners to reflect on a personal level.

Accompanying “Desire” includes two other singles from iLLAH’s upcoming album, “Ox-Tail & Brown Rice” and “Bless You.” These three singles serve as a preview of the depth, diversity in sound, and deliberation that are currently defining iLLAH’s musical journey.

iLLAH’s skill in his craft is on full display with his most recent singles and promises audiences a listen that is equal parts nostalgic, infectious, and pensive. As he prepares to release his upcoming album, iLLAH invites audiences to a sample of what is yet to come. “Desire,” as well as “Ox-Tail & Brown Rice” and “Bless You,” are streaming on all major platforms now.

Montreal’s Mercury Messiah Unleashes Raw Emotion in Latest Single ‘Stay’

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Mercury Messiah, the dynamic rock duo from Montreal, Quebec, is returning to entertain audiences once again with “Stay,” their newly released single that will be featured on their upcoming EP “Blast Off” – available now!

Mercury Messiah is comprised of co-founder, lead guitarist and singer Emmanuel (Mano) Diles and classically and jazz-trained musician Alex Brunel. Stay takes a satirical look at a dark time in Mano’s life as it explores a man’s last dance with a woman, essentially a metaphor for the dance we know as life.

With this new single, the band adopted a more subdued tone, breaking away from their trademark hard rock vibe and demonstrating their ability to explore new sounds while keeping their style of progressive, metal, and hard rock. “Don’t get it twisted though, despite dialling things down to 10 from 11, Mercury Messiah is still a hard rock band at its core” Diles exclaims.

Mano and Alex Brunel (drums, piano, and composer), describe the making of Stay, “Our new song and EP is very special because this time around, we recorded, composed, mixed and produced everything by ourselves in our home studios and felt that we were more in control of our creative process.”

The “Blast Off” EP which is set to be released in early 2024, was mostly written by Mano and dates back nearly 10 years to when he wrote the songs between the ages of 14 to 17 from 2014 to 2017. However, because the group gave priority to songs from their first EP, the recording process took longer than expected.

After the success of their debut EP, “Starbound,” in 2022, the band decided at the last minute to divide their musical work into two separate EPs, even though it was originally meant to be a full-length album. However, they were still able to hone their sound and go further into the creative process thanks to this separation.

A blend of rock genres has defined Mercury Messiah’s journey, honouring their influences from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Their music, influenced by iconic bands like Led Zeppelin, Rush, and The Beatles, has garnered attention for its diverse range and innovative approach. The group refuses to put themselves in a creative box, with their ability to make music spanning a variety of musical genres, including jazz, blues, reggae, psychedelic rock, flamenco, progressive rock, metal, pop rock, hard rock, instrumental fusion, and more.