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David Deacon Unleashes Blues Brilliance with Good Day Good Night Album and Powerful Single ‘Soldiers of the Universe’

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David Deacon returns with his latest album Good Day Good Night and new single “Soldiers of the Universe.”

Celebrated blues singer-songwriter David Deacon, following the success of his early 2023 album Four, is back with a remarkable new collection of recordings on Good Day Good Night. This album is a rich exploration of a wide range of emotions, delivering Deacon’s signature bluesy, gutsy guitar-driven sound that his fans have come to adore.

Leading the way with the album’s poignant first single, “Soldiers of the Universe,” Deacon sets a tone that is as introspective as it is transcendent. The track starts with a probing question and gradually evolves into a self-contained answer. Its message is punctuated with a chorus that is both meditational and existential, conveying the powerful sentiment, “choose not to feel harmed and you cannot be harmed.”

“Soldiers of the Universe” showcases Deacon’s exceptional song writing and his band’s musical prowess. With Andy Ryan’s opening guitar work, the song begins with a hint of Caribbean rhythms before delving into a chorus that resonates on a deeply spiritual level. The supporting vocalists tastefully enhance the song, and the guitar solo is nothing short of sublime. The track’s transformation from questioning to answering is a journey through cool, soothing sounds.

The album’s focus track, “And They All Sang Along,” is a mesmerizing journey from nostalgia to a heartwarming and whimsical recollection. The composition features subtly blended sounds of hand claps and background harmonies, creating a vivid image of friends standing together, singing, and harmonizing. Deacon’s music has always held the power to take listeners on a reflective, thought-provoking journey, and Good Day Good Night is no exception.

This release follows Deacon’s impressive career that has spanned decades and traversed various creative endeavors. Deacon is a towering figure in the world of music, standing at 6’5″, and his voice is a force of nature. His style is a blend of bluesy, old-school rock and heartfelt ballads that delve deep into the human psyche, exploring the experiences of a seasoned traveler and the people who have crossed his path.

Deacon’s life is a testament to his multifaceted talents. He has explored poetry, song writing, painting, pen and ink drawings, and more, all while maintaining a passion for adventure and taking calculated risks. His journey led him from leaving university to pursue art studies in Paris to becoming a successful race car driver, businessman, and advertising executive. David Deacon’s life is a story of constant evolution and unwavering pursuit of his passions.

In the ’90s, David recorded and released three albums, becoming a fixture at The Rex in Toronto with nearly a seven-year residency. He also performed regularly in cities like Toronto, Buffalo, Rochester, Ottawa, Peterborough, and Kingston. Beyond his artistic endeavors, David’s deep interest in motorcycle and car racing led to remarkable achievements, including winning the Canadian endurance racing championship in a Porsche RSR and racing for the BMW factory team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Today, Deacon is back with a new musical chapter with the release of two albums in one year with Good Day Good Night being a follow-up to his earlier success with his album Four. This album features ten diverse and emotionally resonant tracks, covering a wide spectrum of experiences.

“The songs ‘Poetry’ and ‘Hard Time’ are bookends to the same relationship. Probably no more needs to be said that isn’t said in the songs themselves,” reflects Deacon.

The album’s first single, “Arc of Life,” released on March 24th, is a moving, non-secular composition suitable for memorial services. It emphasizes the belief that one’s actions define who they are and that what we do is the most accurate reflection of our true selves.

“California Has No Winter” is another standout track, celebrating the beauty that emerges with age, much like a stunning sunset. Deacon’s perspective is clear — there is profound value in people and things with history and experience, a message that is sometimes overlooked in a world obsessed with youth and superficial beauty.

Four was released on May 12th, 2023, through Slammin Media and distributed by Believe Distribution. In a world that often disregards the beauty of age and experience, Deacon’s new album challenges the status quo and encourages listeners to appreciate the depth of character and artistry that emerges over time.

Good Day Good Night caps off an ambitious multi-album year. One distinctive feature of Deacon’s song writing is his propensity to take unconventional paths. He weaves his narratives through subtle and profound layers that provoke introspection and Good Day Good Night continues this tradition.

Canadian Jazz Quartet Doxas Brothers Releases Their Sophomore Album ‘Kindred’

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The Canadian jazz quartet Doxas Brothers are proud to release their sophomore album Kindred out today via Justin Time Records. The nine-song effort sees brothers and band leaders, drummer Jim and saxophonist Chet Doxas further explore their musical bond alongside bassist Adrian Vedady and renowned ECM pianist Marc Copland. Each member contributes a new piece to the project along with a gorgeous reimagining of the standard “A Time For Love.” The cool tempos and confident energy highlight the musical prowess that this quartet possesses.

Chet Doxas elaborates: “On ‘Kindred,’ Jim and I continue to delve deeper into our musical bond and celebrate its evolution. The repertoire was carefully composed and considered so that we could bring the best versions of ourselves to this album. Yet again, we are grateful to be surrounded by the outstanding and supportive musicianship of Marc Copland and Adrian Vedady.”

The Doxas Brothers’ music is a reflection of their shared history, musical exploration, and profound connection as siblings. Their quartet combines their individual talents and their ability to push boundaries, resulting in a sound that is distinctly their own. On their latest album, Kindred, Jim and Chet delve deeper into exploring their musical bond by presenting eight new pieces by each of the group’s members as well as one of their favorite ballads. Building on the theme of family connection and history from their previous release, The Circle, their new album encapsulates the growth of this rare partnership in a group whose bonds extend much further than music.

The Doxas Brothers, Jim and Chet, have been immersed in music since a young age, growing up in a household filled with sound. Their exposure to their father conducting choirs in the living room, hosting jam sessions and recording albums in their home studio sparked their own musical journeys.

During their teenage years, Jim and Chet began performing regularly in nightclubs, a decision that initially took a little bit of parental convincing. They had the opportunity to be part of the vibrant music scene in Montreal, playing in various settings such as dance bands, rock ‘n’ roll clubs, society parties, radio shows, and even burlesque reviews; it was the last of the good old days in Montreal. As their paths progressed, Jim and Chet’s reputation began to spread and they had the privilege of touring worldwide with renowned jazz musicians including Carla Bley, Oliver Jones, Dave Douglas, John Abercrombie, Steve Swallow, Joe Lovano, and many others.

While Jim and Chet have performed together countless times in different contexts, their current project, The Doxas Brothers, showcases their shared vision within a quartet. Joining them is bassist Adrian Vedady, who has a longstanding association with both brothers. Jim and Adrian have been performing together every Monday night at Upstairs Jazz Bar in Montreal for the past decade, cultivating a musical bond that is distinctive, adventurous, sensitive, and fresh.

Completing the quartet is pianist Marc Copland, who was an obvious choice due to his renowned crystalline sound and his ability to explore and discover subtleties in music. Marc, Jim, and Adrian have already collaborated as a trio over the past several years, and with the addition of Chet on saxophone, they form The Doxas Brothers—a band with deep roots and a unique group sound that incorporates their collective experiences.

Track List:
1. Two’s a Crowd
2. A Time For Love
3. Wildcat
4. Caledon East
5. Snow Drift
6. Dancing on the Roof
7. Our Man Sam
8. The Wind Has A Name
9. Between Friends

Holly Humberstone To Embark On First Ever North American Headline Tour In May 2024

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Today, British singer/songwriter Holly Humberstone has announced her much awaited, first-ever North American headline tour. Kicking off on May 5, 2024, the run of shows will include stops at New York’s Brooklyn Steel, Los Angeles’ The Bellwether, Nashville’s The Basement East, Chicago’s Vic Theatre, Boston’s Paradise Rock Club and many more. The forthcoming dates follow major U.S. festival appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands while Humberstone recently played an electrifying show at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theater to a sold-out crowd. Artist presale begins Wednesday, November 8 while general on-sale begins on Friday, November 10 at 10 AM local time at hollyhumberstone.com. Tour routing below.

Humberstone’s highly anticipated debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black, was released on October 13 via Darkroom / Geffen / Polydor Records. The album represents her coming of age, showcasing her growth from an underground singer to one of the most exciting alternative pop stars of her generation. The dark and otherworldly space Humberstone has built has been lucid and visceral, capturing moments that are both uncomfortably intimate and brutally revealing. Having been nominated for two Ivor Novello’s, winning the BRIT Rising Star in 2022 and coming runner up in BBC Sound Of 2021, Humberstone’s storytelling is at the heart of her craft.

Humberstone’s diaristic debut album comes following two EPs, 2020’s Falling Asleep At The Wheel and 2022’s Can You Afford To Lose Me?, which earned Holly a loyal fanbase thanks to her raw, unfiltered, confessional songwriting. Over the last year, Holly performed her single “Can You Afford To Lose Me?” on Late Night With Stephen Colbert, played her Matty Healy co-written song “Sleep Tight” for Vevo Live, and made appearances at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds.

Holly Humberstone North American Tour
Sunday, May 5, 2024 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 – Washington, DC – The Atlantis
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry at The Fillmore
Thursday, May 9, 2024 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
Saturday, May 11, 2024 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Detroit, MI – Shelter
Friday, May 17, 2024 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Café
Monday, May 20, 2024 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell
Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
Monday, May 27, 2024 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre

Alanis Morissette Announces ‘The Triple Moon Tour’ With Joan Jett And The Blackhearts & Morgan Wade

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Today, seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette announced 31 North America shows for The Triple Moon Tour. Following her 2021-2022 record breaking global tour celebrating 25 years of JAGGED LITTLE PILL, this new tour will feature special guest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon Joan Jett & the Blackhearts along with support from Morgan Wade. Morissette appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show today to share the news of her upcoming touring run.

“I am inspired and heartened and feel giddy inside to be going on this upcoming summer tour with Joan and Morgan and all our teams,” Morissette said. “Can’t wait to see you, can’t wait to perform!”

Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on June 9 at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ making stops across North America in Texas, Florida, New York Ontario, Ohio, New Jersey and more before wrapping up in Inglewood, CA at the legendary Kia Forum on August 10.

To celebrate the upcoming holiday season, Morissette released a new Christmas single on November 3rd. The track “Last Christmas” is a part of an EP featuring previously released Alanis holiday covers of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”, William Chatterton Dix’s “What child is this?”, and Katherine Kennicott Davis’ “Little Drummer Boy”. All four covers are available on a limited edition red and green 10’ vinyl as well as all streaming platforms.

Tickets will be available starting with a AMEX presale beginning on Tuesday, November 14. Additionally, fans can sign up for Morissette’s mailing list by Wednesday, November 15 to get first access to presale tickets. More presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning on Friday, November 17 at 10am local time at alanis.com.

THE TRIPLE MOON TOUR DATES:
Featuring special guest Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and support from Morgan Wade

Sun Jun 09 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Wed Jun 12 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Fri Jun 14 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Sun Jun 16 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Presented by Huntsman
Wed Jun 19 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Thu Jun 20 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre*
Sat Jun 22 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheater
Sun Jun 23 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Wed Jun 26 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Thu Jun 27 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Sat Jun 29 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Tue Jul 02 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Wed Jul 03 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri Jul 05 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sat Jul 06 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
Tue Jul 09 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Wed Jul 10 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Tue Jul 13 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Tue Jul 16 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Wed Jul 17 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Tue Jul 23 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Wed Jul 24 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Sat Jul 27 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Sun Jul 28 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Wed Jul 31 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Thu Aug 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 03 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Sun Aug 04 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Wed Aug 07 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 08 – Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
Fri Aug 10 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
*With support from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts only

Thirty Seconds To Mars Announce Massive ‘Seasons 2024’ Global Tour

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Today, climbing from the Empire State Building in New York City, Oscar winning actor Jared Leto announced Thirty Seconds to Mars’ monumental Seasons 2024 World Tour — an extensive run across Latin America, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. This will be the band’s first headline tour in over 5 years. Full details on tour dates and ticketing information can be found below.

Leto, the band’s frontman, accomplished a historic feat as he completed the first ever climb of the Empire State Building. Having always been fascinated with the incredible landmark since he was a child, he said “The building is a testament of all the things that can be done in the world if we put our minds to it, which is largely the inspiration behind our most recent album, It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day.” As an avid climber, the Empire State Building and the tour announcement carry the sentiment that anything is possible if we try.

The Empire State Building was recently rated the #1 attraction in the U.S. by Tripadvisor for the second consecutive year after a recent $165 million renovation of its legendary iconic Observatory.

The tour kicks off in Latin America with festival performances at Lollapalooza Chile, Argentina and Brazil along with Estéreo Picnic in Colombia and Tecate Pa’l Norte Festival in Mexico. The band then arrives in Europe for 28 shows in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The show then travels to North America where Mars will be joined by AFI along with support from Poppy and KennyHoopla across the 24 shows in major arenas and amphitheaters. Finally, the tour will conclude in Australia and New Zealand with four arena shows.

Multi-platinum selling artist Thirty Seconds to Mars, comprised of brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, makes a triumphant return with their sixth studio album, It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day, released September 15th via Concord Records. The album heralds a new era for the band, one that not only explores the darker sides of the human experience but the hope as well, an arresting reminder that even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, there is still beauty to be found in the world. Lead single, “Stuck” officially debuted at #1 on the Alternative radio chart and scored a top 10 hit in Italy, marking the fastest chart climb of the band’s career. Sitting in the top three of the German airplay charts, the tour’s namesake and current single, “Seasons” asks if we can accept change as we move through the many different seasons of life

Tickets will be available starting with a Thirty Seconds to Mars pre-sale beginning on Friday, November 10 at 10am local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, November 17 at 10am local time.

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS TOUR DATES:

LATIN AMERICA
Mar 15 – 17 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Lollapalooza
Mar 15 – 17 – Santiago, Chile – Lollapalooza
Mar 21 – 24 – Bogotá, Colombia – Estéreo Picnic
Mar 22 – 24 – Sāo Paulo, Brasil – Lollapalooza
Sat Mar 30 – Mexico, Monterrey – Tecate Pa’l Norte Festival

EUROPE
Tue Apr 16 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Wed Apr 17 – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Fri Apr 19 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sat Apr 20 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon Apr 22 – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Tue Apr 23 – London, UK – The O2
Thu Apr 25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
Fri Apr 26 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
Sat Apr 27 – Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena
Mon Apr 29 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
Wed May 1 – Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet
Thu, May 2 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
Sat May 4 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Forum Black Box
Thu May 9 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena
Fri May 10 – Bratislava, Slovakia – O’Nepela Arena
Sun May 12 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclays Arena
Mon May 13 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
Wed May 15 – Prague, Czech Republic – Sportovni Hala Fortuna
Thu May 16 – Budapest, Hungary – MVM Dome
Sat May 18 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle
Sun May 19 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
Tue May 21 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
Wed May 22 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
Fri May 24 – Bologna, Italy – Unipol Arena
Sat May 25 – Turin, Italy – Pala Alpitour Arena
Mon May 27 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
Wed May 29 – Lisbon, Portugal – Altice Arena
30 May – 1 June – Galicia, Spain – O Son do Camiño

NORTH AMERICA
*Featuring AFI and support from Poppy and KennyHoopla

Fri Jul 26 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre*
Sat Jul 27 – Ridgefield, WA RV – Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater*
Tue Jul 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre*
Wed Jul 31 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
Fri Aug 02 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater*
Sat Aug 03 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater*
Tue Aug 06 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre*
Wed Aug 07 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center*
Fri Aug 09 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center*
Sat Aug 10 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*
Mon Aug 12 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage*
Wed Aug 14 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion*
Thu Aug 15 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion*
Sat Aug 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center*
Sun Aug 18 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center*
Tue Aug 20 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion*
Wed Aug 21 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre*
Fri Aug 23 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre*
Sat Aug 24 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Tue Aug 27 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion*
Thu Aug 29 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
Fri Aug 30 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater*
Sun Sep 01 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
Wed Sep 04 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre*

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND
Thu Sep 12 – Melbourne, AUS – Rod Laver Arena
Sat Sep 14 – Sydney, AUS – Qudos Bank Arena
Tue Sep 17 – Brisbane, AUS – Riverstage
Thu Sep 19 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena

Melanie Martinez Announces North American Arena Tour

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Multi-Platinum alternative-pop phenom Melanie Martinez has unveiled plans for her most ambitious concert tour to date. The Trilogy Tour will see the evolution of Martinez’s alter ego “Cry Baby” performed live. It will include hits from all three of her Top 10 groundbreaking albums: Cry Baby, K-12, and Portals which have collectively amassed over 14 Billion streams worldwide. The tour gets underway on May 10, 2024 at Seattle WA’s Climate Pledge Arena and then visits arenas across North America through mid-June. Highlights include such historic venues as Inglewood, CA’s Kia Forum (May 15), New York City’s Madison Square Garden (June 5), and Toronto, ON’s Scotiabank Arena (June 9).

Joining the tour will be special guests Men I Trust, Beach Bunny, and Sofia Isella, on select dates.

Presale tickets will be available starting Tuesday, November 14 at 9 am PT/12 pm ET, with general ticket sales commencing on Friday, November 17 at 10:00 am local at www.thetrilogytour.com.

Fans can take part in the Melanie Martinez mailing list presale by joining her email list HERE by Sunday, Nov 12 @ 11:59pm ET to receive the presale code to their inbox on Monday, Nov 13.

Martinez is currently traveling the globe on the European leg of her blockbuster PORTALS Tour, continuing tonight in London with a SOLD-OUT show at UK’s famed OVO Arena Wembley and then making stops in Wolverhampton, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin, Brussels, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon. Martinez will then bring the tour to Asia and Australia, beginning January 19, 2024, in Tokyo.

The PORTALS Tour – which played to sold-out houses across North America though the summer – celebrates the arrival earlier this year of Martinez’s new album, PORTALS, available now in an expanded deluxe digital edition featuring three additional tracks HERE. Hailed by Rolling Stone as an “effortlessly inventive, mature record” from “an artist unafraid to start from scratch and tackle complex, difficult ideas,” the album proved Melanie’s highest charting debut on the Billboard 200 upon its March 2023 release, arriving at #2 with 142,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week – Martinez’s third consecutive Billboard 200 Top 10 album debut. PORTALS further debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “Current Alternative Albums,” “Current Pop Albums,” “Top Album Sales,” “Current Album Sales,” “Internet Albums,” “Digital Albums,” and “Top Alternative/Rock Albums” charts, along with a #2 debut on the “Top Vinyl Albums” chart. An instant global sensation, the album proved Martinez’s first #1 album debut in Australia, also landing at #1 in New Zealand, #2 in the UK, #3 in Canada and Ireland, and top 10 chart placements in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.

PORTALS includes the brand new single, “EVIL,” as well as the hits, “VOID” and “DEATH,” both of which made history as Martinez’s first original songs to debut on the Billboard “Hot 100.” “DEATH” is joined by a cinematic companion video – directed, conceived, and costume designed by Martinez herself – which trended #1 on YouTube’s Trending “Top Music Videos” chart and now boasts over 31M official views. The song was first teased with a series of eerie clips revealing the rebirth of Martinez’s character “Cry Baby,” quickly sparking a frenzy of theories and garnering over 115M views across all socials. The track and its compelling companion visual earned praise from the likes of Billboard, which raved, “The avant-garde pop auteur creates bold, expansive worlds with each project…While the dramatic five-minute track can be connected to her artistic reawakening, the kinetic drums and electronic elements will also make listeners feel reborn, too.”

Martinez recently partnered with boutique fragrance company Flower Shop Perfumes Co. to launch a new four-fragrance collection, Portals Parfums. With pre-sales launched at 11:00 a.m. on November 1, the direct-to-consumer scents completely sold out late the following evening, in less than 48 hours. Portals Parfums follows Martinez’s wildly successful 2016 debut fragrance, Cry Baby Perfume Milk, which quickly sold out and can now be found only on reseller platforms for up to $2,000 a bottle. Working with IFF perfumers Natasha Côté, Patty Hidalgo, and Laurent Le Guernec, Martinez was deeply involved in all aspects of development for the new fragrance collection. Much like Cry Baby Perfume Milk, which arrived creatively packaged in a replica vintage baby bottle, Portals Parfums comes in a striking art sculptured bottle at a full one-foot tall, with a many-eyed creature head that opens like a nesting doll to reveal four glass vials inside. Transporting the wearer to different worlds with just a little spritz, each unique scent is designed to reflect the four classical elements: Water of Intuition, Air of Clarity, Fiery Passion, and Earthy Abundance. Portals Parfums is available as a four-fragrance set, 60 ml total (15 ml each of four scents) in Eau de Parfum spray. Individual refill vials (15 ml) and full-sized bottles (50 ml each) in Eau de Parfum will follow in 2024. The Portals Parfums fragrance collection will serve as a foundation for other Portals products, including a broad collection of scented candles.

MELANIE MARTINEZ THE PORTALS TOUR 2023-2024

NOVEMBER 2023
9 – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley
10 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Halls Wolverhampton
13 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
14 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
15 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
17 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
19 – Brussels, Belgium– Forest National
20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
22 – Warsaw, Poland – COS Torwar
23 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall
24 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
26 – Paris, France – Zenith Paris – La Villette
28 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
30 – Lisbon, Portugal – Sagres Campo Pequeno

JANUARY 2024
19 – Tokyo, Japan – Toyosu Pit
21 – Seoul, South Korea – KBS Arena
23 – Manila, Philippines – World Trade Center Hall A
25 – Singapore, Singapore – Singapore Expo
28 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
30 – Sydney, Australia – Aware Super Theatre

FEBRUARY 2024
2 – Brisbane, Australia – Riverstage
5 – Melbourne, Australia – Margaret Court Arena
6 – Melbourne, Australia – Margaret Court Arena

***THE TRILOGY TOUR 2024***
(NEWLY ANNOUNCED)

MAY 2024
10 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
12 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
14 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs
15 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
17 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
21– Denver, CO – Ball Arena
23 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
24 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
25 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
28 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
29 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
31 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena

JUNE 2024
1 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
3 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
5 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
7 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
9 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
11 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
13 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
14 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

My Next Read: “Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery” By Ryan Dusick

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Two decades after Songs About Jane, Maroon 5’s original drummer presents an unflinching examination of fame, anxiety, mental health, and recovery

In the nineties, Ryan Dusick and his friends Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael dreamed about making it big . . . and against all odds, they did. This inside story recounts Maroon 5’s founding and their road to becoming Grammy-winning megastars, told through the eyes of former drummer Ryan Dusick. He takes readers behind the scenes of the band’s meteoric rise to success—and the grueling demands that came with it—as well as his personal struggles with anxiety and addiction after his departure from the band.

For Maroon 5, fame came with a platinum debut record, jam sessions with Prince in his own living room, and encounters with celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, and Bono. For Dusick, stardom came to an abrupt halt with the devastating loss of his ability to play drums due to chronic nerve damage.

Alongside Maroon 5’s story of camaraderie and pressure, Dusick interweaves his own narrative: a decade lost to liquor and antianxiety medication, his ferocious commitment to recovery, and his current perspective as a professional counselor. With a candor that will speak to anyone who has struggled with mental health, Harder to Breathe moves beyond celebrity to examine the nature of human heartbreak and resilience, and to buoy anyone currently facing similar challenges.

Ultimately, Harder to Breathe is a roller-coaster memoir about how making it to the top sent Dusick to the bottom—and how he let go of the past and embraced a new future, one breath at a time.

Eric Alper Public Relations’ Artists Receive 27 Maple Blues Awards Nominations

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Blues music today continues to be a vibrant and influential genre that resonates with a wide range of listeners. While it has evolved over the decades, the essence of the blues, with its emotive lyrics and soulful melodies, remains as powerful as ever. Modern blues musicians draw from the rich history of the genre while infusing their own unique styles and perspectives. Blues festivals and clubs around the world provide platforms for both seasoned veterans and emerging artists to showcase their talents, keeping the tradition alive and well. In an era of constant musical innovation, blues music endures as a timeless testament to the human experience, offering solace, catharsis, and a connection to the roots of American and Canadian music. Whether through classic standards or contemporary interpretations, blues continues to touch the hearts and souls of its listeners, proving that its enduring legacy is far from fading.

The Toronto Blues Society continues to support and promote Canadian Blues artists by announcing the nominees for the upcoming 26th annual Maple Blues Awards. The winners will be announced on Monday, February 12, 2024 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto.

The Eric Alper Public Relations and its family of labels and artists nominees listed below were selected by the Maple Blues Awards Nomination Panel for their outstanding achievements in blues music in Canada over the past year.

Entertainer of the Year
Angelique Francis
Blue Moon Marquee

Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Sue Foley

Acoustic Act of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Michael Jerome Browne

Male Vocalist of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Steve Marriner

Female Vocalist of the Year
Crystal Shawanda

Recording/Producer of the Year
Midnight Blues
ARTIST: Crystal Shawanda
PRODUCER: Dewayne Strobel

One Step Closer
ARTIST: Brandon Isaak
PRODUCER: Brandon Isaak/Conrad Hillis

Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Tony D (Diteodoro)

Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne

Horn Player of the Year
Dan Jancar
Loretta Hale

Drummer of the Year
Matt Sobb

Bassist of the Year
Angelique Francis
Gary Kendall

Songwriter of the Year
Andre Bisson
Brandon Isaak
Crystal Shawanda

Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Sue Foley
Tom Lavin

Haneke Twins Delivers Raw Emotion in ‘Voices’ from ‘Stories of Violence’ Album

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Grief finds its way to all of us. Swiss-based band Haneke Twins unload a palpable, relatable pain in its latest single, “Voices.”

One slice of the band’s third album, “Stories of Violence,” “Voices” is a classic post-punk spirit served ice-cold with a drizzle of dissonance. The song’s lyrics are based on an unreleased poem from Zen Das, a poet and friend of the band, and describe the emotions of someone processing the ravenous ache of loss.

“I grab my pen, a hand that shakes
You’re in my mind, my heart that aches
I know you’re there, you’re in my soul
You’re in my smile, my every bone”

“We’ve blended influences from three generations of post-punk: the classic era of the ‘80s, its 2000s revival, and its modern retake,” the band said. “Our lyrics deal mainly with psychological, social, and political subjects, such as the lack of stable and appropriate housing, the ever-increasing policing and surveillance, the punitive justice, the recent refugee crisis, the vanity in our lives, depression, anxiety, and more.”

Most of the album was hatched during the pandemic, which impacted the process and tone.

“The mood of the album is such partially because most of the material was written during the pandemic,” the band explained. “The pandemic also affected our songwriting process since most of the tracks were not composed in the traditional way working together in a studio – on the contrary, they were written in total isolation due to the lockdown, exchanging material remotely over the internet.”

You can feel the heartache in each piece of “Voices,” expertly laid down by the band’s five members: Stefanos Leontsinis (guitar), Andrés G. Delannoy (guitar), Paul Aspell (bass), Emil Koulouris (drums), and Paschalis Vichoudis (vocals and keys). The track stands as a testament to the Haneke Twins’ insistence that while it takes pieces from multiple subgenres of rock, its original sound manifests into a style the band coined itself: “rough-wave.”

“Even though we find that our music balances perfectly between post-punk, alt-rock, and dark-wave, none of the three terms describes it well enough, thus we often use the invented term ‘rough-wave’ when referring to it,” the band said.

Originally started as a duo comprised of Leontsinis and Vichoudis, Haneke Twins later grew to five and is centered between Geneva and Zurich and recorded some of “Stories of Violence” at a studio in Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France. Perhaps most unique about the band, though, is its scientific background.

Each member of the outfit holds a doctorate degree in physics, a fact not often true for any collection of five people, let alone five people who all rock out together.

“When not making music, we wear our lab coats and investigate the secrets of the universe at the CERN research center,” the band explained. “Too bad the band name ‘We Are Scientists’ was already taken.”

Instead, the band drew inspiration for their moniker from Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke and his movie, “The White Ribbon,” which the band calls a “masterpiece.”

“It’s a second-to-none suspense film without a single note of music!” the band said. “According to Haneke, ‘usually music is used to hide a film’s problems.’ Another favorite of his quotes is: ‘a feature film is 24 lies per second.’ The question that arises from this: what is the ‘lie rate’ in popular music?”

While that question might not have a scientific answer, Haneke Twins is doing its part to bring truth to the musical world. With signature baritone vocals and cold, arctic guitars that rip through the songs like shards of ice, the band’s sometimes hypnotic and often explosive music transports you to the dark and smoky underground clubs of the U.K. while serving up the rawness of reality, like it or not.

First of the Last Stars Fuse the Dreamy with the Powerfully Raw on “Wrong Star”

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There are so many possible paths in life that it can be hard to know for sure if we’re getting it right. Ottawa-based alt-rockers First of the Last Stars address this fear of regret in their dreamy, introspective new single “Wrong Star” from their All I Ever Wanted EP – available now.

A mix of gossamer dream-pop and soaring pop-punk elements, “Wrong Star” guides us through a universe of inward reflection:

Of all of the ghosts that have haunted me I miss yours the most
So lost beside you, I can’t feel when you’re close
too cold to hold, one’s silver one’s bone
this one is ashes, the other’s lost control

Meanwhile, the corresponding music video pulls us through this dark infinity scenes of star-filled nights juxtaposed with snow-covered landscapes. The visuals complement the song nicely, Gareth’s ethereal instrumentation offset by singer Ophelie’s strong, passionate, and sometimes raw vocals.

As much as the song is about uncertainty, it’s also about keeping sight of our priorities. “This song is about the fear of regret as we face many paths throughout our lives,” the band mused. “Things can tear us apart from what’s most important, if we let them. Our time is finite. One day, we’ll look back on our lives and wonder if we ‘wished on the wrong star.’”

However, the song is ultimately open to interpretation. “Our writing process is quite fluid,” they said. “Each song comes about in a different way. We mean our lyrics to be interpreted by the listener in a way they can relate to personally. We take a lot of time to write each of our songs. We try to serve the song, always.”

First of the Last Stars are an alternative rock duo – Gareth and Ophelie – formed in 2019 in Ottawa. They combine elements of post-punk, shoegaze, and dream pop as their influences. Born out of lockdowns and the loss of loved ones, they were inspired to find their post-grunge sound, to follow a dream, and ultimately free themselves.

First of the Last Stars previously released their debut single “Never Alone,” a slow burner that sparks into a fire. Their second single “Unfamiliar” showcased their more upbeat side with a slight tinge of their signature melancholy, proving that their All I Ever Wanted EP was guaranteed to be captivating.