Today, Selena Gomez announced that she will host the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit. Funds raised at the first annual benefit will support The Rare Impact Fund’s mission to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and expand access to mental health services and education for young people around the world. Confirmed talent for the evening includes Emmy-winning actor Martin Short and Grammy-nominated music producer Marshmello. Additional performers and entertainment will be announced at a later date.
The Rare Impact Fund, launched by Selena Gomez, as part of her commitment to addressing mental health and self-acceptance, was created in 2020, with the goal of raising $100 million to address youth mental health. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez donates one percent of sales directly to the Rare Impact Fund and the Rare Impact Fund raises additional funds with Foundations, Corporate Partners, and individuals. The Fund currently supports 23 organizations across the world, which includes organizations located in North America, Canada, the United Kingdom, broader Europe, India, and Brazil. To date, the Rare Impact Fund has directly impacted more than 740,000 young people, 10,000 teachers and administrators, and 367 educational systems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation’s suicide rate increased by 4% between 2020 and 2021 after two years of decline, and suicide is now the second leading cause of death in the United States for people between 10 and 34. The mental health crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing young people today.
“There is nothing more important to me than getting young people access to the resources that they need to support their mental health,” said Selena Gomez, Founder and Creator of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. “This is a personal mission and the reason that I created the Rare Impact Fund. I am incredibly proud to host the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit and look forward to an inspiring night of raising funds for these lifesaving services and showcasing the impact we have made so far.”
The Rare Impact Fund Benefit will be an experiential evening of meaningful impact hosting 350 guests including celebrities, philanthropists, mental health advocates as well as partners, supporters, and grantees of the Rare Impact Fund. The Benefit will take place at Nya Studios in Hollywood, California and will include celebrity hosts, speakers, entertainment, and a live auction. The event will draw guests in a call to action around youth mental health and will be a night of levity, community, and inspiration supporting the Rare Impact Fund.
Elyse Cohen, VP of Social Impact & Inclusion at Rare Beauty, and President of the Rare Impact Fund shared, “We are thrilled to announce the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit, an evening filled with inspiration and purpose. This event will highlight the importance of supporting youth mental health and raise funds for the incredible organizations providing critical mental health tools and resources for young people around the world. With the support of our partners, donors, and community, we hope to further our mission to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and increase access to mental health services and education.”
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today, fittingly debuting on his birthday, announces the launch of the Juanes Stratocaster guitar, a collaboration with multi-Grammy and Latin Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and philanthropist, Juanes. On the heels of his latest album release, Vida Cotidiana (praised by Rolling Stone as “His best album yet!”), the Juanes signature guitar captures the essence of his sound, tone and look – a distinctive blend of pop, rock and metal fused with the unique folkloric sounds of Colombia, as well as his passion for innovation, culture and philanthropy. Regarded as a leading trailblazer for Latin music and a champion for social transformation, Juanes will give back by donating all artist proceeds to his foundation, Mi Sangre, which empowers new generations and fosters a culture of peace in Colombia and beyond.
With the Latin genre’s continued cultural dominance, generating $1.09 billion of recorded music revenues in 2022, the Juanes Stratocaster marks a first-of-its-kind marketing campaign for Fender, one that continues to connect the brand to Latin music lovers during a time when Latin influence in guitar culture is more prevalent than ever. Through his ever-evolving music, Juanes is not only reshaping the landscape of Latin rock and pop but also captivating music enthusiasts of all preferences. Fender is honored to commemorate Latin music, culture and Juanes’ unwavering commitment to his family and philanthropic endeavors, with the introduction of this signature guitar.
Born in Medellin, Colombia, Juanes began his musical journey as a self-taught guitar player at the young age of seven. After honing his skills and creating his own style of guitar playing– combining elements from the rock world with his Colombian roots–Juanes embarked on a solo career and released his debut studio album, Fíjate Bien in 2000 which earned him a field leading seven Latin Grammy nominations and three Latin Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Juanes has since garnered over two dozen American and Latin Grammy awards, sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and been hailed by TIME as “One of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.”
“Hoy en día siento que solamente necesito esta guitarra y muchas ideas,” dice Juanes. “Mi relación con Fender empezó cuando estaba viviendo en Colombia. Decidí vender todo lo que tenía para comprarme mi primera guitarra Fender, me vine a los Estados Unidos y grabé mi primer álbum. Y hoy, puedo decir que tenemos una Juanes Stratocaster en Luna White. Es un sueño. No lo puedo creer, estoy muy feliz.”*
Known for his preference for individual notes and riffs that stand out even within chords, the Juanes Stratocaster captures his unique sound with custom-voiced noiseless single-coil pickups to achieve clear tones and note distinction. His left and right hand technique, combined with the use of a Mid-Boost Preamp with an S-1 Switch and a modern-voiced humbucker pickup, allows his guitar playing to act as a secondary voice, sending a powerful message alongside his vocal lyrics. The mid boost preamp amplifies his sound and highlights the right midrange frequencies, making his chord changes stand out and ensuring his music resonates from verse to chorus to bridge and beyond. With its alder body featuring a stunning, moon-reminiscent “Luna White” Satin finish, an ode to his oldest daughter, Luna, which means “moon” in Spanish, this guitar exudes elegance and style.
“Juanes is known for his clean, bright sounds that flawlessly blend his rock and metal inspirations with his Colombian roots. Our goal was to create a guitar that would meet these precise standards with the Mid-Boost Preamp with an S-1 Switch and a modern-voiced humbucker pickup that his playing style is known for,” said Justin Norvell, FMIC’s Executive Vice President of Product. “Juanes has been a loyal Fender player throughout his career, from the Jazzmaster to the Telecaster and, of course, the Stratocaster. Today, we proudly introduce the Juanes Stratocaster, a remarkable fusion of artistry, functionality and unmatched sound quality.”
The artist signature is accompanied by the ‘Juanes Capsule Collection’, curated accessories that embody the artist on stage style including the Juanes Strap Luna White, Juanes 351 Celluloid Picks and the Juanes 10′ instrument cable complete with a shimmering Luna White PVC jacket. These one of a kind accessories feature his signature and handwritten mantra, “La vida es un ratico” which translates to “Life is a moment,” adding the perfect complement to accompany his stunning signature Stratocaster guitar.
In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments and gear inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. To support the launch of the Juanes Stratocaster guitar, Fender will release a three-part creative video series that delves into the artistic journey and influences that have shaped Juanes’ music. Watch In Conversation with Juanes introducing the Juanes Stratocaster in Luna White.
The video series is part of a larger marketing campaign supporting the Juanes Stratocaster® guitar, Fender’s first 360 artist signature marketing campaign solely featuring a Latin music artist. The campaign features traditional paid media across print and online, wild postings in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as a digital billboard in Miami, a city that’s both a first for Fender’s outdoor marketing as well as Juanes’ first US home base. The Juanes Stratocaster will also be featured on Live Nation digital screens and in Spotify audio ads, where Juanes will speak directly to the listener with pre-recorded audio; the launch will also be supported with buys across TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Connected TV.
“Juanes’ passion for music and commitment to social transformation have inspired communities worldwide for decades, but feel even more relevant today with the growing Latin influence in today’s music industry,” said Evan Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at FMIC. “As the first-ever marketing campaign for a Latin artist signature guitar, Fender is honored to continue to bring the impact of Latin music culture to the forefront.”
*”Nowadays I feel that I only need this guitar and many ideas,” says Juanes. “My relationship with Fender began when I was living in Colombia. I decided to sell everything I had to buy my first Fender guitar and I came to the United States and recorded my first album. And today, I can say that we have a Juanes Stratocaster in Luna White. It’s a dream. I can’t believe it, I’m very happy.”
Juanes Stratocaster guitar ($2,299.99 USD, £2599.00 GBP, €2999.00 EUR, $3,999.00 AUD, ¥352,000 JPY) The Juanes Stratocaster, a testament to Juanes’ unique sound and craft, the alder body features a beautiful custom Luna White Satin Lacquer finish for a balanced tone and clarity. The addition of the Juanes custom mid-boost circuit empowers musicians to explore new sonic territories and infuse their performances with added depth and focus. The guitar’s deep “C” shape maple neck provides comfort and playability, while the 10″-14″ compound-radius fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets ensures effortless and accurate soloing. Equipped with deluxe locking tuners, the Juanes Stratocaster offers exceptional tuning stability and makes string changes a breeze.
Juanes Capsule Accessories Collection: Designed in collaboration with the legendary Latin artist and twenty-seven Grammy and Latin Grammy award winner, the Juanes Capsule Collection captures the style and charisma of the globally renowned musician. The Juanes Capsule Collection includes:
Juanes Strap Luna White ($32.99 USD, £28.99 GBP, €34.99 EUR, $49.00 AUD, ¥3,850 JPY) Crafted from durable polyester, the Juanes Signature Strap features Juanes’ handwritten lyrics and is the perfect complement to his stunning signature Stratocaster in Luna White.
Juanes 10′ Instrument Cable ($27.99 USD, £24.99 GBP, €29.99 EUR, $49.00 AUD, ¥2,200 JPY) Featuring a shimmering Luna White PVC jacket, the Juanes Signature Cable features Juanes’ signature and is the perfect complement to his stunning signature Stratocaster.
Juanes 351 Celluloid Picks ($8.99 USD, £7.99 GBP, €9.99 EUR, $13.00 AUD, ¥1,100 JPY) Featuring Juanes’ signature and handwritten lyrics, the Juanes 351 Celluloid Picks are the perfect collectible for any Juanes fan.
In a stroke of creative brilliance, video editing virtuoso Bill McClintock has seamlessly merged the unmistakable voice of Paul Stanley from KISS’s anthem “Detroit Rock City” with the infectious rhythm and background harmonies of the J. Geils Band’s “Freeze Frame.”
Attending the Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal is an electrifying experience that promised – and delivered – an unforgettable weekend of pure musical exhilaration. Set against the stunning backdrop of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the festival ignites a vibrant fusion of sounds and cultures, where enthusiasts from all walks of life come together to celebrate their shared passion for music, and for many, their first major festival since that lockdown. As the sun-drenched days transition seamlessly into starlit nights, the festival grounds transform into a pulsating tapestry of performances, where Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keep, Fred Again, The Flaming Lips, The National, Kim Petras, Joey Bada$$, Rema, Sofi Tucker, Rezz, Wallows, Lil Yachty, Cigarettes After Sex, Rina Sawayama and others made Osheaga more than just a gathering; it became an immersive journey of joy, freedom, and the purest form of musical euphoria.
The Derina Harvey Band has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a spot in the prestigious CBC Searchlight Top 100! Their extraordinary talent and captivating performances have garnered the attention of music enthusiasts and industry experts alike. With their unique fusion of Celtic folk, rock, and a powerful vocal presence, Derina Harvey Band has effortlessly captured the hearts of audiences across the nation.
https://www.youtube.com/@derinaharveyband3469
Making it to the CBC Searchlight Top 100 is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and undeniable musical prowess. As they continue to push the boundaries of their genre and explore new avenues in their artistry, there’s no doubt that the Derina Harvey Band’s journey to success is far from over.
We all need to get away sometimes. Depending on where you are, some places are better vacation spots than others. For Middleport, NY-based alternative folk singer Evan Anstey, that place is “Arizona”, as heard in his jubilant new single.
The song opens with a stirring guitar and fiddle intro before Anstey starts singing against a steady train-like rhythm before the banjo launches into the chorus. The rhythm creates a sense of wistful wanderlust that enhances the emotional impact of the lyrics as Anstey sings of a place to beat the blues. By the time the chorus comes in, Anstey’s vocals are passionate and soaring as he sings of Arizona and the state’s gorgeous mountain views.
“Sky is still dark, and the sun has yet to rise
A time zone change as the jet plane flies
I have a ticket to escape these winter blues
Who knew this month could have these views?
Arizona, Arizona
Hardly a cloud in endless blue over the mountain view
Arizona”
The single was inspired by the somewhat turbulent events that Anstey experienced while working on the new album “Things Changed”. He states, “Between the fall of 2018 and the fall of 2022, a lot of things changed. I had scrapped half the songs I planned to record, in favor of some new compositions. I left a few bands, joined new ones, suffered through heartache, left my religion behind and endured some of the darkest days of my life.”
Evan Anstey’s musical journey began at the age of 8 when he took up the violin as well as other stringed instruments such as the mandolin, guitar, and electric bass. In 2016, he released his debut EP “Recent Time”.
Since then, Anstey has three other releases, 2018’s “We Will Be At Peace,” 2020’s collaboration with friend James Robert Kibby — “The Weekend Preacher,” the 2021 EP “Alternates I”. His newest release is the album “Things Changed”, which was released in June 2023.
With his body of work, Anstey has crafted a sound influenced by bluegrass pioneers like Flatt & Scruggs and the progressive sounds of Nickel Creek, as well as modern folk stylings of Aoife O’Donovan, John Paul White and Declan O’Rourke.
When you’re trying to change your life and aim for something better, sometimes you need a little motivation to get there. One of the most inspirational things can be music, especially if you find the right song. Maybe that song can be from Florida based Hip-Hop group Bulletproof Soul and their new single, “The Ascension”, which features DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ & Nyyjerya.
This song doesn’t waste any time, opening with a danceable electronica beat as well as an introductory lyrics that are ladened with braggadocio, sex, and auto-tune. Bulletproof Soul knows what they want and knows that they can get it, and they will always keep trying their best no matter what.
Moreover, the song’s confidence is especially palpable at the song’s chorus, which also boasts of a love of the West Coast as much as the desire to make it to the top. It’s a fun, good way to sum up the song’s overall message.
“No aim
But I shoot the 3
In LA I diddy bop
West coast fever that I got
I love to see you pop
They hate when we on top
I pray you never flop
In LA I diddy bop
West coast fever that I got
I need you on the hop”
In fact, the single is part of a larger narrative arc present on Bulletproof Soul’s debut concept album “Grasping Things At The Root”. The character depicted in the album digs themselves deeper into a life of crime due to material conditions.
While they eventually come to more understanding through learned experience on “The I”, the album’s last few tracks imply that may not have been good enough. The ending is open-ended by “The Reasons” and “The Ascension”.
Bulletproof Soul is a music and arts collective that consists of members Austin Moore-Farrow, Nyyjerya, eqobKING, SLWJMZ, Lofty305, Amouranth, Angela Davis, DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ, Kengeta, TWENTYN9NE, and Ali Wisdom.
Their first single, “The Whip” was released in June 2023 and sheds light on the masterful sound curation of the group, shifting through neo-soul rhythms, hip-hop-heavy lyrics, and brushstrokes of art pop. Bulletproof Soul’s album “Grasping Things At The Root” is out now.
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or Twitter
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Having first launched their universally acclaimed Rhapsody Tour with 25 epic shows across North America in 2019, Queen + Adam Lambert are bringing their highly acclaimed production, now expanded and updated, back to where it first began. After a 4-year long hiatus, Sir Brian May, Roger Taylor and their exceptional frontman Adam Lambert have announced they will set out on a spectacular North America run this fall. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on October 4 at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena making stops in Toronto, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and more before concluding at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. See full routing below.
Brian May says, “Our last tour featured our most ambitious production ever. So we decided to rip it apart and get even more ambitious. Watch out world.”
And Adam Lambert says: “I can’t wait to tour North America one more time with the Rhapsody tour alongside the two unbelievably talented legends that are Brian May and Roger Taylor.”
Queen + Adam Lambert’s 150-minute career-spanning set list celebrates the band’s extraordinary back catalogue, lining up wall-to-wall immortal anthems like “We Will Rock You”, “Don’t Stop Me Now”, “Radio Ga Ga”, and “Somebody To Love” alongside classic deep cuts and vintage fan favourites. Featuring a dazzling state-of-the-art stage design, incredible special effects and set pieces, this sense-swamping extravaganza has been blowing critics and fans away the world over.
As with last year’s UK and European dates, the 2023 North American tour will see Queen + Adam Lambert supported on stage by their regular band members, long-serving Queen keyboard player and musical director Spike Edney, bass guitarist Neil Fairclough and percussionist Tyler Warren.
Having extensively toured over the last few years, the Rhapsody show is forever evolving. But it remains at heart a tribute to Freddie Mercury’s majestic legacy, a confirmation of Brian and Roger’s undimmed musical prowess, plus a magnificent showcase for Adam’s vocal skills and electrifying stage charisma, all of which adds up to a glorious full-blooded celebration of one of the greatest songbooks in rock history.
MORE ON TICKETS:
Queen + Adam Lambert appreciate that it is an enormous task to try and stop scalpers from taking advantage of fans wanting to purchase tickets for the tour. In an effort to help minimize resale and keep ticket prices at face value for fans, the band are collaborating with the venues’ ticketing partners to restrict the ability to transfer tickets for The Rhapsody Tour so that they may only be transferred between fans at the original price.
Fans will still have protection against unforeseen circumstances. Those who purchase tickets and are no longer able to attend their show will be able to sell their tickets at the price they paid using a face value ticket exchange, including the Ticketmaster Face Value Exchange – which is free to use for buyers and sellers. More information on how the Ticketmaster Exchange works is available here.
Unfortunately, the states of NY, IL, and CO have laws in place which protect ticket scalpers – these laws prohibit artists from being able to restrict the transfer of their tickets to face value exchanges only. For shows in these states, Queen + Adam Lambert strongly encourage fans to only buy or sell tickets to one another on face value exchanges. More information can be found here, with more details to follow in the coming weeks.
QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT THE RHAPSODY TOUR 2023 DATES:
Wed Oct 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Sun Oct 08 – Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
Tue Oct 10 — Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Thu Oct 12 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sun Oct 15 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Wed Oct 18 — Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Mon Oct 23 — Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Oct 25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Fri Oct 27 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Mon Oct 30 — Chicago, IL – United Center
Thu Nov 02 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Sun Nov 05 — Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Nov 08 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Sat Nov 11 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium
