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Yoshiki Donates 10 Million Yen To The Japanese Red Cross Society To Support Areas Affected By The Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Eric Alper
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Yoshiki Donates 10 Million Yen To The Japanese Red Cross Society To Support Areas Affected By The Noto Peninsula Earthquake

On January 4th, YOSHIKI donated 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America to support areas affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

YOSHIKI said, “I was back in Japan at the end of the year for several TV appearances, and through the news reports I saw the damages caused by the earthquake. It is very painful as I think about the feelings of the many people who are suffering so much in the disaster areas. I thought about what I could do and made a donation. The reason I announce these donations each time is to attempt to expand the circle of support even a little. I sincerely hope that everyone in the affected areas can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.”

YOSHIKI’s donation continues the acclaimed musician’s humanitarian work, which includes charitable support for numerous international emergencies, such as $100,000 in disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas in 2017 and $100,000 to combat wildfires in the Amazon rainforest in 2019. In 2020, he donated $100,000 to the Australian Red Cross and the Rainforest Trust’s Conservation Action Fund to aid bushfire victims.

YOSHIKI has provided support to areas affected by earthquakes and other disasters many times, and in 1995, after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, he donated pianos to elementary and junior high schools in the affected areas. In 2009, he donated musical instruments and a music room to the area affected by the Sichuan earthquake in China and invited children orphaned by the earthquake to a concert held by X Japan.

He provided continuous support after the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake. Immediately after the disaster, he donated a total of more than 13 million yen, including the proceeds from the auction of his crystal piano. In 2015, he donated more than 28 million yen in proceeds from X JAPAN’s recovery-from-earthquake concert, and in 2016, he donated more than 6 million yen in proceeds from the auction of his drum set. In addition, a donation of 10 million yen was also made after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the 2018 Hokkaido Iburi East earthquake, and the 2019 Typhoons number 15 and number 19 respectively. In 2020, he donated 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, nine years after the disaster.

Most recently, between 2022 and 2023, he donated a total of 30 million yen to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the growing number of displaced persons in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

In 2021, YOSHIKI established an annual grant of $100,000 for MusiCares®, a partner of the Recording Academy®, to help music creators and industry professionals affected by mental health concerns. Previously, YOSHIKI donated $100,000 to MusiCares to help music professionals affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

YOSHIKI is internationally recognized for his long-term philanthropic activities and has donated over 2 million dollars to charity through Yoshiki Foundation America. For his prolific philanthropic endeavors, he was chosen by Forbes as one of “Asia’s Top 30 Heroes of Philanthropy” in 2019 and received a Medal of Honor from the Japanese Government in 2021 for his support of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine and ongoing charitable works.

My Next Read: “Livin’ Loud: ARTitation” By Chuck D

Eric Alper
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My Next Read: “Livin’ Loud: ARTitation” By Chuck D

‘I was raised with an artist’s mentality; my first 25 years were spent as somebody who wanted to live among graphics and artwork and illustration, and then for the next 30 years it was all music. Recently, I’ve reverted into the arts, combining all these elements in my work, still trying to change the world. This is truly what I want to do.’ – Chuck D

In Livin’ Loud, Public Enemy founder, hip-hop pioneer and revolutionary activist, Chuck D, presents a body of art, each piece reflective of the man behind the music, alongside a biographical commentary tracing his musical and artistic trajectory. From his early roots and the central figures that critically shaped him and his voice, to the formation of Public Enemy, from his Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction through to his time with Prophets of Rage and current day world affairs.Chuck D has been creating musical and cultural observations that challenge public opinion since 1985 and his visual compositions continue to interpret and question the world around us. Chuck D pays homage to his musical influences and peers from James Brown and Woody Guthrie to Def Jam labelmates Run-DMC and Beastie Boys; a host of the most influential hip-hop artists from Ice Cube to Run the Jewels; his twin passions of baseball and basketball; creating a collection of landscapes on tour with Prophets of Rage, and a range of sociopolitical pieces that explore the issues continuing to shape our culture.With a foreword by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and featuring over 250 of Chuck D’s paintings, sketches and drawings, Livin’ Loud includes a commentary of over 13,000 words in which he offers unprecedented insight into his life and work.

Elliott Smith Performs “Clementine” On A Breakfast TV Morning Show A Week After His Album Came Out In 1995

Eric Alper
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Elliott Smith Performs “Clementine” On A Breakfast TV Morning Show A Week After His Album Came Out In 1995

So, In 1995, Elliott Smith appeared on the FX morning show, Breakfast Time, which is going to be one of your favourite videos you’ll watch this week.

Breakfast Time featured hosts such as Tom Bergeron, the future presenter of America’s Funniest Home Videos and Dancing With The Stars. Laurie Hibberd, now known as Laurie Gelman, another host, has since ventured into novel writing, having published a work titled “Smells Like Tween Spirit” recently. And then there’s a puppet named Bob.

Watch and marvel.

My Next Read: “Karma: My Autobiography” by Boy George

Eric Alper
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My Next Read: “Karma: My Autobiography” by Boy George

Karma is the definitive autobiography from the incomparable Grammy, Brit, and Ivor Novello award-winning lead singer of Culture Club, and LGBTQ+ vanguard: Boy George.

Nothing short of an amazing story. Karma is the long-anticipated celebrity memoir from Boy George. The memoir delivers a searingly honest and captivating account of his extraordinary life. Take a front-row seat to the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight. Boy George’s compelling storytelling shines a light on his encounters with legendary figures like David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna, providing an intimate peek into the music industry’s glittering world.

Humor, sarcasm, and signature style. This is the explosive and honest account of Boy George’s life as a child growing up in sixties London and coming out to his Irish Catholic family. Hear his account of his exploration of his sexuality through the hedonism of the seventies (the glam rock and punk rock revolution that birthed Culture Club), his recollections of the heydays of the nineties, and his ultimately embracing the man and artist that he is today. For those seeking books on self-acceptance and recovery from addiction, Karma stands as an example of the transformative power of embracing one’s true self.

Indigenous Rocker MIDNIGHT SPARROWS Jackhammers Out An Ode To His Roots In “Born In The City”

Eric Alper
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Indigenous Rocker MIDNIGHT SPARROWS Jackhammers Out An Ode To His Roots In “Born In The City”

There’s a popular stereotype that the Indigenous Canadian is an inherently rural creature. And then there’s reality. As proof that this community can come from anywhere – and belong anywhere – Vancouver guitarist/vocalist Blair Bellerose has declared himself “Born in the City,” a righteous declaration of identity from his band, Midnight Sparrows.

In three and a half minutes of slamming autobiography, Bellerose and his Sparrows explode the myth of the soil-bound native. But while the air-clearing effect of the track is invigorating, the picture it paints isn’t always pretty:

When my mother was four
They took her away
Dad got back from the war
And he didn’t get his pay
They ended up in the city
Mom never had a choice
I don’t know why my father did
Because he never used his voice

The chorus hits with a bracing self-awareness:

I was born in the city
Do you think that I’d be better off dead?
Like all them Hollywood Injuns
With feathers on their heads

“Urban Indigenous people are one of the fastest-growing populations in Canada, and over half of Indigenous people in Canada live off-reserve and in urban areas,” says Bellerose, who has Métis, Cree and Dene blood and is also a member of Fort McKay First Nation through his mother’s family line. “Yet there remains a notion that Indigenous people do not belong in cities; that they are out of place and without culture, and living in urban areas renders their indigeneity as inauthentic. This song is my response to that.”

There’s certainly nothing countryfied about the way the track grabs your attention and refuses to let go. His arresting workingman’s baritone makes Bellerose’s lyrics feel like a challenge, while his lead guitar lines cry out mournfully over his own chunky rhythms and chiming chords. Scotty McCargar’s thwacking drum work, Goby Catt’s punchy bass and Jim McLaren’s keyboard stabs fully sell the knowing self-portrait. Although the Sparrows are essentially Bellerose plus a rotating cast of studio players, these four seasoned pros together sound like nothing less than a band – and a finely honed one at that.

The sentiment behind the number is so heartfelt that Bellerose made “Born in the City” the title track to Midnight Sparrows’ second and most recent album. It’s a six-song collection that rests comfortably at the elusive nexus of hard rock, power pop and old-school metal. (Fans of the late, great Smithereens will send up a cheer.) With passionate forays like “Butterfly Wings” – a tribute to Bellerose’s mother, an Indigenous elder and residential-school survivor who passed away at the age of 87 – it’s clear that striking a balance between heritage and heft is never going to be a problem for this outfit. Listen without reservations because the city never sounded so good.

Toronto’s Songstress Flavia Abadía Transcends Boundaries with Fusion of English and Spanish In “MALA”

Eric Alper
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Toronto’s Songstress Flavia Abadía Transcends Boundaries with Fusion of English and Spanish In “MALA”

Flavia Abadía, the singer and songwriter based in Toronto, Canada, seamlessly incorporates English, French, and Spanish into her evolving music. Born in France to Colombian and French-Canadian heritage, Flavia effortlessly blends an array of musical genres, including Latin, Moombahton, Hip Hop, House, Vogue, and other global elements.

Flavia Abadía’s debut album, “Crossover,” hit the right notes in 2021, delighting fans with its success. The music warmly welcomes listeners into a world where diversity takes center stage, solidifying her reputation as an artist who effortlessly breaks boundaries.

With an impressive track record, Flavia’s original music has garnered over 2 million cumulative streams, attesting to her widespread appeal and creative prowess.

This is simply another fantastic milestone. As the first and only woman to DJ a Toronto Raptors Game, Flavia Abadía left an indelible mark, delivering a memorable performance of her single “Trumpets (Remix)” during the 2019 Championship Season.

In 2020, she shared the stage with Latin Grammy-Award Winner iLe, and since then, she has continued to delight fans with multiple single releases. Building on this success, she unveiled her first all-Spanish album, “Hacia La Luz,” in 2023, accompanied by additional singles.

She keeps the good vibes flowing with a lineup of hits that earned the love and found their place on key Spotify playlists like New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Finds Canada, New Music Friday Latin, Mood Ring, Tropical Rising, Fresh Finds Latin, and Novedades Dembow.

One of these greatest hits is definitely “MALA”, a track where Flavia Teaming up with Platinum producer Medylandia, highlighting the creative synergy between these two musical talents. This reggaeton fusion, blending R&B, Arab, and brass elements, invites listeners to a captivating world where diverse cultures come together.

Both Flavia and Medylandia share a unique background–being half French-Canadian with diverse French/Arab influences from their upbringing and half Latino: Flavia hails from Colombia, and Medy from the Dominican Republic. Collaborating since 2018, “MALA” is one of their latest singles.

The song’s lyrics weave a mysterious tale, akin to a cat-and-mouse game or the narrative of two spies attempting to decipher each other’s secrets.

‘Yo se que tu no sabes que yo se
Que tu eres un bandolero
Soy buena pero aveces tambien
Soy mala cuando yo quiero’

(‘I know that you don’t know that I know
That you are a bandit
I am good, but sometimes too
I am bad when I want to’)

As the story unfolds, both characters discover that things aren’t always what they seem. A quiet and unspoken attraction emerges, adding a layer of tension. The narrative suggests that a change is on the horizon. The woman shows a rebellious side, while the man carefully maneuvers the situation, finding himself unexpectedly victorious in the end.

As we ease into 2024, Flavia is about to drop something special: her much-anticipated third album, “SALVAJE.”

Her voice has already found its way onto some of your favorite playlists, making waves on Spotify’s New Music Friday Canada, Fresh Finds Canada, New Music Friday Latin, Mood Ring, Tropical Rising, Fresh Finds Latin, and Novedades Dembow.

Flavia Abadía not only grooves on playlists but has also taken her to stages and events across Canada, the USA, France, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and beyond.

The music scene is soaking up the positive vibes she’s bringing, and with “SALVAJE” on the horizon, get ready for your upcoming favorite year release.

Jan 28 Vogue Theatre: Andy Fiore Showcases “Invisible No More”: A Deep Dive into the Intersection of Brain Injury and Criminal Justice

Eric Alper
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Jan 28 Vogue Theatre: Andy Fiore Showcases “Invisible No More”: A Deep Dive into the Intersection of Brain Injury and Criminal Justice

Andy Fiore Showcases “Invisible No More”: A Deep Dive into the Intersection of Brain Injury and Criminal Justice

Q&A Book Signing with Dr. Gabor Maté. Hosted/Performance by Trevor Hurst from Econoline Crush

Sunday, January 28, 2024. Doors: 1:00pm

Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Tickets Avalable Here

Renowned filmmaker Andy Fiore offers a thoughtful look into the link between brain injuries and the criminal justice system in his latest documentary, “Invisible No More.” The film, anticipated by many, delves into the lives of brain injury survivors: Derrick, Richard, and Jim, who have faced two brain injuries and incarceration, spotlighting an issue that is largely understated in our society.

After the film, an amazing panel with Dr. Gabor Mate, MP Alistair MacGregor (Bill C-277), clinical neuroscientist, Catherine Wiseman-Hawkes, Nanaimo City Councillor, Ben Geselbracht, Andy Fiore and subjects from the film will take the stage. After the panel Dr. Mate will sign books and the night includes a performance by the Highs and Lows choir and ending with Trevor speaking about his transition to psychiatric nurse and performs a 45-minute set.

“Invisible No More” captures both the scientific and social consequences of brain injuries in the criminal justice system. By focusing on survivors grappling with the dual challenges of brain injuries and time in prison, it provides a candid insight into their recovery journeys.

The film’s trailer has already stirred significant global attention, prompting important conversations about the complex relationship between brain injuries and the criminal justice system.

Andy Fiore, known for his genuine storytelling, brings a unique perspective to this project. Fiore’s personal history, including surviving two motorcycle accidents and an anoxic brain injury from an overdose, lends a genuine depth to his storytelling. His firsthand experience with brain injury ensures an authentic and compassionate portrayal of the film’s subjects.

As the worldwide premiere approaches, global audiences are encouraged to engage in this essential conversation, elevating the often-overlooked stories of survivors.

Speak up for the Canada Music Fund Now!

Eric Alper
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Speak up for the Canada Music Fund Now!

We need your help to raise the voice of the music community and get the federal government’s attention. You can do that in seconds by using the Canadian Independent Music Association’s action page to email Liberal MP’s and Canada’s Ministers of Heritage and Finance. Call on them to be Music Champions and remind them to keep their promise to increase the budget of the Canada Music Fund. Additionally, PLEASE tell your networks about the #canadamusicfund and use these images to share on social media!

Here’s why: The Liberal government, which has been a strong supporter of Canada’s music sector throughout the pandemic, promised in the last federal election to increase the annual contribution to the Canada Music Fund to $50 million by 2024-2025.

That’s huge because the Canada Music Fund (CMF) is a key part of what funds FACTOR’s ground-breaking investments in Canadian artists and music companies – including songwriters and music publishers. Last year alone FACTOR invested $21 million in the music sector. 6,500 artists have had support through FACTOR in the last five years.

But FACTOR’s budget can’t keep up with the growing demands for its programming. The other part of FACTOR’s annual budget comes from contributions from private radio broadcasters and those contributions are falling fast. For example, in 2020, FACTOR received $16 million in radio contributions. In 2024-25 those contributions could be as low as $2 million. This is why the CMF increase is so crucial. But look, that $50 million would only ensure that existing programming continues and is insufficient to create new programming for the live sector. That’s why most music associations across the country have called for an increase to $60 million.  

So if the government does not make good even on their $50 million promise to our sector, FACTOR’s budget could be cut in half over the next couple of years. If that happens companies will close, jobs will be lost, artists won’t get the investments they need to record or tour which will harm an already precarious local live music scene.

We don’t want that. So, let’s remind them to keep their promise.

Let’s do this!

Thank you,

Eric

First Trailer For Amy Winehouse Biopic Back to Black Is Here

Eric Alper
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First Trailer For Amy Winehouse Biopic Back to Black Is Here

A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, BACK TO BLACK tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse, played by Marisa Abela. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

Global Superstar Maluma to Perform for SiriusXM and Pandora in Las Vegas

Eric Alper
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Global Superstar Maluma to Perform for SiriusXM and Pandora in Las Vegas

SiriusXM announced today that global superstar Maluma will kick off football’s biggest weekend with an exclusive concert for SiriusXM and Pandora on Thursday, February 8 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

SiriusXM and Pandora Present Maluma will feature Maluma performing songs from his latest album Don Juan including “Según Quién” and “COCO LOCO” as well as other fan favorites such as “Hawái.”

The special concert will be open to SiriusXM subscribers and Pandora listeners. Fans can RSVP to attend the in-person show HERE.

The performance will air in its entirety on SiriusXM’s exclusive Latin music channels Hits Uno (ch. 151) and Caliente (ch. 152). Songs from the concert will also air on SiriusXM’s Viva and Flow Nación channels, and listeners will be able to access portions of the show on demand on the new SiriusXM app. Pandora listeners can access the Maluma Radio station HERE.

The Big Game weekend kick off concert will feature several special elements courtesy of this year’s lineup of brand sponsors including Chumba Casino, Discover, Doritos Dinamita, GNC, Norwegian Cruise Line, Paramount+, Shopify, and Hilton. From artist meet and greets to premium viewing lounges, these sponsors will help give fans an experience they’ll never forget.

SiriusXM remains committed to Latin music and its community, offering more than 15 Spanish-language music channels, in addition to opening SiriusXM’s Miami studios in 2023.

Hits Uno and Caliente, as well as a full suite of Latin music channels are available to subscribers nationwide in their cars and on the new SiriusXM app. 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.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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