The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project just released ‘Angles,’ a four song EP following debut ‘No Bounds’ that fuses literary artistry with evocative sound as author, poet and modern day philosopher Douglas Ray Jaffe refuses to fit into any genre box. Produced by Emmy nominated Craig Brandwein at Center Sound Productions, the EP features “To Pass,” “Brooklyn Eyes,” “Today’s Forecast… Anything Goes” and “Paychecks and Daydreams,” each brought to life by up and coming vocalists who get full creative freedom to make every track their own. Jaffe’s lyrics tackle everything from 24/7 news cycle stress to soul sucking jobs, born from his favorite hobby of people watching and shaped by his belief that songs should go deeper than most. He gives himself the same creative freedom he extends to his collaborators, exploring subject matter that ranges from marveling at the world’s beauty to expressing sorrow for lost love, delivered through delicate harmonies and passionate performances that turn deeply introspective poetry into an immersive emotional journey where literary elegance meets dynamic, genre defying arrangements in perfect harmony.
Saving Abel Drop “Keep Swinging” Video About Fighting Through Adversity And Never Backing Down
Hot on the heels of their surprise release “Dodged A Bullet,” rockers Saving Abel just unleashed a music video for “Keep Swinging” that’s available everywhere now and hits like a championship punch. Jared Weeks on vocals, Riley Haynie on guitars, Blake Scopino on guitars, Greg Young on bass and Dave Moraata on drums deliver an upbeat rocker driven by Weeks’ unmistakable voice, with the track written by Weeks and collaborator Skidd Mills tackling the theme of never giving up when life tries to knock you down. The video directed by Austin Dellamano in conjunction with Weems Creative follows a boxer prepping for his next fight, capturing all the sweat and determination that goes into training for victory, perfectly mirroring the song’s message as Weeks belts out “Keep pushing, keep swinging” like he’s coaching you through the hardest round of your life.
Todd Snider Has Passed Away: Honoring One Of The Greatest Voices in American Roots Music
Todd Snider passed away on Friday. This one hurts.
Todd lived the kind of artistic life that felt unfiltered and cosmic, marked by humor, heartbreak, grit, and a spirit that refused to fade. Fans loved him because his songs felt alive. He wrote like a friend telling the truth. He performed like someone who understood that connection was the whole point. His passing leaves a space that American roots music will feel for a long time.
Here are 50 thing you need to know about the man.
50 Facts About Todd Snider
- Todd Snider was born on October 11, 1966 in Portland, Oregon.
- He grew up in Beaverton and graduated from Beaverton High School in 1985.
- After high school he attended Santa Rosa Junior College for one semester.
- He learned to play harmonica while studying in Santa Rosa.
- He moved to San Marcos, Texas with the help of his brother, who bought his plane ticket.
- He decided to become a songwriter after seeing Jerry Jeff Walker perform at Gruene Hall.
- He began writing songs the day after that show.
- He bought a guitar because of seeing Walker perform.
- His first writers night was at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos.
- Kent Finlay became his early mentor and introduced him to writers like Prine and Kristofferson.
- He quickly began packing small rooms in San Marcos.
- He soon developed a following in Austin.
- While living in San Marcos he discovered the music of Keith Sykes.
- Snider sent Sykes a demo tape that led him to move to Memphis.
- He earned a weekly residency at The Daily Planet in Memphis.
- Audiences at The Daily Planet already knew his songs and sang along.
- He met John Prine in 1991 while assisting on preproduction for Prine’s album The Missing Years.
- In 1992 he signed a development deal with Capitol Records.
- Capitol declined to pick up his option for a full album.
- His early band was called the Bootleggers before he renamed them the Nervous Wrecks.
- By 1994 the Nervous Wrecks lineup included Will Kimbrough, Joe Mariencheck, and Joe McLeary.
- He signed with Margaritaville Records after Bob Mercer saw him perform in Memphis.
- His debut album Songs for the Daily Planet reached number 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.
- The hidden track Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues became a minor radio hit.
- The Alright Guy video was in rotation on VH1.
- Billboard praised his second album Step Right Up as more stunning than his debut.
- His third album Viva Satellite was recorded mainly at Ardent Studios in Memphis.
- He was released from his MCA contract after an incident at a private performance.
- He next signed with John Prine’s Oh Boy Records.
- His album Happy To Be Here was recorded solo acoustic with instrumentation added later.
- New Connection was released by Oh Boy in 2002.
- His 2003 live album Near Truths and Hotel Rooms documented his post Wrecks solo shows.
- East Nashville Skyline was released in 2004 and became a cultural breakthrough.
- Pitchfork called East Nashville Skyline the wittiest and feistiest album of his career.
- The album included the songs Play a Train Song and The Ballad of the Kingsmen.
- He released Peace, Love and Anarchy, a collection of rarities, in 2007.
- That Was Me collected material from his Margaritaville and MCA years.
- The Devil You Know was released in 2006 and reached number 4 on the Heatseekers chart.
- He performed material from The Devil You Know at Grimey’s in Nashville in 2006.
- He launched his own label, Aimless Records, in 2008.
- Peace Queer was Aimless Records’ first release.
- His album The Excitement Plan was produced by Don Was and released in 2009.
- His double disc Live: The Storyteller was released in 2011.
- He released Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables in 2012.
- That same year he released a tribute album to Jerry Jeff Walker titled Time As We Know It.
- He cofounded the band Hard Working Americans in 2013.
- The First Waltz documentary and live recordings were released in 2014.
- Hard Working Americans released their second album Rest in Chaos in 2016.
- Snider released the folk focused Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3 in 2019.
- He died on November 14, 2025, following complications that developed after a violent assault eleven days earlier.
Yves Unleashes ‘Soft Error’ With PinkPantheress And Proves K-Pop Rules Don’t Apply Anymore
South Korean singer songwriter Yves just dropped ‘Soft Error’ via PAIX PER MIL/ADA and the six track EP confirms what everyone’s been whispering: she’s operating on a completely different frequency now. The former LOONA member links up with multiplatinum UK sensation PinkPantheress on lead single “Soap” which cleverly samples Rebecca Black’s “Sugar Water Cyanide,” turning an unexpected reference into pure earworm gold. Bratty shows up on “Aibo” with a Spanish language verse that takes the whole thing sideways in the best possible way. This isn’t careful collaboration, it’s Yves pulling in exactly who she wants and letting the chemistry do its thing.
“White Cat” landed first and set the tone perfectly: dreamy synth textures meeting this resolve that feels almost resigned but never defeated, capturing her composed chaos aesthetic in three and a half minutes. Six songs deep, ‘Soft Error’ moves through moods and genres without asking permission or explaining itself. Yves has hit that sweet spot where confidence and creativity collide, where she’s done chasing anyone’s approval and just making what feels right. The unpredictability isn’t a gimmick, it’s who she is now.
Professionally and personally, Yves reached a turning point where existing in the moment matters more than fitting into boxes labeled “K-pop” or “solo artist” or anything else people try to stamp on her. ‘Soft Error’ breathes because she’s finally letting it, and you can hear that freedom in every track. She’s not the girl group member anymore, not the rising soloist trying to prove something. She’s Yves, making exactly the music she wants, and if you’re paying attention to global music right now, you can’t afford to miss what she’s building.
Winona Fighter Covers Violent Femmes’ “Blister In The Sun” With Blessing From The Legends Themselves
Rising punk act Winona Fighter shared their take on Violent Femmes’ “Blister In The Sun” out now via Rise Records, with front woman and multi instrumentalist Coco Kinnon explaining the inspiration came when they were talking about doing an acoustic variant of their record and since they love to honor those who have paved the way in everything they do, it was only natural to pay homage to the folk punk legends themselves.
Kinnon shares they are really stoked about this cover and getting a nod of approval from the band themselves made them all the more proud and excited, while Violent Femmes co founder and bassist Brian Ritchie adds he is thrilled to hear Winona Fighter’s reinterpretation of their eternal standard, proud when their music seeps into subsequent generations of musicians and listeners, loving Winona’s pithy approach that keeps much of the original energy while adding several novel details.
Ritchie praises Coco’s lead vocal for seeming true to Gordon’s blueprint until she substitutes attention getting high harmonies for the melody, noting the song was always androgynous and non gendered which is amplified in Winona Fighter’s take, and loving when after a relaxed pace for the bulk of the song, the band sends it into the stratosphere like a rocket ship at the very end by kicking ass and turning up the volume.
“Blister In The Sun” will be featured on the upcoming deluxe edition of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘My Apologies To The Chef’ set to be released digitally on September 5th with limited edition vinyl available for pre order now, with the expanded album featuring acoustic versions of every song from the original record plus their cover of Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” and the recently released track “(Don’t Get) CLOSE,” proving Winona Fighter knows how to honor the past while carving out their own space in punk’s ever evolving landscape.
Chase Rice Releases ‘Eldora’ Album Out Now September 19 And Shares WWII Tribute “Circa 1943”
Chase Rice shared his brand new single “Circa 1943” and released his new studio album ‘Eldora’, with the Diamond certified songwriter proving once again he’s not chasing anything but the truth. The follow up to 2024’s ‘Go Down Singin’,’ his first release since stepping away from the major label system, doubles down on the grit, heart and unfiltered storytelling that’s always been at the core of Rice’s songwriting. Written primarily in the quiet solitude of Eldora, Colorado in the days following his recent performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the 12 song album is as much a reflection of place as it is of person, with that mountain stillness providing a creative reset rooted not in chasing hits or chart positions but in chasing moments that matter and songs that leave a mark.
Rice reflects that this is the kind of music he’s always loved and the kind of stories he’s always wanted to tell, hoping the past few years have helped fans see this is the real him, not the person who was chasing trends or afraid to do something different. ‘Eldora’ isn’t about proving anything, it’s about making something that’s real and letting it speak for itself, an intention clear in today’s offering “Circa 1943.” Written by Rice alongside Wyatt McCubbin and producer Oscar Charles, the song tells a bittersweet love story set against the backdrop of World War II, paying quiet tribute to the courage and heart of the Greatest Generation. Rice shares that Harold and Berniece were his mom’s parents, and while they didn’t meet around 1943 and the story takes creative liberties, their names are the only true parts about this story, but he hopes it honors them and anybody from the Greatest Generation who fought or died for the country.
Today’s release joins “Two Tone Trippin'” in previewing the forthcoming project, with the jangly guitar picking joyride capturing the heart of summer and the spirit of a classic American truck, revving up a well worn symbol of country storytelling with fresh detail and classic country flair. Rice is operating at full creative power right now, completely independent and completely uncompromising, making music on his own terms that connects with listeners who value authenticity over algorithm friendly formulas. ‘Eldora’ promises to be another statement from an artist who’s never been afraid to chart his own course, even when it meant walking away from the security of the major label world to find the freedom to create exactly what he wants without anyone telling him what songs should sound like or what stories are worth telling.
Lanie Gardner Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut And Drops Title Track From ‘Faded Polaroids’ Album
Named a 2025 Artist to Watch by the Recording Academy, Lanie Gardner wrapped a milestone week with her Grand Ole Opry debut and the release of “Faded Polaroids,” the title track from her upcoming sophomore album out now via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. The bold, deeply personal track is fueled by distorted indie pop and commanding vocals as Gardner flips through snapshots, some crisp and others nicotine stained and weathered by time, mapping where she’s been and who she’s becoming. Gardner shares that the idea came from going through a box of old photos, explaining that how she experiences life today is because of those moments and the biggest thing she’s learned is how important it is to remember that the simple things make you happy, and to understand that you have to search for yourself.
‘Faded Polaroids’ produced by Oscar Charles, Jonathan Singleton, Chris Ganoudis and Don Miggs expands on the raw honesty of Gardner’s 2024 debut ‘A Songwriter’s Diary,’ offering a sonic scrapbook of self discovery, family roots, romantic twists and personal healing. Across 18 tracks, Gardner blends country storytelling with indie rock grit, small town pop and boundary free emotion, delivering a sound that’s uniquely her own. Born and raised in the tiny Appalachian town of Burnsville, North Carolina, Gardner grew up in a family of natural musicians, learning to sing from her mother and play guitar from her father before eventually leaving home for Nashville to chase the Grand Ole Opry dream of her late grandfather, a dream that came full circle with her debut earlier this summer.
Following her recent ‘Polaroids’ EP and breakout debut album which earned her 2025 Artist to Watch nods from both the Recording Academy and Amazon Music plus Apple Music Country’s Riser of the Month, ‘Faded Polaroids’ finds Gardner stepping fully into her sound. From the soul cleansing “Takin’ The Slow Ride” and smoldering “Concrete Cowboy” to the nostalgic title track and breezy “Love You Like Appalachia,” the album captures a rising star in her magic hour who’s honest, unfiltered and unforgettable. This loner turned artist with a gift for turning diary entries into cathartic anthems is proving she’s got staying power and a vision that sets her apart from everyone else fighting for attention in Nashville right now.
EST Gee Drops “Geeski Shake” Video From ‘My World’ And Proves He’s Still Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper
Hip hop artist and CMG signee EST Gee unveiled the official music video for “Geeski Shake,” a standout track from recently released project ‘My World,’ continuing his unstoppable run through 2025. A force to be reckoned with, EST Gee keeps winning listeners by authentically and unflinchingly documenting day to day life in his hometown with a rumbling deadpan that pairs perfectly with trap infused Southern rap. His current era continues a busy 2025 kicked off by ‘I Ain’t Feeling You’ including standouts “Houstonatlantaville” featuring Lil Baby and Travis Scott plus “My Love” featuring Veeze and Rylo Rodriguez, following his 2023 output of two charting mixtapes, the gritty pain powered ‘MAD’ and his stylistically diverse victory lap ‘EL TORO 2,’ plus heavy features on CMG’s door kicking ‘Gangsta Art 2’ compilation alongside labelmates like Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, GloRilla, Mozzy and legendary CMG boss Yo Gotti.
Maddie Lenhart Releases Heartbreaking “Will You Think About Me” That Captures The Ache Of Letting Go
Country artist Maddie Lenhart releases new single “Will You Think About Me,” capturing the ache of letting go of someone you still love by blending classic country storytelling with cinematic emotion that begins with quiet resignation and builds to a chorus full of vulnerable longing. Lenhart explains the song is an honest, conversational moment that lives in the quiet ache of letting go, the kind of track that hits hardest in the stillness as an unspoken question we’re often too afraid to ask.
Born and raised in the heart of Virginia’s countryside where she was singing before she could talk and writing songs before she could hold a pen, Lenhart performed at every talent show she could find around her small town before graduating college in the Blue Ridge Mountains and following her heart to Nashville. Holler describes her work as perfect for anyone with a soft spot for Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Deeper Well,’ finding soul soothing, deeply personal songwriting that’s heartfelt, dreamy and vulnerable, the kind of warm and comforting country songs you’ll want to turn to like a best friend when the world gets too much.
The COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point prompting her to commit to writing and creating music full time, immersing herself in Nashville’s songwriting community and sharing her story one song at a time on stages across the city.
Since releasing her debut single in September 2023, Maddie’s career has taken off with her breakout track “Sober” racking up nearly 400,000 organic streams and earning praise for her raw lyricism and magnetic voice, headlining with her band at The Basement, playing fan favorite sets at The East Room and Bowery Vault, selling out rounds at both the Listening Room Cafe and the iconic Bluebird Cafe, and most recently returning home for a sold out show at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna.
DJs From Mars Team With David Guetta To Rework Audio Bullys Classic “We Don’t Care” Into Festival Ready Banger
Italian duo DJs From Mars made a slice of their own dance music history collaborating with former 4x World No.1 DJ David Guetta and legendary British electronic outfit Audio Bullys on a brand new track after years of working together behind the scenes. Titled “Things I Haven’t Told You,” the song is an explosive rework of Audio Bullys’ classic “We Don’t Care” which originally peaked at number 15 on the UK charts in 2003, now getting an official release this August via Spinnin’ Records. The idea was born directly from David Guetta who invited DJs From Mars, renowned for their mash up prowess, to reinvent the track with a modern, festival ready UK garage twist that delivers serious punch.
The very first demo hit the mark immediately, tested in both artists’ live sets where it received overwhelming crowd reactions and quickly became one of Guetta’s most powerful secret weapons this summer. DJs From Mars share that working with David on this project is a dream come true, explaining that after so many years of backstage collaborations, seeing their name alongside his on an official release fills them with pride. They poured all their energy into this track and it’s been incredible watching it come alive on the world’s biggest festival stages, proving their chemistry translates perfectly from the studio to massive crowds.