On 26th September 1969 Australian (and then Canadian-based) journalist Ritchie Yorke asked George Harrison to give track-by-track feedback on The Beatles’ last recorded album. This is that review with audio enhanced.
Drew Lynch’s Comedy Show Goes Off Script After He Gets Heckled About His Height
Comedian Drew Lynch was in the middle of a joke when a first row heckler called him out on his height. What happened next shows you what a masterful improver he is.
My Next Read: “Access All Areas: A Backstage Pass Through 50 Years of Music And Culture” By Barbara Charone
First as a journalist and then a publicist at Warner Brothers Records for nearly twenty years, Barbara Charone has experienced, first-hand, the changes in the cultural landscape. Access All Areas is a personal, insightful and humorous memoir packed with stories of being on the cultural frontline, from first writing press releases on a typewriter driven by Tip Ex, then as a press officer for heavy metal bands taking the bus up to Donnington Festival with coffee, croissants and the much more popular sulfate. To taking on Madonna, an unknown girl from Detroit, and telling Smash Hits ‘you don’t have to run the piece if the single doesn’t chart’, and becoming a true pioneer in music, Charone continues to work with the biggest names in music, including Depeche Mode, Robert Plant, Foo Fighters and Mark Ronson at her agency MBCPR.
The story of how a music-loving, budding journalist from a Chicago suburb became the defining music publicist of her generation, Access All Areas is a time capsule of the last fifty years, told through the lens of music.
The Beatles’ Isolated Vocals For “Revolution”
The Beatles’ “Revolution” must have been a favourite by the band – no less than three versions of the song were recorded and released in 1968, all for the band’s self-titled double album: a slow, bluesy arrangement (titled “Revolution 1”) that would make the final tracklisting for the LP; an abstract sound collage (titled “Revolution 9”) that originated as the latter part of “Revolution 1” and appears on the same album; and the faster, hard rock version similar to “Revolution 1”, released as the B-side of “Hey Jude”
Pittsburgh-Based Pop Singer Valentina Cherico Releases “Teach Me How To Love Again”
They say time can heal a broken heart, but sometimes the pain can seem like too much to bear. Nobody knows this more than Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter Valentina Cherico as she laments in her new single “Teach Me How To Love Again.”
A gentle piano and Cherico’s soft and vulnerable vocals start the song off as she looks back on the heartbreak she has endured and wonders if it will ever end. Once the pre-chorus hits, Cherico’s vocals take on a beautiful tone that leads into the chorus that asks how she will know when true love finds her.
“My heart can’t take no more
I open one more door
But nobody’s there
How will I know?
How will I feel
When the time is right for me”
As the song continues, Cherico’s angelic voice gradually grows more powerful and combines with the softer tones from earlier to showcase her range. Her vocals and the song’s lyrics are reminiscent of one of Cherico’s artistic influences, the late Selena Quintanilla and her song “I Could Fall In Love With You”.
Of the song’s inspiration, Cherico states that it came from personal experiences. “I wrote “Teach Me How To Love Again” at a time where I felt very lost. My heart was broken by people who I trusted and loved. I thought that I would never meet someone who would love me or treat me right.”
The single is complimented by an intimate music video that shows Cherico playing the piano and singing alone in a white dress. She is also shown wearing white while walking around town. The video captures Cherico’s search for true love and the helplessness she feels while trying to do so.
By the time Cherico’s vocals crescendos to a high note, there is a sense of newfound hope conveyed. The singer asserts this herself as she explains, “This song and music video is dedicated to anyone that has lost love, or has given up in believing that true love even exists. This song is to encourage those people that you are not alone in your search.”
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cherico got her start within her musical family. As a young child, she’d watch her father and older sister perform in a group called “Cassanova”. She’d eventually join the group herself as she studied piano.
From a young age, Cherico also had an interest in acting, attending Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School before appearing in various stage musicals. Her most notable appearance as an actress and singer would be doing background roles for the series “American Rust” starring Jeff Daniels.
As a solo singer, Cherico recorded her first original tune, “There’s No Stopping Me,” alongside Grammy nominated and multi-award-winning music producer, Roy Hamilton, III. The song debuted in August 2021. The following year, she released her Latin/Pop single titled “Believe In Yourself”, which was streamed in over 89 countries and played all over the U.S. and Europe.
Toronto Folk-Rocker Kari Lyn Explores the Duality of Comfort and Grief on “Anyways”
The grief from losing a loved one can often feel unbearable, but those small moments where we still sense that person’s presence in our lives can offer great comfort. Toronto-based folk-rock songstress Kari Lyn captures this duality of melancholy and comfort in her reflective new single “Anyways.”
With countrified guitar, soothing harmonies, and her straightforward vocal delivery, “Anyways” deals with the unexpected death of Kari Lyn’s father in 2017 when she was living in Australia, halfway around the world from her native PEI.
“Taking that 30-hour flight home was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through,” she says, “but when I returned home, the biggest thing anyone said was how proud my father was about my traveling and the fact that I was following my dreams.”
One of her favorite memories is of dancing with her father to “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw. “He would pick me up and spin me around in the living room, which sparked the beginning of my love of music,” she recalls. “You can hear the inspirations from that song in ‘Anyways.’”
The radio turns to our favourite song
And I’ll find a dime just to lead me along
I know you’re right there with me
I hear your voice within me
I feel the love reach from the tune
In my heart we spin around the room
Like the way we used to do
“Dimes, to some, represent that someone is watching out for you above and that you are on the right path,” Kari Lyn explains. “That is where the line in the bridge, ‘I’ll find a dime just to lead me along,’ comes from. I’ve found dimes in the most random places, when I’m going through the toughest times and it always gives me comfort.”
Kari Lyn has spent her whole life surrounded by music and storytelling. Growing up in North Rustico, PEI, listening to the “Saturday Night Hoedown” radio station, and stories told by her “PEI-famous” grandfather, Tommy Gallant, she was constantly inspired to share her truth through her lyrics. At 19 years old, she left home for a trip to Thailand, resulting in almost five years of travel, getting out of her comfort zone, and experiencing everything from scuba diving and climbing active volcanoes, to learning new languages and cultural traditions.
Inspired by these travels, she returned to PEI and wrote and released her debut album Hit The Ground, which was nominated for Rock Album of the Year at the 2020 Music PEI awards. Currently, this Cottage-Core Rockstar has upcoming releases from her newest EP, Nightmarin’, which explores themes of duality.
Victa Releases Pop Single “Where Did You Go?”
“Where Did You Go”, the new single by Ottawa, Ontario based Victa, is a masterful piece of poignant pop production.
It’s a song about love, loss and heartbreak, as Victa sings over a gently strummed acoustic guitar weaved together with a catchy, afrobeat rhythm. Victa’s melodic vocal delivery lays bare the singer’s pain and confusion, as he wonders why his relationship has fallen apart.
“Where did you go?” he pleads, longing for her return and painting a vivid picture of his loneliness. He’s loved and lost before and isn’t ready to let yet another one get away.
“We were never just friends
I’m too fly to hold you down
But I hope that you stick around
Cause’ I’ve been hurt before“
Soaring synths combine with a driving beat as the track reaches its emotional climax. It combines elements of pop, hip-hop, R & B and electronic music into one melodic, hook-infused package, produced by Muto Beats and engineered by Alejandro Santos.
Victa’s vocals and songwriting prowess on the melancholic and introspective “Where Did You Go” belie his relatively young age. It wasn’t that long ago when his friends in high school would make fun of him for writing raps and performing them at lunch hour.
“I grew up surrounded by music my whole life,” Victa, real name Victor Gabriel-Hanson, says. “I fell in love with the way music makes me feel. I began to cultivate my passion for creating and performing from a young age.”
Victa’s debut single, “Switching Sides,” was released in 2020, followed by a string of successful releases. “Where Did You Go” comes hot off the heels of the sultry and seductive “Keeping Score”, which was nominated by Ottawa’s Faces Magazine for Best Music Video of the Year.
For “Where Did You Go”, he’s back working with that video’s producer, Francis Klan ‘Chleepy’, along with Unknwnroz, who helped Victa come up with a sexy, steamy and provocative storyline that drives home the emotion of the song. It’s sure to win more nominations for the young artist.
The up-and-coming singer and songwriter is honing his craft as a student in Algonquin College’s Music Industry Arts program as he carves his way into the music industry.
“I’m passionate about music and almost everything I do in my spare time is related to composing, writing lyrics and envisioning the next project to manifest my future in music,” he says.
Perhaps that’s why his twelve recorded tracks and four music videos thus far have all been produced with a professionalism that wouldn’t make them out of place amongst the music of his idols, such as TheWeeknd, Drake and A$AP Rocky.
As Victa’s star continues to rise, he is poised to become a prominent figure in the Canadian music scene and beyond. “Where Did You Go” is the next step to getting him there.
Logic Announces U.S. Tour On Top Of New Album Release “College Park”
On the heels of releasing his eighth studio album, College Park, Grammy-nominatedrapper, singer, songwriter and record producer Logic has announced a U.S. tour produced by Live Nation. “Logic: The College Park Tour with Special Guest Juicy J” is set to kick off May 25th in Madison, Wis. (full routing below). Additionally, BobbyBoy Records’ own C Dot Castro and Travis Stacey will be opening all shows.
Tickets will be available starting with Citi presales beginning Tuesday, March 7th. More info on Citi presale is below. The general on sale for will begin Friday, March 10 at 10am Local Time on livenation.com
College Park encompasses Logic’s musical and life journey to date while it also celebrates a new beginning for the rapper. Following a 10-year stint with Def Jam Records, Logic took a leap to the independent side and partnered with BMG for this latest release, which features singles including “Wake Up,” “Paradise II” featuring Norah Jones, “Highlife,” and “Lightsabers.”
Most recently, the track “Self-Medication” has been generating buzz across socials channels thanks in part to track features Seth MacFarlane, Redman, & Statik Selektah. The song is currently the biggest gainer on the Top Songs USA Spotify chart and receiving 1M streams per day.
VIBE called the album “Chock-full of well-placed guest appearances as well as powerful solo fare” and deemed College Park “…a cohesive long player…” while Hot97 stated, “The album stylistically gives off old school vibes.”
LOGIC ON TOUR
May 25 Madison, Wis. The Sylvee
May 27 Chicago, Ill. Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom ^
May 28 Detroit, Mich. Fox Theatre
May 31 Akron, Ohio Akron Civic Theatre
June 02 Boston, Mass. MGM Music Hall
June 03 Bridgeport, Ct. Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
June 04 New York, N.Y. Hammerstein Ballroom
June 07 Philadelphia, Pa. The Met
June 08 Washington, DC Echostage ^
June 10 Charlotte, N.C. Skyla Credit Union Amp
June 11 Jacksonville, Fla. Daily’s Place
June 12 New Orleans, La. Fillmore
June 14 Houston, Texas 713 Music Hall
June 15 Austin, Texas Moody Center
June 16 Dallas, Texas South Side Ballroom ^
June 19 Denver, Colo. Fillmore Auditorium
June 20 Salt Lake City, Utah Union Event Center
June 22 Seattle, Wash. WAMU Theater ^
June 23 Portland, Ore. RV Inn Resorts Amp
June 25 San Francisco, Calif. The Masonic
June 28 Los Angeles, Calif. YouTube Theater
June 29 San Diego, Calif. Gallagher Square at Petco Park
June 30 Phoenix, Ariz. Arizona Financial Theatre
^ without Juicy J
My Next Read: “The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth” by John Robb
This is the first comprehensive history of goth music and culture. Across more than 500 pages, John Robb explores the origins and legacy of this enduring scene, which has its roots in the post-punk era.
Drawing on his own experience as a musician and journalist, John Robb covers the style, the music and the clubs that spawned the culture, alongside political and social conditions. He also reaches back further to key historic events and movements that frame the ideas of goth, from the fall of Rome to Lord Byron and the romantic poets, European folk tales, Gothic art and the occult. Finally, he considers the current mainstream goth of Instagram influencers, film, literature and music.
The Art of Darkness features interviews with Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, The Damned, Nick Cave, Southern Death Cult, Einstürzende Neubauten, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Throbbing Gristle, Danielle Dax, Lydia Lunch and many more. It offers a first-hand account of being there at the gigs and clubs that made the scene happen.
NF Announces North American ‘Hope Tour’
Today, Michigan rapper and producer NF announces his HOPE TOUR. The massive 47 show runs across the US, Canada, Europe, and UKin support of his forthcoming studio album, HOPE, releasing April 7. Produced by Live Nation, the North American leg of the tour will feature special guest Cordae and kick off on Wednesday, July 12th at Schottenstein Center in Columbus making stops across the U.S. in Philadelphia, Anaheim, Denver, and more before wrapping up in Laval at Place Bell on Sunday, September 3rd. The 16-date European leg kicks off on September 23rd at the Fabrique in Milan making stops in Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, and more before wrapping up in London at Eventim Apollo on October 15th.
Last month NF returned with the stirring new single “HOPE” (NF Real Music/Virgin Music). The song finds the multi-Platinum hitmaker at his most raw and unfiltered as he assesses his musical journey thus far and looks to the future. Hope is accompanied by a suitably uplifting visual, which captures the MC’s defiance and authenticity. Watch it HERE.
Next up is NF’s facetious “MOTTO”, of which The New York Times says, “in his early career, NF sounded as if he was internalizing all the pressures of the world, but now he sounds free and calm, dismissing those same pressures with a shrug.”
HOPE is the fifth studio album from the Billboard chart-topping, multi-platinum artist. Known for rapping quick-witted lyrics over hip hop beats and cinematic production, NF has built an obsessively loyal fanbase that has earned him over 30 billion global streams and established NF as one of the most consumed artists today. NF’s HOPE is a 13-track album boasting instant hits, such as “HAPPY”, “MOTTO” and notable Grammy-nominated features with singer/songwriter Julia Michaels on “GONE,” and rapper Cordae on “CAREFUL”.
HOPE US + CANADA TOUR DATES:
Wed Jul 12 — Columbus, OH — Schottenstein Center
Fri Jul 14 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
Sat Jul 15 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
Sun Jul 16 — Lincoln, NE — Pinnacle Bank Arena
Tue Jul 18 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
Thu Jul 20 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
Fri Jul 21 — Boston, MA — Agganis Arena
Sat Jul 22 — Philadelphia, PA — The Liacouras Center
Mon Jul 24 — Greensboro, NC — Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Tue Jul 25 — Huntsville, AL — Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center
Wed Jul 26 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
Fri Jul 28 — Orlando, FL — Addition Financial Arena ^
Sat Jul 29 — Duluth, GA — Gas South Arena
Mon Jul 31 — North Little Rock, AR — Simmons Bank Arena
Tue Aug 01 — Tulsa, OK — BOK Center
Wed Aug 02 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
Fri Aug 04 — Glendale, AZ — Desert Diamond Arena
Sat Aug 05 — Anaheim, CA — Honda Center
Sun Aug 06 — San Francisco, CA — Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Tue Aug 08 — Portland, OR — Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Wed Aug 09 — Seattle, WA — WAMU Theater
Fri Aug 11 — Salt Lake City, UT — Vivint Arena
Sat Aug 12 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
Wed Aug 23 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
Fri Aug 25 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
Sat Aug 26 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
Sun Aug 27 — Saskatoon, SK — SaskTel Centre
Tue Aug 29 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
Fri Sep 01 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
Sat Sep 02 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
Sun Sep 03 — Laval, QC — Place Bell
^Without support from Cordae
HOPE EUROPE + UK TOUR DATES:
Sat Sep 23 — Milan, Italy — Fabrique
Sun Sep 24 — Zurich, Switzerland — Halle 622
Tue Sep 26 — Vienna, Austria — Gasometer
Wed Sep 27 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
Fri Sep 29 — Düsseldorf, Germany — Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Sat Sep 30 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — AFAS Live
Sun Oct 1 — Paris, France — L’Olympia
Tue Oct 3 — Frankfurt, Germany — Jahrhunderthalle
Thu Oct 5 — Hamburg, Germany — Sporthalle *
Fri Oct 6 — Berlin, Germany — Max-Schmeling-Halle
Sun Oct 8 — Brussels, Belgium — Forest National
Tue Oct 10 — Manchester, UK — O2 Victoria Warehouse
Wed Oct 11 — Glasgow, UK — O2 Academy
Thu Oct 12 — Dublin, Ireland — 3Olympia Theatre
Sat Oct 14 — Cardiff, UK — Great Hall
Sun Oct 15 — London, UK — Eventim Apollo