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Aaron Chapman and Simon Kendall Tell the Unlikely True Story of Doug and the Slugs

Eric Alper
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Aaron Chapman and Simon Kendall Tell the Unlikely True Story of Doug and the Slugs

Vancouver’s Doug and the Slugs never quite fit the mold, and that’s exactly what made them matter. ‘Real Enough: The Unlikely Story of Doug & the Slugs,’ written by historian and musician Aaron Chapman and former Slugs keyboardist Simon Kendall, arrives April 10 from Anvil Press and digs into one of Canadian rock’s most genuinely singular stories. Too polished for punk, too irreverent for radio rock, the group built a Gold record career out of relentless touring and the magnetic pull of frontman Doug Bennett, the self-appointed clown prince of Canadian rock and roll.

Kendall brings a rare insider perspective. He joined the band in 1978 and spent fifteen years as its music director and keyboardist, part of a run that produced four Gold albums and saw the Slugs perform everywhere from New York to the North Pole. Chapman, a two-time Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award winner and elected member of the Royal Historical Society, brings the historian’s eye. Together they’ve assembled never-before-published photos, personal diaries, posters, ticket stubs, and ephemera that make ‘Real Enough’ as much a visual document as a biography.

RYA Launches RYA 2.0, the First Audience Intelligence Platform That Now Predicts the Audience Impact of the Marketing Campaigns It Creates

Eric Alper
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RYA Launches RYA 2.0, the First Audience Intelligence Platform That Now Predicts the Audience Impact of the Marketing Campaigns It Creates

RYA, the Creative AI partner purpose-built for marketers, today unveiled RYA 2.0, the next-generation brand intelligence platform. Spun out of a creative agency, RYA 2.0 marks the moment a decade of authentic audience data becomes a platform any marketer can use, with or without an agency, and move from insight to campaign-ready creative in minutes, not weeks.

Campaign success can then be accurately predicted via the RYA Score, a proprietary creative evaluation system that measures ideas against two dimensions: Radical (R-Score) and Acceptable (A-Score), producing a blended RYA Score that predicts cultural resonance before a dollar is spent. Great campaigns have to push far enough to get attention but not so far they alienate the audience. RYA Score gives marketers something no other AI platform can offer: a defensible, data-backed read on whether a creative idea will land. Built on an ever-expanding set of creative industry expert interviews with leaders from creative agencies like BBDO, Ogilvy, and Weiden+Kennedy to other creative professionals in film, television, Broadway, music, and magic and validated through a proprietary audience dataset a decade in the making, RYA is grounded in behavioral signals from real people, not scraped internet data.

RYA was already helping brands cut 6-8 weeks of strategy work down to a day. With the addition of RYA Score and RYA Chat, 2.0 is what happens when you add a creative evaluation engine on top of that foundation. Unlike general-purpose AI platforms, RYA is built on proprietary audience passion data collected from 1,000 people surveyed weekly by PhDs — our machine is real people. This foundation was built long before generative AI made everyone a content-creation machine, creating a competitive moat no rival can replicate.

As marketers have rushed to adopt generative AI platforms, a fundamental gap in that strategy has been exposed. When everyone uses the same models of ChatGPT and generic AI, trained on the same data, their outputs all begin to look the same. RYA doesn’t just create more campaigns at a faster rate — it creates marketing ideas grounded in proprietary intelligence.

RYA 2.0 introduces a fully redesigned user experience, including RYA Chat, a powerful context-aware agentic workflow that connects advanced trend identification tied to passion-based audience segments, built-in strategic frameworks designed for marketers, and integrated creative workflows that connect insight directly to execution. The conversational interface allows marketers to collaborate with the system in real-time, pressure-testing ideas, refining positions, and building out multi-channel campaigns in a continuous stream of dialogue.

“RYA 2.0 represents a shift from AI as a platform to AI as a true creative partner,” said Mark Himmelsbach, CEO & co-founder of RYA. “It turns out we didn’t just spend the last decade building an ad agency — we were laying the foundation of a data company without fully realizing it. RYA 2.0 is the moment we fully take advantage of that.”

As AI models continue to commoditize, competitive advantage no longer comes from access to technology alone. The true value comes from the quality of data and the expertise of those guiding it. By operationalizing proprietary intelligence within a purpose-built platform, RYA offers an alternative blueprint for how agencies and brands can evolve alongside AI.

Count Basie Orchestra Vocalist Dennis Rowland Honors a Jazz Giant With a New Memoir

Eric Alper
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Count Basie Orchestra Vocalist Dennis Rowland Honors a Jazz Giant With a New Memoir

Dennis Rowland spent years as a featured vocalist with the Count Basie Orchestra, absorbing lessons in music, mentorship, and discipline from one of the most consequential bandleaders in American history. Now he’s put those lessons on the page. ‘Keeping the Beat: What Count Basie Taught Me About Music, Mentorship and Leadership,’ written with Phoenix author Marla Sheiner, is out now, timed to Jazz Appreciation Month and arriving forty years after Count Basie’s passing in April 1984.

The memoir places Rowland in a distinguished lineage that includes Basie vocalists Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams, voices that helped define the orchestra’s sound across generations. “Dennis Rowland represents the living lineage of the Basie tradition,” says Count Basie Orchestra Director and Grammy-winning trumpet soloist Scotty Barnhart. “His story reflects the values that have sustained this music for generations.” A portion of proceeds from the book supports music scholarships.

Rowland’s motivation to write it came from a deeply personal place. Following a stroke, he felt the urgency of passing forward what Basie had given him. “Basie’s example taught me that a life in music is really about mentorship, discipline, and respect,” Rowland said. ‘Keeping the Beat’ is available now through Amazon and booksellers nationwide.

Multi-Platinum Country Hitmaker Nate Smith Teams Up With Honda for His Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour

Eric Alper
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Multi-Platinum Country Hitmaker Nate Smith Teams Up With Honda for His Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour

Nate Smith has barely been on the scene two years and he’s already stacking multi-platinum singles, selling out headlining tours, and landing major brand partnerships. The Long Live Country Rock and Roll Tour, Powered by Honda, kicked off March 26 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa with opener Brandon Wisham, and it’s rolling across the country through the spring. Special guests Josh Ross and Just Jayne join on select dates.

Honda’s involvement goes well beyond a logo on a banner. Smith, who regularly rides a Honda ATV on property near his Nashville home, personally designed a custom-wrapped Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon DCT EPS that’s on display at each tour stop, with fans entered to win it through a sweepstakes. “Designing a custom four-wheeler we get to give away to fans just takes it to another level,” Smith said. The partnership is built on genuine overlap, not a manufactured endorsement.

The numbers behind Smith are hard to argue with. Over 3.9 billion global career streams. Four consecutive number ones, including “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” after becoming the first artist in Country Aircheck/Mediabase history to launch with three straight multi-week chart-toppers. His self-titled debut went Gold, ‘California Gold’ followed with genre-blending collaborations featuring Avril Lavigne and Alesso, and the accolades, including ACM New Male Artist of the Year 2024, have kept coming. After this tour wraps, he’s direct support on Jason Aldean’s Full Throttle Tour 2026.

Universal Music Group Launches €500 Million Share Buyback Program on Euronext Amsterdam

Eric Alper
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Universal Music Group Launches €500 Million Share Buyback Program on Euronext Amsterdam

Universal Music Group has launched a €500 million share buyback program, purchasing its own shares on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange and several other European exchanges. The program, announced March 30 and now underway, covers a maximum of 50 million shares and is expected to wrap up no later than October 1, 2026. Trading decisions are handled independently through a single broker arrangement.

Repurchased shares will be used to meet obligations under UMG’s 2022 Global Equity Plan and potentially to reduce the company’s overall share capital. The program operates under EU Market Abuse Regulation guidelines and UMG will provide regular progress updates through press releases and its website.

Buyback programs of this scale typically signal a few things. A company deploying this kind of capital generally believes its shares are undervalued and wants to put that conviction on the record. It also returns value directly to remaining shareholders by reducing the total share count. For UMG, which has faced pressure around streaming revenue growth and the ongoing challenges of AI and digital rights, this move sends a clear message: the company’s leadership has confidence in its long-term position and the financial firepower to back it up.

Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Volume’ Marks 40 Years of the Most Visually Distinctive Duo in Pop History

Eric Alper
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Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Volume’ Marks 40 Years of the Most Visually Distinctive Duo in Pop History

Forty years since ‘Please’ arrived and redefined what a pop duo could sound and look like, Pet Shop Boys get the definitive visual retrospective they’ve always deserved. ‘Pet Shop Boys Volume,’ out April 7 from Thames and Hudson, is a 560-page document of everything Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have built across music, art, film, theater, design, and fashion. Over fifty million records sold. Three Brit Awards. Six Grammy nominations. Number ones including “West End Girls,” “It’s a Sin,” and “Always on My Mind.” The catalog alone is staggering, but this book is about the full picture.

Authors Chris Heath and Libby Sellers move through the duo’s entire visual output year by year, covering sleeve artwork, video stills, stage sets, costume designs, photoshoots, and collaborations with luminaries including Es Devlin, Zaha Hadid, Derek Jarman, and Wolfgang Tillmans. Philip Hoare’s original introduction is joined by new contributions from Sellers on Pet Shop Boys’ place in design history, and a foreword from Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller on the enduring power of their image. The jacket itself is designed by longtime collaborator Mark Farrow.

‘Pet Shop Boys Volume’ is a visual feast and an authoritative record of four decades of creative innovation from the most distinctive duo in pop history.

Herbie Hancock Institute Takes Its Prestigious Jazz Vocals Competition to Paris for the First Time

Eric Alper
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Herbie Hancock Institute Takes Its Prestigious Jazz Vocals Competition to Paris for the First Time

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is taking its International Jazz Competition to Paris for the first time in its nearly four-decade history, and the 2026 edition has a focused, powerful theme: jazz vocals. In partnership with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the competition will bring together exceptional young vocalists from around the world, all 30 and under, competing for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes. First place takes home $50,000.

The competition weekend lands October 10-11 at the Fondation’s Frank Gehry-designed Auditorium. Semifinals run Saturday, October 10, with the Finals and an All-Star Gala Concert closing things out Sunday evening. Acclaimed vocalist and Institute Trustee Dee Dee Bridgewater leads the jury. The whole event streams globally on Medici.tv, FLV Play, and YouTube.

The Institute’s track record speaks for itself. Past vocal competition winners include Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jazzmeia Horn, Gretchen Parlato, Jane Monheit, and Veronica Swift, artists who now shape the international jazz conversation at the highest level. “The human voice is the very first instrument,” Herbie Hancock said. “A great vocalist brings language and music together in a way that feels deeply human.”

Applications are open now at hancockinstitute.org/competition, with a submission deadline of July 15, 2026.

Bandsintown Potencia Los Listados De Conciertos En Apple Music Con El Lanzamiento De iOS 26.4

Eric Alper
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Bandsintown Potencia Los Listados De Conciertos En Apple Music Con El Lanzamiento De iOS 26.4

Bandsintown, la plataforma líder mundial de descubrimiento de música en vivo y eventos, anunció una nueva integración con Apple Music que lleva los listados de conciertos de Bandsintown directamente a la plataforma de streaming. Con el lanzamiento de iOS 26.4, las fechas de la gira aparecerán automáticamente en las páginas de artistas de Apple Music, en la pestaña de Inicio y en una nueva pestaña de Conciertos dentro de la Búsqueda, lo que amplía la forma en que los fanáticos descubren la música en vivo mientras la escuchan.

Este lanzamiento marca una expansión significativa del descubrimiento de conciertos en Apple Music. Los artistas que publican eventos a través de Bandsintown for Artists y conectan su perfil de Apple Music ahora pueden hacer que sus espectáculos aparezcan automáticamente en la plataforma. Los lugares, festivales y promotores suscritos a Bandsintown Pro también se benefician de que sus eventos aparezcan sin interrupciones en Apple Music. 

Cómo funciona
Los artistas pueden conectar la URL de su página de artista de Apple Music dentro del panel de control de Bandsintown for Artists. Una vez conectados, los eventos se sincronizan globalmente con Apple Music en un plazo de 24 a 48 horas y aparecen en dos nuevas ubicaciones:

  • Páginas de artistas: se muestra una sección de “Próximos conciertos” cuando los artistas están de gira
  • Pestaña de conciertos: es una nueva sección dentro de la Búsqueda donde los fanáticos pueden buscar espectáculos por ubicación, género y fecha

Los fanáticos pueden acceder a los anuncios para ver los detalles del evento, incluida la información del lugar, las listas establecidas y los enlaces directos a los boletos. Apple Music también notificará a los usuarios cuando los artistas a los que siguen tengan próximos espectáculos cerca con notificaciones automáticas. 

La integración se basa en el rol existente de Bandsintown que impulsa los datos de eventos en vivo en todo el ecosistema de Apple, como Shazam, Apple Maps, Spotlight Search, Apple Photos y Apple Music Set Lists. Con la incorporación del entorno de transmisión de Apple Music, los artistas ahora pueden llegar a los fanáticos con información de conciertos en el momento en que están escuchando activamente.

“Bandsintown ha impulsado los listados de conciertos en todo el ecosistema de Apple durante años, desde Shazam y Apple Maps hasta Spotlight Search y Photos”, señaló Fabrice Sergent, cofundador y socio gerente de Bandsintown. “La expansión a Apple Music brinda a todos los artistas a nivel mundial una línea directa a los fanáticos apasionados, haciendo que sus espectáculos salgan a la luz justo cuando los oyentes están más inspirados para verlos en vivo”.

Los listados de conciertos están disponibles en dispositivos con iOS 26.4, actualmente en versión beta pública y para desarrolladores, y pronto se hará un lanzamiento más amplio. 

Acerca de Bandsintown:
Bandsintown es la plataforma para descubrir eventos en vivo líder en el mundo y conecta a más de 100 millones de fans registrados con conciertos de más de 700.000 artistas y 65.000 lugares que publican 2,3 millones de eventos al año. Gracias a sus alianzas estratégicas con YouTube, Google, Spotify, Apple, Shazam y Microsoft Bing, Bandsintown distribuye estos eventos sin problemas a miles de millones de fans adicionales mediante sus plataformas favoritas.

Bandsintown Concerts, la galardonada aplicación y sitio web para fans, ofrece el catálogo de música en vivo más completo del mundo, y utiliza IA para generar más de 400 millones de recomendaciones personalizadas de conciertos al mes basadas en los hábitos y preferencias musicales de los fans.

Bandsintown for Artists proporciona a 700.000 músicos de todos los tamaños herramientas para publicar eventos, anunciar giras, gestionar preventas y ventas, y promocionar conciertos en sus propiedades digitales mediante nuestros widgets y API.

Bandsintown Pro ofrece soluciones automatizadas de marketing y distribución de eventos a más de 65.000 lugares, festivales y promotores, lo que los ayuda a aumentar la visibilidad de los eventos en todas las plataformas digitales, a la vez que ahorran tiempo y venden más entradas.

Canned Heat, Cyril Neville, and Long Beach Dub Allstars Headline Topanga Days This Memorial Day Weekend

Eric Alper
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Canned Heat, Cyril Neville, and Long Beach Dub Allstars Headline Topanga Days This Memorial Day Weekend

 Topanga Days returns this Memorial Day weekend, 5/23-5/25, with three days of music, food, and community. Headlining the event will be longtime blues rockers, Canned Heat, New Orleans funk/soul/jazz legend and Grammy winner, Cyril Neville, and longtime So-Cal favorites, Long Beach Dub Allstars.

The Topanga Days festival will also feature several other acclaimed musical acts including Golden Dawn Arkestra, Will Worden, Ny Oh, Omar Velasco, and Wall of Sound (Grateful Dead Tribute).

“This year’s Topanga Days lineup is a true journey into musical exploration,” says James Webber, booking agent and board member. “Bringing Canned Heat back to where it all began will be extra special, and there’s no doubt Cyril Neville and the Long Beach Dub Allstars will get the crowd vibing. Add that to great food, beer and wine, and kid-friendly activities, and you have yet another epic Topanga Days weekend.”

Founded in 1973, the Topanga Days Country Fair began as a grassroots fundraiser to support the Topanga Community Center, and has since blossomed into a popular annual event for music and art lovers everywhere.

“Topanga Days has always attracted a community of diverse individuals looking to celebrate the natural beauty and communal positivity of Topanga Canyon,” says Nonie Shore, VP of Events. “This is a time where guests can let loose, enjoy good music, and explore the magical side of Topanga in a truly idyllic setting.”

Topanga Days also features unique wares from local artists and craftsmen, as well as extensive family-friendly activities including an eclectic Memorial Day Parade, kids’ Fun Zone, face painting, games, and the annual pie eating contest.

“Memorial Day weekend can’t come soon enough,” says Sophie Zeiler, VP of Fundraising. “Topanga Days brings out the best in our community, and we’re always honored to inspire all our attendees each year.”

For more information + tickets, visit topangadays.com
Listen now on Spotify.

About Topanga Days

Topanga Days takes place 5/23 – 5/25 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on the grounds of the Topanga Community Center at 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, CA 90290. 

Single Day Online Pass
Adults: $31.80 for TCC members / $63.60 for non-members
Kids (ages 6-12): $16 for TCC members/ $31.80 for non-members
Ages 5 & Under: Free
Active Military with ID: Free on 5/25 

3-Day Online Pass
Adults: $74.20 for TCC members / $148.40 – non-members
Kids (ages 6-12): $37.10 for TCC members / $74.20 non-members
5 & Under: Free

FunZone Online Price
$21.20

Prices increase at the door. Purchase discounted tickets online in advance.

Parking is available on the street with free shuttle service. Limited handicap parking is provided on the Community Center grounds. Only service dogs with vests and appropriate + current papers allowed.

Jesse Malin Delivers a Raw New York Memoir Like No Other

Eric Alper
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Jesse Malin Delivers a Raw New York Memoir Like No Other

Queens native and street-level rock troubadour Jesse Malin has a story that demands to be told in full. ‘Almost Grown: A New York Memoir,’ co-written with Debra Devi and out April 7 from Akashic Books, traces Malin’s life from a scrappy kid in a broken home to CBGB at thirteen, Madison Square Garden in his twenties, and collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Lucinda Williams. It reads less like a rock memoir and more like ‘The Basketball Diaries’ with a guitar slung over its shoulder.

The book doesn’t sidestep the hard parts. In 2023, Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that paralyzed him from the waist down. His recovery, including stem-cell therapy in Buenos Aires, became a widely covered story picked up by Rolling Stone, the New York Times, CNN, and beyond. The outpouring of support produced ‘Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin,’ a tribute record featuring twenty-eight artists. By December 2024, he was back on stage for two sold-out nights at New York’s Beacon Theatre. That’s the kind of resilience this book is built around.

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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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