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Bad Bunny is Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2022

Eric Alper
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Bad Bunny is Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2022

Global recording artist Bad Bunny was announced today as Apple Music’s Artist of the Year, in acknowledgement of the musician’s artistic excellence and influence on global culture in 2022. So many of music’s biggest stars released amazing music in 2022 —  one truly owned the year. Released this past May, Un Verano Sin Ti, the artist’s sixth project in four years, is Apple Music’s most streamed album of 2022 and now the biggest Latin album of all time. And beyond the eye-popping numbers, Bad Bunny has truly ushered in a seismic shift in global pop over the past few years.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Bad Bunny, whose influence on every corner of culture could not be ignored in 2022,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “Watching Bad Bunny ascend from an Apple Music Up Next artist in 2018 to our Artist of the Year this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. We congratulate him on his record-breaking year and for continuing to bring Latin music to a massive global audience.”

“When I started, I didn’t have a global fan base,” Bad Bunny tells Apple Music in an exclusive film, out today, that gets up close and personal with the 2022 Artist of the Year. “I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and everything I’ve experienced. The Latin music movement has grown so much. I would never take full credit or say, ‘It’s because of me.’ No, it’s every one of us. A whole generation. Our energy and presence is always felt.” Upon being presented with the Apple Music Award, he adds: “Thank you to Apple Music and to all the people who listen to my music every day. I’m super happy!”

Explore Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise, the music he helped revolutionize, and the historic 2022 that made him Apple’s Artist of the Year here.

Today, Bad Bunny takes over the La Fórmula playlist and handpicks his favorite tracks from Myke Towers, Rauw Alejandro, Mora, Jhayco, and others across Apple Music. And on Apple Music 1, it’s all Bad Bunny, all day. Listeners can tune in to an array of radio content celebrating Bad Bunny — including new specials, archived programming, early career interviews, and playlists that showcase the many different sides of the artist and his historic year. Tune in at apple.co/am-1.

A Look Back at Some of Bad Bunny’s Biggest Moments on Apple Music

  • Bad Bunny is the biggest Latin artist of all time by streams worldwide on Apple Music.
  • Upon its release on May 6, 2022’s Un Verano Sin Ti became the biggest Latin album of all time on Apple Music, holding the record for first-day streams worldwide.
  • Bad Bunny’s “Moscow Mule” holds the record for the biggest Latin song of all time by first-day streams worldwide.
  • Bad Bunny has logged 22 songs on the Daily Top 100: Global, breaking the record for most simultaneous entries by a single Latin artist.
  • Bad Bunny’s songs have reached No. 1 on the Daily Top 100 in 34 countries worldwide — more than any other Latin artist. He’s hit the top 10 of the chart in 77 countries.
  • 44 of Bad Bunny’s songs have reached the Daily Top 100 in countries across the globe, and three of his songs have hit No. 1 on the Global chart — more than any other Latin artist.
  • Bad Bunny holds the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 Latin albums by first-day streams.
  • In February 2018, Bad Bunny became Apple Music’s first Latin Up Next artist for the platform’s rising artist program.
  • He also served as the debut host for Trap Kingz, the first Spanish-language global radio show on Beats 1 radio, and hosted the show’s first six episodes in 2017.

“Folsom Prison Blues” : The Story Behind The Johnny Cash Song

Eric Alper
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“Folsom Prison Blues” : The Story Behind The Johnny Cash Song

By Julia Menard

My band is performing Folsom Prison Blues soon and my experience is that learning the historical or narrative feel for a song can strengthen the depth of connection to it.

So I dived in…

Come with me!

Folsom Prison Blues was written about a real prison in California and about Johnny’s experiences in prison.

Or was it?

Johnny Cash never really did spend time in jail.

He did spend one night in jail – seven times – almost always for drunk and disorderly conduct. Once it was for trespassing late at night onto private property to pick flowers! A musician through and through.

What did happen was in 1953, Cash saw the crime film Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. It was shot inside the real Folsom Prison, close to Sacramento, and depicted many of the brutalities of prison life, if in fictional form.

That piece of film art did work its magic on Cash and resulted in him writing Folsom Prison Blues as his response.

Story goes Cash was serving in the US Air Force in 1953, stationed in Germany and scheduled to catch a plane out of Memphis. He saw the movie and immediately after boarded the plane. While on the plane and refusing his meal (how do people know this) – he put pen to paper and got it written.

Folsom Prison Blues wasn’t only a song, it became a defining part of Cash’s life.

Not only did he open most of his shows with that song, that original inspiration grew into him becoming a big advocate of prison reform. He’d go on to perform in multiple prisons over the years, for free. He recorded live albums at several prisons in front of the prisoners. He was in letter correspondence with prisoners.

He even performed a song that one of the Folsom Prison inmates penned, called Greystone Chapel. He wanted that song recorded for the live 1968 album. He’d learned that one of the inmates, Glen Sherley, had written a song about Folsom’s Greystone Chapel. Cash learned the song the night before and performed it the next day. There’s more to that story that tells more of the magic of the man, but will leave that aside there!

Cash encouraged compassion and rehabilitation for prisoners, including eventually going on to testify in front of a US Senate subcommittee on national penitentiary reform.

At that time, Cash was also invited to a personal audience with Richard Nixon. He talked prison reform and when Nixon asked him to perform a few songs, Cash chose songs which were anti-war, advocating for indigenous rights, for the disenfranchised and the vulnerable. He chose:

  • What Is Truth?
  • Man In Black
  • The Ballad of Ira Hayes

So, Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues was the start of, and the clarion call for, his life’s mission as both a musician and a man.

And what made Folsom Prison Blues so popular?

Well, he originally brought the song to Sam Phillips at Sun Records and was able to record it there in 1955 as part of his debut studio album. That was near the start of his career.

But it was more than a decade later, when he convinced Columbia Records to let him record the album live at Folsom Prison in 1968, that the song and his own acclaim really took off.

His career had taken a dip and June Carter was still only his girlfriend. But he wanted to record Folsom Prison Blues live in the prison – and that’s what he did. The Live album hit number one on the Country Music charts and top 15 on the national charts.

Now, it is true that Cash did take the melody and some lyrics from the song Crescent City Blues written by Gordon Jenkins and sung by his wife Beverly Mahr. But it wasn’t a secret as Cash had told Sam Phillips of Sun Records that he had used Crescent City Blues as its base. Phillips apparently told Cash that because the original blues number hadn’t become a hit, there was no need to be concerned about a plagiarism lawsuit.

Years later, Jenkins did hear the song, when it came out the second time on the Folsom Prison Blues Live album in 1968 and he did pursue a plagiarism lawsuit. There was an out of court settlement Cash paid of $75,000 as an acknowledgement that Crescent City was indeed a key influence.

The original song was centered on love – Cash’s changes were significant, not only to the lyrics but the tempo and adding guitar licks.

One example of the lyrics is the infamous verse in Folsom Prison Blues, when Johnny laments that he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.

Well, no, that was not in the Crescent City version and no, Johnny Cash never did shoot no one…

He said he thought of what could be the worst thing he could think of doing and that line came to him. Some prisoners didn’t known that and of course that endeared him even further.

Interestingly, the opening line of the song is identical in both Folsom Prison Blues and in Crescent City Blues:

“I hear the train a comin’ it’s rolling ‘round the bend…”

Crescent City veers off to a torch song though:

“And I ain’t been kissed Lord, since I don’t know when.”

Although the opening lines are identical, inspiration would have it that there was great significance to the train in the context of the prison.

A lot of significance.

Free labour was used to build that railroad using those very prisoners. Those prisoners were also used as free labour to build the nearby canal and dam.

This song is a cry for justice.

And that railroad is a symbol of injustice, as it has been for other disenfranchised and oppressed groups. So what better way to start that song than by talking about hearing a train.

Plus it situates the listener right in the prison. So much empathy built for the listener – right in that first sentence:

“I hear that train a comin’ it’s rolling round the bend.

And I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when.“

Why?

“I’m stuck in Folsom prison and time keeps draggin’ on“

Thank you Johnny. Thank you.

References
https://folsomcasharttrail.com/the-trail/blog/the-real-story-behind-johnny-cash-folsom-prison-blues

https://www.tpr.org/show/texas-matters/2017-10-13/johnny-cash-and-the-story-behind-folsom-prison-blues

https://pen.org/i-hear-the-train-comin/

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/johnny-cash-richard-nixon-man-in-black-1972/

Happie Pens Op-Ed For Spin On Her Jewish Heritage, Antisemitism In The Music Industry

Eric Alper
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Happie Pens Op-Ed For Spin On Her Jewish Heritage, Antisemitism In The Music Industry

Today, in a moving op-ed for SPIN Magazine, the indie-pop artist HAPPIE, who doubles as the cantorial soloist for one of the largest congregations of Reform Judaism in the U.S., reflected on her Jewish heritage, her experience performing at Auschwitz-Birkenau in the past, and the recent wave of antisemitism that has riddled the country and music industry. “While I might not be on a physical platform like I was at Auschwitz, I have the responsibility to say that this is not ok. It’s not normal,” she writes. “I am grateful for the support of my non-Jewish friends and leaders who have spoken out and have stood up for a loving humanity. It’s on each of us to continue to call it out and continue to build a community where hate is not only not accepted, but is rooted out.”

The op-ed comes just before the release of HAPPIE’s debut EP ‘Heartbreak Season’ on Friday, November 18th. Mixing warmly organic instrumentation with sleek electro-ambience, storyteller narratives, sultry grooves, and seductive sentimentality, the album has received critical acclaim over the past few months, with SPIN calling it “a stunning debut,” Under The Radar Magazine describing it as “sleek and seductive,” and The Big Takeover writing: “HAPPIE is a revelation.” Last month HAPPIE stunned audiences on the main stage of the Austin City Limits Festival, just after leading Yom Kippur services at Temple Israel in Memphis.

HAPPIE recently shared “Heartbreak Season,” the title track of her new EP. Written in the middle of a New York winter, Happie describes the song as a “soulful and sultry expression of a moment in time.” The release followed the EP’s first single “All I Needed,” a sultry and honest offering that exudes a sensual longing, featuring a mix by David Block of The Human Experience, whom HAPPIE met while performing in Antarctica.

HAPPIE’s fans have long said that her voice helps them access their emotions. For that calling, she’s traveled the globe delivering soulful catharsis in song as a full-time musician. Today, HAPPIE’s musical mission is a personal one. ‘Heartbreak Season’ is an emotive 5-song collection that marks a radical reinvention, born from the end of romantic and professional relationships and an artistic rebirth.

“These are the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever released, and I definitely shed tears writing them,” HAPPIE reveals. “’Heartbreak Season’ is about what we have to go through to find real love. It doesn’t have to represent sadness, but rather bravery, empowerment, growth, truth, excitement, and knowing that anything is possible – that the love I’m seeking is seeking me.”

Conceptually, ‘Heartbreak Season’ is a snapshot of dating, relationships, and the quest for deep romantic connections. The EP was written with HAPPIE’S dear friend, the pop-rock artist iRO Music, aka Ori Rakib—a talented songwriter who has worked with Macklemore, Shane McAnally, and won NBC’s Songland songwriting television competition. It also features the soul/electronic/folk production and multi-instrumentalist skills of Gene Evaro Jr.

Previously, HAPPIE toured the world as one half of indie folk duo Eric & Happie, with Eric Hunker. The duo specialized in modern indie-folk versions of traditional Jewish music and new originals, and took their vibrant musicality around the world, including powerful performances in Poland, Russia, and Moldova, at festivals like SXSW and the Sundance Film Festival Israel, and for the UN.

Chiiild Announces New Album “Better Luck In The Next Life”

Eric Alper
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Chiiild Announces New Album “Better Luck In The Next Life”

Multi-talented and genre-bending artist Chiiild has revealed a trailer for his forthcoming album Better Luck In The Next Life, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Quickly following up on this trailer, today Chiiild releases his new single “Bon Voyage” with an accompanying music video directed by Trey Lyons.

“Bon Voyage” offers a first glimpse into Better Luck In The Next Life, an in-depth exploration of creative freedom, personal equilibrium, and a return home. The track’s stripped-down instrumental and deep-rooted reverb places Chiiild’s rich vocals and introspective lyrics in the spotlight, taking listeners on a journey through his world. The single is accompanied by a video shot in Chiiild’s hometown of Montréal, Canada that sees him traversing through dark and disorienting surroundings that seem almost larger than life.

About “Bon Voyage,” Chiiild says “’Bon Voyage’ marks the beginning of this new chapter. My aim with Better Luck In The Next Life is to give you a look inside my mind. Into the doubts & fears, ambitions and a few connections along the way. It was a form of healing putting these real situations into songs. When everybody is out here on the same thing, we’re just out here levitating.”

Better Luck In The Next Life will be the follow up project to Chiiild’s 2021 debut album Hope for Sale, which upon release was met with critical acclaim from NPR, Complex, NYLON, and more and has amassed over 58 million streams to date. The album was nominated for Alternative Album of the Year at the 2022 JUNO Awards, and Chiiild was also named one of VEVO’s 2022 DSCVR Artists to Watch. Chiiild delivered a soulful medley of two of his most well-known songs from this album, “Pirouette” and “Sleepwalking” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – watch the performance HERE. Prior to Hope for Sale, Chiiild released his debut EP Synthetic Soul in early 2020.

Earlier this year, Chiiild embarked on Leon Bridges’ “The Boundless Tour” for select dates. Previously, Chiiild sold out his debut headline tour in the US, The Apocalyptic Optimistic Tour, which featured festival performances at Lollapalooza, Life Is Beautiful, and Governor’s Ball.

From Montréal, Canada, Chiiild has spent years honing a unique blend of pop, R&B, soul and jazz behind closed doors. Chiiild uses music to tell stories about diversity, ask questions about humanity, and unify people over shared personal experiences. Taking influence from music as diverse as D’Angelo, Tame Impala, Pink Floyd and Marvin Gaye, he’s created an expansive timeless sound that is uniquely genre-bending yet still somehow reminiscent of something you’ve heard, or felt, before.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Applauds Ontario Government for Mandating Holocaust Education in Elementary Schools

Eric Alper
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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Applauds Ontario Government for Mandating Holocaust Education in Elementary Schools

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) commends the Government of Ontario for making Holocaust education mandatory in elementary schools for the first time.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce made the announcement this morning during a news conference at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto, where he unveiled a series of actions the government is taking to combat rising antisemitism in schools across the province.

The Ontario government will be revising the Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum to include mandatory learning about the Holocaust. Currently, students are only required to undergo Holocaust education in Grade 10.

The revised curriculum will be implemented in the new school year starting in September 2023.

The Ontario government has also outlined community resources it is investing in to further help students learn about antisemitism and how to address it, including FSWC’s Antisemitism Classroom Toolkit (ACT). ACT is a resource guide that provides parents and educators the content and learning strategies necessary to guide young learners through a curriculum-compatible introduction to the often complex and difficult topic of antisemitism.

“Recent studies amongst Canadian youth have revealed an overwhelming lack of knowledge about the history of the Holocaust, the ultimate example of what happens when hate is left unchecked,” said Michael Levitt, FSWC President and CEO. “We commend the Ontario Ministry of Education for taking this monumental step in ensuring that the lessons from the Holocaust and the legacy of survivors are never forgotten.”

FSWC will continue to bring additional Holocaust, antisemitism and human rights education to students and professionals across Canada, including with its Tour for Humanity mobile education centres. Every year, FSWC educates tens of thousands of Canadians through both in-person and virtual programs, inspiring them to stand up against antisemitism and all forms of hate.

Steve Mason announces new album ‘Brothers & Sisters’

Eric Alper
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Steve Mason announces new album ‘Brothers & Sisters’

Steve Mason has announced details of the release of his fifth solo album, Brothers & Sisters, which is released on Double Six on Friday 3rd March 2023.

The first track to be taken from the album is “No More” ft Javed Bashir and today Steve has shared a James Hankins directed video for the track. A visually stunning video featuring Steve and Javed it was filmed across the South of England and Lahore in Pakistan.

Talking about “No More” Steve said: “This track is about Imperialism and in a subtle way, relative to some of my other work, references Australia, Partition and Africa through a combination of lyrics and music. I like to imagine the spirits of these cultures and people haunting the families who profited and were involved in their destruction down through the generations. Never giving them real peace. I can never square in my mind the idea of going to a new country with such horror in mind and struggle to believe that those who carry out such deeds are in fact Human. Sitting in incredible splendour with everything around you, dripping in the blood of incredible and ancient civilisations. This subject has been gone over in depth by many highly intelligent people over the years and is of course nothing new but given the message behind this ‘FUCK BREXIT PRO IMMIGRATION’ album I felt a little history and context was needed.”

His most open, honest and vibrant solo record to date, it marries the personal and the political but does so in an emotive and uplifting manner. Written against a backdrop of fear and uncertainty, and at a time when those in charge lurched from one disaster to the next mismanagement with increasing regularity, Brothers & Sisters is in fact an incredibly joyous, even spiritual, listen.

With musical contributions from feted Pakistani singer Javed Bashir, British gospel singers Jayando Cole, Keshia Smith, Connie McCall & Adrian Blake and Kaviraj Singh on the santoor it’s a record about bringing people together through art, music and culture.

“To me, this record is a massive ‘Fuck you’ to Brexit,” explains Mason. “And a giant ‘Fuck you’ to anyone that is terrified of immigration because there is nothing that immigration has brought to this country that isn’t to be applauded. Can you imagine what this place would be like without that [immigration]? I mean what would it be like? Cornish pasties and morris dancing?.”

Finally, Steve Mason has announced a run of full-band U.K. dates next year. These follow his December ‘No More’ tour where he will be performing solo accompanied by keyboardist Darren Morris road-testing songs from the new album.

Upcoming dates:
30.11.22 – The Boileroom – GUILDFORD
01.12.22 – The Forum – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
02.12.22 – Heartbreakers – SOUTHAMPTON
03.12.22 – Firebug – LEICESTER
07.12.22 – Esquires – BEDFORD
08.12.22 – Ramsgate Music Hall – RAMSGATE
09.12.22 – Moles – BATH
10.12.22 – Castle & Falcon – BIRMINGHAM
14.12.22 – The Caves – EDINBURGH
15.12.22 – The Crescent – YORK
16.12.22 – Social – HULL
17.12.22 – The Trades Club – HEBDEN BRIDGE
20.04.23 – Academy 3 – MANCHESTER
21.04.23 – Future Yard – BIRKENHEAD
22.04.23 – Academy 2 – OXFORD
27.04.23 – Brudenell Social Club – LEEDS
28.04.23 – Pop Recs Ltd – SUNDERLAND
29.04.23 – King Tuts – GLASGOW
04.05.23 – Electric Ballroom – LONDON
05.05.23 – Thekla – BRISTOL
06.05.23 – Concorde 2 – BRIGHTON

“Team Coco Radio,” a New Comedy Channel Executive Produced by Conan O’Brien, to Launch Exclusively on SiriusXM

Eric Alper
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“Team Coco Radio,” a New Comedy Channel Executive Produced by Conan O’Brien, to Launch Exclusively on SiriusXM

Today SiriusXM announced the launch of a new original comedy channel, Team Coco Radio. Executive produced by Conan O’Brien, the channel will feature exclusive audio content as well as select Team Coco podcasts, including the tremendously popular Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Team Coco Radio will debut on November 15 exclusively on SiriusXM channel 106.

Available 24/7, Team Coco Radio will be the home to Conan’s unique combination of smart and silly comedy. All day long listeners will hear the biggest interviews and the funniest stand-up moments from Conan’s iconic TBS show, as well as select Team Coco podcasts, including Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, plus Inside Conan and Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan. Fresh commentary from Conan will also be weaved throughout the programming, as he recalls funny behind-the-scenes stories and other entertaining and insightful anecdotes.

“Finally, a use of satellite technology that in no way benefits mankind,” said Conan O’Brien.

Team Coco Radio is also expected to roll out original programs, as well as events hosted by Conan, including musical performances.

In May SiriusXM announced that it had acquired Team Coco. As part of the transaction, Conan entered into a five-year talent agreement with SiriusXM under which he will remain host of his namesake podcast, which continues to be available widely and is produced by Team Coco staff.

Team Coco Radio (channel 106) is available to subscribers nationwide in their car and on the SXM App. The SXM App is available to subscribers on mobile devices and a wide variety of connected platforms in the home including smart speakers, smart TVs and streaming media players. Streaming access is included with all of SiriusXM’s audio trials and most popular plans.

Built on the spirit of Conan O’Brien’s brand of smart and silly comedy, Emmy® winning Team Coco, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is a fan-centric digital media and podcast network driven by O’Brien and a carefully curated network of top talent. Since launching more than a decade ago, Team Coco’s digital and branded content has garnered more than 1 billion annual video views across YouTube and Facebook while reaching 17 million fans across social media. Team Coco Podcasts currently produces a robust slate of award-winning shows such as Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Literally with Rob Lowe, Significant Others with Liza Powel O’Brien, Why Won’t You Date Me with Nicole Byer, Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley, and many more.

Rapper Deuce Fantastick Teases New Album With Powerfully Empowering New Single “4L1v3”

Eric Alper
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Rapper Deuce Fantastick Teases New Album With Powerfully Empowering New Single “4L1v3”

Driven by slick cadence and gut-wrenching storytelling, Edmonton’s Deuce Fantastick’s newest single “4L1v3” delivers deep rhythms and colorful portrayals of perseverance.

Actively fighting against the negativity in the world, Deuce throws lyrical jabs of gratitude and positivity aimed directly for the listener. Hoping to inspire greatness in his fans, “4L1v3” preaches the importance of overcoming personal demons while rising above self-doubt.

“I wrote ‘4L1v3’ because I feel like the world has been filled with a lot of negativity in the last couple of years. I wanted to create a piece that could raise the vibration by speaking about gratitude, love, and positivity while at the same time talking about my own personal journey of inner growth.”

Teasing the release of his newest album, Billion Dollar Dreams Vol. 2, The Future, “4L1v3” sets the pace for this ambitious rapper. “4L1v3” feels deeply personal to Deuce Fantastick as he spits personal mantra’s and up-lifting verses. Deuce reflects on this sentiment directly, “ ‘4L1v3’ speaks on a lot of essential subjects such as overcoming your demons, rising above lower vibrations, and self-doubt. When people hear this song, I want them to close their eyes, listen to the lyrics, and feel as if it is them speaking my words – a mantra of sorts.”

While the messaging in Deuce Fantastick’s newest single is inspirational and empowering, the production value really sells “4L1v3.” Brimming with swagger, Deuce Fantastick delivers hard-hitting bass licks and diesel-powered drum cadence that leans the track towards something reminiscent of early 2000’s East Coast rap.

Deuce Fantastick’s songwriting and performing has sent ripples through the music industry. Climbing the ranks in order to stand above those competing for a share in an oversaturated market, Deuce’s intricate flow patterns, lyrical abilities, smooth storytelling, and ingenious fusion of rock, reggae, and rap music help this breakout artist rise above the competition.

Deuce Fantastick’s music career started in 2004 where he performed with Edmonton’s hip hop group Peep Game. From there, he would branch off into his solo career with the release of his debut album, M.O.T.H (Memoirs of the Hustler), released in 2017. In 2018 he competed in the Vancouver edition of “Coast to Coast” where he won first place and was given the chance to perform in Miami, Florida.

From there it was only up for Deuce Fantastick. He collaborated with artist and producer Mac Millon on a reggae/rap EP only to follow the breakthrough release with another tantalizing single, “Audio Cardio.” The artist has consistently released music since then, Billion Dollar Dreams vol.1, The Present being his most popular, garnering more than half a million streams worldwide.

Finding his talents to feel slightly restrained, 2021 was a vessel for change for Deuce. Shifting gears to focus on T.V. and Film production, he teamed up with Adam Little and created two albums that received praise and sync licensing from Gramoscope Inc, seeing at least five placements on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Throughout Deuce’s career, he has had the opportunity to do hundreds of shows with prolific artists and musicians such as the Outlawz, Snoop Dog, BONE THUGS N Harmony, Method Man, Red Man, Big Boi of Outkast, The L.o.x, Fabulous, Pusha-T, and countless others.

SONIC DETOUR Thunders Through The Earth In “Uncivilized”

Eric Alper
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SONIC DETOUR Thunders Through The Earth In “Uncivilized”

Award-winning New Brunswick-based Alt-Metal band Sonic Detour sonically split the earth with a visceral track about getting pushed to the edge and never looking back on the blistering new single “Uncivilized.”

Sonic Detour delivers a spellbinding performance on “Uncivilized,” a song that pushed the band to the limit during the recording process and is a testament to the group’s resilience. The latest single comes hot on the heels of Sonic Detour’s last hit release, “Dolls,” which debuted earlier this year.

“Uncivilized” is a no holds barred shot to the ear that brings the thunder right out the gate. Booming drums and rip-roaring guitar riffs set the tone for things to come. Sonic Detour demonstrates why they’re the band to watch out for with impressively intricate musical composition driven by precision execution. “Uncivilized” strikes the rare balance of offering a musically impressive showcase and a compelling song.

Just as the recording process was about to begin for “Uncivilized,” the band’s primary singer/songwriter, David ‘Goose’ Jenkly, was having a change of heart. “The lyrics and vocal melody were completely over-hauled the night before recording,” says Jenkly.

Despite the band’s chaotic recording circumstances, Jenkly opted to reach deep within himself for lyrical inspiration. “I don’t like to talk about the meaning behind lyrics, but needless to say, I was going through some things at the time, and it came out.”

Each line is a gut punch that draws on the feeling of being slowly pushed toward the edge of sanity as the world continues to descend into uncertainty.

“I’ve drifted over the line
Cut out my tongue and become Uncivilized
You should come around and see me, man, I’m easy to find
Where reality thrives
And the animals die.”

The recording process became controlled chaos from the moment Sonic Detour got into the studio. “Approximately 10 minutes into the session, we get a knock on the studio door and in comes an older gentleman. He said he has an office next door and it’s too loud during business hours. So we shut down the session and agreed to come back the next day,” says Sonic Detour drummer Jeff Andrusyk. “I arrive at the studio the next day. I don’t think I was even 5 minutes into recording when my pedal punched a hole into the kick drum. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong.”

The adaptability of Sonic Detour has become one of its signature strengths. A five-piece band from Saint John, New Brunswick, the band was founded in 2019 and immediately began making waves with their debut, self-titled EP, which went on to be nominated for an ECMA in 2021.

The band is comprised of David “Goose” Jenkly on vocals, Jason Crowley on bass/vocals, Marcus Marcial slays the guitar/vocals, Nikki Cook also shreds guitar/vocals, and Jeff Andrusyk on drums. Sonic detour has since been a two-time Prix MNB award nominee and is currently working on its first full-length album.

Sonic Detour’s electrifying new single, “Uncivilized,” is available now!

Toronto’s Union Hearing Aid Centre Celebrates 100 Years In Helping People Hear…Here

Eric Alper
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Toronto’s Union Hearing Aid Centre Celebrates 100 Years In Helping People Hear…Here

Over 21,000 satisfied patients and counting can attest to the integrity, compassion, and commitment to the community that has defined the Union Hearing Aid Centre (UHAC) for the past 100 years.

At the helm of such an extraordinarily vital operation are two exceptional human beings and owners of Union Hearing Aid Centre, Chris Kyroglou and Nick Veronico. While people know Chris and Nick to be accomplished Hearing Instrument Practitioners in their practice, many may not know about the peculiar lineage and extraordinary responsibility passed down to these champions of auditory health.

From their current location at 123 Edward Street in Toronto, it’s in these offices where Hear Here, their annual event started by Nick and Chris in 2000 was conceived. In the many years that the fun fest has been held, it has been a great success thus far with over $400,000 raised for the Peter and Margery Keller Fund. The Peter and Margery Keller Fund has been established at the Hospital for Sick Children to help provide hearing aids for hearing impaired children. The fund covers the patient cost of hearing aids that is not covered by the Assistive Devices Program. Eligible families for funding are those who demonstrate financial need and who are not covered by any insurance benefits or social assistance agency.

The focus of the event is to promote public awareness to rid people of the stereotypes and stigmas associated with hearing loss. They want to make people aware that hearing loss is not directly related to how old one is and that children wear hearing aids as well, while raising awareness of hearing loss in all aspects – work, play, concerts, and wearing headphones.

But let’s go back a moment. About 100 years’ worth of moments.

In the ashes of the First World War arose a man named Lou Saad, who founded one of the first hearing aid offices in downtown Toronto in 1922 called Acousticon of Toronto. The clinic would remain in Saad’s hands for approximately 30 years until Acousticon of Toronto was purchased by pediatric hearing aid specialist Peter Keller and his wife Margery Keller and officially changed to the Union Hearing Aid Centre.

After over 40 years in business and several pioneering practices and technologies, Peter Keller decided in 1994 to pass down his expertise to his two bright-eyed apprentices, Chris Kyroglou and Nick Veronico.

In Jaipreet Virdi’s 2020 book Hearing Happiness: Deafness Cures in History, she talks about being a patient of UHAC for over 25 years and the first time she encountered Nick and Chris. They were assistants on a primary school visit to check the hearing aids and ear molds of children conducted by Peter Keller, the local hearing aid dealer, who had arranged the program with schools. “We were told that Mr. Keller was approaching retirement and eventually his new employees would take over the practice,” says Virdi.

Armed with the wisdom of the ages and unrivalled technical expertise, Chris and Nick and the entire Union Hearing Aid Centre team continue to provide life-changing services and improve the quality of life for patients of all ages. Expertise is one of the main factors that make hearing aid practitioners so vital to the lives of their patients; the other is character. For many who discover or live with hearing impairment, seeking care can be a troublesome burden. Chris, Nick and the entire team go to extraordinary lengths to ensure the processes at Union Hearing Aid Centre are streamlined and empathetic to the needs of patients.

A review by Karine Valentini on the Union Hearing Aid Centre Facebook business page points out her outstanding experience, where she says, “Most importantly, they don’t treat you like a patient, they treat you like family; I honestly can’t imagine going through this ongoing learning curve without them.”

Another customer by Diane Elizabeth Trovao echoed the same sentiment when she wrote, “Best place for kids, my son started at six months, and now he is 10. Highly recommend this place!! I’ve dealt with Chris and Nick, and both are amazing individuals with very good knowledge and experience.”

It is undeniable that the success of the Union Hearing Aid Centre can be attributed to a century-long dedication to community care that has blossomed into an essential practice with over 15 staff members. With the amazing team continually steering the Union Hearing Aid Centre toward progress and inclusiveness for all and making life better for the kids and adults who walk through the door, there is little doubt that the Union Hearing Aid Centre will be providing care for another 100 years.

In a world of billion-dollar superhero franchises and leading figures saving the world on screen, REAL heroes like Chris Kyroglou, Nick Veronico and their amazing team continue to inspire REAL change in the world through their effortless grace and renowned professionalism.

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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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