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Kelly Clarkson Releases “Kellyoke EP”

Eric Alper
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Kelly Clarkson Releases “Kellyoke EP”

GRAMMY-winning global superstar Kelly Clarkson has released her blockbuster KELLYOKE EP – available now. Preceded by a mighty rendition of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” & including a standout cover of Whitney Houston’s “Queen Of The Night,” the 6-track collection features new studio recordings of some of Clarkson’s favorite covers performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, ranging from modern hits to timeless classics.

Since the premiere of The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019, Kellyoke has become an institution in its own right with over 500 songs covered to date and counting. The fan-favorite segment sees Clarkson and her band, Y’all, turn audience requests and personal favorites into stunning performances that captivate viewers and the internet alike. A longtime staple of Clarkson’s live show, the series was helmed by her long-time music director Jason Halbert, who along with vocal director Jessi Collins expertly tailor the performances for what has been deemed “one of the best things to happen to daytime television” by Vulture and “wildly popular” by Billboard.

Kelly Clarkson is among the most popular artists of this era with total worldwide sales of more than 25 million albums and 40 million singles. The Texas-born singer-songwriter first came to fame in 2002 as the winner of the inaugural season of American Idol. Clarkson’s debut single, “A Moment Like This,” followed and quickly went to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, ultimately ranking as the year’s best-selling single in the U.S. Further, Clarkson is one of pop’s top singles artists, with 19 singles boasting multi-platinum, platinum and gold certifications around the world, including such global favorites as “Miss Independent” and “Because of You.” Clarkson has released nine studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted, Stronger, Wrapped In Red, Piece By Piece, Meaning of Life, When Christmas Comes Around…), one greatest hits album, and two children’s books (New York Times Top 10 best seller River Rose and the Magical Lullaby and the follow up River Rose and the Magical Christmas). She is the recipient of an array of awards including three GRAMMY Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, two American Country Awards, one Country Music Association Award, and two Daytime Emmy Awards. She is also the first artist to top each of Billboard’s pop, adult contemporary, country and dance charts. Clarkson is currently filming season 3 of her own multi-Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, which has already been picked up for its 4th season.

KELLYOKE EP:
1. “Blue Bayou” (by Linda Ronstadt)
2. “Call Out My Name” (by The Weeknd)
3. “Happier Than Ever” (by Billie Eilish)
4. “Queen Of The Night” (by Whitney Houston)
5. “Trampoline” (by Shaed)
6. “Fake Plastic Trees” (by Radiohead)

Powerhouse R&B Singer, Songwriter & Actor Simone Miller Reveals Heart-Wrenching “Older” Single & Video

Eric Alper
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Powerhouse R&B Singer, Songwriter & Actor Simone Miller Reveals Heart-Wrenching “Older” Single & Video

Nothing hits harder and cuts deeper than midnight reflections on our life, wishing we could go back in time to warn ourselves of future heartache. It’s this encapsulating retelling so beautifully captured by Toronto R&B artist Simone Miller that makes her newest single, “Older” — available now — so breathtaking.

The song reveals a passionately vulnerable and spectacular reflection on the struggles of adolescence. Perched between the life changes and fast-paced decision-making that happens in high school and the reality of our decisions, “Older” feels like Miller’s plea for forgiveness to her younger self – a naïve and optimistic child with bright eyes and a green heart facing certainties that have hit in the blink of an eye when least expected.

“I began to write my emotions down as a therapeutic way to allow myself to accept the present moment, which led to the inspiration for ‘Older,’” Miller shares. “On my 15th birthday, I reflected on the year and the pressure to accomplish a lot. But, at the same time, I felt the weight of multiple lockdowns not allowing me to do what I needed to do – a standstill.”

Through this self-exploration, the now-16-year-old breakthrough artist turned her uncertainty and grief into a powerfully touching R&B masterpiece filled with heart-wrenching swells, heartstring-pulling lyrics, and a heart-warming message throughout.

With an expansive portfolio on the rise, Miller found a passion for music and the arts at a young age, performing and singing for whoever would listen. As she got older, she took every opportunity she could to act and sing, no matter the production. Her “right place, right time” mentality eventually led to her being cast for The Big Fun Crafty Show (Universal Kids) and Snapshots (CBC). This was only the beginning of a life in the spotlight for Simone Miller.

From there, her involvement in television grew as she took on more leading roles as Raign Westbrook in CBC Gem’s Digital Original mystery and adventure series, Detention Adventure, as well as Dorinda Clark in the Lifetime Movie The Clark Sisters — produced by the superbly talented Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige. She has also been featured in Workin’ Moms, Pinkalicious, Run The Burbs, and more.

Miller’s dive into television entertainment may have been fate, as it ultimately led to her pursuing her passion for music. Once the producers of Detention Adventure caught wind of her natural silky-smooth singing voice, they presented her with the opportunity to sing on “Lioness,” a track featured on the eighth episode of Season 2, and four original songs on Season 3, which was just released in March 2022.

Miller has also been commissioned to write music for several up-and-coming international artists, in addition to her own original music, including “Dry Eyes” and “Older.”

Despite her recent explosion in the entertainment spotlight, Simone Miller hasn’t forgotten the importance of giving back. She supports organizations that are close to her heart, including the Jamaican Canadian Association, and is a huge social justice advocate. She has also participated in the Community Day Painting Project where she volunteers to paint churches, homes, community centers, and more.

Marshall Potts Imparts a Heart-Over-Head Message In New Country-Rocker “Let It All Go”

Eric Alper
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Marshall Potts Imparts a Heart-Over-Head Message In New Country-Rocker “Let It All Go”

There’s a repeated lyric throughout Canadian country rocker Marshall Potts’ new single “Let It All Go” that reflects a heart-over-head life philosophy… That lyric is ‘climb aboard my heart’ and it’s fitting because Potts takes us on a journey of heart-centered discovery — both in terms of self and in terms of the human condition.

A multi-layered mix of violin, banjo, and acoustic and electric guitar, “Let It All Go” – off Potts’ brand-new album The Storm, both available now – is a heady mix of country jangle and big, full-bodied pop production. Full of uplifting crescendos and fist-pumping choruses, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to roll down the windows and let the breeze blow through your hair. And once you get out of the car, you might even feel a catharsis.

“It’s about following your heart and not your head,” Potts reveals. “It’s about not staying where you are not welcome, and moving forward in search of a place that is welcoming. It’s about making difficult choices and having faith that, even when you love someone, you know if they don’t love you back that’s ok.”

“Let It All Go” is also a song about healing, and honoring your soul, all while showing care to others. “It’s about helping others to listen to their own heart and together finding that place we can call home,” Potts adds.

Marshall Potts is a singer/songwriter from Kamloops, BC, where he lives on 160 acres near what many, including the Dalai Lama, call the center of the universe. His crossover writing style has found acceptance in the Americana, country rock, and rock formats. Potts not only writes inspiring music and lyrics, but he also mixes in ringing, interwoven guitar lines, and buoyant arena-rock beats. Potts strives for powerful yet tender vocals that share both the experience of saving himself, as well as a message of universal positivity and optimism. His music is about moving beyond your past, taking back your power, embracing the moment, and living in the here and now.

Coco Méliès Assure that “Remorse Will End” with Release of New Folk Single

Eric Alper
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Coco Méliès Assure that “Remorse Will End” with Release of New Folk Single

The sophisticated sonic craftsmanship of award-winning Montreal music ensemble Coco Méliès is on full display with their hypnotic new single, “Remorse Will End,” and stirring new album, Nothing Goes To Waste — both available now.

A harmonically exhilarating journey filled with emotional reveries and harsh truths, core themes of death and rebirth in all their manifestations embellish the introspective framework of the 12-song LP with mesmerizing grace. The listener is guided on a path of self-discovery while simultaneously transported by the collective’s signature spellbinding orchestral arraignments; “Only by deciding to go deep within, embracing all the awe and humility that comes with this path, are we able to feel truly.”

““Remorse Will End” is the story of this pathway towards benevolence,” Coco Méliès says, adding that the song is “an ode to resilience on a frame of folk rhythms that awakens the wind and softens the shoulders.”

The deeply rooted subject matter of “Remorse Will End” is effortlessly complemented by careful attention to tonal detail to paint an audible portrait of self-recovery and resilience. These musical efforts are brilliantly executed by a group with immense talent and skill. Sensational guitar work seamlessly weaves itself alongside rustic percussive rhythms to produce a genuine warmth that exudes from beginning to end; layered vocals elevate “Remorse Will End” to become an enchanting feast for the senses that is sure to tug on the heartstrings.

Coco Méliès is mainly comprised of two singer/songwriters who met one fateful night in Montreal during an open mic event; multi-disciplined artists Francesca Como and David Méliès have been creatively inseparable since their inception in 2010.

Rounding out the musical contributions that make “Remorse Will End” so powerful is Simon Bilodeau on drums and percussion; Charles Robert-Gaudette with additional bass, synth, and piano work; Julien Thibault on bass; Sara Jasmin and Julie Jasmin bring the strings; and horn player Bertrand Margelidon. This impressive roster of musicians is at the top of their game and more determined to create music that resonates across all boundaries.

Debuting their album The Walking Birds in 2011, Francesca Como and David Méliès have been gracing stages in North America and Europe from the beginning of their respective careers as artists. After finding some success on the road, their debut album “Lighthouse” was released in 2014 and subsequently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at GAMIQ 2015.

2017 saw the release of their second album, The Riddle, which led to the duo winning the award for “Vocal Group of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The latest album, Nothing Goes To Waste, was released on Big In The Garden simultaneously alongside other multi-disciplinary artists in a Montreal exhibition, complete with a live-streamed event.

Pixies’ New Album ‘Doggerel’ To Be Released On September 30

Eric Alper
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Pixies’ New Album ‘Doggerel’ To Be Released On September 30

The iconic Pixies forged an influential path for alt-rock during their first era, while their post 2004 reunion has seen them alchemize more sophisticated dark arts – a return which has them add another three UK Top 10 albums to the three they achieved on their first run. Now as fired up as ever before, Pixies will release their eighth studio album, Doggerel, on September 30. They launch the album alongside its lead single ‘There’s a Moon On’.

Doggerel is a mature yet visceral record of gruesome folk, ballroom pop and brutal rock, haunted by the ghosts of affairs and indulgences, driven wild by cosmic forces and envisioning digital afterlives where no God has provided one. And all the while, right there on the news, another distant storm approaches.

Guitarist Joey Santiago says, “This time around we have grown. We no longer have under two-minute songs. We have little breaks, more conventional arrangements but still our twists in there.”

Vocalist/guitarist Black Francis adds, “We’re trying to do things that are very big and bold and orchestrated. The punky stuff, I really like playing it but you just cannot artificially create that shit. There’s another way to do this, there’s other things we can do with this extra special energy that we’re encountering.”

That energy shimmers in the album’s new single ‘There’s A Moon On’, which fits into the space between prototype squalling Pixies guitars and heartland rock classicism. Thematically it plays somewhere between fact and legend, playing upon the adrenalizing effect of the lunar cycle on the human psyche, a phase during which the drunks in Francis’s brother’s bar become more aggressive.

A congregation between darkness and beauty consistently emerges throughout the record. There’s ‘Haunted House’, a spirited concoction of ‘50s-flavoured pop with ghosts both literal and metaphoric, as well as the brooding Morricone desert rock of ‘Vault of Heaven’, and a breezy folk-rock melody on ‘Pagan Man’. But Pixies still possesses a ferocious edge, one that feeds into the grinding intensity and surrealism of ‘Nomatterday’ and The Who-like power of ‘Dregs of the Wine’, which will surely be the first and last Pixies song to namecheck Van Halen.

It’s a record with an unusual genesis. Instead of building upon rough ideas in the studio, Black Francis turned up to sessions with 40 songs prepared. Sessions started late in 2021 with producer Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Ghost) working with Francis in Massachusetts, before they headed to LA to finish tracks with the rest of the band.

Their input would be vital. Santiago contributed his first two Pixies songwriting credits, with music for ‘Dregs of the Wine’ and lyrics for Doggerel. Meanwhile, drummer David Lovering and bassist Paz Lenchantin’s performances have the uninhibited energy of two musicians who both confess to feeling reinvigorated by the process.

In addition to digital / streaming formats, Doggerel will also be issued in a variety of physical configurations. There will be a range of gatefold colour vinyl options: the standard red vinyl, a yellow vinyl will be available exclusively from select independent stores, and an orange vinyl that is only available from the Pixies’ official store – which also offers an exclusive red cassette. The formats are completed by a deluxe CD. (Artwork for all formats is available HERE.)

If 2014’s Indie Cindy was conceived as a belated continuation of Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991) and 2016’s Head Carrier revisited some of the murky melody and exotic gristle of Surfer Rosa (1988) and Doolittle (1989), both Beneath The Eyrie (2019) and Doggerel are expansive and unfettered albums that leave behind any sense of expectation. They are records evolved from, but not beholden to, Pixies’ past.

Doggerel tracklist:
1. ‘Nomatterday’
2. ‘Vault of Heaven’
3. ‘Dregs of the Wine’
4. ‘Haunted House’
5. ‘Get Simulated’
6. ‘The Lord Has Come Back Today’
7. ‘Thunder & Lightning’
8. ‘There’s A Moon On’
9. ‘Pagan Man’
10. ‘Who’s More Sorry Now?’
11. ‘You’re Such A Sadducee’
12. ‘Doggerel’

Blue Note Records Announces Blue Note Re:imagined II Out September 30

Eric Alper
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Blue Note Records Announces Blue Note Re:imagined II Out September 30

Blue Note Re:imagined returns in 2022 with a new 16-track compilation featuring fresh takes on music from the illustrious Blue Note Records vaults recorded by a heavyweight line-up of the UK jazz, soul, and R&B scene’s most hotly-tipped rising stars. Arriving off the back of the widespread international success of the first volume, which topped jazz charts around the globe, Blue Note Re:imagined II once again infuses the spirit of the new UK jazz generation into the legendary label’s iconic catalog, balancing the genre’s tradition with its future and reflecting the melting pot of talent and diversity within the current scene.

The first track to be released is South London vocalist Ego Ella May’s reimagining of visionary drummer Chico Hamilton’s “The Morning Side Of Love,” which first appeared on Hamilton’s 1975 Blue Note album Peregrinations. Mirroring the understated, laid-back groove of the original while showcasing Ella May’s arresting vocals, the track is out today and available to listen to now.

“For more than eight decades the artists of Blue Note Records have continually pushed the envelope of contemporary music,” said Blue Note President Don Was. “Blue Note Re:imagined II once again honors that legacy by letting the UK’s most creative young artists reinvent the treasures of the Blue Note catalog through their own lens.”

Additional tracks on the album will include funk-pop duo Franc Moody’s version of Donald Byrd’s “Cristo Redentor,” fast-emerging vocalist Cherise’s take on Norah Jones’ “Sunrise,” Maya Delilah covering Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon,” which was recorded by Cassandra Wilson on her 1995 Blue Note album New Moon Daughter, Birmingham-born pianist Reuben James’ reimagining of Wayne Shorter’s ballad “Infant Eyes,” London tuba player and Sons of Kemet member Theon Cross with a version of Thelonious Monk’s composition “Epistrophy,” and 9-piece afro-jazz outfit Nubiyan Twist’s fresh spin on Donald Byrd’s “Through The Noise (Chant 2).”

Blue Note is celebrated almost as much for its visionary album art as for its legendary recordings. Designer for the Blue Note Re:imagined campaign Jay Vaz said “The Blue Note Re:imagined identity explores an abstract graphic notation score, aiming to represent the exciting energy and diverse range of artists that the new wave of jazz offers. The LP cover pays homage to a selection of legendary Reid Miles covers [in particular, Jackie McLean – It’s Time] that I felt perfectly executed the energy of this compilation.”

Blue Note Re:imagined II – Tracklisting
Yazz Ahmed “It” – From Chick Corea Is (1969)
Conor Albert “You Make Me Feel So Good”- From Bobbi Humphrey Fancy Dancer (1975)
Parthenope “Don’t Know Why” – From Norah Jones Come Away With Me (2002)
Swindle “Miss Kane” – From Donald Byrd Street Lady (1973)
Nubiyan Twist “Through The Noise (Chant No.2)” – From Donald Byrd A New Perspective (1963)
Ego Ella May “The Morning Side Of Love” – From Chico Hamilton Pereginations (1975)
Oscar Jerome & Oscar #Worldpeace “(Why You So) Green With Envy” – From Grant Green Green Street (1961)
Daniel Casimir ft. Ria Moran “Lost” – From Wayne Shorter The Soothsayer (1965)
Theon Cross “Epistrophy” – From Thelonious Monk Genius Of Modern Music, Vol. 1 (1948)
Maya Delilah “Harvest Moon” – From Cassandra Wilson New Moon Daughter (1995)
Kay Young “Feel Like Making Love” – From Marlena Shaw Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? (1974)
Venna & Marco Bernardis “Where Are We Going” – From Donald Byrd Black Byrd (1972)
Reuben James “Infant Eyes” – From Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil (1964)
Binker Golding “Fort Worth” – From Joe Lovano From The Soul (1991)
Cherise “Sunrise” – From Norah Jones Feels Like Home (2004)
Franc Moody “Cristo Redentor”– From Donald Byrd A New Perspective (1963)

Carly Rae Jepsen Announces The So Nice Tour

Eric Alper
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Carly Rae Jepsen Announces The So Nice Tour

Multi-Platinum GRAMMY, JUNO and Polaris Prize nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen announces a fall North American headline tour. Her first North American headline tour since 2019, The So Nice Tour will kick off September 24th at MTELUS in Montreal, QC and will make stops at marquee venues including Radio City Music Hall in New York City and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Empress Of will support tour dates from Sept. 24 to Nov. 5 with her forthcoming EP Save Me out June 24.

Artist presale is Wednesday, June 8 at 10am local time. Fans can register for artist presale codes on Jepsen’s tour dates page: www.carlyraemusic.com/tour. General on sale is Friday, June 10 at 10am local time. Jepsen has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to The Ally Coalition’s work to support homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth.

Two already announced co-headline dates with Bleachers; September 21 in Cleveland, OH and September 22 in Toronto, ON, are already on sale and precedes The So Nice Tour. Jepsen will also make a stop in Austin on October 7 for the Austin City Limits Festival. See below for a complete list of tour dates.

Jepsen’s The So Nice Tour announce follows the May release of her highly anticipated single “Western Wind”, and the accompanying video, which Jepsen first performed during her set at Coachella. Co-written by Jepsen and Rostam Batmanglij, “Western Wind” continues a collaboration the two musicians first kicked off with E*MO*TION. A major creative milestone for Jepsen, E*MO*TION inspired in-depth analysis from cultural critics and landed on multiple year-end “best of” lists including Pitchfork, Stereogum, Noisey, NPR, and many more. Released in 2019, her follow-up album Dedicated covered even more musical and emotional ground. Working with a crew of trusted songwriters and producers (among them John Hill, Jack Antonoff, Captain Cuts, Patrik Berger, and her longtime collaborator Tavish Crowe), Jepsen indulged in more sonic experimentation than she had in the past. She returned the following May with a gift for her fans: Dedicated Side B, a buoyant set of dance-floor tunes that affirmed her status as pop’s undefeatable ambassador of love. Much more to come from Carly Rae Jepsen in 2022.

Below is a complete list of North American tour dates for Carly Rae Jepsen.
Sept. 21 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion w/Bleachers
Sept. 22 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage w/Bleachers
Sept. 24 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
Sept. 26 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
Sept. 28 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
Sept. 29 – Washington DC – The Anthem
Oct. 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
Oct. 2 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
Oct. 4 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
Oct. 5 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
Oct. 7 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Festival
Oct. 9 – Houston, TX – 713 – Music Hall
Oct. 10 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Oct. 12 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
Oct. 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
Oct. 15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Oct. 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Oct. 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
Oct. 20 – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theatre
Oct. 21 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley
Oct. 23 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Oct. 26 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Oct. 29 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Nov. 2 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
Nov. 4 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
Nov. 5 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom

Alt-Rockers Season Of The Senses Are “Ever”-Present With Release of New Single

Eric Alper
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Alt-Rockers Season Of The Senses Are “Ever”-Present With Release of New Single

Canadian rockers Season Of The Senses have created an alternative, fist-pumping anthem you’ll spin on repeat, in their latest offering, “Ever.”

The electrifying, rock and roll, synth-infused drop is a myriad of emotions ranging from the depths of the human condition to rising up and starting over. While “Ever” bursts out of your speakers upbeat and served on a platter of alt-tinged pop, Seasons of the Senses (Elena Stocco [lead vocals], Christian Pritchard [guitars, bass, synth], Rob Clarkson [bass, guitars, and synths], Maxwell He [drums], Damian Weston [synths, guitars and bass]) reveal that at its core, the song truly speaks to a deeper and more personal experience.

Penned by a teenage Weston, who had found himself in rehab after crippling anxiety and depression led him to a life of recreational drug addiction, “Ever” is the liner notes of his recovery, and his desire to find better for his life.

“Things went from bad to worse as the depression and childhood traumas began to catch up with me and, as so many people do, I found relief in self-medication through drugs,” he shares. “To know me was to think I was probably the least likely to fall into that trap, but that’s the thing with trauma — we tend to carry it alone, a dark and destructive friend we keep to ourselves.”

Knowing he needed help, “I checked myself into rehab,” Weston continues. “And not just any rehab; a therapeutic community – a rehab considered the last stop for addicts because of its difficulty. There were no personal chefs; no spa days… But there was a farm and hard work — both physical and emotional. It was a two-year program with almost no contact with the outside world.

“But it saved — and fundamentally changed — my life.”

“Ever”’s chorus was birthed from the very place that assisted Weston with reclaiming his life; his handwritten lyric notes are a token he’s kept till this day.

Instinctually feeling that the song was best served with a band’s full backing, once Season Of The Senses assembled, the Guelph, Ontario-based group settled on laying down “Ever” once and for all.

“It truly became what it was meant to,” Weston reveals. “The sentiment filtered through Elena’s soulful voice; Christian’s crushing guitars; Rob and Max propelling it forward…. It just proved the point of the song: alone we struggle, but there is power and strength in community and togetherness.

“That’s what gives us hope, and that’s what takes us home”.

Season Of The Senses have engaged the alt-rock world by synthesized storm, calling the attention of Alan Cross and legions of fans that are adept at streaming each note of their music since the band’s formation in 2021.

Now, with their latest single in their arsenal, the alternative rock, pop, low-fi, grunge five-piece are standing on the precipice of their commanding musical career. And if we’re to look ahead, we can safely assume it’s the Season Of The Senses who are here for “Ever.”

SON OF JAMES Rush Releases New Single “Mama Never Told Me” Against Alarming Rise of Asian-Canadian Hate Crimes

Eric Alper
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SON OF JAMES Rush Releases New Single “Mama Never Told Me” Against Alarming Rise of Asian-Canadian Hate Crimes

Canadian band Son of James harnesses a fusion of musical influence to highlight the rise in discriminatory attacks against Asian-Canadians during the Covid-19 pandemic, with his heart-stopping new single, “Mama Never Told Me.”

Dripping with heart and soul, “Mama Never Told Me” is a sonically smooth experience filled with soulful guitar playing and stellar saxophone work. Rich embellishments reveal themselves in the form of brilliant piano playing and soaring vocal performances. “Mama Never Told Me” tells a relatable tale about the most important woman in our life with all of the rhythmic complexity that Son of James is known for.

“Mama Never Told Me” finds its origin when Son of James founder Shon Wong noticed the alarming increase in Asian hate crimes as the pandemic raged on. “The vigilante in me prayed that an attack on an Asian woman would happen right in front of me so I could exact vengeance for that woman right then and there.”

As if the world had stopped for that moment, the sudden realization of his mother’s own experience came flooding into view. “Knowing what my mom and many other immigrant Asian mothers sacrificed and endured to make a life in a foreign country. It made me think of all things my mom never told me about her struggle until my father passed when I was 20.”

Fast forward to the month before Mother’s Day, and all of the elements seemed to fall into place for a musical tribute worthy of all mothers. The lyrics practically poured out through the tears and onto the page.

“When the time has come
I will carry you
When you’re all alone
I will comfort you

For the rest of your days
Don’t you ever be afraid
I owe it all to you.”

With the pandemic affecting the rest of the world, the recording process for “Mama Never Told Me” had to be re-strategized. A talented group of musicians brought the recording to life from the get-go, including guitarist/bassist/pianist Adam Richards, accomplished cellist Michelle Kwan, and percussionist Jason Overy. Jonathan Reichert’s slick guitar fills, and Eric Tsang’s hypnotic saxophone work hits you right as Jackie Nguyen breaks your heart with her enchanting vocal work. These elements are brought together to create a rhythmic synthesis between art and life previously inexperienced by audiences.

Son of James founder Shon Wong was bitten by the artistic bug from a young age through his grandfather’s career as a professional Chinese opera actor. Wong’s early life was spent practicing martial arts and physically training himself to deal with the bullies that plagued him. When faced with the tragic loss of his father, James Wong, Shon found solace and comfort in music. While in China, his drum and guitar lessons would be the catalyst to managing grief and reclaiming his life. A long and winding road littered with more tragedy would lead Shon Wong to form Son of James and proudly represent his heritage through a combination of Asian instrumentation and rock n’ roll, developing his signature Chynatruckerfunk sound in the process.

Super Producer CHRIS BIRKETT Puts Two Years of COVID, Climate Change & Crass Excess in the Rear View with “2022”

Eric Alper
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Super Producer CHRIS BIRKETT Puts Two Years of COVID, Climate Change & Crass Excess in the Rear View with “2022”

When we reached the end of 2020, it could certainly be said that “never has there ever been a year like this.” Then, 2021 came along and upped the ante with more chaotic uncertainty. Now, with just one-third of another year behind us, British-Canadian singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-award-winning producer Chris Birkett is musically posing the question that’s on everyone’s minds: ‘What about you, 20-2-2? in this, his new single “2022” — available now.

New Year’s Eve makes most of us reflective of the year that was and anticipatory of what’s to come but, for Chris Birkett, it also generated a creative spark.

On “New Year’s Eve 2021, I was reflecting on the events of the previous year and wondering if we would have a year like the last two years,” recalls Birkett. “Climate change issues, space stations for the super-rich, conspiracy theories, and of course, the COVID restrictions all had a major effect on society.”

‘Isn’t it the year COVID’s gone? Isn’t this why we’re holding on? Now, we’re in the year 20-2-2’

In addition to the devastating effect the pandemic has had on public health, there have been equally devastating side effects for small businesses and those who make their living in the arts — like Birkett does.

“COVID-19 personally affected me and other musicians in a big way,” he notes. “Most of the venues that I had been playing in had shut down. We were all struggling to survive and rely on government aid.”

Is 2022 a recovery year or a rehash of the previous two miserable years with unwelcome new crises like the Russia-Ukraine War? That’s the main question that Birkett poses among other burning questions in his new, rhythmic pop-rock anthem. With an insistent and infectious riff and groove that underlines the urgency of putting distance between us and the years gone by, “2022” even gives a new, pandemic-inspired purpose to a classic hit by The Police when Birkett pays vocal homage to it at the end of the bridge: ‘The Brave New World is now the scared new world Everyone can sing the song – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”’

A producer, arranger, and sound engineer on a slew of international, award-winning projects, Chris Birkett is also an accomplished guitarist and a prolific songwriter, and creator of six albums of his own music; two were recorded and released in the UK with the band Omaha Sheriff and produced by the legendary Tony Visconti (David Bowie, The Moody Blues), and four solo albums. Two were released while Birkett lived and worked in France from 1993 to 2011. Making his home in Canada since 2012, Birkett has also released Be Creative featuring contributions from Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo) and Rik Emmett, and 11:11 as the band The Free Spirits. In February 2021, he released the one-off single “Precious Love” for his documentary filmmaker wife Joan Prowse.

Birkett’s diverse music reflects a wide range of sources from which he draws inspiration. “My ideas for songs come from observing society, humanity, and life on earth,” he says. “I have been a truth seeker all my life and when I discover a new truth I like to share it using the Universal language of music.”

His love for sharing that creative passion has led Chris Birkett to some of the biggest successes of his varied and inspiring career, which began as a guitarist and background vocalist for the 1960s UK pop band The Love Affair and touring their hit “Everlasting Love”. An expansion into sound engineering and producing while in the UK and beyond has led him to collaborate with an eye-popping A-list of international artists including Talking Heads, Dexys Midnight Runners, Alison Moyet, The Pogues, Bob Geldof, Quincy Jones, Mel Brooks, and Steve Earle, as well as to produce Sinéad O’Connor’s massive #1 hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U”. All told, these and other collaborations have sold over 100 million records and earned four Canadian JUNOs, a GRAMMY, a Polaris Music Prize and three international AMPEX Golden Reel Awards for excellence in the music business.

Birkett’s longest and most fruitful collaborative relationship has been with the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie. He has played guitar with Sainte-Marie since 1993, and co-produced five albums with her — including Running For the Drum (2009), Power in the Blood (2016), and Medicine Songs (2017). Birkett is also producing and co-writing with a number of up-and-coming Indigenous artists including Inuit singer-songwriter Angela Amarualik for the Ottawa-based label Hitmakerz.

In addition to currently co-producing Buffy Sainte-Marie’s new album project, Birkett plans to release a new solo album, Songs from the Kauai Hotel Room, as well as a collection of fun-loving songs with his new collective The Happy Campers in the coming months.

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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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