Ukrainian musician Oleksandra “Sasha” Zaritska of Kazka joins SXSW in the studio to speak on her experiences of what is happening in her home country.
My Next Read: “How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question” by Michael Schur
From the creator of The Good Place and the cocreator of Parks and Recreation, a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life, drawing on 2,400 years of deep thinking from around the world.
Most people think of themselves as “good,” but it’s not always easy to determine what’s “good” or “bad”—especially in a world filled with complicated choices and pitfalls and booby traps and bad advice. Fortunately, many smart philosophers have been pondering this conundrum for millennia and they have guidance for us. With bright wit and deep insight, How to Be Perfect explains concepts like deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, ubuntu, and more so we can sound cool at parties and become better people.
Schur starts off with easy ethical questions like “Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?” (No.) and works his way up to the most complex moral issues we all face. Such as: Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Why bother being good at all when there are no consequences for being bad? And much more. By the time the book is done, we’ll know exactly how to act in every conceivable situation, so as to produce a verifiably maximal amount of moral good. We will be perfect, and all our friends will be jealous. OK, not quite. Instead, we’ll gain fresh, funny, inspiring wisdom on the toughest issues we face every day.
My Next Read: “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands” by Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is writing a new book that has been acquired by Heyday and is set to release in Fall 2022.
In Feels Like Home, Grammy award-winning singer Linda Ronstadt effortlessly evokes the magical panorama of the high desert, a landscape etched by sunlight and carved by wind, offering a personal tour built around meals and memories of the place where she came of age. Growing up the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and a descendant of Spanish settlers near northern Sonora, Ronstadt’s intimate new memoir celebrates the marvelous flavors and indomitable people on both sides of what was once a porous border whose denizens were happy to exchange recipes and gather around campfires to sing the ballads that shaped Ronstadt’s musical heritage. Following her best-selling musical memoir, Simple Dreams, this book seamlessly braids together Ronstadt’s recollections of people and their passions in a region little understood in the rest of the United States. This road trip through the desert, written in collaboration with former New York Times writer Lawrence Downes and illustrated throughout with beautiful photographs by Bill Steen, features recipes for traditional Sonoran dishes and a bevy of revelations for Ronstadt’s admirers. If this book were a radio signal, you might first pick it up on an Arizona highway, well south of Phoenix, coming into the glow of Ronstadt’s hometown of Tucson. It would be playing something old and Mexican, from a time when the border was a place not of peril but of possibility.
Linda Ronstadt, the great-granddaughter of Friedrich and Margarita Ronstadt of Sonora, Mexico, is one of the world’s most acclaimed singers. Her six-decade career encompassed rock, folk, country, light opera, Mexican songs and American standards. She has sold more than 100 million records, won 12 Grammy awards and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, directed by Rob Epstein, just won a Grammy for best musical film at the 63rd Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021.
“Invincible” by Eddie Vedder, featuring NASA’s Artemis I Moon Mission
Grammy-award winning artist Eddie Vedder’s “Invincible” video collaboration with NASA is inspired by their Artemis I Moon mission.
The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft – the only human-rated spacecraft in the world capable of deep-space travel – are planned to lift off from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the uncrewed Artemis I mission around the Moon. Through the Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence, and serving as a steppingstone on the way to Mars. This video includes footage of various prelaunch tests, along with animations of launch, the orbit around the Moon, and the return to Earth.
Neil Young Announces Official Release Series Volume 4 Box Set On April 29
Today, Neil Young announces the release of the fourth installment in his Official Release Series (ORS): a box set that includes his classic ‘80s records Hawks & Doves, Re•ac•tor, and This Note’s for You, as well as his Eldorado EP, previously released only in Japan and Australia. Both vinyl and CD box sets will be available for pre-order today and out on April 29th. Fans can purchase the ORS Vol 4 CD box set through all retailers; the vinyl box set will be available at indie stores and The Greedy Hand Store at Neil Young Archives (NYA). All Greedy Hand Store purchases of ORS Vol 4 box sets come with free hi-res digital audio downloads from the Xstream Store at NYA.
The ORS Vol 4 collects an eclectic set of decade-spanning sounds. Hawks & Doves (1980) revisits his folk roots and explores some of his most country-leaning offerings; the blistering Re•ac•tor (1981) showcases a stomping set of heavy, overdriven rock with Crazy Horse; and This Note’s for You (1988) casts Young as a big band leader, belting out intricately arranged blues. The Eldorado EP (1989) is full of feral distortion and earthy crunch featuring Young backed by The Restless (Chad Cromwell and Rick Rosas). It includes two thundering tracks — “Cocaine Eyes” and “Heavy Love”— not available on any other album. Eldorado will launch on most major DSPs upon the release of the box sets. Those who pre-order ORS Vol 4 now will receive an instant download of “Cocaine Eyes.”
The other three albums included in the ORS Vol 4 box sets are currently available digitally at Neil Young Archives and most major DSPs.
Only at NYA can you find Young’s music in the highest possible digital audio resolution alongside a seemingly infinite store of archival files. It’s also the home of Young’s virtual daily newspaper, The Times Contrarian, and The Hearse Theater, where you can see rare footage and stream live shows. NYA is a fittingly sprawling repository for Young; few artists—perhaps none—have explored such a vast spectrum of sounds and styles over more than half a century. ORS Vol 4 collects a large swath of his diverse and compelling ‘80s work, testifying to the legendary songwriter’s gift for sonic shape-shifting.
Official Release Series Vol 4 Track Listing:
Hawks & Doves:
1. Little Wing
2. The Old Homestead
3. Lost in Space
4. Captain Kennedy
5. Stayin’ Power
6. Coastline
7. Union Man
8. Comin’ Apart at Every Nail
9. Hawks & Doves
Re•ac•tor
1. Opera Star
2. Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze
3. T-Bone
4. Get Back on It
5. Southern Pacific
6. Motor City
7. Rapid Transit
8. Shots
This Note’s For You
1. Ten Men Workin’
2. This Note’s for You
3. Coupe de Ville
4. Life In The City
5. Twilight
6. Married Man
7. Sunny Inside
8. Can’t Believe Your Lyin’
9. Hey Hey
10. One Thing
Eldorado
1. Cocaine Eyes
2. Don’t Cry
3. Heavy Love
4. On Broadway
5. Eldorado
Jackson Browne Announces 2022 Tour
Jackson Browne announces his “Evening With” full band 2022 tour with dates running from June through September. The tour supports his GRAMMY-nominated album Downhill From Everywhere. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 18 at 10 AM local time. Presale ticket information is available at jacksonbrowne.com.
Browne and his band will also join James Taylor & his All Star Band for a run of dates across Canada this Spring. See full list of tour dates below.
Jackson Browne Tour:
June 3 – Maryland Heights, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park
June 4 – Camdenton, MO @ Lake Ozarks Amphitheater
June 6 – Salina, KS @ Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
June 7 – Kansas City, MO @ Kansas City Music Hall
June 10 – Rochester Hills, MI @ Oakland University – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
June 11 – Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center at The Heights
June 14 – Waite Park, MN @ The Ledge Waite Park Amphitheater
June 15 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater
June 17 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
June 18 – Appleton, WI @ Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
June 21 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Foellinger Theater
June 22 – Indianapolis, IN @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
June 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center
June 25 – Northfield, OH @ MGM Northfield Park – Center Stage
July 13 – Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
July 14 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
July 16 – Canandaigua, NY @ Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
July 17 – Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at the Mann
July 19 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
July 20 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap
July 22 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion
July 23 – Selbyville, DE @ The Freeman Stage at Bayside
July 26 – New York, NY @ The Beacon Theater
July 27 – New York, NY @ The Beacon Theater
July 29 – New York, NY @ The Beacon Theater
July 30 – New York, NY @ The Beacon Theater
August 31 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
September 1 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s
September 3 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Pacific Amphitheatre
September 4 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
September 7 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
September 9 – Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre
September 10 – Stateline, NV @ Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys (rescheduled)
September 13 – Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheatre
September 14 – Troutdale, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield
September 16 – Seattle, WA @ Venue TBD
September 17– Seattle, WA @ Venue TBD
September 20 – Walla Walla, WA @ Wine Country Amphitheater
September 21 – Boise, ID @ Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden
September 23 – Sandy, UT @ Sandy City Amphitheater
September 25 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Jackson Browne with James Taylor Canada Tour:
April 21 – St. John’s, NL @ Mile One Centre
April 24 – Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
April 25 – Moncton, NB @ Avenir Centre
April 27 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Center
April 28 – Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell
April 30 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
May 1 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
May 5 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
May 7 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
May 9 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
May 11 – Victoria, BC @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
May 12 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
There’s Now A Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame And Here Are The First Inductees (no pun intended)
Good Music, Awesome T-Shirts, and Rock n’ Roll! That’s how TheSocietees, based in Florida, decided to give the Rock Music community something to look forward to from their favorite musicians. After creating a community-driven Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame, they were able to decide the top-ten Rock n’ Roll bands ranked by which classic tees sold the most. The support from the many music fans of the different 70s, 80s, or 90s bands, created an indisputable list of favorites ranging from Poison and The Police, all the way to the top contender and first place winner, Def Leppard and its Pyromania USA Tour 1983 T-Shirt!
The First 10 Inductees to the Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame are:
1) Def Leppard – Pyromania USA Tour 1983 T-Shirt
2) ACDC – High Voltage 1975 Men’s T Shirt
3) Journey – Departure 1980 Men’s T Shirt
4) Pink Floyd – Animals Tour 1977 Men’s T Shirt
5) Bon Jovi – Heart Tattoo Men’s T Shirt
6) ZZ Top – US Tour 1990 Men’s T Shirt
7) Motley Crue – Vintage Band Logo Men’s T Shirt
8) KISS – Destroyer Album Men’s T Shirt
9) The Police Ghost in the Machine Tour Men’s Raglan
10) Poison – Talk Dirty To Me Men’s T Shirt
While these top-ten inductees have been holding their current positions strong, this is only the beginning of the Rock Music battle of the ages, where competing for the number one spot in the Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame is up to the fans of all the iconic Rock n’ Roll band T-shirts that TheSocietees.com has as the Rock Bestseller contenders.
Societees are currently assessing the next 10 inductees into their Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame – announcement to come by Summer 2022. Every t-shirt was created with the utmost attention to detail and is meant to be a wearable piece of art. They know their customers will love wearing these t-shirts as much as they loved creating them.
Learn more about the Societees Rock T-Shirt Hall of Fame by visiting www.TheSocietees.com
Fender Unveils Player Plus Meteora Guitar Models, Designed For High Performance, Sonic Enthusiasts
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation today continues its expansion and industry-defining innovation with the top-selling Player Plus series, launching the Player Plus Meteora HH guitar and Player Plus Active Meteora Bass. First introduced as a limited run in 2018, the Meteora is the latest model in Fender’s 75 year-long track record of creating visually stunning and amazingly playable guitars. The futuristic Meteora now joins iconic models such as the Stratocaster and Telecaster in the Player Plus lineup.
The Meteora is the latest addition to the Player Plus Series, an extension of the Player Series, which is one of the most-searched series of electrics globally and one of the best-selling lines in Fender history. Adopted by a wide-range of players, the series has since become the industry-standard for accessible guitars. The unveiling of the Meteora exemplifies Fender’s evolutionary innovation and ethos of honoring its celebrated past while looking to the future. The legacy of Fender instruments mirrors the course of the collective legacy of the artists who play them. A completely new shape for a Fender guitar, the legacy of the Meteora has yet to be claimed by an artist, genre or era. The future lies completely in the hands of an inspired new generation of players that evoke extraordinary creativity, energy, vibe and tangible style.
“The release of Player Plus Meteora marks an uncharted and exciting era for Fender, a legacy undefined,” said Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President of product, FMIC. “The guitar emulates a fusion of unexpected elements that work in perfect harmony and serves as a paradigm of Fender’s ahead-of-the-curve innovation and revered leadership in the industry. With a set of powerful Fireball humbucking pickups, advanced features and new otherworldly finishes, the Player Plus Meteora is the perfect tool to spark creativity in the next generation of guitar players.”
Artists taking part in the launch of the Player Plus Meteora include creators that synonymously reflect a perfect storm of unexpected sonic elements, such as experimental pop band Japanese Breakfast helmed by Michelle Zauner, rapper Teezo Touchdown recognized for his larger-than-life persona and blend of pop punk and trap sounds and “Fed Up” artist Ghostemane known for merging elements of heavy metal, hip-hop and industrial music. Indie rock crooners and Fender gear fanatics Portugal. The Man will support by performing hit tracks on tour like “Feel It Still” while jamming on a Player Plus Meteora. With space-age colorways, an otherworldly body shape and supermassive sound, the Player Plus Meteora HH and Active Meteora Bass start a bold new chapter in the Fender legacy – the next in a long line of iconic designs that will dominate stages for decades to come.
Player Plus Meteora HH and Player Plus Active Meteora Bass, expertly crafted in Ensenada, Mexico, are meticulously refined and designed to deliver next-level performance from the studio to stage and beyond. Blending top-notch features of the iconic Telecaster and Jazzmaster models, the addition of Player Plus Meteora HH and Player Plus Active Meteora Bass offer a modern twist on Fender’s classic geometry. The Player Plus Meteora is upgraded with key features that eliminate obstacles to the player, appealing to the high-gain, high-performance artist that possesses an appetite to play even louder and longer
Top highlights include:
- Advanced features showcasing distinctive style, promoting a longer, comfortable playing experience, including:
- Modern “C” Neck with Rolled Edges with a discerning moderate depth and softened edges.
- 12″ Radius Fretboard provides a flatter playing surface that allows more aggressive bending without “choking out.”
- Medium Jumbo Frets allow players to fret and bend notes easier, ideal for high speed playing.
- Modern Nut Width for intricate and precise picking patterns.
Pristine super-massive sound features to amplify playing experience, including:
- Player Plus “Fireball” Humbucking Pickups™ produce powerful, thick tones with reduced hum.
- Advanced Switching Options for easy access to a wide array of tonal possibilities.
- High-performance Bridges deliver smoother, more precise tremolo action and modern feel in the Player Plus Meteora HH and provide improved sustain, stability and intonation in the Player Plus Meteora Bass.
- Locking Tuners (on Meteora HH only) give players impeccable tuning stability and make string changes seamless.
- Active Bass Preamp provides versatility of both passive and active modes and easy-to-use controls giving players a wide range of tonal possibilities.
- Gradient Burst Finishes featuring intense vibrant space-age colors emulating ’80’s nostalgia, the Meteora demands immediate attention. Colorways include Belaire Blue, 3-Color Sunburst, Cosmic Jade, Silverburst, Tequila Sunrise and Opal Spark.
High-resolution artist, lifestyle and product images of the Player Plus Meteora models can be found HERE; full product descriptions and specifications can also be found HERE. Watch demo videos of the Meteora HH and Active Meteora Bass models in action.
Player Plus Meteora HH ($1,049.99 USD, €1149.00 EUR, £999.000 GBP, $2,299.00 AUD, ¥156,750 JPY) Fusing innovative Fender design with player-centric features and exciting new finishes, the Player Plus Meteora delivers superb playability and unmistakable style. A set of powerful Fireball™ humbucking pickups blend the perfect amount of gain with great string-to-string note clarity. An S-1™ switch activates the coil-split, delivering crystal-clear single-coil tones. The silky satin Modern “C” neck fits your hand like a glove, with smooth rolled edges for supreme comfort. The 12″ radius fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets facilitate fluid leads and choke-free bends. Smooth and responsive, the 2-point tremolo provides classic vibrato effects, while the locking tuners provide rock-solid tuning and make string changes quick and easy. With classic Fender style, advanced features and stunning new finishes, the Player Plus Meteora is the perfect tool to spark creativity and let you stand out from the crowd.
Player Plus Active Meteora Bass ($1,149.99 USD, €1299.00 EUR, £1,149.00 GBP, $2,399.00 AUD, ¥160,600 JPY) Fusing innovative Fender design with player-centric features and exciting new finishes, the Player Plus Active Meteora Bass delivers superb playability and unmistakable style. Powered by a pair of Fireball Bass Humbucking pickups, the Player Plus Active Meteora Bass delivers the punch and growl that defines Fender bass tone. A 3- band active EQ provides precise tone-shaping with switchable active/passive operation for ultimate flexibility. The Player Plus Active Meteora Bass neck is sleek, fast and smooth thanks to its silky satin finish, comfortable rolled edges on a 12″ inch radius fingerboard and modern “C” back-shape. A rock-solid HiMass bridge provides sustain resonance and perfect intonation. With classic Fender style, advanced features and stunning new finishes, the Player Plus Active Meteora Bass is the perfect tool to spark creativity and let you stand out from the crowd.
90s Grunge Band Candlebox To Be Featured In New Feature-Length Documentary
Warner Music Entertainment (WME), the television and film division of Warner Music Group, has partnered with Highway West Entertainment on a forthcoming new feature-length documentary, Far Behind: The Candlebox Story. The film will explore the beginnings of what the world would come to know as the grunge scene, following the iconic band Candlebox on their rise to fame.
Guy Oseary, manager of legendary artists such as U2, Madonna, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, will serve as Executive Producer on the project, along with Jack Piatt, Director/Producer and founder of Highway West Ent., who initiated the collaboration with Candlebox front man Kevin Martin.
Kevin Martin said: “The story of Candlebox is one that’s long overdue for a telling, and I cannot wait to share this documentary with the world – no holds barred, honest, painful, and as real as it gets. Ours is the story of an unknown band of childhood friends-turned-brothers who took the world by storm on their very first voyage, only to lose their way in an unforgiving ocean of bad decisions and disagreements over who would captain the ship. Though I’ve kept the Candlebox name alive in the years since the original line-up split at the turn of the millennium – continuing to release relevant music and perform for legions of fans with the help of some of the most talented musicians around – there was magic between us four original guys. And now that we’re touring together for the 30th anniversary, Candlebox is a story of redemption as well.”
Guy Oseary added: “At 20 years old, I signed Candlebox to Maverick Records. Their debut album sold more than four million copies, which gave me a spectacular start to my journey in the music business. For that I will always be indebted to them.”
Jack Piatt added: “I was in high school when the early 90’s Seattle sound made its way to rural Ohio, and it left a huge impression on my life musically. Candlebox plays a key role in this historic legacy. This is an important story for a lot of people, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to tell it.”
Warner Music Entertainment President Charlie Cohen said: “Candlebox’s impact on the music scene in Seattle and beyond is undeniable. They helped mold the grunge sound into the globally renowned genre that it became, and we are incredibly excited to help tell their story with Guy, Jack, and the fantastic team at Highway West Entertainment.”
Candlebox first formed in 1990 and helped lay the groundwork for the grunge genre, alongside notable bands such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and others. Far Behind: The Candlebox Story will feature footage and interviews with original band members Kevin Martin, Peter Klett, Scott Mercado, and Bardi Martin, in addition to Guy Oseary, famed Soundgarden/Alice in Chains manager Susan Silver, and others. The band has sold over seven million albums worldwide, scoring the megahits “Far Behind” and “You,” which have garnered over 100 million streams, decades after their initial release. The band’s new album, Wolves, has been in the top 10 on two Billboard charts (Hard Music Albums and Alternative Albums). The band is gearing up for a new tour starting this May.
Oseary and Piatt are joined by Candlebox’s manager and longtime music industry veteran Amy Decker, who will also serve as Executive Producer with fellow Producer Caroline Hoste (founder, Hello Stranger Creative) as well as Executive Producer Charlie Cohen (WME).
The film went into production in summer 2021 and is gearing up for a fall 2022 release.
The Joni Mitchell Channel Launching Exclusively on SiriusXM
SiriusXM announced today the launch of The Joni Mitchell Channel, a limited engagement channel featuring the music of iconic musician and songwriter, Joni Mitchell.
Listeners can hear The Joni Mitchell Channel starting today, Wednesday, March 16 through Thursday, April 14 on the SXM App and on satellite (ch. 104) starting Wednesday, March 30 through Tuesday, April 5.
The exclusive channel coincides with Mitchell being honored as the 2022 Person of the Year recipient at The Recording Academy’s MusiCares charity event on April 1st, raising funds for vital programs and relief efforts for the music community.
The Joni Mitchell Channel will feature the prolific artist’s timeless music, including home recordings, live performances, and other rarities from the recent Joni Mitchell Archives series, as well as interpretations of her music by a wide range of artists including Chaka Khan, Elton John, Norah Jones, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and more. Listeners will also be able to catch guest hosts sharing stories about Joni’s impact while selecting some of their favorite songs.
Joni Mitchell’s career spans decades and includes her daring musical ventures into multiple genres. While her music is often categorized as “folk,” her sound draws as much from jazz, classical and rock, and often encompasses bespoke tunings and song structures that defy categorization. She has also helped redefine the role of women musicians by overseeing all aspects of her albums, including songwriting, arrangements, performance, production and artwork.
Joni adds MusiCares 2022 Person Of The Year to her vast list of accolades including multiple Grammy Awards, the Polar Music Prize, inductions into both the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and, most recently, the Kennedy Center Honors.
“It’s a thrill to have my own SiriusXM channel,” says Mitchell.
In addition, Pandora listeners can experience Joni Mitchell on Joni Mitchell: A-Z, where Pandora’s expert curators have assembled her greatest songs into one playlist.
SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.
For more on Joni Mitchell, please visit www.jonimitchell.com.