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Sonic Reducers: Neil Young Wants His Music OFF Spotify Over Joe Rogan

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Sonic Reducers. One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes. Everything you need to know.

Press play to hear us weigh in on Neil Young’s demand that Spotify choose between him and Joe Rogan, take a wild guess at which one Spotify will pick, and ponder whether any other artists will follow Neil’s lead.

STYX and REO Speedwagon Co-Headline U.S. Summer Tour with Loverboy “Live & Unzoomed” Kicking Off May 31, 2022

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It’s been four years since legendary rockers REO Speedwagon and Styx joined forces for a summer co-headlining tour. While the world has changed since then, fans’ desire to rock out hasn’t. Styx and REO Speedwagon are telling you to close those laptops and get out of your sweatpants, because they’re set to once again bring their rock & roll classics to the masses, this time with special guest Loverboy for the “Live & UnZoomed” tour that kicks off May 31, 2022 in Grand Rapids, MI at the Van Andel Arena. See below for complete routing.

Styx’s Tommy Shaw agrees, “I can’t think of a better way of touring the USA next year than with good friends we’ve known for years and performed with on many a stage. What a great night of music this will be!”

REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin said, “Tommy (Shaw) and I have done a number of Zoom performances together during the pandemic, and REO and Styx are ready to go get UnZoomed, and out on the road for our fifth U.S. tour together. Add our great friends Mike Reno and the Loverboy guys, and I am totally psyched. If I wasn’t performing in it, I would totally come out to see this show. See you all, LIVE and UNZOOMED!”

Loverboy’s Mike Reno proclaimed, “We can’t wait to take the stage and rock this summer, it’s gonna be awesome. These are all the groups I grew up with, and I’m there too. Best tour of the summer…guaranteed.”

A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity comes calling with the release of CRASH OF THE CROWN, Styx’s new “masterpiece” studio album, which was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic. The multi-Platinum rockers–James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals)–released their 17th album June 18, 2021 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which is available as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD on digital platforms. They released more new music on September 17, 2021, THE SAME STARDUST EP, originally sold as part of Record Store Day (June 12, 2021). Available on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, featuring two brand-new songs on side one (“The Same Stardust” and “Age of Entropia”), as well as five live performances on side two of some of Styx’s classic hits previously heard during their “Styx Fix” livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including “Mr. Roboto,” “Man In The Wilderness,” “Miss America,” “Radio Silence,” and “Renegade.” It’s available worldwide on all digital platforms.

Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and radio staples soon followed, setting the stage for the release of the band’s explosive HI INFIDELITY in 1980, which contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” That landmark album spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot and has since earned the RIAA’s coveted 10X Diamond Award for surpassing sales of 10 million units in the United States.

From 1977 to 1989, REO Speedwagon released nine consecutive albums all certified Platinum or higher. Today, REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million albums around the globe, and Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (guitar), and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying audiences worldwide in concert with hits and fan-favorites such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Time For Me To Fly,” “Roll With The Changes,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On the Run,” and many, many more.

REO Speedwagon remained busy throughout the pandemic before the band was able to return to the road. Beginning in April 2020, Cronin began a series of webisodes from his home titled “Songs & Stories From Camp Cronin.” Consisting of anecdotes and acoustic performances from him and his family, the series posted 24 episodes. Cronin and members of REO gave back over the past 16 months by participating in charity events for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Marilou & Mark Hamill’s USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative, John Oates’ “Oates Song Fest,” “Stars to the Rescue,” Acoustic-4-A-Cure, and more. Additionally, while Cronin began keeping a journal of the band’s 2016 UK tour, he never stopped writing and recently submitted what turned out to be his life story, as well as his telling of REO Speedwagon’s history. He says, “Putting out an autobiography is risky. Once it’s out there’s nowhere to hide!” More information on his autobiography will be released shortly.

For more than 40 years, Loverboy has been “Working for the Weekend” (and on the weekend), delighting audiences around the world since forming in 1979, when vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to guitar hot shot Paul Dean – both veterans of several bands on the Canadian scene – at Calgary’s Refinery Night Club. Along with Reno and Dean, Loverboy still includes original members Doug Johnson on keyboards and Matt Frenette on drums, with Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve replacing the late Scott Smith on bass.

With their trademark red leather pants, bandannas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows, Loverboy has sold more than 10 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling GET LUCKY, and a trio of double-Platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s KEEP IT UP and 1985’s LOVIN’ EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Their string of hits includes, in addition to the anthem “Working for the Weekend,” such arena rock staples as “Lovin’ Every Minute of It,” “This Could Be the Night,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “The Kid is Hot Tonite,” “Notorious”, “Turn Me Loose,” “When It’s Over,” “Heaven In Your Eyes” and “Queen of the Broken Hearts.” In March 2009, the group was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno Awards show in Vancouver.

Check out “Live & UnZoomed” at any of the following stops:

DATE CITY VENUE CLOSER

Tue 5/31 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena REO Speedwagon
Wed 6/1 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center Styx
Fri 6/3 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amp. REO Speedwagon
Sat 6/4 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amp. Styx
Tue 6/7 Milwaukee, WI American Family Insurance Amp. REO Speedwagon
Wed 6/8 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre Styx
Fri 6/10 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center REO Speedwagon
Sat 6/11 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center Styx
* Mon 6/13 Rogers, AR Walmart Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Tue 6/14 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre REO Speedwagon
Fri 6/17 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre Styx
Sat 6/18 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp. REO Speedwagon
Sun 6/19 West Palm Beach, FL iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre Styx
Fri 7/8 Denver, CO Ball Arena Styx
Sat 7/9 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Tue 7/12 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Wed 7/13 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amp. Styx
Fri 7/15 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Styx
Sat 7/16 Irvine, CA FivePoint Amphitheatre REO Speedwagon
Tue 7/19 Chula Vista, CA North Island Credit Union Amp. Styx
Wed 7/20 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion REO Speedwagon
Fri 7/22 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amp. Styx
Sat 7/23 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion Styx
Sun 7/24 Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion REO Speedwagon
Fri 8/5 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amp. REO Speedwagon
Sat 8/6 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion Styx
Mon 8/8 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater Styx
Wed 8/10 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park REO Speedwagon
Fri 8/12 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live REO Speedwagon
Sat 8/13 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion Styx
Tue 8/16 Toronto, ONT. Budweiser Stage Styx
Wed 8/17 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center REO Speedwagon
Fri 8/19 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center Styx
Sat 8/20 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center Styx
Sun 8/21 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater REO Speedwagon

Canada’s Walk Of Fame Names Angel Baribeau The Grand Prize Recipient Of RBC Emerging Musician Program

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The 9th Annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program today adds five new recipients to its class of 2021. A sought-after program that supports aspiring Canadian musical artists, this year’s entries raise the bar with a stunning range of submissions that span the spectrum of diversity across Canada from every province and two territories. Chosen by a selection committee of music industry experts, the recipients will share the prize and the program benefits valued at more than $100,000. This year’s Grand Prize winner is Montreal-based singer-songwriter Angel Baribeau, whose messages and representation within their debut EP, For Those I Love(d), continue to resonate with 200,000+ streams across various platforms.

The 9th annual Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program recipients are:

Grand Prize Winner: Angel Baribeau of Mistissini, QC

Second Prize Winners: YASSiN & Sean Terrio of Oakville, ON

Finalist (Third Prize): Boogey the Beat of Winnipeg, MB

Finalist (Third Prize): GRAE of Toronto, ON

Finalist (Third Prize): Madison Olds of Vancouver, BC

Featuring breathtaking vocals paired with lyrics that traverse emotional terrains, Angel Baribeau’s single “Love Is Up The River” from their debut EP garnered more than 20,000+ streams on Spotify, while “Wish We Were Older” charted #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and was featured on CBC North & APTN National News. The official music video also picked up a “Best Music Video” at the Toronto Indie Shorts Film Festival 2021 and Baribeau recently picked up the Young Canadian Songwriters Award 2021 presented by SOCAN Foundation. In total, Baribeau’s music has garnered over 200,000 streams across all platforms.

Originally from the Cree community of Mistissini, Quebec, Baribeau’s early foray was under the indie folk outfit Simple Human Tribe. As a solo artist in 2014, Baribeau was selected to be featured on the first-ever N’we Jinan compilation album, Eeyou Istchee Volume 1, which rocketed to #1 on the iTunes chart on the day of its release.

As a queer, non-binary Indigenous singer-songwriter, Baribeau’s goal is to be that of a changemaker, noting the responsibility to pursue their talent and create more representation within the industry for those who look and identify as they do.

“It’s important to see yourself in the world, otherwise, you might come to question whether your existence is valid. I felt this way for many years growing up, and it was only when I saw more folks like me I realized it’s okay for me to take up space. To see that positive imagery is fundamental to a child; at least, it was to me, and I want to do that for others,” said Angel.

They add, “In my own intersectionality, I want people to see me and know our representation is needed; and to feel that you’re not alone is a powerful thing. As the grand prize winner of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program, I look forward to the opportunities to invest in myself so that I can grow as an artist and continue to be a positive reflection for others through my music.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Angel Baribeau will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events, and private studio recording time at the renowned Metalworks Studios. A cash prize of $6,000 goes to Oakville based performers YASSiN & Sean Terrio for Second Prize, and the three Finalists will receive cash prizes of $4,000 each.

All recipients will have opportunities to elevate their career, including:

  • New! Online group mentorship sessions with Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Sarah McLachlan
  • New! Dedicated artist page on the newly launched EmergingMusician.ca, the official website for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
  • New! Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video
  • Career development mentorship sessions with A&R executives, a music lawyer and an experienced music industry agent*
  • A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2022 along with a Festival Access Pass*
  • Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus*
  • A performance at Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Festival du Voyageur in February 2022*

*Subject to COVID restrictions.

 

Also announced today, Jamie Labrador of Thunder Bay, Ontario is the recipient of the 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame / Metalworks Institute Scholarship. Jamie will receive $10,000 towards tuition of any full-time campus or online diploma program, or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute. The Institute offers a range of programs specializing in music performance, audio engineering, electronic music, live event and concert production, stage lighting and video, music business, music mixing and mastering and more. Each year, Metalworks invites past and current applicants of the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program to apply for this scholarship.

 

Recording Academy Announces Partnership With GLAAD To Foster LGBTQ+ Inclusion In The Music Community

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GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) media advocacy organization, today announced that the Recording Academy has donated $150,000 to the organization to support its work to diversify the music industry.

In addition to the donation, GLAAD and the Recording Academy announced a partnership for 2022 to further promote inclusion in this space through various initiatives, including:

  • Articles and profiles on LGBTQ+ music artists on GLAAD.org and GRAMMY.com, as well as each organization’s social media channels.
  • Support from the Recording Academy for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, April 2, 2022 and New York City, NY on Friday, May 6, 2022.
  • LGBTQ+-focused DEI training sessions hosted by the GLAAD Media Institute for Recording Academy elected leaders and staff to learn more about LGBTQ+ people and issues.
  • Participation from key GLAAD executives in the Recording Academy’s DEI speakers series throughout the upcoming year.

“The music industry is one of the most powerful avenues for bringing cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion to the forefront,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our new partnership with the Recording Academy will shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in music and uplift underrepresented voices within the industry who have been overlooked for far too long.”

“We’re thrilled to double-down on our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in partnership with GLAAD to inspire a culture of belonging and respect within the music industry,” said Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt. “This partnership embodies our joint commitment to accelerate progress for LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that the music community is representative of the many diverse artists who contribute to and call this industry home.”

In November 2021, GLAAD applauded LGBTQ+ artists nominated for the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards including Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile, and Lady Gaga, as well as new artists Japanese Breakfast and Arlo Parks, who received nominations in the Best New Artist category. A full list of out LGBTQ+ GRAMMY Award nominees can be found here.

As an organization, GLAAD works through media – including film, television, music, advertising and more – to advance LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance. Through the GLAAD Media Institute, GLAAD consults on LGBTQ+ storylines and projects in media and Hollywood, conducts research into LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance, and offers LGBTQ+ media trainings to some of the world’s largest studios, networks, music groups, brands, and other key entertainment companies.

In addition to its work behind-the-scenes, GLAAD annually hosts the GLAAD Media Awards, which honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ+ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally. At the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2021, GLAAD introduced the Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist category, recognizing LGBTQ+ artists who have achieved a breakthrough in the music industry and who are shaping the future of the industry and clearing a path for up-and-coming LGBTQ+ artists. In 2021, CHIKA received the inaugural award in the Breakthrough Music Artist category and Sam Smith received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist.

Ottawa-Based Nigerian Rapper BANGGZ Stands Out From The Crowd With Bombastic “Who’s Gassing Who?”

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With the release of his newest song, “Who’s Gassing Who?,” Ottawa-based Nigerian rapper Banggz commands the spotlight in a constantly expanding catalog full of pop rappers echoing mainstream tropes.

Banggz sounds like a seasoned vocalist in his newest single, hinting at this musician’s expertise when it comes to producing. Banggz often approaches his music endeavors singlehandedly; responsible for writing, performances, and production, Banggz uses his ever-growing catalog to showcase his prowess when it comes to executing a project.

Drawing inspiration from multiple genres of music — including hip-hop, afrobeat, jazz, and funk to name a few — Banggz uses this inspiration to further his connection to his childhood roots. The intimate connection resulted in the creation of a handful of passion projects which have received excellent public reception, such as “Jostice,” a story about Banggz birthplace Jos, Nigeria, and “Yawa” which is a banger laced with Afrobeat influences.

Banggz has gained an impressive amount of performance experience in Ottawa after playing a variety of shows and participating in the CRUIZE CNTRL tour. This experience, as well as innate ability to tell a story, creates the overwhelming confidence that “Who’s Gassing Who?” exudes. The up-and-coming rapper looks to bring light to his unique music background while grabbing the attention of listeners. Fusing heavy-hitting drum samples with synthesizers and vocal performances, Banggz uses bombastic lyrics to uplift and inspire listeners while driving home his critical message: “I’m cut from a different cloth.”

“I was drawn to the hook ‘If I am fly and you are fly then who’s the pilot?’. It refers to the plethora of rappers making music and separates me from them.” The atmosphere that Banggz generates in his production style, coupled with his ever-growing level of professional experience, indicates that this rapper can walk the walk.

However, it’s not all hard-talk for Banggz. In fact, he reflects a little on his own life in “Who’s Gassing Who?” while expressing a bit of vulnerability. “In the second verse, I tried opening up more about my life outside of music and what I struggle with. The verse, ‘I am not afraid of anything or anyone but college’ shows that I believe my aspirations are likely to come to fruition beyond the four walls of a learning institution.”

It’s this blend of swagger and introspection that create such a unique listening experience. The splash of Banggz personality into the music production itself is a refreshing touch; “Who’s Gassing Who?” creates enough noise to let listeners know that Banggz is here to stay for good.

“Who’s Gassing Who?” is available now.

Singer-Songwriter SARAH TOLLE Voices Empathy to Those with Mental Illness in Piano-Driven “Fight For You”

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Fighting for one’s mental health can be a lonely endeavor; one made much easier when you have at least one person in your corner. Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Sarah Tolle gives voice to that fight through the perspective of a loved one or a friend in her cascading new single, “Fight For You.”

A piano-driven electronic pop ballad, the song’s standout feature is its deeply heartfelt vocals. “For me, the song is sung by a caregiver — someone in a support role,” Tolle says.

“Fight For You” begins with one rolling, harmonious word: You. It’s the word that provided an entry point to the song Tolle wanted to write, but that she then got stuck on. So, she asked her mom for help.

“In order to write this song, I actually ended up asking my mom to write down what came to mind when she listened to the instrumental track,” says Tolle. “She’s not a songwriter by trade or anything, but there’s a richness of experience in working with my mom, who has dealt with more life than I have. Being able to paint some pictures with her words gave the lyrics more depth.”

As someone with lots of life experience usually knows, life is rarely tidy. “The caregiver in the song is supporting a loved one who’s living with mental illness — and they’re not perfect by any means,” Tolle said. “They express unconditional love and encouragement, but also signs of confusion, disbelief, and exasperation.

“I wanted this portrayal to feel real, and real is not always neat and pretty.”

So far, the song has been streamed more than 200,000 times since hitting digital streaming platforms in November. “Looking at the numbers so far, “Fight For You” is my most popular song,” Tolle said.

Sarah Tolle is a singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, BC, and her warm, energetic music is an exploration in radiant self-expression and a loving invitation to sing and dance. Her music is marked by a trusting openness, delivering pieces that are simple and accessible, yet empowering and fiercely catchy. You’ll hear themes of encouragement, acceptance, tolerance, and peace in her eclectic pop compositions that blend house beats, sweeping orchestral sounds, old time banjo folk, and more.

Tolle grew up on a beautiful old farm in Wisconsin in a family that practiced music for fun and supported artists. In this space where the lines blurred between work and play, creativity wasn’t so much taught as it was simply practiced. Her mission with music is to revitalize and heal; to help people love themselves and the beings around them.

“Fight For You” is available now.

John Legend Announces Headlining Las Vegas Residency, “Love In Las Vegas” At Zappos Theater

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12-time GRAMMY Award-winner, multiplatinum artist, activist, and EGOT (Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar and Tony) winner John Legend will headline a Las Vegas residency, “Love In Las Vegas,” at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, opening Friday, April 22, 2022.

Designed exclusively for Zappos Theater and promoted by Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment, “Love In Las Vegas” will be a beautiful, soulful concert experience, showcasing Legend’s greatest hits, “soaring vocals [and] silky-smooth piano playing skills” (Billboard). The performance will feature Legend’s incredible full band and will be a vibrant, colorful celebration of love and coming together, sentiments echoed on Legend’s GRAMMY Award-winning seventh studio album, Bigger Love, and companion 2021 headline tour – which resulted in multiple sold out shows and garnered rave reviews in the press.

Tickets go on sale to the public starting Monday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. PT. Fan club members will have access to a presale starting Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. PT. Citi is the official presale credit card for John Legend’s residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. PT through Citi Entertainment. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a presale starting Friday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. PT. All presales will end Sunday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. PT.

The 24 highly anticipated performances going on sale are:

April 2022: 22, 23, 27, 29, 30
May 2022: 4, 6, 7
August 2022: 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20
October 2022: 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29

VIP packages will also be available. Tickets and packages may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/JohnLegendVegas. All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

SiriusXM and Pandora Launch ‘Chapter and Verse’ Series with Audible

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SiriusXM and Pandora have teamed up with Audible, the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, to create Chapter and Verse, a new programming series that will blend conversations with some of the world’s top authors and the music and artists that inspire them.

Chapter and Verse will come to life as a monthly feature where a rotation of notable authors whose titles are available on Audible discuss music as an inspiring creative tool, while playing the songs that intersect with their work. This all-new series kicks off today, December 9, on Pandora, the SXM App and on SiriusXM’s Volume channel beginning at Noon ET.

At launch, listeners will hear directly from authors Nicholas SparksWendy Walker, and Jonathan Maberry as they talk about their latest literary project and the unique, essential role that music plays in their work.  In the coming months, listeners will hear from authors such as James PattersonDaymond John and more, as they gain insight into the author’s literary world and writing process through sound, featuring a hand-selected soundtrack of music that sparks their creativity.

On Pandora, the series will be featured as hosted playlists, where new authors’ playlists are expected to be added each month. On SiriusXM’s Volume, Chapter and Verse will join the channel’s line-up of talk programming dedicated to conversations about music.  Listeners can expect to sit back and hear great songs and storytelling about the integral role music can play in an author’s world.SiriusXM

Chapter and Verse will launch with several episodes available including Nicholas Sparks discussing music and his new book, The Wish, Wendy Walker talking about her new Audible Original, American Girland Jonathan Maberry providing the soundtrack to his Audible Original, The Werewolf’s 15 Minutes.  In the coming months, listeners can hear James Patterson giving insights into his Audible Original, The Guilty, and Daymond John will be diving into his Audible Original, Founding Fubu. Listeners can catch Chapter and Verse  on Pandora, SiriusXM’s Volume channel 106, and anytime on the SXM App.

It’s Warren Zevon’s 75th Birthday Today, So Enjoy Every Sandwich

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Sonic Reducers. One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes.

Punch play to watch us celebrate Warren Zevon’s 75th birthday, review the late great singer-songwriter’s life and career, point you toward his best albums and explain why he was one of the greatest troubadours of his generation.

My Next Read: PJ Harvey’s ‘Orlam’

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PJ Harvey will publish a new narrative poem, Orlam, via Picador Poetry on April 28, 2022. Nine-year-old Ira-Abel Rawles lives on Hook Farm in the village of UNDERWHELEM. Next to the farm is Gore Woods, Ira’s sanctuary, overseen by Orlam, the all-seeing lamb’s eyeball who is Ira-Abel’s guardian and protector. Here, drawing on the rituals, children’s songs, chants and superstitions of the rural West Country of England, Ira-Abel creates the twin realm through which she can make sense of an increasingly confusing and frightening world.

Orlam reveals PJ Harvey as not only one of the most talented songwriters of the age, but a gifted poet – whose formal skill, transforming eye and ear for the lyric line has produced a strange and moving poem like no other.

Orlam follows Ira and the inhabitants of UNDERWHELEM month by month through the last year of her childhood innocence. The result is a poemsequence of light and shadow – suffused with hints of violence, sexual confusion and perversion, the oppression of family, but also ecstatic moments in sunlit clearings, song and bawdy humour. The broad theme is ultimately one of love – carried by Ira’s personal Christ, the constantly bleeding soldier-ghost Wyman-Elvis, who bears ‘The Word’: Love Me Tender.

Orlam is not only a remarkable coming-of-age tale, but the first full-length book written in the Dorset dialect for many decades. Orlam comes with a facing-page English translation, so readers can follow the richness and subtlety of the original poem with ease.