Let’s go back and watch the Foo Fighters featuring System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian playing “Holiday in Cambodia by The Dead Kennedys on the Video Music Awards in 2007.
Charlie Puth Releases Highly Anticipated New Single “Light Switch” From His Forthcoming Album ‘Charlie’
GRAMMY nominated and multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer, Charlie Puth, today released his highly anticipated new song, “Light Switch.” After teasing clips of the song for months to his nearly 15 million fans on TikTok, you can now finally stream the song in full.
“Light Switch,” produced by Puth and co-written with longtime collaborator JKash and Grammy-nominated songwriter Jake Torrey, underscores why he is one of the industry’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators in music today. The moving and anthemic pop song, with Puth’s infectious vocals and signature falsetto, turns you on right away and you cannot switch it off.
Charlie says of “Light Switch,” which was well-documented on TikTok as he created it, “On the songwriting level, it was really cool to share this song with the fans while I made it, so they felt like they were involved at the very beginning of the song, like they almost wrote it with me.”
The official music video – directed by Christian Breslauer (The Weeknd, Lil Nas, Doja Cat) – humorously follows Charlie through all we do to capture that unrequited love.
“Light Switch” is the first new song to be released from Puth’s upcoming new album, CHARLIE, via Atlantic Records. Recently featured on VOGUE’s “24 Hours With” series, Charlie says this album is his most personal ever and that, “I’ve never had a chance to put out music that is truly me and every song on this album is my personality with some melody attached to it.”
At only 30 years old, Puth is a Diamond Certified, 20x Platinum, 4x Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who has garnered three Billboard Music Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award, and a Golden Globe nomination. Puth co-wrote and produced The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s record-breaking single, “Stay,” which quickly become one of the biggest songs of 2021 and holds the title for the longest-reigning No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and the first to lead it for double-digits – spending a total of eleven weeks at the top of the chart. Puth’s 2020 collaboration with Gabby Barrett on their “I Hope” Remix earned him his fourth top 10 track on the Billboard Hot 100, hit number one on the Billboard “Adult Pop Songs” chart, and won a 2021 Billboard Music Award for “Top Collaboration.” His 2018 GRAMMY-nominated LP, Voicenotes, was RIAA Certified Gold only four days after its release and has logged over 5.6 billion streams worldwide.
Sonic Reducers: 40 years ago today, Ozzy Osbourne bites THE HEAD OFF A BAT ONSTAGE
Sonic Reducers: 5 minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
40 years ago today, Ozzy Osbourne bites THE HEAD OFF A BAT ONSTAGE. Who else could do that? Nobody. This is a fun one.
Nemahsis Marks The New Year With ‘Dollar Signs’
Burgeoning Canadian artist Nemahsis reveals her brand new single ‘dollar signs’.
Built around warm guitar melodies and dreamy vocals, ‘dollar signs’ is a reflective account of Nemah’s personal struggles and introspective thoughts when faced with adversity. She explains, “Numerous times, I have found myself being taken advantage of—often in ways unimaginable… I can’t say that I am proud of every decision or every path I’ve taken, but I can say proudly that still, my “noes” outnumber the “yeses”.”
Nemah’s latest serving sees her join forces with acclaimed cultural innovators Crowns & Owls (slowthai, London Grammar) for the music video. When speaking on the plot of her music video, Nemah explains, “Society takes yet rarely does it return. It is eager to put its people in a glass box, to be an exhausting display extracting what is deemed profitable for personal gain.” The visual explores the complex duality of Nemah’s world in one take, beginning with a statuesque Nemah performing ‘dollar signs’ in a traditional Palestinian front room, before slowly panning out to a broader westernised narrative emerging on screen.
Hailing from the outskirts of Toronto, Nemahsis began paving the way for her musical career earlier last year. Approaching her music from a space of vulnerability, she’s beginning to create a distinctive body of work where each song becomes a diary entry of pivotal moments in her life. Nemah’s debut single ‘what if i took it off for you?’ defines so much of what she does as an artist; she stands up for what she believes in and what is right by her community. As a young Muslim woman, Nemah claims, “I’m not going to be anybody’s token Hijabi girl.” She later released ‘paper thin’, an emotive ballad that explores the insecurities a young Nemah experienced while growing up.
In addition to her expressive vocals and raw storytelling, Nemah is cultivating a large community of followers on TikTok. Rapidly approaching 600k followers on the global platform, Nemah empowers her fanbase with clips experimenting with fashion and her music performances. She encourages her followers to find their voices and inspires them to present themselves authentically. Already praised by fashion bible Vogue for her engaging TikTok content, Nemah’s visibility on the platform paves the way for much-needed representation of a young Muslim woman figuring out her life, one clip at a time.
Set to have a landmark year ahead of her, Nemahsis proves her soul-baring ability once more with new single ‘dollar signs’.
Nixon and Grateful Dead Jams Together For New Watch Collection
Nobody does it like Grateful Dead, and Nixon are excited to jam with the iconic band to bring this lineup of funky gear to life. A collaboration that cares about the details, together they’ve created a collection that will blow your mind while breathing new life into a historic legacy.
True originals in the world of musical experimentation, Grateful Dead created a sound that was all their own and, in the process, a global counterculture was born. In turn, their tunes are still as meaningful and relevant to life more than 50 years later.
From the orchestral, ultra-rhythmic rock jams to their iconic image, every Dead detail was considered. Devoted fans traveled to support them at every show on tour, and even crafted their own slogan and stickers to prove their love. ‘We Are Everywhere,’ evolved into a movement that only Dead Heads could create.
Trip out on the detailed iconography featuring Bears, Steal Your Face skulls, 13-point lightning bolts, skeletons and, of course, roses.
This collection is not for the faint of hearts, it’s for the Dead Heads. Look closely, the Dead is in the details. You can get them here.
Record Store Day 2022 Names Taylor Swift As Global Ambassador
2022 marks the 15th anniversary of our big party to celebrate record stores. They thought that for the Ambassador, they’d go big. Global, even. So they’re pleased to bestow the Ambassadorial sash on to one of the biggest artists in the world, Taylor Swift. She is the first global ambassador for Record Store Day in its 15-year history.
“I’m very proud to be this year’s Global Ambassador for Record Store Day. The places where we go to browse and explore and discover music new and old have always been sacred to me. Record stores are so important because they help to perpetuate and foster music-loving as a passion. They create settings for live events. They employ people who adore music thoroughly and purely. Those people and shops have had a rough few years and we need to support these small businesses more now than ever to make sure they can stay alive, stay eccentric, and stay individual. It’s been a true joy for me to watch vinyl sales grow in the past few years and we, the artists, have the fans to thank for this pleasant surprise. Happy Record Store Day, everyone! Stay safe out there.”
Singer/Songwriter Kelly Besd Tackles Inequality With Call To Action & Open Arms in Hard-Hitting “Dreamin’”
As we look ahead to 2022 and the tumultuous journey the world is embarking on for the nth time in history, it’s words of encouragement from activists, free thinkers, and musicians like Canadian singer/songwriter Kelly Besd, and her new single “Dreamin’,” that remind us to keep pushing forward.
Fresh from her newly released debut album, Back To Me, “Dreamin’” is a poignant and hard-hitting track shining the spotlight on racial injustice and discrimination. Harnessing the use of slow drums and her signature R&B vocal structures, Besd creates a warm, open, and ethereal listening experience for audiences while highlighting the need for change.
On the track, Besd teamed up with artists Jackie Art and K-Riz to offer their reflections and words of hope throughout the song: ‘Who standin for the cause? I’ll stand and give it my all’; ‘This love is seeking you, I hope it reaches you.’
While “Dreamin’” possesses a relatively optimistic overtone — ‘I’m dreamin of something I believe in, I’m dreamin’ that on each other we are leanin’ — the trio keeps their feet in the grass by reaching out as a call to action towards the listener.
‘No more lyin’, no more actin like we’re tryin’, we’re reachin’ out with open arms…’
A noteworthy line rings out from Besd as an ally to those facing discrimination, as opposed to creating a story for herself to narrate: ‘This ain’t my pain, I don’t feel it the same. But I know in my heart we need change…’
“Dreamin’” and its lyrics are in part a reflection of the album, Back To Me, as a whole. Intricately layered throughout, each song covers pressing subject matter — from inequality, to acceptance and inclusivity, to lessons Besd has learned through navigating life’s ups and downs.
Released in December 2021, the album features hard-hitting drum grooves and heartfelt slow jams, and has been streamed upwards of 75,000+ times. Its previously unveiled single, “Our Love,” was featured on CTV Calgary’s News at Noon, and saw a collaboration of over 20 Canadian artists and fostered a widespread community focus.
For its part, Back To Me’s “Tuff Times (ft. Jackie Art)” saw Besd work with producer Eddie Kramer (The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix); helping to reimagine Goddo’s 1978 iconic hit, the song was executive produced by Goddo’s Greg Godovitz himself, and mastered by multi-GRAMMY Award-winning engineer John Greenham (Billie Eillish).
Produced by ChefBeatz, Back To Me serves as an homage to music as a creative form of therapy. “This album airs out significant personal experiences in a vulnerable way,” she shares. “From navigating tumultuous family dynamics, to finding solace and community through music, to entertaining romance.”
Favoring moody bassy sounds influenced by R&B and rock, and blending pop into her signature sound wherever she sees fit, the multi-talented Kelly Besd creates international influence through catchy melodies, infectious hooks, and a diverse network of collaborators.
The results are a stunning contribution to the Canadian soundscape; “Dreamin’” and Back to Me are available now.
Gayle Unveils “ur just horny”
Atlantic Records/Arthouse Records recording artist GAYLE has shared her eagerly anticipated new single, “ur just horny” available now. Produced by Daylight (gnash, Shawn Mendes) and Pete Nappi (Thirty Seconds To Mars, Madison Beer, Shinedown), and written by GAYLE, Daniel Kyriakides (Sylvan Esso, K. Flay), and Sara Davis, the track is joined by an official music video premiering today across a range of MTV platforms, airing at the top of every music hour on MTV LIVE, MTV Biggest Pop, and MTVU, and streaming now.
“‘ur just horny’ is about the time i crossed the line in a friendship that i thought was platonic for years,” says GAYLE. “after crossing the line i noticed that they started treating me differently – they weren’t as nice and outgoing and honestly i couldn’t recognize them anymore. i started catching them in little lies and my mind couldn’t help but wonder what else they’ve lied to me about before. writing ‘ur just horny’ for me was coming to that realization that they didn’t want to be my friend they just wanted to get into my pants – and that hurt. it’s hard to separate platonic, romantic, and sexual feelings and sometimes in friendships the lines can get blurry.”
“ur just horny” marks a spectacular follow-up to GAYLE’s breakthrough hit single, “abcdefu,” and precedes an upcoming EP due this spring. The gloriously irreverent “abcdefu” has fast proven a landmark debut for the 17-year-old, Nashville-based artist, now ascending the top 10 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” after reaching #1 on a range of charts, including currently sitting at #1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for a second week. Worldwide streams exceed 615M and counting with over 1 million equivalents singles sold, driving the track to hit #1 on both iTunes’ “Top Pop Songs” and overall charts and reach #1 on the Spotify Global chart, with an official music video currently boasts over 62M individual views via YouTube HERE. “abcdefu” has proven a worldwide phenomenon, earning gold certification in countries such as Canada and Norway while hitting #1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart.
Recent press highlights include a Billboard magazine Chartbreakers feature that highlights GAYLE’s chart-topping success with “abcdefu.” Hailed by FLAUNT for “her own sound blending the genres of pop, alternative, rock, and R&B into one,” GAYLE made her late night network TV debut earlier this month with a captivating interview and electrifying performance of “abcdefu” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “Joined by a live band, the 17-year-old singer gave an impassioned performance on vocals and electric guitar,” wrote Rolling Stone, while Billboard raved, “Though she politely put the f-bombs in the unedited original version on the shelf for the night to appease network censors. (GAYLE’s) amped-up performance provided further proof that the Plano, Texas native is a force to be reckoned with.”
GAYLE further marked the success of “abcdefu” with a compelling array of alternate versions showcasing different aspects to the strikingly versatile track. “abcdefu (demo),” “abcdefu (chill),” and “abcdefu (angrier)” are all streaming now via DSPs and streaming services.
Recently featured as YouTube’s “Artist On The Rise,” an Amazon “Artist to Watch 2022,” and one of Billboard’s “21 Under 21: The Ones To Watch,” GAYLE has announced her first-ever run of headline dates, with intimate shows set for Nashville (March 9), Los Angeles (March 14), and New York City (March 22). Additional dates were announced after the first set sold out immediately, with second Nashville (March 10) and New York City (March 21) being added. Tickets are extremely limited – for availability and more information, please visit www.gayleofficial.com.
Along with her own headline tour dates, GAYLE has just been announced as support for AJR’s upcoming tour. See a full list of dates below.
AJR US TOUR 2022
APRIL
28 – Dallas, TX – Toyota Music Factory
29 – Austin, TX – Germania Amphitheater
30 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Pavilion
MAY
3 – Orlando, FL – Addition Financial Arena
4 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
6 – Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
8 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
10 – Cincinnati, OH – ICON Music Center
11 – Cleveland, OH – Wolstein Center @ CSU
13 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein
14 – Washington, DC – Merriweather Post Pavilion
15 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann
18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Peterson Events Center
20 – Boston, MA – Xfinity Center
21 – New York, NY – Forest Hills Stadium
GAYLE US TOUR 2022
MARCH
9 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
10 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
14 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre
21 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
22 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Gang Of Youths Share The Stunningly Choreographed New Video For ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’
Having won critical adoration for their emotionally transcendent current single ‘in the wake of your leave’, Gang of Youths give the song another moment in the spotlight by sharing its brand new video. The track is a highlight of their eagerly anticipated new album ‘angel in realtime.’, which follows on February 25th. ‘in the wake of your leave’ is currently Greg James’ Tune of the Week at Radio 1.
The video is the latest creative collaboration between the band’s frontman Dave Le’aupepe and director Joel Barney. In contrast to its lyrical concept of channelling grief into creativity, the video gleams with joyousness and escapism. With exuberant character, a Technicolour palette, and a hyperreal representation of London, it presents a new twist on the golden age of the musical.
The stars of the show, however, are Le’aupepe and the accompanying team of dancers. Consisting of just three extended takes, it culminates with a dazzling two-minute group routine.
Joel Barney says, “When I first heard the track, I knew the video had to be larger-than-life. Dave came to me with a ‘Singing in the Rain’ meets ‘Top Hat’ concept that paid homage to the great musicals of the ‘50s and ‘60s. We wanted to merge elements of old school Hollywood with a modern edge.
Using three long takes and the musical-like choreography gave the video a real theatrical feel. I knew Dave was a brilliant performer from working together previously, but we wanted to push him even further outside of his comfort zone. Of course, he nailed it.”
The ‘in the wake of your leave’ video extends the momentum that Gang of Youths have established in recent weeks. The band have also toured arenas as special guests to Sam Fender, played a selection of rapidly sold-out headline shows, and an unforgettable performance of ‘the angel of 8th ave.’ on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’.
‘angel in realtime.’ charts the waves of emotions that flooded over Dave Le’aupepe following the loss of his father. Those themes are amplified by Gang of Youths’ ever more ambitious musical approach, which draws upon the alternative and indie scenes of their new home in the UK, as well as indigenous sounds that reflect Le’aupepe’s Polynesian heritage.
Gang of Youths will commence a major UK and European tour in March. Tickets for the dates, listed below, are running low with several shows already sold-out. Their live plans in 2022 then continue with tours of North America and Australia, as well as a growing European festival schedule. Please see their website for a full list of dates.
MARCH
3rd – Ireland, Dublin, Button Factory (SOLD OUT)
5th – UK, Newcastle, Riverside (SOLD OUT)
6th – UK, Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom
8th – UK, Leeds, Beckett University
9th – UK, Bristol, O2 Academy
12th – UK, Birmingham, O2 Institute 2 (SOLD OUT)
13th – UK, Manchester, Albert Hall
15th – UK, London, O2 Academy Brixton
17th – Belgium, Brussels, AB Club (SOLD OUT)
18th – France, Paris, Nouveau Casino
20th – Germany, Cologne, Club Volta
21st – Germany, Hamburg, Mojo
23rd – Germany, Berlin, Columbia Theater
25th – The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso Noord (SOLD OUT)
Corb Lund Announces New Album ‘Songs My Friends Wrote’ Coming April 29
Fresh off his CCMA Award win to close out 2021, Corb Lund has announced a new album, Songs My Friends Wrote, scheduled for release on April 29. Lund puts his spin on 10 songs that were written by some of his closest pals and world-class songwriters such as Ian Tyson, Hayes Carll, Todd Snider and more.
“Songs My Friends Wrote is an album I’ve been threatening to make for years,” says Lund. “In most cases I’ve picked relatively obscure songs that have always spoken to me, even though many of them won’t be so familiar to people. The best part about recording all these tunes was that they reminded me of all the people who I haven’t been able to hang out with for the past two years because of the plague we’ve all been dealing with. All of these tunes bring a smile to my face and I hope they do the same for you.”
Lund has released the album’s first single today, “Highway 87,” written by Hayes Carll.
“I’ve known Hayes forever. We met at a card game in Dauphin, Manitoba, many moons ago and we both lost all our money to my ex, Debbie. Hayes and I have toured together, written together, drank together and he’s one of my best friends in music. This song is one of his that’s older and not as widely known, but my guys and I have been playing it for years. I love it.”
Songs My Friends Wrote follows June 2020’s release of Agricultural Tragic, Lund’s first studio album of original material in five years. The album earned Lund the 2021 CCMA Award for Alternative Country Album of the Year, his 13th career win. 2022 will see Lund’s debut at Grand Ole Opry, a career highlight.
Lund’s completely sold-out cross-country tour has been rescheduled to now begin in April. Lund will perform intimate shows at small clubs to help bring people back into venues that have been empty for nearly two years.
Corb Lund has received multiple CCMA, JUNO, and international award nominations and wins. A rural Albertan hailing from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with a long family lineage of ranchers and rodeo people, Lund is about as authentic as they come. Embracing both his Western heritage and his indie rock past through his music, Lund has been known to filter a range of cowboy themes past and present through his unique lens – from rough-and-tumble tales of lawless frontier saloons to the somber realities of running a modern family ranch.
Most recently, Lund has been actively leading protests against the Alberta provincial government’s plan to allow open-pit coal mining on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Last fall, Lund re-released “This is My Prairie,” featuring some of Alberta’s biggest country artists, which some are calling an anthem for the fight against coal.
SONGS MY FRIENDS WROTE TRACK LISTING:
1. Highway 87 (Hayes Carll)
2. That’s What Keeps the Rent Down, Baby (Geoff Berner)
3. Montana Waltz (Ian Tysoon)
4. Blue Wing (Tom Russell)
5. Pasa-Get-Down-Dena (John Evans)
6. Spookin’ the Horses (Fred Eaglesmith)
7. Little Rock (Hayes Carll)
8. Road To Las Cruces (Ian Tyson)
9. Big American Headliner (Mike Plume)
10. Age Like Wine (Todd Snider)