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SiriusXM and Pandora Celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month with New Initiatives to Highlight Latinx and Hispanic Artists

Eric Alper
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SiriusXM and Pandora Celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month with New Initiatives to Highlight Latinx and Hispanic Artists

This Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month, SiriusXM and Pandora celebrate the Latinx and Hispanic stars making an impact on music today with new programming and events focused on uplifting the sounds of their culture. Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15 and commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large.

Pandora’s new Satélites station highlights the discovery of the next generation of musical innovators who are influencing the direction of contemporary Latin urban and popular music. Satélites will feature music from the ‘satellite’ regions of Latin America, the US and Caribbean. Artists that can be heard on Satélites include Álvaro Díaz, María Becerra, Dímelo Flow & La Gabi.

In addition to launching the Satélites station, Pandora will host an exclusive Pandora LIVE El Pulso event featuring a performance from 5 time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist J Balvin, also known as “the global ambassador of Reggaeton.” Balvin, a favorite on Pandora’s popular El Pulso station, will perform his massive global hits as well as music from his recent album Jose. Fans will have the opportunity to witness the exclusive show taping live and those unable to attend will be able to enjoy the event virtually on October 13 at live.pandora.com. The performance will also air on SiriusXM’s Caliente and Pitbull’s Globalization channels.

Balvin’s Pandora LIVE El Pulso event lands after the launch of his Artist Takeover Mode on El Pulso, out now. Listen to J. Balvin’s Artist Takeover Mode on EL Pulso here.

SiriusXM is celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month with a broad array of exclusive special programming honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of artists and celebrities of Latinx and Hispanic descent.

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day a day early with Los Dos Carnales on SiriusXM’s Aguila channel, who will provide an exclusive performance airing today at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET and throughout the week.

Becky G will kick off a new monthly series, “Las Poderosas,” which is dedicated to the Latina artists leading the Latin music movement.  As host of the series’ first episode, Becky G will also share music from those artists that have influenced her.  This show will air on September 21 at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, with a replay on September 25 at 11 a.m. ET on SiriusXM’s Viva channel.

In a historic two-part series, Irakere Reunion: Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdés will talk to founding members of the legendary Cuban band, Irakere! on his SiriusXM channel, Chucho’s Cuba and Beyond.  Parts one and two will include his conversation with Grammy award-winning clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, airing October 4 at 4 p.m. and October 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

Listeners can also expect exclusive specials with world-famous artists Andrés Calamaro, Diego Torres, and many more all on the SiriusXM App.  For a full SiriusXM programming schedule through October 15, please visit HERE

Also in celebration of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month, SiriusXM, Pandora, and Stitcher are proud to announce their new sales and distribution relationship with Pitaya Entertainment, the podcasting company dedicated to producing shows by and for Latinos in the US. Pitaya’s podcasts, hosted by some of the biggest Latinx influencers in the U.S., include Ana Patricia Sin Filtro con Ana Patricia Gámez, Muy Fuera De Lugar con Werevertumorro, Sin Rodeo con Jomari Goyso, Entre Hermanas con Alejandra Espinoza y Damaris Jimenez, El Pedcast con José Eduardo Derbez and Hyphenated with Joanna Hausmann and Jenny Lorenzo.

Special programming will continue across SiriusXM’s Talk and Comedy channels. Some of the highlights include Comedy Greats channel 94, which will air full stand-up albums every Wednesday and Friday from some of the biggest Latinx comedians, including Cheech and Chong, George Lopez, Gabriel Iglesias, John Leguizamo, and more.

Raw Dog Comedy (channel 99) will also air full albums from Latinx comedians every Wednesday and Friday throughout the month, including releases from some of the biggest names in comedy. More specials are also planned for Netflix Radio (channel 93), Comedy Central Radio (channel 95), and Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio (channel 96).

SiriusXM Progress (channel 127) will honor the history and culture of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month by shining a spotlight on the issues that are at the forefront of the Latinx Community. The channel will continue its “Pass The Mic” special series throughout the weekend of October 2, as the channel highlights Latinx voices and celebrates a community that has influenced so many of our traditions.

Peruvian-American children’s musician Flor Bromley will guest DJ SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live Hispanic Heritage Fiesta bringing listeners family-friendly songs from a wealth of Hispanic and Latin American acts. The lineup includes children’s artists from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and more. The special can be heard on September 19 at 9 a.m. ET on Kids Place Live channel 78, and is also available on the SXM App here.

“Stomping Ground”, All-New Dion Album, Coming November 5

Eric Alper
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“Stomping Ground”, All-New Dion Album, Coming November 5

Dion is following up his critically acclaimed and commercially successful 2020 album release Blues With Friends with Stomping Ground, a new album that finds him collaborating yet again with music greats with whom he shares mutual admiration.  Set for release November 5, Stomping Ground was produced by Wayne Hood with Dion and will be released through Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman’s KTBA Records.  The album will be available digitally as well as on CD and as a two LP set.

Most of the album’s songs were written by Dion and his songwriting partner Mike Aquilina.  Guest artists appearing on tracks with Dion include Boz Scaggs, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen, Billy F Gibbons, Keb’ Mo’, Sonny Landreth, Joe Menza, Mike Menza, Marcia Ball, Jimmy Vivino, Rickie Lee Jones, Wayne Hood, Joe Bonamassa and G.E. Smith with Pete Townshend’s liner notes which Dion characterizes as “amazing.”

The album’s voluminous notes include an intro by Dion that succinctly summarizes the philosophy behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s latest recorded endeavor:

“When I was young, I was always striving for accolades and admiration. Those were my goals.  But when I reached them, they didn’t satisfy.  I discovered joy when I leaned to stop caring about all that – when I learned to relax and make music with friends… music that would make more friends for us through its joy.  To make music with friends, and to make friends through music: I can’t imagine a better life than this.  I am grateful to my friends who made Stomping Ground with me – and my new friends who are listening.”

The album was preceded last month with the release of “I’ve Got To Get To You,” a track featuring Boz Scaggs along with the father and son guitar team of Joe and Mike Menza.  This week marks the release of “Take It Back,” on which Dion is joined by Joe Bonamassa. Next month (10/13) will see the release of “Angel In The Alleyway” that features Patti Scialfa (vocals) and Bruce Springsteen (guitar and harmonica).

The album’s notes include a foreword by Pete Townshend, which reads, in part:

“Dion, like a circling star that never fades, generates the energy and fire we need to pull ourselves up and start again.  Dion is a star who knows well how to start again, how to keep shining.  He looks at his watch every few years. Damn! Let’s make a record.  Take care. This one will blow those little white things in our ears right into your brain.”

Beyond Townshend’s literary contribution, Dion provides a track-by-track description of all the album’s 14 selections, the sole non-original being “Red House,” the Jimi Hendrix song that has become a blues standard.  On Stomping Ground, Dion is joined by Keb’ Mo’ on that song.  Dion notes, “We had a blast grooving on ‘Red House.’ I’m honored to have him join me on this Jimi Hendrix cover/tribute.  We did it as only we could. I think Jimi would approve!”  It’s worth mentioning that the follow-up single release to Dion’s 1968 smash hit “Abraham, Martin and John” was “Purple Haze,” serving to underscore the connection that Dion has long had with the legacy of Jimi Hendrix.

There’s more Dion news.  The Wanderer, a musical based on the life and music of Dion will stage its world pre-Broadway premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ on March 24, 2022.  Michael Wartella (Wicked) stars as Dion, alongside Christy Altomare (Anastasia) as Susan, Dion’s wife. Original New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre (Waitress) plays Johnny, Dion’s best friend.  The Wanderer was written by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own) and directed by Kenneth Ferrone (Cruel Intentions) and choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby. Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt is the scenic designer. The Wanderer is produced by Paper Mill Playhouse in association with Jill Menza and Charles Messina.

Visit DionDimucci.com or KTBArecords.com for more information.

Stomping Ground track listing (LP version — CD version follows the same order)

Side A

  1. Take It Back with Joe Bonamassa
  2. Hey Diddle Diddle with G.E. Smith
  3. Dancing Girl with Mark Knopfler
  4. If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll with Eric Clapton

Side B

  1. There Was A Time with Peter Frampton
  2. Cryin’ Shame with Sonny Landreth
  3. The Night Is Young with Joe Menza and Wayne Hood

Side C

  1. That’s What The Doctor Said with Steve Conn
  2. My Stomping Ground with Billy F Gibbons
  3. Angel In the Alleyways with Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen

Side D

  1. I’ve Got To Get To You with Boz Scaggs, Joe Menza and Mike Menza
  2. Red House with Keb’ Mo’
  3. I Got My Eyes On You Baby with Marcia Ball and Jimmy Vivino
  4. I’ve Been Watching with Rickie Lee Jones and Wayne Hood

Chris de Burgh Re-Imagines The Legend of Robin Hood In New Album

Eric Alper
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Chris de Burgh Re-Imagines The Legend of Robin Hood In New Album

Re-imagining the fabled tale of a folklore favourite has been the latest creative challenge for Chris de Burgh, and his new album, The Legend of Robin Hood, finds the iconic artist at his imaginative best.

Available now, the compelling release breathes music and lyrical life into a centuries-old and much-loved classic, re-telling the story with cinematic vision coupled seamlessly to music of emotional depth and power.

The concept for the 27th studio album by Chris emerged from his involvement in ‘Robin Hood’, a stage musical about the infamous Sherwood Forest nobleman and his band of outlaws. Chris was invited to contribute storylines and melodies to the musical, which will be produced later in the year in Fulda, Germany, by Spotlight Productions, a theatrical company that has already mounted eight successful musicals.

“Since I was writing songs for this,” he explains, “I thought ‘Why not expand the story and put an album out, too?’”

Chris was eminently qualified and able to do that on any number of levels. Most significantly, with his 2010 album Moonfleet, based on the book of the same name, he had crafted a highly successful musical interpretation of an already existing story.

None of which necessarily made tackling Robin Hood any easier…

“I learned a great deal from Moonfleet — particularly how to set out a story in sequence,” he says. “If I had a problem advancing the story in song, I’d just go and read the book again. This time, we didn’t have a book. There is no book! I had to create my own story, my own version of this classic tale.

“In my story, Robin Hood is not a hero, but circumstances and injustice to others turned him into the hero that is now known all over the world. He initially comes across as an obnoxious young man in his late teens, but he subsequently shows a different and compassionate side and the qualities of a born leader.”

As has only very recently been suggested by a respected historian, Robin Hood is thought to have been a key target of King John, his son King Henry III, and their powerful justiciar (law-maker) Hubert de Burgh — who, almost incredibly, is an ancestor of Chris himself.

Given the inconsistencies concerning the dates in which Robin Hood is thought to have lived, Chris tells his version of the legend as if it were many years after Robin’s death — and in the setting of a candle-lit tavern where a small audience has gathered to hear it conveyed by a StoryTeller and enacted by his musicians, actors, and singers.

It has the romance and magic of a minstrel entertaining and enlightening the listener, and that is precisely what has made Chris so unique and peerless throughout his long career.

The tenth Chris de Burgh album to be produced by Chris Porter, The Legend of Robin Hood is, like Moonfleet, another aural extravaganza, played flawlessly by seasoned, talented musicians across a plethora of musical styles — from Medieval, ‘traditional’, nursery rhyme, folk and Celtic-infused to rock, classical, and choral.

Regardless of its central theme, the album stands up on its own as a new collection of vintage Chris de Burgh material, with instant, sing-along crowd-pleasers like “Live Life, Live Well” and “Open Your Eyes.”

It includes a new and reworked version of live favourite “Light A Fire” — from his 1982 album The Getaway — and the show-stopping, message-bearing anthem, “Legacy.” “You’ve always got to leave your audience singing and waving their arms in the air,” says Chris, “and I think ‘Legacy’ will do that.”

As ever, Chris has written songs with a view to live performance. “We’ll certainly be performing the album in its entirety on stage when circumstances permit us to safely tour again,” says Chris.

Available now via Justin Time Records, The Legend of Robin Hood is an album of evocative escapism, and a tonic for our troubled times.

“Weird Al” Yankovic Named Official Ambassador for World College Radio Day 2021, Coming October 1st

Eric Alper
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“Weird Al” Yankovic Named Official Ambassador for World College Radio Day 2021, Coming October 1st

Legendary singer and comic icon “Weird Al” Yankovic is named as the official 2021 Ambassador for the 11th Annual World College Radio Day, which is happening worldwide on Friday, October 1st, 2021.

“It feels great to be back in college radio!” says “Weird Al” Yankovic. “I loved my college radio days. That’s where I first got my start, that’s where I first took the name ‘Weird Al’ professionally, so I have very, very fun memories,” adds Yankovic.

Yankovic has recorded an exclusive, wide-ranging interview especially for the World College Radio Day event to be simulcast on the 600+ participating college radio stations, and was interviewed by students from two college radio stations, WMSC and WNUW in New Jersey, USA.

“‘Weird Al’ Yankovic is the quintessential college radio success story,” says Anabella Poland, General Manager of WMSC FM at Montclair State University in New Jersey and President of CRD 2021. “College radio provides that safe space for students to express their most authentic selves and no doubt, Al’s brilliance shone bright at KCPR and it was a conduit towards an extraordinary career,” added Poland.

As an alumnus of KCPR San Luis Obispo, and a prime example of college radio being a laboratory for students to experiment and create unique content, Yankovic adopted the “Weird Al” nickname from others within the dormitory he shared. Though he initially took it as an insult, Yankovic eventually “took it on professionally” as his persona for the station, and the rest is history. He has sold over 12 million records worldwide and received five Grammy awards for pioneering music that brilliantly parodied and made fun of pop culture throughout the years. A true original, Yankovic is an excellent ambassador of the vibrancy and creativity of college radio. “College radio meant a lot to me at the time, and it still does. I try to be supportive, however and whenever I can, and the fact that I’m now an official ambassador means the world to me,” says Yankovic.

This year marks the 11th annual World College Radio Day, founded by Dr. Rob Quicke, professor of communication at William Paterson University of New Jersey. “We are delighted to celebrate our 11th event, even in these most challenging circumstances. Huge credit must go to the students, staff, and faculty that keep college radio stations going,” says Quicke.

Set for Friday, October 1st, the celebration will unite college radio stations from over 40 countries around the world to bring awareness to the work and value they bring to the broadcasting medium. This year the theme is In Tough Times, We Thrive, taking into account the global efforts made by college radio stations around the world to find inventive ways to keep broadcasting and creating content despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Laura Fernandez, Glenn Crosse & George Koller Come Together in Magical New Single, “Fotografia”

Eric Alper
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Laura Fernandez, Glenn Crosse & George Koller Come Together in Magical New Single, “Fotografia”

The mesmerizing stylings of Laura Fernandez on vocal, Glenn Crosse on arrangement and guitar, and George Koller on bass have come together in their magical new single, “Fotografia” — available now.

Whisking audiences to a place where wonder and longing interlace, guitarist Glenn Crosse leads the multi-talented artists into this stunning arrangement, unveiling a renewed take on a lesser-known and rarely-covered gem by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Following on the heels of her recent solo album, Okay, Alright, singer/songwriter, pianist, producer, radio host, and artist Laura Fernandez lends to the track an intimate and inimitable vocal in both Portuguese and English.

Each complementing the song’s timeless groove and feel with finesse, bassist, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist George Koller brings a powerful and sensitive bowed upright bass.

As one of Jobim’s earliest compositions circa 1959, “Fotografia”’s evocative and fluid melody is as sensual as it is mysterious. Both then and now, the song captures the essence of a magical and intimate moment in time, landing like the memory of a kiss that remains engraved in the heart.

“Fotografia” is available now via Sonic Peach Music.

Vancouver Rocker EMILY MOLLOY is “Wide Awake” About the Aftermath of Heartbreak, Anguish & Resolve

Eric Alper
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Vancouver Rocker EMILY MOLLOY is “Wide Awake” About the Aftermath of Heartbreak, Anguish & Resolve

When a stand-alone guitar riff meets you at the door, it’s time to welcome in the pure, unadulterated emotion it’s brought along with it. In this case, it’s Canadian artist Emily Molloy and her raw, emotive-packed new single, “Wide Awake,” and her new EP, Catastrophes — available now.

A fixture in the indie music community of the West Coast, Vancouver’s Emily Molloy is a trifecta of talent. From exciting and enduring song writing, to her flawless execution and powerhouse vocals, to her captivating visuals on-screen and on-stage, Molloy employs a host of truth to the notes she writes and performs.

Further, her commitment to telling the whole story leaves the listener with relatability; her authenticity lends credence to her words, and she captivates audiences by providing solace in understanding with her songs.

That very notion is exposed loud and clear on Molloy’s latest offering, “Wide Awake” — a song about heartbreak, about resolve, about the anguish of accepting love lost.

Written in under an hour, Molloy was emboldened by a break-up experienced by award-winning director Angie Nolan. Finding perspective through Nolan’s pain, Molloy packs each emotional punch with her raspy, full-bodied vox; each resolve in the lyrics a little more hurt than the last until she scales the note so hard in the bridge, you can feel in your soul the shattering of her heart. Molloy perfectly embodies a wailing wall of sorrow and sadness in one fell swoop.

“After writing ‘Wide Awake’, I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wait…I’m not going through this myself, but Angie is,’” she recalls. “I realised I had written the song about her, and from her perspective, but that we can all relate.”

Enlisting recording engineer Eric Mosher at the Warehouse Studios in 2020, Molloy quickly realized that “Wide Awake” was the stand-out track on her latest EP. “This is my most vulnerable song recorded to date, and I knew I needed a video that would fully capture the story and emotion expressed. The song turned out more beautifully stunning in the studio than I could ever hoped for, and it screamed for its visual equal.”

Having dreamt the storyboard for the music video, and with Angie Nolan at the helm of directing, “Wide Awake” premiered in August of 2021. A winter landscape following Molloy wandering through the woods, as a healing warrior dances on a frozen lake, the video captures the suffocation of loss, but the empowerment of letting go and accepting freedom from grief.

“Because for some reason I had the dream about a winter landscape, we filmed the video in Whistler on Alta Lake while it was frozen,” Molloy explains. “Jenna Manzanares beautifully embodied the role of the healed/warrior version of myself. Strong and insanely powerful, she dances in the open and freeing expanse (while I am still stuck in the woods).

“I am both incredibly honoured and proud to have such an amazingly talented person showcase her talent in this music video, she’s a freaking star. Jenna was on the ice in a spandex bodysuit for hours, freezing her butt off without complaint. At the same time, I was getting my makeup done, unaware of the impending cold. Both Jenna and I ended up laying in ice puddles on a frozen lake for hours with very little clothing.”

“The emotion seen and felt in the video is 100% authentic,” Molloy continues, “I’ve never acted before, and this experience gave me such a massive new perspective on what it means to be a performer. I am crying, for real, in the video. I am really feeling the feelings in the video.”

The viewer will relate. The listener will get it. The lingering electric guitar only fills the gap behind Molloy’s insanely tremendous vocals; she doesn’t need any instrumentation to find the melody in the music. Emily Molloy’s voice shines like a beacon above the backdrop. You believe every word. You are every word.

“Over time, I feel like this song has not only related to my life, but is relatable to so many others,” Emily Molloy muses. “We all experience hurt, trauma, and pain; but learning to channel that energy into creative expression of any form helps turn that trauma into beauty.”

Open your eyes to see beyond the heartache. Emily Molloy challenges you to be “Wide Awake”.

“Wide Awake” and Catastrophes are available now.

Kingston, ON’s Award-Winning Author & Singer/Songwriter STEVE HEIGHTON Rises Above Tragedy To Release “Don’t Remember Me”

Eric Alper
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Kingston, ON’s Award-Winning Author & Singer/Songwriter STEVE HEIGHTON Rises Above Tragedy To Release “Don’t Remember Me”

“Sometimes finding your voice means losing it first.”

That may be a conceptual statement for most but, for internationally acclaimed Canadian poet-novelist and singer-songwriter Steven Heighton, there are no truer words. After recovering from a near-fatal accident, the Governor General’s Award for Poetry winner returned to his songwriting roots to create and release his debut album, The Devil’s Share, and the new single, “Don’t Remember Me” — both available now.

A deeply moving declaration to a lost love who needs to be, but can never really be forgotten, “Don’t Remember Me” is the first post-release single from the 11-track LP — which just landed this Spring via Wolfe Island Records/CRS Europe.

Heighton’s first album of original songs, The Devil’s Share was recorded by veteran producer Hugh Christopher Brown and features Brown on keyboards (Barenaked Ladies, BB King, Tragically Hip, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir), bassist Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Ani DiFranco, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir), and lead guitarist Tony Scherr (Nora Jones, Keith Richards).

The Queen’s Journal calls the collection “a terrific blend of folk, rock, and blues built on the foundation of Heighton’s tender-yet-searing poetry,” and Ron Sexsmith says the songs give him “a sort of ‘Where have you been all my life?’ feeling.”

All the ways we loved have slipped my mind
Like these letters I forget to send
Souvenirs of grass and sand
Carried home from the sea
And I don’t remember you
No, I don’t remember you
And you don’t remember me

If there’s anything Heighton would certainly like to forget, it’s the life-threatening injury that almost caused the irreparable loss of his voice. In 2010, the Toronto-born, Kingston-based artist suffered a laryngeal fracture — a crushed voice box — while playing recreational hockey, and doctors told him he might never talk normally, and would never sing again. Heighton took that diagnosis as a challenge to rebuild rather than as a sentence of lifelong silence; he picked up his guitar again and returned to writing words to be sung in addition to the ones he was writing to be read.

New songs were also coming to Heighton as his voice continued to regain strength. He felt compelled to record them, as well as a few others he’d been working on for years. Following the poet-songwriter paths of kindred spirits like Leonard Cohen and Kris Kristofferson, he also drew on wider influences like Tom Petty, John Prine, Bob Marley, Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Patti Smith and Robbie Robertson. He surrendered to the writing and recording process with Brown and emotionally raw new material emerged, inflected by personal, social, and political urgencies of the last few years, and brought to life by the pandemic lockdowns of the past 18 months and as expressed in the anthemic album track “2020.”

While Heighton started his artistic journey 30 years ago as a songwriter busking around Europe and Australia, creative restlessness and a thirst for new genres, ideas and voices saw him develop and gain notoriety as a poet and novelist with 18 books of poetry, essays, stories and non-fiction to his credit. His 2006 novel Afterlands was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a best-of-year selection in several countries, and is now in pre-production to become a film. Then, in 2016, Heighton was honoured with the Governor General’s Award for his poetry collection, The Waking Comes Late.

Steven Heighton views the release of his first album of original songs as a return home to his music and songwriting roots after overcoming a life-altering accident. It’s “making good on the sort of promise you vow to yourself in your early years without knowing you’ve done it.”

“Don’t Remember Me” and The Devil’s Share are both available now.

GRAMMY & JUNO Contributing Producer & Artist Chin Injeti Reveals Personal Ode in “Sparrow”

Eric Alper
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GRAMMY & JUNO Contributing Producer & Artist Chin Injeti Reveals Personal Ode in “Sparrow”

In an ode to ‘letting go’ and ‘taking life as it comes,’ multi-GRAMMY and JUNO Award-contributing, alt-hip hop and RnB artist Chin Injeti soars with this, his newest single, “Sparrow” — available now.

With Injeti handling all instruments, with the exception of the song’s extra synth parts — “They were played by my friend, Anthony Craig Bell, a producer from Philly who produced Jasmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, and many more,” he shares.

“‘Sparrow’ is my little ode to freedom,” Injeti continues. “It was the perfect ‘escape’ when I was held ‘prisoner’ in my basement, as I wrote it in my home studio while I was in quarantine.”

It was within those restricted confines of self-isolation that Injeti unearthed a refreshed sense of inspiration and a steady stream of new songwriting and production projects — including the release of new singles, “Falling,” featuring Esthero on vocals and Delhi 2 Dublin’s Tarun Nayer on tabla, “For the Love of Life,” featuring Teon Gibbs, “Golden,” featuring Thieves Like Us, and now “Sparrow.”

With over 500,000+ streams across platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and more, Chin Injeti’s presence on the scene pre-dates such platforms; he fronted the iconic ‘90s JUNO and Much Music Video Award-winning band Bass is Base, was awarded SOCAN’s Songwriter of the Year Award, and enjoyed years of producing, creating, collaborating, touring, and performing with the likes of DJ Khalil, The Fugees, The Roots, Jamiroquai, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Esthero, Bedouin Soundclash, and more.

Injeti has also created and taught curriculum for Vancouver’s NIMBUS, discussed the healing properties of music as a featured speaker at TEDx, and been long recognized for his life’s work as an inspiration, teacher, mentor, leader, innovator, singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, collaborator, student, and yes, icon, with a star on Vancouver’s prestigious Walk of Fame.

“Sparrow” is available now.

Sonic Reducers: New Music Friday Featuring Bob Dylan and Lindsey Buckingham

Eric Alper
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Sonic Reducers: New Music Friday Featuring Bob Dylan and Lindsey Buckingham

Sonic Reducers. One topic. Two music nerds.
It’s Friday, and you know what that means: A trillion new albums to wade through. We run down our favourites — including the new Bob Dylan box and Lindsey Buckingham’s latest solo release – and more!

Stevie Van Zandt And Bruce Springsteen Sit Down For A Rare And Exclusive 1-on-1 To Discuss Stevie’s New Memoir ‘Unrequited Infatuations’

Eric Alper
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Stevie Van Zandt And Bruce Springsteen Sit Down For A Rare And Exclusive 1-on-1 To Discuss Stevie’s New Memoir ‘Unrequited Infatuations’

On Tuesday, September 28 at 8pm ET/5pm PT, in a Premiere Unison Event, for the first time ever, Bruce Springsteen will be interviewing his longtime friend and bandmate Stevie Van Zandt in celebration of his new book. Fans will have the opportunity to submit questions and copies of the book will be signed by Stevie.

What story begins in a bedroom in suburban New Jersey in the early ‘60s, unfolds on some of the country’s largest stages, and then ranges across the globe, demonstrating over and over again how Rock and Roll has the power to change the world for the better? This story.

The first true heartbeat of UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS is the moment when Stevie Van Zandt trades in his devotion to the Baptist religion for an obsession with Rock and Roll. Groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones created new ideas of community, creative risk, and principled rebellion. They changed him forever. While still a teenager, he met Bruce Springsteen, a like-minded outcast/true believer who became one of his most important friends and bandmates. As Miami Steve, Van Zandt anchored the E Street Band as they conquered the Rock and Roll world.

And then, in the early ‘80s, Van Zandt stepped away from E Street to embark on his own odyssey. He refashioned himself as Little Steven, a political songwriter and performer, fell in love with Maureen Santoro who greatly expanded his artistic palette, and visited the world’s hot spots as an artist/journalist to not just better understand them, but to help change them. Most famously, he masterminded the recording of “Sun City,” an anti-apartheid anthem that sped the demise of South Africa’s institutionalized racism and helped get Nelson Mandela out of prison.

By the ‘90s, Van Zandt had lived at least two lives—one as a mainstream rocker, one as a hardcore activist. It was time for a third. David Chase invited Van Zandt to be a part of his new television show, the Sopranos—as Silvio Dante, he was the unconditionally loyal consiglieri who sat at the right hand of Tony Soprano (a relationship that oddly mirrored his real-life relationship with Bruce Springsteen).

Underlying all of Van Zandt’s various incarnations was a devotion to preserving the centrality of the arts, especially the endangered species of Rock. In the twenty-first century, Van Zandt founded a groundbreaking radio show (Underground Garage), a fiercely independent record label (Wicked Cool), and developed a curriculum to teach students of all ages through the medium of music history. He also rejoined the E Street Band for what has now been a twenty-year victory lap.

UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS chronicles the twists and turns of Stevie Van Zandt’s always surprising life. It is more than just the testimony of a globe-trotting nomad, more than the story of a groundbreaking activist, more than the odyssey of a spiritual seeker, and more than a master class in rock and roll (not to mention a dozen other crafts). It’s the best book of its kind because it’s the only book of its kind.

Stevie Van Zandt Upcoming Appearances:
Tuesday, September 28, 8pm ET: Premiere Unison Event (Virtual)
Stevie in conversation with Bruce Springsteen

Wednesday, September 29, 7:30pm ET: 92Y (New York, NY)
In-person event – Stevie in conversation with Jay Cocks

Thursday, September 30, 8pm ET: Commonwealth Club (Virtual)
Stevie in conversation with TBA

Friday, October 1, Time 7pm PT: Book Soup at the Colburn Music School (Los Angeles, CA)
In-person event – Stevie in conversation with Chris Columbus

Sunday, October 3, 5pm ET: Montclair Literary Festival (Montclair, NJ)
In-person, event – Stevie in conversation with Budd Mishkin

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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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