Sonic Reducers. One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes.
We discuss Taylor Swift’s 10-minute version of All Too Well, talk about her evolution as an artist, and list some of our favourite long songs.
Here’s Why You Don’t Know The Liverbirds, The UK’s First All-Female Rock Band
It’s hard to say what, exactly, was in the water in Liverpool in the early 1960s that wound up producing the Merseybeat sound and hundreds of groups of varying success. Four teenagers caught the scene by surprise and found screaming fans at every turn. Their names were Mary, Sylvia, Pam and Val.
It wasn’t only their sound that turned heads. They were The Liverbirds, Britain’s first all-female rock ’n’ roll band. Sitting down with surviving members Mary McGlory and Sylvia Saunders, you’d never know these two exceedingly charming Scouse (that means they come from Liverpool) matriarchs rocked a tour with The Rolling Stones. Lent their instruments to The Kinks. Rolled joints for Jimi Hendrix.
John Lennon himself told them that girls don’t play guitar. Well, John, they did. Imagine that.
“Almost Famous” is a special Op-Docs series of short films directed by Ben Proudfoot featuring people who nearly made history — only to fall short. These are tales of overcoming disappointment at its most epic, from an astronaut who never flew to a superstar who never was.
Edmonton’s Alt-Electronic Artist RICK CHRISTIAN Asks “Will You Dance With Death?” In New Single
There’s a good chance you’ve been asked to dance, or asked someone else to. But if that dance was with Death, would you square up or bow out?
That’s what Edmonton alt-electronica artist Rick Christian is asking in his new single and music video-turned-horror flick, “Will You Dance With Death?” — available now. The electronica, low-fi, banger wastes no time mashing a dance bop with dark, chilling lyrics. And it’s just as Rick Christian likes it.
“I wanted something dark that people could dance to,” Christian says, simply; his music is heavily entrenched in bass and synth, layering his lyrics inside the production. “I attempted ideas and techniques when recording and producing this song that I had never done before. The production and blending of the synth in the mix was the next level for me. The hours of post production really paid off.”
A true fan of horror, Christian says he grew up a fan of the genre. Likewise drawing on his own life experiences, he developed “Will You Dance With Death” as a reflection of what he saw going on around him. “I saw the pandemic landscape affecting people’s mental states and actions, I couldn’t help myself and had to reflect on it,” Christian explains, “When you witness several attempted public suicides, it changes you forever. The best material is your own reality and experiences.”
Unapologetic in the depth of his darkness, or where the curtain drops on his sometimes controversial lyrics, Christian says he found his way to this particular breed of song over something as uncomplicated as an everyday task. “I was alone drinking coffee one morning,” he recalls. “I played and recorded a couple bars of the song; I knew this was something big.”
Translating this track into its visual counterpart has been a big step forward for Christian’s musical career. Mingling his love for thrillers with the dark undertones of the song, Christian came together with Daniel Gadowski to direct and produce the video. A committed exceptional talent with an eye for the shot, Christian refers to Gadowski as someone who has a “perception for the big picture that is taking him places.” The pair enlisted several models as actors for the project. “They did an amazing job and it will always stand out in my mind,” Christian says from behind the scenes of the video production. “They were so dedicated and committed to the performance. I know we will see big things from them in the near future.”
Routinely vlogging updates, and candid about production, Rick Christian is inviting fans to travel with him on this journey to answering life’s most perilous questions, and facing each trepidation in the one way we can unilaterally know how — through dance.
“Will You Dance With Death?” is available now.
Toronto Hard Rockers LIVE ANIMALS Are In the Midst of an (ep)iphany with New Release
Personifying sonic grit and technical musicianship, Canadian hard rock band Live Animals bring the authenticity back to rock n’ roll with their soaring new single, “Uplifting” –– available now.
With it, the Toronto-based rockers have unleashed their raw creative energy with their epic new EP, (ep)iphany; electricity pulses right out the gates through the expertly crafted guitar riffs of Spencer Bailey and the exceptionally developed vocal stylings of Andrew Healy, both founders of the band — their musical chemistry on full display with the follow-up to their debut release.
“Uplifting” is a song about the power of music and its ability to unite the world despite the ongoing global health crisis. The positivity that radiates from every musical note blends effortlessly with Live Animals’ message of hope and is delivered as sincerely and potently as only they could.
Dramatic changes to the writing and recording process were made during the pandemic that enabled Live Animals to continue delivering their signature sound without compromise. Songwriting and instrumentation were put together remotely over time until vocal parts were conjured and executed. The natural adjustment to their new format of music creation would inspire the single to evolve into an entire full-length project.
(ep)iphany is a four-song EP that delivers all of the depth and charisma found in the most successful rock productions while simultaneously capitalizing on their unique approach to music. Another critical aspect of Live Animals’ ability to hone their EP and cross the finish line is engineer/producer and founder of Acrylic Records, Harley Butt. Drawing on more modern hard rock and grunge influences for (ep)iphany, Live Animals elevate their classic sound while continuing to explore the darker side of rock through their skillfully composed melodies. The cover art for the EP was also created and stylized in-house, only further reinforcing the renaissance approach the band takes with their art.
Live Animals was formed in 2017 by multi-instrumentalist Spencer Bailey and vocalist Andrew Healy, appropriately dubbed “The Pterodactyl” for his rip-roaring pipes. The band’s distinctive sound results from the overarching duo-philosophy of respecting the legacy of rock while being fearless in leading it into the future. Live Animals is Toronto-based, but has been active in the hard rock music scene across Ontario since its inception. Missing the chance to play more shows in the pre-pandemic world leaves no doubt that Live Animals will be blazing onto the live music circuit with the intensity that the music fans everywhere crave.
Pop-Punkers LST IN HLYWD Unleash Supercharged Single and Video in “Bittersweet”
Where the pop/punk paradigm of the 90s left off, Toronto-based band LST IN HLYWD have picked up — and there’s nothing “Bittersweet” about it!
This Toronto-area supercharged indie group of 17-20-somethings are laying down tracks that could easily slide into soundtracks for the summer of ‘96 — and that’s precisely what they set out to do.
While most teens were sequestered to their bedrooms, their parents’ living rooms — the mundane and mediocrity of less to do, and even little to see due to the global pandemic of 2020 — James Marrin decided to get creative, and LST IN HLYWD was born. By the fall of that same year, the little-band-that-could grew to a four-piece, and finally rounding up to a five by spring 2021. And now the group has nowhere to go but up into a stratosphere built on the shoulders of their idols: Fall Out Boy, MGK, Chase Atlantic, among others.
What this group of resilient and resourceful youths were able to achieve during a two year full-stop on social interaction was utilize their Gen Z know-how and find ways to communicate and practice — mainly on Zoom calls. This stroke of genius allowed the newly-found band a chance to write, record, collaborate, and even play even before they’d ever stepped into the same room together. Alongside Marrin (vox/rhythm guitar), Catherine Carter (rhythm guitar/keys), Chris King (percussion), Yanko Mladenovic (lead guitar), and Calvin Thistle (bass) make up the totality of the group. Their first performance live, and together, finally happened in March of this year, months after their first online interaction.
Of their writing session, “Bittersweet” became their first fully developed song, completely brainstormed and fleshed out over Zoom. “The inspiration for the song came from a painting that Jamie’s girlfriend created with the word ‘Bittersweet’ in the background of it,” the band explains. “‘Bittersweet’ is a fun and upbeat song with a bittersweet twist at the end. It’s perfect for parties, hanging and cruising with friends.”
The premiere of “Bittersweet”’s visual counterpart was specifically designed to appear as a homemade video, the essence of a fun and carefree teenage summer. “Most of the film came from real parties and get-togethers the band had all summer 2021,” LST IN HLYWD say, adding, “We wanted to create a fun video everyone can relate to especially as for the past two years teens have not been able to act like teens and go out and have fun due to the global pandemic. So we wanted to bring the good feeling of getting together with friends and having the ‘summer of your lives’ directly to our audience through the music video.”
Their upbeat bop rests neatly in the pop/punk/alternative soundscape formatively dominated by a variety of Canadian-turned-cross-over-big-leagues. From Sum 41, to Simple Plan, Billy Talent and even a smackerel of good ole Treble Charger vibes, LST IN HLYWD becomes both a nod to the past as they do an arrow to the future forward. And if “Bittersweet”, in all its good vibration summer-time anthem ways, is any indication what a group of youth can accomplish through the complexities and restrictiveness of Zoom meetings — imagine what happens when we unleash them unto the world.
For LST IN HLYWD, planning to drop their debut album in January of 2022 is their short-term goal. But one could easily predict global dominance as the one they should shoot for next.
“Bittersweet” is available now.
My Next Read: “Woody Guthrie: Songs and Art, Words and Wisdom” By Nora Guthrie and Robert Santelli
The timely, passionate, and humanely political work of America’s greatest folk singer and songwriter is presented through his own words and art — curated by Woody’s daughter — in “Woody Guthrie: Songs and Art, Words and Wisdom” by Nora Guthrie and Robert Santelli, an essential self-portrait, including never-before published lyrics and personal writing, and testimony from contemporary writers and musicians on his powerful relevance today.
Woody Guthrie and his passionate social politics are as crucial today as they have ever been. A powerful voice for justice, and the author of more than 3,000 songs (including “This Land is Your Land”), he was also a poet, painter, illustrator, novelist, journal keeper, and profuse letter writer. Curated by his daughter Nora and award-winning music historian Robert Santelli, this fresh, intimate, and beautifully designed book thematically reveals Woody’s story through his own personal writings, lyrics, and artwork, urgently bringing his voice to life.
Featuring never-before-published lyrics to some of his greatest songs, personal diary entries, doodles, quips and jokes, and piercing insights on his politics and justice, this is an undeniable and important celebration of Woody’s vibrant life’s work. Created to be enjoyed by all – those interested in folk music or those interested in Woody’s thoughts on Life in all its aspects, from Politics and Spirituality, to Love and Family – this book reflects Bob Dylan’s thoughts on Woody Guthrie; “You can listen to his songs and learn how to live.”
Woody Guthrie has had a profound impact on American musicians, writers, politicians (and the everyman who found solace and kinship in Guthrie’s writings and political beliefs), who have been shaped by his music and activism—namely the great founding father of songwriting himself, Bob Dylan, for whom he was a mentor. Others who have named Guthrie as a major influence include Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer, and Jerry Garcia, just to name a few.
Tears For Fears Announce UK Tour For 2022
Today, the legendary duo Tears For Fears have announced UK tour dates in support of the forthcoming release of their first new studio album in nearly two decades, THE TIPPING POINT, which is released 25th February.
As part of the Tipping Point World Tour the band will be touring the UK in July 2022 with special guest Alison Moyet. Fans who pre-order The Tipping Point from the band’s official store will be eligible for an exclusive ticket pre-order from the 17th November, two days before the tickets go on general sale.
Also on sale from the band’s official store as of this Friday is an exclusive limited edition PINK vinyl version of The Tipping Point.
Speaking about going back out on the road Curt Smith said, “We couldn’t be more excited to start playing concerts again. We’ve missed seeing our friends on the road around the world and the energy of performing live.” Roland Orzabal shared “The Tipping Point has been a long time in the making and we are looking forward to playing our favourites from the new album as well as our classics from throughout the years.”
Arriving on the 25th February The Tipping Point is the band’s first album since their reunion album Everybody Loves A Happy Ending in 2004. Since then, the band have toured extensively, including a sold-out UK arena tour and in 2017 released Rule The World, a best-of compilation that returned the band to upper reaches of the album charts once more. In September of 2022 the band were honored with the Outstanding Song Collection Award at the 2021 Ivor Novello Awards.
When asked why make The Tipping Point now? Roland Orzabal says, “Before everything went so right with this album, everything first had to go wrong, it took years, but something happens when we put our heads together. We’ve got this balance, this push-me-pull-you thing – and it works really well.” Curt Smith agrees, “If that balance doesn’t work on a Tears For Fears album, the whole thing just doesn’t work. To put it in simple terms, a Tears For Fears record and what people perceive to be the sound of Tears For Fears – is the stuff we can both agree on.”
Tears For Fears were one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s, selling over 30 million albums worldwide with singles such as “Shout,” “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Mad World,” “Sowing The Seeds Of Love,” and “Woman In Chains” acknowledged as classics.
The Tipping Point is the bold, beautiful and powerful sound of Tears For Fears finding themselves together, once again.
TEARS FOR FEARS UK TOUR JULY 2022 WITH SPECIAL GUEST ALISON MOYET
July 1st Telford QEII Arena Telford, Shropshire
July 2nd Longleat House Warminster, Wiltshire
July 5th Waddesdon Manor Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
July 7th Utilita Arena Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne
July 8th Floors Castle Kelso, Scotland
July 9th Lytham Festival Lytham St Annes
July 12th The Incora County Ground Derby, Derbyshire
July 14th Leeds Millennium Square Leeds, Yorkshire
July 15th Warwick Castle Warwick, Warwickshire
July 16th Scarborough Open Air Theatre Scarborough, North Yorkshire
July 19th Chewton Glen New Milton, Hampshire
July 20th The Spitfire Ground Canterbury, Kent
July 22nd The 1st Central County Ground Hove, Sussex
July 23rd Cardiff Castle Cardiff, Wales
July 24th Hatfield House Hatfield, Hertfordshire
July 26th Powderham Castle Exeter, Devon
Radiohead And Epic Games Publishing Present Kid A Mnesia Exhibition
Radiohead and Epic Games Publishing are proud to present KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION: an upside-down digital/analogue universe created from original artwork by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood and sound design by Nigel Godrich to commemorate 21 years of Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac albums.
KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION will be available beginning November 18th as a free download for PlayStation 5, PC and Mac at EPIC GAMES STORE.
Some two years in the making, KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION was originally conceived as a physical installation debuting in London and designed for portability, for possible travel to New York, Tokyo, Paris and so on.
A confluence of events including but not limited to laws of zoning and physics and Covid-19 would conspire to thwart those best laid plans, moving KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION beyond the physical world. Thom and Stanley, along with Kid A and Amnesiac producer Nigel, would join forces with video/computer artist and creative director Sean Evans, theatre set designer Christine Jones, interactive producer Matthew Davis, his studio [namethemachine], and game developers Arbitrarily Good Productions to reimagine KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION in a non-corporeal form that would enhance and emphasize the inseparable nature of these sounds and visions. Finally, Epic Games Publishing would be enlisted to put it all out into the world.
Everything experienced within KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION is sourced directly from the original artwork and multitrack recordings of those fourth and fifth Radiohead albums—all rebuilt from the original elements in a new controlled space without the limitations of stereo sound or LP/CD packaging.
KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION can be considered a mutant re-engineering of KID A MNESIA, the multiple format triple-album release marking the 21st anniversary of Radiohead’s Kid A and Amnesiac albums, released November 5th via XL Recordings. KID A MNESIA collects Radiohead’s fourth and fifth albums alongside the debut of a newly compiled third disc titled Kid Amnesiae. Exclusive to this release, Kid Amnesiae is comprised of unearthed material culled from the Kid A / Amnesiac sessions. Along with alternate versions and elements of Kid A and Amnesiac album tracks and B-Sides, Kid Amnesiae features the never-before-heard “If You Say the Word” (available now as a digital single) and a previously unreleased studio recording of “Follow Me Around.”
Colin James Announces ‘Open Road’ Tour
“I’m opening doors for you –walk through them.” -Stevie Ray Vaughan.
From the prairies of Saskatchewan to sharing the stage with arguably the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, Colin James still remembers those words of advice given to him by the late, great, Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Colin James has taken those words to heart. His career has spanned over 30 years, with a track record that includes 20 studio albums, 7 Juno Awards, 27 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales. His latest release, Open Road, is a celebration of personal connections. It includes original tunes written with long time collaborators such as Colin Linden, Craig Northey and Tom Wilson and reinterpretations of covers by a diverse group of songwriters including Bob Dylan, Albert King, Tony Joe White and others.
His 2018 album Miles To Go garnered worldwide attention, debuting on the Billboard Blues Charts and holding a position on the RMR Blues Chart for 24 weeks, 14 weeks in the top 10. He continues to sell out shows across Canada with over 80,000 tickets sold on tours over the past 3 years. Colin was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2013. Looking back over Colin’s career, it’s a timeline rich in highlights. His 1988 self-titled debut, featuring his two self-penned hits “Voodoo Thing” and “Five Long Years,” was the fastest-selling album in Canadian history. It won him his first Juno and an opening spot on tour with Keith Richards. His second album, Sudden Stop, featured his hit “Just Came Back,” which reached #3 on the U.S. radio charts and earned him the Juno Award for “Single of the Year.” Colin was next credited with launching the swing revival, thanks to his wildly popular Little Big Band, which has released four successful albums to date.
However, it wasn’t until 2016’s Blue Highways that James found himself on a blues chart: the album spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart. It also landed him one of his biggest hits: “Riding in the Moonlight,” a Willie Dixon song that garnered millions of streams on Spotify.
Over the years Colin has worked with some of the world’s most revered artists including, Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Pops Staples, Robert Cray, Albert King, Keith Richards, Lenny Kravitz, ZZ Top, Mavis Staples, Luther Allison, Roomful of Blues, Bobby King and Terry Evans, John Hammond Jr., The Chieftains, Carlos Santana, Little Feat, Johnny Hallyday, Jeff Healey, and Buddy Guy. In addition to his own recording and touring Colin is a prolific songwriter, his music has been recorded by the likes of Maria Muldaur, Johnny Hallyday and Lucinda Williams. Upon his 2019 release Miles To Go, Colin earned the Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year, as well as 6 Maple Blues Awards in several blues categories. Colin has set the bar for consistency and talent in Canadian music and even after 20 acclaimed albums remains at the top of his game, always challenging himself musically. A consummate professional and a superb guitarist, Colin is a musician’s, musician. The confidence that comes with maturity can be heard in his voice and seen in his electrifying stage performance. He does what comes naturally – he always has – he knows no other way and no other life.
Tears For Fears Announce The North American Leg of ‘The Tipping Point’ World Tour
Iconic British duo, Tears For Fears, have announced the first leg of The Tipping Point World Tour in 2022, with Garbage as support. Kicking off in Cincinnati, OH on May 20th, the tour will see the band performing in over twenty cities across North America before capping off with their last show in Wantagh, NY on June 25th. The run will mark Tears For Fears first U.S. tour since 2017.
General on sale will go live on November 19th at 10 AM Local. Each ticket purchased for the Tears For Fears 2022 tour includes a digital download of the band’s new album, The Tipping Point.
Also, on sale from the band’s official store as of this Friday is an exclusive limited edition PINK vinyl version of The Tipping Point.
“We couldn’t be more excited to start playing concerts again. We’ve missed seeing our friends on the road around the world and the energy of performing live,” said Curt Smith. “The Tipping Point has been a long time in the making and we are looking forward to playing our favorites from the new album as well as our classics from throughout the years,” shared Roland Orzabal.
Tears For Fears have just announced the forthcoming release of their first new studio album in nearly two decades, THE TIPPING POINT. Arriving February 25th, 2022, via Concord Records, THE TIPPING POINT is a song cycle reflecting many of the personal and professional tipping points the pair — and the world — have faced throughout the last several years. Pre-order the album BELOW.
Alongside the announcement they’ve also released their first single and the title track, “The Tipping Point.” Written by Orzabal and guitarist, writer and producer Charlton Pettus and co-produced by the band, Sacha Skarbek, and Florian Reutter, the explosive yet intimate track is filled to the brim with emotion. Inspired by a personal tipping point in Orzabal’s own life, this song captures the grief of watching someone you love lose their long-standing battle with disease. The accompanying visual, directed by the famed Matt Mahurin (Joni Mitchell, U2, Metallica), depicts the subtle and poetic portrait of imbalance.
Tears For Fears were one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s, selling over 30 million albums worldwide with singles such as “Shout,” “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” “Mad World,” “Sowing The Seeds Of Love,” and “Woman In Chains” acknowledged as classics.
The Tipping Point is the band’s first album since their reunion album Everybody Loves A Happy Ending in 2004. Since then, the band have toured extensively, including a sold-out UK arena tour and in 2017 released Rule The World, a best-of compilation that returned the band to upper reaches of the album charts once more. Earlier this month the band were honored with the Outstanding Song Collection Award at the 2021 Ivor Novello Awards.
The Tipping Point is the bold, beautiful and powerful sound of Tears For Fears finding themselves together, once again.
TEARS FOR FEARS – 2022 US TOUR DATES
Friday, May 20, 2022 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
Saturday, May 21, 2022 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Dallas, TX
Friday, May 27, 2022 – Ak-Chin Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ
Sunday, May 29, 2022 – Levitt Pavilion – Denver, CO
Wednesday, June 01, 2022 – Concord Pavilion – Concord, CA
Thursday, June 02, 2022 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA
Saturday, June 04, 2022 – The Forum – Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, June 05, 2022 – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA
Thursday, June 09, 2022 – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
Friday, June 10, 2022 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater – Tampa, FL
Sunday, June 12, 2022 – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA
Monday, June 13, 2022 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI
Thursday, June 16, 2022 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
Friday, June 17, 2022 – Ruoff Music Center – Indianapolis, IN
Sunday, June 19, 2022 – Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 – TD Pavilion at The Mann – Philadelphia, PA
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA
Friday, June 24, 2022 – P.N.C. Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ
Saturday, June 25, 2022 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY