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Brooklyn Pop Disruptor Leaf Levels Up With ‘In Your Dreams’

Eric Alper
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Brooklyn Pop Disruptor Leaf Levels Up With ‘In Your Dreams’

Leaf steps into a bigger spotlight with ‘In Your Dreams,’ a high-gloss, pop-charged statement that pushes her Dreamgirl universe further into full control mode. The Brooklyn artist frames the project around ambition and self-authorship, led by “Nobody” featuring Groovy. The tone is unapologetic. The vision is locked.

Where ‘Dreamgirl’ introduced her world, this release expands it. Tracks like “Revenge,” “Trust Funds” featuring Deto Black, “The Lead” featuring Lexy Pantera, and “Stunt on You” featuring Cleotrapa and Deto Black lean into bass-heavy confidence and sharp hooks. The reworked “Sponsor RMX” featuring Scarlip builds on the impact of the original anthem produced by Citoonthebeat. The sound is sleek, direct and built for replay.

The project’s emotional core runs deeper than flex culture. Before industry buzz and fashion campaigns, Leaf was mapping out her future in detail, writing down the life she wanted and moving toward it step by step. ‘In Your Dreams’ becomes the soundtrack to that evolution, documenting growth from survival mode to self-made architect. The energy feels intentional and earned.

Trained at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, Leaf began crafting her own production early, blending hypnotic R&B melodies with pop polish and hip-hop edge. With partnerships spanning Pat McGrath, Calvin Klein, Good American and Baby Phat, she operates across music and fashion without losing her center. ‘In Your Dreams’ lands as a statement of scale and direction.

New York Ska Jazz Collective David Hillyard And The Rocksteady 7 Serve Up ‘Home For Dinner’

Eric Alper
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New York Ska Jazz Collective David Hillyard And The Rocksteady 7 Serve Up ‘Home For Dinner’

New York ska jazz collective David Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 return with ‘Home For Dinner,’ a vibrant new album rooted in Jamaican rhythm and jazz tradition. Formed in 1992 by saxophonist David Hillyard of The Slackers, the group continues to refine a sound built on deep groove, melodic nuance and the communal energy of classic ska. The record is out now via Org Music on LP, CD and digital.

Co-produced and mixed by Roger Rivas of The Aggrolites, the album reflects the band’s open-door ethos and rotating-cast dynamic. Anchored by legendary percussionist Larry McDonald, the sessions feature guest vocalists Chris Murray, BNegão and Felipe Machado, along with keyboard contributions from Rivas, Vic Ruggiero and Mike Sarason. Backing vocals from Chiquis Lozoya and the late Greg Lee expand the extended family connection to Hepcat and beyond.

The first single “Until Then” featuring Chris Murray pairs classic ska rhythm with melodic songwriting, while the title track “Home For Dinner” delivers a buoyant instrumental led by bright horns and a joyful pulse. Both tracks are streaming now and capture the spirit of a band playing with precision and warmth. The energy feels lived-in and celebratory.

Across the album, original compositions sit alongside inventive takes on “Ca Purange,” “Mack the Knife,” “Mi Estrella,” and “Grazing in the Grass,” filtered through the group’s distinctive rhythmic lens. The vinyl edition arrives as a double LP pressed on transparent red with a double-sided insert, underscoring a release designed for collectors and dance floors alike.

Los Angeles Hip-Hop Breakout GELO Drops “Backyard Ball” With Swagger

Eric Alper
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Los Angeles Hip-Hop Breakout GELO Drops “Backyard Ball” With Swagger

Lacing up for another chapter, Gold-certified breakout Los Angeles rapper GELO (LiAngelo Ball) unleashes a scorching new single entitled “Backyard Ball” via Def Jam Recordings. Listen HERE.

GELO sounds as victorious as ever on “Backyard Ball.” An energetic synth loop brushes up against tense hi-hats, and he delivers a fast-paced flow spiked with swagger and style. He drops classic hoop references into his bars and makes an ESPN First Take-style proclamation, “Like the Bulls in the 90s, every year my year.” Confident and charismatic all at once, he lets the competition know, “My team undefeated.”

Last year, GELO rocketed to the forefront of the culture. He shook the game with the Platinum-certified “Tweaker” and his full-length debut, League of My Own. Beyond posting up hundreds of millions of streams and attracting collabs with Lil Wayne and GloRilla, it earned widespread acclaim from the likes of Stereogum, VIBE, Bleacher Report, and more. Billboard christened him 2025’s “Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year,” and UPROXX affirmed, “Few rappers these days see the kind of breakout success from a debut effort as GELO has.” Not to mention, he earned a spot among XXL’s coveted “Freshman Class” 2025, gracing the cover. Moreover, he hit the stage for stunning performances at the BET Awards Pre-Show, 2025 ESPY Awards, NBA All-Star Game, Rolling Loud, and more.

With “Backyard Ball,” it’s clear he’s back in the game, and he isn’t playing around.

Be on the lookout for more soon.

When GELO gets on the microphone, his hunger is practically audible. The Southern California native born LiAngelo Ball raps with an unmatched level of drive and ambition fueled by his lifelong passion for music. Over the years, he has quietly filled dozens of notebooks with rhymes, spent countless hours freestyling, and recorded hundreds of songs. This under-the-radar grind has prepared him for his moment. As a kid, he developed a deep appreciation for music. Upon hearing 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, he decided to grab a pen and write raps of his own. At 18-years-old, he recorded in a studio for the first time. Simultaneously, he excelled on the court, playing basketball internationally, earning a contract with the Detroit Pistons, and shining on the Greensboro Swarm. At the top of 2025, he entered the world-famous Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood and left with “albums’ worth of material.” The breakout “Tweaker” would just be the first one to pop. Beyond debuting in the Top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100 and amassing millions of streams, it catapulted to #1 on the TikTok Top 50 Viral Chart, #1 on the Apple Music Hip-Hop Chart, #1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap Songs Chart, #1 on Genius, and #1 on US Shazam. It’s no wonder GQ hailed it as “the year’s first genuine heater,” and Complex predicted, “‘Tweaker’ is probably not going anywhere anytime soon.” Now, he introduces himself with a deluge of new material and his forthcoming debut project A League of My Own with Def Jam Recordings.

Japanese Rock Powerhouse MAN WITH A MISSION Unleash “MARKING NEW GROUND” Across The Americas

Eric Alper
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Japanese Rock Powerhouse MAN WITH A MISSION Unleash “MARKING NEW GROUND” Across The Americas

Half man, half wolf, all rock force MAN WITH A MISSION launch the “MARKING NEW GROUND” tour this May, bringing their high-octane live show across North and South America. The run marks a bold new chapter as the Japanese rock phenomenon headlines cities they have never played before, expanding their global footprint while connecting with fans who discovered them through iconic anime themes.

The tour kicks off May 14 in San Francisco at August Hall, followed by a special appearance at Los Angeles’ ZIPANGU Festival on May 16. The wolfpack then heads to Mexico for dates in Monterrey at Show Center Complex on May 19 and Mexico City at Foro Teambro on May 21. From there, the band storms Santiago’s Coliseum Theatre on May 24 before closing May 27 in São Paulo at Carioca Club.

Central to the setlist are defining tracks including “Kizuna no Kiseki” from Demon Slayer, “Merry Go Round” from My Hero Academia and “Raise your flag” from Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans. These anthems, alongside deep cuts from across their catalog, anchor a show built for die-hard followers and anime-first newcomers alike. The energy is relentless and the scope is global.

Jean Ken Johnny says, “We are very proud to announce and more than looking forward to this upcoming tour. Hope to see our fellow fans and new friends at each and every country, especially the two new areas which are the first time for us to visit, Chile and Brazil. Those who always waited for us, those who discovered us recently, thank you all, we are The MAN WITH A MISSION and here we come.”

MAY 2026 – NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA
MAN WITH A MISSION – MARKING NEW GROUND

May 14 – USA – San Francisco – August Hall
May 16 – USA – Los Angeles – ZIPANGU Festival
May 19 – Mexico – Monterrey – Show Center Complex
May 21 – Mexico – Mexico City – Foro Teambro
May 24 – Chile – Santiago – Coliseum Theatre
May 27 – Brazil – São Paulo – Carioca Club

Pacific Northwest Women-Owned Record Store Musicology Leads “1% For WIV” Vinyl Industry Push

Eric Alper
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Pacific Northwest Women-Owned Record Store Musicology Leads “1% For WIV” Vinyl Industry Push

Pacific Northwest women-owned record store Musicology will join nearly 20 select record shops across the U.S. on March 8 for the “1% for WIV” campaign benefiting Women in Vinyl. The national nonprofit supports women and underrepresented voices across the vinyl industry, funding mentorship, scholarships and career development initiatives.

Owned by Rachel Gardner, a board member of Women in Vinyl, Musicology is helping drive the effort locally by donating a percentage of March 8 sales to the organization. The funds directly support DJs, producers, cutting engineers and pressing plant operators building careers across the vinyl ecosystem. The focus is direct action and long-term access.

The day will also feature live music and in-store activations at Musicology, creating space for community connection while spotlighting industry advocacy. The broader mission centers on strengthening pathways into vinyl production and leadership roles. The momentum reflects a growing national movement within independent record culture.

As a women-owned shop rooted near Seattle, Musicology continues to position itself as both a retail hub and a platform for equity within the music business. March 8 marks a coordinated effort to channel record store energy into tangible impact across the industry.

Vanessa Carlton Reveals “Great House” From ‘Veils’

Eric Alper
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Vanessa Carlton Reveals “Great House” From ‘Veils’

Vanessa Carlton unveils “Great House,” a new track from her upcoming seventh studio album ‘Veils,’ arriving in April 2026. Produced by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, Flaming Lips), the record marks another evolution for Carlton, whose career continues to expand beyond the expectations set by her early chart success.

“‘Great House’ is about the place that shapes you the most – this place can be a childhood home, or simply a time of coming of age. This song honors this soul shaping experience and reveals that although we move on, we can never leave our ‘Great House.’” Carlton’s piano-driven storytelling anchors the track, pairing reflection with melodic lift. The atmosphere is intimate and resonant.

Carlton’s U.S. tour in support of ‘Veils’ is on sale now, with $1 from each ticket benefiting Save The Music Foundation. She will also headline a summer U.K. run alongside major festival appearances. From City Winery stages to festival fields, the new material moves directly into live performance.

From her discovery by Ahmet Ertegun to the global success of “A Thousand Miles,” Carlton has built a catalogue that spans pop, indie and theatrical work, including her Broadway turn as Carole King and recent film scoring with John McCauley for Wish You Were Here directed by Julia Stiles. ‘Veils’ continues that forward motion.

Veils 2026 Tour

April 24 – Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery
April 25 – Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery
April 26 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
April 28 – Chicago, IL – City Winery
April 29 – Chicago, IL – City Winery
May 1 – St Louis, MO – City Winery
May 2 – St Louis, MO – City Winery
May 3 – Nashville, TN – City Winery
May 5 – Atlanta – City Winery
May 6 – Atlanta – City Winery
May 8 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
May 9 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
May 10 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
May 12 – Boston, MA – City Winery
May 13 – Boston, MA – City Winery
May 15 – New York, NY – City Winery – SOLD OUT
May 16 – New York, NY – City Winery – SOLD OUT
May 17 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met

U.K. Festival And Tour Dates

July 21 – London – Islington Assembly Hall
July 22 – Bristol – Thekla
July 24 – Sheffield – Tramlines Festival
July 25 – Suffolk – Latitude Festival
July 26 – Oxfordshire – Truck Festival
July 28 – Manchester – Band on the Wall
July 29 – Glasgow – St. Luke’s
July 30 – Cumbria – Kendal Calling
Aug 1 – Pikehall – Y Not Festival
Aug 2 – Tewkesbury – App Fest

Keith Urban Returns To Niagara Falls For One Night

Eric Alper
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Keith Urban Returns To Niagara Falls For One Night

Fallsview Casino Resort is thrilled to welcome back superstar Keith Urban to the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on Thursday, August 20, 2026.  Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 27 at 10:00am through ticketmaster.ca.

“Keith Urban is one of the best live performers, full of emotion, energy and showmanship and we are elated to welcome him back to  the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino!” says Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations, Niagara Casinos.

Keith Urban has spent the better part of his life harnessing a deep-seated passion for music.  This, when combined with his authenticity, talent and driving musical inquisitiveness, helps to understand why he is one of the most successful and well-respected artists in the world.  He’s won four GRAMMY Awards, thirteen CMAs (including 2x Entertainer of the Year), fifteen ACMs (including the prestigious Triple Crown for winner Best New Artist, Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year), three AMAs, two People’s Choice Awards, celebrated nine consecutive gold (2), platinum or multi-platinum albums (11), which have produced more than 11 BILLION streams. Urban’s latest studio release HIGH has produced songs that feature huge hook choruses, optimism, celebratory fun and revelation, “Heart Like A Hometown,” Straight Line,” “Go Home W U” with Lainey Wilson, and “Messed Up As Me” amongst them.  It’s these songs and Urban’s incredible catalogue of hits including “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “Wasted Time,” “Somebody Like You,” “Long Hot Summer” and “One Too Many,” his duet with P!nk, that fueled his acclaimed HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR which concluded in October ’25. For those who have experienced an Urban concert, and especially for those who haven’t, his first full-length, live concert album of his career HIGH AND A(LIVE), is a must-see experience.

Show date & performance
Keith Urban
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Showtime: 8:00pm
Venue: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino

Tickets for Keith Urban go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10:00am.

Blues Traveler Expand 2026 Tour With Bonnaroo And Red Rocks

Eric Alper
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Blues Traveler Expand 2026 Tour With Bonnaroo And Red Rocks

Multi-platinum jam rock mainstays Blues Traveler expand their 2026 touring slate with a new run of headline dates, adding to a year that already includes Bonnaroo and their annual Fourth of July return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This year’s Red Rocks show features special guests Better Than Ezra and The Record Company. Ticket on-sales begin Friday, February 27 at 10 AM local time.

The 2026 surge follows a milestone 2025 celebration marking 30 years of their GRAMMY Award-winning hit “Run-Around.” The anniversary brought renewed spotlight to the band’s legacy, including a Rolling Stone feature with frontman John Popper. Decades in, the harmonica-driven sound still commands massive stages and devoted crowds.

In addition to the newly announced dates, Blues Traveler will co-headline a 35-date run with Gin Blossoms beginning July 6 in Grand Junction, Colorado, with special guests Spin Doctors. The tour hits landmark venues including the Hollywood Bowl and SummerStage in Central Park, culminating September 19 in Traverse City, Michigan. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of radio-defining rock anthems.

John Popper says, “It’s rare when a package feels so much like home that it carries a spirit which becomes tangible to an audience. That was the case – by all accounts – regarding our summer tour last year with Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms. We grew up with Spin Doctors as pups in the same litter… ours is a shared origin story. But working with Gin Blossoms was a first. Their music was everywhere when we were coming up, and yet only last summer did we have the opportunity to learn how fun it is playing with them – and to discover how much energy our three bands put out in combination. So, we’ve decided to take this show everywhere we missed last year. We’re excited to bring it to you.”

BLUES TRAVELER 2026 TOUR DATES:

Friday, May 1 – Thibodaux, LA – Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair+
Sunday, May 3 – Columbus, GA – RiverCenter for the Performing Arts+
Tuesday, May 5 – Memphis, TN – Graceland Soundstage+
Thursday, May 7 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre+
Saturday, May 9 – Lake Charles, LA – L’Auberge Casino Resort+
Thursday, May 14 – Cedar Park, TX – Haute Spot+
Friday, May 15 – Richardson, TX – Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
Friday, June 12 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Saturday, June 13 – Black River Falls, WI – Ho-Chunk Gaming+
Saturday, July 4 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre^+
Monday, July 6 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park*
Thursday, July 9 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Amphitheater*
Friday, July 10 – Seattle, WA – Marymoor Live*
Tuesday, July 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA*
Thursday, July 16 – Sparks, NV – Nugget Casino Resort – Grand Ballroom*
Friday, July 17 – Rohnert Park, CA – Green Music Center*
Saturday, July 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
Friday, July 24 – Chicago, IL – Brookfield Zoo Chicago+
Tuesday, July 28 – Sidney, ME – Bowl in the Pines*
Thursday, July 30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center*
Friday, July 31 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena*
Saturday, August 1 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort*
Tuesday, August 4 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion*
Thursday, August 6 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage*
Saturday, August 8 – Columbus, OH – Celeste Center (Ohio Expo Center)*
Sunday, August 9 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC*
Tuesday, August 11 – Vienna, VA – Filene Center at Wolf Trap*+
Wednesday, August 12 – Vienna, VA – Filene Center at Wolf Trap*
Friday, August 14 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion*
Saturday, August 15 – New York City, NY – SummerStage in Central Park*
Tuesday, August 18 – Hamburg, NY – TBA*
Tuesday, August 25 – Bethlehem, PA – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks*
Thursday, August 27 – Glen Allen, VA – SERVPRO After Hours Concerts at The Innsbrook Pavilion*
Friday, August 28 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheatre*
Saturday, August 29 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre*
Tuesday, September 1 – Clearwater, FL – The BayCare Sound*
Thursday, September 3 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood*
Friday, September 4 – St. Augustine, FL – The St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
Saturday, September 5 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park*
Tuesday, September 8 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater*
Thursday, September 10 – Des Moines, IA – Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park*
Friday, September 11 – Omaha, NE – Shadow Ridge Music Festival*
Saturday, September 12 – Waite Park, MN – The Ledge Amphitheater*
Tuesday, September 15 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre*
Thursday, September 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center*
Friday, September 18 – Allegan, MI – Allegan County Fair*
Saturday, September 19 – Traverse City, MI – Turtle Creek Stadium*

+Newly Announced Dates
^With Better Than Ezra & The Record Company
*Co-Headlining Dates w/ Gin Blossoms

Jack White Talks Gear Hunts Third Man Records And Creative Fire

Eric Alper
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Jack White Talks Gear Hunts Third Man Records And Creative Fire

Jack White sits down with Reverb for “In Conversation,” diving deep into the tools, textures, and philosophies that fuel his restless creativity. From tracking down elusive vintage gear to road-testing pedals on tour, White unpacks how fighting with an amp or chasing down a 100-watt Silvertone can unlock entirely new directions in sound. The tone chase is constant and deliberate.

He also traces the origins of Third Man Records and his drive to build a full creative ecosystem around music, vinyl, and experimentation. Balancing analog grit with digital precision, White reveals how the right piece of gear can ignite a fresh idea and reshape a session. It is a focused, wide-ranging look inside the mindset of one of modern rock’s most gear-driven innovators.

The Beach Boys Return To Niagara With Summer Hits

Eric Alper
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0
The Beach Boys Return To Niagara With Summer Hits

Fallsview Casino Resort is thrilled to welcome back the feel-good music of The Beach Boys led by founding member and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mike Love. Known for legendary hits such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,“ “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Help Me Rhonda,” and more classics to be featured at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino from July 30-31. Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 27 at 10:00am through ticketmaster.ca.

“The Beach Boys deliver brilliant harmonies and incredible musical arrangements. We are thrilled to welcome them back for two shows at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino,” says Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing & Resort Operations, Niagara Casinos.


The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide and have continued to delight audiences. Since the band’s co-founder, lead-singer and chief lyricist Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit,“Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of youth such as “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.”  Their influence on other artists spans musical genres and movements. 2026 will mark the 60th anniversary for Pet Sounds, an album that countless artists have cited as their inspiration for creating their own musical masterpieces. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award®.  In June 2025, Mike Love was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honour recognizing his profound contributions to the world of music.

Show dates & performances
The Beach Boys
Dates: July 30 & 31, 2026
Showtimes: July 30: 7:30pm; July 31: 7:30pm
Venue: OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino

Tickets for The Beach Boys go on sale Friday, February 27 at 10:00am.

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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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