Sonic Reducers. One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes. Join us as we discuss Billie Eilish’s new album Happier Than Ever, marvel at the way she managed to overcome the sophomore slump, and speculate on how many more Grammy Awards she’ll win next year.
Roots & Blues Singer/Songwriter Steve Paul Simms is “Rolling” Along with New Single
He’s “Rolling” down the line now, a freight train headed straight for you… It’s Toronto-based artist Steve Paul Simms and his latest bluesy, grassroots fed cut — available now.
A testament to the charm of Steve Paul Simms, “Rolling” is the latest from the veteran singer/songwriter with more than two decades of legacy to write home about. The third single from his widely acclaimed fourth release, Ingrid and the Messenger Boy, “Rolling” is Simms’ follow-up to his well-loved “No Money Comin’ In” (April, 2021).
“’Rolling’ is a celebration of freedom on the open road, the need to just go, with or without a destination,” Simms explains. “A great driving tune based on a hypnotic guitar riff, it’s a rootsy, bluesy, upbeat tune with acoustic and electric textures.”
Simms enlisted the ever-versatile Bob Cohen on bass and twin electric guitars, complimenting that of his own acoustic picking. With George Morellato’s percussion and Marty Grant on vocal harmony, Simms rounds out the layers of “Rolling” with a twangy harp that mimics a bicycle bell. Ask Steve Paul Simms himself about the tune, and he’ll tell you: “It’s a good song to howl along to.”
“Rolling” finds its place alongside Ingrid and the Messenger Boy. With his penchant for good, old-fashioned storytelling, Simms’ latest concept album is a charming foray into the authenticity of yarn-spinning, the fantasy of fable, and striking the chord between legacy and urban legend.
“Rolling” notches yet another hit in a collection of tunes that invite you to lean into the journey… Ingrid and the Messenger Boy features tributes to a screen legend “Anything with Ingrid,” a classic 1960s songwriter “Goodbye Ellie” and an Ottawa bluesman “Blues for Back Alley John.” There’s also a one-man doo wop group laments the life of a legal “Messenger Boy;” “Te Quiero” celebrates young love without borders; “Karma Makes a Comeback” is a song about consequences.
And “Rolling” captures the lure of an open highway.
The subsequent video is the latest lyric visual created by Fitzfx. Capturing the essence of the record, we’re introduced to the driver of a vehicle we never fully see, but live vicariously through his city nightscape to daytime country-side jaunt. While the destination remains widely unknown, the road trip is marked by experience; a mysterious hitchhiker thumbs a ride, a dancing limberjack/jig doll rear-view mirror ornament resembling Steve Paul Simms. A seagull on a beach.
What the video manages to encompass is the spirit of Simms; a knowing grin, the desire to not take oneself too seriously while managing to deliver on songs that will stay with you for the ride, the campfire, or the next pint at the pub. Simms is a master of his craft; captivating his audience, and utilizing his talent to attract a new generation of fans.
An actor by training, and a musician by trade, Steve Paul Simms is a well-loved and recognized face in his native Toronto’s arts and music community having been featured in more than sixty theatrical productions across Canada. A frequent performer with the Tranzac Club, Simms also boasts more than two decades of live musical performances, between the stage, busking, online and concert hall showcases. To date, he has penned more than two hundred original songs.
On “Rolling”, Steve Paul Simms turns up the charm and tunes out the noise for a day, exploring life without the bustle of whatever has us weighed down and coated in responsibility. We can all let go when we listen to this track; while we sing along to this track. While we get this track – the kind that’s rolling down the track, ready for us to thumb ourselves a ride alongside Steve Paul Simms, Ingrid and of course, the Messenger Boy.
“Rolling” and Ingrid and the Messenger Boy are available now.
MICHELLE CREBER Captures a Picture-Perfect Day with “Feels Like Summer”
Canadian singer-songwriter Michelle Creber is cruising into summer with a fresh pop jam radiating some seriously sunny, positive vibes. “Feels Like Summer” is cruising in a convertible in the warm sunlight along a coastline of glimmering water and under cloudless skies. In other words, it’s paradise — and it’s available now.
A co-write between Creber, Christopher Ward (writer of the smash hit, “Black Velvet”), Luke McMaster, and Arun Chatervelli, “Feels Like Summer” is a delightful mix of crystal-clear vocal harmonies layered over easy, beachy beats.
Enveloped within images of a picture-perfect day sits the hopeful promise of new love, and it’s that feeling of optimism and new beginnings many are keen to relate to right now — regardless of relationship status. “This positive, upbeat jam is meant to celebrate the brighter days ahead and the great summer we all deserve to have in 2021,” the Vancouver-based artist says. “I hope this song sets the mood for a happy and healthy (fully vaccinated) summer!”
COVID and its related isolation didn’t just inspire the song; it also influenced how the song was created with the writing team. “The process was extra challenging because everything had to be done remotely,” Creber says, adding that she engineered all her own vocals in her newly created home studio. “It was a learning curve that involved layers and layers of doubles and harmonies; my Logic file had over 100 vocal recording tracks in it… Crazy!!
“But, we overcame it!”
This single comes on the heels of Creber’s seventh album, Storm, released to widespread industry acclaim in May 2020. The album sold and streamed in more than 130 countries, and earned top-100 placement on both the U.S. and Canadian Billboard charts.
Michelle Creber’s previous albums include 2018’s On Display, which also sold and streamed worldwide with top-100 U.S. Billboard placement; Timeless: Songs of a Century (classic covers); A Creber Christmas (Volumes 1 & 2); and three albums with YouTube star and performing partner Gabriel Brown (aka Black Gryph0n): At Home, Tribute, and the best-selling Getting Stronger.
Rooted in pop with rock and AC influences, Creber’s songs combine smart lyrics with warmth and humour — as well as a sprinkling of irony and grit. She champions the underdog, always hoping to reach fans with a message of positivity, mental and physical health, acceptance, and advocacy for minority groups and the LGBTQ community. Many of her fans are teens and young adults like she is, but her music is relatable for all ages.
And with that, “Feels Like Summer,” this newest single, is guaranteed to evoke the most magical of summers, both past and present, for everyone.
“Feels Like Summer” is available now!
OZZY OSBOURNE’S ‘No More Tears’ To Be Celebrated With 30th Anniversary Digital And Vinyl Editions
More than 30 years after its release, OZZY OSBOURNE’s sixth solo album–the Top 10 (#7) and quadruple platinum NO MORE TEARS will be celebrated with an expanded digital audio album due out September 17 (Sony). Two special editions–a 2LP black vinyl version and a special yellow and red 2LP vinyl version with a specially created booklet (exclusively at www.towerrecords.com)–will be released simultaneously. Pre-order the album here.
In its release, NO MORE TEARS yielded four top ten singles on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart, “Mama, I’m Coming Home” (#2), “Road To Nowhere” (#3), “Time After Time” (#6) and the title track (#10). In addition, the album’s “I Don’t Want to Change the World” earned OZZY his first Grammy for a live version of the track that was featured on his 1993 LIVE AND LOUD album. The Grammy-winning track was one of the album’s four songs co-written with OZZY’s longtime friend and colleague Lemmy Kilmister; the others include “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Desire,” and “Hellraiser.” The album has remained an OZZY classic, earning a spot (#22) on Loudwire’s “Top 90 Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the ’90s” with Ultimate Classic Rock including No More Tears on their list “Top 100 ’90s Rock Albums.”
“I have a lot of great memories of making the album,” OZZY says. “We worked hard on the record with John Purdell and Duane Baron, who became extra two members of the band. Before we went into the studio, we discussed what we were going to do–everything was planned. It’s so nice when you get a producer who’s more like a part of the band than them saying, ’nah, you do it this way.’ Because we write them and when you write the songs, you have a mental picture of how you think you want it to sound. Sometimes you’re surprised for the better, but other times you’re disappointed, but John and Duane did an extraordinary job on the album. It was really, really well done. Every song was worked on for a long time and we spent extra time trying to get things right. But there was also lots of goofing around and we had a good time making it. And Zakk’s playing on it is spectacular.”
Zakk Wylde adds, “On the first record, ‘It was like I can’t believe I’m here. I had definitely crawled into the fire and kept thinking. ‘You gotta produce. You got to come up with some cool stuff.’ On NO MORE TEARS, I guess I was more relaxed. With OZZY, whenever we’re playing riffs, he would be like ‘keep playing that riff.’ Pretty much every time he just gets up there and starts singing what comes to him naturally, he knocks it out of the park all the time. I mean, there’s very, very few times where he’s actually said, ‘No, let me come back to that. I don’t like what I’m singing. I’ll come up with something better.’ Whatever you’re hearing on the record is pretty much first thing he started singing that naturally came out of him, that he started hearing in his head. Which is amazing. My love for him and admiration for him has just gotten even stronger and bigger over the years. It’s bigger than the music. It’s always a good time whenever we’re together, it’s always like it’s a laugh fest, and then making the records is beyond hilarious as well.”
“Mama, I’m Coming Home,” the album’s biggest hit which OZZY co-wrote with Kilmister, started with Zakk at a piano, has gone on to become not only a rock anthem, but a classic song among soldiers.
“At that time, a lot of people were going to Iraq war,” OZZY notes. “We heard that the GIs were sending that song to their wives. Soldiers still love that song.”
“I remember when we were working on the album, I originally wrote ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ on a piano,” Zakk says. “I had the music, and then when we got to the studio, I transposed it to the 12-string guitar. I was like ‘oh let me try it on the 12-string and see what it sounds like.’ That’s how it evolved into the song, originally it was just me and Ozz noodling on the piano.”
The NO MORE TEARS’ expanded digital audio album track listing is as follows:
1. Mr. Tinkertrain
2. I Don’t Want to Change the World
3. Mama, I’m Coming Home
4. Desire
5. No More Tears
6. Won’t Be Coming Home (S.I.N)
7. Hellraiser
8. Time After Time
9. Zombie Stomp
10. A.V.H.
11. Road to Nowhere
12. Don’t Blame Me*
13. Party With the Animals*
14. I Don’t Want To Change The World (demo)**
15. Mama, I’m Coming Home (demo)**
16. Desire (demo)**
17. Time After Time (demo)**
18. Won’t Be Coming Home (S.I.N) (demo)**
19. Mrs J. (demo)**
20. I Don’t Want to Change the World (live)†
21. Road to Nowhere (live)†
22. No More Tears (live)†
23. Desire (live)†
24. Mama, I’m Coming Home (live)††
* bonus tracks currently on the digital album at DSP’s
** demos from the 1991 promo CD The No More Tears Demo Sessions (also the Prince of Darkness box set), not currently at DSP’s
† live audio from Memoirs of a Madman DVD, San Diego 1992, not currently at DSP’s
†† live audio from Memoirs of a Madman DVD, MTV 1992, not currently at DSP’s
Gibson Announces Partnership with Kirk Hammett of Metallica
Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, has announced an official brand partnership with Kirk Hammett of Metallica, one of the most iconic rock guitarists today. The new partnership will span across Gibson Brands including Gibson and Epiphone guitars.
“It’s a really great and exciting time for me to be joining forces with Gibson,” says Kirk Hammett. “I look forward to achieving great things together in the future.”
“It’s an honor to welcome the icon, the ripper, Kirk Hammett back to the Gibson family,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “Kirk has been carrying the flag for hard rock and heavy metal for decades, and his Gibson guitars have been there with him from the very beginning. From his first Gibson, his 1979 Flying V to ‘Greeny’ and everything in between, Gibson guitars have been an integral part of Kirk’s sound. All of us at Gibson are looking forward to this collaboration and are grateful that Kirk has trusted us to begin a new partnership.”
Born in San Francisco in November 1962, Kirk Hammett quickly found himself obsessed with watching monster movies and reading books and comics. Transitioning through his teenage years meant taking up guitar and teaching himself how to play by ear for hours on end.
In 1979, Kirk Hammett named and founded the metal band Exodus. After recording a three-song demo in 1982, Hammett was called out to New York to audition for Metallica, and by the time Kill ‘Em All was released in July of 1983, he was officially part of the Metallica plan for world domination. Adding his style and passion into the mix helped define and shape the sound of Metallica as they grew into the band they are now, and Hammett’s solos and signature licks have inspired a legion of musicians young and old.
From Hammett’s early sonic experiences with a guitar out of a Montgomery Ward store catalog special, progressing to hitting Hendrix vibes with a ’78 Fender Stratocaster, then moving on professionally to Gibson Flying Vs and Les Pauls, and customized ESP’s. It goes without saying that Kirk Hammett is a guitar geek and has an affinity for anything with six strings including his 1985 Jackson Randy Rhoads Flying V or a frequently played Gibson 59 Les Paul Standard that once belonged to the immortal genius of both Peter Green and Gary Moore – affectionately known and celebrated worldwide as “Greeny.” Now as Metallica celebrates their 40th Anniversary in 2021, Kirk Hammett is ready to let those strings shine once again.
Genesis Announce “The Last Domino?” Greatest Hits Out September 17
Genesis, who are among the biggest selling recording artists of all time and one of Britain’s most internationally renowned bands, are to release ‘The Last Domino?’ – a collection of the band’s best-loved songs, including their biggest hits and legendary album cuts. Available as a double-CD and a 4LP set, they will be released on September 17 in conjunction with the start of The Last Domino? Tour – their first in 14 years.
When the classic Genesis line-up of Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford announced the tour, it became one of the fastest selling of the year with extra dates being added throughout the whole of the UK. It kicks off on 20 September with two nights at the Birmingham Utilita Arena and they play a total of 16 Arena shows through the UK (dates below) followed by an Arena tour through North America.
‘The Last Domino?’ is the perfect companion to the tour. Containing 27 songs selected with the band and with a majority being performed on the tour, it is a package that represents their incredible journey as one of rock’s true pioneering bands through to their global dominating hits that has seen them play sold-out stadiums and arenas all over the world for decades. The 4LP set is housed in a hardback gatefold book-style package, which includes rare and unseen images of the band from their archive and images of the rehearsals of The Last Domino? Tour.
The evolution of Genesis is unique, their sound developed and progressed throughout their career and with multiple line-up alterations in the early years, the classic line-up of Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford took shape in 1976.
‘And Then There Were Three’ (1978) was the first album the band released as a three-piece and spawned the single ‘Follow You Follow Me’ which was their first UK top ten and US top 30 single and proved to be the start of huge commercial global success. The albums ‘Duke’ (1980), ‘Abacab’ (1981), ‘Genesis’ (1983), ‘Invisible Touch’ (1986) and ‘We Can’t Dance’ (1991) followed for the trio, alongside almost constant global stadium tours cementing the band as one of the most successful of all time. They have sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide and had over 20 top 40 UK hits with songs such as ‘Follow You Follow Me’, ‘Turn It On Again’, ‘Mama’, ‘I Can’t Dance’ and many more.
Tony, Phil and Mike reunited again as a band in 2007 after almost 10 years for the Turn It On Again Tour which went on to be one of the biggest grossing tours of the year playing sold-out stadiums around the world.
The full The Last Domino? tracklist is:
Double CD set
CD1
1.Dukes End
2.Turn It On Again
3.Mama
4.Land Of Confusion
5.Home By The Sea
6.Second Home By The Sea
7.Fading Lights
8.The Cinema Show
9.Afterglow
10.Hold On My Heart
11.Jesus He Knows Me
12.That’s All
13.The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
14.In Too Deep
15.Follow You Follow Me
CD2
1.Duchess
2.No Son Of Mine
3.Firth Of Fifth
4.I Know What I Like
5.Domino Medley
6.Throwing It All Away
7.Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
8.Invisible Touch
9.I Can’t Dance
10.Dancing With The Moonlight Knight
11.Carpet Crawlers
12.Abacab
Four LP set
LP1
1.Dukes End
2.Turn It On Again
3.Mama
4.Land Of Confusion
5.Home By The Sea
6.Second Home By The Sea
7.Fading Lights
LP2
1.The Cinema Show
2.Afterglow
3.Hold On My Heart
4.Jesus He Knows Me
5.That’s All
6.The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
7.In Too Deep
8.Follow You Follow Me
LP3
1.Duchess
2.No Son Of Mine
3.Firth Of Fifth
4.I Know What I Like
5.Domino Medley
6.Throwing It All Away
LP4
1.Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
2.Invisible Touch
3.I Can’t Dance
4.Dancing With The Moonlight Knight
5.Carpet Crawlers
6.Abacab
Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views
How many songs are there that have become iconic in two different eras? Rick Astley’s global cultural phenomenon ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ is one of the most definitive examples. It was an absolute smash hit when Rick first released it as his debut single back in 1987, shooting to #1 in 25 different countries including five weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart, and reaching Gold status within weeks.
Then in the internet era it took on a new life of its own. An unlikely blend of classic songwriting, a meme-worthy video full of ‘80s fashion and killer dance moves, and the emergence of Rickrolling established it as a rare viral sensation that people just don’t get bored with.
As a result, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ has now exceeded a staggering one billion views at YouTube – a landmark that has been achieved close to the 34th anniversary of the track’s original release on July 27th, 1987. It’s one of a handful of videos from the pre-YouTube era that have reached a billion views: A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me’, Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ being notable examples. Even ‘Thriller hasn’t got there yet.
Rick says, “I am kind of a big deal.”
Rick commemorates the achievement with two releases. First is a new ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ limited edition signed, numbered and coloured 7” vinyl single. Now available to pre-order here, the 7” is backed with the Pianoforte version of the song, which originally featured on his 2019 compilation ‘The Best of Me’.
Rick will soon also release a new mini documentary about the video. It features new interviews with Rick, songwriter/producers Pete Waterman and Mike Stock of SAW, video producer Andy Picheta, and director Simon West, who went on to make blockbusters such as ‘Con Air’, ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and ‘The Expendables 2’. More participants will be confirmed in the near future.
It must’ve been unimaginable to think that Rick would still be talking about and performing the song back when he recorded it with Stock, Aitken and Waterman in October 1986. After a slow start (it debuted at #34), it rapidly grew in popularity before reaching #1 just three weeks later.
The accompanying video was filmed around Ladbroke Grove in London. Not only did Rick’s charisma and dance-like-no-one’s-watching energy capture people’s attention, but it was so unusual to see a fresh-faced 21-year-old with the voice of a singer with years of experience.
‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ came to prominence again in 2007 as the Rickrolling phenomenon emerged. Rick rarely engages with Rickrolling himself, but made a surreal exception with a surprise performance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2008.
After stepping away from the music scene to focus on his family, Rick mounted a comeback in 2016 with the album ‘50’. It was a remarkable return which saw him hit #1 for the first time in almost 30 years, as the album reached Platinum status and exceeded 400,000 sales. It was also an astounding creative achievement, as Rick wrote, produced and recorded all lead vocals and instruments for the album himself. That same approach resulted in another Top 10 album when ‘Beautiful Life’ peaked at #6 in 2018.
In 2019, Rick celebrated his extraordinary story with the release of the career-spanning compilation ‘The Best Me of Me’, which featured his early smash hit singles alongside recent fan favourites and deep cuts. Continuing his flair for reinvention, Rick independently recorded a set of ‘Reimagined’ interpretations of his songs, old and new, for the second disc of ‘The Best of Me’. While Rick’s musical style has evolved over the years, the ‘Reimagined’ recordings demonstrated that quality songwriting has always been an essential hallmark of his work.
Recent years have seen Rick embrace the power of social media. He launched a TikTok channel during lockdown, which is now his biggest social media account with 1.9 million followers and 9.9 million likes. It was around that time that he achieved the most upvoted post in the history of Reddit, when he shared a photo of himself riding a bike in Las Vegas in 1989. He continued to be discovered by a whole new generation with the help of an official ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ emote for ‘Fortnite’, which is based upon The Astley Shuffle dance from the music video.
Rick Astley’s long-awaited UK arena tour looks set to finally happen this autumn. It starts at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on October 28th and includes free shows for NHS staff and frontline workers at The SSE Arena, Wembley (November 8th) and the Manchester AO Arena (November 13th), all tickets for which were allocated within 30 minutes of them being available. Prior to the tour, Rick will headline a prestigious London show at the Royal Albert Hall. Please see his official website for a full list of concerts and ticket details.
Sonic Reducers: Rick Astley Hits A Billion Views On YouTube
Sonic Reducers: One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes.
Join us as we mark the billionth view of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, debate how many of those are Rickrolls, and remind artists why you should never give up a piece of the publishing.
CCS Rights Management launches new Daytripper Music Publishing division
CCS Rights Management, a leading global independent rights administration and creative services company, has launched Daytripper Music Publishing (Daytripper), a new division and stand-alone brand dedicated to creative development of established and up-and-coming artists and songwriters, while enhancing, capitalizing, and promoting their works.
CCS will provide its best-in-class global administration, synchronization, and licensing services for Daytripper Music Publishing, which is headquartered in Toronto.
“Since we founded the company 10 years ago, CCS has established itself as a leader in administrative practices and services. As we continue expanding into the U.S. and internationally, we’re excited to launch Daytripper Music Publishing which will focus on the front-facing part of music publishing, identifying and developing great talent at all levels, providing personalized and curated global creative opportunities, and helping each artist and writer build their brand and career,” said Jodie Ferneyhough, Founder and President of CCS Rights Management.
“We have steadily developed an outstanding roster of artists and songwriters, while also growing other aspects of what the CCS offers, so we wanted to create a separate ‘home’ that emphasizes all their world class talent,” said Jordan Howard, Creative/ A&R Director at CCS. “And now, proudly, Daytripper is that home.”
Daytripper Music Publishing’s first new signing is award-winning Canadian songwriter, producer, composer, and recording artist Hill Kourkoutis, who produced and mixed Leela Gilday’s 2X JUNO nominated album, North Start Calling, as well as produced and mixed albums and singles for Jules (“Before You Picked Her” #1 CBC, Top 40 Alternative Radio), POESY, Digging Roots, Cassie Dasilva, SATE, Madison Violet, Graph, Eh440, The Cliks, Pavlo, and Martha and the Muffins, among others. As a composer, she co-wrote and produced (with artist Serena Ryder) the theme and end title for Universal Kids’ animated series Remy and Boo, as well as produced and co-wrote the theme song of Disney’s Dino Ranch, a top U.S. children’s series. Kourkoutis’ music has also been used in major campaigns for Cadillac and Virgin Mobile, and in films and TV series such as Private Eyes, The Adventures of Napkin Man!, and Kim’s Convenience.
Kourkoutis joins a stellar roster of artists and songwriters which have moved from CCS to be a part of the exclusive Daytripper Music Publishing family. These include: Swedish rock band Tribe Friday, whichreceived a P3Gull Awards nomination for 2020 Group of the Year; electro pop duo Featurette; POESY, the Season 1 winner of Canadian series The Launch; multi-Juno award-nominated recording artist Nuela Charles; and artists CARYS, Yukon Blonde, Laurent Bourque, and Mikhail Laxton.
For the CCS team, Daytripper Music Publishing is the manifestation of a progressive, next-gen company anchored in old-school publishing fundamentals, that is the antithesis of the acquisition-focused companies in the current environment. For Ferneyhough, Daytripper Music Publishing is also very personal.
“It was tough to come up with a name that could truly express the right feeling and sentiment. When I originally started CCS 10 years ago, the three-letter name represented my children’s initials. As we were building this new division, I wanted something that spoke to family – both my personal family, as well as the family of songwriters, artists, and all of us who work on their behalf. This Spring my sister passed away after a hard-fought battle with ALS. So, to honour her memory I named it ‘Daytripper,’ it was the No.1 song the day she was born.”
Sonic Reducers: ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill Passes Away At Age 72
Sonic Reducers: One topic. Two music nerds. Five minutes.
Join us as we mourn the passing of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill, celebrate the band’s colourful and influential career, and the unusual day job Dusty got when the group when on hiatus in the ’70s.