Page 1664 – That Eric Alper

Virtual Pop-Rock Artist PRIZ EM Gives Life to Fantasy in New Single, “Heartless”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 8, 2021

Virtual Pop-Rock Artist PRIZ EM Gives Life to Fantasy in New Single, “Heartless”

To set the scene… In our own galaxy, on the fringe of the Mega Centarri cluster, a war has all but consumed the blue planet Zederth. After a thousand years of peace and harmony, virtual diva Priz Em and her lover, the musician/scientist Prin Jori Merkanteel aka Stray Horn, are forced to go to battle; not only with an unseen enemy, but also with each other.

As their story unfolds through the graphic novels of Mega Centarri I & II, our heroine has released her own tracks and music videos to “move your spirit and your feet” — one of which being “Heartless” — a near-homage to the pop synth sound of the 80s, laced with the nostalgia of the 90s, all hinging on her deep, Bonnie-Tyler-esque husk that draws you in and keeps you locked inside.

While Priz Em joins us from a fantasy world, her music is nothing short of real, raw and authentic. Bringing Priz Em to life are Steve Smith and Anthony Anderson of SA TrackWorks, her producers and musicians and her vocals performed by Kat Szutyanyi. The songwriters behind her music are credited to Bruce Irvine, Merlin Rhys Jones, Jack Gunderson, and Kathy Irvine.

It’s a fantastical story of grace and love, perseverance, and grace under pressure. No matter the fiction, the reality of relationships faced with grim circumstances is tied to the human experience. And for Priz Em and Prin Jori Merkanteel aka Stray Horn, their journey is faced with even further dire consequences as they attempt to hold onto one another as they embark on literally saving the world they know and love.

The care, time, and attention to backlogging, cataloguing, and designing our virtual diva is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Further, the music video for “Heartless” is a testament to cinematic marvel, taking Priz Em from page to screen in one sweeping motion. She has become the centrepiece of a new era in creating an artist. She is the dream, willed into reality by her creators.

While the concept of perfecting a holographic figure of a musician is not a new concept, completely designing an entity from thought to actuality is a testament to the sheer level of commitment by her developers. You’ll be invested in her music, mesmerized by her graphics, and captivated by her story.

Currently dominating Spotify, Youtube, and TikTok, Priz Em is light years ahead in her newly crafted tenure. The Mega Centarri universe chronicled in graphic novels are currently hosted by ComiXology and Crypto Comics.

And as for Priz Em herself, expect our virtual diva to begin gracing the stages in 2022. She is, of course, a star among clusters in The World Mega Centarri.

And we’re here for the show.

Rising Pop Star & Songwriter Jessia Serves Up New Single “I Should Quit”

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 8, 2021

0

Rising Pop Star & Songwriter Jessia Serves Up New Single “I Should Quit”

Canadian pop songstress JESSIA unveils a brand-new single entitled “I Should Quit” today.

On the track, executive produced by Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan Tedder, hyper-charged production underscores confessional verses as she immediately admits, “I should quit…having friends with benefits.” Her delivery rises and falls with the dizzying beat as she laments, “I should quit, but I want to see how it ends, ‘cause I’m a woman who doesn’t listen to her friends.” She deals with the conundrum of friends-with-benefits the best way she knows how, by making another bona fide bop.

JESSIA’s music and lyrics continue to resonate. Where “I’m not Pretty” explored the powerful theme of self-acceptance, the saucy, staccato, and tongue-in-cheek “I Should Quit” traces what happens when you follow your heart and your gut… even when your head (and occasionally, your well-meaning best friends) suggests otherwise. “I’m really good at giving advice but not always good at taking it. I know what I SHOULD do but what’s the fun in always playing it safe? Sometimes you just need to fully accept that you are a hot mess,” she said.

Recently, JESSIA was featured as Billboard Magazine’s “Chartbreaker” for the month of June. Her CRIA Gold-certified body acceptance anthem “I’m not Pretty” is currently Top 5 at Hot AC radio in Canada and features GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Bebe Rexha on the official remix version of the track released last month. “I’m not Pretty” recently crossed 100 million streams and counting and this week tops the Billboard Canada Emerging Artists Chart for the FIFTH week straight at #1.

“I’m not Pretty” initially exploded on Tik Tok when JESSIA introduced an acapella hook of the song by sharing, “I don’t know if this is total trash, or if it’s actually a bop.” Turns out, it was the latter as the clip racked up 1 million views in a day. The candid lyrics describe a journey towards self-love and the emotions one can feel while on its path – a message that has instantly resonated with audiences all over the world.

JESSIA released the official music video for the single. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s ‘James and The Giant Peach,’ the video sees her step through a looking glass to confront her insecurities in a playful and tongue-in-cheek kind of way, she then falls down a rabbit hole into an imaginary, yet cinematic eye-popping peach filled wonderland.

In addition to early support from international tastemakers, Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan Tedder personally reached out to JESSIA upon hearing the song to champion her work and collaborate. Together they are putting the finishing touches on more new music—due out soon.

renforshort RELEASES SOPHOMORE EP off saint dominique

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 8, 2021

0

renforshort RELEASES SOPHOMORE EP off saint dominique

Emerging singer-songwriter renforshort releases her highly-anticipated sophomore EP off saint dominique today. The 6-track EP is a collection of deeply reflective and snappy tracks that range from acoustic pop to alt-rock to pop-punk.

To celebrate the release, ren will debut a live performance of “fall apart” with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for their #PlayAtHome Series. The performance will be available at today, June 4, at 3pm ET on The Late Show’s YouTube channel. The performances comes as “fall apart” continues its rapid growth across streaming platforms, receiving over 1 million global streams in less than two weeks.

Finding inspiration in cinematic horror and Stranger Things, there’s a darker, more mature edge to off saint dominique. “Sonically there’s inspiration everywhere from hyperpop, to grunge to even almost Disney vibes,” renforshort says. “But it fits together pretty well.”

ren’s multi-faceted artistry is showcased throughout the EP, where no two songs are alike. From the gritty “virtual reality,” to the second single off the project, “exception” an atmospheric and tender lullaby. Another quieter moment from the EP, “this is just a story” is a sweeping, string-plucked opus that pays homage to the exhaustion of isolation through renforshort’s hymnal vocals. As renforshort’s only piano song, “lust to love” is a timeless track about the crushing feeling of unrequited love. With “wannabe,” renforshort crafts the ultimate poppy kiss-off as she calls out a partner who changes their personality depending on who they’re around. And of course, the bombastic pop-punk anthem “fall apart,” featuring fellow rising star glaive, renforshort’s fiery vocals are complimented by a striking guitar rift, which also mark the ren’s first production nod.

The news follows an incredible 2021 for ren, where she has already been crowned an Apple Up Next Artist (Canada), Vevo DSCVR artist, YouTube Trending Artist on the Rise, and the first artist selected as part of Samsung Music Galaxy Thursday spotlight series.

off saint dominique – tracklisting:
“wannabe”
“virtual reality”
“lust to love”
“fall apart” ft. glaive
“exception”
“this is just a story”

Sonic Reducers: We Wrap Up The JUNO Awards

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 7, 2021

0

Sonic Reducers: We Wrap Up The JUNO Awards

Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.

Join is as we rewind this year’s JUNO Awards, The Tragically Hip and Feist’s Juno performance, and what the awards got right.

The Darkness announce brand new album ‘Motorheart’ for October 15, 2021

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 7, 2021

0

UK glam rock giants The Darkness have announced their brilliant new album Motorheart, set for release on October 15th, via Cooking Vinyl.

The new album is available for pre-order from the band’s Official Store on exclusive formats and signed bundles including Deluxe CD with bonus tracks, Exclusive Colour LP and Tape. Fans who pre-order the album before Thursday 10th June will have access to ticket pre-sales ahead of them going on public sale.

Drop the needle anywhere on Motorheart and be instantly transported from this moaning and weeping vale of tears to Elysian fields of rock where all hands are raised, the drinks – just as in the Club Tropicana of yore – are free, and everyone wears a pleasingly salacious grin. Does it rock? Is the sun hot? Has your partner’s touch grown cold? The Darkness are the Orwellian boot stamping on the flaccid face of limp rock, forever!

Brimming with their trademark blazing guitar riffs and solos, soaring falsetto and immeasurable rock ‘n’ roll extravagance, fans will get the first preview of The Darkness’ newest masterpiece when the first single is unveiled next month.

To celebrate the news of Motorheart the band will be heading out on a full UK tour in November and December this year with support coming from British Lion, the up close and personal side project of legendary Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris.

Justin Hawkins comments, “The time has come, the walrus said… to put your fookin pants on your head and rock like Satan is eating your private parts with a pointy fork! Yes, we, The Darkness, are the fuck back on tour, praise Satan’s better half… come and party with us like it’s the last orders at the last chance saloon. Which it may well be, but I wouldn’t like to comment any further on that. Get in kids, it’s the Darkness, wot you knows and luvs, plus British Lion – Steve Harris’ top rock band who are guaranteed to blow your socks straight up your welcoming arses. What a night! Delirium! Outfits, including hats! Denim that smells of hamsters! Who doesn’t want that? See you down the front, connoisseurs of the finest that life has to offer…”

With a back catalogue overflowing with sonic gold and a live reputation that most bands can only dream of attaining The Darkness have established themselves as one of the most loved and important British rock bands of our time. Their latest album, 2019’s Easter Is Cancelled, became the band’s fourth Top 10 album in the UK, whilst also topping the Official Charts Top 40 Rock Chart and the iTunes Rock Chart, alongside receiving swathes of critical praise.

As The Darkness prepare for action once more, with the release of Motorheart and its accompanying live extravaganza, praise the gods of rock’n’roll that they are back to save 2021!

MOTORHEART UK TOUR DATES 2021

November
17th – Brighton Dome, Brighton
19th – Winter Gardens, Margate
20th – O2 Academy, Bournemouth
21st – Cliffs Pavillion, Southend
23rd – UEA, Norwich
24th – Corn Exchange, Cambridge
26th – The Hexagon, Reading
27th – The Great Hall, Cardiff
29th – The Great Hall, Exeter
30th – G Live, Guilford

December
2nd – O2 Academy, Liverpool
3rd – Academy, Manchester
4th – Bonus Arena, Hull
6th – The Victoria, Stoke-on-Trent
7th – O2 Academy, Bristol
9th – Barrowlands, Glasgow
10th – O2 Academy, Newcastle
11th – O2 Academy, Leeds
13th – Rock City, Nottingham
14th – O2 Academy, Birmingham
16th – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
17th – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Roger Taylor Announces UK Solo Tour and New Album ‘Outsider’

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 7, 2021

0

Roger Taylor Announces UK Solo Tour and New Album ‘Outsider’

Queen legend Roger Taylor announces 2021 UK solo tour alongside brand new album.

“This is my modest tour, I just want it to be lots of fun, very good musically, and I want everybody to enjoy it. I’m really looking forward to it. Will I be playing Queen songs too? Absolutely!”

Rock icon Roger Taylor made the surprise announcement today that he will play a UK solo tour this Autumn, introducing brand new material and revisiting some of his very own Queen classics.

With the pandemic putting Queen + Adam Lambert’s epic UK and European tour on pause until 2022, the acclaimed drummer has decided to hit the road for a set of intimate shows. The upcoming concerts will showcase his distinctive percussive, vocal and songwriting talents that have been integral to Queen’s live and recorded output since 1970.

Marking his first live performances outside Queen in over two decades, Taylor will tour the UK across October playing 14 shows that will coincide with the release of his latest solo album Outsider on October 1st.

As the songwriter of many of Queen’s biggest hits and much-loved tracks including A Kind of Magic, Radio Ga Ga, I’m In Love With My Car, Sheer Heart Attack and These Are the Days of Our Lives, while also being one of rock’s most distinctive vocalists, Taylor promises a solo tour with an enthusiastic foray into Queen and his own classic catalogues, while also including new songs written in lockdown that feature on the multi-instrumentalist’s new Outsider album.

“For some time now, we’ve all just been trying to get by,” says Taylor. “Now, it’s back to the basics, myself and some great musical pals getting back out there to play some rock. Obviously, we’ll include some of the Queen classic catalogue, and some of my earlier solo work, but we’ll also be introducing them to some of the new stuff. So we hope folks are going to come on down.”

Taylor’s 2021 tour will open at Newcastle O2 Academy, Saturday October 2, followed by dates across the UK that conclude at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Friday October 22.

The rock legend will perform with a specially assembled band for the tour made up of Queen + Adam Lambert’s keyboardist Spike Edney and supporting drummer Tyler Warren, plus guitarist Jason Falloon and Goldfrapp live players keyboardist Angie Pollock and bassist Charlie Jones.

Outsider is Taylor’s first album of new material since 2013’s Fun On Earth. Over the last decade, the drummer has also released the occasional solo track reflecting on his worldview and observations in songs like Journey’s End, Gangsters Are Running This World. His most recent was Isolation, which was written and recorded in response to the first lockdown last year.

With much of Outsider recorded during lockdown, this new album finds Taylor in reflective mood. Across the record, he conveys a palpable sense of seclusion, concerns over the passing of time, and tellingly, dedicates it “to all the outsiders, those who feel left on the sidelines”.

On recording the Outsider album after Isolation Taylor says: “I’ve had a bit of a creative spurt and suddenly found myself with an album, which was lovely. It was a surprise!

“I just found myself in the studio and they came out one after the other. It was a pleasure really.”

A highly personal project, Outsider’s instrumentation is almost entirely performed by Taylor, with his largely restrained vocals matching the album’s contemplative ambience. But Taylor does cut loose along the way with a foray into some hard-riffing blues-rock as well as an adrenalin-charged BIG surprise retread of a classic 1965 novelty song, which is exactly the fun on earth we need in these challenging times.

Roger Taylor ‘Outsider’ Tour Dates:

Sat 2 October – NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy
Sun 3 October – MANCHESTER, Academy
Tue 5 October – YORK, Barbican
Wed 6 October – CARDIFF, St. David’s Hall
Fri 8 October – LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy
Sat 9 October – NORWICH, University East Anglia (UEA)
Mon 11 October – BATH, Forum
Tue 12 October – BOURNEMOUTH, O2 Academy
Thu 14 October – PLYMOUTH, Pavilions
Fri 15 October – NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
Sun 17 October – BEXHILL, De La Warr Pavilion
Tue 19 October – GUILDFORD, G Live
Wed 20 October – COVENTRY, HMV Empire
Fri 22 October – LONDON, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Winners announced for The 50th Annual JUNO Awards

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 7, 2021

0

Winners announced for The 50th Annual JUNO Awards

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC celebrated a golden anniversary this evening at the 50th Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast, Canada’s biggest night in music. The awards were broadcast nationwide on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen and globally on CBCMusic.ca/junos. The highly anticipated event featured show-stopping performances from some of the country’s brightest music stars and appearances from the nation’s most recognizable personalities.

Both new and notable artists were celebrated for their excellence and took home some of JUNO Weekend’s most prized awards. Following his three major wins announced Friday night at the 2021 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada, The Weeknd also won Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada and Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada during the broadcast, taking home an impressive total of five JUNO Awards this year. This brings his overall total to fifteen JUNO Awards, making The Weeknd the sixth most awarded artist in JUNO history.

Global superstar Justin Bieber walked away with the award for Pop Album of the Year Presented by CBC Music for his record-breaking album Changes and graced viewers with a knockout performance of his hit “Somebody”.

Shawn Mendes took home the coveted JUNO Fan Choice Presented by Freedom Mobile. For the first time this year, Canadians were given the option to vote on TikTok as the official voting platform. This marks the third time Mendes has won JUNO Fan Choice, bringing his total JUNO count to an impressive 11 awards.

One of Canada’s most buzzworthy talents, R&B singer Savannah Ré, took home Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Presented by ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective for her single “Solid”, and emerging soulful singer-songwriter JP Saxe was awarded Breakthrough Artist of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters. Saxe alsoperformed his song “Like That” and was then joined by multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Julia Michaels with a beautiful performance of the hit song “If The World Was Ending.”

The Tragically Hip received the 2021 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada, awarded to them by rock icons Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of RUSH. The band also performed alongside indie-pop star Feist with a rare rendition of “It’s A Good Life If You Don’t Weaken.”

The night included an extremely memorable induction of legendary singer-songwriter and adored Canadian personality, Jann Arden into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, inducted by Canada’s songbird Anne Murray, and presented by TD Bank Group. Arden was honoured for her musical excellence, which has had an immeasurable impact on Canada’s music scene during the span of her 30-plus-year career. Fans were delighted with a moving performance of her hit “Good Mother” from Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary.

Dr. Mary Piercey-Lewis from Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, Nunavut was awarded the 2021 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award Presented by Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation.

In celebration of 50 years of Canadian music, the evening also featured spectacular performances from R&B-pop artist and three-time 2021 nominee Ali Gatie, who performed at the JUNOS for the first time alongside two-timeJUNO Award nominee Tate McRae. Now four-time JUNO Award winner Jessie Reyez, who won Music Video of the Year on Friday night gave a soulful performance of her hits “Do You Love Her” and “Before Love Came To Kill Us” and JUNO Award winner William Prince entertained viewers with six-time JUNO Award winner Serena Ryder, performing “The Spark”.

During a special celebration and tribute to the 30th anniversary of the JUNO Rap Recording of the Year category, hip hop pioneer Michie Mee, two-time JUNO Award winner Maestro Fresh Wes joined four-time JUNO Award winner Kardinal Offishall and two-time JUNO Award winner, multiple JUNO Award nominee and R&B/Soul artist Jully Black, eight-time JUNO Award nominee NAV, and 2019 Polaris Music Prize winner Haviah Mighty, in a special performance and presentation that paidhomage to the influence the genre has had on the Canadian rap scene.

The evening’s stellar roster of notable presenters included: actor and comedian Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience, Run the Burbs); TikTok sensations The Basement Gang; Indigenous activist and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Buffy Sainte-Marie; Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson; Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Gordon Lightfoot; Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy; record producer, DJ, and winner of the 2021 JUNO for Dance Recording of the Year KAYTRANADA; legendary R&B and soul singer Liberty Silver; Arkells’ lead singer Max Kerman; 14-time JUNO Award winner Michael Bublé; country music artist Paul Brandt; multi-platinum singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan; Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and country music icon, Shania Twain; Minister of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Steven Guilbeault;Nunavut’s first JUNO Award winning Inuk artist Susan Aglukark and Canadian actor, producer and Freedom Mobile’s spokesperson Will Arnett.

Fans can rewatch every performance and memorable moment from the anniversary broadcast, on CBC Gem, and CBC Music’s and The JUNO Awards social channels.

The 2021 JUNO Awards Broadcast is produced by Insight Productions in association with CBC and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). Executive Producers are John Brunton for Insight Productions, Allan Reid and Mark Cohon for CARAS and Lindsay Cox is Executive Producer/Creative, Insight Productions. For CBC, Sally Catto General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content;Susan Taylor is Executive in Charge of Production and Development, Factual Entertainment; Steve Jordan is Senior Director, CBC Music; Lisa Clarkson is Executive Director, Business & Rights and Content Optimization; Maya Kane is Executive Director, Communications, Marketing, Brand & Research.

Award Sponsors: Traditional R&B / Soul Recording of the Year Presented by ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, Pop Album of the Year Presented by CBC Music, Breakthrough Artist of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, JUNO Fan Choice Presented by Freedom Mobile, Album of the Year Presented by Music Canada, Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada, Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada and Canadian Music Hall ofFame Inductee Award Presentation Presented by TD Bank Group

Bob Mould announces Distortion and Blue Hearts! tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 7, 2021

0

Bob Mould announces Distortion and Blue Hearts! tour

Legendary musician Bob Mould announces his “Distortion and Blue Hearts!” two-part tour starting September 16, 2021, in Boston at The Paradise. For the first three weeks, Bob will be joined by Jason Narducy on bass and drummer Jon Wurster. Beginning October 15 in Bloomington, IL, Mould will perform “Solo Distortion” electric shows (full run of dates and locations below).

Mould’s live shows will span his entire career of 40+ years to include songs from his recent Distortion career retrospective collection, his landmark band Hüsker Dü, and last year’s explosive and critically acclaimed album Blue Hearts—about which Rolling Stone’s 4 out of 5 star review raved, “Feels like a lost Hüsker Dü album with Mould howling invective over his buzzsawing guitar.”

Mould says:

It’s been a year and a half away from the stage. I’ve missed the noise, the sweat, and seeing your smiling faces. I’m fully vaccinated, and I hope you are too, because this fall will be a punk rock party with the band—and the solo shows will be loud and proud as well. It’s time to make up lost time, reconnect, and celebrate together with live music!

Bob Mould on tour:
Sep 16 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club^
Sep 17 New York, NY – Webster Hall^
Sep 18 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club^
Sep 19 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer^
Sep 21 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre^
Sep 22 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall^
Sep 24 Chicago, IL – Vic Theater^
Sep 25 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue^
Sep 28 Seattle, WA – Neumos^
Sep 29 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom^
Oct 01 San Francisco, CA – August Hall^
Oct 02 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom^
Oct 04 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater^
Oct 05 Dallas, TX – Granada Theater^
Oct 06 Austin, TX – The Mohawk^
Oct 15 Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre*
Oct 16 Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House*
Oct 17 Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe*
Oct 19 Kent, OH – Kent Stage*
Oct 20 Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House*
Oct 22 Cincinnati, OH – Memorial Hall*
Oct 23 St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway Nightclub*
Oct 24 Iowa City, IA – Englert Theater*
^ Bob Mould Band
* Solo Electric

Ideas To Create Original Merchandise For Your Podcast Followers

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 6, 2021

0

You probably know your podcast followers like the back of your hand and want to provide great merchandise for them. This is a great source of revenue as you have a niche demographic who is willing to purchase from you. You can create a merchandise store with ease and provide cool products for your followers without taking away your focus from podcasting. There are tools available that make creating original merchandise quick and easy.

Creating Original Merchandise for Podcast Followers

When you decide to launch your own merchandise for your podcast, you can consider different platforms that will streamline the process for you. Many of these platforms have integrations designed for companies like yours.

Pick a Print-On-Demand Shop

You can choose a print-on-demand platform that helps you customize high-quality clothes with no up-front cost. With this approach, you can design your merchandise and appeal to your podcast followers, as you know them well. The print-on-demand store will manage all of the printing, shipping, and logistics. The purchaser picks the item they want to purchase and they are shipped the item, while you take a small cut of the total amount of the payment. You never have to worry about stocking items or inventory. That is all managed by the print-on-demand business model. Additionally, they can provide customer service. However, it is you who will be the face of the store and reaching out to potential buyers.

Pick an E-Commerce Platform or Host A Site

You can either chose to host a website or feature your store on an e-commerce platform. Both will work well, but the easiest and cheapest approach is the former. That is because e-commerce stores are designed for providing merchandise and will have many tools that will help build repeat customers. Making a self-hosted site from scratch takes time to create. Also, it can be a lot more expensive as you have to either do the graphic design, template design, and webpage building on your own. E-commerce stores are already set up to be easy to launch once you upload your products.

Select Your Most Popular Merchandise

The most popular merchandise for podcasters tends to be t-shirts, hats, pins, and stickers. For podcasters that really appreciate what you have to say, they would love to rock t-shirt designs with your brand name on them. Another item that podcast followers love is hats. Similar to t-shirts, a hat can have a major logo or icon on it which stands for your podcast. This can be fun and creative, even engaging for your followers to the sport. Pins are also a great product to offer, which can be placed on t-shirts, backpacks, or hats. You can add a slogan or catchphrase to a pin that only your followers can relate to. Mugs are a great product, and can also double as a gift for your followers. They’re also incredibly cheap and a great option for those who don’t want to spend much.

Design Your Products

The types of designs you make can be a graphic, words, or a combination of both. Create something that has a special meaning that only your followers understand. If your fans have a long history of listening to your podcast, pick something that is a throw-back that reminds them of the earlier times. This creates some sentiment between you and your followers.

Reward Your Customers

Appeal to your customers by giving them special access to products before they are launched in your store. You can also do limited edition items that are seasonal or are only offered for a short amount of time. Another idea is to give away free merch on rare occasions to increase your popularity. Competitions are a fun way for you to engage with your followers, which gives you the opportunity to provide free merch. Lastly, you can encourage your followers to keep checking your store for discounts and coupon sales. You can give your followers a unique code that makes them feel even more appreciated.

Get Started Releasing Podcast Merchandise

Make sure you work with a quality print shop. If you want to pick a great print-on-demand shop you can visit: printful.com/podcast-merch.

The Birth of Hip Hop Seen In A Two-Minute Video

Music

Eric Alper

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Jun 6, 2021

0

The Birth of Hip Hop Seen In A Two-Minute Video

In 1973, DJ Kool Herc set up his turntables and introduced a technique at a South Bronx house party that would change music as many people knew it. His ability to switch from record to record — as well as isolate and repeat music breaks — led to the discovery of the hip hop genre.

From school yards to gatherings, boomboxes housed the exhilarating sound that people couldn’t get enough of. Soon, freestyling over the beat became popular, and we’d have one of the most noted songs of the genre released in 1979, entitled “Rapper’s Delight.” As the genre evolved, artists used their platform to speak on social issues near and far. These lyrics became the melody that told the narrative of the artist’s world to a beat.

Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from author Joan Morgan, Jelani Cobb of Columbia University, rapper Nas, and filmmaker Ava Duvernay, we celebrate an underground cultural movement that has unified people and has become the most streamed genre of present day.

Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is a 2x Webby Award winning series.