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Fado Singer/Songwriter Teresinha Landeiro Is “The Voice Of Now” With New Single “Amanhã”

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When Vogue asked Teresinha Landeiro the question “past or future?” in a recent profile, the rising Fado artist’s answer was the opposite of ambiguous: “Future, always.”

And so goes the flow with this, the release of her latest single “Amanhã” — arriving with the Portuguese singer/songwriter’s album, Agora, released April 30th via Justin Time Records.

Featured as a “gem” that “shines brightly” by Consequence of Sound, Landeiro has quickly been confirmed as a foremost representative of the new Fado generation.

With performances at the Festival Caixa Alfama, EDP Fado Cafe NOS Alive, Fado Festival in Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and Seville, and more to her extensive credit, Landeiro got her start very much in the way Fado was first formed: performing on the night of her 12th birthday at Lisbon’s Casa de Linhares — a destination restaurant nestled in the underpinnings of an 18th century palace.

Produced by Pedro de Castro — who also produced her 2018 debut, Namoro — and featuring musicians Gaspar Varela, Roda de Samba, and João Pedro Coelho, Agora reveals a 10-track songscape as ambitious and light as the singer/songwriter’s own personality.

“Amanhã” is available now. Agora is available was released April 30th, 2021 via Justin Time Records.

Charlottetown Rockers ARSENAL MILLS Refuse to “Cry No More” in Rockin’ New Single

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Multi-award nominated East Coast rockers Arsenal Mills have dropped a new straightforward installment from their forthcoming EP, Lovesick & Broke; “Cry No More” is available now.

Vocalist and guitarist Brad Milligan says “Cry No More” first came together very spontaneously and naturally. “Griff brought this big, sing-along chorus to me that he’d been working on,” Milligan recalls of the band’s lead guitarist, Griffen Arsenault. “From there, and in only a short time, we had all the music and lyrics written out.”

The song has an infectious, driving beat reminiscent of classic 80s New Wave, and has already proven to inspire feet to move along to it. “I remember everyone in the studio at the time was dancing along to the song while we were recording,” Arsenault recalls. “We figured that was a good indication of how fun this song is!”

“As far as drums and percussion go, this was the first time we decided to mix live and sample drums in a song,” drummer Josh MacNeil explains. “I love how punchy and quick it is; it doesn’t mess around, and just gets straight to the point.

“I couldn’t be more excited about how it turned out.”

“This song has been in my head literally since the day I first heard it,” bass, keyboard, and synth player André Uyterlinde adds. “It definitely has that ‘earworm’ quality; the rhythm is fairly straightforward, but there are a few little cool twists.”

From their homebase in Charlottetown, PEI, Arsenal Mills have been featured in many well-known music publications including CBC, Tinnitist, Canadian Beats, Record World Magazine, Cashbox Canada, and more. The band have been nominated for both ‘New Artist Of The Year’ and ‘Rock Recording Of The Year’ by Music PEI.

Canada’s Godfather of Hip Hop MAESTRO FRESH WES Inspires Kids with New Book, Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School

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Canada’s indisputable Godfather of hip hop Maestro Fresh Wes has unveiled his newest release — an inspirational children’s book, Stick To Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School.

Telling the tale of a young Maestro as he finds new adventures, both in school and as he’s introduced to the world of hip hop, readers follow along as he competes in the school’s writing contest against ‘Julia the Great’ and ‘Hakeem the Dream.’ Nervous — but ready — Wes draws inspiration from his family, teachers, friend and mentor DJ Greg, plus all that he has learned from hip hop, to find the power of his pen.

Written by Toronto, ON/Saint John, NB’s Wes Williams and award-winning teacher, mentor, educational consultant, and student advocate Rhodora Meliton-Vanderpool, the book includes a foreword from fellow legendary music icon, Kardinal Offishall, and illustrations from multi-talented artist, entrepreneur, media personality, and author Leon “Eklipz” Robinson.

“This book was written to emphasize the importance of family structure, mentorship, hip hop, and the positive impact of inspirational elementary school teachers,” Williams says.

Kardinal Offishall says “everyone who reads this book, young or young at heart, will benefit tremendously in so many ways,” and comedian and actor Gerry Dee adds that the book “is a must-read for any child who is developing their own passion and dreams.”

Stick to Your Vision: Young Maestro Goes to School is an extension of Williams’ now-signature Stick to Your Vision brand; he released an inspirational memoir, Stick to Your Vision: How to Get Past the Hurdles and Haters to Get Where You Want to Be (2010) via Penguin RandomHouse Canada, and “Stick to Your Vision” was the first single released off his fifth studio album, Built to Last (1998).

With its foreword written by Public Enemy’s Chuck D, and content long-credited for inspiring fellow Canadian hip hop star Drake, the original Stick to Your Vision book has been incorporated by multiple school curriculums as required reading and, together with his 2017 TED Talks on the subject of self-revision, have seen many guided on the right path by the multi-talented visionary.

It’s all a continuation of the legendary musician’s 30th anniversary of exploding onto the scene by way of 1989’s iconic Symphony in Effect. Its success blazed a fiery fresh trail, becoming the first hip hop release to receive a JUNO Award for Best Rap Recording of the Year, and first Canadian hip hop album to reach Platinum status.

Even more, his legendary track “Let Your Backbone Slide” made Williams the first Canadian hip hop artist to have a single reach Gold status; he was also the first Canadian hip hop artist to have a stronghold on Billboard’s Top 20 Rap Singles chart.

With 14 JUNO nominations (plus a second win, this time for Best Video in ’91), real estate on the Scarborough Walk of Fame, anthems on repeat for both ’14 and ’16 Olympics, and eight seasons playing the role of Vice Principal Paul Dwyer on the CBC hit sitcom, Mr. D. — to say the least — Williams is easily considered one of Canada’s premier and most notable multi-media personalities.

“Maestro taught me how to be a student of the game while being a legend,” artist, producer, and CEO of Half Life Records Classified shares. “He always had excitement for creating new projects, and his first children’s book is an indication of his dedication.”

“An outstanding achievement from one of Canada’s most prolific artists,” actress and Founder/Executive Director of Reelworld Film Festival and Reelworld Screen Institute Tonya Williams adds. “You are drawn into the very real and raw experience of Young Maestro. This story is fun and filled with anecdotes that every child could relate to.”

“This is a powerful story that brought me back to my school days as a young black boy and the son of Trinidadian-born parents; I knew one day, even though facing adversity, I would play in the NBA,” Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach and President of the Jamaal Magloire Foundation Jamaal Magloire says. “The book reaffirms to not only kids — but also to parents and teachers — that positive influence, encouragement, hard work, and sacrifices can make your dream come true.”

Rare Jerry Garcia Digital Art Piece, “Gift,” to be Unveiled as NFT in Eco-friendly Manner

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Mission-based Jerry Garcia Music Arts has partnered with the fellow ecologically attuned Aerial platform to release a rare Jerry Garcia digital artwork, “Gift,” on the SuperRare platform. The piece will be available as a non-fungible token (NFT) on May 5. Garcia’s “Gift” will be an authentic, one-of-a-kind piece.

The environmental element of the art release will use the carbon offset tools made available by Aerial, an ecologically driven platform focused on alleviating humanity’s carbon footprint. This particular release will support Aerial’s forest conservation work, verified by the American Carbon Registry and Climate Action Reserve.

“We’re excited to help creators, including Jerry Garcia Music Arts, understand and mitigate the carbon footprint by supporting meaningful projects,” said Aerial cofounder and entrepreneur Andreas Homer.

Jerry Garcia, best known as the lead guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead, considered himself “an artist who played music.” The visionary Garcia began creating art as a young child and later studied formally at the San Francisco Art Institute. The many mediums Garcia chose to create with — oils, watercolor, ink and digital — were as versatile as his talents. Garcia’s fine art has traveled throughout the United States and the world in multiple exhibitions. In 2014, several of the virtuoso’s fine art pieces were displayed and eventually donated to the “Art in Pop” museum exhibition at the Centre National d’Art Contemporain Le Magasin in Grenoble, France. In January 2015, the Jerry Garcia Foundation launched an ongoing charity arts program to support environmental, artistic and humanitarian causes.

“I think my father would have loved the concept of NFTs, especially with the carbon offset component. After seeing how this new space is empowering artists and creators around the world to make a living doing what they love, I’m excited and honored to help bring his original art into this new era of art history and share it with a new generation of creatives. My father was a pioneer in so many ways and likely one of the first musicians creating digital art in the late eighties to early nineties,” said Keelin Garcia, Jerry’s youngest daughter.

A charitable component of the project will support the preservation of the planet’s coral reefs, a cause Garcia championed in his lifetime. Garcia frequently traveled with his family to the Hawaiian Islands, where he developed a love for scuba diving among the coral reefs, often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea.”

Collections of Garcia’s visual art can be viewed online at Rolling Stone and the Garcia Weir Gallery.

For more information about “Gift,” please visit the SuperRare website.

ROCKI launches the world’s biggest Music NFT platform dedicated to musicians and fans on Binance Smart Chain

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Focusing on music NFT’s and music streaming services, ROCKI launches the world’s first music platform on Binance Smart Chain (BSC).

If the pandemic made one thing clear to most musicians, it was that the streaming services don’t care about them. By their own admission, these services have determined that a year of the average musician’s work is worth $200.

That’s right. Two hundred dollars. In a year when most artists’ sole source of income is the royalty check from these same streaming services. They don’t even care enough to pretend to be embarrassed by the announcement.

ROCKI, the world’s first music NFT platform, on the other hand, thinks that’s unacceptable. From the beginning, ROCKI has dedicated itself to providing equitable compensation for the independent artists who create the work. As we’ve all learned this past year, the online system is hopelessly stacked against all but the most established superstars. The only options are to remain victims or destroy the barriers the system has erected between artists and fans.

We at ROCKI believe music NFTs are going to be instrumental in that fight.

While the flood of media attention has led many to dismiss these high-profile NFT auctions as a passing fad for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, ROCKI begs to disagree. In fact, it has already demonstrated that music NFTs are a powerful new weapon for independent musicians and, for their first time, their fans.

True fans aren’t impressed by numbers or algorithms. Instead, they care about the music and about their relationship with the artist. Valuable information, to be sure, but one that has little to do with music and the way fans, true fans, consume it. Because they are true fans, they prefer scarcity, which is the cornerstone of collectability, and they prefer access.

True fans love accessibility to the artist, and they prize scarcity. They collect limited editions, T-shirts, posters, and memorabilia and pay small fortunes to see them in small clubs.

NFTs not only give them a new way to support their heroes but also invest in the artist’s career by buying actual royalty rights as NFTs. They become ambassadors and promoters on social media for bragging rights and because it increases their investment.

For that reason, music NFTs are a giant step forward for fan engagement. These music NFTs are offered in limited quantities and set prices (or auction format). Because they can be traded on the blockchain and on ROCKI, these music NFTs open up new revenue streams for artists. And because they can be traded in the same way that stocks are, fans are invited to reap the rewards for the first time in history.

As Bjorn Niclas, CEO, and co-founder of ROCKI, says, that changes everything. “The music NFT marketplace is within reach for all music fans and music lovers, regardless of budget. We anticipate that hundreds of thousands of music NFT’s will be held and enjoyed by music lovers who robustly trade them on the secondary marketplace for music NFT’s that ROCKI is actively developing.”

As he explains, “Our uncomplicated do-it-yourself function lets any artist, regardless of the size of his fan base, issue and mint their own music NFT’s, set their own price and issuance of music NFT’s, and offer them to fans for purchase, collecting, and investing, all on our platform.”

Amidst widespread skepticism, ROCKI has already proven the system works. Through our NFT technology partner, Bounce.finance, a decentralized auction protocol that powers the ROCKI NFT integration on BSC, we’ve already seen over 300 Music NFT offerings minted, with several of them earning more in a few days than their entire yearly paycheck from the streaming giants.

The influential electronic act BLOND:ISH is equally excited by the potential of ROCKI’s music NFT. As they say, “My passion and mission is exploring music endlessly in all its forms. We have no idea where this journey is headed, but I do know one thing. Exploring and experimenting with the intersection of music NFTs will lead to great discoveries and change the music industry and our lives forever. I want to be a part of making the term ‘a starving artist ‘a thing of the past.”

Even a DJ legend like Nick Warren has dived into the world of NFTs. A superstar with a resume that includes Massive Attack, Way Out West, collectible Global Underground releases, and frequent back-to-back sets with South American superstar Hernan Cattaneo, he has lived through acetates, white labels, vinyl, mixtapes, and CDs.

But NFTs represents an entirely new way to keep his fanbase energized. “NFTs are an exciting new way to involve them,” he says. “These NFTs hopefully take that to the next level. It reminds me of the old days when the DJ and the fans were in control. It feels like we’re in uncharted territory again. I can’t wait to dive in.”

Martin Unveils New Earth Guitar Inspired By Greta Thunberg

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It’s not just a guitar. It’s a call to action on climate change. A reminder to preserve the planet for future generations. To show our dedication to this cause, Martin has unveiled its latest custom instrument in that vein, the 00L Earth model. Designed by artist and frequent Martin collaborator Robert Goetzl, the guitar was inspired by climate activist Greta Thunberg, and her School Strike for Climate movement. They’ve created the first acoustic guitar that is both 100% FSC-certified and 100% plastic-free. Its top, emblazoned with a work by renowned artist Robert Goetzl, is as stunning as it is powerful, a reminder of what we’re fighting for. And even the gig bag is sustainable: made from hemp—a Martin first. So play, preserve, and protect the planet with the most environmentally friendly guitar on earth. You can get it here.

Guitar & Stax Legend Steve Cropper Announces “First Solo Album” Since 1969

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On April 23rd, guitar legend Steve Cropper will release ‘Fire It Up,’ which he’s calling his first proper solo album since 1969, after decades of stardom in soul, blues, and rock and roll. “This album is different from everything out there now,” Cropper says, in reference to two vocals albums he released in the 80s – “I haven’t heard myself this way since the 60s.” Cropper announced the album with the release of “Far Away,” a bouncing soul number that draws heavily from classic R&B, featuring Cropper’s signature guitar that’s always in service to the groove. “I’m a rhythm player,” Cropper explains, “I set the groove. I’m always listening to the singer and the rest of band.”

A founding member of the Blues Brothers and one of Stax Records’ main producers, songwriters, and guitarists – as the guitarist in its house band, Booker T. and the M.G.’s – Cropper reintroduced classic soul to unsuspecting audiences, with Rolling Stone ranking him in the top 40 all-time greatest guitarists. “Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, “Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave — you simply can’t discuss soul music without Steve Cropper. He plays on John Lennon’s Rock N Roll album, Frank Black’s Honeycomb and Fast Man Raider Man albums, and on several albums by Ringo Starr. He’s also produced for John Prine, Jeff Beck, and John Cougar Mellencamp.

But seven decades into his legendary career, Steve sees this record as different: “This is the first Steve Cropper album since 1969,” he says. “It’s made from old grooves, because during a lockdown, you work on stuff that’s been in your head for years.” Rooted in sessions with the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and produced with long-time collaborator Jon Tiven, Cropper is both guitarist and a producer on the album, a role he is most comfortable in after years on the scene. “To be a good producer, you’ve got to be able to hear a song finished in your head before there’s much of anything done,” he explains. “..a good production is not accidental. I’m really proud of things that I produce.”

Careful and selective about what he’ll put his name on, you won’t be surprised to find that ‘Fire It Up’ is an instant classic. From the classic R&B of the title-track, featuring vocalist Roger C. Reale, to the funk of “Bush Hog” and the quiet restraint of “One Good Turn,” the album may have Cropper’s name on it, but it’s still very much a collaborative effort, where solos and prowess are always in service to the larger rhythm. “This isn’t a battle of the bands,” he adds. “..it’s better to enhance the other guy, make him shine.”

In fact, listening to everyone else may be one of the secrets to Cropper’s style. The “Go Getter Is Gone” highlights the album’s collaborative effort. “Roger came up with most of the lyrics here,” he says. “I came up with the rhythms and the grooves and the changes, but I think teamwork is better.” And suddenly a light shines on why Cropper has pursued so few solo records: “When a basketball team wins,” he says, “it’s not the player who made the last three-pointer who wins, it’s the whole team that got him there.”

Why You’ll Want to Use Scent Diffusers in Your Car

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Smells are all around us every day, but most of the time, we may not realize what an impact they may have on our lives and how we feel during the day.  Scent diffusers are used by many today to add beautiful smells to homes and to help with a variety of issues that the aroma from the diffuser can provide assistance with. Aromatherapy can be used for just about anything and can provide help for anxiety, stress, and a lot more. Now, it’s possible to use these in the vehicle and use aromatherapy for a variety of on-the-go benefits, like the following.

Reduce Traffic Anxiety

Traffic anxiety has a number of causes, including the following:

  • Too Much Traffic
  • Bad Drivers
  • Running Late
  • Getting Lost

No matter what the issue is, the right smells can help reduce the anxiety felt by drivers and make sure they have the calm feeling they need to reach their destination safely and stress-free.

Stay Alert During the Drive

It can be hard to stay alert during the drive, especially if you’ve just had a long day at work or you have a long commute to and from the office. However, failing to be alert at all times can be incredibly dangerous and is one of the top causes of accidents. Instead, using a scent diffuser for your car can help you remain more alert during the drive, so you reach the destination safely.

Reduce Anxiety From Work

Whether you’re worried about the day ahead on the way to work or you’re trying to relieve the stress of work on the way home, scent diffusers can help you feel a lot better right away. The right scent can reset your mood, helping you feel stress-free and relieved. It’s a good idea to have a calming or stress-reducing scent on hand, so it can be added to your diffuser as soon as you’re in the car.

Breathe in Fresher Air

When cars are used a lot, they can start to smell. Whether it’s the gym clothes that have been sitting in the backseat for a few days, the smells from the traffic, or the kids on the way home from a muddy soccer practice, the right scents in a diffuser can help freshen the air, so you enjoy the drive. A variety of scents are available that can overpower the smells of the car, so you can breathe free.

Scents can play an important part in your life, and the time spent in your vehicle is no different. Scents can make a big difference in how you feel and what you’re breathing when you’re driving. Whether you’re worried about work, have anxiety about being late, or just want to breathe fresher air, pick out the scents you love and start using them in a car diffuser today. The right scents will make all of the difference, and you’ll be able to get the above benefits and more whenever you’re driving in the car.

Video: David Bowie on Lou Reed, Writing and New York

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The legendary musician David Bowie was interviewed by filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart in 1998, and he speaks about working with Lou Reed, literary influences, writing lyrics, and what New York City means to him.

Video: 1960s drug use propaganda film on glue sniffing

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Glue is big trouble in a small tube, according to this PSA from the 1960. “It’s just a small inoffensive tube not even as big as a tube of toothpaste or shaving cream but as small as it is, this little tube is filled with big trouble. When used for their intended purpose, these so-called model cements are a great boon to the household and model building for young people but they’re a dangerous commodity when used improperly.” Sure, you might think no reasonable person would sniff glue, but we also had a generation of kids eating Tide pods, so…