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Toronto’s oH! Makes His Solo Debut With “The Greatest” Message of All

Eric Alper
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Toronto’s oH! Makes His Solo Debut With “The Greatest” Message of All

Toronto-based R&B singer Omar Lunan, now known as oH!, has been an industry veteran for over a decade. From starring on Canadian Idol to playing alongside the likes of Usher, Brandy Norwood and Ginuwine, oH! who is currently signed to S.O.G. Entertainment Inc.; distributed by Orchard-SONY is now preparing to make his solo debut with his new single “The Greatest,” out now. An eight-song EP is to follow “The Greatest” on Nov. 1, before heading out on a national tour, bringing his distinct and memorable musical stylings to audiences across the country.

The singer’s voice glides across jumpy electronic synths on “The Greatest,” declaring his love for his subject with unabashed enthusiasm. The track blends his signature R&B style with catchy, pop sensibilities to create a listening experience worth remembering.

“To have and to hold from this day forward,
I want you in my life
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer
I’ll be right by your side”
— “The Greatest”

“I’ve always wanted that full, life long, fulfilling, heart bursting, transcendent love that everyone desires in this life. The only way to get there was to write it, and believe that I was capable of it,” oH! says of “The Greatest.” “The more I forgive my own misgivings, the more I let go, the more space was created for the deepest, most fulfilling love I always wanted.”

The theme of love in oH!’s music traces back to the impact of hearing Whitney Houston’s rendition of “The Greatest Love of All” when he was a child, “I still remember the feeling of hitting the note ‘G’ — those high notes as a seven-year-old… I always wanted that feeling of elation. I knew it was a song about love, but didn’t find meaning until I was older and experienced the word first-hand. I love ‘love.’ There’s nothing more amazing than it.”

“If the sun and stars were falling’ from the sky
All that matters in this world is you and I”
— “The Greatest”

In creating “The Greatest,” Lunan aimed to capture the emotional response that infatuation elicits, and bottle it up into the form and structure of a song. “If you remember the first time you fell in love — with anything or anyone, the rush of oxytocin… slight euphoria and the break of a smile while the memories all come rushing in. This is what I was hoping for with writing the song.”

oH!’s extensive background in the music industry spans from performing on “Sesame Street” as a child to his time in the major label-signed group “The Show,” who performed with artists such as Usher, Ginuwine and 98 Degrees. He has also spent time performing as resident vocalist at the Dazzling Lounge’s “Live Thursdays” alongside resident band “The Recipee.” Collectively, they’ve earned opportunities to perform or tour with acts such as Tank, Brandy Norwood, Justin Timberlake, Daniel Caesar, Deborah Cox and Mya. oH! solidified his presence in the local Toronto music scene after his time competing on Canadian Idol.

oH!’s blending of genres, heartfelt lyrical material and deep understanding of both musicianship and the music industry define him as an artist on the precipice of great solo success. If “The Greatest” is just the start of oH!’s solo musical endeavors, listeners are in for a treat.

Blues Lifetime Achievement Winner Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Set To Release ‘Ooh Yeah!’ Album On Nov 15

Eric Alper
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Blues Lifetime Achievement Winner Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Set To Release ‘Ooh Yeah!’ Album On Nov 15

Boogie-Woogie might sound like a silly name for a musical genre, but those who are masters of it should be held in high praise. From Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, and Duke Ellington to Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Allen Toussaint, these Boogie-Woogie legends are responsible for some of the finest music ever created. But even those icons would be hesitant to do what Ontario-based legend Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has done with his latest single “Try It Out.” A banjo, horns, Boogie-Woogie piano and a funky ‘70s bass line should not work so well. But thankfully, Wayne didn‘t listen, resulting in a refreshing, upbeat, and incredibly catchy track.

“Try It Out,” from Wayne ‘s forthcoming album Ooh Yeah!, opens with a gorgeous, funky bass line that sounds like it came direct from New York ‘s Studio 54 nightclub. But that ‘s just a taste of what ‘s around the song ‘s corner. From there, a banjo emerges in the mix with some intricate fingerpicking, bringing to mind Ricky Skaggs or Billy Strings. The listener might do a double take at first but Wayne and his fine ensemble of musicians find the majestic mojo to get this single soaring before he ‘s finished delivering his initial lyrics. Add horns into the already fine chorus, and the nearly 80-year-old Wayne is steering this party-starting staple to its glorious, good-times conclusion.

If “Try It Out” sounds this solid on Ooh Yeah!, it is beyond anyone‘s expectations how much of a show-stopper this single could be in concert. With the horns, banjo and Boogie-Woogie finesse of Wayne, this tune could easily go on for far longer than its current length of four minutes and thirty-six seconds.

As if Wayne‘s career wasn‘t deep and intriguing enough with his vast discography, “Try It Out” only adds another fine addition for the native of Spokane, Washington, who moved a few times in his early years with his family. Moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Wayne played gospel music with the encouragement of his father, the Reverend Matthew Spruell. An uncle would soon introduce the childhood prodigy to the world of Boogie-Woogie and from that a new avenue of expression opened up for Wayne.

A winner of a JUNO Award in 2006 for Best Blues Album and several Maple Blues Awards over his career, Wayne in 2017 he was inducted into the Boogie-Woogie Piano Hall of Fame while performing as part of the Cincy Blues Festival. In 2023 he received the Bobby Blue Bland Lifetime Achievement Award from Atlanta‘s Jus Blues Music Foundation. And most recently was the winner of the 2024 Blues Music Award for ‘The Pinetop Perkins’ Piano Player of the Year as well as Living Blues Magazine‘s Keyboardist of the Year honor.

Performing throughout Canada, the United States, and on various Blues Cruises, Wayne released his last studio album in 2022 entitled Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon. In addition to these accolades, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has shared the stage with a horde of legends including Pinetop Perkins, Johnnie Johnson, and Floyd Dixon. He also worked with a bevy of rock heavyweights including Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, the Doobie Brothers and Delaney and Bonnie among others. It‘s no surprise then that his nickname of “Blues Boss” is so accurate.

“Try It Out” is one of 12 great tracks from Wayne‘s Ooh Yeah! which features great local guests including guitarist Jimmy Bowskill and a great horn section from Quebec. The album is described as “remarkably adventurous” as it “stretches the boundaries of instrumentation for the blues.” Judging by how much oomph is packed in “Try It Out,” listeners would be very fortunate and blessed to take Kenny “Boss Blues” Wayne up on his suggestion.

Track Listing:
1. Ooh Yeah!
2. Whatcha Gonna Do Now?
3. Baby, I’m Your Man
4. Sailing with the Sunset
5. My Point of View
6. Try It Out
7. Wishing Well
8. Honey, Honey, Honey
9. Blacklist
10. I Wish Things Were Different
11. It’s Pouring Down
12. That Crazy Monkey

Toronto Jam Masters DANCELAND Release “Steve Earle”

Eric Alper
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Toronto Jam Masters DANCELAND Release “Steve Earle”

Just because Toronto’s Danceland owe their existence to The Grateful Dead doesn’t mean they can’t pay tribute to another musical legend when it’s warranted. Take “Steve Earle,” their new single that chronicles a night out on the town with the Nashville firebrand—a dinner to remember that, as it turns out, was put in motion by the simplest of requests.

“He was in town, and his label guy needed a couple joints,” Danceland singer-songwriter Joe Ferland explains, matter-of-factly. “My friend asked me to hook him up, and the rest is in the tune. I wasn’t really a Steve Earle fan at the time, so I didn’t ‘fanboy’ him, which I think added to the topics of conversation we ended up having.”

As the song lays out, those topics ran the gamut from the on-field performance of the New York Yankees to “tales of loaded guns and heroin”—perfect fodder to be shared over plates of “onion Bahjia at Little India,” a locale that’s revisited in hi-res glory in the accompanying lyric video.

The snappy, sprightly tune puts you right in the midst of that meeting of the minds, to the point where you can almost smell the Indian food (if not the gunpowder and heroin). And it makes for a perfect leadoff to Danceland’s second full-length album, Licky, an absolute tour de force of the psychedelic-Americana genre. Incorporating everything from a honking cover of the Gamble/Huff nugget “Expressway to Your Heart” to the climactic, organ-driven dance party of “Sapphire,” the album soars on the pitch-perfect vocal interplay between Ferland and his wife and co-writer, Jale—not to mention Joe’s immaculate guitar picking (both acoustic and electric) and the tasteful thwacking of drummer Brad Park.

Just don’t be put off by the self-indulgent connotations of the jam-rock label: This is uniformly tight songcraft that’s expertly arranged and sequenced, making it a stone(r) gas of a listen from beginning to end.

Produced by Joe Ferland and engineered and mixed by Carlin Nicholson (Zeus) at Toronto’s Pineship Sound, Licky augments the core ensemble of the Ferlands and Park with some of the finest instrumentalists on the local circuit—including Jeff Heisholt on keyboards and Ryan Spratt on bass, with cameos by fiddler/violinist D’Arcy Good, sax player Cameron Draper and banjo master Doug Cornish. The result is a rollicking roller-coaster ride that never lets up with beguiling twists and turns.

And twists and turns are certainly what the Ferlands’ career has had over the years: While Joe cut his teeth on the Dead, his career as a professional musician has taken him everywhere from the vibrant rock and pop-punk scene of New York in the 1990s to a self-imposed, 10-year hiatus from the music business in toto. Blame the all-too-common scourge of crippling burnout. Ironically, it was landing upon an hour-long block of Dead music on the radio during a family crisis that reconnected him with the pure joy music can bring. Before long, he and Jale had not one but two thriving outfits going: The Cherry Garcia Band, which mostly deals in Dead covers; and Danceland, a largely original unit that’s used their influence as a springboard to new heights of experimentation and excitement.

The Danceland formula was in full evidence on its 2022 bow, Pink Lem—a seven-song opus Goldmine called “more grounded and sophisticated than most debuts.” Keeping the keyboard and bass slots as revolving-door positions allowed the Ferlands and Park to tour extensively in Canada and the northeastern United States, building up a rep as a formidable live act that perfectly laid the groundwork for Licky. Joe Ferland, for one, couldn’t be more pleased:

“Because of the musicians that played on the record, and Carlin’s uncanny ability to get an inspired performance from everyone, the end result far exceeded our expectations,” he says. “I can’t thank everyone enough for their contributions.”

With the record finished and already garnering raves, the Danceland/Cherry Garcia Band juggernaut is once again out on the road. Shows are booked through the end of 2024 on stages and festival grounds across Canada and the Northern U.S.—including a return to New York City, where Joe and Jale first met and started working together, some three decades ago.

Come to think of it, they have a lot of great Indian restaurants there, too. Maybe Steve Earle is free?

Rising Star Anna Goldsmith Drops Electrifying New Wave/Grunge Anthem “Brain Boyfriend”

Eric Alper
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Rising Star Anna Goldsmith Drops Electrifying New Wave/Grunge Anthem “Brain Boyfriend”

Ever thought you were in a relationship and found out too late you weren’t? It’s easy to feel like a fool, isn’t it? Well, Innisfil, Ontario’s Anna Goldsmith is here to tell you not to beat yourself up over it. After all, there are far healthier ways to deal with the realization that the love connection you had thought so genuine was all in your imagination.
Like blaming the other person for it.

On her invigorating new single, “Brain Boyfriend,” Goldsmith reflects on an ideal pairing that turned out to be a mirage. And the strategy she hits on for deflecting her shame is to blow a rousing raspberry of “How dare you”—while keeping it out there that this thing could still work, just in case anybody’s listening.

“I’m done wastin’ all my tissues/ We can work around your issues,” she challenges, teeing up an irresistible chorus that washes away all the nights of tears and denial with a promise that her “brain boyfriend” may yet be hers—“You just don’t know it yet.”

“I had the idea for the song when I was in California one summer,” Goldsmith reveals. “I was talking with this guy and he led me on. I really thought he liked me, but when I admitted my feelings for him, he said he didn’t feel the same.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d7CK548TMI

Yep, we’ve all been there. But few of us have been able to reply with a musical statement as sardonically satisfying as “Brain Boyfriend,” which Goldsmith calls “a new wave/grunge combo, and fun dance music that’s conveying the classic angry teenage girl: Me.” That’s undeniable, although the track’s echoey wall of sound harks back even farther, putting it squarely in the tradition of great girl-act indignation.

Pretty sophisticated for a 17-year-old, especially one whose past singles have tended toward earnest and uplifting anthems of empowerment like “Shine.” (She’s also released covers of Blondie’s “One Way or Another” and The Kinks’ “Father Christmas.”) Then again, Goldsmith is the epitome of a quick study, having only started taking vocal lessons eight years ago and now already finding herself well on the path to her first full-length album. Along the way, she’s become a seasoned live performer too, with appearances at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo club and Revival Bar, Friday Harbour in her hometown of Innisfil and the Chelsea Music Hall in New York City. Just this year, she captivated a riveted audience at the legendary Cameron House for Canadian Music Week.

Also, as part of her busy 2024, she won the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s (NATS) annual National Student Auditions for commercial music in Knoxville, TN, topping a roster of 1,000 entrants and 400 semifinalists. And you can both hear and see her on the film-festival circuit as well: She has an acting role in With Grace Productions’ short Sara Snow and the Seven Dancers, for which she wrote and recorded the song “Shine.”

When she isn’t pursuing her artistic muse, Goldsmith lives up to the can-do spirit behind her songs by volunteering with groups that provide needed support to at-risk youth. Now, we ask you: Could any guy assemble a better “brain girlfriend” if he tried? And if your instinct is to answer “yes,” please consider that it might be all in your head.

Tanya Wills Steps Out of the Dating Game with “That’s Love” from New She Album

Eric Alper
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Tanya Wills Steps Out of the Dating Game with “That’s Love” from New She Album

Stepping back into the realm of dating can be an intriguing or irksome conundrum for those who have recently separated, split up, or divorced. With the commitment to your former partner now just a memory, some simply appreciate the joys of dating from afar. That is to say not dating at all. It’s this idea that planted the creative kernel for Toronto-area jazz/blues singer Tanya Wills’ latest Latin-infused single “That’s Love” from her new album She, out now.

Wills says “That’s Love,” the follow up single to “Someone To Love,” was inspired in part by the culmination of her own marriage and wondering how difficult navigating dating waters nowadays could be. She knew it might not be for her at this time but realized it could be the germ of a fine song.

The single opens with Latin sonic flavors that could recall Santana’s classic “Oye Como Va.” From there Wills relays the huge series of questions running sporadically through a person’s mind. Is this date going good or not so good? Is there a connection? Will it last? What am I even doing here with this person?

Guitarist Bill Bridges provides some breezy instrumental work in the bridge as drummer Kevin Coady and bassist Ron Johnston are locked into the airy yet sensuous groove. The narrative In some respects recalls the classic Latin song “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás,” better known in English circles as “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” made famous by Doris Day, Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole.

“‘That’s Love’ is from a slightly different outlook on love,” Wills says. “I was reflecting on how grateful I am to NOT be in the dating game, and how it could cause one to develop a bit of a cynical attitude toward the ‘relationship.’ I have several friends who are finding themselves newly single again, and they have stories about their experiences in having to dive into the dating pool.”

Because this might really be love…or isn’t
And you might have givin’ me your heart…or didn’t
Flip a coin, douse the flame, turn the page, or change the game
Roll the dice, it’s all the same
That’s love

The single is one of the songs from Wills’ forthcoming album She set for an Oct. 4 release. Wills, who performs in the Wintergarten Orchestra in Toronto as well as leading the Tanya Wills Quartet, says the material was written over a 15-year period. Wills worked with her quartet as well as Jordan Klapman and Rob Korb. Unfortunately, the album’s recording at Toronto’s Inception Sound studio was shelved due to the pandemic. But Wills and her bandmates kept working on it by sending files and ideas back and forth through the internet. A second phase of recording post-pandemic at Toronto’s Revolution Recording completed She.

Now with her latest single “That’s Love,” Tanya Wills should see a huge boost to her career with this lovely Latin-tinged nugget. In short, and to steal a lyric from the single, “That’s Love” should be on a loop and leave you ten feet off the ground.

5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’

Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run is not just an album; it’s a rock milestone that transformed him from a promising artist to the global icon still selling out stadiums around the world. Released in 1975, it’s full of rich layers, intense studio production, and heartfelt storytelling. Yet, even longtime fans may not know some fascinating details about how Born to Run was made. Here are five lesser-known facts:

  1. It Took Half a Year to Perfect Just One Song
    The title track, “Born to Run,” became a defining anthem, but Springsteen spent over six months working on it alone. This obsessive dedication to detail led to a final mix that combined 72 distinct tracks crammed onto a 16-track console. Each line, each note had to reflect the “cinematic drama” that Springsteen envisioned when he first came up with the song’s name. The track’s grueling creation became a testament to his drive to make not just a hit but a rock masterpiece.
  2. The Legendary Cover Shot Was a Last-Minute Collaboration
    The iconic cover image of Springsteen leaning on saxophonist Clarence Clemons wasn’t even planned in advance. Springsteen showed up to the photo session with Clemons after picking just him from the rest of the band in tow, leading to an impromptu, three-hour shoot that produced 900 frames shot by Eric Meola. The final image captured a moment of raw camaraderie and friendship and has since become one of rock’s most memorable album covers.
  3. A Disastrous Early Mix Almost Scrapped the Album
    After a near-constant year of recording and mixing, Springsteen’s first listen to the album’s acetate mix was disastrous. Frustrated, he reportedly threw the acetate into a hotel pool. It took the producer Jon Landau’s reassurance to keep Springsteen from scrapping the entire project. Finally, after multiple remixes, Springsteen approved a version, and the rest is history.
  4. The Album’s Story Was Inspired by Noir Movies
    Although Born to Run is steeped in Americana, Springsteen’s love of noir films played a huge role in shaping its themes. He used cinematic tropes of hard-edged characters and life on the run, reminiscent of noir characters trying to escape dead-end lives. This influence is especially evident in songs like “Meeting Across the River” and “Jungleland,” where characters are driven by dreams, desperation, and sometimes doom.
  5. Steven Van Zandt Saved a Song at the Last Minute
    “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” which narrates the early days of Springsteen and his band, was almost derailed by incomplete horn arrangements. In a last-minute studio scramble, Springsteen’s friend Steven Van Zandt jumped in to arrange the horns on the spot. His input was so well-received that Van Zandt soon joined the E Street Band as an official member, adding another layer to the group’s sound and dynamic.

Born to Run didn’t just make Springsteen a superstar; it set the standard for how albums could tell epic, introspective, and universally relatable stories. For fans and newcomers alike, these behind-the-scenes details reveal just how much creativity, grit, and sheer willpower went into crafting one of rock’s most beloved records and one that still sounds great on the radio.

How To Stand Out & Make Waves in the Indie Music Scene

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Breaking into today’s music scene is pretty much like shouting in a hurricane. Many indie artists might feel so when they’re starting out. And it’s sad that a lot of the talented ones never get the visibility they deserve. 

With over 60,000 tracks uploaded to Spotify daily, millions of music-related content on the internet from various cultures, algorithm-based digital feeds diluted by misinformation and irrelevant promotions…  catching anyone’s attention might seem impossible in such a scenario. But the truth is you don’t need everyone’s attention. You need only the right people’s attention. 

Let’s discuss how you can make that happen and stand a better chance of making a name for yourself in the indie music scene.

Change Your Social Media Strategy

If you keep posting your Spotify link over and over again, your “content” eventually fades out in the saturated market. Instead you can focus on making your content engaging enough to highlight the music in it. Ideally, your work must go along with the memories you have while making it. You can share your experience making this song, film behind-the-scenes of production, post reels that breakdown the song, talk about failures etc. This adds to the value of your work. Instead of using every social media available to gain visibility, focus on two or three platforms.

Turn The Sound Into A Brand

Easier said than done. But it’s possible. Creating distinctive music alone may not cut it, unless it goes viral. And that’s not in your hands. What is in your hands is your capacity to create a sensory experience that viewers will find unique. 

  • Conceive a signature visual style
  • Design a memorable logo
  • Establish a distinctive aesthetic

Once you work on the distinctive traits, promote them. Indie musicians may find guerilla marketing tactics effective in the beginning. You can share QR codes to your music at local hangout spots, host living room concerts or collaborate with local artists for a free show. Because you’re just starting out, investing in merchandise is not a great move. But you can still get some attention with a few customized promo apparel. Get a great blank crewneck sweatshirt customized with your logo, channel name and an impactful quote about your music for starters. Wear it wherever you go so you can get some viewers. Personally take the feedback from these viewers and leverage them for further guerilla marketing. These tactics won’t strain your wallet much either.

Go Live With Content Between Releases

Pre and post-release content is important to build a little hype and anticipation. You can share a few lyrics of the song or film a walkthrough of your workspace. Live stream sessions may or may not work depending on the visibility of your channel, and how you promote the stream. If you’re appearing in the content, make sure to use promo items to further emphasize the message. You can go for 

Invest In Building A Community

A good portion of your time and energy should be invested in building a community. A few followers can only take you so far. One of the best digital platforms to do that is by creating a Discord server where you can host monthly hangouts, discuss ideas, gather feedback, and personally communicate with your first followers. You can share exclusive content with your biggest supporters through Discord as well. While building a community, you can also do a lot of networking. With luck, you may even get partnership offers from locally popular artists. Communities make cross-promotions easier. 

Collaborative Promotions

Speaking of cross-promotions, collaboration is how you get a competitive edge in the market. Team up with other artists for split shows, to create mashup covers, and promote each other. 

Use Data To Your Advantage

Data is how the digital economy is turned to your favor. You need to be tech savvy enough to gather and analyze data on your online promotions. For example, if you are aware that the skip rate for a track is too high, you may be able to rectify that on your next track. Data is how you know your music is reaching the right audience. You can analyze stream attendance patterns, donation rates, and even playlist add ratios.

Success rarely happens overnight. So you are going to have to play the long game. 

  • Create systems, not just content
  • Develop multiple income streams
  • Plan long-term growth with the data you have
  • Keep networking to open up new opportunities

Focus on creating genuine connections and delivering value consistently. And it will really make things a lot easier, as long as you have passion and perseverance.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Video: Steven Spielberg’s Passion and Resilience Shine Through in 1976 Oscar Nomination Reaction

Eric Alper
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Video: Steven Spielberg’s Passion and Resilience Shine Through in 1976 Oscar Nomination Reaction

In this rare 1976 video, we see Steven Spielberg anxiously watching the Oscar nominations unfold. With Jaws becoming a cultural phenomenon, many expected a Best Director nod. When Spielberg’s name was left out, his visible disappointment spoke volumes, even though the film would receive a Best Picture nomination. This moment captures a young Spielberg’s passion and resilience, traits that would later make him one of the most celebrated directors of all time.

Snoop Dogg Partners with STEPN GO to Bring West Coast Vibes to Web3 Fitness

Eric Alper
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Snoop Dogg Partners with STEPN GO to Bring West Coast Vibes to Web3 Fitness

STEPN GO, the newly launched social-lifestyle app by FSL, is excited to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with cultural icon Snoop Dogg. Together, they’re launching a limited edition of co-branded Genesis Sneakers that merge Snoop’s legendary style with STEPN GO’s social fitness platform.

Known for his global influence in music, culture, and business, Snoop Dogg has long been a pioneer in exploring new frontiers. Snoop has been a driving force in the intersection of culture and technology, and was an early adopter of blockchain and NFTs. This latest partnership with STEPN GO marks his continued foray into the Web3 universe, cementing his legacy as a trendsetter.

Snoop Dogg has previously been involved in several Web3 projects, including launching his own NFTs, partnering with metaverse platforms, and becoming an advocate for digital ownership. His collaboration with STEPN GO builds on this digital presence, offering fans a new way to connect with his brand and the rapidly evolving Web3 ecosystem.

The STEPN GO x Snoop Dogg collaboration will introduce 800 Genesis Sneakers, each with 4 unique designs that channel Snoop’s most iconic looks and moments. Dope, Lowrider, ‘G’ Sneaker and Doggystyle: these Sneakers aren’t just about fashion; they come with a nod to the bold, daring, and trendsetting vibes that Snoop represents.

The raffle for the 800 Genesis Sneakers will be hosted exclusively via the STEPN GO X account and on MOOAR, FSL’s in-house marketplace, from October 25 until November 8. Each raffle ticket will cost 15,000 GMT. GMT is the native token of the FSL Ecosystem, and is used across all FSL products to unlock various features and perks. Participants can enter on their preferred chain as the raffle is multi-chain. Ticket holders who do not win will have their raffle ticket cost refunded in GMT, ensuring a hassle-free and cost-neutral experience.

STEPN GO focuses on user-friendly features like The Haus System, in which users can lend Sneakers to friends and share both Energy and earnings. This unique lending system is perfect for onboarding new users, giving them the chance to experience Web3 fitness without needing prior crypto knowledge, the Haus System enables anyone to start their STEPN GO journey in just one click

“We wanted this collaboration to be more than just about Sneakers—it’s about pushing boundaries in both culture and technology. Snoop has always been at the forefront of trends, and together we’re blending the physical and digital worlds in a new way,” said Yawn Rong, Co-Founder of FSL.

Beyond the Haus System, STEPN GO’s Fitness Level feature ensures that staying active brings even more rewards. As users walk, jog, or run with their Sneakers, they can earn GO GAME TOKEN (GGT), which can be used for upgrading Sneakers or minting Shoeboxes. Snoop Dogg’s collaboration brings this to life in a way that resonates with both sneakerheads and Web3 enthusiasts alike.

“Snoop’s iconic journey and influence inspired the designs of the Sneakers, but more importantly, he’s joining us to create something revolutionary in fitness and digital ownership,” said Yawn. “The Web3 world is evolving fast, and we’re excited to bring users on this journey with us.”

The partnership between Snoop Dogg and STEPN GO goes beyond style. It’s about empowering users to participate in a larger digital fitness community, bringing the best of Web3 innovation, cultural relevance, and health-focused tech together. The STEPN GO x Snoop Dogg Genesis Sneakers is just the beginning.

LAUFEY’S A NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY: HOLLYWOOD BOWL In Theaters Worldwide December 6

Eric Alper
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LAUFEY’S A NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY: HOLLYWOOD BOWL In Theaters Worldwide December 6

GRAMMY-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist Laufey announces the cinematic release of her debut concert film, Laufey’s A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl. Beginning December 6, the musical adventure will be available for limited screenings in cinemas and IMAX theaters and will captivate audiences worldwide with stunning visuals and Laufey’s mesmerizing vocals as she performs alongside the legendary Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Tickets for Laufey’s A Night At The Symphony are on sale from Wednesday, October 30 at 2 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT at www.anightatthesymphony.com.  Visit the event website for more information and ticketing details for IMAX and standard format cinemas.

Laufey’s A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl was filmed in Laufey’s adopted hometown of Los Angeles. Directed by Sam Wrench (Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour), Laufey takes the audience on a spell-binding sonic journey under the stars, performing alongside the legendary Los Angeles Philharmonic. Playing the iconic venue that Ella Fitzgerald and so many of Laufey’s heroes played before her, the film gives a behind-the-scenes look at the monumental show. As Variety sums up “Laufey feels like she was born to play the Hollywood Bowl.”

Laufey said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to present my music with the LA Philharmonic. To be able to bring that concert to people way beyond LA and the Hollywood Bowl is so meaningful to me, especially as I come from so many different parts of the world, which have all played a part in inspiring my work and artistic journey.”

Wrench stated, “Capturing Laufey’s debut concert at the Hollywood Bowl was a dream; cinematically sublime with a scale and intimacy that is so evident in Laufey’s music. I can’t wait for everyone to experience this on the big screen.”

Kymberli Frueh, SVP Programming and Content Acquisitions at Trafalgar Releasing, said “Laufey’s distinctive fusion of jazz, pop, and classical influences resonates across generations of fans, exploring timeless themes of love, longing, and self-discovery. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Laufey’s artistry shines through as only concert film maestro and director, Sam Wrench, can orchestrate. Her authenticity has quickly garnered millions of fans across the world, captivated by her vocal range and emotional depth.”

Laufey’s A Night At The Symphony: Hollywood Bowl is produced by VEEPS Studios with Max Gredinger, Bianca Bhagat, Devin Dehaven, Kyle Heller, Michael Schneider, and Jessica Roulston, and is presented in cinemas by Trafalgar Releasing.

Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) is a 25-year-old Icelandic-Chinese composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who writes songs inspired by jazz greats and classical masters while possessing a point of view that could only be conveyed by a 21st-century twentysomething. “My goal is to bring jazz and classical music to my generation through a more accessible road,” she explains.

Raised between Reykjavík and Washington, D.C. with annual visits to Beijing, Laufey  grew up playing cello as well as piano and became hooked on the jazz standards of Ella Fitzgerald after digging through her father’s record collection. In 2020, while still a student at Berklee College of Music,  she released her debut single “Street by Street,” which caught the attention of young audiences worldwide and quickly garnered Laufey a dedicated fanbase online. In 2022, she released her debut full-length Everything I Know About Love, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Album chart while lead single “Valentine” reached #1 on the Spotify Jazz Chart.

Her 2023 sophomore album Bewitched saw wild success around the world, winning the GRAMMY® Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, debuting #2 globally on Spotify and setting the record for the biggest Jazz debut in history on Spotify. The album received widespread critical acclaim with the Los Angeles Times calling her a “musical tour de force.” Off the back of the album’s massive success, Laufey’s tours immediately sold-out worldwide, including dates at the Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall, Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House. Festival headline sets, editorial features in Vogue, appearances on late night TV and at the 2024 Met Gala cemented her status as a “Gen Z It Girl” (The New York Times). Today, she has over 3 billion streams across all platforms and is the biggest streaming artist from Iceland in the world

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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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