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Finnish Horror Punk Supergroup The Ghoulstars Unleash Debut Album ‘The Dark Overlords of the Universe’

Eric Alper
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Finnish Horror Punk Supergroup The Ghoulstars Unleash Debut Album ‘The Dark Overlords of the Universe’

Finland’s The Ghoulstars have been haunting their home turf since 2021 without releasing a single track. That changes May 15, when their debut album ‘The Dark Overlords of the Universe’ drops on Season of Mist. Ten tracks, 34 minutes, and a monstrously catchy collision of horror punk, heavy metal and cult cinema obsession.

Assembled by guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso, the lineup carries serious underground weight. Laakso and drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen previously charted together in Finnish death-doom outfit Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen comes from Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, and vocalist Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure fronts stoner rockers Thermate. This isn’t a novelty project. It’s a supergroup with a genuine horror fixation and the riffs to back it up.

Laakso describes the album as “a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves,” crammed with headbanging metal riffs, shout-along punk choruses and B-movie easter eggs. The influences are worn proudly: The Misfits, White Zombie, Murderdolls, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister and a VHS collection that would make any horror hound jealous. Lead single “Too Ghoul for School” channels ’80s high school films with the energy of Saturday detention and zero intention of behaving.

The title track, inspired by the many-teethed mutants from 1986 cult classic Howard the Duck, crosses surf beats with heavy riffing and a chorus that lodges itself permanently in your skull. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays tribute to Ed Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space with a headbanging chorus and a doomy C-part punctuated by güiro. “The Dead in Purgatory” rides a Morricone-influenced galloping melody into Volbeat territory, while carrying an emotional core about feeling helpless when someone close refuses your help.

Mixed and mastered by V. Santura of Triptykon at Woodshed Studio in Germany, ‘The Dark Overlords of the Universe’ sounds as sharp as its concept. Santura himself called it “unique, catchy and a really fun listen,” and he’s not wrong. Guest appearances from Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns of Finntroll and Tommi “Tuple” Salmela of Tarot add extra bite.

‘The Dark Overlords of the Universe’ arrives May 15 on Season of Mist, available on digital download, CD digipack, black vinyl and yellow, red and white marbled colored vinyl.

Tracklist:

  1. Too Ghoul for School (3:57)
  2. The Dead in Purgatory (4:04)
  3. Zombie Apocalypse (2:52)
  4. The Dark Overlords of the Universe (3:43)
  5. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (3:16)
  6. Graverobbers from Outer Space (3:46)
  7. The Wolfman (2:48)
  8. The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits (2:19)
  9. Vampire (2:58)
  10. They Dance Upon Our Graves (3:52)

“MMMBop” Hitmakers Hanson Headed to OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino This December

Eric Alper
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“MMMBop” Hitmakers Hanson Headed to OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino This December

Hanson are coming to Niagara Falls. The pop trio performs at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on Friday, December 18, with showtime at 8pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 8 at 10am through ticketmaster.ca.

Twenty-eight years into their career, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have built something genuinely rare: a global fanbase that has stayed connected through every chapter. Their 1997 debut single “MMMBop” launched one of the most recognizable careers in pop music, followed by a string of consecutive top 40 hits including “Where’s the Love,” “I Will Come to You” and “This Time Around.”

Six studio albums, multiple Grammy nominations and over 16 million in album sales later, Hanson still operates on their own terms, running an independent label while maintaining direct ties to their audience. “Hanson’s long career speaks to their connection with fans and their craft as musicians,” said Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing and Resort Operations for Niagara Casinos. “Fans have been requesting them and we are happy to deliver.”

Hanson plays OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino on December 18. Tickets on sale Friday, May 8 at 10am through ticketmaster.ca.

Ella Langley Brings The Dandelion Tour to Hamilton for Its Only Canadian Date This July

Eric Alper
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Ella Langley Brings The Dandelion Tour to Hamilton for Its Only Canadian Date This July

Country hitmaker Ella Langley is coming to Hamilton. TD Coliseum hosts the only Canadian stop on The Dandelion Tour on July 16, making this a rare opportunity for Canadian fans to catch one of country music’s most in-demand live performers right now.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 8 at 10am EST. An Artist Fan Club presale runs Wednesday, May 6, with a venue presale following Thursday, May 7.

Langley arrives on the strength of ‘Dandelion’, her sophomore album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and held the top spot for two consecutive weeks. Executive produced alongside Miranda Lambert and Ben West, the record has generated two massive hits: “Choosin’ Texas,” currently in its eighth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Be Her,” sitting at No. 5.

Full routing covers arenas and amphitheatres across North America through August, with Hamilton sitting as the lone Canadian date on the entire run.

The Dandelion Tour Dates:

May 7 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center

May 8 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena

May 14 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena

May 15 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena

June 18 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre

June 19 – Independence, MO – Cable Dahmer Arena

June 25 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center

June 26 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park

July 16 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum

July 23 – Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena

July 24 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheatre

July 25 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum

July 30 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion

July 31 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC

August 13 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

August 14 – Corpus Christi, TX – Hilliard Center

August 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

The Rolling Stones Are Back With ‘Foreign Tongues’ and a Guest List That Reads Like a Fantasy Lineup

Eric Alper
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The Rolling Stones Are Back With ‘Foreign Tongues’ and a Guest List That Reads Like a Fantasy Lineup

The Rolling Stones today announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album Foreign Tongues, arriving July 10th from Polydor/Universal Music. The incredibly vibrant 14-track collection follows less than three years after the band’s universally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and achieved multi-platinum success. The new album will be introduced by the upbeat and infectious lead single “In the Stars”, released digitally on May 5th alongside the album’s opening track “Rough and Twisted.” “In The Stars” receives a physical release on May 15th. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are set to attend a media launch for Foreign Tongues later today in Brooklyn, New York.

In the lead-up to the announcement, the band have been subtly building anticipation for the new project, including the limited white label release of the track “Rough and Twisted” only on vinyl under the name The Cockroaches. Circulating among fans and collectors, the release has already sparked excitement and speculation around the sound and direction of Foreign Tongues, offering an early glimpse into the album’s raw and exploratory energy.


Recorded during an exceptionally creative period, Foreign Tongues was brought to life in under a month at Metropolis Studios in West London, with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood reuniting with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed Hackney Diamonds. The result is a dynamic and forward-looking record that captures the band’s unmistakable sound while pushing into new sonic and lyrical territory, further cementing their unparalleled legacy.

The album features standout performances from Jagger, Richards and Wood, alongside their core collaborators including Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford and Steve Jordan. It also includes a special appearance from Charlie Watts, captured during one of his final recording sessions before his passing in 2021. Additional contributions come from an impressive line-up of guest artists, including Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, The Cure’s Robert Smith and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Reflecting on the recording process, Mick Jagger said: “I love doing these recording sessions in London at Metropolis. It was a very intense few weeks recording Foreign Tongues. We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could. I like the room there as it’s not too big so you can feel the passion in the room from everyone.”

Keith Richards added: “The Foreign Tongues album has a continuity from Hackney Diamonds and it was great to be working in London again, and to have that London vibe around us. It was a month of concentrated punch. To me, it’s all about the enjoyment of it.  I’m blessed to be able to do this and long may it last.”

Ronnie Wood commented: “The atmosphere in the room was so creative, and the whole band was on top form throughout the whole process. Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it.”

The album’s striking cover artwork is a painting created by acclaimed American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn who commented: “Creating the album cover for the Rolling Stones is an artistic honour – a dialogue with one of the most enduring forces in cultural history”

Foreign Tongues will be available on a wide range of formats, including CD, deluxe CD editions, cassette, multiple vinyl variants (standard and limited colour pressings), exclusive retailer editions, and special box sets, alongside the single “In The Stars” on CD and vinyl formats.

The Rolling Stones have announced ‘Foreign Tongues’, their 25th studio album, arriving July 10. Two singles are out now: “In the Stars” and its B-side “Rough and Twisted.” Both were recorded at Metropolis Studios in West London with producer Andrew Watt, who helmed the Grammy-winning ‘Hackney Diamonds’ in 2023.

Watt and the Stones reunited for an intense stretch of sessions, completing 14 tracks in just under a month. Jagger described the atmosphere plainly: “It was a very intense few weeks recording ‘Foreign Tongues.’ We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could. I like the room there as it’s not too big so you can feel the passion in the room from everyone.”

Richards framed it as a direct continuation: “The ‘Foreign Tongues’ album has a continuity from ‘Hackney Diamonds’ and it was great to be working in London again. It was a month of concentrated punch. To me, it’s all about the enjoyment of it.” Wood kept it simple: “Very often we nailed it on the first take. I hope everyone loves it.”

The guest list is something. Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith of The Cure and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers all appear on the record, alongside regulars Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford and Steve Jordan. That’s a lineup that demands attention on its own terms.

“In the Stars” is exactly what a Rolling Stones single in 2026 should sound like: grounded, confident and built to last. The Stones aren’t chasing anything here. They’re doing what they’ve always done, and they’re still doing it better than almost anyone.

‘Foreign Tongues’ arrives July 10.

Goose Drop “Torero” and Announce ‘Big Modern!’ As Their Most Ambitious Album Yet

Eric Alper
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Goose Drop “Torero” and Announce ‘Big Modern!’ As Their Most Ambitious Album Yet

Goose have a lot to say about the world right now, and “Torero” is the latest proof. Released today, the new track is the second single from ‘BIG MODERN!’, their sixth studio album arriving June 12 via No Coincidence Records. Pre-orders and pre-saves are live now and listen to the song here.

“Torero” opens on a synthetic drone, reverberating drums rising underneath like heat off pavement. A pulsing bassline and menacing muted guitar push it forward before Rick Mitarotonda’s harmonic guitar riffs and Peter Anspach’s swelling synths crack the song wide open. Lush, layered and genuinely unsettling, it builds with patience and then detonates in a howling outro solo. There’s an adrenaline-fueled nostalgia running through it that lands hard.

“Torero” follows “Good2B,” which Rolling Stone called “a vintage Goose gem,” and arrived after one of the more creative album rollouts in recent memory. Emmy-nominated actor Jake Lacy starred in a teaser video, then showed up courtside with the band at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks vs. Bulls game, each member wearing yellow hoodies spelling out “FACE.” Guerrilla marketing in major US cities and a Morse code-laden website kept fans speculating for weeks.

‘BIG MODERN!’ is fifteen tracks built to mirror the overstimulated, hyperconnected world Goose finds themselves navigating. Mitarotonda described it to Rolling Stone as “a dispatch from interesting times, without judgment or superiority,” adding that the album captures “the exhilarating, disorienting experience of constantly being so connected.” Heartland rock piano ballads, orchestral jazz interludes and high-octane synth rock all share space across the record, held together by the band’s improvisational instincts and genuine musical range.

Goose head to Viva El Gonzo this week, their destination festival in San José del Cabo, Mexico running May 7 through 9. Three nights of performances anchor a lineup that includes My Morning Jacket, Cory Wong, LP Giobbi, Jim James, Leisure, The Disco Biscuits and The California Honeydrops. A European and UK headline tour follows, with sold-out dates already at London’s Electric Brixton, Amsterdam’s Melkweg and Cologne’s Bürgerhaus Stollwerck.

Summer tour kicks off June 13 in Toronto and doesn’t let up. Two nights at Madison Square Garden, sold-out runs at Leader Bank Pavilion and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and marquee stops at Merriweather Post Pavilion and The Greek Theatre fill out a routing that ranks among the most ambitious of their career. One dollar from every ticket sold benefits Western Sun Foundation, supporting grassroots nonprofits in each city the band visits.

‘BIG MODERN!’ arrives June 12 on No Coincidence Records.

Tracklist:

Big Modern!

Scavenger

(you are here)

((scavengersspell))

Good2B

MEDIA

Torero

(faena)

POP

SALT

(again)

Good Times // End Times

((nocturne))

(((postplace)))

Goose 2026 Tour Dates:

May 7-9 – San José del Cabo, Mexico – Viva El Gonzo

May 22 – London, UK – Electric Brixton (SOLD OUT)

May 23 – London, UK – Electric Brixton (SOLD OUT)

May 25 – Brussels, BE – La Madeleine

May 27 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg (SOLD OUT)

May 28 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg (SOLD OUT)

May 30 – Cologne, DE – Bürgerhaus Stollwerck (SOLD OUT)

June 1 – Paris, FR – Élysée-Montmartre

June 3 – Berlin, DE – Festaal Kreuzberg

June 5 – Aarhus, DK – NorthSide 2026 †

June 13 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre ^

June 15 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome

June 16 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome

June 19 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

June 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

June 23 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery

June 24 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery

June 26 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater

June 27 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater

June 28 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion

June 30 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

July 1 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion (SOLD OUT)

July 2 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

July 3 – Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC ‡

July 4 – Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC §

August 13 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

August 14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre

August 15 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater

August 16 – Reno, NV – The Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort

August 18 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom (SOLD OUT)

August 19 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater Δ

August 21 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater Δ

August 22 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater ‖

August 24 – Missoula, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater

August 27 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)

August 28 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)

August 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Twilight Concert Series at Civic Center

September 24 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond †

† Festival Appearance ^ w/ Special Guest Julian Lage ‡ w/ Special Guests The Disco Biscuits § w/ Special Guests moe. Δ w/ Special Guests Greensky Bluegrass ‖ w/ Special Guests Buffalo Traffic Jam

Bronx-Born Hip-House Duo The Martinez Brothers Are Taking Over Tokyo and New York This Summer

Eric Alper
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Bronx-Born Hip-House Duo The Martinez Brothers Are Taking Over Tokyo and New York This Summer

The Martinez Brothers are having a year. Fresh off a full stage takeover under their Cuttin’ Headz label at Ultra Music Festival 2026 in Miami, the Bronx-born duo has confirmed two major headline slots: Ultra Japan 2026 on September 19 and 20 at Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park, and SummerStage in New York City on June 13.

Both bookings land during the duo’s first-ever North American tour, built around Órbita, their immersive show concept that fuses futuristic visuals, cutting-edge production and their signature sound into something well beyond a standard DJ set. It’s a fully realized world, and it’s been turning heads at every stop.

New York hits different for Christian and Steve Martinez. The June 13 SummerStage date falls the night before the city’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, a cultural moment tied directly to their roots. The lineup honors that connection, with Dominican and Puerto Rican artist Wakyin and Puerto Rican-rooted Luna Mar joining them on an all-Latino bill.

Tokyo represents a major return to Asia for the brothers, who’ve built a global presence that stretches from residencies at DC10 Ibiza and Hï Ibiza to stages at Coachella and the Pyramids of Egypt. Their reach extends into fashion too, with playlist curation for Givenchy at Paris Fashion Week and exclusive sets for Donatella Versace. They also maintain a consistent spot on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list.

Rooted in New York house with Latin and tech-house influences drawn from salsa, disco and jazz, The Martinez Brothers have spent years bridging underground credibility with genuine cultural weight. Right now, that bridge runs from the Bronx to Tokyo.

The Martinez Brothers headline SummerStage in New York City on June 13, with Ultra Japan following September 19 and 20 in Tokyo.

Fallsview Casino Resort’s Backyard BBQ Returns for a Fifth Season With Its Biggest Run Yet

Eric Alper
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Fallsview Casino Resort’s Backyard BBQ Returns for a Fifth Season With Its Biggest Run Yet

Fallsview Casino Resort’s Backyard BBQ is back, and this year it runs longer than ever. Kicking off May 14 and running every Thursday through September 24, the fifth season of the beloved outdoor series brings weekly food, drinks and live music to one of the most scenic patios in Niagara Falls. Presented by Molson Canadian, it’s a serious upgrade from a casual lunch stop.

Thursdays run from 3 to 9pm, with live entertainment from 5 to 9pm. Jonesy opens the season on May 14, followed by Madhatters on May 21 and Pulse X on May 28, with more acts to be announced across the full run. Returning vendors include Smoke & Moonshine, Johnny Rocco’s Pizza Wagon, Soup & Things, Marble Slab and Andrzejewski Perogies, with new additions joining the lineup throughout the season.

“Guests have enjoyed it so much that we have extended the season by a month,” said Cathy Price, Vice President of Marketing and Resort Operations at Niagara Casinos. Molson Canadian comes on board this year as a presenting partner, adding another layer to an event that’s already a summer fixture for locals and visitors alike.

Situated with a direct view of Niagara Falls, the Backyard BBQ also works as a natural lead-in to shows at the Avalon Theatre and OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. Full entertainment listings are available at fallsviewcasinoresort.com.

2026 Backyard BBQ Entertainment (Opening Dates):

May 14 – Jonesy

May 21 – Madhatters

May 28 – Pulse X

Gary Topper and Symmetry Are Bringing Jazz, Funk and Sci-Fi to the Same Party

Eric Alper
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Gary Topper and Symmetry Are Bringing Jazz, Funk and Sci-Fi to the Same Party

Memphis composer, arranger and bandleader Gary Topper has never been interested in playing it safe. On May 22, he and his collective Symmetry release ‘The Bebopper’s Guide to the Galaxy,’ a full-length album on vinyl, CD and digital platforms through Topper’s Qausimodal imprint via Select-O-Hits. It follows ‘Night Shade,’ their EP from earlier this year, and it’s a considerable leap forward.

Inspired by the humor and cosmic absurdism of sci-fi literature, Topper built the album around a five-track opening suite that tears through “Hyperspace Detour,” “We Apologize For The Inconvenience,” “Flying Over Islington,” “Z’s Revenge” and “Don’t Panic.” These aren’t concept-album gimmicks. They’re fully realized compositions packed with adventurous harmonies, rhythmic left turns and room for soloists to stretch out and mean it.

Described as a “fearless blend of jazz, rock, funk, reggae and Latin influences,” ‘The Bebopper’s Guide to the Galaxy’ earns every word of that. “Medicine Man” paints a vivid portrait of a shaman in the wild. “Marley’s Dream” takes a reggae-rooted path through layers of fantasy and earned calm. Together, the seven tracks cover serious ground without ever losing their sense of play.

Topper himself is featured on tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, and he’s the sole composer, arranger and producer of every track. His resume speaks for itself: he’s backed Keith Richards, Al Green, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle and Toots Hibbert, among many others. His arranging work has landed on film soundtracks including ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ ‘Meet Joe Black’ and ‘Analyze This.’

Symmetry’s lineup is stacked. Musicians who’ve performed with Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Justin Timberlake, Hugh Masekela and Levon Helm fill out the six-piece brass and reed section alongside bass, guitar, keys and drums. That collective depth doesn’t just show on paper. It drives every moment of this record with instinct and precision.

‘The Bebopper’s Guide to the Galaxy’ arrives May 22 on vinyl, CD and all digital platforms.

Track List:

Side A

  1. Hyperspace Detour (4:59)
  2. We Apologize For The Inconvenience (5:16)
  3. Flying Over Islington (5:15)
  4. Z’s Revenge (6:29)

Side B

  1. Don’t Panic (6:55)
  2. Medicine Man (full version) (7:01)
  3. Marley’s Dream (7:55)

Graeme Thomson Delivers the Definitive Talk Talk Biography with ‘In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk’

Eric Alper
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Graeme Thomson Delivers the Definitive Talk Talk Biography with ‘In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk’

Talk Talk remain one of the most critically revered and carefully shrouded groups in the history of recorded music, and for the first time, a biography attempts to fully unpick that mystery. Graeme Thomson’s ‘In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk’ arrives May 21 from New Modern, a 400-page exploration of the full creative lifespan of the band and its visionary frontman Mark Hollis, who died suddenly in 2019 at 64, leaving behind one of the most quietly influential catalogs in modern music.

The book focuses on four remarkable records: ‘The Colour of Spring,’ ‘Spirit of Eden’ and ‘Laughing Stock,’ the imperious trilogy released between 1986 and 1991 that forms the bedrock of the band’s reputation, alongside Hollis’s eponymous 1998 solo album. These are records that continue to grow in stature with each passing year, drawing in new listeners who find in them something they can’t locate anywhere else. Thomson’s approach is to understand the other world of Talk Talk rather than simply document it, which is exactly the kind of lens this music demands.

Thomson is the right writer for the task. Over 25 years he’s contributed features, interviews and criticism to the Observer, the Guardian, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Uncut and more, and his previous biographies of Simple Minds, Kate Bush and George Harrison demonstrate a consistent ability to get beneath the surface of artists who resist easy interpretation. Hollis was famously private, his working methods bordered on the extreme, and his statement that he would rather hear silence than a single note speaks to the kind of artistic sensibility that requires a biographer willing to go deep.

The early reception confirms Thomson has delivered. Travis Elborough, writing in The Idler, called it “a pointedly personal celebration of an often insane-sounding musical visionary, whose working methods bordered on madness,” adding that the book “makes plain, his music demands to be heard to this day.” For anyone who has spent time inside ‘Spirit of Eden’ or ‘Laughing Stock,’ that framing will resonate immediately.

‘In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk’ is available for pre-order now ahead of its May 21 release, in hardcover and Kindle editions. For a band whose mystique has only deepened in the years since Hollis’s passing, this is the document their legacy has been waiting for.

Alex Ligertwood, the Voice of Santana Who Sang With His Whole Soul, Dies at 79

Eric Alper
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Alex Ligertwood, the Voice of Santana Who Sang With His Whole Soul, Dies at 79

He grew up in Drumchapel, Glasgow, singing in school choirs and playing in a Boys’ Brigade pipe band. He ended up singing at Live Aid. That is the arc of Alex Ligertwood’s life, and it is one of the great unsung stories in rock history.

Ligertwood died peacefully in his sleep on April 30, 2026, at his home in Santa Monica, California. His dog Bobo was by his side. He was 79. His wife and agent Shawn Brogan confirmed the news in a statement that said everything anyone who knew him seemed to already know: “Alex was loved by so many. If you knew him, you loved him. He touched so many with his extraordinary voice. He was all heart and soul. His favorite thing in life was to make music, sing and to share his gift with us.”

He performed his last show just two weeks before he died.

Born Alexander John Ligertwood on December 18, 1946, he came up through the Scottish skiffle scene of the 1950s before joining The Senate, a seven-piece soul band that toured Europe and gave him his first real taste of what a voice like his could do to a room. Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and Curtis Mayfield were his north stars, and you could hear every one of them somewhere in what he did.

The 1970s turned him into one of rock’s great journeymen, in the very best sense of that word. He sang with the Jeff Beck Group. He worked with Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. He turned up on records by Carly Simon, Ben E. King, and Solomon Burke. He was the kind of vocalist that other musicians quietly wanted in the room, not for the credits but for what happened to the music when he opened his mouth.

Carlos Santana heard him sing with David Sancious’ band in the mid-1970s and never forgot it. When Ligertwood joined Santana in 1979, Santana later wrote that he “became the voice of Santana on many of our albums and on most of our tours in the eighties and into the nineties.” He added: “He can make you feel God in his singing.” That is about as complete a compliment as one musician can pay another.

Ligertwood stayed with Santana across five different stints between 1979 and 1994, appearing on six studio albums including Marathon, Zebop!, Shango, and Milagro, as well as the live album Sacred Fire: Live in South America. He sang lead on “You Know That I Love You,” “All I Ever Wanted,” “Hold On,” and “Winning,” and co-wrote “Somewhere in Heaven,” “Brightest Star,” and “Make Somebody Happy.” He was there at Live Aid in 1985, one of the most watched performances in the history of music, singing his heart out in front of the whole world.

He never stopped working. He toured Japan and Europe with Brian Auger in 2014. In 2019 he released a solo album, Outside the Box, produced by David Garfield. His last concert took place on April 10, 2026, at Bogart’s Entertainment Center in Apple Valley, Minnesota. His friend and pianist Mark Hoyt was there. “The last song he sang was ‘Somewhere in Heaven,'” Hoyt wrote afterward. “I don’t think there could be a more fitting song that he could have sung after a lifetime of singing thousands.”

He is survived by his wife Shawn Brogan, his daughter Merci, and everyone who ever heard him and felt, even briefly, what Santana described. He did it his way, on his terms, till the end.

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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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