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Hard-Rock Powerhouse Deraps, Led by Guitar Prodigy Jacob Deraps, Announces First-Ever US Tour

Eric Alper
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Hard-Rock Powerhouse Deraps, Led by Guitar Prodigy Jacob Deraps, Announces First-Ever US Tour

Canada’s blistering new hard-rock powerhouse, Deraps, is storming the United States for the first time ever in February 2026, bringing their high-voltage, late-’70s-inspired sound to American stages. The band is fronted by Quebec-born, EVH-sponsored guitar phenomenon Jacob Deraps, whose virtuoso-level playing and Van Halen covers propelled him to online fame and earned praise from the Official Van Halen News Desk. After signing with Metalville Records and Anthem Entertainment (home of Rush), Deraps released their acclaimed 2022 self-titled debut and followed up with the explosive second album, Viva Rock N’ Roll, in May 2025, which debuted at #1 in rock sales in Japan, cementing their global acclaim.

This inaugural US tour comes after years of fan demand and follows the band’s experience opening for rock legends like Tom Cochrane, Ann Wilson, and Foreigner. Jacob Deraps expressed his excitement, stating that touring the US, the “birth land of Rock N’ Roll,” has always been a dream and that the country is home to his heroes like Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Jake E. Lee. Deraps is set to redefine modern classic rock, delivering a fierce, melodic, and full-throttle fun experience for American audiences.

CONFIRMED U.S. TOUR DATES – “VIVA ROCK N’ ROLL” (LEG I):

  • W 2/4 – Pawling, NY – Darryl’s House
  • F 2/6 – NYC, NY – The Iridium
  • S 2/7 – West Yarmouth, MA – The Music Room
  • M 2/9 – Pittsburgh, PA – Craft House
  • W 2/11 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
  • Th 2/12 – Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Hall
  • F 2/13 – Detroit, MI – Token Lounge
  • S 2/14 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
  • W 2/18 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
  • F 2/20 – Wisconsin Dells, WI – Legacy Theater
  • S 2/21 – Sioux Falls, SD – Biggs Bar and Grill
  • W 2/25 – Great Falls, MT – The Newbury Theater
  • F 2/27 – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse at El Corazon

MUSIC CITY Releases Festive Single ‘Only Home For Christmas’ With Limited Edition Flexi Disc

Eric Alper
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MUSIC CITY Releases Festive Single ‘Only Home For Christmas’ With Limited Edition Flexi Disc

Music City has released “Only Home For Christmas,” an instant festive classic that serves as the perfect soundtrack for merrymaking this December. The single—a blend of dueling guitars, seasonal heartbreak, and abundant bells—is available digitally and as a limited edition flexi disc that doubles as a Christmas tree decoration. Frontman and songwriter Conor Lumsden explained that the band “went all in on this one,” creating a “proper Christmas song” that is “half Phil Spector, half The Office Christmas Special.”

Lumsden described the track as capturing “the flush of happiness that comes with the acceptance of a hangover and a lean January,” giving it a familiar, classic feel. To celebrate the release, Music City is embarking on a run of UK and Ireland dates, including an Xmas Single Launch in London on December 15th and an Album Launch on February 5th.

Music City Live Dates:

  • Monday 15th December – Elephants Head, London (Xmas Single Launch)
  • Wednesday 21st January – Shacklewell Arms, London
  • Thursday 5th February – The Social, London (Album Launch)
  • Friday 6th February – Delicious Clam, Sheffield
  • Saturday 7th February – The Rat & The Pigeon, Manchester
  • Sunday 8th February – Zerox, Newcastle
  • Saturday 14th February – Where Else, Margate
  • Thursday 26th February – The Grand Social, Dublin

RIAA 2025 Year-End Certifications: Taylor Swift and Alex Warren Take Top Honors

Eric Alper
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RIAA 2025 Year-End Certifications: Taylor Swift and Alex Warren Take Top Honors

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced its annual tally of 2025 Gold & Platinum certifications, celebrating the year’s most impactful music that exemplifies human artistry and reached remarkable milestones. For the second consecutive year, Taylor Swift dominated the Year-End list, securing the highest certification level and the Top Album award for Showgirl. Swift’s success follows her historic achievement earlier in the year as the first and only female artist to surpass 100 million RIAA certified album units across her entire catalogue. Claiming the Top Single of 2025 is Alex Warren with the triple platinum track “Ordinary,” taken from his platinum debut album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid, proving his massive popularity.

The #RIAATopCertified list includes a total of 13 albums and 46 singles released in 2025. Drake earned the most certified titles overall with eight, including the double platinum single “Nokia” and seven gold collaborations with PartyNextDoor from their platinum album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. Other noteworthy achievements include Cardi B’s album Am I The Drama?, which hit platinum immediately upon release and now stands at triple platinum, and Lil Tecca’s single “Dark Thoughts,” which achieved gold in just 56 days. Stray Kids were the only artists to achieve multiple certified albums with their gold-certified Hop and Karma.

The RIAA also inducted nine first-time artists across 13 singles into the #CLASSOF2025, with Olivia Dean earning the highest pop title for her platinum smash “Man I Need.” K-Pop sensations Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami (the singing voices of Huntr/X) were the most certified recipients in the new class with three singles, including the double platinum “Golden.” Furthermore, the Premios de Oro y Platino program celebrated Latin music, recognizing Clave Especial and Edgardo Nuñez for the Year-End Top Latin Title and Single “Tu Tu Tu” (diamond-certified), and Beéle for the Top Latin Album, the quadruple platinum Borondo.

Nashville Hitmaker Bandana Cheyenna Teams Up with Adam Wendler for New Single ‘Anyhow’

Eric Alper
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Nashville Hitmaker Bandana Cheyenna Teams Up with Adam Wendler for New Single ‘Anyhow’

Rising Americana/Country artist and Nashville hitmaker Bandana Cheyenna—known for co-writing Dasha’s global hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” and Alexandra Kay’s viral single “Cupid’s A Cowgirl”—has collaborated with Canadian Folk-Pop artist Adam Wendler for their newest single, “Anyhow.” Released through Amsterdam-based boutique label Overland Records, the song marks Cheyenna’s first folk-inspired release under the imprint and is a message about unwavering devotion to one’s dreams. Co-written by Cheyenna and Wendler (a co-writer on “Austin”) and produced by Wendler, the track originated from a simple phrase in Cheyenna’s notes and evolved into a deeper conversation about staying committed to creative paths regardless of difficulty. Anchored by the hook, “The only time we really have is now, Anyhow,” the song encourages listeners to seize the moment and enjoy the journey.

This release follows an exceptional run for Cheyenna, whose songwriting accolades include wins at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, the 2024 ASCAP Country Awards, and the 2025 ASCAP Pop Awards. Cheyenna, who cites Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Kacey Musgraves as inspirations, has quickly cemented their status in Nashville with collaborations spanning Breland, Caylee Hammack, Gayle, and more. “Anyhow” will be featured on Cheyenna’s upcoming EP, scheduled for release in early 2026, which will blend fan favorites with brand-new songs, further establishing them as both a powerhouse songwriter and a dynamic rising artist.

K-Rock Phenoms SILICA GEL Unveil New Single ‘BIG VOID’ Amid Global Rise

Eric Alper
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K-Rock Phenoms SILICA GEL Unveil New Single ‘BIG VOID’ Amid Global Rise

Korean alternative band Silica Gel, rapidly emerging as an influential voice in modern K-rock, has released their new single, “BIG VOID,” available now on streaming services worldwide. The release follows a defining year for the group, marked by their acclaimed collaboration with Japanese Breakfast on “南宮FEFERE” and their post-hiatus ascent. Since returning from mandatory military service, Silica Gel has become one of Korea’s most visible and decorated indie acts, headlining major festivals like Incheon Pentaport, winning Musician of the Year at the 2024 Korean Music Awards, and playing their largest-ever solo concert to nearly 15,000 fans.

“BIG VOID” was initially unveiled as a surprise during the band’s theatrics-heavy headline Korean show, ‘Syn.THE.Size X,’ in August, where its mantra-like hook—“into the giant void”—quickly became a fan-favourite. Built on bright piano motifs, the track continues the band’s sonic evolution, moving toward a more organic and expansive sound, away from their earlier industrial work. The single is accompanied by a new music video from director Song Kiho, the visual architect behind much of Silica Gel’s aesthetic, deepening the visual universe around their current era.

Reinforcing their ability to transcend borders, Silica Gel has performed across Asia this past year, including at Singapore’s Baybeats Festival and Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA), where they won Best Asian Creative Artist. The band will conclude the year with their Syn.THE.Size X Japan Tour 2025 in Osaka and Tokyo on December 22 and 23, before appearing on one of Korea’s largest year-end stages at Countdown Fantasy 2025–2026. “BIG VOID” opens a bold new chapter, further cementing their place as one of Korea’s most forward-thinking and globally resonant bands.

Puddles Pity Party Performs Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ With Marionette Show

Eric Alper
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Puddles Pity Party Performs Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ With Marionette Show

Puddles Pity Party, the velvet-throated clown, recently performed a tender cover of the classic Yazoo song “Only You,” arranged by Tim DeLaney, in a unique and straight-faced marionette show. The performance featured Puddles acting as a marionette himself, with a heart that glowed whenever a “flower ballerina” puppet—provided by the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre—was present.

5 Surprising Facts About M.I.A.’s Kala’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About M.I.A.’s Kala’

M.I.A.’s 2007 album, Kala, is a landmark release in global pop, famous for blending funk carioca, African folk, and South Asian rhythms into an aggressive, sample-heavy sound. Named after M.I.A.’s mother, the record is a powerful exploration of Third World themes like poverty and immigration, which resonated widely. Kala was the best-performing album on the US Billboard Electronic Albums chart of 2007 and was certified Gold for selling 500,000 copies in the US, cementing its widespread influence.

Here are five little-known facts about the making and background of this influential album:

The Success of “Paper Planes” Paralleled Accusations of Terrorism Support. The immense commercial success of the Grammy-nominated single “Paper Planes” (which peaked at Number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100) occurred at the same time M.I.A. was condemning war crimes in Sri Lanka. This led to controversy and accusations that she supported terrorism due to her ethnic background.

M.I.A. Was Denied a Long-Term US Work Visa. Initially planning to work extensively with American producer Timbaland, M.I.A. was unable to secure a long-term work visa to enter the US due to alleged family connections with guerrillas in Sri Lanka. This forced her to record the album in numerous countries around the globe, fundamentally shaping the album’s sound.

The Album Was Recorded Using Just a MacBook and Microphone. Because M.I.A. was recording in unconventional locations outside of traditional studios, she and producer Switch relied heavily on the digital audio workstation Logic Pro. They recorded many vocals and background sounds using just a microphone and a MacBook Pro, lending the album its raw, spontaneous feel.

The Track “Hussel” Samples South Indian Fishermen Chanting. The song “Hussel” was musically imagined by M.I.A. as the sound of refugees being smuggled in boats. The track’s intro uses audio recorded from Keralan fishermen chanting as they pull their boats into the water, giving the song an authentic, echo-y sound.

“Jimmy” is a Cover of a Bollywood Film Song. The track “Jimmy” is a tribute to M.I.A.’s mother and is her version of “Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja” from the 1982 Bollywood film Disco Dancer. She had danced to the original track as a child, and she confessed she “had to be drunk enough to be that disco” to fully realize the track.

5 Surprising Facts About Jay-Z’s ‘The Black Album’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Jay-Z’s ‘The Black Album’

Jay-Z’s 2003 release, The Black Album, was widely publicized as his final album before retiring, a theme that gave the project a legendary air of finality. It was a massive commercial success, debuting at Number One on the Billboard 200, selling 463,000 copies in its first week, and was later certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA in 2023. Known for its all-star production lineup—featuring a different elite producer for every track—the album generated enduring hits like “99 Problems” and cemented Jay-Z’s legacy as an all-time great.

Here are five little-known facts about the making and background of this influential album:

  1. The Album Was Designed to Be Reworked by Producers. Roc-A-Fella Records broke with tradition by releasing The Black Album on vinyl with no beats underneath Jay-Z’s vocals. This move was intentional, spurring producers and DJs to “remix the hell out of it,” leading to fan creations like The Brown Album.
  2. The “99 Problems” Traffic Stop Verse is Based on a Real Event. The acclaimed second verse of “99 Problems,” which describes a tense traffic stop, was based on an actual experience Jay-Z had in the 1990s in New Jersey while carrying illegal drugs. He refused the police search, and they were forced to let him go when the drug-sniffing dogs failed to arrive.
  3. “99 Problems” Is Used as a Tool to Teach Constitutional Law. The second verse of “99 Problems” has been widely studied by law experts. A Southwestern Law School Professor wrote an article analyzing the verse line-by-line from a legal perspective, using it as a tool to teach law students about search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment.
  4. The Critical Mashup The Grey Album Caused Digital Civil Disobedience. The controversial The Grey Album by Danger Mouse, which combined Jay-Z’s vocals with The Beatles’ “White Album” instrumentals, led to EMI attempting to halt its distribution. In protest, music activists coordinated “Grey Tuesday,” resulting in over 100,000 copies being downloaded for free in a single day.
  5. “Encore” Features a Beatles Sample and Won a Grammy. Kanye West’s production on “Encore” samples the trumpet introduction to John Holt’s cover of “I Will” by The Beatles, resulting in a Lennon–McCartney songwriting credit. It gained further fame and won a Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy after being mashed up with Linkin Park’s “Numb.”

5 Surprising Facts About Paramore’s ‘Riot!’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Paramore’s ‘Riot!’

Released in 2007, Paramore’s second studio album, Riot!, was the definitive breakthrough moment that launched the band into the mainstream. With anthems like “Misery Business” and “Crushcrushcrush,” the album became a pop-punk touchstone, blending raw energy with undeniable catchiness. Certified triple-platinum in the US and platinum across the UK and Australia, its influence still resonates across alt-rock and emo pop today.

A Fan Won a Contest to Sing Back-Up Vocals on ‘Born for This.’ During the production phase, Paramore held an online contest called “The Last Song You’ll Ever Sing,” inviting fans to submit videos on YouTube for a chance to sing back-up. The winner, Mary Bonney of McLean, Virginia, was featured on the track “Born for This.”

The Single “That’s What You Get” Was Co-Written by a Touring Member. “That’s What You Get,” one of the album’s successful singles, is notable for being the only song on Riot! co-written by guitarist Taylor York, who was only the band’s touring guitarist at the time. York would later become an official member of Paramore.

The Music Video for “Crushcrushcrush” Was Cut Short by a Sandstorm. The official video for the album’s third single shows the band performing in a barren desert. However, bassist Jeremy Davis later revealed that they were unable to fully finish the shoot due to a large sandstorm that swept in, forcing the director to repeat some shots in the final cut.

An Expelled Member Was Reinstated Before Recording. Before work on Riot! began, bassist Jeremy Davis was expelled due to a “lack of work ethic.” Following his departure, the Farro brothers convinced Hayley Williams to bring in Taylor York, but Williams insisted on Davis’s reinstatement, which the remaining members eventually agreed to.

“Hallelujah” Is One of the Band’s Oldest Songs. Hayley Williams recounted that “Hallelujah” is one of the band’s oldest songs, but they felt it fit better on Riot! than on their debut album. She described the song as “a claim of victory for both ourselves and our fans.”

The National Ballet of Canada Welcomes Scottie Barnes, Max Kerman, and More as ‘Cannon Dolls’ for 30th Anniversary of ‘The Nutcracker’

Eric Alper
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The National Ballet of Canada Welcomes Scottie Barnes, Max Kerman, and More as ‘Cannon Dolls’ for 30th Anniversary of ‘The Nutcracker’

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, shared today this season’s lineup of Cannon Dolls for James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker. Toronto Raptors Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead will make their debut as Cannon Dolls on December 19. 

The holiday favourite celebrates its 30th anniversary this season and to mark this milestone, Rex Harrington, the original Peter/The Nutcracker who created the role 30 years ago, will appear as a Cannon Doll on opening night, December 5. 

This season, the Cannon Doll lineup features CBC Q host Tom Power and Arkells frontman Max Kerman, Olympic Ice Dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, Wynton McManis and Damonte Coxie of the Toronto Argos, Chris Boushy and Challen Rogers from the Toronto Rock, Toronto AFC’s Victoria Pickett and Sarah Rollins, Canadian Women’s Rugby players Brittany Kassil and Taylor McKnight, Toronto Star reporters Joshua Chong and Victoria Gibson, Sirius XM Radio Hosts Allison Dore and Victor Bibby aka DJ Frank Vinatra, TSN Football Analyst Davis Sanchez and host Kate Beirness and longest running Cannon Doll, Global TV’s Susan Hay, in her 23rd year, who will be appearing with anchor Antony Robart. 

In addition to the luminaries listed above, the National Ballet invites colleagues in the Toronto arts and dance community and our community partners to join the company onstage as Cannon Dolls. This season we are thrilled to welcome members of DanceWorks, Hart Dance, dance immersion, Surrey Place, York South Family Network and West Neighbourhood house.

Celebrity walk-on roles are a long-standing tradition with Nutcrackers all over the world. In the National Ballet’s production, the cameo roles are Cannon Dolls, colourfully costumed Petrouchka dolls who shoot a cannon into the audience in Act I. To date, the National Ballet has invited 1,378 Canadian luminaries and personalities to appear onstage in the coveted roles.

Past Cannon Dolls have included former Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and former Leafs Winger Mitch Marner, Olympic Gold Medalist Figure Skater Tessa Virtue, Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer Summer McIntosh, Actors Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Graham Greene and Sarah Gadon, Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Comedian Rick Mercer, Authors Carley Fortune and Emma Donoghue, Musician Brendan Canning and more!

Over its 30-year history, The Nutcracker has captivated audiences of all ages, with over 1.3 million people attending 672 performances since its premiere in 1995. With Kudelka’s imaginative choreography, Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, breathtaking designs by Santo Loquasto and lighting by Jennifer Tipton, this beloved production continues to delight year after year.
 
Tickets are almost sold out with best availability on December 31. 

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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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