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Legendary Canadian Rockers 54-40 Release New Video for “Sublime Like Me”

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Even in today’s absurdly fragmented music scene, it’s easy to spot legendary bands. They’re the ones reliably cranking out great album after great album, each distinct and accessible, in sync with the times, yet timeless.

Witness pop/rock luminaries 54-40 and their newest single — the swirling, futuristic, yet somehow vaguely psychedelic “Sublime Like Me” — available now. Established New Year’s Eve 1980 at Vancouver’s famed Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret, these award-winning, gold and platinum-selling writers and of countless, iconic, enduring, and chart-topping gems fit neatly within the use of the word.

Fresh off their most recent release, Keep On Walking, “Sublime Like Me” is one of 11 originals whittled down from 25-odd demos, and a vivid snapshot of where singer/guitarist Neil Osborne, bassist Brad Merritt, drummer Matt Johnson, and guitarist Dave Genn are right now: dialled in and seriously on fire.

“My favourite song on the album,” Johnson says of “Sublime Like Me.” “I love the groove.”

“We’ve played the song live a few times and it’s already evolving,” Merritt adds. “I think it has the potential to become a staple of our live shows well into the future.”

Speaking of live shows, the band are set to take the stage:
August 31 @ Shake the Lake Festival, Regina SK
September 1 @ Party In The Park, Calgary AB
September 6 @ Maxwell’s Music House, Waterloo ON
September 7 @ East Valley Days, Sudbury ON
October 11 @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC
October 12 @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC
December 5 @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto ON
December 6 @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto ON
December 7 @ Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto ON
January 10 @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St Catharines ON
January 11 @ FirstOntario Arts Centre, Milton ON
January 12 @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington ON
January 14 @ Dominion Telegraph Event Centre, Paris ON
January 18 @ The Music Hall, Oshawa ON
January 19 @ River Run Centre, Guelph ON

“Sublime Like Me” and Keep On Walking are available now.

Save the Music Launches First-Ever Electronic Music Grant Named After Legendary Producer J Dilla

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Save the Music Launches First-Ever Electronic Music Grant Named After Legendary Producer J Dilla

MTV and Save the Music—a non-profit organization that has launched over 2,000 music programs within schools across the country—today announced a first-of-its-kind program supporting electronic music production to develop students’ creative and technical talents and reflect how modern music is being made today.

The grant, which was developed in partnership with Pharrell Williams’ creative collective i am OTHER and Arizona State University (ASU), is named the J Dilla Music Tech Grant after the legendary producer who worked with De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Common and Erykah Badu, among others, and whose revolutionary approach to making beats continues to inspire artists more than a decade after his death. The program’s innovative combination of music technology and a forward-looking curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of electronic music creation, recording and production, bringing out each student’s inner creativity, talent, and confidence.

Beginning next month, seven high schools across the country will participate in the multi-year initiative. The schools include:

  • Barringer HS, Newark, NJ
  • High School for Public Service, Brooklyn, NY
  • South Philadelphia HS, Philadelphia, PA
  • Hialeah Senior HS, Miami, FL.
  • Arts High School, Newark, NJ
  • McDonogh 35, New Orleans, LA
  • Belmont HS, Los Angeles, CA

“This expanded focus into electronic music technology was driven by listening to the needs of the community and realizing where we could make the most impact on kids,” said Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music. “After 20 years of providing students and teachers with more than $50 million of band and string instruments, we have now added mixers, turntables, and drum machines to accurately and equitably reflect the music ecosystem today.”

“DJs with turntables and producers with MIDI controllers and state-of-the-art technology are the vanguard of new music makers today—across all musical genres,” said Amy Doyle, General Manager of MTV, and Board Co-chair of Save the Music. “The J Dilla Music Technology Grant underscores MTV and Save the Music’s commitment to cultivating the future creators, providing them with cutting edge tools and innovative instruction to enable them to participate in the future of music.”

“With the J Dilla Music Tech Grant we are deepening our collective efforts to broaden access to the highest quality music education and thinking equitably about the communities we serve to build and expand the pedagogy and curricula that foster young people’s skills, creativity, and expression,” said Evan Tobias, Associate Professor of Music Education at Arizona State University and head of the Consortium for Innovation and Transformation in Music Education.

Watch Tobe Nwigwe play “Houston Tribute”, “Caged Birds”, “Against the Grain”, “Shine” and “I’m Dope” at the Tiny Desk.

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Hailing from the southwest region of Houston and of Nigerian descent, Tobe Nwigwe made his Tiny Desk debut a family affair, with an entourage that included his seven-week old daughter. The baby was in the arms of Tobe’s wife, Fat, known for her striking beauty and lead role in the magnificently directed music videos that have paved the way to Tobe’s rapid growth on Instagram.

Watch Tobe Nwigwe play “Houston Tribute”, “Caged Birds”, “Against the Grain”, “Shine” and “I’m Dope” at the Tiny Desk.

My Next Read: Steve Gorman’s “Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes–A Memoir”

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My Next Read: Steve Gorman’s “Hard to Handle: The Life and Death of the Black Crowes–A Memoir”

For over two decades, The Black Crowes topped the charts and reigned supreme over the radio waves, even as hair bands, grunge, and hip-hop threatened to dethrone them. With hits like “Hard to Handle,” “She Talks to Angels,” and “Remedy,” their massive success launched them to stardom in the early ’90s, earning them a place among rock royalty. They were on the cover of Rolling Stone, MTV played their videos 24/7, and Generation X re-discovered the power of classic rock and blues by digging into multi-platinum classics like Shake Your Money Maker and The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.

But stardom can be fleeting. For the Black Crowes, success slowly dwindled as the band members got caught up in the rock star world and lost sight of their musical ambition. Despite the drinking, drugs, and incessant fighting between Chris and Rich Robinson–the angriest brothers in rock and roll, with all due respect to Oasis and the Kinks–the band continued to tour until 2013. On any given night, they could be the best band you ever saw. (Or the most combative.) Then, one last rift caused by Chris Robinson proved insurmountable for the band to survive. After that, the Black Crowes would fly no more.

Founding member Steve Gorman was there for all of it–the coke and weed-fueled tours; the tumultuous recording sessions; the backstage hangs with legends like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the Rolling Stones. As the band’s drummer and voice of reason, he tried to keep the Black Crowes together musically–and in one piece emotionally. In his first-person history of the Black Crowes, Hard To Handle–the first ever account of this great American rock band’s beginning, middle, and end–Gorman makes it clear just how impossible that job was. Fortunately, Gorman tells the tale with great insight, candor, and humor. They don’t make bands like the Black Crowes anymore: crazy, brilliant, self-destructive, inspiring, and, ultimately, not built to last. But, man, what a ride it was while it lasted.

You can get the book here.

GRAMMY Award-Winning David Clayton-Thomas’ New Anti-Gun Anthem Censored for Advertising by Facebook for Being ‘Political’

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GRAMMY Award-winning Canadian musician David Clayton-Thomas’ new anti-gun anthem “Never Again” is facing restrictions on Facebook this week.

The legendary artist is using the incredible power of song to call attention to gun violence plaguing the U.S.; attempts to boost the post through the ubiquitous social media network were rejected.

“Given the current climate of gun violence in America, I felt this song should be heard now,” says Clayton-Thomas of the release. “This song is dedicated to the kids of Parkland and the March For Our Lives movement.”

“Never Again” is from Clayton-Thomas’ forthcoming album SAY SOMETHIN’, set for release early 2020 via Linus Records.

David Clayton-Thomas is a GRAMMY Award-winning Canadian musician, singer and songwriter also known as the lead vocalist for Blood, Sweat & Tears. Clayton-Thomas has received induction honours into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

“Never Again” is available now.

Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ 50th Anniversary Edition And ‘Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman’ Set For October 11 Release

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Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ 50th Anniversary Edition And ‘Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman’ Set For October 11 Release

On October 11, Capitol/UMe and Frank Sinatra Enterprises will release a 50th anniversary edition of Frank Sinatra’s classic album My Way and Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman, a compilation of songs written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Released on Reprise in March 1969, and produced by Don Costa and Sonny Burke, My Way features a varied collection of contemporary pop songs, including Lennon and McCartney’s “Yesterday,” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” and the iconic title track, “My Way.” Recorded on December 30, 1968, in just one take, “My Way” charted in the U.S. and stayed on the U.K. charts for a record-breaking 75 weeks.

The My Way 50th anniversary set features four bonus tracks, including a live version recorded at The Ahmanson Theatre in 1971, which is available for streaming and for immediate download with pre-order.

Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman features songs by the esteemed, Academy Award winning songwriting duo, including the title track from Sinatra’s 1960 Grammy-nominated album, “Nice ‘N’ Easy.” “As lyric writers,” say Alan and Marilyn Bergman in liner notes, “to have a singer understand and be able to communicate what you wrote, whether it be about love or love lost or songs that needed a humorous approach, Frank got it… his readings were always on the money and more than what we heard in our minds.”

Frank Sinatra: My Way (50th Anniversary Edition) [CD; Digital; LP; limited edition color LP]
1. Watch What Happens
2. Didn’t We
3. Hallelujah, I Love Her So
4. Yesterday
5. All My Tomorrows
6. My Way
7. A Day In The Life Of A Fool
8. For Once In My Life
9. If You Go Away
10. Mrs. Robinson
Bonus Tracks: (*Not on LP)
11. My Way – duet with Willie Nelson
12. My Way – duet with Luciano Pavarotti
13. My Way – Live at Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, June 13, 1971
14. My Way – Live at the Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX, October 14, 1987

Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman [CD; Digital; LP]
1. Nice ‘N’ Easy
2. Ol’ MacDonald
3. Sentimental Baby
4. Love Looks So Well On You
5. Sleep Warm
6. What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?
7. The Summer Knows
8. Summer Me, Winter Me
9. L.A. Is My Lady
10. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
Bonus Tracks: (*Not on LP)
11. Christmas Memories
12. Leave It All To Me – previously unreleased
13. How Do You Keep The Music Playing? (1983) – previously unreleased

Thom Yorke is curating a one-off magazine to raise funds for the environmental charity Greenpeace

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Crack Magazine and Thom Yorke have collaborated on a one off, limited-edition zine, titled I See You.

The zine comprises interviews with eight artists, activists and musicians chosen by Yorke, who answer questions set by him. The zine is prefaced by Thom answering the questions himself.

Those featured in the zine are: pioneering electronic music composer Laurie Spiegel, writer and environmentalist George Monbiot, Edinburgh-based poet Harry Josephine Giles, New York contemporary artist Amy Cutler, fashion designer and founder of Undercover, Jun Takahashi, director and screenwriter Luca Guadagnino, experimental musician Kali Malone and Brooklyn-based visual artist Christian Holstad.

Thom Yorke has decided to donate any profits from the zine to Greenpeace; by purchasing the zine a donation will be made to the organisation.

It is available to pre-order from Radiohead’s W.A.S.T.E. website, as well as from the sites for Crack Magazine and his label, XL Recordings, and will be delivered to fans on 13 September.

The Philosophy of George Carlin

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“When you’re born in this world, you’re given a ticket to the freak show.”

My Morning Jacket’s Jim James And The Louisville Orchestra Announce The Release Of Their Collaborative Project “The Order Of Nature”

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My Morning Jacket’s Jim James And The Louisville Orchestra Announce The Release Of Their Collaborative Project “The Order Of Nature”

Jim James, acclaimed genre-bending solo artist, passionate social activist and leader of legendary rock band My Morning Jacket, and conductor/composer Teddy Abrams & The Louisville Orchestra announce the release of their collaborative project, The Order of Nature. As two of the world’s most vibrant and versatile musicians, neither James nor Abrams shies away from a challenge, and with The Order of Nature they’ve crafted a large-scale symphonic suite that has James’ evocative songs as its foundation. Abrams built a grand orchestral house on that foundation, and the result is an explosion of music that boldly synthesizes rock and classical while taking advantage of orchestral music’s inherently cinematic nature. Featuring unreleased new songs from James as well as re-imaginings from his solo catalog, the album will be released October 18 via Decca Gold.

Lyrically, James takes a deep dive into issues vitally important to him in recent years, including equality and intolerance, human connection and acceptance. Abrams uses repeating motifs to weave the songs into a seamless whole, with the goal of capturing the idea of nature in a cinematic way and turning James’ quiet demos into a majestic tapestry that conveys the album’s themes of politics, the natural order and the hopelessness of hatred. They all spin off of the suite’s central theme, which is James’ fascination with the absence of hate in nature. Animals kill each other, but only out of hunger, while humans daily choose hate —we ignore the order of nature and that choice is wreaking havoc.

“The core idea to me is trying to reflect on the fact that nature doesn’t know how to hate,” says James. “Humans are part of nature obviously, but why do we have this thing called hatred and how do we get rid of it? We’re fighting nature and thinking we can prevail over nature, but we’re killing each other and killing the planet.”

Abrams spent months building a complex symphonic work in which the songs could breathe, writing music that captures both the quiet drama of walking alone through a snowy landscape and the urgency of trying to steer a disrupted society toward kindness.

“We’re really looking at addressing things head on,” says Abrams. “That was an interest of mine in working with Jim because he has a way of taking on challenging and divisive issues and presenting them in ways that everybody can relate to, even if you’re from different political backgrounds.”

“For me it was very inspiring, and it was also inspiring to hear what Teddy wrote,” James added, “and I really enjoyed just giving him this seed of a song and just watching it flower.”

The Order of Nature debuted April 6-7, 2018 as part of the Louisville Orchestra’s annual Festival of American Music. The second night’s performance is what you hear on this album, recorded in one take, no overdubs.

James and Abrams also today announce a three-part mini-documentary on the making of The Order of Nature. The first chapter, “Collaboration,” is available now.

Most recently, the innovative tandem announced select performance dates that will feature local orchestras. Those dates will include the legendary Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on September 4, 2019, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA on May 12, 2020, and Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver, CO on May 15, 2020.

JIM JAMES, TEDDY ABRAMS AND THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA – THE ORDER OF NATURE TRACKLISTING:
1. WALKING IN THE SNOW
2. HERE IN SPIRIT
3. THE HUMAN TOUCH
4. IN DEMAND
5. BACK TO THE END OF THE WORLD
6. WHO AM I?
7. OVER AND OVER
8. SET IT TO SONG
9. SAME OLD LIE

JIM JAMES AND TEDDY ABRAMS – US DATES

SEPTEMBER
4 – Washington, DC – The Kennedy Center w/the National Symphony

2020
MAY
12 – Seattle, WA – Benaroya Hall w/the Seattle Symphony
15 – Denver, CO – w/the Colorado Symphony

NASA Names ‘Rolling Stones Rock’ on Mars

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For decades, the music of The Rolling Stones has had a global reach here on Earth. Now, the band’s influence extends all the way to Mars. The team behind NASA’s InSight lander has named a Martian rock after the band: ‘Rolling Stones Rock.’

The Rolling Stones — Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood — were delighted with the news and commented, “What a wonderful way to celebrate the ‘Stones No Filter’ tour arriving in Pasadena. This is definitely a milestone in our long and eventful history. A huge thank you to everyone at NASA for making it happen.”

A little larger than a golf ball, the rock appeared to have rolled about 3 feet (1 meter) on Nov. 26, 2018, propelled by InSight’s thrusters as the spacecraft touched down on Mars to study the Red Planet’s deep interior. In images taken by InSight the next day, several divots in the orange-red soil can be seen trailing Rolling Stones Rock. It’s the farthest NASA has seen a rock roll while landing a spacecraft on another planet.

Actor Robert Downey Jr. made the announcement Thursday, Aug. 22 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium before the iconic band took the stage. Backstage before making the announcement, Downey said, “Cross-pollinating science and a legendary rock band is always a good thing…”

The InSight mission is led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, just up the road from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Having helped NASA land all of its Mars missions since 1997, JPL geologist Matt Golombek is a rock star in his own right. He and fellow scientists count rocks and assess the safety of potential landing sites.

Official scientific names for places and objects throughout the solar system — including asteroids, comets and locations on planets — can be designated only by the International Astronomical Union. But scientists working with NASA’s Mars rovers have given lots of unofficial nicknames to rocks and other geological features. Doing so makes it easier for them to discuss different objects and refer to them in science papers. So while the name Rolling Stones Rock is informal, it will appear on working maps of the Red Planet.in Germany; the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) in Switzerland; Imperial College London and Oxford University in the United Kingdom; and JPL. DLR provided the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3) instrument, with significant contributions from the Space Research Center (CBK) of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Astronika in Poland. Spain’sCentro de Astrobiología (CAB) supplied the temperature and wind sensors.

 

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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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