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DJ/Producer Christopher Mihas Expands Moves After Midnight Catalog With ’80s-Groove “I See Right Through You”

Eric Alper
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DJ/Producer Christopher Mihas Expands Moves After Midnight Catalog With ’80s-Groove “I See Right Through You”

Catchy choruses and funky guitar walks are all too familiar to Waterloo, ON DJ/Producer Christopher Mihas, better known as Moves After Midnight, and his tenacity for electro-funk is captured in his newest single, “I See Right Through You.”

Synth-pop is a form of artistic expression that seems to impact each new generation of music appreciators while leaving a groovy stain on producers who grew up with and work within the genre. Inspired heavily by the music of his youth, Christopher pays homage to 80’s pop-funk music with this electro-funk dance track.

“I See Right Through You” is Christopher’s most recent release under the moniker Moves After Midnight following a string of releases, including October 2021 debut EP Fluorescent Memoirs, and more recently a smash single “Vanity Prayers” in September 2022.

Straying from the norm for the group, Christopher looked to revisit the glory days of 1980’s electronic funk bangers. “I See Right Through You” features sultry vocals accompanied by bone-chilling harmonies tell the tale of supporting and guiding self-destructive loved ones. Funky guitar riffs paired with walking bass lines usher in an infectious chorus that is sure to live in your head rent free for the next six months.

The overall product comes out to be an absolutely smashing electro-funk single.

Moves After Midnight has seen a string of features from a plethora of talented musicians. Despite this, Christopher has found himself drawn to a select few features.

Bartek Milczarczyk holds the title of Moves After Midnights “secret weapon.” A talented guitarist in his own right, Bartek provides instrumentation for “I See Right Through You” while co-writing alongside Christopher. Using Bartek’s solo as the foundation to build from, Christopher recruited Emmellienne to provide the charmingly mystic vocalizations that tie the track together.

Award-winning London based sound engineer Sefi Carmel was brought on board to add the finishing touches to Moves After Midnight’s newest brainchild, providing a master class in mixing and mastering.

The final product is an 80’s synth dreamscape that captures the essence of electro-funk in a charming and infectious manner. In addition, there is plenty of cowbell to go around – so get grooving like it’s 1985.

Circle The Wolves Are In A Metal “State Of Mind” On New Single

Eric Alper
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Circle The Wolves Are In A Metal “State Of Mind” On New Single

The Canadian metal-rockers of Edmonton, Alberta are in a “State of Mind” – streaming now.

The collective made up of Michelle Johnson (vocals), Steven Johnson (guitar), Corey Johnson (guitarist, bassist, keys, producer), and Keith Runco (drums) have created a new, gothic style of metal – surging electric riffs and laden with the vocal prowess of Johnson. Infusing orchestral and piano-based melodies with wavetable synthesis, Circle of Wolves are re-inventing metal into an entirely different and exciting sonic experience. By combining harmonies, with complicated chord progressions, and an exhilarating stage show, Circle The Wolves are intent on tearing up the rule book, forging a path of songwriting, and performing uniquely their own.

Of “State of Mind” the band says, “It’s about being in a relationship with someone that is narcissistic or controlling in some form or another. The singer is screaming that she needs to stay in that state of mind so that the relationship never ends.”

“Every Wednesday Steven, Michelle and Corey get together and write a new song,” Circle The Wolves says of their songwriting process, explaining that: “Michelle does the lyrics all by herself.” The band will create the skeleton of the new track, with Johnson giving them time to flesh out their ideas. “They then say, ‘it’s ready for you’ and Michelle heads into the vocal booth having no idea what the idea sounds like yet. All lyrics are written on the fly. Michelle likes to work alone when creating the lyric and melody for the Circle The Wolves songs. She feels she can better connect when there isn’t anyone else in the room!”

The result of “State of Mind” is a resounding and powerful attack on the nature of broken and toxic relationships and seeking refuge to find your way out of the dark. Johnson’s sheer emotional toll on the vocals mingled with the heavy interpolation of the instrumentation brings the fear of self-loathing to new heights. The listener is enveloped in the extreme of Johnson’s pleading, seeking, and desperation while also throwing horns with the thrash of the music behind the melody. Together, the song is an anthem for each of us who have found ourselves on the bottom rung of life’s unrelenting punishment on our hearts. The listener is dared to examine their own likeness to Johnson’s story – a raw, unadulterated prose on hurt, pain and sorrow.

“State of Mind” also comes packaged with a visual component – the music video is streaming now on YouTube. “We had a low budget and Michelle wanted to do a cool selfie-like video for this single. Something that showed her personality,” Circle The Wolves says, adding: “She thought she’d wear a mask to be mysterious but be able to show her face. There are clips of live performances on this video mixed with unique videos she found on stock video photography. Combined with some overlays and a video of her singing all dressed up showing her emotion. It really came together in the end to show a very tortured Michelle.” Viewers have found themselves connecting to the video through Johnson’s lyrics, and performance.

As the “endemic” looms, Circle The Wolves are back on the road, touring and taking stages at a variety of shows throughout 2022.

And when you take a spin through the Circle The Wolves discography, prepare yourself for your newly minted “State of Mind”.

Eminem Battles Spider-Man In New Marvel Comic

Eric Alper
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Eminem Battles Spider-Man In New Marvel Comic

hustl. announced today that Hip Hop Icon Eminem and Marvel’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will partake in an epic rap battle on a limited-edition variant cover to celebrate the previous release of THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN #1, which debuted in stores this past April.

This limited edition 5,000 print run features art from Salvador Larroca and will be available for purchase today at Eminem.com.

An additional 1,000 limited print run of the spotlight version of the original variant comic cover from hustl. will be available for purchase Tuesday, November 29th at TheHaul.com.

Critically acclaimed as one of the most influential artists of all time, Eminem takes the stage for his latest appearance on a Marvel comic cover. Throughout his illustrious career, Eminem has won 15 Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, 17 Billboard Music Awards, an Academy Award, and an MTV Europe Music Global Icon Award. Amongst other incredible accolades, Eminem has also been featured on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

“I’ve always been a huge Spider-Man fan since I was a kid- he’s definitely in my top 5…. so being on a cover battling Spider-Man is such a thrill and an honor,” said Eminem.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 marked the launch of a brand new series by Emmy and Annie Award-winning writer Zeb Wells (Robot Chicken) and one of Marvel’s most famous Spider-Man artists John Romita Jr. In this all-new ongoing series, Spider-Man is on the outs with the Fantastic Four, Avengers and Aunt May! No one wants to see Spider-Man- except for Doctor Octopus. Ock’s on Spider-Man’s tail and the Master Planner has something truly terrible planned for when he gets in tentacles on the Web-Slinger. While Eminem is not in the story or series, he will appear on this special variant cover as a limited edition collectible to celebrate Spider-Man’s 60th Anniversary. Eminem has been featured on previous Marvel covers including Punisher and Iron Man, and wrote the song “Venom” for the film Venom.

“It’s truly an honor to be able to bring Eminem and Spider-Man to fans slinging raps on this official Marvel variant cover. There is no doubt that fans lucky enough to find themselves holding one of these will possess a highly sought-after collectible,” said Keri Harris, COO hustl.

Photo Gallery: Arkells with Joel Plaskett at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Arkells with Joel Plaskett at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or Twitter

Arkells
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Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
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Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
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R.E.M. Publishes “Shiny Happy People: A Children’s Picture Book”

Eric Alper
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R.E.M. Publishes “Shiny Happy People: A Children’s Picture Book”

“Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around, love them, love them
Put it in your hands, take it, take it
There’s no time to cry, happy, happy . . .”

Shiny Happy People is a heartwarming picture book whose story is told through the lyrics of R.E.M.’s joyful tune of the same name. “Shiny Happy People” appeared on the band’s 1991 album Out of Time, and the song reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With lyrics by R.E.M. and illustrations by Paul Hoppe, this picture book follows the unlikely friendship between a rabbit and a fox as they teach others about the joy of inclusion and acceptance. It is the perfect vehicle for R.E.M. fans to share a loving and positive message with children of all ages. You can get it here.

    

Copenhagen’s Alt.Rockers The Lost Weekend Release Debut Album RADIANCE Featuring “What’s My Dream”

Eric Alper
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Copenhagen’s Alt.Rockers The Lost Weekend Release Debut Album RADIANCE Featuring “What’s My Dream”

The Copenhagen, Denmark band The Lost Weekend debuts with a conceptual wall of noise and an alternative rock album that aims to cut through and join the year’s best rock releases in giving the listener something real. With sailing and crashing guitars, and a vocal frontman that burns bright, The Lost Weekend brings forth a sound that reminisces the most iconic bands of the 90s.

Several years in the making, “Radiance” has been both a solid anchor and a forward driver in an uncertain world – an organic constant that gropes and hunts, or as the band puts it:

“The record has been a quest to find continuity in a society hungering for meaning. It is a journey that goes back to beat music’s rise, past the 90’s grunge and shoegaze to 00s Indie Rock, and then spills over the borders in searching voodoo fables. Tales of anti-heroes and bumbling declarations of love. The Lost Weekend, and Radiance turns on being lost in the fog of the weekend, the noise of euphoria – to go forth, let go, give existence form, and then spit it out.”

And with that, grounding the band has appropriately created a crashing and at times meditative universe that is easy to become lost in. Here are strong roots in the grunge and shoe-gaze bands of the 90s. Names like My Bloody Valentine and Stone Roses are natural references as well as more current acts such as DIIV or War on Drugs. The Lost Weekend plays frantic, dreamy, and clashing rock and pop with soaring guitar and the signature vocals of the charismatic and half American lead singer Jefrrey Hessellund. With vocal inspirations from artists such as Nick Cave and John Lennon, Jefrrey is flanked by expressive guitarist and composer Jakob Birch Sorensen, and the brothers Adam and Tobias Winberg (Death Valley Sleepers, Dor nr. 13, Den Syvende Son, The Telescopes (UK) and more) on drums and bass guitar.

Throughout the lyrics of The Lost Weekend lies a fascination with mysticism. Jefrrey’s metaphysical conviction is that all things also have an inner side that shines and with that a Radiance. Jefrrey is inspired by Animism and a personal search for the spiritual in a life that sometimes moves toward a groping in darkness.

Both The Lost Weekends’ music and words are laced with contrast. A searching, a movement toward the edge, where melody, desperation, meaning, and sound meet. This is an album that turns on finding a way in to the near while moving forward to the mystical. It dares to break borders down, to move the spiritual character and even the dark character to the fore, and then go back to the center where all Radiance originates.

In “Radiance” you will hear the sonic emotional rays from a band that stylistically and musically rests well in itself and sends out its light to the darkest corners. The band’s music, sound and radiance has, along the road, already produced positive mention in Gaffa. The reporter gave the band’s debut concert at Loppen five stars under the title “Emotion’s Parallel Universe.

That Universe is open from the 30th of September when Radiance is released digitally and on vinyl featuring “What’s My Dream” as their debut single in North America.

Thunder Bay Singer / Songwriter / Producer Collin Clowes Releases Heartfelt “Go”

Eric Alper
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0
Thunder Bay Singer / Songwriter / Producer Collin Clowes Releases Heartfelt “Go”

Death, breakups, moves, and more separate us from people who are important before we want, sometimes before we need. But in life, people come and go.

This is the theme of Thunder Bay singer, songwriter, and producer Collin Clowes’s latest single, “Go.”

A slow, soft track, “Go” evokes the emotion of sorrowful grief. This extremely human experience is encapsulated in the tone, lyrics, and melody of the song.

Collin is responsible for writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering the track, plus did the vocals, guitar, keys, synths, drums, samples, and bass. In short, “Go” is solely a Collin creation, and it comes from a place deep inside the artist.

“The past few years have been odd, and I’ve been losing people that are really important to me,” Collin explained. “It’s constantly on my mind, so I really needed to put that grief into something.”

In “Go,” Collin discusses the difficulty of releasing someone from his life who has clearly been crucial to him for some time. To process the pain, he remembers back to the good times they had together, well before he knew their parting would come like this. But still, it kills Collin to see someone he loves so much go from his life.

“And all that I wanted is haunted by
The Things that I don’t see
And when I’m older
Maybe I won’t wanna be alone
I die inside as you watch me go”

“Go” is one-fifth of Collin’s newest EP, “Lily,” which is centered around the musician’s experience with loss. The name comes from the flower’s reputation as the “saddest flower.”

“The white represents peace, which I think, in the process of creating this EP, I found some peace and acceptance,” Collin said. “The flower represents grief, endings, dedication, and change.”

Collin has lived a tumultuous life. When he was 17, he began to have peculiar health problems that confused doctors. Answers ran thin, but his mystery illness continued to attack his liver, forcing Collin to spend tons of time in the hospital at a time when most young people are starting their adult lives.

His years-long health battle instigated his musical career, giving him the kick he needed to take the leap while he felt he still could. Several years of working in the studio, going to school for music, and playing live in Thunder Bay and Toronto culminated in 2022, when Collin released his first two Eps, starting with “Sleepy” in October 2021. “Lily” a seven-track EP about what Collin considered to be the best time of his life so far.

In the musician’s two projects from 2022, he shows listeners the two sides of life. This roller coaster is full of peaks and valleys – it is at the core of our conditions as humans to experience this juxtaposition throughout our lives. They might not all look the same, but we all have our own best and worst times filled with their own uniquely fantastic, wonderful, horrific, and terrible traits.

“I love having these projects of mine existing somewhere others can stumble upon it and feel something, hopefully something good,” Collin said. “I am also very grateful to have made this and to have people give it a chance. ‘Lily’ is a project that captured an important time in my life, and I think that’s what matters most to me right now.”

Indigenous Rapper Plex Debuts Hard-Hitting Narrative Of Disruption In Newest LP, Who Am I To Judge

Eric Alper
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Indigenous Rapper Plex Debuts Hard-Hitting Narrative Of Disruption In Newest LP, Who Am I To Judge

Truly a visionary in his craft, Plex consistently releases hard hitting hip-hop anthems reminiscent of old school rap that progress the civil rights agenda. Who Am I To Judge carries this banner proudly.

Following the release of “Great Ones (E’s Up)”, a track that topped the Indigenous Music Countdown this year, the critically acclaimed rapper debuts his newest project, Who Am I To Judge and has released the new song “Red Flags” featuring Aleah Belle. The 12-track LP is curt – corporate greed and manufactured hate are a toxin in the veins of society, condemning corrupt governments, cultural appropriation, uncanny wealth, and the toxic remnants of fake news and sinister intentions.

Plex’s tenure in the music industry is blatantly obvious. Finessed productions and clever wordplay serve as the cherry for this seasoned musician. Who Am I To Judge reflects everything that Plex believes in – and fights for.

As for the LP itself, Who Am I To Judge is a polished example of professionalism and musical integrity. Each song is built from the bottom up with a pure heart filled with discontent about worldly and civic issues. For every bone-rattling 808/kick drum combo, there is a borderline soul-crushing revelation delivered in a verse. Plex dissects his newest album, saying, “The album speaks directly about Plex’s struggles with drugs and alcohol, the evolution of hip hop, cultural appropriation, and the state of the planet – all while pondering what it may take to fix it.”

Who Am I To Judge features collaborations with artists from both the hip-hop and Indigenous communities, including Lady Luck, Kryple, Drezus, Touch, and Rellik. In addition, Plex worked with acclaimed artist and producer 2oolman and Cashmere Brown, known for his production on Kanye West’s Donda.

Born in Edmonton, AB and now based out of Barrie, Ontario, Plex is an award-winning hip-hop artist and producer. Plex has been a major player in the music industry for almost 30 years, Plex has raised the bar amongst his Indigenous peers. Through his influence, he has built a strong and relevant presence in Canadian Hip Hop.

Since releasing his debut solo album in 2009, Plex has toured across the US and Canada performing, teaching workshops to Indigenous youth and running his independent record label, New Leaf Entertainment. In addition, Plex’s music video “The Way It Should Be,” featured on his first album Brainstorm, has received critical acclaim from across the globe.

“The Way It Should Be” music video has screened across 30 film festivals worldwide, receiving 7 awards.

Plex is hailed has a master at his craft, titled a visionary who has dedicated his work to his community through artistic expression.

Bravo Niagara! Announces Grammy Award-Winning Yellowjackets April 29, 2023

Eric Alper
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Bravo Niagara! Announces Grammy Award-Winning Yellowjackets April 29, 2023

“…A perfectly combustible electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, postbop and contemporary jazz” — Jazz Times

Throughout their storied 43-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 26 albums, received 18 Grammy nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. Their latest album Parallel Motion was released in fall 2022 and is a true testament to the longevity and resilience of a band who debuted over 40 years ago. Consistently reinventing themselves through elevated instrumentation in their signature electro-acoustic soundscape, the current lineup showcases a collective at their prime.

Yellowjackets tickets available here.
Saturday, April 29, 2023 — 7:30pm
Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines
PRESALE: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
ON SALE: Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Bend Sinister’s Dan Moxon Embraces Being a Steady, Stay-At-Home Adult on New Single “Real Good Guy”

Eric Alper
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Bend Sinister’s Dan Moxon Embraces Being a Steady, Stay-At-Home Adult on New Single “Real Good Guy”

Being a good guy doesn’t necessarily entail grand gestures, but merely paying attention to the little things – doing the dishes, walking the dog, cooking dinner. Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Moxon catalogs all the ways he fits the bill on his new single “Real Good Guy.”

Taking its cues from easygoing ’70s soul, “Real Good Guy” features tinkling piano, joyful horns, subtle harmonies, and even some exuberant whistling as Dan basks in the reality of being a responsible member of a household. Throughout the song, there’s the sense that Dan isn’t actually trying hard to convince anyone that he’s a good guy, but that he’s instead marveling at a particular stage of life.

It’s an attitude that fits with the greater theme of Dan’s sophomore album, All My Friends. “As I started writing this album, right before the pandemic, I was struggling with the idea of leaving behind my youth and my 40s being just around the corner. I joked that every time I tried to get a friend to come to a show or meet up, they always had an excuse, or too much work, or couldn’t leave the kids at home and it became quite annoying,” Dan said. “Jump to recording the album three years later in 2022, and now I had a newborn baby girl at home, a labradoodle puppy, a new house, and all of a sudden I was the one who wasn’t going out anymore.”

In other words, Dan had become the “real good guy” he’s singing about. “We can all feel a bit of the struggle to get back to our social lives after more than two years of the pandemic,” Moxon said. “But sometimes it’s ok to just sit back on the couch and watch a movie instead.”. All My Friends is an album that captures this conundrum of drifting from young adulthood to real-deal adulthood, and the feeling of leaving friends behind, dealing with the requisite relationship struggles, as well as the challenges of making the time to be together.

Dan is a Vancouver-based singer/songwriter who is best known for fronting the band Bend Sinister, who have released eight albums and toured all over North America and Europe. He’s been performing, singing, and playing piano for more than 20 years, and he also loves cats. Between shows and musical endeavours, Dan restores and sells mid-century modern furniture.

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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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