Ed Sheeran has announced a series of pop up stores around the world in celebration of the release of his new album “No.6 Collaborations Project.” Toronto fans will get a chance to purchase exclusive merchandise only being made available for two days or while supplies last. Toronto will host the only Canadian pop-up store, which will open for two days next week. It takes place at 277 Queen St. W, Toronto on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 between 10AM–7PM.
Ed Sheeran’s album “No.6 Collaborations Project” will be released July 12. The 15-track album includes collaborations from an all-star cast of Sheeran’s favorite artists including Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Khalid, Eminem, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Meek Mill and many more.
Limited edition merch will be made available exclusively at the pop-up store. Ed’s “No. 6 Collaborations Project” CD and vinyl will also be for sale. Fans who purchase two or more merch items will receive a free commemorative “No.6 in the 6ix” bandana. Fans can also take a 180 degree photo in the No.6 Collaborations Project photo booth. Other Ed Sheeran pop-ups will open around the world simultaneously with the Toronto store. For a full list of stores here.
Third Man Records is excited to announce Vault Package #41, The Go Whatcha Doin’ 20th Anniversary Remix Redux. The package is centered around a “Summer Sun” colored pressing of The Go’s 1999 LP Whatcha Doin’ (20th Anniversary Remix Edition), originally released on Sub Pop, which features Jack White on lead guitar and was remixed by White himself from the original reel-to-reel tapes at Third Man Studio. Also included in the package are pressings of the Ferdinand Attic Demos LP and the Alternate Studio Takes 7″ — both of which are comprised of entirely unreleased material — as well as a 10″ x 8″ photo book titled “The Go In Black And White.” Sign up is open now through July 31 at 12am CST.
Detroit in the heady days of 1999 was a town overflowing with electrifying and energetic bands. If one outfit seemed poised above the others to “make it”, the odds-on bet was the Go. Freshly signed to the revered indie label Sub Pop with a clutch of killer songs itching to be laid to tape, their live show was truly thrilling and all the constellations seemed perfectly aligned for their ascendence. Led by band mainstays Bobby Harlow (lead vocals), John Krautner (rhythm guitar) and Marc Fellis (drums) and rounded out by dear friends Dave Buick (bass) and Jack White (lead guitar) they tracked their debut LP Whatcha Doin’ early in the year and by the time it was released in September, multiple line-up changes piled up and momentum seemed to have dissipated. If ever there was a cult record from the genre, the city, the era…Whatcha Doin’ is it. Produced and mixed by Matthew Smith (best known for his work in Detroit psychedelic pop stalwarts Outrageous Cherry), the sounds captured in the studio were an impressionist distillation of the band’s songwriting prowess. While responsible for helping garner the band’s badass rock and roll reputation, there was sentiment amongst some that the stylistic mixing decisions on the as-released LP eschewed the band’s in-person ferocity and ultimately kept the album from catching on to a wider audience.
For years, there were disagreements, concessions, shelved albums, joint tours, buried hatchets, and confusion as to who in the hell even possessed the original master tapes. But now Third Man Records, in conjunction with Sub Pop, is proud to present the 20th anniversary remix of Whatcha Doin’.
Deep in a forest that’s three hours from Estonia’s capital, is a hidden acoustic wonder: three megaphones clustered together in an art installation known as RUUP. The megaphones act as amplifiers to enhance the sounds of the waving trees and birds singing, and listeners are invited to come to the center of the clearing to experience a unique surround sound effect reflecting the sounds of Estonia’s Võru County forest.
Global pop sensation Ava Max has tagged K-Pop superstars NCT 127 for a brand new version of her current single. “So Am I (Feat. NCT 127)” is available now at all DSPs and streaming services now.
“So Am I” has already proven a phenomenon for its universal message of acceptance and inclusivity, earning top 5 airplay across Europe along with 31 million streams in the US alone. The official video for the irresistibly catchy empowerment anthem now boasts over 60 million YouTube views HERE. Upon release, MTV News praised the song as a “big, melodic pop anthem that celebrates individuality and embracing one’s unique flaws and quirks.” Exclusive dance remixes of “So Am I” are now available from Deepend, Majestic, Jengi, Toby Green, Steve Void and Martin Jensen. Ava recently lit up the stage playing radio shows and summer concerts across North America and this past weekend, made her much-anticipated World Pride debut, embracing the message of “So Am I” which Billboard called “a defiant fight song for all the ‘misfits’ in the world,” as she celebrated with fans performing at Youth Pride and headlining the PrideFestival Tea Dance in New York City.
Recently profiled by Rolling Stone as an “Artist You Need to Know,” Ava has cemented her pop status with the success of her RIAA platinum certified hit “Sweet but Psycho” which spent three weeks in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 and peaked at #3 at USA Pop Radio. With over 650 million global streams and counting, “Sweet but Psycho,” which earned Max her first-ever Teen Choice Awards nomination for “Choice Pop Song,” is joined by an equally popular companion video, directed by Shomi Patwary (Beyoncé, The Weeknd). Watch the video which has garnered over 367 million views HERE. Produced by GRAMMY® Award-nominated super-producer Cirkut (Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd) and co-written with Madison Love (Camila Cabello), “Psycho” hit #1 on both Spotify’s “United States Viral 50” and Billboard’s “Dance Club Songs.” The stateside success of “Sweet But Psycho,” including top 5 airplay at Hot AC radio outlets nationwide, follows the track’s remarkable popularity abroad, including four consecutive weeks atop the UK Singles Chart and #1 rankings on charts in nearly 20 countries.
Ava recently spent 10 consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s “Emerging Artists” chart and has been feted with a wide range of media attention, including features in Vanity Fair, Billboard, V Magazine, FORBES, PAPER, and more. Earlier this year, she made her national TV debut with performances of “Sweet but Psycho” on The Late Late Show with James Corden, The TODAY Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
With 5.2 million Instagram followers and 1.7 million Twitter followers in tow, Seoul-based global pop powerhouse NCT 127 has shaken up the K-pop world since their 2016 mega-hit “Fire Truck” with their unique and conceptually-progressive artistry (“Limitless,” “Cherry Bomb”). In October, the breakout boy band was tapped by Apple Music as the Up Next artist of the month, the first-ever K-pop act to take the coveted title. In addition, they were Billboard’s first K-pop act to hit No. 1 on the Emerging Artist Chart, Rolling Stone’s 2018 “K-pop Artist to Watch,” and declared to be “leading the next generation of K-pop” by the Los Angeles Times. Charting above the world’s biggest artists including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez on Billboard’s Social 50, the talented group delivers more of an experience than just a performance every time they hit the stage. Known for mixing genres, NCT 127- combines sounds in pop, R&B, hip-hop and Latin trap. NCT 127 made their U.S. TV debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live“ with “Regular,” their all-English hit song which was included in Apple’s Best of 2018 playlist. Most recently, they secured their highest charting collection with their new EP, NCT #127 WE ARE SUPERHUMAN, reaching a peak of no. 11 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The release found itself atop a variety of additional charts including no. 1 on the World Albums chart, no. 1 digital album of the week and no.1 internet album of the week.
Musician David Gray sat down in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room and turned in a spirited cover version of the 1986 Peter Gabriel hit Sledgehammer. If you like this version, go seek the rest of David’s original music out – you won’t be disappointed.
By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the innovative future, Gibson proudly presents the Joan Jett ES-339 in Wine Red. Calling on nearly two years of touring research and development with Joan, the signature Joan Jett ES-339 guitar premieres as Gibson approaches the next era of shaping sound for past, present and future generations.
Joan Jett is an icon for all that is righteous in rock ‘n’ roll. From her pioneering spirit, to her visionary outlook on what it means to be an artist, Joan continues to inspire human beings from all walks of life. The new Joan Jett ES-339 guitar features a thermally-engineered chambered maple centerblock and thermally-engineered Adirondack Sprucebracing, a radical first for Gibson ES guitars. The control assembly is hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors and is paired with our Burstbucker 2 and Burstbucker 3 humbucking pickups. From sweet to rude, the tonal capabilities of the Joan Jett ES-339 guitar are truly limitless. The stunning AAA figured maple veneers are finished in Wine Red for a look that will always make a statement. The Joan Jett ES-339 will be produced in a very limited run of only 150 guitars available worldwide, with the first 50 hand-signed by Joan. Each instrument will come with a Gibson Joan Jett Signature hardshell case and custom Joan Jett certificate of authenticity.
When Frank Zappa’sOrchestral Favorites was eventually released in 1979 as part of fulfilling his contract with his contentious former label, the album was dumped into the world along with several other titles without the legendary musician’s permission or quality control. It did not include liner notes or credits and the artwork and audio wasn’t approved by Zappa who publicly criticized it as not being up to his standards. As a result of not receiving any promotion, it was quickly relegated to the bargain bin shortly after its release.
Four decades later, in celebration of the long-beleaguered album’s 40th anniversary, the Zappa Family Trust is righting this wrong and presenting Orchestral Favorites with the audiophile detail and respect it deserves to commemorate the historical event that took place at UCLA’s Royce Hall in September 1975 where the compositions were recorded. On August 30th, Zappa Records/UMe will release a 40th anniversary 3CD deluxe edition featuring brand new proper hi-fi transfers of the original tapes, a newly created cover, and extensive liner notes from Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers and former Zappa bandmate Terry Bozzio who recounts performing at the concerts and provides some unique illustrations for the collection. The beautiful packaging includes proper musician credits for the first time and a wealth of stunning rare and never-before-seen photos of the event from the estate’s archives.
Produced by Ahmet Zappa and Joe Travers, the comprehensive collection will include the original album plus the entire evening performance from September 18, 1975 spread across two additional discs. After extensive searches in the Vault, the elusive master tone reel, the essential component that contains the alignment tones that help set up the playback of the master tapes that Zappa reportedly did not provide when he turned in the album, was found, allowing the Zappa Family Trust to present the audio as originally intended. Coupled with new hi-res transfers from the original tapes and mastering by Bob Ludwig, the music sounds the best it ever has. The bonus concert features brand new 2019 mixes by Craig Parker Adams from the original 2″ 24-track masters. The digital deluxe, which mirrors the 3CD version, includes an instant grat download of a first-time available version of “Revised Music For Low-Budget Symphony Orchestra.”
Orchestral Favorites will also be released on vinyl featuring the original album mastered by Bernie Grundman and the newly generated anniversary art and cover. It will be pressed at Furnace MFG on 180-gram audiophile grade black vinyl.
In September 1975, in between trying out new band members and preparing for tour, Zappa scheduled an event at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Using his own budget with funds from the surprise hit single “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow,” he hired a roughly 37-piece orchestra with the intention to hear his orchestral music played. As Travers details in the liner notes, “Frank supervised everything, hired sound and lights, mixed the front of house sound at times, conducted the orchestra on occasion, and played guitar with them. The program repertoire consisted of complex and challenging music that originates from all time frames of FZ’s career. Older themes that predate the original Mothers Of Invention, to brand new pieces hot off the pen, mixed in with some good ol’ FZ directed improvisation.”
The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Michael Zearott and made up of various live and studio musicians, most of which who had previously worked with Zappa on one of his many projects. They were assembled with the help of Mike Altschul and Earle Dumler who played on The Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawakaalbums. Other familiar names included: Bruce Fowler, Dave Parlato, Ian Underwood, Malcom McNab and Terry Bozzio. Zappa and the orchestra rehearsed for several days, had an afternoon recording session and performed two shows in two nights.
The original album was derived from recording sessions in the afternoon without an audience which was then meticulously edited together by Zappa using a razorblade. Highlights from the record include “Strictly Genteel,” part of the finale piece from 200 Motels, the new composition “Pedro’s Dowry,” a song Zappa wrote instead of going on vacation and famously exclaimed upon completion, “that’s the best vacation I ever went on,” and the first appearance of the megacomposition “Bogus Pomp.” The bonus content on the deluxe edition is filled with nearly two hours of previously unreleased material and contains the entire evening performance from September 18, 1975 complete with Zappa’s song introductions and stories. Some of the many standouts include an off-the-cuff version of the classic “Black Napkins,” an on-the-fly attempt of “The Adventures of Greggery Peccary,” and the kind of exciting improvisations that became one of Zappa’s trademarks.
Zappa re-worked Orchestral Favorites for CD in 1991 and it has subsequently been reissued several times after his death but with the new master finally matched to the project tone reel, this is the first time the album has ever been presented how the late, great artist intended. Sounding better than it ever has, fans can enjoy this special and historical event in Zappa history in a new way, with the Royce Hall performances sounding as fresh as they did 44 years ago.
The Zappa Family Trust and UMe are also excited to announce they will reissue Zappa’s classic compilation album Mothermania on vinyl to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The album was made by Zappa in 1969 as a response to the many compilations that were being put out with the same material. He decided to release his own version and used exclusive edits and mixes of Mothers of Invention tracks from the albums Freak Out!, Absolutely Free and We’re Only in It for the Money. The record includes different mixes of “The Idiot Bastard Son” and “Mother People.” The vinyl, which has been out-of-print since 1972, has been mastered from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman and is being pressed on 180-gram black vinyl by Furnace MFG.
ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES – 4OTH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION Disc 1 – Original Album 1. Strictly Genteel 2. Pedro’s Dowry 3. Naval Aviation In Art? 4. Duke Of Prunes 5. Bogus Pomp Bonus Track 6. Strictly Genteel (Keyboard OD Version)
Disc 2 – Performance From September 18, 1975 1. Show Star/Bogus Pomp Explained 2. Bogus Pomp 3. Revised Music For Low-Budget Symphony Orchestra 4. The Story Of Pedro’s Dowry 5. Pedro’s Dowry 6. The Story Of Rollo 7. Rollo
Disc 3 – Performance From September 18, 1975 (continued) 1. Black Napkins Instructions 2. Black Napkins 3. Dog/Meat 4. The Players 5. Naval Aviation In Art? 6. “Another Weirdo Number” 7. Lumpy Gravy (Extract)/Improvisation 8. Evening At The Hermitage 9. “A Special Guest Artist” 10. Duke Of Prunes 11. “Absolutely Disgusting” 12. The Adventures Of Greggery Peccary 13. Strictly Genteel
MOTHERMANIA SIDE A 1. Brown Shoes Don’t Make It 2. Mother People 3. Duke Of Prunes 4. Call Any Vegetable 5. The Idiot Bastard Son
SIDE B 1. It Can’t Happen Here 2. You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here 3. Who Are The Brain Police? 4. Plastic People 5. Hungry Freaks, Daddy 6. America Drinks And Goes Home
SiriusXM announced today that Madonna will launch an exclusive limited-run SiriusXM music channel, “Madonna’s Madame X Radio,” on Monday, July 1.
Madonna’s Madame X Radio will showcase music from Madonna’s globally-celebrated, multi-award-winning and legendary career, including her critically-acclaimed latest ninth No. 1 album Madame X. The channel will also feature exclusive stories from Madame X and chronicles her legacy, the making of her songs and her commitment to bringing the world closer through the exploration of cultures and music.
Following Madonna’s much-anticipated Pride Island appearance in New York City, SiriusXM’s Madonna’s Madame X Radio will launch on Monday, July 1 at 12:00 pm ET and run through Wednesday, July 31 on SiriusXM radios (ch. 4), the SiriusXM app and web player. Fans can now immerse themselves in a true 24/7 Madonna experience by simply tuning in.
“This channel brings you into the intricate world of Madame X,” says Madonna. “You’ll learn more about the creative process behind my latest album and gain a deeper understanding of what drives me as an artist and a performer.”
“Madonna is an artist who is the very definition of a musical and cultural icon. Her voice, songwriting, performances, and life’s work has made her a universal force. Along the way she has created some of the most creative and biggest-selling albums of all time. Our exclusive channel celebrating Madonna is a truly comprehensive deep dive into the music of one of the world’s most legendary artists,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.
Influenced creatively by living in Lisbon, Portugal over the past several years, Madame X is a collection of 15 new songs influenced by art and politics coming together. Madonna is getting ready to embark on a series of rare and intimate concert performances to take place exclusively in theaters, giving fans an opportunity to see her perform in an environment like they never have before. The Madame XTour will kick off September 12th.Tickets and further information are available at www.madonna.com/tour.
SiriusXM subscribers are able to listen to Madonna’s Madame X Radio, (ch. 4), on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, Amazon Alexa devices, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to www.SiriusXM.com/streaming to learn more.
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider recently launched his first ever podcast, “See What Happens,” now available on streaming platforms.Hosted by Schneider and wife, Patricia Maya, the weekly show features occasional guests—from the duo’s Hollywood friends to their gardener—while dissecting show business, their contrasting parenting methods, jokes, good food, philosophy, and more. The podcast premiered on June 18, with new episodes available weekly.
“I love in-depth conversations. Especially about inconsequential nonsense,” says Schneider. “I’m proud to be able to bring this nonsense to people who are stuck in traffic and need a good laugh!”
A house-hold name and a bona-fide comedy star, Rob Schneider, is well known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting, and has become one of the most popular touring acts in comedy. Schneider created and stars in the Netflix comedy series “Real Rob,” which focuses on the day-to-day hijinks of the actor’s life. The series marks the first time any actor has ever written, produced, starred, directed and financed an entire season of a television show. Schneider first came to prominence on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” along with his SNL friends Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Chris Farley. Schneider has starred in some of the top comedy features of the past 20 years including “Grown Ups,” “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “Big Daddy” and ‘The Waterboy.” He also starred in the movie “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” which was the second highest grossing DVD in the US in 2000, along with “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.” Up next, Schneider will be reunited with friends, Nick Swardson and Spade, in the upcoming Netflix film “The Wrong Missy.” Schneider is currently touring across the country with Sandler on the 100% Fresher Tour.
“See What Happens” is produced by David Tanner with original music by Breed Music. All episodes can be found for free on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play and RobSchneider.com.
