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Alicia Keys Launches Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation to Empower Creativity and Community

Eric Alper
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Alicia Keys Launches Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation to Empower Creativity and Community

Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, and activist Alicia Keys announces the official launch of a new nonprofit organization inspired by her Tony Award-winning musical Hell’s Kitchen, Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation. Following successful pilot programming, the foundation recently appointed its inaugural Executive Director, Asad Ali Jafri, and is expanding its reach with a fellowship program in partnership with the Hell’s Kitchen North American tour and new education and community initiatives in New York and cities across the country.

“With Kaleidoscope Dreams, we’re creating something that makes people feel seen, heard, and inspired to believe in their own stories. We want people to know: you belong here, your dreams matter, and your voice has power,” Keys shares.

“Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation is rooted in the belief that creativity is a powerful force for connection, healing, and transformation. We’re proud to build programs that expand access to the arts and support communities that have long been left out of these opportunities. We’re creating spaces where dreams can take root and thrive,” adds Executive Director Asad Ali Jafri.

Born from the energy and impact of Keys’ hit Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation was founded in 2024 to open doors, spark dreams, and create space for joy — both on and off the stage. The Foundation collaborates with local communities to build and share multi-disciplinary arts programming designed to spark creative potential. By leveraging the transformative power of the arts, Kaleidoscope Dreams partners with community-based organizations to foster belonging, educational enrichment, and professional pathways for historically underrepresented communities.

Kaleidoscope Dreams Foundation’s core work is focused on four pillars of engagement, including cultural access that offers free and curated access to Broadway shows, museums, and other cultural events; educational enrichment that provides in-school arts education and classroom resources; professional pathways with fellowships, mentorship, internships, and creative training; and community engagement that includes fostering belonging, joy, and connection through neighborhood programs.

Since its founding in 2024, the foundation has successfully piloted programs and initiatives to achieve its mission that it will continue to build upon under Jafri’s leadership, including Hell’s Kitchen 2024 Fellowship with ten fellows trained in directing, choreography, music, design, and other production fields with the Hell’s Kitchen creative team; Cultural Access Program with 3,077 students received free tickets to see Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway; and Educational Enrichment Pilot where 183 students participated in immersive arts education programs.

To support this important work and remain responsive, bold, and future-focused, Kaleidoscope Dreams is an Innovation Fund with resources to pilot new ideas, test promising strategies, and address emerging needs within its current programs or in entirely new areas of opportunity.

The Maddocks Unleash Dual Power with Double A-Side Single ‘Sheela / Liminal’

Eric Alper
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The Maddocks Unleash Dual Power with Double A-Side Single ‘Sheela / Liminal’

Still riding high from their monumental Manchester Academy 3 headline earlier this year, The Maddocks are embarking on their biggest creative feat yet; the release of their striking new double A-Side single, “Sheela / Liminal”, on 17th October 2025.

The Maddocks, comprised of George Edwards (vocals & lead guitar), Siobhán Lally (bass), Ed Gibbins (drums), and Alex Tollerfield (rhythm guitar), have captivated audiences with their high octane live performances and unique sound. In just three years of playing together, the band already have two EPs under their belts, generating acclaim from the likes of Tim Burgess and John Kennedy, and have wowed crowds across the country at festivals and multiple sold-out headline shows. Marking a bold evolution in their sound, ‘Sheela / Liminal’ sees the quartet delve deeper into a genre-blending mix of indie-pop tones and post-punk edge, matched with evocative lyricism and rich visual storytelling.

Drawing lyrical inspiration from the Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country, ‘Sheela’ loosely explores the complex, controversial figure of Ma Anand Sheela and the surreal saga of the Rajneeshpuram cult. Through dreamy guitar riffs and melodic vocals, The Maddocks craft a portrait of manipulation, devotion, and power. ‘Liminal’ flips this as the protagonist starts to question everything around them, fuelled by urgent rhythms and an anthemic chorus. Together, the tracks act as a sonic diptych: a portrait of obsession on one side, and existential drift on the other.

Both songs were written, recorded, and produced by The Maddocks, and mastered by Nick Burchall. The release will be available on all major streaming platforms, with a limited run of 7″ vinyl available exclusively at live shows and select independent retailers in Stockport and Manchester.

To accompany the release, The Maddocks will also unveil a short film-style music video. Created and produced by the band in collaboration with a close-knit creative team, and directed by longtime friend Joel Wood, the film is aesthetically rich and narratively bold, offering a visual interpretation of the themes explored in the music, further cementing The Maddocks’ reputation for storytelling beyond the song. The band say:

“We always wanted this release to be really immersive, given the strong themes across the two tracks. The music video perfectly sums up how we imagined these songs to look, but we were eager to still leave the deeper meanings up to interpretation, with even the protagonist of the story being unsure what is and isn’t real within the world they find themselves in.”

The Maddocks will headline SOUP in Manchester on 29th November to celebrate the release of ‘Sheela / Liminal’.

Country Newcomer Lakelin Lemmings Inspires with Uplifting New Single “Keep the Faith”

Eric Alper
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Country Newcomer Lakelin Lemmings Inspires with Uplifting New Single “Keep the Faith”

With a voice that feels both tender and timeless, Lakelin Lemmings steps into the spotlight with her new single “Keep the Faith” – a soaring reminder to hold on when life feels uncertain. The West Tennessee native, praised by Country Evolution as “one of country music’s most promising new voices,” delivers a song that radiates warmth, courage, and conviction, wrapped in the kind of melody that lingers long after it ends.

Written by three-time GRAMMY winner Lori McKenna alongside hitmakers Phil Barton and Jaron Boyer, and produced by Ash Bowers, “Keep the Faith” builds from gentle acoustic strums to an anthemic burst of optimism. For Lakelin, the track’s message resonated immediately. “It spoke to my own Christian faith and my belief that when days are hard, you’ve just got to keep on praying, keep on believing and keep on going,” she says.

At only 19, Lakelin’s journey already reads like a modern Nashville fairy tale. She began performing at six, recording in the city by 12, and signed her first publishing deal at 17 before joining Stone Country Records this year. Along the way, she’s earned more than 120,000 TikTok followers and attention from Holler, who recently named her one of “10 Country and Americana Artists You Need to Know.”

Following the autobiographical singles “American Dreamin’” and “Parking Lot,” “Keep the Faith” marks another defining moment for the young artist – one grounded in resilience and belief. In a world spinning faster than ever, Lakelin’s message feels refreshingly simple: no matter what’s happening around us, faith still lights the way forward.

Broadway Shines as Jonathan Groff Stars in ‘Just In Time’ Cast Album from Atlantic Records

Eric Alper
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Broadway Shines as Jonathan Groff Stars in ‘Just In Time’ Cast Album from Atlantic Records

 Atlantic Records has announced the upcoming release of JUST IN TIME (Original Broadway Cast Recording), the official companion to the six-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway smash JUST IN TIME, starring Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff as the legendary Bobby Darin.

The album is out now on all digital platforms, with physical formats following on Friday, October 24th. The album was produced by Tom Kirdahy, two-time GRAMMY winner Bill Sherman, Andrew Resnick, and Alex Timbers; co-produced, recorded, and mixed by five-time GRAMMY winner Derik Lee, with Robert Ahrens serving as executive producer.

To celebrate the announcement, two show-stopping fan favorites – “Splish Splash” and “This Could Be the Start of Something Big / Just In Time”- are available everywhere now. Performed by Groff and the original Broadway cast, both songs capture the high energy, charisma, and emotional depth that have made JUST IN TIME a Broadway sensation. Early listeners have praised the fresh, contemporary arrangements and Groff’s electrifying vocal performance, which breathe new life into these Bobby Darin classics while honoring their timeless appeal.

Developed and directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge), JUST IN TIME sees Jonathan Groff returning to Broadway as Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable life took him from teen idol to global sensation, inspiring generations of performers who followed. The great American entertainer’s meteoric journey – from soaring highs to crushing lows – is brought to life by Groff, transporting audiences into an intimate, swinging nightclub complete with a stellar ensemble cast of 11 on-stage actors, a live on-stage band performing such iconic hits as “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover,” and “Mack the Knife,” all of which were originally released by Darin on Atlantic Records’ ATCO Records imprint.

Now playing at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street), JUST IN TIME began performances Monday, March 31, 2025, and opened to critical acclaim on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The exhilarating new musical was further honored with six nominations at the 2025 Tony Awards, including “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical” (for Jonathan Groff), “Best Sound Design of a Musical,” “Best Orchestrations,” “Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical” (for Gracie Lawrence), “Best Scenic Design of a Musical,” and “Best Costume Design of a Musical.”

JUST IN TIME (Original Broadway Cast Recording) continues Atlantic Records’ long-running string of landmark Original Broadway Cast Recordings, including 2015’s GRAMMY Award-winning, RIAA Diamond-certified milestone, Hamilton, 2017’s GRAMMY Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen, 2021’s GRAMMY Award-winning Jagged Little Pill ” and 2024’s GRAMMY Award-nominated musicals, The Notebook and Suffs.

“When Bobby Darin recorded the standard ‘Lazy River’ in 1961 he wanted to present ‘an old sound made new.’ Working with Atlantic, we are excited to do exactly that as we re-introduce Darin’s catalogue to the world with Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber’s Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award-winning orchestrations, and the performances of Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff and the extraordinary cast of JUST IN TIME,” said producers Tom Kirdahy and Robert Ahrens.

“This album felt destined to be made at Atlantic,” said Craig Rosen, EVP, A&R / Label Operations and Michael Parker, SVP, A&R at Atlantic Records. “Bobby Darin is a key part of our legacy-many of his early hits were produced by our founder, Ahmet Ertegun, and recorded in our original offices. Ahmet even appears as a character in the show, which plays in the theater right below our current headquarters. Having Jonathan Groff record vocals here, just as Darin once did, brought everything full circle. We’re proud to help bring these iconic songs to life with this incredible cast and band.”

Post-Punk Legend Budgie Tells His Untold Story in New Memoir ‘The Absence’

Eric Alper
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Post-Punk Legend Budgie Tells His Untold Story in New Memoir ‘The Absence’

As a member of Big in Japan, The Slits and, most famously, Siouxsie and The Banshees and The Creatures, ‘Budgie’ became one of the era-defining drummers in the much-mythologised post punk scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Growing up in working class St Helens in the 1960s, Peter Clarke lost his mum as a young boy and it’s her ‘absence’ that haunts the pages of this book. Disenchanted with art school inLiverpool, Peter became Budgie and befriended the likes of Jayne Casey, Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Bill Drummond and other luminaires of the legendary Eric’s’ Club, before taking off for London and the big city heat of punk. Budgie’s unique technique and musical sensitivity endeared him to the all-female group The Slits, who asked him to play on their debut album Cut. Subsequent touring with former members of the Sex Pistols and others from the post punk aristocracy firmly established Budgie’s reputation for innovation.

But the beating heart of this painfully honest and frank account of a life often sabotaged by substance abuse and alcoholism is, of course, his long-term position as Siouxsie and The Banshee’s drummer and co-writer alongside ex-lover, and ex-wife, Siouxsie Sioux. In the Banshees and seminal side project The Creatures, their creative partnership produced some of the most seductive and celebrated pop music of the decade, from Juju, through A Kiss in the Dreamhouse to the salutary valedictory album, Peepshow. Eventually, their personal relationship started to fall apart, with inevitable consequences for both bands. The Absence is brave and unflinching in its dissection of how and why this happened. Angels emerged, many of them female, to show Budgie that a mother’s lost love can be replaced.

A man and musician whose creativity and singular style came to define the goth-pop 1980s as much as any other individual, Budgie’s life is both fabulously glamorous and a tawdry cautionary tale. For the first time the story of this most exalted and mysterious of bands has been told by one who survived inside the belly of the beast.

Rising Indie Rockers The Rogues Drop Electrifying New Single ‘Oh Gena’

Eric Alper
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Rising Indie Rockers The Rogues Drop Electrifying New Single ‘Oh Gena’

The Rogues are a 5-piece indie rock band from Newport, South Wales who are quickly cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging new bands on the scene.

The band is made up of Andrew Flannelly on  Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar, Alex Ainsworth on Lead Guitar & Keys, Ben Slade on Bass Guitar,  James Mundy  on Drums & Percussion and  Rhodri Eley on Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals. 

Formed in 2022, the young 5 piece have been making waves ever since with their second single ‘Skinny Dipping’  from 2023 being featured on the BBC Radio Wales A-List for 3 consecutive weeks and also being featured on national television during Match of The Day. 

The band’s debut EP ‘1963 (Live at Rockfield Studios)’ was recorded in October 2023 with legendary producer Nick Brine (Oasis, The Stone Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Ash & The Darkness)  The lead title track from which entered the Official UK Physical Singles Chart at No. 3 within a week of release.

2025 has been a busy year for The Rogues seeing them being named as one of This Feelings ‘Big in 2025’, as well as gracing festival stages this summer such as the Isle of Wight Festival, supporting indie legends Dodgy and Welsh rockers Cardinal Black as well as selling out their own headline gigs.

The band are now gearing up to release one of their biggest numbers to date with the long time live fan favourite ‘Oh Gena’.

‘Oh Gena’ is a sonically woven tapestry of funky bass notes, melodic grooves and insanely catchy guitar riffs. The track feels effortless in its composition despite its intricacies really showcasing the talent of the band. The lyricism is allowed to infiltrate the melody with no one element looking to outshine the other making for a perfectly produced anthem sure to excite and resonate with the masses.   

Frontman Andrew arrived at practice with the lyrics & vocal melody already in the works like he does with most tracks. The groovy bassline & drums were written without any hesitation, providing a unique spine to the track for lead guitarist Alex Ainsworth to take things to another level for the listener by weaving his infectiously dynamic lead riffs around the vocals. 

The musical inspiration behind this track comes from our subconscious love of raw, organic rock n roll. We didn’t discuss much during the process, in a way we stumbled upon its feeling and it wrote itself.“

‘Oh Gena’ was composed collectively by The Rogues with the lyrics being written by Andrew Flannelly. The track was recorded in Newport, South Wales with producer Richard Jackson in the summer of 2025. 

Irish Punk-Funk Rebels Def Nettle Roar Back with Fierce New Single ‘Nothing For It’

Eric Alper
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Irish Punk-Funk Rebels Def Nettle Roar Back with Fierce New Single ‘Nothing For It’

After a year-long hiatus following the release of their debut album DN001 in February 2024, punk-funk band Def Nettle, fronted by prolific musician Glen Brady, triumphantly returned to the Irish music scene with folktronic single ‘Get Me Here’ earlier this year, remixed by renowned Dublin producer DJ Arveene, and the powerful stomper single ‘Headwrecker’, earning airplay on BBC Radio 6, RTÉ 2FM, Red FM, Louder Than War and Total Rock, alongside coverage in the likes of The Daily Star and Hot Press.

Upcoming single ‘Nothing For It’ explores anxiety, disorientation, resentment, and the overwhelming sensation of release, where the uneasiness of the verses are followed by an epic discharge of choruses, in true Def Nettle fashion. Blending nostalgic retro-futurism with a raw, unfiltered edge, the single pushes back against fabricated festival rebellion. Instead of relying on algorithms or performative activism to propel egos and ‘clout’, it refuses to sell sugar-coated sentimentality.

Frontman Glen Brady says, “This is not fake folk for fake folks. This is not influencers under the influence. Pop arrangements mutate into defiant, danceable derangement. Punk is dead, actually. You killed it.  But Def Nettle is alive. There’s nothing for it”.

With pummeling drums and swirling electronic textures, ‘Nothing For It’ delivers a bold statement of intent, plunging listeners into a turbulent soundscape where raw energy collides with futuristic production. 

One of The Irish Times’ ‘New Irish Acts To Savour’ in 2023, Def Nettle released debut album DN001 to critical acclaim, with The Irish Times writing: “Much of the record explores serious life experiences, but the approach is unexpected; sometimes elements of new wave and postpunk meet a peppering of The The and Tom Waits, and while the spectre of a certain musical period in Manchester looms at times – Joy Division on Architecture, and The Smiths on War Machine (which actually features the late Andy Rourke on bass) – it strays away from being pastiche, and brings something of a vitality to well-trodden pathways.”

Brady is a Dubliner with a twist of his childhood spent in New York and a chapter of life spent in Berlin and San Francisco, working at the top of his field in every aspect of music production and performance. He has session musician credits with the likes of R.E.M., has spent 5 years as an engineer with the California State Symphony and has toured as a member of DARK with Andy Rourke (The Smiths) and the late Dolores O’Riordan, as well as having mixed their album, Science Agrees.

Country-Pop Duo 2 Lane Summer Chase Love and Freedom on New Single “Til I Found You”

Eric Alper
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Country-Pop Duo 2 Lane Summer Chase Love and Freedom on New Single “Til I Found You”

Soulful country-pop duo 2 Lane Summer are back with the release of their new single and official music video for “Til I Found You,” a heartfelt anthem that radiates hope, love, and everything in between. The song highlights the unmistakable vocal chemistry of Joe Hanson and Chris Ray, whose harmonies have been called “bold and beautiful” by Billboard, and once again capture the heart and spirit that define the duo’s sound.

Produced by Ash Bowers and written alongside Mike Mobley and Martin McDaniel, “Til I Found You” delivers an emotional spark that reminds us all that love can still surprise you when you least expect it. For Joe and Chris, the track hits home in a big way. “We resonated with this song because Chris and I are both in love with our girls,” says Joe. “It’s a testimony about how finding the right person changes your world and makes you better.”

The music video, directed by Sam Aldrich, was filmed along the legendary Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, bringing the story to life with the kind of rugged beauty and Americana spirit that 2 Lane Summer has built its identity around. Surrounded by classic cars and open desert skies, the duo captures the feeling of freedom, nostalgia, and destiny all at once. “Shooting on Route 66 was really awesome,” says Chris. “It was cool to perform on that road and feel the history under our feet.”

The filming was part of a two-week road trip from Tennessee to California and back, where Joe and Chris traveled through nine states, meeting fans and finding inspiration along the way. With nearly 700,000 social media followers, over 14.5 million total streams, and a debut EP The Love Songs under their belt, 2 Lane Summer’s journey continues to gain momentum—proving that great music, true stories, and a little bit of road dust still make for the best kind of love song.

Djo Drops Stunning Cover of Haim’s “Gasoline” After a Wild Year of Global Triumphs

Eric Alper
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Djo Drops Stunning Cover of Haim’s “Gasoline” After a Wild Year of Global Triumphs

Djo – the musical project of actor / producer / songwriter Joe Keery known for his work in blockbuster projects as Stranger Things and Fargo – released his new album The Crux earlier this year and hasn’t slowed down since then.

The record has already been named to Best of 2025 lists by Rolling Stone, SPIN Entertainment Weekly, and more, and since its release Djo has been on an entirely sold-out international tour, made his Coachella and Glastonbury debuts, performed on both Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “End of Beginning” has gone 3x Platinum, and the album has been streamed almost 100 million times. During his global tour, Djo stopped by Australia’s Triple J for a “Like A Version” session, and today he releases his cover of Haim’s “Gasoline.”

6 Albums That Should Be Musicals

Eric Alper
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6 Albums That Should Be Musicals

Broadway has already turned albums like American Idiot and Jagged Little Pill into full-blown stage sensations, proving that great records can tell stories just as vividly as any script. Here are six more albums begging for the bright lights, big voices, and emotional chaos of the stage.

‘Born to Run’ – Bruce Springsteen
Every note is cinematic, every lyric a scene. Born to Run is the musical waiting to happen — a gritty love letter to small-town dreams, escape routes, and the open highway. Picture a stage lit by headlights and heartbreak.

‘Currents’ – Tame Impala
A psychedelic breakup journey swirling with synths and self-discovery. Currents could be a dazzling modern musical about identity, growth, and learning to dance through emotional static — neon lights and all.

‘Lemonade’ – Beyoncé
Already cinematic, Lemonade has every act, arc, and anthem a musical could want. Heartbreak, redemption, and power all tied together with a visual feast of movement and emotion — pure Broadway gold.

‘Purple Rain’ – Prince
A love story, a rock opera, a cultural revolution — Purple Rain is already halfway to the stage. Imagine an orchestra swelling under Prince’s guitar solos and the entire theatre glowing purple by the final chorus.

‘Rumours’ – Fleetwood Mac
One of the most emotionally charged albums ever made. The drama behind the music alone could fill theatres — breakups, reconciliations, and timeless harmonies. It’s basically Shakespeare with tambourines.

‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ – Lauryn Hill
Part confessional, part classroom, all soul. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill could shine as a musical about love, faith, and self-worth — where every lesson comes with a melody that stays long after the curtain falls.

Broadway, the stage is set. These albums already feel like musicals — all they need now is a curtain call and a standing ovation.

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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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