The Dream Machine return to the spotlight with the announcement of their third studio album, ‘Fort Perch Rock’, set for release on February 27, 2026, via Run On Records. Accompanying the news is their latest single, “Flowers On The Razor Wire,” a high-octane rush of new wave rock written in Berlin and heavily inspired by the legacy of The Ramones. The track marks a stylistic shift toward radio-ready melodies following the band’s previous underground long-players. Lead vocalist Zak McDonnell reveals the song’s origins can be traced back to an erotic graphic novel discovered in a second-hand antique shop, blending his fascination with 70s punk and modern guitar influences like The Strokes.
The 12-track album, recorded and self-produced between the Wirral and Liverpool, serves as a tribute to the coastal life and lost arcades of the band’s hometown, New Brighton. The project will be available on multiple formats, including a special edition butterfly effect vinyl that features a bonus glow-in-the-dark 7-inch EP of covers paying homage to Motown legends The Shirelles. This record sounds like a defiant and ambitious evolution of the band’s sound, moving from the psychedelic sprints of the title track to the sophisticated gloom of their most recent work. Following a grassroots UK run in late 2025, the band is set to celebrate the launch with their biggest headline shows to date this spring.
Tim Maycox returns under his Wooden Tape alias to release his second album ‘Wool’ through God Unknown Records. This collection follows his 2023 debut ‘Music From Another Place’ and functions as a sonic photo album of childhood memories from 1970s Liverpool. The music uses synth pads, chiming acoustic guitars, and treated percussion to create a personal mythology. Released on 180gm green vinyl, the project captures a specific era before Maycox and his family moved away from the city. This record sounds like a beautifully constructed work of musical hauntology that sparkles with a kind of healing magic.
The album transports listeners to a period of double-decker buses, diesel fumes, and sticky summer heat. Maycox recreates a world defined by market trips for plastic Zorro swords and the specific local delight of a Dracula lolly ice. These memories are trapped in the amber tint of Ektachrome and translated into experimental electronica. Critics identify the work as a clockmaker’s ambient piece that demands full attention to embrace its deep inner beauty. The acknowledgement of both present and past is effortless as the songs thumb through the pages of this audio photo album.
‘Wool’ conjures a liminal space between memory and imagination with nods to acoustic folk and the classic output of Warp Records. Maycox meticulously crafts each arrangement to reflect the transition from a Liverpool childhood into a new chapter. The result is a body of work without side or cynicism that remains both intimate and vulnerable. It serves as a definitive document of an artist exploring his own history through sophisticated sound design and heartfelt melody. This release ensures that these fleeting moments of the 1970s are preserved for a modern audience to explore.
Waxahatchee and frequent collaborator MJ Lenderman officially announce an eighteen-city co-headline tour scheduled for the spring of 2026. The trek begins April 13 at Symphony Hall in Atlanta and travels through major venues including Massey Hall in Toronto and the Beacon Theatre in New York. Both artists will perform solo sets independently and join one another for collaborative moments throughout the evening. This record sounds like a definitive celebration of their shared musical chemistry and individual growth. Nashville country artist Brennan Wedl joins the tour as the opening act for all confirmed dates.
The partnership extends beyond the stage through a collaboration with PLUS1 to support community-driven nonprofits. One dollar from every ticket sold will benefit organizations working to increase access to nutritious food and housing resources in each city on the tour circuit. This commitment to social good follows a historic period of success for Waxahatchee, whose album ‘Tigers Blood’ earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Americana Album. Rolling Stone describes Crutchfield as a master storyteller, a sentiment reflected in her recent high-profile television performances and widespread critical acclaim.
Tour Dates:
04/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Symphony Hall 04/14 – Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium 04/15 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater 04/17 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem 04/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met 04/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 04/20 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre 04/22 – Boston, MA @ Wang Theatre 04/23 – Buffalo, NY @ UB Center for the Arts 04/24 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre 04/25 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall 04/27 – Chicago, IL @ The Auditorium Theatre 04/28 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre 04/29 – Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre 05/02 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater 05/03 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre 05/05 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic 05/06 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
Toronto shoegaze revelation One Hundred Moons officially release their nine track album ‘Black Avalanche’ to guide listeners through ethereal soundscapes and introspective melodies. This body of work sits where shoegaze and dream pop overlap while leaning into long arcs of tension and a steady weight. The album functions as a guided trip through beauty and doubt with every song creating a world of its own. This record sounds like a transportive listen that invites the audience to sink deeper into its dense and mesmerizing production with every passing minute.
The title track opens like a myth retold through static and reverb while songs such as “Death of the Party” move with a shadowed grace. Throughout the collection, the band demonstrates an expert command of atmosphere and texture that balances discordant guitars with eerie harmonies. Lyrically, the release explores sentiments of transformation and longing that remain simultaneously expansive and intensely personal. The closing track “Into Nowhere” stretches these feelings outward with distortion and reverb blooming into something cinematic and infinite.
This record represents a bold step into new territory for the band by combining the emotional gravity of Radiohead with the haze of My Bloody Valentine. The group captures a signature blend of post-rock and 90s alt-rock grit that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. ‘Black Avalanche’ is an exceptional work of art from a band clearly hitting its stride in the current shoegaze revival. It rewards the listener who lets the music play without interruption to experience the full scale of its cosmic and human emotion.
Southern California’s Dayseeker officially unveil their forthcoming headline tour of North America set for May 2026. The trek begins May 1 in New York and continues through May 30 in San Diego with support from Northlane, Wind Walkers, and sace6. This run marks the first headlining circuit in support of their seventh studio album ‘Creature In The Black Night’ which arrived this past October. The project debuted at number 1 on the Alternative Albums chart while the lead single “Pale Moonlight” climbed into the Top 10 at rock radio.
The band expresses deep excitement for the opportunity to bring this new era to life on stage. “This is our first headlining tour for our new album, Creature In The Black Night, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring some of these songs to life in our live show with a stacked lineup,” the band shares. This record sounds like an immersive and cinematic masterpiece that prioritizes emotional truth and sonic innovation. Audiences can expect a high-energy performance that highlights the band’s growth and artistic vision through every chapter of the new record.
The month-long tour features 20 shows across major halls and theatres including stops in Buffalo, Kansas City, and a five-date run in Canada. Fans can catch the band at iconic venues such as The Pageant in St. Louis and the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. This tour serves as a triumphant celebration of a banner year for the group as they continue to build their global legacy. Ticket sales are currently underway for all confirmed dates through major digital platforms.
Republic Live has revealed the massive 2026 lineup for the Boots and Hearts Music Festival at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte. The event returns from August 7 to 9 with a new three-day format designed to elevate Canada’s largest country music and camping experience. GRAMMY-winning icons The Chicks make their festival debut as the Saturday night headliner while Rascal Flatts close out the weekend on Sunday. This record sounds like the most electrifying edition of the festival to date with a mix of legendary stars and rising global voices.
The Friday schedule features Russell Dickerson on the Main Stage along with a heavy emphasis on Canadian talent. Multi-JUNO Award winner Brett Kissel headlines the Front Porch Stage while the James Barker Band makes a return to the Main Stage on Sunday. This weekend offers a well-rounded roster including first-time appearances from Tucker Wetmore, Jessie Murph, and Dasha. “There’s nothing like the road to Boots,” shares co-founder Eva Dunford. “Every aspect of our festival has been elevated to celebrate the spirit, community and connection that make Boots and Hearts the most unforgettable weekend.”
Fans can access new premium experiences for 2026 with the introduction of the Daisy Duke’s Deck VIP+ and the Front Porch VIP area. These upgrades provide elevated viewing and luxury services for those seeking a world-class festival environment. All ticket types including weekend passes and camping options are available now at the official festival website. As an eight-time CCMA Country Festival of the Year winner, Boots and Hearts continues to set the standard for live music in Canada. The August long weekend remains the definitive gathering for the loyal community known as the BootsLife.
Six-time GRAMMY-winning musician and producer Don Was announced new tour dates for his latest group, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. The ensemble is touring in support of their new album ‘Groove in the Face of Adversity’, which arrived recently via Mack Avenue Records. This project channels the soul of the Motor City through a blend of steamy jazz, juke-joint blues, and loose-limbed funk. Performances will feature material from the new record alongside a live rendition of The Grateful Dead’s ‘Blues for Allah’ to honor the fiftieth anniversary of that landmark album.
The Pan-Detroit Ensemble features a roster of top-tier jazz musicians from Don’s hometown, including longtime collaborator Dave McMurray and Oscar-winning keyboardist Luis Resto. Don Was describes the sound as a reflection of the people and culture of the entire city. “There’s a unique sound and feel to Detroit that permeates the music in a way that resonates all over the globe,” says Was. “There’s a rawness, a lack of pretension, and an unmistakable underlying groove.” This record sounds like a timeless and deeply personal exploration of Detroit’s musical heritage.
The tour continues through the spring with upcoming stops at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and the Phillips Center PAC in Orlando. Was brings five decades of experience to the stage, having produced iconic albums for The Rolling Stones and Bonnie Raitt while serving as the longtime head of Blue Note Records. The ensemble creates a live experience that balances sophisticated jazz arrangements with an unpretentious, gritty groove. Fans can catch the group across the southeastern United States before they head to the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville this March.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Feb 10 – Sarasota, FL @ The Venue at Harvest House
Feb 11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
Feb 12 – Clearwater, FL @ The Capitol
Feb 13 – Orlando, FL @ Phillips Center PAC at Judson’s Hall
Feb 14 – St. Augustine, FL @ Fort Mose Historic State Park
Dena Monticone, the Fairfax-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter known for her genre-defying approach to rock and pop, releases her compelling new single “Beyond the Dawn” today across all major streaming platforms. The track showcases Monticone’s evolution as a solo artist, handling all instruments and production duties to create an intimate yet powerful statement on the complexity of letting go.
“Beyond the Dawn” emerged from a place of profound personal reckoning. Monticone wrote the song following a conscious decision to step back from a complicated friendship and creative relationship. The single captures the dichotomous nature of moving forward while still feeling tethered to the past, a theme she explores through layered instrumentation including vocals, guitar, keyboard/synth, percussion, and a haunting train whistle that punctuates key moments. As she declares in the chorus: “He let me go / Now I am gone / He let me go / Beyond the dawn,” the repetition builds into a mantra of both acceptance and longing.
Working as her own producer under her Sun Rock Records label, Monticone crafted every element of “Beyond the Dawn” with meticulous attention to emotional authenticity. The production process allowed her complete creative control, resulting in a sound that blends alt-rock grit with pop sensibility. Her lyrics cut to the heart of feeling diminished yet unable to completely sever emotional ties: “Now I am poor / Now I am broken / Now I feel stupid / And I still want more.” The song’s structure mirrors this internal conflict, building tension through verses before releasing into the hypnotic chorus refrain.
Monticone’s journey to this moment has been marked by unwavering dedication to her craft. Born in Fairfax County, Virginia to a Greek mother and Italian father, she began accordion lessons at age six with renowned player Dale E. Wise. Despite her classical training, rock music always called to her loudest. After seeing The Dandy Warhols perform on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, she knew songwriting was her destiny. Though accepted to Berklee College of Music, she instead took a full ride to George Mason University as a University Scholar, graduating with a 3.82 GPA in mathematics with a philosophy minor before pursuing her master’s in philosophy.
Throughout her academic career, music remained her true north. After graduation, Monticone committed fully to songwriting, ultimately creating over 300 original compositions. Her creative process often begins with accordion, though she composes on guitar and keys as well, incorporating her accordion expertise into many tracks. She cites an eclectic range of influences spanning The Dandy Warhols, System of a Down, Fastball, Roxy Music, and the Grateful Dead, among others. This diverse palette informs her distinctive sound, one that refuses to be confined to a single genre designation.
“Beyond the Dawn” also represents Monticone’s response to feeling misunderstood. The lyrics reference a relationship where connection seemed real: “It was nothing / Or so he’d say / But how many times did he say / ‘Hey, you made my day’?” This tension between perceived intimacy and dismissal drives the emotional core of the track. The phrase “beyond the dawn” itself carries dual meaning, suggesting both permanent departure and the romantic notion of eternal devotion waiting in the distance, capturing the push and pull of complicated feelings.
The single arrives as Monticone continues to build her artistic community across the United States, collaborating with fellow musicians including Conor Batts in New York on The Cathedral of Maybe project and Conor Batts, Carlos C-los Jimenez (from Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Alex Naupari (stationed in Fairfax currently) on their “Same New Behavior” project. Alex Naupari and her continue to jam as a duo, as well. And C-los and her have collaborated separately, too. Her ability to transform personal experience into universally resonant rock anthems speaks to both her technical skill and emotional courage. “Beyond the Dawn” stands as her most direct and unflinching work yet, an invitation for listeners to sit with discomfort and find strength in moving forward.
The single is available now on all major streaming platforms, ready to connect with anyone who has ever struggled to reconcile heart and mind.
Taylor Jo, the genre-bending country artist from Neffs, Ohio, officially announces the release of her debut EP, “4394JO,” out now. A raw fusion of Americana, outlaw, folk, and bluegrass, the project is anchored by the lead single “What Do You Want From Me,” a defiant confrontation of deceit and romantic games. Blending her identity as a frontline nurse by day and a neurodivergent voice in country by night, Taylor Jo crafts a sound that is as relatable as it is gritty, capturing the true spirit of small-town Ohio.
The title “4394JO” is a deeply personal nod to her roots, combining the zip code of her hometown, Neffs (43940), with her middle name. The album serves as a sonic map of her life, with artwork featuring the street she grew up on, the bar where she played her first gig, and even the location of a past DUI. “Nothing on this album was invented,” Taylor Jo shares. “It is all real life, even the parts I didn’t think I wanted anyone to know”. From the opening track “Livin’ Out Of A Change Jar”—designed to introduce listeners to her personal history—to songs written on her bedroom floor, the record is an unfiltered look at poverty, grief, and healing.
For Taylor Jo, music has always been a survival mechanism. “I make music for the version of me who didn’t think she’d survive,” she says, noting that these songs were her therapy long before she spoke her truths out loud. The project also serves as a powerful platform for mental health and neurodivergent advocacy, reflecting her lived experience with Autism and ADHD. This authenticity has fostered a thriving online community of over 40,000 TikTok followers who tune in to witness her use “music as medicine”. Whether she is writing about the frustration of a job she hated in “Sick of This Shift” or paying tribute to her late best friend in “Ally’s Song,” her goal remains to help others feel less alone.
The recording process at Tony’s Treasures studio in Cadiz, Ohio, saw this intimate voice memos transformed into high-quality productions under the guidance of producers Mark Puskarich and Cody Romshak. Taylor Jo is backed Roger Hoard on guitar, Jan Roll on drums, bassist John “Buck” Allemond, and Jonathan H. Warren on fiddle and Anna Blanton on fiddle and mandolin, who together bring over 150 years of collective performing experience to her live shows. Having already shared stages with country stalwarts like Joe Nichols and Whey Jennings, Taylor Jo is ready to bring her “messy truth” to audiences across the region.
Fans can experience the raw energy of Taylor Jo and The Copper Creek Band live during their upcoming 2026 tour dates:
February 14, 2026: Elm Grove Eagles Steak Fry – Elm Grove, WV (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
June 13, 2026: Elm Grove Eagles – Elm Grove, WV (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Renowned singer-songwriter Donita Large is set to redefine the contemporary musical landscape with the release of her highly anticipated full-length album, The Ancestors, out now. A lifelong performer who has graced prestigious stages like Carnegie Hall, Donita’s solo journey has been nothing short of meteoric. As a Cree artist, her artistry is rooted in tradition and the stories of the land, and is ignited by a modern signature style, which she describes as “folk with Indigenous sizzle”.
The creation of The Ancestors is a masterclass in collaboration, bringing together industry legends to craft a sound that is both timeless and urgent. Donita partnered with Grammy winning producer Chris Birkett and the versatile musical artistry of Anthony King to produce a record that seamlessly blends a landscape of folk, blues, rock, country, and Cree traditional sounds. Recorded across studios in Toronto, Los Angeles, and ending at Riverdale Recorders in Edmonton, the album features a band of world-class musicians whose collective artistry creates an unforgettable auditory experience. This record represents a defining moment in Donita’s evolution, merging her powerful low range and spine-chilling high notes with compelling narratives that resonate in your body and soul.
Listeners are taken on an auditory journey throughout this evocative track list starting with “Sweetgrass”, a gentle acoustic invitation on balance, gratitude, and ancestral guidance. Layered with warm guitar, deep upright bass tones, hand drum heartbeats, Donita’s heartfelt vocals of “Mind, body, and spirit / All connected as one” are not just words; they are a bridge to her Cree traditions, communicating a path to healing and spirit.
The album’s depth is further showcased through technical and creative milestones: the production expertise of Chris Birkett (known for his work with Sinéad O’Connor), the masterful guitar work and co-production of Anthony King, and a powerful, rearranged cover of rock anthem “Run to the Hills” features L.A. based Derek Frank on bass and Matt Hankle on drums. Every note on this record is intentional, designed to celebrate the strength and memory of the Indigenous experience.
Thematically, The Ancestors is a profound exploration of truth, reconciliation, and guise of reconciliation and “After The Battle” is a song that questions all leaders who choose attack, as there are no real winners in the human cost of conflict. This song pulls you in with a haunting chant with the storytelling power of a post battle film scene. Donita’s lyrical writing calling for humility, unity, and a deeper understanding that we are all interconnected, is both poignant and embedded with ancestral wisdom. In the moving track “Kokom” (Grandmother), she explores the enduring love we feel when loved ones pass on and wish we had listened more, and if only we could “rewind our song”.
This album stands as a vital cultural statement and is the sonic manifestation of her commitment to her community and her craft. By honoring her ancestors and the stories of Treaty Six Territory, Donita creates a musical space where heritage is celebrated as a living, breathing force. The Ancestors is a powerful celebration of Indigenous strength that promises to leave a legacy in the Canadian musical canon.
To celebrate this milestone, Donita Large & The Small Band will embark on a series of live performances, beginning with a special one-night-only Album Release Concert on February 8, 2026, at the Backstage Theatre (Fringe Arts Barns) in Edmonton, AB. Fans can also look forward to a major summer performance at the RavenWood Music Festival in Sherwood Park, AB, on July 12, 2026. These shows will feature the full brilliance of the band, including Anthony King, Alan Tymofichuk, Mira Angela, Harry Gregg, and Jamie Cooper, as they bring the spirit of The Ancestors to life on stage.
