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JOHNNYSWIM Unveil Deluxe ‘When The War Is Over’ With Anthony Ramos Collab “Stranger”

Eric Alper
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JOHNNYSWIM Unveil Deluxe ‘When The War Is Over’ With Anthony Ramos Collab “Stranger”

Husband-and-wife duo JOHNNYSWIM (Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez) release the deluxe edition of their acclaimed fifth studio album When The War Is Over, featuring five new tracks including the powerful “Stranger,” a collaboration with Grammy Award-winning actor and recording artist Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, In the Heights). The release arrives just ahead of the couple’s October headline tour, which will take them across the Midwest, East Coast, and Southeast.

“Stranger” is the second of two new songs co-written with Ramos for the deluxe release – following the intimate ballad “Losing You” – and the only track on which he also joins Abner and Amanda on vocals. Written by Abner Ramirez, Amanda Sudano Ramirez, and Ramos, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Jonathan Grant Berlin, “Stranger” captures the intimacy and intensity of love’s hardest moments.

“‘Stranger’ is a song we wrote and had the joy of performing with Anthony Ramos,” JOHNNYSWIM shared. “It captures a moment every couple faces – when, after being together long enough or intensely enough, there can be times when you suddenly feel like you’re looking at a stranger. In those moments of conflict or hard conversations, it’s a reminder to say: I’m still the person who loves you, and we’re still on the same team. Even when it feels like we’re strangers, ‘I’m on your side, baby.'”

The release carries a deeply personal resonance. The duo first experienced Ramos on stage during the original Broadway run of Hamilton, an encounter that left them profoundly moved – and led to a chance meeting with Ramos’ family outside the theater that felt like fate. A year later, Ramos posted a cover of one of JOHNNYSWIM’s songs on Instagram, sparking a friendship that’s since grown into a lasting personal and creative bond. Ramos even joined JOHNNYSWIM on stage last week at The Fonda in Los Angeles to debut “Stranger” live.

The deluxe edition also features “Sweet Tangerine,” “Break My Heart (A Song For The Lodge),” and “Who’s Gonna Love Me” – the latter a fan-favorite from the archives, originally written in 2010 with Britten Newbill, revisited for its timeless tone and poignant simplicity. Together, the expanded project deepens JOHNNYSWIM’s mix of Americana, folk rock, blues, and soul while offering an intimate window into love, loss, resilience, and renewal.

Looking ahead, JOHNNYSWIM will hit the road for a fall headline tour, return with special December holiday shows, and join the inaugural Moon River At Sea Sixthman cruise in 2026.

JOHNNYSWIM 2025 Headline Tour
Sep 25 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
Oct 2 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Oct 3 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
Oct 4 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman
Oct 6 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman
Oct 7 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Ballroom
Oct 8 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe
Oct 10 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Oct 11 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Oct 13 – Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall
Oct 14 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall
Oct 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Oct 17 – Richmond, VA – The National
Oct 18 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Oct 20 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
Oct 21 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
Oct 23 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
Oct 24 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City
Oct 25 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle

JOHNNYSWIM December Dates
Dec 6 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap
Dec 8 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Cafe
Dec 9 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
Dec 11 – Wilmington, NC – Kenan Auditorium
Dec 12 – Chattanooga, TN – The Walker Theatre
Dec 13 – Charleston, SC – The Riviera Theater

XG Named Global Ambassador for Casio’s G-SHOCK Brand

Eric Alper
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XG Named Global Ambassador for Casio’s G-SHOCK Brand

Today, Casio America, Inc. announced the appointment of the internationally acclaimed hip hop / R&B girl group, XG, as the global ambassador for the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches.

Known for its bold music and powerful performances, XG consists of seven members; JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. The name XG stands for “Xtraordinary Girls,” reflecting their commitment to empowering people from all walks of life around the world through a genre-defying style that breaks conventions. With a strong global following, especially among younger people, XG is rising as a new force in international music and culture.

Having pioneered a new music genre called “X-Pop,” XG is breaking away from the conventions of J-Pop and K-Pop to create a style of their own. This spirit of originality and strength closely aligns with G-SHOCK, a unique brand known for its toughness, shock resistance, and distinctive design — making XG a natural choice as the brand’s global ambassador.

To celebrate the partnership, a special website will showcase key visuals and a promotional video featuring XG. Centered around the slogan “No Destination,” the video portrays XG boldly stepping into a new world with G-SHOCK, expressing the strength to shape one’s future without fear or hesitation. Art direction came from YAR, the creative team led by YOSHIROTTEN — one of Japan’s most promising rising artists — and delivered a bold and energetic visual experience.

 “G-SHOCK watches always remind us of how we never gave up on chasing our dreams, even when things got tough.” Said XG. “It gives us the courage to keep going and keep challenging ourselves. XG-SHOCK, let’s go!”

Additional key visuals and content will be released over time as G-SHOCK continues to share its world in collaboration with XG.


Flogging Molly Announce Salty Dog Cruise 2026 with Bad Religion, Frank Turner, and More

Eric Alper
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Flogging Molly Announce Salty Dog Cruise 2026 with Bad Religion, Frank Turner, and More

Flogging Molly and Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, are very happy to announce Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise 2026, sailing October 25-30, 2026, from Miami, FL to Cozumel, Mexico and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas aboard Norwegian Jewel.

First Round Presale Sign-Ups are available now through October 9 at 11:59 pm (ET). Final Round Presale Sign-Ups will conclude October 14 at 11:59 pm (ET). Public On-Sales begin October 16 at 2:00 pm (ET), exclusively at here.

Bookings are available for just $100 down per person when they make reservations before February 25, 2026, or while cabins last. Also, an Early Bird Perk program is available for all guests who book during the presale period. Guests who book during this period can save $100 per cabin.

Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise 2026 marks the first announced date for Flogging Molly following founding frontman Dave King’s illness earlier this year. Though Flogging Molly were forced to cancel all 2025 tour dates, the cruise sailed on as planned despite Dave and Bridget’s absence. Highlights of the sold-out voyage included Flogging Molly members performing a number of traditional Irish music sets as well as a very special Pool Deck “mega-medley” that saw members of other bands on the Salty Dog Cruise play once-in-a-lifetime covers of Flogging Molly songs and other punk rock favorites. The community of fans, cruisers, and artists came together and made the event unforgettable, and Dave and the band are excited to give back.

Thankfully, 2026 will once again see King and Flogging Molly hosting and headlining five days of non-stop music, mayhem, and unforgettable adventure as their beloved Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise charts a new course to Cozumel, Mexico, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s own paradise, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Flogging Molly will be joined onboard by a hand-picked selection of all-star special guests, including Bad Religion, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Adicts, Lucero, Spiritual Cramp, Death of Guitar Pop, The Kilograms, Beans on Toast, Pi-ata Protest, The Rumjacks, The Crombies, Catbite, Hoist The Colors, The Inciters, and more to be announced. As always, Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise 2026 will offer a fully immersive vacation experience stacked with intimate live performances, unforgettable collaborations, curated activities, and so much more.

“Hey, Salty Dog 2026 shipmates – Bridget and I are really looking forward to seeing you all,” said Dave King. “It’s just what the doctor ordered!”

The Norwegian Jewel will feature all the amenities needed to make Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise 2026 the most energized and exciting adventure at sea imaginable, with fully stocked bars on (almost) every corner, tasty dining experiences, the Pool Deck (with multiple hot tubs), the Jewel Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court, and so much more.

Beyond the onboard experience, Salty Dog Cruisers will have the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime shore excursion in Cozumel, Mexico (renowned for fantastic fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities, and exploring historic Mayan ruins) and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (offering gorgeous white sand beaches, ideal for snorkeling and swimming with pigs). Please note: Shore excursions will not be available until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing. Cruisers will be able to book an excursion upon receipt of their official booking number.

Phish’s Page McConnell Releases Ambient New Solo Album ‘Something Will Land’

Eric Alper
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0
Phish’s Page McConnell Releases Ambient New Solo Album ‘Something Will Land’

Phish keyboardist Page McConnell has shared his fourth solo album, Something Will Land, available now digitally and on audiophile-grade black vinyl via his own Keyed Records. The album arrives alongside a revealing profile of McConnell by writer Grayson Haver Currin in GQ.

An exquisite space of ambient afterglow, Something Will Land feels as if Page McConnell simply slipped behind his instruments and waited to get lost, arriving at a place for settling in amid all the world’s ever-increasing entropy. The album – which features a striking cover image by renowned conceptual artist John Baldessari – arrives just four years after the poignant pandemic meditations of 2021’s Maybe We’re The Visitors, marking the shortest gap between McConnell’s solo LPs thus far. McConnell set to work on Something Will Land almost immediately after finishing Maybe We’re The Visitors, beginning the sessions with two seemingly elementary but absolutely essential breakthroughs. First, he reconfigured his Burlington, VT studio so that, for the first time, he was able to play, record, and engineer his piano pieces entirely by himself, with no one else in the room. McConnell then decided to blend the piano with a panoply of synthesizers after having portioned them in the past. Thus, he let himself be surrounded by electronic and acoustic sounds all at once, fully immersed in the instruments.

Each of the eight gorgeous instrumentals McConnell created for Something Will Land feels like a sculptural sanctuary, a hideaway from the hustle of life and the bustle of a band that is constantly busy reinventing itself. McConnell embedded beautiful little melodies amid these long-distance hums, anchors that give these drifts local gravity. “The Trees Were Blue” begins with a series of long, luminescent tones and scrambled signals, but, in the final third of this six-minute wonder, the piano marches triumphantly through the fog, as undaunted by the journey as a stranger’s smile. Elsewhere, “Mystery Meat” feels like an earthbound echo of Brian Eno’s Another Green World, while “Borrowed Scenery” is a piece of perpetual ascendance, McConnell’s rising piano line tugging at the wobbly drones that float beneath it.

Perhaps the most cohesive solo work of McConnell’s career, Something Will Land is a deep exhalation as the sun slips past the horizon at last, a welcome comedown to where the world slows just enough to notice how beautiful your surroundings have become.

PAGE MCCONNELL

SOMETHING WILL LAND

(Keyed Records)

Tracklist:

Side A

Amaranth

Borrowed Scenery

Something Will Land

Weightless

Side B

Mystery Meat

The Trees Were Blue

Octopi

Dropping In

Chicago Indie-Rockers Ax and The Hatchetmen Announce Debut Album ‘So Much to Tell You’ and Drop New Single ‘Oasis’

Eric Alper
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Chicago Indie-Rockers Ax and The Hatchetmen Announce Debut Album ‘So Much to Tell You’ and Drop New Single ‘Oasis’

Chicago indie-rockers Ax and The Hatchetmen return with the bursting love song “Oasis” — which, yes, does include references to the legendary Britpoppers — out now via Arista Records. The upbeat new single is the band’s first release since July’s Constant Change EP and arrives alongside the news that they will release their eagerly awaited debut album, So Much to Tell You, on October 24. See the full tracklist below.

The news follows the launch of Ax and The Hatchetmen’s U.S. headlining So Much to Tell You Tour, which will kick off Wednesday, October 22nd, with a sold-out home state gig in Urbana, Illinois, and runs deep into December. There will be a brief break this month as frontman Axel Ellis wraps up his tour with The Runarounds, the rock band at the center of the fictional Prime Video high school music drama series The Runarounds, in which he costars as Neil Crosby.

Mixing chiming indie rock, ’90s power-pop, and ’60s sensibilities, “Oasis” plays like pure joy. Lifted by breezy guitar, radiant horns, jaunty drums, and a chorus of backing “oohs,” Axel sings sweetly to the object of his affection: “You’re my only motivation, no hesitation / Are you hearin’ what I’m sayin’? / You’re like a cold drink of water, out in the desert / Oh girl, you’re my oasis.”

Axel spoke on the meaning behind the new single: “‘Oasis’ is about the person you’d give it all up for in a heartbeat. No matter what or how much you’ve got going on, you’re picking up the phone if they call. When you’re with them, all of your problems and stresses fall to the wayside. Maybe it’s not even a person, maybe it’s a passion or a place that makes you feel alive.”

“The band Oasis notably referenced lots of Beatles songs in their work,” he continued, “so with this one we had fun referencing both bands in the lyrics. The song to me is somewhat of a play on songwriting and love songs in general — the bridge starts with, ‘It’s all been done before,’ which speaks on the irony of trying to write a love song that feels new in a non-derivative way. If you haven’t found something that feels like your ‘oasis’ yet, I hope it comes your way soon.”

So Much to Tell You will also include some of the already fan-favorite songs heard on the Constant Change EP, a dizzy swirl of gritty garage-rock, psychedelic jangle, and jammy dynamism brought to life in part by storied producer Jake Sinclair (Panic! At The Disco, Weezer) who not only connected the group with their hero Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes for the explosive lead single “Blurry Lights,” but also helped source a long-lost Rivers Cuomo demo for the sunny, carefree cut “7×9.” Also joining the LP tracklist are the racing bliss bomb of an early single “Stay // Honestly” and “Hotel Room,” an infectious tune that captures the ache of long-distance romance (and whose lyrics give the album its title).

Following the release of Constant Change, the band sat down for in-depth chats with The Luna Collective and Melodic Mag, and also hit the road for a summer run supporting Fitz and the Tantrums on their Man on the Moon Tour. For their current headliner, Ax and The Hatchetmen are joined by a rotating cast of talented friends: Edgehill, Kids That Fly, Foxtide, Good Boy Daisy, and John-Robert. Tomorrow, October 4, they play the Mighty Roots Music Festival in Clarksdale, MS. Experience the band’s freewheeling live chemistry at a date below, and stay tuned for their first full-length statement, the fittingly titled So Much to Tell You.

Ax and The Hatchetmen, So Much to Tell You

  1. Track 1 
  2. “Flagstaff”
  3. “Love Songs”
  4. “7×9”
  5. Track 5
  6. “Oasis”
  7. “Blurry Lights” ft. Albert Hammond Jr.
  8. “Hotel Room”
  9. Track 9
  10. “Sunscreen”
  11. “Stay // Honestly” 
  12. Track 12

Ax and the Hatchetmen Live Dates 

Oct 04 – Clarksdale, MS @ Mighty Roots Music Festival

Oct 22 – Urbana, IL @ Red Room at The Canopy Club *

Oct 29 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom ^

Oct 30 – Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress (Club Stage) ^

Nov 01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell ^

Nov 02 – Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive ^

Nov 05 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex ^

Nov 06 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent ^

Nov 08 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater ^

Nov 10 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall =

Nov 11 – Little Rock, AR @ Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack =

Nov 13 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club

Nov 14 – Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall

Nov 15 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage =

Nov 18 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall =

Nov 19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg =

Nov 21 – Chicago, IL @ Metro =

Nov 22 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre =

Dec 02 – Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse on Broadway +

Dec 03 – Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street – OKC +

Dec 04 – Austin, TX @ 29th Street Ballroom +

Dec 05 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger +

Dec 06 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada +

Dec 10 – Orlando, FL @ The Abbey –

Dec 11 – St. Augustine, FL @ Colonial Oak Music Park –

Dec 12 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar –

Dec 13 – Charleston, SC @ The Charleston Pour House – Deck –

Dec 14 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room Greenville –

Dec 16 – Portland, OR @ Dante’s

* support from Edgehill

^ support from Kids That Fly

= support from Foxtide

+ support from Good Boy Daisy

– support from John-Robert

Tokyo-Brit Punk Band STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD Debut with Anthemic Double Single ‘Don’t Back Down’ / ‘Haunted Home’

Eric Alper
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Tokyo-Brit Punk Band STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD Debut with Anthemic Double Single ‘Don’t Back Down’ / ‘Haunted Home’

JPU Records proudly announces the debut single from Tokyo-Brit punk outfit STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD. Their first double single, ‘Don’t Back Down’ backed with ‘Haunted Home’, is available worldwide from today.

The idea formed in Tokyo in 2020, STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD unites some of the Japanese punk scene’s most respected musicians with London-born vocalist Joshua (NEATZ). The line-up features guitarist and chief songwriter masasucks (FULLSCRATCH, the HIATUS, Radiots, support for Puffy AmiYumi, J-Band), drummer Masack (ex-MY FIRST STORY), and support from bassist Yoshi (GUMX), guitarists T_Wylde (PET), Sugulu (punk club organiser and okonomiyaki shop owner), and frontman Joshua, who provides vocals and lyrics.

“STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD came about out of a shared love of punk rock between two guys from opposite sides of the world,” explains Joshua. “‘Don’t Back Down’ is kind of just about that, getting on stage, raised fists and playing anthems to the people who love the same music we do. Doesn’t matter if you’re Japanese, British or anything, the music makes us who we are”

Guitarist masasucks adds: “This release takes us back to our roots, a reminder of the punk rock scene from the 90s. Hopefully this reaches a new audience and inspires another generation to keep the flame alive and to never back down!”

Despite forming during the height of the global pandemic, STRAIGHT BACK FORWARD quickly built momentum with their fearless positivity and raw sound. Their independently released demo in 2025 gained international attention from underground labels and media, paving the way for today’s official debut on UK-based JPU Records.

With support growing in Tokyo and worldwide, the band continues to throw themselves into live shows while carving out a sound that is direct, energetic, and uncompromising. It’s punk rock in its purest form.

NYC Discodelic Funk Trio Say She She Release Electrifying Third Album ‘Cut & Rewind’

Eric Alper
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NYC Discodelic Funk Trio Say She She Release Electrifying Third Album ‘Cut & Rewind’

Say She She, the punk chic discodelic funk band born in NYC, has released their third studio album. Cut & Rewind is out today on drink sum wtr, along with new single “Shop Boy.”  A slinking, sly statement on the commodification of love in the age of dating apps, Say She She elaborated on the new single here: “‘Shop Boy’ is our tongue-in-cheek nod to new wave, avant-disco, art-pop icons like Grace Jones – and the post-disco funk and R&B swagger of the Mary Jane Girls – but with a modern twist. It playfully calls out today’s dating-app swiping culture – this post-modern paradox of endless choice, commoditizing love and casting partners aside as easily as fast fashion. We tried to turn that irony into humor, teasing our desire to have it all while daring us to believe that maybe, just maybe, we can. And when we do, it all lands in the playful refrain: ‘Meet me at checkout.’”

The lead up to the release of Cut & Rewind includes Say She She’s late-night TV debut, performing “Disco Life” recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live!   Features include The Line of Best Fit, The Guardian, Flood Magazine, and continuing major support from key radio stations including KEXP and KCRW, where the band has been on the Top 30 since July.  Say She She also just performed at Bumbershoot, and a KCRW-hosted at-capacity free concert at the Skirball Center in LA. Upcoming shows include their biggest yet in London this November, at the O2 Academy Brixton, and more dates will be announced soon. 

Led by the vocal trio of Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown, Say She She channels progenitors like Minnie Ripperton, Rotary Connection, Liquid Liquid and ESG. Cut & Rewind expands their scope, incorporating elements of Lonnie Liston Smith and the Lijadu Sisters into their sonic palette while channeling the spirit of contemporary peers like Lambrini Girls and Amyl and the Sniffers to create 12 new, original songs crackling with unforgiving grooves, whistle tones and three-part harmonies capable of opening up the heavens. 

Cut & Rewind is bursting with a relentless and righteous energy, hard-edged funk and a politically-charged undercurrent. “She Who Dares” is a call to fight against a near-future dystopia where women’s rights have been decimated globally. “Disco Life” examines the 1979 “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Stadium in Chicago, a publicity event-turned-riot organized by shock jock Steve Dahl. Attendees were encouraged to bring a disco record in exchange for cheap admission, which Dahl would then burn in a dumpster—already an implicit attack on a genre fronted by Black people, queer people, and women—but the crowd brought and destroyed anything made by Black musicians. The lyrics decry the event’s racism and homophobia, understanding that the roots of the riot still linger. Say She She knows a better world is possible, and manifests “a playing field where all are free.” In a time of political turmoil where community is more necessary than ever, Say She She offers a particular salve: protest music dressed up as a sweat-dripping, body-moving, consciousness-raising good time.

Say She She has had a tremendous rise in just three years, following the release of their debut album Prism in 2022. They quickly returned with Silver, in 2023, a double LP that landed at #1 on KCRW’s Best Albums list of that year. Fellow champions the BBC named them to their Best Artists of the Year list. Silver also led to a profile on CBS Mornings, performances on Later…with Jools Holland and the Kelly Clarkson Show, festival debuts including Bonnaroo and Glastonbury (where they performed four sets in just 24 hours), and selling out the 3000-capacity Roundhouse in London.

Say She She was formed by Piya Malik and Sabrina Cunningham, neighbors in an old tenement building in the Lower East Side that could hear each other singing through the floorboards. They became fast friends, penning tongue-in-cheek songs about bad breakups and better boyfriends. Driven by an innate desire for three part harmonies and a reverence for late 70’s girl groups, they brought Malik’s friend Nya Brown into the fold. Malik and Brown first met at a rooftop party in Harlem and instantly started singing with each other. The trio would hang out together on the dancefloors and dive bars of NYC and quickly became Say She She. 

Cut & Rewind Track List:

01. Cut & Rewind

02. Under the Sun

03. Disco Life

04. Chapters

05. Possibilities

06. Take It All

07. She Who Dares

08. Shop Boy

09. Bandit

10. Little Kisses

11. Do All Things With Love

12. Make It Known 

Say She She Tour Dates:

Friday, 21 November – Oxford, UK @ O2 Academy

Sunday, 23 November – Dublin, IE @ Academy

Tuesday, 25 November – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute 1

Wednesday, 26 November – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton

Friday, 28 November – Paris, FR @ Cabaret Sauvage

Saturday, 29 November – Brussels, BE @ Orangerie

Monday, 1 December – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso

Wednesday, 3 December – Berlin, DE @ Columbia Theater

Thursday 4 December – Hamburg, DE @ Knust

Sunday, 7 December – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser Strand

Tuesday, 9 December – Copenhagen, DK @ Lille VEGA

January 21 – 24 – Cancun, Mexico @ Dave & Tim Riviera Maya 2026

Abstract Partners with Modhaus to Bring K-Pop Fan Platform Cosmo to Blockchain

Eric Alper
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0
Abstract Partners with Modhaus to Bring K-Pop Fan Platform Cosmo to Blockchain

 Abstract, a consumer-first blockchain built to accelerate the mass adoption of crypto and lead the next wave of the culture economy, today announced a strategic partnership with Modhaus, the South Korean entertainment company behind breakout K-pop groups tripleS, ARTMS and idntt. As part of the collaboration, Modhaus’s fan engagement platform Cosmo will launch on the Abstract blockchain—marking a major step in bridging global entertainment with next-generation blockchain technology.

Built for mainstream audiences, Abstract delivers seamless, email and passkey-based onboarding and invisible blockchain experiences, making it an ideal home for Modhaus’s Web2-friendly fan engagement app. Cosmo lets millions of fans collect digital photocards, vote on group decisions, and complete interactive quests—all powered by digital collectibles and voting tokens behind the scenes. With its launch on Abstract, Cosmo gains faster performance, scalable infrastructure, and deeper integration with a growing ecosystem of culturally relevant crypto-native apps and global brands.

The partnership comes amid explosive growth in the global K-pop fandom market, a multi-billion-dollar industry fueled by one of the most engaged digitally native communities in the world. tripleS has amassed 3.4 million followers and won Best New Female Artist at the 2023 MAMA Awards, one of the largest and most influential music award ceremonies in the K-pop industry. Meanwhile, ARTMS recently reached #1 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums and earned over 90 million streams on Spotify.

“Streetwear, gaming, hip-hop, and now K-pop—each flipped the script and empowered a new generation to move and shape culture,” said Michael Lee, co-founder and CEO of Abstract. “Cosmo is exactly what Abstract was built for—a space where fans don’t just watch, they vote, collect, and move in sync with their favorite artists. Together, Cosmo and Abstract aren’t just tech—they’re the prototype for a new cultural operating system. One that brings back what the internet lost: fun, ownership, and unapologetic creativity.“

By moving to Abstract, Modhaus unlocks faster performance, seamless onboarding with just an email, Touch ID or Face ID, and deeper integration into a growing ecosystem of culturally relevant, consumer-first applications. Fans will gain all the benefits of blockchain without ever needing to understand it – leveraging Abstract’s technology to make Web3 invisible, accessible, and powerful for the everyday user.

Together, Abstract and Modhaus are redefining how fans engage with their favorite artists—bringing the power of blockchain to global audiences without the friction of crypto complexity.

“At Modhaus, we’ve always believed fans deserve a real seat at the table—not just as viewers, but as participants in the creative process,” said Jaden Jeong, CEO of Modhaus. “Partnering with Abstract allows us to elevate that vision on a global scale, without forcing fans to navigate the complexities of blockchain technology. Together, we’re creating a new standard for artist-fan interaction—one that’s immersive, democratic, and built for the next era of K-pop.“

With close to 2 million Abstract Global Wallets deployed, Abstract is fast becoming the blockchain of choice for culture-defining projects that demand speed, scale, and simplicity. Its user base is largely composed of Gen A and Z consumers with discretionary spending power in high-GDP markets—making it a uniquely valuable platform for brands looking to activate digitally native, culturally fluent audiences. The Modhaus integration expands Abstract’s growing roster of high-impact Web3 applications that are reimagining how consumer industries—like music, entertainment, and gaming—use blockchain to unlock new models of growth, participation, and creative ownership.

Alt-Rock Breakout Nate Vickers Drops Heart-Wrenching New Single ‘Deja Vu’

Eric Alper
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0
Alt-Rock Breakout Nate Vickers Drops Heart-Wrenching New Single ‘Deja Vu’

Alt rock’s breakout act to watch, Nate Vickers, puts his scars on display with his brand new single, “Deja Vu“, out today via Oxide Records. Framed by restless nostalgia, looping memories, and the dizzy feeling of watching your own mistakes play back in slow motion, the new single sees Nate Vickers grappling with the hangover of heartbreak.

Caught somewhere between letting go and holding on too tight, the brand new video for “Deja Vu” follows Nate Vickers through a whirlwind of emotion in a haze of moody, blue tones. Swirling through tense visuals of Nate and an ex-partner locked in arguments and distance, the video blurs the line between personal breakdown and a public confession.

Digging into the ache behind “Deja Vu,” Nate Vickers shares:

“‘Deja Vu’ is a raw confession of guilt, longing, and being haunted by someone you can’t forget.”

With his smash hit “A Little Too Late” cementing Nate Vickers as a breakout voice and his previous single “Parasite” pushing his sound into a darker, more visceral territory, latest singles “Falling Away From Heaven” and “Deja Vu” build on that rising momentum. Seeing Vickers blending gritty guitars with pain and the pursuit of healing, these latest tracks capture an artist unafraid to bare his scars while reaching for something greater.

Inspired by icons such as Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, and Bad Omens, Nate Vickers has crafted a sound that is unmistakably his own, drawing more than 1.5 million followers to his TikTok and 530K to his Instagram. Between viral, late-night covers and playlist-dominating originals, Vickers has also earned his place as a standout favorite on Pandora and Sirius XM’s Octane. What began as a spark has now become an alt-rock wildfire.

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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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