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Japanese Metal Phenoms Babymetal Unleash Explosive New Single “Kon! Kon!” Featuring Bloodywood

Eric Alper
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Japanese Metal Phenoms Babymetal Unleash Explosive New Single “Kon! Kon!” Featuring Bloodywood

Babymetal has released the explosive new single “Kon! Kon!” featuring Bloodywood. This is the fifth single off their upcoming album Metal Forth, out now via Capitol Records. They also put out an accompanying music video for the song, filmed at their show at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, that showcases their high-octane performance with Bloodywood. They are currently on tour together on their biggest North American tour to date.

Meaning “beyond metal,” Metal Forth features collaborations with Poppy, Spiritbox, Tom Morello, Bloodywood, Electric Callboy, Polyphia, and Slaughter to Prevail – artists Babymetal has connected with while touring the globe. Fans can stream the previously released singles “Ratatata” with Electric Callboy, “From Me to U” featuring Poppy, and “Song 3” with Slaughter To Prevail, now on all digital platforms.

Metal Forth follows 2019’s Metal Galaxy and The Other One, their 2023 concept album. For the first time, Babymetal will offer autographed copies of the new album in strictly limited quantities, as well as a box set, alternate cover art versions, LPs, CDs, cassettes, merchandise bundles and more.

Formed in 2010, Babymetal quickly gained popularity in Japan for their explosive live shows. By 2013, they had become a force of their own, opening for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Lady Gaga, and bringing the ferocity of metal to a global audience. With over 15 years of history and a diehard international following, Babymetal isn’t just a band — they’re a movement redefining what heavy music looks and sounds like. Fronted by three dynamic women — Su-Metal, Moametal, and Momometal — Babymetal has helped reshape the face of metal, inspiring a new generation of women and girls who see themselves in this sound and on these stages.

Country Artist Shea Fisher Teams with Walker Hayes for Playful New Single “Ow In Cowboy”

Eric Alper
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Country Artist Shea Fisher Teams with Walker Hayes for Playful New Single “Ow In Cowboy”

Australian country music artist Shea Fisher has teamed with Walker Hayes for her new single, “Ow In Cowboy.” Out now alongside its official music video, the pair wrote the song together, and is a playful, high-energy anthem that blends flirtation, humor, and a fresh twist on traditional cowboy charm.

“I wrote ‘Ow in Cowboy’ with my good buddy Walker — and believe it or not, we finished it in under an hour,” says Fisher. “It’s one of those boot-stomping, feel-good songs that came together fast and had us laughing the whole time. I kept the demo tucked away for a few years, but I always felt like it was something the world needed to hear. Because let’s be honest — we could all use a little more fun these days.”

The release follows the success of Shea’s comeback single “Take Me Back to Texas,” a heartfelt ballad that earned widespread praise and marked her re-entry into the country music scene. The song’s music video — filmed on her family’s ranch outside Fort Worth — helped reignite her growing fanbase and catalyzed a wave of new followers across social media.

Born in Australia to rodeo champion parents, Fisher grew up in the arena and on the road — competing in her first rodeo at five and discovering her love for country music during a family move to the U.S. Her early career included six No. 1 hits on Australia’s Aria Country Charts and a Top 20 CMT video for “Don’t Chase Me.” After moving to Nashville and signing with Stroudavarious Records, Fisher’s momentum continued until the label unexpectedly closed. Choosing to remain in the U.S., she planted roots in Texas and built a life grounded in both grit and grace.

In addition to music, Fisher is a thriving entrepreneur. She runs Shea Baby, a children’s fashion line sold in over 2,500 stores nationwide, and Shea Michelle Buckles, a custom silversmith brand known across the rodeo world. Her wellness platform, Fit with Shea, empowers women to feel strong and confident through fitness, nutrition, and style.

Even with a full plate, music never left her heart. In 2024, Fisher made a conscious decision to return to the studio with a renewed sense of honesty, energy, and life experience, fueling her most authentic and dynamic music yet. Since then, she has steadily built momentum with numerous press appearances and standout performances, including singing the national anthem at the Texas Rangers game in June 2025 and captivating 20,000+ fans at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“Ow in Cowboy” is one of many singles Fisher has lined up, including the upcoming release of “The Truck,” a country-pop-rocker co-written with Jaron Boyer (Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley).

Fisher’s story of perseverance and reinvention is an inspiration to women everywhere, proving that it’s never too late to pursue your passion. With a growing fanbase and a sound that is more authentic than ever, she is ready to show the world that her best chapters are just beginning.

Heavy Metal Icon Rob Halford Immortalized with New McFarlane Toys Action Figure

Eric Alper
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Heavy Metal Icon Rob Halford Immortalized with New McFarlane Toys Action Figure

McFarlane Toys has unveiled a Rob Halford action figure, set to be released in August. Music Maniacs Metal Rob Halford (Judas Priest) immortalizes the “Metal God” as a detailed six-inch scale figure with “Music Maniacs”-themed window box packaging. Designed with up to 12 points of articulation for posing and play, the figure features a microphone and base, and art card with numbered certificate of authenticity.

Rob Halford, the “Metal God,” is the legendary frontman of Judas Priest, one of heavy metal’s most influential bands. Since joining in 1973, his powerful voice and iconic style have helped define the genre. Judas Priest, formed in 1969, gained fame with albums like British Steel and Painkiller. Halford briefly left in the ’90s but returned in 2003, solidifying his place in metal history. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

The band has teamed with Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment UK, and Epic Records for a feature-length documentary, The Ballad of Judas Priest, that documents their epic journey to the top of rock and roll. Co-directed by documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in his directorial debut, the film will celebrate the legendary band’s lasting impact on music and culture, with their influence reaching far beyond metal. Featuring unforgettable anthems and pop culture staples like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” The Ballad of Judas Priest will capture the passion, resilience, and enduring legacy of a band whose music and story continue to inspire generations.

Soulful Country-Pop Artist Meghan Linsey Releases Fiery New Single “Things You Can’t Unsay”

Eric Alper
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Soulful Country-Pop Artist Meghan Linsey Releases Fiery New Single “Things You Can’t Unsay”

No. 1 Billboard chart-topping artist and The Voice alum Meghan Linsey releases her newest single, “Things You Can’t Unsay,” available everywhere independently. The song is a fiery, unapologetic anthem for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild after loving the wrong person. Sassy and soulful, the track captures the messy aftermath of a toxic relationship, but it’s also a powerful ode to female empowerment, self-respect, and reclaiming your voice.

“‘Things You Can’t Unsay’ came from a really raw place. It’s about finding the strength to walk away from something that no longer serves you and reclaiming your power in the process. I’ve never felt more confident or connected to my voice, both as an artist and a woman,” Meghan shares.

This release marks a personal and creative evolution. After years of navigating the highs and lows of the spotlight, Meghan is showing up more unapologetically than ever, challenging expectations around womanhood and the music industry, and proving that reinvention isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. With a renewed sense of purpose and artistic freedom, she’s turning the page on what it means to be in your prime.

Linsey is a CMA and ACM-nominated recording artist, celebrated songwriter, and fearless advocate who continues to carve out her lane in the music industry. Known for her powerhouse vocals and genre-blending sound, Meghan first rose to fame as one half of the chart-topping duo Steel Magnolia and later as the groundbreaking runner-up on the eighth season of NBC’s The Voice.

As an independent artist, Linsey is making a powerful comeback with her newest singles “Humble Again” and “Things You Can’t Unsay” – anthems about resilience, reinvention, and the strength it takes to start over. These tracks mark the beginning of a new era for Meghan, one grounded in authenticity and artistic freedom.

In the spring, Meghan performed at Grammys on the Hill in Washington, D.C., using her platform to advocate for creators’ rights. She was also named a 2025 Modern Luxury Nashville Power Player and took the stage at Variety’s Power of Women event in Nashville, where she wowed the crowd with a powerful performance of “Humble Again” and a medley honoring Reba, Sheryl Crow, Kelsea Ballerini, and Mickey Guyton.

Alt-Country Star Orville Peck Announces 7th Annual Rodeo Festival in Pioneertown

Eric Alper
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Alt-Country Star Orville Peck Announces 7th Annual Rodeo Festival in Pioneertown

Descending upon the desert this fall, trailblazing country artist Orville Peck presents his 7th Annual Rodeo on November 14-16 in Pioneertown, California, at Pappy & Harriet’s. After a memorable Rodeo in Nashville last year, the event returns to Pioneertown, where it was held two years ago. Beyond curating the entire experience and its dynamic lineup, Peck will play a set each night of the event, notably headlining on Saturday, November 15th.

Once again, he has carefully assembled a cohort of like-minded creatives, mavericks, and visionary artists across country, indie, alternative, soul, and rock. This year, Peck welcomes the likes of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Joy Oladokun, Allison Russell, The Deslondes, Emily Rose and the Rounders, Palmyra, Valley James, and more. The weekend will also feature nightly after parties and drag performances curated by Meatball. As always, it promises to be an unforgettable experience, with complete immersion in Orville Peck’s world.

Various VIP packages will be available and include perks such as Meet & Greet and Q&A with Peck, admission to the Drag Brunch, exclusive commemorative merchandise, priority entry into events, parking, on-site host, and more. Diamond VIP packages will also include accommodations at the Pioneertown Motel.

Peck made his Broadway debut in Cabaret in the role of the Emcee on March 31st and performed through July 20th.

Last year, Peck dropped his eclectic duets album Stampede, featuring collaborations with Kylie Minogue & Diplo on “Midnight Ride,” Beck on “Death Valley High,” and “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other” with Willie Nelson. Additionally, the album features collaborations with Elton John, Willie Nelson, Noah Cyrus, Allison Russell, Margo Price, Teddy Swims, Mickey Guyton, Midland, Nathaniel Rateliff, Debbii Dawson, Bu Cuaron, and Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. In support of the LP, he launched the headline Stampede Tour across North America.

Indie Pop Artist MORGXN Releases Emotional New Video for “H O L Y”

Eric Alper
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Indie Pop Artist MORGXN Releases Emotional New Video for “H O L Y”

Indie-pop artist MORGXN is proud to announce the release of the official music video for his latest single, “H O L Y”. Directed by Neta Ben Ezra, the video features Carl and Leo, a couple who opened their home to share their deeply moving love story.

“Generational love – especially in a state like Tennessee – is just not something I ever grew up seeing,” shares MORGXN. “So it means a lot to mark their story and mine with this video.”

The video brings to life the message of “H O L Y,” a song that celebrates love in all its forms, showcasing the deep connection between two people and the authenticity that comes with vulnerability. The track, written by MORGXN, Jesse Brock and Stephanie Middleton, explores the sacredness of love – not because of perfection, but because of its true, raw beauty.

“H O L Y” is a taste of more new music from MORGXN, with his recent EP HEARTLAND: PART I released on July 4. The EP perfectly encapsulates MORGXN’s ability to create music that feels both personal and universal, speaking to the complexities of relationships and the strength that comes from embracing love, flaws, and all.

With heartfelt songwriting, raw emotion, and a clear vision of what love and home can be, MORGXN continues to establish himself as a powerful storyteller and fearless advocate for authenticity in both art and life. His music, which combines indie-pop sensibilities with soul-baring lyricism, creates space for vulnerability, identity, and connection. As an artist who lives openly and creates fearlessly, he not only shares his truth but also invites others to do the same, inspiring a growing community that sees itself reflected in his work.

MORGXN is known for his breakout hit “Home” (feat. Walk the Moon), which landed in the Top 10 at Alternative Radio. A former Broadway performer (Spring Awakening), he’s played major festivals like Lollapalooza, Firefly, and Hangout, and shared stages with X Ambassadors, Skylar Grey, and Miike Snow. His music has been featured on ABC, HBO, NBC, and PBS, including performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Indie Pop Artist Hannah Bahng Announces Sophomore EP ‘The Misunderstood’ and North American Tour

Eric Alper
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Indie Pop Artist Hannah Bahng Announces Sophomore EP ‘The Misunderstood’ and North American Tour

Rising indie singer-songwriter hannah bahng has released her highly anticipated sophomore project, The Misunderstood EP, out now via her independent label Bahng Entertainment.

The Misunderstood EP will include hannah’s latest single “Sweet Satin Boy,” which was officially released this past summer. The song was first introduced during her set at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music SXSW Showcase and throughout The Abysmal Tour in Europe this past spring.

Written, composed and produced by hannah alongside her longtime collaborator Andrew Luce (iann dior, Role Model, Lil Nas X), the emotionally raw track explores the painful pull of a relationship you know you should leave but can’t seem to let go of.

The accompanying music video, directed and produced by hannah herself, further showcases her creative vision and hands-on approach, continuing to solidify her status as one of Gen Z’s most exciting multi-hyphenates.

“Sweet Satin Boy” follows the EP’s previous single, “what never lived” (January 2025), a haunting reflection on mourning a love that never truly existed.

To support the new music release, hannah has also today announced the North American leg of The Misunderstood World Tour, which will include her first-ever shows in Canada and Mexico. The 25-date run begins October 21 in Orlando, FL and wraps up December 3 in Dallas, TX.

The Misunderstood World Tour North American dates:
Tues, Oct 21 – Orlando, FL – The Social
Thurs, Oct 23 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
Sat, Oct 25 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
Sun, Oct 26 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
Tues, Oct 28 – Washington, D.C. – Lincoln Theatre
Thurs, Oct 30 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Sat, Nov 1 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA
Sunday, Nov 2 – Boston, MA – Royale
Tues, Nov 4 – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
Wed, Nov 5 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Fri, Nov 7 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
Sun, Nov 9 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Tues, Nov 11 – Denver, CO – Summit
Wed, Nov 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Grand at Complex
Fri, Nov 14 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Sat, Nov 15 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Sun, Nov 16 – Seattle, WA – Showbox @ The Market
Tues, Nov 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency
Thurs, Nov 20 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
Fri, Nov 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
Tues, Nov 25 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Wednesday, Nov 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Fri, Nov 28 – Mexico City, MX – ABB
Tues, Dec 2 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Wed, Dec 3 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

sombr Announces 2026 UK & European Tour Following Global Chart Success

Eric Alper
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sombr Announces 2026 UK & European Tour Following Global Chart Success

Continuing his worldwide momentum, 20-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, and breakthrough artist of the year sombr will embark on a 2026 UK and European headline tour. The run commences on February 10 in Stockholm, Sweden at Annexet, sees him take over iconic venues such as O2 Academy Brixton in London, UK on March 8, and concludes at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on March 16. Speaking to overwhelming international demand, he will notably be performing his most expansive and extensive set yet.

sombr soundtracks summer 2025 with “back to friends.” It recently vaulted to #1 on Spotify’s Global Weekly Chart as the “#1 most-streamed song in the world this week” with over 540 million total streams and counting. Plus, it has held #1 on the Billboard Alternative Radio chart for a staggering five weeks. It notably reached the top spot after 10 weeks, marking his first #1 and the quickest Alternative Airplay accession for a musician making their debut on the tally in nearly a decade.

It’s no wonder VMAN recently crowned him “Gen Z’s new favorite indie rockstar.”

Meanwhile, magnetic hit “undressed” also continues to climb the charts, approaching 400 million streams as it reaches the Top 10 at Top 40 Radio. His newest release “we never dated” is following in the same footsteps, and saw sombr take the cover of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist upon release.

From sharing his first taste of music online in 2021, to quickly garnering millions of monthly listeners and penning concurrent chart-topping singles, sombr’s rise has been meteoric. The breakout artist has spent the last few months selling out venues around the world, making his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and captivating a global fanbase through his vulnerable storytelling and steady stream of new music.

After selling out his North American and European headline tour pre-sale instantly, sombr will perform at venues around the world this summer/fall, including at New York’s Gramercy Theatre, back-to-back nights at New York’s Brooklyn Steel and Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre and a show at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre. sombr will also take his dynamic live show to Australia and New Zealand in December. The dates sold out instantly upon presale and include four slots at Spilt Milk Festival, nights in Sydney, Melbourne and more.

A New York-native raised on the Lower East Side, sombr-born Shane Boose-started making music in his bedroom while studying classical music as a student at the prestigious public school, LaGuardia High School. His breakout hit “Caroline” (2022) took the internet by storm, and he has since released a series of EPs and singles, climbing to over 46 million Spotify monthly listeners. Now based in Los Angeles, sombr continues to explore young romance and heartbreak through his music-all of which is self-written and released via Warner Records.

TOUR DATES
October 12-Theatre of Living Arts-Philadelphia, PA
October 13-The Lincoln-Washington, D.C.
October 15-Center Stage-Atlanta, GA
October 17-Southside Music Hall-Dallas, TX
October 18-Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater-Austin, TX
October 20-Ogden Theatre-Denver, CO
October 21-The Complex-Salt Lake City, UT
October 24-Shadowbox SoDo-Seattle, WA
October 25-Roseland Theater-Portland, OR
October 27-Fillmore-San Francisco, CA
October 28-El Rey Theatre-Los Angeles, CA
October 29-El Rey Theatre-Los Angeles, CA
October 31-The Van Buren-Phoenix, AZ
November 1-Fox Theater Pomona-Pomona, CA
November 2-The Fonda Theatre-Los Angeles, CA
November 5-Brooklyn Steel-New York, NY
November 6-Brooklyn Steel-New York, NY
December 2-Auckland Town Hall-Auckland, NZ
December 4-Festival Hall Melbourne-Melbourne, VIC
December 6-Spilt Milk Festival-Ballarat, VIC
December 7-Spilt Milk Festival-Perth, WA
December 9-Hordern Pavilion-Sydney, NSW
December 11-Fortitude Music Hall-Brisbane, QLD
December 13-Spilt Milk Festival-Canberra, ACT
December 14-Spilt Milk Festival-Gold Coast, QLD

2026 UK/EU TOUR DATES
February 10-Annexet-Stockholm, Sweden
February 11-KB Hallen-Copenhagen, Denmark
February 13-Inselpark Arena-Hamburg, Germany
February 15-Stodola-Warsaw, Poland
February 16-Forum Karlin-Prague, Czech Republic
February 18-Gasometer-Vienna, Austria
February 19-Tonhalle-Munich, Germany
February 20-Halle 622-Zurich, Switzerland
February 22-Alcatraz-Milan, Italy
February 24-Riviera-Madrid, Spain
February 25-Razzmatazz-Barcelona, Spain
February 27-Salle Pleyel-Paris, France
March 2-AFAS Live-Amsterdam, Netherlands
March 4-Columbiahalle-Berlin, Germany
March 5-Palladium-Cologne, Germany
March 6-AB-Brussels, Belgium
March 8-O2 Academy Brixton-London, UK
March 12-Academy-Manchester, UK
March 13-O2 Academy-Birmingham, UK
March 15-O2 Academy-Glasgow, UK
March 16-3Arena-Dublin, Ireland

Alt Rock Icons The Charlatans UK Announce New Album ‘We Are Love’ Out October 31

Eric Alper
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Alt Rock Icons The Charlatans UK Announce New Album ‘We Are Love’ Out October 31

The Charlatans UK kick off a new era today with the news of their 14th studio album, We Are Love, out Friday, October 31, via BMG. The announcement comes accompanied by the album’s first offering, the title track “We Are Love,” which the Manchester band debuted live this summer at a landmark hometown show at Castlefield Bowl.

“We Are Love” is a celebratory statement of intent, an urgent, limber, clattering love song to the human race. Propelled forward by driving drums and anthemic guitar, frontman Tim Burgess describes it as “like an open-top car ride in the credits of your favorite movie, driving along the coast to somewhere amazing.”

One of the first tracks to emerge as they were writing, it became a pathfinder for the record, as guitarist Mark Collins explains: “Early on, we thought it felt right. And it turned out that way: first single, title track, second song on the album. And things started forming around ‘We Are Love.’ There was a certain energy to it that drove us forward.”

One of the best-loved UK bands of the last four decades, The Charlatans UK’s career spans 13 albums, 22 Top 40 UK singles, three Number One UK albums and era-defining anthems like “The Only One I Know,” “North Country Boy” and “One to Another” – We Are Love launches a bold new era, one that finds them at peace with their past whilse looking forward to a bright future.

An eight-year gap between albums is the longest ever for one of the UK’s most enduring bands. A combination of covid, solo projects, life’s complexities and the fact that its five members – Tim Burgess (vocals) Martin Blunt (bass), Mark Collins (guitar), Tony Rogers (keyboards) and Pete Salisbury (drums) – live scattered across Europe, meant that it took longer than usual for the stars to align at the right place, right time, right vibe. They took the time to carefully select a recording A-team of production duo Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange and Lightspeed Champion) and Fred Macpherson (Spector, Rachel Chinouriri, Jessica Winter, Taahliah), plus legendary producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, The Cranberries), alongside a list of engineers, mixers and collaborators that reads like a who’s who of alt rock greatness. The result has been well worth the wait.

Recorded at two places that are totemic in The Charlatans UK’s history – Rockfield in Wales and their own Big Mushroom space in Middlewich, Cheshire – Burgess cites hauntology and psychogeography as two concepts that swirled in his head as the band dug into the album making. For one thing, their return to storied farm studio Rockfield for the first time in almost 30 years, since they made their fifth album Tellin’ Stories, was an important step. As a band, they hadn’t been there since keyboard player Rob Collins was killed, in the middle of that album’s sessions, in a car crash at the bottom of the track leading to the farm. Throughout the record, you can hear The Charlatans UK’s awareness of the stuff that’s made them – the highs and the lows; the desire to honor their own mighty legacy, whilst not being defined by it; a career-long drive to be progressive and innovative.

“The whole idea of hauntology and psychogeography is represented by us going back to Rockfield, where so much history has happened for The Charlatans,” says Burgess. “That was important as a way of honoring every member who’s played in the band. So we’re honouring ourselves, our past, feeling that energy and reincarnating it, doing something fresh, brand new.”

This introspection brought home the fact that love is the glue that has held The Charlatans UK together for so long, and that’s reflected in the 11 tracks that make up this forward-thinking, future-facing album. Alongside the album announcement, The Charlatans UK have also shared plans for a December UK tour, playing headline shows in Leeds, Stoke, Bath, London, Manchester, and Glasgow.

Americana Artist Coyle Girelli Honors Mac Davis On Sun Records Album ‘Out Of This Town’

Eric Alper
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Americana Artist Coyle Girelli Honors Mac Davis On Sun Records Album ‘Out Of This Town’

Upon watching a performance video of vocalist Coyle Girelli, iconic songwriter Mac Davis gushed that Girelli could be the next Roy Orbison. Davis should know, having worked with some of the best musicians of his era, including the King of Rock n’ Roll. Girelli is his own man as an artist, but his rich vocals and captivating phrasing evoke the cinematic romanticism of Orbison.

Today, everyone can experience Girelli’s mesmerizing singing on his second single, “Everyone But Me and You,” from his record, Out of This Town, out now on Sun Records. The 12-track album features darkly seductive duets with KT Tunstall, Jaime Wyatt, and Cassandra Lewis. Out of This Town will be available on vinyl, CD, and via all streaming services.

The songs on Out of This Town have sat dormant for years, as beautiful ghost demos of what could have been. Girelli, who produced the record, remained faithful to the raw allure of the initial song sketches.

“Mac reminded me of how instinctive songwriting should be,” Girelli said. “You could hear that on the demos-they had a rough feeling to very big songs. We wanted to preserve that on this album.”

The album’s latest single, “Everyone But Me and You,” features the cosmic Americana singer-songwriter Cassandra Lewis as a sultry duet partner. The song conjures the plush longing of lovelorn ballads from the 1950s – an intimate portrayal of the late night pining of two lovers separated with a moody guitar, lush strings, and mournful pedal steel. Written solely by Davis, the track was previously released in 1994 as a duet with his longtime friend Dolly Parton on his album Will Write Songs for Food.

Girelli’s nuanced production has a dramatic sweep. His vocals occupy a sacred sonic space supported by sparse acoustic guitar, and a touch of ethereal ambience. Slowly, the song ascends into an atmospheric sense of symphonic grandeur with a haze of instrumentation, featuring teardrop pedal steel, Lewis’s winsome harmony vocals, elegiac strings, and moony synth textures.

“When Coyle sent me the song, I felt a familiar connection. It lives in that cinematic, symphonic country universe I love,” said Lewis. “I heard echoes of Roy Orbison and Nancy Sinatra. As a huge fan of Dolly and the timeless style Sun Records continues to champion, I felt honored to put my own little cosmic flair on it. We really wanted to capture that haunted, desperate feeling you get when you don’t know if someone else feels the same way you do – that lonely, hopeful liminal space. It was a smooth, collaborative process, working with Coyle and our engineer. I love that he’s preserving these styles and bringing that history forward.”

Out of This Town represents a once-in-a-lifetime pairing of talents, dating back over a decade ago when Girelli and Davis first got together in Los Angeles. “We sat down with a couple of cups of coffee and a bunch of guitars. We wrote our first song together in an hour of being introduced,” Girelli recalled.

Davis saw a kindred spirit in Girelli, and the two shared natural personal and musical connections. Out of This Town features several songs from Davis’ personal backlog rescued from a literal bag full of Davis’ handwritten lyrics on yellow legal pads. The rest of the album-more than half of the songs-were co-written by Davis and Girelli. Davis died in 2020, before he and Girelli could complete this body of work together.

The album is a testament to an artistic synergy that transcends generations and genres. Girelli and Davis’ pedigrees and journeys in the music industry could not be more different. What brought them together is a singular commitment to the sanctity of the song.

The British-born New York-based Girelli is a solo artist, a platinum-selling songwriter, a musical-theater composer, a record producer, a multi-instrumentalist, and the frontman for the indie-rock bands Your Vegas and The Chevin. In addition, Girelli has composed for BTS, Robin Schultz, Westlife, and co-written the record-breaking French musicals, Robin des Bois and Les Trois Mousquetaires.

Grammy-winning songwriter, artist, and actor Mac Davis was a Lubbock, Texas-born musician best known for penning Elvis Presley hits such as “In the Ghetto” and “A Little Less Conversation.” Davis also had a successful solo career with songs like “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” he hosted The Mac Davis Show, and acted in films. In 2000, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

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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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