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Dark And Twisties Unveil Debut ‘Ungrateful Women’

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Alt-folk troupe Dark And Twisties release their debut LP ‘Ungrateful Women,’ a striking introduction to a band steeped in harmony and atmosphere. Blending traditional folk textures with modern, ethereal tones, the five-piece carve out a sound rooted in nature, shadow, and human complexity. This is a debut that lands with presence.

Formed by Sarah Birch, Kate Ronconi, Sarah Passmore, Danny Kilbride, and Huw Rees, the group has built momentum through intimate live performances and layered vocal interplay. Their chemistry feels instinctive. As Adam Walton of BBC Radio Wales notes, it is “a chemistry that is palpable and luminous.” The response across the alt-folk community has been immediate.

The title track explores the layered experience of womanhood, independence, friendship, and loss, balancing quiet reflection with emotional lift. Harmonies and counter melodies shape each narrative turn. Folk and Honey calls the release “a powerful and evocative debut,” a sentiment echoed by audiences drawn to its shadowed beauty.

Track Listing ‘Ungrateful Women’:

  1. This Time
  2. The Lonely
  3. Questions
  4. Oh Ma Belle
  5. The Wild
  6. Random Acts of Kindness
  7. Grace And Dignity
  8. Oh! Johanna
  9. Procrastination
  10. Ungrateful Women
  11. Flags

Keeper Closes ‘Songs That Would’ve Gotten Me Bullied Sixteen Years Ago’ With “Figure Me Out”

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Keeper pushes his nostalgia-fueled pop punk forward with “Figure Me Out,” the sixth and final A Side from the EP ‘Songs That Would’ve Gotten Me Bullied Sixteen Years Ago.’ The track lands as a culmination, tying together years of self-examination, relationships, sexuality, and creative rediscovery. It carries weight and release in equal measure.

Built on heart-on-sleeve songwriting, “Figure Me Out” centers on self-acceptance. It frames survival as something worth honoring. The hooks hit hard, the emotion stays front and center, and the message is direct. This is a closing statement that feels earned.

Discussing the EP’s personal depth, Emanuel Andrade shares, “Each song has been about rediscovering the music, hobbies, and passions I had when I was younger (be it Theatre, Art, Dance, Music, Video games, or reading), and finding my way back to them through some difficult years as an adult.”

He continues, “Managing breakups through nostalgic music, to topics like my sexuality and getting stupid crushes. At 27, I can finally say I know who I am, and I’m genuinely content with that. I recognise my flaws, but I’m no longer ashamed of the younger me who developed them. Honestly, I think I’m proud of him.” Featuring Kellin Quinn, Tally Spear, Tom Connolly, and co-writing from Jon Cass, the EP stands as Keeper at full strength.

The Brook And The Bluff Unleash “Baby Blue” From ‘Werewolf’

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Nashville-based indie rock group The Brook and The Bluff release “Baby Blue,” the latest single from their fourth studio album ‘Werewolf,’ out now via Dualtone Records. Built on fingerpicked guitars, gentle grooves, and tight three-part harmonies, the track introduces a new vocal approach for the band. The arrangement feels intimate and locked in.

“‘Baby Blue’ is mostly about devotion, maybe almost to a delusional level,” the band shares. “It’s a bunch of ways to say I’m not interested in going anywhere, that I’ve been on all the roads and they have the same destination. It’s the feeling of certainty you can stay tethered to when you feel like you may start drifting.” The song lands with focus and emotional weight.

Produced by Micah Tawlks, ‘Werewolf’ captures the quartet playing together in real time, channeling the urgency of their live show. Inspired by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty, Eagles, and Little Feat, the album pushes tempos forward and layers four-part harmonies over loud, driving arrangements. It is the sound of a band fully recharged.

Track Listing:
01) Werewolf
02) Get By
03) Can’t Figure it Out
04) Super Bowl Sunday
05) Baby Blue
06) 105
07) Gone For The Weekend
08) I’ll Have It Down
09) Change My Mind
10) Moving Along

Tour Dates:
03/20 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
03/21 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
03/23 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
03/26 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
03/27 – Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Company
03/28 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
03/31 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
04/03 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
04/04 – Boston, MA @ Big Night Live
04/06 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
04/08 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
04/09 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue Theatre
04/10 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
04/11 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall
04/13 – Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
04/14 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Jones Assembly
04/16 – Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater
04/17 – Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory
04/18 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
04/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
04/23 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
04/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether
04/25 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
04/27 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/28 – Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre
04/29 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
05/02 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell
05/03 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre

Austin Blues Festival 2026 Brings Parliament Funkadelic BADBADNOTGOOD And Eric Johnson To Moody Amphitheater

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Austin Blues Festival locks in its 2026 return with Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Eric Johnson leading two days at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on April 25 and 26. Co-presented by Antone’s Nightclub and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the festival plants itself firmly in the heart of Austin’s blues legacy.

The lineup stretches wide. Larkin Poe, Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodelicos, The War and Treaty, Chaparelle, Los Amigos Invisibles, D.K. Harrell, Annie and The Caldwells, and the Huston Tillotson Jazz Orchestra join the bill. Second line parades from Pinettes Brass Band and New Breed Brass Band move through the grounds, adding rhythm beyond the stage.

“Each year, Austin Blues Festival brings together generations of music lovers and introduces new audiences to our amazing and unique lineup of artists,” says Will Bridges. “Our 2026 programming represents the incredible depth and diversity of music today, from its traditional roots to its modern innovations, and we’re thrilled to share this experience with the Austin community and music fans from around the world.”

Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette adds, “The lineup guarantees an unforgettable musical experience lighting up Moody Amphitheater against the backdrop of beautiful Waterloo Park.” A range of 2-Day ticket options, including GA, Reserved Seating, and VIP Hill packages, are available now. A portion of proceeds benefits Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to community and culture.

Todd Rundgren Goes Solo On ‘Solo In Clearwater’ Live Release

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Todd Rundgren strips it all back on ‘Solo In Clearwater,’ a live document of his bold 2003 solo tour, now making its physical debut on double colored vinyl and 2 CD. Originally released digitally in 2019 via Cleopatra Records, the set captures Rundgren alone on stage with guitars, samplers, piano, and backing tapes. No band. No safety net. Just songs and instinct.

Launching at the New Orleans House of Blues, the tour ran strictly solo across three dozen dates. Rundgren leaned into spontaneity, reshuffling his catalog in real time. “Some people feel I’m playing with pre-recorded music… or some nonsense,” he quipped. “I have the whole band standing by and ready to broadcast through this tiny little device.”

The performance moves from playful to poignant. “Hello, It’s Me” swerves with chaotic charm. “Song Of The Viking” lands like a vaudeville tongue twister. A ukulele-driven “Bang The Drum All Day” morphs into an “ancient Hawaiian war chant,” prompting a shout from the crowd. There is a bossa nova detour and a Marvin Gaye cover that flips expectations. “Hawking” delivers one of the most affecting moments of the night. The freedom is palpable.

Track Listing:

CD 1:

  1. Love Of The Common Man
  2. Cliche
  3. Lysistra
  4. I Don’t Want To Tie You Down
  5. Hammer In My Heart
  6. Compassion
  7. Song Of The Viking
  8. It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference
  9. Free, Male and 21
  10. Hello, It’s Me
  11. Bang The Drum All Day
  12. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away

CD 2:

  1. Tiny Demons
  2. I Saw The Light
  3. Influenza
  4. Can We Still Be Friends?
  5. I Want You
  6. One World
  7. The Wheel
  8. Hawking

Seal Marks 30 Years Of ‘Seal I’ And ‘Seal II’ With ‘Purpose’ Concert Film

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Mercury Studios releases ‘Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II,’ a concert film capturing Seal live at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. The performance honors three decades since the arrival of his landmark albums ‘Seal’ and ‘Seal II.’ Presented in 4K UHD, Blu-ray, CD, and digital formats, the release frames a pivotal catalog with cinematic scale.

The ten-song setlist revisits era-defining tracks including “Crazy,” “Future Love Paradise,” “Killer,” and “Kiss From A Rose,” alongside deeper cuts and fan favorites. Trevor Horn joins the six-piece band as bassist and music director, reinforcing a partnership that shaped Seal’s sound. The performance moves with authority and focus. These songs still command the room.

“He is this mentor that I’ve spent the last 34 years looking up to. He knows me as an artist better than anyone else,” Seal shares. “Having him on tour caused me to bring a level of professionalism and discipline that I hadn’t had before.” That collaboration anchors the film’s emotional core.

Directed by Keirda Bahruth, the hour-plus documentary weaves concert footage with intimate interviews. Seal reflects on his first appearance on Top of the Pops and the lessons that sharpened his artistry.

Track Listing:

  1. Crazy
  2. The Beginning
  3. Deep Water
  4. Future Love Paradise
  5. Bring It On
  6. Prayer For The Dying
  7. Killer
  8. Kiss From A Rose
  9. Get It Together
  10. Love’s Divine

Pantera Captured In Ross Haflin Authorized Coffee Table Book

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Rufus Publications unveils a fully authorized coffee table book from legendary rock photographer Ross Haflin, documenting Pantera in uncompromising detail. With unrestricted access to the band on tour, backstage, and on days off, Haflin delivers a rare visual chronicle of metal at full throttle. This is a definitive portrait of one of the genre’s most influential forces.

The book pairs the current touring lineup with Haflin’s deep archive of the original four, including Dimebag Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott. The result is a powerful visual bridge between eras, capturing the intensity, brotherhood, and scale that define Pantera. The images hit with force. This is Pantera in the raw.

Presented as a massive A3 portrait format spanning more than 300 pages, the edition allows every frame room to breathe. It arrives in a diamond plate style embossed slipcase, built with the same weight as the band’s legacy. Only 666 numbered copies are available, each hand-signed by Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Charlie Benante, and Zakk Wylde.

Pantera remains one of heavy metal’s most successful bands, with more than 25 million albums sold worldwide. Their 1994 album ‘Far Beyond Driven’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, cementing their place in history. This new volume stands as a collector’s centerpiece, celebrating a band that continues to dominate stages across the globe.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Unveils 2026 Frontier Nights Lineup

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Cheyenne Frontier Days, the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, rolls out its complete 2026 Frontier Nights lineup. The 130th PRCA Rodeo runs July 17-26 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, anchoring ten days of music, rodeo, and full-throttle Western culture. Frontier Nights stands as one of the most recognized stages in country music.

The series launches July 17 with Treaty Oak Revival and Jessie Murph, followed by Alex Warren on July 18. The Red Clay Strays and Wyatt Flores take July 19, with PRCA Xtreme Bulls charging in July 20-21. Riley Green and Trace Adkins headline July 22, Blake Shelton owns July 23, Hardy and Cameron Whitcomb land July 24, and Zach Top with Jo Dee Messina close July 25.

“The 2026 Frontier Nights is stacked with superstar power and fresh talent,” says Mike Wilkinson, Contract Acts Chairman. “We’re proud to bring together iconic headliners and rising stars for nights that will stay with our fans long after the lights go down. It’s one of our most dynamic lineups yet.” The scale speaks for itself.

Ticket options span night shows, rooftop access, Tunes on the Terrace, and Frontier Nights Fast Pass upgrades. Xtreme Bulls tickets are also available, alongside rodeo seats for the PRCA competition. The carnival midway returns with Carnival Americana and Fun Biz Concessions, plus the VIP Chuckwagon Experience. Cheyenne Frontier Days continues to set the standard for Western celebration at full volume.

Patty Griffin Expands 2026 Tour With Taj Mahal And Rickie Lee Jones

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Patty Griffin brings her 2026 live run into focus with headline dates and special double bills alongside Taj Mahal and Rickie Lee Jones. The shows stretch across the Southwest, West Coast, and Pacific Northwest, carrying one of Americana’s most revered voices into some of the country’s most storied rooms. This is a songwriter’s tour built on depth, history, and songs that hold a room still.

The run continues a strong season of appearances, including Cayamo: A Journey Through Song and summer performances with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Griffin’s presence on stage is steady and commanding. The response remains strong, a testament to a catalog that has shaped contemporary folk and Americana for more than three decades.

The tour celebrates her 11th studio album ‘Crown Of Roses,’ out now on PGM Recordings via Thirty Tigers. Produced by Craig Ross and featuring David Pulkingham and Michael Longoria, the eight-song collection moves between spare folk, gauzy Americana, and gospel blues textures. Standout tracks include “Born In A Cage,” “Long Time,” featuring backing vocals from Robert Plant, and “Way Up To The Sky.” The album lands with weight and resonance.

Patty Griffin 2026 Tour Dates:
Feb 22 – Menlo Park, CA @ The Guild Theatre
Feb 24 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Feb 25 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Feb 26 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
Mar 13-20 – Miami, FL @ Cayamo: A Journey Through Song (Sold Out)
July 28 – Lenox, MA @ Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood
July 29 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap

Ella Mai Returns With ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ Executive Produced By Mustard

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Ella Mai’s third studio album ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ is out now. Executive produced by Mustard, the project locks into the chemistry that has defined some of modern R and B’s biggest moments. The artwork set the tone. The music delivers on it. This is a fully realized statement from a Grammy-winning artist operating at scale.

Mustard’s production anchors the record with precision and weight. Ella Mai moves through each track with control and depth, expanding her catalog with songs that feel immediate and lasting. The reaction has been loud and undeniable. ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ lands as a defining entry in her discography.

The album arrives alongside her “Did You Miss Me?” anniversary run, which brought her back to intimate rooms in London, the Netherlands, France, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. The connection felt direct and personal, a full-circle moment that sharpened the spotlight on this new era.

Ella Mai also celebrates the ninth anniversary of her 2016 EP ‘Change’ with an anniversary vinyl release, bridging the foundation of her early work with where she stands now. With visuals for “Little Things” and “Tell Her” extending the narrative, this chapter feels expansive, grounded, and fully in motion.