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Two Bridge Launches Future Friends, a National Mental Wellness & Music Initiative, with Two Live Alex Warren Events

Eric Alper
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Two Bridge Launches Future Friends, a National Mental Wellness & Music Initiative, with Two Live Alex Warren Events

Two Bridge today announced the launch of Future Friends, a new national initiative merging live music, mental wellness programming, and community action on college campuses. Created by Harris and Sabrina Schwartzberg, founders of Two Bridge, and Corey McGuire, who previously founded Winston House, a music brand focused on community and intimate music experiences, Future Friends builds on a shared mission to foster connection and conversation through culture.

Future Friends will debut with a series of music-based college campus events, kicking off with Alex Warren on select campuses. The events will bring together powerful mental wellness resources with emerging and established artists, featuring live performances, student-led activations, and guided conversations designed to foster community and inspire meaningful dialogue about mental wellness. 

Alex Warren’s current “Cheaper Than Therapy Tour,” is being celebrated for its emotional honesty and deep connection with young audiences, perfectly reflects the program’s mission to spark authentic conversations about mental wellness on campus.

“Future Friends is about creating human connection through music,” said Harris Schwartzberg, Co-Founder of Two Bridge. “By pairing meaningful and authentic live music experiences with tools like Psychological First Aid training and curated wellness resources, we’re showing people they’re not alone. And that community can be a powerful part of healing.”

Two Bridge is not new to the world of healthcare and wellness. After 30 years of leadership in healthcare services, the company was founded to leverage music and dialogue to foster connections around mental wellness. Two Bridge collaborations have included Logic, Noah Kahan, Glenn Close, Chelsea Clinton, Chelsea Cutler, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Aaron Lazar, and other celebrated artists and advocates.

Two Bridge has recently completed the first two episodes of Common Denominator, a new series that combines art, music, and authentic dialogue about mental wellness. Hosted by CBS News’ Maurice DuBois and co-starring artist Peter Tunney, the first two guests were Broadway star Gavin Creel and recording artist Noah Kahan.

“At the heart of this is a simple truth: we all know and love someone impacted by mental health issues. Future Friends began as a shared mission between a father and daughter to provide tools to young people to ensure others never have to go through what our family has,” said Sabrina Schwartzberg, Co-Founder of Future Friends.

The inaugural Future Friends events are scheduled for October and November 2025, with additiional events in 2026. 

Jazzy Drops Global Dance Mix ‘GEWAH Selects’ Featuring Rossi., MK, Confidence Man and More

Eric Alper
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Jazzy Drops Global Dance Mix ‘GEWAH Selects’ Featuring Rossi., MK, Confidence Man and More

 Dublin-born dance sensation Jazzy continues to cement her status as a globally revered DJ and curator with the announcement of GEWAH Selects, a new DJ project, out October 3 via Polydor’s Chaos imprint.

The 11 track DJ mix features her recent top 20 UK single “High On Me” with Rossi., plus her new single “Hypnotic” alongside artists and producers such as Luuk Van Dijk, Kolter, MK, Kayleigh Glynn, Paige Tomlinson, Confidence Man & more.

GEWAH has become renowned as Jazzy’s brand as a DJ, with mixes broadcast across her Soundcloud and YouTube channel from London, New York, Toronto and Dublin racking up thousands of views. GEWAH Selects bottles that energy into a bespoke musical statement, packed with exclusives, that fans can return to again and again.

Having already enjoyed a landmark summer on the festival circuit, with her Glastonbury debut, sets at Leeds & Reading, AVA Festival, Silverworks London, Tomorrowland and Brunch Electronik Belgium, Jazzy is set to conclude her ongoing Pacha Residency in September, before a North American tour in October and a trio of Australian festivals in December.

GEWAH Selects Tracklisting:

Jazzy “Hypnotic” – full length
Palms Trax “Equation” – mixed
Rossi. & Jazzy “High On Me” – mixed
Nightcrawlers “Push The Feeling On” (MK Dub Revisited) – mixed
Marian Hill “Down” (Franky Rizardo Remix) – mixed
Jazzy & Ankhoï “Closer To The Floor” (RUZE Remix) – mixed
Kayleigh Glynn “Break This Down” – mixed
Jazzy & KILIMANJARO “No Bad Vibes” (Kolter Remix) – mixed
Confidence Man “Control’”(Paige Tomlinson Remix) – mixed
DART “Emergency” – mixed
Cloonee “Sippin’ Yak” (Morgan Seatree Remix) – mixed
Jazzy & Luuk Van Dijk “Moth To A Flame” – full length


(Photo credit: Alistair McVeigh)

ABOUT JAZZY:
As the most streamed female DJ/vocalist globally, Dublin’s Jazzy is the most exciting artist in Ireland right now, and is a trailblazer for her homegrown music scene. The BRIT and Ivor Novello nominee has released a string of wide-ranging collaborations with global dance contemporaries, offering her infectious blend of unforgettable melodies and resonant lyrics to tracks with Rossi. (“High On Me”), Ankhoï (“Closer to the Floor”) KILIMANJARO (“No Bad Vibes”) and Sonny Fodera & D.O.D (top 5 hit “Somedays”). A bonafide hitmaker, Jazzy has two number one singles in Ireland, as well as five top twenty singles in the UK. With each new release further establishing her name within the dance music canon.

Tour Dates 2025

September:
Mon 29th Sept – IBIZA, ES – PACHA 8

October:
Fri 3rd – LOS ANGELES, CA – SPOTLIGHT
Sat 4th – CHICAGO, IL – PRYSM
Fri 10th – MONTREAL, QC – NEWSPEAK
Sat 11th – TORONTO, ON – DPRTMNT
Fri 17th – BROOKLYN, NY – ELSEWHERE (HALL / CLUB NIGHT)
Sat 18th – WASHINGTON, DC – FLASH ROOFTOP

December (Dates TBC)
LOST PARADISE FESTIVAL
BEYOND THE VALLEY FESTIVAL
WILDLANDS FESTIVAL

Daniel Caesar Explores Soulful R&B Horizons on New Single “Moon” with Bon Iver from Forthcoming Album ‘Son Of Spergy’

Eric Alper
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Daniel Caesar Explores Soulful R&B Horizons on New Single “Moon” with Bon Iver from Forthcoming Album ‘Son Of Spergy’

After recently announcing his forthcoming album Son Of Spergy, Daniel Caesar shares new single “Moon” featuring Bon Iver. Alongside the new single, he unveils the album’s official tracklisting, which also includes features from Sampha, Blood Orange, Yebba, 646yf4t, and his own father, Norwill Simmonds, whose influence on Daniel remains a central theme of the forthcoming project.

One of two songs written alongside and featuring acclaimed artist Bon Iver, “Moon” joins his previously released singles “Have A Baby (With Me)” and “Call On Me,” where, in contrast to the latter’s upbeat tempo, the single sees the singer-songwriter expertly create an intimate yet celestial soundscape.

Due October 24th via Republic Records, Son Of Spergy was first teased with a video letter shared on socials and discussed in Daniel’s Billboard cover story. In conversation with Tyler, The Creator for Billboard, the two discuss Daniel’s career to date, their creative relationship (especially as it pertains to Daniel’s extensive work across Tyler’s 2024 album CHROMAKOPIA), what fans can expect from Son Of Spergy and more.

Earlier this year, Daniel joined forces with close friend and collaborator Rex Orange County for a special two-track bundle, “Rearrange My World / There’s A Field (That’s Only Yours).” More recently, Daniel was featured on “The Field,” from Blood Orange’s forthcoming album Essex Honey, alongside Caroline Polachek, Tariq Al-Sabir, and The Durutti Column, and contributed songwriting, backing vocals, and production to “DEVOTION” featuring Dijon on Justin Bieber’s critically acclaimed new album, SWAG.

Pre-save/order Son Of Spergy and listen to “Moon” above and stay tuned for more from Daniel Caesar coming soon.

Daniel Caesar Son Of Spergy Tracklist

1. Rain Down (Feat. Sampha)
2. Have A Baby (With Me)
3. Call On Me
4. Baby Blue (Feat. Norwill Simmonds)
5. Root Of All Evil
6. Who Knows
7. Moon (Feat. Bon Iver)
8. Touching God (Feat. Yebba & Blood Orange)
9. Sign Of The Times
10. Emily’s Song
11. No More Loving (On Women I Don’t Love) (Feat. 656yf4t)
12. Sins Of The Father (Feat. Bon Iver)

Florence + the Machine Channel Gothic Indie-Rock on New Single “One Of The Greats” from Forthcoming Album ‘Everybody Scream’

Eric Alper
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Florence + the Machine Channel Gothic Indie-Rock on New Single “One Of The Greats” from Forthcoming Album ‘Everybody Scream’

 Florence + the Machine unveil a new song, “One Of The Greats,” today from Florence Welch’s forthcoming sixth album, Everybody Scream. Listen here. The new album is set for release on 31st October, preorder it here. 

Florence notes: 

I don’t really know how to explain myself with this one, it was sort of a long poem about the cost of greatness. Who gets to decide what that is? Why do I even want it? Why am I never satisfied?  

I feel like I die a little bit every time I make a record, and kind of literally nearly died on the last tour. Yet I always dig myself up to try again, always trying to please that one person who doesn’t like it, or finally feel like I made something perfect and I can rest.  

Early in my career, I was consistently ridiculed and derided for the bigness of my expression. I was thrust into the spotlight but also told again and again I didn’t deserve it, or that because it wasn’t to their taste it wasn’t good. So maybe this is a 15-year outpouring of frustration. But also, a lot of the lines I just left in because I thought they were funny.  

Me and Bowen from IDLES wrote it in one take. He played the guitar and I just sang it straight from the page. We meant to re-record it but the first take just had this amazing energy.  

Then Aaron Dessner helped us take it to a truly transcendent place. I wanted it to feel like you were disintegrating into nothing at the end. Which is sometimes what the creative process feels to me. Death and resurrection over and over. 

“One Of The Greats” follows the album’s title track, released last month with a video directed by Autumn de Wilde to rapturous praise. The New York Times declared Welch “Pop’s glorious enchantress” while Stereogum called the song “a grand, gothic, synth-powered anthem with the kind of chorus a whole arena could easily pick up on.” 

Florence wrote and produced Everybody Scream with a close-knit circle of collaborators including Mark Bowen of IDLES—who appears in the video for “Everybody Scream,” Aaron Dessner and Mitski. 

After needing lifesaving surgery on the Dance Fever tour, Florence’s recovery took her down the path of spiritual mysticism, witchcraft and folk horror as she felt the limits of her body and explored what it means to be “healed.” The album treads through womanhood, partnership, aging and dying; exposing the murky in the mundane. 

Across five albums—2009’s Lungs, 2011’s Ceremonials, 2015’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, 2018’s High As Hope and 2022’s Dance Fever—Florence has become one of the most monumental artists of a generation, with multiple U.S. and U.K. #1 albums and countless awards. Known for her earth-shattering live show and singular, iconic voice, Florence has sold out shows and headlined festivals the entire world over. She has collaborated and shared stages with icons—The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift among them—and published a book of lyrics, poetry and drawings, Useless Magic. 

Garrett Anthony Rice Blends Britpop Glow and Soulful Echoes on New Indie-Folk Single “It’s Not The Summer”

Eric Alper
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Garrett Anthony Rice Blends Britpop Glow and Soulful Echoes on New Indie-Folk Single “It’s Not The Summer”

Garrett Anthony Rice has a way of writing songs that feel like they were already waiting for you. His latest, “It’s Not The Summer,” steps out of the shadows with an easy glow, letting light in without rushing it.

The track is touched by Britpop’s golden haze, but it’s no nostalgia trip. Crisp guitars ring out over a gentle, steady pulse; breezy rhythms carry the song forward with the same patience that runs through its core. There’s a quiet acceptance here that life doesn’t always meet you where you want it to, and that’s fine. Seasons change. Things shift. It won’t be like this forever. And in Ireland, where summer rain often drowns out the sunshine, that irony lands all the more sharply.

“It’s Not The Summer” sounds like sunshine caught in a jar. The song flickers with familiar ghosts, a breakdown with Lennon’s trace in it, handclaps that carry the spirit of “Here Comes the Sun,” and a whistle at the end that drifts the way Otis Redding once did on “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.” Rather than imitation, these touches feel like memories folded into something new, lived-in, and wholly Rice’s own.

The single adds a softer hue to the unfolding Equinox, the 18-track double album recorded between Ireland and the UK in 2024. Following the gospel haze of “Eden,” the road-dust grit of “In the Sun,” the urgency of “I Found Myself Today,” and the introspective burn of “Property,” this one opens a window and lets warmth spill in.

“It’s Not The Summer” doesn’t try to solve anything. It just offers what it has: patience, clarity, and the reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is wait for the next season to come.

Brooks & Dunn and Chris Stapleton Lead Star-Studded Two Step Inn 2026 Festival Lineup

Eric Alper
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Brooks & Dunn and Chris Stapleton Lead Star-Studded Two Step Inn 2026 Festival Lineup

Two Step Inn, the world’s largest outdoor honky tonk, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated lineup for its fourth annual festival, returning to Georgetown’s beautiful San Gabriel Park on April 18-19, 2026. This year’s event promises an unforgettable weekend with a mix of country icons, rising stars, and genre-bending artists.

Headlining the 2026 festival are the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn, who will close out Saturday night, and Grammy-winning superstar Chris Stapleton, who will bring the festival to a powerful close on Sunday.

Additional performers include Goo Goo Dolls, BigXthaPlug, Tracy Lawrence, Wyatt Flores, Shenandoah, Wade Bowen, The Band Perry, Kaitlin Butts, The Red Clay Strays, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Travis: More Life, Clay Walker, Anne Wilson, The Castellows, Avery Anna, Laci Kaye Boothe, and others.

In addition to the stellar musical acts, organizer C3 Presents listened to fan feedback and is introducing several new improvements for 2026 to enhance the overall experience. Changes include additional restrooms, more entry lanes, fewer tickets, and more first-come, first-served seating.

Presales start Friday, September 26th, at noon local time. The guaranteed lowest-priced 2-Day GA tickets will be offered for the first hour of the presale. Fans can sign up for the presale code and get more information on all ticket types, including GA+, VIP, and Platinum. A public sale will follow if tickets remain.

Since its inaugural year, Two Step Inn has become a staple of the Central Texas music scene and a significant economic driver for the region. In 2025 alone, the festival generated over $128.5 million for the local and regional economy and donated over $1.19 million to Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation.

LG’s AI-Powered ‘Radio Optimism’ Campaign Proves Love and Gratitude Still Top the Charts

Eric Alper
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LG’s AI-Powered ‘Radio Optimism’ Campaign Proves Love and Gratitude Still Top the Charts

LG Electronics (LG) today announced the success of its AI-powered Radio Optimism campaign, which revealed a universal truth: despite the rapid advances in technology, love and gratitude toward family and loved ones remain life’s foremost priorities.

Available in six languages, the creative platform inspired people globally to create more than 700,000 personalized songs. These AI-generated tracks – listened to and shared over 1.5 million times – underscored the enduring importance of human connection across cultures.

Designed to counter the sense of disconnection often associated with social media, Radio Optimism invited users to write a message to a loved one, select a genre and vibe, and generate a one-of-a-kind AI song. By turning music into a heartfelt gesture, the campaign brought LG’s Life’s Good brand promise into the digital spaces where people most often connect.

Expressions of love proved most prominent, appearing in over 30 percent of the songs, followed by messages of gratitude and encouragement. Family emerged as the most frequent recipient, followed by friends, reaffirming that when it comes to care and affection, people turn first to those closest to them.

The campaign drew an overwhelming response, generating over 30 million social engagements worldwide and 2.4 billion views of its content. Partnerships with global and local influencers amplified its reach, including Australian father-daughter duo Ben and Zara, who created a special birthday song for Ben’s son, and Brazilian creator Jessie Shen, who created a touching song for her partner.

The campaign also captured unique cultural moments, such as sports fans crafting team anthems and pet owners dedicating songs to their companions, illustrating the evolving ways people express and share what matters most.

“Through this creative campaign, we believe we helped people rediscover the enduring values that remain unchanged even in times of change and volatility,” said Kim Hyo-eun, head of LG’s Brand Management Division. “It deeply resonated with people worldwide, reflecting the lasting value of Life’s Good. We will continue to engage with them, upholding this promise and inspiring optimism for a better life.”

The Radio Optimism campaign demonstrates how AI, when used thoughtfully, can strengthen emotional bonds in the digital age. By enabling users to create personalized songs trained on properly licensed music from original artists, LG upheld its commitment to responsible innovation while fostering a global movement of optimism and meaningful connection.

10 of the Best Versions of “Hallelujah”

Eric Alper
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10 of the Best Versions of “Hallelujah”

When Leonard Cohen released “Hallelujah” in 1984, it quietly slipped into the world without much fanfare. It wasn’t until John Cale’s 1991 version—and Jeff Buckley’s haunting 1994 recording—that the song began its unlikely journey to becoming one of the most beloved pieces of modern music. With over 300 known covers in countless languages, “Hallelujah” has become a universal anthem of longing, joy, grief, and grace.

Here are ten of the most powerful versions, arranged alphabetically by artist and year of release.

Alexandra Burke – 2008
The X Factor winner’s take brought “Hallelujah” to the top of the UK Christmas charts. With a soaring pop arrangement and wide appeal, her version became one of the fastest-selling singles by a British female artist.

Jeff Buckley – 1994
Haunting, intimate, and achingly beautiful, Buckley’s version on Grace has become the definitive rendition for many. His ethereal voice transforms Cohen’s words into something fragile, timeless, and unforgettable.

John Cale – 1991
The version that started it all. Recorded for a Leonard Cohen tribute album, Cale’s piano-led interpretation gave the song new life and inspired nearly every cover that followed, including Buckley’s.

Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris with Charlie Sexton – 2010
Performed live at the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon, their heartfelt duet showed the song’s power to bring people together in moments of crisis, offering comfort and solidarity through music.

k.d. lang – 2004
Lang’s soaring voice gives “Hallelujah” a near-operatic sweep. Her performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony was seen by billions, and Cohen himself praised her version as pure bliss.

Leonard Cohen – 1984
The original remains striking in its quietness. More subdued than later interpretations, Cohen’s delivery is half hymn, half whisper—setting the stage for the song’s extraordinary journey.

Pentatonix – 2016
This a cappella version stripped the song down to pure harmonies. Their desert-set music video went viral, showcasing the beauty of voices alone carrying the emotion of Cohen’s masterpiece.

Rufus Wainwright – 2001 (Shrek Soundtrack)
Though John Cale’s version appeared in Shrek, it was Wainwright’s piano-driven cover that landed on the soundtrack. His warm, theatrical voice brought tenderness to a new generation of listeners.

Tori Kelly – 2016
Recorded for the animated film Sing and performed at the Emmy Awards, Kelly’s heartfelt rendition captures the song’s blend of vulnerability and hope, powered by her soulful vocal control.

Willie Nelson – 2006
Nelson’s country-tinged version adds a weathered wisdom to the song. His steady phrasing and gentle delivery feel like a lived-in prayer, adding another layer to the song’s legacy.

“Hallelujah” is the rare song that holds space for joy and sorrow at once. Each version adds a new shade of meaning, proving that Leonard Cohen was right when he said there are “many different hallelujahs.”

Heavy Metal Icons Iron Maiden Announce Monumental ‘Run For Your Lives’ UK Show At Knebworth Park

Eric Alper
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Heavy Metal Icons Iron Maiden Announce Monumental ‘Run For Your Lives’ UK Show At Knebworth Park

Following last week’s reveal of their ‘Run For Your Lives’ World Tour 2026 European dates, heavy metal legends Iron Maiden have confirmed their return to the UK with a major outdoor headline show at the historic Knebworth Park.

The band will host a full Iron Maiden-curated weekend, transforming Knebworth into “Maiden World” with themed attractions. Fans can expect the largest-ever Eddie’s Dive Bar, Maiden-inspired food stalls, exclusive stands, and a modern twist on the venue’s iconic Knebworth Fayre tradition.

A specially selected supporting line-up has also been announced:

The Darkness
The Hu
Airbourne
The Almighty

For those camping on-site, Friday night will feature Maiden-themed entertainment, including DJs, live music, attractions, and the expanded dive bar experience, setting the stage for the headline event.

The Knebworth performance continues Iron Maiden’s celebration of five decades as one of metal’s most influential acts. Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 27th at 10 a.m. UK time via ironmaiden.knebworth.com, myticket.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk, and ironmaiden.com.

Country Rock Artist Joe Hermes Drops Feel-Good Single “A Honky Tonk Feelin’”

Eric Alper
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Country Rock Artist Joe Hermes Drops Feel-Good Single “A Honky Tonk Feelin’”

There are certain songs that just make you feel good, and that’s what Joe Hermes’ new track “A Honky Tonk Feelin’” is all about. The positive vibes are even evident in the title, a barnburner of a song meant for toe tapping, head bobbing, and raising a glass to. These are the types of songs that Hermes is becoming known for as he continues to attract more and more attention in the country rock scene.

“A Honky Tonk Feelin’” is reflective of the working-class roots that Hermes comes from, a blue-collar country rock anthem that would fit into any era of music. It’s a good time jam meant for blasting at a tailgate, in a dive bar, or from pickup truck speakers cruising down the highway. It’ll get the whole bar rocking, and suddenly your concerns about getting a good night’s sleep fall completely by the wayside.

“A Honky Tonk Feelin’” seems like the right vibe to end the summer off with. A commitment to good times and good friends, even if the days are getting shorter. Considering his background and personality, it’s no wonder that Hermes enjoys a good night out. He is a man of faith, family, and values, a former football player who has a good heart. He’s fun-loving, and he tries to convey that through his music.

A native of Illinois, Hermes grew up equally on country and rock n’ roll. You can hear both sides of that in his music, with his intense, soulful, raw, and honest approach. It was 2020 when Hermes first made his debut with the EP Souls With Stones. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic, he soldiered on and focused primarily on songwriting. Once things settled down, he had songs ready to go and released the full-length Rockin’ A Country Town in 2023. He has continued releasing several singles since then and has become more established as a live act.

Sometimes you just got to let loose. Fortunately, we have artists like Joe Hermes here to remind us to.

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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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