During a 2017 appearance on Amoeba Music’s long-running series “What’s In My Bag,” Bob Weir stopped by the Los Angeles store to dig through the racks and talk through a selection of albums that shaped his listening. The Grateful Dead co-founder highlighted a wide-ranging group of records, including Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis, Schmilco by Wilco, Blues From Hell by Howlin’ Wolf, Sacred Island by Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band, Rubber Soul by The Beatles, The Essential Bessie Smith by Bessie Smith, and two albums by John Coltrane: Africa / Brass and Coltrane. The segment offered a concise look at the jazz, blues, and rock records that continue to inform Weir’s musical perspective.
Danish Artist Nina Baun Announces New EP ‘Status’ And Shares English-Language Single
Danish artist Nina Baun has announced a new EP titled ‘Status’, set for release on February 12, 2026. The five-track project marks her return as a solo artist after several years focused on collaboration, family life, and work in other musical projects. Drawing from jazz, pop, and contemporary composition, the EP reflects on being at a midpoint in life, connecting past and present through songs that address identity, time, and change. The release follows two Danish-language singles and introduces a broader mix of Danish and English lyrics.
The latest single “2 Piece Puzzle” is Baun’s first English-language release from the EP, built on electronic foundations and expanded by her band into a tactile, atmospheric arrangement. Baun describes the song as originating during her time at the conservatory, later revisited and fully realized through self-production. She and her band will mark the release with a concert on February 8 at Taverna Centrale in Copenhagen, with additional live dates to be announced. The EP was created with drummer and producer Rune Lohse, alongside guitarist Mads Nørgaard and bassist Nicolai Claesson.
Singer-Songwriter Donovan Woods Announces New EP ‘Squander Your Gifts’, Shares Lead Single
Beloved singer/songwriter Donovan Woods returns with the release of his upcoming EP Squander Your Gifts due February 27th, 2026 – PRE-SAVE HERE. This EP will be the first original music we’ve heard from Woods since the release of his Polaris Prize Long Listed album Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now. This announcement launches alongside the first track “I Talk About You,” that perfectly encapsulates his signature style of crafting intimate and honest songs. The song is accompanied by a simple but meaningful visualiser.
The five-track EP is a collection of songs dedicated to his friend and writing partner Abe Stoklasa, who passed away in 2023. Stoklasa and Woods have worked together closely for years in Nashville, writing songs together including, “Leaving Nashville” recorded by Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Woods’ breakout single, “Portland, Maine” first recorded by Tim McGraw. Squander Your Gifts is a personal reflection of loss, love and living that will keep listeners pulled in. On the first track, “I Talk About You,” Woods opens up about the loss. Explaining the song, Woods says:
“This song is very explicitly about my friend Abe Stoklasa. Abe died unexpectedly and way too young in 2023. I wrote many songs with Abe and was so admiring of his talent. He wrote melodies unlike anyone else’s. Which is hard to do after 100 years of pop music. You couldn’t hear the jumping-off point in his ideas. He somehow started and finished lines of lyric and melody in ways that consistently surprised and left-footed me. I love to think and talk about his uniqueness, and that’s what the song’s about. He got a raw deal in childhood and had a hard life because of it. Especially in the wake of his death, people would lament that he wasn’t able to fully express his gifts because he struggled so mightily. He didn’t feel any compunction about it. His gifts were entirely his own. He used them when he wanted, with whom he wanted. I loved that about him and was frustrated by it in equal measure. I didn’t do enough to help him and I miss him every day.”
He continues to discuss the full EP saying:
“I went through a period of only being able to write about him. It lasted about a year and I wondered if it would ever end. Eventually, I felt that I owed it to Abe to dedicate a collection of songs to him and that’s what this is. He liked my writing and that emboldened me to believe that my point-of-view had value, that my stubborn, maybe even boring devotion to plainspoken lyric would eventually matter. Abe was a gifted melodist whose ideas arrived from a musical palette I had no access to. His voice was wonderful: wise, easy to hear and easy to love. He sounded like he was 58 years old at 24. In a way, he was. Abe was incredibly kind and thoughtful to those he loved, whip smart and hilarious, as principled as anyone I’ve ever known. He cooked me the best steak I’ve ever eaten. He was brilliant. He was irritating as hell. I loved him and I’ll miss him terribly.”
Known for his endearing live shows, Donovan Woods is set to head on a North American tour this May opening for The Paper Kites – see below for a full list of dates.
Stay tuned for much more to come from Dononvan in 2026, which is shaping up to be an exciting and busy year.
Known for his candid, emotionally resonant songwriting, Woods blends folk, country, and pop. Outside of his own recorded music, he has written songs that have been recorded by Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ben Platt, Hailey Whitters, Ashley Cooke, Barenaked Ladies, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips and more. Albums like Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled, Both Ways, Without People and his most recent Polaris Prize Long Listed album Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now, are praised for his consistent compelling storytelling of exploring love, vulnerability, and relationships. 2026 he is back with brand new music with the upcoming EP Squander Your Gifts due February 27. The five track EP is a collection of songs dedicated to his friend and writing partner Abe Stoklasa, who passed away in November 2023. A reflection of loss, love and living, the singer once again finds a way to paint a picture and make a deeply personal experience resonate with fans. Donovan Woods continues to solidify his place as one of North America’s most compelling songwriters: unflinchingly honest, an artist who isn’t afraid to bear his soul.
DONOVAN WOODS TOUR DATES:
^Supporting The Paper Kites
May 1, 2026 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin^
May 2, 2026 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall^
May 4, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville^
May 6, 2026 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club^
May 7, 2026 – Boston, MA – Royale^
May 8, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts^
May 9, 2026 – New York, NY – Webster Hall^
May 10, 2026 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS^
May 12, 2026 – Toronto, ON – History^
May 14, 2026 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues Chicago^
May 15, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue^
May 17, 2026 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre^
May 19, 2026 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom^
May 20, 2026 – Vancouver, BC – The Centre for Performing Arts^
May 21, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre^
May 26, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern^
Nov 11-15, 2026 – Miami, FL – Moon River at Sea
All Things Go Confirms 2026 Returns For DC, NYC, And Toronto Editions
place in Washington DC and New York City this September. Organizers describe the upcoming year as a continuation of the community the festival has built, paired with a more intentional approach to the overall experience. Additional details for the DC and NYC editions are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The festival has also confirmed the return of its Toronto edition for a second consecutive year. All Things Go Toronto will take place June 6 and 7, 2026, at RBC Amphitheatre. The announcement signals continued expansion for the festival while maintaining its core identity across cities, with further updates planned as the 2026 season approaches. Go here to sign up and get info first.
Indie Pop Artist Cavetown Releases New Album ‘Running With Scissors’
Cavetown has released a new full-length album titled ‘Running With Scissors’, now available via Futures Music Group. Created by UK-born artist Robin Skinner, the project reflects a period of personal and creative change, bringing together electronic elements, layered guitars, and melodic pop songwriting. The album documents a moment of transition, with songs shaped by introspection and evolving self-understanding.
The album arrives alongside the release of “Cryptid” and its accompanying video, which Skinner developed as a narrative short film. Using the idea of hidden creatures living beneath the surface, the video examines themes of exclusion and self-definition. While informed by Skinner’s experience as a transgender artist, the imagery also speaks to broader histories of people being labeled as outsiders. Skinner notes, “I hope this feels empowering for people to sing back.”
Big Blues Bender Returns To Las Vegas With Expanded 2026 Lineup And Immersive Experience
Big Blues Bender returns to Las Vegas from September 10 to 13, 2026, once again taking over the Westgate Las Vegas for four days of nonstop blues. The festival blends performance spaces and living spaces into one shared environment, where late-night sets unfold in ballrooms, jams spill into unexpected corners, and artists and fans move through the same halls. Designed as an all-in experience, packages include on-site lodging and full access to performances, creating a communal atmosphere that sets the event apart from traditional festivals.
The newly announced lineup brings together cornerstone figures and contemporary voices across the blues spectrum. Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal headline a roster that also includes Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Booker T. Jones, Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, alongside a deep supporting cast of veterans, collaborators, and emerging artists. From traditional roots and Southern soul to modern electric blues, gospel-inflected performances, and late-night brass-driven jams, Big Blues Bender continues to present the blues as a shared, living tradition rather than a segmented genre.
Heavy Alternative Collective Negative Love Release Debut ‘Negative Love EP’
Negative Love have released their debut ‘Negative Love’, out now through Static Era Records and listen here. Produced by vocalist Brendan Williams, the five-track release introduces a sound shaped by hardcore, alternative rock, and shoegaze influences, with wide-ranging dynamics across the record. Formed across New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, the band brings together contrasting textures, from dense guitar passages to atmospheric moments, with vocals shifting in tone and intensity throughout. The EP marks the first recorded statement from the group and establishes the foundation of their collaborative approach.
Negative Love EP Tracklist:
Circling The Drain
Shades From Inside
MTPPL
Besties
Cooked
Electronic Pop Artist googly eyes Announces EP ‘paint me like one of your fav american girls’
googly eyes has announced a new EP titled ‘paint me like one of your fav american girls’, set for release on March 13 via Pretty Swede, Neon Gold, and Virgin. Alongside the announcement, she shares the new single “Bruises on the Peach” with an accompanying video. The track was written with Tove Lo and Flume and coproduced with Flume, marking another chapter in an ongoing creative collaboration that began through an artist development open call in 2023.
Speaking about the song, googly eyes says, “Bruises on the Peach is about vulnerability. To be known and loved deeply means sharing all your fears, insecurities, and pain points with someone. It’s a fragile ecosystem – you’re giving someone the blueprint to either wound you beyond repair or soothe your deepest hurts.” The single follows earlier EP tracks “I Don’t Go Out” and “Made Of”, both released ahead of the full project.
The announcement arrives after a strong end to 2025, with googly eyes’ track “Jesus and John Wayne”, performed with Joy Oladokun and August Ponthier, landing on NPR’s 125 songs of 2025 list. To date, her work has been fully written, recorded, and produced independently, with releases through Pretty Swede Records, the label founded by Tove Lo in 2022 in collaboration with Neon Gold.
10 Early 2000s Music Videos That Will Make You Miss MTV
There was a brief, magical era when music videos felt like full-on events. You waited for premieres, argued over rankings, and sprinted to the TV when something new dropped. The early 2000s delivered bold visuals, big ideas, and unforgettable moments that still feel fun to revisit.
These videos leaned hard into style, humor, and spectacle. Some were cinematic, some were chaotic, and some were brilliant because they kept things simple. Here are 10 early 2000s music videos that remain endlessly watchable.
Fatboy Slim – “Weapon of Choice”
Christopher Walken dancing solo through an empty hotel turned this into instant pop culture history. It’s confident, strange, and completely committed to the bit.
Britney Spears – “Toxic”
Spy fantasies, flight attendants, diamonds, and latex outfits all collide here. Every scene change feels deliberate, stylish, and unapologetically over the top.
Linkin Park – “Breaking the Habit”
Animated visuals gave this video a striking emotional distance that set it apart from its peers. The art style still feels intentional and memorable.
Blink-182 – “First Date”
Airport disco chaos with the band fully leaning into absurdity. It captures early-2000s humor perfectly without trying to be clever about it.
Eminem – “Stan”
A fully realized narrative that plays out like a short film. The pacing, performances, and storytelling made this one impossible to forget.
OK Go – “Here It Goes Again”
Eight treadmills and one continuous shot. The concept is simple, precise, and endlessly rewatchable for a reason.
The White Stripes – “The Hardest Button to Button”
Minimalism done right. Repeating drum kits and clean visuals turn restraint into something visually hypnotic.
Gorillaz – “Feel Good Inc.”
Animated worlds, surreal imagery, and a visual identity that felt fully formed. The floating island remains iconic.
Outkast – “Hey Ya!”
Four Andre 3000s performing as rival bands made this feel like a celebration disguised as a pop video. It’s joyful, clever, and endlessly energetic.
The Killers – “Mr. Brightside”
Shot like a dramatic love triangle from another era, the theatrical flair gives it a timeless, slightly unhinged charm.
Ulta Beauty World Returns To Orlando With Second-Ever Fan Convention In 2026
Ulta Beauty World will return for its second-ever convention on April 16, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The event, hosted by Ulta Beauty, follows the inaugural Ulta Beauty World convention held in San Antonio, Texas, in 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with more than 200 beauty brands, participate in demonstrations and tutorials led by the Ulta Beauty Pro Team, and attend brand founder meet-and-greets. Ulta has confirmed that attendees will receive a curated swag bag valued at more than $2,000.
Ulta Beauty World is open to attendees aged 18 and older. A government-issued photo ID is required for entry, and the name on the ID must match the name on the ticket confirmation.
Tickets for the main convention go on sale January 21 at 10 a.m. EST and cost $160, plus a $5 processing fee. Tickets are available through the Ulta Beauty World landing page on Ulta Beauty’s website.
Ulta is also offering optional master classes on April 15, 2026, the day before the convention. These sessions will feature hands-on instruction led by industry experts and brand founders. Master class tickets cost $75 plus a processing fee and are available in limited quantities. A combined ticket for both the master class and the main convention is priced at $199, plus processing fees.
The Orange County Convention Center is located on International Drive and Universal Boulevard in Orlando and includes three buildings: the North Building, South Building, and West Building.