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Emma Kade Celebrates Hard-Working Communities With New Single “Blue Collar Man” And Music Video

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Canadian country artist Emma Kade is celebrating her new single “Blue Collar Man,” which is available across all digital streaming platforms along with an accompanying music video. The track has been added to the North Country Spotify editorial playlist as well as the Canada’s Country editorial playlist on Apple Music. Written by Kade, “Blue Collar Man” marks the second single of 2025 from the Invermere, BC-based Métis artist and the second to be helmed by the award-winning production duo of Garrett Ward and Dan Botch, better known as The Renaissance, who have worked with Zach McPhee and Annika Catharina. First glimpsed as a raw chorus on social media, the overwhelmingly positive social response encouraged Kade to finish the song. In its final form, she brings an open songwriting heart and lush vocals to “Blue Collar Man” along with pride and warmth that stem from her very personal connection to the track.

Kade says, “I have many blue-collar men in my family, including my husband. When I was rehearsing for a show, the commotion of logging trucks around a nearby sawmill inspired me to look past the noise and lean into the moment as a song idea that later became ‘Blue Collar Man’ – my own tribute to the hard-working people who are the backbones of many rural communities.” Since initially entering the industry as a multi-genre singer-songwriter, Kade has made a comfortable shift to the country genre with the 2024 single “End Game,” which garnered her Spotify recognition as a RADAR Canada and EQUAL Canada artist and was supported by SiriusXM Top of the Country Radio and CBC Radio, and 2025’s “Watering Can” for which she graced the cover of Apple Music’s Canada’s Country editorial playlist. Additional country highlights have included opening for Canadian country music star Dean Brody, performing with Brett Kissel, and recently completing an acoustic mini-tour of Alberta. She adds, “I grew up admiring those who take on tough jobs to put food on the table for their families. ‘Blue Collar Man’ is my way of celebrating the sacrifices they make and also giving back to those who encouraged me to bring this meaningful song to life.”

Natalie Jane Announces “The World I Didn’t Want” World Tour Supporting Sophomore Album

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Blog Post:

Rising pop sensation Natalie Jane has announced her “the world i didn’t want” world tour, following the release of her sophomore album ‘the world i didn’t want’ via Capitol Records and 10K Projects. The tour visits major cities across North America including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Atlanta, with performances also scheduled throughout Europe and the UK. Following the success of singles like “fallin,” “girls will b girls,” “how u been?,” and “r u gonna love me?,” the tour announcement and most recent album build on the momentum of her recent dance anthem collaboration “UH-OH!” with Loud Luxury and teases upcoming work with global DJ duo Two Friends.

Rising to prominence through viral TikTok performances, Jane has quickly become a standout talent, earning accolades from TMRW Magazine, MTV Fresh Out Live, GRAMMY.com’s list of 25 Rising Artists To Watch In 2024, People Magazine, EUPHORIA, and Popdust. With over two billion global streams and a 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards nomination, her ascent shows no signs of slowing down as she continues to invite listeners into her world.

Tour Dates:

February 27 – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA

February 28 – Hawthrone Theatre, Portland, OR

March 2 – Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA

March 4 – Pacific Electric, Los Angeles, CA

March 9 – The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT

March 10 – Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

March 12 – Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN

March 13 – Avondale Music Hall, Chicago, IL

March 15 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH

March 16 – The Opera House, Toronto, ON

March 18 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA

March 19 – Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

March 22 – Underground Arts, Philadelphia, PA

March 23 – The Atlantis, Washington, DC

March 25 – Neighbourhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC

March 26 – Center Stage, Atlanta, GA

March 28 – The Truman, Kansas City, MO

March 30 – The Basement East, Nashville, TN

Ark Identity Unveils Surreal Six-Track EP ‘Deluxe Nightmare’ With Grungy Title Track Video

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Toronto dream-pop artist Ark Identity, the project of Noah Mroueh, has unveiled his most expansive work yet with ‘Deluxe Nightmare’, a surreal and euphoric six-track EP that captures the tension between chaos and clarity. At its centre sits the title track, a grungy, distorted, cathartic release that transforms a childhood fear into cinematic sound. Built on live one-take drum and guitar beds, “Deluxe Nightmare” includes shouting section cues in the background, a perfectly imperfect moment that mirrors the unravelling of a nightmare in real time. “As a child, I had this recurring dream of flying monkeys breaking through the glass of my bedroom window,” Mroueh shares. “I wanted the title track to sound grungy and distorted and almost claustrophobic at times. I used fuzzy guitars, kept some of the rougher vocal takes, and leaned into repetition so it feels like you’re stuck in a loop or a bad dream that you can’t wake up from.”

The musical palette expands from distorted anthems to more intimate reflections across ‘Deluxe Nightmare’s’ six tracks, with Ark Identity threading dream-pop, psychedelic pop, and alternative rock into something wide-ranging yet connected. The EP closes with its title track, which fades out to the surreal sound of screaming monkeys and their flapping wings, a haunting finale that captures the spirit of the release. “This EP taught me to stop avoiding things that make me uncomfortable,” Mroueh elaborates. “A lot of these songs started from anxious thoughts or moments of fear, but instead of shutting them out – I leaned into them. That mindset opened me up creatively.” The sequel to Ark Identity’s debut ‘ANNDALE’ EP, ‘Deluxe Nightmare’ continues Mroueh’s journey into immersive, all-analog dreamscapes that feel euphoric yet haunting, distorted yet intimate. Named one of the most exciting new artists of 2024 by EARMILK, Mroueh has quickly gained attention for crafting soundscapes that feel both timeless and contemporary.

Bad Omens Announce Spring 2026 North American Arena Tour With Beartooth And President

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Platinum-certified rock band Bad Omens are set to take North America by storm with their headline arena tour in spring 2026. The run kicks off February 22 in Salt Lake City at Delta Center with support from Beartooth and President, bringing the band’s cinematic, high-energy performances directly to fans across the United States and Canada. The tour follows the release of the band’s recent singles “Specter,” which hit number one on Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and number 15 on Billboard Alternative Airplay charts, along with “Impose” and “Dying To Love.” Bad Omens have earned a reputation as one of the most compelling live acts in modern rock, with shows that blend cinematic visuals, immersive lighting, and precise musicianship. Frontman Noah Sebastian commands the stage with magnetic presence and passionate vocals, guiding fans through performances that move from haunting, atmospheric passages to explosive, arena-shaking moments.

As highlighted by Live Nation, heavy rock is surging in live music with a 14 percent rise and claiming 13 percent of arena and stadium shows, and Bad Omens stand at the forefront of that movement. The band continues their unstoppable ascent following the explosive success of their breakthrough third studio album ‘The Death of Peace of Mind’ from 2022, which earned RIAA Gold certification and has amassed over 2.7 billion global streams. Their hit single “Just Pretend” became their first RIAA Platinum-certified track, reached number one at both US Active Rock and Alternative Radio formats, and dominated Billboard’s year-end charts. The atmospheric single “Specter” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart and became the band’s fastest rise to number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and Mediabase Active Rock charts while breaking into the Top 20 at Alternative Radio.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026:

Feb 22 – Delta Center – Salt Lake City, UT

Feb 24 – Ball Arena – Denver, CO

Feb 26 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO

Feb 28 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI

Mar 02 – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN

Mar 04 – Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL

Mar 06 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON

Mar 08 – Place Bell – Laval, QC

Mar 10 – Prudential Center – Newark, NJ

Mar 11 – TD Garden – Boston, MA

Mar 13 – Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA

Mar 14 – CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD

Mar 16 – Lenovo Center – Raleigh, NC

Mar 17 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

Mar 19 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX

Mar 20 – Frost Bank Center – San Antonio, TX

Mar 22 – Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, OK

Mar 24 – Desert Diamond Arena – Glendale, AZ

Mar 26 – Kia Forum – Inglewood, CA

Mar 27 – Oakland Arena – Oakland, CA

EU TOUR 2025:

Nov 21 – Dublin, Ireland

Nov 23 – Glasgow, United Kingdom

Nov 26 – London, United Kingdom

Nov 28 – Manchester, United Kingdom

Nov 29 – Nottingham, United Kingdom

Dec 1 – Bruxelles, Belgium

Dec 2 – Paris, France

Dec 4 – Dübendorf, Switzerland

Dec 5 – Nuremberg, Germany

Dec 6 – Berlin, Germany

Dec 9 – Hamburg, Germany

Dec 10 – Oberhausen, Germany

Dec 12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dec 13 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Witch Delivers Full Live Performance At KEXP

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Zambian rock legends Witch performed live in the KEXP gathering space, with the session hosted by Cheryl Waters. The performance featured four songs including “Kamusale,” “Thou Shalt Not Cry,” “Queenless King,” and “Toloka,” showcasing the lineup of Jagari Chandra on vocals, Patrick Mwondela on keys, Jones on guitar, Tommy on bass, and Oli on drums.


Steve Aoki Partners With a Big Crypto Brand to Launch a New Digital Experience

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By Mitch Rice

A new collaboration has been announced between a major crypto platform and the music star Steve Aoki. This is bringing together competitive gaming, live content, exclusive rewards, and real-world experiences. The partnership is introducing a range of features that roll out across gameplay, streaming, collectables, and events.

The announcement clearly shows that the collaboration is a multi-part initiative, with many different elements launching and developing over time. Rather than being all about a single product, this has a focus on building an ecosystem of connected activity that users can engage with in different ways depending on their interests.

What has been announced so far

At the very heart of this collaboration is a brand-new PvP Arena game that has been designed as a live competition. The format focuses on short rounds where players all enter the game together, having contributed to a shared prize pool. These players compete until there is a single winner left. Every round resets entirely, meaning that players have the chance to rejoin whenever they want to, with no progress being lost.

As well as the Arena game, the project also introduces a structured schedule of live moments. These include streamed gameplay sessions, which feature on platforms such as Twitch and Kick. These include Steve Aoki appearing, playing, and interacting in real time. The streams are positioned as part of the experience rather than simply being promotional content.

Reward drops are also a major part of the launch. Known as the Aoki Drop, these are events that bring together instant in-platform rewards that give access to exclusive prizes. Participation is tied to live activity and specific windows.

Digital and physical extensions

The collaboration goes beyond simple gameplay. We can expect to see a limited edition Aoki x BitcoinVIP collection. This has already been announced, with full details set to be revealed later in the year. This has been described as the first release in a series of collector items tied to the partnership, meaning that it is not going to be a one-off drop.

In addition, VIP experiences form part of the wider project. These include access to major live shows, backstage opportunities, and personal moments linked to Steve Aoki’s tour schedule. These experiences are intended to bridge the digital and real-world sides of the collaboration, giving participants access beyond the platform itself.

How the partnership is structured

All elements of the collaborations are being delivered directly through BitcoinVIP, with the gameplay, drops, streams, and future releases all being integrated into the platform. This approach means that different components of the project can operate together, without the need to launch them in complete isolation.

When looking at the role of Steve Aoki, this is tied to visibility, participation, and ongoing involvement. This is not about a single appearance at a launch. It is about being an active presence across gameplay, live streams, and exclusive releases.

Of course, other public figures have looked into crypto in recent years. However, this project really stands out due to the full scope of what has been announced at once. This is not just about touching on branding alone, as the collaboration goes across multiple formats and touchpoints.

What comes next

We can be sure of seeing further details in the coming months, and that will undoubtedly include more information on the likes of the collector series, more live events, and the full scope of the VIP experiences. The staggered approach shows that the project is about developing and evolving, not just peaking at the time of launch.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Dog Chocolate Return With Fourth Album ‘So Inspired, So Done In’ And New Single “Green Stuff”

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After seven years of relative silence and 13 years of being a band, Dog Chocolate have returned with their fourth album ‘So Inspired, So Done In,’ arriving February 27 on Upset The Rhythm. While many of the 16 songs barely make it past the three-minute mark, each one bursts with all the textures and colours of an office cupboard full of old sweets, fluorescent markers, and multiple ways to fix paper together. The band shares new single “Green Stuff,” a scrappy pop-punk song with individual verses written by Matthew, Rob, and Andrew. Matthew explains that the song’s lyrical theme “stemmed from the idea that while humans continually slather concrete and tarmac over habitats, nature always finds a way to reclaim them when left unattended. This echoed with the brewing unrest of nation states trying to aggressively take what is not theirs. It felt like an interesting comparison.” In his verse, Rob challenges the metaphor of a war between plants and humans used in the song and imagines a “mutual aid between our tree and flower comrades.” “Green Stuff” describes cycles of growth, decay, impermanence, and how all this, in Andrew’s lyrical description, is “bonkers and exquisite.”

The accompanying video was filmed last summer in the garden at Andrew’s Mum’s empty house, where nature had truly taken over. He shares, “Thorny creepers stretching the length of the patio, weeds coming up through every crack, standing waist height and feeding Cinnabar Moth caterpillars. Tall grass meshing with low hanging bushes, flowers, leaves, buds etc, at all stages of life and death… I sellotaped a 40x magnifier loupe to my phone’s camera and got in amongst it.” ‘So Inspired, So Done In’ sees Dog Chocolate tackling subject matter as diverse as overheard conversations, healing fungal toenails, the Rogerian concept of the Actualising Tendency, bronze age living conditions, dreaming songs into being, and human-plant relations. Work and anti-work is a recurring theme, as is artistic inspiration and burnout. Recorded and mixed by POZI’s Toby Burroughs and mastered by Sofia Lopes, the album charts a long and confusing period in the band’s collective life, marked by major life changes, losses, and shifts, colouring the band’s trademark frantic, daft, and anxious energy with a contemplative glaze. After the pandemic, some of the band’s members moved to different cities, got new jobs, some had babies, some encountered bereavement, making it harder to practice and play together. The band found a way to keep their friendship and creativity going through making a monthly radio show “The CDRs Won’t Last,” initially chronicling the lost music of the Myspace era but becoming a fun place to chat and play songs to each other. These life changes influenced the way the songs came together, written in bedrooms, over the internet, and in a large shed in Shropshire for a weekend writing get-together.

Tracklist:

Infinite Nuggets

Fun is Always Brilliant

Employee

Springfield Library Haunting

Drumming on a Tree with FM

Potatoes in the Basement Bin

Fungal Free 2023

Green Stuff

Architecture Days

Munchies and a Pen

Guildford Awkward

No Pavement Story

Worst Jobs in History

Unfinished Rock ‘N’ Roll Tattoo

A Bit of Paper

So Inspired, So Done In

Tinsley Ellis Announces Second Acoustic Album ‘Labor Of Love’ With 13 Original Compositions

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‘Labor Of Love’ is Tinsley Ellis’ second acoustic album following 2024’s Blues Music Award-nominated ‘Naked Truth’ and his first acoustic release comprised entirely of original material. The album will be available on CD, Georgia peach-colored vinyl LP, and via digital service providers, with pre-orders available now via Alligator Records. Ellis delivers a raw, edgy, self-produced set of 13 original compositions, all performed with pure emotional honesty. The songs spin modern tales of floods, conflagrations, voodoo spirits, personal travails, and heaven-sent prayers. From the feral opener “Hoodoo Woman” to the John Lee Hooker-groove of “Long Time” to the evocative, Skip James-inspired “To A Hammer” to the Son House-style stomp of “Sunnyland,” Ellis inhabits his songs in an astonishing way. Each performance carries the weight, experience, and hard-earned wisdom Ellis learned over four decades on the road, making ‘Labor Of Love’ as profoundly deep and moving as any music he has made in his career, covering the gamut of emotions, finding good times in the hard times, mixing gentle beauty with foot-pounding ferocity.

Since the 2024 release of ‘Naked Truth,’ Ellis has been traveling on his own, performing solo all over the country in his jokingly named “Two Guitars And A Car” tour. Ellis says, “I love doing these shows. I can be more expressive and emotional as a solo acoustic artist. I just love the sound of acoustic guitar. I always have.” During a break from the recording of the new album, Ellis spent time in Bentonia, Mississippi, birthplace of Skip James and home to blues legend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes. Ellis soaked up the spirit of this tiny Delta town, hanging out with Holmes and getting a deep insight into genuine Bentonia blues, performing with Holmes at his famous Blue Front Café. Ellis notes, “Once I got home, I went right back to the studio and incorporated everything that I just experienced into my music.” For the album, Ellis used six different open tunings on his beloved 1969 Martin D-35, his 12-string Martin D-12-20, and his 1937 National Steel O Series guitars, and for the first time in his career, played mandolin on three of the album’s songs. He notes, “No matter what I play, I like to have an edge. For me, just playing this music is a labor of love. I sat at the feet of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf. I got into this music because of them. I always told myself if I could just make a living playing the blues, I’d be, at least in my own mind, successful.” Premier Guitar declares, “Ellis is a legend of American blues music…he’s an American music treasure. He delivers a sermon on the power and glory of the blues, and is one of modern blues’ greatest performers.”

Tour Dates:

January 29 – Capricorn Studios, Macon, GA

January 30 – Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, GA

January 31 – Rialto Club – Hotel Indigo, Athens, GA

February 10 – The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA

February 11 – Rams Head, Annapolis, MD

February 12 – The Loft at Manor Mill, Monkton, MD

February 13 – Hub City Vinyl, Hagerstown, MD

February 14 – Fanatic’s Pub, Lima, NY

February 15 – Sportsmen’s Tavern, Buffalo, NY

February 16 – The State Theatre, State College, PA

February 18 – Woodlands Tavern, Columbus, OH

February 19 – 20 Front Street, Lake Orion, MI

February 20 – Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI

February 21 – Franke Center, Marshall, MI

February 22 – The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN

February 23 – SPACE, Evanston, IL

February 24 – Dakota, Minneapolis, MN

February 25 – The West Theatre, Duluth, MN

February 26 – McMillan Library Concert Series, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

March 1 – The Venue, Aurora, IL

March 3 – xBk Live, Des Moines, IA

March 4 – Vangarde Arts, Sioux City, IA

March 6 – Velvet Elk Lounge, Boulder, CO

March 7 – Ute Theater, Rifle, CO

March 8 – Swallow Hill, Denver, CO

March 10 – 191 Toole, Tucson, AZ

March 11 – MIM Music Theater, Phoenix, AZ

March 14 – Unit B, Santa Fe, NM

March 15 – Outpost, Albuquerque, NM

March 18 – The Coda Concert House, Joplin, MO

March 20 – Ron Robinson Theater, Little Rock, AR

March 21 – The Lyric Theater, Harrison, AR

March 25 – Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale, FL w/ Matt Schofield

April 17 – Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, MA

British Metalcore Band Shields Release New Single “Miss Me” From Upcoming Album ‘Death & Connection’

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Acclaimed British metalcore band Shields have released their new single and music video “Miss Me.” The song is taken from their upcoming studio album ‘Death & Connection,’ arriving January 30 via Long Branch Records. The band says, “We lost someone dear to us. This song is our tribute — a personal account of the unbearably tragic farewell to our friend, George Christie.” The band comments on the album, “Our new album Death & Connection is a body of work born from the absence of the people who no longer hold space in our lives. This record was created from a necessity to express and soothe our deepest losses; however, that was never the intention — we simply set out to make an album we wanted to hear.”

Founded in 2012 by primary songwriters Joe Edwards on vocals and Samuel Kubrick Finney on guitar/vocals, Shields quickly made an impact in the heavy music scene with their viral single “I Just Feel Hate,” which they re-released in a newly reimagined version in April 2025. Their EP ‘GUILT’ cemented their refined sound, blending brutal instrumentation with poignant, emotionally driven lyrics, demonstrating an aggressive adaptability to the ever-evolving alternative music landscape and winning over fans from across adjacent genres. The momentum of their powerful breakthrough led to tour cycles alongside acts such as Loathe, Ice Nine Kills, and Escape the Fate. Shields’ debut full-length album ‘Life in Exile’ from 2018 received critical acclaim for its raw honesty and musical maturity, though the album cycle was tragically cut short by the sudden passing of guitarist George Christie, an event that ultimately led to the band’s untimely and abrupt disbandment. Their return marks a bold decision given the tragic circumstances surrounding their 2018 split, yet Shields re-emerge with powerful new tracks inviting audiences to witness the next evolution of their sound, matured, refined, and fearless. This new chapter is supported by a fortified lineup featuring founding members Edwards and Finney, now joined by Alastair Wain on drums and Krishan Pujara on bass.

Tracklist:

This Is Not A Dream

Abuser

Kill

Parasites

Lacerate (Feat. Harvey Freeman of Graphic Nature)

Womb

Brother’s Lament

Red & Green

Wolfskin (Feat. Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer)

Loser

Death & Connection (Feat. Jonathan Finney)

Miss Me

Luke Combs, Teddy Swims, Stephen Wilson Jr. Set To Perform At EA Sports Madden Bowl

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Super Bowl weekend just got a little more country. EA Sports announced this year’s lineup for its annual Madden Bowl, and the star-studded event will feature performances from Luke Combs, Teddy Swims, Stephen Wilson Jr., Gavin Adcock, and Bay Area native LaRussell. The event, presented in partnership with Visa, takes place February 6 at San Francisco’s Chase Center ahead of Super Bowl LX. Combs said in a statement, “Panthers football has been a staple in my life since I was a kid, so playing Madden has been something I’ve always done – still do to this day on tour. Getting the invite from EA SPORTS to be a part of the Madden Bowl at the biggest football game in the world – the Super Bowl, was a no-brainer. I can’t wait and I’m still holding out hope my Panthers will be there too.”

EA Sports celebrates the Super Bowl every year with its annual Madden Bowl, which includes video game tournaments and live music. This year’s edition marks the biggest one yet, with EA Sports social channels covering the Madden Bowl Blue Carpet hosted by Jameis Winston and Kay Adams. Twitch streamer Sketch will host a livestream featuring athletes playing Madden NFL 26, and the I AM ATHLETE podcast will also deliver content. John Reseburg, VP of Marketing, Partnerships & Communications for EA SPORTS, said, “With Super Bowl LX in the backyard of our global headquarters, this year truly feels like a home game for us. This will be our biggest presence ever, and EA SPORTS Presents Madden Bowl is at the center of it, a celebration of the fans, athletes, creators, and music shaping the culture of football. We’re going to bring an incredible show to the Bay, and share that energy with football fans everywhere.” It’s also a hometown show for rapper LaRussell, who commented, “The Bay is home, and performing at Madden Bowl while the Super Bowl’s right here means everything. This city runs on innovation, hustle, and heart. The same things that make football and music connect with people everywhere.”