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The Who Announce Super Deluxe ‘Who Are You’ Reissue with 70+ Unreleased Tracks and New Mixes

Eric Alper
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The Who Announce Super Deluxe ‘Who Are You’ Reissue with 70+ Unreleased Tracks and New Mixes

WHO ARE YOU, The Who’s eighth studio album, is to be released in a suite of formats including a super deluxe edition this October featuring over 70 unreleased tracks including never-before-heard versions of the title track Who Are You, newly mixed live tracks from their first tour without original drummer Keith Moon and candid recordings of the band rehearsing in 1977 and 1978. Also included in the 7CD/1 Blu-ray set are brand-new Atmos & Stereo mixes by Steven Wilson. The album will also be released as a deluxe 4LP box set, a 2CD deluxe edition, and limited-edition coloured and half-speed master vinyl editions.

Initially released in August 1978, WHO ARE YOU marked a significant chapter in The Who’s career while a commercial triumph, peaking at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and achieving double platinum status and No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart, it was also tragically the last album to feature legendary drummer Keith Moon, who died a week after its release.

The album saw the band pushing boundaries once more, with the songs referencing the incoming influence of British Punk. Most notably, the title track was written after a night out with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols, and it reflected the sentiments of Music Must Change and Sister Disco. Pete Townshend also delivered some of his most ambitious and intricate arrangements, incorporating layers of synthesisers and strings into The Who’s powerful backing tracks.

The title track WHO ARE YOU preceded the album in early July 78 and became an instant anthem and has remained in the band’s set list to this day. Aided by its appearance in the CSI TV franchise in the early 2000s, it is one of the band’s most-streamed tracks.

The initial sessions for the album took place at the band’s Ramport Studios, produced by Glyn Johns and Jon Astley. However, the recording process was fraught with challenges and creative tensions. The Who Are You Super Deluxe Edition finally tells the whole story, featuring, for the first time, the rejected original Glyn Johns mix of the album, a newly remastered version of the released Jon Astley mix and fly on the wall rehearsal sessions from Shepperton Studios, which the band owned at the time, and a wealth of unreleased material including demos, alternate takes and in the case of standout track Sister Disco, a previously ‘lost’ guitar solo rescued from the multi-track tapes by Steven Wilson.

In 1978, the album was seen as a return to form for The Who, and anticipation for a tour to support the album was high. Sadly, the death of Keith Moon on the 23rd August put paid to any such plans. The band introduced their new drummer, Kenney Jones, formerly of the Faces and The Small Faces, in May 1979, along with new keyboard player John’ Rabbit’ Bundrick. One of the many highlights of the super deluxe edition is the newly mixed live tapes from the US leg of the 1979 tour, capturing The Who’s explosive new lineup in full flight with tracks from the album coming to life onstage with a renewed energy.

The band sustained that momentum into the new decade with the epic film project The Kids Are Alright, the Quadrophenia movie, and the multi-platinum Face Dances album in 1981.

THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

7 AUDIO CDs

CD 1: The original album newly remastered by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge.

CD 2: The Who Are You album, first mixed by Glyn Johns, rejected by the band, plus new mixes created by Steven Wilson

CD3: Early run-throughs, sessions and out-takes plus several demos by John Entwistle.

CD4: Previously unreleased tracks from the 1977 Shepperton studios rehearsals, including Keith Moon singing I Saw Her Standing There and Barbara Ann Plus a very early live version of Who Are You from Toronto, 1976.

CD5: Includes six tracks from the live concert at Shepperton for the filming of The Kids Are Alright documentary. Plus rehearsals with new drummer Kenney Jones for The Who’s 1979 US tour.

CDs 6 & 7:  Live recordings from the 1979 US tour, including tracks recorded at the Pontiac Silverdome, the Spectrum in Philadelphia and the Masonic Temple, Detroit, including a rare live version of John Entwistle’s Trick of the Light,

BLU-RAY: Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and PCM Stereo mixes created by Steven Wilson

SUPER DELUXE EDITION BOOK

A 100-page hardback book with extensive sleeve notes by Matt Kent covering the period before and after the album’s release, plus track-by-track details, and session notes, as well as sleeve notes by Steven Wilson on his remixes for Dolby Atmos. The book is lavishly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs, memorabilia, tape boxes and original print ads.

THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU

DELUXE EDITION

4-LP SET

This limited-edition deluxe vinyl box set features a four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, including the original album newly remastered, plus live recordings from the 1979 US tour. The lift-top box includes 1 LP in a single sleeve and 3 LPs in a triple gatefold sleeve, together with a 28-page soft cover book.

2-CD SET

The Deluxe 2CD set pairs the original album newly remastered with a CD of tracks taken from the studio sessions, demo recordings and live material.

The two discs are presented in an 8-panel digipak with a 16-page booklet.          

WHO ARE YOU

1-LP LIMITED EDITION D2C ONLY VINYL

This limited edition 180-gram yellow-coloured vinyl  1-LP of Who Are You Features the newly remastered album in a replica single sleeve.

WHO ARE YOU

1-LP LIMITED EDITION HALF SPEED MASTER VINYL

This limited edition 180-gram 1/2 speed master 1-LP of Who Are You

Features the newly remastered album in a replica single sleeve.

THE WHO – WHO ARE YOU

SUPER DELUXE EDITION

DISC ONE: Who Are You (Remastered)

New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

DISC TWO: Glyn John Mix

New Song (Glyn Johns mix) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
905 (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Trick of The Light (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Trick of The Light (Single Version Edit – Glyn Johns mix Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen ( Glyn Johns Alt mix Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Glyn Johns Single edit) Previously Unreleased
New Song (Pete Vocal – Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Lost Guitar Mix- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (No Orchestra- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Guitar and Pen (Pete Guide Vocal- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Love Is Coming Down (No Orchestra- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Early Run Through -Pete Vox- Steven Wilson mix) Previously Unreleased

DISC THREE: Sessions & Demos

Who Are You (Lost Verse Mix)
Guitar and Pen (Olympic 78 Mix)
Love Is Coming Down (Early Run Through)
Empty Glass (Session Out Take)
No Road Romance (Session Out Take)
Trick of the Light (Unused Olympic Edit) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Clean Radio Edit)
905 (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough – John Entwistle Demo Previously Unreleased
Back On the Road (John Entwistle Demo)
Wild Horses (John Entwistle Demo)
Trick of the Light (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Good Time Coming (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (John and Cyrano’s mix from The Kids Are Alright)

DISC FOUR: Shepperton 1977

Who Are You (Early version recorded live in Toronto, 1976) Previously Unreleased
The Kids Are Alright (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Run, Run, Run (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Spoonful / Smokestack Lightning (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
I Saw Her Standing There (Shepperton Studios Previously Unreleased
Instrumental Jam (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Knocking It into Shape 1 – Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Knocking It into Shape 2 – Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Baba O’Riley (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Shakin’ All Over (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Bell Boy – Shepperton Studios Previously Unreleased
Won’t Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Barbara Ann (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
I Saw Her Standing There 2 (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased
Drowned (Shepperton Studios) Previously Unreleased

DISC FIVE: Shepperton 1978/79

Baba O’Riley (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
My Wife (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
My Generation (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Join Together (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Won’t Get Fooled Again (Shepperton for The Kids Are Alright 1978) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Won’t Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Shepperton Tour Rehearsal 1979) Previously Unreleased

DISC SIX: Live USA 1979 – Part One

Substitute Previously Unreleased
I Can’t Explain Previously Unreleased
Baba O’Riley Previously Unreleased
The Punk and the Godfather Previously Unreleased
Boris the Spider Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco Previously Unreleased
Behind Blue Eyes Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change Previously Unreleased
Drowned Previously Unreleased
Who Are You Previously Unreleased
5.15 Previously Unreleased
Pinball Wizard Previously Unreleased
See Me, Feel Me Previously Unreleased

DISC SEVEN: Live USA 1979 – Part Two

Long Live Rock Previously Unreleased
My Generation Previously Unreleased
I Can See for Miles Previously Unreleased
Trick Of the Light Previously Unreleased
Sparks Previously Unreleased
Won’t Get Fooled Again Previously Unreleased)
Jam /Take A Fool Like You Previously Unreleased
How Can You Do It Alone Previously Unreleased
Magic Bus Previously Unreleased
Summertime Blues Previously Unreleased
Dancing in the Street / Dance It Away Previously Unreleased
The Real Me Previously Unreleased

BLU RAY: Steven Wilson Mix (Previously Unreleased)

ATMOS
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

5.1 MIX
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

STEREO
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

THE WHO
WHO ARE YOU
4LP DELUXE EDITION

SIDE ONE
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change

SIDE TWO
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

SIDE THREE: LIVE USA 1979
Substitute Previously Unreleased
I Can’t Explain Previously Unreleased
Baba O’Riley Previously Unreleased
The Punk and the Godfather Previously Unreleased
Boris the Spider Previously Unreleased

SIDE FOUR
Sister Disco Previously Unreleased
Behind Blue Eyes Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change Previously Unreleased
Drowned Previously Unreleased

SIDE FIVE
Who Are You Previously Unreleased
5.15 Previously Unreleased
Pinball Wizard Previously Unreleased
See Me, Feel Me Previously Unreleased

SIDE SIX
Long Live Rock Previously Unreleased
My Generation Previously Unreleased
I Can See for Miles Previously Unreleased

SIDE SEVEN
Dancing in the Street Previously Unreleased
Sparks Previously Unreleased
Won’t Get Fooled Again Previously Unreleased

SIDE EIGHT
Magic Bus Previously Unreleased
Summertime Blues Previously Unreleased
How Can You Do It Alone Previously Unreleased

THE WHO
WHO ARE YOU
2CD DELUXE EDITION

CD1 Who Are You (Remastered)
New Song
Had Enough
905
Sister Disco
Music Must Change
Trick Of the Light
Guitar And Pen
Love Is Coming Down
Who Are You

CD2 Sessions & Demos
Who Are You (Glyn Johns Mix) (Previously Unreleased
New Song (Pete’s Guide Vocal) Previously Unreleased
Had Enough (Without Orchestra) Previously Unreleased
Empty Glass (Session Outtake)
Love Is Coming Down (Early Run Through
Trick Of the Light (Unused Olympic Edit) Previously Unreleased
Guitar And Pen (Pete’s Guide Vocal) Previously Unreleased
905 (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Good Time Coming (John Entwistle Demo) Previously Unreleased
Sister Disco (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979) (Previously Unreleased
Music Must Change (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979) Previously Unreleased
Who Are You (Tour Rehearsals, Shepperton 1979 Previously Unreleased

THE WHO
WHO ARE YOU

AVAILABLE ON LIMITED EDITION 7CD/1BLU-RAY 2 SUPER DELUXE EDITION
4LP SET, 2CD SET, HALF SPEED MASTERED LP & COLOURED VINYL

RELEASED 31st OCTOBER
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE HERE
https://thewho.lnk.to/WhoAreYouSDEPR

ABOUT THE WHO

The Who are one of the top three greatest rock legacies in music history with 9 US & 10 UK top ten albums and 14 UK top ten singles.

They have played over well over 2,000 gigs in a career spanning over 50 years including venues such as Woodstock, Monterey Pop, Glastonbury (twice), Hyde Park (four times), The Isle Of Wight (three times), the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, Desert Trip, Shea Stadium, The Superbowl half time show and Live Aid to name but a very few.

Emerging in the mid-1960s as a new and incendiary force in rock n’ roll, their brash style and poignant storytelling garnered them one of music’s most passionate followings, with the legendary foursome blazing a searing new template for rock, punk, and everything after.

Inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame in 1990, the band has placed 27 top-forty singles in the United States and United Kingdom and earning 17 Top Ten albums, including the 1969 groundbreaking rock opera Tommy, 1971’s pummelling Live At Leeds, 1973’s Quadrophenia and 1978’s Who Are You.  The Who debuted in 1964 with a trio of anthems “I Can’t Explain,” “The Kids Are Alright” and “My Generation”. Since then, they have brought the world hits such as Baba O’Riley”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Who Are You” and “You Better You Bet”.

In 2008, they became the first rock band ever to be awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. The Who has performed all over the world including global music events for the Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Show in 2010 and closing the Summer Olympics in 2012. The Who continued their charity work by playing a concert in January 2011 to raise money for trials of a new cancer treatment called PDT. In December 2012 they performed at the Hurricane Sandy Benefit in New York.

Alongside his groundbreaking work with the Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, in November 2012 Daltrey, with Townshend at his side, launched Teen Cancer America www.teencanceramerica.org

Both Roger and Pete delivering their own memoirs (Pete’s Who I Am was released to much acclaim in 2012, and Roger’s Thanks A Lot Mr. Kibblewhite; My Story was embraced by critics in 2018) it’s fitting that the two remaining WHO members have shared their incredible legacy in literary fashion, for few bands have had a more lasting impact on the rock era and the reverberating pop culture than The Who.

The band released their first new album in thirteen years, the critically acclaimed WHO in 2019 and toured the world with their ‘Moving On’ and ‘The Who Hits Back!’ symphonic shows with a full orchestra which were commemorated in 2023 with the album ‘The Who With Orchestra Live At Wembley’, recorded at London’s legendary Wembley Stadium. 2025 sees The Who saying goodbye to their legions of loyal fans in the USA but their music will live on forever.

Olivia Belli Channels Greek Mythology and Personal Journey on New Album ‘Daimon’

Eric Alper
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Olivia Belli Channels Greek Mythology and Personal Journey on New Album ‘Daimon’

Whether Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Philip Glass, or Arvo Part, the works of these composers have inspired Olivia Belli, one of the most captivating voices in the neoclassical scene. Equally, art and literature open new worlds for her, fueling her creativity as a composer. The starting point for her album Daimon, to be released on February 20th by Sony Classical, was Homer’s Odyssey.

The idea that every life is essentially a journey, one that inevitably leads us toward our true purpose, deeply fascinated the Italian artist from the picturesque Marche region. From this concept emerged the piano concerto Daimon – recorded with a string orchestra and inspired by Italian Baroque music. It consists of three movements: The Departure, The Journey, and The Return. The second movement, The Journey, stands out in particular. It reflects the trials, hardships, and suffering faced not only by Odysseus but also by Olivia Belli herself on her path to catharsis. These emotional highs and lows unfold in strikingly epic soundscapes.

Belli consciously wove her own biography into the concerto. Daimon spans her life from adolescence to the present. As the daughter of a bank manager, she moved frequently as a child. Despite discovering exciting cities, she always felt something was missing – though she couldn’t quite name it.

That changed at age 14, when an accident left her bedridden for several months:

“During that time, I was thrown back on myself. With no distractions, I realized what I truly needed: music and nature.”

She had reached the point Socrates once described: “You must know who you are before you go out into the world.” In other words, Belli had found what the Greek term “daimon” expresses – her calling. Since then, she has never lost sight of her purpose.

Belli studied with distinguished pianists and pedagogues, including Alexander Lonquich, Jörg Demus, Franco Scala, and Piero Rattalino, and also pursued composition studies, enriching her artistic identity. She has performed at acclaimed events such as the Piano Nights in Amsterdam, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Steinway & Sons Piano Series at the Royal Albert Hall (Elgar Room). Belli has also composed works for various artists, including Norwegian violinist Mari Samuelsen, French cellist Gautier Capuçon, and British organist Anna Lapwood.

Above all, she has continually embarked on sonic explorations for her own recordings – often inspired by nature or Greek mythology. Her latest creative phase, especially with the piano concerto Daimon, has produced something truly exceptional for a neoclassical artist. Rather than relying on force and orchestral grandeur, this work calls for sensitivity – expressed in Olivia Belli’s unmistakable musical language. She favours gentleness, nuanced emotion, and pastel tonal colours.

Following Daimon, her recording continues with the Ithaca Suite, another musical journey into ancient Greece. This piece portrays the characters Odysseus encounters upon his return – including his father Laertes and his son Telemachus. In these Rencontres, cellist Raphaela Gromes, violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing, and saxophonist Jess Gillam shine as guest musicians. Belli not only contributes her musical signature but also embraces the collaborative spirit with her fellow artists. Her openness to shared creative processes and her refined sense for musical dialogue make her a sought-after partner, both as a pianist and composer. This artistic connection is also reflected in Belli’s own compositions, where she interweaves personal themes with universal emotions.

Odysseus’ wife Penelope is honoured by Belli with a piano solo at the heart of the Ithaca Suite, its melody gently oscillating between melancholy and hope.

The album concludes with a sonata that openly reveals its unpretentious beauty: the Sonatina for Nausica. Nausicaa was the daughter of the Phaeacian king. She did not shy away when she found the shipwrecked Odysseus on the shore, but instead offered him clothes and food.

Foreigner Celebrate 50 Years with Anniversary Tour, Documentary, and ‘Foreigner 4’ Reissue

Eric Alper
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Foreigner Celebrate 50 Years with Anniversary Tour, Documentary, and ‘Foreigner 4’ Reissue

In 2026, Foreigner will celebrate their 50th band anniversary with an exclusive 50th Anniversary Tour. The tour looks back at five decades of rock history and unites the greatest anthems of one of the most successful classic rock bands.

The dates are June 18th and 19th, with presales available starting on Friday, September 5th at 10 am local time.

The setlist spans from their early successes in the 70s, through the legendary album, 4, which spent more time at No. 1 on the Billboard charts than any other album in Atlantic Records’ history, to more recent hits and timeless classics. The live energy of the current lineup with Luis Maldonado, will move from guitar to lead vocals and take over as the band’s frontman in the fall of 2025, as Kelly Hansen retires after two decades as the band’s voice.

Longtime Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson, and drummer Chris Frazier guarantee a concert experience celebrated on all continents.

This weekend, the band will mark their monumental 50th anniversary with a landmark performance at Ellis Island, New York, filmed on a closed set for a major documentary due to release in 2026, produced by Vertigo Live Productions.

This fall, the classic band will team with original singer Lou Gramm for the Foreigner 4 Deluxe Tour. The tour also marks a new chapter for the band, introducing Luis Maldonado in his first major U.S. appearances as Foreigner’s lead vocalist.

Foreigner’s fourth studio album, known as Foreigner 4, is set to be reissued in a Super Deluxe Edition format on September 12th via Rhino Records. Ahead of the album’s 45th anniversary in 2026, 4 will be reissued as a 5-CD/Blu-ray box set and a single vinyl edition with newly remastered audio.

Foreigner 50th Anniversary UK Tour Dates:

June 18 – Manchester, UK @ AO Arena
June 19 – London, UK @ OVO Arena Wembley

Stephen A. Smith Debuts Sports Show on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Sets Launch for ‘Straight Shooter’ on P.O.T.U.S.

Eric Alper
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Stephen A. Smith Debuts Sports Show on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Sets Launch for ‘Straight Shooter’ on P.O.T.U.S.

Acclaimed broadcaster, New York Times best-selling author, and television personality Stephen A. Smith will launch his new daily SiriusXM sports talk program, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,”today at 1 pm ET exclusively on Mad Dog Sports Radio (ch. 82). In addition, SiriusXM unveiled the premiere date for Smith’s upcoming live politics and culture program, “Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith,” which will debut September 17 on SiriusXM’s bipartisan P.O.T.U.S. channel (ch. 124).

Airing live at 6 pm ET every Wednesday, “Straight Shooter” will welcome notable figures from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, and beyond, while offering Smith’s trademark no-nonsense commentary on the day’s most pressing headlines. The show will also give listeners the chance to join the conversation, with Smith taking live calls from across the country.

Following its live broadcast exclusively on P.O.T.U.S., “Straight Shooter” will be available as a podcast on all major platforms and as a full-length video on YouTube the next day.

“I’ve spent my career speaking my mind, asking tough questions, and zeroing in on the issues that matter most,” said Smith. “Whether it’s my new sports show on Mad Dog Sports Radio or talking politics on P.O.T.U.S., I’m here to challenge, entertain, and engage SiriusXM listeners.”

“Stephen A.’s unique voice, unparalleled energy, and range of interests make him a perfect fit for SiriusXM,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “Starting today, from sports to politics, his curiosity, candor, and unfiltered perspective will resonate with audiences across our platforms.”

With the debut of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” SiriusXM is also launching “Get Serious with Stephen A. Smith,” which gives fans a way to join the debate and be a core part of the show. In addition to calling in, listeners can now submit short voice notes or written “hot takes” on the biggest sports stories, with only the boldest making it on air. Stephen A. will then react live – agreeing, firing back, or even roasting outrageous takes – while dishing out his signature “Stamp of Approval” ratings as shareable graphic cards. Listeners can earn instant bragging rights for social media and a chance to go toe-to-toe with Stephen A. himself. He shares some of what his listeners can expect from the “Get Serious” experience here. 

“The Stephen A. Smith Show” will air live every weekday from 1 – 3 pm ET on Mad Dog Sports Radio (ch. 82), while “Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith” will air live on Wednesdays from 6 – 8 pm ET on SiriusXM P.O.T.U.S. (ch. 124).

Shonen Knife Announce ‘Our Best Place (Expanded Edition)’ and Rare Cassette Reissue Ahead of EVERYBODY HAPPY U.S. Tour

Eric Alper
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Shonen Knife Announce ‘Our Best Place (Expanded Edition)’ and Rare Cassette Reissue Ahead of EVERYBODY HAPPY U.S. Tour

In advance of Shonen Knife’s EVERYBODY HAPPY U.S. Tour (their first North American dates since 2019!) which is sponsored by Momokawa Sake, the Japanese punk legends are announcing the release of Our Best Place (Expanded Edition) on September 19, 2025 via Good Charamel.

Originally released digitally and on CD on February 15, 2023, the expanded edition will be officially released on vinyl and will initially be available only at the merch table on their tour (it will be made available at the Good Charamel online store once the tour has concluded at the end of October).

“Our Best Place which was released in 2023 became a representative album of Shonen Knife,” says Naoko, founding member and lead vocalist. “It includes many of our punk pop songs. The 2025 vinyl version has fabulous embroidered artwork and will a collector’s item for our fans! “Not only that, I hope this vinyl release will be a good opportunity for other people to know our music!”

In addition to the original album’s 10 songs, four new songs have been added to the tracklisting: “Nice Day (‘60s Mix),” “The Story of Baumkuchen (Japanese Version),” “Girls Rock (2023 Japanese Version)” and “Green Tea (2025 Naoko Vocal Version).” Considered an immediate critical classic upon its release, Our Best Place found the trio returning to the quirky punk-pop flavor that fueled their first four albums and made fans out of Nirvana, Redd Kross, and Sonic Youth (among many, many others). All Music included it in their “Favorite Rock Albums of 2023,” praising “Into their fifth decade, the Japanese trio sound as happily hooky as ever as they tackle punky pop and poppy punk with joyous abandon.” SPILL Magazine noted “the playfulness of their early sound with the hard rock influence that they’ve adopted as of late… make this an eagerly anticipated return to their roots, especially for long-time fans.” The Punk Site added, “there’s something timeless, life affirming and comforting knowing they will always be there if you need a pick me up.”

“We played songs from Our Best Place during our European, U.K. tour and Japanese tours since it was released and the reaction of the audience is always very good which made me recognize it is a fun album! It also has an essence of early Shonen Knife.”

In addition to the release of Our Best Place (2025 Edition), Shonen Knife is also reissuing Minna Tanoshiku, their extremely rare and much sought after debut cassette. Retaining the original’s D.I.Y. aesthetic and format, their reissue will only be made available on cassette for purchase at the merch table at the band’s concerts. Released in 1982, Minna Tanoshiku (translated from Japanese to mean “Everybody Happy”), only 70 copies of the original 13 songs were made (50 were released by the band themselves and an additional 20 copies were pressed by Zero Records before the band requested duplication to be ceased).  The cassette was never reissued in any format… until now!

“I was so happy when we released Minna Tanoshiku,” beams Naoko. “Our friends suggested we release a cassette album when they saw our show in 1982.” Recorded at home, the band even dubbed the cassettes themselves! “Songs and lyrics are very keen like a knife. Our original bassist Michie liked to read books and she wrote very artistic avantgarde lyrics [for this album]. The basic attitude of my songwriting policy has always been the same from the beginning, but these early songs are so unique, interesting and fun. It’s hard to put into words but once you listen to it. You will be surprised at the worldview on it that defies common sense!” Retaining the original’s format on cassette, Naoko adds, “The cassette tape will be a tiny mysterious treasure box and a time capsule of Shonen Knife.”

About their upcoming tour of the U.S., Naoko says, “We’re so excited to bring our music to fans across North America and celebrate together with delicious sake. Shonen Knife is about fun, friendship, and happiness, and we can’t wait to share that with everyone.”

The Everyone Happy U.S. Tour promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending Shonen Knife’s iconic sound with the joy of cultural tradition. Whether longtime devotees or new listeners, fans will be treated to a vibrant, energetic show that celebrates the band’s legacy and the simple joy of music… With exclusive releases in the vinyl version of Our Best Place (2025 Edition) and the first reissue of Minna Tanoshiku on cassette in over 40 years only available at the merch table on these tourdates, attendance is mandatory!
 

TOUR DATES (hi-res admat)
 

Sep 20Buffalo, NY         Music is Art Festival
Sep 21Boston. MASonia
Sep 23 Hamden, CTSpace Ballroom
Sep 24NYC   Littlefield
Sept 25NYCLittlefield
Sep 26Baltimore, MDOttobar
Sep 27Sellersville, PASellersville Theater
Sep 28Pittsburgh, PAPreserving Underground
Sep 30Columbus, OHRumba Cafe
Oct 02Cleveland, OHGrog Shop
Oct 03            Ann Arbor, MIThe Blind Pig
Oct 04Grand Rapids, MIPyramid Scheme
Oct 05Indianapolis, INHi-Fi
Oct 07Kansas City, MOThe Record Bar
Oct 09Denver, COHQ
Oct 10Colorado Springs, CO            Black Sheep
Oct 11Santa Fe, NMMeow Wolf
Oct 13Phoenix, AZRebel
Oct 14San Diego, CACasbah
Oct 16Los Angeles, CARoxy Theatre
Oct 17Fresno, CAFulton 55
Oct 18San Jose, CAThe Ritz
Oct 19San Francisco, CABottom of the Hill
Oct 21Novato, CAHopmonk
Oct 22Sacramento, CAHarlow’s
Oct 24Portland, ORStar Theater
Oct 25Seattle, WATractor Tavern
Oct 26Tacoma, WASpanish Ballroom

Katie Nolan to Launch New Daily Fan-Focused Show on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio Channel

Eric Alper
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Katie Nolan to Launch New Daily Fan-Focused Show on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio Channel

SiriusXM announced today that popular sports media personality Katie Nolan will headline a new live daily call-in show on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio channel. Debuting today, September 2, “Fan Service with Katie Nolan” is Katie’s first live show, a daily fan-driven hour of radio created by a sports fan, for all sports fans to share in the joys and miseries of sports fandom.

“Fan Service” will serve as an hour-long hotline for sports fans across the country to share their takes, celebrate their teams, ask questions, and air grievances. Every day from noon-1pm ET, Nolan will open up the phone lines to take fans’ calls on any and every aspect of sports fans’ experience.

“Sports fandom is inherently about community, and I wanted to create a space where we can foster that,” said Nolan. “SiriusXM has already helped me welcome more fans into sports through my podcast “Casuals,” and now with “Fan Service” I’m excited to interact with that community in real time. Being a sports fan is a complex experience, and I’m dying to talk about it.”

In the Mad Dog Sports Radio (channel 82) weekday lineup, Katie will immediately follow “Schein on Sports,” hosted by Adam Schein (weekdays from 9 am-noon ET), and will lead into “The Stephen A. Smith Show” (weekdays from 1-3 pm ET) and “Mad Dog Unleashed,” hosted by channel headliner Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo (weekdays from 3-6 pm ET).

The new daily show expands her presence on SiriusXM following the launch of her twice-weekly SiriusXM podcast, “Casuals,” in January. “Casuals” prioritizes covering the entertaining and cultural side of sports over the in-depth X’s and O’s talk and statistical breakdowns that can feel like a barrier to entry for many fans. Katie will continue to record new episodes of the “Casuals” podcast twice a week, which are available to listeners wherever they get their podcasts.

“Katie is an exceptionally versatile talent and brings a unique voice to the Mad Dog Sports Radio lineup, connecting with those fans who are as interested in what goes on outside the lines as much as what happens on the field,” said Jared Fox, SVP, Sports Programming, Content Marketing & Partnerships, and Artist Relations for SiriusXM. “We’re thrilled to expand her presence on our platform. She’ll interact with our SiriusXM listeners live every weekday on Mad Dog Sports Radio and continue developing compelling content on ‘Casuals’ that reaches a broader podcast audience.”

A dynamic and singular talent, Nolan is known for her sharp, irreverent, and highly knowledgeable voice in sports, culture and beyond. Katie was a standout contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy!, where she earned a spot in the finals. She also co-hosted the limited series podcast “91st Minute” about the 2023 Women’s World Cup for Just Women’s Sports. Previously, Katie served as a commentator in the booth for Friday Night Baseball for Apple TV+, and worked as a correspondent for NBC Sports during the 2022 Winter Olympics, appearing across all NBC Sports platforms and The TODAY Show. From 2017-2021, Nolan was at ESPN, serving as a television, streaming and podcast host across various programs and platforms, including her own weekly sports comedy show, “Always Late with Katie Nolan.” Before joining ESPN, she was at Fox Sports 1, where her show “Garbage Time with Katie Nolan” won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Social TV Experience. In addition, Nolan hosted “NFL Films Presents,” provided content for FoxSports.com and was one of the original hosts on “Crowd Goes Wild” alongside Regis Philbin.

10 Songs With Outros Better Than Most Intros

Eric Alper
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10 Songs With Outros Better Than Most Intros

An outro can reshape everything you’ve just heard, shifting mood, tone, and meaning in the final minutes. Sometimes it’s where the musicians stretch the farthest, experiment the boldest, or deliver the emotional punch that lingers longest. These tracks show how endings can become the defining moment.

“A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
The Beatles close their Sgt. Pepper opus with a monumental piano chord that resonates for nearly a minute. That fading vibration, layered with orchestral chaos beforehand, captures a sense of finality and transcendence.

“Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
David Gilmour’s outro solo elevates the song to emotional heights, soaring above the arrangement with both vulnerability and grandeur. It’s a moment that feels suspended in time, carrying the listener long after the lyrics end.

“Fade to Black” – Metallica
The outro of this metal ballad moves from despair into melodic power, weaving guitar harmonies that underline the song’s themes of release and reflection. It’s a quiet storm that feels both intimate and epic.

“Free Bird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Few outros are as iconic as the endless guitar fireworks of “Free Bird.” The track evolves into a Southern rock jam that showcases technical brilliance and emotional urgency, cementing its status as a live-show closer for eternity.

“I Was Meant for the Stage” – The Decemberists
The Decemberists craft a dramatic curtain call where the instrumentation unravels into raw intensity. It plays like the final bow of a play, capturing both spectacle and vulnerability in its extended finish.

“Let It Happen” – Tame Impala
The outro spirals into kaleidoscopic textures, looping and mutating until it feels like the song is dissolving into infinity. It’s immersive, psychedelic, and a defining feature of Kevin Parker’s studio vision.

“Pyramids” – Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean reshapes “Pyramids” with a coda that feels like a new chapter altogether. The beat slows, the mood darkens, and his vocal delivery becomes almost cinematic in scope, closing the track in haunting style.

“Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
What begins as a gentle ballad ascends into one of rock’s most explosive finales. The outro’s driving riffs and Robert Plant’s searing vocals create a climax that defines the song’s mythic status.

“The Chain” – Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s outro takes on a life of its own, with pounding bass and snarling guitars locking into a hypnotic groove. It’s one of the band’s most unforgettable collective statements, often spotlighted in live shows.

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones close with a gospel-tinged choir and gentle acoustic guitar, shifting the song into communal celebration. The outro’s layered voices and warm instrumentation feel like an anthem echoing far beyond its final note.

5 Ways to Keep Going When It Feels Like No One’s Listening

Eric Alper
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5 Ways to Keep Going When It Feels Like No One’s Listening

Ask any seasoned musician, and they’ll tell you at one point or another in their long career, silence can feel louder than applause. Every artist, whether they’re just starting out or touring the world, faces moments where the crowd feels invisible. Here are five ways I’ve learned to keep the fire burning.

1. Remember why you started

At the heart of it all is your love for the music. When the world seems quiet, return to the songs that made you pick up your instrument in the first place. Let your passion be the audience, even when the room is empty.

2. Celebrate small victories

A single stream, one fan message, a tiny review—these are not meaningless. They are proof that your music has reached someone. Collect these moments, because stacked together they remind you that impact isn’t always measured in charts.

3. Lean into community

No artist thrives in isolation. Trade stories with other musicians, swap playlists, or simply vent after a rough gig. Community provides perspective: you’re not the only one fighting through the noise, and together the silence feels less heavy.

4. Keep building, not waiting

Momentum doesn’t come by accident—it comes from steady output. Write, rehearse, release, promote. Even if no one seems to be paying attention now, the work you do today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s breakthrough.

5. Redefine success on your terms

Is it filling an arena, or moving one person to tears? Success isn’t a single measure—it’s a spectrum. Define what fulfillment looks like to you, and keep adjusting it as your journey evolves. This is how you stay resilient in the long run.

Stevie Nicks’ Isolated Vocals For Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon”

Eric Alper
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Stevie Nicks’ Isolated Vocals For Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon”

“Rhiannon,” written by Stevie Nicks and released by Fleetwood Mac in 1975, became one of the band’s signature songs, peaking at #11 in the U.S. and later hailed by Rolling Stone among the greatest songs of all time. Often introduced by Nicks as “a song about an old Welsh witch,” its live performances between 1975–82 grew into fiery, theatrical moments that captivated audiences. Mick Fleetwood once described Nicks’s electrifying delivery as “like an exorcism.”



The Rise of Free AI Text to Video: What It Means for the Future of Music Marketing

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

For as long as people have shared music, visuals have helped carry the story. MTV turned music videos into cultural milestones. YouTube gave every artist a global stage. TikTok rewired how songs catch fire in the first place. Each shift lowered the barrier for artists to share their sound and vision with the world.

Now another shift is underway. Artificial intelligence is making video creation faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever. For musicians and marketers who once required large budgets or entire crews to produce even simple clips, this new wave of tools is transforming what’s possible. Because many of these tools are free to experiment with, including options for free AI text to video, they’re opening doors for artists who want to try something new without incurring additional costs.

Why Video Matters More Than Ever in Music Marketing

Streaming platforms influence what breaks through, but short-form video drives discovery. TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts can turn a hook into a hit faster than radio ever could. A single 15-second clip might push a track from obscurity to millions of plays.

For musicians, visibility extends beyond sound. A song needs a visual companion that works in bite-sized, shareable formats. Producing even brief promotional videos has traditionally required specialized gear, editing skills, and financial resources, which many independent artists lack.

Video has become the heartbeat of music marketing, yet access to it hasn’t always been equal. That gap is exactly where artificial intelligence is starting to make a difference.

Enter Free AI Text to Video Tools

Artificial intelligence has taken the grind out of video production. Instead of scripting, filming, and editing, creators can type out a few lines of text and generate a finished clip in minutes. These tools utilize avatars, voiceovers, and automated editing to transform ideas into visuals that appear polished and professional enough for a campaign.

For musicians, the most appealing part is accessibility. Anyone can try a tool like this and produce content without investing in cameras or learning complex software. That lowers the risk of experimenting, whether it’s a lyric explainer, a tour announcement, or a teaser for a new single. The barrier to entry has dropped to little more than an internet connection and a few words on the screen.

Use Cases for Musicians

AI video isn’t limited to polished promos. Artists are already finding inventive ways to fold it into their everyday marketing. Lyric explainer clips give fans a deeper connection to songs. Quick tour updates can be pushed out in multiple languages, helping artists reach new audiences abroad. Social media teasers keep a release campaign buzzing without exhausting a budget.

Fan engagement can also take on new life. Personalized shoutouts or behind-the-scenes stories can be generated quickly enough to keep up with the constant demand for fresh content. For independent musicians, these uses turn video from a costly production into a practical tool that works at scale.

As Rolling Stone has noted in its coverage of the role of AI in music creation, the technology is influencing how artists approach their craft. Video is becoming one of the clearest examples of that shift, with musicians using it not only to share their work but to expand how it’s experienced.

What This Means for the Future of Music Marketing

Every major change in music technology has reshaped how artists connect with listeners. Home recording opened the door to new voices. Platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud have given independent acts direct access to their audiences. AI video is emerging as the next shift, one that hands creative control back to artists while keeping costs low.

For marketing, the implications are significant. Smaller artists can now keep pace with labels in terms of content output, releasing a steady stream of visuals to support every stage of their careers. Campaigns that once required substantial production budgets can now be sketched out on a laptop in just a matter of hours.

This democratization mirrors other changes already underway, where AI music and video tools are redefining digital content. As the tools mature, they’ll give musicians more flexibility to test ideas, reach wider audiences, and experiment with storytelling in ways that were previously out of reach.

Conclusion

The way music is promoted has always evolved in tandem with technology, and AI-generated video marks the latest leap forward. By removing the traditional costs of cameras, studios, and editing, it allows musicians to produce compelling visuals at the same pace they release new songs. For independent artists, the ability to test ideas with free tools means experimentation is no longer tied to a budget line.

As these platforms grow more sophisticated, they won’t replace creativity. They’ll amplify it. A short clip generated from a few lines of text can spark curiosity, strengthen fan relationships, or help a track find its audience in an oversaturated market. The tools are available, and they’re free to try. The next wave of music marketing may well start with just a sentence and the push of a button.

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

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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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