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Action/Adventure Announce New Album ‘Ever After’ and U.S. Headline Tour, Share New Single “URL”

Eric Alper
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Action/Adventure Announce New Album ‘Ever After’ and U.S. Headline Tour, Share New Single “URL”

Pop-punk powerhouse Action/Adventure is back with their most ambitious release yet: their brand new album, Ever After, out October 24th via Pure Noise Records. The record marks a bold new chapter for the Chicago-based band, pairing their signature high-energy riffs and soaring hooks with deeper storytelling, unapologetic emotion, and the urgency fans have come to expect.

To celebrate the announcement, the band have released the new single “URL,” accompanied by the official music video.

Formed in 2014, the group, Blake Evaristo (lead vocals), Brompton Jackson (vocals/guitar), Adrian Brown (drums), Manny Avila (bass), and Oren Trace (guitar), first broke through in 2020 when their debut TikTok video, “Barricades,” went viral, spotlighting the obstacles they faced as an all-BIPOC band within the pop-punk scene. They followed that moment with 2021’s Pulling Focus EP and their 2022 Pure Noise debut, Imposter Syndrome, a record that, despite its title, proved their place as one of the genre’s most vital and distinctive voices.

Ever After builds on that foundation. Confident yet self-aware, the album acknowledges the struggles of balancing art with everyday life, and the pressures of following up a breakthrough debut.

With producer Alan Day (Four Year Strong, Knuckle Puck) at the helm, the band pushed themselves creatively, recording at Ghost Hit Studio in Springfield, Massachusetts. The result is eleven songs that chart a journey through doubt, perseverance, and renewal.

The record also features a handful of notable collaborations: Dan Lambton (rationale., ex-Real Friends) lends his voice to “Something Isn’t Right Here,” Armor For Sleep’s Ben Jorgensen co-wrote and appears on “Background,” and UK artist Noahfinnce joins the band on “Go Directly to Jail. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200,” a track critiquing systemic inequities.

The band have also announced a headline tour this October, in support of the forthcoming album Ever After. The run will see the band hitting cities across the U.S. with support from rising acts Diva Bleach and Not My Weekend. The tour launches on October 23rd in Denver and wraps on November 21st in Urbana. Full dates below. Tickets on sale August 22nd.

Ever After Track Listing:

1. Dayterror
2. Disaster / Peace
3. Floortime
4. Something Isn’t Right Here ft. Dan Lambton
5. That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime [AMV]
6. Big Al Dente
7. Spiral
8. Seconds / Centuries
9. Real Juicer Hours
10. Background ft. Ben Jorgensen
11. Go Directly To Jail. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200 ft. Noahfinnce
12. URL
13. Daydream

Tour Dates:

10/23 – Denver, CO @ Skylark
10/25 – Salt Lake City, UT @ DLC Quarters
10/27 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
10/28 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/30 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
10/31 – TBA
11/01 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
11/02 – San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room
11/04 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
11/06 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
11/07 – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock
11/08 – Dallas, TX @ TX Tea Room
11/10 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
11/11 – Jacksonville, FL @ Hard Love
11/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
11/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings
11/15 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall
11/16 – Amityville, NY @ AMH
11/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Warehouse on Watts
11/19 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
11/20 – Detroit, MI @ Lager House
11/21 – Urbana, IL @ Gallery Art Bar

Best Boys Return With ’90s-Tinged Indie Rock Single and Video ‘Pull Up’

Eric Alper
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Best Boys Return With ’90s-Tinged Indie Rock Single and Video ‘Pull Up’

Bi-Coastal indie rock duo Best Boys return with their latest single, “Pull Up,” a gritty, groove-heavy single that blends raw vulnerability with defiant swagger. Paired with a stylized music video to bring you back to the ’90s nostalgia of home movies, this track drops fans into a hazy late-night world of mischief and electric tension, a space where boldness and vulnerability collide.

Building on their signature fusion of alt-rock grit and electronic-laced indie rock, “Pull Up” signals a fearless step forward for Best Boys. The song’s sharp production and magnetic hooks unfold like the soundtrack to a midnight fever dream, equal parts danger and desire.

The music video pulls from both underground culture and surrealist cinema, reminding you what it’s like to travel across the country in the late ’90s. With visuals that will remind you of your youth and an after-hours trip to a house party, the band leans into a world that’s intoxicatingly stylish yet unpredictably real, a view of the underbelly of our country.

NONE Unveils Official Video for ‘Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests’ from New Album ‘Supreme Dedication To The Craft Is Forever’

Eric Alper
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NONE Unveils Official Video for ‘Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests’ from New Album ‘Supreme Dedication To The Craft Is Forever’

The official music video for “Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests” by NONE, a black metal entity that blends atmospheric and depressive black metal with elements of neofolk and dark ambient music, is now streaming. The song comes off the long-awaited and fabled album Supreme Dedication To The Craft Is Forever.”

NONE is a personal, spiritual art form, a dedication to discovering the divine and eternal truth that is ourselves, brought to life and channeled by song writer Nicholas Mendiola. NONE is the eternal version of himself, his mission and purpose being to discover himself as the true voice and host that NONE speaks through.

Famous When Dead Records Drops Tech House Heater ‘Remedy’ from CASH ONLY, GAWP, and Holly Ellison

Eric Alper
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Famous When Dead Records Drops Tech House Heater ‘Remedy’ from CASH ONLY, GAWP, and Holly Ellison

Famous When Dead Records continues its rise to prominence with a new collaboration between label head CASH ONLY and Tech House favourite GAWP. Their latest release, ‘Remedy’, is a peak-time track that brings together GAWP’s signature club-ready production with CASH ONLY’s crossover sensibility. The result is a rolling Tech House production primed for both underground warehouse sets and mainstage moments.

With past releases on respected labels such as Toolroom, Dirtybird, Nervous, Heldeep, Farris Wheel, and Deeaupe, GAWP is no stranger to crafting dancefloor-ready records. On ‘Remedy’, he fuses his unmistakable style with CASH ONLY’s bold, modern edge to create a track that is powerful while staying radio accessible.

Elevating the track even further is a standout vocal performance from Holly Ellison, whose topline floats effortlessly above the groove. Her delivery injects a late-night emotion that contrasts beautifully with the driving bass and punchy drums, giving ‘Remedy’ both underground credibility and crossover appeal.

‘Remedy’ is designed for Funktion-One systems and late-night moments, but with its melodic hook and energetic drive, it’s just as comfortable blasting through car stereos and festival speakers. Built with the dancefloor in mind, ‘Remedy’ is set to soundtrack the tail end of the summer across clubs, warehouses, and airwaves alike.

Both GAWP and CASH ONLY have had a landmark year, with international shows, standout releases, and growing reputations as forward-thinking artists in the Tech House and club circuit. ‘Remedy’ is yet another testament to their collaborative energy and refusal to follow trends instead, carving out their own path with style and substance.

The release of ‘Remedy’ sees CASH ONLY, GAWP, and Holly Ellison add another standout cut to the growing legacy of Famous When Dead Records.

Peter McPoland Unveils Intimate DIY Single and Claymation Video for ‘Last Looks’

Eric Alper
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Peter McPoland Unveils Intimate DIY Single and Claymation Video for ‘Last Looks’

Peter McPoland returns today with his latest single “Last Looks,” a sweet, acoustic song that feels intimate in its simplicity. McPoland’s first offering since the December 2024 release of Friend, “Last Looks” was written in a lonely greenroom in Omaha, Nebraska, and first performed an hour later to a room of mesmerized fans that have since been impatiently awaiting its arrival. Listen HERE.

In the true spirit of DIY, “Last Looks,” and its accompanying music video were forged solely by McPoland himself. The song itself was written, produced, performed, engineered, and mixed by Peter on reel-to-reel tape – a process that McPoland learned concurrent to recording. The video was similarly created over a two-day period in Peter’s own home studio – displaying equal measures of intention and playfulness. The handcrafted claymation video showcases McPoland’s true passion for nurturing art from the initial spark of an idea to the final product – even if it means learning multiple new skills in the process.  “Last Looks” is laced with the introspective lyrics, entrancing vocals, and enthralling melodies that have defined previous McPoland gems including “Digital Silence,” “Romeo & Juliet” and “Shit Show” – all of which have accumulated streams in the tens of millions. Perhaps McPoland’s most mature composition to date, “Last Looks” hints at a new era for the artist. With lyrics offering insight into the workings of a young and quickly rising artist, listeners can not help but yearn for more from the mind of McPoland. And for fans with attention to detail, there may be clues within the video for what lies ahead….

Rising Appalachia Gives the Statue of Liberty a Voice in Powerful New Single ‘Lady Liberty’

Eric Alper
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0
Rising Appalachia Gives the Statue of Liberty a Voice in Powerful New Single ‘Lady Liberty’

Rising Appalachia returns with “Lady Liberty,” a timely new single out today (August 19, 2025), that reimagines America’s most iconic symbol of welcome through the voice of the Statue of Liberty herself. With lyrics inspired by Emma Lazarus’ 1883 sonnet The New Colossus, the poem inscribed at the base of the statue, sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith give “Lady Liberty” a voice that calls not only to immigrants and refugees but also to a nation wrestling with its fractured promises.

“Lady Liberty is a folk song from the perspective of the statue herself, speaking to the protection of immigrants and refugees,” Chloe Smith shares. “We imagined what the physical and poetic symbol of liberty may want to sing if she herself were given the chance. While we witness ongoing destruction of colonialism, genocide, climate migration, and extreme nationalism, we question what we’ve become in relation to the original promise of the United States as a refuge for liberty. This song is a reflection [by lifted lamp] on the promise and virtue of one seeking home.”

Known for blending Appalachian folk traditions with global roots music, Rising Appalachia has built a body of work that addresses not only the heart but the conscience. With “Lady Liberty,” the ensemble continues to position itself squarely within today’s socio-political conversation, weaving music and activism into one. Their new single arrives at a moment when questions of migration, belonging, and the humanitarian cost of nationalism are pressing themselves into the public square.

The release of “Lady Liberty” comes off the heels of the band’s 10th Anniversary re-release of their sought after album Winder Circles on Earth Day 2025. It followed up the 2024 release of Folk & Anchor, Rising Appalachia’s first cover album, which reinterprets classics by Bob Dylan, Hozier, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, and more through their uniquely Southern, sibling-harmony lens. Recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Studios, the album affirms the band’s role as both interpreters of tradition and innovators in the folk continuum.

Alongside founders Song and Smith, Rising Appalachia features David Brown (upright bass, baritone guitar), Duncan Wickel (fiddle, cello), and Biko Casini (percussion) forging an independent, global career defined by social conscience and cultural exchange. From busking in New Orleans to headlining Red Rocks and performing on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, their work is a bridge across generations and geographies, rooted in music as a communal and political act.

With “Lady Liberty,” Rising Appalachia offers a poignant reminder: the promise of America was always meant to be sung for those seeking refuge.

Blakes Drops Surprise Video for ‘FAITH’ Ahead of Cardiff Title Fight and New Music

Eric Alper
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Blakes Drops Surprise Video for ‘FAITH’ Ahead of Cardiff Title Fight and New Music

South-West London’s Blakes has surprise-released a music video for his recent urban banger FAITH.  The track itself is an inspiring, introspective collaboration ft. rising talents, grime rapper Ashley Tragic and dynamic vocalist Serena Dench.

Filmed in and around London, the video precedes Danny Blake stepping into the boxing ring for his title fight against Dylan Loughney at Cardiff’s Vale Arena on 23rd August, hosted by Speed Star Promotions.

The new video follows Blakes’ latest single Provide, which shared an unshakeable promise to his daughter, to show up and level up no matter the obstacles.

Having been caught up in local gang culture from an early age, Blakes’ passion for music helped him leave the streets behind and grow as an artist, model, actor, and sports professional.

“Blake’s evolution from a Fulham kid with a troubled past to a model featuring in magazines such as i-D Magazine, Attitude, and British Vogue to working with big-name brands like Versace, Off-White x Moncler, and Diesel is inspiring.  Yet, his pivot to music is a bold move, one that he’s taking more seriously than ever. 

With “Faith,” Danny Blake proves he’s not just a good-looking chap or a name from a rough neighbourhood—he’s a storyteller with a message, and that message is clear: have faith, dig deeper, and believe in the power of transformation.”  writes Origins of CJM.

Blakes’ return to the stage has also teased a brand-new release to follow. Collaboration track ‘UP’ is a fierce hype song, featuring Blakes, Ashley Tragic and SH4YZ and set to release August 29th via Criminal Records.

Brennen Leigh Announces Album Release Tour for ‘Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love’

Eric Alper
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0
Brennen Leigh Announces Album Release Tour for ‘Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love’

Acclaimed real country artist Brennen Leigh has announced the album release tour for Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love will begin on October 3rd in Manchester, NH and include dates at The Grand Ole Opry and AmericanaFEST. Please see the complete list of tour dates below.

Leigh’s highly-anticipated third album for Signature Sounds, Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love will be released October 3rd. Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love is available for pre-save and pre-order here (and vinyl via Bandcamp). 

Leigh previously shared the album’s first single, “Dumpster Diving” Holler. premiered the song’s official video writing, “As renowned for her musicianship as for her writing, with its hard hitting, hilariously incisive lyrics, ‘Dumpster Diving’ is reminiscent of one of Loretta Lynn’s legendary no-shit-taken, no-fucks-given romantic kerb kickers.”

Indeed, nodding to some of the more cautionary cuts of artists like Lynn, Leigh quickly removes herself from a rubbish romantic relationship in stride on the pedal steel heavy song. Although self-described as a “trashy little tune,” do not discard the wisdom earned from Leigh’s brief suffering by “settling for less than we deserve in love.” Listen HERE.

When it comes to Leigh, there is no question. Always and assuredly precise in her ability to craft country music of the highest caliber, her latest album is packed full of playful ear worms, tender tearjerkers and honky tonk quintessence that two steps straight to the heart. Deemed by No Depression as “an adventurous artist wholly and authentically herself,” Leigh embodies classic country that speaks to the heart. As renowned for her musicianship as for her writing, Leigh’s pure country voice, masterful flatpicking, hard hitting, incisive lyrics and vibrant melodies dazzle.

Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love Tracklist:

1. Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love 

2. Dumpster Diving 

3. Tell Me 

4. A Reason To Drink 

5. Thank God You’re Gone 

6. You’re Finally Hurtin’ 

7. Nothin’ You Can’t Fix 

8. How’s The Getting Over Me Going 

9. Texas Tumbleweed 

10. Alone In The Lone Star 

11. I’m Easy To Love After All 

12. Little Magic Wolf 

Brennen Leigh Tour Dates:

THU 2 OCT – Manchester, NH @ Rex Theatre

FRI 3 OCT – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse

SAT 4 OCT – North Andover, MA @ Crossroads Music Series

SUN 5 OCT – Washington, DC @ The Hill Center American Roots Concert Series

TUE 7 OCT – Brooklyn, NY @ Skinny Dennis

WED 8 OCT – Lancaster, PA @ West Art Presents

THU 9 OCT – Thomas, WV @ Purple Fiddle

SUN 12 OCT – Nashville, TN @ Grand Ole Opry

MON 13 OCT – Asheville, C @ Grey Eagle

WED 15 OCT – Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic

FRI 17 OCT – Nashville, TN @ Skinny Dennis

SAT 18 OCT – Indianapolis, IN @ Duke’s Indy

SUN 19 OCT – Forest Park, IL @ Robert’s Westside

SAT 25 OCT – Houston, TX @ Mucky Duck

Brennen Leigh is an American songwriter, guitar player, mandolin player and singer whose to-the-point storytelling style has elevated her to cult icon status in Europe, Scandinavia, across the United States, South America and the United Kingdom. Her songs have been recorded by Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell, Sunny Sweeney, Charley Crockett, and many others. As renowned for her musicianship as for her writing, it’s easy to see how Leigh caught the ear of greats like Guy Clark, who colorfully endorsed her flatpicking: “Brennen Leigh plays guitar like a motherfucker,” and David Olney, who described her writing as “tender, violent, sentimental, foolish and wise, she is always Brennen. Confident and at ease with herself, without being a jerk about it.”

20 Songs Where the Singing Alone Made History

Eric Alper
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0
20 Songs Where the Singing Alone Made History

Some songs hit because of their lyrics, others because of their production. But sometimes, it’s the voice itself that makes the song unforgettable. These 20 performances prove that vocal delivery can be the beating heart of music history.

“A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke’s delivery is tender yet resolute, capturing the pain and hope of the civil rights era. Every note carries both personal vulnerability and collective yearning, making it one of the most soulful and historic performances ever recorded.

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s vocals here are conversational yet devastating, almost like she’s reliving every memory in real time. Her delivery balances fragility with controlled anger, pulling the listener into a heartbreak that feels cinematic.

“Back to Black” – Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse’s raw, smoky phrasing gives this ballad its depth. The way she leans into each line turns heartbreak into something both bruised and beautiful, cementing her as one of the most expressive singers of her generation.

“Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson doesn’t just sing “Billie Jean” — he performs it with urgency, precision, and emotional tension. His vocal hiccups, gasps, and rhythmic intensity make the song as much about delivery as it is about melody.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
Freddie Mercury’s soaring range and theatrical presence transform this track into an opera disguised as rock. His ability to shift from delicate tenderness to full-throated power is a masterclass in vocal versatility.

“Creep” – Radiohead
Thom Yorke’s anguished falsetto gives “Creep” its haunting edge. The cracked, almost desperate delivery makes the song feel like a confession whispered too loud, capturing alienation in its purest form.

“Cry Me a River” – Julie London
Julie London’s smoky, intimate performance makes every word feel like it’s directed at you alone. The controlled restraint of her delivery is what makes the heartbreak sting even more.

“Dancing On My Own” – Robyn
Robyn’s voice cracks with controlled emotion, perfectly embodying loneliness on the dance floor. Her delivery fuses strength and vulnerability, turning heartbreak into a cathartic anthem.

“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone
Nina Simone’s commanding tone and phrasing elevate “Feeling Good” into something timeless. Her delivery feels both triumphant and defiant, making the song an anthem of empowerment.

“Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley’s fragile, soaring tenor transforms Leonard Cohen’s song into something ethereal. His delivery stretches each syllable with aching precision, making it one of the most haunting vocal performances in rock history.

“Hello” – Adele
Adele’s powerhouse voice drives “Hello” into global recognition. Her control, dynamic shifts, and emotional clarity make the song both deeply personal and universally relatable.

“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s version is a lesson in controlled power. Her legendary key change and sustained notes showcase vocal brilliance, but it’s the sincerity in her delivery that turns the ballad into an immortal classic.

“Like a Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s delivery is ragged and biting, carrying more weight than technical polish ever could. His sneering phrasing gives the lyrics their legendary impact, reshaping what “singing” could mean in popular music.

“Lose Yourself” – Eminem
Eminem’s breathless urgency makes “Lose Yourself” impossible to ignore. His vocal pacing mirrors the lyrical message of seizing the moment, turning the performance into an adrenaline shot in musical form.

“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
Sinéad O’Connor’s stark, vulnerable delivery makes this ballad unforgettable. Her voice carries unfiltered pain, and the stripped-down vocal phrasing ensures the heartbreak feels inescapably real.

“O Sole Mio” – Luciano Pavarotti
Pavarotti’s operatic delivery demonstrates technical mastery with unmatched emotional resonance. His soaring high notes feel effortless, blending virtuosity with emotional gravity.

“Respect” – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin doesn’t just sing “Respect,” she demands it. The fire and authority in her phrasing made the song an anthem for empowerment and social change, showcasing her voice as pure force.

“Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday’s chilling delivery on “Strange Fruit” carries unshakable weight. Her weary, mournful tone delivers the song’s harrowing imagery in a way that still resonates decades later.

“Take Me to Church” – Hozier
Hozier’s booming, gospel-infused delivery gives “Take Me to Church” its spiritual intensity. His voice rises with both urgency and conviction, making the track feel like a sermon as much as a song.

“Vision of Love” – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey’s debut performance showcased her incredible control, range, and emotional depth. The vocal runs and sustained notes in “Vision of Love” not only announced her as a star but redefined the standards for pop and R&B singing.

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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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