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Leon Thomas Drops Stripped-Down Tiny Desk Edition of ‘MUTT’ Ahead of Sold-Out ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ World Tour

Eric Alper
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Leon Thomas Drops Stripped-Down Tiny Desk Edition of ‘MUTT’ Ahead of Sold-Out ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ World Tour

GRAMMY Award-winning artist Leon Thomas has released the NPR Tiny Desk edition of “MUTT,”  out now via EZMNY/Motown Records. A viral breakout that launched him into a new stratosphere following the release of his sophomore album MUTT,  Leon’s  Tiny Desk performances was one of the biggest of the year, hitting  #2 Trending on YouTube and #5 Trending on X. This special version is a gift to fans, offering a stripped-down take that spotlights Leon’s raw vocal prowess, nuanced musicianship, and creative clarity–hallmarks of his sound. Praised by Rolling Stone, Billboard, VIBE, and UPROXX, theTiny Desk  performance solidifies Leon’s place as a defining voice in modern R&B. Listen HERE. 

This fall, Leon will embark on his MUTTS DON’T HEEL World Tour, produced by Live Nation, in support of HEEL, the deluxe edition of his critically acclaimed sophomore album MUTT, out now via EZMNY/Motown Records. Before hitting the road, he’ll headline Billboard’s Hip-Hop & R&B LIVE concert on September 5 at Webster Hall in New York City, a marquee event during Billboard’s Hip-Hop & R&B Week.  The completely sold-out North American leg kicks off October 30 in Dallas, TX, with stops in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Rising R&B standout Ambré will join as support across the U.S. and Canada. Tickets are available at https://laylo.com/leonthomas/m/muttsdontheel.

In 2026, the tour heads abroad with a run of European dates including London’s Eventim Apollo, Paris’ Élysée Montmartre, Berlin’s Huxleys Neue Welt, and Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre. From there, Leon brings the show to Australia with performances in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. 

Leon Thomas recently released MUTT Deluxe: HEEL, the daring continuation of his critically acclaimed 2024 sophomore album, MUTT. Where the original navigated duality, HEEL bares its teeth, pushing his sound further into psychedelic R&B, raw rock textures, and emotionally charged storytelling. New collaborations with Kehlani, BIg Sean, Halle, and more sharpen the project’s edge as Leon deeps his reflections on fame, connection, and vulnerability. Billboard describes him as “one of the hottest names in R&B,” with MUTT being hailed as “the most stunning R&B album of 2024.” VIBE called it “one of the best R&B albums of the year,” while Essence celebrated it for pushing the boundaries of Black music, cementing Leon as “one of R&B’s most exciting voices.”

Leon Thomas continues to cement himself as a generational force in R&B, redefining the genre and sharpening its cultural landscape; Ty Dolla $ign recently underscored that sentiment, calling Leon the “new king of R&B”  The title track has amassed over 1.1 billion streams, hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, remains No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs, and rose to No. 1 on the R&B Digital Song Sales, R&B Streaming Songs, Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart and the UK R&B Singles Chart. He won Best New Artist and performed “MUTT” on the mainstage at the 2025 BET Awards, days after performing “NOT FAIR” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Earlier this year, he was named Billboard’s Chartbreaker and MTV PUSH’s Artist of the Month, made his late-night TV debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show. “MUTT” is now certified platinum, and the album named the #1 R&B Album of 2024 by Billboard and VIBE, with additional placements on several Best of 2024 lists.  He also presented at the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards and is currently nominated for two MTV VMAs: MTV PUSH Performance of the Year for “YES IT IS” and Best R&B for “MUTT (Remix)” featuring Freddie Gibbs. 

From a viral Tiny Desk to BET nods and Hot 100 climbs, Leon Thomas has spent the last year rewriting R&B’s rulebook. With the MUTT era, Leon pushes his momentum further–fiercer, bolder, and taking his vision even further, and emerging as a leading contender for Best New Artist at the 2026 GRAMMYs.

MUTTS DON’T HEEL NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES
 Artist Pre-Sale: Wed, 6/11 (10am local) – Fri, 6/13 (9am local)
Spotify Pre-Sale: Thurs, 6/12 (10am local – Fri, 6/13 (9am local) 
On-Sale: Fri, 6/13 (10am local)
OCTOBER 30 – Dallas, TX | House of Blues
NOVEMBER 3 – Austin, TX | Emo’s
NOVEMBER 4 – Houston, TX | Bayou’s Music Center
NOVEMBER 5 – New Orleans, LA | The Fillmore
NOVEMBER 7 – Nashville, TN | Brooklyn Bowl
NOVEMBER 9 – Atlanta, GA | Tabernacle
NOVEMBER 12 – Ft Lauderdale, FL | Revolution
NOVEMBER 14 – Charlotte, NC | The Fillmore
NOVEMBER 15 – Raleigh, NC | The Ritz
NOVEMBER 16 – Silver Spring, MD | The Fillmore
NOVEMBER 19 – Philadelphia, PA | The Fillmore
NOVEMBER 20 – Boston, MA | House of Blues
NOVEMBER 23 – Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Paramount
NOVEMBER 24 – Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Paramount
NOVEMBER 26 – Toronto, ON | Danforth Music Hall
NOVEMBER 28 – Detroit, MI | The Fillmore
NOVEMBER 29 – Cincinnati, OH | Bogart’s
DECEMBER 2 – Cleveland, OH | House of Blues
DECEMBER 3 – Chicago, IL | Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
DECEMBER 6 – Minneapolis, MN | First Avenue
DECEMBER 9 – Denver, CO | Summit
DECEMBER 11 – Salt Lake City, UT | The Depot
DECEMBER 14 – Seattle, WA | The Showbox SoDo
DECEMBER 15 – Seattle, WA | The Showbox SoDo
DECEMBER 16 – Vancouver, BC | Commodore Ballroom
DECEMBER 17 – Portland, OR | Roseland Theater
DECEMBER 19 – Oakland, CA | Fox Theater
DECEMBER 21 – Phoenix, AZ | The Van Buren
DECEMBER 22 – Los Angeles, CA | The Wiltern
DECEMBER 23 – Los Angeles, CA | The Wiltern

MUTTS DON’T HEEL EUROPEAN/UK TOUR DATES
MARCH 5 – Helsinki, FI | House of Culture
MARCH 7 – Stockholm, SE | Fållan
MARCH 8 – Oslo, NO | Sentrum Scene
MARCH 10 – Copenhagen, DK | Vega
MARCH 12 – Warsaw, PL | Klub Stodoła
MARCH 15 – Berlin, DE | Huxleys Neue Welt
MARCH 16 – Cologne, DE | Live Music Hall
MARCH 17 – Brussels, BE | La Madeleine
MARCH 20 – Tilburg, NL |  Poppodium 013
MARCH 21 – Paris, FR | Elysée Montmartre
MARCH 24 – Bristol, UK | O2 Academy
MARCH 26 – Birmingham, UK | O2 Academy
MARCH 27 – Manchester, UK | Academy
MARCH 29 – Glasgow, UK | SWG3 Galvanizers
MARCH 31 – Dublin, IE | 3Olympia Theatre
APRIL 3 – London, UK | Eventim Apollo

MUTTS DON’T HEEL AUSTRALIA TOUR DATES
APRIL 10 – Brisbane, QLD | Fortitude Music Hall
APRIL 11 – Melbourne, VIC | Forum
APRIL 14 – Sydney, NSW | Enmore Theatre
APRIL 17 – Adelaide, SA | Hindley Street Music Hall
APRIL 19 – Perth, WA | Metro City

GG Magree Unleashes Heavy Industrial Rock Fury With Revenge Anthem ‘Run’

Eric Alper
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GG Magree Unleashes Heavy Industrial Rock Fury With Revenge Anthem ‘Run’

Australian DJ/vocalist/producer GG Magree today released “Run,” a fierce, ripping guitar track with a drop that embodies the terrorizing moment a predator realizes he or she has become the prey – and a woman, fueled by blind rage, is coming for revenge.

The video for “Run” continues where “Bleed,” released in June, left off – a terror-filled night of revenge with hints of what comes next. Like “Bleed,” on “Run” Magree spreads her DJ and EDM roots from collaborations with artists like Zeds Dead, DJ Snake, and NGHTMRE, into a full-on heavy industrial rock wall of sound.

Ray Chen Charms Horse Audience With Graceful Farmyard Violin Serenade

Eric Alper
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Ray Chen Charms Horse Audience With Graceful Farmyard Violin Serenade

Violin virtuoso Ray Chen brought his signature elegance to an unexpected stage—a quiet farmyard—where his audience was a curious group of horses. Mid-performance, he seamlessly switched violins without missing a note, letting the music drift across the paddock. The horses stood still, ears perked, as if savoring every phrase of the lilting classical melody.

Open Reel Ensemble Turns Magnetic Tape & Bamboo Bows Into Hypnotic Dance Beats on the ‘JIGAKKYU’

Eric Alper
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Open Reel Ensemble Turns Magnetic Tape & Bamboo Bows Into Hypnotic Dance Beats on the ‘JIGAKKYU’

The inventive trio of Open Reel Ensemble transforms magnetic reel-to-reel tape into a living instrument, the “JIGAKKYU,” played with bamboo bows. Each stroke bends pitch and texture, weaving hypnotic rhythms and melodies. The result is a wild fusion of tradition, tape, and dancefloor energy you never saw coming.









Ashes And Diamonds Ignite Glam-Driven Rock on Debut Single ‘On A Rocka’ Ahead of Album ‘…Are Forever’

Eric Alper
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Ashes And Diamonds Ignite Glam-Driven Rock on Debut Single ‘On A Rocka’ Ahead of Album ‘…Are Forever’

“When I met Bruce for the first time (I had known Paul since way back), we were all renting a very humble rehearsal space in Los Angeles at the same time,” recalls guitarist/vocalist Daniel Ash about the genesis of Ashes And Diamonds, the new band he formed with Bruce Smith (drums, programming, background vocals) and Paul Spencer Denman (bass). “Paul and I had been already discussing working together, but it was Paul’s wife Kim who suggested Bruce for drum duties. It all started with the standard, ‘Hi, I’m Bruce / Hi, I’m Daniel’. About an hour later, the three of us were making a noise putting something together.”

With each of these storied musician’s experiences in vastly impressive histories (Daniel from Bauhaus/Tones On Tail/Love and Rockets bringing his signature post-punk, glam and experimental style; Paul from Sade/Sweetback delivering smooth, rhythmic low-end that anchors the band’s cinematic feel; Bruce from Public Image Ltd./The Pop Group adding textured percussion and atmospheric electronics, balancing the band’s classic roots with an experimental edge), Ashes And Diamonds launches their new outfit with their powerful debut single “On A Rocka” which is released today, August 14, 2025 via Cleopatra Records. The accompanying video for the song which Brooklyn Vegan calls “a glammy stomper that revels in its simplicity with a killer signature riff from Ash” was directed by Jake Scott, son of acclaimed film director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) and director of music videos by Oasis, U2, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, among others.

Taken from their upcoming album, Ashes And Diamonds Are Forever which will be available digitally and in stores on October 31, 2025, “On A Rocka” is gritty rock and roll with a pulse set firmly in the late ‘50s but with a modern rock twist. Chugging along with a series of repeated stabbing, staccato guitar chords a la Daniel, the propulsive track is launched forward through Bruce’s steady rock-solid beat while Paul holds it precariously together with an embracing melodic bassline.

“We wanted to start with something hard and fast for major impact regarding the first single,” says Daniel. Adds Bruce, “It’s a killer piece of music. Super fresh, it doesn’t sound like anyone else. What else can you say?”

While their originating bands seem miles apart genre-wise, their singular focus is creating songs that are tenaciously infectious, adhering to the brain like taffy to teeth, and musically adept and highly skilled. Beginning pre-Covid and developed since then, …Are Forever is an album carefully built and heavily curated. “The first few songs we wrote in the studio together, but then Covid landed, so several songs were written long distance,” explains Bruce about the songs that took a few years to complete. Eventually split by geography when Paul departed Los Angeles for the U.K. and Bruce for Vermont during lockdown, writing for the album was completed virtually with each band member emailing their ideas to each other.

Further explains Paul, “We taped what we had done in LA in the early days, and then went away with it. Bruce put some beats down, I played bass, and we sent what we had done to Daniel.” Meanwhile, Daniel adds, “I use newspaper headlines as a starting point for my lyrics, so by the end of the first day, there were clippings all over the floor… and the rest is history.”

Eventually, the three rejoined in-person to record the album in Los Angeles. Holed up for ten days with engineer Robert Adam Stevenson (Queens of the Stone Age, Jane’s Addiction, The Kills), they recorded and mixed 12 songs, banging it old school. What they ended up with is a chef-d’oeuvre, each song bubbling with potent anticipation and erupting with adrenaline, fortified by each band member’s notable histories.

“For me, it’s been one of the most fulfilling recordings I’ve ever been involved in… and I’ve made a lot,” says Bruce. “The songs are realized, the production is dope with no tracks you wanna skip over.”

“I am incredibly proud of what we have done,” continues Paul. “When we first got together, we didn’t know if it was going to work out and we had to see if things gelled, but working together was a breeze! I’m a big fan of Bruce and Daniel. They are both exceptional musicians but in a rather non-musical way. They always play things that surprise me and I find that exciting.”

“It took seven years instead of seven months to finish,” reflects Daniel about the lengthy gestation of this band all three are extremely proud of. Like the time it takes for coal to turn to crystalize, …Are Forever may have taken a while to develop, but finding a diamond amongst ashes is a great find indeed.

The single “On A Rocka” is available through DSPs today. The album Ashes And Diamond Are Forever will be released via Cleopatra Records on October 31, 2025 and was produced by Ashes And Diamonds with some co-production with James Salter and Joe Dexter. It was mixed, engineered with additional production by Robert Adam Stevenson.

Ashes And Diamond is Daniel Ash (guitars/vocals/), Bruce Smith (drums, programming, background vocals) and Paul Spencer Denman (bass).

Tracklisting

  1. Hollywood
  2. Teenage Robots
  3. On A Rocka
  4. ON
  5. Boy Or Girl
  6. The A Listers
  7. Plastic Fantastic
  8. Ice Queen
  9. Setting Yourself Up For Love
  10. Alien Love
  11. Champagne Charlie
  12. 2020

Intersection 2025 Brings Experimental & Genre-Fluid Sounds to Toronto for 3-Day Sonic Adventure

Eric Alper
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Intersection 2025 Brings Experimental & Genre-Fluid Sounds to Toronto for 3-Day Sonic Adventure

Intersection, Toronto’s annual festival of experimental music returns with three days of innovative and genre-fluid artistry running from August 29 to 31, 2025. This vibrant weekend showcases niche and boundary-pushing sounds at several unique and accessible venues in Toronto, creating an immersive experience for new audiences and artists alike.

2025 marks Intersection’s 14th year. Starting out as a standalone contemporary music marathon at what was then Yonge Dundas Square, the festival has since grown into an annual multi-day event known for pairing internationally renowned artists alongside local counterparts in a decidedly kaleidoscopic variety of styles. Its storied alumni include the likes of Shalabi Effect, Bang On A Can, John Oswald, Elliott Sharp, Sarah Hennies, Joan LaBarbara, Suzanne Ciani, Eli Keszler, Morton Subotnick, Nihilist Spasm Band, Mick Barr, Wolf Eyes and many more.

For Intersection 2025, the festival returns to its DIY roots by platforming some of the most engaging experimental music in the current Canadian scene onstage in the middle the country’s busiest traffic intersection, among other free and accessible performance spaces.

Intersection 2025 kicks off on August 29th, at Sonic Boom Records, Canada’s largest independent record shop. Starting at 6pm, Windsor-based, Palestinian-Canadian guitarist Bilal Nasser and London-based, Lebanese-Canadian electronic artist Alex Raja Ven will perform intimate sets for an audience of dedicated fans and curious shoppers. Both artists are experienced in crafting innovative performances for alternative venue spaces, with Nasser’s music being equally at home in the classical concert hall as it is at a skateboard park or dive bar, and Ven recently exhibiting Threshold Ecologies, a mixed-media sound installation during a residency at SÍM in Reykjavík, Iceland. These performances will serve as a preview for the following day’s marathon event at Sankofa Square, effectively setting the tone for the eclectic and boundary-pushing spirit of the festival.

Starting at 2pm on August 30th, Day 2 marks Intersection’s flagship all-day new music marathon at Sankofa Square. Founded in 2007 as the Toronto New Music Marathon, this unique happening at Yonge-Dundas Square has tirelessly shattered preconceptions about experimental music, taking music that would typically be found in small, underground venues, and mounting it for free at one of the most accessible and public locales in the city for anyone and everyone to engage with.

Along with previous day’s artists Bilal Nasser and Alex Raja Ven (now joined by the Heart Map Ambient Ensemble), the marathon’s lineup is rounded out by further genre-defying music mavericks. It will feature local classical/jazz/hardcore-fusion ensemble Arkkose; underground Toronto ambient mainstay Anthéne; the alchemic meditative trance states of composer Khôra (AKA Matthew Ramolo); Montréal tabla virtuoso Shawn Mativetsky’s highly acclaimed synthwave project Temporal Waves; and recently Toronto Jazz Fest featured fusion shredders Lavender Town.

Throughout the day, the square will feature installations by local artists Stephanie Orlando, as well as David and Sydney Dacks. Orlando’s project, “Sonic Bikes!” was previously featured at Nuit Blanche in Toronto and will allow passing audience members to interact and perform with instruments built from re-purposed scrap metal bike frames and parts. David and Sydney Dacks’ historical megamix, “A Radio Active Active Community,” presents a personal journey back to the heady days of Toronto’s campus radio in the early 1990s in the form of an improvised 45-60 minute audiovisual experience. Selections from David’s audio archives will also be broadcasted at the square between live stage performances.In what is becoming a tradition following the festival’s last few years, the final day (August 31st) offers a glimpse behind the curtain and several entry points into festival artists’ process through interactive workshops and performances.

The day will feature an early afternoon (3pm) panel discussion at 918 Bathurst Centre, exploring the context, conflicts, triumphs and legacy of the era explored in the Dacks’ installation. Co-presented by the Canada Black Music Archives, the panel will be moderated by CIUT radio veteran Judy Perry and also include Phil Vassell (CBMA) and DTS (The Masterplan Show).

Following the panel, there will be further presentations and discussions, as well as a reception with all the festival’s artists at the Canadian Music Centre from 7-9pm.

Intersection 2025 continues the festival’s legacy of experimental music intervention in the core of Toronto over the Labour Day Weekend, adding to an already innovative history of presenting new sounds to new audiences in the most engaging public format possible.

Ezra Ray Hart Brings Rock & Holiday Cheer on ‘90s Hits & Xmas Riffs’ Tour

Eric Alper
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Ezra Ray Hart Brings Rock & Holiday Cheer on ‘90s Hits & Xmas Riffs’ Tour

We know it’s still summer, but those are sleigh bells you hear in the distance, and they’re sounding the return of Ezra Ray Hart.

MULTI-PLATINUM iconic rock frontmen—Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, and Emerson Hart of Tonic—will return to the road this fall on their debut headline run with inaugural NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90s HITS & XMAS RIFFS tour. Get ready for the supergroup to deliver classics from their respective catalogs and unwrap holiday staples with their own spin. This month-long jaunt begins on November 20 in Pittsburgh, PA, at Rivers Casino, visits major markets coast-to-coast, and concludes on December 20 in Anaheim, CA, at The Grove of Anaheim. General on-sale launches this Friday, August 15 at 10am local time here. Check the full list of dates, cities and venues below.

The tour promises to dip into the group’s combined discography as the guys re-energize one smash after another. From Sugar Ray’s “Every Morning,” Better Than Ezra’s “Good,” and Tonic’s “If You Could Only See” to the likes of “Little Saint Nick” and other seasonal anthems, expect a show unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

There’s no better way to get ready for the holidays this year. Tickets are the early gift that will keep on giving!

In the Spring, Ezra Ray Hart graced the stage of Tortuga Music Festival, joining the likes of Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and Shaboozey. Inciting critical acclaim, Miami New Times applauded the group as “the musical equivalent of throwing your favorite decades into a blender with a heap of on-stage charm.”

Stay tuned for a whole lot more from Ezra Ray Hart in 2025 and beyond.

TOUR DATES FOR NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90s HITS & XMAS RIFFS:
NOVEMBER
20 | Pittsburgh, PA – Rivers Casino
21 | Norfolk, VA – Harrison Opera House
22 | Warren, OH – Packard Music Hall
23 | TBA
25 | Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
29 | Sarasota, FL – Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
30 | Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live

DECEMBER
3 | Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
5 | Philadelphia, PA – Rivers Casino
6 | Mashantucket, CT – Foxwoods Resort Casino
7 | Westbury, NY – Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair
9 | TBA
10 | Chesterfield, MO – The Factory STL
12 | Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
13 | Sugar Land, TX – Smart Financial Centre
14 | San Antonio, TX – Majestic Theatre
16 | Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
18 | Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
19 | Rohnert Park, CA – Graton Resort & Casino
20 | Anaheim, CA – Grove of Anaheim

What happens when you put three of modern Rock’s most-played frontmen under the same spotlight at the same time? Ezra Ray Hart is what happens! The trio unites MULTI-PLATINUM icons Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, and Emerson Hart of Tonic under one banner. Since emerging in 2018, the supergroup has performed to sold-out audiences on special occasions and during sought-after major festivals, packing houses coast-to-coast in the process and inciting sing-alongs loud enough to light up the phones at MTV’s TRL all over again. Boasting 18 Top 10 singles and five #1 hits between them, the all-stars’ cumulative sales exceed 20 MILLION albums in the United States alone and BILLIONS of streams worldwide. McGrath not only stands out as a magnetic frontman, but also as a pop culture force of nature and household name personality. His catalog houses definitive bangers such as “Fly,” “When It’s Over,” “Every Morning,” and more. Griffin, of course, leads Better Than Ezra as its vocalist and guitarist responsible for an arsenal of anthems spanning “Good,” “A Lifetime,” “Desperately Wanting,” and more. Not to mention, he’s penned tunes for Train, Sugarland, and Howie Day in addition to founding and curating Pilgrimage Musical & Cultural Festival. Fronting multi-GRAMMY Award-nominated Tonic, Hart’s discography includes “Open Up Your Eyes,” “You Wanted More,” and “If You Could Only See.” Now, Ezra Ray Hart puts a bow on 2025 by hitting the road on the first-ever NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90s HITS & XMAS RIFFS, culling the setlist from their respective hits and the greater holiday music canon. However, the group will be spreading cheer and smiles for a long time to come with more surprises on the horizon.

PinkPantheress Levels Up in Anti-Pop with Chessboard Romance and Dance Battles in ‘Romeo’

Eric Alper
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PinkPantheress Levels Up in Anti-Pop with Chessboard Romance and Dance Battles in ‘Romeo’

Following on from PinkPantheress’ debut TV performance on Jimmy Fallon last week, the British anti-pop star has released the music video for fan favourite track ‘Romeo’. 

Directed by Iris Luz, the music video sees PinkPantheress compete in a tournament against opponent and love interest, Destin Conrad. As the match begins, each move is a blend of strategy, tension and attraction before we see Destin and Pink take on their roles as King and Queen of the chessboard. The pair lead their life-size chess pieces into a high-energy dance-off that builds to a decisive and unforgettable victory for one. 

Written and produced by PinkPantheress, Fancy That was created alongside aksel arvid, Count Baldor, phil, Oscar Scheller, The Dare and others, bringing together a collective of creative minds to shape her latest sonic evolution. As she steps into her fun and kitsch-y era, rooted in British culture, the 9-track project showcases her signature vocals and genre-blurring sound. This mixtape marks a new chapter for PinkPantheress as she embraces a new level of intimacy. Fancy That is testament to PinkPantheress’ ear, featuring samples and interpolations from Panic! at the Disco to Jessica Simpson to Basement Jaxx and William Orbit as she seamlessly blends classics and hidden gems with her signature earworm production. The sophomore mixtape features singles ‘Tonight’, ‘Stateside’ and recently released ‘Illegal’. 

Speaking on the project PinkPantheress says: “this project is all about feeling the music in your body. I wanted to create something where dance is part of the story. i’m excited to have gotten back to my production roots for this project and i consider this to be my fancy era, very kitsch and colourful. It’s raw, fun, and completely movement-driven and i’m so excited to share it” 

June saw PinkPantheress’ debut Glastonbury performance, next month the producer will host a residency at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on 18th and 19th September. PinkPantheress’ sold-out show at Alexandra Palace last year earned glowing reviews, with The Guardian and NME awarding it 4*, while

The Forty-Five praised, “The expectations for a show this size are bound to be high, but Pantheress goes above and beyond to make it one to remember.” The acclaim continued across the North American leg, where Exclaim! hailed her as a “low-key superstar”, and Rolling Stone declared, “A star is born.” 

Fancy That 

Illegal 

Girl Like Me 

Tonight 

Stars 

Intermission 

Noises 

Nice to Know You 

Stateside 

Romeo 

London Residency 

September 18th – O2 Academy Brixton 

September 19th – O2 Academy Brixton

12 Bands Where Every Member Was a Star

Eric Alper
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12 Bands Where Every Member Was a Star

Some bands have one undeniable frontperson who grabs all the headlines. Then there are the rare gems where everyone shines—every player a powerhouse, every voice essential. Here are ten bands where every member was a star, working together like a musical constellation.

ABBA
Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid didn’t just share the stage—they shared the spotlight. From songwriting to harmonies to undeniable charisma, all four had the talent to front a group on their own, yet created pure pop magic together.

The Beatles
John, Paul, George, and Ringo each brought a distinct style, voice, and songwriting knack. Any one of them could have carried a solo career (and did), but together they changed the course of music forever.

The Eagles
Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit—each brought their own songwriting chops and vocal strengths. Swap instruments, change the lead singer, and you’d still get a hit.

Fleetwood Mac
Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham may have been the most visible, but Mick Fleetwood and John McVie’s rhythm section kept everything grounded. Every member shaped the band’s signature sound.

The Go-Go’s
Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Kathy Valentine all shined as musicians and personalities, proving an all-female rock band could dominate the charts on their own terms.

The Jackson 5
Michael’s star was bright, but Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, and Marlon each added to the sound, energy, and style that made them Motown icons.

Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant’s golden voice, Jimmy Page’s guitar sorcery, John Paul Jones’ multi-instrumental mastery, and John Bonham’s thunderous drumming made them a rock force where every member commanded the stage and studio.

Queen
Freddie Mercury’s voice and stagecraft were legendary, but Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon each wrote hits and brought their own magic to the mix.

Rush
Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart formed a prog-rock triangle where every side was equally brilliant—Geddy’s soaring vocals and bass wizardry, Alex’s intricate guitar work, and Neil’s lyrical genius and drumming mastery created a sound both massive and precise.

The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards may be the Glimmer Twins, but Charlie Watts’ cool precision and Ronnie Wood’s guitar wizardry helped keep the band’s fire burning bright.

Talking Heads
David Byrne’s art-school charisma was magnetic, but Tina Weymouth’s basslines, Chris Frantz’s drumming, and Jerry Harrison’s keyboards made them a creative powerhouse.

The Traveling Wilburys
A supergroup in the truest sense—Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Every member was already a legend before they even picked up an instrument together.

Sniff This Out: How Scent Marketers Are Adding Custom Music to Your Shopping Trips

Eric Alper
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Sniff This Out: How Scent Marketers Are Adding Custom Music to Your Shopping Trips

Picture this: You walk into a store and instantly smell warm cinnamon rolls, even though there’s not a bakery in sight. Then, as if on cue, you hear a soft, jazzy guitar line that feels like a hug for your ears. You’re not imagining it—this is the latest in retail wizardry.

Scent marketers, the folks already turning stores into olfactory wonderlands, are now teaming up with music pros to create playlists that match the aromas in the air. If the shop smells like fresh linen, expect airy piano and strings. If the scent says “beach vacation,” prepare for steel drums, reggae grooves, and the occasional seagull sound effect (yes, really).

The science? When your nose and ears work together, your brain happily connects the dots: “This place feels amazing. I should stay longer. Maybe I do need that eighth throw pillow.” Retailers call it multi-sensory branding. You might call it How I Accidentally Bought 14 Candles.

Big brands are even experimenting with “signature sound scents.” Imagine your favorite coffee chain pairing the aroma of dark roast with custom lo-fi beats, or a sports store blending the smell of fresh sneakers with a bass-heavy workout track that makes you want to run a marathon—straight to the checkout.

And yes, there’s room for some creative chaos. One scent marketing firm reportedly tested lavender fragrance with ‘70s disco to see if people would relax and boogie. Results? Let’s just say a few customers left both mellow and covered in glitter.

So next time you wander into a store, take a deep breath, listen closely, and know that somewhere, a marketing team is high-fiving because you’re grooving in the candle aisle.

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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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