Katy Perry’s “E.T.” is a futuristic, genre-blending ballad from her 2010 album Teenage Dream. The track explores the idea of falling in love with a stranger, set against electronic, hip hop, and dubstep influences. A Diamond-certified hit, “E.T.” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of 2011’s biggest songs.
How Piano Lessons for Kids Can Boost Academic and Creative Skills
By Mitch Rice
When parents think about extracurricular activities for their children, sports, art, and dance often come to mind. But one activity that combines both mental development and creative expression is often overlooked—piano lessons. Beyond simply learning to play an instrument, piano lessons for kids offer a range of benefits that can improve academic performance, sharpen cognitive skills, and unlock creative potential.
From better concentration to enhanced problem-solving, the skills kids gain at the piano often carry over into the classroom and beyond. Let’s explore how learning the piano can shape a child’s mind in remarkable ways.
1. Building a Strong Foundation for Academic Success
Piano lessons involve more than pressing keys—they engage multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. Reading sheet music, maintaining rhythm, and coordinating both hands develop skills directly linked to academic success.
- Improved Math Skills – Understanding musical timing, note values, and patterns strengthens a child’s grasp of fractions, ratios, and counting.
- Enhanced Reading Ability – Reading music reinforces pattern recognition, decoding symbols, and sequencing—similar to the skills needed for reading words and sentences.
- Better Memory – Memorizing pieces and practicing regularly improves both short- and long-term memory, which helps with learning and retaining school subjects.
Studies have shown that children who study music often perform better in subjects like math and reading compared to their peers who don’t play an instrument.
2. Strengthening Cognitive Skills Through Practice
When kids take piano lessons, they engage in a type of brain workout that improves focus, discipline, and problem-solving. Learning a new piece requires breaking it down into smaller sections, identifying challenging parts, and practicing until mastered—skills that directly translate into effective study habits.
Piano playing also enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which are essential for writing, typing, and other school activities. Over time, this consistent mental and physical exercise boosts overall cognitive agility.
3. Unlocking Creativity and Self-Expression
While piano lessons build discipline, they also give children a powerful outlet for creativity. Once a child learns the basics, they can experiment with their own melodies, change rhythms, and even try composing their own music.
This creative exploration encourages:
- Original Thinking – Coming up with new musical ideas fosters innovation in other areas, such as problem-solving and project creation.
- Emotional Expression – Music provides a safe and healthy way for kids to express emotions they might not have the words for.
- Confidence in Creativity – Successfully performing or sharing their own music builds pride in their creative abilities.
4. Boosting Confidence and Discipline
Mastering the piano doesn’t happen overnight—it requires patience, consistent practice, and a willingness to overcome challenges. As children meet small goals, such as perfecting a scale or playing a song fluently, they gain a sense of accomplishment that strengthens self-confidence.
This boost in self-esteem often extends to schoolwork. When children see that hard work and persistence pay off in piano, they’re more likely to apply the same mindset to academic tasks.
5. Encouraging Lifelong Learning Habits
One of the most valuable lessons piano teaches kids is that learning is a continuous process. Even after years of playing, there’s always a new piece to master, a new style to explore, or a technique to improve. This mindset encourages curiosity and resilience, qualities that will benefit them in school, career, and life.
Making Piano Lessons Fun and Effective for Kids
If you’re considering piano lessons for your child, finding the right piano instructor near you is key. Look for a teacher who understands how to keep learning engaging—especially for younger students. Lessons that mix fun songs, games, and challenges can help children stay motivated while building a strong musical foundation.
Many piano studios in NYC and beyond also offer group classes, which can add a social element that makes learning even more enjoyable.
Final Notes: Music as a Tool for Growth
Piano lessons for kids are much more than an extracurricular hobby—they’re an investment in a child’s intellectual and creative growth. From boosting math and reading skills to fostering imagination and discipline, the benefits of learning the piano extend far beyond the music room.
By starting early, children can develop not only a love for music but also the cognitive, academic, and personal skills that will serve them for a lifetime. And who knows? That first piano lesson might just be the key that unlocks their full potential—both on and off the stage.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
AFI Return with Twelfth Album ‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’ and Eerie New Single “Behind the Clock”
AFI announce their new album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… due October 3rd via Run For Cover Records, today. Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… marks the twelfth album from AFI and will include the lead single ‘Behind the Clock,’ which ushers in the bold new era for the iconic band. Alongside the new single, AFI share a music video directed by Gilbert Trejo.
Speaking about the ‘Behind the Clock’ video, director Trejo offers, “We wanted the video to feel like you’re seeing something you shouldn’t. In effect you are, because that’s how Davey writes lyrics. He’s expressing himself so openly, that you’re let behind this curtain. It’s a world that most artists don’t cut to, marrow deep.”
Sharing the experience working with Trejo, vocalist Davey Havok shares, “Gilbert’s video has sublimated the essence of ‘Behind the Clock.’ His vision and expertise is inspiring. Working with him was a privilege and utter joy. He is an artist of the purest form.”
For more than three decades, AFI has been in a nearly constant state of reinvention. The band have made it a point to evolve with every album – sometimes dramatically so – never allowing themselves to become too comfortable in one genre or rest on any of their impressive career laurels. It’s an approach that has grown their audience but also challenged it with a sonic identity that can shift in wild, unexpected directions. Now with Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, AFI are once again at the start of an exciting new chapter, only this time they’ve even managed to surprise themselves.
The goal of Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… was to make an album with a singular mood, something dreamy and ethereal, and the band members found themselves diving headfirst into influences that had always been deeply embedded in AFI’s musical core, but now were being brought to the forefront. The result is an album that feels out of time, at once familiar and fresh, drawing on classic sounds and reinterpreting them through a modern lens. Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… is dark and otherworldly, but also grandiose and stately, biting and beautiful in equal measure-in other words, it’s very AFI, yet not quite like any version of the band you’ve ever heard before.
It’s this combination of endless creative daring, deftly wielded influences, and above all else, an unshakeable sense of self that’s allowed AFI to stay relevant for more than 30 years, often leading the way through emerging musical moments. From their scrappy roots as a high school hardcore band in the early ’90s (Answer That and Stay Fashionable, Very Proud of Ya and Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes), to their dark melodic punk reinvention at the turn of the century (Black Sails in the Sunset and The Art of Drowning), to their crossover into mainstream stardom in the early 2000s (Sing the Sorrow and Decemberunderground) and their years as shapeshifting alternative rock journeymen (Crash Love, Burials, The Blood Album, and Bodies), the band has survived and thrived by staunchly being themselves-no matter what that is.
This fall, AFI will embark on their headline North American tour with special guests TR/ST to celebrate the release of Silver Bleeds The Black Sun… The 24-date run will begin on September 30th in Madison, WI with stops in Chicago, Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver, before wrapping November 5th in San Diego, CA. The tour marks AFI’s first full-scale outing since their celebrated 2021 release Bodies, and will offer fans the chance to experience songs from across their extensive catalogue, delivered with the band’s signature electrifying performance.
AFI – Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… album tracklisting:
1. The Bird of Prey
2. Behind the Clock
3. Holy Visions
4. Blasphemy & Excess
5. Spear of Truth
6. Ash Speck in a Green Eye
7. VOIDWARD, I BEND BACK
8. Marguerite
9. A World Unmade
10. Noneunderground
MOVIESTARZ Announce Debut Album ‘FANTASY > REALITY’ with Hyperpop Firecracker “Records on Repeat”
California-based electric pop duo MOVIESTARZ announced their debut album FANTASY > REALITY. It is set for release on November 7th. With the news, they dropped a playful new single, “Records on Repeat” along with a spunky lyric visualizer.
From the creative minds of best friends Tyler Nichols and Alex Pombar, this duo draws on EDM, hyperpop, and early-2000s pop-rock influences to make something entirely their own.
Their latest release, “Records on Repeat” was born from a mess of guitar pedals and pure sonic mischief, capturing hyperpop chaos at its most honest. It’s catchy, it’s loud, and it might just hurt your feelings. Behind the glittery riffs and upbeat bounce is a biting truth: your favorite artists don’t care about you, but you’ll still worship them anyway. It’s funny. It’s depressing. It’s painfully relatable.
“This single was such a fun one to make! The song is about artists you love the most not caring about you in the slightest, which I find equally kind of funny and depressing,” shared Nichols. “It’s literally about our favorite bands complaining about their great life and how they don’t actually care about us, but we will still love and play their records on repeat” adds Pombar.
Following the release of the tongue-in-cheek attitude of “Invited” and the Y2K edge of their debut single “Club Punk,” MOVIESTARZ are turning up the distortion and deconstructing their sound with every release. Most recently, they put out two high-octane singles “Chaos in the Magic” and “Tear This Apart” diving headfirst into the glitch-filled world of hyperpop blending sugary vocals and a reckless sense of fun.
This record has been a long time coming and leans into the duo’s signature blend of unfiltered chaos and pop sensibility. “I’ve been chasing music since I was 15,” shares Nichols. “I’ve recorded albums, released songs, hit a million streams on MySpace, and seen plenty of those projects flop. Inspired by countless success stories, I always hoped the bands I admire would notice and the ‘cool’ influencers would share my music. I realized the fantasy is often more exciting than the reality, and that’s what this album is all about. But after two years of pouring ourselves into this album, we’re incredibly proud of this one regardless of the anyone else’s response and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Pombar adds, “This MOVIESTARZ album is the best and most refreshing batch of songs we have ever done. There’s so many different moods on this album that I think anyone can get into. We got a little bit of every genre on here and it can be treated as an art collection.”
In true MOVIESTARZ fashion, this album announcement and single release of “Records on Repeat” will be accompanied by a limited merch drop under their clothing label Newport Bleach. They have created a full musical experience incorporating genre-defying sounds, standout visuals, and high-quality fashion for a community of people looking to break boundaries and defy the mundane.
Working together with lead producer on this project, The Fund, they have big ambitions for this project and plenty more music coming down the pipeline. This record boasts a total of 12 genre-bending tracks you can find below. It will have a limited vinyl release this fall.
Track Listing:
1. Club Punk
2. Invited
3. On Mute
4. Records on Repease
5. 1M Frequencies (feat. Cali Rodi)
6. Heatstroke
7. The Rush
8. Listening
9. Chaos in the Magic
10. Tear This Apart
11. Wonderful Horrible
Raekwon Drops AI-Infused “600 School” Video with Ghostface & Method Man off New Album ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’
Riding high on the success of his new album, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Wu-Tang veteran Raekwon keeps the momentum going with a brand new video. The hip-hop legend embraces the limitless potential of AI-generated content for the “600 School” music video, featuring Ghostface Killah & Method Man, out now via Mass Appeal.
Prior to the video’s release, Raekwon took to social media and released the official trailer for “600 School,” a mafioso heater and fan favorite off of his eighth studio album. The action-packed trailer depicts Raekwon and his Wu-Tang brethren in the early stages of a citywide takeover, stating, “let’s handle AI before it handles us.” Now, the transcendent hip-hop star drives home the message with a cinematic visual.
Setting the stage for a massive fourth quarter, The Emperor’s New Clothes marks Raekwon’s first solo outing since 2017’s The Wild. The Chef has enlisted a star-studded team of longtime collaborators for this release, including fellow Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck, as well as Nas, Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and vocalists Stacy Barthe and Marsha Ambrosius. The LP also boasts production from Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Nottz, and many more. Raekwon’s magnum opus is the latest installment of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It series, which will feature seven new albums from seven different hip-hop icons.
Celeste Corsano Shares Video for Haunting Alt-Pop Ballad ‘Stuck,’ Featuring James Mastro and David Nagler
Based on the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, alt-pop artist Celeste Corsano shares her first-ever video for ‘Stuck’, her third in a trilogy of “debut singles” (following ‘Nightbird’ and ‘Sunlight Gazing’), released by Montclair, NJ’s Magic Door Record Label).
With hues of Kate Bush and Tori Amos and produced by RAY KETCHEM (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio.
Featuring famed guitarist JAMES MASTRO (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale) and keyboardist-bassist DAVID NAGLER (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash), this tender composition explores being caught in the inescapable grip of an emotional impasse.
Corsano masterfully conveys the struggle of a mind wrestling with an unyielding heart, creating an intimate space where raw emotion takes center-stage. The animated video reflects this perfectly through the journey of a ball cutting loose from his existing reality and his loss of direction to find a bright new path.
Greg Loiacono & Stingray Channel Curtis and Zeppelin on Soul-Rock Debut “Hope We Get To Dance”
Greg Loiacono & Stingray have released their debut single, “Hope We Get To Dance,” a greasy, soul-rock anthem celebrating personal freedom and expression.
Fronted by Loiacono, the vocalist, guitarist, and co-founder of San Francisco rock legends The Mother Hips, Stingray features a lineup of acclaimed Bay Area musicians, including drummer Michael Urbano (Lindsey Buckingham, John Hiatt), percussionist /vocalist Vicki Randle (Mavis Staples, George Benson), Kofy Brown (bass/vocals), Danny Eisenberg (keys) and Tom Ayres (guitar).
Loiacono delivers “Hope We Get To Dance” in a Sly Stone-inspired falsetto, accentuated by rousing harmonies and a delectably funky guitar-and-percussion groove. The track was recorded at 2200 Studios (formerly The Plant) in Sausalito, CA, a storied studio where landmark albums by Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Fleetwood Mac were made. Producer Damien Lewis (Lizzo, Janelle Monae, Larkin Poe) helmed the session.
“I was listening to Curtis Mayfield’s album Roots when the concept for ‘Hope We Get To Dance’ hit me. I thought Stingray could create an energy and spirit in the vein of that record,” says Loiacono. “Because we sometimes lean into the rock side of things, it ended up sounding like Curtis meets Led Zeppelin. I think of it as a reminder that the pure power of dancing to and feeling music is always there for us. It’s up to us when we want to let go and jump in.”
Don Cusic Remembers Jeannie Seely Through ‘Peaceful Waters,’ Her Soulful Farewell to Country Music Tradition
It seems everybody in Nashville has a story about late County Music trailblazer Jeannie Seely, in the wake of her passing on August 1st. Author Don Cusic could write a book about the late boundary-busting singer, and their time in the studio – in 2020 – recording what became Seely’s final album.
As his mind sifts through memories, Cusic takes comfort in the lyrics he wrote, which Seely brought to life with her soulful voice.
Let me lie down by peaceful waters
Let my soul be soothed and refreshed
Let my burdens and all my troubles
Be laid aside and put to rest
Cusic’s song “Peaceful Waters” appears on Seely’s album An American Classic, released by Curb Records in 2021.
“It was a real treat–an honor, really–to work with Jeannie,” Cusic said. “She was the ultimate professional in the studio. In everyday life, you never had to worry about what Jeannie thought about something–she let you know in a hurry. She was one-of-a-kind.”
Radio stations are now playing “Peaceful Waters” as they help their listeners – many of them Jeannie Seely fans – cope with the loss of one of Country music’s greatest defenders of – and last connections to – tradition.
Shortly after the song’s release, Cusic recalls people contacting Curb Records, requesting sheet music so they could perform “Peaceful Waters” at services for their own loved ones.
“Peaceful Waters” opens with a mournful bagpipe, before bowing to a deliberately deep vocal delivery by Seely. It is the same sultry, soulful voice that catapulted her classic signature song, “Don’t Touch Me” to the top of the charts in 1966, but with a broader resonance, and a greater yearning for rest and reconciliation.
Her tender vocal finds rest when, near the end, it curtsies to the bagpipe again, closing the song on a note that leaves the listener suspended somewhere between heartache and hope.
Cusic remembers going to the Grand Ole Opry just to watch Seely perform.
“She was always a consummate performer who delighted audiences with that soulful voice,” he recalls.
Now, as fans pauses to honor the life and legacy of the woman behind that lenegdary voice, Cusic hopes their grief won’t blind them to Seely’s second greatest gift.
“She was funny, too.”
Alexandra Kay Rides Her ‘Second Wind’ with Bold New Album and 30-Date Country-Pop Tour
Billboard-charting rising superstar Alexandra Kay’s hotly awaited sophomore album, Second Wind, will release on October 24. Featuring previously released, bold, fan-favorite standouts “Feminine Energy,” “The Last” and “Cupid’s A Cowgirl,” the heart-stirring collection has already ignited a fury of demand amongst her 8.6M social following. Weaving heartbreak, hope and healing into one journey, Second Wind embodies what Pandora’s “2025 Artist to Watch: Country” calls her “lover-girl era.”
Coming up – on September 13, the compelling entertainer will take the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) stage with Dallas Smith to perform their hit single “How Do You Miss Me” that’s currently top 10 at Canadian country radio. Following the CCMAs, she immediately heads out on her third headlining tour of the year. Hitting cities like Nashville, New Orleans, Anaheim, Las Vegas and more, Second Wind: The Tour spans 30-nationwide dates and kicks off on September 26 in Atlanta. Public on-sale starts this Friday, August 8 at 10 am local time.
“I’m so ready to share these songs with the people who have been with me every step of the way,” shares the rising starlet. “Over the past two years, I’ve done a lot of growing – and over the last year, I’ve had the chance to write about the version of myself that’s emerged from that growth. This album reflects a new side of me, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience it live – especially the happier songs that I’m hoping they’ll be screaming right back at me from the crowd.”
With her independent debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, hitting #1 on iTunes (All Genre & Country) and Top 10 on multiple Billboard charts (Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker), the heart-first songstress – now signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville – is serving up the same tear-streaked ballads, raw, poetic storytelling and diary-deep honesty that her fans crave on her upcoming project.
Born from the wreckage of a divorce, her debut was survival in real time, and although heartbreak still lingers, it no longer leads. Breathing new life into her story, Second Wind is a revival, hitting like a spark in the dark – magnetic and glowing with possibility. Produced by Andrew DeRoberts, with Alexandra co-writing all but two tracks, this album finds her heart not only healed but shining brighter than ever.
“One of my favorite things about my fans is that somehow, even before the music is officially released, they already know every word,” she continues. “That kind of connection is rare, and this tour is going to be such a special way to close out what’s already been an unforgettable year.”
Currently out with Brad Paisley, following a worldwide headlining tour with over 80k tickets sold, the multi-threat powerhouse is firing on all cylinders with the fierce anthem “Straight For The Heart,” available Friday (8/8). Striking like a lightning bolt of emotion, the charged-up song demands that even if this love isn’t going to last, one should take the shot and not miss. With soaring vocals and an epic, thunderous chorus, the showstopping track sets the tone for what promises to be a soul-baring and career-defining project.
Most recently, Alexandra added entrepreneur to her growing list of accolades with the launch of her first coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois. Already known by that nickname thanks to her viral “Coffee Covers” series on social media, she turned her casual morning routine into a must-watch moment, earning millions of views and national attention. Her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” alone soared past 60M views and caught the eye of country legends like Randy Travis and Tim McGraw, who later invited her out on tour. What began as a front-porch-worthy phenomenon, her cozy kitchen corner quickly evolved into a springboard for her career. Now, with her first business venture, she’s turned that viral magic into something even more lasting.
Second Wind Tracklisting:
1. Better Off (Alexandra Kay, Dan Pellarin, Jet Harvey)
2. Nobody (Alexandra Kay, Emily Falvey, Pete Good)
3. Straight For The Heart (Jimmy Robbins, Karley Scott Collins, Sasha Sloan)
4. Right Now (Alexandra Kay, Jon Nite, Andrew DeRoberts)
5. Tomorrow Problems (Alexandra Kay, Jon Nite, Andrew DeRoberts)
6. Big Boy Boots (Alexandra Kay, Ava Suppelsa, Kevin Gruft, Maggie Champman)
7. Hell Right (Alexandra Kay, Andrew Capra, Ava Suppelsa, Lauren McLamb, Rocko Beall)
8. Measure Of A Man (Alexandra Kay, Allison Veltz-Cruz, Andrew DeRoberts)
9. Old Me (Shane McAnally, Sasha Sloan, Henry Agincourt Allen)
10. Cupid’s A Cowgirl (Alexandra Kay, Kevin Gruft, Cheyenna Rose Arnspiger)
11. The Last (Alexandra Kay, Jon Green, Andrew DeRoberts)
12. What He Does (Alexandra Kay, Andrew DeRoberts, Allison Veltz-Cruz)
13. Feminine Energy (Alexandra Kay, Lauren McLamb, Andrew Capra, Rocko Beall, Matt Wynn)
14. Second Wind (Alexandra Kay, Rocko Beall, Cheyenna Rose Arnspiger, Kevin Gruft)
Country Rocker Jon Pardi Blends ‘70s West Coast Vibes and Grit on ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ Album and Tour
Jon Pardi “steps beyond the lines of classic country in pursuit of a grittier, more layered record that prioritized stories over trendy sounds” (Country Living) with his fifth studio album, HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD-a vision now brought to life in the new music video for “Hey California.”
Written by Ben Johnson, Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps and John Charles Reno Prentice, “Hey California” blends classic country storytelling with a radiant West Coast vibe. The video brings that vision to life as Pardi returns to his roots, filming off the coast of his home state of California. The result is a breezy, cinematic journey from the Golden State, infused with ’70s-style sophistication-dreamy vocal stacks and atmospheric guitars setting the tone.
Pardi will continue to bring his “high-octane, neo-traditional country sound” (Billboard) to life on the road this summer during his HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD Tour. Known for his signature high-energy performances, Pardi is packing venues nationwide, with special guests Jake Worthington and Colby Acuff joining him on select dates. For tickets, visit JonPardi.com.
MCA Nashville artist Jon Pardi began careening down the highway over ten years ago, leading the charge to modernize honkytonk with roaring guitars and a good-time spirit. Pardi’s reputation for punchy, against-the-wind bravado has only grown, with his just-released fifth studio album HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD led by the now Top 10 single “Friday Night Heartbreaker.” The 17-track album is the spiritual successor to his fearless breakout hits, once again showcasing his commitment to staying true to himself, yet giving his signature sound a new spark. With four Top 5 albums under his belt – including 2016’s Platinum #1, CALIFORNIA SUNRISE – Pardi has solidified his place in country music. Never afraid to break from the pack, fourteen RIAA-certified singles feature six No. One’s (like the back-to-back 6x-Platinum “Head Over Boots” and “Dirt On My Boots”), and with years of blue-collar barnstorming behind him, the California native has earned his international headlining acclaim, alongside 9.3 billion global streams.