Home Blog Page 443

Chance the Rapper Announces 15-City ‘And We Back Tour’ Kicking Off September 26

Eric Alper
-
0
Chance the Rapper Announces 15-City ‘And We Back Tour’ Kicking Off September 26

Grammy-winner and global independent innovator Chance the Rapper has announced dates for his “And We Back Tour.” The 15-city North American headlining run promoted by Live Nation kicks off on September 26 in Houston, TX, with stops in New Orleans, Atlanta, New York City, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more.

In New York, Chance will perform at the iconic Rooftop at Pier 17, an open-air venue with sweeping views of the city skyline. The tour also features a special hometown performance in Chicago at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, a scenic lakeside amphitheater.

The run wraps in Los Angeles on October 20 at the historic Hollywood Palladium. Ticket presales begin Tuesday, August 12, starting with a Citi presale and Verizon, with general on sale starting Friday, August 15.

PRESALES: Citi is the official card of the “And We Back Tour.” Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, August 12 at 10am ET until Thursday, August 14 at 10 pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program.

Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for the Chance the Rapper and the And We Back Tour in the U.S. – no strings attached, simply for being a Verizon customer. The presale for select shows runs from Tuesday, August 12 at 10am ET until Thursday, August 14 at 10pm local time.

CHANCE THE RAPPER – 2025 NORTH AMERICAN “AND WE BACK TOUR” DATES
September 26, 2025 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
September 27, 2025 – New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore
September 29, 2025 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
October 1, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
October 2, 2025 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
October 4, 2025 – Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall
October 6, 2025 – Toronto, ON @ Rebel
October 8, 2025 – Washington, DC @ Echostage
October 10, 2025 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
October 12, 2025 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
October 14, 2025 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
October 16, 2025 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
October 17, 2025 – Highland, CA @ Yaamava’ Theater
October 18, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fontainebleau
October 20, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium

Peabo Bryson Marks 50 Years with ‘Golden Touch’ Tour, New Album ‘Grace,’ and Forthcoming Book

Eric Alper
-
0
Peabo Bryson Marks 50 Years with ‘Golden Touch’ Tour, New Album ‘Grace,’ and Forthcoming Book

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Peabo Bryson celebrates his life and 50 year musical legacy on the Golden Touch Tour through 2026. It will culminate with the release of his new album Grace produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as a book, more details to be announced.

With a soulful voice and romantic duets with Celine Dion, Roberta Flack and Regina Belle amongst others, Peabo became known as “King of the Balladeers,” winning two Grammy Awards: “Beauty and the Beast” (1992) and “A Whole New World”(1993).

But it almost came to an end in 2018 when Peabo suffered a massive heart attack. Saved by the heroic actions of his wife, who performed CPR for twenty minutes until help could arrive, Peabo Bryson has a second chance and lease on life.

“It’s surreal. Most people don’t get to say they’ve had a five-decade career in anything, let alone music. But what makes it even more special is that I almost didn’t make it to see this milestone,” Peabo reflects. “The Golden Touch Tour is a celebration – of survival, of 50 years of music, and of the incredible fans who have supported me through it all. We’ll span my entire career, but with a new energy that comes from knowing how precious each performance really is.”

To celebrate 50 years, Peabo will release a new album Grace, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis due in 2026. He will also release a book filled with stories spanning his 50 year career.

The Golden Touch Tour is currently underway with dates through 2026.

THE GOLDEN TOUCH TOUR
AUG 14 / LAWTON, OK @ Apache Casino
AUG 15/ LAS VEGAS, NV @ Boulder Station Casino
AUG 29 / CHICAGO, IL @ City Winery
AUG 30 / DALLAS, TX @ Riverfront Jazz Festival
AUG 31 / MEMPHIS, TN @ Cannon Center
SEPT 13-20 / SOMMA EUROPEAN CRUISE
SEPT 28 / ST. LOUIS, MO @ City Winery
OCT 10 / PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Rivers Casino
OCT 11 / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ @ SOPAC
OCT 12 / JACKSON, MI @ George E. Potter Center
OCT 17 / NEWPORT BEACH, CA @ Newport Beach Jazz Series
OCT 19 / CATALINA ISLAND, CA @ Catalina Jazz Festival
OCT 21-23 / OAKLAND, CA @ Yoshi’s
OCT 26 / SARATOGA, CA @ Montalvo Arts Center
NOV 1 / ABILENE, TX @ The Historic Paramount Theatre
NOV 6 / FORT LAUDERDALE, FL @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts
NOV 7 / JACKSONVILLE, FL @ THe Ritz Theatre
NOV 9-16 / SOUL TRAIN CARIBBEAN CRUISE
NOV 20 / SMITHFIELD, NC @ Johnson Community Center
NOV 21 / CARMEL, IN @ Center for the Arts
NOV 22 / LAWRENCE, KS @ Lied Center

Ashley Monroe Releases ‘Tennessee Lightning,’ a 17-Song Celebration of Life and Music

Eric Alper
-
0
Ashley Monroe Releases ‘Tennessee Lightning,’ a 17-Song Celebration of Life and Music

On Friday, 3x GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Ashley Monroe released her sixth studio album Tennessee Lightning. Co-produced with GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Gena Johnson (John Prine, Jason Isbell), the 17-song collection was recorded in the wake of Monroe’s transformative bout with cancer and recounts her remarkable journey as a celebration of life, love and the healing power of music.

The album features contributions from T Bone Burnett, Marty Stuart, Brittney Spencer, Waylon Payne, Brendan Benson, Butch Walker, Karen Fairchild and Armand Hutton.

Tennessee Lightning has received acclaim from The Nashville Scene, People, Stereogum, NPR Music, Music Row, The Observer, Americana UK and many more. No Depression proclaimed its “an electrifying new album that traverses a variety of musical landscapes, from swampy blues to gospel to pop and country.” On Friday, The New York Times included her song “Amen Love” in “The Playlist,” making her second appearance in their weekly roundup of the week’s most notable new tracks following the “pristine” single “The Touch” (feat. Marty Stuart) that was released in April.

The album is rich, multifaceted meditation on identity, purpose, and meaning from an artist who’s learned to see herself – and the world around her – in a whole new light following a life-altering diagnosis. “When I got diagnosed with lymphoma and started my treatment, I stopped writing, I stopped hearing melodies, I stopped thinking about songs at all,” Monroe recalls. For six months, she focused almost exclusively on her recovery and her family as she underwent a grueling regimen of injections and transfusions.

“When I finally went into remission, I could feel the life and the music start flowing in my veins again,” she explains. “It was like a flood, just this rush of inspiration.” Along with that inspiration came a newfound clarity and gratitude, as well as a vision for this new album.

“I feel like I’ve emerged from these last few years with a pretty profound perspective shift. I’ve learned to be more in the moment, to appreciate what’s right in front of me and enjoy every second I get to spend doing what I love with the people I care about.”

Late last month, Monroe celebrated the 10th anniversary of her GRAMMY-nominated album The Blade with a special one-night-only performance of the album in full at The Basement East and released an anniversary edition featuring three previously unreleased tracks. Among them is “Fight For It,” a timeless anthem about resilience that was co-written by Monroe alongside Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert) and Gordie Sampson (Josh Turner, Walker Hayes) featuring Vince Gill on background vocals.

On August 21, Monroe will kick off a European tour with Fancy Hagood in Manchester, UK that will make stops in Glasgow, London, Amsterdam and more. Find a full list of tour dates below or visit her website.

Ashley Monroe 2025 Tour Dates:
August 21 – Manchester, UK – Band On the Wall *
August 22 – Leicestershire, UK – The Long Road Festival
August 25 – Glasgow, UK – Saint Luke’s *
August 27 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall *
August 28 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg *
September 19-21 – Bristol, TN – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

* with Fancy Hagood

The Cowsills’ Long-Lost ‘Cocaine Drain’ Album Finally Sees Release Sept. 19 via Omnivore

Eric Alper
-
0
The Cowsills’ Long-Lost ‘Cocaine Drain’ Album Finally Sees Release Sept. 19 via Omnivore

The Cowsills, the hit family singing group of the 60s, have announced the release of The “Cocaine Drain” Album, out September 19 via Omnivore Recordings. The “lost” album produced by Chuck Plotkin (Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan) in the 70s is finally back, restored and remastered, featuring 5 bonus tracks. Along with the announcement they’ve also shared a single from the album, “Is Your Love Alive?”

The Cowsills’ story is now one of legend. From their beginnings as a pop-vocal group (and the inspiration for The Partridge Family), to their emergence as Alt-rock/Americana heroes, there’s always a surprise in there. The “Cocaine Drain” Album is no exception.

From their acclaimed 2022 release Rhythm Of The World, to the reissue of 1998’s Global in 2024, it has become obvious that the group is more than “The Rain, The Park, And Other Things.” And, how so much music was “lost” when it should have been in everyone’s ears all this time.

In 1978, the band began recording demos with Chuck Plotkin, after an introduction from Jackson Browne, and eventually moved into studios to record a full album. In addition to Bob and Paul Cowsill originals, the band recorded songs by John Hall (Orleans), future Grammy-winner Wendy Waldman, and “Buzzy” Feiten. It was all going smoothly until Plotkin moved on to mix Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge Of Town. Future multiple Grammy-winner Val Garay (Kim Carnes, James Taylor, The Motels) stepped in to sequence and master the recordings, yet, an expected major-label deal never materialized. The masters disappeared, and (another) great album languished in obscurity.

Finally, The “Cocaine Drain” Album (named after Hall’s composition) sees a proper release. Garay’s original sequence sits next to five bonus recordings. Restored and remastered by multiple Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, the album feels as fresh and vital as it would have upon its intended release. Liner notes from Bob Cowsill and Brett Milano outline the story of its almost fantastical creation, and what happened after the dust settled.

So, it isn’t a dream anymore. The “Cocaine Drain” Album by The Cowsills makes a triumphant return to the marketplace-even if it’s actually for the first time!

Rio Da Yung OG Drops 20-Track ‘F.L.I.N.T.’ Album with Star-Studded Michigan & National Collabs

Eric Alper
-
0
Rio Da Yung OG Drops 20-Track ‘F.L.I.N.T.’ Album with Star-Studded Michigan & National Collabs

 Emerging from one of the nation’s roughest cities and shaking off a multi-year prison sentence, Rio Da Yung OG is having a massive 2025, filled with sold out dates, trending videos, and more punchlines than you can count. Reflecting on all he has accomplished against the odds, Rio gives thanks to the city that raised him with F.L.I.N.T. (Feeling Like I’m Not Through), his new album.

Packed with kinetic beats by Rio’s frequent collaborators like Wayne616, BEATSBYSAV, and Danny G Beats, the new album allows Rio to test out some truly head-spinning flows, doubling back on his bars to create rewindable punchlines and unexpected moments of poignancy.

Spanning 20 tracks, F.L.I.N.T. is one of Rio’s most focused works to date, spanning 20 tracks of bass-heavy Michigan music including recent singles like “What U Spend” ft. Zillionaire Doe (Top 30 on YouTube trending), “Great Day,” (trended in YouTube’s Trending Top 20 with over 1.3 million views), “Sneaky B,” and “Big Ben.” The album brings collaborations with Michigan associates like Flint’s own Coochie Man YN Jay and his Dum N Dumber duet partner Rmc Mike, and connects Rio with his favorite up-and-comers from the national scene, including Chicago emcees VonOff1700 and Star Bandz, Dallas’s Zillionaire Doe, and Atlanta’s FBLManny.

Along with the album, Rio releases a whopping five new music videos, all directed by 2M Digital, as a gift to his longtime fans:

“Ghetto Star”: A collaboration with Chicago riser Star Bandz, in which both rappers trade flexes like only they can (“Street legend, feel like Rick Ross, I’m not a star/But I’m with Star,” he spits)

“Back Rubbed”: Rio sinks his teeth into a sparkling Wayne616 beat, reflecting on his time in jail and how he now appreciates the finer things even more.

“Rich Regardless”: An out-of-pocket duet with fellow Flint character YN Jay, with a beat that sounds like a late night drive.

“Different Music”: Another Wayne616 production with sonorous bass and a torrent of memorable punchlines (“Do you know what a ‘Rari truck costs? Cause I can buy 4”)

“Ask Jay”: YN Jay doesn’t appear on this one, but he gets a lyrical shout out on this Wayne616-produced heater, with a video featuring a cameo by BabyTron

The F.L.I.N.T. album arrives as Rio Da Yung OG continues his epic “Welcome Home Tour,” which kicked off with a show in Detroit. Continuing this summer and fall, “Welcome Home Tour” spans over 60 dates, passing through San Francisco on August 10th (Regency Ballroom), Los Angeles on August 12th (The Belasco Theater), Houston on August 30th (9pm Music Venue), and New York on September 24th (Webster Hall) before concluding in Chicago on October 11th (Patio Theater). Featuring support from Baby Money, FBLManny, and many special guests.

What We Know About Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ (So Far)

Eric Alper
-
0
What We Know About Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ (So Far)

Taylor Swift didn’t just announce her twelfth studio album — she staged an elaborate, months-long scavenger hunt that only makes sense in hindsight. The Life of a Showgirl, out via Republic Records and now up for pre-order, was revealed in true Taylor fashion: with a countdown, a crash of her website, and a flurry of orange confetti, both real and digital.

The big moment came on the New Heights podcast, hosted by Travis Kelce and his brother Jason, where Swift confirmed the title and teased a blurred album cover. Fans had been clocking her every move leading up to the reveal — and, as usual, the clues were everywhere.

First clue? Backstage at her Miami Eras Tour stop, she filmed a casual video with her cat… right in front of an “A12” stadium sign. Subtle? Not exactly. Then came the now-iconic exit through an orange door, a color that’s become this era’s signature shade. Wardrobe didn’t escape the code either — several orange-toned costumes from recent shows match the album’s visual palette almost exactly.

Swift even planted a hint in the “Anti-Hero” music video, dressing one version of herself in an outfit that eagle-eyed fans now say screams TS12, while another nods to The Tortured Poets Department. And let’s not forget the playlist she dropped called “And, baby, that’s show business for you,” featuring 22 Max Martin and Shellback–produced tracks, plastered on billboards in New York and Nashville.

The night of the reveal, the Empire State Building lit up in orange, Spotify showered Swift searches with confetti, and a new era officially began. As always with Taylor, the music will tell its own story — but the build-up? That’s a show all by itself.

She has now shared the album will arrive October 3 (10th month + 3 = 13, her favorite number), featuring a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the title track. The only producers on the credits – as expected from her curating a new Spotify playlist with songs from – wait for it – Max Martin and Shellback, the team behind some of her poppiest hits from the albums Red, 1989 and Reputation. Four additional CD variants are now available for pre-order.

In true full-circle fashion, the spark for The Life of a Showgirl came in May 2024, when Taylor Swift and Martin talked backstage while the Eras Tour lit up Stockholm. Between European tour dates, she flew to Sweden to record, channeling what she’d lived and felt behind the curtain of the biggest tour of her life. For her twelfth album, she went symbolic — exactly twelve songs, no bonus tracks, no surprise drops.

The visuals? Mert and Marcus, the duo behind Reputation’s iconic cover, photographed Swift wearing a silver jeweled bra top and bracelets, floating in water with only her face and wrist breaking the surface. She says it captures the quiet, offstage moments of tour life — “how each day ends with me in a bathtub.”

During the night of the announcement, the Empire State Building was illuminated in orange; the building’s Instagram page shared an image of the illumination. Google Searches for “Taylor Swift” now only displayed orange confetti, a flaming heart emoji, and the previously revealed Spotify playlist title.

Memphis May Fire Announce ‘The Shapeshifter Tour’ Leg 2 with Rain City Drive, Nevertel & If Not For Me

Eric Alper
-
0
Memphis May Fire Announce ‘The Shapeshifter Tour’ Leg 2 with Rain City Drive, Nevertel & If Not For Me

Memphis May Fire — Matty Mullins (vocals), Kellen McGregor (guitar), Cory Elder (bass), and Jake Garland (drums) — will embark on a headline tour this fall. “Memphis May Fire: THE SHAPESHIFTER TOUR LEG 2” kicks off on November 17th in Florida and runs through December 16th in Arkansas. Rain City Drive will serve as direct support, with Nevertel and If Not For Me also appearing.

Various pre-sals are currently active and run through 10 pm local time on Thursday, August 14th. Get details and VIP packages here. Regular tickets go on sale on Friday, August 15th, at 10 am local time. All dates are below. Get tickets here.

Tour Dates (w/ Rain City Drive, Nevertel, If Not For Me):

11/17 – Pensacola, FL — Vinyl Music Hall
11/18 – Chattanooga, TN — The Signal
11/20 – Greensboro, NC — Piedmont Hall
11/21 – Myrtle Beach, SC — House Of Blues
11/22 – Richmond, VA — The National
11/23 – Washington, DC — The Howard
11/25 – Hartford, CT — The Webster
11/26 – Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
11/28 – Buffalo, NY — Electric City
11/29 – Detroit, MI — Majestic
11/30 – Chicago, IL — House Of Blues
12/01 – Madison, WI — Sylvee
12/03 – Boulder, CO — Boulder Theater
12/05 – Boise, ID — Treefort Music Hall
12/06 – Missoula, MT — Wilma
12/07 – Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
12/09 – San Luis Obispo, CA — Fremont Theater
12/10 -Riverside, CA — Riverside Municipal Auditorium
12/11 – Las Vegas, NV — The Portal
12/12 – Tucson, AZ — Encore
12/14 – Oklahoma City, OK — Tower Theatre
12/15 – Kansas City, MO — The Truman
12/16 – Fayetteville, AR — Ozark Music Hall

Peter Campbell Returns with ‘Haunted Melody,’ a Deeply Personal Jazz Journey Out September 12

Eric Alper
-
0
Peter Campbell Returns with ‘Haunted Melody,’ a Deeply Personal Jazz Journey Out September 12

Following the success of his critically acclaimed Old Flames Never Die—named one of JazzTimes’ Top 40 Albums of 2020—American-Canadian vocalist and producer Peter Campbell unveils his highly anticipated new album, Haunted Melody, due on September 12, 2025. Co-arranged with celebrated Canadian guitarist Reg Schwager and featuring an all-star lineup of Canadian jazz luminaries alongside American saxophonist Joel Frahm and Portuguese producer/composer Ernesto Leite, Haunted Melody offers an intimate, deeply personal journey through love, loss, and cultural discovery.

The album’s release was delayed by profound life changes for Campbell, including the loss of both parents in 2024, the end of a long-term relationship, and his return to Canada after several years living in Portugal. Haunted Melody emerged from this period of reflection and transformation, drawing on a rich palette of traditional jazz, French chanson, and Latin-inspired rhythms.

The 10-track collection features three Brazilian compositions—an influence sparked by Campbell’s time in Portugal and immersion in Lusophone culture—as well as rarely heard gems such as Leonard Cohen and Anjani Thomas’s “No One After You,” Curtis Lewis’s “He Never Mentioned Love” (a nod to Shirley Horn, one of Campbell’s inspirations), and Jacques Brel’s timeless “Song for Old Lovers,” Campbell’s personal favourite on the album.

With masterful performances from trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, flutist Bill McBirnie, pianists Adrean Farrugia and Reg Schwager (also on guitar), guitarist Michael Occhipinti, bassist Ross MacIntyre, drummer Ethan Ardelli, and percussionist Alan Hetherington, Haunted Melody resonates with warmth, sophistication, and emotional depth.

Tim Burton Brings His Fantastical World to Konbini’s Vidéo Club

Eric Alper
-
0
Tim Burton Brings His Fantastical World to Konbini’s Vidéo Club

Tim Burton steps into Konbini’s Vidéo Club, sharing his love for misunderstood monsters and his creative process.

CD Baby vs DistroKid vs TuneCore: Which Music Distributor Is Right for You?

Eric Alper
-
0
CD Baby vs DistroKid vs TuneCore: Which Music Distributor Is Right for You?

Choosing the right music distributor can make or break your release strategy. CD Baby, DistroKid, and TuneCore are three of the biggest names in the game, each offering unique strengths depending on your release habits, business goals, and promotional needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the best fit.

Pricing Models

CD Baby works on a pay-per-release model—charging a one-time fee for singles or albums, plus a small cut of royalties. It’s cost-effective if you only drop music occasionally, and once you’ve paid, your release stays live forever without extra fees.

DistroKid runs on an annual subscription. For one flat yearly rate, you can upload as much music as you like, keeping 100% of your streaming royalties. It’s ideal for artists who release frequently, though some extra features come with additional costs.

TuneCore offers both annual unlimited plans and per-release pricing, giving you flexibility depending on your output. Unlimited plans include full royalty retention, while per-release pricing can work for smaller catalogs.

Royalties & Publishing

All three platforms let you keep your streaming royalties in full on their paid tiers.

  • CD Baby offers optional publishing administration, helping you collect composition royalties worldwide.
  • DistroKid focuses on performance royalties only and leaves publishing to outside services.
  • TuneCore provides an affordable publishing add-on, plus tools for sync licensing and songwriter payments.

Features & Artist Tools

CD Baby has a long-standing reputation for supporting artists with robust promotional tools, educational resources, and even physical distribution for those who still press CDs or vinyl.

DistroKid is built for speed and simplicity, with perks like instant promo pages, playlist submission tools, and automatic royalty splits for collaborators.

TuneCore combines analytics, publishing administration, social media tools, and even revenue advances, making it a more comprehensive business platform for artists ready to scale.

Distribution Speed

If timing is crucial, DistroKid is generally the fastest, with releases often appearing on major platforms within days. TuneCore is close behind, typically taking less than a week. CD Baby tends to be slower due to its review process, so it’s better for artists who can plan their releases well in advance.

Which Should You Choose?

  • Pick CD Baby if you release occasionally, value lifetime distribution without subscriptions, and want access to physical media and sync opportunities.
  • Pick DistroKid if you release often, need quick turnaround, and want to maximize output without paying per track.
  • Pick TuneCore if you want a flexible pricing model, built-in publishing, and a wider suite of business tools.

No matter which you choose, your distributor should fit your workflow, goals, and release schedule—not the other way around. The right choice will make your music easier to release, promote, and profit from.

1...442443444...3,054Page 443 of 3,054

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

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

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper