Harold Arlen and His Songs is the first comprehensive book about the music of one of the great song composers of the twentieth century. Arlen wrote many standards of the American Songbook-including “Get Happy,” “Over the Rainbow, “Stormy Weather,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and “The Man That Got Away” – that today rank among the best known and loved. Author Walter Frisch places these and other songs in the context of a long career that took Arlen from Buffalo, New York; to Harlem’s Cotton Club; to Broadway stages; and to the film studios of Hollywood. Even with their complex melodies, harmonies, and formal structures, Arlen’s tunes remain accessible and memorable. As Frisch shows, he blended influences from his father’s Jewish cantorial tradition, his experience as a jazz arranger and performer, and peers like Gershwin, Kern, and Berlin. Arlen always emphasized the collaborative nature of songwriting, and he worked with the top lyricists of his day, including Ted Koehler, Yip Harburg, Johnny Mercer, and Ira Gershwin.
Harold Arlen and His Songs is structured around these and Arlen’s other partnerships, analyzing individual songs as well as the shows or films in which they appear. The book also treats Arlen’s performances of his own music as a vocalist and pianist, through numerous recordings and appearances on radio and television. A final chapter explores the interpretations of his songs by great singers, including many who worked with him, among them Ethel Waters, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.
‘Harold Arlen and His Songs’ by Walter Frisch Explores a Twentieth-Century Songwriting Legend
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Announce Fall 2025 U.S. Tour and Festival Dates Plus Solo Support for Mumford & Sons
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have confirmed a new run of U.S. tour dates and festival appearances this fall, including stops in San Diego and Kansas City, as well as performances at Farm Aid, the Outlaw Music Festival, and more. Additionally, Rateliff will accompany Mumford & Sons as a solo artist for select dates on their “Mumford & Sons and Friends Tour.”
Tickets for the new dates are available now, starting with an artist presale; additional presales will continue throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning June 13 at 10 a.m. local time.
The new shows follow today’s announcement of the 2025 Americana Awards nominees, which saw Rateliff and the band nominated for Album of the Year for their critically acclaimed fourth full-length studio album, South of Here, out now via Stax, as well as Song of the Year for “Heartless.”
South of Here yielded two No. 1 singles—“Heartless” and “Call Me (Whatever You Like)”—both topping the Adult Alternative chart and marking the group’s seventh and eighth No. 1s to date. The band’s new video for the title track, directed by Brantley Gutierrez on 35 mm film, premiered exclusively on Rolling Stone and was highlighted by Kodak Shoot Film—watch the video here.
This year the band completed its milestone, first-ever arena tour in support of South of Here; watch Jimmy Fallon make a surprise appearance at their landmark, sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, where he joined them for the encore and delivered an electric rendition of their hit song “S.O.B.” here.
Additionally, Rateliff has been appointed Newport Folk Steward, the first artist to hold the role at the legendary festival since Pete Seeger. The three-year term will see Rateliff serving actively for two years and advising the next recipient during a third transition year. He has chosen to devote his tenure to artist advocacy, fellowship, and mentorship both at the Fort and beyond.
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS TOUR DATES FALL 2025
June 20—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 21—Cuyahoga Falls, OH—Blossom Music Center – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 22—Cincinnati, OH—Riverbend Music Center – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 24—Asheville, NC—Asheville Yards Amphitheater+
June 25—Franklin, TN—FirstBank Amphitheater – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 27—Memphis, TN—Radians Amphitheater – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 28—Maryland Heights, MO—Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Outlaw Music Festival•
June 29—Ridgedale, MO—Thunder Ridge Nature Arena – Outlaw Music Festival •
August 2—Denver, CO—Empower Field at Mile High»
August 3—New Orleans, LA—Woldenburg Park=
August 4—Spartanburg, SC—Piedmont Fairgrounds=
August 5—Richmond, VA—Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront=
August 7—Burlington, VT—Champlain Valley Exposition Center=
August 16—Atlantic City, NJ—Hard Rock Hotel & Casino~
September 12—East Aurora, NY—Borderland Festival•
September 14—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond•
September 16—Des Moines, IA—Val Air Ballroom+
September 19—Moline, IL—Vibrant Arena+*
September 20—Minneapolis, MN—Huntington Bank Stadium – Farm Aid•
September 23—Omaha, NE—Council Bluffs+
September 24—Kansas City, MO—Starlight Amphitheater+
September 26—Oklahoma City, OK—Zoo Amphitheater+
September 27—Taos, NM—Kit Carson Park+
September 29—Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Financial Theatre+
September 30—San Diego, CA—Gallagher Square+
October 2—Santa Barbara, CA—Santa Barbara Bowl+
October 3—San Francisco, CA—Hardly Strictly Bluegrass•
+with support from Hannah Cohen
*with support from Trampled By Turtles
~with support from Kevin Morby
=Nathaniel Rateliff Solo On The Mumford & Sons And Friends Tour
»Supporting The Lumineers
•Festival
Josh Ritter Announces New Album “I Believe in You, My Honeydew” and Fall 2025 Tour
Renowned singer, songwriter, musician, artist, and best-selling author Josh Ritter will release his anticipated new album, I Believe in You, My Honeydew, September 12 via Thirty Tigers (pre-order/pre-save here). Ahead of the release, his new song, “You Won’t Dig My Grave,” is out today. Listen/share HERE.
Throughout his decades-long career, Ritter has established himself as “one of the most perceptive artists making music today” (American Songwriter), releasing twelve albums to date and earning the respect of countless music legends, with artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Bob Weir having performed and recorded his songs.
With the release of I Believe in You, My Honeydew, Ritter shares ten new tracks that further demonstrate the insightful and engaging artistry that he’s celebrated for. Produced by Sam Kassirer (Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim), the new album features Ritter alongside his Royal City Band: Kassirer (piano, organ, synthesizer, accordion), Zachariah Hickman (acoustic and electric bass, thumb piano, mandolin), Rich Hinman (guitars, pedal steel, mandolin), and Ray Rizzo (drums, percussion).
Of the project, Ritter shares:
“I lived in the woods when I was a kid. I used to believe (and maybe I was right) that I could walk out of our front door, across the gravel road and, pointing myself north, I could walk to Canada, never once leaving the tree line. Wonder was a temple with no walls, and the Muse was still just a ripple in the ponderosas. I felt no fear.
I’m 48 now. Decades have passed. There have been times I felt my inspiration, my Muse, had passed along with them. And then, not too long ago, I decided that instead of waiting for the Muse to write me a song, I would write the Muse a song instead. I started referring to my Muse as my Honeydew. And this album was born.
The songs on Honeydew are songs for my Muse, my invisible and blinding companion of long-standing. I hope it enjoys them. I hope that it experiences a bit of what it’s like to be human, a bit of what it’s like to be lonely, scared, uncertain, joyful, righteous. I believe in you, my honeydew.”
In celebration of the new music, Ritter will tour through this fall, including newly confirmed stops at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center, Chicago’s Thalia Hall, Minneapolis’ Fitzgerald Theater, Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Theatre, Philadelphia’s Keswick Theatre, and New York’s Brooklyn Steel, among many others. See below for the complete tour itinerary.
Tickets will be available for pre-sale starting tomorrow, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. local time, with general on-sale following Friday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m. local time. A portion of the proceeds from pre-sale tickets sold via joshritter.com will be donated to Immigrant Defense Project. Pre-sale sign-up and full details can be found at www.joshritter.com.
I Believe in You, My Honeydew follows Ritter’s 2024 mini-album, Heaven, or Someplace as Nice, which he recorded with legendary jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and his acclaimed 2023 full-length project, Spectral Lines. Of the record, Paste praised, “Josh Ritter is like a more open-hearted version of Leonard Cohen. His lyrics draw on the divine, but he seems to see a little heaven in all the people around him,” while No Depression declared, “a hopeful tapestry that encourages listeners to sit with each other in introspection, but not to forget to sing along.”
In addition to his work as a musician, Ritter is also a national best-selling author, having released two novels to date: 2011’s Bright’s Passage and 2021’s The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All, for which the film rights have recently been optioned for development. Released to critical attention, Stephen King wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Bright’s Passage “shines with a compressed lyricism that recalls Ray Bradbury in his prime…This is the work of a gifted novelist.”
I BELIEVE IN YOU, MY HONEYDEW TRACK LIST
You Won’t Dig My Grave
Honeydew (No Light)
Truth is a Dimension (Both Invisible and Blinding)
Noah’s Children
Wild Ways
Thunderbird
Kudzu Vines
I’m Listening
The Wreckage of One Vision of You
The Throne
JOSH RITTER CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
August 9—Three Rivers, PEI—Cloggeroo Festival (solo show)
August 10—Truro, NS—Marigold Cultural Centre (solo show)
August 20—Westport, CT—Levitt Pavilion*
August 21—Portland, ME—State Theatre*
August 22—South Burlington, VT—Higher Ground*
August 23—Easthampton, MA—Arcadia Folk Festival
August 24—Lowell, MA—Lowell Summer Music Series*
November 1—Rochester, NY—Concerts at Beston Hall
November 2—Grand Rapids, MI—St. Cecilia Music Center
November 3—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark
November 4—Cincinnati, OH—Taft Theatre
November 6—St. Louis, MO—The Sovereign
November 7—Chicago, IL—Thalia Hall
November 8—Minneapolis, MN—Fitzgerald Theater
November 9—Des Moines, IA—Hoyt Sherman Place
November 12—Pittsburgh, PA—Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
November 13—Washington, D.C.—Lincoln Theatre
November 14—Philadelphia, PA—Keswick Theatre
November 16—New York, NY—Brooklyn Steel
YES Announces “The Fragile Tour 2025, The Album Series” Celebrating Iconic Album with Fall U.S. Dates
Influential and pioneering Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees YES—who are Steve Howe (guitars, vocals), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals, acoustic guitar), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar, vocals), and Jay Schellen (drums)—have today (June 10) announced their “The Fragile Tour 2025, The Album Series” set for this fall in the U.S. This “evening with Yes” trek launches October 1 in Wallingford, CT, and wraps November 16 in Reno, NV. Tickets go on sale June 13. Go to www.yesworld.com/live for ticketing information.
At these shows, the progressive rock titans will perform their iconic Fragile album in its entirety along with classic cuts from their legendary body of work. The multi-platinum album features their signature songs “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and “Heart of the Sunrise.” Fragile, the band’s fourth studio album, was released in the UK in November 1971 and in the US in January 1972. The “Fragile Tour” is regarded as a key moment in YES’ history—it’s when the band became a headline act in the US.
“All the band’s albums had a unique feel and approach,” says Steve Howe. “After The Yes Album, so many things came together, with [co-producer] Eddie Offord steering the proceedings. While the band focused on only four main songs with full arrangements, each of us wrote and designed a solo piece, which was Bill [Bruford]’s great idea. It’s fairly ‘odd-ball,’ but we were at the height of our creativity, determined for success.” Howe adds: “It gave us confidence, further than our own in-stock belief, we’d crafted this unusual but noticeable musical twist to rock and what later became prog.”
Fragile also marks the band’s first album to be designed by Roger Dean. He would also design many of YES’ future album covers, the band’s logo, and live stage sets. This striking union of music and design is key in how YES’ sound and vision would be perceived; it also underlined how important artistic visuals were becoming in the rock world. On “The Fragile Tour 2025,” YES will perform in front of a video wall featuring AI treatment of Dean’s art, bringing YES’ art into the 2020s. Roger Dean art will be available in the merch area at all the shows.
“Roger was and is quintessential to the look of Yes,” notes Howe. “He’s still creating great paintings and design—he has no competition.”
See below for the full list of tour dates:
Date City, State Venue
10/1 Wallingford, CT Toyota Oakdale Theatre
10/2 Morristown, NJ Mayo Performing Arts Center
10/4 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
10/5 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre
10/7 Huntington, NY The Paramount
10/8 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
10/9 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
10/11 York, PA Appell Center for the Performing Arts
10/12 Jim Thorpe, PA Penn’s Peak
10/14 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
10/16 Durham, NC Carolina Theatre
10/18 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
10/19 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Broward Center, Au-Rene Theater
10/21^ The Villages, FL Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
10/22 Charleston, SC Charleston Music Hall
10/24 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy
10/25 Memphis, TN Graceland Soundstage
10/27 Louisville, KY The Louisville Palace
10/28 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
10/30 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
10/31 Des Plaines, IL Des Plaines Theatre
11/1 St. Charles, IL The Arcada Theatre
11/3 Madison, WI The Orpheum Theater
11/4* Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
11/6 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre
11/7 Omaha, NE Steelhouse Omaha
11/9 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
11/11 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center
11/13 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
11/14 Alpine, CA Viejas Casino
11/16 Reno, NV Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
^On sale June 27
*On sale June 20
Hear How Sly Stone Spin Soul, Rock, And Revolution From KSOL FM In The 1960s
Before Sly Stone became the psychedelic soul architect behind Sly and the Family Stone, he was already breaking barriers behind the mic and behind the boards. In the mid-1960s, Stone was a DJ at KSOL in San Francisco, curating playlists that blurred color lines—mixing The Beatles and The Rolling Stones into soul-heavy sets. At a time when radio was often segregated by genre and race, Stone spun unity. He dubbed the station “K-SOUL” and made it a beacon for music that moved the mind, body, and, yes, the soul.
15 Classic Rock Albums That Still Sound Fresh Today
Some records age like milk. Others, like fine wine. And then there are albums that somehow sound as vital now as they did the day they dropped the needle. These 15 classic rock albums don’t just hold up—they stand up, with energy, emotion, and craftsmanship that still hits hard decades later.
AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
Straight-ahead rock with riffs like steel girders and grooves built to last. It’s one of the best-selling albums of all time for a reason—“You Shook Me All Night Long” is forever etched into party playlists.
Boston – Boston (1976)
Few debut albums explode like this. “More Than a Feeling” remains one of rock’s most perfect singles, and the whole album blends power and melody in a way that still feels fresh and polished.
Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run (1975)
Wall of sound? More like ocean of sound. “Thunder Road,” “Jungleland,” and the title track burst with cinematic energy. It captures youth, longing, and escape in a way that still makes you want to drive fast with the windows down.
David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Ziggy never really left. This record still feels like a prophecy for outsider art and gender-fluid performance. It’s glam, it’s grounded, and it remains a beacon for the beautifully strange.
Eagles – Hotel California (1976)
From the ringing twin guitars of the title track to the lush harmonies throughout, this album defines California rock. The craftsmanship and mood still captivate late-night listeners.
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)
You can hear the tension, heartbreak, and harmony in every track. With layered harmonies, pristine production, and emotional songwriting, Rumours still sounds like lightning in a bottle. “Dreams” is a chart hit again for a reason.
Joni Mitchell – Court and Spark (1974)
Jazz, folk, pop, and poetry converge in Mitchell’s luminous production. Tracks like “Help Me” and “Free Man in Paris” offer rich layers and insight, still relevant to modern life.
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
There’s no expiration date on a record that opens with “Black Dog” and leads to “Stairway to Heaven.” The dynamics, riffs, and mystique continue to inspire rock bands and bedroom guitarists worldwide.
Neil Young – Harvest (1972)
“Heart of Gold” may be the hit, but this record’s quiet strength lies in its whole. Young’s mix of country, folk, and rock connects deeply with listeners today just as it did in the ‘70s.
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
This is the sound of ambition realized. With its blend of philosophy, sonic experimentation, and emotional resonance, this album continues to be discovered—and obsessed over—by every generation.
Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975)
Operatic one moment, hard-rocking the next. Freddie Mercury’s vision and the band’s boundless creativity turned this into an epic thrill ride. “Bohemian Rhapsody” alone still floors first-time listeners.
The Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)
From the first shimmer of “Come Together” to the legendary side-two medley, Abbey Road feels like a perfect balance of innovation and instinct. It’s polished without losing personality, and that Moog synth still sounds space-age.
The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St. (1972)
This album is sweat, swagger, and Southern grit wrapped in rock-and-roll grit. The Stones dig deep into blues, gospel, and soul—raw, messy, and utterly alive.
The Who – Who’s Next (1971)
Synths meet smashing guitars, and Pete Townshend’s songwriting vision lands perfectly. “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again” could headline festivals today. It still feels revolutionary.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Damn the Torpedoes (1979)
Heartland rock at its finest. These songs feel lived-in and effortless, from “Refugee” to “Here Comes My Girl.” Petty’s knack for melody and resolve makes this one eternal.
GRAMMY-Nominated Artist Sophie B. Hawkins Announces Canadian Tour Celebrating 30 Years of ‘Whaler’
New York-born powerhouse SOPHIE B. HAWKINS will grace the legendary Saskatchewan Jazz Festival his summer, bringing her signature blend of raw emotion and musical virtuosity to one of the world’s most prestigious music events. This performance marks a triumphant return to the international stage for an artist who has maintained a devoted Canadian following throughout her three-decade career.
The Saskatoon appearance coincides with the 30th anniversary celebration of her groundbreaking album ‘WHALER’ and the upcoming release of ‘WHALER – RE-EMERGING’ in October 2025 – news that has particularly excited Canadian fans who have long championed Hawkins’ authentic artistry.
From her explosive debut with the platinum-selling ‘TONGUES AND TAILS’ and its provocative hit “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” – which dominated Canadian radio in the ’90s – to setting Billboard AC history with “As I Lay Me Down,” Hawkins has consistently pushed musical boundaries while maintaining an authentic connection with audiences across North America. Her journey spans three decades of artistic evolution, including seven albums, with her latest release ‘FREE MYSELF’ (2023) proving her enduring relevance as “Love Yourself” reached #3 on the UK dance charts.
“Whaler was an incredibly adventurous time of my life,” Hawkins reflects. “Making my second record in London, meeting my teenage inspirations – it was living a dream I’d imagined since childhood. Bringing these songs to Canadian audiences feels like coming full circle, and I’m thrilled to be returning to Canada.”
The Saskatoon performance will showcase reimagined versions of ‘WHALER’ classics, including the chart-topping “Right Beside You” and the iconic “As I Lay Me Down” – songs that became staples on Canadian alternative and adult contemporary radio – alongside selections from her extensive catalogue. This rare festival appearance offers fans a unique opportunity to experience Hawkins’ powerful vocals and emotional depth in a setting that has hosted music’s most legendary performers.
Adding to the excitement, Sophie B. Hawkins will be making her first Canadian tour in years this Fall 2025, joining forces with fellow artist Paula Cole for what promises to be an unforgettable musical experience across Canada.
Beyond her musical achievements, Hawkins has left an indelible mark across multiple creative platforms – from memorable appearances on shows like ‘COMMUNITY’ to her acclaimed documentary ‘THE CREAM WILL RISE’ and her transformative portrayal of Janis Joplin in the touring production of ‘ROOM 105.’
Canadian fans will have multiple opportunities to see Hawkins perform, from the summer festival appearance to the highly anticipated fall tour with Paula Cole.
Don’t miss this historic performance as Sophie B. Hawkins brings her timeless artistry and the beloved songs of ‘WHALER’ to the Canadian stage, marking another milestone in an already remarkable career.
Canada Tour Dates 2025
July 11 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan @ Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
October 16 – North Battleford, Saskatchewan @ Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts
October 17 – Camrose, Alberta @ Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre
October 18 – Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta @ Dow Centennial Centre – Shell Theatre
October 19 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan @ E.A. Rawlinson Centre for The Arts
October 21 – Brandon, Manitoba @ Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
October 22 – Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Club Regent Event Centre
October 25 – St. Albert, Alberta @ Arden Theatre
October 26 – Red Deer, Alberta @ Red Deer Memorial Centre
October 27 – Calgary, Alberta @ Bella Concert Theatre
October 29 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Vancouver Playhouse
October 30 – Victoria, British Columbia @ McPherson Playhouse
Michael Gutierrez-May Shines Light on History and Hope with “Light Still Shines The Same”
Singer-songwriter and storyteller Michael Gutierrez-May continues to share music rooted in the land, lived experience, and enduring truths — including his latest single and album centerpiece, “Light Still Shines The Same.”
Released in December 2024 as part of the album of the same name, “Light Still Shines The Same” is a lyrical and meditative reckoning with the legacy of colonization in North America. The song reflects on the European settlement of Indigenous lands and the generations of struggle that followed. Yet it doesn’t stop at despair — instead, it calls attention to resilience, unity, and the unchanging light of the Great Spirit that shines on all people.
“You build a town in the wilderness… / Took the wood from the trees / Water for the factories / And they attributed this to progress,” Gutierrez-May sings with quiet urgency. But the refrain offers hope: “The light still shines the same on everyone.”
The track was produced by Stephen B. Martin and recorded at Ultrasound Studios in Hanover, MA by engineer Joe Clapp. A key contributor to the song is guitarist Cliff Goodwin, best known for his work as music director for Joe Cocker. Goodwin’s expressive lead guitar anchors the track in both tradition and originality, a hallmark of the entire album.
Gutierrez-May’s music blends folk, indie rock, and subtle world music influences. The album includes collaborations with Carley Baer, Elizabeth Gray, and Sean Ryder, all of whom helped shape the musical and emotional landscape of the project. Additional musical guests include Raianne Richards, Pete Nelson, Suzanne McNeil, and bassist Elizabeth Gray, a punk-era veteran now part of the duo Box of Kittens.
Michael’s lyrics walk a line between the personal and political, weaving themes of loss, resilience, reconciliation, and even humor. “Destiny” tells the story of a young woman’s defiance in the face of social expectations, while “She Was My Angel” is a moving ballad about grief and long-term love. “Apology Song” and “Five Twenty Four” show Gutierrez-May’s ability to move seamlessly between reflection, contrition, and compassion.
The album was inspired by the loss of three close friends and mentors in 2023 — David Rumpler, Andy Holiner, and Eric “Snake” Gulliksen. “This album is dedicated to their memory,” Gutierrez-May shares. “Their encouragement made all the difference.”
Michael Gutierrez-May’s path to music has been anything but conventional. A longtime community-based psychotherapist by day and concert organizer by night, he is now known for his heartfelt songs, grounded in history and humanity. He has released three previous studio albums and performs throughout New England, often in support of community and benefit events.
This release is both a celebration of song and a reminder of what folk music does best: tell stories that matter. As Gutierrez-May puts it, “We stand on our connectedness, through the present time and through the ages.”
Dane Bateman Delivers Honest, Heartfelt Country With New Single ‘Whiskey Promises’
Penticton, BC’s country up-and-comer Dane Bateman is raising a glass — and the bar — with the release of his new single, “Whiskey Promises,” out now on all streaming platforms. Featuring his breakout title track and a collection of songs that channel the grit of Texas red dirt and the heart of ’90s country, “Whiskey Promises” cements Bateman as one of the genre’s rising voices to watch.
“Now that it’s morning, I forget what we said,” Bateman sings on the anthemic title track. “Did we make up, or was it all in my head?” With lyrics soaked in memory and hundred-proof regret, “Whiskey Promises” is a relatable, hook-filled anthem that captures a universal moment: waking up unsure if the words said the night before were real or just soaked in bourbon.
In Dane’s own words: “When people hear ‘Whiskey Promises,’ I want them to feel like they’re walking down Broadway in Nashville. That was one of the coolest experiences of my life, and I really tried to capture that energy and unpredictability.”
Originally from the small mountain town of Nakusp, BC, and now based in Penticton, Bateman’s roots run deep — in small-town living, bonfire jam sessions, and long road trips chasing live music. His sound bridges generations: a modern country edge inspired by artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Koe Wetzel, layered over storytelling traditions passed down from legends like Garth Brooks and Waylon Jennings.
Dane has already carved out an impressive path on the live circuit, sharing stages with Canadian country royalty including Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, The Reklaws, Meghan Patrick, and The Road Hammers. And it’s paying off — Dane is currently sitting at over 23,500 streams on Spotify, a number that’s growing by the day and was just named 93.7 JR Country radio’s “One To Watch” for the month of May.
Bateman credits a lot of his musical inspiration to the time he spent in Nashville, especially during the writing and recording of “Whiskey Promises.” “I was in a studio with three other writers, and when Brandon Samsons started playing guitar and the title ‘Whiskey Promises’ came up, we just ran with it. It wasn’t written from one specific experience, but I think almost everyone’s had a night like that — one drink too many, one truth too blurred.”
That honesty and edge show up throughout the album. Produced in part by collaborators who shared Bateman’s vision of something “edgier, sort of rock and roll, red dirt Texas style,” the album features bold instrumentation, including what Bateman calls one of the coolest elements: an aggressive kick drum that “isn’t used enough in Canadian country.”
Thematically, “Whiskey Promises” explores the highs and lows of love, life on the road, and growing up blue-collar in a tight-knit, rough-around-the-edges world. “I like to write music that makes people want to have a good time,” he says. “It’s for small towners, oil riggers, weekend warriors — people like me who grew up with guitars by the fire, beer in hand.”
Before music took center stage, Dane played junior hockey across Canada and worked on oil rigs in the north. In true country fashion, he eventually packed up his truck and drove through 32 states in 58 days, a road trip that would deepen his love for country music and, eventually, inspire the journey toward his first record.
With a growing social media presence and live shows that are turning heads, Dane Bateman is poised to bring “Whiskey Promises” to stages across the country.
Bluesy R&B Unfiltered: Tribz Bring Southern Heat & Indigenous Power With “Long Black Cadillac”
Sometimes the funkiest, fiercest music comes from the most unexpected places — like a garage jam during COVID that led to Long Black Cadillac, the newest release from Indigenous Bluesy Rockcollective TRIBZ. This tight four-piece unit is more than just a band — they’re a genre-melting powerhouse of lived history, raw groove, and unshakable heart. And in an industry that still doesn’t know where to place bands like them, TRIBZ is carving out their own lane — with whitewall tires and a V8 engine.
Composed of Errol Starr Francis (vocals), Earl Johnson (guitar), Donny Hill (bass), and Dave Davidson (drums), TRIBZ blends their deep roots in Six Nations and Hamilton with decades of blues, Motown, southern rock, reggae, and R&B lineage. Juno winners and nominees, Indigenous trailblazers, and genre-defiers — they’ve shared stages with everyone from King Biscuit Boy to AC/DC, Big Sugar to Blue Rodeo. But their most important legacy is the one they’re building together, now.
The single Long Black Cadillac is as much a statement of intent as it is a sonic ride. “We want the listener to come for a ride in our Long Black Cadillac,” the band says. It all started with Earl’s riff in Dave’s garage. “We jumped into the groove,” they recall. From there, the lyrics took shape — fun, soulful, and drenched in southern imagery. Lines like “Silky black stockings be lookin’ so fine, I can’t hide what’s on my mind” and “Since the day you came around, my bad boy image came crashing down” marry cheeky nostalgia with heartfelt confessions.
The track pulses with sweat and swagger, pulling listeners into a world where moss hangs from trees, stilettos click down humid streets, and love rides shotgun in a long black Cadillac. Errol’s smooth-as-honey vocals glide across the beat, channeling his Juno-winning soul/R&B chops with a gospel-tinged grit. “Errol takes us to places where Georgia peaches grow and that Southern Belle is waiting for us to get back to where we used to be,” they explain.
Each member brings their own fire:
Errol Starr Francis (Adopted ASMINTI Metis member) is best known for the Soul/R&B hit “Angel,” and delivers every note like it’s a sermon.
Earl Johnson (Six Nations Tuscarora) cut his teeth with King Biscuit Boy and Moxy, and his blues-rock attack is fierce and fluid.
Dave Davidson (Hamilton native) toured globally with The American Rogues, anchoring every beat with the depth of four decades.
Donny Hill (Six Nations Mohawk) has played with Murray Porter and the cast of RUMBLE, his fretless bass laying down seismic soul.
TRIBZ is fiercely proud of their Indigenous heritage. “Earl and Donny are Six Nations tribe members. Errol is an adopted member of ASMINTI,” they affirm. “We were all born on Turtle Island.” Their work doesn’t just entertain — it uplifts the power of Indigenous music in the present, outside the boxes and expectations.
Why are people falling in love with TRIBZ? Because their sound defies categories. Because their funk is raw, their stories are real, and their spirit is unstoppable. And it’s catching on — one groove at a time. As they put it: “Take me home, Long Black Cadillac.” This band is on the move — and the world is along for the ride.