Page 666 – That Eric Alper

Ethan Askey & The Elevators Ride Down Highway 61 on Soulful New Single ‘Clarksdale’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

Ethan Askey & The Elevators Ride Down Highway 61 on Soulful New Single ‘Clarksdale’

Ethan Askey & the Elevators have released their newest single “Clarksdale,” a road-ready slice of upbeat blues that fuses slide guitar, harmonica, heartfelt storytelling, and deep groove. Written by frontman Ethan Askey and guitarist Keith Larsen, the track pays homage to spiritual birthplaces of blues, soul, and rock and roll.

“Purveyors of fine Rocky Mountain roots & boogie blues,” Ethan Askey & the Elevators are building a reputation for inventive songwriting and electrifying live shows mostly in Western Canada, where they are based. The band’s sound is driven by Askey’s baritone vocals and blues harp stylings, Larsen’s expressive guitar, and a locomotive rhythm section with drummer Ben Dunn and bassist Mike Honeyman. They make modern blues that move dance floors and radio dials alike.

The band was formed to follow up the success of Askey’s impressive solo debut album ‘Walk When You Wanna Run,’ an independent release in 2022 that he created with the studio contributions of musical associates in the Calgary and Toronto music scenes, and with co-producer credits going to Canadian heavyweight blues rock artist Steve Marriner. The album got steady international radio play and charted weekly for over 160 weeks, earning a place on the year-end “Best Of” (Top 200) Contemporary Blues charts, worldwide, for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The story behind “Clarksdale” is part postcard and part emotional turmoil: “It ended up being the trip of a lifetime, but I almost didn’t go since I felt so many things piled up on me”, Askey recalls. The timing was tail end of the global pandemic, and it was the renewed annual gathering of the blues music community in Memphis, Tennessee, for the International Blues Challenge event. With a hot new album out on the airwaves he wanted to be there too. The prospect of warmer winter weather there compared to the 30-below temperatures at home was an added pull. “It was the encouragement of Blues Power radio program host Gil Anthony that got me off the fence to travel down south”.

Larsen adds, “The road trip we made down Highway 61 connected so many dots for us, from legendary blues crossroads to Nashville guitars to Elvis’s cars”. The song references Johnny Cash too, paraphrasing his famous line, “get rhythm when you get the blues” as a subtext for “Clarksdale”. Lyrically, the song moves through scenes of winter fatigue and soulful escape, tracing a route from the frozen Canadian prairie to the beating heart of American roots music. The song’s chorus – “Gonna head down to Clarksdale, and Memphis, Tennessee / Gonna make some noise in Nashville and let sweet music wash all over me” – encapsulates its spirit: a yearning to reconnect with the source and let music cleanse the noise of everyday life.

There is most definitely a thread connecting the early country and blues artists along the mighty Mississippi, through time and space, to the contemporary blues and rock music made today by Ethan Askey & the Elevators in the Canadian Rockies. With “Clarksdale,” they stake out solid ground as modern storytellers with an authentic voice and some vintage voltage. The single bridges north and south, tradition and innovation, memory and motion. It’s a song about chasing warmth – in spirit, perhaps even more than in temperature.

The still-new band is already preparing their next single release, “Big Bad Boss Man,” and a full-length album slated for mid-2026, accompanied by further touring within Canada.

Pop-Soul Artist Jennarie Releases Debut EP ‘Never Been Small’ After Canada’s Walk of Fame Runner-Up Win

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

0

Pop-Soul Artist Jennarie Releases Debut EP ‘Never Been Small’ After Canada’s Walk of Fame Runner-Up Win

Toronto-based artist Jennarie is redefining what pop, R&B, and soul sound like in 2025 with her bold debut EP, Never Been Small — a fearless, body-positive celebration of self-love, growth, and unapologetic authenticity. The project arrives after a whirlwind year that saw her viral anthem “Never Been Small” soar past 2.3 million Spotify streams and ignite a movement that stretched far beyond music.

With 157k Instagram followers, 16k on YouTube, and over 230k on TikTok, Jennarie has quickly become one of Canada’s most exciting new voices. Her radiant confidence and genre-defying sound have earned her a spot in the RBCxMusic First Up 2025 Cohort and the Canada’s Walk of Fame / RBC / Stingray Emerging Musician Program, where she claimed second place for her boundary-pushing artistry.

Born in Montreal and based in Toronto, Jennarie (she/her) blends pop, R&B, and jazz into a sound that’s as rich and layered as her story. Proudly queer, body-positive, and neurodivergent, she crafts songs that speak directly to the soul—songs that lift, move, and remind listeners of their own power.

The EP’s title track, Never Been Small, transformed pain into purpose after online comments about Jennarie’s body went viral. Instead of retreating, she responded with the lyric heard around the world: “I have never been small, I have never been thin, I’m almost six feet tall, so tall I stretched my skin.” That line, and the song’s message, resonated globally, catching the attention of SZA and Meghan Trainor, and landing a spot in Rosebud Baker’s Netflix special The Mother Lode.

Across six tracks, Never Been Small is a genre-blending masterclass in vulnerability and resilience. From the soulful empowerment of “Stop (You Can Let It Go)” to the sultry, introspective “Minding and Business,” Jennarie builds a soundscape rooted in radical honesty. “I’d Rather Be Ugly” flips beauty standards on their head with the powerful lyric, “The closer I am to beauty, the further I get from myself,” while “Melodies” and “Summer With You” bring light, warmth, and community into focus.

“Music has always been how I make sense of the world,” Jennarie shares. “Every lyric, every note, is written with intention and is a mirror of how I’m feeling, processing and what I’m thinking about. This record is about growth, reclaiming joy and standing tall in a world that asks you to shrink.”

She adds, “Never Been Small is more than a title—it’s a declaration and a promise. It’s for every person who’s ever been told they take up too much space. You deserve to exist fully, loudly, and with love.”

Produced by Nick Tateishi, the EP features lush strings, horns, and group vocals from a circle of Toronto collaborators who share Jennarie’s vision for inclusive, soul-centered pop. Supported by the Ontario Arts Council and powered by a growing community of fans, Never Been Small is just the beginning of Jennarie’s world-building journey.

As she prepares for new music, live performances, and future collaborations, Jennarie continues to prove that being big—in sound, in heart, in presence—is something to celebrate. With every lyric, she reminds us: we were never meant to be small.

Vancouver Pianist Martin Mayer Returns With ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ – A Triumph of Art and Resilience

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

0

Vancouver Pianist Martin Mayer Returns With ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ – A Triumph of Art and Resilience

Born in Prague, Czech Republic, and now based in Vancouver, Canada, pianist and composer Martin Mayer has long been celebrated for his cinematic approach to neoclassical and new age piano music. With his latest release, ‘The Solo Piano Collection,’ Mayer transforms personal adversity into musical poetry — a testament to resilience, artistry, and the healing power of creation.

The album gathers Mayer’s most intimate and evocative piano compositions, written over three decades of his life and career. Each of the sixteen original works captures a defining moment: tributes to loved ones, reflections on his homeland, and celebrations of recovery and new beginnings.

Among the highlights is the poignant ‘Heart of an Angel,’ featuring Grammy Award-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat. Written as a tribute to Mayer’s late mother, the piece radiates warmth and cinematic depth, bridging classical crossover with lyrical emotion.

For Mayer, ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ is more than a career milestone — it is a return to life itself. Five years ago, an on-tour accident left him with debilitating injuries to both hands. The recovery process spanned over four years, 233 medical appointments, and one major surgery. At the height of his struggle, he endured trauma, depression, and loss of identity. And yet, through perseverance and music, he found his way back to the piano.

“When I woke up unable to move my hands, I thought my story as a pianist was over,” Mayer shared in his reflections. “But music became my therapy. Writing again was the only way forward.”

His recovery marked a new creative awakening. The compositions in ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ mirror that emotional arc — from darkness to light, from isolation to reconnection. Tracks like ‘New Beginnings’ and ‘Summon the Heroes’ embody the spirit of gratitude and perseverance that carried him through recovery.

Accompanying the album is a meticulously designed sheet music book of the same name, notated to reflect Mayer’s precise performance phrasing and dynamics. For pianists, it offers a rare opportunity to experience his work exactly as he plays it — a living blueprint of expression and touch.

Every element of the book — from the FAZIOLI grand piano photography to the engraved notation — speaks to Mayer’s perfectionism and his belief that music should be both accessible and profound. “When I was younger, I often found a gap between recorded music and what I saw on the page,” he notes. “I wanted to create a collection that feels alive in both worlds.”

Pieces such as ‘Prague Sunrise’ and ‘In the Arches of St. Vitus’ reflect Mayer’s deep connection to his homeland, while ‘Sun Moon Lake’ and ‘Positano’ evoke the global landscapes that have inspired his concert tours. This is music written by an artist who has truly lived — who has turned recovery into rhythm and vulnerability into virtuosity.

With ‘The Solo Piano Collection,’ Martin Mayer redefines the intersection of neoclassical composition and personal storytelling. It stands as both a love letter to the piano and a testament to the human spirit — music that transcends injury, silence, and time itself.

Winterfolk XXIV Returns to Toronto for Four Days of Roots and Blues at the Tranzac Club

Music

Eric Alper

-

Nov 9, 2025

0

Winterfolk XXIV Returns to Toronto for Four Days of Roots and Blues at the Tranzac Club

Winterfolk XXIV, Toronto’s beloved mid-winter music festival, returns bigger than ever for its 24th year with four full days of live roots and blues music at the Tranzac Club from February 12–15, 2026. Featuring more than 100 artists across multiple stages, Winterfolk celebrates the city’s vibrant folk, blues, and singer-songwriter community — keeping live music alive when the city needs it most.

For the first time in its history, Winterfolk expands to four days. The festival kicks off on Thursday, February 12, with the debut of ‘Emerging Talent Night at Winterfolk,’ a special evening dedicated to showcasing up-and-coming performers of all ages. Emerging artists can apply through the festival website to gain stage time, visibility, and new audiences. Applications and full festival details are available at www.winterfolk.com.

Over its two-decade legacy, Winterfolk has become one of Toronto’s cornerstone music events — a space where artists, audiences, and venues come together to celebrate creativity, connection, and community. Founded by songwriter and performer Brian Gladstone, the festival has always stayed true to its grassroots spirit. “We started Winterfolk because I couldn’t find a stage,” Gladstone says. “Two decades later, we’re still building it — for anyone with something real to say through song.”

This year’s confirmed artists include Donne Roberts, Lynn Harrison, Robert Priest, Jesse Greene, Tyler Ellis, Shawna Caspi, Melanie Peterson, Jessica Stewart, Brian Gladstone, Noah Zacharin, Frankie Hart, Suzanne Jarvie, Glen Hornblast, and Jory Nash — with many more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Winterfolk XXIV takes place at the Tranzac Club, located at 292 Brunswick Avenue, just south of Bloor Street in Toronto’s Annex. A longtime home for indie musicians and live music lovers alike, the Tranzac serves as the perfect backdrop for this city tradition. Festival hours are Thursday and Friday from 7–11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m.

Tickets are now available through http://www.winterfolk.com. A special two-for-one advance ticket offer is available until November 15, with weekend passes priced at $40 in advance (door price $80). Thursday’s Emerging Talent Night requires a separate one-day ticket, while the weekend pass covers February 13–15.

Before the festival officially begins, fans can get an early taste of the Winterfolk experience at the Winterfolk Festival Preview Show at Hugh’s Room Live on November 25, 2025. Tickets are available now here. With each Hugh’s Room ticket purchase, attendees will receive a $20 discount code toward a Winterfolk weekend pass.

“Winterfolk’s always been about community,” says Gladstone. “We work with the roots scene to help artists find paying gigs, keep venues alive, and bring people out when the city’s usually quiet. By the end of it, you can feel it — the whole roots community’s a little richer, a little stronger, and a little more connected.”

This year, the festival is also focused on the next generation. “The folk and roots community needs young artists to carry the torch,” Gladstone adds. “That’s why Emerging Talent Night is such an important addition — it’s about giving new voices a platform and helping them grow.”

From its earliest days to its 24th year, Winterfolk has kept its promise: to fill the coldest nights with warmth, music, and meaning. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of roots music or discovering it for the first time, Winterfolk XXIV invites you to celebrate the heart of Toronto’s live music scene — four unforgettable days of songs, stories, and community.

How Musicians Can Use Instagram Spotify Listening Now Notes to Market Their Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

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How Musicians Can Use Instagram Spotify Listening Now Notes to Market Their Music

Instagram’s new Spotify Listening Now Notes are a simple but powerful tool for artists looking to promote their music and connect with fans daily — no editing, scheduling, or filming required.

Listening Now Notes let you share the song you’re currently playing on Spotify straight to your Instagram Notes (those small bubbles above your DMs). As your tracks change, your Note updates automatically, showing followers what you’re vibing to in real time.

Here’s how musicians can use it:

Promote new releases. Stream your own tracks and let them appear in your Note to give fans a natural reminder of what’s out now.
Shout out collaborators. Listening to a producer, songwriter, or feature? Sharing their music builds community and goodwill.
Stay visible. Even without posting Reels or Stories, your name stays in people’s DMs daily.

How to Use It:

Link Spotify when prompted by Instagram.
Play a track you want to share. Instagram will detect it automatically.
Let it run. Your Note updates in real time as you change songs and stays live for 24 hours.

Fans can even see lyrics when they tap your Note, adding another layer of engagement if it’s your own song.

It’s effortless marketing that keeps your name in your followers’ orbit, shows your taste, and subtly boosts streams — all while you just do what you already love: listen to music.

Neck Deep Release Deluxe Edition of Self-Titled Album ‘The Dumbf*** Edition’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

0

Neck Deep Release Deluxe Edition of Self-Titled Album ‘The Dumbf*** Edition’

UK pop punk icons Neck Deep have released the deluxe edition of their acclaimed self-titled record, ‘Neck Deep (The Dumbf*** Edition),’ out now via Hopeless Records. Featuring four additional tracks, two live performances, and brand-new artwork, the expanded release includes the first-ever vinyl appearance of fan favorites “STFU” and “You Should See Me Now.” The record showcases everything that defines Neck Deep’s sound — loud, heartfelt, and full of energy — celebrating a decade of pushing pop punk forward from their humble beginnings in Wrexham to the global stage.

Originally released last year, ‘Neck Deep’ earned praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, and Alternative Press for its mix of raw power and emotional depth, with standout tracks like “Dumbstruck, Dumbfk,” “Sort Yourself Out,” and “They May Not Mean To (But They Do).” Now, ‘The Dumbf* Edition’ brings fans an even bigger dose of Neck Deep’s signature sound just as the band gears up for their U.S. tour with The Story So Far, joined by Origami Angel and Pain Of Truth. With new music and massive shows on the horizon, Neck Deep’s momentum shows no sign of slowing down.

Rising Country Artist Will Jones Releases Heartfelt New Single “Ride With Me”

Music

Eric Alper

-

Nov 9, 2025

0

Rising Country Artist Will Jones Releases Heartfelt New Single “Ride With Me”

Recently spotlighted by Country Now as a “Country Next” artist and featured in Holler’s “10 Country and Americana Artists You Need To Know,” Will Jones cements his rising-star status with the release of his emotional new single “Ride With Me,” out now via Lady Luck Songs / Blue Harbor Music. Co-written with Mark Nesler and Tony Martin and produced by Cliff Audretch and Rob McNelley, the song captures the heartache, sacrifice, and devotion that come with life on the road while leaving loved ones behind. “Life on the road, long nights, and chasing a dream isn’t easy for anyone, but it’s even harder on the ones we love,” Will shares. “With a young daughter and another on the way, I dedicate ‘Ride With Me’ for every partner who holds it all together, making it possible to keep pursuing the journey.”

Since moving to Nashville in 2019, Jones has performed alongside country greats including Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, Josh Turner, and Tracy Lawrence, as well as bluegrass legends like Ralph Stanley and Chris Thile. Praised by MusicRow’s Robert Oermann for his “eloquent and extraordinary” songwriting, Will’s music blends traditional Appalachian soul with modern grit. From his early days fronting his family band, The Cana Ramblers, to his latest single, Jones embodies the heart of real country music — raw, heartfelt, and honest. “To me, it’s all country damn music,” he says. “Steeped in tradition but a little wild, free, and unpredictable… that’s me.”

Jessica Lynn Announces New Single “Must’ve Been The Whiskey” and 2025 Holiday Tour

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 9, 2025

0

Jessica Lynn Announces New Single “Must’ve Been The Whiskey” and 2025 Holiday Tour

Brooklyn-born and Billboard-charting country artist Jessica Lynn is back with her cheeky new single “Must’ve Been The Whiskey,” out November 5 and produced by Aslan Freeman (Lainey Wilson). Known for her powerhouse vocals and infectious songwriting, Jessica brings her signature energy to a playful anthem celebrating girls’ nights out, laughter, and the kind of memories that come with one too many rounds. “‘Must’ve Been The Whiskey’ is my lighthearted take on those unforgettable girls’ nights out — the ones where the music’s loud, the drinks are flowing, and suddenly that guy at the bar looks way cuter than he actually is,” she shares. “It’s a fun reminder that sometimes bad decisions make the best stories and laughs.”

Coinciding with the single’s release, Jessica will premiere the official music video filmed at The Outlaw Saloon in Chestnut Ridge, NY, directed by Jessica herself and shot by Alex Kouvatsos of Blackwolf Imaging. Following the release, she’ll embark on her ninth annual “A Very Merry Classic Christmas” tour, running from November 26 in Foxborough, MA, through December 21 in Newton, NJ. The 16-date East Coast tour blends community spirit, local talent, and Toys for Tots’ largest seasonal drive — this year enhanced through a new partnership with Maxell. With hits like ‘All I Own’ and ‘Lone Rider’ already defining her rise, Jessica Lynn continues to prove she’s not just a country star — she’s a force for good, fun, and unforgettable music.

Tour Dates:
A Very Merry Classic Christmas Tour 2025

Kicks off November 26 – Foxborough, MA
Ends December 21 – Newton, NJ

James Fauntleroy’s New Label AF:G Debuts ‘The Spirit of Goodwill’ EP Celebrating Artists With Disabilities

Music

Eric Alper

-

Nov 9, 2025

0

James Fauntleroy’s New Label AF:G Debuts ‘The Spirit of Goodwill’ EP Celebrating Artists With Disabilities

GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and producer James Fauntleroy launches his new social-good label AESTHETIC FORM: GOODWILL (AF:G) with its first project, ‘The Spirit of Goodwill’ — the debut EP from the Spirit of Goodwill Band, released in celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Formed in 1987 and managed by Goodwill Industries of South Florida, the band is made up of talented Goodwill employees who bring their creativity to both their work and the stage, proving that opportunity and artistry have no limits.

‘The Spirit of Goodwill’ features inspired covers of timeless classics including “My Way,” “Believe It or Not,” “Happy Together,” “Save The Last Dance For Me,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.” The group, previously featured in the award-winning 2010 documentary For Once in My Life, continues to embody Goodwill’s mission of empowerment through inclusion. Produced by Jim Bigham and praised by Variety, The New York Times, CBS, and The Los Angeles Times, the film and now the new EP celebrate resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of music to unite. Through AF:G, the Spirit of Goodwill Band’s message of hope and possibility will reach listeners around the world.

Tracklist:

My Way (originally by Frank Sinatra)
Believe It or Not (originally by Joey Scarbury)
Happy Together (originally by The Turtles)
Save The Last Dance For Me (originally by The Drifters)
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (originally by Frankie Valli)

Jess Jocoy Releases Soulful Third Album ‘Cul-de-Sac Kid’ and Redefines Country Storytelling

Music

Eric Alper

-

Nov 9, 2025

0

Jess Jocoy Releases Soulful Third Album ‘Cul-de-Sac Kid’ and Redefines Country Storytelling

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jess Jocoy releases her highly anticipated third album ‘Cul-de-Sac Kid,’ out now, solidifying her place as one of country music’s most evocative voices. Known for crafting introspective songs that live between heartache and hope, Jocoy’s 11-track collection blends cinematic storytelling with folk-rooted honesty. With her signature “cul-de-sac country” sound, Jocoy fuses Pacific Northwest soul with Southern twang, creating an intimate yet expansive soundscape that’s uniquely her own.

Anchored by the heartfelt title track “Cul-de-Sac Kid” and the striking single “You Sure Showed Me,” the album reflects Jocoy’s evolution both as an artist and a person. “Cul-de-Sac Kid feels like a door opening,” she shares. “I see what came before as memories rather than ghosts, and I look ahead to what’s to come as a hopeful light ready to break through.” Praised by outlets including American Songwriter, No Depression, and Taste of Country, Jocoy’s new release captures her fearless authenticity — blending melancholy, strength, and grace in equal measure. As she takes the stage at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe to celebrate its release, ‘Cul-de-Sac Kid’ stands as a heartfelt reminder that country music belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from.

Tracklist:

I Could Live On That Alone
Above Ground
Cul-de-Sac Kid
Tearing Up Heaven
Neon Moon
Runaround
Every Good Cowboy
A Lifetime Only Lasts So Long
You Sure Showed Me
Echo In The Canyon
Gumweed

That Eric Alper

Ethan Askey & The Elevators Ride Down Highway 61 on Soulful New Single ‘Clarksdale’

Pop-Soul Artist Jennarie Releases Debut EP ‘Never Been Small’ After Canada’s Walk of Fame Runner-Up Win

Vancouver Pianist Martin Mayer Returns With ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ – A Triumph of Art and Resilience

Winterfolk XXIV Returns to Toronto for Four Days of Roots and Blues at the Tranzac Club

Neck Deep Release Deluxe Edition of Self-Titled Album ‘The Dumbf*** Edition’

Rising Country Artist Will Jones Releases Heartfelt New Single “Ride With Me”

Jessica Lynn Announces New Single “Must’ve Been The Whiskey” and 2025 Holiday Tour

James Fauntleroy’s New Label AF:G Debuts ‘The Spirit of Goodwill’ EP Celebrating Artists With Disabilities

Jess Jocoy Releases Soulful Third Album ‘Cul-de-Sac Kid’ and Redefines Country Storytelling

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