What do you get when you mix an accordion and a guitar? If you’re Quebec’s Eric Coquin Poirier, you invent the Guitardion—a genre-defying, one-man-band dream machine. It’s DIY music wizardry with a French Canadian twist.
Spotify’s Indigenous Takeover playlist is getting a powerful new voice this month: Shub, a proud member of the Six Nations of the Grand River and a groundbreaking force in Canada’s electronic music scene. As the May ambassador, Shub brings more than just beats—he brings vision, history, and serious momentum.
With over 36,000 monthly listeners and more than one million streams on his hit track “Indomitable”, Shub has long been one to watch. A former member of A Tribe Called Red, he has carved out a distinct sound through his signature Powwow-step style—a blend of traditional Indigenous rhythms and voices with modern electronic production. His music speaks to both heritage and innovation, making dancefloors move while honouring cultural roots.
This month’s Indigenous Takeover playlist features a collection of Shub’s handpicked tracks from other Indigenous artists helping shape Canada’s ever-evolving soundscape.
Shub’s spotlight in this campaign marks more than a personal milestone—it’s a celebration of Indigenous excellence in contemporary music. To explore the full playlist and feel the energy for yourself, visit Spotify’s Indigenous Takeover.
The title track from Jerry Cantrell’s recently released album, I Want Blood, comes to life in the newly unveiled video for the song – featuring a live performance from Cantrell with Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin.
Director Bill Yukich shares: “‘I Want Blood’ explores our struggle against time – a force we can’t escape and the only thing we truly possess… until we don’t. Watching Jerry, Duff, and Bordin bring this song to life on set was unforgettable – raw, real, and absolutely legendary.”
The video arrives as tickets for a new round of U.S. tour dates are on-sale this morning at 10 a.m. local time. VIP and upgraded ticket bundles are also available via jerrycantrell.com/tour.
I Want Blood showcases the legendary guitarist and vocalist at his most raw and resolute, blending brooding melodies with searing guitar work and introspective lyricism. The album has received widespread acclaim ,with the Los Angeles Times praising its “heavy, nuanced songs,” while Kerrang! calling it a “thunderous solo album that you can file alongside his best work.” Revolver, in their cover story on the iconic musician, saying the collection “delivers weighty, slippery riff and the kind of memorable rock hooks he’s been creating since the earliest days of Alice in Chains.”
Jerry Cantrell UK & EU Tour Dates:
May 31 Padua, IT Hall
June 1 Milan, IT Magazzini Generali
June 4 Gdańsk, PL Gdańsk Shipyard
June 6 Berlin, DE Columbia Theater
June 7 Willingshausen, DE Rock Im Park
June 8 Nürburg, DE Rock Am Ring
June 10 Zagreb, HR Tvornica Kulture
June 12 Nickelsdorf, AT Nova Rock
June 13 Hradec Kálové, CZ Rock For People
June 15 Derby, UK Download Festival
June 17 London, UK O2 Forum Kentish Town
June 19 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg
June 20 Dessel, BE Graspop Metal Meeting
June 22 Clisson, FR Hellfest
June 24 Paris, FR La Machine du Moulin Rouge
June 25 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje
June 26 Hamburg, DE Gruenspan
June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock
Tickets are available now at jerrycantrell.com/tour.
The album is available on CD, digitally, and in multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A deluxe spoken-word edition featuring narration by Cantrell and contributions from producer Joe Barresi, engineer Maxwell Urasky, Greg Puciato, Roy Mayorga, Gil Sharone, Rani Sharone, George Adrian, Vincent Jones, and Michael Rozon is also available both on vinyl and digital platforms.
Doom metallers Patriarchs in Black reveal “The Call,” the first single from the band’s highly anticipated fourth album, Home, set for international release on August 15th via Metalville.
Dan Lorenzo explains about “The Call”: “Last summer, I was driving in my car and a riff popped into my head. I got home and went upstairs to my loft and figured it out and quickly finished the rest of the music. Johnny Kelly recorded the drums, and I asked John JD Deservio from Black Label Society to play bass guitar.
“I had my own melody, but Karl Agell (COC Blind) told me to give him some time. He had lyrics and melody brewing. It took him a few months to send us the vocals, but the wait was worth it! We are very proud ‘The Call,’ our first single for the new album.”
Former Type O Negative / Danzig drummer Johnny Kelly and guitarist and riff-writer Dan Lorenzo (Hades / Non-Fiction) founded Patriarchs in Black at the end of 2021. Their debut single “Demon of Regret” was released in January 2022, and the debut album Reach For The Scars was released in July 2022. Their second album, My Veneration, was released in October 2023, followed by Visioning in July 2024.
As with their previous releases, Dan and Johnny managed to secure some outstanding artists as guest musicians for their fourth long-player, Home.
Dan Lorenzo says about Home: “Did you ever see the movie Groundhog Day? Bill Murray is forced to live the same day over and over. How boring, right? I love pizza, but I don’t want to eat it every meal. With our new album, you will find our ‘usual’ doomy riffs, but we also took some chances. There’s acoustic guitars, violin, flute, and of course, lots of heavy riffs. Diversity – it keeps things interesting.
“I picked the title Home because as much as I love to travel, it’s always nice to come home.
“Johnny’s mom died last year. Some would say the Lord took her Home.
“Johnny and I recorded 17 new songs, but we couldn’t fit them all on this album.
“We are honored that some of the best vocalists and bassists worked with us to lend their talents. We hope you love Patriarchs in Black’s Home.”
Today Jorjiana teams up with Rio Da Yung OG on her newest single, “Shark.” Today’s addition joins a slew of other singles that showcase the rap star’s growth and solidifies her place in the rap scene.
From two “ILBB2” remixes – one featuring Babychiefdoit and the other with GloRilla, “Wok Sauce,” “Time” and “Elevator Spaghetti,” Jorjiana’s star power has been on full display in with performances of her “ILBB2” remixes alongside GloRilla and Babychiefdoit. Her reputation for delivering unforgettable moments is only growing stronger.
The rising artist has been making waves with her previous hits, including “Turn You Up” featuring 1900Rugrat, which has surpassed 1.6 million views. Meanwhile, “Elevator Spaghetti” continues to gain traction, amassing over 430K YouTube views and 1+ million audio streams.
With undeniable momentum and an ever-growing fan base, Jorjiana is gearing up to take things to the next level with the release of her highly anticipated debut project, set to drop this summer.
Jorjiana won’t allow anything to hold her back. Living out of her car and holding down three jobs to support her newborn baby, the Michigan City, IN native chose to pick up a microphone, take control of her destiny, and rap her way out. When her parents experienced a few hardships, she wound up in foster care at four-years-old. As a kid, she bounced around between family members and friends. However, she found solace and a semblance of stability in music. An older cousin introduced her to classic rap records by Jeezy, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G. She also listened to everyone from Paramore and Ashanti to Trippie Redd, XXXTENTACION, and G Herbo. Dropping out of high school, she shared music online at the urging of various friends. At the end of 2023, she welcomed her son into the world. At the time, she lived in an abandoned home owned by her dad as she juggled work to survive. Everything only pushed her to grind harder though as she ignited social media with freestyles such as “Law N Order and “Idk.
”Eventually, she reached critical mass with a headline-making On The Radar freestyle and performance of “ILBB2” followed by co-signs from the likes of No Jumper. Capping off 2024, she accelerated her momentum with “Turn You Up” [feat. 1900Rugrat]. Jorjiana kickstarted 2025 with “Elevator Spaghetti,” amassing millions of streams and a high-powered official Remix of “ILBB2” featuring none other than Glo-Rilla. In its wake, Billboard touted her among “15 Hip-Hop, African & R&B Artists to Watch in 2025.” Jorjiana continues to prove anything is possible with a series of 2025 singles and her forthcoming debut project.
Bob Dylan wrote the blueprint, and the rest of the world brought their own colour to it. Few songwriters have been covered as often—or as brilliantly—as Dylan. His songs are elastic, mysterious, and wide open to interpretation. That’s why some of the most unforgettable performances of his work come from the voices of others.
Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”
Adele took this late-’90s Dylan ballad and turned it into a modern standard. Her version is stripped down, sincere, and raw in a way that brings the emotional core to the front. It’s one of the most-streamed Dylan covers ever—and for good reason.
The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man”
They didn’t just cover it—they electrified it. The Byrds gave Dylan a jangle-pop makeover that helped invent folk rock as we know it. The harmonies soar, the Rickenbacker shimmers, and the poetry still pulses underneath it all.
Guns N’ Roses – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Dylan’s gentle lament became a stadium anthem thanks to Axl Rose and company. This version brings power chords, wailing solos, and a whole new level of drama. It might not be subtle—but it’s unforgettable.
Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower”
Hendrix didn’t just reinterpret the song—he reinvented it. Dylan himself was blown away by the power of this version and started playing it Hendrix-style in concert. It’s thunder, fire, and prophecy in under four minutes.
Johnny Cash – “It Ain’t Me Babe”
The Man in Black brought gravitas and twang to this kiss-off classic. His duet with June Carter Cash gives the song a bittersweet tension that’s both romantic and realistic. Dylan’s irony meets Cash’s stoicism, and magic happens.
Nina Simone – “Just Like a Woman”
Simone slows it down, strips it bare, and delivers the lyrics with breathtaking vulnerability. It’s a quiet storm of a cover—intimate, aching, and full of emotional depth. Dylan wrote the song; Simone gave it soul.
Rage Against the Machine – “Maggie’s Farm”
RATM turned Dylan’s anti-establishment lyrics into a full-blown rebellion. Their furious, politically charged cover feels as fresh and urgent as ever. It’s proof that a protest song can rage in any genre.
Sam Cooke – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Cooke’s voice brings gospel strength and deep feeling to Dylan’s civil rights anthem. It’s a version rooted in pain, hope, and transcendence. This cover helped push Cooke to write “A Change Is Gonna Come”—in itself, a world-changing result.
The Staple Singers – “Masters of War”
When the Staples tackled Dylan, they turned prophecy into a sermon. Their gospel-infused delivery adds a layer of righteous fire to this already searing song. It doesn’t just warn—it demands justice.
Beck – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
Beck plays it loose and playful, leaning into the surreal humor of the original. His version swings with a bluesy, garage-rock swagger. The spirit of the song stays intact while Beck gives it his own eccentric twist.
George Harrison – “If Not for You”
Harrison and Dylan had a long creative friendship, and this cover feels especially personal. The slide guitar and Harrison’s gentle delivery make the song feel warm and open. It moves with kindness and melodic ease.
Joan Baez – “Farewell, Angelina”
Joan Baez gives this track a haunting beauty with her soaring voice and delicate phrasing. She approaches the lyrics with care and clarity, bringing out the melody’s elegance. The result is both timeless and poetic.
Norah Jones – “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”
Norah Jones delivers a relaxed, jazz-inflected take on this laid-back country tune. Her smooth vocals float easily over soft drums and guitar. It’s mellow, breezy, and deeply enjoyable.
Dylan’s catalogue stretches across generations and genres, and these artists keep those songs moving forward. Each cover adds something rich, something new, and something true to the song’s heart.
David Bowie had more ideas than one man could possibly use. So he shared them. In between changing music history, he handed out songs like gifts at a cosmic birthday party. Some turned into hits, some stayed cult treasures, but every one of them has that unmistakable Bowie fingerprint—strange, stylish, and ahead of its time.
Here are 5 times Bowie wrote songs that other artists recorded—and they still shimmer like something beamed in from Mars.
1. “All the Young Dudes” – Mott the Hoople (1972)
The band was ready to break up. Bowie sent them this song instead. It became their anthem. It gave them a future. It gave glam rock one of its loudest singalongs. He gave them a gift, and they turned it into legend.
2. “Oh! You Pretty Things” – Peter Noone (1971)
Before Bowie recorded it himself, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits gave the world its first proper taste. The lyrics are full of Nietzsche, mutations, and mystic evolution. Not typical pop stuff. But Bowie made it singable—and Noone turned it into a surprise hit.
3. “Golden Years” – Elvis Presley (almost)
Bowie wrote this for Elvis. The King didn’t take it. So Bowie recorded it himself, and it became one of the standouts of Station to Station. You can still hear the Presley swagger in it. What a version that would have been. Still, the DNA is there.
4. “I Am Divine” – Divine (1982)
Bowie always had a thing for performance art and camp culture. He reportedly wrote this for the drag legend Divine. It’s loud, it’s glam, and it’s gloriously chaotic. A perfect fit for an artist who lived in neon and strobe light.
5. “Girls” – Tina Turner (1986)
Tina Turner sang it. Bowie co-wrote it. It sounds like a spy thriller wrapped in synths. The production oozes 1980s drama, and Tina makes it feel dangerous. Bowie didn’t need to sing it himself—it already had enough firepower with her voice.
Robert John “Mutt” Lange may live off the grid in Switzerland, but his sound has been everywhere—on country radio, rock radio, Top 40, and in your subconscious since the late ’70s. You already know about Back in Black and Come On Over, but Mutt’s fingerprints are on way more albums than you think. Here are 15 albums you didn’t realize had the Mutt Lange touch—and two that made him a legend.
1. Clover – Love on the Wire (1977)
Before Huey Lewis went full Power of Love, he fronted Clover. Mutt Lange gave them clean lines, big harmonies, and just enough edge to turn heads in the UK pub rock scene.
2. City Boy – The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1979)
One of his early concept-album triumphs. Anthemic choruses and wild arrangements foreshadowed what he’d do with Def Leppard.
3. The Boomtown Rats – The Fine Art of Surfacing (1979)
He helped Bob Geldof’s Rats evolve from punk to pop brilliance. “I Don’t Like Mondays”? That was Mutt helping them shoot for stadiums.
4. Foreigner – 4 (1981)
Power ballads? Arena rock? Both exist in perfect harmony on this one. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” became the blueprint for ‘80s slow-dance epics.
5. The Cars – Heartbeat City (1984)
Yes, that’s Mutt behind “Drive” and “You Might Think.” He dialed up their synths, smoothed out their pop sensibilities, and scored some of their biggest hits.
6. Billy Ocean – Tear Down These Walls (1988)
“Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” is 100% Mutt—catchy, polished, and impossible to forget.
7. The Corrs – In Blue (2000)
Ireland’s beloved sibling act found global pop polish with Lange in the studio. He helped blend their folk roots with radio-ready hooks.
8. Maroon 5 – Hands All Over (2010)
He paired Adam Levine’s falsetto with sleek, rock-pop production. “Misery” has Mutt’s signature earworm quality.
9. Muse – Drones (2015)
A surprise collaboration. Lange brought laser-focused structure to Muse’s dystopian chaos. The result? A Grammy-winning concept rock opera.
10. Michael Bolton – The One Thing (1993)
You didn’t expect this one, did you? Mutt softened his rock production touch for this soulful crooner—and made it soar.
11. Ashley Clark – Ashley Clark (2015)
Country meets arena rock in this overlooked project. Mutt shaped Ashley’s debut with massive choruses and clean production lines.
12. Romeo’s Daughter – Romeo’s Daughter (1988)
A cult classic. Mutt gave this British AOR band sharp hooks and glossy sheen. “Don’t Break My Heart” should’ve been huge.
13. Tycoon – Tycoon (1979)
This short-lived NYC band got a massive, clean production job from Mutt—proof he could make anyone sound arena-ready.
14. Michael Stanley Band – Cabin Fever (1978)
Mutt turned this heartland rock outfit into a polished, radio-friendly machine. Still a Midwest classic.
15. Supercharge – Body Rhythm (1979)
A horn-heavy funk-rock album with slick production values and serious groove. Mutt helped them walk the line between raw and refined.
And two albums everyone knows Mutt Lange produced:
16. AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
The second-best-selling album of all time. Every riff, every echo, every “HEY!” is exactly where it’s supposed to be.
17. Shania Twain – Come On Over (1997)
The highest-selling country album ever. Country-pop perfection. Still untouchable.
Mutt Lange doesn’t chase the spotlight, but his production style helped define three decades of popular music. Rock, pop, country—whatever the genre, when Mutt’s behind the board, you’re going to get hooks, harmonies, and huge moments.
Nicky Hopkins never fronted a band. He didn’t tour the world with a solo act. But his piano playing is everywhere—from the Beatles to the Stones, from Woodstock to Wembley. One of the most influential session musicians ever, Hopkins helped shape the sound of rock, one track at a time. Here are 40 of his legendary collaborations that helped define generations.
1. The Rolling Stones
Played on more than a dozen of their albums—including “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Angie,” and most of Exile on Main St.
2. The Beatles
Added that iconic electric piano solo on the single version of “Revolution.”
3. The Who
From “The Ox” to “Getting in Tune,” his touch elevated both chaos and calm.
4. The Kinks
Appeared on Face to Face and Village Green Preservation Society, though he was never properly credited.
5. Jeff Beck Group
Co-wrote “Girl from Mill Valley” and helped make Beck-Ola a prog-blues staple.
6. Quicksilver Messenger Service
Composed the wild instrumental “Edward, the Mad Shirt Grinder” and played like he belonged on another planet.
7. John Lennon
Played beautifully on Imagine, especially “Jealous Guy” and “Oh My Love.”
8. George Harrison
Made key contributions to Living in the Material World and Extra Texture.
9. Paul McCartney
Played on “Bip Bop” and appeared again nearly 20 years later on Flowers in the Dirt.
10. Ringo Starr
Lit up “Photograph” and other tracks on Ringo and Goodnight Vienna.
11. Jerry Garcia
Joined the Jerry Garcia Band and appeared on Let It Rock and Reflections.
12. Joe Walsh
Played on “Guilty of the Crime” in 1994, one of his final studio appearances.
13. Joe Cocker
Helped create the tenderness in “You Are So Beautiful.”
14. Art Garfunkel
Brought elegance to Breakaway and Lefty.
15. Rod Stewart
Played on Blondes Have More Fun and Foot Loose & Fancy Free with infectious energy.
16. Harry Nilsson
Left a unique stamp on Son of Schmilsson.
17. Donovan
Laid down keys for Barabajagal and Essence to Essence.
18. Steve Miller Band
Co-wrote “Baby’s House” and played on Your Saving Grace.
19. Carly Simon
Appeared on No Secrets, the album that gave us “You’re So Vain.”
20. Jefferson Airplane
Played at Woodstock and on Volunteers, including the thunderous “Eskimo Blue Day.”
21. Peter Frampton
Played on Somethin’s Happening, giving it a rich, melodic layer.
22. Belinda Carlisle
Contributed to her solo debut, Belinda, in 1986.
23. The Hollies
Added flair to several late ’60s sessions during their pop-rock peak.
24. Cat Stevens
Tickled the ivories on the chart-crushing “Matthew and Son.”
25. New Riders of the Purple Sage
Joined their cosmic cowboy trip on Powerglide.
26. Badfinger
Contributed to Airwaves, helping the power pop survivors find new footing.
27. Graham Parker
Stepped in after Bob Andrews and worked on Another Grey Area.
28. Dusty Springfield
Played on White Heat, her new-wave tinged comeback in 1982.
29. The Easybeats
Lent his talents to “Heaven and Hell” and an unreleased LP.
30. The Move
Worked on “Hey Grandma” and “Wild Tiger Woman” during their early mod era.
31. Jackie Lomax
Played on Is This What You Want?, a George Harrison-produced solo debut.
32. Gene Clark
Joined sessions that bridged folk rock and cosmic country.
33. Night (band)
Played and toured with the L.A.-based band during their “Hot Summer Nights” hit run.
34. Jerry Garcia Band
Joined their dynamic mid-70s run before parting ways on New Year’s Eve 1975.
35. L. Ron Hubbard
Yes, he played on Battlefield Earth’s Space Jazz soundtrack. It’s real. It happened.
36. Marc Bolan
Appeared on “Jasper C. Debussy,” recorded during Bolan’s early acid folk period.
37. The Creation
Added his signature keys to the mod-rock classic We Are Paintermen.
38. The Jayhawks
Played piano on Hollywood Town Hall’s standout tracks “Two Angels” and “Martin’s Song.”
39. Paul Jones
Performed with the ex-Manfred Mann singer on “And the Sun Will Shine.”
40. Spinal Tap
Yes, that Spinal Tap—Hopkins played on “Rainy Day Sun” for Break Like the Wind.
Every superhero needs a sidekick. Every wizard needs a wand. And every musician? They need an instrument with personality. Sometimes, that bond gets so strong, a name just… happens. From guitars with nicknames to pianos with identities, here are 10 artists who gave their instruments names—and made them part of the legend.
1. B.B. King – “Lucille”
The most famous guitar name in blues history. B.B. King named every one of his black Gibson ES-355s “Lucille” after a nightclub brawl over a woman of the same name caused a fire. He nearly died retrieving his guitar and decided never to forget it—or her. “Don’t run into any burning buildings to save your guitar,” he once said. “But if you do, name it Lucille.”
2. Willie Nelson – “Trigger”
Willie’s beat-up Martin N-20 classical guitar is named after Roy Rogers’ horse, and it’s seen more action than most rock stars. The soundhole is worn through. The surface is signed by over 100 musicians. And yet, it’s irreplaceable. “When Trigger goes, I’ll quit,” Nelson once told reporters. Trigger’s still going strong.
3. Brian May – “Red Special”
Queen guitarist Brian May built his guitar with his father using wood from an old fireplace. The “Red Special” became his main instrument and carries a unique tone that fits Queen’s dramatic sound. Brian still plays the original guitar today, more than 50 years later.
4. Yngwie Malmsteen – “The Duck”
Yngwie Malmsteen’s cream-colored 1971 Fender Stratocaster has a Donald Duck sticker on it. He affectionately calls it “The Duck.” This guitar helped him create some of the fastest and most powerful solos in rock and metal.
5. Neil Young – “Old Black”
Neil Young’s favorite electric guitar is a heavily modified 1953 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. He painted it black and nicknamed it “Old Black.” The guitar appears on nearly every one of his recordings since the late 1960s and has its own legacy in rock history.
6. Eddie Van Halen – “Frankenstrat”
Eddie Van Halen’s homemade guitar combined parts from several models to create something that suited his sound. He spray-painted it red, white, and black, and called it the “Frankenstrat.” It became one of the most recognizable guitars in rock.
7. Bo Diddley – “The Twang Machine”
Bo Diddley’s square guitar wasn’t just a visual statement—it was a custom-built sound machine. He called it “The Twang Machine,” and it matched his rhythm-heavy style perfectly. The boxy shape became a signature part of his live presence.
8. Eric Clapton – “Blackie”
Eric Clapton built “Blackie” from the best parts of three Fender Stratocasters. He played it throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. It became his most famous guitar and was later auctioned for nearly $1 million to support his Crossroads Centre.
9. Prince – “Love Symbol”
Prince didn’t just give his guitar a name. He gave it a shape. His custom-designed instrument looked like the symbol he used as his name. It became a part of his performances and added a visual layer to his already powerful sound.
10. Keith Richards – “Micawber”
Keith Richards named his 1950s Fender Telecaster “Micawber” after a character in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. The guitar has a brass bridge and humbucker pickup, giving it a gritty tone perfect for the Rolling Stones’ riffs.
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Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.
Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com
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