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MonoNeon Drops Funk-Driven Album ‘You Had Your Chance…Bad Attitude’ And Announces Summer Tour Dates

Eric Alper
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MonoNeon Drops Funk-Driven Album ‘You Had Your Chance…Bad Attitude’ And Announces Summer Tour Dates

Today, the bass virtuoso and funk originalist – MonoNeon – has released his new studio album  You Had Your Chance…Bad Attitude. The album is another example of this prolific prodigy’s ever-evolving sound and features more experimental elements of R&B and funk. To mark the occasion of the release, a music video for the single “Beyoncé” is also out.

Prior to the albums full release, MonoNeon gave fans a preview with the pre-release singles “Beyoncé,” “Bad Attitude” and a stand alone track titled “God Reason” that had him teaming up with comedian Katt Williams, the legendary George Clinton and the GRAMMY winning producer, songwriter and rapper James Fauntleroy (Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, SZA) – Watch the animated visualizer directed and created by Cody A. Banks.

The new album was recorded between his hometown of Memphis and the legendary Floki Studios in Iceland and will be his first release via the studio’s label imprint and distributed by Color Red. You Had Your Chance enriches a dizzying MonoNeon catalog that includes nearly 20 distinct solo releases, collaborations with Mac Miller, Ne-Yo, Sudan Archives and Georgia Anne Muldrow and crucial contributions to Nas’ King Disease, which won the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 2020. He’s also released his own signature five-string bass through Fender and Whammy pedal through DigTech – a testament to both his virtuosity and the respect afforded to him by studio pros and amateurs alike.

MonoNeon is an American bassist and experimental musician from Memphis, Tennessee. He is known for his presence on YouTube playing bass guitar and being one of the last people to work with Prince. MonoNeon is a Grammy Award-winning artist, for his participation on the 2020 Nas album King’s Disease. On November 1, 2022, Fender released the MonoNeon Collection, which included the MonoNeon Jazz Bass V Signature.

Known for his otherworldly live show, MonoNeon has played Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and more. Kicking off this summer, MonoNeon will play a string of North American, Australian and Asian tour dates. He’ll begin the I Want Snacks & Gifts Tour  with a stop in his hometown of Memphis, TN, followed by a few dates in the South before heading abroad for multiple stops in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. He’ll wrap the June tour in California with a final show at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on June 28th and support Primus on tour in July through the beginning of August. Full tour dates below.

Tour Dates:

May 03 – Riverbeat – Memphis, TN

May 11 – Buffalo Bayou Park – Houston, TX

May 13 – Red Bluff Music, Arts, & Food Fest – Montgomery, AL

Jun. 09 – The Tuning Fork – Auckland, New Zealand

Jun. 10 – San Fran – Wellington, New Zealand

Jun. 12 – The Princess Theatre – Brisbane, Australia

Jun. 13 – Vivid Sydney – Sydney, Australia

Jun. 14 – The Croxton Bandroom – Melbourne, Australia

Jun. 18 – Blue Note Place – Ebisu, Japan

Jun. 19 – Blue Note Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Jun. 20 – Blue Note Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Jun. 21 – Blue Note Hawaii – Honolulu, HI

Jun. 24 – Yoshi’s Oakland – Oakland, CA

Jun. 25 – Yoshi’s Oakland – Oakland, CA

Jun. 26 – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA

Jul. 22 – Hartford Healthcare Amp – Bridgeport, CT *

Jul. 23 – Red Hat Amp – Raleigh, NC *

Jul. 25 – Chastain – Atlanta, GA *

Jul. 26 – Live Oak Bank Pavilion – Wilmington, NC *

Jul. 28 – Saenger Theater – New Orleans, LA *

Jul. 29 – Municipal Auditorium – Shreveport, LA *

Jul. 30 – The Factory – Dallas, TX *

Aug. 1 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ *

Aug. 2 – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA *

*support for Primus

Why It’s So Hard To Keep A Drummer In A Band

Eric Alper
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Why It’s So Hard To Keep A Drummer In A Band

Drummers are the heartbeats of bands. They’re the engine that keeps the whole thing moving. And yet, time and time again, we hear the same story—another drummer gone. Whether you’re looking at The Beatles before Ringo, The Smashing Pumpkins or the Foo Fighters and now The Who’s ever-revolving rhythm section, or Spinal Tap’s infamous drummer saga, there’s something about the position that seems cursed.

The Beat Takes a Toll

Drumming is no joke. It’s physically exhausting, sweat-drenched, and loud. Night after night, drummers take the brunt of the energy it takes to power a live performance. Add to that the hours of load-in and tear-down, and you’ve got a musician who’s working overtime just to keep the beat. After a while, the toll on the body starts to outweigh the thrill of the gig.

Stuck in the Shadows

While the guitarist shreds a solo and the singer pours their heart out at center stage, the drummer is usually tucked in the back, quite literally in the shadows. They’re often left out of interviews, excluded from songwriting credits, and rarely get a say in the creative direction. It’s not hard to see why some start to wonder if they’re just hired hands behind the kit.

Life on the Road Ain’t Easy

Touring can look glamorous from the outside, but for many drummers, it’s a relentless cycle of driving, hauling, waiting, playing, and repeating. The physical demands of touring combine with the emotional drain of being far from home. That’s why drummers often bow out first—they’re the ones with the least glory and the heaviest lifting.

Creative Differences Can Get Loud

Drummers often face friction when the rest of the band wants a different sound, feel, or tempo. Even minor disagreements can spiral into major arguments. And because drummers are frequently seen as the “easiest to replace,” they’re the first to be shown the door when band dynamics get tense. Sometimes they walk out on their own before that can even happen.

Drum Machines Don’t Talk Back

With the rise of studio software and digital loops, some bands opt to use programmed beats instead of a human drummer. It’s more precise. It’s less expensive. It doesn’t argue about tempo. But it also removes the soul of live performance. For bands chasing perfection, drummers can find themselves sidelined by technology that can’t sweat, but also can’t swing.

In the End, the Drummer Might Just Explode

Whether it’s the mythical curse of Spinal Tap or the real-life drama of bands like Fleetwood Mac, the drummer’s seat has seen more turnover than a late-night diner. To keep a great drummer, you’ve got to treat them like the lifeblood of your sound. Because once they’re gone, you’ll feel it in every missed beat.

Keeping a drummer is a balancing act of respect, patience, and mutual vision. The great ones—Charlie Watts, Max Weinberg, Sheila E.—stick around because the band sees them as more than just a beat. They’re part of the soul. And when that connection clicks, it’s magic. But when it doesn’t, well, there’s always another drummer waiting in the wings.

Joanne Shaw Taylor Announces Fall U.S. Tour Following ‘Black & Gold’ Album Release

Eric Alper
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Joanne Shaw Taylor Announces Fall U.S. Tour Following ‘Black & Gold’ Album Release

British blues-rock star Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced a brand-new run of U.S. tour dates for Fall 2025, to follow the release of her upcoming album Black & Gold, out June 6th via Journeyman Records. Black & Gold is available for pre-order.  The new dates begin October 17th in Bonita Springs, FL and continue through November, bringing Joanne’s dynamic live show to cities across the East Coast and concluding in Wichita, KS.

Tickets went on sale to the general public TODAY at 10 am local time. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour.

The announcement comes on the heels of Joanne’s latest single “Summer Love,” a breezy, handclap-laced standout that captures the feel-good spirit of fleeting romance. “I specifically had it in my mind that I wanted to write a summer pop single for this album,” Joanne shares. “It’s just something I’ve always loved—driving around Michigan, now Tennessee in summer and having that one song you love to hear on the radio that years later triggers happy memories. I hope this could be that song for someone out there.”

“Summer Love” is the latest in a string of releases teasing Joanne’s forthcoming album Black & Gold, following the emotionally raw “Look What I’ve Become,” the high-octane “Hell Of A Good Time,” and the introspective “Grayer Shade of Blue” and “I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down.” Each single showcases a different facet of Joanne’s evolving sound, bridging raw blues-rock roots with vibrant pop edges and cinematic textures.

Produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Journey, Aerosmith), Black & Gold marks Joanne’s most expansive work to date—featuring original songs alongside a shimmering cover of Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” and the stirring ballad “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?” The album reflects her continued evolution as a songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist.

Joanne recently wrapped a successful U.S. Spring Tour and is now preparing for a packed summer of headline shows and festival appearances across North America and Europe, including sets at Pori Jazz Festival, Festival Des Guitares du Monde, Blues From The Top, and more. Known for her fiery musicianship and commanding stage presence, Joanne continues to captivate live audiences with a mix of fan favorites and new material from Black & Gold.

2025 Summer Tour Dates & Festivals
May 30 – Quebec, CA – Festival Des Guitares du Monde
June 13 – Henderson, KY – WC Handy Festival
June 28 – Winter Park, CO – Blues From The Top
July 12 – Salamanca, Spain – Festival Blues Béjar
July 17 – Pori, FI – Pori Jazz Festival
July 18 – Kent, UK – Maid Of Stone Festival
August 5 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse (rescheduled)
August 6 – Riverhead, NY – The Suffolk
August 8 – Salisbury, MA – Blue Ocean Music Hall
August 9 – Holyoke, MA – De La Luz Soundstage
August 10 – North Truro, MA – Payomet Performing Arts Center
August 12 – Arden, DE – Arden Concert Gild
August 14 – Newton, NJ – The Newton Theatre
August 15 – Bethlehem, PA – Summer Series Festival
August 16 – Norwich, NY – Chenango Blues Festival

2025 Fall U.S. Tour
October 17 – Bonita Springs, FL – Arts Bonita Performing Arts Center
October 18 – Clearwater, FL – Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
October 21 – Asheville, NC – Diana Wortham Theatre
October 22 – Raleigh, NC – Fletcher Opera Theater
October 24 – Wilmington, NC – Kenan Auditorium
October 25 – Savannah, GA – District Live
October 27 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
October 28 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre
October 31 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate
November 1 – Nashua, NH – Nashua Center for the Arts
November 4 – Cleveland, OH – TempleLive @ Cleveland Masonic
November 7 – West Bend, WI – The Bend Theater
November 8 – Viroqua, WI – Historic Temple Theatre
November 9 – Minneapolis, MN – The Parkway Theater
November 11 – Madison, WI – Atwood Music Hall
November 13 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre
November 14 – St. Louis – Delmar Hall
November 16 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion

Black & Gold by Joanne Shaw Taylor
1. Hold Of My Heart
2. All The Things I Said
3. Black & Gold
4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?
5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down
6. Summer Love
7. Grayer Shade Of Blue
8. Hell Of A Good Time
9. Look What I’ve Become
10. What Are You Gonna Do Now?

Larry McCray Unleashes New Single “Bright Side” Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Heartbreak City’

Eric Alper
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Larry McCray Unleashes New Single “Bright Side” Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Heartbreak City’

On the heels of his soulful lead single “Bye Bye Blues,” celebrated blues singer and guitarist Larry McCray returns today with “Bright Side,” the second release from his upcoming album Heartbreak City, due out June 13 via KTBA Records, the label founded by Joe Bonamassa. The mid-tempo burner—written by Josh Smith, Michael “Harvey” Price, and Steve Shepherd—was originally penned for the late, great Bobby “Blue” Bland, but sat unreleased for decades until producer Josh Smith brought it to McCray, knowing he was the one to bring it to life.

With deep-in-the-pocket grooves, sly lyrical turns, and an irresistible call-and-response chorus, “Bright Side” leans into McCray’s ability to deliver grit with charm and swagger. His weathered vocals ride a classic blues progression that’s equal parts tough and joyful, while his signature guitar tone cuts through like a livewire. “Bright Side” shows McCray doing what he does best—delivering emotional truth with musical fire.

Produced by Grammy-nominated duo Bonamassa and Smith, Heartbreak City is a bold, unfiltered collection that finds McCray at the height of his powers. The ten-track album fuses raw blues with vintage soul, Southern grit, and a hard-won sense of joy, featuring standout contributions from Reese Wynans, Kirk Fletcher, and background vocalists Jade Macrae and Dannielle De Andrea, as well as guest guitar work from Bonamassa himself. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and mixed by Alan Hertz.

The project was first introduced with the lead single “Bye Bye Blues,” a finger-snapping throwback co-written with longtime collaborator Charlie Walmsley that paid homage to the soul icons of McCray’s youth—Johnnie Taylor, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Little Milton among them.

Across Heartbreak City, McCray leans into themes of reflection, resilience, and redemption, drawing from decades of lived experience on and off the stage. His voice—gravelly, weathered, and full of soul—carries the weight of hard-earned wisdom, while his guitar work remains as fiery and fluid as ever. With gospel-tinged harmonies, taut grooves, and a band that matches him punch for punch, Heartbreak City reclaims the blues, reframing it through the lens of someone who’s survived it, played it, and lived it for more than four decades.

The album follows McCray’s 2022 comeback Blues Without You, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Blues Chart and was named the #1 Blues Album of the Year by Blues Rock Review. The record marked a triumphant return after a seven-year hiatus and helped relaunch McCray onto festival stages and year-end best-of lists. In 2024, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, further cementing his place among the greats.

Born in Smackover, Arkansas, and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, McCray developed a guitar style that blends the electric fire of Hendrix with the soul of B.B. King and the Southern swing of the Allman Brothers. He was the first artist signed to Virgin Records’ Point Blank imprint in the late ’80s and went on to release a series of genre-defining albums, including Ambition, Delta Hurricane, and Born to Play the Blues. Over his storied career, McCray has shared the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, the Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, Jonny Lang, and many more.

“Larry McCray is a legend,” shares Joe Bonamassa. “We have known that for 30 years. He is the last of the great blues shouters from the Rust Belt. In the spirit of BB King, Luther Allison, and Little Milton, Larry is among the greats. It’s now up to the world to rediscover him. He has been here all along.”

Heartbreak City by Larry McCray Tracklist:
1. Try To Be A Good Man
2. Heartbreak City
3. Bye Bye Blues
4. Bright Side
5. Everything Falls On Me
6. I Know What I’ve Done (feat. Joe Bonamassa)
7. Keep On Loving My Baby (feat. Kirk Fletcher & Josh Smith)
8. Hangman
9. Stop Your Crying
10. Crazy World

Tour Dates:
May 24 – Burton, MI – Burton Rock & Blues Festival
August 24 – Marshfield, MA – North River Blues Fest
September 15-21 – Seattle, WA – Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska

Devon Allman’s Blues Summit Tour:
August 7 – Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center
August 8 – Lake Charles, LA – The Rosa Hart Theatre
August 9 – Pensacola, FL – Saenger Theater
August 10 – Montgomery, AL – Montgomery Performing Arts Center
August 12 – Nashville, TN – Fogg St Lawn Club
August 13 – Union Hall, VA – The Coves
August 14 – Hopewell, VA – The Beacon Theatre
August 15 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Music Hall
August 16 – Jordan, NY – Kegs Canalside
August 17 – Kingston, NY – Ulster Performing Arts Center
August 20 – Atlantic City, NJ – Mardi Gras AC @ Kennedy Plaza
August 21 – Cranston, RI – The Park Theatre
August 23 – Nashua, NH – Nashua Center for the Arts
September 4 – Phoenix, AZ – MIM
September 5 – Las Vegas, NV – Big Blues Bender
September 6 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Coach House
September 9 – Santa Fe, NM – The Lensic
September 10 – Beaver Creek, CO – Vilar Performing Arts Center
September 11 – Parker, CO – The Pace Center
September 12-13 – Telluride, CO – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
** Features Devon Allman, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray & Sierra Green

Ken Pomeroy Releases Debut Rounder Album ‘Cruel Joke’ Featuring John Moreland

Eric Alper
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Ken Pomeroy Releases Debut Rounder Album ‘Cruel Joke’ Featuring John Moreland

Rising American folk singer, songwriter, and musician Ken Pomeroy’s anticipated new album, Cruel Joke, is out today—her first in partnership with Rounder Records.

Anchored in Pomeroy’s Cherokee heritage, Cruel Joke is a powerful collection that showcases her raw songwriting and engaging voice. Produced by Pomeroy’s musical partner Dakota McDaniel, Gary Paczosa (John Prine, Alison Krauss, Sierra Ferrell, Katie Pruitt), and Colton Jean, the project consists of twelve deeply personal tracks—including a collaboration with her longtime songwriting hero John Moreland—that find Pomeroy telling stories of self-realization, reflection, and the world around her.

Known for her impactful live shows, Pomeroy will perform select headline dates this spring, including stops at Nashville’s Row One, Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right, and Tulsa’s Mercury Lounge (both shows sold out). She’ll also join Iron & Wine, I’m With Her, and Turnpike Troubadours on tour this year, and will play Newport Folk Festival in July.

Of the album, Pomeroy shares, “Dakota and I began recording ‘Cicadas’ back in February 2023. That marked the beginning of our long two-year journey, and so much has happened since we started. The oldest song was written when I was 13 years old; the most recent was added only a few months ago, just before we finished recording. For almost two years, we dedicated nearly every waking moment to working on Cruel Joke.”

An Oklahoma native, Pomeroy is already receiving widespread attention as “a new voice reviving the age-old Native Americana sound” (Teen Vogue). At 22, she’s appeared in the hit film Twisters (performing a cover of “Wall of Death”), had her song “Cicadas” featured in Hulu’s Reservation Dogs, and toured with Lukas Nelson, Iron & Wine, American Aquarium, John Moreland, and Kaitlin Butts. A skilled guitarist and versatile session musician, she’s also lent her talents to projects by Wilderado, Kyle Nix (Turnpike Troubadours), J.R. Carroll, and more.

CRUEL JOKE TRACK LIST:
Pareidolia
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Wrango
Rodeo Clown
Coyote (feat. John Moreland)
Stranger
Dogs Die
Grey Skies
Flannel Cowboy
Days Getting Darker
Cicadas
Innocent Eyes

KEN POMEROY CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:
May 16 — Nashville, TN — Row One
May 21 — Brooklyn, NY — Baby’s All Right
June 7 — Tulsa, OK — Mercury Lounge (SOLD OUT)
June 8 — Tulsa, OK — Mercury Lounge (SOLD OUT)
June 19–22 — Telluride, CO — Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 27 — Pendleton, OR — Jackalope Jamboree
July 10 — Interlochen, MI — Interlochen Center for the Arts+
July 11 — Cincinnati, OH — Taft Theatre+
July 12 — Asheville, NC — Asheville Yards Amphitheatre+
July 13 — Cary, NC — Koka Booth Amphitheatre+
July 16 — Westport, CT — Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts~
July 19 — Portland, ME — Thompson’s Point+
July 20 — Burlington, VT — The Green at Shelburne Museum+
July 21 — Northampton, MA — The Pines Theater+
July 23 — Richmond, VA — Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden+
July 24 — Glenside, PA — Keswick Theatre+
July 25 — Lafayette, NY — Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards+
July 26 — Newport, RI — Newport Folk Festival
August 29 — La Vista, NE — The Astro*
September 26 — Chesterfield, MO — The Factory
+supporting Iron & Wine and I’m With Her
~supporting I’m With Her
*supporting Turnpike Troubadours

Africa Express Returns With Global Collaborative Album ‘Bahidorá’

Eric Alper
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Africa Express Returns With Global Collaborative Album ‘Bahidorá’

Globally acclaimed music phenomenon Africa Express is back with a new studio album. Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá, recorded in Mexico, is set for release on July 11 via World Circuit Records. The first two singles—“Mi Lado” featuring Alansito Vega, Poté & Mare Advertencia, and “Kuduro” featuring Fatoumata Diawara, Moonchild Sanelly & Tom Excell—are out now.

Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá will be available digitally, as well as on double CD and double gatefold vinyl LP formats; order/pre-save the record HERE.

Africa Express ventured to the Americas for the first time in 2024 to headline the Mexican festival Bahidorá. An extraordinary group of musicians, singers, and DJs from around the world came together to rehearse, perform, and write new music ahead of an epic five-hour show on the banks of the ancient springs. Afterwards, they stayed on to record in field studios, tents, and hotel rooms. The result is this remarkable collection of 21 tracks—the project’s sixth album and its first since 2019’s Africa Express Presents… Egoli, which was recorded in Johannesburg.

An album like no other, Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá is a sonic journey that distills the joy of a musical adventure in Mexico into 21 extraordinary songs. Featuring artists from four continents but with roots firmly planted in Mexico, it entwines rich musical traditions ranging from cumbia, hip-hop, and kuduro to soul, salsa, and the sweetest pop.

“Mi Lado” is pure Latin-pop catchiness, with soulful vocals riding a reggaeton beat. It features quickfire Mexican rapper Mare Advertencia—a feminist activist whose lyrics often explore misogyny and gang violence—alongside St. Lucia–born electro artist Poté and LA-based producer Alansito Vega.

“Kuduro” is the fast-and-furious second track, in which two of Africa’s most distinctive female voices—Mali’s Fatoumata Diawara and South Africa’s Moonchild Sanelly—swap vocals over a pounding beat laid down by Tom Excell of Onipa. “Men come and go,” sings Moonchild resignedly. “They come back crying as if it were not them.”

Africa Express is an adventure and a journey, always evolving and exploring fresh musical boundaries. It is built on respect and champions a simple concept: we are stronger when we collaborate, communicate openly, and recognize that everyone has something to say. By breaking down barriers between nations, genders, generations, and genres, Africa Express embodies unity—a spirit perfectly captured by the eclecticism and sound of Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá.

This summer, Africa Express will hit the road across Europe, including stops at Roskilde Festival on July 6 and Barcelona’s Cruïlla Festival on July 11.Africa Express began in 2006 in Mali, connecting local stars Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyaté, and Amadou & Mariam with visiting artists such as Martha Wainwright, Fatboy Slim, and co-founder Damon Albarn. Now a globally renowned project, it never loses its capacity to surprise—whether live or on record. Africa Express has invited Western artists to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Mali; staged collaborative seven-hour concerts from Liverpool to Lagos; taken a train of musicians around Britain for the London Olympics; reunited a Syrian orchestra divided by civil war; and recorded the first African interpretation of Terry Riley’s minimalist classic “In C.” Participating artists have included Baaba Maal, Blur, Charli XCX, Faia Younan, Femi Kuti, Flea, Franz Ferdinand, Kano, Oumou Sangaré, Paul McCartney, Paul Weller, Rachid Taha, Rokia Traoré, Tony Allen, and many others.

Regina Spektor Celebrates New RIAA Certifications With Limited Edition Vinyl Reissues

Eric Alper
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Regina Spektor Celebrates New RIAA Certifications With Limited Edition Vinyl Reissues

Regina Spektor has reissued five of her acclaimed albums on limited edition color vinyl, all available everywhere today. More info/purchase HERE. Ahead of these reissues, she has earned a host of new RIAA certifications—Begin to Hope is now RIAA Platinum-certified, Far is RIAA Gold-certified, amongst other notable achievements. Further below.

The reissues include Begin to Hope (Yellow Flame LP), Far (Velum Clear LP), What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (Translucent Red LP), Remember Us to Life (Black Clouds 2LP), and Live in London (Curacao 2LP). Far and Live in London are both seeing their return to vinyl, having been out of print for several years.

Several newly remastered HD music videos are also available today including “Fidelity,” “Man of A Thousand Faces,” “Dance Anthem of the 80’s” and “Better” with more to come.

“So grateful to everyone who made these records and songs go platinum and gold,” says Spektor. “It’s fun to see how a song that’s been around for a while can suddenly meet new listeners. I loved seeing how beautifully everyone was signing “Two Birds” in ASL. I hope songs keep getting discovered in surprising and creative ways- and that for now, all the colorful new vinyl reissues can express some of my gratitude!”

Spektor first saw commercial success with Begin to Hope (2006). Her breakout album, it includes hit singles “On the Radio,” “Better” and the now RIAA Gold Digital Single “Samson,” as well as now RIAA Platinum Digital Single “Fidelity,” which climbed the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

She followed up Begin to Hope with Far (2009)—which features now RIAA Gold Digital Single “Two Birds”—and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats (2012). Both albums debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

The repressing also includes Remember Us to Life (2016), Spektor’s seventh studio album, and Live in London (2009), her first live album, which features twenty-two songs spanning her extensive catalog at the time and including three unrecorded tracks that have only ever been performed live.

Spektor will return to the road this summer on her Midsummer Daydream Tour, beginning July 22. The tour includes two sold-out nights in Portland and one in Seattle, with additional stops in San Francisco, Denver and more. The tour will also include four stops in Texas, where she hasn’t performed in over a decade. See below for a complete list of dates. Tickets available HERE.

Last year, Spektor formally released her fan favorite second album, Songs, for the first time. Previously sold exclusively at her live shows on homemade CD-Rs, the remaster saw Songs’ first commercial release on vinyl and streaming, and was celebrated with a series of sold out shows in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Her latest studio album, Home, before and after, was released in 2022 to critical praise from The New York Times, NPR Music and more.

TOUR DATES
July 22—San Francisco, CA—The Masonic
July 24—Jacksonville, OR—Britt Festival Pavilion
July 25—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
July 26—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
July 28—Seattle, WA—Woodland Park Zoo
July 29—Spokane, WA—Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
July 31—Boise, ID—Revolution Concert House
August 1—Sandy, UT—Sandy Amphitheater
August 3—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom
August 5—Austin, TX—ACL Live
August 6—Dallas, TX—Majestic Theatre
August 8—San Antonio, TX—The Tobin Center
August 9—Houston, TX—Bayou Music Center
BOLD = SOLD OUT

Sierra Hull Stuns With Acoustic “Spitfire” on Kelly Clarkson Show

Eric Alper
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Sierra Hull Stuns With Acoustic “Spitfire” on Kelly Clarkson Show

Monday’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show gave fans a rare treat: Sierra Hull on acoustic guitar performing “Spitfire” from her latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire. Rare in that she’s most known for her mandolin playing, as she was the first woman to win Mandolin Player of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards (IBMA), a category she’s won six times to date.

“Spitfire” follows her grandmother’s story of tragedy and perseverance from verse to verse, showing off the award-winning instrumentalist’s deft songwriting skills. “Young love one month a wife / River took him under, took his life / She cried ‘Oh Lord, how can I be a widow before eighteen,” Hull sings over her own accompaniment in the song’s opening lines. “She was a beautiful, fiery woman who loved her family in the deepest of ways,” Hull says of her Granny. “When I need to find some extra strength in my own life, I remember her resilience.”

“Spitfire” is from Hull’s A Tip Toe High Wire—titled after the chorus of “Spitfire”—released March 7th. Self-produced with longtime friend and engineer Shani Gandhi, A Tip Toe High Wire is not only Hull’s first album in five years and the first to feature her skilled and seasoned touring band—Shaun Richardson (guitar), Avery Merritt (fiddle), Erik Coveney (bass), and Mark Raudabaugh (drums)—but it’s also her first album to be released independently.

Up next for Hull: Fresh from the Viva El Gonzo Festival where, in addition to her own full band sets, she guested with Goose on a two-song sit-in for Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and The Wood Brothers’ “Atlas,” Hull and band take the stage at Hollywood Bowl tonight as part of Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour of which she’s on through May. Then, it’s headlong into festival season with stops at Railbird, Earl Scruggs Music Festival, and more. A full tour routing can be found below.

On tour:
May 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl ✶
May 17 – Felton, CA – Felton Music Hall
May 18 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre ✶
May 20 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater ✶
May 22 – Spokane, WA – ONE Spokane Stadium ✶
May 24 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater ✶
May 25 – Quincy, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre ✶
May 31 – Lexington, KY – Railbird Music Festival 2025 #
June 28 – Sisters, OR – Big Ponderoo 2025 #
July 17 – Trumansburg, NY – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival 2025 #
July 19 – Oak Hill, NY – Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2025 #
July 24 – Bethlehem, NH – The Colonial Theatre
July 25 – Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival 2025 #
August 1 – Ninilchik, AK – Salmonfest 2025 #
August 8 – Morgantown, WV – Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater
August 10 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Summer Music Series
August 30 – Mill Spring, NC – Earl Scruggs Music Festival 2025 #
September 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Bender Jamboree 2025 #
September 17 – Nashville, TN – Fogg Street Lawn Club
September 19 – Chattanooga, TN – IBMA Bluegrass Live 2025 #
September 21 – North Adams, MA – FreshGrass MASS MoCa
October 30 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween (with The Infamous Stringdusters) #
✶ Outlaw Music Festival Tour w/ Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, and more
# Festival

Briscoe Pays Tribute To Blaze Foley And Alabama Shakes With “Hold On” And “Clay Pigeons”

Eric Alper
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Briscoe Pays Tribute To Blaze Foley And Alabama Shakes With “Hold On” And “Clay Pigeons”

Austin-based Americana folk-rock band Briscoe share their take on “Hold On” by Alabama Shakes and the Blaze Foley classic “Clay Pigeons” which was made famous by legendary singer-songwriter John Prine. The songs are accompanied by a behind the scenes look at the recording process of “Hold On” live from the studio.

“Brittany Howard is a once in a lifetime type of talent, and Alabama Shakes has quickly cemented themselves as one of the best modern rock bands around. I remember hearing “Hold On” for the first time on Sirius XM’s “The Spectrum” in the early 2010’s and it’s been one of our favorites ever since. It was a dang good time giving such an awesome tune a touch of the Hill Country Sound!.

As for “Clay Pigeons”, we’re simply not sure there’s a better written song. Blaze Foley’s ability to convey the tragedy and hardship of his life through beautifully written songs is second to none. It’s certainly a lofty feat to cover a song of this stature, but our hope is to honor the life and the work of one of the greatest songwriters this world has ever seen” says Truett Heintzelman of the covers.

The band will also feature at the annual Austin City Limits music festival this October. Briscoe, which is comprised of UT Austin Alumni Philip Lupton & Truett Heintzelman continue to evolve as their adventurous songwriting narrows the gap between classic American roots music and its modern-day incarnation. These latest covers follow a recent live EP featuring songs from the band’s debut album ‘West of It All’ which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Brad Cook (Bon Iver, The War on Drugs, Waxahachie) and their first self-titled EP. The collection also includes a rare cover of “Never Been To Spain”, made famous by the 60s group Three Dog Night.

From free backyard performances on the outskirts of UT Austin’s campus to sold-out gigs at Stubb’s, Briscoe’s growth — like the group’s music itself — has been organic. Bandmates Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton built their grassroots following the old-school way: by carving out a sound that nodded to the golden era of folk, rock, and pop music, then getting onstage and building a genuine relationship with their audience. That authenticity led to opening slots for Caamp, Dave Matthews and Zach Bryan. Signed by ATO Records while still pursuing undergraduate degrees as college students, the Texas natives wrote ‘West of It All’ as graduation loomed in the distance, funneling the stories of their college experience — from heartbreak to hard-won lessons to weekend trips into the rural countryside — into a raw, rugged blend of classic and contemporary influences.

Brent Cobb & The Fixin’s Release “Even If It’s Broke” and Announce Fall Tour

Eric Alper
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Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and musician Brent Cobb and his band The Fixin’s debut their new song, “Even If It’s Broke,” today.

Of the track, Cobb shares, “I wrote this one with my longtime guitar player, MattMan McDaniel. We’ve been runnin’ the roads together for about 15 years now. ‘Even If It’s Broke’ is kinda my story—stickin’ with music all this time and still chasin’ it. Thing is, this song isn’t just about that. It’s about anything you put your heart into, even when it doesn’t always pay back. You just believe in it anyway.”

The song is the second unveiled from Cobb’s new album, Ain’t Rocked in a While, which will be released July 11 via Ol’ Buddy Records/Thirty Tigers and is the first project he’s recorded with his band (pre-order/pre-save here). Ahead of the release, Cobb recently unveiled the title track, which Whiskey Riff praises as “rocking southern soul…this single rips,” while Glide proclaims, “The fuzzy garage-rock tune features psychedelic tendencies that aid in the message of the song: never forget to leave some time for old-fashioned rocking.” Watch the official music video HERE.

Produced by Cobb and Oran Thornton, Ain’t Rocked in a While captures the electric energy of Cobb’s live shows while still keeping his signature storytelling at the forefront. Recorded live to tape at The Black Palace in Springfield, MO, the album finds Cobb returning to his roots as he blends his timeless country sound with influences from the classic rock bands he grew up listening to—Black Sabbath, Metallica and AC/DC.

Reflecting on the project, Cobb shares, “I feel like sometimes when people come to our shows, there might be a disconnect. People might view me as just a singer-songwriter—you know, sit down and tell ’em a nice little Southern story, sing ’em a song. And our live show kinda rocks. Sometimes people are taken aback. I want people to have an album of reference.”

In celebration of the new music, Cobb & The Fixin’s will embark on an extensive headline tour this fall, including newly confirmed stops at New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Los Angeles’ Troubadour, Seattle’s Tractor Tavern, Minneapolis’ Fine Line, Chicago’s Joe’s on Weed St., Washington, D.C.’s The Hamilton, Tucson’s Club Congress and Portland’s Aladdin Theater, among many others. See below for the complete itinerary or visit www.brentcobbmusic.com/tour for full details.

In addition to Cobb (vocals, guitar), The Fixin’s are Len Clark (drums), MattMcDaniel (guitars) and Josh Williams (bass).

Based in Ellaville, GA, Cobb has released five albums to date, including 2023’s acclaimed Southern Star—a love letter to his southern roots, filled with the sounds and stories of his home state of Georgia. Of that record, Rolling Stone declared, “Few artists embody the South quite like Brent Cobb…he summons the easygoing vibes and sounds of his native Georgia,” while No Depression praised, “A true songwriting craftsman with a disarming drawl and plainspoken lyricism, Cobb’s music often feels like it exudes a sense of authenticity and tradition.”

In addition to his work as an artist, Cobb is an esteemed songwriter with cuts by Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters, Whiskey Myers and many more. His song “Snakebite” was featured in the first season of Paramount’s Landman this past fall, and in 2021 he released his first children’s book, Little Stuff, inspired by his song of the same name from Keep ‘Em on They Toes.

Ain’t Rocked in a While Track List:
Beyond Measure
Ain’t Rocked in a While
Bad Feelin’
Do It All the Time
Even If It’s Broke
In Our Hands
Power Man
Take Yer Meds
Til Dawn
Beyond Measure (Fixin’s)

Brent Cobb Confirmed Tour Dates:
June 5—Newport, KY—Southgate House Revival
June 6—Huntington, WV—The Loud
June 7—Maryville, TN—The Shed
June 26—Marietta, OH—Adelphia Music Hall
June 27—Indianapolis, IN—The Vogue
June 28—Alton, IL—Mississippi River Festival
July 10—Oklahoma City, OK—Beer City Music Hall
July 11—Fort Worth, TX—Billy Bob’s
July 18—Redmond, OR—FairWell Festival
July 19—Whitefish, MT—Under The Big Sky Festival
July 20—Whitefish, MT—The Remington
August 1—Bozeman, MT—Sweet Pea Festival
August 15—Des Moines, IA—Iowa State Fair
August 16—Hobart, IN—The Art Theater
August 17—Cadillac, MI—Coyote Crossing Resort
August 22—Douglas, GA—Martin Center
August 28—Columbus, OH—A&R Bar
August 29—Lexington, VA—Lime Kiln Theater
September 25—Minneapolis, MN—Fine Line
September 26—Davenport, IA—Raccoon Motel
September 27—Chicago, IL—Joe’s on Weed St.
September 28—Grand Rapids, MI—The Stache
September 30—Flint, MI—The Machine Shop
October 1—Cleveland Heights, OH—Grog Shop
October 3—Toronto, ON—The Velvet Underground
October 4—Buffalo, NY—Buffalo Iron Works
October 5—Pittsburgh, PA—Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
October 7—Washington, D.C.—The Hamilton
October 8—Ardmore, PA—Ardmore Music Hall
October 10—Woodstock, NY—Levon Helm Studios
October 12—Fall River, MA—Narrows Center for the Arts
October 13—New York, NY—Bowery Ballroom
November 7—Kansas City, MO—Knuckleheads Saloon
November 10—Albuquerque, NM—Revel
November 11—Tucson, AZ—Club Congress
November 13—Los Angeles, CA—Troubadour
November 16—Menlo Park, CA—The Guild
November 18—Healdsburg, CA—Little Saint
November 20—Portland, OR—Aladdin Theater
November 21—Seattle, WA—Tractor Tavern
November 22—Spokane, WA—The District at Knitting Factory
November 23—Great Falls, MT—The Newberry

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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

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