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10 Ways to Grow Your Listeners and Beat Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum

Eric Alper
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10 Ways to Grow Your Listeners and Beat Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Minimum

In 2024, Spotify dropped a cold hard truth on indie artists everywhere: songs must hit at least 1,000 streams annually before they generate royalties. For some, this felt like a digital death sentence. For the rest of us? It’s a wake-up call.

So what now?

Whether you’re just getting started or building back better, here’s how to turn your passion project into a repeat-listen magnet using modern methods that work—from someone who’s seen it all, and another who’s still pressing play every day.

1. Make Music Worth Sharing, Not Just Streaming
Spotify’s algorithm is a mysterious thing. But you know what it loves? Songs people send to friends. Write music that hits a nerve, tells a story, sparks a meme, or makes someone say “You have to hear this.” People don’t share background music—they share identity.

2. Build a “First 50” Street Team
Before chasing 1000, chase your first 50 champions. DM them. Text them. Thank them. Ask them to follow, share, and playlist your track. These fans become your foundation. If you don’t know 50 people who will play your track three times, your problem isn’t Spotify—it’s community.

3. Hack the Algorithm With Consistency
Post every week. New content, new clips, new singles—even alternate versions or 30-second voice memos. Spotify watches for activity, not just art. Consistency trains the algorithm and trains your audience to check back in.

4. Use Smart Links and Pre-Saves Like a Pro
Want people to stream your track? Stop sending them to random search pages. Use smart links (like ToneDen or Linkfire) to drive fans directly to Spotify. And pre-save campaigns? They’re like opening weekend for your song—everything rides on that initial spike.

5. Drop Vertical Videos and Reels with a Hook at 0:00
Spotify numbers are now downstream from TikTok and Instagram. Post short-form vertical content where the first second stops the scroll and the next 15 keeps them watching. Use your song. Use captions. Be weird. Be real. Just be there.

6. Make Playlists—Then Pitch to Them
Don’t just beg curators. Become one. Create a playlist that fits your genre, sprinkle your music in, and promote it like it’s a blog. Tag artists. Share it. Build from the inside out. Playlist culture is tribal—lead the tribe.

7. Focus on Listener Habits, Not Vanity Metrics
Spotify gives you data on skips, saves, replays, and sources. Use it. If your skip rate is high in the first 30 seconds, change your intro. If your saves are low, write something stickier. If your repeat rate is high, promote that track harder.

8. Build with Collaborations and Features
Every collaboration is a door to a new audience. Don’t just look for big names—look for artists at your level with passionate listeners. If each of you brings 500 monthly listeners, and you drop a duet or remix, you’ve just cross-pollinated into 1000 streams easy.

9. Email Isn’t Dead. Use It.
Start an email list. It’s your lifeline. No algorithm. No ads. Just you and the people who care enough to click. Share stories, process, and direct Spotify links. Think of it as your fan club. Your tiny label. Your indie empire.

10. Celebrate Every 100 Streams Like You Hit the Charts
People respond to momentum. Post thank-yous when you hit 100, 300, 500 streams. Screenshot your “most played in” cities. Make people feel like part of your win. Gratitude travels fast. And you’ll turn passive listeners into lifelong fans.

Spotify’s new rules may seem harsh—but they’re also an invitation. An invitation to stop waiting for discovery and start building it.

You don’t need a label. You need listeners who care. And they’re out there—scrolling, saving, streaming—waiting for someone like you to remind them why they fell in love with music in the first place. If you’re still looking for help, or have any questions, or looking for more information, email me, I’ll be happy to chat – Eric@ThatEricAlper.com and talk soon!

20 of the Grooviest Songs of All Time

Eric Alper
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20 of the Grooviest Songs of All Time

You can’t teach groove. You can’t bottle it. You just feel it—from the first bassline, the second snare hit, the way the rhythm finds your bones before your brain. Some songs are the party. Others start the party. All of these? They own the dance floor. Here are 20 of the grooviest songs ever released, alphabetized so nobody gets jealous.

“Back in Love Again” – L.T.D.
There’s a reason this ‘70s funk anthem still shows up in DJ sets: it’s all groove, no filler. Jeffery Osborne’s vocals soar over a silky rhythm section built for body movement.

“Brick House” – Commodores
The bassline. The brass. The attitude. “Brick House” isn’t just groovy—it’s practically a masterclass in how to make funk feel cool and effortless.

“Can You Feel It” – The Jacksons
This disco-funk explosion from the post-Motown Jacksons is pure groove architecture. That thumping beat and glittering production make it impossible to sit still.

“Cissy Strut” – The Meters
No vocals, no problem. This instrumental groove-fest delivers New Orleans funk straight to your soul. Zigaboo Modeliste’s drumming alone is a groove clinic.

“Dance to the Music” – Sly and the Family Stone
One of the earliest calls to funk unity, this track fuses rock, soul, and psychedelia into something fully physical. You don’t listen to this song—you join it.

“Fantastic Voyage” – Lakeside
Smooth vocals and spaceship funk combine in this slow-burn party starter. If you weren’t dancing at the beginning, you will be by the bridge.

“Flash Light” – Parliament
One of George Clinton’s finest intergalactic groove bombs. That synth-bassline (played by Bernie Worrell) is straight-up immortal.

“Get Down On It” – Kool & The Gang
A disco-funk motivational anthem that asks all the right questions: How you gonna do it if you really don’t wanna dance?

“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” – Parliament
Funk in its purest form. The chants. The groove. The attitude. A track that doesn’t just move the crowd—it rewires it.

“Groove Is in the Heart” – Deee-Lite
The ’90s called, and it brought the funk with it. Sampling Herbie Hancock and featuring Bootsy Collins, this dancefloor staple never stopped sparkling.

“I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” – Hall & Oates
Slick and stylish, this track blends blue-eyed soul and R&B with a drum machine groove that still feels way ahead of its time.

“I Got You (I Feel Good)” – James Brown
James Brown practically invented groove as we know it. This might be his most famous, and still the most contagious.

“Jungle Boogie” – Kool & The Gang
Less polished, more primal. This one is all about the groove as force of nature. Horns, handclaps, growls—it’s chaos with a backbeat.

“Le Freak” – Chic
Nile Rodgers’ guitar alone is enough to qualify this as one of the grooviest. But combined with Bernard Edwards’ bass and those disco strings? Next level.

“Move On Up” – Curtis Mayfield
A groove built for uplift, Curtis Mayfield’s anthem pulses with brass, congas, and optimism. It’s motivational funk at its finest.

“Once in a Lifetime” – Talking Heads
You may ask yourself… how does this groove work? A brilliant blend of Afrobeat, art-rock, and existential dance vibes. Brian Eno at the boards doesn’t hurt.

“Outstanding” – The Gap Band
The title says it all. This slow jam groove melts into your bloodstream. Ideal for head-nodding, back-seat singing, and good times with good people.

“Rock with You” – Michael Jackson
MJ’s smoothest song? Maybe. Its groove is soft and subtle, yet hypnotic. A perfect blend of Quincy Jones magic and disco’s golden hour.

“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
Joy in musical form. That rhythm guitar. Those horns. That falsetto. “September” doesn’t just have a groove—it is a groove.

“You Dropped a Bomb on Me” – The Gap Band
Funk meets synth warfare. A groove so explosive, it practically defined the early ‘80s dance floor.

lenny duncan’s ‘Psalms Of My People’ Treats Hip-Hop Lyrics As Sacred Texts In Bold Exploration Of Black Liberation

Eric Alper
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lenny duncan’s ‘Psalms Of My People’ Treats Hip-Hop Lyrics As Sacred Texts In Bold Exploration Of Black Liberation

If you want to understand the Black experience in the US, you have to understand hip-hop.

James Baldwin, in his famous talk “The Struggle for the Artist’s Integrity,” suggests that “the poets (by which I mean all artists) are finally the only people who know the truth about us.” And to understand the truth about the history of Black peoples in America, argues lenny duncan, we must look to the modern Black poet: the hip-hop artist.

In Psalms of My People,artist, scholar, and activist lenny duncan treats the work of hip-hop artists from the last several decades–from N.W.A, Tupac, and Biggie to Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar–like sacred scripture. Their songs and lyrics are given full exegetical treatment–a critical and contextual interpretation of text–and are beautifully illustrated, with a blend of ancient and modern art styles illuminating every page.

All the while, duncan traces the history of hip-hop, revealing it as a conduit to tell the modern story of Black liberation in this country, following the bloody trail from the end of the Civil Rights Era through the day George Floyd was sacrificed on the streets of America.

“Who else but the hip-hop artist,” asks Duncan, “has embodied the cries, pain, and secret concrete ? Whose art? Our art. Whose story is written in the book of life with crimson lines dipped in a well that is 400+ years deep? Whose story? Our story. For whom does God bring down empires? Us.”

‘Hardcore’ Book Offers Rare Look Behind Pulp’s ‘This Is Hardcore’ With Unseen Photos & Artist Tributes

Eric Alper
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‘Hardcore’ Book Offers Rare Look Behind Pulp’s ‘This Is Hardcore’ With Unseen Photos & Artist Tributes

A rich visual celebration of Pulp’s sixth album, This is Hardcore, featuring unseen photography and behind-the-scenes interviews.

From the mid- to late 1990s, Paul Burgess was invited by Jarvis Cocker to document the British band Pulp, taking photographs during video shoots, live gigs, and other events for what has become one of the landmark albums of the period, This Is Hardcore. Written and designed by Burgess and Louise Colbourne, Hardcore contains a candid selection of previously unseen images of the band, behind the scenes and on set, from the four main video shoots made to promote the album. Twenty-five years have passed since Pulp released this extraordinary album, and this book holds up a mirror to the ingenious creative processes and characters behind the seminal record.

With carefully curated images from Burgess’s archive, Hardcore also includes quotations and interviews from then and now by the video directors, band members, and other artists involved with the album. The book contains contributions from Doug Nichol, John Currin, Stephen Mallinder, Sergei Sviatchenko, John Stezaker, and Florian Habicht, all of whom have a connection to the album, the band, or the era. There are also visual responses from a selection of younger artists and designers, such as Alexa Vieira, who have been inspired by Burgess’s photographs and the band’s legacy.

New Book ‘NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion’ By Jason Lamb Chronicles Punk Legends’ DIY Legacy

Eric Alper
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New Book ‘NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion’ By Jason Lamb Chronicles Punk Legends’ DIY Legacy

They were unlike any other band in the punk scene they called home. NoMeansNo started in the basement of the family home of brothers Rob and John Wright in 1979. For the next three decades, they would add and then replace a guitar player, sign a record deal with Alternative Tentacles and tour the world. All along the way, they kept their integrity, saying “NO” to many mainstream opportunities. It was for this reason the band (intentionally) never became a household name, but earned the respect and love of thousands of fans around the world, including some who became big rock stars themselves. They were expertly skilled musicians playing a new kind of punk: intelligent, soulful, hilarious, and complex. They were also really nice Canadian dudes.

NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion by Jason Lamb is the fully authorized oral and visual history of this highly influential and enigmatic band which has never been told before now. Author Jason Lamb obtained exclusive access to all four former members and interviewed hundreds of people in their orbit, from managers and roadies to fellow musicians, friends, and family members. The result is their complete story, from the band’s inception in 1979 to their retirement in 2016, along with hundreds of photos, posters, and memorabilia, much of which has never been seen publicly before.

For established fans, this book serves as a “love letter” to their favorite group and provides many details previously unknown. For those curious about the story and influence of NoMeansNo, it reveals an eye-opening tale of how a punk band could be world class musicians while truly “doing it themselves.” Their impact and importance cannot be overstated, and NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion is the essential archive.

10 Bands With More Members Than You’d Think Fit on a Stage

Eric Alper
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10 Bands With More Members Than You’d Think Fit on a Stage

Rock duos are cool, power trios are tight, and five-piece groups are the industry standard. But some bands blow right past the conventional lineup and go full orchestra. Whether they’re fueled by funk, driven by jazz, or operating like a small nation, these bands prove that sometimes, the more the merrier—especially when the groove’s that good.

Here are 10 bands known for having a lot of members. Like, “you need a bus and a backup bus” levels of big.

Arcade Fire
This Canadian indie rock collective often features 9 or more musicians on stage, and each one plays multiple instruments. From hurdy-gurdies to French horns, they’ve redefined what a rock band can sound like—equal parts chaotic and cathartic.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The lineup for this psych-rock cult favorite has included over 40 different members across its history. At any given time, you might see up to 10 musicians on stage. The only constant? Frontman Anton Newcombe and a commitment to beautiful, messy unpredictability.

The Polyphonic Spree
How many people does it take to sound like joy itself? Apparently about 20. With their choral robes and symphonic arrangements, The Polyphonic Spree is less a band and more a pop cult in the best way possible. Choir, strings, brass—you name it.

Earth, Wind & Fire
The mighty EW&F created timeless funk with a full horn section, multiple vocalists, and a rhythm army. During their peak, the group could roll 12-15 members deep, bringing a wall of sound and a lifetime of groove to every stage.

Snarky Puppy
This genre-defying fusion band packs jazz, funk, soul, and rock into one set, and they do it with a rotating lineup of 25+ musicians. Their live performances are communal, improvisational, and packed with more musical degrees than a conservatory.

Parliament-Funkadelic
George Clinton’s wild, psychedelic, genre-shattering collective was a movement. With over 30 members across its various incarnations, P-Funk turned every stage into a mothership and every performance into a cosmic trip.

Slipknot
Nine members. All masked. All heavy. From multiple percussionists to a dedicated sampler and DJ, Slipknot’s live shows are pure audio assault. It’s metal-meets-theater—and their on-stage chaos is tightly choreographed for maximum impact.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Part revival, part indie-folk caravan, this group often hit the road with 10 or more members. The communal vibes, layered harmonies, and spontaneous energy made their concerts feel more like a celebration than a performance.

Broken Social Scene
Canada strikes again with this indie-rock supergroup that seems to add members like most bands add pedals. Their lineup has included 15+ musicians, often featuring artists from Feist, Metric, and Stars. Think controlled chaos with horns.

Chicago
Blending rock with a full brass section since the late ‘60s, Chicago’s original lineup had 7 core members—and some shows featured up to 10 or more musicians. The had the massive hits still on the radio today, and built a sound that took up every inch of sonic space.

Your Life Is Your Music: 10 Habits That Mute the Soundtrack of Your Potential

Eric Alper
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Your Life Is Your Music: 10 Habits That Mute the Soundtrack of Your Potential

Every great artist has a routine. Every band has a rhythm. And every music lover knows that the best songs don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of daily practice, a little risk, and a lot of heart. Your life works the same way. Whether you’re a touring musician or just singing along in the shower, your habits shape the way your story sounds.

These aren’t just “bad habits.” They’re the off-key notes that can drain your time, your creativity, and your spark. So here’s a list, in the spirit of your favorite setlist, of 10 daily habits that might be wasting 90% of your energy—and what to do instead to crank the volume back up.

Hitting Replay on the Same Old Patterns
You wouldn’t listen to the same failed demo a thousand times and expect it to chart. So why keep living the same way and expect change? The chorus of your life will only shift when you start writing different verses.

Waiting for the Perfect Opening Act
If you wait for the “right time,” you’ll still be tuning your guitar long after the encore ends. The right time isn’t something you wait for—it’s what you create when you step into the spotlight, even if you’re not sure the mic is on.

Believing Stardom Happens Overnight
Nobody wakes up onstage at Madison Square Garden without thousands of hours in the garage. The same goes for happiness, purpose, and momentum. Make your peace with the grind—it’s your most loyal bandmate.

Avoiding the Stage Fright of Risk
Every performance is a gamble. Every new song is a leap of faith. If you’re not willing to risk the wrong chord, you’ll never play the ones that move people. Play anyway.

Letting Yesterday’s Booed Show Ruin Today’s Soundcheck
So the last gig bombed. Big deal. That doesn’t mean you cancel the tour. It means you recalibrate. A rejection isn’t the end of your story—it’s just a skipped track. Don’t let it define the album.

Blaming the Audience for a Flat Show
The crowd doesn’t owe you applause. You owe yourself growth. You can’t control the venue, the weather, or the noise—but you can rewrite your setlist. Own your next move, even if it’s a quiet acoustic reset.

Turning Down the Volume on New Sounds
Imagine if Dylan had refused to go electric. Or if the Beatles never let George Martin take the wheel. Stay open. Stay curious. Every great career is full of unexpected collaborations and evolving genres.

Letting Critics Write Your Liner Notes
There will always be someone who says your music sucks. Play it anyway. And turn it up. Don’t let the people who never bought a ticket keep you from hitting your notes.

Clinging to an Old Version of the Song
Maybe that chorus used to work. But if it’s no longer in tune with who you are, let it go. Not every idea becomes a classic—and that’s okay. Rework it, remix it, or leave it behind.

Expecting Every Show to Be a Standing Ovation
Sometimes the audience is quiet. Sometimes the lights glitch. Sometimes you forget the words. That doesn’t mean the show’s a failure. It means you’re human. Adjust your expectations, not your dreams.

Because here’s the truth: you are the producer, the songwriter, the headliner, and the roadie of your own life. And every day is a chance to record something new.

So tune up, soundcheck your mindset, and step out into the light.

The encore is waiting.

10 of the Greatest Songs Produced by George Martin – The Fifth Beatle’s Finest Moments

Eric Alper
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10 of the Greatest Songs Produced by George Martin – The Fifth Beatle’s Finest Moments

When it comes to legendary producers, George Martin has to be at the top, mostly because he helped invent the role. The classically trained arranger and studio magician shaped The Beatles’ sound while reshaping what a record producer could be. These 10 tracks are a testament to his genius, showing off his ability to turn tape, strings, and sonic experimentation into musical history. Here’s to the man behind the curtain.

“A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
A breathtaking final track for ‘Sgt. Pepper’s,’ Martin orchestrated one of the most audacious climaxes in rock history. That swelling 40-piece orchestra? That thunderous piano chord? That’s George Martin making chaos into beauty.

“All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles
Broadcast live to the world in 1967, Martin turned what could’ve been a chaotic moment into something timeless. He wove in La Marseillaise, Bach, Glenn Miller, and even a Beatles quote—proving love and production both benefit from a little imagination.

“Eleanor Rigby” – The Beatles
No drums. No guitars. Just a haunting string octet arranged by Martin and a tale of loneliness sung by Paul McCartney. Martin elevated the band’s storytelling ambitions and showed pop could be chamber music, too.

“I Am the Walrus” – The Beatles
Lennon’s surreal lyrics met their match in Martin’s fearless production. From tape loops to swirling orchestras to a live radio feed, this is studio madness held together by a man who understood how to harness the absurd.

“Live and Let Die” – Paul McCartney & Wings
Martin reunited with McCartney for this James Bond theme, delivering one of the most explosive orchestral rock arrangements ever. It’s cinema, drama, and swagger—everything Bond and McCartney should be.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” – The Beatles
Two takes—one mellow, one bombastic—blended together by Martin’s studio sorcery. This psychedelic masterpiece was stitched together like a dream, and it still sounds like one. Martin made the impossible seamless.

“Yesterday” – The Beatles
It’s easy to forget how revolutionary this was: one Beatle, one acoustic guitar, and a string quartet arranged by Martin. It helped redefine what a pop ballad could be and became one of the most covered songs of all time.

“Help!” – The Beatles
This isn’t just a catchy title track. Under Martin’s guidance, it turned into a powerful blend of pop immediacy and emotional weight, with Lennon’s cry for help masked by musical brightness. Martin knew when to step in—and when to let the feelings come through.

“Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End” – The Beatles
Martin’s masterstroke on Abbey Road was making this suite feel like one breath. He tied together Paul’s lullaby, Ringo’s only drum solo, and that triple guitar duel with elegance. The real end of The Beatles—and Martin made sure they went out like gods.

“Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” – The Beatles
Inspired by an antique circus poster, Lennon dreamed it up—and Martin made it fly. Organs, harmoniums, tape loops, and calliopes swirl into a Victorian fever dream. Without Martin, this would be just text on paper.

20 Music Documentaries You’ll Love Even If You’ve Seen 1,000

Eric Alper
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20 Music Documentaries You’ll Love Even If You’ve Seen 1,000

You can tell a lot about a band by what they say in a rehearsal room, on a bus at 3 a.m., or between takes at the studio. These 20 music documentaries crack open the backstage door and show you the heart, hustle, heartbreak, and hilarity behind some of the greatest sounds of our time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering these artists, every one of these films offers a front-row seat to music history.

Amy (2015)
This documentary on Amy Winehouse is as devastating as it is beautiful. We watch her rise from jazz-obsessed teen to Grammy-winning star, only to see fame and addiction consume her. Told through archival footage and her own voice, it’s raw, real, and unforgettable.

Beastie Boys Story (2020)
Part concert, part TED Talk, this live documentary features Mike D and Ad-Rock walking us through the Beastie Boys’ evolution from punk brats to genre-redefining icons. Directed by Spike Jonze, it’s packed with laughs, honesty, and love for their late bandmate MCA.

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2012)
Big Star never got their due in their time, but their influence is everywhere. This doc is a deep-dive into their brief, brilliant burst of power-pop glory and the tragedy that kept them cult heroes instead of household names.

The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
Peter Jackson turned 60 hours of studio footage into a surprisingly joyful hangout with The Beatles. It rewrites everything you thought you knew about their breakup and shows their creative magic happening in real time.

The Defiant Ones (2017)
This four-part doc tells the story of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre—two legends from very different worlds who shaped the future of music. From Springsteen to N.W.A. to Beats by Dre, it’s a masterclass in reinvention.

Dig! (2004)
Two bands, one friendship, and a whole lot of chaos. Dig! follows the intersecting (and often colliding) paths of The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It’s a wild ride through ego, artistry, and the price of not playing the game.

Don’t Look Back (1967)
Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England is captured in grainy black-and-white, and every second crackles with tension, wit, and revolution. One of the most influential music docs ever made, it’s still the template for all artist-as-enigma narratives.

20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
You may not know their names, but you’ve heard their voices a thousand times. This Oscar-winning film spotlights the powerhouse backup singers behind the greatest hits in history—and finally gives them their spotlight.

Gimme Shelter (1970)
The Rolling Stones’ 1969 U.S. tour ends in tragedy at Altamont, and this documentary captures the beauty and horror in equal measure. A haunting look at the end of the ’60s, as idealism gives way to darkness.

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song (2021)
It’s about one song—but really, it’s about everything. The long, strange road of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is a perfect entry point into the mystery of a man who wrote like a prophet and lived like a poet.

Miss Americana (2020)
Taylor Swift opens up more than she ever has before in this Netflix doc, revealing the cost of fame, the pain of reinvention, and the power of speaking out. Whether you’re a Swiftie or not, you’ll leave impressed by her control of the narrative.

Moonage Daydream (2022)
This is not your typical biopic. It’s a kaleidoscopic deep-dive into the art and philosophy of David Bowie, full of sound and vision. A sensory overload that captures Bowie’s essence better than any straight biography could.

Muscle Shoals (2013)
Alabama may seem an unlikely place for soul music to thrive, but the small town of Muscle Shoals became a hit-making mecca. This film shows how black and white musicians made magic together in a racially divided South.

The Punk Singer (2013)
Kathleen Hanna helped spark the riot grrrl movement and reshaped punk for the better. This doc traces her path from Bikini Kill to Le Tigre to silence and back again, giving the feminist rock icon her due.

Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
In the U.S., Rodriguez was a forgotten folk singer. In South Africa, he was bigger than Elvis. This stunning documentary uncovers one of music’s greatest mysteries, and ends with a resurrection you have to see to believe.

Shut Up and Sing (2006)
When The Chicks spoke out against the Iraq War, they were nearly canceled. This film captures their fight to speak their truth and stay creative in the face of backlash. It’s one of the best music docs about freedom of expression.

Some Kind of Monster (2004)
Metallica + group therapy = one of the most gripping rock docs ever made. This film is part soap opera, part existential crisis, and all incredibly human—even if you’ve never listened to “Enter Sandman.”

Stop Making Sense (1984)
Is it a concert film? A work of art? Both. Jonathan Demme’s collaboration with Talking Heads is kinetic, joyful, and one of the best live performances ever put on screen. You’ll be dancing in your living room by minute five.

Summer of Soul (2021)
Questlove unearthed footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival and turned it into a jaw-dropping, soul-affirming celebration of Black excellence. A must-watch reminder that history often hides its best chapters.

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
Nina Simone’s life was as turbulent as it was trailblazing. This documentary doesn’t shy away from the pain, brilliance, and political fire that fueled her artistry—and changed the world.

Hannah Anders Releases Emotional Country Ballad “Means More Now” Honoring Life’s Quiet Wisdom

Eric Alper
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Hannah Anders Releases Emotional Country Ballad “Means More Now” Honoring Life’s Quiet Wisdom

Nashville country artist Hannah Anders releases new single “Means More Now.” The single is now available on all digital streaming platforms. “Means More Now” delivers the timeless feel of an early 2000s country ballad, driven by raw feeling and strong lyrical storytelling.

The song reflects on how simple advice or a phone call can take on deeper meaning with time, shattering and healing our hearts all at once. Standout lyrics like: “Call your people on the phone while you got time / doesn’t take too long before you call the line / just to hear the voicemail sound / you pray that someone never comes along and takes it down / ’cause they ain’t around / and it means more now,” depict the vast wave of emotion Anders makes us feel with this new track.

When asked about her new single, Anders states, “‘Means More Now’ is one of those songs that felt special from the moment it was written. As we journey through life, we gain wisdom, lose loved ones, and experience moments that shape who we are. Things that once seemed ordinary – like the advice of a friend, a simple phone call to someone you love, or a word of comfort when you needed it most – are the moments that end up meaning the most. “Means More Now” is a tribute to those small, but invaluable, gems of wisdom, love, and connection that hold us together. It’s a reminder that the things we often take for granted are the things that truly matter.”

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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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