Home Blog Page 817

Yamaha Announces 2025 Young Performing Artists Competition Winners

Eric Alper
-
0
Yamaha Announces 2025 Young Performing Artists Competition Winners

Yamaha has announced the 11 winners of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. The competition is designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional young musicians studying in the United States and excelling in classical, jazz, and contemporary music genres.

“Each of the 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition Winners are extraordinarily unique and gifted!” said John Wittmann, associate vice president of artist relations. “The real magic happens when they come together and perform their chosen works, including some original pieces for the exuberant audience at the Bands of America Summer Camp in June. The YYPA winners have earned this recognition and will never forget this once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. Yamaha remains committed to music education and we will continue to help guide young music makers into rewarding careers. The YYPA Program is exciting and deeply fulfilling to us.”

Musicians skilled in brass, wind, string, percussion, and piano were invited to submit a video audition along with supporting materials. A panel of Yamaha Artists, experts, and national celebrity musicians evaluated each submission to determine this year’s distinguished winners.

The 2025 YYPA Winners:

Beneditto Caroccio – Flute – San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Ian McEdwards – Clarinet – Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Zachary Costello – Saxophone – Eastman School of Music
Jonathan Arcangel – Saxophone – University of North Texas
Sarah Goldberg – Trombone – The Juilliard School
Andrew Kim – Trombone – Michigan State University
Kai Gray – Percussion – Eastman School of Music
Yukai Yang – Drum Set – Berklee College of Music
Gaeun Kim – Cello – The Juilliard School
Yanzuo Nicole Liu – Piano – Eastman School of Music
Roman Goron – Piano – Shoreline Community College

The 2025 YYPA Honorable Mentions:

Joshua Jung – Oboe – Vanderbilt University
Harrison Kim – Clarinet – Eastman School of Music
Shenghao Wang – Bassoon – The Colburn School
Nate Spratford – Saxophone – Vanderbilt University
Seowon Kwak – Trumpet – Berklee College of Music
Glenn Choe – Percussion – Manhattan School of Music
Greyson Geisness – Viola – Interlochen Arts Academy
Christopher Yao – Piano – Eastman School of Music

The YYPA program has served as a vital platform for Yamaha to connect with and honor young, talented musicians. This competition has recognized over 300 exceptional musicians, many of whom have gone on to forge successful careers as performers and educators. Notable past winners include Leelanee Sterrett, horn of the New York Philharmonic; Paul Cornish, Blue Note recording Artist and pianist with Joshua Redman; and Matthew Ross, second flute with the National Symphony Orchestra.

The 2025 YYPA winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the YYPA Celebration Weekend from June 21 to 24, 2025. This event coincides with the Bands of America Summer Camp, held at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, from June 23 to June 28, 2025. The guest artist for the 2025 YYPA Celebration Weekend will be 2004 YYPA winner and Yamaha artist Michael Dease.

The winners will perform in front of a unique audience, receive national media coverage, and participate in workshops to launch a professional music career. Additionally, the 2025 winners will benefit from services and support offered by Yamaha Artist Relations, including professional audio and video recordings, as well as photography of their live performances. This exceptional experience promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the winners to establish themselves within the music industry.

To learn more about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program and the winners, visit yamaha.io/YYPA2025.

H&M’s S/S 2025 Collection Blends Bohemian Spirit with Rock ‘n’ Roll Edge With Tyla, FKA twigs and Caroline Polachek

Eric Alper
-
0
H&M’s S/S 2025 Collection Blends Bohemian Spirit with Rock ‘n’ Roll Edge With Tyla, FKA twigs and Caroline Polachek

H&M’s S/S 2025 collection is an ode to femininity: an intriguing exploration of moods, sensibilities and identities. The campaign features a diverse collective of inspiring female icons including musicians Tyla, FKA twigs and Caroline Polachek, among others. The collection and campaign showcase H&M’s strong fashion vision, exceptional design and collaboration across the music and fashion fields. The first drop of H&M’s S/S 2025 Collection will be available in select store and www.hm.com from March 20th, 2025.

The collection will be released in two chapters that complement each other as well as offer unique perspective and attitude, paying homage to the multi-faceted nature of contemporary femininity. The first drop evokes an air of ethereal bohemian, offering a fresh take on Spring style, fit for festival dressing to city chic with nods to iconic glam rock musicians and romantic styling.

“This season, we were inspired by different stages and moments of women’s lives and the richness of femininity. We wanted to offer exceptional pieces that bring energy and light. A sense of escape felt very relevant: we wanted to play with a beautiful bohemia, rock icons and festival freedom,” says Eliana Masgalos, Design Director, H&M.

The mood is a subtle and dreamy nostalgia, which blends past and present in captivating ways. Vintage-style pieces are updated with an urban and refined edge, combining looks from the 70’s, 90’s, and today. The mood is carefree yet sharply confident.

The collection is rich in classic rock ‘n’ roll staples from voluminous sheer blouses to lace-up shirts and tunics. Pieces include intriguing textural detailing such as ornate edging on collars and cuffs, intricately crocheted dresses, mini-skirts with braiding or stitch embellishments, and laser-cut pleated ruffle skirts. The structured and tougher elements add balance – from a striking studded blazer to a 70s multi-pocket jacket in leather.

Accessories speak to boho spirit featuring slouchy shoulder bags in a variety of sizes and finishes, including lace-up seams. These can be styled with snake-print slippers and waist-belts, and festival-ready biker boots. Jewelry includes antique-style pendant necklaces, tassel earrings, chunky bangles and chokers, rings and elegant cuffs in metal and resin-style materials.

The collection is the perfect start for Spring: filled with a sense of freedom, vitality, spirit and light. H&M will celebrate the launch with a festival blending fashion and music in Los Angeles on April 9th. This event will pay homage to the city, celebrating its dynamic relationship to cinema, sound and style. More details will be announced.

USPS Celebrates Native American Culture with Powwow Stamps

Eric Alper
-
0
USPS Celebrates Native American Culture with Powwow Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service has released a new set of Forever stamps honoring the vibrant traditions of Native American powwows. The Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture stamps feature original artwork by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero, capturing the dynamic movements and rich regalia of Indigenous dancers. The four designs highlight the Women’s Traditional Dance, Crow Hop Dance, Men’s Hoop Dance, and Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance.

Powwows are a cornerstone of Indigenous culture, bringing together communities through dance, music, and tradition. The largest of these gatherings, the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, NM, attracts over 100,000 attendees each year.

Designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, these Forever stamps will always hold the value of a First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp- inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.

TRIBIT Unveils StormBox Lava Speaker: Power, Performance, and Portability in One

Eric Alper
-
0
TRIBIT Unveils StormBox Lava Speaker: Power, Performance, and Portability in One

TRIBIT, a global brand dedicated to accessible high-quality audio, is excited to announce the launch of its latest powerhouse: the TRIBIT StormBox Lava Speaker. With a rugged, nature-inspired design, this portable Bluetooth speaker combines advanced technology and immersive sound for an exceptional audio experience. Ideal for home, outdoor adventures, or social gatherings, the Lava Speaker lets you enjoy your favorite tunes anytime, anywhere, with style and ease.

Powerful booming sound: Equipped with TRIBIT’s exclusive XBass technology, dual 30W neodymium Magnet Woofers and dual 10W Silk Dome Tweeters, the StormBox Lava delivers an ultra-deep downward bass of 43Hz and an impressive 80W output, producing explosive sound with deep bass, crisp highs, and rich mids for an unbeatable listening experience.

Elevate any audio experience: The StormBox Lava is the ultimate entertainment hub! Sync 160+ speakers in Party Mode, enjoy hands-free calling, charge your devices on the go with reverse charging, and fine-tune your sound with customizable EQ.

24-hour playtime: Powered by 6 high-capacity batteries and TRIBIT’s patented RunStretch® technology, it delivers 24 hours of nonstop playtime, keeping the party going from day to night without a hitch.

Seamless Connectivity: Crafted with premium materials and powered by a TI Amplifier Chip and Bluetooth 5.4, the Lava Speaker ensures a stable, instant connection with smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices.

Shoulder strap included with detachable handle: The IP67-rated StormBox Lava speaker comes with dual straps of different lengths for easy carrying and stylish versatility.

The TRIBIT Lava Speaker offers premium features at an affordable price of $129.99, available now on tribit.com, Amazon, Aliexpress, and local distributors. A grey option arrives in May.

CMRRA Distributes Over $96M in Royalties for 2024, Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Major Industry Initiatives

Eric Alper
-
0
CMRRA Distributes Over $96M in Royalties for 2024, Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Major Industry Initiatives

The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency, innovators in licensing and royalty administration for over 50 years, announced today the distribution of over $96 million in royalties to its music publisher and self-published songwriter clients for the 2024 fiscal year.

“We’re proud to have distributed over $96 million in mechanical royalties in 2024,” said Paul Shaver, President of CMRRA. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the success of music publishers and self-published songwriters, who continue to inspire our work and push us to consistently raise the bar.

Overall, distributions saw a 23% increase from 2023, driven by significant growth across multiple revenue streams. Streaming led the way with a 38% rise, while physical formats continued their steady performance with a 12% increase. International revenues also surged by 50%, highlighting the global strength of the market. Notably, TikTok royalties saw an impressive 126% jump, reflecting the platform’s growing impact on music consumption. Interestingly, despite the shift toward streaming, digital downloads experienced a 62% increase.

“We are continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of our clients, and music publishers and self-published songwriters remain our top priority,” Shaver continued. “Our focus is on delivering exceptional support and creating opportunities that empower them to succeed in an industry that is constantly transforming. By enhancing our services and streamlining processes, we are driving increased revenue to ensure their continued growth and success.”

2024 CMRRA Highlights

  • Renewed licensing agreements with major online music platforms including Apple, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tidal, TikTok, and YouTube, at increased rates to safeguard clients’ works and ensure proper royalty distribution.
  • 360 new clients affiliated with CMRRA, with an additional 172 clients added for International Collections via SX Works.
  • CMRRA’s electronic Song Registration Form, an alternative to the Common Works Registration (CWR) format, benefited over 200 clients, facilitating the processing of more than 44,000 musical work registrations.
  • Continued building strong industry partnerships by collaborating with new and returning partners such as JUNOS, CCMA, Women in Music Canada, Honey Jam, and adding Billboard Canada, Young Music Professionals, and Songwriters Association of Canada.
  • SX Works partnered with Fender Play to streamline global licensing and administration, ensuring accurate compensation for music publishers, Collective Management Organization (CMO)’s, Performing Rights Organizations (PRO)’s, and songwriters.

As CMRRA steps into 2025, the agency is excited to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Over the past five decades, CMRRA has firmly established itself as Canada’s leading reproduction rights agency, constantly evolving to keep pace with the emergence of new technology and the resulting impact on modes of music consumption. To mark this milestone, CMRRA has unveiled a special edition of its logo, which will be featured throughout the year, and has launched an anniversary theme of The Pulse, their monthly newsletter. The newsletter will highlight the milestones that have shaped CMRRA’s history while looking ahead to the future. Each month, The Pulse will spotlight key individuals who have played an instrumental role in CMRRA’s growth and success. These contributors will share their reflections on the past five decades, discuss the organization’s evolution, and offer their vision for the next 50 years. These stories will capture the essence of CMRRA’s journey and its continued drive for innovation. The February edition can be viewed here. The March edition can be viewed here.

Looking toward the future, CMRRA remains committed to exploring new opportunities to support the framework for legal AI licensing and building on the work we’ve done on expanding the licensing of post-sync audiovisual activity. This refers to all downstream reproduction activity that occurs subsequent to the initial synchronization of music within audiovisual productions, such as streaming on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.

The publishing community can continue to count on CMRRA to work collaboratively with all of our industry partners, thus ensuring our continued goal of achieving fair compensation and effective rights management, in an ever-evolving music landscape.

The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA), a SoundExchange company, represents the vast majority of the music publishers doing business in Canada.  Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, CMRRA has been at the forefront of the evolving music rights landscape, licensing dozens of digital services, including all major online music platforms operating in Canada. It licenses, collects, and distributes royalties for the majority of songs recorded, sold and broadcast in Canada. For more information, please visit cmrra.ca.

The Radio City Rockettes Celebrate 100 Years With Major Announcements Including A Nationwide Talent Search

Eric Alper
-
0
The Radio City Rockettes Celebrate 100 Years With Major Announcements Including A Nationwide Talent Search

The Radio City Rockettes announced today that the iconic precision dance company is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, with celebrations beginning today and continuing throughout the year, including at the 2025 Christmas Spectacular. Founded in St. Louis, MO in 1925, the Rockettes are the longest-running precision dance company in America and world-renowned for their signature Rockettes Precision Dance Technique. As part of this milestone anniversary, the Rockettes also announced an expansion of their prestigious dancer development program, which kicks off with the 2025 Rockettes open call auditions on April 22 at Radio City Music Hall. Additionally, to honor the thousands of women who have kicked up their heels on the Rockettes line over the last century, the dance company is launching Rockettes Legacy™ with the mission of fostering lifelong connections for all former Rockettes and preserving the Rockettes extraordinary history through a living archive. To learn more about the Rockettes 100th anniversary, visit rockettes.com/100.

“Over the last century, the Rockettes have entertained hundreds of millions of people with their unparalleled athleticism, grace and unity,” said Jessica Tuttle, Executive Vice President, Productions for Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., the parent company of the Radio City Rockettes. “This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the enduring legacy of the Rockettes and honor the rich history of these trailblazing women who are part of a unique sisterhood. As we look to the future, we commit to the continued evolution of the line and to inspiring generations of women to follow their dreams.”

As the stars of the annual Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, the Rockettes perform for more than one million people each holiday season at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Dancers hoping to join the Rockettes line in its 100th year can attend open call auditions at Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday, April 22, with callbacks taking place on April 23 and 24. At the audition, dancers will be considered for a coveted spot on the Rockettes line for the 2025 Christmas Spectacular or an invitation to participate in the company’s no-fee dancer development program. And, as part of their commitment to ensuring that all dancers see themselves represented on the line, the dance company is again expanding its development programming with the launch of Rockettes Preparatory – a complement to the existing Rockettes Conservatory offering.

The goal of the Rockettes dancer development program is to provide opportunities for more dancers to receive the unique training needed to learn the Rockettes Precision Dance Technique. The program ensures the dance company continues to evolve by attracting the best dancers from all backgrounds. The new Rockettes Preparatory, which launches for the first time this summer, provides dancers who are less familiar with the Rockettes Precision Dance Technique with a well-rounded curriculum that introduces the dance company’s signature style and repertoire. The sister program, Rockettes Conservatory, was launched in 2020 and serves as a training intensive for more advanced, pre-professional dancers who are already familiar with the Rockettes Precision Dance Technique.

The addition of Rockettes Preparatory creates an inclusive, multi-step pipeline that fosters long-term growth for promising dancers to potentially join the Rockettes line one day – there is no fee for invited dancers to attend Preparatory or Conservatory, and participants are provided transportation to/from New York City and lodging, if needed, as well as meals for the duration of their session. Over the past five years, more than 500 dancers have participated in the Rockettes dancer development programming, with 59 of those dancers going on to become Rockettes themselves – joining a sisterhood that transcends generations.

Rockettes Legacy was launched earlier this year as a centralized, inclusive community for all former Rockettes to celebrate what all Rockettes know, whether they were on the line for one year or twenty: once a Rockette, always a Rockette. All former Rockettes are encouraged to join Rockettes Legacy and share their story at rockettes.com/rockettes-legacy to contribute to the ever-growing archive of photos, videos and first-person stories about their time on the line. Rockettes Legacy members recently united with current Rockettes on the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 100th anniversary. See the heartwarming moment here.

Initially known as the “Missouri Rockets” at the time of their founding, the dance company relocated to New York City in 1927 before finally settling at their home – Radio City Music Hall – in 1932 and becoming known as the Rockettes. In 1933, the annual Christmas Spectacular began and still features the original, classic number “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” Beginning in the 1930s and for more than 40 years, the Rockettes performed as the opening act for films at Radio City including “King Kong,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Mary Poppins” and “White Christmas.”

The Rockettes have been part of Americana throughout their history: they were among the first entertainers to volunteer for the USO during WWII, entertaining troops both at home and abroad – a partnership that continued into the 2010s – and they have performed annually in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957. Over the years, the Rockettes have starred in other original productions at Radio City – including a long running Easter Extravaganza, New York Spring Spectacular, and New York Spectacular. In 1988, the Rockettes performed in the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and the dance company has performed for multiple United States Presidents of both parties, including at two Presidential Inaugurations and other Presidential celebrations. For 20 years beginning in the mid-1990s, the Rockettes performed for more than 12 million people in 80 cities across North America with the touring production of the Christmas Spectacular.

More recently, the Rockettes have appeared at the Tony Awards, the MTV VMAs, the NYC Pride Parade, MLB’s Home Run Derby, and the NBA All-Star Game; on programs such as “Saturday Night Live,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Today,” “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon;” and in the Hallmark film “A Holiday Spectacular.” The Rockettes have also rocked social media with their dance videos and fun takes on viral trends, amassing a social media fan base of more than 5.5 million followers. They’ve danced alongside the likes of the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Stephen Colbert, James Corden, Cynthia Erivo, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Garner, Kevin Hart, Jennifer Lopez, Kacey Musgraves, Leslie Odom Jr., Pitbull, Michael Strahan, Meghan Trainor and more.

To learn more about the Rockettes 100th anniversary, visit rockettes.com/100. Sign up to get the latest Rockettes news, information about events, and Christmas Spectacular ticket updates at rockettes.com.

In order to audition for the Rockettes, dancers must be at least 18 years of age and register in advance at RadioCityAuditions.com. In 2024, more than 800 dancers from 47 states and 24 countries attended the Rockettes open call auditions at Radio City. In order to be considered for and invited to participate in the Rockettes dancer development programming, dancers must attend the April auditions or be invited by the Rockettes creative team through talent scouting at colleges, universities, leading dance institutions and partner organizations, such as International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), Harlem School of the Arts and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Photo Gallery: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and The Teskey Brothers at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena March 21, 2025

Eric Alper
-
0
Photo Gallery: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and The Teskey Brothers at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena March 21, 2025

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram.

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
The Teskey Brothers
The Teskey Brothers
The Teskey Brothers
The Teskey Brothers

Cold Fame’s ‘Jawbreaker’ Hits Like a Sucker Punch-Sweet, Dangerous, and Impossible to Resist

Eric Alper
-
0
Cold Fame’s ‘Jawbreaker’ Hits Like a Sucker Punch-Sweet, Dangerous, and Impossible to Resist

There’s a moment in every great rock song where recklessness meets precision—a tension between control and abandon. Cold Fame’s latest single “Jawbreaker” captures that electrifying push and pull, threading alt-rock grit with cinematic intensity. The British Columbia-based duo, made up of Jodi Pederson and Damian Anthony, are crafting soundtracks for the beautifully unhinged moments in life.

“Jawbreaker” is a full-throttle collision between desire, danger, and defiance. “He’s not my usual type / In fact, he’s pretty far from it,” Pederson sings in the opening line, her voice cutting through the track’s pulsing beat like neon against a midnight skyline. But this isn’t a story about caution. This is about temptation and the thrill of throwing yourself into something you know might ruin you. “Like a sugar rush in my head / Candy rush on my tongue / I could taste you all night long”—it’s a fever dream set to a stadium-sized chorus, dripping with the kind of reckless energy that feels like a car racing toward the edge of a cliff.

Produced by Kevin Maher (Carly Rae Jepsen, Fake Shark) and Mike Noble (Hotel Mira), “Jawbreaker” explodes with high-octane guitar work, thunderous drums, and a sneaky, serpentine saxophone solo from co-writer Grant Zubritsky (Dua Lipa, Tegan & Sara). The track is the first single from Cold Fame’s upcoming EP, Love, Lust & Violence, a project that promises to dive headfirst into the themes that have always fueled rock’s most dangerous and exhilarating moments.

Pederson describes the song as a personal rebellion, a moment of surrender to the part of herself she’s spent years suppressing. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve chased this idea of being the ‘perfect girl,’” she says. “That led me to suppress so much of my wild, authentic nature. ‘Jawbreaker’ is my release from that.” That tension—between self-restraint and unapologetic indulgence—drives the track forward with an urgency that never lets up.

The song came together in a blur of inspiration. Damian Anthony, a producer and multi-instrumentalist, laid down the first sparks of “Jawbreaker” while stuck on a ferry between Vancouver Island and the mainland. “I had an hour and a half, a laptop, and a need to get something out,” he says. “By the time I made it to the studio, the foundation was there, and we just ran with it.” That raw, kinetic energy is felt in every second of the track, an anthem for anyone who’s ever craved a little chaos in their life.

Cold Fame is no stranger to turning heads in the alt-pop/rock world. Their breakout hit “Hello Reaper” held strong on Canadian alternative radio for nine weeks, peaking at #29, while their 2024 debut album, RED ROOM, saw them playing sold-out shows and earning festival spots alongside acts like Gwen Stefani, Fleet Foxes, and The Blue Stones. They’ve built a reputation for their ferocious live energy, seamlessly blending rock and pop’s edge with the emotional punch of cinematic pop.

With “Jawbreaker”, Cold Fame cements their place as one of Canada’s most compelling alt-pop/rock acts, setting the stage for their upcoming EP, Love, Lust & Violence, arriving later in 2025. As they continue their sonic evolution, one thing is clear: this band isn’t just here to play along—they’re here to take over.

Toronto Rockers LOST PITCH Bring Back The 90s In New Single “Speaking Silences”

Eric Alper
-
0
Toronto Rockers LOST PITCH Bring Back The 90s In New Single “Speaking Silences”

Toronto indie rockers Lost Pitch continue their ascent with the release of Speaking Silences, a mesmerizing new single that captures the dark beauty of love, control, and obsession. Channeling the rich textures of ‘90s alternative rock, the Toronto-based band draws inspiration from the likes of Oasis, Radiohead, and The Verve, crafting a sound that is both nostalgic and fiercely original. With Speaking Silences, Lost Pitch isn’t just delivering a song—they’re building an immersive world.

“Speaking Silences is about the kind of love that blinds you,” shares songwriter Erick Vidal. “The kind where you don’t realize you’re losing yourself until it’s too late.” Inspired by a close friend’s toxic relationship, the song’s melancholic dreamscape unravels into a slow-burning nightmare, a sonic journey shaped by Abbey Road Studios’ legendary mastering engineer Frank Arkwright (Oasis, The Verve, Blur).

To accompany the track, Lost Pitch is unveiling two distinct videos—a raw, vintage-inspired performance video, shot in Toronto, and a cinematic short film, a thriller dripping with mystery and hidden clues.

Filmed during one of Toronto’s most intense snowstorms, the short film immerses viewers in a world of seduction, secrecy, and deception, with visual storytelling that lingers long after the final frame.

“Speaking Silences” follows Lost Pitch’s well-received 2024 debut EP Friends & Foes, which introduced their signature mix of melodic storytelling and immersive soundscapes. The band—Erick Vidal (vocals/guitar), Leandro Motta (vocals/bass), Ricardo Santos (guitar), and Alex Mine (drums)—has quickly established itself as a formidable force in indie and alternative rock, even gaining international recognition for their animated music video Not So Sure (Excalibur?).

As anticipation builds for their upcoming full-length album, Speaking Silences is a bold artistic statement—one that challenges listeners to look beyond the surface. Because sometimes, the loudest truths are the ones left unspoken.

Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years with Star-Studded PBS Special Featuring Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Tracy Chapman, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile

Eric Alper
-
0
Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years with Star-Studded PBS Special Featuring Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Tracy Chapman, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile

Austin City Limits commemorates half a century of unforgettable performances and iconic moments with a two-hour primetime broadcast, AUSTIN CITY LIMITS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS, on Friday, April 4, 2025, 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App. Music luminaries and some of the brightest stars in the iconic live music television series five-decade history return to the fabled ACL stage for this landmark anniversary.

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS, the capstone of the groundbreaking series golden jubilee celebrations, pays tribute to this historic milestone and features dazzling new performances, heartfelt artist interviews, legendary artists and exclusive rarely-seen vintage footage from ACL’s extensive archives, highlighting iconic moments that have defined the show and shaped culture.

The program features themed highlights from ACL’s expansive show archives, each culminating with an original performance or artist interview. Segments will look back on defining moments and appearances in the show’s storied history, as well as performance milestones.

Relive unforgettable moments in ACL history through a time capsule of clips featuring Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt, The Chicks, Tracy Chapman and Lauryn Hill; forecast ACL’s future via recent appearances including Kacey Musgraves, Foo Fighters, Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste, Brandi Carlile, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Noah Kahan and Jelly Roll.

The performances, created exclusively for AUSTIN CITY LIMITS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS, include choice collaborations, and one-of-a-kind offerings from an all-star slate of music’s finest, many making a return to the ACL stage. The broadcast line-up features (in order of appearance): Chris Stapleton, The Mavericks, Leon Bridges, Indigo Girls, Brandy Clark, Cam, Ángela Aguilar, Shawn Colvin, Lyle Lovett, Billy Strings featuring Sierra Hull, Rufus Wainwright and Gary Clark Jr. joined by Eve Monsees; the special is co-hosted by Austin-based actors Jared and Genevieve Padalecki. All acts were captured live at ACL’s studio home, ACL Live at the Moody Theater in downtown Austin.

Country superstar and multi-Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton honors ACL Hall of Fame icon and pilot star Willie Nelson with a powerful performance of Nelson’s classic “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.”

ACL’s renowned songwriter circles, a series’ hallmark in the ’80s and ’90s, get reprised by a trio of storyteller songwriting greats: folk rock duo Indigo Girls (who appeared on an all-female circle in 1992) return to lead an intimate round-robin with celebrated singer-songwriter Brandy Clark and multi-platinum country artist Cam. The artists first trade off songs, then verses on the Girls’ classic anthem “Closer To Fine.”

Contemporary artists who’ve carved their name in ACL history return for the occasion: Grammy Award-winning next-generation bluegrass star Billy Strings, one of music’s most popular live acts, celebrates ACL’s legacy of presenting American roots music via a captivating performance with mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Leon Bridges, a Lone Star original, delivers a fan-favorite; Rufus Wainwright, an artist who made history with the show’s first taping minus a live audience due to the pandemic, returns backed by a string section for a towering ACL performance; Rock and country trailblazers and renowned party-starters The Mavericks perform a sparkling number, amplified by a horn section, that has the audience on their feet.

ACL’s long-standing history of showcasing Latin acts – dating back to season one – is celebrated with thrilling footage featuring superstars Juanes, Rosalía, Cimafunk and many more, topped by a stunning debut performance by Latin Grammy and Grammy-nominated breakout star Ángela Aguilar, joined by Mexico’s legendary showmen Trio Los Panchos.

ACL celebrates its Hall of Fame honorees-artists who have been instrumental in making the series into the music institution it is today-with highlights from the music-filled induction salutes featuring Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson and more, capped by an original performance from ACL Hall of Fame greats Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin.

In a salute to ACL Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Ray Vaughan’s iconic Austin City Limits appearances (1984/1989), Grammy-winning guitar great Gary Clark Jr. and blues guitar ace Eve Monsees team up to thrill with a two-song knockout of the Texas six-string giant’s classics.

Longtime Austin City Limits devotees and supporters Jared and Genevieve Padalecki (Gilmore Girls, Supernatural, Walker), host the celebratory evening, sharing anecdotes on ACL tapings they’ve personally attended as music fans.

Austin City Limits was born on October 17, 1974, when Willie Nelson taped the pilot episode and the program premiered on PBS in 1975. That now legendary Willie debut became the cornerstone for 50 years of groundbreaking, award-winning music television. Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history, offering viewers a front row seat to the best in live performance. A monument to music, Austin City Limits has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the flagship of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark designation, and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 2024, the show’s longtime executive producer Terry Lickona was awarded public television’s highest honor, The Beacon Award, presented by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl. The esteemed award pays tribute to individuals whose work inspires Americans and enriches our nation, in keeping with the mission of PBS. AUSTIN CITY LIMITS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS is the culmination of a full season of programming celebrating the landmark anniversary, which included the return of Willie Nelson for a special homecoming concert to celebrate the show and mark the half-century milestone of his pilot taping.

“The entire history of Austin City Limits has been about music legacy and music discovery,” said executive producer Terry Lickona, who in turn marks his 48th year with the program. “It’s about original, authentic music from every genre, anywhere and everywhere. An eclectic music program like ours couldn’t exist anywhere else but PBS, thanks to a half-century of support for public media.”

1...816817818...3,014Page 817 of 3,014

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

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

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper