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MonoNeon Announces New Album ‘You Had Your Chance…Bad Attitude’ and 2025 World Tour

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Today, MonoNeon – the bass virtuoso and funk originalist has announced a new studio album titled You Had Your Chance…Bad Attitude. The 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. To mark the occasion he’s released the first single, “Bad Attitude” out today. As the last bassist to play regularly with Prince, you can hear the luminary’s influence on MonoNeon’s writing in this track.

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.

Last month, MonoNeon teamed up with comedian Katt Williams, the legendary George Clinton and the GRAMMY winning producer, songwriter and rapper James Fauntleroy (Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, SZA) to release “God Reason” – an interstellar journey that was also released via Floki Studios (Color Red). Watch the animated visualizer directed and created by Cody A. Banks.

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. Today, MonoNeon has also announced 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. 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

Vera Farmiga’s The Yagas and Gogol Bordello Release Live “Chervona Ruta” Video to Support Ukraine

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Alt rock band The Yagas, fronted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Vera Farmiga, and international punk band Gogol Bordello, led by Eugene Hütz, have released a live video for the popular Ukrainian love song “Chervona Ruta” from their performance earlier this month at Assembly in Kingston, NY.

With Vera and Eugene both of Ukrainian heritage, this special video release is their way of shedding light on Ukrainian culture and language while also helping those in need by raising money for Support Action Ukraine, an organization launched at the start of the war to provide humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian population. In addition to donating directly via the live video link, The Yagas and Gogol Bordello have created a limited-edition t-shirt for “Chervona Ruta” with all proceeds going to Support Action Ukraine. PRESS HERE to purchase.

The Yagas, who made their live debut at the Kingston show, and Eugene will next perform “Chervona Ruta” together at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, April 5th at the Casa Gogol Records Presents: NEW NEW YORK event. PRESS HERE for tickets.

“I’m a first generation American. I was raised in the Ukrainian diaspora of New Jersey, instilled with an immense pride of my family’s heritage and culture. Ukrainian music and dance were a vital source of strength, identity, celebration and connection to Ukraine,” shares Farmiga. “Music has galvanized Ukrainian morale since the Russian invasion began. I thought, what a great way to uplift our loved ones in Ukraine than to perform a bangin’ cover of the quintessential Ukrainian song ‘Chervona Ruta.’ I love this particular song, that my Baba Nadia taught me. I grew up singing it at Ukrainian Plast and Syzokryli summer camps, deep in the woods and wildflower fields of Novyi Sokil, Soyuzivka, and Verhovyna, in New York’s Catskill Mountains. I associate this song with summer romance and lifelong friendships I developed, immersed in Ukrainian scouting and dance culture.”

“‘Chervona Ruta’ is steeped in complex emotions of romance, resilience, pride, passion and national identity,” Farmiga adds. “It’s not just a love song about a girl finding a red flower that brings luck in love. It’s a love song to Ukraine itself, evoking patriotic feeling. I wanted to sing it as a duet with Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello. Eugene himself is like a badass blooming mythological flower. He is magic on two feet. He explodes with ferocious love and joy of creativity, his energy pure and infectious. The song has been covered time and time again; we wanted to put our unique bluster and spin on it. Enjoy!”

“This is a particularly meaningful song for me to collaborate on with Vera and The Yagas, given that we are both of Ukrainian descent, even though we were born on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean,” says Hütz. “We both know it from childhood and with all respect to the original version, we thought of a distinctly tougher spin on it, just like the times we live in. What a natural way to connect and let that song do some inspirational as well as tangible fundraising work to support a trusted charity organization, Support Action Ukraine.”

Formed in 2023, The Yagas – Farmiga (vocals), Renn Hawkey of Deadsy (keys), Jason Bowman (drums), Mark Visconti (guitar) and Mike Davis (bass) – introduced their elaborate sonic world last fall with their powerful debut single “The Crying Room” paired with a darkly enchanting video co-starring Hütz (PRESS HERE to watch). The New York-based independent quintet recently followed that up with “She’s Walking Down,” an exhilarating tale of violence and vengeance with a hauntingly beautiful music video directed by Farmiga (PRESS HERE to watch). An audacious band with otherworldly origins, The Yagas borrowed their name from the mystical Slavic folklore figure Baba Yaga, believed to devour the souls of the newly deceased to safeguard the fountains of life. The Yagas wholly share their namesake’s storied penchant for shapeshifting, morphing from metal to industrial to wildly extravagant alt-rock as their songs journey into the strangest depths of the human psyche. The Yagas have received early comparisons to A Perfect Circle, The Cure, and Type O Negative with praise and support from Revolver Magazine, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock Magazine, The Noise/Ones To Watch, Stereogum, Bloody Disgusting, Rock Cellar Magazine, and more. As shown on “The Crying Room” and “She’s Walking Down,” both featured tracks off the band’s debut full-length album out this spring, The Yagas embody a potent duality of shadow and light, ferocity and tenderness. Creating a truly singular aural experience, their music is endlessly unpredictable but infinitely propelled by the spellbinding force of Farmiga’s vocal work.

Since 1999, international punk band Gogol Bordello, led by Ukrainian frontman Eugene Hütz, has been filling up rooms with an energy that could run a whole city. Their latest album Solidaritine is no exception, going back to their hardcore roots. The band has lit up stages around the world alongside System of a Down, Primus, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys; dueted with Regina Spektor; appeared in films like Liev Schreiber’s Everything Is Illuminated with Elijah Wood and Filth and Wisdom helmed by Madonna; and cut albums with legends Rick Rubin and Steve Albini. Russia’s war in Ukraine is personal for Eugene & the band, who have been tirelessly advocating for Ukrainian solidarity, partnering with Nova Ukraifffffffe, ArtDopomoga and beyond.

BALTHVS Announces Major North American Tour, Shares New Single “Year of the Snake”

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BALTHVS returns with their latest single, “Year of the Snake.” Driven by deep bass grooves, swirling synths and an entrancing pulse. “Year of the Snake” is out now, available everywhere you stream music and to pre-save, click here.

To celebrate the release, BALTHVS is proud to announce their landmark tour set to bring their signature psychedelic grooves to North America. The highlights include joining My Morning Jacket for October dates during their highly anticipated tour. Plus BALTHVS will be performing at the ionic festival Lollapalooza Festival in Argentina on March 22nd.

After a brief reprieve from the South American dates, they continue to North America with highlights including performing at the brand new Garcia’s in Chicago (5/16 & 5/17), along with an epic festival run at Bottlerock in Napa (5/23), and Lightning In A Bottle (5/25). Adding to their summer festival circuit, the band will be performing at Electric Forest (6/19), Nelsonville Festival (6/20), Green River Festival (6/22), and Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (6/26).

BALTHVS continues on to join My Morning Jacket in the Fall, opening at major venues such as The Anthem in Washington, D.C. (10/8), The Met in Philadelphia (10/10-11), MGM at Fenway in Boston (10/13), and The Paramount in New York (10/16-18). Additional stops include Ohio (Mega Corp, 10/20), Wisconsin (The Sylvee, 10/22), Chicago (The Salt Shed, 10/24-26), Tennessee (The Pinnacle, 10/29) and Georgia (Fox Theatre, 10/31).

In just five years, BALTHVS has become one of indie music’s most dynamic and genre-defying acts, blending psychedelic rhythms with groove-infused energy. With over 45 million streams, 10,000 vinyl records sold, and performances in 56 cities across 19 countries, their global reach continues to expand. The trio has graced premier festival stages including Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, Electric Forest, and SXSW Sydney, while securing features on KEXP, Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Café, and the BBC.

Tickets for all tour dates are available now at www.balthvs.com. Fans are encouraged to secure their spots early, as shows are expected to sell out!

Summer & Fall Tour Dates:

5/16 &17 @ Garcia’s – Chicago, IL
5/21 @ The Guild Theatre – Menlo Park, CA
5/23 @ Bottlerock Festival – Napa, CA
5/25 @ Lightning In A Bottle – Bakersfield, CA
6/19 @ Electric Forest – Rothbury, MI
6/20 @ Nelsonville Festival – Nelsonville, OH
6/22 @ Green River Festival – Greenfield, MA
6/26 @ Festival International de Jazz de Montreal – Montreal, QC
10/8 @ The Anthem – Washington, DC *
10/10 @ The Met – Philadelphia, PA *
10/11 @ The Met – Philadelphia, PA *
10/13 @ MGM at Fenway – Boston, MA *
10/14 @ State Theatre – Portland, ME *
10/16-18 @ The Paramount – Huntington, NY *
10/20 @ MegaCorp Pavillion – Newport, KY *
10/22 @ The Sylvee – Madison, WI *
10/24-26 @ The Salt Shed – Chicago, IL *
10/29 @ The Pinnacle – Nashville, TN *
10/31 @ Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA *

*With My Morning Jacket

Mumford & Sons Launch Exclusive Channel on SiriusXM

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SiriusXM and GRAMMY award-winning British folk rock band Mumford & Sons today announced the launch of an exclusive pop-up channel, Mumford & Sons Radio, ahead of the long-awaited release of the band’s fifth studio album RUSHMERE.

Ahead of RUSHMERE’s release on Friday, March 28, fans across North America will have the chance to call in, ask questions and talk to the band live on Thursday, March 27 at 11:00 am ET. Following the fan Q&A session, the band will perform live from the SiriusXM studios.

The channel is available to subscribers in their cars on channel 79 through April 8 and on the SiriusXM app through April 24.

Mumford & Sons Radio, curated and presented by Mumford & Sons, will guide listeners through the band’s extensive discography including songs from their new album as well as music from artists that influence and inspire them. The channel will also feature behind-the-scenes insight into the making of Mumford & Sons’ upcoming fifth studio album RUSHMERE, the band’s first album since 2018.

Additionally, Mumford & Sons Radio will spotlight exclusive moments from over 15 years of SiriusXM’s support of the band including replays of their 2015 performance at New York City’s McKittrick Hotel, their 2019 performance from the legendary Stephen Talkhouse in the Hamptons and multiple in-studio performances.

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

 

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LEGO Unveils First-Ever The Shire Set Inspired by The Lord of the Rings Launches April 5

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For the first time ever, LEGO is heading to the rolling hills and round doors of Middle-earth. Launching April 5, LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire is a 2,017-piece love letter to Hobbiton™—complete with Bilbo Baggins’ cozy hobbit-hole, the legendary Party Tree, and a colorful cast of minifigure characters that fans of Tolkien’s world know and adore. The set is available exclusively at LEGO.ca/TheShire and LEGO Stores, offering a hands-on journey through one of fantasy’s most iconic locales.

To celebrate the launch, LEGO teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to produce a special mini-film starring Sean Astin, who returns to his role as Samwise Gamgee. This cinematic short brings the set to life, recreating unforgettable moments from The Lord of the Rings™ trilogy—all in glorious brick form. From Bilbo’s vanishing act to Gandalf’s fireworks show, it’s a delightful nod to longtime fans and a perfect way to experience the magic before building it yourself.

The set isn’t just a static diorama—it’s filled with interactive elements. Builders can transform a letter to reveal The One Ring, trigger Bilbo’s disappearing trick, or swap minifigure heads to recreate the famous dragon firework scene with Merry and Pippin. It also includes nine beloved characters, from Frodo and Gandalf to Rosie Cotton and Farmer Proudfoot, plus iconic accessories like Bilbo’s book and Gandalf’s horse and cart.

Whether you’re a LEGO collector, Tolkien enthusiast, or just a fan of Second Breakfast, The Shire set is a meticulously detailed slice of fantasy nostalgia. It’s the ultimate tribute to peace, pie, and pipe-weed—and the perfect excuse to say, “I’m going on an adventure!” without ever leaving the living room.

‘Magic Power: All Star Tribute to Triumph’ to Be Released June 6 Featuring Slash, Sebastian Bach, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna, and More

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On Friday, June 6, 2025, one of the greatest and most successful Canadian rock bands of all-time, Triumph, will be honored with a star-studded tribute album. ‘Magic Power: All Star Tribute to Triumph’ will arrive via Round Hill Records, featuring such renowned rockers as Dorothy, Sebastian Bach, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna, Slash, and Jeff Keith covering classic Triumph tunes.

The 15-track album features an amazing collection of musical firepower, including drummers Kenny Aronoff and Tommy Aldridge, and guitarists Bumblefoot, Paul Gilbert, Nita Strauss.

The project was conceived by renowned producer Mike Clink – who has produced classic recordings for Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue and Whitesnake.

‘Magic Power’ will be released on CD with a 12 page booklet and as a double LP gatefold edition.

A sneak preview will be released on Tuesday, March 25th, with a Sebastian Bach-sung rendition of the Triumph classic, “Rock & Roll Machine,” and can be heard here:

The participants are extremely honored to salute Triumph, including Phil X, who went on to say, “It is so incredible to get back to my roots with my brothers, Gil, Mike and Rik. The Triumph fans will love this!”

Enthusiastically, Journey drummer Deen Castronovo commented “Triumph was a huge influence, no Gil Moore, no Deen Castronovo singing behind a kit.”

Furthermore, Sebastian Bach said, “The music of Triumph will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m super proud to pay tribute to one of my favorite bands of all time…the Rock n’ Roll Machine known as TRIUMPH!”

Dee Snider recalled, “The first time I heard this song (‘Lay It on the Line’), I was blown away. There’s only one Rik Emmett and Triumph. I’m honored to be a part of this!”

Originally formed in 1975 and hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the trio was always proud of their Great White North roots. And seemingly ever since their inception, Triumph was on the cutting edge of technology when it came to their live show – particularly lighting, sound, and effects.

Sophisticated lasers, pyrotechnics and moving lighting rigs, all computer-controlled – Triumph was one of the first arena rock bands to incorporate all of these elements into their shows. Triumph’s headlining tours were legendary, and the band was featured on many memorable stadium/outdoor shows – including the US Festival, the World Series of Rock, the American Rock Festival and Texxas Jam, Day on the Green, to name but a few.

And now, fans will be able to re-experience Triumph classics in a whole new way – via ‘Magic Power: All Star Tribute to Triumph.’

‘MAGIC POWER: ALL STAR TRIBUTE TO TRIUMPH’ TRACKLISTING:

24 Hours a Day – Sebastian Bach
Rock & Roll Machine – Sebastian Bach
Magic Power – Joey Belladonna
Spellbound – Mickey Thomas
Lay It on the Line – Dee Snider
Somebody’s Out There – Lawrence Gowan
Never Surrender – Deen Castronovo
Hold On – Jeff Keith
Just One Night – Jason Scheff
I Live for the Weekend – Dorothy & Tyler Connolly
Fight the Good Fight – Nancy Wilson
Follow Your Heart – Jack Blades
Allied Forces – Phil X
Blinding Light Show – Envy of None
Fight the Good Fight (encore) – Dino Jelusick

HARKNESS Documentary to Premiere April 13 at The Royal Cinema, Followed by CBC Gem Airings

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HARKNESS — a documentary that encapsulates the raw, electric look at elusive musician Harkness — is set to shake up Toronto on Sunday April 13 when the film screens at The Royal Cinema followed by a live performance by Harkness himself, down the street at the Monarch Tavern. Commissioned as a documentary Channel original, HARKNESS will be available to stream the following day – Monday April 14 – on CBC Gem.

Directed, written, and edited by Maria Markina, and produced by Ed Barreveld of Storyline Entertainment, this high-voltage documentary promises to captivate as it delves into the journey of the musician known as Harkness.  

The film tracks the highs, lows, and comebacks of Harkness, a musician with a self-guided mission for rock stardom. From his high school band days in Toronto to the legendary clubs of London, Harkness was always “the one who was going to make it.” 

Following a bad acid episode in the late 80’s, Harkness grappled for years with psychosis until he found salvation in a “self-free” existence that inspired his unique stage persona: he performs in a flowing purple gown, hood, and oversized visor, obscuring his face and deflecting identity. As he explains in the film, “when there is the absence of self, there is this oneness that is innocent and loving – but having an ego is the psychosis.”

After a determined attempt to break into the music scene in London, and disillusioned and frustrated by the rigid rules of the music industry, Harkness retreated from the scene entirely. For decades, he disappeared into his mother’s basement, converting it into a state-of-the-art studio and becoming a mystery figure dedicated to creating his own music. Now, 20-years later, he’s coming out swinging with a power-pop album he’s convinced will be his ticket to the big time. Is the world still waiting for Harkness?

Come for the music, stay for the story.

Produced with the Participation of Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, Rogers Telefund, with the assistance of Hot Docs-Slaight Family Fund, with the support from Doc Institute Breakthrough Rogers CBC Award, with the cooperation of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, film and television tax credit assistance from the Government of Ontario, funded by the Government of Canada, produced in association with documentary Channel.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Announces North American Tour Celebrating 20 Years of ‘Howl’

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club has announced a North America Tour, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the band’s 2005 seminal album, Howl kicking off September 20, 2025.

The 25-date tour – the band’s first headline tour in five years – begins in Santa Ana, CA, crossing the country and returning to the west coast with a special hometown show in San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield October 25.

Tickets go on-sale to the public Friday March 28 @ 10:00am local time.

Buy tickets HERE

In celebration of the band’s 2005 critically acclaimed album Howl, BRMC will perform songs from the iconic album, along with many other fan favorites from their illustrious catalog.

Also coming this fall, BRMC will be releasing a special deluxe vinyl edition of Howl, with four LPs and previously unreleased tracks from the 2005 recording sessions.

NME said of Howl, “From the deep-fried southern gothic feel of opener ‘Shuffle’ to the parting bars of head-rushing album closer ‘The Line’, Howl is at its dark heart an homage to American folk music.”

BRMC founder, Robert Levon Been says, “What the fuck does NME know about American folk music?”

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB HOWL 20th ANNIVERSARY TOUR DATES:

With Special Guests:
MIEN (*)
Humanist (#)
TBA (^)

Sept 20          Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory *
Sept 21          Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades *
Sept 23          Vancouver BC @ Commodore Ballroom *
Sept 24          Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo *
Sept 25          Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom *
Sept 27          Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot ^
Sept 28          Denver, CO @ Summit Denver ^
Sept 30          Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave ^
Oct 1              Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall ^
Oct 3              Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall ^
Oct 5              Toronto, ON @ History ^
Oct 7              Montreal, QC @ Beanfield Theatre ^
Oct 8              Boston, MA @ House of Blues #
Oct 10            New York, NY @ Terminal 5 #
Oct 11            Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
Oct 12            Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
Oct 14            Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel #
Oct 15            Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre #
Oct 17            Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall #
Oct 18            Austin, TX @ Mohawk #
Oct 19            Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre #
Oct 21            Phoenix, AZ @ Van Buren #
Oct 22            San Diego, CA @ Observatory #
Oct 23            Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern #
Oct 25            San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield #

Nahre Sol Channels Leoš Janáček and Bob Ross to Compose Music Inspired by Human Speech

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Nahre Sol took a deep dive into the genius of Leoš Janáček by visiting Brno and studying how he turned speech into symphony. The result? An original composition based on none other than Bob Ross—proof that even “happy little trees” can carry a tune.

Harp Twins and Vølfgang Twins Unite for Nordic-Inspired Cover of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”

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Ever wondered what Black Sabbath would sound like if transported to a Nordic fantasy realm? The Harp Twins and the Vølfgang Twins have the answer, turning “Paranoid” into a stunning fusion of mystical harp and battle-ready drums. It’s metal—reimagined for the mead hall.