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The Soundtrack of Battle: How World of Warcraft’s Music Enhances The War Within Epic Storytelling

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Since the moment players enter Azeroth, music is instrumental in creating the world of World of Warcraft (WoW). With each expansion, music compositions are introduced which only make the experience more immersive, elicit emotion and make for more exciting battles. The War Within expansion and Patch 11.1 “Undermined” have brought Blizzard to raise its musical storytelling to the highest peak again, creating a powerful and atmospheric soundtrack to go along with the game’s ever changing story.

How Blizzard Composes WoW’s Music for Immersion

Blizzard’s composers have always been known for their masterful orchestral arrangements to bring life to Azeroth’s vast world. From the haunting choral music of Icecrown Citadel to the intense war drums of Orgrimmar, and peaceful flutes of Pandaria, WoW’s music perfectly suits the entire range of zones, raids and dungeons.

Once Patch 11.1: Undermined is introduced, players are sent to Undermine, the goblin capital, and the music takes on a very industrial, steampunk like tone. Here mechanical percussion, eerie synthesizers and fast tempo orchestral elements combine to reflect the chaotic profit world of goblins.

Notable Features of the Patch 11.1 Soundtrack:

Liberation of Undermine Raid Music: Metallic beats, some goblin clanking sound, and suspenseful orchestral crescendos, that used to build up the tension in a boss encounter.

Ambient Tracks in Undermine: The music is upbeat, machinery driven, and playful yet sinister, like goblins are.

Boss Battle Themes: Music is dynamic; during fighting Chrome King Gallywix, Rik Reverb, and Cauldron of Carnage, each track changes to match the intensity of the battle.

From the smallest quest to the largest, every moment in The War Within is cinematic thanks to Blizzard’s attention to musical detail.

The Influence of WoW’s Music on Gaming Culture

In addition to the game itself, WoW’s soundtrack has influenced gaming as well as pop music. Azeroth’s most iconic themes have been performed live in concerts and have been featured in several gaming symphonies.

Additionally, WoW has had musical influence in the real world. WoW has directly inspired bands such as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain (now ETC) and even mainstream musicians have referenced the game in their work.

How WoW’s Music Impacts Players:

Boosts Gameplay Immersion: WoW’s music is kept on by many players because it adds to questing, raiding and PvP battles.

Custom Soundtracks for Playstyles: Epic movie scores or heavy metal are even in some gamers WoW playlists alongside boss fights.

Community Covers & Remixes: The themes of WoW have been remixed and covered in many styles, from rock to electronic, and sealed their place in gaming history.

The War Within music continues this tradition, cementing Blizzard’s talent for breathing life and sound into a world.

Gold Selling and the WoW Economy in Patch 11.1

The gold economy has remained a core part of WoW’s player driven market alongside The War Within new content. As Undermine is a busy economic hub, players are looking for ways to buy WoW gold safely without getting scammed or exploited.

Gold Selling Trends in Patch 11.1

High-Demand Items – The need for more gold is at an all time high, especially since with new crafted gear, raid consumables and collectibles.

WoW Token Fluctuations – As more players attempt to buy wow gold cheap, the token prices are changing and players need to follow the rates.

Gold Farming Hotspots – Undermine trade hubs have new gold farming methods which provide new avenues for players to maximize profits.

As gold demand soars, some people turn to buying WoW gold, but it needs to be done safely and legally.

Latest Updates from Patch 11.1

New story chapters, system updates, as well as balance changes create the overall enhanced gameplay experience when introducing Patch 11.1. In the patch notes key highlights are:

New Follower Dungeons: Players now have the option of creating parties with AI controlled allies and conquer the dungeon allowing content to be made accessible for solo adventures.

PvP Balance Adjustments: Several improvements to the class changes balance up battlegrounds and arenas with a more just competitive environment.

Renown Progression Updates: New notoriety tiers have been added, along with monetary boosts, transmog sets, and special awards.

All of these updates intend to nurture both casual and hardcore experience, making sure it’s a current and exciting time to play WoW for everyone.

The Safest Way to Buy WoW TWW Gold

The only Blizzard approved way for players that are interested in buying wow gold for sale is the WoW Token system. Blizzard’s Terms of Service prohibits the use of third party gold sellers, and they can result in account suspension or ban.

Therefore, these are some tips to follow which will help you to ensure safe and legal transactions:

All in game gold purchases should be done through the WoW Token system.

Do not use third party websites that offer cheap gold because they are usually scam.

Check the price of your token to get the best value on converting real money to gold.

The War Within economy is evolving, and players who play their gold right will have an advantage in getting gear, mounts, and resources for the battles to come.

The Future of WoW’s Music and Economy

Despite the evolution of Blizzard and WoW, music and economy are absolutely base elements of the player experience being refined. With Patch 11.1:

The new soundtrack plunges players further into Undermine’s chaotic world.

World of Warcraft gold is becoming an even more valuable resource as the economy shifts.

Gold buying is still a hot topic, and players want to know the safest and most efficient way to make the most of their wealth.

The War Within still brings on an unforgettable journey for those raiding with epic orchestral score behind you, trading in Undermine’s bustling markets, or other ways you can take on Azeroth.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

5 Surprising Facts About Billy Joel’s ‘The Stranger’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Billy Joel’s ‘The Stranger’

By 1977, Billy Joel was at a crossroads. After the modest success of Piano Man and the commercial disappointment of Turnstiles, he was under pressure to deliver a hit—or risk being dropped by Columbia Records. What happened next was nothing short of legendary. The Stranger became one of the best-selling albums of all time, packed with unforgettable songs like Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Only the Good Die Young, and Just the Way You Are. With Phil Ramone at the helm as producer, Joel finally found the right mix of raw energy and polished production. But behind this album’s massive success lie some little-known stories that even longtime fans may not know.

1. The Beatles’ Producer Rejected Billy Joel’s Band

When Joel was looking for a producer for The Stranger, he initially reached out to the legendary George Martin, who had famously shaped The Beatles’ sound. Martin was interested—but on one condition: Joel had to ditch his touring band and use session musicians instead. For Joel, that was a dealbreaker. He believed in the chemistry of his band, featuring drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, and multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata. Enter Phil Ramone, who embraced Joel’s vision, allowing the band to play on the album and ultimately shaping its distinctive sound.

2. The Title Track’s Iconic Whistling Was Almost Left Out

The Stranger opens with an eerie, unforgettable whistle, setting the mood for the album’s title track. But that whistling almost didn’t make the cut. Joel initially used it as a placeholder while figuring out what instrument should play the melody. It was producer Phil Ramone who convinced him to keep it in, believing its raw simplicity added to the song’s mystique. It turned out to be one of the album’s most memorable elements, proving that sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most powerful.

3. “Only the Good Die Young” Wasn’t a Hit—Until It Got Banned

One of The Stranger’s most famous songs, Only the Good Die Young, sparked controversy upon its release. The song, which tells the story of a Catholic boy trying to convince a Catholic girl to give in to temptation, led to protests from religious groups. Several radio stations banned it, which, in a classic case of unintended consequences, only made it more popular. According to Joel, sales of the single were sluggish at first, but as soon as the controversy hit, it skyrocketed on the charts. He later joked, “The minute they banned it, the album started shooting up the charts.”

4. “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” Was Three Songs in One

This fan-favorite epic started as three completely separate songs. One was a ballad, another was a mid-tempo groove, and the last was an upbeat rocker. But rather than let them go to waste, Joel combined them into one, inspired by the second side of Abbey Road and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. The result? One of the most beloved songs in his catalog. The restaurant setting was inspired by Fontana di Trevi, an Italian eatery near Carnegie Hall where Joel had dined while recording the album.

5. Billy Joel Almost Left “Just the Way You Are” Off the Album

It’s hard to imagine The Stranger without Just the Way You Are, but Joel almost cut it entirely. The song—written for his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber—was deemed too soft and sentimental compared to the rest of the album. Joel didn’t think it fit. But when Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow heard it during a studio session, they insisted he keep it. Good thing he listened—Just the Way You Are went on to win two Grammys for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, becoming one of his most enduring hits.

More than four decades later, The Stranger remains Billy Joel’s defining masterpiece. It took him from struggling artist to global superstar, with songs that continue to resonate across generations. The album’s mix of heartfelt ballads, sharp storytelling, and New York attitude created a sound that was distinctly Joel’s.

5 Surprising Facts About Steely Dan’s ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Steely Dan’s ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’

Steely Dan’s Can’t Buy a Thrill is one of those rare debut albums that sounds like a band that had already lived a lifetime together. Released in 1972, it introduced the world to Walter Becker and Donald Fagen’s fusion of rock, jazz, and intricate storytelling, all wrapped in sophisticated, sometimes cryptic, lyrics. With hits like Do It Again and Reelin’ In the Years, it climbed the charts and cemented Steely Dan’s place in music history. But behind the polished production and masterful musicianship, there are some fascinating details that even die-hard fans might not know.

1. David Palmer Was Briefly the Voice of Steely Dan

While Donald Fagen’s signature voice became synonymous with Steely Dan, he wasn’t always the band’s primary singer. Early on, ABC Records had concerns about Fagen’s confidence as a frontman, leading to the recruitment of David Palmer. Palmer provided lead vocals on several tracks, including Dirty Work and Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me). But by the time their next album rolled around, Fagen had stepped fully into the role, making Can’t Buy a Thrill the only record where another vocalist played such a prominent role. Palmer later pursued a songwriting career, penning hits for Carpenters and others.

2. The Album’s Cover Was Banned in Spain

The original artwork for Can’t Buy a Thrill featured a photomontage of a line of prostitutes standing in Rue du Gros-Horloge in Rouen, France. While provocative, it wasn’t out of place for the era. However, Spain’s Francisco Franco regime found the image inappropriate and banned the cover outright. As a result, Spanish pressings of the album featured a tamer substitute: a photograph of the band performing live. In later years, Becker and Fagen jokingly referred to the album’s cover as one of the worst of the decade—though they saved their harshest criticism for The Royal Scam.

3. Jimmy Page Calls This Guitar Solo One of the Greatest of All Time

Reelin’ In the Years boasts one of rock’s most celebrated guitar solos, played by session musician Elliott Randall. The searing lead was recorded in a single take, an almost unheard-of feat for such an intricate performance. Even Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, a guitar legend himself, once called it his favorite solo of all time, ranking it a 12/10. If you listen to the quadraphonic mix of the song, you’ll even hear extra lead guitar parts that were left out of the standard stereo version, making it an essential deep cut for audiophiles.

4. “Do It Again” Features an Electric Sitar and an Unusual Organ

One of the album’s most distinctive tracks, Do It Again, sets the mood with its hypnotic groove and Latin-tinged rhythm. But listen closely to the solos—there’s an unexpected instrument in the mix. Guitarist Denny Dias plays an electric sitar, an instrument more commonly associated with psychedelic rock. Meanwhile, Donald Fagen delivers a “plastic organ” solo on a Yamaha YC-30, which had a unique pitch-bending control that gave it a wavering, almost theremin-like quality. These choices helped define the song’s unique sound, making it instantly recognizable to this day.

5. “Dirty Work” Was Almost Given to Another Band

Steely Dan’s Dirty Work—a smooth, melancholic track about an affair—was nearly given away to a different band altogether. Executives at ABC Records thought it would be perfect for groups like Three Dog Night or The Grass Roots, both of whom had a knack for radio-friendly hits. Becker and Fagen were initially reluctant to include the song on Can’t Buy a Thrill, as they felt it was too conventional compared to their usual sound. But the label insisted, and it ended up being one of the most beloved deep cuts in the Steely Dan catalog, later revived in 2006 with female backing vocalists singing from a different perspective.

Fifty years later, Can’t Buy a Thrill remains a defining debut, a masterclass in musicianship, and a glimpse into what Steely Dan would become. From the studio perfectionism that followed to their esoteric lyrics and jazz-infused compositions, Becker and Fagen would go on to rewrite the rules of rock music. But it all started here, with an album that still sounds fresh, forward-thinking, and absolutely thrilling.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Founding Member Stan Lynch Forms ‘The Speaker Wars’ Debut Album Arrives May 30

Eric Alper
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Founding Member Stan Lynch Forms ‘The Speaker Wars’ Debut Album Arrives May 30

Stan Lynch, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, long-time drummer and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, announces today the formation of The Speaker Wars.

After two decades of recording and touring multiple albums with The Heartbreakers, Stan moved to the other side of the recording console and shifted his focus to production and songwriting.

Over the years, Stan has written and produced hits for artists in multiple genres, including the Eagles, Don Henley, Tim McGraw, The Mavericks, Ringo Starr, The Byrds, Toto, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

While writing in Nashville, a publisher introduced Stan to Texas singer-songwriter, Jon Christopher Davis, who was gathering material for a solo record on a major label. After accumulating an album’s worth of songs, Jon abandoned working on a solo record and the two decided to start a band to perform the newly created material. Adding Jay Michael Smith on guitar, Brian Patterson on bass, Steve Ritter on percussion, and Jay Brown on keyboards, The Speaker Wars was born.

The band then headed into 5M Studios in Denton, TX, with co-producer Mike Pisterzi, and produced a full-length album. Upon hearing the material, Frontiers Records immediately signed the band, and their debut album is scheduled for release on May 30th.

Lynch says: “After my 20-year tenure with the Heartbreakers, I got a second act writing and producing. It was educational beyond measure to learn how to create music from the other side of the glass. Around this time, I met Jon Christopher Davis in Nashville who casually mentioned that we should start a band — so here I am — in The Speaker Wars and it’s good to have my old job back. The guys in our new band know how to make great music, and I’m looking forward to another round.”

Denver Jazz Fest Announces 2025 Lineup with Joe Lovano, Dianne Reeves, Bill Frisell, and More

Eric Alper
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Denver Jazz Fest Announces 2025 Lineup with Joe Lovano, Dianne Reeves, Bill Frisell, and More

Denver Jazz, a newly formed 501 (c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation has added headliners Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet, Indian trace singer, Ganavya, and the Colorado Mambo Orchestra to its inaugural Denver Jazz Fest lineup scheduled from April 3-6, 2025.

The celebrated tenor titan and multi-Grammy Award winning artist, ECM recording artist Joe Lovano will debut his latest Paramount Quartet with Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano and Will Calhoun. “My new Paramount Quartet places an emphasis on polytonal, polyrhythmic explorations,” Lovano says. The Indian Trance singer Ganavya whom the New York Times states, “The singer whose work feels like prayer” will be joined by harpist Charles Overton and bassist Maxwell Ridley. Her recent album, Daughter of a Temple features, esperanza spalding, Vijay Iyer, Immanuel Wilkins and Shabaka Hutchings. The Colorado Mambo Orchestra Latin Dance Party presented by Denver Jazz and CALDAC will feature Raul Muciano, Cian Kreuger, Stafford Hunter, Cynthia Casaňas, Peter Huffaker and Leo Corona.

The inaugural four-day Denver Jazz Fest will engage the front range community through diverse, inclusive regional, national, and international performances and educational programs. Confirmed headline artists include Dianne Reeves in her first Denver public concert since 2018 and the Bill Frisell In My Dreams project, a Denver premiere direct from the highly acclaimed Big Ears Festival. These endearing time-honored icons have deep roots in the Denver community. Also set to appear are Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos, Ghost-Note, The Headhunters, Isaiah Collier, Garaj Mahal, Rico Jones, Art Lande, The Colorado Mambo Orchestra, Ken Walker, among others.

Jazz luminary Charles McPherson with special guest Terell Stafford featuring Ben Markley, Seth Lewis and Dru Heller are also scheduled. McPherson and Stafford will also engage front range university jazz programs and Aurora Public School students and the CCJA (Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts) through masterclasses and workshops.

These exclusive outreach events will be held at the Metro State University Kalamath Building, the esteemed program under the direction of Dawn Clement and Shane Endsley. The two-day initiative is sponsored by Temple University and the Boyer College of Music and Dance with additional support through Gift of Jazz, a Colorado education non-profit.

Upwards of 30 Denver Jazz Fest performances will take place in 12 venues during the first weekend of April, in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month and in recognition of KUVO’s 40th Anniversary year-long festivities.

Denver Jazz Fest Schedule, April 3-6, 2025

THURSDAY, April 3

Bill Frisell – In My Dreams featuring Thomas Morgan, Rudy Royston, Jenny Scheinman, Eyvind Kang & Hank Roberts

Newman Center for the Performing Arts @ 7:00PM

Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos with Sheldon Brown, Ernesto Mazar Kindelán and Josh Jones

Dazzle @ 7:00 and 9:30PM

Rico Jones Quartet w/ Marcus Firillo, Vlad Girshevich, and Aleks Girshevich

Nocturne, 6:30 and 8:45PM

Ken Walker Sextet w/ Jeff Jenkins, Peter Sommer, Paul Romaine, Brad Goode, and Dave Corbus

Muse Performance Space @ 7:00PM

Blue Sky Jazz Collective

Bar 404 @ 7:00PM

FRIDAY, April 4

Charles McPherson Quintet w/ special guest Terell Stafford featuring Ben Markley, Seth Lewis and Dru Heller

Dazzle @ 7:00 and 9:30PM

Ghost-Note w/ Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth

Fox Theatre (Boulder) @ 8:00PM

Ganavya w/ Charles Overton and Maxwell Ridley

Boulder Theater @ 8:00PM

Garaj Mahal w/ Fareed Haque, Kai Eckhardt, Oz Ezzeldin, and Hassan Hurd

Opener: True Loves w/ Skerik, Gordon Brown, Greg Kramer, Jimmy James, Bryant Moore and David McGraw

Cervantes’ The Other Side @ 8:00PM

Animal Liberation Orchestra w/ opener Cris Jacobs Band

Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom @ 8:00PM

The Gabriel Mervine Quintet

Nocturne @ 6:30 and 9:00PM

Art Lande Trio & Future History w/ Aaron Lande, and Tim Wendel

Muse Performance Space @ 7:00PM

Gregory Goodloe Band featuring Tony Exum Jr.

Spangalang Brewery @ 7:00PM

Danette Hollowell & The DJF All-Stars

Mississippi Boy Catfish & Ribs @ 7:00PM

SATURDAY, April 5

Isaiah Collier: The World is On Fire

Dazzle @ 7:00 & 9:30PM

Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet w/ Julian Lage,

Asante Santi Debriano and Will Calhoun

Boulder Theater @ 8:00PM

Ghost-Note with Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth

Openers: The Headhunters and Superimposition

Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom @ 8:00PM

Colorado Mambo Orchestra

Mercury Café from 8:00-11:00PM

Animal Liberation Orchestra w/ opener: Plain Faraday

Fox Theatre (Boulder) @ 8:00PM

The Marion Powers Quintet Honors Billie Holiday

Nocturne @ 6:30 and 9:00PM

Mary Louise Lee and Robert Bernard Johnson

Muse Performance Space @ 7:00PM

Linda Theus Lee

Mississippi Boy Catfish & Ribs @ 7:00PM

Galleria @ The DPAC – Free Stage Presented by Gift of Jazz

12:00PM-1:00PM  CCJA Jazz Messengers

1:30PM-2:30PM    Rico Jones Quartet

3:00PM-4:00PM    Erica Brown with the Delta Sonics

SUNDAY, April 6

Dianne Reeves with Romero Lubambo

Presented by KUVO Jazz 40th Anniversary Celebration

Newman Center for the Performing Arts @ 4:00PM

Muse All-Stars w/ Greg Gisbert, Gabe Mervine, Pete Lewis, Peter Stolzman,

Gonzalo Teppa and Clare Church

Muse Performance Space @ 7:00PM

Annie Booth Trio: The Beatles Songbook w/ Patrick McDevitt, Alejandro Castaňo

Dazzle @ 7:30PM

The Eric Gunnison Trio

Nocturne @ 6:30 and 8:45PM

Additional events may be added. All events subject to change.

Oliver Wood and Seth Walker Announce Midwest Tour Kicking Off April 26

Eric Alper
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Oliver Wood and Seth Walker Announce Midwest Tour Kicking Off April 26

Today, Oliver Wood, acclaimed frontman and founding member of The Wood Brothers and beloved roots music singer/songwriter Seth Walker announce six shows together in the Midwest. The pair have been longtime friends and frequent collaborators over the years. Most recently, they co-wrote “Grab Ahold” on Wood’s latest solo album, Fat Cat Silhouette, as well as “Why The Worry,” the title track to Walker’s upcoming new studio album due April 4.

The tour kicks off at Astra Theatre in Jasper, IN on April 26 followed by stops at The Castle Theatre in Bloomington, IL on April 27, Shank Hall in Milwaukee, WI on April 28 and Space in Evanston, IL on April 29. On April 30 at Stoughton Opera House in Stoughton, WI, Wood and Walker will also be joined by Dave & Dave featuring Dave Simonett and Dave Carroll of Tramples By Turtles. The run concludes May 1 at The Meyer Theatre in Green Bay, WI. Each evening, Walker will open the show followed by Wood with both artists playing their own full set before coming together for a combined performance to close the show.

OLIVER WOOD / SETH WALKER​
Tour Dates
​
4/26 – Jasper, IN – Astra Theatre *
4/27 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theatre *
4/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall *
4/29 – Evanston, IL – Evanston Space *
4/30 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House ^
5/1 – Green Bay, WI – Meyer Theatre *
​
* w/ Oliver Wood & Seth Walker
^ w/ Oliver Wood, Seth Walker, Dave & Dave

CIMA Celebrates 50 Years of Championing Canada’s Independent Music Industry

Eric Alper
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CIMA Celebrates 50 Years of Championing Canada’s Independent Music Industry

CIMA, the world’s first trade association for the independent music industry, is turning 50 this year!

For half a century, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) has played a pivotal role in the growth of Canada’s independent music sector. From innovative policy programming, key member services, and an industry leading export program, CIMA continues to strengthen our domestic music industry and raise the profile of Canadian music, both home and abroad.

Founded in 1975 by a small group of passionate producers and independent music companies, CIMA (then CIRPA) was formed to protect and advance the then-fledgling Canadian independent record business. CIMA has been at the forefront of the Canadian music industry’s efforts to build a fair market eco-system for Canadian owned companies. This includes supporting strong copyright laws, enforcing Canadian content requirements on radio, and encouraging tech platforms to invest in Canada. CIMA’s work throughout its history has been directly responsible for $100’s of millions of investments into the sector through world-renowned programs such as FACTOR and Radio Starmaker, as well as the Canada Music Fund, and the Ontario Music Investment Fund.

As we celebrate this anniversary milestone, we will reflect on the impact CIMA has had on the Canadian industry over the decades while unveiling new strategic initiatives that continue to serve the Canadian-owned music industry of today.

Our kick-off celebration will take place at our upcoming CIMA AFTERPARTY at Performance Works in Vancouver on March 29, where we will gather with industry friends to honour the successes of our Canadian owned music companies and their artists. Look out for invites in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, keep an eye on our newsletter, website and social media channels for updates as we roll out a year of history, celebration and continued growth.

Stereolab Announces 2024-25 World Tour and Special Album Reissues

Eric Alper
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0

Stereolab announces their world tour. Launching May 25th in Brussels, Stereolab will be hitting the road across Europe with dates in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris, among others. They’ll be kicking off the North American leg of the tour this coming October with shows across the United States before heading back to perform a string of shows across the UK.

In a special note to their devoted fanbase, they share: Dear friends, We have a full agenda today. The information is dense, so please read carefully and ask if anything is unclear.

I’ll be brief with the words and get straight to the point/s of discussion: We [Stereolab and myself] are heading back out onto the road. New keyboards and guitars have been purchased and will be put to use on the following dates.

Alongside the announcement of the world tour, the band is including a special reissue of seven albums from their acclaimed discography. The special reissuing will include:

Transient Random Noise-Burts With Announcements
Mars Audiac Quintet
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Dots And Loops
Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night Sound-Dust
Margerine Eclipse

With immediate effect, all triple disk editions containing demos will be phased out and deleted. Starting tomorrow, the band will begin reissuing some of their most cherished bodies of work including a double-disk edition with reconfigured artwork as well as double-disk editions using the 2019 Calyx remasters. To mitigate any financial barriers that could limit fans from enjoying this special double disk reissuing, the band is maintaining a low price point to help fans and shops currently experiencing economic hardships.

Europe Dates
5/25 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique Les Nuits Botanique
5/26 – Köln, DE @ Gloria
5/28 – Hamburg, DE @ Grunspan
5/29 – Berlin, DE @ Huxley Neue Welt
5/30 – Frankfurt, DE @ Zoom
5/31 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
6/1 – Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje
6/3 – Nantes, FR @ Stereolux
6/4 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon
6/5 – Bordeaux, FR @ Barbey
6/6 – Barcelona, ESP @ Primavera Sound
6/7 – Madrid, ESP @ Teatro Eslava
6/9 – Grenoble, FR @ La Belle Electrique
6/10 – Ferrara, IT @ Ferrara Sotto le Stelle
6/11 – Zurich, CH @ Volkshaus
6/12 – Munich, DE @ Hansa 36
6/14 – Zagreb, CR @ Tvornica Kulture
6/15 – Budapest, HU @ A38 Ship
6/16 – Vienna, AU @ WUK
6/17 – Prague, CZ @ Meet Factory
6/19 – Schorndorf, DE – Manufaktur
6/20 – Luxembourg, LU @ Den Atelier
7/11 – Cagliari, SD, IT @ Siren Festival

North American Dates
9/13 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
9/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
9/16 – Miami, FL @ Miami Beach Bandshell
9/18 – New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
9/19 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
9/20 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
9/21 – Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom
9/23 – Washington, D.C. @ Howard Theatre
9/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
9/26 – Boston, MA @ Royale
9/27 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
10/1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
10/3 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
10/4 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Beanfield
10/6 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
10/7 – Buffalo, NY @ Asbury Hall
10/8 – Cleveland, OH @ Globe Iron
10/9 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
10/12 – Iowa City, IA @ Hancher Auditorium at the Englert Theatre
10/14 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
10/17 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
10/18 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
10/19 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
10/21 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
10/24 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
10/25 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether
10/28 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
10/30 – Marfa, TX @ The Capri
10/31 – Austin, TX @ TBC
11/1 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
11/2 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre

Latin American Dates
11/12 – Mexico City, MX @ Foro Indie Rocks!

UK Dates
12/5 – Brighton, UK @ Corn Exchange
12/6 – London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall
12/8 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3
12/9 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
12/11 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
12/13 – Oxford, UK @ O2 Academy

SiriusXM to Air Live Coverage of 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Including the Indy 500 and Exclusive Shows

Eric Alper
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SiriusXM to Air Live Coverage of 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Including the Indy 500 and Exclusive Shows

SiriusXM will offer listeners nationwide season-long coverage of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES® season, starting with the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding this Sunday, March 2 (coverage starting at 11:30 am ET).

SiriusXM subscribers will have access to the live call of every one of the 18 events on the INDYCAR calendar, including the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, plus coverage of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practice sessions.

INDYCAR coverage airs on the exclusive SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel, which is available in SiriusXM-enabled vehicles (channel 218) and on the SiriusXM app. For a schedule of races go to SiriusXM.com/IndySeries.

In addition to on-track coverage, SiriusXM offers fans weekly INDYCAR-focused shows and podcasts that keep them up-to-date on the latest news from the sport and deliver perspectives from true racing experts.

A new season of SiriusXM’s exclusive INDYCAR show, “Brick-by-Brick” — hosted by Jack Arute and Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 champ and recently-named team principal for Arrow McLaren Racing — airs every Wednesday (5 pm ET) on the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel, and is available on demand on the SiriusXM app.

INDYCAR fans can also tune in to the podcast “Off Track with Hinch & Rossi,” hosted by James Hinchcliffe and Alexander Rossi. New episodes of “Off Track with Hinch & Rossi” debut weekly and can be heard on the SiriusXM app and all major podcast platforms. The podcast will also air on race days on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation.

Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) and SiriusXM will continue its sponsorship collaboration this season, showcasing SiriusXM channels on the track and merging the worlds of music and racing. MSR and SiriusXM will kick off the season featuring SiriusXM’s Octane (channel 37) – the channel for New Hard Rock – as well as multi-platinum rock band Shinedown displayed on the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda driven by Felix Rosenqvist for this week’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Shinedown’s Zach Myers and Barry Kerch will also be at the track on race day, immersing themselves in the INDYCAR action and supporting MSR from the pit lane.

SiriusXM will be the primary sponsor on Rosenqvist’s No. 60 SiriusXM Honda and will be the co-title sponsor for Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66 SiriusXM / Root Insurance Honda. SiriusXM will also be featured on Helio Castroneves’ No. 06 Honda which will run in the Indianapolis 500 in May.

In addition to NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, SiriusXM will air INDY NXT by Firestone series races throughout the course of the season. The INDY NXT series features some of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers and has produced many of the stars in INDYCAR today.

 

Charlie Musselwhite Announces ‘Look Out Highway,’ His New Album Arriving May 16

Eric Alper
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Charlie Musselwhite Announces ‘Look Out Highway,’ His New Album Arriving May 16

Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite is pleased to announce the release of his new album, Look Out Highway, due May 16th via Forty Below Records. Rock & Blues Muse has premiered the title track and is out on all platforms today. Pre-save the album Look Out Highway here.

What do you get when you mix Delta, Chicago and Memphis Blues? The American Blues icon Charlie Musselwhite. He’s been writing classic songs for nearly six decades. He’s a prolific songwriter who writes organic, compelling stories with ease. There is real emotional depth at the core of his songs.

When asked how he chose the title track “Look Out Highway,” Charlie told Rock & Blues Muse, “I didn’t pick ‘Look Out Highway’….it picked me when I wrote it. Many years ago I was walking by a church in Memphis and I heard a great beat they were using for a song. That beat lived in my head all these years until the lyrics finally came to me.”

More than any other harmonica player of his generation, Charlie Musselwhite can rightfully lay claim to inheriting the mantle of many of the great harp players that came before him with music as dark as Mississippi mud and uplifting as California’s blue skies. In an era when the term legendary gets applied to auto-tuned pop stars, this singular blues harp player, singer, songwriter, and guitarist has earned and deserves to be honored as a true master of American classic vernacular music.

Recorded at Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studio in San Jose, California, and Clarksdale Sound Stage in Clarksdale, Mississippi, it’s the first time Charlie has recorded with his long-time touring band, comprised of guitarist Matt Stubbs (GA-20), drummer June Core (Robert Lockwood Jr.) and bassist Randy Bermudes (James Cotton), along with Andersen who has been in and out of the band for many years. Their chemistry and command are abundantly clear from the opening notes. “We finished a gig at The Iridium in New York City and flew straight to California to record,” Charlie effuses.

 

Charlie Musselwhite has received 13 Grammy nominations throughout his illustrious career, including his last release, Mississippi Son, and 33 Blues Music Awards. In 2014, his collaboration with Ben Harper Get Up won a Grammy, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Charlie’s career took off quickly soon after arriving in Chicago in the early sixties, where he was an integral part of the blues renaissance along with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, both genuine proteges of Little Walter, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf. In 1967, at just 22 years of age, he released his debut album, Stand Back! , which garnered significant critical acclaim.

On a whim, Musselwhite relocated to San Francisco that same year. Contemporaries like Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield followed suit and were welcomed into the counterculture scene around the Fillmore West as authentic purveyors of real-deal blues.

Charlie has also collaborated with an eclectic list of incredible artists over the years, including Ben Harper, Cyndi Lauper, Eddie Vedder, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Gov’t Mule, INXS, Mickey Hart, and Japan’s Kodo Drummers, George Thorogood, Eliades Ochoa, Cat Stevens, Elvin Bishop and, close friend and best man at his wedding John Lee Hooker. In 2023, Musselwhite was cast in Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon in the role of Alvin Reynolds.

Musselwhite’s sixty-year journey has taken him from Mississippi to Memphis, Chicago, and California. He is living proof that great music only gets better with age. Sixty years of nonstop touring, 20 albums, 1 Grammy, and 33 Blues Music Awards later, his depth of expression as a singer and an instrumentalist grew more profound with each passing year.

Forty Below Records, based in Los Angeles and helmed by Eric Corne, is proud to be Charlie’s new home. Corne declared, “Working with an artist of Charlie’s caliber is an honor and privilege. He’s one of the most iconic Blues musicians working today. And we look forward to taking his legacy to the next level.”

Track Listing:
Look Out Highway
Sad Eyes
Storm Warning
Baby Won’t You Please Help Me
Hip Shakin’ Mama
Highway 61
Ready For Times To Get Better
Ramblin’ Is My Game
Blue Lounge
Ghosts in Memphis
Open Road

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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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