November 2022 | Page 2 of 3

‘Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues’ is Remarkable Portrait of Jazz Legend (Review)

18Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues’ is Remarkable Portrait of Jazz Legend (Review)

Louis Armstrong was one of the founding fathers of jazz, rising to great prominence despite the obstacles of early fame during segregation. Wayne Shorter narrates this revealing new documentary from Sacha Jenkins ('Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James'). Nas also adds his voice to narrate sequences as Armstrong. Louis Armstrong in 'Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues,' now streaming on Apple TV+. Louis Armstrong's life and career is traced back to his early days in New Orleans and follows him to Chicago and, ultimately, New York. The film illustrates how fame did not protect Armstrong from prevalent racism. Armstrong discusses playing sold out shows for white audiences but not being allowed to come in through the main entrance. Fellow New Orleans musician Wynton Marsali...

Jane N’ The Jungle Signs with Cleopatra Records

18Nov

By Cammy KNo Comments

Features, Music

Jane N’ The Jungle Signs with Cleopatra Records

Jane N’ The Jungle is the modern rock band from Phoenix, AZ with vocals that cut like a knife and a take-no-prisoners attitude influenced by a combination of alternative rock, metal, and a touch of punk. Their new single "Raw As A Jewel" is available now and is about giving in to your desires and bearing it all with reckless abandon. The band dances around love and second chances, daring the listener to follow their heart. It was inspired by the band’s feeling of rebirth and restless desire to chase their wildest dreams, no matter the cost. RAW is the first release with Cleopatra Records that flaunts the band's raw intense energy recorded with producer Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios, a music video by Raysquared Productions, and photography by Jim Louvau. "Raw As A Jewel" ...

Outlaws & Moonshine Deliver “Hillbilly Rockstar”

17Nov

By mendowerksNo Comments

Features, Music

Outlaws & Moonshine Deliver “Hillbilly Rockstar”

Southern rock-influenced country rockers Outlaws & Moonshine have cooked up something special with the release of their new single. The band taps into a variety of influences on "Hillbilly Rockstar". Credit: Rising Star Photography Outlaws & Moonshine consists of Beau Vanvolkenburg (vocals, guitar), Chris Vanvolkeburgh (bass, vocals), and Eric Piper (drums). They initially started playing music together in 2014 and everything has led to this release. Chris had this to say about the track. “Hillbilly Rockstars” is about that one song that we all have that makes the radio volume go up. Feeling great, jamming out to your favorite band or song. -Chris Vanvolkenburgh For anyone that is new to Outlaws & Moonshine's music, a good place to start would be the title cut fro...

Sneakpeek Taps Into Psychadelic Vibes On New Single

16Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Sneakpeek Taps Into Psychadelic Vibes On New Single

L.A.-based duo Sneakpeek is back in action with a trippy new single called "Dreams That You Discarded". The high-energy psychedelic number feels reminiscent of old-school Blondie mixed in with modern-day acts like The Killers and Phoenix. The retro-sounding audio is accompanied by a music video that fits the vibe of the song like a glove. Sneakpeek's Dora Hiller and Aric Bohn worked with talented cinematographer Arlene Muller and director Paige Stark. While legendary artist Ken Jenkins adds impressive multicolor and lumia visuals. When asked about the meaning of the song Hiller had this to say. "...it's about recognizing that it’s never too late to reignite dreams that we have forgotten. When we hypnotize ourselves into a state where we can trust that everything is happening e...

Godsmack Announce Release Details For Studio Album Number Eight

14Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Godsmack Announce Release Details For Studio Album Number Eight

Multi-platinum hard rockers Godsmack are back with their eighth studio album. The new material follows the 2018 release of When Legends Rise. Lighting Up The Sky will be released to the general public on February 24th, 2023. The new album was co-produced by vocalist/guitarist Sully Erna and Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock (Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper). Lighting Up The Sky touches on topics like the polarized political climate and state of the world, betrayal, connection, rebounds, and the idea of legacy, what we're leaving behind. All the more relevant since Erna has recently hinted that this could be Godsmack's final studio album. On the topic of the new album, he had this to say. "I like when a record takes you on a journey from front to back. I realized there’s a whole st...

Hold Off On That ‘Ticket to Paradise’ (Review)

11Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Hold Off On That ‘Ticket to Paradise’ (Review)

'Ticket to Paradise' was exactly what I thought I was looking for this week: a mindless counterpoint to the terminal frustration of the midterm elections. British director Ol Parker ('Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again') brings together two of the world's most beautiful people (Julia Roberts & George Clooney) in one of the world's most beautiful places (Bali) to be beautiful together. What more could you want? A better script for starters. George Clooney and Julia Roberts star in 'Ticket to Paradise' (Universal Pictures) Georgia (Roberts) and David (Clooney) are bitterly divorced and don't even like to be in the same room together. Imagine the comedy that ensues when their daughter Lily (Kaitlyn Dever) neglects to tell them they'll be seated next to each other at her law school ...

British Duo The New No Release “My Life In The Cartel”

11Nov

By mendowerksNo Comments

Features, Music

British Duo The New No Release “My Life In The Cartel”

They're coming straight out of Liverpool and Birmingham, England. Dynamic duo The New No have released their new single "My Life In The Cartel". Vocalist Rodney Christopher Guy Prosser and multi-instrumentalist Benedict Simon Leach have been making music together for nearly a decade. They found inspiration for the new material in music from London Underworld films. They experienced this first hand by drinking in 'dangerous places'. Prosser had this to say about the new single. The story of "My Life in the Cartel" is about Kenny Dogleach, who doesn't like being disrespected. The story that is told here is entirely based on the reality of people that Ben and myself have come into contact with or worked with. The lyrics are about a kind of gangster karma: if you make a m...

Birds Of Bellwoods Drop New Single And Announce Album Release

9Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Birds Of Bellwoods Drop New Single And Announce Album Release

Photo Credit: Kate Dockeray Toronto-based Birds of Bellwoods have released "Firsts (Over And Over Again)" which you might have heard in a popular ABC drama. The song is featured on the band's 10-track Everything You Want. The new album is set for release on February 10th via MNRK Music Group. Birds of Bellwoods worked with Grammy-winning producer Dave Schiffman on the project. He's known for his work with Vampire Weekend, Haim, and others. The result is an album packed with harmony-rich radio-friendly alt-rock tunes. ...On Television "Firsts" made its debut on an October 9th episode of ABCs The Rookie. As for the meaning behind the song, the band states it's as much a poem as it is a song. "It tells the story of a short relationship, from strangers to friends, friends to ...

Here’s How You Can Join In On The Coheed & Cambria Cruise

7Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Here’s How You Can Join In On The Coheed & Cambria Cruise

Photo Credit: Alexandra Gavillet Coheed & Cambria will be hitting the open seas with a variety of musical friends in tow. The S.S. Neverender: Raiders of Silent Earth 3 is the second annual band-led cruise. The mighty Norweigen Pearl will depart from Miami on October 23rd 2023 and will sail to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. While Coheed is the main attraction on the cruise, they'll be joined by bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Animals as Leaders and many others. In addition to the intmate performances on board, you'll have a series of unique opportunities to connect with the band. Coheed and Cambria Cruise Q&A With Coheed & Cambria - Join the band for a live session where they answer your questions. They're celebrating the 20th anniversary of the releas...

The Blue Stones Release Third Studio Album ‘Pretty Monster’

6Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

The Blue Stones Release Third Studio Album ‘Pretty Monster’

The new album from The Blue Stones has been one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year for us here at MendoWerks. They released "Don't Miss" to kick off summer then followed it up with "Good Ideas" in August. Everything we've heard so far has been refreshing and Pretty Monster lives up to our expectations. Photo Credit: Nick Fancher The Blue Stones are a duo made up of Tarek Jafar (vocals/guitar) and Justin Tessier (drums). They hunkered down at Zane Whitfield's NOP Studios in Ontario for more than a month earlier this year to work on the album. They brought in a series of producers to help capture the energy and vibe of their live performances. Blue Stones 'Pretty Monster' Collaborations with Kevin Hissink (grandson/Demi Lovato), WZRD BLD (Highly Suspect/iDKHOW)...