discovering and sharing the music that moves us

Author: Simon

Two-plus decades in the music industry as a program director, host, influencer, voice-over artist, and artist manager. Passionate about introducing music fans to talented artists. Avid sports card collector. Pizza lover. Microbrew connoisssoir.
Singer/Songwriter Ian Flanigan Releases ‘Strong’ Debut LP
Features, Music

Singer/Songwriter Ian Flanigan Releases ‘Strong’ Debut LP

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Ian Flanigan has released his highly anticipated debut full-length album. The 11-track Strong is available now on Reviver Music. IanFlaniganMusic.com While many were first introduced to Ian Flanigan's music on NBC's The Voice, he had been touring full time up until that point for more than a decade. His third-place finish on the show led to mentorship and collaboration with country mega-star Blake Shelton on the single "Grow Up". Flanigan assembled an A-list production team to work on Strong. He worked with Todd Lombardo and Craig Alvin (Kacey Musgraves, Will Hoge), Obie O'Brien, Phil Nicolo (Bon Jovi, Sting, Billy Joel), and Ryan Rossebo. A collaboration between Flanigan, Rossebo, and Barrett Baber led to the standout lead single. The uptempo,...
Punk Rockers Venerea Release Nostalgic ‘Euro Trash’ Album
Features, Music

Punk Rockers Venerea Release Nostalgic ‘Euro Trash’ Album

Swedish punk rockers Venerea have unleashed a new album that feels nostalgic yet fresh. Euro Trash features high-octane songs like "Blind Faith", "A Case of Corona" and the summer anthem "Summer of 94". We're hearing influences from bands like Bad Religion, The Offspring, and Green Day. And our only regret is that we're just discovering them now. Venerea formed out of Malmö, Sweden in 1991 and according to their bio, will be around until the end of time. Frankly, we love the optimistic outlook on their future. Their dual guitar/dual vocal approach results in a full melodic sound that is infectious. Recorded In Sweden The band fancies themselves as punk rock storytellers. The material on Euro Trash covers topics from humorous to political. Everything from tales of their musical ...
The Gorillaz Announce Highly Anticipated 8th Studio Album
Features, Music

The Gorillaz Announce Highly Anticipated 8th Studio Album

The new Gorillaz album Cracker Island officially has a release date. The 10-track collection is loaded with unique collaborations and is sure to defy genre classification. The highly anticipated project will be released on February 24th. This is the eighth studio album from the popular animated band founded by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. Expect guest appearances from artists like Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo Beck, and Bad Bunny. The latest single "New Gold" features Tame Impala and Bootie Brown (The Pharcyde). The album was recorded in both London and Los Angeles earlier this year. The Gorillaz co-produced with eight-time Grammy Award-winning producer, instrumentalist, and songwriter Greg Kurstin and Remi Kabaka Jr. New Gorillaz Album Formats Cracker Island will be a...
Blue October Frontman To Make Feature Film Debut
Features, Film

Blue October Frontman To Make Feature Film Debut

Blue October frontman Justin Furstenfeld will make his feature film debut this fall. Section 8 starring Scott Adkins, Dermot Mulroney, Dolph Lundgren and Mickey Rourke will debut in theatres and on AMC+ on September 23rd. Section 8 Due September 23rd Playing a villain by the name of Ajax Abernathy, the film tells the story of a former soldier who avenges the murder of his family and is sent to prison. The character, Leonard Locke, played by Adkins is sprung from prison by a shady government agency after being recruited to join the entity. Furstenfeld's Film Debut The original screenplay was written by Chad Law and Josh Ridgeway. Section 8 was directed by Christian Sesman and produced by Brandon Burrows of Firebrand. According to a quote from Burrows via Deadline. "We are hono...
The Blue Stones Release Infectious Single “Good Ideas”
Features, Music

The Blue Stones Release Infectious Single “Good Ideas”

Alt-rockers The Blue Stones have released a new single on the heels of a successful six-week headlining tour across America. "Good Ideas" is set to appear on their brand new studio album which will be out later this year. Pretty Monster also includes "Don't Miss" which dropped earlier this summer. The Blue Stones consist of Tarek Jafar and Justin Tessier and are following up on their successful 2021 release Hidden Gems. "Good Ideas" was co-produced by WZRD BLD, known for their work with Highly Suspect and iDKHOW. Earlier this year they spent more than a month working with a series of different producers to perfect Pretty Monster. They were looking to capture the passion and adventurous spirit of their live shows on the album. When it came to "Good Ideas", Jafar had this to ...
Five September Album Releases That Should Be On Your Radar
Features, Music

Five September Album Releases That Should Be On Your Radar

This fall is shaping up to be an excellent season for new music. Here's a look at 5 September album releases that should be on your radar. Streaming is fine but please consider supporting your local independent record store. 1. YUNGBLUD YUNGBLUD Release Date: September 2nd YUNGBLUD will release his third studio album on September 2nd. The self-titled release will feature stand-out tracks like "The Funeral", "Don't Feel Like Feeling Sad Today" and "Memories" featuring Willow. He's set to perform a series of low-key shows at US record stores in September before moving on to performances on big stages at Riot Fest, Louder Than Life Fest, and Firefly. Artist links: Website, Instagram & Twitter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02T6xLNXEE0 2. Ozzy Osbourne Patient Numbe...
Catch Wheatus Of “Teenage Dirtbag” Fame On Tour This Fall
Events, Features, Music

Catch Wheatus Of “Teenage Dirtbag” Fame On Tour This Fall

Their iconic early 2000s hit "Teenage Dirtbag" has gone viral multiple times in recent years. Here's a little background on the song, why it was re-recorded it in recent years, and where you can catch Wheatus on tour this fall (in select cities). Credit: WheatusVEVO Wheatus was formed in 1995 by frontman/vocalist Brendan B. Brown out of New York City. The original lineup consisted of brother Peter on drums, Rich Liegey on bass, and Philip Jimenez on percussion, keyboards, harmonica, and special effects. The band name was inspired by a nickname given to the Brown brothers by their father when they were young. The band's debut album was released in August of 2000 and their lead single was their biggest hit. "Teenage Dirtbag" had success in the U.S. and was even bigger overseas in ...
New Stu Brooks Single Features Fall Out Boy Frontman
Features, Music

New Stu Brooks Single Features Fall Out Boy Frontman

Grammy-nominated bassist, producer & songwriter Stu Brooks is celebrating a solo record deal with the release of a brand new single. "Sound The Alarm" features Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. The track will be featured on his new album The 40HZ EP. The EP is stacked with special guests like Stump, Angelo Moore, Jason Aalon Butler, and Paul Leary. Known for his work as co-founder of Dub Trio and as an in-demand road and studio musician, the record deal with Dine Alone Records is Brooks' first as a solo artist. "Sound The Alarm" began as an instrumental but evolved over time. Reggae and punk influences can be heard weaving their way through the song. Brooks had this to say, "I took these two genres and tried to tie them together into a song. Between the chorus groove and verse...
Chili Pepper’s New Single Is Funky, Psychadelic Fun
Features, Music

Chili Pepper’s New Single Is Funky, Psychadelic Fun

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are back with a funky, psychedelic new single. "Tippa My Tongue" will be featured on Return of the Dream Canteen due this fall. The album marks its second major release of the year and indicates the band is in the midst of a prolific phase. John Frusciante is back in the fold and Rick Rubin has produced each of this year's albums. "Tippa My Tounge" showcases the band embracing their funky roots. The song feels like vintage Chili Peppers but with a modern sensibility. The accompanying music video is a trippy performance piece. The band performs in a dreamlike sequence bobbing and weaving through reality. You can see for yourself down below. When it comes to the state of the band, they had this to say according to a recent press release. We went in searc...
Sorry It’s Over Confronts Addiction On New Single “Dog Daze”
Interviews

Sorry It’s Over Confronts Addiction On New Single “Dog Daze”

Alt/pop concept act Sorry It's Over has released a new single called "Dog Daze". The band, formed by Louis Petrella continues to pick up steam with more than a half million streams on Spotify to date. We caught up with Petrella to learn more about "Dog Daze", his songwriting process, and what inspired him to start playing music in the first place. You can connect with Sorry It's Over for additional updates on their website, Facebook and Instagram pages. On your new song "Dog Daze", what's the inspiration behind the song? Musically, "Dog Daze" was a pretty simple song that I came up with rather quickly a couple of years ago. Just going back and forth with two major 7 chords on the guitar. I had the basic idea of how the song should go pretty quickly but what took a little long...