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.
New York’s Junket Drops New Single ‘MakeWaves’
18Jun By SimonNo Comments
Music

New York’s Junket Drops New Single ‘MakeWaves’

Junket's rebirth continues with their third single new song of 2021. As of today, 'MakeWaves' is available everywhere you like to listen to music. The track was produced by Sean-Paul Pillsworth at upstate NY's Nada Recording Studios. The Junket lineup consists of Chris Wicher (vocals), Mike Miller (guitar), Kyle Hallenbeck (bass) and Chad Babcock (drums). Wicher stated recently that the song is about a positive catalyst for change. This is a tune about hitting that low point in your life and then someone or something is introduced, totally changes your point of view, and helps you right the ship. In this case, it’s a girl, but it could literally be anything that has a positive impact.-Wicher The band just recently started playing shows again so keep your eyes peeled for more con...
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20 Years Of Stone Temple Pilots Shangri-La Dee Da
15Jun By SimonNo Comments
Music

20 Years Of Stone Temple Pilots Shangri-La Dee Da

Stone Temple Pilots' fifth studio album and final before their first breakup was released 20 years ago. Shangri-La Dee Da would also be the bands' final work with renowned producer Brendan O'Brien. Released on June 19, 2001, it would go on to be certified as gold with sales of over 500,000 copies. The lead single 'Days of the Week' had a solid run at radio. However, the song was rarely heard as part of their live set. 'Hollywood Bitch' was the follow up and while it didn't get as much airplay, found it's way into the bands live performances with much greater frequency. The Break-up & Reunion Two short years after the release of Shangri-La Dee Da the band went their separate ways. It wasn't until 2008 the band would reunite and release any new material. The result was a self ...
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Rescheduled Dropkick Murphys/Rancid Tour Dates Released
14Jun By SimonNo Comments
Events, Music

Rescheduled Dropkick Murphys/Rancid Tour Dates Released

Two punk rock icons are teaming up for an epic jaunt across the country. Dropkick Murphys and Rancid will embark on the Boston to Berkeley II tour this August. The co-headlining run was supposed to take place last year but the world stood still in the face of the pandemic. Tickets are on sale Friday and will surely sell out across the country. Both Dropkick Murphys and Rancid last toured together in 2017 and will be taking The Bronx on the road with them this time around. And if you're going to complain that the tour is called Boston to Berkeley but they don't have any dates in either of those two markets specifically, Dropkick Murphy's would like to clear that up. …yeah we know the tour doesn’t play in Boston or Berkeley specifically but this is part 2 of the tour and those ar...
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Seven Bad Ass Music Festivals Taking Place In 2021
9Jun By SimonNo Comments
Events, Features

Seven Bad Ass Music Festivals Taking Place In 2021

With the situation improving in the U.S., and plenty of pent-up demand, there is no shortage of music festivals to choose from this year. While Coachella and Burning Man have decided to punt until 2022, here's a look at seven big shows that are moving forward. 7. LOCKN Festival organizers have gotten creative with the Virginia held LOCKN Music Festival. While some fans will undoubtedly miss the old format, much respect for trying something new. Instead of one large scale event this fall, they're having three weekend shows in August with headliners JRAD, Goose & Tedeschi Trucks. https://twitter.com/locknfestival/status/1400229165056593922 6. The Peach Music Festival Taking place annually in Scranton, PA this jam band-themed festival has a stacked lineup from top to bo...
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Flaming Lips To Release Rare Promo Album On Record Store Day
7Jun By SimonNo Comments
Music

Flaming Lips To Release Rare Promo Album On Record Store Day

The Flaming Lips are a sight to behold. If you've never experienced them live in concert, you might want to dip your toe in that pool. The band is set to release a collection of music that was once only available to friends and a handful of radio program directors. The Soft Bulletin Companion was originally released in 1999 as a promo-only CD to accompany the band's Soft Bulletin campaign. The album features previously unreleased material, outtakes, b-sides, and more. This collection of music will be available on vinyl for the first time ever on Saturday for Record Store Day First Drop. The set is limited to just 16,000 copies. On July 16, Flaming Lips will release this collection on CD and digitally. The band just recently announced tour dates into mid-2022 so if you're re...
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Guitar Virtuoso Robben Ford Announces Late Summer Album Release
6Jun By SimonNo Comments
Uncategorized

Guitar Virtuoso Robben Ford Announces Late Summer Album Release

Widely known for his work with performers like Joni Mitchell, George Harrison and Phil Lesh, five-time Grammy nominee Robben Ford will release a new album of instrumental material on August 27. Pure is his first collection of instrumental music since 1997's Tiger Walk. The album features nine tracks with hints of jazz, blues, and rock & roll. The talented Nate Smith, Toss Panos, and Shannon Forest are all featured on the record. Ford states this new project is unlike anything he's ever done and could be the most complete representation of his musical vision to date. I had to shape this new music myself from the ground up. My engineer and co-producer, Casey Wasner, proved invaluable in making that happen and most of the music you’ll hear in this recording was accomplish...
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Winners of the 42nd Blues Awards Set To Be Announced Sunday
2Jun By SimonNo Comments
Features

Winners of the 42nd Blues Awards Set To Be Announced Sunday

The 42nd Blues Awards presented by The Blues Foundation will take place on Sunday via virtual celebration. Tune in starting at 5 PM EST for special guest appearances and surprise performances along with the awards. The show will be hosted by Big Llou and will feature winners across 25 different categories. Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, Shemekia Copeland, and John Nemeth all lead the way in nominations. For a look at all of the nominees, check here. There are both VIP and GA ticketing options available for the Livestream. Admission to the pre-show virtual Blue Lounge is part of the VIP experience. Here's a look back on last year's show if you missed out. For more updates and more information link up with Blues.org. https://www.youtube.c...
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Robert Smith Of The Cure Teases New Collaboration With CHVRCHES
31May By SimonNo Comments
Music

Robert Smith Of The Cure Teases New Collaboration With CHVRCHES

Be on the lookout this week for a collaboration you may not have been expecting. The iconic Robert Smith of The Cure has been engaged in a volley of tweets with the account of alt/rockers CHVRCHES. By the looks of things, we should be getting a new song on Wednesday. https://twitter.com/RobertSmith/status/1399186571342094338 News of this exciting new collaboration led to a YouTube viewing wormhole of Robert Smith collaborations. Besides the inevitable South Park videos that pop up, there are a few musical pairings worth mentioning. As far as new music from Smith's full-time band The Cure, the wait continues. On Blink 182's self-titled 2003 release, Smith is featured on a track called 'All of This'. Singles 'Feeling This' and 'I Miss You' led the album cycle off and the band ha...
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Seven Albums To Get Excited About For Summer of 2021
27May By SimonNo Comments
Features

Seven Albums To Get Excited About For Summer of 2021

There are way more than seven albums coming out over the next few months. But we don't have the time to cover them all, so here are our top seven to keep your eyes out for in the summer of 2021. 7. Eve 6 'Grim Value' Eve 6 return with a new EP on June 25, their first album of new material since 2012's Speak In Code. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLJ4Y9t98c 6. Yola 'Stand For Myself' The uber talented Yola just released her latest single 'Stand For Myself'. The track is the title cut from her new album due July 30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMa2jthBS3Y 5. Modest Mouse 'The Golden Casket' Indie alt-rockers Modest Mouse is set to release their new album The Golden Casket on June 25. 'Leave A Light On' is the first material we're getting from the record ...
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If You Haven’t Been Paying Attention To Mammoth WVH, You Should
25May By SimonNo Comments
Reviews

If You Haven’t Been Paying Attention To Mammoth WVH, You Should

More than five years in the making, the world is getting a chance to hear the music of Wolfgang Van Halen. We've had a chance to see him on the road previously on a number of tours alongside his father and uncle Eddie & Alex. The difference now is that we're getting a chance to hear the original material he's been cultivating in recent years. Keep in mind Van Halen wrote, sings, and plays all the instruments throughout the album. Mammoth WVH is set to release a self-titled debut album on June 11. A steady stream of material has seeped out since the announcement. Six of the album's 14 songs are now public so there's plenty of material to wrap your head around. Back in November, the first track to be released was 'Distance', a tribute to father Eddie Van Halen who tragically passed th...
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