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.
Three Live Stream Performances To Check Out For 4/20
Features

Three Live Stream Performances To Check Out For 4/20

Is the whole 4/20 thing played out? Sure, maybe a little. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the day with some live stream experiences. Yes, many would rather be out at shows in person. With any luck, people will be able to be back out on the concert field a little later on this year. Three artists hosting performances for the 'holiday' are quite fitting if you plan on celebrating. Who better than Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill & The Disco Biscuits? Snoop Dogg Presented by Weedmaps, this one-time showing features music, comedy, and undoubtedly some partaking. There is no fee for this one and will have an age gate so you must be 18 to view it. This virtual event is hosted by Snoop with performances from A$AP Rocky, Jhene Aiko, Bam Marley, and others. https://twitter.com/Sno...
Fyre Festival Attendees Set To Win Thousands As Part Of A Class Action Suit
Features

Fyre Festival Attendees Set To Win Thousands As Part Of A Class Action Suit

The infamous Fyre Festival was to take place over two weekends in the spring of 2017 and was promoted as a high-end affair. Those who did make it to the island destination, found it to be an experience they'd surely rather forget. According to NPR, nearly 300 people could be looking at $7,000+ payouts as part of a recent ruling. Another hearing is set for mid-May and the results will determine whether the compensation goes through and exactly how much these folks will receive. The festival was founded by Fyre Media CEO Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, the event was meant to promote a new music booking app. The deep lineup was set to include everyone from Blink 182 to Tyga to Major Lazer. The initial buzz around the event took the internet by storm and organizers hired a number o...
KALEO Release Stunning Video Performance In Front Of An Active Volcano
Features, Music

KALEO Release Stunning Video Performance In Front Of An Active Volcano

Icelandic alt-rockers have a new album on the way and have just released a one-of-a-kind music video of a performance in front of an actual live volcano. Surface Sounds is their third studio album and is set for public consumption on April 23. The first two singles from the project were released in January of last year with other tracks released in March and April. The album release date was pushed back due to the pandemic and we're finally going to have an opportunity to hear the rest. https://twitter.com/officialkaleo/status/1382332815652577281 On March 24 frontman JJ Julius Son performed in front of the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano (just don't ask us how to properly pronounce it). The resulting footage is strikingly beautiful and we can't help but wonder what was going t...
Grohl-Led Documentary Chronicles ‘Life In A Van’ Before Massive Success For Bands
Features

Grohl-Led Documentary Chronicles ‘Life In A Van’ Before Massive Success For Bands

No band or musician starts out selling out Madison Square Garden or The Forum right away. It can take years to even progress past playing the bar circuit. A new Dave Grohl-directed documentary tells the story of a number of well-known bands just starting out. Perhaps it'll even inspire some of the next generation of talent to hit the road and test their fortunes once more concerts return. The new trailer for What Drives Us provides a sample of how the film will take an in-depth look at experiences from acts like No Doubt, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, and many others before they started selling out arenas. Each act pays tribute to their early years on the road and points out how important that time was to their development. According to a press release the movie is a testament to ...
Five Musicians Who Are Killing It On TikTok Right Now
Features

Five Musicians Who Are Killing It On TikTok Right Now

From viral trends to threats of getting banned in the United States, there's been a lot of discussion about the social media site TikTok in recent years. There's a little bit of everything circulating around the platform from choreographed dances to comedy to even stock advice. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance. In 2018 they purchased the social media site Musical.ly and merged the two platforms. With that move, TikTok became available worldwide and has seen rapid growth first with America's youth. With the onset of the pandemic and widespread boredom setting in, a larger piece of the demographic pie joined in over the last year. As easy as it is to add music to each post, it's also become an important source of new music discovery. But we're not talking about th...
Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, Grateful Dead & More Announce Record Store Day Releases
Music

Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, Grateful Dead & More Announce Record Store Day Releases

The list of new, exclusive, and reissued albums available on Record Store Day 2021 has arrived and there's a lot of options for music fans. Spread out over two days this year, June 12 and July 17 there are a few things you'll want to educate yourself on to give you a better chance of locking up the albums you're looking to add to your collection. The good folks over at the official Record Store Day site have laid it all out for us and there are three categories of content to keep in mind. First, there's the 'Exclusives'. These are titles that will only be released physically at indie record store shops. Next, we have 'RSD First' which are titles that will hit the indie shops first but could later be released via other retailers or online at some point. Next up there is the 'Small Run/R...
Twenty One Pilots Return With ‘Shy Away’, New Album Announcement
Music, Reviews

Twenty One Pilots Return With ‘Shy Away’, New Album Announcement

Twenty One Pilots started teasing a new release earlier this year and we just got the payoff. 'Shy Away' is the first single from their new album Scaled and Icy. You can put May 21 on your calendar for the release and a live stream performance from the band. Tickets are on sale now and the experience starts at 8 PM EST. You can secure your passes now via their website and start at $20. Scaled and Icy is the band's first album release since 2017s Trench. The band did treat us to the pandemic-inspired single 'Level of Concern' last year. The video for 'Shy Away' was directed by Miles Cable and A.J. Favicchio and lays it on pretty heavy with the 80s vibes. And that's ok, we're feeling it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sO-Y1Zbft4 LYRICS When I get home,You better not be ...