DAVE GAHAN AND SOULSAVERS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM IMPOSTER COMING NOVEMBER 12
Photo: Spencer Ostrander
Imposter is a collection of songs from Dave Gahan & Soulsavers. They didn’t write these songs, but listened to them, studied them, and gave them new life.
Recorded at the legendary Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, these versions of songs you know and some you might not range from sparse to lush, somber to joyful. The choices and sequencing were deliberate and meaningful. It shines a light on the enduring strength of poignant lyrics and well-executed melodies.
Imposter is a reflection of Dave's life, a story told by others, but in his own distinct voice. Listen to the first song “Metal Heart” and pre-order the album today!
Photo: Spencer Ostrander
NEW YORK - Multi-platinum selling, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted recording artist and songwriter Dave Gahan, along with long time musical partner Soulsavers (Rich Machin), will release a new album on November 12th. Entitled Imposter, Dave takes listeners on a personal journey of 12 meticulously chosen reimagined songs from across genres and time periods, including selections from Neil Young, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, Charlie Chaplin, Cat Power and Mark Lanegan, amongst others.
One would be remiss to refer to Imposter as a cover album. Rather, Imposter is a story of songs, which Dave Gahan & Soulsavers listened to, studied, absorbed, and gave a new life. All of the songs have deep meaning to Dave, making Imposter a reflection of Dave's life – a story told by others, but in his own distinct voice.
"When I listen to other people's voices and songs—more importantly the way they sing them and interpret the words—I feel at home," Dave Gahan confesses. "I identify with it. It comforts me more than anything else. There's not one performer on the record who I haven't been moved by." He adds, "I know we made something special, and I hope other people feel that and it takes them on a little kind of trip—especially people who love music and have for years."
The first offering from Imposter will be "Metal Heart." Written by Chan Marshall (Cat Power), and first released in 1998, the reimagined version from Dave & Soulsavers will drop on October 8th.
Imposter track listing:
The Dark End of the Street
Strange Religion
Lilac Wine
I Held My Baby Last Night
A Man Needs a Maid
Metal Heart
Shut Me Down
Where My Love Lies Asleep
Smile
The Desperate Kingdom of Love
Not Dark Yet
Always On My Mind
Unlike Dave Gahan & Soulsavers' past albums which were transatlantic collaborations where the duo recorded separately and passed parts back and forth, the recording of Imposter was done live as a ten-member band at the famed Shangri-La Recording Studio in Malibu, CA in November of 2019. This allowed for not only a more intimate collaboration, but for Dave & Soulsavers to truly absorb the atmosphere and have the space to breathe a different spirit into the tracks. In an interview with podcaster and media personality Chris Black, Dave noted, "This was the first time we were all in one space. It was kind of lucky [timing] as well… Arriving at Shangri-La every day, it was magical. We'd have coffee, go in, and work."
Imposter, also produced by Rich Machin and Dave Gahan, serves as the collaborators' third album, following their critically acclaimed 2015 release Angels & Ghosts and their first release, 2012's The Light the Dead See. The album will be released in digital, as well as physical formats, worldwide on November 12th through Columbia Records.
Visit www.DaveGahan.com and Instagram.com/theimposter for additional album information and updates.
RADIOHEAD REVEAL BRAND-NEW VIDEO FOR 'IF YOU SAY THE WORD'
Radiohead have revealed the brand-new video for their recently released single ‘If You Say The Word’. The video is directed by Norwegian director Kaspar Häggström (Kelly Lee Owens). If You Say The Word is taken from Radiohead’s upcoming KID A MNESIA reissue package, set for release on 5th November via XL Recordings.
KID A MNESIA collects Radiohead’s fourth and fifth albums, alongside the debut of a newly compiled third disc, titled Kid Amnesiae. Exclusive to this release, Kid Amnesiae is made up of unearthed material from the Kid A / Amnesiac sessions, as well as a previously unreleased recording of Follow Me Around.
Radiohead and Epic Games recently announced a KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION via Sony’s PlayStation Showcase.
KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION, described as an “upside-down digital/analogue universe” is created from Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood’s original artwork and audio design by Nigel Godrich. The exhibition commemorates the coming of age of Radiohead’s records, Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001).
WATCH THE EXHIBITION TEASER HERE.
Published by Epic Games and developed by Name The Machine and Arbitrarily Good Productions, KID A MNESIA EXHIBITION will be available to download this November, exclusively on PlayStation 5, PC and Mac, via the Epic Games Store.
Earlier this week, Christie’s announced that they will be partnering with Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood to present an auction of artworks by Stanley, created for Radiohead’s album Kid A. The six paintings will be on display at Christie’s Headquarters in London from 9 to 15 October 2021, alongside drawings, lyrics and digital art curated by Stanley and Thom. The paintings will also be offered in an online sale First Open: Post-War and Contemporary Art for global bidding from 5 to 19 October 2021.
For more information on Radiohead, please visit:
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SUPERGRASS RELEASE REMASTERED SECOND ALBUM IN IT FOR THE MONEY
Supergrass has just released the remastered expanded version of their beloved, classic second album In It For The Money on 3CD, 2 x 2LP and digital formats via BMG, which sees the album available on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1997.
Originally released on April 21, 1997 to a hail of critical and commercial acclaim, In It For The Money saw Supergrass reach #2 in Album Charts, passing platinum status in the UK and selling over a million copies worldwide. It was voted in the NME‘s top 10 Albums of 1997 and included in Robert Dimery’s ‘1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die’. Shedding their skin as the jolly japey kids we met on archetypal teenage debut I Should Coco, In It For The Money was dark, perverse and bristling with barely-repressed anger. It is the sound of Supergrass creating a world that was at once reassuringly normal and exhilaratingly weird. To crystallize this bold and assured step on from their debut, with In It For The Money the band were now producing themselves, (albeit with the aid of simpatico engineer/ co-producers in the form of John Cornfield and Sam Williams), and had welcomed in Gaz’s keyboard-playing brother Rob as a fully contributing member of the band.
As well as featuring the hit singles ‘Going Out’ (UK #5), the dark, dense and heavy ‘Richard III’ (UK #2), ‘Sun Hits the Sky’ (UK #10) and the lush, languorous longing of ‘Late In The Day’ (UK #18), In It For The Money also spawned a raft of classic videos in its wake.
This brand new expanded edition of In It For The Money features remastered audio from analogue tape on 180g Black and 140g Turquoise Vinyl. The LP also includes 12” single ‘Sun Hits The Sky (Bentley Rhythm Ace Remix)’ / ‘The Animal’ on 140g White Vinyl. The album hasn’t been available on LP since its original release in 1997. The 3CD format includes 43 tracks over two CDs of B- Sides, Rarities, Outtakes & Live Tracks, many of which are previously unreleased, imagery from revered photographer Kevin Westenberg, and sleevenotes from Charles Shaar Murray. The album has been remastered by Supergrass and all formats have been compiled by them.
Reuniting in 2019 after more than a decade apart, Supergrass once again witnessed success with “The Strange Ones 1994-2008”career spanning Deluxe Boxset and a sold out world tour. Formed in Oxford UK in 1993, the Brit, Q, NME and Ivor Novello-winning outfit released their Mercury-nominated No.1 debut album I Should Coco in 1995. Fourth single, ‘Alright’, was a pop masterpiece and became a massive hit, catapulting the band to global success. Supergrass subsequently released another five acclaimed studio albums: In It For The Money (1997), Supergrass (1999), Life On Other Planets (2002), Road To Rouen (2005), Diamond Hoo Ha(2008) as well as top 5 best of, Supergrass Is 10 (2004). Other top 20 singles include: ‘Lenny’, ‘Going Out’, ‘Richard III’, ‘Sun Hits The Sky’, ‘Pumping On Your Stereo’, ‘Moving’ and ‘Grace’. They scored an unbroken run of five Top 10 albums, among them three platinum sellers generating millions of worldwide sales spawning ten Top 20 singles, and scored the biggest-selling debut for Parlophone since The Beatles. Supergrass split in 2010, though the band members went on to lead successful solo careers: Gaz Coombes released solo albums Here Come The Bombs in 2012, Matador in 2015 and World’s Strongest Man in 2018; Mick Quinn has been playing with his own group, DB Band, and been a member of Swervedriver since 2015, Danny Goffey has released solo material including album Schtick in 2018. Ten years to the day since they split, Supergrass appeared on stage at Glastonbury Pilton Party 2019, in a secret special guest slot to announce their return. A string of 5 star reviews greeted their subsequent worldwide reunion tour, culminating in two sold-out nights at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Supergrass are Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn, Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes. They play the following live dates this year:
July 24 - Latitude Festival, Southwold
July 25 - Tramlines Festival, Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
August 20 - South Facing 2021, Crystal Palace
August 27 - Down The Rabbit Hole, Biddinghuizen
August 28 - Camper Calling, Ragley Hall, Alcester
August 29 - Victorious Festival, Portsmouth
September 19 - Isle of Wight Festival, Newport
December 19 - O2 Academy, Glasgow
IN IT FOR THE MONEY (DELUXE, REMASTERED, EXPANDED EDITION) IS RELEASED BY BMG ON AUGUST 27, 2021
Available on all formats: https://supergrass.lnk.to/IIFTM2021TW
ALT-POP ARTIST CAROLINE ROMANO SHARES NEW TRACKS "ODDITIES AND PRODIGIES" (A-side) AND "LONELY INTERLUDE" (B-side) .
Alt-pop artist Caroline Romano is sharing two new brand tracks, "Oddities and Prodigies" (A-side) and "Lonely Interlude" (B-side).
Paired together, the two new songs balance tenacity and tenderness. The A-side, “Oddities and Prodigies,” is an electrifying and anthemic pop punk-inspired track. “‘Oddities and Prodigies’ is my life motto,” Caroline says. “For me, this song represents the beginning of my story. It’s the first page of the first chapter of this narrative I’m writing. I’ve set out on a quest to spin something beautiful, even if it is often tragic, as I don’t think you can have one without the other.”
The B-side, “Lonely Interlude,” sees Caroline tapping into a more melancholic side of her musicality, with soft acoustics and tempered vocals. It’s hauntingly sweet, tugging at the heartstrings with lines like, “I’ve been waiting for my whole life / For the day I feel alive / And Eleanor Rigby asked where all the lonely people go / And I think you and I know.”
Caroline Romano has something to say, and millions of people are listening. A self-proclaimed “loudest sort of introvert,” the 20-year-old Nashville-based artist has written and performed her way into the hearts and ears of an anxious generation. With a number of singles already out — including her Billboard-charting R3HAB collaboration, “I Still Remember” — she has quickly racked up millions of streams and support from key tastemakers like Hollywood Life, American Songwriter and Just Jared.
Wise beyond her years, Caroline's songwriting abilities showcase her witty, introspective and hopeful take on modernity, romanticism and the highs and lows of being young in today’s world. A unique and passionate force in the music world, Caroline Romano is a breath of fresh air who is forging a path of her own.
Stream "Oddities and Prodigies" & "Lonely Interlude": https://onerpm.link/odditiesandprodigies
MIKE TAVEIRA DROPS NEW SINGLE "SEX FOR BREAKFAST (FT. ALLIE X)"
Photo Credit: Jon Stars
Rising queer pop star Mike Taveira returns with his new single, “Sex for Breakfast (ft. Allie X),” from his forthcoming debut EP, ‘Cut Velvet.’ Due out in early 2022, ‘Cut Velvet’ is a glittering record of spacey 80s new-wave and rudimentary 70s synths balanced precariously over slap bass and funk grooves. It’s a conceptual record that chronicles Mike’s wide-eyed move to Los Angeles, the rise and fall of young love, and all the predators along the way.
"Sex For Breakfast" is the second single to be released from 'Cut Velvet,' following the lead single, "Switch," which was released earlier this summer. Featuring indie-pop superstar Allie X, “Sex for Breakfast” is a synth-fueled anthem packed with suggestive lyrical wordplay and beats that will get you moving.
“’Sex for Breakfast’ was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle songs,” Mike says of the new song. “The idea came to me after an intense morning with this guy I was head over heels for. We were essentially dating but kept pretending it was a fling. We ended up in this almost masochistic cat-and-mouse game, knowing we were so right together but both being too uncomfortable to admit it.”
Los Angeles-based Mike Taveira makes music that is wild, fun, and unabashedly queer. He showcases an infectious pop sensibility while tackling the complexities and vulnerability of sexual identity, love, gender and sex. Since making his artist debut in 2019, Mike has received praise from tastemakers like Billboard Pride, Gay Times, PRIDE, and Attitude. With an underlying message that preaches to be true to yourself, whoever you love, whatever you identity as, and whatever life throws your way, Mike is a vibrant force in the evolution of queer pop.
Listen to "Sex for Breakfast (ft. Allie X)" on all streaming platforms: https://ffm.to/sfbax
L.A. Witch Announce Full U.S. Tour
L.A. Witch album ‘PLAY WITH FIRE’ came out in the middle of quarantine last year. The band has now announced that they will be able to play these songs live on a full US tour Fall 2021.
Their first show is set for the 4th of July weekend with special guests Acid Sisters and Viaje Nahual where they will be performing at Starbase in Las Vegas.
More info: Starbaselv
L.A. Witch an American garage-rock trio formed in Los Angeles, California in 2011. Founded by L.A. natives Sade Sanchez (vocals, guitar) and Irita Pai (bass), the band's sound has been described as a "mix of forlorn psych folk, lethargic lo-fi blues and boozy garage rock drones steeped in moody, drugged-out surf reverb." The group's influences include Black Sabbath, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and seminal L.A. punk rock bands X and the Gun Club.
Ministry Announce Fall Tour
Image Courtesy of 13th Planet
Ministry’s The Industrial Strength Tour runs October 3, 2021 in Albuquerque to November 3, 2021 in Seattle.
Celebrating 30 years of their album The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste, Helmet and Front Line Assembly will be part of the lineup. Spanning 23 dates only. Helmet will not be appearing at the Dallas date. Tickets purchased in 2020 for cities still listed in 2021 will be honored.
For official tickets and info, visit www.ministryband.com/tour
KAT VON D SHARES VULNERABLE SYNTH-WAVE SLOW JAM ‘I AM NOTHING’
Photo Credit: @sequioaemmanuel
Gifted multi-hyphenate Kat Von D shares vulnerable synthwave slow jam ‘I Am Nothing’, the second track from her forthcoming debut album, ‘Love Made Me Do It’, due August 27th and available for pre-order now. The pre-order of ‘Love Made Me Do It’ includes limited edition signed red vinyl, red cassettes, CD digipack, hoodies with Kat’s signature star face tattoos on the hood, custom sketchbooks and much more. Other limited edition color vinyl variants are also available for retail.
Listen to ‘I Am Nothing’ here - Pre-order ‘Love Made Me Do It’ here.
Produced by Kat with the help of her band, ‘I Am Nothing’ sees the talented artist at her most intimate and vulnerable, her fragile timbre coasts over sparse production and a dreamy beat before layers of synths open into a lush chorus. It’s the ultimate 3am dance floor synthwave slow jam for an Anti-prom that never happened but all alternative teens have dreamed about since the ‘80s. A sad bop for goths' broken hearts that will end up in their older sister’s pop playlist.
“I wrote the song for all of those who’ve ever felt not good enough, and Lord knows I’ve been there,” she goes on. “I wrote it during a time where I was lost in someone, but more importantly lost myself along the way, and I think that’s something many can relate to.” Kat contemplates, “wanting to be good enough for someone so badly, and somehow not measuring up”. “I believe there’s strength in vulnerability, but this song begs the listener of how much one's willingness to endure the things they can’t have”, she enthuses.
The new cut follows hot on the heels of debut single ‘Exorcism’ - defined by Billboard as “a darkwave bop about love, loss and change”- which unveiled the album's recurring theme, in Kat’s own words; “‘Love Made Me Do It’ is a collection of all my hopeless romantic thoughts poured into one album.” Talking to American Songwriter, Kat revealed; “it’s being able to dip into those feelings of codependency or craziness but not actually live in it. Although most of the songs were written during a time of depression, that’s definitely not where I want to live, but there’s a beauty and vulnerability and a strength to that as well. I’m not ashamed of writing out my faults. I’m so full of them.”
‘Love Made Me Do It’ sits at the core of Kat’s universe, proving that music is her first and strongest passion. Having been a classically trained pianist since her youth with a deep appreciation for music of all genres, Kat poured her soul into this long-awaited full-length debut album. The project features collaborators including Dave Grohl, Linda Perry, Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio), Peter Murphy (Bauhaus), Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails), Ladyhawke and Charo.
Long before the history-making tattoos, ubiquitous television shows, best-selling books and an influential beauty empire, Kat Von D sat down at a piano for nearly two hours a day and played. In essence, music became her first creative language and most trusted outlet. Classical training and a deep appreciation for music of all genres essentially underscored her life. She studied voice under Ken Tamplin six days per week, strengthening her vocals. In 2012, she began writing with GRAMMY® Award-nominated Linda Perry. Following this experience, Kat continued to write on her own, sitting at the piano and summoning songs from raw emotion. During 2014, she retreated to London to record the original mix of what would become her full-length debut album ‘Love Made Me Do It’(KVD/Kartel Music Group) before cementing it with her band – Gregg Foreman AKA Mr. Pharmacist (synth 1/Cat Power, The Gossip), Sammi Doll (synth 2/IAMX), Dave Parley (drums/Prayers), and Brynn Route (contortionist). They moved into a bungalow cottage on her property, lived together, and finished the record. Capping off the process, Dan Haigh of Gunship handled mixing. A pastiche of shapeshifting analog synths, post-punk dreamscapes, gothic hues, and shy pop magnetism, these eleven songs echo the eternal will of the perennially brokenhearted to love until death.
Tracklist for ‘Love Made Me Do It’:
1. Vanish Intro
2. Vanish
3. Enough
4. Exorcism
5. Protected feat. Peter Murphy
6. Fear You
7. I Am Nothing
8. Lost At Sea
9. Interlude
10. Pretending
11. Easier Sung Than Said
12. The Calling
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Revenge Wife Releases "Earthquake," The First In A Series of Horror-Themed Videos Directed by Nistico Herself
Los Angeles, CA. (February 17, 2021) -- Before its official release today, last night Revenge Wife (Elizabeth Nistico) invited her fans to a midnight screening of “Earthquake,” the first in a series of horror-themed videos directed by Nistico herself, which will culminate in a surreal nightmarish short film. As Revenge Wife, Nistico (formerly the lead singer and co-founder of acclaimed indie pop duo HOLYCHILD) steps out of her comfort zone and into a captivating new persona that allows her to explore trauma and abuse that has shaped her life through music, video, and art like never before.
“My fascination with horror comes from trying to examine fear in myself and how I can move forward knowing that fear is inherent to the human experience. I’m making art to try to understand myself and be a more stable person." Liz continues, “Going into relationships, or into anything I really want, is so terrifying for me that I feel bound by trepidation. The horror film aesthetic really brings out the fear that blankets my concept of love.” She adds, “I learned so much about filmmaking from the music video for ‘Earthquake’.
'Earthquake' is the lead single from the forthcoming debut EP, Background Songs for Your Boring Life, Part I, a collection of sad girl lo-fi horror pop that’s inspired by dreams, mystical experiences, and a lot of self-reflection. The song combines minimalist indie pop production with catchy melodies, clever 90s' video game inspired samples, and raw lyrics that focus on relationships and trying to trust love.
The music video for “Earthquake” was shot entirely on an iPhone during a cross-country road trip through Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana during the pandemic. “The difficult part wasn’t setting up the composition of the shots, though that definitely was a challenge at times, but it was telling this story I had in my head. What beats did I need to hit in order to make it clear? To show a woman on a journey motivated by love and trauma?”recalls Elizabeth. “She keeps having flashes of terrifying images that are trauma based for her and you know that you want something but fear comes in and I think that doubt is really debilitating. So, I wanted the music video to show all these aspects of things that I’m dealing with”.
To date, Nistico has directed over 40 music videos for HOLYCHILD as well as other artists including Kate Nash and her work has been featured at MOMA, so she is used to working with crews and budgets, but this one was just her and her boyfriend and their iPhones on the road, rogue shooting in nature. “Editing it was a whole other story that we can get to another day. At the end, I’m really proud that this is the first part in a series of horror-based music videos/films,” says Elizabeth.
Glasgow-Based Electro Rockers Union Of Knives "A Tall Tale" Featuring Helen Marnie of Ladytron
Helen Marnie of Ladytron featuring in Union of Knives music video “A Tall Tale.”
Check out Glasgow-based electro rockers Union of Knives self released “A Tall Tale,” their first of two collaborations featuring Ladytron’s lead vocalist Helen Marnie.
The trio is composed of Chris Gordon, Ant Thomaz (Dope Sick Fly) and drummer Pete Kelly, who returned from a decade on tour with The Kills and Ladytron, and brought Marnie into the fold. These songs will appear on their forthcoming album ‘Endless from the Start’, which will be released this spring with the next single, first week of March.
Watch/Listen here to “A Tall Tale” -
Helen had this to say; “I wanted to create a state of confusion and a feeling of being on the edge with the mantra 'Who am I?' But that feeling quickly disperses into something beautiful and hopeful when Anthony sings. A Tall Tale is a journey. Fare thee well.” Anthony adds,"The repetitive mantra 'who am I' is a question we ask ourselves every day. For me it is like meditating while dancing.”
The band combines a dystopian soundscape with the pummeling urgency of industrial music and the cathartic release of ambient theatrics for a unique multi-textured sound that mesmerizingly references goth, warped soul + more.
Union of Knives first flared briefly in the mid 2000s with their debut that received a rapturous reception,” Violence and Birdsong,” featured in Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries and was the musical tag for Zane Lowe’s IN NEW MUSIC WE TRUST Radio 1 show.
Hassan's New EP "Getting 2 Old 4 This" Set To Release On His Birthday, July 25th
In 2014 Hassan was voted best MC by the Las Vegas Weekly. Now on the eve of his birthday, VIM MAGAZINE interviews Hassan Hamilton on his current creative endeavors, the current political and culture environment, and the current state of his music. He is set to release his new EP “Getting 2 Old 4 This” on his birthday, July 25, 2020.
It’s been 10 years since Hassan Hamilton dropped his first album in the Las Vegas music scene, “MENACE II SOBRIETY.” Having moved to Vegas in the summer of 2005, he was literally done with rapping. It was a chance encounter that propelled him into the Vegas music scene. He soon started going out to shows and random open mics around town where he would discover and appreciate that Vegas was “more than just casinos, slot machines, showgirls, the strip, and Fremont Experience.” In time he became immersed with the Arts District and became part of the legendary collective Macro-Fi. He would become the MC for a house band at a clothing store called “CLOTH & CANVAS,” where he would rock the mic and where he would ultimately meet Marion Write. They linked up and Hassan told him about his ambition to make a project in Vegas. “He had the beats, I had rhymes, and the rest is history,” said Hassan. “MENACE II SOBRIETY” was born.
In 2014 Hassan was voted best MC by the Las Vegas Weekly. Now on the eve of his birthday, VIM MAGAZINE interviews Hassan Hamilton on his current creative endeavors, the current political and culture environment, and the current state of his music. He is set to release his new EP “Getting 2 Old 4 This” on his birthday, July 25, 2020.
VIM MAGAZINE: How have you stayed preoccupied during the pandemic? Any creative endeavors?
HASSAN: During the pandemic, I was still employed at Fergusons Downtown thankfully. Despite being frustrated with not being able to create and perform online like most artists began doing, I focused on writing again. A few songs were born out of quarantine.. can't wait to share them. And it reminded me to pay it forward and be charitable, lend a helping hand to those in need, and put in perspective that all that we cherish today can be gone tomorrow.
Music Video for Hassan’s "Can I Be Black?".
VIM MAGAZINE: The current political and culture environment is primed for movements and causes, have you kept up with what’s been going on?
HASSAN: At first I tried to ignore what was going on and deal with my own issues. But as time went by and more social injustice kept popping up from every corner, as a black man, I could no longer ignore it. My song and video "Can I be Black" started trending again.. unfortunately. But it helped open dialogue along with others who demand change. And I must say that I am damn proud of this younger generation that has willingly answered the call to action, and standing up and showing up against systematic oppression. It's a beautiful thing to see.
VIM MAGAZINE: What do you miss most from before everything was closed?
HASSAN: Honestly, I miss going to and performing at shows. Bar hopping lol. Hanging out at my favorite food spots, art galleries, etc. I just miss the camaraderie of my friends, local musicians, industry workers, and overall connecting with others and having a good time. Social distancing, while for the greater good, has made it completely awkward.
It’s been 10 years since Hassan dropped his first album in the Las Vegas music scene “Menace II Sobriety.”
VIM MAGAZINE: What music, artists have you kept up with during this time?
HASSAN: Truthfully, I haven't really kept up with any artists. I'll listen to some tracks from the local scene here and there, but that's about the extent of it. And mainstream music doesn't excite me anymore. I hate that I've become that guy, but the older I get, the more I listen to music that I was raised on.
VIM MAGAZINE: What’s next for you?
HASSAN: Well, I have a new EP called "Getting 2 old 4 this" coming out on my birthday(July 25th) that I'm excited about. I was honestly unhappy with my performance on my last project, so I wanted a chance to redeem myself creatively. The title to me is a culmination of being over it, but still loving it. Who knows from here
Links:
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Bandcamp To Donate All Sales TO NAACP Legal Defense Fund on Juneteeth
The recent killings of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the ongoing state-sanctioned violence against black people in the US and around the world are horrific tragedies. That is why Bandcamp is standing with those rightfully demanding justice, equality, and change, and people of color everywhere who live with racism every single day, including many of their fellow employees and artists and fans in the Bandcamp community.
This coming Juneteenth (June 19, from midnight to midnight PDT) and every Juneteenth hereafter, for any purchase you make on Bandcamp they will be donating 100% of their share of sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a national organization that has a long history of effectively enacting racial justice and change through litigation, advocacy, and public education. They are also allocating an additional $30,000 per year to partner with organizations that fight for racial justice and create opportunities for people of color.
“The current moment is part of a long-standing, widespread, and entrenched system of structural oppression of people of color, and real progress requires a sustained and sincere commitment to political, social, and economic racial justice and change, Bandcamp states, “We’ll continue to promote diversity and opportunity through our mission to support artists, the products we build to empower them, who we promote through the Bandcamp Daily, our relationships with local artists and organizations through our Oakland space, how we operate as a team, and who and how we hire.”
Bandcamp has encouraged everyone in their community to look for ways to support racial equality in their own local community, and as a company they said they will continue to look for more opportunities to support racial justice, equality and change.
More: Bandcamp
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Grammy Nominated Multi-Platinum Band Incubus 2020 Summer North American Tour With 311
Multi-platinum selling band INCUBUS return to Las Vegas as they hit the road this summer on their upcoming North American amphitheater tour. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will kick off July 15 in Auburn, WA and will travel to 35+ cities across the country before concluding September 5 in Noblesville, IN. The Grammy-nominated band will be joined on the trek by alternative rock stalwarts 311, who are celebrating their 30th Anniversary in 2020 (and will play all 50 U.S. States over the year) and Badflower, who recently had two #1 songs at Rock Radio. This summer marks the first time in 20 years that Incubus and 311 have toured together. The band also announced the release of their highly anticipated new EP, Trust Fall (Side B), in April 2020. Pre-save the EP HERE.
Fans can gain first access to the artist presale beginning tomorrow, February 5 at 10am local through Thursday, February 6 at 10pm local. Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the general public starting Friday, February 7 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. Pre-order the new EP, Trust Fall (Side B), with your ticket purchase and receive the new music directly to your email inbox the day it comes out in April 2020. Until then, you can listen to the new single, “Our Love” here: https://incubus.ffm.to/ourlove. Please note: EP price includes all applicable taxes and fees. Download instructions will be sent via email on release date (4/17/2020). Orders placed after the release date will receive download instructions within 1-3 business days after purchase.
Fans can also upgrade their tickets to include a meet & greet with Incubus, invitation to the Incubus pre-show jam session, option to watch the entire Incubus set from the side of the stage, and more. Visit www.VIPNation.com for more information. Fans can also purchase 311 VIP Packages starting Wednesday, February 5 at 10am local at www.311.com, which include a chance to meet the band and/or watch 311 from side-stage. A complete list of tour dates can be found below.
Incubus’ upcoming EP release, Trust Fall (Side B), will include their recently released single “Our Love” – LISTEN HERE. On the track, the band lock into an irresistible intergalactic groove, orbiting a funky bass line and percussive bounce. Sinewy and spacey guitar gives way to wistful acoustic strumming. Frontman Brandon Boyd’s voice lifts off on a hypnotic chant before a searing solo. Meanwhile, the visual transports the musicians to a new galaxy altogether. After crash landing on a remote planet, Boyd connects with his bandmates. They jam in a psychedelic desert underneath a bright sun before slipping into a wonderland populated by mushrooms with a Fungus Amongus flare. Watch the song’s music video HERE.
The EP will also include last year’s “Into The Summer,” which clocked upwards of 1 million views on the officialmusic video as it attracted critical acclaim. Not to mention, they performed it live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In addition to features from Billboard and KERRANG!, who raved that the track has “got a great chorus, and the guitar work has a spacey Ratatat-ish vibe,” Forbes noted, “Incubus have grown into a true legacy act, a band that has headlined festivals and arenas around the world, that have a dedicated following that eagerly awaits each new song, like “Into The Summer” and that a generation of fans have grown up with.”
About Incubus:
Since first coming together in 1991, Incubus – Brandon Boyd (Vocal), Mike Einziger (Guitar), Jose Pasillas II (Drums), Chris Kilmore (Keyboard/DJ) and Ben Kenney (Bass) – have consistently elevated themselves and alternative music to new creative heights. The California band’s sales eclipse 23 million albums worldwide to date with multi-platinum and platinum certifications from around the globe. Most recently, 2017’s 8 bowed at #4 on the Billboard Top 200, marking their fifth consecutive Top 5 debut on the respective chart. 2019 saw them celebrate the 20th anniversary of their triple-platinum classic, Make Yourself, with a sold-out tour. Additionally, they maintain their status as a streaming phenomenon, averaging 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and clocking over 1 billion-plus streams. They continue their next chapter in partnership with ADA Worldwide, plotting more music for 2020.
About 311:
311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer SA Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Southern California. 311 mix rock, rap, reggae and funk into their own unique hybrid sound – and have developed a reputation as one of the most entertaining & dynamic live bands in the U.S. 2020 will mark 21 consecutive summers for 311 to headline the US. 311 plan to play all 50 U.S. States in 2020 in celebration of their 30th Anniversary. 311’s celebratory live shows & incessant touring schedule have earned them a massive grassroots following nationwide. 311 have so far released 13 studio albums, selling over nine million albums in the U.S. alone. 10 consecutive albums reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts and they’ve had nine Top 10 radio hits, including three #1’s. Their list of hits includes “Down,” “All Mixed Up,” “Amber,” “Love Song,” “Come Original,” “Beautiful Disaster,” “Don’t Tread on Me,” “Hey You” and “Sunset in July.” 311’s feature film ENLARGED TO SHOW DETAIL 3 was screened in 240 cinemas nationwide March 11, 2019. More 311 info at 311.com
Connect with Incubus:
Rage Against The Machine Announces 2020 Reunion
Rage Again the Machine started up an Instagram account to announce that they’re reuniting for a short tour next year, their first live appearances since 2011 … with Coachella appearances on April 10 and 17 capping the quick run of shows.
The other three dates listed in the post are El Paso on March 26, Las Cruces on March 28 and Phoenix on the 30th.
During their long hiatus, three members — Tom Morello, Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford —joined forces with Public Enemy’s Chuck D and B-Real of Cypress Hill as Prophets Of Rage.
Given the band’s highly political nature, speculation is rampant, of course, that the 2020 timing is far from coincidental and that the band intends to make the most of rousing its fan base to take its name to heart.
Their use of social media to quietly but loudly announce new gigs follows right on the heels a similarly press-release-free tack taken the day before by My Chemical Romance. That band’s Instagram reveal of a Shrine Auditorium concert in December marked the end of a lesser break, a mere six years in MCR’s case.
More info: Rage Against The Machine, Coachella
The 1975 Release New Single, 'Frail State of Mind' off upcoming album 'Notes on a Conditional Form'
Check out the 1975’s music video for ‘People,’ off their forthcoming album, Notes on a Conditional Form. Their third single off the album, “Frail State of Mind” just released this week. The band is set to perform on December 3rd at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
An English Pop Rock band originally formed in 2002 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, the band is now based in Manchester. Featuring lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel.
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Listen to “People’ and “Frail State of Mind” and check out the official music video and lyric video below.
More info: the 1975
GC Records 20th Year Anniversary LP
GC Records is set to release their 2oth Anniversary album featuring bands connected throughout the label’s history. The tracklisting includes such luminaries as Rush & Attack, Toys That Kill, Bogtrotter’s Union, Gasoline Kills, Illicitor, The Rifleman, The Dirty LIttle Betty’s, Lawn Mower Death Riders, Jesse Pino & The Vital Signs, and Kill The Scientist. With the album cover featuring photos taken by Photographer Olga Townsend the day of the event and produced by engineers John Kiehlbauch and Mike Lavin.
“The anniversary album is a 180-gram limited edition LP. 10 songs recorded on June 29 at our anniversary show,” says Shahab Zargari, co-owner of GC Records, “The album comes with two downloads. One has the ten tracks plus 17 other tracks recorded during the same festival. The other download is 13 local Las Vegas artists (pop, punk, hip pop) not on GC but deserving attention.”
The bands appearing on the bonus compilation include Late for Dinner, Rayner, Amaxites, Hassan, The Dirty Hooks, Bad Phantom, Sunroom, Land of Astronauts, Go Bold, and Milani Miller.
The album includes a digital pre-order of 20 Year Anniversary LP + Bonus tracks which once the album is released you’ll get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. The digital album is set to release on January 1, 2020.
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Geykido Comet Records, or GC Records for short, launched in January 1999 with the release of the Intro5pect debut 7-inch vinyl record. The label is owned, run, and promoted by: Shahab Zargari, Heela Naqshband, Zabi Naqshband, Jacob Gallegos, Robert Miranda, Kevin Sanders.
You can check out footage from the anniversary festival in the recap video below. Recorded by Brock Frabbiele, Jacob Gallegos, and Shahab Zargari. It features the track ‘Burn The Bridge’ by Gasoline Kills.
Recap from GC Records: 20 Year Anniversary Party at The Dive Bar. DP: Brock Frabbiele Second cameras: Jacob Gallegos, Shahab Zargari Editing: Shahab Zargari Song: Burn the Bridge by Gasoline Kills
More info: GC Records
The Dirty Hooks Premiere Official Music Video for "Badland Saints"
‘Watch as young Kane is introduced to a staple of 80's nostalgia & sucked into and 8-bit spaghetti western adventure along with hero's, villains, & of course The Dirty Hooks, ‘ reads the intro to the Dirty Hooks new music video for ‘Badlands Saints.’ Filmed at the Antique Alley Mall in the Las Vegas Arts District. The music video includes BMX legend TJ Lavin plus a young Kane McCall, son of band member Bobby McCall.
Still from The Dirty Hooks new music video for “Badlands Saints.”
“The music video was great. Bobby, the singer of the band, did a majority of the 8-bit animation over the course of their tour with Stone Temple Pilots. They brought me on to produce the live action elements and to do the final edit,” Shahab Zargari of Think Speak and Co-Owner of GC Records said, ‘It was fun mimicing an NES “western” game.”
Check out the official music video below.
The Dirty Hooks recently performed with Stone Temple Pilots in San Antonio, Texas. GC Records is releasing a 20th Year Anniversary LP that was recorded on June 29 at the anniversary show at The Dive Bar.
More info: The Dirty Hooks , GC Records
Kim Gordon’s First Solo Album, ‘No Home Record,’ Out Oct. 11
Earlier this week, Vogue Magazine premiered a Loretta Fahrenholz-directed clip for the track, "Don’t Play It” (above) from Kim Gordon’s forthcoming debut solo album 'No Home Record' out next Friday, October 11th.
(Photo by Natalia Mantini)
Multi-disciplinary artist Kim Gordon's first solo album, No Home Record is being released worldwide October 11th on Matador Records. No Home Record follows the recent opening of Gordon’s solo exhibition “She Bites Her Tender Mind” at IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) in Dublin and “Lo-Fi Glamour” at Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA. Among its nine tracks, No Home Record features the new single “Sketch Artist” accompanied by a video directed by Berlin-based experimental artist Loretta Fahrenholz and includes a cameo from actress and writer Abbi Jacobson. Fahrenholz notes, notes 'Sketch Artist' is a haunted car ride. Kim drives as 'Unter' Pool summons passengers throughout nighttime LA. The city drifts by, passengers intermingle in the back seat and Kim's deadly stare shocks pedestrians along her route.”
No Home Record was produced largely by Justin Raisen (Charli XCX, Ariel Pink, Sky Ferreira) at Sphere Ranch in Los Angeles, along with contributions from Shawn Everett (Jim James, The War on Drugs) and composer/filmmaker Jake Meginsky (L’appel Du Vide, 'Milford Graves Full Mantis'). Gordon’s solo debut album’s title is a nod to the French-Belgian director Chantal Akerman’s film No Home Movie .
‘Why a solo record? And why now?,’” Gordon mused of the upcoming solo debut. “I don’t know, but it wouldn’t have happened without the persistence of Justin Raisen. Living in LA the last few years it feels like home, but the transience of the place makes it feel sometimes like no home.”
Since co-founding Sonic Youth in 1981, Kim Gordon has remained at the nexus of music, fashion, art and (more recently) books and film. In the past few years alone, Gordon has debuted in the #1 spot on the NY Times Bestseller List with her 2015 memoir Girl In A Band, acted alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Jonah Hill under the direction of Gus Van Sant (in 2018’s “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot”), released music and performed as one half of Body/Head alongside Bill Nace, and opened multiple solo-exhibitions at internationally renowned museums.
San Francisco Band POW! To Feature At Next Slacker Saturday Presented By Bad Moon Booking
San Francisco / Los Angeles band POW! is headlining the next Slacker Saturday on October 12 at Starboard Tack along with bands Spring Breeding and The Acid Sisters.
POW! a “deep 80’s synth bass percolating under the circuit-swamp-fried-egg guitar…the drums a teenage tiger’s heartbeat and vocals delivered like a dead-pan face-slap from a kid half your age” latest song ‘Dream Decay’ comes from their new album ‘Shift’ which is out now on Castle-Face Records. You can view the music video for their song below.
Michael Stipe Releases 'Your Capricious Soul,' His First Solo Single
Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival
"Your Capricious Soul," Michael Stipe's debut solo single, is now available for download.
The former R.E.M. singer released the track exclusively on his website Saturday (Oct. 5) for a suggested donation of 77 cents (or more).
The purchase includes a master-quality audio version of "Your Capricious Soul," a video by Sam Taylor-Johnson, a lyric document, a print-ready poster, a stencil and an animated flip-book.
There is also an option to download just the song for free on Stipe's website.
For the next year, earnings from Stipe's new song will go to Extinction Rebellion, a non-violent global movement using civil disobedience in an effort to "halt mass extinction and minimize the risk of social collapse." The song's release coincides with Monday's (Oct. 7) “International Rebellion” climate justice protests.
Preview "Your Capricious Soul" in the video below, and download it at MichaelStipe.com.
Greta Van Fleet At The Joint Las Vegas
Review and Photography by Jorge Lara
Greta Van Fleet performed at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas on September 27. The sold-out concert is part of their 14-date March Of The Peaceful Army 2019 world tour.
Launching the night with ‘When The Curtain Falls,’ brothers vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka; and drummer Danny Wagner enthused the crowd from the start with their song from their debut album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army.
They continued their sonic blitzkrieg with their hit, ‘Highway Tune,’ a song I can admittedly say has been on repeat on my own personal listening playlist. It’s drone anthemic flow has a sense of vibrancy that just asks for repeat listening.
The band followed next with ‘Black Smoke Rising,’ song that can be a testament to the current political climate. Its lyrics are a "reflection on the lessons of history and that man does not always learn from the lessons of history" and "in a more positive light, embodies a unity of humanity."
They later played an encore with ‘Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer).’
Greta Van Fleet is an American rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan, formed in 2012. It consists of brothers vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka; and drummer Danny Wagner. They were signed to Lava Records in March 2017 and a month later the band released their debut studio EP, Black Smoke Rising. Their debut single, "Highway Tune", topped the Billboard US Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in September 2017 for four weeks in a row. Their second EP, From the Fires, containing the four songs from Black Smoke Rising and four new songs, was released on November 10, 2017, alongside a second single, "Safari Song".
Their debut full-length studio album, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, was released on October 19, 2018, and topped the Billboard Rock Album charts in the first week after its release. The album's first single, "When the Curtain Falls", was released ahead of it in July 2018 and became the band's third number-one single on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. Anthem of the Peaceful Armyalso debuted atop the Billboard Hard Rock charts and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Top Album Sales charts in the first week after its release.
The band's EP, From the Fires, won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
Depeche Mode To Present Documentary "Depeche Mode: Spirits In The Forest"
Depeche Mode, along with Trafalgar Releasing, Sony Music Entertainment and BBH Entertainment, are excited to announce the upcoming release of the new feature-length documentary and concert film, SPIRITS in the Forest, coming to cinemas worldwide for a one-night event on November 21. The film will bring fans together around the world to celebrate the impact of Depeche Mode's music and performances. SPIRITS in the Forest will be screened in more than 2,400 cinemas, from Adelaide to Zagreb, in over 70 countries.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker and long-time artistic collaborator Anton Corbijn, the release of Depeche Mode: SPIRITS in the Forest follows the band's 2017/2018 Global Spirit Tour, which saw them play to over 3 million fans at 115 shows around the world.
Diving into the deeply emotional stories of six special Depeche Mode fans, the film weaves together exhilarating musical performances filmed at the final shows of the tour at Berlin's famed Waldbühne ("Forest Stage") with intimate documentary footage filmed in the fans' hometowns across the globe. It shows not only how and why the band's popularity and relevance has continued to grow over the course of their career, but provides a unique look into music's incredible power to build communities, enable people to overcome adversity, and create/ connections across the boundaries of language, location, gender, age, and circumstance. "I'm exceptionally proud to share this film and the powerful story that it tells," said Dave Gahan, of Depeche Mode. "It's amazing to see the very real ways that music has impacted the lives of our fans."
Added Martin Gore, "In today's world of turmoil and divisiveness, music really can be a force for good and can bring people together."
More info: Depeche Mode Official
MGMT Just Announced A New Show In Las Vegas
MGMT just announced a new show at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Las Vegas for November 21. The Grammy nominated group most recent album, “Little Dark Age,’ is said to be an expression of surprise and dismay to the current political and social climate. The album, released on February 9, 2018 is followed with a North American Tour.
The American pop and rock band formed in 2002 in Middletown, Connecticut was founded by multi-instrumentalists Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser.
More info: MGMT Official
Shonen Knife Live At Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas by Elsa Cantu
Shonen Knife performed on Sunday, August 25 at Vinyl Las Vegas with Me Like Bees. Here now are some photos from Photographer Elsa Cantu.
Named after a blade used to sharpen pencils, the rock band Shonen Knife formed in 1981 in Osaka, Japan. Since then, the band has had its peaks and valleys, from opening for Nirvana in the 1990s and landing a spot on a Carpenters tribute album, to mourning the death of their drummer in 2005 and weathering numerous membership changes.
With more than 20 albums to their credit, including 2019’s “Sweet Candy Forever,” the group has stayed sharp and edgy, with unpretentious lyrics and a garage rock sound. The trio are sometimes known as the Osaka Ramones.
Also: Check out Jorge Lara’s interview with Naoko Yamono of Shonen Knife here
