SoCal Alt Rock Band The Disassociates Drop Their Debut Album “No Reason This Can't Be Fun”

SoCal's The Disassociates have just released their debut album “No Reason This Can't Be Fun”.

Vocalist Brie Marie says, “No Reason This Can’t Be Fun is a fun, wild, and completely open & honest look into coping with life and all the struggles that come with it. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or rage, No Reason This Can’t Be Fun has a song for you.”

The Disassociates are an electrifying alternative rock band emerging from Southern California, fusing elements of alternative rock, power-punk, and catchy melodies with relatable, authentic, and at times hilarious lyrics. Debuting in 2023 with their singles "I Don't Wanna" and "30mg", this enigmatic band is comprised of longtime friends vocalist Brie Marie, guitarist Jordan Sutton, drummer Michael Bonanno, and bassist Justin Pittman, each bringing a unique musical perspective to the table.

Known for their thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, The Disassociates navigate the realms of introspection and rebellion through their music with influences ranging from from pop punk to classic rock to metal. The band creates a sonic tapestry that is both familiar and groundbreaking.

The Disassociates' debut album, “No Reason This Can't Be Fun”, showcases the band's ability to push boundaries both lyrically and musically. If the clever yet true-to-life lyrics don't grab you, the melodies will be stuck in your head for at least 3-5 business days.

Listen to the new album below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with the band on their social media.

Stream and Share “No Reason This Can’t Be Fun”

Connect with The Disassociates: Instagram | TikTok

Rezz Announces Upcoming Album "CAN YOU SEE ME?" and Releases New Collaboration "DYSPHORIA" With HOLLY

Electronic visionary Rezz has announced her forthcoming album CAN YOU SEE ME? with a new collaborative single ‘DYSPHORIA’ with HOLLY out now via HypnoVizion.

A foreboding introduction to CAN YOU SEE ME?, ‘DYSPHORIA’ echoes the eerie outliers and desolate tones that soundtrack Rezz’s self proclaimed “bass era”. Complex and enigmatic, ‘DYSPHORIA’ distends the usual curves of electronic music with its perilous basslines and cryptic drum patterns. As galvanizing slow builds give way to catastrophic drops, ‘DYSPHORIA’ brings listeners to the brink before catapulting back to reality.

“HOLLY sent me this idea for a collaboration and I immediately knew I wanted to work on this record. This is the perfect entry to this new bass music era for my project.” – Rezz

“This one means a lot. I’ve been looking up to Rezz since I came across her music in 2015. I have always respected the world she has built with her art and how true to herself she has been since day one. There’s a lot I learn from Rezz as a fan and now I am very grateful for the opportunity to create together. I hope this is our first of many records!” – HOLLY

Quickly following the release of ‘Black Ice’ with Subtronics, ‘DYSPHORIA’ marks the latest piece of Rezz’s forthcoming album CAN YOU SEE ME? due out March 14th. Shifting gears from 2023’s goth-themed IT’S NOT A PHASE EP, CAN YOU SEE ME? encapsulates Rezz’s ever-evolving sound and new bass era. Fans can get a live taste of CAN YOU SEE ME? at Rezz’s upcoming headline shows in Miami and Phoenix and festival performances at EDC Mexico, Beyond Wonderland, Project GLOW, and more.

Portuguese producer/DJ HOLLY is a magnetic force on the music scene. Having racked up accomplishments since 2017, HOLLY’s production discography includes collaborations with artists like CL, Danny Brown, 24hrs, Machinedrum, Zeds Dead, and Baauer, the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination for his work on Planet Mad. In 2023, HOLLY unveiled the first two installments of his EP trilogy, collectively known as Minha Vida: Love, Hope, and Sadness and also released his collaborative 天の川 (River of Heaven) EP with Machinedrum on Vision Recordings. Featured as one of Dancing Astronaut’s ‘Artists to Watch in 2024’, ‘DYSPHORIA’ marks HOLLY’s debut release on HypnoVizion with more to come this year.

Stream Rezz and HOLLY’s new collaboration ‘DYSPHORIA’ available now on all platforms and pre-save Rezz’s upcoming album CAN YOU SEE ME? due out March 14th.

Rezz Upcoming Tour Dates

January 19 – Igloofest – Montréal, QB

February 10 – Brooklyn Hangar – Brooklyn, NY

February 24 – EDC Mexico – Mexico City, MX

March 9-10 – ILLfest – Austin, TX

March 22 – Beyond Wonderland – San Bernardino, CA

March 23 – MANA – Miami, FL

April 20 – Phoenix Raceway – Phoenix, AZ

April 27-28 – Project GLOW – Washington, DC

May 2-5 – Sol Fest – Ponce De Leon, FL

September 2-8 – Dancefestopia – Kansas City, KS

HOLLY Upcoming Tour Dates

January 19 – The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

January 20 - Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA

January 22 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR

January 23 – Vogue Theatre – Vancouver, BC

January 24 – Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA

January 26 – Sonia – Boston, MA

January 27 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO

January 30 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

January 31 – Metro – Chicago, IL

February 1 – Majestic Theater – Detroit, MI

February 3 – The Concert Hall – Toronto, ON

February 6 – Royale – Boston, MA

February 7 – Webster Hall – New York, NY

February 8 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA

February 10 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

February 11 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

Buy/Stream “DYSPHORIA”: https://hypnovizion.lnk.tt/DYSPHORIA

Pre-Save “CAN YOU SEE ME?”: https://hypnovizion.lnk.tt/CYSM

Connect with Rezz: Website | X | Instagram

Olivia Rodrigo Shares Live Performances from Her "GUTS" Album Exclusively for Vevo

Vevo, the world's leading music video network, announces the release of Olivia Rodrigo’s Official Live Performances of “all-american bitch” and “get him back!” off her GRAMMY® nominated sophomore album GUTS, out now. Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. Olivia Rodrigo previously worked with Vevo in 2021 for her Vevo LIFT performances of “deja vu” and “favorite crime.”

Official Live Performances are the flagship original content for Vevo, working with the biggest names in music - they are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. Specifically tailored creatives meant to fit the vision of each individual artist chosen, these performances connect artists with their global audience of fans adding to their visual library.

Olivia Rodrigo worked closely with Vevo’s team to create a world that showcased the unrivaled intensity of grunge, punk and female energy. “all-american bitch” kicks off with Olivia in a sequined mini-dress, wandering around a dimly-lit hallway. The walls showcase decades of vintage show flyers plastered on top of one another, accented by chaotic scribbles of love and break up notes. Olivia ambles around the dark backstage before jumping into the spotlight on stage, giving an intense, rabble-rousing performance for the ages. “get him back” sees her backstage with the band, clad in sequined shorts, white tank and sneakers, jamming under muted overhead lighting.

JP Evangelista, SVP of Content, Programming and Marketing, Vevo, said “Olivia had a clear vision for this series, and it was a privilege to be her creative partner and help her execute exactly what she had in mind. She's an immense talent - between her knack for storytelling, powerful lyrics and dedication to deep fan connections, there's no doubt that this is such an important moment for Olivia.”

Stream and Share “GUTS”

Connect with Olivia Rodrigo: Instagram | X

About Vevo:

Vevo is the world's leading music video network, connecting an ever-growing global audience to high quality music video content for more than a decade. Founded by Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment in 2009, Vevo offers fans worldwide a vast array of premium content to choose from, showcasing official music videos alongside a constantly developing lineup of live performances and innovative original programming. From top superstars to rising new talents, Vevo brings incomparable cross-promotional support to artists across the musical spectrum, at every stage of their careers.

Vevo has consistently evolved over the past decade to lead within today's ever-changing media landscape, embracing partnerships with a number of leading distribution platforms to deliver extraordinary content within ad-supported environments. With more than 25B views across television, desktop and mobile devices each month, Vevo brings music videos to the world – when, where, and how fans want them.

Vevo is available on YouTube, Samsung, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Show, PlutoTV, Apple TV, Roku, Comcast (Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex), VIZIO, Sky (NowTV and SkyQ), Foxxum, XITE, NetRange, Redbox, T-Mobile Play, Virgin Media, Xumo, Telstra, Foxtel, Fetch, Rogers, Shaw, Local Now, and Vewd.

Review: "Legends of the Underside" Album by Ultra_eko and DaRealMrLee

A post-modern hip-hop radio play, UK based Ultra_eko and DaRealMrLee craft an otherworldly stage with their newly unveiled “Legends of the Underside” album and accompanying award winning visuals. So much gets incorporated into the mix that it becomes impossible to sort out. They have an intense amount of confidence for the sheer amount of narratives they bring into the fray, with Biblical references, addiction, lovely seaside beach towns, and surrealist elements brought in for good measure. Volume is a must, for this sound needs to wash over the listener to surrender to it.

The existential aspect of the lyricism by Ultra_eko and DaRealMrLee and some of the production choices recall the Weeknd’s uncanny ability for deep introspection. On the more mind-melting side of things, the sheer swath of different approaches alongside tying these constantly shifting genre-blends touches upon the utter complexity of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, as there’s a similar sense of playfulness in the monologues.

A kaleidoscopic approach makes Ultra_eko and DaRealMrLee the equivalent of the UK Outkast, as they take on many other approaches. Drill, honky-tonk, funk, and more get filtered within their strange vision. For all these reference points, they make sure they are all woven together.

“Intro” starts the album on a demented note, like a play gone awry. Setting the tone of the album “Ladies and Gentleman” has this sprawling, dreamy tenor with many different suites interacting, ambient and hip-hop together. Excellent pop vibes come through as “Pingu, Legends Edition” as the sheer number of references from musical tastes to the death of a family by a killer whale.

The violence adjacent to “Barroom Brawl Part 1” is unhinged with its approach. Relatively goofy comes the melted funk of “Camber Sands.” “Outsider Artist” has a darkness punctuated by the world’s bleakness. “Pingu’s Trip to the Beach” nicely brings the two main characters together for the first time. Spaciousness defines “Intermission.” A great guitar lick anchors “The Echoes, Clockwork,” as the song reflects the meaninglessness of modernity’s cycle.

Completely bleary with its exploration of its surroundings, “Bish Bosh, Do Ya” seems to move at a breakneck pace. Pure swagger with a nice tempo stride emerges in “Jehovah.” Layers blend with “Barroom Brawl Part 2” as the sparkling melodies give it warmth. “When I Were a Lad” has a gleefulness. Elegance pours from the sheer beauty of “Our Hero’s Journey.” Heavy synthesizer stabs give “Pingu the Creator” a beautiful, blissed-out approach. Tying it all together is the unique “Outro.”

The “Legends of the Underside” album and visual present a different take on the concept of self-discovery, with Ultra_eko and DaRealMrLee at the forefront of artistic innovation as we enter 2024.

Stream and Share “Legends of the Underside” on Spotify

Grammy Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter and Actress Monica Nominated for "Soul Train Awards" 2023 'Certified Soul Award'

Multi-platinum 25-million-plus selling Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and actress Monica has been nominated for "Soul Train Awards" 2023 'Certified Soul Award' alongside Usher, Ashanti, Ciara, and more. The 13x Nominee and Winner of 2020's 'Lady of Soul' Award is thrilled to receive this latest recognition for her decades of hard work and commitment to her craft. Tune in Sunday November 26 at 8/7c to watch the "Soul Train Awards" presented by BET.

The nomination comes as Monica is promoting her new single “Letters.” Released this summer via her label MonDeenise Music, the song is the latest from her forthcoming R&B album Trenches. "Letters" was written by Monica along with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Tasha Catour (Tinashe, Lecrae), Ciara, Brian (Killah B) Bates (Usher, Ariana Grande, Seven Streeter) and Alicia Renee Williams (Rihanna) and produced by Catour and Dana Johnson (Indie.Arie, Avery Sunshine). The “Letters” single release was accompanited by a stunning music video directed by Richard Selvi from Swiss Made Entertainment, the award winning creative and production studio responsible for numerous Lil Nas X visuals as well as Eminem ft. 50 Cent’s “Is This Love '09” and the highly influenced VFX (visual effects) video also features The Game, watch now.

“Letters” follows last year’s “Friends (ft. Ty Dolla $ign),” which scored a Top 20 spot on the R&B Billboard chart and was accompanied by a music video directed by Sarah McColgan (H.E.R., Miguel, Charli XCX), choreographed by Parris Goebel (Rihanna, SZA), and racked up more than 2.2 MILLION plays in the first week. Both singles will be featured alongside “Trenches (ft. Lil Baby)” on Trenches – Monica’s first new studio album since 2015’s Code Red. The new album will also be the first LP for her own imprint MonDeenise Music, which was launched in 2019 with the #1 Billboard R&B hit “Commitment.”

In addition to releasing new music, this summer Monica launched her Apple Music show MoTalk Radio with an interview with basketball Hall of Famer & entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal followed by a talk with Country Music Star Mickey Guyton and just last month, Monica joined Quavo and NBA great Lou Williams for a special episode of The Shop's UNINTERRUPTED Live Tour in Atlanta, where she talked about motherhood, her career and more - watch now.

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Monica began her career at 12-years-of-age and was the youngest female ever to have two #1 back-to-back hits on Billboard’s R&B chart. “The Boy Is Mine,” the title track from her sophomore album, garnered Monica pop success with a record-breaking 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her success has continued throughout her exceptional and longstanding career. She achieved six number one hits on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming the first artist to ever have chart-topping singles in three consecutive decades, a distinction she now shares with an elite group of acts including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Brown and Marvin Gaye.

Connect with Monica: Instagram | TikTok | X | Facebook | Website

'May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story' Set To Premiere In Five U.S. Cities

Last year, Little Brother fans were first teased with a trailer for the group's new documentary May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story. Now, the group finally announced premiere dates for the film in five U.S. cities. LB's Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh are set to hos free screenings for fans in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York.

The full list of dates and registration info:

11/9 @ Eaton DC in Washington, DC

11/10 @ Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, GA

11/12 @ Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw in Los Angeles, CA

11/15 @ New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York, NY

11/16 @ Carolina Theatre in Durham, NC

All of the film screenings are free and open to the public. Space is very limited, so be sure to register early.

Fans can make a donation to the film via the Southern Documentary Fund here.

MORE ABOUT THE FILM:

May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story follows the rise, breakup, and reunion of Little Brother, the critically acclaimed and widely influential Hip-Hop group from Durham, North Carolina. A music documentary in the tradition of films like Beats Rhymes & Life, Zappa, or 20 Feet From Stardom, May the Lord Watch details the vast impact of the preeminent 2000s group, composed of rappers Phonte, Big Pooh and (formerly) producer 9th Wonder.

The heart of the documentary lies in the unraveling and reconciliation between members Phonte and Big Pooh. Their relationship begins in the wake of their challenging upbringings in the South, strains while coming of age together in the music industry, and resolves with an enduring friendship, as the two men reunite and record their 2019 album May the Lord Watch. Told through never before seen archival footage, contemporary vérité scenes, and interviews from the group's members, peers, and family, the film’s story unfolds in intimate detail under the framework of a 'UBN Made-for-TV Documentary', riffing on the fictional UBN Network created through comedy sketches on Little Brother albums.

Directed by filmmaker Holland 'vacay' Gallagher and written by 'Yoh' Phillips (of Rap documentary studio 'Rap Portraits’), the film includes a notable list of Hip-Hop's most influential people – from Questlove and DJ Drama, to cultural critics, industry execs, and more.

“When you meet someone at the Uber line at LAX rarely does it coalesce into a years-long, soul-searching and feature-length-documentary-creating endeavor, but so it happened with Phonte and I in 2018. Four years, two scrapped cuts, and a pandemic later, we're rounding the corner on completing the project that will tell the Little Brother story once and for all. I don't take that responsibility lightly and I hope our film reflects that.” - Holland Randolph Gallagher

MORE ABOUT LITTLE BROTHER:

Little Brother is a critically acclaimed hip-hop group from Durham, North Carolina. Credited as one of the first buzzing rap acts in the pre-streaming era of online message boards, Little Brother emerged during the new millennium renaissance of alternative rap in the early 2000s. Ranked among Rolling Stone's "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time", Little Brother’s 2003 debut album The Listening helped pioneer "grown man" or "every man" rap, relating to the working-class and everyday person. The group’s members-- rappers Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh --formed as college students at North Carolina Central University in 1998.

Over the course of their illustrious careers, Little Brother has worked with some of the biggest names in music: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil' Wayne, and many more. He also co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast alongside Questlove of The Roots. Pooh currently manages Dreamville artist Lute, and DJ’s under the moniker RPM. Outside of his work under Grammy-nominated soul outfit The Foreign Exchange, Phonte has written music for Sesame Street, AMC's Sherman’s Showcase, and VH1's The Breaks. Now recognized as one of Billboard's "Greatest Rap Groups Of All Time", Little Brother has helped bridge the gap between The Roots and Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest and J. Cole, De La Soul and Drake.

In 2023, Little Brother celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album The Listening, starting with a sold out, four-city tour in March. The year-long celebration was eventually brought back to its roots with "Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party".

Connect with Little Brother: Website | X | Instagram

Hip Hop Legend The RZA Named Official Ambassador of the 2023 Urbanworld International Film Festival

The 27th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival has announced that Grammy and Emmy-nominated producer, actor, musician and filmmaker The RZA will serve as official ambassador of this year’s festival.

A founding member of the seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA is co-director of the documentary A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Gerald Barclay. The film, which will make its world premiere at Urbanworld on Friday, November 3, chronicles the Wu-Tang's iconic 2021 performance with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

“I’m completely honored to be a part of a platform like Urbanworld which supports storytellers from all walks of life,” says RZA.”As a filmmaker, I understand the work that goes into not only getting a film made but getting it seen. There aren’t a lot of film festivals that intentionally shine light on the works of Black Men and Women in our industry. Our growing number of directors and producers need more outlets. Urbanworld gets it and this opportunity to serve as ambassador to this year’s festival is an honor and a privilege.”

Urbanworld is also proud to announce that the festival’s Opening Night Film will be the Toronto International Film Festival award-winner American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson.

The festival takes place November 1-5, 2023 at AMC 34th Street and the SVA Theatre. HBO returns as Founding Partner for the 27th year and Warner Bros. Discovery serves as Prestige Partner. Tickets and passes can be purchased at urbanworld.org.

Additional highlights of Urbanworld 2023 are: Misty Copeland will participate in a post-screening discussion of her short film “Flower,” directed by Lauren Finerman and executive produced by Nelson George and Leyla Fayyaz; NBCUniversal will showcase their new television series “Found,” starring Shanola Hampton; and National Geographic Documentary Films will sponsor over 100 New York City students to attend a screening of The Space Race, directed by Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Cortès. Astronaut Leland Melvin will be in attendance for a Q&A.

The festival will also feature a Friday night tribute to music videos sponsored by Hulu entitled “Lights, Cameras, Rhymes: 50 Years of Hip Hop on Screen.” The retrospective will be followed by a panel discussion of industry icons including director Benny Boom and artist Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter.

The Urbanworld Innovation Conference & Panel will return on Friday, November 3 at the SVA SOC DOC Theater for another year of networking and building community among diverse creatives. This one-day convening will feature filmmakers, industry leaders and content creators from media, technology and storytelling who will discuss topics such as AI, culture, sports and content distribution.

Connect with Urbanworld Film Festival: Website | Instagram

AleXa Makes History as First Korean Solo Artist to Perform at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball

Female powerhouse, AleXa, makes history as the first Korean solo artist to perform at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball. Join her as she hits the stage on 11/28 for 106.1 KISS FM in Dallas/Fort Worth and 12/16 for Y100 in Miami where she’ll be performing alongside household names such as Shaggy, Big Time Rush, Flo Rida, Marshmallow, Ludacris and more. Named by Elle as an artist who’s “breaking the mold of the typical K-pop star”; AleXa will be performing all her hit songs including her latest release “Juliet.”

AleXa has been on an fast-paced upward trajectory here in the U.S where she performed the National Anthem to nearly 50,000 fans at Los Angeles’ iconic Dodgers Stadium in 2022, and went on to sell out three fan-meeting stops during her first U.S. visit in September. Going on to clinch a win at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards, one of the most celebrated award shows in Korea, the Oklahoma-born star also became the first K-pop artist to host a fan-meeting event in the metaverse, attracting thousands of fans for a party in a special arena built inside of first-person shooter game Scavengers. After a breakthrough comeback with mid-tempo dance track “Tattoo,” AleXa’s song “Wonderland” earned a resounding win on NBC’s American Song Contest, a remake of Europe's hugely popular Eurovision Song Contest. “Wonderland” ranked #38 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay Chart, propelling AleXa to the 6th most played Korean artist on U.S. Radio, and the first female Korean act to present at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. AleXa’s American Song Contest Win took the world by storm with coverage from Billboard, iHeart, People, E!, BBC, Insider, Cosmopolitan and more; along with signing to UTA.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: https://www.iheart.com/jingle-ball/

Connect with AleXa: Instagram | TikTok | X

Vancouver Synthpunks Phuture Memoriez Release Their New Album "Play Cobra"

Phuture Memoriez have just released their latest full length LP Play Cobra out now on Nerve Wracking Collections with accompanying video-single for “Ear Blue”. Phuture Memoriez is a dark synth-pop-punk band from Vancouver BC and is composed of Marc Blaquiere and Jessica Blaquiere. Their third release, Play Cobra, is a concept record dedicated to the musical improv game Cobra. Created by jazz legend John Zorn, Cobra utilizes a series of hand jesters, cue cards, drawings, etc. and a conductor leading a group of improv artists creating noise, chaos, and beauty. Phuture Memoriez used each of the 10 chapters in the Cobra manual as inspiration, pulling all of the lyrics and song titles for each of the 10 songs on their new album Play Cobra, creating song titles like Mouth Yellow, and Ear Blue.

Aiming to create a hypnotic listening experience, all 10 songs are the same tempo of 138 BPM. All songs were written, recorded, and mixed by Jessica Blaquiere (Synth/Pedals/Sampler) and Marc Blaquiere (Vocals/Bass Guitar/Sampler/Production) and mastered by Doug Fury at Fortissimo Sound in London, Ontario. The band describes the album as “our best record to date, the cobra’s bite is intoxicating!” After Play Cobra was completed, Tylor David joined Phuture Memoriez on guitar. Tylor’s guitar compositions offer an enhanced live version of the Play Cobra songs, providing rich texture, tone, and harmonics.

The songs on the LP are short, fast, visceral blasts that are rooted in early punk and hardcore and have elements of Krautrock and foundational industrial music. Each track is an explosion, an expression of internal turmoil and angst against discordant hooks and symphonic feedback. Phuture Memoriez’ sound transitions constantly - not surprising because of their desire to test new sounds, tools, and techniques, which range in quality from lo-fi to professional level. They use tools like the Akai MPC Live, a cohort of digital/analog synths, pedals, noisemakers, electric bass guitar, among others, and vocals affected by other-worldly tones and textures. Their sound has been described by some to encompass “twisted tones and haunting synth vocals, pulling the listener down into a shadowy soundscape”. In other instances, some say Phuture Memoriez is “grungy with a metallic edge”.

Listen to “Play Cobra” right now, and connect with the band on their social media!

Connect with Phuture Memoriez: Facebook | Instagram | Label

SEMA Fest Las Vegas Announces Day x Day Music Festival Line-Up

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), producers of the SEMA Show, the major trade-only automotive event held annually in Las Vegas, is celebrating its 56th anniversary in 2023 with the launch of SEMA Fest, an open to the public two-day full-throttle festival that fuses motorsports, music, and car culture.

The event has announced details of its day by day line up with Incubus, Wiz Khalifa, Bush, Third Eye Blind, Ludacris and more set for Friday November 3 and Imagine Dragons, AJR, Walk The Moon, The Struts, Badflower and more set for Saturday, November 4. The full line up follows below. Single day tickets among other options are on sale now here.

SEMA Fest, happening at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, brings together some of the biggest names in music across the gamut of rock, hip-hop and pop and the hottest automotive brands and their enthusiasts in a large-scale festival format. In addition to the world-class music programming, it will also feature a full slate of immersive automotive lifestyle events, a consumer marketplace, world-class drifting, motorsports competitions, freestyle motocross, BMX demos and more.

The all-ages two-day event marks the conclusion of SEMA Week, which runs around the 2023 SEMA Show on October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Whether you are a diehard car enthusiast, a motorsports fan, a music lover or just like to have a good time, SEMA Fest is an event not to miss.

The official SEMA Fest day by day line-up is:

Friday, November 3

Incubus

Wiz Khalifa

Third Eye Blind

Bush

Ludacris

Chase Matthew

Rome&Duddy

Ayron Jones

Bones UK

Starcrawler

Paper Idol

Saturday, November 4

Imagine Dragons

AJR

Walk The Moon

The Struts

Badflower

Meg Meyers

Dead Sara

renforshort

Brooke Alex

Hot Crazy

Good Boy Daisy

The Foxies

About SEMA

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $51.8 billion specialty-automotive industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. Association resources include market research, legislative advocacy, training and product development support, as well as leading trade shows such as the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind. For more information, visit www.sema.org, www.semashow.com, or www.performanceracing.com.

Viral Creator Tiko Announces New Album "Introduction" and Releases New Single "Keep My Cool"

YouTube creator and artist Tiko has announced the release of his third full length album, Introduction, out October 20th via ONErpm. Alongside the announcement, Tiko has also released his new single, “Keep My Cool,” an uplifting and energetic track that melds youthful infatuation with ambition over an airy soundscape while he sings about keeping his composure and trying to stay on top of his game.

“This song is one I think a lot of people can relate to, it’s about keeping your cool around a girl you like,” says Tiko. “Its breezy and lighthearted vibe is meant to make you feel like you’re driving in a car with all the windows open with your best friends!”

Utilizing his signature voice changer, Tiko is the moniker of emerging singer Jayden who debuted his original vocals on his sophomore album UPSIDE DOWN last fall, sharing a side of himself he hadn’t before with his fast-growing audience. Inspired by the response to the record, which quickly amassed over 4.6 million streams, Jayden dives into the spotlight on Introduction as he showcases his multi-versatile prowess and ability to meld the Tiko world with his pop leaning sound.

“Keep My Cool” is the third track from the album and at its heart is an uplifting song about passion, pursuits, and prevailing. It follows previous offerings “Daylight,” a jaunty synth track layered in ambiguity as the person you’re with begins to see you in a different view, and effervescent single “Don’t Call Back” where Jayden sets boundaries while navigating through heartbreak. The 8-track LP — produced by The Ready Set's Jordan Witzigreuter (Lindsey Stirling, AWOLNATION, UPSAHL, The Mowgli's) — finds Tiko swimming in a new direction while Jayden explores the sounds and styles that inspire his artistic vision. Full track listing for Introduction is below.

Introduction Track Listing:

1. DON’T CALL BACK

2. DAYLIGHT

3. Keep My Cool

4. STINKY

5. CATCH A VIBE

6. Obsessed

7. Introduction

8. Distraction

Additionally, this fall, Tiko will invite players to experience his fishy world firsthand in an upcoming creator concert map in Fortnite. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon!

Tiko began launching content on his main YouTube channel in 2018 and has since garnered more than 6.9 million subscribers and 1.3 billion views, making him one of the biggest stars in the creator community. In 2020, he was recognized by YouTube as the #5 Top Creator, #2 Breakout Creators in the U.S., and one of the Top 10 Breakout Creators on the planet. In addition to his gaming videos — which focuses on Fortnite, Minecraft, VR, and IRL content — he ventured into music after his viral hit single “Fishy On Me” swam to the top of Spotify’s U.S. Viral 50 (#2) and Global Viral 50 (#4) playlists, accumulating over 185 million streams to date. Tiko has two full-lengths under his gills with his debut album Wave and his sophomore album UPSIDE DOWN where his original vocals were introduced for the first time. His lighthearted electro-pop music resonates with audiences around the world with over half a billion global streams and over half a million monthly listeners, carving a lane that is all his own. He has also received media support from the likes of Entrepreneur, Game Rant, Sweety High, Ones To Watch, and Spindle Magazine as well as playlist support from Apple Music's Kids Party, The Kids Table, Going To School, and Social Distancing Social Club, Spotify’s New Music Friday, Game Time, and Viral 50 Malaysia, and Filtr TikTok Songs among others.

Part of the next generation of dynamic multi-platform artists, Tiko’s unique ability for developing compelling story lines while connecting with his fans creates a strong sense of community and a tight-knit network of fishy followers.

Connect with Tiko: Website | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok

Female Led Neo-Soul Collective Menajerie Announce Debut EP "Selective Deafness" With Intoxicating New Single "Holding Pattern"

Taking centre stage with three ensnaring female vocalists, Menajerie is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based neo-soul outfit, who are announcing their debut EP 'Selective Deafness' (out September 29). Dripping with heated charm and a clawing passion, they are teasing the EP with the slow-burning lead single 'Holding Pattern' out now.

The heart and soul of Menajerie is embodied in its three captivating frontwomen. Primed with their spellbinding abilities, they are led by the compelling Gracie Mack on keys and vocals, powerhouse vocalist Rosa Mack, and the fiery Mel Galletly. Oozing sass, the three weave together their silky melodies and poignant lyrics as they get wrapped up in irresistible sultry grooves.

Having awed audiences on stage/s at Jungle Love Festival, Fortitude Valley Fiesta, and supporting Sex On Toast, plus so much more, Menajerie have already achieved a lot. With their previous singles, 'Stuck' and 'Time', they have left audiences craving more, and now, they are ready to unveil their debut EP 'Selective Deafness'.

The 8-track debut EP ultimately allows the band to expose their musical odyssey made up of laid-back and sophisticated soul, coloured by alluring rhythms and anti-gravity funk. At the heart of it all lies lyrics that gracefully navigate the line between unfiltered, gritty reality and a flirtatiously witty, tongue-in-cheek sensuality.

Gracie Mack eloquently encapsulates the essence of 'Selective Deafness' by stating, "This debut EP traverses all aspects of the creative human experience through introspection, humour, and grief and showcases the band's eclectic musical experiences."

The upcoming single 'Holding Pattern' dives deeper into the exasperation of being ensnared in a self-made cycle. Harnessing the EP's title within the lyric "Selective deafness, but now you know," the track fuses neo-soul and hip-hop harmonies with a magnetic undercurrent of grooves.

The song's confrontational lead vocals simmer with passion and allure, while its cool and calm demeanour ultimately crescendos into an electrifying harmony layered over a gritty shuffle. Intoxicating and bold, 'Holding Pattern' is a boiling cauldron of emotions, a musical mirror reflecting the complexities of life's patterns.

Be embraced by the divine tones of Menajerie as they turn up the heat with 'Holding Pattern' ahead of their debut EP 'Selective Deafness' on September 29.

Stream and Share “Holding Pattern”

Connect with Menajerie: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Lil Baby's It's Only Us National Tour Stops in Raleigh on Monday, Sept. 11th (PNC Arena)

Diamond certified rapper Lil Baby has announced two additional shows in New York and Philadelphia have been added to his 25-stop It’s Only Us national tour produced by AG Entertainment Touring and Mammoth in support of his most recent album, It’s Only Me (Quality Control Records/Motown) which was released in October of 2022.

The nationwide tour is set to kickoff July 26th in Houston. Other tour dates include Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and many more before wrapping the tour on September 22nd in Ft. Lauderdale. Lil Baby will be receiving tour support from GloRilla, Rylo Rodriguez, GLOSS UP, and Hunxho at all stops while on the road.

Artist pre-sale will start Tuesday July 18th at 12pm eastern time, with general on sale starting on Thursday July 20th at 10am eastern time. For more information and ticket purchasing please visit: www.itsonlyustour.com

The beloved QC rapper started this year on a high note after making his Saturday Night Live (SNL) musical guest debut in January and performing both his singles “California Breeze'' and “Forever” from his hit album.

‘IT’S ONLY US’ TOUR DATES:

www.ItsOnlyUsTour.com

Wed Jul 26 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center

Fri Jul 28 - Austin, TX - Moody Center

Sat Jul 29 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center

Sat Aug 05 - Los Angeles, CA - Crypto.com Arena

Sun Aug 06 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena

Sat Aug 12 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena

Thu Aug 17 - St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center

Fri Aug 18 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum

Wed Aug 23 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena

Thu Aug 24 - Chicago, IL - United Center

Sat Aug 26 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena

Tue Aug 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center

Wed Aug 30 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

Thu Aug 31 - Washington D.C. - Capital One Arena

Sat Sep 02 - Boston, MA - TD Garden

Sun Sep 03 - Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena

Thu Sep 07 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum

Sat Sep 09 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena

Mon Sep 11 - Raleigh, NC - PNC Arena

Tue Sep 12 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center

Fri Sep 15 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena

Sat Sep 16 - Jacksonville, FL - Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

Sun Sep 17 - Atlanta, GA - Music Midtown Festival

Tue Sep 19 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center

Fri Sep 22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - FLA Live Arena

Get your ‘It’s Only Us’ concert tickets HERE, and connect with Lil Baby on his social media.

Connect with Lil Baby: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Confluence: The Carolinas’ Premier Music Industry Conference + Festival, Announces First Round of Speakers and Performers

The spotlight is on the music community of Charlotte and the Carolinas as Confluence 2023, the region's most anticipated music industry conference and festival, announces the launch of ticket sales and the first round of speakers and performers. Confluence will bring together music artists, industry professionals, and live music fans for two unforgettable days of inspiration, networking, and collaboration. Daytime conference programming will be October 18 and 19 at the AvidXchange Music Factory in Uptown, Charlotte, with night-time live music showcases in several music venues in Uptown, NoDa, Plaza-Midwood, and Elizabeth.

Confluence 2023 promises to be a catalyst for the growth of the regional music ecosystem. With a lineup of panel discussions and keynotes featuring speakers from Charlotte, the Carolinas, and around the country, and performances by Charlotte- and Carolinas-based artists, Confluence aims to empower attendees with insights, tools, and connections that are crucial for success in the evolving music landscape and inspire fans with the incredible talent of the region.

Notable speakers include Roger Brown and Liza Levy of Salt Lick Incubator in Boston, Jason Jet of Grindhaus Studios, Gar Ragland of Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, Gregg McCraw of Maxx Music, Micah Davidson of Midwood Entertainment, Lonnie Davis of Jazz Arts Charlotte, and John Tosco of Tosco Music.

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Performers include Oceanic, Natalie Carr, Dane Page, Creekbed, Mercury Carter, the Couldn’t Be Happiers, Reuben Vincent, Arsena, Jason Scavone Band, and more.

“The mission of Confluence is to inspire, connect, elevate, and celebrate the music community of Charlotte and the Carolinas,” says Rick Thurmond of Charlotte Center City Partners and Music Everywhere CLT, the producers of Confluence. “It will be a hub for emerging artists, established industry professionals, and music enthusiasts to come together to share their passion, learn, exchange ideas, and pave the way for the future of music.”

Tickets for Confluence 2023 are now available for purchase on the event's official website, ConfluenceCarolinas.com. Early bird pricing and exclusive packages are being offered for a limited time.

**Key Highlights of Confluence 2023**

• Engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking keynotes featuring industry experts.

• Diverse and dynamic performances by regional and local artists in independent venues that power the scene.

• Unparalleled networking opportunities with fellow attendees, artists, and music industry leaders.

Confluence 2023 is produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and Music Everywhere CLT. Confluence is a recipient of support from the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector. In addition, Confluence would not be possible without the following sponsors: Charlotte SHOUT!, Eventbrite, Bold Music, Summit Coffee, Midwood Entertainment, The Comedy Zone.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ConfluenceCarolinas.com.

J1 Presents Jeezy With the Sirius XM/Pandora Hip Hop 50 Pioneer Award | J1, Jeezy and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Talk Hip Hop, Politics and Atlanta

Grammy-nominated artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and now New York Times best-selling author Jeezy, sat down with Sirius XM/Pandora Vice President of Music Programming Josh “J1” Raiford and special guest Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The trio discussed Jeezy’s new book Adversity for Sale Ya Gotta Believe, 50 Years of hip-hop, and politics. During the event, Jeezy discloses a conversation he had with T.I. nearly 20 years ago where T.I. told the Snowman, “You can’t do music and be in the streets.”

In the video, Jeezy discusses the ability to utilize hip-hop music as a tool to grow personally and professionally. Andre Dickens stated that hip-hop means freedom and how a person can transfer ideas and ambition into a physical result.

At the night's end, J1 presented Jeezy with the Sirius XM/Pandora Hip Hop 50 Pioneer Award. “I’ve known Jeezy for 15 years. He’s as solid and genuine as they come. I’ve witnessed his evolution and how he’s expanded beyond music into business, politics, philanthropy, and now a New York Times best-selling author," said J1, "He is a trailblazer on so many levels so it was only right to present him the pioneer award.”

Attendees included DJs, college students, fans of Sirius XM and Pandora Now, social media influencers, and brand company representatives.

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Joshua ‘J1’ Raiford was born and raised in Harlem, NY. He was highly influenced by the ‘Bad Boy’ movement and closely followed labels like OutKast and Death Row Records. At the age of 14 years old, he interned at a small record label and knew he wanted to work in the industry from that point forward. In July 2020, J1 successfully helped program and launch “Uninterrupted Radio” on Pandora in partnership with LeBron James and Maverick Carter and was promoted to Director of Hip Hop Curation & Content. He was named on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players List in 2021 and 2022. He’s the current Program Director for Pandora NOW on SiriusXM. Follow him @posterchildj1.

Interview: Experimental Electronic Music Producer Mikebøi Talks About His New EP "Human Nature"

“I think the main theme is the nature of the human being; at a certain point it’s in our nature to destroy, create and start again, always in constant evolution...”

— Mikebøi

Congratulations on the completion and release of your new EP "Human Nature"; tell us about your creative process for its development and how long it took for you to complete.

Thanks; first, the development of this EP comes completely from the feeling of growing up, evolving about my sound and about all my concept art.

I started creating these songs in 2018 and managed to finish 24 songs in total but I decided that making releases as EPs would be a better idea and I noticed there that these 6 songs had in common several factors like the smells, images and sensations I had when creating them, and that's how I chose these songs for the first EP.

Would you say that there is an overall theme for the EP's six songs? If so, how would you describe it?

I think the main theme is the nature of the human being; at a certain point it's in our nature to destroy, create and start again, always in constant evolution and that's what I wanted to do with the whole sound of the EP, so I think that's the fundamental base of “Human Nature”.

Your track with SRU, "Never Stay" is great; how did you two connect and what made SRU's vocals the perfect fit for the song?

It was a very similar process to all our projects together. sru starts a song idea and shows me and initially it sounded kind of sad to me so I start to connect with the feeling she left in it and this song has very strong feelings that we both can feel since we went through very similar things so I decided to change a little bit the feeling that I perceived as sad and try to add flowers to it.

Literally, my thought when re doing the instrumental was: I want it to sound like we are surrounded by flowers while sru narrates all this, and I think the result was great because sru did an impeccable job with her vocals, it was just like letting myself be carried away by a stream of water with her vocals there.

With "Human Nature" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of the year?

My main goals now are to get the second EP out, which I still can't release the name and reach more audience that likes this kind of experimental music.

I would also like to start influencing people in my country with this style of music, so there is a lot of work to do yet.

How would you describe the electronic music scene in your city, and in Mexico overall for up and coming producers?

I really like the production in Mexico but I feel that people need to value more the art that exists to be able to move forward small projects with huge potential.

We also need many more exponents willing to open roads and doors more than just getting on the trend or popular music. There is a small niche of people who are doing very well and I believe that in the next few years Mexico will have great exponents in experimental electronic music also known as pc/music.

Stream and Share “Human Nature”

Connect with Mikebøi: Instagram