FOLTERKAMMER Signs with Century Media, Unveils BDSM Inspired New Song, "Das Peitschengedicht"

Operatic black metal rising stars FOLTERKAMMER are proud to announce that they have signed a deal with Century Media Records! To celebrate this new union, the band is now sharing a BDSM inspired new single, "Das Peitschengedicht," which celebrates the female empowerment of whip-wielding Femdoms. The powerful new song can be found along with a lyric video, which was created by Folterkammer drummer and video director Brendan McGowan, below.

The single is taken from the band's forthcoming album, which serves as a counterpart to their 2020 debut, 'Die Lederpredigt.' The new record is another searing blend of modern black metal and classical music elements, lending to its Avant Garde sound. The music itself is elevated by frontwoman and vocalist Andromeda Anarchia's dynamic vocal work as she juxtaposes her classical training as an opera singer with her hellfire screams, summoning a maelstrom of ethereal chaos. More information will be revealed soon - stay tuned!

Speaking on the empowering themes of the new single and forthcoming record, Andromeda Anarchia eloquently explains, "This song is our kinky ode to the whip as a torture instrument, and a celebratory hymn to the practices of BDSM, particularly, Femdom. The whip, a symbol of domination, pain and humiliation, is described here not only as playful and kinky, but as a poetic enactment of pain through the depiction of female ferocity on a submissive man, whose back the Domme uses like a canvas.

"It is about this sensual overdrive of stimulation and literally describes the lustful use of a whip as a kind of 'calligraphy brush' to write a poem. The dominatrix verbally humiliates her subject while blood runs down his spine; his blood is the ink with which she paints and signs her artwork of pain and ecstasy.

"The song bridges both musically and thematically the old album (regarding a vicious, violent, and abusive 'Bad Domme' goddess) and the new one (featuring a badass, erotic 'Good Domme'). This opens a new chapter with a change defined not only by the expanded instrumentation and new songwriting styles, but also by the way the described dominant female protagonist treats her subordinates and has refined her skills in humiliation games. It's no longer about being a vicious, exploitative deity, but about being a sensual, naughty, self-confident, kinky lady who knows exactly what she wants, who celebrates female power, who sometimes flirts and cleverly provokes with historical and mythological anecdotes, and even more with her charm and sass.

"This bridging of the debut album and the new album is also reflected in the aesthetics of the video. In the words of our drummer and music video director Brendan McGowan: 'The 'Das Peitschengedicht' video sets the dominating lyrics to footage from the 1922 classic 'Haxan' - whose famous images of devils and demons often overshadow the wicked women within it and their blasphemous behavior.'"

Century Media VP of A&R Mike Gitter says of the signing, "From their first utterance, Folterkammer has been an absolute divisive intersection of art, sexuality and musical violence. They deal in themes that push comfortable bounds and arrive at something that's delicious and destructive."

"Das Peitschengedicht" is now available on all streaming services and can be heard HERE.

Photo Credit: Alex Krauss

Lineup:

Andromeda Anarchia - Vocals

Zachary Ezrin - Guitars

Brendan McGowan - Drums

Darren Hanson - Guitars

Laurent David - Bass

 

Guest Harpsichord: Steve Blanco

 

Album Credits:

Producer: Zachary Ezrin

Recording: Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios in NJ

Additional Recording: Laurent David and Antoine Delecroix

Mixing: Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves, in NY

Mastering: Fred Kevorkian

 

Cover Art: Eliran Kantor

Album Layout: Brendan McGowan

Photography: Alex Krauss

Logo Design: Mister Kams

Photos: Alex Krauss

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HELFRÓ release soul-stirring second track 'Ildi Óhreins Anda'

Icelandic black metal ensemble HELFRÓ are back with their sophomore album Tálgröf – A project inspired by the dark manifestations of the human mind. The sickness of humankind is explored through intense rhythmic passages, fusing the extremities of traditional death metal together with sombre, introspective lyrical convictions.

The second track 'Ildi Óhreins Anda', meaning Oxygen for the Unclean Spirit in English, a melodic, chugging groove is set while shrieking vocals howl away on humanity's exceptional ability in deceit. The track ultimately culminates in Tálgröf's most destructive sounding drums & supersonic tremolo-picked guitar.

"The lyrics for this song revolve specifically about lying. How lying to others can benefit your cause and help throw people off the trail as you plan to do them harm, and how lying is a right that the manipulator should exercise whenever they can." Says Ragnar. "Lying is the foundation of their success, the „oxygen“ that they breathe to survive."

Watch the video for 'Ildi Óhreins Anda', created by Jeff Daniels, below.

Tálgröf comes out 1 December.

Pre-order:
https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/helfro-talgrof
Pre-save:
https://orcd.co/talgrofpresave

Formed amidst the haunting landscapes of Iceland, HELFRÓ is a formidable force in the world of blackened death metal. With their relentless aggression, atmospheric soundscapes, and compelling songwriting, they have carved their own path in the metal scene.

The journey of HELFRÓ began when guitarist and songwriter Ragnar Sverrisson sought to bring his musical visions to life, Drawing inspiration from the bleakness of Icelandic winters, the mysticism of nature, and the chaos of the human experience. HELFRÓ's debut album, aptly titled "Helfró", was released in 2020, marking the band's official entry into the world of extreme metal. With a relentless barrage of blast beats, crushing riffs, and haunting melodies, the album showcased their ability to seamlessly blend aggression and atmosphere.

Evolving with the advent of the sophomore album, Tálgröf, listeners can expect even more ferocity as HELFRÓ dives deeper into death metal territory while not straying to far from the signature ice-cold climactic tremolo riffing notable of their previous work. Characterized by its ferocity, the new album also carries introspective and thought-provoking themes, reflecting the band members' willingness to explore the depths of the human experience. HELFRÓ is destined to leave an impact on the realm of extreme music, captivating audiences with their unique brand of Icelandic metal.

Line-up:
Ragnar Sverrisson: Drums, Vocals, Songwriting
Simon Thorolfsson: Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Arrangements

Recording Studio            
Dominion Recordings

Sound Engineer
Simon Thorolfsson

Mixing Engineer              
Mark Lewis

Mastering Engineer        
Mark Lewis

Biography: Ragnar Sverrisson

Cover art: Grindesign

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/talgrofpresave

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/helfro-talgrof

Links:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/HelfroIce             
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/helfromusic/   
Bandcamp:
https://helfroofficial.bandcamp.com/           
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3LNnSSzoPPdyJT437coBFn         
 
Booking:
Ragnar Sverrisson
ragginar@gmail.com 

Available Formats:
CD digipak          
Digital
12” vinyl in various colours       
Merchandise

Photo credit: ©Void Revelations

Levels Sign to SharpTone + Share "Pulse" Video

SharpTone Records is pleased to welcome Central Arkansas-based quartet Levels — Kolby Carignan [vocals], Jager Felice [guitar], Jacob Hubbard[bass], and Dalton Kennerly [drums] — to its global roster.

To celebrate the news, watch the video for their new single "Pulse"
Below. Stream the song here.
  
Since emerging in 2016, Levels have consistently challenged themselves and the culture of heavy music. Following the 2018 release of the self-titled Levels LP, their signature style evolved across fan favorite singles such as "Encapsulate," "Eon," and "Chauvinist," which amassed over 649K Spotify streams and counting. Along the way, the band performed alongside everyone from VRSTY and Glass Hands to Beartooth, The Devil Wears Prada, Oceano, and more. The band also powered this rise in D.I.Y. fashion, recording, mixing, and producing the songs and shooting and even editing their own videos. During 2023, they entered KonKrete Studios with producer Jonathan Dolese to record new music. The musicians channeled inspirations as diverse as Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, The Prodigy, Poppy, and Static-X in addition to jungle, trance, and house.

Stay tuned for more from Levels!

GVLLOW Drops Brand New Music Video For "LAST DANCE"


"A fascinating solo artist bringing together elements of goth, darkwave, punk and rap." - Kerrang!

"SoCal's Gvllow...pulls elements of Eighties goth, post-punk and death-rock into his eerie, dance-floor-ready brand of heavy hip-hop." - Revolver

"truly a must-listen for anybody who values variety and intrigue in their playlists." - Alternative Press

"From gritty hip hop to cold dark wave, the emerging prospect goes beyond genre to assert an identity all his own." - Knotfest.com

Riverside, CA’s rapidly ascending solo artist, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer, GVLLOWhas dropped a brand new video for a new re-recored, remixed and remastered version of fan favorite darkwave track, 'Last Dance'. Watch the new clip Below and stream the remixed, remastered track HERE.

Speaking on the release of his new track, Gvllow shares

"Sad, Melancholy, Romantic. Past trauma, heartbreak, finding my soulmate, losing close friends, dealing with self mortality. These are the themes addressed in "Last Dance". "

GVLLOW released his acclaimed 'Spiritwalker' EP in the Spring of 2021, the release saw his stylistic expansion into post-punk and dark wave. Heavily influenced by by the likes of Drab Majesty, Sisters Of Mercy and Bauhaus, the transition began with highly acclaimed single "Last Dance" from his previous, eponymous full-length and continued with the 'Spiritwalker' EP and his 2022 releases - "Die By Your Hand", "Falling Down", "Not Sorry" and the 'Suffer' EP.

GVLLOW has also announced that he will be hitting the road for his first ever solo headline tour of the US at the end of October. The run will begin on October 27th in Los Angeles and will hit a further 16 cities across the country until culminating in his hometown of Riverside, CA on November 30th. Full routing below with tickets available HERE.

GVLLOW US HEADLINE TOUR

10/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 Warehouse

10/29 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Underground at the Nile

10/31 - Denver, CO @ Marquis

11/03 - Ft. Worth, TX @ Big Rob’s

11/04 - Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock at HOB

11/06 - Atlanta, GA @ Hell at the Masquerade

11/08 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus

11/09 - Harrisburg, PA @ Stage on Herr

11/12 - Washington, DC @ DC9

11/13 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck

11/14 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz

11/16 - Cincinnati, OH @ Madison LIve

11/18 - Fort Smith, AR @ Temple Live - Sphinx Room

11/19 - Kansas City, MO @ Encore at Uptown Theater

11/21 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Vultures

11/22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

11/24 - Seattle, WA @ Funhouse

11/25 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Lounge

11/27 - Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post

11/30 - Riverside, CA @ Club Dominion

About Gvllow

GVLLOW blends the sonic and visual aesthetics of 80s new wave and southern California punk rock mixed with the beach sounds of Dick Dale and The Beach Boys to create a sound that is fresh, diverse and completely unique. Born and raised in Riverside, California, he grew up in the SoCal Punk scene. He started playing drums at age nine and would go to The Showcase Theatre in Corona every weekend to watch bands such as Dr Know, TSOL and Narcoleptic Youth.

In 2015, he became involved in the bludgeoning underground rap scene, DJing for the likes of Ghostemane and Lil Peep in Schemaposse. Since then, he has gone on to perform as touring DJ for the likes of City Morgue, as well as release two solo albums; 2018’s “Waste Away” and “Gvllow” released in July of 2020, which features guest appearances from the likes of Travis Barker, Brennan Savage and Jack Grisham (TSOL) and has spawned singles “Fear”, Johnny Cash” and “Last Dance”. 

To date, GVLLOW has clocked up over 38 million career streams and 1.4 million YouTube views.

Dance Gavin Dance Drop 'WAR MACHINE'; Brand New Standalone Single & Visualizer

Chart topping progressive post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance have dropped brand new standalone single today. Titled "War Machine" the track can be streamed HERE and is accompanied by an official visualizer which can be viewed Below.

"War Machine" follows previously released standalone single, “The Ghost of Billy Royalton”, which the band released on the eve of their hugely successful, mostly sold-out Jackpot Juicer headline tour as a tribute to their late bassist and dear friend, Tim Feerick, who tragically passed away last year.

About Dance Gavin Dance

Rejecting tired formulas at every step, Dance Gavin Dance merge progressive rock and post-hardcore with thick groove, brilliantly combining experimental music with hooks and a warped sense of humor. The group has amassed over 1.6 billion global streams, and 1.4 million album equivalent units sold across their catalog in the US alone. With hundreds of thousands of rabid fans engaged with Dance Gavin Dance on socials and their very own festival event, Swanfest, which sold out both its inaugural edition in 2019, its triumphant, post-pandemic return in 2022 in the band's hometown of Sacramento last April and it's first ever East Coast iteration earlier this month, it all amounts to a full force band facing a mainstream that has overlooked them for too long.

As the undeniable statistics keep mounting up, the fact becomes more and more clear that Dance Gavin Dance are becoming one of this generation's most popular and enduring forces from the world of heavy music. As Pollstar put it "Sacramento, Calif.-based Dance Gavin Dance is not just any band."

Find Dance Gavin Dance Online

dancegavindanceband.com

Within Temptation Share Vampire-Horror Video "Ritual"

Dutch metallers Within Temptation follow the release last week of their brand-new studio album Bleed Out with a provocative, zombie-vampire-gore-fest-splatter-horror video for their current single "Ritual," just in time for Halloween. 

Watch it
below..

Brutal and brilliantly comedic, whilst calling to mind the work of legendary animator Ralph Bakshi and the Rotoscope school of animation, the video for "Ritual" calls out the behaviour of male sexual predators in the workplace, the street, the sports field, and more. What if women behaved as agressively as the men who seek to take advantage of them, and what if they fought back to exact a terrible revenge?

Singer Sharon den Adel says, "'Ritual' is a sexual song, about seduction and a woman taking power in a male-dominated world. It was inspired by watching Tarantino's movie From Dusk Til Dawn and is a light-hearted moment in our album, which focuses mainly on the political and repressive issues in the world. We have always wanted to do a horror-style video for Halloween, and this song gave us the perfect chance to do that, using AI-technology to create something truly awe-inspiring. But it also addresses some of the recent news-stories of men behaving badly and imagines what would happen if a bad-ass woman fought back in the most terrible way. So get ready for blood, violence, fangs, and humor. Happy Halloween to you all!"

The album Bleed Out has been released to worldwide acclaim, showcasing Within Temptation at the very forefront of contemporary metal, and unafraid to take a social and political stand on many of the issues in the world today. As epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, Within Temptation have delivered a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.

RECENT PRESS:

"As massive in scale and as cinematic as any Within Temptation record, Bleed Out sees the Dutch sextet continue to traverse the land of darkness, melancholy and power, but to an even greater extent: it's undoubtedly the band's heaviest record to date, both lyrically and musically" — 9/10 Metal Hammer

"Their most daring, outspoken offering to date" — Kerrang

"Bleed Out is a triumph. The sound of a band magnificently balancing the symphonic leanings that won them an army of fans in the first place, [with] this contemporary, diamond hard edge, without sacrificing any fragment of accessibility." — Metal Talk

The band have just announced a huge arena tour of Europe for autumn 2024. It tour starts in October 2024 with shows at legendary venues such as London’s Wembley Arena (UK), Lotto Arena in Antwerp (BE), Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam (NL) and Adidas Arena in Paris (FR). 

WITHIN TEMPTATION IS:
Sharon den Adel — Vocals
Mike Coolen — Drums
Stefan Helleblad — Guitars
Ruud Jolie — Guitars
Martijn Spierenburg — Keyboards
Jeroen van Veen — Bass Guitars
Robert Westerholt — Guitars

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Celebrate Eight-Night, Sold-Out Residency at Ryman Auditorium

GRAMMY award-winning Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit wrapped an eight-night, sold-out residency at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium Sunday, Oct. 22. The run of shows from Oct. 12-15 and Oct. 19-22 marked the group’s eighth residency at the Ryman, as Isbell reached a milestone of 50 career shows played at the revered venue. His residency has become an October tradition, with each night featuring a variety of openers and special guests including Adeem the Artist, Quinn Christopherson, S.G. Goodman, Izzy Heltai, Autumn Nicholas, Kim Richey, Lawrence Rothman, Satya and Amanda Shires.

Isbell celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his fourth solo album, Southeastern, playing the album from top-to-bottom during the residency. Released in 2013, the album solidified Isbell's influence on Americana and includes RIAA gold-certified tracks "Cover Me Up" and "If We Were Vampires." An expanded deluxe edition of the record was released in Sept. to further commemorate its impact over 10 years. In June, Isbell released his ninth solo album, Weathervanes, as 
Pitchfork observed its songs "reveal their intricacies slowly, the measured, almost leisurely pace suggesting that Isbell is confident that his audience will stick with the album as they learn its subtle pleasures."

Photo Credit: Eric Ahlgrim

About Ryman Auditorium
A National Historic Landmark, Ryman Auditorium was built by Captain Thomas G. Ryman in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. A 14-time winner of the prestigious Pollstar Theatre of the Year award, the historic venue is well-known as the Mother Church of Country Music and is the most famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry (1943-1974). The Ryman’s thriving concert schedule hosts more than 200 shows per year, and the venue is open for daytime tours year-round. The Ryman has also been featured in numerous film and television projects including Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Johnny Cash Show, American Idol, Nashville and more. Ryman Auditorium is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP), a Nashville-based REIT that also owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, WSM Radio and Ole Red. For more information, visit
ryman.com.

About Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit:

A Jason Isbell record always lands like a decoder ring in the ears and hearts of his audience, a soundtrack to his world and magically to theirs, too. Weathervanes carries the same revelatory power. This is a storyteller at the peak of his craft, observing his fellow wanderers, looking inside and trying to understand, reducing a universe to four minutes. He shrinks life small enough to name the fear and then strip it away, helping his listeners make sense of how two plus two stops equaling four once you reach a certain age -- and carry a certain amount of scars. The record features the rolling thunder of Isbell’s fearsome 400 Unit, who’ve earned a place in the rock ‘n’ roll cosmos alongside the greatest backing ensembles, as powerful and essential to the storytelling as The E Street Band or the Wailers.
 
They make a big noise, as Isbell puts it, and he feels so comfortable letting them be a main prism through which much of the world hears his art. He can be private but with them behind him he transforms, and there is a version of himself that can only exist in their presence. When he plays a solo show, he is in charge of the entire complicated juggle. On stage with the 400 Unit, he can be a guitar hero when he wants, and a conductor when he wants, and a smiling fan of the majesty of his bandmates when he wants to hang back and listen to the sound.
 
The roots of this record go back into the isolation of the pandemic and to Isbell’s recent time on the set as an actor on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. There were guitars in his trailer and in his rented house and a lot of time to sit and think. The melancholy yet soaring track “King of Oklahoma” was written there. Isbell also watched the great director work, saw the relationship between a clear vision and its execution, and perhaps most important, saw how even someone as decorated as Scorsese sought out and used his co-workers’ opinions.

Darius Rucker Surprised as CMA Humanitarian of the Year on "The Kelly Clarkson Show"

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Darius Rucker was honored with the 2023 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award during his appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” yesterday, Oct. 23, where he spoke about his late mother Carolyn Rucker and explained how the namesake of his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, directly inspired his passion for giving back. Watch HERE.
 
“When I was a kid, she instilled in us that you help people – not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help,” Rucker shared with Clarkson of one of his mom’s greatest lessons, also noting, “We grew up in a really poor neighborhood with not much and, you know, there was no reason for me to believe that I was gonna be here and make it. But she always instilled in me ‘believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.’”
 
As Forbes proclaims, “Carolyn’s boy has done okay. She’d be proud of him for the music, and so much more,” with American Songwriter adding, “Rucker boasts one of the most appealing singing voices in music… But it’s not just his pipes that are appealing. It’s his warm, sunny personality, too.”
 
Rucker also joined the latest ABC News “Prime Playlist” episode to discuss the album and his mother’s influence (watch 
HERE), in addition to taking “PBS NewsHour” to his hometown of Charleston, S.C. where he shared more about the album and showcased his personally curated Riverfront Revival Music Festival (watch HERE).
 
The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community. Rucker is a four-time CMA Awards nominee, taking home the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2009. 
 
He pledged his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after an inspiring firsthand visit 15 years ago and, as a result, created the “Darius and Friends” charity auction, golf tournament and concert in 2010. Taking place each year in the days leading into CMA Fest, friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Brad Paisley and Kenny Rogers among others. The event has now surpassed the $3.6 million mark, raising funds to benefit the research hospital leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
 
Rucker also co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. – an effort directly inspired by his mom’s career as a MUSC nurse – and has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.  
 
For more information, visit 
DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

About Darius Rucker
Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. He topped the charts at Country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021 and his brand new album Carolyn’s Boy, featuring his latest single, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” is available everywhere now.
 
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas." All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC. For more information about CMA and the Association’s awards and initiatives, visit 
CMAworld.com.

Photo Credit: Weiss Eubanks

AWARD-WINNING ENTERTAINER JASON ALDEAN CELEBRATES 28th CAREER #1 WITH “TRY THAT IN A SMALL TOWN”

Multi-Platinum entertainer Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” today topped the Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts, earning the Georgia-native his twenty-eighth career No. 1. The chart-topping single, which hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this year, marks the first No. 1 off of his highly-anticipated 11th studio album, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, outNovember 3rd. 

 

HIGHWAY DESPERADO features fourteen total tracks and in addition to “Try That In a Small Town”includes “Whiskey Drink,” written by Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, and John Morgan, as well as “Tough Crowd,” and “Let Your Boys Be Country.” The album also features three tracks co-written by Aldean, including the album’s title track. The ACM Artist of the Decade entertainer first introduced new music from the album in May with the release of the fan-appreciation anthem, “Tough Crowd” at this year’s ACM Awards, where the 3X ACM Entertainer of the Year winner was again an Entertainer of the Year nominee. The album, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, is available for pre-save/pre-add now, including exclusive pre-order packages here

HIGHWAY DESPERADO follows his album MACON, GEORGIA, which earned praise from Rolling Stone, Stereogum, The Tennessean, Entertainment Tonight, E! News and more.  The album earned Aldean his 27th career-charting #1 single, "Trouble With A Heartbreak,” as well as a Billboard Music Award nomination for “Top Country Song” and awards from ACM, CMT, iHeart, and a GRAMMY nomination for “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood. Since making his chart debut in 2005, the Georgia native has earned the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - more than any other artist - his “songs of small-town living, love and loss have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard) and have “vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). His current tour of the same name continues through October 27th. For more information on Jason Aldean including additional tour dates and new music, visit www.JasonAldean.com.
 

Photo Credit: Brian Higbee

REMAINING HIGHWAY DESPERADO 2023 TOUR DATES
Fri Oct 27 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sat Oct 28 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

About Jason Aldean: 

3X ACM Entertainer of the Year and ACM Artist of the Decade Jason Aldean has bolstered 27 No. 1 hits, over 18 billion streams, and more than 20 million albums sold with “his own recipe…one that has vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” (Atlanta Journal Constitution). He has earned the most Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - more than any other artist - since his debut in 2005, with “songs of small-town living, love and loss that have resonated with a loyal fanbase” (Billboard). Currently on his sold-out Highway Desperado tour across the US, the Georgia native continues his “country superstar status" (Variety) with his forthcoming 11th studio album, HIGHWAY DESPERADO, which is set to be released November 3rd. In addition to three tracks co-written by Aldean, the album features “Tough Crowd”-which he debuted at the 2023 ACM Awards as an Entertainer of the Year nominee-as well as his career first Hot 100 chart-topping hit, “Try That In A Small Town,” and fan-favorite tracks “Let Your Boys Be Country” and “Whiskey Drink.” Produced by longtime producer Michael Knox, HIGHWAY DESPERADO is the follow up to Aldean’s tenth studio album, MACON, GEORGIA, which debuted to critical acclaim, with Stereogum naming it an "Album of the Week” and the Tennessean praising that “MACON, GEORGIA finds Aldean honed in on his vision for this era of his career” and “kicks off his career's next era.” The project’s featured the history-making, multi-week No. 1 "powerful duet" (Rolling Stone) ”If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, which earned Aldean his 26th career #1 at Country radio and won ACM Single of the Year, iHeartRadio Country Song of the Year, and CMT Collaborative Video of the Year as well as Billboard and GRAMMY nominations. For more information on Jason Aldean including tour dates and pre-save/pre-add information for HIGHWAY DESPERADO, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

KEEP UP WITH JASON ALDEAN
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | X

HUNTERGIRL'S “AIN’T ABOUT YOU” IMPACTS RADIO TODAY

America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl’s powerful “Ain’t About You” today impacts country radio, securing this week’s coveted most-added accolade on Wheelhouse Records, locking in 46 first-week stations in markets including San Francisco, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Detroit, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Portland, Ore., and San Antonio.

HunterGirl is the first female country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself. “Ain’t About You” is produced by award-winning producer Lindsay Rimes (Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini).

“Having a song on country radio has been my dream since I was a little girl,” says HunterGirl. “‘Ain’t About You’ was supposed to be my ‘I’m leaving Nashville song,’ and it ended up being my ‘staying in Nashville song.’ I hope that anyone who is thinking about giving up on their dreams hears this song and decides to give it a second chance.”

“HunterGirl is an amazing singer and songwriter, but what really differentiates her is her heart, which is on full display when she meets fans, radio programmers and even strangers on the street," says Ken Tucker, VP of Promotion, Wheelhouse Records. "She’s a generational talent, and I can’t wait to watch her journey. ‘Ain’t About You’ is a song that she wrote entirely on her own, and for a debut single on a female country artist, that's a benchmark that hasn't been hit in the last 30 years." 

Having grown up winning singing and songwriting competitions and cutting her teeth performing on Lower Broadway, the American Idol runner-up came home from back-to-back writing sessions one day with an ache she just couldn’t shake. Seeing the success of her friends - signing record and publishing deals - she couldn’t help but wonder if she was on the right path, still chasing her musical dream in Nashville, when she hadn’t made much leeway. 

Discouraged with a breaking heart, trembling voice and eyes filled with tears, she put pen to paper for a 45-minute conversation with Jesus. Written just two weeks before she auditioned for ABC’s American Idol, the hauntingly honest words of “Ain’t About You” flooded out of her like a resounding prayer, reminding her there’s “purpose in the wait.” 

Scared of rejection, she kept the song a secret, until she finally had some liquid courage and sang it for American Idol winners Chayce Beckham and Noah Thompson at a BBQ cookout where they were passing around a guitar. It wasn’t until she heard their shocked response and fervent encouragement that she finally decided it was time to share it, and since the release of the heart-stirring song, it has already received tremendous praise from People, PopCulture, American Songwriter, CMT, Entertainment Tonight, Taste of Country, The Boot and more: 

Photo Credit: David McClister

“HunterGirl ‘peeled back her soul’ and the song - a soulful tearjerker of a ballad questioning if ‘tomorrow's the day those closed doors will open up’ poured from her like water and wine.”
– 
Tennessean


“It's 
an inspiring anthem for anyone seeking their true calling, made even more powerful by the circumstances under which she wrote it.” – Sweety High


“‘Ain’t About You,’ is a product of this experience as it uncovers an authentic look into 
the power of prayerand patience in her personal journey.” – Country Now


The raw track is full of chilling conviction. The striking and painfully relatable lyrics truly fall out of the Tennessee girl in the most honest and humble of ways.” – All Country News


“HunterGirl 
showcases exactly why America fell in love with her in this song.” – Country Swag

About HunterGirl:

A Tennessee native, singer/songwriter HunterGirl has been performing since she was three years old and writing songs since she was nine. In her early teens, she performed at venues across the United States, competed in singing competitions and won the 2014 Texaco Country Showdown. After graduating high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs at Nashville’s most famous venues including Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Jason Aldean’s Bar, The Listening Room, and HonkyTonk Central, winning songwriting contests such as “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International” in her spare time. Due to having family members who served in the military, HunterGirl holds a deep admiration for our Country’s armed forces and tenaciously works with many veteran organizations, where she uses music therapy to transform veterans’ stories into songs. She’s shared the stage with Country superstars Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more. Last year, she competed on American Idol, where the “country singer with a bright future” (Hollywood Life) delivered standout performances that Taste of Country called “impressive,” “shining,” “chill-worthy,” and “glowing,” winning the hearts of millions across the country. Praised by Idol judge and Country superstar Luke Bryan as the “new age Miranda Lambert” and his “favorite female Country voice,” “HunterGirl has wowed the Country music community since she stepped foot onto the American Idol stage” (Billboard). “Despite missing out on the win, her crooning vocals and intimate original song, ‘Red Bird,’ has made her one to watch in the Country scene (American Songwriter). Skyrocketing to No. 1 on iTunes All-Genre and Country charts, “the budding Country star” (Taste of Country) performed her heartfelt and deeply personal original track “Red Bird” on Live with Kelly & Ryan and has appeared on Good Morning America. Now, with the release of her label debut tracks “Hometown Out Of Me,” “Lonely Outta You” and her hauntingly powerful debut radio single “Ain’t About You,” driven by her distinct and genuine vocals, unwavering tenacity, and heart of gold, HunterGirl is on the fast track to becoming Country’s next big female artist.

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Windsor's Jared Anthony and Legendary Rap Icon Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels of RUN-DMC Team Up for New Rap/Rock Collaboration

Jared Anthony is an edgy, melodic rapper/singer/songwriter/producer from Ontario, Canada. His musical style blends many influences of pop, rock, and alternative, with a heavy melodic hip hop vibe, but with an eclectic and creative new kind of sound that makes Jared Anthony stand out. Jared Anthony recently collaborated with Legendary Rap Icon, Rock-N-Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels of RUN-DMC on his newest single “Sold My Soul (Bought It Back With Rock 'n' Roll)”.

PREVIEW “SOLD MY SOUL” HERE

“Sold My Soul”, which is scheduled for release Friday, October 27th on all major platforms, will feature an all-star lineup including Jared Anthony and DMC on vocals, John Moyer (Disturbed) on bass, Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves) on rhythm guitar, Will Hunt (Evanescence) on drums, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns ‘N Roses, Sons of Apollo, Asia) on lead guitar. Thal also co-produced (along with manager John Gomez), mixed, and mastered the song. With endorsements by some of the most respected rap and rock performers/musicians in the world, Jared Anthony is poised to breakout and be an artist to watch for in 2024.

“'For ‘Sold My Soul’, we were going for that Old School meets New School rap/rock vibe, I’m super pumped about this new collaboration with the legend DMC, and can’t wait to drop it,” says Jared Anthony.

“This song is to show that the OGs and the Young Gs can work together, so we can make the world better,” said DMC.

Jared Anthony and DMC got to perform “Sold My Soul” together at Rock The Park Music Festival in London, ON to a packed crowd. Watch Teaser Video HERE

Jared Anthony and DMC recently filmed a video for the upcoming “Sold My Soul”track that was directed by Dale "Rage" Resteghini. The official video drops on YouTube on October 31st (Halloween) and premieres on The Power Hour Showwith Matt Pinfield on AXS TV Nov 2nd, so make sure to tune-in at 11pm EST!

Dale has worked with some of the biggest artists in the world and the list of names is almost endless; Guns N’ Roses, Fall Out Boy, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj, Hatebreed, Pitbull, Diddy, Soulja Boy, Slipknot, Ice Cube, Flo Rida, Cypress Hill, All That Remains, TI, Gym Class Heroes, Method Man, Escape The Fate, Redman, Sevendust, Rick Ross, Tyga, Li’l Wayne, Lil Kim, Trivium, The Game, Everlast, Akon, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Three 6 Mafia, Vanilla Ice, and that is just a sample.

The video will also feature cameos by John Moyer (Disturbed), Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves), Will Hunt (Evanescence), and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns ‘N Roses, Sons of Apollo, Asia).

Jared Anthony’s previous single “Back Of My Heart” was a collaboration with enigmatic artist CLEVER, who’s written songs and collaborated with JuiceWRLD, Post Malone, Justin Beiber, and Chris Brown. Prior to that, Jared’s single “Over My Head” featured guest musicians, Matt Noveskey (bass) and Will Knaak (guitar), from platinum-selling alternative rock band Blue October, and Evan Stanley, son of KISS legend Paul Stanley. Additionally, Jared Anthony’s song "Mayday" was a featured track in the best-selling basketball series video game, NBA 2k. His music has garnered over 30 million streams on Spotify, nearly 200k monthly listeners, and his fan base continues to grow exponentially.

In 2021, Jared Anthony and management formed a partnership with music industry guru, Steve Stoute and his new music platform, UnitedMasters. Stoute, who is the founder and CEO of UnitedMasters and Translation, recently closed a $50M Series C at a $550M valuation to further support and empower the artists they work with to find commercial success in the creator economy. UnitedMasters, meanwhile, has helped launch the careers of artists like platinum-selling rapper NLE Choppa, plus Lil Tecca, Tobe Nwigwe, Lil XXEL and others.

"UnitedMasters has an amazing team of like-minded creatives who sincerely want to see their artists succeed in the music industry and grow into global acts,” says manager John Gomez.

“Jared's music has clearly connected with his fans, and his blending of genres only seems to be increasing in popularity,” said Gomez. “Nowadays, artists and bands don’t have to stay within the confines of a particular genre and Jared Anthony is at the forefront of this current hybrid nature in popular music,” concludes Gomez.

“It was an honor to share the stage with DMC and I also got to showcase at the Canadian Music Week Festival for their 40th Anniversary, which was a blast,” says Jared Anthony.

“I’m looking forward to performing more live shows in North America and beyond in 2024,” concludes Jared Anthony.

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The Devil Wears Prada + Fit For A King Announce Winter 2024 Leg of Metalcore Dropouts Tour

SECOND SEMESTER KICKS OFF IN JANUARY

FIT FOR A KING + THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA are thrilled to announce the Winter 2024 leg of the Metalcore Dropouts Tour. The Fall 2023 leg wrapped up last week and the co-headline pairing is so good it needs to keep going!

The Metalcore Dropouts 2nd Semester Tour finds Counterparts returning as support, along with Avoid as openers. 

Leg 2 kicks off on January 16 in Kansas City and runs through February 24 in Minneapolis.

Tickets and VIP upgrades are available
here and here and go on sales on Friday, October 27.

"When the Metalcore Dropouts tour started out with such a bang, we knew we had to keep the party going for all of the cities that we missed along the way," says TDWP's Jeremy DePoyster. "The shows have been absolutely psychotic and the hangs have been even better, and we are thrilled to be able to bring our buddies in Avoid along this time. These have been the best TDWP shows of our career, and the energy is pure chaos, insanity, and fun.  The Second Semester will be nonstop mayhem across North America — do NOT miss this tour!"

"Our time on Metalcore Dropouts was so incredible that we wanted to bring the show to even more cities," says FFAK's Ryan Kirby. "So behold… the second semester!"

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA + FIT FOR A KING ON TOUR:
WITH COUNTERPARTS  + AVOID:

1/16 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater
1/17 — Fayetteville, AR — JJ's Live
1/19 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart's
1/20 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
1/21 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues
1/23 — Buffalo, NY — Town Ballroom
1/24 — Albany, NY — Empire Live
1/26 — Harrisburg, PA — HMAC
1/27 — Huntington, NY — Paramount
1/28 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
1/30 — Hartford, CT — The Webster
1/31 — Richmond, VA — The National
2/2 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
2/3 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
2/4 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues
2/6 — Corpus Christi, TX — Brewster Street Ice House
02/7 — Austin, TX — Emo's
2/9 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theatre
2/10 — San Diego, CA — Soma
2/11 — San Francisco, CA — The Regency Ballroom
2/13 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
2/14 — Spokane, WA — Knitting Factory
2/15 — Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom
2/16 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom
2/17 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
2/20 — Edmonton, AB — Midway Music Hall
2/21 — Calgary, AB — The Palace Theatre
2/23 — Winnipeg, MB — The Park Theatre
2/24 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore

Extortionist Announce Signing With Unique Leader Records And Announce New Upcoming EP 'Devoid' Out December 1

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, heavy metal mainstays Extortionist have today announced their new signing with Unique Leader Records. In celebration of the news, the band announced their first EP with the label 'Devoid' (set for release on Friday, December 1) and unleashed their new track "Out of Touch" with the official music video. Speaking on today's news, the band shared:

"Extortionist is excited to announce our signing to Unique Leader Records. We are ecstatic to work alongside Jamie and the team at ULR in this next chapter of the band's life. Devoid, our brand new EP, releases worldwide on December 1st, 2023.

Our leading single, "Out of Touch" is both literal and metaphorical in its lyrics, videography, and themes. The story depicts a person battling the 'Hivemind.' This character represents the internal, mental war between authenticity and compromise." 

Pre-save 'Devoid' here, stream "Out of Touch" here, and watch the music video below. Be sure to stay tuned for more Extortionist news coming very soon.

Band names go a long way in helping paint a figurative picture in the listener's mind of what to expect before one ever hits “play.” When it comes to Extortionist, you think crime—you think gritty, raw, merciless and unsavory and maybe, just maybe, a little sprinkling of suaveness. When it comes to the Pacific Northwest’s resident moshslingers, those premonitions from their name are exactly what you get. As a band who have proven themselves exemplary at styles of heavy music ranging from downtempo deathcore to grunge-tinted metal, Extortionist are more than just a jack-of-all-trades; they’re masters. Utilizing bold, roaring guitars overtop crushing, steamrolling percussion and vocals that run the gamut from guttural to grating, pitched singing and topped off with—you guessed it—a now-infamous dodgeball-smack snare, Extortionist have proven that not only are they incredible at what they do, they’re a band that the heavy scene just can’t go without.

Emerging from the relatively understated pastures and prairies of Coeur d’Alene in early 2013, to say Extortionist have been on a journey since their inception would be an understatement. With "The Black Sheep" instantly earning them notoriety with its combination of feral grooves and eviscerating breakdowns, Extortionist proved themselves early on as prodigal masters of all things punishingly heavy. As the band grew and gained more experience on the road in light of the success of their debut EP, their style and dynamic grew as well. After nearly four years of touring and writing, Extortionist would unleash 'The Decline' in 2017, a band that saw their breed of brutalizing deathcore hybridized with riff-heavy metalcore and more introspective lyrics that tackled suicidal ideation and substance abuse. 'The Decline' was met with immense critical praise and continued to open up larger opportunities for the Northwestern act, ultimately earning them multiple co-headlining tours from coast to coast, and a spot on Stay Sick Records, alongside other up-and-coming heavyweights like SPITE and Bodysnatcher. Barely a year and a half after their signing, the band announced their sophomore full-length release, 'Sever the Cord', which saw them experimenting with the inclusion of grunge and alternative influences, adding even more depth and grit to their dynamic. Their sophomore album earned them not only critical acclaim, but nationwide tours alongside The Browning, Betraying the Martyrs, Lorna Shore and First Blood. 'Sever the Cord' was followed shortly thereafter by an eponymous EP which saw them diving deeper into a more exploratory realm of metalcore, colliding ferocious riffs into moments of warm, nostalgic melody. While their self-titled release was widely heralded as the band’s strongest work to date, was declared their Swan Song, as in the weeks that followed towards the back-end of Summer 2019, Extortionist announced their dissolution.

That isn’t the end of Extortionist’s story, however. As 2019 gave way into 2020 and the chaotic months that followed, the heavy music community felt the band’s absence all too strongly. In the early months of 2021, Extortionist announced their return with a series of shows in Spokane, Washington alongside AVOID and Seconds Ago as well as a new single, “Once More in Torment”. Once more highlighting the seamless blend of raunchy aggression and groove-heavy catchiness that only Extortionist can provide, the band’s comeback track is a strong reminder of just how missed they were throughout their nearly two-year absence. Frontman and founding member Benjamin Hoagland states “This is the best place we’ve ever been in as a band...Extortionist lives, and we’re here to stay.” Indeed, with a full-length record in the works and a ferocious return to live performance already underway, it would seem that Exortionist’s relative break was only a brief moment with which to collect themselves before reasserting their dominance over the contemporary metalcore scene. - Connor Welsh

Photo Credit - Jordanne Chapman

Capstan Share Double Singles "Bete Noire" + "Heart to Heart"

Florida five-piece CAPSTAN — Anthony DeMario [vocals], Joe Mabry [guitar], Harrison Bormann [guitar], Andrew "Boz" Bozymowski [bass, vocals], and Scott Fisher [drums] — have shared a double single!

Today, fans can listen to "
Bête Noire" and "Heart to Heart."

"'Bête Noire' criticizes a broken system that rewards greed and exploitation while leaving ordinary people in suffering," the band shares. "The song calls for collective action to challenge this unjust status quo and emphasize the need to dismantle the oppressive structures that perpetuate inequality. The repeated chorus lyric of 'Hail to the thief' underscores the message of resistance against those who benefit from this system at the expense of others."

The song is truly a carnival of sounds – thinks gnarly riffs, moshy breakdowns, alternately sung and screamed vocals, and experimental, unusual, and upbeat melodies. It's a gloriously dizzying and layered mix.


The band has also dropped the video for "Heart to Heart." Watch the clip, featuring Belmont and Jason Tyler, 
below.

Sonically, the song harks back to the glory days of Warped Tour, pop-punk, and emo with its vocal harmonies, singalong choruses, rowdy riffery, and standout solos. It's the best kind of throwback since it transports you to a time long since past — without OD'ing on nostalgia. It also has a very poignant lyrical lean.

"'Heart to Heart' depicts a heartfelt and comforting conversation between partners," Capstan explain. "The lyrics acknowledge the speaker's own shortcomings in listening and paying attention but emphasizes the enduring love and connection they share. The chorus highlights the importance of open communication and vulnerability in their relationship, inviting the other person to let their guard down and be themselves. The song is a message of love, understanding, and the power of shared moments."

Captan are touring next year with Holding Absence.

CAPSTAN ON TOUR:
WITH HOLDING ABSENCE, CASEY, + ACRES:

1/16 — Seattle, WA, US — Neumos
1/17 — Portland, OR, US — Hawthorne Theatre
1/19 — Roseville, CA, US — Goldfield Trading Post - Roseville
1/20 — Los Angeles (LA), CA, US — Echoplex
1/21 — Anaheim, CA, US — Chain Reaction
1/23 — Mesa, AZ, US — The Nile
1/24 — Albuquerque, NM, US — Launchpad
1/26 — Denver, CO, US — Marquis Theater
1/27 — Lawrence, KS, US — The Granada (half house)
1/28 — Dallas, TX, US — South Side Music Hall
1/30 — San Antonio, TX, US — Rock Box San Antonio
1/31 — Houston, TX, US — RISE Rooftop
2/2 — Tampa, FL, US — The Orpheum
2/3 — Atlanta, GA, US — The Masquerade - Hell
2/4 — Nashville, TN, US — The Basement East
2/6 — Lakewood, OH, US — Mahall's
2/7 — Chicago, IL, US — Bottom Lounge
2/9 — Detroit, MI, US — The Shelter
2/10 — Toronto, ON, Canada — Velvet Underground Toronto
2/11 — Montreal, QC, Canada — Le Studio TD
2/13 — Baltimore, MD, US — Baltimore Soundstage
2/14 — New York (NYC), NY, US — Gramercy Arts Theater
2/16 — Philadelphia, PA, US — The Foundry
2/17 — Worcester, MA, US — The Palladium

Capstan released their second album
SEPARATE in 2021 via Fearless Records.

A Foreign Affair Share Poignant "Losing The Memory" Video

Sacramento five-piece A FOREIGN AFFAIR have shared the video for the poignant new single "Losing the Memory." Watch it below.

The song appears on the band's new album Still Frame, which is out now.

"I wrote this song as a form of therapy to process my mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's this year," says singer Alex Strobaugh. "This disease affects so many families and I wanted to pay respect to that pain. In this music video, there are clips from home videos that my family took growing up and it is incredibly personal to me so I hope this conveys a feeling of empathy towards anyone who might be going through the pain that it can bring."

Learn more about how you can help those affected by Alzheimer's disease
here.

A Foreign Affair features Alex Strobaugh, former vocalist of Incredible; the tasteful lead guitar playing and electronic nuances by Jared Cambridge; the clean and rhythmic guitars of Nick Blevins; the soulful and punchy bass lines from Jordan Hoover; and hard hitting drum playing from Joe Iuele.

National Recording Artist Frank Ray to Serve as Ambassador for National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is pleased to announce that Frank Ray, renowned country music recording artist and former member of law enforcement, has agreed to serve as honorary Chief Ambassador of the fund’s Ambassador Program. Frank Ray's commitment to raising awareness about law enforcement issues and supporting NLEOMF's mission to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement, and make it safer for those who serve will make a significant impact on the organization’s mission.

In his role as Chief Ambassador, Ray will set the tone for other ambassadors by demonstrating the initiative’s goal of building awareness and generating support for the organization via agencies across the country. This is done through the vision set forth by NLEOMF and the ambassador’s responsibility to inspire all citizens year round to value law enforcement and help display the vital role it plays in our society as a way to honor the sacrifice of thousands of men and women whose names are engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“As a former law enforcement officer, it is my absolute honor to partner with an esteemed organization like NLEOMF, which cares deeply for the men and women in blue who proudly serve their communities and fellow citizens daily while honoring the lives lost in the line of duty,” said Ray. “Being an ambassador will allow me to continue serving and stay connected to the profession. I look forward to using my platform to create awareness about mental health in this profession, lend a voice to the burden that many officers face, and share our supportive message with them so they know they are not alone.”

Because of his deep-rooted commitment to the well-being of first responders, earlier this year, Ray launched a first responder-oriented mental health campaign, aptly named "FRAY" to champion First Responders Mental Clarity. He joined US Senator Ben Ray Lujan (New Mexico) for a panel discussion at the US Capitol, focusing on the critical mental health challenges faced by first responders. This initiative will be a cornerstone of his role as ambassador and its ties to NLEOMF’s Officer Safety and Wellness Program.

“We are honored to have Frank Ray join us as Chief Ambassador of this signature program,” said Bill Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “His dedication and his unique perspective as a former law enforcement officer make him an ideal fit into our ambassador program, and we look forward to working together to make a difference.”

Since the inception of the Ambassador program in early 2022, ambassadors have served as NLEOMF liaisons to law enforcement agencies, providing training and technical assistance to officers as well as attending events as representative of the organization. Learn more about the program and how to become an ambassador here.

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 23,785 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

 

About Frank Ray:

Texas chart-topper, bilingual recording artist and former police officer - Frank Ray is busting open the doors for a modern Latino Country movement. Growing up just three miles from the border in New Mexico, Frank, born Francisco Gomez, was immersed in the best of both worlds - enriched by his Mexican culture and surrounded by Texas Country music. Praised as “easygoing contemporary Country with Pop-Soul hooks and a dash of Southwestern spice” (Rolling Stone), Frank’s “catalog is representative of his fun personality and flair” (Country Now), expertly blending ‘90s Texas Country, Latin, R&B and Pop. As an entertainer, Frank delivers electrifying, high-energy performances that has something for everyone. With immense cross-cultural appeal and a panorama of influences, Ray “is looking to stretch Country music’s cultural boundaries” (Los Angeles Times).  

  

In the three short years since embarking on his musical journey full-time, he has racked up two No. 1 singles and three Top 10 singles on Texas Country Radio, become a staff songwriter, landed Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker) as his producer, signed a record deal with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records and much more. Along with being named an “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone and Amazon Music USA as well as a “Listen Up Artist” by CMT, Ray has appeared on USA Network’s Real Country, been profiled in the Los Angeles Times and on NBC's TODAY.  

  

Recently on tour with Old Dominion and now performing at major music festivals across the U.S, this former police officer visits first responders through his mental-health initiative FRAY championing First Responders Mental Clarity, at each tour stop providing first responders with the tools, resources and training to promote their mental wellbeing, as well as that of their families and communities. Having shared stages with Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore, LANCO, Hunter Hayes and more, the versatile entertainer was just named to CRS New Faces’ Class of 2023. Featured on his self-titled, label-debut album, the cheeky “Somebody Else’s Whiskey” is currently climbing the Country radio charts. The album, Frank Ray, is available across streaming platforms. Ray also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with the release of Raíces (Así Se Hace), a five-track project entirely in Spanish, on September 22.

COLIN STOUGH REACHES THE COUNTRY ROCK PROMISELAND WITH DEBUT EP

Country newcomer and 19 Recordings/BMG artist Colin Stough reaches a milestone that was once just a pipe dream today (10/20), releasing his debut EP, Promiseland.

A heady collision of grungy Southern Rock and pure-Country style featuring six fresh tracks – with all but one co-written by Stough and produced by the likes of Alex Maxwell, Sean Rogers, and Austin Shawn – helps introduce a Mississippi-born vocal flamethrower and guitar slinger with a true underdog story.

Just 19 years old and coming off a standout third-place finish on Season 21 of American Idol in 2022, Stough was still in high school until last year and had been working full-time as an HVAC technician after graduation. But once his mother convinced him to audition for Idol, that life became history.

Now based in Nashville, and mixing a freight train of full-bodied vocal rasp with a down-home blend of Hard Rock and twang, his debut EP marks the culmination of a whirlwind journey – and the start of an exciting new chapter.

“This EP represents who I am and where I’m from,” Stough says. “It speaks to my life these past few years and has become a source of comfort for me. Maybe that’s why I called it Promiseland. I hope it can be that for you, too.”

Along with preparing for the release of Promiseland, Stough has spent 2023 headlining shows across the nation, while also supporting fellow rising star Kidd G and Country-Soul troubadour Drake White. A series of previous singles have so far racked up more than 9.4 MILLION global on-demand streams, with “‘Til the Day One Does” on deck.

A brooding ballad of romantic longing wrapped in dark Western sonics and Stough’s blowtorch vocal, the low-down anthem co-written by Stough alongside Geoff Warburton, Gavin Lucas, and Austin Shawn is all about an on-the-run loner who may be hard to love – but nevertheless, holds his head high. Crunchy guitars, banjo, and whispering steel set the stage for what’s to come.

"This song is badass, man. It just feels cool, like something you’re supposed to drive around and listen to,” Stough explains. “It touches on the fast lifestyle that I’ve been forced to become adjusted to – but also, it hints at an ability to change. Something that I think we all have to do and can relate to.

About Colin Stough:

A 19-year-old Country Rock phenom and native of Gattman, Mississippi, Colin Stough has come a long way in a few short years – and with his debut EP Promiseland, the 19 Recordings/BMG artist is still just getting started. After learning to play guitar at 8 years old, Stough first pursued artistic dreams at 10, boldly trading childhood possessions for his first guitar at a local pawn shop – an instrument he still plays to this day. After graduating high school, the naturally gifted singer and self-taught songwriter began working full-time as an HVAC technician, before his mother convinced him to audition for American Idol. Impressing judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie, Stough stunned viewers and soon built a thriving fan base, finishing third on Season 21 of the show in 2022. He spent the ensuing months writing and recording original music, while also touring nationwide to put his blowtorch vocal and guitar-slinging edge on full display. After signing with 19 Recordings/BMG, his distinctive mix of Southern Rock distortion and pure-Country style have helped tracks like “I Still Talk To Jesus” and “Bad Day” rack up more than 9.4 MILLION global on-demand streams, and in September 2023, Stough released the single “Promiseland,” along with an official music video. The hard-hitting anthem is the title track to Stough’s debut EP, which is out now and puts the emerging artist on track to reach even more dreams in the future. Stough has headlined across the country and opened for established artists like Kidd G and Drake White. Stay tuned for much more to come.

Photo Credit: Mike Rodway

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Fancy Hagood's Cinematic Music Video for "Southern Sound" is Out Now.

Singer/songwriter Fancy Hagood is venturing deep into truth and storytelling with his new video for his song “Southern Sound,” which is out today and can be seen below.
 
“Southern Sound” frames the story of a young queer couple as they brave adversity in hopes of building a future together. The deeply emotional, cinematic music video brings the song to life as it delves into some of the difficulties the LGBTQIA+ community often faces within their own families. 
 
“It’s an important story to tell because it’s happening to so many LGBTQIA+ kids,” Hagood told GLADD, who premiered the clip today. “I was inspired to make this video after so many horrible legislative bills harmful to the queer community were introduced across our country. It’s important to shed light on the fact that this is reality for some people.”
 
In the video, a young gay couple seeks refuge after the father of one young man discovers his sexuality and violently kicks him out of the family home. Hagood said it’s an unfortunate truth for many LGBTQIA+ people who have been displaced from their homes because of familial conflict over their sexuality. The moving clip also offers resources for young adults in the LGBTQ+ community who need food, housing, and council.
 
But the video is a message of hope and community and to make it connective, Hagood enlisted the help of family and friends to anchor key moments of the plotline. 
 
The ‘angry father’ at the beginning of the music video is the Brothers Osborne’s father, “Big” John Osborne. On tour with the award-winning duo. eldest brother John and Fancy often co-write and play live together. In addition to performing alongside Fancy onstage, lead singer TJ (and John) has been a guest on Fancy’s “Trailblazer’s Radio” show and a trusted mentor. 
 
Osborne sibling Natalie is Hagood’s manager and says of her father Big John, “he’s such a supportive father and human but has many times witnessed parents who wouldn’t embrace their child’s identity. He understood the importance of this video and wanted to be part of the story.”
 
The video was directed by Ford Fairchild. A Nashville based queer director, Fairchild also directed Brooke Eden’s “Outlaw Love” music video, which Hagood stars in. Hagood cameos in his own “Southern Sound” video as the bartender who encourages the young couple and helps them find a safe place to shelter. 
 
“I don’t know how qualified I am to give advice, but to any LGBTQIA+ youth out there struggling in any way, I would just want them to know how important they are,” said Hagood. “I would want them to know their life has so much value, and they are so worthy of love and the choice to be themselves 100%. It takes so much courage to choose yourself over the ideas people try and place on us.”
 
 “Southern Sound,” written by Hagood along with Jon Green and Tofer Brown, is the first song released from a forthcoming 2024 album. It’s the follow-up to his 2021 highly acclaimed album Southern Curiosity.

About Fancy Hagood:
Fancy Hagood is a proud queer artist from Bentonville, AR, who now calls Nashville home. After college, Fancy got a job at Forever 21, where his coworkers dubbed him “Fancy” after a Drake song of the same name. He released his debut album, “Southern Curiosity,” which has accumulated more than 30 million streams. “Southern Curiosity” was nominated for Best Country Record at The Libera Awards 2022.
 
The same year, he collaborated with Kacey Musgraves on “Blue Dream Baby.” The song prompted Sir Elton John to declare: “We need more people like Fancy.” His hero, Brandi Carlile, called Fancy an "artist to watch."
 
In addition to his artist career, Fancy also hosts Trailblazers Radio on Apple Radio.

MADELINE MERLO DELIVERS HER LATEST EUPHONIC TRACKS “TAKE A BROKEN HEART” AND “YOU’LL THINK OF ME” VIA BBR MUSIC GROUP/WHEELHOUSE RECORDS

Award-winning, breakout country artist and songwriter Madeline Merlo captivates audiences with a sensational joint release via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records featuring original track "Take a Broken Heart” coupled with Merlo’s stunning rendition of Keith Urban's iconic #1 song, "You'll Think of Me.”

 

Produced by Zach Crowell, “Take A Broken Heart”  speaks to all the places you can go with your broken heart as you drive forward leaving your ex in the past.

“'Take A Broken Heart' is a song that I wrote on a beach writing trip and have been dying to put it out since,” said Merlo. "The song is reminiscent of a conversation I’ve had with my friends many times and a song I have needed to hear myself at times. If someone breaks your heart, don’t give it back to them.”

 

Also produced by Zach Crowell, Merlo delivers a vulnerable and female perspective on Keith Urban’s “You’ll Think Of Me”, a track that tells of being kept awake at night by memories of an ex and finding comfort in the fact that someday the ex will be the one thinking of her on lonely nights. When asked about the opportunity to record one of her favorite Country songs of all time, Merlo explained it as “a dream come true. I sincerely hope fans will enjoy my version of the timeless song, 'You’ll Think Of Me.'"

 

Having “already proven her songwriting chops” (Billboard), Merlo has “long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). Similar to her critically acclaimed label-debut EP, Slide, that scored her praise from Billboard, E! News, PopCulture, MusicRowand more, Merlo continues to build her niche as a songwriter and artist, as she brings to life powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up and to the lessons learned in-between. “…Ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape” (Country Swag), the “rising country star's” (People) newest projects, “Take A Broken Heart” and “You’ll Think Of Me”, are out now and supplement her previous release "Tim + Faith" that debuted in September to praise and profiles from Billboard, Circle, CMTCountry Swag & more.

About Madeline Merlo:
Award-winning songwriter and “rising Country star” (Country Now) Madeline Merlo “has long made a career by telling big emotional stories in the span of 3 minute or so songs” (American Songwriter). After scoring impressive Canadian radio play and winning the Canadian Country Music Association’s Rising Star Award (and being nominated twice for Female Artist of the Year), the “breakout talent” (American Songwriter) released a super-charged new song “Same Car” along with her spirited four-track EP Slidevia BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. Produced by Zach Crowell (Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch) and backed by iridescent beats, Merlo’s collection of songs — all co-written by Merlo — deliver powerful female stories, from budding romances, to growing up, to the lessons learned in between. Winner of the season 2 premiere of the NBC songwriting reality TV series Songland, the Canadian songstress’ captivating track “Champagne Night,” recorded and released by Lady A, went on to be a three-week No. 1 song on US Country radio and earned her the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Songwriter of the Year. A captivating addition to her repertoire showcasing her authentic storytelling and powerful vocals, Merlo released “Tim + Faith” in September 2023, infused with the warm feeling of everlasting love, the melodious ode and moving tribute pays homage to 90s Country music and the devoted marriage between country music power couple, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The latest from Merlo comes with a sensational joint release featuring Merlo’s original track "Take a Broken Heart” and her stunning rendition of Keith Urban's iconic song, "You'll Think of Me.”

Photo Credit: Jack Owens

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