Swedish rock veterans GRAVEYARD have teamed up with their long time friends GOAT to release a double A-side collaborative 7'' for record store day. While the first track 'Light As A Feather' had its digital premiere earlier this month, today sees the digital release of its counter part, 'Ship Of Fools'.
Both bands blend their sounds into a twin toke of sweat and singe. Born out of a history of house jams at GOAT HQ, the single unwinds GRAVEYARD's more meticulous nature. 'Ship of Fools' unleashes a tsunami of sound, guitars barreling down on the listener with ill intent. The wave crests and quenches, though, leaning into the soul-soaked direction of GRAVEYARD's latest album, 6. Head to head the bands dig towards a stadium sound that’s still slicked with the swagger of the ‘70s, but rolled in more of GRAVEYARD's grandeur than GOAT’s eclectic grit.
The flip side lights up the speakers, less dense than anything either band has hooked into for some time. The jammy approach that inspired the session pays off throughout 'Light as a Feather', soaking up prime-period Stones if they’d aimed for the heart of the sun with Father Yod in the driver’s seat. Sloughing off the shackles of verse/chorus/verse structure, the song picks up mid-ecstatic peak, the listener already in thrall to the groove, simmering in the sway-along harmonies before an acid-butter burner of a solo sends the whole thing rippling out into the cosmos.
STREAM 'SHIP OF FOOLS':
https://graveyard.bfan.link/ship-of-fools
Adam Ezra Group NEW Music Out Now!!
Adam Ezra Group’s latest single, Mama Luna, is now available anywhere you stream music!!
Hollywood Undead Unveil "Hollywood Forever" (Funny Man Remix) Featuring Lefty Gunplay & N8NOFACE
Los Angeles, CA — Multi-platinum rap-rock juggernauts Hollywood Undead unleash a brand new take on their hit single "Hollywood Forever" today with an electrifying remix from founding member Funny Man featuring Lefty Gunplay andN8NOFACE. Find the track on streaming platforms HERE and watch the accompanying video created by LA based artist and animator MikeMeds below.
The “Hollywood Forever (Funny Man Remix)” is a gritty, genre-blending rework of the fan-favorite anthem—an unmistakable tribute to Los Angeles, the city firmly rooted in the DNA of all three artists. The track seamlessly blends explosive rap verses that trade off between Funny Man’s laid-back swagger, Lefty Gunplay’s raw charisma, and N8NOFACE’s signature punk-meets-rap delivery, building in intensity before culminating in the original track’s epic chorus.
Speaking on his remix of “Hollywood Forever”, Hollywood Undead’s Funny Man shares
“For the first time in Hollywood Undead history we have 3 Mexicans on one track with the homies Lefty Gunplay, N8NOFACE, and myself Big Funny Man who are all holding it down for LA and will continue to do so. Thanks to those legends for helping to show love and gratitude to the Undead fans.”
N8NOFACE comments
“Soon as I heard the track and idea I wanted to rock it. Perfect genre killer joint and blends of styles,”
With Lefty Gunplay adding
“THIS ONE RIGHT HERE IS FOR THE CULTURE. 2025 JAY Z VS LINKIN PARK!”
Originally released in October 2024 via Sumerian Records, “Hollywood Forever” has racked up over 19.5 million cross-platform streams, peaked at #18 at Active Rock radio (currently holding at #20), and generated over 35.6k Shazams. The track is a testament (both lyrically and statistically) to the uniquely powerful bond Hollywood Undead share with their fans and the phenomenal staying power of a band who have been releasing albums since 2008.
The remix lands as Hollywood Undead continue their monumental Hollywood & N9ne Return Tour, co-headlining with Tech N9ne and performing to thousands each night alongside special guests Set It Off and Zero 9:36. The current leg marks their long-awaited return to Canadian stages for the first time in nearly a decade. The band will also be performing at major US festivals Sonic Temple, Welcome To Rockville, Louder Than Life and Aftershock.
ABOUT HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
Since the release of their RIAA platinum-certified 2008 debut Swan Songs, Hollywood Undead’s distinctive and infectious music has incited a global cult audience, sold out shows across continents, and earned praise from Consequence of Sound, Billboard, Revolver and more. With over 3.2 billion cross-platform streams, over 1 billion YouTube views, and 4.1 million monthly Spotify listeners, they remain one of modern rock’s most influential and enduring forces. Now signed to Sumerian Records, they continue to push boundaries and reshape alternative culture.
Hollywood Undead Are:
Johnny 3 Tears, J-Dog, Charlie Scene, Funny Man, Danny.
Find Hollywood Undead Online
ABOUT LEFTY GUNPLAY
Lefty Gunplay sheds light on another path. He knows how easy it is to link up with the wrong crowd, get into trouble, and wind up behind bars—especially in a neighborhood like Baldwin Park where he grew up in Los Angeles. He’s living proof that your environment doesn’t have to define you. In less than a year, he returned home from prison and launched his rap career into the stratosphere. He broke through with prolific musical output, intense live shows, and a guest spot on Kendrick Lamar’s blockbuster GNX. Entangled in the streets, he spent a total of 19 years of his life in prison. However, he made a decision to change once and for all in 2024. He turned heads with “Blvd Babies” and dropped his first tape Rookie of the Year. He picked up the pace with Famous Gangbanger and Pre-Season in addition to collaborating withJeremih and OHGEESY. He popped off with Most Valuable Gangbanger, including “What The West Bout” [feat. Snoop Dogg]. Lamar also handpicked him for “tv off,” which exploded to the tune of 455 million Spotify streams, captured #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and went platinum. During 2025, Santa Fe Klan tapped Lefty Gunplay for “Lumbre” and welcomed him to perform live during Calibash. Now, he continues to push forward on his album, Can’t Get Right [EMPIRE], and more to come. Full bio HERE
ABOUT N8NOFACE
A self-described “Cholo goth father,” N8NOFACE has carved his own lane in the underground with a fierce blend of synth-punk, hip hop, and industrial no wave. Born in Tucson and based in Los Angeles, his prolific output and raw energy have earned him cult status and a growing audience of genre-agnostic listeners. N8’s latest LP Bound to Let You Down continues his streak of uncompromising releases that reflect real-life struggle and creative rebellion. Full bio HERE
FROLIC Announce CD release date for Live Album, Tour Fundraiser
On the heels of their explosive live album, LIVE AT THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, young Bay Area Thrash Metal outfit FROLIC have announced that a limited number of CD copies will be available starting April 17, the night the quartet shares the stage with Xoth, Dungeon Crawl and WarTroll at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. Remaining copies of the CD will be available on Frolic's merch store the following day.
Stream or purchase at https://smarturl.it/froliclive
"We are really excited to have these physical copies of our live album. This is the kind of intensity you can expect from us when we hit the road later this summer," said frontman Edgar Sanchez.
"With our second LP almost over the finished line and a tour deep in the planning stages, we're offering some awesome merch as well as some one-of-a-kind items on our store to help us raise funds to keep this train rolling," adds drummer Elijah Post.
The 4-piece's latest recorded offering "Live At the Great American Music Hall" was released digitally on February 7, 2025 to international acclaim--and as a warning shot to all that FROLIC's technical brand of Bay Area Thrash Metal is not to be overlooked.
FROLIC's lineup consists of Edgar Sanchez (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Lenny "Real Steel" Ramirez (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Zak Kufeld (Bass, Backing Vocals), and Elijah Post (Drums).
Formed in 2014, FROLIC has enjoyed a substantial rise in popularity in recent years--sharing the stage with Suicidal Tendancies, Death Angel, Possessed, Forbidden, Biohazard, Eyehategod, DRI, Warbringer, Goatwhore, Angeles Apatrida, Bewitcher, Hatriot, Mordred, Blind Illusion, Hellfire, Defiance and many more.
Band Members:
Edgar Sanchez (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
Lenny "Real Steel" Ramirez (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Zak Kufeld (Bass, Backing Vocals)
Elijah Post (Drums)
Jenna Paulette Releases “How To Make A Cowboy Cry” + Extends Horseback Acoustic Tour Among Sold Out Shows
Cowgirl and songstress Jenna Paulette releases “How To Make A Cowboy Cry,” her first offering since the September 6, 2024 release of her sophomore album, Horseback. Listen to “How To Make A Cowboy Cry” below.
Written by Paulette, Parker Welling and Casey Brown, and produced by Will Bundy, “How To Make A Cowboy Cry” is reflective of Paulette’s current chapter of life after becoming a wife and mother, and underscores that despite their physical toughness, the quickest way to make cowboys cry lies within life’s most meaningful moments.
“I wrote ‘How To Make A Cowboy Cry’ right after Ross and I eloped,” explains Paulette. “Truthfully, it was before we thought about having kids, and in a conversation where we were dreaming about it, he named our little girl with two family names—and from that moment on I prayed for one. We have lived these moments in this song…from our wedding day, to two pink lines, to a moment in the truck headed in Colorado to work calves listening to Chris Ledoux.”
Traversing her home region of Texas and Oklahoma, Paulette’s Horseback Acoustic Tour kicked off with a sold out show last night in Castroville, Texas. As her April 17 show in Bluff Dale, Texas sold out a week early, Paulette adds three new dates in Clinton, Wisconsin on June 18; Chicago, Illinois on June 19; and Jacksonville, IL on June 20. Tickets for the newly announced dates are available now at JennaPaulette.com.
At each Horseback Acoustic Tour stop, fans will have a chance to sign up and win a gift card valid for the purchase of one CowboyGirl shirt, courtesy of Ely Cattleman. Fans will sign up at the merch table and must be present to win. For more information and tickets, visit JennaPaulette.com.
Horseback Acoustic Tour Dates:
Apr 11 // Belton, TX // Schoepf’s BBQ
Apr 12 // Edmond, OK // The Old Icehouse
Apr 16 // Conroe, TX // Table At Madeley
Apr 17 // Bluff Dale, TX // Double D BBQ *SOLD OUT
Apr 18 // Paris, TX // The Rail Yard
June 18 // Clinton, WI // Boxcar’s
June 19 // Chicago, IL // Carol’s
June 20 // Jacksonville, IL // Twisted Tree Music Hall
About Jenna Paulette:
A CMT Next Women of Country honoree and an Apple Music’s Country Riser, singer-songwriter Jenna Paulette — a cowgirl who came of age amid the gritty realities of ranch life — is part of Nashville’s growing wave of female artists who are rewriting the rules and charting their own paths. Paulette settled in Nashville in 2015, where she struck up a mentorship with Ashley Gorley – a veteran songwriter with 80+ No. 1 tunes under his belt – which ultimately led to her publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music in June 2021. Since collaborating with songwriters Will Bundy, Rhett Akins and Jessie Jo Dillion, as well as opening for Mason Ramsey, Parmalee, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and most recently Aaron Watson, Paulette has landed brand partnerships with Justin Boots, Boot Barn, Ely Cattleman and Ranch Water.
With the arrival of her debut album The Girl I Was in 2023, Grammy.com remarked the project as “transformative,” noting it “fuses the sounds of Twain and Miranda Lambert, tackling mental health with the somber ‘You Ain't No Cowboy’ and waxing philosophical on ‘Country In The Girl.’” She continued to spotlight her authentic western lifestyle last year, performing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, making her Grand Ole Opry Debut and performing in multiple festivals including CMA Fest. Paulette recently signed with independent label Leo33. Paulette’s sophomore album, Horseback, is available everywhere now. For more information, visit www.jennapaulette.com.
Ryan and Rory Share Swoon-Worthy Love Song "What's Mine Is Yours”
Hailed as “one of Nashville’s hottest rising duos” (Country Now), Ryan and Rory are in a giving mood with “What’s Mine Is Yours," a romantic, nostalgia-soaked anthem that’s pure country gold. From the bottom of their hearts to the top of their dresser drawers, they are offering everything down to their last name in this song, now available, HERE.
“What’s Mine is Yours” is about giving yourself completely to another person,” says Ryan Follese. “I think it takes just the right person to make two lives one.”
“It’s also about how the simple things can say so much about a great relationship,” adds Rory John Zak. “Like when she borrows a t-shirt and I never get it back."
Named a SiriusXM The Highway “Highway Find,” “Ryan and Rory are primed to become the next major male duo in country music” (Music Mayhem). Co-written by Ryan and Rory, Trannie Anderson and producer Kevin Bard, this bold, heartfelt track is featured on their electrifying setlist as they hit the road with Brett Young this spring after just wrapping dates with Tyler Braden. It follows the fueled up anthem “Truck Stop” that was released last month and anchored by the sexy video, featuring actresses/models Mariah Strongin and Bryanna “B” Ferringer as partners alongside "officers" Ryan and Rory.
Wrapping up 2024 on a high note, the '2025 Artist to Watch' (Music Mayhem) made their Grand Ole Opry debut, released the poignant track “Heaven’s Got A Country Station,” and toured with Sam Hunt and Jamey Johnson, who declared, “If I were a gambler, I’d bet on these two."
Between concert and recording dates, Ryan and Rory are prolific songwriters with a stockpile of new songs ready to be dropped in 2025.
About Ryan and Rory:
BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville's country music duo Ryan and Rory “are bursting onto the scene” (Country Swag). Named SiriusXM The Highway’s latest “Highway Find,” Ryan and Rory’s buzzy party starter “Pour Decisions” is a nod to the universal heartache band-aid, with the lively smash launching their highly anticipated self-titled debut EP, available now. Ryan Follesé is a Nashville native, 2X PLATINUM #1 hit singer-songwriter and American Music Award winner. Rory John Zak, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has played over 300 shows per year since he was 17. Having opened for Sam Hunt, Jamey Johnson and Tyler Braden and acclaimed by MusicRow “to make major waves on the country music scene,” Ryan co-wrote all six tracks on the project, with Rory adding his masterful instrumentals and expertly smooth harmonies to Ryan’s robust lead vocals. Featuring their vivacious anthem along with standout smash “This Town” that Billboard applauded as a “must-hear” new country song, the EP embodies that vibrant, wide-open spirit, while also showcasing their musical depth with bright imagery, buoyant lyricism, and soul-stirring ballads. Delivering “commercial polish and good-natured, honest storytelling” (Tennessean), “Ryan and Rory are the next heir apparent to the country duo throne” (Country Swag). “Poised to be a staple on countless playlists” (PopCulture), the duo made their Grand Ole Opry debut on December 7 and is already back in the studio working on new music. They closed out 2024 with the nostalgic “Heaven’s Got A Country Station” and revved up more than just engines in their release last month with “Truck Stop.” Sharing everything they have, down to their last name, Ryan and Rory drop their latest “What’s Mine Is Yours.” See them on the road throughout the spring across the US and Canada with select dates opening for ACM Award winner Brett Young.
Kolby Cooper's Highly-Anticipated Album 'Love You, Goodnight' Out Now
Dubbed “Country music’s newest badass” by People, Kolby Cooper returns with Love You, Goodnight—a no-holds-barred, emotionally charged album that hits like a shot of whiskey and stays with you like a scar that sparks a good story. Fueled by raw honesty, gritty vocals and a rebel spirit that refuses to play it safe, it’s a thrill ride through heartbreak, redemption and everything in between. Stream Love You, Goodnight now—available everywhere HERE.
“Making this album really kicked my ass. It took longer than I wanted it to, yet we dug down deep on this one and I think it really gives a glimpse into my life over the last few years,” shares Cooper. “There’s the part of me that is focused on being a great husband and dad to my wife and kids and then there’s the other side that is trying to make this dream happen out here on the road...and with all of that I think you will feel that there is an underlying theme of brokenness on this album that maybe writing and singing about it helps others not feel quite so alone.”
Establishing himself as a skilled songwriter, Cooper has been recognized as “the current buzzworthy artist in country music” (People) and is making waves with his 2025 headlining tour. At just 25 years old, he has spent the past six years captivating audiences and is “well on his way to headlining shows at Yankee Stadium and Red Rocks Amphitheatre” (Sounds Like Nashville).
The brand-new album arrives as Cooper has amassed over 440 million on-demand streams, made his Grand Ole Opry debut and filled stages across the country, including dates opening for acts like Jelly Roll and Koe Wetzel. The Texas native and father of three presents Love You, Goodnight, featuring 14 incendiary anthems, each showcasing a different facet of life on the road. All written or co-written by Cooper, including a powerhouse duet with fellow Texan Danielle Bradbery, the country outlier has already given fans a sneak peak with previously released heart-pounding tracks like “Under My Skin,” “Running Away,” “Hate You Too,” “Kill Me,” “Mama” and the poignant “Hello From The Road.”
LOVE YOU, GOODNIGHT TOUR 2025 DATES:
April 11—Huntsville, TX—Jolly Fox Club
April 12—Poteet, TX—Poteet Strawberry Festival 2025*
April 23—Stephenville, TX—LJT Texas Music Festival 2025*
April 25—Waco, TX—The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill
April 26—Bay City, TX—Rusty Hook Ranch
May 1—Midland, TX—The Tailgate
May 2—Christoval, TX—Cooper’s BBQ/LIVE!
May 3—Abilene, TX—Potosi Live
May 9—Rice, TX—The Ranch Saloon
May 10—Elgin, OK—Elgin Municipal Park*
May 15—Grand Junction, CO—Warehouse25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar
May 16—Laramie, WY—The Cowboy Saloon & Dance Hall
May 17—Casper, WY—The Gaslight Social
May 29—Little Rock, AR—The Rev Room
May 30—Fort Smith, AR—The Majestic
June 12—Roswell, NM—The Liberty
June 13—Albuquerque, NM—Dirty Bourbon
June 14—Las Cruces, NM—Whiskey Dicks
June 19—Phoenix, AZ—Crescent Ballroom
June 20—Tucson, AZ—191 Toole
June 27—Denver, CO—Grizzly Rose
June 28—Colorado Springs, CO—The Whiskey Rose
July 4—La Vernia, TX—4th of July Festival*
July 5—Big Lake, TX—Star Spangled Celebration*
July 12—Jacksonville, IL— Morgan County Fair*
August 1—Broken Bow, OK— Hochatown Saloon
August 2—Alexandria, LA—Rapides Parish Coliseum*
August 9—Oro Station, Canada—Boots and Hearts Music Festival 2025*
August 10—West Chester, OH—Voices of America Country Music Fest 2025*
August 14—Minneapolis, MN— Varsity Theater
August 15—Rosemont, IL— Joe’s Live
August 16—Grand Rapids, MI—Elevation
September 6—Nashville, TN— Basement East
September 11—Louisville, KY—Bourbon & Beyond 2025*
September 12—Kansas City, MO— PBR Big Sky
September 13—Hugoton, KS—High Plains Fest*
September 18—Wichita, KS—Cotillion
September 19—St.Louis, MO— Delmar Hall
September 20—Manhattan, KS— The Hat
*Festival
About Kolby Cooper:
As an old-school troubadour whose fans keep him on the road, Kolby Cooper has spent the last six years winning one crowd after another and slowly building his rep as a rough-around-the-edges, country-rock phenom. But the infinite horizons of the highway come with a cost. Dialing up Love You, Goodnight in response – his second album for BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville with Combustion Music – the burning conflict within his late-night calls home becomes a blowtorch of country grunge, as a modern-day outlaw shoots from the sonic hip, pushing his sound to its high-voltage limit. A 25-year-old husband and father of three, the Texas native grew up in the shotgun seats of his long-haul trucking family members, switching CDs between Waylon Jennings and Cross Canadian Ragweed – but also Nirvana, Blink-182 and more. Starting his own career at 18, the singer-songwriter soon reached exit velocity on his orbit through the Texas live circuit, and his grassroots fan base now drives sold-out national headline tours and supporting runs with Jelly Roll, Koe Wetzel and more. Meanwhile, Cooper has racked up over 440 million on-demand streams, a Grand Ole Opry debut and industry-wide accolades, dubbed “country music’s newest badass” by People. Featuring 14 fuse-busting anthems – each one revealing a different aspect of life on the road, written or co-written by Cooper himself – Love You, Goodnight arrives as a hard-hitting fusion of the Texas country tradition with 2000s-era alt-rock, metal and punk. This ferocious follow-up to Cooper’s roughshod Red Dirt beginnings marks a heavy creative turn to match his heavy soul. More than sonic aggression, these tunes depict epic emotionality and an edgy, East-Texan rasp.
KEEP UP WITH KOLBY COOPER
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK | X
BLAKE SHELTON RELEASES NEW SONG “STAY COUNTRY OR DIE TRYIN’”
The countdown continues to Blake Shelton’s highly anticipated new album For Recreational Use Only, available May 9 on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. The album is available now for pre-order, pre-add, and pre-save here.
Leading the album rollout is the hit single “Texas,” which has soared into the Top 10 and continues to climb both radio and streaming charts. Shelton also recently unveiled “Let Him In Anyway,” a soul-stirring ballad that Billboard praised as having “the makings of an enduring Shelton classic.”
Today, Shelton delivers another taste of the album with the release of the electrifying new track “Stay Country Or Die Tryin,’” written by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Beau Bailey.
“When I heard ‘Stay Country or Die Tryin,’’ it took me back to the first time I heard ‘Ol’ Red’ or ‘God’s Country,’” says Shelton. “It’s got so much energy and is full of those little catchphrases and things we say out in the country. I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m proud of this recording—and I love singing it live even more. Hopefully, you’ll come catch a show and sing it with us.”
For Recreational Use Only spans 12 tracks that capture life’s highs and lows with Shelton’s signature blend of authentic storytelling, raw emotion, and unforgettable melodies. The album also boasts guest appearancesfrom music superstar Gwen Stefani, country legend John Anderson, and Shelton’s longtime friend and tourmate Craig Morgan.
With For Recreational Use Only, Blake Shelton strengthens his status as one of country music’s most compelling voices, delivering a deeply personal yet universally relatable collection that celebrates love, resilience, and staying true to your roots.
About Blake Shelton:
With 29 No. 1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11 billion global streams, Blake Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, ten CMAs, 11 CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. Shelton just announced his new BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album, For Recreational Use Only, set to drop May 9. The 12-track album, his first in nearly four years, features his Top 10 Wheelhouse Records single “Texas,” the poignant “Let Him In Anyway” and red-dirt “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and includes appearances by Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan.
Shelton kickstarted the year with his Live In Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. He just wrapped his Friends & Heroes Tour, which featured Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts, and will play a variety of festivals this summer The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and most recently, Las Vegas, with a stand-alone venue complete with a roof-top stage and bar on the Las Vegas strip.
KEEP UP WITH BLAKE SHELTON
Florida Indie-Punk Rockers Virginity Release "Fidelity Castro" EP via Smartpunk Records
Smartpunk Records' power pop darlings Virginity have released their new EP "Fidelity Castro" as a follow-up to their 2024 LP "Bad Jazz" - available to purchase here. The EP is a collection of six dynamic tracks that went from being outcasts on the album tracklist to star songs in their own right.
Listen below.
The band has received critical acclaim from the rock scene's top tastemakers, including New Noise Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan, Audiotree, and more. As fan favorites at Smartpunk's SXSW showcase and Florida's beloved FEST, Virginity have cultivated a core fanbase who are foaming at the mouth for these new tracks.
Speaking about the new EP, Virginity says, "Fidelity Castro started out being a way to just throw a couple of tunes out that had been sitting on the back burner for a while. As we assembled those, we kept returning to the live recordings we’d done in Jordan’s living room when we first started writing for Bad Jazz and felt like a couple of songs had so much life in them that we had to send them out into the world with our new recordings. We’ve also got a Shins tune on here because we’re just fans of that band and that record (Chutes Too Narrow) in particular. That was just something fun to do and a challenge, to make it our own a little. Lastly, we’ve got Love Exists, which is a song so incredibly void of any cynicism (basically an idea that’s nonexistent in our catalog) that we weren’t sure what to do with it. Should we rerecord it, make it a full band affair, or perhaps make it a proper piano ballad or something? Ultimately, we decided the magic was already there and that it should just be put out as is. The arc of this band has been about progressively getting more and more authentic. In a way, Fidelity is our most authentic release yet. There’s a real “scars and all” approach to it. We’re not being precious about any of it and, for now, that’s really inspiring and exciting for us. We really believe that some of these songs are some of the best we have to offer, and we’re so proud of this little collection."
ABOUT VIRGINITY
Virginity’s “Fidelity Castro EP” was originally supposed to be a way to release the leftover scraps from the Bad Jazz recording sessions, but as the band continued to finesse the recordings, the EP morphed into something entirely different. It took on a life of its own, and taught the band it can operate more loosely than it ever has before.
Featuring 5 original tracks and a cover of one of their favorite Shins tunes, the EP shows the band finishing three partially developed concepts from the Bad Jazz sessions as well as 3 demos of songs that never made it to the studio, but showed just as much promise as anything that landed on the album. And while the basic tracks of the demos were recorded live and raw, they show another side of the band’s abilities and yearning to experiment with lo-fi production (a la a recent obsession with Guided By Voices) and attempt to not overthink something that already rocks ass.
ABOUT SMARTPUNK RECORDS:
Smartpunk has been a recognizable name in the scene for a long time (Remember that sponsored Warped Tour stage?!). After exchanging several hands and countless ideas of what it could and should be, they decided to start a record label in 2016 with the main idea of focusing solely on reissuing records that have been out of print or never on vinyl. After all, they're a label of vinyl dorks themselves! After releasing Set Your Goals' Mutiny and Gameface's Good, they started to venture into signing newer bands. They actively balance in between many worlds — putting out amazing music from friends and bands that rock, reissuing older titles, and partnering with other incredible labels in our scene and doing exclusive color variants of their releases.
"Since forming the record label, Smartpunk Records has released timeless albums such as Less Than Jake's Anthem, Nominee's Lowlife, RIVALS' Sad Looks Pretty on Me, Virginity's POPMORTEM, and melodic skate punkers The Swellers' My Everest.
Hence unveils haunting new single ‘Steadying The Ship’ – A sonic meditation on the Long Lost Pleasers
In a world rocked by turbulence, where some shake the foundations while others quietly stabilise, Hence returns with their latest single, ‘Steadying The Ship – Long Lost Edit’ - a hypnotic, poetic dive into the paradox of those who hold things together at their own expense.
Set against an atmospheric, undulating soundscape, the track pulses with tension - passive aggression hitting like a whip, promises un-promised, salvation turning numb. At its heart is the hypnotic refrain: “Long lost pleasers, steadying the ship,” a mantra that lingers, both a lament and a quiet rebellion.
“Steadying The Ship is about the ones who become so devoted to maintaining peace that they forget their own truth” the band explains. “The Long Lost Pleasers are those who silence themselves to keep things from falling apart. What starts as an act of grace turns into a slow, quiet disappearance.” With a choir-backed outro swelling into cosmic calm, the song immerses listeners in a space where passivity is both a refuge and a slow erosion of self. The vocals, performed by Arika Adams, dissolve into melodic humming and primal cries - an aching plea for salvation from this Long Lost Feeling. The mood is further enhanced by Haizea Huegun’s rich string arrangements.
The EP also includes ‘Woman In Love’, a collaboration with Irish dark synth-wave specialists Tiny Magnetic Pets, with Paula Gilmer’s sublime vocals complementing a glitchy reimagining of an evergreen classic. The collection is completed by a piano arrangement of the title track from Matt Wilier, the Parisian composer. ‘Steadying The Ship (The Calm Sea)’ is a beautiful rendition which brings new light to the song. ‘Steadying The Ship’ is more than a song - it’s a reflection of human dynamics in times of unrest. Who holds steady, and who gets lost in the process? Hence doesn’t provide the answers but invites listeners to sink into the question.
To further expand its meaning, a series of striking videos and images will accompany the single, transforming its themes into a visual narrative where film meets fashion and the bizarre becomes beautifully normal.
‘Steadying The Ship’ is available on all streaming platforms through Cosmic Cassettes, from 16th April 2025.
Published by Archangelo Music/BMG.
Ryan Woods Returns With New Single "Full Speed Ahead"
FEARLESS RECORDS artist Ryan Woods returns with his brand new, bedroom-y pop single "Full Speed Ahead."
He has shared the visualizer.
Watch it below.
Despite the title, the song is a dreamy, beautifully lazy slow burn. Woods sings the poignant lyrics, his voice drenched in emotion. "Full Speed Ahead" escalates in the choruses, giving full-on The Beatles' vibes alongside '60s-inspired harmonizing. It's like six songs all rolled into one.
"I wrote 'Full Speed Ahead' during quite a confusing time in my love life," Woods shares, laying his emotional cards face up on the table. "Being someone who has endured deep pain and trauma from past relationships, moving on, and healing is a very long and difficult process."
Woods continues, "I had quickly developed deep feelings for someone and the fact that they were reciprocating was thrilling, yet it also scared me to death. I felt like a deer in headlights, looking upon a train moving 'Full Speed Ahead.' My once-pure and beautiful feelings were now poisoned by fear and daunt. How excited I was to love somebody! But will they set me free or rub salt in my wounds?"
Last year, Woods shared the glorious video for "Garden." Watch it here.
He also served up his rendition of the Minnie Riperton classic "Lovin' You." Watch that video here.
More music from Ryan Woods is on deck for 2025.
He also has a show set for The Echo in Los Angeles on May 20. Get tickets here.
ABOUT RYAN WOODS:
After one listen, it would be easy to assume Ryan Woods fell from the heavens and landed smack dab in the middle of modern pop music and culture. He defies genres and eras with an otherworldly je ne sais quoi. Flaunting a sky-high range and head-turning fashion sense, Woods exudes a swaggering gusto befitting of your favorite '70s rock star, yet he opens up with a level of candor decidedly intrinsic to Gen Z. Musically, he laces D.I.Y. pop with psychedelic experimentation and existential ruminations that are both provocative and catchy. Initially, he gained traction with covers on social media, even inciting a retweet from Shawn Mendes. Woods has cultivated his signature style by logging countless hours in both Nashville and Los Angeles sessions. "Bad Texter" was a breakthrough moment in 2021 — reeling in over 28 million Spotify streams and counting, it paved the way for his King of the Basement EP. Of the latter, Thomas Bleach raved, "This EP highlights that growth and introspective manner that has made him an artist you need to keep an eye on," while INTERSECT Magazine applauded, "Woods' lyrics are poetic, witty, and most of all, authentic." Now partnered with Fearless, Woods is ready to bring his dreamy compositions, which are so much more than bedroom pop, to an even wider audience.
Debt Neglector Release New Album "Kinda Rips" via Smartpunk Records
Smartpunk Records' Florida-based outspoken political punk rockers Debt Neglector have unleashed their full-length album "Kinda Rips." It is available to stream or purchase on the Smartpunk Records website.
The record is a diverse plethora of fast, heavy-hitting tracks that mark the band's most personal release to date while still maintaining their brutally honest, personable approach.
Listen below.
It rips. Kinda.
When discussing the album, Debt Neglector vocalist Alex Goldfarb says, "Kinda Rips is 13 pissed-off punk songs about how the world is falling apart around us. Lyrically, it deals with concepts like mental health, parenthood, mortality, impending societal collapse, and how everything just sorta sucks. Musically, we tried to create something that walked the line between catchy and aggressive, pulling influences from a wide variety of some of our favorite bands.”
The band's guitarist Chris Pfister adds, "Yeah, I even stole a chord from Ren & Stimpy, because why the hell not?!"
ABOUT DEBT NEGLECTOR:
Formed in 2016, these Florida punks have spent the last 8 years honing a sound that showcases their ability to blend catchy hooks with a vicious attitude. With four releases firmly under their belt, the “Atomicland” LP (2017), “The Kids are Pissed” EP (2018), the “Bad Faith” EP (2020), and the “Dirty Water” LP (2021), the band has already established themselves as a group that pulls no punches in their pursuit to call out injustice. Just to name a few, the band has screamed, shouted, and sang about systemic failures and distrust of the government, the fear of impending nuclear war, loss, depression, illness, and the USA’s sick obsession with assault rifles. And they’ve put their money where their mouth is by using their releases to double as fundraising efforts for organizations like the ACLU. Musically, their influences cover a lot of familiar and legendary punk rock ground. Taking notes from punk favorites the Descendents, Dillinger Four, and Bad Religion among others, Debt Neglector aren’t afraid to put their own spin on things. Their music keeps both a reverence for the past and a foot firmly placed in the present. The end result allows the band to craft songs with ripping fast drum beats, sing along choruses, quirky chord changes, and headbanging breaks. With past tours covering the US, Canada, and Europe, the band has set their sights on bringing their brand of pissed off punk music to whoever is ready and willing to listen. Debt Neglector are also no stranger to the festival scene with several appearances at The Fest (FL) and Sing it Out Loud Festival, and a showcase at Pouzza Fest (MTL), they have managed to share the stage with the likes of Propaghandi, Descendents and more. In 2024 Debt Neglector returned to the studio to follow up their past releases with a batch of new songs that has now become the “Kinda Rips” LP (Smartpunk Records – 2025). Their new music remains viciously political but also features some deeply personal topics including the pressures of fatherhood, insecurity, and dealing with mortality. The culmination is an album that is dynamic and relatable from a band whose angry and honest approach is a blunt kick in the pants to the powers that be.
ABOUT SMARTPUNK RECORDS:
Smartpunk has been a recognizable name in the scene for a long time (Remember that sponsored Warped Tour stage?!). After exchanging several hands and countless ideas of what it could and should be, they decided to start a record label in 2016 with the main idea of focusing solely on reissuing records that have been out of print or never on vinyl. After all, they're a label of vinyl dorks themselves! After releasing Set Your Goals' Mutiny and Gameface's Good, they started to venture into signing newer bands. They actively balance in between many worlds — putting out amazing music from friends and bands that rock, reissuing older titles, and partnering with other incredible labels in our scene and doing exclusive color variants of their releases.
Since forming the record label, Smartpunk Records has released timeless albums such as Less Than Jake's Anthem, Nominee's Lowlife, RIVALS' Sad Looks Pretty on Me, Virginity's POPMORTEM, and melodic skate punkers The Swellers' My Everest.
Annie Bosko Embraces West Coast Country Roots with New Single “California Cowgirl”
Gearing up to return to her home state for a performance at Stagecoach later this month, rising singer/songwriter Annie Bosko proves country music isn’t just about where you’re from, but who you are with her latest single “California Cowgirl,” available now via Stone Country Records. Listen below.
“This song is my way of saying that country is more than a place, it’s a way of life,” shares Bosko. “I grew up a farmer's daughter in California, where the values of hard work, faith and family are just as strong as anywhere else. This song is for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to prove their country roots.”
As a taste of her forthcoming debut album, “California Cowgirl” was produced by Trent Willmon and written by Bosko with Jason Sellers, Terri Jo Box and Lance Miller as a declaration that country girls can be found all over the map:
Currently climbing the charts at Country radio, Bosko’s duet “Better Than You” with multi-Platinum selling neo-traditionalist Joe Nichols landed in the top five most-added songs at Country radio for five consecutive weeks, including one week before impact date, as MusicRow boasts the song is “Terrific listening...Goosebump-thrilling sounding.”
Following her Rodeo Houston debut last month, where she kicked off opening night with a performance of the National Anthem (watch HERE), Bosko will perform at Stagecoach on the Mane Stage on Saturday, April 26.
For more information, visit AnnieBosko.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, X @AnnieBosko and Facebook.com/AnnieBoskoMusic.
About Annie Bosko
With a voice that beams like a ray of California sunshine, singer-songwriter Annie Bosko returns to the studio, channeling fresh inspiration into a new chapter of music. Writing alongside David ‘Messy’ Mescon, Jeffrey Steele, Bridgette Tatum, and more, and collaborating with producer Trent Willmon, Bosko is crafting songs that reflect her upbringing as a farmer’s daughter. With her latest release “California Cowgirl” via Stone Country Records from her forthcoming debut album, Bosko embraces her west coast roots that run deep in the heart of California’s agricultural country, providing a backdrop that continues to inspire her blend of signature ‘90s country twang and raw, heartfelt storytelling. Her self-titled EP, released via Stone Country Records, saw the Golden State native making her late-night debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with a performance of “Neon Baby” – a track that also marked her first charting single at Country radio. Bosko followed her acclaimed EP with stunning collaborations featuring country icons including Vince Gill on the reflective ballad “Higher Ground” and Dwight Yoakam on the Bakersfield-rooted “Heart Burn.” Current single and top 40 hit duet “Better Than You” with Joe Nichols hit the Country radio airwaves as a top five most-added song for five consecutive weeks, including one week before impact. Bosko broke out in 2014 with the SiriusXM/CMT hit “Crooked Halo,” which has amassed more than 3 million streams, earning her a title as an Artist to Watch from Rolling Stone Country. She went on to write songs recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson, tour alongside Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton, sell out the famed Troubadour and perform on the Grand Ole Opry and at Ryman Auditorium while also becoming an in-demand studio vocalist. Bosko is set to perform at festivals across the U.S. this spring and summer, including Stagecoach on the main stage and Headwaters Country Jam. For more information, visit AnnieBosko.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, X@AnnieBosko and Facebook.com/AnnieBoskoMusic.
LAINEY WILSON’S NEW SONG “BELL BOTTOMS UP” OUT TODAY IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL BELL BOTTOMS DAY
Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning artist Lainey Wilson’s new song, “Bell Bottoms Up,” is out now in celebration of National Bell Bottoms Day tomorrow, April 5.
Listen to the song below.
An homage to her trademark style, “Bell Bottoms Up” is a high-energy anthem and was recorded at London’s historic Abbey Roads Studio. Sharing a name with her Nashville bar, the song was written by Wilson and her band and is already a fan favorite from her extensive Whirlwind World Tour. Full tour details can be found at www.laineywilson.com/tour.
The release adds to yet another triumphant year for Wilson, who is nominated for seven awards at the upcoming 60th Annual ACM Awards: Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Whirlwind), Song of the Year (“4x4xU,” as an artist and songwriter), Visual Media of the Year (“4x4xU”) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
Irish Folk / Celtic Rock Band JOLLY JACKERS Release New Single "WAR" + Official Music video
Irish Folk/Celtic Rock band JOLLY JACKERS unveiled their latest single, "WAR" now available on all major platforms. The single is from their forthcoming EP, The Blue Disc, due out this May.
With spirited melodies and electrifying rhythms, they invite listeners on an unforgettable journey through the heart of their musical realm. Get ready to be swept away by their signature blend of tradition and innovation as they infuse every note with the soul-stirring spirit of Ireland.
"A theme for most generations but we always hope not ours. War is hell, war never changes. Let's hope for a brighter future, and never give up hope.," says the band about "WAR".
STREAM "WAR"
Spotify
This newly-released song is now available to stream and download, and the music video, can be viewed below:
With over 13,000 Facebook followers and nearly 34,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the Jolly Jackers have now played in 13 European countries. The band is getting more and more attention on the Hungarian and international press.
The Budapest based Jolly Jackers, founded in January 2013, is a truly unique and professional production with more than 300 concerts, 5 records and 5 singles behind them.
The band roars like an incredible energy bomb on every stage, be it in a small pub somewhere in the Swiss mountains or at a big international festival in the heart of Spain. They have already played together with artists such as The Rumjacks, Fiddler's Green, or Eluveitie.
Larry Fleet's Ode "A Lotta Women" Out Now
Country hitmaker Larry Fleet may be a self-proclaimed rollin’, ramblin’ and gamblin’ man, however behind it all is the woman who keeps him steady—his wife. Built from grit and grace, her unshakable loyalty shines as the inspiration behind Fleet’s newest release, “A Lotta Women.” Listen Below.
Fleet’s release arrives as his headlining Hard Work & Holy Water Tour spans the United States with sold-out shows featuring Kentucky-rooted Everette on select dates. Showcasing his dynamic vocals and an ace band, he also brings the tour to Europe in August.
Written by Fleet, James McNair and Jake Mitchell, “A Lotta Women” offers a unique perspective on relationships as a touring artist.
“There’s not a lotta women that put up with this kind of life, especially with everything that entails: being gone all of the time and traveling,” Fleet shares. “I’ve got me one of those women that sticks around through it all and gives me the opportunity to pursue this dream. And that’s true for a lot of us workin’ folks.”
A lotta women woulda washed their hands of a man like me
Changed the locks
Pawned the rock
I’d be forgotten but not forgiven
“It’s a different side of me,” Fleet continues. “It’s a little more rock with a cool vibe to it and I dig what our producer Trent Willman did to this arrangement. Hope y’all enjoy.”
The release follows Fleet’s “Hard Work & Holy Water,” which reflects Fleet's background in pouring concrete by day and playing in local bars by night, encapsulating the work ethic that’s helped the troubadour transition into the independent artist he is today.
As Billboard observes, “with a style that delves into blues, rock and retro-country with ease,” Fleet’s years of hard work are paying off.
Whether writing about his days working construction (“Earned It” and “Working Man”) or balancing his life present-day (“Things I Take For Granted” and “Muddy Water”), you leave Fleet’s 20-plus song headlining sets with a deeper sense of gratitude and optimism he’s proud to impart.
For more information, visit LarryFleet.com.
See Larry Fleet Live:
April 3, 2025 || Pensacola, FL || Vinyl Music Hall*
April 4, 2025 || Bossier City, LA || Margaritaville Resort Casino-Paradise Theatre
April 10, 2025 || Asheville, NC || The Orange Peel*
April 11, 2025 || Charlotte, NC || The Fillmore*
April 12, 2025 || North Myrtle Beach, SC || House of Blues*
April 17, 2025 || Orlando, FL || House of Blues*
April 19, 2025 || Charleston, SC || The Refinery *
April 24, 2025 || Columbus, OH || The Bluestone*
April 25, 2025 || Wyandotte, MI || District 142*
April 26, 2025 || Rosemont, IL || Joe’s Live*
May 1, 2025 || Binghamton, NY || Touch of Texas*
May 2, 2025 || Huntington, NY || The Paramount*
May 3, 2025 || New Haven, CT || Toad’s Place*
May 8, 2025 || Indianapolis, IN || Deluxe at Old National Centre*
May 9, 2025 || Pittsburgh, PA || Stage AE*
May 10, 2025 || Norfolk, VA || The NorVa*
May 15, 2025 || Pelham, TN || The Caverns*
May 16, 2025 || Pelham, TN || The Caverns*
May 17, 2025 || Sevierville, TN || Blooming BBQ Music & Food Festival
June 12, 2025 || Morgantown, WV || Hazel Ruby McQuain Park
June 13, 2025 || Clanton, AL || Peach Jam Jubilee
June 19, 2025 || Ashvland, VA || Hanover Vegtable Farm
June 20, 2025 || Baltimore, MD || Power Plant Live!
June 21, 2025 || Wildwood, NJ || Barefoot Country Music Fest
June 26, 2025 || South Greenfield, MO || Baker-Spain Stampede
July 4, 2025 || Madison, IN || Roostertail Music Festival
July 18, 2025 || Twin Lakes, WI || Country Thunder Wisconsin
July 19, 2025 || Franklin, OH || JD Legends
July 26, 2025 || Winston Salem, NC || Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Aug. 20, 2025 || Glasgow, UK || SWG3^
Aug. 22, 2025 || Camden, UK || Electric Ballroom^
Aug. 23, 2025 || Bottesford, UK || The Long Road Festival^
Aug. 26, 2025 || Belfast, UK || Limelight 1^
Aug. 28, 2025 || Dublin, Ire. || The Academy, Middle Abbey Street^
Aug. 30, 2025 || Den Haag, Netherlands || Once In A Blue Moon Festival^
Sept. 13, 2025 || Burnsville, MN || Buck Concert Series
Oct. 5, 2025 || Winnsboro, SC || Field & Stream Festival
* With Special Guest Everette
^ International Tour Dates
ABOUT LARRY FLEET
Tennessee-born troubadour Larry Fleet grew up on a stack of records spanning Merle Haggard, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson, and Marvin Gaye. A thoughtful songwriter with a knack for a one-liner, an ear for a sturdy hook, and a powerhouse voice that strikes like a match, Fleet was working blue-collar jobs to make ends meet long before landing his recording contract with Big Loud Records. Seven years later and again working as an independent artist, the devout family man is turning heads among fans and critics as a songwriter (“Man Made A Bar” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Eric Church) alongside his own music, 2021's tribute to the music that raised him, Stack of Records, his aptly titled 2019 debut, Workin' Hard, 2023’s Earned It, featuring the single “Things I Take For Granted,” and his first latest, 2025’s independently-released “Hard Work & Holy Water.” Saving Country Music puts it simply: “If you're looking for the future of traditional country music, then look no further.”
CONNECT WITH LARRY FLEET
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | X | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
Chicago's Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor' + fab video for 'All Together on 3', previewing fourth album
Melodic indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor', the second single from their new long-play album 'Tethered Together', as well as a wonderful new video for the cinematic 'All Together On 3', produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales, and edited by Daniele Arcuri. Both sonic gems preview their fourth record, out on May 16 via Flowering Tree Music.
Based in Chicago, Push Puppets is the creative outlet for singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht. The five-piece creates songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie often bittersweet sentiments. Specht (lead vocals, guitar) is joined by a core of Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums).
Most songs on this album also involve a string quartet, with a horn section on one. We see the quartet's impeccable performance in the video for 'All Together On 3', with Stephanie “Sly” Young on violin, Katherine Andrick on viola, Molly Rife on cello and Kelly Jozwiak on violin (note: Janis Sakai performs in the audio recording).
Its timeless quality and melancholic reflection take us on a sonic trip that is as stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. A moody and musically progressive song about how we’re stronger when we work together, it builds to a cathartic reprise of live strings and harpsichord with a desperate vocal crying for a helping hand as violins punctuate the lines with elegance.
The latest single This Whole Endeavor', a rocker about a relationship that has ended, draws you in with an instantly memorable piano hook. Describing the ebb and flow of a relationship with flowing lyrics, this is sincere yet engaging, the song's reflective bridge and breakdown followed by a driving finale. With the first verse noting love at first sight at a bar - somewhat foreteling the outcome - the story takes a turn and ends in disarray, the author ultimately wishing it was she with him in bed rather than his dog.
"I get a kick out of referring to love at first sight as ‘a trainwreck just about to happen’. My Pete Townshend fandom might be apparent in this one between the 70s synth phrases and guitar smacks,” says Erich Specht. “As much as I hate to admit it, after reflecting on the lyrics, it seems clear that this song is somewhat about the relationship with my ex-wife".
The 'Tethered Together' album is graced with impeccable songwriting that shines with lush harmonies, angular guitars, dramatic keyboards and strings backed by a rhythm section to ensure a continually high groove factor. Erich Specht muses on relationships and loss, as well as the weight and joy of life, in a manner that is poetic and seems effortless, his lyrics fitting to the melody like pieces of a puzzle. Wearing his vulnerabilities like a badge of honor, this music takes us on a journey to unexpected places.
"This album offers a nod to the artistic excesses of the 70s, whether it's a wall of phased vocals or a moment where guitars and strings rip a quick line together between phrases. The tracks are widely varied yet cohesive - and within a given song, you're likely to be taken elsewhere" says Erich Specht.
'All Together on 3' and 'The Whole Endeavor' are available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The 'Tethered Together' album, now available for pre-order, will be released digitally and on CD on May 16. Push Puppets will hold their album release show at Robert's Westside in Forest Park, IL on May 30.
'THIS WHOLE ENDEAVOUR' CREDITS
Lyrics and music by Erich Specht (ASCAP)
Produced by Doug McBride and Erich Specht
Mixed and mastered by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios
Erich Specht – Lead vocals and guitars
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Tommi Zender – Backup vocals and guitar
'ALL TOGETHER ON 3' CREDITS
Erich Specht – Lead vocals, guitars, string arrangements
Steve Frisbie – Backup vocals
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Stephanie “Sly” Young – Violin
Janis Sakai – Violin (Kelly Jozwiak appears in the video)
Katherine Andrick – Viola
Molly Rife – Cello
Video produced by Scott Thiele & Sebastian Gonzales
Video edited by Daniele Arcuri
Cover artwork by Crow Prints
Released & published by Flowering Tree Music (ASCAP)
Artist studio photos by Gintas Zaranka
Artist live photos by Gabi Bucataru
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Push Puppets
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter |Soundcloud | Instagram | Link edIn | Email
Seattle indie rocker AudioGust presents punchy feel-good 'Here We Go Again', heralding new album
Seattle-based indie rock artist AudioGust presents his latest single 'Here We Go Again', the bright and punctuated title track from his forthcoming second album, set for release in late spring. This song kicks things off with an upbeat tribute to the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration.
AudioGust is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Evans, whose journey started in the 1980s as a guitarist and bassist in various bands. After a decades-long detour in the software industry (including 20 years at Microsoft), he has returned to his true passion, writing and recording in his own studio. He has since released over three dozen songs and collaborated with artists worldwide, drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, The Police, and Foo Fighters.
'Here We Go Again' captures the artist’s late-night encounter with his muse—an unexpected, almost mystical moment when a song begins to take shape in his mind. As dawn approaches, the rush of ideas intensifies, and he scrambles to keep up, fearing that if he lets them slip away, inspiration may stop visiting altogether. With driving energy and vivid storytelling, Evans sets the tone for the album’s exploration of the highs and lows of the creative process.
This 3 a.m. creative encounter and subsequent search for its significance is a story that fits well with AudioGust's menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections.
This first offering is an intriguing introduction to AudioGust's new 14-track album. Deeply personal and universally relatable, this is an ode to the highs and lows of creativity, including some of his most popular singles, along with new material. Blending raw energy with introspective storytelling, the album explores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the exhilarating moments when it strikes and the emptiness when it fades.
AudioGust explains, "This album is split into songs that describe the extremes of the fickle nature of inspiration and songs that have come to me in both of those places". Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including 'Tomorrow is Mine', a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.
With a knack for crafting memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, underscored by upbeat rhythms and evocative guitar arrangements, AudioGust creates music that speaks to the disenchanted and dreamers alike through sonic exploration of the modern human condition. AudioGust released his debut album 'Walk With Me' in 2023, followed by the 'Hope from Darkness' and 'Love and Pain' EPs.
As of March 31, the single 'Here We Go Again' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album by the same name will be released on May 30.
ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Chris Evans
except 'How You Been?' written by Chris Evans & Liz Rodrigues
Recorded, mixed & mastered by AudioGust on Whidbey Island
Performed by AudioGust
Liliana Tani - vocals on 'Dead to Me'
Leslie Irish Evans - announcer's voice on 'Award Show'
Cover artwork by Chris Evans
Artist photos by Ernie Sapiro
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Female-Led Upon Wings Drop Metalcore Anthem "My Remedy"
Upon Wings are back in full force in 2025, and the female-led band has just released their second single of 2025, "My Remedy," which is a metalcore anthem.
On "My Remedy," Upon Wings unleash their heaviest song to date, with hard-hitting breakdowns, loud guitars, and pummeling rhythms backing vocalist Anne Autumn Erickson's angelic, heartfelt vocals. This powerful new song, which is about that one thing in life that gets your through hard times, is available now.
Stream and download the song on all platforms HERE.
Upon Wings were quiet in 2024, but they're enjoying a fantastic 2025.
In January, the band released "Haunting Me," an emotive electronic ballad with dark beats and production. Meanwhile, their music has been strong on streaming platforms, with their 2022 heavy metal single, "Last Love," garnering more than 26,000 streams on Spotify, and their 2023 single, "Distant Memory," is at nearly 12,000 Spotify streams. Both of those songs feature guitars from Kevin Jardine and pummeling rhythms from Kyng drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña. "Distant Memory" also features a shredding guitar solo from Lita Ford guitarist Patrick Kennison.
Meanwhile, their debut single, "Afterlife" featuring Brett Hestla of Creed and Dark New Day, is also still going strong.
Anne's "Women of Rock and Metal," "Metal and Rock That Slays," and "Fire Tracks" playlists have taken off on Spotify, too.
Find Upon Wings on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE.
Find Anne Autumn Erickson's solo music on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE, and find her work at Audio Ink Radio here.
Volumes Return With Visualizer for Crushing New Single "Sidewinder"
Los Angeles quartet Volumes — Michael Barr [vocals], Raad Soudani[bass], Myke Terry [vocals], and Nick Ursich [drums] — have just dropped the visualizer for "Sidewinder," their first new track in over two years.
And trust us — it was worth the wait.
The song is so sonically violent that it's the musical equivalent of the alien bursting from astronaut Kane's chest in the classic horror film Alien. The song is erected on djenty riffs that will loosen your teeth from your gums, industrial crunch, heavy artillery percussion, and the kind of screams that nightmares are made of. So, basically, it's a killer metal track. But the ante has been upped to 11.
Watch the visualizer below.
Volumes also discussed the song in an exclusive interview with Knotfest. Read it here.
"'Sidewinder' is an unapologetic hate letter to a world gone mad, especially the corruption within the music industry," Barr states, sharing insight into the subject matter that's as in your face as the sonics. "It offers an unfiltered perspective on a society in chaos, with no optimism or positivity. It’s a song that captures the feeling of everything unraveling as we know it."
Volumes have been making a metallic racket since erupting onto the scene in 2010. Armed with a rich catalog spanning three EPs and four full lengths, with over 224 million streams and press praise from Kerrang!, Revolver, New Noise, and more, the band's signature, progressive metalcore style boasts djenty riffs, guttural screams, and crunchy synths. Volumes, who've welcomed singer Michael Barr back into fold twice, have never shied away from experimenting with their dual vocal sound or releasing reimagined and instrumental versions of their songs, demonstrating the depth and breadth of their songwriting prowess. They've hit the road with the likes of Ice Nine Kills, Counterparts, Northlane, Born of Osiris, Dance Gavin Dance, Secrets, and Crown the Empire. Clearly, Volumes cannot be bound by genre parameters and limitations. Now, with "Sidewinder," they are ready for the next era and the Volume(s) is turned all the way up.
