Real talk... The Young Fables

The holiday season is here, and while it brings joy and celebration for many, we also recognize that for some, it’s the most difficult time of the year. The colder weather, the early sunsets, and the quiet of the season can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it’s hard to shake off the weight of everything we've been through.

As we reflect on the year, we understand that not everyone has had an easy one. For some, it may feel like a year they wish they could forget. We miss the loved ones who are no longer with us, and in these quieter moments, if we aren't mindful, our mental health can begin to slip.

We just wanted to take a moment to reach out to all our fighters out there. If this time of year is tough for you, please know that you’re not alone. We're thinking of you and sending love and strength your way.

Recently, we took some time to record a special version of our latest single "Good At Hurtin" in a home studio. We created it with those who might be facing a tough time this season in mind.

Your hearts are on our minds and your minds are in our hearts.

Stay strong and continue on. You got this.

HeartSupport (August Burns Red) + Beneath the Skin (Memphis May Fire) Team Up for Even More Mental Health Initiatives

ORGANIZATIONS STARTED BY JAKE LUHRS (AUGUST BURNS RED) + BRTTANY MULLINS (WIFE OF MEMPHIS MAY FIRE'S MATTY MULLINS) TO OFFER EVEN MORE RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH VIA THE VEHICLE OF MUSIC

 Sometimes, the most powerful collaborations amongst bands in the same scene take place off the stage.

Such is the case for the HeartSupport x Beneath the Skin partnership.
 

HeartSupport, the long-running, nonprofit launched by August Burns Red vocalist Jake Luhrs, has welcomed Beneath the Skin, the organization run by Brittany Mullins, wife of Memphis May Fire's Matty Mullins, into its stable of services.

The resulting partnership elevates and strengthens the mental health support that each organization offers.

 Luhrs and Mullins have collaborated in the past, with Mullins doing interviews, participating in initial recovery programs, serving as a keynote speaker at the 2019 gala, and creating a t-shirt fundraiser for HeartSupport through Memphis May Fire, among other things. It was truly a symbiotic and organic connection that is now further established in both organizations.

 HeartSupport is a music-based non-profit that helps metal fans succeed in their mental health. HeartSupport builds resources with the music and artists they love, and connect fans to trained peers and mentors who support them on their mental health journey.

Beneath the Skin is a transformative mentoring program dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their true selves and navigate life's challenges with resilience and authenticity. Through genuine connection, Beneath the Skin helps participants cultivate self love, a sense of belonging, and self-worth. This program fosters a supportive community where individuals can explore their personal growth journey in a safe and nurturing environment. It connects a Mentor and a Mentee to have weekly mental health support conversations for a year.

The organizations' shared missions lead to this partnership.

The joint program will help music fans to grow in their mental health self-efficacy and help foster their confidence in their ability to handle their own mental health. Ultimately, the purpose of program is to get people from a place of “I can't do this" to "I've got it from here."
  Both Luhrs and Mullins are available for interviews to discuss the partnership, the tenets and pillars of the program, and how you can get involved!

“A NEW BEGINNING” . . NIGHT OF MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT SET FOR THE RE-IMAGINED PRESTON BRADLEY CENTER

Preston Bradley Center – located at 941 W. Lawrence, in Chicago, Illinois – has served Uptown for over a hundred years. From Preston Bradley's service vision to the Peoples Church Congregation to hundreds of community-based events, 941 W. Lawrence has been an integral entity. Now, it's poised to serve Uptown and the world once more.
 
And on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 5:00-7:30pm (doors open 4:30pm), local musical artists will be performing (including Anji Brooks & Chicago Slim, Chicago Blues All-Stars, Lynne Jordan, Kuumba Lynx, Soul Children of Chicago), as well as a discussion on "our vision for a re-imagined Preston Bradley Center." 
 
Several notable figures of the community will be developing the PBC, including Dr. Daniel Ivankovich, who is an award-winning surgeon and Chicago Blues musician, who trained and worked at Northwestern University, RUSH Medical Center and Cook County Hospital. He is also a former Chicagoan of the Year, CNN Hero and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee. Also Dr. Karla Ivankovich, a board-certified clinical mental health counselor and President of One Patient Global Health Initiative. She has extensive background in leadership, advocacy, and outreach programming. Dr. Ivankovich is also nationally and internationally awarded as an author, clinical educator and mentor.

Additional speakers will be Jerry Bryant (JBTV), Jacinda Hall-Bullie (Kuumba Lynx), Grace Itter (People’s Church of Chicago), Lynne Jordan, Mark Maddox (Buddy Guy’s Legends), Jaquanda Saulter (Kuumba Lynx), Lowell Thompson, Dr. Walt Whitman II (Soul Children of Chicago), and Micah Williams (Urban Tables).
 
The following services will be offered at Preston Bradley Center:
 
• Mental health services
• Navigators to connect underserved residents with resources 
• Senior/elderly programming 
• Community-building hub of action 
• Youth & family programming 
• Performance & entertainment venue 
• Full-service television and media production center
• Chicago Blues history showcase
 
Please join us on November 15th for an unforgettable night of entertainment and discussion. 

Admission is FREE, so please lock-in your ticket to adventure!
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Please RSVP to Dr. Daniel Ivankovich at divankovich@gmail.com

Chase Rice Reveals Emotional "Bench Seat" Accompanied by Short Film Music Video Spotlighting Mental Health

When Chase Rice’s longtime friend came to him with an idea for a song about “a guy and his dog driving around together,” the Diamond-certified songwriter laughed. “That cliché was exactly the type of thing I was trying to avoid on this album,” Rice remembers. And yet, once he sat down with his acoustic guitar to craft what would become one of three solo writes on the forthcoming project, the result was anything but cliché. With “Bench Seat,” available everywhere now, Rice pays tribute to that friend – and the dog that saved his life.
 
“My buddy was in a really dark place – to the point where he was ready to end his own life. It took a lot for him to take me back to that moment, but when he told me what stopped him it stopped me in my tracks: his dog came and laid his head on his lap, and that connection saved him,” Rice explains. “I wrote this song by myself with the point of view from the dog’s perspective – which might not be obvious right away – and what that moment might have meant for the two of them if not for that intervention.”
 
Building upon the emotional backstory of the song, the official music video directed by Kaiser Cunningham offers a seven-plus-minute short film spotlighting the mental health struggle that affects countless people. The video’s intention is to encourage viewers to feel comfortable talking about the topic and seeking the assistance they need, with its conclusion pointing to available resources via wannatalkaboutit.com and encouraging anyone in crisis to call/text 988.
 
“For the first time in my career, I could envision the whole video as I was writing the song,” notes Rice. “I wanted to shine a light on the topic of mental health because this is something that makes way too many people feel alone and especially when addiction becomes part of the picture, one bad moment can have horrible consequences. I personally know how hard it can be to ask for help when you need it, but I hope this helps start a few more conversations and lets people know they really aren’t alone.
 
“When my friend was in that moment, it was impossible to see anything but the heaviness. He was able to get the help he needed, though, and now he’s living a beautiful life and starting a family. That’s what this video is really about – showing you the potential for a happy end to the story if you are able to find a way to get help through the dark times.”
 
The powerful song is one of 13 tracks on Rice’s forthcoming album, I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell, set for release Feb. 10 and showcasing a more raw, vulnerable side of the man praised by Sports Illustrated for “his wild ride to redemption” than on any of his previous studio projects. Recorded during an immersive two-week period at Rice’s farm outside Nashville with producer Oscar Charles and a live band using a makeshift recording setup, the album ranges from admiration of a Western way of life in recent releases “I Hate Cowboys” and “Way Down Yonder” to emotional reckoning in “Key West & Colorado” and today’s “Bench Seat.”
 
Soon, fans will get to hear the new music live on Rice’s Way Down Yonder Tour, set to visit iconic venues such as Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, Boston’s House of Blues and Athens’ Georgia Theatre beginning March 3.

For all the latest news on his forthcoming music as well as tickets to all upcoming tour dates, visit ChaseRice.comand follow Rice on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok @ChaseRiceMusic and on Instagram @ChaseRice.

About Chase Rice
With nearly 2.4 million albums sold and over 2.4 billion total streams, plus a legion of passionate fans at his high-energy concerts across the globe, Chase Rice has established himself as a powerful force in Nashville and beyond. With the forthcoming album I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell crafted in his rural Tennessee home-turned-studio, his sound continues to evolve to reflect the realities of his life, as evidenced by recent releases “Bench Seat,” “Way Down Yonder,” “I Hate Cowboys” and “Key West & Colorado.” The new music serves as a follow up to his three-part project, The Album, featuring his latest Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen. (feat. Florida Georgia Line)” and Platinum-certified Top 10 hit “Lonely If You Are.” This is the same gravelly-voiced Chase Rice fans first fell in love with years ago – but better, freer; unbeholden and uninhibited. The new music builds upon the success of his sophomore album, Lambs & Lions, which featured the triple-Platinum, two-week chart topper “Eyes On You” – Rice’s first No. 1 as an artist and the most-streamed song of his career. Lambs & Lions followed Ignite the Night, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and No. 3 on the all-genre chart, producing a pair of Top 5 hits; “Gonna Wanna Tonight” and Platinum-certified “Ready Set Roll.” In addition to guesting on sold out arena tours with Kane Brown and Jason Aldean plus stadium shows with Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks, Rice is set to get back on the road this spring in support of the new music. Visit ChaseRice.com for more information.

Tech N9ne Collaborator, KRIZZ KALIKO, Establishes New Label Ear House Inc.; Releases New Single "WEIGHT" + Official Music Video

"WEIGHT" stream/buy link: https://cmdshft.ffm.to/Weight

Coming off of a full-blown 20-yr explosive ride with Strange Music, the former Tech N9ne collaborator, KRIZZ KALIKO, has officially graduated from Strange Music and is now attending his own label, Ear House Inc.

With May being Mental Health month, his first project as a solo artist and now label owner, "WEIGHT" is one of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and empowerment. This powerful music video bares all of Krizz Kaliko - and we do mean EVERYTHING! Although he has been an artist and in the music industry for over 20 years, his new single addresses a worldwide known stereotype--- being overweight.

“When you see the word weight, when you hear the word weight, most people think heavy. The message that I want to send to the world is that weight doesn't have to be heavy, it can be empowering. That is exactly what my single called WEIGHT did for me. For the first time since I was 13 years old, I faced the heavy burden of showing my body to the world. I did a video, stripped down to my bare skin, and finally exposed all of me to my fans. Once I did this, I felt the burden lift off my shoulders. I finally accepted myself. As a man, we don't usually show ourselves being vulnerable. Everyone has something that weighs them down or that holds them back, we need to risk being seen" says Krizz Kaliko.

He continues, "I'm a big guy with all this weight on me but I continue to fight every day to fulfill my purpose and to find self-acceptance. Besides weight physically, weight also means weight on our shoulders. Everyone has something they battle regarding their looks, but we must get up every day and have a self-love. We all have something we are hiding behind, RISK BEING SEEN."

Krizz speaks about the meaning behind the video and song here:

https://youtu.be/NylvzS6owXk

Krizz Kaliko - Weight (official Music Video) can be seen here:

His fan's started a #weightchallenge and it's pretty powerful. They are basically exposing their "imperfections" to the world using the #riskbeingseen and #weightchallenge

Additional Krizz Kaliko Media:

Krizz Kaliko - Unstable - Official Music Video:

https://youtu.be/X88d9X_S0go

Krizz Kaliko Performs "Why Me" on Sway in the Morning's Live In-Studio Concert Series:

https://youtu.be/V5EQasED7oE

For More Information Please Visit:

Facebook

Instagram

DUST BOLT Raises Mental Health Awareness with New Video for “Exit”

Get "Mass Confusion" here: https://smarturl.it/MassConfusion-NPR "Mental health is a huge but yet often forgotten topic. Especially in these days, during a l...

“Trying to run and hide from the devil.”

German metal act DUST BOLT have just released a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing new video for their emotional single “Exit”, off the 2016 album Mass Confusion. DUST BOLTaddresses a rather important topic with “Exit”: one’s own mental health. Everyone suffers from mental health issues from time to time, some more than others. Especially under the circumstances we are currently living in, social distancing becomes a mostly overseen social problem. But the fewest actually talk openly about it, and rather isolate themselves instead of opening up to someone. With “Exit”, the band wants to encourage people who suffer from these kind of issues to step forward and lean on a friend in times of dire need, to believe in themselves and to accept help when provided or provide help yourself for others. 

The band comments:

“Mental health is a huge but yet often forgotten topic. Especially in these days, during a lockdown and social distancing, but also in our everyday lives, many of us struggle with anxiety and mental health problems. A few years ago, we crossed paths with Enrique Guilhermes - a talented video and film maker from Portugal, finding the right visuals to our song “Exit”. In times of #stayathome, we want to share this stunning video and interpretation of the song with you. If you deal with mental health problems, or if you know somebody who is struggling with it, we want to encourage you to know that you are not alone. Don´t ignore the chance to get help for yourself or someone else you know who may be in crisis. This life is not about being the strongest. This life is not about fulfilling countless expectations, role pictures or competitions. This is no competition. This is no TRUMPeting of being the best, most beautiful or wealthiest person in your compass. This life is about being YOU, finding yourself and loving yourself. You are stronger than you know.”

Get The Latest Album Trapped In Chaos HERE:

Buy the 2016 Album Mass Confusion HERE:

DUST BOLT is:

Lenny Bruce: Vocals, Guitar

Flo Dehn: Guitar

Moosie: Bass

Nico Rayman: Drums

Connect with DUST BOLT:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

NAPALM RECORDS

Pray For Sleep Announces May 1 Digital Release Of Behind Our Eyes & May 15 Virtual Rally With Prevention Action Alliance To Promote Mental Health Awareness Month

Hard Rock Group From Columbus, Ohio Uses Music To

Raise Awareness Of Youth Mental & Behavioral Health 

Through Their “Scream Back” Program With Educational Partner On Our Sleeves™, 

A National Platform Spearheaded by

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

“We are not alone.” In a nation full of young people feeling increasingly isolated and hopeless, it’s a powerful message. It’s also the driving force behind Columbus, Ohio-based band Pray For Sleep, who aims to be a positive influence in the hard rock genre. Today, the on-the-rise band announces a series of activities for May to promote mental health awareness month. 

On May 1, Pray For Sleep will self-issue the digital release of their debut album, Behind Our Eyes, which aims to bolster a generation racked by anxiety, depression and suicide with a message of solidarity and a cathartic roar on 10 powerful songs. The digital release features two unreleased tracks—“Blood Is Not Blue” and “Off Track”—as well as a new acoustic version of anchor single “Scream Back.”

“Scream Back” shares the name with the group’s initiative addressing mental health issues plaguing the nation’s youth. Established in November 2019, the Scream Back program aligns the band members—vocalist Grant DeCrane, 23; drummer Reno Houston, 20; and guitarist Hayden Kissler, 19—with the educational messaging of Nationwide Children's Hospital's On Our Sleeves™ movement, as well as Columbus’ active rock radio station 99.7 The Blitz (WRKZ) and SJC Custom Drums.

Scream Back largely utilizes in-school appearances to deliver peer messaging and personal stories that challenge fellow young people to have an open dialogue about mental health. Most recently, that includes Pray For Sleep promoting On Our Sleeves™ resources for helping teens and kids through the COVID-19 crisis, as seen here: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving/on-our-sleeves/find-help/tools-for-you/coronavirus

In addition to contributing all proceeds from their first headlining show to On Our Sleeves™, Pray For Sleep also submitted their lyrics to the hospital’s mental health experts for their input prior to the release.

Next month, Pray For Sleep will also perform “Scream Back” as part of the annual “We Are The Majority Rally” that brings thousands of young people together to promote the idea that most youth choose not to do drugs and instead are making responsible decisions. For the first time this year, the statewide Ohio rally will go virtual and invites youth across the country to participate. It will be held as part of National Prevention Week on May 15 at 5:00 pm ET, hosted by the Prevention Action Alliance with support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as well as the Ohio Governor’s Office. More details about the event, including how to sign up and where to watch, will be posted at https://preventionactionalliance.org/watm-rally/. 

Of the digital release for Behind Our Eyes, drummer Reno Houston says, "We know that everyone has been stuck inside and could be dealing with mental health issues (like all of us in the band), and we hope that releasing these songs will let people know that ‘We Are Not Alone.’ This is especially important with the COVID-19 situation and May being Mental Behavioral Health month. We hope people know there are resources out there and hopefully we can help shine some light on a dark situation.”

Adds vocalist Grant DeCrane, "We're so excited to be able to release the album in its entirety. We want people to hear the whole message, and we want to know what people think of the project. We started working on it a year-and-a-half ago so it’s wonderful to finally see it all come together after so much work and time."

Behind Our Eyes marks the band’s debut album and is a follow-up to their self-titled EP in 2017 that followed a whirlwind of events, which led to the band’s formation. That same year, rock band Papa Roach had invited Columbus’ Olentangy Orange High School Marching Band to be part of Papa Roach’s performance of hit single “Born For Greatness”at the Rock On The Range festival. Hayden Kissler was one of the marching band members who got the chance to be on stage for the performance. Soon after, he and friends Reno Houston and Grant DeCrane started Pray For Sleep. 

The band returned to the Rock On The Range stage in 2018 where they hand one of their earliest performances, with several members missing out on their high school graduation to participate in the memorable moment. After spending their teenage years finding solace in heavy music, shouting along with bands like fellow Ohioans Beartooth as well as Bring Me The Horizon, Pray For Sleep has since shared the stage with We Came As Romans, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Silent Planet, Fit For A King, and Counterfeit.

For more information on Pray For Sleep visit:

https://www.prayforsleep.com/

https://www.facebook.com/prayforsleepband/
https://www.instagram.com/prayforsleepband/
https://twitter.com/prayforsleepbnd

For information or to get involved with Scream Back, please visit:

https://www.screamback.org/

To learn more about the On Our Sleeves™ movement visit: https://www.OnOurSleeves.org