PRESS RELEASE: Fueled By Ramen band All Time Low have released their new full-length album, Wake Up, Sunshine. The album is available HERE. All Time Low will host a Twitch listening event and fan Q+A at 7am AEDT on Saturday 4th April. Tune in HERE.
To celebrate the album’s arrival, the band has shared a lyric video for “Monsters” [feat. blackbear]. Watch it HERE. A crown jewel of Wake Up, Sunshine, the song hinges on a hard-hitting riff and hypnotic hook before blackbear scares up a show-stopping cameo. Meanwhile, the lyric video captures the song’s energy and spirit.
Last week, during a Billboard Live At-Home session, frontman Alex Gaskarth spoke about the decision to stick to the album’s original release date, bonding with fans about the power of music during moments of uncertainty, panic, and pain. He shared, “We kind of deliberated over maybe not releasing April 3,and pushing back until things got a little more normal, but it didn’t feel like the right move. I feel like people need some new tunes, and I hope that this record can be cathartic for people and help people through this weird, wild time.”
The band began building anticipation for Wake Up, Sunshine with the January release of lead single “Some Kind of Disaster” alongsidean official music video. E! News attested “the pop-punk band returns with this introspective track and a whole new outlook”, and Billboard added, “‘Some Kind of Disaster’ begins the next era for All Time Low.” In February, All Time Low formally announced the album and debuted “Sleeping In,” on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 1 show. All Time Low partnered with North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) to help raise money and awareness for no kill rescue and adoption organizations through the track’s official music video, which was shot on location in Nashville, TN at NSALA shelter partner, MACC.
All Time Low went back to the basics (and the basement) for Wake Up, Sunshine. Throughout 2019, the four musicians—Alex Gaskarth [vocals, guitar], Jack Barakat [guitar, vocals], Zack Merrick [bass, vocals], and Rian Dawson [drums]—congregated together in Nashville at Rian’s studio and at a Palm Springs rental house. Face-to-face, they wrote and recorded the 15-song affair joined by co-writer, producer, and collaborator Zakk Cervini. Wake Up, Sunshine distills two decades of experience into a definitive and dynamic body of work for the band.
Upcoming folkster Harper Bloom (otherwise known as Hayley De Pledge) has today announced her debut single Mary, a gorgeous, empowering romp about taking control back over your life, out April 2. Harper Bloom has also announced a moving clip to accompany the release, directed by David Hansen (notable for his short film Anija).
For fans of Alex The Astronaut, Courtney Barnett and Paul Kelly, Harper Bloom’s Mary is a wonderful example of brilliant Australian songwriting from beginning to end. Deeply personal, affecting and sweet, Mary shines with acoustic guitars, driving percussion and Harper Bloom’s wonderfully unique, gentle vocals. Working alongside Benjamin McCarthy (G Flip, Thelma Plum, Megan Washington) to bring Mary to life, Harper Bloom is sure to impress with this brilliant single. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Harper Bloom enthuses, “The single is essentially about not being afraid to be vulnerable and take risks, no matter who you are or how old you are. It’s about having the strength to leave a comfortable, mundane existence behind in search of enriching experiences and a new lease of life. The idea really came from observing people on trains and buses…some of the verses came from overheard conversations or things I saw on public transport, and watching the body language and expressions of people doing a job they didn’t really want to be doing.”
The clip for Mary is so well done, so touching, that it will absolutely stay with the viewer for hours after viewing. It follows the story of an elderly wife, who finally liberates herself from the hum-drum nature of daily life, bucking all expectations for what elderly people should and shouldn’t do and having a ball all throughout. It’s a beautiful, cinematic clip – every freeze frame looks like a spectacular photograph. Reflecting on the narrative of the video for Mary, Harper Bloom says, “The story begins in Mary’s run-down suburban home – which was my sharehouse at the time – with her husband drunk and unresponsive on the couch. After moments of taking in her life over the past 60 years, she gains clarity and decides to finally leave. The story then follows Mary on her journey of rediscovery.”
Mary is set for release on April 2.
“Loving this debut release from Harper Bloom. Good luck resisting this song’s stirring pull and Harper Bloom’s storytelling nous” Dave Ruby Howe, triple j unearthed
“Fans of Alex The Astronaut should keep an ear out for your charming, stream of consciousness, observant songwriting and the fun-as-hell musical bits and bobs that accompany it” Abby Butler, triple j unearthed
PRESS RELEASE: Hot off the back of winning the prestigious Grant McLennan Fellowship in 2019, beloved Aussie rocker Jack Bratt has today announced his brooding new single Spades, a study in over-thinking, out today, April 2, and accompanied by an intimate live video.
Spades is a dark, moody track, and will be an exciting release for fans of anthemic legends The War On Drugs, Kingswood, Holy Holy, The Rubens et al. Expert guitar reigns throughout, while Jack’s unique, cutting vocal sits within the bed of sound, with sharp, affecting lyrics. Speaking of the inspiration behind the track, Jack explains, “I’m a classic overthinker, and Spades is a bit of a snapshot of me over-analysing everything. It’s a lot about comparing where I’m at in my life to my friends and family, thinking about whether or not I’m where I should be compared to, say, when my parents were at the same age.”
Such a close, vulnerable track requires careful treatment when it comes to live performance, and the accompanying video for Spades will give goosebumps to anyone who presses play. Directed by Clint Lewis of Red Tape Pictures (Tim Rogers, The Church), the black and white, artistic video depicts a solo rendition of the track, which allows Jack to accurately portray the significant nature of the subject matter in this song, as he says, “I just wanted the video to be simple. Playing this song solo, not in a band setting, is a pretty vulnerable thing. When I walked into the room for the first time and saw the pillars and the stained-glass windows, I knew it was going to be perfect for the song.”
Jack Bratt, who still hopes to head to New York City in June for a three month artist residency thanks to his recent Grant McLennan Fellowship accolade, also holds high hopes that he’ll be able to play a run of intimate shows while over in the US. With a lot of uncertainty around Covid19, Jack’s plans are a little up in the air, but he’s got a great attitude about his year ahead, enthusing, “While this is obviously a pretty distressing time for all of us, I’m using the time wisely by writing a lot of music which I’m excited about. And I’m planning on still heading to New York as soon as the travel bans have been lifted.”
PRESS RELEASE: The Danelectro® ‘64XT™ electric guitar (already proving to be yet another line of ‘Dano best sellers’) is now available in a stunning Ice Gray finish.
This stunning new ‘all-over’ finish on the ultra cool vintage shaped Danelectro chambered body also includes the neck and classic Dano Coke bottle headstock, and more than highlights the ‘64XT’s modern and authentic adaptation of that classic, off-set, reversed double cutaway body shape from the 1950’s. This striking color is also offset with a cool Black Marble pickguard.
Without doubt, with classic Dano retro styling, the ‘64XT is pretty to look at, but aesthetics aside, the heart of every instrument is its tone. It’s here that this exceptionally cool guitar excels, with the unmistakable sparkly clean jangle of the single coil lipstick pickups that work for a host of styles, from surf to country, rockabilly to blues, to rock.
Hardware and electrics for this highly respected guitar include master volume and master tone controls, 3-way selector switch and large single coil pickup angled at the neck, delivering a warm sweet tone that’ll please the most hardened jazz player.
Back in the bridge position, a dual humbucking lipstick pickup is installed at the opposite angle, with coil tapping facilities via the master tone control, offering the classic Danelectro tone at humbucker or single coil outputs. Straight string-pull from smooth geared machine heads to a fully adjustable Wilkinson vibrato, via a precision cut graphite nut, allows the ‘64XT to return to zero pitch every time, whilst ensuring accurate and stable tuning.
Needless to say, the sonic versatility of this stunning electric guitar now available in this spectacular Ice Gray finish is immense, and playability to match with a great string action, sleek neck and fingerboard that inspires songwriting creativity from first position chords to soaring solo harmonic runs.
Little did Nathan Daniel know when he started to produce electric guitars in the early 1950’s, just how many bona fide Rock Gods would owe their career move to Danelectro guitars, one of the few guitar brands that can truly be described as legendary, classic, iconic, retro, cool, hip and trendy.
Ya gotta hand it to Tom Morello: the guy has great taste in creating iconic guitars for himself. His ‘Arm The Homeless’ guitar, his black Tele, and his Fender ‘Soul Power’ Stratocaster, an instrument which is synonymous with his time in Audioslave. You can now own your own reproduction of this instrument, complete with ‘Soul Power’ decal among the case candy if you want to really Morello it out. But this is a very workhorse-worthy instrument in its own right, not a piece of Morello memorabilia (Morellomabilia?), with plenty of cool features to help you unlock your own self expression.
Here’s the press release.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (March 31, 2020)—Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today released the all-new Tom Morello “Soul Power” Stratocaster. Tom Morello collaborated with Fender on his first artist signature Stratocaster which features unique customizations from the original “Soul Power,” like a kill switch that helped shape his radical sound and riffs from the Audioslave era and beyond. Morello takes a creative approach to playing, infusing feedback, unconventional picking and tapping, in addition to heavy guitar effects that all inspired his new signature guitar.This past year the original “Soul Power” was recently featured at The Metropolitan Museum of Art® and currently resides in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame®. The “Soul Power” Stratocaster is one of the most iconic guitars of the modern rock era and allowed for Tom to create a new sound after his time with Rage Against The Machine. Morello has pushed the boundary of guitar to new limits through his innovative style of playing and heavy metal and punk hybrid riffs.
“This Fender Soul Power signature guitar is made to my exact specifications and is an authentic replica of the instrument that forged my sound in Audioslave,” said Tom Morello. “That was a period of renewed artistic freedom and limitless expression on the guitar for me and Soul Power was the sonic divining rod leading the way. Just as important as getting the specs right however is the charitable/social justice component of my collaboration with Fender. Together we are giving away hundreds of guitars to underprivileged schools and to the Jail Guitar Doors prison rehabilitation program to help unlock creative doors and create better (and louder) futures.”
The Tom Morello “Soul Power” Stratocaster features a bound-top alder slab body, originally a limited run Strat®, a “Deep-C” maple neck with a 9.5″-14″ compound radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and matching painted headstock. Tom’s unique, powerful sounds – from gentle rhythms to screaming feedback, chaotic stutters and more – inspired every detail of the guitar. From a Kill Switch that creates the “Stutter” effects emulating DJ scratching that he is known for, to a Seymour Duncan® Hot Rails™ bridge humbucker pickup that delivers power and dynamics and a Floyd Rose® Locking Tremolo System that allows for radical Tremolo effects while staying perfectly in tune – this Strat was built to rock.
“We are extremely honored to have worked with Tom on this project and embark on a long-term partnership throughout 2020,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “Tom’s iconic original “Soul Power” guitar sound created a monumental impact on rock at the time and we’re looking forward to players today being able emulate those unique sounds with the Tom Morello “Soul Power” Stratocaster. Collaborations like these continue to keep Fender’s legacy in rock ‘n’ roll alive and inspire the next future rockers of our generation.”
The launch of Morello’s guitar marks the start of his and Fender’s 2020 collaboration in association with the Fender Play Foundation designed to equip, educate and inspire the next generation of players, alongside Tom’s other charitable efforts with Jail Guitar Doors.
In true tradition, the Fender’s Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. Learn more about the Tom Morello “Soul Power” Stratocaster and access product description here; product photos and images of Tom Morello with his Signature Stratocaster can be found here.
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.
# # #
Tom Morello “Soul Power” Stratocaster– $2,699.99 is based on the modified Designer Series Strat used during his time in Audioslave and features an alder slab body with binding and a Deep “C”-shape maple neck with 9.5″-14″ compound radius rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Other features include: a recessed Floyd Rose® locking tremolo system, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails bridge humbucker, two Fender Noiseless™ pickups in the neck and middle positions, a chrome pickguard, kill-switch toggle, locking tuners, matching painted headcap and iconic “Soul Power” body decal and a black Fender case.
ABOUT TOM MORELLO:
Incendiary rock guitarist and acoustic troubadour Tom Morello, known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous chords, is a groundbreaking artist whether in his solo career or as an original member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. He’s released four solo albums as The Nightwatchman and formed the band Street Sweeper Social Club with Boots Riley of The Coup in 2009. Morello has also been recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the “100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time (#26).” Morello has produced or collaborated with artists of diverse genres including Johnny Cash, Tool, John Fogerty, Anti-Flag, Public Enemy, Joe Strummer, Crystal Method, Calle 13, Dave Mathews Band, Johnny Cash, Linkin Park, Travis Barker and Pete Seeger. In addition, he joined Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band for their 2014 world tour in support of Springsteen’s studio album High Hopes (Columbia Records) on which Morello is featured on eight tracks. In 2016, Morello joined forces with fellow Rage Against The Machine bandmates Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, as well as Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Public Enemy’s Chuck D and DJ Lord to form the band Prophets of Rage. The band’s debut self-titled album was released in 2017 and scored top chart entries in multiple countries across the globe in its first week. On his latest solo album, The Atlas Underground, Morello transformed his sound, blending Marshall stack riff-rock with the digital wizardry of EDM and hip-hop to create the most ambitious artistic effort of his storied career. The Atlas Underground includes collaborations with Marcus Mumford, Portugal. The Man, the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and GZA, K. Flay, Big Boi, Gary Clark Jr., Pretty Lights, Killer Mike, and Whethan among others. Morello is also a valiant activist across issues of homelessness, poverty, hunger, and social justice, among other causes. Tom is embarking on a reunion tour with Rage Against the Machine in 2020.
ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION:
Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)–whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH® and Charvel®–follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender’s digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends.
An already-into-rock Peter Hodgson is about to turn 10. All I want for my birthday is Def Leppard’s Hysteria album (on cassette, natch). My cousin Daz was into Def Leppard in a big way and he was a few years older than me and, in my opinion, totally cool. And if he liked Def Leppard, then I liked Def Leppard.
So, my birthday rolls around and in all the excitement I go to open my presend. The first is one of those awesome 80s boom boxes with two tape decks and a graphic EQ!!! I was in heaven! I could play the hell out of my Dire Straits and Beatles tapes on this!
I could make my own mixtapes containing my favourite tracks from the maybe five cassettes I owned at that point! I could tape stuff off the radio! I could graphically equalise it!
Then mum hands me another present, all wrapped up, obviously a cassette. YES, I think. This has got to be my Def Leppard tape! This is going to be so awesome! I was already picturing myself instantly entering adulthood with the mere listen of this landmark album, maybe suddenly and inexplicably finding myself driving around in a Corvette, kitted out in aviatorsunglasses and fluro shoelaces – maybe a Hysteria singlet, definitely a mullet – impressing all the ladeez with my mad cool 80s rock style. So I hastily unwrap the present, all trembling hands and chattering teeth. Def Leppard Def Leppard Def Leppard!
You know what the cassette was?
Jason Donovan’s Ten Good Reasons.
Needless to say, I was mortified.
Well, I still listened to it because hey, I now had a new tape. But I begged and pleaded and wailed and whinged until I got my Def Leppard tape too.
The moral of the story, I guess, is that complaining will get you what you want.
Australian singer-songwriter, producer and DJ, Jesse Neo, who has been in the music industry since 2017, is with us with news on his latest musical venture, Gemtracks.
The 22-year-old singer, who’s debut single, ‘Sex Magic’ won radio plays across the world and got reviewed in several publications including The Huffington Post and Respect Magazine, is reinventing the wheels of music creation by utilizing the digital world.
“I felt the pressure of my music career taking off around the end of 2017 when labels and YouTube channels began contacting me out of nowhere to request me to make beats for them,” the Australian explained. “The amount of emails and phone calls were so overwhelming that I lost my mind several times. Take note that when this was happening, I was also working on my own music, spending days in the studio, filming music videos, and whanot. Then suddenly an idea hit me; why not create a website where I could put my beat samples and allow customers to buy them automatically.”
And that was how Gemtracks was born. At first it was just a simple online store, however it soon caught the attention of several of his industry friends.
“I remember being asked by several producers I met in the studio in Los Angeles to why not turn Gemtracks into a marketplace where anyone can sell their beats,” Jesse continued. “At first I was a bit hesitant. I mean, would it even be worth my time doing that? But after some constant persuasions over several dinners, I finally agreed.”
With nothing to lose, Jesse gathered all his songwriter friends to release even more beats onto the website and invited a computer scientist with a PhD to work on the development of the website. Eventually, what was an idea, turned into an enterprise.
“The amount of positive feedback I received from Gemtrackswas off the chart,” the singer exclaimed. “Beats were being sold between $99 and $599, and includes every genre from acoustic guitar, rock ensembles and even electronic music.”
The high price is justified where each beat can only be sold once, and the buyer gets the full ownership and copyright once they have paid. This makes every beat have a scarcityfeel as though if you don’t buy it now, you probably never will be able to.
At the end of the interview, we discovered there are currently more than 600 beats on sale on Gemtracks, more than 200 registered members, and exciting new features such as studio bookings and a forum are planned to be released soon.
Here’s a cool video by Skid Row guitarist Scotti Hill showing you how to play his ‘I Remember You’ solo. I love this solo. I’ve noticed this song on the radio a lot lately and just the other day I had to sit in the car on the side of the road and listen to the end of the solo before I got out. It’s also cool to see the Jackson that Scotti used on the track.
from Amazon.com.