Gibson Gives and Guitars For Vets Team Up for ‘Rock To Remember’ Benefit Concert with Cheap Trick at the Gibson Garage Nashville
JOAQUINA Latin Pop Star Announced As New Gibson Artist Spotlight Program Musician
Bending The Blues: Inside The Making of the Album ‘Orgy Of The Damned’
Towa Bird, Announced As New Gibson Marquee Artist, Debut Album ‘American Hero,' Available Worldwide
The White Buffalo: Announces Digital Release of ‘A Freight Train Through The Night,’
Serj Tankian, Lead Singer of GRAMMY-Winning Rock Band System Of A Down, FOUNDATIONS EP, Out Today on Gibson Records
SLASH, Bending The Blues: Inside The Making Of “Orgy Of The Damned”
Ghost Hounds Unveil Cover of Patty Griffin's "Long Ride Home" feat. Patty Griffin, Available Now on Gibson Records
Gibson Garage London Acoustic Sessions, Monthly Series Features Acoustic Performances Inside the Garage on Sept. 13, 17, 19 and 26
WHITE SCORPION, Music Video for Lead Song “Ugoku Kuchibiru” from 1st Mini Album Caution Premieres
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Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V, Epiphone and Gibson Custom Partner to Honor the Legendary Guitarist Jimi Hendrix
For over 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design. By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Epiphone has set the stage for the next era of sound for present and future generations. Now, Epiphone, in partnership with Gibson Custom and the Hendrix family, is proud to introduce the Jimi Hendrix™ “Love Drops” Flying V™, an Inspired by Gibson Custom recreation of a guitar that Jimi customized and played extensively from 1967-1969. As part of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection, the guitar continues a new era of premium features for Epiphone, including high-quality electronics and design upgrades. The Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V is now available at Authorized Epiphone dealers and worldwide on www.epiphone.com “Jimi’s artistic expression was all-encompassing. It went far beyond creating magical music and expanded into another dimension of art that allowed us to see the beauty of his music,” says Janie Hendrix, Sister of Jimi and President and CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC & Authentic Hendrix LLC. “When he hand-painted his Flying V, which was an expression of his love for his instrument and his music. With the Epiphone series, Gibson has recreated Jimi’s artwork beautifully! We are excited to partner with them! Seeing Jimi’s handiwork come alive in this spectacular collection is extremely gratifying.” Widely recognized as one of the most creative and innovative musicians of all time, Hendrix’s influence with his genre-defying mix of blues, funk, soul, jazz, and R&B still impacts musicians worldwide today. Originally a Sunburst, Jimi Hendrix customized his Ebony-refinished Gibson™ Flying V with striking psychedelic graphics that he hand-painted on the original guitar, which are carefully recreated here on the Flying V. As a fitting tribute to one of the world’s most legendary and famous lefty guitar players, the Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V is available in right and left-handed versions. The Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V also features a mahogany body, a one-piece mahogany neck with a Rounded C profile, a laurel fretboard, and 22 medium jumbo frets. An Inspired by Gibson Custom logo and reproduction of Jimi’s signature adorn the back of the 1967-style Flying V headstock. Epiphone Deluxe tuners anchor the strings at the headstock, while a short Maestro™ Vibrola™ anchors them at the other end. The electronics are first-rate, with a pair of Gibson Custombucker humbucker™ pickups wired to CTS® potentiometers, a Mallory™ tone capacitor, and a Switchcraft® 3-way pickup select switch and 1/4” output jack. An Epiphone hardshell guitar case with Inspired by Gibson Custom and Authentic Hendrix™ logos is also included.
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The White Buffalo: Announces ‘A Freight Train Through The Night,’ First-Ever Live Album, Out September 20 Worldwide
A powerful and prolific storyteller through his songcraft, the Emmy-nominated, Oregon-born, and Southern California-bred singer-songwriter-guitarist Jake Smith, aka The White Buffalo will release his first-ever live album A Freight Train Through The Night, on September 20. Arriving on double-vinyl, in a limited, collector’s edition run, A Freight Train Through The Night the new live album from The White Buffalo is available for pre-order worldwide today USA: https://the-white-buffalo-us.myshopify.com/collections/a-freight-train-through-the-night, and the rest of the world: https://white-buffalo-uk.myshopify.com/collections/a-freight-train-through-the-night Smith describes the new live album A Freight Train Through The Night “This album spans my entire career, over 20-plus years of writing and performing songs. With more than a hundred songs to choose from, some of these tracks I wrote in my 20’s, and others were born just years ago. We selected crowd favorites and some deep cuts to give them a new life.” He adds, “We also did a completely reworked adaptation of the song ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ I wanted to establish a definitive version that was all our own, and representative of our sound giving a fresh alternative to the original “Sons of Anarchy” show version. This album has all the emotion and passion of the live experience, it’s visceral, in a way that can’t be attained in the studio. What we do live is wildly different than studio albums. Pure and raw, no backing tracks, no auto tune, not perfect. It’s the three of us giving it our all us in our purest form.” A Freight Train Through The Night was recorded live on March 1, and 2 at the Belly-Up in San Diego and finds The White Buffalo reteam with his band including Christopher Hoffee (bass/keys/guitars), and Matt Lynott (drums). The group brought in Mike Butler (The Rolling Stones, Reba McEntire, Phoebe Bridgers) to record and mix the live album. Smith says, “You can feel the energy of the audience, that circular push and pull, between crowd and stage. It’s unique every night, every show. It’s that love and flow that feeds all of us. We are in it together and you can really feel it in these recordings. We have a long history with the Belly-Up and brought in Mike Butler to capture the audio and mix, so this album sounds like you are in the room.” Named after a line from the song “How the West Was Won,” the new live album A Freight Train Through The Night encapsulates nomadic life and the nights of a traveling musician, as well as the group’s own gloves-off approach to their live performances. Watch the trailer for the new live album from The White Buffalo, A Freight Train Through The Night. The White Buffalo is in the midst of a US headlining tour through September. In October, the group will launch a European tour, and in December their first-ever South American tour. For tickets to The White Buffalo, visit: http://thewhitebuffalo.com
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Music Producer Jose Luis “Pepe” Pagan Creates Notable Melodies With KRK
Music Producer, TV/Film/Musicals Creator, Songwriter, and Guitarist Jose Luis “Pepe” Pagan has had an ear for music from a young age. He was born in Argentina, where he first began his career in the music industry before moving to the United States 25 years ago. He has since worked with artists such as Marc Anthony, J.Lo, Chayanne, Thalia, and Sarah Lenore, among others. In addition to being a music producer, Pagan also works in the TV, film, and musicals industries and is the creator and music producer of the Amazon Prime show “Melody.” The show follows 18-year-old Melody, who seeks to develop her musical career as a means of escape from her challenges at home. Pagan is also the co-producer for an upcoming musical about the life of Latin American Artist Sandro. The show honors the late Latin icon and will showcase the story of his life and musical career. For these projects, Pagan splits his time between his home studio and locations in Miami and Argentina, where he always has a combination of KRK solutions available. Included among these are the V-Series V4 Powered Studio Monitors and an S10.4 Powered Studio Subwoofer, as well as the legacy ROKIT 5 Generation 4 Powered Studio Monitors and 10S Subwoofer. “I use the V4s a lot, basically for everything: when mixing, during the recording, and for completing all my music,” he says. “I love these speakers. When I go to Argentina again for my next musical, I will bring them with me. I travel everywhere with them because I like to always have the ability to reference on the spot.” As a producer, Pagan previously found it difficult to get just the right level of vocals for his mixes, but the V4s have solved this problem with ease. “I was struggling a bit with finishing mixes, and I found that, despite being smaller speakers, they provide a perfect balance between all the frequencies that are really key,” he shares. A longtime KRK user, Pagan first started with the brand’s iconic ROKIT monitors. “For general use, the ROKITs are incredible and very solid for their price point; they have great accuracy and bass response,” he shares. “The ROKITs are also an amazing option for entry-level producers.” Pagan also entrusts his KRK subwoofers to deliver quality sound at his home studio. “I use the subwoofers to make sure everything is balanced. I have one in the center, which is an old KRK 10S Sub, and I have another one a little bit to the side, which is the new 10.4. The definition from the KRK subs is way better than any other subs I have tried. I really love them both.” Pagan says that he finds the brand’s connection to its artists to be equally as important as the quality of its equipment. “I have been working with KRK’s parent company, Gibson, for a long time, close to 20 years, and their support has been incredible,” he shares. “I think the care Gibson gives to its artists is something incomparable. Of course, the craftsmanship of the brand also makes a huge difference. When you combine the artist relations and the quality of the instruments and equipment, it is something extraordinary. I have truly had a beautiful journey with Gibson/KRK.” With such a long history with the brands, Pagan sees no end to his use of KRK gear, which he credits with having helped improve his workflow in a significant way. “My KRK gear has really changed the way I work when mixing, and they always seem to know exactly what I need,” he says. “I think that is something really special.”
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Melissa Etheridge to Headline Women Who Rock Benefit Concert, Presented by Gibson Gives
Women will rock Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA on August 28th as the annual Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert Presented by Gibson Gives returns with Melissa Etheridge headlining. All proceeds from the Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert support understudied and underfunded women’s health research at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI), the nation’s first and largest research institute dedicated solely to life-saving women’s health research and reproductive biology. “The Women Who Rock benefit concert is all about raising funds for life-saving women’s health research which is underfunded and understudied,” says Melissa Etheridge. “I went through my own health issue 20 years ago, I’m still cancer free now and I know how important it is for women’s health to be studied specifically and independently.” Music fans that can’t attend the August 28 concert in Pittsburgh, now have the chance to make a charitable donation and walk away with a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history. Starting today, through August 28, bids will be open for the auction of a Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom guitar in Ebony, autographed by Melissa Etheridge on CharityBuzz.com. All proceeds from the auction of the Les Paul Custom guitar will go to support the important work of the Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation. [Lot #3000800] Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom in Ebony Autographed Signature by Melissa Etheridge CharityBuzz.com Auction Link: HERE Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom details: HERE Estimated: $7,500.00 Opening Bid: $1,500.00 Gibson Custom is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson's legacy through accuracy, authenticity and attention to detail. Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom signed by MELISSA ETHERIDGE. The 1968 Les Paul Custom stood apart from its 1950s predecessors in a few significant ways. Instead of a solid mahogany body, it now had a solid maple top on a mahogany back - adding the clarity and bite that many rock guitarists sought. It also came standard with two humbuckers as opposed to three, providing additional picking clearance. And lastly it had a 14-degree peghead angle for reduced string tension. This set of features instantly became the new standard for the Les Paul Custom model, which has been produced continuously by Gibson ever since. This 1968 Les Paul Custom Reissue was designed to be the final say in historical accuracy, tone and feel. Every detail is meticulously revived by the skilled artisans at Gibson Custom to provide an amazing, life-long vintage ownership experience. This year’s Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert stars headliner Melissa Etheridge. Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as "Bring Me Some Water," "No Souvenirs" and "Ain't It Heavy," for which she won a GRAMMY® Award in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the massive hits, "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window," a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second GRAMMY® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, "I Want to Come Over." In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won. Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 GRAMMY® telecast to sing "Piece of My Heart" in tribute to Janis Joplin. By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease. Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concerts feature a 100% female-fronted music lineup, as part of WWR’s mission is to support women in music. Read/share the brand-new interview with the trailblazing rock star and activist Melissa Etheridge and Melinda Colaizzi, Founder of Women Who Rock, on the Gibson Gazette HERE. https://gazette.gibson.com/artists/women-who-rock-melissa-etheridge/ The GBU Life Stage will also feature DJ Femi, a performance from this year’s WWR Rising Star Contest Winner, and a special in-show moment honoring SURVIVORS WHO ROCK, presented by UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Legendary iHeart Radio 102.5 WDVE rock radio personality Michele Michaels will be honored live with the 2024 WWR Impact Award. Actress and singer-songwriter Margot Bingham will emcee this special evening. Margot is known for her roles as Max in “The Walking Dead,” Evie in “New Amsterdam,” and Sara Jumper in “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.” Women Who Rock™ concert attendees will be able to rock the signature Pink Carpet entrance presented by UPMC Health Plan, and also indulge in the Beauty Bar offering free beauty perks and giveaways, a social sharing photo booth, the Rockstar Silent Auction, and a limited number of VIP tickets include access to the VIP Lounge, Gifting Suite and Pre-Show Happy Hour. As presenting sponsor for the Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert from the beginning, the leading global guitar brand Gibson continues to shape the sounds of generations of musicians across the globe. Gibson supports the global music community through its philanthropic division, Gibson Gives. The mission of Gibson Gives committed to making the world a better place by supporting non-profit organizations and developing programs in our efforts to advance musicians through music education, and health and wellness initiatives worldwide. 100% of donations to Gibson Gives go towards giving the gift of music. In the last four years, Gibson Gives has raised over $4.5 million dollars and enabled $46 million in funding for key organizations through product donations and meaningful giving worldwide. MWRI, a 501©(3) based in Pittsburgh, is the nation’s largest research institute dedicated solely to women’s health research and reproductive biology, which is historically underfunded and understudied. MWRI’s current research includes 319 active studies spanning 292 different conditions and 162,000 clinical trial participants worldwide. Proceeds from Women Who Rock™ will support MWRI’s research on breast and gynaecologic cancers, reproductive biology, infectious diseases, the development of COVID-19 therapeutics and women-controlled HIV prevention, obstetric care for women with substance use disorder, postpartum depression, and more. Tickets for the 2024 Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert are on sale now HERE: https://www.axs.com/events/537368/women-who-rock-tickets
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Kuhmo Chamber Music never ceases to surprise us! Next year, we bring you a Scandinavian Utopia
After fourteen days featuring almost 60 concerts and over 20 free events, the 54th Kuhmo Chamber Music festival reached its glorious conclusion on Saturday 27th July with a performance of Vivaldi’s La Folia, incorporating Armenian folk music and improvisations from many other musical cultures. This concert was a great example of the way the festival’s artistic directors Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen planned the entire festival programme. Each concert contained something old, something new and something outside the box. The theme of Borderlines was examined from many different angles – geographical, linguistic, cultural, social, spiritual and physical, to name but a few. The highlights of this year’s festival included the premiere performances of festival commissions by featured composers Sebastian Fagerlund and Lotta Wennäkoski, the Tangomania concert, which sold out earlier in the spring, and a programme of songs composed in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. This year’s festival featured a total of 114 international artists. Alongside the many familiar faces, performances by the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, the Storioni String Trio, the soprano Anu Komsi and the violinist Sini Simonen were particularly well received. Among those appearing at Kuhmo Chamber Music for the very first time, it is safe to say that the Cuarteto Quiroga, the Paddington Trio, the accordionist Janne Valkeajoki and the kantele player Eija Kankaanranta are set to become new festival favourites. This year’s Kuhmo Chamber Music Summer School attracted 85 students in total. The chamber-music masterclasses proved particularly popular. This year, students travelled to Kuhmo from as far afield as Australia and the USA. “We are really thrilled at this year’s programme and at all the performers who helped bring it to life. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback, from colleagues and audiences alike, so we’re in a good place to start planning the 55th festival for next year,” say a thrilled Pensola and Tikkanen. At this year’s festival we managed to get over 21,000 concert visits. In 2021 and 2022, the figure was between 21,000 and 24,000. “It seems that breaking the 21,000 mark is the new normal, which we’ve reached since Covid-19. Before the pandemic, we used to have 5-6 concerts per day; now there are four”, explains festival CEO Sari Rusanen. “Our goal was to sell tickets to a total value of 500,000€, but this year we didn’t quite get there. We sold around 476,000€, which is still an excellent result. We’ll be able to balance the books by cutting back on some expenses”, Rusanen explains. “And while the line-up of festival artists has seen some changes, so has the organisational side of things too. Among our 240 staff members, there were lots of first timers. At Kuhmo Chamber Music, we are constantly aware that we need to keep training up the next generation of organisational staff, and in that we have certainly succeeded,” she says. Scandinavian Utopia The 55th Kuhmo Chamber Music will take place from 13th to 26th July 2025. Next year’s theme will be a “Scandinavian Utopia”. We will have the opportunity to hear lots of music from the Nordic countries, not forgetting central Europe, of course, and our line-up of performers will focus on artists from across the Nordic region. The programme will also feature a variety of thought-provoking perspectives on environmental concerns. The full programme and list of performers will be published in January 2025. Thank you to all our supporters! Kuhmo Chamber Music 2024 has received generous support from the Ministry of Education and Culture, the City of Kuhmo, and the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation. Our corporate sponsors include OP Kuhmo, OP Kainuu, OP Ylä-Kainuu, OP Paltamo, F-Musiikki Oy, Kainuun Sanomat, Kouta Media, Kuhmo Oy, No-Pan Auto Oy, and Osuuskauppa Maakunta.
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SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival Kicks Off Nationwide
“The inaugural S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival show featured supercharged Blues turned up to 11 as Slash’s guitar captivated the crowd, the evening closed with Warren Haynes returning to the stage for an encore performance of ‘Shake Your Money Maker’ with Slash. It was an unforgettable night featuring four and a half hours of live music. - BLUES ROCK REVIEW SLASH the iconic, GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and songwriter has kicked off his first-ever nationwide S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival Blues tour. On the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. trek, SLASH handpicked an all-star Blues lineup with Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. SLASH and his Blues Ball Band--Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (keys/vocals), Michael Jerome (drums), and Tash Neal (vocals/guitars)--also perform on all S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival dates, among other special guest vocalists; for S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tickets, visit: SerpentFestival.com. SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival is celebrating the release of his acclaimed sixth solo album titled Orgy of the Damned, available worldwide now via Gibson Records HERE. https://gibsonrecords.lnk.to/ootd A first for SLASH, Orgy of the Damned has now spent six weeks at #1 on the Blues Album Chart in the U.S. The new album also debuted as the #1 Blues Album in the U.S and the U.K., and #2 on the U.S. Rock Albums Chart, as well as achieving Top 10 Chart positions in 7 countries around the world. SLASH and his Blues Ball Band stopped by the Gibson Garage Nashville for a pre festival gig. Watch/share as the group performs “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” live from the Gibson Garage Nashville HERE. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance is designed by SLASH with maximum social impact in mind. SLASH has chosen five nonprofit organizations to benefit from touring proceeds that will lift marginalized communities and support mental health initiatives that share his restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. Through PLUS1.ORG, the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival will donate a portion of the proceeds from every VIP package, as well as every ticket sold, directly to NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child. The goal of the SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival is to bring music fans together in these divisive times to celebrate the spirit of the Blues, and for SLASH and his band to collaborate and perform with other Blues artists he admires who share his love of the genre. For details on all S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival VIP packages, visit serpentfestival.com/vip. A vibrant homage to the blues, SLASH’s star-studded blues album--and the sixth solo album of his career overall--Orgy of the Damned is a collection of 12 songs that revitalize the blues. SLASH handpicked the album’s diverse guest vocalists, which include Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Chris Stapleton, Iggy Pop, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Dorothy, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Tash Neal, and Beth Hart. The legendary guitarist reteamed with producer Mike Clink, and Johnny Griparic (bass), Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (keys/vocals), Michael Jerome (drums), and Tash Neal (vocals/guitar) formed SLASH’s Blues Ball Band in the studio and on the road. Acclaim from the press continues to roll in for SLASH’s Orgy of the Damned, with current cover stories out now in Premier Guitar, Guitar World, and the Los Angeles Times, among many others. While recording Orgy of the Damned, everything was played live in the room, with an emphasis on improvisation which resulted in a striking collection of energized songs that are vital and raw. Highlights include “Oh Well” with outlaw country star Chris Stapleton’s gritty vocals on the beloved early Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac tune, listen HERE and the Howlin’ Wolf-penned first single “Killing Floor” an electrifying collaboration with Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica, listen HERE. “Hoochie Coochie Man,”--written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Muddy Waters--showcases the album’s powerful in-the-moment nature with Z.Z. Top’s Billy F. Gibbons stepping in on vocals and guitar. Gary Clark Jr. joins in for a rowdy take on Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” while Beth Hart stuns on the twanging and soulful rendition of T. Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” and Iggy Pop’s vocals soothe the soul on a unique version of “Awful Dream” by Lightnin’ Hopkins. Some of the songs, like Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher,” Charlie Segar’s “Key to the Highway,” and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” had been performed by Slash’s Blues Ball, while others, including like Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” with powerful vocals from Tash Neal, were long-time favorites for SLASH. Read SLASH’s full breakdown of every song and artist collaborations on Orgy of the Damned. For a deep dive into the making of the new album, watch Gibson TV’s new music documentary “The Making of Slash’s Orgy of the Damned,’” Episodes 1, 2, 3 and 4, are all streaming now.
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Manako's New Solo Track is an Homage to the Anime Series ‘Kaiju No. 8’! It’s Called ‘Unleashed’
Manako is a popular Japanese artist active across multiple domains and is known for her work both with a band and as a dancer. Her previous track ‘precious’ was released in December and was inspired by the anime series ‘Blue Exorcist’. This new release is inspired by the anime series ‘Kaiju No. 8’, which is currently airing in Japan. Today the music video for the new track was released on YouTube. The title of the song is ‘Unleashed’. The director of the music video is Kensuke Endo, who has worked with major Japanese artists such as MAN WITH A MISSION. This song was inspired by the anime series ‘Kaiju No. 8’ which Manako loves. Manako took the lead on writing the lyrics, which reflect the feelings of character ‘Kafka Hibino’, who appears in the series. The lyrics feature lines such as ‘Laugh like a fool, I will protect you, so I’ll always be by your side’, which show ‘Kafka Hibino’s’ determination and resolve as well as his feelings towards ‘Mina Ashiro’. The song is an homage to both the anime and the original manga. Manako had the following to say regarding this new release: “For my new track I decided to make a create an homage to Kaiju No.8, a series I have loved ever since it was first released. My previous song was also inspired by an anime series that I loved, but with this one I really enjoyed every day I spent creating it! The song features lyrics that evoke the feelings of the amine’s protagonist Kafka Hibino. While writing them I focused on Kafka’s strong fighting spirit, how he is never afraid to confront his own failings and how he teaches us that we should never give up on our dreams no matter how old we are. The music was composed with the help of Mr. Naoki Itai, who previously worked with me when I was part of a group. I was so happy that music afforded me the opportunity to work with Naoki Itai again. The music video is the coolest I have ever produced and includes images from Kaiju No. 8. Enjoy the new visuals of Manako contained in it!” In the future Manako plans to release a number of other tracks inspired by her favorite anime and manga, so make sure to be on the lookout for them. <Manako’s Biography> In 2012, at the age of 16, she made her debut as an artist as part of the third generation of the popular group ‘DANCEROID’. The group became popular through posting dance cover videos to the website ‘Nico Nico Doga’. Following the broke up of the group, she became the main vocalist for the rock dance group ‘Q’ulle’. In 2019 she made her major label debut as a solo artist under the name ‘manaco’, releasing her debut album ‘On Blue’. She also released her debut photo album ‘ONE’S WHOLE SELF’. In the fall of 2020, she began working as an actress and entertainer in earnest. She is a multi-faceted creative who works across a wide variety of domains, primarily on the internet. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@xxxmanaco X : https://twitter.com/xxxskri?s=21 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mntr39/ TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@xxxskri33 Bilibili : https://space.bilibili.com/661005855?spm_id_from=333.337.0.0
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Slash’s Sixth Solo Album ‘Orgy of the Damned’ Debuts as the #1 Blues Album in the U.S. and U.K, and Top 10 in 7 Countries
SLASH the iconic, GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist and songwriter is celebrating the release of his highly anticipated sixth solo album titled Orgy of the Damned, available worldwide via Gibson Records HERE. Orgy of the Damned has officially debuted as the #1 Blues Album in the U.S and the U.K., as well as achieving Top 10 chart positions in 7 countries around the world including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Austria, France, Germany, and Switzerland. The new album also hit #2 on the U.S. Rock Albums Chart. SLASH stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! for three nights and performed songs off Orgy of the Damned with Cleto and Cletones and talked with host Jimmy Kimmel in addition to a multitude of show guests including Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Kevin Costner, Patton Oswalt, Tony Goldwyn, and Pamela Adlon. Last week in Hollywood, SLASH, and his blues bandmates Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis (vocals/keyboards) and Tash Neal (vocals/guitar) performed a rare and stunning 8-song acoustic-only live performance to a sold out crowd of fans at Amoeba in Hollywood. A vibrant homage to the blues, SLASH’s star-studded blues album and sixth solo album of his career overall, Orgy of the Damned is a collection of 12 dynamic songs that revitalize the blues with a stripped-down approach. In the spirit of collaboration, on Orgy of the Damned, SLASH handpicked the album’s diverse guest vocalists, which include Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Tash Neal, Chris Robinson, and Beth Hart. The acclaimed guitarist reteamed with producer Mike Clink and reunited with two of his bandmates from his Blues Ball outfit in the 90s, bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, and brought on drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal who round out his blues band in the studio and on the road. For Orgy of the Damned, everything was played live in the room, with an emphasis on improvisation which resulted in a collection of energized songs that are vital and raw. Highlights include “Oh Well” with outlaw country star Chris Stapleton’s gritty vocals on the beloved early Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac tune, listen HERE, and the Howlin’ Wolf-penned first single “Killing Floor” an electrifying collaboration with Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica, listen HERE. “Hoochie Coochie Man,”--written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Muddy Waters--showcases the album’s the in-the-moment nature and unrestrained energy with Z.Z. Top’s Billy F. Gibbons stepping in on guitar and vocals, Gary Clark Jr. joins in for a rowdy take on Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” and Beth Hart stuns on the twanging and soulful rendition of T. Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Some of the songs, like Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher,” Charlie Segar’s “Key to the Highway,” and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” had been performed by Slash’s Blues Ball, while others, like Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City,” were long-time favorites for SLASH. Launching this July 5 in Montana, SLASH has curated an all-star Blues lineup for the first-ever S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance to bring fans together to celebrate the spirit of the Blues, and to perform with other Blues artists he admires who share his love of the genre. SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival artists include Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. On all dates, SLASH will perform alongside his Blues band featuring bassist Johnny Griparic, keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, drummer Michael Jerome, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal. For all S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival dates, visit: SerpentFestival.com The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival is designed with maximum social impact in mind and SLASH has chosen five nonprofit organizations to directly benefit from touring proceeds to help lift marginalized communities and support mental health initiatives that share his restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. Through PLUS1.ORG, the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival will donate a portion of the proceeds from every VIP package, as well as every Ticket sold, directly to NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child. For details on all S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival VIP packages, visit serpentfestival.com/vip
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STU48 released a new music video "Ai no Omosa", a sister group of AKB48, King Record Japan
The music video for “Ai no Omosa,” (Weight of Love), the lead song from STU48's first album “Natsukashii Ashita” (Nostalgic Tomorrow) premiered on the official STU48 YouTube channel on June 2. STU48 is one of the sister groups of AKB48 produced by Yasushi Akimoto. The long-awaited first album “Natsukashii Ashita” to be released on June 12, is “culmination” and “new departure” of STU48, which has been in its eighth year of formation. In addition to the 10 single songs released over the past seven years, the album also includes a new song for each type of editions. The album's lead track, “Ai no Omosa,” is a song about the difficulty of caring for someone and the strength that comes from love. The music video starts with a scene of Mai Nakamura running as fast as she can through the schoolyard and gradually captures the individual members’ energetic performance. The final scene gives us a sense of anticipation for the new future that the new STU48 will create as they move forward into their eighth year. Multiple subtitles are available on this music video so let’s turn on subtitles and lyrics are displayed! The song “Ai no Omosa” is now available for download and streaming on various DSPs. https://lnk.to/STU48_aino_omosa New Album “Natsukashii Ashita” to be released on June 12
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Gibson Garage Fest Week Three-Year Anniversary Celebration with Live Music and Events Set for Tues. June 4 – Sun. June 9
As it celebrates 130 years of music history, Gibson, the iconic and leading global instrument brand, has shaped sound across generations and genres of music for over a century, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved music brands around the world. Next week, Gibson will launch Gibson Garage Fest Week from Tuesday, June 4 – Sunday, June 9 at the Gibson Garage Nashville (209 10th Ave. South #209) in downtown Nashville, TN. Falling on the three-year anniversary of the opening of the Gibson Garage—the ultimate guitar experience and Nashville’s must-see destination for music lovers--Gibson Garage Fest Week will kick off with live performances and special events with music superstars and emerging acts during CMA Week. Gibson Garage Fest Week will feature intimate, live music performances, and events, daily for music fans inside the Gibson Garage Nashville. Music fans can attend live shows and events, participate in guitar-playing lessons with renowned experts, enter to win guitars and gear, and interact with the iconic brand Gibson--as well as its philanthropic division Gibson Gives. GIBSON GARAGE FEST WEEK 2024: [TUESDAY, JUNE 4] 7:00 PM Jason Isbell live performance and autograph signing private event* to celebrate the release of the new Gibson Jason Isbell “Red Eye” 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition. Former Gibson Generation Group artist Grace Bowers performs to open the show. [WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5] 3:00 PM Marty Schwartz “Back to Basics” instore guitar learning class. 4:30 PM Maggie Rose will join Marty Schwartz for a live music performance. [THURSDAY, JUNE 6] 3:00 PM Jimmy Wysocki Les Paul Experience performance and music history talk. [FRIDAY, JUNE 7] 11:00 AM Gibson Generation Group artists: Gabe Crumby, Rocco Gorelik, Lauren Hunter, Luna Cordoba, Saxon Weiss perform with the Gibson Garage Band and Jenna Weidner. 1:00 PM Priscilla Block music performance. 2:00 PM Payton Smith music performance. 3:00 PM Morgan Wade music performance. 4:00 PM Tigirlily Gold music performance. 5:00 PM Abraham Alexander performance, Gibson Marquee Artist 2024. [SATURDAY, JUNE 8] 1:00 PM Gibson Gives Foundation and Free Guitars4Kids Ceremony (parking lot) Gibson Gives and Gibson artists will be onsite gifting 100 guitars to Free Guitars 4 Kids youth members, Gibson Ambassador Jared James Nichols will be onsite to help distribute guitars to youth in underserved communities throughout Nashville, teach them some basic guitar chords, and support music education. 11:00-6:00 PM Les Paul “Through The Lens” Photo Gallery, all day. -An exclusive traveling gallery of photos highlighting the life and career of Les Paul, the inventor, musician, and icon. [SUNDAY, JUNE 9] 11:00-4:00 PM Les Paul “Through The Lens” Photo Gallery, all day. -An exclusive traveling gallery of photos highlighting the life and career of Les Paul, the inventor, musician, and icon. 6:30 PM Gibson Gives in partnership with the Les Paul Foundation will Honor the Legendary artist Peter Frampton with the Les Paul Spirit Award, private event, invite only.* Three years after opening its doors on June 9, 2021, the Gibson Garage Nashville Gibson’s global flagship store is the ultimate guitar and music experience in the heart of Music City USA, Nashville, Tennessee. People from around the world visit the Gibson Garage Nashville to explore Gibson’s 130-year music history, experience live music performances with their favorite artists, plug-in and play more than 400 electric and acoustic guitars, and much more. Due to the wild success of the Gibson Garage Nashville, Gibson opened a second Garage location, the Gibson Garage London on February 24, 2024, marking the first-ever Gibson store outside of the U.S. Offering a deeper look inside the history of Gibson, the Gibson Garage Nashville—the global flagship store located in downtown Nashville is the ultimate guitar experience--where music lovers can experience live performances, design a dream guitar, catch a taping of the award-winning Gibson TV series, and explore both Gibson’s 130-year music history, and its future with captivating, interactive storytelling and memorabilia inside the historic space. Inside the Gibson Garage, fans can plug-in-and-play all things Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, Maestro, and KRK, try out the full line of electric and acoustic guitars, and shop for their favorite guitars, gear, accessories and gifts, as well as exclusive apparel collaborations with national and local Nashville designers. Whether a seasoned professional musician, a casual guitar player, a beginner, or simply a music fan, the Gibson Garage Nashville is open to all, and a must-see destination in Nashville. The Gibson Garage Nashville is the ultimate guitar experience and destination for music lovers across the globe and is located at 209 10th Avenue South Nashville, TN (Cummins Station-street level) and is free and open to the public daily Monday–Saturday from 11:00-6:00pm, and from 12:00-6:00pm on Sunday. For the latest news and updates on the Gibson Garage, follow @officialgibsongarage on Instagram, or visit the official website at https://www.gibson.com/en-US/garage.
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Singer MASHIHO (former TREASURE) Announces Three Consecutive Monthly Releases
MASHIHO, who recently announced his solo debut as an artist, will release digital singles for three consecutive months starting in June. The first track, "Just the 2 of us," will be available for streaming on June 26, with the album cover unveiled. Co-written by MASHIHO, the upbeat and refreshing tune is perfect for summer. The lyrics focus on his gratitude towards his fans who have supported his musical journey. The second track is scheduled for release on Wednesday, July 17, and the third on Wednesday, August 28. <MASHIHO’s Comments> I hope everybody who listens to this song finds a personal connection to the lyrics, and that it becomes a small source of motivation in your daily life. Please look forward to the three consecutive months of releases! <MASHIHO Profile> Born on March 25, 2001, in Japan. He is a trilingual (Japanese, Korean, English) solo artist gaining global attention. He captivates listeners with his sweet voice and outstanding dance skills. After debuting with a major entertainment company in Korea and later leaving the agency, he took a one year hiatus. He announced his return to the public stage as a solo artist on March 25th of this year. Now he is set to release his first solo song, "Just the 2 of us." MASHIHO Official Website : https://official-mashiho.com MASHIHO Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialmashiho MASHIHO Official X: https://x.com/mashiho_ib MASHIHO Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@official_mashiho MASHIHO Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@officialmashiho ● Release Information Digital Single "Just the 2 of us" Available for streaming from June 26.
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L.A. Alert: SLASH Live at Amoeba in Hollywood Tomorrow, Wed., May 29 at 5:00pm
SLASH the iconic, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist and songwriter will visit Amoeba in Hollywood to play a special acoustic set celebrating his star-studded new album Orgy of the Damned, out worldwide now on Gibson Records. Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00pm SLASH and his Blues band members Tash Neal (vocalist/guitarist) and Teddy "Zigzag" Andreadis (keys) will perform live at Amoeba in Hollywood (6200 Hollywood Blvd. L.A, CA 90028). Fan entry is now sold out, details HERE. https://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/upcoming/detail-2859 SLASH and his Blues band will return to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for a full show on Saturday, July 13 with Warren Haynes Band, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales. For tickets, visit: KLOS Presents SLASH-S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival. SLASH the iconic, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist and songwriter has released his highly anticipated sixth solo album titled Orgy of the Damned now available worldwide digitally, and on vinyl and CD via Gibson Records HERE. https://gibsonrecords.lnk.to/ootd A vibrant homage to the blues, SLASH’s star-studded blues album and sixth solo album of his career overall, Orgy of the Damned is a collection of 12 dynamic songs that revitalize the blues with a stripped-down approach. Celebrating both well-known and largely undiscovered songs, SLASH offers a nostalgic nod to the past while reinvigorating the songs with his inimitable guitar playing and the spirit of collaboration. On Orgy of the Damned, the acclaimed guitarist reteamed with storied producer Mike Clink and enlisted the album’s diverse guest vocalists, which include Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Tash Neal, Chris Robinson, and Beth Hart. Rounding out his blues band in the studio and on the road, SLASH reunited with two of his bandmates from his Blues Ball outfit in the 90s, bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, and brought on drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal. On Orgy of the Damned, everything was played live in the room, with an emphasis on improvisation which resulted in a collection of energized songs that are vital and raw. Highlights include “Oh Well” with outlaw country star Chris Stapleton’s gritty vocals on the beloved early Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac tune, listen HERE. and the Howlin’ Wolf-penned first single “Killing Floor” an electrifying collaboration with Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica, listen HERE. “Hoochie Coochie Man,”--written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Muddy Waters--showcases the album’s the in-the-moment nature and unrestrained energy with Z.Z. Top’s Billy F. Gibbons stepping in on guitar and vocals, Gary Clark Jr. joins in for a rowdy take on Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” and Beth Hart stuns on the twanging and soulful rendition of T. Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Some of the songs, like Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher,” Charlie Segar’s “Key to the Highway,” and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” had been performed by Slash’s Blues Ball, while others, like Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City,” were long-time favorites for SLASH. Launching this summer, SLASH has curated an all-star Blues lineup for the first-ever S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Blues Festival which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance to bring fans together to celebrate the spirit of the Blues, and to perform with other Blues artists he admires who share his love of the genre. SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival artists include Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe. On all dates, SLASH will perform alongside his Blues band featuring bassist Johnny Griparic, keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, drummer Michael Jerome, and singer/guitarist Tash Neal. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival is designed with maximum social impact in mind and SLASH has chosen five nonprofit organizations to directly benefit from touring proceeds to help lift marginalized communities and support mental health initiatives that share his restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. Through PLUS1.ORG, the S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival will donate a portion of the proceeds from every VIP package, as well as every Ticket sold, directly to NAMI the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, and War Child. For details on all S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival VIP packages, visit serpentfestival.com/vip For all SLASH S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival dates, visit: TOUR — Serpent Festival.
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Ikimonogakari’s new single ‘Unmeichan’ releases today
Ikimonogakari’s 35th single ‘Unmeichan’ was released today. This new track was used as the theme song for the anime series ‘Mission: Yozakura Family’. This up-tempo track evokes the worldview of the series while bursting with intense color and personality. A preview video of their ‘Amazon Music Live: Ikimonogakari’ performance from October last year which includes the single will also be made available on Youtube. A performance of ‘Koisuruotome’ exclusive to this event is included in its entirety in the release, making this disc a must-buy for fans. And that’s not all, there are also four tracks recorded for the Youtube channel ‘THE FIRST TAKE’ included. Performed in December last year, audio from ‘Blue Bird’, a massively popular track both inside and outside Japan, and ‘TOKIMEKI’, the opening theme of the TV anime ‘Kibou no Chikara Otona Precure ‘23’ are included in the package, along with ‘Kimagure Romantic’ and ‘Kyoukara Kokokara’ from a previous performance on the same channel, for a total of four tracks. Moreover, an additional tour performance to take place this weekend ‘Ikimonogakari’s Hello Everyone Tour!! 2024 –You, Me, Everyone, Let’s Sing! - Yokohama Good Job Performance’ will now be streamed online. Centered around tracks like ‘Blue Bird’ and ‘SAKURA’, there are many songsincluded which are popular with overseas fans, making this the long awaited first headline performance by Ikimonogakari that will be streamed overseas. For details on live streaming abroad, check out the special site below : https://w.pia.jp/a/ikimonogakari24engpls/ ‘Ikimonogakari’s Hello Everyone Tour!! 2024 – You, Me, Everyone, Let’s Sing! - Yokohama Good Job Performance’ Date of the Performance: Sunday, May 26 Doors: 16:30 On stage: 17:00 ※No recording Ticket price ¥5,000
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Epiphone Announces the Miranda Lambert Bluebird Studio
For over 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design. By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Epiphone has set the stage for the next era of sound for present and future generations. Epiphone is proud to unveil its global partnership with the multiple GRAMMY and ACM Award-winning country music star Miranda Lambert. A variation on the iconic Hummingbird™ acoustic guitar, the Miranda Lambert Bluebird Studio includes upgraded features in a stunning Bluebonnet color celebrating the official flower of Miranda’s home state of Texas. The new Epiphone Miranda Lambert Bluebird Studio follows the successful release of the Gibson Miranda Lambert Bluebird acoustic last year, which is the best-selling Gibson signature acoustic guitar over the past 12 months. The new Epiphone Miranda Lambert Bluebird Studio is now available at Authorized Epiphone dealers and worldwide on www.epiphone.com Miranda Lambert has solidified her legacy as one of the most pivotal artists in modern-day country music. A constant champion of female artists--including through numerous collaborations and her work as a member of the Pistol Annies--Miranda Lambert has made it a priority to use her well-earned influence to encourage more girls and women to pick up guitars themselves. A decorated songwriter, Academy of Country Music “Entertainer of the Year,” passionate animal advocate, restaurateur, businesswoman, and New York Times best-selling author, Miranda Lambert is among the brightest stars in modern country music. Named as one of the most influential people in the world by TIME, Lambert has won multiple GRAMMY® Awards and has been honored with more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history. “My hope is that the release of the Epiphone Bluebird Studio with a more approachable price point will make it possible for young girls and women in general to get their hands on one," says Miranda Lambert. "If it makes it more accessible and achievable for girls to chase their dreams, then it’s a win in my book.” Explore the Miranda Lambert Bluebird Studio from Epiphone: HERE https://www.epiphone.com/en-US
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KanoeRana new music video for anime Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night/King Record, Japan
KanoeRana, a Japanese singer song writer gaining attention from GenZ with more than three hundred thousand followers on TikTok, released “Irodori” music video. The song is an opening theme for anime “Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai” (Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night) The music video reminds us of several scenes from the anime and KanoeRana’s previous music videos. So let’s watch it thinking about which part is a homage from the anime or her other music videos. Irodori DL and Streaming https://kanoerana-music.lnk.to/irodori KanoeRana [YouTube] https://www.youtube.com/c/kanoerana [Twitter] https://twitter.com/kanoerana7 [Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/kanoerana/ [TikTok] https://www.tiktok.com/@kanoerana
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Ayoni (Barbados) and The Picturebooks (Germany) Announced As New Gibson Spotlight Artist Musicians
Gibson, the iconic, leading American instrument brand has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved brands around the world. As part of Gibson’s commitment to artist-first culture, and music discovery, Gibson has launched the brand’s first-ever Artist Spotlight program which features an evolving and diverse roster of musicians and provides emerging artists from diverse genres around the world with global exposure and services committed to their career growth worldwide. Today, Gibson is thrilled to introduce two new talented additions to the Gibson Artist Spotlight roster, Ayoni and The Picturebooks. In line with Gibson’s ongoing commitment to elevating new music from emerging musicians around the world throughout the year, the Gibson Artist Spotlight Program will showcase an evolving roster of musicians who will be celebrated across Gibson’s global and international channels. Fans can learn more about Gibson Artist Spotlight musicians and listen to their music every month HERE. https://gazette.gibson.com/artist-spotlight Ayoni is a multifaceted singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist from Barbados, making waves across the music industry. With her soaring, soulful pop/R&B vocals, Ayoni has garnered millions of streams and has received widespread acclaim from prominent publications such as Ones To Watch, The Fader, Essence, V Magazine, and more. Having lived in Singapore, Indonesia, and the United States, she developed a global worldview, absorbing a variety of experiences while nurturing her ever-evolving passion for creating and performing music. Listen/Watch to Ayoni’s single and video for the song “Vision” HERE. Ayoni made her big screen debut at the Tribeca Film Festival last summer, starring in the documentary Uncharted, produced by Alicia Keys and She Is The Music. The film follows Ayoni’s journey and those of other BIPOC women creators in the music industry. She would go on to release a song titled “Purpose,” which she wrote during the making of the film. Ayoni has collaborated with other creatives such as Ricky Reed, Snakehips, Full Crate, Michael Calfan, and Kabwasa. She is a featured artist on two songs on Noname’s critically acclaimed album Sundial, and in October of 2023, she performed the song “boomboom” with Noname on NPR’s Tiny Desk, HERE. Ayoni was chosen as an artist in residence for the Sofar Sounds London Residency, late last year. This spring, she was selected for the 2024 Gibson Artist Spotlight program and released a music production and vocal pack with Splice. As she prepares to step into her next creative chapter, Ayoni will release her next single, “Bitter In Love,” and her debut album is slated for the summer of 2024. Read more about Ayoni on the Gibson Artist Spotlight program HERE. https://gazette.gibson.com/artists/ayoni-joins-gibson-artist-spotlight-program The Picturebooks, a distinctive rock duo from Gütersloh, Germany, consists of the gritty vocals and fierce guitar work of Fynn Claus Grabke and the dynamic drumming of Philipp Mirtschink. Their raw, minimalist style, marked by a blues-infused garage rock sound, sets them apart in the rock music scene. Formed in 2009, The Picturebooks quickly gained recognition for their visceral performances and unique approach to music production, often utilizing custom-built instruments and unconventional recording techniques. Their discography includes several albums that showcase their evolution in sound, with “Home is a Heartache” and “The Hands of Time” as notable examples. Listen/watch The Picturebooks single and video “Masquerade” HERE. Known for their DIY ethic, The Picturebooks have toured extensively worldwide with over 400 shows in the last five years, captivating audiences worldwide with their powerful live shows and establishing a loyal fan base. The Picturebooks have four albums under their belts already and will release their fifth album, Albuquerque, in July 2024. Read more about The Picturebooks and the Gibson Spotlight Program HERE. https://gazette.gibson.com/artists/the-picturebooks-join-the-gibson-artist-spotlight-program Gibson’s Spotlight Artist program features artists from North and South America and Europe, China, and Japan. Throughout the year, Gibson Artist Spotlight program musicians will be introduced across Gibson social media, as well as other channels, and their music will be highlighted through various collaborative moments in locations across the globe. The Gibson’s Artist Spotlight program follows other artist-first programs and initiatives that the brand has introduced over the past five years, including the Marquee Artist program which currently features singer/songwriter Abraham Alexander. The Marquee Artist Program invests in furthering the careers of artists on the rise who reflect the brand’s mission to celebrate and amplify music across genders, genres, and generations. Marquee artists have access to Gibson’s global resources and work with the brand to create collaboratively inspired cultural campaigns, participate in product development, and launches, support Gibson Gives nonprofit initiatives, and join in special events across Gibson's products and channels, reaching millions of fans worldwide. In addition, the Gibson Generation Group (Gibson G3) program supports youth artists worldwide through its two-year career mentoring program, while the Gibson Gives Scholarship program provides financial support to students with music career aspirations, and Gibson Records, a record label that works with artists to produce, record, and promote guitar-driven music across the globe.
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SLASH Live at Amoeba Hollywood Wed., May 29 at 5:00pm
SLASH the iconic, GRAMMY®-winning guitarist and songwriter will visit Amoeba Hollywood to play a special acoustic set celebrating his star-studded new album Orgy of the Damned, out May 17 on Gibson Records. On Wednesday, May 29 at 5:00pm SLASH and his Blues band vocalist/guitarist Tash Neal will perform live at Amoeba Hollywood. Capacity is limited, tickets are required for entry to the event, details HERE. https://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/upcoming/detail-2859/ To guarantee admission to the live performance AND get a hand-signed by SLASH commemorative show poster “Slash – Live at Amoeba Hollywood” – pre-purchase your copy of Orgy of the Damned on CD or double-LP starting May 17th, in-store only at Amoeba Hollywood. - Limit of 1 (album + admission ticket + poster bundles) per person. - Event is all ages. - In-store purchase only for this special event. No online or phone orders. - Pre-purchased albums will be given to fans on day-or event (to adhere to Billboard chart reporting rules). - No in-store signing or meet and greet will be happening-this is a LIVE PERFORMANCE ONLY event with SLASH and his Blues band vocalist/guitarist Tash Neal. See SLASH and his Blues band live in Los Angeles: KLOS Presents SLASH-S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, on Saturday, July 13 at the Greek Theatre, with Warren Haynes Band, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales. A vibrant homage to the blues, SLASH’s star-studded blues album Orgy of the Damned is the sixth solo album of his legendary career. A collection of 12 dynamic songs that revitalize blues classics with a stripped-down approach, on Orgy of the Damned SLASH and his Blues band celebrate both well-known and largely undiscovered tracks while reinvigorating the songs with his inimitable guitar playing and the spirit of collaboration. SLASH’s new album Orgy of the Damned will be released worldwide on May 17, 2024 via Gibson Records. For Orgy of the Damned, the acclaimed guitarist reteamed with storied producer Mike Clink and enlisted the album’s diverse guest vocalists, which include Gary Clark Jr, Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Stapleton, Dorothy, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Tash Neal, Chris Robinson, and Beth Hart. Rounding out his blues band in the studio and on the road, SLASH reunited with two of his bandmates from his Blues Ball outfit in the 90s, bassist Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis, and brought on drummer Michael Jerome and singer/guitarist Tash Neal. Stream SLASH’s “Oh Well” featuring Chris Stapleton on vocals HERE, and watch/share the visualizer for the new song HERE. Listen to the first single off Orgy of the Damned, “Killing Floor” with Brian Johnson of AC/DC on vocals, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith on harmonica which Rolling Stone hailed “a freewheeling bluesy solo,” Orgy of the Damned encompasses a broad range of styles within the blues genre, veering from an upbeat, rowdy take on Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” to a plaintive, twanging rendition of T. Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Some of the songs, like Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher,” Charlie Segar’s “Key to the Highway,” and Albert King’s “Born Under a Bad Sign,” had been performed by Slash’s Blues Ball, while others, like Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City,” were long-time favorites for SLASH. “Hoochie Coochie Man,” written by Willie Dixon and made famous by Muddy Waters in 1954, showcases the in-the-moment nature and unrestrained energy of Orgy of the Damned, with Z.Z. Top’s Billy F. Gibbons stepping in on guitar and vocals. The group went into a rehearsal room in North Hollywood and began hashing out soulful, rollicking takes on the classic songs. Everything was played live in the room, with an emphasis on improvisation which resulted in a collection of dynamic, energized songs that are immediate, raw, and distinctly familiar. In celebration of the forthcoming new record, SLASH has curated an all-star Blues lineup to join him on the newly announced S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival touring North America this summer. SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival includes Warren Haynes Band, Keb’ ‘Mo, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, ZZ Ward, Jackie Venson, and Larkin Poe; the tour will kick off on July 5, for tickets and VIP packages, visit: www.SerpentFestival.com. SLASH’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival, which stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance, will bring fans together to celebrate the spirit of the Blues and raise awareness and funds for multiple charities that uplift marginalized communities, support mental health initiatives, and share SLASH’s restorative focus of elevating lives for the benefit of all. A portion of the proceeds from every VIP package and S.E.R.P.E.N.T. festival ticket sold will directly benefit the following charities that SLASH has selected The Equal Justice Initiative, Know Your Rights Camp, The Greenlining Institute, War Child, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival has partnered with PLUS1.ORG to support these charitable endeavors. Catch SLASH and his Blues band live in Los Angeles: KLOS Presents SLASH-S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, on Saturday, July 13 at the Greek Theatre, with Warren Haynes Band, Samantha Fish and Eric Gales. For all SLASH S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival dates, visit: www.serpentfestival.com
