Joe Sutkowski aka Dirt Buyer announces his forthcoming album Dirt Buyer II out October 20 via Bayonet Records. Along with the album announce, he shares his second single ‘Fentanyl’ paired with a music video shot at Baby’s All Right. 

What it means to be alive also means coming to terms with mortality itself, and Sutkowski wrote album centerpiece ‘Fentanyl’ about an experience walking to his day job one day and being confronted by a fatal overdose he had to call an ambulance for, before reporting to work and having to carry on with his day. Watch the video for ‘Fentanyl’ HERE.

Throughout the album Sutkowski attempts to wrap his head around the idea of fate and how you can brush up against other people and then leave them behind. The songs themselves play with this concept of light and dark intertwined.  Oscillating between urgency and cathartic release and more stripped-back elegies, Sutkowski faces the reality that while the people he’d rather forget can still live on through music, he is able to move on at the same time. 

Dirt Buyer’s new album is a documentation of making it to the other side. Sutkowski grew up in New Jersey, and although he lives in Brooklyn now, he remains “an emo kid at heart,” garnering inspiration from bands like My Chemical Romance and Muse, the latter of whose theatrical, dramatic performances inspired the band’s own vocal-forward, soaring takes. Initially working together as a duo while Sutkowski and Ruben Radlauer (Model/Actriz) were at school in Berklee, the band’s self-titled 2019 debut album was recorded on an IPhone in their practice room on just drums and guitar, and the quietly striking, nuanced stylings earned them accolades far beyond the “fake record label” the two made up to originally release their music.

The band’s new album, Dirt Buyer II, was recorded in February 2020, and represents a foray into heavier material that marks a deeper shift for the band. Now working as a trio, Sutkowski is flanked by Tristan Allen on bass and Mike Costa on drums, a fellow Berklee grad who cut his teeth playing in bands across Boston including past collaborations with Sutkowski. Half-recorded while the band was on tour with Surf Curse, the record finds Sutkowski reaching out for places, people and beliefs to ground him.

Sutkowksi grapples with loss throughout the record, often mourning relationships that have yet to come to pass (‘Sand’) and questioning the fragility of time. “How the leaves have changed,” he intones, repeating the phrase throughout the album. Three years on, Dirt Buyer II is an artifact of a time that is still preserved through the head rush of peak memory; the magnitude of high highs and low lows that are both addictive and transformative. “If heavy’s what you wanted / heavy’s what you’re gettin’ / heavy’s what you needed, believe me now / if change is what you wanted / change is what you’re gettin,” he sings on ‘Heavy,’ ironically one of the catchiest tracks on Dirt Buyer II.  But with that comes the opportunity to see life for what it’s worth: “I’m fortunate to have a thing that’s an outlet but also an escape.”  

Half-recorded in his mother and uncle’s upstate house where he turned the living room into a studio, he contemplates the beauty and disaster around him—all refracted through visceral visual imagery of how the physical earth meets the unknown to converge in something greater than ourselves. “This is all a living chronicle of all I want to do, which is feel good and be happy,” he admits. “I’m a completely different person now – a better version of myself.”  Processing the past, Sutkowksi has emerged with newfound belief, fully intact and with a new path forward to the future. 

TRACKLIST: 

1. Dirt Buyer II Theme 
2. Heavy 
3. Sand 
4. Gathering Logs 
5. Fentanyl 
6. Tears My Heart In Two 
7. Shame 
8. Heartache 
9. Wicked Branches 
10. Heaven 
11. Sounds Heard Through the Glass 
12. On & On

DIRT BUYER ONLINE: 

IG | TWITTER | BANDCAMP | BAYONET WEBSITE

“A classic Hives album filled with boasts, powder-keg energy and punk angst” – NY Times

“Bouncy, shouty, instantly recognisable garage-rock stompers” – The Guardian

‘Playful, juvenile and nails the brief.’ – 4* NME 

“Sounding as undiluted as ever. Their new album is filled with straight-to-the-vein rock and roll riffs and Pelle’s distinctively angular vocal shouts that even verge into rap territory thanks to his machine-gun delivery style” – CLASH

“The album unfurls via a series of taut yet infectious riffs, pummelling drums and impassioned high-octane vocals” – 7/10 Uncut

‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons is a breathless exercise in how rock music should be played. It’s fun, frenetic, and full to the brim with that trademark Hives humour. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another 11 years for the next album by one of this generation’s greatest rock bands.’  – 5* The Skinny

‘The Hives’ subtle reinvention thrills and thrives on The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons.’ – 7/10 The Line Of Best Fit

‘’The Hives have bashed out another forceful and glorious noise for public consumption.’ – 4* The Arts Desk

The HIves celebrate their new album with a rousing send off of Randy Fitzsimmons at London’s Rough Trade East. Out today, their brilliant new album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons has been picking up acclaim across the board. 

To honour the memory of their mysteriously missing sixth member, The Hives held a very special celebration of his life at Rough Trade East today and will return to Banquet Records on August 12th for a final send off. Complete with a custom-branded Hives hearse and coffin, the band paid their respects in true Hive Fashion. 

The LP is a supercharged, head-banging collection of tracks produced by Patrik Berger (Robyn, Charli XCX) and engineered by Pelle Gunnerfedlt (Viagra Boys), making it their most electric release yet. The album release is accompanied by anthemic, rollicking single “Two Kinds of Trouble,” alongside a double-drummer video of Chris Dangerous performing “Rigor Mortis Radio” with Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders. Watch it HERE. 

The Hives recently closed out an extended support slot for Arctic Monkeys on their European arena tour. In the autumn, they will return to North America with their “incredible, frenetic” (Rolling Stone) live show for a cross-country tour that completely SOLD OUT in less than 30 minutes. They have newly announced a Latin American kicking off in November. The Hives will be the first Western band to play in Venezuela in a decade. 

​​In the twenty-five years since The Hives exploded around the world, they have sold out stadiums and shared stages with everyone from AC/DC to The Rolling Stones. SPIN calls The Hives “the best live band on the planet” and Howlin’ Pelle “the greatest frontman in rock,” and the BBC dubbed the band “a force of nature.” Rolling Stone named Veni Vidi Vicious one of the Top 100 Albums of the decade and “Hate To Say I Told You So” earned a spot on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000’s. They have sold millions of albums world-wide with multiple RIAA Gold-certifications. In the time since Lex Hives, the band has released 2019’s double A-side “I’m Alive”/“Good Samaritan” as well as a live album via Third Man Records, and embarked on a series of global tours. The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons marks a true renaissance.

Kicking off at Leeds Academy on March 27th, The Hives take their famously frenzied show to 12 cities across the UK and Ireland, culminating with a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on April 13th. Tickets are on-sale HERE. 

March 2024

Wed 27th Leeds, Leeds Academy

Thu 28th Newcastle, City Hall

Fri 29th Nottingham, Rock City

Sat 30th Wolverhampton, The Halls

April 2024

Mon 1st Glasgow, Barrowland

Tue 2nd Bristol, Academy

Wed 3rd Brighton, Brighton Dome

Fri 5th Cardiff, Great Hall

Sat 6th Manchester, Academy

Mon 8th Dublin, Olympia

Wed 10th Norwich, UEA

Sat 13th London, Eventim Apollo

The Hives are Chris Dangerous, Vigilante Carlstroem, Nicholaus Arson, Howlin’ Pelle, and The Johan And Only.

The Hives on the web:

Website // YouTube // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter 

Spotify // Apple // Tidal

Metric have released their new single, ‘Nothing Is Perfect’ along with a music video directed by Justin Broadbent. The song is an acoustic outlier that puts lead-singer Emily Haines’ vocals and lyrics at the forefront. Listen to “Nothing Is Perfect” HERE.

Last month, exactly one year after the release of Metric’s 2022 album Formentera, the band surprised fans with an unannounced and unexpected part two companion album – Formentera II, set for release on October 13 via Metric Music International/Thirty Tigers. Both “Nothing Is Perfect” and the previously released “Just The Once” are featured on the new album.

“‘Nothing Is Perfect’ stands out on Formentera II as the lone track that is carried by only acoustic guitar and vocals. We explored many renditions of this song during the recording process, but in the end found that everything we tried adding seemed to detract from the essence of it,” Emily Haines said of the track. “Lyrically, ‘Nothing Is Perfect’ takes the common expression away from its usual meaning, giving substance to “nothing” as a concrete thing that can be actively pursued and obtained: Nothing is perfect/ I’ve earned it/ All absence achieved/ No fences, no exits, no lies. For the official music video, we worked with Justin Broadbent to create an atmospheric and surreal visual accompaniment to enhance the otherworldly mood of the song, with stylistic nods to Terrence Malick and David Lynch. The song ends with a meditative and anthemic repetition of the word “nothing”, like I’m celebrating it and singing its praises. I love nothing!”

Formentera II was recorded primarily at the band’s own Main Street Studios in a rural hamlet outside Toronto from 2020-2022 and was completed at Motorbass Studios in Paris in 2023. From Main Street to Motorbass, this is Metric at its best.

As was the case with Formentera, the songs of Formentera II were brought to life with Metric’s tried and true co-engineering & co-production trinity of Jimmy Shaw, Liam O’Neil, and Gus van Go, this time with the trio guiding the unpredictable process to completion from Main Street to Motorbass in Paris, the studio where some of the band’s favorite artists and sources of inspiration such as Air, Daft Punk and Sébastien Tellier have worked, in the very neighborhood Metric first visited with Olivier Assayas in 2004 when working with the director on his Cannes Palme D’Or award-winning film Clean. The final touches that happened on Formentera II in Paris at the end of the European leg of Metric’s global Doomscroller Tour infused the album with fresh energy and made for a celebratory finish to the labyrinthine process of making these two ambitious albums during the pandemic.

Taken together, Formentera I & II embody an 18 song statement piece written and performed by a dedicated band of artists at the height of their sonic and songwriting powers. Solidifying their identity as genre-defying risk takers, as they did 20 years ago with their debut album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?, Metric’s ninth studio album Formentera II continues to build upon the body of work that drives the group’s urgent purpose, with Haines acting as a lighting rod at the helm, expressing and interpreting the turbulence of life in this world, giving our complex emotions a voice.

Formentera II will be released physically on CD and on limited edition marble blue vinyl as well as sea glass blue vinyl. Metric are also releasing a complete double vinyl set of both Formentera I & II on opaque white vinyl. It’s all available for pre-order now in the Metric store. Digital pre-orders are available HERE. Indie retailers will carry a limited edition clear pink version of the Formentera II  LP.

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Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and now author,  Lucinda Williams has released a new video for ‘Rock n Roll Heart’, the title track from her critically acclaimed new album Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart (Highway 20 Records/Thirty Tigers). 

The new clip marks the first time in over three decades that Williams has starred in one of her videos, the last being 1988’s ‘Passionate Kisses’ from her highly revered album, Lucinda Williams (aka The Rough Trade album). The video was directed by Neilson Hubbard and Joshua Britt. View ‘Rock n Roll Heart’ HERE.

Released on June 30th, Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart is Williams’ first album since suffering a stroke 2020. The album received high praise from the media, including feature segment on CBS Sunday Morning. Williams was the subject of major features that included Rolling Stone, Billboard, Relix, The FADER, SPIN and many more.

Last week, Williams was named one of Forbes “50 over 50”, the third annual celebration of women making their greatest impact at 50 and beyond. The list is produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski, of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, and her Know Your Value initiative.  Williams is featured in the “Lifestyle” category that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Patti LaBelle, Annie Leibovitz, Katie Couric, Judy Blume and many other prestigious authors, designers, CEO’s, filmmakers, innovators and influencers. See the list HERE.

In April, Williams released her long-awaited memoir Don’t Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You (Crown, a division of Penguin Random House LLC). The memoir debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestsellers and she was featured on the cover of the New York Times Sunday Styles. Williams was also featured at Vanity Fair, NPR All Things Considered, The Associated Press, Esquire and more,  including a sit down appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in April.

Lucinda heads out on a run of very special UK and EU dates in 2024, including stops in London, Birmingham and Holmfirth. The run of dates will see a setlist of classics, as well as songs from her triumphant new record Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart. Full tour details below. Tickets are on-sale now HERE.

February 2024

Tue 27th Ireland, Dublin, 3Olympia Theater

Thu 29th UK, London, Indigo at The O2

March 2024

Fri 1st UK, Birmingham, Birmingham Town Hall

Sat 2nd UK, Holmfirth, Picturedrome

Mon 4th Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso

Tue 5th Germany, Hamburg, Markthalle

Wed 6th Germany, Berlin, Huxleys

Fri 8th Germany, Cologne, Carlswerk Victoria

Sat 9th France, Paris, La Cigale

Mon 11th Germany, Munich, WERK7 Theater

Tue 12th Austria, Vienna, Theater Akzent

Thu 14th Switzerland, Bern, Bierhübeli

Fri 15th Italy, Chiari, Palasport San Bernardino

https://www.lucindawilliams.com/ 

GRAMMY Award-winning musician Jason Isbell today announced the tenth anniversary reissue of his critically acclaimed album, Southeastern. Out September 29 via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers, the remastered reissue will include demos and live versions of the beloved songs. Pre-order the Southeastern 10th Anniversary Edition here.

Crowned as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone, Southeastern features 12 tracks infused with confessions, reflections, and promises that confront and make communion with those who have come before and remain with us still. The album, praised by critics and fans alike, is considered some of Isbell’s best work to date.

This special tenth anniversary reissue will feature a Deluxe 4LP Box Set which includes the never-before-heard original Southeastern demos and a brand-new live recording of the album from December 2022 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, TN, allowing fans to experience the magic of a Jason Isbell live show from the comfort of their homes. An Indie Exclusive LP will also be available and comes pressed on transparent clearwater blue vinyl. 

Track Listings:

Southeastern (Remastered) 

1. “Cover Me Up” 
2. “Stockholm”
3. “Traveling Alone”
4. “Elephant”
5. “Flying Over Water”
6. “Different Days”
7. “Live Oak”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower”
9. “New South Wales”
10. “Super 8”
11. “Yvette”
12. “Relatively Easy”

Southeastern Demos (Included With Deluxe Editions)

1. “Cover Me Up (Demo)”
2. “Stockholm (Demo)”
3. “Traveling Alone (Demo)”
4. “Elephant (Demo)”
5. “Flying Over Water (Demo)”
6. “Different Days (Demo)”
7. “Live Oak (Demo)”
8. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Demo)”
9. “New South Wales (Demo)”
10. “Yvette (Demo)”
11. “Relatively Easy (Demo)”

Southeastern Live (Included With Deluxe Editions)

1. “Intro (Live)”
2. “Cover Me Up (Live)” 
3. “Stockholm (Live)”
4. “Traveling Alone (Live)”
5. “Elephant (Live)”
6. “Flying Over Water (Live)”
7. “Different Days (Live)”
8. “Live Oak (Live)”
9. “Songs That She Sang in the Shower (Live)”
10. “New South Wales (Live)”
11. “Super 8 (Live)”
12. “Yvette (Live)”
13. “Relatively Easy (Live)”

Fresh off the heels of the release of their new album Weathervanes, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are currently on the road for headlining and festival dates throughout the summer with their Ryman Auditorium residency dates coming up in the autumn. For dates and tickets, visit https://www.jasonisbell.com/shows. 

For more information on Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

https://www.jasonisbell.com/ 

Eddie Kadi is the fifth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this autumn, once again bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation.

Eddie Kadi is a multi-award winning stand-up comedian and radio presenter.

Recognised as one of the most globally celebrated stand up personality, British-Congolese Eddie Kadi, continues to dominate the world of comedy, reaching across cultures and continents and performing to huge crowds all over the world. His signature brand of brilliant, bold, high energy entertainment has won him an ever-growing international fanbase and he was the first British black comedian to headline the O2 Arena in London.

Eddie’s worldwide reputation has seen him host both the official red carpet show for BET International and BET Africa in Los Angeles as well as being main stage host for the Afro Nation Festivals across the world. 

He has hosted the prestigious MOBO Awards and appeared on numerous TV formats including Blankety Blank, The National Comedy Awards, Tonight with Target, +44 Presents: The Noughties Podcast, Don’t Hate the Playaz, and Road to Afro Nation: Davido Live. He also fronts The Official Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra and is a Team Captain on ITV’s entertainment format Sorry I Didn’t Know. 

This year, Eddie has been nominated for both the prestigious Royal Television Society Best Breakthrough Award and Best Breakthrough Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Awards. He is also in production for his own documentary with Channel 4.

Eddie Kadi said: “WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.“

The news was revealed today (Sunday 6th August) on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, on BBC Radio1Xtra.

For interview requests, please contact Sophie Hoyles on Sophie.hoyles@bbc.co.uk  

The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world.  It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.

Following his recent return with new music, singer-songwriter James Arthur today serves up a superb offering in new song ‘Blindside’. Watch the Tim Mattia-directed video HERE.

‘Blindside’ is James at his very best, featuring a killer, top-down driving chorus and another belter of a vocal. Of the track, James comments; “Blindside is a song I’ve wanted to write for years, about falling in love with the right person at the wrong time. It’s an energetic song with a sad lyric and it really suited this new rawer style I was after.”

Tim Mattia, who directs the official video comments; “Blindside is such a raw and emotional track, and when James and I spoke about how it came

to be written, and the meaning behind the lyrics, I immediately knew we had to capture some epic performances from him, carrying on with the Americana feel of our previous video for ‘A Year Ago.’ We tied in a series of dramatic and emotional narrative scenes, showing the

sudden loss of love in relationships, and a scene in which James gets literally more and more bloodied and bruised as the song progresses – the physical embodiment of his emotional pain.”

James recently received the BRIT Billion award which celebrates surpassing one billion career UK streams. Presented to him live on BBC’s The One Show, the award puts him in elite company, alongside recipients including ABBA, Anne-Marie, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi, Mariah Carey, Rita Ora, Sam Smith & Whitney Houston.

The Middlesbrough-born, recent Brit Billion-certified artist has scored 4 top 10 albums, with 2016’s Back From The Edge hitting the Number 1 spot and over his career has collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmellow & many more.

James is one of the world’s biggest streaming artists, with over 37 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ became his breakthrough hit in the US. It was officially the UK’s most streamed song in 2016 and has gone on to be enjoyed via 4 billion streams while the song’s official video has achieved 1.5 billion views on YouTube. Earlier this year, the track became his first RIAA Diamond Single with 10 million certified units – making James one of just 100 recipients of an RIAA Diamond Single certification in the programme’s history.

Other huge hit singles include: ‘Impossible’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Naked’, ‘Empty Space’, ‘Rewrite The Stars’, ‘Falling Like the Stars’, ‘Train Wreck’ and ‘Lasting Lover’, which are all certified platinum records. The song Cars Outside is currently becoming another global hit for James. 

Back from the Edge was released on October 28, 2016 and entered the UK Albums Chart at #1. James’ last album, 2021’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End, was a lockdown project recorded at home that leant heavily on programmed beats. Playing it live he found himself tweaking the songs to give them an organic band feel.

James Arthur is currently in the studio working on a new record.

Electronic music powerhouse Swedish House Mafia, the trio of Steve Angello, Axwell, and Sebastian Ingrosso, have just shared their second new single of the post-Paradise Again era, a summer-y slice of digital euphoria appropriately titled ‘Ray of Solar.’ Already a fixture of recent performances (a clip of the group performing it at Ushuaia Ibiza has been making the rounds online), and bolstered by contributions by Tove Burman, ‘Ray of Solar’ joins the recently released single ‘See The Light (feat. Friday)’ as material that will ultimately serve as the foundation for an anticipated new album. Listen to “Ray of Solar” HERE

Swedish House Mafia share that they’re “Happy to be back with a song that takes us places! Once we recorded these vocals we really got transcended to space. We listened to it on repeat all night and imagined floating in space. This is the summer record for us and even though we’ve heard it a million times and still feel the power of it, it’s a really special one, the unique vocal with our style of writing melodies makes it special! Doing this together with Tove was incredible as we really felt we gave it a true Nordic sonic landscape. We love every second of it and can’t wait for the world to hear it!”

The single follows in the footsteps of last week’s release of Paradise Again: The Live Album, an expansive career-spanning 22-track documentation of the ambitious tour in support of Paradise Again intended to act as a capstone for that era. The live album is an apt demonstration of the massive success of that era, comprising sold out shows at iconic arenas and stadiums across the globe as well as over 2.5 billion streams for the album worldwide. Stream Paradise Again: The Live Album HERE.

SHM UPCOMING LIVE DATES

Aug 04 – Malmo, SE -Big Slap

Aug 27 – Daresbury Cheshire, UK -Creamfields North Festival 

Sept 16 – Las, Vegas, NV -XS Nightclub

Oct 27 – Bogota, Columbia -Coliseo Live 

Oct 28 – Mexico City, MX -Campo Marte Reforma

Nov 03 – Lima, Peru -Estadio San Marcos

Nov 04 – São Paulo, Brazil -Allianz Park Stadium

Dec 08 – Dec10 – Pretoria, SA -Hey Neighbor Festival @ Legends Adventure Farm

About Swedish House Mafia:

In 2008, a trio of individual artists, DJs, and producers united to unassumingly break every rule in electronic music. Ensconced in flames, Swedish House Mafia—Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Axwell—infused house music with swaggering hip-hop beat-craft, rock ‘n’ roll attitude, and big screen-worthy grandeur brought to life on stage with one legendary live show after another. Ushering dance music culture out of the warehouses and clubs and into arenas and stadiums on an unrivaled scale, it would be nearly impossible to imagine how the genre might’ve shaken out without them. They became the first electronic act to headline (and sell out) Madison Square Garden in 2011 and the first to grace the main stage at Coachella in 2012. They garnered two consecutive GRAMMY® nominations in the category of “Best Dance Recording” for the platinum “Save the World” in 2012 and quintuple-platinum Hot 100 Top 10 hit “Don’t You Worry Child” in 2013. Rolling Stone described their meteoric rise as “redefining rave culture,” and NME christened them “the rockstars of the dance music world.” The marathon record-breaking One Last Tour paved the way for a five-year break before they returned as surprise headliners of Ultra Music Festival’s 20th anniversary in 2018. Following the Save The World Reunion Tour a year later, this holy trinity of electronic music gods focused on the one thing they hadn’t done yet, making their 2022 full-length debut album Paradise Again [Republic Records]. Their return was announced with the cover of Billboard and garnered immediate press and a late-night television performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon followed with a trending hit “A Moth To A Flame” featuring The Weeknd. Upon arrival, it bowed in the Top 10 of seven global charts, seizing #1 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and #1 on the UK Dance Albums Chart. Moreover, it attracted some of the highest critical praise of the group’s storied career thus far from Pitchfork, NME, and more. It only hints at more to come.

After a breakthrough year, which saw Luke Royalty release his sublime debut EP My Blue Room and play a host of shows across the UK, the rising Darlington based troubadour returns with brand new single ‘UP!’ The track is the first to be taken from his forthcoming EP 9INE, out October 6th on Soul Kitchen Recordings. Listen to ‘UP!’ HERE.

Co-produced with Julien Flew at his studio in Hackney Wick‘, UP!’ sees a subtle maturity in Luke’s sound. Still soaked in his hypnotising, laid back vocal, the track is a glitchy pop earworm that’ll be circling your brain for weeks. “‘Up!’ is a positive message about the feeling of hope and mindset it puts you in,” Luke said of the track. “I’ve had some darker times over the past year, however in trying to overcome them I didn’t want to just make sombre music. I wanted to channel the energy into an experimental production and freeing lyrics that shows there’s beauty in many of the simple things I take for granted.”

Merging lo-fi beats, with Luke’s raw, easy-going tones, the collection of seven tracks intertwine through hazy vibes to breezy pop hooks. “9INE is a messy pop project about love, hope and fear,” Luke said of the EP. “I really wanted to try and make something that sounded different to the other music that’s being released right now and separate myself from any labels or genres that people might expect when listening to Luke Royalty. I want to create something that’s fresh, exciting, and rough around the edges.”

Hailing from Darlington in the North East of England, Luke came from a creative family of artists and musicians. He, however, avoided dabbling in music until his late teens, preferring to spend his time playing Sunday League football and following his beloved Darlington FC. Upon finding influence in the likes of Mac Miller, Amy Winehouse and Bill Withers, Luke got drawn into the culture of turning his words to music and the rest is history in the making.

Without doubt one of the most exciting emerging acts around and having already garnered support from key players including BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders’ ‘Future Artists Next Wave Pick’), BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, NME, Clash Magazine, Far Out Magazine, Notion, The Line Of Best Fit, The Independent and Amazing Radio, 2023 sets to be another step towards greatness for Luke Royalty.

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James Blunt is back with a sparkling new album Who We Used To Be – released October 27th on Atlantic Records, featuring the bright and breezy uptempo rocker “Beside You’. 

Produced by The Six, a Manchester collective who have worked with Clean Bandit, Marshmello and James Arthur, ‘Beside You’ is a feel -good summer anthem. “It’s a bit of a celebration,” James says. “An upbeat banger about finally being with the one you’ve been searching for your whole life.” Listen to ‘Beside You’ HERE.

Who We Used To Be is James’ first studio album since the acclaimed, top 3 ‘Once Upon A Mind’ in 2019. This time out he has worked with a variety of producers including Jonny Coffer, Red Triangle, Jack & Coke and Steve Robson. His recent greatest hits collection, ‘The Stars Beneath My Feet’, went Gold selling over 100,000 copies.

James Blunt has become something of a national treasure as he approaches his twentieth anniversary. He is respected for his honesty, wit, and charm as showcased on record, onstage and with his ever engaging twitter account.

His 2004 debut album ‘Back To Bedlam’ featured the global smash hit ‘You’re Beautiful’ and is one of the top ten best selling albums of that decade. He’s won two Brit Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards and has received 5 Grammy nominations.

Who We Used To Be Tracklisting

1. Saving A Life
2. Some Kind Of Beautiful
3. Beside You
4. Last Dance
5. All The Love That I Ever Needed
6. The Girl That Never Was
7. Cold Shoulder
8. I Won’t Die With You
9. Dark Thought
10. Glow

RECENTLY COMPLETED UK & EUROPEAN TOUR WITH ARCTIC MONKEYS
UK IN-STORES & SIGNING ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST

“A collection of 12 high-energy punk-ish songs reminiscent of their best work” – Rolling Stone

‘The album unfurls via a series of taut yet infectious riffs, pummelling drums and impassioned
high-octane vocals’ – Uncut (7/10)

The Hives release two singles, “Trapdoor Solution” and “The Bomb” that come off their highly anticipated album and their first in over a decade, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons that arrives via word-leading music distributor FUGA on August 11th. Listen to both tracks HERE.

Coming in at just over a minute long, “Trapdoor Solution” is a frenetic, hair-raising guitar-thrashing track while “The Bomb” is a stomping, caustic head-banger reminiscent of their early 00s work. The double release follows “Rigor Mortis Radio, “Countdown To Shutdown” and “Bogus Operandi” which earned wide critical acclaim.

The band recently returned to Glastonbury for a blow-out set that CLASH praised as “a terrific performance that blended comedy, rock ‘n’ roll, and fine tailoring” while The Guardian lauded the show, hailing its “rambunctiousness.” 

The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl. A special limited edition glow in the dark gatefold vinyl with poster will be available exclusively via the band’s own webstore. 

​​In the twenty-five years since The Hives exploded around the world, they have sold out stadiums and shared stages with everyone from AC/DC to The Rolling Stones. SPIN calls The Hives “the best live band on the planet” and Howlin’ Pelle “the greatest frontman in rock,” and the BBC dubbed the band “a force of nature.” Rolling Stone named Veni Vidi Vicious one of the Top 100 Albums of the decade and “Hate To Say I Told You So” earned a spot on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000’s. They have sold millions of albums world-wide with multiple RIAA Gold-certifications. In the time since Lex Hives, the band has released 2019’s double A-side “I’m Alive”/“Good Samaritan” as well as a live album via Third Man Records, and embarked on a series of global tours. The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons marks a true renaissance.

Kicking off at Leeds Academy on March 27th next year, The Hives take their famously frenzied show to 12 cities across the UK and Ireland, culminating with a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on April 13th. Tickets are already flying, with over three quarters of the tour already sold out.

The band will perform a matinee and late show at Banquet Records in Kingston in August, as well as four signing across the country. Tickets for all shows available HERE.

August

Thu 10th Glasgow, Assai Records SIGNING

Sat 12th Kingston, Banquet Records MATINEE + LATE SHOW (SOLD OUT)

Sun 13th Bristol, Rough Trade SIGNING

Mon 14th Liverpool, Jacaranda SIGNING

Tue 15th Nottingham, Rough Trade SIGNING

March 2024

Wed 27th Leeds, Leeds Academy

Thu 28th Newcastle, City Hall

Fri 29th Nottingham, Rock City

Sat 30th Wolverhampton, The Halls

April 2024

Mon 1st Glasgow, Barrowland

Tue 2nd Bristol, Academy

Wed 3rd Brighton, Brighton Dome

Fri 5th Cardiff, Great Hall

Sat 6th Manchester, Academy

Mon 8th Dublin, Olympia

Wed 10th Norwich, UEA

Sat 13th London, Eventim Apollo

The Hives on the web:

Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook
Twitter | Spotify | Apple | Tidal

Miles Kane has announced fresh UK headline tour dates for January & February 2024. The exciting announcement arrives ahead of his brand new album One Man Band – out August 4th on Modern Sky Records, and follows the release of its superb latest tracks ‘The Wonder’ & ‘Baggio’

Miles returns to his guitar hero best on One Man Band as he focuses on big hooks and even bigger anthems. Sharp, infectious, urgent and packed to the brim with singalong moments, it’s Miles on the top of his game. A deeply personal record, Miles returned to Liverpool to work on the album, finding himself reflecting on his journey. 

Recorded at the brand new Kempston Street Studios, Miles teamed up with longtime collaborator James Skelly of The Coral for production duties. Taking shape after Miles wrote the album’s infectious title-track and the hazy ‘Ransom’, he hooked up with Blossoms’ Tom Ogden and Keiran Shudall of Circa Waves, as well as Andy Burrow and regular writing partner Jamie Biles to put the tracks together.

One Man Band is a career defining album, sonically brilliant, heartfelt and filled with music he was destined to make since the very beginning of an action packed career. 

Next year’s dates follow Miles’s current run of sold out acoustic in & out stores across the UK. Tickets for all shows available HERE

January 2024

Thu 25th Leeds, O2 Academy

Fri 26th Bristol, O2 Academy

Sat 27th Birmingham, O2 Institute

Mon 29th Oxford, O2 Academy

Tue 30th Nottingham, Rock City

February

Thu 1st Glasgow, SWG3 Galvanizers

Fri 2nd Newcastle, NX

Sat 3rd Manchester, O2 Ritz

Mon 5th Cambridge, Junction

Tue 6th Southampton, Engine Rooms

Thu 8th Brighton, Concorde 2

Fri 9th London, Electric Ballroom

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