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Unlock Your Music’s Potential: Eric Alper PR Revolutionizes Spotify Promotion For Sustainable Growth

Eric Alper PR is excited to offer Spotify promotion and playlisting approach that keeps long-term streaming growth and algorithmic cohesion as its primary focus. This means that he only uses real human manual pitching to worldwide playlisters curated by people who want to hear your genre of music, and to playlisters that would be programming your song in lists with similar independent artists and marketing those lists to audiences who would be looking for music like it.

He works to use the digital streaming service algorithms to help put your music in spaces where listeners would expect to hear it, resulting in a lower skip rate, using his almost-decade experience third party playlists as a way to teach discovery algorithms that your song should be suggested to more listeners who like similar artists, and a longer period of growth on your track and a higher chance of it reaching people who will become real fans.

It is his mission to make the data that independent artists have access to on their streaming platforms as usable as possible, reflecting real growth from reaching actual people as opposed to inflated fake numbers. While the digital marketing landscape is constantly shifting and changing, he is adapting to chase the same goal of bringing your music to the people who will love it.

Ready to take your music to new heights? Email me Eric@ThatEricAlper.com today for personalized details on how we can elevate your Spotify presence and connect you with your audience authentically.

5 Surprising Facts About Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds Of Love’

Listening to Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love an experience that’s continued to win new fans since 1985. With its blend of ethereal sounds, emotional depth, and groundbreaking production, it’s no surprise that it remains a beloved masterpiece.

1. Running Up That Hill Almost Had a Completely Different Name
The lead single, “Running Up That Hill,” was initially titled “A Deal with God.” Kate Bush envisioned the song as a poignant exploration of gender empathy—a man and a woman making a deal with God to exchange places for better understanding. However, EMI Records worried that the religious reference might limit its airplay. Reluctantly, Bush agreed to change the title, but she always felt that the original title truly captured the song’s essence. Despite its initial release in 1985, the song gained a new generation of fans when it topped charts globally in 2022, thanks to Stranger Things.

2. The Dreamlike Inspiration Behind Cloudbusting
Inspired by Peter Reich’s memoir A Book of Dreams, “Cloudbusting” tells the story of the controversial psychologist Wilhelm Reich through the eyes of his son. The song’s narrative captures a child’s awe and heartbreak as he watches his father’s dream—his cloudbusting machine—fall victim to government raids. The music video, featuring Donald Sutherland, brought this poignant tale to life with cinematic visuals. Kate’s decision to cast Sutherland reportedly involved her sneaking into his hotel to personally pitch the idea!

3. The Ninth Wave Is a Concept Album Within an Album
Side two of Hounds of Love, titled The Ninth Wave, is a seven-track conceptual suite that tells the harrowing and ethereal story of a woman adrift in icy waters. Drawing on themes of survival, death, and rebirth, it’s an immersive narrative journey that feels cinematic in its scope. Bush layered sound effects, traditional Irish instruments, and choral arrangements to create an otherworldly atmosphere.

4. The Famous Fairlight CMI Synthesizer Was Front and Center
Kate Bush was one of the first artists to master the Fairlight CMI, a revolutionary synthesizer and sampler. She used it extensively on Hounds of Love, particularly on “Running Up That Hill” and other tracks, to create lush soundscapes that were ahead of their time. The album is a testament to Bush’s ability to fuse cutting-edge technology with deeply human emotions, a balance few artists have achieved so seamlessly.

5. The Album Launch Party Was Out of This World—Literally
When Hounds of Love was released on September 16, 1985, its launch party was held at the London Planetarium. Guests were treated to a playback of the album accompanied by a mesmerizing laser show—a fittingly celestial celebration for an album that feels like it came from another world. The theatricality and innovation of this event mirrored the album’s bold artistic vision, setting the tone for its critical and commercial success.

Hounds of Love redefined what pop music could achieve, blending avant-garde experimentation with chart-topping accessibility. Its themes of empathy, resilience, and artistic vision resonate as profoundly today as they did in 1985, offering a blueprint for how music can push boundaries while remaining deeply personal.

My Next Read: “Mixing Pop and Politics: A Marxist History of Popular Music” by Toby Manning

From rock’n’roll to contemporary pop, Mixing Pop and Politics by Toby Manning is a provocative and entertaining mash-up of music and Marxist theory. A radical history of the political and social upheavals of the last 70 years, told through the period’s most popular music.

Mixing Pop and Politics is not a history of political music, but a political history of popular music. Spanning the early 50s to the present, it shows how, from doo-wop to hip-hop, punk to crunk and grunge to grime, music has both reflected and resisted the political events of its era.

Mixing Pop and Politics explores the connections between popular music and political ideology, whether that’s the liberation of rock’n’roll or the containment of girl groups, the refusal of glam or the resignation of soft rock, the solidarity of disco or the individualism of 80s pop.

At a time when reactionary forces are waging political war in the realm of culture, and we’re being told to keep politics out of music, Mixing Pop and Politics is a timely, original and joyful exploration of popular music’s role in our society.

My Next Read: “Like Lockdown Never Happened” By Joy White Looks At How Black Music and Culture Redefined the Pandemic Era

In Like Lockdown Never Happened, Joy White explores the profound impact of Black music and culture during the pandemic, revealing how it became a beacon of resilience and connection in a socially distanced world. From the explosion of online events to groundbreaking creative expressions, the book highlights the cultural moments that defined this era, such as Kano’s Newham Talks, Steve McQueen’s BBC anthology Small Axe, the Verzuz DJ Battle series, TikTok’s Don’t Rush Challenge, and the rise of radio station TheresNoSignal.

The book delves into how Black joy and sonic Black geographies played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural narrative of the pandemic. By examining the interplay of chronological and kairotic time, it underscores the role of Black music in combating isolation and boredom while offering insights into the power of Black creativity to sustain communities through unprecedented challenges. Rich in analysis and cultural depth, Like Lockdown Never Happened is essential reading for anyone interested in music, culture, and how art helps us navigate crisis.

Joy White is Lecturer in Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire and the author of Urban Music and Entrepreneurship: Beats, Rhymes and Young People’s Enterprise and Terraformed: Young Black Lives in the Inner-City. She has also written for The Quietus, The Conversation, Prospect, Red Pepper and Google Arts & Culture.

My Next Read: “Instrument of War” by David Suisman

Since the Civil War, music has coursed through the United States military. Soldiers have sung while marching, listened to phonographs and armed forces radio, and packed the seats at large-scale USO shows. “Reveille” has roused soldiers in the morning and “Taps” has marked the end of a long day. Whether the sounds came from brass instruments, weary and homesick singers, or a pair of heavily used earbuds, where there was war, there was music, too.

Instrument of War by David Suisman is a first-of-its-kind study of music in the lives of American soldiers. Although musical activity has been part of war since time immemorial, the significance of the US military as a musical institution has generally gone unnoticed. Historian Suisman traces how the US military used—and continues to use—music to train soldiers and regulate military life, and how soldiers themselves have turned to music to cope with war’s emotional and psychological realities. Opening our ears to these practices, Suisman reveals how music has enabled more than a century and a half of American war-making. Instrument of War unsettles assumptions about music as a force of uplift and beauty, demonstrating how it has also been entangled in large-scale state violence.

Whether it involves chanting “Sound off!” in basic training, switching on a phonograph or radio, or cueing up an iPod playlist while out on patrol, the sound of music has long resonated in soldiers’ wartime experiences. Now we all can finally hear it.

David Suisman is associate professor of history at the University of Delaware. He is the author of Selling Sounds: The Commercial Revolution in American Music, winner of numerous awards and honors, and co-editor of Capitalism and the Senses and Sound in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers Unveil “My Christmas List” Lyric Video Featuring Rob Halford and Brandon Jenner

Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers and the Rock For Children team are spreading holiday cheer with the release of a lyric video for “My Christmas List,” a standout track from the GRAMMY-nominated album Solid Rock Revival. Featuring the legendary vocals of Rob Halford, Alice Cooper, and Brandon Jenner, this festive tune promises to be both captivating and uplifting. Written by Dana Kamide, the song embodies a message of hope, change, and positivity. Other artists on the album include icons like Slash, Daryl “DMC” McDaniels, and 123 Andres, all contributing their talents to benefit a cause dedicated to empowering youth. Every purchase of the album directly supports the Solid Rock Teen Centers, which provide free after-school programs in music, dance, art, and vocational training to teens aged 12–20 in Arizona.

The Rock For Children initiative is presented by The Norelli Family Foundation in partnership with Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers. The foundation works tirelessly to improve children’s lives by fostering creativity, personal growth, and artistic excellence in a supportive environment. Located in Mesa, Phoenix, and Goodyear, Arizona, these centers are more than just places to learn—they are vibrant hubs for teens to discover and express their talents while connecting with peers. With proceeds from Solid Rock Revival funding these vital programs, this collaboration is a perfect blend of music and philanthropy, ensuring that the next generation has the tools and support to thrive. Listen to “My Christmas List” and join the movement to make a meaningful difference this holiday season.

Gene Simmons Extends 2025 Tour Across North America

Gene Simmons is proving that the stage really is where he belongs! The KISS cofounder and legendary rock icon has extended his 2025 tour with the Gene Simmons Band, adding even more dates to an already exciting spring lineup. Kicking off April 5th in Rohnert Park, CA, at The Event at Graton Resort & Casino and wrapping up May 24th at Houston’s House of Blues, this tour promises to be a rock-and-roll masterclass. Simmons and his band will hit iconic venues across North America, ensuring fans from Florida to Ontario get their fix of his signature style. With stops in cities like Nashville, Clearwater, and Niagara Falls, the Demon himself is bringing the fire to fans across the continent. Get ready, because Gene Simmons isn’t just touring—he’s taking over.

Gene Simmons Band 2025 Tour Dates
04/05 – The Event at Graton Resort & Casino – Rohnert Park, CA
04/25 – Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL
04/26 – Fillmore – Miami Beach, FL
04/28 – The Moon – Tallahassee, FL
04/29 – Florida Theater – Jacksonville, FL
04/30 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
05/03 – Beaver Dam Amphitheater – Beaver Dam, KY
05/05 – Basie – Red Bank, NJ
05/06 – Wellmont – Montclair, NJ
05/08 – Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA
05/09 – Paramount – Huntington, NY
05/15 – Fallsview Casino – Niagara Falls, ON
05/20 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN
05/22 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
05/23 – Tobin Center – San Antonio, TX
05/24 – House of Blues – Houston, TX

Federal Trade Commission Announces Bipartisan Rule Banning Junk Ticket and Hotel Fees

The Federal Trade Commission today announced a final Junk Fees Rule to prohibit bait-and-switch pricing and other tactics used to hide total prices and bury junk fees in the live-event ticketing and short-term lodging industries. These unfair and deceptive pricing practices harm consumers and undercut honest businesses.

“People deserve to know up-front what they’re being asked to pay—without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC’s rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time. I urge enforcers to continue cracking down on these unlawful fees and encourage state and federal policymakers to build on this success with legislation that bans unfair and deceptive junk fees across the economy.”

The Junk Fees Rule will ensure that pricing information is presented in a timely, transparent, and truthful way to consumers of live-event tickets and short-term lodging, two industries whose pricing practices the Commission has studied in particular. Consumers searching for hotels or vacation rentals or seats at a show or sporting event will no longer be surprised by a pile of “resort,” “convenience,” or “service” fees inflating the advertised price. By requiring up-front disclosure of total price including fees, the rule will make comparison shopping easier, resulting in savings for consumers and leveling the competitive playing field.

The Commission launched this rulemaking in 2022 by requesting public input on whether a rule could help eliminate unfair and deceptive pricing tactics. After receiving more than 12,000 comments on how hidden and misleading fees affected personal spending and competition, the FTC announced a proposed rule in October 2023 and invited a second round of comments. The Commission received more than 60,000 additional comments which it considered in developing the final rule announced today.

The FTC estimates that the Junk Fees Rule will save consumers up to 53 million hours per year of wasted time spent searching for the total price for live-event tickets and short-term lodging. This time savings is equivalent to more than $11 billion over the next decade.

The Final Rule

The final rule targets specific and widespread unfair and deceptive pricing practices in the sale of live-event tickets and short-term lodging, while preserving flexibility for businesses. It does not prohibit any type or amount of fee, nor does it prohibit any specific pricing strategies. Rather, it simply requires that businesses that advertise their pricing tell consumers the whole truth up-front about prices and fees.

To accomplish this, the Junk Fees Rule requires that businesses clearly and conspicuously disclose the true total price inclusive of all mandatory fees whenever they offer, display, or advertise any price of live-event tickets or short-term lodging. Businesses cannot misrepresent any fee or charge in any offer, display, or ad for live-event tickets or short-term lodging.

In addition, the rule requires businesses to display the total price more prominently than most other pricing information. This means that the most prominent price in an ad needs to be the all-in total price—truthful itemization and breakdowns are fine but should not overshadow what consumers want to know: the real total.

Finally, the rule requires businesses that exclude allowable fees up front to clearly and conspicuously disclose the nature, purpose, identity, and amount of those fees before consumers consent to pay. For instance, businesses that exclude shipping or taxes from the advertised price must clearly and conspicuously disclose those fees before the consumer enters their payment information.

Industries beyond live-event ticketing and short-term lodging are prohibited from deceiving consumers about fees and pricing per longstanding law. The FTC will use its law enforcement authority to continue to rigorously pursue bait-and-switch pricing tactics, such as drip pricing and misleading fees, in other industries through case-by-case enforcement.

The Commission vote approving publication of the final rule was 4-1, with Commissioner Andrew Ferguson dissenting. Chair Lina M. Khan issued a separate statement, as did Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. Commissioner Melissa Holyoak issued a concurring statement and Commissioner Andrew Ferguson issued a dissenting statement. The final rule will become effective 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

The primary staffers leading development of the final rule are Annette Soberats, Stacy Cammarano, and Karen Mandel in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Robert Earl Keen Announces March Tour Dates In Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, And More

Hot on the heels of his Lights, Camera, Christmas! Tour, Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen is announcing another small run of shows slated for March of 2025. Un-retired and touring a little more conservatively at sixty-eight years old—read all about that from Rolling Stone—Keen and his longtime band are tighter than ever and raising crowd after crowd to their feet to sing and dance along to his now-timeless catalog of songs. Turns out that the road does go on forever.

Fittingly, the tour will start and end in REK’s home state, kicking off on March 7th in Fort Worth and wrapping up in Midland on March 22nd with a few more dates to be announced. In between, the Robert Earl Keen Band—Brian Beken, Bill Whitbeck, Tom Van Schaik, and Kym Warner—will cruise throughout the Southeast and Midwest before taking a quick jaunt West to Colorado and New Mexico. These March tour dates are, of course, in addition to Keen’s already announced shows supporting Willie Nelson & Family in New Braunfels, Texas, in April and Tyler Childers at the Hollywood Bowl in June.

Tickets for all newly-announced shows will go on sale on Friday, December 20th, at 10 am in each local market. A full list of tour dates and ticket information can be found below or at robertearlkeen.com/tour.

While we can’t talk about it quite yet, there’s new music on the horizon for Robert Earl Keen that may or may not coincide with him and the band hitting the road in 2025. Stay up to date on all of REK’s socials or at robertearlkeen.com.

Catch Robert Earl Keen On Tour:

March 7 – Fort Worth, TX – Bass Hall
March 8 – Shreveport, LA – Louisiana Grandstand
March 9 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 13 – Eureka Springs, AR – The Auditorium
March 14 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
March 15 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
March 16 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Jones Assembly
March 18 – Crested Butte, CO – Center For The Arts
March 21 – Santa Fe, NM – The Lensic Performing Arts Center
March 22 – Midland, TX – The Tailgate Midland
April 18 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater – supporting Willie Nelson & Family
April 19 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater – supporting Willie Nelson & Family
June 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl – supporting Tyler Childers

For all dates and ticket information, please visit robertearlkeen.com/tour.

SweetWater Brewing Announces 28th Anniversary Bash With STS9 Headlining an Immersive Jamtronica Experience

 SweetWater Brewing Company, the largest craft brewer in the Southeast and a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, Inc. celebrates its 28th year with legendary electronic jam band STS9 which will headline SweetWater’s Anniversary Party at its Atlanta brewery on Saturday, February 22.

Founded in 1997, SweetWater brought hops to the South and sparked Atlanta’s craft beer renaissance. Since then, SweetWater has also brought countless electrifying music performances to its fans through SweetWater 420 Fest and annual Anniversary Party.

Founded in Georgia the same year as SweetWater, STS9 has been a pioneering force in jam music. The band has built an impressive legacy and loyal fanbase across the world with its fusion of jam and electronic music, as well as its breathtaking live performances that feature brilliant visual experiences.

“STS9 has been a fixture in the jam and electronic music scenes for nearly three decades, and we can’t wait for them to put on a mind-blowing show at SweetWater’s brewery for our fans in a throwback to our jam band roots. We’re excited to bring our community together with a full day of heady music and heady beers,” said Evan Woolard, SweetWater Brewing’s Senior Brand Manager.

The party will feature a double set by STS9, along with performances by Break Science, Marvel Years, Sneezy, and other artists to be announced. SweetWater will also host its Rock Poster Show, where fans can view and purchase authentic band posters from past tours, performances, and festivals directly from the artists who created them.

A limited number of Early Bird General Admission ($60) and KUSH VIP tickets ($97) are available now and can be purchased here. KUSH VIP tickets come with two complimentary drinks, a commemorative poster, and access to the VIP section, which includes comfortable seating, a private bar and restrooms, the SweetWater Basement experience, and premium viewing areas. VIP ticket holders will also gain access to a VIP gate that allows unlimited re-entry to the show and early access on Friday to the Rock Poster Show.

Looking for a last-minute holiday gift? SweetWater is also announcing its Holiblaze One-Hitter promotion, which offers 25% off Anniversary Party tickets and weekend passes to SweetWater 420 Fest when purchased together. The discount will be available until January 1 while supplies last. Anniversary Party is a 18+ ticketed event. 21+ to drink. Always party responsibly.

38th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert Returns to Carnegie Hall March 3 with Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Arooj Aftab, Angélique Kidjo, Gogol Bordello and More TBA

(Photo Credits L to R: Philip Glass – Danny Clinch; Laurie Anderson – Stephanie Diani; Arooj Aftab – Pooneh Ghana; Angélique Kidjo – Erwan Blaszka; Tenzin Choegyal – Courtesy of the Artist; Gogol Bordello – Ben Wong; The Philip Glass Ensemble – Ravi Sterman; The Scorchio Quartet – Jordan Strauss)

One of the longest-running and most renowned live cultural events in New York City, the Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert, will return to Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on March 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM, with Artistic Directors Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson at the helm. Now in its 38th year, the benefit concert promises an evening of extraordinary performances, camaraderie, and one-night-only collaborations. Anderson will be joined by GRAMMY Award-winning alternative jazz artist Arooj Aftab, five-time GRAMMY Award-winning African music icon Angélique Kidjo, international punk band Gogol Bordello, The Philip Glass Ensemble (PGE), known for their unparalleled interpretations of Glass’s work, Tibetan artist, composer, and cultural ambassador Tenzin Choegyal, GRAMMY Award-winning electro-acoustic string quartet The Scorchio Quartet, and many more artists to be announced in the new year. Uma Thurman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Arden Wohl, and Jonah Freeman will serve as the evening’s honorary chairs.

Few events have withstood the test of time like this annual concert, which has been a standout for over three and a half decades. Consistently sold out, it has brought together some of the most legendary and exciting names in music and art, dazzling audiences with a unique mix of surprising and mesmerizing performances.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now ($49–$220). Visit www.carnegiehall.org to purchase, call CarnegieCharge at 212.247.7800, or visit the Carnegie Hall Box Office (57th Street and Seventh Avenue). Special gala packages starting at $500 are also available, including prime concert tickets and an elegant dinner reception with the performers and notable members of New York City society. To purchase gala packages, visit https://thus.org/ or call Tibet House US at 212.807.0563.

All proceeds support the work of Tibet House US, a non-profit educational institution and cultural embassy founded in 1987 at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to ensure the survival of Tibet’s unique civilization.

Throughout its rich history, the one-of-a-kind Tibet House US Benefit Concert has featured hundreds of world-class artists, including Alabama Shakes, boygenius, Maggie Rogers, Carly Simon, David Bowie, Stephen Colbert, Lou Reed, Phoebe Bridgers, Sharon Jones, FKA twigs, The Roots, Jim James, Vampire Weekend, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Bowen Yang, Joan Baez, Blood Orange, Sigur Rós, R.E.M., Emmylou Harris, Jon Batiste, Nathaniel Rateliff, Jason Isbell, Iggy Pop, The Flaming Lips, Keanu Reeves, Eddie Vedder, Annie Lennox, Brittany Howard, Black Pumas, Cage The Elephant, Cyndi Lauper, and Trey Anastasio, among many others. The event has received widespread acclaim from outlets such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Associated Press, Billboard, Vogue, and more.

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That Eric Alper
6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, a 16-time JUNO Award winner overseeing PR campaigns, and have also been truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

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