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

May 16, 2024

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.

V-U2 Extends Run at Sphere Las Vegas: New Dates Added Through December

Oct 4, 2024

The groundbreaking V-U2 immersive concert film, directed by Morleigh Steinberg and U2’s The Edge, is now extending its run at Sphere Las Vegas through December. The visually stunning showcase of the band’s history-making U2 show, which captivated 700,000 fans from September 2023 to March 2024, blends state-of-the-art technology with a dynamic setlist, taking fans on a journey through U2’s past and future. Don’t miss your chance to experience this one-of-a-kind cinematic concert event. Tickets are now available here.

Little Big Town Unwraps Their First-Ever Holiday Album ‘The Christmas Record’

Oct 4, 2024

Need the perfect soundtrack to help you deck the halls? Multi-platinum GRAMMY Award-winning four-piece Little Big Town – comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – have unwrapped their first-ever Christmas album, The Christmas Record, out now via Capitol Records Nashville.

But wait, there’s more. Alongside The Christmas Record, Little Big Town have released a beautiful music video for “Glow” – out today. Little Big Town pine for the holiday season as they venture through the breathtaking town of Gstaad, Switzerland, in search of the holiday spirit. The video is directed by long-time collaborators Becky Fluke and Reid Long.

“We shot the video for “Glow” while on tour in Switzerland this summer. Being in Gstaad and the Swiss Alps channeled our holiday spirit, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to create our own winter wonderland magic!” says Little Big Town. “We’re so happy to finally share our first-ever Christmas record with the world. We hope this soundtrack will create some new traditions for you this holiday season.”

The 11-track record – produced by Dave Cobb – includes new interpretations of country classics and a stellar batch of original soon-to-be-classics. Among these originals is “Glow,” the upbeat track that’s begging to be listened to around a crackling, stocking-adorned fireplace.

The Christmas Record follows the release of Little Big Town’s first-ever Greatest Hits album, released in August to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary. Consisting of 12 tracks that span the group’s genre-defining discography, the record pays tribute to their remarkable journey thus far, and teases what’s to come thanks to fresh collaborations with Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and Sugarland.

Little Big Town won’t be slowing down this holiday season. Along with the release of The Christmas Record, the band will be ringing in the holidays with NBC for their one-of-a-kind special, “Little Big Town’s Christmas at The Opry.” The 2-hour holiday spectacular will feature performances from Little Big Town along with some extra-special guests. At the end of the month, Little Big Town head out on the road with special guest Sugarland for the Take Me Home Tour, which hits 18 arenas across the country.

GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, AMA, and Emmy Award-winning group, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook – burst onto the music scene 25 years ago with smash hits “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums Tornado and PainKiller produced multiple No. 1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of 2015 “Girl Crush.” 2017’s The Breaker debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts to critical acclaim and features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” In January 2020, the band released their self-produced ninth studio album, Nightfall, which once again hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated songs “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” – the latter of which has reached almost 400 million global streams. In September 2022, they released their tenth studio album, Mr. Sun, which debuted as the Top Country Album released by a Group in 2022. To date, Little Big Town has earned more than 45 award show nominations and has taken home over 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA, and ACM Awards, in addition to an Emmy award. To celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, Little Big Town released their first-ever career-spanning Greatest Hits album on August 9th, which features collaborations with Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and Sugarland. Along with the new album, Little Big Town are gearing up to play arenas nationwide on The Take Me Home Tour, with special guests and recent collaborators Sugarland. Celebrations are set to continue into the New Year with the release of the band’s first-ever Christmas album, The Christmas Record, out now.

The Christmas Record
Glow
Santa Claus Is Back In Town
If We Make It Through December
Someday At Christmas
Christmas Night With You
Believe In Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Tennessee Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here
Evergreen
Holiday

Tour Dates
October 24 – Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SC
October 25 – PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
October 26 – Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
October 31 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
November 1 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
November 2 – KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY
November 7 – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
November 8 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
November 9 – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI
November 14 – T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO
November 15 – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center – Sioux Falls, SD
November 16 – Vibrant Arena at The MARK – Moline, IL
November 21 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
November 22 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX
November 23 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
December 11 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum – Biloxi, MS
December 12 – Gas South Arena – Duluth, GA
December 13 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ Album

Oct 4, 2024

The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds is often rightfully call as one of the greatest albums of all time. Released in 1966, it transformed the way pop music was perceived, elevating the genre to new artistic heights. While fans and critics alike have spent decades celebrating its lush harmonies, innovative production, and emotional depth, there are still some lesser-known details that helped shape this masterpiece.

1. It Was Inspired by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul

The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson was deeply inspired by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul, released in December 1965. Wilson was struck by how Rubber Soul worked as a cohesive album, with no filler tracks, and it motivated him to create something equally groundbreaking. In a 2011 interview, Wilson admitted that he wanted to make Pet Sounds as “a whole album where all the songs made sense together.” This rivalry pushed both bands to raise their creative stakes, eventually leading to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, influenced by Pet Sounds.

2. It Wasn’t Immediately a Commercial Success

Despite being critically revered today, Pet Sounds wasn’t an immediate hit upon its release in the United States. It peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 and didn’t receive the commercial reception Capitol Records hoped for. At the time, many listeners expected the sun-soaked surf anthems The Beach Boys were known for, and Pet Sounds‘ introspective, orchestral sound came as a surprise. However, the album performed much better in the UK, where it reached #2 on the charts.

3. The Album Was a Solo Brian Wilson Project in Disguise

While The Beach Boys are credited as the artists, Pet Sounds was largely the vision of Brian Wilson. By 1965, Wilson had stopped touring with the band to focus on studio work, allowing him to dive deeper into experimentation with arrangements and production techniques. He wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, enlisted session musicians from the legendary Wrecking Crew to bring his ideas to life, and handled most of the production duties. The rest of the band added their iconic harmonies, but the album is largely Wilson’s personal expression.

4. **The Title Pet Sounds Was a Happy Accident**

The album’s title, Pet Sounds, came about almost by chance. It started as an inside joke between Wilson and fellow Beach Boy Mike Love. They originally intended the title to reflect the “pet” or favorite sounds that Brian loved to explore in the studio, including animal noises that appear on tracks like “Caroline, No.” However, as the project evolved, the title took on a deeper meaning, suggesting that the songs themselves were like Wilson’s beloved creations—his musical pets.

5. Paul McCartney Considers “God Only Knows” One of the Greatest Songs Ever Written

One of the standout tracks on Pet Sounds is the tender, heart-wrenching ballad “God Only Knows.” It’s a song so revered that Paul McCartney has publicly stated it’s one of his favorite songs of all time. In various interviews, McCartney has said, “It’s one of the few songs that reduces me to tears.” The song’s layered harmonies, minimalist lyrics, and emotional vulnerability were ahead of their time, and it remains one of the most celebrated love songs in music history.

Pet Sounds is not only a defining moment for The Beach Boys but also for pop music as a whole. Its lush arrangements, introspective lyrics, and bold production techniques were revolutionary for their time and continue to influence musicians across genres.

Photo Gallery: Testament with Kreator and Possessed at Toronto’s History

Oct 4, 2024

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.

What The Far Side Can Teach You About Effective Ideas

Oct 4, 2024

This is brilliant.

Watch Joan Jett Cover The Mary Tyler Moore Theme Song In 1996

Oct 4, 2024

In 1996, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts gave the classic Mary Tyler Moore theme song, “Love Is All Around,” a rock-and-roll twist, as they do with most of their hits. Their rollicking rendition breathed new life into the iconic TV anthem, blending Jett’s signature gritty vocals and the band’s infectious energy with the beloved melody. The cover added a rebellious edge to the tune, showcasing Jett’s ability to reinterpret classics with her style while honoring the timeless spirit of the original.

The JUNO Awards Announce Two New Categories

Oct 4, 2024

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced changes to its Nominating and Voting process. Over the past year, CARAS has undergone a strategic review, including working closely with our Nominating and Voting Committee to conduct the annual review of all Nominating and Voting practices for The JUNO Awards. New changes to the 2025 JUNO Awards Submissions season include the addition of two new categories, South Asian Music Recording of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) Presented by SOCAN.

Canada has proven to be at the epicenter of South Asian music globally. South Asian Music Recording of the Year will celebrate recordings throughout the diaspora, supporting their tremendous growth and success. As one of the most prestigious awards, Songwriter of the Year receives a record number of submissions every year. The category has been split into two with the addition of the Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) Presented by SOCAN. This new award will recognize Canadian songwriters who compose some of the most recognizable songs for artists other than themselves. These two new categories showcase how The JUNO Awards continue to evolve every year. To inform future changes, we will continue to work closely with artists, industry professionals, and communities, ensuring that all decisions are made thoughtfully and inclusively reflecting trends, data and cultural significances within our communities.

2025 JUNO Awards Submissions Presented by TD open October 15, 2024 and will be accepted at junosubmissions.ca until November 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

To be considered for nomination for the 2025 JUNO Awards, national music release dates must fall between the eligibility period of September 1, 2023 – November 1, 2024.

KEY SUBMISSION DATES FOR JUNO AWARDS SUBMISSIONS PRESENTED BY TD:

October 15, 2024 – Submissions Presented by TD open
October 22, 2024 – Early bird deadline
November 7, 2024 – Submissions Deadline

*All dates subject to change

NOMINATING & VOTING UPDATES FOR 2025

APPLICABLE TO ALL JUNO CATEGORIES:

To be eligible to submit all music must be available on at least one Digital Service Provider (DSP) with the exception of Album Artwork of the Year.
All consumption categories will include data from September 1, 2023 – November 29, 2024 towards the artist’s tabulation that determines the Nominees

CATEGORY CHANGES:

Categories added for 2025:
- Songwriter of the Year (Non-Performer) Presented by SOCAN
- South Asian Music Recording of the Year
Categories being merged for 2025:
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Group of the Year to become Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year Presented by FACTOR, The Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters celebrating 10 Nominees in the category.
Categories removed for 2025:
- International Album of the Year

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CHANGES:

Rap Album/EP of the Year and Rap Single of the Year
- The Nominees will now be determined by 50% consumption and 50% Judge vote
Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year Presented by Destination Indigenous and Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year will become Recording categories.
- Artists or Groups with Albums/EPs or Singles will now be eligible to submit in both categories
12.5% Radio Audience Data, 12.5% Social Data, 50% Global consumption data and 25% CARAS Academy Delegate vote will now be used in the tabulation to determine the Nominees for the following categories:
- Artist of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada
- Group of the Year Presented by SiriusXM Canada

The 54th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week 2025 will be hosted in Vancouver, BC from March 27 to Sunday, March 30, 2025 culminating with The JUNO Awards at Rogers Arena on Sunday, March 30, 2025, broadcast live on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos.

Michael Kiwanuka Announces 2025 UK/European Live Dates + Shares New Track, “The Rest of Me”

Oct 4, 2024

Michael Kiwanuka is very pleased to share details of a European/UK headline tour for Spring 2025.

The 12-date run will be Michael’s first headline dates in the UK/Europe since 2022, and the first opportunity to hear tracks from his forthcoming fourth album, Small Changes. The dates will include March dates in Wolverhampton, London’s Eventim Apollo, Edinburgh, concluding on 13^th March at the O2 Apollo in Manchester.

Tickets for the tour go on general sale from Friday 11^th October. Fans who pre-order the record through Michael’s website from now (3^rd Oct) through to 5pm on Tuesday 8^th October will receive early access to tickets to all dates from 10am on Wednesday 9^th October, ahead of general sale.

Small Changes is released on 15^th November through Polydor Records. A third preview of the record is shared today in new track, “The Rest Of Me” – streaming now, and with a beautifully shot video by Yout – watch here

Driving conversations between producer Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) and Michael about the direction of the album and particularly The Rest Of Me, the album’s penultimate track, was the desire to make an album that transcends any notion of what is or isn’t deemed “cool”. He recalls, “We were trying to shoot for something that might have made it onto a Bill Withers album or a Sadé album.” Indeed, Sadé is the case in point on this new track, as Michael remembers afternoons as a child in the back of his aunt’s car, “where Diamond Life was rarely out of the tape machine.”

Listen to the returning single Floating Parade

Listen to Lowdown (part i) and Lowdown (part ii) HERE

Michael is currently out on a rotating headline tour across the US with Brittany Howard.

Michael Kiwanuka Live (US Dates):

3rd October – Summerstage In Central Park, New York (w/ Brittany Howard)
5th October – The Chicago Theatre, Chicago (w/ Brittany Howard)
6th October – Palace Theatre, Saint Paul (w/ Brittany Howard)
8th October – The Mission Ballroom, Denver (w/ Brittany Howard)
10th October – Idaho Botanical Garden: Outlaw Field, Boise (w/ Brittany Howard)
11th October – Edgefield Concerts, Troutdale (w/ Brittany Howard)
12th October – Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver (w/ Brittany Howard)
14th October – Britt Festival Pavilion, Jacksonville (w/ Brittany Howard)
15th October – Paramount Theatre, Seattle (w/ Brittany Howard)
17th October – The Greek Theatre, Berkeley (w/ Brittany Howard)
18th October – Greek Theatre, Los Angeles (w/ Brittany Howard)
19th October – Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles (w/ Brittany Howard)

Michael Kiwanuka Live (Europe/UK):

25th February – Sporthalle, Hamburg
26th February – AFAS Live, Amsterdam
28th February – Le Zénith, Paris
1st March – Forest National, Brussels
3rd March – Alcatraz, Milan
4th March – Halle 622, Zurich
6th March – Zenith, Munich
7th March – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
9th March – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
10th March – Eventim Apollo, London
12th March – Usher Hall, Edinburgh
13th March – O2 Apollo, Manchester

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to Release Unreleased 1969 Fillmore East Concert as Double Live Album

Oct 4, 2024

After famously playing their second show at Woodstock in August 1969, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young spent the rest of the year touring and writing songs for what would become CSNY’s 1970 debut, Déjà Vu. A newly discovered multi-track recording of the band’s September 20, 1969, concert at the historic Fillmore East in New York City captures an early moment from that first tour and will be released as a double live album on October 25.

Live At The Fillmore East, 1969 will be available from Rhino.com on vinyl (2LP) and CD. Pre-Order HERE. A special clear-vinyl edition will be available exclusively at select retailers on the same day. An unreleased live version of “Helplessly Hoping” is available today digitally. Listen HERE.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young were heavily involved in the creation of this never-before-heard live show. Stills and Young compiled and mixed the original eight-track concert recordings with John Hanlon at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles. The audio is AAA lacquer cut for the vinyl release to provide the highest audio fidelity.

Young recently said: “[We] have the tapes, and they sound so real. We mixed at Sunset Sound – the analog echo chamber, no digital echo. We’re staying all analog throughout the production…Pure. Analog. No digital – an Analog Original.”

Recorded only a month after Woodstock, the September 20 concert was the band’s fourth show in two days at the Fillmore East and featured both acoustic and electric sets. Stills shares they were still figuring things out, “the acoustic part of the show took care of itself, but now that we had equipment and Dallas [Taylor, drums] and Greg [Reeves, bass] and sizable shows to do, we just went for it. What we lacked in finesse, we made up for in enthusiasm…A band on the run. Expecting to fly.”

The setlist spotlights soon-to-be classics from CSN’s self-titled debut and Young’s Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere with “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Helplessly Hoping,” and “Down By The River.” The concert also features early versions of two future Déjà Vu tracks. Stills delivers a stunning solo acoustic performance of his introspective ballad “4 + 20,” followed by Nash, alone at the organ, singing “Our House” to its inspiration, Joni Mitchell, who was in the Fillmore audience.

In the acoustic set, Young gave a nod to Buffalo Springfield (his first band with Stills) playing “I’ve Loved Her So Long,” a song he wrote for the group’s final album, 1968’s Last Time Around. Young says, “For me, CSNY was a chance to reunite with Steve Stills and carry on the Buffalo Springfield vibe. Crosby’s great energy was always our catalyst. Graham and Stephen’s vocals, along with David’s and mine, were uplifting every night. Great moments I will never forget.”

The electric set is powerful and intense, highlighted by expansive versions of “Wooden Ships,” “Long Time Gone,” and “Sea Of Madness.” The band closes the show with “Find The Cost Of Freedom,” a new song by Stills that later would be released as the B-side to the protest anthem “Ohio.”

“Hearing the music again after all these years, I can tell how much we loved each other and loved the music that we were creating,” Nash says. “We were four people reveling in the different sounds we were producing, quietly singing together on the one hand, then rocking like f**k for the rest of the concert.”

Upon coming together in 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young (CSNY) captured lightning in a bottle and cemented a once-in-a-generation creative union between four of rock ‘n’ roll’s most distinct, impassioned, and prolific personalities—David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. On March 11, 1970, the group unveiled their full-length debut album, Déjà vu. The ten-track opus housed staples such as the Joni Mitchell-penned “Woodstock,” “Teach Your Children,” “Our House,” and “Carry On.” Peaking at #1 on the Billboard 200, it eventually achieved a 7x-Platinum RIAA certification. Indicative of the record’s seismic generational impact, the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Recording Registry, while the Recording Academy chose the LP for induction in the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone touted it among the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” The group catalog expanded with the platinum-certified American Dream [1988] and Looking Forward [1999]. They also headlined a string of seminal sold-out tours. Rewinding to their early days, they took the stage at The Fillmore East for four shows in just two days on September 19-20, 1969. 55 years later, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young share the final gig from this particular run as the 2LP/2CD set Live At The Fillmore East, 1969 in 2024. A newly unearthed multi-track recording of the late show on September 20 brings this night to life again. It’s both a snapshot of a band that’s assuredly enjoying its recently found footing and a harbinger of their future together. With 20 million records sold and billions of streams, the music of CSNY remains firmly woven forever into the fabric of the American Songbook.

Live At The Fillmore East, 1969 Tracklist

Side One
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
“Blackbird”
“Helplessly Hoping”
“Guinnevere”
“Lady Of The Island”

Side Two
“Go Back Home”
“On The Way Home”
“4 + 20”
“Our House”
“I’ve Loved Her So Long”
“You Don’t Have To Cry”

Electric Set
Side One
“Long Time Gone”
“Wooden Ships”
“Bluebird Revisited”
“Sea Of Madness”

Side Two
“Down By The River”
“Find The Cost Of Freedom”

CD Tracklist

Acoustic Set
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
“Blackbird”
“Helplessly Hoping”
“Guinnevere”
“Lady Of The Island”
“Go Back Home”
“On The Way Home”
“4 + 20”
“Our House”
“I’ve Loved Her So Long”
“You Don’t Have To Cry”

Electric Set
“Long Time Gone”
“Wooden Ships”
“Bluebird Revisited”
“Sea Of Madness”
“Down By The River”
“Find The Cost Of Freedom”

The Who Honored with Exclusive Royal Mail Stamp Collection

Oct 4, 2024

The iconic British rock band The Who has been honored with a special collection of Royal Mail stamps, celebrating their incredible contribution to music over the past six decades. The collection features stamps and collectable item showcasing some of the band’s most memorable moments, from their electrifying performances to iconic album covers like Tommy and Who’s Next. The Royal Mail’s tribute highlights the influence The Who has had on music and culture worldwide, from their early Mod-era roots to becoming one of rock’s most legendary acts. You can pre-order here.