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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.

Young Christina Aguilera Belts Aretha Franklin’s ‘Think’ While Britney Spears Dances in the Background

Before they became global pop superstars, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears shared the stage in a memorable moment during their early years. In a throwback performance, a young Christina Aguilera delivered a powerful rendition of Aretha Franklin’s classic “Think,” showcasing her impressive vocal talent even at a young age. As she sang, Britney Spears took on the role of backing dancer, adding her own energy to the performance.

My Next Read: “Faster Than A Cannonball: 1995 and All That” By Dylan Jones

Decades tend to crest halfway through, and 1995 was the year of the Nineties: peak Britpop (Oasis v Blur), peak YBA (Tracey Emin’s tent), peak New Lad (when Nick Hornby published High Fidelity, when James Brown’s Loaded detonated the publishing industry, and when pubs were finally allowed to stay open on a Sunday). It was the year of The Bends, the year Danny Boyle started filming Trainspotting, the year Richey Edwards went missing, the year Alex Garland wrote The Beach, the year Blair changed Clause IV after a controversial vote at the Labour Conference.

Not only was the mid-Nineties perhaps the last time that rock stars, music journalists and pop consumers held onto a belief in rock’s mystical power, it was a period of huge cultural upheaval – in art, literature, publishing and drugs. And it was a period of almost unparalleled hedonism, a time when many people thought they deserved to live the rock and roll lifestyle, when a generation of narcotic omnivores thought they could all be rock stars just by buying a magazine and a copy of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Faster Than a Cannonball is a cultural swipe of the decade from loungecore to the rise of New Labour, teasing all the relevant artistic strands through interviews with all the major protagonists and exhaustive re-evaluations of the important records of the year – The Bends by Radiohead, Grand Prix by Teenage Fanclub, Maxinquaye by Tricky, Different Class by Pulp, The Great Escape by Blur, It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah! by Black Grape, Exit Planet Dust by the Chemical Brothers, I Should Coco by Supergrass, Elastica by Elastica, Pure Phase by Spiritualized, …I Care Because You Do by Aphex Twin and of course (What’s the Story) Morning Glory by Oasis, the most iconic album of the decade.

5 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’

Joni Mitchell’s Blue is a musical gem, a raw and beautifully honest album that has stood the test of time since its release in 1971. Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, it’s packed with emotional depth, soulful melodies, and timeless stories. But how much do you really know about Blue? Let’s dive into five fun facts about this iconic album that’ll have you listening with fresh ears.

1. It Was Written During a Heartbreaking European Adventure

In 1970, after a breakup with fellow musician Graham Nash, Joni Mitchell decided to hit the road. She traveled to Europe, where she found both inspiration and heartbreak. Her adventures on the island of Crete, among other places, gave rise to some of Blue’s most beloved tracks, like “Carey” and “California.” Her European soul-searching journey made the album as raw and reflective as it is — talk about turning travel into art.

2. “Little Green” Was a Deeply Personal Song About Her Daughter

One of the most touching songs on Blue is “Little Green,” but what you might not know is that it’s about the daughter Joni Mitchell gave up for adoption in 1965. She kept the song under wraps for years, only releasing it on Blue. The lyrics are subtle yet heartbreaking, revealing the personal pain that Mitchell was willing to share with the world. It wasn’t until decades later that her daughter was reunited with her – a real-life full-circle moment.

3. James Taylor Wasn’t Just a Love Interest — He Played On the Album

While recording Blue, Mitchell was romantically involved with James Taylor, and their relationship deeply influenced the album. What many fans may not know is that Taylor actually played guitar on some of the tracks, including “A Case of You” and “California.” The warmth and intimacy in the music reflect not just Joni’s heartache but also the complexities of their relationship.

4. It Almost Included Two Completely Different Songs

Blue could have sounded a lot different! Originally, Joni Mitchell had planned to include two older songs, “Urge for Going” and “Hunter (The Good Samaritan),” but she swapped them out at the last minute. Instead, she added “All I Want” and “The Last Time I Saw Richard,” making Blue even more cohesive in its exploration of love, loss, and self-reflection. You can still hear those cut tracks on later releases, but Blue wouldn’t be the same without the last-minute changes.

5. It Redefined What a “Confessional” Album Could Be

Before Blue, artists didn’t typically wear their hearts on their sleeves quite this openly. The album set a new standard for what a confessional singer-songwriter album could be — brutally honest and emotionally transparent. Joni Mitchell herself once said the album made her feel like “a cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes,” fully exposed to the world. Critics and artists alike have praised her vulnerability ever since, with legends like Prince and Taylor Swift citing Blue as a major influence.

 

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

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’

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 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About The Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds’ Album

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

Testament

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

Testament
Testament
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Testament
Kreator
Kreator
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Possessed
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Testament

What The Far Side Can Teach You About Effective Ideas

This is brilliant.

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

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

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.

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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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