Home Blog Page 122

Drop and Axel Grell Collaborate on Pure Audio Headphone

Drop, a leading community-driven e-commerce brand, and audio pioneer Axel Grell have achieved a new pinnacle in stereo imaging and audio engineering with the Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones. Leveraging Grell’s three decades of audio engineering and product development experience designing some of the industry’s most iconic headphones, the driver-forward, open-around-ear OAE1 headphones lean into the structure of the human ear to achieve a more natural and realistic sound field much closer to a speaker listening experience.

The most notable aspect of the Drop + Grell OAE1s is the radical and acute placement of the drivers in front of and away from the ears, enabling the sound field from the transducers to take advantage of the ears natural structure to direct sound into the ear canal. The open-around-ear design minimizes acoustic reflections and controlling sound pressure, with the culmination of both innovations resulting in improved stereo imaging, a natural sound field, and the uncovering of the deepest dimensions of any song.

“Our ears are as individual as fingerprints, so when you put a driver right on top of the eardrum like most headphones do, it will sound good for some and bad for others,” shares Grell. “By positioning the driver in front of the ear, we’re bringing the natural geometry of the ear into the sound forming process, allowing the brain to equalize the sound. Combined with its open-around-ear design, these signature headphones create a rich and pure audio experience.”

Drop + Grell OAE1 Specifications

  • Frequency Response: 12–32,000 Hz (-3db) 6–44,000 Hz (-10db)
  • Transducer principal: Dynamic
  • Ear coupling: Circumaural
  • Sound characteristic: Front oriented loudness diffuse field equalization
  • Adaption to the individual hearing curve: Soundfield pinna interaction
  • Nominal impedance: 38 ohms
  • Sound pressure level at 1kHz 1VRMS: 106 dB
  • Maximum long term input power: 500mW
  • THD at 1kHz 100dB: 0.05%
  • Weight (without cable): 365g

“To be able to bring Axel’s audio vision to life at Drop with the OAE1 is incredibly gratifying,” said Lukas Mondoux at Drop. “Other products touched by Axel’s genius have been among the most popular and well-rated among audio aficionados and our Drop community for years, so we have no doubt this new level of natural, pure audio will delight audiophiles.”

The Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones are a limited-edition product with only 1,000 pieces available for pre-order at $349 (MSRP $399). For more information about the Drop + Grell OAE1 Signature Headphones, please visit: https://drop.com/buy/drop-grell-oae1-signature-headphones

My Next Read: “Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival” by Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour

The definitive, no-holds-barred oral history of 1990s alt-rock festival Lollapalooza―told by the musicians, roadies, and industry insiders who lived it. From the New York Times bestselling authors of Nothin’ But A Good Time.

In Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival, New York Times bestselling authors Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour tell the no-holds-barred history of the iconic music festival. Through hundreds of new interviews with artists, tour founders, festival organizers, promoters, publicists, sideshow freaks, stage crews, record label execs, reporters, roadies and more, Lollapalooza chronicles the tour’s pioneering 1991-1997 run, and, in the process, alternative rock’s rise – as well as the reverberations that led to a massive shift in the music industry and the culture at large.

Lollapalooza features original interviews with some of the biggest names in music, including Perry Farrell and Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Sonic Youth, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Ice-T, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, Patti Smith, Alice in Chains, Metallica and many more.

Conceived by Farrell as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction, Lollapalooza’s inaugural outing across the U.S. in the summer of 1991 helped to coalesce an ideology and aesthetic that not only washed over popular music but seeped into fashion, film, television, literature, food, politics and more. Throughout the decade, Lollapalooza offered a vast and diverse ensemble of bands, breaking barriers of genre and uniting alternative rock, heavy metal, punk, hip-hop, industrial, goth, avant-garde, spoken word, electronic dance music and other styles under one big tent, and setting the template for the modern American music festival and the scores of other contemporary destination fests that are now an integral part of how audiences experience live music.

Unorthodox not just in music, Lollapalooza also spotlighted visual arts, nonprofit organizations, political outfits and even the occasional freak show, offering a tantalizing cocktail of culture, art, and activism that, taken together, defined the alternative mindset that dominated the 1990s. Echoes of its impact reverberate strongly today – cemented by annual sell-outs at destination events all over the world, an estimation of 400,000 attendees at the flagship Chicago fest each summer, and a spot among the world’s largest and longest-running music festivals.

A nostalgic look back at 1990s music and culture, Lollapalooza traces the festival’s groundbreaking origins, following the tour as it progresses through the decade, and documenting the action onstage, backstage, and behind-the-scenes in detailed and uncensored and sometimes shocking first-person accounts. This is the story of Lollapalooza and the 1990s alternative rock revolution.

Charli XCX Releases ‘360’ From Upcoming ‘Brat’ Album

Charli XCX today releases ‘360’ – the fourth track taken from her highly anticipated forthcoming new album ‘BRAT’.

The blockbuster video stars an impressive all-star cast of friends and collaborators including Julia Fox, Chloë Sevigny, Gabbriette, Alex Consani, Rachel Sennott, Emma Chamberlain, A. G. Cook, Hari Nef, Isamaya Ffrench, Matisse Andrews, Quenlin Blackwell, Sakura Bready, Chloe Cherry, Greer Cohen, Anna Collins, Blizzy McGuire, Tess McMillan, Salem Mitchell, Peri Rosenzweig, Richie Shazam and Niki Takesh.

‘BRAT’, Charli’s eagerly awaited sixth studio album, will be released on Friday 7th June and promises to be an exhilarating club record built around high art references and social commentary. The album includes the hit single ‘Von dutch’ – the brash and synth heavy first taste of the record – alongside recent releases ‘Club classics’ and ‘B2b’.

In support of ‘BRAT’, Charli will be embarking on her biggest ever headline shows in arenas throughout the UK in November and December. Charli is also teaming up with longtime collaborator Troye Sivan for their highly anticipated co-headline US arena tour ‘Charli XCX & Troye Sivan Present: Sweat’, including a newly announced second show at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Charli threw a momentous Boiler Room in New York’s Brooklyn in February to launch the ‘BRAT’ campaign with A. G. Cook, George Daniel, Finn Keane and Doss. The show broke the record for the most ever RSVPs to a Boiler Room event, with over 40k people registering to attend. Featuring special guest appearances from the likes of Addison Rae and Julia Fox, the show has easily become one of the viral moments of the year. You can watch the full stream of ‘Boiler Room & Charli XCX Presents: PARTYGIRL’ HERE.

Alongside her new album, Charli has been working on multiple film & TV projects following the breakout success of her Barbie soundtrack contribution ‘Speed Drive’ last year. She is co-executive producing the score for the A24 film ‘Mother Mary’ with Jack Antonoff and also producing original music for Benito Skinner’s series ‘Overcompensating’ on Prime Video. In addition, Charli will star in the Daniel Goldhaber remake of 1978 cult horror film ‘Faces of Death’.

Avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli XCX has become an iconic figure in the arts, having helped expand the landscape of popular music over the last decade by seamlessly traversing the underground and mainstream with her artistic output. Over the course of a trailblazing career, the multi-hyphenate creative has earned critical acclaim for her innovative style and entrepreneurial spirit and seen her forward-thinking approach reshape pop culture in the process.

Her lasting impact was cemented last year when Charli was honoured with the Visionary Award at the annual Ivor Novellos in London, while she also received the Powerhouse Award at Billboard’s Women In Music ceremony in March and the ASCAP Global Impact Award earlier this week.

‘BRAT’ Tracklist:

1. 360
2. Club classics
3. Sympathy is a knife
4. I might say something stupid
5. Talk talk
6. Von dutch
7. Everything is romantic
8. Rewind
9. So I
10. Girl, so confusing
11. Apple
12. B2b
13. Mean girls
14. I think about it all the time
15. 365

Charli XCX 2024 Tour Dates:
Sat 01/06/24 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera (Live) – Sold Out
Fri 07/06/24 – London, UK – Outernet (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out
Tue 11/06/24 – New York, NY – Knockdown Center (Live) – Sold Out
Wed 12/06/24 – Chicago, IL – Radius (Live) – Sold Out
Sat 15/06/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine (Live) – Sold Out
Wed 19/06/24 – Mexico City, Mexico – Club Loo Loo (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out
Fri 21/06/24 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Club Zig (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out
Fri 28/05/24 – Somerset, UK – Glastonbury Festival (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out
Sat 14/09/24 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Mon 16/09/24 – Montreal, QC – Place Bell
Wed 18/09/24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Fri 20/09/24 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Mon 23/09/24 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Wed 25/09/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Thu 26/09/24 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Sat 28/09/24 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Mon 30/09/24 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Wed 02/10/24 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Thu 03/10/24 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Sat 05/10/24 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
Sun 06/10/24 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Wed 09/10/24 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Fri 11/10/24 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sun 13/10/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Tue 15/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Wed 16/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Fri 18/10/24 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sun 20/10/24 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Tue 22/10/24 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Wed 23/10/24 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Wed 27/11/24 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Arena
Thu 28/11/24 – London, UK – The O2
Fri 29/11/24 – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena
Mon 02/12/24 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena

Duran Duran Announce Landmark Reissue Of First Five Studio Albums On LP and CD

Duran Duran have announced the reissue of their first five studio albums – Duran Duran, Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Notorious, and Big Thing. Long out of print, this exciting reissue marks the first time this iconic collection will be available in the original 1LP and 1CD format, with remastered audio, since their initial release. The albums will be available via Warner Music from 19th July.

Both 1LP and 1CD formats will feature the latest album remasters, with vinyl editions cut at Abbey Road Studios. The album artworks have been closely restored to the original sleeve designs, overseen by Malcolm Garrett, the visionary designer behind the band’s first three albums.

Duran Duran’s first five albums – 1981’s Duran Duran, 1982’s Rio, 1983’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger, 1986’s Notorious, and 1988’s Big Thing – have defined the sound and style of generations. Their acclaimed singles like ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’, ‘Rio’, ‘Girls on Film’ and ‘Save a Prayer’ consistently dominated singles charts around the world on their release, and continue to soundtrack the lives of millions of fans. The music and magic within these five records propelled the band to the very front of the global music scene, establishing Duran Duran’s status as cultural icons and one of the most influential groups of all time. Now, 16 studio albums deep into their recording career, and counting, Duran Duran are still performing many of these songs in packed arenas all over the world.

The five albums, which between them graced over 20 Top 10 album charts around the world, provide a rich cross section of Duran Duran’s formative years. Here we are reminded anew of their self-titled debut’s era-defining boldness. A record that completely solidified the signature sound of Duran Duran, whilst simultaneously soundtracking turn of the decade angst, and introducing a new British pop order. As opener ‘Girls on Film’ presented the first use of “found sound” in music with its instantly recognisable camera motor drive clicks, and the apocalyptic shock of ‘Planet Earth’ took hold, Duran Duran’s innovation was signalling what British pop music would do next.

The year between Duran Duran’s release and the dawn of the Rio era was shaped by huge artistic growth. The album elevated the band to global status and produced a trio of Top Ten hits in ‘Save A Prayer’, ‘Rio’ and ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’. The latter two of which birthed some of the first-ever music videos that fans all over the world would fall in love with as MTV launched them into heavy rotation, also helping the band reach super-stardom in the US and beyond.

These achievements set the stage for Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Duran Duran’s first UK #1 album. Truly global in its scope – recorded between studios in France, Australia and the Caribbean – the album paved the way for the Sing Blue Silver Tour, their biggest live outing yet, and saw the band’s debut #1 single in the US with ‘The Reflex’.

After their success working with Nile Rodgers to re-imagine ‘The Reflex’, and produce ‘The Wild Boys’ in the same year, Duran Duran turned to him to produce their next LP, Notorious. The band’s first outing as a three piece, together they created a definitive Duran Duran album that captured the experimental spirit at the core of the band. Never a group to sit still creatively, Duran Duran expanded to a nine-piece complete with horn section and backing singers for the accompanying tour to the Big Thing album, presenting Duran Duran’s most exploratory work to date at that time.

The news of the reissues arrives as Duran Duran look ahead to a big summer of live activity, including an exclusive UK festival headline performance at Latitude Festival on 28th July.

This major festival booking will follow sold-out arena tours across the UK and North America through 2023, the latest in a series of landmark achievements including Duran Duran’s 10th UK Top 5 album release Danse Macabre, headlining London’s Hyde Park, performing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, closing the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in their home town of Birmingham, and sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and three nights at the Hollywood Bowl. All this underpinned by their 2022 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a moment truly cementing the multi-GRAMMY, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello winners as one of the most successful and influential bands of all time.

Pre-order Duran Duran, Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Notorious, and Big Thing here via Warner Music.

Tracklistings

Duran Duran

Side 1
1. Girls on Film
2. Planet Earth
3. Anyone Out There
4. To the Shore
5. Careless Memories

Side 2
1. Night Boat
2. Sound of Thunder
3. Friends of Mine
4. Tel Aviv

Rio

Side 1
1. Rio
2. My Own Way
3. Lonely in Your Nightmare
4. Hungry Like the Wolf
5. Hold Back the Rain

Side 2
1. New Religion
2. Last Chance on the Stairway
3. Save a Prayer
4. The Chauffeur

Seven and the Ragged Tiger

Side 1
1. The Reflex
2. New Moon on Monday
3. (I’m Looking For) Cracks in the Pavement
4. I Take the Dice
5. Of Crime and Passion

Side 2
1. Union of the Snake
2. Shadows on Your Side
3. Tiger Tiger
4. The Seventh Stranger

Notorious

Side 1
1. Notorious
2. American Science
3. Skin Trade
4. A Matter of Feeling
5. Hold Me

Side 2
1. Vertigo (Do the Demolition)
2. So Misled
3. Meet El Presidente
4. Winter Marches On
5. Proposition

Big Thing

Side 1
1. Big Thing
2. I Don’t Want Your Love
3. All She Wants Is
4. Too Late Marlene
5. Drug (It’s Just a State of Mind)

Side 2
1. Do You Believe in Shame?
2. Palomino
3. Interlude One
4. Land
5. Flute Interlude
6. The Edge of America
7. Lake Shore Driving

Alicia Creti Is Giving Us Her Heart And Soul As Spotify Canada’s Radar Artist For May

Alicia Creti is an unstoppable force in the world of music, pouring her heart and soul into every note with a delivery that is both distinct and dynamically charged. This is why Spotify is excited to announce that she is Spotify’s RADAR artist for the month of May.

Not only is Alicia Spotify’s RADAR Canada artist for May but she is also one of the many RADAR global ambassadors from around the world! This means she will get to take over a billboard at both Toronto’s iconic Yonge-Dundas Square May 10-12 as well as a billboard at the one and only Times Square in New York City on May 9th.

Alicia joins a number of emerging artists Spotify Canada has supported early in their artist journey, and at a time when Alicia is poised to show the world how far she has come and where she’s headed next.

At the age of 24, the Montreal-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and pianist emerged as a rising sensation, captivating millions with a soulful rendition of Summer Walker’s “Session 32” and sustaining that momentum with captivating covers of Kehlani, Jazmine Sullivan, and Ari Lennox. With commanding soulful vocals and poignant songwriting, Alicia skillfully weaves a tapestry of self-reflection, heartbreak, and the myriad facets of the human experience, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the pages of her personal journal. Her sound is a breath of fresh air, transcending genre boundaries with a compelling touch of nostalgic soul. Building on the triumph of her 2022 single “Congratulations” and 2023 releases “Strange” and “Crazy,” Alicia is set to unveil her highly anticipated debut EP, Self/Less, offering a narrative journey of a young woman reclaiming her authentic self.

Fatigued by the confines of being “less” and driven to become “more” for herself, she extends an open invitation for fans to accompany her on a profound path of self-discovery.

Spotify’s RADAR program is grounded in supporting emerging artists from across the globe and by joining this acclaimed emerging artist program, fans will have the opportunity to learn more about the breakout artists with their “Clips’ series and through short videos and editorial support on the official Spotify playlists.

Air Canada Musically Transports You to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Paris with Musical Travel Guides

With its Un air de chez nous platform, Air Canada celebrates Québec culture by launching three musical guides created in collaboration with renowned Québec artists. Charlotte Cardin, Alexandra Stréliski and Sarahmée each present their beloved European city with a carefully curated musical playlist designed with their favourite places in mind.

Charlotte Cardin invites us into the intimacy of her home-away-from-home in Paris, while Sarahmée lets us tag along on her breathtaking adventures in Barcelona and Alexandra Stréliski gives us a taste of Amsterdam’s eclectic vibe. These musical travel guides are available on Air Canada’s enRoute website and on Spotify, beginning today, and offer a timely source of inspiration for travellers planning their summer travels to the old continent.

“Music is a powerful means of exploration: We listen to music on our way to our destination, but it also has the capacity to call up memories and to take us back to specific moments during our travels, just like flavours and sensations do,” explains Martine Boulerice, Director, Brand Marketing – Québec and Aeroplan, at Air Canada. “This is the insight at the base of the idea of working with Québec artists, to inspire and guide people who are discovering or rediscovering Europe this summer. In addition to sharing their favourite places and personal anecdotes with us, these artists take us on a journey with their highly inspiring musical selections.”

These three accomplished and very successful artists have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in and discover the many hidden treasures of great European cities. Their travel guides offer a reflection of their unique, personal experiences, packed with great recommendations for must-see places, all brought to you by Air Canada. Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam are among the 20 European destinations that are just a non-stop Air Canada flight away from Montréal.

Charlotte Cardin presents Paris

Whether you’re looking for the perfect café for a luscious flat white or the best place for a leisurely Sunday brunch, for two or for the whole family, the Montréal singer will lead you there, as if you were joining in on her own personal exploration of the City of Light. “I always take my friends and family members to Hôtel Amour because, for me, it’s the perfect place for a lovely brunch on a plant-filled terrace that somehow feels both private and lively,” says Charlotte Cardin, introducing a ballad that is close to her heart.

Alexandra Stréliski presents Amsterdam

“You really can’t go to the Netherlands without thinking about cycling. If there is one thing I recommend, it’s to get on a bicycle! […] I chose a Dutch artist that I have just discovered and that I like a lot. There is a very relaxing side to what she does that makes you feel like heading off on a ride and letting your thoughts flow free,” confides Alexandra Stréliski, and this light melodic track definitely gives us the urge to explore Amsterdam!

Sarahmée presents Barcelona

Sarahmée’s playlist showcases the richness and splendour of Barcelona. She takes us to the narrow streets of Poblenou, an iconic neighbourhood covered with magnificent frescos. “You really understand a city when you discover its street art […] When I see art, it really does my soul good. And this song has the same effect,” proclaims Sarahmée, speaking of a track from another of our very own artists.

Find the complete Musical Travel Guides on Air Canada’s enRoute website or listen to the playlists on Spotify:

Charlotte Cardin:
Paris Musical Travel Guide by Charlotte Cardin
Paris by Charlotte Cardin on Spotify

Alexandra Stréliski:
Amsterdam Musical Travel Guide  by Alexandra Stréliski
Amsterdam by Alexandra Stréliski on Spotify

Sarahmée:
Barcelona Musical Travel Guide by Sarahmée
Barcelona by Sarahmée on Spotify

Photo Gallery: Aaron Pritchett at Barrie’s The Ranch 2.0 Concert Hall

All photos by Bailey Buck and Jeff Hurd. You can contact them through Instagram (Bailey) Instagram (Jeff)

Photo Gallery: Set It Off with Death By Romy at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre

All photos by Bailey Buck and Jeff Hurd. You can contact them through Instagram (Bailey) or Instagram (Jeff Hurd)

Video: Moby Does a Multitrack Breakdown of “Extreme Ways” and “Dark Days”

Moby delves into the intricate layers of his iconic track “Extreme Ways,” famously featured in the Jason Bourne movie series, offering fans a fascinating multitrack breakdown. Through this exploration, he unveils the composition’s intricate blend of electronic elements, evoking the adrenaline-fueled essence synonymous with the Bourne franchise. Additionally, Moby treats listeners to a similar breakdown of “Dark Days,” a collaboration with the soulful vocalist Lady Blackbird. In this analysis, he unveils the soul-stirring nuances of the track, showcasing the fusion of electronic beats and Lady Blackbird’s haunting vocals. These breakdowns not only offer insights into Moby’s creative process but also deepen the appreciation for the sonic tapestry he weaves within his music.

My Next Read: “Tracks on the Trail Popular Music, Race, and the US Presidency” by Dana Gorzelany-Mostak

From Bill Clinton playing his saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show to Barack Obama referencing Jay-Z’s song “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” politicians have used music not only to construct their personal presidential identities but to create the broader identity of the American presidency. Through music, candidates can appear relatable, show cultural competency, communicate values and ideas, or connect with a specific constituency. On a less explicit level, episodes such as Clinton’s sax-playing and Obama’s shoulder brush operate as aural and visual articulations of race and racial identity. But why do candidates choose to engage with race in this manner? And why do supporters and detractors on YouTube and the Twittersphere similarly engage with race when they create music videos or remixes in homage to their favorite candidates?

With Barack Obama, Ben Carson, Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump as case studies, Tracks on the Trail: Popular Music, Race, and the US Presidency sheds light on the factors that motivate candidates and constituents alike to articulate race through music on the campaign trail and shows how the racialization of sound intersects with other markers of difference and ultimately shapes the public discourse surrounding candidates, popular music, and the meanings attached to race in the 21st century. Dana Gorzelany-Mostak explores musical engagement broadly, including official music in the form of candidate playlists and launch event setlists, as well as unofficial music in the form of newly composed campaign songs, mashups, parodies, and remixes.

1...121122123...2,066Page 122 of 2,066
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.

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Copyright That Eric Alper